And Mary Pondered All These Things.

Mary of Nazareth, mother of hope, joy, and love. She was a descendant of the great king David. David, the shepherd boy loved by God, so much so, that he made him the greatest king in the history of Israel, and he gave him the messiah as a son; in spite of his many sins which included murder, and adultery. I say this not to disgrace David, but to show how the mercy, and forgiveness of God works in the lives, of those who love him and keep him always first in their hearts.

God promised David a descendant, who would be a, ‘king forever’.

I wonder, did king David look at his sons and see in any of them the makings of the promised king? Or did he look down the years to more peaceful, less bloodthirsty days to come? Did he think of a gentle son to lead his people away from all the killing, full of wisdom and his own unfailing love for and trust in God?

Did he ever consider, one of the female members of his family, becoming the mother of the promised king? We will never know the answer, because to David, God’s promise was sufficient.

It was to be many generations before that mighty king of all kings, whose coming had been prophesied about for hundreds of years, was to be born.

Strangely enough, he was not born in a palace, as one would expect with all the pomp and pampering money could buy. No! there were twenty one generations, between king David and the promised king. These generations saw great changes in the descendants of David. They were interwoven with foreigners, some of dubious character, a good mix of people brought in by the Lord God, to show us that he would be Lord of all people, but first and foremost, he was to be the only begotten Son of God.

I wonder how many people lost their faith in a promised messiah? How many people just laughed at the mere idea of it , as the years went by? How many cherished the hope, that theirs would be the generation in which he would be born? Did humble, honest; faithful obedient Mary, ever have the vanity to think, it could be her!?

Mary, was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter. In her day, fornication, was a sin punishable by death. Public stoning! This was to ensure that all girls were virgins when they married.

Luke Ch 1 Vs 26 – 38.

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgins name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, " greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, " do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the most high. The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

" how will this be," Mary asked the angel " since I am a virgin?"

the angel answered, " the holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

" I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. " may it be to me as you have said."

Then the angel left her."

Can we imagine for one moment, what Mary felt when the angel left her. Did she rub her eyes and wonder if she had dreamt it? No! her heart was still pounding within her breast. Her mind was in turmoil, she was pregnant! To be put to shame before the whole town, Joseph, what will he think? Surely he will exercise his right to have her stoned. If he loved her enough perhaps he would be merciful.

The words of the angel forced their way into her mind through all her panic, and fear. " do not be afraid; the Son of the most high," the mighty king promised for so long, was to be born to her!

Mary’s fear gave way to excitement, she said aloud "the power of the most high will overshadow you, the one to be born, the Son of God!"

Mary, felt the power of the holy Spirit within her, it made her want to dance and sing and shout her good news to all the world, instead she fell on her knees and said,

Luke Ch 1 Vs 46 – 55.

" My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my

saviour,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call

Me blessed,

For the mighty one has done great

Things for me

Holy is his name.

From generation to generation

He has performed mighty deeds with

His arm;

He has scattered those who are proud

In the inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their

Thrones

But has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good

Things

But has sent the rich away

Empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

Remembering to be merciful

To Abraham and his descendants forever

Even as he said to our fathers."

Mary knew of all the wonderful works God had done in the past, and because of this she believed what the angel told her. She also believed that God would always take care of her, if she was obedient to his will, placing all her trust in him she told the angel, " let it be as you have said."

Mary, weak with excitement, and a little apprehensive of what Joseph might say, wondered how she would broach the subject when he returned home. It was the law, that a man had the right to have his betrothed stoned for fornication, would he do that? Would he bring her to shame in front of the whole town? Once more that day she decided to put her whole trust in God, and say nothing to Joseph, nothing al all!

The Birth of Jesus Christ.

Matt Ch1 Vs 18 – 24. " this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: his mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the holy Spirit.

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, " Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is of the holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: " the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means God with us."

When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

What faith, what wonderful courage Mary had, how humbly she walked with God trusting him completely. Only an angel of God could have persuaded Joseph, that no man was involved with Mary’s pregnancy.

It was not vanity or pride that made her sing, " blessed am I among women," she was singing to God, giving to him the praise and glory due to him for choosing her above all the women of Israel. Mary was full of the holy Spirit of love and joy, such as she would never experience again.

It was awesome, the birth in the manger; the Magi, the shepherds, the angels singing. Mary took it all in the angels representing heaven, the shepherds representing the common man, the Magi representing the rich and the wise, the cattle representing all the creatures of the earth. The star which heralded this tiny child into the world representative of the light he brought with him.

Luke 2 Vs 17 – 20.

" the shepherds, when they had seen him they spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child, and all who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

What a heart! How it must have thrilled at every move the baby Jesus made in her womb, he was safe there and belonged to the God she worshipped, and her alone. He would all too soon belong to all people.

Now here he was snug in her arms, entrusted into he keeping by the almighty. She would love away every tear, every bump and scratch. She would nurse him through all his childhood ailments, teach him to walk and talk, yet even as he lay snug and warm in her arms, there was a little sadness in her soul, as if it missed him because he was no longer inside.

Maybe a tear ran down Mary’s cheek and dropped on the head of the little one asleep in her arms, no! be strong, this is your day Mary, today all the prophesies about the messiah has come true. The King of Glory has been born to you, and nothing can change that!

I wonder if Mary realised the full significance of what had happened? How did Mary view the future of her infant? Did she consider the gifts given by the Magi the start of kingly riches? Did she think the throne of David was to be revived and the crown worn by Jesus?

Did she see Jesus doing menial jobs helping Joseph with his carpentry? Mary would have held him a little closer perhaps, even a little possessively, as she wondered about her role in his life.

Mary was soon to find out that the Son of God was to be no ordinary man.

Luke Ch 2 Vs21 – 35.

" on the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

When their time of purification according to the law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord [ as it is written in the law of the Lord, " every firstborn male is to be presented to the Lord"] and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord, " a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he would not die before he had the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went to the temple courts when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required. Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying:

Sovereign Lord, as you have

Promised,

You now dismiss your servant in

Peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation

Which you have prepared in the sight

Of all people,

A light for revelations to the Gentiles

And for glory to your people Israel."

The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: this child’s destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Mary, always cool on the outside, must have had a moment of panic as she listened to old Simeon’s words. From revelation and glory, to a sign that would be spoken against, and her own soul to be pierced by a sword! Her soul belonged to God alone, she had known that since she was a child and knew very little about the Lord God; it had made her feel loved and warm inside when she whispered to him on her bed, " I love you my Lord God, I give you my life and my love forever." What was old Simeon going on about?

Mary held her baby closer to her heart as if to put him inside the very beat of it to keep him safe. She prayed God would forgive her weak thoughts, God, she knew would never leave or forsake them.

The shepherds returned to their flocks. The Magi, who had mistrusted king Herod, had been warned in a dream to return home a different way.

Matthew Ch 2 Vs 13 – 18. " when they had gone an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. " get up," he said, " take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

So he got up and took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt. Where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: " out of Egypt I have called my Son."

When Herod realised he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity that were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

A voice is heard in Ramah,

Weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children

And refusing to be comforted,

Because they are no more."

