Maximus

by Richard L. Black

  “My children, our lives must go on. We must be content with what God has blessed us with. We must also be content with what God has chosen to take from us. Without Jacob and Levi, we might not be here as a family. Lamech might have perished without the help of those two valiant men. We all might have perished that day on the boat.”

  Everyone knew Jershon was right. Raisa leaned her head on Lamech’s chest. Lamech held her tight and lightly kissed her forehead. Naomi shed a few more tears, but a peaceful spirit finally came upon them. Jershon lowered his head and began to pray.

  27

  Jacob was up early, inquiring of the whereabouts of the Nazarene. He was told Jesus and his apostles would be heading to Chorazin that day. He and Levi gathered their belongings and started out early in order to stay ahead of the crowds of people that would certainly attend him. They took a position on a small hill overlooking the road and waited.

  Two hours had passed when Levi shoved the dozing Jacob on the shoulder. Jacob abruptly sat up, a look of confusion on his face.

  “He comes,” Levi said, as if stalking an enemy.

  They were too far away to see expressions but were close enough to witness Jesus’s attention to each person who pressed upon him from all sides. His apostles tried in vain to create space around him, but it appeared Jesus enjoyed interacting with the disciples of all ages who constantly surrounded him. He picked up small children and held them for a moment. He touched the shoulders or heads of people who knelt in fealty as he passed.

  Jacob and Levi resumed their journey to Chorazin, walking swiftly to stay ahead of most of Jesus’s followers. They noticed crippled individuals and lepers standing in small groups on the roadside. One leper knelt on a blanket, his entire body wrapped with dirty cloth with just a slit for his eyes. Jacob motioned to Levi that they should stop nearby and then observe what happened when Jesus passed. A few minutes later, Jesus knelt on one knee beside the leper. He said something, and the leper held out his bandaged hand. Jesus took the leper’s hand. The multitude began to block Jacob’s and Levi’s view, but not before they saw Jesus place a hand on the leper’s head. Jesus bowed his head, and Jacob perceived that he was speaking, perhaps saying a prayer. After a moment, Jesus helped the leper rise to his feet, and he uncovered the man’s head and face. As he did so, a gasp arose from the crowd, and animated conversation followed. The man could be seen embracing Jesus and then dropped to his knees before him. Jesus raised the man from his knees and whispered in his ear. The two embraced again, and then Jesus walked on. Many people passed by the leper and stared. Some paused to touch his shoulder or hand in acknowledgment or blessing. Jacob wanted to walk back to the man and see for himself, but he knew he would see a man healed of the dreaded disease, his normal life restored. If that were not the case, no one would have approached the leper, let alone touched him. Jacob looked at Levi, and both shook their heads in disbelief. They resumed their quick pace to Chorazin.

  When the crowd arrived at the well in Chorazin, several people tried to offer Jesus water. He took a drink from one and moved to the shade of a nearby tree. The people gave way to allow him space to sit. When he was seated, they all sat down facing him. Jacob and Levi remained at a distance.

  “Have you ever witnessed anything like this?” Jacob asked Levi. “These people adore him. I don’t know how he can live this way, constantly being put upon by so many needy people.”

  “He’s the son of a god, remember,” Levi sarcastically remarked.

  Jacob turned to his friend with an inquisitive look. “Do you believe that?” he asked.

  Levi didn’t answer immediately. “I have listened to Sariah talk about this man, saying he is the Messiah the Jews have awaited.” Levi paused. “But I don’t know what to believe.”

  Jacob smiled at his friend and looked back at the scene near the well. Jesus had begun teaching, and the people moved closer together. “Great orators in Rome aren’t afforded such attention,” Jacob said. “Look at this—these people are feeding on his every word. He holds them in his hand like an injured bird. They would follow him anywhere.”

  “Even to war?” Levi replied.

  Jacob thought for a moment. “Yes, even to war. But we both know that is not what this man is about. He is about peace, about individuals changing themselves from within, not about inciting rebellion. He may be a threat to the leaders of the Jews, their priests and the Sanhedrin, but he is not a threat to Rome.”

