Ste3phanus - Chapter 12 - The Unkown Apostle

Miriam explained “We suspect the authorities are watching Ariel and me to see if we'll lead them to any
of the apostles in hiding. They believe we know where some of them are.”

Stephanus was intrigued and had to ask, “Well, do you know where the apostles are hiding?”

Akakios interrupted, “Stephanus, this is an adult conversation, let them speak. You are being rude!”

“No, no! That’s alright” Ariel assured them. “The boy may have a good idea! As a matter of fact, we do
know of where one of the apostles is reportedly hiding, and he needs help. But, we cannot get food and
supplies to him without rousing suspicion.”

“If someone who would not arouse suspicion could deliver what he needs–like a child–we might save
his life!”

Ro’i looked at Akakios and Stephanus, “Well, you two boys are the only ones here. Are you up for this
mission?”

“I don’t know?” said Akakios, “How dangerous is it? And where will we have to go? How long will it
take? I have to get Stephanus home before our family gathers for evening meal and prayers.”

Stephanus was more adventurous, “We’ll do it!” he declared.

“Hey! I’m the one in charge here!” Akakios asserted. “You are my responsibility!”

“Come on, Akakios, how dangerous can it be? We’re just two boys exploring the city, and we know
Jerusalem like the back of our hands.”

“Not all of Jerusalem, Akakios countered. "There are parts of the city that we never entered. I don’t
think this is such a good idea.”

“Come on, Akakios–let’s at least, think about it!” Stephanus pleaded, eager to help.

Ariel reassured the boys that they would not be in danger, and the apostle in hiding is reasonably
close by. He didn’t know which apostle it was, only that “he could be found almost right here under our
noses!”

“What are you saying?” Akakios demanded.

Ariel continued. “This apostle decided the best place to hide would be in the last place they would
look: right here, near the city of Jerusalem! It is widely rumored that all of Y’shua’s apostles fled after
his arrest, but, that is not entirely true. One–or perhaps more–have stayed where their risk is greatest.”
He went on, “Not too far from here is a large underground root and wine cellar few know about. It
holds the private stock of some of Jerusalem's elite families. It is so well hidden it is nearly impossible
to find, even if you know where to look. Anyone hiding there could remain concealed for days because of it’s
size and many chambers.”

“Okay," Akakios said."If we decide to help you, how do we find this unknown apostle? We can’t just
call out his name! And who would he trust enough to reveal himself?”

“Come on, Akakios! Stephanus urged, "We won’t be in any danger, and it won’t take long to bring the
man a few supplies! Aren't you willing to help someone in need? Father would expect more from us!”

“The apostle will be far less wary of young boys than adults," Ariel said. "He should reveal himself to
you.“

“This might work!” Agreed Ro’i

“Alright, Stephanus?let's do it!" Akakios relented. "But I have a bad feeling about this!”

“Boys, you have made the right decision!” Ariel applauded, “We have already purchased the supplies?
that’s why we argued with the merchant. We stretched every coin that we had. Let me draw you a map
in the dirt,"

He traced the route with a stick: Head south towards the Water Gate. Pass through it, bear left into the
Kidron Valley, then continue left until you reach Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Go through the tunnel; it will
bring you near the Mount of Offense. On your right you will see dense trees and low shrubs. Push
through them and you will find a hidden entrance to the underground cellar in the garden area. We were
told an injured apostle has been hiding there since early this morning. Do what you can for him, and
thank you.”

“Let’s move, Stephanus, Akakios said. "I want to be back in time for Y’shua’s trial before Pilate!”

The boys grabbed the camel's hair sacks from Ariel and his wife Miriam, and were off.

Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched.

As they crossed through the Water Gate, they encountered a detachment of Roman evocati stationed to
keep–or create havoc if they wished. The boys felt a ting of nervousness, but passed unrestricted.
Relived, they hurried on, eager to return to the palace courtyard for Y’shua's trial.
The soldiers, however, had noticed them. Hoping the youths might lead them to an apostle–or more–
as they followed at a careful distance.

