The Boy Who Would Become The Savior
mustapha umoru@umorumustapha596358
14 days ago
YOUNG CHRIST (Chapter 8).
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The wind whipped through the trees as John sat on the bleachers near the athletic field, staring out at the horizon. His usually confident demeanor had been replaced by a shadow of uncertainty. The echo of students’ laughter and chatter from the distance felt like it belonged to a different world—one he wasn’t sure he fit into anymore.
He thought of the whispers and the growing admiration everyone seemed to have for Jesus. The miracles, the wisdom, the unwavering calm—it all seemed to place his friend on a pedestal that John feared he couldn’t even approach.
Abigail approached quietly, holding a book she’d been reading. “I’ve been looking for you,” she said, sitting beside him.
John didn’t respond right away, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Finally, he sighed. “Do you ever wonder if you’re… enough?”
Abigail tilted her head, surprised by the question. “Enough for what?”
“For anything,” John said. “I mean, look at Jesus. He doesn’t even try, and people flock to him. Me? I’m just… here.”
Abigail frowned. “You’re not just here, John. You have a gift. You see things others don’t.”
John shook his head. “What’s the point of my gift when Jesus can do everything and more? What am I supposed to do—stand in his shadow and cheer him on?”
Abigail hesitated, unsure how to respond. “Maybe you should talk to him,” she said softly. “He always seems to know the right thing to say.”
Later that evening, John found Jesus in the library, poring over an old text about ancient prophecies. The warm glow of the desk lamp illuminated Jesus’ face as he looked up, smiling when John entered.
“John,” Jesus said. “You look like you have something on your mind.”
John sat across from him, running a hand through his hair. “How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Stay so… confident. Like you know exactly who you are and what you’re supposed to do.”
Jesus leaned back, studying John with a thoughtful expression. “It’s not about confidence. It’s about trust—trust in the path laid out for me.”
John sighed. “I don’t know if I have that. Everyone looks to you, Jesus. They see something incredible. Me? I’m just the guy standing next to you, hoping not to get lost in the crowd.”
Jesus leaned forward, his tone gentle but firm. “John, you’re not just standing next to me. You’re walking your own path, one that’s just as important.”
John frowned. “How can you say that? You’re the one performing miracles and speaking wisdom. I just… talk.”
Jesus smiled. “And that’s your gift. Your voice prepares the way for something greater. Without you, many wouldn’t even know what to look for.”
The words hung in the air, and John felt a flicker of understanding. He’d always been a speaker, someone who could rally others and inspire them to action. Maybe, just maybe, his role wasn’t about competing but about complementing.
“Do you really believe that?” John asked.
Jesus nodded. “I do. And I think, deep down, you know it too.”
For the first time in days, John felt a sense of peace. He wasn’t meant to be Jesus. He was meant to be John.
Elsewhere in the school, Herod was meeting with Judas in his office. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the room, creating an ominous atmosphere.
“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Jesus,” Herod said casually, pouring himself a glass of water.
Judas shrugged. “He’s… interesting.”
Herod smirked. “Interesting, yes. But don’t let his charm fool you. People like him burn bright, but they always burn out.”
Judas frowned. “What are you getting at?”
Herod leaned forward, his tone low and conspiratorial. “Think about it, Judas. While everyone is fawning over him, where does that leave you? In his shadow, just like the others.”
Judas didn’t respond, but the seed of doubt had been planted.
As the moon rose over the school, John sat by his dorm window, a quiet resolve settling over him. He didn’t need to be Jesus—he just needed to be himself. And for now, that was enough…
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