Free Luke's Story by Tim Lahaye 7 Jerry B. Jenkins Page B

where he is, but there are rumors. A few years ago, Saul was actually rising within the synagogue—”

    “With clear ambitions to become the youngest member of the Sanhedrin one day,” another said.

    “Oh, that is not all bad,” Iseabail said. “At least he had focus. Saul was leading the effort against these many cells still meeting furtively, despite the admonitions of the temple and the king and even Rome, and he had seen countless numbers of them brought before the authorities. The last we knew, he was on his way to Damascus to conduct similar activities—with our authority. He never returned.”

    Luke stood waiting for more, but was met with silence. He opened his palms to them. “That’s it? You didn’t go after him, ask about him, try to find him? What if he came to a bad end?”

    “Of course we went looking. Or someone did. I don’t recall who just now. But the report we got was that he had left the synagogue and perhaps even left the faith.”

    “Oh, surely not,” Luke said. “I never knew” is middle, a more chiseled look to his features, but Luke would have recognized him anywhere. Still small and wiry, he seemed to have the same energy he had always had.

    “Dr. Luke!” he exulted, first pumping Luke’s hand, then embracing him. “What are you doing here, old friend?”

    “I could ask you the same. I have heard all kinds of rumors about you.”

    “I’ll confirm or deny them all if we get time. Are you coming or going?”

    Luke told him his schedule, and Saul grew suddenly serious. “Please,” he said, beckoning the young man and introducing him as his traveling companion. “Barnabas came from here to fetch me. He and I studied under Gamaliel in Jerusalem years ago, but he has been ministering here, not just to Jews but also to Greeks, for some time and now needs my help. Barnabas, Luke was a fellow student of mine at university. Listen, ask the captain if there might be room for me to stay aboard until their stop at Joppa, then I’ll catch another vessel coming this way. If there is, see to getting my things back on ship. You can proceed into town to meet with the brethren.”

    Ministering? The brethren? Could it be true that Saul had aligned with his former enemies? And had this Barnabas been working near Luke in Antioch?

    As Barnabas hurried off, Saul said, “I should have asked first whether I would be welcome to sail with you.”

    “The Saul I knew would never have asked,” Luke said, smiling. He was alarmed when Saul did not appear amused.

    Saul threw his arm around Luke and drew him close. “First, my name is Paul now. Can you get used to that?”

    “I’ll try, but—”

    “Before we converse a moment more, I must beg your forgiveness.”

    “My—?”

    “Hear, me, Luke, please. I have prayed for the chance to one day plead abjectly for your pardon for how boorish I was to you at university.”

    “Oh, we were both young men, and—”

    “No, now please. Your memory is as good as mine, and I have been haunted by every proud word and action. I am more than willing to kneel right here in the sand until you—”

    “There’s no need for that, Saul—Paul. Of course I accept your apology and forgive you. Let’s put it behind us. But you must also know that I harbored envy and jealousy too, toward you.”

    “I was wholly unaware, Luke. Of course, I really considered no one else back then. How could I?”

    “Forgive me.”

    “Of course!”

    Luke was plainly overwhelmed. What had happened to this man? The Saul he knew may not have asked permission for anythi”

    “I wasn’t afraid! At least not at first. I was angry, insulted, offended for the name of God. But I confess that the more we tried to make life miserable for them, the more they multiplied. I could not understand it. Why could they not see that their hero was dead and gone and was not returning? Many new believers claimed they were convinced by miracles. I had not seen any of these