Joseph of Arimathea

By Brian Mellor

History seems to have placed Joseph of Arimathea too far back in the shadow of Jesus. It is my belief that it was he who influenced Jesuss life the most. This is a story of that man, whose relationship, mentoring, and guiding Jesus, led to his greatness. Joseph as Jesuss uncle very likely took over as head of the family upon the death of Jesuss father. Joseph had all the credentials and means, a wealthy merchant with great influence in Rome and in his own community. A member of the assembly of high judges, which made the laws and meted out punishment, appointed Minister of Mines to Rome, a man who must have associated with the likes of Caesar, Pontius Pilate, and Herod. He placed his career, his life and that of his family in jeopardy by his close association with Jesus. He and Jesus had much to lose for the ideas and beliefs they projected. I believe that their message was much more than spiritual belief in an all-powerful, all-knowing God. I believe the message had much to do with liberty and freedom, which was suppressed under both Rome and the religious establishment of the time, all this, is not unlike the issues we are witnessing in Asia today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Aug 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466954205

Brian Mellor

The writing of this book was pure interest as the motivator. To seek answers to many questions that arise from biblical stories, taught by the Christian teachers. Many of those stories begged for further explainations, which always seemed to avoid a logical answer. So it has been left to others to assume answers to those questions. Religion touches the lives of almost everyone on the planet. It is as passionate as life itself. Believers defend it to the death, while others scoff at it and others muder because of it. It is big business: many became wealthy through both honest labor and scams, each selling the stuff with promises of grandeur, riches and happy joyous lives, which is not always the case. For people to become rich from spreading of 'God's words' others became poorer and I do not believe that this is what Jesus was all about. Raised in an Anglican environment I attended Sunday services, was baptised, confirmed and sang in the choir. I had joined other youth groups in other faiths all of which just raised more questions about this thing called religion and what was taught. I became a Tool and Machine Designer moving on to Manager of Manufacturing and then to Teaching High School. I am married with four children, three grand children and one great granddaughter. I have always been involved with sports and community activities, Minor hockey, Disabled Athletes Ass., Junior Squash lessons, Fundraising activities and serving on various Boards promoting Health and Fitness. Now I live in a small community surrounded by farms. At an early age I took a dislike for big cities. This is a community where air is clean, whose people are devoted to its wellbeing in the quality of services they provide. Activities in the arts, entertainment, kids programs as well as senior programs such as health and fitness clubs. This communty has always punched above itself in this regard. It is a place where community churches go about their spiritual duties and playing an impotant role in counseling, providing space for meets of various clubs and organizations, young people activities and fundraising events. This book is the culmination of seven years of research and theorizing on some of the questions which troubled me. I hope it will stimulate thought, interest and the possibility of other ideas.

Book preview

JOSEPH

of

ARIMATHEA

Brian Mellor

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© Copyright 2012 Brian Mellor.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-5395-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-5394-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-5420-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012915215

