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JESUS

The Rise of the Nazarene

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By Derrick Patrick

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2013 Derrick Patrick
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4697-7765-8

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CHAPTER 1

Mary

She was blessed from the start. Oh yes, there was something about the young Mary even from birth. She had the ideal beauty of her mother Anna, but had the soft brown eyes of her father, Joachim. Joachim and Anna were righteous in the sight of the Lord— virtuous and faultless before men.

Through her father Joachim, Mary was a direct descendant of the Levite order created by Aaron, Moses' brother. The Levites were God's begotten sons on the earth and they prayed and gave offerings for the sins of the people. God favored the Levites and the Angel of the Lord would often speak to its members. Mary's parents were childless. Joachim and Anna prayed for a child and they vowed that if God should favor them with any offspring, they would devote the child to the service of the Lord. God honored their request.

The Holy Spirit came upon Anna and she was found with child. A girl was born to Joachim and Anna the next year and they named her Miriam/ Mary. Anna and Joachim dedicated Mary to God from birth. As a Levite priest, Joachim always took his daughter with him to the temple and Mary was educated in the temple of the Lord in a loft out of view of the other men. Mary spent most of her time at the temple and she served the Lord night and day, fasting and praying, and she abstained from every unclean thing, and never knew any man. She remained devoted to the service of the Lord. Every day Mary had conversations with the angels, and every day she received visitors from God which preserved her from all sorts of evil. She would not depart from the temple until she had arrived at the year of discretion—the age of fourteen.

CHAPTER 2

The Marriage of Joseph and Mary

"Stand still, Miriam!" Anna placed beads on the tight veil that covered the face of her daughter, Mary. The young virgin stood nervously as her mother adorned her wedding garments with special beads and expensive ornaments. Mary was going to marry a well to do carpenter named Joseph— a man twenty-five years her senior. Mary began to cry. Her mother knelt down at her feet and asked her why she was crying.

"I do not know this man. I do not know any man. What am I supposed to do with him?"

Anna tried not to laugh, but her daughter's innocence was endearing. "He is a good man and he will love you always, my child."

"But I am scared, Mother. I have never done this before. I, I don't—"

"None of us have ever done this until we do it. Blessed is the woman that God provides a husband," Anna said.

Anna touched the shoulder of her child. "Do not worry, Miriam. I had the same anxiousness when I was promised to your father and look at me now." The two women smiled. A servant came forth and said to Anna, "It is time."

Mary came forth from the room, into the corridor. She took a deep breath as she entered the courtyard and took hold of Joseph's hand. The priest read from the scrolls of God and then spoke to the people.

"The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has given these two in a holy union. As He first did in the Garden of Eden, God has ordained the commitment of marriage. At one time God said unto all of the Adams known as mankind, 'Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth.' The Adams went unto the female Adams and bore many children unto them in the garden on earth all without sin. When mankind was plentiful in the large garden, God put the male Adams to sleep and showed them a vision.

"A rib was taken from his body and a female Adam was formed that was made especially for him and him alone. The male Adam named the female Adam, 'wo-man.' This means she has come from the womb of the man and she is to be adjoined to him as one, forever. This is why the scriptures said: 'Let the male leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife.' Amen."

The witnesses at the wedding responded, "Amen. Let it be so."

The priest continued. "Joseph, son of Jacob and Rebecca, will you love this maiden and protect her in the sight of God?"

"I will do such, forever."

"Miriam, daughter of Joachim and Anna, will you honor your new husband and forsaking all others, obey him completely in the sight of God?"

Mary looked over at her mother. Anna smiled and nodded at her. The nervous Mary said to the priest, "I will do as such, forever."

The priest said unto the congregation, "What YHWH the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has put together as one, let no man separate them. Amen. Let it be so." And the people said also, "Amen. Let it be so."

The priest took Joseph and Mary by the hands and presented them as man and wife. Joseph and Mary celebrated their union with their families and friends through dance, laughter and joy. When all things were accomplished during the celebration feast, Mary's mother and Joseph's mother went inside the bridal chamber. The two matriarchs' duty was to perform the Hebrew Ritual of Purity. The two elderly women disrobed Mary and reached between her legs and inspected her to make sure that her hymen was intact. Then they announced to the crowd that she was pure! The crowd erupted into cheers of joy.

The family saluted Joseph as he entered the bridal chamber. Mary's mother Anna began to reflect on her daughter. She shed joyful tears while her husband Joachim held her tightly. When Joseph went forth behind the curtain the celebration continued. Joseph and Mary consummated their marriage inside of the wedding chamber as husband and wife.

