Kapitel 177		Paper 177
Onsdagen — Hviledagen		Wednesday, the Rest Day
177:0.1 (1920.1) NÅR arbejdet med at undervise folket ikke var overhængende havde Jesus og hans apostle for vane at hvile hver onsdag fra deres anstrengelser. Denne særlige onsdag spiste de morgenmad lidt senere end normalt, og der var en ildevarslende tavshed over lejren. Der blev ikke sagt mange ord under første halvdel af dette morgenmåltid. Til sidst sagde Jesus: "Jeg vil have at I hviler i dag. Tag jer tid til at tænke over alt, der er sket, siden vi kom til Jerusalem og meditere over, hvad der er lige forestående, det jeg tydeligt har fortalt dig om. Sørg for, at sandheden forbliver i jeres liv, og at du dagligt vokser i nåde."		177:0.1 (1920.1) WHEN the work of teaching the people did not press them, it was the custom of Jesus and his apostles to rest from their labors each Wednesday. On this particular Wednesday they ate breakfast somewhat later than usual, and the camp was pervaded by an ominous silence; little was said during the first half of this morning meal. At last Jesus spoke: “I desire that you rest today. Take time to think over all that has happened since we came to Jerusalem and meditate on what is just ahead, of which I have plainly told you. Make sure that the truth abides in your lives, and that you daily grow in grace.”
177:0.2 (1920.2) Efter morgenmaden informerede Mesteren Andreas at han agtede at være fraværende den dag, og foreslog, at apostlene skulle bruge deres tid efter eget skøn, bortset fra at de under ingen omstændigheder gik indenfor Jerusalems porte.		177:0.2 (1920.2) After breakfast the Master informed Andrew that he intended to be absent for the day and suggested that the apostles be permitted to spend the time in accordance with their own choosing, except that under no circumstances should they go within the gates of Jerusalem.
177:0.3 (1920.3) Da Jesus gjorde sig klar til at gå alene op i bakkerne kom David Zebedæus hen til ham og sagde: "Du ved godt, Mester, at farisæerne og herskere forsøger at ødelægge dig, men alligevel er du klar til at gå alene i bakkerne. Det er tåbeligt at gøre det; jeg vil derfor sender tre mænd med dig, godt rustet til at sikre, at du ikke oplever nogen skade." Jesus kiggede på de tre velbevæbnede og robuste galilæere og sagde til David: "Du mener godt, men du tager fejl, når du ikke forstår at Menneskesønnen ikke behøver nogen som forsvarer ham. Ingen mænd vil lægger hænderne på mig før den time, når jeg er parat til at afgive mit liv i overensstemmelse med Faderens vilje. Disse mænd kan ikke ledsage mig. Jeg ønsker at gå alene, så jeg kan kommunikere med Faderen."		177:0.3 (1920.3) When Jesus made ready to go into the hills alone, David Zebedee accosted him, saying: “You well know, Master, that the Pharisees and rulers seek to destroy you, and yet you make ready to go alone into the hills. To do this is folly; I will therefore send three men with you well prepared to see that no harm befalls you.” Jesus looked over the three well-armed and stalwart Galileans and said to David: “You mean well, but you err in that you fail to understand that the Son of Man needs no one to defend him. No man will lay hands on me until that hour when I am ready to lay down my life in conformity to my Father’s will. These men may not accompany me. I desire to go alone, that I may commune with the Father.”
177:0.4 (1920.4) Da de hørte disse ord trak David og hans bevæbnede vagter sig tilbage; men netop som Jesus var på vej alene kom Johannes Markus frem med en lille kurv med mad og vand, og påpegede, at hvis Jesus skulle være væk hele dagen, kunne han blive sulten. Mesteren smilede på Johannes og strakte hånden ud for at modtage kurven.		177:0.4 (1920.4) Upon hearing these words, David and his armed guards withdrew; but as Jesus started off alone, John Mark came forward with a small basket containing food and water and suggested that, if he intended to be away all day, he might find himself hungry. The Master smiled on John and reached down to take the basket.
1. En dag alene med gud ^top		1. One Day Alone with God ^top
177:1.1 (1920.5) Da Jesus ville tage frokostkurven fra Johannes hånd dristede den unge mand sig til at sige: "Men, Mester, du kan tænkes at sætte kurven ned, når du går til side for at bede og derefter fortsætte uden. Desuden, hvis jeg går med for at bære maden, ville du være mere fri til at tilbede, og jeg vil helt sikkert være tavs. Jeg vil ikke stille spørgsmål, og jeg venter med kurven, mens du går afsides for dig selv for at bede."		177:1.1 (1920.5) As Jesus was about to take the lunch basket from John’s hand, the young man ventured to say: “But, Master, you may set the basket down while you turn aside to pray and go on without it. Besides, if I should go along to carry the lunch, you would be more free to worship, and I will surely be silent. I will ask no questions and will stay by the basket when you go apart by yourself to pray.”
177:1.2 (1920.6) Mens Johannes holdt sin lille tale, hvis dristighed overrasket nogle af dem, der stod i nærheden og hørte det, var han modig nok til at holde fast i kurven. Der stod de, både Johannes og Jesus, og holdt kurven. Kort efter gav Mesteren slip, så på drengen og sagde, "Eftersom du af hele dit hjerte ønsker at gå med mig, skal det ikke nægtes dig. Vi vil gå væk for os selv og have en dejlig tid sammen. Du kan spørge mig om hvad som helst, der opstår i dit hjerte, og vi vil trøste og støtte hinanden. Du kan starte med at bære frokosten, og når du bliver træt, vil jeg hjælpe dig. Følg med mig."		177:1.2 (1920.6) While making this speech, the temerity of which astonished some of the near-by listeners, John had made bold to hold on to the basket. There they stood, both John and Jesus holding the basket. Presently the Master let go and, looking down on the lad, said: “Since with all your heart you crave to go with me, it shall not be denied you. We will go off by ourselves and have a good visit. You may ask me any question that arises in your heart, and we will comfort and console each other. You may start out carrying the lunch, and when you grow weary, I will help you. Follow on with me.”
177:1.3 (1921.1) Jesus vendte ikke tilbage til lejren den aften indtil efter solnedgang. Mesteren tilbragte den sidste stille dag på jorden i samtale med denne sandhedssultne unge mand og med at tale med sin Paradisfader. Denne begivenhed er blevet kendt i højden som "dagen, som en ung mand tilbragte med Gud i bakkerne." Dette tilfælde eksemplificerer for evigt Skaberens vilje til fællesskab med den skabte. Selv en ungdom kan, om det virkelig er hjertets største ønske, tvinge opmærksomheden af universets Gud og få nydelse af hans kærlige selskab, kan faktisk opleve den uforglemmelige begejstring alene og en hel dag med Gud i bjergene. Sådan var Johannes Markus enestående oplevelse denne onsdag på bakkerne i Judæa.		177:1.3 (1921.1) Jesus did not return to the camp that evening until after sunset. The Master spent this last day of quiet on earth visiting with this truth-hungry youth and talking with his Paradise Father. This event has become known on high as “the day which a young man spent with God in the hills.” Forever this occasion exemplifies the willingness of the Creator to fellowship the creature. Even a youth, if the desire of the heart is really supreme, can command the attention and enjoy the loving companionship of the God of a universe, actually experience the unforgettable ecstasy of being alone with God in the hills, and for a whole day. And such was the unique experience of John Mark on this Wednesday in the hills of Judea.
