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| Kapitel 136. Dåben Og De Fyrre Dage |
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Kapitel 138. Træningen Af Rigets Budbringere |
TARRYING TIME IN GALILEE
VENTETID I GALILÆA
1955 137:0.1 EARLY on Saturday morning, February 23, A.D. 26, Jesus came down from the hills to rejoin John’s company encamped at Pella. All that day Jesus mingled with the multitude. He ministered to a lad who had injured himself in a fall and journeyed to the near-by village of Pella to deliver the boy safely into the hands of his parents.
2015 137:0.1 Tidlig lørdag morgen den 23. februar år 26 e.Kr. kom Jesus ned fra bakkerne for igen at slutte sig til Johannes følge som havde sin lejrplads ved Pella. Hele den dag blandede Jesus sig med hele folket. Han ydet hjælp til en knægt som havde skadet sig i et fald og drog til landsbyen Pella som lå lige i nærheden for at aflevere knægten trygt til hans forældres forvaring.
1. CHOOSING THE FIRST FOUR APOSTLES
1. UDVÆLGELSEN AF DE FØRSTE FIRE APOSTLE
1955 137:1.1 During this Sabbath two of John’s leading disciples spent much time with Jesus. Of all John’s followers one named Andrew was the most profoundly impressed with Jesus; he accompanied him on the trip to Pella with the injured boy. On the way back to John’s rendezvous he asked Jesus many questions, and just before reaching their destination, the two paused for a short talk, during which Andrew said: “I have observed you ever since you came to Capernaum, and I believe you are the new Teacher, and though I do not understand all your teaching, I have fully made up my mind to follow you; I would sit at your feet and learn the whole truth about the new kingdom.” And Jesus, with hearty assurance, welcomed Andrew as the first of his apostles, that group of twelve who were to labor with him in the work of establishing the new kingdom of God in the hearts of men.
2015 137:1.1 Under denne sabbat tilbragte to af Johannes ledende disciple meget tid sammen med Jesus. Af alle Johannes tilhængere var der en som hed Andreas som var den som Jesus gjorte det stærkeste indtryk på; han havde slået følge med ham på turen til Pella sammen med den skadede knægt. På vejen tilbage til Johannes samlingssted stillede han Jesus mange spørgsmål, og lige før de var fremme, standsede de begge to for en kort samtale da Andreas sagde: “Jeg har lagt mærke til dig lige siden du kom til Kapernaum og jeg tror du er den nye Læreren, og selv om jeg ikke forstår hele din lære, er jeg fast besluttet på at følge dig; jeg vil sidde ved dine fødder og lære hele sandheden om det nye rige.“ Og Jesus ønskede, med en hjertelig bekræftelse, Andreas velkommen som den første af sine apostle, den gruppe på tolv som skulle virke sammen med ham i arbejdet med at etablere Guds nye rige i menneskenes hjerter.[1]
1955 137:1.2 Andrew was a silent observer of, and sincere believer in, John’s work, and he had a very able and enthusiastic brother, named Simon, who was one of John’s foremost disciples. It would not be amiss to say that Simon was one of John’s chief supporters.
2015 137:1.2 Andreas var en stilfærdig observatør af og oprigtig troende på Johannes arbejde, og han havde en meget dygtig og entusiastisk bror ved navn Simon som var en af Johannes fremmeste disciple. Det ville ikke være forkert at sige at Simon var en af Johannes hovedstøtter.
1955 137:1.3 Soon after Jesus and Andrew returned to the camp, Andrew sought out his brother, Simon, and taking him aside, informed him that he had settled in his own mind that Jesus was the great Teacher, and that he had pledged himself as a disciple. He went on to say that Jesus had accepted his proffer of service and suggested that he (Simon) likewise go to Jesus and offer himself for fellowship in the service of the new kingdom. Said Simon: “Ever since this man came to work in Zebedee’s shop, I have believed he was sent by God, but what about John? Are we to forsake him? Is this the right thing to do?” Whereupon they agreed to go at once to consult John. John was saddened by the thought of losing two of his able advisers and most promising disciples, but he bravely answered their inquiries, saying: “This is but the beginning; presently will my work end, and we shall all become his disciples.” Then Andrew beckoned to Jesus to draw aside while he announced that his brother desired to join himself to the service of the new kingdom. And in welcoming Simon as his second apostle, Jesus said: “Simon, your enthusiasm is commendable, but it is dangerous to the work of the kingdom. I admonish you to become more thoughtful in your speech. I would change your name to Peter.”
2015 137:1.3 Lidt efter at Jesus og Andreas var vendt tilbage til lejren, gik Andreas og fandt sin bror Simon, som han trak til siden og meddelte at han selv var blevet overbevist i sit sind om at Jesus var den store Læreren og at han havde stillet sig til rådighed som discipel. Han fortsatte med at sige at Jesus havde taget imod hans tilbud om at stå til tjeneste, og foreslog at han også, Simon, på samme vis skulle gå til Jesus og tilbyde sig til fællesskabet for at tjene det nye rige. Da sagde Simon: “Lige siden denne mand kom for at arbejde i Zebedæus værksted, har jeg troet at han var sendt af Gud, men hvad med Johannes? Skal vi bare vende ham ryggen? Er det rigtig at gøre dette?“ Hvorpå de blev enige om at bringe sagen frem for Johannes med det samme. Johannes tog tanken om at miste to af sine dygtigste rådgivere og mest lovende disciple tungt, men tappert svarede han på deres forespørgelse og sagde: ”Dette er kun begyndelsen; snart vil mit arbejde være færdig, og da skal vi alle blive hans disciple.“ Da trak Andreas Jesus til side og bekendtgjorte at hans bror ønskede at tilslutte sig tjenesten for det nye rige. Og i det han ønskede Simon velkommen som sin anden apostel, sagde Jesus: ”Simon, din entusiasme er prisværdig, men det er farligt at arbejde for Guds rige. Jeg beder dig udvise større omtanke i din tale. jeg vil gerne forandre dit navn til Peter[2].“
1955 137:1.4 The parents of the injured lad who lived at Pella had besought Jesus to spend the night with them, to make their house his home, and he had promised. Before leaving Andrew and his brother, Jesus said, “Early on the morrow we go into Galilee.”
2015 137:1.4 Forældrene til den skadede knægt som boede i Pella, havde opfordret Jesus til at overnatte hos dem og lade deres hjem være hans eget, og det havde han lovet. Før han forlod Andreas og hans bror, sagde Jesus. ”I morgen tidlig drager vi ind i Galilæa.“
1955 137:1.5 After Jesus had returned to Pella for the night, and while Andrew and Simon were yet discussing the nature of their service in the establishment of the forthcoming kingdom, James and John the sons of Zebedee arrived upon the scene, having just returned from their long and futile searching in the hills for Jesus. When they heard Simon Peter tell how he and his brother, Andrew, had become the first accepted counselors of the new kingdom, and that they were to leave with their new Master on the morrow for Galilee, both James and John were sad. They had known Jesus for some time, and they loved him. They had searched for him many days in the hills, and now they returned to learn that others had been preferred before them. They inquired where Jesus had gone and made haste to find him.
2015 137:1.5 Efter at Jesus var vendt tilbage til Pella for natten, og mens Andreas og Simon fortsatte med at diskutere hvordan deres tjeneste for at oprette det kommende rige ville udarte sig, dukkede James og Johannes, Zebedæus sønnerne op efter at være vendt tilbage fra deres lange, mislykkede gennemsøgning efter Jesus oppe i bakkerne. Da de hørte Simon Peter fortælle hvordan han og broderen Adreas havde været de første til at blive godtaget som rådgivere for det nye rige, og at de skulle drage af sted med deres nye mester til Galilæa næste morgen, blev både James og Johannes kede af det. De havde kendt Jesus en tid, og de elskede ham. De havde ledt efter ham i mange dage oppe i bakkerne, og nu kom de tilbage bare for at finde ud af at andre var blevet foretrukket før dem. De spurgte hvor Jesus var gået hen, og skyndte sig af sted for at finde ham.
1955 137:1.6 Jesus was asleep when they reached his abode, but they awakened him, saying: “How is it that, while we who have so long lived with you are searching in the hills for you, you prefer others before us and choose Andrew and Simon as your first associates in the new kingdom?” Jesus answered them, “Be calm in your hearts and ask yourselves, ‘who directed that you should search for the Son of Man when he was about his Father’s business?’” After they had recited the details of their long search in the hills, Jesus further instructed them: “You should learn to search for the secret of the new kingdom in your hearts and not in the hills. That which you sought was already present in your souls. You are indeed my brethren—you needed not to be received by me—already were you of the kingdom, and you should be of good cheer, making ready also to go with us tomorrow into Galilee.” John then made bold to ask, “But, Master, will James and I be associates with you in the new kingdom, even as Andrew and Simon?” And Jesus, laying a hand on the shoulder of each of them, said: “My brethren, you were already with me in the spirit of the kingdom, even before these others made request to be received. You, my brethren, have no need to make request for entrance into the kingdom; you have been with me in the kingdom from the beginning. Before men, others may take precedence over you, but in my heart did I also number you in the councils of the kingdom, even before you thought to make this request of me. And even so might you have been first before men had you not been absent engaged in a well-intentioned but self-appointed task of seeking for one who was not lost. In the coming kingdom, be not mindful of those things which foster your anxiety but rather at all times concern yourselves only with doing the will of the Father who is in heaven.”
2015 137:1.6 Jesus sov da de nåede frem til hans tilholdssted, men de vækkede ham og sagde: “Hvordan kan det være at, mens vi som har levet så længe sammen med dig, ledt efter dig oppe i bakkerne, så foretrækker du andre frem for os og vælger Andreas og Simon som dine første følgesvende i det nye rige?“ Jesus svarede dem: “Vær rolig i jeres hjerter og spørg jer selv: ”Hvem gav jer besked på at I skulle lede efter Menneskesønnen mens han var i sin Faders ærinde?“ Efter at de havde skildret detaljerne i deres søgning oppe i bakkerne, instrueret Jesus dem videre: “I burde lære at lede efter det nye riges hemmelighed i jeres hjerter og ikke oppe i bakkerne. Det I ledte efter, var allerede til stede i jeres sjæle. I er virkelig mine brødre - I behøvede ikke at blive modtaget af mig - I tilhørte allerede riget, og I burde være glade og gøre jer klar til at gå med os i morgen ind i Galilæa.“ Johannes tog mod til sig og spurgte: “Men, Mester, vil James og jeg blive dine følgesvende i det nye rige ligesom Andreas og Simon?“ Og Jesus, idet han lagde en hånd på skulderen af hver af dem, sagde: “Mine brødre, I var allerede med mig i rigets ånd, selv før disse andre spurgte om at blive modtaget i det. I, mine brødre, behøver slet ikke at spørge om at måtte komme ind i riget; I har været med mig i riget lige fra begyndelsen af. Overfor andre mennesker kan det hænde at andre kan komme til at få forrang frem for jer, men i mit hjerte regner jeg jer blandt rigets rådgivere til og med før I tænkte på at bringe spørgsmålet op for mig. Og I kunne endda have været blevet de første frem for de andre hvis I ikke havde været et andet sted, i gang med det velmenende, men egenrådige forsøg på at lede efter en som ikke var gået vild. Tænk ikke, i det kommende rige, på det som gør jer bekymret, men interessere jer hellere for at udføre den himmelske Faders vilje.“[3]
1955 137:1.7 James and John received the rebuke in good grace; never more were they envious of Andrew and Simon. And they made ready, with their two associate apostles, to depart for Galilee the next morning. From this day on the term apostle was employed to distinguish the chosen family of Jesus’ advisers from the vast multitude of believing disciples who subsequently followed him.
