Martha

by Diana Wallis Taylor

  “Yes, Father.” She sniffed.

  Neziah bowed to Lazarus and they left.

  When the gate closed, Martha turned to Mary, who had been standing near the house, listening with wide eyes. “You will not speak of this to anyone, Mary. It must remain quiet.”

  “I would not betray our brother, Martha. You know that.”

  His brave demeanor melted as Lazarus sat down suddenly on a bench and put his face in his hands. Mary went and put her arms around his shoulders.

  Martha stood looking at both of them. Was there no end to the sorrow her family must bear? Would they be able to keep this quiet as they hoped? The next few days would tell.

  Lazarus went to speak with Tekoa. When he returned, Mary had gone to her pallet for the night and Martha sat in the courtyard contemplating all the things that had happened in the last few weeks.

  Lazarus motioned for Martha to come near. He glanced around them quickly and then whispered, “There may be trouble. Faced with the circumstances, Shaul confessed the reason that Tekoa was there. He has traveled with the rebels.”

  “The rebels?”

  “Barabbas.”

  She gasped. “The robber Thaddeus and his men were seeking?”

  “That is the one.”

  Fear gripped her heart. “Is our village in danger, Lazarus?”

  “Shaul does not believe the soldiers recognized Tekoa, for in the battle he became frightened and stayed back in the trees. He doesn’t think he was seen. He returned home, but his parents sent him to his uncle as a precaution.”

  “Lazarus, they are crucifying any of the rebels they’ve caught. This could bring the Roman soldiers down on our village if they know he is here.”

  “We must not fear, sister. We must believe the soldiers do not know him, or where he is. It is good that his parents persuaded him to stay out of sight.”

  “Then he cannot return to Bethlehem.”

  Lazarus shook his head. “This will complicate my plan for Shua.” He sat down suddenly on the bench. “What shall I do, sister?”

  She put a hand on his shoulder, comforting her brother as he had comforted her only a short time before.

  Lazarus suddenly pounded his fist into his palm. “I think I have a plan that would work.”

  Martha shook her head. “You’d better go and talk with Shua’s parents. Who knows what they will agree to do.”

  “Under the circumstances, I think they will agree.” He hurried from the courtyard.

  When Lazarus returned an hour later, it was with relief.

  “Shua’s parents have agreed to my plan, as did Tekoa. We will all leave early in the morning for Jerusalem.”

  “We?”

  “Tekoa, Shua, her parents, you, Mary, and myself. We will be less conspicuous if there are women in the group. We will ask Hanniel if we can have the wedding performed in his courtyard. Will you go?”

  It was fall, the month of Tishri, and they had just been to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.

  “Lazarus, I have work to do. We have been gone nearly a week. How will Hanniel welcome us so soon after hosting us for Sukkoth? How can we impose on Hanniel and Sherah again?” She stared at him while all the negative things she could say passed through her mind.

  “Sister, we must go. We will find Rabbi Abraham to marry Shua and Tekoa, then they will slip out of the city. Shua’s aunt and uncle in Hebron have been sent word. They will go there.”

  “Lazarus, the city will still be crowded with pilgrims from Sukkoth, and where there are crowds there are more soldiers. It would be dangerous for all of us. What if they recognize Tekoa?”

  They argued in whispers, but in the end, she agreed. If Lazarus could do this for Shua in spite of his hurt, she could do this for Lazarus.

  When Lazarus had gone to his bed, she went up on the roof and, falling on her knees, implored the God Who Sees to protect their village and her home. “May Lazarus’s plan work for all of us.” A soft breeze brushed her face and the turmoil in her heart subsided. Comforted, she knew now that she would never marry. She would remain in Bethany and take care of her family every way she knew.

