THE STORY OF
LUCRETIA
Lucretia stretched her back. She had been sitting at the loom all morning and was ready for a change. She was designing a pillow and weaving it carefully. Her mother could make a pillow in a couple of hours. Lucretia had been working on this one for almost a week.
Her parents assured her that her hands would get stronger as she grew. After all, she was only 10.
Lucretia had been helping with her parents’ business all her life, but she had only started on the loom a couple of weeks ago. Before that, her job was dying the wool before it was made into yarn. Her brother’s new wife wanted that job, so Lucretia was learning to weave.
It had been her secret desire for many years to learn to weave, but she had to wait until her parents felt she was old enough. Her first pillow had some loose threads, so she was working extra hard to get this one perfect. But right now, she needed a break. She stood up and asked her mother if she could walk down to Deborah’s booth. She promised she wouldn’t stay long.
Deborah’s family had a pottery booth just four doors down and the girls had practically grown up together. “Good morning, Mrs. Hannah, what a beautiful pot you are making.”
“Good morning, Lucretia, and thank you. You just missed Deborah. I sent her for a delivery. She should be back soon — or you could go to meet her if you wish. She went to Mrs. Tumal’s house.”
“I know where that is. I think I’ll walk to meet her. Then I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Yes, Deborah has work to do, too. Don’t be slowpokes!” But even as she spoke, Lucretia could tell that she was smiling, and not upset that Lucretia was Deborah’s friend.
In the town of Antipatris (an-TIP-uh-tris), most of the people were Roman citizens. There were very few Jews. Sometimes the Romans were mean to the Jewish families, and sometimes the Jewish families were mean to the Romans. But Lucretia and Deborah were best friends forever and nothing would ever change that!
Lucretia and her family were Romans and they believed in many gods, but really worshiped none of them. They just worked hard and hoped that the gods were pleased with them. Deborah and her family were Jewish and worshiped the God of Israel. Deborah had told Lucretia many, many stories about her God and that he was the only true God — at least the only one with any true power. Lucretia listened and wondered.
Sometimes, she would be invited over for Sabbath dinner and she would hear Deborah’s family recite verses from the Jewish Scripture. Lucretia thought that it was beautiful poetry and felt a longing to know more about this God that Deborah worshiped. But she knew that her parents would never agree for her to become a Jew.
“Shalom,” was a Jewish greeting that Deborah had taught Lucretia and they greeted each other when they met. It meant “peace on you and yours.”
“I’ve got to hurry back to my loom, but I wanted to say hi. I’ve been really busy for the past several days and just haven’t found the time to visit.”
“I’ll walk you back to your booth. How is your pillow turning out? Do you think you will finish it today?” asked Deborah.
“Oh, no. I had to rip out a section yesterday because I had missed a stitch and had dropped another thread, so I can’t decide whether I’m moving forward or backward.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. It seems pretty complicated to me. I’m sure I could never weave a pillow. Maybe Mother will let me try the wheel soon.”
“That would be exciting — I know you’ll be great at it. Gotta go. Shalom!”
“Shalom!”
Lucretia nodded to her parents as she came into the booth. Her papa was making cushions and her mother was weaving on the huge blanket loom. She returned to her pillow loom and felt a burst of energy to tackle it once more.
As the sun began to set, Lucretia helped her parents put away the supplies and lock up the little booth. They walked home together but it seemed to Lucretia that there was a sadness between them tonight. She wondered what had been said while she was away from the booth.
She didn’t have to wonder long.
Not a single customer had bought a cushion or blanket or pillow today or, for that matter, all week. Papa felt that maybe everyone in town had already bought all they wanted. They needed a new market, or a new product.
Lucretia was glad that they were including her — but it seemed like a terrible dinner discussion to her. Why so gloomy?
Cushions, blankets, and pillows were all they had ever made, and this town was all she had ever known. She got busy with her chores and went to bed early. She planned to get up early and finish her pillow tomorrow.
The next morning, she busied herself with her pillow design and was working intently when a surprise visitor came into the booth. “Uncle Livius!” Everyone left their work and the three of them peppered him with questions.
