Maximus

by Richard L. Black

  Two hours sped by like ten minutes. His stories were captivating, his delivery smooth and polished. Toward the end he was asked where he received his authority. His answer, “From my Father,” caused some to hiss and some to think he was speaking of Joseph. Others understood his response perfectly. He then bowed his head and offered the most amazing prayer Liora had ever witnessed. He truly spoke with God. He prayed that the members of the congregation would come to an understanding of the truth. Liora bowed her head and felt indescribable warmth overtake her. Tears streamed down her face, and she became even more determined to be a true disciple and follow him wherever he went.

  Interestingly, it was Jesus who dismissed the congregation, not the rabbi. His authority seemed superior to any elder in attendance. Willingly or not, they deferred to him. Liora immediately found her brother, David, and hugged him. His embrace was reassuring. Sariah was weeping, and she and Liora held each other for some time. The walk home was contemplative for all of them.

  They arrived to find that Lamech had prepared the midday meal while he stayed at home to tend Raisa and the baby. The conversation turned lively as they discussed the events at the synagogue. Their mutual conviction had been strengthened at hearing Jesus teach again.

  “I was struck by the inability of the elders to find one flaw in his teachings, even when it disagreed with the rabbis’ interpretation,” said Jershon. “He was so easy to understand, but it was apparent the emissaries of the Sanhedrin refused to accept the logic of his words. Why do they insist on continuing their complicated ways?”

  “Power,” David responded. “If they accept his teachings, they lose power.”

  “You may be right, David,” his uncle said. “They have certainly lost a degree of power over our family already. But God is not about wielding power over people. Obedience to his law protects us from the disruption of the adversary in our lives. Power is an imagining of man, with the aim to get gain from other men. God does not need the riches of this earth; he created them. His riches are measured in the goodness and worship of his children, whom he will someday gather into the comfort and protection of his arms.”

  “Will he gather all of us, Uncle?” Liora interjected.

  “Of course, my dear. Who would be excluded?” Jershon asked her.

  “Gentiles?” Liora questioned.

  “The gathering always refers to the children of Israel, the twelve tribes, Liora.”

  Liora lowered her voice. “I can’t see Jesus not gathering everyone.” She stopped, not wanting to be confrontational.

  Lamech blurted out, “Do you think Jehovah is willing to gather Gentiles, the likes of the heathen Romans?” He leaned forward in agitation, his comment introducing a sudden gloom.

  “My son,” Jershon interjected, “I still wish retribution and judgment on Rome for the tyranny they have brought to our land. But I also believe with all my heart that Jesus is the Messiah that has been promised. How he will rectify the injustices they have inflicted upon our family is a mystery to my simple mind, but Liora has a point.” He gestured for Liora to approach. She moved to take his hand and sit at his side. “My lovely daughter—you are my daughter—your understanding is beyond ours. I believe his message is clearer to you, blessed one.” He stroked her long hair gently. Liora looked up and smiled, then turned and kissed his hand. “Jesus comes to teach his chosen ones, yet he heals whoever asks him for healing. I believe that is the greater message. It reminds us to be patient with our oppressors.”

  Jershon approached Lamech, who got to his feet to receive the embrace of his father. “It is too easy to fall into the ways of the adversary and stir up anger about things over which we have no control. This anger will chase out the spirit that embraces us today. Be calm, my son. You will join us the next time he teaches, and you will know of what I speak.” Jershon held Lamech by his shoulders and looked at him proudly.

  The family finished their meal with no further discussion, each contemplating the things that had been said. When Liora could see that her aunt Naomi was finished with the food and the dishes, she approached her quietly.

  “Aunt Naomi, can we have a private talk soon?” Liora whispered in her ear.

  Naomi embraced her niece. “Of course. Today is a good day. Would you like to sit under the tree across the way?” Liora smiled and walked to the large tree across the road. Naomi followed her shortly, carrying a blanket for them to sit upon.

  “What is on your innocent mind, my child?” Naomi began.

  Liora looked away, and the tears streamed down her face.

