Journal Entry 1 by HARRIET from Morrow, Georgia USA on Saturday, August 23, 2003

In the first century, Jews flock to Yerushalyim to celebrate the Passover at a time when Roman legions dominate the landscape. The Jews question their faith and their God as the invaders slaughter innocents with the help of the local religious priests. Even though they feel abandoned by God and are beginning to believe that evil will inherit the earth, still they come until the latest genocide leaves many dead.

In this unholy period of doubt, disaster, and foreign rule, blind teen beggar Peniel still believes in his God and that the Messiah is coming. No one welcomes Peniel; even his parents shun him because they blame him for the death of his brother. Most people feel Peniel or his parents sinned leading to his sightlessness. Still being a pariah does not stop Peniel from his search for the light of the Messiah with Yeshua the healer his prime candidate.

This is an entertaining but serious look at the first century during a time when the Jewish people are religiously in disarray. More people feel God abandoned his Chosen ones than those like the hero who expect the Messiah to arrive any moment. Though cramming too much in one novel, as there are other stars of subplots that do not tie together except through their dealings with the messianic healer Yeshua, readers will enjoy this engaging insightful first century tale.

Harriet Klausner