The journey to Egypt was filled with tears and fears. Mary looked up at the night sky, nothing had changed there; the moon sailed supreme in silver, and her attendant stars bathed in her light, the hills and the trees cast a black outline against the pale blue of the sky. In her arms, her baby was asleep. Nothing stirred in the stillness of the night, the only sound the clip clop of the donkeys hooves along the road.

The question that echoed around inside Mary’s head was why? Why would anyone want to kill her baby? He had not lived long enough to make an enemy. A voice somewhere inside her said " he will come to no harm," Mary felt an inner comfort, but as if with a will of their own her tearful eyes darted here and there into every shadowy place.

The journey was long and Mary and Joseph were tired. Almost as soon as they arrived in Egypt, bad news followed them; they heard that Herod had given the order for all the boys in Bethlehem aged two and under to be put to the sword.

Mary looked at her own smiling infant and her heart broke for the families who had lost their children. She had wept loud and long until she was exhausted.

Joseph was very patient, there was a lot to be done. He had to make a sign telling people he was a carpenter and open for the business of making and repairing good quality furniture. Fortunately all a carpenter needed to set up shop was a good set of tools and some wood. The timber merchants were always open for a new customer and really appreciated some one who knew a bit about different types of wood.

Jesus grew in strength and stature, he showed great interest in Joseph’s work and was soon doing small jobs on his own,, Mary busy with the other children and all the household chores was settled and happy.

News reached them that Herod had died, Joseph wondered if they would soon be returning to Israel. Both he and Mary decided that they would wait upon the Lord and see what his will was concerning the matter.

"Matthew 2 Vs 19 – 23. After Herod died an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, " get up and take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead."

So he got up , took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel."

Mary looked back at their time in Egypt, how afraid she had been when they first arrived there, how sad. Time had passed peacefully and Jesus had grown, he was like a big brother to all the children around, they loved to watch him work. He would make them small toys out of scraps of wood, he had a sort of glow about him which radiated love to all who came near him.

" Lord God, I praise you for my happiness," she said whenever she saw him smiling; still sometimes there was an air of sadness about him, as if he were homesick, or greatly missing someone he loved dearly, he would look into the distance and when he turned around it was gone. He was the peacemaker among the children settling any arguments that arose between them, quite often with only a look or one word.

Mary was always watchful, the words of old Simeon had never really left her mind. There were times when the angels visit and the time in Egypt, were like a dream that had happened to someone else; but she knew he was God’s Son, only on loan to her and he would one day reject her , not as a person, he would always love her, and the honour God had given her could belong to no one else. But there was something, some small spot of sadness always there in her heart.

Mary roused herself from her reverie. It was time to prepare for the journey to Jerusalem for the Passover. It was the highlight of the year, when friends old and new met together on the way, and always so much news to catch up on. The children ran to and fro measuring up to one another to see how much they had grown in the year that had passed since last they met.

Luke Ch 2 Vs 41 – 52." Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went to the feast, according to the custom. When the feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.

Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, " Son why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

" why were you searching for me? " ha asked "didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?" but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man."

Mary had the whole family up and on the road before it was light. This was going to be a Passover with a difference, how ? she did not know, she just felt the excitement stirring in her bones. She had prepared everything the day before, making sure there was enough food for the whole family and a little more for any hungry waifs that attached themselves to Jesus on the journey.

So pleased was Mary to be on her way, that she did not complain about the dust from the road getting into the food. She felt that nothing mattered but that she was going to praise her God in the temple. Her inner voice said " in your heart is where I want you to praise me." " how right you are Lord," Mary murmured quietly," my heart shall ever be a place of praise and thanksgiving for you."

Mary did not notice the miles passing and when mid- day came they all stopped for refreshing. It was a hot day and the people on their way were many. Some on donkeys, some riding in carts, which Joseph had made with the help of Jesus, some on foot, rich and poor they all had one thing in common, their love of God and their desire to share the Passover in Jerusalem.

Mary sighed a deep sigh of contentment as she handed out cakes and fruit, Jesus it seemed had attracted all the hungry children. One cheeky urchin had said so loudly that she could not fail to hear, " Jesus, your mother is the best cook in the world." She laughed inwardly at her own vanity as she gave him the biggest cake.

Mary often gave careful thought to her status in Jesus’ life. It was nothing in the eyes of the people she knew and who knew her. The carpenters wife! Why had God chosen her and not someone more worthy? The daughter of a rich merchant with many servants.

Moses was drawn out of the water by an Egyptian princess; David, a shepherd boy had been made a great king, Jesus the Son of God, a humble carpenter’s wife for a mother. " who can understand the mystery of your ways Lord, forgive me for making comparisons, thank you for pouring out your blessings on the poor and remembering your lowly handmaid,"

The Passover came to an end, everyone was up early packing up to go home including Mary. Why is it always harder to pack up to go home, than it is to come away? She asked herself as she checked for the third time to make sure she had everything.

It had been special this year, just as she thought it would be, everyone she spoke to said they had felt especially blessed. Soon all was ready and they started the long journey home. Jesus she supposed was with one of their relatives, they all loved him, the women would ruffle his curls and tell him how handsome he was, whilst the children always wanted him to play some game with them.

They travelled on until nightfall, Mary watching all the young men helping to prepare the camp for the night. "Strange," she thought, " there is no sign of Jesus, where is he anyway?

The cold hand of fear clutched at Mary’s heart and held it prisoner, " I have lost him!" she said to herself as she tried to remember the last time she had seen him, and realised it was not since they had left Jerusalem, which was now a whole day away.

" we must find Jesus." She said in a voice she hardly recognised as her own, Joseph took one look at her stricken face , and turned his donkey around.

Huge tears ran down Mary’s face as she begged God to forgive her, in her human frailty, she had let him down. The euphoria of the Passover had blinded her to her responsibility and now Jesus was nowhere to be found.

Joseph said not a word, the abject misery of Mary’s face was enough. She ran to each new friend asking the same question, " have you met with Jesus today?" and got the same sad answer from each one, "no!"

" O Lord, Mary whimpered, why did you not choose someone wealthy with servants to watch over him? Or some king’s daughter who would have guarded him well? I who am blessed among women will now surely be mocked."

Joseph could offer Mary no comfort. She had always taken full responsibility for Jesus, and Joseph had always found the whole thing a very strange affair. That Jesus was different and very special he agreed and he loved the boy deeply. He prayed quietly, " guide us to him Lord wherever he is."

On the third day when Mary was on the verge of collapse, they found him in the temple. He was asking questions of the priests there who were delighted to answer them , as if he had no cares or responsibilities .

Mary felt three things when she saw Jesus safe and well. First praise to almighty God for his safe return to them, followed by relief, with anger hot on its heels. Taking a moment to compose herself, Mary asked Jesus why he had behaved as he did.

Jesus’ answer was, " did you not know I had to be about my Father’s business?"

Mary and Joseph did not understand what Jesus meant by those words, simply that Jesus now had to do what he was sent into the world by God his Holy Father to do.

After a few words of reconciliation Jesus went home to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.

Jesus grew in wisdom, and in stature, people liked him God loved him. He spent more time alone with his Father receiving instruction for the work that was set before him, at the same time he did not neglect his duties to Joseph and Mary. the years passed and took Joseph with them, Jesus remained close to home but a change had taken place she knew, all at once her children were grown and no longer needed his instruction in carpentry, Jesus became restless around her and she knew the time had come for him to leave home.

