The Lost Apostle

By Valeska Parks

After Judas, after the crucifixion, after the resurrection, there was another apostle. This is his story.

Follow the journey of Matthias as he follows Jesus; from the banks of the Jordan to the foot of the cross and beyond.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Valeska Parks
• Release date: Sep 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386142904

Valeska Parks

Valeska Parks was born in Lafayette, Indiana and has been writing since she was seven years old. Drawing upon her own imagination and understanding of the world, Valeska writes stories from the perspectives of unique characters in an effort to show a more complete picture of the world and a better understanding of other people. She still lives in her hometown with her large collection of books and cat, Chaya.

Book preview

Chapter 1

R epent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is near! He cries at the top of His lungs.

I have been coming to the Jordan River, near my home town of Scythopolis, every day for months, sitting on the ground, listening to the words of John the Baptist.

Night is coming on quickly. In the dimming light I see people getting up off the dry grass and heading home. John still stands in the water, preaching as if none of the crowd that has gathered to see him is going home.

My friend nudges me.

Hey, Matthias. Let’s go. We can come back tomorrow to hear him make an even bigger fool of himself. Jacob laughs.

He’s my best friend. He looks like any other Judean, long blackish brown hair, dark brown eyes, and a temper that matches everyone else. I’ve never liked violence as much as him, though.

That’s why I’m here, listening to this madman speak of the Kingdom of God. According to him, there is no more fighting there. No more Romans, who so many of us have come to hate more than The Adversary himself.

Just a minute. I want to hear more. I’m so engulfed in what John says I can hardly sit still.

Eema will have my hide if I’m not home before dark! Jacob is beginning to get on my nerves.

Well, go on then. I’m not about to miss any of this. I am fascinated with all of it. I have heard so much about this man. Some say he’s one of the prophets come back, while others say he’s the Messiah. I don’t think he’s the Messiah. He seems like a prophet, but it just doesn’t feel right that some call him the Messiah.

Jacob has left me to listen. In fact, the entire assembly has left. I’m the last here.

You better get home before the wolves come out. John says while walking out of water. He looks like one of the possessed men I’ve heard about. Long, wild hair the color of soot, piercing gray eyes, and a camel’s hair cloak.

I’m sorry, John. I have known this man for a while now. I have always come early in the morning to talk more about what he preaches.

I was just getting ready to... But what did you mean when you said to those men earlier today, ‘I baptize you with water. But someone is coming who is greater than I?’ He hesitates for a moment, a wry expression on his face.

Haven’t you been listening? He says it almost too kindly. I have told all men, that the Kingdom is near and-

Yes, yes! You’ve explained all this to me already! But what does it mean? How can the Kingdom come here? My sudden outburst surprises even me. But John stands there as if I had said nothing.

He answers calmly, as he has for all of my questions.

The Kingdom is not something, but someone who is bringing something. I stand thinking.

You mean... the Messiah? Could it be? After thousands of years waiting, could it really be time for us to again be freed from captivity? He smiles.

Precisely. And I’ve got a feeling you will play an important part in His Plan.

Wait a sec.... Me? Play an important part? This is the Messiah we’re talking about!

But John, how can somebody like me-But he’s gone.

I begin to walk home, my mind spinning. How could he think I may be important? I’m just a dumb kid who’s always hanging out with the wrong crowd. What could God do with me?

All of this is too much to contemplate. I hadn’t noticed until now how dark it was. My family will be worried. This is the Judean countryside after all. Robbers have been known to beat old men to their deaths just to get a gerah of grain.

My family is in bed by the time I get home. My brothers and sisters are asleep on their mats on the floor, Eema is in her bed. Abba is on a journey to a friend’s house in another city to help him with his business.

I quietly walk to my mat and lie down. I’m still so stunned by what John said. I lie there and think about it until I fall asleep. Nothing like a little sleep to ease