| Kapitel 137 | Paper 137 | |
| Ventetid I Galilæa | Tarrying Time in Galilee | |
| 137:0.1 (1524.1) TIDLIGT lørdag morgen den 23. februar år 26 e.Kr. kom Jesus ned fra bjergene for at slutte sig til Johannes’ gruppe, der havde slået lejr ved Pella. Hele den dag blandede Jesus sig med folkemængden. Han tog sig af en dreng, der havde slået sig ved et fald, og rejste til den nærliggende landsby Pella for at aflevere drengen sikkert i hænderne på hans forældre. | 137:0.1 (1524.1) EARLY on Saturday morning, February 23, a.d. 26, Jesus came down from the hills to rejoin John’s company encamped at Pella. All that day Jesus mingled with the multitude. He ministered to a lad who had injured himself in a fall and journeyed to the near-by village of Pella to deliver the boy safely into the hands of his parents. | |
| 1. Udvælgelsen af de første fire apostle ^top | 1. Choosing the First Four Apostles ^top | |
| 137:1.1 (1524.2) I løbet af denne sabbat tilbragte to af Johannes’ ledende disciple meget tid sammen med Jesus. En af Johannes’ disciple ved navn Andreas var den, der var mest imponeret over Jesus, og han fulgte med ham på turen til Pella med den sårede dreng. På vejen tilbage til Johannes’ mødested stillede han Jesus mange spørgsmål, og lige før de nåede deres bestemmelsessted, holdt de to en kort pause, hvor Andreas sagde: “Jeg har iagttaget dig, lige siden du kom til Kapernaum, og jeg tror, du er den nye lærer, og selv om jeg ikke forstår al din undervisning, har jeg besluttet mig for at følge dig; jeg vil sidde ved dine fødder og lære hele sandheden om det nye rige.” Og Jesus bød med hjertelig sikkerhed Andreas velkommen som den første af sine apostle, den gruppe på tolv, som skulle arbejde sammen med ham i arbejdet med at etablere Guds nye rige i menneskers hjerter. | 137:1.1 (1524.2) During this Sabbath two of John’s leading disciples spent much time with Jesus. Of all John’s followers one named Andrew was the most profoundly impressed with Jesus; he accompanied him on the trip to Pella with the injured boy. On the way back to John’s rendezvous he asked Jesus many questions, and just before reaching their destination, the two paused for a short talk, during which Andrew said: “I have observed you ever since you came to Capernaum, and I believe you are the new Teacher, and though I do not understand all your teaching, I have fully made up my mind to follow you; I would sit at your feet and learn the whole truth about the new kingdom.” And Jesus, with hearty assurance, welcomed Andrew as the first of his apostles, that group of twelve who were to labor with him in the work of establishing the new kingdom of God in the hearts of men. | |
| 137:1.2 (1524.3) Andreas var en tavs iagttager af og oprigtig tilhænger af Johannes’ arbejde, og han havde en meget dygtig og entusiastisk bror ved navn Simon, som var en af Johannes’ fremmeste disciple. Det ville ikke være forkert at sige, at Simon var en af Johannes’ største støtter. | 137:1.2 (1524.3) Andrew was a silent observer of, and sincere believer in, John’s work, and he had a very able and enthusiastic brother, named Simon, who was one of John’s foremost disciples. It would not be amiss to say that Simon was one of John’s chief supporters. | |
| 137:1.3 (1524.4) Kort efter at Jesus og Andreas var vendt tilbage til lejren, opsøgte Andreas sin bror, Simon, og tog ham til side og fortalte ham, at han havde besluttet sig for, at Jesus var den store lærer, og at han havde lovet sig selv at være en discipel. Han fortsatte med at sige, at Jesus havde accepteret hans tilbud om tjeneste, og foreslog, at han (Simon) også skulle gå til Jesus og tilbyde sig selv til fællesskab i det nye riges tjeneste. Simon sagde: “Lige siden denne mand kom for at arbejde i Zebedæus’ butik, har jeg troet, at han var sendt af Gud, men hvad med Johannes? Skal vi svigte ham? Er det det rigtige at gøre?” De blev enige om straks at gå hen for at tale med Johannes. Johannes var ked af tanken om at miste to af sine dygtige rådgivere og mest lovende disciple, men han svarede modigt på deres spørgsmål og sagde: “Dette er kun begyndelsen; snart vil mit arbejde slutte, og vi skal alle blive hans disciple.” Så vinkede Andreas til Jesus om at træde til side, mens han meddelte, at hans bror ønskede at slutte sig til det nye riges tjeneste. Og da Jesus bød Simon velkommen som sin anden apostel, sagde han: “Simon, din entusiasme er prisværdig, men den er farlig for rigets arbejde. Jeg formaner dig til at blive mere eftertænksom i din tale. Jeg vil ændre dit navn til Peter.” | 137:1.3 (1524.4) Soon after Jesus and Andrew returned to the camp, Andrew sought out his brother, Simon, and taking him aside, informed him that he had settled in his own mind that Jesus was the great Teacher, and that he had pledged himself as a disciple. He went on to say that Jesus had accepted his proffer of service and suggested that he (Simon) likewise go to Jesus and offer himself for fellowship in the service of the new kingdom. Said Simon: “Ever since this man came to work in Zebedee’s shop, I have believed he was sent by God, but what about John? Are we to forsake him? Is this the right thing to do?” Whereupon they agreed to go at once to consult John. John was saddened by the thought of losing two of his able advisers and most promising disciples, but he bravely answered their inquiries, saying: “This is but the beginning; presently will my work end, and we shall all become his disciples.” Then Andrew beckoned to Jesus to draw aside while he announced that his brother desired to join himself to the service of the new kingdom. And in welcoming Simon as his second apostle, Jesus said: “Simon, your enthusiasm is commendable, but it is dangerous to the work of the kingdom. I admonish you to become more thoughtful in your speech. I would change your name to Peter.” | |
| 137:1.4 (1525.1) Forældrene til den sårede dreng, der boede i Pella, havde bedt Jesus om at overnatte hos dem, at gøre deres hus til sit hjem, og det havde han lovet. Før han forlod Andreas og hans bror, sagde Jesus: “Tidligt i morgen tidlig tager vi til Galilæa.” | 137:1.4 (1525.1) The parents of the injured lad who lived at Pella had besought Jesus to spend the night with them, to make their house his home, and he had promised. Before leaving Andrew and his brother, Jesus said, “Early on the morrow we go into Galilee.” | |
| 137:1.5 (1525.2) Efter at Jesus var vendt tilbage til Pella for natten, og mens Andreas og Simon endnu diskuterede arten af deres tjeneste i etableringen af det kommende rige, ankom Zebedæussønnerne James og Johannes, som netop var vendt tilbage fra deres lange og forgæves søgen i bjergene efter Jesus. Da de hørte Simon Peter fortælle, hvordan han og hans bror, Andreas, var blevet de første accepterede rådgivere i det nye rige, og at de skulle rejse med deres nye mester til Galilæa i morgen, blev både James og Johannes kede af det. De havde kendt Jesus i nogen tid, og de elskede ham. De havde ledt efter ham i mange dage i bjergene, og nu vendte de tilbage for at høre, at andre var blevet foretrukket før dem. De spurgte, hvor Jesus var blevet af, og skyndte sig at finde ham. | 137:1.5 (1525.2) After Jesus had returned to Pella for the night, and while Andrew and Simon were yet discussing the nature of their service in the establishment of the forthcoming kingdom, James and John the sons of Zebedee arrived upon the scene, having just returned from their long and futile searching in the hills for Jesus. When they heard Simon Peter tell how he and his brother, Andrew, had become the first accepted counselors of the new kingdom, and that they were to leave with their new Master on the morrow for Galilee, both James and John were sad. They had known Jesus for some time, and they loved him. They had searched for him many days in the hills, and now they returned to learn that others had been preferred before them. They inquired where Jesus had gone and made haste to find him. | |
| 137:1.6 (1525.3) Jesus sov, da de nåede frem til hans bolig, men de vækkede ham og sagde: “Hvordan kan det være, at mens vi, der har levet så længe sammen med dig, leder efter dig i bjergene, foretrækker du andre frem for os og vælger Andreas og Simon som dine første medarbejdere i det nye rige?” Jesus svarede dem: “Vær rolige i jeres hjerter og spørg jer selv: Hvem gav jer ordre til at lede efter Menneskesønnen, da han var i gang med sin fars arbejde?” Efter at de havde fortalt detaljerne om deres lange søgen i bakkerne, instruerede Jesus dem yderligere: “I skal lære at søge efter det nye riges hemmelighed i jeres hjerter og ikke i bakkerne. Det, I søgte, var allerede til stede i jeres sjæle. I er virkelig mine brødre—I behøvede ikke at blive modtaget af mig—I var allerede i riget, og I skal være ved godt mod og gøre jer klar til også at gå med os i morgen til Galilæa.” Johannes dristede sig så til at spørge: “Men mester, vil James og jeg være medarbejdere sammen med dig i det nye rige, ligesom Andreas og Simon?” Og Jesus lagde en hånd på skulderen af hver af dem og sagde: “Mine brødre, I var allerede sammen med mig i rigets ånd, selv før disse andre bad om at blive modtaget. I, mine brødre, behøver ikke at bede om at komme ind i riget; I har været sammen med mig i riget fra begyndelsen. For mennesker kan andre have forrang frem for jer, men i mit hjerte talte jeg også jer i rigets råd, endnu før I tænkte på at anmode mig om dette. Og måske havde du endda været den første foran mennesker, hvis du ikke havde været fraværende i en velmenende, men selvbestaltet opgave med at søge efter en, der ikke var fortabt. I det kommende rige skal I ikke tænke på de ting, der skaber jeres bekymring, men til enhver tid kun være optaget af at gøre den himmelske Faders vilje.” | 137:1.6 (1525.3) Jesus was asleep when they reached his abode, but they awakened him, saying: “How is it that, while we who have so long lived with you are searching in the hills for you, you prefer others before us and choose Andrew and Simon as your first associates in the new kingdom?” Jesus answered them, “Be calm in your hearts and ask yourselves, ‘who directed that you should search for the Son of Man when he was about his Father’s business?’” After they had recited the details of their long search in the hills, Jesus further instructed them: “You should learn to search for the secret of the new kingdom in your hearts and not in the hills. That which you sought was already present in your souls. You are indeed my brethren—you needed not to be received by me—already were you of the kingdom, and you should be of good cheer, making ready also to go with us tomorrow into Galilee.” John then made bold to ask, “But, Master, will James and I be associates with you in the new kingdom, even as Andrew and Simon?” And Jesus, laying a hand on the shoulder of each of them, said: “My brethren, you were already with me in the spirit of the kingdom, even before these others made request to be received. You, my brethren, have no need to make request for entrance into the kingdom; you have been with me in the kingdom from the beginning. Before men, others may take precedence over you, but in my heart did I also number you in the councils of the kingdom, even before you thought to make this request of me. And even so might you have been first before men had you not been absent engaged in a well-intentioned but self-appointed task of seeking for one who was not lost. In the coming kingdom, be not mindful of those things which foster your anxiety but rather at all times concern yourselves only with doing the will of the Father who is in heaven.” | |
