Читать книгу He Who Returned - Martin Fieber - Страница 13

The lesson was very interesting today. Samuel read the torah as usual, after the older boys who could already read well took their turn. The topic was false prophets and dream-visionaries. Joshua heard the clear words of his father, who repeated the words of their God.

“If a prophet or dream-visionary were to stand up among you and offer you a proof or a miracle, and it actually comes about, and based on this he tells you to follow and worship other Gods which you do not know, then you mustn’t listen to the words of that prophet or dream-visionary.”

Many more sentences followed, yet those first lines were the ones which he remembered deeply. Joshua understood the sentences, yet it was not clear to him why his father always warned them about the Messiah in this context.

“You must never believe what people tell you about the so-called Messiah.” Samuel spoke very insistently. “It is not right. I know that many of you were at the merchants yesterday and heard a bunch of nonsense. Especially an Egyptian spread the tale in our village that we are beneficiaries of God’s special grace. We supposedly had been chosen because the future saviour of our people lives among us here in the village. You have surely heard about this.” Samuel let his stern gaze wander from student to student.

“However I tell you that that is not true and must be condemned to the utmost. The Messiah does not live in this little place called Nazareth. The Messiah is still far off, and if he were to appear, he would show himself in the temple in Jerusalem.” Samuel angrily looked in the direction of Jesus. “Children, have you understood me? Our Lord has told us clearly that we must not believe such statements. Eleasar, Amos, Ismael, is that clear?”

“Yes, we have understood you, rabbi“, they all answered in unison.

“What does our Greek have to say to that? Jesus, have you also understood me?”

“I have understood the words from the scripture.”, Jesus was very serious, “I will not follow and other Gods.”

“Good. That is what I wanted to hear. And you, Joshua?”

“Me neither, father.”

“Good, then before you may go, let us conclude by confessing the Schemâ Jisrael, as we have learned it from our forefathers.” Samuel observed Jesus, who had however closed his eyes.

“Hear oh Israel! Yahweh, our God, Yahweh is the only one of his kind. And thus you are to love the Lord your God with all of your heart with all of your soul and with all of your power. These words which I bind you to today are to be written on your heart. You are to repeat them to your sons. You are to speak of them when you are sitting at home and when you go into the alleyways, when you go to sleep and when you rise the next morning. You are to wrap them around your wrist as a sign. They are to become an ornament on your brow. You are to inscribe them on your doorpost and on the gates of your city.”

Samuel was satisfied. After he had had to hear with horror what that damned Egyptian merchant had spread around here, he had had to make a change to the teaching agenda on short notice. He had to stamp out these awful rumours right away before they took on a life of their own. It had been a good decision to call the issue by its proper name and to confront the boys with this. He was surprised that Jesus had agreed with him so quickly and without any discussion. Perhaps there was a glimmer of hope left that he was turning away from his Greek way of thinking back toward his origin. Samuel noticed that he was smiling. That had been a remarkable achievement today. But now he sure was hungry. After he had placed the torah back in the shrine he slowly walked over to eat a small meal.

It is quite easy to notice that the rabbi does not really pay attention. He does not listen to exactly what I say. Or rather to what you say, to be more honest. However it is good this way, for otherwise there would be major discussions with him. So all is well.

I feel better about my Greek name. Jesus is much more to my liking than Yeshua. Yeshua feels so strict, so rigid, just like the many unnecessary rules of my people. Perhaps those old rigid laws of my forefathers cause me to perceive that name as so strict, for the sound of the name is harmonious. The rabbi thinks that I am distancing myself from my Jewish roots this way, however he is not able to understand what it means for me to have grown up in Egypt, to have seen large buildings such as the three pyramids near Heliopolis. What would he say if he knew that I spoke with Bakenor about my fears while in a chamber of the pyramids? What would he say if I were to tell him that I spoke with a very bright being in there which called itself ‚angel of the earth’? I think that the rabbi would have me be stoned to death if he knew all of that. Now I notice that while I am a Jew I am at home in the whole world and my task will not only affect the Jews. Father, I pray that I may be allowed to travel much. May it be so.

∞

In the afternoon all of the children were fathered in the alleyways. The girls sang and jumped about in a circle. Rachel was also there. Joshua watched the girls. He leaned up against the trunk of the mulberry tree in the shade. He would much rather play with the girls, however that would have given Simeon ammunition to bother him for several days at least. Rachel was one of the few girls that also sometimes played with the boys. She especially loved playing ‚Jacob and the Lord’ or other games of catch, and she seized every opportunity to join in. Joshua had to smile, because he often watched here and loved her graceful way of moving.

