Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

In Nazareth, Joshua’s half-brother, James, angrily informs Biff and Joshua that Joseph died two months ago. Joseph fell ill around the time that the image of Mary appeared on the wall, and he’s been dead too long for Joshua to be able to resurrect him. Joshua wonders if he should stay with his family, but Mary insists that he look for John the Baptist: “[Y]ou will do what God has ordained you do since he placed you in my womb. Your responsibilities are not to a bitter brother or an old woman” (315). The following morning, Joshua and Biff set out for Judea accompanied by Bartholomew, the Greek Cynic.

On their way to John the Baptist, the trio passes Maggie’s home, but Joshua says that they can’t visit her. Jakan is now a member of the Sanhedrin, a powerful “council of priests and Pharisees who made most of the decisions for the Jewish community” (318). When they find John at the River Jordan, the Baptist identifies Joshua as the Messiah to a crowd of 500, but all Joshua can manage is a sheepish smile and a wave.