Fishers of Men

by Gerald N. Lund

Livia sat on the floor watching with deep affection as Rachel’s two children played with small wooden blocks made by their grandfather. Esther, sensing her gaze, looked at her with a questioning glance.

  “It’s been so busy since we returned, Esther, that I haven’t had a chance to hold you. Will you come see me for a moment?”

  Rachel’s firstborn stood and came forward shyly. Her eyes were wide with pleasure, but her face was quite somber, which was so like her.

  “You have grown so much since I last saw you,” Livia said, putting her arms around her. “You’re six now?”

  She gave a hint of a smile. “Almost,” she said. “Mama says in four more months.”

  “I think you’re a full hand taller than when Miriam and I last saw you,” Livia said. “And your hair is getting so long now. It’s beautiful.”

  Finally the smile moved fully to Esther’s face, and she snuggled in against Livia’s body. “Thank you, Livia,” she said demurely.

  Boaz jumped up, bothered that he was being ignored. He ran to her side. “Livie! Livie!” He tugged at her sleeve.

  Livia moved Esther to one side, picked Boaz up, and sat him on her lap. “Yes, Boaz. And you’ve grown too. You’re not a little boy anymore.”

  “I know. I big now,” he said proudly. “’Cause I three.”

  “I know you are. I think you’ve grown to be twice as big since I last saw you.”

  He grinned mightily. Esther was only a hand taller. He was twice as big! He settled back again, then looked up into Livia’s face. “Did you see bears, Livie?”

  She laughed aloud. She had forgotten his fascination with bears. “Actually, we did,” she said.

  Esther’s eyes grew large. “Really?”

  “Did they eat you?” Boaz cried in alarm.

  “No,” Livia said, struggling to maintain a straight face. “These were bears in cages. Some soldiers pulled them along in a victory parade. They captured them in a place called Germania.”

  Esther was as interested as her brother. “Real bears?” she asked.

  Livia smiled at their interest. “Yes, real bears. They run wild in the forests there. And they had wolves, too.”

  “Oh,” Boaz said, greatly impressed.

  “What’s this about wolves?” Rachel asked as she came into the room.

  Livia laughed softly. “I was just telling Boaz about some of the things we saw in one of the victory parades in Rome.”

  “Livie saw bears, Mama!” Boaz said in awe.

  “Did she really?” she said. She came over and took Boaz by the hand. “Come, children,” she said affectionately. “The baby’s asleep again. We need to help Granmama and Aunt Leah with supper.”

  VIII

  10 November, a.d. 31

  It was past midnight when Miriam came quietly down the stairway from the upper hallway. Her bare feet made only a whisper on the tile floor and stairs. She held her sandals in one hand. The temperature had dropped several degrees, even within the house, and she knew that though the courtyard was protected from any wind, it would not be a night for bare feet.

  Moving carefully in the near-total darkness, she crossed the main entryway and slipped out the front door, shutting it carefully behind her. She looked around for a moment at the darkened courtyard, then sat down and pulled on her sandals. As she stood again, she drew her woolen shawl around her shoulders. It wasn’t bitterly cold, but she was glad she had been wise enough to bring it.

  For a moment, she considered staying in the courtyard, but as she looked up and saw the quarter moon and the brilliant night sky above her, she opted for the roof. She ran lightly up the stone stairs along the courtyard wall. The moon gave just enough light for her to see. She walked over to one of the benches and sat down, drawing her knees up beneath her.

  She had barely settled herself when she heard the soft sound of footsteps. In surprise, she stood again just in time to see the dark shape of a head appear on the stairway.

  “Miriam?”

  “Leah? Is that you?”

  “Yes.” Simeon’s sister finished her ascent and went over to her.

  “What are you doing still up?”

  Leah walked over and took a bench facing her. “I couldn’t sleep. I heard your door open and you going down the hall. So why are you still awake?”

