Grow in Grace: The Apostle John Series

Chapter 1

John’s family home

Five weeks later

Discomfited, John shook his head, his purpose again foiled by the seemingly continuous questions, especially from the young men. He had hoped to have progressed much further in documenting his memories of the Messiah. He had also hoped that his fingers would have healed by now, but Naomi declared he must be patient for a few more weeks. In the last week, she had started carefully massaging his fingers and hand with her healing oils and supervised him doing exercises to start to loosen and strengthen the muscles before re-bandaging each of his fingers, his hand and part of his arm.

As they had done in the last few weeks, the four brethren from Cyprus sat side by side on two of the dining couches in the upper room. As was their habit, the two young men had each been placed next to the two older ones.

They were all waiting for a reply to Lukas' question. Zander, father of Philos and, on this trip, guardian to Lukas, was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He glanced at Andreas to see if he had noticed the Apostle John's mood. Giannis, at the scribe's desk waited, his head down, looking at what he had just written.

John’s lips curved slightly in a smile. God still had lessons for him in patience, and one was sitting before him. Closing his eyes, he drew a calming breath before responding to Lukas' question.

God would not rear His Son where He would not receive all the education He needed for the purpose He would have to fulfil, first in his human life, and now as our Intercessor.

Lukas leant forward to look at Philos, and they exchanged puzzled looks, but said nothing as John was still speaking.

Before he started His ministry, Jesus was a carpenter-builder, a contractor. In the course of His youth he learnt to deal with all manner of people. He had to assess a piece of work; quote prices fairly, deal with complaints... and with angry men who wanted their work done first, as well as the timid widow who hoped she would be able to afford the work on what money her sons were able to provide for her.

I understand all these concerns, sighed Andreas thinking of his business back in Cyprus, and wondering how his sons were coping. He had received one cheerful note from them after he and the others had sent word home of their safe arrival, and where they were staying.

But surely Nazareth was a quiet place, interjected Lukas, missing the warning glare from Zander.

Rising from his seat, John walked over to Giannis, who was sitting, ready to write, at the scribe’s desk. Holding out his un-bandaged hand, John asked, May I have some parchment, please?

Forehead creased in concern, Giannis reached for a blank sheet and passed it to him. He watched, wondering, as John took it to a section of the large arched dining table that had been pushed to the side of the room.

Clearing a space amongst the pile of already completed work, John asked, Giannis, would you bring me some ink and a reed pen, please? As he waited, John leant on the page and smoothed the parchment.

Puzzled, Giannis did as he was asked, but as he approached, he whispered, Your hand Saba. If you try to use it, you might damage the bones that are not properly set.

Acknowledging the younger man's concern with a brief smile, John continued with his purpose. He positioned the ink near the paper, took off the stopper, and with his jaw set determinedly, he picked up the pen in his left hand and dipped it in the ink. Whilst securing the parchment in place with his bandaged right arm, he marked a large cross near the top of the parchment. Adjusting his right arm slightly to better anchor the sheet of parchment, with his left hand, he again awkwardly dipped the pen in the ink and marked another cross, smaller this time, farther down the page. He tutted to himself as the sheet started to crinkle and he lost his grip on the pen.

Behind him, the other men exchanged anxious glances.

What is he doing? He is not supposed to use his hand.

We must truly have upset him...

We are slowing him down with all these questions. What if he tells us not to come back and he will continue recounting his memories to Giannis alone? One by one, the men turned to stare at Lukas.

I tried to warn you... Zander whispered. You interrupt too much.

A flush crept across Lukas’ cheeks and he swallowed. I am sorry. It just does not make sense to me.

Remember what I told you before. If you do not understand, wait. Perhaps what you do not understand will be explained later, when Saba continues, Zander whispered urgently, glancing over toward Giannis and John.

Lukas opened his mouth to respond defensively, and then realising it was not a wise thing to do, he managed to control himself. He had been about to remind Zander that originally he had been the one to interrupt John that first time they had come here. He lowered his head and stared at the floor. Zander was his guardian on this journey from Cyprus and he had only been allowed to come because he and Zander’s son, Philos, were friends, and similar in age.

Seated beside Lukas, Andreas touched his arm lightly, Sometimes we all interrupt too much, he assured the young man.

