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TUESDAY MORNING IN THE TEMPLE
TIRSDAG MORGEN I TEMPLET
1955 174:0.1 ABOUT seven o’clock on this Tuesday morning Jesus met the apostles, the women’s corps, and some two dozen other prominent disciples at the home of Simon. At this meeting he said farewell to Lazarus, giving him that instruction which led him so soon to flee to Philadelphia in Perea, where he later became connected with the missionary movement having its headquarters in that city. Jesus also said good-bye to the aged Simon, and gave his parting advice to the women’s corps, as he never again formally addressed them.
2015 174:0.1 Ved syvtiden denne tirsdag morgen mødte Jesus med apostlene, kvindernes korps og omkring fireogtyve andre prominente disciple hjemme hos Simon. På dette møde, tog han afsked med Lazarus og gav ham oplysninger, som så hurtigt fik ham til at flygte til Filadelfia i Peræa, hvor han senere blev knyttet til den missionerende bevægelse, som havde sit hovedkvarter i byen. Jesus tog også afsked med den gamle Simon, og gav sine afsked råd til kvindernes korps, da han aldrig igen gav en formel tale for dem.
1955 174:0.2 This morning he greeted each of the twelve with a personal salutation. To Andrew he said: “Be not dismayed by the events just ahead. Keep a firm hold on your brethren and see that they do not find you downcast.” To Peter he said: “Put not your trust in the arm of flesh nor in weapons of steel. Establish yourself on the spiritual foundations of the eternal rocks.” To James he said: “Falter not because of outward appearances. Remain firm in your faith, and you shall soon know of the reality of that which you believe.” To John he said: “Be gentle; love even your enemies; be tolerant. And remember that I have trusted you with many things.” To Nathaniel he said: “Judge not by appearances; remain firm in your faith when all appears to vanish; be true to your commission as an ambassador of the kingdom.” To Philip he said: “Be unmoved by the events now impending. Remain unshaken, even when you cannot see the way. Be loyal to your oath of consecration.” To Matthew he said: “Forget not the mercy that received you into the kingdom. Let no man cheat you of your eternal reward. As you have withstood the inclinations of the mortal nature, be willing to be steadfast.” To Thomas he said: “No matter how difficult it may be, just now you must walk by faith and not by sight. Doubt not that I am able to finish the work I have begun, and that I shall eventually see all of my faithful ambassadors in the kingdom beyond.” To the Alpheus twins he said: “Do not allow the things which you cannot understand to crush you. Be true to the affections of your hearts and put not your trust in either great men or the changing attitude of the people. Stand by your brethren.” And to Simon Zelotes he said: “Simon, you may be crushed by disappointment, but your spirit shall rise above all that may come upon you. What you have failed to learn from me, my spirit will teach you. Seek the true realities of the spirit and cease to be attracted by unreal and material shadows.” And to Judas Iscariot he said: “Judas, I have loved you and have prayed that you would love your brethren. Be not weary in well doing; and I would warn you to beware the slippery paths of flattery and the poison darts of ridicule.”
2015 174:0.2 Denne morgen hilste han hver af de tolv med en personlig appel. Til Andreas sagde han: "Du skal ikke være foruroliget over de forestående begivenheder[1]. Hold et fast greb om dine brødre og lad dem ikke finde dig nedslået. "Til Peter sagde han: "Sæt ikke din lid til armen af kød og blod eller til våben af stål[2]. Etabler dig selv på de evige klippers åndelige fundament[3]." Til James sagde han: "Lad ikke ydre omstændigheder få dig til at vakle[4]. Forbliv stærk i din tro, og du vil hurtigt lære, at hvad du tror, er virkeligt[5][6].” Til Johannes, sagde han: "Vær fredelig; elsk selv dine fjender; vær tolerant[7][8]. Og husk, at jeg har betroet dig med mange ting[9]." Til Nataniel sagde han: "Døm ikke efter udseende; stå fast i din tro, når alt ser ud til at være tabt; vær trofast i din udnævnelse som rigets ambassadør[10][11][12]." Til Filip sagde han: "Forbliv uanfægtet af de forestående begivenheder. Hold dig i ro, selv når du ikke kan se vejen[13]. Vær tro mod din indvielse." Til Mattæus sagde han: "Glem ikke den barmhjertighed, som bragte dig ind i riget. Lad ingen snyde dig for din evige belønning[14]. Vær villig til at stå urokkelig, så som du har modstået tilbøjelighederne af menneskets dødelige natur." Til Thomas sagde han: "Hvor svært det end måtte være, skal du nu gå med tro og ikke på synet[15]. Tvivl ikke på min evne til at fuldføre det arbejde, jeg er begyndt, og at jeg i sidste ende vil se alle mine trofaste ambassadører i riget på den anden side[16]." Til Alfeus tvillingerne sagde han: "Du skal ikke blive knust af det, du ikke kan forstår. Vær tro mod hengivenheden i dit hjerte, og sæt ikke jeres tillid til hverken store mænd eller skiftende holdningen i befolkningen. Stå ved siden af dine brødre." Til Simon Zelotes sagde han: "Simon, skuffelsen kan tænkes at knuse dig, men din ånd skal hæve sig op over alt, der kan komme over dig. Hvad du ikke har lært fra mig, vil min ånd lære dig[17]. Søg den sande virkelighed og bliv ikke tiltrukket af uvirkelige og materielle skygger[18]." Til Judas Iskariot, sagde han: "Judas, jeg har elsket dig, og jeg har bedt for dig, at du ville elske dine brødre. Vær ikke træt af at gøre godt; og jeg vil advare dig om at passe på smigerens glatte veje og latterliggørelsens giftpile[19]."
1955 174:0.3 And when he had concluded these greetings, he departed for Jerusalem with Andrew, Peter, James, and John as the other apostles set about the establishment of the Gethsemane camp, where they were to go that night, and where they made their headquarters for the remainder of the Master’s life in the flesh. About halfway down the slope of Olivet Jesus paused and visited more than an hour with the four apostles.
2015 174:0.3 Da han havde fuldendt disse hilsener gik han sammen med Andreas, Peter, James og Johannes på vej til Jerusalem, mens de andre apostle begyndte etableringen af Getsemane lejren, hvor de ville gå den aften, og hvor de havde deres operationsbase under resten af Mesterens kropslige liv. Omtrent halvvejs nede af Oliebjerget standsede Jesus op og talte i over en time med de fire apostle.
