Kapitel 164		Paper 164
Tempelindvielsesfesten		At the Feast of Dedication
164:0.1 (1809.1) MENS lejren ved Pella blev etableret, tog Jesus Nataniel og Thomas med sig, og gik i hemmeligt op til Jerusalem for at deltage i indvielsesfesten. Først da de krydsede Jordanfloden ved overgangsstedet i Betania blev de to apostle opmærksomme på, at deres mester var på vej til Jerusalem. Da de indså, at han virkelig ville deltage i indvielsesfesten, protesterede de meget alvorligt og forsøgte med alle tænkelige argumenter at få ham til at opgive planen. Men deres anstrengelser havde ingen effekt; Jesus var fast besluttet på at besøge Jerusalem. Til alle deres bønner og alle deres advarsler om det letsindige og farligt i at placere sig selv i hænderne på jødernes råd, svarede han kun: "Jeg ville give disse lærere i Israel endnu en chance til at se lyset, før min time kommer."		164:0.1 (1809.1) AS THE camp at Pella was being established, Jesus, taking with him Nathaniel and Thomas, secretly went up to Jerusalem to attend the feast of the dedication. Not until they passed over the Jordan at the Bethany ford, did the two apostles become aware that their Master was going on to Jerusalem. When they perceived that he really intended to be present at the feast of dedication, they remonstrated with him most earnestly, and using every sort of argument, they sought to dissuade him. But their efforts were of no avail; Jesus was determined to visit Jerusalem. To all their entreaties and to all their warnings emphasizing the folly and danger of placing himself in the hands of the Sanhedrin, he would reply only, “I would give these teachers in Israel another opportunity to see the light, before my hour comes.”
164:0.2 (1809.2) Mens de gik til Jerusalem, fortsatte de to apostle med at udtrykke deres følelser af frygt og tvivl om det fornuftige i en sådan tilsyneladende anmassende foretagende. De kom til Jeriko omkring klokken halv fire og forberedte sig på at tilbringe natten der.		164:0.2 (1809.2) On they went toward Jerusalem, the two apostles continuing to express their feelings of fear and to voice their doubts about the wisdom of such an apparently presumptuous undertaking. They reached Jericho about half past four and prepared to lodge there for the night.
1. Historien om den barmhjertige samaritaner ^top		1. Story of the Good Samaritan ^top
164:1.1 (1809.3) Denne aften samledes en anselig folkeskare sig omkring Jesus og de to apostle for at stille spørgsmål, hvoraf mange blev besvaret af apostlene, mens de andre blev behandlet af Mesteren. I løbet af aftenen, sagde en lovkyndig, som prøvede at indvikle Jesus i en kompromitterende kontrovers: "Mester, jeg vil gerne spørge dig, hvad jeg lige skal gøre for at arve evigt liv?" Jesus svarede: "Hvad står der i loven og profeterne, hvordan lyder skriftens ord?" den lovkyndige, som kendte både Jesus og farisæerne lære, svarede: "At du skal elske Herren Gud af hele dit hjerte og af hele din sjæl, hele dit sind og af hele din styrke og din næste som dig selv." Da sagde Jesus: "Du har svaret rigtigt; hvis du virkelig gør dette, fører det til evigt liv."		164:1.1 (1809.3) That evening a considerable company gathered about Jesus and the two apostles to ask questions, many of which the apostles answered, while others the Master discussed. In the course of the evening a certain lawyer, seeking to entangle Jesus in a compromising disputation, said: “Teacher, I would like to ask you just what I should do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “What is written in the law and the prophets; how do you read the Scriptures?” The lawyer, knowing the teachings of both Jesus and the Pharisees, answered: “To love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself.” Then said Jesus: “You have answered right; this, if you really do, will lead to life everlasting.”
164:1.2 (1809.4) Men den lovkyndige var ikke helt oprigtig, da han stillede dette spørgsmål, og så ville han retfærdiggøre sig selv, og håbede også at forvirre Jesus, derfor vovede han at stille endnu et spørgsmål. Han trak sig lidt tættere på Mesteren og sagde: "Men Lærer, kan du fortælle mig, hvem der virkelig er min næste?" Den lovkyndige stillede dette spørgsmål i håb om at lokke Jesus til en erklæring i strid med den jødiske lov, som definerede ens næste som dem der "hører til ens eget folk." Jøderne betragtede alle andre som "vantro hunde". Denne lovkyndige kendte i en vis grad til Jesu lære og vidste godt hvorfor Mesteren havde en anden opfattelse. Således håbede han at kunne få Mesteren at sige noget, der kunne tolkes som et angreb på den hellige lov.		164:1.2 (1809.4) But the lawyer was not wholly sincere in asking this question, and desiring to justify himself while also hoping to embarrass Jesus, he ventured to ask still another question. Drawing a little closer to the Master, he said, “But, Teacher, I should like you to tell me just who is my neighbor?” The lawyer asked this question hoping to entrap Jesus into making some statement that would contravene the Jewish law which defined one’s neighbor as “the children of one’s people.” The Jews looked upon all others as “gentile dogs.” This lawyer was somewhat familiar with Jesus’ teachings and therefore well knew that the Master thought differently; thus he hoped to lead him into saying something which could be construed as an attack upon the sacred law.
