“So, my brother,” Maximus asked, “are you coming with me?”
Androcles turned to face his friend. “I’d rather be heading to Gaul with a thousand men armed with sharp swords than go with you on a long boat ride to godforsaken Judaea.”
Maximus knew by that response that Androcles had made his decision: they were off to Judaea together.
9
With the help of David, Jershon and his two sons made short work of unloading the fish and taking care of the necessary preparation for the next fishing day. Seth put a few of the best fish into a basket for the first meal of the Sabbath that evening. They picked up their belongings and began the short walk home.
“Father,” shouted Esther, who ran toward them on the sand. “Raisa had her baby today . . . a little boy.” She turned toward Lamech, who had not fully registered the news he was hearing. “Lamech, you are a father.” She hugged her older brother.
Lamech dropped what he was carrying and began running to the house. Esther ran after him. Jershon, David, and Seth laughed and, despite the hard day they had had fishing, followed at a quickened pace. When they arrived at the door, Naomi was there to tell them to be quiet: Raisa and the baby were sleeping. Naomi gave Jershon the affectionate and joyful hug of a new grandmother. Lamech sat on the floor next to his wife and new son, staring in disbelief, a single tear running down his cheek as he realized his life had changed forever.
Preparations for the Sabbath began before sundown. Tomorrow was a day of rest. The men cleaned themselves up for the first meal of the Sabbath. Jershon blessed the two loaves of challah bread. The meal was eaten with particular reverence in gratitude for the birth of the baby. Jershon shared news of the successful fishing that day and how blessed they were to have David and Liora with them. They spoke in soft tones as Raisa slept most of the evening. She woke up once when the baby fussed and began to feed him. The family congratulated her and Lamech briefly, but Naomi protectively rushed them out. They all looked forward to a day of rest from their labors. Tomorrow they would worship, eat, rest, and spend time together. There were so many things to talk about.
Sabbath tradition in the household was for Jershon to read from the Torah or the Prophets. As a family they would discuss their deep-seated beliefs. Jershon made sure his family honored their obligations under the Law of Moses. Within the walls of their home, however, they could question any doctrine or law. Jershon, due to his diligent reading and study, was very knowledgeable about the Mosaic law. On days the weather kept the fishing boats ashore, Jershon often visited the synagogue and sat with the elders to be taught.
“My children,” Jershon began, “God has blessed us. Raisa has borne our Lamech a son. Be mindful today of the great hand of God in our lives.” His eyes were moist with tears of gratitude. Naomi leaned over and hugged her good husband. She too was aglow with the joy of a new grandson. The small house was filled with the spirit of humility and the tender love of a grateful family.
Liora sent the conversation in a different direction. “Uncle, what think you of this Jesus of Nazareth?” All eyes in the house were suddenly directed at her, and then at the same moment all turned to Jershon, awaiting his response.
Jershon and his family had not long before encountered a large group of people by the seashore. Curiosity drew them closer, and they discovered the crowd was listening intently to a man who appeared to be a rabbi. He spoke in a kind yet authoritative voice and taught of God. His message was delivered with a clarity that pierced each of them to the core of their souls. Transfixed by his message, they stood and listened for an hour. When he finished, a group of attentive men, a couple of whom Jershon recognized as fishermen, surrounded the rabbi and escorted him away. Most of the crowd followed as they departed. Some people remained, speaking in muffled tones about what they had heard. Jershon and his family, deeply moved by what they had seen and heard, quietly walked back to their home.
Over the ensuing weeks, they individually pondered the experience and the feeling of inner warmth they felt in that rabbi’s presence, but nothing further had been said about what had occurred that day. They learned this was the Jesus of Nazareth they had heard of. The children hesitated to ask their father about him because his preaching seemed to be controversial in Capernaum. The Sanhedrin in Jerusalem was not favorably disposed toward people who praised him, but the number of his followers grew daily.