  “What is the matter, my child?” Naomi implored as she put her arms around Liora. Liora’s tears turned to sobs. The memory of her brothers’ death, the thought of her father dying soon afterward, and lacking a mother for all her growing years had opened a cavernous wound in her heart. Her desire to be married and her longing to be a true disciple of Jesus and follow him wherever he went were all too much for her. Her thoughts tumbled out of her like rocks breaking from the precipice of a waterfall. Naomi just held her, saying nothing, understanding most of it.

  After a while Liora wiped her face with the sleeve of her robe. She laid her head in Naomi’s lap, wanting to nap instead of talk. Naomi remained silent, knowing more words would come.

  “We want to come live with you, Aunt,” she finally blurted out, speaking for both herself and David, whom she had not yet consulted. “We have been so stubborn in our ways and now are caught up in a life full of work and loneliness. We should each be having a family, like Lamech and Raisa. But we have isolated ourselves from the world and might as well be slaves to a cruel master.” She began to sob again. “Who would have me now? I am old and undesirable.”

  Naomi chuckled. Liora raised her head and looked at her, confused by her aunt’s reaction.

  “Look at you, Liora. You are the image of your mother. You are a radiantly beautiful young woman, and yet, you are a difficult woman for a man to approach with confidence. I was going to have a talk with your uncle about this and how we might help you find the right man. We need to think of David too. We should have a plan to introduce both of you to worthy spouses.”

  “I don’t want to be introduced to my spouse in that way. I want to choose him myself,” Liora said defiantly.

  “Why am I not surprised by that?” Naomi sighed. “Your poor father didn’t stand a chance when he met your mother. He was like a fish, leaping into the boat to avoid the struggle; it was the smartest thing he ever did. He would never have chosen her on his own, though. He didn’t have the courage.”

  Liora sat up, wanting her aunt to tell her more.

  “Your mother was just like you: headstrong and full of curiosity and life. She knew what she wanted; nothing could get in her way. It caused her a lot of trouble as a little girl and more as a young woman. Your father, God rest his soul, was the best thing that ever happened to her. He never tried to corral her. I have never seen a man more in love with a woman; they were the perfect match.” She smiled as a tear escaped from her own eye.

  “Tell me more, please,” Liora begged.

  “We could talk for days, my child.” Naomi smiled at her niece.

  Suddenly Liora got up. “Wait here,” she said and ran to the house. She returned in a moment, carrying her mother’s comb in her hand. She handed it to her aunt, who looked at her in puzzlement. Naomi took the comb and held it to her chest, weeping softly.

  “You should have this.” Naomi tried to return the comb.

  “No,” said Liora, “you keep it. Mother would want you to have it. There will be a time in the future—you can return it then.” Naomi smiled broadly and reached out to hug Liora and give her a warm kiss on the cheek.

  “So how do we find you a man as good as your father?” Naomi asked.

  Liora smiled back. “I want to find him. You just tell me what to look for,” she said.

  “If only it was that simple, child,” answered Naomi. “It’s not a list you carry with you and check off wi
th every boy you meet. You have to know.”

  “How will I know?”

  “You will meet him at the most unexpected time and in the most unexpected place. He will smile at you, and your heart will melt—and you will know. You must be careful not to stare when that happens!” They both laughed. “My child, we are people with a long history. I only hope when that moment comes, the man is worthy of you, a man of Israel, a man of goodness and tradition, a man your brother and uncle will approve.”

  Liora hugged her aunt tightly. It seemed like a good time to confess her next concern.

  “I want to follow Jesus, Aunt.” Liora looked up with serious eyes.

  “I thought it was obvious that our whole family was following Jesus,” Naomi replied.

  “No, follow him,” Liora clarified.

  “Oh,” was all Naomi could say. There was a period of silence as Naomi processed what her niece was saying. “That would be a question for your uncle, my child. We should discuss this with him. Have you talked to David about it?” Naomi inquired.

  “No.”

  “What are David’s feelings about moving to Capernaum?”

