THE STORY OF
JOEL
“I don’t want grapes, I want pomegranates! And hurry back, I might need you.”
Helak sighed as he took the grapes back to the kitchen and asked the servant for pomegranates instead. Everyone in the kitchen understood that Master Joel was just being Master Joel. They hurried to do his bidding, because he could have them beaten or sold if they displeased him.
When Helak returned with the pomegranates, Master Joel seemed satisfied, but declared that he needed help finding the ball he was playing with yesterday. Helak knew that Joel deliberately hid the ball because it entertained him to watch the servants try to find it. But he had no choice but to play along.
Joel was the son of one of the wealthiest men in town. His dad was Matthew Levi, a tax collector. Joel’s every desire was met, and servants attended his every need. He didn’t go to Hebrew school — Hebrew school came to him. He had a private tutor who tried to persuade him to learn, but Joel wanted someone else to do that for him, too.
All the servants agreed that Joel was on the fast track to total failure if his parents didn’t make some changes soon. Joel was 12 years old and could not even dress himself — or so he claimed. About the only thing he had mastered was feeding himself and complaining about how everyone else did their work. Little did they know that even at this moment, Joel’s dad was listening to Jesus and amazing changes were about to happen.
That night at dinner, Joel and his sister Janica were delighted to be entertained by their dad’s description of a new teacher named Jesus that he had heard. Dad kept saying that he was more than just a prophet; Jesus was the Messiah sent from God.
Then he dropped the bombshell: “I have decided to follow Jesus. I will no longer be collecting taxes. There will be some changes around here. Your mother and I need to talk privately, so please go to your rooms and let us discuss some things.”
“But Dad, we haven’t had dessert!” whined Joel.
“How about if I have it sent to your room?” Dad gave the signal to the servants to do so and Joel and Janica were dismissed.
“What do you think that’s all about?” Joel asked Janica.
“I don’t know. I don’t see how a new teacher could make Dad so excited. What do you think he means that there will be changes?” Neither child realized that their lives were about to be turned upside down.
The next day all seemed as usual. Dad was gone all day and the household seemed to be running normally. But that night, Dad had a new announcement that sounded a lot more exciting.
They were going to throw a party for all their friends. It would be a grand event and everyone they knew would be invited. It was planned for Sunday night, and extra servants were hired to help with the preparations.
All week, Joel and Janica watched as the outdoor courtyard was prepared. Banqueting tables were lined along the walls. Servants were everywhere. Joel and Janica were glad that they had their private servants, otherwise no one would have had time to take care of their personal needs.
The Sabbath day was a day of rest, and mid-afternoon Dad said that he needed to talk with Joel and Janica. They both expected a lecture about being on their best behavior with their guests at the party and were not at all prepared for what their dad and mother had to say.
“I am totally convinced that Jesus is the Messiah promised by God. We have waited for him for over 1700 years. I have seen him heal the blind, make the deaf hear and the mute speak. I know he’s no ordinary man and I have decided to follow him. If what I understand about the Scripture is true, then he will overthrow Rome and make Israel a free nation again. That means it could be a dangerous time before we get the victory, but I believe that God is on our side.
“I know that this will greatly impact your lives, and that makes it the hardest decision I’ve ever made. Your mother and I agree that we need to follow Jesus wherever he goes. It will be a great adventure. It will be hard. It will be fun. It could be dangerous. But it’s something that we have decided we must do.
“Instead of being a tax collector, I will simply be following Jesus and learning as much as I can about him and about God’s plan for the overthrow of Rome.”
Joel and Janica sat in silence. They didn’t know what to say. Finally, Joel asked, “Don’t we have a say in this?”
His dad looked him right in the eyes and said, “You do not have a say in our decision to follow Jesus. And since you are not yet 13 years old, you are required by Roman law to be with us.
“I know that once you meet Jesus, you’ll be convinced that this is the right decision. There’s already a large group of men and women and their families following Jesus, so I know you’ll make great friends. It will be a different kind of life — but it will be amazingly good. Just wait and see!”
