Stephanus - Chapter 3 - The Blessed Mother

           She had completed the Passover meal with her uncle, Joseph of Arimathea and Maryam of Magdala. Their bonds woven tightly by their love shared for her only child and son, Y'shua. Their affection for one another was palatable, filling a room with warmth.

           Y'shua was attending to his mission with his chosen disciples. So, when her cousin, Y'hudah burst into the dwelling late that evening, his voice trembling with urgency, she was unprepared for his words, "They have taken him: the Sanhedrin Council has arrested Y'shua!"

           Concern etched across their faces, "Joseph, how can this be?" Maryam, Y'shua's mother inquired, her voice steady but laced with fear.

          "I cannot say?" her uncle replied, his brow furrowed. "There has been no talk of this at the council meetings!"

          "How did this happen?" Maryam of Magdela pressed Y'hudah, further.

          "They seized him in the late hours of Nisan 15 following our Passover meal." Y'hudah explained. "We were in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane with him late in the evening. Y'shua preferred to pray in private, and those close to him said he was very distraught while lying on the ground, sweating blood!

           "How did they find him?" Maryam inquired, her heart pounding.

           "It has been said that Judas Iscariot led the Sanhedrin to him, betraying him." Y'hudah answered grimly.

           "So it begins." Maryam thought to herself, a heavy resolve settling in her to be there for her son, and his Apostles.

           "And what of the other Apostles?" She pressed her cousin.

           "They have been scattered, and many of them have gone into hiding, their whereabouts unknown? I believe I am being followed, and have put myself in danger by coming here tonight."

            Joseph of Arimathea spoke up, his voice firm, "It is too dangerous for all of you to be here, and Y'hudah, I recommend you stay out of sight for the time being, I'm not sure what is going on, but, I will do my best to find out!"

           "We must go to Y'shua!" the two women exclaimed in unison, their voices resolute. "We must be there for him!"

           "I understand." Joseph said, nodding respectfully,

            Y'hudah, still shaken, commented, " It's so strange. It seems like just yesterday when Y'shua rode into Jerusalem like a triumphant king? The people adoring him! And now he has been arrested, and they are putting him on trial!" His voice carried a distant wonder, as if he was not believing his own words.

           The news spread like wildfire fanned by the wind. Maryam with Maryam of Magdela quickly prepared themselves to leave, as Joseph of Arimathea departed for the Sanhedrin Council. As the two woman hurried their way through the streets of Jerusalem they overheard voices coming into the streets, "This comes as no surprise to any of us." they heard people say as they passed their dwellings, and "It was all a matter of time for this one, we knew it would happen." came another comment. The words strung Maryam like a dagger to her heart, yet her resolve to be with her son only grew stronger.

           Again, Maryam got lost in the memories of her son. Following Y'shua's remarkable and joyful birth, after the days of purification had been completed according to the Law of Moses, she and Joseph took their child to the temple, offering Y'shua to God.

           What were the words of Simeon, the old man in the Temple? "Behold, this child is destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted. (And you yourself, a sword will pierce.) His comments were frightening at that time, and are, now, a painful reality.

           She was told that shortly thereafter, Simeon had passed from this life into the next just as he had prophesied to the new parents (Lk 2: 29~32)

           As the two woman made their way towards the temple chambers, they did not speak. Maryam lost in memories of her life with Y'shua. She and her late husband, Joseph lived in Nazareth, some 90 miles North of Jerusalem while raising Y'shua. There were many happy hours even though they struggled to keep food on the table with their meager income. Joseph, her husband had been a carpenter, by trade, but he often worked for neighbors without receiving pay. He had been so generous and would help anyone in need. He was loved by so very many people, and almost the entire village of Nazareth came out to pay their respects at his passing. A bittersweet joy from the many grateful people celebrating his life, and of having known him. Y'shua had learned the carpentry trade from his father which Joseph cleverly interwove with many other principles in living a purposed life. The two of them had been inseparable, the best of friends.

           Maryam realized how Y'shua, even as a child, had taken gentle control of their lives. She could see how he had tried to prepare her for this moment. For this possibility in their lives where those that held the power would feel threatened by him, and would not yield their authority.

           She recalled how, early in Y'shua's life, she and Joseph had to flee to Egypt forsaking Judea in order to protect him from the wrath of King Herod. 'A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.', (Jer 31:15) brought her heartache as she recalled the innocents lost.

           Later, there was the event at the Temple following the 'Feast of Passover' where it took them three days of searching to find Y'shua on their return trip to Nazareth. The parents had to return to Jerusalem to find him! Y'shua wanted to know why they worried? He was only 12 years old at the time, who wouldn't worry?! Neither one of them could be angry with him: it was such a joyful reunion to find him, and to just be with him knowing he was safe! What had he meant by, "Don't you know I must be in my father's house?" (Lk 2:49) She still felt a veil of mystery by this comment, as if some reality was being kept from her?

          She realized how she had been further prepared for the current events with the loss of her husband, (Y'shua's foster father), as well as the loss of her parents. Her father had died some time ago, but her mother had passed the same year as Joseph, her husband. You don't get used to the what life has in store for you, but you can endure those heartaches to reach a greater glory: she comforted herself.

          Following those events, Y'shua departed for his mission, and she had known this would happen, which gave her more time to herself. But, she made numerous occasions to join his ministry, making friends with his apostles and disciples. Both she and Y'shua taught scripture to the followers. This is where she befriended Maryam of Magdala, and so many others.

          Maryam of Magdala was such a holy and caring woman! Her companionship was cherished by both Maryam and Y'shua. She was the "Apostles' apostle".

          The two of them entered the 'Hall of Hewn Stones' on the Temple grounds, expecting to find the Sanhedrin questioning Y'shua, but, the chamber was empty. "Where have they taken him?" Maryam cried aloud. This drama was too much for Maryam of Magdala and she burst into tears sobbing, "My Lord, my Lord!"

          Maryam comforted Maryam of Magdala, "All this is foretold by the prophets, trust in the Lord!" she stated confidently.

          Meanwhile, Y'hudah had departed Joseph of Arimathea's dwelling avoiding the byways as he departed opposite the street side of the residence. In the cover of the night with his cloak drawn over him he stealth-fully slipped between building and bush concealing his escape. But, at one point, he had no choice but to emerge from a draw into the street a few hundred meters away. He heard a shout from his left, and could see a group of men rushing towards him. As they took shape he could tell they were part of the Sanhedrin guard.

          A few were on horseback and he was unable to escape! A guard weld a club that squarely struck Y'hudah to the ground. Within moments the others on foot caught up to him. The only sound that could be heard was the heavy breathing sounds of the guards as they beat Y'hudah into unconsciousness. "May our God and Lord preserve me! How will I survive this,it will be impossible!?" Y'hudah fervently prayed to himself as he endured the assault. Then everything went black.