2015 137:1.7 James og Johannes tog irettesættelsen til sig med godt humør; aldrig mere blev de misundelige på Andreas og Simon. Og sammen med deres to medapostle gjorte de sig klar til at begive sig til Galilæa næste morgen. Fra denne dag af blev betegnelsen apostel brugt for at skille Jesu udvalgte familie af rådgivere fra den kæmpestore skare af troende disciple som senere kom til at følge ham.
1955 137:1.8 Late that evening, James, John, Andrew, and Simon held converse with John the Baptist, and with tearful eye but steady voice the stalwart Judean prophet surrendered two of his leading disciples to become the apostles of the Galilean Prince of the coming kingdom.
2015 137:1.8 Sent samme aften havde James, Johannes, Andreas og Simon en samtale med Johannes døberen, og med tårer i øjnene, og med rolig stemme overgav den modige judæiske profet to af sine ledende disciple til at blive apostle for den galilæiske Prins af det kommende rige.
2. CHOOSING PHILIP AND NATHANIEL
2. UDVÆLGELSE AF FILIP OG NATANIEL
1955 137:2.1 Sunday morning, February 24, A.D. 26, Jesus took leave of John the Baptist by the river near Pella, never again to see him in the flesh.
2015 137:2.1 Søndag morgen den 24. februar år 26 e.Kr. tog Jesus afsked med Johannes døberen ved floden nær Pella for aldrig mere at se ham levende igen.
1955 137:2.2 That day, as Jesus and his four disciple-apostles departed for Galilee, there was a great tumult in the camp of John’s followers. The first great division was about to take place. The day before, John had made his positive pronouncement to Andrew and Ezra that Jesus was the Deliverer. Andrew decided to follow Jesus, but Ezra rejected the mild-mannered carpenter of Nazareth, proclaiming to his associates: “The Prophet Daniel declares that the Son of Man will come with the clouds of heaven, in power and great glory. This Galilean carpenter, this Capernaum boatbuilder, cannot be the Deliverer. Can such a gift of God come out of Nazareth? This Jesus is a relative of John, and through much kindness of heart has our teacher been deceived. Let us remain aloof from this false Messiah.” When John rebuked Ezra for these utterances, he drew away with many disciples and hastened south. And this group continued to baptize in John’s name and eventually founded a sect of those who believed in John but refused to accept Jesus. A remnant of this group persists in Mesopotamia even to this day.
2015 137:2.2 Den dag, da Jesus og hans fire disciple-apostle drog af sted mod Galilæa, opstod der stort postyr i lejren med Johannes tilhængere[4]. Den første store splittelse var i færd med at udspille sig. Dagen før havde Johannes udtalt sig bekræftende overfor Andreas og Ezra om at Jesu var Befrieren[5]. Andreas bestemte sig for at følge Jesus, men Ezra afviste den beskedne og godhjertet snedker fra Nazaret og erklærede til sine følgesvende: “Profeten Daniel fastslår at Menneskesønnen vil komme med himlens skyer, med kraft og pragtfuld herlighed. Denne galilæiske snedker, denne bådebygger fra Kapernaum, kan ikke være befrieren. Kan sådan en gave fra Gud komme fra Nazaret? Denne Jesus er en slægtning af Johannes, og på grund af sit gode hjerte er vor lærer blevet ført på vildspor. Lad os bevare afstanden til denne falske Messias[6].“ Da Johannes irettesatte Ezra for disse udtalelser, trak denne sig væk sammen med mange disciple og skyndte sig sydover. Og denne gruppe fortsatte med at døbe i Johannes navn og dem som troede på Johannes grundlagde omsider en sekt, men nægtede at acceptere Jesus. En levning af denne gruppe har fortsat holdt sig gående i Mesopotamia helt til vore dage.
1955 137:2.3 While this trouble was brewing among John’s followers, Jesus and his four disciple-apostles were well on their way toward Galilee. Before they crossed the Jordan, to go by way of Nain to Nazareth, Jesus, looking ahead and up the road, saw one Philip of Bethsaida with a friend coming toward them. Jesus had known Philip aforetime, and he was also well known to all four of the new apostles. He was on his way with his friend Nathaniel to visit John at Pella to learn more about the reported coming of the kingdom of God, and he was delighted to greet Jesus. Philip had been an admirer of Jesus ever since he first came to Capernaum. But Nathaniel, who lived at Cana of Galilee, did not know Jesus. Philip went forward to greet his friends while Nathaniel rested under the shade of a tree by the roadside.
2015 137:2.3 Mens denne forstyrrelse gærede blandt Johannes tilhængere, var Jesus og hans fire disciple-apostle kommet et godt stykke af vejen mod Galilæa. Før de krydsede Jordanfloden for at tage vejen omkring Nain til Nazaret, så Jesus som kiggede fremad langs vejen en vis Filip fra Betsaida som sammen med en ven kom mod dem. Jesus havde kendt Filip før, og alle de fire nye apostle kendte ham også godt. Han var på vej til Pella med sin ven Nataniel for at besøge Johannes og lære mere om det kommende Guds rige som han havde hørt om, og han blev meget glad for at møde Jesus. Filip havde været en beundre af Jesus lige siden han var kommet til Kapernaum. Men Nataniel, som boede i Kana i Galilæa kendte ikke Jesus. Filip trådte frem for at hilse på sine venner mens Nataniel hvilede sig i skyggen af et træ i vejkanten.
1955 137:2.4 Peter took Philip to one side and proceeded to explain that they, referring to himself, Andrew, James, and John, had all become associates of Jesus in the new kingdom and strongly urged Philip to volunteer for service. Philip was in a quandary. What should he do? Here, without a moment’s warning—on the roadside near the Jordan—there had come up for immediate decision the most momentous question of a lifetime. By this time he was in earnest converse with Peter, Andrew, and John while Jesus was outlining to James the trip through Galilee and on to Capernaum. Finally, Andrew suggested to Philip, “Why not ask the Teacher?”
2015 137:2.4 Peter tog Filip til side og gik i gang med at forklare at de, det vil sige ham selv, Andreas, James og Johannes, alle var blevet Jesu følgesvende i det nye kongerige og han kom med en indtrængende opfordring til Filip om at melde sig til tjeneste. Filip kom helt i vildrede: Hvad skulle han gøre? Her, på et øjebliks varsel - i vejkanten nær Jordanfloden - blev han afkrævet at skulle tage en lynhurtig afgørelse om det vigtigste spørgsmål i livet. Snart befandt han sig i en oprigtig samtale med Peter, Andreas og Johannes mens Jesus skitserede rejsen gennem Galilæa og videre til Kapernaum for James. Til sidst foreslog Andreas for Filip: ”Hvorfor spørger du ikke Læreren?”
1955 137:2.5 It suddenly dawned on Philip that Jesus was a really great man, possibly the Messiah, and he decided to abide by Jesus’ decision in this matter; and he went straight to him, asking, “Teacher, shall I go down to John or shall I join my friends who follow you?” And Jesus answered, “Follow me.” Philip was thrilled with the assurance that he had found the Deliverer.
2015 137:2.5 Pludselig gik det op for Filip, at Jesus var en virkelig storartet mand, muligvis Messias, og han bestemte sig for at rette sig efter Jesu beslutning i denne sag; så han gik direkte hen til ham og spurgte: ”Lærer, skal jeg gå ned til Johannes, eller skal jeg slutte mig til mine venner som følger dig?” Og Jesus svarede: ”Følg mig.” Filip blev begejstret over visheden om at han havde fundet Befrieren.[7]
1955 137:2.6 Philip now motioned to the group to remain where they were while he hurried back to break the news of his decision to his friend Nathaniel, who still tarried behind under the mulberry tree, turning over in his mind the many things which he had heard concerning John the Baptist, the coming kingdom, and the expected Messiah. Philip broke in upon these meditations, exclaiming, “I have found the Deliverer, him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote and whom John has proclaimed.” Nathaniel, looking up, inquired, “Whence comes this teacher?” And Philip replied, “He is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, the carpenter, more recently residing at Capernaum.” And then, somewhat shocked, Nathaniel asked, “Can any such good thing come out of Nazareth?” But Philip, taking him by the arm, said, “Come and see.”
2015 137:2.6 Filip gjorte nu tegn til gruppen om at blive hvor de var, mens han skyndte sig tilbage for at fortælle nyheden om sin beslutning til sin ven Nataniel, som fortsat holdt sig i baggrunden under morbærtræet, gennemtænkende de mange udsagn han havde hørt om Johannes Døberen, det kommende rige og den forventede Messias[8]. Filip afbrød disse funderinger og udbrød: ”Jeg har fundet Befrieren, ham som Moses og profeterne skrev om og som Johannes har forkyndt om.” Nataniel så op og spurgte: ”Hvor kommer denne læreren fra?” Og Filip svarede: ”Det er Jesus fra Nazaret, Josefs søn, snedkeren, som i den senere tid har boet i Kapernaum.” Da spurgte Nataniel, lettere chokeret: ”Kan noget som er så godt komme fra Nazaret?” Men Filip tog ham i armen og sagde: ”Kom og se.”
1955 137:2.7 Philip led Nathaniel to Jesus, who, looking benignly into the face of the sincere doubter, said: “Behold a genuine Israelite, in whom there is no deceit. Follow me.” And Nathaniel, turning to Philip, said: “You are right. He is indeed a master of men. I will also follow, if I am worthy.” And Jesus nodded to Nathaniel, again saying, “Follow me.”
2015 137:2.7 Filip førte Nataniel til Jesus som med et mildt blik kiggede direkte ind i ansigtet på denne oprigtige tvivler, og sagde: ”Se, en ægte israelit, i hvem der ikke er noget falsk. Følg mig.” Og Nataniel, i det han drejede sig mod Filip, sagde: ”Du har ret. Han er virkelig en menneskenes mester. Jeg vil også følge ham, hvis jeg er værdig til det.” Og Jesus nikkede til Nataniel og sagde på ny: ”Følg mig[9].”
1955 137:2.8 Jesus had now assembled one half of his future corps of intimate associates, five who had for some time known him and one stranger, Nathaniel. Without further delay they crossed the Jordan and, going by the village of Nain, reached Nazareth late that evening.
2015 137:2.8 Jesus havde nu samlet halvdelen af sit fremtidige korps af fortrolige følgesvende, fem som havde kendt ham en stund og en fremmed. Uden at dvæle længere krydsede de Jordanfloden og, efter at have taget vejen ved landsbyen Nain, nåede de Nazaret sent om aftenen.
1955 137:2.9 They all remained overnight with Joseph in Jesus’ boyhood home. The associates of Jesus little understood why their new-found teacher was so concerned with completely destroying every vestige of his writing which remained about the home in the form of the ten commandments and other mottoes and sayings. But this proceeding, together with the fact that they never saw him subsequently write—except upon the dust or in the sand—made a deep impression upon their minds.
