By the request of Yochanan and Miriam, and with the agreement of Martha, Yeshua and Miriam marry Martha, who becomes Yeshua’s second wife and Miriam’s as well in keeping with the teachings of Celestine Light, but they do so with the understanding that the marriage will never be consummated between Martha and Yeshua because she is the eternal mate of Yochanan. The marriage is primarily for the companionship of Miriam and Martha, as well as for the comfort and protection of Martha and her children in the days to come.

1 And it came to pass that Yeshua and Miriam lingered in Bethany, and Yeshua was weighed heavy by the thought of his promise to Yochanan, concerning his wife Martha, for he understood that to marry her, as was Yochanan’s wish, would cause contentions with many people, not only the priests, but even among his friends and followers, for a marriage to two sisters at the same time was not permitted among the Children of Israel.
2 One day as he was sitting atop a small hill meditating upon this vexing situation, Miriam came to him, asking, “Husband, you have been often alone since Yochanan’s funeral. As your witness in all things, I wish that you would share with me what it is that you have been in such deep thought about.”
3 Yeshua touched her face as he loved to do and, looking into her eyes, said, “I have been thinking much about you my love and the days that are coming and much about the family of Yochanan.”
4 Miriam smiled mischievously, saying, “I have been thinking also of the family of Yochanan, and I have come to speak to you about it.”
5 Yeshua raised his eyebrows in interest, and Miriam continued, “When we returned from Egypt, we spoke about the day when I might want to have another wife in our family.
6 At the time, the thought seemed repugnant to me. But in the days since Yochanan’s death, I have thought much of my sister Martha and her children and also of the knowledge that you will be gone from this Earth in the days to come and that I will be left alone with our children.
7 It seems most reasonable that I should ask you now to marry Martha, that she can be a wife with me, for we have loved each other since we were children, and when you have left the Earth, no greater helpmate could I have than my sister.
8 Though she could remain in Bethany with my parents, I feel she would benefit immensely more if she could be with me during these times of trial and I with her; as will all of our children; that we would all benefit from being a family together at the Community of Light.”
9 Yeshua gave a big smile of appreciation at the wonder of his wife, and he said unto her, “You are a light beyond the angels of Heaven. It is upon this very thing that I have been pondering, for I gave a promise to Yochanan that I would take Martha as a wife and care for her and their children, but I have been vexed, for to fulfill all righteousness it is only by your desire and initiative that such a thing could be.”
10 Miriam leaned toward him and kissed him on the lips, saying, “It is by my desire and initiative, dear husband, and you show how great your love for me is by marrying my sister.”
11 Yeshua spoke again to her plainly, saying, “As you desire so shall it be, if it is also the desire of Martha.”
12 “It is,” replied Miriam, “We have already spoken about it.”
13 “You must know that I told Yochanan that I could not consummate a marriage to Martha,” Yeshua cautioned, expecting Miriam’s agreement.
14 But instead Miriam frowned, saying, “I understand the proprieties of the law and that this marriage will cause great opposition among some. But what do I care about the evil thoughts of wicked men or the weight of law without the light of Elohim or compassion or love?
15 I know that you made such a promise from your honor and purity, thinking you would be honoring both me and Yochanan by giving such word.
16 And perhaps that is how it will be. But do not on my account close the door to a fullness of relationship, for I will ever be with you, and because you will honor and respect your wives, nothing would occur without the consent and desire of all.
17 Perhaps in your intention to honor and not offend, you would end up causing great offense, for Martha might lose her esteem, thinking you did not desire her in fullness.
18 Even though she would understand the wisdom and reason of our marriage for greater comfort and bond of family, she is also young and may not wish to no longer know the righteous pleasures of the flesh and hence become an elderly woman before her time.
19 I do not ask you to say yea or nay today, but speak to Yochanan about it in the heavens beyond and know that it is my wish that you remain open to fulfilling your full obligations of a husband, as both my sister and I may desire.”
20 Yeshua never took his eyes from the eyes of Miriam and said unto her, “Never has a man had a wife such as I have in you. For your words, I am grateful, but you must understand that Martha is Yochanan’s wife for all eternity, not just for this life as men suppose.
21 I can marry her for convenience and security and for the happiness of both of you. But I can never have more than chaste brotherly love and affection for her.
22 Because her marriage in eternity is still in force, to be with her in any other way would be adultery.”
23 Then Miriam bowed her head in sorrow, saying, “Forgive me, my Lord. I knew this was true, but in my desire for my sister’s happiness, I forgot this most important of laws that is not of man, but from Elohim. I am ashamed for what I have said.”
24 Yeshua touched her face again, saying, “Be not ashamed of love, nor of your righteous desire for the happiness of those that you love.