177:1.4 (1921.2) Jesus talte meget med Johannes, de talte frit om denne verden og den næste verdens anliggender. Johannes fortalte Jesus, hvor ked han var af, at han ikke havde været gammel nok til at være en af apostlene og udtrykte sin store taknemmelighed for, at han havde fået lov til at følge dem lige siden de første gang prædikede ved overgangsstedet af Jordanfloden over for Jeriko, bortset fra rejsen til Fønikien. Jesus advarede den unge mand til ikke at lade sig skræmme af de forestående begivenheder og forsikrede ham om, at han ville vokse op til at blive en mægtig budbringer af riget.		177:1.4 (1921.2) Jesus visited much with John, talking freely about the affairs of this world and the next. John told Jesus how much he regretted that he had not been old enough to be one of the apostles and expressed his great appreciation that he had been permitted to follow on with them since their first preaching at the Jordan ford near Jericho, except for the trip to Phoenicia. Jesus warned the lad not to become discouraged by impending events and assured him he would live to become a mighty messenger of the kingdom.
177:1.5 (1921.3) Johannes Markus var fascineret af mindet om denne dag med Jesus i bjergene, men han glemte aldrig Mesterens sidste formaning lige før de ville vende tilbage til lejren ved Getsemane, da Mesteren sagde: "Nå, godt, Johannes, vi har haft en dejlig tid sammen, en sand hviledag, men sørg for at du ikke fortælle nogen om, hvad jeg har fortalt dig.” Og Johannes Markus afslørede aldrig noget om, hvad der var sket den dag, han tilbragte med Jesus i bakkerne.		177:1.5 (1921.3) John Mark was thrilled by the memory of this day with Jesus in the hills, but he never forgot the Master’s final admonition, spoken just as they were about to return to the Gethsemane camp, when he said: “Well, John, we have had a good visit, a real day of rest, but see to it that you tell no man the things which I told you.” And John Mark never did reveal anything that transpired on this day which he spent with Jesus in the hills.
177:1.6 (1921.4) I løbet af de få resterende timer af Jesu jordiske liv lod Johannes Markus aldrig Mesteren kommer ud af syne i lang tid. Altid holdt den unge mand sig gemt i nærheden, han sov kun når Jesus sov.		177:1.6 (1921.4) Throughout the few remaining hours of Jesus’ earth life John Mark never permitted the Master for long to get out of his sight. Always was the lad in hiding near by; he slept only when Jesus slept.
2. Barndomstiden i hjemmet ^top		2. Early Home Life ^top
177:2.1 (1921.5) I løbet af denne dag sammen med Johannes Markus, brugte Jesus megen tid med at sammenligne deres erfaringer i den tidlige barndom og senere drengeår. Selvom Johannes forældre havde mere af denne verdens ejendele end Jesu forældre, havde de mange lignende erfaringer under deres drengeår. Jesus sagde en masse ting, der hjalp Johannes til bedre at forstå sine forældre og andre medlemmer af hans familie. Da drengen spurgte Mesteren, hvordan han kunne vide, at han ville vokse op til at blive en "mægtig budbringer af Guds rige," sagde Jesus:		177:2.1 (1921.5) In the course of this day’s visiting with John Mark, Jesus spent considerable time comparing their early childhood and later boyhood experiences. Although John’s parents possessed more of this world’s goods than had Jesus’ parents, there was much experience in their boyhood which was very similar. Jesus said many things which helped John better to understand his parents and other members of his family. When the lad asked the Master how he could know that he would turn out to be a “mighty messenger of the kingdom,” Jesus said:
177:2.2 (1921.6) "Jeg ved, du vil vise dig trofast til rigets evangelium, fordi jeg kan stole på din nuværende tro og kærlighed, når disse kvaliteter er baseret på en sådan uddannelse, som du fik under dine barneår i hjemmet. Du er vokset op i et hjem, hvor forældrene udviser en oprigtig kærlighed til hinanden, og derfor har du ikke fået for meget kærlighed, som kunne have givet dig en faretruende høj koncept om din egen betydning. Din personlighed er heller ikke blevet forvrænget på grund af dine forældre kærlighedsløst skulle have manipuleret mod hinanden for at vinde din tillid og din loyalitet. Du har været nydt sådan en forældrekærlighed, der sikrer en sund selvtillid og fremmer normale trygheds følelser. Men du har også været heldig, at dine forældre har haft både visdom og kærlighed; og det var visdom, som fik dem til at tilbageholde de fleste former for nydelse og mange luksusvarer, der kan købes med rigdom, mens de sendt dig til synagogeskolen sammen med dine legekammerater i nabolaget. Og de har også sørget for, at du fik lært at leve i denne verden, ved at tillade dig at få egne første hånd erfaringer. Du kom over til Jordan, hvor vi prædikede og Johannes disciple døbte, med din unge ven Amos. I ønskede begge at ledsage os. Da du vendte tilbage til Jerusalem, gav dine forældre deres samtykke. Amos forældre nægtede; de holdt så meget af deres søn, at de nægtede ham den velsignede oplevelse, du har haft, selv sådan som du har i dag. Ved at forlade hjemmet kunne Amos have sluttet sig til os, men så havde han såret kærligheden og ofret loyalitet. Selv om et sådant måde havde været et klogt valg, havde det været en frygtelig pris at betale for erfaring, uafhængighed og frihed. Vise forældre, som dine, sørger for, at deres børn ikke behøver at såre kærligheden eller kvæle loyalitet for at udvikle selvstændighed og nyde forfriskende frihed, når de er vokset op til din alder.		177:2.2 (1921.6) “I know you will prove loyal to the gospel of the kingdom because I can depend upon your present faith and love when these qualities are grounded upon such an early training as has been your portion at home. You are the product of a home where the parents bear each other a sincere affection, and therefore you have not been overloved so as injuriously to exalt your concept of self-importance. Neither has your personality suffered distortion in consequence of your parents’ loveless maneuvering for your confidence and loyalty, the one against the other. You have enjoyed that parental love which insures laudable self-confidence and which fosters normal feelings of security. But you have also been fortunate in that your parents possessed wisdom as well as love; and it was wisdom which led them to withhold most forms of indulgence and many luxuries which wealth can buy while they sent you to the synagogue school along with your neighborhood playfellows, and they also encouraged you to learn how to live in this world by permitting you to have original experience. You came over to the Jordan, where we preached and John’s disciples baptized, with your young friend Amos. Both of you desired to go with us. When you returned to Jerusalem, your parents consented; Amos’s parents refused; they loved their son so much that they denied him the blessed experience which you have had, even such as you this day enjoy. By running away from home, Amos could have joined us, but in so doing he would have wounded love and sacrificed loyalty. Even if such a course had been wise, it would have been a terrible price to pay for experience, independence, and liberty. Wise parents, such as yours, see to it that their children do not have to wound love or stifle loyalty in order to develop independence and enjoy invigorating liberty when they have grown up to your age.
