Batya leans against the towering tree beside her, feeling the rough bark press into
the skin of her arm.
Her friend, Rivka is late again. Very late. Batya sighs. If Rivka takes much
longer, Batya will have to go on home. She does not want Father to find out how
much time she spends with Rivka. He would so not approve.
"Batya! So good to see you!" Rivka's musical voice precedes her entrance into Batya's
line of sight.
"Hello, Rivka, you're late." Batya pushes herself away from the tree.
"Oh, well, I brought a friend along!" Rivka provides a dazzling smile.
"Who?"
Rivka waves for Batya to follow. "Come on!"
Curious, Batya tails Rivka to the next clearing. There is Rivka's "friend" leaning back
against a tree with one foot on the tree behind him. His arms are crossed and a
lazy grin is on his face.
Batya recognizes him. Father has repeatedly warned her to stay away from him. "Rivka,
I'm not allowed-"
Rivka's laugh interrupts her. "Oh, your silly father is impossible. He doesn't let you
do anything. Last I checked, you're not supposed to hang out with me. Now, come
on and meet my boyfriend." Rivka sashays over to the boy.
Okay, Rivka has a really good point. So, Batya approaches the boy with her.
"Batya, I'd like to introduce my boyfriend Beriah. Beriah, this is the friend I told
you about."
"Wonderful to meet you, Batya." Beriah holds out a hand.
"You as well," Batya murmurs as she shakes his hand.
"I hope you don't mind Rivka invited me."
"No, I don't mind." Not totally true, but it is the polite thing to say. Inwardly, Batya is still worried Father will find out.
He gives a disarming smile, and she feels herself warming to him in that moment.
"How is your father?" Rivka pipes in.
Batya finds the question odd. "Good."
"That's good." Beriah takes a step closer to her. "I'm going to be blunt. The Kingdom
is at stake, and we need your help."
Batya is taken aback. "My help?"
"That's right." Rivka puts her arm through Beriah's.
"How is the Kingdom at stake?"
"You must help us find the keys to the Kingdom. What is the most important thing to
your father?" Beriah is insistent.
"I am," she whispers uncertainly. "He tells me that, at least."
"Then you need to come with me."
"Michael!"
His general rushes over. "Yes, Sire?"
"My daughter is lost. The enemy has taken her."
"And the ransom?"
"There is no ransom note sent, which means the ransom is so high, no one can pay it."
"The highest ransom," Michael states slowly.
"Yes. I will go to my daughter, my treasure, to rescue her."
"The enemy wants my Sire dead."
"I will never leave, nor forsake my daughter."
Batya wraps her arms around herself to ward off the chill. The cell is dreary,
cramped, and damp. Beriah deceived her. He had led her to betray herself, and
ultimately Father.
There is a loud clank as the cell door opens. Beriah leads in Father. "My lord has
granted the both of you only two minutes."
"Abba!" Batya rushes into the loving arms held out to her. "I'm so sorry; I've betrayed
my Abba!"
He hugs her close. "You are forgiven, My Daughter. Forgiven for everything. I love
you."
"You have come to take me home?"
"Yes, you are going home. I will pay your ransom, so that you may be free."
"What is there to be done for my ransom? I'm too far gone."
"You are never too far gone. If I die, you will be released. My blood for yours."
"Time's up." Beriah begins to lead Father away.
"No! Abba, no!" Batya cries.
"Your father is dead. He has won your freedom." That is what they told her when they
released her. They had shown her Father's blood to confirm it. Batya feels bereft.
They have released her, and she is finally arriving at her home.
Slowly, she opens the door. She freezes at the sight that greets her. There, seated at
the table, is Father! She cannot believe her eyes! "Abba?" She croaks.
He stands with a smile, and comes toward her, "Hello, My Daughter."
She begins to sob uncontrollably. "You were dead, I thought! Your blood was their
evidence! You're here! How?!"
"I will never leave, nor forsake you, My Child. Yes, they killed Me. But now, I am
here. I have power over all, even death. Do you not know this?" He takes her
into His Arms. "You are safe. You are home, now. Never forget how much I love
you, My Daughter."
(copyright 2025 ©)
There is a man who owns much land, ruling over it all with a firm hand and a compassionate heart. This man's name is Eloi. Eloi has two sons, Emmanuel, his firstborn, and Jacob.
Emmanuel is kind and considerate and helpful. He is a perfect son who greatly pleases his father. Jacob, however, is willful and obstinate, never fully trusting his father. He instead tries to fix his problems himself. Despite these issues, his father loves him deeply and unconditionally.
Eloi
Eloi knows the true meaning of unconditional love; he deeply loves and takes care of his children no matter what. He is a good judge and a wise ruler. He is merciful and gracious. He is a good father, who protects his sons. He is strong and sure, a rock for his children.
Emmanuel
Emmanuel enjoys spending time with his father. He often has long talks with his father, and he loves to help his father take care of the land Eloi is ruler over. Emmanuel is caring and loving, always prepared to take care of anyone in need. He is always careful to do whatever his father asks, and he knows his father loves him deeply.
Jacob
Jacob is described by his father as being stiff-necked. He is stubborn and rebellious. He is prideful and sinful. Jacob is constantly getting himself in trouble with his father.