1. DIVINE FORGIVENESS
1. GUDDOMMELIG TILGIVELSE
1955 174:1.1 For several days Peter and James had been engaged in discussing their differences of opinion about the Master’s teaching regarding the forgiveness of sin. They had both agreed to lay the matter before Jesus, and Peter embraced this occasion as a fitting opportunity for securing the Master’s counsel. Accordingly, Simon Peter broke in on the conversation dealing with the differences between praise and worship, by asking: “Master, James and I are not in accord regarding your teachings having to do with the forgiveness of sin. James claims you teach that the Father forgives us even before we ask him, and I maintain that repentance and confession must precede the forgiveness. Which of us is right? what do you say?”
2015 174:1.1 Gennem flere dage havde Peter og James været impliceret i en diskussion om deres forskellige opfattelser af Mesterens undervisning om tilgivelse af synd. De havde aftalt at fremlægge sagen for Jesus, og Peter tog denne passende lejlighed til at rådføre sig med Mesteren. Derfor afbrød Simon Peter samtalen, som beskæftigede sig med forskellene mellem lovsang og tilbedelse, og spurgte: "Mester, James og jeg er ikke enig med dine lærdomme om tilgivelse. James hævder at du underviser, at Faderen tilgiver os selv før vi beder ham om det, og jeg siger, at tilgivelse skal ske efter omvendelse og bekendelse. Hvem af os har ret? Hvad siger du?"
1955 174:1.2 After a short silence Jesus looked significantly at all four and answered: “My brethren, you err in your opinions because you do not comprehend the nature of those intimate and loving relations between the creature and the Creator, between man and God. You fail to grasp that understanding sympathy which the wise parent entertains for his immature and sometimes erring child. It is indeed doubtful whether intelligent and affectionate parents are ever called upon to forgive an average and normal child. Understanding relationships associated with attitudes of love effectively prevent all those estrangements which later necessitate the readjustment of repentance by the child with forgiveness by the parent.
2015 174:1.2 Efter et øjebliks stilhed, så Jesus markant på alle fire og sagde: "Mine brødre, I tager fejl i jeres meninger, fordi I ikke forstår karakteren af de tætte og kærlige relationer mellem den skabte og Skaberen, mellem mennesket og Gud. I forstår ikke den forståelse, sympati, som den kloge forælder har for sit umodne og til tider vildfarne barn. Der kan helt sikkert være spørgsmålstegn ved, om intelligente og kærlige forældre nogensinde er nødt til at tilgive et gennemsnitlig og normalt barn. Forståelsesfulde relationer forbundet med holdninger af kærlighed forhindrer effektivt alle sådanne uenigheder, som efterfølgende nødvendiggør en justering af barnets omvendelse med forældrenes tilgivelse.
1955 174:1.3 “A part of every father lives in the child. The father enjoys priority and superiority of understanding in all matters connected with the child-parent relationship. The parent is able to view the immaturity of the child in the light of the more advanced parental maturity, the riper experience of the older partner. With the earthly child and the heavenly Father, the divine parent possesses infinity and divinity of sympathy and capacity for loving understanding. Divine forgiveness is inevitable; it is inherent and inalienable in God’s infinite understanding, in his perfect knowledge of all that concerns the mistaken judgment and erroneous choosing of the child. Divine justice is so eternally fair that it unfailingly embodies understanding mercy.
2015 174:1.3 "En del af enhver far lever i barnet. Faderen er den som først og bedst forstår alt som gælder forholdet mellem barn og forælder. Forældre kan se barnets umodenhed i lyset af den længerevarende modenhed hos forældrene, den modne erfaring af den ældre partner. Med hensyn til det jordiske barn og den himmelske Fader, besidder den guddommelige forælder uendelig og guddommelig sympati og kapacitet til kærlig forståelse. Guddommelig tilgivelse er uundgåelig, den er en naturlig og uadskillelig del af Guds uendelige forståelse, i hans perfekte viden om alt vedrørende barnets manglende dømmekraft og forkerte valg. Guddommelig retfærdighed er så evigt rimeligt, at den uundgåeligt også udtrykker en forståelse fuld af barmhjertighed.
1955 174:1.4 “When a wise man understands the inner impulses of his fellows, he will love them. And when you love your brother, you have already forgiven him. This capacity to understand man’s nature and forgive his apparent wrongdoing is Godlike. If you are wise parents, this is the way you will love and understand your children, even forgive them when transient misunderstanding has apparently separated you. The child, being immature and lacking in the fuller understanding of the depth of the child-father relationship, must frequently feel a sense of guilty separation from a father’s full approval, but the true father is never conscious of any such separation. Sin is an experience of creature consciousness; it is not a part of God’s consciousness.
2015 174:1.4 "Når en klog mand forstår de indre impulser hos sine medmennesker, begynder han at elske dem. Og når man elsker sin broder har man allerede tilgivet ham. Denne evne til at forstå den menneskelige natur og tilgive hans åbenbare overtrædelser er guddommelig. Hvis du er kloge forældre, er det sådan du bør elske og forstå dine børn og tilgive dem, selv når midlertidig misforståelse tilsyneladende har adskilt jer. Barnet, som er umoden og mangler en bedre forståelse af dybden af forholdet mellem barnet og faderen, må ofte føle sig skyldbevidst adskilt fra faderens fulde godkendelse, men den sande fader er aldrig bevidst om en sådan adskillelse. Synd er en oplevelse, der hører til den skabtes bevidsthed; det er ikke en del af Guds bevidsthed.
1955 174:1.5 “Your inability or unwillingness to forgive your fellows is the measure of your immaturity, your failure to attain adult sympathy, understanding, and love. You hold grudges and nurse vengefulness in direct proportion to your ignorance of the inner nature and true longings of your children and your fellow beings. Love is the outworking of the divine and inner urge of life. It is founded on understanding, nurtured by unselfish service, and perfected in wisdom.”
