Kapitel 127		Paper 127
Ungdomsårene		The Adolescent Years
127:0.1 (1395.1) DA JESUS gik ind i sine ungdomsår, var han overhoved og eneste forsørger for en stor familie. Inden for få år efter hans fars død var al deres ejendom væk. Som tiden gik, blev han mere og mere bevidst om sin præeksistens; samtidig begyndte han mere og mere at indse, at han var til stede på jorden og i kødet med det udtrykkelige formål at åbenbare sin paradisiske Fader for menneskenes børn.		127:0.1 (1395.1) AS JESUS entered upon his adolescent years, he found himself the head and sole support of a large family. Within a few years after his father’s death all their property was gone. As time passed, he became increasingly conscious of his pre-existence; at the same time he began more fully to realize that he was present on earth and in the flesh for the express purpose of revealing his Paradise Father to the children of men.
127:0.2 (1395.2) Ingen teenager, der har levet eller nogensinde kommer til at leve på denne verden eller nogen anden verden, har haft eller vil nogensinde få mere tungtvejende problemer at løse eller mere indviklede vanskeligheder at udrede. Ingen ung på Urantia vil nogensinde blive bedt om at gå igennem mere udfordrende konflikter eller mere vanskelige situationer, end Jesus selv udholdt i de anstrengende år fra femten til tyve.		127:0.2 (1395.2) No adolescent youth who has lived or ever will live on this world or any other world has had or ever will have more weighty problems to resolve or more intricate difficulties to untangle. No youth of Urantia will ever be called upon to pass through more testing conflicts or more trying situations than Jesus himself endured during those strenuous years from fifteen to twenty.
127:0.3 (1395.3) Efter således at have smagt den faktiske oplevelse af at leve disse ungdomsår i en verden, der er plaget af ondskab og fortvivlet over synd, blev Menneskesønnen i besiddelse af fuld viden om ungdommens livserfaring i alle Nebadons riger, og således blev han for evigt det forstående tilflugtssted for de fortvivlede og rådvilde unge i alle aldre og i alle verdener i hele lokaluniverset.		127:0.3 (1395.3) Having thus tasted the actual experience of living these adolescent years on a world beset by evil and distraught by sin, the Son of Man became possessed of full knowledge about the life experience of the youth of all the realms of Nebadon, and thus forever he became the understanding refuge for the distressed and perplexed adolescents of all ages and on all worlds throughout the local universe.
127:0.4 (1395.4) Langsomt, men sikkert, og ved faktiske erfaringer, er denne guddommelige Søn ved at optjener retten til at være hersker over sit univers, den ubestridte og højeste hersker over alle skabte intelligenser i alle lokaluniversets verdener, det forstående tilflugtssted for væsener i alle tidsaldre og af alle grader af personlig begavelse og erfaring.		127:0.4 (1395.4) Slowly, but certainly and by actual experience, this divine Son is earning the right to become sovereign of his universe, the unquestioned and supreme ruler of all created intelligences on all local universe worlds, the understanding refuge of the beings of all ages and of all degrees of personal endowment and experience.
1. Det sekstende år (10 e.kr.) ^top		1. The Sixteenth Year (A.D. 10) ^top
127:1.1 (1395.5) Den inkarnerede Søn gik gennem spædbarnsalderen og oplevede en begivenhedsløs barndom. Så kom han ud af den prøvende overgangsfase mellem barndom og ung manddom—han blev den unge Jesus.		127:1.1 (1395.5) The incarnated Son passed through infancy and experienced an uneventful childhood. Then he emerged from that testing and trying transition stage between childhood and young manhood—he became the adolescent Jesus.
127:1.2 (1395.6) Dette år opnåede han sin fulde fysiske vækst. Han var en viril og smuk ung mand. Han blev mere og mere nøgtern og alvorlig, men han var venlig og sympatisk. Hans blik var venligt, men søgende; hans smil var altid indtagende og beroligende. Hans stemme var musikalsk, men autoritativ; hans hilsen hjertelig, men upåvirket. Selv i de mest banale kontakter syntes der altid at være en berøring af en dobbelt natur, den menneskelige og den guddommelige. Altid udviste han denne kombination af den sympatiserende ven og den autoritative lærer. Og disse personlighedstræk begyndte tidligt at blive tydelige, selv i disse ungdomsår.		127:1.2 (1395.6) This year he attained his full physical growth. He was a virile and comely youth. He became increasingly sober and serious, but he was kind and sympathetic. His eye was kind but searching; his smile was always engaging and reassuring. His voice was musical but authoritative; his greeting cordial but unaffected. Always, even in the most commonplace of contacts, there seemed to be in evidence the touch of a twofold nature, the human and the divine. Ever he displayed this combination of the sympathizing friend and the authoritative teacher. And these personality traits began early to become manifest, even in these adolescent years.
127:1.3 (1395.7) Denne fysisk stærke og robuste unge erhvervede også den fulde vækst af sit menneskelige intellekt, ikke den fulde erfaring med menneskelig tænkning, men den fulde kapacitet til en sådan intellektuel udvikling. Han havde en sund og velproportioneret krop, et skarpt og analytisk sind, et venligt og sympatisk sindelag, et noget svingende, men aggressivt temperament, som alt sammen var ved at blive organiseret til en stærk, slående og attraktiv personlighed.		127:1.3 (1395.7) This physically strong and robust youth also acquired the full growth of his human intellect, not the full experience of human thinking but the fullness of capacity for such intellectual development. He possessed a healthy and well-proportioned body, a keen and analytical mind, a kind and sympathetic disposition, a somewhat fluctuating but aggressive temperament, all of which were becoming organized into a strong, striking, and attractive personality.
127:1.4 (1396.1) Som tiden gik, blev det sværere for hans mor og hans søskende at forstå ham; de snublede over hans ord og fejlfortolkede hans handlinger. De var alle uegnede til at forstå deres ældste brors liv, fordi deres mor havde ladet dem forstå, at han var bestemt til at blive det jødiske folks befrier. Efter at de havde modtaget sådanne antydninger fra Maria som familiehemmeligheder, kan man forestille sig deres forvirring, da Jesus åbenlyst benægtede alle sådanne ideer og hensigter.		127:1.4 (1396.1) As time went on, it became more difficult for his mother and his brothers and sisters to understand him; they stumbled over his sayings and misinterpreted his doings. They were all unfitted to comprehend their eldest brother’s life because their mother had given them to understand that he was destined to become the deliverer of the Jewish people. After they had received from Mary such intimations as family secrets, imagine their confusion when Jesus would make frank denials of all such ideas and intentions.
127:1.5 (1396.2) Dette år begyndte Simon i skole, og de blev nødt til at sælge endnu et hus. James tog sig nu af undervisningen af sine tre søstre, hvoraf to var gamle nok til at begynde at studere for alvor. Så snart Ruth voksede op, blev hun taget i hånden af Miriam og Marta. Normalt fik pigerne i jødiske familier kun lidt undervisning, men Jesus fastholdt (og hans mor var enig), at piger skulle gå i skole på samme måde som drenge, og da synagogeskolen ikke ville modtage dem, var der ikke andet at gøre end at lave en hjemmeskole specielt for dem.		127:1.5 (1396.2) This year Simon started to school, and they were compelled to sell another house. James now took charge of the teaching of his three sisters, two of whom were old enough to begin serious study. As soon as Ruth grew up, she was taken in hand by Miriam and Martha. Ordinarily the girls of Jewish families received little education, but Jesus maintained (and his mother agreed) that girls should go to school the same as boys, and since the synagogue school would not receive them, there was nothing to do but conduct a home school especially for them.
127:1.6 (1396.3) I hele dette år var Jesus tæt knyttet til arbejdsbænken. Heldigvis havde han masser af arbejde; hans arbejde var af så høj kvalitet, at han aldrig var ledig, uanset hvor lidt arbejde der var i den region. Til tider havde han så meget at lave, at Jakob måtte hjælpe ham.		127:1.6 (1396.3) Throughout this year Jesus was closely confined to the workbench. Fortunately he had plenty of work; his was of such a superior grade that he was never idle no matter how slack work might be in that region. At times he had so much to do that James would help him.
127:1.7 (1396.4) Ved slutningen af dette år havde han næsten besluttet sig for, at han, efter at have opdraget sin familie og set dem blive gift, offentligt ville påbegynde sit arbejde som sandhedens lærer og som en åbenbarer af den himmelske Fader for verden. Han vidste, at han ikke skulle blive den forventede jødiske Messias, og han konkluderede, at det var næsten nytteløst at diskutere disse spørgsmål med sin mor; han besluttede at lade hende få de ideer, hun måtte ønske, da alt, hvad han tidligere havde sagt, havde gjort ringe eller intet indtryk på hende, og han huskede, at hans far aldrig havde været i stand til at sige noget, der kunne få hende til at ændre mening. Fra dette år talte han mindre og mindre med sin mor, eller nogen anden, om disse problemer. Hans mission var så speciel, at ingen, der levede på jorden, kunne give ham råd om dens udførelse.		127:1.7 (1396.4) By the end of this year he had just about made up his mind that he would, after rearing his family and seeing them married, enter publicly upon his work as a teacher of truth and as a revealer of the heavenly Father to the world. He knew he was not to become the expected Jewish Messiah, and he concluded that it was next to useless to discuss these matters with his mother; he decided to allow her to entertain whatever ideas she might choose since all he had said in the past had made little or no impression upon her and he recalled that his father had never been able to say anything that would change her mind. From this year on he talked less and less with his mother, or anyone else, about these problems. His was such a peculiar mission that no one living on earth could give him advice concerning its prosecution.
