3 Years Before

3 Years Before

I stood at the entrance to the market of Jerusalem, smelling deeply of the spices and other rich scents. So much was going on, everything at once! I stood for a moment longer, and then proceeded into the market. A large crowd had gathered, listening intently to a man, only slightly older than then I myself at that time, speak.

Although the man seemed only to be about thirty, he spoke with all the wisdom of a man far beyond his years. I turned to a member of the crowd

“Who is this man?” he asked

“Jesus of Nazareth, a great teacher”

I drew closer, wishing to hear more of the Rabbi’s lessons. As the son of a merchant, I had heard the rabbis of his hometown of Kerioth speak, but I always hungered for more, knowing, hoping, and praying that there had to be more. How could Yahweh condemn every man to Sheol? Was the human race so contemptible? I edged through the crowd, wishing to hear this Jesus’s teaching. I listened, and my eyes grew wide. He spoke of the kingdom of God, not as if it were an unattainable ideal, but as a true, real place, where they would go after death. Not Sheol, but Paradise! It was an idea I had never heard before. As the man spoke, I felt myself drawn into the speech, until I found myself asking:
“Rabbi! How does one attain the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Jesus smiled upon me, and within I glowed, and he answered, in a voice that was soft, and full of confidence “One obeys the teachings of the Torah, the will of God, and gives to the poor, and helps the weak”

I sat there, listening to the rest of Jesus’s teachings. He spoke of generosity, forgiveness, and many other ideas of which I had never heard. I liked the idea of Paradise, was greatly interested by the idea of forgiveness without requirements. Of generosity without requirements or expectations, however, I scoffed. As the son of a merchant, I was taught the value of money from a very young age. But for some reason I listened. The man’s voice was soft, his word peaceful, but it stirred something in me that I had never felt before. Each word was strong, meaningful, and so full of power; it felt as if my heart was going to burst. The words resounded in me, as if someone has struck a gong in my soul.

Suddenly, the speaking had stopped, and before me stood Jesus. I stood. Behind Jesus were four men, but I had eyes only for Jesus. He spoke two words

“Follow me”

I smiled “Rabbi, I would love to”

Jesus smiled “What are you called?”

“Judas. Judas Iscariot.”