The Making of the Lamb Read online

  The Making

  of the

  Lamb

  Advance Reviews

  The Bible offers only a glimpse of Jesus’ adolescence, but this novel presents one possible course of events for readers to mull over…. Jesus is aware of his status as Messiah but doesn’t yet understand what that position truly means. He spends years in Britain, living among Celtic people and their druids and slowly developing his divine nature through his experiences there. Though initially lacking in compassion, he’s eager to prove himself a capable warrior, and he eventually confronts the truth that his kingdom will not be on Earth but in heaven. Learning to accept this truth and its tragic implications is difficult even for the son of God…. Jesus’ story is, of course, theologically controversial. Bear addresses a major point of contention in Christian thought by speculating on how much of his divine nature Jesus understood as he grew up. Some of the images might be difficult for faithful readers to accept, especially those involving a sword-wielding or compassionless Jesus. Bear’s version of adolescent Jesus makes mistakes and has misunderstandings, but he ultimately acts within the Heavenly Father’s will. Overall, Bear successfully creates a character who technically remains sinless while still struggling with the process of growing up. With vivid side characters, an intriguing backdrop and steady pacing, the book is also a strong piece of writing….

  A stimulating story that challenges readers to consider and appreciate the coming-of-age a young Jesus may have gone through.

  —Kirkus Reviews

  Powerful, compelling and full of the teachings of both the Gospel and our Lord and Savior. Full of the history and culture of the period. Reading this book is like taking a journey both to the days of Jesus and to Ancient England in a time of Druids and Celts. The Making of the Lamb by Robert Bear is a wonderful read, delightfully entertaining and yet historical enough to make you forget that it is not real. Or was it real? That is the question this book makes the reader ask and that is well worth the price of admission. The Quest for the Holy Grail is the search for the Divine that all of us must take at some time, and if you decide to read this book, set aside some time because you will not want to put it down. The most dynamic and complete novel about Christ since Ben Hur.

  —Mark E. Rosson, Ph.D., author of “Uncle of God, the Voyages of Joseph of Arimathea,” “Sandals in the Dust: Lives of the Apostles,” the All the Books in the Bible commentary series, and more

  Bear’s story builds upon a medieval legend of Jesus visiting Britain…. Maybe you’ve read Gordon Strachan’s Jesus the Master Builder: Druid Mysteries and the Dawn of Christianity. Strachan takes these legends seriously, painting Jesus as a Druid.

  Bear’s rendition doesn’t go that far. It is presented as fiction based on legend, but Bear’s research is exhaustive. Bear spins a tale of Jesus’ coming-of-age years based on the legend that encourages the reader to come to his or her own conclusions on how the cornerstone ideas of the Christian faith originated in the One we’ve accepted as Lord. The book is lightly tinged with pluralism, yet in all ways respectful of Christian beliefs; I’ve no reason to believe Bear isn’t a practicing Christian. His book brings myth and legend alive with meaning, speculating about how Jesus slowly began to piece together his mission in life….

  In the story, Jesus develops a special relationship with the Father from a young age, but the Father’s ways are mysterious. Jesus contemplates his role as savior of the world and how the Father’s vision of the Messiah differs from the warrior figure Jesus envisioned; he learns what it means to be born again of the Spirit; he learns how to forgive and how to respect our differences. In short, readers of Bear’s novel witness the Making of the Lamb … the one who gave up his sword to die on the cross.

  It’s a fascinating journey worth sharing with the young Jesus. A book you won’t soon forget.

  —Lee Harmon, “The Dubious Disciple,” author, historical Jesus scholar, and liberal Christian (www.dubiousdisciple.com)

  A lively and readable novel that carries its religious dimension with a surprising degree of grace—in several senses of that latter word.

