Resurrected Hope

By Frank Watland

Can a man have faith without hope?

Many people lose hope long before they lose their faith. The loss of hope is not hinged on one event but from many events that occur in their lives. Joseph was a young shepherd boy who heard the angels and saw the baby the night Jesus was born, but a series of events destroyed his hope for the Messiah. The only hope he would have left was to be introduced to the resurrected Savior.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546243762

Frank Watland

Frank Watland is a student of the Bible with a passion for history. He served in the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard. Then he graduated from Nebraska Christian College with a BA in Pastoral Ministry in 2000 and has served in several churches in Nebraska and Iowa. He currently lives in Iowa.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The following morning father found us in the field, watching the flock. He asked us about the night and I told him that we saw an angel, and that he told us that the Messiah was born. I was hoping father would be excited to hear this, but it didn’t seem to be the case. Father is an astute scholar on the Messiah, having taught some of the rabbis and even all his children on identifying and knowing the Messiah. He then asked us, Are you certain?

Father, Levi responded, "I discovered that he is a Judean, from the house of David, and that they live in Galilee. What more do you want? He is way too young to accomplish anything that scripture tells us to expect from the Messiah. You can find them at the innkeepers’ place. We saw them at that little cave they use to keep the animals of those doing some traveling, though they may be inside by now. I guess most of the people there were walking, as I didn’t see much for animals.

What about his messenger? Did you see him?

Father, as much as I know the angels were the messengers. Maybe your sons are the messengers. All I know is that a child was born in Bethlehem to a man from the tribe of Judah and the house of David, what else do you want to have him accomplish? You have taught us that prophecy is fulfilled in its own time. You also told us that the prophecies of Daniel are drawing close. Could this be the time?

Father did not know what to think. He told us that he would need to check the scrolls again and then he would get back with us. He started to walk away when I pulled on his sleeve. He tried to push me aside and that is when I pointed to the young ewe with her lamb.

Two days later I went to our house for some of mother’s fresh baked bread. We knew that she always made every time at midweek, as well as prior to the Sabbath. Going back, I saw Joseph outside a small house, so I asked him about our little messiah. He told me that they are all doing fine and that they are living in the house behind them.

At that time another man came up to him and said, Joseph, is that you? Shalom.

Judah, you are a sight for sore eyes. Shalom. Tell me, what are you doing here?

You know I left Nazareth over a year ago, now I am living here, he whispered. I have been recruiting many good, strong men to clean up Galilee, Judea, and, of course, Jerusalem. There is much to be done, is that why you are here?

Not even close. I came here because of the census; I am presently staying because my wife and I, and our newborn son cannot travel yet.

Are you telling me that you and Mary got married and now have a son? Congratulations! So, tell me, can I count on you for our cause?

Not knowing what Judah was talking about he went on to explain, still whispering, As you may know, now is the time for the Messiah to appear. And, as you may know, he is not here, yet the Lord has let me know that the one who lives a righteous life will one day ride into Jerusalem as ‘King of the Jews.’ Now, as you know, I have lived a righteous life. I have lived by both the letter of the Law and by the spirit of the Law. I worship the Lord with all my spirit, soul, and mind. Now, you may have remembered that I have gathered a multitude of men in Galilee, and what you may not know is that I have gathered many more here in Judea. If you cannot help me in our time of need I would greatly appreciate your prayers.

My prayers are with you, Judah; I only wish you would stop this madness.

Madness! Look around you! Do you see the messiah anywhere around here?

Joseph looked at the little stone house with the stairs ascending to the roof. A smile crept upon his face as he turned back to his friend. I cannot see him now, but that doesn’t mean he is not nearby. May the good Lord watch over you and protect you, my friend.

My father approached us, calling out my name, as Judas walked away. He asked me why I was standing with these men, so I introduced him to Joseph.

So, you are the man who believes that the Messiah was born into his family?

Sir, I do not know what your sons may have told you or what you may believe about the Messiah, so I ask you to respect my position in not answering your question at this time.

During the next few minutes, Joseph explained to my father what happened from the time he was in Galilee to the birth of Jesus. He answered all of father’s questions and posed some questions to father, as well. Then father turned to me and said, And why are you not with your brothers?

My eyes widened as I remembered about the bread mother have just baked. All I could say was Oh as I ran back home to get some bread and anything else I could carry.

I said hello to mother as I ran into the house and then told her that I had to go as I ran past her a second time. I continued to run until I reached my brothers. Afterward, my brothers asked me why it took so long to get here, so I told them that I met Joseph and father in town and that I introduced them to each other, and then I told them how father began to question Joseph and how Joseph calmly stood his ground and answered every question.

I only wish father will believe us now, Levi said.

CHAPTER TWO

A week later a friend of our father’s, Abiel benAbraham, came from Jerusalem. As he approached the house he called out with a lisp, Shalom, my friend, I hope to find that all is well on such a fine day. As you know, Passover is fast approaching, and I was wondering about your young lambs, do you have any you would like to sell?