Uncle Livius and Aunt Longina had lived in Antipatris until two years ago. They were also weavers of cloth, but they focused on making togas and heavy robes out of the colorfully dyed wool. They had moved to Jerusalem to see if the market there was better. Now, Uncle Livius was reporting that their business was booming, and he had come back to ask his little brother to join him.
“Lucretia, stay here at the store until closing. We’ll take Uncle Livius home and let him rest a while. Lock up carefully and come straight home for dinner.”
“Yes, Papa.”
After the adults left, Lucretia continued to work on her pillow.
“Shalom!” Deborah said as she entered the tent.
“Shalom! I was so busy with my pillow, you totally surprised me.”
“Where are your folks?”
“My Uncle Livius — you remember him — came for a visit. They went home and left me in charge. But as you can see, that’s not a really busy assignment.”
“The pillow is coming along beautifully. I love the deep orange color you are using. It is beautiful — a work of art!”
“Thanks.”
“Lucretia, what’s wrong? You seem troubled.”
“Well, it’s just that the business is not going well, and my parents are actually talking about moving.”
“No!”
“That’s exactly what I said. But then today, in walks Uncle Livius and he’s bragging about how well his business is doing and right now he’s trying to talk Mother and Papa into moving there and joining his business.”
“Oh, Lucretia, that’s terrible, but I’ve got to run. I stopped by to invite you to join us for Sabbath meal tonight — but I guess, if you’ve got company, that won’t happen. Could you come over tomorrow to visit? I’ll be free all day and we could catch up then. You don’t have to let me know now, but if you could come — please do. I want to hear what’s going on.”
“I’ll come if I can. I’m almost finished with the pillow, so they should let me. But I don’t know what Uncle Livius’ plans are. Shalom!”
“Shalom!”
Deborah walked slowly back to her parent’s booth. She knew that they needed her to be working, but her thoughts were on her friend. What will I do if Lucretia moves? Lucretia was her closest friend, and she would miss her terribly.
News had traveled quickly and all of Lucretia’s six older brothers and sisters and their kids had arrived to visit with Uncle Livius. As the meal ended and the adults were still debating the proposed move, Lucretia had two choices: she could offer to clean up the kitchen and all those dishes, or she could take all her nieces and nephews into the back yard and give their parents a break. She decided she needed the distraction and herded the kids into the backyard where she found balls and bats for the older kids and some bean bags to toss for the little ones. She showed baby Julius how to dig with a spoon in the dirt and he was delighted. She wondered what was being decided about her future.
One by one the families collected their youngsters and left. They thanked Auntie Lucretia and gave her sweet hugs and kisses. When the last family had gone, Lucretia knew that she should go into the house and visit with Uncle Livius, but she could tell that he and her parents were still talking about markets and inventory and supply chains and she just didn’t want to hear it.
She climbed to her favorite perch in the olive tree. She realized she hadn’t climbed up here in a long time. It was her hidey-hole, her thinking place. And tonight, she needed to think.
Or maybe she didn’t want to think. She looked through the branches at the starry skies and remembered a saying that Deborah had taught her from the Jewish Scripture:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid ..., for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.1
Lucretia wished she knew a God like that. She wished she knew Deborah’s God. A tear slipped down her cheek. She felt certain that her parents were deciding to leave Antipatris, and she knew she would have no choice.
Maybe tomorrow she could slip away for a while and visit with Deborah. Often, Lucretia’s parents would let her go to Deborah’s home on the Sabbath unless she was needed at the booth.
She climbed down from the tree and successfully slipped past her parents and into her bed.
The next morning, Lucretia quickly ate her breakfast and hurried to the booth. Her mother and papa were already there. She apologized for sleeping late, and they teased her that watching 14 nephews and nieces under the age of eight might have had something to do with her fatigue.
Lucretia noticed that instead of her parents setting out merchandise for sale, they were stacking and wrapping and labeling. Something was definitely up.
“Where’s Uncle Livius?”