Suddenly he heard clanking metallic steps. That had to be a Roman patrol, which one saw more and more often in Nazareth lately. Nine soldiers came marching from Sepphoris toward the main square. A soldier who was decorated more beautifully and nobly then the others led the way. They stopped directly in front of Joshua.

“Salve. Where can I find the rabbi here?”, the leader asked.

Joshua got up. “That is the house there. His name is Samuel and he is in the school building. Shall I accompany you to him?”

“Yes, gladly.”

Joshua went ahead, however the decorated soldier quickly caught up with him and then went ahead of him a few steps. This gave Joshua a good look at his clothing. The leader wore a bronze helmet, from which red hairs grew. He also had a red robe on. A breast-plate was mounted on that which underlined his muscular torso. Two belts adorned him, a mighty sword was attached to a metal strap on his right hand side. Sturdy sandals allowed for the typical quick pace of these Romans. Nails lined the bottom of the sandals, likely to lend them greater longevity. The man gave the other eight soldiers an order, upon which they gave up their strict formation and each walked about on his own.

“Here it is.” Joshua went across the courtyard and called his father, who appeared momentarily.

“Father, this man wishes to speak with you.”

“What is the matter, Centurion?”

“Today we heard from the merchants that there is a child among you that is supposed to be a king. Supposedly it is a child that came here from Egypt some time ago. Is that correct?”

“Oh no, Centurion. You know how quickly rumors get started and then disappear again. A family did indeed move here from Egypt some time ago, and they do have a son. Perhaps his father also called him a king once. But is not my son also a king in my eyes?” Samuel paused for a moment while he pointed at Joshua and smiled at him. “Centurion, you can be at ease, if there were an earthly king living here, I, the rabbi of the village would know about it. After all Nazareth is not large and also is not exactly an appropriate dwelling place for a king. Don’t you agree, Centurion?”

“Wise words. You are right and your words convince me. However we will come by in this area and take a look at your village more often in the future. Also because of the zealots.”

“Centurion, perhaps some people here are in your eyes lacking in education, however there are no zealots here.”

Afterwards the two men spoke of this and that. Many boys had followed Joshua and the soldiers, among them Simeon and his friends, who crowded the courtyard during his talk with the rabbi. This was a major event for the children since soldiers rarely stopped by in Nazareth. Usually they had only quickly marched through the alleys.

Joshua observed the boys, who at first merely eyed the soldiers with curiosity, then gradually became bolder. The boys from the village gazed at the uniforms and admired the weapons. They had become so brash that the soldiers could no longer stave them off and had to show them their swords, daggers and javelins so that they would be left in peace. The soldiers did not let go of any of the weapons, however some of the soldiers who liked being admired and who were not older than the brothers of Jesus demonstrated how sharp and pointy the weapons were. One of them cut a piece of cloth easily, another thrust his spear into a little tree that stood in the court of the rabbi.

“I repeat again, Centurion. There are no zealots here. Those you will find in Sepphoris.”

“Maybe so, rabbi, however we will check on this ourselves. We will have a watchful eye on Nazareth, Nairn and Canaan. Thank you, rabbi.”

The Centurion turned around, waited until his soldiers were back in formation and then the troop headed back toward Sepphoris.

After the Romans had left the village life in the alleyways calmed down again. The girls were the first who began to sing and dance. Simeon also gathered his friends about him. And Joshua sat down underneath the mulberry tree again. He enjoyed the calm, even when it got louder in the alleys again. But he was a little scared by the group of roman soldiers. After all he had heard that they had been looking for Jesus.

What if they returned and took him away with them? That would be awful and scared Joshua even more. It became noticeably darker around him. Joshua became downcast. Fear spread out in him. He gazed toward the singing and laughing girls. Suddenly he saw Jesus, who went toward the girls, sat down and watched them from nearby, clapping his hands. After a while the girls stopped and formed a circle around Jesus. Joshua saw Rachel sit down right next to Jesus. They talked and laughed a lot. Joshua could not hear anything, but he saw how Rachel leaned up against Jesus and beamed at him.

Joshua could no longer control the dark thoughts. He felt hurt. He had always considered himself to be the best friend of Rachel. But now? Rachel had never leaned up against him the way she did with Jesus just now. And Jesus had always stayed away from her before. In this moment, watching the happy and frolicsome circle of girls around Jesus, Joshua felt left out. Suddenly he saw dark creatures that raced toward him on the path and danced about him. A fog enveloped him. His spirit became confused, he felt dizzy. He covered his eyes with his hands. In the end he had to lie down seeking shelter from this tempest of demons. Then he fainted.

Thus Joshua was not aware of how Jesus, who had also seen the creatures, left the circle of girls, came and bent over him, praying for him tearfully.

