Maximus

by Richard L. Black

  “I believe he sent them to us,” Naomi said with conviction.

  “Perhaps he sent them to us for his own purposes—not ours—and surely not as husbands for our daughters.” Jershon had grown exasperated and stood. “I need some fresh air.”

  “I love you, my husband,” Naomi said to his back.

  He turned and looked down at her, “Woman, I love you too, but please don’t ask me to rationalize the impossible.” He smiled at her and exited the tent.

  Jershon walked a distance away from the camp and sat on a large stone overlooking the great city, now hazy with the dust of thousands of pilgrims within its walls. He turned his head skyward and, closing his eyes, quietly prayed.

  “O God, I raise my voice to thee in humility. I am a simple fisherman that thou hast blessed beyond my ability to receive. I am grateful for my beloved Naomi and the children that thou hast sent to us. I cannot comprehend all thy ways, but I try to be an obedient servant. Thou hast blessed us with the presence of thy Son, and I truly believe it is he that walks among us. These are troubled times, confusing times. I have prayed long and hard for my sweet Sariah and Liora to be properly espoused. Two men have come into our lives that at first seemed sent from thee. Now their appearance is a puzzlement. The selfish desires of my heart conflict with thy commandments, yet, how can I deny the goodness of these Gentiles? Are not all men equal in thy sight? Thy Son has come and given us a new message of compassion and brotherhood. Yet the Law has been clear to the seed of Abraham for generations, and yet, as the world changes around us, it becomes foggy. The Gentiles rule our people and impose hardships upon us. Is this because of our stubbornness? Are we as a people being punished for our disobedience? Rabbi Ezra tells of how the chief priests of the Sanhedrin seek the life of thy Son—how can this be? Please grant me wisdom, and if I should make the wrong decision, may the punishment lie with me and not my children.”

  Jershon was overcome and fell to his knees. A dam of emotion broke. He leaned on the great stone and shed the heavy tears of an overburdened father, tears held back for years trying to be strong in the face of many challenges and weaknesses.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  Naomi didn’t question the long absence of her husband. She knew he was wrestling with God. She was energized with the news of the discovery of Jacob and Levi yet confused at the same time. She pondered the ramifications of Jershon’s revelation about them—to no avail. She went about completing the baking of the bread and the preparing of the afternoon meal.

  It wasn’t long until she heard the animated voices of her children as they approached the camp. She gave Sariah and Liora particularly affectionate hugs, causing them to look at her strangely. “What happened today?” Naomi asked as she stirred the kettle of soup in the hot coals of the fire.

  “It was so exciting,” Sariah blurted out. “Jesus taught in the temple. We were able to get close to him. Mother—it was so wonderful!”

  “He healed people, Mother,” added Seth. “He healed a blind man and made another walk that had been carried to him. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”

  “And there was a child.” Liora began to speak but then emotion flooded her tender soul, and she wept and spoke in a subdued voice. “A small child held in the arms of his father. You could see the little boy was so sick, his face as pale as ashes. Jesus took him up in his arms and shed tears as he held him. He placed one hand on the child’s head and whispered something in his ear that no one could hear. We were close enough to see the boy suddenly become alert in his arms and struggle to sit up. Jesus held him to his chest, and the boy laughed. Jesus handed the boy back to his father, and the boy jumped down, out of his father’s arms, and ran back to Jesus and hugged his legs. It was the most incredible scene.” Liora wiped the tears from her soft cheeks. “We experienced marvelous things today.”

  Naomi looked compassionately at her niece and embraced her again. “You all must be hungry. Come, eat.” Naomi handed wooden bowls to each of them.

  “Where’s Father?” asked Seth.

  “He will be along shortly,” Naomi answered. “He has taken a short walk.”

  They ate and talked of the events of the morning and all the sights they had seen. As they finished the meal, Jershon walked toward them. Naomi could see he was tired and drawn. She stood to greet him. “Sit down, and let me get you some food,” she offered.

  Jershon declined and went straight to the tent to lie down, claiming he was too tired. She had never known him to take a midday nap. She knew he was struggling, as she was, with the news of Jacob and Levi. Naomi would check on him later.