  —John Michael Greer, Grand Archdruid, Ancient Order of Druids in America

  … [I]ntriguing historical fiction…. What truths can be found in pagan religions? What is freedom of choice? What does it mean to be fully divine and fully human? How to explain that you have a heavenly Father, and that He is still One True God? Would you give up your life to save humanity, hundred people, ten, a beloved family member that was seduced by the devil or a former slave that only caused you great trouble?…

  —Henk-Jan van der Klis, Goodreads and NetGalley reviewer

  … [R]obust and imaginative fictional expansion of the … Legend of Joseph of Arimathea and its many interpolations in which Joseph brought Jesus to Britain in his early (missing) years…. The author has carefully woven Christian scripture and theology along with Jewish practices and Druidic interaction to make for splendid reading. 5 out of 5 stars.

  —Denis McGrath, NetGalley reviewer

  The Making of the Lamb … is a fictional tale based in plausible history and supposition about the story of Jesus Christ between the age of twelve and the years when he began his ministry. These years are a mystery and are missing not only from the Bible but other texts on the life and story of Jesus Christ. Many scholars have tried to track down his movements and what the Son of God might have been doing during these years but Robert Harley Bear has been able to artfully craft a fictional story about these very formative years during Christ’s life and what He may have been doing…. Bear is a talented story teller and was able to weave an artful tale full of adventure and lessons to be learned…. It has posed more questions than it has provided answers but in my humble opinion that is what makes it a good read…. This book would make a good gift for those who are open to exploring different possibilities about the life of Jesus Christ….

  —Maggie McKeating, NetGalley reviewer

  http://maggiemckeatingsreviews.wordpress.com/

  The full text of these reviews is posted online. More reviews will be posted as they become available.

  www.makingofthelamb.com/review.htm

  The Making of

  the Lamb

  A NOVEL BY

  ROBERT HARLEY BEAR

  Eirth Publications, L.L.C.

  Rockville, Maryland

  Copyright © 2014 by Robert Harley Bear

  All rights reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, inluding photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system—with the exception of a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review—without the written permission from the publisher. For information, contact the author through www.makingofthelamb.com.

  Published in the United States by

  Eirth Publications, L.L.C., Rockville, Maryland

  Printed and bound in the United States of America

  April, 2014

  www.makingofthelamb.com

  Trade Paperback ISBN 978-0-9893138-0-3

  Hardcover ISBN 978-0-9893138-1-0

  Kindle ISBN 978-0-9893138-2-7

  Cover Design: Peri Poloni-Gabriel, Knockout Design

  www.knockoutbooks.com

  Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication

  (Provided by Quality Books, Inc.)

  Bear, Robert Harley.

  The making of the lamb / a novel by Robert Harley Bear.

  pages cm

  LCCN 2013958128

  ISBN 978-0-9893138-0-3 (pbk.)

  ISBN 978-0-9893138-1-0 (hardcover)

  1. Jesus Christ—Fiction. 2. Jesus Christ—Messiahship—Fiction. 3. Jesus Christ—Cru
cifixion—Fiction. 4. Jesus Christ—Travel—England—Fiction. 5. Historical fiction. 6. Biographical fiction. I. Title.

  PS3602.E2478M35 2014 813’.6

  QBI13-600310

  To all the donors who have registered to give life-saving bone marrow at Be the Match Foundation, marrow.org. Without this incredible act of generosity by an anonymous donor a few years ago, this book would never have been completed. If you ever donated anonymously, perhaps you were the one who made this book possible.

  About the Author

  Since 2004, Robert Harley Bear has studied late Iron Age archeology, writings about druids from Irish legends to the annals of Julius Caesar, biblical history, Roman history and stories and legends of the missing years of Jesus Christ.

  Robert Harley Bear is an attorney and an information technology consultant. In 2005, he was baptized at St. Paul’s Parish, K Street, in Washington, DC, where he remains an active parishioner to this day. He taught the high school confirmation class for several years.

  Jerusalem

  And did those feet in ancient time,

  Walk upon England’s mountains green?

