Pieces of Hope: A Collection

Israel's Messiah (Part 2)

I was up early the next morning, determined to get to Yeshua as soon as possible. Zundel was the worst he'd ever been. It was now or never for him.

Ema gave me some food for me later on, which was dried fish and bread, and I filled a skin with water. I planned to give the dried fish to Zundel after Yeshua healed him.

There was no way to bring Zundel to Yeshua but to carry him. Our one donkey was needed by Abba, and besides, my little boy mind had a hard time figuring out a way for it to carry Zundel.

I wrapped Zundel up in his blanket. "I'm sorry, I know this hurts, but we're going to go see a Man. He'll make you all better," I promised him in a whisper as I lifted him up and he whimpered in pain.

"Be careful Benaiah. Don't talk to strangers too much. And don't be rude. Be careful in the crowds, you don't want to fall and get stepped on. And be back before the sun sets, I don't want your Abba to have to come looking for you."

Shifting Zundel's weight in my arms, I nodded. "Yes, Ema." The pup was noticeably lighter than the last time I'd carried him.

She hesitated. "Child... I know you want Zundel healed but... Please, don't get your hopes too high."

"Yes, Ema. Goodbye."

She leaned down and planted a kiss on my head. "Be safe." She mussed up my hair and turned back to her cooking.

I scrunched up my face, as I couldn't pat my hair back down with Zundel in my arms. But I was too excited to stop and fix it.

Finding where Yeshua was wasn't hard. There were many people on their way to Him. It seemed to me like everyone that went to Jerusalem for Passover were going to see Him as well!

I saw Pharisees from multiple towns, many fishermen, farmers, and of course, the injured, sick, and maimed who were hoping to be healed. The air was filled with hopeful expectations, tense curiosity, and scorn for the Man called Yeshua.

Zundel whimpered a couple of times as I stumbled over rocks. "Sorry, sorry," I murmured to him. But otherwise, he was quiet, despite all the new sights, smells, and sounds around him.

My little boy arms could only carry Zundel for so long. Eventually, they would burn so bad I had to set him down. While we rested, I tried to get him to drink or eat, but he only flapped his tail.

It was during one of these stops that a man spoke to me. "What're you doing with that dog?" He asked me with a jut of his chin towards Zundel. He had a pointy beard.

I didn't like the disdain he had in his voice for Zundel. "I'm taking him to Yeshua. He healed my neighbor's twisted leg, so He can heal Zundel's leg."

I shrank back as he laughed. "He won't be interested in a mutt! Look!" He swung his hand out towards the crowds passing us. "He's the Messiah, and He's gonna deliver us from the Romans! What'll the Messiah care about a little 'ol mutt?" He laughed again and walked off, swinging the rusty sword at his side.

I bit my lip and looked down at Zundel. I despised the man's tone of arrogance. But what if he was right?

I looked upward at the sun and sighed. I could turn back. After all, what would the Messiah of Israel have to gain from healing a mutt? By healing all these people, He was gaining an army that would be loyal to Him forever. But healing a dog? What could He gain from that when He could just as easily be healing a man who would raise a sword for Him?

Well, maybe Zundel couldn't do anything for Him. But maybe, He'd heal Zundel if I told Him that I'd be His disciple forever and ever if He'd just make my dog whole again.