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R. William Bennett
The Last Man at the Inn
by: R. William BennettSimon considers himself fortunate after securing the final room at the inn in Bethlehem. While eating his supper, he sees a younger man and his pregnant wife denied lodging at the door of the inn. Simon momentarily considers giving up his space, but he is weary from his travels as a spice merchant and turns away from the thought.
Over the ensuing years, Simon traverses the popular trade routes, and each time he passes Bethlehem, he is reminded of that evening and plagued by guilt.
In time, the Savior begins his ministry, and Simon begins the life-changing process of trying to understand and believe the teachings and miracles of this man called Jesus—said to be the promised Messiah.
The Last Man at the Inn is the story of a journey of conversion we all take in one form or another, told through the eyes and heart of a common man. It is written to affirm the believer, to lovingly beckon to the undecided, and to call out to those who may not even know they are looking for something—only that there is a space in their soul that somehow needs to be filled.
- A fictional account of the life of Jesus seen through the eyes of a contemporary named Simon who witnesses the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ.
- The main character Simon is based on the Simon the Cyrenian in the Bible who a Roman guard sees and demands come forward to help carry the cross in the last moments of Jesus’ mortal life, symbolically pledging to continue to spread the Gospels.
- Simon visits many of the cities where Jesus ministered. He witnesses the Sermon on the Mount, hears of the parables and testimonies, and observes some of the miracles, all at a distance. From intellectual curiosity, disbelief, humility, sincere investigation, moments of inspiration-with the typical setbacks and victories of that process, and finally turning himself completely over to Christianity.
- Cultural and historical accuracy of the story has been reviewed by experts of Roman-period Palestine and Jewish culture.
- The story celebrates the birth of the baby Jesus and ends with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ making this an ideal book for both the Christmas and Easter holidays.
ISBN: 978-1-62972-603-8
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publish Date: 2019
Page Count: 192