Ask Me ..... How i know there's a God up in the heavens!

Chapter 24 - The Olive Press

I tailed at some distance, for that seemed most prudent at the time; as the motley mob of confused and disorientated apostles entered yet another garden. This was the same place I'd left earlier! I realized, as I noted they were heading toward the cave I'd visited only an hour or so prior. Maybe I should have just stayed here? I chuckled as I simply followed everyone else into the shadowy opening, making as if I was just patrolling the area to ensure the peace.

It was rather dark and many clusters of people huddled for shelter from the cold. There were men, women, children and animals all hiding in this cavern. I realized as I casually strolled past them. No one seemed to pay much mind to me, so I figured they did not think my presence unusual. When I encountered another two soldiers headed the other direction; I recognized that patrolling such spaces was not uncommon. They hailed me as they passed and I saluted in return.

Lit torches and lanterns scattered the various locations; with barely enough light to actually see the goings on. Some stray folk had scampered in, hoping to escape the cold and I noted their getting comfortable, while my eyes searched for a certain group in particular; whom I had seemed to lose in the crowd coming in. More and more people filtered through, but it was difficult to determine at times, who they were or where they were going? In the middle of this grand dug out space, stood an olive press. A stout flat surface rose out of the floor, with a large tree limb protruding through a huge millstone. Several other wooden planks and rope rigging established the remainder of this apparatus, which obstructed my view of the rest of the cavern.

I scouted passed the press and into the many caves that housed vast amounts of clay pots, vats, utensils and the suchlike; all assembled for the purifying and bottling of oil. The further interior was also dimly lit and as I continued to walk deeper and deeper into it's recesses; I noticed that the crowds grew thinner and thinner. I finally came to a place where there was only a small spattering of folks lounging around, when I recognize a few of them.

Sitting there was Luke and Matthew, along with a few others; (who'd managed yet to stay awake) all waiting together. I looked around briefly to see if I could find Jesus, John or Peter, but none of them were anywhere in sight. I decided to go 'disappear' some place, before anyone began to fret about my presence. I followed the narrow contours of the cave until I came to the very end, or at least the end that had no more lanterns. There I hopped behind a rock and sat down to rest.

I peered beyond this rock between two other tree limbs when I noticed the crew I'd been waiting on come in. How did I get here before they? I wondered as I watched several of my.... tags; immediately flop down, taking up residency against branches, limbs and a few boulders; as well as each other. I could hear voices engaged in worrisome conversation as I watched a few of the more frazzled folks trying to calm one another. Several more disciples were with them; when I suddenly figured out how I'd arrived hence the rest. They had obviously stopped to talk when they'd encountered the others.

It wasn't hard to spot who was who; even though they were still quite some distance and the light wasn't terrific. John stood quietly and listened attentively while Peter and James glared at each other with expressions of profound helplessness. Jesus on the other hand, was quickly deteriorating and I watched in shock as He plummeted into a full-blown panic attack.

Is that really the son of God Almighty? I seriously started to question as the other two tried to comfort Him. Jesus seemed so calm just twenty minutes prior, when I watched them all leaving the other garden! What all of a sudden happen to Him? I wondered and watched as He took a deep breath. It seemed as He was trying to compose Himself, as the others sat down with the indication that they would indeed wait for Him. Jesus paused a moment before He turned around and came walking toward me.