Maximus

by Richard L. Black

  “But they allow him to walk through the very gates of Jerusalem and teach in the temple. If they are convinced he is a threat and propose to do away with him, why do they hesitate to arrest him?” Jershon asked.

  “Because they fear repercussions from the people who follow him. It is an interesting balance of power. But I fear the time is short, and they won’t miss an opportunity to seize him.”

  Ezra held up the scroll to the light of the fire behind him. Tilting his head back and squinting his eyes, he read aloud, “‘Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.’” The words of the prophet Zechariah. I believe this prophecy was fulfilled yesterday when Jesus arrived. Did you see him?” Ezra asked.

  “We saw him pass, and we witnessed the adoration of his disciples. It was exactly as Zechariah said,” Jershon said.

  “I saw him!” Seth blurted out.

  “You did?” asked Ezra, smiling at the young man.

  Seth gazed at his father sheepishly, looking for permission to enter the conversation. Jershon nodded his head in approval. “Tell us, my son.”

  “He rode upon a donkey. People threw palm fronds down in front of him. Some laid down their cloaks.” Seth was excited and animated. “We followed for a short distance and were able to see everything. People reached out to touch him. They called him Rabbi, but also names like Son of David and Messiah. Some people were crying. Jesus smiled at them, bowed his head, and kept moving through the crowd. That is when David grabbed me by the arm and pointed to two Roman soldiers standing with you on a wall ahead of us. We lost you for a moment when you came down into the crowd, but David spotted you again, and we followed you to the temple precincts. We waited outside, and after a while you came out, and we followed you here. I couldn’t believe the soldiers were Jacob and Levi—they looked so different.” Seth looked straight at Ezra, who was listening intently.

  Ezra chuckled. “Yes, my son, they do look different. But don’t let that concern you. I assure you they are still very much the Jacob and Levi you know.”

  “We are happy to hear that,” Jershon said, “and we are very anxious to meet with them.” He gathered his robe and stood. “We should go. We have taken up enough of your time. You have been very kind.” Jershon put out his hand to help Ezra stand.

  Ezra shook Jershon’s hand. He liked this rugged Galilean and his equally rugged son. He could see why Jacob and Levi had been drawn to them. He wished them well and told Seth he looked forward to seeing him early the next day to arrange a meeting with their friends. Silently Ezra hoped that Maximus and Androcles would be willing to meet with them, though he understood why they might not.

  After his visitors departed, he retired to his scrolls and the warmth of his hearth, grateful for the interruption of unexpected company.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  Maximus and Androcles left early that morning and went directly to the Antonia fortress. When Herod the Great had built his massive temple, he had rebuilt an earlier Hasmonean fortress as a barracks and garrisoned it with his own mercenaries. Conveniently attached to the corner of the temple, it overlooked the temple courtyards. Now that Judaea had become a Roman province, the soldiers in the Antonia kept an eye on the Jewish leaders and rabbis to discourage rebellion.

  From their position on the ramparts, Maximus and Androcles could see the countryside around them: the rocky hills spotted with trees and shrubs seemed to go on forever in the distance. Smoke rose from cooking fires, reminding them of the camps of the legion on campaign. They leaned over the wall, looking downward, and saw the crush of people approaching the entrance to the temple. Jesus led the crowd up the steps and into the outer courtyard. They lost sight of him as he entered the roofed porticos where the vendors were already beginning their day’s business.

  Suddenly they heard shouting and people running from the columns of the Court of the Gentiles. Jesus emerged with a makeshift whip, shouting something unintelligible, but his intentions were obvious. He had overturned the tables of the moneychangers, sending the coins flying over the stone courtyard. He had opened the pens of goats and cages of doves, setting them free. He shouted indignantly at the scattering vendors. Maximus looked at Androcles curiously. This wasn’t the Jesus they had observed in Galilee, this man who wielded a whip and scattered his own people before him. The captain of the garrison in the fort began to shout commands. Roman soldiers ran, preparing with sword and javelin to descend the stairs to the courtyard. They would quickly suppress any uprising. The Roman captain soon joined Maximus and Androcles on their perch along with a slight Jewish man dressed in costly robes.

