Two months have passed since I last wrote. The day following my last entry, I went to my commander and resigned. He asked me why, and I told him that I had decided to pursue a path which I believed would shape the rest of my life…He seemed confused, but not angry.
I left my home in Capernaum and begin to consistently travel with Jesus and his disciples. The disciples were hesitant at best to accept me, because I was Roman, but Jesus welcomed me with open arms. As I got to know him a little better, I discovered he was fairly down to earth, yet clearly above all in stature, wisdom, power and humility. He isn’t always easy to understand, because he often speaks in parables and riddles to illustrate a point. Over time I have been developing a good relationship with Andrew, one of Jesus’ disciples, a former fisherman. He and I keep discussing the teachings of Jesus and their meanings.
We have been seeing all sorts of miracles; healings and the like! It’s so amazing to see what he can do! We were in Bethany for a while yesterday, but the time for Passover came. Being Roman, I obviously do not celebrate it, but Jesus and the disciples were making plans to do so. Jesus sent the disciples were making plans to do so. Jesus sent his disciples into the city to prepare the meal for the first day of Unleavened bread. As the disciples did this, I remained in Bethany with some other followers of the Way. Jesus followed the disciples down to the city today and I didn’t see any of them until later tonight. As it became night, I made my way to Jerusalem to find a place to sleep and ran into Andrew. He looked confused, almost scared. I asked him what had happened and he began to relate the night’s events. Apparently, some very interesting things happened. As Jesus and the disciples were eating, Jesus all of a sudden told them that one of them was going to betray him. After everyone asked him who it was, Jesus told Judas that it was him.
When I heard these words, I was dumbfounded, and immediately searched Andrew’s face for his reaction to this devastating information. He told me he was sad and yet perplexed, as I was. As we continued to converse, we kept questioning every aspect of Judas’ faith and how his betrayal would affect all of our lives. After we finished, Andrew brightened up a little and continued to share the rest of the events of the night. I guess as they were eating, Jesus took the bread, broke it and told them it was his body. He did the same with the wine and said it was his blood. He added that the wine was his blood covenant poured out for the forgiveness of sins. While we knew that what he had said was significant and that it meant something, we weren’t entirely sure what it signified.
All of this took place tonight, making it a very eventful day. I plan to stay in Jerusalem for the remainder of the week with Jesus and the disciples. I have decided that I officially believe everything he teaches. There is no doubt in my mind that what he says is false. I will follow him to the ends of the earth if that’s where he goes. This is my promise to myself and God.
-Marcus Valerius
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