164:1.3 (1810.1) Men Jesus indså den lovkyndiges motiv, og i stedet for at falde i fælden, begyndte han at fortælle en historie til sit publikum, en historie, der ville få enhver lyttende publikum i Jeriko til fuldt ud at værdsætte historien. Jesus sagde: "En mand gik ned fra Jerusalem til Jeriko og faldt i hænderne på nogle grusomme banditter, der røvede ham, fratog ham hans tøj, slog ham og gik bort, og lod ham ligge halvdød. Meget snart kom en præst tilfældigvis den vej: og da han kom forbi den sårede mand i hans elendige tilstand gik han over på den anden side af vejen. På samme måde var det med en levit, der kom forbi. Da han så manden, han gik også over på den anden side af vejen. Men efter et stykke tid kom en samaritaner, som var på vej til Jeriko, og da han så den sårede mand, der lå der, hvordan han var blevet overfaldet og slået, fik han medfølelse. Han gik hen til manden, hældte olie og vin på sårene og forbandt dem. Så satte han ham op på sit ridedyr og bragte ham her til kroen og tog sig af ham. Næste morgen tog han en sum penge og gav værten dem og sagde: "Pas godt for min ven, og koster det mere, vil jeg betale dig på min vej tilbage." Nu, lad mig spørge dig: Hvilken af disse tre viste sig at være den over faldne mands næste.?" Da den lovkyndige så, at han var gået i sin egen fælde, svarede han:" den der viste ham barmhjertighed." Jesus sagde: "Gå hen og gøre det samme."		164:1.3 (1810.1) But Jesus discerned the lawyer’s motive, and instead of falling into the trap, he proceeded to tell his hearers a story, a story which would be fully appreciated by any Jericho audience. Said Jesus: “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of cruel brigands, who robbed him, stripped him and beat him, and departing, left him half dead. Very soon, by chance, a certain priest was going down that way, and when he came upon the wounded man, seeing his sorry plight, he passed by on the other side of the road. And in like manner a Levite also, when he came along and saw the man, passed by on the other side. Now, about this time, a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed down to Jericho, came across this wounded man; and when he saw how he had been robbed and beaten, he was moved with compassion, and going over to him, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and setting the man upon his own beast, brought him here to the inn and took care of him. And on the morrow he took out some money and, giving it to the host, said: ‘Take good care of my friend, and if the expense is more, when I come back again, I will repay you.’ Now let me ask you: Which of these three turned out to be the neighbor of him who fell among the robbers?” And when the lawyer perceived that he had fallen into his own snare, he answered, “He who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.”
164:1.4 (1810.2) Den lovkyndige svarede: "Den, der viste barmhjertighed," for ikke at skulle sige det forhadte ord samaritaner. Den lovkyndige blev tvunget til at på spørgsmålet "Hvem er min næste?" Netop det som Jesus ønskede at svare, men som, hvis Jesus havde givet det direkte ville have ført til hans anklage for blasfemi. Jesus forvirrede ikke kun den uærlige lovkyndige, men han fortalte også sit publikum en historie, som også var en fin formaning til alle hans tilhængere og en stikkende irettesættelse til alle jøder for deres holdning til samaritanerne. Denne historie er fortsat med til at fremme broderlig kærlighed mellem alle som efterfølgende har troet på Jesu evangelium.		164:1.4 (1810.2) The lawyer answered, “He who showed mercy,” that he might refrain from even speaking that odious word, Samaritan. The lawyer was forced to give the very answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” which Jesus wished given, and which, if Jesus had so stated, would have directly involved him in the charge of heresy. Jesus not only confounded the dishonest lawyer, but he told his hearers a story which was at the same time a beautiful admonition to all his followers and a stunning rebuke to all Jews regarding their attitude toward the Samaritans. And this story has continued to promote brotherly love among all who have subsequently believed the gospel of Jesus.
2. I jerusalem ^top		2. At Jerusalem ^top
164:2.1 (1810.3) Jesus havde deltaget i løvhyttefesten for at kunne forkynde evangeliet for pilgrimme fra alle dele af imperiet; han gik nu op til indvielsesfesten, med kun et enkelt formål: at give jødernes råd og de jødiske ledere endnu en chance for at se lyset. Den vigtigste begivenhed i disse dage i Jerusalem fandt sted fredag aften i Nikodemus hjem. Her var samlet cirka femogtyve jødiske ledere, der troede på Jesu lære. I denne gruppe var fjorten mænd, som var, eller for nylig havde været medlemmer af jødernes råd. Blandt mødedeltagerne var Eber, Matadormus og Josef af Arimatæa.		164:2.1 (1810.3) Jesus had attended the feast of tabernacles that he might proclaim the gospel to the pilgrims from all parts of the empire; he now went up to the feast of the dedication for just one purpose: to give the Sanhedrin and the Jewish leaders another chance to see the light. The principal event of these few days in Jerusalem occurred on Friday night at the home of Nicodemus. Here were gathered together some twenty-five Jewish leaders who believed Jesus’ teaching. Among this group were fourteen men who were then, or had recently been, members of the Sanhedrin. This meeting was attended by Eber, Matadormus, and Joseph of Arimathea.
164:2.2 (1810.4) Ved denne lejlighed, var alle af Jesu tilhørere lærde mænd, og både de og hans to apostle var forbløffet over bredden og dybden af de bemærkninger, som Mesteren gjorde foran denne fornemme gruppe. Ikke siden han underviste i Alexandria, Rom og på øerne i Middelhavet, havde han udstillet en sådan læring og en sådan viden om menneskers adfærd, både i verdslige og religiøse anliggender.		164:2.2 (1810.4) On this occasion Jesus’ hearers were all learned men, and both they and his two apostles were amazed at the breadth and depth of the remarks which the Master made to this distinguished group. Not since the times when he had taught in Alexandria, Rome, and in the islands of the Mediterranean, had he exhibited such learning and shown such a grasp of the affairs of men, both secular and religious.
164:2.3 (1810.5) Da dette lille møde endte, gik alle bort mystificerede af Mesterens personlighed, charmeret af hans behagelige måde og fyldt med kærlighed til manden. De havde forsøgt at rådgive Jesus om hans ønske om at vinde de resterende medlemmer af jødernes råd. Uden at sige noget lyttede Mesteren opmærksomt til alle deres forslag. Han vidste godt, at ingen af deres planer ville fungere. Han formodede, at hovedparten af de jødiske ledere aldrig ville acceptere rigets evangelium; alligevel gav han dem alle denne yderligere chance for at vælge. Men da han den aften sammen med Nataniel og Thomas gik til Oliebjerget for at overnatte der, havde han endnu ikke besluttet, hvilken metode han ville bruge til endnu engang at gøre jødernes råd opmærksom på sine aktiviteter.		164:2.3 (1810.5) When this little meeting broke up, all went away mystified by the Master’s personality, charmed by his gracious manner, and in love with the man. They had sought to advise Jesus concerning his desire to win the remaining members of the Sanhedrin. The Master listened attentively, but silently, to all their proposals. He well knew none of their plans would work. He surmised that the majority of the Jewish leaders never would accept the gospel of the kingdom; nevertheless, he gave them all this one more chance to choose. But when he went forth that night, with Nathaniel and Thomas, to lodge on the Mount of Olives, he had not yet decided upon the method he would pursue in bringing his work once more to the notice of the Sanhedrin.
