This episode begins with a sad and wordless flashback. A boy suffers paralysis in his legs after falling from a tree. His wealthy parents cannot find a healer who can help. The boy's sadness is compounded when his mother dies giving birth to his little brother. The brother, however, becomes the bright spot in the boy's life. When their father remarries, the little brother finds a way to include his big brother in the wedding festivities. Tragedy strikes when the brothers as young men witness their father being savagely beaten by a Roman soldier. The younger brother decides to fight back by joining the Zealots, who are trained to assassinate Romans with the hope of hastening the Messiah's arrival. He leaves a note for his crippled brother to discover in the morning as he slips away to the training camp by night. We watch decades speed by as he grows strong in deadly skills while his paralyzed brother languishes by the Bethesda Pool in Jerusalem, where desperate people shove past each other in their longing for an instant cure.  |
| Zealot Training Camp |
In the present, the younger brother is now a skilled warrior who successfully demonstrates to his fellow Zealots his ability to execute a diversionary plan for assassinating a Roman magistrate in Jerusalem. That earns him the assignment. His name is Simon, but he and his fellow Zealots are being watched by someone who obviously means them harm.
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| Spying on the Zealots. |
Meanwhile near Jerusalem, Jesus's disciples are building a house-like tent for the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles. Thaddaeus explains to Mary Magdalene, "The tabernacle is a temporary dwelling; it's a tent." Philip adds, "God said to live in a tent for 7 days during this feast to commemorate how the children of Israel lived in temporary shelters for 40 years in the desert." Big James says, "It's one of the 3 big pilgrimage holidays for every able-bodied Israelite male to travel to Jerusalem to present himself before Adonai." Mary wants to know why it is only the men who are required to go. Simon explains that it could be a perilous journey, difficult for children and others, but no one is prohibited from going. He says he has taken his wife several times. Back at the Zealot hideout, the other Simon is brought before the leader to be briefed on his assignment. "I serve El Shaddai, God of power and might, God of war," answers Simon when prompted. When asked, "For what were you born?" he replies, "To cleanse Israel of her enemies, to expel all non-Jews from Jerusalem, as the Scriptures demand." The leader asks, "Which Scriptures?" Simon answers, "From the scroll of Moses, Shemot (Exodus 22:20), 'Whoever sacrifices to any god but the Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction.'" He stumbles a bit when told he will meet his brother when he enters Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. The leader means a brother Zealot, but Simon is obviously thinking about his older brother, the paralytic. Simon learns that Zealots in Jerusalem have been tracking the movements of the Roman magistrate Rufus. Once they inform him, Simon is expected to lead the team to kill Rufus. "Carry out your orders, Simon, son of Zebulun, or never return," he is told. As Simon makes his way out of the compound, he listens reverently to Zealots in training as they recite in unison this biblical passage from the prophet Zephaniah (3:15-17): "The Lord is in your midst. You will fear no evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: 'Fear not, O Zion, and let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, the Mighty One who will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will exult over you with loud singing.'"  |
| Simon the Zealot is encouraged to hear Zephaniah. |
In Jerusalem the Pharisees Shmuel and Yanni stake out a marketplace for Shmuel to begin public teaching. Yanni wants Shmuel to gain a following so his message against what he considers false teaching will have a greater weight in the Temple to advance both of their careers. Shmuel is nervous and Yanni prays with him twice before leaving, but the prayers with formal names are rushed and superficial.
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| Uneasy Shmuel prepares to preach in the marketplace. |
At the Bethesda Pool, the older brother with the paralyzed legs misses out on another alleged healing opportunity, which is rumored to occur when the water bubbles or is otherwise disturbed. A fellow sufferer there notices him moving away from the edge and urges him not to lose hope, calling him Jesse.
