The Messiah's Trek

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Chapter #1

This story begins in early spring,

four weeks after the winter solace in the Jewish year 3753 or in modern terms,

early April -- 8 years the Before Current Era begins (i.e.: 8 b.c.e.)

* * * * *

Jerusalem, Judea - late April of the year 8 b.c.e.

Mari Almah had been living with her Aunt Anna, sharing a single room in the women’s quarter of the Temple since the death of her mother. Seemingly, she was happy. Mari Almah missed her mother but not the home of her sister. The older priests showed kindness to her. The neophyte students teased her. One of them was at the door now. He shook the cluster of shells hanging outside of the tiny room. Old Anna poked her head past the curtain and asked, What is it that you are wanting of us now?

Madam, the High Priest wishes an audience with you and the young virgin a fortnight from now. I will call again. He abruptly turned and scurried away. Mari Almah watched him go, wishing that he had stayed and talked.

The return calling came about a month later. Mari Almah and Anna entered the High Priest’s suite of rooms earlier on the selected day that they were expected. A graying priest sat on a double cushion and appeared to be writing on a scroll spread across a low table. When Anna coughed to get his attention, he jumped and shook his entire body like a wet dog drying himself. What do you want? He growled.

We have an audience with the High Priest. Anna said as firmly as she could.

The High Priest never gives audiences to women. Go away.

A neophyte student came to our room here in the Temple and instructed us to appear before the High Priest and it was upon his orders that we are here. If you are truly the secretary of the High Priest, you should have known. Anna was old but still had the spark of youth.

You must be the virgin, Mari Almah.

No I am her great aunt, Anna. This is Mari Almah standing behind me. Now will you tell the High Priest that we are here to talk with him as he requested of us.

As I told you before the High Priest does not meet with women. I shall call for one of his assistants. Perhaps he will talk with you tomorrow or the next day. He returned to writing on a scroll, apparently hoping that the women would leave. They stood across the table staring unwaveringly at him. Finally, the graying priest moaned and struck a bronze bell with a tiny hammer. They waited, glaring at him even after he had insisted that they wait outside. About a half hour later a middle-aged priest, very-much bald but standing fully erect entered the room and motioned for the women to follow him. They did. He led them slowly to a small alcove; tapestries lined its walls. A soot-encrusted lamp sat precariously on a shallow ledge cut into a stone post, smoke trailed upward from its single wick burning reprocessed olive oil, leaving engrained black smut on the post.

I am sorry about the mix-up and about you having to wait. I do hope it was not too much of a problem for you. He paused as though expecting and answer.

Anna sharply said, Well! Your High Priest called us here and then made us wait. I felt highly embarrassing, being seen standing unattended for so long. What do you want?

The bald priest smiled and said. Mari Almah, it is recognized that you are over twelve years old. According to our law, this makes you a woman. Surely, you do know that only three kinds of women live within the Temple’s walls. First are women who are beyond the age of child bearing, such as your honored aunt, Anna, who escorted you here today. Second, young girls under the age of twelve such you have been for the past several years. And prostitutes; this is the greatest-kept secret of all times. He coughed nervously. I will tell you about it.

You need not tell her anything! Anna instructed firmly. She has lived here long enough to know the duties of those living in the Women’s Court. It is not the lowly life of a whore and you were beginning to infer. Our Sisters here are the nurses and caretakers and are sacred Temple workers, doing the sacred tasks that men such as you are incapable. It is about time that you and your kind find her a prominent man of Jerusalem to marry. A priest or nobleman would be just fine. If you stumble along the way, then have our High Priest enter the Holy of Holies and ask the Divine to send a sign. This girl is truly a holy virgin and will stay that way until she is properly wed. Anna stared at the bald priest.

He smiled sheepishly and said, Mari Almah, you do not appear to be the kind of girl who would be happy as a Temple prostitute; though many are quite happy and realize that they are providing a valuable and time-honorable and ancient service to their people as your aunt has just so ably stated. However, if you choose to leave and that is what I suggest you do, we in the brotherhood of Priests shall surely seek a husband for you.