NEW PAGE FOR PART TWO ENTITLED HIS LIFE.

Mary watched Jesus grow to manhood, listened and believed what he told her about his Father God, and how he was being instructed in the way he should go. Mary felt both joy and sadness as he went about preaching the kingdom of God. She remembered what the prophet Isaiah said,

[ Isaiah Ch 51 Vs 4 – 6.]

" listen to me, my people;

hear me, my nation:

the law will go out from me;

my justice will become a light to the

nations.

My righteousness draws near speedily,

My salvation is on the way,

And my arm will bring justice to the

Nations.

The islands will look to me

And wait in hope for my arm.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

Look at the earth beneath;

The heavens will vanish like smoke,

And its inhabitants die like flies,

But my salvation will last forever,

My righteousness will never fail."

Mary knew in her heart that those words somehow belonged to Jesus. His words were so full of love and life, of peace and joy. "Lord, I am so glad he has some disciples men who would not be persuaded by empty words, but words full of promise, who can call you a liar Lord, and say it is not possible for your kingdom to come for the ordinary man: without having to bribe his way in?"

Mary had been invited to a wedding in Cana , she washed and oiled her hair with a fragrant oil and put her best shawl over her shoulders, she wanted to look her best because Jesus was going to be there with his friends. Mary was happy, she loved weddings the brides always managed to look lovely no matter how poor they were.

John Ch 2 Vs 1 – 13. "Jesus changes water into wine.

" On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine had gone Jesus’ mother said to him, " they have no more wine"

" dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, " my time has not yet come."

His mother said to the servants, " do whatever he tells you."

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, " fill the jars with water" so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, " now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

They did so and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants that had drawn the water knew.

Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, " everyone brings out the choice wine first then the cheaper wine after the guests have too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

This is the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days."

Mary’s heart sang all the way from Cana to Capernaum. Jesus had done something no one else had ever done before. Word would get about, people would believe in him now; how could they doubt that he came out from God?

God given instinct had told her to tell the servants to do as he told them, and it was right! Perhaps there was room for her in his ministry after all. Perhaps her job would be to prompt him when she saw something that needed doing, or she could be a sort of priestess or something. No! God first and foremost, she knew she was not priestess material, but she was thrilled that God had honoured her once more to prompt Jesus to perform his first miracle.

Mary thought about Jesus’ baptism. It had been really special, John was baptising people in the river Jordan; he saw Jesus coming from a distance and he was so excited, he was telling the people that he was not worthy to untie the laces of Jesus’ sandals, he wanted Jesus to baptise him , he thought Jesus did not need to be baptised, but Jesus said that John was to do it ,so he did. After he told the people .

John Ch 1 Vs 26 – 34.

" I baptise you with water, " John replied, " but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.

This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, " look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said ‘ a man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."

Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, ‘the man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

Mary heaved a great sigh of relief, it was no longer her secret. Everyone could now know that Jesus was the Son of God. There was little wonder that the very air around seemed to quiver with excitement every time Jesus came near.

Jesus and his disciples travelled around the countryside, preaching the kingdom of God and healing the sick. Mary followed them, and was amazed at the power Jesus had. She remembered that one day as they were walking along the road, a poor widow was going to bury her only son, Jesus asked her why she was weeping ; and he felt such a compassion for the poor woman he actually brought her son back to life. There were other times when he raised the dead, and the lepers, what about them? Mary asked herself, Jesus met them on the road, ten of them and he healed them all. With great love and mercy he had cleansed the diseased ragged lepers, and out of ten only one gave him thanks.

No one who met Jesus on the road was ever the same again. People would call out to him for help, and he would stop and heal them right there! One man she remembered had been blind from birth , Jesus used his spit mixed with dirt.

John Ch 8 Vs 1 – 12.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, " Rabbi, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

" neither this man or his parents sinned," said Jesus " but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Having said this, he spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. " go" he told him, " wash in the Pool of Siloam" [ this word means sent]. So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, " isn’t this the same man that used to sit and beg?" some claimed that he was.

Others said, " no, he only looks like him."

But he himself insisted, "I am the man"

" how then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.

He replied, " the man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed. And then I could see."

" where is this man?" they asked him.

" I do not know" he said."

Jesus, Mary thought, always working, always walking, but never complaining. He would not ride, she felt it was because one cannot do much from the back of a donkey, and less sitting in a cart! He had to be on the ground to be lifting people up, because that was what he did, he lifted them up to God with his love. People, Mary knew needed the Lord God, she also knew there were people who would stop them coming to him. She had overheard someone say " he is just a man!"

This had sparked off an argument , not the first either. Once when Jesus had taken three of his disciples up into a mountain for a few days. When they were returning, they could see the other disciples in the distance and a crowd of people around them.

Mark Ch 9 Vs 14 – 29.

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

" what were you arguing about?" he asked.

A man in the crowd answered, " Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."

" O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, " how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

Jesus asked the boy’s father, " how long has he been like this?"

" from childhood," he answered. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

" ‘ if you can’?" said Jesus. " everything is possible for him who believes."

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, " I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Jesus was always willing to help people to overcome their unbelief. People were so afraid of the teachers of the law, and the Tempe guards were everywhere trying to discredit Jesus. What a pity they did not listen to him and try and understand him.

Mary recalled the time his own brothers had argued about him . it was when they had gone to a certain house where Jesus was speaking to some people, when they arrived someone had gone in to tell Jesus they were outside. Jesus had used it as an opportunity to tell the people that whoever did the will of God his Father , was his brother or sister, or mother, because in God’s kingdom all are equal. His brothers did not all see it in this way and she had been sad to find that they did not all believe in him.

Tears dimmed Mary’s eyes at the recollection, she was hurt, that she could not deny, but neither could she deny that Jesus was God’s Son and had to be doing what God wanted him to do; even if in his own family there were those who did not believe on him.

They had put up such convincing arguments that almost had Mary believing that Jesus had rejected her.

Mary knew that Jesus had not said it to hurt her, that would be totally against his nature, she struggled; mostly with her mother love, she was after all only human and had no special qualities. Instinct told her she had to let him go and be about his Fathers business. It was wrong of her to expect him to come to her on every whim! From now on she would serve him best from a distance and not interfere in his work again.

Jesus said " for whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother mother and sister." Matthew Ch12 – Vs 50.

Jesus had to make it clear to people somehow that he had been sent by God, into an evil world to save them. There was no way open for them to save themselves. Tradition could not save them. Going to the temple and offering sacrifices could not save them. Jesus is the door, Mary thought and Jesus is the key. Had he not said, { John 14 – Vs 6. } " I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me?"

Mary prayed, ‘ O merciful God, forgive my foolish ways. Forgive me for ever thinking that I could keep Jesus for myself, knowing as I did that he has always been your Son. Thank you for trusting me with his care. Help people to hear what he has to say to them I pray. Amen.

Mary went home and got out her big bowl and proceeded to mix dough for bread. She was going to bake for Jesus and his followers. Mary baked all that day, early next morning she sent his brother James to find Jesus and take him the food.

