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                                                        34AD … To the Ends of the Earth.               By Lewis Brackett

                                            See also;  “The Gospel Letter to Athens” at           https://lewishb.wixsite.com/mysite

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    Joshua’s voyage back from India and Persia, then  North into the Red Sea was uneventful. Even boringly so. He noted in his daybook that the coastlands were heavily forested, especially the Sinai. It was all still the well watered wilderness since the Exodus from Egypt 1400 years before. He recommitted himself to reading the Holy Scriptures daily. This voyage he did not stand sailing watches. He merely kept an eye on the sailors sailing the ship. Joshua would much rather be at sea than home in Caesarea having to listen to his wife’s daily complaining, well, about everything. She was a good woman, but only briefly, and in small doses. She was also a social climber of some repute.

   Joshua was happy to finally reach the headwater lakes of the Red Sea.   After transiting the canal to the Nile, it was a brief passage downriver to Alexandria.

    He noted that along the Nile, as well as all of Egypt, was lush and fertile, even heavily forested in some areas. Years ago He had traveled through the vast grassland prairie stretching South of Egypt into the prosperous African kingdoms.

    Joshua and nephew Jacob met cousin David outside the great Alexandrian synagogue the last day before he left to sail home. Cousin David had just come from Jerusalem and  spoke on and on, and yes, on some more about a prophet he saw there. Seemed the fellow really annoyed the religious leaders, and David found that quite humorous at the time. The more so that as usual the prophet was right. This prophet, Jesus, David smirked, had compared the temple priests to whitewashed tombs. Holy on the outside and corrupt, vile and evil on the inside! Their faces were priceless when this prophet told them this to their face! This Jesus went so far as to go into the Temple and turn over the tables of the Levites who sold sheep and pigeons, scattering their money all over the ground, then driving them out with a whip! It was quite a scene! This fellow then left the city with his followers a day later before the Sanhedrin could quite decide what to do with him. Likely prudently, as they took a dim view of anyone interfering with their custom and tradition. And yes, especially the profit from selling “holy blessed” lambs to the pilgrims eager to pay for their sins with a blood sacrifice!

    Thing is, David kept repeating, this fellow Jesus kept preaching that the promised Kingdom age was upon them. Of course, every once in a while, a prophet did show up in various places saying such things, but this man seemed different. David had actually seen Jesus heal the sick, cleans lepers, and the rumor was that this Jesus had even raised someone from the dead! So, David encouraged him to make his pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Tabernacles. He might even see this prophet for himself. At that point in the conversation the door keepers started closing the doors, so they both stepped inside as the rabbi started to pray, taking their places in two of the few remaining seats in the back. The usual things went on, until the chief rabbi asked, as tradition dictated, “What news from Jerusalem”?  Do we have a person here recently from the city”? David stood up, and said “Yes I have news”. At that, the rabbi motioned him forward to the front of the synagogue.

    “Yes, this summer was interesting,” he began. “The prophet Jesus of Nazareth had passed through Jerusalem proclaiming the kingdom age was at hand. When he saw doves and sheep being sold in the temple, he was angry, turned over the tables of those selling, proclaiming they were profaning the temple, and drove them out with a whip. He also told stories to the people, showing the way of righteousness, and comparing the priests to the whitewashed tombs of their ancestors. Pretty on the outside, but with dead man's bones on the inside. I personally saw Jesus heal several people, both crippled and blind. Crowds followed him everywhere, listening to every word he spoke. Who knows maybe he will call fire down out of the heavens as did Elijah, to consume the Roman invaders who defile out land.” With that, David turned, nodded in thanks to the rabbi, then return to his seat next to me amid considerable loud discussion in the room.

  Later, outside the synagogue, he also mentioned to those gathered around him that it was quite possible that this Jesus was the Messiah! This caused more loud discussion and contention, until I drew him from the gathering mob, to the seclusion of the mid day meal some distance away from the synagogue. “You must be more discrete,” I cautioned him. “Our friends and countrymen could do most anything.” David smiled, replied “Should I hide truth from them?” He asked. “Their truth and our truth may be different,” I sadly replied. “Fire from heaven”? I mused. “would be something to see.” We both smiled at that.

    Joshua welcomed  the salt spray on his face as his ship made her way out of the Nile river delta. He would soon be home in Caesarea.                                                                                       Joshua reasoned to himself that it had been three years since he had kept a holy day in Jerusalem. He was usually away at sea, after all, business is business. This year, however, perhaps he could do so. It might mean allowing his sailing master to take the last voyage of the season down to Egypt without him. This would be the last time this year it would be reasonably safe before the Winter storms made sailing dangerous. The fierce winds from the North crossed the Mediterranean South along both coasts of the Italian Peninsular, as well as East of Greece, bringing considerable rain to the fruitful African plains.