2015 174:1.5 "Din manglende evne eller vilje til at tilgive dine medmennesker er målestok for din umodenhed, din manglende opnåelse af sympati, forståelse og kærlighed, der præger det voksne menneske. Du holder nag og ruger på hævn i direkte forhold til din uvidenhed af den indre natur og sande længsler hos dine børn og dine medmennesker. Kærlighed udtrykker den guddommelige og indre livslyst. Den er baseret på forståelse, næret af uselvisk tjeneste, og perfektioneret i visdom."
2. QUESTIONS BY THE JEWISH RULERS
2. JØDERNES LEDERE STILLER SPØRGSMÅL
1955 174:2.1 On Monday evening there had been held a council between the Sanhedrin and some fifty additional leaders selected from among the scribes, Pharisees, and the Sadducees. It was the consensus of this meeting that it would be dangerous to arrest Jesus in public because of his hold upon the affections of the common people. It was also the opinion of the majority that a determined effort should be made to discredit him in the eyes of the multitude before he should be arrested and brought to trial. Accordingly, several groups of learned men were designated to be on hand the next morning in the temple to undertake to entrap him with difficult questions and otherwise to seek to embarrass him before the people. At last, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and even the Herodians were all united in this effort to discredit Jesus in the eyes of the Passover multitudes.
2015 174:2.1 Mandag aften, havde et møde været afholdt mellem jødernes råd og omkring halvtreds andre ledere udvalgt blandt de skriftkloge, farisæerne og saddukæerne. Der var på dette møde enighed om, at det ville være farligt at arrestere Jesus foran alle mennesker, på grund af de almindelige menneskers kærlighed til ham. Det var også flertallets mening, at man skulle gøre en målrettet indsats for at miskreditere ham i øjnene på de mange, før han blev arresteret og retsforfulgt[20]. I overensstemmelse hermed blev flere grupper af lærde mænd udnævnt til at være på plads næste morgen i templet for at forsøge at fange Jesus med vanskelige spørgsmål og ellers på anden måde gøre ham forlegen foran folket. Til sidst havde farisæerne, saddukæerne, og selv Herodianerne alle forenet sig i dette forsøg på at miskreditere Jesus foran påskes menneskemasser.
1955 174:2.2 Tuesday morning, when Jesus arrived in the temple court and began to teach, he had uttered but few words when a group of the younger students from the academies, who had been rehearsed for this purpose, came forward and by their spokesman addressed Jesus: “Master, we know you are a righteous teacher, and we know that you proclaim the ways of truth, and that you serve only God, for you fear no man, and that you are no respecter of persons. We are only students, and we would know the truth about a matter which troubles us; our difficulty is this: Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar? Shall we give or shall we not give?” Jesus, perceiving their hypocrisy and craftiness, said to them: “Why do you thus come to tempt me? Show me the tribute money, and I will answer you.” And when they handed him a denarius, he looked at it and said, “Whose image and superscription does this coin bear?” And when they answered him, “Caesar’s,” Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and render to God the things that are God’s.”
2015 174:2.2 Tirsdag morgen, da Jesus ankom til tempelgården og begyndte at undervise, havde han kun formået at tale et par ord, da en gruppe yngre studerende fra akademierne, som var blevet indøvet til dette formål, kom frem og gennem deres talsmand, sagde til Jesus: "Mester, vi ved, at du er en retfærdig lærer, og vi ved, at du forkynder sandhedens veje og kun tjener Gud, for du frygter intet menneske, og vi ved, at du ikke gør forskel på folk[21][22]. Vi er kun studerende, og vi ønsker at finde sandheden om én ting, der generer os; vores problem er dette: Er det tilladt for os at betale skat til kejseren? Skal vi eller skal vi ikke betale? "Jesus, som så deres hykleri og snuhed, sagde til dem: "Hvorfor kommer I så her for at søge at friste mig? Vis mig mønten man anvendes til betaling af skat, og jeg vil svare dig." Og da de rakte ham en denar, kiggede han på den og sagde: "Hvis billede og indskrift er på denne mønt?" Da de sagde til ham: "Kejseren" Jesus sagde: "Giv da kejseren det som tilhører kejseren, og Gud det, som tilhører Gud."[23]
1955 174:2.3 When he had thus answered these young scribes and their Herodian accomplices, they withdrew from his presence, and the people, even the Sadducees, enjoyed their discomfiture. Even the youths who had endeavored to entrap him marveled greatly at the unexpected sagacity of the Master’s answer.
2015 174:2.3 Da han havde besvaret disse unge skriftkloge og deres herodianske allierede med disse ord, trak de sig tilbage fra ham, og menneskerne, til og med saddukæerne, havde det sjovt på deres forlegenhed[24]. Selv de unge, der havde forsøgt at fange ham undrede sig stærkt over den uventede skarpsindighed af Mesterens svar.
1955 174:2.4 The previous day the rulers had sought to trip him before the multitude on matters of ecclesiastical authority, and having failed, they now sought to involve him in a damaging discussion of civil authority. Both Pilate and Herod were in Jerusalem at this time, and Jesus’ enemies conjectured that, if he would dare to advise against the payment of tribute to Caesar, they could go at once before the Roman authorities and charge him with sedition. On the other hand, if he should advise the payment of tribute in so many words, they rightly calculated that such a pronouncement would greatly wound the national pride of his Jewish hearers, thereby alienating the good will and affection of the multitude.
2015 174:2.4 Den foregående dag havde herskerne forsøgt at fange ham foran publikum på spørgsmål vedrørende præstelige autoritet, og siden de fejlede forsøgte de nu at trække ham ind i en ondsindet snak med ham om civile autoritet. Både Pilatus og Herodes var på dette tidspunkt i Jerusalem, og Jesu fjender troede, at hvis han vovede at fraråde at betale skat til kejseren, ville de straks gå til de romerske myndigheder og anklage ham for oprør. Hvis han på den anden side, kort og godt, gav råd til at betale skat, kalkulerede de korrekt, at en sådan erklæring i høj grad ville skade den nationale stolthed hos hans jødiske tilhørere, og dermed fremmedgøre ham fra folkemængdens velvillige holdning og hengivenhed.
1955 174:2.5 In all this the enemies of Jesus were defeated since it was a well-known ruling of the Sanhedrin, made for the guidance of the Jews dispersed among the gentile nations, that the “right of coinage carried with it the right to levy taxes.” In this manner Jesus avoided their trap. To have answered “No” to their question would have been equivalent to inciting rebellion; to have answered “Yes” would have shocked the deep-rooted nationalist sentiments of that day. The Master did not evade the question; he merely employed the wisdom of making a double reply. Jesus was never evasive, but he was always wise in his dealings with those who sought to harass and destroy him.