James returned two days later with the news that Jesus would be coming to Nazareth, soon. Mary felt weak with joy and excitement, I feel like a bride on her wedding day, she thought . Mary washed her hair and rubbed in a little olive oil, then went to sit in the sun to brush it dry. Her hair was the colour of chestnuts, the olive oil used sparingly made it shine.

Almost every person that passed by had something to say about Jesus, and what he was doing. Some believed, others just could not bring themselves to admit that they did so they denied him.

Mary thought long and hard about the things she had heard about Jesus. She believed; she had always believed that he could do anything, but she had privileged information. She could not say she understood everything, he said, nor could she tell anyone how he did what he did. He raised people that were dead to life again, and he healed the sick. But more than that he restored people to new life. He brought peace and love wherever he went. People who had been enemies for many years, fell upon each other crying and begging forgiveness. It was as if Jesus spoke to your heart, not your ears.

Jesus was moving from place to place, hardly stopping long enough to take a proper rest. Like the sea or the wind he could not be still. He had the same restless energy. She was always glad when he sat to tell one of his parables.

The parable of the growing seed. Mark Ch 4 Vs26 – 29.

" He also said, ‘ this is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces corn – first the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

Mary had pondered long on this parable and come to the conclusion that Jesus was the man scattering the seed, which was the word of God. The soil was the fertile hearts and minds of the people . once they accepted the word as truth, it grew within them and became stronger , ‘ all by itself’ because the word of God did not come in the day, and go when we sleep, it stayed and became stronger feeding on itself, on every word of truth until the person or persons were filled with God, and ready for his kingdom.

Jesus had once said, John 14 Vs 23- 24. " if anyone loves me , he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."

Mary realised this teaching was new. People would find it hard to accept the teaching of Jesus because they were steeped in the old ways and the old traditions. Those who did believe and followed him were promised eternal life , which Jesus had brought into the world with him to share, with those pardoned by the great mercy and love of eternal God, and walk with him in his kingdom.

Many people passed by Mary’s little house, some were curious to see where Jesus lived; others came to praise his healing power. Jesus would always say, " I do only what God tells me to do, give your thanks and praise to him."

Mary only offered people only the standard pleasantries, wishing everyone peace and joy, Always escaping to the little garden at the back of the house. Here she could not be seen by curious passers by. Mary went through the house and out through the back door. She did not take the steps up to the roof garden , but stayed in the rock garden, so called because it was almost all solid rock.

It had been one of Jesus’ favourite places, as a boy he would go out and sit in the tiny recess at the back and pray for hours. his brothers would laugh at him and taunt him saying, " you cannot call that lump of rock a garden, nothing grows there!" they could not have been more wrong.

The rock had a beauty all its own. It had three colours ranging from blue to grey to white. The light and shade of the rock changing as the sun passed overhead. Here and there small niches had filled with dust brought by the wind, seeds dropped by the birds had found a place to grow, sending out thin strands of blue and white flowers that smelled sweet in the still air. A bird had nested in one such niche high up and having found safe lodging had come back year after year, long strands of a flowering vine had sent trailers down over the rock bringing splashes of bright red flowers with them.

The noise of the world was shut out of the garden, warmth emanated from the rocks, tranquillity filled the air and soothed a troubled mind. It was a sanctuary for Mary when the sad spot in her soul threatened to engulf her. She sighed a deep sigh of sadness and happiness mixed. Jesus was coming to his home town, why should that worry her?

Then suddenly, a hand touched her and Jesus was there with her. He embraced her as if he could read her mind and knew what was troubling her. Peace flowed out of him down to the depths of her soul, and with great joy and love she was able to tend to his needs and those of his disciples. Then Jesus rested, it was a few days ‘till the Sabbath.

Mark 6 Vs 1-6. " when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the Synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

" where did this man get these things?" they asked.

" what is this wisdom that has been given to him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. Are not his sisters here with us? And they took offence at him.

Jesus said to them, "only in his home town, among his relatives and his own house is a prophet without honour." He could not do any miracles there, except lay hands on a few people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith."

Mary asked herself for the hundredth time, " why had the priests become so angry that they would want to kill Jesus?" He had come in love to save people, to bring them light. They did not know it but he would live the law to the letter for them because they could not do it for themselves, he wanted to guide them away from the traditions the elders imposed on them: into the truth so that they would have a clearer vision of God.

Even his own brothers and sisters were against him, her own children who had been living with him from their birth , who knew the love and gentleness of his nature at first hand. Jesus had said there would be divisions in families but she had never dreamed that it would include his own.

Luke Ch 12 Vs 49 – 53. Not peace but division.

" I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you , but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.

They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother in law against daughter in law and daughter in law against mother in law."

It would be as he said, Mary knew because Jesus never lied. He had talked about a ‘ baptism’ that he had to undergo, she longed to ask him what he meant by that. John, Elizabeth’s son had baptised him in the Jordan before he went out into the wilderness, surely he couldn’t need to be baptised again. A lump rose in her throat and she clutched her breast in anguish as she remembered the passion in his voice when he said ‘ how distressed I am until it is completed.’

Mary had made ‘taking offence’ a no in her life. Once one had taken offence, it was as if an actual fence had sprung up between people: and it was very hard to climb over or to break down that fence, thus making enemies and losing friends instead of making friends and losing enemies. Jesus was right of course, he always maintained that forgiveness was the best way forward. Jesus himself rarely got angry or impatient, quite the opposite, he was always patient and willing to sit and talk to people for hours.

There were two kinds of people who were in need of his help and did not realise they needed him. One was the person who because of some unhappy event in their lives , had become emotional cripples, and those who were spiritually crippled. Jesus recognised them at once , he knew it was harder to bear than being physically crippled because people can see physical things, but emotional or spiritual things are unseen. He loved to set them free, he would dance for sheer joy when such a one responded and accepted him.

Mary smiled to herself as she remembered the only time she ever saw Jesus really angry. They had been to Capernaum, and had gone up to Jerusalem, it was just before the Passover, he was very angry that day.

John Ch 2 Vs 13 – 18 . Jesus clears the temple.

" when it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple court he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, ‘get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!"

Mary smiled within herself, she had never seen Jesus so angry. He was fearless, intimidated by no one. The powerful people who attended the temple and the money changers who paid into the temple funds were furious with him, and asked him all sorts of questions, he retaliated by asking them a question they dared not answer and so he did not have to tell them either. " what a man you are Jesus, will I ever understand you?" Mary said aloud to herself.

Still Mary could not get rid of the uneasy feeling she had that was to do with the death threat that hung over her son. ‘ he will never give them reason, he only does what is upright and honest, and he does it with love and compassion’ Mary assured herself.

He had quite a large following , some went with him wherever he went, others travelled only a days distance because they had vineyards to attend to . some would come to hear him speak their eyes shining , joy making their faces radiant, later Mary would see them leave, their heads bowed their faces sad and as they passed people they knew they would shake their heads sadly, as if to say, ‘no not for me’. What had Jesus said to put these people off? Why did they not ask him to explain whatever it was to them, instead of saying ‘oh no not for me’? Mary thought deeply about what he had said.

Jesus the bread of life. John Ch 6 Vs 53 – 59.

" Jesus said to them, ‘ I tell you the truth, unless you can eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your fathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live for ever. He said this while preaching in the Synagogue in Capernaum.