127:1.8 (1396.5) Han var en ægte, men ungdommelig far for familien; han tilbragte alle mulige timer med de unge, og de elskede ham virkelig. Hans mor sørgede over at se ham arbejde så hårdt; hun sørgede over, at han dag efter dag knoklede ved tømrerbænken for at tjene til familiens underhold i stedet for, som de så kærligt havde planlagt, at være i Jerusalem og studere hos rabbinerne. Selvom der var meget ved hendes søn, som Mary ikke kunne forstå, så elskede hun ham, og hun satte stor pris på den villige måde, hvorpå han påtog sig ansvaret for hjemmet.		127:1.8 (1396.5) He was a real though youthful father to the family; he spent every possible hour with the youngsters, and they truly loved him. His mother grieved to see him work so hard; she sorrowed that he was day by day toiling at the carpenter’s bench earning a living for the family instead of being, as they had so fondly planned, at Jerusalem studying with the rabbis. While there was much about her son that Mary could not understand, she did love him, and she most thoroughly appreciated the willing manner in which he shouldered the responsibility of the home.
2. Det syttende år (11 e.kr.) ^top		2. The Seventeenth Year (A.D. 11) ^top
127:2.1 (1396.6) Omkring dette tidspunkt var der betydelig uro, især i Jerusalem og Judæa, til fordel for et oprør mod betalingen af skatter til Rom. Der var ved at opstå et stærkt nationalistisk parti, som i øjeblikket blev kaldt zeloterne. I modsætning til farisæerne var zeloterne ikke villige til at afvente Messias’ komme. De foreslog at sætte tingene på spidsen gennem et politisk oprør.		127:2.1 (1396.6) At about this time there was considerable agitation, especially at Jerusalem and in Judea, in favor of rebellion against the payment of taxes to Rome. There was coming into existence a strong nationalist party, presently to be called the Zealots. The Zealots, unlike the Pharisees, were not willing to await the coming of the Messiah. They proposed to bring things to a head through political revolt.
127:2.2 (1396.7) En gruppe arrangører fra Jerusalem ankom til Galilæa og gjorde gode fremskridt, indtil de nåede til Nazaret. Da de opsøgte Jesus, lyttede han opmærksomt til dem og stillede mange spørgsmål, men nægtede at tilslutte sig partiet. Han nægtede helt at afsløre sine grunde til ikke at melde sig, og hans afvisning havde den virkning, at mange af hans unge kammerater i Nazaret også undlod at tilslutte sig.		127:2.2 (1396.7) A group of organizers from Jerusalem arrived in Galilee and were making good headway until they reached Nazareth. When they came to see Jesus, he listened carefully to them and asked many questions but refused to join the party. He declined fully to disclose his reasons for not enlisting, and his refusal had the effect of keeping out many of his youthful fellows in Nazareth.
127:2.3 (1397.1) Maria gjorde sit bedste for at få ham til at lade sig hverve, men hun kunne ikke overtale ham. Hun gik så vidt som til at antyde, at hans afvisning af at tilslutte sig den nationalistiske sag på hendes opfordring var ulydighed, et brud på hans løfte fra deres hjemkomst fra Jerusalem om, at han ville underkaste sig sine forældre; men som svar på denne insinuation lagde han blot en venlig hånd på hendes skulder og så ind i hendes ansigt og sagde: “Min mor, hvordan kunne du?” Og Maria trak sin udtalelse tilbage.		127:2.3 (1397.1) Mary did her best to induce him to enlist, but she could not budge him. She went so far as to intimate that his refusal to espouse the nationalist cause at her behest was insubordination, a violation of his pledge made upon their return from Jerusalem that he would be subject to his parents; but in answer to this insinuation he only laid a kindly hand on her shoulder and, looking into her face, said: “My mother, how could you?” And Mary withdrew her statement.
127:2.4 (1397.2) En af Jesus’ onkler (Marias bror Simon) havde allerede sluttet sig til denne gruppe og blev senere officer i den galilæiske division. Og i flere år var der noget af en fremmedgørelse mellem Jesus og hans onkel.		127:2.4 (1397.2) One of Jesus’ uncles (Mary’s brother Simon) had already joined this group, subsequently becoming an officer in the Galilean division. And for several years there was something of an estrangement between Jesus and his uncle.
127:2.5 (1397.3) Men der begyndte at opstå problemer i Nazaret. Jesu holdning til disse spørgsmål havde skabt splittelse blandt de jødiske unge i byen. Omkring halvdelen havde sluttet sig til den nationalistiske organisation, og den anden halvdel begyndte at danne en modstående gruppe af mere moderate patrioter, som forventede, at Jesus ville påtage sig lederskabet. De blev forbløffede, da han afslog den ære, der blev tilbudt ham, og undskyldte sig med sit store familieansvar, hvilket de alle tillod. Men situationen blev endnu mere kompliceret, da en velhavende jøde, Isak, som var pengeudlåner til ikke-jøder, trådte frem og indvilligede i at støtte Jesu familie, hvis han ville lægge sit værktøj fra sig og påtage sig lederskabet af disse Nazaret-patrioter.		127:2.5 (1397.3) But trouble began to brew in Nazareth. Jesus’ attitude in these matters had resulted in creating a division among the Jewish youths of the city. About half had joined the nationalist organization, and the other half began the formation of an opposing group of more moderate patriots, expecting Jesus to assume the leadership. They were amazed when he refused the honor offered him, pleading as an excuse his heavy family responsibilities, which they all allowed. But the situation was still further complicated when, presently, a wealthy Jew, Isaac, a moneylender to the gentiles, came forward agreeing to support Jesus’ family if he would lay down his tools and assume leadership of these Nazareth patriots.
127:2.6 (1397.4) Jesus, som dengang var knap 17 år gammel, blev konfronteret med en af de mest delikate og vanskelige situationer i sit tidlige liv. Patriotiske spørgsmål, især når de kompliceres af skatteopkrævende udenlandske undertrykkere, er altid svære for åndelige ledere at forholde sig til, og det var dobbelt så svært i dette tilfælde, da den jødiske religion var involveret i al denne agitation mod Rom.		127:2.6 (1397.4) Jesus, then scarcely seventeen years of age, was confronted with one of the most delicate and difficult situations of his early life. Patriotic issues, especially when complicated by tax-gathering foreign oppressors, are always difficult for spiritual leaders to relate themselves to, and it was doubly so in this case since the Jewish religion was involved in all this agitation against Rome.
127:2.7 (1397.5) Jesu situation blev vanskeliggjort af, at hans mor og onkel, og endda hans yngre bror Jakob, alle opfordrede ham til at tilslutte sig den nationalistiske sag. Alle de bedre jøder i Nazaret havde ladet sig hverve, og de unge mænd, der ikke havde sluttet sig til bevægelsen, ville alle lade sig hverve i det øjeblik, Jesus skiftede mening. Han havde kun én klog rådgiver i hele Nazaret, sin gamle lærer, chazanen, som rådgav ham om hans svar til Nazarets borgerkomité, da de kom for at bede om hans svar på den offentlige appel, der var blevet fremsat. I hele Jesus’ unge liv var det første gang, han bevidst havde benyttet sig af offentlig strategi. Hidtil havde han altid været afhængig af en ærlig sandhedserklæring for at afklare situationen, men nu kunne han ikke erklære den fulde sandhed. Han kunne ikke antyde, at han var mere end et menneske; han kunne ikke afsløre sin idé om den mission, der ventede på, at han opnåede en mere moden manddom. På trods af disse begrænsninger blev hans religiøse troskab og nationale loyalitet direkte udfordret. Hans familie var i oprør, hans ungdomsvenner i splittelse, og hele byens jødiske befolkning i oprør. Og tænk, at han var skyld i det hele! Og hvor uskyldig han havde været i alle intentioner om at lave ballade af nogen art, for slet ikke at tale om en forstyrrelse af denne slags.		127:2.7 (1397.5) Jesus’ position was made more difficult because his mother and uncle, and even his younger brother James, all urged him to join the nationalist cause. All the better Jews of Nazareth had enlisted, and those young men who had not joined the movement would all enlist the moment Jesus changed his mind. He had but one wise counselor in all Nazareth, his old teacher, the chazan, who counseled him about his reply to the citizens’ committee of Nazareth when they came to ask for his answer to the public appeal which had been made. In all Jesus’ young life this was the very first time he had consciously resorted to public strategy. Theretofore, always had he depended upon a frank statement of truth to clarify the situation, but now he could not declare the full truth. He could not intimate that he was more than a man; he could not disclose his idea of the mission which awaited his attainment of a riper manhood. Despite these limitations his religious fealty and national loyalty were directly challenged. His family was in a turmoil, his youthful friends in division, and the entire Jewish contingent of the town in a hubbub. And to think that he was to blame for it all! And how innocent he had been of all intention to make trouble of any kind, much less a disturbance of this sort.
