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ORDINATION OF THE SEVENTY AT MAGADAN
ORDINATIONEN AF DE HALVFJERDS I MAGADAN
1955 163:0.1 A FEW days after the return of Jesus and the twelve to Magadan from Jerusalem, Abner and a group of some fifty disciples arrived from Bethlehem. At this time there were also assembled at Magadan Camp the evangelistic corps, the women’s corps, and about one hundred and fifty other true and tried disciples from all parts of Palestine. After devoting a few days to visiting and the reorganization of the camp, Jesus and the twelve began a course of intensive training for this special group of believers, and from this well-trained and experienced aggregation of disciples the Master subsequently chose the seventy teachers and sent them forth to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom. This regular instruction began on Friday, November 4, and continued until Sabbath, November 19.
2015 163:0.1 ET PAR dage efter at Jesus og de tolv var vendt tilbage fra Jerusalem til Magadan ankom Abner og en gruppe på omkring halvtreds disciple fra Betlehem. På dette tidspunkt var der samlet i lejren ved Magadan det evangeliske korps, kvindernes korps, og omkring et hundrede og halvtreds andre sande og prøvede disciple fra alle dele af Palæstina. Da Jesus og de tolv havde tilbragt et par dage til socialt samvær og omorganisering af lejren, lancerede de et intensivt kursus for denne særlige gruppe af troende, og fra denne højt uddannede og erfarne samling af disciple valgte Mesteren senere halvfjerds lærere og sendte dem ud for at forkynde rigets evangelium[1].. Denne regelmæssige instruktion begyndte fredag den 4. november og fortsatte indtil sabbatten den 19. november.
1955 163:0.2 Jesus gave a talk to this company each morning. Peter taught methods of public preaching; Nathaniel instructed them in the art of teaching; Thomas explained how to answer questions; while Matthew directed the organization of their group finances. The other apostles also participated in this training in accordance with their special experience and natural talents.
2015 163:0.2 Jesus gav en tale til denne gruppe hver morgen. Peter underviste i metoder til offentlig forkyndelse. Nataniel instruerede dem i kunsten at undervise. Thomas forklarede, hvordan man besvarer spørgsmål, mens Mattæus gav instruktioner om, hvordan man organiserer gruppernes økonomi. Også de andre apostle deltog i denne uddannelse i overensstemmelse med deres særlige erfaring og naturlige talenter.
1. ORDINATION OF THE SEVENTY
1. ORDINATIONEN AF DE HALVFJERDS
1955 163:1.1 The seventy were ordained by Jesus on Sabbath afternoon, November 19, at the Magadan Camp, and Abner was placed at the head of these gospel preachers and teachers. This corps of seventy consisted of Abner and ten of the former apostles of John, fifty-one of the earlier evangelists, and eight other disciples who had distinguished themselves in the service of the kingdom.
2015 163:1.1 De halvfjerds blev ordineret af Jesus på sabbateftermiddagen den 19. november i lejren ved Magadan, og Abner blev udnævnt til leder af disse evangeliske forkyndere og lærere. Dette korps af halvfjerds bestod af Abner og ti af Johannes tidligere apostle, halvtreds af de tidligere evangelister, og otte andre disciple, som havde udmærket sig i tjeneste for riget.
1955 163:1.2 About two o’clock on this Sabbath afternoon, between showers of rain, a company of believers, augmented by the arrival of David and the majority of his messenger corps and numbering over four hundred, assembled on the shore of the lake of Galilee to witness the ordination of the seventy.
2015 163:1.2 Omkring klokken to på denne sabbateftermiddag mellem regnbyger, samledes en gruppe af troende, suppleret med ankomsten af David og de fleste af hans budbringer, og samlet var der over fire hundrede mennesker, ved bredden af Genesaret Sø til at bevidne ordinationen af de halvfjerds.
1955 163:1.3 Before Jesus laid his hands upon the heads of the seventy to set them apart as gospel messengers, addressing them, he said: “The harvest is indeed plenteous, but the laborers are few; therefore I exhort all of you to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send still other laborers into his harvest. I am about to set you apart as messengers of the kingdom; I am about to send you to Jew and gentile as lambs among wolves. As you go your ways, two and two, I instruct you to carry neither purse nor extra clothing, for you go forth on this first mission for only a short season. Salute no man by the way, attend only to your work. Whenever you go to stay at a home, first say: Peace be to this household. If those who love peace live therein, you shall abide there; if not, then shall you depart. And having selected this home, remain there for your stay in that city, eating and drinking whatever is set before you. And you do this because the laborer is worthy of his sustenance. Move not from house to house because a better lodging may be offered. Remember, as you go forth proclaiming peace on earth and good will among men, you must contend with bitter and self-deceived enemies; therefore be as wise as serpents while you are also as harmless as doves.
2015 163:1.3 Før Jesus lagde sine hænder på de halvfjerds hoveder for at ordinere dem til evangeliske forkyndere, leverede han en tale til dem og sagde: "Høsten er faktisk stor, men arbejderne er få; derfor vil jeg opfordre jer alle til at bede til høstens Herren om at sende flere arbejdere til sin høst[2][3]. Jeg er ved at udsende jer som budbringere af riget; jeg vil snart sende jer til jøder og ikke-jøder som lam midt iblandt ulve[4]. Når I går ud, to og to, råder jeg dig til ikke at tage pung eller ekstra tøj med jer, for denne første mission opgave, du går ud på er kun for en kort tid[5]. Stands ikke på jeres vej for at hilse, men afsæt kun dig selv til dit arbejde. Når I kommer ind i et hjem for at bo, så sig først: ’Fred være med dette hjem. Og hvis de der elsker fred lever der, skal du blive; hvis ikke, så skal du fjerne dig. Og når, du har valgt dette hjem, bliv der, mens du opholder dig i byen, og spis og drik, hvad der tilbydes jer[6]. Og du gør dette fordi arbejderen er værdig til hans næring. Flyt ikke fra hus til hus, fordi et bedre logi kan tilbydes. Husk, når du går ud og forkynder fred på jorden og god vilje blandt mennesker, skal du kæmpe med bitre fjender, som har bedraget sig selv; vær derfor klog som slanger, mens I også er harmløse som duer[7][8].
1955 163:1.4 “And everywhere you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand,’ and minister to all who may be sick in either mind or body. Freely you have received of the good things of the kingdom; freely give. If the people of any city receive you, they shall find an abundant entrance into the Father’s kingdom; but if the people of any city refuse to receive this gospel, still shall you proclaim your message as you depart from that unbelieving community, saying, even as you leave, to those who reject your teaching: ‘Notwithstanding you reject the truth, it remains that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ He who hears you hears me. And he who hears me hears Him who sent me. He who rejects your gospel message rejects me. And he who rejects me rejects Him who sent me.”