Trafford rev. 9/10/2012

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Contents

CHAPTER 1      Joseph of Arimathea

CHAPTER 2      The Message

CHAPTER 3      Preparing for the Homecoming

CHAPTER 4      The Meeting

CHAPTER 5      The Marseilles

CHAPTER 6      The Wedding

CHAPTER 7      Minister of Mines

CHAPTER 8      Apprehensions

CHAPTER 9      Religious Fearmongers

CHAPTER 10      Joshua

CHAPTER 11      Jesus Becomes a Rabbi

CHAPTER 12      The Sanhedrin Meeting

CHAPTER 13      Conflict of Beliefs

CHAPTER 14      Jesus in the Wilderness

CHAPTER 15      The Final Plans

CHAPTER 16      Herod

CHAPTER 17      The Mission

CHAPTER 18      Wrestling with the Gods

CHAPTER 19      Sanhedrin Treasure

CHAPTER 20      Second Meeting with Jesus

CHAPTER 21      Pontius Pilate

CHAPTER 22      Meeting with Herod

CHAPTER 23      Judas

CHAPTER 24      The Last Supper

CHAPTER 25      The Trial and Acquittal

CHAPTER 26      Roman Soldiers

CHAPTER 27      Meeting with Herod

CHAPTER 28      The Trial

CHAPTER 29      The March to Skull Hill

CHAPTER 30      The Crucifixion

CHAPTER 31      A New Beginning

CHAPTER 32      A Jewish God

CHAPTER 33      The Enlightenment

CHAPTER 34      Going Home

CHAPTER 35      Home

CHAPTER 36      The Voyage

CHAPTER 37      Marseilles

CHAPTER 38      Rhedae

CHAPTER 39      Helena

CHAPTER 40      Jesus and His Doctrine

CHAPTER 41      The Fulfillment

CHAPTER 42      Cecil

CHAPTER 43      Britannia

CHAPTER 44       King Arviragus

CHAPTER 45      No Friend of Rome

CHAPTER 46      News

CHAPTER 47      Our New World

CHAPTER 48      Joshua

CHAPTER 49      Romans

CHAPTER 50      The End Is Near

Endnotes

Foreword

I’ve written this book with an emphasis on Joseph of Arimathea. I believe that he was the pivotal character in Jesus’s life. If it were not for him, the events that shape the Christian faith would be entirely different from what we know.

Prophet, Messiah, Son of God, King of Jews, the Good Shepherd, the Savior, the Truth and the Light—Jesus was all these things and more. He was a leader, a healer, a husband, a father, a brother, and mostly, an organizer. Some of these things may have been orchestrated by the Sanhedrin assembly of judges. The main players in Jesus’s life were members of this organization. Sixteen years before the birth of Jesus, the plans were already laid out.

This story is a fictional account of what could have happened after the death of Jesus’s father, Joseph the carpenter; how Mary came into the house of Joseph of Arimathea; and those unaccounted-for years of Jesus’s life, starting when he was eleven and Mary was still a young woman of twenty-seven with three other children: James, Sara and Jose,.

I hope to answer many common questions, such as why Mary was selected to give birth to Jesus, why Joseph was selected to father Jesus, and why Bethlehem was selected as Jesus’s place of birth.

This fictional account is based on real people, real places, real facts, and real historical events. Some of the scriptures, facts, and places have been altered to suit the storyline and provide possible explanations as to what happened. I hope you will enjoy exploring this book as much as I did writing it.

Furthermore, it remains for us to question whether the Christian religion that is taught today bears any resemblance to what was really taught two thousand years ago, or whether Jesus’s true faith has been suppressed. There will be some who may take this book too literally and have issues with it. To them I say it is not meant to antagonize; it is simply an attempt to put things in order, to search and question everything, and to seek out answers. It is fiction for thought, with no intention of proving that any of these events actually did take place.

The mind is an inquiring place. There is nothing that is hidden that will not be made known, no secret that will not eventually come to light.

CHAPTER 1

Joseph of Arimathea

Hold it out with your left hand, like this. You must hold the net out of the water. Now watch me cast it. The Great Sea was rough today. The waves that rolled in slapped against Josephes’s small body, keeping him fighting for his balance, laughing all the while as each wave tried to push him over backward. That’s it, I encouraged him, you’ve got it now. Wait now, don’t start pulling on the draw cord until the weights take the net to the bottom.

Now, Father, can I pull it in now? young Josephes called.

Yes, pull it in. Pull in that net in the same manner as your fathers before have done for a thousand years. The net gave Josephes some difficulty as he struggled to draw it to him.

Look, look, I have caught some fish! the boy shouted.

Pull it up to the shore, and let’s see what you have. Anna, come down and have a look at what your brother has caught.

I don’t want her too close to the water, Joseph, cried Helena.

Don’t worry, I’ll keep a watch for her, I cried back, moving closer to little Anna. Josephes by this time had landed the net, which held three flapping fish. His eyes were wide with delight, and he had an excited look on his face.

Look, Father, look what I have caught! he shouted, jumping up and down.

That will make a wonderful lunch, I said, picking up Anna. Bring the fish up to the fire, and we will get them ready.

Helena had been keeping everything ready for our small feast. I said the prayers and prepared the fish while all watched silently. It was Succoth, the time of year for reflecting on ancient times. Josephes always liked the stories I told, even if they were repeated time and again. As Helena cooked the fish, Josephes asked, Tell me, Father—tell me about the time when you were a boy.

You want to hear that again? I asked.

Yes, and Anna wants to hear too, don’t you, Anna?

Anna nodded her head, smiling as she always did.

Very well, I began. It was in Arama where I lived with three older brothers and three older sisters. Each older brother and sister took turns ensuring that I obeyed, washed frequently, did my tasks, and studied hard. Each one was a father or a mother to me.