  “He throws them out,” the Jew said calmly. “He says they defile the house of his father.” He turned to the captain. “I don’t think this is anything to be concerned about. This is of more concern to the priests of the Sanhedrin.” He laughed dismissively.

  “May I ask who you are?” queried Maximus.

  The Jewish man looked arrogantly at Maximus and responded, “May I ask who you are?”

  Maximus took exception to the man’s attitude and answered him boldly. “I am General Lucius Fabius Maximus. I am the ranking officer here, and I would just as soon throw you off this wall as listen to your impertinence.”

  The man looked at the captain of the guard for confirmation. The captain nodded. “I am an advisor to the prefect and an interpreter for the garrison commander.” His tone and manner remained condescending.

  Androcles seized the slight man by the shoulders and held him up as if to pitch him over the wall. The man let out a high-pitched scream. “We don’t care who you are, you impudent little weasel. Just tell us what’s going on!” Androcles shook him once before setting him down.

  The man’s attitude changed immediately, and Maximus and the captain had to refrain from laughing.

  The man collected himself and adjusted his robe before speaking. “Frankly, I don’t blame him,” he said in a timid voice. “It was becoming more like a marketplace than a temple. He is speaking Aramaic, this Galilean, and it is clear he is upset by the behavior of the temple merchants. ‘My Father’s house,’ he shouts—that is an interesting statement,” the man observed. “He will certainly raise the ire of the Jewish leaders. They share in the profits of these vendors, and he is disrupting their commerce.”

  The mayhem below died down as quickly as it started. The scorned merchants collected their belongings and left the temple precincts. The brief purging had been effective. The atmosphere calmed down, and Jesus discarded the whip. He quietly ascended the steps above the Court of the Gentiles.

  The captain shouted to his lieutenants, and the call to arms within the fort ceased. Everyone who could find a place squeezed in along the high ramparts of the fort, intent on seeing Jesus’s next move. Oddly, the Romans exhibited a degree of respect for this Nazarene. Most of the Roman soldiers had heard of Jesus, but few had ever seen him; they were all curious about this Jewish Messiah, as the people called him. They were commanded to watch his every move.

  Jesus raised his hands in peaceful greeting and smiled, a different man than the one they had seen a few moments previous. The throngs of people in the courtyard began to press close to him. They brought their sick and afflicted to him. With his head bowed and speaking too softly for Maximus and Androcles to hear, he touched and blessed everyone who was pressed upon him. Sick children took strength and no longer lay lifelessly in their parents’ arms. The lame abandoned their crutches and stretchers and walked away, restored to strength and vigor. The blind discarded the bandages that had hidden their eyes, and with their sight restored, embraced their neighbors and praised Jesus while kneeling to kiss his feet. He was healing them all. The scene was reverently quiet except for the soft weeping of those who had received miraculous blessings at Jesus’s hand.

  Maximus glanced at Androcles in disbelief. He looked around at the Ro
man soldiers who were riveted, observing the miracles being, performed in front of them. Not a word was spoken. All eyes were on Jesus.

  Maximus saw a contingent of Jewish priests looking down from their high place in the royal stoa. He sensed their vexation as they whispered among themselves. They watched as Jesus walked among the people in the courtyard, blessing all who reached out to him, healing them of wounds and afflictions, both inward and outward.

  Maximus felt emotion beginning to well up inside him. The Court of the Gentiles was completely full of people sitting on the ground listening to Jesus. The sound of his voice carried magnificently as it echoed off the surrounding stone walls. It reminded Maximus of the time he had attended the amphitheater in Rome with his mother and sisters. How he longed to see them again. He wondered what his mother would think of Jesus of Nazareth. Because Maximus was much like his mother, he knew she would tell him to follow his heart. He cleared thoughts of home from his head and focused on the impressive teacher speaking to the multitude. He could hear him from where he stood—Jesus was telling a story. Maximus could not understand all the words, but he felt in his heart the burning warmth of the truth of what was being spoken. The sound of Jesus’s voice pierced his soul. It was the same feeling he had experienced when he prayed in Capernaum.

