Mary Magdalene
Page 16
Peter, always impatient, was ready to go fishing again, but Mary urged them all to stay a little longer. After some grumbling, the disciples finally agreed, and Mary suggested Peter lead them in a united fervent prayer for the Lord’s leading.
While she gave herself to prayer, a sudden strange wind began to blow through the room. It was a wind they could feel, and yet the wicks in the lamps continued to burn steadily. The wind filled the whole house, and then above each of them appeared a tongue of fire. Mary gasped as the power filled her being. She felt rooted to where she was sitting, unable to move. Inexplicable joy began to flow through her body, and she raised her hands as the emotion coursed through her body. She began to cry out in a language she didn’t know, but sensed she was praising HaShem. Then the entire group began speaking in strange languages, praising the Holy One and giving him glory. Unable to contain themselves, all those in the upper room spilled out into the street.
Mary was unaware of the number of people at first, so caught up was she in the language that flowed from her mouth and the joy that filled her. Some of the women, caught up in the power of the Spirit, were dancing in the street.
When she opened her eyes, those in the street in front of the house were pointing to her and the other disciples, murmuring among themselves. She couldn’t blame them for being curious at this strange phenomenon. Some observers cried out, “I hear what they are saying in my language!” Others cried, “They are praising the Most High God and telling of his wonderful works!”
Mary looked around at the crowd and saw from the various styles of clothing that these men were from all parts of the Roman Empire: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Egyptians, Libyans, Cretans, and Arabs. Each man seemed to be hearing his own language, telling of the wonderful works of God.
“What can this all mean?” cried a man from the crowd. Another laughed and shouted, “They are all full of new wine!” and the crowd laughed with him.
Then Peter found a table to stand on and began to speak. “Brethren, these are not drunk, as you suppose. As you know, it is only nine o’clock in the morning. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. He told us, ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy’ . . .” As he shared the prophecy from Joel, he then began to admonish them for seeing the miracles Jesus had done, and yet not believing. He spoke for nearly thirty minutes and then cried out, “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
The people were beside themselves. Mary listened to the anguish they expressed at the truth they had just heard. The words of the Lord came back to her mind, something he had said once. “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
One after another, the people cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Peter answered, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
One by one the people agreed and Mary was amazed. Peter was only a poor fisherman, unlearned, and yet here he was, under the power of the Holy Spirit, speaking with knowledge and conviction to thousands.
Still filled with that wondrous joy, Mary felt almost giddy as she slowly climbed the stairs to the upper room with Susanna. Both women were wondering what they should do now.
Halfway up the stairs, someone called her name, and Mary turned to see a familiar figure making his way toward her.
“Uncle Zerah, how good to see you! What are you doing here?”
“You forget, my dear Mary, I come for Pentecost. Amos and Daniel are with me. We had word the Lord was here in Jerusalem and planned to find you.”
As the fervor of the people increased, he shook his head and spread an arm toward the crowd. “This is something I could not have believed. We have heard story after story since we got here, of the Lord’s tragic death, and now this.”
“Oh, Uncle, it has been such a time to remember, to walk and talk with the Lord, to see the miracles. The crucifixion was terrible to behold, and just when we had all despaired of seeing him again, he appeared to us, in his resurrected body. He even ate with us.”
“I’m sure you have a great deal to share, Mary. Where are you staying?”
“At the house of Joanna, but her husband is King Herod’s steward. With all that has happened, I’m not sure if I am to go back there.”
He paused and studied her thoughtfully. “What will you do then?”
The thought came to her gently but firmly and she knew what she was to do. Peace flowed through her being and spilled out in a brilliant smile.
“Just let me get my things.”
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Mary was delighted. Her uncle could not have come at a better time. She wasn’t sure she could have fully explained this outpouring of God’s Spirit to Zerah. Amos and Daniel had experienced this great move of God for themselves.
As Mary walked with the three men toward the marketplace, Daniel was anxious to tell her about the new ship. “It is smaller in comparison to other merchant ships, but the largest one we have built, and sailing on its maiden voyage right now.”
Mary glanced at Daniel and marveled. The young boy who had been so skinny when she left was now almost six feet tall and filled out from hard work in the boatyard.
“Oh Daniel, Nathan dreamed of building a boat like that one day. When will it be returning to Magdala so I can see it?”
He grinned. “About the time we reach home.”
