Early Days

Today it is my birthday I am 12 and am old enough to marry my cousin whom I love so dearly. He has been away for some time and today he will be here. How happy I am, I see him coming and I run to meet him, but I stop for his step does not seem to be as light as usual and I am afraid. It seems such a long time before he reaches me, silently he holds me and I see his tears and I am still more afraid.

What could have happened to make my strong and beautiful Joshua so sad, and yet in his sadness I sense a peace as if he has made a decision on what has been worrying him for some time. Gently he took me and sat under the tree and holding my hand he told me that whilst I was his greatest love, he had a mission that would be too hard for me to bear, he had no other option but to put off our marriage, that he would love me always, but there was no turning back on this mission.

Tomorrow he would go to the waters and have our cousin Jocanan [John] baptise him and from then on he would no longer be Joshua but would use the chosen name of Jesus. I am Miriam and my heart is breaking. His Mother Miriam came towards us, he looked at her and she asked "it is time?" He nodded his head for he could not talk. Her sorrow was great for unlike me she knew what it all meant. Her special son had taken his first step upon his journey for what he was born to do. I did not see him go for my eyes were blinded with my tears.

Today my Cousin Miriam is getting married, she is 12 and I am 13. The man she is marrying is very nice but even though I am to be with her at her marriage I am sad for I can't help to think of my missed marriage, but my brother John has just told me that my love would be there and I am ecstatic, for this is the first time I would see him since that fateful day. He has come and I know that I can never marry anyone else. I want to follow him as many other people were.

I pleaded with my parents to let me go and John said that he would look after me and would not let me do anything foolish, then Aunt Miriam said that she too would be there as she wished to spend time with Jesus, so I was allowed to go. There was great excitement as we set out on our journey, for this is the first time I had been allowed to go without my parents and even though I had promised that I would not speak of my relationship with Jesus, I was just happy to be in his shadow.

We did not travel a great distance as Aunt Miriam did not want to be too far from Uncle Joseph and the rest of her family. I was enthralled as I listened to Him speak and I was so proud of Him as I saw all of the people come to listen and talk to him, there were so many. Aunt Miriam has gone home as a messenger came with word that Uncle Joseph was very poorly, happily I did not go with her.

Mary Magdalene

At first when I joined the group I was only 13 and the ladies did not notice me very much but as I became 14 suddenly they saw me as a threat, for all this while they had been arguing as to who would end up marrying Jesus. Because I was a relative they had not included me as a prospect. One day Mary Magdalene saw me watching Jesus with that certain look in my eyes and she became my enemy, for she thought she had the edge on the others and now she was not so sure.

She started to watch both Jesus and myself at every turn. She would taunt me that I was getting too old and nobody would want me so I would have to go on the streets. One day John heard her and he kept me away from them which did not help for it meant that I was more with the very ones they wanted me kept away from.

Today a messenger came to tell us that Uncle Joseph had died. Every one is looking at Jesus, they cannot understand why he is not going home, but by the time the messenger arrived it was already too late as some days had passed. Besides he had talked about this to his mother and she had suggested that he did not attend, for his work was so important.

By this time we had traveled to many places, each time we left a place we would have many more followers, each clamouring for his attention and we are worried for his health and yes also his safety, for there are those who want his attention and those who are trying to find him doing something that was unlawful. Many miracles have happened and this is not what the powers to be want to hear.

It is now 2 years since I joined the group and those closest to him are becoming more worried about his health, constantly there are people clamouring for his attention, to heal, to answer their questions, or just to be near him. His every word is listened to, he cannot find a quiet place to rest or sleep, so the twelve have taken it upon themselves to be a buffer between him and the people.

This went on so many times it was impossible for him to work as he wished to and with the crowds came the soldiers who in turn were trying to find his very words would be enough to arrest him. He could see no way that he could survive at this pace, for he was becoming weakened by all of the buffeting and constant noise around him, it was time we did something about this.

