Maximus

by Richard L. Black

  Maximus was incredulous at the cold-hearted contempt the people and their leaders demonstrated. He looked at the heart-rending scene of the Nazarene hanging from the cross, thick, dark blood dripping from the piercings of the spikes through his flesh. His head hung down, tilted to one side with his bearded chin resting on his chest, his stomach distended because of the awkward position in which he hung. The Roman executioners sat near the cross, making a sport of dividing the clothing of the three criminals.

  Jesus’s head slowly lifted as he opened his bloodstained eyes and looked upward. He spoke something in Aramaic. “What does he say, Ezra?” Maximus asked.

  “He talks to his father . . . he says . . . ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’” Ezra watched in grief and disbelief. Maximus could only wonder at the strength of a person who could forgive anyone for the cruel and unjust punishment he had been caused to endure.

  An older woman stood and, in anguish, moved nearer to the cross. A man Maximus thought was one of Jesus’s apostles from Galilee helped her.

  Ezra leaned over and said, “His mother.”

  What torment it would be for a mother to see her son treated as Jesus was that day. The woman’s shoulders shook in agonizing sobs. The young man with her tried comforting her, to no avail.

  Jesus looked down from the cross and, seeing his mother weeping, charged the beloved apostle next to her with her care.

  The apostle put his arms around Jesus’s mother, and the two wept silently together.

  Maximus thought of his own mother and the tears she surely had shed as he left for each campaign. But she had never had to see him tortured.

  After a time Jesus raised his head to the heavens and spoke loudly, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” Maximus looked to Ezra for interpretation.

  “He speaks to his Father again,” Ezra said. “‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’” Ezra translated.

  The skies darkened further with more than just menacing clouds. The sun was blotted out, and a palpable fear overcame all present. Many fled to escape the darkness and the impending storm.

  Jesus cried out once more in a loud voice, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” He closed his eyes and bowed his head, drawing one last breath and then sagging limply upon the cross. Maximus had known victims of crucifixion in Rome to hang on the cross for days. It was unusual that Jesus would die so comparatively quickly. At the very moment his head bowed in death, the earth rumbled and quaked. Maximus had experienced earthquakes in Rome; earth tremors always caused him fear. The timing of this quake caused fear for another reason. He truly was the Son of God, Maximus thought. If this powerful God is vengeful, he could overturn the entire earth.

  Maximus saw a priest talking to the captain of the guard. As they spoke, the captain reached for a cudgel he had brought with him. He walked to one of the other malefactors and slammed it against the man’s leg. The bone cracked audibly, and the thief screamed in anguish. The captain did the same thing to the other thief, and a second scream rang out.

  “They break the legs to hasten death before the beginning of the Sabbath,” Ezra said with contempt.

  The captain approached Jesus, who was hanging lifelessly on the cross. Androcles stood to prevent the cruel act of breaking the Nazarene’s legs. The captain looked up at Jesus, discarded the cudgel, and waved to one of the other guards, issuing a command. The guard brought a spear, which he drove into Jesus’s side. Blood and a clear fluid spurted from the wound. Jesus did not quiver. He was dead.

  The sky had turned a dangerous shade of black. Never had Maximus seen day turn to night so treacherously or so quickly. The scene took on a surreal look in the glow of the soldiers’ torches. The priests slithered away, not wanting to infringe on their piety about Passover and the Sabbath. Only the three women and a few faithful disciples of Jesus remained.

  The soldiers worked quickly. Fearful of the threatening sky, they removed the rocks and dirt, lifted the cross with Jesus on it out of its hole and dropped it onto the ground. They pushed the other two crosses back and forth until they fell to the ground; one thief landed face down, causing great laughter among the drunken soldiers.

  Maximus watched as a soldier leaned over the body of Jesus and tried to pull his hand up through the spike without removing it from the crossbeam. He was watching so intently that he didn’t notice Androcles move forward. Suddenly, Androcles was pushing the drunken soldier to the ground. The guards chose not to challenge him for interfering with their work.

  Androcles reached down, grabbed the top of each spike with his muscular hands, and worked them back and forth until they loosened. Then he pulled them gently out of Jesus’s flesh. He did the same thing at the feet. When he finished, he began to weep silently. The weeping turned to sobs. He looked down at the crucified body of the Savior—the blood, the torn flesh, the gaping wound in his side, and the crown of thorns. He read the inscription on the placard above his head: “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.”

  Androcles clutched the amulet around his neck. He thought of the cruel death of his innocent family, cut to pieces and left to burn in the rubble of their home. He shed tears he had held back for too long. He was flooded with an avalanche of emotion. This man did not defend himself against his wicked accusers, Androcles thought. He did not fight back or call upon an army of supporters. Most improbable of all, he forgave them. How do I become a great warrior like this man?

  As he knelt next to the Savior’s broken body, Androcles could feel the burden of hatred and vengeance being drained from his soul. It felt like warm waters pouring over him, washing him clean. He released the amulet and smiled inwardly at the thought of his father, mother, and brothers and how he remembered them in life. He would never again remember them in death.

