A day with Manual

He couldn’t take his eyes  off the clock even after it struck ten. He was amazed at the speed at which things had happened. How he had brought that girl, suffering in agony, to the church to comfort her, Sanpo’s arrival, and the ensuing argument – he felt everything as a dream. Now he has taken up a challenge also – to find ten men holding firm on truth and righteousness and possessing temperance, within twenty four hours.  If only he could exercise better control over his tongue!  He fell in that trap and now had to focus on the hands of that clock because he was caught in such a detestable argument that even men would have been prudent to avoid.

He took stock of the situation, What were his chances of success? Weren’t the chances of failure more?   Didn’t his friends who had searched in Sodom and Gomorah fail?  Jehovah had given Abraham word that he would spare those cities if he could find fifty right men. Abraham, when realized that it was unachievable, pleaded to reduce it to forty five.  Afterwards it was reduced to forty and then to thirty. Subsequently Abraham succeeded in getting a promise from Jehovah that he wouldn’t destroy those cities for the sake of ten right men. But he couldn’t hear even a single right man’s voice, save for that of Lot from among the wailings of sin in those cities.  Those cities, the valley and all those dwelt in them were destroyed by showering fire and brimstone upon them from heaven.

Wasn’t this an election similar to that?  He had to find ten men on whom the Lord God can feel proud that he had created them. The only relief was that even if he failed in his mission no places would be destroyed. Only that he had to confess to the Lord that the creation of mankind was a flop. If the creator got wild at that, what couldn’t ensue?  This was a trap cleverly set by Sanpo. It was his arrogance and vanity that was talking through him. To fail in front of him and his friends who could destroy man’s body and cast his soul in hell was unimaginable.

Further, he could go anywhere he chose to find those ten  men. Like in Sodom and Gomorrah he didn’t have to confine his search within the city limits. That much was good. The only limitation was in the time. Twenty four hours – the time equivalent to a man-day. Wasn’t this mission as important to mankind as it was for him? It has come in the most unexpected manner.  How may among them would be prepared to face this test that has fallen on them at this unexpected hour?  They had been told to be prepared always as they didn’t know the time of their master’s arrival .‘Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man.’ This has been told to them. Still would he be like the house owner who sleepth without knowing the time when the thief was coming?  It he was not watching, his house would be looted, sure.

Yes, enough warnings have been given to them already. Jesus had told them, therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man comes. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he comes shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all the goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my Lord delays in his coming: And shall begin to smite his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken: The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of. And shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Where should he start from?  Manual had no idea as he was not in constant touch with mankind. And Sanpo had deserted them without giving any clues. His eyes fell on Litha. She was a representative of the mankind. She would be knowing the places from where they could find ten right men. But how to approach her when she was lost in personal problems without paying heed to his words of comfort. She would be knowing more about evil doers and wicked men now!

“Why has that angel got the black mark?” This question which came abruptly from Litha broke the flow of his thoughts. Had she succeeded in forgetting her worries, even if temporarily? “Because they were right.” He answered impulsively. Then his attention was drawn to what he said. What could she make out from his words! It would be foolishness to waste time in explaining it further. Would it be advisable to take her along as she was capable of asking unwanted questions while involved in solving serious issues, he asked himself.

“Why should they wear marks if they were right?” She was proving his fears to be true for she was not going to stop till she got a satisfactory answer from him.

“They had raised their voice against the Lord God – Satan and his friends. Jehovah, angry at their impudence, would have cast them all into the everlasting fire of hell. He, who knows even the minutest thoughts of our mind wouldn’t have tolerated disobedience. He would have crushed them when they showed the first signs of protest. But then they were proved right. So they escaped from judgement temporarily, but not from the black marks. And from then onwards mankind couldn’t escape from sins and temptations.”

“Isn’t there anyone prone to temptations?” she asked. He gazed at her for a moment.  She was hurling questions in a row as if to compensate for her silence.

“Our mission is to find ten such men.” Manual answered impatiently. “Don’t take it to be an easy job. When the Son of God told the men gathered to throw stones at an adulteress, let the one without sins among you first cast a stone at her, they had dispersed being convicted by their own conscience. Pray to God not to let them tempt you.