177:2.3 (1922.1) "Kærlighed, John, er den øverste virkelighed af universet, når den skænkes af alle kloge væsner, men den er en farlig og ofte delvis egoistisk egenskab, når den kommer til udtryk i livet hos dødelige forældre. Når du bliver gift og får egne børn til at uddanne, så sørg for, at din kærlighed styres af visdom og vejledt af fornuft.		177:2.3 (1922.1) “Love, John, is the supreme reality of the universe when bestowed by all-wise beings, but it is a dangerous and oftentimes semiselfish trait as it is manifested in the experience of mortal parents. When you get married and have children of your own to rear, make sure that your love is admonished by wisdom and guided by intelligence.
177:2.4 (1922.2) "Din unge ven Amos tror på rigets evangelium lige så meget som dig, men jeg kan ikke helt stole på ham; Jeg er ikke sikker på, hvad han vil gøre i de kommende år. Hans barndomsliv i hjemmet var ikke sådan, at det ville give anledning til en fuldstændig troværdig person. Amos er for meget som en af apostlene, som ikke fik en normal, kærlig og klog undervisning i hjemmet. Hele dit senere liv vil blive lykkeligere og mere pålidelig, fordi du har tilbragt dine første otte år i et normal og ordentlig hjem. Du har en stærk og fast sammentømret karakter, fordi du er vokset op i et hjem, hvor kærlighed herskede og visdom regerede. En sådan opvækst i barndommen, en sådan type af loyalitet, forsikrer mig om, at du vil gå igennem med det, du startede med.		177:2.4 (1922.2) “Your young friend Amos believes this gospel of the kingdom just as much as you, but I cannot fully depend upon him; I am not certain about what he will do in the years to come. His early home life was not such as would produce a wholly dependable person. Amos is too much like one of the apostles who failed to enjoy a normal, loving, and wise home training. Your whole afterlife will be more happy and dependable because you spent your first eight years in a normal and well-regulated home. You possess a strong and well-knit character because you grew up in a home where love prevailed and wisdom reigned. Such a childhood training produces a type of loyalty which assures me that you will go through with the course you have begun.”
177:2.5 (1922.3) I mere end en time fortsatte denne diskussion mellem Jesus og Johannes om livet i hjemmet. Mesteren fortsatte med at forklare til Johannes, hvordan barnet fuldstændig er afhængigt af sine forældre og det tilhørende hjemmeliv, for alle dets tidlige begreber om alt intellektuelt, socialt, moralsk, og selv åndeligt, eftersom at familien for det lille barn repræsenterer alt det som barnet i begyndelsen kan vide om både menneskelige og guddommelige relationer. Barnet skal få sine første indtryk af universet fra moderens omsorg. Barnet er helt afhængig af sin jordiske far for hans første idéer om den himmelske Fader. Barnets senere liv bliver lykkeligt eller ulykkeligt, let eller svært, afhængigt af dets tidlige mentale og følelsesmæssige liv, betinget af disse sociale og åndelige relationer i hjemmet. Hele et menneskes senere liv påvirkes enormt af, hvad der sker i de første par år af livet.		177:2.5 (1922.3) For more than an hour Jesus and John continued this discussion of home life. The Master went on to explain to John how a child is wholly dependent on his parents and the associated home life for all his early concepts of everything intellectual, social, moral, and even spiritual since the family represents to the young child all that he can first know of either human or divine relationships. The child must derive his first impressions of the universe from the mother’s care; he is wholly dependent on the earthly father for his first ideas of the heavenly Father. The child’s subsequent life is made happy or unhappy, easy or difficult, in accordance with his early mental and emotional life, conditioned by these social and spiritual relationships of the home. A human being’s entire afterlife is enormously influenced by what happens during the first few years of existence.
177:2.6 (1922.4) Vi tror oprigtigt, at evangeliet ifølge Jesu lære, som er baseret på forholdet mellem far og barn, næppe kan få en verdensomspændende modtagelse indtil den tid kommer, når hjemmelivet hos de moderne civiliserede folk omfatter mere kærlighed og mere visdom. Trods det faktum, at forældrene i det tyvende århundrede besidder stor viden og øget sandhed for at forbedre hjemmet og forædle hjemmelivet, er det stadig et faktum, at meget få moderne hjem er lige så gode steder at uddanne drenge og piger som Jesu hjem i Galilæa og Johannes Markus hjem i Judæa var, selv om accepten af Jesu evangelium vil føre til at hjemmelivet umiddelbart forbedres. Det kærlighedsfulde liv i en klog hjem og den loyale hengivenhed af sand religion udøver en dybtgående gensidig indflydelse på hinanden. Et sådan indre liv forhøjer religionen, og ægte religion forherliger altid hjemmet.		177:2.6 (1922.4) It is our sincere belief that the gospel of Jesus’ teaching, founded as it is on the father-child relationship, can hardly enjoy a world-wide acceptance until such a time as the home life of the modern civilized peoples embraces more of love and more of wisdom. Notwithstanding that parents of the twentieth century possess great knowledge and increased truth for improving the home and ennobling the home life, it remains a fact that very few modern homes are such good places in which to nurture boys and girls as Jesus’ home in Galilee and John Mark’s home in Judea, albeit the acceptance of Jesus’ gospel will result in the immediate improvement of home life. The love life of a wise home and the loyal devotion of true religion exert a profound reciprocal influence upon each other. Such a home life enhances religion, and genuine religion always glorifies the home.
177:2.7 (1923.1) Det er rigtigt, at mange af de mest forkastelige repressive påvirkninger og andre restriktive funktioner i disse gamle jødiske hjem er stort set blevet elimineret fra mange af de bedre organiserede moderne hjem. Der er helt sikkert mere spontan frihed og langt større personlig frihed, men denne frihed er ikke begrænset af kærlighed, ikke motiveret af loyalitet og er ikke omfattet af en rationel disciplin baseret på visdom. Så længe vi lære barnet at bede: "Vor Fader, du som er i himlen", hviler der et enormt ansvar på alle jordiske fædre til at leve og organisere deres hjem, så ordet fader, bliver værdigt indlejret i sind og hjerter hos alle voksende børn.		177:2.7 (1923.1) It is true that many of the objectionable stunting influences and other cramping features of these olden Jewish homes have been virtually eliminated from many of the better-regulated modern homes. There is, indeed, more spontaneous freedom and far more personal liberty, but this liberty is not restrained by love, motivated by loyalty, nor directed by the intelligent discipline of wisdom. As long as we teach the child to pray, “Our Father who is in heaven,” a tremendous responsibility rests upon all earthly fathers so to live and order their homes that the word father becomes worthily enshrined in the minds and hearts of all growing children.
