The Story of Mary IV: Death and Beyond - Chapter 31 – Epilogue

Endings are the hardest - but one has to get there sometime on this finite earth. I hope you catch some of the emotion, the excitement that gripped Jesus followers in the days after his resurrection as I did writing this...

Mary never did see Jesus again – on this earth. His disappearance left an ache in her heart that would never completely fill. However, she was not unbearably sad about it. He had told her where he was going and that they would re-unite again someday. He had told her that this time they would be together forever.  She had been so happy to hear that and began to dream about what that might be like. How she looked forward to that day. There was nothing more she wanted than to be with her beloved son. 

For a while though, Mary still continued to hear stories about Jesus being around and meeting with people. She felt a surge of excitement every time she heard such news. He had spent most of his time with his disciples, which was understandable. Mary knew there was a lot he wanted to make sure they knew and understood now about what he had all been about.  He had even met with a large crowd to hear him teach and heal some of their number on at least one occasion (I Corinthians 15:6). 

Then she heard that Jesus had gone again with his disciples to one of their favourite spots, the Mount of Olives looking over Jerusalem. This was where he had been so violently torn away from them just weeks before. He had left unexpectedly left them again but this time it had been totally different. 

It had been a beautiful sunlit spring day, with just the type of breeze that warms your body as it blows around you. The blue sky had been as clear as could be. The new grass and the leaves on the trees had never seemed so green. The bird songs around them had never sounded so special.  No one disturbed them. They had sat down and enjoyed one another’s company in a way they had never really done before. The disciples were literally basking in the light of the Son. 

Jesus had taken the opportunity,  as it turned out, to give them what were some final instructions. He had told them (Matthew)28:18“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” You too (Acts) 1:7“will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” (Matthew) 28:19… Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 28:20teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Then, before they had quite realized where this was leading, he had comforted them with these words (Matthew 28:20), “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Then he had stood up and (Luke 24:50) “and lifting up his hands, he blessed them.24:51…During the blessing (Acts 1:9) “he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. 1:10As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them 1:11and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.” The disciples had realized immediately these were angels, with a message that could be trusted. (Luke 24:52)“So they had worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” 

The disciples had met in John Mark’s home, the same place where they had celebrated the las Passover Jesus had with them. They had decided that everyone who had been close to Jesus should join them in Jerusalem to wait for this special event and receive the same blessing of the Holy Spirit they had received. Thus, it had been that an invitation had been extended to Jesus’ mother Mary and her family too. Mary was very glad to hear this. Her excitement prevailed upon Jesus’ brothers and they all agreed together to journey down to Jerusalem to wait for this special day. 

Jesus was gone, but the fact that he had fulfilled the prophecies of the ages, as they had now come to understand, and his own promises, had so energized them, there was no sadness among them. He had spoken soften of the Kingdom of Heaven being near. Indeed, in their eager anticipation of Jesus’ last promise, they believed it had already come. They worshipped and praised God with fervently thankful hearts for all that had been accomplished and looked forward with utmost anticipation to what lay ahead.

The Story of Mary: Catholic Version III The Ministry Years - Chapter 23 – The Women in Jesus’ Life

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress

Months passed and Mary saw little of her son. Neighbours, friends and sometimes visiting relatives would share snippets of information. It seems one of Jesus’ followers, the young fisherman John Mary remembered from the wedding at Cana, had family in Jerusalem and that’s where Jesus and his friends would stay when he went there. At least he has somewhere to go when he’s in Jerusalem, thought Mary. 

Then Mary heard some news that made her take notice. Apparently, Jesus now also had some women who followed along with him. This was something new. Traveling teachers usually only had male students. Indeed, many were now referring to Jesus as ‘rabbi,’ ‘Teacher.’ Mary tried to learn who these women followers were and what had brought that about. 

It turned out that there were actually quite a few of these female devotees. Some, Mary discovered, were women who had been healed of evil spirits and disabilities. One name in particular figured prominently in this group: another Mary. However, this Mary had quite a different background. She was from Magdala on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum. Evidently Jesus had cast out seven demons from her. No wonder she has become a follower of my son, Mary thought – to be freed from all that. Perhaps just as surprising was that another woman named Joanna, the wife of Cuza, King Herod’s household manager, was in this group. Some of these women, such as Joanna and another named Susanna were women of means. It seems they provided for Jesus and his followers out of their own resources. Again, Mary was pleased to learn that, in some way, her son was being looked after and having his material needs met.

A couple of years passed by. Mary continued to hear of Jesus’ teaching and his miracle working. Jesus had on a couple of occasions actually miraculously fed the crowds that gathered around him. I guess I need not worry about his getting enough to eat, thought Mary wryly. She had also heard that on a couple of occasions Jesu was supposed to have raised people from the dead. That was something to ponder. Who but God had such power? Some of these had just died when Jesus intervened but then she heard an even more amazing story. She had heard of Jesus friends in Bethany, where pilgrims often stayed when they went to the feasts in Jerusalem. The man of the household had died. Jesus had not arrived until 4 days later, and he had called the man, Lazarus was his name, from the tomb. He had come out walking! Mary could not help but wonder where this was all headed. What was Jesus ultimate goal?

But Mary also continued to hear tales of Jesus’ confrontations with the religious leaders. She was beginning to pick up that some were so disturbed by Jesus’ claims that they wanted to kill him. When she heard that, Mary was determined to find Jesus and see for herself that he was alright. She needed to get some answers too. How far was Jesus taking this?

