Fishers of Men
Jesus arrived back at the Haljah ford but saw no sign of John. Just two hours after his arrival however, two men approached Jesus, they were Mathias and Andrew disciples of John. John had been arrested, along with several others.
Herod’s guard had taken John and the newly arrived Essene, also named Jesus and all the disciples except Mathias and Andrew. Mathias and Andrew acted in accordance with John’s instructions to avoid confrontation if possible, without compromising their mission. The arrests had occurred two weeks ago, and the two disciples had been awaiting the return of Jesus.
Jesus told them that the mission was to continue, that the Qumran house was looking into John’s release, and that they would be adding their own prayers. Jesus would send word of all this to the Kidron house, and the Qumran house, but they certainly already knew. It happened all too frequently that a missionary became ill or died. The house was informed and the mission proceeded with any necessary replacement sent.
Essenes had a reputation of being accurate news reporters, and accurate information was a prized commodity. Such news would normally be written, and delivered by a Jew of religious standing traveling between points. Inaccurate news reflected badly on the Essenes research, efforts and judgment, and where a point was uncertain, it was stated as such.
The Sanhedrin was among the best informed bodies in the Mediterranean, and it would certainly be informed of the arrest of such a popular figure. The Sanhedrin took reports of all kinds: event reports, progress reports, court reports, movement and personnel reports, financial reports, planning reports, situation and opinion reports, from within Israel and from Jews in Egypt, Rome, and other cities. Information on births, deaths, disease, weather, crops, arrests, executions, caravans, military movement, Roman laws and Zealot activity were all contained in some report. Synagogue Rabbis gathered much of the information and they knew accurately much that was not public knowledge. Jesus wondered what response the Sanhedrin had offered to Herod.
For several years the prophet John had preached on Heaven and Hell, on the covenant with God, the Law of Moses, and on current problems including Herod and the Romans. He was well known throughout Israel, loved by most common Jews and loved-hated by most in religious authority. He condemned King Herod Antipas’ marriage to the divorced wife of his brother Philip, and spoke against greed and corruption wherever he found it. No one was spared, not even the priests. The temple hated him for that, but he had their favor in preaching obedience to the Law. The group having no major complaint with him were the Romans, to whom John yielded political power.
The three set out for northern Galilee, and hoped that the recent trouble would not follow them that far. Some religious practicalities now had to be dealt with by Jesus...being the Messiah. Abida knew it, but to reveal it to others would be considered blasphemy. To be a son of God, was a compliment or a goal; but to be the Son of God was blasphemy. God was One. The core of the Jewish faith was one God, and only one God. There were on occasion lunatics who claimed to be God, or a human Son of God, and they were dealt with as lunatics. For a sane man to claim systematically that he was the divine Son of God, and to cultivate a following was the most severe crime in Israel. Opinions about the nature of the Messiah varied, but none of them impinged upon the core doctrine of God as one — no other Gods, Goddesses, Sons (human or divine), Daughters, Wives, or Equals.
Jesus knew differently, but convincing others would not be easy. But did he have to reveal it at all? Yes he did. The Messiah was salvation, and it was salvation because the Messiah was God made man. There was more; those wishing salvation, must become Messiah themselves.{17} All this was to be explained to the toughest and most skeptical audience possible — the Jews of Israel.
What was the most effective way to reveal this to Mathias and Andrew? It could not wait, and Jesus called the group to a halt. They took water and Jesus asked the two, “What did John tell you about the Messiah?”
The response of Andrew surprised Jesus. Andrew told of their understanding of the Messiah, it was what John had taught them and it was radically different from any other version. John’s Messiah was to be God made man. Andrew continued saying the Messiah was to rule the spirits of men; the Messiah would drive evil and oppression from Israel by expelling it from the souls of men, not by driving men from Israel.{18} In this way the Messiah-King of Israel was to rule all peoples. There was a moment of satisfied common consent to these ideas, but a pregnant pause as Andrew turned to Mathias to let him speak the remaining portion. Mathias fumbled meekly with a few preambles, then composed himself and spoke clearly, “Master, the prophet John told us that you are the Messiah.”
