Short Story: A Found Treasure Part 2

He Sold Everything

Two weeks had passed and Jude was true to his word of settling his affairs to be able to buy the field. And when I say settling his affairs, I mean he sold everything, everything, that he owned to make it work. He sold his disease-ridden wheat fields at a loss even though he could have made much more from them if he had waited out the blight for a few years. I even offered to pitch and help the sale but he was adamant that he was the one who had to own this field. And he was willing to give everything up for it.

Word spread around town about Jude’s rash decision and people began to whisper and wonder what had gotten into him. Some wondered if it was a girl, others wonder if the stress of farming had gotten to his head. Jude had been tight lipped about his conversation with that stranger and I too, had not mentioned it to anyone either. When I had asked Jude again about that encounter, all Jude did was continually repeat himself that he needed that field. As much as it didn’t make sense to me, I wanted to support my friend in the best way possible. 

That day, we met back up at the start of the road leading out of town and towards the orchard. Jude had in his hand a bag of money that represented all that he owned except the robe on his back. 

“Are you ready?” I asked, ready to go on this final walk with him.

“Yes,” he said, eyes gleaming. He clearly hadn’t shared the full story behind why he had bought this field and I was waiting for when he was ready to tell me. 

“Do you have a place to stay tonight?” I asked, knowing very well he had sold his small house that accompanied one of his fields. 

“Yes, I’m all set Eli,” Jude said. “Thank you for being so supportive of me during these last few weeks. I’m sure my decision didn’t make sense but I think you will begin to understand soon enough.”

I sighed at Jude’s cryptic response but knew it was the best he could give me.

“Anything for you Eli, I just hope you won’t regret this decision.”

“Never,” Jude said, as we set out down the road.

Very Much A Treasure

Just like our walk home after that fateful orchard visit two weeks ago, our journey continued in silence until we saw our destination come into view. The quaint little house remained nestled at the edge of a sprawling orchard, the almond trees’ leaves now fully grown and fluttering in the breeze as if they were saying hello to their new owner. 

As we approached the house and orchard, I saw the door of the small house open and Habakkuk standing outside of it. 

Habakkuk waved us over as Jude smiled broadly. 

“My dear friends, I assume these last two weeks have treated you well,” He greeted, eying Jude nervously as if Jude had abruptly changed his mind again. 

“Absolutely,” Jude said gleefully, “I ended up having to sell everything I had to buy this field,” handing over the bag of coins.

“Really?” Habakkuk said as he cautiously took the coins from Jude, holding them delicately as if they were a precious artifact after hearing that story. “I never intended to ask that type of cost from you in this sale.” 

“You didn’t,” Jude responded. “But I found something priceless in that field that is worth everything I own and then some.”  

Watching this interaction, I saw a sense of conviction in Jude I had never seen in anyone else before. Once again, I wondered, what possibly could that stranger have said to Jude? 

Habakkuk became even more perplexed, “Brother, what could you have possibly found in this orchard?” Habakkuk asked, “I know the soil is good but it can’t be that good for such a high cost. What did you find, a hidden treasure?” He joked.

“Very much a treasure.” Jude responded. 

Habakkuk paled, as the worst dawned on him. “Did I just become the biggest fool there ever was?” he cried, “Did I sell you this piece of land as a bargain, not knowing there was a treasure hidden here all along?!” 

At this moment in the exchange, someone walked out of the house. It was the stranger that Jude had met in the orchard!

“My old friend Habakkuk,” the stranger interjected, having heard this exchange as well. “No need to go down that trail of thinking, Jude is only speaking in metaphors.” He laughed, Habakkuk looking more and more confused. 

“He simply met me in the middle of the field,” The stranger explained. “I told him who I AM. I explained that I lived here with my mom. He just wanted to get to know me more and be closer to me, so he decided to buy the field.” 

Habakkuk looked relieved. “You could have just said that! Although I still don’t understand why it would still be worth the high price that Jude paid. I’ve known you and your family for a long time and I don’t mind seeing you from time to time.”

“It’s different once people really figure out who I AM.” The stranger said to Habakkuk.

Habakkuk shrugged, looking at the bag of coins Jude had handed him. Seemingly okay with the transaction and not looking for any more answers, Habakkuk said his goodbyes. “Good luck with the field Jude,” He said and turning to me, “Well wishes on your next pursuit as well.” I nodded as Habakkuk took off the way we came back into town.

Who Are You?

The stranger turned to us, “Jude, Eli! What a pleasure it is to see you again!” He said smiling. “Would you both like to come in? I believe Jude, you were going to take up my offer of staying with us for a while as you figured things out?”

“Yes!” Jude said, happy with just a simple answer and moved towards the stranger.

“Wait a minute,” I said hesitating on following Jude inside, “This is where you were planning to stay?” I asked. Jude nodded as if it needed no further explanation.

“I don’t even know your name,” I said to the stranger. “I really don’t understand what is happening. It’s hard for me to leave my friend here with you.”

“Yes Eli, I can understand how you feel,” the stranger said.” Let me introduce myself. My name is Yeshua and I am a rabbi. I have asked Jude to come follow me under my teaching.” 

“Wait, did you do all this just so you and your mom wouldn’t have to move out? My friend gave up everything to own this property that you live on.” 

“Jude bought this field on his own accord,” Yeshua said. “Joyfully may I add. He just wanted to be as close as possible to me. We just talked for a little while and he recognized who I AM.”

 “Who are you?” I asked again, knowing there was a deeper answer that I wasn’t getting.

“It’s okay if you don’t understand for now, Eli,” Yeshua said. “Let’s just keep getting to know each other and I think in time you will understand.” 

I didn’t know how to respond to Yeshua but Jude certainly did, for he sold all that he had after finding Him here. I guess the least I could do was go inside with the two of them.

“Yes, I guess that I’m okay to do that for now. Jude must have seen something amazing in you to do what he did so the least I can do is get to know you more and figure out what Jude saw in you.”

“That’s all I ask for,” Yeshua said, smiling at both me and Jude. 

He gestured again for us both to go inside, “I can’t wait for you two to try my mom’s stew, they say it’s the best in Nazareth!” 

My stomach grumbled in response, getting me excited at the thought of food.

Yeshua jokingly added as we all walked inside, “You never know Eli, one day you may find yourself doing the exact same thing as Jude, selling all that you have.” 

I laughed to myself at the thought but also wondered if I might sell all that I have for Him.