It was a shining beautiful kettle with a large capacity and a high price. Being made of copper, it was valuable in its ability to heat quickly. Being made of copper, a useful metal, its alloys also gave it a gleam of gold. So it sat on the table of the merchantman and was prominently viewed by many.

Two of Jesus' disciples came to purchase a large kettle and inquired of the merchant the price. The merchant said, "I would really like to sell you this kettle, but I dare not. You see there is…