2015 174:2.5 I alt dette mislykkedes Jesu fjender, da det var en alment kendt afgørelse fra jødernes råd, til vejledning for de jøder, der var spredt blandt de hedenske nationer, at "retten til at slå mønter medførte retten til at opkræve skat." På den måde undgik Jesus deres fælde. For at svare "nej" til deres spørgsmål ville have været det samme som at opildne til oprør; at svare "ja" på den tid ville have chokeret dybt rodfæstede nationalistiske følelser. Mesteren undgik ikke spørgsmålet; han brugte kun visdom til at give et dobbelt svar. Jesus var aldrig undvigende, men han var altid klogt i sin omgang med dem, der ønskede at pine og ødelægge ham.
3. THE SADDUCEES AND THE RESURRECTION
3. SADDUKÆRERNE OG OPSTANDELSEN
1955 174:3.1 Before Jesus could get started with his teaching, another group came forward to question him, this time a company of the learned and crafty Sadducees. Their spokesman, drawing near to him, said: “Master, Moses said that if a married man should die, leaving no children, his brother should take the wife and raise up seed for the deceased brother. Now there occurred a case where a certain man who had six brothers died childless; his next brother took his wife but also soon died, leaving no children. Likewise did the second brother take the wife, but he also died leaving no offspring. And so on until all six of the brothers had had her, and all six of them passed on without leaving children. And then, after them all, the woman herself died. Now, what we would like to ask you is this: In the resurrection whose wife will she be since all seven of these brothers had her?”
2015 174:3.1 Før Jesus igen kunne begynde sin undervisning, kom en anden gruppe frem og stillede spørgsmål til ham; denne gang var det en gruppe af lærde og listige saddukæer. Deres talsmand gik tættere til Jesus og sagde: "Mester, Moses har sagt, at hvis en gift mand dør barnløs, skal hans bror gifte sig med enken og oprejse frø til den afdøde bror[25]. Nu var der en sag, hvor en mand, der havde seks brødre døde barnløs. Hans ældste bror overtog hans kone, men også han døde snart barnløs. Ligeledes overtog den næste bror hans kone, men han døde også uden at forlade efterkommere. Og sådan fortsatte det, indtil alle seks brødre havde haft konen og alle seks var døde uden at have børn. Og til sidst efter dem alle døde kvinden selv. Det, vi nu vil spørge dig, er: Hvem af de syv, bliver hun gift med efter opstandelsen? Alle har jo været gift med hende."[26]
1955 174:3.2 Jesus knew, and so did the people, that these Sadducees were not sincere in asking this question because it was not likely that such a case would really occur; and besides, this practice of the brothers of a dead man seeking to beget children for him was practically a dead letter at this time among the Jews. Nevertheless, Jesus condescended to reply to their mischievous question. He said: “You all do err in asking such questions because you know neither the Scriptures nor the living power of God. You know that the sons of this world can marry and are given in marriage, but you do not seem to understand that they who are accounted worthy to attain the worlds to come, through the resurrection of the righteous, neither marry nor are given in marriage. Those who experience the resurrection from the dead are more like the angels of heaven, and they never die. These resurrected ones are eternally the sons of God; they are the children of light resurrected into the progress of eternal life. And even your Father Moses understood this, for, in connection with his experiences at the burning bush, he heard the Father say, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And so, along with Moses, do I declare that my Father is not the God of the dead but of the living. In him you all do live, reproduce, and possess your mortal existence.”
2015 174:3.2 Jesus vidste, og det gjorde menneskerne også, at saddukæerne ikke var oprigtige, da de stillede dette spørgsmål, fordi det var usandsynligt, at et sådant tilfælde virkelig ville forekomme; og desuden var denne skik med at en døde mands brødre skulle forsøge at avle børn til ham på dette tidspunkt allerede næsten et dødt bogstav hos jøderne. Ikke desto mindre, Jesus nedlod sig til at besvare deres frække spørgsmål. Han sagde: "I tager alle fejl, når du spørger sådanne spørgsmål, fordi I hverken kender skrifterne, ej heller ved noget om Guds levende kraft[27][28]. I ved, at sønner af denne verden kan gifte sig og bortgiftes, men du synes ikke at forstå, at de, som findes værdige til at stige op til de næste verdener, på opstandelsen hverken gifter sig eller er gift. De, der oplever opstandelsen fra de døde er mere som englene i himlen, og de dør aldrig. Disse opstandne er for evigt Guds sønner; de er børn af lyset, der er blevet opløftet til udviklingen i det evige liv. Og endda din Fader Moses forstod dette, for i forbindelse med sine oplevelser ved den brændende busk, hørte han Faderen siger: "Jeg er Abrahams Gud, Isaks Gud og Jakobs Gud." Og så erklærer jeg sammen med Moses, at min Fader ikke er de dødes Gud, men de levendes. I ham lever I alle, formere jer, og har jeres jordiske tilværelse[29][30]. "
1955 174:3.3 When Jesus had finished answering these questions, the Sadducees withdrew, and some of the Pharisees so far forgot themselves as to exclaim, “True, true, Master, you have well answered these unbelieving Sadducees.” The Sadducees dared not ask him any more questions, and the common people marveled at the wisdom of his teaching.
2015 174:3.3 Da Jesus havde besvaret disse spørgsmål trak saddukæerne sig tilbage, og nogle af farisæerne glemte i den grad sig selv, at de udbrød: "Sandt nok, sandt, Mester, ja, du kan svare disse troløse saddukæere." Saddukæerne turde ikke stille flere spørgsmål til ham, og de almindelige mennesker undrede sig over visdommen i hans undervisning[31][32].
1955 174:3.4 Jesus appealed only to Moses in his encounter with the Sadducees because this religio-political sect acknowledged the validity of only the five so-called Books of Moses; they did not allow that the teachings of the prophets were admissible as a basis of doctrinal dogmas. The Master in his answer, though positively affirming the fact of the survival of mortal creatures by the technique of the resurrection, did not in any sense speak approvingly of the Pharisaic beliefs in the resurrection of the literal human body. The point Jesus wished to emphasize was: That the Father had said, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” not I was their God.
