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Teacher
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SECTION XVII
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The Third Annual Epoch of the Christine Ministry of Jesus
(first half | second half)
Chapter 124
The Christines cross the sea. Jesus gives to his disciples lessons on secret doctrines. Teaches the people. Feeds five thousand. The disciples start to recross the sea. A storm arises. Jesus, walking on the waters, comes to them. Trial of Peter's faith. Thye land in Gennesaret.
1. The twelve apostles now had reached the stage of spirit consciousness, and Jesus could reveal to them the deeper meanings of his mission to the world.
2. Next week the great feast of the Jews would be observed, and Matthew said, Shall we not gird ourselves and go unto Jerusalem?
3. But Jesus said, We will not go up to the feast; the time is short and I have many things to say to you; come you apart into a desert place and rest a while.
4. and then they took their boats and crossed the sea, and came into a desert place near Julius Bethsaida.
5. The people saw them go, and in vast multitudes they followed them.
6. And Jesus had compassion on the anxious throng, and he stood forth and taught them all the day, because they sought a light and were like sheep without a fold.
7. And as the night came on the twelve were doubting what the multitudes would do, and Thomas said,
8. Lord, we are in a desert place; the multitudes have vaught to eat and they are faint from lack of food; what shall we do?
9. And Jesus said, Go to and feed the multitudes.
10. And Judas said, Shall we go down and buy two hundred pennies' worth of bread for them to eat?
11. And Jesus, Go look into our larder and see how many loaves we have.
12. And Andrew said, We have no bread, but we have found a lad who has five barley loaves and two small fish; but this would not be food enough for one in ten.
13. But Jesus said, Command these people all to sit upon the grass in companies of twelve; and they all sat down in companies of twelve.
14. Then Jesus took the loaves and fish, and looking up to heaven he spoke the sacred Word.
15. And then he broke the bread and gave it to the twelve; he also gave the fish unto the twelve, and said, Go to and feed the multitudes.
16. And all the people ate and were refreshed.
17. There were about five thousand men, a company of little ones, and women not a few.
18. And when the people all were filled the master said,
19. Let not a crumb be lost; Go to and gather up the pieces of the bread and fish for others that may want.
20. They gathered up the fragments and they filled twelve baskets full.
21. The people were bewildered by this wondrous act of power; they said, And now we know that Jesus is the prophet that our prophets said would come; and then they said, All hail the king!
22. Whne Jesus heard them say, All hail the king! he called the twelve and bade them take their boats and go before him to the other side;
23. And he went all alone into a mountain pass to pray.
24. The twelve were on the sea and hoped to reach Capernaum in just a little time, when all at once a fearful storm arose, and they were at the mercy of the waves.
25. And in the fourth watch of the night the wind became a whirling wind, and they were filled with fear.
26. And in the blinding storm they saw a form move on the waves; it seemed to be a man, one spoke out and said, It is a ghost, a sign of evil things.
27. But John discerned the form and said, It is the Lord.
28. And then the wind blew not so hard, and Peter, standing inthe midst, exclaimed:
29. My Lord! my Lord! If this be truly you, bid me to come to you upon the waves.
30. The form reached forth his hand and said, Come on.
31. And Peter stepped upon the waves and they were solid as a rock; he walked upon the waves.
32. He walked until he thought within himself, What if the waves should break beneath my feet?
33. And then the waves did break beneath his feet, and he began to sink, and in the fearfulness of soul he cried, O save me, Lord, or I am lost!
34. And Jesus took him by the hand and said, O you of little faith! why did you doubt? And Jesus led the way unto the boat.
35. The storm had spent its force; the winds were still, and they were near the shore, and when they landed they were in the valley of Gennesaret.
Chapter 125
The Christines are welcomed in Gennesaret. Many follow Jesus for the loaves andfish. He tells them of the bread of life. Speaks of his flesh and blood as symbols of the bread and water of life. The people are offended and many of his disciples follow him no more.
1. The news soon spread through all the valley of Gennersaret that Jesus and the twelve had come, and many people came to see.
2. They brought their sick and laid them at the master's feet, and all the day he taught and healed.
3. The multitudes upon the other side who had been fed the day before and other multitudes, went down to see the Lord; but when they found him not they sought him in Capernaum.
4. And when they found him not at home, they went on to Gennesaret. They found him there and said, Rabboni, when came you to Gennesaret?