Now Liora asked the question for all of them. Finally Lamech found courage and repeated, “Yes, Father, what do you think of this Jesus of Nazareth? It is said he is the Messiah.” A palpable silence fell as this inquiry hung in the room.
Jershon could feel all eyes upon him, and he pondered whether he should guard his words or speak plainly. He knew that eventually his family members would speak openly of their experience by the shore that fateful day. He concluded that his feelings had been suppressed too long. “My beloved family, we have always had the privilege to speak freely in this home. God allows us to think for ourselves and choose for ourselves. He has graced us with laws to add discipline and order in our lives. He has been patient and protective of the children of Israel, as I have been with you.” He smiled broadly at everyone. “Jesus of Nazareth,” Jershon said. Palpable warmth ran through him as he spoke the words. “Liora, blessed be ye, daughter, for helping this old man break silence about this Jesus of Nazareth.” Tears streamed down his face to the wonderment of his family. Naomi put her hand on the rugged hands that were folded in his lap. She began to weep quietly. Sariah moved to sit at the feet of her father, placing her head next to the folded hands of her parents. Then Esther, tears streaming down her face too, stood by her mother with her arms around her mother’s neck. Liora could not hold back her own tears. Lamech, Seth, and David tried valiantly to hold back their own emotions, but the strong feeling in the room manifested itself in the moisture in the eyes of each of them.
“My children,” Jershon managed to say in a voice that broke, “I have studied the Writings and the Prophets. I have spent hours on my knees, beseeching God to give me wisdom and understanding in this matter. I have listened intently to the discussions that circulate in the streets and in the synagogue. I have witnessed firsthand the animosity demonstrated toward him by Pharisees and Sadducees. Their mutual fear of his popularity has united those vipers.” Jershon paused and then announced with his face toward the heavens: “He is who they say he is. He is who we know he is. He is the Messiah!”
Jershon’s words stunned the family. He looked each of them in the eye. In that instant they shared silent witness of what each one knew to be true.
Liora and David had encountered him a few months before. Liora knew immediately that this man was more than a rabbi or even a prophet. His understanding of the works of God came from a personal knowledge. David took a little longer to admit to himself that this rabbi was different. He and Liora had discussed it many times. One night David abruptly stopped his prayer of recitation and prayed the words of his heart. His answer was received in the tears that overcame him as the warmth of truth manifested itself like a burning ember in his soul. Immediately he confided to Liora that he had the same feeling about Jesus that she did. He could not deny the witness he received about Jesus of Nazareth but was still uncertain about what exactly he should do about it.
When Jershon and his family had chanced to hear Jesus preaching on the shore that day, Jershon had listened intently. At one point his eyes met those of Jesus. Their spiritual exchange shook him to the core. Even though he was standing quite a distance away, the voice of Jesus was so clear it was as if he were whispering in his ear. Jershon knew.
The rest of the family had their own witness as Jesus continued to teach. Not a word was spoken as the family walked home. They knew they had been in the presence of more than just a man of God. Nothing was said from that day on until Liora’s question broke the dam of silence and emotion.
A contemplative silence continued as they pondered the magnitude of their mutual admission. J
ershon finally spoke. “My children.” He looked from left to right at each of them. “My blessed Naomi.” He looked affectionately at his wife and caressed her tear-streaked face. Then he looked upward, as if he were seeing a vision, and spoke: “It has always been prophesied to the house of Israel that Messiah would come, a king from the house of David to restore Jerusalem and the temple and conquer the great oppressor. Man has always interpreted the prophesies of God in the limited terms of men, in the way men understand the world around them, which is not necessarily the way God sees the world. Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all the Writings speak of the coming of the great Messiah, but, my beloved family, the scriptures don’t tell us when or in what manner the Messiah will appear. No one would have imagined that young Joseph, after being rejected by his brothers and sold into Egypt, would be raised in Pharaoh’s inner circle and become the savior of his father, Jacob, and the very brothers who had betrayed him. An abandoned baby from the house of Israel is raised by a princess of Egypt and became that Moses who led the children of Israel out of bondage.” He looked again into the eyes of his children. They were riveted by his words.
