Excerpt: THE ZEALOTS by G.K. Johnson

 EXCERPT

The crescent moon was high in the sky as Yeshua prepared to make his way into the hills that night. While the small amount of light would aid in concealing him, it wouldn’t make him altogether invisible. Bin-yamin reminded him of this as he packed the last of the supplies into the sack for Shim’on and Yitzchak.

“Be cautious and try to stay in the shadows,” Bin-yamin urged Yeshua, though they both knew that Yeshua already planned to do so. “I’m proud of you son,” Bin-yamin’s eyes softened, “I don’t agree with what Yitzchak did, and it brought him great trouble, but that does not mean we should withhold our help. Adonai sees your courage and watches over you.” He wrapped his arms around Yeshua, and his dark beard scratched Yeshua’s cheek. “Be careful.”

“I will, Abba, I promise,” Yeshua said. Gripping Yeshua’s shoulders, Bin-yamin squeezed once more and then stepped back, releasing him. Yeshua pulled open the door and slipped into the street. Only steps away from the home, a dark figure stepped out from the shadows.

"Yeshua?" A soft, feminine voice asked.

"Yes? Who is it?"

The figure uncovered her face to reveal the brown-haired girl who caused Shim'on to blush.

"It's me, Lydia." She whispered quietly.

"Does your family know you're here, Lydia? It isn’t safe to be alone on the streets this time of night. The soldiers ̶" Yeshua's words trailed off but both knew the unspoken warning in his words.

"They don't know I'm here, but I have to know if Shim'on is all right." Lydia's voice was filled with worry. "I heard about earlier today."

Yeshua winced. How many others had heard? He quickly pondered how much to tell her. What would Shim'on want him to say?

"He's all right. But pray for his abba. That's all I can tell you right now."

Lydia's eyes filled with relief and concern all at once.

"Thank you, Yeshua." She whispered.

Yeshua nodded, "Be careful." He turned and continued down the street, the darkness enveloping him.

Bin-yamin had created a story that would hopefully provide Yitzchak and Shim’on cover. He told those who asked that Shim’on and Yitzchak were on their way to Bethsaida to obtain fishing supplies when they had come across a poor traveler who had been assaulted by Roman soldiers. The traveler was badly beaten and barely alive when they found him, and Shim’on had run back to town for help. Sadly, by the time Bin-yamin and Yeshua had arrived, the man had died, so they buried him to keep his body from wild animals. Yitzchak and Shim’on then continued on their way to Bethsaida, while Bin-yamin and Yeshua returned to town.

The story was barely strong enough to hold water and Bin-yamin hoped that no one would push to determine the identity of the stranger or his burial location. And, of course, there would be the issue of Yitzchak and Shim’on’s whereabouts when they didn’t return to town in a couple of days. Yeshua tried not to think about that.  

-Excerpt from The Zealots, by G.K. Johnson

 

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