70-JamesTheLess-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

James the Less & Family
DESERT OF SIGHS

11:00 AM
Sunday, about April 17, AD 30
Jerusalem, Judea

�� "Mary, I have to get out of here awhile," Alphaeus Levi tells his wife.�

�� "You don't believe me, do you?" she replies.

�� "I'd like to, Mary.� But it doesn't make sense.� If he came back to life, why hasn't he shown himself to more people?� Why would he hide like this?"

�� "Maybe he wants to give everyone time to get used to the idea."

�� "I just don't know.� The women are the only ones who believe you.� None of the men do but John.� Not even our own sons do."

�� "Give James Jr. and Matthew time.� They'll come around.� Just like you will, dear."� Mary smiles.� Her smile seems so out of place among the mourners. [1]

�� Alphaeus looks around for his sons.� "James Jr., Matthew, I'm going out for awhile, but I guess you'd better stay here.� It's too dangerous during the daylight."

�� Matthew looks over at his father, then stands up.� "Yes," he says quietly, the way you're supposed to talk at funerals, "I'd better stay put."� He halfway unrolls a scroll in his hands.� Stares at it a moment, then throws it on the floor.

�� "Why, Father?� What went wrong?"

�� "I don't know, Son.� I wish I had the answers."

�� "Going alone?"

�� "No, I thought I'd ask Matthias to go with me." Alphaeus looks around and spots him.� "Matthias, I'm going for a walk just to get out awhile.� Want to go along?"

�� "Yes, I think I'd like that."� Matthias stands.� "Where did I put my cloak?" [2]

�� "Hey, Father.� You going somewhere?"� It's James Jr..

�� "Nowhere in particular.� But, yes, we're leaving for awhile.� We may be gone all day.� Besides, it will give the women a break from feeding so many of us."

�� "Father, do you think he really came back to life?"

�� "Son, seeing is believing.� That's all I can say."

�� James Jr. forces a smile.� "Man, wouldn't it be something if he suddenly showed up at the Temple after they went to all that trouble to kill him?"

�� "Son, when are you going to trim that hair cut?" [3]

�� James Jr. does not answer.� First, he and his father know he probably never will, even though they've argued over it for the past ten years.� Second, he knows his father is just making conversation because he does not really know what to say.

�� "Be cool, Father."

�� "Matthias, are you ready?"

�� Alphaeus and Matthias shut the gate to the house with all the shutters closed.� The dark house.� The house of gloom.� The house where death lives.

�� They walk out into the street and take a deep breath.� It is a sunny spring day.� They are glad after the storms, the strange three-hour darkness, and earthquakes of the previous few days.�

�� As they start down the street, they see broken jars, dirty mats, straw which had shaken loose during the aftershock at dawn.

�� "Well, if a third earthquake hits, we'll be as safe as anyone, I guess."

�� "Indeed, Matthias."� The pair heads east toward the Essene Gate.

�� "Those two boys of yours sure have a mind of their own," Matthias mentions while pushing a broken jar out of the way with his foot.

�� "Couldn't have been more opposite.� Been that way all their lives," Alphaeus recalls, glad for the small talk.� "Matthew, my proper oldest son, who tries to outdo everyone with how smart he is.� James Jr. who does everything the opposite of his brother."

�� "But they've both turned out well.� In their own way they have."

�� "Funny, although each one of them travels his own road, so to speak, they both ended up at the same destination."

�� "You mean both as Jesus' apostles," Matthias interprets.

�� "Yes.� I'll always be grateful to Jesus for accepting both of my sons as they are."

�� Matthias does not respond.

�� "You know, they're both real religious, though a guy meeting them on the street would never guess it of either.� Matthew with his fine robes and gold jewelry, James Jr. with his frazzled hair and plain and usually dirty robe.� Nope.� Never in a thousand years.

�� "Well, one thing they've always had in common," Alphaeus continues, "they seem to find ways to irritate a lot of people."

�� Matthias remains quiet.� Alphaeus has introduced a touchy subject and Matthias does not know what to say.

