There was still a slick of morning moisture covering the path into the town as Eli and Samuel walked by Nathan's orchard, crossed the small stream, and finished the prescribed sabbath day's journey to the synagogue: in length, 2,000 cubits. By our modern standard of travel it was not far. It was about 1,000 yards. They walked at hurried pace. Their prayer shawls were pulled tightly around them, which helped protect them from the morning chill. Sabbath. The day of rest. In Nazareth the gathering was a comfortable event. Everyone knew everyone, and most knew what the others would do or say, such as the fact that Eli and Samuel were always the last to take their seats. The complaints, the prayers, the remembered verses of the holy writings, it all unfolded each seventh day as if written in so…