The beginning of the last days

Today we are at Mirri’s and Simon's home. All our family are here including Jesus, John and James. The problem is what or how we could overcome the constant threat to the life of Jesus. We know that one alternative is an act of crucifixion, but we want to try to spare him that. He is so tired we fear that he cannot go on, so we must hide him in a way that he cannot be found, we spent some days arguing back and forth, but there seemed only one way that we could make sure of succeeding.

His friend and mentor Joseph from Arimathe’a has arrived. He has known for some time about the cross situation and has spent much time perfecting a way to succeed with it with as little pain as possible. The plan needed as few as possible to know as it was imperative that all should seem real and if too many knew and acted out the plan it could seem too false and questions would be asked.

When Jesus first knew of the alternative Joseph had a family tomb made ready. This tomb had a secret chamber attached. As it was now some time since it was built it would have been forgotten by now, besides those who built them were not aware of the other. He had the main chamber built by one group, this chamber had just a shelf to put a body on. It was roughly hewn out of the earth and had a large stone to roll across the entrance.

Next, another group was hired to build a burial cave on the other side, having its opening facing the other way. This one was a bigger one as it was to be a family tomb. It had a normal opening but inside it was quite a large room. In the centre was a dirt mound that could be used as a table if the need arose. Around the walls were shelves to rest the bodies on. The central mound would be used to resuscitate him on when they got him there, for he would by then, be close to death

In the meantime we had to work on the plan of now until that day. When this meeting took place we were some days away from Jerusalem. Because of the strain upon Jesus he had lost weight and Joseph thought it would be better if he were to lose more as it was necessary for him to look like a man who would not take long to die. So he ate and drank just enough to help him to get there.

Joseph was a high member of the Judean council, also an inner member of the synagogue. It was their responsibility to try any Jewish person and declare sentence upon them. So we had to work carefully at getting there at the right time. Joseph was also a teacher of the movement of the stars, moon and the sun, This would be used to our advantage. In 4 weeks time was to be an eclipse of the sun by the moon.

It was on a Wednesday. The day that all Jews were crucified for normally it took 2--3 days to die and all bodies had to be taken down before sunset at the beginning of Sabbath. So how do we get around that? From time to time there was called a special Sabbath, from sunset Wednesday to sunset Thursday, so Joseph was to call one such a Sabbath for the day of the eclipse. He would call it 2 weeks before, so that there would be no question of collusion.

We were to start walking soon for as Jesus would be getting weaker and weaker it was necessary for him to be there on the first day of the week. We knew that by then Jesus would be too weak to walk, so it was arranged that an ass would be made ready and others would be sent to pave his way with palm fronds to cushion the jolting of the animal and make it less jarring. Others were to go ahead and make ready the final supper.

As there were by now 120 with us they were to be sent well ahead along with the ladies. Each time we went to Palestine we met at different places for safety sake. So we next day gathered them from where they were lodging. One was told where to go and to take the ladies with him to prepare the meal. The others were to follow along and would meet at sunset on the appointed day, there would then be a sign for them as to where to go. One was to get the ass and bring it back to us. Another was to arrange the palm fronds and do what was needed of them.

Before Jesus started his mission he and Joseph spent many years travelling to many different countries. At one time he was in India where he became interested in their way of doing healing, so for a time he stayed in their ashrams learning their ways. To perfect their ways he learned many things, one being able to put himself into a catatonic state, leaving his body while his higher self went over into other dimensions. This state could last for up to 3 days at a time. So the plan was designed with this in mind, firstly by slowly building up to this state he would be able to suffer the flogging and not feel as much pain as would otherwise been felt, also it would give him that much time later to be well enough to show himself.

In the interim, when Joseph left, he went to Jerusalem to sit on the council and bring about the situation where they would arrest Jesus at the required time. He placed small suggestions into the minds of the council without them being aware of it, then he left. At midnight the council had an emergency meeting without inviting Joseph, for they knew that Joseph would be against what they were about to do. There they set in place the very thing that was needed. Of course when Joseph learned of this he was very cross as they expected and they made many excuses.

