outside of Nazareth. Even Sepphoris he only had heard others tell of, as he had to admit to himself. How then was he supposed to imagine whether or not there were people who lived on other stars? And the stars were so very far away. But it all seemed so matter of fact to Jesus. What did Jesus know that he wasn’t telling? Sometimes Joshua got the feeling that he did not know Jesus at all, although they had often conversed and already spent some time together. Of all the people he knew, Jesus radiated the greatest strength. The fathers of the village were very nice, but superficial. Only a few had a certain strength in themselves. He had already seen a few rabbis that had visited Samuel, but none of those radiated anywhere close to the level of strength that Jesus did, either. He was glad to have him as a friend. But he was hardly ever able to see Jesus because his father could not stand him at all. Did he even hate him perhaps? Had his father only assigned him these writing exercises to keep him away from Jesus?
∞
A usual the family of the rabbi was sitting at the table in silence, for no speaking was allowed during the holy meal of the evening. The only one who was allowed to break the rule was the rabbi himself, if he had something to say. And this evening he had a lot to say.
“I will be picked up by a messenger in a few days“, Samuel began. “He will accompany me to Jerusalem. The journey will take about three to four weeks, until I can return to you. The trip will require about a week just to get to Jerusalem, and another week for the way back. The high priest will have a lot to say to say to me and want to give me a lot of information regarding what to expect in Ephesus. Some emissaries will give me first hand accounts of the situation there. I do not know whether the current rabbi of the largest Jewish congregation in Ephesus will be present. By the way, you children may speak at the table today.”
“Of the largest Jewish congregation?” Sarah was astonished.
“Yes, I will be leading the largest and most important one of them.”
“Did Bealja tell you when we would be travelling to Ephesus?” Sarah wrinkled her nose.
“He said that I should prepare everything for departure when I return from Jerusalem. On the day I set out for Nazareth from Jerusalem a messenger will be sent to Ephesus in order to pass the message on to the current rabbi in Greece, that is, if he fails to show up in Jerusalem by then. I think that we will have about five or six more weeks in Nazareth after I return from my journey. After all I still have to find a successor for myself.”
There was silence, a tense silence, and then Joshua spoke up.
“Father, will we ever return to Nazareth?”
“I don’t think so. After all I am not the youngest anymore and the way is long. That large city will require my full attention. And for that reason I also need all of you with me in Ephesus. Earlier Bealja told me, that this city can hardly be compared to any other city that we know of. Only Rome, Alexandria und Antioch are larger than it. And all Jewish congregations in Ephesus are supposedly as large as those of Sepphoris, Nazareth and Nain put together. Can you imagine how much work awaits me there?”
Again silence was the only reply. Joshua was sad because he did not want to leave Jesus and Rachel. But if his father truly had so much work to do there, he would probably soon find himself being put to use as a scribe. And that was Joshua’s greatest wish.
“Joshua, I will need to use you as a helping hand in the future. While I have made you work hard, it was only in your own best interest. You know that. You will help me with writing tasks. Hence I expect you to do your writing exercises regularly while I am gone. Your mother is going to be checking up on you.”
Joshua was astonished that Samuel had seemingly picked up on his thoughts.
“And let me remind you: you are to stay away from that Jesus kid. Have you understood? I would find out about it anyway. And if I hear anything of the sort, then you are in for it. And you know exactly what I mean.”
“Yes.”
“Good. When the messenger arrives I will be departing in short order. This might happen in a week, or maybe in two weeks. Tomorrow I will head to Sepphoris and speak with the rabbi there, Abija.”
“Why are you going to speak with Abija?”
“Perhaps he knows of someone who might qualify as successor for me.”
“Wasn’t Bealja able to name a possible successor?”
“No. Bealja said that the high priest did not want to be bothered with it. He said it was my job.”
“Well, some of the men in the village would not be happy if someone from outside were to take over your duties here.” Sarah seemed worried.
“Let me be the one to figure that out. I will find someone for sure. And that someone certainly will not be from Nazareth. The people here are too stupid somehow anyway.”
“Samuel, that is not very nice to say.”
“Whatever, I think you know what I mean. Anyway, I think I am going to take a walk now, probe my conscience and consult with God.” Samuel stood up and went out into the night.
Samuel walked across the large meadow below the village, alone, deep in thought. He turned and cast his gaze toward Nazareth. Light shone from a few houses into the night. It was a pretty village. He would miss this place and the natural landscape here. And some of the people like Jeroham, the shepard and Jacob, the potter. He caught himself feeling glad that he would never have to see that Jesus kid again. That lout, that swollen-headed half-Greek, really annoyed him. But he was concerned about one thing. Joshua would be without fatherly supervision soon. And the way he knew his son, he would probably meet up with Jesus. He had pondered taking him along on his journey, but the way was arduous and dangerous. And what was he to do with Joshua when he had to meet with the high priest and the other emissaries? No, Joshua had to stay here. He would drum it into him one more time that he was to stay away from Jesus. And besides he would give him so much to write that Joshua would have plenty to do, yes, so much that he would not even have time for anything else. After all there were only about two months between now and when Joshua would be leaving the village. Jesus would not be able to do any more damage in this short time period and Joshua would most certainly forget all about him after a short period of time. Then he would begin to truly focus on his work instead.
So the best thing he could do was to stop thinking about Jesus. His heart warmed to that thought and he began to hum a happy melody. Samuel had to smile. He looked around for a moment, but no one was to be seen. No one could see him. Only God. And now he was going to thank God with a small sacrifice for the fact that he would soon be rid of Jesus.
∞
Then the day dawned on which a man arrived shortly before sunset, who had orders to escort the rabbi to Jerusalem. The messenger of the high priest was very tired. After a brief meal with the family of the rabbi he was shown to his sleeping quarters. There was a spacious room next to the synagogue in which travellers passing through Nazareth could stay.
The next morning, shortly before sunrise, Samuel and the messenger set out. There wasn’t much of a farewell since Samuel was averse to any such ceremonial show of feelings.
“Woman, watch out for the kids! Keep an eye on Joshua, as I told you to! God bless you.” Samuel put the supplies on the donkey which was to bear the load for him on this journey.
“May the lord protect you, Samuel. May
