(See the back story here.)

 

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I walked away, disoriented and staggering under the weight of what had just happened.

 

 

What? How could I be expected to do this? Why would I be expected to do it? How could this Jesus be serious?

 

The day started off with such promise. I began the morning meeting with my bookkeeper. Together we went over the accounts, and things looked very good. The harvest this year had been exceptional, and with my extensive land holdings my financial position is very, very strong.

 

Leaving that meeting, I stopped to speak with some friends in the marketplace. We all agreed that the harvest had been a good one, and our conversation was animated and lighthearted, full of laughter. I did note, silently, that one or two of my friends had been a little too happy. Money can do strange things to people, and I silently thanked God that my wealth had not gone to my head.

 

For my entire life I have kept the Law meticulously, and I still read Torah regularly. And despite my ever-expanding business interests I have refused to cut corners on my observance of the Sabbath. How could I? I work hard, I keep the Law, and clearly God has rewarded me for my faithfulness.

 

Or so I thought.

 

And why shouldn't I have thought this way? It is not as if I am greedy. I am generous, and I always give when I am asked. Despite my growing success and wealth, I have tried my best to be humble. I have noticed with discomfort that as my fortune grew, people started to make more of a fuss over me at Temple. Still, I refuse to take the places of prominence they offer me when I attend.

 

And then I heard about this Jesus character. Clearly this man has been sent from God, a prophet you might say. Some even suggest that he could be the messiah we have waited so long for. I first heard him speak a few weeks ago, teaching the people, and he was intriguing. He seems to have no formal education, yet he knows the Scriptures better than any Pharisee. He speaks with such authority. His teaching is hard though, and many have dismissed him out of hand, or have abandoned him after a short while.

 

I was not deterred. I knew this man brought great wisdom and I wanted more. Despite all my success, all my wealth, I am not content. There has to be more to life than this. I have felt this for some time, but when I heard Jesus speak, that yearning welled up in my soul and I just could not take it any longer.

 

Imagine then how thrilled I was when I saw Jesus in the street this morning. It seemed like we were meant to speak together, because there were none of the usual crowds around him, just a few close friends. Here was my chance, and I could hardy contain myself as I approached this simple, extraordinary man.

 

And then...

 

That encounter had only been a few, short minutes ago, and now I don't think life will ever be the same.

 

Everything is in ruins.

 

Sell everything? All I have is a gift from God, isn't it?

 

Isn't it?