    Of course, spending this winter in Judea instead of Rome or Spain, or wherever the winter months crept upon him, could mean he would be home with his contentious wife. What was it that Solomon had said about living in a wide house with a contentious woman? He smiled. Finally, after checking that the Mate on duty was steering a straight course, Joshua went below to his cabin.

    Nephew Jacob was waiting there for an evening fellowship, meal, and reading the scriptures together. They only had a few scrolls which Joshua had copied from the originals in various synagogues on their travels. That Joshua copied the Hebrew into Greek had annoyed some of the scribes, but then Greek was the common language of the Eastern Roman Empire.

     They re-read  Isaiah, discussing  the coming of the Messiah into the night over a good supper. Excellent fresh fried fish, Egyptian bread with several bottles of more or less new wine. Isaiah Chapter nine verse six actually said that Messiah was somehow going to be both God and a Man! Very unsettling thought for a Jew!  Also, they noted that Micah chapter five said the Messiah must be born in Bethlehem. Well, it was late, almost the middle watch before they turned in for the night.

     Several days later, despite difficult winds, they made port at Caesarea. Joshua could see several women on the roof of his house as his ship docked. Likely his Precious was one of them. Well, it was only a couple weeks before Tabernacles. He could weather whatever storms struck at home until then. Precious was indeed happy to have Joshua home for the winter. She was bubbling over with ideas about what they were going to do and who they were going to see and most importantly be seen with!

    Yes, Joshua thought. It was going to be a Very Long Winter. He smiled at everything his wife Precious said, and left much unsaid. This was the only way she would be happy and finally let him collapse wearily onto his couch off the Atrium.

    Three days later, Joshua set out with his wife and several other families in a caravan headed for Jerusalem. Joshua hoped the teacher Jesus would be at the feast. Jacob went along with his two brothers and their wives. They also wanted to see Jesus. The Mediterranean plain was well watered here, with farmland between prosperous villages. In the distance, you could see the forested slopes of the foothills, and the further higher range was so dense with trees that, as in King David's time, a person could easily get lost in them. It took several days along the caravan route to enter the forests of the foothills. Finally, they ascended the final hill, and through a break in the trees, and saw Jerusalem surrounded by vineyards, orchards, and miles of grain, nestled in it's place, lower than the surrounding hills.

   The Temple shown majestic and golden, its gleaming stone shimmering in the late afternoon sun. Several other groups of pilgrims had joined them the last few miles on the road, most of them stood a few minutes at that spot, before proceeding on to a gate of the city. It was almost dark before Joshua found their house in the lower quarter, and their door servant let them in.

    As usual, Precious wasn't happy with the house, had much to say about this and that. Once again, she wanted a bigger, better place here in the city. Which was of course out of the question since they spent little time here. The place was really the office for Joshua's vineyards down in the valley. Most of the year, his steward had the run of the place. Now, however, the steward and his family were relegated to the outbuildings and the owner took up residence in the main rooms.

    Catching up on his business correspondence, he noticed a letter from cousin Abram in Damascus. Seemed that Abram had just returned in a caravan along the Silk Road from the far East. His letter was mostly about what he had seen. He noted the well watered lands between Mesopotamia's great rivers from their source, past Assyria, Babylon and South to the sea. The lush green farmland from Babylon to Damascus had made a nice final end to his journey. His caravan route followed the fertile crescent all the way East to India. Abram noted that should Jason want goods for his Mediterranean trade, he should come to Damascus so he could get back before the winter snow blocked the passes over Lebanon's mountains. Joshua wrote a brief letter to Abram expressing his interest in buying merchandise to go out on that days imperial post.

     Word had gotten around in that neighborhood that they had arrived, so that several well wishers arrived the next morning with the real intent of seeing what money they could make from Joshua's arrival. It was almost noontime before the welcome face of Uncle Simeon shown in the doorway, so that Joshua could have reason to expel the last of the opportunists from his office.

    Joshua smiled as he embraced Simeon, saying “Glad to see you, uncle.” Simeon replied “did I interrupt your talk with the vultures?” They both laughed. “Thankfully, Yes” Joshua answered. “Everyone wants to be friends with a returned captain and merchant.” After some more small talk, Joshua asked “What of this prophet Jesus?” “Is He here in the city?” “A friend of a friend mentioned seeing Him a couple days ago.” Simeon replied. “Apparently he is here quietly with family in Bethlehem. The last time He was here, he so annoyed the religious leaders they were angry with Him, so I guess He will avoid them this time- or maybe not, we'll see I suspect.” To this Joshua replied “I just want to see this Jesus.”

