The older brother, Ben, had a long and thin build, with wisps of gray throughout his black hair. His serious nature made him study many fields and he knew many things.
The younger, Jacob, had brown locks. Jacob traveled to the far lands full of spices, and grew very wealthy, and draped his body in a fine silk robe. Still, despite his amassed fortune, he had failed to find the greatest treasure in the world.
“How happy I am to see you!” Ben greeted his brother. He threw his arms around his brother’s neck.
“Dear Ben! It is you. How are mother and father?”
“Not well, I’m afraid. Father is ill, near death,” Ben said.
“Let's go then!” said Jacob.
Jacob picked up his bag and the two men hurried along the dusty road. The roof of the house they entered was flat. As they arrived, two servants took their outer robes.
Their mother heard their voices, and ran to them. At the sight of Jacob they embraced.
“Where is Father?” Jacob asked.
“In bed,” she said.
“Do not give up hope. I have medicines from my travels in my bag,” Jacob said.
They walked to a back room where their father was lying. The man’s eyes grew wide when he saw Jacob and he tried to rise up, but his wife went to his side and restrained him.
Jacob bent down and the man kissed him.
“Father, I have a medicine in my bag, I’d like you to eat it,” Jacob said.
Ben took out of the bag a small package, tied up tightly. He unwrapped it.
The man grimaced and then ate it. The man began to shake and violently spat out the medicine.
Jacob replied, “I thought this would cure him. I purchased this at great expense. I was told it would bring the dead back to life.” He sunk into a chair next to the bed and cried.
Just then another servant entered the room. He said, “The doctor has arrived.”
“Send him in!” said their mother.
The servant left and returned a moment later with the man. He carried his bag with a strap tied around his waist. He untied it.
She said to the doctor, “You are not our regular physician.”
“I heard from your servant that his master was near death and I promised to come and treat him. But my medicine is not of this world.”
“What do you mean it is not of this world? You are a Christian!” accused Ben.
“We do not welcome your cult here,” said his mother.
But Jacob rose at once and said, “Mother, brother, please! I have spoken to some of these Christians on my travels to Greece. There were many miracles that occurred when they invoked their God.”
Their father spoke up and said, “Heal me!”
“Will you accept my God as your God?” asked the doctor.
“Yes,” their father replied.
He took out a small vessel and poured its contents on his head and said, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
The physician opened his bag again and took out a small piece of bread. He said, “This is the living God who comes down from heaven, Jesus Christ, who gives us His Body in this bread. Recall how your ancestors ate manna in the desert. Will you believe in Him?”
The father said, “Yes.”
The physician gave the man the bread which he ate. Then as if his strength was poured back into him, he sat up without help.
The family cried out with joy for he had been in his bed, unable to move for weeks.
“Give him something to eat. He has been saved by his faith. He will not die,” said the physician.
As they held onto their father, the physician slipped out of the room.
As the man reached the door, Jacob ran to him.
“How can I ever repay you? I have searched all my life for the greatest wealth and power to no avail. I have been disappointed with everything I have found until today,” Jacob said.
“Our power is in serving others, not in gold. Tell others what God has done. Peace be with you,” said the physician as he opened the front door.
“Wait! What is your name?” asked Jacob.
The physician replied, “Luke.”
