Maximus

by Richard L. Black

  “Where are you going?” Seth shouted.

  “Just follow me,” David shouted back, “and stay close!”

  They weaved back and forth, dodging people, dogs, carts, and everything else that cluttered the swollen streets of Jerusalem. David finally turned onto a wider street that allowed them to trot side by side.

  “Where are we going?” Seth asked again.

  “To the temple,” David responded.

  “I thought you said we needed to get back. If Jesus is headed toward the temple, it will be impossible to move around there,” Seth protested.

  “I want to show you something,” David blurted out.

  Seth, excited by the adventure and intrigued by David’s remark, quickened his step. Soon they arrived at the outer temple wall. Crowds were already gathering in anticipation of Jesus’s arrival, but David and Seth had managed to arrive just ahead of the tidal wave of people. They found a spot at the top of the steps and stood against the massive wall that framed the entrance. The stone wall had absorbed the heat of the day and was warm to their backs as they leaned against it. Within a couple of minutes, the people began flooding through every street leading to the temple. The donkey Jesus was riding was led to the bottom of the steps, where he dismounted and began climbing the steps to the entrance.

  Seth could see that David was not watching Jesus at all but was craning his neck left and right. “What are you looking for?” he asked.

  “There,” David finally said, pointing toward the sea of people approaching.

  “Where? What?” asked Seth.

  “There —over there,” David said excitedly, “the two Roman soldiers walking with the old man. Do you see them?”

  Seth squinted in the late morning sun and finally answered. “Yes, the two tall soldiers. I see them,” Seth said.

  “Do you recognize them?” asked David.

  Seth shook his head, not sure what David was getting at. “No. I don’t know any Romans,” Seth said. But he kept looking until finally his brain told him what his eyes were seeing. “Jacob and Levi?” he said slowly.

  “Yes,” answered David. “I saw them earlier and wanted to be sure my eyes weren’t lying to me.”

  David and Seth watched the trio ascend the stairs outside the temple and disappear into the Court of the Gentiles. They looked at each other, not knowing what to say or do.

  David was processing a myriad of emotions. Seth was simply confused. “What does this mean?” he asked finally.

  David shook his head. “Let’s stay here until they return and follow them to see where they go.”

  “Why don’t we just talk to them?” asked Seth.

  “I’m not sure that is the wisest thing to do now,” answered David. “Let’s follow them wherever they go after this. I am sure there must be some explanation.” But David could not think of one. Were they really Romans? He had a thousand questions. He decided to gather as much information as he could and then take it to Jershon. His uncle would know what to do.

  David and Seth kept a keen eye on the gate, and in only a few minutes he saw the two tall Romans working their way back through the mass of people jostling for entry. David and Seth followed them discreetly. A ten-minute walk across town led them to the entryway of a large ornate building where two Roman soldiers stood guard. They saluted as Jacob and Levi approached, and the gate was quickly opened to allow them access.

  David and Seth looked at each other in amazement. They chose a place where they could sit and lean against a wall but still keep an eye on the gate that Jacob and Levi had entered.

  “I’m hungry,” Seth complained.

  “I am too, but this is more important than satisfying your endless appetite.” David joked with Seth despite his bewilderment about the events unfolding before him. “We will eat soon enough.”

  “Father will be angry with us,” Seth said after a few minutes.

  “Yes, he will be angry, but he will forgive us when we tell him the purpose of our absence.” Soon the soldiers guarding the entry reopened the large gates. Jacob, Levi, and the old man came out and descended the steps to the street where they stood talking. David could not hear what they were saying, but he nudged Seth and indicated they should pull their head coverings over their faces. He didn’t want Jacob and Levi to recognize them. When the three men began walking away, David and Seth followed them at a safe distance.

  Along the way Jacob stopped to buy wine. David and Seth made themselves inconspicuous in a vendor’s booth nearby. Soon the three men continued on their way. The old man seemed to be in the lead, and within a few minutes they exited the northern gate of the city. David and Seth had to follow them more closely so as not to lose sight of them, but the three men soon reached a house near an orchard and entered it.

