The Ancient Witnesses

196 • The Ancient Witnesses: A Journey to Discover Our Sacred Roots

preparing to combat the devil, assembled his Apostles before declaring the gospel throughout all Galilee.” 53 “Christ attacked his enemy,” Mentor continued, “as the Commentary says, by declaring truth, for the preaching of righteousness shoots a deadly arrow into Satan’s heart, miraculous signs undo him, and the salvation of the faithful destroys his very power!” 54 “ Christos Victor! shouted the witnesses gathered in the Crux. 55 “Christ came preaching the kingdom of God,” added Mentor, “but what are the signs of God’s kingdom revealed in the Gospels?” the Pharisees, said simply, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is among you.’” 56 “I’ve always wondered what Jesus meant by the kingdom of God is among you ,” said Joseph. “He meant that the kingdom of God is in your heart, ” answered Ephrem. Ephrem of Syria returned to the lectern. “Even our Lord,” he began, “when questioned by

53 Paraphrase based on Kellerman and Oden, Incomplete Commentary on Matthew , vol. 1, 80 and Patrologia Graeca 56: 676-677.

54 Same as previous note.

55 The ancient Church rallying cry means “Christ the Victor.”

56 Luke 17:20-21. Quotation in C. McCarthy, Saint Ephrem’s Commentary on Tatian’s Diatessaron, an English Translation of Chester Beatty Syriac MS 709 with Introduction and Notes (Oxford University Press, 1993), 272.