The second volume in Gerald Lund's The Kingdom and Crown series, Come Unto Me picks up immediately where the last book left off. Simeon, son of David the Merchant of Capernaum finds himself increasingly drawn into the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth with numerous opportunities to witness, firsthand, the many miracles and lessons wrought during the ministry of the Savior.
Helpful maps are included on the inside covers with a List of Major Characters and Glossary included for the reader's benefit. This volume contains 30 chapters covering sixteen months from June A.D. 30 to October A.D. 31.
Chapter 1- June A.D. 30, Simeon talks with Peter and they rehash, for the reader's benefit, all the events that occurred in the last book that lead up to the present plot complication. After Simeon's remarkable visit with Mary mother of Jesus, he has decided to become a follower of Jesus. His attempt to warn his friends and fellow Zealots at the Joknean Pass failed. Daniel (brother of his now ex-fiancée) was killed and his best buddies: Yehuda, Samuel and Barak (Sir Not Appearing in this Story) were all taken captive by the Romans and nobody knows how they are faring. Simeon has been plagued with nightmares since the incident and is sick at heart over what action he should take. Should he storm the fortress and rescue his friends or sit and wait passively for the hand of God to deliver them all? Meanwhile, Miriam of Jerusalem wants very much to be baptized but fears her father's wrath as Mordechai is vice president on the Sanhedrin Council and not a big fan of this Jesus of Nazareth. Simeon observes Jesus teaching a man who desires to follow him but he'd like to go bury his father first. Simeon is struck by another epiphany: in order to be a true follower of Jesus, one must be willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING including old habits and lifestyles.
Chapter 2- Miriam and Livia (her faithful Greek handmaid) are still visiting Ezra the Sandlemaker and his wife, Lilly, (Miriam's cousin) in Joppa by the Sea located just northwest of Jerusalem. All desire to see Jesus, learn more and become his followers. Miriam is also anxious for news of Simeon's friends whom she helped warn about the double cross planned by her father. Miriam hopes her "sort of" boyfriend, Marcus Quadratas Didius, a handsome Roman soldier who serves directly under Pontius Pilate, will help her. In Capernaum, Simeon finds Sextus Rubrius, the old Roman centurion who was present at the attack along with Marcus, and asks his advice on how to rescue his friends. Sextus feels indebted to Simeon, who saved his life during the attack by killing one of Moshe Ya'abin's men. Sextus passes on the word that his friends are alive but Pilate is not pleased his plan to wipe out Simeon and his Zealots was thwarted by a mysterious informer and he suspects Simeon knows who it is and plans to torture the information out of the Zealot leader if he ever gets his hands on him. It would not be wise for Simeon to attempt a rescue of his friends at this time.
Chapter 3- Several miles northeast of Capernaum lies Damascus where Simeon has gone to procure Roman disguises from an underground dealer so he can infiltrate the Caesarea prison fortress and rescue his friends. Marcus meets with Pilate and Mordechai in Caesarea and they talk about who in their inner circle might've betrayed them by warning the Zealots about the trap. As they sit and eat, the situation is discussed. Mordechai swears he has no idea who might've found out about their double-cross and warned the Zealots. Pilate is aware daughter Miriam served as scribe during the meeting between Simeon, Yehuda and Mordechai but Mordechai knows he never said anything that might betray their plan to his daughter. Unless Miriam just happened to be eavesdropping on the conversation that night in the garden when he secretly met with Marcus, there's no way Miriam could've found out. Since Ya'abin also lost men in the debacle, Pilate suggests Mordechai take his daughter and lay low in Rome for a year, just in case their enemies try and get revenge.
Chapter 4- Moshe Ya'abin is currently hiding out in the wilderness south of Jerusalem, raiding and plundering from the Bedouin tribes and small caravans; easy targets. Back in Beth Neela, Simeon calls on a Zealot member who is understandably wary about engaging the Romans in a rescue attempt but will tell Shana her only living family member, Yehuda, is alive. Simeon returns to his family home and surprises his older brother Ephraim at the warehouse where he reveals the disguises and his plan. Ephraim is also wary of this shaky plan but Jesus will be in town tomorrow preaching and Simeon should come. Perhaps hearing the words of Jesus will help him know if this is the right plan.
