The Bronze Bow

Daniel realizes he has undone months of progress. Leah sits all day, idle, depressed, and fearful. He does all the housework and shows greater gentleness and patience than he’s ever shown anyone before. But he fears Leah is completely demon-possessed now.

At some point, Daniel timidly begins to place his hope in Jesus. He’s heard that Jesus can cast out terrible, violent demons; can he cast out silent ones, too? Having declined to follow Jesus, he hesitates to ask Jesus for anything. He also blames himself for Leah’s decline. Yet he remembers Jesus’s kindness and the way Jesus removed Daniel’s guilt when he spoke of Samson. One day, after work, he goes to Capernaum.

A man directs Daniel to the opposite side of the lake, where he finds a massive crowd of people, pushing and shoving. He makes out an indistinct chant. Eventually he figures out that they’re saying, “Hosanna! Blessed be He that cometh!” Daniel is overjoyed, thinking this means that Jesus must have declared himself the messiah. He asks a man what Jesus said. The man says Jesus did something better than talking—he fed them. Daniel notices that the hillside is littered with crusts of bread.

Eventually, Daniel finds Simon in the crowd. Simon tells Daniel that Jesus has retreated into the hills with a few of his closest disciples. Nobody is to follow him. Disappointed, Daniel asks Simon why Jesus would do this—surely the people would have given him a crown. Simon doesn’t know—but he is sure that Jesus is the Messiah. He has given up hope that Jesus will lead the Jews against Rome. Daniel’s lingering doubt is confirmed, and he feels crushed by the bitter blow. What could Jesus offer that’s better than freedom?

Simon says that Daniel will not understand this, but that Jesus gives his followers the kingdom of God. Even if the world has not changed, it will someday. And in the meantime, even the lowliest people are promised God’s care. He is a shepherd to the poor and ignorant, and he teaches that if the soul is not chained by fear or hate, then a person is free. Of course the Romans are still frightening. But Jesus isn’t afraid—and, even without understanding the future, Simon has chosen Jesus. Jesus’s promise is enough for him. Daniel will not listen further. He is tired of words. He wanted a leader who would do something. But now he knows he is alone, with only his hatred and his vow.