by D A Walmsley
“Matthew, your turn.”
Matthew takes out the letter he’s kept. “See this, it’s from the government, someone’s reported that I have other commitments and that I have twenty four hours to choose between my business or as the letter puts it, my new master. I didn’t realise it at the time but the other morning I gave up one form of power: the power to harm, destroy, intimidate and kill - for one to care, to heal, to bring hope and to restore. Before, I was torn between the two, now it’s a no brainer.”
“So, how come you both ended up in jail?” asks Nathaniel.
“Hey go steady on me, I’m unemployed, alright.”
“So that’s a no on the free toll passes then!” sighs John.
“By now the government will have taken the business. Funny, but the thing I’m gonna miss the most is the cedar desk you repaired boss.”
Peter can’t wait for his turn. He tells of his faith in the boss, that he’s finally realising who Jesus is. He wants to say so much but has to make way for Thomas and John, who surprisingly did alright. Jude talks about the power that he felt inside himself. Andrew about the number of friends he has now made. Philip and Nathaniel both agreed that nothing prepares you for the sheer volume of people who want help.
“Hey, Matt,” says Alphie. “I know you’re not my boss anymore, but I want to say it anyway. I quit. Now you’re not the only one out of work.”
“We don’t get paid for this do we boss, ‘cos you know I too am currently in between jobs,” says Thaddy.
“I can’t believe that there are people who still don’t think you are the real deal Jesus,” says James. “I find it absurd that after all that has happened, they still think it’s all a trick, some huge stunt.” He stands up pacing the floor getting animated, “What are we going to do about it?” He is close to a window so peers out. “Oh no, look at all the people who have turned up.”
There is a knock at the door and James is over to answer it in a flash. “What?” he says aggressively. A man explains that there are a lot of people asking for Jesus and it’s getting difficult to keep them from coming upstairs.
“Are they wanting so see us, the twelve as well?” The man apologises and shakes his head, “just Jesus.”
“Go downstairs to find out why not!” says James.
Jesus stops him and sends the man to arrange transport, quickly and quietly. The team aren’t the only ones who are in need of some time out. The crowds have been getting larger and larger and ever since the twelve went on their mission Jesus hasn’t managed to get much rest.
It only takes ten minutes before Peter’s mobile rings, with news that the cars are in position, waiting in the back lane behind the bar. As stealthily as they can they go out down the back steps, through the fire escape and get into the cars. The next step of the plan is for Peter to organise a boat to take them across the lake. He makes a call to an old friend who owes him a favour and by the time they arrive at the harbour, his friend is there waiting with an old pleasure boat, one that is normally used for tourist trips around the lake.
Both men shake hands. Peter thanks him and introduces Jesus. “Any time,” says the man.
“It’s fuelled up so you don’t have to worry about that, but there is just one stipulation. Please don’t let James and John steer it.”
“Oh, not a boat,” says Thomas. I can get one of the drivers to take me round the lake and meet you over the other side?”
“You will be fine, we should stick together,” says Jesus.
The old engine rattles into life and they all jump on board. If they think that they can just leave Capernaum without being noticed they are much mistaken. The crowd at the Fig Tree has soon realised that Jesus has left and in this technological age it’s only a matter of time before his whereabouts are revealed. Within minutes the place is full of people wanting to see the country’s No.1 celebrity. Hundreds arrive at the harbour only to see the boat heading across the lake.
“They’re following us,” Alphie points out.
“Some are even driving round the lake!” says Philip.
There’s no need to stress yourselves, just rest up,” Jesus tells them.
Peter is at the helm leisurely steering while the others lie down on the seats soaking up the spring sunshine. The water is flat calm, and even Thomas is managing to rest. They are heading towards Bethsaida. It’s a place Peter knows well, he was born and grew up there. It is four miles from Capernaum by boat, a little longer if you are travelling by road.
When they are about five hundred yards from the shore Peter calls to Jesus, who is asleep, or is just resting his eyes, he can’t tell. “Boss, you’d better take a look at this!”
All along the coast for what looks like miles, are people and traffic. Hundreds of cars, thousands of people.
“What shall we I do? Shall I go somewhere else?”
Jesus stares out at the gathering crowd. “No, but let’s head to the east, away from the town.”
As they approach a solitary jetty, just big enough for the thirty foot boat, some people on the shore can be seen taking photo’s. By now all the twelve are sitting up wide awake. James and John are standing in the bow. James waves to Peter to get closer, “keep going, keep going…stop.” Peter cuts the engine and as Jesus and the team all step off the boat, Andrew makes sure it is tied up. Immediately Jesus is surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of people wanting to be healed of one thing or another.
“You’re not going to get a taxi in Capernaum today, they’re all here,” says Thaddy.
“Look, there’s a school bus and even an ambulance,” says Alphie.
“I would have made a lot of money today,” Matthew whispers to Alphie.
Peter recognises some of his old neighbours. Now the residents of Bethsaida are coming, so much for a rest. Mothers are bringing along their children and shoving them at Jesus so he can bless them.
“Oh no, even Capernaum Radio has caught wind of it,” says Thomas as a van pulls up.