     It was still a day before the feast of Tabernacles. Precious was out in the patio busily instructing – or maybe interfering with- the servants building booths for Tabernacles. Joshua was not looking forward to forsaking his comfortable warm bed at night in order to sleep outside on a straw pallet inside a straw and cane hut like during the Exodus. He had even tried to tell his rabbi that the people had actually slept in tents, but to no avail. “You're a Jew, you sleep in tabernacles during that week,” was the self important reply. So a straw and reed hut it was- or in this case, several.

    Precious was insistent about every little detail... Jason was glad she was busy with all that because it meant that she wasn't bothering him about something, whatever else. He sighed, and got back to work on his accounts. All too soon, the booths were done. Joshua listened patiently to her describing every detail, then noted that it was not until after the first day of the feast they had to sleep out in the tabernacles, to her pouting face. So He drew her close and kissed her, assured her that everything would be fine. The next day was the first day of the feast, so Jacob went to the temple for prayer.

   After several hours of fellowshipping with his friends, he eventually made it back home. They ate their supper outside, then as night fell, and a chill wind blew, huddled in their tabernacles awile before Jason drew his Precious into their bed, all wrapped up and cozy. After a while, they drifted off to asleep. Yes, water was dripping on his face, he noted later in the darkness, and yes, it was really raining, the roof leaked, their blankets were getting wet. He woke Precious, said “its raining, your roof leaks, we're going inside.” Despite her fussing, he took her hand, pulled her out of the tabernacle, and they dashed across the patio back into the house and into their bedroom. It looked like the servants had already gone back inside. She stood shivering as Joshua pulled the wet clothes off her and she giggled as he toweled her dry, then clothed her , and tucked her into bed. He shortly was dry and clothed and joined her. Once again, they snuggled getting warm and fell asleep.

    The next day, the rain had stopped, the sun was coming out, so Joshua determined to go to the temple. It was almost mid day before he finally walked through the gate. Many people were already there. He could overhear several conversations nearby, and most of them were about this fellow Jesus. Seems everyone had heard that he was in the city, but no one had seen him yet.

    Some insisted that Jesus was a good man, a good teacher, others were sure that he was an impostor who was misleading the people. After all, he was from that miserable small village of Nazareth. Hs followers were fishermen and tax collectors. How could he be somebody?

   After an hour, Joshua was about finished and about to leave, when a man stood up in the midst of the people, teaching about righteousness, with words Jason had never heard. Then, a nearby man said, “It is Jesus.” Joshua was somewhat startled at this as the man teaching looked so ordinary, his clothing so plain, yes he was humble in appearance. The people around Jason murmured among  themselves, saying

    “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

    Jesus answered them, and said, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do God’s will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh His glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?” The people answered and said, “Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?” Jesus answered and said unto them, “I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

    Then said some of them of Jerusalem, “Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.”

     Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, “Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.” Many of the crowd were angry, and wanted to take Jesus and stone Him, but dared not. For many of the people believed on him, and said, “When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?”

    The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto the people, “Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.”

    Then said the Jews among themselves, “Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?”

   Joshua found himself conflicted. This man spoke great words, but what of the man? He seemed to be claiming to be the Christ, the Messiah. But how could this be? A son of David, yes, but there were many such in Israel. After a while, despite more contention, Joshua left the temple. He stayed away for a couple days. Finally, on the final day of the feast, he was in the temple again saying prayer and praise to God. Suddenly, a few paces away, he heard a teacher loudly saying: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”Joshua immediately knew that this was Jesus.

   Many of the people around Jason, when they heard this saying, said, “Of a truth this is The Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Shall Christ come out of Galilee?  Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” Joshua saw that there was a division among the people because of him.

    Once again, it was plain to Joshua that some of the people would have taken him out of the temple and stoned Jesus but no man laid hands on him.

    Some time later, it became common knowledge that the officers who had been sent to arrest Jesus returned to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, “Why have ye not brought him?”  The officers answered, “Never man spake like this man.” Then answered them the Pharisees, “Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.” Nicodemus saith unto them, “Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?” They answered and said unto him, “Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.” And so they departed, and every man went unto his own house.

    A few days later, Joshua was in his office, getting ready to return home, when his door steward announced “ your Uncle Simon is here.” Simon and Joshua embraced, then looked at each other.

   “This Jesus was born in Bethlehem” were his first words, Wordlessly, Joshua motioned his uncle to sit across from him at the table, staring at him. “Yes,” Simon continued. “My servant whom I had sent to look for Jesus said that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem, and his family had to flee to Egypt when Herod had killed all the boy children. After Herod's death, the family were afraid to return to Bethlehem, so settled in Nazareth.” “So, there is a chance that Jesus IS the Messiah.” Joshua said almost to himself. “Yes, indeed,” Simon replied.

    That Afternoon, Jason's cousin David stopped by briefly. When they had exchanged pleasantries, David said: “You missed quite a lot by leaving the temple early yesterday.” “Oh? What happened?” Joshua asked. “Some of the scribes drug an adulterous woman with them, threw her down at Jesus feet, and demanded that Jesus condemn her to death,” David replied.