Mary knew Jesus and his followers had gone to Passover so she decided to go to Jerusalem and find them. She went to her parents’ home place and was warmly received. It was some time since they had seen her. Her Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Hannah also came over. They told her that when Jesus was in Jerusalem he spent time at the temple preaching and sometimes doing miracles. Here, he often also got caught up in debates with the religious leaders, the lawyers of the Torah, the scribes and even the Pharisees. Just like when he was twelve, Mary thought. Apparently, he had been quite hard on the Pharisees in one of his speeches. Mary wondered if he was being fair. People generally looked up to the Pharisees as models of law-abiding behaviour, the Law of Moses, that is. Mary determined to go to the temple to find Jesus.

It was not hard to find Jesus. Mary just had to go where the crowds were thickest. She wanted more than ever to run forward and talk to her son but she held back. She saw his young followers with him, hanging on every word. She gathered that the women with them were the ones he had heard about who helped provide his support for the group. 

Jesus was busy teaching and Mary felt she could not disturb him. However, she did edge closer until she was next to some of the women. They were clustered more around the fringe of the crowd that was thronging Jesus. She greeted some of them and began to make their acquaintance. They seemed like sincere and caring persons. 

Eventually Mary mustered up enough courage to tell the women who she really was. She added how long it was since she had seen him and immediately wished she had not said that. “Oh,” they said, “We have to tell Jesus you’re here so you can talk with him.” 

“That would be wonderful,” Mary replied, “but, really, I will be happy just to join you for a while. Let Jesus do what he needs to do.”

“You are a wonderful mother,” the other Mary told her. “No wonder Jesus is such a loving person.”

“We really think He is our long-awaited Messiah.” At that Mary’s ears perked up. Did that not sound like what the angel and the prophets had told her years ago. Now others were coming to that conclusion. This was truly astonishing.

“Yes, one of the women chimed in, “Last first day of the week we really saw what it would be like if he were our king, as the Messiah will be.”

“What do you mean,” asked Mary.

“Oh, have you not heard?” they asked. “Jesus got hold of a donkey colt. Some of us put blankets on it and Jesus mounted it to go back into Jerusalem. Seeing Jesus like that really drove the crowds wild. They began to tear palm and other branches from the roadside and wave them before him as he rode. They even threw their cloaks down in front of him. Just like people do for a king! All the while, they were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel.’ Some of the religious leaders were not impressed. They tried to tell Jesu to use his influence to tell the crowds to stop but it was to no avail. We know that some of them really want to catch him and put him on trial for blasphemy and treason. “

“Blasphemy?” Mary said incredulously. She had never herd Jesus say a bad word in his life. 

“Yes, Jesus talks about God as if Yahweh is his father and sometimes also makes it sound as if he is equal with God. No person can really make that claim but then, we have never seen or heard of anyone like Jesus either.”

Mary’s heart skipped a beat when she heard about the intention of the authorities. If only Jesus had listened to her a long time ago. But he always seemed to know what he was doing, what he believed he need to do, and she had learned a long time ago that there was no stopping him.

Mary was glad she had made the acquaintance of these women. She could feel their support for Jesus, even for her. The women asked if she and her family had a place to stay. She thanked them for their concern, their hospitality, and reassured them she was looked after. She told them where she was staying; at relatives. Then she bade her new friends good evening, Happy Passover, and went to join her family at parents’ home. 

Then came the day to celebrate the Passover feast. Mary was told that Jesus had instructed his young men on preparing a place for them and everything had fallen into place just as he had predicted. Yes, Mary thought, ‘He always seems to know what’s going to happen.’ 

The Story of Mary: Catholic Version:II Another Special Birth - Chapter 16 First Passover in Jerusalem

Life seemed to pass uneventfully for a number of years after the adventures of the first years of Jesus’ life. Joseph continued his work as a builder. Jesus was well received by his older siblings, James, Joseph, Jude, Simon and sisters Hannah and Elizabeth (Mark 6:3). 

When Jesus came of age his father enrolled him in the local synagogue school. There, Jesus began to hear even more of the scriptures than if he just went to synagogue with his father. He also learned to read and write Aramaic at an elementary level. 

Jesus was a promising student who most definitely impressed his teachers. This made his parents proud of him. It also meant that when he approached his twelfth birthday, his teachers and other friends who knew the family well began to tell Joseph and Mary that they should enrol Jesus in school beyond age 12. Only the better students were known to be given such opportunities. Friends and neighbours might not have understood, but to Joseph and Mary, all of this did not come as a complete surprise. If Jesus was a special child of God, destined for a future role as the angels had told them years earlier, it should not be surprising that he learned these things so well.

Coming of age at his twelfth birthday also meant Jesus was eligible to celebrate Passover with his parents in Jerusalem. Given Jesus’ history as they knew it, Joseph and Mary were both agreed this was something they should certainly arrange. This it was that Jesus travelled to Jerusalem with his parents in the spring of his 12^thyear. They joined an ever-growing crowd of other pilgrims bound for the same destination as they would their way southeast through Galilee and then alongside Samaria until they came to Jericho. Jesus listened to the stories he heard from his peers and his elders about the Samaritans they bypassed, but he did not join in the negative remarks that were made. Leaving Jericho he heard stories about the dangers of that leg of the journey up to Jerusalem. By this time though, the pilgrims were a steady throng of celebrants, singing together and to one another the psalms customarily sung at this time on this road when en route to the temple. Jesus had learned the songs in school and synagogue too and loved to join in as best he could. 

Jesus could feel the excitement build as the wayfarers neared Jerusalem. Passing through Bethany they crested the peak of Olivet and there lay the city and the temple, gleaming in the sun.  Jesus wondered whether the emotions that ran through him as he surveyed the scene before them were shared by his fellow travellers.  He was not filled with any sense of being superior to his peers and their parents but he felt a certain calm, growing conviction that no one else, certainly not anyone his age, understood the significance of all of this as well as he did. As they continued down and across the valley Jesus thought over the rituals and the offerings and sacrifices they were soon to take part in. 