Slowly we wended our way to our destination, stopping many times to allow Jesus to rest, even though we had not told of our destination still we met many people, so in the end we did most of our travelling in the night stopping at safe places in the day. We also had cousin Mirri with us for she was to open her town house when we arrived, she was also heavy with child so she rode on a small donkey which was really not too comfortable, so this also hindered our journey.

Her husband Simon was not coming with us for the vineyard that he owned was in an important process of growing needing him to be there to oversee what the outcome would be. As there was Aunt Miriam and myself there it was felt she would be in good hands. Although this was her second child she was still a very young girl, very enthusiastic in her desire to help wherever she could

Many times when we were in Palestine he would be near arrest but we always got him away, this time we did not speak of it. At last we saw the city in the distance. By this time Jesus had the use of the ass for they had caught up with us 2 days ago, but still we needed to go slowly for he was now too weak to walk long distances and we must conserve his strength for the ordeal ahead of him.

When we came closer to Jerusalem we saw many people standing on either side of the path and each held a palm fond. As we neared they laid it upon the ground as his followers did, thinking it was some kind of a ceremony, they too wanted to show Jesus their love for him. This also allowed the powers to be to know that at last he was here and now they could be rid of him for all time. We went to Miriam’s house so that we could rest him and not let anyone know where we were to meet tonight.

It is now noon and we have put Jesus to rest. I have been allowed to sit beside him in case he needed anything. All is quiet and he seems to be asleep. I look at his face showing the signs of strain and stress. As I sit my mind wanders back over the last few years and I marvel at all the things that I have seen him do, starting with the wine at Miriam’s wedding. There has not been a day that he has not showed someone the wonders of his knowledge and powers.

He has healed hundreds of the sick, made the blind see, the crippled to walk, the mindless to be of sound mind, and has given brilliant speeches to those who want to listen. Some did not comprehend the message, but others did and followed him. He taught in simplicity so that the people of that age would understand what it was all about as they remembered at their fire at night and they would tell their children. I have seen him feed the multitude from so little, he even brought people back from the dead.

Of the 120 disciples there were three divisions, the outer, the inner and the select. The outer he taught in a more simple way, The inner, were taught in a manner that they would be able to go out and teach others. The select were the 12 men plus 6 women, for he did not see women as any different to the men and so were treated accordingly. The select were always taught in secret for they were privy to the real reason for his mission. It was to teach people how to live a life that would be free from sin so that in the distant future, at the right time they would be freed from death and ascend to an eternal life of service to the good of all mankind.

There were so many people who loved him, wherever he went they felt his love coming to them and it was so strong, many of them thought that he loved them more than anyone else, and they were right, for that is how he loved. It was the only way he knew how to love, unconditionally. Now here we were in this situation, taking such a great gamble on his life to try and extricate him from these conditions where if they go on he will most surely die. Slowly the tears flowed, I must not cry and wake him, but oh, how could I bear to go on if we failed in this dangerous thing we were doing.

"Tears my little one? why do you cry , have you no faith?" The gentle voice cut through my thoughts and I became aware that my beautiful Joshua was observing me. "Oh my love how could I live if this does not go as we hope" My tears ran faster, " It will happen as we wish dear one, for you know that I cannot die or my mission would be nonexistent, for I must pave the way for others, you know that you must be alive to ascend. Should I die then all this has been wasted and I would have to return again in like manner" He wiped my tears and held me close until I was calm again.

All too soon it was night, we are ready to go to meet with the others for the last meal together. Quietly we wended our way through the streets in one’s or two’s slipping into the door when it was safe to do so. Jesus called for a dish of water and seating the twelve he knelt to wash their feet. They were upset and asked him why he would do such a thing, he was the teacher, they were the one’s who should be doing his feet. He replied I do this to show that you are worthy and I am not above doing this unto you the worthy.

All are seated at the tables. He stands and breaks bread as is the usual greeting of friends at the meeting and eating together. We on the other tables are aware the he is speaking quietly to the 12. Shortly he speaks to Judas who gets up and leaves and the meal resumes. Now it is time to leave, and as they came in one by one so they went out until all that were left were the 11 and Jesus and the few who would make sure that there was no sign of our being there.