∞

This was the second time that his son was sick in bed. Samuel sat in front of Joshua’s bedchamber. What had that Jesus done to him? When Ismael had come running earlier and had called on him he had hurried to Joshua quickly. There he saw many children crowding about his son, who was lying on the ground with Jesus next to him on his knees praying with closed eyes. Was he praying to demons? After all one often saw Jesus wandering alone through the hills around Nazareth, and some times he even passed by the cemetery in front of the town, which always made Samuel feel queasy. What was he doing there? And why did that blue-eyed boy always play such dreamy melodies on his damned flute? But right now none of that mattered.

Meanwhile Joshua had already received a bowl of goat milk, and he had a cold cloth on his forehead. He still looked weak and drained, but one was able to speak with him again and he could even smile a little

“Father, what happened?”

“You fainted, my son. Can’t you remember anything?”

“I only know that it got darker and darker. Then everything started spinning, I saw demons and after a while it got lighter about me. Eventually I awoke, here.”

“Joshua“, Samuel was very strict, “I want you to stay away from Jesus. He is not good for you. Have you understood?”

Only a whispering croak came from Joshua.

“I will assume that was your agreement. Furthermore I want you to do your writing exercises at home.”

“Father, is that really necessary?”

“Yes, that is really necessary.” Samuel’s voice became louder. He did not tolerate any objections. “I know that you are talented, and the ability to write will aid you in the future. I only want the best for you. You will also pray to our Lord more often. You will put on your prayer straps regularly in the morning just as I do. I know that you have been neglecting that. And I mean both, for the arm and for the brow. Did you hear me?”

Joshua nodded.

“Excuse me, I did not hear a reply.”

“Yes.”

“Aside from that, I will read to you from the torah every evening from now on. You will concentrate more on your torah studies.”

“But why, father?” , Samuel noticed that Joshua no longer sounded stubborn but rather desperate. But that did not matter now.

“Joshua, you are talented. Even the children two, three or four years older at school do not know as much as you, and hardly any know Hebrew. And only two or three can write. Yet therein lies the future my son.”

“But...”

“Shut up!”, Samuel yelled. Maybe he should add some pressure so that Joshua would understand his words better? “If you do not do that, Joshua, then you can find another place to call home. “

“But father…“ Joshua’s eyes were wide open. He seemed to have gotten the message.

“If you heed my words, then you can take two more days. But after the Sabbath you will have to return to the synagogue.”

Samuel left Joshua by himself for now. He truly was a good tactician. The way he had managed that with his son again! Samuel had to smile. A nice walk would be good for him now. He still had to sort out some thoughts. And he was best able to concentrate while walking.

Samuel was just as shocked as at the evening of the celebration which had been hosted in honor of Joseph, Miriam and Jesus. So he had been right. Yeshua that damned lout did in fact pray to demons. The sparse recollections Joshua had, spoke volumes. He knew it. Now he decided that he had to do something about it. But no one in the village was allowed to know about it. First of all no one would understand him, for most of the villagers including Jacob and Jeroham would not understand him and were lacking deep faith and an understanding of their history. And second of all it would cause a panic. And that would not help anyone in the village. He, the rabbi and the one responsible for the faith desperately had to make some decisions. But how to make the right ones?

So there was a boy in the village who had contact to demons. This was the biggest test that God had confronted him with since becoming a rabbi. Why here in Nazareth? Why had Joseph and his family returned? Should he tell the Romans that they should take Jesus away? No, then the whole village would be against him and no one would attend his services. After all Jesus had meanwhile become very popular with most people. They liked his flute playing and his friendly manner. Fortunately no one considered him to be the Messiah because no one in Nazareth believed in the Messiah. And since more and more Greeks came to Nazareth since Sepphoris had begun being rebuilt, he, the rabbi, the guardian of the laws of God stood there almost all alone. So he had to watch out now.

Besides he still wanted to sow seeds. Most of the inhabitants of Nazareth were superficial and dumb, but they were good people. But another question bothered him: should he banish Jesus from the synagogue? Or should he take him to task more often, which would mean testing him more frequently? Yes, he should do the later. He had to bring Jesus back to the faith. He had to get rid of the demons that were all around Jesus. He would pray for him more often. He would take care of the demons. He would curse them. That was supposed to help. Samuel’s posture improved.

Without noticing it Samuel had come by the cemetery and heard a quiet flute playing once again. He looked around and spotted Jesus sitting on a rock that jutted out above the cemetery. He had closed his eyes and continued playing. A small doubt arose in Samuel, whether this weak boy had the ability to speak to demons. It really did not fit somehow he had to admit to himself. No, no, especially the weak, those on the edges of society were the ones who sought the company of demons and prayed to heathen Gods. After all Jesus was half Greek. And the Greeks are known for their Polytheism. They even had a forest demon as a God. He was called satyr, had a horse tail and horse ears. Yes, probably Jesus had learned to pray to demons in Egypt. That is what must have happened.