�� "The oldest one, Matthew, goes to work for the hated occupation government.� James Jr., well, James Jr. doesn't always go to work at all.� He makes what he needs to eat and buys a few used clothes from some new widow.� Either way, some people have trouble associating with both of them."�

�� Matthias does not interrupt.

�� "James Jr. and I had it out so many times when he was a teenager," Alphaeus continues, "I can't count them all.� I couldn't even bribe him to comb his hair.� And I knew if I made him do it, he'd find some other more drastic way to rebel.� I was ashamed of him for a long time.� I didn't want to be seen with him in public; didn't want people to know we were even related.� Now I guess I'm proud to be seen with him...."

�� "I guess Matthew rebelling by going with the foreign government and James Jr. rebelling by not looking like everyone else got them ready for associating with Jesus.� People either loved or hated my boys.� They were the same with Jesus...."

�� "....Did you know we have three sons?"

�� "No, I didn't," Matthias answers finally.

�� "The third one is Joses.� He doesn't believe in any of this.� We're hoping he'll come around.� He doesn't even go to synagogue."

�� Afraid the subject is about to get too serious, Matthias pulls in the reins.� "How did they meet Jesus, anyway?"�

�� They both know they need to talk about Jesus.� But his dying, they cannot handle that any more.� At least, not for awhile.� Together they will hold a wake of their own.� They will celebrate the good times with Jesus.

�� "Well, he showed up in synagogue one day.� We'd heard about him.� He had supposedly turned water into wine over in Cana at a wedding. [4]� Then he healed a government official's son. [5]� A few months later he showed up in synagogue in Capernaum.� Those were exciting days!"

�� As they walk out the Essene gate and toward the Mount of Olives, his mind drifts back.� Back to when it all began....

Spring, AD 27
Capernaum, Galilee

�� "Man, Father, did you see what Jesus the carpenter did in synagogue today?" James Jr. remarks.

�� "How could we miss it?" his mother replies while taking some fresh bread out of the oven.� They are all together in the courtyard and enjoying the spring day.

�� "I mean, he really knows how to handle himself.� Man, Asa was really acting nutty.� Who would have ever thought he had a demon in him?� I never heard of that." [6]

�� "What did you think of his sermon, Son?" Alphaeus inquires, while watching an early-season ant in the cobblestone.

�� "I don't know.� I've seen so many phonies in synagogue.� I just don't know.� He was good, but, well, do you know what impressed me most about the guy?� I mean besides that demon thing?"

�� "Since you don't impress easily, my number one youngest son, I'd certainly like to know what that was," Mary replies.� "Oh, and do you want any dip with your bread?"

�� "No.� And what impressed me was he wasn't tied down to doing everything in synagogue in the right order.� That really gets me.� It's like they're worshipping their order of worship."

�� "And he didn't try to act superior.� You know, like those hypocrites do.� When Asa started interrupting his sermon, he didn't motion for the ushers to come get him out of there.� He didn't even say, 'See here, mister, you're interrupting our holy service.'� Just go with the flow.� That's what I always say...."

�� "Man, did he flow!� Nothing scares him.� Everyone else was cowering.� Not him.� He walks right up to him while Asa's out of control and yelling at him...."

�� "And you know something else?� When he was done getting that bad guy out of him - you know, that demon - he was still friends with Asa.� He didn't say, 'Once a sinner, always a sinner' like I thought he would.� That Jesus is something else." [7]

�� "I sure wish your brother, Joses, would go to synagogue with us."

�� "Don't give up on him too soon, Father.� Some day he will.� You just watch."

�� The afternoon wears on.� A typical Sabbath afternoon of just talking and eating.� Now it is dusk.

�� "Hey, Father, you want another drink?"

�� "Yeah, and another piece of your mother's fig cakes!"

�� James Jr. walks back to the courtyard with his arms full.� Company has just arrived.� The next-door neighbors.� People dare not travel more than a thousand yards on the Sabbath lest they break the theologian's creed that such travel is the same thing as work.� The theologians said that would be breaking the Sabbath of the Ten Commandments.� The theologians say a lot of things that God did not really say.

�� "Did you hear the news?" the neighbor asks.

�� "Which news?"