Helena served the fish, and we began to eat.

Don’t stop now, said little Anna.

Very well, I continued. We are of the House of Aaron, a very important family dating back to the kings of the Israelites. You must always remember this and make sure that you tell your children of this. For we are held in high regard and must act accordingly.

I will, Father, but tell me about your real mother and father, Josephes replied.

"I will. I will get around to that, but first let me tell you about my older brother Joachim. He, being the eldest, took over the affairs of our house and our father’s business when our parents died. We were in the business of making dishes, oil lamps, and urns that were traded all over the world. We had many visitors to our house, and I would sit and listen to the different languages and dialects spoken by the traders as their caravans stopped on their way to the rest of the world. This created a great longing inside of me, for I too wanted to see the rest of the world and travel with them. I remember the many times Joachim would take me with him to Jerusalem, leaving Arama before dawn, wagons loaded down with our wares. The ass baying his morning hello, waking everyone. As we headed toward Jerusalem, we would reach the crest of the road, and I would always look back just as the sun placed a golden halo over the twin hills on either side of Arama. Joachim always told me that God took special care to bless this city and all who live between those golden halos. Sometimes I would linger too long, and my brothers would tease me, ‘Come, Joseph, else you will become solid as a rock in the middle of the road.’

We would walk all morning, arrive in Jerusalem before the sun was high. My brothers would send me off to the temple to listen to the teachers while they set up the stall and sold our wares. I much preferred this to sitting in the market haggling over the price of a few plates. When I got back at dusk, my brothers always insisted I tell them what the teachers said that day. Sometimes I would make up my own stories, and they never caught on to that. It was my little joke on them. When I grew older, I decided that it was time for me to make my own way in life. So with the blessing of my brothers and sisters, I decided to go to Berytus. That is where I met Saul, your grandfather, who took me in, and I became attached to him as my mentor. When I married your mother, Saul helped me get started in my own business of trading goods.

But what about your mother and father? Josephes asked.

Oh yes, well, one day, when I was about Anna’s age, Romans came into our city, taking anything they wanted. When people resisted, they were killed. Both my mother and father were killed that day. Father tried to stop one of them and was stabbed through the heart. When mother saw this, she rushed to him and was stabbed as well. This is what I was told, as I and my brothers and sisters had been taken out into the hills and hidden. When we returned to our house after the Romans had left, we found them together, dead. Many others died that day, and it is well remembered. These are just a few of the things that you must remember, never forget. You must promise me that you will tell all your children of the things that I tell you so that they are never lost.

I will, Father. I will always remember these things. If you tell me more, I will remember those things as well.

Tomorrow, my son. That’s enough for today; it’s getting dark now. Come on, Anna, pack up all your things. Come and help me, Josephes. Helena had already gathered up most of our things as the sun was dropping and the air was cooling. Do not leave that net, Josephes. Bring it up here. We made our way up the hill to home.

Tomorrow came, and I sat idly looking out at the Phoenician ships on the Great Mediterranean Sea. The beautiful blue waters lapping against the bows, wind billowing the sails, hardly a cloud in the sky—such sights brought warmth to my heart. These were ships under my orders, heading to Britannia to pick up more tin for the Romans. It had been a week now since my arrival home after three months of traveling. The tin business was very good. It had brought much wealth to me and had secured independence for my family. Being home with my wife, Helena, and my eleven-year-old son, Josephes, was a blessing for me like no other—and my daughter, Anna, sweet Anna, just like her mother. I would be lost without her. It had been three years now since we moved here from Berytus. I decided to move because of the continual unrest in that city. Sidon and Tyre were considered, but they were not much better than Berytus. Joppa, it seemed, was not on anyone’s map of contention; it was peaceful, with very little crime, good schools, and a Jewish center. I kept thinking back to what my father told me about the wars. Some of this was handed down to him from his father and his father before him. This was our custom, to relate happenings from one son to the next.

Father.

Yes, Josephes.

Will you tell me some more stories of long ago?