| 137:1.7 (1525.4) James og Johannes modtog irettesættelsen i god ro og orden; de var aldrig mere misundelige på Andreas og Simon. Og de gjorde sig klar til at rejse til Galilæa næste morgen sammen med deres to apostle. Fra denne dag blev betegnelsen apostel brugt til at skelne den udvalgte familie af Jesu rådgivere fra den store skare af troende disciple, der efterfølgende fulgte ham. | 137:1.7 (1525.4) James and John received the rebuke in good grace; never more were they envious of Andrew and Simon. And they made ready, with their two associate apostles, to depart for Galilee the next morning. From this day on the term apostle was employed to distinguish the chosen family of Jesus’ advisers from the vast multitude of believing disciples who subsequently followed him. | |
| 137:1.8 (1525.5) Sent den aften talte James, Johannes, Andreas og Simon med Johannes Døberen, og med tårevædede øjne, men med fast stemme, overgav den standhaftige profet fra Judæa to af sine ledende disciple til at blive apostle for den galilæiske prins af det kommende rige. | 137:1.8 (1525.5) Late that evening, James, John, Andrew, and Simon held converse with John the Baptist, and with tearful eye but steady voice the stalwart Judean prophet surrendered two of his leading disciples to become the apostles of the Galilean Prince of the coming kingdom. | |
| 2. Udvælgelse af filip og nataniel ^top | 2. Choosing Philip and Nathaniel ^top | |
| 137:2.1 (1526.1) Søndag morgen den 24. februar år 26 e.Kr. tog Jesus afsked med Johannes Døberen ved floden nær Pella for aldrig mere at se ham i levende live. | 137:2.1 (1526.1) Sunday morning, February 24, a.d. 26, Jesus took leave of John the Baptist by the river near Pella, never again to see him in the flesh. | |
| 137:2.2 (1526.2) Den dag, da Jesus og hans fire discipel-apostle tog af sted til Galilæa, opstod der stor tumult i lejren blandt Johannes’ tilhængere. Den første store splittelse var ved at finde sted. Dagen før havde Johannes givet Andreas og Ezra sin positive tilkendegivelse af, at Jesus var Frelseren. Andreas besluttede sig for at følge Jesus, men Ezra afviste den milde tømrer fra Nazaret og proklamerede til sine medarbejdere: “Profeten Daniel erklærer, at Menneskesønnen vil komme med himlens skyer, i kraft og stor herlighed. Denne tømrer fra Galilæa, denne bådebygger fra Kapernaum, kan ikke være Frelseren. Kan en sådan Guds gave komme fra Nazaret? Denne Jesus er i familie med Johannes, og vores lærer er blevet bedraget på grund af megen venlighed. Lad os holde os på afstand af denne falske Messias.” Da Johannes irettesatte Ezra for disse udtalelser, trak han sig væk med mange disciple og skyndte sig sydpå. Og denne gruppe fortsatte med at døbe i Johannes’ navn og grundlagde til sidst en sekt af dem, der troede på Johannes, men nægtede at acceptere Jesus. En rest af denne gruppe findes stadig i Mesopotamien den dag i dag. | 137:2.2 (1526.2) That day, as Jesus and his four disciple-apostles departed for Galilee, there was a great tumult in the camp of John’s followers. The first great division was about to take place. The day before, John had made his positive pronouncement to Andrew and Ezra that Jesus was the Deliverer. Andrew decided to follow Jesus, but Ezra rejected the mild-mannered carpenter of Nazareth, proclaiming to his associates: “The Prophet Daniel declares that the Son of Man will come with the clouds of heaven, in power and great glory. This Galilean carpenter, this Capernaum boatbuilder, cannot be the Deliverer. Can such a gift of God come out of Nazareth? This Jesus is a relative of John, and through much kindness of heart has our teacher been deceived. Let us remain aloof from this false Messiah.” When John rebuked Ezra for these utterances, he drew away with many disciples and hastened south. And this group continued to baptize in John’s name and eventually founded a sect of those who believed in John but refused to accept Jesus. A remnant of this group persists in Mesopotamia even to this day. | |
| 137:2.3 (1526.3) Mens disse problemer var under opsejling blandt Johannes’ tilhængere, var Jesus og hans fire disciple og apostle godt på vej mod Galilæa. Før de krydsede Jordan for at gå via Nain til Nazaret, så Jesus, mens han kiggede fremad og op ad vejen, en Filip fra Betsaida med en ven komme imod dem. Jesus havde kendt Filip før, og han var også velkendt af alle de fire nye apostle. Han var på vej sammen med sin ven Nataniel for at besøge Johannes i Pella for at lære mere om Guds riges forventede komme, og han var meget glad for at hilse på Jesus. Filip havde været en beundrer af Jesus, lige siden han første gang kom til Kapernaum. Men Nataniel, som boede i Kana i Galilæa, ikke kendte Jesus. Filip gik frem for at hilse på sine venner, mens Nataniel hvilede sig i skyggen af et træ ved vejkanten. | 137:2.3 (1526.3) While this trouble was brewing among John’s followers, Jesus and his four disciple-apostles were well on their way toward Galilee. Before they crossed the Jordan, to go by way of Nain to Nazareth, Jesus, looking ahead and up the road, saw one Philip of Bethsaida with a friend coming toward them. Jesus had known Philip aforetime, and he was also well known to all four of the new apostles. He was on his way with his friend Nathaniel to visit John at Pella to learn more about the reported coming of the kingdom of God, and he was delighted to greet Jesus. Philip had been an admirer of Jesus ever since he first came to Capernaum. But Nathaniel, who lived at Cana of Galilee, did not know Jesus. Philip went forward to greet his friends while Nathaniel rested under the shade of a tree by the roadside. | |
| 137:2.4 (1526.4) Peter tog Filip til side og fortsatte med at forklare, at de, med henvisning til ham selv, Andreas, James og Johannes, alle var blevet Jesu medarbejdere i det nye rige, og han opfordrede kraftigt Filip til at melde sig frivilligt til tjeneste. Filip var i et dilemma. Hvad skulle han gøre? Her, uden et øjebliks advarsel—i vejkanten nær Jordan—skulle han øjeblikkeligt tage stilling til sit livs mest betydningsfulde spørgsmål. På dette tidspunkt var han i alvorlig samtale med Peter, Andreas og Johannes, mens Jesus skitserede turen gennem Galilæa og videre til Kapernaum for “Hvorfor ikke spørge Læreren?” | 137:2.4 (1526.4) Peter took Philip to one side and proceeded to explain that they, referring to himself, Andrew, James, and John, had all become associates of Jesus in the new kingdom and strongly urged Philip to volunteer for service. Philip was in a quandary. What should he do? Here, without a moment’s warning—on the roadside near the Jordan—there had come up for immediate decision the most momentous question of a lifetime. By this time he was in earnest converse with Peter, Andrew, and John while Jesus was outlining to James the trip through Galilee and on to Capernaum. Finally, Andrew suggested to Philip, “Why not ask the Teacher?” | |
| 137:2.5 (1526.5) Det gik pludselig op for Filip, at Jesus var en virkelig stor mand, muligvis Messias, og han besluttede sig for at følge Jesu beslutning i denne sag; og han gik direkte til ham og spurgte: “Mester, skal jeg gå ned til Johannes, eller skal jeg slutte mig til mine venner, som følger dig?” Og Jesus svarede: “Følg mig.” Filip var begejstret over visheden om, at han havde fundet Frelseren. | 137:2.5 (1526.5) It suddenly dawned on Philip that Jesus was a really great man, possibly the Messiah, and he decided to abide by Jesus’ decision in this matter; and he went straight to him, asking, “Teacher, shall I go down to John or shall I join my friends who follow you?” And Jesus answered, “Follow me.” Philip was thrilled with the assurance that he had found the Deliverer. | |
| 137:2.6 (1526.6) Filip bad nu gruppen om at blive, hvor de var, mens han skyndte sig tilbage for at overbringe nyheden om sin beslutning til sin ven Nataniel, som stadig blev tilbage under morbærtræet, mens han i tankerne vendte de mange ting, han havde hørt om Johannes Døberen, det kommende rige og den forventede Messias. Filip brød ind i disse meditationer og udbrød: “Jeg har fundet Frelseren, ham, som Moses og profeterne skrev om, og som Johannes har forkyndt.” Nataniel kiggede op og spurgte: “Hvor kommer denne lærer fra?” Og Filip svarede: “Han er Jesus fra Nazaret, søn af tømreren Josef, som for nylig boede i Kapernaum.” Og så, noget chokeret, spurgte Nataniel: “Kan noget så godt komme ud af Nazaret?” Men Filip tog ham i armen og sagde: “Kom og se.” | 137:2.6 (1526.6) Philip now motioned to the group to remain where they were while he hurried back to break the news of his decision to his friend Nathaniel, who still tarried behind under the mulberry tree, turning over in his mind the many things which he had heard concerning John the Baptist, the coming kingdom, and the expected Messiah. Philip broke in upon these meditations, exclaiming, “I have found the Deliverer, him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote and whom John has proclaimed.” Nathaniel, looking up, inquired, “Whence comes this teacher?” And Philip replied, “He is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, the carpenter, more recently residing at Capernaum.” And then, somewhat shocked, Nathaniel asked, “Can any such good thing come out of Nazareth?” But Philip, taking him by the arm, said, “Come and see.” | |
| 137:2.7 (1527.1) Filip førte Nataniel hen til Jesus, som så venligt ind i ansigtet på den oprigtige tvivler og sagde: “Se en ægte israelit, i hvem der ikke er noget bedrag. Følg mig.” Og Nataniel vendte sig mod Filip og sagde: “Du har ret. Han er virkelig en menneskenes mester. Jeg vil også følge ham, hvis jeg er værdig.” Og Jesus nikkede til Nataniel og sagde igen: “Følg mig.” | 137:2.7 (1527.1) Philip led Nathaniel to Jesus, who, looking benignly into the face of the sincere doubter, said: “Behold a genuine Israelite, in whom there is no deceit. Follow me.” And Nathaniel, turning to Philip, said: “You are right. He is indeed a master of men. I will also follow, if I am worthy.” And Jesus nodded to Nathaniel, again saying, “Follow me.” | |
| 137:2.8 (1527.2) Jesus havde nu samlet halvdelen af sit fremtidige korps af fortrolige medarbejdere, fem, som i nogen tid havde kendt ham, og en fremmed, Nataniel. Uden yderligere forsinkelse krydsede de Jordan, og via landsbyen Nain nåede de Nazaret sent samme aften. | 137:2.8 (1527.2) Jesus had now assembled one half of his future corps of intimate associates, five who had for some time known him and one stranger, Nathaniel. Without further delay they crossed the Jordan and, going by the village of Nain, reached Nazareth late that evening. | |
| 137:2.9 (1527.3) De overnattede alle sammen hos Josef i Jesu barndomshjem. Jesu medarbejdere forstod ikke helt, hvorfor deres nyfundne lærer var så optaget af helt at ødelægge alle spor af hans skrift, som stadig fandtes i hjemmet i form af de ti bud og andre mottoer og ordsprog. Men denne fremgangsmåde, sammen med det faktum, at de aldrig senere så ham skrive—undtagen på støvet eller i sandet—gjorde et dybt indtryk på deres sind. | 137:2.9 (1527.3) They all remained overnight with Joseph in Jesus’ boyhood home. The associates of Jesus little understood why their new-found teacher was so concerned with completely destroying every vestige of his writing which remained about the home in the form of the ten commandments and other mottoes and sayings. But this proceeding, together with the fact that they never saw him subsequently write—except upon the dust or in the sand—made a deep impression upon their minds. | |
| 3. Besøget i kapernaum ^top | 3. The Visit to Capernaum ^top | |
| 137:3.1 (1527.4) Næste dag sendte Jesus sine apostle videre til Kana, siden de alle var inviteret til bryllup hos en prominent ung kvinde i denne by, mens han selv planlagde et hurtig besøg hos sin mor i Kapernaum, samt at stoppe i Magdala for at træffe sin bror Juda. | 137:3.1 (1527.4) The next day Jesus sent his apostles on to Cana, since all of them were invited to the wedding of a prominent young woman of that town, while he prepared to pay a hurried visit to his mother at Capernaum, stopping at Magdala to see his brother Jude. | |