But Joel was not convinced. “Is that all?” Joel asked rudely, then marched up to his room. He refused to come down to dinner and had Helak bring him a plate to his room.
All day Sunday he stayed in his bed and pouted.
Early in the afternoon, Helak said that it was time for Master Joel to change into his party clothes. Helak helped Joel bathe and put on his fanciest clothes. Janica’s servant was getting her ready, too. Soon the guests began to arrive. They were dressed in the finest and most fashionable dress available — much of it imported from Egypt. The finest foods and wines were served, and the musicians entertained superbly.
Dad brought Jesus over to meet Joel, and while Joel knew how to be socially polite, he was not impressed with this commoner. Joel had been taught to judge a person by their clothing and jewelry, and Jesus just wore the simple cloak of a peasant. Joel made it clear that he was not interested in speaking with Jesus.
Dad introduced Jesus to the crowd and invited him to speak, but Joel used that time to make his way to the dessert table one more time. He really wasn’t interested in anything Jesus had to say.
But after Jesus spoke, Dad announced to all his friends that he had decided to follow Jesus and help him with his ministry. He would no longer be collecting taxes.
Then he announced that his estate was for sale or rent, so if there was anyone interested, please see him afterward. The crowd went crazy with questions. Matthew Levi was one of their own and they were shocked that he was taking this step.
Joel ordered Helak to take him to his room and prepare him for bed. He didn’t intend to be humiliated in front of his friends. What is Dad doing? Where will we live? What will happen to me? He had never lived anywhere but in this mansion and he couldn’t imagine anything different.
Each day after that announcement was a new nightmare for Joel. Servants were let go, slaves were released, and household goods were being sold so that the house was stripped bare.
Helak was still in charge of helping Joel pack — but Joel refused to cooperate. So, Helak prepared a traveling bag for Joel. Dad had told Joel that he should only take one bag and that he would be carrying it himself. It should include a couple of simple robes and a blanket and any small treasures that he would like to take.
Dad and Mother and even Janica seemed to be very excited about this new adventure. But Joel spent most of his time in bed, crying over the clothes and toys that Helak was packing for sale.
Once the house was sold, Helak and the other servants were let go. Dad had made sure that they were placed in good positions. Then the family walked out of their now empty mansion. Three were looking forward with joy in their hearts and one was looking backward, crying his eyes out.
Joel had never carried his own bag and had not walked more than a quarter of a mile in his life. He had always been carried on a litter by servants. His feet hurt, his arms hurt, his neck hurt, the sun was hot, he was hungry, he was thirsty, and his feet really hurt bad.
“Joel, I think your feet wouldn’t hurt so much if you would take off those ridiculous sandals. Walking barefoot is so much more comfortable and won’t cause as many blisters,” his dad suggested. But Joel insisted that only peasants went barefoot, even though both his mother and dad were now barefoot. He felt the sand would be too hot without his sandals. The truth was that his feet were so tender that the sand probably would have burned his feet, but the ornate sandals were rubbing blisters all over his heels and toes.
“How far is it and where are we going anyway?” grumbled Joel.
“We are going to the river today. It’s not much further. There will be some shade and a place to sit while we listen to Jesus teach. I don’t know where we’ll stay tonight. We’ll just follow wherever Jesus leads us.”
When they finally arrived at the river, all the shady places had been taken and Joel found himself sitting in the dirt, thirsty, exhausted, and thoroughly confused. He had no intention of listening to Jesus and all he wanted was to put his feet in the river to cool them off. After a while, he decided that that’s just what he would do.
He got up and made his way to the water’s edge. He didn’t know how to swim, so he very gingerly put first one foot and then the other into the water. It felt wonderful.
Other kids were playing in the shallow water to try to keep cool. They were splashing and laughing and having fun since they were far enough away to not disturb Jesus’ teaching. Joel tried to carefully walk along the rocks, but his sandals were slippery, and without warning he sat down with a splash! The other kids laughed and that made Joel mad. He was embarrassed and didn’t know how to deal with the other kids. He told them to go away and leave him alone. So, they did.