Chapter 5- Miriam and Livia are back in Jerusalem. Miriam is very relieved to learn her father has no idea what she's been doing for the last few days, only that she just returned from a pleasant trip. Ezra escorted them home and he agrees with Mordechai's plan to leave the city and stay in Rome. He suggests Miriam and Livia travel back to Joppa and stay with him until Morcechai arrives to embark on their long sea voyage. Back in Capernaum, Simeon and his entire family meet up with Peter and the other apostles and chat. Jesus is nearby so when a Jewish tax collector approaches Peter demanding their payment, Jesus instructs him to catch a fish so they might pay their tax. Simeon tags along and observes the miracle of Peter discovering a coin inside the fish's mouth.
Chapter 6- Peter shares the sad news with David's family that John the Baptist is dead. He invites Simeon to come with him and the other apostles on the boat they are taking across the lake to meet Jesus, who went off by himself to pray and mourn his cousin. The next day, Simeon, Peter and the others are still waiting on the other side of the lake at Bethsaida. They decide to leave without him as the water is getting choppy. As it grows dark, the wind and waves get higher but Peter and his brethren are experienced watermen and aren't worried until they see a strange figure out on the water. Simeon can't believe it. Jesus is walking on the water! Peter calls and Jesus invites him to step out and experience the phenomenon. Simeon has another epiphany. Plan B is no good. He must wait and trust in God to show him another way to solve his problem.
Chapter 7- Plan C, Simeon will buy his friends' freedom. His family (already quite well off by New Testament standards) will scrape together the rest of the sum needed to bribe Marcus and the Romans into freeing Yehuda and the others. Simeon points out to his family that Jesus isn't afraid to look evil in the eye and call it what it really is. In a way, this is what he is doing. Later that evening there's a knock on the gate of the family home. Miriam, Livia, and Ezra have come to visit.
Chapter 8- The next morning, everyone is going to hear Jesus. They meet Anna, Peter's wife (named by the author) and the two Marys: Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene is described as a richly dressed, educated, intelligent, independent woman with brown hair and green eyes that fill with emotion as she relates her story of how she came to know Jesus. With no mention of husband, home, children, or any family connections of her own, if she was widowed, or what she does for a living, Mary was plagued by deep depression, feeling as if she were constantly surrounded by darkness until a friend, Joanna, wife of Chuza, persuaded her to come hear Jesus who healed them both. Now she is a dedicated disciple and will play an important part in Jesus' ministry showing up in many significant places during the crucifixion and the resurrection. (No mention is ever made in any of the volumes in this series as to whether Jesus had a wife or family of his own to provide for. Someone ought to get these two single adults together!) Everyone hears Jesus give the parable of the seeds as he preaches from a boat out on the lake to the large crowd. Later, Deborah announces she invited Jesus to the family home for dinner and he accepted. The party includes many VIPs of the New Testament, a literal gathering of biblical celebrities with Jesus, all the disciples plus their families, Luke the Physician, Mary mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Zebedee, Naomi and Bartholomew; forty-four guests in all. After eating, everyone adjourns to the courtyard where Jesus is asked to explain the complicated parable he gave earlier that day. Miriam marvels as she suddenly understands. Simeon is only mentioned in passing and doesn't do much in this chapter.
Chapter 9- The party is over and everyone has adjourned, except the four young single adults: Simeon, Leah, Miriam and Livia who sit in the courtyard and talk. Simeon has surprised everyone by announcing he is also going to be baptized tomorrow with Miriam, Livia, Ezra and Lilly. Miriam gently rebukes Simeon for giving her a hard time about keeping slaves when the obvious presence of his own family's wealth (keeping servants who helped during the dinner party) makes him a hypocrite. Simeon acknowledges the truth of her statement and admits he may have misjudged her at their first meeting. The next day, Jesus has another nice moment with Esther and Boaz who take the liberty of introducing Miriam, Livia, Ezra and Lilly to their friend, Jesus. Jesus takes the hand of the childless Lilly and pronounces a blessing of posterity on her. Turning to Miriam and Livia, he greets them by name and knows their circumstances telling them they made the right decision and will be blessed. He reminds Simeon of the great sacrifice required to follow him and Simeon agrees; it's not easy. The brown eyes of Jesus widen a bit as he playfully tells them his burden is easy and light but only after baptism.