I don’t want a husband! Mari Almah spat her words at the priest, her adolescence showing. She turned abruptly and ran down the hall crying. When Anna returned to her room, she found Mari Almah packing her few belonging into a leather bag. They hugged, sharing tears, farewells and promises to visit each other as often as possible. Mari Almah left the Temple grounds and walked to the home of her older sister, Salome. There she was welcomed. A corner of room has already been prepared for her, their home had but one room. A woven curtain hung to separate and provide a little privacy. After several weeks, Mari Almah stated that she was leaving. She would pack her belongings and walk to the home of her cousin’s Elish in the Judean hills. Her brother-in-law Zebedee escorted her and as they walked, he assured her that she was always welcome back. Elish and her husband, Zachar excitedly greeted Mari Almah and promised Zebedee that they would give her the best of care and love.

During the ensuing weeks, the bald priest did as he said he would; he sent word through Judea and Galilee telling of the ‘drawing of rods’ during Passover. His message told of that at the ‘drawing of rods’ several husbands would be selected for young virgins of outstanding character and beauty from Jerusalem and surrounding area. Mari Almah was amongst them. The notice said that all men who were interested must announce their wish to be included. They must exhibit the ability to support a wife. In addition, they must provide character references of themselves at the Temple by the Feast of Tabernacles the next October. This was less than four months away.

- - -

Simeon’s villa in the Kidron Hills near Jerusalem - mid May of the year 8 b.c.e.

For the first many months since Nico’s return, Rachael had talked incessantly about her wedding plans. Now she was quiet. Nico had prepared himself for the event as much as a young man could. He prepared to commit himself to one woman for life, which was to say that he avoided talking about it. Finally, in Nico’s presence, Rachael’s older sister asked the couple for the date they were planning to wed. Nico shrugged his shoulders and pointed at Rachael who said, I’ll tell you when it has been decided.

She tugged at Nico, leading him to the garden on this cool night in mid spring. Nico! She said, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this Messiah thing that you and Abba and Gami have been talking about. And Theogenes, of course. I have overheard many of your meetings. Nico acknowledged that he was aware of her hiding and listening. You need a virgin to be the Messiah’s mother. Nico, I want it to be me. Nico’s eyes grew big; he started to speak but Rachael pressed her finger his lips, virtually sealing them. This seemed to be the only way to keep Nico quiet. Long ago I said something to you about me being the mother and you sending the Holy Spirit to me on our wedding night. Then I was kidding. Now I am serious. I want to be the Messiah’s mother. I would be a good mother and you would be the best of fathers. With you and me raising the messiah child in our own home, he would get the right upbringing and education to prepare him for his work after he grows to be a man. Moreover, you would be so proud of him. And of me. So would my wonderful Abba. My sisters would be very jealous and they deserve to be.

Nico sat for a long moment, which for him was an eternity then he said with a sly smile, Perhaps I could have the Angel Gabriel deliver the presence of the Holy Spirit to you on our wedding night. He bit his lip until it hurt, squelching the laugh from his humor that demanded release. When Zachar had suggested this very tactic, Nico’s mind accepted it as the way. Then he had been celebrating with too much wine.

After we known for sure that I am pregnant, we could make wild love. Moreover, more importantly, we would know that a virgin conceived the Messiah and he was therefore of a virgin. That’s almost the same thing as born. Rachael smiled encouragingly.

Whatever you say, dear. Nico groaned.

I must be known to be pregnant. I must have the morning sicknesses. And my breasts will become enlarged. She giggled, You’ll like that. They will be tender so you will have to treat them most gently. And my flat belly will begin to swell. After this, you will know I am pregnant with your beloved Messiah. Then if you are very, very good. She smiled, hugged his neck and whispered, Maybe I’ll let you make love to me.

Nico sat, counting silently on his fingers and suddenly announced to Rachael. The Messiah must be born during May of next year. So you’ll need to get pregnant in mid-August of this year. Nico smiled to himself.