That night everyone was given a piece of bread and some cheese for dinner. And even though Joel complained, it really tasted good because he hadn’t been snacking all day like he did at home. But when he was told to unpack his blanket and stretch out on the ground, he lost it. He was terrified of spiders or scorpions or snakes or fleas or whatever else might be in the dirt. He was sunburned, his feet were covered in blisters, he didn’t have a bed or a pillow, and most of all, he was angry. And the person he was most angry at was Jesus. He was the cause of all this!
Jesus taught along the Sea of Galilee all that week and Joel spent most of his time sitting in the shallow water trying to keep cool and making sure he couldn’t hear what Jesus was saying. But on Friday morning, Jesus announced that they were going to Cana for the Sabbath.
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joel didn’t know how much more of this torture he could take. And he didn’t know that it would get worse before it got better.
The blisters that were beginning to heal broke open and bled so that his feet were a bloody mess. The sunburn that had begun to peel reburned the fresh new skin. And the muscles that had never walked a mile now had to walk 16.
Let’s just skip over the things that Joel had to say to his parents, his sister, and all those around him who would listen. We’ll just say, he was one unhappy little boy.
Dad and Mother walked as slowly as they could so Joel wouldn’t be left behind, but they knew that Joel would have to deal with his own anger. They couldn’t help him with that, and they couldn’t carry him. It was time for Joel to grow up.
Janica had already made lots of friends and asked permission to run ahead with them. Her parents were pleased with her attitude and prayed for the day when Joel would understand their decision to follow Jesus.
They had to admit that their feet hurt, too. They, too, had led a cushy life and walking 16 miles in a day was not their habit. Dad usually sat at his tax collecting booth and Mother had servants to do all her housework. She had mostly socialized with friends or busied herself with sewing projects.
By the time they arrived in Cana, they were late for dinner, but their host graciously made a plate for each of them and helped them to find a place to throw their blankets. When Dad saw Joel’s bleeding feet, he found a pan of water and washed them gently. He finally convinced Joel to throw away his fancy sandals and let his feet heal naturally. But nothing he could say or do could ease Joel’s anger.
On the Sabbath morning, the disciples that were following Jesus crowded into the local synagogue to hear Jesus teach, but Joel refused to get up. He pulled his blanket over his head and stayed put. By mid-morning he realized that he was very hungry, but there was no one around to prepare him breakfast.
As the people began to return from their worship time, Joel just pulled the blanket over his head tighter and tried to pretend he wasn’t there. Over and over, total strangers would ask if he was okay, or if they could bring him something. Joel just pulled the blanket tighter over his head and refused to answer.
By mid-afternoon he was so hot and thirsty, he knew he had to get up and get a drink of water. When he tried to walk, the pain was unbearable, and he sat back down.
“Hey, is there something I can get you?” asked a young man that didn’t look much older than Joel.
“Yeah, a new life!”
“My name is Yanis. Let me bring you a cup of water. Maybe that will make you feel better.” And before Joel could think of a nasty retort, Yanis was gone.
In a few minutes he returned with a cup of water and a couple of apricots. He plopped down beside Joel and took a bite of the fruit. “Man, your feet look terrible!”
“Thanks! Do you have any other helpful comments?” retorted Joel.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to offend you. I remember how bad my feet felt when I first started following Jesus. But it gets easier. What’s your name?”
“Joel and no. There’s no way this will get easier. Jesus has totally wrecked my life. My family has gone berserk. The only home I’ve ever known has been sold. My personal servant is not here, and I’m supposed to follow Jesus around and wear peasant clothes! And my feet hurt!”
Usually people took the hint and moved away from Joel, but not Yanis. Very quietly he said, “My story is very similar to yours. My dad is a priest. My four brothers and I were all studying to be priests. But I heard John the prophet preaching and I was there the day he baptized and introduced Jesus as the Messiah. I got so excited. I couldn’t wait to get home and tell my dad. He wasn’t happy. He ordered me to quit going to listen to Jesus teach, but as I searched the Scripture, I just became more and more convinced that Jesus really was the Messiah.