  The guards picked up the two thieves by their arms and legs and dropped them roughly on the litters that had been brought to carry the bodies to the burial ground. Androcles bent down and, with strong arms under Jesus’s shoulders and legs, lifted him. He felt as light as a small child in his arms. Androcles cried openly as he looked into the face of the Savior. His countenance was peaceful—he was finally at rest from the pains that had been inflicted upon him and that he had suffered so willingly.

  Androcles felt lightning surge through his body; his heart burned in his bosom. This was something he had never felt before. He remembered Maximus’s being unable to explain the feeling of powerful warmth that had coursed through him when he prayed. This is what Maximus must have felt, Androcles thought. With the warmth still burning in his chest, Androcles looked into the face of Jesus and said, “I now believe. Truly you are the Son of God.”

  With the utmost care Androcles laid the body of Jesus in the litter in a dignified manner. A group of Jewish men covered the body in a fine linen cloth and reverently carried him away. Androcles wiped the tears from his eyes. He clutched the amulet around his neck, lifted it to his lips, and kissed it tenderly. It would no longer hang like a millstone around his neck as a token of hatred and revenge against the insensitive cruelty of men. It would become a reminder of love, forbearance, and forgiveness. When he touched it in the future, he would think of his beloved family and Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.

  “Brother.” Maximus stood behind him. Androcles turned, and they embraced warmly. Ezra joined them, and the three men wept in a soulful embrace.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  They escorted Ezra back home. It was now late in the afternoon, and the darkness was abating. Not a word was spoken during the short walk. They entered the house and stood, not knowing what to do.

  Maximus straightway gathered his meager belongings, placed them in a satchel, and slung it over his shoulder.

  “You have a plan?” Androcles asked.

  “Yes. We will spend the Sabbath with Jershon and leave with them for Capernaum tomorrow. Let’s collect the horses and go now. Ezra, why don’t you come with us, at least to their camp for the day?”

&n
bsp; Ezra slowly shook his head. “I am tired. I would like to rest and ponder these things and do some more studying.” He sat dejectedly. “Will you return?” he asked feebly.

  “Of course, rabbi. I will return soon.” Maximus smiled warmly at Ezra.

  Androcles packed his satchel and stood waiting. They each embraced Ezra affectionately.

  Ezra asked, pointing to the Roman garb stacked in the corner, “What shall I do with your clothing and armor?”

  “Let the guards at the Antonia fortress have them. We have no further use for them.”

  Androcles nodded in agreement.

  “The swords?” Ezra asked.

  “Those least of all,” said Maximus.

  40

  יום שבת

  Yom Shabbat

  Jershon’s camp bustled with excitement at the appearance of Maximus and Androcles with their horses. They both appeared sorrowful and exhausted. Jershon cautiously asked about the bloodstains on Androcles’s robe. That led to a recounting of the night’s vigil and the crucifixion of the Savior. Everyone in the family wept as Maximus related the story.

  Liora sat close to Maximus, her hand holding his without objection from her uncle. Sariah was held in the strong arms of Androcles.

  “We knew something terrible must have happened when the sky blackened and the earth quaked,” said Jershon. “We were in fear of our lives.” He paused. “What do we do now?”

  Maximus looked at Androcles, who smiled. “We are returning with you to Capernaum tomorrow.”

  Naomi gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. Liora clutched Maximus’s arm more tightly.

  He continued. “We desire to become part of your family, Jershon. We have experienced things the past few weeks that were entirely unexpected. We couldn’t have imagined their effect on us, and we are treading on unfamiliar ground. I love your niece with all my heart. I don’t know how this will work, but I desire to marry her. I have not known anyone like her in all the world. I came by request of Tiberius himself to Judaea on an unrelated errand, and I encountered the woman of my dreams.” Liora looked at Maximus with tears of joy in her tender eyes. He embraced her warmly.

  “I too want to become part of your family, Jershon,” Androcles said. “I love your daughter. My life has been forever changed by the events we have witnessed in recent days. Capernaum is not Rome, but Rome has nothing to offer me in comparison to a life with Sariah in Capernaum. I have no family . . .” He hesitated, holding back tears. “You have become my family.” He tightened his grip on Sariah’s hand. She leaned into him affectionately. He looked at David. “David, I know a few things about the trade of blacksmithing. If you agree, I would propose a partnership, as neither of us is a very good fisherman.” Everyone laughed out loud, and David smiled broadly.

  Jershon was silent. The reality of what had just taken place was too much for him. All he could do was lift his hands in a welcoming gesture to the two Romans who sat before him. He caught Naomi’s eye—she was weeping tears of joy.

  The Passover meal was prepared and eaten solemnly. Little was said. The sadness of Jesus’s crucifixion weighed heavily on each of them, bringing with it unanswerable questions and an unsure future for the new disciples. Despite the somber mood, Liora could not hide her joy at Maximus’s announcement. She and Naomi beamed at each other across the fire.