How his disciples had grumbled among themselves. Jesus had asked them plainly, ‘ does this offend you? What id you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you they are Spirit they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe,’ for Jesus had known from the start which of them did not believe him and who betray him. He then said’ this is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him’.

This then accounted for the long sad faces that passed by that day. It was a hard decision to make, the law forbade the eating of blood of animals how much more did this apply to eating the blood of men? How would everybody be able to drink of his blood and eat of his flesh, Mary wondered there was so little of it.

A lot of his disciples left him after that, it was all too deep for them to understand; but the twelve stayed true to him. ‘I believe in you Jesus’ she wanted to shout from the rooftops but she had learned very quickly that she must say nothing that could possibly be misinterpreted by the people, so she said nothing. When going to the well for water, she walked humbly with her eyes lowered, some people thought she did this because she was ashamed of Jesus. Mary cared only that people would never be able to say that his mother had influenced him in any way. He was God’s Son doing and saying the things that God wanted, and no one could get him to do otherwise. After that incident Jesus avoided Judea and stayed in Galilee.

John Ch 7 Vs 1 – 13. The feast of the tabernacles.

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews were waiting to take his life. But when the Jewish feast of the tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, " you ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No – one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Therefore Jesus told them, " the right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the feast, I am not yet going up to this feast, because for me the time has not yet come." Having said this he stayed in Galilee.

However after his brothers had left for the feast, he went also not publicly, but in secret. Now at the feast the Jews were waiting for him and asking "where is that man?"

Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him, some said, "he is a good man"

Others replied, " no, he deceives the people"

But no none would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews."

Mary was afraid for his life. Just when people were believing in him, the workers from the temple were infiltrating the crowds and whispering against him. ‘ oh Jesus, Jesus she whispered in her heart, you do the most wonderful things never before done by anyone . you are just one man against the whole world, but what a man . you raise the dead, give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and speech to the dumb; you walk on the water, still the storm with a word and wither a tree with a look. You love everyone, what more can you do for people?

Mary knew that Jesus had set his course and there was nothing she could do but be faithful, and pray for him. Sometimes when he was around in the evening she would see him sitting alone. In the hazy evening sunshine she would have a vision of angels ministering to him, one blink and the vision would be gone. It brought her great comfort and assurance that Jesus was who he said, often his unbelieving brothers would try and persuade her that he was just Jesus.

His brothers hoped that having a famous brother would somehow bring them wealth, Jesus they knew was not interested in money, and he did not want to be famous , he just wanted to bring glory to God, and be believed.

People were full of questions. They wanted to know where Jesus received his ‘ teaching’. When he told them," from God" they said he was ‘ demon possessed’. They seemed determined to put an end to his ministry, the reason was obvious, they would lose their power politically, and their authority over the people. The Temple coffers and granary would empty and sacrifices would cease. The priests would be out of work and going hungry. They were afraid!

The Pharisees and the chief priests got together and decided to save themselves and their position by having Jesus arrested. Mary thought about that last day at the feast.

John Ch 7 Vs 37 – 44.

" On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice ‘ if anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me , as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not been glorified.

On hearing his words, some of the people said, ‘ surely this man is a prophet’.

Others said, ‘ he is the Christ.’

Still others asked, ‘how can Christ come from Galilee? Does not the scripture say that Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?

Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him but no- one laid a hand on him."

Mary wanted to defend him. She wanted to shout aloud that he was born in Bethlehem and that on God’s instruction he had been saved from the slaughter. But she was sure that no one would have believed her, and that many would have thought that she had received prior knowledge of Herod’s intention to kill all the babies; and had only thought of saving her own. Mary wondered what she would have done if she had known that Herod was going to kill all the boys, but found the thought of it too distressing to contemplate.

Mary found a large shady tree the roots of which were exposed. They looked so much like a chair, that Mary could not resist the temptation to go and sit down. She little realised how tired she was, so many people followed Jesus now and there were always children to help with, and elderly people needing an arm to lean on.

Mary drifted of to sleep, with the scent of the wood of the tree in her nostrils, it reminded her of the carpenter shop and home. The smell of burning wood as people lit their camp fires wafted by and she tried to identify the different smells, but her mind was sleepy and she could not rouse her senses.

When Mary awoke it was dark, here and there she could see a few glowing embers, but the followers who camped each night were asleep. Mary pulled her shawl tightly around her shoulders, she felt refreshed from her sleep and she was comfortable. " where are you now Jesus?" she thought. Safe somewhere with his disciples, what a faithful band of men the twelve were. They had left their boats, their jobs, their families to follow Jesus taking only the clothes they wore, trusting God to provide for them.

Mary treasured the moments when Jesus and his disciples would bathe in the river, like children they would throw mud at each other and laugh. After a long day, they would sleep like children, so soundly nothing would wake them. Only the day before Jesus, had told the people following him what it would cost them to follow him as a disciple.

Luke Ch 14 – Vs 25 – 35. The cost of being a disciple.

" Large crowds were following Jesus, and turning to them he said, ‘ if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes even his own life – he cannot be my disciple.

Supposing one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘ this fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’

Or supposing a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Salt is good but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure heap; it is thrown out, he who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Mary was lulled back to sleep by the sweet scent of the tree under which she was resting. She dreamed of the carpenter shop where Jesus had learned the trade of Joseph. She had never thought of Joseph as his father, but Joseph had loved him as his own son.

The day dawned bright and sunny. Mary rose to the sound of pots clanking, it seemed that many more people were returning home to their families; and just as many were coming in search of Jesus to be healed.

The world seemed to be full of sick people, crippled by some disease or demon possessed, lame children dragged their tired limbs from long distances for Jesus to touch and heal them.

The tree under which Mary was now sat was full of birds, each singing its own love song to the creator of the day. The scent of the tree’s blossom filled the air around her. ‘O God, how great are the works of your hands, how wonderful it is to be part of your creation. The hills are clothed in golden majesty at the rising of the sun. all nature bows before, and adores you. The only one God, the only true God.’

How long Mary sat there listening to the birds, and the other sounds of a new day beginning she did not know, suddenly she was aware of Jesus speaking. He was walking up the road and speaking as he went along, he often did this, especially if people had gone on in front of him, as if he had something to say to someone who he could not catch up with.

Luke Ch 16- Vs 13 – 14. " no servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

The Pharisees who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

He said to them, ‘ you are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight."

Lord God, now I know why Jesus was born to a carpenters wife, you know my heart too and you know I have only one God, you!" Mary found herself talking to God a lot more these days, and in a more familiar way; and she felt closer to God for it.

Jesus talked of many things that day. Of how people who caused the little ones to sin would be sorry. How even a small faith can do miracles, and to do ones duty is just that, there is no merit in doing what we must. It is the things that we do for the stranger and the weary traveller, people we have never seen before and may never see again, with no motive but the love of God and the will to share it.

During the next few weeks Jesus visited a lot of places, as if he was in a hurry to get his job done. Mary marvelled at his energy, he never seemed tired on the contrary he seemed excited and full of life. Just the sight of him in the distance gave her new energy, it flowed out from him to his disciples, it kept them happy and it made her sad spot disappear.

Jesus worked all day, hardly taking the time to eat. He had to redeem the time given to him by God, not waste it on himself, every moment, every word he had to give account for none must be wasted for he spoke only the words God gave him.

