Stephanus - Chapter 9 - The Shepard

Chapter 9 – The Shepard

Suddenly Akakios and Stephanus were swept into a surge of people rushing into the streets, jostling those around them. To escape the chaos the boys ducked into the marketplace.

The day’s sun had climbed past the mid morning nearing the 3rd hour. The boys, after hurrying through their chores, had bolted out of their little hovel with only their water bag. There was only a little grain and oil to be found in the house, and that would be left for their families return from the harvest fields.

Huddling together, the two brothers debated how to ease their gnawing stomachs?

Stephanus knew it was wrong, but hunger overruled caution, and they had no money, They decided on a past tactic that had worked for them; Akakios would distract the merchant while Stephanus would snatch an apple, or two, and melt back into the crowd.

It had worked before. But, this time the merchant spotted the thief, and bellowed, “STOP! THIEF!” as Stephanus fled towards the street. His path was blocked by a tall breaded man and his dog. Stephanus may have been able to get around them, but the man's crook hooked his tunic, and his dog growled fiercely.

“Strider, heel!” the man commanded. The dog obeyed instantly. standing at his master's side.

“Where do you think you are going, little one?” The man asked while seizing Stephanus by the scruff of his neck and marching him back to the merchant. As this unfolded, Stephanus realized he was the one who would pay the price for what he had done. Akakios was just a bystander.

The bearded man asked the merchant about the cost of the stolen apples? Then he pulled a coin out of his purse in payment. “And give him whatever he wants.” he added generously.

Relief flooded Stephanus! He looked up to the ruddy stranger with grateful eyes. “Why did you do that?” he asked.

“Yahweh commands us to fed the poor." the man replied. "At your age, I doubt you earn much. This command has been echoed by the carpenter’s son they now prosecute”

“Do you know him? Have you heard any of his parables?” Stephanus pressed.  Although Akakios had slipped back into the crowd, he saw it was safe to join them, as they found a spot in the marketplace to sit.

“Yes, I've encountered Y’shua, the carpenter’s son, many times." he continued, “I'm Ro’i, and I am a Shepard from the hill country around the city of David, do you know of it?”

“You’re mean Bethlehem.” Akakios offered.

“Exactly.” Ro’i replied.

“We've never been there, but, when our father was alive he spoke about it.” added Akakios. “I’m Akakios, and this sticky-fingered one, is my little brother, Stephanus, whom I am supposed to watch.

“Oh! Orphans?” Ro'i asked gently.

“No, we live with our mother and older sister. They are harvesting barley today. Among the few that are not in the city for Y’shua's fate.”

Ro'i leaned in, “When I was but a youth of only seven seasons, I lay with my father in the fields tending our flocks on a bitter cold winter’s night. The sky was clear and frigid. Suddenly, it blazed like lighting, but then lingered, and was filled with the appearance of spirits, or unearthly beings."

“You saw angels?” Stephanus gasped, eyes wide.

“Yes, I was a several season's younger than you, and I witnessed the spectacle of an entire choir of angels in the heavens! They were extremely joyful, and singing praises to the Most High Yahweh!”

"A Strati-as!" Stephanus described the angelic choir.

"Precisely, oh, sticky one!" Ro'i smiled.

"My Father, Malach, and the other shepherds were dumbfounded and speechless while mesmerized by their display! During this celestial miracle I could focus my thoughts on the angelic voices which were a melodic chorus of beauty. If my mind started to drift, I could hear hidden messages behind their melody. "Messiah,...The Chosen One,...and Son of God...Emanuel" were but a few that came to mind. Then one angel drew nearer. His very words entering our minds: “Fear not! For I bring good news of great tidings for all people: to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord. He will be great, and will redeem all people! You shall go to Bethlehem to pay him homage, for Holy is his name!” (Lk 2:8~15)

My father asked, “Where shall we find this child?”

“He shall be found wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger at the stables next to the Inn." (Lk 2:10~12)

My father obeyed the angel immediately, leaving others to guard the flocks.

“Son, come!” directed my father. I was thrilled!

We followed the guiding star to Bethlehem, a long trek overs hills. As we walked I asked, “Father, we were in Bethlehem last year, weren’t we?”

“Yes, son, you remember well.”

“The stable's filthy and miserable. How can it shelter a child!” I protested.

“We must follow the heavenly vision.” my father replied firmly.

“The journey was grueling: with hills and mountain we had to cross once we left the confines of our camp. At one point we took rest in a cave along the way, only to be confronted by a hibernating bear, and then, a pack of wolves on the hunt during the night.”

“We arrived cold, hungry, and exhausted! Any doubts we may have had along the way vanished when we arrived at the stable! We found everything just as the angel stated. The shabby stable had been transformed- clean, orderly, gates and fences repaired; manure cleared, feed bins stocked. Donkeys, mules, and oxen warmed the infant child with their breath! A fluffle of rabbits nestled in, and bunnies snuggled with the infant. The whole scene was enveloped by a soft comforting glow! Almost imperceptible, but, definitely there! I tell you, this was no ordinary birth! The child’s father and mother welcomed us warmly! And we praised Yahweh!”