Of course, it would all begin with a passover meal. He looked forward to this, which would take place at his grandparents Joachim and Anna’s home. That was their first destination. By this time he and his siblings had joined a number of his peers on the way and they enjoyed lifting their voices and singing the psalms as loudly as they could. As they approached the gate into the city before them the group began to disband as Jesus and his siblings and friends began to look for their parents. Eventually they spotted them and waited for them to catch up with him. 

“We were wondering whether you were going to get lost,” their father half-teased. 

“Oh, I think our son knows where he belongs,” Mary opined. 

Jesus face was beaming as he joined his parents as they made their way to his grandparents. Joyous greetings and blessings were exchanged on arrival. Jesus’ grandfather took pride in explaining to him what the procedure was going to be for celebrating the passover. Having made sure Jesus knew what it was about, he was invited to join in the preparations. Joachim had already purchased a lamb for the feast; it was tied to an iron ring in the gate to their courtyard. Jesus looked at it with a deep sense of wonder, this animal who was going to be sacrificed to take the place of the firstborn son, according to the ancient Exodus story.

When it came time to slaughter the lamb, Jesus was amazed at how willingly the lamb went with his father and grandfather, having no idea what was in store for it. It made no sound of protest and suddenly its blood was spilled on the ground and its life was taken from it. In no time it was skinned, cut up and roasting on the spit prepared over the home fire. As the family gathered for the meal, Joachim led them all through the repetition of the stories and then the prayers that his people had developed over the years as the celebration of the passover meal. Jesus drank it all in, enjoying his growing understanding, seeing how it all fit together in fulfilment of longheld understandings of the occasion. He was learning so much. 

The Story of Mary: Catholic Version:II Another Special Birth - Ch. 12 In the Temple

Between the efforts of their ‘innkeeper’ and Joseph’s own work, the family soon found a better place to stay. They were able to get their own room with another family. They needed to stay and complete their family land business and then register for the census. 

Then they began to think about their original plans of visiting Mary’s family in Jerusalem and her aunt and uncle with their newborn in Ein Kerem. Joseph had some money he had saved to help keep them going but that wasn’t going to last long. Fortunately, he also managed to find a couple of odd jobs to earn some more. On the 6^thday after Jesus’ birth they then did make their way into Jerusalem to Mary’s Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Hannah’s there. They were enthusiastically welcomed and their hosts were happy to see that all had gone well despite the seemingly untimely birth. 

Then Mary’s relatives had an idea: since they were in Jerusalem, why not take Jesus to the temple for his presentation as a firstborn male, his circumcision, naming ceremony and Mary’s purification. If they had not been here it would have been done with family and elders in Nazareth, but that was far away. Mary and Joseph talked it over with them and thought that would be a good idea. Their hosts also then sent word out to Ein Kerem and made preparations for Zechariah, Elizabeth and little John to come to join them all in Jerusalem, “That way, you don’t have to travel so much,” Aunt Hannah said, “You’ve had your share of adventure for now.”

That evening when they were alone for the night, Mary said to Joseph, “I think it is most wonderful and appropriate for Jesus to be presented at the temple. If he is of God through his Spirit, he is not ours. We do need to show that we do give him to The Highest One for whatever His purposes are for him. If he is going to be our king and saviour, the Messiah, we should do the best we can for him in these matters. We should do what is right according to The Law.” Joseph was amazed again at Mary’s knowledge in these matters and her strong faith but had to concede that she had some good points there. This trip was indeed turning into something far beyond what they could have ever anticipated.

The next day little John and his parents arrived. What a joyful reunion that was. Mary could not help looking at the little boy before her and wonder what it had meant when the angel had told Zechariah that John was going to prepare the way of the Lord. How would their two sons’ paths be connected in the future? Only God knew at this time. When she had some time with Elizabeth alone she learned that she and Zechariah had the same questions. Like her and her family though, they tended to keep all this somewhat quiet. It was never a good idea to say too much about these matters aloud in the political climate of the day. King Herod was known to be terribly paranoid about any threats to the throne and the Romans – well, they did not tolerate any threats of what they would surely see as revolt against them.

On the eighth day, Joseph having purchased the required offering as a substitute for their firstborn and for purification, he and Mary went up to the temple, accompanied by their relatives (Luke 2:22-4). They approached the priests at the periphery of the temple and were assured their offering was acceptable. They left it with the priests and received the appropriate blessing for having offered this for their firstborn son. Then they were directed to a side chamber of the temple where Jesus was circumcised. Mary could not bear to look when she saw the priest take his sharp knife and begin to unwrap Jesus’ garments. A sharp cry told her it was over and she turned to gather Jesus tightly into her comforting arms as the priest completed wrapping his newly shorn organ in a poultice and dressing. 

When the priest asked about the name of the child to be blessed, Mary repeated again, "Jesus." The priest did not seem perturbed by this and pronounced his blessing on them, laying his hands on Jesus' head, and then told them they had accomplished all that was required and were free to go. 

They were barely backwithin the courts of the temple when an elderly man appeared crying out with a could voice. He almost raced toward the bewildered family. Before they knew what was happening he had taken Jesus out of Mary’s arms and holding him up toward heaven cried, “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:27-32).”

Everyone was stunned (Luke 2:33). A small crowd was starting to gather and the family was beginning to feel a bit vulnerable. But the old man was not finished. After finishing his praise to God and blessing him for keeping his promises that he would not die before he had “seen the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2:25-26),” he turned to bless the young couple and child. Then, placing little Jesus firmly back in Mary’s arms, He gripped her arms and almost piercing her soul with his gaze, declared, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. Indeed, because of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul as well (Luke 2:34-5)!” 

