The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden hues over the rooftops of Jerusalem as the city bustled with the sounds of evening preparations—vendors closing their stalls, mothers calling children inside, and the scent of fresh bread drifting through the streets.

Gedaliah and his father, Shiloh, were on their way home after another successful day of work. Their hands were calloused, and their tunics dusted with stone powder, but their spirits were light with joy and satisfaction.

Shiloh adjusted the weight of his tool bag over his shoulder and let out a satisfied sigh. “Did you take note of the way Master Ezra marveled at our work today?” he asked, a grin on his face. “I feared for a moment that his beard would fall right off with all that nodding.” 

Gedaliah chuckled. “I certainly did! He kept running his hands over the stonework, saying he had never seen such precision and craftsmanship. It is all down to your superb teaching, Father.” 

Shiloh waved a hand dismissively. “It’s our work, my son. You’ve become a fine builder in your own right.” He patted Gedaliah’s shoulder. “And I can see the change in you. Since the day you were baptized… it’s like a fire in you.”

Gedaliah’s smile softened.

A couple of weeks had passed since he and about three thousand others were baptized, and the joy in his heart was one that could not be explained in human terms. It was an overwhelming sense of happiness, knowing deeply that he had been forgiven of his sins. This new life of faith had not only transformed him but had begun to ripple through his family, as he had shared his experience with Shiloh, his mother Mathea, his younger brother Berechiah, his cousin Moriss, and Moriss’s wife Amariah.

Initially, there was some resistance, particularly from Shiloh, who was steeped in tradition and cautious about new teachings. Yet, the sincerity and joy in Gedaliah’s transformation were compelling, and one by one, they felt convicted by the message of the Way and eventually accepted the call to follow Jesus the Messiah.

Mathea was the first to follow, her heart moved by the love and forgiveness she witnessed in her son. Berechiah, always eager to follow his older brother’s lead, was next, his youthful spirit embracing the new faith with enthusiasm. Morris and Amariah, though initially skeptical, found themselves drawn in by the communal spirit and the teachings that spoke to their hearts.

Eventually, Shiloh, the steadfast leader and father, could no longer deny the peace he saw in his family. He too was baptized, and with this, the family was united under this new faith, living joyfully as followers of the Way. Their days were now filled with a shared purpose, discussing the teachings of the apostles, praying together, and helping each other grow in their faith.

“I feel it too, Father. I never knew life could be this full. The joy, the peace… even in the hardest moments, it never fades.”

Shiloh nodded, his expression thoughtful. “It is as Peter and the others said. The Spirit lives within us. I feel it in my bones.” He chuckled. “Even after a long day of hauling stones.” 

They shared a laugh as they turned onto a familiar street. The scent of spiced stew and roasted meat drifted toward them, carried by the evening breeze. 

“Ah, yes, tonight’s feast,” Shiloh stated with anticipation. “I hope Mathea and Amariah had help with all the cooking. There will be quite a number of brethren around.”

Gedaliah smiled. “Oh, I am sure the sisters in the faith lent a hand. You know how Amariah is—she will always find a way to bring people together and get them to work.” 

Shiloh laughed heartily. “That she does! There is no doubt about that. And your mother… she has not stopped smiling and praising God since we were baptized. It does my heart so much good to see it.” 

Gedaliah’s heart swelled with gratitude as he nodded.

How life had switched up on him in the brightest of ways! Just weeks ago, he had been a man caught in the rhythm of ordinary life, unaware of the greater truth unfolding before him. Now, he and his whole family walked in the light. 

As they neared their home, the sound of voices and laughter reached them. Inside, a gathering of believers would soon share in food, prayer, and songs of praise.

Shiloh sighed contentedly. “God has been good to us, Gedaliah.” 

“Yes, Father,” Gedaliah agreed, his heart brimming with joy. “He truly has.” 

And with that, father and son stepped into the embrace of home, into the heart of their newfound family in the faith.

***

As Shiloh and Gedaliah stepped into the house, they were immediately met with a wave of warmth—not just from the aroma of freshly prepared food, but from the voices of their brothers and sisters in the faith. The room was alive with conversation and laughter as believers greeted one another with joy. 

“Shiloh! Gedaliah!” A man near the entrance, Kadmiel, clapped them both on the shoulders. “Hard at work again, I see. You look like you have been wrestling stones all day.” 

Gedaliah grinned. “More like wrestling time! The sun nearly set on us before we could pack up.” 

“Come, come, join us soon,” beckoned another, a woman named Bernice arranging cups on a low table. “Tonight’s meal will be one to remember.” 

Shiloh and Gedaliah nodded their thanks before weaving through the small crowd, searching for Mathea. 

