Martha

by Diana Wallis Taylor

  “Yes. He was showing us his resurrected body.” Thomas shrugged. “I don’t understand it all, but I believe.”

  Then, to Martha’s surprise and delight, the joy began to rise up in her soul. The Lord was alive again. He had said he would rise again, but she hadn’t understood. Now she knew in her heart that the words Thomas spoke to them were true. The Lord was alive. She leaned her head back against the house and let the joy flow through her, cleansing, refreshing joy, washing all the doubts away.

  Lazarus turned to a more practical thought. “You said you did well with the large cache of fish . . . ?”

  Thomas reached into his sash and produced a good-sized bag of coins. “This is my share, enough to provide for, ah, many things.” He glanced at Mary, who blushed, and looked pointedly at Lazarus.

  Lazarus let out a bellow of laughter. “Point well taken, my friend.” Lazarus turned to Mary and Martha, and with an arched eyebrow asked, “Are you up to planning a wedding?”

  Mary hugged her brother. “Oh Lazarus, thank you, for both of us.”

  Thomas then took her hands as they looked into each other’s eyes.

  Martha stood up and smiled gently at her sister. “You should have a proper wedding, Mary, but it appears there is no time.” She turned to her brother. “Lazarus, do you think Tobias will go into Jerusalem to secure a rabbi to perform the ceremony?”

  He nodded. “I’m sure he will go for us. You realize, sister, that we cannot invite the whole village. It would draw too much attention.”

  Mary stepped forward. “Surely we can trust Simon and his family, and our neighbor Shaul and his family.”

  Her brother stroked his beard a moment and then agreed. “We must invite Nathan also. He has been a good friend to us.”

  Martha looked around the courtyard, considering what needed to be done. “We’d better get busy.”

  Lazarus slipped out and soon returned with Tobias and Nathan. The three men put their heads together. The problem was getting a rabbi. Perhaps they would let him think he was just marrying two young people from the village.

  Nathan snorted. “If enough silver crosses the rabbi’s palm, he will perform the marriage and keep his silence.”

  Thomas murmured, “I don’t think I’m in danger. He may not recognize me as a disciple.” He turned to Lazarus. “It is you, my friend, he may recognize. We must take a chance on the rabbi.”

  Martha sighed heavily. “All this secrecy will be the death of me.”

  They were all silent for a moment and then Mary asked in a soft voice, “Thomas, do you think the Lord will appear to you again?”

  He shrugged. “He comes and goes as he pleases, but yes, I believe he will show himself to us again. I just don’t know when.”

  Tobias agreed to go into Jerusalem and procure a rabbi for a small wedding in Bethany. Perhaps thinking of another hasty wedding, he smiled at them. “I know just the man for the task.”

  Judith and Chloe came quietly to the house with Chloe’s small daughter, Reza, bringing date cakes and some fruit. They also brought a canopy that Tobias and Chloe had used for their wedding. It had been rolled up and put in their storeroom. Mary slipped next door and told Shaul and his wife, Helah. They came quickly and Helah brought some fresh-baked bread and some wine. The women prepared what they could, but it would be a meager wedding supper by Martha’s standards.

  Nathan, Tobias, and Shaul would hold the canopy, but there was a problem. They needed a fourth man. After much whispered discussion, Nathan went to get his elderly neighbor, Joseph. The man was hard of hearing, and would probably not understand all that was going on, but in this situation that was an advantage. Nathan felt he could be trusted to keep the matter quiet.

  Martha, Judith, Helah, and Chloe took Mary into the house. Reza was told to sit quietly on a cushion, and she watched with wide eyes, holding the doll Martha and Mary had given her during the Feast of Lights.

  Martha opened the small chest and lifted out her mother’s wedding dress. “If anyone is to wear this, sister, I am glad it is to be you.”

  Mary removed her shift and the dress was slipped over her head. Mary would have to wear her best sandals, for there was no time to buy any new ones for the wedding.

