The Priceless Linen

Prologue

April, 30 A.D. – Jerusalem

After the unbelievable events of the past few days everyone was exhausted as they huddled together in the upper room, fearful that the soldiers would come to take them to prison or worse. Most had dozed only an hour or two at a time. But after today, after they had actually seen and touched Him when He appeared to them in a resurrected body, they could at last rest in peace. Everyone except Joanna. She was one of the few in the room who had actually seen Him die on the cross; who heard those last words It is finished.

Now she lay awake wondering what He meant by those words. Her thoughts kept going over and over them, searching for all the meanings such a phrase could include. Since He died right after He said them the most likely meaning is that his life was finished. He was saying He would become a lifeless body to be buried in a pit with all the other corpses the Romans executed. But if that’s what He meant, how could He appear to us today? Not a spirit, but a real body with substance? He must have meant something different . . . but what!

Joanna thought back to when she first encountered Him. I was a servant to Simon, the Pharisee, when this man was invited to dine at his house. I was living a terrible life back then, disobeying the commandments and the law God gave us through Moses. I didn’t care about God. But when I heard that this man, who claimed to be the Son of God, something happened inside me. It was like my heart broke open and all the bad things I had ever done came flooding out. I had to see this man. I thought if I brought him a gift, maybe He would tell me how to be a different person, one who could follow God. I didn’t think I had anything He would want as a gift. But then I remembered something my mother gave me when I left home. I took the alabaster bottle of perfumed oil out of my trunk and hurried to the dining room.

That’s when I first saw Him. I started crying and couldn’t stop. I fell to my knees and the tears dripped on his feet. Oh how awful I felt. I pulled my hair free and quickly dried them off with it , hoping He hadn’t noticed. Then I took the flask of oil and massaged his feet with it, hoping to undo the rude act I had just done. Afterwards I backed away as quickly as I could. But the man criticized Simon for his lack of hospitality, while I had shown more hospitality and love than was expected when a guest entered another’s home. And then the man said the words to me I’ll never forget. Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. [Luke 7:36-50]

Joanna wanted to go with this man, to follow him and learn all He had to say, but she was indentured to the Pharisee for another half year. When that time was up and she finally could leave she immediately searched for those who followed the man – the Master they called him. She traveled non-stop, always seeming to be one town behind Him. But when she finally caught up with them in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee she was so worn out from her quest that she collapsed from exhaustion. She took herself back there in her mind. I was really sick, had been for days. Some said I was going to die, others were sure I was possessed by evil spirits. But Mary Magdalene brought Him to me; to heal me just like He did for her. I still remember the feeling when He touched my forehead. My whole body felt strange, like the worst fever I ever had. But when He lifted his hand the heat disappeared and I felt an incredible peace in my heart. From that moment I was healed – the sickness or evil spirits, whichever it was, fled at His command. From then on I followed Mary Magdalene and the other women wherever He went. [Luke 8:1-3] And then I watched Him die in pain and suffering.

That thought brought her back to her original train of thought – What did He mean by It is finished? And how did He escape from Joseph of Arimathea’s burial cave. He somehow disappeared from the tomb and left the linen sheet we covered Him with behind – along with the kerchief we tied under his chin to keep his mouth closed. Peter and John saw them lying on the on the stone bed. . . . I wonder if the they’re still there? I have to see them for myself. I’m going to the tomb. It’s the middle of the night, so no one will see me.

Joanna got up and quietly left. The light of the half moon was enough to find her way but not bright enough to make her stand out in her dark cloak. The tomb was a few blocks away but with trying to stay in the shadows it took her almost half an hour. She was worried that there might still be guards, but when she arrived the place was deserted. Like most people she was fearful of things having to do with death, but tonight she overcame it with her resolve.

After a last look left and right she stepped into the tomb – and realized her mistake. She didn’t think to bring a candle. The opening was so small – barely large enough to stoop down and enter – to let much moonlight through. She thought about returning to the upper room to get a candle but she might get caught. Instead she got on her knees and began feeling her way around the cave.

A few minutes later she bumped into a stone bed and struggled to keep from uttering some words that would anger God. When she felt around on top of the table she found what she was looking for – the priceless linen that had covered Jesus’ body. As she gathered it up under her cloak she thought about trying to find the chin kerchief also, but decided those in the upper room might wake up and find her gone. If they came out searching for her they would be putting themselves in danger for her sake. She couldn’t have that happen so she retraced her steps back to where the others were.