3. Dagen i lejren ^top		3. The Day at Camp ^top
177:3.1 (1923.2) Apostlene tilbragte det meste af denne dag med at gå rundt på Oliebjerget og besøgte de disciple, der havde slået lejre med dem, men tidligt på eftermiddagen blev de meget ivrige over at se Jesus komme tilbage. Som dagen skred frem, blev de mere og mere bekymrede for hans sikkerhed; de følte sig usigeligt ensom uden ham. Hele dagen var der megen diskussion om, hvorvidt Mesteren burde have fået lov til at vandre ud alene i bjergene, kun ledsaget af en bydreng. Selvom ingen åbent udtrykt deres tanker om det, var der ikke én blandt dem, undtagen Judas Iskariot, der ikke ønskede sig i Johannes Markus sted.		177:3.1 (1923.2) The apostles spent most of this day walking about on Mount Olivet and visiting with the disciples who were encamped with them, but early in the afternoon they became very desirous of seeing Jesus return. As the day wore on, they grew increasingly anxious about his safety; they felt inexpressibly lonely without him. There was much debating throughout the day as to whether the Master should have been allowed to go off by himself in the hills, accompanied only by an errand boy. Though no man openly so expressed his thoughts, there was not one of them, save Judas Iscariot, who did not wish himself in John Mark’s place.
177:3.2 (1923.3) Omkring midt på eftermiddagen, holdt Natanael sin tale om "Det højeste ønske" til omkring en halv snes apostle og lige så mange disciple, og talen sluttede med ordene: "Hvad der galt med de fleste af os er, at vi kun er halvhjertede. Vi elsker ikke Mesteren som han elsker os. Hvis vi alle havde ønsket at gå med ham så meget som Johannes Markus, ville han sikkert have taget os alle med. Vi stod på siden, mens drengen gik op til Mesteren og tilbød ham kurven, men da Mesteren tog fat i den ville drengen ikke slippe den. Og så efterlod Mesteren os her, mens han vandrede ud til bakkerne med kurv, dreng og alting."		177:3.2 (1923.3) It was about midafternoon when Nathaniel made his speech on “Supreme Desire” to about half a dozen of the apostles and as many disciples, the ending of which was: “What is wrong with most of us is that we are only halfhearted. We fail to love the Master as he loves us. If we had all wanted to go with him as much as John Mark did, he would surely have taken us all. We stood by while the lad approached the Master and offered him the basket, but when the Master took hold of it, the lad would not let go. And so the Master left us here while he went off to the hills with basket, boy, and all.”
177:3.3 (1923.4) Ved firetiden om eftermiddagen kom løbere til David Zebedæus med bud fra hans mor i Betsaida og fra Jesu mor. Flere dage tidligere, var David kommet til den konklusion, at ypperstepræsterne og herskere ville dræbe Jesus. David vidste, at de var fast besluttet på at ødelægge Mesteren, og han var temmelig overbevist om, at Jesus ikke havde tænkt sig at udøve sin guddommelige magt til at redde sig selv eller tillade sine tilhængere til at bruge vold for at forsvare ham. Da han havde draget disse konklusioner, sendte han en budbringer hurtigt til sin mor og bad hende om at komme direkte til Jerusalem og bringe Jesu mor Maria og alle medlemmer af Jesu familie med sig.		177:3.3 (1923.4) About four o’clock, runners came to David Zebedee bringing him word from his mother at Bethsaida and from Jesus’ mother. Several days previously David had made up his mind that the chief priests and rulers were going to kill Jesus. David knew they were determined to destroy the Master, and he was about convinced that Jesus would neither exert his divine power to save himself nor permit his followers to employ force in his defense. Having reached these conclusions, he lost no time in dispatching a messenger to his mother, urging her to come at once to Jerusalem and to bring Mary the mother of Jesus and every member of his family.
177:3.4 (1923.5) Davids mor gjorde, som hendes søn ønskede, og nu kom løberne tilbage til David med nyheden om, at hans mor og hele Jesu familie var på vej til Jerusalem og forventedes at ankomme sent den følgende dag eller meget tidligt næste morgen. Da David gjorde dette på eget initiativ, mente han, at det var bedst at holde det for sig selv. Han fortalte derfor ikke nogen at Jesu familie var på vej til Jerusalem.		177:3.4 (1923.5) David’s mother did as her son requested, and now the runners came back to David bringing the word that his mother and Jesus’ entire family were on the way to Jerusalem and should arrive sometime late on the following day or very early the next morning. Since David did this on his own initiative, he thought it wise to keep the matter to himself. He told no one, therefore, that Jesus’ family was on the way to Jerusalem.
177:3.5 (1924.1) Kort efter middag ankom over tyve af de grækere, der havde mødt Jesus og de tolv i hjemmet hos Josef af Arimatæa til lejren, og Peter og Johannes tilbragte flere timer i samtale med dem. Disse grækere, i hvert fald nogle af dem, var meget avanceret i viden om riget, for de var blevet undervist af Rodan af Alexandria.		177:3.5 (1924.1) Shortly after noon, more than twenty of the Greeks who had met with Jesus and the twelve at the home of Joseph of Arimathea arrived at the camp, and Peter and John spent several hours in conference with them. These Greeks, at least some of them, were well advanced in the knowledge of the kingdom, having been instructed by Rodan at Alexandria.
177:3.6 (1924.2) Samme aften, efter at Jesu var vendt tilbage til lejren talte han med grækerne, og havde det ikke været for at en sådan fremgangsmåde i høj grad ville have oprørt hans apostle og mange af hans førende disciple, havde han ordineret disse tyve grækere, på samme måde som de halvfjerds tidligere.		177:3.6 (1924.2) That evening, after returning to the camp, Jesus visited with the Greeks, and had it not been that such a course would have greatly disturbed his apostles and many of his leading disciples, he would have ordained these twenty Greeks, even as he had the seventy.