But they will tempt you anyway. So pray to God to give you enough strength to withstand  temptations and take care to fill your minds with good thoughts. As the Lord told Cain, ‘if you do well you will be accepted. If you fill your mind with good thoughts, sin won’t approach you. If you don’t do well, sin lie at the door. His desire is to wreck you, but I wish you to rule over him.’

 Again it has been told, when the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest: and finding none, he says, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he comes, he finds it swept and garnished. Then goes he and takes to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

He stopped as he was not sure on how much to reveal about sin and temptations to her and decided to respond to her queries more carefully.

“Why does man sin?” She asked.

“Because he is a sinner.”  He said  wearily, being uncomfortable in wasting time in answering her queries. But he felt it improper not to answer her and said, “Because his heart is leaned towards evil from his childhood. If he is given equal chances to select from good and evil, often he chooses evil.”

He paused and continued when he found her unsatisfied with that reply. “Greed rules over his mind always. Greed for wealth, authority, pleasure, gluttony; you name it, he’ll yearn madly for it. The greed will haunt him even if the bare necessities are met. The society itself behaves in a manner encouraging greed. The more the wealth, the more respectable he is. The one with flashy attire, big mansion and expensive vehicle is honorable.  He dwells at the top strata of the society.  The one without these are detestable, being pushed to the bottom strata. But man misses the most important point – before whom is he showing off!  Before whom does the wealth that can be eaten by moth and rust and can be stolen by thieves make him a winner. If they don’t realize and rectify their mistakes those winners will be rendered losers. Many that are first shall be last and the last shall be first.”

Manual continued after a brief pause. ”Don’t you know the story of Job, how he resisted needs and wants and how well he controlled his mind to ward off Satan?  When he was caught in suffering he said, naked I came from my mother’s womb. Naked will I depart from here. God blessed me. He has taken it away. Let his name be glorified.”

“Job was tempted by God. I know that.“ She said.” But why did God let Satan do it? Why didn’t he show Satan his place?  Why was he spared?” Asked Litha, who maintained the belief that Satan was an archrival to God and those two, with equal powers, were in constant fight.

“The Lord had no other alternative but to hand over Job for tempting. Even the Son of God was not spared from being tempted. Jesus, after his baptism by John, was led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.  Temptations are essential, for one can enter the Kingdom of Heaven only after beating the tempters. None wins unless he wins the tempter.”

She was silent for a few moments as if brooding on what she heard,  Manual was also lost in thoughts. The silence stayed only for a short while.

“Are all wants wrong?”  She asked in a low voice. What would have been her wants at that age? Nice dresses, dolls, cosmetics etc. she would have wanted those items like the others of her age.

“How can the wants of necessities wrong?” replied Manual. “If man hadn’t wanted a safe dwelling place he would’ve remained a caveman today.  Man’s need for better living conditions paved way for drastic changes. All these were not personal wants, but society’s common wants.  When they were fulfilled the society as a whole progressed.  A man’s personal need is different from a society’s collective need.  Man wishes to have all the wealth accumulated in his hands. How much does he actually need,  that’s what he ought to ask himself. If the Creator was not caring about him, his greed could‘ve been justified.  But that’s not the case.  Hasn’t the Son of God said,  Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are you not much better than they?  Which of you by taking thought can add an inch to his stature?  And why take you thought for raiment?  Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin.  And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Wherefore if God so clothe the grass of the field which today is and tomorrow is cast into the hearth, shall he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or where withal shall we be clothed?  for your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.  But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for tomorrow, for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Manual continued in a low voice. “Greed for wealth is the main weapon of the tempters. He, who kneels before wealth, commits sins and moves further from God.  He becomes a slave to Satan. His eyes turn to evil and darkness.  When the light in him is put off, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon together. The Lord God is saddened when a man who ought to come to him commits sins and departs from him.”

“Isn’t the God Almighty? Then if he destroys Satan there is no need for him to be sad, isn’t it?  And mankind will also be saved?”  She told her opinion when Manual stopped.

