The 13th Disciple
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In the evenings, Jesus frequently left the group and sought out some quiet place where he could pray. Jacob shadowed his every movement, as there were always those who would attack and rob a stranger. They would get a nasty fright if they tried to rob Jesus when Jacob was around. There would be any number of cracked skulls and broken bones if anyone tried to come near his Master. One evening while Jacob was on watch, he tried to hear what Jesus was saying in his prayers, but he couldn't make out the words. Instead, he heard very soft, beautiful music that seemed to be playing in background. As he listened, that experience with John the Baptist and these words kept repeating through his head: “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.” Perhaps they were communicating in some sort of musical language. Whatever it was, it was very calm and pleasing. As he rose from his kneeling position, Jesus said, “Jacob, why are you spying on me? Have the Pharisees paid you to tell them what I am doing?” Jacob was horrified at this suggestion and hastened to tell him that he was there to protect him, twenty-four hours a day. He said, “I am called Simple Jacob, because I am very slow at understanding things. People regard me as a simpleton, but I wouldn't hurt a fly, unless one attacked you, and then I would thrash the living daylights out of it. I might be small, but I am very strong and can lift most men off their feet with just one swipe of my rod.” Jesus smiled and said, “Come here, my faithful guardian. No one will ever think you are simple again.” With that, he laid his hand on Jacob's shoulder, and his rod turned into a bundle of soft bulrushes. “Whoever you strike with those bulrushes will feel the mighty hand of God and will never bother anyone again.” Jacob felt a cool rush of air through his head. His mind cleared, and it was if he had been born again.
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About the Book
This is a fictional story of the life of Jesus, as seen and recorded by an ordinary Galilean. Simple Jacob was a harmless, hardworking young man when he first came in contact with Jesus. He first saw Jesus when they were both baptized by John the Baptist and later when he came to the Sea of Galilee to recruit his disciples. Jacob felt compelled to protect Jesus faithfully until his death on the cross. He had an absolute faith in God and was one of the very few who recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the messenger of the coming of God's kingdom, predicted in the Old Testament.
About the Author
Dr. Baden Williams is a former scientist who specialized in soil and water chemistry. He has had many years of interaction with land care groups in Australia, especially in the area of soil and groundwater salinity. This has given him a strong sense of the importance of all aspects of the environment in life, not just humanity. He does not find any insurmountable conflicts between science and his Christian faith, although he is often bemused by the uncompromising attitudes of those who confuse ancient religious records with the reality of God and his kingdom on earth.