�� "Jesus healed some people today.� Right here in Capernaum.� Sick people.� He even healed a man who'd been deaf twenty years." [8]

�� James Jr. seated on the ground, is oblivious to the rest of the conversation.

�� "Well, it's about time," he finally blurts out.

�� Alphaeus looks at his youngest son curiously.� "About time?" he echoes.

�� "A guy who puts his money where his mouth is.� He doesn't stand around all day talking about good things holy people should do.� He gets out there and just does it.� And away from that synagogue building.� Father, those people aren't going to go to that building.� I have to because my folks go."

�� "Now, Son, you're over twenty.� You can make up your own mind."

�� "Okay.� Okay.� So I agree with a lot of it.� But not all of it.� I just don't know where else to go.� All the synagogues are alike.� I've searched for a long time.� But it's so hard.� I don't see their presence outside their buildings."

�� "I am grateful you still go with us, even if you look like you slept in your clothes all night," his mother adds walking through the courtyard on her way to her room....

�� "Had enough?" Matthias asks, interrupting Alphaeus' memories of the past three years.

�� They have just reached the summit of the Mount of Olives, not really a mountain, more like a hill.� Alphaeus is still deep in thought.� Matthias is learning some things about his friend's family he never knew before.

�� "Let's keep going.� Bethany is that way."

�� Alphaeus resumes his story without replying.� His story is his reply.� His memories have been good for him.� He returns to the past....�

Summer AD 28

�� "James Jr., I've decided to go with him on his next tour,"� Matthew announces coming in through the gate one evening.

� �� "Jesus?� Where's he going?"

�� "All over Galilee.� Maybe to some of the other provinces too.� I don't know.� But he's invited me to go with him.� I'll write you." [9]

�� "Don't expect me to write back."

�� "Don't worry.� What are you going to be into this summer, anyway?� Any new causes?"

�� "How did you know, big brother?"

�� "Lucky guess."

�� "Well, it's world hunger.� Did you know that you could cut down on the size bread you eat at every meal, send the unused grain to poor countries, and feed a hungry kid for a year?"

�� "You're right.� But I doubt we'll be over-eating much on our trip.� Even cheap hostels get expensive."

�� "Cheap hostels?� My big brother?� Mr. Everything-Has-to-be-Perfect?� Mr. First-Class-All-the-Way?� Tell me it isn't so!"

�� Matthew grins in response to his brother's razzing.� "Well, there's other things in life, you know."

�� "Like what?� Like good causes?"

�� "Yeah.� Like good causes."� Matthew grows serious.� "I think he's the real thing."

�� "What do you mean, real thing?"

�� "I mean, I think he'll take over our country and send the foreign rulers packing."

�� "You mean, you think he's the Deliverer?� The one that's been prophesied for so many centuries?"

�� "Yeah.� All the signs point to him.� I think he's going to save us.� And, James Jr., I think he's going to let me in on it.� Why don't you go with us, James Jr.?� I could talk to him."

�� "No.� I don't hook up with anyone unless I know for sure they're for real.� Besides, how would I support myself?"

�� "Our parents gave them a large donation.� They sold some rubies.� Come, go with us, James Jr." [10]

�� "Well, I promised I'd help feed the children."

�� "You're a good man, James Jr..� They don't come any better than you.� Even if you don't bathe enough, and even my dog refuses to sleep on your clothes."

�� They both laugh good naturedly.��

�� "I'll pray for you, Matthew."

�� The two brothers, so different on the outside, look at each other in mutual approval and deep love.� "Thanks, bro.� I know you mean it.� It'll help a lot."

�� As the summer progresses, James Jr. and his family read with interest Matthew's letters.�

�� "Dear Mother, Father, Joses and James Jr.:� People are turning out everywhere to hear him.� Sometimes he's in a synagogue building.� But usually he just goes where the people are and starts talking.� He's amazing."