  Judith brushed Mary’s hair to a shine and from her bag produced the blue shawl that Martha had made for her daughter Esther at her marriage. Martha’s eyes widened.

  “I’d forgotten about that.” She gave Judith a puzzled look.

  “The last time Esther was here, there was so much going on, she accidentally left it behind. I meant to return it to her the next time she came, but with the new baby, she has been unable to travel. I’m sure she would be pleased to have Mary wear it for her wedding.” She smiled at Martha as she held it out. “Perhaps the God Who Sees knew it would be needed.”

  The soft cloth was draped over Mary’s head and shoulders, and to Martha it seemed the perfect touch. Mary was ready—now all that remained was to wait for the rabbi and Tobias to arrive.

  Martha stood before her sister with a touch of sadness. Now she knew what Shua’s parents felt when they had to be party to a hasty wedding because of Tekoa.

  “I had envisioned more for you than this on the day of your wedding.”

  Mary smiled up at her, her eyes bright with excitement. “Do not grieve, Martha. I am happy to be marrying my Thomas. Whatever the future holds, we can face it together. It is a joyous day for me.”

  Martha nodded and embraced her sister briefly. “I know.”

  As time passed, she was beginning to be concerned. What if Tobias was unable to get a rabbi to come with him? It was not the Sabbath, it was the middle of the week. Surely there was someone who was available.

  It was nearly two hours later that Tobias arrived, and he had a rabbi with him. Martha came from the house and felt alarm rise. She had never seen this rabbi before.

  Tobias introduced the man to the group as Rabbi Hezekiah. “He is a friend of your cousin, Hanniel,” he told the uneasy assembly, then grinned. “He is also a believer.”

  Tobias had gone to the house of Hanniel and Sherah with his dilemma, and after listening to what was needed, Hanniel had gone to the Temple and come back with Hezekiah.

  Thomas, who had been waiting uneasily in a corner of the courtyard, came forward. The canopy was opened and held by the four men, and Lazarus led his sister from the house to meet her bridegroom.

  The ceremony was simple, but with gentle and profound words, Hezekiah entrusted Mary to Thomas and their vows were sealed. Martha watched with tears in her eyes. She felt as if she were giving a daughter away. As the young couple said their vows, for a moment Martha pictured herself standing under the canopy . . . taking the hand of Thaddeus . . . She shook her head and willed the thoughts away. She wiped her eyes. Her tears should be happy ones for her sister, not for the past.

  As the guests partook of the food and wine, it was a subdued group. Martha saw the rabbi take Lazarus aside and murmur a few words to him. Lazarus hung his head a moment and then nodded. The rabbi clasped him on the shoulder and then turned to the guests.

  “I thank you all for making me a part of your celebration. May the bride and groom have many years together and serve our cause with all their hearts. I must return to Jerusalem at once.” He blessed them and turned toward the gate. When he had gone, Nathan and Lazarus came to Martha.

  “Sister, the rabbi gave me a word of warning. The High Council is meeting tonight. Evidently I am the subject of their meeting. The rabbi said that someone will come and bring me word of their decision. I fear it will not be good.”

  Martha put a hand to her breast. “Oh Lazarus. Has it come to that at last?”

  Nathan glanced at the newly wed couple and murmured, “Let us not spoil their day. There will be time enough when Mary must be told.”

  The celebration was brief, and the guests slipped away to their homes early as if they had just been visiting and supped with the family. The wedding dress was placed caref
ully back in the small chest, and Mary put on her shift again. For their wedding night, Thomas and Mary were given the room they had kept prepared for Jesus when he was able to come to Bethany. The Lord would not use it again, Martha realized with a sigh.

  Nathan prepared to leave also and turned toward Martha. He seemed to want to say something to her, but finally wished Thomas and Mary blessings on their marriage, and with a brief hand on the shoulder of Lazarus, he gave her one last long look and then left for his own home.