“So, what happened?” Joshua demanded. David grinned. “At first, I was thinking that Jesus would ask, So, where is the man?” “However, after writing out some of the scribes sins in the dirt, said “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.”  With that, the crowd was silent, then one by one departed. Jesus then told the woman to depart and sin no more. It was quite the scene. A short time later, I saw Jesus heal a blind man. So, yes, you missed a lot.”

    Joshua shook his head in amazement, then related to David what uncle Simon had told him earlier. “But, how can this peasant, this carpenter, be the Messiah,” David asked? “The messiah must be a mighty king who will drive out the Romans, not just some wandering teacher?”

     “I don't know” Joshua replied. “Perhaps he will call fire down from heaven and devour them all?” “Like Elijah” David mused. “Yes, that would be something to see.” Joshua agreed. At that, David said he had other business to take care of, so left Jason with much to think about.

    The next Day, Joshua and his family left Jerusalem for Caesarea. As Joshua always did, he paused long minutes at the crest of the hilltop overlooking Jerusalem, before finally ascending into the dense forest. His Precious was bubbling over, as usual, about the social events they just Must attend and who they just had to be seen with during the Winter social season. Joshua just knew it would be a Long, a very long winter.

    It took the caravan 7 days to travel the distance to Caesarea,  This was somewhat longer than usual, however Joshua was not in a hurry. He had done much thinking during the trip. Yes, spend a week or so at social functions to please his wife, then a caravan East to Damascus. The weather was still reasonably good for that time of year. The fall rains had not begun in earnest as yet. Joshua still wanted to make it over the Lebanon mountains to Damascus and back before the first snow.

    As usual, the beggars and tradesmen accosted his party as they rode through the Southern gate of Caesarea, being perhaps even more of a problem than usual. Joshua reminded himself to have a word with the lawyers at the city forum, that something needed to be done about this problem. Perhaps more of the city watch needed to clean the streets of this rabble on a regular basis. His servants did manage to keep these urchins away from his wife’s litter, but barely. She certainly did not want to be accosted by the cities’ unwashed masses.

    Yes, he knew he would later get an earful from Precious about this fuss, so he must do something about it.

    Finally, they entered their outer courtyard, the gates closed behind them, leaving the street bustle outside. Joshua dismounted his horse, then pulled the curtains of the litter aside as his porters lowered it to the ground. He helped his wife down the step to the patio. After an annoying glance, she bustled across the patio and disappeared inside followed by her two servant girls.

    His house servants helped unload his pack animals, then carried their contents to the storage sheds and some into the house.

    The next morning, his Precious left before noon, meaning, as she said, to see about what was going on that week among her friends. Joshua quite expected to be led around the social scene several nights a week, unless he has reasonable excuse not to.

    Joshua's lunch was a variety of fresh fruit from the local fields. It was Absolutely delightful. He had also brought home quite a lot, two carts full, of produce from his land around Jerusalem. Enough, anyway, to last quite some time.

    Yes, Joshua felt himself being drug to social events twice the next several days. However, he did still find occasion to do business, and renew useful relations with people he could profit from at a later date. One did mention an interesting cargo for Joshua to take South and East that Spring. Joshua expressed some interest. After all, there were several merchants with cargo consignments for each voyage

    Several days later, Joshua was in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and being part of a conversation with other merchants. Two of them mentioned leaving in caravan to Damascus by the next week's end. Joshua noted that he had hoped to go to Damascus before winter set in, and so was invited to go with their party. Joshua readily agreed He spent the next several days assembling goods to bring with him and the beasts to transport them.

    It was the day before the Sabbath when they were ready. However, decided to wait until the first day of the week before leaving.

    As usual, near the end of the meeting, the rabbi asked for recent news from Jerusalem. After a pair of traders had mentioned Jesus, Joshua likewise rose and shared his experiences.

    Joshua mentioned that since Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he could possibly be the expected messiah, to an uncertain reception. To avoid a loud discussion, he sat down and let others argue back and forth as to if this was possible. It seemed the crowd was almost evenly divided on all this. Joshua, not wanting to be pulled apart, or even stoned by the loudest faction, quietly left. No matter what happens in the near future, he realized that a person must be careful in what he said, lest he find trouble from the intolerant zealots. Any mob could be dangerous.

    It was a relief to leave out the city gate the next day with the caravan for Damascus. Joshua expected to see his cousin Abram shortly, as it would only take a few days to get there.

    The beasts put one foot ahead of the other for several days before they reached the highest part of the caravan route. The wind had a chill to it in the morning now, reminding Jason to not tarry long in Damascus. They shortly reached a spot from which they could see the city in the far distance. A man on a horse could possibly make the city gate in a day, but the heavily laden beasts were in no hurry, and it could take the caravan at least two.