As she opened the door it creaked, causing her to freeze for a minute or two. When she heard nothing she continued in and went to lay down on her bed mat. She was elated and felt a rush of adrenalin at her success. It didn’t last long because she realized she hadn’t thought ahead about what to do with it. She wanted desperately to open it in the light of day and examine it closely, looking for clues about how He had escaped, but dawn was still a few hours away. And she couldn’t open it in front of the others. They would be horrified that she had handled the burial cloth. According to Mosaic Law that made her unclean – she would have to cleanse herself and remain alone for a week. Realizing what she had done she quickly folded it up and slipped it under her sleeping mat.

FIRST EPOCH – IN THE BEGINNING (33 A.D. – 57 A.D.)

Chapter 1 – Good Friends

November, 29 A.D. - The Province of Galilee, six months before the crucifixion

The sun was going down and the crowd was finally dispersing. Estimates were that as many as five thousand men, some with their families, had come to hear him teach on the shore of Lake Tiberius. That was more people than Joanna had ever seen gathered together. Most came from the cities along the western shore of the lake – Tiberius, Magdala, Bethsaida, and Capernaum – but there were families from as far away north as Hazor. Joanna wondered what brought them, how they had heard about the Man and the ideas He spoke of so plainly. Nothing like some of the Greek orators who occasionally came through the area.

By this time she was a regular in the group of men and women who followed Him. The disciples, twelve in all by this time, were his closest companions, but another dozen or so men and women followed closely behind, looking for an opportunity to be of service to him. She still couldn’t believe what she had seen. A young boy brought a few barley cakes and a couple of fish for his own lunch, but no one else had any food. They didn’t expect to be there that long but nobody wanted to leave before the Master was finished speaking. When the Man realized He had talked right through lunch He asked his disciples to see what they food could round up from the crowd.

When they returned with only the boy’s meager offering He commanded everyone to sit down on the grass while He held the loves and fish up toward heaven and prayed. When He finished He told the disciples to pass out food to everyone – over five thousand of them – and somehow there was plenty for everyone!

In the cool of the evening Joanna had left the others and climbed to the top of a small hill where she could watch the fishing boat lantern on the lake and think about the events of the day. How did the Man do that? I don’t believe in magic. He must have hidden the food before He arrived. That’s the only way it could have happened. . . . But what about his power to heal? That can’t be magic because I’ve seen the crippled leap up and walk. . . . But maybe they were accomplices who were healthy all along. – that’s the answer. . . . But what about the wedding in Cana where He supposedly turned a large jug of water into wine. Now that would be a lot tougher to fake.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sound from behind. She jumped to her feet and whirled to face whatever the threat was. Oh, it’s you Lukas.

I’m sorry if I scared you, but I saw you leave and knew this was your favorite spot.

Yeah, my favorite spot for being left alone.

Oh . . . I . . . I’m sorry to disturb you. I’ll leave now.

As he turned to leave she said No, stay. That’s alright. You’re pleasant to be with. Have a seat, as she patted the ground beside her.

He was glad for the darkness so she couldn’t see him blush. He sat, leaving enough space between them so she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

He was trying to come up with something clever to say, to break the awkward silence, but when he looked over at her he could tell her mind was off somewhere else. It had returned to the puzzle of how this man, Jesus of Nazareth, did the miraculous things that He appeared to do. After awhile she gave it up and turned to talk to Lukas, but he was gone.

Chapter 2 – Matchmaker

July, 33 A.D. -Bethsaida, 3 months after the crucifixion

After the death of their leader the apostles and most of the other followers returned to their homes in Galilee. Joanna was worried that her parents would turn her away because she left home without their permission to follow the Teacher. But they welcomed her, realizing that 17-year old girls could be impulsive. They had discussed the issue when Joanna was away and decided that she needed a husband to control her. So as soon as Joanna returned her father, Elias, asked the temple priest to help select a suitable young man. Two weeks later the priest called him to the temple.

I have made a list of all the men between 25 and 35 years of age in the area; there were sixteen of them. Then I crossed out those who did not come from good families or haven’t yet achieved financial independence. That left five, which I have sorted in order of their suitability to manage an impetuous woman like your daughter. If you would like, I will talk to these men and their families and suggest that they consider Joanna eligible for courting.