“He who has unwavering faith in God can withstand Satan. He can’t be tempted. Sin won’t approach him. If his mind is not filled with good thoughts and unless he keeps the tempter at bay by way of prayers and fasting, sin will overcome him.  All these have been told in the scriptures. He who can read and understand and bear fruits shall save himself. There are people who don’t read. They spend their time in eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage like those in the time of Noah. They won’t even know what hit them when the time comes. Then there are others who will read but won’t understand. They are like the seeds that fall on the wayside when the sower goes to sow. These seeds will be eaten away by birds.  When questioned on why they didn’t make themselves worthy of everlasting life what will they answer? They think about practice only after the gunshot to start the race is heard.  The day will soon come when the coach will ask, you fool, you knew that there will be a race, then why didn’t you practice?  Will they answer that they hadn’t given their names to participate. They will be thrown out of the arena to where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

They are like the artist who worries about practice only after the curtain is raised. Won’t they realise that the organizer will ask them, why didn’t you prepare yourself before the audience came in?  Will they answer that they were forced to show up themselves on the stage?  They will be thrown out of the auditorium to where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Then there are people who read and understand, yet turn their faces away from the truth. They are like the servant who knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will. He shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.  For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

Manual realized that unless he stop talking and utilise his time effectively he was going to fail in his endeavor. He asked Litha to hold his hand when they came out of the church. They started moving in the air. She enjoyed the bracing midnight breeze, nimble and smooth, and was  fascinated when all that came in her field of vision became visible.

She looked down and her eyes fell on houses where there was light. She remembered burning the midnight oil till the previous day. That aroused the memories of her home in her mind. Her parents and younger brother would be worrying about her. When she returned she would tell them about her meeting with the angel and how she had travelled with him.  She could imagine her brother listening with his eyes wide open. He was not going to believe her. Liar you would have been dreaming, that would be his response.  A faint smile lit up on her lips when she thought about it.

They spotted two people jumping over a compound wall and going towards a house stealthily, in the belief that they were unobserved in the blinding darkness.  Manual slowed down and moved closer. He studied them for a moment and regained speed. “They are thieves,” said Manual. “We will see many who work under the cover of darkness.  Thieves, smugglers, drunkards, moonshiners, prostitutes, adulterers, murderers. The children of darkness are many. They love darkness more than light as their deeds are evil. Man’s world is as active at night as in the day.”

“How can we let the thieves go off like that?  At least we should warn the householder.” Litha protested in ignoring the evildoers.

“He has amassed wealth because he worries about tomorrow. Why does he worry about tomorrow? Why is he dead when he is alive?  His Creator wishes to see him alive rather than wealthy.”

“Still how will he bear the loss?”  She muttered.

“It would have been better for him to sell all that he had and distribute it among the poor than to be robbed.  He would have amassed wealth in heaven that neither thieves can break through and steal nor termites and rust can corrupt. If his soul is asked tonight he would have to go empty handed to heaven. He, who concentrates solely on amassing wealth will be a loser in both the worlds.” “But still……”

“Why do you worry, daughter?” said Manual impatiently. “You and me don’t have the authority to stop them. Weren’t you subjected to an evil much worse than theft?  Didn’t you endure it?”

Manual continued in a tense voice. “We have to find ten gems from among these sinners. Where will we find them?  Who knows if there are enough to fill the list.”

The girl reminded him how he had boasted to the tempter to  find hundreds and thousands of them.  Manual preferred to remain silent. When he himself was cursing his tongue for entrapping him how could he admit that it was his follies to argue with the tempter. It was nice of Sanpo to settle for ten. Otherwise he would have to wander looking for a hundred. This girl was responsible for all his troubles. It was that moment when he stopped to sympathize with her that had ensnared him.  He looked at her wryly and saw her looking back innocently and his anger was waxed cold.

“Yes, I had told so,” He admitted.  “Aren’t there so many worthy to be elected? Or has the mankind lost itself in darkness?”

On hearing his reply she lowered her head. It was better not to answer him.

She cast her eyes down and saw six asbestos roofed buildings in a row and a two-storey building nearby bathed in neon light. She saw watchmen at the gate and assumed it to be an important place.

“It is a company.” He said after studying it. “We might not find our people there.”