CHAPTER 3

The Birth Announcement

Mary grew to love her husband greatly, for he was very compassionate to her. Joseph loved his wife greatly and he would spend many nights loving her and holding her within his arms for months; often forsaking his carpentry business. One day, word was sent to Joseph that work was needed on a temple in Ethiopia; where the last remnant of the pure, untouched bloodline tribes of Judah worshipped.

"Miriam, I most go forth unto the Nubians and construct the temple of God. I do not know how long I will be."

"Then I will wait here for you."

"The area is unsafe and I want you to go unto the home of your father, Joachim until I return." Mary nodded and obeyed her husband's request. Joseph girded himself and left with his servants unto Ethiopia and the land of the Nubians. He was gone from Mary for three months.

One day after coming out of a local market, Mary's elderly father, Joachim was savagely scourged and beaten by two Roman soldiers. Joachim had cut them off as they were walking down the street. When Mary witnessed the oppression she went to her father and laid her body over his. One of the Roman soldiers picked her up.

"Harlot! Why did you get in my way?" The soldier struck Mary across the face and she fell to the ground. He kicked Mary in her stomach and she yelled out in pain. Some nearby Jews saw the injustice of the two soldiers and came forth, standing in front of the fallen Joachim and Mary—blocking them from the soldiers. When the two soldiers realized the Jews outnumbered them, they departed from the market and returned unto their own camps.

Mary stood and wiped the dust from her garments. "Why are the soldiers so harsh with us, Father?"

Joachim stood to his feet. "We have brought these things on ourselves, my child. One day our people will come together as one and offer up our souls as an offering for our sins. Then will we hear from heaven and God will forgive our sins and heal our lands." Two of the local merchants carried Joachim along with Mary back to his home, and Anna and the servants cared for them.

During the night Mary prayed unto her God. "Oh Merciful One, I beseech you. When will our people hear your voice again, as I do? When will our people again be your chosen ones? Will you continue to laugh at our calamity? Will you continue to hide thyself from us while we suffer such indignation at the hands of our enemies?"

When she had thus spoken the words, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Mary. The young maiden fell prostrate at His feet and worshiped the Angel of the Lord— for it was well known that when one of these sons of God would appear, they were known as the word of God made flesh.

The Archangel Gabriel was one of the angels who entertained and played with Mary during her youth. Mary was special and blessed among women. This was the only way to explain how even the archangels would come unto her and commune with her.

"Daughter of man, I am sent to give you the answers that you seek," Gabriel said.

Mary raised her head and looked upon the face of the angel. "Father, why are these things that we suffer allowed to be as they are?"

"Your father, Joachim's words are true. Your people suffer because they have disobeyed my laws and my statutes. They have shunned the God of your fathers and they have assimilated themselves to the gods of their slave masters."

"But Father, when will we return to our former glory—the glory that you had once bestowed upon us?"

"The hearts of the people are not just, because their priests and prophets have led them astray," the angel said.

"What can be done about these things? Will our people learn the truth?" Mary asked.

"Rest assured young one, the Word of the Lord is true. I say unto you, a child is born on this very day in the city of Judaea unto the house of Zacharias and Elizabeth. Zacharias will name him soon." The angel spoke the prophecy of the wild prophet who ate the locust and wild honey in the wilderness. (He that has an ear let him hear and understand this truthful saying.)

The angel continued speaking. "The child will grow strong and he will be as my servant Elijah once was. He will be my messiah and my anointed son. I will send him unto my people and he will speak to them—but not in the temples or the vain sanctuaries of men.

"He will speak my words unto the people in the wilderness. He will stand in my presence beneath me and he will cause many people to turn away from the gods of Grecia and Rome and turn once again unto me. He will say to them: 'Fear the great and terrible Day of the Lord! The kingdom of God is at hand! Repent and serve the God of your father lest He come and smite the earth with a curse.'"

Mary smiled. "Praise God for this blessing that he will soon bestow on us."

"Miriam, daughter of man, until that time the Jews will suffer much calamity and they must suffer for their iniquities; for the Jews have become exceedingly sinful." Mary had a sad look on her face. "But not all of us have done so. You have shown favor to my mother and my father and you have loved me greatly.

"You have answered correctly. Because of the righteousness of your father Joachim, his seed was also blessed."

Gabriel spoke of Mary's birth and the favor of God that was on her. "Just like your father Joachim, your husband Joseph is also a righteous man in the eyes of God. He is a descendant of David, my friend, and he has found favor in God. His seed will also be blessed."

