My Donkey and the Master

By J. L. Callison

When his father is killed in a construction accident, a young man is taken on as an apprentice by the, as of yet, unmarried Joseph of Nazareth. This begins a life-long association and friendship between the two men and old Jed, the young man’s donkey.
Share Joseph’s excitement as he and his father meet with Heli to make the arrangements for his betrothal to Mary. Feel with him his angst while Mary is gone for three months visiting her cousin, and then agonize with him his anguish when he learns she is with child. Endure with him the yo-yoing of emotions as his pondering of his next step is interrupted by Gabriel’s visit.
Saddle up and ride along to Bethlehem and then on the mad dash into Egypt to escape Herod. Join in the search for the missing child in Jerusalem. Eavesdrop on the conversations at the wedding in Cana and at the funeral of Lazarus. Meet old Jed’s progeny, especially during the triumphal entry and then again at the crucifixion. Join the disciples in the upper room when Mary Magdela announces the tomb has been opened and Jesus’ body isn’t there. Follow along with Peter and John in the rush to the tomb, and be in the upper room when Cleopas and the other disciple run back at night to tell of their walk with Yahushuah on the road to Emmaus. Watch with wide eyes as Yahushuah appears in a locked room and eats fish and honey before you.

Have you wondered how things really happened during those turbulent years in the first century? See the Scriptural story unfold through the eyes of a friend of the family who is present for all of the important events. Gain a better understanding of the complexities of the marriage arrangements and the stigma under which Joseph and Mary lived in order to fulfill what God required of them.
All of this because of a donkey.
Enjoy this fictional account of a true story from a perspective that is entertaining, yet accurate and true to history and the gospel, in all aspects.

Have you wondered how things really happened during those turbulent years in the first century? Take a look at the Scriptural story from the eyes of a friend of the family who is along for all of the important events. Understand the complexities of the marriage arrangements and the stigma under which Joseph and Mary lived in order to fulfill what God required of them.
All of this because of a donkey.

Enjoy this fictional account of a true story from a perspective that is entertaining, yet accurate and true to history and the gospel, in all aspects.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. L. Callison
• Release date: Apr 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9780998777108

J. L. Callison

J.L. Callison was an early reader, whose third-grade teacher encouraged his love of reading. He read over 300 books that year, and was reading on an eighth grade level by year’s end. He developed a wide range of reading interests, and read volumes A-H of the World Book Encyclopedia! He loves to collect books, and has well over a thousand books in his library, most of which he has read at least once. Young adult is his favorite genre, for as he says, he refuses to grow up.He studied for the ministry, and has served in lay capacities for much of his adult life, but always with a youth ministry focus. He has been, along with his wife, a junior-high youth sponsor and teacher for most of the last twenty-five years. He also served in rescue mission and jail ministries for several years.He and his wife of 39 years live in Illinois. They have five grown children and are blessed with five grandchildren.

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My Donkey and the Master

A short story of sanctified imagination

J.L. Callison

Dedication

To the Rev. and Mrs. David Crymble Jr., my father- and mother-in-law, who love me as their own, and from whom I received my wife. I shall be grateful to them forever for their acceptance, their love, their care, and their encouragement.

Acknowledgement

My longsuffering wife, Linda, has worked closely with me to edit this tale and make it readable. I am most grateful for the way she puts up with me—sometimes an unenviable task.

Copyright © 2017 by J.L. Callison

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN 978-0-9987771-0-8

J.L. Callison

407 Hinman St

Aurora IL 60505

www.jlcallison.com

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement

My Donkey and the Master

Glossary

About J.L. Callison

Other Titles by J.L. Callison

Connect with J.L. Callison

My Donkey and the Master

The dust on the narrow dirt road puffs up around my feet as I walk. My burro stirs dust with each step as he follows behind on my lead rope.

I glance into the face of the woman riding the burro. She is exhausted by the events of the last two months. My wife walks alongside, to assist if needed.

I have known the lady now for over thirty years, from before she was even married. I pondered how it all started.

****

Joseph Ben-Jacob* had been my father’s friend, and they worked together building Sepphoris, Herod Antipas’ city. My father, Simon bar Jesse, walked the hour and a half trek from Nazareth with Joseph every morning and then back each evening. Though Joseph was now a young man of only nineteen years, he and my father worked well together, and my father thought highly of him.

The day after I completed my Bar Mitzvah at age thirteen, as was our custom, Joseph knocked on our door at mid-day. I have bad news, he said, face ashen. There was an accident at work. The hoist rope broke and dropped a sling full of stones. Simon never knew what hit him. I’m so sorry.

At the end of the week of mourning, Joseph came to the house after he returned from work and called for me. It is time now for you to take the responsibilities of a man. As your father did for me, I will do for you. You will be my apprentice until you are ready to take over your father’s business. I will meet you here before first-light in the morning.

It is sad, but the only things my father was able to leave to me were his tools—and old Jed, his donkey.

Our three hour trek to and from the job site each day allowed us plenty of time to talk and become fast friends. The age difference did not come between us any more than it had between Joseph and my father. We spoke of our dreams and ambitions, of our hopes and goals.

My burro plodded along with us carrying our tools.

****

One morning a year later, Joseph wasn’t acting himself. All the way to work he had a smile on his face, and he hummed. Normally cheerful, today he was downright giddy. No matter how