“I’ve never been inside a company. Can we just have a look inside, please?” She said with the curiosity natural to a child.

“Time…” Manual was about to reject her plea when she pleaded, “We will have a quick glimpse without wasting any time.”

He couldn’t disappoint her when he saw her enthusiasm. The next moment they were inside its office. The closed doors and the watchmen at the gate couldn’t obstruct them. Manual studied the posters on the wall and observed that it was a soap factory. Litha also agreed for she was familiar with its advertisements.

“These men are doing the society good.”  She smelled a soap packet and said. “They help people cleanse the dirt from their bodies. Shall we include their names?”

“If we’d need only people who cleanse the body it would have been easier.  But what defile a man is the evil thoughts that come out of his heart. Fornications, murders, adulteries, lasciviousness, covetousness, blasphemies, deceits, wickedness, all these dirt proceed from within. We can include people who help others to remove these uncleanliness.”

“Isn’t their deed also good?”

“They’ve already been rewarded by their profits.” Manual reminded her that they had no more time to waste and she agreed to leave.  While leaving they passed over the factory floor.

“Want to hear about their cunningness?”  asked Manual with a smile. ”They started exporting to a neighboring country soon after commencing production.  And a major chunk of it was returned as low quality. Remember they continued this operation for quite some time.”

“How did they profit from this?”

“Gold slabs were hidden in the goods returned.  How’s the trick?  Golden soaps! Imagine if a soap had fallen into the hands of a customer.”

“He would’ve become richer bathing.”  She laughed and Manual sighed a relief when he found her free from sorrows.

Though they met many members of the mankind they couldn’t find those fulfilling their requirements.  Manual slowed down when he momentarily lost all hopes. He remembered the words, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds and to him that knocks it shall be opened.  And that helped him regain his spirits.  He turned to her and enquired whether she was tired.  She answered in affirmative and he let her sit on a stone by a brook.

“I firmly believe that I will succeed in finding those ten men. Lord God is with me. Lord, you are ever ready to help those in need, be with me and lead me to success.” Manual prayed in a low voice.

“Manual,” said the girl, by now refreshed by the repose. “Sometimes I am reminded of Jesus Christ when I hear you.”

“Jesus is the son of God,” said Manual, “And I, one who have a share in that spirit. That way I am also a creation of God, and a son of God too. By that logic who is not a child of God. Every one is his creation.”

“Manual, have you seen Jesus at any time?”

“Haven’t I seen the Son of God, who is the light of light sitting on the right side of his Father?   Some men, fortunate among the mankind, had seen him and heard his words. But they were like the colt that dreamt of carrying the king without recognizing the Emperor of Emperors when Jesus sat on his back. Jesus was sent to this world to preach the Gospel to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance unto the captives, to recover sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. One by name John was sent before him to pave his way.”  He continued after a short pause. “Those were the days of violence in the Kingdom of Heaven. The violent turned against the Lord and they were in the brim of taking it by force. Never before were there days like that that raised such a threat to the peace of Heaven.”

“Who turned violent in heaven?  Didn’t the God punish them? “ She asked in surprise and he realised that he had talked too much.

“Turned violent! Did I say so?”  He tried to deny his words.

“You said so. Was it Satan that turned violent?”  She asked unaccepting his reply.

“He and his friends,” said Manual. “But  that’s all unimportant issues. The main thing is that the Son of God came to dwell on earth as Son of Man. The one who sowed the good seeds of love and peace, one who saves the sheep that believe in him from the hands of the tempter, one who comforts those tired with labour and are heavy loaded. Over and above, the one who is the way, the truth and the life – how many descriptions will suit him.  He is the lamb, sacrificed to save the world of sins so that the Kingdom of God is regained on earth.”

He succeeded in diverting her attention from the violence in heaven that had slipped out of his tongue. He found the thoughts of Jesus Christ giving her happiness and continued. “That was a time when the laws were broken and none was punished for that. At times even the Lord God himself let the laws be broken. We, who were restricted from having a direct contact with men were given permission to appear before them. Gabriel passed on Holy messages to Elisabeth and Mary. The son of the highest, of whose kingdom shall there be no end, will come forth from the virgin’s womb by the Holy Ghost, he informed Mary. We gave messages not only to them, but to Skaria and Joseph also. We appeared before the shepherds at the time of the Holy Birth. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men, we praised the God and informed them at the good tidings of great joy, which were to all people.”

