Published April 10, 2020

The Way of the Cross

The women who had accompanied Jesus in his travels heard the news gradually, piece by piece.

First the apostles trickled in and out over the course of the night and into the morning, having scattered in different directions and sought out different hiding places. Their reports were confused and incomplete.

Joanna brought a report from Herod's house, saying that Jesus had been sent there by Pilate and then sent back with no clear understanding of who was responsible for determining his fate.

It was John bar Zebedee who witnessed and brought them the report of Jesus' trial and sentence. The news was spreading rapidly through the city, but John thought it would better, kinder, for them to hear it from a friend.

Their reactions were as painful as he had expected: though not entirely shocked by this turn of events, they were horrified, despairing, and angered.

"Why didn't you stop them?" Mary Cleopas demanded.

"We tried—we had two swords, and Peter even tried to attack them—but Jesus told us not to fight." John paced across the room, trying to remember, struggling to comprehend, and failing to explain. "I don't understand why, but he seems … almost resigned. He seemed to be expecting it—almost—as if he wanted this to happen to him." John could not bring himself to tell them all that had happened—how Jesus dismissed Judas from the meal, and prayed for his friends, and tried to strengthen them in spite of his own sorrow.

"What can we do?" Mary of Magdala asked, looking for someone to take the lead in this situation that was so beyond their control.

John bowed his head. "Legally, there's nothing we can do to stop it. He doesn't want us to intervene."

Salome was comforting Mary of Nazareth, holding her hand and rubbing her back, but she stopped this rhythmic motion when Mary stood up.

"I must go to him," Mary of Nazareth said. It was the first time she had spoken since John broke the news that her son was going to die.

"What?" more than one person said.

Mary's voice was firm with resolve. "I was there for him in the beginning. I must be there at the end, if it is the end."

No one dared to argue with the mother of the Messiah.

"Then I'm going with you," John said, feeling his courage returning. If he could not rescue Jesus, at least he could protect the women who had traveled with him.

"So will I," Mary of Magdala said.

"And I," Salome said.

Mary Cleopas nodded and agreed, "If we can't save him, the least we can do is make sure he isn't alone."