John, aware of the subdued conversation behind him, closed his eyes and smiled thankfully. The men might curb their questions and he could proceed more quickly. He offered a brief prayer asking that they would stop asking for so much extra information. The answer came quickly... to be patient with them and explain. Nodding his head imperceptibly, he was amused. What was it he had thought earlier? That God still had some lessons in patience for him. Fumbling with the pen, he tried to reposition it in his left hand so he could use it a little more easily.

Are you alright Saba?" whispered Giannis, concerned because John had neither spoken nor continued what he was attempting to do, since the parchment had started to crinkle.

It is awkward for me to use my left hand, my right arm is aching from leaning on this page, and I need to make this sketch. Would you hold the sheet at the top to keep it steady for me?

Repositioning himself so he could take hold of the top corners of the parchment, Giannis watched, remaining puzzled about what John was drawing.

Dipping the pen into the ink again, John pressed it on the parchment and drew a line from the top left-hand side of the page down in the direction of the smaller cross and past it. Drawing lines on the sheet, he became aware that the whispered conversation behind him had ceased. Almost finished, he shifted his position and drew another line. As he changed the direction of the line, he pressed too hard and the pen splintered, dropping the remaining ink in a blot on the page.

Giannis released one corner of the parchment, and reached over with the piece of soft, slightly damp cloth to blot it before it spread. I always keep a piece of this cloth when I am working, he explained.

Nodding his thanks, John went on to say, This should serve the purpose. Straightening up, he called the others over.

Stomach churning, Lukas followed the others, and was grateful when Zander turned back and put his hand on his shoulder giving it a comforting squeeze.

John waited until they joined him before pointing to the sheet on the table, and saying decisively, Nazareth was no ‘backwater' town.  Two main trading routes between Damascus, Babylon, and Egypt run close by. This is a very rough drawing of the area showing the main trade routes. The large cross is Jerusalem, the smaller one, Nazareth. Then, indicating the lines he had made on the page he explained what they were and where they led.

Clearing his throat, Lukas spoke tentatively. I am sorry for my thoughtless comment. I do not remember anyone ever explaining what the land was like.

John acknowledged the statement with a nod, then said, Let us sit down again and I will continue with what I wanted to record.

While the men hurried back to their places, Giannis followed with John, and asked, Do you want me to include this page in your writings?

No, it is not necessary. It has served its purpose, he glanced at Lukas.

Then do you mind if I take it back to Cyprus together with the copy I am making. I am sure there are many at home, like Lukas, who have no idea what the land of our Saviour... your land, was like.

John nodded, settled himself on his couch and waited for Giannis to seat himself and prepare to write again. "Now, no more discussions for the present, please. I want to add some things, to explain about Jesus’ preparation for His ministry.

Zander, Andreas and the younger men settled gratefully in their places. Lukas started to express his relief, but Andreas, detecting he was about to speak, silenced him with a stern look.

When they were all settled, John sat alert on the edge of his couch. Supporting his injured arm which still ached from leaning on it, he continued. As I said before, Jesus, like his step-father before Him, was a carpenter-builder. When Joseph died, Jesus was put into a position where He would learn things that He could never have learnt had He been reared in a rich Pharisee’s house in Jerusalem. As an aside, he added, Oh, how many times I heard complaints from the poor people we ministered to saying that those with money, people who had been reared in homes where they always had enough to eat, had little comprehension of what it was like to do without. How effective do you think our Saviour would have been if he had been raised as a Pharisee or a Sadducee rather than in the home of a simple, honest tradesman?

No one spoke; they were thinking about what he had said. Andreas remembered what he had thought earlier when John listed all the things Jesus had to do in his daily work before He started His ministry. John was correct. Had Jesus been a Pharisee, it would have been much more difficult to follow His teaching, to accept that he knew their lives and challenges.

Andreas and Zander looked at each other. Coming from John, this explanation would be very encouraging to the brethren back home in Cyprus.

Jesus learned by experience how it was to be a father... John paused and frowned, puzzled by the reaction of the men before him.

Their anxious glances at each other showed their nervousness as they wondered...surely he was not going to say that Jesus had married and fathered a child as some false teachers had said. Was it possible that it was true? If so, what would that mean to their faith?

Raising his hand John continued... I do not know what you are thinking. What I meant was that Jesus was a father to His younger brothers and sisters, and he had to care for His widowed mother. He learnt what it was like to be responsible for the family and conduct a business. He had to arrange marriages for His sisters, acting as their father in the negotiations.

The sighs of pent-up breath being released were noticeable, then John's eyes twinkled with amusement as he looked at the men. Now, he guessed what they had been anxious about. He would not discuss that issue, and went on hurriedly, in case someone mentioned it. He did not have the time to digress.