2015 137:2.9 De overnattede alle hos Josef i Jesu barndomshjem. Jesu følgesvende forstod ikke særlig meget af hvorfor læreren som de netop havde fundet, var så optaget af at tilintetgøre alt af det som han havde skrevet, så som de ti bud og andre mottoer og ordsprog. Men dette optrin, i tillæg til at de efter dette faktisk aldrig mere så ham skrive noget - undtagen i jord eller sand - gjorte et dybt indtryk på dem.
3. THE VISIT TO CAPERNAUM
3. BESØGET I KAPERNAUM
1955 137:3.2 Before leaving Nazareth, the new associates of Jesus told Joseph and other members of Jesus’ family about the wonderful events of the then recent past and gave free expression to their belief that Jesus was the long-expected deliverer. And these members of Jesus’ family talked all this over, and Joseph said: “Maybe, after all, Mother was right—maybe our strange brother is the coming king.”
2015 137:3.2 Før de drog fra Nazaret, fortalte Jesu nye følgesvende Josef og andre medlemmer af Jesu familie om den sidste tids fantastiske begivenheder og gav frit udtryk for deres tro på at Jesus var den længe eftertragtede befrieren. Og disse familiemedlemmer til Jesus snakkede sammen om alt dette, og Josef sagde: ”Måske havde mor alligevel ret - måske vores mærkelige broder er den kommende konge.”
1955 137:3.3 Jude was present at Jesus’ baptism and, with his brother James, had become a firm believer in Jesus’ mission on earth. Although both James and Jude were much perplexed as to the nature of their brother’s mission, their mother had resurrected all her early hopes of Jesus as the Messiah, the son of David, and she encouraged her sons to have faith in their brother as the deliverer of Israel.
2015 137:3.3 Juda var til stede ved Jesu dåb og havde sammen med sin bror James fået en klippefast tro på Jesu mission på jorden. Selv om både James og Juda var temmelig meget i vildrede om hvad deres brors mission gik ud på, så havde deres mor genoplivet alle sine gamle forhåbninger til Jesus som Messias, Davids søn, og hun opfordrede sine sønner til at have tro på at deres bror var Israels befrier.
1955 137:3.4 Jesus arrived in Capernaum Monday night, but he did not go to his own home, where lived James and his mother; he went directly to the home of Zebedee. All his friends at Capernaum saw a great and pleasant change in him. Once more he seemed to be comparatively cheerful and more like himself as he was during the earlier years at Nazareth. For years previous to his baptism and the isolation periods just before and just after, he had grown increasingly serious and self-contained. Now he seemed quite like his old self to all of them. There was about him something of majestic import and exalted aspect, but he was once again lighthearted and joyful.
2015 137:3.4 Mandag aften kom Jesus til Kapernaum, men gik ikke til sit eget hjem hvor James og hans mor boede. Han gik direkte til Zebedæus hjem. Alle hans venner i Kapernaum lagde mærke til en stor og glædelig forandring hos ham. Igen så han ud til at være i forholdsvis godt humør og mere som han plejede at være før mens han boede i Nazaret. I flere år før han blev døbt og under perioderne lige før og efter, var han blevet stadig mere alvorlig og lidt meddelsom. Nu gav han dem alle indtryk af at være sit gamle jeg. Det var noget majestætisk og ophøjet over ham, men nu var han blevet sorgløs og glad igen.
1955 137:3.5 Mary was thrilled with expectation. She anticipated that the promise of Gabriel was nearing fulfillment. She expected all Palestine soon to be startled and stunned by the miraculous revelation of her son as the supernatural king of the Jews. But to all of the many questions which his mother, James, Jude, and Zebedee asked, Jesus only smilingly replied: “It is better that I tarry here for a while; I must do the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
2015 137:3.5 Maria var forventningsfuld af spænding. Hun forudså at Gabriels løfte nærmede sig fuldbyrdelsen. Hun antog at hele Palæstina snart skulle forbløffes og overvældes af at hendes søn på mirakuløst vis skulle åbenbare sig som jødernes overnaturlige konge. Men til alle de mange spørgsmål som hans mor, James, Juda og Zebedæus stillede ham, smilte han bare og svarede: ” Det er bedre at jeg opholder mig her en stund; jeg må rette mig efter min himmelske Faders vilje.”
1955 137:3.6 On the next day, Tuesday, they all journeyed over to Cana for the wedding of Naomi, which was to take place on the following day. And in spite of Jesus’ repeated warnings that they tell no man about him “until the Father’s hour shall come,” they insisted on quietly spreading the news abroad that they had found the Deliverer. They each confidently expected that Jesus would inaugurate his assumption of Messianic authority at the forthcoming wedding at Cana, and that he would do so with great power and sublime grandeur. They remembered what had been told them about the phenomena attendant upon his baptism, and they believed that his future course on earth would be marked by increasing manifestations of supernatural wonders and miraculous demonstrations. Accordingly, the entire countryside was preparing to gather together at Cana for the wedding feast of Naomi and Johab the son of Nathan.
2015 137:3.6 Næste dag, tirsdag, drog de alle over til Kana til Naomis bryllup, som skulle finde sted dagen efter. Og til trods for Jesu gentagne formaninger om at de ikke skulle fortælle om ham til nogen ”før Faderens time kommer,” kunne de ikke dy sig for stilfærdig at sprede nyheden om at de havde fundet Befrieren. Hver for sig forventede de troskyldig at Jesus skulle indvarsle sin påberåbelse af Messiasautoritet ved det forestående bryllup i Kana og at han skulle gøre det med stor kraft og ophøjet storslåethed. De mindes det som var blevet fortalt dem om fænomenerne i forbindelse med hans dåb, og de troede at hans fremtidige jordiske karriere ville blive markeret ved stadig stærkere manifestationer af overnaturlige vidunder og mirakuløse opvisninger. Som følge heraf forberedte alle beboere i hele egnen sig på at mødes i Kana til bryllupsfesten for Naomi og Johab, Natans søn.
1955 137:3.7 Mary had not been so joyous in years. She journeyed to Cana in the spirit of the queen mother on the way to witness the coronation of her son. Not since he was thirteen years old had Jesus’ family and friends seen him so carefree and happy, so thoughtful and understanding of the wishes and desires of his associates, so touchingly sympathetic. And so they all whispered among themselves, in small groups, wondering what was going to happen. What would this strange person do next? How would he usher in the glory of the coming kingdom? And they were all thrilled with the thought that they were to be present to see the revelation of the might and power of Israel’s God.
2015 137:3.7 Aldrig i flere år havde Maria været så glad. På vejen til Kana følte hun sig som selveste dronningemoderen på vej til at overvære kroningen af sin søn. Ikke siden han var tretten år gammel, havde Jesu familie og venner set ham så bekymringsløs og lykkelig, så betænksom og forståelsesfuld overfor sine nærmestes ønsker og begær, og med en så rørende medfølelse. Og derfor hviskede de imellem sig, i små grupper, og undrede sig på hvad der mon kom til at ske. Hvad ville blive det næste som denne mærkelige person kom til at gøre? Hvordan ville han indvarsle det kommende riges herlighed? Og de var alle begejstret ved tanken på at de ville komme til at være til stede for at se åbenbaringen af Israels Guds magt og kræfter.
4. THE WEDDING AT CANA
4. BRYLLUPPET I KANA
1955 137:4.1 By noon on Wednesday almost a thousand guests had arrived in Cana, more than four times the number bidden to the wedding feast. It was a Jewish custom to celebrate weddings on Wednesday, and the invitations had been sent abroad for the wedding one month previously. In the forenoon and early afternoon it appeared more like a public reception for Jesus than a wedding. Everybody wanted to greet this near-famous Galilean, and he was most cordial to all, young and old, Jew and gentile. And everybody rejoiced when Jesus consented to lead the preliminary wedding procession.
2015 137:4.1 Midt på onsdagen var næsten tusinde gæster kommet til Kana, mere end fire gange så mange som de indbudte til bryllupsfesten. Det var skik blandt jøderne at fejre bryllup på en onsdag, og invitationerne var blevet udsendt en måned i forvejen. Formiddagen og den tidlige eftermiddag fremstår mere som en offentlig modtagelse af Jesus end et bryllup. Alle ville hilse på denne næsten berømte galilæeren, og han var meget hjertelig overfor alle, unge som gamle, jøder som ikke-jøder. Og alle blev glade da Jesus gik med til at føre an i den indledende brudemarch.
1955 137:4.2 Jesus was now thoroughly self-conscious regarding his human existence, his divine pre-existence, and the status of his combined, or fused, human and divine natures. With perfect poise he could at one moment enact the human role or immediately assume the personality prerogatives of the divine nature.
2015 137:4.2 Jesus var nu grundig selvbevidst om sin menneskelige tilværelse, sin guddommelige forud tilværelse og statussen af hans kombineret, eller sammensmeltede, menneskelige og guddommelige væsenegenskab. Med perfekt målrettethed kunne han når som helst indtage den menneskelige rolle eller pludselig påberåbe sig det guddommelige væsens personlige særfortrin.
1955 137:4.3 As the day wore on, Jesus became increasingly conscious that the people were expecting him to perform some wonder; more especially he recognized that his family and his six disciple-apostles were looking for him appropriately to announce his forthcoming kingdom by some startling and supernatural manifestation.
2015 137:4.3 Efterhånden som dagen gik, blev Jesus stadig mere klar over at folk forventede at han skulle udføre et eller andet under; særlig lagde han mærke til at hans familie og de seks disciple-apostle ventede sig at han på tilbørlig vis skulle kundgøre sit kommende rige i form af et eller andet forbløffende og overnaturlig optrin.
1955 137:4.4 Early in the afternoon Mary summoned James, and together they made bold to approach Jesus to inquire if he would admit them to his confidence to the extent of informing them at what hour and at what point in connection with the wedding ceremonies he had planned to manifest himself as the “supernatural one.” No sooner had they spoken of these matters to Jesus than they saw they had aroused his characteristic indignation. He said only: “If you love me, then be willing to tarry with me while I wait upon the will of my Father who is in heaven.” But the eloquence of his rebuke lay in the expression of his face.
2015 137:4.4 Tidlig på eftermiddagen rådslog Maria sig med James, og sammen tog de mod til sig og gik til Jesus for at spørge om han ville vise dem den tillid at fortælle dem på hvilket klokkeslæt og i forbindelse med hvilket del af bryllupsfesten han havde planlagt at give sig til kende som "den overnaturlige". Ikke så snart havde de bragt dette tema frem for Jesus før de så at de havde udløst hans karakteristiske indignation. Han sagde bare: ”Hvis I elsker mig, så vær da villige til at blive hos mig mens jeg venter på at min Fader i himmelen skal tilkendegive sin vilje.” Men uanstændigheden i hans irettesættelse lå i hans ansigtsudtryk.
1955 137:4.5 This move of his mother was a great disappointment to the human Jesus, and he was much sobered by his reaction to her suggestive proposal that he permit himself to indulge in some outward demonstration of his divinity. That was one of the very things he had decided not to do when so recently isolated in the hills. For several hours Mary was much depressed. She said to James: “I cannot understand him; what can it all mean? Is there no end to his strange conduct?” James and Jude tried to comfort their mother, while Jesus withdrew for an hour’s solitude. But he returned to the gathering and was once more lighthearted and joyous.