Jesus smiled slightly and said, “Yes, I am.” Jesus then continued, “And do not be amazed at this, you too will become Messiah. {19} Do not try to understand all of this now, it will be revealed in its time. Come now, be happy and let us be off to Galilee to tell the good news of the Messiah.” Everyone was relieved that the news had broken and they joyfully set off.
Essene business put John and Jesus in contact a few times, and Jesus was aware of John’s theology. The Qumran Essene house where John was a member had a reputation for asceticism; they did not challenge the temple priests; but their piety, fervor, and ascetic life did embarrass them. John was thought by many to have appeared from nowhere at the will of God, but in fact he was on a specific mission to preach, convert, and revitalize the faith in the area where he was working. Each Essene missionary was given wide discretion on methods, and was expected to provide for his own requirements. John simply did this in an extreme way, when his cloak wore out he exchanged a week’s labor for the camel skins he now wore. Grasshoppers and roots constituted most of his meals, he did not want to burden others by requesting food — or so he said. It was Essene practice to recruit assistants, and even start additional houses. Mathias and Andrew were such Essene assistants.
Jesus’ mission was identical to John’s, and trouble did not halt a mission. Jesus expected John to be released after a deal was stuck between Herod Antipas and the temple. Jesus expected John to be exiled for a few years to Egypt perhaps, then allowed to return with a pledge of silence from John’s Essene house. The Qumran house was not directly controlled by the temple, as was the Kidron house, but it was Jewish and was expected to obey the temple authorities.
It was not common that an Essene was arrested or exiled, but John was not a common Essene. This was a time when the Qumran house was happy to be subservient to the temple political machinery. John would not save his own life by agreeing to stop his irritating preaching, but he would follow orders from his Abbot, and the Qumran house would follow orders from the temple.
In theory the Essene mission of Jesus was not new, radical, or complicated. In practice, the fact of the missionary being the Messiah awaited for 1000 years, did complicate matters. Jesus, Mathias, and Andrew entered the synagogue in Nazareth, and were nearly stoned after Jesus proclaimed himself to be the Messiah foretold by the prophets. Walking away from town, Jesus would not enter into the sense of despair that was probing him. Was he expecting the Devil to cooperate? Were works of the Spirit somehow immune to obstruction? No.
He would put it out of his mind, his mission would begin in the next village. Still he felt that he owed an explanation to Mathias and Andrew; they had left their master the Baptist and now followed Jesus, and he had apparently failed. They were walking just behind Jesus, but came abreast when Jesus began to speak, “Mathias, Andrew, the Devil will oppose our work in many ways, but do not be discouraged. We will not attain victory by joining with him in anger and despair, rather the virtues of humility and faith will be our weapons of conquest. What good effort in this world is not subject to impediment? Therefore do not think that the most vital of works will proceed unopposed.”
Jesus continued, “Andrew, tell me how you came to know the Baptist.” Jesus kept the conversation relevant to their mission, and they walked until sundown. Mathias and Andrew told Jesus that they followed the Baptist because they believed he was a prophet, but that was not enough of an answer for Jesus. He helped them to put into words, what they knew in their hearts. The question was retrogressed several steps and each step answered logically. It was training. Jesus was training Mathias and Andrew to be missionaries, and the three devised an appeal:
“We followed the Baptist because he was a prophet of Israel, who heralded the coming of the Messiah. The Messiah is now among us and we now follow him. John himself gave testimony that the new prophet Jesus is the Messiah who will lead Israel into its promised glory, and all mankind into peace and prosperity.”
A bit heavy on set structure perhaps, but it was a start. All three agreed however, that it was not likely to register at all with anyone unfamiliar with Judaism, or the prophecies of the Messiah. Jesus told them that for now they would be appealing only to the children of Israel. Jesus also told them that the God of Israel would supply signs as needed to testify to the Messiah.