  Then he thought of Liora. He felt pangs of guilt for leaving her without an explanation. He wanted to talk to her, feel the warmth and tenderness of her presence, and hold her in his arms. He needed to talk with Ezra.

  “Come on, my brother.” He thumped Androcles on the arm. “It’s time to go.” He started down the stone steps.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  Seth assured his father he could look alone for David and the others at the temple. Jershon gave him his blessing, and Seth ran off enthusiastically.

  Jershon contemplated what he had learned from Ezra. He was sure this revelation of Jacob and Levi’s true identity was part of the explanation for their actions. It did, however, pose a problem for Liora and his daughter Sariah. He thought that perhaps it might be better not to pursue their friendship any longer. He surmised it was the same conclusion Jacob had come to, which would explain their abrupt departure.

  Jershon enjoyed his leisurely walk through the city. There was so much to take in, and the people of different cultures who walked through the gates of Jerusalem at this time of year made it truly a spectacle. Jershon was Galilean, his coarse clothing reflecting his home and the manner of his livelihood. Content with his life in Capernaum, he never wanted to live in Jerusalem. He missed the smell of his home and the green shores of the Sea of Galilee. As he walked, he offered a silent prayer of gratitude for his humble state and his beloved family, especially Naomi. Tears filled his eyes as he thought of her and the blessing she was in his life.

  He pondered his encounter with Ezra. He was intrigued with him and hoped to meet with him again before they left Jerusalem. Ezra seemed so well informed about Jesus and the movement around him. He frowned at the thought that the Jews in authority would want to do Jesus harm. There was so much to think about. He was glad his life was uncomplicated—or was it? He was anxious about the meeting with Jacob and Levi. He wondered how Liora and Sariah would take the news that they were Romans—Gentiles. Regardless of the outcome of that issue, he was happy his family had made the journey to Jerusalem. He would take Naomi with him to the temple tomorrow to make an offering. Today he would sit and rest and enjoy the clear blue day.

  Jershon traversed the busy city, exited through the gates, and climbed the hill to the camp. Naomi was on her knees, making bread for the day. Jershon reached down to help her stand. He was normally reserved in his outward affection, but during his walk that morning he had reflected on the strength of this woman with whom he had the pleasure to share his life. She lived the life of compassion that Jesus taught, always sacrificing her own needs for the needs of others. He loved this woman beyond measure. He could not imagine life’s joys and afflictions without her.

  Naomi was surprised at Jershon’s embrace and even more so at his tender kiss. She blushed, glad that their camp was isolated from public view. She loved this rock of a man dearly. He worked so hard all the time. She had been looking forward to spending a quiet afternoon with him, resting and talking of the children. They had so little opportunity to be alone and discuss the future, though it seemed to her that the future had become cloudy. So many things had changed.

  “I have missed you,” Jershon said as he held Naomi tightly.

  She pushed herself away from him, smiling. “You’ve been gone but a morning,” she said, holding his face in her hands.

  “I’ve been away far too much.” He kissed her again on the forehead. “Come into the tent, so we can talk for a moment.” His tone was serious, and the look on Naomi’s face betrayed her worry. Jershon assured her that all was well.

  Quickly she finished making the bread and set it to bake. She washed her hands, wiped her face, and then joined her husband in the tent. She sat down and looked up at him expectantly.

  Jershon wasted no time. He held Naomi’s hand and announced, “David and Seth found Jacob and Levi.” Naomi gasped. “Before you say anything, let me explain.” Jershon squeezed her hand. “David and Seth were in the city yesterday and spotted them among all the people following Jesus—not because of their size but because they were wearing the uniforms of Roman soldiers.”