Samuel immediately started to pray for Jesus right then and there. That was the only way to save his soul. He would deal with the demons later on.

∞

What had happened with him today? Joshua was lying awake in his bedchamber and thinking about the early afternoon. The whole time he had the little cross in his hand that Jesus had carved for him. He could not even recall taking it from the stool next to his bed. He only recalled what he had already told his father.

He had become dizzy, and then he had seen many ugly, grotesque faces which had seized upon him. That was strange.

He wondered whether those were the faces that Jesus had told him about. Were those the faces that Jesus always saw? Why was he not allowed to play with Jesus anymore?

And now, in addition, he had to learn even more than before. Why had his father given him so many tasks? Why did he have to study the scriptures more? While his father thought he was talented, that was surely not the reason why he was supposed to learn more. There was only one thing he was looking forward to. He had always wanted to learn how to write. Writing was his dream. He admired the beautiful torah scroll which was stored in the synagogue. It was written on parchment. Joshua loved the smell of the scroll, the smell of the parchment and the smell of the ink, when Samuel was writing something. There he had to agree with his father. Hardly anyone in the village could write. But why was it so important? One could also get by in life without it. No matter. He was looking forward to it. Then he would also be able to endure the increased study of the torah which Samuel had planned for him.

Joshua did not want to risk not following the instructions his father had given him, yet he also did not want to have to go without any contact to Jesus. He could not possibly end all contact to him. He might have the best possible life with his father, for he would no longer be beaten but rather loved by him. Yes, that was a sunny outlook. But there had to be another way, without him being thrown out of his home. It couldn’t be so hard to spend time with Jesus without Samuel noticing.! But what if he found out? Joshua’s inner struggle continued for quite a while. It was only interrupted by the smile of his mother and the laughter of Judith, who came in and gave him unleavened bread and a bowl a milk. Judith gave him a kiss on the scarred cheek and wished him a restful night. Then he finally fell asleep and his tired soul could rest for a couple of hours.

At the same time Jesus, also wrapped in blankets, was ready to sleep. What had happened to Joshua? Why had that legion of demons swarmed him? He had seen them pass by Rachel and go over to Joshua as he was talking to her.

Why had they attacked him? In Alexandria he had already seen such dark shades that hovered about sinister people now and then. He especially recalled one lesson with his old fatherly teacher Bakenor. A lesson that he would never forget. His thoughts wandered to Bakenor in Alexandria, the city in Egypt which had been his home until only a few months ago.

One day they both had set out for a place near the agora, the main square. They entered a small side alley. Jesus recalled how after a while Bakenor had told him that he should stop and observe closely what would happen. They saw a man that wore a black cloak and a black hat the likes of which he had never seen before. This man spoke to a smaller one. They spoke agitatedly, yet not a word could be understood. Behind the man dressed in black he noticed three dark beings that were waiting for something. After a while the two men started arguing loudly, and the small one left, walking away quickly. However one of the black entities left the group and followed him. Jesus recalled how Bakenor had told him that they should follow the small man for a while. So they followed him leaving a safe distance between themselves and him. He turned right, then left, walked up a staircase and disappeared into some foul establishment. After a few moments one heard wild screaming, some calling for help, and someone calling out for a doctor. What followed was sheer terror. Shortly thereafter Jesus saw the black entity float out of one of the windows of that establishment and vanish in the next moment. A moment later the small man, covered in blood, was pulled through the doorway by a stronger man and tossed down the stairs. Bakenor went to him, felt his pulse and told Jesus that he had been stabbed. Shortly thereafter a doctor appeared who immediately tended to the small man. Finally, Bakenor und Jesus could leave.

When Bakenor and Jesus were home again, Bakenor explained the incident to him.

“Jesus, that was one of the most difficult lessons that I had to share with you before you have to depart to Galilee in a few weeks.” It had clearly not been easy for Bakenor to speak those words.

“I had to show you how demons act and what they can do. And you were also supposed to see how black magicians operate. That man dressed in black was one of them. He placed a curse on the small man after their argument and used his strong will to set a demon loose on him. The content of the curse was likely the order to kill him. Naturally the demon could not take a knife into his own hand and stab him. Thus he had to bring about an argument , cause the small man to say a wrong word and then it happened: the demon gained vital essence in order to fulfil his mission. He merely had to increase the hate and fury among the people in order to get one of them to pull out a knife, and then it happened. Only then, when the demon had fulfilled his order, was he allowed to return to his master, the magician.”

“How did you know that something like this would happen, Bakenor?”

“I heard a voice, as so often when I turn my thoughts to the question of what lessons you are to learn, and it told me that we should be here at this place at this time and follow the small man. The voice also told me that he would be stabbed, yet that I was not allowed to interfere since it was the destiny of this man.”

