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| Kapitel 138. Træningen Af Rigets Budbringere |
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Kapitel 140. Ordinationen Af De Tolv |
THE TWELVE APOSTLES
DE TOLV APOSTLE
1955 139:0.1 IT IS an eloquent testimony to the charm and righteousness of Jesus’ earth life that, although he repeatedly dashed to pieces the hopes of his apostles and tore to shreds their every ambition for personal exaltation, only one deserted him.
2015 139:0.1 Det er et velformuleret vidnesbyrd om hvad slags tiltrækningskraft Jesu jordeliv havde og hvor retskaffen han levede det, skønt det at selv om han gentagende gange knuste håbet hos sine apostle og rev hver eneste af deres ambitioner om personlig begejstring i stykker, var der kun en af dem som svigtede ham[1].
1955 139:0.2 The apostles learned from Jesus about the kingdom of heaven, and Jesus learned much from them about the kingdom of men, human nature as it lives on Urantia and on the other evolutionary worlds of time and space. These twelve men represented many different types of human temperament, and they had not been made alike by schooling. Many of these Galilean fishermen carried heavy strains of gentile blood as a result of the forcible conversion of the gentile population of Galilee one hundred years previously.
2015 139:0.2 Apostlene lærte af Jesus om himmelens rige, og Jesus lærte meget af dem om menneskenes rige; menneskenaturen som den udfolder sig på Urantia og på de andre udviklingsverdner i tid og rum. Disse tolv mænd repræsenterede mange forskellige temperamentstyper, og de var ikke gennem skolegang blevet gjort lige. Mange af disse galilæiske fiskere var til en stor grad af ikke jødisk blod som følge af den tvangsmæssige omvendelse af den ikke jødiske befolkning i Galilæa over et hundrede år tidligere.
1955 139:0.3 Do not make the mistake of regarding the apostles as being altogether ignorant and unlearned. All of them, except the Alpheus twins, were graduates of the synagogue schools, having been thoroughly trained in the Hebrew scriptures and in much of the current knowledge of that day. Seven were graduates of the Capernaum synagogue schools, and there were no better Jewish schools in all Galilee.
2015 139:0.3 Gør ikke den fejltagelse at betragte apostlene som værende aldeles uvidende eller uskolede. De var alle, undtagen Alfeus tvillingerne, blevet eksamineret ved synagogeskolerne og var blevet grundigt oplært i de hebraiske skrifter og i meget af den tids almene kundskab. Syv af dem havde gået på synagogeskolerne i Kapernaum, og der fandtes ingen bedre jødiske skoler i hele Galilæa.
1955 139:0.4 When your records refer to these messengers of the kingdom as being “ignorant and unlearned,” it was intended to convey the idea that they were laymen, unlearned in the lore of the rabbis and untrained in the methods of rabbinical interpretation of the Scriptures. They were lacking in so-called higher education. In modern times they would certainly be considered uneducated, and in some circles of society even uncultured. One thing is certain: They had not all been put through the same rigid and stereotyped educational curriculum. From adolescence on they had enjoyed separate experiences of learning how to live.
2015 139:0.4 Når jeres skrifter refererer til disse Guds riges budbringere som “uvidende og uskolede,” var det ment for at give et indtryk af at de var lægfolk, uskolede i rabbiernes tankeverden og utrænede i metoderne for rabbinsk tolkning af skrifterne[2]. De manglede en såkaldt højere uddannelse. I moderne tid ville de bestemt kunne beskrives som uskolede og i nogle samfundsklasser til og med som kulturløse. Men en ting er sikkert: De var ikke alle sammen blevet kørt gennem det samme stivbenet og standardiseret skolepensum. Fra ungdomstid af havde de kunne glæde sig over at have lært forskelligartede erfaringer når det gjaldt om hvordan man burde leve.
1. ANDREW, THE FIRST CHOSEN
1. ANDREAS, DEN FØRST UDVALGTE
1955 139:1.1 Andrew, chairman of the apostolic corps of the kingdom, was born in Capernaum. He was the oldest child in a family of five—himself, his brother Simon, and three sisters. His father, now dead, had been a partner of Zebedee in the fish-drying business at Bethsaida, the fishing harbor of Capernaum. When he became an apostle, Andrew was unmarried but made his home with his married brother, Simon Peter. Both were fishermen and partners of James and John the sons of Zebedee.
2015 139:1.1 Andreas, formand for riges apostelkorps, var født i Kapernaum[3]. Han var det ældste barn i en familie på fem: ham selv, hans bror Simon og tre søstre. Hans far, som nu var død, havde været en partner af Zebedæus i fisketørrings virksomheden i Betsaida, som var Kapernaums fiskerihavn. Da Andreas blev en apostel, var han ugift og boede hos sin gifte bror Simon Peter. Begge var fiskere og partnere med Zebedæus sønnerne James og Johannes.
1955 139:1.2 In A.D. 26, the year he was chosen as an apostle, Andrew was 33, a full year older than Jesus and the oldest of the apostles. He sprang from an excellent line of ancestors and was the ablest man of the twelve. Excepting oratory, he was the peer of his associates in almost every imaginable ability. Jesus never gave Andrew a nickname, a fraternal designation. But even as the apostles soon began to call Jesus Master, so they also designated Andrew by a term the equivalent of Chief.
2015 139:1.2 I år 26 e.Kr. da han blev udvalgt til apostel, var Andreas 33 år, et helt år ældre end Jesus og den ældste af apostlene. Han udgik fra et udmærket stamtræ og var den bedst egnet af de tolv. Bortset fra manglende talegaver, var han den bedste blandt sine følgesvende i næsten alle tænkelige discipliner. Jesus gav aldrig Andreas noget øgenavn, en broderlig betegnelse. Men eftersom apostlene snart begyndte at kalde Jesus for Mester, brugte de også et navn på Andreas som svarer til chef.
1955 139:1.3 Andrew was a good organizer but a better administrator. He was one of the inner circle of four apostles, but his appointment by Jesus as the head of the apostolic group made it necessary for him to remain on duty with his brethren while the other three enjoyed very close communion with the Master. To the very end Andrew remained dean of the apostolic corps.
2015 139:1.3 Andreas var en god organisator men en endnu bedre administrator. Han var en af den indre kerne af fire apostle, men fordi Jesus havde udpeget ham som lederen for gruppen af apostle, blev det i denne stilling nødvendig for ham at blive i tjeneste med sine brødre mens de andre tre kunne nyde godt af et meget nært samkvem med Mesteren. Andreas forblev lederen for apostelkorpset helt til slutningen.
1955 139:1.4 Although Andrew was never an effective preacher, he was an efficient personal worker, being the pioneer missionary of the kingdom in that, as the first chosen apostle, he immediately brought to Jesus his brother, Simon, who subsequently became one of the greatest preachers of the kingdom. Andrew was the chief supporter of Jesus’ policy of utilizing the program of personal work as a means of training the twelve as messengers of the kingdom.
2015 139:1.4 Selv om Andreas aldrig var nogen vellykket prædikant, var han en dygtig personlig arbejder og blev en pioner missionær for riget ved at han som den først udvalgte apostel straks bragte sin bror frem for Jesus, og denne bror Simon blev senere en af rigets mest effektive forkyndere[4]. Andreas var hovedstøtten for Jesus fremgangsmåde ved at bruge det personlige arbejde som en måde til at optræne de tolv til at blive budbringere for Guds rige.
1955 139:1.5 Whether Jesus privately taught the apostles or preached to the multitude, Andrew was usually conversant with what was going on; he was an understanding executive and an efficient administrator. He rendered a prompt decision on every matter brought to his notice unless he deemed the problem one beyond the domain of his authority, in which event he would take it straight to Jesus.
2015 139:1.5 Hvad enten Jesus gav apostlene privat oplæring eller forkyndte overfor masserne, var Andreas som regel fortrolig med det som foregik; han var en forstående iværksætter og en effektiv administrator. Han tog altid en hurtig afgørelse når en sag blev lagt frem for ham, med mindre han vurderede at problemet lå udenfor hans autoritetsområde; i så fald ville han straks bringe det videre til Jesus.
1955 139:1.6 Andrew and Peter were very unlike in character and temperament, but it must be recorded everlastingly to their credit that they got along together splendidly. Andrew was never jealous of Peter’s oratorical ability. Not often will an older man of Andrew’s type be observed exerting such a profound influence over a younger and talented brother. Andrew and Peter never seemed to be in the least jealous of each other’s abilities or achievements. Late on the evening of the day of Pentecost, when, largely through the energetic and inspiring preaching of Peter, two thousand souls were added to the kingdom, Andrew said to his brother: “I could not do that, but I am glad I have a brother who could.” To which Peter replied: “And but for your bringing me to the Master and by your steadfastness keeping me with him, I should not have been here to do this.” Andrew and Peter were the exceptions to the rule, proving that even brothers can live together peaceably and work together effectively.
2015 139:1.6 Andreas og Jesus var meget forskellige i karakter og temperament, men det hører for altid, til deres ære, med i beretningen at de kom særdeles storartet overens. Andreas blev aldrig misundelig over Peters oratoriske evner. Ikke så ofte vil man kunne se en ældre mand af Andreas type have en dybtgående indflydelse over en yngre og talentfuld bror. Andreas og Peter så aldrig ud til at blive det allermindste misundelige på den andens evner eller præstationer. Sent på pinsedagsaftenen da to tusinde sjæle, for en stor dels vedkommende takket være Peters energiske og inspirerende forkyndelse, blev føjet til Guds rige, sagde Andreas til sin bror: “Jeg kunne aldrig have gjort det der, men jeg er glad for at have en bror som kunne[5].” Hvorpå Peter svarede: “Og havde det ikke været fordi at du førte mig til Mesteren og med beslutsomhed sørgede for at holde mig hos ham, ville jeg ikke have været her for at gøre dette.” Andreas og Peter var undtagelse fra reglen, et bevis på at selv brødre kan leve sammen i fred og arbejde effektivt sammen.
1955 139:1.8 Of all the apostles, Andrew was the best judge of men. He knew that trouble was brewing in the heart of Judas Iscariot even when none of the others suspected that anything was wrong with their treasurer; but he told none of them his fears. Andrew’s great service to the kingdom was in advising Peter, James, and John concerning the choice of the first missionaries who were sent out to proclaim the gospel, and also in counseling these early leaders about the organization of the administrative affairs of the kingdom. Andrew had a great gift for discovering the hidden resources and latent talents of young people.
2015 139:1.8 Af alle apostlene var Andreas den bedste menneskekender. Han vidste, at der var bekymring i gære i Judas Iskariots hjerte før nogen af de andre havde nogen mistanke om at noget var galt med deres kasserer; men han fortalte ingen af dem om sin frygt. Andreas store tjeneste for Guds rige lå i at være rådgiver for Peter, James og Johannes når det gjaldt om at udvælge de første missionærer som blev sendt ud for at forkynde evangeliet, og også i at give disse første ledere råd om de administrative sider ved Guds rige. Andreas havde et stort talent for at opdage de skjulte ressourcer og den latente evne rigdom hos unge mennesker.
1955 139:1.9 Very soon after Jesus’ ascension on high, Andrew began the writing of a personal record of many of the sayings and doings of his departed Master. After Andrew’s death other copies of this private record were made and circulated freely among the early teachers of the Christian church. These informal notes of Andrew’s were subsequently edited, amended, altered, and added to until they made up a fairly consecutive narrative of the Master’s life on earth. The last of these few altered and amended copies was destroyed by fire at Alexandria about one hundred years after the original was written by the first chosen of the twelve apostles.
2015 139:1.9 Meget snart efter Jesus opstigning til det høje, begyndte Andreas at skrive en personlig optegnelse over mange af hans afdøde Mesters udsagn og gerninger. Efter Andreas død blev der lavet flere kopier af disse private nedskrivninger som cirkulerede frit blandt de første lærere i den kristne kirke. Disse uformelle notater fra Andreas hånd blev senere redigeret, bearbejdet, ændret og pudset på indtil de blev til en nogenlunde sammenhængende beretning om Mesterens liv på jorden. Den sidste af disse ændrede og bearbejdede kopier blev ødelagt i en brand i Alexandria omtrent hundrede år efter at originalen blev skrevet af den først udvalgte af de tolv apostle.
1955 139:1.10 Andrew was a man of clear insight, logical thought, and firm decision, whose great strength of character consisted in his superb stability. His temperamental handicap was his lack of enthusiasm; he many times failed to encourage his associates by judicious commendation. And this reticence to praise the worthy accomplishments of his friends grew out of his abhorrence of flattery and insincerity. Andrew was one of those all-round, even-tempered, self-made, and successful men of modest affairs.
2015 139:1.10 Andreas var en mand med klar indsigt, logisk sans og fast beslutsomhed. Hans stærkeste karaktertræk var hans fortræffelige stabilitet. Hans temperaments handicap var hans mangel på begejstring; mange gange undlod han at give sine følgesvende kloge opmuntringer. Og denne tilbageholdenhed når det gjaldt at give ros til sine venner for det positive de havde opnået, kom sig fra hans afsky for smiger og mangel på oprigtighed. Andreas var en af disse alsidige, følelsesmæssig afbalanceret, selvstændige og vellykkede mennesker som arbejdede i beskedne forhold.
1955 139:1.11 Every one of the apostles loved Jesus, but it remains true that each of the twelve was drawn toward him because of some certain trait of personality which made a special appeal to the individual apostle. Andrew admired Jesus because of his consistent sincerity, his unaffected dignity. When men once knew Jesus, they were possessed with the urge to share him with their friends; they really wanted all the world to know him.
2015 139:1.11 Hver eneste af apostlene elskede Jesus, men det forbliver sandt at hver af de tolv var tiltrukket af ham på grund af et eller anden iøjnefaldende personlighedstræk som appellerede specielt til den enkelte apostel. Andreas beundrede Jesus på grund af hans gennemførte oprigtighed, hans uanfægtede værdighed. Når folk først var blevet kendt med Jesus, blev de ivrige efter at dele ham med deres venner; de ønskede virkelig at hele verden skulle kende ham.
1955 139:1.12 When the later persecutions finally scattered the apostles from Jerusalem, Andrew journeyed through Armenia, Asia Minor, and Macedonia and, after bringing many thousands into the kingdom, was finally apprehended and crucified in Patrae in Achaia. It was two full days before this robust man expired on the cross, and throughout these tragic hours he continued effectively to proclaim the glad tidings of the salvation of the kingdom of heaven.
2015 139:1.12 Senere, da forfølgelserne til slut fik apostlene til at drage i forskellige retninger bort fra Jerusalem, tog Andreas vejen gennem Armenia, Lilleasien og Makedonien, og efter at have bragt mange tusinder ind i Guds rige, blev han til sidst pågrebet og korsfæstet i Patrae i Akaia. Der gik hele to dage før denne robuste mand udåndede på korset, og i løbet af disse tragiske timer fortsatte han med virkningsfuldt at forkynde himmelrigets glade budskab om frelse.
2. SIMON PETER
2. SIMON PETER
1955 139:2.2 The Master had known Simon for some time before Andrew presented him as the second of the apostles. When Jesus gave Simon the name Peter, he did it with a smile; it was to be a sort of nickname. Simon was well known to all his friends as an erratic and impulsive fellow. True, later on, Jesus did attach a new and significant import to this lightly bestowed nickname.
2015 139:2.2 Mesteren havde kendt Simon nogen tid før Andreas præsenterede ham som den anden apostel[10][11]. Da Jesus gav Simon navnet Peter, gjorde han det med et smil; det kom til at blive et slags øgenavn[12]. Simon var godt kendt blandt alle sine venner som en uberegnelig og impulsiv fyr. Sandt nok fæstede Jesus senere en ny og meningsfuld betydning til dette øgenavn som han så uhøjtidelig havde givet ham[13].
1955 139:2.3 Simon Peter was a man of impulse, an optimist. He had grown up permitting himself freely to indulge strong feelings; he was constantly getting into difficulties because he persisted in speaking without thinking. This sort of thoughtlessness also made incessant trouble for all of his friends and associates and was the cause of his receiving many mild rebukes from his Master. The only reason Peter did not get into more trouble because of his thoughtless speaking was that he very early learned to talk over many of his plans and schemes with his brother, Andrew, before he ventured to make public proposals.
