Mark, Pt. 1 - Seaweed Hair and All

I'm not much of a writer, but I need to detail my thoughts. The weight of today is so heavy on my heart it feels as though its about to burst. And we wouldn't want that.


Everyone always talks about that singular instant in their lives when everything suddenly became clear and they realized their purpose, their reason for being placed on this planet. Like when my father pulled in his first net of fish, he says he knew for certain that God created him to be a fisherman. Or when my mother first laid eyes on her firstborn, my older sister. I'm only seventeen years old, but I have a feeling that I experienced my very own life-defining moment this morning, in a dusty, smelly fish market.


My name's Mark, by the way, and as you might have guessed, I'm the son of a fisherman. We live in Capernaum, my family and I. I'm not from the wealthiest family, and I'm not exactly what you'd call a scholar. I mean, I've read the Torah, but I'm certainly no rabbi. People always tell my mother that I'm a very nice, very average son. She likes that. I don't. I'm not trying to be prideful or anything, but I've always felt like my life was destined for more than "very average." I'm restless. Naturally, I'm expected to take over the fishing business, but I can't help but feel like there's got to be more to life than working hard and raising a family and keeping the Sabbath and passing on your trade to your eldest son.


But what do I know? I'm a poor fisherman's son from a poor village. Who am I to be pondering questions about the meaning of life? Philosophers and theologians have wrestled with these issues for centuries upon centuries. They've pondered these questions for years and they're no closer to the answers than when they first started asking themselves the questions. I'm in no position to stir up the formula, right?


Everything changed today.


My father and I were on our daily commute into the marketplace. It was about eleven, and we'd been up before six, out on the sea, catching fish. We'd caught a pretty big haul, nothing to run home and tell mother about, though. As we walked, pulling the cart full of smelly, still-writhing fish, you could hear the water inside of our sandals. SQUISH. SQUASH. SQUISH. My fingers felt old and wrinkled like my grandmother's feet. My hair was dirty and I swear that there must have been at least 6 pieces of seaweed stuck in it. But that didn't matter. We were fishermen, not princes. We had no reputation to uphold, only fish to sell.


Five minutes after we'd set up, a Roman soldier, probably a high-up official, came running through the market, dashing up to a man surrounded by twelve or so men, I'd say. The Roman got down on his knees and pleaded with the man to heal his servant, who had died just earlier that day. He said that, even as a Centurion, he was not worthy to have this Jewish man enter his household. The Jewish man told him that he had never seen a man with such faith, Jew or Gentile. The Roman ran back to his house, to find his servant alive and well. I was completely amazed. Naturally, a crowd had begun to form and my father figured that it was good for business and swiftly kicked into salesman overdrive.


Much to my father's dismay, I abandoned our stand and ran over to the crowd. I only heard fragments of information, but I learned that the man's name was Jesus. A scruffily-bearded man told me that if I was looking for answers, Jesus was the one to ask. There was something comforting about that. Finally, I came face to face with this Jesus. I introduced myself, as did he, and then he embraced me, seaweed hair and all, with an unconditional, all encompassing love I had never felt before.


I barely knew this man, or what answers he and his followers could possibly have for me, but just talking to them, something just felt right. Something had changed in me that I couldn't explain and that I can't explain. I can't describe it, I just know it's important.

A Man and His Donkey Part 2

Swaying back and forth as I rode my donkey that pulled a small cart filled with unleavened bread. I and the donkey followed the large dust cloud which denoted the location and size of the crowd which followed the mad preacher from Nain around. A clever man I was, I had baked the bread in the city where I was going to sell the wheat and was planning on selling that bread to the crowd when they grew hungry, which they should be at any moment. Just like an army a large crowd marchers on its stomach. During this complicated thought process my donkey stopped, I kept on going and so managed to face plant myself on the dusty road. A string of curses to turn the air blue erupted from my mouth, but was thankfully muffled by the fact that my face was still stuck to the ground. As I sat up I gave the evil eye to my donkey and once again attempted to shake the dust off my body, which of course failed. Now back up on my feet, I stared back at the cloud of dust and noted that it was no longer moving, but was settling down. Good, that means that it is time for me to make my entrance and make some money. This should prove more profitable then just selling that wheat. Demand is high, supply is low, and so prices are high.