  “David is excited. He talked about perhaps moving his blacksmith shop up here.” Liora wasn’t being entirely frank, but she wasn’t being untruthful either. David had mentioned that he wanted to talk to Seth about blacksmithing. She and David would have to have a more formal discussion and then approach her aunt and uncle with a plan.

  “We should talk more at the appropriate time,” Naomi said. “Now, about this man.” She looked at Liora with one raised eyebrow. They both laughed. They talked till almost sundown on a myriad of subjects: love, marriage, intimacy, childbirth. All the things Liora had been curious about. The air began to get a little chilly as the sun went down and the cool air from the lake approached. They had decided to move back to the warmth of the house when Sariah called from the front door.

  “The baby’s awake. You’re going to miss your chance to hold him.”

  Liora and Naomi both rose to their feet, embracing each other one more time.

  15

  After they passed through the narrow strait at Messina and into the Mediterranean Sea, it was a new experience for Jacob and Levi to look around and see nothing but water. Their life had been roads and trails through valleys and mountain passes. They had often set up camp in a protected valley or in the foothills of great mountains, always thinking of the strategic advantage and defense of their location. But out here there was no strategic advantage; you could be attacked from any side and have nothing to put your back against. Jacob deduced that the only thing you had in your favor was the wind and the speed of your ship. Ezra said it could sometimes take half a day or even longer for a faster ship heading in the same direction to overtake you, but it was just a matter of time before it ran you down—there was no escaping. The only positive result of a long pursuit was the extra time you would have to prepare for battle. If a ship were concealed by fog or was sailing toward you, your preparation time could be cut to minutes.

  The days at sea wore on, but the conversations with Ezra were invigorating. After a few days of prayer, neither Jacob nor Levi needed to follow his lead. They had memorized the prayers and the motions. Presently they prayed like native Jews and could have fooled anyone. Ezra taught them more of the geography of Judaea and the distances between the cities.

  “My homeland is a humble one, and I see no persuasive attraction for Rome,” Ezra said. “We have no great resources. We have salt, fish, sheep, goats, and olive oil. Our only strength is our unity, forged by millennia of religious trials. We are not a military threat. We’ve been run over, sacked, and enslaved by every neighbor we have.” Ezra chuckled. “You realize that Rome holds our entire country captive with mostly ill-disciplined and locally raised auxiliary troops and a single detachment of cavalry? Hardly enough to put down any significant organized rebellion. Pontius Pilate knows that. This is why he loses sleep over this Jesus. Any man who proves his ability to unite thousands of Jews, regardless of the reason or motive, could be a real threat to Roman rule. But I maintain that Jesus is more a threat to established Jewish rule than he is to Rome.”

  Ezra stood to stretch. Looking south, he exclaimed, “A ship!” He pointed toward the horizon. Jacob and Levi stood to look. It was an overcast day with the sea lightly rolling, but on one of the peaks they both saw the ship far in the distance.

  “It looks like it is heading in the same direction we are,” Levi observed.

  “Yes, it is!” came a booming voice from behind them. It was Akhom. “We spotted it a day and a half ago. It could be coming east from Carthage, but it seems to be maintaining a consistent speed and distance from our ship. That ship has more sail than we do, and if its captain was worth his salt, he could have outrun us long ago.” Akhom approached the trio standing in the bow.

  “Is it that he carries more cargo and is heavier laden than our ship?” Jacob spoke his first words to Akhom, wondering why the Egyptian was suddenly confiding in them.

  “No, the haze cleared briefly yesterday afternoon. One of our lookouts climbed the mast and said it appeared she was sailing high out of the water. She’s no merchant,” Akhom said ominously, then walked away as suddenly as he had appeared. He returned to the stern and engaged the captain and two of the crew in an animated discussion.

  Jacob and Levi exchanged a knowing glance. Levi finally said what they all were thinking: “Pirates.” Ezra gathered his robe about him and sat back down. Jacob and Levi stood at the rail, watching the rogue ship until the rolling of the sea and concentrating through the haze made them both a little queasy. They sat down next to Ezra, wishing he would voice an opinion. He said nothing.