  Naomi’s brow furrowed and tears began streaming down her face. She couldn’t speak.

  “There is a logical explanation, my dear,” Jershon assured her, “though I can’t tell you what it is. I mean, I don’t know why they were dressed like that. My heart tells me it is because that is who they really are.”

  Through quivering lips, Naomi asked, “How can that be?”

  “It is somewhat clearer to me now,” Jershon said, looking at his beloved wife. “They came seeking Jesus. That is what they told us, and that part is true. We knew they were different when we met them, but our deep gratitude for saving our son and our hope of finding proper husbands for our daughters blinded our reason. They sought Jesus not to become disciples but, I surmise, at the command of Rome. Did it not make us wonder that they were strong and muscular like soldiers and wore the scars of battle? We ignored that, however, because of their kindness to us. They tried to avoid accepting our hospitality, but they were hungry after their exertions in towing in the boat, and then they became smitten with our daughters. We never gave them a chance to decline our invitation. They were well behaved and well mannered but lacking in knowledge of Jewish traditions.” Jershon looked downward, still trying to grasp everything. “They left out of respect for all of us.”

  “Did you talk with them?” Naomi asked.

  “No, but I have spoken with the man they are staying with in Jerusalem, a rabbi named Ezra. He is a good and honest person. Out of respect for Jacob and Levi, Ezra would not divulge much but assured me that they are both good men.” Jershon rubbed his tired eyes. “I believe Jacob realized the futility of continued residence in our home. They had so quickly become part of our family, and he could no longer pursue the charade with us.”

  Naomi began to speak, but Jershon held up a hand. “Let me finish. It is obvious, my good wife, that Jacob had fallen in love with Liora, and I believe Levi was experiencing the same feelings for Sariah. You of all people know the hearts of our daughters.” Naomi nodded. “I’m sure it was an agonizing decision for them. You remember how they left so abruptly, and they seemed hurried and angry? For days we mourned over their departure, wondering what we had done to cause it. In truth, we had done nothing. I think I am correct in believing Jacob was angry only with himself and could no longer continue in his deception. He and Levi are honorable men who returned our love, and the only thing they could do was leave quickly without explanation. It was painful, but it was a simple solution for everyone involved. Jacob and Levi had to have known the prohibitions against a Jew marrying a Gentile. They were unwilling to make Liora and Sariah, a
nd our family, face that decision. So, to shield us all, they left.”

  Naomi listened intently to her wise husband. Her red and swollen eyes reflected the sadness and confusion of her heart. Everything Jershon said made complete sense now as she reviewed the events of their experience with the two men. She felt no anger and sensed that Jershon was equally at peace. However, she still ached for the broken hearts of her daughter and niece.

  “So you will meet with them tomorrow when you receive word from this rabbi?” Naomi asked.

  “I have proposed a meeting, but now I wonder if it’s a good idea. Perhaps we should just let them go their way,” Jershon sighed.

  Naomi reached out to her husband pleadingly. “Don’t you think we should at least talk to them?” she asked.

  Jershon looked at her and shook his head. “If indeed they are Romans, what can we do? We cannot marry our daughters to them, regardless of how much we would like it. The Law is explicit in this,” he said sternly.

  Naomi looked away. “But we are followers of Jesus. Does that change anything?”

  “We are of the blood of Abraham; they are not. I have heard Jesus teach nothing of intermarriage. I can’t comprehend bending that commandment,” Jershon responded.

  “Six months ago you couldn’t imagine going against the mandates of the Sanhedrin, but by accepting Jesus as the Messiah, we have ostracized ourselves from them,” Naomi reasoned.

  “The feelings of our hearts cannot rationalize or change the knowledge of what we know to be true. I can’t talk of this anymore. I am a simple fisherman.” Jershon threw his hands in the air. “I cannot understand or interpret the ways of God, but we can’t go wrong if we are obedient to what we know to be right.”