The men came to a village south of the lake in Galilee and inquired where they might find the rabbi. It was nearing sundown and this was the best time to speak with him. The rabbi would likely be working his trade and would soon return home for the evening, and later perhaps to the synagogue to lead prayer or instruction. Morning or evening, either end of the workday were the hours of operation for the country rabbi. The men would state their business, which might be followed by an invitation to a meal and possibly lodging. If dinner followed, the rabbi would politely ask to be brought up on news of events in areas of common interest. This was a polite way of authenticating the guest. If the visitor appeared to have little knowledge of several of these topics he was assumed to be an impostor, or somehow minimally connected and just seeking a free meal and bed.
The Essenes were not the only group with domestic missionaries in Israel. The temple considered every rabbi a permanently based missionary and in theory he was to go throughout his area of responsibility and encourage people to the faith. A strange situation had arisen with the new evangelization efforts. Everyone without exception in an area was to be appealed to: Romans, Phoenicians, Syrians, Samaritans. If a conversion was not made, at least a small improvement in cultural relations might be achieved. The problem was that the most stringent of Jews would have no contact with a non-Jew for fear of defilement. When asked if the Romans should be made Jewish they would answer yes, but many would not make any practical efforts toward this end, and they would even disdain those making contact with the infidels.
In the end, contact was not made with the rabbi, and the men passed the night just outside of town in a field. It had been two days since they had eaten.
Jesus awoke before dawn and ventured a short distance to meditate and plan. If Andrew or Mathias saw him, they would know that he had retreated the short distance to be alone with his thoughts. So far they had two failures for two attempts, and a change of tactics was needed. He would take the lead in the mission now; it would not be a case of waiting upon a rabbi, or simply declaring himself Messiah. He would not hope for an ideal response from ideal people. He would do what was necessary to bring them to him, and what was necessary to authenticate his message. That meant miracles and prophecy. Jesus woke Mathias and Andrew, Capernaum was six hours away and there was no reason to stay there.
In Capernaum, Matthew the tax collector had just seized the fishing boat of the man Zadok. With him were several agents of wealthy men who followed Matthew on his monthly seizure rounds. They would purchase items on the spot at auction and cart them away. In the case of the boat they might hire a man to sail it across the lake away from its former owner, or chain it to the pier.
Matthew instructed his brother Aaron to start the bidding, and a large net was the first item up for bid. Bidding was started at one shekel of silver, the man Jesus was the only bidder and won the item. A bit of commotion ensued when he told Aaron that he had no silver but would pay in a short while. Matthew argued and threatened Jesus, and he had to do the same with his men as they obeyed the instructions of the prophet and laid the net in the water. The net was deployed in a corner that was formed by a pier that projected out from the bank. The auction stopped as all the bidders assembled around this strange enterprise. Again, Matthew emerged from the crowd to confront Jesus, but was preempted, “Matthew, you will now be paid your taxes, how much is due?”
Matthew replied sternly “Sixteen shekels are overdue and the auxiliaries{20} are on their way, so end your rioting and leave.”
Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “Friends, the man Zadok whose livelihood has been seized today has a covenant with the God of Israel. He makes the covenant with his good actions, with his good words and intentions, with his hope and faith. Now the God of loyal covenant intends to keep his part of the covenant.”
Jesus began picking up small stones and tossing them into the pool enclosed by the net. The stones were splashing as they hit, but it was noticed by some, and then all that two or three stones were causing three and four splashes — something else was adding to the disturbance. It was fish, and more than one…the stones were becoming fish as they entered the water! A stone even over shot the pool, becoming a fish on the pier and flopping itself into the water. For each his own reason, the people began to toss stones into the pool to create their own fish. The friends of Zadok, bystanders, and even the agents tossed a stone into the pool.
When the net was quite full, Jesus stepped forward grinning and shouted, “Friends, that is enough. Thank you for your help.” To Matthew he said, “Matthew, follow me and we will no longer ransom the property of men, but their souls.” Matthew left everything, and followed Jesus.
Jesus and company spoke briefly to the fisherman who now enjoyed better circumstances. Jesus assured Zadok of additional help if needed, but advised him to sell the fish at once and pay off his taxes. He hired two helpers on the spot and harvested and sold the huge catch. Jesus and his three disciples, which now included Matthew went for lunch, Matthew paid.