164:2.4 (1811.1) Den nat sov Nataniel og Thomas ikke meget; de var alt for overrasket over, hvad de havde hørt hos Nikodemus. De funderede meget over hvad Jesus til sidst havde sagt om forslaget fra de tidligere og nuværende medlemmer af jødernes råd til at gå med ham, frem for de halvfjerds leders råd. Mesteren havde sagt. "Nej, mine brødre, det ville ikke tjene noget formål. I vil mangedoble den vrede, der vil gå ud over jer, men I vil ikke i det mindste formindske det had, de føler mod mig. Gå hver enkelt af jer og pas Faders anliggender som ånden fører dig, mens jeg endnu engang gøre dem opmærksomme på riget på den måde, som min Fader kan bestemme.”		164:2.4 (1811.1) That night Nathaniel and Thomas slept little; they were too much amazed by what they had heard at Nicodemus’s house. They thought much over the final remark of Jesus regarding the offer of the former and present members of the Sanhedrin to go with him before the seventy. The Master said: “No, my brethren, it would be to no purpose. You would multiply the wrath to be visited upon your own heads, but you would not in the least mitigate the hatred which they bear me. Go, each of you, about the Father’s business as the spirit leads you while I once more bring the kingdom to their notice in the manner which my Father may direct.”
3. Helbredelse af den blinde tigger ^top		3. Healing the Blind Beggar ^top
164:3.1 (1811.2) Næste morgen gik de tre over til Martas hjem i Betania til morgenmad og gik derefter straks til Jerusalem. Da Jesus og hans to apostle denne sabbat morgen nærmede sig templet, mødte de en velkendt tigger, en mand, der var blind fra fødslen, som sad på sin sædvanlige plads. Selv om disse tiggere ikke bad om eller modtog almisser på sabbatten, havde de tilladelse til at sidde på deres sædvanlige steder. Jesus standsede og så på tiggeren. Da han så på manden, som var født blind kom idéen ind i hans sind, hvordan han endnu engang kunne gøre jødernes råd og de andre jødiske ledere og religiøse lærere opmærksomme på hans mission på jorden.		164:3.1 (1811.2) The next morning the three went over to Martha’s home at Bethany for breakfast and then went immediately into Jerusalem. This Sabbath morning, as Jesus and his two apostles drew near the temple, they encountered a well-known beggar, a man who had been born blind, sitting at his usual place. Although these mendicants did not solicit or receive alms on the Sabbath day, they were permitted thus to sit in their usual places. Jesus paused and looked upon the beggar. As he gazed upon this man who had been born blind, the idea came into his mind as to how he would once more bring his mission on earth to the notice of the Sanhedrin and the other Jewish leaders and religious teachers.
164:3.2 (1811.3) Som Mesteren stod der foran den blinde mand, fordybet i dybe tanker, spurgte Nataniel, der overvejede den mulige årsag til denne mands blindhed, "Mester, hvem har syndet, denne eller hans forældre, siden han er født blind?"		164:3.2 (1811.3) As the Master stood there before the blind man, engrossed in deep thought, Nathaniel, pondering the possible cause of this man’s blindness, asked: “Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?”
164:3.3 (1811.4) Rabbinere lærte, at alle sådanne tilfælde af blindhed fra fødslen var forårsaget af synden. Ikke kun var børn undfanget og født i synd, men et barn kunne være blind som straf for nogen særlig synd, som faderen havde begået. De lærte endda, at selv barnet kan synde, før det blev født. De lærte også, at sådanne fejl kunne være forårsaget af nogle synd eller anden last af moderen under venteperioden.		164:3.3 (1811.4) The rabbis taught that all such cases of blindness from birth were caused by sin. Not only were children conceived and born in sin, but a child could be born blind as a punishment for some specific sin committed by its father. They even taught that a child itself might sin before it was born into the world. They also taught that such defects could be caused by some sin or other indulgence of the mother while carrying the child.
164:3.4 (1811.5) Der var overalt i disse regioner en dvælende tro på reinkarnation. De tidligere jødiske lærere, samt Platon, Filon, og mange af esserne tolererede teorien, at menneskerne i en inkarnation kan høste hvad de har sået i en tidligere eksistens; således troede man på et liv til at sone for synder begået i tidligere liv. Mesteren havde svært at få folk til at tro, at deres sjæle ikke havde haft tidligere eksistenser.		164:3.4 (1811.5) There was, throughout all these regions, a lingering belief in reincarnation. The older Jewish teachers, together with Plato, Philo, and many of the Essenes, tolerated the theory that men may reap in one incarnation what they have sown in a previous existence; thus in one life they were believed to be expiating the sins committed in preceding lives. The Master found it difficult to make men believe that their souls had not had previous existences.
164:3.5 (1811.6) Selv om det synes inkonsekvent, fordi en sådan blindhed blev anset for at være et resultat af synd, holdt jøderne på at det imidlertid var yderst fortjenstfuldt at give disse blinde tiggere almisser. Det var skik blandt disse blinde konstant monotont at synge for de forbipasserende: "O barmhjertige, vind din fortjeneste ved at hjælpe de blinde."		164:3.5 (1811.6) However, inconsistent as it seems, while such blindness was supposed to be the result of sin, the Jews held that it was meritorious in a high degree to give alms to these blind beggars. It was the custom of these blind men constantly to chant to the passers-by, “O tenderhearted, gain merit by assisting the blind.”
164:3.6 (1811.7) Jesus begyndte at diskutere denne sag med Nataniel og Thomas, ikke kun fordi han allerede havde besluttet at bruge denne blinde mand som et middel til på denne dag endnu én gang på en overraskende måde at fremføre sin mission til de jødiske leders kendskab, men også fordi han altid opfordrede sine apostle til at søge de sande årsager til alle fænomener, naturlige såvel som åndelige. Han havde ofte opfordret dem til at undgå den sædvanlige tendens med at finde åndelige årsager til banale fysiske begivenheder.		164:3.6 (1811.7) Jesus entered into the discussion of this case with Nathaniel and Thomas, not only because he had already decided to use this blind man as the means of that day bringing his mission once more prominently to the notice of the Jewish leaders, but also because he always encouraged his apostles to seek for the true causes of all phenomena, natural or spiritual. He had often warned them to avoid the common tendency to assign spiritual causes to commonplace physical events.
