Maximus

by Richard L. Black

Jacob smiled back. In the crowded space, Liora’s shoulder touched his. It felt warm and wonderful—and she didn’t move. The bread, soup, fish, and fruit tasted heavenly, and the company was delightful. Strangely, Jacob felt at home.

  24

  Jacob awoke abruptly. The house was quiet, and Levi was gone. He saw Raisa across the room, lying next to Lamech and nursing the baby, so he arose quietly.

  As he stood, Raisa whispered, “They are gone.”

  Puzzled, Jacob looked down at her.

  “The men have gone fishing for the day. Your brother went with them,” she said quietly.

  Jacob remembered that the night before Naomi and Sariah had prepared the food for the men to take, but he couldn’t believe he had slept through all the movement and chatter that surely took place when they left in the morning. Jacob walked outside. The sun was still hidden below the eastern horizon and the morning was chilly. He decided to walk to the shore to see if perhaps they were still there. He arrived in time to see Seth standing on Levi’s shoulders in the boat, double-checking the strength of the mast and boom they had replaced. David saw him coming in the predawn darkness. “Jacob, over here,” he shouted.

  Boats were already pushing off from shore and yet Jershon, even with the lengthy repair, was ready to push off as well. Seth finished securing the boom with Jershon shouting the last instructions, then jumped off Levi’s shoulders.

  “Why didn’t you wake me?” Jacob asked Levi.

  “You were sleeping more soundly than the baby, my brother,” Levi answered, as the men laughed in unison. “I decided to go with them this morning and try my hand at fishing,” he added.

  “Can I go?” Jacob asked somewhat meekly.

  “Four is already crowded in this small boat. Levi takes almost as much room as two men. I am afraid one more would be too much,” Jershon answered. “We are only fishing for a short time today and should be back after midday. Stay at home and help the women tend to Lamech.” Jershon instructed them to push the boat off the shore. The task was made easy with the efforts of the five men. Seth was the last to jump into the boat, and it floated off.

  Jacob stood by himself in the shallows. “Did you remember the oars, Seth?” he shouted. Seth smiled and held them up for Jacob to see. Jacob smiled and waved. He felt like a little boy required to stay home from the hunt, a feeling he was not accustomed to. The rising sun was beginning to blanket the shore in yellow light. Jacob lingered on the beach for a few minutes, sitting on a large rock. When the sun crested the eastern mountains, he stood to head back to the house. He could still see the small boat with its sail unfurled far in the distance.

  Upon returning to the house, Jacob found Naomi and Raisa bathing the baby in a small tub. The baby boy was voicing his protest, and soon Sariah, Esther, and finally Liora came out into the room to see what the fuss was about. Lamech lay asleep. Jacob found himself uncomfortably out of his element. The women went about trying to help as best they could. Liora and Sariah disappeared into the kitchen to prepare something for everyone to eat. They returned with bread and fruit.

  “Where is Levi?” Sariah asked, already knowing the answer.

  “He has gone fishing with your father,” Jacob answered. Sariah offered him some bread. “Did you not want to go?” she asked.

  “Well, I was asleep when they left,” Jacob said sheepishly. “I caught them before they cast off, but your father said there wasn’t enough room in the boat.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Sariah replied. “It’s a small boat, and Levi is as big as two men.” She smiled.

  “That’s exactly what your father said,” Jacob responded.

  “Well, you’ll have to stay home to wash clothes and make bread with the women today,” Naomi said with a laugh.

  “I’m afraid I am not very good at either chore,” Jacob said.

  “Then you are no different from the other men in this house,” Naomi chortled. The girls giggled, and Naomi laughed louder. That little-boy feeling came over Jacob again.

  “The men won’t be gone a full day,” Naomi continued. “I’m sure you can find something to do.”

  Lamech suddenly spoke. “Is there anything to eat? I’m hungry.” Everyone gathered around him, and Raisa knelt to embrace him. He tried to stand up, but it was obvious he was still weak. Jacob reached him just in time to keep him from falling down. “Take it easy, my brother. I know your body is anxious to get going, but your head is saying otherwise. It’s best that you stay put for a couple of days.”