Chapter 10- Simeon travels to Caesarea the next day to deliver a letter to Tribune Marcus Quadratus Didius informing him of the bargain he intents to strike with the money he's currently raising in exchange for the release of his friends. He would like to meet with Marcus soon to negotiate. Back in Capernaum, Miriam and Leah take a morning walk together and Leah takes this opportunity to get to know Miriam better as her older brother is now the most eligible bachelor in town and Miriam is practically an old maid at nineteen. Leah admits she has no current boyfriend either and the wheels start turning. Marcus informs Pilate of his arranged meeting with Simeon. Pilate tells Marcus there will be no bargain, he is ordered to arrest this Zealot leader and bring him in for questioning, ASAP.
Chapter 11- The exchange will happen tonight. Marcus makes a feeble attempt to warn Simeon of the trap by trying to get the name Pilate wants out of him but Simeon will never betray his source. That night, precisely at midnight, Marcus and a small army of soldiers escort Yehuda and the others to the meeting place where, instead of taking the gold and releasing the prisoners, they take the gold and arrest Simeon instead, marching him back to the prison along with his friends. Once in their respective cells, Simeon and Yehuda catch up on each others lives. First the sad news: brother Daniel is dead and Simeon's engagement to sister Shana is off while Simeon continues to beat himself up over the mess he made of everything. Yehuda questions Simeon's conversion, can't believe his best friend got baptized and became a follower of Jesus. He asks him if it was worth it? Simeon isn't so sure anymore.
Chapter 12- David and company are taking a lunch break after hearing Jesus preach that morning. Miriam and Livia are still hanging out with the family. All discuss the miracle they witnessed today where Jesus healed the son afflicted with epilepsy whose father admonished Jesus to help his unbelief. Later, the discouraged disciples ask the Master why he was able to heal the afflicted child while they could not. David and his family are about to enter their family dwelling, still discussing the deeper meanings of today's miracle, when Sextus Rubrius stops them on the street to inform them of Simeon. David immediately wants to go after his son but Sextus reminds him he is also on Pilate's most wanted list. Miriam is horrified, knowing she is the one everyone is after and, after Sextus leaves, declares she will leave immediately for Caesarea and talk to her father, persuade him to intervene on Simeon's behalf. The family gives their blessing.
Chapter 13- Way past bedtime, Leah passes the master bedroom of the family home to find David and Deborah on their knees, in silent supplication. She informs them Uncle Aaron is here but he hasn't come to condescend, his nephew is still family and he wants to help. On the road, Livia suggests to Ezra, Lilly and Miriam that they start a special fast, right here and now, on behalf of Simeon, as inspired by the words of Jesus that some miracles only come by prayer and much fasting. Marcus visits Simeon in prison, if Simeon would only give them the name they want, everyone goes free but Simeon is a man of honor. Marcus next meets with Miriam who just arrived while Ezra and Lilly have returned to Joppa.. Marcus tells Miriam there's nothing he can do for her in freeing Simeon; Pilate won't budge.