2015 163:1.4 "Og uanset hvor du går, prædike og sige: Himmelriget er nær[9][10]." Og tjen alle der kan være syg i enten sind eller krop[11]. Frit har du fået del i rigets gode ting; giv derfor rigeligt videre. Hvis folk i enhver by modtager dig, skal de finde en rigelig indgang ind i Faderens rige; men hvis folk i enhver by nægter at modtage dette evangelium, skal I stadig forkynde jeres budskab, når du forlader dette vantro samfund og som en afsked sige til dem, der afviser din undervisning: "På trods af at du afviser sandheden, er det et faktum, at Guds rige er kommet tæt på dig[12]. 'Den, der hører jer, hører mig[13]. Og dem, der lytter til mig, lytter til ham, som sendte mig. Enhver, der afviser jeres evangeliske budskab afviser mig. Og den, der afviser mig afviser ham, som har sendt mig."
1955 163:1.5 When Jesus had thus spoken to the seventy, he began with Abner and, as they knelt in a circle about him, laid his hands upon the head of every man.
2015 163:1.5 Da Jesus havde sagt dette til halvfjerds, begyndte han med Abner og lagde sine hænder på hver ens hoved, mens de knælede i en cirkel omkring ham.
2. THE RICH YOUNG MAN AND OTHERS
2. DEN RIGE UNGE MAND OG ANDRE
1955 163:2.1 Over fifty disciples who sought ordination and appointment to membership in the seventy were rejected by the committee appointed by Jesus to select these candidates. This committee consisted of Andrew, Abner, and the acting head of the evangelistic corps. In all cases where this committee of three were not unanimous in agreement, they brought the candidate to Jesus, and while the Master never rejected a single person who craved ordination as a gospel messenger, there were more than a dozen who, when they had talked with Jesus, no more desired to become gospel messengers.
2015 163:2.1 Over halvtreds disciple, der ønskede at blive ordineret og udnævnt som medlemmer af de halvfjerds gruppe blev afvist af det udvalg, som Jesus havde udpeget til at vælge disse kandidater. Udvalget bestod af Andreas, Abner, og den fungerende leder af det evangeliske korps. I alle tilfælde, hvor disse tre personers udvalg ikke var enstemmig i deres beslutning førte de kandidaten til Jesus, og selv om Mesteren aldrig afviste en enkelt person, der ønskede at blive ordineret til at forkynde evangeliet, var der mere end et dusin, der, efter at de havde talt med Jesus, ikke længere ønskede at være evangeliske budbringere.
1955 163:2.2 One earnest disciple came to Jesus, saying: “Master, I would be one of your new apostles, but my father is very old and near death; could I be permitted to return home to bury him?” To this man Jesus said: “My son, the foxes have holes, and the birds of heaven have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. You are a faithful disciple, and you can remain such while you return home to minister to your loved ones, but not so with my gospel messengers. They have forsaken all to follow me and proclaim the kingdom. If you would be an ordained teacher, you must let others bury the dead while you go forth to publish the good news.” And this man went away in great disappointment.
2015 163:2.2 En oprigtig discipel kom til Jesus og sagde: "Mester, jeg vil gerne være en af dine nye apostle, men min far er meget gammel og døden nær; kan jeg få tilladelse til at vende hjem for at begrave ham?" Til denne mand sagde Jesus: ”Min søn, ræve har huler og himmelens fugle har reder, men Menneskesønnen har intet sted, hvor han kan hvile sit hoved[15]. Du er en trofast discipel, og du kan forblive sådan, selvom du vender hjem for at tage dig af dine kære, men det er ikke sådan med mine evangeliske budbringere. De har forladt alt for at følge mig og forkynde riget. Hvis du ønsker at være en ordineret lærer, skal du lade andre begrave de døde, mens du går ud for at sprede de gode nyheder." Manden gik bort i store skuffelse.
1955 163:2.3 Another disciple came to the Master and said: “I would become an ordained messenger, but I would like to go to my home for a short while to comfort my family.” And Jesus replied: “If you would be ordained, you must be willing to forsake all. The gospel messengers cannot have divided affections. No man, having put his hand to the plough, if he turns back, is worthy to become a messenger of the kingdom.”
2015 163:2.3 En anden discipel kom til Mesteren og sagde: "Jeg vil gerne blive ordineret til budbringer, men jeg vil gerne gå hjem for en kort tid for at trøste min familie[16]." Jesus svarede: "Hvis du vil blive ordineret, skal du være villig til at forsage alt. De evangeliske budbringere kan ikke have delte følelser. Den, der vender tilbage, når han har lagt sin hånd på ploven, han er ikke værdig til at være budbringer af riget."
1955 163:2.4 Then Andrew brought to Jesus a certain rich young man who was a devout believer, and who desired to receive ordination. This young man, Matadormus, was a member of the Jerusalem Sanhedrin; he had heard Jesus teach and had been subsequently instructed in the gospel of the kingdom by Peter and the other apostles. Jesus talked with Matadormus concerning the requirements of ordination and requested that he defer decision until after he had thought more fully about the matter. Early the next morning, as Jesus was going for a walk, this young man accosted him and said: “Master, I would know from you the assurances of eternal life. Seeing that I have observed all the commandments from my youth, I would like to know what more I must do to gain eternal life?” In answer to this question Jesus said: “If you keep all the commandments—do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your parents—you do well, but salvation is the reward of faith, not merely of works. Do you believe this gospel of the kingdom?” And Matadormus answered: “Yes, Master, I do believe everything you and your apostles have taught me.” And Jesus said, “Then are you indeed my disciple and a child of the kingdom.”
2015 163:2.4 Så kom Andreas til Jesus med en rig ung mand, der var en from troende, og som ønskede at blive ordineret. Denne unge mand, Matadormus, var medlem af jødernes råd i Jerusalem[17]. Han havde hørt Jesus undervise og havde senere modtaget undervisning i evangeliet om riget af Peter og de andre apostle. Jesus talte med Matadormus vedrørende kravene i ordinationen og bad ham om at udsætte sin afgørelse, indtil han havde omhyggeligt tænkt det igennem. Tidligt næste morgen, mens Jesus gik en tur, tiltalte den unge mand ham og sagde: "Mester, jeg ville gerne vide fra dig, hvad der giver sikkerhed for evigt liv[18]. I betragtning af at jeg har holdt alle budene, siden jeg var ung, ville jeg gerne vide, hvad mere jeg skal gøre for at opnå evigt liv." Som svar på dette spørgsmål, sagde Jesus: "Hvis du holder alle budene - må du ikke begå ægteskabsbrud, ikke dræbe, ikke stjæle, ikke vidne falsk, ikke bedrage, ære dine forældre - gør du godt, men frelsen er belønningen for tro, ikke kun for gerninger. Tror du på rigets evangelium?" Matadormus svarede:" Ja, Mester, jeg tror alt hvad du og dine apostle har lært mig." Jesus sagde: "Så er du virkelig min discipel, og et barn af riget."
1955 163:2.5 Then said the young man: “But, Master, I am not content to be your disciple; I would be one of your new messengers.” When Jesus heard this, he looked down upon him with a great love and said: “I will have you to be one of my messengers if you are willing to pay the price, if you will supply the one thing which you lack.” Matadormus replied: “Master, I will do anything if I may be allowed to follow you.” Jesus, kissing the kneeling young man on the forehead, said: “If you would be my messenger, go and sell all that you have and, when you have bestowed the proceeds upon the poor or upon your brethren, come and follow me, and you shall have treasure in the kingdom of heaven.”