Thank you Jacob, and I will definitely take you up on that offer to be a matchmaker. Let me talk with Joanna and prepare her to meet these men.

That evening Elias recounted the meeting with the priest to his wife, Bernice. After looking over the list of candidates she shook her head.

None of these men will be able to handle Joanna. With her fiery temper and willfulness to have her own way I don’t know if any man would have her. She won’t like any of them.

Whether she likes a man or not doesn’t matter. It’s up to us to choose for her. She will learn to serve her husband or suffer the consequences. We will choose the man. And it won’t be one of her Christian friends!

His wife replied, Yes dear, knowing the task he laid out was all but impossible.

After her work helping her mother was finished for the day, Joanna liked to go to the bluff overlooking Capernaum. The town wasn’t much to look at, but she could see all the way to the city of Tiberius on a clear day. She would watch the sea birds floating on the wind and imagine that she could fly – fly away from here to . . . to where? She had gone to Jerusalem with Jesus and his followers and didn’t like the city at all. Too many people, too much noise, and the sickening smell of the butchered sacrificial animals filling the air.

Jesus visited several of the villages and towns in Israel and I was right there with him. But none of them was better than Capernaum. . . . So what is this longing I have within my heart? It wasn’t there until I listened to Jesus. All that He taught seemed to settle in my heart, and I can feel that it’s still there. I can’t recall all the words He spoke, but the meaning of everything is there. It’s part of me now. Is that what’s pulling at me? . . . Not the urge to fly away, but maybe a need to accept all that He said as truth, and quit looking for ways to prove He was fooling everybody. . . . I wish Lukas were here to talk with. He was with Jesus longer than me and often can straighten out my confused thinking. . . . It’s time to go back to the house. Mama will have dinner ready and Papa doesn’t like it if I’m late.

After they all finished their supper of rabbit stew and bread Joanna cleared the table and reached for the pot so she could fetch water for washing them, but Elias shook his head. No, not now. Your mother and I need to talk to you.

Uh oh. What did I do now. She sat back down at the table with her hands folded in front of her and looked at her father expectantly. He was the one who always disciplined her – as it should be. But this time her mother spoke first.

Joanna dear, it’s time for you to marry. All the girls your age have husbands already and some have even provided grandchildren for their parents.

But I’m not ready to settle down yet. There’s so much I want to do first. And I’m definitely not ready to make a baby. And besides, who would want to marry me? No man wants a headstrong wife. . . . No, I refuse to get married yet.

She realized she had stepped over the line when she saw a flash of anger in her father’s eyes. Don’t you dare talk to your mother that way! You show disrespect for her. Now apologize!

Joanna looked down at her hands and said in a barely audible voice, I’m sorry mother.

Her father said What was that? Speak up, girl!

She replied, perhaps a little louder than necessary, I said I am sorry! But I meant what I said.

That is irrelevant. I spoke to the priest and he made a list of several young men who are ready to marry – men who will not tolerate backtalk or disrespect. I will speak to the first one in the morning.

But father,

This conversation is over! Now go clean the dishes.

Joanna waited until she could hear her father snoring. I wonder if the husband he picks for me will snore? I hope not, it’s gross. She slid from under her covers and tiptoed to the front door, where her father hung his cloak. With a nervous look behind her she reached into his pocket and pulled out a small curled up piece of papyrus. She didn’t dare light a lamp to read by so she slipped out the door into the full moonlight. When she saw the five names she gasped.

I wouldn’t marry any of these men! They are all Pharisees or scribes, all puffed up with their own importance. And I know what Jesus thought of them – he would never approve of such a husband for me. . . . Why do I care what he thinks, he’s dead. . . . And if I can believe him he’s in heaven with His Father now. But somehow I sense that he’s here with me.

Joanna put the paper back in the cloak pocket and crept back to bed. But she couldn’t sleep. Trying to think of a way out of this terrible predicament. When Jesus was troubled He spoke to His Father in prayer. And He encouraged us to pray. Maybe if I do that God will help me out. She held her hands together and whispered a prayer.