2015 174:3.4 Jesus henviste i sit møde med saddukæerne kun til Moses, fordi denne religiøse politisk sekt kun anerkendte gyldigheden af de fem såkaldte Mosebøgerne; de tillod ikke at profeternes lærdomme blev brugt som en base for læremæssige trossatser. Selv om Mesteren i sit svar klart bekræftede, at de dødelige væsener overlever ved hjælp af teknikken med opstandelsen, gav han på ingen måde støttet til farisæernes tro på den konkrete menneskelige legemlige opstandelse. Hvad Jesus ønskede at understrege, var, at Faderen havde sagt "Jeg er Abrahams Gud, Isaks og Jakobs Gud", ikke at jeg var deres Gud[33]."
1955 174:3.5 The Sadducees had thought to subject Jesus to the withering influence of ridicule, knowing full well that persecution in public would most certainly create further sympathy for him in the minds of the multitude.
2015 174:3.5 Saddukæerne havde tænkt at underkaste Jesus for latterliggørelsens nedbrydende effekt, da de udmærket vidste, at forfølgelse, i det offentlige næsten helt sikkert ville fremprovokere yderligere sympati for ham i folkemængden.
4. THE GREAT COMMANDMENT
4. DET STORE BUD
1955 174:4.1 Another group of Sadducees had been instructed to ask Jesus entangling questions about angels, but when they beheld the fate of their comrades who had sought to entrap him with questions concerning the resurrection, they very wisely decided to hold their peace; they retired without asking a question. It was the prearranged plan of the confederated Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees, and Herodians to fill up the entire day with these entangling questions, hoping thereby to discredit Jesus before the people and at the same time effectively to prevent his having any time for the proclamation of his disturbing teachings.
2015 174:4.1 En anden gruppe af saddukæer var blevet instrueret om at stille Jesus snærende spørgsmål om engle, men da de så, hvad der skete med deres kammerater, der havde forsøgt at få ham i fælden med spørgsmål om opstandelsen, besluttede de klogt nok at tie stille; de trak sig tilbage uden at stille et spørgsmål[34]. De sammensvorne farisæere, de skriftkloge, saddukæerne og herodianerne var på forhånd blevet enige om en plan for at fylde hele dagen med disse indviklende spørgsmål, i håb om derved at miskreditere Jesus foran menneskerne og på samme tid effektivt forhindre ham fra at forkynde hans forstyrrende lære.
1955 174:4.2 Then came forward one of the groups of the Pharisees to ask harassing questions, and the spokesman, signaling to Jesus, said: “Master, I am a lawyer, and I would like to ask you which, in your opinion, is the greatest commandment?” Jesus answered: “There is but one commandment, and that one is the greatest of all, and that commandment is: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second commandment is like this first; indeed, it springs directly therefrom, and it is: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these; on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
2015 174:4.2 Så kom en af farisæernes grupper frem for at stille pinlige spørgsmål, og talsmanden signalerede til Jesus og sagde: "Mester, jeg er en lovkyndig, og jeg ville spørge dig, hvilke bud efter din mening er det største?" Jesus svarede[35]. "Der er et enkelt bud, og dette er det største af alle, og det bud er: "Hør Israel, Herren vor Gud, Herren er én; og du skal elske Herren din Gud af hele dit hjerte og af hele din sjæl, af hele dit sind og af hele din styrke.’ Dette er det første og største bud[36]. Og det andet bud er lig det første; faktisk følger det direkte fra den første og siger: "Du skal elske din næste som dig selv. ‘Der er ingen bud større end disse; På de to bud hviler hele loven og profeterne[37]."
1955 174:4.3 When the lawyer perceived that Jesus had answered not only in accordance with the highest concept of Jewish religion, but that he had also answered wisely in the sight of the assembled multitude, he thought it the better part of valor openly to commend the Master’s reply. Accordingly, he said: “Of a truth, Master, you have well said that God is one and there is none beside him; and that to love him with all the heart, understanding, and strength, and also to love one’s neighbor as one’s self, is the first and great commandment; and we are agreed that this great commandment is much more to be regarded than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When the lawyer answered thus discreetly, Jesus looked down upon him and said, “My friend, I perceive that you are not far from the kingdom of God.”
2015 174:4.3 Da den lovkyndige indså, at Jesus havde svaret ikke kun i overensstemmelse med den jødiske religions højeste opfattelse, men at han også klogt havde besvaret i den samlede folkemængdes øjne, tænkte han, at det så modigere ud åbent at rose Mesterens svar. Derfor sagde han: "Af sandheden, Mester, har du udtrykt dig godt, at Gud er én, og der er ingen andre end ham; og at elske ham af hele sit hjerte, hele sit sind og al sin styrke, og også at elske sin næste som sig selv, det er den første og største bud; og vi er enige om, at dette store bud er meget mere vigtigt at overveje end alle brændofrene og andre ofre." Da den lovkyndige svarede således diskret, så Jesus på ham og sagde: "Min ven, jeg ser, at du ikke er så langt fra Guds rige[38]."
1955 174:4.4 Jesus spoke the truth when he referred to this lawyer as being “not far from the kingdom,” for that very night he went out to the Master’s camp near Gethsemane, professed faith in the gospel of the kingdom, and was baptized by Josiah, one of the disciples of Abner.
2015 174:4.4 Jesus talte sandt, da han henviste til den lovkyndige som værende "ikke langt fra Guds rige," for samme aften gik han ud til Mesterens lejr nær Getsemane, bekendte sin tro på rigets evangelium blev døbt af Josias, en af Abner disciple.
1955 174:4.5 Two or three other groups of the scribes and Pharisees were present and had intended to ask questions, but they were either disarmed by Jesus’ answer to the lawyer, or they were deterred by the discomfiture of all who had undertaken to ensnare him. After this no man dared to ask him another question in public.
2015 174:4.5 To eller tre andre grupper af de skriftkloge og farisæerne var til stede og havde til hensigt at stille spørgsmål, men de var enten afvæbnet af Jesu svar til den lovkyndige eller de blev holdt tilbage af det fuldstændige nederlag for alle, som havde forsøgt at fange ham. Efter dette vovede ingen længere at spørge ham flere spørgsmål i det offentlige[39].