“What you did were good deeds?  Even if you’d broken laws for that why should you be punished?”  she asked.

Manual continued paying her no attention, “Satan welcomed the birth of the Son of God on earth by sowing the seeds of distress and suffering among men. Thousands of infants lost their lives. Herod, fearing dethronement, slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and within its coasts from two years old and under. The voice of lamentation and weeping and great mourning were heard from many homes. Many, who lost their children would not be comforted. The evil spirits dwelled in men rendering them sick, Lepers, epileptics, lunatics, blind, deaf, lame and dumb multiplied manifold. The possessed endured great pains. The evil spirits continued their haunts till they were scolded and outcaste by the Master and those appointed by him. They were rebuked so badly that they dared not repeat it.”

“It’s difficult to swallow that leprosy, blindness, epilepsy, mental illness and other handicaps are caused by evil spirits,”  said the girl showing a tinge of disbelief. “Today doctors can cure these diseases.”

“Even today the root cause of many diseases are the evil spirits that possess the mind, namely evil thoughts,”  countered Manual. “You can’t imagine Satan and his friend’s disappointment when infant Jesus escaped from Herod’s persecution. Satan was under the conviction that the Holy Birth would be to destroy the law and the prophets.

Jehovah, who was well aware of Satan’s capabilities, hadn’t disclosed him his true intentions. Satan threatened that if the Son of God took birth on earth he would be subjected to mock and scourge  and ultimately death. What God did was to bestow upon him the responsibility to do as he had said.

Satan and his friends were delirious to know why the Son of God was sent. It didn’t occur to them that it was the fulfillment of what was written in the book of Esa-ias the prophet, that all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

John, the Baptist got the word of God while in the wilderness. He preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Repent you, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, he preached in the wilderness of Judea. It’s not that easy, said Satan and strengthened his misdeeds manifold.

He restrained Jesus from doing the work of God for thirty years. Jehovah also waited till Jesus increased in wisdom and stature. When Jesus was baptised by John, the Spirit of God descended from heaven like a dove and lighted upon him. This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased, said Jehovah from heaven.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. He fasted for forty days and nights and was then tempted. Satan informed his willingness to give up his dominion over all the kingdom of the world and the glory of them if Jesus fell down before him and worshipped him. But Jesus triumphed over the devil by reminding him, you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve. Satan understood that he had nothing unless given by the Lord God and left gaining nothing.

Jesus, strengthened by the Spirit, started casting out evil spirits. Many spirits recognised him as the Son of God, but he rebuking suffered them not to speak about him. The diseased were cured and sins were forgiven. Satan influenced the Pharisees and scribes and accused it to be blasphemy. None other than the God had the power to forgive sins, they said. When the Father dwelled in his Son and he in his Father, he and his Father were the same in essence and thus he had the power on earth to forgive sins, Jesus reminded them.

The scribes and the harlots, gathered by Satan to be cast in the everlasting fire of Hell were received by Jesus and their sins were forgiven. They turned to a new leaf and praised the Son of God. Their rescue made Satan uneasy and he was dejected and worried.  He hit back by influencing the Pharisees and scribes, those who were or claimed to be near to God. In them was fulfilled the prophesy of Esa-ias, by hearing you shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive. For this people’s heart is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and their sins be forgiven.

The common people flocked to Jesus when they saw the blind seeing, lame walking, lepers cleansed, deaf hearing and dead arising on his command. Each evil spirit cast out was a challenge to Satan’s power, for none can enter into a strong man’s house and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man; and only then he will spoil his house.

Many to whom the glory of God was revealed became his followers. Some were selected as his disciples.

Satan ,who was groping in darkness, influenced Herod through his wife Herodia and her daughter and got John murdered. He thought it better to follow Jesus and to listen to his words to understand the purpose for which the God had sent him. Jesus revealed to his disciples that he was the Christ and asked them not to tell anyone about it. He informed Simon that he was as strong as a rock and he would build his church upon that rock and the key to heaven would be handed over to him.