2015 163:2.5 Så sagde den unge mand: "Men, Mester, jeg er ikke tilfreds med at være din discipel; jeg ønsker at være en af dine nye budbringere." Da Jesus hørte dette, kiggede han på ham med stor kærlighed og sagde: "Jeg vil have dig som en af mine budbringere, hvis du er villig til at betale prisen, hvis du vil levere den ene ting, du mangler." Matadormus svarede: "Mester, jeg vil gøre hvad som helst, hvis jeg bare får lov til at følge dig." Jesus, kyssede den knælende unge mand på panden og sagde: "Hvis du ønsker at være min budbringer, gå bort, sælg, hvad du har, og når du har givet provenuet heraf til de fattige eller til dine brødre, kom og følg mig; så har du en skat i himmelriget[19]."
1955 163:2.6 When Matadormus heard this, his countenance fell. He arose and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. This wealthy young Pharisee had been raised to believe that wealth was the token of God’s favor. Jesus knew that he was not free from the love of himself and his riches. The Master wanted to deliver him from the love of wealth, not necessarily from the wealth. While the disciples of Jesus did not part with all their worldly goods, the apostles and the seventy did. Matadormus desired to be one of the seventy new messengers, and that was the reason for Jesus’ requiring him to part with all of his temporal possessions.
2015 163:2.6 Da Matadormus hørte dette, blev han modløs. Han rejste sig og gik bedrøvet bort; for han havde meget gods. Denne velhavende unge farisæer var blevet opdraget til at tro, at rigdom var tegn på Guds gunst. Jesus vidste, at han ikke var fri for kærlighed til sig selv og sin rigdom. Mesteren ønskede at befri ham fra kærlighed til rigdom, ikke nødvendigvis fra rigdom[20]. Mens Jesu disciple ikke afstod fra alt deres jordiske gods, gjorde apostlene og de halvfjerds det. Matadormus ønskede at være en af de halvfjerds nye budbringere, og det var grunden til, at Jesus krævede, at han skulle afstå alle sine jordiske ejendele.
1955 163:2.7 Almost every human being has some one thing which is held on to as a pet evil, and which the entrance into the kingdom of heaven requires as a part of the price of admission. If Matadormus had parted with his wealth, it probably would have been put right back into his hands for administration as treasurer of the seventy. For later on, after the establishment of the church at Jerusalem, he did obey the Master’s injunction, although it was then too late to enjoy membership in the seventy, and he became the treasurer of the Jerusalem church, of which James the Lord’s brother in the flesh was the head.
2015 163:2.7 Næsten hver person har noget særligt ondt, som vedkommende holder fast ved og værner om, og som Himmelriget kræver som en del af prisen for optagelse. Hvis Matadormus havde givet afkald på sin rigdom ville den sandsynligvis straks været givet tilbage i hans hænder til forvaltning af ham som de halvfjerds kasserer. For senere, da Jerusalem kirken var blevet grundlagt, adlød han Mesterens anmodning, selv om det da var for sent til at blive medlem af de halvfjerds, og han blev kasserer i Jerusalem kirke, hvor Herrens kødelige broder James var forstander.
1955 163:2.8 Thus always it was and forever will be: Men must arrive at their own decisions. There is a certain range of the freedom of choice which mortals may exercise. The forces of the spiritual world will not coerce man; they allow him to go the way of his own choosing.
2015 163:2.8 Således har det altid været og vil altid være: Mennesker skal komme til deres egne beslutninger. Menneskerne har en vis frihed i deres valg. De åndelige kræfter i verden tvinger ikke mennesket; de lader det gå den vej, det selv vælger.
1955 163:2.9 Jesus foresaw that Matadormus, with his riches, could not possibly become an ordained associate of men who had forsaken all for the gospel; at the same time, he saw that, without his riches, he would become the ultimate leader of all of them. But, like Jesus’ own brethren, he never became great in the kingdom because he deprived himself of that intimate and personal association with the Master which might have been his experience had he been willing to do at this time the very thing which Jesus asked, and which, several years subsequently, he actually did.
2015 163:2.9 Jesus forudså, at Matadormus med sine rigdomme umuligt kunne blive en ordineret medarbejder med de mennesker, der havde forladt alt for evangeliet; samtidig så han, at uden hans rigdomme, ville han blive den definitive leder af dem alle. Men ligesom Jesu egne brødre blev han aldrig stor i riget, fordi han berøvede sig selv det nære og personlige forhold til Mesteren, som han kunne have oplevet, hvis han havde været villig til at gøre præcis, hvad Jesus bad ham om, og som han flere år senere faktisk gjorde.
1955 163:2.10 Riches have nothing directly to do with entrance into the kingdom of heaven, but the love of wealth does. The spiritual loyalties of the kingdom are incompatible with servility to materialistic mammon. Man may not share his supreme loyalty to a spiritual ideal with a material devotion.
2015 163:2.10 Rigdomme har intet direkte at gøre med adgang i Himmelriget, men kærlighed til rigdomme har[21]. Rigets åndelige loyaliteter er uforenelige med underdanighed til materialistiske mammon. Mennesket kan ikke dele sin højeste loyalitet over for et åndeligt ideal med en materiel hengivenhed.
1955 163:2.11 Jesus never taught that it was wrong to have wealth. He required only the twelve and the seventy to dedicate all of their worldly possessions to the common cause. Even then, he provided for the profitable liquidation of their property, as in the case of the Apostle Matthew. Jesus many times advised his well-to-do disciples as he taught the rich man of Rome. The Master regarded the wise investment of excess earnings as a legitimate form of insurance against future and unavoidable adversity. When the apostolic treasury was overflowing, Judas put funds on deposit to be used subsequently when they might suffer greatly from a diminution of income. This Judas did after consultation with Andrew. Jesus never personally had anything to do with the apostolic finances except in the disbursement of alms. But there was one economic abuse which he many times condemned, and that was the unfair exploitation of the weak, unlearned, and less fortunate of men by their strong, keen, and more intelligent fellows. Jesus declared that such inhuman treatment of men, women, and children was incompatible with the ideals of the brotherhood of the kingdom of heaven.
2015 163:2.11 Jesus har aldrig undervist, at det var forkert at eje formue. Han krævede kun at de tolv og de halvfjerds gav alle deres jordiske ejendele til den fælles sag. Selv da han beordrede den indbringende afvikling af deres ejendom, som i tilfældet med apostlen Mattæus. Jesus gav mange gange råd til sine velhavende disciple, ligesom da han lærte den rige mand i Rom. Mesteren betragtede en klog investering af overskydende indtjening som en legitim form for forsikring mod fremtiden og uundgåelig modgang. Når der var et overskud af penge i den apostoliske kasse deponerede apostle Judas midler, der kunne bruges senere, når de blev ramt af betydeligt reducerede indtægter. Dette gjorde Judas efter samråd med Andreas. Jesus havde aldrig personligt noget at gøre med de apostoliske finanser, undtagen når det kom til fordelingen af almisser. Men der var dog et økonomisk misbrug, som han mange gange fordømte, nemlig den uretfærdigt udnyttelse af de fattige, uuddannede og mindre heldige mennesker af deres stærke, snue og intelligente medmennesker. Jesus erklærede, at en sådan umenneskelig behandling af mænd, kvinder og børn var uforenelig med de idealer som gælder for himmelrigets broderskab.