25 Know that though I will never touch your sister in intimate ways, nor will any other man, she will not be unfulfilled or an old woman before her time.”
26 Miriam nodded slowly, understanding the meaning of his words, and she was happy.
27 Upon returning, they went immediately and spoke with Martha. Miriam explained all that she and Yeshua had spoken of and agreed upon, and Martha fell to her knees before Yeshua, saying, “My Lord, it is my honor to become your wife. In your face and your words, I see my Yochanan, and I know this does not displease you. Living with you and my sister in holy marriage will seem almost as if Yochanan still walks beside me.”
28 Yeshua lifted her to her feet, holding her two hands, and said unto her, “Though you have yet many years upon the Earth, never forget that Yochanan looks upon you every moment and that you shall be with him again for time and all eternity.
29 For the years I have left upon the Earth, it is my honor to embrace you into my family and deliver you to the comfort of your sister, who loves you with a pure love.”
30 Then Yeshua and Miriam and Martha went to tell the sisters’ parents and family of their intention to be married, and as they had feared, except for Lazarus, great was the discord at their announcement.
31 The father of the sisters came to Yeshua, saying, “How can I condone this? You know it is not permitted by the law to marry two sisters.”
32 Yeshua answered him, saying, “In the beginning, it was not so. I care not for the laws of men, though they pretend to be of God. Nor would I do anything that was not pleasing to my Father and Mother in Heaven.”
33 But the father of Miriam and Martha was not consoled by the words of Yeshua, and he left immediately in distress to go and speak with the Levites.
34 Shortly thereafter, he returned and two Levites came with him, and they were very agitated because of what he had told them.
35 Approaching Yeshua, one said unto him, “We have been told that you think to marry a second daughter of Abara of Bethany. Such a thing is strictly forbidden in the law. Besides the shame it would bring upon this esteemed house, the consequences could be very grave for you.”
36 Yeshua answered unto them, “If man’s laws are in opposition to God’s laws, to obey one is to disobey the other and to find favor of one but wrath of the other. Whom do you think I choose to obey and find favor with, man or my Father in Heaven?”
37 The Levites eyes widened in disbelief at Yeshua’s words, and the other Levite said unto him, “It has been said by the people that you are a learned rabbi. Therefore, how can you be so ignorant of the law?”
38 Yeshua answered unto them, “You charge like lions for the kill, understanding not the nature of your prey. Verily, it would be easier for a lion to eat a millstone than for you to move me today.
39 The law you call upon condemns not the marriage of a man and two sisters, but that a man should not cleave unto two sisters.
40 I declare to you and all the world that I shall not cleave unto Martha of Bethany, but shall always hold her apart as the wife of my brother who has died in the flesh.
41 But it is not because of your law that I make this declaration, but because of the love of my brother and his wife.
42 Verily, I declare unto you: Your law is not a law of God, but a mockery of God issued by the vanity of men.
43 “Did not the tribes of Israel spring from the loins of Jacob? And did Jacob not marry the sisters Leah and Rachael, the daughters of Laban, and even cleave unto them both and this in righteousness, and from this sprang many of the tribes of Israel, including the Levites, from whence come you?
44 Do you think Elohim is a changing God? That the laws of Heaven given to men would change with a new generation; that good would become evil and evil good?
45 I declare unto you: No! Elohim is the same, yesterday, today, and forever! God does not give the commandments of Sinai to one generation, saying to not covet or steal and then to a later generation, saying that it is now good to covet and steal.
46 Neither does Elohim rejoice in the marriage of two sisters to Jacob, blessing them with the fruitfulness from whence sprang most of the Hebrews who walk the land of Palestine today and then make a new and opposite law, saying it is forbidden to marry two sisters.
47 Only men could think up such contradictory doctrines, for Elohim is like a rod of iron, constant and firm, unmoving and unyielding in the foundations of light. In no other way could man depend upon God.
48 Verily. I declare unto you: You insult and mock Elohim with your petty laws. Therefore, get away from my sight and do not return until you bear the fruits of repentance!”
49 The Levites hurried away from his mighty countenance and the force of his words, and all the family and their friends that had been watching were once again in awe of Yeshua.
50 Abara came to him contritely and said, “You have opened up my eyes, and my ears have heard different things than I had thought. Forgive me for my weakness. I would be honored to give Martha to you in marriage.”
51 And it came to pass that Yeshua and Miriam and Martha were married one to another after the manner that Yeshua taught, and Abara threw a great feast that lasted for three days.
52 Though there were some in Bethany who still spoke ill of the marriage, and harsh words of it were carried to the priests of Jerusalem, among Yeshua and Miriam and Martha and their children and kinsfolk, there was a deep sense of unity and happiness.