  The afternoon turned into evening, and the talk about the day’s events in the temple continued. Jershon emerged from the tent to eat the evening meal but was noticeably subdued. The family talked of how much they missed Lamech, Raisa, and the baby.

  Shortly before sundown, Jesus and his followers could be seen leaving the city for their trek back to Bethany. Jershon wondered how much longer the members of the Sanhedrin would let him roam freely. He believed Ezra’s statement that surely they had intentions to seize him.

  As everyone settled in for the night, Seth quietly approached Jershon. “Father, what time should I leave to see the rabbi?”

  Jershon sighed heavily, pondering what to do. Seth waited expectantly for him to make a decision. “Leave just after sunrise, before everyone is stirring. I will make your excuses. I am not ready to share with everyone the reason for your absence. Come directly to me when you return.”

  Seth smiled at the responsibility granted him and hustled off to bed. Jershon would have a difficult time sleeping through the night.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  Maximus and Androcles arrived back at Ezra’s just as Zilpah, the young cook and housekeeper, was setting out the evening meal. They greeted Ezra and waited for him to join them around the low table. They waited respectfully for Ezra to finish his prayers before beginning to eat.

  “I had two interesting visitors today,” Ezra began.

  “Let me guess,” Androcles said. “Pilate and his impish secretary.” Androcles laughed, and Maximus grinned with a mouthful of greasy lamb.

  “No, two visitors of much more importance and interest,” Ezra said.

  “Pray tell, rabbi,” Maximus inquired.

  “A fine Galilean fisherman named Jershon and his son Seth,” Ezra answered.

  Androcles choked on the wine he was drinking, and Maximus dropped a chunk of lamb meat onto his plate. They looked at each other blankly, then stared at Ezra, expecting further explanation.

  It was Ezra’s turn to laugh. “I thought that might interest you. What fine men they are,” he added casually.

  Maximus and Androcles remained speechless. Ezra drank deeply from his goblet, dragging out the suspense.

  Maximus tried to speak. “How did they . . . when did they . . . what . . . ” He was tongue-tied.

  “The family has come to celebrate the Passover. Young Seth and his cousin David spotted you during the commotion when Jesus first came into town. They followed us here but were afraid to approach you. It appears you have changed.” Ezra grinned at the two Romans who shared his table. “Wisely, they returned to their camp and informed their good father. Jershon and Seth knocked on my door early this morning. We spent a pleasant morning together. I can see why you became attached to them; Jershon is a wise and hardworking man and has raised a good family. They are every bit as good as you described them.”

  “You met the entire family?” Maximus asked.

  “No. One does not have to meet the entire family to know of their goodness once one has met their father.” Ezra smiled. “You have made a good choice of friends,” he added.

  Maximus shifted nervously. “They kind of chose us,” he said.

  “That is how Jershon explained it as well. He admitted he didn’t give you much of a choice to decline their invitation. And I assume that if his daughter and niece are as beautiful as you have sai
d, then I fully understand the difficult decision you made to part company.”

  “You’re not making this easy on us,” Maximus said.

  “No, it is not an easy thing. I could sense Jershon’s reluctance to meet with you, but he is sending Seth back in the morning to invite you to do just that.”

  Maximus and Androcles were unable to eat. “What did you tell him?” Maximus asked.

  “Nothing. I felt it was up to you to tell him your story,” Ezra answered.

  “But he knows we are Romans,” Maximus exclaimed.

  “Yes, he does, but he doesn’t know the reason for your disguise. He believes you are honorable men, and he spoke highly of both of you. He was sure that there was a logical explanation for your sudden departure. But I sensed reluctance on his part to pursue further contact. I feel there is a chance his son will not come.”

  “I wouldn’t blame him,” Maximus said and took another bite of lamb. Suddenly it didn’t taste as good as it had earlier. His mind was flooded with so many thoughts of Liora that he lost his appetite entirely. “I’m going to take a walk,” he said. He was out the door before Ezra or Androcles could say anything.

