MARY, THE FAITHFUL ONE
32 AD – Meaning of True Love – Bethany, Judea
Jesus taught more on things that the disciples need to be followers, but Mary heard very little of it. In her mind’s eye, her finger was tracing his face from his moving lips up his manly snub nose much like her father’s (except that the bridge of his is slightly longer) to his eyebrows which were slightly curved and not too bushy. His forehead was taller than most. She imagined running her fingers in his bluish-black shoulder length hair. All in all, he was not really handsome. By most he would be almost considered ordinary. But for Mary, he was heavenly.
When he finished his lesson, Mary asked, “Lord? Tell me about love.”
Mary can almost feel the amusement of the men behind her. Jesus smiled encouragingly. He looked to the others and gave a nod. She heard them get up and left the garden to just the both of them.
Jesus knew what was in Mary’s heart… Romance. He knew that she was romantically infatuated with him. He spoke to her gently and with understanding. He told her that first and foremost, he must complete the task that was set by his Father above. A task that will become known to her and his followers soon. A task that only he can undergo singly and alone.
Mary understood. She asked, “Was it wrong for me to… to love like this?”
“Oh Mary!” Jesus lightly laughed out loud. “Of course, it is not wrong. In the beginning, your Father in heaven had always intended that people should not be alone. The way a man and a woman are attracted to each other was the way the Creator had always intended. ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh.’ ” [Matthew 19:5-6]
“What you feel, though, you will feel many times but they are always short-lived as they were meant to be.”
“Meant to be? What do you mean, Lord?”
“True Love goes beyond the passion of romance and infatuation. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
“Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. Knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! When the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. But love will last forever!” [1 Corinthians 13:4-10]
“Lord, I think I understand but I so wanted to go where you go,” she sobbed. “Can I not go wherever you go?”
“That time will come,” Jesus said as he looked at her penetratingly and smiled. “For now, I think it best that that time would be best spent with my mother. Would you like that?”
She nodded.
“I’ll speak to your father.”
Then, Martha came into the garden and she did not look happy. She looked at her. Mary expected a earful but instead Martha approached Jesus.
“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” She was almost pleading.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” [Luke 10:40-42]
Mary thought that she probably was free forever from helping out in the kitchen, but then Jesus’ words on love, selflessness and sacrifice convicted her heart. As Martha walked back inside, looking a little dejected, Mary said, “Wait for me, Martha.”
They hugged and the both went in. Jesus was pleased.
At the evening meal, as Mary was helping serve, John and Andrew arrived from the city. They reported that the priesthood had given orders to arrest Jesus when he shows up at the festival. But they gave up looking out for him, thinking he was still in Galilee.
Mary’s father, Simon asks, “What is the plan, Master?”
Jesus stood. He looked at them all, then he stops to look at Mary.
“Tomorrow, I will go up to the festival and the son of man will make his appearance. Tomorrow, the Son of man will pick a fight.”
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Greeting friends…
I hope you are enjoying the 45th segment of my ebook, FAITHFUL ENCOUNTERS.
Feel free to leave your comments below. I look forward to read your comments and constructive inputs that will help me direct my creative thoughts.
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Until the next post.
Johann Q.
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