Historical Fiction - Courageous

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Courageous

 by the Homeschool Jedi

            “I caught one!” Natan exclaimed as he drew in an immense fish from the Sea of Galilee. 

            “Ha, ha,” Eli chuckled, “that makes five fish today, yet you caught the biggest Barbel of all my fishermen!  It is payday today and you have earned ten denarii!  Your father would be so proud.  Go buy some bread and your welcome to use my net to catch some fish for your family. Tell your three sisters and your mother I said, shalom!”

            “Thank you so much!” Natan called out on his way to the market.  With his money, the thirteen year-old boy bought five loaves of barley bread.  After catching fish with Eli all day, Natan was disappointed to come up with only two Sardines in the nearby lake.

            While cleaning Eli’s net, Natan thought about his family.  Natan was glad that his family knew Eli, as he was the only one who survived the terrible storm in the sea when his boat capsized, killing Natan’s father.  Natan clearly remembered the day when he was five years old and Eli swore to protect Natan’s family.  Natan thought of what Eli always says, “Your father would be so proud.”  Eli is right, Natan thought, my father would be proud.  I took over his job to keep food on the table because we all know mother’s sewing is not enough.  I’m proud to be my father’s son!

Suddenly, Eli’s gentle hand tapped Natan’s shoulder; “I’ll finish with the net later, but for now, follow me.” Eli said.  Natan obeyed Eli’s orders.  “We are going to see Jesus.  He has been healing and teaching in Galilee since this morning, and a crowd has been following him all day long.  If we hurry up, we might be able to get to a position where we can see and hear Jesus.”

            Natan had heard of this Jesus man and knew others were calling him the Messiah.  Natan knew the prophecies of Isaiah about the King of Kings, and so far, Jesus was meeting every description.

            Natan followed Eli into a massive crowd of people.  Eli said, “Listen closely, Jesus is teaching about repentance and eternal life.”

            Natan was shocked!  Eternal life?  Natan asked Eli a question, “What does He mean, eternal life?”

            “Patience, you are a smart boy, you will learn what He means.” Eli replied.

            In the center of the crowd, Natan could see Jesus smiling at the people as He talked about Salvation.  There were well over five thousand people!  The same crowd of people had been following Jesus around all day throughout Galilee.  Having not seen anyone stop and eat all day, Jesus asked His apostles to look for food because He knew the crowd was hungry.

            “Jesus’ apostles are looking for food.  Would you like to give your bread and fish to them?” Eli asked Natan.

            Natan pondered, What about my household, my three sisters need something to eat.  This bread cost me two denarii; we need the other eight for clothes, and…

            A tall, strong man asking for food interrupted Natan’s thoughts.  “Andrew!” Eli exclaimed, “I haven’t seen you in ages.  Natan, this is Andrew, I did business with his father.”

            “Uh, hello.”

            “I have come here looking for food for Jesus,” Andrew said, “Do you happen to have any?”

            “NATAN,” a gentle, but booming voice said inside his head, “GIVE YOUR BREAD AND FISH TO ANDREW”

            When the voice vanished, Natan looked around to see who said it, and who else heard it. When Natan realized God said it and nobody else heard it, Natan gave his food to Andrew. “Good choice, your father would be so proud, and so am I,” said Eli.

            Andrew went running back to Jesus.  “Sir, a little boy has given two small fish, and five small barley loaves, but not everybody will get enough food.”  Jesus did not reply because He was in prayer. When He finished, He broke the bread and fish and separated them into separate baskets.  He told the disciples to hand out food to everyone. 

            “Look at what you have done!  Everyone is filled!” Eli exclaimed.

            The disciples collected all the uneaten leftovers, and twelve baskets were filled!  “Jesus, how about we give the leftovers to Natan.  He is very courageous and today has lived up to his name, ‘to give’,” said Andrew.

            “Eli,” Natan started, “I have learned that God can do a lot with a little, and I can’t thank you enough for bringing me here today.”  Natan knew and believed that Jesus was God’s Son.  He couldn’t wait to share the incredible story with his mother.

            “Natan,” Andrew yelled, “Jesus wants you to have the leftovers.”

            Natan was shocked as he stared at the baskets of food, “Eli, could you possibly bring your family over for dinner tonight?”

            “I’d be honored,” Eli responded.

That day, Natan learned that when you listen to God’s voice, He gives numerous blessings.