“He’s gone to take care of some business. Lucretia, we need to talk with you.”
“Okay.” She sat down on one of the cushions nearby — feeling like her legs would collapse if she didn’t sit down fast.
“Your mother and I have agreed that we need to relocate our business. Your brothers and sisters will stay here and run the farm and continue to provide all the wools and dyes that we will need. They may, in time, reopen this booth, but for now, we are just going to close it down and move to Jerusalem. We will live with Uncle Livius and Aunt Longina until we can find a house. They have already purchased the booth next to theirs when it became available last week.”
“I don’t want to leave Antipatris,” said Lucretia quietly.
“We know. We understand. But we cannot continue to stay here and meet our needs. Our family is growing, and we have many mouths to feed. Your brothers and sisters depend on our selling products. If we can’t sell, then we all go hungry.”
Lucretia threw herself into her mother’s arms and couldn’t hold back the sobs. When she had calmed herself, she sat up and asked, “When? When will we be moving?”
“Uncle Livius has gone to purchase some oxen and a wagon from a friend out in the country. He should be back by late afternoon, then we will load the wagon tomorrow and leave on Monday.
We need to have the new booth opened in Jerusalem in time for their Passover Festival. It’s the busiest time of the year there.”
“Mother, Papa, may I go to Deborah’s house today? She invited me to dinner last night, but I told her about Uncle Livius’ visit. She said I could come anytime today, if possible. You know it is their Sabbath, so they will welcome me, and I want to spend time with Deborah.”
“I think that would be a good idea. We will be very busy packing the wagon tomorrow and there won’t be any free time. I will expect you home for dinner tonight, but you may stay all day if you feel welcome.”
“Thank you. I know you need my help today, but I really want to see Deborah.”
“We understand.”
“Mother, may I give my pillow to Deborah?”
“Have you finished it?”
“Yes, I finished it after you left yesterday. I would like for you to check it. But I want to give it to Deborah, please.”
Mother looked at Papa and they both agreed that that would be okay. They both knew how special Deborah’s friendship was to Lucretia.
“And Lucretia —”
“Yes, Papa?”
“We will need to return to Antipatris twice a year to pick up the dyed wools for our business, so I think you can tell Deborah that you will see her again in the fall.”
“Oh, Papa, thank you!” She gave her papa a huge hug and handed her pillow to Mother. Mother looked it over and handed it to Papa. They both were very pleased with her progress. They both agreed that she was learning very quickly and would soon be earning money for the family business.
Lucretia took the pillow, her heart filled with pride from her parents’ praise, but every step took her closer to having to tell Deborah the news.
As expected, Deborah’s parents welcomed Lucretia warmly. Deborah was in the back yard with her younger sisters. When she saw Lucretia’s sad face, she asked her parents if they could walk down to the river. But first Lucretia gave Deborah the pillow. She and her parents exclaimed over its beauty, and Lucretia was proud that she had worked so carefully on it.
As the girls began to walk away from the house, Lucretia began to cry.
“You are leaving, aren’t you?” Deborah asked.
“Yes. On Monday.”
“On Monday! Oh, Lucretia!” Now both girls were crying. They continued to walk arm in arm toward the riverbank. There they found a grassy spot and sat down to face each other.
They had come here so many times and shared so many secrets and dreams together. They had imagined many things, but they had never imagined being separated.
“So, tell me everything,” demanded Deborah.
“There’s not much to tell. My parents and I will move to Jerusalem and live with my aunt and uncle and open a new booth there.”
“Whoa! Stop right there. Did you say Jerusalem?”
“Yes, that’s where Uncle Livius and Aunt Longina live.”
“Lucretia, Jerusalem is so special. I’ve always wanted to go to Jerusalem!”
“Then you go! I don’t want to!” Lucretia felt confused and angry.
Deborah continued, “I didn’t mean it like that. I just mean, if you must move somewhere — then Jerusalem is the most wonderful place in the world to be.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Don’t you remember? Jerusalem is where the temple of our God is. He lives there. You could go to the temple and worship him! The whole city is holy. I’ve never gotten to go there, but someday, I will.”