“So I was supposed to learn what horrible things of which people have no knowledge happen in the invisible world,?”

“Yes. You were supposed to learn that the demons are real. They exist and are attracted by people who think and speak negatively. Be careful in your thoughts Take care with your words.”

There was a knock at the door. His mother Miriam came in and tore Jesus away from his memories.

“Get to sleep already. I heard you breathing heavily and wanted to check up on you. Rest well now. May the Lord protect you.” This is good, Jesus thought with relief, for now he was back in Nazareth. And he was happy to have his own room.

And he recalled once more what had happened to Joshua. But why? After all, he was such a nice boy, or not? Maybe he was afraid and attracted such creatures through his fear? But why so many of them? Usually he only saw them around himself. However today they had left him alone and targeted Joshua instead. He had felt a strange sorrow kneeling next to him and praying for him earlier, as if he had lost Joshua forever. Or something of the sort. He had already heard from his mother that Joshua was feeling better, but something had happened today. And this bothered him. He fell asleep with a prayer on his lips and dreamt of Joshua’s death.

That was very odd. Up until now I was only used to having the demons descend on me, but what did they do with Joshua today? Why Joshua? I am angry at those entities. Why are those ghouls allowed to descend upon innocent people? I don’t understand any of that. I don’t understand why there is so much suffering here. Father, are you not the purest joy? Why do people live in such habitualness and why have they forgotten the true faith in you and your joy? Why oh why is that so father?

Please help me to get out of these feelings, for this heaviness demands much energy from my soul. I wish that I may also feel a lightness like Rachel or Ismael. They are always so happy and joyful. Please also grant me a time of lightness. Amên.

∞

Samuel felt great today. He felt that his ernest talk with Joshua a few days ago had not gone unheeded. The boy was doing his writing exercises, he seemed highly motivated to learn new things. And he also stayed away from Jesus. At least Samuels had not heard anything to the contrary.

He went ahead into the synagogue, which he loved above all else. He loved the limestone of which it had been built. It was so harmonious and contrasted completely with the black basalt which was used to construct the synagogue of his friend in Capernaum. When he had reached the synagogue he sang a small hymn in honor of God. Today he wanted to spend some time here alone and show God his love and worship in form of a small sacrifice. Since he was not a friend of animal sacrifice he had acquired some pomegranates, olives and wheat grain which he intended to offer up. After he had unpacked the offerings and wanted to speak his prayer, he heard an insistent voice inside himself which he could not ignore.

“Samuel, my dear son. I am pleased with your conscientious way of living your faith in my and bringing me, your God, closer to the people. There are only few who have such strong faith. That is why today I want to prepare you for the future, in which you will travel into a distant land with your family, into a larger city by the name of Ephesus in order to my a model for living by my teachings there. You will know when it is time to leave. Be watchful.”

Samuel felt as if the Lord had entered his synagogue on a fiery horse. He was overcome and speechless. God had spoken to him. God loved him and told him that he did a good, no even every good job as rabbi. Samuel would have most wanted to sing a psalm now, but there was no more time for this anymore, for the children would be arriving momentarily. God had spoken to him. God, the Lord. He was so euphoric that he almost would have forgotten the prayer which he wanted to say. He quickly took care of that. Then he removed the torah scroll from the shrine and unrolled it. Joshua was as usual the first who entered the room. After a few minutes all of the children were there and awaited his words.

“Children, may God our Lord protect our path and show us how much he loves us.” Samuel’s day had already been made today. No Simeon and especially no Jesus could disturb him or decrease his joy.

“Today we will tend to the Greek language before I read from the scriptures. As you know I am an opponent of this heathen language, but it is necessary that all of you understand it. As all of you know it is the trade language and the language which is spoken in larger cities. And aside from that, a major trade route which connects the heathen cities Damascus and Alexandria runs directly through Nazareth. I know that many of you dream of larger cities.”

Samuel was truly not very happy teaching Greek, but he had recognized that there was no way past that language. He had to teach it. On the one hand he was happy that he had learned it since he could now pass it on to the children. After all there had to be a deeper meaning in the fact that he had grown up in Rabbath, which these days was called Philadelphia. Philadelphia, was, as one could deduce from the name, a bastion of Greek culture. This town, which was located northeast of the salt sea, had lost its Jewish roots early on and had become heathen.

But what God had told him today, that he would travel into a distant country, confirmed that the decision he had made some time ago already to teach Greek was correct. Ephesus was a large Greek city. This language was mandatory there.

