The Passover Trilogy

The Last Seder of James represents a unique blend of historical fiction and educational non-fiction. Taken as a whole, The Last Seder of James provides an insightful perspective on the centrality of the Jewish festival of Passover to the Messianic (Christian) faith tradition.

Church tradition holds that James (Ya’akov, the brother of Yeshua) was martyred during Passover in the year 62 CE, by being thrown from the top of the Temple, and subsequently stoned. The book begins as a novella, featuring an imaginative exploration of this episode in the early days of the faith. The premise supposes that John (Yochanon the Apostle) travels from his home in Ephesus to visit James on the final night of his life, and brings a Seder with him so they can celebrate Passover together.

As they progress through the order of the meal, various elements evoke memories of Jesus’ childhood (in the case of James) and his ministry (in the case of John.) In the process, the two men struggle to deal with issues in their past, and allow the Spirit to prepare their hearts for things to come.

Following the story is an enlightening look at the Exodus-Passover narrative—its historical and spiritual roots, and its contribution to the heart of the Messianic faith. Detailed lists of important Hebrew terms and key Scriptures are followed by insights about the significance of the Seder celebration. At the end, resources for further study and connection are provided.

A Feast of Weeks: Priscilla’s Pentecost represents a unique blend of historical fiction and educational non-fiction. Presented as a personal memoir, this second book of the Passover Trilogy provides an insightful perspective on the role of Pentecost (or in Hebrew, Shavu’ot) in the early days of the Messianic faith.

Many themes and biblical-historical references abound in A Feast of Weeks. As a fictional autobiography of the New Testament character of Priscilla (husband of Aquila and ministry companion of Paul), the story confronts many personal challenges that the reader may understand: infertility, division, false teaching, social strife and global tragedy.  

As the story follows the “Count of the Omer” (a Jewish practice which is mirrored in the fifty days between the Christian feasts of Easter and Pentecost), Priscilla finds joy in celebrating the Passover, visiting family in Capernaum, learning from her mentor John, and worshipping with her fellow believers in Ephesus. She also endures the tremendous challenges of grieving her brother-in-Messiah James, processing resentment in her marriage, fending off the infectious teachings of a popular heretic, and working against the clock to provide for hordes of earthquake survivors descending upon her home city. Ultimately, Priscilla and her companions are confronted with the threat of a congregation growing rapidly, but also splitting in two (a picture of the entire first century of the Faith.)

Following the story is an enlightening non-fiction exploration of the biblical themes of Pentecost/Shavu’ot, and their contribution to the launch of the Messianic (Christian) faith. At the end, resources for further study and connection are provided.

Days of Fire: The Feast of Tabernacles and the Fall of the Temple represents a unique blend of historical fiction and educational non-fiction. Taken as a whole, the book provides an insightful perspective on the powerful significance of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (In Hebrew, Sukkot) to the Messianic (Christian) faith.

Whereas the stories in the first two books of the Passover Trilogy take place in rapid succession, Book Three depicts events in the year AD 70—eight years later. Beloved characters like Priscilla, Aquila, John and Milos are joined by Luke the evangelist, as well as many historical figures such as Josephus the historian, Phannias the High Priest and Longinus the Roman soldier.

The story begins with a triumphant celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem in the year 69, followed just a few months later by the historic Roman siege of that city. While some characters are able to escape to shelter in the wilderness, others are trapped inside the walls as the city is burning down. Both cohorts are confronted with challenging people, and new ideas about what the Temple, and God’s Appointed Times, really mean to the burgeoning Messianic community. In the process, Aquila, John and Milos encounter an injured Roman soldier, a turncoat fleeing for his life, and a puppet high-priest with far more wisdom than expected. In the wilderness, Luke, Priscilla and her very-pregnant niece Ana struggle to survive alongside other desperate escapees, and work desperately to bring a new life into the world in the worst possible conditions.

Ultimately, the characters are forced to grapple with the delayed return of Jesus, the insidious notion of a “second Messiah”, the destruction of the Temple, and the dawning of a new era for both Judaism and Christianity. Following the story is a deep dive into the themes of the Feast of Tabernacles—its historical and spiritual roots, and its contribution to the founding of the Messianic faith. At the end, resources for further study and connection are provided.