"I was just thinking of some now, as you walked in. Come over here and sit by me. There now. I was just thinking of Berytus, where your grandfather, Saul, lives. Berytus has been in the midst of one conflict after another. It seems that with each generation, the city is almost destroyed by one army or another. Two thousand years of conflict has been wrought upon Berytus, and I decided that it was nearing the time when the next conflict would begin. You see, it began sixteen hundred years ago when a Semitic, nomadic people called Hyksos conquered the area. Then Egypt waged a war lasting hundreds of years. Babylon then ruled this area, dominating the Phoenicians again. Those poor Phoenicians, always ruled by someone. Achaemenides ended the Babylonian rule over the area, and then came Alexander the Great, who waged war on the Persian Empire, and then the Roman Empire under Tiberius Claudius Nero.

"Nero, just a few short years ago, decided to withdraw from public life and went to live on Rhodes with some personal friends and an astrologer. It is said that his wife so embarrassed him that he just left. He is now back in public life, appointed by Augustus. I had an audience with him last time I was in Rome.

"There seems to be great dispute as to who should rule us. The armies of Rome have been divided into smaller camps, and unrest has been felt. The soldiers are not happy with the way they have been treated. Their housing is poor compared to what they have been promised, and their pay—which comes from the royal treasury—has not been sufficient to meet their needs. Augustus does not want Rome to expand the existing empire, and the Roman soldiers do not care much for this, as they were allowed to keep plunder from their victims. This made some Roman soldiers very rich, but now those monies have been squandered, and they are looking for a country to invade. The Roman Empire is in somewhat of an upheaval now. I am happy that I moved my family to this small coastal town away from Berytus, as every time a war starts, that city is in the middle of it. I have to admit that it has one of the most beautiful coastlines that I have ever seen… but here in Joppa, we also enjoy a very nice coastline, and we have very few destitute souls. Unlike Berytus, where there are numerous people who beg. They need something or someone to believe in, to lift them out of their despair and give them hope. I see no one who has the influence to take on this task. I do what I can through our religious order. Many of my ships are anchored in Berytus, as it is a major trading center. Items such as cedar, perfume, jewelry, wine, and fruit are exported from this port. I have tried to put these destitute people to work, but they have no ambition. It is this commerce that I hope will bring these poor souls out of poverty. As a judge of the Jewish assembly, I can aid many with the resources at our disposal, but the numbers keep swelling each year. Many of my fellow judges feel frustrated as I do, at times, with the lack of aid from our Roman leaders; it has been a difficult problem. Some of the high priests who control much of the money seem to keep it for lavish temple ornaments, bigger temples, finer clothes for services. I see very little funding going toward craft training or housing or encouraging self-sufficiency.

Throughout all the years of strife in and around Berytus, the Phoenicians have always adapted to the cultures that have taken over their lands; they have been very resourceful. I see Phoenicians who always seem to take something and improve upon it. They are wonderful craftsmen. Here in Joppa, for instance, the Phoenicians have developed the most wonderful purple dye that lasts much longer than the older dyes and is used to adorn garments that are sought by many people of all cultures. It is this dye I was hoping to add to my trading with Britannia on my next trip. Look, Josephes, even you wear some of this dye. So you see, Josephes, you must not let our people forget these things. Learn them and give your children the history of our people.

I will, Father. I will remember these things.

CHAPTER 2

The Message

I sat reading the message as a cool breeze washed across the land. It was now autumn, and the last hot days of summer had left. I was gazing out across the waters of the Mediterranean. The winds grew quite strong. I watched as the fishermen methodically repaired their nets and readied their boats. This was the kind of day for just such a chore. The normally blue waters had taken on a grayish hue that matched my saddened heart. The arrival of news from my niece Mary was disturbing. Joseph, her husband, was dying. Could I come as soon as possible? While my servants made the necessary arrangements, my thoughts traced back over the years. Joseph, an able carpenter of good moral strength, had lost his ability to work and provide for his family over the last seven years. It was at this time I spoke to the council of judges and the Sanhedrin priests. They came to help Mary, and all her needs were met. This allowed her to remain quite comfortably in the house that Joseph built. The Sanhedrin assembly always kept a watch over this family to provide for and protect, while educating Mary’s eldest boy, Jesus. He had become a concern due to his harassing the priests and teachers; they said he was an upstart and a troublemaker. He was always questioning their teachings and authority, and asking questions that they could not answer. It seemed that the Sanhedrin priests were having trouble grooming him for his life to come. Should Joseph pass on, I knew that my part in those lives must grow. It was with this in mind that I decided to take along my son Josephes, as he was but one year older than Jesus and could console the others on the passing of their father.