The lads try to keep people at a distance but are overwhelmed by the numbers.
“This is what we trained for lads, come on,” says Peter, knowing that after the last few days they can all help out. “Come on, those that want to be healed this side, blessings over there. Come on people, form an orderly queue,” he shouts.
He is pushed aside.
“Jesus, Jesus,” shout the crowd.
“Why doesn’t he just heal them all at once, then they could all go home?” announces James.
After their dismal crowd management, and with their attempts at healing ignored, the twelve withdraw to the grassy slopes of the hill that stretch up from the lake. They go up high enough to keep an eye on Jesus, in the middle of the crowd. Peter never takes his eye off him, and only speaks to confirm that Simon and Matthew have their guns with them, just in case anything were to happen.
“You know the Pharisees said that Herod might come after the boss! He wouldn’t would he?” asks Jude.
“Not here, we’re in Peraea now,” says Andrew.
“Those tossers are just trying to scare you,” Simon tells Jude.
The lads all sit quietly, looking out over the lake. Simon continues ” I think we should take advantage of the situation. I mean, with the boss’s power, and of course ours, Herod wouldn’t stand a chance against us. Shit, forget him, we could even take Jerusalem.”
“Oh great, the Zealot’s trying to get us all killed,” moans Thomas.
“Anyone brought any food, I’m starving,” says Peter.
Eventually, it looks like Jesus has finished and he comes up the hill to join the twelve. He leads them further up the hillside, but they are followed by the crowd which, rather than dispersing, is steadily growing.
“There must be more here than Capernaum gets at home games,” groans John.
“This is a good spot, plenty of space for everyone,” Jesus says sitting down.
High on the green hillside overlooking the lake shimmering in the sun, he begins
teaching about the kingdom of God, His kingdom. He tells them the choices they have to make and what they must do to receive it. Gripped by his words and amazed by his knowledge, no-one tries to leave. It’s the twelve who are the first ones to want to.
“I’m starving,” says Thaddy.
When Jesus pauses for a moment, Philip catches his attention and gently reminds him that they had missed lunch and now it’s late in the afternoon. Jesus asks him what he thinks he should do about it. Philip, only happy to assist the boss in the decision making, suggests that Jesus sends the crowd away, back to their homes.
“If we’re quick we can get to Bethsaida supermarket before it runs out of bread.”
“That’s a good idea Philip, why don’t you go and buy food for everybody!” suggests Jesus.
“I didn’t mean for everybody, I meant just for us! We couldn’t afford to buy food for all these people, besides I doubt there would be enough food in the store anyway.”
Jesus gives the twelve orders to see if they can find anyone in the crowd with food. They all spread out, asking as many people as they can. They come back empty handed, no one has found any. “Most of these people only thought they’d be out for a short while, those that had food have eaten it hours ago,” says Nathaniel.
“The only thing I can find is this young boy’s lunch. He has five small barley loaves and a couple of dried fish,” Andrew says.
“Why aren’t you in school?” Peter asks him.
“I wanted to see Jesus,” he says.
“We can’t split that! Right everybody, it’s time to go,” says Philip.
“Tell everybody to sit down and get into large groups,” Jesus tells the twelve.
Peter’s reminded of the time Jesus turned the water into wine, so when James and John start to complain he reassures them that the boss knows what he is doing.
Peter, involved at last starts to organise. “Right, come on people,” he orders the team. “Don’t just stand there looking confused John, move!”
“It’s just like being at work,” John mutters.
The twelve go round telling the crowd to sit down. People begin to ask what is happening?
“It’s dinner time,” says Peter.
When Nathaniel is asked the same question, he is less sure. “I’m just obeying the boss’s orders.” Eventually the twelve have put everybody into groups with spaces so they can move around easily. Jesus takes the bread, looks up high, gives thanks to God for it and passes it to Andrew, Philip and Nathaniel to give out. Peter stares intently at what is happening. The bread appears to come out of Jesus hands, like the scarves magic trick, the one where a big long line of scarves are pulled from the magicians’ sleeve. Only this time it’s real bread and it just keeps on coming. Each of the lads has been given the same.
“This is gonna take forever,” says Matthew to Peter, “I have a quicker way, follow me.”
Matthew goes to the nearest group and putting on his new smile asks if anyone has a bag he can borrow. He is refused, so he puts on his game face, his scowl.
“You’d better do as he says,” warns Peter.
“Here, twelve bags,” he hands them to the lads. “we can fill these up and we’ll soon have this job done.”
When everybody has bread, Jesus does the same with the fish. There is enough that people eat as much as they want. Once the serving is over, the twelve get chance to eat. The bread may have been cheap barley bread, but it tastes so good and fresh, and the fish, just the right amount of saltiness and texture, perfect.
It’s taken so long that when everybody has finished the light has started to fade. Soon it will be dark and once fed some people start to head home. Jesus tells the twelve to go round and collect up all the leftovers, he doesn’t want to waste anything. While the twelve are doing this they overhear people in the crowd saying there must have been well over fifteen thousand people spread over the hillside if you include all the children as well. Peter overhears a few men saying they want to overthrow Herod.
