The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman Read Free Book Online Page B

with her tears, drying them with her hair, and anointing them with the precious unguent.
    The host said quietly to the disciple who was Christ's informant, 'If this master of yours were really a prophet, he'd know what kind of woman this is - she's a notorious sinner.'
    But Jesus overheard, and said, 'Simon, come here. I want to ask you a question.'
    'Certainly,' said the Pharisee.
    'Suppose there's a man who's owed money by two others. One owes him five hundred denarii, and the other owes him fifty. Now, suppose they can't pay, and he forgives them and wipes off their debts. Which of them will be more grateful?'
    'I suppose the one who owed five hundred,' said Simon.
    'Exactly,' said Jesus. 'Now, you see this woman? You see what she's doing? When I came into your house you offered me no water to wash my feet, but here she is bathing them with her tears. You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the moment she's come in she hasn't stopped kissing my feet. You gave me no oil, but she's lavished this precious ointment on me. There's a reason for that: she has committed great sins, but they've been forgiven, and that's why she loves so deeply. You haven't committed many sins, so it means little to you to know that they've been forgiven. And you love me so much the less as a result.'
    The others at the dinner were astonished at his words, but the disciple took care to remember them, and reported them faithfully to Christ, who wrote everything down. As for the woman, she became a follower of Jesus, and one of the most faithful.

The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ
    The Stranger Talks of Truth and History
    Christ never knew when the stranger would come to him. The next time he appeared it was late at night, and the stranger's voice spoke quietly through his window:
    'Christ, come and tell me what has been happening.'
    Christ gathered his scrolls together and left the house on tiptoe. The stranger beckoned him away from the town and up on to the dark hillside where they could talk without being overheard.
    The stranger listened without interrupting while Christ told him everything Jesus had done since the sermon on the mountain.
    'Well done,' said the stranger. 'This is excellent work. How did you hear about the events in Tyre and Sidon? You did not go there, I think.'
    'I asked one of his disciples to keep me informed,' said Christ. 'Without letting Jesus know, of course. I hope that was permitted?'
    'You have a real talent for this task.'
    'Thank you, sir. There is one thing that would help me do it better, though. If I knew the reason for your enquiries I could look more purposefully. Are you from the Sanhedrin?'
    'Is that what you think? And what do you understand of the function of the Sanhedrin?'
    'Why, it's the body that determines great matters of law and doctrine. And of course it deals with taxes and administrative business, and - and so on. Naturally I don't mean to imply that it's a mere bureaucracy, although such things are, of course, necessary in human affairs . . . '
    'What did you tell the disciple who is your informant?'
    'I told him that I was writing the history of the Kingdom of God, and that he would be helping in that great task.'
    'A very good answer. You could do worse than apply it to your own question. In helping me, you are helping to write that history. But there is more, and this is not for everyone to know: in writing about what has gone past, we help to shape what will come. There are dark days approaching, turbulent times; if the way to the Kingdom of God is to be opened, we who know must be prepared to make history the handmaid of posterity and not its governor. What should have been is a better servant of the Kingdom than what was. I am sure you understand me.'
    'I do,' said Christ. 'And, sir, if you read my scrolls--'
    'I shall read them with close attention, and with gratitude for your unselfish and courageous work.'
    The stranger took the bundle of scrolls under his cloak, and stood up to