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Oversættelser: © 2015 Urantia Foundation
BEGINNING THE PUBLIC WORK
BEGYNDELSEN AF DET OFFENTLIGE ARBEJDE
1955 141:0.1 ON THE first day of the week, January 19, A.D. 27, Jesus and the twelve apostles made ready to depart from their headquarters in Bethsaida. The twelve knew nothing of their Master’s plans except that they were going up to Jerusalem to attend the Passover feast in April, and that it was the intention to journey by way of the Jordan valley. They did not get away from Zebedee’s house until near noon because the families of the apostles and others of the disciples had come to say good-bye and wish them well in the new work they were about to begin.
2015 141:0.1 PÅ UGENS første dag den 19. januar, år 27 e.Kr., gjorde Jesus og de tolv apostle sig klar til at forlade deres operationsbase i Betsaida. De tolv vidste intet om Mesterens planer, bortset fra at de var på vej til Jerusalem for at fejre påsken i april og at hensigten var at rejse via Jordandalen. De kom ikke væk fra Zebedæus hus førend tæt på middagstid, fordi familierne til apostlene og andre disciple var kommet for at sige farvel og ønske dem held og lykke i det nye arbejde, som de snart skulle begynde.
1955 141:0.2 Just before leaving, the apostles missed the Master, and Andrew went out to find him. After a brief search he found Jesus sitting in a boat down the beach, and he was weeping. The twelve had often seen their Master when he seemed to grieve, and they had beheld his brief seasons of serious preoccupation of mind, but none of them had ever seen him weep. Andrew was somewhat startled to see the Master thus affected on the eve of their departure for Jerusalem, and he ventured to approach Jesus and ask: “On this great day, Master, when we are to depart for Jerusalem to proclaim the Father’s kingdom, why is it that you weep? Which of us has offended you?” And Jesus, going back with Andrew to join the twelve, answered him: “No one of you has grieved me. I am saddened only because none of my father Joseph’s family have remembered to come over to bid us Godspeed.” At this time Ruth was on a visit to her brother Joseph at Nazareth. Other members of his family were kept away by pride, disappointment, misunderstanding, and petty resentment indulged as a result of hurt feelings.
2015 141:0.2 Lige før de skulle af sted, bemærkede apostlene, at Mesteren manglede, og Andreas gik ud for at søge efter ham. Efter en kort søgning fandt han Jesus i en båd nede på stranden, hvor han sad og græd. De tolv havde ofte set deres Mester, når han syntes at sørge, og de havde iagttaget hans korte perioder, hvor han blev alvorligt fordybet i sine tanker, men ingen af dem havde nogensinde set ham græde. Andreas var noget overrasket over at se Mesteren således påvirket på tærsklen til deres afrejse til Jerusalem, og han vovede at nærme sig Jesus og spurgte: ”Mester, hvorfor græder du på denne store dag, hvor vi skal af sted mod Jerusalem for at forkynde Faderens rige? Hvem af os har fornærmet dig?" Jesus svarede Andreas, mens han gik tilbage med ham for at tilslutte sig til de tolv:" Ingen af jer har gjort mig ked af det. Jeg er kun ked af det fordi ingen af min fars Josefs familie har husket at komme for at ønske os held og lykke på vores rejse." På dette tidspunkt var Ruth på besøg hos sin bror Josef i Nazaret. De øvrige medlemmer af hans familie holdt sig væk af stolthed, skuffelse, misforståelser, og smålig vrede som følge af sårede følelser.
1. LEAVING GALILEE
1. AFREJSEN FRA GALILÆA
1955 141:1.1 Capernaum was not far from Tiberias, and the fame of Jesus had begun to spread well over all of Galilee and even to parts beyond. Jesus knew that Herod would soon begin to take notice of his work; so he thought best to journey south and into Judea with his apostles. A company of over one hundred believers desired to go with them, but Jesus spoke to them and besought them not to accompany the apostolic group on their way down the Jordan. Though they consented to remain behind, many of them followed after the Master within a few days.
2015 141:1.1 Kapernaum var ikke langt fra Tiberias, og rygtet om Jesus var allerede begyndt at sprede sig i hele Galilæa og endda til områder længere væk. Jesus vidste, at Herodes snart ville begynde at lægge mærke til hans arbejde. Derfor mente han, at det var bedst at gå syd og ind i Judæa med sine apostle. Et selskab af over hundrede troende ønskede at rejse med dem, men Jesus talte til dem, og bad dem om ikke at ledsage den apostoliske gruppe på vej ned langs Jordanfloden. Selvom de indvilliget i at blive tilbage, fulgte mange af dem inden for få dage efter Mesteren.
1955 141:1.2 The first day Jesus and the apostles only journeyed as far as Tarichea, where they rested for the night. The next day they traveled to a point on the Jordan near Pella where John had preached about one year before, and where Jesus had received baptism. Here they tarried for more than two weeks, teaching and preaching. By the end of the first week several hundred people had assembled in a camp near where Jesus and the twelve dwelt, and they had come from Galilee, Phoenicia, Syria, the Decapolis, Perea, and Judea.
2015 141:1.2 Den første dag rejste Jesus og apostlene kun så langt som til Tarikea, hvor de hvilede natten over. Den næste dag vandrede de til det sted ved Jordanfloden nær Pella, hvor Johannes havde prædiket omkring et år tidligere, og hvor Jesus blev døbt. Her opholdt de sig i mere end to uger, mens de underviste og prædikede. Ved slutningen af den første uge havde flere hundrede mennesker samlet sig i en lejr tæt på hvor Jesus og de tolv boede, og de var kommet fra Galilæa, Fønikien, Syrien, Dekapolis, Peræa, og Judæa.
1955 141:1.3 Jesus did no public preaching. Andrew divided the multitude and assigned the preachers for the forenoon and afternoon assemblies; after the evening meal Jesus talked with the twelve. He taught them nothing new but reviewed his former teaching and answered their many questions. On one of these evenings he told the twelve something about the forty days which he spent in the hills near this place.
2015 141:1.3 Jesus holdt ingen offentlige prædikener. Andreas opdelte folkemængderne og ordinerede prædikanter ved formiddags- og eftermiddags møderne. Efter aftensmaden talte Jesus med de tolv. Han lærte dem ikke noget nyt, men gennemgik igen hans tidligere undervisning og besvarede deres mange spørgsmål. Under en af disse aftener fortalte han de tolv noget om de fyrre dage, han tilbragte i bjergene nær dette sted.
1955 141:1.4 Many of those who came from Perea and Judea had been baptized by John and were interested in finding out more about Jesus’ teachings. The apostles made much progress in teaching the disciples of John inasmuch as they did not in any way detract from John’s preaching, and since they did not at this time even baptize their new disciples. But it was always a stumbling stone to John’s followers that Jesus, if he were all that John had announced, did nothing to get him out of prison. John’s disciples never could understand why Jesus did not prevent the cruel death of their beloved leader.
