15 

In the month of Adar, the main rains were over. It was early spring. The fields of flax were ready for the harvest and the almond trees were in blossom. The sun shone warmly on the village as Martha returned from the shop of the potter. She needed a new cooking pot, for the old one had cracked beyond repair. She stopped at the garden and gathered some herbs. As she reached her gate, she set the pot down to open the gate and, hearing voices, looked up to see two men coming down the road. They were some distance away. She smiled to herself. It was hard to miss the size and build of Nathan the blacksmith. He was returning to Bethany after a long absence. Men had needed his skills and were forced to go to the next village to have tools repaired. He would be welcomed back. She was glad to see their family friend again. She couldn’t make out the identity of the other man and stood shading her eyes from the sun to see him better. There was also something familiar about him, the way he walked . . . she couldn’t put her finger on why, but she felt she knew him.

As the men approached, Nathan stopped and greeted her with a puzzled look on his face. “Good morning.” He seemed surprised to see her. Then she remembered the day he left and his warning. He’d known about her liaison with Thaddeus. Nathan had been gone. He didn’t know. She smiled at him and answered, “Good morning, Nathan. The men of the village will be glad you have returned.”

Then she turned to his companion, and as he flung back the hood of his cloak, the basket of herbs slipped from her fingers and scattered on the ground.

Simon!

For once Martha had no words. He was not wearing the veil over his face nor was there any sign of his illness. He looked hale and hardy—his old self—yet instinctively she took a step backward.

“No need to fear me, Martha. I no longer have leprosy. I found Jesus in Galilee.” He shook his head. “He seemed almost to be expecting me. He touched me and the leprosy was gone.”

Martha’s eyes widened at his words as she realized it was true. There was no sign of the leprosy. His skin was normal and his face and arms brown from the sun but without spots or lesions.

“Oh Simon, how wonderful for you!” she cried. Her heart nearly burst with joy, realizing what this would mean to his family and to her dear friend, Esther. She turned back to Nathan as he spoke, and his voice was softer.

“I am glad you are still here. You made the right choice then, didn’t you?” he said.

She lifted her chin. “There was no choice to make, Nathan. My friend died in battle.” She could say it matter-of-factly now, without the deep pain. Thaddeus was with God.

His eyes widened with surprise but only for a moment, then he nodded sagely. There was no judgment on his countenance.

She turned to Simon. “How did you and Nathan meet?”

“He was heading for Jerusalem and home. I recognized him and called out. When he heard my story, he welcomed me as a brother and bought me some food. He also bought me some clothes so I would be presentable to my family. Nathan has walked the rest of the journey with me.”

Martha had not missed the word “brother.” She turned to their old friend. “Are you a believer, Nathan?”

His eyes shone, the fierceness of his former countenance gone. “I saw Jesus in Bethsaida and watched miracle after miracle. I believe he is the Messiah. The one we have looked for so long. Yes, I am a believer.”

She put a hand on his arm. “We are also believers, Nathan. Jesus and his disciples have stayed at our home. We too believe he is the Messiah.”

Nathan nodded his head vigorously. “That is good news. Many changes have occurred since I left.”

Simon moved restlessly, impatient to be off, and she knew he was anxious to see his wife and family again.

Martha nodded. “There is joy in our village today. God has done a wondrous thing. Hurry to your family, Simon.”

As the two men continued down the street, there were voices calling out as neighbors recognized Simon. People came out of their homes and crowded around him. Martha hurried into the courtyard and found Mary. When she told her who she’d been speaking with, Mary could hardly contain her joy. She was almost dancing as she followed Martha out to the road where people swarmed behind Simon as he neared his house. They didn’t want to miss this.

Judith stepped out into the street to see what was happening. When she saw Simon, she clasped a hand to her mouth, staring at him as though he were a ghost.

“I am healed, wife. There is no more leprosy.”

When she finally found her voice, Judith could only cry out, “Simon!” before falling into his arms. The women of the village, including Martha and Mary, wept openly, and even burly Nathan had tears in his eyes. Chloe came out to the gate, and when she realized who it was, hung back, not sure what to do.

Mary hurried to her side. “Your father-in-law has returned to his family. He is healed.”

Judith, through her tears, murmured, “Tobias is in the fields.”

“I will go and find him,” someone called out. The crowd parted as the runner sprinted toward the fields of flax that were ripening in warm sun.

The men came in from the fields all around, and in a few moments, Tobias was striding down the street. When he saw his father, he broke into a run and was clasped to his father’s chest.

“Father, oh Father. You are home at last,” Tobias cried with tears streaming down his face.

Neighbors crowded around, clapping Simon on the back and praising God for his goodness and mercy.

“Tell us what happened,” Shaul asked.

The villagers quieted down and looked at Simon expectantly. They didn’t want to miss a word.