  Lazarus and Tekoa glanced around furtively as the small group gathered the next morning. Shua, her face drawn and fearful, was dressed in white homespun and a soft, blue mantle. She carried a small bundle of her belongings on her arm. Her parents, Neziah and Saffira, were tight-lipped and silent. As an additional precaution, Tekoa wore a dark cloak to hide his face. Mary was not feeling well, and Martha was reluctant to leave her alone at home. At Lazarus’s whispered urging, Martha finally agreed to go to Jerusalem. She assured Mary they would be home as quickly as possible.

  Mary went to Shua and embraced her. “I wish you well as Tekoa’s wife. I would have liked to have you for my sister-in-law, but I understand.” She turned to Lazarus. “I will feed the animals if you are delayed.”

  Shaul bade his nephew goodbye and turned to Lazarus. “You have my deepest apologies for bringing this sorrow to your house. We had no idea when we agreed to shelter our nephew that it would cause so much grief.”

  “Thank you for your kind words, Shaul, but are not all things in the hand of God?”

  Shaul nodded and turned away sadly.

  The small band walked down the road, and Martha hoped fervently that they appeared to be just an ordinary family group going to Jerusalem. Tekoa walked between Lazarus and Neziah, his head down and the cloak pulled about his face. Shua walked with her mother and Martha.

  Saffira shook her head sadly. “I know we must do this, for both your sakes, Shua, but you are my only child. When will I see you again? I pray our message reaches my sister and her family in Hebron. I only told them to expect you and your new husband. I told them nothing else. You will have to deal with that when you arrive.”

  “I am grateful for all you and Father have done. You will see me again. I will send you word when we have arrived safely. We will be all right, I promise.” Then she added softly, “I love him, Mother.”

  Martha listened to their whispered conversation and felt her heart soften toward Shua. Had she herself not contemplated a life far from her own family with Thaddeus? How could she judge Shua?

  As they neared the entrance to the city, Lazarus noted the crowds moving toward the Temple.

  Lazarus frowned. “What is happening? The Festival is over.” They stopped at a fruit seller’s stall. “Why are the people gathering again at the Temple?”

  The man shook his head and shrugged. “That rabbi is back, the one that caused such chaos in the Temple at Passover. He came the last day of Sukkoth and now teaches in the courtyard of the Gentiles. It is said he heals all who come to him.” He looked furtively around. “I myself think he is a sorcerer.”

  Lazarus raised his eyebrows but thanked the man and turned to Martha. “Perhaps you women should go to the home of our cousin, Hanniel, with Tekoa. If there is trouble, we don’t want him around any Roman soldiers. I will seek out a scribe and obtain the bill of divorcement for Shua. Then we will have to find a rabbi willing to perform the wedding ceremony.”

  They all agreed that, to explain the hasty wedding, they would say Tekoa must travel to Hebron to begin his apprenticeship with a relative and wanted to take his bride with him.

  Hanniel was surprised to see his relatives again.

  Martha nodded to him. “Peace be upon this house.”

  When Martha told him their purpose, he glanced at his wife and shrugged. “It has been a long time since we have had a wedding. How can we refuse two young people our hospitality?” He agreed to allow the wedding in their courtyard.

  Martha presented the date and raisin cakes she’d packed. Saffira brought fresh bread and two bottles of wine. Sherah went to her storage room to see what else she could prepare quickly. Hanniel hurried to find two other men to hold the canopy, if Lazarus and Neziah could find a rabbi who would come. Tekoa sank down on a bench in a corner of the courtyard, looking bewildered and saying little. S
hua went to sit beside him, shyly looking at his face. He finally turned to her and they began to talk in hushed tones.

  The group waited anxiously for Lazarus and Neziah to return. Martha feared another scene in the Temple with the unknown rabbi like the one that had occurred at Passover. As she looked around at the others, she saw concern on their faces as well.

  Her relief was almost palpable when Lazarus and Neziah returned and Rabbi Abraham was with them. Lazarus slipped the bill of divorcement into Shua’s hand. She looked at him a long moment, bereft of words, and her eyes pooled with tears as she tucked the document in her bundle of clothing. While the rabbi glanced at Shua with raised eyebrows, he did not question her. Lazarus murmured to Martha that Neziah had paid the rabbi well to perform the wedding.