Even more astonishing, but the donkey even picked up the pace at most likely the smell of money to be had and even left his owner behind as it trotted down the road toward the still crowd. I was staring down at the ground lost in thought about money, business expenses, and what my next move to be, to notice that my donkey had left me till five minutes later and began running after it, the ends of my tunic flapping behind me in the wind of my frantic pace. Finally catching up to my donkey, who immediately slowed down to a crawl the two of us made our way to the edges of the crowd where everyone was eating fish and bread. And now I am rather puzzled. How in God’s name did this happen? None of these people had prepared travel food for this length of time and yet they are all eating and all seem rather full. Scratching my head in puzzlement, I noticed that the mad preacher and those really close to him were gathering on a boat and making their way out to sea. Dragging the donkey along and removing the bread from the cart I left it on the shore, stuff the bread in the bags carried by donkey, found a fisherman going the same direction, hired him, and told him to follow that boat pointing to the one where the mad preacher was on. He wasn’t getting away that easily.

Hello reader, My name is Malachi. I am a Jewish man living in Nain. I was born in Antioch but moved here to Nain and started a small market where I say fruit and other small things. I am writing this letter because last Thursday I witnessed an amazing event.

I was in my shop when a large crowd began to gather outside. I heard crying and wailing and so I went outside to see what the commotion was about. A woman from the area had just had her only son die and they were carrying him out of the house on the way to be buried. The lady had often come into my shop so I felt quite sad for her. I looked on for a while and then decided to go back into the shop knowing there was nothing I could do. As I turned to go inside I heard an uproar outside once again and turned back to see what was going on. “It’s Jesus of Nazareth!” someone called out and there was yelling and screaming throughout. I couldn’t see very well because of all the people that blocked my view. I tried to push through but I kept getting pushed back. I ran back inside my shop and climbed up the roof in an attempt to look over the entire crowd. When I got up there, I was able to peer over and see what was happening. By this time the man they identified as Jesus of Nazareth had reached the lady and her deceased son.  The woman continued to weep loudly when Jesus went up to her and I saw him mouth the words “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on and the bearers who held up the dead son stood still. Jesus then said to the dead son, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” When I and others in the crowd heard this we grew confused almost shocked, if we had time we would have probably called him a crazy man and gotten angry at his insensitivity. However we had no time. Almost instantaneously the boy sat up, opened his eyes and began to talk! I couldn’t believe what was happening before me, I started to shake as emotions started to flood over me. The man named Jesus then returned the son to his mother and the crowd stood there in awe as Jesus continued on his way. I am not sure what I witnessed that day and I have talked to others who saw what I saw and say they have seen him do other things. I am writing this and sending it to many people in Judea and the surrounding country that it may be read by anyone who comes across it. It was the greatest thing I have ever seen .