  And was the holy Lamb of God,

  On England’s pleasant pastures seen?

  And did the Countenance Divine

  Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

  And was Jerusalem builded here,

  Among these dark Satanic Mills?

  Bring me my Bow of burning gold;

  Bring me my Arrows of desire;

  Bring me my Spear; O clouds unfold!

  Bring me my Chariot of fire!

  I will not cease from Mental Fight,

  Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand;

  Till we have built Jerusalem,

  In England’s green and pleasant Land.

  Words by William Blake, 1808.

  Set to music by Sir Hubert Parry, 1916.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Part I - The Journey to Britain

  Prelude

  Chapter 1 - What to Do About Jesus?

  Chapter 2 - A Gift of Tongues

  Chapter 3 - A Problem with Prophecy

  Chapter 4 - A Perilous Passage

  Part II - Growing in Wisdom and the Favor of God and Man

  Interlude

  Chapter 5 - The Tin Finder

  Chapter 6 - Days of Awe

  Chapter 7 - Rumps

  Chapter 8 - Ynys Witrin

  Chapter 9 - The Secret of the Lord

  Part III – A Mission from God

  Interlude

  Chapter 10 - Of Lepers and the Law

  Chapter 11 - A Chariot and Some Prodigals

  Chapter 12 - Bangor

  Chapter 13 - The Chosen

  Part IV - A Painful Destiny

  Interlude

  Chapter 14 - The Path to Calvary

  Chapter 15 - The Unblemished

  Chapter 16 - Dark Satanic Mills

  Chapter 17 - Arrows of Desire

  Chapter 18 - Stonehenge

  Epilogue

  Author’s Afterword

  Glossary of Place Names

  Illustrations

  Legend (All Maps)

  Lower Galilee (Map)

  Mare Internum (Map)

  Roman Gaul and Celtic Britain (Map)

  Southwest Belerium (Map)

  Ynys Witrin (Map)

  Southwest Britain (Map)

  What Our Savior Saw from the Cross, James J. J. Tissot

  Tunic Cross Icon, Robert Harley Bear

  If you wish to refer to a printed copy of the maps and other illustrations, you may download an Adobe Acrobat file from this link and print it out: http://www.makingofthelamb.com/maps

  Prologue

  Oh, Vanity! Why do you stir this humble scrivener to pose these imaginings as answers to such mysteries of faith? Can pen and ink depict the beauty of those prehistoric Isles of Wonder or the cosmic forces of the Tor? Can they render the nuanced utterances, in language now lost, of the Tuatha Dé Danann or the Fisher King? Can they recapture the druids’ arts or the boisterous gatherings in Iron Age Celtic halls?

  Most challenging of all: can they hope to paint a living picture of the adolescent Jesus, as he walked the green hills of Britain, grew to manhood, experienced his own humanity, and came to terms with the fate that awaited him?

  It begins with a legend committed to writing during the Dark Ages. In about A.D. 600, Pope Gregory dispatched Augustine of Canterbury to preach the gospel to the Germanic tribes that had invaded Britain. But there, among the native Celtic people, Augustine encountered an existing branch of Christianity that had been isolated from Western Europe since the collapse of Roman rule two centuries before. Augustine wrote to Gregory what the bishops of that Celtic church had told him:

  …In the western confines of Britain, there is a certain royal isle of large extent, abounding in all the beauties of nature and necessities of life. In it, the first neophytes of Catholic law found a church constructed by no human art, but by the hands of Christ himself.

  The legend holds that Jesus was brought to Britain by Mary’s uncle, a trader in tin and known in Scripture as Saint Joseph of Arimathea, the wealthy man who buried Jesus in his own tomb.

  The Knights of the Round Table searched for the Holy Grail throughout Britain. Some might call them mad. Why should the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper be there, of all places? But the Arimathean is linked to that quest, too; legend credits him with bringing Christianity to Britain shortly after Christ’s passion, perhaps bringing the cup with him and hiding it there to be sought.