Chapter 14- July A.D. 30 Mordechai has also just arrived in Caesarea at the palace of Pilate. Everyone (except Livia of course) has been invited to dine at Pilate's sumptuous dinner table, including Marcus. Miriam stirs things up by bolding asking Pilate to let Simeon and his friends go. Why her sudden interest? Because Simeon saved their lives. Pilate is unmoving, he's going to torture that name out of Simeon. Later, in her guest room, Miriam relates the entire scene to Livia and they plot furiously until Miriam gets an idea. She goes to her father's room and confesses her part in the betrayal. Since Mordechai isn't about to turn in his only daughter as a traitor to Rome, he decides they will both go to Pilate, right now, and present a new plan for the fate of the Zealot prisoners. They find Marcus and bring him along too. The plan is agreeable. Marcus then goes to see Simeon who also agrees to the terms of the plan. Simeon and his men will be released and given one year to track down and bring in public enemy number one, Moshe Ya'abin, along with all the gold he stole during the raid. In return, Rome will let them live. (Sounds like a rather one-sided deal)
Chapter 15- March A.D. 31 In return for giving herself up, Miriam has been living these last eight months in the Eternal City. Her father is here but Miriam resides in her own "condo" (such as they were in ancient Rome) with servants who come in every day to cook and make up her room for her. Marcus comes calling every chance he gets to take her out on dates all over the city which Miriam has truly grown to love. Livia is here too, and has her own one-bedroom apartment right down the street where she lives alone and celibate, "separate but equal" allowed to visit her mistress every day as her special companion. One day, Miriam is out walking alone when Marcus surprises her. His ship just docked and he's here in the city on business for Pilate. He has news from Judea, Simeon and his band of merry men are making progress on bringing down Moshe Ya'abin. Marcus is also getting closer to finding Livia's long lost brother. He leaves and Livia finds Miriam with more news, a letter from Deborah who writes that Ezra and Lilly have been evicted from Joppa by Mordechai. Apparently he found out about their involvement in aiding Miriam and shut down their business. Luckily, David pulled some strings and made arrangements for Ezra and Lilly (who is expecting their first child) to relocate to Capernaum where Ezra's business is already thriving. Jesus has also been doing lots of preaching and attracting many new followers. Miriam is suddenly homesick, Rome is not such an Emerald City after all; as Miriam wails to Livia, she wants to go home!
Chapter 16- Out in the wilderness, Simeon and Yehuda have been very successful in their scare tactics and practical jokes to put Ya'abin out of business. They've also gotten friendly with the local nomadic tribes. As a result, Ya'abin's men are deserting him in droves. Back in Rome, Miriam is going out tonight with Marcus but, as she confesses to Livia, she's not sure she wants to. Marcus is a fine man and if they were to marry it would be a smart match but they don't always agree on everything and Miriam knows it's important to date only worthy priesthood holders who served missions and will take her to the temple...
Chapter 17- Moshe Ya'abin is getting a little freaked out by the mysterious "hauntings" in his camp, scaring away all of his best fighting men, who think their leader is cursed. Back in Rome, Miriam and Livia enjoy a girl's day of pampering in Livia's apartment. They just finished washing each other's hair and are gossiping about Miriam's love life (Livia admits she's crushing on Yehuda even though they've never talked or had any "dates"). A knock at the door reveals Marcus who is pleased to present Livia's long lost brother, Drusus, a fine young man of seventeen. They make a graceful exit so brother and sister can reunite and catch up. In a new scene, Marcus meets with Mordechai at his residence to talk to him about the possibility of asking for Miriam's hand in marriage. Mordechai loves the idea. He must return to Jerusalem to check on things but when he returns, wedding plans will be made and he's confident Miriam will agree to becoming a permanent resident as the wife of one of the city's most prominent families.
Chapter 18- Simeon and Yehuda are about to pull off their greatest plan: (as inspired by Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon?) slip poisoned wine to Ya'abin's men and attack the camp while everyone is passed out drunk. Ya'abin will be furious when he returns and finds the mess. It works and Ya'abin is, indeed, furious by the message Simeon left for the notorious leader: he did not die in the Roman prison but is out and alive. Now that he knows he's not being haunted by a ghost, Ya'abin swears his enemies won't get away with this.
Chapter 19- April A.D. 31 It is Passover and David's entire family is staying with his relatives in Bethlehem. Simeon and Yehuda are also taking a break from their camping expedition and wanderings in the wilderness in pursuit of Moshe Ya'abin to celebrate the holy festival. The final trap is ready to go: a traveling caravan with a special cart, loaded with riches to tempt Ya'abin, will result in their final destruction as Marcus and his men will be waiting to seize and capture the desert bandits. Yehuda tells Simeon his little sister Shana has already found another boyfriend, their fellow Zealot, Samuel, and they are engaged to be married. Simeon gives his blessing. Back at Jerusalem, everyone gathers at the temple to hear Jesus preach.