  Levi weighed his next comment. “Jesus may not be a direct threat to Rome, but as you say, being a threat to the ruling class is indirectly a threat to Pilate and Herod, who regulate the affairs here. Rome prides itself in allowing the vassal state to continue to govern itself. It creates a workable relationship and tenuous trust between the two. But if the ruling class is threatened or feels compromised, is that a good thing for Rome?”

  “I like the way you think, my brother,” Jacob responded. “But do you think this is an internal revolution in the making?” His question was rhetorical. “There is no power play here. This Jesus doesn’t seek anything; he doesn’t even have what you would call a home. He’s a wanderer, no more than a nomad with a message of hope for the poor.” Jacob again motioned to the crowd below. “These people aren’t warriors. I’ll wager most of them have never held a sword or a spear. They are fishermen and farmers. The roads he travels are lined with lepers and cripples. They are not conscripts or even the beginnings of an army. If this is a war, it is a war of philosophies.”

  “All wars are philosophical,” Levi argued.

  “I agree, but this is not a man looking for power or territory. In fact, he already has power and authority unmatched elsewhere in this country. I submit that even without legions and weapons he is more powerful than Herod and Pilate, or even Tiberius.” Jacob leaned back on his elbows. “This man is not Hannibal, Levi.”

  “But is he the Jews’ mythical Messiah?” Levi asked. “Jershon told me when we were fishing that the Jews look to the Messiah to conquer and crush the enemies of the nation. We Romans would certainly qualify as enemies.”

  Jacob sat up. “I don’t disagree with you, but as I have thought about this, I wonder if we are the real enemy? Jershon also spoke about the different factions in this country that vie for control—the Herodians, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Sanhedrin. Ezra said the same. Those struggles are really no different from the power struggles among the factions in Rome and in the Senate. Everyone wants control.”

  Levi adjusted his position on the ground to take advantage of the shade of a small bush. “Jesus is beginning to control the people. I think that’s what they are afraid of.”

  “Jesus has influence on the people who follow him, but he doesn’t try to control them. Besides, as Ezra told us, the people here, the Galileans, are simple people, not like the people in and around Jerusalem. I wonder if his influence is as great among the merchants and the wealthier classes of Jews.” Jacob ran his fingers through his scraggly beard. “Jesus teaches of peace, my brother, not discord—there is no guile in the man. The Sanhedrin and Pilate are afraid of losing control over the people, but from what we have learned, he is only teaching them to be good to each other, not to revolt against the government.”

  “So that will be our report?” Levi asked.

  “I want to talk to Ezra about it first. Since Pilate will be in Jerusalem during Passover, we’ll have to go there to report to him, but I want to sort this out with Ezra before we meet with him.” Jacob stood to go and then paused. “First, though, there is a centurion I want to meet.”

  “A centurion?” Levi exclaimed, as he hopped to his feet.

  “Yes, a centurion,” answered Jacob.

  Levi fell in beside his friend. “What are you talking about?”

  Jacob headed back to the road that led to Capernaum. “Lamech told me about a centurion who lives just south of Capernaum. Apparently he is a kind man and somewhat accepted in the Jewish community. The soldiers he commands maintain a presence
in the area but are fairly low-key and don’t meddle in the affairs of the people. He and his soldiers are actually helpful in the community, assisting in construction projects and even occasional repair work on some of the fishing boats when they get bored. This centurion had an experience with Jesus that I want to verify.”

  “He had an experience? You don’t want to be seen by soldiers in Capernaum—but you desire to meet with their leader?” Levi asked. Jacob continued to walk in silence, his resolve firm.

  When Jacob and Levi reached Capernaum they stopped to ask two men where they could find the Roman centurion. They were given instructions, and Jacob walked on, Levi anxiously in tow.

  They came to a tidy abode on the outskirts of town, bordering a wheat field. Jacob reached down and opened a short creaky gate and entered a small courtyard boasting flowers and an intimate seating area with two wooden benches under the shade of a latticed arbor. He called out, announcing their presence. “Hello,” he said loudly as he walked toward the front door of the stone structure. A young Jewish boy came to the doorway and stared wide-eyed at the two large men standing before him.