| 137:3.2 (1527.5) Før de forlod Nazaret, fortalte Jesu nye medarbejdere Josef og andre medlemmer af Jesu familie om de vidunderlige begivenheder i den seneste tid og gav frit udtryk for deres tro på, at Jesus var den længe ventede befrier. Og disse medlemmer af Jesu familie talte om alt dette, og Josef sagde: “Måske havde mor trods alt ret—måske er vores mærkelige bror den kommende konge.” | 137:3.2 (1527.5) Before leaving Nazareth, the new associates of Jesus told Joseph and other members of Jesus’ family about the wonderful events of the then recent past and gave free expression to their belief that Jesus was the long-expected deliverer. And these members of Jesus’ family talked all this over, and Joseph said: “Maybe, after all, Mother was right—maybe our strange brother is the coming king.” | |
| 137:3.3 (1527.6) Jude var til stede ved Jesu dåb, og sammen med sin bror James var han blevet en fast troende på Jesu mission på jorden. Selvom både James og Jude var meget forvirrede over karakteren af deres brors mission, havde deres mor genoplivet alle sine tidlige håb om Jesus som Messias, Davids søn, og hun opmuntrede sine sønner til at tro på deres bror som Israels befrier. | 137:3.3 (1527.6) Jude was present at Jesus’ baptism and, with his brother James, had become a firm believer in Jesus’ mission on earth. Although both James and Jude were much perplexed as to the nature of their brother’s mission, their mother had resurrected all her early hopes of Jesus as the Messiah, the son of David, and she encouraged her sons to have faith in their brother as the deliverer of Israel. | |
| 137:3.4 (1527.7) Jesus ankom til Kapernaum mandag aften, men han gik ikke til sit eget hjem, hvor James og hans mor boede; han gik direkte til Zebedæus’ hjem. Alle hans venner i Kapernaum så en stor og behagelig forandring i ham. Han så igen ud til at være forholdsvis munter og mere som sig selv, end han havde været i de tidligere år i Nazaret. I årene op til sin dåb og i isolationsperioderne lige før og lige efter var han blevet mere og mere alvorlig og indesluttet. Nu virkede han helt som sit gamle jeg på dem alle. Der var noget majestætisk og ophøjet over ham, men han var igen let og glad. | 137:3.4 (1527.7) Jesus arrived in Capernaum Monday night, but he did not go to his own home, where lived James and his mother; he went directly to the home of Zebedee. All his friends at Capernaum saw a great and pleasant change in him. Once more he seemed to be comparatively cheerful and more like himself as he was during the earlier years at Nazareth. For years previous to his baptism and the isolation periods just before and just after, he had grown increasingly serious and self-contained. Now he seemed quite like his old self to all of them. There was about him something of majestic import and exalted aspect, but he was once again lighthearted and joyful. | |
| 137:3.5 (1528.1) Maria var begejstret af forventning. Hun forudså, at Gabriels løfte nærmede sig sin opfyldelse. Hun forventede, at hele Palæstina snart ville blive forskrækket og forbløffet over den mirakuløse åbenbaring af hendes søn som jødernes overnaturlige konge. Men på alle de mange spørgsmål, som hans mor, James, Jude og Zebedee stillede, svarede Jesus kun smilende: “Det er bedre, at jeg bliver her et stykke tid; jeg skal gøre min Faders vilje, som er i himlene.” | 137:3.5 (1528.1) Mary was thrilled with expectation. She anticipated that the promise of Gabriel was nearing fulfillment. She expected all Palestine soon to be startled and stunned by the miraculous revelation of her son as the supernatural king of the Jews. But to all of the many questions which his mother, James, Jude, and Zebedee asked, Jesus only smilingly replied: “It is better that I tarry here for a while; I must do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” | |
| 137:3.6 (1528.2) Den næste dag, tirsdag, rejste de alle over til Kana for at deltage i Naomis bryllup, som skulle finde sted den følgende dag. Og på trods af Jesu gentagne advarsler om, at de ikke måtte fortælle nogen om ham, “før Faderens time er kommet,” insisterede de på stille og roligt at sprede nyheden om, at de havde fundet Frelseren. De forventede alle, at Jesus ville indvie sin messianske autoritet ved det forestående bryllup i Kana, og at han ville gøre det med stor kraft og sublim storhed. De huskede, hvad der var blevet fortalt dem om fænomenerne i forbindelse med hans dåb, og de troede, at hans fremtidige færd på jorden ville blive præget af stadig flere overnaturlige vidundere og mirakuløse demonstrationer. Derfor forberedte hele landsbyen sig på at samles i Kana til bryllupsfesten for Naomi og Johab, Natans søn. | 137:3.6 (1528.2) On the next day, Tuesday, they all journeyed over to Cana for the wedding of Naomi, which was to take place on the following day. And in spite of Jesus’ repeated warnings that they tell no man about him “until the Father’s hour shall come,” they insisted on quietly spreading the news abroad that they had found the Deliverer. They each confidently expected that Jesus would inaugurate his assumption of Messianic authority at the forthcoming wedding at Cana, and that he would do so with great power and sublime grandeur. They remembered what had been told them about the phenomena attendant upon his baptism, and they believed that his future course on earth would be marked by increasing manifestations of supernatural wonders and miraculous demonstrations. Accordingly, the entire countryside was preparing to gather together at Cana for the wedding feast of Naomi and Johab the son of Nathan. | |
| 137:3.7 (1528.3) Maria havde ikke været så glad i årevis. Hun rejste til Kana i dronningemoderens ånd på vej til at overvære sin søns kroning. Ikke siden han var tretten år gammel, havde Jesu familie og venner set ham så ubekymret og glad, så betænksom og forstående over for sine medmenneskers ønsker og begær, så rørende sympatisk. Og så hviskede de alle sammen til hinanden i små grupper og spekulerede på, hvad der ville ske. Hvad ville denne mærkelige person nu gøre? Hvordan ville han indvarsle det kommende riges herlighed? Og de var alle begejstrede ved tanken om, at de skulle være til stede for at se åbenbaringen af Israels Guds magt og kraft. | 137:3.7 (1528.3) Mary had not been so joyous in years. She journeyed to Cana in the spirit of the queen mother on the way to witness the coronation of her son. Not since he was thirteen years old had Jesus’ family and friends seen him so carefree and happy, so thoughtful and understanding of the wishes and desires of his associates, so touchingly sympathetic. And so they all whispered among themselves, in small groups, wondering what was going to happen. What would this strange person do next? How would he usher in the glory of the coming kingdom? And they were all thrilled with the thought that they were to be present to see the revelation of the might and power of Israel’s God. | |
| 4. Brylluppet i kana ^top | 4. The Wedding at Cana ^top | |
| 137:4.1 (1528.4) Ved middagstid onsdag var næsten tusind gæster ankommet til Kana, mere end fire gange det antal, der var inviteret til bryllupsfesten. Det var en jødisk skik at fejre bryllupper om onsdagen, og invitationerne til brylluppet var blevet sendt ud en måned tidligere. Om formiddagen og tidligt på eftermiddagen lignede det mere en offentlig reception for Jesus end et bryllup. Alle ville hilse på denne næsten berømte galilæer, og han var meget hjertelig over for alle, unge og gamle, jøder og ikke-jøder. Og alle glædede sig, da Jesus indvilligede i at lede det indledende bryllupsoptog. | 137:4.1 (1528.4) By noon on Wednesday almost a thousand guests had arrived in Cana, more than four times the number bidden to the wedding feast. It was a Jewish custom to celebrate weddings on Wednesday, and the invitations had been sent abroad for the wedding one month previously. In the forenoon and early afternoon it appeared more like a public reception for Jesus than a wedding. Everybody wanted to greet this near-famous Galilean, and he was most cordial to all, young and old, Jew and gentile. And everybody rejoiced when Jesus consented to lead the preliminary wedding procession. | |
| 137:4.2 (1528.5) Jesus var nu helt bevidst om sin menneskelige eksistens, sin guddommelige præeksistens og status for sin kombinerede, eller sammensmeltede, menneskelige og guddommelige natur. Med perfekt balance kunne han på et øjeblik spille den menneskelige rolle eller straks påtage sig den guddommelige naturs personlighedsprærogativer. | 137:4.2 (1528.5) Jesus was now thoroughly self-conscious regarding his human existence, his divine pre-existence, and the status of his combined, or fused, human and divine natures. With perfect poise he could at one moment enact the human role or immediately assume the personality prerogatives of the divine nature. | |
| 137:4.3 (1528.6) Som dagen skred frem, blev Jesus mere og mere bevidst om, at folk forventede, at han skulle udføre et eller andet mirakel; især indså han, at hans familie og hans seks disciple-apostle ventede på, at han skulle annoncere sit kommende rige ved hjælp af en opsigtsvækkende og overnaturlig manifestation. | 137:4.3 (1528.6) As the day wore on, Jesus became increasingly conscious that the people were expecting him to perform some wonder; more especially he recognized that his family and his six disciple-apostles were looking for him appropriately to announce his forthcoming kingdom by some startling and supernatural manifestation. | |
| 137:4.4 (1529.1) Tidligt på eftermiddagen tilkaldte Maria James, og sammen dristede de sig til at henvende sig til Jesus for at spørge, om han ville betro dem så meget, at han kunne fortælle dem, hvornår og på hvilket tidspunkt i forbindelse med bryllupsceremonierne han havde planlagt at manifestere sig som “den overnaturlige.” Så snart de havde talt med Jesus om disse ting, så de, at de havde vakt hans karakteristiske forargelse. Han sagde blot: “Hvis I elsker mig, så vær villige til at blive hos mig, mens jeg venter på min Faders vilje, som er i himlene.” Men det veltalende i hans irettesættelse lå i hans ansigtsudtryk. | 137:4.4 (1529.1) Early in the afternoon Mary summoned James, and together they made bold to approach Jesus to inquire if he would admit them to his confidence to the extent of informing them at what hour and at what point in connection with the wedding ceremonies he had planned to manifest himself as the “supernatural one.” No sooner had they spoken of these matters to Jesus than they saw they had aroused his characteristic indignation. He said only: “If you love me, then be willing to tarry with me while I wait upon the will of my Father who is in heaven.” But the eloquence of his rebuke lay in the expression of his face. | |
| 137:4.5 (1529.2) Dette træk fra hans mors side var en stor skuffelse for mennesket Jesus, og han blev meget ædru af sin reaktion på hendes suggestive forslag om, at han skulle tillade sig selv at give en ydre demonstration af sin guddommelighed. Det var netop en af de ting, han havde besluttet ikke at gøre, da han for nylig var blevet isoleret i bjergene. I flere timer var Mary meget deprimeret. Hun sagde til James: “Jeg kan ikke forstå ham; hvad kan det hele betyde? Er der ingen ende på hans mærkelige opførsel?” James og Jude forsøgte at trøste deres mor, mens Jesus trak sig tilbage for en times ensomhed. Men han vendte tilbage til forsamlingen og var igen let om hjertet og glad. | 137:4.5 (1529.2) This move of his mother was a great disappointment to the human Jesus, and he was much sobered by his reaction to her suggestive proposal that he permit himself to indulge in some outward demonstration of his divinity. That was one of the very things he had decided not to do when so recently isolated in the hills. For several hours Mary was much depressed. She said to James: “I cannot understand him; what can it all mean? Is there no end to his strange conduct?” James and Jude tried to comfort their mother, while Jesus withdrew for an hour’s solitude. But he returned to the gathering and was once more lighthearted and joyous. | |