127:2.8 (1397.6) Noget måtte gøres. Han måtte redegøre for sin holdning, og det gjorde han modigt og diplomatisk til manges tilfredshed, men ikke alles. Han holdt fast i sit oprindelige anbringende og hævdede, at hans første pligt var over for sin familie, at en enkemor og otte brødre og søstre havde brug for noget mere, end penge kunne købe—livets fysiske fornødenheder—at de havde ret til en fars omsorg og vejledning, og at han ikke med god samvittighed kunne frigøre sig fra den forpligtelse, som en grusom ulykke havde påtvunget ham. Han komplimenterede sin mor og ældste bror for at være villige til at frigive ham, men gentog, at loyaliteten over for en død far forbød ham at forlade familien, uanset hvor mange penge der blev givet til deres materielle støtte, og kom med sin aldrig glemte udtalelse om, at “penge ikke kan elske.” I løbet af denne tale kom Jesus med flere skjulte henvisninger til sin “livsmission” men forklarede, at uanset om den måtte være uforenelig med den militære idé eller ej, så var den, sammen med alt andet i hans liv, blevet opgivet, for at han kunne være i stand til trofast at opfylde sin forpligtelse over for sin familie. Alle i Nazaret vidste, at han var en god far for sin familie, og det var en sag, der lå enhver ædel jøde så meget på sinde, at Jesu bøn fandt et anerkendende svar hos mange af hans tilhørere; og nogle af dem, der ikke var indstillet på det, blev afvæbnet af en tale, som Jakob holdt på dette tidspunkt, selv om den ikke var på programmet. Samme dag havde chazan’en øvet James i hans tale, men det var deres hemmelighed.		127:2.8 (1397.6) Something had to be done. He must state his position, and this he did bravely and diplomatically to the satisfaction of many, but not all. He adhered to the terms of his original plea, maintaining that his first duty was to his family, that a widowed mother and eight brothers and sisters needed something more than mere money could buy—the physical necessities of life—that they were entitled to a father’s watchcare and guidance, and that he could not in clear conscience release himself from the obligation which a cruel accident had thrust upon him. He paid compliment to his mother and eldest brother for being willing to release him but reiterated that loyalty to a dead father forbade his leaving the family no matter how much money was forthcoming for their material support, making his never-to-be-forgotten statement that “money cannot love.” In the course of this address Jesus made several veiled references to his “life mission” but explained that, regardless of whether or not it might be inconsistent with the military idea, it, along with everything else in his life, had been given up in order that he might be able to discharge faithfully his obligation to his family. Everyone in Nazareth well knew he was a good father to his family, and this was a matter so near the heart of every noble Jew that Jesus’ plea found an appreciative response in the hearts of many of his hearers; and some of those who were not thus minded were disarmed by a speech made by James, which, while not on the program, was delivered at this time. That very day the chazan had rehearsed James in his speech, but that was their secret.
127:2.9 (1398.1) James sagde, at han var sikker på, at Jesus ville hjælpe med at befri hans folk, hvis han (James) bare var gammel nok til at påtage sig ansvaret for familien, og at hvis de bare ville gå med til at lade Jesus blive “hos os, for at være vores far og lærer, så vil I ikke bare have én leder fra Josefs familie, men i øjeblikket vil I have fem loyale nationalister, for er der ikke fem af os drenge, der skal vokse op og komme frem fra vores bror-fars vejledning for at tjene vores nation?” Og således bragte drengen en meget anspændt og truende situation til en ret lykkelig slutning.		127:2.9 (1398.1) James stated that he was sure Jesus would help to liberate his people if he (James) were only old enough to assume responsibility for the family, and that, if they would only consent to allow Jesus to remain “with us, to be our father and teacher, then you will have not just one leader from Joseph’s family, but presently you will have five loyal nationalists, for are there not five of us boys to grow up and come forth from our brother-father’s guidance to serve our nation?” And thus did the lad bring to a fairly happy ending a very tense and threatening situation.
127:2.10 (1398.2) Krisen var foreløbig overstået, men denne hændelse blev aldrig glemt i Nazaret. Agitationen fortsatte; Jesus var ikke igen i alles gunst; de delte meninger blev aldrig helt overvundet. Og dette, forstærket af andre og efterfølgende hændelser, var en af hovedårsagerne til, at han flyttede til Kapernaum i de senere år. Fra nu af var der delte meninger om Menneskesønnen i Nazaret.		127:2.10 (1398.2) The crisis for the time being was over, but never was this incident forgotten in Nazareth. The agitation persisted; not again was Jesus in universal favor; the division of sentiment was never fully overcome. And this, augmented by other and subsequent occurrences, was one of the chief reasons why he moved to Capernaum in later years. Henceforth Nazareth maintained a division of sentiment regarding the Son of Man.
127:2.11 (1398.3) James blev færdig med skolen i år og begyndte at arbejde på fuld tid hjemme i tømrerværkstedet. Han var blevet dygtig til at arbejde med værktøj og overtog nu fremstillingen af åg og plove, mens Jesus begyndte at gøre mere ud af huset og udføre ekspertarbejde med skabe.		127:2.11 (1398.3) James graduated at school this year and began full-time work at home in the carpenter shop. He had become a clever worker with tools and now took over the making of yokes and plows while Jesus began to do more house finishing and expert cabinet work.
127:2.12 (1398.4) I dette år gjorde Jesus store fremskridt i organiseringen af sit sind. Gradvist havde han bragt sin guddommelige og menneskelige natur sammen, og han gennemførte hele denne organisering af intellektet ved hjælp af sine egne beslutninger og kun ved hjælp af sin indre Ledsager, præcis sådan en Ledsager, som alle normale dødelige i alle verdener, hvor der er blevet overdraget en søn, har i deres sind. Hidtil var der ikke sket noget overnaturligt i denne unge mands karriere, bortset fra besøget af en budbringer, sendt af hans ældre bror Immanuel, som engang viste sig for ham om natten i Jerusalem.		127:2.12 (1398.4) This year Jesus made great progress in the organization of his mind. Gradually he had brought his divine and human natures together, and he accomplished all this organization of intellect by the force of his own decisions and with only the aid of his indwelling Monitor, just such a Monitor as all normal mortals on all postbestowal-Son worlds have within their minds. So far, nothing supernatural had happened in this young man’s career except the visit of a messenger, dispatched by his elder brother Immanuel, who once appeared to him during the night at Jerusalem.
3. Det attende år (12 e.kr.) ^top		3. The Eighteenth Year (A.D. 12) ^top
127:3.1 (1398.5) I løbet af dette år blev alle familiens ejendele, undtagen huset og haven, afhændet. Den sidste ejendom i Kapernaum (bortset fra en friværdi i en anden), som allerede var belånt, blev solgt. Provenuet blev brugt til skat, til at købe noget nyt værktøj til James og til at betale af på familiens gamle værksted nær karavanepladsen, som Jesus nu foreslog at købe tilbage, da James var gammel nok til at arbejde i værkstedet og hjælpe Maria i hjemmet. Da det økonomiske pres var lettet for en stund, besluttede Jesus at tage Jakob med til påsken. De tog op til Jerusalem en dag tidligere for at være alene, og de gik via Samaria. De gik, og Jesus fortalte Jakob om de historiske steder på vejen, som hans far havde lært ham på en lignende rejse fem år tidligere.		127:3.1 (1398.5) In the course of this year all the family property, except the home and garden, was disposed of. The last piece of Capernaum property (except an equity in one other), already mortgaged, was sold. The proceeds were used for taxes, to buy some new tools for James, and to make a payment on the old family supply and repair shop near the caravan lot, which Jesus now proposed to buy back since James was old enough to work at the house shop and help Mary about the home. With the financial pressure thus eased for the time being, Jesus decided to take James to the Passover. They went up to Jerusalem a day early, to be alone, going by way of Samaria. They walked, and Jesus told James about the historic places en route as his father had taught him on a similar journey five years before.
127:3.2 (1399.1) Da de passerede gennem Samaria, så de mange mærkelige ting. På denne rejse talte de om mange af deres problemer, personlige, familiemæssige og nationale. James var en meget religiøs dreng, og selvom han ikke var helt enig med sin mor i den smule, han vidste om planerne for Jesu livsværk, så så han frem til det tidspunkt, hvor han ville kunne overtage ansvaret for familien, så Jesus kunne begynde sin mission. Han var meget taknemmelig for, at Jesus tog ham med op til påsken, og de talte om fremtiden mere indgående end nogensinde før.		127:3.2 (1399.1) In passing through Samaria, they saw many strange sights. On this journey they talked over many of their problems, personal, family, and national. James was a very religious type of lad, and while he did not fully agree with his mother regarding the little he knew of the plans concerning Jesus’ lifework, he did look forward to the time when he would be able to assume responsibility for the family so that Jesus could begin his mission. He was very appreciative of Jesus’ taking him up to the Passover, and they talked over the future more fully than ever before.
127:3.3 (1399.2) Jesus tænkte meget, mens de rejste gennem Samaria, især ved Betel, og da han drak af Jakobs brønd. Han og hans bror diskuterede traditionerne fra Abraham, Isak og Jakob. Han gjorde meget for at forberede James på det, han skulle være vidne til i Jerusalem, og forsøgte på den måde at mindske det chok, som han selv havde oplevet ved sit første besøg i templet. Men James var ikke så følsom over for nogle af disse seværdigheder. Han kommenterede den overfladiske og hjerteløse måde, hvorpå nogle af præsterne udførte deres pligter, men i det store og hele nød han sit ophold i Jerusalem.		127:3.3 (1399.2) Jesus did much thinking as they journeyed through Samaria, particularly at Bethel and when drinking from Jacob’s well. He and his brother discussed the traditions of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He did much to prepare James for what he was about to witness at Jerusalem, thus seeking to lessen the shock such as he himself had experienced on his first visit to the temple. But James was not so sensitive to some of these sights. He commented on the perfunctory and heartless manner in which some of the priests performed their duties but on the whole greatly enjoyed his sojourn at Jerusalem.
