“I certainly haven’t done anything worthy of a blessing from the Jewish God,” Jacob said.
“You think that because you are Roman?” Ezra asked. “Jacob, you honored your mother and father and did the bidding of your leaders. You are an honorable man. God does not hold men accountable for laws they have not been taught. The Jews are obedient to the Law of Moses. What do you know about the Law of Moses, Jacob?” Ezra asked.
Jacob shook his head, indicating he knew nothing.
“That’s my point exactly, Jacob. God doesn’t expect you to keep the Law of Moses; it has never been taught to you. I know you are a man of good intent and you treat your fellowman with respect and kindness. Those are godly traits. That is behavior God blesses.” Ezra smiled at his student.
Jacob felt warmth envelop him from head to toe. It was hard to hold back the tears caused by more than fifteen years of battle. Something Ezra conveyed about this God rang true to his heart. This was a God he could understand. This was a God he could love and worship. This was a God who could heal him.
“I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for,” Ezra commented.
“Those are many things.” Jacob laughed.
“The most important is finding the true God and a good wife. And you are on the path to encounter both,” Ezra said.
“How can you be so confident I will find them?” Jacob asked.
“You are a man who seeks the truth. You are also a man with great discernment. God will bless you, Jacob. You will find what you seek.”
19
For two days in Bethsaida, Liora, Sariah, and David saw little of Jesus. David insisted they camp near where the River Jordan flowed out of the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps they could buy some fish from the many fishermen who worked the area.
As the three sat talking, they noticed a small group of men emerging from a narrow alley of the town. One man appeared to be leading another man. As the group approached a marshy area near the river, Liora exclaimed excitedly, “It is Jesus.” She rose and walked rapidly toward him with Sariah and David in tow. When they were a few yards away, David caught Liora by the arm, cautioning her to maintain a respectful distance. They sat down in a small grassy area within earshot of Jesus and his companions.
Jesus stood face to face with the blind man, holding his hands in his own. He bent forward and addressed him quietly. The apostles stood close by, listening intently to the words Jesus spoke. Suddenly Jesus leaned closer and spat into both eyes of the blind man. Liora and Sariah looked at each other curiously, then turned back to watch events unfold. Jesus placed his hands on the man’s forehead, covering his eyes. He raised his face skyward and appeared to be praying aloud. When he had finished, he asked the blind man, in tones clear enough for Liora and the others to hear, if he could see. The blind man gazed about hesitantly. With a smile he said, “I see men as trees, walking.”
Jesus once again placed his hands on the blind man’s eyes and bade him look up. This time the man’s sight was fully restored. He fell at Jesus’s feet, weeping and thanking God. Jesus blessed the man and told him to go home, but not by way of the town, and cautioned him not to tell the people what had occurred.
The old man walked away with renewed confidence. Jesus pulled his headdress over his head to protect him from the intense sun, bowed his head briefly as if in prayer, and returned with his apostles the way they had come.
Liora and Sariah had their hands over their mouths in astonishment, tears running down their faces. David was speechless. They had witnessed a miracle and there was no denying what they had seen and heard. Their conviction was sealed. As Jesus and the apostles disappeared down the alley, Liora, David, and Sariah sat in silence, trying to assimilate what they had experienced.
It was a long time before the three could talk to each other.
David finally asked, “What does this all mean?”
Liora spoke boldly. “It confirms that he is who he says he is. He is the Messiah. As your father said, Sariah, he is not the Messiah the people look for; he brings power of a different kind. He does not enforce his message with a sword. Yes, he is here to rescue us, but in a way I can’t fully put into words. I need to know more.”
David agreed. “This is more than I had anticipated. I know what I saw, but I also feel confused.”
They spent most of the day in the meager shade of a struggling oleander bush. They ate a small amount of food and talked quietly together. The experience of the day had lifted them but at the same time seemed to drain their energy. It was almost too much to contemplate.