| 137:4.6 (1529.3) Brylluppet fortsatte med en forventningsfuld tavshed, men hele ceremonien var færdig, og ikke en bevægelse, ikke et ord, fra den ærede gæst. Så blev der hvisket om, at tømreren og bådebyggeren, som Johannes kaldte “Frelseren,” ville vise sin hånd under aftenens festligheder, måske ved bryllupsmiddagen. Men al forventning om en sådan demonstration blev effektivt fjernet fra hans seks discipel-apostles sind, da han kaldte dem sammen lige før bryllupsmåltidet og med stor alvor sagde: “Tro ikke, at jeg er kommet til dette sted for at gøre et under til glæde for de nysgerrige eller for at overbevise dem, der tvivler. Vi er her snarere for at vente på vor Faders vilje, som er i himlene.” Men da Maria og de andre så ham i samråd med sine medarbejdere, var de helt overbeviste om, at noget ekstraordinært var ved at ske. Og de satte sig alle ned for at nyde bryllupsmiddagen og den festlige aften i godt fællesskab. | 137:4.6 (1529.3) The wedding proceeded with a hush of expectancy, but the entire ceremony was finished and not a move, not a word, from the honored guest. Then it was whispered about that the carpenter and boatbuilder, announced by John as “the Deliverer,” would show his hand during the evening festivities, perhaps at the wedding supper. But all expectance of such a demonstration was effectually removed from the minds of his six disciple-apostles when he called them together just before the wedding supper and, in great earnestness, said: “Think not that I have come to this place to work some wonder for the gratification of the curious or for the conviction of those who doubt. Rather are we here to wait upon the will of our Father who is in heaven.” But when Mary and the others saw him in consultation with his associates, they were fully persuaded in their own minds that something extraordinary was about to happen. And they all sat down to enjoy the wedding supper and the evening of festive good fellowship. | |
| 137:4.7 (1529.4) Brudgommens far havde sørget for masser af vin til alle de gæster, der var inviteret til bryllupsfesten, men hvordan kunne han vide, at hans søns bryllup ville blive en begivenhed, der var så tæt forbundet med den forventede manifestation af Jesus som den messianske befrier? Han var henrykt over at få æren af at have den berømte galilæer blandt sine gæster, men inden bryllupsmiddagen var forbi, bragte tjenerne ham den foruroligende nyhed, at vinen var ved at slippe op. Da den formelle middag var slut, og gæsterne slentrede rundt i haven, betroede brudgommens mor Maria, at vinbeholdningen var opbrugt. Og Maria sagde fortrøstningsfuldt: “Vær ikke bekymret—jeg vil tale med min søn. Han vil hjælpe os.” Og sådan dristede hun sig til at tale, på trods af irettesættelsen få timer forinden. | 137:4.7 (1529.4) The father of the bridegroom had provided plenty of wine for all the guests bidden to the marriage feast, but how was he to know that the marriage of his son was to become an event so closely associated with the expected manifestation of Jesus as the Messianic deliverer? He was delighted to have the honor of numbering the celebrated Galilean among his guests, but before the wedding supper was over, the servants brought him the disconcerting news that the wine was running short. By the time the formal supper had ended and the guests were strolling about in the garden, the mother of the bridegroom confided to Mary that the supply of wine was exhausted. And Mary confidently said: “Have no worry—I will speak to my son. He will help us.” And thus did she presume to speak, notwithstanding the rebuke of but a few hours before. | |
| 137:4.8 (1529.5) Gennem mange år havde Maria altid henvendt sig til Jesus for at få hjælp i enhver krise i deres hjemmeliv i Nazaret, så det var kun naturligt for hende at tænke på ham på dette tidspunkt. Men denne ambitiøse mor havde endnu andre motiver til at appellere til sin ældste søn ved denne lejlighed. Da Jesus stod alene i et hjørne af haven, kom hans mor hen til ham og sagde: “Min søn, de har ingen vin.” Og Jesus svarede: “Min gode kvinde, hvad har jeg med det at gøre?” Maria sagde: “Men jeg tror, at din time er kommet; kan du ikke hjælpe os?” Jesus svarede: “Igen erklærer jeg, at jeg ikke er kommet for at gøre tingene på denne måde. Hvorfor plager du mig igen med disse spørgsmål?” Og så brød Maria sammen i tårer og bad ham: “Men, min søn, jeg lovede dem, at du ville hjælpe os; vil du ikke nok gøre noget for mig?” Og så talte Jesus: “Kvinde, hvad har du at gøre med at give sådanne løfter? Se til, at du ikke gør det igen. Vi må i alle ting vente på vor himmelske Faders vilje.” | 137:4.8 (1529.5) Throughout a period of many years, Mary had always turned to Jesus for help in every crisis of their home life at Nazareth so that it was only natural for her to think of him at this time. But this ambitious mother had still other motives for appealing to her eldest son on this occasion. As Jesus was standing alone in a corner of the garden, his mother approached him, saying, “My son, they have no wine.” And Jesus answered, “My good woman, what have I to do with that?” Said Mary, “But I believe your hour has come; cannot you help us?” Jesus replied: “Again I declare that I have not come to do things in this wise. Why do you trouble me again with these matters?” And then, breaking down in tears, Mary entreated him, “But, my son, I promised them that you would help us; won’t you please do something for me?” And then spoke Jesus: “Woman, what have you to do with making such promises? See that you do it not again. We must in all things wait upon the will of the Father in heaven.” | |
| 137:4.9 (1530.1) Maria, Jesu mor, var knust; hun var lamslået! Da hun stod der foran ham ubevægelig med tårerne strømmende ned ad ansigtet, blev Jesu menneskelige hjerte overvældet af medlidenhed med den kvinde, der havde født ham i kødet; og han bøjede sig frem, lagde sin hånd ømt på hendes hoved og sagde: “Så, så, Moder Maria, sørg ikke over mine tilsyneladende hårde ord, for har jeg ikke mange gange fortalt dig, at jeg kun er kommet for at gøre min himmelske Faders vilje? Jeg ville meget gerne gøre det, du beder mig om, hvis det var en del af Faderens vilje—“og Jesus stoppede kort, han tøvede. Maria syntes at fornemme, at der var ved at ske noget. Hun sprang op, kastede armene om halsen på Jesus, kyssede ham og skyndte sig hen til tjenestefolkene, mens hun sagde: “Alt, hvad min søn siger, skal han gøre.” Men Jesus sagde ingenting. Han indså nu, at han allerede havde sagt—eller snarere tænkt—for meget. | 137:4.9 (1530.1) Mary the mother of Jesus was crushed; she was stunned! As she stood there before him motionless, with the tears streaming down her face, the human heart of Jesus was overcome with compassion for the woman who had borne him in the flesh; and bending forward, he laid his hand tenderly upon her head, saying: “Now, now, Mother Mary, grieve not over my apparently hard sayings, for have I not many times told you that I have come only to do the will of my heavenly Father? Most gladly would I do what you ask of me if it were a part of the Father’s will—” and Jesus stopped short, he hesitated. Mary seemed to sense that something was happening. Leaping up, she threw her arms around Jesus’ neck, kissed him, and rushed off to the servants’ quarters, saying, “Whatever my son says, that do.” But Jesus said nothing. He now realized that he had already said—or rather desirefully thought—too much. | |
| 137:4.10 (1530.2) Maria dansede af fryd. Hun vidste ikke, hvordan vinen ville blive produceret, men hun troede fuldt og fast på, at hun endelig havde overtalt sin førstefødte søn til at hævde sin autoritet, til at turde træde frem og gøre krav på sin position og vise sin messianske magt. Og på grund af tilstedeværelsen og tilknytningen af visse universelle kræfter og personligheder, som alle de tilstedeværende var helt uvidende om, blev hun ikke skuffet. Den vin, Maria ønskede sig, og som Jesus, Gud-mennesket, menneskeligt og medfølende ønskede sig, kom. | 137:4.10 (1530.2) Mary was dancing with glee. She did not know how the wine would be produced, but she confidently believed that she had finally persuaded her first-born son to assert his authority, to dare to step forth and claim his position and exhibit his Messianic power. And, because of the presence and association of certain universe powers and personalities, of which all those present were wholly ignorant, she was not to be disappointed. The wine Mary desired and which Jesus, the God-man, humanly and sympathetically wished for, was forthcoming. | |
| 137:4.11 (1530.3) Tæt på stod seks vandkander af sten, fyldt med vand, der hver kunne rumme omkring 20 liter. Dette vand var beregnet til senere brug i bryllupsfestens afsluttende renselsesceremonier. Tjenernes tumult omkring disse enorme stenkar, under hans mors travle ledelse, tiltrak sig Jesu opmærksomhed, og da han gik hen til dem, så han, at de tappede vin af dem i kandevis. | 137:4.11 (1530.3) Near at hand stood six waterpots of stone, filled with water, holding about twenty gallons apiece. This water was intended for subsequent use in the final purification ceremonies of the wedding celebration. The commotion of the servants about these huge stone vessels, under the busy direction of his mother, attracted Jesus’ attention, and going over, he observed that they were drawing wine out of them by the pitcherful. | |
| 137:4.12 (1530.4) Det var efterhånden ved at gå op for Jesus, hvad der var sket. Af alle, der var til stede ved bryllupsfesten i Kana, var Jesus den mest overraskede. Andre havde forventet, at han ville gøre et under, men det var netop, hvad han ikke havde tænkt sig at gøre. Og så huskede Menneskesønnen formaningen fra sin personaliserede Tankeretter i bakkerne. Han fortalte, hvordan Retteren havde advaret ham om, at ingen kraft eller personlighed kunne fratage ham skaberens privilegium om uafhængighed af tid. Ved denne lejlighed var krafttransformatorer, mellemmænd og alle andre nødvendige personligheder samlet i nærheden af vandet og andre nødvendige elementer, og i lyset af det udtrykte ønske fra universets suveræne skaber var der ingen vej uden om den øjeblikkelige fremkomst af vin. Og denne begivenhed blev gjort dobbelt så sikker, da den personaliserede Retter havde tilkendegivet, at udførelsen af Sønnens ønske på ingen måde var en overtrædelse af Faderens vilje. | 137:4.12 (1530.4) It was gradually dawning upon Jesus what had happened. Of all persons present at the marriage feast of Cana, Jesus was the most surprised. Others had expected him to work a wonder, but that was just what he had purposed not to do. And then the Son of Man recalled the admonition of his Personalized Thought Adjuster in the hills. He recounted how the Adjuster had warned him about the inability of any power or personality to deprive him of the creator prerogative of independence of time. On this occasion power transformers, midwayers, and all other required personalities were assembled near the water and other necessary elements, and in the face of the expressed wish of the Universe Creator Sovereign, there was no escaping the instantaneous appearance of wine. And this occurrence was made doubly certain since the Personalized Adjuster had signified that the execution of the Son’s desire was in no way a contravention of the Father’s will. | |
