Mary and martha, p.22
Mary and Martha, page 22
He wasn’t a spirit, Mary realized, but a resurrected man, though not like her brother, Lazarus.
She looked at Horeb. He nodded, and they shared a look of wonder; he had understood the same thing she had. She took comfort in knowing that she was here with her family and Horeb and that they were all witnessing this together.
Jesus’s gaze traveled the room as He extended His hands. The nail prints were dark with blood, and Mary looked down at His feet. Again the nail prints showed clear on His feet. And at His side, the spear wound was also visible.
The disciples sank to their knees before Him, marveling that He was alive again.
Jesus listened to the exclamations, then asked, “Have ye here any meat?”
Simon Peter smiled. “We have broiled fish and honeycomb.”
Mary watched Jesus take the food and eat. He was real. He was not a spirit but a resurrected man of flesh.
After He’d eaten, He cast his gaze about the room again, taking in those who were there. “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
Mary nodded. She’d studied the laws, the prophets, and the psalms.
“Thus it is written,” Jesus continued, “and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.”
Mary felt Lazarus’s gaze upon her, and she looked over at him. These were the very prophecies he’d taught her about. Martha linked arms with her, and the sisters sat close together, listening.
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem,” Jesus said, His voice low but firm.
Mary leaned close to Martha. “Jesus wants the disciples to continue His work.”
“Yes,” Martha whispered.
Then Jesus motioned for everyone to gather closer. “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
Mary felt goose pimples rise on her arms. Jesus was bestowing blessings upon the disciples to continue the work. She listened with rapt attention, wanting to remember every single word Jesus spoke throughout the night.
He had acknowledged the others in the room, but His words were mostly for His disciples. Mary became so engrossed in Jesus’s teachings she hadn’t even realized the entire night had passed and dawn had arrived. She should be tired. She should feel tired, but all she felt was awe and wonder.
When Jesus took His leave, His disciples followed.
Mary hung back with her family and Horeb and Zachary until the way was clear for them to travel back to Bethany without others questioning them. The experiences they’d had were too sacred to share right now.
“Jesus is asking His disciples to meet Him in Galilee,” Lazarus said in a quiet voice.
“Will you go?” Mary asked her brother.
He scanned her face, and she didn’t miss the hope in his eyes. Placing her hand on his arm, she said, “We will watch over Leah for you.”
Lazarus nodded. “I know you will, and I appreciate the offer. I’ll need to speak to her first.”
“It has been a happy day,” Mary said in a soft voice.
“Yes,” Lazarus said, squeezing her hand. “Let’s go home and share the news with Leah.”
Martha joined them, and the sisters linked arms as they walked back to Bethany in the light of the morning sun.
Mary felt Horeb’s gaze upon her more than once, but she didn’t need to look at him to know that their hearts and minds were one.
So much had happened since meeting Jesus. So many miracles and beautiful words had been spoken. Mary knew that her life would never be the same.
The walk back to Jerusalem was filled with silent reflection on everyone’s part. Mary could not believe the ways in which her life had changed over the past few months, both with her interactions with Jesus and with the arrival of Horeb.
Once back at their home, Lazarus and the others immediately went into the house to share the news with Leah. But Mary remained in the courtyard, reveling in the quiet of the approaching twilight for just a moment longer. The beauty of the violet and burgundy colors across the horizon made her heart full.
A shuffle of footsteps behind her caused her to turn around. Horeb was leaning against the wall, his focus upon her.
“I thought you turned off at the grove,” she said. Horeb had said goodbye to them earlier.
The darkening sky made him a silhouette against the wall, but she could still see the warmth in his eyes—those eyes she’d become so fond of.
“I did turn off, and after checking on some things, I changed my mind about remaining there for the night.” He straightened from the wall. “At least, I wanted to speak to you first.”
“About what?” Mary asked in a light tone, although her pulse had begun to race as fast as a chariot.
“Mary . . .”
She drew her robe closer, although she wasn’t in the least cold, as Horeb took a step toward her. She merely watched him, waiting, wondering if this was the moment . . .
“I have been crippled most of my life, but now that I’ve been made strong, I have hoped for things I’d never dared to before.”
Mary tilted her head. “What are you hoping for, Horeb?”
Beyond them, the oil lamps glowed from inside the house, and above them, the moon and stars were creating their own light.
“I am hoping that someday I might be able to provide a home for a wife and family,” Horeb said.
Mary couldn’t help the desire to tease him. “I am sure you will.”
“Mary . . .” Horeb shook his head with a smile. “I have never felt this way about another woman, and I never thought I would. But it would be my honor to take you to wife and provide for you the rest of my days.”
They were the words that Mary had hoped to hear, though she hadn’t admitted it to herself before. And on this day of all days. It was nearly too much, and her emotions surged.
“You’re crying?” Horeb asked.
Mary wiped at the tears on her cheeks. “I suppose I am.” Then she laughed.
Horeb looked very, very confused.
“Oh, Horeb,” she said. “I’d be honored to be your wife. But don’t try to talk me into a double wedding with my sister, because I want my own.”
