Author: Elizabeth Bennent
Discalimer: This story half belongs to the authors of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I am not making any money off of this (for details see John 2:12, Jesus in the Temple.) But original characters and situations are mine, so please ask if you would like to use. Thanks.
Dedication: As always, to the Princess Circle. Also, to the cast of Guilford's "Jesus Christ Superstar."
Mary traveled with Jesus and his followers. She gave the money from her family's wealth to the Rabbi's mission. It was the most important thing she had done. She began to live as they did. It was more simple than her life in Bethany. She soon got used to only letting herself be offered food from villagers, rather than buying or begging. She also slept outside with the other disciples; despite that most of them were men.
She befriended Jesus' mother and her sister, Salome. They cooked and washed for the men, but Jesus would let them do the missionary work as well, and it all fascinated Mary.
She often missed Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany. They were to receive any word from her family and send it by messenger to wherever Jesus was, for sure Mary would be there with him
Mary became excellent friends with John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Thaddaeus, and Simon.
Andrew, Thomas, James and Thaddaeus were jokers. They replied with a witty remark at every chance they could. John, Philip. Bartholomew and Matthew were kind and gentle. They read aloud to the groups at night and were friends to all. Simon was a zealot. He was outspoken and had new ideas about everything. He loved to explain them all to Mary. She enjoyed watching him rant his political views and criticisms.
Judas and Peter were the ones she did not get along with so well. Before Mary came, Peter was Jesus' right hand man. Now Jesus spent much time with Mary and Peter spoke out against it on more than one occasion. Judas was quiet and sulky much of the time. Although Mary tried to befriend both of them, there was a coldness that didn't go away.
Out of all her new friends, Jesus was the closest to her, and she the closest to him.
"My brothers..."Jesus announced one night at their outdoor meal, "I am growing in age. I know the laws of society and I follow them. A man must be married. Mary Magdalene and I decided that we shall be man and woman at the end of the month."
Mary smiled brightly at him as he said this. He raised his clay chalice majestically in a toast.
"Teacher! She cannot marry you; you are a religious man; she is from Magdala where many have turned to paganism. She comes from a land where the religion is different and wrong. They have temple women, you do not even know if she is one or not!" claimed Peter.
"My Lord, it is not acceptable," said Judas sternly.
Mary looked nervously at Jesus, who looked over the Brethren. Then at John who looked at Mary sympathetically. He was young but he was wise and Mary had held great respect for him.
"I know this is not what you expect of me, but believe in all that I do, and believe that it is for good. Mary comes from a good, prestigious and faithful family. When I am gone she will lead you."
This was no comfort to Peter or Judas.
"My lord...she is a woman," Judas spit out.
Mary's stomach burned with annoyance, and even Mother Mary and Salome looked taken aback by Judas' comment.
"Yes, Judas, but a strong woman who can lead you all well. Don't make me tell you that women are creations of the Father as well. You already know this. John will be her companion. When I am gone, follow them with your hearts. I know they will teach faithfully to my teachings because I love them both."
"Why do you love them more than us?" asked Peter who was fuming.
"Why do I not love you?" was all that Jesus replied.
Mary softened towards the two disciples. They had not expected this, and she knew she needed to understand that to lead them.
"Jesus is our teacher; follow him and believe what he says for when he comes again you will want to be saved," Mary said walking over to join Jesus. They joined hands.
This calmed the men, but Mary still felt her stomach roll. Jesus had said she would lead them when he was gone. This proved he was the man from the scriptures. But the followers, except Mother Mary and her daughter-in-law to be did not notice that their rabbi hinted at leaving them all.
Jesus and Mary decided that upon reaching Magdala and announcing their marriage to her family, they could be wed there.
When they reached Magdala, however, Mary saw her city in half ruin. Many buildings and warehouses had been burned. The wharf her father owned was completely gone, as were his fishermen.
