I could tell I was not the only one in the room who was unsure of what Jesus was talking about.  The twelve men present also appeared puzzled by his remarks and they conversed with each other in low tones, gesturing for emphasis.  My own questions bubbled out into my consciousness almost faster then I could consider them.  Was Jesus setting himself up as leader of a revolution against the Romans and these men were the nucleus of his army? No insult intended but although he had a definite air of authority about him, this gentle little guy hardly looked the military type.  Besides, according to the rumors I'd heard the conflict was between Jesus and the Jewish power structure; not the Romans.  So; maybe Jesus intended to lead a popular uprising to get rid of the Jewish rulers and install a new, Godly and spiritually pure priestly class. Lordy; there certainly was need for change. The Pharisees utterly despised the peasants and didn't hesitate to take away their property in the courts or steal it outright. Together with wealthy landowners and the religious leaders,the Pharisees--snakes dressed in robes of gold threads-- preyed on widows, orphans and the desperately poor, without mercy. And they had the nerve to say flies are nasty  
  I hopped up on the cushion close to Jesus to listen in on the conversation he was having with the fellow next to him. (Jesus call him John.)  Jesus looked down at me and stopped in mid-sentence.  His brown eyes were so soft I felt I could float in them. He smiled and gently picked me up by the wings.  "Greetings, Brother Noah," he said. "Make haste; visit Al bar Levi and then return quickly."  He let go of me and my wings revved up, lifting me toward an open window, my mind whirling as fast as my wings were beating. How did Jesus know my name? And how did he know that Rabbi Al bar Levi and I were friends?  This was getting more and more exciting and mystifying. But why was I being sent to visit my rabbi?  I didn't want to leave. The action was here in the upper room and I was afraid I would miss something important. But I had felt the touch of Jesus and the irresistible persuasion of his words moved me to do as he said.
  I was in Rabbi Al bar Levi's study in just a few minutes.  "Master," I said, a little out of breath, "I have been celebrating the Passover with a group of men at an inn a few blocks from here. The leader of the group, a man named Jesus, told me to come see you and then return quickly."
 Bar Levi looked up from the scroll of Isaiah spread before him.  "Jesus, you say?" Bar Levi stroked his beard and appeared thoughtful.  "Why did he send you to me?"
  "I--I don't have the foggiest,"  I stuttered.
  "I believe I do," bar Levi said, still fingering his beard. 
  "Is he a rabbi?"
  "The Rabbi of rabbis."
  "A prophet?"
  "The Prophet of all prophets.  But neither of these is the purpose of his being."
  "What, then?"
  Bar Levi placed his hand on the scroll.  "It's all right here.  Isaiah gives you a complete description of Jesus the Messiah. Everything but his name."
  The rabbi's words reverberated and crashed like thunder in my brain.  "The Messiah?  That unimposing little man?"
  "That unimposing little man and his twelve companions are about to turn the world upside down.  Now; up with you.  Fly, Noah, fly.  Return and see the unveiling of what was prepared before the world began."

More of Noah's adventure in the next blog.