  The rabbi looked around nervously. “I must return to the Temple as soon as possible. That strange new rabbi is stirring up trouble among the people. I pray he does not feel the need to cause another riot in the Temple courtyard.”

  Martha saw her brother lift his eyebrows in interest and glance eagerly toward the Temple. What was he thinking?

  Some of the neighbors arrived and two young men along with Lazarus and Hanniel held the canopy. Neziah led Shua around its perimeters and finally entrusted her to Tekoa.

  It was the shortest wedding ceremony Martha could remember, and the most solemn. The rabbi had hardly finished the ceremony when he took his leave and hurried back to the Temple. The few guests wished the young couple well and, after partaking of the less-than-bountiful array of food and wine, left for their homes. Martha sensed that Neziah was embarrassed to marry off his only child in this way. Shua’s mother had no doubt dreamt of the day her daughter would marry, with joyful music and dancing. The parents put on a brave front and smiled until the last guest was gone, then Saffira burst into tears. Neziah tried to comfort her, but Martha could see by his face he was in need of comfort himself.

  Tekoa and Shua gathered their things, and Saffira wept openly as she embraced her daughter for the last time. Neziah embraced his daughter briefly and turned to Tekoa, his face stern, almost harsh. “I don’t know you well, young man, but you are now my daughter’s husband. I entrust you with her care.”

  Tekoa nodded to his new father-in-law and, drawing himself up, bravely faced the group. “I will take good care of Shua. I do love her. I apologize for all the trouble I have put you all through.” He turned to Lazarus. “Not many men would do as you have done. I will remember your kindness to Shua and me the rest of my life.” He turned back to Neziah. “When we get to Hebron, I will send word of our safe arrival.”

  It was a long speech for Tekoa, and Neziah put a hand on his shoulder. “That is good. We will look for word from you.” He reached into his belt and pulled out a small leather pouch. “You will need this for food and lodging. Keep it out of sight and be sure to find safe lodging before darkness falls.”

  Tekoa stared at the pouch and then took it from Neziah’s hand. “I will be careful with it.”

  The young couple thanked Hanniel and Sherah for their kindness and hospitality and, with a final wave to all, went through the gate and, in moments, were lost in the crowd.

  Martha watched them go, praying silently that God would watch over them and give them a safe journey.

  Hanniel turned to Lazarus. “Will you stay the night? You are more than welcome.”

  Lazarus glanced quickly at Martha. “We thank you for your kind offer and all you have done, but Mary is home alone and we must return as soon as possible.”

  Hanniel sighed and glanced at his wife. “Much is going on in Jerusalem these days. Be careful, my young friend; may God go with you.”

  As soon as they were out of sight of the house of Hanniel, Lazarus turned toward the Temple.

  Martha’s eyes widened in alarm. She reached out and put a hand on her brother’s arm. “My brother, we need to go home. Mary is there alone.”

  Lazarus brushed off her hand. “Mary will be fine, and besides, you know you are curious as well.” He grinned at her outrageously.

  “Lazarus, what are you doing?”

  “I wish to hear this new rabbi. I have heard stories in the marketplace of things he has done.” He turned to Martha and there was excitement in his voice. “I heard from someone who has seen those things that the fruit seller was right—this man performs miracles of healing wherever he goes.”

  Martha shook her head and her apprehension grew. She covered her head with her shawl and struggled to keep up with Lazarus, who was pushing his way through the crowd like a donkey headed for his stall.

  13

  Martha stayed close to her brother as he worked his way through the crowd. Finally he was only about thirty feet from Jesus. Lazarus pulled Martha to the shadow of a pillar where they could slip away easily if there was trouble and yet they could clearly hear what the rabbi was saying.