2015 139:2.3 Simon Peter var en impulsiv mand, en optimist. Han var vokset op som en der frit tillod sig selv at give efter for stærke følelser; han rodede sig altid ind i vanskeligheder fordi han fortsatte med at tale uden at tænke sig om. Denne form for tankeløshed forårsagede ustandselig bryderi for alle hans venner og følgesvende og gjorde at han pådrog sig mange milde irettesættelser fra sin Mester. Den eneste grund til at Peter ikke havnede i endnu mere bryderi på grund af sine tankeløse udtalelser var at han meget tidlig lærte at snakke med sin bror Andreas om mange af sine planer før han gik ud med dem offentlig.
1955 139:2.4 Peter was a fluent speaker, eloquent and dramatic. He was also a natural and inspirational leader of men, a quick thinker but not a deep reasoner. He asked many questions, more than all the apostles put together, and while the majority of these questions were good and relevant, many of them were thoughtless and foolish. Peter did not have a deep mind, but he knew his mind fairly well. He was therefore a man of quick decision and sudden action. While others talked in their astonishment at seeing Jesus on the beach, Peter jumped in and swam ashore to meet the Master.
2015 139:2.4 Peter var en dygtig taler; velformuleret og dramatisk. Han havde også naturlige leder-egenskaber og var god til at inspirere folk; han var hurtigtænker, men ingen dybsindige tanker. Han stilede mange spørgsmål, flere end alle de andre apostle sammenlagt, og selv om de fleste af disse spørgsmål var gode og relevante, var mange af dem tankeløse og tåbelige. Peter havde ikke et dybtgående sind, men han kendte sit sind ganske godt. Derfor var han en mand som tog raske beslutninger og umiddelbart gik i aktion. Mens de andre gav verbalt udtryk for hvor overrasket de blev over at se Jesus på stranden, hoppede Peter i og svømmede i land for at komme Mesteren i møde[14].
1955 139:2.5 The one trait which Peter most admired in Jesus was his supernal tenderness. Peter never grew weary of contemplating Jesus’ forbearance. He never forgot the lesson about forgiving the wrongdoer, not only seven times but seventy times and seven. He thought much about these impressions of the Master’s forgiving character during those dark and dismal days immediately following his thoughtless and unintended denial of Jesus in the high priest’s courtyard.
2015 139:2.5 Den egenskab Peter beundrede mest hos Jesus, var hans enestående mildhed[15]. Peter blev aldrig træt af at undre sig over Jesu overbærenhed. Han glemte aldrig lektie om at tilgive ugerningsmanden ikke bare syv gange, men heller syvoghalvfjerds gange. Han tænkte meget på disse indtryk af Mesterens tilgivende egenskaber under de tunge og bedrøvelige dage som fulgte umiddelbart efter at han tankeløst og umotiveret havde fornægtet Jesus på ypperstepræstens gårdsplads[16].
1955 139:2.6 Simon Peter was distressingly vacillating; he would suddenly swing from one extreme to the other. First he refused to let Jesus wash his feet and then, on hearing the Master’s reply, begged to be washed all over. But, after all, Jesus knew that Peter’s faults were of the head and not of the heart. He was one of the most inexplicable combinations of courage and cowardice that ever lived on earth. His great strength of character was loyalty, friendship. Peter really and truly loved Jesus. And yet despite this towering strength of devotion he was so unstable and inconstant that he permitted a servant girl to tease him into denying his Lord and Master. Peter could withstand persecution and any other form of direct assault, but he withered and shrank before ridicule. He was a brave soldier when facing a frontal attack, but he was a fear-cringing coward when surprised with an assault from the rear.
2015 139:2.6 Simon Peter var frustrerende holdningsløs; han kunne pludselig svinge fra den ene yderlighed til den anden[17]. Først nægtede han Jesus at vaske hans fødder for så, da han hørte Mesterens svar, at bønfalde ham om at blive vasket over det hele. Men trods alt vidste Jesus at Peters svage sider lå i hans hoved og ikke i hjertet. Han var en af de mest uforklarlige kombinationer af mod og fejhed som nogensinde har levet på jorden. Hans stærke karaktertræk var hans loyalitet og venskabsånd. Peter elskede virkelig Jesus oprigtig[18]. Og alligevel var han på trods af denne kraftige styrke i hans hengivelse så ustabil og inkonsekvent at han lod en tjenestepige lokke ham til at fornægte sin Herre og Mester. Peter kunne modstå forfølgelse og en hvilken som helst anden form for direkte angreb, men han blev bragt til tavshed og veg tilbage når han blev latterliggjort. Han var en tapper soldat når han blev angrebet forfra, men han var en forskræmt kujon når han blev overrumplet bagfra.
1955 139:2.7 Peter was the first of Jesus’ apostles to come forward to defend the work of Philip among the Samaritans and Paul among the gentiles; yet later on at Antioch he reversed himself when confronted by ridiculing Judaizers, temporarily withdrawing from the gentiles only to bring down upon his head the fearless denunciation of Paul.
2015 139:2.7 Peter var den første af Jesu apostle som stod frem og forsvarede Filips arbejde blandt samaritanerne og ikke jøderne, og alligevel gjorde han senere det modsatte i Antiokia efter at have været blevet konfronteret med latterliggørelse af dem som forsvarede de jødiske skikke[19][20]. Da trak han sig midlertidig tilbage fra ikke jøderne for kun så at påtage sig Paulus uforfærdet fordømmelse.
1955 139:2.8 He was the first one of the apostles to make wholehearted confession of Jesus’ combined humanity and divinity and the first—save Judas—to deny him. Peter was not so much of a dreamer, but he disliked to descend from the clouds of ecstasy and the enthusiasm of dramatic indulgence to the plain and matter-of-fact world of reality.
2015 139:2.8 Han var den første af apostlene som helhjertet bekendte sin tro på Jesus kombinerede menneskelighed og guddommelighed og den første; bortset fra Judas; til at fornægte ham. Peter var ikke så meget en drømmer, men han brød sig ikke om at komme ned fra ekstasens skyer og entusiasmen af den sensationelle nydelse til den jordnære og prosaiske virkelighed.
1955 139:2.9 In following Jesus, literally and figuratively, he was either leading the procession or else trailing behind—“following afar off.” But he was the outstanding preacher of the twelve; he did more than any other one man, aside from Paul, to establish the kingdom and send its messengers to the four corners of the earth in one generation.
2015 139:2.9 Når han fulgte Jesus, både bogstavelig og i billedlig forstand, var han enten den som ledede processionen eller den som kom traskende bagefter; “i følge på lang afstand[21].” Men han var den mest fremtrædende forkynder blandt de tolv; han gjorde mere end nogen anden enkeltperson bortset fra Paulus for at etablere Guds rige og sende dets budbringere til alle jordens yderkanter i løbet af en generation.
1955 139:2.10 After his rash denials of the Master he found himself, and with Andrew’s sympathetic and understanding guidance he again led the way back to the fish nets while the apostles tarried to find out what was to happen after the crucifixion. When he was fully assured that Jesus had forgiven him and knew he had been received back into the Master’s fold, the fires of the kingdom burned so brightly within his soul that he became a great and saving light to thousands who sat in darkness.
2015 139:2.10 Efter at han så ubesindigt havde fornægtet Mesteren, kom han til hægterne igen, og med hjælp fra Andreas sympatiserende og forstående ledelse tog han igen ledelsen for at få apostlene tilbage til fiskegarnene da de afventede og lurede på hvad der ville ske efter korsfæstelsen. Da han følte sig helt sikker på at Jesus havde tilgivet ham, og da han vidste at han var modtaget tilbage i Mesterens flok igen, brændte Guds riges flammer så kraftig i hans sjæl at han blev et stort og frelsende lys for tusinder som sad i mørket.
1955 139:2.11 After leaving Jerusalem and before Paul became the leading spirit among the gentile Christian churches, Peter traveled extensively, visiting all the churches from Babylon to Corinth. He even visited and ministered to many of the churches which had been raised up by Paul. Although Peter and Paul differed much in temperament and education, even in theology, they worked together harmoniously for the upbuilding of the churches during their later years.
2015 139:2.11 Efter at have forladt Jerusalem og før Paulus blev den ledende ånd blandt de ikke jødiske kristne kirker, foretog Peter omfattende rejser og besøgte alle kirkerne fra Babylon til Korinth. Han besøgte til og med og tjenestegjorde i mange af de kirker som Paulus havde rejst. Selv om Peter og Paulus var temmelig forskellige både når det gjaldt temperament og uddannelse selv i teologisk overbevisning, arbejdede de på deres senere dage harmonisk sammen for at opbygge kirkesamfundene.
1955 139:2.12 Something of Peter’s style and teaching is shown in the sermons partially recorded by Luke and in the Gospel of Mark. His vigorous style was better shown in his letter known as the First Epistle of Peter; at least this was true before it was subsequently altered by a disciple of Paul.
2015 139:2.12 Lidt af Peters stil og lære kommer til syne i de prædikener som delvis er nedskrevet af Lukas, og i Markus evangeliet. Hans livskraftige stil kommer tydeligere til udtryk i hans brev som er kendt som Peters Første Brev; i det mindste gjorde det før det senere blev ændret af en af Paulus disciple.
1955 139:2.13 But Peter persisted in making the mistake of trying to convince the Jews that Jesus was, after all, really and truly the Jewish Messiah. Right up to the day of his death, Simon Peter continued to suffer confusion in his mind between the concepts of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, Christ as the world’s redeemer, and the Son of Man as the revelation of God, the loving Father of all mankind.
2015 139:2.13 Men Peter fortsatte med at begå den fejl at prøve at overbevise jøderne om at Jesus til syvende og sidst var den sande jødiske Messias. Helt til sin dødsdag næret Simon Peter forvirring i sit sind mellem begreberne om Jesus som den jødiske Messias, Kristus som verdens befrier og Menneskesønnen som åbenbaringen af Gud, hele menneskehedens kærlige Fader.
1955 139:2.14 Peter’s wife was a very able woman. For years she labored acceptably as a member of the women’s corps, and when Peter was driven out of Jerusalem, she accompanied him upon all his journeys to the churches as well as on all his missionary excursions. And the day her illustrious husband yielded up his life, she was thrown to the wild beasts in the arena at Rome.
2015 139:2.14 Peters kone var en dygtig kvinde. I flere år gjorde hun en kærkommen indsats som medlem af kvindekorpset, og da Peter blev drevet ud af Jerusalem, fulgte hun med ham på alle rejserne til menighederne såvel som på hans missionsudflugter. Samme dag som hendes berømmelige mand gav afkald på sit liv, blev hun kastet for vilddyrene på arenaen i Rom.
1955 139:2.15 And so this man Peter, an intimate of Jesus, one of the inner circle, went forth from Jerusalem proclaiming the glad tidings of the kingdom with power and glory until the fullness of his ministry had been accomplished; and he regarded himself as the recipient of high honors when his captors informed him that he must die as his Master had died—on the cross. And thus was Simon Peter crucified in Rome.
2015 139:2.15 Så drog denne mand Peter, fra Jesu inderste kreds, ud fra Jerusalem for at forkynde riges glade budskab med kraft og herlighed helt til hans tjenestetid havde nået sin fuldbyrdelse; og han betragtede sig selv som modtageren af høje æresbevisninger da de som tog ham til fange informerede ham om at han skulle dø som hans Mester var død; på korset. Og dermed blev Simon Peter korsfæstet i Rom.
3. JAMES ZEBEDEE
3. JAMES ZEBEDÆUS
1955 139:3.1 James, the older of the two apostle sons of Zebedee, whom Jesus nicknamed “sons of thunder,” was thirty years old when he became an apostle. He was married, had four children, and lived near his parents in the outskirts of Capernaum, Bethsaida. He was a fisherman, plying his calling in company with his younger brother John and in association with Andrew and Simon. James and his brother John enjoyed the advantage of having known Jesus longer than any of the other apostles.
2015 139:3.1 James, den ældste af Zebedæus to apostle sønner, og som Jesus gav øgenavnet “torden sønner,” var tredive år da han blev en apostel[22][23]. Han var gift, havde fire børn og boede lige ved sine forældre i udkanten af Kapernaum, Betsaida. Han var fisker og fulgte sit kald sammen med sin yngre bror Johannes og med Andreas og Simon. James og bror Johannes nød fordelen af at have kendt Jesus længere end nogen af de andre apostle.
1955 139:3.2 This able apostle was a temperamental contradiction; he seemed really to possess two natures, both of which were actuated by strong feelings. He was particularly vehement when his indignation was once fully aroused. He had a fiery temper when once it was adequately provoked, and when the storm was over, he was always wont to justify and excuse his anger under the pretense that it was wholly a manifestation of righteous indignation. Except for these periodic upheavals of wrath, James’s personality was much like that of Andrew. He did not have Andrew’s discretion or insight into human nature, but he was a much better public speaker. Next to Peter, unless it was Matthew, James was the best public orator among the twelve.
2015 139:3.2 Denne dygtige apostel var en temperamentsfuld modsigelse; han så virkelig ud til at være af dobbelt natur, og begge sider af ham blev udløst af stærke følelser. Han blev specielt heftig når hans indignation først var blevet udløst til fulde. Han havde et voldsomt temperament når det blev behørig fremkaldt og når stormen var over, ville han altid prøve at retfærdiggøre og undskylde sit raseri under foregivende af at det fuldt ud var en manifestation af retfærdig vrede. Bortset fra disse periodiske vredesudbrud var James personlighed meget lig Andreas. Han havde ikke Andreas sans for diskretion eller hans indsigt i menneskenaturen, men han var en meget bedre offentlig talsmand. Udover Peter var det James, når det ikke var Mattæus, som var den bedste folketaler af de tolv.
1955 139:3.3 Though James was in no sense moody, he could be quiet and taciturn one day and a very good talker and storyteller the next. He usually talked freely with Jesus, but among the twelve, for days at a time he was the silent man. His one great weakness was these spells of unaccountable silence.
2015 139:3.3 Selv om James ikke på nogen måde var humørsyg, kunne han være stilfærdig og indadvendt den ene dag og meget god til at snakke og fortælle historier den næste. Han plejede at snakke frit ud med Jesus, men ud af de tolv var han i dagevis den tavse blandt dem. Hans ene store svaghed var disse perioder af uforklarlig tavshed.
1955 139:3.4 The outstanding feature of James’s personality was his ability to see all sides of a proposition. Of all the twelve, he came the nearest to grasping the real import and significance of Jesus’ teaching. He, too, was slow at first to comprehend the Master’s meaning, but ere they had finished their training, he had acquired a superior concept of Jesus’ message. James was able to understand a wide range of human nature; he got along well with the versatile Andrew, the impetuous Peter, and his self-contained brother John.
2015 139:3.4 Det mest enestående træk ved James personlighed var hans evne til at se alle sider af en sag. Af alle de tolv var han den som kom nærmest det at fatte den virkelige mening med Jesu lære og hvilken påvirkningskraft den kom til at få. Han havde også i begyndelsen svært ved at opfatte Mesterens mening, men før de var færdige med deres oplæring, havde han tilegnet sig en indgående forståelse af Jesu budskab. James var i stand til at forstå et bredt spektrum af menneskenaturen; han kom godt overens med den alsidige Andreas, den fremfusende Peter og hans selvbeherskede bror Johannes.
1955 139:3.5 Though James and John had their troubles trying to work together, it was inspiring to observe how well they got along. They did not succeed quite so well as Andrew and Peter, but they did much better than would ordinarily be expected of two brothers, especially such headstrong and determined brothers. But, strange as it may seem, these two sons of Zebedee were much more tolerant of each other than they were of strangers. They had great affection for one another; they had always been happy playmates. It was these “sons of thunder” who wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy the Samaritans who presumed to show disrespect for their Master. But the untimely death of James greatly modified the vehement temperament of his younger brother John.
2015 139:3.5 Selv om James og Johannes nok havde deres problemer med at forsøge at samarbejde, var det inspirerende at observere hvor godt de kom overens. De klarede det ikke fuldt ud så godt som Andreas og Peter, men de klarede sig meget bedre end man sædvanligvis kunne vente sig af to brødre, særlig så pågående og beslutsomme brødre som dem. Men, hvor underligt det end måtte synes, var disse to Zebedæus sønner meget mere tolerante overfor hinanden end overfor fremmede. De havde stor omtanke for hinanden; de havde altid været lykkelige legekammerater. Det var disse ‘torden sønner’ som ønskede at påkalde ild ned fra oven for at tilintetgøre de samaritanere som vovede at vise respektløshed overfor deres Mester[24]. Men James alt for tidlig død lage en kraftig dæmper på den yngre bror Johannes heftige temperament.