“But I’m not Jewish. I wouldn’t be welcome there!”
“Yes, you would. My dad has told me all about the temple. The main temple is divided into two parts — one for men and one for women and children. Then outside that building is a huge courtyard that’s for people from all over the world to worship. It’s called the Courtyard of the Gentiles. That’s you. You could go there to pray, and God would hear your prayers because he lives there. Oh, Lucretia, you will be living in the city of the true God. I am so happy for you. I will be sad — but I’m happy, too. How can I explain this?”
“So, you really think your God would hear my prayers if I went to this courtyard?” asked Lucretia.
”Oh, I know he would, Lucretia!”
“I have always wanted to know your God better. You know that. Maybe this move will not be so bad after all. And I forgot to tell you the good news. Papa says that he will be coming back in the fall to pick up supplies and I can come with him. So, I will get to see you every six months.”
“And maybe I can convince my family to come to Jerusalem to visit you. We will always be friends,” Deborah assured her. “Do you have to rush back to work?”
“No, the booth is already closed, and Papa says I can stay all afternoon if it’s all right with your parents.”
“Oh, goody. Let’s wade in the river and cool off our feet.”
All afternoon the girls visited and cried, laughed, and remembered the good times. They made promises to never forget each other and Deborah promised to pray that her God would bless her friend, Lucretia.
Lucretia wanted to say goodbye to Deborah’s parents and little sisters, so she walked back to Deborah’s house and said her goodbyes. Then she slowly walked home knowing that this would be the last time she would walk this road in a long time. How quickly things change!
Uncle Livius had found a wagon and two sturdy oxen to pull it.
Papa, Mother, Uncle Livius, and Lucretia sat down to a simple meal and then continued sorting and packing the household goods. Because Lucretia’s oldest brother would be moving into the house, there was no need to take everything.
Lucretia had some keepsakes that she placed in her trunk. She had some sculptures that Deborah had made for her, and she packed them carefully in wool scraps so they wouldn’t get broken on the trip.
She laid her clothes in the trunk and saved room for her bedding on top. Most of the wagon would be filled with inventory for the new booth.
Sunday was spent emptying the booth and locking it tightly. Her brothers might one day decide to re-open it. Or maybe in a few years she would return to Antipatris and open it as her own booth. The future was wide open. Anything could happen.
Papa and her older brothers spent most of the morning taking apart the blanket loom so that it would fit in the wagon. Her pillow loom was much smaller and wasn’t a problem, and then they packed the two spinning wheels that turned the wool into yarn and threads.
Papa and Mother had already wrapped most of the inventory so that it was ready to be loaded. The yarn and other supplies were already packed and by noon they were ready to go to the barn and start loading the rest of the already dyed wool. They would leave the dye pots and the unprocessed wool for her brothers and sisters to prepare. Papa and Uncle Livius added sideboards to the sides of the wagon so that they could pack more wool.
They spent one last night in the only house Lucretia had ever known. Sleep came quickly because she was so tired. At sunrise, the family gathered to say a last goodbye. Her brothers and sisters and their wives and husbands and all her nieces and nephews came to wave goodbye.
Uncle Livius drove the wagon and Papa and Mother and Lucretia walked behind. Lucretia walked backward, waving for as long as she could see her nieces and nephews.
Then the adventure began. There were two seats on the wagon and four people. One of the men would drive the oxen while the other man walked. Lucretia let Mother ride as much as she wanted — she preferred to walk. It was a lot less boring than sitting on a hard wagon seat. She collected wildflowers and took in all the beautiful sights and sounds of the land around her. She thought about pillow patterns and kept her mind busy thinking about everything except home. One thought kept returning: her desire to go to the temple of the God of Israel and pray to him was getting stronger and stronger. She wasn’t sure when to approach Papa, but she felt certain that he would be the right one to talk to about her wish.
Because the wagon was so full and had to travel slowly, they would not be able to make the trip all in one day. They spent the night at a friend’s house about halfway.
