He chuckled. “Oh, yes.”

“Tell me, Joseph, why do the authorities allow James, of all people, to address the crowds? Aren’t they asking for more trouble?”

Joseph shrugged. “This outer court is for everyone’s use, Jew and gentile alike. Any man can speak his mind here so long as he does not blaspheme or incite the people to riot. As a strict observer of Jewish Law, James has as much right as anyone else to come here and be heard. You must never forget, during your inquiries, that the disciples and other close followers of Jesus are all pious Jews. This Temple, for them, is still the most holy place on earth, just as it always was for Jesus. And even if James did not accept the yoke of the Torah, including its most burdensome restrictions, he would still be allowed to speak.”

“But from what I could gather, just now, he’s telling that crowd that if they have patience they will soon have their Messiah!”

“Anyone can proclaim that he, or another, is the Messiah,” Joseph explained patiently. “Surely your research has disclosed that the expected Messiah was to be a normal man, imbued with the spirit of God, who would come one day to deliver our people from oppression. The Messiah would not be God, only God’s instrument; therefore it is not blasphemy that James practices. Scores have claimed the Messiahship for themselves or another, throughout our history. Even now, a new one appears at least once a month, quickly fading into hasty oblivion when his deeds fail to match his words. Only when one of these self-anointed charlatans attempts to organize the people into rebellion against our governing body will the high priests act, with all their power, before the wrath of Rome is visited upon our nation and the innocent are made to suffer along with the guilty.”

“And what of James? Isn’t he promoting his dead brother’s cause in a way that could upset the establishment? Look at that crowd! If they were organized and armed they’d be tough to handle.”

Joseph sighed. “Ever since he arrived in Jerusalem, soon after the crucifixion of Jesus, James has been treading an exceedingly fine line. He has attracted a large following among the common people and converted many to Jesus because of his courage and stout convictions. Fortunately, for his own safety, he has also managed to recruit several priests and Pharisees, and so the hierarchy tends to turn a deaf ear toward his more inflammatory remarks. Still, I have it on firsthand knowledge that his words have provoked the high priest on more than one occasion, and this could eventually lead to serious charges being brought against him.”

“Joseph.” A hoarse voice interrupted us. “Joseph, my dear friend!”