2015 141:1.4 Mange af dem, der kom fra Peræa og Judæa var blevet døbt af Johannes, og de var interesseret i at finde ud af mere om Jesu lære. Apostlene havde stor succes i deres undervisning af Johannes disciple, da de på ingen måde forringede Johannes prædiken og fordi de på dette tidspunkt ikke selv døbte deres nye disciple. Men det var altid en anstødssten for tilhængerne af Johannes, at Jesus, hvis han var alt, hvad Johannes havde annonceret, intet gjorde for at få ham ud af fængslet. Johannes disciple kunne aldrig forstå, hvorfor Jesus ikke forhindrede deres elskede leders grusomme død.
1955 141:1.5 From night to night Andrew carefully instructed his fellow apostles in the delicate and difficult task of getting along smoothly with the followers of John the Baptist. During this first year of Jesus’ public ministry more than three fourths of his followers had previously followed John and had received his baptism. This entire year of A.D. 27 was spent in quietly taking over John’s work in Perea and Judea.
2015 141:1.5 Aften efter aften instruerede Andreas sine medapostle i den fine og vanskelige opgave at komme overens med tilhængerne af Johannes Døberen. I løbet af dette første år af Jesu offentlige tjeneste havde mere end tre fjerdedele af hans tilhængere tidligere fulgte Johannes og havde modtaget hans dåb. Hele denne år 27 e.Kr. blev brugt til stille og roligt at overtage Johannes arbejde i Peræa og Judæa.
2. GOD’S LAW AND THE FATHER’S WILL
2. GUDS LOV OG FADERENS VILJE
1955 141:2.1 The night before they left Pella, Jesus gave the apostles some further instruction with regard to the new kingdom. Said the Master: “You have been taught to look for the coming of the kingdom of God, and now I come announcing that this long-looked-for kingdom is near at hand, even that it is already here and in our midst. In every kingdom there must be a king seated upon his throne and decreeing the laws of the realm. And so have you developed a concept of the kingdom of heaven as a glorified rule of the Jewish people over all the peoples of the earth with Messiah sitting on David’s throne and from this place of miraculous power promulgating the laws of all the world. But, my children, you see not with the eye of faith, and you hear not with the understanding of the spirit. I declare that the kingdom of heaven is the realization and acknowledgment of God’s rule within the hearts of men. True, there is a King in this kingdom, and that King is my Father and your Father. We are indeed his loyal subjects, but far transcending that fact is the transforming truth that we are his sons. In my life this truth is to become manifest to all. Our Father also sits upon a throne, but not one made with hands. The throne of the Infinite is the eternal dwelling place of the Father in the heaven of heavens; he fills all things and proclaims his laws to universes upon universes. And the Father also rules within the hearts of his children on earth by the spirit which he has sent to live within the souls of mortal men.
2015 141:2.1 Natten før de forlod Pella gav Jesus apostlene nogle yderligere instruktion med hensyn til det nye rige. Mesteren sagde: "Du er blevet undervist i at vente på ankomsten af Guds rige, og nu vil jeg meddele at dette længe ventede rige er lige ved hånden, selvom at det allerede er her og i vor midte. I hvert rige skal der være en konge siddende på sin trone og dekretere riges love. Og dermed har I udviklet et koncept af himmelriget som det jødiske folks glorificerede hersker over hele jorden, med Messias siddende på Davids trone og fra dette sted med mirakuløs magt stiftende love for hele verden. Men mine børn, I se ikke med troens øjne, og hører ikke med åndens forståelse. Jeg erklærer, at himmelriget er realiseringen og anerkendelse af Guds herredømme i menneskenes hjerter. Det er rigtigt, at der er en Konge i dette rige, og at Kongen er min Fader og din Fader. Vi er faktisk hans troende undersåtter, men dette faktum overskrides langt af den transformerende sandhed, at vi er hans sønner. I mit liv skal denne sandhed åbenbares for alle. Vor Fader sidder også på en trone, men ikke på en trone, som hænder har gjort. Den Uendeliges trone er Faderens evige bolig i himlernes himmel. Han fylder alle ting og forkynder sine love for universer efter universer[1]. Og Faderen hersker også i hjertet hos sine børn på jorden gennem den ånd, som han har sendt til at leve i de dødelige sjæle.
1955 141:2.2 “When you are the subjects of this kingdom, you indeed are made to hear the law of the Universe Ruler; but when, because of the gospel of the kingdom which I have come to declare, you faith-discover yourselves as sons, you henceforth look not upon yourselves as law-subject creatures of an all-powerful king but as privileged sons of a loving and divine Father. Verily, verily, I say to you, when the Father’s will is your law, you are hardly in the kingdom. But when the Father’s will becomes truly your will, then are you in very truth in the kingdom because the kingdom has thereby become an established experience in you. When God’s will is your law, you are noble slave subjects; but when you believe in this new gospel of divine sonship, my Father’s will becomes your will, and you are elevated to the high position of the free children of God, liberated sons of the kingdom.”
2015 141:2.2 "Når du er undersåtter i dette rige, er du rent faktisk skabt til at høre denne Univers herskers lov; men når du, på grund af evangeliet om riget, som jeg er kommet for at erklære, i tro erkender, at I er som sønner, betragter i jer ikke længere som en almægtig kongens lovbundne undersåtter, men som en kærlig og guddommelige Faders privilegerede sønner. Sandelig, sandelig siger jeg jer, at når Faderens vilje er jeres lov, er i næppe i riget. Men når Faderens vilje virkelig bliver din vilje, så er du virkelig i riget, fordi riget derved er blevet en etableret oplevelse i dig. Når Guds vilje er din lov, er i ædle slave undersåtter; men når I tror på dette nye evangelium om guddommelig sønskab, bliver min Faders vilje jeres vilje, og i ophøjes til den høje status af Guds frie børn, kongerigets befriede sønner[2]."
1955 141:2.3 Some of the apostles grasped something of this teaching, but none of them comprehended the full significance of this tremendous announcement, unless it was James Zebedee. But these words sank into their hearts and came forth to gladden their ministry during later years of service.
2015 141:2.3 Nogle af apostlene forstod noget af denne lære, men ingen, måske med undtagelse af James Zebedæus, fattede den fulde betydning af denne enorme meddelelse. Men disse ord sank ind i deres hjerter og steg derfra op til glæde for deres aktiviteter i løbet af de sidste år af tjeneste.
3. THE SOJOURN AT AMATHUS
3. OPHOLDET I AMATHUS
1955 141:3.1 The Master and his apostles remained near Amathus for almost three weeks. The apostles continued to preach twice daily to the multitude, and Jesus preached each Sabbath afternoon. It became impossible to continue the Wednesday playtime; so Andrew arranged that two apostles should rest each day of the six days in the week, while all were on duty during the Sabbath services.
2015 141:3.1 Mesteren og hans apostle stoppede i nærheden af Amathus i næsten tre uger. Apostlene fortsatte med at prædike to gange dagligt til de mange, og Jesus prædikede hver sabbateftermiddag. Det blev umuligt at fortsætte med at have fri om onsdagen, så Andreas arrangerede, at to apostle til gengæld skulle hvile hver dag af de seks dage i ugen, mens alle var på vagt under Sabbatgudstjenesterne.
1955 141:3.2 Peter, James, and John did most of the public preaching. Philip, Nathaniel, Thomas, and Simon did much of the personal work and conducted classes for special groups of inquirers; the twins continued their general police supervision, while Andrew, Matthew, and Judas developed into a general managerial committee of three, although each of these three also did considerable religious work.