  Miriam sat down again, directly across from Leah. How she loved this young woman who soon was to become her sister-in-law. Lovely of face and figure and so gentle and sweet in spirit, Leah was a delight. There was no giddiness in this one, no silliness like there was in so many of the girls Miriam had grown up with in Jerusalem. Already slightly taller than her mother, Leah had taken after her father. And that, Miriam thought, was a legacy anyone could be proud to claim.

  Then she realized Leah was waiting for an answer. “I think this evening has had a little too much excitement for a girl like me.”

  Leah leaned forward and touched her hand briefly. “We are so happy for you and Simeon, Miriam. So happy.”

  “I’m glad. I’ve been worried about what your family would say.”

  Leah reared back, incredulous. “You’re not serious.”

  “Yes, I am. I wasn’t sure exactly how all of you would react to the news.” She laughed softly. “I was pretty sure of your response, but in light of what’s happened with my father, he could very likely make trouble for your family. And I come from such a different background than your family and—”

  Leah stopped her with a merry laugh.

  “What?”

  “It’s Simeon who should have been worrying. If he hadn’t asked you, we would have sent him back to prison in Caesarea until he came to his senses.”

  “Really?” Miriam felt a rush of pleasure.

  “Of course. Mother and I talked about it a lot after he left for Rome. One day even Father surprised us by saying something about it.”

  “Like what?”

  Leah shrugged. “I don’t know, something like, ‘Do you think Simeon knows what a wonderful woman Miriam is?’”

  Miriam was deeply touched. “Coming from your father, that means a great deal to me.”

  “And Rachel told us that Esther has been praying for several months now that God would let Simeon know that you wanted to marry him.”

  “She knew that?” Miriam exclaimed.

  Leah laughed softly. “Perhaps ‘know’ is too strong a word, but that is certainly what she wanted. You saw her reaction when Simeon told her.”

  “Yes. It brought tears to my eyes.” She took a deep breath. “Oh, Leah, I am so happy.”

  “Me too. I still can’t believe that you’re going to be my sister.”

  “But this will only make it official. I feel like we’ve been sisters from the moment we first met.”

  “I know.”

  The younger woman leaned back, gazing up at the crescent moon low in the sky. “I can hardly wait for the betrothal. Do you really need to wait a full year after that before you are married? I know it is the traditional thing to do, but after all you’ve been through, do you think you want to wait that long?”

  “Both Simeon and I need time to get ready,” Miriam said. “After all, I don’t have a life anymore. What few things I did own were all left behind in Rome. I had some money of my own, but Father confiscated all of that.”

  “I know, but—”

  “And Simeon feels bad that he has been gone so much these past few years. He feels like he hasn’t done his share in your family’s business. Ephraim and your father have had to carry the majority of the load.”

  “I really liked what he proposed today, and I think Father did too. With him speaking fluent Latin, he can deal with Roman merchants in areas where neither Father nor Ephraim feel comfortable. He’ll soon be pulling his full weight. No one is worried about that.”

  “I think so too,” Miriam agreed, “but soon, not now. I’m just thankful that Ezra and Lilly are living here in Capernaum now. That gives Livia and me a place to live until we can get a place o
f our own. And—” She shook her head. “Anyway, we’ll be fortunate if we are ready in a year. I have nothing for a dowry.”

  “Simeon doesn’t care about that.”

  “But I do. I want to bring something to this marriage besides myself. If we can get ready before a year, we’ll marry sooner, but we won’t know that for several months.”

  “Papa is talking about having both you and Livia help us at the warehouse. That will help you with your dowry.”

  Miriam was genuinely surprised. “When did he say that?”

  “He and Mama were talking about it when I went in to say good night. In Papa’s mind, it’s all settled. You are fluent in Latin, and Greek is Livia’s native language. The rest of us can get along in either tongue, but more than half of the documents we have to deal with are in one or the other of those languages, and your fluency will be valuable. And if Simeon goes out and brings in more trade, well, you are going to earn your salary. Papa says he is going to talk with you in the morning about it.”

