Markus, Son of Leontes

"God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God." ~ Matthew 5:8

Read Minister of The Way before reading this Entry

---

Discussion between Disciple Zaith and Markus

---

Markus

“Four years ago, my father, Leontes, was drafted to fight in the war against your people. He died the day your temple was destroyed. I was left alone, for my mother died giving birth to me fourteen years ago.

When word came that my father had passed, I was sent to an orphanage, but that was after I had been by myself for six months. My father prepared me to take care of our farmland, you see?”

Zaith

“I see. Curious though, why invite me in as you did? Are you not angry with my people for taking your father from you?”

Markus

“Why would I be? It was not you that sent my father to his death, but Rome.”

Zaith

“This is true, but still. As a Roman citizen, were you not taught the greatness of your empire?”

Markus

“I was, but…”

Zaith

“What is it?”

Markus

“It’s just… My father. He taught me to love and wished for me not to hurt.”

Zaith

“Your father, where did he learn this from?”

Markus

“He… He always said there was a Holy man of your people he had heard from when he lived in the Decapolis when he was younger.”

Zaith

“Did he ever say His name?”

Markus

“Jesus.”

Zaith

“You know Markus. I’m sure you never made sense of many of the lessons your father taught you, but I can say, he walked the same path I walk. A seed was planted in him the day he heard His words. It may have only blossomed a small bit, but, it seems the foundation was built firmly in his heart.”

Parable of the Seed

“Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Matthew 13:3-9

Markus

“It was… But when I think of everything he taught me, I feel this hole in my heart that yearns for something.”

Zaith

“That hole Markus, you yearn for His spirit. What your father began planting in your heart is meant for the Holy Spirit. You yearn for His spirit and truth, and He hath sent me to guide you into His light, into His arms.

Your tears that flow down your face, let them fall. For He that hears your cries will catch your tears, and loves you for He sacrificed Himself for you to have eternal life.

May I pray over you, Markus?”

Markus

“Please, yes…”

Zaith

Heavenly Father

Holy is Your Son’s name, holy are His words. Through Him, Your path hath revealed Markus to Your spirit. From Your only, begotten Son, to Markus’ father, and now to me. You lay Markus before me as a new child of You, my Lord. May Your spirit ignite in him so he may witness Your power, love, and glory! He hath been prepared and I pray You come to him so he may rest in Your warm embrace. Lord, I pray Your spirit ignites in me, to guide Markus nearer to You, to show Him the narrow path which You’ve paved for our walk to You. May we have the strength together to carry our crosses, to survive the persecution that comes as we call Your Son’s Holy name.

In Jesus name, we pray…

Amen

---

As I concluded our prayer, Markus collapsed into me for a deep embrace. Even with such a small interaction, I knew that You sent me here for a reason. Just with Markus alone, his pure heart yearns for You…

---