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| Jesse stretched out at the Bethesda Pool. |
As Jesse's brother, Simon, approaches Jerusalem, he is grieved to see men being slowly executed by Romans on crosses. Noticing Simon's approach is the man who was spying on him at the Zealot compound. Roman guards on crucifixion duty identify him as Atticus, a member of the Cohorte Urbanae, elite soldier investigators. Atticus carefully tracks Simon's movements in the city.  |
| Simon watched at the Jerusalem checkpoint. |
Thomas and Nathanael, walking through the city on a shopping errand, stop to listen to Shmuel preaching against false teachers in the marketplace. Matthew, hiding from Shmuel, warns Thomas and Nathanael that Shmuel is an old enemy from Capernaum who thinks Jesus is a false prophet.
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| Matthew warns Thomas and Nathanael about Shmuel. |
Simon waits until night to meet with his Zealot colleagues in the city. Atticus watches from a discrete distance. The Zealots decide to plan the assassination of Rufus the magistrate on Yom Rishon, Sunday, the day after Shabbat, because he regularly dines at his favorite restaurant then with his wife and only 2 guards for protection. As time elapses, we see Simon and his assistants setting up the trap. Atticus carefully observes the who, what, and where.  |
Simon moves through the Zealot lair in Jerusalem.
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| Atticus makes an educated guess on where the Zealots are meeting. |
When Shabbat begins, Jesus is seated with His disciples around a table under their beautiful tabernacle, enjoying a fine evening meal together. Matthew says, "With all due respect, Nathanael, I know you are a skilled architect, but this thatched roof won't keep the rain out." But it protects against the sun in the day, points out Little James, and Mary the mother of Jesus says, "If a few rain drops get through, it is a reminder of our dependence on God, of His provision, and how our people were so vulnerable in the wilderness. Yet He brought us through." Mary Magdalene adds, "There was a time in my life, my old life, when I had to sleep outside. This is a good reminder of how I was delivered from that." Jesus says, "This time of living in booths is also a leveler of people: wealthy, poor—everyone sleeps outside as equals." He commends the beauty of Nathanael's booth as an act of worship.
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| The great leveler: everyone living in booths at the Feast of Tabernacles. |
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| Jesus and His disciples are grateful for their particularly beautiful tent. |
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| Nathanael is commended for a job well done to the glory of God. |
Big James has a question: "In the prophecy of Zechariah (14:16) it is written, "Then everyone who has survived from the nations who have attacked Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles." He wants to know how it can be that one day their enemies will be celebrating this Jewish feast with them—Assyrians, Babylonians, and even Romans. How can Jews and Gentiles be at the same table? What would have to happen for that to be possible? Jesus answers simply, "Something will have to change." Big James objects, "But the booths won't mean anything to them. We are the ones who dwelt in temporary shelters while we wondered the wilderness, not them." Jesus says with quiet emphasis, "Everyone has wondered through the wilderness at some point." Practically minded Matthew observes that if all the nations came to Jerusalem to worship, there would not be enough room. Jesus says, "I think it will not be Jerusalem as we know it now." Ramah responds in faith that if Zechariah prophesied it, then it will happen, but Andrew says it sounds impossible. Mother Mary says, "I know a thing or two about prophecies that sound impossible."  |
| Questions & Answers with Jesus |
After the meal, Simon and John approach Jesus privately to inform Him that Shmuel is in Jerusalem, preaching against false prophets. They all know he is wrongly associating Jesus with false prophecy, but Jesus is not alarmed. Rather He states that works out even better with His plan to visit someone in the city the next day. He invites them to come along, if they like, saying, "I enjoy the company. And bring Matthew: it will be good for him." In the morning Simon the Zealot is listening to a Levite on the Temple stairs read this portion from Zephaniah (3:18-19): "I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth." The last sentence reminds him of his older brother, Jesse. He walks away.  |
| Listening to Scripture on the Temple stairs. |