177:3.7 (1924.3) Mens alt dette foregik i lejren var ypperstepræsterne og de ældste i Jerusalem overrasket over, at Jesus ikke vendte tilbage for at tale til folkemængderne. Sandt nok, den foregående dag, da han forlod templet, havde Jesus sagt: "Jeg forlader dit hus øde til dig." Men de kunne ikke forstå, hvorfor han ønskede at give afkald på den store fordel, som han havde opbygget i den venligsindede holdning hos folkemængderne. Mens de frygtede, at han ville starte et oprør blandt folket havde mesterens sidste ord til de mange været en formaning til på alle rimelige måder at overholde autoriteten hos dem, "der sidder på Moses sæde." Men det var en travl dag i byen, da de samtidig forberedte til påsken og finpudsede deres planer om at dræbe Jesus.		177:3.7 (1924.3) While all of this was going on at the camp, in Jerusalem the chief priests and elders were amazed that Jesus did not return to address the multitudes. True, the day before, when he left the temple, he had said, “I leave your house to you desolate.” But they could not understand why he would be willing to forgo the great advantage which he had built up in the friendly attitude of the crowds. While they feared he would stir up a tumult among the people, the Master’s last words to the multitude had been an exhortation to conform in every reasonable manner with the authority of those “who sit in Moses’ seat.” But it was a busy day in the city as they simultaneously prepared for the Passover and perfected their plans for destroying Jesus.
177:3.8 (1924.4) Der var ikke mange mennesker, der besøgte lejren, for oprettelsen var blevet holdt som en velbevaret hemmelighed af alle, der vidste, at Jesus skulle bo der i stedet for hver nat at vandre ud til Betania.		177:3.8 (1924.4) Not many people came to the camp, for its establishment had been kept a well-guarded secret by all who knew that Jesus was expecting to stay there in place of going out to Bethany every night.
4. Judas og ypperstepræsterne ^top		4. Judas and the Chief Priests ^top
177:4.1 (1924.5) Kort efter Jesus og Johannes Markus havde forladt lejren forsvandt Judas Iskariot fra sine brødre og vendte først tilbage sidst på eftermiddagen. Selv om Mesteren udtrykkeligt havde bedt apostlene om ikke at gå ind i Jerusalem skyndte denne forvirrede og utilfredse apostel sig hurtigt af sted for at overholde sit aftalte møde med Jesu fjender i ypperstepræsten Kajfas hjem. Det var et uformelt møde i jødernes råd og havde været aftalt til kort efter klokken ti om formiddagen. Mødet var indkaldt for at diskutere karakteren af de beskyldninger, der blev fremsat mod Jesus og at afgøre, hvilke fremgangsmåder, de ville benytte sig af, når de tog ham til de romerske myndigheder for at indhente den nødvendige bekræftelse fra de civile myndigheder på den dødsdom, som de allerede havde givet over ham.		177:4.1 (1924.5) Shortly after Jesus and John Mark left the camp, Judas Iscariot disappeared from among his brethren, not returning until late in the afternoon. This confused and discontented apostle, notwithstanding his Master’s specific request to refrain from entering Jerusalem, went in haste to keep his appointment with Jesus’ enemies at the home of Caiaphas the high priest. This was an informal meeting of the Sanhedrin and had been appointed for shortly after ten o’clock that morning. This meeting was called to discuss the nature of the charges which should be lodged against Jesus and to decide upon the procedure to be employed in bringing him before the Roman authorities for the purpose of securing the necessary civil confirmation of the death sentence which they had already passed upon him.
177:4.2 (1924.6) Den foregående dag havde Judas videregivet til nogle af sine slægtninge og til visse af sin fars families saddukæer venner, at han var kommet til den konklusion, at mens Jesus var en velmenende drømmer og idealist, var han derimod ikke, Israels længe ventede befriere. Juda sagde, at han meget gerne ville finde en måde til diskret at trække sig ud af hele bevægelsen. Hans venner forsikrede ham smigrende, at hans tilbagetrækning ville blive mødt af de jødiske herskere som en stor begivenhed, og at intet ville være for godt til ham. De fik ham til at tro, at han straks ville modtage høje udmærkelse fra jødernes råd, og at han så til sidst ville være i stand til at udslette skampletten fra sin velmente, men "uheldige samvær med ulærde galilæere."		177:4.2 (1924.6) On the preceding day Judas had disclosed to some of his relatives and to certain Sadducean friends of his father’s family that he had reached the conclusion that, while Jesus was a well-meaning dreamer and idealist, he was not the expected deliverer of Israel. Judas stated that he would very much like to find some way of withdrawing gracefully from the whole movement. His friends flatteringly assured him that his withdrawal would be hailed by the Jewish rulers as a great event, and that nothing would be too good for him. They led him to believe that he would forthwith receive high honors from the Sanhedrin, and that he would at last be in a position to erase the stigma of his well-meant but “unfortunate association with untaught Galileans.”
177:4.3 (1924.7) Judas kunne ikke helt tro, at Mesterens mægtige gerninger var blevet gennemført med djævleprinsens magt, men han var nu helt overbevist om, at Jesus ikke ville udøve sin magt for selvforherligelse. Han var endelig overbevist om, at Jesus ville tillade jødernes herskere at dræbe ham, og han kunne ikke udholde den ydmygende tanke at blive identificeret med en bevægelse, der var dømt til nederlag. Han nægtede at overveje tanken om tilsyneladende fiasko. Han havde en grundig forståelse af Mesteren robuste karakter og skarpheden af hans majestætiske og barmhjertig sind, men alligevel fandt han en vis glæde ved tanken, men dog kun delvist, fra en af hans slægtninges forslag om, at Jesus, mens han var en velmenende fanatiker, antagelig ikke var helt ved sit sinds fulde brug, at han altid havde syntes at være en mærkelig og misforstået person.		177:4.3 (1924.7) Judas could not quite believe that the mighty works of the Master had been wrought by the power of the prince of devils, but he was now fully convinced that Jesus would not exert his power in self-aggrandizement; he was at last convinced that Jesus would allow himself to be destroyed by the Jewish rulers, and he could not endure the humiliating thought of being identified with a movement of defeat. He refused to entertain the idea of apparent failure. He thoroughly understood the sturdy character of his Master and the keenness of that majestic and merciful mind, yet he derived pleasure from even the partial entertainment of the suggestion of one of his relatives that Jesus, while he was a well-meaning fanatic, was probably not really sound of mind; that he had always appeared to be a strange and misunderstood person.
177:4.4 (1925.1) Nu som aldrig før lagde Judas mærke til, at han var ved at blive mærkeligt forarget, over at Jesus aldrig havde udnævnt ham til en mere hæderlig position. Hele tiden havde han værdsat den ære at være apostlenes kasserer, men nu begyndte han at føle sig som om han ikke blev værdsat, at hans talent ikke blev anerkendt. Han blev pludselig overvældet af harme, at Peter, James og Johannes, havde fået æren af et tæt fællesskab med Jesus, og på dette tidspunkt, da han var på vej til ypperstepræstens hjem, blev han opsat på at tage hævn over Peter, James og Johannes mere end han var besat af enhver tanke om at forråde Jesus. Men frem for alt andet begyndte der lige nu en ny og dominerende tanke at gøre sig gældende i hans bevidste sind: Han havde sat sig for at erhverve ære, og hvis det kunne gøres på samme tid, som han fik hævn over dem, der havde bidraget til hans største skuffelse i livet, var det bare bedre. En frygtelig sammensværgelse af forvirring, stolthed, desperation og beslutsomhed fik ham i sin vold. Det bør således være klart, at det ikke var af hensyn til penge, at Judas dengang var på vej til Kajfas hjem for at acceptere at forråde Jesus.		177:4.4 (1925.1) And now, as never before, Judas found himself becoming strangely resentful that Jesus had never assigned him a position of greater honor. All along he had appreciated the honor of being the apostolic treasurer, but now he began to feel that he was not appreciated; that his abilities were unrecognized. He was suddenly overcome with indignation that Peter, James, and John should have been honored with close association with Jesus, and at this time, when he was on the way to the high priest’s home, he was bent on getting even with Peter, James, and John more than he was concerned with any thought of betraying Jesus. But over and above all, just then, a new and dominating thought began to occupy the forefront of his conscious mind: He had set out to get honor for himself, and if this could be secured simultaneously with getting even with those who had contributed to the greatest disappointment of his life, all the better. He was seized with a terrible conspiracy of confusion, pride, desperation, and determination. And so it must be plain that it was not for money that Judas was then on his way to the home of Caiaphas to arrange for the betrayal of Jesus.
