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

Paul coughed and said in loud voice, "My brothers and sisters, I wish to introduce you to our newest brother in the LORD--Joseph has just accepted the Messiah."

Another general chorus of praises went up.  Then Peter said to Joseph, "Of course, you'll want to follow our Lord in baptism as a sort of seal of your decision."

Joseph hesitated.  "Well, let me talk to my mother first."

"That's a good idea," agreed Barnabas. 

"Indeed!" echoed Paul.  "Perhaps we may soon have yet another person to baptize as well."

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He had a lump in his throat on the way home.  How could he tell his mother what had happened?  Would she accept it?  He didn't know but he had to take a chance.

"Mother just let me tell you what happened at the meeting tonight!"

"Oh, son, I don't want to hear anything about that Jesus group."

"But, mother, I’m one of them now."

"What do you mean, son?"

“I prayed tonight to accept Jesus--I’m one of his followers now."

"But how could you?  I told you, you could go, so you could learn about them, but I never expected you'd become one of them.  You're a Jew, and a rabbinical student, for God's sake."

"Mama, being a follower of Jesus doesn't make one any less a Jew.  I can still be a rabbi--just like Rabbi Gamaliel."

"Rabbi Gamaliel is not actually one of them.   I think you've made a big mistake son, and I don't want to hear anything more about it."

"But Momma, you should have heard Peter talk about his escape.  It was a real miracle.  Peter was put in jail by Herod Agrippa and the LORD helped him to escape.  It was a miracle."

"How do you know they didn't make it all up?  I’ll believe it when I see it.  A miracle?  Speaking of Herod, why doesn’t God do a miracle and get rid of that fox, who pretends to be our friend while all the while serving his own interests and taxing us to death?"

“I don't know, Momma.  I don't know, but perhaps He will."

"Well, if he does, then, perhaps, I’ll believe."