# Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle/Chapter 43

CHAPTER XLIII.
THE Magdalene alone seemed inconsolable at the departure of the Christ. The links between her and the Nazarene had been the strongest that could be forged—those that bind a saved soul to its saviour. He had raised the drooping soul, He had sanctified her the Jews called unholy, He had placed her feet on a sure foundation; and He was associated with the great redeeming joy of her life, the possibility of beginning again—a chance the world rarely gives. She had few relatives, and those she had had cast her off as an unclean thing.
Too many events had supervened since the journey to Golgotha to permit Lazarus to give more than a passing thought to that betrayal of her innermost heart when she had feared that he was being dragged off to condemnation. But now the intimate life with the human Christ was over, and life must needs fall back into its old routine, but with an added hope, a great comfort, a great promise, that would sustain and sweeten it, and make its burden lighter. A great work lay before all who had believed in the Nazarene, had known Him to be the Christ—the work of testifying; and this none so well as Lazarus could perform. And this possibly, nay, almost certainly, would mean death—death in its most hideous and torturing form. On one point ​his mind was irrevocably fixed, all his possessions should be given to the poor; he would but keep a cottage for his sisters, if so be they would not join him; all else should go, all that he had so greatly treasured. Then what would remain for him to offer to the Magdalene? A great personal love and a share in his Christ-work. That would be all. No thought of self must ever enter either heart; her only temporal reward would be her re-instatement in the eyes of the world.
Her words appealed to every sentiment of chivalry and romance in him, when, at nightfall, she bade farewell to them. "Ye have been very good to me, Martha and Mary," she began, while her tears fell fast. "Ye have suffered me to be with you much, and have loved me for the dear Lord's sake; but I am but a poor sinner and I must come no more. Henceforth I will go about my Saviour's business. I will seek other sinning women and tell them of the Christ, and I will minister to the mother of the Master."
Then, with loving tenderness Lazarus took her hand. "Magdalene," he said, "thou wast beloved of the Lord and favoured by Him above all other women; I too will work with thee, if thou wilt let me. I will sell all I have, and will follow Him with thee. Together we will journey hither and thither, without scrip or purse, and, like our dear Master, we will have nowhere to lay our heads. Everywhere we will testify of Him, but together in the Lord. Wilt have me, Mary, for thy husband?" And in her eyes he saw her answer and the radiant gratitude of her re-awakened soul, that shone like beacons in her lovely eyes.
​"Surely I am blessed above all women!" murmured the Magdalene. But, while they spoke, a horse's hoofs resounded on the distant road, echoing freely on the stilly night.
"A messenger from Pontius Pilate," said the servant; and instinctively the Magdalene drew nearer to Lazarus.
"Whom seek ye?" he inquired.
"Lazarus, the ruler," replied the man, making obeisance. Then, drawing his arm through the bridle of his horse, he whispered, looking round: "I would speak with thee privately, for the Governor hath not dared to put this thing on paper. He would warn thee that, ere coming morn, thou do depart; for the chief priests and the Pharisees have heard how that the Christ hath been seen in nine places since His death; and Pilate doth fear greatly that if they find thee they will kill thee."
"Greet the most noble Pilate, and thank him for that he hath warned me; tell him that we will try to depart, if so be that, after prayer, we are minded that our Master Jesus doth so command. But if so be that death should overtake us, tell him that we fear it not, and that we are ever grateful for his remembrance, and will pray for him."
Then, while the soldier was departing, Lazarus turned to the Magdalene.
"Art thou still so minded," said he, "that thou wouldst have me for thy husband? The persecution hath already begun, and henceforth there will be no rest or peace for them who serve the Lord. Art not afraid?"
With a proud, loving gesture, the Magdalene ​answered: "With thee I fear naught, Lazarus; for the Spirit of God will be with us always, even to the end of the world."
Then, as the hour was late, she hurried down the hill towards Jerusalem, her heart overflowing with the joy that filled it.
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