  “Is your master home?” asked Jacob.

  The boy said his father would be returning shortly. Jacob thanked him. They would return later.

  Jacob and Levi hiked a fair distance off and sat to rest in a nearby grove of trees. Levi immediately lay down and within minutes was fast asleep. Jacob couldn’t help but smile as he looked at his friend. A hard-working man with a clear conscience, he thought. Jacob sat pondering the events of the last few weeks. Not far from his mind was the constant vision of Liora and her resonant beauty. He felt they were coming to the end of their mission. He wanted to talk to this Roman centurion, then journey immediately to Jerusalem, as he was anxious to meet with Ezra again, then make his report to Pilate. The thought of returning to Rome caused Jacob some dismay. He wanted to go home, to see his mother and sisters especially. He knew a report to the Senate and Gaius Valerius was mandatory, but he wanted no part of the business of the empire. How would he explain this to his father? He shook the disconcerting thought from his mind and leaned against the bulbous and knotty trunk of an ancient tree.

  Within an hour Jacob saw a man approach the centurion’s house. He was dressed in a common robe and tunic but was clean-shaven and did not have the bearing of a Jew. He sat up when the man opened the small gate and entered the garden. The little boy who had greeted Jacob and Levi ran from the house and leapt into the man’s arms. The man picked up the boy and threw him in the air. Jacob heard a scream of delight from the child. The man caught him and set him lightly back down on the ground. The boy seemed to be saying something as he pointed directly at where Jacob was sitting. The man looked up briefly, then took the boy by the hand and walked into the house.

  “Let’s move,” Jacob said to Levi as he stood and nudged Levi with his foot. Levi sprang to life, sitting and then standing in one fluid motion.

  As they approached the gate, the same man Jacob had seen from a distance came out of the house and entered the garden. He had changed into a Roman tunic, a short sword dangling from the belt around his waist. He stood tall and didn’t wait for the two strangers to speak.

  “My name is Flacchus Aurelius,” he said with an authoritative voice. Jacob could see the bearing of a seasoned soldier in the man and noticed his hand cupping the short hilt of his sword—at the ready, like a true centurion. Jacob came no further. “My son said two soldiers came calling. Are you those men?” he asked.

  Jacob smiled. “Yes. May we have a moment with you, centurion?”

  Aurelius looked at them quizzically, sizing them up but neither moving forward nor changing the stern look on his face. “You have the bearing of soldiers, yet you appear to be Jews. Many deserters travel this highway, men from various parts of the empire. Who are you?”

  Jacob smiled. “Centurion, we are not deserters. We come in peace. Despite our appearance, I am the legate Lucius Fabius Maximus; this is my friend and deputy commander, Lartius Androcles. We are citizens of Rome sent to Judaea as emissaries on a specific mission. May we have a word in private with you?”

  Aurelius eyed them with more curiosity. “Who is your father?” he asked, raising his powerful chin in their direction.

  “My father is Quintus Fabius Maximus, a senator in the council of Tiberius,” Jacob answered straightforwardly.

  Aurelius looked at Jacob for a moment more, then dropped his hand from the hilt of his sword. “I admired your father. He was a good man.” He stepped forward to shake hands with the two visitors.

  “Thank you. He is still a good man,” Jacob responded.

  “I’m glad to hear he is still with us. Rome could use more men with reasonable minds like your father’s.” Aurelius smiled wryly. Jacob felt he had discovered an ally. Aurelius turned toward the house, peeked in the door, and said something in Aramaic. A moment later the young boy appeared with bread, honey, a flagon of wine, and three goblets. Aurelius invited his guests to sit on the benches in the garden. He offered them bread and poured them wine, which they gratefully accepted.

  “So, gentlemen, you definitely have my full attention,” Aurelius said, raising his graying eyebrows. “Please tell me about your mission and how I can be of service.” Then he chuckled to himself. “Forgive me; I look at you and know how uncomfortable you must be in this disguise,” he said, smiling broadly. “You could have fooled me, but you certainly didn’t fool my son.” He laughed out loud.