177:4.5 (1925.2) Da Judas nærmede sig Kajfas hjem havde han taget sin endelige beslutning om at forlade Jesus og hans medapostle og havde dermed besluttet at opgive himmelrigets sag. var han fast besluttet på at få så meget som muligt af den ære og herlighed, som han havde tænkt sig engang ville blive hans, da han først identificerede sig selv med Jesus og rigets nye evangelium. Alle apostlene delte engang denne ambition med Judas, men med tiden, lærte de at beundre sandhed og at elske Jesus, i hvert fald mere end Judas gjorde.		177:4.5 (1925.2) As Judas approached the home of Caiaphas, he arrived at the final decision to abandon Jesus and his fellow apostles; and having thus made up his mind to desert the cause of the kingdom of heaven, he was determined to secure for himself as much as possible of that honor and glory which he had thought would sometime be his when he first identified himself with Jesus and the new gospel of the kingdom. All of the apostles once shared this ambition with Judas, but as time passed they learned to admire truth and to love Jesus, at least more than did Judas.
177:4.6 (1925.3) Forræderen blev præsenteret for Kajfas og de jødiske herskere af hans fætter, der forklarede, at Judas, efter at indse sin fejltagelse i at lade sig blive vildledt af Jesus snu lære, var kommet til det sted, hvor han offentligt og formelt ønskede at give afkald på sin tilknytning med denne galilæer og samtidig bede om at genvinde sine jødiske brødres tillid og genoptages i deres fællesskab. Judas talsmand fortsatte med at forklare, at Judas indså, at det ville være bedst for freden i Israel, hvis Jesus kunne tages i forvaring, og som et tegn på hans sorg over at have deltaget i en sådan fejlslået bevægelse og som bevis for hans oprigtighed, at han vendte tilbage til Moses lære, var han nu kommet for at tilbyde sig til jødernes råd som den der sammen med kaptajnen, som havde arrestordre på Jesus, kunne arrangere det, så han kunne blive arresteret uden at tiltrække sig opmærksomhed og dermed undgå enhver fare for at folkemængderne blev oprørske eller at det var nødvendigt at udsætte anholdelsen til efter påske.		177:4.6 (1925.3) The traitor was presented to Caiaphas and the Jewish rulers by his cousin, who explained that Judas, having discovered his mistake in allowing himself to be misled by the subtle teaching of Jesus, had arrived at the place where he wished to make public and formal renunciation of his association with the Galilean and at the same time to ask for reinstatement in the confidence and fellowship of his Judean brethren. This spokesman for Judas went on to explain that Judas recognized it would be best for the peace of Israel if Jesus should be taken into custody, and that, as evidence of his sorrow in having participated in such a movement of error and as proof of his sincerity in now returning to the teachings of Moses, he had come to offer himself to the Sanhedrin as one who could so arrange with the captain holding the orders for Jesus’ arrest that he could be taken into custody quietly, thus avoiding any danger of stirring up the multitudes or the necessity of postponing his arrest until after the Passover.
177:4.7 (1925.4) Da Judas fætter var færdig med at tale, præsenterede han Judas, som trådte frem nær ypperstepræsten og sagde: "Alt, hvad min fætter har lovet, ønsker jeg at gøre, men hvad er du villig til at give mig for denne tjeneste?" Judas syntes ikke at bemærke udtrykkene af foragt, selv afsky, som var synlige på ansigtet af den hårdhjertet og forfængelige Kajfas; Judas hjerte var for meget indstillet på selvforherligelse og længslen efter selvophøjelsens tilfredsstillelse.		177:4.7 (1925.4) When his cousin had finished speaking, he presented Judas, who, stepping forward near the high priest, said: “All that my cousin has promised, I will do, but what are you willing to give me for this service?” Judas did not seem to discern the look of disdain and even disgust that came over the face of the hardhearted and vainglorious Caiaphas; his heart was too much set on self-glory and the craving for the satisfaction of self-exaltation.
177:4.8 (1926.1) Da så Kajfas ned på forræderen, mens han sagde: "Judas, går til vagtkaptajnen og arrangere med officeren, så at din Mester bringes til os enten i aften eller i morgen aften, og når du har leveret ham i vores hænder, skal du få din belønning for denne tjeneste." Da Judas hørte dette, gik han straks fra ypperstepræsterne og herskere og holdt råd med templets vagtkaptajn om den måde, hvorpå Jesus skulle blive arresteres. Judas vidste, at Jesus var borte fra lejren og havde ingen idé om, hvornår Jesus ville vende tilbage samme aften, og de blev indbyrdes enige om at Jesus skulle arresteres den næste aften (torsdag) efter at folket i Jerusalem og alle de besøgende pilgrimme havde trukket sig tilbage for natten.		177:4.8 (1926.1) And then Caiaphas looked down upon the betrayer while he said: “Judas, you go to the captain of the guard and arrange with that officer to bring your Master to us either tonight or tomorrow night, and when he has been delivered by you into our hands, you shall receive your reward for this service.” When Judas heard this, he went forth from the presence of the chief priests and rulers and took counsel with the captain of the temple guards as to the manner in which Jesus was to be apprehended. Judas knew that Jesus was then absent from the camp and had no idea when he would return that evening, and so they agreed among themselves to arrest Jesus the next evening (Thursday) after the people of Jerusalem and all of the visiting pilgrims had retired for the night.