Late in the afternoon they observed people moving from different places they could see from their camp. People were gathering their belongings and walking toward the town. Liora, David, and Sariah decided to join them. As they neared the main road and merged with the crowd, word was passed along that Jesus and his apostles were going to a hill outside Bethsaida and Jesus was going to address them. The three new disciples were excited at the prospect of hearing Jesus speak.
Eventually they reached their destination, and Jesus greeted the crowd. Even though Liora was sitting more than fifty yards away from him, it seemed as if he was right beside her. His gentle voice penetrated the air as clearly as it penetrated each heart. His message was simple and needed no interpretation by learned rabbis.
Jesus spoke for almost an hour. Every word went straight to her heart. He taught the people about dealing with oppression and tribulation. He taught them about prayer and praying in secret. She marveled at his knowledge and the authority with which he spoke. How could anyone not believe this was the Son of God? Liora reasoned that if God was indeed his father, Jesus would have similar traits and characteristics and know his father’s will. Liora had never thought of God having a body of flesh and bone, but she now believed he did.
David and Sariah listened with open hearts and were filled with the warmth of his words. Doubts that any of them might have harbored were dispelled. His admonishing his listeners to be perfect, as his father was, seemed a monumental task. But Liora understood that it was a lifetime of improvement; her father had taught her that. He had taught her that Jehovah was patient and long-suffering, and the stories he related about the children of Israel illustrated that truth. Liora knew logically that no one could become perfect overnight, but if one truly sought the kingdom of God every day, as Jesus admonished them, then perfection would be the result. She had always thought her father was perfect, and the stories he’d told Liora of her mother made her perfect in Liora’s eyes too. Jesus’s message was about creating a life filled with service to others and forgiveness. All the building blocks of the kingdom of God were laid out plainly. Liora understood more fully what her father had taught her. She wept in gratitude for the knowledge she had gained today.
Jesus concluded his sermon with a blessing on the disciples and prayed for all of them. He took his leave, his apostles following, and returned to the town to retire for the evening. As he walked through the crowd of people, he stopped to touch and pray for various afflicted people in his path. Liora was certain he healed those he stopped to talk with. It was truly an amazing day. If they returned to Capernaum now, they would have been fed for a lifetime.
20
The final run into Caesarea was a quick one. Their easterly direction kept the ship at an attitude to take advantage of the strong wind generated from the desert of the African continent. It blew generously the last two days, filling the sails to capacity and even causing the ship to list. Standing without holding onto something proved difficult, and uninterrupted sleep was impossible.
Ezra reiterated to his two students the power of the Sanhedrin and the political and religious divide between Pharisees and Sadducees. Ironically, Jesus of Nazareth had brought the two sides together—he was fast becoming their common enemy. Behind closed doors, they rejected his claim to authority but were reluctant to challenge him directly. They watched him like a hawk and followed him everywhere, listening to him expound his new mess
age. They listened for any doctrinal aberration to accuse him of heresy. Many of the Sanhedrin resorted to allying themselves with Rome to paint him as an enemy of the empire. That is how Ezra became involved.
Jacob was fascinated with the dynamics and couldn’t wait to encounter Jesus and observe his tactics. It would be easy to discover if he was a genuine threat to Rome or just a personal threat to the ruling Jews. Men with greater knowledge can strike fear into those less learned, especially if they teach a nontraditional philosophy and are able to sway the opinions of multitudes. It seemed to Jacob that this was exactly what he would find in Judaea.
During the voyage from Rome, Ezra had taught Jacob and Levi more prayers and Jewish customs. He cautioned them against making any close friends and helped them devise a story about their Jewish roots in Egypt as a cover for their un-Jewish look and language. Because it was said that many disciples who followed Jesus had left home and livelihood to do so, Jacob and Levi would profess to be disciples of Jesus to avoid any undue questioning about their presence in Judaea.
At sunrise they spotted Caesarea in the distance. Ezra informed them it had been built by Herod the Great. Soon they could see the aqueduct taking water into the city, much as the great aqueducts did in Rome. The port was bustling, and the city was sprawling.