5. And Jesus said, Why are you come across the sea? you came not for the bread of life;
6. You came to gratify your selfish selves; you all were fed the other day across the sea, and you are after more of loaves and fish.
7. The food you ate was nourishment for flesh that soon must pass away.
8. You men of Galilee, seek not for food that perishes, but seek for food that feeds the soul; and, lo, I bring you food from heaven.
9. You ate the flesh of fish, and you were satisfied, and now I bring the flesh of Christ for you to eat that you may live for evermore.
10. Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; and then they ate the flesh of quail, and drank the waters of a flowing spring that Moses brought out from the rock; but all of them are dead.
11. The manna and the quail were symbols of the flesh of Christ; the waters of the rock were symbols of the blood.
12. But, lo, the Christ has come; he is the bread of life that God has given to the world.
13. Whoever eats the flesh of Christ and drinks his blood shall never die; and he will hunger nevermore; and he will thirst no more.
14. And they who eat this bread of heaven, and drink these waters from the spring of life cannot be lost; these feed the soul, and purify the life.
15. Behold, for God has said, When man has purified himself I will exalt him to the throne of power.
16. Then Jesus and the twelve went to Capernaum; and Jesus went into the synagogue and taught.
17. And when the Jews, who heard him in Gennesaret, were come they said,
18. This fellow is beside himself. We heard him say, I am the bread of life that comes from heaven; and we all know that he is but a man, the son of man, who came from Nazareth; we know his mother, and his other kin.
19. And Jesus knew their thoughts; he said to them, Why murmur you, and reason thus among yourselves?
20. The Christ is everlasting life; he came from heaven; he has the keys of heaven, and no man enters into heaven except he fills himself with Christ.
21. I came in flesh to do the will of God, and, lo, this flesh and blood are filled with Christ; and so I am the living bread that comes from heaven;
22. And when you eat this flesh and drink this blood you will have everlasting life; and if you will, you may become the bread of life.
23. And many of the people were enraged; they said, How can this man give us his flesh to eat, his blood to drink?
24. And his disciples were aggrieved becaude he said these things, and many turned away and followed him no more.
25. They said, This is a fearful thing for him to say, If you eat not my flesh and drink my blood, you cannot enter into life.
26. They could not comprehend the parable he spoke.
27. And Jesus said, You stumble and you fall before the truth; What will you do when you shall see this flesh and blood transmuted into higher form?
28. What will you say when you shall see the son of man ascending on the clouds of heaven?
29. What will you say when you shall see the son of man sit on the throne of God?
30. The flesh is naught; the spirit is the quickening power. The words I speak are spirit; they are life.
31. When Jesus saw the many who had been so loud in their professions of their faith in him, turn back and go away, he said unto the twelve.
32. Will you desert me inthis hour and go away?
33. But Peter said, Lord, we have no place else to go; you have the words of everlasting life; we know that you are sent to us from God.
Chapter 126
Scribes and Pharisees visit Jesus. They censure him for eating with unwashed hands. He defends his acts and teaches a lesson on hypocrisy. Privately explains to the twelve his public teachings.
1. A company of scribes and Pharisees came from Jerusalem to learn wherein the power of Jesus lay.
2. But when they learned that he and his disciples heeded not the custom of the Jews, regarding washing of the hands before they ate, they were amazed.
3. And Jesus said, Hypocrisy is queen among you scribes and Pharisees. Oh you Isaiah wrote:
4. This people honour me with lips; their hearts are far away. In vain they worship me; their doctrines are the dogmas and the creeds of men.
5. You men who pose as men of God, and still reject the laws of God and teach the laws of men,
6. Stand forth and tell when God gave unto the ceremonial laws that you observe; and tell these people how the spirit life is sullied if one washes not before he eats.
7. His critics answered not, and then he said,
8. Hear me, you men of Israel! Defilement is a creature of the heart. The carnal mind lays hold of thought, and makes a monstrous bride; this bride is sin; sin is a creature of the mind.
9. That which defiles a man is not the food he eats.
10. The bread and fish and other things we eat, are simply cups to caryy to the cells of flesh material for the building of the human house, and when their work is done as refuse they are cast away.
11. The life of plant and flesh that goes to build the human house is never food for soul. The spirit does not feed upon the carcasses of animal, or plant.