    Two, and yes, finally almost three days later, Joshua was spending the remainder of the day just outside Damascus' Jerusalem gate. Sitting under an awning with Damascus buyers while quaffing sweet new wine. The barter was going tolerably well, and Joshua could see that he would have a reasonably good profit. Finally, just as Joshua was concluding business, his body servant returned. After a brief time, whispering in Joshua's ear that cousin Abram was in the city, and had invited Joshua for supper and lodging for as long as he was in Damascus.

    An hour more, after checking that all was well in good care of his servants, Joshua made his way int the city's massive gate. It was half an hour later when he was greeted by Abrim's door servant. Led into the house, Joshua was happily greeted by cousin Abrim. They sat together in Abram's courtyard in the warm sun, each in turn telling the other of this years adventures. The sun was finally setting when they were called into the house for the evening meal. Joshua finally came right out with his opinion about Jesus during the mean, after asking a few questions as to Abram's faith. “I do think that this Jesus may actually be the Messiah” Joshua stated quietly. “Coming as a prophet, offering the kingdom age if our people will accept him”. Joshua added “The common people may, but the Temple crowd will not” Joshua finally added... “So, what happens now?” Abram asked.

    “I do not know,” Joshua answered. “I will be back in Jerusalem for this Springs Passover before I must voyage again all summer, until the fall storms begin. It is uncertain where I will winter. My cargo determines that,” Joshua added a few moments later, as they stared into the fire.

    The next morning, Abram got down to business with Joshua in his office. They both knew what would sell well in Caesarea, and export to Egypt and to the World. Abram had China silk and many things from India still in his warehouse. Joshua knew that he could sell some silk if the price was right. He knew the merchants cost in Egypt, his cost to ship it, local taxes and his required profit. Working backwards, Joshua explained what he could pay and make a profit. After all, Precious and family, servants had to eat, and Local officials had to be bribed not to bother him about nonsense. Joshua's offer was not what Abram wanted, as he had brought his merchandise from the ends of the Earth. In the end Abrim passed on the silk sale, as he could make more selling the silk in Syria. It became obvious to Joshua that the ships coming directly from India to Egypt could undercut what it cost to bring the same merchandise by caravan. They found they could agree, however, on some merchandise from the Babylon area. Abram spoke glowingly of the commerce of the two rivers, and the fruitful fertile crescent that stretched from Damascus to India. If only he had family there, he was sure he could make much better profit than he could get haggling with those local merchants. While Abram was a good debater, and could at times get the far off look,  At the market the barter was always quite sharp. You could easily loose both your fingers and your toes dealing with them. At great length, they did make agreement on a few things. The rest, Joshua would have to find elsewhere around Damascus. Abrim gave several names, possibilities to Joshua that he could check out tomorrow.

    That evening at a social event in a nearby house, they heard rumors about this teacher Jesus, seems that Jesus had said that the children of Israel were sheep , and that they were being led by false shepherds. Jesus said that He was the good shepherd, as well as being the door of the sheepfold, meaning safety in God's paradise, and that He was the only way to God. This got everyone's attention. The priests were furious with Jesus for saying that. Jesus had also said that all who try to get into the sheepfold another way, perhaps meaning with lies, legalisms? were thieves and robbers. Several times, some in the crowd had picked up stones to stone Jesus, but had not yet done so. There was much more talk about Jesus before the host said “Enough, let us not contend more about this, as it divides friends.” At this, supper was invited, and other things were discussed during the meal. Much later, Abrim and Joshua talked about this late into the evening. One astounding thing mentioned before dinner was that Jesus supposedly had said was that “I and my Father are one.” An astonishing thing for a Jew to say. No wonder that some people wanted to stone Jesus! Joshua mentioned that he was going to Passover in the Spring, and urged Abram to do so as well... After some thought, Abram agreed . It seemed to both that this Jesus thing was going to be decided soon. The Pharisees could not allow this to continue. They would likely require a sign from Jesus to prove who He was. Like calling fire down from heaven upon all the Romans and collaborators in Jerusalem, for example! They both agreed that would be too good to miss. Perhaps the Kingdom age that Jesus was preaching would begin very soon. Joshua could not wait until the coming Passover. It certainly would be Very interesting.

   Two days later, Joshua left Damascus. As he topped the mountains to the West, It was getting quite cold At one point, a few snow flurries drifted down upon him. Yes, just in time, he thought, as he encouraged his mule to walk at least a little faster. It looked like he would just miss the winter snows and cold on the way home. The beasts were not happy about all this. When they finally started on the down slope, the pack animals picked up the pace a bit, Realizing they would soon once again be in their warm stables out of this cold wind.