1955 139:3.6 That characteristic of Jesus which James most admired was the Master’s sympathetic affection. Jesus’ understanding interest in the small and the great, the rich and the poor, made a great appeal to him.
2015 139:3.6 Det karaktertræk ved Jesus som James beundrede mest, var Mesterens venlige medmenneskelighed. Jesu forstående interesse for de små og de store, de rige og de fattige, appellerede stærkt til ham.
1955 139:3.7 James Zebedee was a well-balanced thinker and planner. Along with Andrew, he was one of the more level-headed of the apostolic group. He was a vigorous individual but was never in a hurry. He was an excellent balance wheel for Peter.
2015 139:3.7 James Zebedæus var en afbalanceret tænker og planlægger. Sammen med Andreas var han en af de besindigste blandt apostlene. Han var et livskraftig menneske, men havde aldrig travlt. Han fungerede udmærket som et afbalancerende element for Peter.
1955 139:3.8 He was modest and undramatic, a daily server, an unpretentious worker, seeking no special reward when he once grasped something of the real meaning of the kingdom. And even in the story about the mother of James and John, who asked that her sons be granted places on the right hand and the left hand of Jesus, it should be remembered that it was the mother who made this request. And when they signified that they were ready to assume such responsibilities, it should be recognized that they were cognizant of the dangers accompanying the Master’s supposed revolt against the Roman power, and that they were also willing to pay the price. When Jesus asked if they were ready to drink the cup, they replied that they were. And as concerns James, it was literally true—he did drink the cup with the Master, seeing that he was the first of the apostles to experience martyrdom, being early put to death with the sword by Herod Agrippa. James was thus the first of the twelve to sacrifice his life upon the new battle line of the kingdom. Herod Agrippa feared James above all the other apostles. He was indeed often quiet and silent, but he was brave and determined when his convictions were aroused and challenged.
2015 139:3.8 Han var beskeden og udramatisk, en dagliglivets tjener, en uprætentiøs arbejder, som ikke prøvede at opnå nogen speciel belønning når noget af Guds riges virkelige mening først var gået op for ham. Selv i beretningen om James og Johannes mor som bad om at hendes sønner skulle tildeles plads ved Jesu højre og venstre hånd, må man huske på at det var moderen som kom med denne forespørgsel[25]. Når de tilkendegav at de var rede til at påtage sig et sådan ansvar, bør man være klar over at de kendte til hvilke farer det medførte at deltage i Mesterens formodede oprør mod Romerriget, og at de var villige til at betale prisen. Da Jesus spurgte om de var villige til at tømme bægeret, svarede de at det var de[26]. Og hvad James angår, var det bogstavelig talt sandt; han tømte faktisk bægeret sammen med Mesteren og han blev siden den første af apostlene til at lide martyrdøden; han mistede tidlig livet under Herodes Agrippas sværd[27]. James var den første af de tolv som ofrede livet i Guds riges nye frontlinje. Herodes Agrippa frygtede meget mere for James end for alle de andre apostle. Han var faktisk ofte stilfærdig og tavs, men han var modig og beslutsom når hans overbevisninger blev tændt og udfordret.
1955 139:3.9 James lived his life to the full, and when the end came, he bore himself with such grace and fortitude that even his accuser and informer, who attended his trial and execution, was so touched that he rushed away from the scene of James’s death to join himself to the disciples of Jesus.
2015 139:3.9 James levede sit liv til fulde, og da slutningen kom, optrådte han med en sådan elskværdighed og indre styrke at selv ham som anklagede ham og angav ham og som var til stede under retssagen mod ham og under eksekutionen, blev så dybt grebet at han hastede af sted fra James dødsscene for at slutte sig til Jesu disciple.
4. JOHN ZEBEDEE
4. JOHANNES ZEBEDÆUS
1955 139:4.1 When he became an apostle, John was twenty-four years old and was the youngest of the twelve. He was unmarried and lived with his parents at Bethsaida; he was a fisherman and worked with his brother James in partnership with Andrew and Peter. Both before and after becoming an apostle, John functioned as the personal agent of Jesus in dealing with the Master’s family, and he continued to bear this responsibility as long as Mary the mother of Jesus lived.
2015 139:4.1 Da Johannes blev apostel var han fireogtyve år gammel og den yngste af de tolv[28]. Han var ugift og boede hos sine forældre i Betsaida; han var fisker og arbejdede sammen med sin bror James i partnerskab med Andreas og Peter. Både før og efter at han blev en apostel, fungerede Johannes som Jesu personlige hjælper i anliggender som vedrørte Mesterens familie, og han forsatte med at påtage sig dette ansvar så længe Jesu mor Maria var i live.
1955 139:4.2 Since John was the youngest of the twelve and so closely associated with Jesus in his family affairs, he was very dear to the Master, but it cannot be truthfully said that he was “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” You would hardly suspect such a magnanimous personality as Jesus to be guilty of showing favoritism, of loving one of his apostles more than the others. The fact that John was one of the three personal aides of Jesus lent further color to this mistaken idea, not to mention that John, along with his brother James, had known Jesus longer than the others.
2015 139:4.2 Siden Johannes var den yngste af de tolv og så nært tilknyttet Jesus i hans familieanliggender, var han en meget kær person for Mesteren, men man kan ikke hævde at han var “den discipel som Jesus elskede”[29]. I ville næppe mistænke en så storsindet personlighed som Jesus for at gøre sig skyldig i at favorisere ved at holde mere af den ene af apostlene frem for de andre. Det faktum at Johannes var den ene af Jesu tre nærmeste medarbejdere, bidrog videre til at holde liv i denne fejlagtige idé, for ikke at nævne at Johannes sammen med sin bror James havde kendt Jesus længere end de andre.
1955 139:4.3 Peter, James, and John were assigned as personal aides to Jesus soon after they became apostles. Shortly after the selection of the twelve and at the time Jesus appointed Andrew to act as director of the group, he said to him: “And now I desire that you assign two or three of your associates to be with me and to remain by my side, to comfort me and to minister to my daily needs.” And Andrew thought best to select for this special duty the next three first-chosen apostles. He would have liked to volunteer for such a blessed service himself, but the Master had already given him his commission; so he immediately directed that Peter, James, and John attach themselves to Jesus.
2015 139:4.3 Peter, James og Johannes blev sat til at være Jesu personlige medhjælpere lige efter at de var blevet apostle. Kort tid efter udvælgelsen af de tolv, og samtidig som Jesus udnævnte Andreas til gruppens leder, sagde han til ham: “Og nu ønsker jeg at du udnævner to eller tre af dine følgesvende til at være hos mig og holde sig ved min side, til at trøste mig og tage hånd om mine daglige behov.” Og Andreas fandt det bedst at udpege de andre tre først udvalgte apostle til denne specielle opgave. Han skulle selv gerne have stillet sig til rådighed for en så velsignet tjeneste, men Mesteren havde allerede givet ham hans opgave; så umiddelbart beordrede han Peter, James og Johannes til at være tilknyttet Jesus.
1955 139:4.4 John Zebedee had many lovely traits of character, but one which was not so lovely was his inordinate but usually well-concealed conceit. His long association with Jesus made many and great changes in his character. This conceit was greatly lessened, but after growing old and becoming more or less childish, this self-esteem reappeared to a certain extent, so that, when engaged in directing Nathan in the writing of the Gospel which now bears his name, the aged apostle did not hesitate repeatedly to refer to himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” In view of the fact that John came nearer to being the chum of Jesus than any other earth mortal, that he was his chosen personal representative in so many matters, it is not strange that he should have come to regard himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” since he most certainly knew he was the disciple whom Jesus so frequently trusted.
2015 139:4.4 Johannes Zebedæus havde mange elskelige karaktertræk, men et som ikke var så elskelig, var hans uforholdsmæssig stærke, men sædvanligvis godt kamufleret selvforherligelse. Hans langvarige samkvem med Jesus udløste mange og store ændringer i hans karakter. Denne selvforherligelse aftog betydelig, men efter at han blev gammel og mere eller mindre barnlig, dukkede denne selvophøjelsen til en vis grad op igen, som at, da han engagerede sig i at vejlede Nataniel i nedskrivelsen af det evangelium, som nu bære hans navn efter ham, tøvede denne aldrende apostel ikke med at henvise til sig selv som den “discipel som Jesus elskede.” I hensyn til det faktum, at Johannes var den som kom nærmest til at blive Jesu yndling blandt alle jordiske dødelige, at han var hans udvalgte repræsentant i så mange henseender, er det ikke så mærkeligt at han skulle komme til at anse sig selv som den “discipel som Jesus elskede” siden han så udmærket godt vidste at han var den discipel som Jesus så ofte gav sin tillid.
1955 139:4.5 The strongest trait in John’s character was his dependability; he was prompt and courageous, faithful and devoted. His greatest weakness was this characteristic conceit. He was the youngest member of his father’s family and the youngest of the apostolic group. Perhaps he was just a bit spoiled; maybe he had been humored slightly too much. But the John of after years was a very different type of person than the self-admiring and arbitrary young man who joined the ranks of Jesus’ apostles when he was twenty-four.
2015 139:4.5 Det stærkeste karaktertræk ved Johannes var hans pålidelighed; han var direkte og modig, stærk i troen og hengiven. Hans største svaghed var denne karakteristiske selvforherligelse. Han var den yngste i søskendeflokken og den yngste blandt apostlene. Måske var han bare lidt spoleret; måske var han blevet forkælet lidt for meget. Men den Johannes som bestod i årene efter var en meget anderledes person end den selvbeundrende og vilkårlig anlagte unge mand som sluttede sig til Jesu rækker da han var fireogtyve år gammel.
1955 139:4.6 Those characteristics of Jesus which John most appreciated were the Master’s love and unselfishness; these traits made such an impression on him that his whole subsequent life became dominated by the sentiment of love and brotherly devotion. He talked about love and wrote about love. This “son of thunder” became the “apostle of love”; and at Ephesus, when the aged bishop was no longer able to stand in the pulpit and preach but had to be carried to church in a chair, and when at the close of the service he was asked to say a few words to the believers, for years his only utterance was, “My little children, love one another.”
2015 139:4.6 De karaktertræk ved Jesus som Johannes værdsatte højest, var Mesterens kærlighed og uselviskhed; disse egenskaber gjorde et så stærkt indtryk på ham at følelsen af kærlighed og broderlig hengivelse kom til at dominere ham for hele resten af hans liv. Han snakkede om kærlighed og skrev om kærlighed. Denne “torden søn” blev en “kærlighedens apostel”; og i Efesos, da den aldrende biskop ikke længere var i stand til at stå på prædikestolen og prædike, men måtte bæres til kirken i en stol, og da han ved afslutningen på gudstjenesten blev bedt om at sige nogle få ord til de troende, var hans eneste udsagn i flere år bare: “Mine små børn, elsk hinanden[30].”[31]
1955 139:4.7 John was a man of few words except when his temper was aroused. He thought much but said little. As he grew older, his temper became more subdued, better controlled, but he never overcame his disinclination to talk; he never fully mastered this reticence. But he was gifted with a remarkable and creative imagination.
2015 139:4.7 Johannes var en fåmælt mand så længe han ikke blev tirret. Han tænkte meget, men sagde lidt. Efterhånden som han blev ældre, blev han mere i stand til at beherske sit temperament, men han overvandt aldrig sin tilbøjelighed til ikke at sige noget; han blev aldrig helt herre over denne tilbageholdenhed. Men han var begavet med en bemærkelsesværdig og kreativ fantasi.
1955 139:4.8 There was another side to John that one would not expect to find in this quiet and introspective type. He was somewhat bigoted and inordinately intolerant. In this respect he and James were much alike—they both wanted to call down fire from heaven on the heads of the disrespectful Samaritans. When John encountered some strangers teaching in Jesus’ name, he promptly forbade them. But he was not the only one of the twelve who was tainted with this kind of self-esteem and superiority consciousness.
2015 139:4.8 Johannes havde en anden side som man ikke ville vente at finde hos denne stilfærdige og indadvendte type. Han var noget snæversynet og umådelig intolerant. I denne henseende var han og James ganske lige; de ønskede begge at påkalde ild ned ovenfra over hovederne på de respektløse samaritanere[32]. Da Johannes stødte på nogen fremmede som underviste i Jesu navn, forbød han dem omgående at gøre det[33]. Men han var ikke den eneste af de tolv som var arveligt belastet med denne type selvgodhed og overlegenhedstankegang.
1955 139:4.9 John’s life was tremendously influenced by the sight of Jesus’ going about without a home as he knew how faithfully he had made provision for the care of his mother and family. John also deeply sympathized with Jesus because of his family’s failure to understand him, being aware that they were gradually withdrawing from him. This entire situation, together with Jesus’ ever deferring his slightest wish to the will of the Father in heaven and his daily life of implicit trust, made such a profound impression on John that it produced marked and permanent changes in his character, changes which manifested themselves throughout his entire subsequent life.
2015 139:4.9 Johannes liv var meget stærkt påvirket af indtrykket af Jesus som vandrede omkring uden noget hjem mens han samtidig vidste hvor trofast han havde sørget for at tage vare på sin mor og øvrige familie. Johannes følte også en dyb sympati med Jesus på grund af hans families manglende forståelse for ham; han var klar over at de gradvis var i færd med at trække sig tilbage fra ham. Hele denne situation, sammen med det at Jesus altid bøjede selv det mindste af sine ønsker til sin Fader i himmelens vilje og med den umiddelbare tiltro han nærede i sit dagligliv, gjorde et så dybt indtryk på Johannes, at det frembragte vedvarende forandringer i hans karakter, forandringer som kom til udtryk gennem hele resten af hans liv.
1955 139:4.10 John had a cool and daring courage which few of the other apostles possessed. He was the one apostle who followed right along with Jesus the night of his arrest and dared to accompany his Master into the very jaws of death. He was present and near at hand right up to the last earthly hour and was found faithfully carrying out his trust with regard to Jesus’ mother and ready to receive such additional instructions as might be given during the last moments of the Master’s mortal existence. One thing is certain, John was thoroughly dependable. John usually sat on Jesus’ right hand when the twelve were at meat. He was the first of the twelve really and fully to believe in the resurrection, and he was the first to recognize the Master when he came to them on the seashore after his resurrection.
2015 139:4.10 Johannes havde et koldsindigt og vovet mod som få af de andre apostle var i besiddelse af. Han var den af apostlene som fulgte Jesus lige i hælene den aften han blev arresteret, og som vovede at ledsage sin Mester lige ind i dødens gab. Han var til stede og ved hånden helt til sidste jordiske time og han viste sig trofast i at udføre sit tillidshverv overfor Jesu mor og i at være rede til at modtage det som måtte blive givet af tillægsinstrukser under de sidste øjeblikke af Mesterens dødelige tilværelse[34]. En ting er sikkert, og det er, at Johannes var gennemgribende pålidelig. Johannes sad sædvanligvis ved Jesu højre hånd når de tolv spiste sammen. Han var den første af de tolv til helt og fuldt at tro på opstandelsen, og han var den første til at kende Mesteren igen da han kom til dem ved stranden efter opstandelsen[35].
1955 139:4.11 This son of Zebedee was very closely associated with Peter in the early activities of the Christian movement, becoming one of the chief supporters of the Jerusalem church. He was the right-hand support of Peter on the day of Pentecost.
2015 139:4.11 Denne søn til Zebedæus var meget nært forbundet med Peter under den kristne kirkens første aktiviteter og blev en af hovedstøtterne for kirken i Jerusalem. Han var Peters højre hånd på pinsedagen.
1955 139:4.12 Several years after the martyrdom of James, John married his brother’s widow. The last twenty years of his life he was cared for by a loving granddaughter.
2015 139:4.12 Mange år efter at James blev martyr, giftede Johannes sig med sin brors enke. De sidste tyve år af sit liv blev han plejet af et kærligt kvindeligt barnebarn.
1955 139:4.13 John was in prison several times and was banished to the Isle of Patmos for a period of four years until another emperor came to power in Rome. Had not John been tactful and sagacious, he would undoubtedly have been killed as was his more outspoken brother James. As the years passed, John, together with James the Lord’s brother, learned to practice wise conciliation when they appeared before the civil magistrates. They found that a “soft answer turns away wrath.” They also learned to represent the church as a “spiritual brotherhood devoted to the social service of mankind” rather than as “the kingdom of heaven.” They taught loving service rather than ruling power—kingdom and king.