Akakios and Stephanus entered Hezekiah's Tunnel and hurried towards the light at the far end.
Emerging near the Mount of Offense, they quickly located the cellar entrance exactly as described. It
was, indeed, well hidden.

Darkness greeted them at the entrance, but they found a candle and flint to light their way. The decent
was steep; but a rope helped lower them with caution.. When they reached the floor of the cellar, they realized it
was far more than a simple root cellar. It was a vast natural cavern, with countless passages branching
into separate chambers.

“Wow! Oh, my!” Akakios whispered. "Where do we even begin?”

“I hope we only find the Apostle in here, and no one else.” Stephanus responded.

They considered splitting up, but had only one candle, so they stayed together.

“I have an idea," Akakios suggested. "let’s leave the supplies here, and retrieve them once we find
him.” Stephanus agreed, glad to be rid of the awkward camelhair sack.

“Wait! Oh, no!”, Akakios whispered in alarm “This candle is not very big, what if it burns out before
we find him? We'll be in total darkness.”

As if Yahweh Himself were listening, they soon found an oil lantern and lit it. The stronger, longer-
lasting flame comforted them.

Still, they searched together, moving slowly. They began systematically down the right side of the
cavern, planning to work their way back on the left side near the exist.

They checked the first two passages but found nothing. No signs that anyone had been there. They
moved as quietly as possible, not wanting to startle the hidden apostle.

Suddenly, Akakios froze. “Did you hear that?” he whispered.

“Hear what?” Stephanus stopped to listen.

“I swear I heard something behind us!”

Stephanus started to say he hadn't heard anything, thinking Akakios was just being jumpy, when he,
too, caught the sounds of footsteps approaching through the darkness.

“Put out that lantern!” Akakios hissed, smothering the flame. Total darkness swallowed them.

“Who goes there?” a voice called from the blackness “Before you snuffed out your light, I saw you
were only boys. My eyes did not deceive me. This is no place for children to play! If someone finds
you here, it will be nearly impossible to escape, there is only one way in and out! Reveal yourselves!”
Terrified and unsure, the boys groped along the wall, trying to hide. In the panic Stephanus bumped into a
rack of amphorae, causing the Canaanite jars to clang loudly against one another.
Then a strong hand shot out of the darkness and seized Stephanus by the forearm.

“Akakios?he's got me!” shouted Stephanus, forgetting to whisper.

“Do not struggle, little one," the man warned. "I am much stronger than you!”

“Who are you?" he demanded "And what are two boys doing down here?”

“If you release my arm, and let us to relight our lantern," Stephanus said, trying to be brave. "We can
talk face to face."

“Very well, but, no running. This passage is too narrow for you to get past me!” The man go. Stephanus'
arm throbbed long afterward from the power of the grip.

Akakios took charge as the older brother. “We were sent here by of Ariel and Miriam…

“Wait!” Stephanus interrupted, “Why don’t you tell us who you are first ‘Mr. Iron Grip’?”

The man gave a low chuckle, “Fair enough, I am Andrayas, the brother of Shim-on, whom Y’shua
named ‘Kefa’, we are the son’s of Yonah, and part of Y'shua’s inner circle.

Well, that was easy, Akakios thought with satisfaction.

“You’re an Apostle?” Stephanus blurred. “How did you sneak past us?”

“I didn’t pass you.” Andrayas explained, “I arrived after you did, I saw the flicker of your lantern as
you came out of the second passage on the cave’s right.”

“But, you two still haven’t told me why you are here?” he reminded them.

“I am Akakios, and this is my impulsive little brother, Stephanus." Akakios answered. "Ariel and
Miriam sent us. They heard an injured apostle was hiding here, so they asked us to bring supplies. They
figured boys would arouse less suspicion.”

“First, I commend your courage,” Andrayas said warmly, “Actually, I was sent on the same errand by
my brother, Shim-on. Poor Shim-on is in such torment! He weeps bitterly about denying our Lord,
Y’shua, and not sure what to do next? He says he can never return to fishing, yet he fears the future."
A ‘fisherman’s grip’ Stephanus realized. No wonder his arm hurts, years hauling heavy nets build real
strength!

