Don't you know Him?
He is the man from Nazareth." The publican started.

The man of whom the whole land spoke, the prophet, the miracle-worker?
This young, kindly man was He?
He who preached so severely against the Jews?
Didn't I say almost the same, that time at the Feast of Tabernacles?
And yet the people were angry.
They listen reverently to this man and follow Him.

Shall I do so too?
What hinders me?
I, the much-hated man, may be dismissed the service at any moment.

I may be driven from my house to-day, as soon as to-morrow?
And my wife, she'll probably be seen on the road from behind?
There's only one thing I can't part with, but I can take that with me.
Then, he turned to the Nazarene, held the tray with the remains of the fruit towards Him: "Take some, dear Master!" The Master said gently, in a low voice: "Do you love Me, publican ?" The tax-gatherer began to tremble so that the tray nearly fell from his hands.

Those words! and that look! He could not reply.
"If you love Me, go with Me, and share our hardships." "Our joys, Lord, our joys," exclaimed Simon.
At that moment a train of pack-mules came along the road.