"Our Father who is in heaven, how Holy is your name . . . Isn’t that how Jesus said to start out? I forget what’s next. I’ll just speak to him and tell him I can’t possibly marry one of these men. God, please don’t make me marry one of these men. I don’t want any of them for a husband. . . . That’s when she remembered something Jesus said often ‘Father, not my will but your will be done.’ She wondered what to do with that so she rephrased it. God please let it be YOUR will that I don’t have to marry any of these men. Then she added an Amen.

When she resumed her thinking she was surprised. She felt at peace. Putting it in God’s hands meant she could give up worrying about it. . . . But it wasn’t that easy. She continued to worry about it until sleep finally overtook her.

Sometime in the night she was awakened by a voice. She looked around in fear but saw no one. As she laid her head back down and was about to fall back asleep her eyes popped open. What did the voice say? Was it God talking to me like He did with Jesus? I which I could remember the words . . . or word. It was only one word! But what was it?

It seemed like the harder she tried to remember it, the further it got from her. She finally gave up and relaxed so she could get back to sleep. As she drifted off the word came into her mind. A name. ‘Lukas.’ But then she fell back asleep.

Chapter 3 – The Pompous Rabbi

Later in the week Elias returned from his job as a brick maker with good news – at least that was what he and her mother thought it was. The leading husband candidate had accepted an invitation to join them for the Sabbath meal on Saturday. He told Elias that he had always thought Joanna was very pretty, but he would need to know more about her before he would commit to asking Elias for her hand.

Friday afternoon became very busy as they prepared for the suitor. Elias brought home the rear leg of a lamb for the meal while Bernice was making bread and the other dishes. Joanna was sent to the women’s bath house down at the lake shore to get cleaned up. When she got back she laid out a clean dress and tunic for the next day and curled her hair. She knew that meant she would spend the night sleeping upright in a chair so it wouldn’t get messed up, but there wouldn’t be enough time to curl it and wait for it to dry the next day.

As she sat on a cushion in the leather and wood chair that night she explored her feelings about the upcoming meeting. First she was excited that this man thought she was attractive enough to consider for a wife. But she definitely didn’t want him to like her enough to propose marriage. Maybe I should tangle my hair up and not put on any makeup. That might scare him off. . . . But what if it didn’t? No, I need something more . . . repulsive, like sneezing all over the food on his plate. But can I make myself sneeze? I’ve never tried it. She willed herself to sneeze for a few minutes but nothing happened, I could pretend to sneeze, but he and my parents would know it was fake. What I want is a good, snot-filled sneeze onto his plate. But it doesn’t look like I can make that happen. I’m stuck. I guess there’s nothing I can do.

Her first impression of the visitor when he showed up was good. He wasn’t bad looking, he dressed well, and he treated her with respect. But when he opened his mouth he ruined it all. He had a high, squeaky voice that grated on one’s ears like a squawking bird. Joanna could even see her mother cringe a bit when he spoke. And that was the other problem. He spoke, and spoke, and spoke, dominating the conversation. Bernice and Elias just smiled and nodded their heads but eventually if was just too much for Joanna. She waited until he paused for a breath and immediately broke in.

What are your thoughts about Jesus, the one they call the Messiah, Rabbi?

She didn’t wait for him to respond before she continued. He said he was the Son of God, and no one could deny it after seeing the amazing things he did. Did you know that he changed water into wine, and brought Lazarus back to life after he died? She tried to continue talking but he interrupted.

Preposterous! No one could do the things he claimed to do. He was a charlatan who deserved to die for claiming he was God.

Joanna retook the battle field. But He didn’t just claim to do miracles, hundreds witnessed them. If the San Hedrin had called some of those witnesses at his trial He wouldn’t have been sentenced to death. . . . But I guess the council had their minds made up and didn’t want to let facts get in the way.

How dare you, young woman! I am a member of the San Hedrin and what we declare to be true is fact.

There’s something wrong with your logic there, Rabbi. A fact is a fact. A lie can’t become a fact simply because a bunch of pompous holy men declare it to be.

The man abruptly stood up from the table, threw his napkin down, and turned to Elias. You, sir, are a liar! You misrepresented your daughter as one who would make a good wife, but she is a trouble maker that no man would think about marrying. I will make certain to spread the word among the other men to reject any invitation you offer them.

Elias stood up to his full height, towering over the rabbi. Get out of my house you arrogant snob. . . . Now!

Joanna’s mother was shocked by her daughter’s behavior, and even more so by Elias’ response. She was proud of them both.

