A man who knew and traveled with Jesus

I am an old man - Mer by name, though legend will call me by different names. My final trip across the desert was the high point of my life, and also my last.

I variously walked, rode my camel, or more often rode in that little bumpy cart drawn by a variety of sturdy four footed beasts.

Our destination turned out to be a small nothing place in Roman provincial Palestine. It too, was mostly desert, but the sign we were following drew us to this miserable out of the way place in the middle of nowhere. However, a great marvel and mystery awaited us there, all according to the signs my companions and I had discovered and been studying for quite some time.

The marvel was a toddler of tender years - less than two. He was a joy to behold. His parents were protective, but personable as was he. They already knew this child was something special. We felt him to be royalty.

We visited, had wonderful fellowship just like old dear friends; after which we gave our gifts and left intending to return to our various homes far across the desert.

I was old, and unable to complete the return trip. My bones still lie in the sands.


- - - - Time passed.

Time is different when we are between worlds. It was adequate for me to regenerate and make new plans for my next human effort. It turned out that my entry came only a very short time after my desert demise . . .


My early life was unexceptional. I had the name of Levi, which was one I had used before. We lived in Palestine under Roman law. Being Jews, we also followed Jewish law. Occasionally there were conflicts which I heard about, but could care less. We were under Roman law. That is all I was concerned about.

My father was a tax collector for the Tetrarch and he made a rather good living for us. We were often scorned for working for the so-called oppressor, but we lived well.

When the time came for my own entry into the work place, I was able - with a little help from dear old Dad - to become a part of the tax collection system.

Eventually I graduated to the Customs service which was quite a plum. I was a near outcast in my own Jewish community.

One day while at work, I met a very strange man who seemed to know me. The spark of recognition passed in both directions. This is unusual for me, an outcast, who keeps to himself.

What is more unusual is this man's words. All he said was: "Follow Me". His personal magnetism was awesome.

I invited him to dinner a few days later, and agreed to 'follow him' even though I had no concept as to what I was letting myself in for. He was soundly criticized for dining with a tax collector, but it seemed not to have made an impression on him.

I left my job on the shore of that beautiful inland sea. Dad was in a bit of trouble because of having such an irresponsible son. It blew over shortly and the job was soon filled by another well-placed citizen.

My new friend's name was Jeshua ben Joseph. He called me "GOD's Gift", or Matthew.

We became a team along with several others. He was a teacher, a Rabbi. and a good one at that. There were hundreds of people who would come to hear him talk. He talked good common sense which is quite an unusual phenomenon.

He also had little need for money as his friends were often among the well-to-do of both Jewish and Roman society. He befriended everybody and condemned none.

This put him at odds with Jewish leaders who wanted to hang on to as much authority as the Romans would allow. Mostly the Romans left us alone except when the local leaders complained a bit too loudly. Then a select few were sacrificed to calm the masses.

Such was what happened regarding Jeshua. He was one of those executed for no real reason, but such is Roman law. It is the final authority.

This was a tragic blow to us. We thought he had something special to offer to us and to the people we were teaching. His message had been unconditional love and what unconditional love was capable of.

We were crushed, and decided to return to the work place if we could.

Before we completely disbanded he returned to us.

We had seen him die, it was a public execution, but here he was - alive. No possible rational explanation was possible, but here he was.

This was when we realized that this was no ordinary man. He had told us a lot of tales which were just that, a lot of tales - or so we thought. His return was proof that his stories were lessons of love, of life, and beyond. We understood finally just what it was he was trying to tell us.

He didn't stay long as he said there were others he had to go to. I found out later that he did indeed go to an awful lot of the other nations of the world who understood and accepted better that did we, but we were the first and he received training from us as well as did we from him.

As some of our group left, were killed, or died naturally (not many), others were chosen to keep the group going. I left for the east, having an attraction to the peoples across the desert.

Some of the newcomers added to the grand message of Love and diluted it with a lot of petty rules, ritual, and doctrine.

This is my story. I wish I could have gone with this great teacher, but my work was, and is, here. I am thankful to have known him at both ends of His life.

Levi - aka Matthew