  Martha watched him go and stifled her curiosity. A strange man, Nathan. A good friend to their family, but she had long since given up trying to understand him.

  27

  The next morning Martha woke with a sense of expectancy. She wasn’t sure why, but as the sun broke upon the horizon, she listened to the sounds of the birds and the bleating of their five sheep. With the warmth of the month of Shebat, the almond trees were in blossom and she and Lazarus had slept out in the courtyard to give Mary and Thomas more privacy.

  She looked toward the animal pens. Their female goat was due to deliver a kid anytime now. Then she saw her brother’s pallet. It was rolled up already and there was no sign of Lazarus. Anxiety filled her. Had he gone somewhere in the middle of the night?

  The gate creaked, and as Lazarus entered the courtyard, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Where were you?”

  He gave her a wan smile. “I went to check the fields. The flax is doing well.”

  Martha began the task of making the bread, and when it was rising, she prepared some fruit and cheese for their breakfast. There was no sign of Mary and Thomas yet, and she shrugged to herself. If they could not sleep late on this morning, when could they? They had much to face in the coming days and weeks.

  Suddenly the bridal couple appeared and their faces were radiant. Before they could speak, Martha heard a familiar voice in her head. She turned to Lazarus and from the look on his face, realized he was hearing it also.

  Before Martha could speak, Lazarus murmured, “Go to the Mount of Olives.”

  Martha nodded. “Yes, the Mount of Olives. Did you both hear what I heard?”

  The newlyweds nodded. “He has spoken to us. We’re to go there, now.”

  Lazarus covered himself with his cloak. Martha banked the fire and set the pot aside. Then the two women grabbed their shawls, covering their heads as they followed their brother and Thomas through the gate.

  They walked quickly, savoring the freshness of the morning. The olive trees were bathed in the soft light of the rising sun, and as they passed into the trees, they were greeted by a sight so amazing they fell to their knees.

  The ten remaining disciples were gathered, along with a small group of women, and in the middle of the group, smiling at them, stood Jesus.

  With tears streaming down her cheeks, Mary cried out, “My Lord!”

  Lazarus gave a glad cry of joy. “Master!”

  Mary’s face radiated her devotion as she knelt before Jesus.

  Thomas came forward and gently lifted Mary to her feet as they beheld the one they thought they’d lost forever.

  Forgive me, Lord, Martha cried in her heart and felt the peace as he gazed at her with love. Nevermore would she carry any doubts.

  Martha stood and hesitantly moved toward Jesus. He held one hand out to her and she touched his wound. Then Jesus turned to face those who had assembled there.

  “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and the Prophets, and the Psalms concerning me. Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of my Father upon you; but tarry in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

  He shared Scriptures with them that opened their understanding, and Martha listened intently with the others.

  “It is not for you to know times and seasons, which the Father has put in his own authority, but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

  With one voice, those assembled cried out, “Yes, Lord.”

  Then, as they watched, Jesus’s clothing took on an iridescent glow and he began to rise into the air, disappearing in a cloud that had formed over them in the shape of a man’s hand.

  Martha stood next to Lazarus, her eyes wide and mouth open. Mary and Thomas held each other and no one spoke. They stood watching the sky where Jesus had gone. Suddenly two shining beings in white materialized in their midst.

  “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven.” Then the shining beings disappeared.

  The group stood still for a long moment and finally looked around at each other, sharing their amazement at what they had been privileged to see.

  Peter broke the silence. “He told us to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes. Let us return to the upper room and wait as we’ve been told.”

  The others nodded assent and began walking back to the city.

  Mary turned to Lazarus and Martha. “I am going with Thomas to the upper room. Together we will wait for the promised Holy Spirit.”

  Martha saw conflicting emotions on the face of her brother. Torn between wanting to join them and the danger of entering the city. Then Lazarus was aware of John standing nearby, wanting to speak to him.