Father, Father, I am ready, and the carriage is packed. Hurry.

All right, my son, I’m on my way. I could hear the asses stomping their feet and snorting eagerly as they pulled on the harness, with Morris saying, Whoa, whoa now.

Master Josephes is ready and eager for your departure, as you can see, said Cecil. Levi and Marium wait below in the courtyard. I am glad, sire, that you are taking Morris with you as well.

Thank you for your concern, Cecil. I turned to my wife. Helena, my love, I know not when this ordeal will be over, but as we discussed, should Joseph die, Mary and the children must come here to live with us.

Yes, I know, my husband. Tell her it is my wish that she come—for the sake of the children, at least. Our home is large enough to accommodate them.

We set off, waving good-bye to Helena and Anna. Josephes had packed special gifts for his cousins Jesus, James, Sara, and Jose, while Helena sent gifts for Mary and Joseph. It would take two days for us to reach our destination, and we would travel by all the busiest routes in order to avoid those who might wish to take advantage of our small party. The Roman legions would give us some assurance along the way, as they knew me as a friend to the Roman emperor in waiting, Tiberius who was quite ruthless to those who did not call him friend. Yet always true to his word and convictions. We set off, taking the inland road.

We could still see the Mediterranean occasionally on our left as we worked our way past lush green forests and farms. We could see Mount Gerizim far off to the right, with its brown barren landscape. The rugged terrain and uphill climb would tire the animals, as the road was not good for wagons. Roman garrisons met us and guided us along on our journey toward Nazareth. They were on another mission but bid us to join them as far as Hadera. They were sure that other Roman soldiers would be available to accompany us to our destination, for the way was well-traveled.

Many thoughts went through my mind as we made our way. I was thinking of the very successful year that had just brought much wealth to me, supplying tin and lead to Europe and Rome. These past eleven years, I had spent much time away from my family. Many crossings to Land’s End and many dealings with the Dumnonian tin miners and Durotrigian lead miners, sailing through the Mediterranean Sea to my other home in Marseilles, and then across the land to La Manche and over to Land’s End on those very able Phoenician vessels. I was sorry to have left Joppa on this occasion, as I was looking forward to spending time with my family and had made arrangements long ago for this purpose. This other duty arrived without much warning and changed all that.

Father, what is Uncle Joseph dying of?

I’m not sure, exactly. He has a coughing disease, which may be his problem—or it could be that it is his turn to rest because he is old.

What do you mean ‘rest,’ Father?

Well, people age and just wear out. Those like your Uncle Joseph, who have grown old, worked very hard all their life, contributing to society, but cannot expect to continue forever. Eventually, we will all come to that point at which your uncle is now. Before that time arrives, we hope to have made a life, a good life for our sons and daughters, and be of good character to all those around us, and to be thoughtful, kind and gentle toward everyone we meet, just as your Uncle Joseph and Aunt Mary have done to the best of their ability.

Oh, I see, I think, said Josephes.

Josephes, look over there. Do you see those flowers?

Yes, Father.

Look at them. What happens to those flowers in the fall of the year? I asked.

They die off, said Josephes.

Yes, they do, to some extent, I said. But if this were really the case, why is it then that they appear again next year?

I don’t know, Father, why is it?

Because, my son, their roots are deep. Their life is but a year. In the spring, a bud appears above the ground, fresh and green. Think of this as a newborn baby. The stalk grows tall and strong, as a young man grows, becomes a teenager, and then grows into manhood. The plant flowers to its full potential, becoming the best that it is able to be—again, much like a man who becomes successful planting new seeds for the continuation of his kind. The plant then begins to wither and die, because its life cycle is over. But because its roots are deep, the plant will renew itself again next year. Man is much like this plant. Your uncle Joseph will renew himself again in his children, just as I would like to see you, my son, reach your most beautiful time of life.

Father, does that mean Uncle Joseph will become a newborn baby again next year?

Not quite. You see, Josephes, man’s life cycle is not merely one year, like a plant, but many. Your uncle Joseph will be renewed in as many years as his life. So at some point in time, you may meet him again, and you may or may not recognize each other. This I know. For the earth’s elements cannot be destroyed, only altered in some way. This is God’s law.

I’m glad we will meet again. I will miss him until then.

