First published 2008
Daniel bar Jamin watches Roman soldiers crucify his father. Hatred burns inside him. He flees to the hills outside his village and joins a band of outlaws. Daniel spies on Roman patrols and dreams of striking back. He plots revenge while living dangerously among the rebels. In the nearby town of Capernaum, a rabbi named Jesus teaches crowds about love and forgiveness. Daniel listens to these lessons but grows frustrated. This teacher speaks of peace instead of fighting the Romans. Daniel expects Jesus to lead a rebellion, but the rabbi disappoints him with talk of turning the other cheek. Daniel's anger blinds him to the people who care about him. His stubborn pursuit of vengeance puts his friends and family in danger. He drags them down his destructive path without seeing their devotion. Slowly, Daniel must choose between his burning hatred and the possibility of love and forgiveness that Jesus offers.
Genres: christian-fiction, historical-fiction, adventure
Vibes: emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, redemption
Setting: Capernaum, Roman Empire
Period: Ancient
6 pages · Audio CD · Blackstone Pub
Content warnings: violence