Jesus, John, Simon, and Matthew are now walking toward Jerusalem. Simon inquires about the person Jesus needs to see. "Are you going to meet him in the Temple?" he wonders. "No, actually the opposite: the Bethesda Pool," answers Jesus. "Really?" says Simon. "Here we go again," remarks Jesus. "It gets stranger and stranger with You, doesn't it? I love it," says Simon. Matthew wants to know why it is strange. "Because the history of the pool is pagan," answers John. He doesn't know the details, but Simon does: "The pool used to be a shrine to a Phoenician god. Then the Greeks and Romans turned it into a place of worship for the healing god Asclepius." John adds that he does know the rumor about the pool that every day it steams and bubbles. Some people believe it is stirred by an angel who heals the first person who gets into the stirred water. Matthew says, "I have read that there are places on earth where hot vapor steams up from the ground intermittently and makes water boil, but no one knows how." Jesus says, "Someday someone will figure it out and tell everybody, but for now we have a checkpoint to pass. Everyone be on your best behavior." Jesus looks somberly at men hanging on crosses near the city entrance, obviously feeling sorrow for them and thinking of His cross to come.  |
| Jesus and His disciples approach Jerusalem. |
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| Discussing the Bethesda Pool. |
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| Contemplating the Cross. |
Inside the city a Roman official who works for Rufus meets with Atticus, who tells him of the assassination plot for later that day. The official is shocked and demands that the assassin be arrested without delay. Atticus responds grimly, "Do you know who the Zealots are? They're martyrs with a persecution complex. Arrest him and we'll only be adding fuel. Torture him and he gets a seat closer to his God. No, I want to kill him in the act. And then I want to watch his rat pals scurry back to their nest with a story they can't glorify or teach to the next class of marks. And do you know why? Because we were better than they were. Rome won."
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| Roman determination to win. |
Meanwhile, Simon the Zealot is looking over the Bethesda Pool area and holds his nose as he descends stairs into it. When he sees his brother, Jesse, he kneels before him and says, "I'm your brother, Simon. Do you remember me?" Jesse doesn't believe it at first and then says bitterly, "You make a pilgrimage every holiday and you knew I was here?" Simon explains that the Zealots forbid coming to the Pool of Bethesda. "But I am your brother!" protests Jesse. "This place is a pagan cult!" responds Simon. Jesse wants to know, "Since when did cults bother you?" Simon says, "I was embarrassed for you. Do you really believe in all this?" Jesse shouts, "You try living 38 years without legs that work and then tell me you wouldn't try anything and everything! Why wouldn't you at least come by once and carry me into the water?" Simon says with conviction, "It is not in our God's nature to pit sick people against each other in a twisted game! I won't play it with you!" Jesse asks, "Is it in our God's nature to slit each other's throats? Have you no regard that we shall not take another's life?" referring to Exodus 20:13 from the 10 Commandments. "We both know the Scriptures," says Simon, citing Ecclesiastes 3:3 that there is "a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up." Then he makes an unbiblical application, saying, "The land must be purged!" Jesse wants to know if that applies to their family. Are they to be purged too? Simon says, "Jesse, it's killed me to watch you suffer in your life, and I am truly sorry, but that's not the only kind of pain, and you're not the only one who feels it. But you know what? I'm at least doing something about mine. And I'm not sitting in a bed waiting to die." He tells Jesse he must soon be in the Upper City nearby. Jesse says, "Whoever he is, don't do it! It's not worth it. If they catch you, they'll kill you!" Simon says he is not afraid of death and that he just wanted to say goodbye because he didn't say it right the first time. He tells Jesse he loves him and he loves God.  |
| A painful meeting between brothers. |
As Simon rises to leave, Jesse pulls out and reads the note Simon left him that first time: "By the time you read this, I will be halfway up the mountains to join the Zealots of the Fourth Philosophy in the spirit of our great King David, who sang, 'Zeal for Your House has consumed me.'" Simon smiles and says, "I was a better writer then." Jesse continues the note: "And from Zephaniah: 'Behold, at that time, I will deal with all your oppressors. I will save the lame and gather the outcast. I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.' Jesse, when you stand on two feet, I will know the Messiah has come. I will fight for the freedom of Zion in order to see that day." Simon turns to face his brother fully and says quietly before leaving, "I stand by it. Farewell, Jesse."  |