  Jacob helped him lay back down on the bed. Naomi and the girls admired the tender way Jacob handled Lamech.

  “I’ll be fine,” Lamech said. “I’d like to go meet my father when he returns today.”

  “If you’re up to it, I’ll help you walk to the shore,” Jacob offered.

  “Maybe we could all go,” piped young Esther.

  “That might be a good idea,” said Naomi. “Let’s get our work done quickly. We could all use some fresh air today.”

  Jacob ate, then went outside and busied himself cleaning out the small stable at the side of the house. He found some tools and repaired a part of the enclosure in which the donkeys were kept. He straightened up the area that was used for spare wood and rope and netting, then piled debris and manure from the stable into a cart. Esther directed him toward the town trash pile. He hauled two loads to the pile, then returned the cart to its place and stood satisfied, admiring his work. He decided he should go to the shore and bathe, as he was sweaty and dirty from head to toe. His sandals were caked with the muck from the stable and needed a good cleaning as well.

  Jacob walked just out of town along the shore of the lake, looking for a private spot in which to swim. Jershon was right; the disciples who had followed Jesus to Capernaum were camped everywhere. He had to walk almost half a mile before he found a suitably private place to bathe. Seeing all the people waiting for another opportunity to be with Jesus reminded Jacob of the reason he was there. Being with Jershon and his family and meeting Liora had all but made him forget his mission.

  Jacob enjoyed the swim and time alone. He washed his tunic and draped it over an oleander bush near the shore to dry. He laid the blanket from his satchel on the pebbly beach and considered a short nap, but his head was too full of divergent thoughts. He thought of his wise mentor, Ezra. He felt he had already come to a conclusion about Jesus even though his investigation had hardly begun. He pondered the peace and warmth he had encountered in the home of Jershon and his wonderful family. He had enjoyed immensely the simple work he had performed today; it brought a smile to his face. And then there was a ray of light that had pierced his heart in the form of Liora.

  The great general Maximus lay beside the Sea of Galilee, far from home, without a plan, without weapons, without an enemy, and, for the first time he could remember, he was content. He lay back, closed his eyes to the glare of the bright sun, and smiled.

  25

  Jacob returned to the house feeling clean and refreshed. He longed to shave off the beard that itched and made him feel unkempt; it was something he would never get used to. When he arrived, he encountered Lamech outside, sitting in the warm sun on a small stool, leaning against the outer wall of the house. The women had changed clothes and were anxiously waiting Jacob’s return so they could walk to the shore and wait for the returning fishermen.

  Jacob helped Lamech to his feet. He gave Lamech his staff and told him to put his other hand on his shoulder for stability in case the dizziness returned. They started the short walk to the shore, the women following behind. Raisa wrapped the baby tightly in a lightweight blanket. Esther skipped ahead, spinning around occasionally to look at Jacob and smile. Jacob smiled back, which sent her off squealing.

  They stopped under a large sycamore tree a few yards from the waterline and laid down blankets to sit on and wait for the men. Naomi quickly passed out some water and wine for them to drink.

  Lamech was beginning to be more lucid and asked Jacob to retell t
he story of his rescue.

  Jacob obliged, giving all of the credit to Levi.

  Sariah asked, “Levi said he was a blacksmith. What does he make?”

  Jacob weighed his answer. “He makes tools.”

  “Why was his family attacked?” Sariah pressed with genuine concern in her eyes. This was a more delicate question, one Jacob preferred to avoid, but all eyes were upon him.

  “It was an ugly and sad thing and happened a long time ago,” Jacob began. “Levi doesn’t talk about it much, so I don’t really know details. He has reconciled himself to his loss and is much happier now.” In an effort to redirect the conversation, Jacob turned to Sariah and said, “You seem very curious about my brother, Sariah.”

  Sariah blushed, and Liora put up a hand to conceal a smile.

  Jacob felt Sariah’s discomfort and was instantly sorry for his teasing. “He is a good man, and despite his size he is as tender as a tame rabbit.” As he spoke, Jacob remembered Levi viciously slashing through the attacking pirates on the Egyptian ship.

