Sunset in Paradise by Freda Paula

Author:Freda, Paula
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: inspirational, legends, jesus, biography, christian, biblical based fiction, dismas, romanticized, the third thief
Publisher: Paula Freda

CHAPTER NINE

For weeks anxiety hung over Dismas' mind like a dark smothering mist. Finally the order came. Dismas joined Gestas and three other of his henchmen, and traveled with them to the town of Tabgha, near the Sea of Galilee, on the pretext of a work order to construct an addition to the house of one of Gestas' wealthy customers. The plan was for Gestas and his band to intercept the rich widow and her party composed of her children and two male servants who traveled with her for protection, as she passed through a lesser used road so as not to attract attention to her flight.

Unexpectedly, on the day they were to commit the deed, word arrived from Gestas' sources, that the widow had decided at the last minute to stop and visit for a day with her sister who lived nearby, before continuing on her journey. Not wanting to arouse suspicion, Gestas ordered them to separate, and not to be seen talking to each other. They would rejoin him at the appointed time, per his instructions.

Dismas welcomed the short respite. He needed fresh air, a long walk, and time by himself to accept the inevitable. It was a clear, sunny day. The hilly countryside beckoned to him. He would climb. The physical exertion might help to clear his head.

He hiked for a long time through rising slopes heavy with lush grasses and numerous olive trees, and palms heavy with hanging clusters of sweet dates, snipping and munching on some as he climbed the hilly terrains. The solitude he had been enjoying began to fill with men and women until a crowd had formed below a mount overlooking the Galilean sea. At the top of the mount seated on a rock a man in a white tunic and shawl spoke in a strong voice to the crowd. The difference in height between the surrounding land and the bowl-shaped sea, resulted in wide temperature and pressure changes that caused strong winds to drop to the sea and funnel through the hills. The winds served as a natural amplifier. The man's voice spoken downwind carried a fair distance. Dismas could hear him quite clearly, though the man was not shouting. He spoke on an even keel, but with deep emotion and strong conviction.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Dismas listened mesmerized. He knew that voice. It belonged only to one man that he had met in his life; only one man who was capable of such insight and such kindness.

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