2015 139:4.13 Johannes havnede i fængsel mange gange og blev forvist til øen Patmos for en fireårs periode, indtil der kom en ny kejser til magten i Rom[36]. Hvis Johannes ikke havde været taktfuld og skarpsindig, ville han utvivlsomt være blevet dræbt som hans mere højrøstede bror James blev det. Efterhånden som årene gik, lærte Johannes, sammen med James, Herrens bror at mægle på en klog måde når de blev stilet overfor de civile domstole. De fandt ud at “et blødt svar får vreden til at forsvinde[37].” De lærte sig også at beskrive kirken som et “åndelig broderskab viet til medmenneskelig tjeneste” heller end som “himmelens rige”. De underviste hellere om kærlig tjenestevilje end at beskrive herskende magt — rige og konge.
1955 139:4.14 When in temporary exile on Patmos, John wrote the Book of Revelation, which you now have in greatly abridged and distorted form. This Book of Revelation contains the surviving fragments of a great revelation, large portions of which were lost, other portions of which were removed, subsequent to John’s writing. It is preserved in only fragmentary and adulterated form.
2015 139:4.14 Mens han var i foreløbig eksil på Patmos, skrev Johannes sin Åbenbaringsbog, som I nu har i stærkt forkortet og forvrænget udgave. Denne Åbenbaringsbog indeholder de overlevende brudstykker af en stor åbenbaring, men store dele af den gik tabt og andre blev udeladt efter at Johannes skrev dem ned. Den er kun bevaret i brudstykkeagtig og omarbejdet form.
1955 139:4.15 John traveled much, labored incessantly, and after becoming bishop of the Asia churches, settled down at Ephesus. He directed his associate, Nathan, in the writing of the so-called “Gospel according to John,” at Ephesus, when he was ninety-nine years old. Of all the twelve apostles, John Zebedee eventually became the outstanding theologian. He died a natural death at Ephesus in A.D. 103 when he was one hundred and one years of age.
2015 139:4.15 Johannes rejste meget, arbejdede uophørligt og efter at være blevet biskop over kirkerne i Asien, slog han sig ned i Efesos. Han instruerede sin medarbejder Nathan i nedskrivningen af det såkaldte Johannesevangeliet i Efesos da han var nioghalvfems år gammel. Af alle de tolv apostle var det Johannes som omsider blev den store teolog. Han afgik ved døden på naturlig vis i Efesos i år 103 e.Kr. i en alder af ethundredeoget år.
5. PHILIP THE CURIOUS
5. FILIP DEN NYSGERRIGE
1955 139:5.1 Philip was the fifth apostle to be chosen, being called when Jesus and his first four apostles were on their way from John’s rendezvous on the Jordan to Cana of Galilee. Since he lived at Bethsaida, Philip had for some time known of Jesus, but it had not occurred to him that Jesus was a really great man until that day in the Jordan valley when he said, “Follow me.” Philip was also somewhat influenced by the fact that Andrew, Peter, James, and John had accepted Jesus as the Deliverer.
2015 139:5.1 Filip var den femte apostel som blev udvalgt og blev hvervet da Jesus og hans fire første apostle var på vej fra Johannes tilholdssted ved Jordan til Kana i Galilæa. Siden han boede i Betsaida, havde Filip i noget tid vidst om Jesus, men det var ikke gået op for ham at Jesus virkelig var et menneske af dimensioner før den dag i Jordandalen da han sagde: “Følg mig.” Filip var også noget påvirket af at Andreas, Peter, James og Johannes havde godtaget Jesus som Befrieren.
1955 139:5.2 Philip was twenty-seven years of age when he joined the apostles; he had recently been married, but he had no children at this time. The nickname which the apostles gave him signified “curiosity.” Philip was always wanting to be shown. He never seemed to see very far into any proposition. He was not necessarily dull, but he lacked imagination. This lack of imagination was the great weakness of his character. He was a commonplace and matter-of-fact individual.
2015 139:5.2 Filip var syvogtyve år da han sluttede sig til apostlene; han havde netop giftet sig, men havde ingen børn på dette tidspunkt[38]. Øgenavnet som apostlene gav ham, betød “nysgerrighed”. Filip ville altid at man skulle vise ham ting. Han så aldrig ud til at forestille sig så meget af det som blev foreslået. Han var ikke nødvendigvis kedelig, men han manglede fantasi. Denne mangel på fantasi var den store svaghed ved hans karakter. Han var en højst almindelig og jordbunden person.
1955 139:5.3 When the apostles were organized for service, Philip was made steward; it was his duty to see that they were at all times supplied with provisions. And he was a good steward. His strongest characteristic was his methodical thoroughness; he was both mathematical and systematic.
2015 139:5.3 Da apostlene blev organiseret for tjeneste, blev Filip udnævnt til forrådsforvalter; det var hans pligt at se til at de til enhver tid var forsynet med fornødenheder. Han var en god forvalter. Hans stærkeste karaktertræk var hans metodemæssige grundighed; han var både matematisk og systematisk.
1955 139:5.4 Philip came from a family of seven, three boys and four girls. He was next to the oldest, and after the resurrection he baptized his entire family into the kingdom. Philip’s people were fisherfolk. His father was a very able man, a deep thinker, but his mother was of a very mediocre family. Philip was not a man who could be expected to do big things, but he was a man who could do little things in a big way, do them well and acceptably. Only a few times in four years did he fail to have food on hand to satisfy the needs of all. Even the many emergency demands attendant upon the life they lived seldom found him unprepared. The commissary department of the apostolic family was intelligently and efficiently managed.
2015 139:5.4 Filip kom fra en børneflok på syv, tre drenge og fire piger. Han var den næst ældste, og efter opstandelsen døbte han hele sin familie ind i riget. Filip var af fiskerfamilie; hans far var meget dygtig og dybtgående i sin tænkning, men hans mor kom fra en meget middelmådig familie. Filip var ikke en mand man kunne forvente store gerninger af, men han var en mand som kunne udføre små gerninger på en storslået måde, gøre dem ordentligt og acceptable. Kun nogle få gange i løbet af de fire år lykkedes det han ikke at opdrive mad nok til alle. Selv de mange nødsituations behov som opstod i forbindelse med den måde de levede på, overrumplende ham sjælden. Apostelfamiliens forrådsafdeling blev håndteret på en intelligent og effektiv måde.
1955 139:5.5 The strong point about Philip was his methodical reliability; the weak point in his make-up was his utter lack of imagination, the absence of the ability to put two and two together to obtain four. He was mathematical in the abstract but not constructive in his imagination. He was almost entirely lacking in certain types of imagination. He was the typical everyday and commonplace average man. There were a great many such men and women among the multitudes who came to hear Jesus teach and preach, and they derived great comfort from observing one like themselves elevated to an honored position in the councils of the Master; they derived courage from the fact that one like themselves had already found a high place in the affairs of the kingdom. And Jesus learned much about the way some human minds function as he so patiently listened to Philip’s foolish questions and so many times complied with his steward’s request to “be shown.”
2015 139:5.5 Filips stærke side var hans metodiske pålidelighed. Hans svage træk var at han slet ikke ejede fantasi; han manglede evnen til at få to plus to til at blive fire. Han havde matematiske evner på det abstrakte plan, men var ikke konstruktiv i sin forestillingsevne. Nogen former for fantasi manglede han næsten helt. Han var et typisk almindelig og hverdagsagtig gennemsnitsmenneske. Det fandtes ganske mange sådanne mænd og kvinder i de menneskemængder som kom for at høre Jesus undervise og forkynde, og de fandt stor trøst i at lægge mærke til at en af deres ligesindede var blevet ophøjet til en ærefuld stilling i Mesterens råd; det gav dem mod at en som faktisk var som dem selv, allerede havde fundet sig en fremtrædende stilling i rigets affærer. Jesus lærte meget om hvordan enkelte menneskesind fungerer mens han så tålmodig lyttede til Filips fjollede spørgsmål og så ofte føjede sig efter sin forrådsforvalters forespørgsel om at “få at se.”
1955 139:5.6 The one quality about Jesus which Philip so continuously admired was the Master’s unfailing generosity. Never could Philip find anything in Jesus which was small, niggardly, or stingy, and he worshiped this ever-present and unfailing liberality.
2015 139:5.6 Den ene egenskab ved Jesus som Filip så uophørlig beundrede, var Mesterens ufejlbarlige generøsitet. Aldrig kunne Filip finde noget hos Jesus som var smålig, gnieragtig eller nærig, og han tilbad denne altid nærværende og ufejlbarlige storsindethed.
1955 139:5.7 There was little about Philip’s personality that was impressive. He was often spoken of as “Philip of Bethsaida, the town where Andrew and Peter live.” He was almost without discerning vision; he was unable to grasp the dramatic possibilities of a given situation. He was not pessimistic; he was simply prosaic. He was also greatly lacking in spiritual insight. He would not hesitate to interrupt Jesus in the midst of one of the Master’s most profound discourses to ask an apparently foolish question. But Jesus never reprimanded him for such thoughtlessness; he was patient with him and considerate of his inability to grasp the deeper meanings of the teaching. Jesus well knew that, if he once rebuked Philip for asking these annoying questions, he would not only wound this honest soul, but such a reprimand would so hurt Philip that he would never again feel free to ask questions. Jesus knew that on his worlds of space there were untold billions of similar slow-thinking mortals, and he wanted to encourage them all to look to him and always to feel free to come to him with their questions and problems. After all, Jesus was really more interested in Philip’s foolish questions than in the sermon he might be preaching. Jesus was supremely interested in men, all kinds of men.
2015 139:5.7 Der var ikke så meget ved Filips personlighed som gjorde indtryk. Han blev ofte omtalt som “Filip fra Betsaida, byen hvor Andreas og Peter bor[39].” Han var næsten blottet for skelnende klarsyn; han var ude af stand til at fatte de dramatiske muligheder i en given situation. Han var ingen pessimist, han var simpelthen bare prosaisk. Han viste også en stor mangel på åndelig indsigt. Han ville ikke nøle med at afbryde Jesus midt i en af Mesterens mest dybtgående udredninger for at stille et tilsyneladende fjollet spørgsmål. Men Jesus irettesatte ham aldrig for en sådan tankeløshed; han var tålmodig med ham og hensynsfuld overfor hans manglende evne til at fatte lærens dybere mening. Jesus vidste udmærket godt at om han bare en eneste gang irettesatte Filip for at have stilet disse plagsomme spørgsmål, ville han ikke bare såre denne ærlige sjæl, men en sådan reprimande ville såre Filip så meget at han aldrig mere ville føle sig fri til at stille spørgsmål. Jesus vidste at der på hans verdner ude i rummet fandtes millioner på millioner af lignende sendrægtige dødelige, og han ønskede at opmuntre dem alle til at henvende sig til ham med deres spørgsmål og problemer. Og når det kom til stykket, var Jesus egentlig mere interesseret i Filips fjollede spørgsmål end i den prædiken han var midt inde i. Jesus var overmåde optaget af mennesker, alle slags mennesker.
1955 139:5.8 The apostolic steward was not a good public speaker, but he was a very persuasive and successful personal worker. He was not easily discouraged; he was a plodder and very tenacious in anything he undertook. He had that great and rare gift of saying, “Come.” When his first convert, Nathaniel, wanted to argue about the merits and demerits of Jesus and Nazareth, Philip’s effective reply was, “Come and see.” He was not a dogmatic preacher who exhorted his hearers to “Go”—do this and do that. He met all situations as they arose in his work with “Come”—“come with me; I will show you the way.” And that is always the effective technique in all forms and phases of teaching. Even parents may learn from Philip the better way of saying to their children not “Go do this and go do that,” but rather, “Come with us while we show and share with you the better way.”
2015 139:5.8 Forrådsforvalteren for apostlene var ikke god til at holde offentlige taler, men han var meget overbevisende og vellykket når det gjaldt om at arbejde på det personlige plan. Han mistede ikke så let modet; han var en slider, meget udholdende i alt hvad han foretog sig. Han havde en stor og sjælden gave at når det gjald kunne han sige “kom.” Da Nataniel som den første han omvendte, ville til at argumentere over temaet Jesu fortrin og mangler og om Nazaret, lød Filips virkningsfulde svar: “Kom og se selv[40].” Han var ikke nogen dogmatisk prædikant som formanede sine tilhængere til at “gå” gøre dit og dat. Han imødegik alle situationer som de kom, med sit “kom”; “Kom med mig; jeg skal vise dig vejen.” Og dette er altid den effektive måde at gøre det på i alle undervisnings former og faser. Selv forældre kan lære af Filip en bedre måde at sige til deres børn; ikke “at gøre dit og gøre dat,” men heller “Kom med os mens vi viser og deler med dig, den bedre måde at gøre det på.”
1955 139:5.9 The inability of Philip to adapt himself to a new situation was well shown when the Greeks came to him at Jerusalem, saying: “Sir, we desire to see Jesus.” Now Philip would have said to any Jew asking such a question, “Come.” But these men were foreigners, and Philip could remember no instructions from his superiors regarding such matters; so the only thing he could think to do was to consult the chief, Andrew, and then they both escorted the inquiring Greeks to Jesus. Likewise, when he went into Samaria preaching and baptizing believers, as he had been instructed by his Master, he refrained from laying hands on his converts in token of their having received the Spirit of Truth. This was done by Peter and John, who presently came down from Jerusalem to observe his work in behalf of the mother church.
2015 139:5.9 Filips manglende evne til at tilpasse sig en ny situation kom tydelig frem da nogen grækere kom til ham i Jerusalem og sagde: “Min herre, vi ønsker at se Jesus.” Nu ville Filip have sagt til en hvilken som helst jøde som kom og spurgte et sådan spørgsmål, “Kom.” Men disse mænd var udlændinge, og Filip kunne ikke huske nogen instrukser fra sine overordnede om hvad man skulle gøre i sådanne tilfælde; så det eneste han kunne komme på, var at rådføre sig med chefen Andreas, og så ledsagede de sammen disse interesserede grækere til Jesus[41]. På samme måde afholdte han sig fra, da han drog ind i Samaria for at forkynde og døbe troende, som han var blevet instrueret af hans Mester, om at lægge sine hænder på dem, han havde bragt til omvendelse, som et tegn på at de havde modtaget Sandhedens Ånd[42]. Dette blev udført af Peter og Johannes, som i den forbindelse kom ned fra Jerusalem for at føre tilsyn med hans arbejde i moderkirkens regi[43].
1955 139:5.10 Philip went on through the trying times of the Master’s death, participated in the reorganization of the twelve, and was the first to go forth to win souls for the kingdom outside of the immediate Jewish ranks, being most successful in his work for the Samaritans and in all his subsequent labors in behalf of the gospel.
2015 139:5.10 Filip fortsatte gennem prøvelsestiden, da Mesteren blev dræbt, han deltog i omorganiseringen af de tolv, og han var den første af dem som drog ud for at vinde sjæle for riget udenfor jødernes egne rækker, hvor han opnåede sit mest vellykkede arbejde blandt samaritanerne og i alle sine senere bestræbelser på at fremme evangeliet.
1955 139:5.11 Philip’s wife, who was an efficient member of the women’s corps, became actively associated with her husband in his evangelistic work after their flight from the Jerusalem persecutions. His wife was a fearless woman. She stood at the foot of Philip’s cross encouraging him to proclaim the glad tidings even to his murderers, and when his strength failed, she began the recital of the story of salvation by faith in Jesus and was silenced only when the irate Jews rushed upon her and stoned her to death. Their eldest daughter, Leah, continued their work, later on becoming the renowned prophetess of Hierapolis.
2015 139:5.11 Filips kone, som var et effektivt medlem af kvindekorpset, blev aktivt tilknyttet sin mand i hans evangeliserings arbejde efter at de var flygtet fra forfølgelserne i Jerusalem. Hans kone var en tapper kvinde. Hun stod ved foden af Filips kors og opmuntrede ham til at forkynde de glade nyheder selv til sine mordere, og da hans kræfter ikke strakte længere, gav hun sig til at berette historien om frelse ved tro på Jesus, og hun blev ikke bragt til tavshed før de rabiate jøder stormede løs på hende og stenede hende til døde. Deres ældste datter Lea fortsatte deres arbejdet og blev senere til den berømte kvindelige profet af Hierapolis.