They found her near the large cooking pots, speaking with two other women who were kneading dough. The moment she saw them, her face brightened, and she wiped her hands on her apron before walking over and embracing them both.

“Welcome home, my lord. Welcome home, my son,” she greeted warmly, bowing before Shiloh before turning to Gedaliah. “I hope the work was not too exhausting today.”

“It was good, Mother,” Gedaliah replied. “Master Ezra is pleased with what we’ve done so far.” 

“Ah, wonderful! He will have a fine house indeed.” Mathea smiled before stepping back. “And what of you two? Have you been well today?”

“Well enough, but hungry enough to eat a whole ox,” Shiloh teased. “Tell me, what feast have you and the others prepared for us?”

Mathea chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh, you and your appetite, my lord. Well, let us see… there is roasted lamb, barley bread, figs and honey, lentil stew, and a fine spiced fish that Sister Miriam prepared.” 

Gedaliah’s eyes widened. “Truly? Blessed be the Lord! This night will be glorious!”

Mathea laughed, patting his cheek affectionately. “Indeed, it shall. Go and wash up, both of you. You will eat soon enough.”

Shiloh, ever obedient to his wife’s gentle commands, chuckled and nudged Gedaliah toward the washing area. “Come, son. Let us not test her patience.”

Gedaliah sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. “Alas, I must wait a little longer for my meal. Very well, Mother, we shall do as you say.”

Mathea rolled her eyes, still smiling. “Off with you.”

And with that, father and son made their way to wash up, full of laughter and light spirits, as the warmth of fellowship engulfed their home like a gentle embrace.

***

Half an hour later, and the room was filled with believers gathered around the low tables, plates and bowls set before them. The soft glow of oil lamps flickered on their faces, and there was a hum of quiet expectation as everyone settled into their places, waiting for the evening’s blessing to begin.

Shiloh, as the patriarch of the household, stood. He spread his hands out, closed his eyes, and in a deep, steady voice, began to sing.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!”

Immediately, voices joined his, swelling into a joyful chorus. Some clapped, others swayed as they sang, their hearts lifted in praise. The melody filled every corner of the house as they all, in one accord, gave thanks to Elohim.

As the song faded, Shiloh lifted his hands once more. “Let us give thanks.”

Everyone bowed their heads as he prayed. 

“Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who provides food for the hungry and fills our souls with gladness. Thank You for gathering us in love, for redeeming us through Your Son, and for making us one family in Him. Bless this food before us, and may our fellowship bring glory to Your name. In the name of Jesus, our Messiah, we pray.” 

A resounding “Amen!” filled the air.

And with that, the feast began. 

Laughter and conversation mixed up with the sounds of plates being filled, bread being broken, and cups being passed. The rich aroma of spiced fish and roasted lamb mingled with the sweetness of figs and honey.

Gedaliah sat beside Moriss, while Berechiah reclined close by. As Gedaliah took his first bite of warm barley bread, Moriss nudged him.

“Gedaliah, you should have come to the synagogue earlier today,” Moriss informed him, grinning between bites of lamb. “One of the apostles—John, the son of Zebedee—spoke with such wisdom.”

Gedaliah raised a brow. “Ah, I see. What did I miss?” 

Berechiah, his eyes wide with excitement, leaned forward. “He spoke of the words of our Lord—that we must abide in Him. He reminded us that just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains in the vine, so too we must remain in Jesus to bear fruit.”

Gedaliah chewed thoughtfully, letting the words sink in. “Mmmm. Indeed, that is a powerful image. Without the vine, the branch withers. Without Him, we are nothing.”

“Exactly,” Moriss agreed. “And John also reminded us that we have received the Spirit, and that the Spirit teaches us all things.”

Berechiah beamed. “He told us that though we do not see Jesus as they once did, He is with us. The Spirit is our guide, and His presence is real.” 

Gedaliah smiled and nodded as he broke off another piece of bread. “It is true. Even in the simple moments—like this one—I feel Him with us.” 

Moriss nodded. “That is the beauty of this life. Every meal, every word spoken in love, every moment we share—it is all different now. Fuller. Led by the Spirit. And we give Him glory for that.”

“Always and forever.” Gedaliah lifted his cup. “To the fullness of life in Jesus.” 

Moriss and Berechiah grinned and lifted theirs as well. “To the fullness of life in Jesus.” 

The meal continued with more laughter, more sharing, more love. Around the room, believers spoke of the Lord’s goodness, of answered prayers, and of the joy that had transformed their lives. 

There was no fear, no division—only unity, only love. 

It was a glimpse of heaven on earth.

Oh yeah, the beauty of fellowship with the brethren. Certainly a beautiful experience…