Jeez and the Gentile

Stephen Hiemstra delivers a compelling blend of adventure, faith, and personal growth in Jeez and the Gentile. This beautifully crafted narrative follows 12-year-old Tom as he navigates profound grief and embarks on a transformative journey. Transported to the first century, Tom's partnership with a young Jeez reveals a world of danger, spiritual discovery, and human resilience.

Hiemstra skillfully combines historical richness with emotional depth, painting vivid scenes that immerse readers in ancient Israel while tackling timeless themes of loss, forgiveness, and faith. Tom's journey resonates with both young and adult audiences, reminding us all of the power of leaning on God and finding His strength within ourselves.

In Jeez and the Gentile, Tom, a twelve-year-old boy, grieving the loss of his father, cries out for a tangible God. He meets the twelve-year-old Jeez in Judea. In this split-time adventure novel, Stephen Hiemstra transports the reader into Biblical times in such a vivid way, that one can almost hear the roar of the lions and the laugh of the hyenas, as Tom meets the tangible God.

Jeez and the Gentile allows a fresh perspective on the lost years (ages 12-30) of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke through a fictional road trip through first century Israel. In this sense, it is like the Gospel of Luke meets the Wizard of Oz. During this trip, main characters Jeez and Tom travel assisting the authorities in tracking down murderers. Their challenges along the way allow the reader a personal connection in dealing with tests to our own faith, such as fear, grief, and personal danger. In such situations, we have no choice but to rely on God and lean on him to help us out.

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This book tells the story of a character named Tom who meets Jeez and goes through a process of changing his perspective. Everyone has problems, though they may appear different, such as illness, social injustice, poverty, etc. When faced with personal struggles, even though they may seem overwhelming to the point of wanting to give up. We need faith that God is always there for us. Through our relationship with God, we can find a way to sort out our problems. The book Jeez and the Gentile presents God's unseen presence in tangibles through events Tom faced enjoyably.

During the lengthy eulogy at the funeral for Tom’s father, the grieving Tom falls asleep against his mother’s shoulder. In his sleep he is launched back in time where he meets teenagers, Jeez and Mary Magdalene. Together they travel throughout Roman occupied Palestine on a journey of adventure, friendship, and justice. If you are a student of the Scriptures, you will recognize many of the sites and stories told by the young Jeez. Jeez and the Gentile is a story worth reading.

With 14 grandchildren between the ages of 13 and 23, I have a real place in my heart for young adult readers. For young adults readers and those young at heart, I recommend this book, Jeez and the Gentile.

Hiemstra (Jeez and the Gentile) pens a moving YA Christian narrative that tackles the heavy subject matter of death, healing, and forgiveness. Twelve-year-old Tom Timmerman has lost his faith in God after the tragic death of his father in the line of duty, a man remembered as a hero by all. At his funeral, Tom doses off during the eulogy—and wakes up in the first century, in the presence of Jesus, who prefers the nickname “Jeez” and casually informs Tom “I need your company for a few days.” As the pair walk together, they encounter shocking events that serve, in many ways, as a parallel to Tom’s own life, fostering his willingness to forgive and turn back to the unfailing love of God.

Blending worldly tragedies with biblical teachings, Hiemstra constructs an emotive tale that weaves historical fiction, Christian tenants, and a coming-of-age story that will resonate with young readers. Just as Tom pulls away from family and friends and retreats into himself, he receives a visitation that guides him in principles of faith, kindness, and justice, experiencing, at Jeez’s side, shocking events that mirror his own experiences. On the road to Sepphoris, Tom and Jeez happen upon Roman auxiliaries with a captive Mary Magdalene, who they intend to sell at the slave marketplace, before stumbling onto a burning house where they find Joseph, Jeez’s father, murdered inside. Those developments allow Tom an alternative model of coping with all-consuming grief, as he watches Jeez bravely—and calmly—face all-too-human conflict.

Hiemstra’s moving lesson on loss—and the difficulty of grinding through unimaginable pain—is delivered in an inviting and compassionate manner. The correlation between Tom’s story and that of a young Jesus just beginning to make his mark on the world is skillfully forged, nurturing a connection between tragedy, faith, and redemption that will stick with readers long after the last page.