12. God feeds the soul direct from heaven; the bread of life comes from above.
13. The air we breathe is charged with Holy Breath, and he will may take this Holy Breath.
14. The soul discriminates, and he who wants the life of Christ may breathe it in. According to your faith so let it be.
15. Man is not a part of his abiding place; the house is not the man.
16. The lower world builds up the house of flesh, and keeps it in repair; the higher world provides the bread of spirit life.
17. The loveliest lilies grow from stagnant ponds and filthiest muck.
18. The law of flesh demands that one should keep the body clean.
19. The law of spirit call for purity in thought and word and deed.
20. Now, when the evening came and they were in the house, the twelve had many things to say, and many questions to propound.
21. Nathaniel asked, Was what you said about the house of flesh a parable? If so, what does it mean?
22. And Jesus said, Can you not yet discriminate? Do you not yet perceive that what a man takes in his mouth defiles him not?
23. His food goes not into his soul; it is material for flesh and bone and brawn.
24. To spirit everything is clean.
25. That which defiles a man wells up from carnal thoughts; and carnal thoughts spring from the heart, and generate a host of evil things.
26. From out the heart comes murders, thefts and foolishness. All selfish acts and senual deeds spring from the heart.
27. To eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.
28. And Peter said, Lord, What you said to-day has grievously offended scribe and Pharisee.
29. And Jesus said, These scribes and Pharisees are not the scions of the tree of life; they are not plants of God; they are the plants of men, and every foreign plant shall be plucked up.
30. Let all these men alone; they are blind guides; they lead a multitude of people who are blind.
31. The leaders and the led together walk; together they will fall into the yawning pits.
Chapter 127
The Christines cross the sea to Decapolis. Jesus finds a retires place where he privately teaches the twelve. They remain three days, then go into a village by the sea.
1. Now, Jesus took the twelve and with them crossed the sea at night and came unto the borders of Decapolis,
2. That he might find a secret place where, all alone, he could reveal to them the things to come.
3. They went into a mountain pass and spent three days in prayer.
4. Then Jesus said, Behold, the time is near when I will walk with you in flesh no more.
5. Lo, I have taught that he who counts his life of so much worth that he would give it not in willing sacrifice to save his brother man, is worthy not to enter into life.
6. Lo, I am come as pattern for the sons of men, and I have not refrained from helpfulness.
7. When I had passed the seven tests in Heliopolis, I consecrated life and all I had, to save the world.
8. In the Judean wilderness I fought the strongest foes of men, and there I reaffirmed my consecration to the service of my fellow man.
9. In troubles and intrials I have wavered not; when false accusers came, I answered not.
10. God gave the saving Word to me, and I have often spoken it and healed the sick, drove unclean spirits out, and raised the dead.
11. And I have shown you how to speak the Word; and I have given you the Word;
12. In just a little while we turn our faces toward Jerusalem, and one of you who hear me now will then betray me into wicked hands.
13. The scribes and Pharisees will bring false charges up and hale me into court, and, by consent of Rome, I will be crucified.
14. Then Peter said, My Lord, it shall not be. The Roman soldiers will tread on twelve dead men before they reach our Lord.
15. But Jesus said, A saviour of the world cannot resist.
16. I came to save the world and I have taken up your names before the highest courts of heaven, and you have been confirmed as saviours of the world.
17. And not a name, excepting that of him who shall betray, will ever be disgraced.
18. I go my way, and though my flesh shall pass, my soul will stand beside you all the way to guide and bless.
19. And wicked men will seize you in the streets, and as you kneel in prayer; will charge you with some legal crime, and think they serve their God by putting you to death.
20. But falter not; the load will heavy be, but with the consciousness of duty done, the peace of God will lift the load, dispel the pain and light the way.
21. And we will meet where carnal executioners come not; there we will serve the cruel men, who in their ignorance had tortured us to death.
22. Can we prevent this outrage and this slaughter of our lives? If not we are but creatures of the ebb and flow of carnal things. It would not be a sacrifice of life.
23. But we are masters of the things of time. Lo, we can speak, and all the spirits of the fire, water, earth and air will stand in our defence.
24. We can command and many legions of the angel world would come and strike our enemies to earth.
25. But it is best that not a power of heaven or earth should come to our relief. And it is best that even God should veil his face and seem to hear us not.
