The cave - short story

"Yose Yose", Nicodemus came panting. "Did you hear, what is happening?" 

Yose with face still downcast. Couldn't lift his eyes up. He knew what Nicodemus is referring to. It was painful for him to realize or accept it. Forget about telling it aloud. He just said a hmmm. 

Nicodemus and Yose have been friends since childhood. Both were not just good friends. They did everything together. They studied well the Jewish laws as expected from them. They both as young as they are came to high places in Jewish High council and Pharisee order. But they continued to be thick friends. They did everything consulting each other, asking what the other person thought was right, so that they wouldn't take any decision on a bias note. They encouraged each other. And was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 

And when this man came out of nowhere saying contrasting things, initially they both were skeptical. They were both angry that this one person was talking everything against what they believed and teached. But in their night discussions Yose and Nicodemus would sit and discuss what this man Yeshua was saying. His teachings somehow had that elegance and somewhere it would sting their spirits. Glowing the light in their hearts.

They many a times would discuss his words in the light of the Torah and after long night out sessions they would come to a conclusion that what he was saying was indeed true.

That is when Nicodemus one day asked Yose whether he would want to come and talk to Yeshua. Yose was still skeptical. What would the religious leaders say. Will it affect my position in the Jewish council. But Nicodemus was determined. He was always like that. If he has decided on something nothing would deter him from pursuing that. Yose thought, let Nicodemus go and find out. And i will decide after my discussion with him.

Nicodemus had no words to describe his time with Yeshua. When he came back late night his face was indeed gleaming with a particular glory. Usually there was this joy that reflected from his face during their routine learning sessions when something new he would learn, he would be all the more excited, because he learned something really new. But this time it was different. It wasn't the pure joy alone. 

He went on saying about what Yeshua had told him. About being born again. Yose was confused. But when Nicodemus explained it further as Yeshua described it to him, things became more clearer. And finally he said something which made Yose jump out of his bed. Yeshua told Nicodemus to go tell Yose about all this. How would Yeshua know him, he thought....

That day their time in the night was so silent. Usually it is filled with all the healthy arguments and discussions and making fun of each other and excited shouts. But today they both were sitting in the corner of the room, expounding what has just now happened. One had a live experience, the other was shocked to the core. But both were sure this is not coincidental.

As the dawn started to come, in the background of the orangy hue, they both said unanimously, i think He is right. Then they both were kind of pushed to bow down and pray for each other and themselves. You should have heard them pray. There were so many questions in that prayer. They were both crying. As they know each other so well since childhood. Sometimes as Yose was praying for Nicodemus, he would become silent, tears gushing round his cheeks thinking of his actual plight too, then Nicodemus would take up, hugging his friend his brother and continue to pray to Yahweh. The whole morning went  like that. They didn't feel hungry or tired. But they continued to be on their knees. As the day was starting to end, the room was getting cooler, they could sense that calmness in their hearts too. Then started their night together discussing and finding out from the Law. And they were miraculously surprised that everything that this Yeshua was saying is in conjunction with what they teach. They both by the time their night was over, was convinced that Yeshua is indeed the Messiah who would come to save their country.

Over the next few months, they both were secretly following this Yeshua. They would find themselves, covered and listening to Him over the sea coast. Or one of them would go close to him as he teaches and night they would discuss it out with the other during the night. Friends they were since childhood. 

But now there was a special bond which could not be described. More of a love to a brother. May be this was exactly what David and Jonathan had towards each other.

One day Yose was shocked to hear that the High Council had decided to kill Yeshua. He couldn't tell anything. Because there was this fear in his heart. Even Nicodemus was also unable to say anything. He was the bolder of the two, he had often proclaimed it out loudly in favour of him. But not this time. The High council is pretty adamant. Yose was hoping, they would just leave it, and let Him live. But this time they were serious.

He couldn't stand it. He couldn't face the reality. And that Thursday evening as things were unfolding infront of his own eyes, he couldn't stand to face what he was seeing with his own eyes. Yose ran back to his chamber and wept and cried. He was hoping that Yeshua would ultimately become the ruler and deliver things for Israel. And then he would proclaim his allegiance to him. That was exactly what he planned. He couldn't even think of having a chat with Nicodemus.

That is when Nicodemus came running to their usual hide out. They both realised the truth and was crying and weeping together now. Is he not the real saviour? They had enough and more questions. Time went by. Minutes became hours. Dawn became noon. That is exactly when Nicodemus stood up. "Yose we should do something. We cannot sit idly like this. We have to do something. Who knows may be we have been kept here in this position to do something."

"Yes Nicodemus, you are right but it is too late."

"No there has to be something to be done. Otherwise they will just push his corpse into the place of skull. Atleast can we do something for his body. We can do that. We can give his body a proper burial. He is the true Messiah we believe. We don't know what is happening now. Atleast we should stand up this time for something now. All this while we were hiding. All this while we were still in our comfort zones. We should at least once do something in accordance to what we believe. Otherwise we would be fooling ourselves and making ourselves a fool before God. Remember what he called the rich man, if you are not rich unto God, you will be called a fool too. It's right time we act upon what we believe. It is right time we choose to be bold. People may ridicule us. People may oust us from the High council. Whatever it is. We can be sure of what we are doing."

"What you said is true Nicodemus. Something atleast we can do to give his body a proper burial. Lest his body be thrown to the place of skulls and goes unidentified. Hasn't he indirectly told that he would rise. Nicodemus we should arrange a proper burial for him. You know that I have bought a cave nearby. We can bury him there. We will do it on our own. Atleast this we will be able to do for him. But that cave is all i have bought with my earnings. I wouldn't have anything left. Yet i will do it for him."

"Wow. Wonderful idea, Yose. We will do this. We will use all our influences and get his body out from the cross. Who knows what will happen to us. May be we also will be crucified when they know that we are his followers too."

"Wait, did you say, cross? Does that mean they have sent to crucify him? Why? What has he done wrong."

"You and i know very well know that he has done nothing wrong. Yet what the council says is that he has blasphemed and hence deserves capital punishment. And they were expecting Pilate would do that."

"Oh, is it Pilate? Now I know what I should do. I know him personally, he would definitely listen to me. I will go to him and ask for a written order to get his body down from the  cross and do our routine rituals of Jewish burial. You can arrange for the spices right?"

"That's brilliant Yose. I know a person in the market who sells good spices. But he is a tinge expensive. But i think i will be able to manage it. And meanwhile i will tell Mary also, so that she can come and see where he is buried."

In an hour time, despite all allegations and confusions, Yose and Nicodemus were able to do things, beyond what they could imagine. Somehow things were going well for them. They felt there was an invisible hand behind.

That night Yose was quiet tired. He was confused. What will be happen of me? What will happen now that the Jewish leaders have all known whom I have secretly been following. Where will  I arrange for my burial? Yose couldn't sleep.

A small light slowly grew brighter and brighter. Yose was confused. What is happening. A deep loud voice calls out his name twice and says, "Do not worry Yose about your burial. Do not worry about anything else." The confused look continued in his face. The voice said, "Yose I want you to know, that the cave is needed only for the weekend....."