As I referred to earlier, not only did Jesus have to make contracts to obtain business, He had to live up to those contracts and make sure they satisfied the customers. Sometimes that would have been difficult. John looked across at Andreas and raised an eyebrow, knowing the man would have had experience of this in the marketplace.

Andreas nodded his understanding of what John had described.

Continuing, John said, And more than that, Jesus had to train His younger brothers so that they kept up the standard of work, checking up on them, making sure they kept the good name of their father, Joseph. He extended his arm, Some of you will know what it feels like to have an older brother watching you, and making sure you are doing a task correctly.

Philos nodded, smiling as did Andreas, the youngest of four brothers.

But just the same... Lukas started, already forgetting his earlier resolve.

Do not interrupt, Lukas, said Zander firmly.

As we progress, you will see that the way in which our Saviour dealt with people was both skilful and considerate. You have already heard how he dealt with Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee, and the Samaritan woman who was someone with whom no Jewish man would talk. Not wanting to open that subject up to discussion again, he added, As you will remember, I explained about that when we were recording that section. He treated each of them with respect, as He treated all people, John replied, and then closed the discussion, knowing that young Lukas could quite easily raise the subject of the Pharisees, and take this recounting off in a different direction. He would discuss Jesus' dealings with the religious authorities at another time. Looking over at Giannis he asked, Where are we up to?

Finding the place in the manuscript, Giannis read back what John had already dictated and John smiled; Giannis continued to prove to be an excellent scribe.

Now, can we do a bit more before we stop for the day? he prompted. The younger men fidgeted, and looked at each other, wondering how someone as old as John could sit and concentrate for so long.

John, with his knack for reading behaviour, looked over at them, a smile twitching his lips, knowing how hard it was to be still and pay attention when young. But he had to catch up with his work. Turning back, he asked, Are you ready Giannis?

Yes Saba, Giannis replied, dipping his pen in the ink.

You remember I said that Jesus gave signs of His Messiahship, which some call miracles?

They all nodded.

I want to start recording them. This will go before the pages you have already written, so use a new sheet and I will sort them out later.

Previously John had allowed himself to be distracted by their questions, but when Giannis was told that they would be added anyway, he had painstakingly recorded all the answers to the questions. However, John now wanted to proceed logically through his memories without so many interruptions.

Giannis put aside the recent page, and reached for a fresh sheet. At John's nod, he dipped his pen in the ink, ready to write.

The first of these signs was the wedding at Cana of Galilee, John paused and nodded to Giannis who had looked up in an unspoken question, Yes, Giannis, write Cana of Galilee. There was another Cana, John added.

Giannis wrote the words, and waited.

John's eyes took on a dreamy, faraway look as though he was back at the wedding, part of the bustle and excitement. He started speaking and Giannis had difficulty keeping up. The others were captivated by his vivid description. The wedding week was coming to a close, people had been coming to celebrate with the family every day, and now it was time for the bride and groom to preside at the feast on the last night. The evening stars were beginning to peep through the darkening sky, and a joyous shout went up when the couple appeared and were led to the seats which had been especially prepared for them. Women had been cooking all through the wedding week, but nothing surpassed the dishes served that night, together with the roasted lamb that the men had been cooking all day on the spit.

Giannis wrote as quickly as he could, trying to keep up. This was a time he would have appreciated an interruption from one of the others, but they were caught up in John's tale.

Then the wine ran out.

Giannis stared at John. Zander and Andreas looked at each other, shocked. This was unheard of at a wedding.

The guests had not noticed, but the master of the feast did. My Aunt Mary went to her Son and told Him... John stopped talking. Giannis, you are no longer writing, he observed. Is something wrong?

No, Saba. I am sorry; I was caught up in your story. With that he changed his pen; he would clean the other later, and indicated he was ready to continue.

Read me back what you have written, so I can see how much you have missed.

Giannis read back the words, pausing only to make an alteration when John corrected something or added a word he had missed. He would make an updated copy with the corrections later.

Satisfied that Giannis had not missed much, John continued with his tale of the first sign of Jesus' Messiahship, once again becoming lost in the tale, a smile on his lips as he related what had happened after his aunt had gone to Jesus.

The young men's eyes widened in surprise as John told them how much the water jars held.

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and His disciples believed in Him. John finished. He had been aware of the men's increasing interest, and was pleased that they had refrained from interrupting. I have completed what I want to record for the moment, he told Giannis.