    The Mediterranean Plain certainly looked welcome to Joshua late that afternoon. They managed to come down to the farm land on the West side of the hills by dark, when they pitched their tents for the night amid an occasional drizzle. Joshua was very glad that he would likely be in his own bed, snuggled next to his Precious, by the next nightfall.

   The rain had stopped during the night, Joshua saw as he came out of his tent. The servants had already started a fire in the lea of the lean-to. Warm wine would be ready soon as well as something for his stomach. They made room for him out of the cold wind. Joshua's manservant said “The animals will be ready soon, master. By the time you are done eating, we will be mostly ready to leave.” Joshua saw that most of the servants had already eaten, and the last of the beasts were being loaded. His tent was now being struck, folded as were the few remaining others.

A few minutes later, he was done, through his heavy coat around him, and made his way to his waiting mule as two servants struck the lean-to. By the time Joshua was at the head of the caravan, the rest were falling in behind him. The rising sun might give them some warmth, Joshua hoped. The clouds seemed to be fewer now.

    Late in the afternoon, they finally saw the walls of the city in the distance. It was almost nightfall when they reached the cities’ Damascus gate. The soldiers were about to close it for the night. However, they waited for Joshua and his caravan to enter. Not too many people out and about now, Joshua saw. The cold was soaking into his bones. A few minutes past the now closed storefronts, and house gates, finally, they arrived in front of his warehouse. Some banging on the doors opened them. After a few words with his steward, Joshua made his way across the street into his doorway. The atrium was chilly, but the brazier was heating up the other part of the house. His Precious received him with a long embrace and kiss. Then they sat down to supper. The drapes pulled tight behind them, it was actually lots warmer than it had been outside. The servants brought in more wood for the fire in the fire pit just outside his office, and soon he could take off his heavy coat, and snuggle with Precious at the table, then later on the couch in the family room.

    Once again, he wondered. Remembering the heated Roman baths where there was actually a fire under the floor of the soaking pool .  He had mused if there was a way to do something like that here at home. Anything to do something about that cold that frooze his bones in winter. The hole in the roof in the center of the atrium was nice in the summer, and collected rainwater, but made the inside of the house freezing in winter... even with the two braziers flaming up. After all, the smoke from the fires had to go Somewhere, hence the hole in the roof. So, just after mid morn the next day, Joshua got out some paper, and drew a raised floor between the wall of the office and into the family room. He drew it two, no, then three paces wide and the length of his office wall, say almost four paces. I can make it's height a couple hand spans below waist high... He thought on... dig a hole in the present floor to make a fire pit, then knock a hole through the wall out into the courtyard, and the smoke can come out there... Just like the public baths ... I can even have the sides high enough to put in enough water to soak two people! Best, this would give some heat inside the house. He decided to try it, no matter what his Precious thought.

  Joshua sat at his table looking out the window at the ships at the pier, the dark gray sea. Past them, beyond the breakwater, a still cold wind drove the sea crashing into and over that wall sending spray a great distance into the air. Yes, a dark angry sea. Midwinter, the land covered by dark leaden clouds scurrying past overhead, down from the North West. Joshua was glad that he was not at sea on a day such as this. He found himself spending all day most days, in his 2nd floor office in the extended families’ warehouse at the harbor side. Much quieter than being at home across the street. He mused, what was it that Salomon had said? Oh yes, “better to live in a corner of the rooftop than in a wide house with a contentious woman.” He smiled. Yes, his Precious was a good woman. But only a few hours a day, rather at night. He sighed. She was both happy and annoyed by the raised bath he had built between his office and the dining room while she was away visiting her sister some days journey away to the North.

    As it was building, Joshua remembered both that iron got really hot in the sun, and radiated heat really well—and that he had several army shields in his inventory. So, he had several of them embedded in the sides of the bath. Amazingly, they did radiate heat well throughout that area of the house. Finally, they were warm at night. Joshua had been thinking about covering that great hole in the roof of his atrium with canvas, except for a small hole in its center. He just had to cut down on the way that cold wind whipped down and through all winter.

   Otherwise, the twin braziers on both sides of the atrium did very little but waste expensive charcoal.

    Looking down at his inventory account book, things did look satisfactory. They were in a good position to send out cargos in the Spring, as soon as it was safe to voyage again. Yes, although he preferred to sail with one of his family's ships, it was not entirely necessary. It was likely that a couple of voyages could be done before Passover He just had to be in Jerusalem Passover this Spring to see what would happen. As he had shared with his cousin Abram in Damascus, the final confrontation between Jesus and the Temple priests should be really something to see.

Could the promised kingdom actually be about to begin? He just could not sit still as he thought about this, so paced back and forth in his office, then down the stairs to walk about in the warehouse, to curious glances from his two workers. But Jason really did not see them, so lost in thought. The kingdom-now! Quite an amazing thought. The kingdom now, Jesus speaking the words of Elijah, bringing fire down from the heavens devouring the Romans in Jerusalem, and throughout Judea. Joshua was amazed that his generation could, and even likely would see all these things. His friends from the synagogue had discussed these things after their weekly meeting last Sabbath.

