JOANNA THE HONORABLE WIFE
32 AD – The Messiah’s Proof – Sepphoris, Galilee
Joanna paused to look out the window and stare at the distant horizon. “Chuza,” she turn to face him. “I do not want to be one of the foolish ones. I believe he is the Messiah.”
“How can he be the Messiah? The Messiah is supposed to be an invincible conquering King that will free us from all our enemies. He is not even organizing an army to force the Romans out. In fact, you were the one that told me that he preaches ‘love thine enemy’. Also, the Messiah is supposed to be from the line of David and born in Bethlehem… not in Nazareth!”
“Chuza, he was born in Bethlehem and he is of the line of David, ” Joanna said.
“What?! How can that be? This Jesus must be about thirty. If he was born there, he would have been slaughtered with the other infants by Herod.”
“He is was born there.” Seeing the question on his face, she continues, “I had a long talk with his mother.”
Joanna told him an incredible tale of how Mariam, the mother of Jesus, gave birth to him. She told him of how and when Mariam reached the age of fourteen she was engaged to Joseph who happened to be a direct descendent of David. But before they were formally married, she was visited by an angel of the Lord and was told that she was to give birth to the Son of the Most High. She was also told that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of the Most High will overshadow her. Mariam was still a virgin when she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Wait! This is too incredible for me to believe. But let’s say that what you said is true. How can the offspring in her be of the line of David if she had no relations with Joseph?”
“Mariam’s family line is also from David’s line through Nathan his son. I checked with the Synagogue leader of Nazareth. He was kind enough to show me the family’s genealogy. Now Chuza, stop interrupting me.”
Joanna continued on with the story of how Joseph did not want to disgrace her publicly and put her in danger of being stoned to death. He was about to break the engagement quietly when he again turned up the next day and declared the marriage is on. When asked what changed his mind, he said an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him that Mariam’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he will save his people from their sins. Months later, Joseph and Mariam left Nazareth for Bethlehem in compliance of the census command by the Roman emperor to return to their place of birth. Mariam gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem. About a year later, magi from the east came in search of a new born king. They arrived in Bethlehem following a star. They came before the infant bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Then, Herod the king sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under. Being warned by an angel in a dream, Joseph took his family away from pending danger and escaped to Egypt. They stayed there until Herod died and returned to Judea. But when they heard that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, they left Judea and returned to Galilee.
“So, the line of David, the promised One, the Messiah ends up here… away from the heart of true Israel, the holy city of Jerusalem… to this Gentile infested land?” Chuza asked sarcastically.
“Think about it, Chuza. Remember back, when you were a boy taught by the rabbi? It makes sense for the Messiah to be up here.”
“What are you talking about, Joanna?”
“The prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.’ ” [Isaiah 9:1,2]
Joanna knew that Chuza was deep in thought. Inside, she was elated because he was showing signs that he was considering the possibility. This is a beginning.
“Chuza, I must go. The master had summoned for the disciples to gather at the hills north of Capernaum. I have to meet up with Mary and the women there.”
“Very well, Joanna,” said Chuza softly. “You have given me much to think about. Maybe one of these days, I will accompany you. Please be careful. Meanwhile, as usual, I will set Herod’s trackers to go another way.”
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Greeting friends…
I hope you are enjoying the 33rd segment of my ebook, FAITHFUL ENCOUNTERS.
Feel free to leave your comments below. I look forward to read your comments and constructive inputs that will help me direct my creative thoughts.
Thank you.
Until the next post.
Johann Q.
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Johann Quisumbing 