Rachael jumped to her feet, ran toward the house, leaving Nico staring in awestruck amazement. She rushed through the door, slamming it against the earthen wall. Without looking back she shrieked, Nico and I are getting married on August 15 of this year. Tell everyone! Have Abba get us a Rabbi! Oh no! We do not really need a Rabbi. I know that the law does not require us to have a rabbi but I want a Rabbi to marry us. Gami will do fine. Nico could catch only a few words for he still sat at the far end of the garden, trying to digest his commitment to be the father of his much-acclaimed Messiah. Now with her broadcasting done, Rachael strutted back to the garden; her steps were paused and slow; her hips swung and she stretched her arms over her head; her hands gestured wildly as she called for Nico. No sound came from him. At the end of the garden, she found him still at the same spot, feigning sleep. She plopped wildly onto his lap, causing him to grasp and moan, hugged his neck, bit his ear and whispering, While I ran to tell my sister the news, I decided that it would be best to keep our little secret quiet about the Angel Gabriel getting me pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

Smart decision! Nico declared to her and then collapsed backward onto the grass, his arms flying widely apart and his eyes rolling upward to disappear beneath their covering lids.

- - -

Simeon’s villa in the Kidron Hills near Jerusalem – mid Summer of 8 b.c.e.

At Rachael’s insistence, Nico received a summons to meet with Simeon. Already present at Simeon’s villa was all of his male relatives and their wife or wives who lived within a day’s walk; also numerous social friends and as many business partners as he could coerce into attending. The subject of marriage was highly announced. After an elegant luncheon served buffet style, Nico formally asked Simeon for permission to wed his younger daughter, Rachael. Simeon feigned reluctant to agree, merely nodded his head; the direction of the motion was confusing. Rachael, who hid in the adjoining room supposedly out of earshot, grew impatient and peering around the doorway, gestured frantically for her dad to answer affirmatively. Simeon saw her; waved her away. She nodded an exaggerated ‘yes.’ Then with much waving of his arms and by giving a lengthy speech, Simeon said that he had decided to accept Nico as a son-in-law. However, he insists that the betrothed could begin but they must observe the ancient tradition of the Jews and wait at least one year before the formal wedding.

Only men had been present at the gathering. The women waited out of sight but within hearing. Rachael, who had been eavesdropping with the other women, rushed as wind-driven brilliance into the room. She shouted at her father, No way, Abba! Our engagement began when I received Nico’s letter. That has already been almost two years. Why must we wait even a day more? Do not try to answer. We are not waiting a year. Maybe not even a day. They stared at each other, father and daughter. Simeon sat and looked up helplessly. Rachael towered over him, her legs apart, her hands provocatively placed on her hips. He motioned her aside and gesturing that he had something significant to tell her. She obeyed.

Simeon calmly answered, By Jewish law and custom you cannot get married during the Counting of Omer. That is now, if you did not know and it does not end until about May 16. Also, custom established by our law says that a couple must wait a full year after getting the approval from the father of the bride. That’s me!

It does not! Nothing in the law says anything about permission! Does it Nico?

Ask Gami. He’s the scribe, the lawyer in your family. Nico sheepishly answered; he usually talked too much or so Rachael, Simeon, and Gami continually told him. Now he froze.

I will! She stormed out of the room, leaving the men. They returned to talking about the news events of the day. Simeon had invited Gami along with the others. No one knew why he had not appeared as the invitation stated. Only later, they learn that he had forgotten.

Within the hour of Rachael’s summons, Gami arrived, trailed by the out-of-breath slave girl that Rachael had sent. By then the other guests had left, pleading that they had business that demanded their afternoon attention. Once seated with Nico, Simeon and Gami, Rachael repeated her question. Gami said, Rachael, I had no warning. I am not prepared to answer your question just yet. I will need to consult the scriptures.

Simeon said, Rachael, if you will remain unseen and listen quietly to the meeting between Nico, Gami and me, you will hear of some exciting plans that might just evolve you. Rachael respected her father but was angry with all three. However, she decided to listen as asked, so seated she in a corner of the room and remained quiet.

Nico began by saying, First, let’s recognize what we mean by the term, Messiah. It means the anointed one; it means a king in the sense of power and strength. It does not mean God or God among us. It does not mean God on Earth as some may expound. We are on earth. We are the sons of the one God. In my opinion this includes daughters! He grinned, As it says in Psalms, ‘You are sons of the Most High.’ And…

That was the eighty-second psalm. Gami interjected, smiling as he spoke for he knew that Nico almost never remembered the origin of the passage that he quoted.