2015 137:4.5 Dette skridt fra hans mor var en stor skuffelse for den menneskelige Jesus, og hans egen reaktion på hendes forsøg på at påvirke ham til at give efter for ønsket om en eller anden udadrettet opvisning af sin guddommelighed, gjorte at han straks genvandt besindigheden. Det var jo netop en af de ting han havde bestemt sig for ikke at gøre da han for nylig havde trukket sig tilbage op i bakkerne. I flere timer var Maria temmelig nedtrykt. Hun sagde til James: ”Jeg forstår ham ikke; hvad kan alt dette betyde? Skal hans mærkelige opførsel ingen ende tage?” James og Juda forsøgte at trøste deres mor, mens Jesus trak sig tilbage for sig selv en times tid. Men så sluttede han sig igen til forsamlingen og var på ny sorgløs og glad.
1955 137:4.6 The wedding proceeded with a hush of expectancy, but the entire ceremony was finished and not a move, not a word, from the honored guest. Then it was whispered about that the carpenter and boatbuilder, announced by John as “the Deliverer,” would show his hand during the evening festivities, perhaps at the wedding supper. But all expectance of such a demonstration was effectually removed from the minds of his six disciple-apostles when he called them together just before the wedding supper and, in great earnestness, said: “Think not that I have come to this place to work some wonder for the gratification of the curious or for the conviction of those who doubt. Rather are we here to wait upon the will of our Father who is in heaven.” But when Mary and the others saw him in consultation with his associates, they were fully persuaded in their own minds that something extraordinary was about to happen. And they all sat down to enjoy the wedding supper and the evening of festive good fellowship.
2015 137:4.6 Brylluppet fortsatte i en atmosfære af tavs forventning, men hele ceremonien var overstået uden så meget som et udspil eller et eneste ord fra hædersgæsten. Da blev der hvisket om at snedkeren og bådebyggeren, forkyndt af Johannes som ”Befrieren”, ville give sig til kende under aftens festligheder, måske ved bryllupsmåltidet. Men alle forventninger om en sådan opvisning blev effektivt drevet ud af tankerne på hans seks disciple-apostle da Jesus kaldte dem sammen lige før aftensmåltidet og med stor oprigtighed sagde: ”Tænk ikke at jeg er kommet til dette sted for at udrette noget under for at tilfredsstille de sensationslystne eller for at overbevise dem som tvivler. Snarere er vi her for at vente på vor himmelske Faders vilje.” Men da Maria og de andre så ham rådføre sig med sine følgesvende, blev de helt overbevist om at noget usædvanligt snart skulle ske. Og de satte sig alle ned for at nyde bryllupsmåltidet og aftenens gode, feststemte fællesskab.
1955 137:4.7 The father of the bridegroom had provided plenty of wine for all the guests bidden to the marriage feast, but how was he to know that the marriage of his son was to become an event so closely associated with the expected manifestation of Jesus as the Messianic deliverer? He was delighted to have the honor of numbering the celebrated Galilean among his guests, but before the wedding supper was over, the servants brought him the disconcerting news that the wine was running short. By the time the formal supper had ended and the guests were strolling about in the garden, the mother of the bridegroom confided to Mary that the supply of wine was exhausted. And Mary confidently said: “Have no worry—I will speak to my son. He will help us.” And thus did she presume to speak, notwithstanding the rebuke of but a few hours before.
2015 137:4.7 Brudgommens far havde fremskaffet store mængder vin til alle de gæster som var budt til bryllupsfesten, men hvordan skulle han kunne have vidst at hans egen søns ægteskabsindgåelse skulle blive en begivenhed, som var så nært forbundet med forventningen til at Jesus skulle tilkendegive sig som den messianske befrier? Han følte sig beæret over at kunne regne de ærede galilæere blandt sine gæster, men før bryllupsmåltidet var over, bragte tjenerne ham de nedslående nyheder at vinen var ved at løbe tør. Idet det formelle måltid var over og gæsterne spadserede omkring i haven, betroede brudgommens mor sig til Maria og fortalte at vinforrådet var opbrugt. Og Maria sagde betryggende: ”Bare tag det med ro - jeg skal snakke med min søn. Han vil nok hjælpe os.” Og sådan kunne hun finde på at udtale sig til trods for irettesættelsen kun nogle få timer forinden.
1955 137:4.8 Throughout a period of many years, Mary had always turned to Jesus for help in every crisis of their home life at Nazareth so that it was only natural for her to think of him at this time. But this ambitious mother had still other motives for appealing to her eldest son on this occasion. As Jesus was standing alone in a corner of the garden, his mother approached him, saying, “My son, they have no wine.” And Jesus answered, “My good woman, what have I to do with that?” Said Mary, “But I believe your hour has come; cannot you help us?” Jesus replied: “Again I declare that I have not come to do things in this wise. Why do you trouble me again with these matters?” And then, breaking down in tears, Mary entreated him, “But, my son, I promised them that you would help us; won’t you please do something for me?” And then spoke Jesus: “Woman, what have you to do with making such promises? See that you do it not again. We must in all things wait upon the will of the Father in heaven.”
2015 137:4.8 I mange år havde Maria altid vendt sig til Jesus om hjælp i hver eneste krise i deres hjemlige liv i Nazaret, så det var kun naturlig for hende at tænke på ham nu. Men denne ærgerrige mor havde endda et andet motiv for at appellere til sin ældste søn ved denne anledning. Mens Jesus stod for sig selv i et hjørne af haven, opsøgte moderen ham: ” Min søn, de har ikke mere vin,” sagde hun. ”Min gode kvinde, hvad har det med mig at gøre?” svarede Jesus. ”Men jeg tror jo at din tid er kommet.” sagde Maria. ”Kan du ikke hjælpe os?” Da svarede Jesus: ”Nok en gang slår jeg fast at jeg ikke er kommet for at gøre tingene på denne måde. Hvorfor bekymre du mig igen med alt dette?” Maria brast i gråd: ”Men min søn, jeg lovede dem at du ville hjælpe os, kan du ikke være sød at gøre noget for mig?” bad hun ham indtrængende[11]. ”Kvinde” sagde Jesus, ”hvad har du med at afgive sådanne løfter? Sørg for at du ikke gør det engang igen. Vi må i ét og alt afvente Faderen i himmelens vilje.”
1955 137:4.9 Mary the mother of Jesus was crushed; she was stunned! As she stood there before him motionless, with the tears streaming down her face, the human heart of Jesus was overcome with compassion for the woman who had borne him in the flesh; and bending forward, he laid his hand tenderly upon her head, saying: “Now, now, Mother Mary, grieve not over my apparently hard sayings, for have I not many times told you that I have come only to do the will of my heavenly Father? Most gladly would I do what you ask of me if it were a part of the Father’s will—“ and Jesus stopped short, he hesitated. Mary seemed to sense that something was happening. Leaping up, she threw her arms around Jesus’ neck, kissed him, and rushed off to the servants’ quarters, saying, “Whatever my son says, that do.” But Jesus said nothing. He now realized that he had already said—or rather desirefully thought—too much.
2015 137:4.9 Maria, Jesu mor var sønderknust; hun var helt lamslået! Mens hun stod der urørlig foran ham, med tårerne strømmende nedover ansigtet, blev Jesus i sit menneskehjerte overvældet af medfølelse for den kvinde som havde båret ham frem i kødet. Han bøjede sig forover, lagde hånden ømt på hendes hovedet og sagde: ” Så så, moder Maria vær ikke bedrøvet over mine tilsyneladende hårde udtalelser, for har jeg ikke mange gange fortalt dig at jeg er kommet kun for at udføre min himmelske Faders vilje? Jeg ville gladelig gøre det du bad mig om, hvis det var en del af Faderens vilje -” og så afbrød han sig selv; han tøvede. Maria så ud til at mærke at noget var ved at ske. Hun sprang op, kastede armene om halsen på Jesus, kyssede ham og løb af sted til tjenernes rum og sagde: ”Hvad min søn end siger; så lad det blive sådan.” Men Jesus sagde ingenting. Han indså nu at han allerede havde sagt - eller snarere ønsketænkt - for meget.[12]
1955 137:4.10 Mary was dancing with glee. She did not know how the wine would be produced, but she confidently believed that she had finally persuaded her first-born son to assert his authority, to dare to step forth and claim his position and exhibit his Messianic power. And, because of the presence and association of certain universe powers and personalities, of which all those present were wholly ignorant, she was not to be disappointed. The wine Mary desired and which Jesus, the God-man, humanly and sympathetically wished for, was forthcoming.
2015 137:4.10 Maria dansede af glæde. Hun viste ikke hvordan vinen ville blive lavet, men tillidsfuld troede hun at hun endelig havde overtalt sin førstefødte søn til at tilkendegive sin autoritet og vågede at træde frem og tage sin position i hævd og vise sin messianske kraft. Og på grund af tilstedeværelsen og forbindelser mellem visse af universets magter og personligheder, som alle de tilstedeværende var fuldstændig uvidende om, ville hun ikke blive skuffet. Den vin som Maria begærede og som Gudemennesket Jesus på menneskelig og medfølende vis ønskede sig, var på vej.
1955 137:4.11 Near at hand stood six waterpots of stone, filled with water, holding about twenty gallons apiece. This water was intended for subsequent use in the final purification ceremonies of the wedding celebration. The commotion of the servants about these huge stone vessels, under the busy direction of his mother, attracted Jesus’ attention, and going over, he observed that they were drawing wine out of them by the pitcherful.
2015 137:4.11 Lige ved siden stod seks stenkar fyldt med vand, indeholdende omkring halvfjerds liter. Dette vand var tænkt brugt til bryllupsfestens afsluttende renselsesceremonier. Tjenernes postyr omkring disse kæmpe stenbeholdere, under ihærdig ledelse af hans mor, tiltrak sig Jesus opmærksomhed, og da han gik derover, så han at de øste vin op, kande efter kande, fra dem.[13]
1955 137:4.12 It was gradually dawning upon Jesus what had happened. Of all persons present at the marriage feast of Cana, Jesus was the most surprised. Others had expected him to work a wonder, but that was just what he had purposed not to do. And then the Son of Man recalled the admonition of his Personalized Thought Adjuster in the hills. He recounted how the Adjuster had warned him about the inability of any power or personality to deprive him of the creator prerogative of independence of time. On this occasion power transformers, midwayers, and all other required personalities were assembled near the water and other necessary elements, and in the face of the expressed wish of the Universe Creator Sovereign, there was no escaping the instantaneous appearance of wine. And this occurrence was made doubly certain since the Personalized Adjuster had signified that the execution of the Son’s desire was in no way a contravention of the Father’s will.
