Chapter 6

“It didn’t take long for the people in the nearby village to discover that Jesus had returned. They began pouring in, wanting to be healed and to hear his stories. Even now I wonder if some were looking for mere entertainment or to be healed and then to go on with their usual lives, never looking back at Jesus again. The Pharasees were the worst. They would parade themselves in their lavish robes and with an aire of nobility, they would mock Jesus or try and trip Him up with their ridiculous questions. Jesus always left them speechless by refusing to answer their questions or He would challenge their authority. It was as if He could read their thoughts. There were times when I enjoyed seeing the faces of the Pharasees’ as they were humiliated. We all did. But, then Jesus would remind us, sometimes gently, sometimes harshly that we all need correcting and like sheep, we have all gone astray.
“One day, Jesus gathered the twelve disciples and gave them authority and power to cast out demons and cure diseases. He sent them off saying. ’Preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick. Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns-get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you’re not welcomed, leave town. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on.’ This was the first time I had heard Jesus telling the disciples to heal people. I didn’t understand how they had power to heal and cure diseases. I grew up with servants in my household from many different cultures. Some claimed to be healers with their strange potions and chants. When I was about ten years old, my father began to develop internal ailments that would sometimes last only a few days and then other times, would cause him pain for months. When he could not will himself to overcome the pain, he would call on every servant in our household to burn incense to their god on behalf of his health. He would even allow my mother to pray to her Jewish God. A room was built in our house which held the idols that the servants prayed to. It was a room I visited with my father on the occasions when he was suffering and a room that my mother refused to go into. I wondered if Jesus was the same. Did He carry a pouch filled with exotic herbs? Did He follow the God that my mother faithfully followed or was this a new god that my father would have allowed in the house for the sake of healing?
“After they left, Joanna gathered the women and the few children and announced that we were moving on to Bethsaida where we would meet up with the twelve. By this time, I had gotten up the courage to ask Joanna a few questions as we were gathering cooking tools into packs.
“How do you pay for the food that is needed to feed so many people? And what about clothes and sandals that wear out from all the walking, and the houses you stay in, who is funding this? Is Jesus from a wealthy family?”
Joanna laughed a bit. “My dear, rest easy and let me explain. No, Jesus is not a wealthy man, He is a carpenter. The men among us work and help provide and some of the women here, myself included, have given of our own means to feed, clothe and house us all.” She must have seen the reaction on my face because she raised a hand as if to halt my next words, then continued on.
“We have given our money of our own free will and Jesus’ message to all here is one of purity, work and sharing the burden equally. Jesus, nor any other man has asked us to provide, but it was we women who generously offered. And there are no favors that are done in return. Jesus lives out what He speaks and insists that all in His company do the same. That means the men respect the women by helping them when needed and the men do not expect to be waited on.” Joanna’s words were straight forward and I sensed that she had been asked these same questions many times.
“Don’t worry, dear, there is always enough money to take care for a few more, if you and your companion want to stay with us.”
Her words caught me by surprise. This was not an exclusive group. There were people from all different backgrounds. Some wore old tatered clothes that spoke of poverty. Some wore bright colored garments that only the weathly could afford. Even though I possessed fine garments, when my servants had brought me clothes, I chose to wear only the simple ones and because of the similarity of Taphitha and I’s garments, no one seemed to suspect that she was my servant. Joanna and the others trusted in Jesus enough to give Him their money to further this adventure. And they welcomed all who wanted to be a part of it. With questions still looming over me but a deep desire to stay among these people, I did something so unexpected that for the first time in three years, Taphitha questioned my competency. Her beautiful brown eyes must have doubled in size when I asked her to return to my home with a letter I had given her, requesting a large amount of money from my fathers estate.
“Mistress, since you are better, I thought we would both return home together.”
“Taphitha, I can’t go home. There are too many memories of my parents there and too much temptation to go back to my old life. I want to be here. I want to be with these people. And I need you to go, give this letter to Claudius and convience him that I am fine. You have seen the change in me over the past fews days. I trust you, Taphitha, to plead my sanity. He will listen to you. You have always been a good and faithful servant and he knows that.”
“Thank you, mistress, for having such faith in me.” A smile grew on her face, but her eyes were still full and began to fill with tears.
“I wish you would come home with me, but I will do as you ask and go plead your case and will return as soon as I can.” With those words, she was gone.
During the time Taphitha was gone, I made myself useful in any way I could. I didn’t know what Claudius would do with my request for money but I knew whatever the outcome, I was going to follow this group.
Shortly after our simple mid day meal of left over bread and cheese, I saw Taphitha returning with a sack across her shoulder. She carried the biggest smile on her face and I knew she had accomplished the goal. Handing the sack to me, I opened it to find the money I had requested and we both looked at each other as if a present had been given to us. I believe that was the first time I had heard giggles come out of Taphitha’s mouth. I immediately went to Joanna and handed her the sack with simple words.
“I want to stay and help.”
“You still have to work and help out.” Joanna said with a wagging finger but a grin on her face.
“I understand.”
I went back to Taphitha and handed her one last instruction and letter.
“Go home, give this to Claudius, clear the house out, and be free.” I had handed her a letter granting her freedom. Those beautiful brown eyes widened again, then filled with tears.
I held both her hands in mine.
“Taphitha, I am so sorry for my past behavior towards you and I ask you to forgive me”.
“I thank you Mistress. I accept your forgiveness and freedom, but I want to stay with you.” I could not imagine why Taphitha wanted to stay with me, but as I held her hands in mine, I was grateful for her decision and I understood why my Father brought her to me. She was always obedient and kind. The very opposite of me. I knew I needed this Jesus and His message of hope, but in my eyes, Taphitha was alright. She didn’t need to be forgiven as I did. She hadn’t done the things I had done. Forgiveness was only for those of an extremely wicked heart.
“Since we are both women of freedom, I think you should call me Mary.”
“Mary.” Taphitha said with confidence.
My heart rejoiced as we walked arm in arm toward Bethsaida, not mistress and maidservant, but friend and friend.