Source: “The Woman With The Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen And The Holy Grail”, By Margaret Starbird, 1993.
This "prologue," podcast titled "Miriam of the Garden," presents a fictional narrative rooted in first-century Judean culture and Gospel accounts, aiming to construct a plausible backstory for a larger non-fiction work. The story follows Miriam (Mary), now married to Yeshua (Jesus) and pregnant, as she and Yosef (Joseph of Arimathea) are forced to flee Jerusalem for Alexandria, Egypt, due to political unrest and threats from Roman and Herodian authorities. The text emphasizes Miriam's sorrow and confusion over Yeshua's crucifixion and the dashed hopes of a kingly Messiah, juxtaposed with the unexpected birth of her daughter, Sarah, instead of a son. This pivotal event challenges traditional interpretations of prophecy for Yosef and Yeshua's friends, but Miriam finds solace in her daughter, embracing the idea that God's plan may diverge from human expectations, leading them eventually to sail to a new, verdant land.
Topic 1: The Fictional Setting and Core Characters The narrative is presented as a fictional short story, serving as a plausible prologue for a non-fiction book. It is deeply rooted in the Gospel narratives and the cultural environment of first-century Judea, aiming to create a reasonably accurate picture of events. To reflect its origins, the story uses Hebrew names for key figures: Yeshua for Jesus, Miriam for Mary, and Yosef for Joseph. The story opens with Miriam in a garden, visibly distressed and shivering from the cool evening air, lulled by the garden's fragrances but with taut nerves. Her vulnerability is noted by Yosef, who approaches her to deliver an urgent message.
Topic 2: The Urgent Escape and Protective Role Miriam is in immediate danger, and Yosef informs her that they must leave Jerusalem that very night. He has received a warning and believes it is unsafe for her to remain, as authorities like Pilate and Herod Antipas might be searching for her. Yosef has made a solemn promise to Yeshua to protect Miriam with his life, leaving them no choice but to flee. Their escape plan involves traveling by land across the desert to Egypt, specifically Alexandria, rather than by sea, which would be more dangerous due to expected surveillance at ports. To maintain secrecy, they will travel disguised as father and daughter, and Martha and Lazarus will remain in Bethany, telling others Miriam is ill. Yosef has packed only necessities, relying on friends at their destination for further support.
Topic 3: Miriam's Identity and Dynastic Marriage Miriam is identified with significant titles, including "The Magdal-eder, daughter of Sion," and "the tower of the flock." Her marriage to Yeshua is portrayed as having profound dynastic and political importance. It united the families of "David, son of Jesse, and Jonathan, son of Saul," a friendship cherished for centuries in Jewish homes. Miriam, an heiress of lands bordering Jerusalem, was to be the bride of Yeshua of Nazareth, who was of the lineage of King David. Lazarus and his Zealot friends believed this marriage was a fulfillment of prophecy, intended to restore David's throne, which they felt had been usurped by Herodian tetrarchs collaborating with the Romans. They saw Yeshua as a Davidic Messiah who would deliver the nation from Roman tyranny and usher in an era of peace and prosperity, especially given his genealogy and his miraculous powers. Miriam's tribe, Benjamin, was also significant, as prophecy suggested a woman from Benjamin's tribe would be instrumental in the reconciliation and healing of Israel. Despite the political reasons, Miriam was primarily moved by her love for Yeshua, feeling chosen and healed in his presence. Their wedding was kept quiet to avoid Herod Antipas's discovery of the union between a Benjamin heiress and a Davidic heir.
Topic 4: Yeshua's Teachings, Mission, and Fate Yeshua is depicted as a captivating figure whose inspiring presence drew multitudes and friends. He possessed the power to heal the sick and cast out demons, often feeling the power flow from him when someone touched his robe, understanding it was God's power working through him. He frequently traveled to remote corners of Galilee and Judea to minister to the "wounded and oppressed" people, believing God had not abandoned them. In the months leading up to his death, Yeshua discussed his impending fate with Miriam. He understood that the growing public acclaim for him as the Messiah, particularly the throngs waving palm fronds as a sign of Messianic promises, would inevitably lead to a confrontation with Roman authorities. He knew he must turn himself over to the Romans to prevent wider civil unrest and bloodshed among innocent people. He also explained to Miriam Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering servant, preparing her for the agony he would endure, which was ultimately realized in his brutal execution by the Romans.
Topic 5: Miriam's Grief and Post-Crucifixion Experiences Miriam endured immense suffering witnessing Yeshua's crucifixion. She stood near the cross, supported by other women, and was deeply scarred by the cruelty of the Roman execution, which Yosef likened to a "great open wound in her heart." The details of the crucifixion, such as the Roman soldiers casting lots for Yeshua's robe and the piercing of his side, seared her mind as they aligned with ancient psalms, deepening her understanding of his suffering as a fulfillment of prophecy. After the crucifixion, Miriam, adhering to tradition, went at first light on the morning after the Sabbath to the tomb in Yosef's garden to anoint Yeshua's body. However, she found the tomb empty and, in terror and confusion, fled. It was then that she encountered Yeshua himself, whom she initially mistook for the gardener. Overcome with joy, she threw herself into his arms, but he gently helped her up, telling her, "Do not cling to me," before fading away, leaving her bewildered in the empty garden. Her confusion and hurt over the empty tomb lingered for months.