Satan entered Peter who was described to be as firm as a rock. Though Jesus recognized him, he didn’t  hesitate to reveal his identity and purpose.  He informed that he would suffer many things of the elders and scribes and be killed and be raised again on the third day. Lord, this shouldn’t happen to you, Simon Peter tried to stop him. Jesus scolded the Satan in him, Get you behind me, Satan. You are an offence to me, for you savourest not the things that are of God, but those that are of man. He reminded him that his duty was to fulfill the responsibility bestowed upon him by God. Satan left Simon and stood behind the Master.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Truly I say unto you, there are some standing here, who shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. The disciples couldn’t fathom who he meant by that. Satan understood that it was about him and left grumbling that he was the Prince of the world and so how could the kingdom be established in the name of the Son of Man.

Satan found it difficult to comprehend what he had heard. He couldn’t imagine the God to let his son be sacrificed for the sake of mankind. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son but was stopped at the last moment. Likewise nothing would happen, he tried to console himself. The people around, those selected by Jehovah, were dancing to his tune; they were mocking at him, calling him a gluttonous, wine-bibber and a friend of publicans and sinners. They were ridiculing him by accusing that he was casting evil spirits with the help of Beel-se-boob. Would Jehovah sacrifice his son for this people?  Impossible, he reasoned.

 What Satan couldn’t imagine was the depth of God’s love for man. He was sending his son to fulfil what he couldn’t in Adam. If anyone, irrespective of whether he be rich or poor, sinner or non-sinner, honest or dishonest believe in his son, he shouldn’t perish, but have everlasting life. They will be rescued from the hands of Satan for ever. But the people around Jesus couldn’t comprehend it. They were like the children sitting in the markets and calling unto their friends and saying, we have piped unto you and you have no danced. We have mourned unto you, and you have not lamented. They honored God only with their lips but their hearts were far from him. They moved  afar whenever he tried to move closer.  Would he offer his son for the salvation of these people? Improbable, he thought.

After a few days Moses and Elias appeared in glory before Jesus when he went up to a mountain to pray, accompanied by Peter, John and James, and spoke of his decease that he should accomplish at Jerusalem.  Satan also heard it, through Peter and said unto Jesus, Lord it is good for us to be here, if you wish let us make here three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elias. Satan through these words made clear his protest on the intention to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. The Kingdom of God would be confined within the limits of three tabernacles, he meant. Before he finished, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice was heard out of the cloud, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased; you hear him. Peter and the other disciples were sore afraid. Satan understood the judgement, that he, who was the Prince of the world, was no longer in favor in the eyes of the God and was thus compelled to obey God’s decisions.

Jesus started sending his disciples to preach the Gospel of the kingdom giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.  Satan went to the court of God to protest. None other than the Son of God be given the grace of the Holy Spirit, he pleaded. Jehovah rebuked him saying, why do you protest, Satan? Have I stopped you from tempting man?  What of you if I give man power to cast out your kin, who were clearly told not to lay hands on men? Can’t I do as I wish? Are you jealous because I am good?

It didn’t end there, Jehovah ordered the evil spirits who had disobeyed him and caused mankind suffering to be cast in the Hell. Satan, who had gone to register his complaint made the Lord angry.

Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum were just some of the places that didn’t lend their ears to the Son of God. Though mankind was reluctant to accept Jesus, the devils had to subject themselves even to his disciples by his name. Jesus told his disciples that he had seen Satan falling from heaven like lightning. The one at the top was shown his place at the bottom. Blessed were the eyes that saw the things that he did, for many prophets and kings had desired to see those things that they saw, but couldn’t see them and to hear those things which they heard, but couldn’t hear them. He let his disciples rejoice for their names were written in heaven. The last ones had become the first ones.