The captain brought the Egyptian ship swiftly into the wharf and Ezra, Jacob, and Levi began to gather their belongings. Akhom met them at the gangplank.
“My friends, it has been a pleasure to know you. If all Jews were like you three, perhaps we could have a stronger peace between our countries.” Akhom laughed. “Once again, I extend my gratitude to you, Jacob, and Levi, for your valor in our conflict. I did not know that Jews could produce such skilled warriors. Ezra, you should be safe walking the streets of Jerusalem with these two at your side. By the way, would you like the swords and shields you captured? You earned them.”
“We are not in need of them, I assure you. They may serve you in the future, but I petition God you never have to use them.” Ezra answered for his friends.
The men bade one another farewell, and the three Jews made their way from the ship. Jacob and Levi followed Ezra into the bustling city, where merchants shouted in languages Jacob could not understand as they bartered for goods to fill ships and caravans.
Ezra led them toward two Nabataeans sitting at a table. One wore a turban accented with colorful jewels, and his silk robe of orange and red was emblazoned with unique patterns. He spoke energetically to his companion, waving arms laden with great bracelets of gold.
The flamboyant Nabataean smacked the table with his fist, disturbing the coins he was counting, and stood up. “Ezra, my old friend!” he bellowed. “What wind brings me such wonderful company on this hot day?”
The two friends embraced while Jacob and Levi stood by, surprised once again at the network of connections and friends that were Ezra’s.
“My good friend Iqbal, I would like you to meet my traveling companions, Jacob and Levi.”
“Are you in danger, my friend?” Iqbal asked. “With these two at your side, no one would think of harming you.” He sized up the two men standing beside Ezra. “Where are your weapons, gentlemen?” he asked. “I can provide you with swords of the finest Damascus steel. Or perhaps you prefer the smaller Roman short sword. I have a supply of those as well. They are good for sticking rats in the alley but not very effective in a real battle.” He laughed. Levi held his tongue.
“You always want to make a deal, my friend,” Ezra said. “We are not in the market for swords today but would like to secure passage to Jerusalem in one of your caravans.”
Iqbal scratched his cheek through his thick black beard. “We are transporting a large shipment of wheat in a caravan leaving in three days. You can travel with them. I will arrange for three camels, a small tent, and food to sustain you for the journey. But of course there would be a small fee,” the cagey Nabataean observed.
“Yes, my friend. We will pay you in advance,” replied Ezra.
The deal was struck after the customary bargaining, and Jacob paid the fee from the purse given him by Tatius Lucianus.
“You carry Roman money,” Iqbal said.
“Yes,” replied Ezra. “We have traveled from Rome.”
“What took you three to Rome?” he asked.
Ezra gave a careful answer to the curious Nabataean, not offering any expanded explanation. “We have been on a diplomatic mission.”
“I saw our esteemed leader and your friend Pontius Pilate at the bazaar just yesterday,” Iqbal remarked offhandedly.
Ezra made more small talk. He and Iqbal finally shook hands and bade each other farewell.
Ezra led Jacob and Levi down the street. When he was sure they would not be overheard, Ezra addressed his two companions. “That was valuable information Iqbal gave us. We might be able to arrange a meeting with Pontius Pilate here. If that is possible, and we can determine that Jesus is still in Galilee, as we’ve heard, then you could travel directly there and save the detour through Jerusalem.”
“How do we secure a meeting with Pilate?” Jacob asked.
“Leave that to me,” Ezra said. “Why don’t you walk back to the dock to find a place to wait? I will join you shortly,” he instructed his two companions. He started to walk away and then thought of one more thing. “There are more soldiers here than in Jerusalem. Be sure you avoid them and don’t do anything to bring attention to yourselves.” He turned then and strode off confidently, his staff clicking on the cobblestones.
