by V. M. Franck
On a still day, cloudy with no wind, Ruth and Yeshua stood with John outside the gate. No birds could be heard. No flowers bloomed near the edge of the housing complex.
"I shall forever live in your house," John said. "I will be with you after we die." He took Yeshua's hands and examined his wrists. "These will be scarred by nails but not death. You are the one, Yeshua, my brother."
"Brothers with different mothers and fathers," Yeshua said, tears in his yes. "I will never forget you."
"Please stop talking like this, you guys. This isn't the end. It isn't the end," Ruth said. She could feel the baby inside her move. It delighted and saddened her. John might not live to see it. He might not. What she had seen in her dreams could happen.
John gave Yeshua a long embrace.
"Yeshua, take care of your sister and the youngens for me." Lovingly, John caressed his wife's belly.
"As long as I'm able," Yeshua said.
"John, don't go," Ruth said. "Not this time. Please."
"I have to, Ruthie. There is no other way. The prophecies say...."
"Forget prophecies," she said, "You always say they were given to us so we can make appropriate changes. The bad things don't have to happen."
John drew her to him. "Tell little Daniel and baby Clarissa of their father, that I will always love them, in this life and those to come."
John eased his wife into the arms of her brother and headed toward destiny. It was coming. He had known since he was a wee child. A person had to stand for what was right when it came time. It was time.
Ruth watched until he disappeared over the ridge.
"It is what he must do," Yeshua said.
"No, I don't think so. I don't think it's necessary, Yeshua. Not this time, not in this way. It won't change anything for the better."
She pulled away from him and hiked to the rock enclosure at the top of the hill. Kneeling at the base of the rose staff she began to pray. She didn't notice Yeshua until he kneeled beside her.
"Do you know what's coming?" she asked.
"I've seen glimpses."
"Yeshua, I've seen you nailed to the cross," her voice quavering.
"I've seen it, too."
"You don't think there's anyway to avoid it?"
"Who knows. But I do know there's a way to make it, if...."
"If what?" Ruth said, anxiously. She hoped her brother would be more reasonable than her husband.
"If we use what God has given us."
Exasperated, Ruth said, "I'm tired of people talking that way, like we aren't doing anything, and now it's time to start. We're doing everything we know to do. That's what's got me so worried."
"In the East I learned of plants that simulate death," Yeshua said. "There is a time and a way, that even yet, I may escape the inevitable. There are powerful men that Maria knows who might be able to help."
Morning turned into afternoon and evening. Day changed to night, days turned to weeks and still John did not return. They heard of him now and again from travelers, but each time he seemed further and further away. He had never before been gone so long. Worried, each day in her quiet moments Ruth asked for her husband's safe return. Each night she was disappointed.
It was morning a week after the full moon in the month of Shevat. The rains had been heavy, a lot heavier than normal, making passage difficult throughout much of the area. She told herself that her husband had unable to get through, but that he would be home as soon as it dried out. Her words brought no comfort. She did not believe them.
Standing at the hearth tending the fire, she heard voices in the courtyard. James banged into the house.
"It's happened," he said.
"What has?" she said, panicked by his tone.
"John's in prison."
"No." She sank to a stool beside the fire. Staring into it she saw the eyes of her beloved. The baby inside squirmed and wiggled. It was due any day.
"The government's afraid of John's influence, his power over the people. They're afraid he will start an uprising."
"John's not a rabble-rouser."
"No, but you've got to admit he's been saying some pretty graphic things about the Roman Empire."
"They're all true," Ruth said.
"Yes," James said, "but that doesn't mean they want anyone speaking out against them. Corruption depends on secrecy and honey-coated lies."
"Do you know where they're holding him?"
"In Marchearus. It's that fort east of the Dead Sea on top of a hill."
"I know where that is. We passed it when Yeshua and I went with Brother Samuel to hide the scrolls. I've got to get him out of there."
"Sis, for crying out loud. Don't be absurd. You're about to have the baby. Besides, it won't work for all kinds of reasons."
Father Joseph came in from outside. "It's time for the ordination, but we have to be careful how and when we do it. Going to Jerusalem now could be lethal."
Ruth said, "Father, John's been taken. We've got to get him out."
"Some of his friends are working on that," Father Joseph said. "We'd only get in the way. But it is a sign that it's time for the next step."
"I can't just leave him there," Ruth said, refusing to allow the tears that threatened. "I've got to do something."
"He knew this was coming," Father Joseph said. "Now it's up to God."
"Up to God? You told me God uses people to accomplish things. You've said that so many times," Ruth said, sickened by growing fear.
"Yes, but there are ways, and there are ways. There's a time to take action against injustice and a time to do your part in your own way," Father Joseph said. "Might does not make right. Killing to stop killing doesn't set us free. It ignites more hate. Freedom starts on the inside and works its way out. John will be free no matter where he is and what he is doing."
"Oh, yeah, sure," Ruth said, sarcastically. "If you don't want to help I'll go there on my own."
"And how are you going to manage that?" James said.
"Sometimes a woman can sneak in undetected," Ruth said. "They think we're all mice."
"They think you're objects for sex," Father Joseph said. "You know about the epidemic of rapes, especially in the big cities."
"I'm very pregnant. No one wants to rape a pregnant woman."
"That's not true," Father Joseph said. "Some men don't care where they put it."
"Father!"
"Ruth, you know I'm right."
Chapter 25