1955 139:5.12 Philip, the onetime steward of the twelve, was a mighty man in the kingdom, winning souls wherever he went; and he was finally crucified for his faith and buried at Hierapolis.
2015 139:5.12 Filip, som en gang var forrådsforvalter for de tolv, var en kraftfuld mand for Guds rige som vandt sjæle hvor han end drog hen; og han blev til slut korsfæstet for sin tro og begravet i Hierapolis.
6. HONEST NATHANIEL
6. DEN ÆRLIGE NATANIEL
1955 139:6.2 When Nathaniel joined the apostles, he was twenty-five years old and was the next to the youngest of the group. He was the youngest of a family of seven, was unmarried, and the only support of aged and infirm parents, with whom he lived at Cana; his brothers and sister were either married or deceased, and none lived there. Nathaniel and Judas Iscariot were the two best educated men among the twelve. Nathaniel had thought to become a merchant.
2015 139:6.2 Da Nataniel sluttede sig til apostlene, var han femogtyve år og næst yngst i gruppen. Han var den yngste i en søskendeflok på syv, ugift, og eneste forsørger for sine aldrende og svagelige forældre, som han boede sammen med i Kana; hans søskende var enten gifte eller ikke længere i live, og ingen af dem boede der[45]. Nataniel og Judas Iskariot var de to bedst uddannede blandt de tolv. Nataniel havde tænkt sig at blive handelsmand.
1955 139:6.3 Jesus did not himself give Nathaniel a nickname, but the twelve soon began to speak of him in terms that signified honesty, sincerity. He was “without guile.” And this was his great virtue; he was both honest and sincere. The weakness of his character was his pride; he was very proud of his family, his city, his reputation, and his nation, all of which is commendable if it is not carried too far. But Nathaniel was inclined to go to extremes with his personal prejudices. He was disposed to prejudge individuals in accordance with his personal opinions. He was not slow to ask the question, even before he had met Jesus, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” But Nathaniel was not obstinate, even if he was proud. He was quick to reverse himself when he once looked into Jesus’ face.
2015 139:6.3 Jesus selv gav ikke Nataniel noget øgenavn, men de tolv begyndte snart at omtale han i vendinger som gik på ærlighed og oprigtighed. Han var “uplettet”[46]. Og i dette lå hans store styrke: han var både ærlig og oprigtig. Den svage side ved hans karakter var hans stolthed; han var meget stolt af sin familie, sin hjemby, sit renommé og sit folk, noget som alt sammen er prisværdig nok hvis det ikke bliver trukket for langt. Men Nataniel havde let ved at gå til yderligheder med sine personlige fordomme. Han var tilbøjelig til at dømme folk på forhånd i henhold til sine personlige meninger[47]. Han var ikke sen til at stille spørgsmålet, selv lige før han mødte Jesus: “Kan der komme noget godt fra Nazaret?” Men Nataniel var ikke påståelig selv om han var stolt. Han var hurtig til at ombestemme sig da han først havde set Jesus i ansigtet.
1955 139:6.4 In many respects Nathaniel was the odd genius of the twelve. He was the apostolic philosopher and dreamer, but he was a very practical sort of dreamer. He alternated between seasons of profound philosophy and periods of rare and droll humor; when in the proper mood, he was probably the best storyteller among the twelve. Jesus greatly enjoyed hearing Nathaniel discourse on things both serious and frivolous. Nathaniel progressively took Jesus and the kingdom more seriously, but never did he take himself seriously.
2015 139:6.4 På mange måder var Nataniel det sjældne kloge hoved blandt de tolv. Han var filosoffen og drømmeren blandt apostlene, men som drømmer var han af den praktiske slags. Han vekslede mellem perioder med dybe filosoferinger og perioder med en sjælden og klovneagtig humor. Når han var i sit rette hjørne, var han antagelig den bedste historiefortæller blandt de tolv. Jesus havde stor glæde af at høre på Nataniel når han talte ud om ting, enten det var i fuldt alvor eller mere løssluppent. Nataniel tog i stigende grad Jesus og Guds rige mere alvorlig, men han tog aldrig sig selv alvorlig.
1955 139:6.5 The apostles all loved and respected Nathaniel, and he got along with them splendidly, excepting Judas Iscariot. Judas did not think Nathaniel took his apostleship sufficiently seriously and once had the temerity to go secretly to Jesus and lodge complaint against him. Said Jesus: “Judas, watch carefully your steps; do not overmagnify your office. Who of us is competent to judge his brother? It is not the Father’s will that his children should partake only of the serious things of life. Let me repeat: I have come that my brethren in the flesh may have joy, gladness, and life more abundantly. Go then, Judas, and do well that which has been intrusted to you but leave Nathaniel, your brother, to give account of himself to God.” And the memory of this, with that of many similar experiences, long lived in the self-deceiving heart of Judas Iscariot.
2015 139:6.5 Alle apostlene elskede og havde respekt for Nataniel, og han kom udmærket over ens med dem, undtagen med Judas Iskariot. Judas mente at Nataniel ikke tog sin apostelgerning alvorlig nok og blev en gang så dumdristig at han i al hemmelighed gik til Jesus for at fremføre sin klage mod ham. Men da sagde Jesus: “Judas, hold nøje øje med dine skridt; overdriv ikke betydningen af din opgave. Hvem af os har forudsætninger for at dømme sin broder? Det er ikke Faderens vilje at hans børn kun skal tage del i livets alvorlige sider. Lad mig gentage: Jeg er kommet for at mine brødre i kødet skal fryde sig og være glade og leve et rigere liv. Gå så, Judas, og tag dig vel af det som er givet dig i opgave, men lad Nataniel, din broder, selv gøre rede for sig selv overfor Gud[48].” Og mindet om dette og mange lignende erfaringer holdt sig længe levende i Judas Iskariot selvbedrageriske hjerte.
1955 139:6.6 Many times, when Jesus was away on the mountain with Peter, James, and John, and things were becoming tense and tangled among the apostles, when even Andrew was in doubt about what to say to his disconsolate brethren, Nathaniel would relieve the tension by a bit of philosophy or a flash of humor; good humor, too.
2015 139:6.6 Mange gange, når Jesus var oppe i bjergene sammen med Peter, James og Johannes og der opstod gnidninger og forviklinger blandt apostlene, når selv Andreas var i tvivl om hvad han skulle sige til sine trøstesløse brødre, var det Nataniel som ville løse op for anspændtheden med en smule filosofi eller med en hurtig vits; og vel og mærket også en god vits.
1955 139:6.7 Nathaniel’s duty was to look after the families of the twelve. He was often absent from the apostolic councils, for when he heard that sickness or anything out of the ordinary had happened to one of his charges, he lost no time in getting to that home. The twelve rested securely in the knowledge that their families’ welfare was safe in the hands of Nathaniel.
2015 139:6.7 Nataniels pligt var at sørge for familierne til de tolv. Han var ofte ikke til stede ved apostlenes samlinger, for når han hørte at sygdom eller noget udover det sædvanlige havde ramt en af dem han havde ansvaret for, var han ikke sen til at begive sig til det hjem. De tolv kunne slappe af i rolig forvisning om at deres familiers velfærd var i Nataniels trygge hænder.
1955 139:6.8 Nathaniel most revered Jesus for his tolerance. He never grew weary of contemplating the broadmindedness and generous sympathy of the Son of Man.
2015 139:6.8 Nataniel værdsatte Jesus mest på grund af hans tolerance. Han blev aldrig træt af at undre sig over Menneskesønnens storsindethed og ædelmodige sympati.
1955 139:6.9 Nathaniel’s father (Bartholomew) died shortly after Pentecost, after which this apostle went into Mesopotamia and India proclaiming the glad tidings of the kingdom and baptizing believers. His brethren never knew what became of their onetime philosopher, poet, and humorist. But he also was a great man in the kingdom and did much to spread his Master’s teachings, even though he did not participate in the organization of the subsequent Christian church. Nathaniel died in India.
2015 139:6.9 Nataniels far (Bartolomeus) døde kort tid efter pinsedagen, hvorpå denne apostel drog ind i Mesopotamia og Indien og forkyndte de glade nyheder om Guds rige og døbte troende[49]. Hans brødre fik aldrig at vide hvordan det gik med denne fordums filosof, poet og humorist. Men han var også en kraftfuld mand for riget og gjorde meget for at sprede sin Mesters lære, selv om han ikke deltog i den senere organisering af den kristne kirke. Nataniel døde i India.
7. MATTHEW LEVI
7. MATTÆUS LEVI
1955 139:7.1 Matthew, the seventh apostle, was chosen by Andrew. Matthew belonged to a family of tax gatherers, or publicans, but was himself a customs collector in Capernaum, where he lived. He was thirty-one years old and married and had four children. He was a man of moderate wealth, the only one of any means belonging to the apostolic corps. He was a good business man, a good social mixer, and was gifted with the ability to make friends and to get along smoothly with a great variety of people.
2015 139:7.1 Mattæus, den syvende apostel, blev valgt af Andreas[50]. Mattæus tilhørte en familie af skatteopkrævere, men var selv tolder i Kapernaum, hvor han boede. Han var enogtredive år, gift, og havde fire børn. Han var en moderat velstående mand, den eneste blandt apostlene som ejede noget særlig. Han var en god forretningsmand, let omgængelig, og havde en egen evne til at få venner og en behagelig måde at kunne omgås mange forskellige slags mennesker på.
1955 139:7.2 Andrew appointed Matthew the financial representative of the apostles. In a way he was the fiscal agent and publicity spokesman for the apostolic organization. He was a keen judge of human nature and a very efficient propagandist. His is a personality difficult to visualize, but he was a very earnest disciple and an increasing believer in the mission of Jesus and in the certainty of the kingdom. Jesus never gave Levi a nickname, but his fellow apostles commonly referred to him as the “money-getter.”
2015 139:7.2 Andreas udnævnte Mattæus til apostlenes finansielle repræsentant. På en måde var han apostel organisationens finansforvalter og den offentlige talsmand. Han var en skarp menneskekender og en meget effektiv propagandist. Hans personlighed er det ikke let at danne sig et billede af, men han var en meget oprigtig discipel som styrket i sin tro på Jesu mission og på at riget sikkert ville komme. Jesus gav aldrig Levi noget øgenavn, men de andre apostle omtalte ham ofte som “pengemageren”.
1955 139:7.3 Levi’s strong point was his wholehearted devotion to the cause. That he, a publican, had been taken in by Jesus and his apostles was the cause for overwhelming gratitude on the part of the former revenue collector. However, it required some little time for the rest of the apostles, especially Simon Zelotes and Judas Iscariot, to become reconciled to the publican’s presence in their midst. Matthew’s weakness was his shortsighted and materialistic viewpoint of life. But in all these matters he made great progress as the months went by. He, of course, had to be absent from many of the most precious seasons of instruction as it was his duty to keep the treasury replenished.
2015 139:7.3 Levis stærke side var hans helhjertede hengivelse til deres sag. Det at han, en skattefoged, var blevet taget imod af Jesus og hans apostle, gav grund til en overvældet taknemmelighed hos denne tidligere afgiftsindkræver. Det tog imidlertid lidt tid for resten af apostlene, særlig for Simon Zeloden og Judas Iskariot, at slå sig til tåls med en skattefogeds nærværelse i deres midte. Svagheden hos Mattæus lå i hans kortsynede og materialistiske syn på livet. Men i alle disse sager gjorde han store fremskridt efterhånden som månederne gik. Han var selvfølgelig også nødt til at være borte fra mange af de mest værdifulde læretider, i og med at det var hans pligt at holde pengebeholdningen ved lige.
1955 139:7.4 It was the Master’s forgiving disposition which Matthew most appreciated. He would never cease to recount that faith only was necessary in the business of finding God. He always liked to speak of the kingdom as “this business of finding God.”
2015 139:7.4 Det var Mesterens tilgivende egenskab som Mattæus satte størst pris på. Han ville aldrig holde op med at gentage at tro var det eneste nødvendige i forehavende med at finde Gud. Han holdt altid af at tale om riget som “dette forehavende med at finde Gud.”
1955 139:7.5 Though Matthew was a man with a past, he gave an excellent account of himself, and as time went on, his associates became proud of the publican’s performances. He was one of the apostles who made extensive notes on the sayings of Jesus, and these notes were used as the basis of Isador’s subsequent narrative of the sayings and doings of Jesus, which has become known as the Gospel according to Matthew.
2015 139:7.5 Selvom Mattæus var en mand med en vis fortid, gjorde han et udmærket indtryk på de andre, og som tiden gik, blev hans følgesvende stolte over hvad han kunne få udrettet. Han var en af de apostle som tog omfattende notater af hvad Jesus sagde, og disse notater blev brugt som grundlag for Isadors senere beretning om Jesu udsagn og gerninger, som er blevet kendt som Mattæusevangeliet.
1955 139:7.6 The great and useful life of Matthew, the business man and customs collector of Capernaum, has been the means of leading thousands upon thousands of other business men, public officials, and politicians, down through the subsequent ages, also to hear that engaging voice of the Master saying, “Follow me.” Matthew really was a shrewd politician, but he was intensely loyal to Jesus and supremely devoted to the task of seeing that the messengers of the coming kingdom were adequately financed.
2015 139:7.6 Det storartede og nyttige liv af Mattæus, denne forretningsmand og toldindkræver fra Kapernaum, har været et middel til at lede tusindvis af andre forretningsfolk, offentlige tjenestefolk og politikere op gennem de efterfølgende tidsaldre til også at høre Mesterens engagerende røst som siger: “Følg mig[51].” Mattæus var egentlig en dreven politiker, men han var intenst loyal overfor Jesus og overordentlig hengiven til sin opgave med at sørge for at det kommende rigets budbringere blev behørig finansieret.
1955 139:7.7 The presence of Matthew among the twelve was the means of keeping the doors of the kingdom wide open to hosts of downhearted and outcast souls who had regarded themselves as long since without the bounds of religious consolation. Outcast and despairing men and women flocked to hear Jesus, and he never turned one away.
2015 139:7.7 Nærværet af Mattæus blandt de tolv var midlet til at holde dørene til riget på vid gab for skarer af nedtrykte og udstødte sjæle som for længst havde betragtet sig selv som udenfor den religiøse opmuntringens rækkevidde. Udstødte og trøstesløse mænd og kvinder flokkes for at høre Jesus og han afviste aldrig en eneste en.
1955 139:7.8 Matthew received freely tendered offerings from believing disciples and the immediate auditors of the Master’s teachings, but he never openly solicited funds from the multitudes. He did all his financial work in a quiet and personal way and raised most of the money among the more substantial class of interested believers. He gave practically the whole of his modest fortune to the work of the Master and his apostles, but they never knew of this generosity, save Jesus, who knew all about it. Matthew hesitated openly to contribute to the apostolic funds for fear that Jesus and his associates might regard his money as being tainted; so he gave much in the names of other believers. During the earlier months, when Matthew knew his presence among them was more or less of a trial, he was strongly tempted to let them know that his funds often supplied them with their daily bread, but he did not yield. When evidence of the disdain of the publican would become manifest, Levi would burn to reveal to them his generosity, but always he managed to keep still.
2015 139:7.8 Mattæus modtog frivillige gaver fra troende disciple og fra de nærmeste kredse af tilhørere til Mesterens undervisning, men han gik aldrig åbent ud og bad om bidrag fra tilhørerskarerne. Han gennemførte alt sit finansieringsarbejde på en stilfærdig og personlig måde og skaffede de fleste af pengene til veje fra de mere velstående blandt de interesserede troende. Han skænkede praktisk talt hele sin beskedne formue til Mesterens og hans apostlenes arbejde, men de fik aldrig noget at vide om denne gavmildhed udover Jesus, som vidste alt om det. Mattæus tøvede med åbent at bidrage til apostlenes fond af frygt for at Jesus og hans følgesvende skulle komme til at betragte hans penge som besudlede; så han gav meget i andre troendes navn. I løbet af de første måneder, mens Mattæus var klar over at hans nærvær i blandt dem mere eller mindre var en prøvelse, var det meget fristende for ham at lade dem få at vide at det var hans midler som ofte skaffede dem det daglige brød, men han gav ikke efter. Når nogen viste tegn på foragt over at han var myndighedernes håndlanger, brændte Mattæus i sin iver efter at fortælle dem om sin gavmildhed, men han klarede altid at holde tæt.