  Androcles looked after him and smiled at Ezra, then resumed his meal as if unaffected by the news. What Androcles hid well was the churning of his own stomach as he thought of Sariah. He had never had a relationship with a woman like her. Like Maximus, he had lived a life of campaigns and battle. Yet he had talked with her about their having a family and his working as a blacksmith. He had started to think of himself as something other than a warrior, and it was an appealing thought. He didn’t want to go back to Rome. He didn’t like Jerusalem, either, but life near the Sea of Galilee had occupied his mind since they left. Androcles began to be excited about seeing Sariah again. He would not let Jershon or Maximus stand in his way. He grabbed a large piece of meat and bit it vigorously. Ezra looked on in amusement.

  36

  יום שלישי

  Yom Shlishi

  Tuesday morning Seth was up early in anticipation of his errand. If he was lucky, he might get to see Jacob and Levi.

  Jershon soon emerged from the tent and joined Seth by the fire he had rekindled with hot coals left from the night before. Disheveled from a long night of prayer and disquiet, he had come to the conclusion that Jacob and Levi needed an opportunity to make peace with his family. He was impressed that the two men were vexed by their deception, which had prompted their abrupt departure. If nothing else, a meeting would be an opportunity for them to clear their conscience and move on. The subject of Sariah and Liora was closed, however. The Law was clear. He would meet Jacob and Levi with Seth and David and then inform the girls. It would serve no purpose for Sariah and Liora to have further contact with Jacob and Levi. They would have to understand.

  Jershon gave Seth his blessing and sent him off with instructions to arrange a meeting at the house of Ezra later in the day and to say that he would be coming with Seth and David only. He reiterated to Seth the importance of keeping their meeting secret for now and admonished him to go straight there and come straight back. Seth ran off excitedly. Jershon smiled after him but soon became apprehensive about seeing the two men again and even more so about informing Sariah and Liora. He absentmindedly added some wood to the fire.

  Seth jogged down the hill into the valley and moved quickly along the main road to the gates of the city. He was soon at Ezra’s doorstep. Winded from his run, he took a minute to catch his breath. He leaned over, hands on his knees. He wanted to see Jacob and Levi but was afraid at the same time. After a moment he stood, but as he raised his hand to knock, the sun-bleached door slowly creaked open, and Ezra appeared in the doorway.

  “Come in, my son,” Ezra said with a wide grin. “There are a couple of men here who would like to see you.” Ezra opened the door wide for Seth to enter. Seth hesitated, then stepped out of the bright sun into the dim room. It took a second for his eyes to adjust to the lack of light, and then he spotted two large figures standing at the back of the room—two large Roman soldiers. He stood wide-eyed as the figures came into focus. They were Jacob and Levi but clean-shaven and in Roman uniforms.

  “Hello, Seth.” He recognized the deep voice of Levi, the man with whom he had spent time fishing. Seth finally shook off his fear and strode over to him, embracing him and burying his face in the leather breastplate covering Androcles’s chest. Androcles laughed and embraced Seth warmly with his massive arms.

  “Hello, Seth,” Maximus said. “This must seem very strange to you.” Seth turned and embraced Maximus. Seth stepped back, not knowing what to say. “Are you alone?” Maximus asked.

  Seth found his mouth was dry. Though tongue-tied, he managed to stammer, “Yes, I have come with permission of my father to meet with you—I mean, to arrange a time he can meet with you.” Seth kept staring at the two very familiar yet different men.

  “We are excited to see your father, Seth. We want a chance to explain this,” Maximus said, placing the palm of his hand on his breastplate. “It has to be confusing, but I assure you we are the same friends you knew in Capernaum.” Seth smiled but his discomfort at seeing his friends as Roman soldiers was obvious. Maximus spared him further speech. “Tell your father we will visit you after the evening meal, if you will tell us where you are camped.”

  Androcles shot a questioning look at Maximus.

  Maximus continued. “We have a meeting soon with Pontius Pilate. We are glad you came early, or we would have missed you.”

  Ezra stepped up. “My son.” He placed his hand on Seth’s shoulder. “Maximus and Androcles need to leave right away.”

  “Who?” asked Seth.

  Ezra shook his head. “Jacob and Levi will be late if they don’t leave immediately. Have some breakfast with me, and give me directions to your camp. I will be sure they are relayed, and they will meet with your family as they said.” Ezra looked at Maximus and Androcles, excusing them with a nod.