Let’s see, we started our journey just before the sun was at its highest. The sun is on the horizon; we should be stopping at Megiddo for food and rest. Commander, will you be stopping at Megiddo?

Yes, Joseph, we will be lodging overnight in Afula and starting again at first light.

Good. Thank you.

We passed through a small camp on the road in the mountain, and the people came out to greet us. Shalom, Shalom, they shouted, and we in turn shouted back.

Shalom, what name do you go by? I asked.

Musmus, replied the elder as he handed me a cup of water.

Thank you. Is this the only water in this area? I asked.

Yes, my friend. What do they call you? Musmus asked.

I am Joseph of Arimathea. This is my son, Josephes; Morris; and Levi and his wife, Marium. We go to my niece’s house in Nazareth. I did not see you here the last time I passed through.

We came late last year and decided to settle down. Step down and water your animals.

We did, and Josephes went over to the well and looked down into it. The water is deep down there, he said.

Yes, this was a very welcome blessing when I discovered it, Musmus said. It is a rich man who has a good well such as this. It provides enough water for all, including the animals and travelers.

After the animals were rested and watered, we climbed back up, thanked Musmus for his hospitality, and continued on our journey.

Come again, and next time stay and eat with me, Joseph of Arimathea, he shouted. I hope you do well in Nazareth.

Thank you—I will, Musmus, and may God always bless your well and hospitality.

We arrived in Megiddo and rested. There was still time to get to Afula before the sun set. The journey was going well; we had made good time. The landscape had turned lush again with farms and trees. After a brief rest, we set out again for Afula. Just a short distance beyond would be the banks of the Iadera River, where we could water our horses and eat. It was at that place we might meet up with more Roman soldiers.

Just as we had hoped, there at the Iadera River was a small garrison of soldiers, and they too were headed for Nazareth. We had little time to waste if we were to travel with the garrison. The horses were watered and lightly fed, and we set off again. The next stop would be Afula, where we would sleep overnight. We would arrive in Nazareth the next morning.

All that day, little more was said about Mary and the children. It was understood what our responsibilities would be. The chatter from Josephes kept us amused. His comments on the poor and unfortunate were most encouraging. He was always trying to understand why these people had suffered such misfortune and questioning what could be done to elevate their position in life.

As we neared the outskirts of Afula, stalls with all types of merchants came into view. Afula is a main crossroads of trade and a place to rest between destinations. Levi jumped off the cart and quickly negotiated food and drink for our party. The Roman soldiers also stopped at various food stalls and bought food and drink. There must have been a thousand stalls with varied merchandise—even wine merchants, who seemed to be well into partaking of their own wares. The plan was to have a rest now, and then continue through the city and set up camp on the far side. Getting through this area in the morning would cause delays, as the streets were narrow and quite busy. The vendors haggling over the price of their goods would test God’s patience. The poor begged in the streets for something, anything at all, their miserable lives not only burdened by hunger but by lice, skin rashes, rotting teeth, and ugly disfigured bodies, all wrapped in dirty rags. These were the things that priests should be engaged in preventing, and helping this miserable lot. This should be God’s work, to end this misery.

Every time I saw these people, it reminded me of how corrupt our religious leaders were, strutting around in their fine gold-trimmed garments, feasting on the finest foods, drinking the finest of wines. They justified this by saying God made it possible through their belief in him, and they were being rewarded for their faith. What rubbish, I thought. If God made this possible for them, then it was given in trust to deal with the poverty and put to use to ease suffering, not for self-indulgence. Each beggar we encountered was to be given money so that he would not go hungry this day. This is what those temple priests should have been doing, but you would never see them in a place such as this unless they were escorted by the temple guards, who would beat those wretched souls should they dare approach. These priests disgusted me with their holy attitude. It took me a while to calm my mind of these matters. I wished I could persuade the assembly to address them, but all my speeches fell on deaf ears.

That night Levi, Marium, Morris, Josephes, and I sat around the fire discussing how soon we might get to Nazareth, and where we might encounter more legions. We also talked about Joseph of Nazareth’s earlier family and what role his sons might wish to play in this. It had been evident from earlier situations that Mary could not count on her husband’s sons and their wives for any support. None had the slightest interest in her and never approved of their father’s relationship with her. Mary’s parents have been dead for eighteen years now. Her father, my older brother Joachim, had been a very rich man at one point. He was, as I am, of the priestly line of Aaron, thus giving Mary some importance as it has favored me. Somehow, though, that all changed after his death.

