Spoilers: References to the season 1 episode, "Jesus Loves The Little Children."
Disclaimer: The Chosen isn't mine, and I'm making not money from this.
A/N: I was struck by the nickname that Jesus gives the little boy, Joshua, in "Jesus Loves The Little Children." Though he seemed to be the shyest of the group, he was the one Jesus evoked courage in. It made me wonder if courage was a trait he would need.
As always, I also thank my Lord Jesus Christ for his incredible mercy and grace and his many blessings. I would be utterly lost without him.
Courage
Joshua could hear them outside now.
They were getting closer, their footsteps pounding in the street, the sound rivaled only by the pounding of his heart.
Abby was in his arms, huddled against his chest, her head tucked under his chin.
She was trembling. Or maybe he was. He couldn't tell.
He closed his eyes, swallowing hard.
They'd known it was only a matter of time. No place in the Empire was safe now...not for Christians. The small village they'd fled to a few years ago had been relatively peaceful, but even here, spreading the Good News was dangerous.
It hadn't stopped them.
Often, Joshua thought of the words God had spoken to the man he was named for: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
And it was the memory of another voice – that precious voice – that echoed in his spirit just as loudly: "Joshua the Brave."
The boy he'd been at the time hadn't felt very brave. He'd barely managed to speak to the mysterious man Abby had been so fascinated by...their teacher. Their friend. Their Lord. How bold she had been in comparison. How bold she always was, speaking her mind with a confidence that he admired, even envied.
She would need to be bold now.
He drew a deep breath and opened his eyes, pulling away from her gently, taking her hands in his own.
"Abby," he said, forcing the words from his throat, "you have to get out of here. I'll distract the soldiers, get them to follow me. You go out the back-"
Her eyes widened in realization. "Joshua, no! I'm not leaving you!"
"You have to."
She shook her head stubbornly. "We go together or not at all!"
He smiled sadly. "Someone has to warn the others."
"Joshua..."
Her eyes filled with tears, but the argument died on her lips.
He was right. She knew he was right.
He tried to summon up a smile for her, then bent to kiss her, the beautiful girl he'd loved even as a boy, though he'd been far too timid to admit it then, even to himself. The beautiful girl who had grown into a beautiful woman.
His wife.
He'd prayed that they would have more time together, but it wasn't to be.
"I love you," he whispered as he pulled away.
The tears in her eyes spilled down her cheeks. "I love you too."
Every fiber of his being longed to hold her, to cling to her and never let go, but he released her hands and stepped back, already moving towards the front of the house.
"Go, Abby. Hurry!"
For just a moment, she looked like she would argue again, but then, curling her hands into fists, she turned and ran from the room. A moment later, he heard the sound of the back door opening, the hinges creaking softly, and he released a breath.
She would make it. He had to believe that.
Turning the other way, he opened the front door and sprinted out into the village. Shouts and the clatter of armor followed.
They'd seen him.
He ran faster.
He kept to the main streets, drawing as much attention as he dared...he couldn't be too obvious about it, or they might realize what he was trying to do. Some of their neighbors were helping the soldiers now, telling them where he'd fled. A few of them even tried to block his path, but he kept going, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his feet sliding in the dirt as he turned one corner and then the next.
The clatter of armor grew louder. He hoped that it meant all the soldiers were focused on him now...that none of them had bothered to check behind the house or noticed the small alley there.
He could not say how long the chase lasted...but eventually, he ran out of places to run.
A dead end.
The clatter of armor grew louder still.
He stared at the wall in front of him for a long moment, his chest heaving as he whispered a prayer to his Lord, a familiar voice echoing in his heart and in his memory:
Joshua the Brave.
Then he closed his eyes and let them come.
Fin
A/N: The Bible verse, "Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go," is from Joshua 1:9.
Thank you so much for reading, and please let me know what you think!
Take care and God bless!
Ani-maniac494 :)