WATCHWORD:
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. 21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. Matthew 4:18-22
Meditation:
Foundation of a Devotional
Six years ago, this October, my first faith-based novel, A Life for Barabbas, was published by TouchPoint Publications. It was a true odyssey for me of research into sacred and ancient writings and a recognition of God’s graces through inspiration and discoveries. I’m not a theologian, I’m a psychologist and a Christian, so I was both breaking new ground and verifying deeper held beliefs.
The research had taken me into the writings of scholarly theologians, and multiple commentaries, books about first century Jerusalem. I was introduced to the Apocrypha, which, at the start, I couldn’t spell, let alone know what it was. In turn, it led me to Josephus, Jewish historian that wrote a century after the Resurrection. I met St. Jerome who translated the Greek Septuagint (another word I had to look up) that resulted in the Latin Vulgate (stil another). St. Jerome’s contribution was his in-depth translation and explanation of original Hebrew writings. I was over my head, but at least I understood just enough to develop a true, credible story.
Along the way I learned a bit about the flavor and a taste of day-to-day life in First Century Jerusalem and early Christianity; their customs, food, even the play and toys of children.For me, it was uncovering interesting perspectives on the environment in which Jesus ministered, and his relationship with the disciples. All of that laid the groundwork for bringing a credible, yet fictional life story of Barabbas, into book form.
In my research, I was face-to-face with geography, language and culture, but also humanity, the human spirit. My psychology background helped in developing the storylline, I was able to see and understand, in part, the human face and heart of the characters I was writing about. Barabbas was a good man, an early version of Robin Hood to the Hebrews, yet a villan for the Romans, but his story ends with his being saved from crucifixion by Christ. I sought to further his story.
Too often we read scripture, and the story comes across one-dimensional. My friend and mentor, Pastor Paul Borg, emphasized in his teachings the need to understand more than the lessons, you had to understand the geography and the culture. That scene in Matthew 4 of Jesus calling of Andrew, Peter, James and John, may leave us with questions, like, how could they leave their businesses just like that? I can only imagine that father thinking, what the…?
But there is a background story. First, there is evidence that when Jesus came to Capernaum from Nazareth, He built His own house. We read that Jesus was a carpenter, and likely, he was also a stone mason. His house became a center for his conversations, his lessons to those who gravitated to his house. It was this house, crowded with followers, where a group of men had to cut a hole in the roof to lower their friend.
It was Andrew, and his friend John, that John the Baptist sent to hear Jesus speak for the first time in Capernaum. It was Andrew that convinced the reluctant Peter and John to join him to hear Jesus. It was sometime later that they finally convinced James to join them, to come, hear this man. The relationship of these four with Jesus probably persisted nearly a year before Jesus, preparing to preach in communities around the sea of Galilee, extended the invitation to “come follow me”. Likely, thr father, Zebedee, had heard much about the man, Jesus, and probably understood his son’s decision to follow.
In my mind, the digging into early sacred writings added texture and humanity to historic Biblical facts and seemed to provide inspiration that advanced the story of Barabbas. We spend a lot of time comparing the different versions of the Bible, reading commentaries, etc., but I like idea of letting the Word of God speak to us through inspiration that comes in quiet times, that guides our thoughts and actions. I can attest to that.
I pray that this ‘different kind of devotional’ gives you cause to consider more deeply, as you read God’s Word. Amen.
A Prayer That Belongs with This Meditation:
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the heart of the faithful, grant, that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations. I believe, Lord, that You are here present. Although my eyes do not see You, my faith senses you. Take any stray thoughts from my mind. Make me understand the truths which You wish to teach me in this meditation. Let me make up my mind to put them into practice. Your servant is listening; speak Lord to my soul. Amen.