    He marveled. Jesus was constantly promising the kingdom. So yes, very soon, they would see.

    Of course, the forum was packed with people this sunny almost Spring day. Joshua and Precious had to nearly push their way through the press in some places to get close to the governor and hear what he was saying. Something about how his gods had blessed the city and area. Next to them were some of their acquaintances, to which Precious wasted no time in passing on the latest gossip about who had been seen with who and what had happened. Meantime, Joshua intently listened to the civil servants-meaning of course masters- of the area on what really mattered. Actually able to ask insightful question a couple times, showing his presence and importance. This social scene was as close to civil society as any Jew could attain, as they were barred by Moses law from actually attending society; so called; in the homes of the gentile elite. Joshua did occasionally get invites, but had to of course graciously decline, often to his Precious impatience. She was far more Grecian in her outlook than he was. She only followed Hebrew form in duress.  Jason sighed occasionally in his soul over this, but you cannot keep the tide from coming in, or going out.

    The next day was a gentile feast day in all their wild pagan abandonment. Streets packed with a partying throng. All Jews kept their gates bolted on such days, hoping the mob would not break in and ransack their homes as had been known to happen during pagan feasts.

    After that fuss had died down, and after several days, Joshua and his guards dared to go about the streets again. Joshua back to the forum for the latest news from abroad as well as any local edicts effecting his business. Later, it seemed all was as well as could be expected given the motley crowd that infested such a seaport and civic center. Rome kept a sort of law,over life and death, but left all the rest over to often corrupt and ineffective local judges. These all too willing to be bribed to do their civic duty. Jason had to pay for the protection he needed.

    That evening, as gale force winds and driving rain pounded the town, Joshua and his family were dry and reasonably warm in his house. He had had the opening above his atrium covered with canvas, but allowing the rain to still pour down into the pool in the center of the large hall. The two Brazers were kept burning all night, their smoke making its way out the through holes in the wall just under the roof. The family rooms were more or less heated by the central fire under the floor. It was far better than things had been before. All his friends had been very interested in his ideas, and some had done the same in their homes. His best friends had made excuses to come visit just to get warm, it seemed!

    When the rain finally stopped two days later, Joshua could look out to the East and see snow on the mountains in the distance. In the early afternoon, the sun finally came out for a while and so Joshua and two armed servants made their way to the city forum, where Joshua struck up conversations with several venders, his uncle down from Jerusalem, (to escape the snow, Jason mused) and finally at his lawyers cubicle about sailing insurance for the coming year. As usual, the rates never seemed to go down. After haggling the better part of an hour, He gave up for now, He thought he might just get a better price elsewhere.

Spring 34AD

    Spring was a welcome time to Joshua. He was so very tired of the high winds and constant rain...His wife's constant fussing had not helped either. About half-way through the winter, he had made up his mind that this was the last winter he would stay at home. Anyway, now he had several ships to get ready for their yearly sailings. The shipyard was already busy as Joshua spend much of his time there overseeing the yearly maintenance each ship required. If or when he bought another ship, he would be a Navark, and even for a Jew, socially more acceptable. When you owned seven ships, that was a title only a few men were granted. After Passover, he would be making a voyage along the North African coast well over 1000 miles to Cyrene, then Carthage. Joshua mused that he might well spend next winter in Spain, or back in Carthage. He had cousins is both provinces Not to wear out his welcome, harborside accommodations were reasonable...

    In the meantime, in a couple weeks, weather permitting, he would make a voyage up the coast a weeks journey.

    Finally, the day came. As the bow of his ship passed by the horns of the harbor entrance, and feeling the salt spray on his face, he felt at home. Joshua looked back to see his house receding in the distance, with a lone, solitary figure standing on the roof balcony, watching them fade away into the distance. His Precious would be well cared for by his servants and family.

    Sidon should only be a day or two sailing at most. Today’s winds we off the coast, pushing them along a quick walking pace.

    He reckoned that he would be back in plenty of time to attend Passover in Jerusalem. Before he had left, he had sent with his monthly letter to his Jerusalem caretaker, steward, instructions to make ready for their arrival.

    As of now, the cook was dismantling the fire pit that had hung over the stern, and with his helper re-assembling it on the port bow. With the wind almost astern, no one wanted to be suffocated by the fumes from the fire blowing across and down into their ship.

    Life was difficult enough for the seaman without that as well... Joshua kept the ship pointing offshore until the land was just a smudge on the horizon, then bore along just west of North to pass the next headland a safe distance. Sailing courses were followed at sea by using the patterns of the ocean swells, which only gradually changed. As often as possible during the night they checked their course by the North star, as well as the rising and setting point of the sun. During the rest of the day and night, they used the direction of the wind and waves to keep a straight course. Hourly speed was checked by throwing a piece of wood off the bow and timing its passage past the stern, Then pulling the wood back aboard.