2015 141:3.2 Peter, James og Johannes holdt de fleste af de offentlige prædikener. Filip, Nataniel, Thomas og Simon gjorde meget af det personlige arbejde og holdt klasser for særlige grupper af søgende; tvillingerne fortsatte med at varetage den offentlige orden, mens Andreas, Mattæus, og Judas udviklede sig til en tremands udvalg for den generelle administration, selv om hver af dem også markant udførte religiøst arbejde.
1955 141:3.3 Andrew was much occupied with the task of adjusting the constantly recurring misunderstandings and disagreements between the disciples of John and the newer disciples of Jesus. Serious situations would arise every few days, but Andrew, with the assistance of his apostolic associates, managed to induce the contending parties to come to some sort of agreement, at least temporarily. Jesus refused to participate in any of these conferences; neither would he give any advice about the proper adjustment of these difficulties. He never once offered a suggestion as to how the apostles should solve these perplexing problems. When Andrew came to Jesus with these questions, he would always say: “It is not wise for the host to participate in the family troubles of his guests; a wise parent never takes sides in the petty quarrels of his own children.”
2015 141:3.3 Andreas var meget optaget af at forene de konstante tilbagevendende misforståelser og uoverensstemmelser mellem Johannes disciple og nyere Jesu disciple. Alvorlige situationer opstod næsten hver dag, men Andreas lykkedes med hjælp fra sine apostolske medarbejdere at overtale de stridende partnere til, i hvert fald midlertidigt, at komme til en form for enighed. Jesus nægtede at deltage i nogen af disse møder. Heller ikke ville han give nogen råd om, hvordan disse vanskeligheder kunne overvinde. Han kom Ikke engang med forslag til, hvordan apostlene skulle løse disse forvirrende problemer. Da Andreas kom til Jesus med disse spørgsmål, svarede han altid: "Det er ikke klogt for værten at deltage i sine gæsters familiebekymringer. En klog forælder tager aldrig side i deres egne børns mindre skænderier."
1955 141:3.4 The Master displayed great wisdom and manifested perfect fairness in all of his dealings with his apostles and with all of his disciples. Jesus was truly a master of men; he exercised great influence over his fellow men because of the combined charm and force of his personality. There was a subtle commanding influence in his rugged, nomadic, and homeless life. There was intellectual attractiveness and spiritual drawing power in his authoritative manner of teaching, in his lucid logic, his strength of reasoning, his sagacious insight, his alertness of mind, his matchless poise, and his sublime tolerance. He was simple, manly, honest, and fearless. With all of this physical and intellectual influence manifest in the Master’s presence, there were also all those spiritual charms of being which have become associated with his personality—patience, tenderness, meekness, gentleness, and humility.
2015 141:3.4 Mesteren udviste stor visdom og manifesterede en totalt upartiskhed i alle hans forhandlinger med sine apostle og alle disciplene. Jesus var virkelig en mester i at omgås mennesker. Han udøvede en stor indflydelse på sine medmennesker på grund af den kombinerede charme og kraft i hans personlighed. Hans robuste, nomadiske, og hjemløse liv havde en subtil ærefrygtindgydende effekt. Der var en intellektuel tiltrækningskraft og åndelig dragende kraft i hans autoritative måde at undervise, i hans klare logik, styrken af hans ræsonnement, hans kloge forståelse, vågne sind, uforlignelige kropsholdning og sublime tolerance. Han var single, mandlig, ærlig og frygtløs. Samtidig med alle disse fysiske og intellektuelle påvirkninger, som manifesterede sig i Mesterens holdning fandtes der også i hans væsen alle de åndelige behagligheder, der er blevet forbundet med hans personlighed: tålmodighed, ømhed, sagtmodighed, venlighed og ydmyghed.
1955 141:3.5 Jesus of Nazareth was indeed a strong and forceful personality; he was an intellectual power and a spiritual stronghold. His personality not only appealed to the spiritually minded women among his followers, but also to the educated and intellectual Nicodemus and to the hardy Roman soldier, the captain stationed on guard at the cross, who, when he had finished watching the Master die, said, “Truly, this was a Son of God.” And red-blooded, rugged Galilean fishermen called him Master.
2015 141:3.5 Jesus af Nazaret var faktisk en stærk og kraftfuld personlighed. Han var en intellektuel kraft og en åndelig højborg[3]. Hans personlighed appellerede ikke blot til de åndeligt indstillede kvinder blandt sine tilhængere, men også til den uddannede og intellektuelle Nikodemus og den hårdføre romerske soldat, kaptajnen som var stationeret på vagt ved korset, og som, da han havde set Mesteren dø, sagde: "Sandelig, dette var en Guds søn[4]." Og hærdede, robuste galilæiske fiskere kaldte ham Mester.
1955 141:3.6 The pictures of Jesus have been most unfortunate. These paintings of the Christ have exerted a deleterious influence on youth; the temple merchants would hardly have fled before Jesus if he had been such a man as your artists usually have depicted. His was a dignified manhood; he was good, but natural. Jesus did not pose as a mild, sweet, gentle, and kindly mystic. His teaching was thrillingly dynamic. He not only meant well, but he went about actually doing good.
2015 141:3.6 Billederne af Jesus har været mest uheldige. Disse malerier af Kristus har udøvet en ødelæggende indflydelse på ungdommen; templets købmænd ville næppe være flygtet fra Jesus, hvis han havde været sådan som jeres kunstnere normalt har afbildet ham. Hans var en værdig manddom, han var god, men naturlig. Jesus udgav sig ikke for at være en mild, sød, blid og venlig mystiker. Hans prædiken var spændende dynamisk. Han ikke kun mente godt, men gik omkring og faktisk gjorde godt[5].
1955 141:3.7 The Master never said, “Come to me all you who are indolent and all who are dreamers.” But he did many times say, “Come to me all you who labor, and I will give you rest—spiritual strength.” The Master’s yoke is, indeed, easy, but even so, he never imposes it; every individual must take this yoke of his own free will.
2015 141:3.7 Mesteren sagde aldrig, "Kom til mig, alle I, som er ugidelig og alle, der er drømmere.” Men han sagt mange gange: ”Kom til mig alle I, som arbejder, og jeg vil give jer hvile - åndelig styrke[6]." Mesterens åg er helt sikkert nemt, men alligevel, han tvinger det aldrig på nogen[7]. Ethvert individ skal af sin egen fri vilje tage dette åg på sig.
1955 141:3.8 Jesus portrayed conquest by sacrifice, the sacrifice of pride and selfishness. By showing mercy, he meant to portray spiritual deliverance from all grudges, grievances, anger, and the lust for selfish power and revenge. And when he said, “Resist not evil,” he later explained that he did not mean to condone sin or to counsel fraternity with iniquity. He intended the more to teach forgiveness, to “resist not evil treatment of one’s personality, evil injury to one’s feelings of personal dignity.”
