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."
Ten months after their marriage, Jesus, Mary, his followers, Mother Mary, and Salome, came to Jerusalem for the holiday of Passover to celebrate when the Angel of Death passed over the Jews that were enslaved in Egypt as it killed all of the first born children of the Egyptians.
Mary was now with child. The baby was to be born over Passover. Traveling was discouraged by doctors, but Mary had made a promise to her Lord to follow him where he went and this may be the last time on this earth that she would do so.
Jesus rode in on the donkey that Mary had brought from Magdala to Bethany and then in her following of Jesus. The followers and the women walked along side him as the people in the streets cried out in happiness "Hosanna! Hosanna!"
Jesus smiled, as did the others. It was a warm welcoming. But in the minds of some followers and Jesus himself there was doubt and sadness.
Mary and Jesus both knew that he had to make the ultimate sacrifice soon, for it had been prophesied.
Judas did not like the power the sect was gaining now. He felt that Jesus should not be worshiped more than the Father and his message. Mary had overheard his menacing voice the other night through the thin walls of the tent while Jesus slept peacefully. Judas had been talking to Peter. Judas had said that it was a sin how Jesus should be worshiped more than the Father. Peter had said he had everything under control. Mary knew what that meant. Once Jesus was gone, as he implied, Peter would overthrow Mary and John.
Mary decided to keep this from Jesus. He had enough to do with lessons and the idea of his looming death.
Everyone was in Jerusalem for the pilgrimage. It was a big city, surrounded by a great wall. However the Romans occupied the city just as they did with the rest of the land. While the many Jews celebrated their protection from God, the Roman guards and citizens seemed perturbed. It would be a long week…for everyone.
On Thursday, Jesus and the men went to an upstairs room to dine. Mary, the Mother, and Salome would not be attending. Mary was weak and tired as her child was to be born any day. The two elder women wished to stay with her and keep her comfortable.
Jesus held Mary in his arms and kissed her. At this she seemed to crack. She clung to him a moment longer that usual, not wanting to let go. He was warm. He was always warm. He had been warm when she came out of the cold, dark sickness on her arrival in Bethany. He had been warm when they stood at the cold wharf in Magdala. He was warm to the sick, the blind, the possessed, the deaf. He was always warm.
"I love you more than I can say now," he said. Mary thought she saw a small tear fall from his eye. The man was terrified, and Mary could feel the violent tremble from his insides as she laid her hand on his arm to comfort him.
"I love you as I love my Father, and Heaven," she said softly. With one more kiss, Mary and the other women left for their rented lodgings while the others stayed to dine.
Mary had somehow fallen asleep that night, as had the Mother. When it was past the mid-night, Mary awoke out of worry from dreams. The room was cold. Empty. Jesus was not home yet. Neither were any of the other disciples.
"My Mother?" Mary whispered.
"My daughter?" she replied awakening. Salome stirred next to the Mother, and sat up.
"Your son is not home yet," Mary said, greatly surprised by the panic in her own voice.
"Really?" said the Mother with just as much panic.
"We should go find them and see if they are still dining," said Salome getting up.
The three women quickly dressed quickly, Mary with some difficulty, and they stole out of the room into the street.
The street was dark. The only light was that of the candles in the small windows. The upper room where the Passover meal was taking place was several streets away, but they hurried.
No one was to be found in the room, however. Beside the edifice, there was a garden. It was rather large, and sweet smelling.
"Maybe they went in here to pray," Salome suggested, "This is the garden Gethsemane."
"The meal could not have lasted this long. Something happened," said Mother Mary.
"Yes...it has," Mary pulled her cloak tighter.
"MOTHER!" came a shout from the gates of the garden. It was young John running towards them.
"John, where is Jesus?" Mary asked meeting him half way, and the Mother and Salome following behind her.
"He has been taken. By the Pharisees," he said through long breaths.
"For...what?" Mary asked.
"Blasphemy, for saying he is the Son of God," replied John.
"Where did they take him?" Mary asked, choking on her words.
"Follow me, I'll show you where. Many of the men have run because they were afraid they would be captured as well. I do not know where they have escaped to," said John, as the people headed for the Temple.
So we are the ones left? Mary thought, Just us.