It was impossible for the miracle worker to eat in peace. He stuffed some dried fish into a small loaf of flat bread, and spoke to the crowd while taking bites from the sandwich, small ones so as not to interrupt his speech for too long. The crowd was growing and Jesus was seeking high ground, not to escape but to address. He was outside of a carpenter shop and asked the workman if he could take the workbench outside and use it. The carpenter readily agreed and helped Jesus move it just outside of his shop.
Jesus stood upon the sturdy table and spoke to the crowds. He shouted, “Friends.”…“Friends.”...“Hear me.” Finally there was silence and the prophet spoke, “I will see to your ill ones, but first listen carefully, for the kingdom of Heaven is among you. The kingdom and the event prophesied for a thousand years is here now. The Messiah is in Israel and awaits your consent. He invites you to unimagined glory. However the Messiah can do little without your help; so do your part and approach him in humility, faith and virtue.”
“Why do the children of Israel spend their lives taxing and seizing the property of others, as we have seen this morning. Why do good people denigrate themselves in pubs — seething, cursing and fermenting evil. Why do the chosen children of the Almighty God spend their lives in worry and hoarding. Such people cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven.”
Jesus paused to make eye contact with everyone at least quickly. A man took advantage of the silence to shout, “Are you the Messiah?” Jesus spoke back loudly, “You have said it, but questioning the Messiah will not attain you Heaven, you must believe in the Messiah who is now here.” The crowd was murmuring loudly and pressing forward, some wanted to touch him, others to seize him.
Jesus shouted, “Let the Messiah’s deeds testify for him,” and bent down to a woman on a stretcher, who was curled and had little movement. Matthias, Andrew and Matthew had moved beside Jesus to push the crowd back to make room, and they called for silence that the prophet might heal. Jesus spoke loudly to Matthew, “Matthew, grab her legs and pull.” Matthew obeyed at once, and Jesus pulled on her arms. The woman screamed as she was straightened, her joints cracked loudly and with a staccato noise that was unbroken. Jesus shouted to Matthew, “Pull, pull!”…“Pull hard!” The woman was fully extended and Jesus released his grip.
The woman was crying hysterically and brought her hands over her face sobbing, “What have you done?”
Jesus said, “Stand up woman.” and extended his hand to her. The woman realized that she was moving her hands freely and that her legs were extended for the first time in years. She immediately stopped crying and looked up at Jesus, and slowly pushed herself upright to standing.
The crowd shouted “Miracle!”, and surged forward into Jesus crushing him. Mathias, Andrew and Matthew pulled forcefully on Jesus then quickly moved him into a boat and shoved off. The boat pulled out beyond the range of waders and the disciple-bodyguards turned back a few swimmers, saying that the prophet would soon speak. They did row in closer and Jesus spoke. He insisted that the people maintain order, and that he would return tomorrow three hours after dawn, to the fallow field off the west road, a mile out of town.
The four set the sail and traveled an hour south. Jesus and Matthew disembarked, while Mathias and Andrew returned the boat. Jesus and Matthew talked, Jesus told Matthew that he was to join the pilgrims as a disciple, but it was ultimately his decision. Jesus questioned Matthew as to his personal history, and had Matthew examine his actions and goals at each stage, this was done in a sort of third person manner, with Matthew examining the life of the person Matthew from a distance. It was more constructive this way, it was a matter of the new Matthew viewing the old Matthew, and good riddance to the latter.
At one point early in their conversation, Matthew asked Jesus, “Rabbi, did I once interview you?”
Jesus replied, “No, you did not arrive at the interview, but I did; in the end I went to Capernaum. Now it is I who am interviewing and hiring workers.” Jesus was referring to his job interview as an indentured servant in the caravans. Matthew was content not to pursue it any further.
All four were encamped by afternoon. Jesus spoke with Matthew again about his desire to become a permanent disciple. Matthew was advised to do nothing too soon, but let his emotions settle and then make a willful decision. Until such a decision, he would accompany them.
