Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/222

210 later, he even meditated the death of Lazarus. He had said truly that all who crossed the path of Caiaphas should be brushed aside. Nicodemus had gone over openly to the Lord. Pilate came no more to the council chamber. Annas was hooted in the streets and pelted with stones. Even threats against the life of Caiaphas had been reported. Several of the Pharisees and rulers of the Synagogue believed in Jesus secretly, while not daring to confess it. Strange stir, forsooth, this Man had made, this carpenter's Son.

And so the days went by, and Lazarus's death and Lazarus's resurrection became matters of the past, swamped by disturbing doubts and fears about the future.

Once more the watchman passed by the house of Caiaphas, but the High Priest closed his ears. The time for repentance, for hesitation, for remorse was over. Satan had claimed this man, and he had been given over to him, as if unworthy of a contest.

"Let the heathen be awakened, let the heathen be awakened," cried the watchman, "for the day of the Lord is near, in the valley of decision, the valley of decision!"