But Jesus had also come to see that he and his friend walked the world in vastly different ways, and that Peter desired something Jesus could not give. Still, the bindings of loyalty tugged on his heart. As did the knowledge that it was his untruth that had created the trouble between them.

It terrified Jesus to think of the danger should anyone learn of his secret.

But how else could he mend the tear in the fabric that bound him and Peter? How else but through a display of absolute trust?

But would Peter keep his secret safe?

He fought against his fear. A tangle of words clawed at his throat. He tasted the confession on his tongue.

Peter, there is something I must tell you …

Before Ruth could stop him, Jesus bolted outside to find his friend. But Peter was nowhere to be found.

As they drew closer to Nazareth, Jesus felt his spirits rising. Even though he knew he would not be welcomed in the village, the thought of being near his childhood home, and his mother’s final resting place, urged him on.

As Mary led Jesus on the donkey, crowds ran out to greet them, lining both sides of the path. Smiling faces encircled them and bouquets of hands stretched out to touch Jesus or offer him gifts. Jesus and his sisters kindly refused.

“Your spirit is generous. But, truly, we have more than we need,” Ruth told them. “When a plant is well watered, do you pour more on its head?” she asked.

The crowd laughed.

“Of course not!” Jesus said, lifting his voice above the laughter. “Or you ruin the plant. Therefore, I tell you, share your gratitude with those among you who have little. In this way, the basket of gifts never runs empty and we all share in the gain.”

Following Peter’s disappearance, discord among the group had faded and the usual lightness returned.

Keeping himself covered, the moon-faced magician tumbled inside the swooning crowd. He had become irritated by the steep drop in his revenues since the handsome healer’s arrival, and he wanted to discover the secret of his success. He watched in awe as the scene unfolded around Jesus. It was not the healer’s words that impressed him, nor his exotic looks, but rather the adoration of the onlookers. Even the magician himself, at the height of his powers, had never drawn such uninhibited trust from so many. His pulse quickened and he licked his lips. He knew well the riches that could be harvested from such trust.