2015 141:3.8 Jesus viste sejren ved opofrelse, ofringen af stolthed og egoisme. Ved at vise barmhjertighed, ønskede han at illustrere åndelig befrielse fra al mulig grund til ond vilje, utilfredshed, vrede og egoistisk magt og hævn. Da han sagde: "Modstå ikke det onde," forklarede han senere, at han ikke havde til hensigt Da han sagde: "Må ikke modstå ondt", forklarede han senere, at han ikke havde til hensigt at finde undskyldninger eller at rådgive for synd for at gøre sig skyldig i uretfærdighed[8]. Snarere var det hans hensigt at undervise i tilgivelse, "ikke at modstå ondsindet behandling af ens personlighed, ondsindet skade af ens følelser af personlig værdighed.”
4. TEACHING ABOUT THE FATHER
4. UNDERVISNING OM FADEREN
1955 141:4.1 While sojourning at Amathus, Jesus spent much time with the apostles instructing them in the new concept of God; again and again did he impress upon them that God is a Father, not a great and supreme bookkeeper who is chiefly engaged in making damaging entries against his erring children on earth, recordings of sin and evil to be used against them when he subsequently sits in judgment upon them as the just Judge of all creation. The Jews had long conceived of God as a king over all, even as a Father of the nation, but never before had large numbers of mortal men held the idea of God as a loving Father of the individual.
2015 141:4.1 Mens de opholdt sig i Amathus, brugte Jesus meget tid med apostlene for at instruere dem om den nye opfattelse af Gud. Igen og igen understregede han til dem, at Gud er en Fader, ikke en stor og mægtige bogholder, der hovedsagelig beskæftiger sig med at indføre skadevoldende notater om sine fejlende børn på jorden, anmærkninger om synd og ondskab for at blive brugt imod dem, når han efterfølgende som hele skabelsens retskaffen Dommer sidder til dom over dem[9][10]. Jøderne havde længe forestillet sig Gud som en konge over alle, selv som en Fader af nationen, men aldrig før havde et stort antal mennesker opfattet Gud som en kærlig Fader til individet.
1955 141:4.2 In answer to Thomas’s question, “Who is this God of the kingdom?” Jesus replied: “God is your Father, and religion—my gospel—is nothing more nor less than the believing recognition of the truth that you are his son. And I am here among you in the flesh to make clear both of these ideas in my life and teachings.”
2015 141:4.2 Som svar på Thomas spørgsmål: "Hvem er denne rigets Gud?" svarede Jesus: "Gud er din Fader, og religion - mit evangelium - er hverken mere eller mindre end den trosbaserede forståelse af sandheden, at du er hans søn. Og jeg er her blandt jer i kødet for at afklare begge disse opfattelser i mit liv og min lære[11]."
1955 141:4.3 Jesus also sought to free the minds of his apostles from the idea of offering animal sacrifices as a religious duty. But these men, trained in the religion of the daily sacrifice, were slow to comprehend what he meant. Nevertheless, the Master did not grow weary in his teaching. When he failed to reach the minds of all of the apostles by means of one illustration, he would restate his message and employ another type of parable for purposes of illumination.
2015 141:4.3 Jesus forsøgte også at frigøre apostlenes sind fra tanken om, at tilbyde dyre ofringer som en religiøs pligt. Men disse mænd, uddannet i den daglige ofrets religion, var langsomme til at forstå, hvad han mente. På trods af dette blev Mesteren ikke træt i sin undervisning. Da han ikke nåede alle apostlenes sind ved hjælp af en bestemt illustration, omformulerede han sit budskab og brugte en anden type lignelse for at belyse det.
1955 141:4.4 At this same time Jesus began to teach the twelve more fully concerning their mission “to comfort the afflicted and minister to the sick.” The Master taught them much about the whole man—the union of body, mind, and spirit to form the individual man or woman. Jesus told his associates about the three forms of affliction they would meet and went on to explain how they should minister to all who suffer the sorrows of human sickness. He taught them to recognize:
2015 141:4.4 På samme tid begyndte Jesus mere indgående at undervise de tolv vedrørende deres mission "at trøste de plagede og tjene de syge[12]." Mesteren lærte dem meget om hele mennesket - foreningen af krop, sind og ånd, der tilsammen udgør den individuelle mand eller kvinde. Jesus beskrev for sine medarbejdere, de tre former for lidelse, som de ville møde og fortsatte med at forklare, hvordan de skulle passe alle, som lider af de trængsler, som sygdom bringer mennesket. Han lærte dem at genkende:
1955 141:4.5 1. Diseases of the flesh—those afflictions commonly regarded as physical sickness.
2015 141:4.5 1. Kropslige sygdomme - disse lidelser som almindeligvis anses for at være fysiske sygdomme.
1955 141:4.6 2. Troubled minds—those nonphysical afflictions which were subsequently looked upon as emotional and mental difficulties and disturbances.
2015 141:4.6 2. Problemfyldte sind - de ikke fysiske lidelser, som senere blev anerkendt som følelsesmæssige og mentale vanskeligheder og forstyrrelser.
1955 141:4.8 Jesus explained to his apostles on several occasions the nature, and something concerning the origin, of these evil spirits, in that day often also called unclean spirits. The Master well knew the difference between the possession of evil spirits and insanity, but the apostles did not. Neither was it possible, in view of their limited knowledge of the early history of Urantia, for Jesus to undertake to make this matter fully understandable. But he many times said to them, alluding to these evil spirits: “They shall no more molest men when I shall have ascended to my Father in heaven, and after I shall have poured out my spirit upon all flesh in those times when the kingdom will come in great power and spiritual glory.”
2015 141:4.8 Ved flere lejligheder, forklarede Jesus sine apostle, hvordan disse onde ånder, som ofte på det tidspunkt, også blev kaldt urene ånder var af natur og også noget om deres oprindelse. Mesteren vidste godt forskellen mellem at blive besat af onde ånder, og at være sindssyg, men hans apostle vidste det ikke. Det var heller ikke muligt for Jesus på grund af deres begrænsede kendskab til Urantias tidlige historie, at forpligte sig til at gøre dette spørgsmål fuldt forståeligt. Men han sagde mange gange til dem med hentydning til disse onde ånder: "De vil ikke længere chikanere menneskerne, når jeg er steget op til min himmelske Fader, og efter at jeg har udgydt min ånd over alt kød, på det tidspunkt, hvor riget kommer med stor kraft og åndelig herlighed[13]."
1955 141:4.9 From week to week and from month to month, throughout this entire year, the apostles paid more and more attention to the healing ministry of the sick.
2015 141:4.9 Uge efter uge og måned efter måned gennem hele dette år var apostlene stadig mere opmærksomme på den helbredende pleje af syge.
5. SPIRITUAL UNITY
5. ÅNDELIG ENHED
1955 141:5.1 One of the most eventful of all the evening conferences at Amathus was the session having to do with the discussion of spiritual unity. James Zebedee had asked, “Master, how shall we learn to see alike and thereby enjoy more harmony among ourselves?” When Jesus heard this question, he was stirred within his spirit, so much so that he replied: “James, James, when did I teach you that you should all see alike? I have come into the world to proclaim spiritual liberty to the end that mortals may be empowered to live individual lives of originality and freedom before God. I do not desire that social harmony and fraternal peace shall be purchased by the sacrifice of free personality and spiritual originality. What I require of you, my apostles, is spirit unity—and that you can experience in the joy of your united dedication to the wholehearted doing of the will of my Father in heaven. You do not have to see alike or feel alike or even think alike in order spiritually to be alike. Spiritual unity is derived from the consciousness that each of you is indwelt, and increasingly dominated, by the spirit gift of the heavenly Father. Your apostolic harmony must grow out of the fact that the spirit hope of each of you is identical in origin, nature, and destiny.