1955 139:7.9 When the funds for the week were short of the estimated requirements, Levi would often draw heavily upon his own personal resources. Also, sometimes when he became greatly interested in Jesus’ teaching, he preferred to remain and hear the instruction, even though he knew he must personally make up for his failure to solicit the necessary funds. But Levi did so wish that Jesus might know that much of the money came from his pocket! He little realized that the Master knew all about it. The apostles all died without knowing that Matthew was their benefactor to such an extent that, when he went forth to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom after the beginning of the persecutions, he was practically penniless.
2015 139:7.9 Når ugens kassebeholdning var mindre end de forventede fornødenheder, ville Levi ofte trække et stort indskud fra sin egen formue. Det hændte nogle gange at han blev så interesseret i at lytte til Jesus at han foretrak at blive for at høre på undervisningen selv om han vidste at han personlig blev nødt til at gøre op for underskuddet. Men Levi ønskede at Jesus skulle få at vide at mange af pengene kom fra hans egen lomme! Det gik ikke op for ham at Jesus vidste alt om det. Alle de andre apostlene døde uden at vide at Mattæus i så stor grad var deres velgører at da han drog ud for at forkynde Guds riges evangelium efter at forfølgelserne var i gang, var han praktisk talt pengeløs.
1955 139:7.10 When these persecutions caused the believers to forsake Jerusalem, Matthew journeyed north, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and baptizing believers. He was lost to the knowledge of his former apostolic associates, but on he went, preaching and baptizing, through Syria, Cappadocia, Galatia, Bithynia, and Thrace. And it was in Thrace, at Lysimachia, that certain unbelieving Jews conspired with the Roman soldiers to encompass his death. And this regenerated publican died triumphant in the faith of a salvation he had so surely learned from the teachings of the Master during his recent sojourn on earth.
2015 139:7.10 Da disse forfølgelser fik de troende til at forlade Jerusalem, rejste Mattæus nordover, hvor han forkyndte rigets evangelium og døbte troende. Hans tidligere apostelvenner fik ikke noget at vide om hvad der var blevet af ham, men han rejste omkring og forkyndte og døbte, gennem Syria, Kappadokien, Galatien, Bitynien og Trakien. Og det var i Lysimakia i Trakien at enkelte troløse jøder rottede sig sammen med de romerske soldater for at få ham af dage. Og denne genfødte tolder døde sejrende i troen på den frelse han i løbet af de senere år af sit jordeliv var kommet til en så sikker overbevisning om gennem Mesterens lære.
8. THOMAS DIDYMUS
8. THOMAS DIDYMUS
1955 139:8.1 Thomas was the eighth apostle, and he was chosen by Philip. In later times he has become known as “doubting Thomas,” but his fellow apostles hardly looked upon him as a chronic doubter. True, his was a logical, skeptical type of mind, but he had a form of courageous loyalty which forbade those who knew him intimately to regard him as a trifling skeptic.
2015 139:8.1 Thomas var den ottende apostel, og han blev valgt af Filip. I eftertiden er han blevet kendt som “tvivleren Thomas”, men de andre apostle anså ham næppe for at være nogen kronisk tvivler[52]. Sandt nok var han af den logisk tænkende og skeptiske type, men hans form for tapper loyalitet gav ikke dem som stod ham nær, nogen anledning til at betragte ham som en ubetydelig skeptiker.
1955 139:8.2 When Thomas joined the apostles, he was twenty-nine years old, was married, and had four children. Formerly he had been a carpenter and stone mason, but latterly he had become a fisherman and resided at Tarichea, situated on the west bank of the Jordan where it flows out of the Sea of Galilee, and he was regarded as the leading citizen of this little village. He had little education, but he possessed a keen, reasoning mind and was the son of excellent parents, who lived at Tiberias. Thomas had the one truly analytical mind of the twelve; he was the real scientist of the apostolic group.
2015 139:8.2 Da Thomas sluttede sig til apostlene, var han niogtyve år, gift og havde fire børn. Tidligere havde han været snedker og stenhugger, men i det senere var han blevet fisker og boede i Tarigea, som lå på Jordans vestbred ved udløbet af Galilæasøen, og han blev betragtet som en lederskikkelse for denne lille landsby. Han havde næsten ingen uddannelse, men var i besiddelse af et skarpt og ræsonnerende sind og havde forældre med storartede egenskaber; der boede i Tiberias. Thomas var den af de tolv som havde det virkelig analytiske sindelag; han var den egentlige forsker i apostelgruppen.
1955 139:8.3 The early home life of Thomas had been unfortunate; his parents were not altogether happy in their married life, and this was reflected in Thomas’s adult experience. He grew up having a very disagreeable and quarrelsome disposition. Even his wife was glad to see him join the apostles; she was relieved by the thought that her pessimistic husband would be away from home most of the time. Thomas also had a streak of suspicion which made it very difficult to get along peaceably with him. Peter was very much upset by Thomas at first, complaining to his brother, Andrew, that Thomas was “mean, ugly, and always suspicious.” But the better his associates knew Thomas, the more they liked him. They found he was superbly honest and unflinchingly loyal. He was perfectly sincere and unquestionably truthful, but he was a natural-born faultfinder and had grown up to become a real pessimist. His analytical mind had become cursed with suspicion. He was rapidly losing faith in his fellow men when he became associated with the twelve and thus came in contact with the noble character of Jesus. This association with the Master began at once to transform Thomas’s whole disposition and to effect great changes in his mental reactions to his fellow men.
2015 139:8.3 Thomas havde haft en uheldig opvækst; hans forældre var ikke særlig lykkelige i deres ægteskab, og dette gav sig udslag i Thomas voksne liv. Han pådrog sig en ganske ubehagelig og krakilsk tilbøjelighed gennem opvæksten. Selv hans kone blev glad over at se han slutte sig til apostlene; hun blev lettet ved tanken om at hendes pessimistiske mand skulle være hjemmefra det meste af tiden. Thomas havde også et anstrøg af mistænksomhed som gjorde det meget vanskelig at komme godt og fredelig overens med ham. Peter blev i begyndelsen temmelig chokeret over ham og klagede til sin bror Andreas over at Thomas var “tarvelig, styg og altid mistænksom.” Men jo bedre apostlene blev kendt med Thomas, jo bedre kunne de lide ham. De fandt ud at han var overmåde ærlig og urokkelig loyal. Han var fuldstændig oprigtig og uden tvivl sandfærdig, men han var en naturskabt fejlfinder og han voksede op til at blive en virkelig pessimist. Hans analytiske sindelag var blevet forbandet med en hang til mistænkeliggørelse. Han var hurtig i færd med at miste troen på sine medmennesker da han blev tilknyttet de tolv, og dermed kom i kontakt med Jesu ædle karakter. Dette samkvem med Mesteren begyndte straks at omdanne hele Thomas sindelag og udløse store forandringer i hans mentale reaktionsmønster til sine medmennesker.
1955 139:8.4 Thomas’s great strength was his superb analytical mind coupled with his unflinching courage—when he had once made up his mind. His great weakness was his suspicious doubting, which he never fully overcame throughout his whole lifetime in the flesh.
2015 139:8.4 Thomas store styrke lå i hans uovertræffelige analytiske tænkeevne koblet sammen med hans urokkelige mod; når han først havde bestemt sig for noget. Hans store svaghed var hans mistænksomme tvivlende tilbøjelighed som han aldrig helt overvandt i løbet af sin levetid i kødet.
1955 139:8.5 In the organization of the twelve Thomas was assigned to arrange and manage the itinerary, and he was an able director of the work and movements of the apostolic corps. He was a good executive, an excellent businessman, but he was handicapped by his many moods; he was one man one day and another man the next. He was inclined toward melancholic brooding when he joined the apostles, but contact with Jesus and the apostles largely cured him of this morbid introspection.
2015 139:8.5 Da de tolv blev organiseret til deres opgaver, fik Thomas til opgave at planlægge og forberede rejseruterne, og han var en god administrator for apostelkorpsets virksomhed og deres forflytninger. Han var god til at få ting gennemført og en fremragende forretningsmand, men han var hæmmet af sine humørsvingninger; han var et menneske den ene dag og et helt andet dagen efter. Han havde tilbøjelighed for at gå og ruge på sine melankolske tanker da han sluttede sig til apostlene, men kontakten med Jesus og apostlene kurerede ham for en stor del af denne dystre indadvendthed.
1955 139:8.6 Jesus enjoyed Thomas very much and had many long, personal talks with him. His presence among the apostles was a great comfort to all honest doubters and encouraged many troubled minds to come into the kingdom, even if they could not wholly understand everything about the spiritual and philosophic phases of the teachings of Jesus. Thomas’s membership in the twelve was a standing declaration that Jesus loved even honest doubters.
2015 139:8.6 Jesus havde stor glæde af Thomas og havde mange lange personlige samtaler med ham. Hans tilstedeværelse blandt apostlene var til stor trøst for alle ærlige tvivlere og opmuntrede mange med tunge tanker til at træde ind i guds rige, selv om de ikke helt kunne forstå alt det åndelige og filosofiske i Jesu forkyndelse. Thomas medlemskab i gruppen var en stående erklæring om at Jesus elskede selv de ærlige tvivlere.
1955 139:8.7 The other apostles held Jesus in reverence because of some special and outstanding trait of his replete personality, but Thomas revered his Master because of his superbly balanced character. Increasingly Thomas admired and honored one who was so lovingly merciful yet so inflexibly just and fair; so firm but never obstinate; so calm but never indifferent; so helpful and so sympathetic but never meddlesome or dictatorial; so strong but at the same time so gentle; so positive but never rough or rude; so tender but never vacillating; so pure and innocent but at the same time so virile, aggressive, and forceful; so truly courageous but never rash or foolhardy; such a lover of nature but so free from all tendency to revere nature; so humorous and so playful, but so free from levity and frivolity. It was this matchless symmetry of personality that so charmed Thomas. He probably enjoyed the highest intellectual understanding and personality appreciation of Jesus of any of the twelve.
2015 139:8.7 De andre apostle holdt Jesus i højagtelse på grund af et eller andet særskilt og fremtrædende træk ved hans opfyldte personlighed, men Thomas satte sin Mester højt på grund af hans overmåde afbalancerede karakter. I øgende grad beundrede og ærede Thomas en som kunne vise så stor kærlig nåde og samtidig være så ufravigelig retfærdig og reel; så fast, men aldrig stædig; så rolig, men aldrig ligegyldig; så hjælpsom og sympatiserende, men aldrig plagsom eller diktatorisk; så stærk, men samtidig så mild; så positiv, men aldrig hård eller uforskammet; så øm, men aldrig ubeslutsom, så ren og uskyldig, men samtidig så mandig, aggressiv og kraftfuld; så virkelig modig, men aldrig fremfusende eller dumdristig; som en naturelsker, men så fri fra alt hang til naturtilbedelse; så humørfyldt og munter, men så fri for letsindighed og overfladiskhed. Det var denne uovertræffelige personlighedssymmetri der gjorde Thomas så betaget. Han var antagelig den af alle de tolv som nød godt af den bedste intellektuelle forståelse af Jesus og den som bedst kunne sætte pris på hans personlighed.
1955 139:8.8 In the councils of the twelve Thomas was always cautious, advocating a policy of safety first, but if his conservatism was voted down or overruled, he was always the first fearlessly to move out in execution of the program decided upon. Again and again would he stand out against some project as being foolhardy and presumptuous; he would debate to the bitter end, but when Andrew would put the proposition to a vote, and after the twelve would elect to do that which he had so strenuously opposed, Thomas was the first to say, “Let’s go!” He was a good loser. He did not hold grudges nor nurse wounded feelings. Time and again did he oppose letting Jesus expose himself to danger, but when the Master would decide to take such risks, always was it Thomas who rallied the apostles with his courageous words, “Come on, comrades, let’s go and die with him.”
2015 139:8.8 Når de tolv rådslog sig sammen, udviste Thomas altid forsigtighed og anbefalede at man skulle prioritere sikkerheden, men hvis hans konservative holdning blev nedstemt eller affejet, var han altid den første til at drage frygtløst ud for at iværksætte det program man havde bestemt sig for at gennemføre. Om og om igen ville han stå fast på at et projekt var alt for dumdristig og ambitiøst; han ville argumentere helt til han måtte bide i græsset, men når så Andreas havde bragt forslaget til afstemning og de tolv havde stemt for at gøre netop det som Thomas så ihærdigt havde modsat sig, var det ham som var den første til at sige: “Lad os gå!” han var en god taber[53]. Han gik ikke og bar nag eller gav næring til sårede følelser. Gang på gang tog han til genmæle mod at lade Jesus udsætte sig for fare, men når Mesteren selv bestemte sig for at tage risikoen, var det altid Thomas som gik i spidsen for apostlene med sine tapre ord: “Kom igen kammerater, lade os gå og dø sammen med ham.”[54]
1955 139:8.9 Thomas was in some respects like Philip; he also wanted “to be shown,” but his outward expressions of doubt were based on entirely different intellectual operations. Thomas was analytical, not merely skeptical. As far as personal physical courage was concerned, he was one of the bravest among the twelve.
2015 139:8.9 Thomas lignede i nogen henseende Filip; han var også en som helst ønskede at “få at se,” men de af hans ytringer som tilkendegav tvivl, var baseret på helt andre tankebaner. Thomas var en analytiker, ikke bare en skeptiker. Hvad hans fysiske vovemod angik, var han en af de tapreste blandt de tolv.
1955 139:8.10 Thomas had some very bad days; he was blue and downcast at times. The loss of his twin sister when he was nine years old had occasioned him much youthful sorrow and had added to his temperamental problems of later life. When Thomas would become despondent, sometimes it was Nathaniel who helped him to recover, sometimes Peter, and not infrequently one of the Alpheus twins. When he was most depressed, unfortunately he always tried to avoid coming in direct contact with Jesus. But the Master knew all about this and had an understanding sympathy for his apostle when he was thus afflicted with depression and harassed by doubts.
2015 139:8.10 Thomas havde sine forfærdelige dage; han var trist og nedtrykt til tider. Tabet af sin tvillingsøster da han var ni år gammel, havde givet ham meget ungdomssorg og havde forøget hans problemer med at holde humøret oppe senere i livet[55]. Når Thomas var nedtrykt, var det Nataniel som hjalp ham, eller af og til Peter, og ikke så sjælden var det en af Alfeus tvillingerne. Når han var mest deprimeret, prøvede han desværre altid at undgå at komme i direkte kontakt med Jesus. Men Mesteren vidste alt om dette og nærede en forstående sympati for denne apostel når han var plaget af depressioner og forpint af tvivl.
1955 139:8.11 Sometimes Thomas would get permission from Andrew to go off by himself for a day or two. But he soon learned that such a course was not wise; he early found that it was best, when he was downhearted, to stick close to his work and to remain near his associates. But no matter what happened in his emotional life, he kept right on being an apostle. When the time actually came to move forward, it was always Thomas who said, “Let’s go!”
2015 139:8.11 Nogen gange ville Thomas få tilladelse af Andreas til at drage af sted for at være alene en dag eller to. Men han lærte hurtigt at en sådan måde at gøre det på, ikke var særlig klog; han fandt tidlig ud af at det bedste når han var nedstemt, var at holde sig i nærheden af sit arbejde og apostlene. Men uanset hvad som skete i hans følelsesliv, opgav han aldrig sin apostelgerning. Når det var på tide at tage et nyt skridt fremad, var det altid Thomas som sagde: “Lad os gå!”
1955 139:8.12 Thomas is the great example of a human being who has doubts, faces them, and wins. He had a great mind; he was no carping critic. He was a logical thinker; he was the acid test of Jesus and his fellow apostles. If Jesus and his work had not been genuine, it could not have held a man like Thomas from the start to the finish. He had a keen and sure sense of fact. At the first appearance of fraud or deception Thomas would have forsaken them all. Scientists may not fully understand all about Jesus and his work on earth, but there lived and worked with the Master and his human associates a man whose mind was that of a true scientist—Thomas Didymus—and he believed in Jesus of Nazareth.
2015 139:8.12 Thomas er det store eksempel på et menneske som har sine tvivl, konfronterer sig med dem og vinder over dem. Han var af et fortræffelig sindelag; han var ikke den som kom med smålig kritik. Han tænkte logisk; han var holdbarhedstesten for Jesus og de andre apostle. Om Jesus og hans virksomhed ikke havde været ægte, ville han aldrig have klaret at holde på en mand som Thomas fra begyndelse til afslutningen. Thomas havde en skarpsindig og sikker sans for det faktiske. Ved første tilløb til svindel eller bedrageri ville Thomas have vendt dem alle ryggen. Forskere kan have problemer med at forstå alt om Jesus og hans virksomhed på jorden fuldt ud, men sammen med Mesteren og hans menneskelige følgesvende var der en mand som levede og arbejdede og havde en forskers mentalitet, og det var Thomas Didymus. Og han troede på Jesus fra Nazaret.