Perhaps he hated the language and especially the people of Greece so much because he had grown up among them and their many Gods which were only there to cover up the lack of faith of those Greek creatures. He had left for Jerusalem early on due to his disgust with that people, and since his parents had died early and he had had to grow up under the care of his aunt. He had found a mentor among the Sadducees in Jerusalem who had been impressed with his strong faith. And he, Samuel, was in turn able to adapt a strong faith in the scriptures from the rich and influential priest. And thus he grew up – praise the Lord – in the knowledge that the torah contained the word of God. He was happy that he had received this grace and that through this a strong faith had been able to grow in him. Word of this spread in Jerusalem. The fact that Samuel was no friend of animal sacrifices was not necessarily smiled upon by the elite priesthood, but his faith was impressive. Hence he was sent to Nazareth by the high priest himself., for this little village many years ago had the reputation of only housing robbers and criminals. When the rabbi there had passed away it had become clear that only a special rabbi could be sent there: Samuel, the one with the strong faith. He had to conceal the fact that he was a Sadducee, since in Galilee only Pharisees were in the position of rabbi. And the Pharisees, though they were just as God-fearing, had one fault: they did not consider the torah to be the only words of God. Samuel could not understand this, since it was clearly evident in the old writings of Moses and the other prophets that those were the personal words of God. The Sadducees, the loyal scholars of the scriptures, only lived in Jerusalem. And those in Galilee did not have to know where the roots of his won faith lay. After all it could not hurt to spread the Holy Scriptures in faithless Galilee.

“Rabbi, rabbi, are you feeling well?” Ismael, like all the other boys, was astonished to see the Rabbi gazing dreamily and absent, yet smiling at the wall across.

“O, my apologies, I, umm, was just going through some assignments for you.” he had been far away, yet now he had to begin hurry up and start the lesson. But he wanted to take that Jesus to task a bit more today. And that was especially fitting with this language.

“Jesus, you grew up in a Greek town. Aside from the reasons I mentioned, why do you think we should learn this heathen language here in Galilee?”

“So that we understand the words of the prophets that journey through the countryside. After all we should be able to understand the words of the son of man when he visits Nazareth in a few years. And since there are already some Greeks living on the edge of town toward Sepphoris he will also speak with them in their language, for in a few years Aramaic alone will not be enough to get by with.”

Samuel was very relaxed today and could remain calm, for that which Jesus was spouting again today bordered on blasphemy. Oh no but not with him , the God-fearing Samuel.

“So, when the son of man will come to Nazareth. When do you think that will be?”

“Soon, then the people will see it.”

“Aha, then the people will see it. Can you be a little more specific, of course only if it does not cause any inconvenience to you?”

“I could, but God tells me that I am not allowed to tell more now.”

Now Samuel was becoming a little more upset, for this damned Jesus brought his temper to a rolling boil again.

“You speak with God?”

“Well you do that too, don’t you?”

“Yes, but to me he truly speaks. After all I am the rabbi.” Samuel was enraged, but could barely hold himself back “How do you suppose you know that he is talking to?”

“God told me something earlier, yet I do not want to repeat it now, since it only concerns you.”

“As you know, Jesus, we are in a synagogue. God, your Lord is at home here. I don’t believe that it would be good to keep secrets to yourself here.” Samuel stomped on the ground with his right foot. The way this guy always kept challenging him! But today he would not relent. Today Jesus finally had to realize who has the boss here.

“That is fine by me, but I don’t know if you will like it, honorable rabbi.” Samuel saw, that Jesus’ expression had a certain strength, but not for long.

“Jesus, I order you to tell all of us right now what your God, or more likely some demon has to tell us.” Samuel’s earlier good mood had evaporated.

“Very well Rabbi, I simply did not want to get ahead of you. But how …“

“Out with it already.”

“As you wish. God told me earlier“, Jesus spoke with a very earnest voice, “that you have a very strong faith, like few others.”

“But everyone in this village knows that, Jesus.” Samuel was a bit surprised because God had told him something very similar. But this lout was probably only trying to get on the good side of the rabbi of the village. Well, that trick was not going to work on old Samuel, boy.

“And, what else?”

“Furthermore he told you that you would be travelling into a distant land in the near future and that you are to spread the teachings of the Lord in a large Greek town called Ephesus. Furthermore he said that you should be watchful.”

Samuel stood in front of the children with mouth wide open and had no idea what to say next. He felt as if the Lord had personally given him a slap in the face. That was unbelievable! How could this Jesus know the words that God had directed to him personally? How could that be? He probably truly was in contact with demons. And demons were after all not dumb. One had to watch out for this boy! And besides in a moment the whole village would know that he, Samuel, would be leaving the village in the near future.

“I think that is enough for today. Let us just pray quickly. May God watch over us and keep all demons far from us. May it ever be thus in Nazareth.”