Chapter 20- Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees. Makes his official announcement to all the Jewish people that he is their promised Messiah come to call everyone to repentance and follow God. Yehuda, incredulous, listens and like many others, isn't sure what to think. Later that day, everyone has been invited to the home of Martha, her little sister Mary and brother Lazarus for dinner. The crowd is even bigger than the one hosted by David and Deborah. A rich man is at this party and asks Jesus some questions. Jesus responds by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. Inside the house, Leah observes a very stressed-out Martha growing more and more annoyed and impatient that sister Mary won't jump up and help when Martha asks her to; despite the fact there are many servants and friends, including Leah, doing all they can to help. Is Mary insubordinate and lazy? No, as Jesus gently rebukes Martha and praises Mary for choosing the better part.
Chapter 21- As the family of David walks back to Bethlehem, sweet and gentle Leah declares she disagrees with what Jesus said to Martha. The family is shocked. Deborah shares her wisdom: Jesus wants us to always be focused on the better part, meaning we should love God so much that nothing else matters. The next day, Simeon insists to his sister-in-law, Rachel, that he will babysit Esther and Boaz all day today. He buys candied dates on a stick for his favorite niece and nephew and takes them to hear Jesus who gives the parable of the Prodigal Son as part of three stories about welcoming sinners back into the fold of God.
Chapter 22- Passover is celebrated by all. The narrative jumps back and forth from David and his family celebrating, eating and discussing scriptures in Bethlehem to the house of Mordechai in far away Rome where Livia and Drusus are being initiated into the Jewish tradition: giving thanks for being God's favored people who yearn for freedom. Early the next morning, Simeon says a quick farewell to his parents before he meets with Yehuda, Marcus and Sextus to go over the plan once more.
Chapter 23- Marcus writes a letter to Mordechai letting him know it will soon be safe for him to return to Jerusalem but this Jesus is stirring up a lot of suspicious activity with his popularity and is he aware his own daughter has become one of his followers? Out in the wilderness, Simeon shows himself to Moshe Ya'abin and tells him his days are numbered. Back in Rome, Mordechai drops the bomb on his daughter. She will not be returning to Judea, ever, and she will marry Marcus next year and give up this new Christian religion. Miriam seethes and begins plotting.
Chapter 24- May A.D. 31 Somebody's poisoned the water hole! Moshe Ya'abin is furious to discover his only source of water has been sabotaged. (Curse that Simeon, I'll get him if it's the last thing I do!) To the dismay of Miriam and Livia, Mordechai left for Jerusalem without even saying goodbye and has fixed things so they are basically under house arrest in Rome until his return: armed escort every time they go out in public, all of Miriam's assets frozen and all communication with their Christian friends back home has been severed. Out in the wilderness, Simeon and his men use flaming arrows to start a brush fire to drive Ya'abin and his men into a blind canyon, effectively scattering his wealth of horses and livestock. He is very weakened and the time is ripe.
Chapter 25- June A.D. 31 Jerusalem Mordechai meets with Marcus and the news isn't very positive. Insolent, headstrong girl won't marry you. Both suspect she's really in love with Simeon and it's that Jesus of Nazareth who's to blame. Marcus must use his Roman influence by arresting Simeon, then he can go after Jesus and his followers. Marcus will consider the idea. On the day of the planned attack on Moshe Ya'abin. Marcus meets with Sextus to persuade him to betray Simeon at the blind canyon. The plan is for Simeon and his band to lure Moshe Ya'abin who will chase them into the blind canyon, then, as Marcus leads his Roman army into the canyon after both parties, Sextus and his men will lower ropes and rescue Simeon, Yehuda and the other Zealots from the holocaust. Sextus is a man of honor, the temptation to allow Marcus the capture of both groups of troublemakers, thieves and robbers would be a great thing for Rome, but he owes Simeon a debt. Even as they speak, the attack below is under way and Simeon is crying and pleading for Sextus to lower the ropes, as they agreed. He must do it now or he and all his men will be destroyed! Sextus throws the ropes. Down in the canyon, a triumphant Moshe Ya'abin, believing he is about to have his revenge on his biggest enemy, happens to glance over his shoulder to see a legion of Roman soldiers. It's all over for Moshe Ya'abin.