1955 139:8.13 Thomas had a trying time during the days of the trial and crucifixion. He was for a season in the depths of despair, but he rallied his courage, stuck to the apostles, and was present with them to welcome Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. For a while he succumbed to his doubting depression but eventually rallied his faith and courage. He gave wise counsel to the apostles after Pentecost and, when persecution scattered the believers, went to Cyprus, Crete, the North African coast, and Sicily, preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom and baptizing believers. And Thomas continued preaching and baptizing until he was apprehended by the agents of the Roman government and was put to death in Malta. Just a few weeks before his death he had begun the writing of the life and teachings of Jesus.
2015 139:8.13 Thomas oplevede en prøvelsens tid i dagene omkring domfældelsen og korsfæstelsen. Han nåede en stund bunden af modløshed, men han fik samlet mod til sig, holdt sig sammen med apostlene og var til stede sammen med dem for at ønske Jesus velkommen på Galilæasøen[56]. For en tid gav han efter for sin tvivlende depression, men fik efterhånden samlet sin tro og sit mod. Han var klog i sin rådgivning til apostlene efter pinsen, og da forfølgelserne spredte de troende for alle vinde, drog han til Kypros, Kreta, kysten af Nordafrika og Sicilien og forkyndte Guds riges glade budskab og døbte troende indtil han blev arresteret af de romerske myndigheder og henrettet på Malta. Kun nogle få uger før han døde, var han begyndt at skrive om Jesu liv og lære.
9. AND 10. JAMES AND JUDAS ALPHEUS
9. OG 10. JAMES OG JUDAS ALFEUS
1955 139:10.1 James and Judas the sons of Alpheus, the twin fishermen living near Kheresa, were the ninth and tenth apostles and were chosen by James and John Zebedee. They were twenty-six years old and married, James having three children, Judas two.
1955 139:10.2 There is not much to be said about these two commonplace fisherfolk. They loved their Master and Jesus loved them, but they never interrupted his discourses with questions. They understood very little about the philosophical discussions or the theological debates of their fellow apostles, but they rejoiced to find themselves numbered among such a group of mighty men. These two men were almost identical in personal appearance, mental characteristics, and extent of spiritual perception. What may be said of one should be recorded of the other.
2015 139:10.2 Det er ikke så meget som kan siges om disse helt almindelige fiskere. De elskede deres Mester, og Jesus elskede dem, men de afbrød aldrig hans foredrag med spørgsmål. De forstod meget lidt af de andre apostles filosofiske diskussioner eller teologiske debatter, men de var glade over selv at have en plads blandt sådan en gruppe af kraftfulde mennesker. Disse to mænd var næsten helt lige både når det gjaldt udseende, mentale kendetegn og grad af åndelig fatteevne. Det som kan siges om den ene, kunne man også skrive om den anden.
1955 139:10.3 Andrew assigned them to the work of policing the multitudes. They were the chief ushers of the preaching hours and, in fact, the general servants and errand boys of the twelve. They helped Philip with the supplies, they carried money to the families for Nathaniel, and always were they ready to lend a helping hand to any one of the apostles.
2015 139:10.3 Andreas tildelte dem arbejdet med at holde orden på menneskemængderne. De var overvogterne når det blev holdt prædikener og stod egentlig også generelt til tjeneste eller gik ærinder for de tolv. De hjalp Filip med forsyningerne, de bragte penge til familierne for Nataniel og var altid rede til at træde til med en hjælpende hånd for hvem det måtte være af apostlene.
1955 139:10.4 The multitudes of the common people were greatly encouraged to find two like themselves honored with places among the apostles. By their very acceptance as apostles these mediocre twins were the means of bringing a host of fainthearted believers into the kingdom. And, too, the common people took more kindly to the idea of being directed and managed by official ushers who were very much like themselves.
2015 139:10.4 Menneskemængderne af almindelige folk blev meget opmuntret af at finde to som var som dem selv i den ærefulde position som apostle. Ved deres blotte godkendelse som apostle var disse middelmådige tvillinger midlet til at bringe en skare af forsagte troende ind i Guds rige. Og i tillæg tog de fleste folk sig mere velvillig til tåls med idéen om at blive anvist og holdt i orden af officielle vogtere som var så meget lig dem selv.
1955 139:10.6 James Alpheus especially loved Jesus because of the Master’s simplicity. These twins could not comprehend the mind of Jesus, but they did grasp the sympathetic bond between themselves and the heart of their Master. Their minds were not of a high order; they might even reverently be called stupid, but they had a real experience in their spiritual natures. They believed in Jesus; they were sons of God and fellows of the kingdom.
2015 139:10.6 James Alfeus elskede Jesus særlig på grund af Mesterens enkelhed. Disse tvillinger kunne ikke forstå Jesu tankegang, men de opfattede det bånd af sympati som fandtes mellem dem og deres Mesters hjerte. Deres sind var ikke af nogen høj orden; man kan til og med, med alt respekt, godt kalde dem dumme, men de fik sig en virkelig erfaring i deres åndelige natur. De troede på Jesus; de var Guds sønner og medlemmer af riget.
1955 139:10.7 Judas Alpheus was drawn toward Jesus because of the Master’s unostentatious humility. Such humility linked with such personal dignity made a great appeal to Judas. The fact that Jesus would always enjoin silence regarding his unusual acts made a great impression on this simple child of nature.
2015 139:10.7 Judas Alfeus blev tiltrukket af Jesus på grund af Mesterens uprætentiøse ydmyghed. En sådan ydmyghed koblet sammen med en sådan værdighed appellerede stærkt til Judas. Det faktum at Jesus altid indskærpede at man forholdt sig tavs om hans usædvanlige gerninger, gjorde et stærkt indtryk på dette enkle naturbarn.
1955 139:10.8 The twins were good-natured, simple-minded helpers, and everybody loved them. Jesus welcomed these young men of one talent to positions of honor on his personal staff in the kingdom because there are untold millions of other such simple and fear-ridden souls on the worlds of space whom he likewise wishes to welcome into active and believing fellowship with himself and his outpoured Spirit of Truth. Jesus does not look down upon littleness, only upon evil and sin. James and Judas were little, but they were also faithful. They were simple and ignorant, but they were also big-hearted, kind, and generous.
2015 139:10.8 Tvillingerne var godmodige hjælpere, enkle i deres tankegang, og alle var glade for dem. Jesus ønskede disse enfoldige unge mænd velkommen til at indtage ærefulde positioner ved hans personlige stab i Guds rige fordi der findes utallige millioner af andre sådanne enkle og forskræmte sjæle på verdnerne ude i rummet som han ligeledes ønsker at få med sig i aktivt trosfællesskab med ham selv og hans udøste Sandhedsånd. Jesus så ikke ned på det at være lille, men kun på ondskab og synd. James og Judas var små, men de var også trofaste. De var enkle og uvidende, men hjertegode, venlige og gavmilde.
1955 139:10.9 And how gratefully proud were these humble men on that day when the Master refused to accept a certain rich man as an evangelist unless he would sell his goods and help the poor. When the people heard this and beheld the twins among his counselors, they knew of a certainty that Jesus was no respecter of persons. But only a divine institution—the kingdom of heaven—could ever have been built upon such a mediocre human foundation!
2015 139:10.9 Og hvor taknemmelig stolte var ikke disse ydmyge mænd på den dag da Mesteren nægtede at godkende en vis rig mand som evangelist medmindre han solgte sit gods for at hjælpe de fattige[60]. Når folk hørte om dette og lade mærke til tvillingerne blandt hans rådsmænd, vidste de med sikkerhed at Jesus ikke uddelte respekt til personer[61]. Men kun en guddommelig institution - Guds rige i himmelriget - kunne overhoved lade sig bygge på et så middelmådigt menneskeligt fundament!
1955 139:10.10 Only once or twice in all their association with Jesus did the twins venture to ask questions in public. Judas was once intrigued into asking Jesus a question when the Master had talked about revealing himself openly to the world. He felt a little disappointed that there were to be no more secrets among the twelve, and he made bold to ask: “But, Master, when you do thus declare yourself to the world, how will you favor us with special manifestations of your goodness?”
2015 139:10.10 Bare en eller to gange i løbet af hele deres samkvem med Mesteren vovede tvillingerne at stille spørgsmål offentlig. Nysgerrigheden fik en gang Judas til at stille Jesus et spørgsmål efter at Mesteren havde snakket om åbent at give sig til kende for hele verden. Han følte sig lidt skuffet over at det ikke kom til at være nogle flere hemmeligheder i mellem de tolv, og han tog mod til sig og spurgte: “Men, Mester, når du giver dig til kende for hele verden på den måde, hvordan vil du da tilgodese os med specielle tilkendegivelser af din godhed?”[62]
1955 139:10.11 The twins served faithfully until the end, until the dark days of trial, crucifixion, and despair. They never lost their heart faith in Jesus, and (save John) they were the first to believe in his resurrection. But they could not comprehend the establishment of the kingdom. Soon after their Master was crucified, they returned to their families and nets; their work was done. They had not the ability to go on in the more complex battles of the kingdom. But they lived and died conscious of having been honored and blessed with four years of close and personal association with a Son of God, the sovereign maker of a universe.
2015 139:10.11 Tvillingerne var trofaste i deres tjeneste til sidste stund, helt til domfældelsens, korsfæstelsens og håbløshedens mørke tid. De mistede aldrig deres hjerters tro på Jesus, og de var de første (næst efter Johannes) til at tro på hans opstandelse. Men de kunne ikke begribe det med oprettelsen af Guds rige. Ikke længe efter at deres Mester var blevet korsfæstet, vendte de tilbage til deres familier og deres fiskegarn; de havde gjort deres arbejde. De havde ikke evner nok til at fortsætte med de mere indviklede stridigheder knyttet til Guds rige. Men de levede og døde ved bevidsthed om at de var blevet beæret og velsignet med fire år med nært og personlig samkvem med en Guds Søn, den selvstyrende skaber af et univers.
11. SIMON THE ZEALOT
11. SIMON ZELOTEN
1955 139:11.1 Simon Zelotes, the eleventh apostle, was chosen by Simon Peter. He was an able man of good ancestry and lived with his family at Capernaum. He was twenty-eight years old when he became attached to the apostles. He was a fiery agitator and was also a man who spoke much without thinking. He had been a merchant in Capernaum before he turned his entire attention to the patriotic organization of the Zealots.
2015 139:11.1 Simon Zeloten, den elvte apostel, blev valgt af Simon Peter[63]. Han var en evnerig mand med gode aner og boede med sin familie i Kapernaum. Han var otteogtyve år da han blev tilknyttet apostlene. Han var en brændende agitator og var også en mand som sagde meget uden at tænke sig om. Han havde været købmand i Kapernaum før han viede hele sin opmærksomhed på zeloternes patriotiske organisation.
1955 139:11.2 Simon Zelotes was given charge of the diversions and relaxation of the apostolic group, and he was a very efficient organizer of the play life and recreational activities of the twelve.
2015 139:11.2 Simon Zeloten fik til opgave at tage sig af apostelgruppens adspredelses- og afslapningsaktiviteter og han var en meget effektiv organisator for de tolvs lege og fritidsaktiviteter.
1955 139:11.3 Simon’s strength was his inspirational loyalty. When the apostles found a man or woman who floundered in indecision about entering the kingdom, they would send for Simon. It usually required only about fifteen minutes for this enthusiastic advocate of salvation through faith in God to settle all doubts and remove all indecision, to see a new soul born into the “liberty of faith and the joy of salvation.”
2015 139:11.3 Simons styrke var hans inspirerende loyalitet. Når apostlene fandt en mand eller kvinde som svævede i ubeslutsomhed hvad angik det at tage stilling til om de skulle træde ind i Guds rige, sendte de bud efter Simon. Det tog normalt kun et kvarters tid før denne begejstrede talsmand for frelse ved tro på Gud havde ryddet enhver tvivl af vejen og fjernet alt ubeslutsomhed for så at se en ny sjæl fødes ind i “troens frihed og frelsens lyksalighed.”
1955 139:11.4 Simon’s great weakness was his material-mindedness. He could not quickly change himself from a Jewish nationalist to a spiritually minded internationalist. Four years was too short a time in which to make such an intellectual and emotional transformation, but Jesus was always patient with him.
2015 139:11.4 Simons store svaghed var hans materialistiske tankegang. Han kunne ikke hurtig ændre sig fra at være en jødisk nationalist til at blive en åndeligsindet internationalist. Fire år var alt for kort en tid til at foretage en sådan intellektuel og følelsesmæssig forvandling, men Jesus var altid tålmodig med ham.
1955 139:11.5 The one thing about Jesus which Simon so much admired was the Master’s calmness, his assurance, poise, and inexplicable composure.
2015 139:11.5 Det ene træk ved Jesus som Simon beundrede så stærkt, var Mesterens sindsro, hans selvtillid, ligevægt og uforklarlige selvbeherskelse.
1955 139:11.6 Although Simon was a rabid revolutionist, a fearless firebrand of agitation, he gradually subdued his fiery nature until he became a powerful and effective preacher of “Peace on earth and good will among men.” Simon was a great debater; he did like to argue. And when it came to dealing with the legalistic minds of the educated Jews or the intellectual quibblings of the Greeks, the task was always assigned to Simon.
2015 139:11.6 Selv om Simon var en rabiat revolutionær, en uforfærdet agitations brandbombe, tæmmede han gradvis sin brændende natur indtil han blev en kraftfuld og effektiv forkynder af “fred på jord og god vilje mellem mennesker[64].” Simon var en ypperlig debattør; han elskede at argumentere. Og når det gjaldt om at hamle op med velskolede jøders regelrytteri eller med grækerne og deres intellektuelle spidsfindigheder, var det altid Simon som blev sat til det.
1955 139:11.7 He was a rebel by nature and an iconoclast by training, but Jesus won him for the higher concepts of the kingdom of heaven. He had always identified himself with the party of protest, but he now joined the party of progress, unlimited and eternal progression of spirit and truth. Simon was a man of intense loyalties and warm personal devotions, and he did profoundly love Jesus.
2015 139:11.7 Han var en oprører af natur og en billedstormer af oplæring, men Jesus vandt ham over til himmelrigets højerestående begreber. Han havde altid følt sig hjemme på de protesterendes side, men nu sluttede han sig til de progressives side, i åndens og sandhedens ubegrænsede og evige fremskridts tjeneste. Simon var en mand med intense loyalitetsbånd og varm, personlig hengivenhed, og han elskede virkelig Jesus højt.
1955 139:11.8 Jesus was not afraid to identify himself with business men, laboring men, optimists, pessimists, philosophers, skeptics, publicans, politicians, and patriots.
2015 139:11.8 Jesus var ikke bange for at identificere sig med hverken forretningsfolk, arbejdsfolk, optimister, pessimister, filosoffer, skeptikere, skattefogder, politikere eller patrioter.
1955 139:11.9 The Master had many talks with Simon, but he never fully succeeded in making an internationalist out of this ardent Jewish nationalist. Jesus often told Simon that it was proper to want to see the social, economic, and political orders improved, but he would always add: “That is not the business of the kingdom of heaven. We must be dedicated to the doing of the Father’s will. Our business is to be ambassadors of a spiritual government on high, and we must not immediately concern ourselves with aught but the representation of the will and character of the divine Father who stands at the head of the government whose credentials we bear.” It was all difficult for Simon to comprehend, but gradually he began to grasp something of the meaning of the Master’s teaching.
2015 139:11.9 Mesteren havde mange samtaler med Simon, men det lykkedes ham aldrig helt at gøre en internationalist ud af denne glødende jødiske nationalist. Jesus fortalte ofte Simon at det var på sin plads at ville se til at de sociale, økonomiske og politiske forhold forbedrede sig, men han ville altid tilføje: “Dette er ikke en sag som angår himmelriget. Vi må vie os til at udføre Faderens vilje. Vort anliggende er at være ambassadører for en åndelig regering i det høje, og vi bør ikke beskæftige os direkte med noget andet end at repræsentere viljen og karakteregenskaberne til den guddommelige Fader som står som den øverste af den regering som vi er fuldmagtsindehavere for.” Alt dette var det vanskelig for Simon at begribe sig på, men gradvis dæmrede lidt af meningen med Mesterens ord for ham.
