Others had been prostitutes who had repented, turned to God, and become followers of Jesus. They had no place of refuge but this. Three new babies had been born in the last two weeks. Most important in Mary’s narrative was the news that, from time to time, Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples lodged in Mary’s guest house.
She radiated joy as she spoke of all this. I thought she had never looked so beautiful.
“But why have you come?” she asked at last.
Martha blurted, “We have heard that you are wasting all your estate. Spending your wealth like water! You never could do anything with moderation.”
Mary gazed at Martha for a long moment. Her smile wavered. “Ah. I thought … I was hoping …”
Nicodemus blushed at the confrontation. He stood and escaped to the veranda.
I tried to explain gently to Mary. “You see, sister, we are concerned that perhaps you are being taken advantage of. Giving everything … everything to others.”
She studied me. “Brother, for the first time in my life I am happy. Jesus teaches …”
Martha scoffed. “Jesus! Yes. All or nothing. That’s the problem. No moderation.”
I asked, “But what about the inheritance that your husband left to you? Your estates? I see you’ve hired an army of workers to prune your vines. Half the number would do.”
“Yes. But then half the number would be unemployed. These are hard times, brother. Hunger is at the door here in the Galil. Men and women need work.”
“But what if all you have is gone and the coffer empty because you did not manage wisely? It makes no sense, Mary. If you give all to the poor, then soon you will number yourself among the poor of Israel.”
Mary answered. “I am rich. My orchards and vineyards are blessed. There is plenty to share, brother.”
I explained, “But if you are careless with giving away what you own, no matter what your rabbi teaches … a good man, yes. But impractical.”
Mary did not attempt to answer my charge but simply replied, “Come, brother. Come and meet the Lord.”
She took my arm and led me out of her villa. To the east our view was the Sea of Galilee. It was calm and flat and reflected the enormous clouds that loomed on the horizon. To the west was Mary’s vast vineyard. Workers moved methodically through the rows, pruning wild, leafless canes down to the trunk of the vine. Mary gestured beyond them. “There he is.” I recognized him at once. Jesus and about twenty of his disciples sat beneath a large tree at the top of a hill overlooking the vineyard.
Mary led the way up the path. Nicodemus joined us. I followed, and Martha trailed behind.
At our approach, Jesus raised his eyes, then waved a welcome, looking directly at me.
“Shalom, Mary.” Jesus gestured for us to join the lesson.
“Rabboni! These are my brother, Lazarus, my sister, Martha, and Lord Nicodemus of Jerusalem. They’ve come visiting.”
“Shalom and welcome,” Jesus said. “We are enjoying the day. Will you join us?”
We came into the semicircle of rough-looking Galileans who made up the core of Jesus’ followers. I was between Mary and the disciple called Peter. We three were directly in front of Jesus, close enough to touch the hem of his cloak. An easy grin with straight white teeth. Square jaw. Hands calloused from years of manual labor.
He asked me, “What do you think of all your sister has accomplished in her vineyard?”
“My sister has hired too many laborers. She needs an adviser to help her manage her business.”
Jesus smiled. “Mary gives everything into the care of her Father. Can she trust him?” He held me in his gaze for an instant, long enough for me to know that the lesson I was about to hear concerned me, somehow.
“What do you think?” Jesus asked me. “There was a man who had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ And the son answered, ‘I will not.’ But afterward he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. And the second son replied, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of the father?”1
Peter raised his hand and blurted out the answer, “The first son! That’s the one!”
Jesus smiled and again cast his eyes on Mary. “That’s right. The one who does the will of his father … or in this case … the