The second and final day was a harder climb for both the oxen and the people. They had to stop and adjust the wagon load a couple of times as the cargo wasn’t adequately tied to keep it from sliding out the back on the steep roads. They had to purchase more rope to anchor the load better.
As the incline became steeper, Lucretia could not keep her eyes off the golden glow at the top of the mountain. Uncle Livius told her it was the Jewish temple. He also reminded her family that it would be best if they would learn and practice the Sabbath rules. He explained how they were not to work or carry anything on the Sabbath. Lucretia was delighted to think that now she would only work six days a week instead of seven. But she wondered how she would spend the long day without Deborah.
About noon on Tuesday, the perfect opportunity to talk to Papa came. Uncle Livius and Mother had walked ahead and were out of hearing distance. Lucretia crawled up on the wagon seat beside her papa.
“Papa?”
“Yes, Daughter.”
“Papa, you know that I have been friends with Deborah for my whole life.”
“Yes, I know that you and Deborah are very close. I’m sorry you have had to leave your friend. And I am proud of the way you have handled it.”
“Thank you, Papa. I have a request.”
“I’ve already told you that you may come back with me in the fall and visit with her while I pick up supplies.”
“Yes, Papa, and I thank you. That makes it a lot easier.”
“Is there something else on your mind?”
“Yes, Papa. Deborah says that the temple of the God of Israel has a special place for foreigners to come and pray to him. Papa, I would like to go and pray to Deborah’s God. I would like to ask him to bless our new business. Will you take me to the temple of the God of Israel? Please, Papa.”
Papa seemed very surprised by Lucretia’s request. He believed in many gods, but as he thought it over, it made sense to him to be on the good side of the God of Israel if they were going to do business there. So he said, “Sure. I will take you to the temple if you are sure that foreigners are welcome.”
Lucretia told him about the building for the Jewish men and women and children, and she told him how Deborah had said that the entire surrounding courtyard was available for all Gentiles who wanted to come and pray to the God of Israel.
Papa agreed that it sounded nice and said he would take her there once they got things unloaded and settled in.
“But Papa, I would like to go there soon. I feel it is important that we start out right.”
“Okay, Daughter, but I must get the booth set up before this big feast that is coming.”
“Yes, Papa. I understand and thank you.”
Lucretia knew her papa would keep his promise. She hoped it would be sooner rather than later, but he would keep his promise. Now, her heart was filled with anticipation of what the visit to the beautiful temple would be like.
The last few miles into Jerusalem were incredibly crowded. Lucretia couldn’t remember ever seeing so many people. She let Mother ride with Uncle Livius on the wagon seat, and she and Papa walked behind the wagon to make sure nothing fell off.
The next few days were a blur of activity as they settled into sharing a home with Uncle Livius and Aunt Longina. They also began arranging their new booth and the men had to re-assemble the largest loom.
Lucretia found the perfect spot for her loom so that she could work near the front and still watch the crowds. There was so much happening all around her and the new smells and sounds were exciting. Each night, she fell into bed exhausted.
They found a farmer just outside of town who would keep the oxen and the wagon for them. And Uncle Livius and Papa had found a house for them to rent that was only a few blocks away. They enjoyed their first Sabbath by resting and visiting all day and decided that the Jews had a great idea!
On Sunday, they moved into their new home and began preparing the new booth to open on Tuesday. The looms and spinning wheels were set up and were working fine. Papa and Uncle Livius only had to make some minor adjustments after the bumpy ride. They would spend Monday setting out inventory and then open on Tuesday. Passover would begin on Wednesday and they would be ready for the crowds. But one thing still bothered Lucretia: she wanted to go to the temple.
Sunday night as they sat down to a simple supper in their new home for the first time, Lucretia felt that the time was right to bring it up.
“Papa, have you got everything at the booth working and ready to start on Tuesday?”
“All we lack is putting out the inventory and settling back into the routine. But I do think we are ready. Is your loom working properly?”
“Yes, Papa, thank you. I’ve already started a new pillow and it is behaving now that you tightened that loose board. Thank you.