  David and Seth memorized the location. “Let’s head back now,” David suggested.

  Seth agreed. Not only was he hungry but he knew his mother would be worried and they would be in trouble with his father.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “Where have you two been?” Naomi asked with relief when David and Seth reached the camp. “I thought something awful had happened to you. I was so worried.”

  “I’m sorry, aunt. It was my fault,” David admitted. “I can explain.”

  Naomi was just happy for their safe return. It was getting dark, and the rest of the family had eaten the evening meal without them. “Let me warm the soup and get you some bread. Go wash your hands and faces. Your father is in the tent, anxious for your return. You can explain to him.”

  David and Seth obeyed Naomi and entered Jershon’s tent. “I am grateful for your return,” he said sternly. “Your mother and I were worried. This is a big city, and there are many people here from strange lands. We must stay together.” Jershon finished his mild scolding, then smiled at David and Seth, who sat with their heads bowed. “What were you up to that kept you away so long?”

  David began talking and didn’t stop until he had relayed everything he and Seth had done and seen. Jershon sat, listening quietly, without asking a single question. When David finished his story, Jershon sighed deeply, and the three men sat in silence.

  Finally Jershon spoke. “Let me talk to your mother about this. Don’t mention it to your sisters until I have done so.” David and Seth nodded in agreement.

  “Good. Now go eat, and promise me you will not stray off again.” He smiled at David and Seth. Seth embraced his father tightly.

  35

  יום שני

  Yom Sheni

  Monday’s dawn was brisk, the bright sun rising to warm the cool earth. A layer of fog covered the bottom of the deep valley and would soon burn clear. The muffled noise of various camps preparing the morning meal echoed nearby. Jershon sat outside his tent, warming himself by the fire David had started earlier.

  He watched with curiosity as a large crowd of people moved along into Jerusalem. He called his family together and pointed to the approaching crowd. “It appears Jesus of Nazareth once again comes to the temple,” he remarked. His family stood watching as Jesus led his apostles and disciples in a spirited walk.

  “They must have left Bethany before sunrise to be here so early,” David observed.

  Jershon grunted his agreement.

  Because of the hour, the group was much smaller than it had been the day before. Jesus and his hundred or so followers moved quickly to the east gate of the city.

  “I wonder if he plans to teach at the temple all day. I’d really like to hear him,” said Sariah. Liora and David voiced their agreement.

  “Then go,” said Jershon, giving them his blessing. “But I want you all to stay together. Please return by midday. I have an errand to run and will meet you here for our meal.” He turned to Seth. “Son, I need you to remain behind with me to help with a project. You can join David and the others in the afternoon.”

  Seth was visibly disappointed. Naomi hugged each of the departing family members while her younger son sat dejectedly on a bo
ulder near the fire. Jershon retired to his tent to ask God for guidance in his errand.

  Not long afterward Jershon emerged from his tent, tightened the laces on his sandals, gathered his robe around his shoulders to guard against the cool morning, and picked up his staff. “Seth, let’s go,” he said as he began to walk toward Jerusalem.

  “Where are we going, Father?” Seth asked as he scrambled to catch up with his father.

  “I trust, my son, that you can remember the location of the house Jacob and Levi entered?” Jershon kept his gaze on the path ahead. “We will search them out and speak with them, but I don’t want you to mention this to anyone.”

  Seth grinned when he realized why he had been held back. He was happy that his father trusted him as a guide and confidant. “You can trust me, Father,” Seth answered with a certain amount of pride.

  “I know, my son. Let’s enjoy this fine day together.” Jershon was excited at the prospect of seeing their friends again; he held no rancor toward them. His prayer had left him with a feeling of peace, and his heart was full of forgiveness.

  They soon learned that Jesus had gone to the temple, and crowds were headed that way. Once they reached the city, Jershon and Seth were walking against the flow of people and had to work to avoid the anxious disciples trying to get to the temple to hear Jesus preach. Seth asked questions about the stonework of buildings they passed and wondered aloud where the vendors had acquired the many strange goods he saw in the markets along the way.