3. THE DISCUSSION ABOUT WEALTH
3. DISKUSSIONEN OM RIGDOM
1955 163:3.1 By the time Jesus had finished talking with Matadormus, Peter and a number of the apostles had gathered about him, and as the rich young man was departing, Jesus turned around to face the apostles and said: “You see how difficult it is for those who have riches to enter fully into the kingdom of God! Spiritual worship cannot be shared with material devotions; no man can serve two masters. You have a saying that it is ‘easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the heathen to inherit eternal life.’ And I declare that it is as easy for this camel to go through the needle’s eye as for these self-satisfied rich ones to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
2015 163:3.1 Da Jesus var færdig med sin samtale med Matadormus havde Peter og nogle andre apostle samledes omkring ham, og mens den rige unge mand gik bort vendte Jesus sig til sine apostle og sagde: "Du ser, hvor svært det er for dem, som har rigdom til helt at trække ind i Guds rige! Åndelig tilbedelse kan ikke forenes med materiel hengivenhed; ingen kan tjene to herrer. Du har et ordsprog, der siger, at det er "lettere for en kamel at gå gennem et nåleøje end for hedningerne at arve evigt liv." Og jeg siger dig, at det er lige så let for denne kamel at gå gennem nåleøjet som for disse selvtilfredse rige at komme ind i Himmelriget[22]."
1955 163:3.2 When Peter and the apostles heard these words, they were astonished exceedingly, so much so that Peter said: “Who then, Lord, can be saved? Shall all who have riches be kept out of the kingdom?” And Jesus replied: “No, Peter, but all who put their trust in riches shall hardly enter into the spiritual life that leads to eternal progress. But even then, much which is impossible to man is not beyond the reach of the Father in heaven; rather should we recognize that with God all things are possible.”
2015 163:3.2 Da Peter og apostlene hørte disse ord, blev de overordentlige forbløffede, så meget, at Peter sagde: "Herre, hvem kan da blive frelst? Skal alle, som har rigdom holdes uden for riget?" Jesus svarede: "Nej, Peter, men alle, der sætter deres lid til rigdomme går næppe ind i det åndelige liv, der fører til evigt fremskridt. Men alligevel, meget, som er umuligt for mennesket er ikke uden for rækkevidde af Faderen i himlen; snarere bør vi indse, at for Gud er alle ting mulige[23]."
1955 163:3.3 As they went off by themselves, Jesus was grieved that Matadormus did not remain with them, for he greatly loved him. And when they had walked down by the lake, they sat there beside the water, and Peter, speaking for the twelve (who were all present by this time), said: “We are troubled by your words to the rich young man. Shall we require those who would follow you to give up all their worldly goods?” And Jesus said: “No, Peter, only those who would become apostles, and who desire to live with me as you do and as one family. But the Father requires that the affections of his children be pure and undivided. Whatever thing or person comes between you and the love of the truths of the kingdom, must be surrendered. If one’s wealth does not invade the precincts of the soul, it is of no consequence in the spiritual life of those who would enter the kingdom.”
2015 163:3.3 Da de sammen gik bort derfra, var Jesus bedrøvet over at Matadormus ikke blev hos dem, for han elskede ham meget. Da de var gået ned til søen, sad de der ved vandet, og Peter, som talte for de tolv (som alle nu var til stede) sagde: "Vi er bekymrede over dine ord til den rige unge mand. Skal vi kræver af dem, der vil følge dig, at de giver afkald på alle deres jordiske ejendele?" Jesus sagde: "Nej, Peter, kun af dem, der ønsker at blive apostle, og som ønsker at leve med mig som du lever, og som en enkelt familie. Men Faderen kræver at hengivenheden hos hans børn er ren og udelt. Hvad eller hvem som er kommet mellem mennesker og deres kærlighed til rigets sandheder, skal opgives. Hvis ens rigdom ikke griber ind på sjælens enemærker er det uden betydning for det åndelige liv af dem, der ønsker at komme ind i riget."
1955 163:3.4 And then said Peter, “But, Master, we have left everything to follow you, what then shall we have?” And Jesus spoke to all of the twelve: “Verily, verily, I say to you, there is no man who has left wealth, home, wife, brethren, parents, or children for my sake and for the sake of the kingdom of heaven who shall not receive manifold more in this world, perhaps with some persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life. But many who are first shall be last, while the last shall often be first. The Father deals with his creatures in accordance with their needs and in obedience to his just laws of merciful and loving consideration for the welfare of a universe.
2015 163:3.4 Da sagde Peter: "Men, Mester, vi har forladt alt og fulgt dig[24]. Hvordan vil det da være for os?" Jesus sagde til alle de tolv: "Sandelig, sandelig siger jeg jer, der er ikke nogen, som for min skyld og for Himmelrigets skyld har forladt rigdom, hjem, kone, brødre, forældre eller børn, der ikke modtager mange gange mere i denne verden måske med nogen forfølgelser, og i den kommende verden et evigt liv[25]. Men mange af de første skal blive de sidste, mens mange, der er de sidste skal ofte blive først. Faderen behandler sine skabninger i overensstemmelse med deres behov og i lydighed med hans retvisende love om barmhjertig og kærlig overvejelse for universets bedste.
1955 163:3.5 “The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who was a large employer of men, and who went out early in the morning to hire laborers to work in his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers to pay them a denarius a day, he sent them into the vineyard. Then he went out about nine o’clock, and seeing others standing in the market place idle, he said to them: ‘Go you also to work in my vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will pay you.’ And they went at once to work. Again he went out about twelve and about three and did likewise. And going to the market place about five in the afternoon, he found still others standing idle, and he inquired of them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all the day?’ And the men answered, ‘Because nobody has hired us.’ Then said the householder: ‘Go you also to work in my vineyard, and whatever is right I will pay you.’