164:3.7 (1812.1) Jesus besluttede at bruge denne tigger i sine planer for dagens arbejde, men før han gjorde noget for den blinde mand, ved navn Josia, skyndte han sig at besvare Nataniels spørgsmål. Mester sagde: "Hverken syndede denne mand eller hans forældre, så Guds gerninger skulle åbenbares på ham. Den blindhed som har ramt ham er et resultat af det naturlige forløb af begivenheder, men vi må nu gøre Hans Gerninger, som sendte mig, mens det stadig er dag, for natten vil helt sikkert komme hvor ingen kan gøre det arbejde, vi er ved at udføre. Så længe jeg er i verden, er jeg verdens lys, men kun for en kort tid, så vil jeg ikke være med dig mere."		164:3.7 (1812.1) Jesus decided to use this beggar in his plans for that day’s work, but before doing anything for the blind man, Josiah by name, he proceeded to answer Nathaniel’s question. Said the Master: “Neither did this man sin nor his parents that the works of God might be manifest in him. This blindness has come upon him in the natural course of events, but we must now do the works of Him who sent me, while it is still day, for the night will certainly come when it will be impossible to do the work we are about to perform. When I am in the world, I am the light of the world, but in only a little while I will not be with you.”
164:3.8 (1812.2) Da Jesus havde sagt dette, sagde han til Nataniel og Thomas: "Lad os på denne sabbatdag give synet til den blinde mand for at de skriftkloge og farisæerne kan få et klart tilfælde, som de søger for at anklage Menneskesønnen." Så bøjede han sig forover, spyttede på jorden og blandede leret med spyttet, og mens han talte om alt dette, så den blinde mand kunne høre, gik han op på Josia og gned leret over hans blinde øjne og sagde: "Gå hen, min søn, og vask dette ler væk i Siloamdammen så skal du straks få dit syn." Og da Josia så havde vasket sig i Siloamdammen, vendte han tilbage til sine venner og sin familie, seende.		164:3.8 (1812.2) When Jesus had spoken, he said to Nathaniel and Thomas: “Let us create the sight of this blind man on this Sabbath day that the scribes and Pharisees may have the full occasion which they seek for accusing the Son of Man.” Then, stooping over, he spat on the ground and mixed the clay with the spittle, and speaking of all this so that the blind man could hear, he went up to Josiah and put the clay over his sightless eyes, saying: “Go, my son, wash away this clay in the pool of Siloam, and immediately you shall receive your sight.” And when Josiah had so washed in the pool of Siloam, he returned to his friends and family, seeing.
164:3.9 (1812.3) Da han altid havde været en tigger, vidste han ikke noget andet; så da den første spænding over at han var bleven seende var gået væk, vendte han tilbage til sit sædvanlige sted, hvor han plejede at bede om almisser. Da hans venner, naboer og alle, der kendte ham fra før så, at han kunne se, sagde de: "Er det ikke Josias den blinde tigger?" Nogle sagde, det var han, men andre sagde: "Nej, det er en, som ham, men denne mand kan se", men da de spurgte manden selv, svarede han: "Det er mig "		164:3.9 (1812.3) Having always been a beggar, he knew nothing else; so, when the first excitement of the creation of his sight had passed, he returned to his usual place of alms-seeking. His friends, neighbors, and all who had known him aforetime, when they observed that he could see, all said, “Is this not Josiah the blind beggar?” Some said it was he, while others said, “No, it is one like him, but this man can see.” But when they asked the man himself, he answered, “I am he.”
164:3.10 (1812.4) Da de spurgte ham, hvordan det var, at han kunne se, svarede han dem: "En mand kaldet Jesus kom her forbi, og mens han talte om mig med sine venner, blandede han ler med spyt, salvede mine øjne med det og sagde at jeg skulle gå til Siloamdammen og vaske mig. Jeg gjorde som manden sagde, og straks kunne jeg se. Og det er kun et par timer siden. Jeg forstår endnu ikke betydningen af meget, som jeg ser." Og da de mennesker, der begyndte at samles omkring ham, spurgte, hvor de kunne finde den mærkelige mand, der havde helbredt ham, kunne Josias kun svare, at han ikke vidste det.		164:3.10 (1812.4) When they began to inquire of him how he was able to see, he answered them: “A man called Jesus came by this way, and when talking about me with his friends, he made clay with spittle, anointed my eyes, and directed that I should go and wash in the pool of Siloam. I did what this man told me, and immediately I received my sight. And that is only a few hours ago. I do not yet know the meaning of much that I see.” And when the people who began to gather about him asked where they could find the strange man who had healed him, Josiah could answer only that he did not know.
164:3.11 (1812.5) Dette var et af de mærkeligste af alle Mesterens mirakler. Denne mand havde ikke bedt om at blive helbredt. Han vidste ikke, at den Jesus, som havde sagt til ham om at gå og vaske sig i Siloamdammen, og som havde lovet ham synet, var den galilæiske profet, der havde prædiket i Jerusalem under løvhyttefesten. Denne mand havde lidt tro på, at han ville få sit syn, men folk på den tid havde en stærk tro på virkningen af spyt fra en stor eller hellig mand; og fra Jesu samtale med Nataniel og Thomas havde Josias konkluderet, at den påtænkte velgører var en stor mand, en lærd lærer eller en hellig profet; derfor gjorde han, som Jesus sagde til ham.		164:3.11 (1812.5) This is one of the strangest of all the Master’s miracles. This man did not ask for healing. He did not know that the Jesus who had directed him to wash at Siloam, and who had promised him vision, was the prophet of Galilee who had preached in Jerusalem during the feast of tabernacles. This man had little faith that he would receive his sight, but the people of that day had great faith in the efficacy of the spittle of a great or holy man; and from Jesus’ conversation with Nathaniel and Thomas, Josiah had concluded that his would-be benefactor was a great man, a learned teacher or a holy prophet; accordingly he did as Jesus directed him.
164:3.12 (1812.6) Jesus anvendte ler og spyt, og sagde til ham om at gå og vaske sig i den symbolske Siloamdammen af tre grunde:		164:3.12 (1812.6) Jesus made use of the clay and the spittle and directed him to wash in the symbolic pool of Siloam for three reasons:
164:3.13 (1812.7) 1. Dette var ikke en mirakelreaktion på en persons tro. Det var et mirakel, som Jesus havde besluttet at udføre til egne formål, men som han således planlagde, at denne mand kunne få en permanent fordel af det.		164:3.13 (1812.7) 1. This was not a miracle response to the individual’s faith. This was a wonder which Jesus chose to perform for a purpose of his own, but which he so arranged that this man might derive lasting benefit therefrom.