177:4.9 (1926.2) Judas vendte tilbage til sine kammerater i lejren beruset af sådanne tanker om storhed og ære, som han ikke havde haft i meget lang tid. Han havde tilsluttet sig Jesus, i håb om at en dag at blive en stor mand i det nye rige. Til sidst havde han indset, at der ikke ville være nogen sådan nyt rige, som han forventede. Men han var glad for at være så klog, at han kunne bytte sin skuffelse over ikke at vinde ære i det forventede nye rige med en ære og belønning, som umiddelbart kunne realiseres i den gamle orden, som han nu troede, ville overleve, og som han var sikker på ville ødelægge Jesus og alt, hvad han stod for. For sit sidste motiv, når det gælder den bevidste hensigt var Judas forræderi mod Jesus, en fej handling, en egoistisk desertør hvis eneste tanke var hans egen sikkerhed og ophøjelse, uanset hvad hans opførsel ville føre til for hans Mester og hans tidligere medarbejdere.		177:4.9 (1926.2) Judas returned to his associates at the camp intoxicated with thoughts of grandeur and glory such as he had not had for many a day. He had enlisted with Jesus hoping some day to become a great man in the new kingdom. He at last realized that there was to be no new kingdom such as he had anticipated. But he rejoiced in being so sagacious as to trade off his disappointment in failing to achieve glory in an anticipated new kingdom for the immediate realization of honor and reward in the old order, which he now believed would survive, and which he was certain would destroy Jesus and all that he stood for. In its last motive of conscious intention, Judas’s betrayal of Jesus was the cowardly act of a selfish deserter whose only thought was his own safety and glorification, no matter what might be the results of his conduct upon his Master and upon his former associates.
177:4.10 (1926.3) Men det var altid ligesom dette. Judas havde længe været engageret i denne overlagte, vedholdende, egoistiske og hævngerrige bevidsthed, der gjorde at disse hadefulde og onde lyster for hævn og illoyalitet gradvist byggedes op i hans sind og havde til huse i hans hjerte. Jesus elskede og stolede på Judas ligesom han elskede og stolede på de andre apostle, men Judas undlod at udvikle en loyal tillid og opleve en helhjertet kærlighed til gengæld. Hvor farligt kan ambitionen ikke blive, når den er fuldt forenet med egeninteresse og stærkt motiveret af en stædig og lang undertrykt hævn! Hvilken knusende skuffelse i livet kan det ikke være for de tåbelige mennesker, som, når de fokusere deres blik på de dunkle og flygtige fristelser i tiden, og derved bliver blind for de højere og mere virkelige opnåelser i form af de evige resultater af de evige verdeners guddommelige værdier og sande åndelige realiteter. Judas søgte i sit sind for verdslig ære og begyndte at elske dette ønske af hele sit hjerte. De andre apostle længtes ligeledes i deres sind for den samme verdslige ære, men i deres hjerter elskede de Jesus og gjorde deres bedste for at lære at elske de sandheder, han underviste dem.		177:4.10 (1926.3) But it was ever just that way. Judas had long been engaged in this deliberate, persistent, selfish, and vengeful consciousness of progressively building up in his mind, and entertaining in his heart, these hateful and evil desires of revenge and disloyalty. Jesus loved and trusted Judas even as he loved and trusted the other apostles, but Judas failed to develop loyal trust and to experience wholehearted love in return. And how dangerous ambition can become when it is once wholly wedded to self-seeking and supremely motivated by sullen and long-suppressed vengeance! What a crushing thing is disappointment in the lives of those foolish persons who, in fastening their gaze on the shadowy and evanescent allurements of time, become blinded to the higher and more real achievements of the everlasting attainments of the eternal worlds of divine values and true spiritual realities. Judas craved worldly honor in his mind and grew to love this desire with his whole heart; the other apostles likewise craved this same worldly honor in their minds, but with their hearts they loved Jesus and were doing their best to learn to love the truths which he taught them.
177:4.11 (1926.4) Judas var ikke klar over det dengang, men i hans underbevidsthed, havde han kritiserede Jesus siden Herodes halshuggede Johannes Døberen. Dybt nede i sit hjerte havde Judas altid følt sig såret, over at Jesus ikke reddede Johannes. Man bør ikke glemme, at Judas havde været en discipel af Johannes, før han blev en tilhænger af Jesus. Alle disse ophobninger af menneskelig vrede og bitter skuffelse, havde Judas gemt i sin sjæl under hadets kåbe, var nu godt organiseret i hans underbevidsthed og klar til at poppe op og sluge ham, så snart han vovede at skille sig ud fra sine brødres støttende indflydelse og samtidig udsætte sig selv for Jesu fjenders snue insinuationer og subtil latterliggørelse. Hver gang Judas tillod sit håb at stige til skyerne og Jesus derefter gjorde eller sagde noget, der slog dem i stykker, var der altid efterladt et ar af bitter vrede i Judas hjerte og når disse ar blev flere og flere efterlod det så ofte et såret hjerte, og mistede snart enhver virkelig hengivenhed for den, der havde forårsaget denne ubehagelige oplevelse på en velmenende, men fej og selvcentreret personlighed. Judas var ikke klar over det, men han var en kujon. Derfor var han altid tilbøjelig til at tillægge Jesus fejhed som motiv fordi Jesus så ofte nægtede at gribe magten eller ære, når de tilsyneladende var så let tilgængelig for ham. Hvert dødeligt menneske ved udmærket, hvordan selv den kærlighed, som engang var ægte, kan, gennem skuffelse, jalousi og længe næret vrede til sidst omdannes til ægte had.		177:4.11 (1926.4) Judas did not realize it at this time, but he had been a subconscious critic of Jesus ever since John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod. Deep down in his heart Judas always resented the fact that Jesus did not save John. You should not forget that Judas had been a disciple of John before he became a follower of Jesus. And all these accumulations of human resentment and bitter disappointment which Judas had laid by in his soul in habiliments of hate were now well organized in his subconscious mind and ready to spring up to engulf him when he once dared to separate himself from the supporting influence of his brethren while at the same time exposing himself to the clever insinuations and subtle ridicule of the enemies of Jesus. Every time Judas allowed his hopes to soar high and Jesus would do or say something to dash them to pieces, there was always left in Judas’s heart a scar of bitter resentment; and as these scars multiplied, presently that heart, so often wounded, lost all real affection for the one who had inflicted this distasteful experience upon a well-intentioned but cowardly and self-centered personality. Judas did not realize it, but he was a coward. Accordingly was he always inclined to assign to Jesus cowardice as the motive which led him so often to refuse to grasp for power or glory when they were apparently within his easy reach. And every mortal man knows full well how love, even when once genuine, can, through disappointment, jealousy, and long-continued resentment, be eventually turned into actual hate.
177:4.12 (1927.1) Omsider kunne ypperstepræsterne og de ældste puste ud i et par timer. De behøvede ikke at arrestere Jesus i det offentlige, og da de i forræderen Judas havde fået en allieret, var det en forsikring mod, at Jesus kunne flygte fra deres retskreds, som han så mange gange tidligere havde gjort.		177:4.12 (1927.1) At last the chief priests and elders could breathe easily for a few hours. They would not have to arrest Jesus in public, and the securing of Judas as a traitorous ally insured that Jesus would not escape from their jurisdiction as he had so many times in the past.