Jesus made his own decision, he needed more assistants for crowd control. It was a real problem, he was given quite a buffeting today. He sent Andrew back into Capernaum to recruit some, and bring them to the public field, a mile west of Capernaum, two hours after dawn.{21}
Andrew was from Capernaum and knew most people at least by sight, and went straight to the boat piers. Jesus had not given exact instructions, but for this job muscle and a loud voice were valued as much as piety. He obtained the services of his brother Simon Peter, James and his brother John, and two others. Andrew promised them a fair recompense from the prophet for working crowd control.
The next morning Jesus arrived as he had promised. He and the other disciples walked alongside the crowd on the road, but with his face wrapped. He did not want to heal until he had spoken, and took precautions to conceal his identity. Andrew and his detachment of bodyguards were waiting on a ridge in the field. Jesus joined them, unwrapped, and addressed the people.
“Friends, thank you for hearing me. Hear now the good news I bring to you. The day that Israel has long awaited is upon us, the kingdom of God is offered to you, therefore repent and share in this good fortune.”
“For what reason were you born, and for what reason did the tribes of Jacob bind into the nation of Israel? Is your purpose to work the fields, eat its produce and finally return to the dust from which you were made? These are only your means of life...your high purpose is barely imaginable, and today it is revealed to you. Look at me and see your end, believe in me and share in the Father’s good plan for you, follow my teachings and attain the peace that the world can neither give nor take away.”
“The Law of Moses is indeed the revelation of God. What if God now were to reveal himself not in word, but in flesh? The Father does so now. The Messiah is before you, as prophet and more. You are called to share in the Messiah, to become Messiah yourselves. Do not be taken back by this. It must be so, and the prophets have spoken of it.”
“Such belief does not come easy, nor is it complete. Knowledge of the truth must direct one’s will to act within the truth. In this way your outstretched hands will be grasped by God of Heaven.”
“To become the anointed of God and share in the life of your Father in Heaven, you must resemble your Father just as a child should. Those who cheat at market scale, work for profit on Sabbath, drink themselves silly, prowl, pay or sell themselves for pleasures of the flesh do not resemble the Father and can have no part in his abundant life. Those who do not acknowledge their God, those who curse God and creation, those without charity or forgiveness, likewise cannot reunite with the God of creation and virtue.”
“Why do you dwell on this life, on its injustice and its futility. Wealth, happiness, and health on earth are fleeting and fragile. Why do you put your hopes in these houses of sand which crumble away so often within your lifetime. Dwell rather in the kingdom of God. Many of you do, but you leave one foot in this world. Let your faith be cultivated, and your desire turned toward the Messiah who fulfills the Law of Moses.”
The prophet spoke in this manner for a half part of an hour. After concluding his message Jesus said, “Good people, I know that you have many concerns, and I will now assist you with your other needs. First however, remember how these disorders came to be. The God of Israel does not wish them for you, nor does he generate them. Disorders of all sorts are the result of disorder in moral conduct. Even those living good lives are subject to the disorder produced elsewhere. The disorder of sin is real, and it must have a real effect in the world. Those who suffer hardship with faith will do much to reform the disorder in our world.”
“I will attend to many of you, but you must also put your lives into good order. To make straight life or leg, only to have it quickly contorted by sin is of no lasting value. To those living upright lives, I tell you to seek the highest life possible. By belief in the Messiah your faith will attain its consummation. Until now you have waited impatiently for the Anointed of Israel; he is now here and offers you a share in himself.”
Jesus went into the crowd and healed many. To those who had lived full lives, he encouraged them to make their remaining time the most fruitful of their lives, to bring the Law of Moses to its fulfillment by acts of heroic faith, virtue, and desire, and to believe that the Messiah was now among them. He spoke again of the need not only to empty oneself of disorder, but to make every faculty, every moment and every act one directed toward the Father. In doing so they would enter more deeply into the very life of the Father.
