“Herod – Unleashed”
“My Liege.” Cornelius relaxed his formal stance and nodded slightly.
“A caravan from Persia has arrived.”
Herod stood, lifting his arms while Sarbonius toweled him dry in preparation for the tunic.
Cornelius hesitated slightly before continuing…
“They are quite insistent…uh… the appearance of a star…a sign … “
Cornelius paused, his furrowed brow suggested he was choosing his words carefully.
Herod sensed the hesitation, and shifted his gaze to Cornelius;
His head tilting slightly as he listened more intently.
“They seem to believe the appearance of a star is a sign signifying a royal birth ….They have come to pay homage… bearing gifts.”
Herod stiffened noticeably, as he turned to face Cornelius. His pursed lips had curled the edge of his mouth into a snarl;
His eyes became vacant, black holes where a fire had begun to smolder.
Cornelius’s senses were on a knife’s edge as he shifted imperceptibly.
He knew not to react when the dark cloud came over Herod. In this state of mind, any action would be perceived a threat.
He carefully continued with the briefing giving no indication he had noticed the change in Herod’s demeanor.
“They are of Persian nobility.”
He paused ever so slightly to allow the Herod to ingest the information.
“They believe their observation of the star is a fulfillment of a Jewish prophecy.”
He cleared his throat slightly, seeking a matter-of-fact tone, as he continued.
“They believe it portends the royal birth of a prophesied Jewish king.”
Herod exploded in a fit of rage,
Venting his anger on the brass bowl at the end of the slabbed bench.
Grabbing it, he angrily flung it the entire length of the empty hall;
The bowl bouncing and clanging noisily; the shrill clamor reverberating its protest.
Cornelius remained at attention, unruffled, his eyes ahead.
“Why must I always be challenged!”
Herod bellowed, like an enraged bull, bloodied and seeking his tormentor amid the frenzied noise of the colosseum!
“There is no Jew king! I am the only KING of the Jews! I rule in Judea!”
His voice was hard and bitter. He paused, panting with the exersion.
Taking a deep breath, he exhaled as he turned to Cornelius.
Recovering, he assumed a civil tone, the change in his visage was remarkable.
“Situate them in the palace gardens and instruct the Praetorian guard to post additional watches.
Prepare a formal reception.”
He held out his arms as Sarbonius arranged the toga over the tunic.
“Inform the high priest and Sanhedrin. I’m quite sure, ‘Our Guests’ will want to meet with our religious leaders.”
The sarcasm in his voice was biting, a remnant of the tyrade he had just managed to quell.
“As you wish my liege.” Cornelius, bowed an acknowledgment of the instruction, then turned and left the bath.
Pagan Rome understood that Jerusalem was the religious center for the Jews.
Herod, himself half-Jewish, was accustomed to entertaining dignitaries and large religious activities.
The palace gardens, with lush vegetation, beautiful fountains and bronze figurines providing the backdrop for entertaining dignitaries and indulgent parties.
Herod made his appearance after the guests had been situated.
He was a gracious host, representing the power and influence of the Roman empire.
He listened intently as Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar recounted the purpose of their entourage and the appearance of the star.
Turning to the high priest and several prominent members of the Sanhedrin, Herod inquired concerning the star.
He swallowed, struggling to keep his roiling emotions in check.
“Where is it written in the sacred writings regarding this … “Star of Jacob?”
One of the Sanhedrin spoke up. “The prophet Balaam spoke a prophecy regarding the appearance of a star.”
“Did the prophet also say where this king was to be born?”
Herod nodded for the servant to refill his wine chalice.
The high priest spoke. His condecending tone gave his voice a weaselly sound.
“The prophet Micah wrote “thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”
The whine in his voice grated on Herod. He turned to the three with a forced smile.
“There you have it. Bethlehem of Judah. Very interesting…”
Herod made as if to continue the question, then stopped, as he turned to dismiss the members of the Sanhedrin.
“I want to thank the most distinguished members of the Sanhedrin for joining us at the palace to welcome the Magi. You are free to return to your duties.”
When they had left, from their abrupt dismissal; Herod turned to the Magi.
“Fortunately for you, Bethlehem is only a short journey from here.
Go, and when you find the infant, return to me, so I too may worship him.”
Having commissioned the Magi, he turned to leave, but again stopped.