Chapter 26- Not a single man lost in the skirmish today and both Roman and Zealot are very pleased. The spoils have been added to Roman coffers, money, horses and eighty-one of Ya'abin's men, along with the notorious leader himself will spend the rest of their days behind bars. Simeon and Marcus take their leave of each other with Marcus sneering that he's going to marry Miriam. Simeon just laughs, knowing she'll never agree. Mordechai pouts to Marcus because Simeon and Jesus are still free men. Marcus reminds this Jew he is NOT a servant to be ordered about. On the contrary, Jews are subject to Roman authority and Mordechai should check his attitude. Meanwhile, the family of David, including Simeon, have returned to Capernaum where all realize it's been many months since anyone has heard from Miriam and Livia in Rome yet Mordechai is in Jerusalem bragging his daughter is engaged to Marcus. Something is very wrong and Simeon is growing more and more troubled about the girl he thought he knew.
Chapter 27- July A.D. 31 Miriam's brave attempt to send a letter via Marcus' mother who lives on a fine estate just outside the city limits, is confiscated. Mordechai covered all his bases, no one in Rome is to help them in any kind of escape or rescue attempt. Miriam is warned by her guards that Livia and Drusus will be taken away and sold as slaves if she tries this again.
Chapter 28- September A.D. 31 Miriam, Livia and Drusus continue their quiet life under house arrest. Livia and her brother have moved into Miriam's place. Each day, under the watchful eye of their guards, they take walks, spend their days reading and studying with occasional shopping for household items with the money allotted them. They have no visitors and except the family of Marcus, are forbidden to socialize with anyone. One night, after the others have retired to bed, Miriam is sitting up in the front room, reading, when she hears a noise on her balcony. Simeon has snuck into the residence and is standing at her bedroom door. He's come to rescue her, but first he needs to know where her loyalties lie. Is she still a follower of Jesus or does her engagement to Marcus mean she's become a snob, too good to associate or even send a letter to her old friends of the common class? Miriam is very offended and orders Simeon to get out but immediately regrets her words. The next morning, Livia is shopping in the marketplace when Simeon finds her and Livia is quick to invent a scenario for the suspicious guard as to why she would talk to a stranger. She reveals everything Miriam failed to mention last night during their discussion and the misunderstanding is cleared up. Livia also tells Simeon it was Miriam's idea to free them and send them out to bring in Moshe Ya'abin. Livia is a good mediator. Now that he realizes Mordechai is to blame for their circumstances, Simeon promises to help them. Good thing he brought Ezra with him on this trip.
Chapter 29- A few days later, the captives are walking through the crowded city streets when an oddly dressed, dirty and elderly candlemaker begins pestering them to buy his wares. It's Simeon in disguise! Ezra is nearby to create a distraction from their guards while Simeon leads them to safety. Miriam and Simeon have a nice moment: "I'm sorry!" and "You came for me!" are exchanged. Before they can kiss and elope, Simeon reminds them all that Ezra is waiting for them outside the city gates with everything they need to travel south, where no one will think to look for them as the nearest and most convenient seaports are west of Rome. No one challenges them and they are safe.
Chapter 30- October A.D. 31 A small carriage for two is procured so the women can travel in relative comfort. All take turns walking and riding at a hard pace for several days until they are certain no one is following them. The group stops for a night of well deserved rest at an inn where they enjoy a good meal and comfortable beds but that night, Simeon and Miriam both discover neither can sleep. All they can think about is each other. Both realize they are in love! Robin Hood is ready to give up his life of adventure and excitement, settle down, marry and raise a family. Miriam forgives Simeon for not believing she was still a follower of Jesus. Simeon pours his heart out, extoling all of Miriam's virtues and especially her bravery in going against her father, who has disowned her leaving her alone and unprotected in the world while he's just a stubborn, rebel without a cause, common Jewish man of humble means. Would you...could you? Oh, shut up,
The End
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