“As a young shepherd I was struck: We wrapped temple-bound yearlings in swaddling clothes for inspection for Temple sacrifice. Once, I spotted red marks on a lamb's hip. I thought they were imperfections, so I told father that this particular yearling should be returned to the flock. He looked for himself, and told me they were not blemishes, but wounds from a venomous snake bite. He went on to explain that the week before he had seen the flock divide suddenly, which drew his curiosity? As he approached the area in the flock where this had happened he came across a Palestine viper which he killed with his crook. He thought the sheep were safe, but it now appears the viper had attacked the yearling we had examined.

“This yearling will become a ewe.” decided father.

Ro’i went on to explain “Because of the lambs blood, the snake’s poison had little to no effect on the lamb, perhaps a little swelling at first, but the lamb was immune to the bite from the viper.”

“Wonder of wonders! And this child in Bethlehem was wrapped in swaddling clothes! What does this mean? This scene I witnessed?

Crowds gathered from Bethlehem, and the surrounding hills and villages. Father organized visits respectfully, as if divinely directed.  We fetched wood, drew water, gathered food, fed and milked goats and cows, and prepared meals.”

"Wow! They really put you to work, didn't they!" interjected Akakios.

"Not really!", countered Ro'i, "Father tasked me to keep the wood staked and ready for warmth and the preparation of meals. I found it easy because the stack never depleted; strangely, there was always enough wood for the need at hand. Or, maybe I just forgot how hard I worked to keep stock?"

“Then the three Magi arrived from the East, with gifts and a grand caravan. Father spoke with them; they had consulted King Herod who asked that they report to him where the child was? (Mt 1~12)  Father grew alarmed.

Afterward, Father warned us: "Dark days approach. The Magi sought the new King per prophesy, following our star. They told Herod, who feigned honor but plots destruction. We'll leave at once to avoid his wrath! (Mt2:2~8)

“I was barely 8 seasons old, but I surprised myself by objecting to my father’s instructions. “But, I like it here!”

Father's stern look silenced me, then he explained patiently: "I love you, son. Herod will strike when ignored. We must go. So, I will take the time to explain myself to you so you can better understand what has taken place here: the Magi have traveled a great distance in search of the new King of Israel, based on ancient prophecy of where and when he will arrive. They have followed the star in the heavens that we have also observed. But, in order to verify that they were traveling in the right direction, they consulted with King Herod the Great, in Jerusalem. The Magi unwittingly revealed Herod as the impostor that he really is. They said Herod wanted them to return to him, so that he too could come and honor the child. But, I warned them that they should return to their homeland by a route that avoids King Herod, because he does not want to honor this new king, but he wants to destroy him! When Herod realizes that they have avoided him, he will take drastic measures, and we need to leave to avoid the danger that is on it’s way!”

The following morning, as we started our return journey, one of the Magi hurried over to us before our departure.

“Malach! Last night all three of us had dreams warning us not to return to King Herod, just as you had recommended! Funny we all had the same dream? So, we will travel by a different route back to our home lands. As soon as we left the confines of the stable area we realized that we had stayed longer than we should have, lossing track of time. I have some difficulty in describing this, but it is as if time had became irrelevant during our visit, then, suddenly, we woke up, as it were, and remembered our responsibilities to our families and flocks.” (Mt 2: 12)

“‘In Ramah is heard the sound of moaning, of bitter weeping! Rachel mourns her children, she refuses to be consoled because her children are no more.’ Ro’i quoted sorrowfully. (Jer. 31.15)

This stays with me throughout my lifetime, and I am now an old man remembering 42 seasons.”

“Through the years, we delivered lambs to Jerusalem for temple sacrifices, we heard stories about the child, now the man Y’shua. Shortly after his birth, he mysteriously disappeared? His mother and father were nowhere to be found? Even King Herod was unable to locate the three of them? And Herod did go to extremes just as my father had predicted” (Mt2:15)

‘It was some years later before any further news of the child’s whereabouts came to us, again. I was, now, a young man of almost 20 season’s. We heard this remarkable story about the Scribes and Elders at the temple who spoke with amazement about a young man, not quite in his teen years who arrived at the temple chambers during the Feast of Unleavened Bread speaking and questioning them. His command of the Holy Scriptures literally astounded those reputed to be the most learned scholars in Jerusalem. They were completely captivated by his words and reasoning! But then their conversation was brought to an abrupt end when the boy’s mother and father suddenly arrived distraught. They complained that he had been missing for three days! We were told by those that witnessed the scene that you could see how Y’shua’s parents were more relied than angry that they had found him! They apparently suffered considerably by his absence. It was like a piece of them was missing: such an intense love!!”

The gathered scholars that had been huddled around the boy looked as if they had woke from a stupor! Suddenly aware that they had been talking with a mere boy, and not an educated rabbi of the Law and Holy Scriptures! He had mesmerized them with his command of Yahweh’s words, speaking like one of the great prophets! (Lt 2:41~52)

More recently, he has spent the last 3 years spreading the good news of Yahweh. In reality, I believe he has been making disciples of all that he becomes acquainted with since his birth! I know Father and I were some of his earliest followers! (Lk 3: 23)

He chose 12 he calls Apostles: many follow, including my family. His words ring truer than most Rabbis'.