1955 174:4.6 When no more questions were forthcoming, and as the noon hour was near, Jesus did not resume his teaching but was content merely to ask the Pharisees and their associates a question. Said Jesus: “Since you ask no more questions, I would like to ask you one. What do you think of the Deliverer? That is, whose son is he?” After a brief pause one of the scribes answered, “The Messiah is the son of David.” And since Jesus knew that there had been much debate, even among his own disciples, as to whether or not he was the son of David, he asked this further question: “If the Deliverer is indeed the son of David, how is it that, in the Psalm which you accredit to David, he himself, speaking in the spirit, says, ‘The Lord said to my lord, sit on my right hand until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.’ If David calls him Lord, how then can he be his son?” Although the rulers, the scribes, and the chief priests made no reply to this question, they likewise refrained from asking him any more questions in an effort to entangle him. They never answered this question which Jesus put to them, but after the Master’s death they attempted to escape the difficulty by changing the interpretation of this Psalm so as to make it refer to Abraham instead of the Messiah. Others sought to escape the dilemma by disallowing that David was the author of this so-called Messianic Psalm.
2015 174:4.6 Da der ikke kom flere spørgsmål, og da det snart var middagstid, fortsatte Jesus ikke sin undervisning, men var tilfreds med bare at stille et spørgsmål til farisæerne og deres medarbejdere. Jesus sagde: "Fordi du ikke har flere spørgsmål, vil jeg stille et til jer. Hvad synes du om Befrieren? Det vil sige, hvis søn er han?" Efter en kort pause, svarede en af de skriftkloge: "Messias er søn af David." Og eftersom at Jesus vidste, at der havde været megen debat, selv blandt hans egne disciple, om han var søn af Davids eller ej[40][41]. stillede han yderligere dette spørgsmål: "Hvis Befrieren faktisk er søn af David, hvordan kan David i salmen, som I tillægger ham, selv sige i ånden, "Herren sagde til min herre: Sæt dig ved min højre hånd, indtil jeg lægger dine fjender under dine fødder.’ Hvis David kalder ham Herre, hvorledes kan han da være hans søn?" Selvom herskerne, de skriftkloge og farisæerne ikke besvarede spørgsmålet, og ikke stillede flere spørgsmål til ham, for at fange ham. De har aldrig besvaret dette spørgsmål, som Jesus stillede dem, men efter Mesterens død forsøgte de at undslippe denne forlegenhed ved at ændre fortolkningen af denne salme, så det henviste til Abraham i stedet for Messias. Andre forsøgte at undgå dilemmaet ved at hævde, at David ikke havde skrevet denne såkaldte messianske salme.
1955 174:4.7 A short time back the Pharisees had enjoyed the manner in which the Sadducees had been silenced by the Master; now the Sadducees were delighted by the failure of the Pharisees; but such rivalry was only momentary; they speedily forgot their time-honored differences in the united effort to stop Jesus’ teachings and doings. But throughout all of these experiences the common people heard him gladly.
2015 174:4.7 Et øjeblik tidligere, havde farisæerne glædede sig over den måde, hvorpå saddukæerne var blevet bragt til tavshed af Mesteren. Nu glædede Saddukæere sig over farisæernes fiasko, men sådan rivalisering var kortvarig[42]. Snart, glemte de deres gamle forskelle, i deres forenede forsøg på at stoppe Jesu lære og gerninger. Men gennem alle disse begivenheder lyttede de almindelige mennesker med glæde til ham.
5. THE INQUIRING GREEKS
5. GRÆKERNE SOM SØGTE JESUS
1955 174:5.1 About noontime, as Philip was purchasing supplies for the new camp which was that day being established near Gethsemane, he was accosted by a delegation of strangers, a group of believing Greeks from Alexandria, Athens, and Rome, whose spokesman said to the apostle: “You have been pointed out to us by those who know you; so we come to you, Sir, with the request to see Jesus, your Master.” Philip was taken by surprise thus to meet these prominent and inquiring Greek gentiles in the market place, and, since Jesus had so explicitly charged all of the twelve not to engage in any public teaching during the Passover week, he was a bit perplexed as to the right way to handle this matter. He was also disconcerted because these men were foreign gentiles. If they had been Jews or near-by and familiar gentiles, he would not have hesitated so markedly. What he did was this: He asked these Greeks to remain right where they were. As he hastened away, they supposed that he went in search of Jesus, but in reality he hurried off to the home of Joseph, where he knew Andrew and the other apostles were at lunch; and calling Andrew out, he explained the purpose of his coming, and then, accompanied by Andrew, he returned to the waiting Greeks.
2015 174:5.1 Omkring middagstid, da Filip var ved at foretage indkøb til den nye lejr, som den dag blev etableret nær Getsemane, blev han opsøgt af en delegation af fremmede, en gruppe af troende grækere fra Alexandria, Athen og Rom[43]. Deres talsmand sagde til apostlen: "Du er blevet udpeget for os af nogle, der kender dig; så vi kommer til dig, herre, med anmodning om at se Jesus, din Mester."Filip var overrasket over at møde disse fremtrædende og søgende græske fremmede her på pladsen, og da Jesus udtrykkeligt havde pålagt de tolv til at afstå fra alle offentlige undervisning i løbet af påsken uge, var han noget forundret over den bedste måde at håndtere denne sag. Han var også bekymret, over, at disse ikke-jøder var fremmede fra andre lande. Hvis de havde været jøder eller bekendte ikke-jøder fra nabolaget, ville han ikke have tøvet så indlysende. Hvad han gjorde, var følgende: Han bad disse grækere om at forblive lige hvor de var. Da han skyndte sig væk antog de at han gik for at søge efter Jesus, men i virkeligheden skyndte han ud til Joseph hjem, hvor han vidste, Andreas og de andre apostle var til frokost. Han bad Andreas om at komme ud, forklarede, hvorfor han var kommet, og vendte derefter tilbage i selskab med Andreas til de ventende grækere.