164:3.14 (1813.1) 2. Da den blinde mand ikke havde bedt om at blive helbredt, og siden den tro, han havde, var lille, blev disse materielle handlinger anvendt for at opmuntre ham. Han troede på overtroen om effekten af spyt, og han vidste at Siloamdammen var et halv helligt sted. Men han ville næppe have gået der vis det ikke havde været nødvendigt at vaske leret væk som han var blevet salvet med. Der var lige så meget ceremoni i handlingen, at den fik ham til at handle.		164:3.14 (1813.1) 2. As the blind man had not asked for healing, and since the faith he had was slight, these material acts were suggested for the purpose of encouraging him. He did believe in the superstition of the efficacy of spittle, and he knew the pool of Siloam was a semisacred place. But he would hardly have gone there had it not been necessary to wash away the clay of his anointing. There was just enough ceremony about the transaction to induce him to act.
164:3.15 (1813.2) 3. Men Jesus havde en tredje grund til at ty til disse materielle midler i forbindelse med denne unikke begivenhed: det var et mirakel udført helt efter eget valg, og han ville derfor lære sine tilhængere, på den tid og i alle efterfølgende tidsaldre, til ikke at foragte eller forsømme materielle midler i helbredelsen af de syge. Han ønskede at lære dem, at de skal holde op med at overveje mirakler som værende den eneste måde at helbrede sygdomme hos mennesker.		164:3.15 (1813.2) 3. But Jesus had a third reason for resorting to these material means in connection with this unique transaction: This was a miracle wrought purely in obedience to his own choosing, and thereby he desired to teach his followers of that day and all subsequent ages to refrain from despising or neglecting material means in the healing of the sick. He wanted to teach them that they must cease to regard miracles as the only method of curing human diseases.
164:3.16 (1813.3) Jesus gav denne mand synet ved et mirakel som han udførte denne sabbatmorgen og i Jerusalem nær templet, med det primære formål at gøre denne handling til en åben udfordring for jødernes råd og alle de jødiske lærere og religiøse ledere. Det var hans måde at tilkendegive et åbent brud med farisæerne. Han var altid positiv i alt, hvad han gjorde. Det var med henblik på at bringe disse spørgsmål til behandling foran jødernes råd, at Jesus bragte sine to apostle til denne mand tidligt denne sabbateftermiddag og bevidst fremprovokerede de samtaler, der tvang farisæerne til at henlede opmærksomheden på miraklet.		164:3.16 (1813.3) Jesus gave this man his sight by miraculous working, on this Sabbath morning and in Jerusalem near the temple, for the prime purpose of making this act an open challenge to the Sanhedrin and all the Jewish teachers and religious leaders. This was his way of proclaiming an open break with the Pharisees. He was always positive in everything he did. And it was for the purpose of bringing these matters before the Sanhedrin that Jesus brought his two apostles to this man early in the afternoon of this Sabbath day and deliberately provoked those discussions which compelled the Pharisees to take notice of the miracle.
4. Josia foran jødernes råd ^top		4. Josiah Before the Sanhedrin ^top
164:4.1 (1813.4) Senere på eftermiddagen havde helbredelsen af Josias forårsaget så megen diskussion omkring templet, at lederne for jødernes besluttede at indkalde til rådsmøde på det sædvanlige sted i templet. Og de gjorde dette på trods af en bestående regel, som forbød rådet at mødes på sabbatten. Jesus vidste, at brud på sabbatten ville være en af de vigtigste anklager mod ham, når den afsluttende prøvelse kom, og han ønskede at blive indbragt for jødernes råd for at blive dømt for anklagen for at have helbredt en blind mand på sabbatten, når selve det møde, hvor den højeste jødisk domstol ville dømme ham for denne barmhjertighedshandling vil behandle disse spørgsmål på sabbatten og klart i strid med de love, de selv havde forpligtet sig til.		164:4.1 (1813.4) By midafternoon the healing of Josiah had raised such a discussion around the temple that the leaders of the Sanhedrin decided to convene the council in its usual temple meeting place. And they did this in violation of a standing rule which forbade the meeting of the Sanhedrin on the Sabbath day. Jesus knew that Sabbath breaking would be one of the chief charges to be brought against him when the final test came, and he desired to be brought before the Sanhedrin for adjudication of the charge of having healed a blind man on the Sabbath day, when the very session of the high Jewish court sitting in judgment on him for this act of mercy would be deliberating on these matters on the Sabbath day and in direct violation of their own self-imposed laws.
164:4.2 (1813.5) Men de indkaldte ikke Jesus til sig; de var bange for at gøre det. I stedet for blev Josias kaldt ind. Efter et par indledende spørgsmål befalede formanden for jødernes råd (omkring halvtreds medlemmer var til stede), at Josias fortalte dem, hvad der var sket med ham. Efter at Josias var blevet helbredt den morgen, havde han af Thomas, Natanael og andre fået fortalt, at farisæerne var vrede over hans helbredelse på sabbatten, og at de sandsynligvis ville skabe vanskeligheder for alle parter; men Josias var endnu ikke klar over, at Jesus var den, der blev kaldt Befrieren. Da farisæerne spurgte ham, sagde han derfor: "Denne mand kom gående, lagde ler på mine øjne, bad mig om at gå og vaske mig i Siloamdammen, og nu kan jeg se."		164:4.2 (1813.5) But they did not call Jesus before them; they feared to. Instead, they sent forthwith for Josiah. After some preliminary questioning, the spokesman for the Sanhedrin (about fifty members being present) directed Josiah to tell them what had happened to him. Since his healing that morning Josiah had learned from Thomas, Nathaniel, and others that the Pharisees were angry about his healing on the Sabbath, and that they were likely to make trouble for all concerned; but Josiah did not yet perceive that Jesus was he who was called the Deliverer. So, when the Pharisees questioned him, he said: “This man came along, put clay upon my eyes, told me to go wash in Siloam, and I do now see.”