One day, Jacob is walking down the road, and there he is joined by a well-known acquaintance, Lucifer.
"I came up with a new plan, Jacob." Lucifer loses no time in quickly outlining his plan. "It will work, and it'll be fun!"
Jacob raises an eyebrow. "That's not a new plan. It's the same plan as always. The embellishing details are all that's changed. Besides, I'm always getting in trouble for following through with all your plans." Jacob shrugs.
Lucifer shakes his head and smiles. "You won't get in trouble this time; I'm sure of it!"
"You say that every time," Jacob counters.
"This time is different," Lucifer insists.
Jacob thinks a moment. "Okay," he finally agrees. "It does sound fun, but I need to make sure my father does not find out."
Lucifer rolls his eyes. "Come on; let's go!"
"Father?" Emmanuel enters his father's room.
"Yes, what is it, Emmanuel?"
"Jacob is out with Lucifer again."
Eloi sighs. "Yes, I know, Son. The time is coming that I will have to do something."
"It is not much longer, then?"
"No, Son. The time is very close, now."
Emmanuel nods. "I am going to go help out some of the people who live on your land."
"Yes, please do."
"Halt!"
Jacob looks up, fear filling him. They were going to be caught. No! This could not happen. Last time, the law had granted him mercy on the caveat that it would be his last chance. What would happen, now? "Lucifer! What do we do?!"
Lucifer laughs. "Come now, Jacob. This is part of the fun! Let's go hide over there."
But they are too late. The officer quickly catches up to them. He grabs Jacob's arm. "Oh, no you don't. Your running around years are way over."
Lucifer evades the officer and runs off. Jacob is disgusted as he realizes that his so-called friend has left him in the lurch. "Please, Sir, my father-"
"I'm gonna stop you right there. Your father has known for quite some time this day was coming. No more fiftieth chances, Jacob. All of your crimes have added up. It's time they were paid for. What were you doing this time? Why don't we walk over to that ditch Lucifer was hiding in, shall we?"
Jacob begins to panic. "No, please!"
The officer becomes angry when he sees the body in the ditch. "How could you!"
Jacob does not even try to run as the officer releases him long enough to check for a pulse. He had not meant to let the person die. Lucifer had thought it would be fun to scare the person a little. It had gone too far, too fast.
"Eloi, your son must be punished." The officer states. "Here is a list of his offenses: theft, lying, murder, obstruction of peace and justice, the list goes on. For all of these crimes, your son must die. Because of the severity of the crimes, he is to be beaten before he is killed."
Eloi is sad, as he bids the officer good day. He slowly closes the door. Jacob will be imprisoned overnight.
Eloi goes to his room and weeps. He had known this was coming; he knew his son would be sentenced to death for his crimes.
"Father?" Emmanuel comes close.
"The time has come," Eloi replies.
"What is Jacob's sentence?"
"Jacob has been sentenced to death."
Emmanuel is quiet a moment. "Jacob will live. For you, he will live."
Fear fills Jacob as he stares at the wooden cross being erected. In this time period, it is the custom for those sentenced to death to be hung on a cross for all to see. Jacob knows this is how he must die as well.
"Stop!" Emmanuel hurries toward Jacob and the men who hold him. "Do not kill him."
"We have to. Jacob must die for his crimes."
"No. He must live."
Eloi walks up to them.
"I will die in his place," Emmanuel proclaims firmly.
Disbelief fills Jacob. "What?"
"I will die as you, Jacob."
"Emmanuel, you don't have to do that." Jacob shakes his head.
"It is the only way to save you."
Before Jacob realizes what is happening, he is released from custody and turned over to his father. Emmanuel is imprisoned in his place.
Emmanuel is treated roughly, and is spit upon as he is readied for the sentence. "You saved Jacob, now save yourself!" they mock him. They strip off his clothes.
They take out a whip, and Emmanuel receives thirty-nine lashes. The beating is excruciatingly painful, the humiliation is terrible, but Emmanuel does not cry out. He suffers silently, knowing he is saving Jacob's life.
Finally, Emmanuel is led out to the wooden cross. They use nails in his hands and his feet to put him on the cross. On the cross, he cannot breathe; it is a slow, painful death.
"Father, do something!" Jacob says to Eloi. He cannot bear to watch Emmanuel die as him in this way.
Eloi turns to face Jacob. "It is done. I have exchanged Emmanuel for you. This day you are blessed, and he is cursed. He has taken your sins upon himself, so that you may have life. Now, my son, you know the meaning of true love." With his arm around Jacob, Eloi turns and walks away.
Seeing his father walk away, Emmanuel cries out in pain. "Eloi, Eloi, why have you forsaken me?!"
Later, the men check to see if he had died. To be sure, they take up a spear, and pierce his side. "He is dead, and Jacob's sins are paid for."
(copyright 2022 ©)
And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, And began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and bowing their knees worshipped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple from Him, and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross. And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but He received it not. And when they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the superscription of His accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with Him they crucify two thieves; the one on His right hand, and the other on His left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And He was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save Thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with Him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, He calleth Elias. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take Him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against Him, saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. ~Mark 15:17-39
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. ~Isaiah 53:05-06 (KJV)
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put My Name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. ~ Numbers 06:22-27 (KJV)