  She studied the rabbi. What was there about him that caused such interest? He was somewhat tall and his hair was parted in the middle after the custom of the Nazarenes, his complexion made darker by long hours in the sun. His beard was thick and fell to his shoulders in tight waves. His appearance was not unpleasant. His eyes were like dark mysterious pools, now flashing, now filled with compassion. He did not appear to be a charlatan but a man intent on motivating his audience. She leaned against the pillar and listened.

  Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they which testify of me. But you are not willing to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive honor from men, but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

  The leaders murmured among themselves and cast him hard looks but did not reply. They turned on their heels and stalked away from him. He shook his head sadly and turned to the people.

  Lazarus questioned the man next to him. “The leaders seem upset. Has he done anything wrong?”

  “You just arrived. Jesus healed a paralyzed man by the pool of Bethesda, near the Sheep Gate.”

  “He has healed before, so I’ve heard. Why would this infuriate them?”

  The man sighed. “Jesus did it on the Sabbath. It is unlawful to heal on the Sabbath.”

  Lazarus looked at Martha and back to the man. “Jesus did another miracle, caused a paralyzed man to walk, and they are angry because he did it on the Sabbath?”

  “That is what happened.”

  “Thank you for your information, friend.”

  There was a stir among the crowd as people began to bring the sick and crippled to Jesus. Lazarus and Martha watched incredulously along with the crowd, who gasped and applauded each miracle as if they were watching a performance. Martha stood transfixed by what she saw. Jesus had only to touch them and they walked away healed. Who was this man, she asked herself? What power did he have and where did it come from if not from God?

  Martha.

  The voice was gentle and she looked around to see who was speaking to her.

  It came again. Martha.

  Just then the rabbi looked directly at her, and while he didn’t speak out loud, she heard the words.

  I’m coming to your house today.

  She was dumb with astonishment.

  The crowd began to disperse when they realized the rabbi was going to leave the Temple courtyard. Before Martha could stop him, Lazarus strode forward and stood in front of the rabbi. She couldn’t hear what Lazarus said to him, but suddenly Jesus smiled and put a hand on Lazarus’s shoulder, nodding his head.

  When Lazarus ret
urned to where Martha was standing, he grinned. “Let us return quickly to Bethany. I have invited Jesus and his disciples to come to our home.”

  Martha looked at him incredulously. “I’m to prepare a meal for all of them?”

  “Cooking is what you do best, Martha. Come.”

  Her sputtering was to no avail. In moments they were out of the Temple, and once again Martha could hardly keep up with Lazarus as he eagerly set out for home. She shook her head. He had invited this strange rabbi and his disciples, and she would have to honor his invitation and feed their guests. With a sigh she set her mind to figuring out what she had on hand and what she could prepare quickly. Then she thought of Mary. Was she better or worse since they left this morning? If she was still not feeling well, she wouldn’t be much help. Martha would have to do it all herself. Suddenly she couldn’t wait to get home and tell Mary who was coming.

  They were both out of breath when they reached their gate, and Lazarus went directly to the storeroom to see how much wine they had on hand. Martha saw Mary sitting on her favorite bench, waiting for them.

  “Mary, I need you. We are having guests for dinner. Are you well enough to help me?”

  “I am much better, sister. Who is coming to our home?”

  “The rabbi who has been doing miracles around the countryside. Your brother invited him . . . and his disciples. There will be thirteen of them and they are on their way.”

  “Jesus is coming to our home?” Mary’s face lit up with joy. “I have heard of him. The whole village is talking about the miracles he does.”

  “Well, it will take a miracle to get ready for all of them. Go and find all the cushions you can and lay them around the table. I’ll start a lentil stew. Bring the basket of dates and the goat cheese in the stone jar. Then gather some leeks from the garden.”

  As Mary hurried away to do her bidding, Martha gathered garlic, dill, mustard seeds, vinegar, and olive oil. She sliced the cucumbers she’d picked the day before into cubes and put them in a bowl with olives, red wine vinegar, and chopped dill. She sprinkled the cucumber with crumbled goat cheese and set the bowl hastily on the table. Then she put out two loaves of bread and sent Mary to get another loaf from a neighbor.