�� "Dear Mother, Father, Joses and James Jr.:� The crowds are getting bigger.� The Temple is even sending representatives to check him out." [11]

�� "Dear Mother, Father, Joses and James Jr.:� He healed a man the doctors had given up on to die within weeks.� He had leprosy.� It was all over him.� He couldn't even walk, he was so weak.� He'd lost his feet, but they're back.� Even the pock marks are gone.� He's from God.� He's definitely from God." [12]

�� "Dear Mother, Father, Joses and James Jr.:� We can hardly move for the crowds.� Everyone pushes and shoves to get close to him.� Sometimes he has to go into hiding just to rest.� He spends a lot of time praying.� I never saw a man like that.� He prays for hours at a time.� What does he talk about?� We'll be home in a couple weeks.� See you then."

�� "How can a man pray for hours?" Alphaeus asks.�

�� "I don't know," Mary halfway answers.

�� "I do.� I understand."� James Jr.'s parents look at him puzzled.� They never realized it before.

�� "There's a lot to talk about."

�� "Well, you ask God to help with your day's activities," Alphaeus explains.� "You thank God for your food and clothing and shelter.� You ask God to watch over your family.� You ask God to forgive you if you broke one of his commands."

�� "That's not all, Father.� There's so much more."

�� "Ohhhh," Mary acknowledges halfway catching on.� "Like people outside the family?"

�� "Yeah.� People in the family of God, so to speak.� We're all from one original family.� And there's so many of us now.� They have so many needs.� They need someone to pray for them."

�� "But how can you possibly know enough people to pray for them for hours?" Alphaeus inquires.

�� "They're everywhere, Father.� All you have to do is open your eyes.� Just walking into town, I see some guy impatiently yelling at someone loading his wagon in the street; he's uptight about something.� I see a woman walking down the street dropping half her groceries because she's carrying so much; she probably doesn't have help at home.� I see guys working on the road; they probably have families somewhere.� I see a woman wrestling with her kids over at the well; she's probably trying to stay cool and not lose her temper....

�� "Father!� Mother!� Look around you!� And if you don't go into town, listen to the latest gossip.� People are always talking about some disaster somewhere, some accident, some war, some famine.� These are real lives.� They need praying for."

�� James Jr. suddenly stops.� He stares at the wall, and jumps up.� He disappears into his room and closes the door.� He does not take a candle with him.

�� "God, I didn't realize it before.� But that Jesus and I do something alike.� Yeah, I knew we had some things kind of in common.� But talking to you.� He's in tight with you, isn't he, God?� He understands you.� I think he'd understand me.

�� "Is he really from you, God?� Did you really send him?� Did he really perform those miracles?� No one's disproved them yet.�"

�� "I've gotta talk with that guy when he gets back, God."

�� "I've gotta talk with him," James Jr. announces at the breakfast table the next morning.�

�� "The man heading up the campaign for starving children?" Mary asks, putting a dip on the table.

�� "No, the guy heading up the program for starving spirits.� Jesus.� He's real spiritual, I bet.� You know what I mean."

�� Matthias interrupts Alphaeus again.� They're are on the outskirts of Bethany.� Alphaeus needs more time to talk.�

�� "Let's not go into Bethany.� I want to hear more.� Let's keep going.� Emmaus is over there.� By the way, did James Jr. tell you what he prayed about?"

�� They should be tired of walking by now.� But they are not.� They cannot rest because their spirits cannot rest.� Jesus.� How they miss him.� How they miss all the good he did.� How they wish he hadn't let them kill him.� He could have stopped them.� Why didn't he?

�� So they return to the past.� The past has answers.� They look for answers in Alphaeus' story....

AUTUMN AD 30

�� James Jr. is spending more and more time with Jesus.� Asking some questions.� But mostly watching.� It isn't so much what a man says, but what he's willing to do about it and how he's willing to back up his words.� James Jr. is impressed.� But not as impressed as he's about to be.

�� "Your sins are forgiven.� I forgive them.� They're gone."

�� James Jr. stands watching in awe.� His awe is growing.� He forgives sins?� Jesus is that powerful?� No.� That's not possible.� No one can forgive sins but God.

�� Besides, Jesus had better watch it.� Some of the theologians are watching, and they're on the brink of kicking him out of the synagogue for heresy.

�� "What's the difference if I say someone's sins are forgiven, or if I tell a paralyzed person they can now walk.� Both take the same power."

�� Power like that, Jesus?� Who are you, anyway?

