ON THEIR WAY

How many pages do we have left of our story taken from the words of Marjorie Holmes in her book TWO FROM GALILEE?  I'm not sure, but we are still on the way to Bethlehem; so let's get to it.


For four days they traveled through old towns of Nair, Sunem and Jezreel, then eastward across the boggy plains of Esdraelon until they reached the Jordan.  Then they would go southward through the  valley until they climbed again into the hills of Judea.


But not through Samaria.  The hatefulness between the Samaritans and Israelites had worsened.  Why must there be these eternal hostilities? Will there ever be peace?  Perhaps through the miracle she was carrying--The Messiah--perhaps through Him we will have peace, together in the love of God.


Smiling at Joseph, Mary said," As long as we're together, I don't care how long the journey!"  She rode beside him without complaint, either of the cold wind which ground grit into their faces or the quick contrast of the desert's hot breath.  In spite of all this, Mary could only smile, half in pleasure at being with Joseph, and half in reverie of the coming child.  Even as she dozed, she smiled.


Joseph hoped this would be the last day of their journey.  His feet burned, his body unutterably weary but he knew he suffered little next to Mary.  His thoughts were so often about her, her comfort at  question, and he marveled at her peace.  That she had chosen to come with him was a marvel in itself, he thought.  Gazing at her  in amazement, he said, "Mary, have you any idea how beautiful you are?"


Mary only laughed, knowing of her own dishevelment.  Joseph laid his cheek against hers and after pouring a bit of water from one of the bags, proceeded to wash her dusty face--if only to cool it a little.  He set her down for her to get a bit of a walk, and she asked him, "I must of slept.  Where are we?"


"Not far from Jerico.  See, there's the river.  We should be there by nightfall or even beyond.  And tomorrow night, if all goes well, we shall sleep in Bethlehem.  "I hope so," Mary had not realized how weak she was until she began to tremble when she stood. Still smiling, she said, "The sooner we get to Bethlehem the better it will be."  And Joseph, immediately concerned, "Are you all right, beloved?  Are you well?"  "Yes, yes"-- she responded, "it's only riding so long.  Come, I'll walk beside you."


"Very well, then, I'll ride!" he joked, and made Mary laugh.  But she answered, "Would that you could, my poor Joseph!  Or have a camel, or a horse like the Romans!"  Joseph, still humoring "Would that you were right, for then I would be rich and able to better provide for you and your child."


"Our child," she said. "This child that the Lord has given us for our protection and care has been promised into our keeping, yours and mine!"  "But I didn't father him," he said quietly.  "Nothing can ever change that.  I'm not protesting, Mary.  It is beyond that, yet you must agree--there  is no way to change that fact."


"No."  She pressed his hand.  "And I know it matters to you.  You would be less of a man if  it did not matter, and I--surely I would love you less."  Groping for the right words she added, "In many ways he will be more your son than mine." "More!" he argued.  "Yes, more," she insisted.  "A father is important in Israel to teach him the ways of the world, and of God and the Law.  Once he is born and suckled, my task will be largely finished.  But yours?  Yours will only be beginning!


Joseph wasn't sure of that.  "He who will come to us will be the very son of God!"  But Mary added, "Yes, and perhaps he will need your help even more!"  She continued, "He, the one who is to lead Israel out of troubles, surely he will have to be very strong, and wise.  And I...I don't know...but I feel in my heart that he will come to us innocent and uninformed like any other child, needing us to guide him as well as the One who sends him.  Both of us!  But you especially, Joseph. That's why you were chosen.  For you were chosen--your honor is as great as mine."


A thrill of hope ran through him.  He knew she was seeing this as she wished to, because she loved him.  He knew that he would never be as significant in the eyes of God, as Mary.  But her words had inspired and consoled him.  He had been given an unanticipated new dimension to his destiny.
(End of today's story)


I wish for you; no.. pray that you will encounter a new dimension to your life today, too.  That's what life is all about, all under the love of God.


Jo INMN