Horeb’s expression went through about four different variations. Then his face split into a grin. “You . . .”
Mary was suddenly pulled into his arms and pressed against his chest, confirming that his heart was beating as wildly as hers.
“Mary,” he murmured. “Am I dreaming?”
“Not unless I am too,” she whispered against his warm neck. This embrace was perhaps the nicest thing she’d ever experienced.
“Can I speak to your brother now?” Horeb said, pulling away and grasping her hands, his face so intent and so hopeful.
Mary laughed. “Yes, you may speak to him.”
Horeb released her hands, then hurried toward the front door. There, he paused and looked back at her, his grin nearly brighter than the moon. “I still feel like I’m dreaming. What if I go inside and discover it has all been my imagination?”
Mary returned his smile. “Go, Horeb. I’ll be here when you return. I promise.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Martha
Martha drew on the embroidered mantle over her loose hair. The mantle was the most beautiful piece of cloth she owned, made even more precious because Mary had made it. Over the past forty days, since the Resurrection of Jesus, so much had happened.
Her brother had joined the disciples and other followers as Jesus taught them in Galilee. Lazarus had returned home from time to time to report on Jesus’s doings and teachings. Jesus had instructed His Apostles to return to Jerusalem, and even now, they might be passing by Bethany.
And last night, Lazarus had returned home for a very important event. For this morning, Martha would be married to Zachary. They had waited until Leah’s days of purification had been completed so she could join in the festivities. And since it was the second marriage for both Martha and Zachary, they would have only a small wedding: family and a handful of friends, including Horeb.
Horeb, who’d taken over the business fully and rightfully, as he’d become their brother-in-law soon. Mary wasn’t saying when their wedding would take place, but Martha was sure they wouldn’t wait much longer.
Martha crossed to the window of her bedchamber and stood there for a few moments as she watched the sunrise shift from deep purple to magenta. Today would be a glorious day, and she was already smiling. She would be wed again, a wife again, and share her life again. She’d also have a daughter. Martha didn’t bother to brush away the tears on her cheeks; there would be time for that in her preparations.
“She is awake, I tell you,” a hushed voice came from outside her bedchamber.
Martha turned with a smile as Mary cracked open the door to peer in, Leah right behind her.
“Oh, good,” Leah said. “You’re awake. We have the bathing tub filled and the drapes set up.”
“I told you she was awake,” Mary said with a smirk. “And you can’t wear that yet.”
Martha slipped the mantle off. “I’m only trying it on.”
“Very well,” Mary said. “Come now, before the household awakes and catches you bathing.”
Martha only smiled, then she draped the mantle across her bed so it wouldn’t wrinkle. When she followed Leah and Mary to the cooking room, Martha found that her sister had indeed prepared a bath. She stepped through the drapes they’d hung. The water was scented, and as Martha slipped into the warm depths, she breathed in the luxury.
“This is wonderful. Thank you,” Martha said. “Did you buy out Josiah’s cart?”
From the other side of the curtain, both Leah and Mary laughed quietly. “Enjoy the bath,” Leah said in an amused tone.
Martha was enjoying it, but she should still probably hurry.
“The oil in the painted vase is for your hair,” Mary’s voice said. “Do you need help?”
“I can manage.” Martha wet her hair, then picked up the small vase and tipped it back. The scented oil was lovely, and Martha was still smiling as she ran the oil through her strands of hair.
She finished bathing quickly, and when she climbed out and pulled on her robe, the water was still warm.
“That was quick,” Mary said as Martha parted the drapes and walked through. “You know you can be more indulgent on your wedding day.”
“There is much to do still.” Martha pulled a chair close to the cooking fire and sat down so that she could dry her hair against the heat of the flames.
Mary joined her at the fire and ran her fingers through Martha’s damp hair, separating the dark tendrils so they’d dry faster.
“I’ll plait your hair, and Leah will oil your hands and feet, then decorate them with henna.”
Martha nodded, her eyes closing again as she allowed Mary’s ministrations to relax her. Mary used a comb, making her sister’s hair dry faster, then she also applied a few drops of oil to keep it supple.
As Leah knelt in front of Martha and began the intricate painting of henna on her hands, Mary plaited her hair. Later, when Martha dressed, she’d cover her hair, and the next person to see it would be her husband.
The thought sent a warm buzz through her.
“What are you smiling about?” Leah asked, curiosity in her tone.
“She’s already dreaming about her wedding night.”
Martha’s eyes popped open. “I’m not dreaming.”
Mary only laughed, and Leah grinned.
Martha was fairly sure her cheeks were flushed, but she was no young woman marrying for the first time. She and Zachary had both endured a lot of heartache and changes in life to once again find happiness in each other.
“You’ll make a beautiful bride,” Leah murmured as she began the henna process on Martha’s feet. “Zachary will be very pleased.”
Martha’s cheeks went hot again. Her sister and sister-in-law wouldn’t let her help with anything in the cooking room but insisted that she return to her bedchamber and get dressed.