  Naomi patted Sariah on the shoulder, and Liora and Esther smiled at each other.

  Jacob wanted to talk to Liora but was so nervous he felt like a little boy in the company of adults, not wanting to interrupt. Then Naomi asked him about his family. He remembered Ezra’s admonishment not to get involved with any of the crew on the ship, which would help eliminate too many questions. Jacob could see the wisdom in not getting involved with anyone; even a peaceful family like this could ask too many questions, and he would be forced to be untruthful—or make the slightest mistake and possibly expose his cover.

  “My sisters and mother work on the farm at our home. My father is a diplomat,” Jacob answered truthfully.

  “A good Jewish family?” Naomi stated more than asked.

  Jacob hesitated, then answered, “Yes, a good family,” sidestepping the real question.

  “And what do you do, Jacob—what is your craft?” Naomi asked. Lamech, Liora, and Sariah were intent on his answer. Esther was collecting small smooth stones from the beach and couldn’t have cared less.

  Jacob paused and then said, “I am a partner in a trading company. We have a handful of ships that transport cargo between Alexandria, Antioch, Carthage, and Rome.”

  “And you have a family? I mean, a wife and children?” Naomi pressed.

  Jacob nervously laughed. “No, I am not married and do not have a family. I have been traveling a lot the last few years and haven’t had time for a family.” That much was not a lie.

  Naomi simply exclaimed “Oh” with a satisfied grin and turned to adjust one of the blankets. Then she asked, “And Levi. Does he have a family of his own?”

  It wasn’t hard for Jacob to deduce the purpose of Naomi’s questions—she had an eligible daughter and niece, and to her, Jacob and Levi represented two eligible Jewish bachelors. Their disguise was working too well. Jacob felt it was time to change the direction of the conversation.

  Without answering Naomi, he turned to Liora. “I understand you and David have been following Jesus?” he inquired.

  Liora, nervous that Jacob’s attention had suddenly turned to her, stammered, “Yes, we have.”

  “How long have you been following him?” he asked.

  “Only a week. We followed him to Bethsaida.” Liora was choking on every word and finding it difficult to speak under his attentive gaze.

  “He has quite a following. His message must be compelling.”

  “Yes, it is.” Liora’s answer was clipped.

  “Can you tell me about it?” Jacob probed, wanting to continue the conversation with her.

  Liora looked to Sariah for help. Sariah was silent, not knowing how to answer either. “Well, he teaches a new message that goes beyond the Law of Moses, but mostly he teaches kindness to our fellow man. And tolerance. He loves children, and we saw him heal a blind man one day.” Liora became animated as she related the story.

  “So the stories of the miracles are true?” Jacob asked with some skepticism.

  “We only witnessed the one, but I am convinced the other stories must be true,” Liora said.

  “After seeing what we saw, I believe all the stories we have been told of him,” Sariah added.

  Jacob nodded as he listened. “Tell me, Liora.” Jacob directed his conversation purposely to her. “Why are the rabbis and the high priest so afraid of him?”

  Liora shifted nervously. “My uncle says that they feel threatened. Jesus comes from the small village of Nazareth and was an ordinary carpenter. The members of the Sanhedrin don’t believe he has any authority to teach the things he does.” Liora paused to look up at Jacob, who was smiling at her. “Frankly, I think they are jealous that so many people want to follow him and listen to his teachings,” she said, smiling warmly at Jacob.

  Jacob recalled something he had heard from both Gaius Valerius and Ezra. “I am told Jesus is of the house of David and because of his genealogy alone would qualify for leadership in Israel.”

  Naomi interrupted. “You seem to be very knowledgeable, Jacob. Tell us why you became a disciple.”

  Jacob smiled. “I’m not sure I am a disciple yet.”

  “What do you seek, then?” Naomi asked.

  “I seek the true God,” Jacob said emphatically.

  “As a Jew, Jacob, you know that the great Jehovah is the one true God,” Naomi said. “Do you seek Jesus simply as a leader, or do you believe he is the Messiah?”