  Jacob and Levi joined him. “What gave us away?” Jacob asked.

  Aurelius took a swig of wine. “Look at you two. You,” he pointed at Levi, “your fists could flatten a cow with one blow.” He laughed again. “One of my men, who joined me recently from Caesarea, told a story of two strong Jews who beat up a friend of his. The friend was embarrassed at being bested by Jews and blamed it on his drunkenness. Is that perhaps an altercation that involved the two of you?” Jacob smiled at Levi. Then they laughed, and Aurelius joined them. The three of them toasted with the wine goblets and laughed heartily as Levi related the story of the encounter with the auxiliary soldiers in Caesarea.

  They enjoyed conversing. Jacob relaxed, knowing he didn’t have to measure every word he spoke. They explained their purpose to Aurelius, who nodded and seemed to understand Pilate’s concern.

  Jacob finally asked Aurelius, “What is your opinion of the man they call Jesus of Nazareth?”

  Aurelius set his goblet down and took off his sword belt. There was a palpable silence, and Jacob sensed a great emotion swelling up in the proud man. Suddenly he looked Jacob in the eye and said with some disdain, “Have you tried and convicted him in your minds, as his fellow Jews have done?”

  Jacob was taken aback at the change of countenance in the centurion and the accusation in his question. “No, we have not,” Jacob answered firmly. “In fact, we think he is doing nothing wrong, and soon that will be our report to Pilate.” Jacob looked at Aurelius directly.

  The centurion began to soften, then said, “I had an encounter with this Nazarene.” Emotion began to show in the form of moisture in the corners of his eyes. “For the past year, my men and I have followed his actions, but from my observation and the reports of my trusted men, he has done nothing but talk of peace and perform incredible works of good with the power he has.” A tear ran down his cheek. “My own son . . .” Aurelius wiped the tears now forming in his eyes. “My son, Aaron, is a bright light in my old age. I should explain. His father and mother were servants in my home from the time I first arrived. I was told his mother was barren. Her husband passed away of an illness after she was miraculously with child. Aaron was born without a father, and I became like a father to him. I ignored my growing feelings for his mother as she would be cast out if she married a Roman—a Gentile, as the Jews call us. The Jews are a peaceful people, but they can be unbending when it comes to their customs and harsh judges of those who don’t comply. If you have followed Jesus for any length of time,
you will know of what I speak.”

  Both Jacob and Levi nodded their understanding. Jacob felt the sting of his words more acutely as he thought of his feelings for Liora.

  Aurelius continued. “We have carved out a good life here, a peaceful coexistence. Aaron and his mother are part of my household and are known as my servants, but they are much more than that. I love them with all my soul.” Aurelius clutched his fist to his heart for emphasis. “Aaron was always weak and smaller than others his age. A few months ago, he became ill, nigh unto death with a fever and a palsy that could not be tamed. My heart ached for the pain he suffered. His mother sat by his side, constantly tending him and awaiting the day God would have mercy and take his life.” He wiped more tears from his face and took another drink of wine. “I had traveled to Cana with a handful of my men, and we encountered Jesus and his multitude of disciples there. We observed him and the miracles he wrought there among the ill and afflicted. I have a good relationship with the elders in Capernaum, so I asked them to request that Jesus heal Aaron. I received word a couple of days later that the Nazarene was coming to my home. I quickly went out to meet the entourage to tell Jesus I was not worthy that he should come into my home and that if he but spoke the words, Aaron would be healed. I told him I was a man of authority also, and when I asked my soldiers or servants to do something, it was accomplished. I had only to command them and the deed was done; I didn’t need to be present. I expected Jesus of Nazareth had the same type of power.” Aurelius paused, holding his emotions in check. “The Nazarene smiled and looked kindly into my eyes, then he placed his hand on my shoulder. I felt a warmth run through me like the sun at midday. He said to me that he had not found so great faith, not in all of Israel.”