“You have a morning wedding,” Leah said, as if Martha needed reminding. “That means the guests will be here at any moment, so you can’t be seen down here.”
The word guests had been used liberally, Martha decided as she walked up the stairs to her floor. Once in her bedchamber, she drew out her best robe, the same one she’d worn on her first wedding day. Mary had added some more embellishments, though, and Martha was quite pleased with it.
Tonight, they would stay in Zachary’s newly built home, and Claudia would stay with Mary and Leah, giving the married couple some privacy for a night or two.
Martha moved to the open window to take in the cool breeze that had begun. Below, in the courtyard, she saw people arriving. Her betrothed, in fact, with his daughter. As if Zachary sensed her watching, he paused in his step and glanced up at her window.
Martha drew back immediately but not before she caught his smile.
Zachary had been doing a lot of smiling as of late, and Martha supposed she had too, for they had much to smile about. Their wedding was not the only good news in their lives. Mary and Horeb would marry soon as well, on their own schedule.
And Martha was thrilled for her sister to have at last found an honorable man who would treat her gently and celebrate her love for learning and study. Horeb had been a blessing in all of their lives.
But now . . . Martha needed to go downstairs and join the wedding party.
“Martha,” a young voice said outside her door. “We are ready.”
Martha opened the door to find little Naomi standing there, her large brown eyes beautiful and her petite frame enclosed in a fine linen tunic. It seemed that Lazarus and Leah had spared no expense to dress her.
Warm scents of roasting meat wafted from the stairwell, and Martha knew she should be hungry, but her nerves had started to tighten.
“I’m coming,” Martha said, but Naomi didn’t move. “They want me to come down with you?”
Naomi nodded vigorously, and Martha smiled at that.
“All right.” She turned into her room to pick up the mantle embroidered by her sister. She fastened it about her plaited hair until it was completely concealed. Then she added a veil that she’d wear during the marriage ceremony. Satisfied, she took Naomi’s small hand, and the pair walked downstairs into the cooking room, where Lazarus waited for her.
“Ready, sister?”
“I’m ready,” she whispered since her throat had grown tight. Her pulse was a steady thrum now.
Naomi ran ahead of them, and Lazarus led her through the back door. Martha knew that the marriage huppah had been set up in the back courtyard, but she hadn’t seen it until now. She paused to take in the beautiful sight.
Leah and Mary must have gathered all the flowers in Bethany and intertwined them into the branches and leaves that decorated the huppah. Next, her gaze shifted to where Zachary stood beneath the huppah next to Elder Gideon.
Martha nodded to Elder Gideon, then studied Zachary. She’d never seen him so formally attired, and she wondered if it was all his own clothing from his earlier life in Jerusalem or if he’d borrowed some of it. His tunic was dyed a deep indigo and appeared to be of fine weave. His beard was trimmed short and his hair smoothed back and tied, topped by the groom’s headpiece. The prayer shawl about his shoulders reminded Martha of the sacredness of what was about to happen.
Zachary smiled, and his entire face seemed to light up, only increasing the rate of her pulse. How had she been so blessed to have a second chance at marriage with a man who seemed devoted to her yet needed her as well?
Martha joined him beneath the marriage huppah, and Elder Gideon stood in front of them. Martha glanced at the other wedding guests—her nephews, Naomi, Claudia, Mary, Leah and her babe, Horeb, and Josiah . . . She cared deeply about every single person here.
Elder Gideon smiled at each of them, then recited the ceremonial words of the kiddushin.
Martha’s pulse raced, and she felt warm all over. This was really happening.
“Zachary, will you take Martha as your wife according to the law of Moses?” Elder Gideon said.
Zachary’s smile was confident. “Yes, I will.”
Martha exhaled.
“Martha, sister of Lazarus,” Elder Gideon said, turning to her now, “will you accept Zachary as your husband according to the law of Moses?”
Her heart could have easily burst at that moment. “Yes.” She wanted to raise her veil and step into her new husband’s arms.
Instead, Claudia stepped forward and handed over the cup of date-palm wine. Zachary thanked her and took a sip, then he handed the cup to Martha. She lifted her veil a little and sipped the wine. With a smile, she returned the cup to Claudia.
When Zachary produced a ceremonial ring, Martha wondered where he’d gotten such a precious piece of jewelry. She had told him to save his earnings for improving the house and to not spend it on her. But she really couldn’t complain about her new husband’s generosity. Zachary slid the ring on her finger and breathed out slowly.
“Behold, thou art consecrated unto me with this ring according to the law of Moses,” Zachary said in a soft voice.
“From the beginning,” Elder Gideon continued, “God created male and female.”
Martha then moved to the next part of the ceremony. She walked around Zachary seven times, reflecting on how Joshua walked around Jericho seven times until the walls fell and how it took seven days to create the earth. Martha’s emotions welled as she walked, then finally, she stopped in front of her husband.
Zachary’s smile was tender as he moved close, then lifted her veil and placed the hem on his shoulder. His brown eyes sought hers, and in them, she only saw love as he moved the corners of his prayer shawl and placed them on her shoulder.
