e sent by the highest
authority of the Jewish religion, the high priest himself!

Not until late in the evening did Symeon's visitor arrive from his long
journey. At dinner the men ate in dignified silence, but Symeon was
burning with curiosity. The messenger who had brought news of the
arrival of the scribe had told Symeon only that the high priest desired
more information about certain things that were happening in Galilee.
Symeon was sure that the matter concerned Jesus of Nazareth.

Only when he had finished the dinner did the scribe speak to Symeon.
"You are a generous host, my friend."

Symeon smiled and bowed his head gratefully. The scribe settled himself
comfortably. "I come on very delicate business. It must remain a
secret." The servants came in to clear the table, and he stopped
speaking. Then Symeon sent them out and closed the door. "The high
priest tells me that you know this Jesus of Nazareth. Have you kept a
close watch on him during the last few months?"

"Yes," replied Symeon, complimented by this confidential question. "I
know all that he has done."

"As you remember, several months ago we ordered the elders of all the
congregations to keep this Nazarene out of our synagogues," continued
the scribe. "But of course that did not keep him from preaching to the
people in public places." He looked keenly at Symeon. "Not a word of
this must come to the common people!"

"Naturally," agreed Symeon.

"Very well, then," said the scribe. "Do you think that we can convince
his followers that their Rabbi is not to be trusted?"

"That will be hard," answered Symeon. "He is more popular than ever."
Then he told the scribe in detail how Jesus had fed the crowd of five
thousand people.

"It sounds as though he might even have it in his power to persuade them
to revolt," observed the scribe when Symeon had finished.

"They actually did try to make him their king!" exclaimed Symeon.

"Does Herod know about that?" asked the man.

"We have told some of the people at his court about it," replied Symeon.
"If you want to know what I think--Herod is afraid to do anything! He
thinks the Nazarene is John the Baptizer risen from the dead!"

"But this Jesus is as dangerous to Herod as he is to us!" exclaimed the
scribe.

"That may be true, but just the same Herod knows that the people like
Jesus," said Symeon. "Still, I am sure the king would put a quick end to
this small-town prophet if it could be done without