“Papa, do you think we could go to the temple tomorrow? I don’t think it would take long and the crowds are getting bigger and bigger. I’m afraid the temple will be packed if we don’t go soon. Would you take me to the temple tomorrow?”
“What’s this? Why do you want to go to the temple of the God of Israel?” Mother asked.
“Deborah told me that there is a place there where foreigners can go and pray to the God of Israel. I just wanted to go and ask him to bless our new business,” answered Lucretia.
Papa added, “I didn’t see any harm in it, and I told her I would take her once we got settled in. So, I guess I need to keep my promise.”
Mother seemed concerned and insisted that she would need both of them at the booth all day.
Lucretia looked pleadingly at her Papa.
“Are you willing to go at sunrise tomorrow morning?”
“Oh, yes, Papa. And thank you!”
Lucretia woke before the sun and quickly dressed. She heard Papa stirring and they ate a quick breakfast together.
They were surprised to see so many people headed to the temple this early. Some sang songs of worship and others were busy visiting with friends. No one seemed to notice Papa and Lucretia — that is until they entered the gates of the temple.
All at once, it seemed that all eyes were on them, and the friendly, worshipful atmosphere disappeared. Some shook their fists at them and muttered ugly words toward them. Lucretia sensed that Papa was about to turn and leave, but she pulled him to the left of the crowd. Once they were out of the main pathway, all Lucretia could see were cows. And oh, how bad it all smelled!
That obviously wasn’t the way to the Court of the Gentiles. So, she pulled her papa back across the main entrance where once again they encountered rude words and threats. Lucretia wanted to see what was to the right of the temple entrance. Once across the main pathway, the people were not as packed together.
But there they saw people buying and selling sheep and lambs. Here the smells reminded her of home even though they were overpowering. There were also rows and rows of tables with boxes of doves.
Behind all that there seemed to be a small empty place that might be available for them to say a quick prayer. And Lucretia was determined that since she had made it this far, she was going to at least speak to Deborah’s God.
Right up beside the back wall, there were piles of trash everywhere, but Lucretia picked a spot and knelt down to pray. Papa didn’t know what to do, so he knelt beside her. Lucretia had seen Deborah and her family pray and so she simply said, “God of Israel, I want to know more about you — but I don’t know how. I came to ask that you would bless our new business and…”
At this point she noticed an angry group of men headed toward them. They were yelling for her and Papa to leave and some were even throwing rocks. Lucretia finished her prayer quickly by saying, “and please protect us.”
Papa and Lucretia didn’t know whether to stay kneeling to protect themselves or to stand and try to run. Would the crowd leave them alone if they left — or would they kill them? They were terrified.
Then from the direction of the temple a strong young man came running toward them. His face was not angry. His eyes were kind and sad. “Don’t be afraid,” he said.
Then he turned toward the angry crowd and here’s what the Bible says happened next:
...he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”2
When the courtyard was cleared of all the animals, Papa and Lucretia ran as fast as they could to the nearest gate. They wanted to thank their rescuer, but didn’t want to risk getting trapped inside again.
Papa and Lucretia decided to go home and change clothes before going to the booth. They didn’t want to alarm Mother and needed some time to catch their breath before going to work.
Papa and Lucretia both had some cuts and bruises from the rocks that had been thrown at them. But after they sat and drank some tea they felt better.
“Papa?”
“Yes, Lucretia.”
“Papa, the God of Israel heard my prayer and sent a rescuer for us.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. But you are right. I don’t know what would have happened if the rescuer had not come at just that time.”
“Papa, the God of Israel heard my prayer. Deborah said he would. That makes me happy.”
“Daughter, I’m glad that makes you happy — but I don’t ever want to go back to that temple. The Jews have made us feel so welcome in the community and the market. But we are certainly not welcome in their temple! Promise me that you will not ever go back there.”
“Papa, I will not go there without telling you first. But I want to know more about the God of Israel. If he can hear and answer prayer like that — I want to know more. Deborah says he is the only One who has any power.
“Our Roman gods have never helped us. I don’t want to make you unhappy, but I know that I want to know more.”