Mary was well aware that the chief priest and the elders in the temple were plotting to do him harm as more believers came to hear him speak. Time meant nothing. Days turned into weeks, Summer turned into Autumn with its red and golden beauty. The harvest had been good this year with an abundance of fruit, ‘ it has been a good year ‘ Mary thought.

Her mind examined the words ‘ eternal life’ Jesus was offering this to those who would believe. Strange how some people could accept it without question, some needed persuading, others absolutely refused to believe one word. This world is a temporary place, everything here will die sooner or later, Mary told herself, it is a bit like the seasons. Spring when we are born, Summer we are at our best, Autumn when we are ageing, and Winter when death comes. To what can I liken eternal life, to the trees? An evergreen tree is not affected by the seasons but stays green all year round, these could be believers. Other trees appear to die each winter and are cut down for fuel, these could be unbelievers.

‘ O Lord God, I know in my heart that you know what is best for all of us, help the people understand, to accept the words of life, they need you so. Thank you for sending Jesus to us. Thank you for giving him such wonderful gifts of truth and love of healing and life. I praise you with all my heart and soul. Amen. Mary sang the words to quietly in her heart where she spent most of her time adoring God.

I have only a small knowledge and a little understanding, but I have a great faith in Jesus and I trust him completely! Mary told herself. She cast her mind back to the day he was born. It was a day that ended nine months of mystery and speculation for both her and Joseph. Each had wondered what Jesus would look like . would he be a golden child that would stand out in any crowd beautiful beyond compare? Then he was born , what a joyous moment. She remembered holding him in her arms, a tiny bundle wrapped up so well that only his face could be seen, and she loved him instantly even though he looked like any other baby. The greatest moment came when she offered him her breast and he suckled . the Son of God taking his first nourishment in this world from her body; no other woman would ever serve God in this way.

It brought home to her the wonder of creation itself. The temporal life within herself, had brought to birth the eternal life within Jesus, which he now offered to mankind. Mary knew he could not fail in his mission, eternity was his. Countless generations to come would hear his words.

Jesus had been talking one day telling people about the end of the age; telling people the awful things that were going to happen, he spoke about great distress to come.

Mark Ch 13 Vs 24 – 31.

" but in those days following that distress,

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light;

the stars will fall from the sky,

and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that Summer is near. Even so when you see these things happening, you know that it is near right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

As the time for the Passover drew near, Mary’s feeling of foreboding became stronger. She started thinking of what old Simeon had said when she first took Jesus to the temple, how Jesus would be spoken against. Someone spoke the name ‘ Barabbas,’ and Mary felt a cold chill run up her spine. He was a man that wanted to be rid of the Romans, but could not understand that the Romans could not be defeated by a handful of rebels, they had no weapons with which to fight against the might of the Roman army.

The rumour was that he intended to start a riot when Jesus was talking to the people in the temple. It would be useless she knew to ask Jesus not to go to the Passover, he feared no man. Mary sighed, she would be glad when this Passover was behind them. Jesus was making his way toward Jerusalem, stopping in every village on the way calling on people to repent or perish, healing as many of the sick as he could.

Luke Ch 13 Vs 10 – 17.

" On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, " woman you are free from your infirmity." Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, " there are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."

The Lord answered him, " you hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out and give it water? Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"

When he said this all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing."

It worried Mary somehow, she felt Jesus was under threat from the synagogue rulers. They had a lot of influence on the people. The poor were always afraid of being thrown out of the synagogue, the rich were always currying favours and paying for them. The temple priests were able to influence the Romans on their behalf. She was afraid. She hated to admit that even to herself, but something in the very air she was breathing made her skin crawl, her heart was beating much too fast, her mouth was dry; her stomach lurching in all directions. She felt weak, something bad was going to happen she just knew it was and she would be powerless to stop it.

Jesus did not notice anything amiss when he looked at her, he just smiled his beautiful smile and lifted his hand in blessing. But there was a sadness in his eyes that only she would notice because she had watched over him all his life.

Luke Ch 13 Vs 31 – 35.

" At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."

He replied, " go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal. In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day – for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord’."

He had spoken the word, he had delivered the message. Some thought that he was going to keep out of the way of the Pharisees until they became believers, others thought he would make his escape before Herod could catch him, and be safe outside Jerusalem. But Mary knew he would not run away from danger. His sadness soon disappeared and Jesus was dancing and laughing with the little children, singing as he went along the road.

Each night when all were asleep he would take his disciples to a grassy knoll and teach them the words they had to carry with them. Many of the things he told them they could not understand.

Jesus again predicts his death. Luke Ch 18 Vs 31-34.

" Jesus took the twelve aside and told them. " we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.

He will be turned over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again."

The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about."

Mary saw the disciples return to camp shaking their heads as if they disagreed with something Jesus had said that they could not understand. Jesus had a way of telling his disciples things that they were meant to forget until the right time, then they would remember as if they had always known; which of course they had.

He talked about death, he had shown them many times that he was the life giver , that he had power over death. But it was as if they did not hear him. Some liked to have their tombs ready for their burial, others wanted to be buried with their entire families. Joseph, who came from Arimathea he had his tomb ready and waiting in a small garden near to the place of the skull; it had been hewn out of the rock and he would be the first to rest there. ‘ wherever I fall , O Lord, let that be my resting place.’ Mary murmured.

Sleep did not come easy that night, Mary’s sleeping mat felt thin and hard, her shawl did not seem to cover her and she felt discontented with her lot. ‘ I don’t know what is the matter with me Lord, I think the deceiver is playing tricks on me tonight. I feel as if he is probing for knowledge of what I think and feel. Protect me Lord for without you I have no defence.’ Mary looked up at the stars and soon forgot the things that were bothering her, she felt the love and comfort of God about her and she knew she could now lie down and sleep in safety. ‘Thank you Lord,’ she said smiling at God as if he were right there to see her.

She awoke refreshed and ready for the day, helping with the food for the menfolk. Mary went to fetch water from a nearby stream, as she walked on the grass she could feel the early morning dew wetting her feet. It was a green valley where they had stayed, surrounded by soft rolling hills. Mary could see the sheep dotted here and there in the distance and thought herself very fortunate to be in such a place.

Soon they were on the way to Jerusalem. What a day that was .

Matthew Ch 21 Vs 1 – 17. The Triumphal Entry.

" as they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethpage on the mount of olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, " go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:

‘ say to the daughter of Zion,

see, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

Hosanna to the Son of David!’

‘ blessed is he who comes in the name

of the Lord’

‘ hosanna in the highest!’

when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘ who is this?’

the crowd answered, ‘ this is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all the people who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘ it is written,’ he said to them, ‘ my house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.’

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area. ‘ hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant.

" do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.

" yes," replied Jesus, " have you never read,

" from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise?"

and he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where they spent the night."

What a spectacular, wonderful day it had been. People dancing and singing waving their palm branches in the air. Mary had never seen such joy on peoples faces, such laughter filled the air, the whole day had a new radiance about it. Blind people could see, and lame people could walk, and they did! They linked arms and danced where yesterday they could not walk. Children gambolled like spring lambs. Oh how they all loved Jesus that day. It was a day of praise and thanks to God. Everyone was happy: everyone that is except the chief priests and the teachers of the law .they saw their authority slipping away, their power over the people disappearing.