Topic 6: The Arduous Journey into Exile The narrative vividly portrays the long and challenging journey of Miriam and Yosef. Their initial escape from Jerusalem involved traveling by donkey across the desert. Miriam experienced severe physical discomfort, including the taste and sting of sand, parched lips, and burning eyes, often seeking refuge in her cloak from the "hostile elements." Yosef, ever watchful and careful for her comfort, knew they had to press on quickly. After nearly a month, they reached Alexandria, a bustling cosmopolitan city, where they sought refuge in the Jewish sector among Yosef's friends, finally feeling safe from the authorities in Judea. Later, Yosef decided they needed to travel further into obscurity. This second leg of their journey involved sailing across the Mediterranean Sea. They endured a perilous storm, with waves tossing their boat, but they clung to one another, chanting ancient litanies. Yosef remained a vigilant guardian, protecting Miriam and her child from the harsh elements, displaying unwavering trust in God's guidance. Eventually, the storm subsided, and they sighted a promised shore, described as green and fertile, reminiscent of Noah's landing on Mount Ararat.
Topic 7: The Birth of a Daughter and Prophetic Reassessment Miriam's labor was long and difficult, marked by intense pain and fear. Throughout it, she recalled Yeshua's words from the cross, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" but also felt his strength seep into her, understanding his enduring presence. The midwife's announcement that the child was a daughter, not the expected son, came as a profound shock and disbelief to Miriam, dashing her expectations for the fulfillment of prophecies about a male heir to the Davidic throne. In her exhaustion and confusion, she lapsed into unconsciousness. Upon waking, she initially turned away from the baby, enveloped in disillusionment. However, through the midwife's urging and remembering Yeshua's desire for her to "go back, for our child," Miriam accepted her daughter. She named her Sarah, symbolizing belief even when hope seemed lost, and concluded that her daughter was "God's answer to our prayers," embodying God's plan despite not fitting conventional expectations of a male "Scepter" to lead armies.
Topic 8: Yosef's Evolving Role and New Plans for the Future Yosef was equally taken by surprise by the birth of a daughter, as his belief in the literal fulfillment of prophecies had not allowed for such an outcome. He realized that Yeshua's friends, who expected a male heir to lead battles against Rome, would not accept Miriam and her daughter, making it unsafe to reveal their whereabouts. His commitment to protecting them, however, remained steadfast. He decided that the best course of action was to move them to a new, obscure location far from their previous circles. He envisioned taking them to Gaul, a land across the Mediterranean described as perpetually green, abundant with trees and flowers, where the "vine of Judah" could flourish safely from oppression. This new plan reflected his adaptive guardianship, shifting from a focus on political restoration in Jerusalem to ensuring the survival and continuity of Yeshua's lineage in a hidden, peaceful environment. He saw this as God leading them to a new "garden" to plant the vine.
Topic 9: The Sangraal and the Preservation of Lineage Yosef's role evolves into that of a "custodian of the Sangraal, the Holy Grail," a symbolic title signifying his profound responsibility for protecting the lineage of Yeshua and Miriam. The "Sangraal" here represents the sacred vessel of "Jesse's root and Judah's vine"—the descendants of Yeshua and Miriam, specifically their daughter Sarah. Yosef's purpose is to ensure this precious lineage is "planted now beside a nurturing stream," allowing it to flourish in safety. This concept underscores the belief that the "Scepter" from the branch of Jesse would be preserved through Sarah and her descendants. The intention is that one day, their descendants would return to Sion to reclaim their heritage, echoing the ancient Jewish narrative of return from captivity in Babylon, emphasizing a long-term vision of restoration despite the current exile.
Topic 10: Divine Will and Unconventional Fulfillment of Prophecy A central theme is the unexpected and unconventional fulfillment of prophecy through divine will, contrasting with human expectations. While many, including Yeshua's friends and initially Miriam and Yosef, anticipated a male "Son of David" who would be a warrior-king to overthrow Roman tyranny, God's choice was a daughter. This revelation forces a reinterpretation of prophecies like "a shoot from the rod of Jesse," suggesting that God's plan for restoration would not come "by an army, nor by might, but by my spirit." Miriam's eventual acceptance of Sarah as God's answer to their prayers signifies a profound shift from a political or military understanding of the Messiah to a spiritual one. The narrative concludes with the affirmation that though "sowed in tears," they would "reap rejoicing" through this daughter, implying that dominion would be restored not through conventional conquest but through a lineage preserved in exile, embodying peace and a deeper understanding of God's plan.