| 137:4.13 (1530.5) Men det var på ingen måde et mirakel. Ingen naturlov blev ændret, ophævet eller endda overskredet. Der skete ikke andet end en ophævelse af tiden i forbindelse med den himmelske samling af de kemiske elementer, der var nødvendige for vinens tilblivelse. Ved denne lejlighed i Kana fremstillede Skaberens agenter vin, ligesom de gør ved almindelige naturlige processer bortset fra, at de gjorde det uafhængigt af tid og med indgriben fra overmenneskelige agenter i forbindelse med rummets samling af de nødvendige kemiske ingredienser. | 137:4.13 (1530.5) But this was in no sense a miracle. No law of nature was modified, abrogated, or even transcended. Nothing happened but the abrogation of time in association with the celestial assembly of the chemical elements requisite for the elaboration of the wine. At Cana on this occasion the agents of the Creator made wine just as they do by the ordinary natural processes except that they did it independently of time and with the intervention of superhuman agencies in the matter of the space assembly of the necessary chemical ingredients. | |
| 137:4.14 (1531.1) Desuden var det tydeligt, at udførelsen af dette såkaldte mirakel ikke var i modstrid med Paradisfaderens vilje, ellers ville det ikke være sket, eftersom Jesus allerede i alle ting havde underkastet sig Faderens vilje. | 137:4.14 (1531.1) Furthermore it was evident that the enactment of this so-called miracle was not contrary to the will of the Paradise Father, else it would not have transpired, since Jesus had already subjected himself in all things to the Father’s will. | |
| 137:4.15 (1531.2) Da tjenerne havde tappet denne nye vin og båret den til forloveren, “festens herre,” og da han havde smagt på den, kaldte han på brudgommen og sagde: “Det er skik, at man først sætter den gode vin frem, og når gæsterne har drukket godt, bringer man den ringere vin frem; men du har gemt den bedste vin til den sidste del af festen.” | 137:4.15 (1531.2) When the servants drew this new wine and carried it to the best man, the “ruler of the feast,” and when he had tasted it, he called to the bridegroom, saying: “It is the custom to set out first the good wine and, when the guests have well drunk, to bring forth the inferior fruit of the vine; but you have kept the best of the wine until the last of the feast.” | |
| 137:4.16 (1531.3) Maria og Jesu disciple var meget glade for det formodede mirakel, som de troede, Jesus havde udført med vilje, men Jesus trak sig tilbage til en beskyttet krog i haven og tænkte alvorligt over det i et par korte øjeblikke. Til sidst besluttede han, at episoden var uden for hans personlige kontrol under de givne omstændigheder, og at den var uundgåelig, fordi den ikke var i modstrid med hans Faders vilje. Da han vendte tilbage til folket, betragtede de ham med ærefrygt; de troede alle på ham som Messias. Men Jesus var meget forvirret, for han vidste, at de kun troede på ham på grund af den usædvanlige begivenhed, som de netop uforvarende havde overværet. Igen trak Jesus sig for en tid tilbage til hustaget, så han kunne tænke over det hele. | 137:4.16 (1531.3) Mary and the disciples of Jesus were greatly rejoiced at the supposed miracle which they thought Jesus had intentionally performed, but Jesus withdrew to a sheltered nook of the garden and engaged in serious thought for a few brief moments. He finally decided that the episode was beyond his personal control under the circumstances and, not being adverse to his Father’s will, was inevitable. When he returned to the people, they regarded him with awe; they all believed in him as the Messiah. But Jesus was sorely perplexed, knowing that they believed in him only because of the unusual occurrence which they had just inadvertently beheld. Again Jesus retired for a season to the housetop that he might think it all over. | |
| 137:4.17 (1531.4) Jesus forstod nu fuldt ud, at han konstant måtte være på vagt, så hans overbærenhed med sympati og medlidenhed ikke blev ansvarlig for gentagne episoder af denne slags. Ikke desto mindre skete der mange lignende hændelser, før Menneskesønnen tog endelig afsked med sit jordiske liv i kødet. | 137:4.17 (1531.4) Jesus now fully comprehended that he must constantly be on guard lest his indulgence of sympathy and pity become responsible for repeated episodes of this sort. Nevertheless, many similar events occurred before the Son of Man took final leave of his mortal life in the flesh. | |
| 5. Tilbage i kapernaum ^top | 5. Back in Capernaum ^top | |
| 137:5.1 (1531.5) Selv om mange af gæsterne blev til en hel uges bryllupsfest, tog Jesus sammen med sine nyvalgte discipel-apostle—James, Johannes, Andreas, Peter, Filip og Nataniel—af sted meget tidligt næste morgen til Kapernaum uden at tage afsked med nogen. Jesu familie og alle hans venner i Kana var meget bekymrede over, at han så pludseligt forlod dem, og Jude, Jesu yngste bror, begav sig ud for at lede efter ham. Jesus og hans apostle tog direkte til Zebedæus’ hjem i Betsaida. På denne rejse talte Jesus om mange ting af betydning for det kommende rige med sine nyvalgte medarbejdere og advarede dem især om ikke at nævne, at vandet var blevet til vin. Han rådede dem også til at undgå byerne Sepphoris og Tiberias i deres fremtidige arbejde. | 137:5.1 (1531.5) Though many of the guests remained for the full week of wedding festivities, Jesus, with his newly chosen disciple-apostles—James, John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel—departed very early the next morning for Capernaum, going away without taking leave of anyone. Jesus’ family and all his friends in Cana were much distressed because he so suddenly left them, and Jude, Jesus’ youngest brother, set out in search of him. Jesus and his apostles went directly to the home of Zebedee at Bethsaida. On this journey Jesus talked over many things of importance to the coming kingdom with his newly chosen associates and especially warned them to make no mention of the turning of the water into wine. He also advised them to avoid the cities of Sepphoris and Tiberias in their future work. | |
| 137:5.2 (1531.6) Efter aftensmaden den aften, i Zebedæus og Salomes hjem, blev der afholdt en af de vigtigste konferencer i hele Jesu jordiske karriere. Kun de seks apostle var til stede ved dette møde; Jude ankom, da de var ved at skilles. Disse seks udvalgte mænd havde rejst fra Kana til Betsaida sammen med Jesus og gik så at sige på luft. De var levende af forventning og begejstrede ved tanken om at være blevet udvalgt som Menneskesønnens nære medarbejdere. Men da Jesus begyndte at gøre det klart for dem, hvem han var, og hvad hans mission på jorden skulle være, og hvordan den muligvis ville ende, blev de lamslåede. De kunne ikke fatte, hvad han fortalte dem. De var målløse; selv Peter var helt knust. Kun den dybt tænkende Andreas vovede at svare på Jesu rådgivende ord. Da Jesus mærkede, at de ikke forstod hans budskab, da han så, at deres ideer om den jødiske Messias var så fuldstændig krystalliserede, sendte han dem til hvile, mens han gik og talte med sin bror Jude. Og før Jude tog afsked med Jesus, sagde han med megen følelse: “Min far-bror, jeg har aldrig forstået dig. Jeg ved ikke med sikkerhed, om du er, hvad min mor har lært os, og jeg forstår ikke helt det kommende rige, men jeg ved, at du er en mægtig Guds mand. Jeg hørte stemmen ved Jordan, og jeg tror på dig, uanset hvem du er.” Og da han havde talt, tog han af sted til sit eget hjem i Magdala. | 137:5.2 (1531.6) After supper that evening, in this home of Zebedee and Salome, there was held one of the most important conferences of all Jesus’ earthly career. Only the six apostles were present at this meeting; Jude arrived as they were about to separate. These six chosen men had journeyed from Cana to Bethsaida with Jesus, walking, as it were, on air. They were alive with expectancy and thrilled with the thought of having been selected as close associates of the Son of Man. But when Jesus set out to make clear to them who he was and what was to be his mission on earth and how it might possibly end, they were stunned. They could not grasp what he was telling them. They were speechless; even Peter was crushed beyond expression. Only the deep-thinking Andrew dared to make reply to Jesus’ words of counsel. When Jesus perceived that they did not comprehend his message, when he saw that their ideas of the Jewish Messiah were so completely crystallized, he sent them to their rest while he walked and talked with his brother Jude. And before Jude took leave of Jesus, he said with much feeling: “My father-brother, I never have understood you. I do not know of a certainty whether you are what my mother has taught us, and I do not fully comprehend the coming kingdom, but I do know you are a mighty man of God. I heard the voice at the Jordan, and I am a believer in you, no matter who you are.” And when he had spoken, he departed, going to his own home at Magdala. | |
| 137:5.3 (1532.1) Den nat sov Jesus ikke. Han tog sine aftenklæder på og sad ude ved søbredden og tænkte og tænkte indtil daggry næste dag. I de lange timer af denne nat med meditation forstod Jesus, at han aldrig ville være i stand til at få sine tilhængere til at se ham i et andet lys end som den længe ventede Messias. Endelig erkendte han, at der ikke var nogen anden måde at lancere sit budskab om riget på end som opfyldelsen af Johannes’ forudsigelse og som den, jøderne ledte efter. Selvom han ikke var den davidiske Messias-type, var han trods alt virkelig opfyldelsen af de profetiske udsagn fra de mere åndeligt indstillede af de gamle seere. Aldrig mere benægtede han helt, at han var Messias. Han besluttede sig for at overlade den endelige opklaring af denne komplicerede situation til udførelsen af Faderens vilje. | 137:5.3 (1532.1) That night Jesus did not sleep. Donning his evening wraps, he sat out on the lake shore thinking, thinking until the dawn of the next day. In the long hours of that night of meditation Jesus came clearly to comprehend that he never would be able to make his followers see him in any other light than as the long-expected Messiah. At last he recognized that there was no way to launch his message of the kingdom except as the fulfillment of John’s prediction and as the one for whom the Jews were looking. After all, though he was not the Davidic type of Messiah, he was truly the fulfillment of the prophetic utterances of the more spiritually minded of the olden seers. Never again did he wholly deny that he was the Messiah. He decided to leave the final untangling of this complicated situation to the outworking of the Father’s will. | |
| 137:5.4 (1532.2) Næste morgen spiste Jesus morgenmad sammen med sine venner, men de var ikke særlig muntre. Han talte med dem, og da måltidet var slut, samlede han dem omkring sig og sagde: “Det er min Faders vilje, at vi bliver her et stykke tid. I har hørt Johannes sige, at han kom for at berede vejen for riget; derfor tilkommer det os at afvente afslutningen på Johannes’ forkyndelse. Når Menneskesønnens forløber har fuldført sit arbejde, vil vi begynde at forkynde det gode budskab om riget.” Han bad sine apostle om at vende tilbage til deres net, mens han gjorde sig klar til at tage med Zebedæus til bådbutikken, idet han lovede at se dem næste dag i synagogen, hvor han skulle tale, og aftalte en konference med dem den sabbatseftermiddag. | 137:5.4 (1532.2) The next morning Jesus joined his friends at breakfast, but they were a cheerless group. He visited with them and at the end of the meal gathered them about him, saying: “It is my Father’s will that we tarry hereabouts for a season. You have heard John say that he came to prepare the way for the kingdom; therefore it behooves us to await the completion of John’s preaching. When the forerunner of the Son of Man shall have finished his work, we will begin the proclamation of the good tidings of the kingdom.” He directed his apostles to return to their nets while he made ready to go with Zebedee to the boatshop, promising to see them the next day at the synagogue, where he was to speak, and appointing a conference with them that Sabbath afternoon. | |