127:3.4 (1399.3) Jesus tog James med til Betania til påskemåltidet. Simon var blevet stedt til hvile hos sine fædre, og Jesus præsiderede over denne husstand som overhoved for påskefamilien, idet han havde bragt påskelammet fra templet.		127:3.4 (1399.3) Jesus took James to Bethany for the Passover supper. Simon had been laid to rest with his fathers, and Jesus presided over this household as the head of the Passover family, having brought the paschal lamb from the temple.
127:3.5 (1399.4) Efter påskemåltidet satte Maria sig ned for at snakke med James, mens Marta, Lazarus, og Jesus talte sammen til langt ud på natten. Den næste dag deltog de i templets gudstjenester, og James blev optaget som medlem i det israelitiske samfund. Den morgen, da de stoppede på bakkekarmen af Oliebjerget for at se templet udtrykte James sin forundring, men Jesus så på Jerusalem i stilhed. James kunne ikke forstå sin brors adfærd. Samme aften vendte de tilbage til Bethany og ville være gået hjem den følgende dag, men James insisterede på, at de skulle gå tilbage for at besøge templet, og forklarede, at han ønskede at lytte til lærerne. Selv om dette var sandt, havde han i sit hjerte en hemmelig lyst til at høre Jesus deltage i drøftelserne, hvilket hans mor havde fortalt ham om. Derfor gik de til templet og hørte diskussionerne, men Jesus stillede ingen spørgsmål. Det hele virkede så barnligt og irrelevant for hans opvågnende menneske og gudssind—han havde kun medlidenhed med dem. James var skuffet over, at Jesus ikke sagde noget. Så da han spurgte om det, svarede Jesus kun: “Min tid er endnu ikke kommet.”		127:3.5 (1399.4) After the Passover supper Mary sat down to talk with James while Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus talked together far into the night. The next day they attended the temple services, and James was received into the commonwealth of Israel. That morning, as they paused on the brow of Olivet to view the temple, while James exclaimed in wonder, Jesus gazed on Jerusalem in silence. James could not comprehend his brother’s demeanor. That night they again returned to Bethany and would have departed for home the next day, but James was insistent on their going back to visit the temple, explaining that he wanted to hear the teachers. And while this was true, secretly in his heart he wanted to hear Jesus participate in the discussions, as he had heard his mother tell about. Accordingly, they went to the temple and heard the discussions, but Jesus asked no questions. It all seemed so puerile and insignificant to this awakening mind of man and God—he could only pity them. James was disappointed that Jesus said nothing. To his inquiries Jesus only made reply, “My hour has not yet come.”
127:3.6 (1399.5) Den næste dag rejste de hjem via Jeriko og Jordandalen, og Jesus fortalte om mange ting undervejs, blandt andet om sin tidligere rejse ad denne vej, da han var tretten år gammel.		127:3.6 (1399.5) The next day they journeyed home by Jericho and the Jordan valley, and Jesus recounted many things by the way, including his former trip over this road when he was thirteen years old.
127:3.7 (1399.6) Da Jesus vendte tilbage til Nazaret, begyndte han at arbejde i familiens gamle værksted og blev meget glad for at kunne møde så mange mennesker hver dag fra alle dele af landet og de omkringliggende distrikter. Jesus elskede virkelig mennesker—helt almindelige mennesker. Hver måned betalte han af på værkstedet, og med James’ hjælp fortsatte han med at forsørge familien.		127:3.7 (1399.6) Upon returning to Nazareth, Jesus began work in the old family repair shop and was greatly cheered by being able to meet so many people each day from all parts of the country and surrounding districts. Jesus truly loved people—just common folks. Each month he made his payments on the shop and, with James’s help, continued to provide for the family.
127:3.8 (1399.7) Flere gange om året, når der ikke var besøgende til stede, fortsatte Jesus med at læse sabbatsskrifterne i synagogen, og mange gange kom han med kommentarer til lektionen, men som regel valgte han passagerne på en sådan måde, at kommentarer var unødvendige. Han var dygtig til at arrangere rækkefølgen af læsningen af de forskellige passager, så den ene belyste den anden. Hvis vejret tillod det, undlod han aldrig at tage sine brødre og søstre med ud i naturen på sabbatseftermiddagene.		127:3.8 (1399.7) Several times a year, when visitors were not present thus to function, Jesus continued to read the Sabbath scriptures at the synagogue and many times offered comments on the lesson, but usually he so selected the passages that comment was unnecessary. He was skillful, so arranging the order of the reading of the various passages that the one would illuminate the other. He never failed, weather permitting, to take his brothers and sisters out on Sabbath afternoons for their nature strolls.
127:3.9 (1400.1) Omkring dette tidspunkt indviede chazanen en klub for unge mænd, hvor man diskuterede filosofi, og som mødtes hos forskellige medlemmer og ofte i hans eget hjem, og Jesus blev et fremtrædende medlem af denne gruppe. På den måde fik han mulighed for at genvinde noget af den lokale prestige, som han havde mistet i forbindelse med de seneste nationalistiske kontroverser.		127:3.9 (1400.1) About this time the chazan inaugurated a young men’s club for philosophic discussion which met at the homes of different members and often at his own home, and Jesus became a prominent member of this group. By this means he was enabled to regain some of the local prestige which he had lost at the time of the recent nationalistic controversies.
127:3.10 (1400.2) Selv om hans sociale liv var begrænset, blev det ikke helt forsømt. Han havde mange varme venner og store beundrere blandt både de unge mænd og de unge kvinder i Nazaret.		127:3.10 (1400.2) His social life, while restricted, was not wholly neglected. He had many warm friends and stanch admirers among both the young men and the young women of Nazareth.
127:3.11 (1400.3) I september kom Elizabeth og Johannes på besøg hos familien i Nazaret. Johannes, som havde mistet sin far, ville vende tilbage til Judæas bjerge for at arbejde med landbrug og fåreavl, medmindre Jesus rådede ham til at blive i Nazaret og arbejde som tømrer eller noget andet. De vidste ikke, at familien i Nazaret praktisk talt var ludfattig. Jo mere Maria og Elizabeth talte om deres sønner, jo mere overbeviste blev de om, at det ville være godt for de to unge mænd at arbejde sammen og se mere til hinanden.		127:3.11 (1400.3) In September, Elizabeth and John came to visit the Nazareth family. John, having lost his father, intended to return to the Judean hills to engage in agriculture and sheep raising unless Jesus advised him to remain in Nazareth to take up carpentry or some other line of work. They did not know that the Nazareth family was practically penniless. The more Mary and Elizabeth talked about their sons, the more they became convinced that it would be good for the two young men to work together and see more of each other.
127:3.12 (1400.4) Jesus og Johannes havde mange samtaler sammen, og de talte om nogle meget intime og personlige ting. Da de var færdige med dette besøg, besluttede de ikke at se hinanden igen, før de skulle mødes i deres offentlige tjeneste, efter at “den himmelske Fader skulle kalde” dem til deres arbejde. Johannes var så imponeret over det, han så i Nazaret, at han ville vende hjem og arbejde for at forsørge sin mor. Han blev overbevist om, at han skulle være en del af Jesu livsmission, men han så, at Jesus skulle bruge mange år på at opdrage sin familie; så han var meget mere tilfreds med at vende tilbage til sit hjem og tage sig af deres lille gård og sørge for sin mors behov. Og aldrig mere så Johannes og Jesus hinanden før den dag ved Jordan, hvor Menneskesønnen stillede sig op til dåben.		127:3.12 (1400.4) Jesus and John had many talks together; and they talked over some very intimate and personal matters. When they had finished this visit, they decided not again to see each other until they should meet in their public service after “the heavenly Father should call” them to their work. John was tremendously impressed by what he saw at Nazareth that he should return home and labor for the support of his mother. He became convinced that he was to be a part of Jesus’ life mission, but he saw that Jesus was to occupy many years with the rearing of his family; so he was much more content to return to his home and settle down to the care of their little farm and to minister to the needs of his mother. And never again did John and Jesus see each other until that day by the Jordan when the Son of Man presented himself for baptism.
127:3.13 (1400.5) Lørdag eftermiddag den 3. december i år ramte døden for anden gang denne familie i Nazaret. Lille Amos, deres lillebror, døde efter en uges sygdom med høj feber. Efter at have gennemgået denne sorgens tid med sin førstefødte søn som sin eneste støtte, anerkendte Maria endelig og i fuldeste forstand Jesus som familiens virkelige overhoved; og han var virkelig et værdigt overhoved.		127:3.13 (1400.5) On Saturday afternoon, December 3, of this year, death for the second time struck at this Nazareth family. Little Amos, their baby brother, died after a week’s illness with a high fever. After passing through this time of sorrow with her first-born son as her only support, Mary at last and in the fullest sense recognized Jesus as the real head of the family; and he was truly a worthy head.
