The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

Reviewed by Stephanie S., Age 15

It was dark and damp. He had walked the long trip after a hard days work, and he was tired. Rain soaked him and left his clothes clinging heavily to his body, but he wasn’t going to stop because he had an important message that must reach the Rabbi. Upon arriving on the crowded lawn, he waited for what felt like hours just to talk to the Rabbi, but it seemed he would not make an appearance tonight.

Most of the followers had left, then, when he had given up hope, the window above his head opened and a voice called out, “Who’s there?” Daniel showed his face and Jesus said, “Come up, my friend.”  Daniel told Jesus about the two things in his life that mattered most – freedom for his people and vengeance against the Romans for his father’s death.

Jesus spoke of love, and asked one simple thing, “I would ask of something much harder (than fighting for me), I would have you love for me…you must give up your hate.”

Loving was a new concept for Daniel. But Daniel is not the only one with this problem. The problem is mine – and probably yours too. We tend to hate people, circumstances, and sometimes ourselves. Daniel is eventually willing to love his enemies, the Romans. But what about us? Will we be able to give up our hate and pride, love our enemies, and save our country by loving more?

 

Speare, Elizabeth George. The Bronze Bow. Houghton Mifflin Co., 2007.