Yes! He is our Father in heaven and we are his children. We are as one of the same family. If we let ourselves, we come to realize that we are one with the Father. Nico said, We have the one God, given to us by Moses. We do not need another god or a pseudo god in human form. It would violate the scriptures to deify any human as a god.

Simeon agreed loudly. The first and second commandments say, ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other Gods before you. You are not to make an image or picture of anything-in heaven, on the earth, or in the waters under the earth: You may not go down on your faces before them or give them worship: for I, the Lord your God, am a God who will not give his honor to another.’ We must always remember this. No man, no matter how great can ever be God or become God or be a substituted for God. The greatest that a man can expect is to be but a child of God.

Whatever! Nico said, We still need a king; King of the Jews. In the old days, the only ones anointed were the Kings. ‘Anointed’ simply means, ‘the one who is leader and is entitled to the sacred oil.’ That is all it means. But it is an exceedingly important meaning.

An expensive one to make happen! It will take money and time and perhaps even lives. Simeon said. This wise Jew was especially conscious of the meaning of money and of paying the price in lives. As teenager, Hillel sent him to a House of Study. Simeon had never been interested in studying the law, so he ran away and joined a street gang. He had literally fought his way up, watching friends as well as enemies die. ‘Street wisdom’ led eventually to success of his import-export business. Simeon added, Heroes are made not born. The king of the Jews must be made as well as birthed.

Nico said, With that I agree. We must develop our ‘King of the Jews,’ using a plan. We must give him the right path for starters. We must point him down this right path. Moreover, the right start must begin with his conception. Or before!

Rachael leaped to her feet and shouted, All of you are forgetting why I sent for Gami. It was to talk about Nico and me getting married!

Oh that! Simeon groaned but the secretly held smile crept across his rugged face.

Rachael saw the smirk and tromped around the room, showing through loudly spoken words that she knew more about Jewish law and customs than would be expected of a teenage girl. Finished talking, she sat but then immediately stood, stomped out of the room and was last seen scurrying toward Jerusalem. The men ignored her exit. Even Nico did not attempt to console her.

For now let us be aware of two key prophecies. Nico said, First from Isaiah Seven: ‘Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.’ And the second prophecy is… Simeon interrupted.

A virgin will birth a son?

The prophecy says so. Nico answered.

Who will father this son of a virgin? Gami demanded. Do you plan to summons the Angel Gabriel? That is what the prophecies require.

Nico sat up straight; his arms shot upward and he shouted, Great idea, Gami! You deserve much credit for the idea. Nico then became serious. Perhaps that is what we will need to do; summons Gabriel. His focus passed out of the room into the distant fields.

Simeon spoke, Nico, you said that there were two prophecies that we must address now. You told us one. What is the second?

Nico startled, thought and then said, The second prophecy is that we need to be aware of words from Jeremiah: ‘Behold, says Yahweh, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch and he shall reign as king and deal wisely and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.’ What could be clearer?

Pray tell, how are going to have a child born who is both blood descendent of King David and also produce a virgin birth, the son of a mystical being? An angel! Gami sneered.

Good question, Gami. Simeon interjected. How! Nico, how?

Don’t worry I’ll figure it out. He thought, as the other two remained quiet. At some point the Messiah child must have a father. He must be raised in a home with both a mother and a father. Again, Nico looked beyond the house and toward the fields. We merely need to find a husband who comes from the family of David.

"And keep her virginity intact throughout the wedding night and beyond. Good luck!’’ Simeon said, showing a sadistic smile beneath his well-trimmed beard, more gray than black.

Nico quickly replied, The mother must be a virgin. The child must be born at the time of one of the celestial conjunctions. This much is a given. We then find a descendent of David. Then consecrate the marriage. Nico paused and thought. Finally, time will come to introduce the Messiah to the public; that will be at least thirty years for now. At that time, we design an advertising campaign, which proclaims both virgin birth and David heir. The man on the street will never question it. Nico wondered if he sounded as unsure as he felt.