Then Simeon turned and strode back through the crowd, continuing to praise The Highest One as he went. Mary could not but help thinking how this was so like what had happened with the shepherds a few days earlier. What was in store for them she could not imagine. She held Jesus even more tightly and leaned towards her relatives and asked, “Who was that?”

“Ah,” said Uncle Benjamin, “that is Simeon. He has been hanging around the temple for as long as anyone can remember. He is forever talking about “the restoration of Israel (Luke 2:25).”

“Indeed,” chimed in Uncle Zechariah, perhaps a little more graciously, “He is known to be a righteous and devout man. The Spirit of the Lord has been speaking to him – especially about the coming of this child,” he said, nodding towards Jesus.

“Well,” replied Uncle Benjamin, “You have all been telling me about these strange and special visitations around the birth of these boys. It seems to grow stranger all the time. Who can tell us what this all really means?

The words were barely out of his mouth when a wizened elderly woman whom they had hardly noticed join them leaned into Jesus’ face and then, turning her eyes to heaven, raised her arms, her face simply glowing, and began to “give thanks to God (Luke 2:38).” She kept on blessing the child and family and praising God before them all. With a final gesture of grasping Jesus’ face in her hands and planting a kiss on his forehead she turned back into the crowd. As she walked off, they heard her speak about the child, saying that they prayers of all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem were about to be answered (Luke 2:38).

By this time, the family was getting a little anxious. Not wanting to attract any more attention, never knowing where that could lead, they quickly made their way to the outer courtyard. As they went, Mary asked her uncles, “And who was that lady?”

“That,” began Uncle Benjamin, “is Anna. She is known as a prophetess, and is a childless widow.”

“Yes,” added Uncle Zechariah again, “she practically never leaves the temple, but spends all her days here in worship with fasting and prayer, even at night (Luke 2:36-7).”  

The family walked most of the rest of the way back to Uncle Benjamin’s in silence. They were all feeling more than a little overcome by what had just transpired and needed time to collect their thoughts.

The Story of Mary III - Chapter 28 – Mary Meets the Other Women in Jesus’ Life

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress

Months passed and Mary saw little of her son. Neighbours, friends and sometimes visiting relatives would share snippets of information. It seems one of Jesus’ followers, the young fisherman John Mary remembered from the wedding at Cana, had family in Jerusalem and that’s where Jesus and his friends would stay when he went there. At least he has somewhere to go when he’s in Jerusalem, thought Mary. 

Then Mary heard some news that made her take notice. Apparently, Jesus now also had some women who followed along with him. This was something new. Traveling teachers usually only had male students. Indeed, many were now referring to Jesus as ‘rabbi,’ ‘Teacher.’ Mary tried to learn who these women followers were and what had brought that about. 

It turned out that there were actually quite a few of these female devotees. Some, Mary discovered, were women who had been healed of evil spirits and disabilities. One name in particular figured prominently in this group: another Mary. However, this Mary had quite a different background. She was from Magdala on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum. Evidently Jesus had cast out seven demons from her. There were also rumours she had been a prostitute. No wonder she has become a follower of my son, Mary thought – to be freed from all that. Perhaps just as surprising was that another woman named Joanna, the wife of Cuza, King Herod’s household manager, was in this group. Some of these women, such as Joanna and another named Susanna were women of means. It seems they provided for Jesus and his followers out of their own resources. Again, Mary was pleased to learn that, in some way, her son was being looked after and having his material needs met.

A couple of years passed by. Mary continued to hear of Jesus’ teaching and his miracle working. Jesus had on a couple of occasions actually miraculously fed the crowds that gathered around him. I guess I need not worry about his getting enough to eat, thought Mary wryly. She had also heard that on a couple of occasions Jesu was supposed to have raised people from the dead. That was something to ponder. Who but God had such power? Some of these had just died when Jesus intervened but then she heard an even more amazing story. She had heard of Jesus friends in bethany, where pilgrims often stayed when they went to the feasts in Jerusalem. The man of the household had died. Jesus had not arrived until 4 days later, and he had called the man, Lazarus was his name, from the tomb. He had come out walking! Mary could not help but wonder where this was all headed. What was Jesus ultimate goal?

But Mary also continued to hear tales of Jesus’ confrontations with the areligious leaders. She was beginning to pick up that some were so disturbed by Jesus’ claims that they wanted to kill him. When she heard that Mary was determined to find Jesus and see for herself that he was alright. She needed to get some answers too. How far was Jesus taking this?

Mary knew Jesus and his followers had gone to Passover so she decided to go to Jerusalem and find them. She went to her Uncle Benjamin‘s place and was warmly received. It was some time since they had seen her. Unele Benjamin told her that when Jesus was in Jerusalem he spent time at the temple preaching and sometimes doing miracles. Here, he often also got caught up in debates with the religious leaders, the lawyers of the Torah, the scribes and even the Pharisees. Just like when he was twelve, Mary thought. Apparently, he had been quite hard on the Pharisees in one of his speeches. Mary wondered if he was being fair. People generally looked up to the Pharisees as models of law-abiding behaviour, the Law of Moses, that is. Mary determined to go to the temple to find Jesus.

It was not hard to find Jesus. Mary just had to go where the crowds were thickest. She wanted more than ever to run forward and talk to her son but she held back. She saw his young followers with him, hanging on every word. She gathered that the women with them were the ones he had heard about who helped provide his support for the group. 

Jesus was busy teaching and Mary felt she could not disturb him. However, she did edge closer until she was next to some of the women. They were clustered more around the fringe of the crowd that was thronging Jesus. She greeted some of them and began to make their acquaintance. They seemed like sincere and caring persons. 