127:3.14 (1400.6) I fire år var deres levestandard faldet støt; år for år mærkede de den stigende fattigdom. I slutningen af dette år stod de over for en af de sværeste oplevelser af alle deres kampe op ad bakke. James var endnu ikke begyndt at tjene ret meget, og udgifterne til en begravelse oven i alt det andet fik dem til at vakle. Men Jesus ville kun sige til sin ængstelige og sørgende mor: “Mor-Maria, sorg vil ikke hjælpe os; vi gør alle vores bedste, og mors smil kan måske endda inspirere os til at gøre det bedre. Dag for dag bliver vi styrket til disse opgaver af vores håb om bedre dage forude.” Hans robuste og praktiske optimisme var virkelig smittende; alle børnene levede i en atmosfære af forventning om bedre tider og bedre ting. Og dette håbefulde mod bidrog i høj grad til udviklingen af stærke og ædle karakterer på trods af deres depressive fattigdom.		127:3.14 (1400.6) For four years their standard of living had steadily declined; year by year they felt the pinch of increasing poverty. By the close of this year they faced one of the most difficult experiences of all their uphill struggles. James had not yet begun to earn much, and the expenses of a funeral on top of everything else staggered them. But Jesus would only say to his anxious and grieving mother: “Mother-Mary, sorrow will not help us; we are all doing our best, and mother’s smile, perchance, might even inspire us to do better. Day by day we are strengthened for these tasks by our hope of better days ahead.” His sturdy and practical optimism was truly contagious; all the children lived in an atmosphere of anticipation of better times and better things. And this hopeful courage contributed mightily to the development of strong and noble characters, in spite of the depressiveness of their poverty.
127:3.15 (1400.7) Jesus besad evnen til effektivt at mobilisere alle sine kræfter i sind, sjæl og krop på den opgave, han stod overfor. Han kunne koncentrere sit dybt tænkende sind om det ene problem, han ønskede at løse, og dette, i forbindelse med hans utrættelige tålmodighed gjorde ham i stand til med sindsro at udholde prøvelserne i en vanskelig jordisk tilværelse—at leve, som om han “så ham, der er usynlig.”		127:3.15 (1400.7) Jesus possessed the ability effectively to mobilize all his powers of mind, soul, and body on the task immediately in hand. He could concentrate his deep-thinking mind on the one problem which he wished to solve, and this, in connection with his untiring patience, enabled him serenely to endure the trials of a difficult mortal existence—to live as if he were “seeing Him who is invisible.”
4. Det nittende år (13 e.kr.) ^top		4. The Nineteenth Year (A.D. 13) ^top
127:4.1 (1401.1) På dette tidspunkt var Jesus og Maria kommet meget bedre ud af det med hinanden. Hun betragtede ham mindre som en søn; han var blevet mere som en far for hendes børn. Hver dag vrimlede med praktiske og umiddelbare vanskeligheder. De talte sjældnere om hans livsværk, for som tiden gik, blev alle deres tanker gensidigt helliget støtten og opdragelsen af deres familie på fire drenge og tre piger.		127:4.1 (1401.1) By this time Jesus and Mary were getting along much better. She regarded him less as a son; he had become to her more a father to her children. Each day’s life swarmed with practical and immediate difficulties. Less frequently they spoke of his lifework, for, as time passed, all their thought was mutually devoted to the support and upbringing of their family of four boys and three girls.
127:4.2 (1401.2) begyndelsen af dette år havde Jesus fuldt ud vundet sin mors accept af sine metoder til opdragelse af børn—det positive påbud om at gøre det gode i stedet for den ældre jødiske metode med at forbyde at gøre det onde. I sit hjem og i hele sin karriere som offentlig underviser brugte Jesus altid den positive form for formaning. Altid og overalt sagde han: “I skal gøre dette—I burde gøre det.” Han brugte aldrig den negative form for undervisning, der stammer fra de gamle tabuer. Han afstod fra at lægge vægt på det onde ved at forbyde det, mens han ophøjede det gode ved at befale dets udførelse. Bønnetiden i dette hjem var en anledning til at diskutere alt, hvad der havde med familiens ve og vel at gøre.		127:4.2 (1401.2) By the beginning of this year Jesus had fully won his mother to the acceptance of his methods of child training—the positive injunction to do good in the place of the older Jewish method of forbidding to do evil. In his home and throughout his public-teaching career Jesus invariably employed the positive form of exhortation. Always and everywhere did he say, “You shall do this—you ought to do that.” Never did he employ the negative mode of teaching derived from the ancient taboos. He refrained from placing emphasis on evil by forbidding it, while he exalted the good by commanding its performance. Prayer time in this household was the occasion for discussing anything and everything relating to the welfare of the family.
127:4.3 (1401.3) Jesus begyndte klogt, at disciplinere sine brødre og søstre i en så tidlig alder, at der aldrig var brug for megen eller ingen straf for at sikre deres hurtige og helhjertede lydighed. Den eneste undtagelse var Judas, som Jesus ved flere lejligheder fandt det nødvendigt at straffe for sine overtrædelser af hjemmets regler. Ved tre lejligheder, hvor det blev anset for klogt at straffe Juda for selvbevidste og bevidste overtrædelser af familiens adfærdsregler, blev hans straf fastsat ved et enstemmigt dekret fra de ældre børn og blev godkendt af Juda selv, før den blev påført.		127:4.3 (1401.3) Jesus began wise discipline upon his brothers and sisters at such an early age that little or no punishment was ever required to secure their prompt and wholehearted obedience. The only exception was Jude, upon whom on sundry occasions Jesus found it necessary to impose penalties for his infractions of the rules of the home. On three occasions when it was deemed wise to punish Jude for self-confessed and deliberate violations of the family rules of conduct, his punishment was fixed by the unanimous decree of the older children and was assented to by Jude himself before it was inflicted.
127:4.4 (1401.4) Mens Jesus var meget metodisk og systematisk i alt, hvad han gjorde, var der også i alle hans administrative afgørelser en forfriskende elasticitet i fortolkningen og en individualitet i tilpasningen, som i høj grad imponerede alle børnene med den ånd af retfærdighed, som drev deres far-bror. Han disciplinerede aldrig sine brødre og søstre vilkårligt, og en sådan ensartet retfærdighed og personlig omtanke gjorde Jesus meget afholdt af hele sin familie.		127:4.4 (1401.4) While Jesus was most methodical and systematic in everything he did, there was also in all his administrative rulings a refreshing elasticity of interpretation and an individuality of adaptation that greatly impressed all the children with the spirit of justice which actuated their father-brother. He never arbitrarily disciplined his brothers and sisters, and such uniform fairness and personal consideration greatly endeared Jesus to all his family.
127:4.5 (1401.5) James og Simon voksede op og forsøgte at følge Jesu plan om at berolige deres krigeriske og til tider rasende legekammerater ved at overtale dem og ikke gøre modstand, og det lykkedes nogenlunde for dem; men Josef og Judas, som godtog denne lære derhjemme, skyndte sig at forsvare sig, når de blev angrebet af deres kammerater; især Juda gjorde sig skyldig i at overtræde ånden i denne lære. Men ikke at gøre modstand var ikke en regel i familien. Der var ingen straf forbundet med overtrædelse af personlige læresætninger.		127:4.5 (1401.5) James and Simon grew up trying to follow Jesus’ plan of placating their bellicose and sometimes irate playmates by persuasion and nonresistance, and they were fairly successful; but Joseph and Jude, while assenting to such teachings at home, made haste to defend themselves when assailed by their comrades; in particular was Jude guilty of violating the spirit of these teachings. But nonresistance was not a rule of the family. No penalty was attached to the violation of personal teachings.
127:4.6 (1401.6) Generelt ville alle børnene, især pigerne, tale med Jesus om deres barndomsproblemer og betro sig til ham, ligesom de ville have gjort til en kærlig far.		127:4.6 (1401.6) In general, all of the children, particularly the girls, would consult Jesus about their childhood troubles and confide in him just as they would have in an affectionate father.
127:4.7 (1401.7) James voksede op til at blive en velafbalanceret og jævn ung mand, men han var ikke så åndeligt anlagt som Jesus. Han var en meget bedre elev end Josef, som, selvom han var en trofast arbejder, var endnu mindre åndeligt indstillet. Josef var en slider og nåede ikke op på de andre børns intellektuelle niveau. Simon var en velmenende dreng, men for meget en drømmer. Han var langsom til at finde sig til rette i livet og var årsag til stor bekymring hos Jesus og Maria. Men han var altid en god og velmenende dreng. Juda var en ildsjæl. Han havde de højeste idealer, men han var ustabil af temperament. Han havde alt og mere til af sin mors beslutsomhed og aggressivitet, men han manglede meget af hendes sans for proportioner og diskretion.		127:4.7 (1401.7) James was growing up to be a well-balanced and even-tempered youth, but he was not so spiritually inclined as Jesus. He was a much better student than Joseph, who, while a faithful worker, was even less spiritually minded. Joseph was a plodder and not up to the intellectual level of the other children. Simon was a well-meaning boy but too much of a dreamer. He was slow in getting settled down in life and was the cause of considerable anxiety to Jesus and Mary. But he was always a good and well-intentioned lad. Jude was a firebrand. He had the highest of ideals, but he was unstable in temperament. He had all and more of his mother’s determination and aggressiveness, but he lacked much of her sense of proportion and discretion.