Why? Mary wondered were they so afraid! Jesus was not seeking a kingdom on earth, and they could claim nothing in his kingdom where God’s power is absolute. They should be glad to see these poor people healed and able to work, instead of having to beg for alms for the rest of their lives.

The chief priests were angry with the children for singing, ‘ hosanna to the Son of David’. Who but children, pure of heart can sing honest praises? Mary asked herself. She was beginning to feel a little vexed with the authorities, especially those who dictated what people should think and what they should believe. Jesus would set the people free from traditional thinking if they would let him. He would open the door to God’s kingdom, but when?

Matthew Ch 25 Vs 1 – 13.The Parable of the ten virgins.

" at that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight the cry rang out: ‘ here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’’

" then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps, the foolish ones said to the wise, ‘give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

" ‘no,’ they replied, ‘ there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

" but while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Later the others came. ‘ Sir! Sir!’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

" but he replied, ‘ I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’

" therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."

His word is the oil in our lamps, we must keep it in our heart or else our light will go out. The sun was going down. It was a red sunset it made the land look as though it was steeped in blood. Mary was tired, it seemed as if the days consisted of getting up and going to bed. She looked up at the sky as she always did at night as she said her prayers. There were a few little pink clouds floating above, and a star or two. Only two days to the Passover, suddenly Mary’s body felt too heavy for her as she recalled what Jesus had said to his disciples after he left the temple.

Matthew Ch 26 - Vs 1 – 5.

" when Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ‘ as you know, the Passover is two days away - and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. ‘ but not during the feast,’ they said " or there may be a riot among the people."

Jesus it seemed had accepted the fact that he would be handed over to be crucified, but surely hands that had done so much good would never be nailed to a tree like those of a common thief? Mary’s heart sank at the thought of anything so bad happening to Jesus? Aware of the plot against his life, Jesus in his wisdom had gone to Bethany. He will be safe there Mary thought, he had a lot of followers in Bethany simple folk who were glad to accept his word as truth.

While he was at Bethany a woman had come and anointed his head with some very costly perfume. The disciples had moaned at what they thought was a waste, but Jesus had set them straight by telling them, " when she poured this perfume on my body, she did it in readiness for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done for me will be told as a memorial to her."

Mary wondered who the woman could be, someone rich and influential perhaps who could put in a good word for Jesus if he ever needed one; or maybe it was the wife of Pilate the governor herself! Mary could only speculate.

She was getting more and more worried as the days went by, her heart was heavy with care for Jesus , she could not imagine life without him; he had given so much meaning to what would otherwise have been a very mundane existence.

What Jesus did next was a strange but very wonderful thing. When she was able to lay aside her mother love and ponder deeply in her heart how he would be able to keep, and enlarge his flock in the years ahead, now she knew! Though it made her sad beyond words, it also gave her a joy and reassurance that outweighed the sadness.

Matthew Ch 26 Vs 17 – 32.

" on the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, " where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

he replied " go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘ the teacher says: my appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house," so the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve. And while they were eating, he said,’ I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."

They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, " surely not I Lord?"

Jesus replied, " the one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, " surely not I, Rabbi?"

Jesus answered, " yes, it is you."

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, " take and eat; this is my body."

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying," drink from it all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom."

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of olives. Then Jesus told them, " this very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

I will strike the shepherd,

And the sheep of the flock will be

Scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

It had been a long day. Mary had seen the disciples leave the house where they had shared the Passover, and go to the garden of Gethsemane. There he had taken two of his disciples and gone further afield telling the others to await their return. They had spoken about the celebration and what had taken place, what had created for them a mystery, had cleared up for her a dilemma. She was a little mystified by it all, but deep down in her soul she knew Jesus had done something so right and so wonderful.

A brilliant moon sailed across the heavens making the night almost day: as if the light refused to leave the world in case it missed something. What small white clouds there were came only close enough to reflect the light of the moon.

Mary shivered as a strong sense of foreboding swept over her, it was as if heaven had hung a curtain in the sky so that the world might not see what was going on; it was all so unnatural.

Suddenly there was a loud commotion going on , people were shouting, women were crying. Mary heard a man’s voice saying, " yes! Jesus has been led away by a crowd of men sent by the chief priest to arrest him, what is more, one of his followers pulled out a sword and sliced off a man's ear, before it hit the ground Jesus caught it and put it back and it was healed!"

" Oh Jesus, my Jesus." Was all Mary could whisper. Someone asked what happened next, " surely" they said, " they could see that Jesus was a good man?"

The man continued, " Jesus told the man to put his sword away. " live by the sword die by the sword." He said. "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?"

He said something to the crowd then, I didn’t quite hear it because something happened to me. I all of s sudden knew he was exactly who he said he was. I decided I would join his people."

" What of his disciples?" a woman’s troubled voice asked.

" all gone, disappeared, run away." The man answered.

A silence descended upon the crowd of followers, like a thick cold blanket of fog, so cold people began packing up their belongings and preparing to leave.

The moon had lost its mysterious lustre. It was now a darkly glowing orb in a black star - less sky. Darkness had come to gloat over the arrest of Jesus.

Mary did not know where to turn. She could not leave until she was reunited with her beloved Son. She wandered about in a daze of agony, asking where she dared for information about Jesus. Some said he was with Herod and some said he was with the chief priest, a friend who had been with his followers from the beginning told her, " go home dear, there is nothing you can do."

I can pray, Mary thought, I can always pray. " O merciful God, Father of my Lord, who has honoured your handmaiden, if I have found favour in your eyes, hear my prayer. Let me look upon Jesus again. My heart is breaking, what can I do? The day breaks and I am weighted down with grief. Oh Lord God, what have they done with him? Where have they taken him? You filled him with such love and goodness, and they want to kill him! Mary knelt silent before God, her spirit, seeking the Spirit of God, for comfort in her distress.

His Death and Resurrection.

Matthew Ch 27 Vs 1-2.

" Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the Governor."

Jesus Before Pilate.

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, " are you the king of the Jews?"

" yes it is as you say," Jesus replied.

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, " don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" but Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge – to the great amazement of the governor.

Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them, " which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: " don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

" which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.

" Barabbas," they answered.

" what shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.

They all answered, " crucify him!"

" why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.

But they shouted the louder, " crucify him!"

When Pilate saw he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man’s blood," he said, " it is your responsibility!"

All the people answered, " let his blood be on us and on our children!"

Then he released Barabbas to them. But had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified."

Mary had followed the crowd to where Pilate was holding court. She prayed over and over as she walked, " O great God of mercy and love, let Pilate set Jesus free." She said the words aloud to drown out the voice inside her that said, "I am with him. This is my will and, it pleases him to obey it,"

She waited patiently as the crowd grew.. she watched silently as the temple guards and their friends moved among the people, talking to them quietly. The people nodded their heads in assent to whatever they were being asked to do. She looked on hopelessly as the rough men that formed the band of robbers that followed Barabbas, placed themselves here and there among the crowd.

" Oh God" she moaned under her breath, " he is only one man against so many. One voice. Who will hear his words and believe him if he is silenced?