| 6. En sabbatsdags hændelser ^top | 6. The Events of a Sabbath Day ^top | |
| 137:6.1 (1532.3) Jesu første offentlige optræden efter sin dåb var i synagogen i Kapernaum på en sabbat den 2. marts 26 e.Kr. Synagogen var overfyldt til bristepunktet. Historien om dåben i Jordan blev nu suppleret med de friske nyheder fra Kana om vandet og vinen. Jesus gav ærespladser til sine seks apostle, og sammen med dem sad hans brødre i kødet, James og Jude. Hans mor, som var vendt tilbage til Kapernaum med James aftenen før, var også til stede og sad i kvindeafdelingen i synagogen. Hele forsamlingen var spændt; de forventede at se en ekstraordinær manifestation af overnaturlig kraft, som ville være et passende vidnesbyrd om naturen og autoriteten hos ham, der den dag skulle tale til dem. Men de var dømt til at blive skuffede. | 137:6.1 (1532.3) Jesus’ first public appearance following his baptism was in the Capernaum synagogue on Sabbath, March 2, a.d. 26. The synagogue was crowded to overflowing. The story of the baptism in the Jordan was now augmented by the fresh news from Cana about the water and the wine. Jesus gave seats of honor to his six apostles, and seated with them were his brothers in the flesh James and Jude. His mother, having returned to Capernaum with James the evening before, was also present, being seated in the women’s section of the synagogue. The entire audience was on edge; they expected to behold some extraordinary manifestation of supernatural power which would be a fitting testimony to the nature and authority of him who was that day to speak to them. But they were destined to disappointment. | |
| 137:6.2 (1532.4) Da Jesus rejste sig, rakte synagogeforstanderen ham skriftrullen, og han læste op fra profeten Esajas: “Så siger Herren: ‘Himlen er min trone, og jorden er min fodskammel. Hvor er det hus, du byggede til mig? Og hvor er min bolig? Alt dette har mine hænder skabt,’ siger Herren. ‘Men ham vil jeg se til, ham, som er fattig og har en sønderknust ånd, og som skælver for mit ord.’ Hør Herrens ord, du, som skælver og frygter: ‘Dine brødre hadede dig og udstødte dig for mit navns skyld.’ Men lad Herren blive herliggjort. Han skal vise sig for jer i glæde, og alle andre skal skamme sig. En røst fra byen, en røst fra templet, en røst fra Herren siger: ‘Før hun blev træt, fødte hun; før hendes smerte kom, fødte hun et menneskebarn.’ Hvem har hørt noget sådant? Kan man få jorden til at føde på én dag? Eller kan en nation blive født på én gang? Men så siger Herren: ‘Se, jeg vil udbrede fred som en flod, og selv hedningernes herlighed skal være som en strømmende bæk. Som en, hans mor trøster, sådan vil jeg trøste jer. Og I skal blive trøstet selv i Jerusalem. Og når du ser disse ting, skal dit hjerte glæde sig.’” | 137:6.2 (1532.4) When Jesus stood up, the ruler of the synagogue handed him the Scripture roll, and he read from the Prophet Isaiah: “Thus says the Lord: ‘The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you built for me? And where is the place of my dwelling? All these things have my hands made,’ says the Lord. ‘But to this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.’ Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble and fear: ‘Your brethren hated you and cast you out for my name’s sake.’ But let the Lord be glorified. He shall appear to you in joy, and all others shall be ashamed. A voice from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice from the Lord says: ‘Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.’ Who has heard such a thing? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or can a nation be born at once? But thus says the Lord: ‘Behold I will extend peace like a river, and the glory of even the gentiles shall be like a flowing stream. As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you. And you shall be comforted even in Jerusalem. And when you see these things, your heart shall rejoice.’” | |
| 137:6.3 (1533.1) Da han var færdig med denne læsning, gav Jesus rullen tilbage til sin vogter. Før han satte sig ned, sagde han blot: “Vær tålmodige, så skal I se Guds herlighed; sådan skal det også være med alle dem, der bliver hos mig og således lærer at gøre min Faders vilje, som er i himlene.” Og folk gik hjem og undrede sig over, hvad meningen med alt dette var. | 137:6.3 (1533.1) When he had finished this reading, Jesus handed the roll back to its keeper. Before sitting down, he simply said: “Be patient and you shall see the glory of God; even so shall it be with all those who tarry with me and thus learn to do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” And the people went to their homes, wondering what was the meaning of all this. | |
| 137:6.4 (1533.2) Den eftermiddag gik Jesus og hans apostle, sammen med James og Jude, ombord i en båd og sejlede et stykke ned ad kysten, hvor de ankrede op, mens han talte til dem om det kommende rige. Og de forstod mere, end de havde gjort torsdag aften. | 137:6.4 (1533.2) That afternoon Jesus and his apostles, with James and Jude, entered a boat and pulled down the shore a little way, where they anchored while he talked to them about the coming kingdom. And they understood more than they had on Thursday night. | |
| 137:6.5 (1533.3) Jesus instruerede dem i at genoptage deres normale pligter, indtil “rigets time kommer.” Og for at opmuntre dem viste han et godt eksempel ved regelmæssigt at gå tilbage til arbejdet i bådbutikken. Da Jesus forklarede, at de skulle bruge tre timer hver aften på at studere og forberede sig til deres fremtidige arbejde, sagde han videre: “Vi vil alle blive her omkring, indtil Faderen befaler mig at kalde jer. Hver af jer må nu vende tilbage til sit sædvanlige arbejde, som om intet var hændt. Fortæl ikke nogen om mig, og husk, at mit rige ikke skal komme med larm og glamour, men snarere skal det komme gennem den store forandring, som min Fader vil have skabt i jeres hjerter og i hjerterne på dem, der vil blive kaldet til at slutte sig til jer i rigets råd. I er nu mine venner; jeg stoler på jer, og jeg elsker jer; I vil snart blive mine personlige medarbejdere. Vær tålmodige, vær blide. Vær altid lydige mod Faderens vilje. Gør jer klar til rigets kald. Mens I vil opleve stor glæde i min Faders tjeneste, bør I også være forberedt på problemer, for jeg advarer jer om, at det kun vil være gennem megen trængsel, at mange vil komme ind i riget. Men de, der har fundet riget, deres glæde vil være fuld, og de skal kaldes de saligste på hele jorden. Men hav ikke falske forhåbninger; verden vil snuble over mine ord. Selv I, mine venner, opfatter ikke fuldt ud, hvad jeg udfolder for jeres forvirrede sind. Tag ikke fejl; vi går ud for at arbejde for en generation af mirakelsøgende. De vil kræve mirakler som bevis på, at jeg er sendt af min Fader, og de vil være langsomme til at anerkende åbenbaringen af min Faders kærlighed som legitimation for min mission.” | 137:6.5 (1533.3) Jesus instructed them to take up their regular duties until “the hour of the kingdom comes.” And to encourage them, he set an example by going back regularly to work in the boatshop. In explaining that they should spend three hours every evening in study and preparation for their future work, Jesus further said: “We will all remain hereabout until the Father bids me call you. Each of you must now return to his accustomed work just as if nothing had happened. Tell no man about me and remember that my kingdom is not to come with noise and glamor, but rather must it come through the great change which my Father will have wrought in your hearts and in the hearts of those who shall be called to join you in the councils of the kingdom. You are now my friends; I trust you and I love you; you are soon to become my personal associates. Be patient, be gentle. Be ever obedient to the Father’s will. Make yourselves ready for the call of the kingdom. While you will experience great joy in the service of my Father, you should also be prepared for trouble, for I warn you that it will be only through much tribulation that many will enter the kingdom. But those who have found the kingdom, their joy will be full, and they shall be called the blest of all the earth. But do not entertain false hope; the world will stumble at my words. Even you, my friends, do not fully perceive what I am unfolding to your confused minds. Make no mistake; we go forth to labor for a generation of sign seekers. They will demand wonder-working as the proof that I am sent by my Father, and they will be slow to recognize in the revelation of my Father’s love the credentials of my mission.” | |
| 137:6.6 (1533.4) Den aften, da de var vendt tilbage til landet, før de gik deres vej, stod Jesus ved vandkanten og bad: “Min Fader, jeg takker dig for disse små, som på trods af deres tvivl nu tror. Og for deres skyld har jeg sat mig selv til side for at gøre din vilje. Og må de nu lære at være ét, ligesom vi er ét.” | 137:6.6 (1533.4) That evening, when they had returned to the land, before they went their way, Jesus, standing by the water’s edge, prayed: “My Father, I thank you for these little ones who, in spite of their doubts, even now believe. And for their sakes have I set myself apart to do your will. And now may they learn to be one, even as we are one.” | |
| 7. Fire måneder med oplæring ^top | 7. Four Months of Training ^top | |
| 137:7.1 (1533.5) I fire lange måneder—marts, april, maj og juni—fortsatte dette ophold; Jesus holdt over hundrede lange og alvorlige, men muntre og glade, møder med disse seks medarbejdere og sin egen bror James. På grund af sygdom i familien var Jude sjældent i stand til at deltage i disse timer. James, Jesus’ bror, mistede ikke troen på ham, men i disse måneder med forsinkelse og passivitet var Maria tæt på at fortvivle over sin søn. Hendes tro, som havde nået sådanne højder i Kana, sank nu til nye lave niveauer. Hun kunne kun falde tilbage på sit så ofte gentagne udråb: “Jeg kan ikke forstå ham. Jeg kan ikke finde ud af, hvad det hele betyder.” Men James’ kone gjorde meget for at styrke Marias mod. | 137:7.1 (1533.5) For four long months—March, April, May, and June—this tarrying time continued; Jesus held over one hundred long and earnest, though cheerful and joyous, sessions with these six associates and his own brother James. Owing to sickness in his family, Jude seldom was able to attend these classes. James, Jesus’ brother, did not lose faith in him, but during these months of delay and inaction Mary nearly despaired of her son. Her faith, raised to such heights at Cana, now sank to new low levels. She could only fall back on her so oft-repeated exclamation: “I cannot understand him. I cannot figure out what it all means.” But James’s wife did much to bolster Mary’s courage. | |
| 137:7.2 (1534.1) I løbet af disse fire måneder lærte disse syv troende, hvoraf den ene var hans egen bror i kødet, Jesus at kende; de vænnede sig til tanken om at leve sammen med dette gudsmenneske. Selvom de kaldte ham Rabbi, var de ved at lære ikke at være bange for ham. Jesus besad den uforlignelige nåde i sin personlighed, som gjorde ham i stand til at leve blandt dem på en sådan måde, at de ikke blev forfærdede over hans guddommelighed. De fandt det virkelig let at være “venner med Gud,” Gud inkarneret i skikkelse af dødeligt kød. Denne ventetid satte hele gruppen af troende på en alvorlig prøve. Intet, absolut intet, mirakuløst skete. Dag efter dag gik de i gang med deres almindelige arbejde, mens de aften efter aften sad ved Jesu fødder. Og de blev holdt sammen af hans uforlignelige personlighed og af de nådige ord, han talte til dem aften efter aften. | 137:7.2 (1534.1) Throughout these four months these seven believers, one his own brother in the flesh, were getting acquainted with Jesus; they were getting used to the idea of living with this God-man. Though they called him Rabbi, they were learning not to be afraid of him. Jesus possessed that matchless grace of personality which enabled him so to live among them that they were not dismayed by his divinity. They found it really easy to be “friends with God,” God incarnate in the likeness of mortal flesh. This time of waiting severely tested the entire group of believers. Nothing, absolutely nothing, miraculous happened. Day by day they went about their ordinary work, while night after night they sat at Jesus’ feet. And they were held together by his matchless personality and by the gracious words which he spoke to them evening upon evening. | |