  “Lazarus, as you know I have a friend who works in the house of Caiaphas. Some of the religious leaders met there last night. They are plotting your death and how to take you secretly. Your life is in danger.”

  Lazarus shook his head sadly, his shoulders drooping. “Thank you, my friend, for the warning. I thought that after a week or so the furor would die down, but evidently it hasn’t.”

  John put his hand on Lazarus’s shoulder. “I wish there were more I could do. I’m sorry.” He dropped his hand and turned to catch up with the other disciples.

  Lazarus turned to Thomas and his sisters and shared what he’d been told.

  Martha took a deep breath. “We will manage, Lazarus. Your safety is more important. Let us quickly return to our home and gather some provisions for you.”

  “Remember that I told you I have relatives in Damascus?” Thomas picked up a stick and sketched a simple map in the dirt. “I will send greetings with you and they will welcome you into their home as they would welcome me. Jesus healed my aunt of a continuing disease. They are believers.”

  “Thank you, Thomas, for your kindness.” He looked down at Mary’s face, her eyes full of hope. “Go with Thomas. He will take care of you now.”

  Mary clasped her hands and her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, Lazarus. Thank you. I pray you might be able to return soon.”

  Martha hugged her sister and gave Thomas a stern look. “I also trust you to take care of my sister and protect her.”

  “I will honor her. You have my word.”

  The two sisters embraced again and wept briefly together. Then the young couple turned toward Jerusalem.

  “Let us waste no time, sister.” Lazarus was already striding toward Bethany and Martha could barely keep up with him. As they approached their house, Lazarus looked in every direction for signs of soldiers or the Temple police, but all appeared quiet.

  Martha grabbed date cakes, fruit, a loaf of bread, some nuts, and a goatskin bag. She filled the bag with water, while Lazarus packed a change of clothing and a few necessary things he rolled up with a cord to sling over his back. He went to the small stone crock in the storage room where he kept what money they had.

  “Take it all, Lazarus. You’ll need it. Nathan will take my last weavings into Jerusalem. I’ll be all right.
”

  He hesitated and then embraced her. “You have been more than a sister to me, the only mother I have known in many years. I don’t even remember our real mother. I want you to know how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

  Martha blushed and then waved a hand. “Don’t waste any more time, Lazarus. You aren’t out of danger yet. You can make speeches when you return.”

  She smiled bravely as he turned back to wave at her and then watched him walk down the road. He would have to avoid Jerusalem and there might be danger in the wilderness between Jerusalem and Damascus. “O God Who Sees, watch over Lazarus and keep him safe,” she whispered.

  When his tall figure became but a speck in the distance, she reluctantly turned and entered the courtyard. It was quiet, too quiet. Mary’s lyre lay on a bench and Martha wondered if she would ever hear Mary play it again.

  The animals became restless, and she realized it was their feeding time. Lazarus usually took care of the animals. Now it would be her job. She stared at the small pottery stove. She should cook something, but who was there to cook for now except herself?

  She fed the animals and milked the goat, pouring the liquid into a stone storage crock. It was time to make goat cheese again. Would Mary be back to help her? She sighed heavily. Nothing was certain at this time.

  She swept the patio and thought about turning to her loom to finish the shawl she was making, but instead sat down on the wooden bench in the shade.

  Had it been a dream—seeing Jesus? What an amazing privilege she and her family had been given, to host the Messiah and his followers. In her mind’s eyes she still saw them scattered about the courtyard in groups, talking, laughing, and relaxing from their travels on the road. She pictured Judas with his handsome face made less handsome by the frown that he continually wore. A strange, misguided man.

  And Jesus. Here in this courtyard he had rested, told his stories, and touched people’s lives forever. She relived the moment when Lazarus, bound in grave clothes, had stumbled forth from the tomb, brought back to life when Jesus commanded him to come forth. She thought of Simon and the miracle of his cleansing from the death sentence of leprosy. Had not very God visited them here on earth?