  It was the most unexpected time in the most unexpected place. Liora leaned against Maximus’s shoulder, looking up at him with loving eyes. He smiled down at her, and her heart melted.

  Epilogue

  Maximus and Liora stood at the rail of the ship as it pulled away from the wharf at Caesarea. Maximus had grown accustomed to the robes of the Jews, but as he rubbed his clean-shaven chin, he vowed he would never grow a beard again. He pulled Liora close and kissed her lightly on the lips. She smiled up at him, wondering when she should tell him of the new life now growing in her womb. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly. She had never been so happy in her life.

  “I’ve always loved the smell of the ocean,” Ezra said as he joined them at the rail. The land continued to fall away as the sails filled with the fresh offshore breeze. Ezra placed his hand on Maximus’s shoulder. “We embark on yet another adventure together, my friend—hopefully without pirates or high priests this time,” he chuckled.

  Maximus grimaced, not wanting Liora to worry about pirates.

  Ezra had put on weight and was active again. His face was flushed, and his gray hair blew haphazardly in the wind. He had told Maximus of the incredible events after Jesus’s death—his resurrection and appearance in the flesh to his apostles. Some of the apostles had returned to Capernaum and resumed their lives as fishermen, although Maximus understood they were now preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ not only in Judaea but also in other lands. Ezra had confided quietly to Maximus a dream he had had of his deceased wife, Miriam.

  Akhom barked loudly to his crew. The Egyptian mariners scampered about the deck, obeying the captain’s orders to pull ropes and trim sails. The ship took a course southwest toward Alexandria en route to Rome.

  Akhom and Maximus had had an emotional reunion the day before and shared the evening meal. The Egyptian captain barely took a bite of his supper as he listened incredulously to Maximus’s tale. “Your big friend—does he want a job on my ship? I could use a man like him,” Akhom had asked. He exploded with laughter when Maximus told him Androcles was married to a lovely Jewish woman and content to work as a blacksmith in Capernaum.

  The ship was at full sail, and the white water pushed ahead of the bow as it cut through the waves. Maximus and Liora gazed at the distant shore. Liora squealed as cool spray from the surging ship engulfed them. Maximus held her tightly, shielding her from the water and smiling as he looked down at her. How pleased his mother was going to be.

  THE END

  Acknowledgments

  Marian, my beloved wife and a true disciple of Jesus Christ, has been an inspiration in more ways than she will ever know. I thank her for believing in me and assuring me I could be an author before I became one.

  Notes

  Page 102. “The Ten Commandments”: see Exodus 20:3–18.

  Page 103. “Thou shalt not kill”: Exodus 20:13.

  Page 104. “Thou shalt have no other gods”: Exodus 20:3–5.

  Page 107. “From my father”: John 10:32.

  Page 126. “Suffer the little children”: Mark 10:14.

  Page 132. “Behold, the days come”: Jeremiah 23:5.

  Page 134. “Therefore the Lord himself”: Isaiah 7:14.

  Page 144. “I see men”: Mark 8:24.

  Page 245. “not found so great faith”: Matthew 8:8–10.

  Page 276. “king of the Jews”: see Matthew 2:2; Luke 23:30.

  Page 282. “Immanuel”: Isaiah 7:14.

  Page 284. “I will hide my face”: Deuteronomy 32:20.

  Page 284. “perverse generation”: Deuteronomy 32:5.

  Page 286. “What do you think”: see Matthew 22:42.

  Page 315. “one mightier”: Mark 1:7.

  Page 320. “Hosanna to the Son of David”: Matthew 21:9.

  Page 340. “Rejoice greatly”: Zechariah 9:9.

  Page 344. “My Father’s house”: John 2:16.

  Page 361. “make not my Father’s house”: John 2:16.

  Page 414. “We seek an audience”: see Luke 23:1–7; John 18:28.

  Page 415. “What charges”: John 18:29–32.

  Page 417. “Are you”: John 18:33–34.

  Page 417. “I am not a Jew”: see John 18:35–36.

  Page 417. “Thou sayest”: John 18:37.

  Page 417. “What is truth?”: John 18:38.

  Page 418. “When Herod saw Jesus”: see Luke 23:8–11.

  Page 420. “no fault”: Luke 23:14; see also vv. 13–25; John 18:38.

  Page 421. “It is the custom”: John 18:38–40.

  Page 422. “Crucify him”: Luke 23:21; see also vv. 13–24.

  Pa
ge 422. “I am innocent”: Matthew 27:24.

  Page 422. “I present you”: John 19:4–13.

  Page 423. “Behold your King”: John 19:14.

  Page 427. “Father, forgive them”: Luke 23:34.

  Page 428. “Eloi, Eloi”: Mark 15:34.

  Page 428. “Father, into thy hands”: Luke 23:46.

  Page 429. “Jesus of Nazareth”: John 19:19.