Mary led their way to her old home. It was burnt to the ground. They later learned that a week after Mary had left, the pirates took the entire family. Mary's aunt had come to Magdala searching for Mary, who was supposed to arrive to her in Jerusalem, and found the family dead and assumed Mary had been taken with them.
"Mary…I…I am so sorry," Jesus said, pulling her into an embrace.
"I should have known when I received no word for a year. I suppose I did know in a way. I must have accepted it a while ago," she said.
The two were standing where the wharf used to stand, looking over Lake Galilee.
"We can stay here for a month and mourn if you would like," Jesus said.
"No, let's continue on home to Nazareth. There's nothing here for me."
"You called Nazareth 'home'," he said smiling.
Once in Nazareth the wedding preparations began. Mary met the entirety of Jesus' family and fell in love with them. She picked out a deep blue robe of fine linen that Mother Mary happily gave her.
After the ceremony, a large gathering took over the small village of Nazareth. The entire town had always loved Jesus and all were happy to see him finally married at thirty two years.
Even the disappointed followers, Peter and Judas, took comfort in the amount of people, music, and wine. As people danced, Mary and Jesus walked about the courtyard where they held the celebration, hands entwined within each other's. It was evening and a light purple brushed across the sky, growing deeper as the hours passed by.
"Do you dance, Mary?" asked Peter.
"A little," she replied.
"Show us," he commanded.
"Peter, you have had too much to drink," Mary said, trying to be lighthearted towards Peter, but he was menacing and he frightened her.
"You can if you would like," said her husband smiling, "Not that you would have asked permission as it is," he laughed.
"I shall then," she smiled.
She went to the circle of dancing women, and joined in the dance. It was liberating. Mary remembered dancing in Magdala with her sisters before the raids.
"Join me Jesus," she shouted as she let out a laugh; a laugh that had been hidden somewhere inside of her for many months, since she had left Magdala. It was an odd feeling, but at the same time a beautiful one, as if a rose began to blossom inside of her abdomen.
"Do I look like the sort of person who would dance?" he asked, laughing as well.
"No, but does that matter? It is your wedding!" Mary said, still laughing, "Mother Mary, John, come in too!"
The Mother just laughed and shook her head but clapped along with the music with Salome, but John pulled Jesus along and they joined the outer circle going around the circle of dancing women.
When everyone was worn out from the dancing, they retired.
"My husband, more wine?" Mary giggled picking up the pitcher from one of the tables. The air was colder now.
"No, I do want you to come over here in my arms, however," he said.
She went more than willingly. She sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Does the marriage suit you, Mary?" he asked.
"More than any thing I have done before, Jesus. It almost suits me as well as my Eternal Home will someday," she replied quietly.
"You have been listening very closely to my teachings," he smiled.
She lightly kissed his lips again.
"Mary...I must tell you something," he said, sitting her down on a blanket, and then sitting himself down.
"Tell me anything," she said.
"I will not be on this earth for much longer," he said solemnly.
"Yes...I know. You mentioned leaving us at supper the night we told everyone of our marriage," she said quietly, "What will happen?"
"I am here to die for my Father's people. I will sacrifice myself someday soon for the sins of men and women. It is the will of our Lord.
"Judas will betray me to the Pharisees who are already plotting my death. I am sorry that my death has to be strapped upon his heart, but it is the will of God. Peter will deny me three times. I will be hated by the public at the time of my brutal sacrifice. Mary I cannot be with you for long, and this causes me much pain. You understand that this is the will of God?"
"Yes, I understand. I love you. I follow you faithfully, and I will feel lost when you are gone, but you won't ever truly leave. I can wait until my own death to see you in the home of your Father," said Mary, saddened by this news. She became defiant to her want to beg him to not follow the will of the Lord.
"You are a wise, remarkable woman, Mary. You are my follower of followers. I love you," he said.
"I only will do the will that belongs to my Lords."
Mary sat at the low table with Mother Mary while still eating their meal remembering their times with Jesus. Now it simply made Mary feel more alone.