127:4.8 (1402.1) Miriam var en velafbalanceret og besindig datter med en stor forståelse for ædle og åndelige ting. Marta var langsom i tanke og handling, men et meget pålideligt og effektivt barn. Baby Ruth var hjemmets solstråle; selvom hun var tankeløs i sin tale, var hun meget oprigtig i sit hjerte. Hun tilbad nærmest sin storebror og far. Men de forkælede hende ikke. Hun var et smukt barn, men ikke helt så køn som Miriam, der var familiens, hvis ikke byens, skønhed.		127:4.8 (1402.1) Miriam was a well-balanced and level-headed daughter with a keen appreciation of things noble and spiritual. Martha was slow in thought and action but a very dependable and efficient child. Baby Ruth was the sunshine of the home; though thoughtless of speech, she was most sincere of heart. She just about worshiped her big brother and father. But they did not spoil her. She was a beautiful child but not quite so comely as Miriam, who was the belle of the family, if not of the city.
127:4.9 (1402.2) Som tiden gik, gjorde Jesus meget for at liberalisere og ændre familiens lære og praksis i forbindelse med overholdelse af sabbatten og mange andre faser af religionen, og til alle disse ændringer gav Maria sit hjertelige samtykke. På dette tidspunkt var Jesus blevet det ubestridte overhoved i huset.		127:4.9 (1402.2) As time passed, Jesus did much to liberalize and modify the family teachings and practices related to Sabbath observance and many other phases of religion, and to all these changes Mary gave hearty assent. By this time Jesus had become the unquestioned head of the house.
127:4.10 (1402.3) Dette år begyndte Juda i skole, og det var nødvendigt for Jesus at sælge sin harpe for at kunne betale udgifterne. Dermed forsvandt den sidste af hans fritidsfornøjelser. Han elskede at spille på harpen, når han var træt i hovedet og træt i kroppen, men han trøstede sig med, at harpen i det mindste var i sikkerhed for at blive beslaglagt af skatteopkræveren.		127:4.10 (1402.3) This year Jude started to school, and it was necessary for Jesus to sell his harp in order to defray these expenses. Thus disappeared the last of his recreational pleasures. He much loved to play the harp when tired in mind and weary in body, but he comforted himself with the thought that at least the harp was safe from seizure by the tax collector.
5. Rebekka, esras datter ^top		5. Rebecca, the Daughter of Ezra ^top
127:5.1 (1402.4) Selvom Jesus var fattig, var hans sociale status i Nazaret på ingen måde forringet. Han var en af de førende unge mænd i byen og meget velanset af de fleste unge kvinder. Eftersom Jesus var sådan et pragteksemplar af robust og intellektuel manddom, og i betragtning af hans ry som åndelig leder, var det ikke mærkeligt, at Rebecca, den ældste datter af Ezra, en velhavende købmand og handelsmand i Nazaret, skulle opdage, at hun langsomt var ved at forelske sig i denne Josefs søn. Hun betroede først sin kærlighed til Miriam, Jesus’ søster, og Miriam talte igen om det hele med sin mor. Maria var meget ophidset. Var hun ved at miste sin søn, som nu var blevet familiens uundværlige overhoved? Ville problemerne aldrig ophøre? Hvad kunne der nu ske? Og så holdt hun en pause for at overveje, hvilken effekt ægteskabet ville have på Jesu fremtidige karriere; ikke ofte, men i det mindste nogle gange, huskede hun på, at Jesus var et “løftets barn.” Efter at hun og Miriam havde talt om sagen, besluttede de at gøre en indsats for at stoppe det, før Jesus fik det at vide, ved at gå direkte til Rebecca, lægge hele historien frem for hende og ærligt fortælle hende om deres tro på, at Jesus var en skæbnesøn; at han skulle blive en stor religiøs leder, måske Messias.		127:5.1 (1402.4) Although Jesus was poor, his social standing in Nazareth was in no way impaired. He was one of the foremost young men of the city and very highly regarded by most of the young women. Since Jesus was such a splendid specimen of robust and intellectual manhood, and considering his reputation as a spiritual leader, it was not strange that Rebecca, the eldest daughter of Ezra, a wealthy merchant and trader of Nazareth, should discover that she was slowly falling in love with this son of Joseph. She first confided her affection to Miriam, Jesus’ sister, and Miriam in turn talked all this over with her mother. Mary was intensely aroused. Was she about to lose her son, now become the indispensable head of the family? Would troubles never cease? What next could happen? And then she paused to contemplate what effect marriage would have upon Jesus’ future career; not often, but at least sometimes, did she recall the fact that Jesus was a “child of promise.” After she and Miriam had talked this matter over, they decided to make an effort to stop it before Jesus learned about it, by going direct to Rebecca, laying the whole story before her, and honestly telling her about their belief that Jesus was a son of destiny; that he was to become a great religious leader, perhaps the Messiah.
127:5.2 (1402.5) Rebecca lyttede intenst; hun var begejstret for foredraget og mere end nogensinde besluttet på at kaste sit lod med den mand, hun havde valgt, og dele hans karriere som leder. Hun argumenterede (for sig selv), at en sådan mand så meget desto mere ville have brug for en trofast og effektiv hustru. Hun tolkede Marias forsøg på at tale hende fra det som en naturlig reaktion på frygten for at miste familiens overhoved og eneste forsørger; men da hun vidste, at hendes far godkendte hendes tiltrækning til tømrersønnen, regnede hun med rette med, at han med glæde ville forsyne familien med tilstrækkelig indkomst til fuldt ud at kompensere for tabet af Jesus’ indtjening. Da hendes far gik med til en sådan plan, holdt Rebecca yderligere møder med Maria og Miriam, og da hun ikke kunne vinde deres støtte, dristede hun sig til at gå direkte til Jesus. Det gjorde hun i samarbejde med sin far, som inviterede Jesus hjem til dem for at fejre Rebeccas syttenårs fødselsdag.		127:5.2 (1402.5) Rebecca listened intently; she was thrilled with the recital and more than ever determined to cast her lot with this man of her choice and to share his career of leadership. She argued (to herself) that such a man would all the more need a faithful and efficient wife. She interpreted Mary’s efforts to dissuade her as a natural reaction to the dread of losing the head and sole support of her family; but knowing that her father approved of her attraction for the carpenter’s son, she rightly reckoned that he would gladly supply the family with sufficient income fully to compensate for the loss of Jesus’ earnings. When her father agreed to such a plan, Rebecca had further conferences with Mary and Miriam, and when she failed to win their support, she made bold to go directly to Jesus. This she did with the co-operation of her father, who invited Jesus to their home for the celebration of Rebecca’s seventeenth birthday.
127:5.3 (1403.1) Jesus lyttede opmærksomt og medfølende til disse ting, først fra faderen og derefter fra Rebecca selv. Han svarede venligt, at ingen sum penge kunne erstatte hans personlige forpligtelse til at opdrage sin fars familie, til at “opfylde den helligste af alle menneskelige forpligtelser—loyalitet over for ens eget kød og blod.” Rebeccas far blev dybt rørt af Jesu ord om familiens hengivenhed og trak sig tilbage fra konferencen. Hans eneste bemærkning til Maria, hans kone, var: “Vi kan ikke få ham som søn; han er for ædel til os.”		127:5.3 (1403.1) Jesus listened attentively and sympathetically to the recital of these things, first by the father, then by Rebecca herself. He made kindly reply to the effect that no amount of money could take the place of his obligation personally to rear his father’s family, to “fulfill the most sacred of all human trusts—loyalty to one’s own flesh and blood.” Rebecca’s father was deeply touched by Jesus’ words of family devotion and retired from the conference. His only remark to Mary, his wife, was: “We can’t have him for a son; he is too noble for us.”
127:5.4 (1403.2) Så begyndte den begivenhedsrige samtale med Rebecca. Hidtil i sit liv havde Jesus ikke skelnet meget mellem drenge og piger, mellem unge mænd og unge kvinder. Hans sind havde været alt for optaget af de presserende problemer med praktiske jordiske anliggender og den spændende overvejelse af hans eventuelle karriere “i sin Faders tjeneste” til nogensinde at have gjort sig alvorlige overvejelser om fuldbyrdelsen af personlig kærlighed i et menneskeligt ægteskab. Men nu stod han ansigt til ansigt med endnu et af de problemer, som ethvert gennemsnitsmenneske må konfrontere og beslutte sig for. Han blev i sandhed “prøvet på alle punkter, ligesom I er.”		127:5.4 (1403.2) Then began that eventful talk with Rebecca. Thus far in his life, Jesus had made little distinction in his association with boys and girls, with young men and young women. His mind had been altogether too much occupied with the pressing problems of practical earthly affairs and the intriguing contemplation of his eventual career “about his Father’s business” ever to have given serious consideration to the consummation of personal love in human marriage. But now he was face to face with another of those problems which every average human being must confront and decide. Indeed was he “tested in all points like as you are.”