2015 141:5.1 En af de mest begivenhedsrige af alle aften sammenkomsterne i Amathus var mødet som havde at gøre med diskussionen om åndelig enhed. James Zebedæus havde spurgt: ”Mester, hvordan skal vi lære at se ens og derved opnå større harmoni mellem os?" Da Jesus hørte dette spørgsmål, blev han rørt i sin ånd, så meget, at han svarede: "James James, hvornår har jeg lært jer, at I alle skal se ens? Jeg er kommet til verden for at forkynde åndelige frihed for at gøre det muligt for de dødelige at leve et oprindeligt og frit individuelt liv for Gud[14]. Jeg ønsker ikke, at social harmoni og broderlig fred skal købes ved at ofre fri personlighed og åndelig originalitet. Hvad jeg kræver af jer, mine apostle, er åndens enhed - og den kan i opleve i glæden ved din forenet dedikation til helhjertet at gøre min himmelske Faders vilje. I behøver ikke at se på samme måde, eller at føle på samme måde, eller endda at tænke på samme måde for åndeligt at være identiske. Åndelig enhed udspringer af bevidstheden om, at i det indre af hver og en af jer er åndens gave, der kommer fra vor himmelske Fader, der i stigende grad dominerer dig. Jeres apostolske harmoni skal vokse ud af, at åndens håb hos hver og en af jer er identisk i oprindelse, natur og skæbne[15].
1955 141:5.2 “In this way you may experience a perfected unity of spirit purpose and spirit understanding growing out of the mutual consciousness of the identity of each of your indwelling Paradise spirits; and you may enjoy all of this profound spiritual unity in the very face of the utmost diversity of your individual attitudes of intellectual thinking, temperamental feeling, and social conduct. Your personalities may be refreshingly diverse and markedly different, while your spiritual natures and spirit fruits of divine worship and brotherly love may be so unified that all who behold your lives will of a surety take cognizance of this spirit identity and soul unity; they will recognize that you have been with me and have thereby learned, and acceptably, how to do the will of the Father in heaven. You can achieve the unity of the service of God even while you render such service in accordance with the technique of your own original endowments of mind, body, and soul.
2015 141:5.2 "På denne måde kan I opleve, hvordan en perfektioneret enhed i spørgsmålet om åndens formål og åndens forståelse vokser ud af jeres gensidige bevidsthed om Paradisånderne der bor i hver og en af jer er ensartede; og I kan alle glæde jer til denne dybe åndelige enhed på trods af den største forskel mellem jeres individuelle holdninger vedrørende intellektuel tænkning, temperamentsfuld følelse, og social adfærd. Jeres personligheder kan være forfriskende forskelligartede og væsentligt anderledes, mens jeres åndelige natur og åndens frugter i form af tilbedelse og broderkærlighed kan være så forenet og ensartet, at alle, der ser jeres liv helt sikkert vil bemærke denne ånde identitet og sjæle enhed; de vil indse, at I har været med mig og derefter lært - og lært godt - at gøre den himmelske Faders vilje. I kan nå enhed i Guds tjeneste, selv om I udfører denne tjeneste i overensstemmelse med den måde, som bestemmes af jeres egen oprindelige udrustning i form af sind, krop og sjæl.
1955 141:5.3 “Your spirit unity implies two things, which always will be found to harmonize in the lives of individual believers: First, you are possessed with a common motive for life service; you all desire above everything to do the will of the Father in heaven. Second, you all have a common goal of existence; you all purpose to find the Father in heaven, thereby proving to the universe that you have become like him.”
2015 141:5.3 "Jeres åndelige enhed indebærer to ting, som man finder, der altid er i harmoni i den enkelte troendes liv: Først har du et fælles motiv for tjeneste i livet: I ønsker alle især at gøre den himmelske Faders vilje. For det andet, har i alle et fælles mål i livet: I har alle intentioner om at finde Faderen i himlen, og dermed at bevise for universet, at I er blevet ligesom ham."
1955 141:5.4 Many times during the training of the twelve Jesus reverted to this theme. Repeatedly he told them it was not his desire that those who believed in him should become dogmatized and standardized in accordance with the religious interpretations of even good men. Again and again he warned his apostles against the formulation of creeds and the establishment of traditions as a means of guiding and controlling believers in the gospel of the kingdom.
2015 141:5.4 Mange gange i løbet af uddannelsen af de tolv vendte Jesus tilbage til dette tema. Gentagne gange fortalte han dem, at han ikke ønskede, at de, der troede på ham, skulle blive dogmatiserede og standardiserede i overensstemmelse med de religiøse fortolkninger af selv gode mennesker. Igen og igen advarede han sine apostle mod formuleringer af overbevisninger og etablering af traditioner som en måde at styre og udøve kontrol over dem, som troede på evangeliet om riget.
6. LAST WEEK AT AMATHUS
6. SIDSTE UGE I AMATHUS
1955 141:6.1 Near the end of the last week at Amathus, Simon Zelotes brought to Jesus one Teherma, a Persian doing business at Damascus. Teherma had heard of Jesus and had come to Capernaum to see him, and there learning that Jesus had gone with his apostles down the Jordan on the way to Jerusalem, he set out to find him. Andrew had presented Teherma to Simon for instruction. Simon looked upon the Persian as a “fire worshiper,” although Teherma took great pains to explain that fire was only the visible symbol of the Pure and Holy One. After talking with Jesus, the Persian signified his intention of remaining for several days to hear the teaching and listen to the preaching.
2015 141:6.1 Mod slutningen af den sidste uge i Amathus, bragte Simon Zelotes en vis Teherma, en perser der drev forretning i Damaskus, til Jesus. Teherma havde hørt om Jesus og var kommet til Kapernaum for at se ham, og da han her får at vide, at Jesus sammen med sine apostle var gået ned til Jordanfloden på vej til Jerusalem, begav han sig på vej for at finde dem. Andreas havde præsenteret Teherma til Simon for instruktion. Simon så perseren som en "ild tilbeder", selvom Teherma grundig forklarede, at ilden kun var det synlige symbol på den Rene og Hellige Ene. Efter at havde talt med Jesus, udtrykte perseren sin hensigt om at blive i flere dage for at deltage i undervisningen og lytte til forkyndelsen.
1955 141:6.2 When Simon Zelotes and Jesus were alone, Simon asked the Master: “Why is it that I could not persuade him? Why did he so resist me and so readily lend an ear to you?” Jesus answered: “Simon, Simon, how many times have I instructed you to refrain from all efforts to take something out of the hearts of those who seek salvation? How often have I told you to labor only to put something into these hungry souls? Lead men into the kingdom, and the great and living truths of the kingdom will presently drive out all serious error. When you have presented to mortal man the good news that God is his Father, you can the easier persuade him that he is in reality a son of God. And having done that, you have brought the light of salvation to the one who sits in darkness. Simon, when the Son of Man came first to you, did he come denouncing Moses and the prophets and proclaiming a new and better way of life? No. I came not to take away that which you had from your forefathers but to show you the perfected vision of that which your fathers saw only in part. Go then, Simon, teaching and preaching the kingdom, and when you have a man safely and securely within the kingdom, then is the time, when such a one shall come to you with inquiries, to impart instruction having to do with the progressive advancement of the soul within the divine kingdom.”