  The legend was still alive in William Blake’s time, for him to put to verse:

  And did those feet in ancient time,

  Walk upon England’s mountains green?

  And was the holy Lamb of God,

  On England’s pleasant pastures seen?

  To this day, you find the legend throughout southwest Britain. It is depicted on the banner of Pilton Parish, set forth on the website of the St Just in Roseland Church, and mentioned in the history posted inside the Church of Saint Lawrence in Priddy. The town seal of East Looe depicts Jesus and the Arimathean arriving on a boat in the course of one of their trading missions for British tin. According to the legend, what grew to be one of the largest monasteries of Britain was founded by Saint Joseph in present day Glastonbury on the spot where Jesus built that first church. Although the monastery was dissolved by Henry VIII, its ruins still dominate the center of the town.

  And yet, this legend might bear witness to a truth far more ancient still. The bishops assembled at Nicea in A.D. 325 decreed that there was no time when the Son was not. They pronounced his substance to be the very same as the Father’s. They affirmed, quite rightly, that he was begotten of the Father before all worlds and not made. For Jesus was there as the divine Word even as the Father began the work of Creation by separating the light from the darkness. He was with God. He was God, and all things were made through him. In him was life, which was the light of men, and the light shined. So it was written.

  However, so too was it written that when the time was ripe, he put aside his divine dignity and became flesh to live among us. He did not come with manifest power and glory or even as a great person, but rather as a helpless baby with a fully human nature born to a poor household in a ravaged land.

  His earthly parents nurtured him as his humanity required. As a boy of twelve, though knowledgeable beyond his years and fully aware of his divine Father, his wisdom and favor with God and man were not then complete; rather, it was written that he went on to grow in that wisdom and favor. His human nature would have become more reconciled to his divine nature that also abided fully within himself. Maybe it was then that he accepted his destiny to suffer on the cross as the final and perfect sacrifice for all.

  Perhaps, in that way, it can be said that the Lamb might have been made.

  Allow me now, mere scrivener that I am, your patience to pray. As this prologue turns to the cul
mination of the incarnation, I put aside my feigned omniscience and give voice to the thoughts, words, and deeds of the players who play their parts, each blinded by their own vanities, desires, and limitations of mortal frame, save for one now grown back into true omniscience.

  The Garden of Gethsemane outside Jerusalem, A.D. 33, during the reign of Tiberius, second emperor of Rome

  Jesus

  Their darkest hour is now at hand. Even the most steadfast will find their faith sorely tried until the morning of the third day.

  They had come to Jerusalem in triumph less than a week before, greeted by the waving of the palms. His disciples and followers had seen Jesus work many miracles, even raise the dead, but no matter how he tried to tell them that his time for leaving would soon be at hand, they only comprehended the good news they wanted to hear. The power of his teachings and miracles made them expect nothing but more great wonders.

  Oh, Father, any ordinary man, knowing what I know, would just keep walking. The temple guards will not be here for an hour. The Mount of Olives is such a small rise, and I have ample time to escape to the other side. I could have such a wonderful day tomorrow with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany.

  But I am not an ordinary man. I am your Son! Father in Heaven, I made the choice to accept this path so many years ago, and ever since, with every step, I have lived, I do live, and I will live in tomorrow’s pain.

  Jesus stopped with his disciples at the garden. He bade them stay, and he walked forward with Peter, James, and John. He told these three, “My soul is heavy with sorrow. Please keep watch.”

  He went forward another few yards and threw himself on the ground.

  Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me. But, let it not be my will, but your will to be done.

  Jesus got up and went back, and he found Peter, James and John asleep.

  See, Father. See how all now take a hand in my death. Not just the Romans or the Jews or even Judas now betray me. Even my closest disciples cannot stay awake for one mere hour. They will blame themselves for the weakness of their flesh, but is it not you and I who tire them?