Jesus catches a trace of a smile

Jesus and Mary walked at a leisurely pace side by side in the direction of Bethany where John was doing most of his speaking and baptizing. He would be in full voice and dunking mode when they got there.

There was no hurry.

Mary was nothing like Jesus’ mother Mary. In fact, Jesus had a hard time seeing her as Mary at all. He thought of Bethany. A B name. Beth?

Make up one:

Bee? Bonnet?

It was a harmless exercise but it somehow caught Mary’s attention, though it was wordless and more than likely without accompanying expression. Jesus couldn’t tell.

“What are you thinking about, Jesus?” Mary almost skipped as she spoke.

“You.”

“What about me?”

“Your name. You don’t seem a Mary to me. That’s because you are not like my mother. I think that’s why.”

“Well, I don’t know your mother. To me a name is a name. It means nothing. I could be Rebecca or Johanna. I like names with ‘a’ at the end.”

“Interesting.”

“Jesus is alright as a name. But I really don’t care. I care about what John cares about.”

“What is that?”

“John wants to overthrow things. John is a firebrand. He’s not willing to just call for repentance. He says the King is corrupt. He, John, will be punished.”

“The King is corrupt. Most kings are.”

“You agree?””

“Of course.”

Mary’s face turned serious. She was silent. Jesus thought she might burst into tears. “He hates Herod’s wickedness,” she finally said. Her voice was almost a whisper.

“He should walk away,” Jesus said. “He should not fight. No one should.”

“And?” Mary said, challenging.

“There is a better way.”

“Tell me.”

“Do you really want to know?”

Mary nodded.

So Jesus told her about Abba. He said repenting is merely the thing you need to do daily. The way past repentance is opposite to challenging the King. It is to serve friends and enemies too. Jesus said he intended to teach this way to all. Starting with a small group who would see and do likewise.

Mary listened silently. Jesus stopped talking. He waited for her to say something. She stayed quiet.

“What do you think?” he finally asked.

“I think you are crazy,” Mary answered lightly. “But you are not. Take my hand.”

They walked hand in hand for perhaps 100 paces. There were others coming and going, including some destined for a meeting with John. Mary gave Jesus’ hand a squeeze. Then she released her’s. They continued.

Jesus thought about what just happened.

Mary was the first person he had spoken to as a teacher, as one who is Abba, as one come to bring all unity. He knew unity required new understanding. He would not be Mary’s love. He would. But it would be different.

He allowed himself to close off this line of thought.

“Were you baptized?” he said.

“Of course.”

“How did you know about John?”

“Just listening. Are you going to be baptized by someone you do not agree with?”

“Of course,” Jesus said. “Why wouldn’t I?”

He looked over and caught the trace of a smile.