  A great relief washed over Miriam. Several times on their journey, Simeon had brushed aside her concerns about how she would live, saying his family would take care of that. But she didn’t want to be put on a dole, and neither did Livia. That was important to them.

  “I can read some Greek,” Leah said, “but I would love to learn Latin. I know only a few phrases now. I suggested something else our family could hire you to do: tutor me in Latin.”

  “I would love to. But not for hire.” As if there was not enough joy already, now she and Livia might have a way to support themselves. Miriam reached out and took her hand. “It is so good to be back, Leah. It’s like I’ve never been gone, like Rome was just a dream and now I’ve finally awakened again.”

  Chapter 3

  There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

  —Proverbs 18:24

  I

  On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, near Capernaum 11 November, a.d. 31

  As Livia, Miriam, and Simeon hurried along behind Peter, Simeon looked up at the leaden skies. They would surely bring rain before midday, he thought. “Are you sure it’s all right if we disturb him?” he asked the chief apostle. “If Jesus needs some time alone, we can see him later.” Peter gave him a look like that of a parent to a child who doesn’t listen well. “I told you. I know you asked to see him. But he specifically asked if he could see you this morning.”

  “Does he know all that has happened?” Miriam asked.

  “Most of it,” Peter said. “Deborah tells Anna, Anna tells me, I tell Jesus.” He grinned. “It’s a pretty efficient system, all in all. We were in Bethsaida yesterday,” he went on, “but the first thing we heard on our return was the news that you were back and that your mission was successful. Jesus seemed very pleased.”

  “I’m glad he’ll see us,” Livia said. “It’s been over a year since Miriam and I last heard him preach.”

  “Yes,” the burly fisherman replied, “and much has happened in that time. On the other hand, nothing has changed. He still mingles with every class of society. He still teaches the people in simple but powerful words. He still drives the Pharisees mad because he won’t give them the honor they so richly deserve.” The last was said with faint irony.

  He turned to Simeon. “And speaking of the Pharisees, does your Uncle Aaron know that you are back?”

  “No. Mother and I were talking this morning about perhaps going to Sepphoris to see Aaron.”

  “I’m surprised he continues to live there,” Peter said.

  “Why is that?” Miriam asked.

  “There’s a strong Roman influence there,” Simeon answered, knowing why Peter responded as he had. “The Romans call the city Diocaesarea. It’s actually the administrative center for the Galilee. The garrison there is larger than the one here in Capernaum.”

  “That does seem strange for Aaron,” Livia mused, “knowing how the Pharisees avoid any contact with the Gentiles.”

  Simeon’s mouth twisted into a little frown. “That’s one of the things that makes the Pharisees so remarkable.” The sarcasm was heavy in his voice. “Any contact with a Gentile and Aaron will spend a full day purifying himself. But he is a very skilled potter, and besides the fact that Sepphoris is the largest city in the Galilee—and therefore the best possible market for his goods—the Romans particularly like what he produces. They are his best customers.”

  “Really?” Peter said in surprise. “So he deals with them?”

  “Never directly, of course. He always uses others to actually work with the Romans, so he never comes in contact with them personally. But I guess the garrison is a very lucrative market for him. So he gets rich off the very people he despises.”

  He felt a sudden stab of shame. “On the other hand, when I was imprisoned in Caesarea, Aaron didn’t hesitate for one minute to put himself at risk to speak up in my behalf. In all that has happened since my release, I’ve not had a chance to thank him properly for that. That’s another reason for going to see him.”

  “I think the letter he sent had an influence on Pilate,” Miriam broke in. “I was there the day the governor received the delegation of Pharisees that came to the palace. That night Pilate told us he was disgusted with their demands, but I think it worried him a little. The Pharisees hold a lot of sway with the people.”

  “That they do,” Peter said. “That they do.” He said nothing more. They were approaching a thick stand of willows that stretched for almost a quarter of a mile along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, just east of Capernaum. The path they were on looked like it went right up to the undergrowth, then abruptly stopped. But as they drew closer, Simeon saw in the gray light that there was an opening in the thicket.