| 137:7.3 (1534.2) Denne periode med ventetid og undervisning var især hård for Simon Peter. Han forsøgte gentagne gange at overtale Jesus til at forkynde riget i Galilæa, mens Johannes fortsatte med at forkynde i Judæa. Men Jesu svar til Peter var altid: “Vær tålmodig, Simon. Gør fremskridt. Vi skal nok være klar, når Faderen kalder.” Og Andreas beroligede nu og da Peter med sine mere erfarne og filosofiske råd. Andreas var meget imponeret over Jesu menneskelige naturlighed. Han blev aldrig træt af at tænke over, hvordan en, der kunne leve så tæt på Gud, kunne være så venlig og hensynsfuld over for mennesker. | 137:7.3 (1534.2) This period of waiting and teaching was especially hard on Simon Peter. He repeatedly sought to persuade Jesus to launch forth with the preaching of the kingdom in Galilee while John continued to preach in Judea. But Jesus’ reply to Peter ever was: “Be patient, Simon. Make progress. We shall be none too ready when the Father calls.” And Andrew would calm Peter now and then with his more seasoned and philosophic counsel. Andrew was tremendously impressed with the human naturalness of Jesus. He never grew weary of contemplating how one who could live so near God could be so friendly and considerate of men. | |
| 137:7.4 (1534.3) I hele denne periode talte Jesus kun to gange i synagogen. I slutningen af disse mange ugers ventetid var beretningerne om hans dåb og vinen fra Kana begyndt at forstumme. Og Jesus sørgede for, at der ikke skete flere åbenlyse mirakler i denne periode. Men selvom de levede så stille og roligt i Betsaida, var rapporterne om Jesu mærkelige gøren og laden blevet bragt til Herodes Antipas, som igen sendte spioner ud for at finde ud af, hvad han havde gang i. Men Herodes var mere bekymret for Johannes’ forkyndelse. Han besluttede sig for ikke at genere Jesus, hvis arbejde fortsatte så stille og roligt i Kapernaum. | 137:7.4 (1534.3) Throughout this entire period Jesus spoke in the synagogue but twice. By the end of these many weeks of waiting the reports about his baptism and the wine of Cana had begun to quiet down. And Jesus saw to it that no more apparent miracles happened during this time. But even though they lived so quietly at Bethsaida, reports of the strange doings of Jesus had been carried to Herod Antipas, who in turn sent spies to ascertain what he was about. But Herod was more concerned about the preaching of John. He decided not to molest Jesus, whose work continued along so quietly at Capernaum. | |
| 137:7.5 (1534.4) I denne ventetid forsøgte Jesus at lære sine medarbejdere, hvordan de skulle forholde sig til de forskellige religiøse grupper og de politiske partier i Palæstina. Jesu ord var altid: “Vi søger at vinde dem alle, men vi er ikke af nogen af dem.” | 137:7.5 (1534.4) In this time of waiting Jesus endeavored to teach his associates what their attitude should be toward the various religious groups and the political parties of Palestine. Jesus’ words always were, “We are seeking to win all of them, but we are not of any of them.” | |
| 137:7.6 (1534.5) De skriftkloge og rabbinerne blev tilsammen kaldt farisæere. De omtalte sig selv som “embedsbrødrene.” På mange måder var de den progressive gruppe blandt jøderne, idet de havde vedtaget mange læresætninger, som ikke tydeligt fandtes i de hebraiske skrifter, såsom troen på de dødes opstandelse, en doktrin, som kun blev nævnt af en senere profet, Daniel. | 137:7.6 (1534.5) The scribes and rabbis, taken together, were called Pharisees. They referred to themselves as the “associates.” In many ways they were the progressive group among the Jews, having adopted many teachings not clearly found in the Hebrew scriptures, such as belief in the resurrection of the dead, a doctrine only mentioned by a later prophet, Daniel. | |
| 137:7.7 (1534.6) Saddukæerne bestod af præsteskabet og visse velhavende jøder. De gik ikke så meget op i detaljerne i håndhævelsen af loven. Farisæerne og saddukæerne var i virkeligheden religiøse partier, snarere end sekter. | 137:7.7 (1534.6) The Sadducees consisted of the priesthood and certain wealthy Jews. They were not such sticklers for the details of law enforcement. The Pharisees and Sadducees were really religious parties, rather than sects. | |
| 137:7.8 (1534.7) Essenerne var en ægte religiøs sekt, der opstod under makkabæeroprøret, og hvis krav i nogle henseender var mere krævende end farisæernes. De havde overtaget mange persiske overbevisninger og praksisser, levede som et broderskab i klostre, afstod fra ægteskab og havde alting til fælles. De specialiserede sig i læren om engle. | 137:7.8 (1534.7) The Essenes were a true religious sect, originating during the Maccabean revolt, whose requirements were in some respects more exacting than those of the Pharisees. They had adopted many Persian beliefs and practices, lived as a brotherhood in monasteries, refrained from marriage, and had all things in common. They specialized in teachings about angels. | |
| 137:7.9 (1535.1) Zeloterne var en gruppe intense jødiske patrioter. De gik ind for, at alle metoder var berettigede i kampen for at undslippe det romerske åg. | 137:7.9 (1535.1) The Zealots were a group of intense Jewish patriots. They advocated that any and all methods were justified in the struggle to escape the bondage of the Roman yoke. | |
| 137:7.10 (1535.2) Herodianerne var et rent politisk parti, der gik ind for frigørelse fra det direkte romerske styre ved at genoprette det herodianske dynasti. | 137:7.10 (1535.2) The Herodians were a purely political party that advocated emancipation from the direct Roman rule by a restoration of the Herodian dynasty. | |
| 137:7.11 (1535.3) Midt i Palæstina boede samaritanerne, som “jøderne ikke havde noget at gøre med,” selv om de havde mange synspunkter, der lignede den jødiske lære. | 137:7.11 (1535.3) In the very midst of Palestine there lived the Samaritans, with whom “the Jews had no dealings,” notwithstanding that they held many views similar to the Jewish teachings. | |
| 137:7.12 (1535.4) Alle disse partier og sekter, inklusive det mindre nasiræiske broderskab, troede på Messias’ snarlige komme. De ledte alle efter en national frelser. Men Jesus var meget positiv og gjorde det klart, at han og hans disciple ikke ville alliere sig med nogen af disse tankegange eller praksisser. Menneskesønnen skulle hverken være nasiræer eller essener. | 137:7.12 (1535.4) All of these parties and sects, including the smaller Nazarite brotherhood, believed in the sometime coming of the Messiah. They all looked for a national deliverer. But Jesus was very positive in making it clear that he and his disciples would not become allied to any of these schools of thought or practice. The Son of Man was to be neither a Nazarite nor an Essene. | |
| 137:7.13 (1535.5) Mens Jesus senere pålagde apostlene at gå ud, som Johannes havde gjort, og forkynde evangeliet og undervise de troende, lagde han vægt på proklamationen af “det gode budskab om Himmeriget.” Han indprentede altid sine medarbejdere, at de skulle “vise kærlighed, medfølelse og sympati.” Han lærte tidligt sine tilhængere, at Himmeriget var en åndelig oplevelse, der havde at gøre med Guds trone i menneskers hjerter. | 137:7.13 (1535.5) While Jesus later directed that the apostles should go forth, as John had, preaching the gospel and instructing believers, he laid emphasis on the proclamation of the “good tidings of the kingdom of heaven.” He unfailingly impressed upon his associates that they must “show forth love, compassion, and sympathy.” He early taught his followers that the kingdom of heaven was a spiritual experience having to do with the enthronement of God in the hearts of men. | |
| 137:7.14 (1535.6) Mens de således opholdt sig, før de begyndte på deres aktive offentlige forkyndelse, tilbragte Jesus og de syv to aftener hver uge i synagogen med at studere de hebraiske skrifter. I de senere år, efter perioder med intenst offentligt arbejde, så apostlene tilbage på disse fire måneder som de mest værdifulde og udbytterige af hele deres samvær med Mesteren. Jesus lærte disse mænd alt, hvad de kunne assimilere. Han begik ikke den fejl at undervise dem for meget. Han skabte ikke forvirring ved at præsentere sandheden for langt ud over deres evne til at forstå. | 137:7.14 (1535.6) As they thus tarried before embarking on their active public preaching, Jesus and the seven spent two evenings each week at the synagogue in the study of the Hebrew scriptures. In later years after seasons of intense public work, the apostles looked back upon these four months as the most precious and profitable of all their association with the Master. Jesus taught these men all they could assimilate. He did not make the mistake of overteaching them. He did not precipitate confusion by the presentation of truth too far beyond their capacity to comprehend. | |
| 8. Prædiken om guds rige ^top | 8. Sermon on the Kingdom ^top | |
| 137:8.1 (1535.7) På sabbatten den 22. juni, kort før de tog ud på deres første prædikentur, og omkring ti dage efter Johannes’ fængsling, indtog Jesus synagogens prædikestol for anden gang, siden han bragte sine apostle til Kapernaum. | 137:8.1 (1535.7) On Sabbath, June 22, shortly before they went out on their first preaching tour and about ten days after John’s imprisonment, Jesus occupied the synagogue pulpit for the second time since bringing his apostles to Capernaum. | |
| 137:8.2 (1535.8) Et par dage før denne prædiken om “Riget,” da Jesus var på arbejde i bådværkstedet, bragte Peter ham nyheden om Johannes’ arrestation. Jesus lagde sit værktøj fra sig igen, tog sit forklæde af og sagde til Peter: “Faderens time er kommet. Lad os gøre os klar til at forkynde evangeliet om riget.” | 137:8.2 (1535.8) A few days before the preaching of this sermon on “The Kingdom,” as Jesus was at work in the boatshop, Peter brought him the news of John’s arrest. Jesus laid down his tools once more, removed his apron, and said to Peter: “The Father’s hour has come. Let us make ready to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom.” | |
| 137:8.3 (1535.9) Jesus gjorde sit sidste arbejde på tømrerbænken denne tirsdag den 18. juni år 26 e.Kr. Peter skyndte sig ud af værkstedet, og midt på eftermiddagen havde han samlet alle sine medarbejdere og efterladt dem i en lund ved kysten og gik ud for at lede efter Jesus. Men han kunne ikke finde ham, for Mesteren var gået til en anden lund for at bede. Og de så ham ikke før sent om aftenen, da han vendte tilbage til Zebedæus’ hus og bad om mad. Næste dag sendte han sin bror James af sted for at bede om lov til at tale i synagogen den kommende sabbat. Og synagogeforstanderen blev meget glad for, at Jesus igen var villig til at lede gudstjenesten. | 137:8.3 (1535.9) Jesus did his last work at the carpenter bench on this Tuesday, June 18, a.d. 26. Peter rushed out of the shop and by midafternoon had rounded up all of his associates, and leaving them in a grove by the shore, he went in quest of Jesus. But he could not find him, for the Master had gone to a different grove to pray. And they did not see him until late that evening when he returned to Zebedee’s house and asked for food. The next day he sent his brother James to ask for the privilege of speaking in the synagogue the coming Sabbath day. And the ruler of the synagogue was much pleased that Jesus was again willing to conduct the service. | |