164:4.3 (1813.6) En af de ældre farisæere sagde efter at have holdt en lang tale: "Denne mand kan ikke være fra Gud, fordi som du kan se så holder han ikke sabbatten. Han overtræder loven, først ved at behandle ler og derefter ved at sende denne tigger hen for at vaske sig i Siloamdammen på sabbatsdagen. Sådan en mand kan ikke være en lærer sendt fra Gud."		164:4.3 (1813.6) One of the older Pharisees, after making a lengthy speech, said: “This man cannot be from God because you can see that he does not observe the Sabbath. He violates the law, first, in making the clay, then, in sending this beggar to wash in Siloam on the Sabbath day. Such a man cannot be a teacher sent from God.”
164:4.4 (1813.7) Da sagde en af de yngre mænd, der i hemmelighed troede på Jesus: "Medmindre denne mand er sendt fra Gud, hvordan kan han da gøre sådanne gerninger? Vi ved, at en almindelig synder ikke kan udføre sådanne mirakler. Vi kender alle denne tigger og ved, at han var født blind, men nu ser han. Siger i stadig at denne profet gør alle disse mirakler med djævleprinsens kraft?" For hver farisæer der vovede at anklage og fordømme Jesus rejste en anden sig op for at spørge indviklede og pinlige spørgsmål, således at en alvorlig splittelse opstod blandt dem. Formanden så hvorhen debatten gik og for at dæmpe diskussionen, gjorde han sig klar til at afhøre selve manden. Han vendte sig mod Josias og sagde: "Hvad synes du om denne mand, denne Jesus, som du påstår åbnede dine øjne?" Josias svarede: "Jeg tror, han er en profet."		164:4.4 (1813.7) Then one of the younger men who secretly believed in Jesus, said: “If this man is not sent by God, how can he do these things? We know that one who is a common sinner cannot perform such miracles. We all know this beggar and that he was born blind; now he sees. Will you still say that this prophet does all these wonders by the power of the prince of devils?” And for every Pharisee who dared to accuse and denounce Jesus one would arise to ask entangling and embarrassing questions, so that a serious division arose among them. The presiding officer saw whither they were drifting, and in order to allay the discussion, he prepared further to question the man himself. Turning to Josiah, he said: “What do you have to say about this man, this Jesus, whom you claim opened your eyes?” And Josiah answered, “I think he is a prophet.”
164:4.5 (1814.1) Lederne var nu dybt bekymret og da de ikke vidste hvad ellers de skulle gøre, besluttede de at kalde efter Josias forældre for at høre, om han rent faktisk var født blind. De var uvillige til at tro, at tiggeren var blevet helbredt.		164:4.5 (1814.1) The leaders were greatly troubled and, knowing not what else to do, decided to send for Josiah’s parents to learn whether he had actually been born blind. They were loath to believe that the beggar had been healed.
164:4.6 (1814.2) Det var godt kendt i Jerusalem, ikke kun, at Jesus var blevet nægtet adgang til alle synagoger, men at alle, der troede på hans lære også var bortvist fra synagogen, udelukket af fællesskabet i Israel. Det betød, at personen blev nægtet alle rettigheder og privilegier af enhver art i hele det jødiske samfund, bortset fra retten til at købe livsfornødenheder.		164:4.6 (1814.2) It was well known about Jerusalem, not only that Jesus was denied entrance into all synagogues, but that all who believed in his teaching were likewise cast out of the synagogue, excommunicated from the congregation of Israel; and this meant denial of all rights and privileges of every sort throughout all Jewry except the right to buy the necessaries of life.
164:4.7 (1814.3) Når derfor Josias forældre, disse fattige og frygtsomme sjæle, trådte frem, for det ærværdige jødiske råd, var de bange for at tale frit. Retsformanden sagde, "Er det jeres søn, og forstår vi korrekt, at han var født blind? Og hvis det er sandt, hvordan er det, at han nu kan se?" Da svarede Josias far, og hans mor istemte: "Vi ved, at dette er vores søn, og at han var født blind, men hvordan han kan se nu, eller hvem det var, der åbnede hans øjne, ved vi ikke. Spørg ham, han er gammel nok, han kan svare for sig selv."		164:4.7 (1814.3) When, therefore, Josiah’s parents, poor and fear-burdened souls, appeared before the august Sanhedrin, they were afraid to speak freely. Said the spokesman of the court: “Is this your son? and do we understand aright that he was born blind? If this is true, how is it that he can now see?” And then Josiah’s father, seconded by his mother, answered: “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind, but how it is that he has come to see, or who it was that opened his eyes, we know not. Ask him; he is of age; let him speak for himself.”
164:4.8 (1814.4) For anden gang kaldte de nu Josias frem foran sig. Deres plan om at holde en officiel retssag gik ikke særlig godt, og nogle begyndte at have skrupler over, hvad de gjorde på sabbatten. Da de igen kaldte Josias frem forsøgte de derfor at fange ham med en nyangrebs form. Retstjeneren talte til den tidligere blinde mand og sagde: "Hvorfor giver du ikke Gud æren for dette? Hvorfor kan du ikke fortælle os hele sandheden om, hvad der skete? Vi ved alle, at denne mand er en synder. Hvorfor nægter du at se sandheden i øjnene? Du ved, at både du og denne mand står anklaget for brud på sabbatten. Vil du ikke forsone din synd ved at anerkende Gud som din helbreder, hvis du stadig påstår, at dine øjne denne dag er blevet åbnet?"		164:4.8 (1814.4) They now called Josiah up before them a second time. They were not getting along well with their scheme of holding a formal trial, and some were beginning to feel strange about doing this on the Sabbath; accordingly, when they recalled Josiah, they attempted to ensnare him by a different mode of attack. The officer of the court spoke to the former blind man, saying: “Why do you not give God the glory for this? why do you not tell us the whole truth about what happened? We all know that this man is a sinner. Why do you refuse to discern the truth? You know that both you and this man stand convicted of Sabbath breaking. Will you not atone for your sin by acknowledging God as your healer, if you still claim that your eyes have this day been opened?”
164:4.9 (1814.5) Men Josias var hverken dum eller uden humor, så han svarede officeren: "Hvis denne mand er en synder ved jeg det ikke. Men en ting ved jeg, at en gang var jeg blind, nu kan jeg se." Da de ikke fik Josias i fælden forsøgte de igen at spørge ham og spurgte: "Præcis hvordan åbnede han dine øjne? Hvad gjorde han med dig? Hvad sagde han til dig? Bad han om, at du skulle tro på ham?"		164:4.9 (1814.5) But Josiah was neither dumb nor lacking in humor; so he replied to the officer of the court: “Whether this man is a sinner, I know not; but one thing I do know—that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” And since they could not entrap Josiah, they sought further to question him, asking: “Just how did he open your eyes? what did he actually do to you? what did he say to you? did he ask you to believe in him?”