Jacob and Levi walked back toward the docks. On their way they purchased food in the bazaar. Greek was being spoken everywhere, so no one seemed surprised at their use of that language. Beginning to feel somewhat more at ease with their new look in their new country, they took their food and walked leisurely to the dock. They noticed four auxiliary soldiers on the wharf, so they veered away from them, continuing down the rocky incline away from the main street and sat on some flat rocks near the sea. Other people were also eating and enjoying the mild day.
The soldiers were talking to two Jewish men. Jacob kept one eye on the soldiers, whom, because of their appearance, he suspected had been recruited by the Romans from among the Hellenized residents of the area. Suddenly a soldier shoved one of the Jews to the ground. His companions responded with raucous laughter. As the other Jewish man bent to help his friend stand up, another soldier kicked him, sending him toppling to the ground as well. The soldiers guffawed. The two Jews, wanting to avoid further trouble, stayed on the ground, despite the soldiers’ taunting them to get up. Jacob and Levi had seen such behavior all too often among auxiliary troops. Too often undisciplined, such troops frequently acted like thugs, terrorizing other inhabitants, who would never fight back for fear of further punishment. Jacob had punished soldiers under his command who behaved in such a way.
Soon the soldiers lost interest in the two men and walked along the road toward Jacob and Levi, stopping just above where they were sitting. Jacob kept his back to them and encouraged Levi to do the same. The soldiers stood above them about twenty yards away and made loud, disparaging remarks in Greek about the Jews’ dirty beards and dirty robes. Their crude language could be heard by everyone on the small beach. It was obvious the soldiers were trying to pick another fight.
A woman sitting not far from Jacob and Levi finally could take no more and stood, humbly asking them to stop. The soldiers went silent for a moment, then laughed and peppered her with demeaning remarks and more foul language. The woman turned away. Then one of the soldiers climbed down the rocks and seized her head covering. Throwing it aside, he grabbed a handful of her hair and roughly jerked her head back.
“Who are you to talk to us that way?” he yelled in her face.
The woman was visibly terrified, and tears freely streamed down her face. The others on the beach sat frozen, unable or afraid to go to her aid. The soldier stood within a few feet of where Jacob and Levi sat. Observing the unkempt soldier�
��s drunkenness and the stains on his uniform, Jacob had finally had enough and decided to intervene, but Levi spoke before he could move.
“Leave her alone,” Levi said in Greek. “She has done nothing to you. Go in peace.”
The soldier released his grasp on the woman’s hair and turned to face Levi. “And who are you to tell me to do anything, Jew?” He spat at Levi’s feet.
“I am her friend,” Levi said. “We have come to enjoy a small meal in this peaceful place. Go in peace.”
Jacob was surprised at the quiet restraint with which Levi confronted the soldier. Jacob had had something else in mind entirely.
The soldier stepped closer to Levi. The strong stench of wine and stale sweat made him all the more obnoxious. “Friend,” the young soldier mimicked Levi, “I suggest you shut your filthy Jew mouth and stay out of my business.”
Levi stood up. The soldier took a step back as he sized up the giant standing before him. “Your job is to keep the Roman peace,” Levi said softly. “This woman poses no threat to you or anyone else. You and your drunken threats to weak people are an embarrassment to Rome.” He glared at the soldier threateningly.
“What do you know about Rome, barbarian?” the soldier challenged Levi.
“More than you do,” Levi answered.
The soldier reached blindly for his sword, but before he could get his hands around the hilt, Levi planted a massive fist squarely in his face, sending him tumbling unconscious backward onto the sand. Levi took the sword and the dagger out of the fallen man’s belt, then shouted at the three remaining auxiliaries, who were standing motionless above him. “This drunken boy is unworthy of the weapons of Rome. Give him a sword when he grows up and understands who his real enemy is.” Levi turned and with all his strength heaved the sword and dagger out into the water. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Jacob, looking upward at the three soldiers and waiting for their attack. But it never came. They were either too shocked by what they witnessed, too drunk, or simply too cowardly to engage the two large, muscular Jews. Instead, they walked off, leaving their dazed companion lying on the sand.
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