On the morning after Mary and her children returned to Nazareth, Zebina awoke before Joash. She slipped outside to take a deep breathe. The smell of wheat lingered in the air since the young men had just harvested. The quiet morning felt refreshingly peaceful as the sun peeked over the horizon.

“Lord God of heaven and earth,” she said, lifting her face up to the sky, “how can I feel so sad but so thankful at the same time? The loss of my dear Seth is almost more than I can bear. Yet, at the same time, I’m grateful you brought my dear friend Mary to be with me, and I’m grateful for my precious son who spent his first hours going to help bring her to Nain. You surrounded me with loving neighbors who supported, provided, and loved us in this time of need.”

Zebina looked again at the field and continued her prayer. “My faithful son and his friends have begun to harvest this massive field that Seth dreamed of and planted. Seth worked with Joash, teaching him the trade and training him to be a good worker. Thank you that while I’m in this sad state of being a widow, you have provided my son. Help us, I pray, to manage the new road ahead of us.”

Joash had awakened and stood at the front door, watching his mother out by the field. He could not understand her words, but he knew she was praying. He stared at the ground feeling the weight of his new position, but grateful for the loving prayers of his mother.

Soon she turned and saw him standing in the doorway. She smiled and they walked toward each other. As they embraced, each shed quiet tears, then walked back to the house arm in arm.

“What now?” Zebina asked.

“The wheat is cut, but we’ll have to wait a few days for it to dry before we begin thrashing. I need to clean the tools and prepare the thrashing floor.”

They went inside to eat their morning meal.

“Our neighbors were most generous with us,” Zebina said as she took the lid off one of the pots. “It will take me a while to sort through all this food and empty out and clean all the pots and pans. Tomorrow I’ll go around and return them.”

Joash gazed out the door in deep thought. “Yes, they were all very generous.” But clearly his mind was on a different topic.

“What is it Joash? What is on your mind? ‘

He roughly peeled his fruit like it was his enemy and threw the peelings on his plate. “I just dont’ understand it. If Jesus has become so high and mighty, why didn’t he find out about Papa?” He frowned at the floor in a huff.

Zebina laid her towel on the table and sat across from him. “Joash, you know that Jesus still cares about you. He is not ignoring you and your concerns.” Joash shoved his plate to the side.

Zebina placed her hand on top his. “Joash, do you remember me telling you that Jesus has been called to a special task? Well, that task has begun. Before Mary gave birth to him, she confided in me and told me that an angel of the Lord appeared to her and told her that she was to bear a son and he would be called Immanuel, God with us. She had no relations with Joseph until after Jesus was born.”

Joash still frowned at the table, struggling to understand. “But he was just a normal boy like the rest of us.”

“That is true. He is human. But within him, he is the Son of God. Do remember when he was twelve years old, he lingered at the Temple when we were on the way home from Passover?” Joash nodded with a slight smile in remembrance. Zebina went on. “I believe he began then to realize who he was. It was said that he asked important questions of the religious leaders and teachers of the law. Then he answered their questions with great insight.” She turned to Joash. “He had to understand being in human flesh before he could fully realze he was sent by God.”

“What are you saying?”

“I believe Jesus is the annointed one we have been promised for centuries. He is the Messiah.”

~ Joyce ~