26. As I am pattern unto you, so you are patterns for the human race. We show by non-resistance that we give our lives in willing sacrifice for man.
27. But my example will not end with death. My body will be laid within a tomb in which no flesh has lain, symbolic of the purity of life in death.
28. And in the tomb I will remain three days in sweet communion with the Christ, and with my Father-God and Mother-God.
29. And then, symbolic of the ascent of the soul to higher life, my flesh within the tomb will disappear;
30. Will be transmuted into higher form, and, in the presence of you all, I will ascend to God.
31. Then Jesus and the twelve went to a village by the sea.
Chapter 128
Jesus goes at night to a mountain to pray. His disciples and the villagers find him and he teaches them for three days. Feeds four thousand people. The Christines go to Caesarea-Philippi. They consider the personality of Christ. Peter is chosen as apostolic leader.
1. Now, in the night while the disciples slept, lo, Jesus rose and went alone into a mountain pass, six miles away, to pray.
2. And in the morning when the twelve awoke they could not find the Lord, and all the people of the village sought, and when the sun had passed its highest point they found him in the mountain pass.
3. And multitudes of people came and brought their sick, and Jesus taught and healed.
4. And when the night came on the people would not go; they slept upon the ground that they might be a-near the Lord.
5. Three days and nights the multitudes remained, and none had aught to eat.
6. And Jesus had compassion and he said, If I should send the multitudes away they might not reach their homes, for they are faint, for some have journeyed many miles.
7. And his disciples said, Where shall we get enough of food to feed them all? There are four thousand men, besides the women and the little ones.
8. And Jesus said, How many loaves have you?
9. They answered, Seven, and some little fish.
10. And Jesus said, Go to, and seat the people as you seated them the other day when all the multitudes were fed, in companies of twelve.
11. And when the people were sat down in companies of twelve the loaves and fish were brought.
12. And Jesus looked to heaven and spoke the Word; and then he broke the seven loaves in little bits, and likewise cut the fish.
13. And every bit of bread became a loaf, and every piece of fish became a fish.
14. The twelve went forth and gave to every one; the people ate and they were filled; and all the fragments that were left were gathered up, and there were seven baskets full.
15. and then the people went their ways, and the twelve took boats and came to Dalmanatha by the sea.
16. Here they remained for many days, and Jesus told the twelve about the inner light that cannot fail;
17. About the kingdom of the Christ within the soul; about the power of faith; about the secret of the resurrection of the dead; about immortal life, and how the living may go forth and help the dead.
18. And then they went into their boats, and came unto the northern coast of Galilee, and in Chorazin where the kin of Thomas lived, they left their boats and journeyed on.
19. They came to Merom, where the crystal waters seem to catch the images of heaven and to reflect the glory of the Lord of hosts.
20. And here they tarried certain days in silent thought.
21. And then they journeyed on, and came into the land of Caesarea-Philippi.
22. And as they walked and talked among themselves, the master said, What do the people say about the son of man? Who do they think I am?
23. And Matthew said, Some say that you are David come again; some say that you are Enoch, Solomon, or Seth.
24. And Andrew said, I heard a ruler of the synagogue exclaim, This man is Jeremiah, for he speaks like Jeremiah wrote.
25. Nathaniel said, The foreign masters who were with us for a time, declared that Jesus is Gautama come again.
26. James said, I think that most the Jews believe you are the reappearance of Elijah on the earth.
27. And John spoke out and said, When we were in Jerusalem I heard a seer exclaim, This Jesus is none other than Melchizedek, the king of peace, who lived about two thousand years ago, and said that he would come again.
28. And Thomas said, The Tetrarch Herod thinks that you are John arisen from the dead;
29. But then his conscience troubles him; the spirit of the murdered John looms up before him in his dreams, and haunts him as a spectre of the night.
30. And Jesus asked, Who do you think I am?
31. And Peter said, You are the Christ, the love of God made manifest to men.
32. And Jesus said, Thrice blessed are you, Simon, Jonas' son. You have declared a truth that God has given you.
33. You are a rock, and you shall be a pillar in the temple of the Lord of hosts.
34. And your confession is the cornerstone of faith, a rock of strength, and on this rock the Church of Christ is built.
35. Against it all the powers of hades and of death cannot prevail.
36. Behold, I give to you the keys to open up the doors of safety for the sons of men.
37. The Holy Breath will come upon you and the ten, and in Jerusalem you shall stand before the nations of the earth, and there proclaim the covenant of God with men.