164:4.10 (1814.6) Josias svarede, noget utålmodigt: "Jeg har fortalt jer præcis, hvordan det hele skete, og hvis du ikke troede mit vidnesbyrd, hvorfor vil i høre det igen? Måske er i også kommer for at blive hans disciple?" Da Josias havde sagt sådan brød forvirringen, næsten med vold, ud i rådet, for lederne styrtede hen til Josia og råbte vredt: "Du kan tale om at være hans discipel, men vi er Moses disciple, vi underviser i Guds love. Vi ved, at Gud talte gennem Moses, men hvorfra denne mand kommer, denne Jesus, det ved vi ikke."		164:4.10 (1814.6) Josiah replied, somewhat impatiently: “I have told you exactly how it all happened, and if you did not believe my testimony, why would you hear it again? Would you by any chance also become his disciples?” When Josiah had thus spoken, the Sanhedrin broke up in confusion, almost violence, for the leaders rushed upon Josiah, angrily exclaiming: “You may talk about being this man’s disciple, but we are disciples of Moses, and we are the teachers of the laws of God. We know that God spoke through Moses, but as for this man Jesus, we know not whence he is.”
164:4.11 (1814.7) Da råbte Josias, stående på en skammel, ud over støjen til alle, der kunne høre: "Hør, du, jer som hævder at være hele Israels lærere, når jeg fortæller dig, at det er mærkeligt, at I erkender, at I ikke ved, hvorfra denne mand kommer, og alligevel ved du med sikkerhed, vidnesbyrdet har du hørt, at han åbnede mine øjne. Vi ved alle, at Gud ikke gøre disse ting for de ugudelige, at Gud kun ville gøre sådan noget på anmodning af en sand tilbeder - for en, der er hellig og retfærdig. Du ved, at lige siden verden begyndte er det aldrig blevet hørt, at øjnene er blevet åbnet på en blind fra fødslen. Se derfor alle på mig og indse, hvad der denne dag, er sket i Jerusalem! Jeg siger jer, hvis denne mand ikke var sendt af Gud, kunne han ikke have gjort dette." Da rådsmedlemmerne gik bort, vrede og forvirret, råbte de til ham: "Du blev helt igennem født syndig, og hvordan vover du at undervise os! Måske er du i virkeligheden ikke født blind, og selvom dine øjne blev åbnet på sabbatten, så var det med djævleprinsens kraft." De gik straks til synagogen for at udelukke Josias.		164:4.11 (1814.7) Then Josiah, standing upon a stool, shouted abroad to all who could hear, saying: “Hearken, you who claim to be the teachers of all Israel, while I declare to you that herein is a great marvel since you confess that you know not whence this man is, and yet you know of a certainty, from the testimony which you have heard, that he opened my eyes. We all know that God does not perform such works for the ungodly; that God would do such a thing only at the request of a true worshiper—for one who is holy and righteous. You know that not since the beginning of the world have you ever heard of the opening of the eyes of one who was born blind. Look, then, all of you, upon me and realize what has been done this day in Jerusalem! I tell you, if this man were not from God, he could not do this.” And as the Sanhedrists departed in anger and confusion, they shouted to him: “You were altogether born in sin, and do you now presume to teach us? Maybe you were not really born blind, and even if your eyes were opened on the Sabbath day, this was done by the power of the prince of devils.” And they went at once to the synagogue to cast out Josiah.
164:4.12 (1815.1) Da Josias blev involveret i denne rettergang, havde han vage forestillinger om Jesus og arten af hans helbredelse. Det meste af hans vovemodige vidnesbyrd, som han så dygtigt og modigt fremførte for den højeste domstol i hele Israel udviklede sig i hans sind mens rettergangen skred frem under disse urimelige og uretfærdige retningslinjer.		164:4.12 (1815.1) Josiah entered this trial with meager ideas about Jesus and the nature of his healing. Most of the daring testimony which he so cleverly and courageously bore before this supreme tribunal of all Israel developed in his mind as the trial proceeded along such unfair and unjust lines.
5. Undervisning i salomons søjlegang ^top		5. Teaching in Solomon’s Porch ^top
164:5.1 (1815.2) Under hele den tid, hvor jødernes råd holdt dette lovbrydende sabbatmøde i et af templets kamre, gik Jesus rundt i nærheden for at være ved hånde, undervisende folk i Salomons søjlegang og håbede på at blive kaldt ind for rådet for der at fortælle dem den gode nyhed om friheden og glæden i Guds rige for dem, der er en Guds søn. Men de var bange for at indkalde ham. De var altid forvirret, når Jesus pludselig dukkede offentligt frem i Jerusalem. Jesus gav dem nu netop den årsag, de så ivrigt havde søgt, men de var bange for at tage ham til rådet selv som vidne, og endnu mere bange, var de for at arrestere ham.		164:5.1 (1815.2) All of the time this Sabbath-breaking session of the Sanhedrin was in progress in one of the temple chambers, Jesus was walking about near at hand, teaching the people in Solomon’s Porch, hoping that he would be summoned before the Sanhedrin where he could tell them the good news of the liberty and joy of divine sonship in the kingdom of God. But they were afraid to send for him. They were always disconcerted by these sudden and public appearances of Jesus in Jerusalem. The very occasion they had so ardently sought, Jesus now gave them, but they feared to bring him before the Sanhedrin even as a witness, and even more they feared to arrest him.
