ATHOTS Chapter Nine

It was just a book.

Rachel told Isaac so... once, twice, and then three times... almost afraid as she leaned over his shoulder and watched him turn those forbidden pages. But he shook his head. 

"There is more to it than that, my shefela..." and he pointed to the words before him. "There is something in these words... there is power here."

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

"Those are words of Jesus," Rachel whispered, too afraid to speak His Name aloud. 

"What do you know of Him?" Isaac lifted his face to hers, his eyes searching her face.

"He is... a great teacher..." Rachel faltered. "A... a rabbi... who claimed to... be Messiah."

"But was it only a claim or was He speaking truth?" Isaac gripped the book. His knuckles were white. "Rachel... what if we... crucified the Son of God?"

"Crucified our Messiah?" Rachel breathed in horror. "Isaac, no... you will bring even more punishment on our heads if you speak that way... is it not blasphemy?"

"I think... I think we were wrong about this Jesus," Isaac shook his head again. "For years I have wondered, Rachel. I have studied this book before. And now I have found it again here... all the prophecies point to Jesus, Rachel... all of them... it's all here in the Gospels..."

"Did Herr Braun give it to you?" Rachel spoke of the man who had so graciously allowed them to stay with him in hiding. 

"Jah, he did." Isaac smiled slightly. "He's a Christian minister, you know. We had a long conversation last night, after you went to bed, and the things he has told me about this Jesus..."

"You believe it," Rachel finished for him. Isaac let out a long, slow breath. 

"I think I am beginning to."

"Ye shall find rest unto your souls..." Rachel quoted softly and lowered her eyes. "There is no rest for a Jew." Her last words came out bitterly. Isaac closed the Book and rose, wrapping her in his arms. She spoke again, but it was only in whispers, muffled against his shoulder.

"Never does a day pass that my heart does not cry out for my little sisters. And I wonder where they are... and some days... I hope... that they are safe with mama and papa... Isaac, if the Messiah has not come, then surely He will come now, when His people are in such agony!"

"Did you ever think that... if He has already come... then maybe He is trying to get our attention through this... this persecution?" Isaac whispered back. "Maybe... maybe He is trying to call our hearts to Him..."

But he said no more, for Rachel was weeping.