38. And you shall speak the words of Holy Breath, and whatsoever God requires of men as earnest of their faith in Christ, you shall make known.
39. Then turning to the twelve he said, What you have heard this day tell not to any man.
40. Then Jesus and the twelve went up and were Susanna's guests for many days.
Chapter 129
Jesus teaches the people. He takes Peter, James and John and goes to a high mountain and is transfigured before them.
1. The news soon spread that Jesus and the twelve were come, and many people came to see.
2. And Jesus said, Behold, you come to see, but that means naught. If you would have the benedictions of the Christ, take up your and follow me.
3. If you would give your life for selfish self, then you will lose your life.
4. If you will give your life in service of your fellow men, then you will save your life.
5. This life is but a span, a bauble of to-day. There is a life that passes not.
6. Where is your profit if you gain the world and lose your soul? What would you take in payment for your soul?
7. If you would find the spirit life, the life of man in God, then you must walk a narrow way and enter through a narrow gate.
8. The way is Christ, the gate is Christ, and you must come up by the way of Christ. No man comes unto God but by the Christ.
9. The kingdom of the Christ will come; yea, some of you who hear me now will not pass through the gates of death until you see the kingdom come in power.
10. For seven days the master and the twelve remained in Caesarea-Philippi.
11. Then Jesus, taking Peter, James and John, went forth unto a mountain top to pray.
12. And as he prayed a brilliant light appeared; his form became as radiant as a precious stone;
13. His face shone like the sun; his garments seemed as white as snow; the son of man became the son of God.
14. He was transfigured that the men of earth might see the possibilities of man.
15. When first the glory came the three disciples were asleep; a master touched their eyes and said, Awake and see the glory of the Lord.
16. And they awoke, and saw the glory of the Lord; and more, they saw the glory of the heavenly world, for they beheld two men from thence stand forth beside the Lord.
17. And Peter asked the master who awakened them, Who are these men who stand beside the Lord?
18. The master said, These men are Moses and Elijah, who are come that you may know that heaven and earth are one; that masters there and masters here are one.
19. The veil that separates the worlds is but an ether veil. For those who purify their hearts by faith the veil is rolled aside, and they can see and know that death is an illisive thing.
20. And Peter said, Praise God! And then he called to Jesus and he said, My master and my Lord, this is the gate of heaven, andit is well that we remain.
21. May we go down and bring three tents; a tent for you, a tent for Moses, and for Elijah one? But Jesus answered not.
22. And Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus on the mount. They talked about the coming trial of the LOrd;
23. About his death, his rest within the tomb; about the wonders of the resurrection morn; the transmutation of his flesh, and his ascension on the clouds of light;
24. And all symbolic of the path that every man must tread; symbolic of the way the sons of men become the sons of God.
25. The three disciples were amazed, and suddenly the ethers were surcharged with song, and forms as light as air moved all about the mountain top.
26. And then from out the glory of the upper world they heard a voice that said,
27. This is the son of man, my chosen one to manifest the Christ to men. Let all the earth hear him.
28. When the disciples heard the voice they were afraid; they fell upon the ground and prayed.
29. And Jesus came; he touched them and he said, Arise, fear not; lo, I am here.
30. Then they arose, and as they looked about they saw no one; the men had gone. The master only stood with them.
31. As Jesus and the three came from the mountain top they talked about the meaning of the scene, and Jesus told them all; and then he said,
32. Till I have risen from the dead tell not to any one what you have seen.
33. But the disciples could not comprehend the meaning of the words, Till I have risen from the dead.
34. And Jesus told them once again about his death, and rising from the grave; about the kingdom of the soul that was to come in glory and in power.
35. But Peter said, The scribes have taught that e'er the king shall come Elijah must appear.
36. And Jesus said, Elijah has already come; but scribes and Pharisees received him not;
37. And men reviled him, bound him, cast him in a prison cell, and shouted with a fiend's delight to see him die.
38. What men have done to him, that they will do to me.
39. Then the disciples understood that Jesus spoke of John whom Herod slew.
Chapter 130
Jesus and the three disciples return to Caesarea-Philippi. The nine had failed to cure an epileptic child. Jesus heal it and rebukes his disciples for their lack of trust in God. The Christines return to Capernaum.