Satan, by now convinced that his judgement was clear, withdrew from the scene. He hoped to stop Jesus from giving up his soul for mankind by his absence. The Pharisees and the scribes didn’t lay their hands on Jesus despite his bitter rebukes. But even in the absence of Satan, their hatred towards Jesus intensified. Jesus not observing Sabbath and claiming to be the Son of God angered them. Caiaphas, the chief priest, gave the people counsel that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. The spirit of God was talking through him, realised Satan.  He was worried when he foresaw that the Lord was going to achieve his purpose through those folly people. He and his brethren became their enemies.

Satan tried to devise plans to restore his position as the Prince of the world. But it was written in the scripture that the worth of the worthiest was fixed to be thirty silver coins. Judas Iscariot was the one chosen to betray the Son of God, Satan was informed. He was helpless for he had earlier threatened God that his son would be subjected to death if he was sent to save the mankind and was bestowed upon him that responsibility. Unwillingly he entered into Judas who went to the chief priests and captains and communed with them on how he might betray Jesus. Judas, who had the purse in his hand, who was supposed to be under his control thus paved way for his downfall and became his worst enemy. Satan pledged to make the betrayer suffer so much that it would be said of him, Woe to that man! It had been good for him if he had not been born.

He pleaded to the Lord to give him a last chance to defend his kingdom and that plea was granted.  He was allowed to enter Peter again and to see the preparations for the dawn of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth through him. Jesus told Peter, Simon, Simon, behold Satan have desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not; and when you are converted back, strengthen your brethren. Simon couldn’t comprehend a word of what he heard and said that he was ready to go both to prison and to death with him. Jesus, who knew the future also, told him, Peter the cock shall not crow this day, before you shall deny me thrice that you know me. Simon understood this much later, only when this was fulfilled.

On the day of the unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed, Jesus disclosed the betrayer to his disciples. He said about the betrayer, it is he to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped and when he had dipped the sop he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the Son of Simon. And after the sop  Satan entered into him. And Jesus said to him, that you have to do, do quickly. He went out to betray the Lord.

Jesus, who had sent forth his disciples without letting them take purses or scrips or shoes, surprised them by saying, he that has a purse, let him take it, and like wise his scrip: and he that has no sword let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say unto you that what is written must yet be accomplished in me,  And he was reckoned among the transgressors, for the things concerning me have an end.  They had two swords with them and he said that it was enough.

They went to the Mount of Olives and Jesus asked his disciples to stay where they were. He went forth with Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.  He said to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death, you stay here and watch with me so that you enter not into temptation. He went forth and kneeled down and prayed to his father, saying, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but your be done. An angel was sent to strengthen him. He prayed more earnestly and he was in agony, that his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. He came back to his disciples and found them asleep. He rebuked Peter for not watching with him for even an hour. Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak, he said. His attempts to stop the disciples from overeating and drinking had failed in Peter.

He went away again the second time and prayed, saying , O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it, your will be done. And he came back and found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then came he to his disciples and said to them; sleep on now and take your rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; behold he is at hand that did betray me.

And Satan entered Peter again, this time with the permission of the Lord. Peter slept and took his rest, simultaneously he arose and was with Jesus.

Shortly Judas came with a multitude carrying swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people and identified his Master to them. Jesus stepped forth and asked them, whom seek you?  They answered him Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus said unto them, I am he. He asked them to let go his disciples off. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it and smote the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. Jesus thus gave Satan his last chance to defend his kingdom and said, suffer you thus for. Put up again your sword into its place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Shall I not drink the cup which my Father has given me?

He touched the servant’s ear and healed him. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled and Jesus was taken a prisoner.

Peter and Satan of him, followed them to see what would happen to Jesus. Are you Christ, the son of God, they asked him. You said so, answered Jesus, hereafter shall you see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven. Satan wished to proclaim loudly that he was indeed the son of the Highest.

The people accused Jesus of blasphemy and condemned him to be guilty of death. They spit on his face and buffeted him and smote him with the palms of their hands. Satan found the situation so hopeless that he wished he had not witnessed it. People asked Peter whether he was an acquaintance of Jesus thrice and he denied knowing him on all the three times.  The cock crew and Jesus turned and looked at Satan and he left Peter. Poor Peter, who was now converted back to himself remembered Jesus’ words and went out and wept bitterly.