  Jershon enjoyed talking and teaching his son. Their lives in Capernaum were filled with work: fishing six days a week kept them busy. He realized he needed to find more opportunities to expand his son’s world. Seth was voracious in his thirst for knowledge. Jershon smiled at his son, invigorated by the conversation. Seth in turn was amazed at all his father knew of architecture, stone masonry, and the culture of curious strangers they encountered in Jerusalem.

  The two passed stalls of tooled leather and colorful cloth from eastern lands. Seth was particularly interested in the shiny brass urns and other brassware being hawked by a man wearing a white linen robe and a bright red turban. The sights, scents, and sounds of the different languages being spoken were almost too much for Seth to take in. He drank in everything he saw.

  Soon Jershon and his son exited the gate Seth remembered. He pulled his father’s sleeve, guiding him down the main highway to a road he recognized. There were twists and turns, but Seth negotiated them as if he had passed that way a hundred times before. He stopped abruptly, holding Jershon back, and pointed to a sandstone dwelling with a tile roof standing near an olive orchard. Smoke rose from the house, a telltale sign that someone was home.

  “This is it, Father,” Seth said quietly. He waited for Jershon to take the lead. His father took a deep breath and with conviction walked ahead. He tapped on the weathered door with his staff. Seth stood anxiously behind. Nothing was heard from within the house. Jershon tapped again, this time a little harder.

  Jershon thought he heard a rustling inside, then the door rattled and was pulled open, squeaking on its pivots.

  “Yes?” A haggard older man appeared at the door. From behind his father, Seth recognized him as the same man he and David had seen with Jacob and Levi. Jershon looked back at Seth for confirmation, and Seth nodded his head.

  “My name is Jershon. I am visiting with my family from Capernaum. This is my son Seth.” Jershon stepped aside so the old man could see the younger man in full view. “We come seeking our friends Jacob and Levi. Do you know them?” Jershon asked kindly.

  The visitors standing in his doorway suddenly had Ezra’s full attention. He looked back and forth from one to the other before opening the door fully. “Please come in,” he said. He bent over and cleared a path through the messy house. Scrolls, engravings, and parchments were stacked on every surface.

  Jershon and Seth entered timidly and looked for a place to sit. Ezra, his arms full of scrolls, moved some cushions over with his feet. “Please sit down. Forgive me for the disorder—I have been doing some research.” He went to the adjoining room and came out without the scrolls. “I am not a very good host,” Ezra said apologetically. “My name is Ezra.” He offered his hand to his guests.

  Jershon smiled. “Thank you for inviting us in, rabbi.” If Jacob and Levi were his acquaintances, considering all the scrolls and other artifacts in Ezra’s home, their story was more curious than he thought.

  “Just call me Ezra.” He motioned for his visitors to sit on cushions on a carpet that covered most of the room. A fire burned in the hearth, and the house was pleasantly warm.

  “Why do you seek Jacob and Levi?” Ezra opened the conversation carefully. He contemplated the rustic-looking man sitting before him. From his Galilean clothing and calloused and scarred hands, he knew this must be the patriarch of the good family that Maximus and Androcles had told him about. Ezra was surprised at their appearance in his home but was glad to have a chance to meet them.

  “They are friends of our family. We are fishermen from Capernaum. We were fortunate that they came to us when my oldest son was in great peril. They saved his life.”

  Ezra smiled. “That sounds like them. How did you happen to arrive at my door?”

  “My son Seth and his cousin discovered them in the city yesterday. They followed you here.” Jershon sensed that honesty would be best. “They were confused by the Roman clothing Jacob and Levi wore and were reluctant to speak to them. Instead, they found where they were staying and then relayed that information to me. You see, Ezra, in the short time these two men were with us, we grew to love them. Their parting was, to say the least, sudden and without explanation. But we hold no ill will toward them, in fact, just the opposite. My family and I came here for the holy days, not only to worship but in hopes of finding them again. I was hoping we could talk with them.” Jershon waited for Ezra’s response.