Father looked up from the vegetables he had planted in the garden, Abiel, you never bought a lamb from me yet, and I don’t think you intend to buy one today, so tell me, what are you doing here?

You know me too well, Rabbi Jacob. I know you like to hear the news from Jerusalem concerning the Messiah. Well, I got two things to tell you, and I hope that it would be worth a lamb to you. Father responded that it sounded a bit too high, but he was willing to hear what his friend had to say.

You know of a man known as Judah of Nazareth? Father nodded and so Abiel continued. "He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, just like the prophets foretold, claiming to be the Messiah. The people were gathering around him, shouting praises to the Lord, and then he rode right up to Herod’s Palace. He called out to Herod to come out and face him and the charges that were brought to him. When the doors opened some of the men stormed into the palace, with Judah leading the way. All remained quiet until a horn was blown, and the head of this Judah was thrown from the window. The other men who were ready to crown Judas as king ran in every direction. Herod tried to find them. He had his guards search every house, questioning everyone on the whereabouts of his followers, but none could be found. The guards barred the gates, hoping to find some of his followers, but they ran so fast that the guards would have to be on horseback if they expected to catch up with them. Stories went out that they had an escape route if things went bad, and I wouldn’t doubt that they were true. I have a feeling that people will remember this Judah, not as a hero, but as another false messiah.

Two days later another Galilean from Nazareth came to Jerusalem, but he came with only a wife and a newborn son. They were a young couple, the mother looking as if she was still a child herself. They came to the Temple to offer two doves when that crazy old man, Simeon, grabbed the child and praised the Lord that he had the chance to see the Lord’s anointed before he would pass on. He was saying something like, ‘my eyes have seen your salvation’ and that the child would be ‘a light of revelation to the Gentiles.’ Then a crazy old woman, I believe they call her the prophetess Anna, also grabbed the child, praising the Lord for the child and saying that he is the one to look for when you are looking for the redemption of Israel. Alas, I do not know who this family was or where they went.

I then asked if he could describe the family for us when he responded that they were average people with a normal looking baby. I asked father if this could have been them, but all he did was raise a finger to his lips

You know something, Rabbi?

I only need to compile my notes. You do not expect a baby to raise an army, would you?

Abiel remained silent, and then father asked him, Please tell me, why did you delay in telling me all of this?

Herod had us all scared. Some who left the city were severely beaten, some were killed. If a person entered the city they were followed by the Herodians, to see who they talked to and if they were going to stay for an extended period. Believe me, the Herodians were all around that young couple, and I am sure they told Herod all about it.

That is possible, but I only want the facts. Our imagination is too powerful when it comes to leading us to conclusions that are not true.

After a lengthy apology, he continued his story. I tried to leave yesterday, but the Herodians stopped me. They questioned my whereabouts, why I spent so much time at the Temple, where I was heading, and why I had to be going in that direction. I doubt that they believed me because the next thing I know two of Herod’s guards came in and asked me the same questions. The guards left after that and I never saw them again. Then the Herodians asked me to meet them in the morning, we came directly here, and they are waiting for me to have a lamb when we return to Jerusalem.

Then I guess we better get you a lamb, father said.

I grabbed a few things to keep myself occupied before I would leave to watch the sheep. I needed some food and water, as well as my harp. Simon would have everything else with him. I found father and Abiel talking with each other, and then father pointed to the two men on the hill. They waved at him and then father waved for them to come to him. They reached father when I came to the flock, then father asked me why I was there.

It is time for me to watch the sheep. Simon should be with you shortly.

Simon is getting to be quite a man. Will he be accompanying you to Jerusalem now?

Wait until after the Passover. The crowds can be exciting when you are participating and worshiping, but it becomes another story when you are a Levite and you have many other responsibilities. Besides, I want Joseph to become a good shepherd, first. Then he turned to the other men and said, So, each of you want a lamb for Passover?

Abijah agreed with father while the others looked at him with a dumbfounded expression on their face. That is why you are here, is it not?

One of them stammered and said, Well, we are just looking for a bargain. Too many people will try to skin you alive when it comes to selling Passover lambs.

It is a sad commentary on the life we live in. Very sad, but true. Let me tell you, not every lamb has been born, and many have not yet been weaned, so why don’t you come back in a few days and let me know what you have decided.

Three days later they returned, asking father about the lengthy conversation he had with Abijah in the house. Father told them that he is seen as an expert on the Messiah and that he wanted to know if father had anything to add. Father told them that he had nothing more to say. A lot of people made claims to be the Messiah, all of them have been proven false. He did not tell them about Joseph or Mary, or what they had to say about their baby. Father has told me many times that we may never recognize the Messiah when he comes. I don’t know if he recognized Jesus as the Messiah, but I do know that he protected him that day.

CHAPTER THREE

Seven months later father began taking Simon to Jerusalem with him. I can tell that Simon was glad to go there, and this made Levi a bit sad and lonely. He did not like the idea that watching the sheep went from three shepherds to two, nor did he like the idea that his best friend and brother would not be there with him. This gave him the idea to take the sheep west, toward the Great Sea, and toward our cousins. Neither of us had a great flock, and when they were combined they