127:5.5 (1403.3) Efter at have lyttet opmærksomt takkede han oprigtigt Rebecca for hendes beundring og tilføjede: “Det skal opmuntre og trøste mig alle mit livs dage.” Han forklarede, at han ikke var fri til at indgå i andre relationer med nogen kvinde end dem, der var præget af simpel broderlig respekt og rent venskab. Han gjorde det klart, at hans første og vigtigste pligt var at opdrage sin fars familie, at han ikke kunne overveje ægteskab, før det var gjort, og så tilføjede han: “Hvis jeg er en søn af skæbnen, må jeg ikke påtage mig livslange forpligtelser, før min skæbne er blevet åbenbaret.”		127:5.5 (1403.3) After listening attentively, he sincerely thanked Rebecca for her expressed admiration, adding, “it shall cheer and comfort me all the days of my life.” He explained that he was not free to enter into relations with any woman other than those of simple brotherly regard and pure friendship. He made it clear that his first and paramount duty was the rearing of his father’s family, that he could not consider marriage until that was accomplished; and then he added: “If I am a son of destiny, I must not assume obligations of lifelong duration until such a time as my destiny shall be made manifest.”
127:5.6 (1403.4) Rebeccas hjerte var knust. Hun nægtede at lade sig trøste og bønfaldt sin far om at forlade Nazaret, indtil han til sidst indvilligede i at flytte til Sepphoris. I de følgende år havde Rebecca kun ét svar til de mange mænd, der søgte hendes hånd. Hun levede kun med ét formål—at afvente den time, hvor denne, for hende, den største mand, der nogensinde har levet, ville begynde sin karriere som lærer i den levende sandhed. Og hun fulgte ham hengivent gennem hans begivenhedsrige år med offentligt arbejde og var til stede (uden at Jesus så det) den dag, hvor han red triumferende ind i Jerusalem; og hun stod “blandt de andre kvinder” ved Marias side den skæbnesvangre og tragiske eftermiddag, hvor Menneskesønnen hang på korset, for hende såvel som for utallige verdener i det høje, “den ene helt igennem dejlige og den største blandt ti tusind.”		127:5.6 (1403.4) Rebecca was heartbroken. She refused to be comforted and importuned her father to leave Nazareth until he finally consented to move to Sepphoris. In after years, to the many men who sought her hand in marriage, Rebecca had but one answer. She lived for only one purpose—to await the hour when this, to her, the greatest man who ever lived would begin his career as a teacher of living truth. And she followed him devotedly through his eventful years of public labor, being present (unobserved by Jesus) that day when he rode triumphantly into Jerusalem; and she stood “among the other women” by the side of Mary on that fateful and tragic afternoon when the Son of Man hung upon the cross, to her, as well as to countless worlds on high, “the one altogether lovely and the greatest among ten thousand.”
6. Hans tyvende år (14 e.kr.) ^top		6. His Twentieth Year (A.D. 14) ^top
127:6.1 (1403.5) Historien om Rebeccas kærlighed til Jesus blev hvisket i Nazaret og senere i Kapernaum, så mens mange kvinder i de følgende år elskede Jesus, ligesom mænd elskede ham, behøvede han ikke igen at afvise det personlige tilbud om en anden god kvindes hengivenhed. Fra dette tidspunkt fik menneskers kærlighed til Jesus mere karakter af tilbedelse og beundring. Både mænd og kvinder elskede ham hengivent og for det, han var, ikke med et strejf af selvtilfredshed eller ønske om kærlig besiddelse. Men i mange år blev Rebeccas hengivenhed genfortalt, hver gang historien om Jesu menneskelige personlighed blev fortalt.		127:6.1 (1403.5) The story of Rebecca’s love for Jesus was whispered about Nazareth and later on at Capernaum, so that, while in the years to follow many women loved Jesus even as men loved him, not again did he have to reject the personal proffer of another good woman’s devotion. From this time on human affection for Jesus partook more of the nature of worshipful and adoring regard. Both men and women loved him devotedly and for what he was, not with any tinge of self-satisfaction or desire for affectionate possession. But for many years, whenever the story of Jesus’ human personality was recited, the devotion of Rebecca was recounted.
127:6.2 (1404.1) Miriam, som kendte alt til Rebeccas affære og vidste, hvordan hendes bror havde svigtet selv kærligheden til en smuk jomfru (uden at indse den skæbnesvangre faktor i hans fremtidige karriere), kom til at idealisere Jesus og elske ham med en rørende og dyb hengivenhed som for en far såvel som for en bror.		127:6.2 (1404.1) Miriam, knowing fully about the affair of Rebecca and knowing how her brother had forsaken even the love of a beautiful maiden (not realizing the factor of his future career of destiny), came to idealize Jesus and to love him with a touching and profound affection as for a father as well as for a brother.
127:6.3 (1404.2) Selvom de næsten ikke havde råd til det, havde Jesus en mærkelig længsel efter at tage op til Jerusalem til påsken. Hans mor, som kendte til hans nylige oplevelse med Rebecca, opfordrede ham klogt nok til at tage af sted. Han var ikke særlig bevidst om det, men det, han mest af alt ønskede sig, var en mulighed for at tale med Lazarus og besøge Marta og Maria. Næst efter sin egen familie elskede han disse tre mest af alt.		127:6.3 (1404.2) Although they could hardly afford it, Jesus had a strange longing to go up to Jerusalem for the Passover. His mother, knowing of his recent experience with Rebecca, wisely urged him to make the journey. He was not markedly conscious of it, but what he most wanted was an opportunity to talk with Lazarus and to visit with Martha and Mary. Next to his own family he loved these three most of all.
127:6.4 (1404.3) På denne rejse til Jerusalem gik han via Megiddo, Antipatris og Lydda, og han tilbagelagde til dels den samme rute, som da han blev bragt tilbage til Nazaret på vej hjem fra Egypten. Han brugte fire dage på at gå op til påsken og tænkte meget over de tidligere begivenheder, der havde fundet sted i og omkring Megiddo, Palæstinas internationale slagmark.		127:6.4 (1404.3) In making this trip to Jerusalem, he went by way of Megiddo, Antipatris, and Lydda, in part covering the same route traversed when he was brought back to Nazareth on the return from Egypt. He spent four days going up to the Passover and thought much about the past events which had transpired in and around Megiddo, the international battlefield of Palestine.
127:6.5 (1404.4) Jesus gik videre gennem Jerusalem og standsede kun op for at se på templet og den voksende skare af besøgende. Han havde en mærkelig og stigende aversion mod dette Herodes-byggede tempel med dets politisk udpegede præsteskab. Han ønskede mest af alt at se Lazarus, Marta og Maria. Lazarus var på samme alder som Jesus og nu husets overhoved; på tidspunktet for dette besøg var Lazarus’ mor også blevet stedt til hvile. Marta var lidt over et år ældre end Jesus, mens Maria var to år yngre. Og Jesus var det idoliserede ideal for dem alle tre.		127:6.5 (1404.4) Jesus passed on through Jerusalem, only pausing to look upon the temple and the gathering throngs of visitors. He had a strange and increasing aversion to this Herod-built temple with its politically appointed priesthood. He wanted most of all to see Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Lazarus was the same age as Jesus and now head of the house; by the time of this visit Lazarus’s mother had also been laid to rest. Martha was a little over one year older than Jesus, while Mary was two years younger. And Jesus was the idolized ideal of all three of them.
127:6.6 (1404.5) Under dette besøg opstod et af de periodiske udbrud af oprør mod traditionen—et udtryk for harme over de ceremonielle skikke, som Jesus mente ikke repræsenterede hans Fader i himlen. Uden at vide, at Jesus var på vej, havde Lazarus arrangeret at fejre påsken med venner i en tilstødende landsby længere nede ad Jeriko-vejen. Jesus foreslog nu, at de fejrede festen, hvor de var, i Lazarus’ hus. “Men,” sagde Lazarus, “vi har ikke noget påskelam.” Og så gik Jesus i gang med en lang og overbevisende afhandling om, at Faderen i himlen virkelig ikke bekymrede sig om sådanne barnlige og meningsløse ritualer. Efter en højtidelig og inderlig bøn rejste de sig, og Jesus sagde: “Lad mit folks barnlige og formørkede sind tjene deres Gud, som Moses sagde; det er bedre, at de gør det, men lad os, der har set livets lys, ikke længere nærme os vores Fader gennem dødens mørke. Lad os være frie i erkendelsen af sandheden om vores Faders evige kærlighed.”		127:6.6 (1404.5) On this visit occurred one of those periodic outbreaks of rebellion against tradition—the expression of resentment for those ceremonial practices which Jesus deemed misrepresentative of his Father in heaven. Not knowing Jesus was coming, Lazarus had arranged to celebrate the Passover with friends in an adjoining village down the Jericho road. Jesus now proposed that they celebrate the feast where they were, at Lazarus’s house. “But,” said Lazarus, “we have no paschal lamb.” And then Jesus entered upon a prolonged and convincing dissertation to the effect that the Father in heaven was not truly concerned with such childlike and meaningless rituals. After solemn and fervent prayer they rose, and Jesus said: “Let the childlike and darkened minds of my people serve their God as Moses directed; it is better that they do, but let us who have seen the light of life no longer approach our Father by the darkness of death. Let us be free in the knowledge of the truth of our Father’s eternal love.”