Matthew must have felt the atmosphere change for Peter can see he has drawn his gun and is holding it at his side.
“The boss reckons it’s time to go,” says Philip to Peter. “I know a path where we can slip away from this lot.”
Chapter 20
I can’t believe they took the car. I paid cash, why did I put it through the books? It only saved a few thousand in deductibles. The first thing I’ll do when I get back is look for a new one. Matthew throws a couple more shirts in his bag before scanning the room for anything he might have missed. No, that looks like everything. On his way downstairs he checks he’s got his phone, wallet and gun. Stopping momentarily, he considers taking an extra clip of bullets. Shouldn’t be necessary, I’ll leave it this time. He looks at his watch, they should be here by now, so grabbing his keys from the kitchen worktop and locking up he goes and waits outside.
A few minutes later a blue minibus stops at the bottom of his driveway. Philip waves from the passenger seat. This is going to be an interesting trip. Wonder where we are going?
“Nice place,” says Philip as Matthew slides open the side door and gets in.
“Good job it’s paid for, otherwise I’d be screwed,” his words sound selfish and he’s relieved Jude or the Zealot aren’t here.
“Just put your bag on the back seats,” Andrew points to his and Philips already there.
“So where the hell are we going to this time?”
“No idea,” says Philip as Andrew sets off.
Matthew walks to the back and throws his bag on top of the others, returning to sit nearer the front. The minibus looks new. Leaning forward he tries to see the mileage: 27k, not bad.
“The boss bought this, did he?” he asks.
“No, a follower of the boss, Mike. He’s a car dealer. He’s given it to us to use.”
The name doesn’t ring any bells. Well, there are so many people it’s hard to know them all, though if this Mike is a car dealer, maybe I could get a good deal. I am in the market for one now after all.
Alphie is next to be picked up, followed by Jude and Thaddy. When they pick up Thomas, he’s saying goodbye to his brother. Matthew can’t tell the twins apart, even though everyone else swears they’re not identical.
“Will we all fit in?” asks Thomas, climbing into the back and sitting on an empty seat.
“We should do, its a sixteen seater, so there’s enough room for us and our luggage,” says Philip, helping Andrew find the next pick up.
“I’d keep your heads down you two collectors, it’s the Zealot next.”
Matthew is sitting behind Andrew and Philip and Alphie joins him “You do realise some people will never accept us, we will always be the enemy,” he pats his gun.
“You brought that with you. I didn’t, I’ve left mine under my bed. I hope I never use one ever again.”
“Good for you,” says Andrew.
Matthew isn’t so sure, it seems he will still have to look out for his young apprentice.
“So where are we heading Andy? asks Jude.
“No idea. Once we have everyone, Jesus has said he’ll be at the synagogue. Then we’ll find out,” says Andrew, while having trouble with the gears.
“He’s there. Stop.” Philip has spotted Simon, at the bottom of his street, “you’re in luck, we won’t be going into the estate after all.”
“I’ve been calling, why don’t any of you answer?” Simon asks Jude as he goes to a single seat. “Stick that with the others,” he passes his bag to Thomas.
“Right, James and John next.”
“Better give them a call, hurry them up,” suggests Andrew.
Philip rings Johns and James’ mobiles, both without success, before getting an answer on the home phone.
“Hi, it’s Phil, are the lads ready, we will be there in ten minutes… right, yes I get it, fine see you later.”
“They’re not ready are they?”
“Not a chance Jude, James is still in bed!”
“It’s OK, we’ll swing by Nathaniel’s next, then Pete’s. Anyone got any change?” says Andrew as he approaches the toll booths.
Matthew is not going to enjoy this next bit. He knew eventually he was going to have to do it, but the first time he wanted to do it alone. Get used to being a punter. Even though he sometimes pays when he’s in other territories, he does it with a nod and a thumbs up. Most times they recognise him and the barrier is automatically raised. I doubt that will happen today.
Everyone groans and Matthew can feel their hatred. Without saying anything, he leans over to Philip, handing him a money bag full of coins. Philip takes one out ready to hand to Andrew.
“Go to that one, there’s no queue,” says Jude.
“No, that one, on the right. It’s always slow in that lane,” says Nathaniel.
“This feels weird,” says Alphie to Matthew, who nods.
Andrew picks a different lane altogether and Phil hands him a coin. He tosses it into the metal bin and the barrier rises up.
Matthew can’t help looking at the offices, wondering who they got to replace him. He spent a lot of his money buying this toll area. He had to outbid some serious competition, all for it to be snatched away and handed to someone else. Wonder how much they paid? He notices that one of the booths on the other side isn’t working and coming back into Galilee they are queuing; something he would never tolerate. He feels eyes burning into the back of his head, the awkward silence a reminder of who he is.
Once in Bethsaida, Nathaniel is picked up and then they go back through the booths to Peters.
When they finally get to James and John’s house, their mother comes down the drive and over to the minibus as Andrew winds down the window.
“They won’t be a minute,” she says, “please look after them, the last time they went on a lads holiday their father had to bail them out of jail.”
“What did they do?” asks Simon eagerly.
“Oh, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Try us,” says Jude.