2015 163:3.5 "Himmelriget ligner en jordejer, som gav arbejde til mange, og ved dagens begyndelse gik ud for at leje arbejdere til sin vingård. Da han havde aftalt med dem om at betale dem en denar om dagen, sendte han dem til vingården. Så gik han ud klokken ni og så andre som stod ledige på markedet. Til dem sagde han, "Gå i også og arbejde i min vingård, og hvad er rigtigt, vil jeg betale dig. "De gik straks på arbejde. Så gik han ud ved middagstid og klokken tre, og gjorde det samme. Klokken fem gik han tilbage ud på markedet, og da så han endnu andre stående, og han spurgte dem: "Hvorfor står i her hele dagen uden arbejde?" Og mændene svarede: "Fordi ingen har lejet os.'' Da svarede, jordejeren: "Gå i også på arbejde i min vingård, og hvad er rigtigt, vil jeg betale dig."[26]
1955 163:3.6 “When evening came, this owner of the vineyard said to his steward: ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last hired and ending with the first.’ When those who were hired about five o’clock came, they received a denarius each, and so it was with each of the other laborers. When the men who were hired at the beginning of the day saw how the later comers were paid, they expected to receive more than the amount agreed upon. But like the others every man received only a denarius. And when each had received his pay, they complained to the householder, saying: ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour, and yet you have paid them the same as us who have borne the burden of the day in the scorching sun.’
2015 163:3.6 "Da det blev aften, sagde ejeren af vingården til sin forvalter "Kald arbejderne sammen og giv dem deres løn. Start med dem, der blev ansat sidste og slut med de første." Da de, som var lejede ved femtiden kom, fik de en denar hver, og så videre for hver arbejdstager. Så, da de mænd, der var blevet ansat i begyndelsen af dagen så, hvad dem der var kommet senere blev betalt, forventede de at få mere end de havde aftalt. Men ligesom de andre fik hver mand kun en denar. Da alle havde fået deres løn, protesterede de og sagde til ejeren, "De mænd, der var ansat sidst arbejdede kun en time, men på trods af det, gav du dem samme løn som for os, der har slidt hele dagen i den brændende sol."[27]
1955 163:3.7 “Then answered the householder: ‘My friends, I do you no wrong. Did not each of you agree to work for a denarius a day? Take now that which is yours and go your way, for it is my desire to give to those who came last as much as I have given to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? or do you begrudge my generosity because I desire to be good and to show mercy?’”
2015 163:3.7 "Da svarede jordejeren: "Mine venner, jeg gør jer ikke noget forkert. Kom ikke hver og en af jer overens med mig om at arbejde en dag for en denar? Tag nu, hvad der er dit, og gå væk, for det er mit ønske at give dem, der kom sidst ligeså meget, som jeg har givet dig. Har jeg ikke ret til at gøre, som jeg ønsker med det, der er mit? Eller er du misundelig på min gavmildhed, fordi jeg ønsker at være god og vise barmhjertighed?’”[28]
4. FAREWELL TO THE SEVENTY
4. FARVEL TIL DE HALVFJERDS
1955 163:4.1 It was a stirring time about the Magadan Camp the day the seventy went forth on their first mission. Early that morning, in his last talk with the seventy, Jesus placed emphasis on the following:
2015 163:4.1 Det var en spændende og travl tid omkring lejren ved Magadan på den dag, da de halvfjerds gik ud på deres første missionsopgave. Tidligt om morgenen, under sin sidste samtale med de halvfjerds, fremhævede Jesus følgende:
1955 163:4.2 1. The gospel of the kingdom must be proclaimed to all the world, to gentile as well as to Jew.
2015 163:4.2 1. Rigets evangelium skal prædikes i hele verden, for ikke jøder såvel som for jøder.
2015 163:4.3 2. Når du betjener de syge, afstå fra at lære dem at forvente nogle vidundere.
1955 163:4.4 3. Proclaim a spiritual brotherhood of the sons of God, not an outward kingdom of worldly power and material glory.
2015 163:4.4 3. Forkynd et åndeligt broderskab bestående af Guds sønner, ikke en ydre rige af verdslig magt og materiel herlighed.
1955 163:4.5 4. Avoid loss of time through overmuch social visiting and other trivialities which might detract from wholehearted devotion to preaching the gospel.
2015 163:4.5 4. For at undgå at miste tid på alt for meget samvær og andre trivialiteter, som kan reducere din helhjertede hengivenhed til at forkynde evangeliet.
1955 163:4.6 5. If the first house to be selected for a headquarters proves to be a worthy home, abide there throughout the sojourn in that city.
2015 163:4.6 5. Hvis det første hus, som du har valgt til hovedkvarter viser sig at være en værdig hjem, bo der for varigheden af dit ophold i byen.
1955 163:4.7 6. Make clear to all faithful believers that the time for an open break with the religious leaders of the Jews at Jerusalem has now come.
2015 163:4.7 6. Gør det klart for alle trofaste troende, at tiden er inde til et åbent brud med jødiske religiøse ledere i Jerusalem.
1955 163:4.9 When Jesus had talked thus to the seventy in the presence of all the apostles and disciples, Simon Peter took them off by themselves and preached to them their ordination sermon, which was an elaboration of the Master’s charge given at the time he laid his hands upon them and set them apart as messengers of the kingdom. Peter exhorted the seventy to cherish in their experience the following virtues:
2015 163:4.9 Da Jesus i overværelse af alle apostlene og disciplene havde sagt dette til de halvfjerds tog Peter dem afsides og holdt ordinationsprædiken for dem; hvilket var en uddybning af Mesterens undervisning, som han havde givet, da han lagde sine hænder på dem og udnævnte dem som budbringere af riget. Peter formanede de halvfjerds til at værne i deres livserfaring følgende dyder:
1955 163:4.11 2. True courage. He warned them that they would encounter hostility and be certain to meet with persecution. Peter told them their mission was no undertaking for cowards and advised those who were afraid to step out before they started. But none withdrew.
2015 163:4.11 2. Ægte mod. Han advarede dem om, at de ville blive udsat for fjendtlighed og at de ville være sikre på at blive forfulgt. Peter fortalte dem, at deres mission ikke var nogen foretagende for kujoner og rådede dem, der var bange til at træde ud, før de begyndte. Men ingen trak sig tilbage.
1955 163:4.12 3. Faith and trust. They must go forth on this short mission wholly unprovided for; they must trust the Father for food and shelter and all other things needful.
2015 163:4.12 3. Tro og tillid. De skulle gå ud på denne korte missionsopgaver helt uforsørget; de måtte have tillid til Faderen for mad, husly og alt andet bestemt behov.
1955 163:4.13 4. Zeal and initiative. They must be possessed with zeal and intelligent enthusiasm; they must attend strictly to their Master’s business. Oriental salutation was a lengthy and elaborate ceremony; therefore had they been instructed to “salute no man by the way,” which was a common method of exhorting one to go about his business without the waste of time. It had nothing to do with the matter of friendly greeting.
2015 163:4.13 4. Iver og initiativ. De skulle være ivrige og intelligent entusiastiske; de måtte strengt hellige sig Mesterens anliggender. Orientalsk hilsen var en langtrukken og omstændelig ceremoni; derfor var de blevet instrueret om "ikke at hilse på nogen under rejsen," som var en almindelig måde at formane nogen til at styre deres anliggender uden at spilde tid[32]. Det betød ikke, at man ikke skal hilse venligt på mennesker.
1955 163:4.14 5. Kindness and courtesy. The Master had instructed them to avoid unnecessary waste of time in social ceremonies, but he enjoined courtesy toward all with whom they should come in contact. They were to show every kindness to those who might entertain them in their homes. They were strictly warned against leaving a modest home to be entertained in a more comfortable or influential one.