�� "Okay.� To prove the Son of Mankind has power to forgive sins, I'm telling you, young man, to get up, pick up your cot, and run on home."

�� Not a word.� Not a shuffle.� Everyone stares at the young man.� Many of them know how he got paralyzed and that it has been years since he has walked.� They watch mostly the young man.� Sometimes they glance quickly at Jesus.� But they concentrate on the young man.

�� "Come on," James Jr. whispers, "you can do it!� Come on!� Get up!� Get up!� Get up!"

�� Slowly, the man sits up on his elbows.� Then he pulls his legs back, something he has not done for years.� His eyes brighten and he laughs.�

�� "I can do it!" he announces.� Pushing up with both arms and legs, he leaps to his feet, and dances in place.

�� "Look!� Look at me!� He did it!� He healed me!� He healed me!" [13]

�� James Jr. bursts out in applause, then whistles through his teeth and two fingers.� "Look at that, oh great theologians!� You were hoping he couldn't do it!� But he did!� Go back to your hypocritical synagogues and try to convince people he didn't!" Then he whistles again and claps again.

�� "God is among us, ladies and gentlemen!" James Jr. finds himself announcing.� "God is among us!" [14]�

�� He wishes Matthew could have seen it.� But he was at work. Matthew is always working.� Never stops to smell the roses.

�� But that night, Matthew never gets home.� The next morning early a message is delivered to their home.

�� "I am going with Jesus.� He asked me to be one of his apostles.� Yesterday he healed a man who was paralyzed...." [15]

�� "Matthew was there?" James Jr. said aloud, interrupting his reading.

�� "I have quit my job.� I am going to travel with Jesus permanently.� I have enough investments I can live off that."

�� Mary walks in to start breakfast and see her youngest son reading.

�� "What's that?"

�� "Oh, it just came.� Matthew has quit his job.� Jesus appointed him one of his aides."

�� Mary smiles and walks toward a jar of water.� "He's a good man, that big brother of yours.� I could see it coming."

�� "You could?� I could have never guessed Matthew would do that ~ just walk off from money."

�� "Perhaps he's found something more valuable."

�� "Well, I'm proud of him, too, Mother."� James Jr. laughs under his breath.

�� "What's so funny?"

�� "Wonder if he'll be able to afford those fancy haircuts now.� Maybe I'd better lend him one of my headbands."

12:30 PM
Sunday, about April 17, AD 30
Road to Emmaus, Judea

�� "You were real proud of Matthew, weren't you?"

�� "Yes, and prouder still when the next spring Jesus selected both my sons as his special aides, his apostles. [16]

�� "That was two years ago, Matthias.� Two wild years.� My wife was gone half the time following them as they toured all over the country explaining that Jesus was about to start the new kingdom of God. [17]�

�� He becomes pensive.

�� "With all that power," Matthias interjects, "why couldn't he pull it off?� I just don't understand."

�� "There's no answer," Alphaeus responds.�

�� "He had everything going for him.� The people were eating out of his hand."

�� "People are fickle, Matthias.� You know that.� They go with the winners, not the losers.� When they saw Jesus become a loser...."

�� "Now they're after the young men.� The twelve Jesus chose as his emissaries, his apostles."

�� "My sons are two of them.� I couldn't stand it if both were killed.� I couldn't live any longer.� Matthias, what are we going to do?"

�� "You men going to Emmaus?&"

�� "Huh?"

�� A man wearing gardener's clothes has come up behind them. [18]

�� "May I join you?"

�� Not appreciating the interruption to their mourning, Matthias agrees anyway out of politeness. [19]

�� They walk along in silence.� Once Matthias gets out a handkerchief, blows his nose, and wipes his eyes.� It isn't hay fever.

�� "Matthias, you okay?" Alphaeus asks softly.�

�� "Yeah.� It's just that I keep asking myself why."

�� "I wish we knew the answers."

�� "Something wrong?"� It's the stranger.� "What are you so upset over?"

�� "Are you so new in town you don't know?"