I can see some of you are bursting with questions, he said kindly, looking at them, and smiling at Lukas. John; recognised that by the answer to his prayer earlier, he should allow their questions and trust God that the work would be done.

The men sat up eagerly, and Lukas breathed a sigh of relief. The apostle was not excluding him.

Lukas watched John as he answered the questions and his mind drifted away. The man was old, his silver hair and old skin testified to that, but there was a 'light' in his eyes as he spoke. At times it seemed he was in pain from his hand but he continued on, ignoring it. Lukas realised he had been inconsiderate. Resolving to concentrate and appreciate the great privilege he had received in being able to sit and learn from this man, his thoughts drifted home. As his father had told him, he was so blessed to have such an opportunity. Becoming aware of his surroundings, he realised he had missed something.

John was shaking his head, Let me ask you something so that I know you understand what I have said. Do you have similar wedding customs in Cyprus?

Andreas answered, Very similar. The bridegroom and his friends go to the home of the bride to claim her at the end of the betrothal period. He claims her, then they escort her, and her attendants back to the home he has prepared. There is a jubilant procession following the couple, invited guests are waiting at the home, and the wedding week begins.

Good, it is similar enough, said John, satisfied that he did not have to explain the background to this first sign. I do not have to explain to you about betrothals and the wedding week then. For a moment he lost his train of thought, as his mind wandered to his beloved great-grandson. With this discussion on weddings, he was glad that it was Giannis he was dictating this part to, not Benjamin. He wondered how his great-grandson was coping... physically with the life of a grape picker, and spiritually in trusting God.  Was he coming to terms with the fact that the girl he had wanted to marry was out of his reach? Did he now accept that she was betrothed to one of the leaders of the group formed by Cerinthus? Was Benjamin still angry with God? Cradling his injured arm, he ached for the hurt his great-grandson had felt.

May we ask our questions? asked Zander, interrupting his reflections.

Yes, John smiled, blinking as his thoughts came back to the present.

Philos spoke quickly, afraid the opportunity would be lost if someone else asked a question that took John off on another direction. You know many details about this wedding, was it your wedding?

No, it was not mine, John said with a smile. The groom was a cousin of ours. He did not want to be any more specific, it was not important to his narrative.

So is that why Jesus’ mother came to Him about the wine running out? She had a part in arranging the wedding?

Very observant Lukas, John remarked. Yes, she was there to help with the arrangements. As the older men will know, a wedding demands a lot of planning, as well as catering... not to mention it being a great deal of hard work for the family.

It would have shamed the bridegroom before all the guests if it was known that they did not have enough wine for the wedding feast, observed Zander.

John gave an approving look in his direction.

Saba, why did Jesus say ‘dear woman’ when he replied to his mother? asked Giannis.

It was Jesus’ normal, polite way of addressing women.

But she was his mother, blurted out Lukas.

Our Saviour was beginning His ministry. John stated. The way He addressed her signalled a change in their relationship. He was no longer only her son, but the Messiah, the Son of Man. Besides, she did not take it as a rebuke. This was a time when what was prophesied over Him would start to unfold.

Andreas said, We have read in the writings of the physician Luke that two people testified about Him when he was taken to the temple for His circumcision.

God always provides at least two witnesses to a matter. It is the same throughout all the scriptures, John responded.

Zander who had been thoughtfully listening, asked the question which his family had often wondered about, At the wedding at Cana, did His mother go to Jesus more than once about the wine?

Giannis looked up. He, too, had wondered about this as he was writing. He asked, Should there be some emphasis on her plea for her Son to intervene?

John shook his head and answered both of the questions, No, she asked only the one time, and she did not beg or plead. She knew that when the time was right for Him, He would act. Remember, turning the water into wine was a sign that Jesus was the One sent by the Father. When He did act, He showed the abundance of His Father, both in the amount of the wine and in the quality.

I see, Zander said thoughtfully, still not sure he understood. It was something he would have to think about.

May I ask a question? Lukas asked thoughtfully.

Yes, you may.

If this was the first of the signs, why at a humble wedding in a small town? Why not do the first sign in Jerusalem, why not do something startling? Why did He not do an unmistakable action that would have attracted everyone's attention and announced who He was?

It is a good question Lukas, one I have been asked before. This first of signs shows the character of God. It is what God is always like. He always wants to relieve peoples' burdens. He always wants to save people from embarrassment. He always wants to deal generously with people. Did you notice I said that the wine was abundant in quality and in quantity? This is our God. Draw close to Him, trust Him.