Eventually Mary mustered up enough courage to tell the women who se really was. She added how long it was since she had seen him and immediately wished she had not said that. “Oh,” they said, “We have to tell Jesus you’re her so you can talk with him.” 

“That would be wonderful,” Mary replied, “but, really, I will be happy just to join you for a while. Let Jesus do what he needs to do.”

“You are a wonderful mother, the other Mary told her. No wonder Jesu is such a loving person.”

“We really think He is our long-awaited Messiah.” At that Mary’s ears perked up. Did that not sound like what the angel and the prophets had told her years ago. Now others were coming to that conclusion. This was truly astonishing.

“Yes, one of the women chimed in, ‘Last first day of the week we really saw what it would be like if he were our king, as the Messiah will be.”

“What do you mean,” asked Mary.

“Oh, have you not heard?” they asked. “Jesus got hold of a donkey colt. Some of us put blankets on it and Jesus mounted it to go back into Jerusalem. Seeing Jesus like that really drove the crowds wild. They began to tear palm and other branches from the roadside and wave them before him as he rode. They even threw their cloaks down in front of him. Just like people do for a king! All the while, they were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel. Some of the religious leaders were not impressed. They tried to tell Jesu to use his influence to tell the crowds to stop but it was to no avail. We know that some of them really want to catch him and put him on trial for blasphemy and treason. “

“Blasphemy?” Mary said incredulously. She had never herd Jesus say a bad word in his life. 

“Yes, Jesu talks about God as if Yahweh is his father and sometimes also makes it sound as if he is equal with god. No person can really make that claim but then, we have never seen or heard of anyone like Jesu either.”

Mary’s heart skipped a beat when she heard about the intention of the authorities. If only Jesus had listened to her a long time ago. But he always seemed to know what he was doing, what he believed he need to do, and she had learned a long time ago that there was no stopping him.

Mary was glad she had made the acquaintance of these women. She could feel their support for Jesus, even for her. The women asked if she and her family had a place to stay. She thanked them for their concern, their hospitality, and reassured them she was looked after. She told them where she was staying; at relatives. Then she bade her new friends good evening, Happy Passover, and went to join her family at her Uncle Bejanmin and Aunt Hannah’s home. 

Then came the day to celebrate the Passover feast. Mary was told that Jesus had instructed his young men on preparing a place for them and everything had fallen into place just as he had predicted. Yes, Mary thought, ‘he always seems to know what’s going to happen.’ 

Chapter 22 – Staying in the Temple

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress

When the Passover Festival came to a close, the family from Nazareth prepared to return. They all said their farewells to their Jerusalem family, Joachim and Anna and their relatives form Ein Kerem, Zechariah, Elizabeth and John, and set out. The streets were full of people and it was hard to keep together. Joseph and Mary had all they could do to keep their little ones together without being too concerned about the whereabouts of Jesus. They knew he knew his way back. They had already seen him joining some friends so knew he was in good company.

When they passed beyond Jerusalem and joined the throngs of pilgrims heading east, they still assumed Jesus was somewhere in the crowd. However, when they got to their first night stop and Jesus was nowhere in sight, they did begin to feel some concern. They searched the area where they were staying and asked many fellow travellers if they had seen Jesus. Of course, they had to provide a description but it was still all to no avail; there were dozens of young boys like Jesus on the road. They decided they had no option but to return to Jerusalem next morning to find him.

They went straight to Joachim and Anna’s but he had not returned there. Now they were even more concerned, and so were Jesus’ grandparents. This was not like Jesus, to do things without telling them. Mary’s parents joined Joseph and Mary in the search as much as they could, while keeping an eye on his younger siblings too. It wasn’t until the third day of searching they found him. Some citizens had told them they had seen a boy in the temple for the last couple of days surrounded by rabbis who all seemed to be taking a keen interest in the boy.

Joseph and Mary left their little ones with their grandparents and went to the temple. Sure enough, there was Jesus, surrounded by rabbis, scribes, and even some Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin. Joseph and Mary were not sure what they should do in the face of this august gathering. They indicated to some of the men in the outer circles that this was their son and they needed to take him home to Galilee from the passover feast. Some said, “Well, then you must simply inform these men and claim you son.” The group was so intent on their discussion they hardly noticed Joseph then trying as respectfully as possible to push his way in until he was right behind Jesus. Mary was right behind him. some in the circle started to look at who this was intruding but before anyone could say anything to them Mary had reached Jesus and, touching him on the shoulder and said, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety (Luke 2:48).”

Jesus looked up at her, almost too innocently, and placed his hand over hers, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my father’s house (Luke 2:49)?”

“I’m not sure what you mean by that,” Joseph interjected, “But can you come home with us now?” 

The learned men around them murmured approvingly and some of them said to Jesus, “Yes, now you must obey your parents and return home with them.” Turning to his parents they said, ‘This boy is unbelievably knowledgeable and mature. Take care of him. See to it that he gets the best schooling you can afford. I am sure we will hear more of him.”

The three from Nazareth bowed and thanked the men for their interest and their praise as they backed away from them, with Mary grasping Jesus’ hand tightly in hers. Then, Joseph, Mary and Jesus turned and made their way to her parents to collect the other children and explain what had happened. Joachim reprimanded Jesus gently for the worry he had caused them all and Jesus apologized. He seemed genuinely sorry for the anxiety he had caused but at the same time did not suggest he had really been doing anything wrong in what it was he was doing. Mary noted this change with some concern.

Just the same, they said farewells once again and started over on their return trip to Nazareth. This time jesus’ parents made sure they kept Jesus near and he obliged. He seemed quite happy to be travelling back with his parents and brothers and sisters. Eventually, they all reached home together. 