∞

Today things were very loud in the alleys of Nazareth’s. Simeon and his friends had a new favorite game: Romans against zealots. The Romans got wooden javelins, the zealots their wooden swords. And since weapons had always fascinated humanity in its history, from the day on which this game was first played on they became the favorite toys of the boys. And thus the following of gang-leader Simeon grew more and more. Naturally Simeon always played the leader of the zealots, who waited in a hide-out for the roman patrol and then attacked it. If the zealots rushed them, then things could get dangerous, for from this day on brutality became the trademark of Simeon. If he had a sword in his hands, he often turned into a berserker.

Joshua had been sitting in his rooms the past hours doing his writing exercises as his father had told him to. He thought to himself that he was making good progress. But soon he did not feel like continuing and went out to look for Rachel. But first he saw ten to twenty figures jumping out of the bushes and attacking a group of roughly the same size. And then all he heard was continuous shouting. “Charge! Simeon, take out the Centurion.”

“I was going to do that anyway, Amos. And by the way: I am the only one who gives orders around here.”

“Ouch, that hurt, dumb-ass.”

“Well duh.. we are fighting here and not playing children’s games like ‚Jacob and the Lord’ anymore.”

“Hit. You’re dead.”

“Nonsense, I hit you first.”

“That isn’t possible, my spear’s longer.”

Joshua watched these scenes with disgust, for he was not a friend of violence. He headed up the alley in the direction toward Sepphoris and soon enough spotted Rachel and her girl friends there. And as expected Jesus was sitting there with them and playing flute, which the girls danced to. Joshua sat down next to Jesus and watched the girls hopping about in circle. He smiled at Jesus. After a while Jesus stopped playing and the girls greeted Joshua.

“Doesn’t Jesus play beautifully?”, Rachel asked Joshua.

“Very nicely. Where did you get the flute from, Jesus?”

“I carved it for myself a while ago. You know I love carving things out of wood. The olive trees of Galilee or something very special.”

“Jesus, how did you know what God had told me father while praying? How were you able to know that?”

“Sometimes I hear a very insistent voice, when it is important. I can not ignore it and even remember days later what the voice said. That is just the way it is. I am not sure why either. My Egyptian teacher merely told me that is was important for me to listen to this voice and to say things when the voice asks me to. And I know that the voice comes from God. Where should it come from otherwise?”

“Like my father said, from a demon?”

“What do you think a demon is, Joshua?”

“An evil spirit that does not want anything that is good.”

“Do you really believe that I would listen to an evil spirit?”

“Why are you so sure that you can distinguish the different voices? How doe you want to know for a fact what is a demon and what is God, our Lord?”

“God is my father, just as he is yours. Don’t you know that a father only wants the best for his son at all times?”

“Jesus, sometimes I am not sure about that. On the one hand yes, on the other hand I ask myself if a father is not sometimes also allowed to hurt his son.”

“Yes, I know, that must hurt you very much to think about when you wanted to defend me.”

“Almost forgotten. But I could not always tell the difference.”

Suddenly both of the boys saw Simeon and his friends running toward them. All Joshua heard was that Simeon shouted “Charge! I will take out the blue-eyed one. And you, Amos, take out the scar face“, that the girls hid themselves behind Jesus and that he advanced one step towards the roughly twenty charging boys. Then Jesus made a graceful motion with his hand that tossed something invisible on the approaching horde.

“In the name of God, leave them, ye demons.” The words of Jesus were loud and clear. A moment later the boys stopped, looked at each other, muttered this and that, and slowly walked back along the path which they had just run up.

“Now what was that, Jesus?”

“Joshua, remember how I told you about the grotesque faces that I always see. Just a moment ago, there were hundreds if dark figures all about those children. I merely spoke a prayer.”

“How do you know that God heard the prayer and we were not saved by a demon?”

“Joshua, do you think that a demon could chase away another demon? Only the light has that ability. Never forget that! It will one day be very important for you. For you too will be journeying to a large city. And there are many more of that kind there, believe me.”

Joshua gave Jesus a big wondering glance, shook his head and went home a little confused. That had really been enough for today.

He faintly heard how Rachel admiringly thanked Jesus for saving them from the boys. But he still did not understand one thing. Why could a demon not chase away another demon?

∞

It was time for an extended supper again. The family of the rabbi sat together in harmony, something that truly rarely occurred. Samuel was so light-hearted due to the words of God inside him that he even made little jokes now and then.

“Joshua, Judith and Esther, you can get up now. I have to discuss something with your mother.”

The children left happily, for that meant that they could still play a while outside with the children in the alleyways. “Sarah, my woman, I have to tell you something. You will hardly believe what happened to me this morning during my prayer.”

“I have noticed all day that you are very upbeat today, Samuel.”