| An old note filled with meaning. |
Simon joins his fellow assassins to execute their plan soon. He is handed the notorious sica dagger associated with the Zealots. At the same time, Jesus and His disciples enter the Bethesda Pool area. Jesus says, "That's him, the one who has been here the longest, but doesn't belong. The sad one." He tells His disciples to stay with Him and watch. They pass by a group of Pharisees stationed in the area. Shmuel's friend Yanni is among them. Jesus stands before Jesse, who is lying down dejectedly on his bed, and says, "Shalom." Jesse looks up and says, "Me?" "Yes," says Jesus. "Shalom," responds Jesse. "I have a question for you: Do you want to be healed?" asks Jesus. Jesse has a question of his own: "Who are you?" Jesus says, "We'll get to that later." Jesse, now sitting up, asks hopefully, "Will you take me to the water?" Jesus shakes His head no. Jesse, his voice catching, says, "Look, I am having a really bad day." Jesus says, "You've been having a bad day for a long time. So?" Jesse complains bitterly about having no one to help him in the water when it is stirred up and how people push ahead of him. Jesus says, "That's not what I asked. I'm not asking about who's helping you or not helping, or who's getting in your way. I'm asking about you." Jesse weeps and says, "I've tried." "For a long time, I know," says Jesus, "and you don't want false hope again. I understand. But this pool has nothing for you. It means nothing, and you know it. You don't need this pool. You only need Me. So do you want to be healed?" Jesse looks at Him hopefully. Jesus says, "So let's go. Pick up your mat and walk." Jesse slaps his thigh and laughs for joy when he feels the sensation in his legs. He slowly stands up straight. John, who recorded this miracle in John 5, is taking notes while others look on in stunned wonder. Jesus quietly slips away with His disciples.  |
Getting ready for the assassination.
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| Help is on the way! |
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John happily records the miracle.
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Jesse picks up his mat and walks, obeying Jesus, but the Pharisees notice and Yanni speaks up: "You, why are you carrying a mat on Shabbat?" Matthew overhears and asks, "Does Torah forbid carrying a mat on Shabbat?" John answers, "Not Torah but the oral tradition." Yanni faces Jesse and says, "Transporting objects from one domain to another violates Shabbat!" Jesse tells him what the Man who healed him told him to do. Yanni demands to know His name, but Jesse does not know. Yanni says, "He performs a magic trick and tells you to commit a sin: a false prophet! This will be reported." Jesse laughs and says, "Report whatever you want! I am standing on two legs!" He hurries away to find his brother.  |
| Rabbi Yanni criticizes and disregards. |
In the Upper City with dusk coming on and Sunday beginning, we see the assassins in place, waiting for the Romans who approach. Atticus is disguised as the magistrate Rufus, strolling arm in arm with the magistrate's wife. Just as Jesse's brother Simon grabs his dagger and faces front, he sees Jesse walking on two good legs, carrying his mat, on the path just beyond where Simon is crouching! Atticus watches in amazement as Simon puts away his dagger, rises, and walks straight ahead to find someone named Jesse. The Zealot accomplices run away, and Atticus removes his hand from his own dagger. When Jesse sees his brother approach, he does a little dance of joy, and they embrace. Atticus watches from a distance in stunned silence.
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| Simon sees something shocking while lying in wait for the Romans. |
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| Atticus disguised as the Roman magistrate. |
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| Simon sees his brother walking right in front of him! |
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| Simon must investigate. |
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| Jesse shows off his new legs. |
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| Atticus watches in amazement. |
As Jesus and His disciples leave Jerusalem, one of them says, laughing, "That was great! Thank You for letting me see that!" Jesus says, "Thank you for being with Me." John says, "Well, the Pharisees were pretty upset." Matthew asks an important question as we see Jesse pointing his brother, Simon, to go outside the city to find the Man who healed him, both obviously realizing He must be the Messiah: "Waiting 30 more minutes would not have mattered to that man. Why did you do this on Shabbat?" Jesus turns and says, "Sometimes you've got to stir up the water."
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Jesus "stirs up the water" with joy.
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