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Mary
Magdalene was 14 years old. Her father was a farmer and they
lived in the village of Et Taiyiba. They had moved there from
Magdala when she was 7 years old. Farming was not providing
adequately for his family, so they decided to move. They headed
northeast, traveling for four weeks. He eventually found employment
as a merchant in Nazareth.
One
day Mary, who was working with her father, heard what sounded
like preaching or teaching out on the street. She went out to
see what was going on and found a young man preaching about
loving God and following the commandments. It was Jesus and
he was 15 years old.
Mary
had never heard anyone preach like this. She was mesmerized
by this handsome young man. When he had finished she walked
over to talk to him. The hit it off immediately - It was love
at first sight. She asked him question after question about
his preaching.
Jesus
would preach every day and Mary would wait for him to show up
on the street. They became best friends and started spending
as much time as possible together. This was the beginning of
a relationship that would last for the next 16 years.
They fell in love, would hold hands and embrace often. There
was talk of marriage and starting a family but Jesus knew his
purpose and told Mary that it was not possible at that time.
He was totally focused on going about his father's business.
Jesus
became a carpenters apprentice and would in the next 12 years,
become the best carpenter in the land. People would come for
miles to have Jesus build them a table, chairs, or cabinet.
Nobody could approach his level of workmanship. He, his family
and Mary's family prospered during this period. Jesus continued
preaching whenever he had the opportunity to a point where he
was labeled as a fanatic. He had not yet performed any miracles.
Jesus
was obsessed with a love of his father and was relentless
in his preaching. People started to resent him and think he
was somewhat a crazy man. He realized he had worn out his
welcome in Nazareth and decided to travel to distant lands
to preach his message. Jesus was concerned about Mary's safety,
so he left her behind
Jesus
traveled to Turkey, Greece, Rome, Egypt and India. He was gone
for three years and during that time became fluent in Latin,
Greek and Arabic.
When
Jesus returned to Nazareth he was prepared to go out and reach
his people. Mary had become worried about him being gone for
so long. She was overjoyed to once again be with the love of
her life. Four months later, Jesus would leave Nazareth for
the last time. This time he took Mary with him.
At
first, his journey was very frustrating for Jesus. His reputation
of being a crazy, fanatical man had spread outside of Nazareth.
He was not well received, was mocked, spit upon and made fun
of. He wept often, and it was Mary who would encourage him to
go on.
Finally
he had gone far enough to where the people had not heard of
him. It was at this time he started performing miracles. His
plan - to win the hearts of the people over to his father.
The
rest of his journey is fairly well documented. Mary would be
with him almost constantly. She had no clue as to his impending
death. When he did die, Mary was destroyed both spiritually
and emotionally. She had lost the only person she really cared
about. But, then there he was, back on the Earth in the splendor
of his Father. She was lifted with a joy that was beyond description.
Jesus
told her that he must go and be with his Father, and that he
would be waiting for her in the most beautiful place he had
ever seen. She was unhappy about him leaving, but happy that
he was ok and their separation was only temporary.
Today
they are once again together in a place called Heaven. God is
so proud of his son, I can't even begin to describe his joy.
He knows that they put off much for him, so he has decided to
give them what they missed.
He
is going to give them the most incredible wedding ever held.
It will be in Heaven, and all of God's family will be invited
to attend (that's about 14 billion). Following the wedding there
will be a party that will last for four weeks. Incredible food,
music, singing, dancing - total celebration.
But,
that is not all. God has a big surprise for them - a surprise
that they don't know about yet. When we arrive on the new Earth,
what has become known as the Millennial Kingdom, Jesus and Mary,
will be able to have children - as many as they want. What joy
there will be in the Kingdom - God will be a grandpa.
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