2015 137:4.12 Gradvis gik det op for Jesus hvad der var sket. Af alle tilstedeværende personer ved bryllupsfesten i Kana var Jesus den som blev mest overrasket. Andre havde forventet at han ville udrette et under, men det var jo akkurat det han havde sat sig for ikke at gøre. Og da kom Menneskesønnen til at tænke på advarslerne fra hans Personaliserede Retter oppe i bakkerne. Han fremkaldte mindet af hvordan Retteren havde advaret ham angående den mangel på mulighed som nogen kraft eller personlighed havde til at fratage ham den tidsuafhængighedsevne han havde som skaber. Ved denne anledning var styrkeomformere, mellemvæsener og alle andre nødvendige personligheder samlet nær vandet og andre nødvendige elementer, og stillet overfor Universets Skaber og herskers udtalte ønske fandtes der ingen mulighed for at undgå den øjeblikkelige tilsynekomst af vin. Og denne hændelse blev dobbeltsikkert i og med at den Personaliserede Retter havde meddelt at iværksættelsen af Sønnens ønske ikke på nogen måde stod i nogen modsætning til Faderens vilje.
1955 137:4.13 But this was in no sense a miracle. No law of nature was modified, abrogated, or even transcended. Nothing happened but the abrogation of time in association with the celestial assembly of the chemical elements requisite for the elaboration of the wine. At Cana on this occasion the agents of the Creator made wine just as they do by the ordinary natural processes except that they did it independently of time and with the intervention of superhuman agencies in the matter of the space assembly of the necessary chemical ingredients.
2015 137:4.13 Men dette var på ingen måde noget mirakel. Ingen naturlove blev hverken modificeret, ophævet eller ikke engang overskredet. Ingenting hændte udover at tiden blev ophævet i forbindelse med den himmelske sammensætning af de kemiske stoffer som behøvedes for at fremstille vinen. I Kana fremstillede Skaberens agenter vin akkurat på samme måde som de gør det ved hjælp af almindelige, naturlige processer undtagen at de gjorte det uafhængig af tid og med indgriben fra overmenneskelige medvirken når det gjaldt sammensætning i rummet af de nødvendige kemiske ingredienser.
1955 137:4.14 Furthermore it was evident that the enactment of this so-called miracle was not contrary to the will of the Paradise Father, else it would not have transpired, since Jesus had already subjected himself in all things to the Father’s will.
2015 137:4.14 Ydermere var det tydelig at udførelsen af dette såkaldte mirakel ikke var i modstrid med Paradisfaders vilje; ellers ville det ikke have indtruffet, i og med at Jesus allerede havde underlagt sig i alle henseende at udføre Faderens vilje.
1955 137:4.15 When the servants drew this new wine and carried it to the best man, the “ruler of the feast,” and when he had tasted it, he called to the bridegroom, saying: “It is the custom to set out first the good wine and, when the guests have well drunk, to bring forth the inferior fruit of the vine; but you have kept the best of the wine until the last of the feast.”
2015 137:4.15 Da tjenerne øste op af denne nye vin og bragte den til hædersmanden, ´festens herre´, og da denne havde smagt på den, kaldte han på brudgommen og sagde: ”Det er traditionen først at sætte den gode vin frem for så, når gæsterne har drukket godt, at sætte vinens dårligere frugter frem; men I har gemt den bedste vin til slutningen af festen[14].”
1955 137:4.16 Mary and the disciples of Jesus were greatly rejoiced at the supposed miracle which they thought Jesus had intentionally performed, but Jesus withdrew to a sheltered nook of the garden and engaged in serious thought for a few brief moments. He finally decided that the episode was beyond his personal control under the circumstances and, not being adverse to his Father’s will, was inevitable. When he returned to the people, they regarded him with awe; they all believed in him as the Messiah. But Jesus was sorely perplexed, knowing that they believed in him only because of the unusual occurrence which they had just inadvertently beheld. Again Jesus retired for a season to the housetop that he might think it all over.
2015 137:4.16 Maria og Jesu disciple blev vældig glade over det de mente var et mirakel som de troede Jesus havde udrettet med vilje, men Jesus trak sig tilbage til en skærmet afkrog af haven og gav sig til at tænke det hele alvorlig igennem for en kort stund. Han kom til sidst frem til at episoden var udover hans personlige kontrol, omstændighederne taget i betragtning, og at den, i og med at den ikke stred mod hans Faders vilje, var uundgåelig. Da han kom tilbage til forsamlingen, betragtede folk ham med ærefrygt; alle troede på ham som Messias. Men Jesus kom smertelig i vildrede; han vidste at de troede på ham bare på grund af den usædvanlige hændelse som de uforvarende havde været vidne til[15]. Igen trak Jesus sig tilbage, op på hustaget for en stund, for at tænke det hele igennem.
1955 137:4.17 Jesus now fully comprehended that he must constantly be on guard lest his indulgence of sympathy and pity become responsible for repeated episodes of this sort. Nevertheless, many similar events occurred before the Son of Man took final leave of his mortal life in the flesh.
2015 137:4.17 Jesus forstod nu til fulde at han hele tiden måtte være på vagt om ikke hans eftergivende sympati og medlidenhed skulle komme til at forårsage gentagende episoder af denne slags. Ikke desto mindre forekom der mange lignende begivenheder før Menneskesønnen tog sin egentlige afsked med sit dødelige kødelige liv.
5. BACK IN CAPERNAUM
5. TILBAGE I KAPERNAUM
1955 137:5.1 Though many of the guests remained for the full week of wedding festivities, Jesus, with his newly chosen disciple-apostles—James, John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel—departed very early the next morning for Capernaum, going away without taking leave of anyone. Jesus’ family and all his friends in Cana were much distressed because he so suddenly left them, and Jude, Jesus’ youngest brother, set out in search of him. Jesus and his apostles went directly to the home of Zebedee at Bethsaida. On this journey Jesus talked over many things of importance to the coming kingdom with his newly chosen associates and especially warned them to make no mention of the turning of the water into wine. He also advised them to avoid the cities of Sepphoris and Tiberias in their future work.
2015 137:5.1 Skønt mange af gæsterne blev hele ugen til bryllupsfesten, drog Jesus med sine nyudvalgte disciple-apostle - James, Johannes, Andreas, Peter, Filip og Nataniel — meget tidlig næste morgen mod Kapernaum; de forsvandt uden at tage afsked med nogen[16]. Jesu familie og alle hans venner i Kana blev temmelig skuffet over at han forlod dem så pludselig, og Juda, lillebroderen til Jesus gik ud for at søge efter ham. Jesus og hans apostle drog direkte til Zebedæus hjem i Betsaida. På denne tur omtalte Jesus mange sager af betydning for det kommende rige med sine nyudvalgte følgesvende og advarede dem specielt mod at nævne at vand var blevet gjort til vin. Han rådet dem også til at undgå byerne Sefforis og Tiberias i deres fremtidige arbejde.
1955 137:5.2 After supper that evening, in this home of Zebedee and Salome, there was held one of the most important conferences of all Jesus’ earthly career. Only the six apostles were present at this meeting; Jude arrived as they were about to separate. These six chosen men had journeyed from Cana to Bethsaida with Jesus, walking, as it were, on air. They were alive with expectancy and thrilled with the thought of having been selected as close associates of the Son of Man. But when Jesus set out to make clear to them who he was and what was to be his mission on earth and how it might possibly end, they were stunned. They could not grasp what he was telling them. They were speechless; even Peter was crushed beyond expression. Only the deep-thinking Andrew dared to make reply to Jesus’ words of counsel. When Jesus perceived that they did not comprehend his message, when he saw that their ideas of the Jewish Messiah were so completely crystallized, he sent them to their rest while he walked and talked with his brother Jude. And before Jude took leave of Jesus, he said with much feeling: “My father-brother, I never have understood you. I do not know of a certainty whether you are what my mother has taught us, and I do not fully comprehend the coming kingdom, but I do know you are a mighty man of God. I heard the voice at the Jordan, and I am a believer in you, no matter who you are.” And when he had spoken, he departed, going to his own home at Magdala.
2015 137:5.2 Efter aftenmåltidet hjemme hos Zebedæus og Salome blev der samme aften afholdt et af de vigtigste møder i hele Jesu jordiske livsforløb. Kun de seks apostle var til stede; Juda kom netop som de skulle af sted. Disse seks udvalgte havde gået fra Kana til Betsaida sammen med Jesus, og det var som om de gik på luft. De var livlige af forventning og henrykte ved tanken på at de var blevet udplukket til at være Menneskesønnens nære følgesvende. Men da Jesus gav sig til at redegøre for hvem han var, hvad hans jordiske mission gik ud på og hvordan den muligvis ville ende, blev de lamslået. De kunne ikke fatte hvad det var han fortalte dem. De var målløse; selv Peter var helt ubeskrivelig knust. Kun den dybttænkende Andreas vovede at besvare de vejledende råd som Jesu gav. Da Jesus erkendte at de ikke opfattede hans budskab, da han indså hvor fuldstændig fastlåste deres tanker om den jødiske Messias var, gav han dem fri for at hvile ud mens han gik en tur og snakkede med sin bror Juda. Og før Juda tog afsked med Jesus, sagde han med stor indlevelse: ”Min faderbror, jeg har aldrig forstået mig på dig. jeg ved ikke med sikkerhed om du er det min mor har fortalt os at du er, og jeg forstår ikke helt hvad det kommende rige går ud på, men jeg ved i hvert fald at du er en kraftfuld Guds mand. Jeg hørte stemmen ved Jordan, og jeg tror på dig, uanset hvem du er. ”Og da han havde sagt dette, drog han af sted og hjem til sig selv i Magdala.
1955 137:5.3 That night Jesus did not sleep. Donning his evening wraps, he sat out on the lake shore thinking, thinking until the dawn of the next day. In the long hours of that night of meditation Jesus came clearly to comprehend that he never would be able to make his followers see him in any other light than as the long-expected Messiah. At last he recognized that there was no way to launch his message of the kingdom except as the fulfillment of John’s prediction and as the one for whom the Jews were looking. After all, though he was not the Davidic type of Messiah, he was truly the fulfillment of the prophetic utterances of the more spiritually minded of the olden seers. Never again did he wholly deny that he was the Messiah. He decided to leave the final untangling of this complicated situation to the outworking of the Father’s will.
2015 137:5.3 Den nat sov Jesus ikke. Indsvøbt i sit aftenklæde sad han ude ved søbredden og tænkte og tænkte, helt til begyndelse af næste morgen. I sine lange, natlige meditative funderinger kom Jesus til en klar forståelse af at han aldrig ville kunne få sine tilhængere til at se ham i noget andet lys end som den længe forventede Messias. Til sidst indså han at der ikke fandtes nogen anden måde at lancere sit budskab om Guds rige end som opfyldelsen af Johannes spådom og i rollen som den som jøderne ventede på. Trods alt var han, selv om han ikke var nogen Davidlignende Messias, fuldbyrdelsen af de profetiske ytringer fra de mere åndelig bevidste bland de ældre tiders seere. Aldrig mere nægtede han helt at han var Messias. Han bestemte sig for at overlade den endelige udredning af denne komplicerede situation til Faders vilje.
1955 137:5.4 The next morning Jesus joined his friends at breakfast, but they were a cheerless group. He visited with them and at the end of the meal gathered them about him, saying: “It is my Father’s will that we tarry hereabouts for a season. You have heard John say that he came to prepare the way for the kingdom; therefore it behooves us to await the completion of John’s preaching. When the forerunner of the Son of Man shall have finished his work, we will begin the proclamation of the good tidings of the kingdom.” He directed his apostles to return to their nets while he made ready to go with Zebedee to the boatshop, promising to see them the next day at the synagogue, where he was to speak, and appointing a conference with them that Sabbath afternoon.
