Chapter 2
***
"So Alexis, how did you come to work here in the vineyard?", asked Joy.
"I lost both my parents when I was young", said Alexis, "Gideon kindly took me in and hired me to work as one of the servants. His two sons, Sahara and Thomas, and I became like brothers and sister."
(Flash back with V.O)
"I still remember when we used to run around in the vineyards." "Try to catch us, Alexis", said young Thomas. "You run really fast", said young Sahara. "I bet I can run even faster than you both", said young Alexis. "Boys", Gideon called out, "It's time to come inside!" "Oh, father", said young Thomas. "You two go on ahead", said young Alexis, "I stay and finish up here." While Sahara and Thomas went inside, I stayed outside for a bit to finish things up. As well as the other servants, I usually stay in the little houses. When Gideon got old, I was hired to take care of him. I nursed him until his last day. Then he died, leaving the vineyard to Sahara and Thomas."
(back to present day)
"Alexis", said the steward, "Master Sahara wishes to see you."
"I wonder what he wants", said Alexis.
"Oh, I had no idea we have new servants."
"Well, not exactly", said Chris, "Chris, Joy and Gizmo."
"I can't believe this", said Thomas, storming out.
***
Alexi went inside the house and meet with Sahara.
"Master Sahara, you've sent for me", said Alexis.
"Beautiful Alexis", said Sahara, "Now that I have control of the vineyard, wouldn't you consider to be more than just one of our servants?"
"I...I", said Alexis, looking at him nervously.
"This vineyard is going to make me the richest man in Israel... I shall make you the most beautiful woman in Israel."
"You and Thomas have been like my own brothers", said Alexis, "Your father took me in as one of his own children."
****
Chris, Joy and Gizmo decided to go with Thomas who was went out to seek council from a lawyer.
"Where are we going, Thomas?", asked Joy.
"We're going to meet with a man named Josiah", answered Thomas, "He's a lawyer and a good man. My father said that the was the best."
"You don't think Sahara is going to ruin the vineyard, do you?", asked Chris.
"I'm hoping he doesn't yet that is what he's doing at the moment." They went inside and met with a lawyer.
"Excuse me", said Thomas.
"Josiah is not here anymore", said the lawyer.
"How did you know?"
"I'm a lawyer too yet people come asking for me? Josiah gave up law!"
"Where can I find him?"
"He went off to follow that Jesus fellow."
"Jesus?"
"Some prophet or teacher. I don't know."
"Tell me where I can find him?"
"Well, find Jesus and you'll find Josiah. Last I've heard He was teaching at the foot hills."
"Thanks."
Thomas, Chris, Joy, and Gizmo left to look for Josiah who had left law practice to follow Jesus.
"We've actually heard Jesus speak many times", said Chris.
"Is that so?", asked Thomas.
"That's right, we have", said Gizmo.
Soon, Thomas met with Josiah, who was a kind man that had previously been a lawyer.
"Thomas, it's good to see you", said Josiah.
"It's good to see you as well, Josiah", said Thomas.
"And who are these three?"
"Oh, these are my three new friends. Chris, Joy, and Gizmo. This is Josiah, one of the best lawyers in Israel."
"So you gave up law?", asked Gizmo.
"I have", said Josiah, "Heaven knows I owe Thomas's father..."
"Josiah, I need you to come back. Sahara is ruining the vineyard and father's good name."
"I have found more important things..."
"We have heard Jesus speak many time", said Joy.
"Here he comes now. Come, Thomas, listen to the words of Jesus."
They gathered around and listened to Jesus speak. He was giving a sermon-
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
"I remember this", said Chris in a low voice to Joy and Gizmo, "It's His Sermon on the Mount."
"You are right", said Gizmo in a low voice, "Now we're hearing it all over again."
Jesus continued on-
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
[Even though there was already a Superbook episode about the Sermon on the Mount, it's kind of nice to have Chris, Joy and Gizmo hear it all over again.]Statistics: Posted by jasmine_tarkheena — Sun Sep 24, 2023 12:34 am
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