“On my 13th birthday, what should have been the happiest day of my life, my dad told me to choose between him or Jesus. I said that I believed that Jesus was the Messiah. I won’t bore you with the details — but I was kicked out of my house and my dad said to never come back. My mother secretly gave me a blanket and a bag of food. I didn’t know what to do. I wandered around town for a couple of days thinking that they would change their minds.
“But then I decided to go to Jerusalem. Man, my feet hurt. I had to beg for food, and sleep wherever I could. When I got to Jerusalem, I went to the olive garden and there I met this group of Jesus’ disciples. They took care of me. Jesus healed my feet and has been providing for me ever since. I miss my family, but Jesus has given me a new family and a new purpose that I never felt when I lived at home.
“Hey, Esau, what’s up? Come meet Joel.” And with that another boy who looked a little younger than Joel plopped down on the other side of him.
“Where’d you get the apricot? I’m starving!” asked Esau.
Yanis replied, “I’ve got my connections.”
When Esau agreed, Yanis added, “Just go to that door right there and ask. They just about always have something if you are hungry.”
When Esau left to check out the snack, Yanis told Joel, “We stick together here and help each other.”
Soon Esau was back with yet another friend. He was introduced as Enid, and the four boys sat and talked and got acquainted as only boys can. At dinner time, the boys brought Joel a plate and sat down to eat together. At bedtime, they brought their blankets and surrounded him with the first real friendships he had ever known.
The next morning, they helped Joel walk to where Jesus was teaching and for the first time, Joel really listened. He heard Jesus teach:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth ... where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.1
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”2
After Jesus finished teaching, crowds of people gathered around, and he began healing the sick. Joel was amazed at what he saw. This was no magic trick. These were hopelessly sick people that were being made well. He saw a man whose arm was shriveled, and Jesus made it whole again — just like brand new. Joel was shocked. I guess his face showed it because when Jesus got a break, he walked over to where the boys were sitting.
He plopped down beside them and called each one of them by name. When he looked at Joel, he said, “Welcome Joel, son of Matthew. I’m glad you have decided to follow me. Now I think we’d better take care of those feet before they get worse, don’t you?”
And before Joel could think of a reply, Jesus touched his sore feet, and they became strong. The blisters were gone, the bloody places were gone, and in their place was strong, sturdy skin that looked like he had walked barefoot all his life — instead of the sickly white tender skin that was there before.
Then Jesus talked to the four boys as if nothing significant had just happened. “We’re leaving for Jerusalem tomorrow. I want you boys to stick together and teach Joel some of the fun stuff along the way. I don’t believe he’s ever been fishing or eaten what he’s caught. Take care of each other, have fun, but take it slow. Joel’s muscles aren’t quite as strong as they will be in a few weeks.”
“Yes, sir,” they all replied.
“Is Phillip going with us?” asked Yanis.
Phillip was one of the followers of Jesus. He was married, but he often hung out with the younger guys and was a lot of fun to be with.
“I’ll see if he wants to go with you guys or whether he thinks you four can handle it alone,” said Jesus.
Joel couldn’t wait to try out his new feet — because that’s what they felt like. He could run and jump, and they didn’t hurt. He searched to find his parents to tell them the good news. They were thrilled, not only with the change in his feet, but also the change in his attitude. And they quickly gave him permission to travel with “the boys” tomorrow.
Early the next morning, each boy was given an extra bag to carry containing bread and fruit and cheese and Yanis’ bag contained a frying pan to cook the fish they hoped to catch along the way.
Philip joined them and brought his young son, Jordan. It took a week for them to reach Jerusalem, but Joel could not remember ever having so much fun. He learned about God’s creation and being a part of the family of Jesus. Each day he grew stronger physically and emotionally. What a difference Jesus brought into his life! And how grateful he was that Yanis and his friends had not avoided him for his bad attitude.
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