Light of the World

Mama! James and I want to hear the creation story again.

All right, all right, John.

Both of you sit down, and listen closely.

In the beginning, was nothing but darkness.

Then God said, "Let there be light."

Over six days, He spoke all things into existence.

And then He made us,

His children, created in His image.

We lived with Him together, in a perfect garden.

There was just one rule.

Do not eat from the forbidden tree.

But we didn't trust Him.

We disobeyed.

And in our shame, we fled from God's light,

into a dark, and dying world.

Our world.

Wait, Mama! I don't like the dark.

We're scared. Right, James?

Yeah, maybe just skip to the part

where you-know-who shows up?

Don't be afraid, John.

I was just getting to the best part.

Separated from God's light, what hope did we have?

Alone in the darkness.

But God did not abandon us.

He promised to send a mighty king to save us.

The Messiah.

He will overcome the darkness,

and make all things right again.

Yeah, by destroying our enemies!

Yah! Yah!

His kingdom of light will last forever!

Yah! Yah!

He'll defeat Rome, and free us all.

Hush, boys. Someone might hear you.

Zebedee, they're just excited.

I've heard rumors the Messiah is already here,

waiting to reveal himself.

Already here?

The fishmonger told me this story about a bright star

that appeared when the Messiah was born.

Salome, I'm sorry, but do you hear yourself?

Magic, stars, fish-market gossip?

We have to focus on what's real.

Working hard, and not crossing Rome.

No!

Stop!

Papa!

Don't take my Papa!

We always pay our taxes to Rome.

We just need a little more time.

It's too late for that.

If we couldn't catch enough fish before,

how are we supposed to, with him in prison?

Not our problem.

We have to help them!

John, no!

John, stop!

There's nothing we can do.

No one is coming to save us.

We have to keep our heads down,

and take care of ourselves.

They needed our help.

Come, boys.

Bedtime.

-Mama? -Hmm?

Is Papa right?

Is the Messiah not real?

Your father just wants to keep you safe.

But the Messiah is real.

He'll be our King,

to bring us out of the darkness.

He will be the light of the world.

Be ready, John!

Looks like there's a storm on the horizon!

I'll have to steer us toward calm waters.

Sails up! Oars down!

Rough waters ahead!

-Oh no! -Ha ha!

- A rogue wave! - Ah!

Boys!

Aah! A sea monster, approaching off the bow!

-Stern. -Stern.

Hmph! Stop playing around.

The tax collector is on his way.

James, I need you to get these fish to the market,

and get back with the money as quick as you can.

You told me to help Peter with his nets.

I can do it!

Whoa!

Oh! Ah!

Uh, I don't think so.

You have to trust him at some point.

See?

Fine.

You won't regret it!

-I know a shortcut! -No shortcuts.

Just go the normal way.

Are you sure you have to go, Andrew?

Peter, I have to see if the rumors

about the Messiah are true.

I'll be back in a few days.

Well, if you find him,

ask him if he needs a servant.

I don't think my brother's cut out to be a fisherman.

No, this isn't right.

Ah!

Excuse me!

Comin' through!

Pardon! Pardon!

Whoa!

-Oh! Oof! -Hey!

Sorry, teacher!

Aah!

Whoa!

Sorry!

Guess I'm not the only catch of the day.

Excuse me!

Aha!

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Oh!

Ahem! I would like to sell some fish.

Oh, your father normally sends, um, the bigger one.

You know, the stronger one, seems a little smarter.

Hmm, if we could please hurry this along, that'd be great.

- Ah! - Can I help you with something?

Actually, could you pass me that hammer?

This is yours? Ah.

He's not at the Jordan River, is he?

-Who? -Your brother, the more handsome one.

Oh. No. Hey!

A whole group of people left this morning.

They said the Messiah was down at the Jordan River.

My papa says the Messiah isn't real.

He's just a story.

But you know what is real?

Yeah, uh-huh.

Four...

five...

For the record, the Messiah is real.

One day he'll show up and punish the wicked,

defeat the Romans,

and give those crooked tax collectors what they deserve.

Yes, crooked tax collectors,

like the one coming to my house right now.

Could we...

All right, then.

-You're all set. -Thank you.

You'll never make it, though.

Not in this traffic.

-Oh, no. -Ah, finished.

Ah! Thanks.

He's never gonna make it.

I think he'll find his way.

-Quiet! -Aah!

Leave me alone!

Please, help me.

I... I can't.

This is the worst shortcut ever.

Should still be enough.

Hi, I'm John.

What's your name?

Josiah.

-Here. -Thank you.

You're welcome.

You, fish boy!

Fish boy?

Uh-oh.

Waah!

Wah! Oh, no!

People have been killed for less than what you've done.

An assault on me is an assault on Rome.

-Look, two babies on a wolf! -Huh?

Oof! Ah!

No one makes a fool of Rome!

I'll find you!

Now, Levi.

Can I call you Levi?

My name is Matthew.

Levi, some boats are big,

and then, some boats are small.

-Yeah, uh-huh, but-- -But the thing is,

they almost all have nets.

Makes sense, but Zebedee--

And the secret to pulling in the big fish...

-Yeah, uh-huh? -Three-day-old bait.

Zebedee! We've been listening to fishing stories all morning.

I could catch fish by now.

-You're welcome. -Your taxes.

Can you pay them or not?

Uh, yes, of course.

See, my son John is...

right here with your money.

I... I ran.

We can see you ran.

-I ran into a Roman. -That's great, John.

Let's just get Levi his money.

It's Matthew! And it's not my money.

- I'm just doing my job. - John.

Papa, I...

Oh, no.