The Boy Who Would Become The Savior
mustapha umoru@umorumustapha596358
15 days ago
YOUNG CHRIST (Chapter 6).
Biblical Fiction
Copyrighted ©️
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The afternoon sun filtered through the large windows of the school library, casting golden streaks of light on rows of neatly stacked books. Students whispered quietly as they worked on their assignments, but one pair of eyes remained fixed on Jesus.
Miriam sat at a table nearby, her gaze following him as he sifted through ancient scrolls and modern texts with quiet concentration. She was known for her kindness and quick wit, but today her heart was uneasy. Something about Jesus drew her in—a mix of curiosity, admiration, and something deeper she couldn’t quite name.
As if sensing her presence, Jesus looked up and caught her gaze. Miriam’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked down at her notebook.
Moments later, she heard his voice, soft and steady. “Miriam, would you like to join me?”
She looked up, surprised to find him standing at her table, his expression warm but inquisitive.
“I—I guess,” she stammered, gathering her things and moving to sit across from him.
“What are you working on?” Jesus asked, nodding toward her notebook.
“An essay for spiritual ethics,” she said. “We’re supposed to write about love and its place in our gifts.” She hesitated, then added, “I thought you’d be a good person to ask about that.”
Jesus smiled. “Love is the foundation of everything. Without it, our gifts mean nothing.”
As they talked, Miriam found herself opening up in ways she hadn’t expected. She shared stories of her struggles with doubt, her fear of failure, and her desire to find her purpose.
“You seem so sure of yourself,” she said after a pause. “How do you always know what to say, what to do?”
“I don’t always know,” Jesus admitted. “But I trust that when the time comes, I’ll be guided to the right answer.”
Miriam leaned forward, her voice soft. “But what about you? You’re so focused on everyone else… Have you ever thought about yourself?”
The question hung in the air, and for a moment, Jesus didn’t respond. Finally, he looked at her, his gaze steady but gentle.
“Caring for others is how I stay true to myself,” he said. “My purpose is to serve, not to seek for myself.”
Miriam’s heart sank a little, but she couldn’t deny the truth in his words. “It must be lonely,” she murmured.
“It can be,” Jesus admitted. “But love isn’t about possession or expectation. It’s about giving freely, without needing anything in return.”
Later that evening, Miriam sat alone under a tree on the school grounds, replaying their conversation in her mind. She admired Jesus more than ever, but she also felt a deep sense of conflict. How could she reconcile her feelings for someone so focused on a mission she couldn’t fully understand?
Abigail found her there and sat down beside her.
“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?” Abigail asked, her tone knowing but kind.
Miriam sighed. “How could you tell?”
“Because I’ve seen the way you look at him,” Abigail said. “But Miriam… Jesus isn’t like anyone else. He’s meant for something bigger than any of us.”
“I know,” Miriam said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s what makes it so hard.”
Meanwhile, in his office, Herod reviewed reports about the students’ progress. A note about Jesus’ growing influence caught his attention. He read it twice, his mind churning with possibilities.
“If he becomes too important,” Herod muttered to himself, “it could disrupt everything.”
He leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen against the desk. “I’ll have to keep a closer eye on him—and those closest to him.”....
Umoru Mustapha
