Nicholas lowered his voice and said, “Sorry. I meant them no harm. They were kind to us.” He noticed they were no longer wearing tassels on their robes, but were dressed as Greeks.
Stephanas said, “Yes, Hadrian’s edict still remains, yet the army has its hands full just hanging onto the eastern provinces. More and more, Jews will risk setting foot in the city of their fathers.”
“Have any been caught?” said Nicholas.
“I have seen a few.”
“Why would they risk their lives just to look on a temple of Zeus?”
Stephanas replied, “Because to them, it is not a temple of Zeus. It is the place that once was the center of their lives. And in their hearts, it still is.”
They took care not to disturb the three men but to leave another way. It seemed a shame to Nicholas that they would risk their lives for nothing but a dead memory. They were prepared to sacrifice their lives, and he thought it commendable, but what did it accomplish? He resolved that if he were to ever make a great sacrifice, it would have to be for something that made a difference.
They moved on into the southern part of the city, where they passed along mostly vacant land. Stephanas pointed here and there, telling of what Iesus did “somewhere about there” and “over in that area.” Nothing seemed to remain of the actual places where Iesus walked.
To the south, down the slope from the city, Stephanas took them to a small assembly house and explained that this was the “upper room” where Iesus held his last Passover supper. Nicholas asked hopefully, “This is the very house?”
“Uh, no,” said Stephanas. “The army destroyed it in the siege, but soon after, the brothers paid to have it rebuilt.” It too was but an empty replica. It held no more significance to Nicholas than the rented hall in Patara where he and his parents had gathered in assembly.
By late afternoon, Stephanas led them on the few miles south to Bethlehem where he lived. On a hill north of town, several canvas-covered huts dotted the hillside. It reminded Nicholas of the drifter camps back home, only more quiet and secluded. He thought of his uncle’s words in Myra: It seems everyone is fleeing in every direction, each seeking relief from the trouble whence he came.
Stephanas said, “Yes, Hadrian’s edict still remains, yet the army has its hands full just hanging onto the eastern provinces. More and more, Jews will risk setting foot in the city of their fathers.”
“Have any been caught?” said Nicholas.
“I have seen a few.”
“Why would they risk their lives just to look on a temple of Zeus?”
Stephanas replied, “Because to them, it is not a temple of Zeus. It is the place that once was the center of their lives. And in their hearts, it still is.”
They took care not to disturb the three men but to leave another way. It seemed a shame to Nicholas that they would risk their lives for nothing but a dead memory. They were prepared to sacrifice their lives, and he thought it commendable, but what did it accomplish? He resolved that if he were to ever make a great sacrifice, it would have to be for something that made a difference.
They moved on into the southern part of the city, where they passed along mostly vacant land. Stephanas pointed here and there, telling of what Iesus did “somewhere about there” and “over in that area.” Nothing seemed to remain of the actual places where Iesus walked.
To the south, down the slope from the city, Stephanas took them to a small assembly house and explained that this was the “upper room” where Iesus held his last Passover supper. Nicholas asked hopefully, “This is the very house?”
“Uh, no,” said Stephanas. “The army destroyed it in the siege, but soon after, the brothers paid to have it rebuilt.” It too was but an empty replica. It held no more significance to Nicholas than the rented hall in Patara where he and his parents had gathered in assembly.
By late afternoon, Stephanas led them on the few miles south to Bethlehem where he lived. On a hill north of town, several canvas-covered huts dotted the hillside. It reminded Nicholas of the drifter camps back home, only more quiet and secluded. He thought of his uncle’s words in Myra: It seems everyone is fleeing in every direction, each seeking relief from the trouble whence he came.
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