Saturday, March 15
Marius
The offices of Marius, chief architect and engineer of Tetrarch Herod Antipater
Marius stood on the balcony outside his workroom looking down at the workers below busy at their task of raising the walls of the new wing. In his mind he could see the finished structure, an enduring monument to Roman building skill. He marveled at the good fortune which had brought him from a minor office in the Roman Legion to his high rank in the Galilean court.
Stepping back into the workroom, he glanced at the small boy sitting at a table by the window, studying an open scroll before him while chewing on the stylus of his wax tablet.
“Judah,” he said, “have you solved the problem?”
The boy looked up, smiling. “Yes, sir. I think so, but it’s a furry monster.”
“Romans can conquer any monster they face. Let me see what you’ve done. Well, now. That looks quite good. I think you can wrap up your math studies for the day. It’s almost time for your Hebrew lesson.”
“Do I really have to learn Hebrew, Father? I’m a Roman and I’m going to be an engineer like you.”
“Judah, you’re a Roman like me, of course, but you’re a Jew also like your mother. You are a very lucky boy. Romans have spread good roads and fine buildings with peace and justice throughout the world. The Jewish people have taught us about the things of the spirit. Remember how sick you were last year? We were all afraid we would lose you. But a holy Jewish man, a rabbi, answered my plea for help. His great power healed you, and here you are healthy and fit. Now, run along down to the kitchen and see if Cook has a treat to reward your good work today. You have time for that before Hebrew lessons.”
Marius had barely settled down to work when his scribe brought him a fresh dispatch from the tetrarch. “He calls upon the whole court to join him in Jerusalem for Passover this year. There are rumblings among the people that the Teacher is the predicted Messiah and that he will declare himself their king this year. The tetrarch wishes to use his influence to avoid bloodshed.”
Marius shook his head. “I know this prophet to be a great and good man and no threat as a rebel. Give the orders for our household to pack at once.”
When Judah returned to the office a few minutes later he brought a jar of pudding with him. “Look, Father, Cook has made this pudding for us. It’s full of dates and apples and nuts. She says it’s to serve at Passover to remind us of the mortar anchoring the bricks made by the Hebrew slaves.”
“Mortar never tasted this good, son, but we’ll be going to Jerusalem for Passover this year, and we will take some of this with us to share. If it’s possible, we’ll give some to a very holy man and you will meet the one who healed you.”
Guy Johnson