The local rabbis prudently withheld judgment of Messiah claimants. They simply made their reports to the temple when one appeared. The impostor Messiahs were of all types, some were obviously seeking notoriety or money; many were genuinely pious but did not deliver on their promises of miracles. Those Messiahs promising self rule were quickly dealt with by the Romans. This new prophet was quite different, he had cured dozens in two days, had turned stones to fish, and made crowds frenzied with faith.
Jesus gave assistance mostly by healing, but some requested help in matters of children, parents, money, virtue and every type of problem. His assistance in these matters was not usually one of direct intervention but a call to faith, virtue and perseverance on the part of those seeking the help. He reminded them that all must take a burden of original sin, and reform it by acts of faith and virtue.
The new bodyguards performed well. They were all invited to visit with the prophet and three accepted, two having left during the sermon when Jesus declared himself the Messiah. Simon Peter, James and John stayed to meet the prophet.
Over an extended dinner he spoke with the new men and offered Peter, James and John a place in the traveling mission. The other two were fine men, but their calling was with family, not on the road. The pilgrims made camp overnight, then set out the following morning walking south. Jesus had an errand to make, and it was on their way.
The road that circled the Lake of Galilee connected numerous smaller villages. Many did not even have a well, but simply obtained water from the lake. One such village was named Bar Magan, and in it lived the “feline widow”, who was aunt to Jesus. Ruth the feline widow, was cousin to Elizabeth, who was sister to Mary the mother of Jesus. She had amply earned her title, her small home was infested with dozens of felines. She herself did not know how many, as there was a continual new litter, while others would be consumed by predators. Ruth depended on her many children, nephews, nieces and relatives of all sorts for her livelihood. None dared spend the night, but stopped during the day and left before sundown.
Felines were rare in Israel, and it was said that every surviving one of them could be found at her home. Attempts had been made to eradicate the population, but their prudent caution, small area, and quick movements made the felines difficult prey for a hunter, and any successes were soon replaced.
Jesus was one such nephew who brought her(?) provisions. Ruth was always grateful and considered her nephew Jesus a saint. She would speak of him to everyone, even going beyond literal fact in telling of his kindness to her pets. Jesus had become associated with the burgeoning feline population and he alone would visit during non-daylight hours.
On this occasion however, Jesus entered Bar Magan at the second hour. Ruth had sixty years and was in good health, and so far her continual prophecies of her own impending death had not occurred. As usual however she made her nephew promise that he would be with her “when her time came”. Long ago Jesus had promised that he would be with her if he was in Galilee, and was forced to confirm this every time he visited. Jesus was pleased to find his aunt well, and left her some coins but told her not to spend it on the felines. The disciples had remained at some distance and were amazed at the activity of her household. Jesus emerged from the home of Ruth, and walked quickly away with the disciples.
The road skirted the Sea of Galilee, and was well traveled. As always the interruptions along the way were the purpose of the journey and curvilinear progress was slow. At midmorning a boy ran toward Matthew who was at the head of the column, shouting that a man was dying and needed help. The entire group followed the boy, then ran ahead as they saw the man in need. The man had apparently tried to hang himself from a tree, but the rope broke and he was unconscious on the ground, other travelers must have passed by. The rope was still tight around the man’s neck and his breathing was shallow. Jesus removed the rope at once. Simon advised pumping his chest, as this was known to save drowning victims on the lake. Jesus consented and Simon began to compress the man’s chest. The man slowly regained consciousness. He was leaned against the tree and allowed time to compose himself and take water.
Shortly thereafter the man made dry thanks, and attempted to rise and leave. Jesus insisted that he remain seated and asked his name. He replied that his name was Nathaniel, and that he must be leaving.
Jesus knelt to the ground, placed his hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder and said, “Nathaniel my friend, today you have lost something of value — money, esteem, love, purpose. But of what value are these things that are so easily lost? These things are bound to fail, either in this life or the next — riches, honor, even love of man or woman, and purpose of life drawn from these things.”
“Nathaniel, I am the new prophet and Messiah in Israel. You wish to end your life...do so, but replace it with my own. {22} Shall I say to you that you