Religion and Theology

Paul worked his way steadily towards Antioch with a caravan, serving as
the primary repairman for tents and harnesses. The owner of the damaged item would
gladly sit with him and listen to his thoughts on the new following that had grown out of
the teachings of Jesus from Nazareth. His talks were compelling and forceful, weaving a
line of truth that drew some to his beliefs. He would sit, the canvas straddling his lap and
talk as he pulled the waxed thread through the holes created by his awl, the curved needle
cradled between two fingers.

The day was steaming, the sun bearing down on the caravan as they crossed
a barren area and stopped for the afternoon to rest. As the tents were being erected to
block the suns rays, a rider came through and stopped to ask for water for himself and
his beast. As he drank from an animal skin flask brought to him by a young woman, he
noticed the balding man who sat in the shade, sewing a leather harness. The stranger
approached the man, Good day to you. Mind if I take a seat

Paul looked up, squinting at the face, Please, feel free. Where are you
headed The man sat gratefully, wiping sweat from his forehead and pulling another
draw of water from the skin. A small village outside of Antioch, where my family
resides. Paul nodded and pulled another stitch through, giving the thread a sharp
jerk to pull it taut. He looked up, I am headed to Antioch myself, to check in with a
church that I helped establish there.

The man crooked an eyebrow, A church To what god Paul laced the
needle again, and tugged, saying, For followers of Jesus Christ, who is the son of the
one true God.

The man was intrigued, Jesus Who is this Jesus Paul warmed to the subject
and began a narrative of his conversion, I was blinded by my own desire to control and
destroy, but Christ fashioned me anew and now I travel all over, helping others to come
to Christs light. It is a challenge at times, especially when I find others as blind as I
was to the truth. There are many who can see clearly now, and follow us in worshipping
God and his son.

The man rubbed his chin, deep in thought, This Christ, he sounds interesting.
Did he perform miracles Paul pulled another stitch through with a heave and then
leaned forward, Yes, he did. He healed the lame, showed kindness to the outcasts and
brought sinners to salvation. Im a walking example. The strength of the love of God
has even allowed his disciples to do the same.

The strangers eyebrows raised, and he spoke, Well, if you are one of his
miracle workers, you will find a task for yourself in the next village. There is a man
who lives in a scattered state of mind there. He thrashes about the area, yelling curses
and hurting himself. He yowls and screams like a wild animal. Other times he acts
normal, like you or I. There is something evil in him.

Paul listened intently, laying down his needle. How long has this man been
this way

Most of his life, since he was a child. People have tried to help him, but he can
become violent if approached. Most live in fear of getting near him, and he has been cast
out of the town.

Paul shook his head sadly, I will see what I can do when I arrive. May Gods
blessings be with you. The stranger nodded, stood and headed back to retrieve his
animal. Later that day the caravan broke camp and headed out. Paul pondered the
troubled man he had heard about, praying that Gods strength would be with him when
he arrived. They traveled on through the afternoon, arriving that evening in the village.
The caravan stopped not far from the border of the village and began to pitch their tents.

Paul packed up his things and tucked his curved needle, waxed thread and awl
inside a small, leather pouch, stowing them safely until they were needed again. He left
the caravan and walked toward the first row of small dwellings. The sun descended lower
in the sky, sending sharp shadows reeling up the road. As he passed the homes, he
watched as villagers were finishing up the last chores for the day. A voice drew him up
short, and he turned, Would you like to join us for a meal The man stood
in his doorway, holding a small boy in his arms.

Yes, I would. Thank you for your hospitality. He walked over to the modest,
mud brick home and came in, removing his sandals at the door. He set his pack down,
taking in the modest accommodations. There was one room, four walls that stayed warm
in the winter and cool in summer, with two rectangular windows that sat high on
the side wall. The table was hand hewn and had recently been set for a meal  bread,
fish and a jug of wine.

We dont have much, but I can see you need something. You are welcome to
stay the night as well.

You are a kind individual. I hope that God brings many blessings to you.

The man set down his small son, who scampered toward the table. Sit down,
but dont touch anything. Wait until were all at the table. He turned back to Paul and
said, My name is Tamar, and this is my son Naphtali. You look as if youve come a
great distance.

Paul nodded, Yes, Im headed towards Antioch. I am grateful for the food and
the and the bed for a night. The man smiled, and showed Paul where to wash. Removing
his shoes, he poured water into a wood bowl and cleaned his face and hands. He found a
seat at the table with Tamar and his son, and bent his head in prayer. Tamar waited
patiently until Paul finished, then he doled out food to his guest, himself and his son. The
fish steamed on the plate after having been cooked over a fire outside, and Paul ate
ravenously, glad for hot food.