2015 141:6.2 Da Simon Zelotes og Jesus var alene, spurgte Simon Mesteren: "Hvordan kommer det sig at jeg ikke kunne overbevise ham? Hvorfor var han så imod mig og var så klar til at lytte til dig?" Jesus svarede: "Simon, Simon, hvor mange gange har jeg ikke instrueret dig til at afstå fra ethvert forsøg på at tage noget ud af hjerter hos dem, der søger frelse? Hvor ofte har jeg ikke fortalt dig at arbejde kun for at sætte noget ind i disse sultne sjæle? Led mennesker ind i riget, og rigets store og levende sandheder vil snart drive ud alle alvorlige misforståelser. Når du har præsenteret for det dødelige menneske den gode nyhed, at Gud er hans Fader, kan du jo lettere overbevise ham om, at han i virkeligheden er en Guds søn. Og når du har gjort det, har du bragt lyset af frelse til dem, der sidder i mørke. Simon, da Menneskesønnen først kom til dig, kom han da og fordømte Moses og profeterne og proklamere en ny og bedre måde at leve på? Nej. Jeg kom ikke for at tage det væk, som du havde fået fra dine forfædre, men for at vise dig den perfektionerede vision af det, som jeres fædre kun så delvist. Gå derfor, Simon, for at undervise om riget og forkynde det, og når du har en menneske trygt og sikkert ind i riget, så er tiden inde, når det kommer til dig med deres spørgsmål, at undervise om sjælens gradvise fremskridt i det guddommelige rige."
1955 141:6.3 Simon was astonished at these words, but he did as Jesus had instructed him, and Teherma, the Persian, was numbered among those who entered the kingdom.
2015 141:6.3 Simon blev overrasket over disse ord, men han gjorde, som Jesus havde pålagt ham, og perseren Teherma blev regnet blandt dem, der kom ind i riget.
1955 141:6.4 That night Jesus discoursed to the apostles on the new life in the kingdom. He said in part: “When you enter the kingdom, you are reborn. You cannot teach the deep things of the spirit to those who have been born only of the flesh; first see that men are born of the spirit before you seek to instruct them in the advanced ways of the spirit. Do not undertake to show men the beauties of the temple until you have first taken them into the temple. Introduce men to God and as the sons of God before you discourse on the doctrines of the fatherhood of God and the sonship of men. Do not strive with men—always be patient. It is not your kingdom; you are only ambassadors. Simply go forth proclaiming: This is the kingdom of heaven—God is your Father and you are his sons, and this good news, if you wholeheartedly believe it, is your eternal salvation.”
2015 141:6.4 Den aften, talte Jesus til apostlene om det nye liv i riget. Han sagde blandt andet: "Når I træder ind i riget fødes i på ny. Du kan ikke lære åndens dybsindigheder til dem, der kun er blevet født af kødet. Se først til, at mennesker er født af ånden, før du forsøger at lære dem om åndens avancerede veje. Forsøg ikke at vise menneskerne templets herligheder, indtil du først har bragte dem ind i templet. Præsenter menneskerne for Gud og som Guds sønner, før du diskuterer lærerne om Guds faderskab og menneskernes sønskab. Strid Ikke med menneskerne - vær altid tålmodig. Det er ikke dit rige; du er kun ambassadør[16]. Gå kun ud og forkynd: Dette er himmelriget - Gud er din Fader, og i er hans sønner, og denne gode nyhed, hvis i helhjertet tro det, er jeres evige frelse."
1955 141:6.5 The apostles made great progress during the sojourn at Amathus. But they were very much disappointed that Jesus would give them no suggestions about dealing with John’s disciples. Even in the important matter of baptism, all that Jesus said was: “John did indeed baptize with water, but when you enter the kingdom of heaven, you shall be baptized with the Spirit.”
2015 141:6.5 Apostlene gjort store fremskridt i løbet af deres ophold i Amathus. Men de var meget skuffet over, at Jesus ikke gav dem nogle gode råd om hvordan man skulle håndtere Johannes disciple. Selv i det vigtige spørgsmål om dåben så var alt det, Jesus sagde: "Johannes døbte virkelig med vand, men når I træder ind i himmelriget skal I døbes med Ånden[17].”
7. AT BETHANY BEYOND JORDAN
7. I BETANIA VED JORDAN
1955 141:7.1 On February 26, Jesus, his apostles, and a large group of followers journeyed down the Jordan to the ford near Bethany in Perea, the place where John first made proclamation of the coming kingdom. Jesus with his apostles remained here, teaching and preaching, for four weeks before they went on up to Jerusalem.
2015 141:7.1 Den 26. februar rejste Jesus, hans apostle, og en stor gruppe af tilhængere ned langs Jordanfloden til vadestedet nær Betania i Perea, det sted, hvor Johannes først havde prædiket om det kommende rige. Jesus opholdt sig her med sine apostle, underviste og prædikede i fire uger, før de gik op til Jerusalem.
1955 141:7.2 The second week of the sojourn at Bethany beyond Jordan, Jesus took Peter, James, and John into the hills across the river and south of Jericho for a three days’ rest. The Master taught these three many new and advanced truths about the kingdom of heaven. For the purpose of this record we will reorganize and classify these teachings as follows:
2015 141:7.2 Under den anden uge af deres ophold i Betania ved Jordan, tog Jesus Peter, James og Johannes med sig for et tre dages hvile i bjergene på den anden side af floden og syd for Jeriko. Mesteren underviste disse tre om mange nye og avancerede sandheder om himmelriget. Med henblik på denne redegørelse omorganiserer og klassificerer vi disse lærdomme som følger:
1955 141:7.3 Jesus endeavored to make clear that he desired his disciples, having tasted of the good spirit realities of the kingdom, so to live in the world that men, by seeing their lives, would become kingdom conscious and hence be led to inquire of believers concerning the ways of the kingdom. All such sincere seekers for the truth are always glad to hear the glad tidings of the faith gift which insures admission to the kingdom with its eternal and divine spirit realities.
2015 141:7.3 Jesus forsøgte at gøre det klart for dem, at han ønskede at hans disciple, som havde fået en smag af rigets gode åndelige virkeligheder, ville leve i verden så at mennesker, når de så, hvordan de levede skulle bliver bevidst om riget, og således føre til, at de forhørte sig hos de troende om riget. Alle sådanne oprigtige sandhedssøgere er altid glade for at høre de gode nyheder om troens gave, der sikrer adgang til riget med dets evige og guddommelige åndelige virkeligheder.
1955 141:7.4 The Master sought to impress upon all teachers of the gospel of the kingdom that their only business was to reveal God to the individual man as his Father—to lead this individual man to become son-conscious; then to present this same man to God as his faith son. Both of these essential revelations are accomplished in Jesus. He became, indeed, “the way, the truth, and the life.” The religion of Jesus was wholly based on the living of his bestowal life on earth. When Jesus departed from this world, he left behind no books, laws, or other forms of human organization affecting the religious life of the individual.
