The Last Voyage of the Emir

by David Riley

  Erastus smiled reassuringly and turned toward the mast.

  Temeros watched, paying close attention to the handholds he used. After Erastus climbed about ten feet off the deck, he stopped and looked down.

  “Ok, come on up,” he said.

  He watched as Temeros reached for the handholds and started his climb. After a moment, he turned and continued toward the crossbar called the yard. The large square sail was hanging from this supported by thick rope lines at regular intervals.

  Temeros was much slower and deliberate in his climb but focused on where he was reaching, just as instructed. He was relieved that the stopping point was steadily getting closer. There was a gentle breeze as he rose above the deck that made it almost pleasant. After a few minutes, he reached the crossbar where Erastus had been patiently waiting.

  “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” he said as he reached out a hand to help Temeros up onto the bar.

  He found his footing and held tightly to the nearest rope as he looked around. He made the mistake of looking down and immediately gasped as he held tighter. They were about sixty feet in the air and the ship that had seemed so large when down on the deck suddenly seemed small. Also, the wind was more noticeable, and the motion of the ship that he no longer noticed down on the deck was magnified at this height. He became acutely aware of the swaying of the mast, side to side, several feet at a time. His eyes widened and his breath became shallow.

  “Hey, look at me!” Erastus said. “Keep your eyes up here, Sabbi! It will be ok. Look at me!” he repeated.

  Temeros tore his eyes away from the deck so far below and looked at Erastus. He blinked a few times and tried to calm his breathing. After a moment, he was able to feel more in control, and he slightly relaxed his white-knuckled grip on the rope.

  “There, that’s it,” Erastus said encouragingly. “Just take it slowly, one thing at a time. First, we need to attach the safety rope, and then we will sit here for a minute to get settled. Take the rope you are holding onto and loop it around your chest under your arms. That can save your life up here!”

  Temeros nodded sheepishly and did as instructed, keeping a strong hold on the rope the whole time. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I think I’ll be ok in a minute, now that I know I am attached to this lifeline!”

  Erastus gave a reassuring smile. “You’re doing fine. Everyone that climbs up here feels this way their first time. Don’t let them fool you. Even Rayiz almost wet himself when he first started! But if you tell him I told you that, I will deny it!”

  That drew a quick laugh from Temeros and immediately he felt better. “Thanks,” he said. “I think I’m okay now. So, what’s next?”

  Erastus grinned. “Good!” He looked to his left at the rope that was a few feet out on the crossbar, just beyond Temeros. “Let’s start with the easiest one first. See that rope just a foot or so from your left foot? You are going to slowly bend down while holding onto the safety line and reach out for it. Keep focused on the rope, not on what is below it!”

  For the next several minutes, they focused on the task at hand. After a short time, he was able to push his fear to the edges of his consciousness. They moved from rope to rope, pulling each one tight and securing the riggings. The crossbar was wider than it had first seemed and he did not lose his footing. After making sure he was comfortable with the job, Erastus turned to his work, leaving him to do the last one on his own.

  When he finished, he returned to the center mast and watched as Erastus did the same thing on his side. Temeros watched with envy as Erastus moved nimbly from one rope to the next, appearing to barely hold onto the safety line. When he finished with the furthest one, he surprised Temeros by grabbing the safety line and leaping outward, swinging in an arc back to the center.

  “That was fun!” he said. “Days like this are great because there is no wind to blow you off balance. It is so hot down on the deck; I try to take a little extra time up here to enjoy the view and to cool off!”

  Encouraged by watching his easy manner up in the riggings, Temeros cautiously looked around. From this height, he could see the coast in the distance to the north. There were no whitecaps since the wind was so light, but the wake stretched out behind them as they made slow progress in their voyage. The bright sun was ahead of them now as it continued its slow, steady descent toward the horizon. The sail blocked the view to the west, but it also provided some shade and they could see the brightness of the sun’s glow behind the thick fabric. There were a few seabirds nearby, following the ship. They would occasionally perch on the top of the mast and the sail above them. He could see the appeal of being up here away from the noise of the crowded deck.

  “Well, we better not stay too long or I will get accused of slacking off!” Erastus said. “Besides, we have been on this tack for a while so I imagine they will be turning soon. That can be a little tricky for your first time!”

  They untied the safety lines and begin the slow, cautious descent. Or rather, Temeros began the slow, cautious descent as Erastus made fairly quick progress, moving easily downward and stopping frequently to wait on him so he was nearby for support.

  When they reached the last eight feet or so, Erastus jumped nimbly to the deck and turned to guide Temeros for the last section.

  “This part can get a little tricky, Sabbi!” he called up. “The rungs have a different spacing and are smaller. Watch your footing!”