Lukas frowned. He was not sure his question had been answered. But if John's answer about God was true, why were people persecuted, why were some sick, why is it that believers in the Way were treated as they were? He turned his questions over in his mind, looked at John, and decided to talk to the others later, and see if they felt the same way that he did.

Do you want to continue with your dictation? asked Giannis, who had finished making the corrected copy of John’s earlier words.

Yes. I have a bit more to say before we stop for the day.

If you do not mind me saying so Saba, you look a little tired, Zander said solicitously.

Sometimes I have to admit I am old, but I have no intentions of slowing down. I believe that as long as God is using me, He will provide the strength I need.

The older men felt remorseful. In their anxiety to find out as much as possible they had perhaps been selfish. John had said they could listen as he dictated, but in their eagerness to find out as much as possible in the short time they had in Ephesus, they had interrupted him with many questions.

Do not blame yourselves, John announced. Although I do admit I am disappointed in how long this is taking. Despite the fact some of what you say is challenging, it is stimulating to be questioned. I know what I saw, what I heard, and what God wants of me. However, it is interesting to know what you, who are believers, but not witnesses, think of what I say. We disciples walked the land with Him for three and a half years.  I cannot put all the details of our lives into the writing, but I can explain it to you, and you can explain it to others. What I need to record, is what God has put in me to write.

We will try to not overwhelm you with more questions, said Andreas.

Giannis indicated he was ready to continue writing.

After the wedding, Jesus, his mother and his brothers went to their house in Capernaum for a few days. We disciples also went with Him. He paused, Just to explain to you, not to record, he glanced over at Giannis to see he had understood the instruction.

Giannis demonstrated he had, by putting down his pen.

John continued, This was a time for Jesus to explain to His family that He was starting His ministry, to hand over the family business completely to His brothers and make sure that His mother was provided for. His sisters were married by this time, therefore under the care of their husbands. At that time, His family did not believe in Him. The house in Capernaum would be His base, although we all walked from place to place throughout the land, and slept outdoors more than we stayed in homes, John stated candidly, and then indicated to Giannis to start writing again.

When it was near to Passover time, we went up to Jerusalem.

I have a question, said Giannis tentatively.

John indicated he could ask his question.

The old rabbis in Cyprus teach that the tradition was for the Passover lamb to be selected by the family on the tenth day of Nisan and that it was killed at twilight on the fourteenth day as it commenced. Then it was eaten in the home. But we heard that the Pharisees of that time kept it differently.

Alright, let’s leave the writing for now and discuss this issue, instructed John. By the time I reach this part of the memories, you men will have gone back to Cyprus, and the celebration of Passover is important to understand.

Giannis rose, took the writings to the table, and carefully set them out to dry before returning to his desk where he sealed the ink jar and cleaned the pen he had been using, carefully inspecting it, and then trimming it for the next use.

John began, First of all, it is good that you understand the Hebrew day starts at sunset, not as the Romans calculate time, from midnight to midnight.

Lukas would have spoken, but noticing, John held up his hand in restraint, wanting to continue on the subject of the Passover, not time-keeping. Leaning forward he spoke, Jesus kept the Passover scripturally, but we are not at that part of the writing yet. The Passover instruction to the children of Israel was just as you said the rabbis in your country teach. As for how it became a temple sacrifice rather than one in the home, you would need to go back in the scriptures to the time of King Hezekiah.

Hezekiah's father, King Ahaz, was one of Judah’s worst kings and when he died, Hezekiah had inherited a kingdom full of idols, debt, and little else. This young king, one of the better ones, ordered that the temple be cleansed and told the Levites and priests to consecrate themselves. By the time all the work had been completed, it had passed the correct time to keep the Passover. By consulting with the priests and Levites, Hezekiah learned of the dispensation that if a person was travelling, or ceremonially unclean, he could take Passover one month later. The rule of his father had been one filled with idolatry and the whole nation was ‘unclean’, so Hezekiah took advantage of that favour from God.

This time there was no fidgeting, they were all enthralled.

Preparations were made for the second Passover option. In subsequent years, it was kept at the proper time. Anticipating more questions if this was not clarified, John added, But to explain why Hezekiah made it a temple sacrifice... frowning slightly, he looked at them. Would people from Cyprus, understand how it had been in that time?

Is something wrong Saba? Giannis asked.