Lydia, Mark 5

Well, Day "who knows" of following Jesus.
Today was bizarre, that's the only word that can really describe today. We got to this place called Gerasenes. Jesus walked off the boat and this crazy man jumped out from the tombs there. He looked so scary, I can't even describe it. Everything about him, his clothes, his eyes, his EVERYTHING was wild! I talked to this girl from the town, she told me that he had this supernatural strength and broke all the chains and shackles they had put on him. Everyday and night he would scream and cut himself with the sharp stones nearby. According to her and everyone in this town, this man was demon possessed. That very fact sent chills up my spine.
We all crowded around to see what would happen. The man, or should I say the demon, ran up to Jesus. It got more and more tense by the second. "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you wont torture me!" He screamed this at the top of his lungs.
To this Jesus replied "Come out of this man you evil spirit!" Then he asked the man/demon for his name.
The demon replied "My name is Legion, for we are many." He then proceeded to beg Jesus not to send him, or them, away.
Finally, the demon begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs nearby. Jesus let them. All of a sudden, the pigs began to go insane and ran into the lake nearby and drowned. I was so scared.
Did this seriously just happen?
Apparently, those who tended to the pigs ran off to tell everyone in the town what had happened. I think I would have been to petrified to do anything, and I was. I looked back at the man, and he was normal. He was sitting down, eating some fish and barley loaves. Someone also got him some clothes. Then strangely, everyone of the town asked Jesus to leave! How could they? He just did this amazing thing and they want him gone.
Before he left, Jesus told the man to tell his family what the Lord just did. The man was so thankful!
Looking back, I can't believe it just happened. If Jesus really is who he says he is, then well, today was the most convincing day ever. Even the demons fear Jesus. They call him the Son of God.
So why can't I?

Sarah-Zack’s Sister and a Sick Woman (Mark 5)

Shalom. It’s me again. Before I share what happened, apparently people found out about Centurion Marcus Valerius adopted me. He was starting to be made fun of so being a prestigious centurion and all, he found it in his best interest to disown me. Because of that, he is not someone I look up much any more. I mean, would you want grow up to be like someone who disowned you because the going got rough? It's not his fault. I started being made fun of before he did, but it didn't bother me too much because he is a great man. No that he doesn't want to deal with me anymore, I am now an independent Jewish teenager. Now all of those who ridiculed me are satisfied that we have gone our separate ways. That being said I'm off by myself with Jesus to travel with him!

Guess what! After Zack and I saw Jesus sneak away from the crowd, I saw him go off on a boat. It was really stormy when they sailed off but when they got to the middle of the ocean, it suddenly got calm. I was wondering what happened. Well Jesus got off the boat and I went toward him with Zack. Suddenly, someone came up to Jesus and Zack’s father, Jairus, started running towards Jesus. He looked very panicked and scared. Zack’s dad was a synagogue ruler. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded to him. Zack looked really confused at why his father was so panicked. We listened as his father said, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” After hearing this, Zack told me that he would meet up with me later and ran towards his house. Meanwhile, since I knew that we were going towards his house, I decided to walk there with Jesus. As I was making my way into the crowd to go close to Jesus, I saw another woman. But people moved away from her as if she had some sort of contagious disease. I asked a girl nearby who that woman was. She told me that she was a woman who had been subject to bleeding for over 12 years. Many different doctors treated her; however, instead of getting better, she grew worse. Now, she lived by herself because she was now an outcast upon society. Even her own family disowned her because she was considered unclean. She did not have anyone to love her because of her disease. I immediately felt sorry that she had no family or friends. I kind of followed her as she went towards Jesus. I was close enough to be going through the crowd with her. As she got closer to Jesus, I heard the woman softly murmuring to herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” I watched as she reached towards Jesus’ cloak. After she touched Jesus’ cloak, something seemed different about her. She seemed happy and pain-free. She had been healed. Immediately, Jesus turn and asked, “Why touched my clothes?” I didn’t know how he knew with so many people around him! But the thing is, he didn’t look angry. He looked very calm. His disciples told him that anyone could have touched him because of the crowd around. He kept looking around and I saw the sick woman go towards him. She fell at his feet and she looked terrified. She told him everything that happened. Jesus still was not angry. He smiled and told her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” The woman did not look fearful anymore as she told up. While I was still in shock of what happened, we come closer to Zack’s house. As we got closer, I saw some of the men telling Jairus, “Your father is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?” However, Jesus came up to Jairus and said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jesus chose some of the disciples to go towards his house and went along. I stopped and listened for a second. I could hear some sort of wailing and moaning in the distance but I did not know what it was. I listened some more as that wailing and moaning turn into a mocking sort of laughter. I heard from someone people talking to each other that the wailing and moaning was for Zack’s sister. But they went on to say that Jesus said that she was only sleeping. I was wondering how someone could confuse someone dead with someone sleeping. Suddenly, Zack came up to me saying that his sister was healed. I asked him what happened up he would not tell me what happened. Jesus told him not to tell anyone. As he said this, I pondered upon what happened and who Jesus really was.