You are Jewish Paul set his cup down, replying, Yes, I am, and a follower
of Christ. Have you heard of him Tamars head turned to the side, They are some
in Antioch that have spoken of that name and his teachings, but I am not there very
often.

Christ opened my eyes to truth, one beyond what I was seeing when he first
found me. I was blinded by hatred and power, but he stripped me of my pride and
brought out my true self, one bathed in his love and blessings. He showed me a
different path. Tamar studied him Paul intently as he broke off some of the bread
ate on. You are aware that I am a Gentile. Paul nodded, Yes, but doesnt everyone
have a place at Gods table Jesus taught us to love each other. This is part of the
message that I teach as I travel. You showed me the kindness he wants all of his
children to show one another.

Tamar smiled, considering the words. You will have to speak to me more
about this Jesus, but please, eat. The meal continued in silence, and when done,
Naphtali helped his father clear the table. Tamar lit a small lamp as dusk let the
last few rays of the sun fall over the sill. The small boy was laid to bed on a straw
mat on the far side of the room, and the two men sat up until late in the night, discussing
Pauls work and the village.

The next morning at dawn, Paul awoke refreshed and hungry once more. He
joined his host and child for a small meal. Thank you once again, I hope to repay your
kindness one day. Tell me, I heard a story about a man in the village who is afflicted with
madness. He runs around, yelling and screaming one day, and then calm and sane the
next. Have you heard of him The child piped in, The madman Tamar turned and
sharply spoke, Naphtali, what have I told you Hes not a madman. He is a sick man,
tortured by who knows what. The young boy dropped his head, and stayed quiet.

Yes, I have heard of him, and seen him. He is called in town Nabal, and you
have described him correctly. He appears, running into the street, yelling curses and
full of rage. He will tear up anything in his path. When he appears, the street clears and
then the soldiers have to come and remove him. The next day, he is seen quiet and sedate,
listless on the corner. Many are cruel to him, but I do not know what afflicts him. Be
careful if he comes, for no one who gets near him is left uninjured or without bruises.

Paul nodded. You have my gratitude, and consider Jesus. He can show you a
way you have never imagined. You are already walking it now. Tamar smiled and Paul
left the small home, heading towards the main village on foot. As he neared its center, he
saw a large well surrounded by women who were retrieving water for the day.
A busy market curved round the well, full of street vendors selling produce, meat, fish
and wares of all kinds. People moved to and fro, laborers pushing carts and driving oxen
through the street. He approached the well, hoping to get a drink when a shriek resounded
throughout the area.

In an instance, the bustle stopped and deathly silence fell. A voice nearby him
hissed, The madman. Get inside, go. Paul turned and watched as people fled the square,
heading for cover as if a storm was ready to roll through. The shriek filled the air again,
and it turned to a stampede as the once bustling area fell almost empty. Paul watched as a
raving man lunged from a side alley and knocked over a cart. He was tall, his hair matted
filthy, wearing clothes that fell in tatters around his skeletal frame. Sweat poured down
his face, and his eyes tracked wildly around the area. He let out another shriek and
rammed his fist into a another cart, sending small trinkets spilling to the ground.

Tamar switched the bag to his opposite shoulder, Naphtali, come on, keep
up. I want to get this to the market early, so we can sell it and get home. There is
much to do today. You stay with me, and no wandering off. He turned and raised an
eyebrow at the small boy, who nodded quickly. Tamar reached down and
affectionately ruffled his hair. They were just getting near the market when they heard
the yelling. Grabbing Naphtalis hand, he looked into the market center and saw Nabal
knock over a cart and send people scurrying for cover.

He was shocked when his eyes caught sight of the man standing near the well,
the slightly bald head and clothes he knew. The visitor from the night before stood
by, calmly watching the raging, maddened man tear the market apart. The rest of the
people in the market had crammed themselves behind carts, underneath tables and in
nearby buildings. Paul could feel their fear resounding in him, but he didnt allow it to
overwhelm him. He focused on his thirst and his original purpose for coming to the
well.

Paul walked over calmly and pulled began to fill his leather flask.
Are you crazy Come over here and hide Hell kill you hissed a man from underneath
a nearby table. Paul stared at him, took a drink, and then spoke, I have nothing to fear
with God. He put the stopper in the skin and threw it over his shoulder. He turned,
staring straight at the raving man who was now facing him from far side of the square.
Nabal Why are you so angry The mans eyes were a deep gray and were shadowed
by dark, black lines underneath. Nabal was drenched in sweat, his eyes locked on Paul.
He began to run, rage twisting his face, tumbling like an avalanche towards him.