164:5.2 (1815.3) Det var midvinter i Jerusalem, og mennesker søgte den beskyttelse som Salomons søjlegang delvist tilbød. Mens han opholdt sig der stillede mange mennesker spørgsmål til ham, og han underviste dem i over to timer. Nogle af de jødiske lærere forsøgte at fange ham ved offentligt at spørge: "Hvor længe vil du holde os i spænding? Hvis du er Messias, hvorfor siger du det så ikke ligeud til os?" Jesus sagde: "Jeg har fortalt dig om mig selv og min Fader mange gange, men du ville ikke tro mig. Kan du ikke se, at de værker, som jeg gør i min Faders navn vidner for mig? Men mange af jer tror ikke, fordi I ikke er af min flok. Sandhedslæreren tiltrækker kun dem, der hungrer efter sandhed og tørster efter retfærdighed. Mine får hører min røst, og jeg kender dem, og de følger mig. Og til alle som følger min undervisning giver jeg evigt liv; de skal aldrig gå fortabt, og ingen skal rive dem ud af min hånd. Min Fader, som har givet mig disse børn, er større end alt, så ingen kan rive dem ud af min Faders hånd. Faderen og jeg er ét." Nogle af de vantro jøder, skyndte sig over til der hvor arbejdet med opførelsen af templet stadig foregik for at hente sten til at stene Jesus, men de troende holdt dem tilbage.		164:5.2 (1815.3) This was midwinter in Jerusalem, and the people sought the partial shelter of Solomon’s Porch; and as Jesus lingered, the crowds asked him many questions, and he taught them for more than two hours. Some of the Jewish teachers sought to entrap him by publicly asking him: “How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, why do you not plainly tell us?” Said Jesus: “I have told you about myself and my Father many times, but you will not believe me. Can you not see that the works I do in my Father’s name bear witness for me? But many of you believe not because you belong not to my fold. The teacher of truth attracts only those who hunger for the truth and who thirst for righteousness. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. And to all who follow my teaching I give eternal life; they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given me these children, is greater than all, so that no one is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” Some of the unbelieving Jews rushed over to where they were still building the temple to pick up stones to cast at Jesus, but the believers restrained them.
164:5.3 (1815.4) Jesus fortsatte sin undervisning: "Jeg har lade jer se så mange gode gerninger fra Faderen, så derfor vil gerne spørge dig, for hvilken af disse gode gerninger tænker i nu at stene mig?" Da svarede en af farisæerne: "Det er ikke for en god gerning at vi vil stene dig, men fordi du spotter og tør gøre dig selv lig med Gud, selvom du er menneske." Jesus svarede: "Du beskylder Menneskesønnen for blasfemi, fordi du nægtede at tro mig, når jeg erklærede for jer, at Gud har sendt mig. Hvis jeg ikke gør Guds gerninger, vil du ikke tro mig, men hvis jeg gør Guds gerninger, tro i det mindste på dem, hvis du nu ikke kan tro på mig. Men for at du kan være sikker på, hvad jeg forkynder, lad mig igen forsikre, at Faderen er i mig og jeg i Faderen, og som Faderen bor i mig, og jeg vil bo i enhver, som tror dette evangelium." Da folk hørte disse ord, styrtede mange ud for at finde sten til at stene ham, men han forsvandt gennem templets gårde og mødte Nataniel og Thomas, som havde været til stede på det jødiske råds møde, han ventede sammen med dem i nærheden af templet indtil Josias kom fra retskammeret.		164:5.3 (1815.4) Jesus continued his teaching: “Many loving works have I shown you from the Father, so that now would I inquire for which one of these good works do you think to stone me?” And then answered one of the Pharisees: “For no good work would we stone you but for blasphemy, inasmuch as you, being a man, dare to make yourself equal with God.” And Jesus answered: “You charge the Son of Man with blasphemy because you refused to believe me when I declared to you that I was sent by God. If I do not the works of God, believe me not, but if I do the works of God, even though you believe not in me, I should think you would believe the works. But that you may be certain of what I proclaim, let me again assert that the Father is in me and I in the Father, and that, as the Father dwells in me, so will I dwell in every one who believes this gospel.” And when the people heard these words, many of them rushed out to lay hands upon the stones to cast at him, but he passed out through the temple precincts; and meeting Nathaniel and Thomas, who had been in attendance upon the session of the Sanhedrin, he waited with them near the temple until Josiah came from the council chamber.
164:5.4 (1816.1) Jesus og de to apostle gik ikke for at søge efter Josias i hans hjem, indtil de hørte at han var blevet bortvist fra synagogen. Da de kom til hans hus kaldet Thomas på ham ud i gården, og Jesus talte til ham og sagde: "Josias, tror du på Guds Søn" Josias svarede: "Sig mig, hvem han er, så jeg kan tro på ham." Jesus sagde: "Du har både set og hørt ham, og det er ham, der nu taler til dig." Josias sagde: "Herre, jeg tror", og han faldt ned og tilbad Jesus.		164:5.4 (1816.1) Jesus and the two apostles did not go in search of Josiah at his home until they heard he had been cast out of the synagogue. When they came to his house, Thomas called him out in the yard, and Jesus, speaking to him, said: “Josiah, do you believe in the Son of God?” And Josiah answered, “Tell me who he is that I may believe in him.” And Jesus said: “You have both seen and heard him, and it is he who now speaks to you.” And Josiah said, “Lord, I believe,” and falling down, he worshiped.
164:5.5 (1816.2) Da Josias erfarede, at han var blevet smidt ud af synagogen var han først meget modløs, men han var meget opmuntret, da Jesus fortalte ham, at han straks skulle gøre sig klar til at gå med dem til lejren ved Pella. Denne enfoldige mand i Jerusalem var faktisk blevet udvist fra en jødisk synagoge, men se Skaberen af et univers, fører ham frem for at blive forenet med den tidens og kommende generations åndelige adel.		164:5.5 (1816.2) When Josiah learned that he had been cast out of the synagogue, he was at first greatly downcast, but he was much encouraged when Jesus directed that he should immediately prepare to go with them to the camp at Pella. This simple-minded man of Jerusalem had indeed been cast out of a Jewish synagogue, but behold the Creator of a universe leading him forth to become associated with the spiritual nobility of that day and generation.
164:5.6 (1816.3) Nu forlod Jesus Jerusalem og kom ikke tilbage, før tiden var nær, da han var ved at blive klar til at forlade denne verden. Sammen med de to apostle og Josias vendte Mesteren tilbage til Pella. Josias viste sig at være en af modtagerne af Mesterens mirakuløse tjenester, og som bar frugt, for han blev en livslang forkynder af rigets evangelium.		164:5.6 (1816.3) And now Jesus left Jerusalem, not again to return until near the time when he prepared to leave this world. With the two apostles and Josiah the Master went back to Pella. And Josiah proved to be one of the recipients of the Master’s miraculous ministry who turned out fruitfully, for he became a lifelong preacher of the gospel of the kingdom.