| 137:8.4 (1536.1) Før Jesus holdt denne mindeværdige prædiken om Guds rige, den første prætentiøse indsats i hans offentlige karriere, læste han disse passager fra Skriften: “I skal være for mig et kongerige af præster, et helligt folk. Jahve er vores dommer, Jahve er vores lovgiver, Jahve er vores konge; han vil frelse os. Jahve er min konge og min Gud. Han er en stor konge over hele jorden. Kærlighed er over Israel i dette rige. Velsignet være Herrens herlighed, for han er vores konge.” | 137:8.4 (1536.1) Before Jesus preached this memorable sermon on the kingdom of God, the first pretentious effort of his public career, he read from the Scriptures these passages: “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy people. Yahweh is our judge, Yahweh is our lawgiver, Yahweh is our king; he will save us. Yahweh is my king and my God. He is a great king over all the earth. Loving-kindness is upon Israel in this kingdom. Blessed be the glory of the Lord for he is our King.” | |
| 137:8.5 (1536.2) Da han var færdig med at læse, sagde Jesus: | 137:8.5 (1536.2) When he had finished reading, Jesus said: | |
| 137:8.6 (1536.3) “Jeg er kommet for at forkynde oprettelsen af Faderens rige. Og dette rige skal omfatte tilbedende sjæle af jøder og ikke-jøder, rige og fattige, frie og trælle, for min Fader respekterer ikke personer; hans kærlighed og hans barmhjertighed er over alle. | 137:8.6 (1536.3) “I have come to proclaim the establishment of the Father’s kingdom. And this kingdom shall include the worshiping souls of Jew and gentile, rich and poor, free and bond, for my Father is no respecter of persons; his love and his mercy are over all. | |
| 137:8.7 (1536.4) “Faderen i himlen sender sin ånd for at bo i menneskers sind, og når jeg har afsluttet mit arbejde på jorden, skal Sandhedens Ånd også udgydes over alt kød. Og min Faders ånd og Sandhedens Ånd skal grundfæste jer i det kommende rige med åndelig forståelse og guddommelig retfærdighed. Mit rige er ikke af denne verden. Menneskesønnen vil ikke føre hære frem i kamp for at etablere en magtfuld trone eller et rige af verdslig herlighed. Når mit rige er kommet, skal I kende Menneskesønnen som Fredsprinsen, åbenbaringen af den evige Fader. Denne verdens børn kæmper for oprettelsen og udvidelsen af denne verdens riger, men mine disciple skal komme ind i Himmeriget ved deres moralske beslutninger og ved deres åndelige sejre; og når de først er kommet derind, skal de finde glæde, retfærdighed og evigt liv. | 137:8.7 (1536.4) “The Father in heaven sends his spirit to indwell the minds of men, and when I shall have finished my work on earth, likewise shall the Spirit of Truth be poured out upon all flesh. And the spirit of my Father and the Spirit of Truth shall establish you in the coming kingdom of spiritual understanding and divine righteousness. My kingdom is not of this world. The Son of Man will not lead forth armies in battle for the establishment of a throne of power or a kingdom of worldly glory. When my kingdom shall have come, you shall know the Son of Man as the Prince of Peace, the revelation of the everlasting Father. The children of this world fight for the establishment and enlargement of the kingdoms of this world, but my disciples shall enter the kingdom of heaven by their moral decisions and by their spirit victories; and when they once enter therein, they shall find joy, righteousness, and eternal life. | |
| 137:8.8 (1536.5) “De, der først søger at komme ind i riget og dermed begynder at stræbe efter en ædel karakter som min fars, skal snart besidde alt andet, der er nødvendigt. Men jeg siger jer i al oprigtighed: Hvis I ikke søger ind i riget med et lille barns tro og tillidsfulde afhængighed, vil I på ingen måde få adgang. | 137:8.8 (1536.5) “Those who first seek to enter the kingdom, thus beginning to strive for a nobility of character like that of my Father, shall presently possess all else that is needful. But I say to you in all sincerity: Unless you seek entrance into the kingdom with the faith and trusting dependence of a little child, you shall in no wise gain admission. | |
| 137:8.9 (1536.6) “Lad jer ikke narre af dem, der kommer og siger, at her er riget, eller der er riget, for min Faders rige drejer sig ikke om synlige og materielle ting. Og dette rige er endda nu iblandt jer, for hvor Guds ånd underviser og leder menneskets sjæl, der er i virkeligheden Himmeriget. Og dette Guds rige er retfærdighed, fred og glæde i Helligånden. | 137:8.9 (1536.6) “Be not deceived by those who come saying here is the kingdom or there is the kingdom, for my Father’s kingdom concerns not things visible and material. And this kingdom is even now among you, for where the spirit of God teaches and leads the soul of man, there in reality is the kingdom of heaven. And this kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. | |
| 137:8.10 (1536.7) “Johannes døbte jer ganske vist som et tegn på omvendelse og til forladelse af jeres synder, men når I kommer ind i det himmelske rige, vil I blive døbt med Helligånden. | 137:8.10 (1536.7) “John did indeed baptize you in token of repentance and for the remission of your sins, but when you enter the heavenly kingdom, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. | |
| 137:8.11 (1536.8) “I min Faders rige skal der hverken være jøder eller hedninger, kun dem, der søger fuldkommenhed gennem tjeneste, for jeg erklærer, at den, der vil være stor i min Faders rige, først skal blive tjener for alle. Hvis du er villig til at tjene dine medmennesker, skal du sidde sammen med mig i mit rige, ligesom jeg, ved at tjene i skabningens lighed, nu skal sidde sammen med min Fader i hans rige. | 137:8.11 (1536.8) “In my Father’s kingdom there shall be neither Jew nor gentile, only those who seek perfection through service, for I declare that he who would be great in my Father’s kingdom must first become server of all. If you are willing to serve your fellows, you shall sit down with me in my kingdom, even as, by serving in the similitude of the creature, I shall presently sit down with my Father in his kingdom. | |
| 137:8.12 (1536.9) “Dette nye rige er som et frø, der vokser i den gode jord på en mark. Det opnår ikke fuld frugt hurtigt. Der er et tidsinterval mellem etableringen af riget i menneskets sjæl og den time, hvor riget modner til den fulde frugt af evig retfærdighed og evig frelse. | 137:8.12 (1536.9) “This new kingdom is like a seed growing in the good soil of a field. It does not attain full fruit quickly. There is an interval of time between the establishment of the kingdom in the soul of man and that hour when the kingdom ripens into the full fruit of everlasting righteousness and eternal salvation. | |
| 137:8.13 (1536.10) “Og dette rige, som jeg forkynder jer, er ikke et rige med magt og overflod. Himmeriget er ikke et spørgsmål om kød og drikke, men snarere et liv i fremadskridende retfærdighed og stigende glæde i den fuldkomne tjeneste for min Fader, som er i himlene. For har Faderen ikke sagt om sine børn i verden: ‘Det er min vilje, at de til sidst skal være fuldkomne, ligesom jeg er fuldkommen.’ | 137:8.13 (1536.10) “And this kingdom which I declare to you is not a reign of power and plenty. The kingdom of heaven is not a matter of meat and drink but rather a life of progressive righteousness and increasing joy in the perfecting service of my Father who is in heaven. For has not the Father said of his children of the world, ‘It is my will that they should eventually be perfect, even as I am perfect.’ | |
| 137:8.14 (1537.1) “Jeg er kommet for at forkynde det glade budskab om riget. Jeg er ikke kommet for at lægge en tung byrde på dem, der vil ind i dette rige. Jeg forkynder den nye og bedre vej, og de, der er i stand til at gå ind i det kommende rige, skal nyde den guddommelige hvile. Og uanset hvad det vil koste dig i denne verden, uanset hvilken pris du må betale for at komme ind i Himmeriget, vil du modtage mangefold mere glæde og åndelig fremgang i denne verden og i den kommende tidsalder evigt liv. | 137:8.14 (1537.1) “I have come to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom. I have not come to add to the heavy burdens of those who would enter this kingdom. I proclaim the new and better way, and those who are able to enter the coming kingdom shall enjoy the divine rest. And whatever it shall cost you in the things of the world, no matter what price you may pay to enter the kingdom of heaven, you shall receive manyfold more of joy and spiritual progress in this world, and in the age to come eternal life. | |
| 137:8.15 (1537.2) “Indgangen til Faderens rige venter ikke på marcherende hære, på væltede riger i denne verden eller på at bryde fangernes åg. Himmeriget er nær, og alle, der går ind i det, skal finde rigelig frihed og glædelig frelse. | 137:8.15 (1537.2) “Entrance into the Father’s kingdom waits not upon marching armies, upon overturned kingdoms of this world, nor upon the breaking of captive yokes. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, and all who enter therein shall find abundant liberty and joyous salvation. | |
| 137:8.16 (1537.3) “Dette rige er et evigt herredømme. De, der går ind i riget, skal stige op til min Fader; de vil helt sikkert nå hans herligheds højre hånd i Paradis. Og alle, der kommer ind i himlenes rige, skal blive Guds sønner, og i den kommende tidsalder skal de også stige op til Faderen. Og jeg er ikke kommet for at kalde dem, der vil være retfærdige, men syndere og alle, der hungrer og tørster efter den guddommelige fuldkommenheds retfærdighed. | 137:8.16 (1537.3) “This kingdom is an everlasting dominion. Those who enter the kingdom shall ascend to my Father; they will certainly attain the right hand of his glory in Paradise. And all who enter the kingdom of heaven shall become the sons of God, and in the age to come so shall they ascend to the Father. And I have not come to call the would-be righteous but sinners and all who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of divine perfection. | |
| 137:8.17 (1537.4) “Johannes kom og prædikede omvendelse for at forberede jer til riget; nu er jeg kommet og forkynder troen, Guds gave, som prisen for at komme ind i Himmeriget. Hvis I blot vil tro på, at min Fader elsker jer med en uendelig kærlighed, så er I i Guds rige.” | 137:8.17 (1537.4) “John came preaching repentance to prepare you for the kingdom; now have I come proclaiming faith, the gift of God, as the price of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. If you would but believe that my Father loves you with an infinite love, then you are in the kingdom of God.” | |
| 137:8.18 (1537.5) Da han havde talt sådan, satte han sig ned. Alle, der hørte ham, blev forbløffede over hans ord. Hans disciple undrede sig. Men folket var ikke parat til at modtage de gode nyheder fra dette gudsmenneskes læber. Omkring en tredjedel af dem, der hørte ham, troede på budskabet, selv om de ikke helt kunne forstå det; omkring en tredjedel forberedte sig i deres hjerter på at afvise et sådant rent åndeligt koncept for det forventede rige, mens den resterende tredjedel ikke kunne forstå hans lære, og mange troede virkelig, at han “var ved siden af sig selv.” | 137:8.18 (1537.5) When he had thus spoken, he sat down. All who heard him were astonished at his words. His disciples marveled. But the people were not prepared to receive the good news from the lips of this God-man. About one third who heard him believed the message even though they could not fully comprehend it; about one third prepared in their hearts to reject such a purely spiritual concept of the expected kingdom, while the remaining one third could not grasp his teaching, many truly believing that he “was beside himself.” |