The Healing of Malchus, an Easter Story, Part III

Surprised but delighted to be back on temple patrol in the next few days, Malchus heard countless reports on the Jewish teacher's fate. He heard of Herod, and how he shipped him off to Pilate for trial. Then the news came that the teacher, the healer of the lame and the blind, was to be executed. Malchus grieved. How could anyone find fault with someone who did so much for others?

Once again, the Captain stopped by to confer with Malchus. "You will be replaced here on temple duty starting tomorrow, Malchus. You've heard of the healer's execution. He is to be interred this afternoon, and I wish you to remain on guard during the night. Nothing must happen to the body. That would only add more fuel to their rumor of God's bringing him back to life. We do not need more trouble with these rebels."

Sadness overwhelmed Malchus at the news of the teacher's death, knowing how this man had touched him. He felt as though he had lost a friend. Dusk had fallen by the time he arrived at the burial site where the tomb had already been sealed with a large piece of granite. His heaviness subsided somewhat as he realized his old friend, Zared, was also assigned to this guard duty.

The two men filled the night air with conversations of their homes, families, and dreams. Zared and Malchus joined the service together and were anxious to finish their duty and return home. Camped in a clearing just below the tomb, they could clearly see anybody approaching the cave.

"Zared, do you know what this man prophesied?" asked Malchus of his old friend, after they visited for a while.

"I've heard and I've seen this man among the people. His body must remain here. No one will get by us."

"I know I am not in very good standing with the Captain now," replied Malchus. "But, Zared, let me tell you about what this man did for me." He shared with his friend how the teacher had touched his ear and made it whole again.

Time passed quickly, but when the last day of duty finally arrived, Malchus was looking forward to returning to the barracks. The sky was lit in the east as the dawn was breaking, when two women arrived. "May we enter the tomb?" one requested.

"For what purpose?" inquired Zared.

"We must prepare the body," replied the older woman.

Malchus nodded his head at Zared. He had encountered this custom while serving at the temple. Malchus and Zared walked toward the tomb entrance as the women stopped to gather the burial balms and oils. Drawing closer to the cave, Zared started running and shouting to Malchus. The massive rock no longer sealed the cave, but had been pushed back. But how? He and Zared had been here the whole time.

The women shouted excitedly as they peeked into the opening, and Malchus felt his heart leap into his throat. The women ran back to the road, passing Zared and Malchus as they rushed to the door of the cave. All that lay on the burial slate was a mound of cloth. Zared and Malchus saw something that neither could acknowledge to the other. How could this be?

The Captain, several Roman officials, and many men searched daily for rear openings, but none were found. He had simply disappeared. Once again, Malchus was astonished at the teacher's power, and more importantly in his heart, he now believed this man was who he claimed.

The turmoil soon died down. The Romans announced to the citizens that the teacher's body had been stolen, but for Malchus, the official explanation was not important. He knew no one had taken the teacher's body.

Malchus' tour of duty soon ended, and he returned to his home. He greeted his wife in the doorway and was touched by her beauty. He felt the love for her swell in his heart, and he knew he would never love another. After he had relaxed a while in the comfortable surroundings, his wife asked him of his adventures. He began his tale, "Lygia, something exciting happened to me in that forsaken place that I feel is very important. Let me tell you about it." The night wore on, but neither she nor Malchus noticed.