Yosef stared at his son. He loosened his hold and walked several steps away. When he turned back he spoke in a calmer voice.
“Come, son. Your mother and the family are waiting.” He gestured toward the outer courts, where the women and children were allowed during the day. “I do not wish her to worry for one moment longer.”
Yosef nodded goodbye to the older man. He and Yeshua hurried to the pillared entryway. Miriam stood there, wringing her hands. She rushed to meet them, ignoring the frowns of men in the inner courts. She gave him a fierce hug and then pulled back.
“Child, why have you treated us like this! Your father and I have searched everywhere for you. How anxious we have been!”
Yeshua said to both parents, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I must be in my father’s house?”
Miriam loosened her hold and looked at Yosef.
“The words just came to him”, he said. Yosef shrugged. He turned to Yeshua. “Come, son. It is time to go home.”
They turned and started off through the crowded area. Some of the bystanders regarded them quizzically.
Miriam walked behind her husband and son, ignoring the looks. She was pondering Yeshua’s words. She stopped and turned to look back at the inner courts where he had been safe all the time they searched for him. She turned around and ran to catch up with the others. Her eyes were filled with wondering.
Chapter 6
The shop door creaked on its hinges as it swung open part way, awaking Yeshua from his reverie. He shook his head to clear the memories of the long ago trip. Yehudah peered in at his two oldest brothers. “How are things in the toy shop?”
“Go away, brother,” growled Yaakob. “Men are working.”
“Of course! And to which wealthy merchant do we owe thanks for this particular delight?”
Yaakob lifted the plane he was using in his young brother’s direction.
“Those who put food on our table are not to be mocked.”
“Oh, pardon. Perhaps you will allow me to borrow one of your fine wheels to roll about in the street.”
“Hold on, hold on, you two,” warned Yeshua. He had stopped his own work and gazed speculatively at Yehudah.
“I think you are ready to join our work. Why don’t you come apprentice with us? Begin by keeping the count of supplies needed for projects in the bins and on the shelves. Sweep up at the end of day. Make sure the tools are stored properly.”
Yaakob snorted.
“Indoor work!” sneered Yehudah. “I’d rather work in the fields. Overseer of the shepherds of our flocks is what I call real work. They need overseeing. They’re as stupid as the sheep.”
“Ba-a-a-a,” replied Yaakob.
“Stop it now, both of you,” Yeshua commanded. “Yehudah, what prompts this interruption?”
“Our kinsman Yohannon has arrived, wilder-eyed then ever.” Yehudah pinched his nose, and laughed. “Bringing with him such a rankness of stink that he must have forgotten to bathe for a week or more.” He turned his head and sniffed loudly. “Ah, I smell him coming now.”
He retreated, closing the door. They heard his voice greeting their kinsman and a rap on the door, followed immediately by its opening.
“Cousins! Greetings to you in the name of the Lord Most High!”
Yaakob grunted and turned back to his work, but Yeshua lay down his tool and crossed the room to embrace Yohannon.
As he drew back, Yeshua grimaced. “Kinsman, a good bath would make you more welcome as a guest.”
“Ah, straightforward as ever!” Yohannon laughed. “Until three days ago I was as sweet-smelling as any bride might wish her groom to be. I have kept company with the Essenes in the wilderness. So intent on purification! Not satisfied with washing their hands before eating, they bathe before every meal in special pools! My flesh was in danger of becoming wrinkled by so much physical application of cleansing.”
“Should have stayed,” muttered Yaakob, his eyes surveying the even smoothness of his plane on a long piece of wood.
Yohannon turned to him. “No, as the days passed I realized that my way of holiness must take a different path. More cleansing of the heart and less of the body. At any rate, I have a bath awaiting me at the local inn before enjoying a wonderful meal with all my Nazareth kin. I wanted to waste no time in bringing greetings from my mother and our sorrow at the death of your father. I understand that he did not suffer overlong.”
“Long enough,” said Yaakob as Yohannon continued. “Yeshua, I have important matters about which I wish to speak with you. Perhaps a walk in the garden after supper?”
Yeshua smiled. “Yes, as long as you practice physical cleansing before the meal.”
Chapter 7
After supper a well-bathed Yohannon retired to the garden with Yeshua. The garden, a long rectangle of land, was shared with the family whose house adjoined it at the far end. The garden consisted of fruit trees, olive trees and long rows of spring vegetables. Wooden benches were placed beneath three of the trees and the two men found their way to the bench that shielded them best from the warm glow of the setting sun.
“So, kinsman,” Yeshua broke a brief silence in which they both contemplated the beauty and the bounty of the garden, “what has brought you to the north?”
Yohannon’s eyes danced as he turned, “You have not changed! Well, I will get to the point. First, your mother’s cousin, after whom your sister is named, is in declining health. She has attained an age of eighty years, blessed be the mercies of the Lord, and she has given me messages of condolence to bear to your mother.”
“You are her only child. If these are her final days, why have you left her?”
“The wives of priests who remember my father Zechariah are attending to her. She is well cared for. And I expect to return home before she passes to our Lord’s heavenly kingdom.”
“But this talk of going to the Essenes. Surely you knew of her condition?”
“Yeshua, sometimes there are more important things than family.”
“I cannot imagine.”
Yohannon gazed at the garden and smiled. “I think you will.”
Yeshua looked at him and spoke sternly. “With my father’s sudden passing I am responsible for this household. I cannot imagine forsaking my mother. And you! You have no brothers or sisters as I do.”
“Following the path that the Lord has set for me is the highest responsibility.”
“Have you forgotten the admonition of the Law? Honor your father and your mother.”
Yohannon was quiet for a moment and then spoke. “I have wrestled with it. The will of the Lord is an even higher admonition.”
“And you, a mere mortal, presume to know the specific will of the Lord?”
“Kinsman, I walk about as you do; I sleep and eat and my bowels move. Yes, I am mortal.”
“What then? Are you at last decided on following in your father’s steps and training for the Temple priesthood?”
“No, Yeshua. I revere the memory of my father but I will not follow his path. At least, not in the Temple.” Yohannon shifted on the bench and looked directly at Yeshua as he continued.
“I know from past conversations that you are a person of great insight and wisdom. Even the Essenes know of you.” He smiled. “Mention of your name as my kinsman helped my entry into