Jesus and the 11 left in a like manner meeting again in the garden of Gethsemane as was the custom on these occasions. He to prepare himself for the ordeal ahead of him, the others to see that he was not disturbed. Of the 12 only 2 were aware of what was about to happen for they too were to act as normal and were not told of what lay ahead. It was here that the soldiers came and finally arrested him.

There was little we could do while Jesus was in gaol. From time to time one of ours would visit and take him fluids which unknown to them we had laced with herbs that would help dull his senses even more than he could make them be. It was not usual for us to be able to do this but some time ago he had made friends with the head of the soldiers and he used to let us in.

When we finally saw him on that Wednesday morning, struggling away with that cross he did indeed look the part of a man accepting that he had to die. We were aware that some could try to rescue him, but we could not let that happen, for we had everything timed to the moment and we did not want the Jews or Rome looking for a live escapee. It was so hard for his mother and I to see him in the state he was in and the flowing of our tears was what everyone expected of us anyway.

It relieved us greatly when Farqui took his burden and carried it for him. Once again the tears flowed as we saw him raised on the cross, but they were not just bitter tears for us, for we knew that this night we would once more have our beloved Joshua with us, never to be taken and tortured, or face death again. We marveled at his courage at that time. When he could not keep the pain away, he would say " I thirst " and we would reach up a sponge on a pole which was filled with a strong drug. This helped keep him in a near catatonic state, for we were waiting for the coming eclipse.

As luck would have it, that day was one of those rare days when clouds built up and hid the eclipse and as it grew dark the soldiers thought sunset had come early and hastened to kill the 2 who were beside him and when they looked at Jesus they thought he was already dead so they took him down and handed his body to Joseph who had gone to Pontius Pilot. Quickly they wrapped him while it was still dark for they were afraid the soldiers would see a small movement as they put him on the stretcher they had made.

The soldiers came with them and watched from a distance as they rolled the stone over the entrance. As they left 2 soldiers were told to stay so that there could be no way that stone could be shifted without them knowing. It was to be guarded for 3 days.

AS soon as night came Joseph and some of his trusted physicians entered by the secret door out of sight of the soldiers. They moved him into the other chamber, setting up the first one as it was to be found in 3 days time. Two men were with them whose job was to seal the secret door with rocks left in the second chamber for that purpose, just in case someone was brave enough to enter the chamber they would not be able to open the door. Also if they did enter they would not hear what was going on in the other chamber.

They had three days to get Joshua through the worst of the pain before he woke up and they had to have him walking by then, so that he could be seen by whoever came by on the third day. During that third night a drug was slipped into the drinking vessel of the soldiers and when they drank they fell asleep, which gave them time to roll away the stone from the entrance. When Mary Mag’ dalene came and saw him, he was sitting on a rock nearby. When she went to touch him he told her not to as he was not ready.

As she ran to tell the others Joseph put him back into the secret chamber for he was too weak to move yet. He stayed in the chamber for three more nights before they took him to the home of Joseph where his mother and I were waiting. Joseph’s house was quite large, containing private guest rooms unknown to anyone. As he had many guests come and go. It was in these private rooms that we stayed. He had been extremely close to death, so that it took almost a year before he was strong enough to leave.

In that time the plan for his future was mapped out. We could not stay in Palestine so it was decided that he would travel to set places where he would teach and finish his mission. His mother and I were to go with him so Joseph married Joshua and me. In time we were ready to leave and we left Palestine for the last time, heading for Damascus. I am Miriam and I am Sixteen. As we go I shall write of our many journeys.

It was not in his mission to come to earth, to die and save us from our sins. The ultimate mission was to teach how to live so you need not sin. He was to live and have an ordinary family life. To live and to pave the way for that type of life, to lead to ascension, for once something has been done, then it becomes a reality. His life was designed for this fulfillment at the time of the end of the age, of change and of ascension to higher dimensions.

As Joseph saw the life of Jesus eventuate he saw how closely it resembled the prophecies of the coming Messiah, so he used this to bring about a time where his people would no longer be looking for another to come. Unfortunately they still keep looking. Who knows maybe some day it will happen.

To be continued...