  Temeros, now about fifteen feet from the deck, reached out his left arm to wave in acknowledgment. As he turned to look down, his balance shifted and his foot slipped. He waved his free hand wildly trying to grip one of the handholds. Just as his fingers began to get a grip on it, his other foot slipped and he found himself holding on for dear life, supporting his body weight only with his right arm still gripping the handhold. He panicked as he felt himself swing away from the mast, scraping his left side on one of the handholds as he did. He felt his right shoulder twisting under his weight and his hand slipped. He fell the last several feet to the deck, landing with a grunt. His right hand was stretched out trying to break his fall, and he felt his shoulder pop painfully as he cried out in pain. The breath left his lungs and he found himself gasping like a fish out of water. His head started spinning and his vision darkened as he gave way to unconsciousness.

  Chapter Five

  Luke checked the cloth bandage binding the sailor’s wound and felt it was secure. The bleeding seemed to have slowed to a trickle with Luke’s attention and had not seeped through the bandage. The edges of the wound were straight enough and the cut shallow enough that it should heal although the man would be left with a nice scar on his lower leg as a result. However, Luke had discovered over the years that the rough men who populated the sailing crews of the ships in this area usually took pride in their scars as evidence of surviving life’s battles and coming out on top.

  Luke once again checked to see that his foot was pink and warm and that the man could move his toes. He had him stand and although the man was sore, he felt he could be up and continue working.

  Luke stood and stretched his back, stiff from bending over the man’s leg. He gave instructions to keep the bandage in place for the next two days and then come to let him redress the wound, but it did not appear the man would have any complications. Infection was an ever-present risk, and Luke had learned that keeping the wound clean would help prevent such an occurrence but was a difficult thing to do on board a ship. He prayed silently for healing, as he always did after seeing someone who needed his attention, and watched the man limp back to his post.

  His training as a doctor was widely known among the crew, and even the soldiers were now aware of his availability to treat the various ailments that may occur on a trip such as this. He had been on many ships, some as Paul’s traveling companion and personal physician and some as the ship’s doctor on various voyages in the area. His reputation for his skills in treating the sick and injured and for his compassion toward his patients was becoming w
ell known at some of the busier seaports. Some captains had begun to ask for him by name, requesting that he serve on their ships as they traversed the seas between ports.

  His time at sea had given him an education in sea travel, and he was well aware that the winds were contrary on this voyage making it slow going. The short distance from Myra to Fair Havens on the island of Crete could be accomplished in one or two days if the winds were favorable, but they had spent almost a week so far tacking to the north and south to combat the wind that was blowing from the Northwest. Every day on board could carry risks unique to sea travel, so prolonging the voyage due to contrary winds could lead to more trouble for him to address. His days were becoming very busy, but he was able to make time to enjoy the sunshine and light breeze on deck each day.

  Luke made his way back over to the group at the forward part of the deck. About twenty people were gathered there, mostly prisoners. A few of the passengers had joined them to pass the time. The soldiers standing by, presumably on guard duty, could be seen listening as well to the short, bald man seated on the box with his back against the gunwale. The crowd was listening in rapt attention as he taught them. Luke smiled as he thought back to all of the adventures he had shared with this man, Paul, over the past few years.

  —————

  Luke had grown up in Antioch. As a young man, he developed an interest in science and medicine. He was apprenticed to a local physician and learned the art of evaluating patients and formulating various balms and poultices to aid in treatment. He was taught bloodletting and could diagnosis ailments by evaluating the humors just as well as his teacher after a few years. He had heard of the centers for medicine in Smyrna and the sources of eye salve in Laodicea. He dreamed of someday traveling there to learn more about those treatment options as well.

  Over the years he became well known throughout Antioch. His gentle but confident nature and his skill in treating his sick patients caused his good reputation to spread to the surrounding areas as well. He became fairly busy and settled into a comfortable existence.

  His passion and focus on medicine changed when some strangers from Jerusalem arrived. They began to teach in the Jewish synagogue about the incredible things that had happened in Judea and Galilee, teaching about a man named Jesus. This was no ordinary man, they said, but rather the savior of the world, the Messiah long awaited by the Jews.

  Luke was a Gentile and had no interest in converting to Judaism, so the synagogue generally held no interest for him. He was not present to hear firsthand the amazing accounts of the miracles. There were tales of people being healed of incurable diseases, and some even said people had come back from the dead! He laughed at this when he first was told of this story by one of his patients. As a doctor, he was well aware that was impossible. How gullible were these people to believe such lies? But, the group continued to grow, much to his surprise.

  The more devout Jews were very resistant to this new doctrine. They were trained in the Scriptures and traditions of their fathers, and they knew what God would do. The Messiah was going to be a conqueror and throw off the Roman oppression, not live in poverty and be killed by the Romans. This Jesus that was being taught actually opposed the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem! It was preposterous to believe He was doing anything on God’s orders. And to hear that people were actually worshipping Him?! This just could not be tolerated! They began actively resisting these men to regain control of their synagogue.

  The growing group of believers responded by leaving the synagogue, gathering at other meeting places and forums. As their numbers increased, many Gentiles joined them. Surprisingly, the Jewish converts welcomed them. This was incredible in itself. Jews and Gentiles did not mix. This further offended the Jewish priests, but there seemed to be an inevitable decline in the number of people attending the synagogue.