Lydia, John 6

So, Jesus went to the Coast of the Sea of Galilee to this place called Tiberias. It's nice there, very peaceful. It seems that where ever he takes us, there is something to do, well for him. He healed more people while we were there. Again, I have no clue how he did heal all those people, but he did. Then he went up on this mountain with his disciples. The rest of us stayed at the mountain's foot, just hanging out and talking to one another. We had been following him for awhile and we were all pretty hungry. At this point, it had been a while since we had had any type of meal actually. A little girl was complaining to her mother, it was pretty cute.
I heard one of the disciples talking to this boy. I looked over, and that lucky kid had food! He had a small lunch of two small fishes and five barley loaves. He was giving his lunch to Jesus, who told us all to take a seat. Obediently, we sat on the grass.
At that moment, I realized just how big our group really was! There was everyone you could think of with us. There were mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, daughters, sons, EVERYONE. How on earth would Jesus be able to feed us all with this boy's small lunch?Even if we were only allowed to take one tiny bite per person, not all of us would be "fed." We would still be very hungry.
Then, well, he did it. He feed us all. Jesus prayed and some how he multiplied the food! Everyone had fish and barely loaves. It was astonishing! We all ate until we were full! It was amazing! Surprisingly, there was food left over. I think it was 12 bags they had left of broken pieces of fish and bread. Funny, I thought there would be more. After this I heard someone say "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."
Jesus is starting to become pretty convincing. There is no way he and the disciples had enough money to buy us all food! Even if they did have the money, I don't think that all the towns nearby would have enough barley and fish to feed us all. His words and actions are pretty convincing I must say.
So...should I take the leap of faith?

Mary of Nain-Luke 7

My name is Mary and I am from Nain. My aunt had an encounter with Jesus of Nazareth. My cousin died the day he came to town and my family carried him out to the gates of the city. I was following them, walking and mourning with my dear aunt. Jesus saw her and said “Don’t cry” (vs.13). He then touched the coffin and spoke again. He commanded my cousin to get up! He was dead…I did not think that he would, I knew that he would not get up, but still I had hope. I never believed the things that people said about Jesus. I thought it to be impossible the “miracles” He preformed. However, right before my eyes, my cousin sat up and started to speak! Never have I been so happy, not only was my cousin alive and well again, but I have found the Messiah. From that point on, I have not left Jesus’ side. Everywhere He went, I went as well. At each place where I met new people, I told them of the miraculous deed He preformed for my family and word spread all throughout Judea. My family will never forget that day, I remember them saying “A great prophet has appeared among us. God has come to help his people” (vs.16).

After that, we left and were approached by a group of people who asked Jesus if He was the “one to come” (vs.19). They said John the Baptist sent them. Can you believe it? John the Baptist! After they asked, Jesus began to heal people and cast out demons from them. He then instructed the people to go and tell John what they had seen. After they left, Jesus spoke to the rest of us; He is such an amazing public speaker. Those stubborn Pharisees and “experts in the law” (vs.30) did not accept Jesus’ words as truth or God’s way as right. I suppose that was evident since they followed but had not been baptized by John the Baptist like the rest of us. Jesus made it very clear that night that He is the one true God, our Savior and Messiah.

We continued on our journey, and one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him. While He was inside, a woman entered the house, and brought in a jar of perfume. She then started to weep, so I have been told, wiping His feet with her hair, washing them with her tears. In the house of the Pharisee, Jesus forgave the woman for all of her misdeeds; she treated Him better than the Pharisee did. She sought out the Lord, washed His feet whereas the host of dinner did not wash His feet, which he should have done since it is customary to do so. She wanted forgiveness and humbled herself to get it.