2015 163:4.14 5. Venlighed og høflighed. Mesteren havde instrueret dem om at undgå unødvendige tab af tid i sociale ceremonier, men han indskærpede høflighed over for alle dem, som de kom i kontakt med. De skulle vise al mulig venlighed mod dem, der havde dem som gæster i deres hjem. De blev strengt advaret mod at forlade et beskedent hjem for at være gæster i en mere behageligt eller indflydelsesrigt hus.
1955 163:4.15 6. Ministry to the sick. The seventy were charged by Peter to search out the sick in mind and body and to do everything in their power to bring about the alleviation or cure of their maladies.
2015 163:4.15 6. Omsorgen af de syge. De halvfjerds blev pålagt af Peter til at opsøge dem, der var syge i deres sind eller deres krop og til at gøre alt i deres magt for at lindre deres smerte eller helbrede deres sygdomme.
1955 163:4.16 And when they had been thus charged and instructed, they started out, two and two, on their mission in Galilee, Samaria, and Judea.
2015 163:4.16 Da de således var blevet kaldt, og instrueret, begav de sig bort, to og to, på deres mission i Galilæa, Samaria og Judæa.
1955 163:4.17 Although the Jews had a peculiar regard for the number seventy, sometimes considering the nations of heathendom as being seventy in number, and although these seventy messengers were to go with the gospel to all peoples, still as far as we can discern, it was only coincidental that this group happened to number just seventy. Certain it was that Jesus would have accepted no less than half a dozen others, but they were unwilling to pay the price of forsaking wealth and families.
2015 163:4.17 Selvom jøderne nærede en særlig hensyn til tallet halvfjerds - nogle gange følte de, at hedninge nationerne var halvfjerds i antal - og selv om disse halvfjerds budbringere skulle gå med evangeliet til alle mennesker, var det i henhold til det, vi kan se, kun en tilfældighed, at denne gruppes styrke tilfældigvis var halvfjerds. Det var helt sikkert, at Jesus ville have accepteret ikke mindre end en halv snes andre, men de var uvillige til at betale prisen, for at give afkald på deres rigdom og deres familie.
5. MOVING THE CAMP TO PELLA
5. LEJREN FLYTTES TIL PELLA
1955 163:5.1 Jesus and the twelve now prepared to establish their last headquarters in Perea, near Pella, where the Master was baptized in the Jordan. The last ten days of November were spent in council at Magadan, and on Tuesday, December 6, the entire company of almost three hundred started out at daybreak with all their effects to lodge that night near Pella by the river. This was the same site, by the spring, that John the Baptist had occupied with his camp several years before.
2015 163:5.1 Jesus og de tolv gjort nu forberedelser til at etablere deres sidste hovedkvarter i Perea, nær Pella, hvor Mesteren blev døbt i Jordanfloden. De sidste ti dage af november blev tilbragt med drøftelserne i Magadan, og ved daggry tirsdag 6. december startede hele selskabet af næsten tre hundrede mennesker ud med alle deres ejendele og slog den aften lejr ved floden nær Pella. Det var det samme sted, ved siden af kilden, hvor Johannes Døberen flere år tidligere havde haft sin lejr.
1955 163:5.2 After the breaking up of the Magadan Camp, David Zebedee returned to Bethsaida and began immediately to curtail the messenger service. The kingdom was taking on a new phase. Daily, pilgrims arrived from all parts of Palestine and even from remote regions of the Roman Empire. Believers occasionally came from Mesopotamia and from the lands east of the Tigris. Accordingly, on Sunday, December 18, David, with the help of his messenger corps, loaded on to the pack animals the camp equipage, then stored in his father’s house, with which he had formerly conducted the camp of Bethsaida by the lake. Bidding farewell to Bethsaida for the time being, he proceeded down the lake shore and along the Jordan to a point about one-half mile north of the apostolic camp; and in less than a week he was prepared to offer hospitality to almost fifteen hundred pilgrim visitors. The apostolic camp could accommodate about five hundred. This was the rainy season in Palestine, and these accommodations were required to take care of the ever-increasing number of inquirers, mostly earnest, who came into Perea to see Jesus and to hear his teaching.
2015 163:5.2 Efter afslutning af lejren i Magadan vendte David Zebedæus tilbage til Betsaida og begyndte straks at begrænse budbringertjenesten. Riget gik ind i en ny fase. Daglig ankom pilgrimme fra alle dele af Palæstina og endda fra fjerntliggende dele af Romerriget. Sommetider kom troende også fra Mesopotamien og landområderne øst for Tigris. Derfor om søndagen den 18. december begyndte David, med hjælp fra hans budbringer korps, at læsse pakæslerne med lejrens udstyr, som var blevet opbevaret i hans fars hus, og med hvem han tidligere havde vedligeholdt lejr ved bredden af Betsaida. Han tog indtil videre afsked med Betsaida og gik ned langs søen og Jordanfloden til et sted lidt over en halv kilometer nord for apostlene lejren; og på mindre end en uge var han klar til at tilbyde gæstfrihed til næsten femtenhundrede pilgrimme. Apostlenes lejr kunne rumme omkring fem hundrede mennesker. Regntiden var på sit højeste i Palæstina, og disse indkvarteringssteder var nødvendige for at passe det voksende antal ansøgere, de fleste af dem seriøse kandidater, som var kommet til Perea for at se Jesus og høre hans forkyndelse.
1955 163:5.3 David did all this on his own initiative, though he had taken counsel with Philip and Matthew at Magadan. He employed the larger part of his former messenger corps as his helpers in conducting this camp; he now used less than twenty men on regular messenger duty. Near the end of December and before the return of the seventy, almost eight hundred visitors were gathered about the Master, and they found lodging in David’s camp.
2015 163:5.3 David gjorde alt dette på eget initiativ, selv om han havde rådført sig med Filip og Mattæus i Magadan. De fleste af medlemmerne af de tidligere budbringerkorps engagerede han som sine medhjælpere til at drive lejren. Han havde nu færre end tyve mænd på regelmæssig budbringertjeneste. I slutningen af december, før de halvfjerds vendte tilbage, var næsten otte hundrede besøgende samlet omkring Mesteren, og de fik overnatning i Davids lejr.
6. THE RETURN OF THE SEVENTY
6. DE HALVFJERDS VENDER TILBAGE
1955 163:6.1 On Friday, December 30, while Jesus was away in the near-by hills with Peter, James, and John, the seventy messengers were arriving by couples, accompanied by numerous believers, at the Pella headquarters. All seventy were assembled at the teaching site about five o’clock when Jesus returned to the camp. The evening meal was delayed for more than an hour while these enthusiasts for the gospel of the kingdom related their experiences. David’s messengers had brought much of this news to the apostles during previous weeks, but it was truly inspiring to hear these newly ordained teachers of the gospel personally tell how their message had been received by hungry Jews and gentiles. At last Jesus was able to see men going out to spread the good news without his personal presence. The Master now knew that he could leave this world without seriously hindering the progress of the kingdom.