5. Den sidste fællestime ^top		5. The Last Social Hour ^top
177:5.1 (1927.2) Da det var onsdag, var aften i lejren viet til selskabelig sammenkomst. Mesteren forsøgte at opmuntre sine nedslagne apostle, men det var næsten umuligt. De var alle begyndt at indse, at foruroligende og knusende hændelser var nær forestående. De kunne ikke være glade, selv når Mesteren fortalte om deres års begivenhedsrige og kærlige samvær. Jesus spurgte i detaljer, hvordan sagen stod med alle apostlenes familier, og da han vendte sit blik mod David Zebedæus, spurgte han, om nogen nylig havde hørt fra hans mor, hans yngste søster eller andre medlemmer af hans familie. David kiggede ned på sine fødder, da han var bange for at svare.		177:5.1 (1927.2) Since it was Wednesday, this evening at the camp was a social hour. The Master endeavored to cheer his downcast apostles, but that was well-nigh impossible. They were all beginning to realize that disconcerting and crushing events were impending. They could not be cheerful, even when the Master recounted their years of eventful and loving association. Jesus made careful inquiry about the families of all of the apostles and, looking over toward David Zebedee, asked if anyone had heard recently from his mother, his youngest sister, or other members of his family. David looked down at his feet; he was afraid to answer.
177:5.2 (1927.3) Det var ved denne lejlighed Jesus advarede sine tilhængere om ikke at regne med folkemassernes støtte. Han genoplivede mindet om deres erfaringer i Galilæa, fra tid til anden, da store skarer entusiastisk havde fulgt dem, og derefter lige så ivrigt havde vendt sig mod dem og vendt tilbage til deres tidligere måder at tro og leve. Så sagde han: "Og derfor skal I ikke tillader jer selv at blive snydt af de store folkemængder, der hørte os i templet, og syntes at tro vores undervisning. Disse skarer lytter til sandheden og tror det overfladisk i deres sind, men kun få af dem lader sandhedens ord synke ind i hjertet, og slå den levende rod. De, der kun kender evangeliet i deres sind, men som ikke har oplevet det i deres hjerter, kan I ikke regne med for støtte, når de virkelige problemer begynder. Når jødernes herskere når til enighed om at ødelægge Menneskesønnen, og når de enstemmigt slår til, vil du se mængden enten flygte i forfærdelse eller bare stå og ser på med lydløs forbløffelse, mens disse gale og forblindede herskere fører evangeliesandhedens lærere til døden. Og så, når modgang og forfølgelse kommer over jer, kommer der flere andre som du tror, elsker sandheden, som vil blive spredt, og nogle vil frasige sig evangeliet og flygte fra jer. Nogle, der har været meget tæt på os har allerede besluttet at desertere. Du har i dag hvilet som forberedelse for de tider, som nu er over os. Våg derfor, og bed til, at i morgen vil du blive styrket for de dage, der er lige foran os."		177:5.2 (1927.3) This was the occasion of Jesus’ warning his followers to beware of the support of the multitude. He recounted their experiences in Galilee when time and again great throngs of people enthusiastically followed them around and then just as ardently turned against them and returned to their former ways of believing and living. And then he said: “And so you must not allow yourselves to be deceived by the great crowds who heard us in the temple, and who seemed to believe our teachings. These multitudes listen to the truth and believe it superficially with their minds, but few of them permit the word of truth to strike down into the heart with living roots. Those who know the gospel only in the mind, and who have not experienced it in the heart, cannot be depended upon for support when real trouble comes. When the rulers of the Jews reach an agreement to destroy the Son of Man, and when they strike with one accord, you will see the multitude either flee in dismay or else stand by in silent amazement while these maddened and blinded rulers lead the teachers of the gospel truth to their death. And then, when adversity and persecution descend upon you, still others who you think love the truth will be scattered, and some will renounce the gospel and desert you. Some who have been very close to us have already made up their minds to desert. You have rested today in preparation for those times which are now upon us. Watch, therefore, and pray that on the morrow you may be strengthened for the days that are just ahead.”
177:5.3 (1927.4) Atmosfæren i lejren var ladet med en uforklarlig spænding. Tavse budbringere kom og gik og talte kun med David Zebedæus. Før aftenen var over viste nogle at Lazarus hastigt var flygtet fra Betania. Johannes Markus var ildevarslende tavs efter tilbagekomsten til lejren, selv om han havde tilbragt en hel dag i Mesterens selskab. Ethvert forsøg på at få ham til at tale indikerede kun tydeligt, at Mesteren havde bedt ham om ikke at sige noget.		177:5.3 (1927.4) The atmosphere of the camp was charged with an inexplicable tension. Silent messengers came and went, communicating with only David Zebedee. Before the evening had passed, certain ones knew that Lazarus had taken hasty flight from Bethany. John Mark was ominously silent after returning to camp, notwithstanding he had spent the whole day in the Master’s company. Every effort to persuade him to talk only indicated clearly that Jesus had told him not to talk.
177:5.4 (1928.1) Selv Mesterens gode humør og hans usædvanlige selskabelighed skræmte dem. De følte alle den sikre tilnærmelse af den frygtelige isolation, som de indså, var ved at komme ned med ødelæggende pludselighed og uundgåelig terror over dem. De fornemmede vagt, hvad der nærmede sig, og ingen følte sig klar til at stå over for testen. Mesteren havde været væk hele dagen; de havde savnet ham voldsomt.		177:5.4 (1928.1) Even the Master’s good cheer and his unusual sociability frightened them. They all felt the certain drawing upon them of the terrible isolation which they realized was about to descend with crashing suddenness and inescapable terror. They vaguely sensed what was coming, and none felt prepared to face the test. The Master had been away all day; they had missed him tremendously.
177:5.5 (1928.2) Denne onsdag aften nåede deres åndelige tilstand sit laveste niveau, før Mesterens faktiske dødsøjeblik. Selv den næste dag var en dag nærmere den tragiske fredag, var han i hvert fald med dem, og de klarede sig bedre gennem disse ængstelige timer.		177:5.5 (1928.2) This Wednesday evening was the low-tide mark of their spiritual status up to the actual hour of the Master’s death. Although the next day was one more day nearer the tragic Friday, still, he was with them, and they passed through its anxious hours more gracefully.
177:5.6 (1928.3) Det var lige før midnat, da Jesus, som vidste at det ville være den sidste nat han nogensinde skulle sove igennem sammen med hans udvalgte familie på jorden, sagde, da han spredte dem for natten: "Gå og læg jer, mine brødre, og fred være med jer, til vi står op om morgenen, til en dag mere at gøre Faderens vilje og opleve glæden ved at vide, at vi er hans sønner.”		177:5.6 (1928.3) It was just before midnight when Jesus, knowing this would be the last night he would ever sleep through with his chosen family on earth, said, as he dispersed them for the night: “Go to your sleep, my brethren, and peace be upon you till we rise on the morrow, one more day to do the Father’s will and experience the joy of knowing that we are his sons.”