Mary walked beside the cart as Amos led the donkey by its bridle. At first Zerah wanted to sell the donkey and cart, then realized Mary still needed it to carry what she wanted to bring home. He went ahead of them to locate the other members of the Jewish community who had traveled to Jerusalem with them. They would meet at the northern gate of the city.
When they reached the Temple, Mary stopped a moment to observe the building, magnificent in its structure. “The Lord told us that there will come a day when not one stone would remain standing.”
Daniel looked at the great blocks of stone. “How would any army throw one of those down?”
“I don’t know, Daniel, but one thing I do know. When the Lord said something would happen, it happened. Perhaps it is not in our lifetime.”
Mary thought of how many times she and the other women had stood in the shadows of the great pillars and listened to the Master teach the people. It was difficult leaving the women who had meant so much to her these last two years: Mary, the mother of her Lord; Joanna; Salome; and of course the one who had become as a sister to her, Susanna. How much they had experienced together on their travels with the Lord.
Mary had embraced each of them, and with tears in their eyes, they all promised to pray for each other. What a precious bond they had shared. Mary would never forget them.
The Lord’s mother was returning to Nazareth with three of her sons and her daughter, Rebecca. They had much to share with their friends and neighbors. Her son James announced he would stay in Jerusalem and help Peter with the growing church. After Pentecost, they had over three thousand people to baptize.
Some of the disciples were returning to homes and families, but some were spreading out to other parts of Israel to spread the good news of the Gospel.
As Mary, Amos, and Daniel approached the gate, Zerah was waiting for them with other men from Magdala. Some nodded, acknowledging her, but the faces of the more orthodox Jews appeared cold and disapproving.
Amos had been quiet for some time, and as they began the road to Magdala, Mary finally asked him, “How are things with you, Amos? Is anything wrong?”
“My wife is having our first child at any time. I fear I shall not return home in time for the birth.”
“Oh, Amos, I am so glad for you. The
Lord loved the little children so. He blessed them whenever they came around him.”
“When our child is old enough, he or she will know about Jesus. I pray my wife will understand what I’ve seen. She is not a believer yet.”
“I will pray for you both, Amos. I know I have so much I want to share—with everyone. I will be glad to talk with her.”
He nodded.
She listened to the sights and sounds of the countryside around her as she had done so many times, walking with the Lord. This time her footsteps were bringing her back to Magdala. She could hardly wait to see the harbor again, and old friends. How was Huldah doing, and Merab? She thought of Keturah and her husband and the chubby baby she had held before she left. She listened to the birdcalls and passed fields of waving wheat, the golden kernels nearly ready for harvest. It saddened her that nearly all of her family was gone now, but still, Magdala, in spite of its dark secrets, and the Hippodrome—it was familiar and it was home.
How nice it would be to live in a house again—she’d spent so many nights sleeping under the stars, or in rainy weather, wherever they could find shelter. Yet she wouldn’t trade those days following the Lord for the grandest house. She had walked with the Messiah, had seen the miracles, and had heard his teaching. She would never be the same again.
Acknowledgments
To the wonderful staff at Revell who have worked with me over the years; my editor, Lonnie Hull DuPont, for her sense of humor and encouragement; my agent, Joyce Hart, for her belief in my writing; my friend, Dr. Vicki Hesterman, for her encouragement and keen insights; and my San Diego critique group for their suggestions and help with chapter after chapter.
About the Author
Diana Wallis Taylor is an award-winning author, poet, and songwriter. Journey to the Well debuted in 2009, as did her Christian romance, Smoke Before the Wind. Her collection of poetry, Wings of the Wind, came out in 2007. A former teacher, she retired in 1990 as director of conference services for a private college. After their marriage in 1990, she and her husband moved to northern California where she fulfilled a dream of owning a bookshop/coffeehouse for writers’ groups and poetry readings and was able to devote more time to her writing.
The Taylors have six grown children between them and ten grandchildren. They now live in the San Diego area, where between writing projects Diana participates in Christian Women’s Fellowship, serves on the board of the San Diego Christian Writers Guild, and is active in the music ministry of her church. She enjoys teaching poetry and writing workshops, and sharing her heart with women of all ages.
Visit Diana’s website at www.dianawallistaylor.com.
Other books by Diana Wallis Taylor
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Journey to the Well
Martha
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