�� "Know what?" [20]

�� "Everything that happened to Jesus of Nazareth, the prophet from Galilee.� He spoke like no one the people has ever heard before, and he performed miracles.� Everyone knew he was sent by God.� But our Temple Sanhedrin framed him and got him executed for hypocrisy and treason."

�� That's good, Alphaeus.� Keep talking about it.� You need to.� It will help you work out some answers.

��"Everyone thought he was the Deliverer prophesied by God for centuries.� We thought he'd free us from the Asian rulers.� It's been three days now since our hopes were crushed and buried with him." [21]

�� "Anything else?" the stranger ~ now walking between them ~ asks.� He knows something's been left out.� Both Alphaeus and Matthias need to face it.� Come on.� Talk about it.

�� "And now, to make things worse, some of our women who went back to the tomb this morning said his body was missing.� They said some angels said he'd come back alive.� A couple of our men went out to check and didn't see Jesus dead or alive either one.� This is just too much.� We don't know if his enemies took his body or what." [22]

�� You guys in a hurry? the stranger asks.

�� "Man, we don't even know where we're going, let alone being in a hurry to get nowhere," Matthias responds.

�� There's three rocks beside the road just beyond the next curve.� Let's sit a minute.� I think I can help you.

�� "How do you know there are three rocks there if you've never been here before?"

�� I just do.

�� The stranger is a little confusing.� But what difference does that make?� They have been confused for nearly a week.� Maybe an outsider's opinion would help.�

�� "There they are, right where he said it would be," Matthias announces.

�� The three each take a rock, just right for sitting on.

�� "So, what do you think, stranger?� What's your opinion?"

�� "Haven't you figured it out yet?" the stranger blurts out.� "Are you that dim witted?� Why can't you just believe what the prophets wrote centuries ago?� It's right there in black and white.� He had to die!� Only then could he be the first one to enter the far superior state of being, the glorious forever life!" [23]

�� Moses, 1500 years ago, said God would raise up a prophet like him who would speak God's words. [24]

�� Now, what kind of leader was Moses?

�� "Well, he set up the kingdom of God," Matthias answers.

�� So that means, someone will come just like him to set up a new kingdom of God.

�� Alphaeus and Matthias shake their heads and smile.� That makes sense.

�� Now look at Daniel.� He predicted nearly 600 years ago that 434 years after Jerusalem was rebuilt, punishment for sin would end and the Anointed One from God - the priest-king - would come.� Then three and a half years later, sacrifices for sin will end because he will be the final sacrifice, thus overcoming the Enemy Satan's power. [25]

�� So, gentlemen, when was Jerusalem rebuilt?

�� "493, almost 494 years ago," Alphaeus answers.� "Everyone knows that."

�� When did Jesus begin teaching and declaring the new kingdom of God was about to begin?� Think about it.

�� Both Alphaeus and Matthias sit a moment remembering back.

�� Alphaeus's eyes light up first.� A big grin comes over his face.� "Three and a half years ago!"

�� Right!� And then what happened to him at the end of the three and a half years?

�� Matthias has the answer.� "He was killed."

�� Next, there's Zechariah who prophesied 500 years ago that the people in Jerusalem will look on God, the one they pierced, and cry for him as they would their first-born son.� But on that day when the fountain of his blood flows, they will be cleansed from their sins.�

�� Even so, his followers will scatter in fear.� There will be an earthquake and the sun will turn black.� But by evening, there will be light everywhere, and living water will flow everywhere.� Only then will God be president over the whole world. [26]

�� Now, tell me what happened the day Jesus died.

�� Their minds are racing.� Matthias speaks first.� "Jesus was nailed to a cross, a torture our people never use.� His mother, Mary, was there to see her first-born son die.� His blood was everywhere.� It was terrible."

�� "And, his apostles scattered.� They went into hiding, fearing for their lives.� There was also darkness in the middle of the day, and an earthquake," Alphaeus adds.

�� "I remember him calling himself the light of the world and the water of life."

�� The stranger is smiling.� He continues on.� Prophecy after prophecy.� Then the clincher.

�� Okay now.� King David predicted 1000 years ago that the Holy One would die, but his body would not decompose.� Instead he would find the path of life out of death to live forever in heaven. [27]

�� What's that telling you?

