| Looking at the Heavenwithin |
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Chills ran down Mary's spine at the thought of spending the last night with Jesus! She still couldn't believe that the man that she was in love with since she was ten years old: was returning home. Although they had lost touch with each other for a number of years, there had been no room in her heart for another man to enter therein. When Jesus had told her definitively: "We can't marry, Mary. It is not my father's will, no matter how much I love you": she couldn't bear the thought to be around Jesus anymore. It was too painful.... So, she went far away and opened a Yeshiva for women. She struggled for 8 years, as she was called every name in the book: a prostitute; one possessed by satan, one who should be stonded for teaching Scripture. And as one of the local papers said, Surely God had restricted the ministry of teaching to only a man, who was the image of God."
Then one day: a miracle! It was 3 years ago. Jesus stopped at the school. None of his disciples were with him. As he look into worshipping eyes, Jesus said, "Mary, your lessons are to be put on hold, for a time. Come. Follow me. As for your school, I pronounced that my father is very please with what you have done, and will richly bless this school with much honor from now on."
Mary wanted to tease Jesus, by saying something like, "Ah, so you just waltzed back into my life and expect me to bow to your wish, saying, 'My Lord and my master. Your will is my will." But he was her Lord and master. She did the only conceivable thing: she ran into his arms.
"Ah, Mary, how long has it been?"
"Let's see, Jesus. Let me get my journal...here we go: 3,020 days ago, on Jananuary 14 at 6am: 'Mary says goodbye to Jesus.'"
"Ah, Mary, what a sight for sore eyes you are. I was telling the father just yesterday: I can't bear to be without Mary for another day. I must go seek her out."
"Hey, you have always said, seek and you shall find."
"Yes, Mary. Do you know: not a day had gone by when I didn't think of you?"
"Ah, Jesus, you still know how to stir a girl's heart."
"Yes, Mary. It's a gift," Jesus smilingly said.
"So, Jesus. What's up?"
"I'm beginning my public ministry. I need you."
As she still clung to him, she said, "Well, you got me for as long as you desire."
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Now.......three years later, they would have to part again. 'No! No! No!' she screamed. I can't lose him, again. I will asked him, again: if I can go with him. But Jesus had told her, "Yes, Mary. I know that you would be willing to lay down your life for me. But that is not my father's will."
Hmn. While she waited for Jesus to arrive, she would think of a way to go home with Jesus, to his father's house. She never was one that was easily persuaded to back down from a fight. She would think of a way.....
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Her heart raced, as Jesus knock at the door!
"Rabboni," she said. "Come in, enter my humble abode, stir the heart of your beloved handmaid. T
ake me, I'm yours: eternally."
"Ah, Mary. I know what you have been thinking of. But Mary, there is much work left to do, here, after I'm gone. I need you to say here."
"But why, Jesus? All of my life I have sought to help people, to impart your wisdom to the fairer race, that we are also God's masterpiece. And these last 3 years: you have even told me that I am the most indefatigable disciple whose hunger to share the Kingdom of my father, is un-matched by any other soul on earth. You said that many people were healed beacuse of my intercession. You even told me that no one exceeded the faith that I have in you, day in, day out. I never whined, never complained. I never asked anything for myself. If someone was hungry, I clothed them. If thirsty, I gave them drink. If sick, I layed on hand, they recovered. I visted those in prison. I watched many receive you into their hearts with tears streaming down their face, asking forgiveness. My first prayer is, 'may your will be done. My last prayer upon retiring is, 'thank you Jesus, Father, for giving me the grace to do your will.' And Jesus, if your ministry had continued upon earth for another 20 years, I would still put you first, me last. But since your ministry is coming to an end, maybe you can asked your father again: to grant me this one selfish petition: to leave with you."
Jesus had been so moved by Mary's passion. He actually did asked his father again if she was needed more on earth than in heaven. Mary watched Jesus's dazzling countenance, as he communicated with his father. When Jesus at last opened his eyes, Mary knew what the answer would be. She dropped into her chair in distress.
"Mary, sweet Mary. You know that I have loved you like no other person: that was my father's will. So, it will be terribly difficult for me, not having you to lighten up heaven, not for a little while, anyhow. We need your special touch to spread the Gospel, the kingdom of my father. You will minister to countless souls. You are truly an irreplacable servant of mine. Mary! You know my heart like no other soul dwelling upon earth. Imagine what that knowledge can do!"
As Jesus contined looking at her with eyes of love, her spirit brightened.
"So, Jesus, what your saying is: you assigned me a unique task. And I guess that I have no choice to surrender to your overwhelming power." She smirked and continued. "Supposed I accept your deal, when will I see you again, after you go home?"
"Must you know everything, Mary?"
"No. Just the date and time of our re-union."
"Hmn. Since I know that you love surprises, at the appointed time, I will share with you the greatest surprise of your life."
"I don't know if your offering me a good enough deal, Jesus."
"Deal? You want to deal with me, Mary?"
She threw up her arms. She knew when she was licked.
Jesus said, "Mary, let's sit by the fireplace, reminisce, and let me take you on a tour of heaven.
Mary triumphantly cried, "Now that's a sweet, heavenly deal."
Ah, he couldn't wait for the grand re-union in the future. He would deeply miss her. But the cherished memories would always be alive in his heart.
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I would like to make known a few more things about Mary Magdalene by sharing some evidence below that confirms that she was, like Paul: an apostle. *smiles*
According to Luke 8:2 and Mark 16:9, Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons," a concept usually associated in the New Testament with healing from illness, not forgiveness of sin.
Mary Magdalene is referred to in early Christian writings as "the apostle to the apostles." In apocryphal texts, she is portrayed as a visionary and leader of the early movement, who was loved by Jesus more than the other disciples.
In all four gospels, Mary Magdalene is first witness to the Resurrection. John 20:16 and Mark 16:9 both straightforwardly say that Jesus' first post-resurrection appearance was to Mary Magdalene alone. New Testament scholar Frank Stagg points out that Mary's role as a witness is unusual because women at that time were not considered credible witnesses in legal proceedings. Because of this, and because of extra-biblical traditions about her subsequent missionary activity in spreading the Gospel, she is known by the title, "Equal of the Apostles".
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