  Soon, word spread to the Church in Jerusalem about the church in Antioch. Barnabas, a devout member of the church there, was dispatched to encourage the congregation and teach them further of God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice for them, as well as to tell them of the Holy Spirit.

  After a few weeks, Barnabas departed, indicating he was going to bring back another teacher to assist him in the work of the church. He left for a few months and returned from Tarsus with another man named Saul. The two of them ignited the fervor of the congregation catching the attention of the entire city.

  Luke began to hear reports of people claiming to be healed of diseases. He laughed this off as mere religious hyperbole until one of his own patients with an incurable skin disease returned completely cured. Some diseases could be hidden, but not this. It had been clearly on display, a weeping ulcer on his cheek for several weeks, beginning to spread to his ear. Luke had given several courses of treatment with various poultices but finally had told the man he could not do anything else for him. To see him standing there now, completely cleared just one week later and with no trace of scar, was unbelievable.

  Luke decided to go himself to hear firsthand what was being said, intending to defend scientific facts and refute some of the wild stories he had heard. He well remembered his first visit. The people were not ignorant or simpleminded as he expected. The teacher, Barnabas, was a devout, gentle soul, a model of morality and compassion. The other man, Saul, was more forceful in his teaching and displayed a logical mind, obviously well-educated and trained in debate. Luke found himself at times irritated by the man’s confidence but then surprised by his humility in sharing his own background and failures. Despite his intentions, he found himself drawn to these men and desiring to hear more.

  He continued to come back, ostensibly to investigate and gather more evidence. Over the next several weeks, it became obvious that Saul was the primary preacher. He seemed to have great skill in pointing out truths seen in nature and in life around them, relating them to the truth of God’s existence and always coming back to grace and peace related to this man Jesus. Surprisingly, he believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, and he offered many convincing proofs of this.

  Most compelling was his own story of conversion. He was not just an average, every day sinner. He was a notorious and widely feared persecutor of the early believers, working under the authority of the Jewish high priest. His goal was to seek out these followers and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains to be punished. He was traveling to Damascus for this purpose when he was suddenly blinded by a bright light from the sky and knocked to the ground. Those traveling with him saw the light and saw him fall, and they were afraid. Saul was talking to someone they could not see or hear. Saul professed to have actually heard the voice of Jesus Christ!

  He was sent to a specific place in Damascus to await further instructions. He was completely blind for three days until a believer named Ananias was sent by the Lord to teach him. Immediately after Ananias prayed for him, his sight was restored. He was forever changed by that encounter and knew he could no longer follow the path of persecuting believers when he himself now believed.

  Luke was skeptical, but the evidence offered by Saul, as well as the proof in the changed lives of the people in the congregation (many of whom were known to Luke from his past treatment of the injuries and illnesses that resulted from their sins), were undeniable. Luke was not one usually ruled by emotion. He prided himself on logically considering facts and making informed decisions. In this situation, although Saul offered compelling arguments and the others in the church supported and agreed with what he taught, eventually there was a point where facts fell short and he had to decide to make a leap of faith. For several days, Luke wrestled with this, feeling the weight of his own sin and realizing his need for a savior but still wanting some sort of proof. He felt that giving in to stories of miracles and resurrections would tarnish his reputation as a man of science, but he could not go on living the way he had after being confronted by God in this way.

  He resisted until he could no longer stand it. Sleep eluded him and he felt a sense of turmoil inside. He could
not keep going on this way. He sought out Saul one night, waking him from sleep and asking that he pray with him. Saul was eager to do this and after a simple prayer and laying hands on Luke’s head, something unexplainable happened. There was an immediate and overwhelming sense of peace and healing and Luke was overcome by emotion. His turmoil ceased, and his mind was clear with a sense of joyful purpose. He could barely put into words what had happened, but Saul recognized immediately that he had encountered the Lord. As the Holy Spirit began to work in his soul, he began to understand more and more why Saul continued to speak of grace and peace.

  From that point on, although he continued to work as a doctor, his priorities shifted. He wanted others to know that this life was not the end, that eternity awaited, and that only through Jesus’ sacrifice could they someday have eternal life. As Luke interacted with his patients, he was more acutely aware of how many of them were following after pleasure, living for the moment. This was a source for so much of their pain and physical ailments, but so few of them were willing to acknowledge this. Even if they agreed that pleasure-seeking was the source of their troubles, they continued on the same path. It was hard to understand at times.

  Saul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch and taught the Christians many things. Saul was well trained in the Jewish Scriptures and showed how the prophecies pointed to Jesus. They instructed them about living a Christian life and about the teachings of the Lord himself. They lived in anticipation of Jesus’ imminent return, and new converts were continually joining them.

  As Saul’s ministry became increasingly oriented toward the Gentile believers, he made the decision to stop calling himself by his Jewish name, Saul, but rather by its Roman equivalent, Paul. To the Gentiles, his Roman citizenship led to opportunities that a Jewish man would not have had, and this simple but profound change in his name was a way to further the kingdom among the Gentiles.