Judas threw the pieces of silver that was the price of the Prince in the temple and went and hanged himself. Thus he himself handed over his soul to Satan.

Satan entered Pilate and tried again to stop the Lord. Jesus refused to answer many of his questions. Then Pilate said to him, Why don’t you speak to me?  Don’t you know that I have the power to crucify you and have power to release you?  Jesus answered him, you couldn’t have any power at all against me, except it were given you from above; therefore he that delivered me unto you have the greater sin. From thence forth Pilate sought to release him. Satan made another attempt through his wife. She sent message to Pilate saying, you have nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

But the scribes and elders were unrelenting in their demand to crucify Jesus. Satan listened sadly to the people shouting to free Bara-bbas, a sinner, instead of the Christ. The people shouted again and again to crucify the Christ. He washed his hands in water saying that he was innocent of the blood of that just person. Then answered all the people, and said, his blood be on us and on our children. On that moment they became Satan’s worst enemies. Let it be so, he said angrily and left Pilate, who handed Jesus over to be crucified. The Son of Man was made to suffer a lot. The Father in heaven was torn between his love for his own son and the mankind. His son’s wailing, My God, my god, why have you forsaken me, distressed him deeply. It was the Son of the Holy Father, the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent creator of everything, that had been born in poverty, grown up in difficulties and ended up enduring all these mocking and sufferings. It pained him deeply that it was his chosen people, for whom he had shown great patience and endurance, that had made his son suffer.”

“God in pain!” Litha was unable to conceal her surprise. By that she let Manual know that she was listening carefully.

“How do you wish to call the God-angry?” Manual asked with uneasiness. “What makes you think so? Is it the history of Exodus? Yes, it was the same God, who had made those people walk for forty years till everyone above twenty at the time of commencement perished because they murmured against him on their way and turned to idolatry, that refused to hear his beloved son’s wailing, my god why did you forsake me?  Those people were to be counted hopeless if they didn’t believe in Jesus who would be risen up from among the dead on the third day. They would continue to remain the sons of Satan. Those who were not with his son but against him would surely be scattered.

As feared they didn’t believe in Jesus who was resurrected on the day that came after the Sabbath. They were old raiment, unfit for a new piece of cloth to be added to it lest it made the rent worse. They were old pots unfit to hold new wine. Those corrupt trees couldn’t bring forth good fruits. The Lord God was disappointed and those people, cursed. They had promised to go and work in the vineyard, but they didn’t when the time came. They were invited to the heavenly feast. but didn’t make themselves worthy to attend it.  Those coming from the east, west, north and south will be more worthy to feast with Abraham and Issac and Jacob. The newcomers will have more rights  over the pastures and dwellings in heaven.”

“What happened to Satan?” She asked anxiously. Satan had fascinated her more than the God who loved mankind dearly and Jesus who laid down his life as ransom for all. Is there an end for man’s attraction towards evil and its perpetuators?

“What can happen to him! When Jesus yielded up his ghost he tore the vail of the temple from the top to the bottom to express his protest and anger and disappointment. He shook the earth and split the rocks. The graves were opened and many bodies of the saints worthy of attaining the Kingdom of Heaven arose and came out of the graves after his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many.”

“And that people?”

“They were cursed by the God and condemned to suffer by Satan. Satan pledged to take their peace away for crucifying the Son of God. They were forsaken by God because they didn’t believe in his son. Even today they proclaim that Jesus hasn’t resurrected and it’s foolishness to believe and preach it.”

  Then Manual told her a parable. “ A rich man once arranged a feast. Many came and were fed unto their satisfaction. He was seen unhappy and his servant came and asked him, Master, many came and were satisfied. Even so why are you not happy?

He answered and said. A few among the invited has not yet come. I will wait till they arrive and sent him away. When it was time to close the kitchen he said again, Master they haven’t come yet. It is midnight and they might not come. Shall we close the kitchen?  He let them close it  after setting food for the absentees on his table. The servants did so and left. If those who were invited arrived at that hour wouldn’t the master receive them happily and serve them with his own hands. He wouldn’t rebuke them that his feast was important and those who didn’t come on time had no share in it.”  Manual seemed to be filled with hopes.