Mary’s mother, Anna, was already in her fifties when Mary was born. She lived on her own after my brother Joachim died. Mary was taken into the temple, and the wealth seemed to disappear. Some say Anna was cheated out of her fortune by her husband’s partner and advisor, or that the priests raising Mary took it. Nothing has ever been proven. Since Anna’s death and the death of her husband’s partner, the claims have just disappeared.

It was because of this that I now had to take command of that family to ensure that our plans would be carefully carried out. As we were getting under our blankets, Josephes said to me, Father, you know this circumcision that we have done to us?

Yes.

Well, I was wondering, where in the scriptures does it say this is to be done?

It is in there somewhere, I know. I just don’t know where it is at this time. But we can find it. Why do you ask?

My friend Adel, he is not circumcised. Why is that?

Some people have their sons circumcised and some do not. With us, it is a matter of religious beliefs. With others, it is a matter of choice. Sometimes a physician may advise the parents to have this done because of some possible future problem that he may see happening, and others just let things be as they are.

Why is it that our scriptures tell us that this foreskin is to be removed?

Ours is a matter of religious beliefs. It is believed that the removal of this extra skin encourages cleanliness. Cleanliness is an important belief in our lives. Cleanliness is said to be next to godliness, and we want to be next to God. This is why it is written in the scriptures. It has been handed down to us from the time of Abraham, who spoke of this many times.

Why do we have a foreskin in the first place? Is it extra, or does it have some use?

As far as I know, it is extra, and has no use other than to provide a covering. It is the skin under that covering that needs cleaning. It was found that men in general do not take the time to do this; they are lazy about such things. Therefore, it is removed to prevent disease from happening. Why do you have this interest?

Well, do you remember last year when we visited Uncle Joseph and Aunt Mary? We went down to the river and bathed.

Yes, I remember.

Well, no one wore clothes. I saw Uncle Joseph, and his penis was very small, so small that it could hardly be seen. Do penises get smaller as you get older?

No, not really, Uncle Joseph always had a small penis, ever since I have known him. This is the way he was born, I said.

Is there something wrong with him? Can he use it in a normal way?

As far as I know, it just the same as yours and mine—and no, there is nothing wrong with him.

Oh. I did not think that it was possible. Being that small, I mean. Was he circumcised?

Of course he was. All good practicing Jews, all of us have been circumcised. It does not matter how small or how large. The important thing to remember is that it works, and that is all that matters, and just why are you asking these questions?

Well, my rabbi teacher, while explaining how babies are created, described how the penis breaks through the woman’s dam and this is how the spirit of new life enters the woman, so how did Uncle Joseph and Aunt Mary conceive their children? I mean, with Uncle Joseph being so small?

They work things out between themselves. When you eventually get married, you may find you may have a problem or your wife may have a problem, but you will always find a means of making things work out for the both of you. Enough of this talk now, it is time to close your eyes and get some sleep, for we have another big day ahead of us tomorrow.

Okay, Father. I hope I did not bore you too much.

This talk suddenly reminded me of the supposed virgin birth; Joseph could not have pierced the hymen. This was why they concluded that Mary was a virgin.

Dawn arrived, with Marium waking everyone with warm tea, biscuits, and fruit. The soldiers were rising and gathering their equipment. It was not long before all was ready and we set off. We would arrive at Nazareth before the sun reached its peak.

Nazareth was a city I knew well. Morris, the house I seek is down that way, toward that small olive garden. And there it was, a small house with two windows on either side of the ornate door. It was easy to tell that a carpenter took great pains to build such a fine door in an area like this. All the other houses were of similar size and design, squared with flat roofs, but Joseph and Mary’s house had this fine door as evidence of the skill of the carpenter inside.

This little town of Nazareth was one of the most beautiful places in all of Galilee, set among limestone hills in a pear-shaped basin. It was nestled on a southeast slope, and all the houses were made of the white sandstone that surrounded the area. It looked tiny in comparison to the hills that surrounded it, but there must have been almost a thousand people living there now.

Morris, Josephes, see that hill over there, the highest one? I said. I remember climbing that when I was younger. It has one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. Looking north, you could see the ruins of Sepphoris, the plateaus of Zebulun and Naphtali, and the mountains of Lebanon, with snow-covered Hermon towering above all. We must climb that hill one day, you and me, Josephes.

