Breakfasts with the Wise Men, Part II

Continued from yesterday...

The journey to Jerusalem was long.  It involved many smelly, spitting camels, hot days and cold nights.  No one really talks about it now, but Abid remembers it – every detail of it.  And for years and years, he told his grandchildren about it.  “Did I ever tell you the story…..”  And his grandchildren would roll their eyes and squirm.

When the caravan reached Jerusalem, the wise men were tired, and they had begun to lose their excitement for the search.  Abid found them a place to stay, and settled them in.  He found a place for the camels to sleep, and he unpacked all of the rugs, blankets, food, clothes, books and starcharts that the wise men had insisted on bringing with them.  During his work, he became familiar with town of Jerusalem, so when Balthazar woke up the next morning, and declared, “We must go to the Temple!  There will be people at the Temple who can help us!” Abid knew just where to take them.

As they approached the Temple, the three men stood stunned by its glory.  The platform area upon which it was built was enormous, and the temple itself was covered in gold.  Caspar muttered, “Herod has outdone himself.  Surely Rome will notice this.” 

The crowds were thick, but Melchior noticed a man standing close by.   “Sir, I wonder if you would answer some questions for me.”

The older man, bent with age, but with wisdom in his eyes, said, “What can I help you with?”

“We,” he began, indicating his friends, “have come from Babylon…”  The other two men cleared their throats, “Yes, yes, and Arabia and Persia,’ he added, to please his friends.  “We have studied the stars, and we have read the prophecies.  We come to Jerusalem because we believe that that a child-king is to be born here.  We come to see him.  Do you know anything about this?”

The man nodded his head.  “Yes, my God has spoken to me about this child.  He will be born soon, and he will be the salvation of all people.”

Excited, Balthazar said, “What do you know of him?” 

"This child is from God.  The fate of all of us rest upon him.  He will be light to the Jews and to the Gentiles.  He will be the light of salvation for even you.  When you find him, you should bow down and worship him”

“Yes, yes,” said Caspar inpatiently, “but where can we find him?”

“I, too, am waiting for him.  God has promised that I will see him, but I do not know where to tell you to look.”  Disappointed, the men started to leave, but the man placed his hand on Melchior’s robe.  “Be careful.  Not everyone will welcome this child.”   

The wise men thanked the man and walked away, but Abid stood, stunned by what he had heard.   He quietly said, “Salvation?  Even for me?”

The man, whose name was Simeon, said, “Yes, and even for me.”

To be continued tomorrow...