  Jacob weighed his answer and after a minute responded. “I was not taught well in Egypt as a youth about the ways of Jehovah. I hardly qualify as a Jew.” Jacob looked out to the water, not wanting to make eye contact with Naomi as he pondered how to answer her. “In trying to understand the nature of God, I am drawn to this Nazarene. In fact, when I saw him briefly yesterday as he came into town, my heart and mind were filled with an emotion I can’t explain.” Jacob was telling the truth.

  Naomi responded. “We have all felt that, Jacob, and rest assured, we are not judges of your dedication to Judaism. We are your friends. We are constantly searching for truth as well.” Naomi smiled at Jacob in a way that made him think of his own mother. He felt an emotion welling that he quickly controlled.

  “I think I see them,” Lamech announced, looking out upon the lake.

  Everyone turned their gaze to the water and spotted the triangular sail on the horizon. All the fishing boats looked the same, but Lamech was sure it was his father’s boat. They stood to get a better look.

  As everyone edged closer to the water, Naomi approached Jacob. “I perceive you have a good heart, my son,” she said.

  Lamech stood on the shoreline, leaning on Jacob’s staff and waving with his other arm. They could see Seth standing with one foot on the prow of the boat, waving back. Within a couple of minutes, the boat was fifty yards away and closing. In the heat of the day, Jacob had been itching to step into the water. He unceremoniously discarded his head covering and robe and waded into the water to help pull it ashore. As he stood in the shallow water, his tunic pulled up and gathered around his waist, Liora and Sariah both noticed the many scars on his legs, shoulders, and arms, taking particular note of the deep gash in the calf of his left leg. They looked at each other curiously but said nothing.

  Seth threw a rope to Jacob, who secured it with one tight wrap around his hand. He turned and, with the rope over his shoulder, pulled the boat up onto the beach. Lamech walked over to help, but Jacob held up his free hand and cautioned him about exerting himself too much, and Lamech backed off. Seth anxiously jumped out of the boat, and David and Levi helped Jershon furl the sail.

  “Levi was good luck,” Seth blurted out. “We filled the boat with one cast of the net.”

  Levi jumped out of the boat and reached up to lend Jershon a hand. “Your father took us right on top of the fish. I had nothing to do with it,” Levi responded.

  Seth suddenly kicked water on Levi, who charged after him, and the two ran down the beach, Seth laughin
g uncontrollably. In short order, Levi caught him by the scruff of his neck, hauled him to the water, and pushed him in. Jacob and the family watched in amusement.

  “We have work to do yet,” Jershon admonished.

  “Work, work. All you think about is work,” Naomi said as she wrapped her arms around her husband. He laughed and hugged her back.

  “Go on home, Jershon,” Levi said. “Seth and I can prepare the boat for tomorrow. Jacob and David can help unload the catch.”

  “Are you sending me home with the women?” Jershon rejoined with raised eyebrows.

  Levi laughed. “No, my friend,” he said with a new familiarity. “We have enough hands. Go home and rest.”

  Seth stood by Levi as they pulled the net out of the boat to inspect it for damage and refold it for tomorrow. David led Jacob to retrieve baskets to unload the fish. Jacob smiled pleasantly at Liora as he walked past, which didn’t escape the notice of both Naomi and Jershon.

  Jershon held Lamech’s arm as they walked back to the house. Liora and Sariah trailed, talking together and giggling, occasionally looking back.

  “We have acquired two worthy sons,” Naomi said quietly to Jershon as she walked beside him, leaning affectionately on his arm.

  He looked down at her curiously and saw the twinkle in her eye—he knew what she was thinking. Smiling, Jershon whispered, “Woman, you plot like an anxious fox at the gate of the henhouse.”

  Naomi smiled back.

  During the evening meal, David had a thousand questions about blacksmithing that he directed at Levi. Lamech was feeling better and cuddled both his wife and his son. Esther made both Levi and Jacob hold her up with their strong arms. She hung on as if she were hanging on tree limbs and giggled with delight. Jershon watched the interaction and wondered how in such a short time these two strange men had become part of his family.

  “They have been sent by God,” Naomi remarked, reading his thoughts.

  “You certainly want them to be the answers to a mother’s prayers.” He nudged his happy wife.

  “I believe they are,” Naomi said with a cherubic smile.