CITY ON A HILL

EPISODE 2

Matthew speak as the poor widow listen gracefully. “How about me buying your firewood for three-fifty shekel, deducting your ten percent tax and benefitting fifty shekels for the help offered. At the end, its Caesar’s win”; he smiled at the widow but she worriedly sighs for a moment and speaks charitably to him.

“Why will you cheat a widow like me to the last penny I’ll get to feed my children? Don’t you have passion for people in need? You don’t have to cheat me for something you never worked for. Have you forgotten the meditation of the book of law and its rules that says whoever breaks one break all of God’s commandment? Please my son, help me for I need this money urgently”; the widow begged.

With a smile and a second thought, two market women arrive at the boot and swiftly without delay, the tax collector provides them with tickets after further complaint of the ten percent increment of tax daily on activities that goes in the market. He later gets back to the poor widow who has been anxiously waiting at the booth for help. Matthew finally responds to her plea with a fixed face and speak; “I have never coveted a neighbor’s house, his wife, male servant, donkey or anything. I have never bore false witness in the court against anyone in this town and murder I have not. I act as a hypocrite in judgments and points fingers at others in the name of self-righteousness but nothing convicts me of these. Although it is my prayer to put an end to the deceit and lies and cheats and theft. I want to live right in the image of God as a man but after all this, what happens to my family? They will suffer if I quit this job”; he said. “Do you think we are paid enough for services rendered at this booth? No. the monies we get to support our family all comes in the name of cheats and bribes. What do I do to please God woman?” He sorrowfully added.

“Do what is right”; she retorted. “Help the needy and put needing smiles on the faces of the needy when the need needs. The man who would not make God his refuge, but trusts in his work and abundance of riches seek refuge in his own destruction”; she quoted from Psalms. Levi was astounded at the woman and observed her critically without uttering a word. “This is your chance to help, don’t hesitate for the fruit of God is better than gold, even fine gold and His yield than choice silver”; she ended. Mathew was touched by the words of the poor widow and without wavering, she offers a ticket to the widow freely without a penny. The widow thanks him elegantly and after lifting her firewood, she walks away into the market with no interruption from the soldiers.

The town of Capernaum, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali share borders with Syria, Decapolis, Jerusalem and Judea. The Sea of Galilee is one of their main source of food supply to inhabitants of about thousand five hundred apart from the Jordan River. The town was captured by the Roman Empire and falls under the rulership of King Herod, who is in charge of the administering and controlling of affairs as to law and freedom. Mathew was instated as the tax collector by the chief scribes nine years ago and his loyalty to the council on proceedings from the market has increased his wage affecting the ten percent increment of daily routines by Caesar’s order. Although he has heard at the roars of John the Baptist in Nazareth, a neighbor town in his quest to prepare the way for the coming Messiah for their redemption years ago, he never saw how useful the voice of one crying in the wilderness will effect a change in his life.

Whatever goes through his mind is how effective he will make ends meet for his family and how he can increase the trade of his wife to make provision in the house overflow. Although he is a believer and attends meetings in the synagogue to teach his family on the Laws of God which was given through Moses but the least thing he cares about is how well and fit he and his family can live a deserving life to please God on the basis of hardship they sometimes go through in life.

The cold breeze of the Sea of Galilee at night has been awesome and lovely. On top of the sea is a perfect view of a golden city thousand miles away from Capernaum which used to be the talk in the town on how this city emerged. According to reports from priests of the synagogue, the city emerged the very day the coming King of the Jews was brought forth according to prophesy leading to thousands of babies slaughtered by Herod in the search for the so called King, after he was deceived by the three wise men of making a reportage when they find him. Many gather at the borders of the sea to catch an eye on how glittering the light on this city is charming in the night. The zeal and desire of inhabitants in Capernaum to be there and see for themselves what this city of golden light is all about is what they have thinking all night judging from the miles that separate them from this great city which they believe is of God.

Rumors of Jesus Christ has begun to spread around and across the surroundings of Galilee and its neighboring towns by the casting out of demons and healing the sick for no money. Everybody was marveled in the city about the miracles of the man to restore them to a new path of righteousness. Many gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door to hear him preach the word of the Most High God and to heal. The mass crowd that followed him even to the shores of the sea to listen to his words was a threat to the roman governance because this man was loved and has the power to soften the heart of his followers into believing that he has been sent by the Heavenly Father. One more thing the Pharisees and scribes couldn’t believe was his ability to forgive sin. They saw it as blasphemy to the integrity of God on how a man could act as God to attract supporters for himself.

It’s a hot Wednesday afternoon at the entrance of the market and the death of John the Baptist has quickly circulated around the fellow towns. The atmosphere is a less tensed with a less-busy marketing activity. Majority of the market women have gone to the Sea of Galilee to witness the heartwarming words of Jesus Christ and to experience their healings and breakthroughs. Other women see the gathering at the shores of the sea as an advantage to sell to the arriving guest who have come from other cities after the sermon is closed. The initiation of the mission of Jesus has drastically changed the market attendance and has brought a change in the sales of ticket of taxes to the lowest in the history of the Roman’s administration.

Levi, son of Alpheus sits at the booth looking weary. With his hand serving as a pillow for his head to safe land, he begins to dose off. Within seconds, he feels a hand touch his skin, more refreshing than he has ever experienced. His weariness vanished and is refreshed without a hint of pain. Upon lifting his head, he catches the attention of the crowd on him and to his surprise, he hears a soothing voice of comfort. “What is your name gentleman?” Jesus asked. Levi revealed to relieve spoke out a name no one has ever heard him say. “Matthew sir”; he answered. “Follow me”; Jesus commanded. Levi, who has been revealed as Matthew walked out of the booth in tears and relief. He followed Jesus accompanied by few men, Peter formerly called Simon and Andrew his brother, James, son of Zebedee and John his brother and a few.

to be continued.