“God spoke to me. God told me that I have an exemplary faith and that we will soon travel to a distant land, where I will carry this faith in God into the world. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“God told you that we will be journeying to a distant country?” Sarah was somewhat surprised. “What are we to do in a different country, Samuel? We belong here, our home is in Galilee.”

“You know that the priests in Jerusalem hold me in high regard. I say that with a little bit of pride. Bealja, a priest from the high council, indicated to me some time ago that something awaited me yet until now I was keeping had kept that information to myself. Sarah, there are not many who have as strong a faith as I in our country.” Samuel unconsciously straightened up and smiled.

“Which country is that to be? Nowadays almost everything outside of Galilee is Greek. How can God demand such a thing, that we leave our home, our safety and our friends here in Nazareth? And consider the children. Now Joshua has even found a good friend, and it would be very sad for him to have to leave soon.”

“Do you mean that Jesus? That blue-eyed lout, who speaks to demons? Do you think he is a friend of Joshua? I have told our son already that he is to stay away from him.”

“What is your issue with him? Can’t you tell that Jesus is a very special boy? True, he may be a little quieter than most, but he has a big heart. Even you should have noticed that, Samuel.”

“Woman, in school today this Jesus, whom you consider to be so special, almost told me word for word what God had told me just moments earlier. Isn’t that a major proof that he speaks with demons? Only a demon can do that.”

“Samuel, you say that God has told you that. And with Jesus you suddenly believe that the same words were spoken by a demon? Isn’t that a little odd?”

Samuel got angry. How could everyone in this village consider this Jesus to be so harmless! And now even his wife was stabbing him in the back.

“I am the rabbi. And God speaks to me when he has something to say to our village. God would never speak to an immigrant blue-eyed bastard who according to his naive father is even supposed to be the future saviour. Never! That shows that this Jesus is allied with demons. Otherwise he could not have heard those words. And unfortunately it is not possible to doubt that he did here them. “

“Samuel, please don’t talk like this about that boy. Jesus isn’t the way you portray him to be. I have spoken with Miriam and him several times. And he even seems more mature than most fathers in this village to me. And Miriam, has meanwhile become a wonderful friend to me, and I really like Jesus.”

“You have had met up with those ominous folks? Sarah, I forbid you to have any further contact with that family. Have you understood?”

“Samuel, I am so sorry, but I will not allow that to be taken away from me. From anyone. Not even from you. I married you, I value your strong faith and I will even go into another country with you if it is necessary, but I will not let you tell me whom I am allowed to meet or not! And especially not when we are speaking of such nice people that are so good for me, that see my soul, and that cherish me as much as I cherish them.”

Suddenly Samuel turned into a raging beast. He hit Sarah right in her face, again and again. Then he took a stick that was always at hand in a corner of the room, and kept beating his wife with it. Countless times. Endless moments passed. Then he threw Sarah on the floor, pushed up her robe, and took his wife as brutally as he could.

Samuel was no longer in control of himself. He pounded away in her, again and again. His body cramped up, he moaned and screamed until he had reached the peak of his crazed lust. Then his body relaxed. He could only hear the whimpering of his wife. Then he stopped in shock and let her go.

He got up, smoothed his robe and left the room, followed by a large shadow that left Samuel and vanished in thin air a few moments after he had left the room.

Samuel would have to return at any moment, having completed his evening walk. Even this evening, after he had brutalized Joshua’s mother so badly. Joshua had been the one to find his mother. He sat next to her at the bed and held her hand. Joshua looked into the eyes of his mother. Something in her soul had broken today. It seemed as if the love had vanished from her and as if desperation and sadness had taken its place in here.

Joshua trembled with fear, for when Samuel was in that kind of a mood, anything was possible. His fear of Samuel had grown so great that even the bottomless hatred against him seemed so minor that he hardly felt it. His hand dug into the wooden cross, without him being ware of it.

Joshua was sad. Why did he and his mother have to suffer so much under Samuel? And why was he always a model of justice for everyone else? Joshua recalled a trial that had recently taken place in the synagogue as usual. Almost the entire village had been present. Samuel, who as rabbi was also the judge in the village, had settled a dispute between two farmers, who had been fighting over a calf, so astutely and justly, that on the one hand Joshua’s admiration for his father was increased, yet on the other hand the recognition, that his father was just to everyone except his family, destroyed that feeling immediately. He never wanted to attend court proceedings again. Joshua never wanted to experience how loving his father could be to other people again. He hated Samuel.

The feelings coming from the house of the rabbi were so intense that Jesus, who had just lain down to sleep, picked up on them and immediately called upon his father in the vast heavens above.

“Father, please help my friend Joshua and help his mother, so that she no longer need be in pain. Please remove any and all hate from that house and transform it into loving and forgiving energy. Thank you father.”