That Sabbath

By Val Canon

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rustik Haws LLC
• Release date: May 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781649340061

Val Canon

Val Canon’s education at Texas A. & M. provided two career tracks. Professionally, he was an architect with registrations in twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia. A parallel career encompassed twenty-six years of service in the Army, the Army Reserve, and the Texas Army National Guard. This endeavor provided the signature line, “COL, USAR, Retired.” Val’s interest in Bible study began as a young boy and has continued through a lifespan of seventy-eight years. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of nine, and through the years he has been privileged to study the Scriptures with many excellent teachers. At some point in these Bible studies he became intrigued with a particular day: not in the activities reported about the day, but in the almost total lack of information regarding that day – an historical day, the subject of this novel. Retirement brought the opportunity to revisit his old notes regarding that silent day – time to gather old ideas and indulge in the arena of “what if”. A story was born! This was followed by a decision to share that story with others. Val and Ruth Canon live in Dallas, Texas. Their children are scattered from New York to California, but five of their seven grandchildren live in Texas, furnishing many opportunities for fun and excitement.

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That Sabbath

Val Canon

That Sabbath by Val Canon

This book is written to provide information and motivation to readers. Its purpose isn’t to render any type of psychological, legal, or professional advice of any kind. The content is the sole opinion and expression of the author, and not necessarily that of the publisher.

Copyright © 2020 by Val Canon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form by any means, including, but not limited to, recording, photocopying, or taking screenshots of parts of the book, without prior written permission from the author or the publisher. Brief quotations for noncommercial purposes, such as book reviews, permitted by Fair Use of the U.S. Copyright Law, are allowed without written permissions, as long as such quotations do not cause damage to the book’s commercial value. For permissions, write to the publisher, whose address is stated below.

ISBN: 978-1-952244-15-5 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-952244-16-2 (Hardback)

ISBN: 978-1-64934-006-1 (Ebook)

Printed in the United States of America.

Rustik Haws LLC

100 S. Ashley Drive, Suite 600

Tampa, FL 33602

https://www.rustikhaws.com/

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Interlude

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Preface

The New Testament scriptures that give us the record of the life of Jesus Christ occasionally introduce us to certain individuals by name, usually in connection with a particular situation or event. However, several times, as the narrative continues, we seldom hear any more about those individuals.

In the Scriptures, there was one particular day about which we have very little information. Perhaps it had little significant value to the New Testament authors because of its proximity to the extremely memorable days preceding and succeeding it. Or, perhaps events occurred during that day which were difficult to record.

That day is the focus of this novel; call it That Sabbath. It was the period of time sandwiched between the sorrow and agony of the day of the crucifixion and the exaltation and exhilaration of the day of the Resurrection.

Enjoy!

Val Canon, author

Chapter 1

JOHN 11:53 "So from that day on they planned together

to kill Him."

That Friday morning began very early for Crestus the Centurion, even earlier than usual. He was wakened by a persistent knocking on his door, alternating with calls from a young Roman soldier saying, Crestus, sire, wake up! You are needed at the Palace!

What could it be this time? Crestus mumbled to himself. The military is always called to clean up a mess someone else has made. He quickly donned his uniform, strapped on his belt and sword, and joined the young Legionnaire. Crestus stepped outside and was surprised by the cold, damp air. The heavy dew made the streets slippery. He mentioned this to the young soldier.

Sir, my grandmother would say that something terrible is going to happen today.

"Why would she say that, soldier?

There is an old superstition my grandmother liked to quote when the streets were wet like this at home. ‘The rocks are crying’ she would say. ‘Something terrible is going to happen today!’ And she was often correct.

The two Romans were nearly to the Palace before Crestus asked, Do you have any idea why I am needed at this early hour?

No, not in any detail, sir. But I was aware that just after my watch started, a group of Jews came to the Palace with a prisoner, and wanted us to take him into our prison. They seemed very angry and I watched them treat the prisoner very roughly, but I really didn’t understand why they seemed to be in such a hurry. And neither did I understand exactly what crime he had committed.

Well, thank you for helping me get here safely, soldier, and let’s hope your grandmother might be wrong, today. Crestus dismissed the young man and proceeded to assume his position as commander of the Roman Cohort, stationed in Jerusalem. He was quickly in command of the situation, and asked for a full report.

He learned that during the night members of the Jewish Sanhedrin had arrested someone named Jesus. They had already dragged the prisoner before other officials, including Annas, Caiaphas, and Herod. It was Herod who had insisted that Pilate should have final jurisdiction over the prisoner, ultimately, because he represented the Roman government.

The Centurion was surprised at the relish with which his men—none of whom were Jews—were joining into the brutal treatment of Jesus. It was in response to the report that Jesus had declared himself the Son of God! Even the Romans seemed angered by that claim.

The prisoner, for his part, did nothing to deny it, or even to defend himself. He was suffering, obviously, but in silence. A weak man would be screaming for them to stop, observed Crestus, but it was not within his authority to stop the beatings.

Pilate had been given another concern: a message came that his wife, Claudia, was asking for an audience! Pilate gave permission for the attendant to bring his wife into the official spaces, normally reserved for matters of state. This seems an early hour for her to be up, but you may bring her in. he answered.

Pilate was shocked and surprised at the disheveled appearance of his beautiful wife, and her obviously distraught state of mind. Crestus, also, was very surprised. He had known the lady Claudia for years, going back to when they were childhood friends in Italy. She was, normally, a model of composure.

My lord Pilate! she said. Please, I beseech you, have nothing to do with this man, Jesus! I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. She fell at his feet, sobbing. Pilate, nor any other of the men present, had witnessed such a display from a member of the ruling class, and they were shocked, and speechless. Her attendant, never too far away, was quick to help her to her feet, while apologizing to Pilate for the interruption. She is very upset, my lord. I will take her back to her room.

Yes. Please take her back and tend to her. I shall come to her as soon as the business at hand is completed. Claudia’s plea had caused some concern on the part of Pilate. When he had sent Jesus back to Herod, he was hoping he had seen the last of The Teacher.

Pilate knew that the Jews had pre-determined that Jesus was guilty, and they wanted a conviction as early as possible: today, Friday, before the beginning of the Sabbath. To that end, they were not going to be denied. Neither did he want to be the Final Authority that condemned this man, but whether out of conscience or superstition is not clear. He admitted to himself, This Jesus may not really be deserving of death.

Pilate knew there was an alternative, provided by a tradition established many years earlier. During the observance of the Feast of the Passover, a condemned prisoner could be set free and excused from a scheduled execution—given back to the people.

Conveniently, a very notorious but well-known prisoner named Barabbas was scheduled for execution today. Pilate must have been aware of Barabbas’ notoriety as he asked the mob, Whom do you wish I should release to you; Barabbas or this Jesus, who is called Christ? Shall I release to you the ‘King of the Jews’? He might have been recalling his wife’s warning as he asked the crowd, Which of the two shall I release to you?

The crowd, prompted and encouraged by the leadership, shouted. Barabbas, not Jesus! Release Barabbas unto us! With that, the fate of Jesus had thus been decided.

So be it! Pilate brought the prisoner out of the shadows and presented him to the mob, but not until Jesus had been thoroughly beaten and scourged by the soldiers. Crestus himself cringed at the viciousness, and he had witnessed many such beatings.

A rough, thorn-laced crown was pressed down into the forehead of Jesus, bringing blood that dripped down onto the demeaning robe Herod had placed over his shoulders. Someone produced a reed, simulating a royal scepter, and forced it into his hand.

In a show of piety, Pilate brought Jesus forward,