Tamars breath caught as the challenge rang out through the market. Hell be
killed. He gripped his sons hand tighter, pulling him close. What is he thinking

Paul stood stock still, waiting. Suddenly, Nabal stopped and grabbed his head
with both hands and dropped to his knees. He shook it back and forth, growling and
grinding his teeth collapsing to the ground. Paul walked towards him and kneeled down
at the troubled mans side. A local vendor ran over, Stay back He may get up. The
guards will be on their way soon to take him out of town. Hopefully this time for good.
Paul turned on knees, Whats the matter with you Have you no compassion The
vendor drew back sharply, stunned at the rebuke.

Paul turned back and pushed the matted hair from the mans dirty face. Sweat ran
in rivers, leaving streaks of cleaner skin below. He laid his hands on Nabals head, God
knows your pain, he knows you. Let this illness be cast out of you. Stand, and walk with
Jesus. Stand. The mans tensed muscles seemed to collapse, and Nabals eyes opened,
squinting at the bright morning sunlight. He stared into Pauls gaze, and sat up slowly
with support. Where am, who are you

My name is Paul. Can you stand up
Nabal nodded, and slowly got to his feet. Thank you, Im sorry. My head He
put a hand on the side of his head and ran his fingers through his hair, The pain is gone,
it doesnt ache any more. Pure joy spread over his face, How

God healed you, and now he wants to live without torment. He pulled the skin
up and popped out the stopper, helping Nabal to pour some in his mouth. The man gulped
it, feeling his parched throat relieved with the fresh, cool water. Paul let him rest a
moment, and then helped him drink again. He then looked out to the crowd, Can
someone take this man and help him Paul stared around the market, then scowled, Do
none of you hear Gods message Are you so closed to love, even after what He has done
here for this man His words burned the air, but no one stepped forward. Paul glared in
defiance.

Pauls words hung heavily in the air. Then those from the previous
evening dropped into Tamars mind, and consider Jesus. He can show you a
way you have never imagined. You are already walking it now. A spurt of joy
hit him, and he know exactly what he had to do. Naphtali, stay here, I will be back.
A voice spoke from the far side, Ill take him. Looking behind them, Tamar
stood on near the entrance to the market with his son, a bag slung over his shoulder. He
walked over, laid down the sack and draped Nabals arm his shoulder. Naphtali grabbed
the bag, struggling to carry it, and followed his father. Paul glared at the crowd, LOOK
Watch this man, a Gentile, taking hold of Gods love and lifting up another that you
spurn. He knows more about Gods path than any of you. Are you not ashamed Are you
not compassionate Remember your actions today, for God turns His back on no one,
unlike you. His love is for all  the afflicted, the sinner and those who are turned aside.

He grabbed his pack, slung his water skin over and his shoulder and left the
market. As he walked by a crowd of people, he noticed a man standing on the outskirts,
watching the event. Pauls eyes narrowed, then widened as he recognized the stranger
who had spoken with him while he sewed the harness. The stranger nodded his head
slowly, smiling. Paul returned the gesture and smiled back, an understanding beyond
words passing between the two of them.

On the other side of the market, on the road out of the village, one man
supported another who was walking as if for the first time. The dirty, stumbling
man turned his head to Tamar, Who was he, the one who was kneeling over me
Tamar considered the question for a moment, He told me his name was Paul, and I
can only say that he is a man who walks with God.

As the morning sun climbed, they headed for Tamars home, the small boy
running behind, dragging the bag with him. Is the madman staying with us
Naphtali, what did I say The boy dropped his head, and they continued on. Nabal
stared at the surrounding village and homes, taking in everything.

Well get you some food and help you get cleaned up. You can stay with us until
you are on your feet again. There is more work that Naphtali and I can do together, so we
can use your help, when you are well. Nabal turned with stunned eyes to Tamar, Thank
you, you are so kind.

The road stretched out before him, but Antioch was not far off. Paul would
reach the outskirts of the great city by mid-afternoon. There was much to do when he
arrived, hopefully this time he would get to stay for awhile. He hadnt made the
authorities in the last town he had preached in very happy, necessitating a hasty
departure.  Antioch has so many that could become followers, and he had heard of others
doing work there already. He wanted to seek their assistance in setting up a new church,
one that would not be plagued, he wished, by the same strife as Corinth was suffering
from. Too many wanting to control Christs followers instead of walking with them.

Paul strode on, munching on a loaf Naphtali had shared with him before leaving
that morning. He fumed over the behavior of the village people, but smiled when he
thought of the man and his son. He prayed that Nabal would recover, and for blessings to
be given to Tamar and his son.  A good man.  Then his mind turned towards future
matters at hand. In his bag were scattered letters that needed finishing, especially the one
that had to be sent to Corinth. Paul rolled his eyes, frustration creeping into his mind.
Have they learned nothing from Christ