  Distracting thoughts of the other ship subdued conversation for the rest of the day. Just after sunset Ezra went below. Jacob and Levi followed but only to get blankets. They were sleeping on deck tonight.

  No one objected to the presence of Jacob and Levi on deck. They settled in their usual spot and found relative comfort near some large coils of rope. They wrapped up in blankets, and Levi was asleep in minutes. Jacob, however, watched the activity at the stern of the ship to get a clue to the sailors’ strategy if there was a threat. Four lookouts had their eyes locked on the horizon. Akhom and the captain sat with their heads close together, but the noise of the wind on the sails and the prow slashing through the water drowned out their conversation. Akhom spoke to one of the slaves, who immediately extinguished the fire in the small metal cauldron between the stern and the mainmast. Then he doused the small torches that burned at both the bow and the stern of the ship.

  Jacob noted the full moon as he looked out on the rolling sea and was captivated by the silver and black rippling of the water. The fire and the torches made their ship visible to the ship that was stalking them—if it was stalking them. Jacob looked southward to see if he could glimpse the other ship’s fire or torches. All he saw was blackness on the horizon. The only thing that distinguished the sea from the sky was the sparkle of silver streaks as the moon reflected its light on the water. He pulled the blanket around him and lay back down. If it was pirates, he should get some rest. The mind of the Roman legate was plotting his own strategy.

  Jacob tossed and turned all night. What little sleep he got was interrupted prematurely by a commotion and racket he couldn’t identify before he was fully conscious. It was the sound of men shouting and running on the deck. He leapt to his feet. It must be the changing of the watch, he thought. The sky was a dark blue. He leaned on the rail to steady his wobbly legs and saw in horror the cause of the commotion.

  During the night the phantom ship had pulled close to the Egyptian ship and was now parallel with it. It was evident it was not a merchant ship. The lookout was correct: the draft on the ship was high, and it was lighter and therefore faster. No markings or banners identified its origin. The sails were trimmed to match the speed of the Egyptian ship. Sailors were constantly adjusting ropes. Jacob saw the p
row of the boat was equipped with a large wooden unicorn, whose horn was an oversized metal spear close to the water line and extending twenty feet forward. Jacob knew about Roman military ships equipped with brass ramming beaks to sink enemy ships. But the spear on the pirate ship was too far above the waterline to sink a ship. Jacob deduced it must be for impaling ships, so the pirates could board and take the valuable cargo that would be lost if the ship sank. Oddly, Jacob remembered that as a boy he had speared fish with his uncle in a shallow brook by his home. After spearing the fish, they clubbed them to death with a mallet. He assumed the same concept was in operation here.

  The ship was close enough for Jacob to see the crew clearly and hear their voices. They spoke in an unrecognizable tongue but were definitely preparing for attack. By rough count, a hundred or more dark-skinned men, dressed in odd clothing of different shades of gray and black, manned the ship. They wore black turbans and carried long spears with swords and knives and secured in wide leather belts draped over their bodies. Many were leaning against the rail, calmly looking back at him. Jacob remembered that Levi was sleeping nearby and kicked his backside.

  Levi finally stirred on the third kick. He leapt to his feet and out of long habit reached for the sword that wasn’t there. “What’s happening?” he shouted to Jacob.

  “We’re being attacked. Pirates,” Jacob answered.

  Levi disappeared below deck.

  The Egyptian sailors armed themselves with swords and shields from under the raised area where Akhom and the captain were seated. A sailor handed Jacob two swords and two shields. He said something in Egyptian and from his hand gestures, Jacob understood that everyone was expected to fight. He threw off his outer robe and reached for his dagger, which he realized he had left below. Just then Levi came running with both daggers. He had removed his robe and cut off his tunic just above the knee. He handed Jacob his dagger, and Jacob did the same thing, cutting off the lower portion of the cumbersome tunic to give him better movement of his legs. They took the sashes from the robes and made tight belts to secure their daggers.