Joanna was still seated at the table, trying unsuccessfully trying to stifle a smile. When her father sat back down and glared at her, the smile disappeared.

Chapter 4 – Lukas

It was dusk two days later. She was back up on the bluff overlooking the lake, thinking about where things would go from here. Her father told her the next day that her scheme wasn’t going to work. He would go to the nearby town, Magdala, where the Rabbi hadn’t warned the men about Joanna and find a husband for her. There were a few rich families down there with sons ready to take a wife.

As she sat there she thought about her prayer the other day, asking God to protect her from marriage to these men, she wondered why he hadn’t answered it. Surely He could have made all the men refuse to meet me. That would solve the problem. But noooo, God didn’t intervene – I had to take care of it myself. Why didn’t he answer my prayer? Maybe I didn’t use the right words? Or maybe he only hears Jesus? But Jesus told us that if we asked God for something in His name, Jesus, our prayers would be granted. . . . I’m missing something here. I wish Lukas was here. He could help me understand. I wish I hadn’t been so rude to him that time in Capernaum. He hasn’t spoken to me since. She let her mind process things some more, and then it hit her. Lukas! That was the name in my dream! Was that God talking to me or just a random thought? How can I know?

Joanna? Her first instinct was to look up, to see if it was God speaking to her from above. But when she looked around she saw Lukas, standing thirty feet away, and making no effort to move toward her. Her heart leapt in her chest. Surely this was God answering her prayers. . . . Or was it just a coincidence?

Lukas! I was just thinking about you. Why do I feel this urge to run up and hug him? That’s against all the Jewish rules about unmarried men and women. Since she couldn’t hug him she gave him a huge, mouth-full-of-teeth smile.

He smiled back, uncertainly. I . . . I didn’t know if you would want to talk to me after our last meeting.

Oh, Lukas. Please forgive me for how I treated you. My mind was wrestling with some important issues, and when I’m like that I don’t notice much around me. Will you?

Will I what?

Forgive me, of course.

Yes, I can do that. But Joanna could see that he still felt uncomfortable, like a deer ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.

Come on over and sit.

As he complied hesitantly she said, No not beside me – face to face. I want us to talk.

When they were both seated with their legs crossed, looking into each other’s faces, she reached out and took his hand. Tell me what’s on your mind.

The same thing that’s on everyone’s mind in town. How you put Rabbi Eliezer to shame when he visited last Sabbath.

Oh no! You heard about that?

Of course. Everyone has. Most think what you did was terrible. That you haven’t been taught correct social etiquette.

But what do you think, Lukas?

He smiled, I think it was an unbelievably brave thing to do. You didn’t hesitate to tell him what you – and Christ – thought of men like him. I . . . I, uh, . . . really admire you for doing it.

Really? You thought it was brave?

Yes. But then you always were one to speak the truth.

Now she really wanted to hug him. I’m so glad that you that you view my outspokenness as a positive thing.

After a silence that started to be uncomfortable, Lukas asked, So what did you want to talk about, Joanna?

"Sort of the same thing I suppose. You know that father brought Eliezer over to see if he would consider marrying me.’

Yes, I gathered that from the tales I heard.

Well, now he’s threatening to go to nearby towns to find a husband who hasn’t heard about my behavior. I’m afraid I won’t be able to discourage the next man so easily.

I wish I could help, but there’s nothing I can do. . . . Is there?

Yes . . . you could ask father for my hand in marriage.

Lukas’ mouth fell open, and stayed that way for several seconds before he spoke. You would consider marrying me?

I should be the one asking that question. You know that I am sure to be an unruly wife, one who won’t give up until she gets her way.

Lukas took a deep breath. Others may see your personality as unbecoming a young woman. . . . I see it as delightful, refreshing, full of life. He took another breath before he continued. Joanna, I’m in love with you. And the way you are growing as a Christian is amazing. You’re just what I want in a wife.

Whoopie! Joanna exclaimed. That’s fantastic! I know you’re the one.

How do you know?

God told me

The next morning, as Joanna was doing her morning chores, her apprehension grew. She planned to talk to her mother about Lukas but as the time for that drew near her resolve faltered. How will she react? Will she talk to father about it – soften him up? Or will she give me a lecture about how it is not a girl’s place to seek a husband and that