1955 174:5.2 Since Philip had about finished the purchasing of supplies, he and Andrew returned with the Greeks to the home of Joseph, where Jesus received them; and they sat near while he spoke to his apostles and a number of leading disciples assembled at this luncheon. Said Jesus:
1955 174:5.3 “My Father sent me to this world to reveal his loving-kindness to the children of men, but those to whom I first came have refused to receive me. True, indeed, many of you have believed my gospel for yourselves, but the children of Abraham and their leaders are about to reject me, and in so doing they will reject Him who sent me. I have freely proclaimed the gospel of salvation to this people; I have told them of sonship with joy, liberty, and life more abundant in the spirit. My Father has done many wonderful works among these fear-ridden sons of men. But truly did the Prophet Isaiah refer to this people when he wrote: ‘Lord, who has believed our teachings? And to whom has the Lord been revealed?’ Truly have the leaders of my people deliberately blinded their eyes that they see not, and hardened their hearts lest they believe and be saved. All these years have I sought to heal them of their unbelief that they might be recipients of the Father’s eternal salvation. I know that not all have failed me; some of you have indeed believed my message. In this room now are a full score of men who were once members of the Sanhedrin, or who were high in the councils of the nation, albeit even some of you still shrink from open confession of the truth lest they cast you out of the synagogue. Some of you are tempted to love the glory of men more than the glory of God. But I am constrained to show forbearance since I fear for the safety and loyalty of even some of those who have been so long near me, and who have lived so close by my side.
2015 174:5.3 "Min Fader sendte mig ind i denne verden for at åbenbare hans barmhjertighed mod menneskenes børn, men dem, jeg først kom til har nægtet at modtage mig. Vist er det sandt, at mange af jer for jeres egen del har troet på mit evangelium, men Abrahams børn og deres ledere er ved at afvise mig, og dermed også afvise den, som sendte mig. Jeg har frit proklameret frelsens evangelium for dette folk; jeg har fortalt dem om sønskabets glæde og frihed, og et rigere liv i ånden. Min Fader har gjort mange vidunderlige gerninger blandt disse frygthærgede sønner af mennesket. Men profeten Esajas talte bestemt om dette folk, da han skrev: "Herre, hvem troede det, vi forkyndte? Og hvem har Herren åbenbaret? ’Sandelig, har lederne af mit folk bevidst forblændet deres øjne, så de ikke kan se, og hærdet deres hjerter, at de ikke ville tro og blive frelst[45][46]. Alle disse år har jeg forsøgt at kurere dem fra deres vantro, så de kunne modtage Faderens evige frelse. Jeg ved, at ikke alle har svigtet mig; nogle af jer har faktisk troet mit budskab. I dette rum er nu hele tyve mænd, som tidligere var medlemmer af jødernes råd, eller som havde en stor stilling i de nationale råd, selv om nogle af jer stadig skrumper fra åben bekendelse af sandheden, for ikke at blive udvist fra synagogen. Nogle af jer er fristet til at elske menneskers ære mere end Guds ære. Men jeg var nødt til at vise overbærenhed, da jeg frygter for sikkerheden og loyalitet selv hos nogle af dem, der så længe har været tæt på mig, og som har levet så nær ved min side.
1955 174:5.4 “In this banquet chamber I perceive there are assembled Jews and gentiles in about equal numbers, and I would address you as the first and last of such a group that I may instruct in the affairs of the kingdom before I go to my Father.”
2015 174:5.4 "I denne festsal, se jeg, at der er forsamlet omtrent det samme antal jøder og ikke-jøder, og jeg vil gerne behandle dig som den første og den sidste gruppe af denne art, som jeg kan lære om Guds rigets anliggender, før jeg vender tilbage til min Fader."
1955 174:5.5 These Greeks had been in faithful attendance upon Jesus’ teaching in the temple. On Monday evening they had held a conference at the home of Nicodemus, which lasted until the dawn of day, and thirty of them had elected to enter the kingdom.
2015 174:5.5 Disse grækere havde trofast deltaget i Jesu lære i templet. Mandag aften havde de holdt et møde i Nikodemus hjem, som varede indtil daggry, og tredive af dem havde valgt at komme ind i riget.
1955 174:5.6 As Jesus stood before them at this time, he perceived the end of one dispensation and the beginning of another. Turning his attention to the Greeks, the Master said:
2015 174:5.6 Da Jesus på dette tidspunkt stod foran dem, indså han, at en dispensation var ved at være slut, og at en ny begyndte. Mesteren vendte sin opmærksomhed mod grækerne, og sagde:
1955 174:5.7 “He who believes this gospel, believes not merely in me but in Him who sent me. When you look upon me, you see not only the Son of Man but also Him who sent me. I am the light of the world, and whosoever will believe my teaching shall no longer abide in darkness. If you gentiles will hear me, you shall receive the words of life and shall enter forthwith into the joyous liberty of the truth of sonship with God. If my fellow countrymen, the Jews, choose to reject me and to refuse my teachings, I will not sit in judgment on them, for I came not to judge the world but to offer it salvation. Nevertheless, they who reject me and refuse to receive my teaching shall be brought to judgment in due season by my Father and those whom he has appointed to sit in judgment on such as reject the gift of mercy and the truths of salvation. Remember, all of you, that I speak not of myself, but that I have faithfully declared to you that which the Father commanded I should reveal to the children of men. And these words which the Father directed me to speak to the world are words of divine truth, everlasting mercy, and eternal life.
2015 174:5.7 "Enhver, som tror dette evangelium, tror ikke kun på mig, men i ham, som sendte mig. Når du ser på mig, ser du ikke kun Menneskesønnen, men også ham, som sendte mig. Jeg er verdens lys, og den, som tror på min lære skal ikke længere forblive i mørket. Hvis I ikke-jøderne høre mig skal I modtage livets ord og straks deltage i den glade frihed, som sandheden om sønskabet med Gud betyder. Hvis mine landsmænd, jøderne, vælge at afvise mig og afvise min undervisning, vil jeg ikke dømme dem, for jeg kom ikke for at dømme verden, men for at tilbyde den frelse. Men dem, der afviser mig og nægter at modtage mine ord skal med tiden stilles til doms af min Fader og af dem, som han har udpeget til at sidde til doms over dem, der afviser barmhjertighedens gave og frelsens sandheder. Husk, hver eneste af jer, at jeg ikke taler af mig selv, men at jeg trofast har erklæret dig det, som Faderen har befalet mig at åbenbare for menneskenes børn. Og disse ord, som Faderen har givet mig at tale til verden er ord af guddommelig sandhed, evig nåde og evigt liv.[47]
1955 174:5.8 “But to both Jew and gentile I declare the hour has about come when the Son of Man will be glorified. You well know that, except a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies in good soil, it springs up again to life and bears much fruit. He who selfishly loves his life stands in danger of losing it; but he who is willing to lay down his life for my sake and the gospel’s shall enjoy a more abundant existence on earth and in heaven, life eternal. If you will truly follow me, even after I have gone to my Father, then shall you become my disciples and the sincere servants of your fellow mortals.