  Ezra sensed the man sitting before him was kind and genuine and was already taking a liking to him. He rocked slightly on his cushion and exhaled deeply. “Yes, Jacob and Levi are my guests. They are not here at the moment. They have gone into the city—to the temple.” Seth darted a concerned glance at his father. “I assume they will return when they get hungry. You see, I have a very good cook.” Ezra chuckled.

  “I have a good cook too.” Jershon said, and the two men shared a smile. “Can you answer some questions?” Jershon leaned forward.

  Ezra raised one hand slightly. “I’m sure you have many questions about our mutual friends. I would prefer, however, that you ask them directly and that they answer you directly. There is a logical explanation, and they are not hiding anything of a serious nature. I assure you these are two very good and sincere men.”

  “I have no doubt of that, Ezra,” Jershon agreed. “I am sure it will come as a surprise to them that we are here, and they may be reluctant to see us. Can you help us arrange a meeting?”

  “I don’t think they will be reluctant—perhaps a little embarrassed, but not reluctant. From what they tell me they deeply regret the manner in which they left Capernaum and your family, but it couldn’t be avoided. They hold you all in the highest esteem. But as I said, I will let them explain everything. I would be happy to arrange a meeting. Where are you staying?” Ezra asked.

  Jershon replied, “I would prefer to meet them by myself, first. Would it be convenient to meet them here tomorrow?” he asked.

  “I can certainly ask them. How would I get a message to you?” Ezra responded.

  “Perhaps I can send my son back tonight or in the early morning. He can relay the time and place to me,” Jershon offered.

  Ezra smiled at young Seth.

  “That would be fine. Young man,” Ezra addressed Seth, who sat to attention, “why don’t you return after breakfast tomorrow? I will have had a chance to talk to our friends by then and to make arrangements.”

  Seth looked at his father.

  Jershon placed his hand on Seth’s shoulder. “My s
on will be here at the time you’ve requested.”

  Seth beamed.

  Jershon decided to change the subject. “I assume by all the scrolls that you are a teacher. Am I wrong?” Jershon asked.

  Ezra smiled. “Yes, I am a teacher. My two best students are Jacob and Levi. We have discussed much, and they have learned much.”

  “But all this couldn’t possibly have been only on their behalf.” Jershon motioned to the myriad of material throughout the house.

  “No, indeed it is not. I have been investigating an interesting matter on my own,” Ezra said.

  “May I be so bold as to ask what that matter is?” Jershon inquired.

  Ezra contemplated avoiding the question but decided he could trust Jershon, so he answered, “Prophecies regarding the Messiah.”

  “You mean Jesus of Nazareth?” Jershon offered.

  Jacob had told Ezra that the family were followers of Jesus, so he spoke freely. “Well, yes, if you believe Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah.” Ezra raised his eyebrows.

  Jershon looked Ezra straight in the eye and said, “I do.”

  Ezra looked back. “Isn’t it interesting?”

  “Yes, very,” responded Jershon. “We saw him arrive the other day. They greeted him like a conquering king. I know the animosity the rabbis in Capernaum have for him. His arrival here has to have greatly upset the elders and the Sanhedrin.”

  “I am afraid you’re correct,” Ezra answered. “They don’t hold him in much esteem here. They are afraid. His teachings disrupt their stranglehold on the people. His miracles confirm his authority. Our ancient fathers prophesied of him.” Ezra motioned to the scrolls surrounding them. “But I am afraid that as we speak they conspire to destroy him.”

  Jershon looked at Ezra with confusion in his eyes. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “They seek his life,” Ezra said. “As we sit here and discuss him, the Sanhedrin meets to contrive his death.”

  “Why?” Jershon questioned.

  “He threatens them with his teachings. As wise as the rabbis and elders are, they can’t see past their own ambitions. They are not students of the scriptures, and they are not ready to face up to that which has been prophesied about him. The writings are clear to any who are humble and whose heart is open to the words of the prophets. But the members of the Sanhedrin possess neither trait. They deny the truth that walks before them and desire to crush him with their stumbling feet.” Ezra shook his head in sadness. He reached for one of the nearby scrolls and unrolled it.