“I knew this was too easy!” Akakios groaned. “So, you’re not the injured apostle we came to find?”

“Sorry.” Andrayas teased gently.

“Come, let us search together. If you were adult height you might have noticed the torches set into the
walls.” The boys looked up and, sure enough, saw torches lining the passage. No wonder there had
been only one short candle, and a single lantern!

“We’re a pair of real genius’s, aren't we?” Akakios muttered.

“So, is this one of those times when you decided you were thinking too much?” Stephanus ribbed.
Akakios responded the way big brother's do?and playfully swatted the back of Stephanus' head.

“Boys!” Andrayas warned in a whisper. “Assume someone else could enter at any moment. So keep
your voices low! And perhaps it's a blessing you are short, we don't need to light the torches and
announce our presence.”

By the light of the single lantern, they continued to search up and down each successive passage.

“You know we’re going to find him the last one we search, don’t you?” joked Akakios.

“Boys! Loose lips sink fishing boats! Keep it down!” Andrayas hushed them.

They had reached the deepest recesses of the cavern. A natural spring made the air damp; water soaked
their sandals.

Akakios stumbled, and let out a grunt that echoed slightly.

“What was that?” Stephanus asked.

“Not what? Who?” Andrayas replied.

“I tripped.” Akakios said, pointing, “Bring that lantern over here.”

There sprawled on the wet floor behind a man-sized boulder, lay the unknown apostle. Akakios had
tripped over his outstretched foot. As Andrayas raised the lantern, recognition dawned.

“Yahudah! Yahudah!” he cried softly. "What have they done to you?”

“Yahudah?!?!” alarm exploded in Stephanus’ mind! “Y’shua’s traitor!?“Andrayas, is this, is he…?”
Stephanus stumbled over his words in bewilderment, “is he the traitor? We heard he committed
suicide?”

“You mean Yehuda Iscariot," Andrayas clarified quickly. "Yes, he betrayed our Lord, and took his own
life. May God the Father have mercy on his soul. This is Yahudah Thaddeus,?also called Iebbeus, he is
brother of Ya'kov the less, his father is Chalfai, This, of course, makes him a cousin to Y’shua, and I
have known him for the last three years. He is a holy man, no betrayer!”

Relief washed over the boys.

“My word, " Akakios breathed. “He’s badly beaten”.

“Let’s fetch some water from the spring, and try and rouse him.” directed Andrayas.
They gently moved the injured apostle into the open and began washing his wounds. After a few
minutes he stirred.

“The Lord has mercifully brought the three of you to my aid!” were his first words.

“How did this happen, Iebbeus?” Andrayas questioned him. "How did you get here?"

“May the Lord forgive them!” Yahudah Thaddeus prayed weakly. "After Y'shua's arrest, I went to
Yosef of Arimathea where Mother Maryam and Maryam Magdala were staying for Passover. When
I told them what had happened in the garden, the women took their clocks to be with Him, and Yosef
left for the Sanhedrin chambers. I feared I had been followed, so I slipped out the back gate. Eventually
I had to emerge onto the road. A troop of mounted soldiers overtook me and beat me senseless."

He paused, gathering strength. “The next thing I remember, someone was carrying me like a sack of
grain. Whoever it was subdued the entire patrol and brought me to safety, almost effortlessly."

"Wait, you're telling us that one person did all this?" Stephanus asked in awe.

“That's what I recall," Yahudah answered. " though I drifted in and out of consciousnesses. And who
are these youth, Andrayas?”

"I'm Akakios," he answered for Andrayas, "and this is my little brother Stephanus. We learned of your hiding from Ariel
and Miriam.”

“And Shim-on told me where to look for you” Andrayas added. "Said he saw you in a dream."

“So, Yahudah Thaddeus," Andrayas said gently."it seems the Lord still has work for you. You have
survived for a reason.”

“Nothing is impossible with God!" the apostle declared through his pain. "I believe God!”

Stephanus noticed the phrasing: not “I believe in God!” but, rather “I believe God!” as one speaks to
a trusted friend. How marvelous to know the Creator so personally! Stephanus prayed silently that one
day, he too, might have such unshakable faith.