Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times in 3 parts

The next day, the newly re-named disciple and his wife were talking:

"That was really a nice meeting last night, wasn't it, Barabbas, dear?"

He didn't answer.

"Barabbas, what's the matter?  I asked you a question."

He laughed.  "But remember, Barabbas is no more.  I’m Barnabas now."

"Oh, yes, but you said I could call you Barabbas at home."

"Yes, I did, didn't I?  But be careful when we are in public, Deborah dear."

"Anyway, it was really nice to meet with Manaheem and his wife and pray together, wasn't it?"

"It certainly was, dear.  I guess it was good that we prayed for the Herods but I wonder if it will do any good.  They're a hard bunch."

"Now, Barabbas, you know that everything is possible with faith."

“I know Deborah dear, but I guess the LORD just hasn't given me faith for them to be saved."

Suddenly she put her hand to her mouth in gesture of remembrance.  "But you know who we forgot to pray for?"

"No who?"

"--and this fits with your old name--The family of that poor man you killed.  By the way, when are we going to visit them?"

"You're right, Deborah dear.  I guess I sort of put them out of my mind.  But we should visit them, and we should pray before we go."

The children had been silently listening to this conversation, but now their ears perked up.  "Yes, when can we go, Daddy?" asked Caleb.

"Why, I don't think you children should come along.  We'll have to get someone to watch them, won't we, Deborah?"

Now, little Ruth spoke up.  "But Daddy, we already told the children about Jesus."

"You did?"

"Yes," offered Caleb.  "And we told them that he became alive again."

"When?  When did you talk to them?"

"The day they came over to where we were waiting for the meeting and told us you killed their father." volunteered Jason

"Oh, yes, I’d forgotten about that.  Well, in that case, I guess you can go."

"So, let's pray about it, shall we?" insisted Deborah.

They formed a circle and held hands.  Deborah prayed.  "Dear LORD God and our Savior, Jesus, please be with us and go before us as we go to visit this bereaved family.  Let them accept us and let us show them your love and concern.  May they know that my husband is truly sorry for what he did and may they accept his apology.  And most of all may they accept the message of your love for them and of your offer of salvation through your son, Jesus.  Amen."

"Praise God, I felt a sense of His presence as we prayed."

"So did I, Barabbas, so did I."

************

On the way, Deborah asked: "Can I call you Barabbas at that house?"

"Oh, I suppose it would be alright," he answered.  "They already know me by that name and by the foul deed I did."

************

As they arrived, the children were playing in the yard.  As they approached, the children recognized them.

"What are you doing here?" asked Jake.

"We came to give our sympathy to you and your mother," answered Barabbas.

"Well we don't want your sympathy," said Joseph, the oldest.  "Get out of here!"

"But," offered Caleb, "My Daddy told you he's sorry for what he did."

"Yes,” chimed in Ruth, "an' we told you 'bout Jesus, 'member."

"We remember,” answered Jake."

Joseph scowled and added: "But that don't erase what was done."