Johann Quisumbing

An Adventure Story of Yeshua bar Yosef by JQuisumbing

“Ioanna, complete your story.” Ioanna’s tear streaked face looked up at Yeshua. He nodded reassuringly.

“We were not long in Jerusalem. In those early years, Herodias was still married to Philip. But that marriage was not to last long. Rome had allotted a far away insignificant province to the youngest son of Herod. The environ was incredibly arid most of the time. The seat of power was in no sprawling Metropolis, but in an outlying Roman garrison town at the edge of the wilderness peopled mostly by nomadic tribes of the desert. Herodias hated it.

“Her only reprieve was the frequent visitation to Jerusalem during its religious festivals. It was during those visits that she had set her eyes on Antipas. Eventually, she successfully manipulated a divorce from Philip and married Antipas. Chuza then became part of the Tethrach’s administration after that. That was when our relationship started to go downhill.

“I started to see in him the allure of ambition and prestige. I had to endure his change of character for years. I felt trapped until I met your cousin, Yohanen.” Suddenly, her face tilted up and her eyes were wide open in realization. “Oh my, I had forgotten about him. Forgive me, Lord. I have allowed my troubles to distract me from helping him.”

“Do not fret, Ioanna. We have had word that Herod had allowed a few of his followers to minister to him.” Ioanna’s concerned face relaxed. And for a long while her gaze had that distant look, like her mind was far away.  

“What are your thoughts now, Ioanna?”

She looked up at him and he was gratified that she was calmer. 

“Master, a part of me is still in pain and the easiest thing for me to do is to use my means to return to my father at Brundisium. But…” Her eyes locked on his. “But you said that the ways of Adonai means that we must often choose the harder route. Lord, I am willing. I just… don’t know how.”

“Then my being a rabbi will come in handy.” They all lightly laughed.

“Master, is there a chance for Chuza?”

Yeshua turned his face south. In his mind’s eye, he could see a frazzled Chuza pacing up and down in their room. He had torn his tunic and his head was dirtied in ash. “Oh, yes… there is a strong chance.” Then he faced them. “But a few days with us will do you… and him good. Rest, Ioanna. We will leave here tomorrow.”

Yeshua stepped out of the tent. As he watches his followers busy around the camp, he hears light footsteps coming out of the tent.

“Imma,” he said without turning around.

“My son, I am amazed at how you handled that. I was so sure that she would have chosen divorce.” 

“There was no danger of that, Imma,” he smiled. 

“My son, where do we go from here?” she asked.

“There are many villages in the highlands west of Lake Huleh¹ that are still in darkness. Much light must be shed before I return to Capernaum. Then I will call for a gathering.” 

TO BE CONTINUED

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Footnote: [1] Lake Huleh was once a small lake located 12 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. The highlands to the west of the lake was the territory allotted to the Israelite tribe of Naphtali.

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