Gami bluntly said, I don’t like the idea of having an advertising campaign to promote a spiritual event. I just do not like this idea of a conspiracy for getting a Messiah.

Nico said, Gami, think of it this way: it is for the good of the Jewish people. For over a thousand years, we have been waiting for the Messiah. He has never come. And why not? It is because no one has bothered to help. He needs help, as any of us need help. In what better way could you spend your life than helping to bring forward the Messiah for your people? Nico again felt self-assured. He liked the message that he told to Gami. Perhaps, he reasoned. He should take this approach to convince others of his idea.

That’s all well and good to get the Messiah but I don’t like the way that we are going about it. Gami replied." He seemed to snivel and rubbed the swelling on one side of his nose.

Then how in hell would you go about it? Nico demanded. How?

Gami answers, Well I don’t know. I would have to think about it.

Think! Think! That is all our people have done for these thousand years is think, talk and doing nothing. We in this room have been thinking for over three years; ‘where have you been?’ You get nothing by just thinking. What you get comes through action. And now!

Gami says, Nico I’ll just have to be frank with you. Sometimes without even trying, you can be a real pain in my rump.

Don’t you mean a pain in the ass? Why do you not just call me an asshole? That is what you mean! That is what you think of me. Is it too painful to say what you are thinking?

I have been trained better.

I doubt that you have been trained at all, except to think of sorrow about yourself.

Simeon says, Calm down boys. Calm down. If the two of you would find a woman for your bed, you would find the much-needed friendship our project requires.

Rachael, who had quietly re-entered the Men’s Room and seated herself against Simeon leaped to attention, My beautiful Abba is right. He always is. This statement surprised the three men for Rachael argued with his father about most ever subject. One of you should find a wife. The other should marry the one that you have already found. Apparently, she had not gone to Jerusalem.

Simeon smiled at her and added, Without the calming influence of a loving woman, it is the natural trait of young men to compete as do male lions for kingship of the harem. Yet, when twin male cubs mature, they bond and jointly drive away other male lions from the pride. Then without further fighting, ironically share the females. He smiled cunningly and laughed. "Perhaps, I should give my youngest daughter, Rachael, to both of you to share as the common wife of brothers bound together by a common cause.

Abba, I don’t like that! Why must you propose such crazy ideas? Rachael scolded.

Remember what the wise-old sage said to us at the last Passover sermon, ‘Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge and the judge deliver you to the officer and you be cast into prison.’ Besides, I am an old man. I have worked hard for all my many years. Every morning I pray the Messiah will come. For thirty minutes each day, I pray. Simeon breathed deeply. I’ve made a lot of money. It is time that I give some back. If it takes by last coin, if it takes my last drop of blood, I am going to give our people their dream.

For centuries to come, people will reverently say about you, ‘It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord`s Christ.’ So spend, oh great Uncle Simeon and you shall rejoice. Simeon shook his fist, growled but stayed quiet.

Gami said, If it is not going to occur naturally then you shouldn’t force to it to happen. The scripture tells us, ‘For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.’ I believe that a man should abide by the scriptures. So I take the position that if it is going to happen, then it will happen.

Nico said, If it is going to happen then we must make it happen. Listen to this; in the book of Isaiah it says, ‘The stars of heaven and the constellation will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.’ That tells us how to begin. We have received the most supreme signs of all times. The planetary stars of the heavens will come into conjunction not just once but three times. What more sign is needed? Now Nico felt the confidence that he displayed.

Gami inserted, Yes and in Isaiah thirty four, it says, ‘All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll and all the starry host will fall from the sky like withered leaves from the vine, like shrivel figs on the tree.’ And so shall your wild scheme wither and be dissolved because of your irreverent ideas.

Again, Simeon reprimanded the two, adding his words of advice. What the prophecies say or do not say is just a pointer for us to follow. You do not steer a boat towards where you came from. You steer toward your destination. Our destination is to produce a boy who will become a man, the Messiah. That is our path, the Messiah’s path. Find it! Walk it! Live it! Simeon paused, waiting for an argument. The others remained silence. So after taking a long swig, he continued. Good! Now, what is the next of the prophecies that we must consider?