“Daughter, you must follow your heart. I want you to be happy. Don’t go to the temple without telling me — and I will probably go with you. But right now, Mother needs help at the booth. We are running terribly late and we must be ready to open the doors tomorrow.”
Lucretia finished her tea and joined her Papa as they walked quickly to the booth. Mother wanted to hear all about their adventures and agreed with Papa that the temple was no place for Lucretia to go alone, and she wasn’t so sure that she wanted Papa to go either!
Passover began on Wednesday night, and all day long families strolled the market looking for special decorations and food for their celebration. Papa and Mother sold more cushions, blankets, and pillows in one day than they had sold in a month in Antipatris.
After dinner, Lucretia slipped outside into the back yard and knelt under the stars. She thanked the God of Israel for his protection and for his blessing of the new booth. Then she quickly got ready for bed and the start of another long day.
All week long, the booth continued to be very popular, and kept all three of them very busy.
How glad they were for the Sabbath Day of rest that was the law in Jerusalem. Lucretia spent the day relaxing and caught herself designing new pillows. But it also made her miss Deborah even more. Maybe soon she would meet other girls, but for now, she was content to visit with her parents and aunt and uncle and not be working at her loom.
How quickly the six months had passed. In only two more weeks, Lucretia and her Papa were headed back to Antipatris to pick up supplies. She would get to see Deborah. She was sad that Mother couldn’t go, too, because there should be a new niece or nephew by now. It would only be a short visit, but her parents had promised that maybe next summer, they could all go for a real visit.
All the products in the booth were selling very well, but Lucretia’s pillows were an especially popular item. It seemed she couldn’t make them fast enough. This latest pillow reminded her of the Mediterranean Sea where she had visited her grandparents.
The pillow was beautiful, and she was proud of it. The lady who had seen it this afternoon had begged her to finish it for her in time for a dinner party tomorrow night and she had promised to pay double for it.
Papa and Mother had made it clear that she could not stay and work late unless one of the men stayed to protect her. After dark, the market area was not well lit, and they didn’t want to take any chances with her safety. She knew her parents were ready to go home, so she asked Uncle Livius if he could stay late. He agreed because he, too, had promised to finish a toga that needed to be delivered tomorrow. So, it was decided.
When Mother and Papa left, they rolled down the sides of the booth so that from the outside, no one could tell that someone was inside working. Uncle Livius’ booth was connected to theirs so he, too, closed down the outer sides and no one knew that the two of them were hard at work inside the booth. Uncle Livius was working in the back of his booth and Lucretia’s loom was up close to the front of her booth.
Lucretia was daydreaming of working alone in her very own booth — when suddenly she heard men’s voices just outside the tent. She froze for fear that they would hear her working inside. What if they are robbers? Should I tiptoe back and get Uncle Livius?
But suddenly ... she recognized that voice. That was the voice of the man who had rescued her and Papa at the temple. She would know that voice anywhere.
She remembered that he had looked straight at her and said, “Don’t be afraid.”
Now she sat perfectly still and listened to what he was saying to the other man.
Apparently, the other man was a Jewish rabbi, and her rescuer was trying to teach him something. They were talking about everyone needing a spiritual birth just like a physical birth. But she didn’t understand much of that.
Then her rescuer said,
“I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven — the Son of Man. ... Everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”3
As the men walked off into the night, Lucretia replayed in her mind that day at the temple. She remembered that her rescuer had said:
....“Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”4
Who was her rescuer? Was he the God of Israel’s son? Lots of Roman gods had sons and daughters, but Deborah had never told her about the God of Israel having a son. What did he mean, “Everyone who believes may have eternal life?” What am I supposed to believe? Who is this man? And why did he stop right outside my booth to say these things?
She was glad that it was only two weeks until she would see Deborah. She had much to ask Deborah and her family. There was much she wanted to know.
She finished her pillow and called to Uncle Livius. They carefully locked up the booth and carried their lamps home. Lucretia thanked Uncle Livius for staying late with her and told him good night. She had much to think about.
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