Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Dumbfounded (02/20/25)
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TITLE: What Could I Say? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Noel Mitaxa
02/27/25 -
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Weeks ago, our national harvest celebration was in full swing, with thousands of fellow believers from across the Empire celebrating with us at the Temple. Plenty of foreign tourists too – many doubting our belief in one invisible God, compared to the many they had to worship and affirm their strength. But still, they were there.
Some foreigners had embraced our faith, even though they could never be fully accepted without direct tribal or blood links to our forefather Abraham. They were still enjoying the party, when we heard a sudden crack like a deafening wind burst; before a crowd of over a hundred Galileans rushed through the gates into the court of the Gentiles, all jabbering away in sounds like we had never heard.
Were they drunk?
It sounded crazy, but the foreigners gaped at each other and gasped. Somehow, they heard about God’s love. Not in Hebrew. Not in Aramaic. But in their home-grown tongues – all from these illiterate Galileans!
What could we say? But then one Galilean called Peter started yelling about God fulfilling a prophecy from Joel about God pouring out His Spirit on all people. Then he focused on Jesus, a Galilean rabbi whom God had somehow made Yahweh and Messiah, and how they had killed him!
They were struck with guilt and begged him to tell them what they should do. He told them to repent and be baptized, so they may be filled with God’s Spirit.
The Galileans led them in clusters to the Upper Pool and Lower Pool, and to Siloam and Bethesda. By the end of the day, three thousand people had gone through the waters and emerged deliriously happy.
But the Sanhedrin was not happy. How could they keep this outbreak under wraps, because these enthusiasts were sure to spread all this falsehood in the synagogues when they returned home.
However, Jerusalem was still providing the Galileans with more eager recruits, who were meeting in the Temple and in each other’s houses.
In growing numbers.
It was getting so serious that they began defying the Caiaphas, the High Priest. But when they started trying to correct him, it was time to act. The first one to pay the price for his foolhardiness was called Stephen, who we stoned to death. How appropriate, we thought, since Peter, who had stirred everyone up, had a second name of Cephas, a stone! What else could we say?
From there, we began rounding up and arresting these people who called themselves The Way! How arrogant could they be?
Saul, our leader, persuaded Caiaphas to authorize our trip to Damascus, with letters for synagogue leaders to identify any local renegades, so we might arrest them and bring them back.
We had set off as Saul led us, explaining what it was all about. What didn’t he know about our Jewish laws as he opened different scrolls each day. What could we say?
After a week’s walking, bypassing crazy Galilee and the half-breeds in Samaria, we could just make out Damascus’ rooftops.
Then a dazzling light burst out of the heavens, and focused on Saul, who fell to his knees. We heard someone talking – out of the clouds – but we were struck dumb!
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” the Voice demanded.
“Who are you sir?” mumbled Saul – his legal confidence melting before our eyes. Along with his eyesight, for the light had blinded him.
“I am Jesus, who you are persecuting!” came the reply.
The Voice continued, telling Saul to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street, where Ananias, who was one of the renegades, would welcome him.
We led Saul into the city to stay at Judas’s house, waiting while he prayed for three whole days.
Finally, Ananias called and introduced himself. “Brother Saul,” he said, “God has sent me here, so you may be filled with the Holy Spirit!”
What more can I say?
The mass baptisms on Pentecost Day; the rapid growth of these “The Way” people’s numbers; time with Saul along the way; the dazzling heavenly light that blinded Saul would have been enough.
But for Ananias to meet Saul, who embodied his worst fears, and call him a brother.
What level of grace could this be?
What could I say - ever?
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Great wrap up.
Well done!
God Bless~