  Androcles and Maximus hugged Seth again. “It’s good to see you, Seth,” Androcles said. “We have missed you.” With that he and Maximus donned their belts, swords, and daggers. Seth looked on nervously.

  “All will be well, my son,” Ezra said, squeezing Seth’s shoulder. Sensing the young man’s apprehension, Ezra guided him to a place at the low table.

  Maximus and Androcles went out the door without saying more and disappeared. Seth relaxed and greedily ate the good food that Ezra offered. They spoke of the great crowds in Jerusalem and the interesting events at the temple. Seth asked many questions, but Ezra skillfully avoided any additional explanation or talk of Maximus and Androcles. Seth explained to Ezra the location of their camp but said his father wanted to meet with Jacob and Levi alone first.

  “I am sure that is the case, Seth,” Ezra agreed. “But in talking to Jacob and Levi, I know they want to meet with your entire family, and I think that is the better option.”

  Seth shook his head but didn’t argue and indicated he would relay the message to his father.

  Ezra sensed that Seth would like to stay beyond the time Jershon would be comfortable with, so he moved him along and wished him well as he showed him out of the door. Seth ran off, his hunger satisfied.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  Maximus and Androcles entered the familiar courtyard of Pilate’s palace and were immediately directed to a comfortable room furnished with luxurious chairs. They seated themselves and waited, taking in the wealth displayed in rugs and tapestries adorning the floors and walls. Candles in golden candelabras lighted the room.

  “The taxes on the poor seem to be serving the empire well,” Maximus said caustically. A servant entered the room with a tray and two goblets of wine that he served with deference to the two guests.

  “My good General Maximus and Androcles,” Pilate said with affection as he entered the room.

  Both stood to greet Pilate, who appeared to be in an affable mood. “I will miss these daily meetings when you return to Rome.” Pila
te sat down in a large chair. “I am glad we have a chance to speak privately.” The servant returned with a plate of bread and fruit and was dismissed with a quick wave of Pilate’s hand. “It seems my conversations are always in the presence of advisors and emissaries from the Sanhedrin. I must apologize for my behavior on your last visit. They expect me to be a hard-liner on issues of importance to them, when frankly I believe it is prudent to seek the perspective of both sides.”

  Maximus shot a quick glance at Androcles as both sensed Pilate was more amenable to their report than they had expected. “Tell me what you have learned, gentlemen. I trust you have continued to follow the Nazarene?” Pilate asked.

  “Yes, we followed him to the temple and witnessed some interesting events,” Maximus offered.

  “Tell me,” Pilate encouraged. “I have the high priest’s version. Now I would like to hear yours.”

  “We stand by our original assessment, prefect. Jesus is not a threat to Roman rule,” Maximus began. “However, he did startle us with his behavior yesterday. We saw him confront the moneychangers and overturn their tables. He created quite a stir, cracking a makeshift whip and herding the merchants along like unruly cattle.” Maximus smiled. “But after speaking with Ezra, we understand his actions a little better. The merchants had made the courtyard of the temple seem like a bazaar, a marketplace, with their banter and offerings. Androcles and I felt the same ourselves when we visited the temple for the first time the other day. Ezra explained that Jesus was offended on a previous visit at the lack of respect shown for the temple, throwing out the moneychangers and admonishing them, as the Nazarene put it, ‘make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.’” Maximus waited for Pilate to respond.

  “Yes, I had heard about that incident some time ago as well as his purging yesterday, and that defines the issue the Sanhedrin has with the Nazarene. I have no quarrel with a man clearing the temple grounds of rapacious merchants and vendors. I would not want a carnival in my own courtyard, but his statement about the temple being the house of his father raises the hackles of the chief priests of the Jews. They call that blasphemy, which is a serious crime to them. To my way of thinking, Herod’s temple stands where Solomon’s temple once stood. Jesus claims to be a descendent of the house of David, who was Solomon’s father. So under those circumstances the Nazarene’s claim would be appropriate. But it is generally understood by the Sanhedrin that Jesus claims to be the Son of the Jewish God himself. They take issue with him about that assertion. Everything I have heard leads me to believe that he does not refute the claim—and therein lays the quandary.” Pilate furrowed his brow and scratched his chin.