2015 137:5.4 Næste morgen sluttede Jesus sig til sine venner ved morgenmaden, men de var en trøstesløs forsamling. Han holdt sig hos dem, og ved slutningen af måltidet samlede han dem rundt om sig og sagde: ”Det er min Faders vilje at vi holder os heromkring for en stund. I har hørt Johannes sige at han kom for at forberede vejen for rigets kommen; derfor er det nødvendig at vi afventer at Johannes gør sig færdig med sin forkyndervirksomhed. Når Menneskesønnens forløber har afsluttet sit arbejde, vil vi begynde at forkynde de glade nyheder om Guds rige.”Han sendte apostlene tilbage til deres fiskegarn, gjorte sig klar til at gå til bådværkstedet sammen med Zebedæus og lovede at mødes med dem dagen efter i synagogen, hvor han skulle tale, og han aftalte et møde med dem denne sabbateftermiddag.
6. THE EVENTS OF A SABBATH DAY
6. EN SABBATSDAGS HÆNDELSER
1955 137:6.1 Jesus’ first public appearance following his baptism was in the Capernaum synagogue on Sabbath, March 2, A.D. 26. The synagogue was crowded to overflowing. The story of the baptism in the Jordan was now augmented by the fresh news from Cana about the water and the wine. Jesus gave seats of honor to his six apostles, and seated with them were his brothers in the flesh James and Jude. His mother, having returned to Capernaum with James the evening before, was also present, being seated in the women’s section of the synagogue. The entire audience was on edge; they expected to behold some extraordinary manifestation of supernatural power which would be a fitting testimony to the nature and authority of him who was that day to speak to them. But they were destined to disappointment.
2015 137:6.1 Jesu første offentlige fremtræden efter at han blev døbt, var i synagogen i Kapernaum på sabbatten den 2 marts år 26 e.Kr. Synagogen var helt overfyldt med folk. Historien om dåben i Jordanfloden var nu blevet forøget med de friske nyheder fra Kana om vandet og vinen. Jesus lod sine seks apostle få æressiddepladser, og ved siden af dem sad hans kødelige brødre James og Juda[17]. Hans mor, som var vendt tilbage til Kapernaum sammen med James aftenen før, var også til stede og sat i synagogens kvindesektion. Hele forsamlingen var på mærkerne; de forventede at få et eller anden ualmindelig opvisning af overnaturlig kraft at se som skulle være et passende vidnesbyrd om hans natur og autoritet, han som den dag skulle tale til dem. Men de skulle uundgåelig komme til at blive skuffet.
1955 137:6.2 When Jesus stood up, the ruler of the synagogue handed him the Scripture roll, and he read from the Prophet Isaiah: “Thus says the Lord: ‘The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you built for me? And where is the place of my dwelling? All these things have my hands made,’ says the Lord. ‘But to this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.’ Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble and fear: ‘Your brethren hated you and cast you out for my name’s sake.’ But let the Lord be glorified. He shall appear to you in joy, and all others shall be ashamed. A voice from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice from the Lord says: ‘Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.’ Who has heard such a thing? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or can a nation be born at once? But thus says the Lord: ‘Behold I will extend peace like a river, and the glory of even the gentiles shall be like a flowing stream. As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you. And you shall be comforted even in Jerusalem. And when you see these things, your heart shall rejoice.’”
2015 137:6.2 Da Jesus rejste sig, rakte synagogens øverste ham skriftrullen, og han læste fra profeten Isaja: ”Så siger Herren: ‘Himmelen er min trone, og jorden mine fødders skammel; hvad hus kunne I bygge mig, og hvor skulle der findes et hvilested for mig? Alt dette har min hånd gjort, og således blev alt dette til, ‘ siger Herren. ‘Men den jeg vil se til, er den elendige, og den som har en sønderknust ånd og er forfærdet over mit ord.’ Hør Herrens ord, I som er forfærdet over hans ord! Eders brødre som hader eder, som støder eder fra sig for mit navns skyld, ‘ Lad Herren vise sin herlighed, så vi kan få hans glæde at se! Men de skal blive til skamme. En lyd fra byen, en røst fra templet, en stemme fra Herren siger: ”Før hun fik fødselsveer, har hun født; før hendes smerte kom, havde hun født et menneskebarn. ‘Hvem har hørt sådan noget? Skal jorden frembringes på en dag? Eller fødes et folk på en gang? For således siger Herren: Se, jeg lader fred komme som en flod, og selv de fremmedes herlighed skal være som en overstrømmende bæk. Som en mor trøster sit barn, således vil jeg trøste eder, i Jerusalem skal I få trøst. Og I skal se det, og eders hjerte skal fryde sig.”[18]
1955 137:6.3 When he had finished this reading, Jesus handed the roll back to its keeper. Before sitting down, he simply said: “Be patient and you shall see the glory of God; even so shall it be with all those who tarry with me and thus learn to do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” And the people went to their homes, wondering what was the meaning of all this.
2015 137:6.3 Da Jesus var færdig med at læse, afleverede han rullen tilbage til dens vogtere. Før han satte sig, sagde han bare: ”Vær tålmodige, og I skal få Guds herlighed at se; således skal det endda være for alle dem som holder sig ved min side og således lærer at udføre min himmelske Faders vilje.” Og folk gik hjem til deres huse undrende sig på hvad alt dette skulle betyde.
1955 137:6.4 That afternoon Jesus and his apostles, with James and Jude, entered a boat and pulled down the shore a little way, where they anchored while he talked to them about the coming kingdom. And they understood more than they had on Thursday night.
2015 137:6.4 Den eftermiddag gik Jesus og hans apostle, sammen med James og Juda, om bord i en båd og roede et lille stykke ned langs kysten hvor de ankede op mens han snakkede med dem om det kommende rige. Og de forstod mere end de havde gjort torsdags aften.
1955 137:6.5 Jesus instructed them to take up their regular duties until “the hour of the kingdom comes.” And to encourage them, he set an example by going back regularly to work in the boatshop. In explaining that they should spend three hours every evening in study and preparation for their future work, Jesus further said: “We will all remain hereabout until the Father bids me call you. Each of you must now return to his accustomed work just as if nothing had happened. Tell no man about me and remember that my kingdom is not to come with noise and glamor, but rather must it come through the great change which my Father will have wrought in your hearts and in the hearts of those who shall be called to join you in the councils of the kingdom. You are now my friends; I trust you and I love you; you are soon to become my personal associates. Be patient, be gentle. Be ever obedient to the Father’s will. Make yourselves ready for the call of the kingdom. While you will experience great joy in the service of my Father, you should also be prepared for trouble, for I warn you that it will be only through much tribulation that many will enter the kingdom. But those who have found the kingdom, their joy will be full, and they shall be called the blest of all the earth. But do not entertain false hope; the world will stumble at my words. Even you, my friends, do not fully perceive what I am unfolding to your confused minds. Make no mistake; we go forth to labor for a generation of sign seekers. They will demand wonder-working as the proof that I am sent by my Father, and they will be slow to recognize in the revelation of my Father’s love the credentials of my mission.”
2015 137:6.5 Jesus beordrede dem til at tage sig af deres sædvanlige pligter indtil ”rigets tid skal komme.” Og for at opmuntre dem, gik han foran med et eksempel ved at vende tilbage til sit sædvanlige arbejde i bådværkstedet. I det han forklarede at de skulle tilbringe tre timer hver aften på at studere og forberede sig på deres fremtidige arbejde, sagde Jesus yderligere: ”Vi vil alle holde os her til Faderen beder mig om at kalde på jer. Hver og en af jer må nu vende tilbage til sit sædvanlige arbejde som om ingenting har hændt. Fortæl ingen om mig og husk at mit rige ikke vil komme med støj og stads, men snarere må det komme gennem den store forandring som min Fader vil have tilberedt i jeres egne hjerter og i hjerterne til dem som skal tilkaldes for at slutte sig til jer i Guds riges rådsforsamling[19]. I er nu mine venner, jeg stoler på jer og jeg elsker jer; I kommer snart til at blive mine personlige følgesvende[20]. Vær tålmodige, vær venlige. Vær altid lydige overfor Faderens vilje. Gør jer klar for Guds riges anråbelse. Selv om I vil opleve stor glæde ved at tjene min Fader, burde I også være forberedte på vanskeligheder, for jeg advarer jer om at det kun er gennem hårde prøvelser at mange vil træde ind i Guds rige[21]. Men de som har fundet Guds rige, vil fyldes med glæde, og de vil blive kaldt jordens velsignede. Men gå ikke omkring med falske forhåbninger; verden vil komme i vildrede over mine ord. Selv I, mine venner, fatter ikke helt hvad det er jeg åbenbarer for jeres forvirrede sind. Begå ikke fejl; vi begiver os ud for at arbejde for en generation af mirakelsøgere. De vil afkræve under som bevis på at jeg er sendt af min Fader, og de vil være tungnemme til at erkende at det som giver min mission troværdighed er åbenbaringen af min Faders kærlighed.”
1955 137:6.6 That evening, when they had returned to the land, before they went their way, Jesus, standing by the water’s edge, prayed: “My Father, I thank you for these little ones who, in spite of their doubts, even now believe. And for their sakes have I set myself apart to do your will. And now may they learn to be one, even as we are one.”
2015 137:6.6 Denne aften, efter at de var gået i land igen, blev Jesus, før de gik videre, stående ved vandkanten og bad: ”Min Fader, jeg takker dig for disse små som trods al deres tvivl allerede tror. Og for deres skyld har jeg sat mig selv til side for at udføre din vilje. Og måtte de nu lære at være som én, sådan som vi er én.”
7. FOUR MONTHS OF TRAINING
7. FIRE MÅNEDER MED OPLÆRING
1955 137:7.1 For four long months—March, April, May, and June—this tarrying time continued; Jesus held over one hundred long and earnest, though cheerful and joyous, sessions with these six associates and his own brother James. Owing to sickness in his family, Jude seldom was able to attend these classes. James, Jesus’ brother, did not lose faith in him, but during these months of delay and inaction Mary nearly despaired of her son. Her faith, raised to such heights at Cana, now sank to new low levels. She could only fall back on her so oft-repeated exclamation: “I cannot understand him. I cannot figure out what it all means.” But James’s wife did much to bolster Mary’s courage.
2015 137:7.1 I fire lange måneder - marts, april, maj og juni - fortsatte denne ventetid; Jesus havde over et hundrede lange og seriøse, men alligevel muntre og glædespredende sammenkomster med sine seks følgesvende og sin egen bror James. På grund af sygdom hjemme hos familien havde Juda sjælden nogen mulighed for at deltage i disse undervisningstimer. James mistede ikke troen på sin bror Jesus, men i løbet af disse afventende måneder, hvor de ikke foretog sig noget særlig, blev Maria næsten fortvivlet over sin søn. Hendes tro, som havde nået stor højde i Kana, faldt nu ned til nye bundniveauer. Hun kunne ikke andet end igen at ty til sit samme fortærpet udbrud: ”Jeg forstår ham ikke. Jeg begriber ikke hvad alt dette skal betyde.” Men James kone bidrog meget til at styrke Marias mod.