    Over time, the averages of all these things gave a reasonably accurate determination of where they were. Joshua knew how far it was to Sidon. By the ships’ speed, he would know about how soon he should head back to the coast. The important thing was not to run into the coast at night, distances were deceptive over water especially at night. If their present speed of a fast walk continued, they should be off Sidon by dawn tomorrow.

    The coastal wind could be fickle, however, often becalmed at night, so you just never knew. Which is why hourly checks of the ships speed were kept as well as a sharp eye on the seaman steering the ship. Jason looked back at the wake of the ship behind them. It kind of looked like a snake. A glance over to his sailing mate had the mate loudly rebuke the steering oar man into trying to steer a straighter course. However, what with the way the ship rolled with every wave, as well as being only a bit more than twice as long as it was wide, steering was not an easy job. A good steering oar sailor had to know what the ship was going to do before the ship did it, so to turn against the yawing off course before it happened. Guess wrong, and you went way off course to the annoyance of the sailing master’s mate. It was a tiring job, so that seamen were changed every hour. Joshua was seated on the deck, with his back against a frame of the ship. Being both owner and master, he could do whatever he wanted. No sailing master this trip. His favorite sailing master was on a run down the coast to the Nile and Alexandria. This trip was a short one, getting himself out of the house. A large relief to be sure. He should be back in a week. Then arranging cargos for the trips while he was in Jerusalem for Passover. After Passover, it would be out to sea for him for another year. Alexandria, Cyrene, then West to Spain, or even Britannia, if he could find cargo.

    Joshua’s mind wandered over to this Jesus. Seemed that He had gone back to Jerusalem that winter, and had totally annoyed the elders, so that they had wanted to stone Him for disrespect. However, they knew that the people would do nothing, so fumed among themselves as what to do. Once again, before they had decided anything, Jesus had left for the Galilee. Joshua had thought about going to look for Jesus there. But, what with the winter rains, snow, and anyway, if he found Jesus, what would he say? Joshua had written to cousin Abram in Damascus, assuring that Abram and his family could stay with him in Jerusalem for Passover. Abram had thanked Joshua and had accepted. Joshua just knew that the whole thing would be very interesting.

    Joshua mostly spent the whole day sitting at that spot. Finally, he got up to share the evening meal with the crew. Sunset came; he checked his course with the setting sun. An hour later, Joshua verified his course with a brief glimpse of the North star. After that, the Spring night becoming chill, retired below. He was only woken once at midnight by the duty sailing masters’ mate to tell him that all was well. He quickly drifted off to sleep.

    Joshua was awakened by a loud voice at dawn. The voice insisting that person thought he had seen the Sidon lighthouse from the masthead just before dawn. That it had seen it off to the Northeast. Joshua stretched, yawned, and was about to get up when the duty masters’ mate called out to him. “Yes, I already heard it” Joshua replied, as he swung his legs off the bed and sat up. Shortly, he came up on deck. The mate told him it was possible the seaman had seen the light from the masthead, but his figures were they had a way to go. Joshua decided they would change course inshore, as the wind might not be as favorable in the afternoon...

    A couple hours, the shoreline was just barely visible. An hour after that, Joshua decided he was still a few miles South of the city. The wind picking up coming from the shore, he was happy he had decided to sail inshore while he could. Another hour and they could discern Sidon's breakwater. Once abreast of the harbor's opening, they anchored for the day, as it would be almost impossible to pull the ship into the harbor against the stiff wind.

It was early evening before a boat with extra hands and anchor came out as the wind decreased. They dropped the anchor upwind and into the harbor, Everyone helped pull the ship into the harbor and then to the pier. The sun was going down when Joshua finally stepped off the ship onto the pier.

    Later, after much fussing about the cargo, it was nice to supper at cousin Andrew's home.

    During supper, Joshua mentioned Jesus...That seemed to open the flood gates, and lots of what had happened discussed with much enthusiasm... Cousin Andrew's son mentioned the several miracles he had heard about Jesus doing in the Galilee One notable story Jesus told was about Jesus be the shepherd of God's sheep, that the only way to God was through Him, quite upsetting to the Temple agents sent to keep watch on Jesus. It seems one of his friends had been there for months looking over his families property. No doubt in his mind that this Jesus was a prophet from God. Also, no doubt that the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem wanted to kill him. Joshua mentioned his feelings about Jesus. There was no doubt that the whole matter would be decided very soon, likely this Passover. The Jews demanded a sign from God, and ignored the many miracles Jesus did as of any real value. Jesus acts merely aroused their hate and jealousy.