127:6.7 (1404.6) Den aften ved skumringstid satte disse fire sig ned og deltog i den første påskefest, der nogensinde var blevet fejret af fromme jøder uden påskelammet. Det usyrede brød og vinen var blevet gjort klar til denne påske, og disse symboler, som Jesus kaldte “livets brød” og “livets vand” serverede han for sine ledsagere, og de spiste i højtidelig overensstemmelse med den lære, der netop var blevet givet. Det var hans skik at deltage i dette sakramentale ritual, hver gang han efterfølgende besøgte Betania. Da han vendte hjem, fortalte han alt dette til sin mor. Hun var først chokeret, men forstod efterhånden hans synspunkt; ikke desto mindre blev hun meget lettet, da Jesus forsikrede hende om, at han ikke havde til hensigt at introducere denne nye idé om påsken i deres familie. Hjemme hos børnene fortsatte han år efter år med at spise påsken “i overensstemmelse med Moses’ lov.”		127:6.7 (1404.6) That evening about twilight these four sat down and partook of the first Passover feast ever to be celebrated by devout Jews without the paschal lamb. The unleavened bread and the wine had been made ready for this Passover, and these emblems, which Jesus termed “the bread of life” and “the water of life,” he served to his companions, and they ate in solemn conformity with the teachings just imparted. It was his custom to engage in this sacramental ritual whenever he paid subsequent visits to Bethany. When he returned home, he told all this to his mother. She was shocked at first but came gradually to see his viewpoint; nevertheless, she was greatly relieved when Jesus assured her that he did not intend to introduce this new idea of the Passover in their family. At home with the children he continued, year by year, to eat the Passover “according to the law of Moses.”
127:6.8 (1404.7) Det var i løbet af dette år, at Maria havde en lang snak med Jesus om ægteskab. Hun spurgte ham ærligt, om han ville gifte sig, hvis han var fri for sit familieansvar. Jesus forklarede hende, at eftersom hans umiddelbare pligt forbød ham at gifte sig, havde han ikke tænkt meget over det. Han udtrykte tvivl om, hvorvidt han nogensinde ville indgå ægteskab; han sagde, at alle sådanne ting måtte afvente “min time,” den tid, hvor “min Faders arbejde skal begynde.” Da han allerede havde besluttet sig for, at han ikke skulle være far til børn i kødet, tænkte han meget lidt over emnet menneskeligt ægteskab.		127:6.8 (1404.7) It was during this year that Mary had a long talk with Jesus about marriage. She frankly asked him if he would get married if he were free from his family responsibilities. Jesus explained to her that, since immediate duty forbade his marriage, he had given the subject little thought. He expressed himself as doubting that he would ever enter the marriage state; he said that all such things must await “my hour,” the time when “my Father’s work must begin.” Having settled already in his mind that he was not to become the father of children in the flesh, he gave very little thought to the subject of human marriage.
127:6.9 (1405.1) Dette år begyndte han forfra på opgaven med at væve sin dødelige og guddommelige natur sammen til en enkel og effektiv menneskelig individualitet. Og han fortsatte med at vokse i moralsk status og åndelig forståelse.		127:6.9 (1405.1) This year he began anew the task of further weaving his mortal and divine natures into a simple and effective human individuality. And he continued to grow in moral status and spiritual understanding.
127:6.10 (1405.2) Selvom al deres ejendom i Nazaret (undtagen deres hjem) var væk, fik de dette år lidt økonomisk hjælp fra salget af en andel i en ejendom i Kapernaum. Det var det sidste af hele Josefs formue. Denne ejendomshandel i Kapernaum var med en bådebygger ved navn Zebedæus.		127:6.10 (1405.2) Although all their Nazareth property (except their home) was gone, this year they received a little financial help from the sale of an equity in a piece of property in Capernaum. This was the last of Joseph’s entire estate. This real estate deal in Capernaum was with a boatbuilder named Zebedee.
127:6.11 (1405.3) Josef tog eksamen fra synagogeskolen dette år og forberedte sig på at begynde at arbejde ved den lille bænk i hjemmets snedkerværksted. Selvom deres fars formue var opbrugt, var der udsigt til, at de ville kunne bekæmpe fattigdommen, da tre af dem nu arbejdede regelmæssigt.		127:6.11 (1405.3) Joseph graduated at the synagogue school this year and prepared to begin work at the small bench in the home carpenter shop. Although the estate of their father was exhausted, there were prospects that they would successfully fight off poverty since three of them were now regularly at work.
127:6.12 (1405.4) Jesus er hurtigt ved at blive en mand, ikke bare en ung mand, men en voksen. Han har lært at bære ansvar. Han ved, hvordan man fortsætter på trods af skuffelser. Han holder modigt ud, når hans planer bliver forpurret, og hans formål bliver midlertidigt forpurret. Han har lært at være fair og retfærdig, selv over for uretfærdighed. Han er ved at lære at tilpasse sine idealer om åndeligt liv til de praktiske krav i den jordiske tilværelse. Han er ved at lære, hvordan man planlægger at nå et højere og fjernt mål af idealisme, mens han arbejder seriøst for at nå et nærmere og umiddelbart mål af nødvendighed. Han tilegner sig til stadighed kunsten at tilpasse sine forhåbninger til de almindelige krav fra den menneskelige situation. Han har næsten mestret teknikken med at bruge energien fra den åndelige drivkraft til at dreje mekanismen for materiel præstation. Han er langsomt ved at lære at leve det himmelske liv, mens han fortsætter med den jordiske eksistens. Han bliver mere og mere afhængig af sin himmelske Faders ultimative vejledning, mens han påtager sig den faderlige rolle at vejlede og lede børnene i sin jordiske familie. Han er ved at blive erfaren i at vriste sejren ud af selve nederlagets gab; han er ved at lære, hvordan man forvandler tidens vanskeligheder til evighedens triumfer.		127:6.12 (1405.4) Jesus is rapidly becoming a man, not just a young man but an adult. He has learned well to bear responsibility. He knows how to carry on in the face of disappointment. He bears up bravely when his plans are thwarted and his purposes temporarily defeated. He has learned how to be fair and just even in the face of injustice. He is learning how to adjust his ideals of spiritual living to the practical demands of earthly existence. He is learning how to plan for the achievement of a higher and distant goal of idealism while he toils earnestly for the attainment of a nearer and immediate goal of necessity. He is steadily acquiring the art of adjusting his aspirations to the commonplace demands of the human occasion. He has very nearly mastered the technique of utilizing the energy of the spiritual drive to turn the mechanism of material achievement. He is slowly learning how to live the heavenly life while he continues on with the earthly existence. More and more he depends upon the ultimate guidance of his heavenly Father while he assumes the fatherly role of guiding and directing the children of his earth family. He is becoming experienced in the skillful wresting of victory from the very jaws of defeat; he is learning how to transform the difficulties of time into the triumphs of eternity.
127:6.13 (1405.5) Og som årene går, fortsætter denne unge mand fra Nazaret med at opleve livet, som det leves i dødeligt kød i tidens og rummets verdener. Han lever et fuldt, repræsentativt og rigt liv på Urantia. Han forlod denne verden moden til den erfaring, som hans skabninger gennemgår i løbet af de korte og anstrengende år af deres første liv, livet i kødet. Og al denne menneskelige erfaring er en evig besiddelse for Universets Hersker. Han er vores forstående bror, sympatiske ven, erfarne hersker og barmhjertige far.		127:6.13 (1405.5) And so, as the years pass, this young man of Nazareth continues to experience life as it is lived in mortal flesh on the worlds of time and space. He lives a full, representative, and replete life on Urantia. He left this world ripe in the experience which his creatures pass through during the short and strenuous years of their first life, the life in the flesh. And all this human experience is an eternal possession of the Universe Sovereign. He is our understanding brother, sympathetic friend, experienced sovereign, and merciful father.
127:6.14 (1405.6) Som barn samlede han en enorm mængde viden; som ung sorterede, klassificerede og korrelerede han denne information; og nu som en mand af riget begynder han at organisere disse mentale besiddelser som forberedelse til at bruge dem i sin efterfølgende undervisning, tjeneste og service på vegne af sine meddødelige i denne verden og på alle andre beboelsessfærer i hele Nebadons univers.		127:6.14 (1405.6) As a child he accumulated a vast body of knowledge; as a youth he sorted, classified, and correlated this information; and now as a man of the realm he begins to organize these mental possessions preparatory to utilization in his subsequent teaching, ministry, and service in behalf of his fellow mortals on this world and on all other spheres of habitation throughout the entire universe of Nebadon.
127:6.15 (1405.7) Født til verden som et barn af riget, har han levet sit barndomsliv og passeret gennem de successive stadier af ungdom og ung manddom; han står nu på tærsklen til fuld manddom, rig på erfaring med menneskeligt liv, fyldt med forståelse af den menneskelige natur og fuld af sympati for den menneskelige naturs skrøbeligheder. Han er ved at blive ekspert i den guddommelige kunst at åbenbare sin paradisiske Fader for alle aldre og stadier af dødelige skabninger.		127:6.15 (1405.7) Born into the world a babe of the realm, he has lived his childhood life and passed through the successive stages of youth and young manhood; he now stands on the threshold of full manhood, rich in the experience of human living, replete in the understanding of human nature, and full of sympathy for the frailties of human nature. He is becoming expert in the divine art of revealing his Paradise Father to all ages and stages of mortal creatures.
127:6.16 (1406.1) Og nu som en fuldvoksen mand—en voksen af riget—orbereder han sig på at fortsætte sin højeste mission med at åbenbare Gud for mennesker og lede mennesker til Gud.		127:6.16 (1406.1) And now as a full-grown man—an adult of the realm—he prepares to continue his supreme mission of revealing God to men and leading men to God.