Despite all its beauty, Nazareth held an evil reputation with other cities. It was said that Nazarenes lacked culture and were rude. I had not found this myself, however. Yes, they lacked the culture of the great coastal cities, but they were the true sands of this earth in their own crude way. It was just their rough dialect that gave a bad impression.

James was the first to see us coming, and he ran into the house. As we approached, Mary, with Sara and Jose in hand, emerged from the door, a lovely young woman with auburn hair curled back on her neck and dark piercing eyes. There was a quiet radiance about her, and gentleness enveloped her, just as I remembered.

Welcome, Uncle. I have been anxiously waiting, for I knew you would come, she said as we embraced.

Greetings, Mary. You know everyone—Josephes, Levi, Marium, Morris. We have all come to help you in your hour of need.

Welcome to you all, said Mary. James, please go and fetch Jesus and tend to the carts and asses around back. Fetch cool water from the well. Please come in, Uncle. Joseph is not at all well and has been looking to talk with you.

As I entered the room and saw Joseph, I stood shocked, for he was not the man I remembered. He was thin, small, and grayish-looking, and he was coughing up blood. I knelt beside him, took his hand in mine, and said, Well, old man, things are not going well, I see. He looked up at me and nodded, wiping spittle from his mouth. As I talked with Joseph, Mary provided biscuits and drink. Joseph told me of his coming fate and how his sons would not come and pay their last respects to him. We talked in confidence of the fate of Jesus. I assured him that nothing would change. The boy would be protected, and his grooming would continue. I would be talking with the high assembly on these matters and assured him all would go as planned. Joseph was worried that Mary would be left on her own with the children and was concerned about their fate. I assured him that they would be coming to Joppa with me and welcomed into my family, and that Helena was already preparing our home for them. Joseph looked relieved at the news, for he knew that time was short and his departure from earth was imminent. We took turns staying with him all that night. I sat there watching over my brother, the carpenter who I have kown for many years. At times he acted like a father to me when our parents were killed by the Romans so long ago. He looked much older than when I had last seen him, but of course he was. He had always been very kind and thoughtful toward others, learning his trade from a long-ago uncle. No one in our family ever went without work—each to his own trade and business, all productively contributing to our society. Now Joseph was waiting to depart from it.

The following day, Joseph died. Mary and Joseph already had a burial chamber that he had prepared. Long ago, Joseph had constructed it next to his father’s chamber, cut into the face of a stone hill just outside the city. I had the opportunity to inspect the tomb prior to Joseph’s death. The entrance was small; one had to bend down to enter the shaft, which must have been close to two men’s height’s long, the entrance being half a man’s height wide and two-thirds high. Inside the chamber was a main room, square; it was high enough so that a man could stand up straight and have no fear of hitting his head. In the walls of the chamber, smaller shafts were cut into the rock to place ossuaries, and there were two shelves cut from stone on which to lay the body for the decaying process. Jesus and James had told me that they had whitewashed the chamber and cleaned out any rubble left from the cutting of rock. A fine heavy stone had been prepared to roll over the entrance and fit snugly into the opening, sealing the entrance—but with the provision to remove it when the time came when we would make the pilgrimage to complete our task of placing the bones into an ossuary and sliding the ossuary into one of the small shafts.

Neighbors came to pay respects, as well as help Mary and Sara prepare the body for burial. While this was taking place, I left to meet the priests and discuss the continuation of the plan. Twelve high judges were in attendance at the temple. All had come in anticipation of Joseph’s death, and plans had to be changed. Gamaliel, who sat next to me on this occassion, was a very young, respected and eager priest holding the position of judge. He had not yet grown a stately beard; it was sparse in places, his fine, thin young hair barely covering his chin. I quite liked him for his positive enthusiasm and relative immaturity. I was sure he would make a fine judge as well as a priest.

We all took our normal positions in a semicircle and began to discuss the situation, how this change would affect the outcome. All agreed that things that were now in place must remain in place. All agreed that Mary and her family should come to my house. The difference would be the location of Jesus’s grooming. The same instructors would be sent to live close by, as they were now. The temple guards who discreetly protected Jesus and his family would also be relocated to Joppa. Armed guards would be sent with us