Scripture References: Matthew 2; Luke 2; John 1
3762 AM (10 CE) – CAN GOOD COME FROM NAZARETH
By the time Miriam woke, Joseph had the animal saddled and loaded. Miriam grabbed the bedrolls and little Yeshua, and they left before first light. No, they did not say good-bye. They felt that would be too much of a hardship for the family.
“So, where do we go?” Miriam asked.
“There is only one place,” was all he could say.
They had such hopes for Bethlehem. It was a prosperous little town, and they had the support of their family. But then, the tragedy. And there was no way they could stay and face their family day after day. There would be no understanding, no forgiveness. Some things in this world, some people are unwilling to forgive.
But Joseph and Miriam both agreed to just let it go. What could they say? What could they do? They chose not to be bitter about it or feel bitterness toward anyone. What was the point? Besides, that is not how they would raise little Yeshua – in bitterness and resentment. He was the Messiah, after all, if Hashem was to be believed.
But there were consequences. Consequences when following Hashem. Consequences when choosing right and doing good, and they were not always favorable consequences. It was frustrating to be willing and able to follow Hashem to the ends of the earth, and then to be punished for it.
“So, Nazareth,” Miriam offered.
“Yes, Nazareth,” Joseph affirmed.
“But can anything good come from Nazareth?” Miriam wondered aloud.
“Of course,” Joseph said, more light-heartedly, “I mean, we got little Yeshua.”
“But it’s a small community. People will talk,” Miriam shot back, “about us.”
“Sure, they will. That’s what people do. With any luck, it will just be about the conception and not about Bethlehem.”
“Ah,” Miriam exclaimed, finally acquiescing to the fact that their situation has improved, “one hopes.”
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Joseph, Miriam, and little Yeshua waited outside the synagogue for the Synagogue Ruler. They were all so very nervous. Well, Yeshua wasn’t. He played in the dirt, his imagination reliving the many stories he had heard about listening to the Torah.
Piling up a large mound of dirt in front of himself, Yeshua was playing, “And the Spirit of Hashem was over the waters, and then there was dry land. Whooosh! Look, Ima! Dry land!”
Miriam answered Yeshua with playful banter, “Yes, Yeshua, the land is dry. How did He do that, I wonder?”
The sound of a man clearing his throat grabbed all their attention. It was the Synagogue Ruler. Normally, when entering a new community, they would have to introduce themselves and answer some basic questions before being welcomed into the community, just so that the Ruler of the Synagogue could get to know them. Unfortunately for them, this ruler knew Joseph’s family quite well, including the situation with Miriam and the betrothal. His name was Caleb, and, for the most part, he was knowledgeable and fair.
Miriam stood up. “Okay, Yeshua, let’s dust off.”
She patted the dust off of Yeshua’s clothes and tried to make him appear more presentable. Then she followed Joseph, as Joseph followed Caleb. They entered the synagogue and sat together, except for Yeshua, who busied himself quietly exploring the small structure.
“So,” Caleb started, but then waited.
“So,” Joseph replied, and then also waited.
“You are back,” Caleb offered.
“Yes, we are,” Joseph agreed.
“You look well,” Caleb observed, “little Yeshua is not so little anymore.”
“Yes. They grow up so fast,” Miriam added. “The only thing that ever stays the same is the fact that everything constantly changes so rapidly. And, well, um…”
“I see,” Caleb said. “Well, Shul is usual time, and Shabbat is usual time.”
“Very well,” Joseph responded. With a nod, Caleb stood and kindly motioned for them to depart.
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The walk home was very quiet.
“What do you think that was all about?” Miriam pondered.
“I don’t know,” Joseph answered thoughtfully, “I suspect life trumps indiscretion. Better for us to be in community for accountability. I mean, if we are willing to show our faces, I suppose the community will be willing to look at them.”
“Such an odd thing to say, Joseph,” Miriam chastised playfully, “but Hashem has always provided. Why should we be surprised?”
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Miriam was certainly correct. The only thing that ever stays the same is how seemingly fast everything changes. The supposed indiscretion of Miriam was never spoken of. Other matters pressed the community, like the oppressive taxation and violence from Rome on their community. Their community needed to band together, if only to survive.
Thankfully, Nazareth was part of the Galilean region, and the violent social unrest that Jerusalem had to contend with, especially as instigated by the Zealots, did not reach the Galilee. So long as people did not gather in large crowds, and paid their taxes, Nazareth was allowed to more or less eke along.
It wasn’t long before Yeshua was turning twelve and was getting ready for a trip to the synagogue to come under the law. He had been studying with Caleb and his classmates for several years. Yeshua was amazingly precocious, but always respectful. The hand of Hashem was always with him, and, well, you know the rest of the story.
Used with permission by the author. Find the author’s complete works online: Complete Works of Mack Samuels