Jershon continued. “We are infants when it comes to understanding the ways of God. Is it beyond the power of the God of Israel to create the Messiah out of a mere carpenter from Nazareth?” He let the words sink in. “If anyone doubts that, they doubt the very existence and power of the God who created them.” He shifted his position in the small wooden chair in which he was sitting. “My children, our entire existence is based in the belief of Jehovah and his daily direction in our lives. That direction, in all cases, comes from the mouth of our prophets. The irony is that our people have stoned and killed the prophets over the ages, prophets who carried the message of adherence to the laws and the will of God, not to the laws and the will of men. I see the same pattern being repeated now. Another prophet has been brought to our people. He is the most important prophet of all, and the leaders of the Sanhedrin would just as soon stone him as listen to his message. It is as incomprehensible as if the ancient children of Israel had wanted to stone Moses because he said he could lead them out of bondage.”
“Father, is he the Messiah who will come with a sword and deliver Israel once again out of bondage, as we have been taught?” Sariah asked boldly. The attentive eyes on Jershon were now wider in anticipation of his answer.
He looked directly at his eldest daughter. “My lovely Sariah, I have read the words of the ancients concerning him. Not one thing has he done that contradicts what is written. Seeming contradictions are issues of interpretation. We have always thought that the Messiah would come with power and authority, wielding a sword and slaying the enemies of Israel. He certainly has come with power and authority, but he wields the righteous sword of justice and truth, not the sword of the great warrior the children of Israel have led themselves to believe would come.” Jershon released his gaze from his daughter and looked again around the room.
“Up until this moment we have not discussed him within the walls of this home; we need to change that. We all have heard of the great works he has done. We all have experienced a personal witness of him. We can be either disciples of the Messiah or disciples of the Sanhedrin.”
No one in the family had expected such an ultimatum from their patriarch. They began to think of the consequences.
This Sabbath day was unique for Jershon and his family. There was a new purpose in their worship. The Messiah was with them. He was to teach at the synagogue that day. They would go as committed disciples of the Messiah, sit at his feet, and be taught.
10
Maximus and Androcles sought out Gaius Valerius to tell him of Androcles’s decision and discuss the details of their departure, but the senator was nowhere to be found. Maximus coaxed Androcles into coming along with him to secure a few provisions.
As they were walking away from the senator’s guesthouse, a familiar voice hailed them from an approaching coach. It was Gaius. “Gentlemen,” he shouted, “it appears you leave us.”
Androcles and Maximus stopped in their tracks. “We are just walking back to the city,” Maximus responded.
“You look to be dressed for battle,” Gaius said, motioning to the swords at their sides.
“We are soldiers. We dress like soldiers,” Androcles responded.
Maximus added, “With the assignment at hand, we felt it wise to acquire some supplies and prepare.”
“Always thinking ahead, as a legate should,” the senator chuckled. “Maximus, it is no wonder you are successful at your craft. My friends, there are plenty of days ahead to prepare.”
“But you said we leave tomorrow,” Maximus protested.
“Indeed you do. Passage has been arranged on an Egyptian merchant ship, as I told you, Maximus. It will embark after midday tomorrow. In the morning you will travel by coach to Ostia. However, you are traveling light. There is very little to prepare.”
“Yes, no legion,” Androcles quipped.
“No legion is necessary, my good commander.” Gaius squeezed Androcles’s massive bicep. “I am glad you have agreed to the campaign,” Gaius said to Androcles when they were seated back in the courtyard.
“I am not sure I have agreed, but I am accompanying my general.” Androcles was bluntly honest.
“Well, good,” Gaius said. “We could send you back to the north to police the Gauls in the cold,” he joked, “or you can accompany, as you say, the good general here to sunny Judaea. I doubt you will lose any blood there.” The senator smiled.