  As they reached it, Peter stopped for a moment. “This is a favorite spot for Jesus. He can usually come here and have some time to himself.” Then he turned and moved forward.

  The brush was thick, and they had to keep their hands up before their eyes, but in a moment it had opened up onto a narrow strip of shoreline that was completely sheltered from the land. In high-water years, this stretch of beach would probably be immersed, but in a normal year such as this the strip between willows and water was ten or fifteen feet wide. A few stones lay here and there on the ground, but mostly the beach held smooth sections of small gravel broken by numerous patches of low bunch grass. They immediately saw a figure squatting near the water’s edge a few paces away.

  At the sound of their footsteps, Jesus stood, turned, and lifted a hand in greeting. Peter motioned them forward. “You know the way out now,” he said.

  “You’re not staying?” Simeon asked in surprise.

  “Not unless he asks me to,” the fisherman replied. “Anna needs some things done around the house.”

  As the apostle started back toward the path, Jesus called out to him. “Thank you, Peter.”

  Peter waved a hand and disappeared. With Simeon in the lead, the three of them moved forward. Jesus was dressed in a heavy woolen tunic. His beard was neatly trimmed and carefully combed. His eyes looked gray, almost black in the muted light, but they were warmly welcoming. His hair, also neatly cut, hung to his shoulders.

  “Shalom, Master,” Miriam said as she came up to him.

  “And peace to you, Miriam of Jerusalem.” He smiled at Livia. “And to you, Livia of Alexandria.”

  “Good morning, Master,” Livia said.

  He and Simeon clasped hands for a moment. “Welcome back,” Jesus said. “It is good that your success brings these two safely back to us.”

  “We were fortunate,” Simeon said. “God was with us.”

  Jesus nodded and motioned to a spot near the willows where the grass was fairly thick. “Let us sit for a time.” As they settled themselves, Jesus looked at Miriam. “I understand that you are to be betrothed.”

  She colored slightly, but smiled. “Yes. The day before Hanukkah begins.”

  “A most appropriate time.”

  “If yo
u are here in Capernaum then, we would be honored if you and the Twelve would join us for the ceremony,” Simeon said.

  “Deeply honored,” Miriam added quickly.

  “Thank you. Your family has done much to further the work of the kingdom, Simeon. And Peter, Andrew, James, and John are more like sons to your father than fishing partners. The honor would be ours.”

  “Wonderful,” Simeon said.

  Jesus turned to Livia. “I am told that your brother was found and rescued from slavery.”

  “Yes, for which we are deeply grateful. But he chose to remain among our own people in Achaia, which saddens me.”

  “But he is free.”

  “Yes,” Livia said. “That is the most important thing.”

  Jesus nodded. “As the Psalmist says, ‘God crowns us with his loving kindness and tender mercies.’”

  Livia was struck by the aptness of the metaphor. “He certainly has in our case.”

  “Amen,” Simeon said fervently.

  Jesus turned back to Miriam. “And what of your father, Miriam?”

  The gentleness in his voice caused tears to spring to her eyes. “He no longer claims me as his daughter. We have become completely estranged.”

  “And your mother is gone too, as I remember.”

  “Yes, she died when I was six.”

  “Peter tells me that the cause of this difficulty with your father is partly because you have chosen to follow after me.”

  Miriam’s head dropped, but she nodded. “There were other things as well, but when I told him Livia and I had been baptized and that I fully accepted you as the Messiah, he went into a fury. It even seemed that he was going to strike me.”

  Jesus nodded slowly. “Do you remember what I said to you on that day you were baptized?”

  She nodded instantly. “You said that those of our own households may become our enemies. Yes, I have thought of that many times. I thought I understood what you meant then, but it has since taken on a much deeper meaning. To my father, I am as one who is dead.”

  Sorrow filled his eyes. “It is a difficult thing, Miriam, but sadly such is sometimes the case. Yet you have chosen the better part.”