2015 163:6.1 Fredag, den 30[33]. december mens Jesus sammen med Peter, James og Johannes var oppe på de nærliggende bakker, ankom de halvfjerds budbringere i par og ledsaget af talrige troende til hovedkvarteret ved Pella. Alle halvfjerds blev samlet på undervisningspladsen ved femtiden, da Jesus vendte tilbage til lejren. Aftensmaden blev forsinket i over en time, mens disse entusiastiske forkyndere af rigets evangelium berettede om deres erfaringer. Davids sendebude havde bragt meget af disse nyheder til apostlene i de foregående uger, men det var virkelig inspirerende at høre disse nyligt ordinerede lærere i evangeliet personligt fortælle, hvordan deres budskab var modtaget af sultne jøder og ikke-jøder. Endelig fik Jesus at se folk gå ud for at sprede den gode nyhed, uden at han personligt var til stede. Mesteren vidste nu, at han kunne forlade denne verden uden at det i alvorlig grad ville hæmme udbredelsen af riget.
1955 163:6.2 When the seventy related how “even the devils were subject” to them, they referred to the wonderful cures they had wrought in the cases of victims of nervous disorders. Nevertheless, there had been a few cases of real spirit possession relieved by these ministers, and referring to these, Jesus said: “It is not strange that these disobedient minor spirits should be subject to you, seeing that I beheld Satan falling as lightning from heaven. But rejoice not so much over this, for I declare to you that, as soon as I return to my Father, we will send forth our spirits into the very minds of men so that no more can these few lost spirits enter the minds of unfortunate mortals. I rejoice with you that you have power with men, but be not lifted up because of this experience but the rather rejoice that your names are written on the rolls of heaven, and that you are thus to go forward in an endless career of spiritual conquest.”
2015 163:6.2 Når de halvfjerds berettede hvordan "selv dæmonerne adlød dem" henviste de til de vidunderlige helbredelser, de havde udført i at være sammen med dem, der var ofre for nervøse lidelser[34]. Der havde dog også været et par tilfælde af ægte ånde besættelse, som var blevet befriet af disse ministre, og med henvisning til disse, sagde Jesus: "Det er ikke underligt, at disse ulydige mindre ånder er underlagt dig, for jeg så Satan falde ned fra himlen som et lyn. Men fryd jer ikke så meget over det, fordi jeg erklærer til jer, at så snart jeg vender tilbage til min Fader vil vi udsende vores ånd, ind i selve menneskenes sind, så disse få vildledte ånder ikke længere kan trænge ind i sindet på uheldige dødelige. Jeg glæder mig med jer, at I har mulighed for at påvirke mennesker, men bliv ikke opstemt af denne erfaring, men glæd jer snarere over, at jeres navne er skrevet i de himmelske optegnelser, og at I derfor skal fortsætte i den åndelige erobrings endeløse karriere."
1955 163:6.3 And it was at this time, just before partaking of the evening meal, that Jesus experienced one of those rare moments of emotional ecstasy which his followers had occasionally witnessed. He said: “I thank you, my Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that, while this wonderful gospel was hidden from the wise and self-righteous, the spirit has revealed these spiritual glories to these children of the kingdom. Yes, my Father, it must have been pleasing in your sight to do this, and I rejoice to know that the good news will spread to all the world even after I shall have returned to you and the work which you have given me to perform. I am mightily moved as I realize you are about to deliver all authority into my hands, that only you really know who I am, and that only I really know you, and those to whom I have revealed you. And when I have finished this revelation to my brethren in the flesh, I will continue the revelation to your creatures on high.”
2015 163:6.3 Det var på dette tidspunkt, lige før de deltog i aftensmaden, at Jesus oplevede et af de sjældne øjeblikke af følelsesmæssig ekstase, som hans tilhængere lejlighedsvis havde været vidne til. Han sagde: "Jeg takker dig, min Fader, himlens og jordens Herre, at mens dette vidunderlige evangelium var skjult for de kloge og selvretfærdige, har ånden dog åbenbaret disse åndelige herligheder til disse rigets børn[35]. Ja, min Fader, det må have været glædeligt i dine øjne at gøre det, og jeg er glad for at vide, at de gode nyheder vil sprede sig til hele verden, selv efter jeg er vendt tilbage til dig og det arbejde, du har givet mig at udføre. Jeg er mægtigt rørt når jeg indser at du er ved at overdrage al autoritet i mine hænder, at kun du virkelig ved, hvem jeg er, og at kun jeg og dem, som jeg har åbenbaret dig for virkelig kender dig. Og når jeg er færdig med denne åbenbaring til mine brødre i kødet, vil jeg fortsætte åbenbaringen til dine skabninger højere oppe."
1955 163:6.4 When Jesus had thus spoken to the Father, he turned aside to speak to his apostles and ministers: “Blessed are the eyes which see and the ears which hear these things. Let me say to you that many prophets and many of the great men of the past ages have desired to behold what you now see, but it was not granted them. And many generations of the children of light yet to come will, when they hear of these things, envy you who have heard and seen them.”
2015 163:6.4 Da Jesus så havde talt til Faderen, vendte han sig til sine apostle og ministre og sagde: "Velsignede er de øjne, der ser, og ører, der hører alt dette. Lad mig fortælle jer, at mange profeter og mange store mænd i tidligere tider har ønsket at se hvad du nu se, men det blev dem ikke forundt. Og når mange kommende generationer af lysets børn vil høre om alt dette, vil de misunde jer, der fik at høre og se det[36]."
1955 163:6.5 Then, speaking to all the disciples, he said: “You have heard how many cities and villages have received the good news of the kingdom, and how my ministers and teachers have been received by both the Jew and the gentile. And blessed indeed are these communities which have elected to believe the gospel of the kingdom. But woe upon the light-rejecting inhabitants of Chorazin, Bethsaida-Julias, and Capernaum, the cities which did not well receive these messengers. I declare that, if the mighty works done in these places had been done in Tyre and Sidon, the people of these so-called heathen cities would have long since repented in sackcloth and ashes. It shall indeed be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment.”
2015 163:6.5 Så talte han til alle disciplene og sagde: "I har hørt, hvor mange byer og landsbyer som har modtaget rigets glade budskab, og hvordan mine ministre og lærere er blevet modtaget af både jøder og fremmede. Og velsignede, er faktisk de samfund, der har valgt at tro på rigets evangelium. Men ve de lys afvisende indbyggere i Korazin, Betsaida-Julias, og Kapernaum, de byer, der ikke tog godt imod disse budbringere[37][38]. Jeg siger jer, at hvis de mægtige gerninger der blev gjort disse steder var sket i Tyrus og Sidon, ville folk i disse såkaldte hedenske byer for længst have omvendt sig i sæk og aske. Det vil helt sikkert være nemmere for Tyrus og Sidon på dommens dag."