No, I was wondering if you knew about the pagan sacrifices that were offered. But no matter, all that is important is that you know that in those days pagans offered sacrifices too. The young king Hezekiah did not trust his people to keep Passover correctly, so he commanded the people to come to Jerusalem and keep it to the true God, John sighed. Centralising worship at the temple was aimed at the purification of the practices of the people. God never changed His instructions, but He did permit these events. There were other instances too, with Josiah and Ezra, but by the time of which I am writing, when our Lord lived, some people kept it at home as was originally commanded, while others followed the temple practice kept by the Pharisees and others.

But the different day? Jesus kept it on the correct day, but the Pharisees did not keep it till the day after, if what we have been told is true, Andreas said, perplexed.

Long before the birth of the Messiah, many of the Jews, scribes, had meddled with the observance of the Passover and succeeded in moving it from the fourteenth to the fifteenth of Nisan. They were successful not only in moving it... but also in blending Passover together with the Days of Unleavened Bread, thus reducing the observance of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread into seven days in total. Unusually for John, there was a suggestion of scorn in his voice.

The men, including the young ones, all sat up attentively, hoping for more information on Jesus’ last Passover but John dashed their hopes by telling them that there was a lot more information to be recorded before he would be ready to record that event. Then he added, However, I hope that the small part of background I have given will help clarify matters for you, he concluded.

Seeing their collective disappointed slouch, he said, I will mention one thing more. The annual re-affirmation of the covenant, through the Passover... is at the heart and core of an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. This is what is important for now.

Do you mean we should go back to keeping the ‘old’ Passover? Lukas asked, bewildered.

John smiled indulgently; the young man was so keen, so enthusiastic, much like his beloved Benjamin had been at the same age, he realised. No Lukas. We keep the Passover instituted by Jesus Himself, with the changed symbols.

The older men nodded, satisfied.

I will also add that Jesus kept it in a home. Now, please, let us leave this subject and let me continue.

This is how we have kept it in Cyprus. Thank you for being so kind as to tell us Saba. It is valuable information for us to take home, Andreas assured John, trying to compensate for taking him off into an area he was not ready to have recorded.

We will have to return to our own homes in time to keep the Feast of Trumpets and the Holy Day season with our families, Zander stated, looking at the others for confirmation of their original plans.

The men nodded their agreement. In four or five weeks, we will look for a ship and book our travel home.

Zander turned to the young men and instructed them, Philos, Lukas, you will have to keep your ears open and listen to what the sailors that come to Demetrius' inn are saying. At that time of year, everyone wants to do their business or travel home before the seas are closed to shipping. We need to know of ships that are taking passengers at the time we want to return to Cyprus.

Chapter 2

Over the next two weeks, John noticed a change in the men. Zander and Andreas seemed strained, and a little awkward around Giannis. The young men seemed somehow changed also... John could not work out in what way they were different, other than the fact they asked fewer questions; but he was concerned. He had finished relating the story of the man who was healed at the pool of Bethsaida and had expected the young ones to have many questions, but surprisingly they had not.

Giannis finished placing the sheets to dry on the table, returned to his seat and reached for the pen he had been using.

John shook his head. I do not want to dictate anymore, at present.

Puzzled, because it was still early, Giannis cleaned the pen and inspected it to see if he would be able to sharpen it and use it again.

Now it is my turn to ask you some questions, John said calmly.

The men, who had been waiting quietly, sat up and looked at each other guardedly.

Are you missing your homes and families?

Lukas dropped his gaze and stared at his knees. Unlike Philos, he had no relative with him. He was not sure though, that even if his father had been with him, he could discuss what was worrying him, although the pressure of holding it in, was weighing him down.

Zander spoke for the others, We are missing the comforts of home, and the peace, he glanced briefly at Giannis, then continued, but we have heard our families are all well. They have written, and are looking forward to our return for the Holy Days.

I have no family in Cyprus, Giannis volunteered. He had been considering moving to Ephesus and setting up business in the city. During his free time he had explored the market, talked to other potters, and had seen what opportunities there might be for selling his work. He had already arranged for a shipment of his small jars to be sent to one of the wholesale merchants. It was a good contact for him, even if he was not able to make Ephesus his home. He glanced at John, who knew of his interest in Lois. It was time to speak to Samuel about her. In the absence of parents, Samuel was her guardian. Samuel's response and Lois' decision would be the determining element in whether or not he packed up his prosperous business in Cyprus and moved to Ephesus to start over