2015 141:7.4 Mesteren forsøgte at indprente alle, der underviste i evangeliet om riget, at deres eneste opgave var at for det enkelte menneske at åbenbare Gud som dets Fader - at føre denne person til at blive bevidst om sin sønskab, og derefter at præsentere dette samme menneske for Gud som hans tros søn. Begge disse væsentlige åbenbaringer er realiseret i Jesus. Han blev faktisk "vejen, sandheden og livet[18]." Jesu religion var udelukkende baseret på at han levede sin overdragelse på jorden. Da Jesus forlod denne verden efterlod han ikke nogen bøger, love eller andre former for menneskelig organisation, der ville påvirke den individuelles religiøse liv.
1955 141:7.5 Jesus made it plain that he had come to establish personal and eternal relations with men which should forever take precedence over all other human relationships. And he emphasized that this intimate spiritual fellowship was to be extended to all men of all ages and of all social conditions among all peoples. The only reward which he held out for his children was: in this world—spiritual joy and divine communion; in the next world—eternal life in the progress of the divine spirit realities of the Paradise Father.
2015 141:7.5 Jesus gjorde det klart, at han var kommet for at etablere personlige og evige relationer med mennesker, og at disse relationer altid bør gå forud for alle andre menneskelige relationer. Han understregede, at dette intime åndelige fællesskab var ment for alle mennesker i alle aldre og fra alle sociale forhold blandt alle folkeslag. Den eneste belønning, han lovede sine børn var: i denne verden - åndelig glæde og guddommelig fællesskab, i den næste verden - det evige liv, som indebar udviklingen af Paradisfaders guddommelige åndelige virkeligheder.
1955 141:7.6 Jesus laid great emphasis upon what he called the two truths of first import in the teachings of the kingdom, and they are: the attainment of salvation by faith, and faith alone, associated with the revolutionary teaching of the attainment of human liberty through the sincere recognition of truth, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus was the truth made manifest in the flesh, and he promised to send his Spirit of Truth into the hearts of all his children after his return to the Father in heaven.
2015 141:7.6 Jesus lagde stor vægt på, hvad han kaldte de to sandheder, som er af afgørende betydning i undervisningen om riget, nemlig: opnåelse af frelse ved tro, og gennem tro alene, i samarbejde med den revolutionerende undervisning i opnåelsen af menneskelig befrielse gennem en oprigtig erkendelse af sandheden. "Du skal kende sandheden, og sandheden skal gøre jer frie[19]." Jesus var sandheden åbenbaret i kødet, og han lovede at sende sin Sandhedens Ånd, for at leve i hjertet på alle sine børn, efter at han var vendt tilbage til Faderen i himlen[20].
1955 141:7.7 The Master was teaching these apostles the essentials of truth for an entire age on earth. They often listened to his teachings when in reality what he said was intended for the inspiration and edification of other worlds. He exemplified a new and original plan of life. From the human standpoint he was indeed a Jew, but he lived his life for all the world as a mortal of the realm.
2015 141:7.7 Mesteren underviste disse apostle i de væsentligste punkter i sandhed, som var bestemt til en hel tidsalder på jorden. De lyttede ofte til hans lære, når det han faktisk sagde, var beregnet til inspiration og opbyggelse af andre verdener. Han eksemplificerede en ny og original livsplan. Fra det menneskelige synspunkt var han faktisk en jøde, men han levede sit liv som en dødelig i denne verden til gavn for hele verden.
1955 141:7.8 To insure the recognition of his Father in the unfolding of the plan of the kingdom, Jesus explained that he had purposely ignored the “great men of earth.” He began his work with the poor, the very class which had been so neglected by most of the evolutionary religions of preceding times. He despised no man; his plan was world-wide, even universal. He was so bold and emphatic in these announcements that even Peter, James, and John were tempted to think he might possibly be beside himself.
2015 141:7.8 For at sikre, at hans Fader blev kendt og accepteret under udviklingen af rigets plan, forklarede Jesus, at han med vilje havde ignoreret "jordens mægtige mænd". Han begyndte sit arbejde hos de fattige, netop den klasse, der havde været så forsømt af de fleste af de evolutionære religioner i fortiden[21]. Han foragtede ikke nogen mennesker. Hans plan var verdensomspændende, selv universel[22]. Han var så dristig og eftertrykkelig i disse erklæringer, at selv Peter, James og Johannes blev fristet til at tro, han muligvis kunne være ude af sig selv.
1955 141:7.9 He sought mildly to impart to these apostles the truth that he had come on this bestowal mission, not to set an example for a few earth creatures, but to establish and demonstrate a standard of human life for all peoples upon all worlds throughout his entire universe. And this standard approached the highest perfection, even the final goodness of the Universal Father. But the apostles could not grasp the meaning of his words.
2015 141:7.9 Han søgte omhyggeligt at bibringe disse apostle den sandhed, at han ikke var kommet i denne overdragelsesmission for at sætte et eksempel for et par jordiske skabninger, men at etablere og demonstrere en standard for menneskeliv for alle mennesker i alle verdener gennem hele hans univers. Denne standard nærmede sig den højeste perfektion, selv den endelige godhed hos den Universelle Fader. Men apostlene kunne ikke forstå betydningen af hans ord.
1955 141:7.10 He announced that he had come to function as a teacher, a teacher sent from heaven to present spiritual truth to the material mind. And this is exactly what he did; he was a teacher, not a preacher. From the human viewpoint Peter was a much more effective preacher than Jesus. Jesus’ preaching was so effective because of his unique personality, not so much because of compelling oratory or emotional appeal. Jesus spoke directly to men’s souls. He was a teacher of man’s spirit, but through the mind. He lived with men.
2015 141:7.10 Han meddelte, at han var kommet for at arbejde som lærer, en lærer sendt fra himlen for at præsentere åndelig sandhed til det materielle sind, og det er præcis, hvad han gjorde[23]. Han var lærer, ikke en prædikant. Fra et menneskeligt synspunkt var Peter en meget mere effektiv prædikant end Jesus. Jesu forkyndelse var så effektiv på grund af hans unikke personlighed, ikke så meget på grund af hans uimodståelige veltalenhed eller følelsesmæssige tiltrækningskraft. Jesus talte direkte til menneskernes sjæle. Han underviste menneskets ånd, men gennem sindet. Han levede med menneskerne.
1955 141:7.11 It was on this occasion that Jesus intimated to Peter, James, and John that his work on earth was in some respects to be limited by the commission of his “associate on high,” referring to the prebestowal instructions of his Paradise brother, Immanuel. He told them that he had come to do his Father’s will and only his Father’s will. Being thus motivated by a wholehearted singleness of purpose, he was not anxiously bothered by the evil in the world.
2015 141:7.11 Det var ved denne lejlighed, at Jesus antydede til Peter, James og Johannes, at hans arbejde på jorden i nogle henseender var begrænset af anvisninger fra hans "medarbejdere i himlen", hvor han henviste til sin Paradisbroder Immanuels anvisninger før overdragelsen. Han fortalte dem, at han var kommet for at gøre sin Faders vilje og kun hans Faders vilje[24]. Han var derfor stærkt motiveret af et enkelt formål, og han var ikke ængstelig bekymret over det onde i verden.