Mary thought of the day he had fed the five thousand people, the same people who had gathered here. She thought of how he had spoken to them: never raising his voice to a shout, yet each one there said they had heard his voice as if he were speaking into their ears alone, " Oh God, how comforting it is to hear his words speaking in my heart, what a wonderful gift our memory is, thank you Lord, for it is a gift that death does not destroy."

Mary chided herself for thinking about death, " he is the life giver! No one can take his life, he gives it freely, even as he has given life, of his life to others."

Mary’s train of thought was interrupted as two burly centurions brought out Pilate’s seat of judgement. They stood, one on each side ready to give their lives to protect Pilate should there be any trouble.

Pilate emerged from the building, then the chief priests and the elders of the people. A Roman soldier brought out Jesus. " how tired he looks" thought Mary. His hands were tied behind his back as if to stop him striking someone.

The crowd surged forward. Mary could not remember people so tall, it seemed as if she had somehow shrunk she could see nothing; she could only hear the crowd screaming for Barabbas: and " crucify him; crucify him!" There was a moment of silence that seemed like an eternity, then a loud cheer and like magic the crowd began to disperse. It took Mary some time to realise that it was Barabbas the governor had freed, not Jesus.

Mary’s mind was numb with shock. How could they? The same people that yesterday had shouted, " hosanna " were the same ones who today had screamed for Barabbas. Huge tears rolled down Mary’s face, she was aware of some - ones arm was around her supporting her. Jesus was being flogged right there before her eyes. Her body ached with every stroke of the lash, Jesus’ back was striped with red blood laden stripes, but he did not bend to the lash; he stood straight, not in defiance for his head was bowed in humility before his Father in humble obedience to his will. Then the flogging stopped and Jesus was handed over to be crucified.

Matthew Ch 27 Vs 27 – 31. The Soldiers Mock Jesus.

"Then the governors soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered a whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. " hail king of the Jews!" they said. They spat on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him."

They led Jesus out carrying the heavy cross. His face was streaked with blood running down from the crown of thorns they had meanly pushed on to his head. The blood ran in his eyes and caused him to stumble under his heavy load. There were large bruises on his forehead and cheeks where they had beat him with a stick. Patches of his beard had been torn out leaving bloody hollows of raw flesh on his chin. The worst part was that none had pity on him.

Mary followed the cross, her whole body throbbing with pain and sorrow for her beloved. She wanted to hold him close and tell him it was only a bad dream .

They came to the place of the skull and the procession stopped. The cross was laid on the ground. Mary watched in mute horror as the soldiers counted out the long iron nails and the wooden blocks. Jesus was laid upon the cross, "the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures," The soldier took the first piece of wood and placed it on the palm of Jesus’ hand, "he leadeth me beside the still waters, he restoreth my soul. " thud, the first nail was hammered in, the wood was there to make sure the nail did not pull out. " he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake." Thud , the second nail went in holding his arms wide open. " yea though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death yet will I fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me , thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies, thou anointest my head with oil." Thud, more nails, pulling on ropes to lift the cross upright. " my cup overflows, surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The cross settled in the hole prepared for it and the soldiers went on to the next victim. Mary felt the sword pierce her very soul as old Simeon had predicted years ago , but she had heard her beloved speak to her the words of David as he had as a child. It was as if Jesus was speaking through the words telling her that God was with him, watching over him as a shepherd watches over his lamb. God was restoring his soul, and Jesus was not afraid to walk through the valley of the shadow of death for all men. God was preparing a feast for him even while his enemies gloated over his crucifixion. He would spend eternity in the house of his Father. An eternity he wanted to share with all people.

Mary realised that Jesus had done a very wonderful thing for the whole of mankind. He had become sin for all men and his righteous, holy Father had to turn away because he could not look upon sin! The insufferable had been suffered by the only Son of God

She remembered his words of love and forgiveness, even now he was asking his Father to forgive those who crucified him. She remembered his words of promise.

John Ch 5 Vs 24 – 26.

" I tell you the truth, whoever hears my words and believe in him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself."

The life giver, Jesus she believed in him and God who sent him. Mary remembered her song of joy when she knew she was to bear him, she had loved him from that moment. " I give him back with the same love that I received him O God, I give glory and thanks to you for his life and praise you for honouring your handmaiden."

Mary and John fell to their knees before the cross,, she felt no shame, for his shameful execution, only a great loss and a great love. She heard him say, " dear woman behold your son" she knew he meant his beloved disciple kneeling beside her, to him he said, " behold your mother." At that moment weighed down by inconsolable grief Mary collapsed to the ground unconscious.

The Resurrection.

For three days Mary hovered between conscious and unconsciousness. She was roused by the fragrant scent of spikenard, and the feeling that someone was standing over her. Mary opened her eyes but saw no – one. Warm sunlight filtered down through the tree under which she lay on a pallet, propped up by cushions. Mary wondered where she was and how she came to be there, her mind struggled to find an answer: she heard the voice of Jesus say , " peace," and she fell into a peaceful sleep.

Mary awoke some hours later, she felt refreshed and strengthened by the sleep. As she stirred a young servant girl came to her with a cup of pomegranate juice which Mary gratefully received. Mary was about to ask the girl where she was when a commotion started outside the garden wall. People were talking excitedly in muted tones as if they were afraid to be overheard. " what is all the excitement about?" Mary asked. She heard the name of Jesus spoken and remembered the cross. She let out an anguished cry and began to weep.

" do not weep lady" the girl said, " it is Jesus they are talking about," the girls eyes filled with tears, her voice was husky with passion as she half whispered, " he is alive, raised from the dead just as he said he would be after three days!"

Jesus alive! The last time she saw him he was nailed to the cross. The recollection brought back the agonising heartbreak which had robbed her of her senses, " how long have I been here?" Mary asked .

The girl took her hand and said, " three days, now I must go and tell my master you are awake."

Mary believed that Jesus was alive. She wanted to rush out and find him, but having not eaten for four days had made her weak, beside that he would be alive forevermore now. " O gracious loving Father of my Lord, I lost him once before for three days, and I thought they were the worst days of my life. I know better now. My heart is filled with love for you for your loving kindness has opened the door of heaven for every believer rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, you are indeed the one God and beside you there is no other."

John Ch 20 Vs 1 – 30. The Empty Tomb.

" early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, " they have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!"

so Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. [ they still did not understand from scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.]

then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, " woman, why are you crying?"

" they have taken my Lord away," she said, " and I don’t know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.

" woman," he said, " why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

Jesus said to her, " Mary."

She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, " Rabboni!" [ which means teacher]

Jesus said, " do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, " I am returning to my Father and your Father, my God and your God."

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: " I have seen the Lord!" and she told them that he had said these things to her.

On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, " peace be with you!" after he had said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Again Jesus said, " peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And he breathed on them and said, " receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

Now Thomas [ called Didymus], one of the twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, " we have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, " unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked Jesus came and stood among them and said, "peace be with you!" then he said to Thomas, " put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, " my Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, " because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

When Mary heard these things she pondered them in her heart, and the awesome yet humble greatness of her God and his Son were revealed to her.

Mary lay not wanting to disturb the wonderful feeling of peace that was hers. The joy and love were in her soul now and there to stay. She could not claim Jesus as her Son now. He was more than that, he was her risen Lord and she his most humble sevant.