Journey to Jerusalem
As Yeshua climbed the slope, he saw a stranger seated on a small wooden bench under the shades of the cedar, in front of his house. In the small region of Galilee, it was not difficult to locate a stranger, he thought.
From the distance, the features of the stranger could be easily marked, Yeshua noted. He was tall, his back and held high and straight as if his eyes were trained to see the distant horizon only. He wore a huge turban, a dark, loose cloak that hung slightly below the knees.
When he reached the bench, Yeshua greeted, “Sh’lam lak!” and bowed his head.
The stranger responded and bowed his head. He stood up, reached to Yeshua and hugged him tightly, like a father would do to his son.
Both of them sat down on the edges of the bench.
Yeshua realized that he was hungry and had not eaten anything since morning. He was tired also.
As is customary, Yeshua invited his guest to wash his feet and join him for dinner.
The stranger must have been hungry too, for he readily accepted the invitation.
Yeshua saw Miriam just behind the door of her house, her cloak and the sharp features of her face from an angle.
When he was in front of the door, she spoke from behind the door, “Teacher, the stranger has been here since a long time and he wanted to meet you. I have prepared few loaves of unleavened bread. There is a pitcher half full with milk and there are few figs, which I plucked from the tree today morning. May the teacher wish! So I could bring them now.”
When the dinner had been finished, darkness had not yet come. Both looked at each other with satisfaction.
“I see that the Passover festival has begun,” noted the stranger.
“Yes,” replied Yeshua and deduced that the stranger must have come from far-away place.
“I assume you folks don’t eat flesh during this period,” remarked the stranger.
“Yes,” replied Yeshua and continued, “but the flesh is weak”.
The stranger laughed as if he understood the pun. Now his face became little bit serious.
He continued,” I AM from a far-off place. I have heard about your skills in our country and many have praised your work although I have not seen any of them.”
He paused.
Yeshua interrupted,” How can I help you?”
The stranger took a deep breath and continued, “I require a special piece of work done especially for me. Your wood, they say, provides a lasting effect.”
Yeshua showed a face of slight disappointment but he immediately forced a smile to hide his emotion. He was silent.
Then he spoke. “It has been sometime since I stopped my family vocation. Now I am engaged in a different calling.” Silence again.
“Since my guest comes from a distant place, let me fulfill what my guest pleases. As is said, the sick needs the doctor. So please tell me what my guest wants to be made. I will try to work and deliver at the earliest.”
“Teba lak,” the stranger was well satisfied. He continued,” From choice material, I need rectangular beams of two sizes, one of 8 cubits and the other, about 3 cubits. The beams must be strong.
“What would my guest want to make from these beams?” Yeshua was slightly amused at the simplicity of the task.
“A cross”, was the reply.
There was stillness and darkness had slightly spread over the slopes of the hill.
Yeshua closed his eyes and remained still for a moment.
He opened his eyes and cried loud, “Abba”.
“B-ra”, responded the stranger in a consoling voice.
“Yes. The time has come. The mission is about to be completed. I have decided that the sacrificial sheep is ready. Suffer, you must but for the glory of the One. You shall carry the throne of the kingdom upon which the decree of the kingdom shall be inscribed. You shall remember that the coronation is done when the curtain between us shall be torn apart. I AM happy that the mission is well accomplished. Now touch the finishing line”.
“You shall meet me soon”.
“Good bye,” thus spoke the stranger, got up, saluted and proceeded towards the slope.
As the stranger disappeared around the corner, Yeshua turned to the south.
The plan must be ready for the journey along the path to Jerusalem…