1955 141:7.12 The apostles were beginning to recognize the unaffected friendliness of Jesus. Though the Master was easy of approach, he always lived independent of, and above, all human beings. Not for one moment was he ever dominated by any purely mortal influence or subject to frail human judgment. He paid no attention to public opinion, and he was uninfluenced by praise. He seldom paused to correct misunderstandings or to resent misrepresentation. He never asked any man for advice; he never made requests for prayers.
2015 141:7.12 Apostlene var begyndte at erkende den upåvirkede venlighed hos Jesus. Selv om det var let at nærme sig Mesteren, levede han altid uafhængigt af, og over for alt mennesker. Ikke et øjeblik, var han nogensinde domineret af nogen rent menneskelig påvirkning, eller var genstand for en mangel på menneskelig vurdering. Han ænsede ikke den offentlige mening, og han var ikke påvirket af, at han blev rost. Sjældent, stoppede han for at rette misforståelser eller blev fornærmet af en forvanskning. Han spurgte aldrig nogen til råds. Han bad aldrig nogen om at bede for ham.
1955 141:7.13 James was astonished at how Jesus seemed to see the end from the beginning. The Master rarely appeared to be surprised. He was never excited, vexed, or disconcerted. He never apologized to any man. He was at times saddened, but never discouraged.
2015 141:7.13 James var forbløffet over, hvordan Jesus fornemmede at se enden allerede fra begyndelsen. Mesteren syntes sjældent at blive overrasket. Han var aldrig ophidset, vred eller forvirret. Han undskyldte aldrig til noget menneske. Han var til tider bedrøvet, men aldrig modløs.
1955 141:7.14 More clearly John recognized that, notwithstanding all of his divine endowments, after all, he was human. Jesus lived as a man among men and understood, loved, and knew how to manage men. In his personal life he was so human, and yet so faultless. And he was always unselfish.
2015 141:7.14 Johannes indså mest tydeligt, at Jesus, på trods af alle sine guddommelige egenskaber i alle tilfælde var et menneske[25]. Jesus levede som et menneske blandt mennesker og forstod, elskede og kunne håndtere mennesker. I hans personlige liv var han så menneskelig, men alligevel så fejlfri, og han var altid uselvisk.
1955 141:7.15 Although Peter, James, and John could not understand very much of what Jesus said on this occasion, his gracious words lingered in their hearts, and after the crucifixion and resurrection they came forth greatly to enrich and gladden their subsequent ministry. No wonder these apostles did not fully comprehend the Master’s words, for he was projecting to them the plan of a new age.
2015 141:7.15 Selv om Peter, James og Johannes ikke kunne forstå meget af det, Jesus sagde ved den lejlighed, dvælede hans elskværdige ord i deres hjerter, og efter korsfæstelsen og opstandelsen dukkede de op for i høj grad at berige og glæde deres efterfølgende aktiviteter. Ikke underligt at disse apostle ikke fuldt ud forstod Mesterens ord, for han projicerede for dem planen for en ny tidsalder.
8. WORKING IN JERICHO
8. ARBEJDET I JERIKO
1955 141:8.1 Throughout the four weeks’ sojourn at Bethany beyond Jordan, several times each week Andrew would assign apostolic couples to go up to Jericho for a day or two. John had many believers in Jericho, and the majority of them welcomed the more advanced teachings of Jesus and his apostles. On these Jericho visits the apostles began more specifically to carry out Jesus’ instructions to minister to the sick; they visited every house in the city and sought to comfort every afflicted person.
2015 141:8.1 Under de fire ugers ophold i Betania ved Jordan tildelte Andreas flere gange om ugen de apostolske par til at gå op til Jeriko for en dag eller to. Johannes havde mange troende i Jeriko, og de fleste af dem hilste de mere avanceret lærdomme velkommen fra Jesus og hans apostle. Under disse besøg i Jeriko begyndte apostlene mere specifikt at udføre Jesu instruktioner, om at hjælpe de syge[26]. De besøgte hvert hus i byen og forsøgte at trøste hver lidende person.
1955 141:8.2 The apostles did some public work in Jericho, but their efforts were chiefly of a more quiet and personal nature. They now made the discovery that the good news of the kingdom was very comforting to the sick; that their message carried healing for the afflicted. And it was in Jericho that Jesus’ commission to the twelve to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom and minister to the afflicted was first fully carried into effect.
2015 141:8.2 Apostlene gjorde en del offentligt arbejde i Jeriko, men deres indsats var hovedsageligt af en roligere og personligere karakter. De gjort nu den opdagelse, at den gode nyhed om riget var en stor trøst for de syge, at deres budskab bragt helbredelse til de ramte. Det var i Jeriko, at Jesu anvisninger til de tolv om at prædike det glade budskab om riget og at drage omsorg for dem, der lider for første gang blev fuldt gennemført.
1955 141:8.3 They stopped in Jericho on the way up to Jerusalem and were overtaken by a delegation from Mesopotamia that had come to confer with Jesus. The apostles had planned to spend but a day here, but when these truth seekers from the East arrived, Jesus spent three days with them, and they returned to their various homes along the Euphrates happy in the knowledge of the new truths of the kingdom of heaven.
2015 141:8.3 De stoppede i Jeriko på vej op til Jerusalem, og blev overhalet af en delegation fra Mesopotamien, der var kommet for at konferere med Jesus. Apostlene havde planlagt kun at bo én dag her, men da disse sandhedssøgere fra Østen ankom, tilbragte Jesus tre dage med dem, og de vendte tilbage til deres hjem langs Eufrat lykkelige i viden om himmelrigets nye sandheder.
9. DEPARTING FOR JERUSALEM
9. AFREJSE TIL JERUSALEM
1955 141:9.1 On Monday, the last day of March, Jesus and the apostles began their journey up the hills toward Jerusalem. Lazarus of Bethany had been down to the Jordan twice to see Jesus, and every arrangement had been made for the Master and his apostles to make their headquarters with Lazarus and his sisters at Bethany as long as they might desire to stay in Jerusalem.
2015 141:9.1 Mandagen, den sidste dag i marts begyndte Jesus og apostlene deres rejse op ad bakkerne mod Jerusalem. Lazarus fra Betania havde to gange været nede ved Jordanfloden for at møde Jesus, og alt var blevet gjort klar til Mesteren og hans apostle til at have deres hovedkvarteret hos Lazarus og hans søstre i Betania, så længe de ønskede at bo i Jerusalem.
1955 141:9.2 The disciples of John remained at Bethany beyond the Jordan, teaching and baptizing the multitudes, so that Jesus was accompanied only by the twelve when he arrived at Lazarus’s home. Here Jesus and the apostles tarried for five days, resting and refreshing themselves before going on to Jerusalem for the Passover. It was a great event in the lives of Martha and Mary to have the Master and his apostles in the home of their brother, where they could minister to their needs.
2015 141:9.2 Johannes disciple blev i Betania ved Jordan, hvor de underviste og døbte folkemasserne, så Jesus kun blev ledsaget af de tolv, da han ankom til Lazarus hjem. Her boede Jesus og apostlene i fem dage for at hvile og komme sig, før de vandrede til Jerusalem for at fejre påsken. Det var en stor begivenhed i Martas og Marias liv at have Mesteren og hans apostle i deres brors hjem, hvor de kunne tjene deres behov.