Mary kept pondering over the strange things that had happened in her life, not the least being this last action of Jesus himself. She still did not know what to make of it all. Nor did she know where it was really leading. However, things settled down again. 

Jesus was enrolled in the advanced synagogue school for promising boys. He loved this and delighted in coming home and sharing with his parents what he was learning form the scriptures. They, in turn, were amazed at what he gained from them, how he seemed to speak of what he read with such authority. He also often seemed to see things in the law, the prophets especially, and wisdom literature that no one else did. He started at the same time to learn to help his father in his trade and Joseph noted that he was a quick learner and did very good work. He soon became a real asset to his father’s business. This made him proud of this unusual son. All told, Jesus continued to grow and seemed to become unusually wise for a boy his age. However, no unusual or unacceptable behaviour followed for quite some time.

Chapter 21 – First Passover in Jerusalem

Life seemed to pass uneventfully for a number of years after the adventures of the first couple of years of Joseph and Mary’s relationship and Jesus’ birth. Joseph continued his work as a builder.  Jesus actually gained some siblings, notably younger brothers James, Joseph, Jude, Simon and sisters Hannah and Elizabeth (Mark 6:3). 

When Jesus came of age his father enrolled him in the local synagogue school. There, Jesus began to hear even more of the scriptures than if he just went to synagogue with his father. He also learned to read and write Aramaic at an elementary level. 

Jesus was a promising student who most definitely impressed his teachers. This made his parents proud of him. It also meant that when he approached his twelfth birthday, his teachers and other friends who knew the family well began to tell Joseph and Mary that they should enrol Jesus in school beyond age 12. Only the better students were known to be given such opportunities. Friends and neighbours might not have understood, but to Joseph and Mary, all of this did not come as a complete surprise. If Jesus was a special child of God, destined for a future role as the angels had told them years earlier, it should not be surprising that he learned these things so well.

Coming of age at his twelfth birthday also meant Jesus was eligible to celebrate Passover with his parents in Jerusalem. Given Jesus’ history as they knew it, Joseph and Mary were both agreed this was something they should certainly arrange. This it was that Jesus travelled to Jerusalem with his parents in the spring of his 12^thyear. They joined an ever-growing crowd of other pilgrims bound for the same destination as they would their way southeast through Galilee and then alongside Samaria until they came to Jericho. Jesus listened to the stories he heard from his peers and his elders about the Samaritans they bypassed, but he did not join in the negative remarks that were made. Leaving Jericho he heard stories about the dangers of that leg of the journey up to Jerusalem. By this time though, the pilgrims were a steady throng of celebrants, singing together and to one another the psalms customarily sung at this time on this road when en route to the temple. Jesus had learned the songs in school and synagogue too and loved to join in as best he could. 

Jesus could feel the excitement build as the wayfarers neared Jerusalem. Passing through Bethany they crested the peak of Olivet and there lay the city and the temple, gleaming in the sun.  Jesus wondered whether the emotions that ran through him as he surveyed the scene before them were shared by his fellow travellers.  He was not filled with any sense of being superior to his peers and their parents but he felt a certain calm, growing conviction that no one else, certainly not anyone his age, understood the significance of all of this as well as he did. As they continued down and across the valley Jesus thought over the rituals and the offerings and sacrifices they were soon to take part in. 

Of course, it would all begin with a passover meal. He looked forward to this, which would take place at his grandparents Joachim and Anna’s home. That was their first destination. By this time he had joined a number of his peers on the way and they enjoyed lifting their voices and singing the psalms as loudly as they could. As they approached the gate into the city before them the group began to disband as Jesus and his friends began to look for their parents. Eventually he spotted them and waited for them to catch up with him. 

“We were wondering whether you were going to get lost,” his father half-teased. 

“Oh, I think our son knows where he belongs,” Mary opined. 

Jesus face was beaming as he joined his parents as they made their way to his grandparents. Joyous greetings and blessings were exchanged on arrival. Jesus’ grandfather took pride in explaining to him what the procedure was going to be for celebrating the passover. Having made sure Jesus knew what it was about, he was invited to join in the preparations. Joachim had already purchased a lamb for the feat; it was tied to an iron ring in the gate to their courtyard. Jesus looked at it with a deep sense of wonder, this animal who was going to be sacrificed to take the place of the firstborn son, according to the ancient Exodus story.

When it came time to slaughter the lamb, Jesus was amazed at how willingly the lamb went with his father and grandfather, having no idea what was in store for it. It made no sound of protest and suddenly its blood was spilled on the ground and its life was taken from it. In no time it was skinned, cut up and roasting on the spit prepared over the home fire. As the family gathered for the meal, Joachim led them all through the repetition of the stories and then the prayers that his people had developed over the years as the celebration of the passover meal. Jesus drank it all in, enjoying his growing understanding, seeing how it all fit together in fulfilment of longheld understandings of the occasion. He was learning so much. 

Mary’s Story Chapter 17 – In the Temple

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Between the efforts of their ‘innkeeper’ and Joseph’s own work, the young family soon found a better place to stay. They were able to get their own room with another family. Meanwhile, Joseph and Mary also completed their family land business and then registered for the census. 

Then they began to think about their original plans of visiting Mary’s family in Jerusalem and her aunt and uncle with their newborn in Ein Kerem. Joseph had some money he had saved to help keep them going but that wasn’t going to last long. Fortunately, he also managed to find a couple of odd jobs to earn some more. On the 6^thday after Jesus’ birth they then did make their way into Jerusalem to Mary’s Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Hannah’s there. They were enthusiastically welcomed and their hosts were happy to see that all had gone well in spite of the seemingly untimely birth. 