1955 163:6.6 The next day being the Sabbath, Jesus went apart with the seventy and said to them: “I did indeed rejoice with you when you came back bearing the good tidings of the reception of the gospel of the kingdom by so many people scattered throughout Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. But why were you so surprisingly elated? Did you not expect that your message would manifest power in its delivery? Did you go forth with so little faith in this gospel that you come back in surprise at its effectiveness? And now, while I would not quench your spirit of rejoicing, I would sternly warn you against the subtleties of pride, spiritual pride. If you could understand the downfall of Lucifer, the iniquitous one, you would solemnly shun all forms of spiritual pride.
2015 163:6.6 Da næste dag var sabbat, tog Jesus de halvfjerds afsides og sagde til dem: "Jeg glædede mig virkelig med dig, når I kom tilbage med de gode nyheder om hvordan rigets evangelium var blevet modtaget af så mange mennesker overalt i Galilæa, Samaria og Judæa. Men hvorfor var du så overraskende opstemt? Forventede I ikke, at jeres budskab vil manifestere sin magt når det blev forkyndt? Gik i ud med så lidt tro på dette evangelium, at I kom tilbage overrasket over dets effektivitet? Og nu, selvom jeg ikke ønsker at lægge en dæmper på din glade stemning, vil jeg strengt advare dig for hvor lumsk stolthed er, den åndelige stolthed. Hvis du kunne forstå, hvordan Lucifer, den uretfærdige, faldt, ville du seriøst sky alle former for åndelig stolthed.
1955 163:6.7 “You have entered upon this great work of teaching mortal man that he is a son of God. I have shown you the way; go forth to do your duty and be not weary in well doing. To you and to all who shall follow in your steps down through the ages, let me say: I always stand near, and my invitation-call is, and ever shall be, Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am true and loyal, and you shall find spiritual rest for your souls.”
2015 163:6.7 "Du er gået ind i dette store arbejde med at undervise det dødelige menneske, at han er en søn af Gud. Jeg har vist jer vejen; gå ud og opfyld din pligt og bliv ikke træt af at gøre godt[39]. For dig og til alle, der i tidens løb følger i dine fodspor, vil jeg sige: Jeg står altid i nærheden, og min invitation er nu og altid: Kom til mig, alle I, som arbejder og bærer tunge byrder; Jeg vil give jer hvile[40]. Tag mit åg på jer og lær af mig, for jeg er sand og loyal, og I skal finde åndelig hvile for jeres sjæle ".
1955 163:6.8 And they found the Master’s words to be true when they put his promises to the test. And since that day countless thousands also have tested and proved the surety of these same promises.
2015 163:6.8 De fandt, at mesterens ord var sandt, når de satte hans løfter på prøve. Og siden da, har utallige tusinder også testet og prøvet sandheden i disse løfter.
7. PREPARATION FOR THE LAST MISSION
7. FORBEREDELSE FOR DEN SIDSTE MISSIONSREJSE
1955 163:7.1 The next few days were busy times in the Pella camp; preparations for the Perean mission were being completed. Jesus and his associates were about to enter upon their last mission, the three months’ tour of all Perea, which terminated only upon the Master’s entering Jerusalem for his final labors on earth. Throughout this period the headquarters of Jesus and the twelve apostles was maintained here at the Pella camp.
2015 163:7.1 De næste par dage var travle tider i lejren ved Pella. Forberedelserne til missionsrejse til Perea blev afsluttet. Jesus og hans medarbejdere var ved at begynde på deres sidste missionsrejse, en tre måneders tur rundt omkring i hele Perea, som først blev afsluttet, da Mesteren gik op til Jerusalem for sit sidste arbejde på jorden. I hele denne periode havde Jesus og de tolv apostle deres hovedkvarter her i lejren ved Pella.
1955 163:7.2 It was no longer necessary for Jesus to go abroad to teach the people. They now came to him in increasing numbers each week and from all parts, not only from Palestine but from the whole Roman world and from the Near East. Although the Master participated with the seventy in the tour of Perea, he spent much of his time at the Pella camp, teaching the multitude and instructing the twelve. Throughout this three months’ period at least ten of the apostles remained with Jesus.
2015 163:7.2 Det var ikke længere nødvendigt for Jesus at gå ud for at undervise folket. Folk kommer nu i stadigt større antal til ham ugentligt og fra alle steder, ikke kun fra Palæstina, men fra hele den romerske verden og Mellemøsten. Selv om Mesteren deltog i rundturen i Perea sammen med de halvfjerds, brugte han meget af sin tid i lejren ved Pella, hvor han underviste folkeskarerne og instruerede de tolv. I hele denne periode på tre måneder, forblev der altid mindst ti apostle med Jesus.
1955 163:7.3 The women’s corps also prepared to go out, two and two, with the seventy to labor in the larger cities of Perea. This original group of twelve women had recently trained a larger corps of fifty women in the work of home visitation and in the art of ministering to the sick and the afflicted. Perpetua, Simon Peter’s wife, became a member of this new division of the women’s corps and was intrusted with the leadership of the enlarged women’s work under Abner. After Pentecost she remained with her illustrious husband, accompanying him on all of his missionary tours; and on the day Peter was crucified in Rome, she was fed to the wild beasts in the arena. This new women’s corps also had as members the wives of Philip and Matthew and the mother of James and John.
2015 163:7.3 Også kvindernes korps gjorde sig klar til at gå ud, to og to, sammen med de halvfjerds for at arbejde i de større byer i Perea. Denne oprindelige gruppe af tolv kvinder havde for nylig uddannet en større gruppe af halvtreds kvinder i arbejdet med at besøge hjemmene og i kunsten at betjene de syge og lidende. Simon Peters kone Perpetua blev medlem af denne nye afdeling af kvindernes korps, og hun blev betroet ledelsen af det udvidede kvindearbejde under Abner. Efter pinsen forblev hun med sin berømte mand og ledsagede ham på alle hans missionsrejser. Samme dag, som Peter blev korsfæstet i Rom, blev hun fodret til de vilde dyr i arenaen. De nye kvinders korps havde også som medlemmer Filip og Mattæus hustruer samt James og Johannes mor.
1955 163:7.4 The work of the kingdom now prepared to enter upon its terminal phase under the personal leadership of Jesus. And this present phase was one of spiritual depth in contrast with the miracle-minded and wonder-seeking multitudes who followed after the Master during the former days of popularity in Galilee. However, there were still any number of his followers who were material-minded, and who failed to grasp the truth that the kingdom of heaven is the spiritual brotherhood of man founded on the eternal fact of the universal fatherhood of God.
2015 163:7.4 Rigets arbejde var nu forberedt til at gå ind i sin sidste fase under den personlige ledelse af Jesus. Denne fase var præget af en åndelig dybde i modsætning til de folkemængder, der var på udkig efter mirakler, og som fulgte efter Mesteren under hans tidligere dage af popularitet i Galilæa. Dog var der stadig blandt hans tilhængere et vilkårligt antal, der var materielt sindede, og som ikke kunne forstå den sandhed, at himmelriget er menneskernes åndelige broderskab, der er bygget på den evige virkelighed af Guds universelle faderskab.