Who Invited Them? 

While self-important men are interrogating the "Nazarene," demons seek to disrupt the 111th battalion. Stripped of all light, they are indistinguishable from their dark domain. 

   Their leader, known as Tormenter, speaks in the spirit of Goliath. "Why do you invade our world?" he barks. "Am I not a demon and you are servants of his majesty?" 

   "Choose your David and send him out to me. If he is stronger, we will become your subjects. If I overcome, you will turn your Captain over to us." 

   Angels will not disobey orders, but the distraction annoys them greatly. 

   "Are you going to let him die?" the demon provokes. "Who will care among ignorant mortals? Nobody will believe in him," he hisses. "Nobody!"  

   At that moment someone in the crowd spits in the face of Jesus. 

   Tormenter scoffs, "The chosen people crossed the sea on dry ground, and still we kept them in rebellion! Give them up. They are not worthy! Not one!" 

   The demon has a point, but nothing is impossible with God. Hostile leaders egg on the crowd, none of whom know what they are doing. Tormenter knows ... the Son of God can banish him with a single word.

   Among the battalion, Protector, in authority, is astonished to watch his Captain treated so. He desperately wants to act, but orders are orders. Having witnessed Lucifer's exile, he will trust God for the outcome. 

Who hit you?

   Religious leaders vent their outrage. This "blasphemer" who disrupted the temple business and called them "children of the devil" must be executed. His failure to defend himself ... and produce proof of his deity ... feeds their courage. 

   Men buffet his face, blindfold and tease him. "Prophesy, if you are the Son of God." 

   Enough. On to Pilate the governor. They need Rome to sanction the deed. Pilate addresses the beaten man, "Your own nation has delivered you. What have you done?  

   My kingdom is not of this world. I came into this world to bear witness to the truth. 

   "What is truth?" snaps Pilate, whose nation has no absolutes, except absolute power. Nevertheless, the governor does not find fault, nor did Herod ... nothing worthy of death. He appeals to the mob, "What shall I do with this Jesus?" If he thought reason would prevail, he heard only malice. "His blood be on us, and on our children!" 

   Protector is chagrined. Tormenter is satisfied, but he fears the Son of God will triumph still. 

Tomorrow: Senseless brutality