1955 137:7.2 Throughout these four months these seven believers, one his own brother in the flesh, were getting acquainted with Jesus; they were getting used to the idea of living with this God-man. Though they called him Rabbi, they were learning not to be afraid of him. Jesus possessed that matchless grace of personality which enabled him so to live among them that they were not dismayed by his divinity. They found it really easy to be “friends with God,” God incarnate in the likeness of mortal flesh. This time of waiting severely tested the entire group of believers. Nothing, absolutely nothing, miraculous happened. Day by day they went about their ordinary work, while night after night they sat at Jesus’ feet. And they were held together by his matchless personality and by the gracious words which he spoke to them evening upon evening.
2015 137:7.2 I løbet af disse fire måneder blev de syv troende, den ene hans egen kødelige bror, bedre kendt med Jesus; de vænnede sig efterhånden til tanken om at leve sammen med dette gudemenneske. Selv om de kaldte ham Rabbi, lærte de ikke at være bange for ham[22]. Jesus havde en uforlignelig mildhed over sin personlighed som gjorte ham i stand til at leve blandt dem uden at hans guddommelighed virkede afskrækkende på dem. De fandt det vældig let at være ‘venner med Gud’, Gud inkarneret i det dødelige kødets skikkelse[23]. Denne ventetid satte hele gruppen af troende på en alvorlig prøvelse. Ingenting, overhovedet intet mirakuløst skete. Dag efter dag fortsatte de med deres sædvanlige arbejde, mens de aften efter aften sat ved Jesus fødder. Og det var hans enestående personlighed og de bevingede ord han meddelte dem på disse aftener, som holdt dem sammen.
1955 137:7.3 This period of waiting and teaching was especially hard on Simon Peter. He repeatedly sought to persuade Jesus to launch forth with the preaching of the kingdom in Galilee while John continued to preach in Judea. But Jesus’ reply to Peter ever was: “Be patient, Simon. Make progress. We shall be none too ready when the Father calls.” And Andrew would calm Peter now and then with his more seasoned and philosophic counsel. Andrew was tremendously impressed with the human naturalness of Jesus. He never grew weary of contemplating how one who could live so near God could be so friendly and considerate of men.
2015 137:7.3 Denne periode med ventetid og undervisning var specielt vanskelig for Simon Peter. Stadigvæk forsøgte han at overtale Jesus til at gå i gang med at forkynde Guds rige i Galilæa mens Johannes fortsatte sin forkyndelse i Judæa. Men Jesus svar til Peter var altid: ”Vær tålmodig, Simon. Gør fremskridt. Vi kan knapt nok få forberedt os godt nok inden Faderen kalder på os.” Og Andreas ville af og til berolige Peter med sine mere sindige og filosofiske tanker. Andreas var voldsomt imponeret over den naturlige menneskelighed hos Jesus. Han blev aldrig træt af at undres over hvordan en som kunne leve så nær Gud, også kunne være så venlig og hensynsfuld overfor andre mennesker.
1955 137:7.4 Throughout this entire period Jesus spoke in the synagogue but twice. By the end of these many weeks of waiting the reports about his baptism and the wine of Cana had begun to quiet down. And Jesus saw to it that no more apparent miracles happened during this time. But even though they lived so quietly at Bethsaida, reports of the strange doings of Jesus had been carried to Herod Antipas, who in turn sent spies to ascertain what he was about. But Herod was more concerned about the preaching of John. He decided not to molest Jesus, whose work continued along so quietly at Capernaum.
2015 137:7.4 I løbet af hele dette tidsrum talte Jesus kun to gange i synagogen. Hen imod slutningen af alle disse uger med ventetid var der begyndt at blive mindre snak om hans dåb og vinen i Kana. Og Jesus sørgede i denne periode for at der ikke længere skete noget mere som ville blive opfattet som mirakler. Men selv om de levede så stilfærdig i Betsaida, var rapporter om Jesu mærkelige foreteelser kommet Herodes Antipas for øret, hvorpå han sendte spioner ud for at finde ud af hvad det var han var i gang med. Men Herodes var mere optaget af Johannes og hans forkyndelse. Han bestemte sig for ikke at genere Jesus, som arbejdede så stilfærdig i Kapernaum.
1955 137:7.5 In this time of waiting Jesus endeavored to teach his associates what their attitude should be toward the various religious groups and the political parties of Palestine. Jesus’ words always were, “We are seeking to win all of them, but we are not of any of them.”
2015 137:7.5 I denne ventetid satte Jesus sig for at lære sine følgesvende om hvilken holdning de skulle indtage overfor de forskellige religiøse grupperinger og politiske partier i Palæstina. Jesu sagde altid: ”Vi prøver at trække dem alle til os, men vi tilhører ingen af dem.”
1955 137:7.6 The scribes and rabbis, taken together, were called Pharisees. They referred to themselves as the “associates.” In many ways they were the progressive group among the Jews, having adopted many teachings not clearly found in the Hebrew scriptures, such as belief in the resurrection of the dead, a doctrine only mentioned by a later prophet, Daniel.
2015 137:7.6 Farisæerne var fællesbetegnelse på rabbinere og de skriftlærte. De omtalte sig selv som ”embedsbrødrene.” På mange måder var de den progressive gruppe blandt jøderne, og de havde taget mange læresætninger til sig som ikke havde nogen klar parallel i de hebræiske skrifter, såsom troen på de dødes opstandelse, en lære som kun var nævnt af den senere profet, Daniel[24].
1955 137:7.7 The Sadducees consisted of the priesthood and certain wealthy Jews. They were not such sticklers for the details of law enforcement. The Pharisees and Sadducees were really religious parties, rather than sects.
2015 137:7.7 Saddukæerne bestod af præsteskabet og visse velstående jøder. De tog ikke detaljerne omkring håndhævelsen af loven så nøje. Farisæerne og saddukæerne var egentlig religiøse partier snarere end sekter.
1955 137:7.8 The Essenes were a true religious sect, originating during the Maccabean revolt, whose requirements were in some respects more exacting than those of the Pharisees. They had adopted many Persian beliefs and practices, lived as a brotherhood in monasteries, refrained from marriage, and had all things in common. They specialized in teachings about angels.
2015 137:7.8 Essenserne var virkelig en religiøs sekt som var opstået under Makkabeeroprøret, og deres påbud var i nogle henseender strengere end farisæernes. De havde taget mange persiske trosforstillinger og udøvelsesformer til sig og levede som et broderskab i klostre, afholdt sig fra ægteskab og ejede alt fælles. De specialiserede sig i undervisning om engle.
1955 137:7.9 The Zealots were a group of intense Jewish patriots. They advocated that any and all methods were justified in the struggle to escape the bondage of the Roman yoke.
2015 137:7.9 Zeloterne var en gruppe ihærdige jødiske patrioter. De støttede det syn at alle mulige slags metoder kunne retfærdiggøres i kampen for at løsrive sig fra trældommen under det romerske åg.
1955 137:7.10 The Herodians were a purely political party that advocated emancipation from the direct Roman rule by a restoration of the Herodian dynasty.
2015 137:7.10 Herodianerne var et rendyrket politisk parti som støttede løsrivelsen fra romernes direkte overherredømme ved at man skulle genrejse Herodesdynastiet.
1955 137:7.11 In the very midst of Palestine there lived the Samaritans, with whom “the Jews had no dealings,” notwithstanding that they held many views similar to the Jewish teachings.
1955 137:7.12 All of these parties and sects, including the smaller Nazarite brotherhood, believed in the sometime coming of the Messiah. They all looked for a national deliverer. But Jesus was very positive in making it clear that he and his disciples would not become allied to any of these schools of thought or practice. The Son of Man was to be neither a Nazarite nor an Essene.
2015 137:7.12 Alle disse partier og sekter, deriblandt det noget mindre Nazarær broderskab, troede at Messias en dag skulle komme. Alle ventede de på en national befrier. Men Jesus gjorte det ganske udtrykkelig klart at han og hans disciple ikke skulle blive allieret med nogen af disse skolers udøvelses- eller tankeretninger. Menneskesønnen var hverken Nazaræer eller Essener.
1955 137:7.13 While Jesus later directed that the apostles should go forth, as John had, preaching the gospel and instructing believers, he laid emphasis on the proclamation of the “good tidings of the kingdom of heaven.” He unfailingly impressed upon his associates that they must “show forth love, compassion, and sympathy.” He early taught his followers that the kingdom of heaven was a spiritual experience having to do with the enthronement of God in the hearts of men.
2015 137:7.13 I det Jesus senere anmodede apostlene om at gå ud, sådan som Johannes havde gjort det, og fortælle om evangeliet og lære de troende op, lagde han vægt på at det var ”de gode nyheder om himmelriget” som skulle forkyndes[26]. Han lod aldrig være med at indprente overfor sine følgesvende at de måtte ”vise kærlighed, medfølelse og sympati.” Tidlig lærte han sine tilhængere at himmelriget var en åndelig erfaring som havde at gøre med at indsætte Gud i menneskenes hjerter.
1955 137:7.14 As they thus tarried before embarking on their active public preaching, Jesus and the seven spent two evenings each week at the synagogue in the study of the Hebrew scriptures. In later years after seasons of intense public work, the apostles looked back upon these four months as the most precious and profitable of all their association with the Master. Jesus taught these men all they could assimilate. He did not make the mistake of overteaching them. He did not precipitate confusion by the presentation of truth too far beyond their capacity to comprehend.
2015 137:7.14 Mens de altså ventede før de skulle begive sig ud på deres aktive forkyndelse overfor offentligheden, tilbragte Jesus og de syv to aftener hver uge i synagogen hvor de studerede de hebræiske skrifter. I de senere år efter perioder med intens arbejde overfor offentligheden, så apostlene tilbage på disse fire måneder som de bedste og mest værdifulde af al deres tid sammen med Mesteren. Jesus lærte disse mennesker alt det de var i stand til at tage ind. Han begik ikke den fejl at prøve at lære dem for meget. Han drev dem ikke til forvirring ved at præsentere sandheder langt over deres fatteevne.
8. SERMON ON THE KINGDOM
8. PRÆDIKEN OM GUDS RIGE
1955 137:8.1 On Sabbath, June 22, shortly before they went out on their first preaching tour and about ten days after John’s imprisonment, Jesus occupied the synagogue pulpit for the second time since bringing his apostles to Capernaum.
2015 137:8.1 På sabbatten den 22. juni, lige før de drog ud på deres første forkyndelsesrejse og omtrent ti dage efter at Johannes var kastet i fængsel, talte Jesus fra prædikestolen i synagogen for anden gang siden han kom med apostlene til Kapernaum.
1955 137:8.2 A few days before the preaching of this sermon on “The Kingdom,” as Jesus was at work in the boatshop, Peter brought him the news of John’s arrest. Jesus laid down his tools once more, removed his apron, and said to Peter: “The Father’s hour has come. Let us make ready to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom.”
2015 137:8.2 Nogle få dage før denne prædiken om ”Guds rige,” mens Jesus arbejdede i bådværkstedet, bragte Peter ham nyheden om at Johannes var blevet arresteret[27][28]. På ny lagde Jesus redskaberne fra sig, tog sit forklæde af og sagde til Peter: ”Faderens time er kommet. Lad os gøre os klar til at bekendtgøre evangeliet om Guds rige.”