Then Mary’s relatives had an idea: since they were in Jerusalem, why not take Jesus to the temple for his presentation as a firstborn male, his circumcision, naming ceremony and Mary’s purification. If they had not been here it would have been done with family and elders in Nazareth, but that was far away. Mary and Joseph talked it over with them and thought that would be a good idea. Their hosts also then sent word out to Ein Kerem and made preparations for Zechariah, Elizabeth and little John to come to join them all in Jerusalem, “That way, you don’t have to travel so much,” Aunt Hannah said, “You’ve had your share of adventure for now.”

That evening when they were alone for the night, Mary said to Joseph, “I think it is most wonderful and appropriate for Jesus to be presented at the temple. If he is of God through his Spirit, he is not ours. We do need to show that we do give him to The Highest One for whatever His purposes are for him. If he is going to be our king and saviour, the Messiah, we should do the best we can for him in these matters. We should do what is right according to The Law.” Joseph was amazed again at Mary’s knowledge in these matters and her strong faith but had to concede that she had some good points there. This trip was indeed turning into something far beyond what they could have ever anticipated.

The next day little John and his parents arrived. What a joyful reunion that was. Mary could not help looking at the little boy before her and wonder what it had meant when the angel had told Zechariah that John was going to prepare the way of the Lord. How would their two sons’ paths be connected in the future? Only God knew at this time. When she had some time with Elizabeth alone she learned that she and Zechariah had the same questions. Like her and her family though, they tended to keep all this somewhat quiet. It was never a good idea to say too much about these matters aloud in the political climate of the day. King Herod was known to be terribly paranoid about any threats to the throne and the Romans – well, they did not tolerate any threats of what they would surely see as revolt against them.

On the eighth day, Joseph having purchased the required offering as a substitute for their firstborn and for purification, the young family went up to the temple, accompanied by their relatives (Luke 2:22-4). They approached the priests at the periphery of the temple and were assured their offering was acceptable. They left it with the priests and received the appropriate blessing for having offered this for their firstborn son. Then they were directed to a side chamber of the temple where Jesus was circumcised. Mary could not bear to look when she saw the priest take his sharp knife and begin to unwrap Jesus garments. A sharp cry told her it was over and she turned to gather Jesus into her comforting arms as the priest completed wrapping his newly shorn organ in a poultice and dressing. 

When the priest asked about the name of the child to be blessed, Mary repeated again, "Jesus." The priest did not seem perturbed by this and pronounced his blessing on them, laying his hands on Jesus' head, and then told them they had accomplished all that was required and were free to go. 

They were barely back within the courts of the temple when an elderly man appeared crying out with a could voice. He almost raced toward the bewildered family. Before they knew what was happening he had taken Jesus out of Mary’s arms and holding him up toward heaven cried, “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:27-32).”

Everyone was stunned (Luke 2:33). A small crowd was starting to gather and the family was beginning to feel a bit vulnerable. But the old man was not finished. After finishing his praise to God and blessing him for keeping his promises that he would not die before he had “seen the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2:25-26),” he turned to bless the young couple and child. Then, placing little Jesus firmly back in Mary’s arms, He gripped her arms and almost piercing her soul with his gaze, declared, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul as well (Luke 2:34-5)!” 

Then Simeon turned and strode back through the crowd, continuing to praise The Highest One as he went. Mary could not but help thinking how this was so like what had happened with the shepherds a few days earlier. What was in store for them she could not imagine. She held Jesus all the more tightly and leaned towards her relatives and asked, “Who was that?”

“Ah,” said Uncle Benjamin, “that is Simeon. He has been hanging around the temple for as long as anyone can remember. He is forever talking about “the restoration of Israel (Luke 2:25).”

“Indeed,” chimed in Uncle Zechariah, perhaps a little more graciously, “He is known to be a righteous and devout man. It would appear that he Spirit of the Lord has been speaking to him – especially about the coming of this child,” he said, nodding towards Jesus.

“Well,” replied Uncle Benjamin, “You have all been telling me about these strange and special visitations around the birth of these boys.  It seems to grow stranger all the time. Who can tell us what this all really means?

The words were barely out of his mouth when a wizened elderly woman whom they had hardly noticed join them leaned into Jesus’ face and then, turning her eyes to heaven, raised her arms, her face simply glowing, and began to “give thanks to God (Luke 2:38).” She kept on blessing the child and family and praising God before them all. With a final gesture of grasping Jesus’ face in her hands and planting a kiss on his forehead she turned back into the crowd. As she walked off, they heard her speak about the child, saying that they prayers of all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem were about to be answered (Luke 2:38).

By this time the family was getting a little anxious. Not wanting to attract any more attention, never knowing where that could lead, they quickly made their way to the outer courtyard. As they went, Mary asked her uncles, “And who was that lady?”

“That,” began Uncle Benjamin, “is Anna. She is known as a prophetess, and is a childless widow.”

“Yes,” added Uncle Zechariah again, “she practically never leaves the temple, but spends all her days here in worship with fasting and prayer, even at night (Luke 2:36-7).”  

The family walked most of the rest of the way back to Uncle Benjamin’s in silence. They were all feeling more than a little overcome by what had just transpired and needed time to collect their thoughts.

Chapter 11 – The Trip to Judea

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Finally, word came from Judea that Zechariah and Elizabeth would be delighted to have their niece visit. The messenger that had been sent also told them that, yes, Elizabeth had told them she was pregnant. Furthermore, she had told him to tell Joachim and Anna that this had come about because an angel had visited Zechariah when he was serving in the temple and told him this was going to happen. Understandably, Zechariah had doubted this, with their being so advanced in years. As a result, God had struck him speechless until such a time as their son – it was going to be a boy, whom they were to name John – would be born. The angel had also told Zechariah that this boy wouldbe great in the sight of the Lord. He was never to drink wine or strong drink, and he was going to be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. The angel had said he would “turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. He would go as a forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.” 

