Jerusalem, 42 AD
“Nine years after the departure of Jesus from Israel, things began to unravel for the church of Jerusalem,” spoke the Mother of all things.
She continued, “The church had been slowly building from 33 to 42 AD. Gathering a few followers here and there. They had been considered another Jewish sect, such as the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Essenes. This new church was considered the Nazarenes, named after Jesus hometown. In turn, the Nazarenes called it, ‘the way.’
“Yet the Jews weren’t convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, and the Nazarenes attracted few converts from their Jewish brothers and sisters. But the apostles of Jerusalem trudged along preaching the message of Jesus. Telling of his wonderful miracles of healing the sick, helping the poor, raising the dead, and casting out demons.
“Until one day in 42 AD.”
“Peter and James, the son of Zebedee, had been preaching in the streets, the message of Jesus. Many Jews were on hand to hear their message of salvation and redemption. So much so that this caught the attention of the high priests of Israel. Therefore they sent many agitators into the crowd. Agent provocateurs, to stir up trouble for the apostles. A riot ensued, James was killed, and Peter thrown into prison by King Herod. Charged with insurrection, and inciting a riot.”
“Soon after this happened, a messenger went out to the estate of Joseph. Telling him of the events of the day.”
The viewer followed along with the Mother’s story. Showing a man relaying a message to Joseph, who in turn sent that same man to Bethany. To inform the church there.
The Mother was watching the events unfold onscreen. The viewer belonging to the Father, was following instructions from his mind. It was like watching a well-produced movie from Hollywood.
The Mother continued onward, “Joseph had some decision making to do. Things were getting more and more dangerous to be near Jerusalem, and he wasn’t about to take any chances with his sister in law, Mary Magdalene, and her three children. They were too important.”
“Therefore Joseph traveled to Bethany, to have a talk with Mary, and her family.”
The viewer displayed the following scene.
“We’ve got to get you and your family out of Israel. As we grow in popularity, we become more of a threat to both the high priests, and the Romans,” said Joseph.
“But we aren’t that popular,” said Mary Magdalene. Which was true. Bethany was a small church, not as large as the faithful of Jerusalem. Yet the danger was growing.
“Not yet, but we are growing. And the day will come when the Jews and the Romans will both try to snuff us out. I can’t take the chance of my brother’s family being in that kind of grave danger,” said Joseph.
“But where will we go?” asked Mary Magdalene.
“Caesarea,” said Joseph.
“Caesarea? Well that is still in Israel,” said Mary Magdalene.
“Yes, but Caesarea is where we can launch from,” said Joseph.
“To where?” asked Jesus’ mother Mary.
“To southern Gaul,” said Joseph.
“Why there?” asked Mary Magdalene.
“There is already a well-represented Jewish community there. We can blend in very easily in that part of the world,” said Joseph.
Mary Magdalen and mother Mary were ready to interrupt Joseph. Before they could, he held up a finger into the air and explained himself, “Listen to my plan for a moment before you make judgment upon it.”
“In Caesarea lies Philip and Bartholomew. They have a nice church group there. They also teach the same brand of the way that we do. They are nothing like this church in Jerusalem, which is already turning legalistic with its do’s and don’ts.”
Despite Joseph’s warning, Mary Magdalen interrupted, “But no one has heard from either of these apostles since they left Jerusalem.”
Joseph answered with, “I’ve been keeping in touch with Philip for nine years.”
The answer surprised Mary Magdalene, “You have?” she asked Joseph.
“Yes of course. Philip is a good friend of mine. And the Father told me to keep in touch with him. Now may I continue on?” asked Joseph.
“You may,” said Mary Magdalene.
Joseph continued, “As I was saying, Philip has a nice church in Caesarea. It teaches the true way of Jesus. It also allows women as well as men to teach the gospel of the Kingdom. Unlike any other church in Israel, with the exception of our own. They don’t discriminate between the sexes, like Peter and his church does here.”
“And Caesarea is a good place to launch our boat to Gaul. We can slip out of here without anyone noticing our departure. We will take only those who are closest to us. Also in the Caesarean church is Cornelius. He’s a Roman centurion who can help us slip out of Israel. ”
“Are you sure this is the way?” asked mother Mary.
“I’m confident,” answered Joseph.
“Let us sleep on it first. Then we can give you an answer tomorrow,” said Mary Magdalene.
“Don’t wait too long. It’s getting very risky to remain here,” said Joseph.
The viewer then went dark for a moment, and the Mother of all things continued on with the story of the Holy Grail, “And that is how it happened. A boatload of Jewish refugees left Caesarea for Gaul in 42 AD. Taking the Holy Grail with them.”
“On board were the following. The Apostles Philip and Bartholomew, who had left Cornelius in charge of their church in their absence. Along with them were Lazarus, Maximinus, Sidonius, and Joseph. Mary Magdalene, her sister Martha, Mary, the mother of Jesus, her daughters, Mary and Sarah, and Joana, a friend of Mary Magdalene. Also included were Joseph age 12, and the twins Judah and Sarah aged 10, children of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Twelve servants of Joseph of Arimathea were also aboard, making the total number of passengers at 27. These disciples of Jesus would be the first to introduce Christianity to Gaul and Britannia. These are those who would change the world, keep the bloodline preserved, and become Rome’s largest threat for centuries to come.”