1955 137:8.3 Jesus did his last work at the carpenter bench on this Tuesday, June 18, A.D. 26. Peter rushed out of the shop and by midafternoon had rounded up all of his associates, and leaving them in a grove by the shore, he went in quest of Jesus. But he could not find him, for the Master had gone to a different grove to pray. And they did not see him until late that evening when he returned to Zebedee’s house and asked for food. The next day he sent his brother James to ask for the privilege of speaking in the synagogue the coming Sabbath day. And the ruler of the synagogue was much pleased that Jesus was again willing to conduct the service.
2015 137:8.3 Jesus arbejdede ved snedkerbænken for sidste gang på denne tirsdag den 18. juni i år 26 e.Kr. Peter stormede ud af værkstedet, og hen på eftermiddagen havde han samlet alle sine følgesvende. Og mens han efterlod dem i en lund ved stranden, gik han for at lede efter Jesus. Men han kunne ikke finde ham, for Jesus var gået til en anden lund for at bede. Og de fik ham ikke at se før sent den aften da han vendte tilbage til Zebedæus hjem og bad om mad. Næste dag sendte han sin bror James for at spørge om det privilegium at tale i synagogen næste sabbatdag. Og synagogens øverste blev meget glad over at Jesus igen var villig til at lede gudstjenesten.
1955 137:8.4 Before Jesus preached this memorable sermon on the kingdom of God, the first pretentious effort of his public career, he read from the Scriptures these passages: “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy people. Yahweh is our judge, Yahweh is our lawgiver, Yahweh is our king; he will save us. Yahweh is my king and my God. He is a great king over all the earth. Loving-kindness is upon Israel in this kingdom. Blessed be the glory of the Lord for he is our King.”
2015 137:8.4 Før Jesus holdt denne mindeværdige prædiken om Guds rige, som var det første fordringsfulde fremstød i hans offentlige virke, læste han følgende uddrag af skriften op: ”I skal være for mig som et rige af præster, et helligt folk. Jahvé er vores dommer. Jahvé er vores lovgiver, Jahvé er vores konge; han skal frelse os. Jahve er min konge og min Gud. Han er en stor konge over hele jorden. Kærligfuld godhed er over Israel i hans rige[29]. Velsignet være Guds herlighed, for han er vores konge.”
2015 137:8.5 Da han var færdig med at læse, sagde Jesus:
1955 137:8.6 “I have come to proclaim the establishment of the Father’s kingdom. And this kingdom shall include the worshiping souls of Jew and gentile, rich and poor, free and bond, for my Father is no respecter of persons; his love and his mercy are over all.
1955 137:8.7 “The Father in heaven sends his spirit to indwell the minds of men, and when I shall have finished my work on earth, likewise shall the Spirit of Truth be poured out upon all flesh. And the spirit of my Father and the Spirit of Truth shall establish you in the coming kingdom of spiritual understanding and divine righteousness. My kingdom is not of this world. The Son of Man will not lead forth armies in battle for the establishment of a throne of power or a kingdom of worldly glory. When my kingdom shall have come, you shall know the Son of Man as the Prince of Peace, the revelation of the everlasting Father. The children of this world fight for the establishment and enlargement of the kingdoms of this world, but my disciples shall enter the kingdom of heaven by their moral decisions and by their spirit victories; and when they once enter therein, they shall find joy, righteousness, and eternal life.
2015 137:8.7 ”Faderen i himlen sender sin ånd for at dvæle i menneskesindene, og når jeg har fuldført mit arbejde på jorden, skal Sandhedens Ånd på samme vis udøses over alt kød. Og min Faders Ånd og Sandhedens Ånd skal føre dem ind i det kommende rige af åndelig forståelse og guddommelig retskaffenhed. Mit rige er ikke af denne verden. Menneskesønnen vil ikke lede hærstyrker i strid for at oprette en magtens trone eller et rige af verdslig pragt. Når mit rige er kommet, skal I kende Menneskesønnen som Fredsprinsen, åbenbaringen af den evige Fader. Denne verdens børn slås for at oprette og udvide denne verdens riger, men mine disciple skal træde ind i himmelriget i kraft af sine moralske beslutninger og sine åndelige sejre; og når de først er trådt ind i det, skal de finde glæde, retfærdighed og evig liv[31].
1955 137:8.8 “Those who first seek to enter the kingdom, thus beginning to strive for a nobility of character like that of my Father, shall presently possess all else that is needful. But I say to you in all sincerity: Unless you seek entrance into the kingdom with the faith and trusting dependence of a little child, you shall in no wise gain admission.
2015 137:8.8 ”De som først søger at træde ind i riget og derved begynder at stræbe efter en ædel karakterstyrke lig den min Fader kendes ved, skal herefter få alt hvad de behøver. Men jeg siger til jer i al oprigtighed; Om I ikke søger adgang til Guds rige med en tro og et tillidsfuld afhængighedsforhold som hos et lille barn, skal I på ingen måde få adgang[32].
1955 137:8.9 “Be not deceived by those who come saying here is the kingdom or there is the kingdom, for my Father’s kingdom concerns not things visible and material. And this kingdom is even now among you, for where the spirit of God teaches and leads the soul of man, there in reality is the kingdom of heaven. And this kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
2015 137:8.9 ”Lad jer ikke bedrage af dem som kommer og siger at riget er her eller riget er der, for min Faders rige angår ikke med det som er synlig og materielt. Og selv nu er dette rige hos jer, for der hvor Guds Ånd retleder menneskets sjæl, der findes i virkeligheden himmelriget. Og dette Guds rige er retskaffenhed, fred og glæde i den Hellige ånd[33].
1955 137:8.10 “John did indeed baptize you in token of repentance and for the remission of your sins, but when you enter the heavenly kingdom, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
1955 137:8.11 “In my Father’s kingdom there shall be neither Jew nor gentile, only those who seek perfection through service, for I declare that he who would be great in my Father’s kingdom must first become server of all. If you are willing to serve your fellows, you shall sit down with me in my kingdom, even as, by serving in the similitude of the creature, I shall presently sit down with my Father in his kingdom.
2015 137:8.11 ”I min Faders rige skal der hverken findes jøder eller ikke jøder, kun dem som søger at blive perfekte gennem at tjene, for jeg erklærer at den som vil blive stor i min Faders rige må først blive alles tjener. Hvis I er villige til at tjene jeres medmennesker, skal I også kunne sætte jer sammen med mig i mit rige, selv som jeg, ved at tjene dem som er af skabelsens skikkelse, herved skal sætte mig ved min Fader i hans rige[35].
1955 137:8.12 “This new kingdom is like a seed growing in the good soil of a field. It does not attain full fruit quickly. There is an interval of time between the establishment of the kingdom in the soul of man and that hour when the kingdom ripens into the full fruit of everlasting righteousness and eternal salvation.
1955 137:8.13 “And this kingdom which I declare to you is not a reign of power and plenty. The kingdom of heaven is not a matter of meat and drink but rather a life of progressive righteousness and increasing joy in the perfecting service of my Father who is in heaven. For has not the Father said of his children of the world, ‘It is my will that they should eventually be perfect, even as I am perfect.’
2015 137:8.13 ”Og dette rige som jeg bekendtgør for jer er ikke et regime af magt og velstand. Himmelriget drejer sig ikke om mad og drikke, men heller om et liv i øgende retskaffenhed og tiltagende glæde i stadig mere fuldkommen tjeneste for min Fader i himmelen. For har ikke Faderen sagt om denne verdens børn: ‘Det er min vilje at de med tiden bliver perfekte, ligesom jeg selv er perfekt.’[37]
1955 137:8.14 “I have come to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom. I have not come to add to the heavy burdens of those who would enter this kingdom. I proclaim the new and better way, and those who are able to enter the coming kingdom shall enjoy the divine rest. And whatever it shall cost you in the things of the world, no matter what price you may pay to enter the kingdom of heaven, you shall receive manyfold more of joy and spiritual progress in this world, and in the age to come eternal life.
2015 137:8.14 ”Jeg er kommet for at forkynde de glade nyheder om Guds rige. Jeg er ikke kommet for at lægge flere tunge byrder på dem som ønsker at træde ind i riget. Jeg bekendtgør den nye og bedre vej, og de som klarer at træde ind i det kommende rige skal nyde den guddommelige udhvilethed. Og hvad det end skal koste jer af det som hører denne verden til, uanset hvilken pris I betaler for at træde ind i himmelens rige, skal I få igen mange gange mere glæde og åndelig fremskridt i denne verden og i den tid som kommer, det evige liv[38].
1955 137:8.15 “Entrance into the Father’s kingdom waits not upon marching armies, upon overturned kingdoms of this world, nor upon the breaking of captive yokes. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, and all who enter therein shall find abundant liberty and joyous salvation.
2015 137:8.15 ”For at træde ind i Faderens rige behøver man ikke vente på marcherende hærstyrker eller at riget af denne verden skal styrtes i grus, eller at undertrykkernes åg skal sønderbrydes. Himmelens rige er for hånden, og alle de som træder ind i det, skal kende friheden i overflod og den glædelige frelse[39].
1955 137:8.16 “This kingdom is an everlasting dominion. Those who enter the kingdom shall ascend to my Father; they will certainly attain the right hand of his glory in Paradise. And all who enter the kingdom of heaven shall become the sons of God, and in the age to come so shall they ascend to the Father. And I have not come to call the would-be righteous but sinners and all who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of divine perfection.
2015 137:8.16 ”Dette Guds rige er et evigvarende herredømme. De som træder ind i riget skal stige op til min Fader, de vil så afgjort nå hans herligheds højre hånd i Paradis. Og alle som træder ind i himmelriget skal blive Guds sønner, og i tiden som kommer, skal de således stige op til Faderen. Og jeg er ikke kommet for at kalde på de selvudnævnte retfærdige, men på synderne og alle som hunger og tørster efter den guddommelige perfektions retskaffenhed[40].
1955 137:8.17 “John came preaching repentance to prepare you for the kingdom; now have I come proclaiming faith, the gift of God, as the price of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. If you would but believe that my Father loves you with an infinite love, then you are in the kingdom of God.”
1955 137:8.18 When he had thus spoken, he sat down. All who heard him were astonished at his words. His disciples marveled. But the people were not prepared to receive the good news from the lips of this God-man. About one third who heard him believed the message even though they could not fully comprehend it; about one third prepared in their hearts to reject such a purely spiritual concept of the expected kingdom, while the remaining one third could not grasp his teaching, many truly believing that he “was beside himself.”
2015 137:8.18 Da han havde sagt dette, satte han sig ned. Alle som hørte på, blev forbløffet over hans ord. Hans disciple forundrede sig. Men folk var ikke forberedt på at modtage de gode nyheder fra læberne af dette Gud-menneske. Omtrent en tredjedel af dem som hørte ham, troede på budskabet selv om de ikke helt kunne forstå det; omtrent en tredjedel forberedte sig i deres hjerter på at afvise en sådan rendyrket åndelig forestilling om det ventende rige, mens den sidste tredjedel ikke forstod hvad han sagde, og mange af dem troede at han ”ikke var ved sine fulde fem[42].”
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Kapitel 138. Træningen Af Rigets Budbringere |