Mary smiled at the angel's words but she did not perceive their meaning. When the Angel spoke of Joseph, Mary began to long for her husband's arms around her. She began to think of his long journey among the land of the Nubians. She sighed greatly. The angel lowered his head and pointed to Mary. "Miriam, your seed will be blessed as well."

Mary looked up at the angel and again smiled.

"All praises be unto you for blessing me and my seed when it is our time."

"Miriam, your time is at hand."

Mary marveled at the words of Gabriel and became confused. "It is my time?"

"Time for what LORD?"

The angel leaned in toward her. "Hail Miriam, wife of Joseph the Carpenter, you who is highly favored. The Lord is with you: blessed are you among women."

Mary became troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

The angel said, "Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name Yeshua, which means: 'God is Salvation.' When the son of Zacharias will have performed his work unto the Lord, I will call your seed unto me. Just as the son of Zacharias the priest, your seed will also be my messiah— my anointed son.

"I will sanctify your son and send him into the world to speak my words. Just like Moses and my other sons, the prophets—though your seed will be made of flesh, he will be unto the Jews the word upon the earth."

Gabriel looked toward heaven and heard the Word of God. He then turned again to Mary and said, "If the Jews repent unto his words, then the Lord God will make a new covenant with the Jews and give your seed as king and I will give unto him the throne of his father David."

Mary shook her head in disbelief. "Father, how will this be, seeing that my husband has been gone for three months and I have not known the touch of any man since?"

"The consummation between you and your husband was ordained by God. The Holy Spirit came upon you, and the power of the Highest overshadowed you during your consummation. The number of months of your conception is three. Therefore, also that Holy thing which will be born of you and your husband will also be called a son of God."

Mary lowered her head at the feet of the Angel of the Lord and worshiped God.

CHAPTER 4

The Birth of Jesus

During the months that followed, Mary sent word unto her husband Joseph that she was found with child. However, Joseph could not be found by the servants. Mary became worried and did not know of her husband's fate.

"Mother, I do not know what has happened. Word has not returned about Joseph and he has not returned unto me," Mary cried.

"Do you think he has found another wife and has left me for her?" Mary asked. Anna comforted her daughter and smiled. "You know that your husband is a carpenter and a traveler for King Herod. There will be many times that you will not hear from him for a time. Fear not Miriam my child. Trust in the words of your God and believe." Mary shook her head in agreement.

JOSEPH AND THE ANGEL

When word reached Joseph that Mary was pregnant, he became saddened by the announcement. Joseph perceived that the child could not be his child because of the short time of consummation with his wife. When the servant told Joseph the words of Mary, Joseph remained in Ethiopia and told the servant not to tell Mary that he was seen. The servant returned to the house of Joachim and to Mary. Joseph loved his wife and became distraught in his heart. He was a just man, and was not willing to bring forth accusations against his wife, making her a public example. Joseph thought to give her a bill of divorcement, according to the laws of Moses.

But while he thought on these things, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of Jacob and descendant of my friend David, fear not to take unto you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her was conceived during your consummation and was ordained and overshadowed by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Joseph began to smile within his sleep. The angel continued. "Son of man, rise up in the morning hour and depart unto the home of Joachim and Anna.

Upon your return you will witness the birth of your firstborn son and you will call his name Yeshua (also called Jesus)—for he will speak my words and will save many of his people from their sins."

Once the angel had spoken the words, Joseph arose from his sleep and bowed his head prostrate toward the east. Joseph, the son of Jacob, praised the Lord for what he had done and for the blessing of a new son. When the servants heard Joseph, the Holy Spirit of God entered them and they began to dance around Joseph, praising God for what He had done throughout the night.

The next morning, Joseph did as the angel had said. He girded himself and returned quickly unto the house of Joachim and Anna to be with his wife until it was her time. According to their way, Joseph did not consummate with his wife again until she had brought forth their firstborn son. When the child was born Joseph took him from the midwife into his arms and went out into the night. He lit a fire in the darkness and raised the child up into the sky and said, "Father, God of Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac and Jacob, all praises to you! You are a merciful God to my house, for you have blessed me with a seed. His name will be called Yeshua, which means: God is Salvation."

"For in the day you will choose him as your son, He will hear your words and go forth from heaven. He will come again unto the Lost House of Israel and turn them away from the gods of the Gentiles and turn them back to you. Your words he will speak from heaven and He will cause many to repent and He will save His people from their sins."

After the child was circumcised according to God's Law, Joseph offered the child to God and he returned into the house until a sacrificial offering could be made in the temple on the seventh day of the child's birth.
(Continues...)

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Excerpted from JESUS by Derrick Patrick. Copyright © 2013 Derrick Patrick. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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