1955 139:11.10 After the dispersion because of the Jerusalem persecutions, Simon went into temporary retirement. He was literally crushed. As a nationalist patriot he had surrendered in deference to Jesus’ teachings; now all was lost. He was in despair, but in a few years he rallied his hopes and went forth to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom.
2015 139:11.10 Efter opløsningen som en følge af forfølgelserne i Jerusalem trak Simon sig midlertidig tilbage. Han var simpelthen knust. Som en nationalistforkæmper havde han overgivet sig i ærbødighed til Jesu lære, og nu var alt tabt. Han var trøstesløs, men efter nogle få år fik han vækket sit håb til live igen, og han drog ud og forkyndte Guds riges evangelium.
1955 139:11.11 He went to Alexandria and, after working up the Nile, penetrated into the heart of Africa, everywhere preaching the gospel of Jesus and baptizing believers. Thus he labored until he was an old man and feeble. And he died and was buried in the heart of Africa.
2015 139:11.11 Han rejste til Alexandria, og trængte, efter at have arbejdet sig op langs Nilen, ind i hjertet af Afrika, og hvor han end færdedes forkyndte han Guds riges evangelium og døbte troende. Således arbejdede han indtil han var en skrøbelig gammel mand. Og han døde og blev gravlagt i hjertet af Afrika.
12. JUDAS ISCARIOT
12. JUDAS ISKARIOT
1955 139:12.1 Judas Iscariot, the twelfth apostle, was chosen by Nathaniel. He was born in Kerioth, a small town in southern Judea. When he was a lad, his parents moved to Jericho, where he lived and had been employed in his father’s various business enterprises until he became interested in the preaching and work of John the Baptist. Judas’s parents were Sadducees, and when their son joined John’s disciples, they disowned him.
2015 139:12.1 Judas Iskariot, den tolvte apostel, blev valgt af Nataniel[65]. Han var født i Keriot, en lille landsby i det sydlige Judæa. Da han var knægt, flyttede hans forældre til Jeriko, hvor han boede og havde været beskæftiget i sin fars forskellige forretningsforetagender indtil han blev interesseret i Johannes Døberens forkyndelse og arbejde. Forældrene til Judas var saddukæere, og da deres søn slog sig sammen med Johannes disciple, vendte de ham ryggen.
1955 139:12.2 When Nathaniel met Judas at Tarichea, he was seeking employment with a fish-drying enterprise at the lower end of the Sea of Galilee. He was thirty years of age and unmarried when he joined the apostles. He was probably the best-educated man among the twelve and the only Judean in the Master’s apostolic family. Judas had no outstanding trait of personal strength, though he had many outwardly appearing traits of culture and habits of training. He was a good thinker but not always a truly honest thinker. Judas did not really understand himself; he was not really sincere in dealing with himself.
2015 139:12.2 Da Nataniel mødte Judas i Tarigea, var han i færd med at søge arbejde ved en fisketørringsbedrift ved udløbet af Galilæasøen. Han var tredive år og ugift da han sluttede sig til apostlene. Han var antagelig den bedst uddannede af de tolv og den eneste fra Judæa i Mesterens apostelfamilie. Judas havde ikke nogen fremtrædende stærk egenskab, selv om han havde mange ydre tegn på dannelse og indlærte vaner. Han havde et godt hoved, men var ikke altid helt sandfærdig i sin tænkning. Judas forstod sig ikke rigtig på sig selv; han var ikke ordentlig oprigtig overfor sig selv.
1955 139:12.3 Andrew appointed Judas treasurer of the twelve, a position which he was eminently fitted to hold, and up to the time of the betrayal of his Master he discharged the responsibilities of his office honestly, faithfully, and most efficiently.
2015 139:12.3 Andreas udnævnte Judas til kasserer for de tolv, en stilling han passede overordentlig godt og frem til da han forrådte sin Mester, tog han ansvaret for sit erhverv på en ærlig, trofast og meget effektiv måde.
1955 139:12.4 There was no special trait about Jesus which Judas admired above the generally attractive and exquisitely charming personality of the Master. Judas was never able to rise above his Judean prejudices against his Galilean associates; he would even criticize in his mind many things about Jesus. Him whom eleven of the apostles looked upon as the perfect man, as the “one altogether lovely and the chiefest among ten thousand,” this self-satisfied Judean often dared to criticize in his own heart. He really entertained the notion that Jesus was timid and somewhat afraid to assert his own power and authority.
2015 139:12.4 Det var ikke noget specielt træk ved Jesus som Judas beundrede udover Mesterens generelt tiltrækkende og udsøgt tiltalende personlighed. Judas blev aldrig i stand til at hæve sig over sine judæiske fordomme mod sine galilæiske følgesvende; han ville i sit stille sind til og med kritisere mange sider ved Jesus. Ham som de elleve af apostlene betragtede som det perfekte menneske, som den “en alt i alt elskelige og den ypperste blandt titusinde,” vovede denne selvtilfredse judæer ofte at kritisere i sit hjerte[66]. Han nærede virkelig forestillingen om at Jesus var frygtsom og mere eller mindre bange for at tilkendegive sin egen magt og ære.
1955 139:12.5 Judas was a good business man. It required tact, ability, and patience, as well as painstaking devotion, to manage the financial affairs of such an idealist as Jesus, to say nothing of wrestling with the helter-skelter business methods of some of his apostles. Judas really was a great executive, a farseeing and able financier. And he was a stickler for organization. None of the twelve ever criticized Judas. As far as they could see, Judas Iscariot was a matchless treasurer, a learned man, a loyal (though sometimes critical) apostle, and in every sense of the word a great success. The apostles loved Judas; he was really one of them. He must have believed in Jesus, but we doubt whether he really loved the Master with a whole heart. The case of Judas illustrates the truthfulness of that saying: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death.” It is altogether possible to fall victim to the peaceful deception of pleasant adjustment to the paths of sin and death. Be assured that Judas was always financially loyal to his Master and his fellow apostles. Money could never have been the motive for his betrayal of the Master.
2015 139:12.5 Judas var en god forretningsmand. Det krævede taktfølelse, gode evner og tålmodighed såvel som samvittighedsfuld hengivelse at holde orden på en sådan idealist som Jesus finansielle anliggender, for ikke at tale om de vildt forvirrede forretningsmetoder af hans apostle. Judas var virkelig god til at få sagerne gennemført, fremsynet og dygtig til at finansiere. Han var pinlig nøjagtig til at organisere. Ingen af de tolv kritiserede nogensinde Judas. Så langt som de kunne se, var Judas Iskariot en uovertruffen kasserer, en lærd mand, en loyal apostel (selv om han rigtignok af og til kom med kritik) og i alle betydninger af ordet en rigtig så vellykket person. Apostlene elskede Judas; han var virkelig en af dem. Han må have troet på Jesus, men vi tvivler på om han virkelig elskede Mesteren helhjertet[67]. Tilfældet Judas illustrerer sandhedsværdien af udtalelse: “Der findes en vej som ser rigtig ud for mennesket, men den ender i døden.” Det er for så vidt mulig at falde som offer for det fredelige selvbedrag som ligger i at tilpasse sig bekvemmelig efter syndens og dødens veje. Tvivl ikke på at Judas altid var ærlig i pengespørgsmål overfor både sin Mester og de andre apostle. Penge kunne aldrig have været noget motiv for hans forræderi af Mesteren.
1955 139:12.6 Judas was an only son of unwise parents. When very young, he was pampered and petted; he was a spoiled child. As he grew up, he had exaggerated ideas about his self-importance. He was a poor loser. He had loose and distorted ideas about fairness; he was given to the indulgence of hate and suspicion. He was an expert at misinterpretation of the words and acts of his friends. All through his life Judas had cultivated the habit of getting even with those whom he fancied had mistreated him. His sense of values and loyalties was defective.
2015 139:12.6 Judas var enebarn og havde ubetænksomme forældre. Da han var ung, blev han forvænt og forkælet; han var et spoleret barn. Efterhånden som han voksede op, gjorde han sig overdrevne tanker om sin egen betydningsfuldhed. Han var en dårlig taber. Han havde udsvævende og forvrængede idéer om retfærdighed; han havde en hang til at give efter for had og mistænksomhed. Han var en ekspert i at opfatte sine venners udsagn og gerninger i den værste mening. Gennem hele livet havde Judas gjort sig for vane at hævne sig mod dem som han indbildte sig havde behandlet ham dårlig. Hans sans for værdier og loyaliteter var tilbagestående.
1955 139:12.7 To Jesus, Judas was a faith adventure. From the beginning the Master fully understood the weakness of this apostle and well knew the dangers of admitting him to fellowship. But it is the nature of the Sons of God to give every created being a full and equal chance for salvation and survival. Jesus wanted not only the mortals of this world but the onlookers of innumerable other worlds to know that, when doubts exist as to the sincerity and wholeheartedness of a creature’s devotion to the kingdom, it is the invariable practice of the Judges of men fully to receive the doubtful candidate. The door of eternal life is wide open to all; “whosoever will may come”; there are no restrictions or qualifications save the faith of the one who comes.
2015 139:12.7 For Jesus var Judas et troseventyr. Fra første stund forstod Mesteren fuldt ud denne apostels svaghed og var helt klar over farerne ved at slippe ham ind i fællesskabet. Men det er af Guds Sønners natur at give hver eneste skabt væsen en fuld og jævnbyrdig chance til at frelses og overleve. Jesus ønskede ikke bare de dødelige i denne verden, men også tilskuerne på utallige andre verdner, skulle få at vide at når der hersker tvivl om en skabnings oprigtighed og helhjertethed i sin hengivelse til Guds rige, er det menneskenes Dommeres konsekvente praksis fuldstændig at tage imod den tvivlsomme kandidat. Døren til det evige liv står åben for alle; “den som vil det, kan komme ind;” der findes ingen restriktioner eller kvalifikationer udover troen hos den som kommer[68].
1955 139:12.8 This is just the reason why Jesus permitted Judas to go on to the very end, always doing everything possible to transform and save this weak and confused apostle. But when light is not honestly received and lived up to, it tends to become darkness within the soul. Judas grew intellectually regarding Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom, but he did not make progress in the acquirement of spiritual character as did the other apostles. He failed to make satisfactory personal progress in spiritual experience.
2015 139:12.8 Dette er netop grunden til at Jesus lod Judas få lov til at fortsætte til vejs ende; han gjorde alt hvad han kunne for at omforme og redde denne svage og forvirrede apostel. Men når lys ikke modtages med oprigtighed og bliver levet op til, så har det let ved at blive til mørke inde i sjælen. Judas styrkede sin intellektuelle forståelse af Jesu lære om Guds rige, men han gjorde ikke fremskridt med at tilegne sig en åndelig karakter som de andre apostle gjorde. Han undlod at gøre tilstrækkelig personlig fremskridt i åndelig indlevelse.
1955 139:12.9 Judas became increasingly a brooder over personal disappointment, and finally he became a victim of resentment. His feelings had been many times hurt, and he grew abnormally suspicious of his best friends, even of the Master. Presently he became obsessed with the idea of getting even, anything to avenge himself, yes, even betrayal of his associates and his Master.
2015 139:12.9 Judas blev i stigende grad en grubler over sine personlige skuffelser, og han blev til sidst et offer for bitterheden. Hans følelser var mange gange blevet såret, og han var abnormt mistænksom overfor sine bedste venner, selv overfor Mesteren. Efterhånden blev han besat af tanken, hvad som helst for at hævne sig, ja, til og med at forråde sin Mester.
1955 139:12.10 But these wicked and dangerous ideas did not take definite shape until the day when a grateful woman broke an expensive box of incense at Jesus’ feet. This seemed wasteful to Judas, and when his public protest was so sweepingly disallowed by Jesus right there in the hearing of all, it was too much. That event determined the mobilization of all the accumulated hate, hurt, malice, prejudice, jealousy, and revenge of a lifetime, and he made up his mind to get even with he knew not whom; but he crystallized all the evil of his nature upon the one innocent person in all the sordid drama of his unfortunate life just because Jesus happened to be the chief actor in the episode which marked his passing from the progressive kingdom of light into that self-chosen domain of darkness.
2015 139:12.10 Men disse ondskabsfulde og farlige tankene fandt ikke sin endelige form før den dag en taknemlig kvinde knuste en dyr æske med røgelse foran Jesu fødder[69]. Dette syntes Judas var sløseri, og da hans åbenlyse protest på stedet blev så fejende tilbagevist af Jesus mens alle hørte det, blev det for meget for ham. Denne hændelse var afgørende for alt det som havde hobet sig op af had, sårede følelser, nag, fordomme, jalousi og hævnlyst gennem et helt liv, og han bestemte sig for at få hævn over hvem det nu end kunne være. Men han lod alt det onde i sin natur udkrystallisere sig overfor den ene uskyldige person i hele sit ulyksalige livs makabre drama kun fordi Jesus kom til at spille hovedrollen i den episode som markerede hans overgang fra lysets fremadskridende rige og ind i det selv valgte mørkets domæne.
1955 139:12.11 The Master many times, both privately and publicly, had warned Judas that he was slipping, but divine warnings are usually useless in dealing with embittered human nature. Jesus did everything possible, consistent with man’s moral freedom, to prevent Judas’s choosing to go the wrong way. The great test finally came. The son of resentment failed; he yielded to the sour and sordid dictates of a proud and vengeful mind of exaggerated self-importance and swiftly plunged on down into confusion, despair, and depravity.
2015 139:12.11 Mesteren havde mange gange, både privat og i al offentlighed, advaret Judas om at han stod på gyngende grund, men guddommelige advarsler er sædvanligvis nytteløse når man har med en forbitret menneskenatur at gøre. Jesus gjorde alt som stod i hans magt i overensstemmelse med menneskets moralske frihed for at hindre at Judas valgte at gå i den forkerte retning. Til slut kom den store prøve. Hævngerrighedens søn bestod den ikke; han gav efter for de bitre og frastødende impulser fra et stolt og hævnlysten sind med en overdreven sans for egen betydningsfuldhed, og styrtede hurtig nedad og ind i en forvirret, trøstesløs og demoraliseret tilstand.
1955 139:12.12 Judas then entered into the base and shameful intrigue to betray his Lord and Master and quickly carried the nefarious scheme into effect. During the outworking of his anger-conceived plans of traitorous betrayal, he experienced moments of regret and shame, and in these lucid intervals he faintheartedly conceived, as a defense in his own mind, the idea that Jesus might possibly exert his power and deliver himself at the last moment.
2015 139:12.12 Judas begav sig så ind i det nedrige og skammelige intrigespil med at forråde sin Herre og Mester og satte hurtig sit ondskabsfulde forehavende ud i livet[70]. Under udarbejdelsen af sin vredes udklækket plan af troløs forræderi, oplevede han øjeblikke med anger og skam, og i disse klare øjeblikke gjorde han sig forknyttede forestillinger, som en forsvarsmekanisme i sit eget sind, om at Jesus muligvis ville benytte sig af sin magt og befri sig selv i sidste øjeblik.
1955 139:12.13 When the sordid and sinful business was all over, this renegade mortal, who thought lightly of selling his friend for thirty pieces of silver to satisfy his long-nursed craving for revenge, rushed out and committed the final act in the drama of fleeing from the realities of mortal existence—suicide.
2015 139:12.13 Da hele denne makabre og syndige affære var over, skyndte denne frafaldne dødelig, der så let havde solgt sin ven for tredive sølvstykker for at tilfredsstille den hævnlyst han så længe havde givet næring til, af sted i alt hast og fuldførte sidste akt i dramaet om at flygte fra den dødelige tilværelsens virkelighed - selvmord[71].
1955 139:12.14 The eleven apostles were horrified, stunned. Jesus regarded the betrayer only with pity. The worlds have found it difficult to forgive Judas, and his name has become eschewed throughout a far-flung universe.
2015 139:12.14 De elleve apostlene var skrækslagne; lamslået. Jesus betragtede kun forræderen med medlidenhed. Verdnerne har fundet det vanskelig at tilgive Judas, og hans navn har vækket afsky rundt om i et vidtstrakt univers.
| Kapitel 138. Træningen Af Rigets Budbringere |
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Kapitel 140. Ordinationen Af De Tolv |