2015 174:5.8 "Men for både jøder og ikke-jøder, erklærer jeg, at det øjeblik snart vil komme, når Menneskesønnen vil blive herliggjort. I ved godt, at hvis et hvedekorn ikke falder i jorden og dør, bliver det alene; men hvis det dør i god jord vækkes det til live igen og giver en rig høst. Den, der selvisk elsker sit liv er i fare for at miste det; men den, som er villig til at give sit liv for min og evangeliets skyld skal få et rigere liv på jorden og i himlen, det evige liv. Hvis du virkelig ønsker at følge mig, selv efter at jeg har gået til min Fader, da skal I være mine disciple, og jeres dødelige medmenneskers oprigtige tjenere.[48]
1955 174:5.9 “I know my hour is approaching, and I am troubled. I perceive that my people are determined to spurn the kingdom, but I am rejoiced to receive these truth-seeking gentiles who come here today inquiring for the way of light. Nevertheless, my heart aches for my people, and my soul is distraught by that which lies just before me. What shall I say as I look ahead and discern what is about to befall me? Shall I say, Father save me from this awful hour? No! For this very purpose have I come into the world and even to this hour. Rather will I say, and pray that you will join me: Father, glorify your name; your will be done.”
2015 174:5.9 "Jeg ved at min time nærmer sig, og jeg er bekymret. Jeg er klar over, at mit folk har besluttet at foragte riget, men jeg er glad for at modtage disse sandhedssøgende ikke-jøder, der kommer her i dag for at forhøre sig om lysets vej. Ikke desto mindre, mit hjerte banker for mit folk, og min sjæl er fyldt med smerte, for hvad der er lige foran mig. Hvad skal jeg sige, når jeg ser frem for mig, og skelner, hvad der er ved at ske for mig? Skal jeg sige, Fader, frels mig fra denne forfærdelige tid? Nej! Det er netop for dette formål at jeg er kommet til verden, og selv til denne time. Snarere vil jeg sige, og beder til, at I slutte jer til mig: Fader, herliggør dit navn; din vilje ske."[49]
1955 174:5.10 When Jesus had thus spoken, the Personalized Adjuster of his indwelling during prebaptismal times appeared before him, and as he paused noticeably, this now mighty spirit of the Father’s representation spoke to Jesus of Nazareth, saying: “I have glorified my name in your bestowals many times, and I will glorify it once more.”
2015 174:5.10 Da Jesus havde sagt dette fremtrådte den personaliserede Retter, som havde opholdt sig i hans sind siden tiden før hans dåb, foran ham, og da han gjorde en mærkbar pause, talte denne nu mægtige ånd, der repræsenterer Faderen til Jesus og sagde: "Jeg har mange gange herliggjort mit navn i dine overdragelser, og jeg vil atter herliggøre det en gang til[50]."
1955 174:5.12 Then Jesus continued to speak: “All this has not happened for my sake but for yours. I know of a certainty that the Father will receive me and accept my mission in your behalf, but it is needful that you be encouraged and be made ready for the fiery trial which is just ahead. Let me assure you that victory shall eventually crown our united efforts to enlighten the world and liberate mankind. The old order is bringing itself to judgment; the Prince of this world I have cast down; and all men shall become free by the light of the spirit which I will pour out upon all flesh after I have ascended to my Father in heaven.
2015 174:5.12 Jesus fortsatte sin tale: "Alt dette er ikke sket for min skyld, men for jeres[52]. Jeg ved med sikkerhed, at Faderen vil modtage mig og acceptere min mission på jeres vegne, men det er nødvendigt, at I opmuntres og gøres klar til den prøvelse, der er lige foran jer. Lad mig forsikre jer, at vores fælles indsats for at oplyse verden og frigøre menneskeheden endelig vil blive kronet med sejr. Den gamle orden går imod sin dom. Denne verdens prins, har jeg kastet ned; og alle mænd skal blive fri i lyset af den ånd, som jeg vil udgyde over alt kød efter at jeg er steget op til min Fader i himlen.
1955 174:5.13 “And now I declare to you that I, if I be lifted up on earth and in your lives, will draw all men to myself and into the fellowship of my Father. You have believed that the Deliverer would abide on earth forever, but I declare that the Son of Man will be rejected by men, and that he will go back to the Father. Only a little while will I be with you; only a little time will the living light be among this darkened generation. Walk while you have this light so that the oncoming darkness and confusion may not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness knows not where he goes; but if you will choose to walk in the light, you shall all indeed become liberated sons of God. And now, all of you, come with me while we go back to the temple and I speak farewell words to the chief priests, the scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodians, and the benighted rulers of Israel.”
2015 174:5.13 "Og nu erklærer jeg for jer, at jeg, hvis jeg bliver ophøjet på jorden og i jeres liv, vil jeg drage alle mennesker til mig og til min Faders fællesskab[53]. Du har troet, at Befrieren ville blive på jorden for evigt, men jeg siger jer, at folk vil afvise Menneskesønnen, og at han vender tilbage til Faderen. Kun et lille stykke tid, er jeg med jer; Kun en kort tid er det levende lys blandt denne formørkede generation[54]. Gå mens du har lyset, så det kommende mørke og den forestående forvirring ikke kan overvælde dig. Den, som vandrer i mørket ved ikke, hvor han går; men hvis du vælger at vandre i lyset, vil I alle helt sikkert blive Guds befriede sønner. Og nu, kom alle med mig, når vi går tilbage til templet, og jeg taler afskedsord til ypperstepræsterne, de skriftkloge, farisæerne, saddukæerne, herodianerne og herskere i Israel, som vandrer i mørket."