Mary Magdalene: A Novel (18 page)
M
ary was delighted. Her uncle could not have come at a better time. She wasn’t sure she could have fully explained this outpouring of God’s Spirit to Zerah. Amos and Daniel had experienced this great move of God for themselves.
As Mary walked with the three men toward the marketplace, Daniel was anxious to tell her about the new ship. “It is smaller in comparison to other merchant ships, but the largest one we have built, and sailing on its maiden voyage right now.”
Mary glanced at Daniel and marveled. The young boy who had been so skinny when she left was now almost six feet tall and filled out from hard work in the boatyard.
“Oh Daniel, Nathan dreamed of building a boat like that one day. When will it be returning to Magdala so I can see it?”
He grinned. “About the time we reach home.”
Mary walked beside the cart as Amos led the donkey by its bridle. At first Zerah wanted to sell the donkey and cart, then realized Mary still needed it to carry what she wanted to bring home. He went ahead of them to locate the other members of the Jewish community who had traveled to Jerusalem with them. They would meet at the northern gate of the city.
When they reached the Temple, Mary stopped a moment to observe the building, magnificent in its structure. “The Lord told us that there will come a day when not one stone would remain standing.”
Daniel looked at the great blocks of stone. “How would any army throw one of those down?”
“I don’t know, Daniel, but one thing I do know. When the Lord said something would happen, it happened. Perhaps it is not in our lifetime.”
Mary thought of how many times she and the other women had stood in the shadows of the great pillars and listened to the Master teach the people. It was difficult leaving the women who had meant so much to her these last two years: Mary, the mother of her Lord; Joanna; Salome; and of course the one who had become as a sister to her, Susanna. How much they had experienced together on their travels with the Lord.
Mary had embraced each of them, and with tears in their eyes, they all promised to pray for each other. What a precious bond they had shared. Mary would never forget them.
The Lord’s mother was returning to Nazareth with three of her sons and her daughter, Rebecca. They had much to share with their friends and neighbors. Her son James announced he would stay in Jerusalem and help Peter with the growing church. After Pentecost, they had over three thousand people to baptize.
Some of the disciples were returning to homes and families, but some were spreading out to other parts of Israel to spread the good news of the Gospel.
As Mary, Amos, and Daniel approached the gate, Zerah was waiting for them with other men from Magdala. Some nodded, acknowledging her, but the faces of the more orthodox Jews appeared cold and disapproving.
Amos had been quiet for some time, and as they began the road to Magdala, Mary finally asked him, “How are things with you, Amos? Is anything wrong?”
“My wife is having our first child at any time. I fear I shall not return home in time for the birth.”
“Oh, Amos, I am so glad for you. The Lord loved the little children so. He blessed them whenever they came around him.”
“When our child is old enough, he or she will know about Jesus. I pray my wife will understand what I’ve seen. She is not a believer yet.”
“I will pray for you both, Amos. I know I have so much I want to share—with everyone. I will be glad to talk with her.”
He nodded.
She listened to the sights and sounds of the countryside around her as she had done so many times, walking with the Lord. This time her footsteps were bringing her back to Magdala. She could hardly wait to see the harbor again, and old friends. How was Huldah doing, and Merab? She thought of Keturah and her husband and the chubby baby she had held before she left. She listened to the birdcalls and passed fields of waving wheat, the golden kernels nearly ready for harvest. It saddened her that nearly all of her family was gone now, but still, Magdala, in spite of its dark secrets, and the Hippodrome—it was familiar and it was home.
How nice it would be to live in a house again—she’d spent so many nights sleeping under the stars, or in rainy weather, wherever they could find shelter. Yet she wouldn’t trade those days following the Lord for the grandest house. She had walked with the Messiah, had seen the miracles, and had heard his teaching. She would never be the same again.
To the wonderful staff at Revell who have worked with me over the years; my editor, Lonnie Hull DuPont, for her sense of humor and encouragement; my agent, Joyce Hart, for her belief in my writing; my friend, Dr. Vicki Hesterman, for her encouragement and keen insights; and my San Diego critique group for their suggestions and help with chapter after chapter.
Diana Wallis Taylor
is an award-winning author, poet, and songwriter.
Journey to the Well
debuted in 2009, as did her Christian romance,
Smoke Before the Wind
. Her collection of poetry,
Wings of the Wind
, came out in 2007. A former teacher, she retired in 1990 as director of conference services for a private college. After their marriage in 1990, she and her husband moved to northern California where she fulfilled a dream of owning a bookshop/coffeehouse for writers’ groups and poetry readings and was able to devote more time to her writing.
The Taylors have six grown children between them and ten grandchildren. They now live in the San Diego area, where between writing projects Diana participates in Christian Women’s Fellowship, serves on the board of the San Diego Christian Writers Guild, and is active in the music ministry of her church. She enjoys teaching poetry and writing workshops, and sharing her heart with women of all ages.
Visit Diana’s website at
www.dianawallistaylor.com
.
Journey to the Well
Martha