�� "That's a hard one.� What time is it, anyway?"

�� "Almost supper time.� We had better get going.� Go with us, sir."

4:00 PM

�� I was going that way anyway.� Sure.� I'll go along.� I want to be around when you figure out the answer to that last question. [28]

�� The three get back onto the road.� They are not far from their destination.� As they walk, the mysterious gardener continues to explain prophecies.

Emmaus, Judea

� �� "Anyone hungry?" Matthias asks.� "Believe it or not, I think my appetite's back."

�� They have reached Emmaus.�

�� "There's a hostel here with good food."

�� The stranger starts to walk on past the city gate.

�� "Where are you going?"

�� I don't want to be an imposition.

�� "No, way.� We want you to eat with us.� We insist."

�� The stranger rejoins Alphaeus and Matthias and they walk into the inn.� A few minutes later they are seated at a table with unleavened bread and dip and a pitcher of wine.� As long as it is Passover week, everyone must eat only unleavened bread. [29]

�� Immediately, the stranger picks up the bread.� He divides it between them, then begins to pray.� He thanks God for the Bread of the Life that came into the world and blessed mankind.� The two men are so fascinated with the stranger, they do not bow their heads to pray with him.� Instead they stare at him.� Then they spot them.�

�� His hands!� His hands!� The holes!�

�� "It's you!� It's you, Jesus!" Alphaeus interrupts.[30]�

�� Tears are back in their eyes, and chills are running up their spines as the realization zooms up to their brains and explodes in awesome delight.

�� "Jesus?� Is that really you?"� It's Matthias.

�� Jesus looks over at them and smiles.

�� "You're back!� You came back to life!� It can be done!� You raised yourself!� You have the power!"

�� "....What?� What's going on here?"

�� "....Where is he?"

�� Jesus has disappeared.� Into thin air. [31]

�� But it was enough.� Enough for them to know Jesus is alive again.� It is all the proof they need.

�� Alphaeus throws several coins on the table and the two men rush out the door and back toward the highway.

�� "Didn't the old excitement come back to us while he was explaining those prophecies to us?" Matthias says in their rush.

�� "Man, alive!� It was him all along.� We've got to tell the others."

6:00 PM
Jerusalem, Judea

�� What had taken them hours before now takes them only one.� They're back in town.� They rush to the house where they left the others.� No one is there.� Were they arrested?� Maybe they changed locations to protect themselves from discovery by the authorities.�

�� Where to?� They remember John Mark lives in Jerusalem.� They go to his house.� It was a lucky guess.� They've all gone there.� How do they know?� A fish has been carved on his gate. [32]

�� They bang on the gate.� "Let us in!� It's us!� Let us in!� He's alive!"

�� James Jr. opens the door for his father and Matthias.

�� "The women were right.� John was right.� Jesus came back to life!� We saw him with our own eyes!� We talked to him!� He's alive!"

�� "Not you, too, Father," James Jr. responds.� "We'd like to believe you.� But it's not possible.� A person cannot raise himself from the dead.� Father, have you been drinking?"

�� "But it's true!" Matthias interjects excitedly.� "It's true.� And he's even appeared to Peter.� Is Peter here?"

�� "Yes, I just got in."

�� "You saw him, didn't you, Peter?"

�� "Okay, guys.� Did you hear that?� I have witnesses!� I saw him and these men have seen him too.� You've got to believe me.� Jesus is back!� And more powerful than ever!" [33]

LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� When we see people going into a church building all dressed up, we tend to think of them as spiritual know-it-alls, just like we think of people going into an office building wearing suits and carrying briefcases as business know-it-alls.� Some think religious people consider themselves "holier than thou."� Recall a time when you were looked down on because you were dressed up or dressed down too much.� Was it fair?

2.�� When we see people who are dirty, with uncombed hair and holes in their clothes, we tend to think of them as lazy good-for-nothings.� Some think they could do better than that if they really wanted to.� Recall a time when you were looked down on because you were not dressed up enough.� Was it fair?

3.�� Jesus can use us as we are in the world we are already in.� Even though your world may not be very religious, how will you portray a Jesus who accepts everyone to your friends?

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