Simon stood with his arms around his wife and his son. “I was near the Sea of Galilee and heard about this rabbi, Jesus, who was performing miracles and healing people of all kinds of diseases and infirmities. When I learned he was coming near where I was, I went and without thinking of my status as a leper, flung myself down at his feet. He asked me what I wanted him to do. I said, ‘I want to be healed so I can return to my family.’ He asked me if I believed he could heal me.”

Martha remembered the same words Jesus had spoken to others before he healed them. Believing played a great part in healing, she determined.

Simon continued. “He reached out and touched me. He had no qualms about touching a leper. He just smiled and touched me. Instantly I felt heat go through my body and I looked at my hands that were whole again. The flesh was as if I’d never had leprosy. I knew I was healed totally and fell down at his feet. He lifted me up and said, ‘Return to Bethany, to your family, Simon.’ He knew who I was. Is this not the Son of God? The Messiah?” Simon looked around at his neighbors, who were nodding their heads and murmuring assent. How could they not believe when this marvelous miracle had been done? Were they not witnesses to the day Simon had left them and sadly walked away? Now here he was, restored to health and returned to his family.

“Have you been declared healed, Simon?” This from one of the village elders.

“Yes, I have been to the priest in Jerusalem, and he has declared me whole again and given permission to return to my home and family.” He waved his arm at his friends. “Let us celebrate and rejoice at God’s goodness.”

The women hurried home to gather food and the festivities began. They sang, ate, and danced until nearly dark. Even Nathan joined the men as arm in arm they moved in a line to the music. Martha was amazed at the change in Nathan. He laughed and danced, and Martha was surprised. Nathan was almost handsome.

As the people dispersed to their homes at last, Tobias and Simon saw them out the gate and thanked them for sharing in their joy.

Lazarus had joined them when he heard the news and embraced his friend Tobias. “God has seen his affliction, and rendered his mercy.”

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus finally started home. Lazarus carried an oil lamp he’d borrowed from Tobias. When at last they reached their home, Martha picked up the basket and the wilted herbs from the stone step in front of the gate and Lazarus brought in her new cooking pot. It had been a day to remember.

Mary unrolled her pallet, her face still shining with the excitement. She turned to Martha for a moment. “I’m not sure I can handle any more miracles. It takes one’s energy.” She gave her sister a wry smile and wished her good night.

It was only when she settled herself to sleep that night that Martha remembered the words of Jesus. “Keep watching the road, I am sending someone who will bring you great joy.”

It had indeed been a day of great joy. Suddenly she sat up. Esther! She and Micah were in Bethlehem. She had not seen them since the Passover nearly two months before when they had come with their small baby son they had named Zeri.

Martha smiled at the memory. How Judith had rejoiced in the pleasure of having a grandson.

Tobias had chortled. “I’m an uncle, and soon I’ll be a father myself.” His wife Chloe was expecting a child in a few months. Everyone took turns holding the baby. As Mary held the baby, she told Esther and Micah about Jesus’s visits to their home and shared stories of the miracles he had wrought.

Micah stroked his beard. “I would hear this man. Surely a man who can do such things is sent from God.”

“He was here, Micah, at the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. We heard him ourselves. When he comes again, we will try to send you word.”

Martha, watching her sister cuddle the baby and coo to him, suddenly realized again that Mary was eligible for marriage. Then another thought occurred to her. Mary could have children. There were eligible young men in their village. Yet another thought inserted itself. Mary was in love with Thomas. Her face lit up like a menorah whenever she saw him. It was hopeless, but what could she say? Mary would have to come to that conclusion herself.

Esther placed the baby in Martha’s arms, and as she looked down, the child seemed to study her intently. Then he smiled and her heart overflowed. How good it felt to hold a child in her arms. For a moment she saw the earnest face of Thaddeus in her mind, telling her about the villa in Cyprus and what a good place it was to raise a family. She clasped the small bundle to her heart and willed the thoughts away. He was gone and with him the dream of children of her own. She looked up and saw Esther watching her with a sad, sweet smile of understanding. Martha smiled back. She kissed little Zeri and handed him reluctantly to Judith, who waited anxiously to hold her grandson again.

Micah beamed with pride, overjoyed to have a son at last. He and Tobias laughed and celebrated as Tobias clapped him on the back, congratulating him. Martha rolled her eyes. You’d think Micah had produced this baby all by himself.

When Micah and Esther had to return home, Martha felt the loneliness sweep over her heart again. Then she looked over at Chloe. She’d almost forgotten. Soon there would be another child to hold and cuddle.

Now as she lay on her pallet and thought of her friend, Martha realized someone must send Esther and Micah word at once. Esther’s father was healed and had returned home. The whole village had celebrated Simon’s healing, but Esther didn’t know. She looked over at Lazarus. “Brother, someone must go to Bethlehem and bring Esther.”

He yawned and with a voice heavy with sleep, murmured, “Someone has already gone. They will reach Bethlehem tomorrow.”

She lay back down but looked at the ceiling for a long time. So much had happened. What would tomorrow hold, and when would they see Jesus again?