Of course, Anna wanted badly to know how her sister was doing. The messenger said she seemed to be well and had told him to reassure Anna of that. Furthermore, she was already into her fifth month.

This story would have seemed unbelievable to Joachim and Anna if it were not for the events that had also been happening in their home and in the home of Jacob and Naomi. Just the same, it just added more to their wonder and amazement at the things they were getting caught up in. And why their families? The ways of The Highest One were indeed mysterious and beyond comprehending. All they could do was give thanks and praise to Jehovah and trust that he was working out his plans still.

So, plans were quickly put in place for Mary and Joseph to go to Judea. Joachim arranged with their trusty servant Elias to accompany the young people. He had helped them on trips to and Judea and Jerusalem before.

The morning of the trip dawned bright and sunny. Joseph cold barely contain his excitement as he raced over the hill and across the valley to Sepphoris. Mary had gone back there to spend the night with her parents before being away for some time. 

When Joseph called out a greeting from the doorway Joachim bounded to the door and clapped his big hand around his shoulder, “Come in my son, come in. Have something to eat before you leave.”

Joseph protested that he had already eaten but even Anna prevailed upon him and he ate more. He had already seen

Eliab loading up a donkey in the street with food and bedding for the journey. He had brought some bread, dried figs and raisins of his own. 

When they had all finished breakfast and farewells were said, Joachim invoked a blessing from Jehovah for safety and good health for the 3 of them as they travelled. Besides their own food and bedding, they also carried some gifts for Zechariah and Elizabeth. Then they were off. Eliab walked in front of the donkey, holding the reins. Mary sat astride and Joseph walked alongside. Mary shyly reached out her hand and Joseph took it in his as they plodded along in silence for a while. It was still early and in some ways they barely felt awake. They were both filled with excitement though too. Barely married, and here they were making their first trip together. Joseph’s heart was almost bursting with pride as he walked erectly along beside his bride, sensing the increasing responsibilities that were being placed on him as a man now, no longer a boy.

It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed seeing the green hills, the flowers and the singing birds as they began their trek to the southeast. Following the customs of their people, they did not take the most direct route from Nazareth to Judea. The Jews of the time considered the peoples living south of Galilee, the Samaritans, unclean, as they were not pure Jews and did not believe, worship or live according to The Law in the same way the Jews did. So, they added a couple of days to their journey to Jerusalem rather than risk difficulties going through Samaria, as the citizens of that area were not always friendly to them either, knowing how they were viewed.  Thus, it was getting late in the day as they arrived at their first night stop, Beth Shan, the ancient city – town really – the Greeks and Romans called Scythopolis. This was a major crossroads between the east-west route from the eastern cities of the Decapolis to Palestine and the Mediterranean. There were many travellers stopping for the night but their sight was not that unfamiliar to these three. Nazareth was itself not that far from this route so many of these traders and pilgrims would pass that way too.

They had stopped for lunch on the way and now, after stopping to rest and have a little evening meal, they found a sheltered place to sleep for the night. They wrapped themselves in their blankets against the cool night air. Joseph felt a thrill as Mary turned to him and yielded the curves of her warm body to his protective arms. He could hardly believe his good fortune to be together like this with his beloved Mary.  Elias slept next to them and near their donkey, the better able to keep something of a guard for them. 

In the morning, after eating a bit more of their carried food, they turned south to the Jordan Valley.  They walked past fields of corn and grain, groves of olive trees and figs. To the left lay the blue hills of the Transjordan. On their right were the dry and grassy hills of their own land. 

Three days later, getting dusty and tired by this time, they reached Jericho. Here Eliab found them a citizen willing to let them share the family’s upper room for the night. He took care of the transactions required to make it possible. They rested easier that night, the young lovers once again thrilled to sleep in each other’s arms. 

Next morning, having eaten the last of their provisions and having refilled their canteens with water, they set out on the last leg of their journey together. It had been planned that Joseph and Eliab would accompany Mary to Jerusalem where they would stay with members of Anna’s family. From there someone from her aunt’s family would meet Mary and accompany her to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth in the village in the Judean hills in which they lived. Joseph and Eliab would return to Nazareth. Mary and Joseph did not relish the thought of parting for however long Mary would stay with her aunt, but that was what their parents had arranged so they complied.

The 20 miles or so from Jericho to Jerusalem were noted for the rough terrain in between. To begin with it was bleak, hilly and dry. It was also a steep climb from the Jordan Valley to the mountains on which Jerusalem was built. The winding road past rocky ledges and caves was also notorious as a hiding place for thieves who sometimes attacked travellers violently. For that reason, Eliab had made arrangement for the three of them to travel with others going up to Jerusalem. If this had been a feast time the road would have been filled with pilgrims making their joyous way westward together but that was not the case now. Still, there was always the belief that there was some increased measure of safety in numbers. The trio also said an extra prayer for safety before they set out.

Before the day had ended the 3 travellers y did arrive safely at Mary’s relative’s home in Jerusalem. They were welcomed enthusiastically and refreshed after their long and wearying journey. Under the circumstances as guests the couple were not able to sleep together that night. Mary slept with her relatives and Joseph and Eliab were given a place of their own to rest. 

Next morning after their hosts had given them a good breakfast and seen to it that the men had provisions with which to start out on their return journey, Joseph and Mary hugged each other tightly as they bade each other a tearful farewell. Then, Joseph was off back to Nazareth and his work and Mary prepared to travel the last short distance to meet her aunt and uncle in their nearby home.