Maximus looked over at his friend, raising an eyebrow to caution him about any further complaint, serious or not. “But surely we will need provisions for the long journey.”
“Yes, you will, but that has all been arranged. You remember Tatius Lucianus?” Gaius asked.
“Yes, he is a good friend of my father,” answered Maximus.
“He has been arranging clothing, bedding, provisions—everything you could possibly need. Your passage on the Egyptian ship includes sleeping quarters and food for the duration. I have prepared a letter that you will carry under seal designating you as emissaries of Rome and personal messengers of the emperor Tiberius. You will not be traveling as Roman soldiers. Although you, Androcles,” he said as he hit him playfully on the shoulder with his fist, “will find it hard to hide your battle-scarred Herculean look.”
Androcles smiled.
Gaius continued. “The letters are for any authority of Rome you might encounter before reaching our friend Pontius Pilate. We want the two of you to appear to be common men of Judaea. You will leave your weapons and clothing with me until you return, and wear the wool robes of the Jews. A staff will be your weapon of choice, and as for your well-groomed faces, you must begin growing beards immediately.”
Now Maximus opened his mouth to protest.
The senator held up a hand, stopping the comment before it left Maximus’s lips. “You will do your best to become Jews, or at least to look like them. This is a mission of peace, but you must keep your identity a secret. It will allow you to gather the information we seek.”
Androcles had already decided to somehow take his weapons; they were as much a part of him as the leather necklace and amulet he wore. That piece of protection would not be left behind either.
Maximus waged a valiant battle to remain silent but politely observed, “With all due respect, sir, we know nothing of Judaea or the customs of the people. How can we possibly blend in?”
“A good question, my friend,” Gaius said. “You will go to school.”
“School?” Maximus asked.
Androcles bristled.
“My friends, I can’t think of a better thing to do while you are captive on the high seas. Can you?” Gaius continued. “The emissary who brought us the request from Pilate will be traveling back with you. His name is Ezra. He will be your guide and teacher. It could take three weeks or so with favorable winds to sail to Caesarea. Plenty of time to learn what you’ll need to know ab
out being a Jew.”
The thought of being confined to a ship for that long was one challenge Maximus had not considered.
“Ezra is a Jew and of the cherished blood of their ancestor Abraham. He has lived in Judaea all of his life. He is an extremely intelligent man and understands the Roman point of view. He has worked closely with both your prefect Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem and Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. Ezra is the only other man aware of your mission and is sworn to secrecy on his life.” Gaius stood. “You have the entire journey to talk. Consider all the things you should know to be successful in your mission. Discuss everything with Ezra—the smallest detail could be beneficial to you. Ezra also has knowledge of this Jesus character. It is most important that you learn everything you can about this carpenter. What drives him? What is his goal? Is he quietly gathering an army to overthrow us, as Pilate fears? I want to know about his generals and captains and the people in his inner circle. I want to know his confidants. I want to know where he is getting the treasure to supply and feed this army, if indeed there is one. If he is this great Messiah the Jews talk about, we need to beat him from within.”
Gaius looked off into the distance as if seeing a larger plan. Then he turned and looked directly into Maximus’s eyes. “Don’t underestimate the importance of what you are doing, Maximus. These are the kinds of actions that save your soldier’s lives before they are asked to sacrifice them. If we can conquer a foe before he becomes one, then we avoid a war. I don’t necessarily believe all of Pilate’s claims, but as I said before, to ignore them would be irresponsible.”
Maximus and Androcles listened intently, not knowing entirely how they would meet the senator’s expectations.
“My sons,” Gaius continued, “I trust your good judgment. You are the best qualified for this assignment. I am confident you will do what is prudent for the empire and the citizens of Rome. You always have, and this will be no different.” Gaius Valerius stood and bade them good-bye, saying Tatius Lucianus would collect them later in the afternoon.
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