Gami said, Return to the critical subject that you try to avoid. Know that the Messiah will come from the House of David. This means that you must trace the male ancestors back to David. You will find that to be many generations. So again, I ask Nico, how will you produce a Messiah, descending from the lineage of David on his father’s side? Gami smirked. What mortal is born of a virgin who has never experienced the presence of man. To imply birth from a virgin implies no fathering male! And with needing fatherly linage back to Adam to support the validity of this Messiah, how can you get that if the child does not have an earthly father? Nico, I look forward to hearing you explain that to the masses.

The masses will accept. I worry that the Scribes and Priests will make it their mission in life to sabotage your efforts. Simeon, many times you have told me that I was too young and without influential contacts within the priestly order to be effective. You are right! Nico smiled proudly at Simeon. So it is you, Uncle Simeon, who must convince the elders

What! Nico what the hell are you talking about? Simeon barked; bored with the talk, his mind had wandered. He was clearly getting tired of the subject and impatient with hearing the details. This birth of a boy child from a virgin, who ever heard of such a bizarre idea?

There have been other reported virgin births: Moses for one. Also the Romans say that Romulus and Remus who established Rome were born to a virgin who left them in a cave to be raised by a she wolf.

Theogenes had entered the room and taken his regular seat to the right of Simeon. He reserved this pillow from Simeon’s edict. As Nico talked, Simeon had motioned his Greek friend to sit, offered him a mug of wine. Then as a lark, Simeon said, So my old Greek friend, tell us of the Greeks born to virgins so that our scholar ‘Nico the Heretic’ may swing his fragile butt even further over the precipice.

Surely, my old friend from Palestine, Theogenes mocked, I shall tell you about our Goddess Athena. He smiled, wiggled his torso on the straw mat like settling into the depths of a pillow without depth. In Greek myths, births of the Gods took a variety of strange forms even when the union of their parents was of the conventional human pattern. The Goddess Athena was the daughter of Zeus by Metis. Then in a fit of rage, Zeus swallowed the unborn child. When the time came for her birth, Hephatestos, son of Zeus and Hera, slit open Zeus' head with an axe and out sprang Athena fully grown and armed.

I’m listening.

The myth also tells how Zeus birthed his own son Dionysus after the child’s mortal mother Semel die. But that is of a different realm; not the virgin variety.

Simeon grinned at Theogenes, nodded his head and said, You tell your tales and I shall tell mine. For example, In Ancient Persian the supreme God Ahura Mazda sired the prophet Zoroaster and birthed by a human virgin. The old priests in Babylon told us when I was a boy. He grinned broadly then slackened his face to look seriously at Nico and said, Nico, you must have stronger reasons to support this ridiculous idea of yours, especially if you expect the High Priest to accept it. Otherwise, he will chew you alive and spit you out for the fishes to eat.

For now why does he need to know? Nico answered, the stated, Remember the 54th Psalm, ‘In God have I put my trust, I have no fear what mortal man may do to me.’ He can…

Simeon stared at Nico, smiled and said, Good point, Nico. Then jokingly said, But to be on the safe side, perhaps after the Angel Gabriel has introduced the Holy Spirit to your specially selected woman, he will also convince the High Priest of the virgin birth’s validity and announce it to the nation, synagogue by synagogue.

Nico boasted while laughing, I’ll be your Gabriel. I once played the role of an angel at the Eridur School of Psychic Healing. It drew a standing round of applause. Since I am now a world-class master of disguise and producer of mystical trances, it should be a simple matter to seduce available and willing virgins.

Seduce virgins! Yes! No big problem. But how to keep them virgin and pregnant is?

You’ll do what? Rachael demanded.

How did I ever let myself get involved with one who has his head in the sky? Gami said. He rose from the floor, walk stiffly to the door and hesitated. Simeon called him back.

Nico quoted the scriptures, It says in Psalm, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the capstone of the palace; once this is done and it is marvelous to the eyes.’ We must look for the rejected stone to become our capstone.

Perhaps! Simeon said, The goals you choose will either get us glory or nails through our wrists or more likely our heads caved in by stones thrown from the Temple’s parapet. He took a long drink of wine and said, "I am too busy and too old to do the work. Nico, if you