Three Days: the Search for the Boy Messiah by Chris Stepien

Author:Chris Stepien
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2014-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

John chanted in a deep voice as he walked in rhythm to the Psalm.

“The LORD, my strength and might,

has become my savior.” (Psalm 118:8-9, 14)

He was already very broad shouldered and tall for his age. With his muscled build, John looked more like the son of a farmer or carpenter, than the descendant of a priest. Even his mother was from the family of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and Israel’s first High Priest.

Yeshua looked up from his carving to see who was singing in the distance. He instantly recognized John’s shape and mop of curly hair, as he climbed the road to the Mount of Olives. Stuffing his carving and knife into his shoulder bag, Yeshua ran to greet his cousin. He shouted to his parents, announcing John’s arrival.

“My little cousin!” John bellowed as he spotted Yeshua sprinting toward him.

They both laughed as they embraced. John kidded Yeshua about being a good deal shorter than he was, even though Yeshua was only six months younger. After his recent birthday, John had begun to sprout coarse whiskers. Soon, he would officially be a member of the family of Judaism. And with that came all the spiritual responsibilities of an adult male.

“My mother will be so excited to see you,” John exclaimed. “She is waiting for us at the Temple. Too tough for her to walk up the mount.”

Yeshua led the way back toward their tent, but after a few hurried strides, John grabbed his arm to stop him.

“I almost forgot,” John said, digging in the pouch on his belt. “My mother gave me something for you. You’ll want to put it in a safe place.”

He tugged at the pouch and slid it along his belt from his hip to his abdomen. He looked inside and pulled out what appeared to be a rock.

“My father saved a few of these,” he said, handing the gift to Yeshua. “It’s a piece from the old Temple.”

When he turned the stone over in his palm, Yeshua revealed one side carved with a lily. He ran his fingertips over the ancient, worn work. He felt he was touching the fingertips of a craftsman from hundreds of years ago. The stoneworker had likely been a devout Hebrew, delighted to be toiling at Yahweh’s house and restoring the Temple that had been lost to their Babylonian conquerors. Perhaps this piece of handiwork had been tossed aside by Herod the Great to make way for his grander, earthly vision of a house of worship.

Yeshua looked up at John and grinned broadly. He closed his eyes and expressed his sheer joy.

“Where’s Ezra?” John asked. “I have a piece of the Temple for him, too.”

As they walked toward the tent, Yeshua explained Ezra’s illness and assured John his friend would be fine.

“God’s peace be with you!” Yosef said to John as the two boys approached the tent. He was seated outside and stood to embrace the young man. Miriam joined them, repeatedly hugging and kissing her kin. She felt a

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