1. When Jesus, Peter, James and John were come unto the city's gates a multitude of people thronged the way.
2. The nine apostles who went not with Jesus to the mount, had tried to heal an epileptic child who was obsessed waited for the coming of the Lord.
3. When Jesus came the father of the child knelt down before him and implored his help.
4. He said, My master, I beseech that you will look in pity on my son, my only child; he is an epileptic child and suffers grievously.
5. Sometimes he falls into the fire and is burned; again he falls into the water and is like to drown; and many times a day he falls, he grinds his teeth, the foam pours from his mouth.
6. I took my child to your disciples, and they failed to give relief.
7. And as he spoke a servant brought the child before the Lord (the child spoke not, for he was dumb), and instantly he fell upon the ground, he foamed, he writhed in agony.
8. And Jesus said, How long has he been troubled thus?
9. The father said, From infancy; and we have sought in many lands for help, but found it not; but I believe that you can speak the Word and heal my son.
10. And Jesus said, Faith is the power of God. All things are possible for him who in his heart believes.
11. The father cried, in tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
12. And Jesus spoke the Word of power; the epileptic child lay in a swoon; he did not breathe, and all the people said, The child is dead.
13. But Jesus took him by the hand and said: Arise; and he arose and spoke.
14. The people were amazed, and many said, This surely is a man of God, for no such power was ever given to man.
15. Then Jesus and the twelve went to the house, and after they had taken food and been refreshed, the nine disciples said,
16. Lord, why could we not heal this child? We spoke the Word; but even that was powerless.
17. And Jesus said, Your great success in all your former work has made you careless, and you forgot to recognise the power of God.
18. Without the spirit of the Word, the Word is like an idle tale; and you forgot to pray.
19. There is no faith without the prayer of faith. Faith is the wings of prayer; but wings alone fly not.
20. By prayer and faith you can bring down the mountain peaks, and cast them in the sea; the little hills will skip about like lambs at your command.
21. This failure may be well for you. The great lessons that are learned in life come through the failures that are made.
22. As the disciples sat in thoughtful meditation Jesus said, Let these words sink into your hearts:
23. The time has nearly come when you must bear your load alone; that is, without my presence in the flesh.
24. For I will fall into the hands of wicked men, and they will slay me on a mount beyond Bezetha wall.
25. And men will lay my body in a tomb where, by the sacred Word, it will be guarded and preserved three days; then I will rise again.
26. The twelve were sad; they did not understand, and yet they feared to ask him to reveal the meaning of his word.
27. Next day the Christine master and the twelve began their journey of return, and soon were in Capernaum.
Chapter 131
Jesus and Peter pay the half-shekel tax. The disciples contend for the supremacy. Jesus rebukes them. Teaches them many practical lessons. The parable of the good shepherd.
1. As Jesus and the twelve were resting in the house, the tax collector came to Peter saying, Man, do Jesus and yourself pay this half-shekel tax?
2. And Peter said, We pay whatever is assessed.
3. And Jesus said, From whom do publicans collect this special tax? from strangers or from native sons?
4. And Peter said, The strangers only are supposed to pay this tax.
5. Then Jesus said, We all are native sons and we are free; but lest we cause contention we will pay the tax; but neither had the shekel wherewithal to pay.
6. And Jesus said, Go to the sea; cast in a hook and catch a fish and you will find within its inner parts a shekel, which take up and pay the tax for you and me.
7. And Peter did as Jesus said; he found the shekel and he paid the tax.
8. Now Jesus heard the twelve dispute among themselves. The spirit of the carnal self was moving in their hearts, and they were questioning among themselves who was the greatest in the sight of God and man.
9. And Jesus said, You men, for shame! The greatest is the servant of the rest. And then he called to him a little child; he took it in his arms and said.
10. The greatest is the little child, and if you would be great at all you must become as is this child in innocence, in truth, in purity in life.
11. Great men scorn not the little things of earth; he who regards and honours such a child, regards and honours me, and he who scorns a child, scorns me.
12. If you would enter through the kingdom gate you must be humble as this little child.
13. Hear me, you men, This child, as every other child, has one to plead its cause before the throne of God.
14. You scorn it at your peril, men, for lo, I say, its counterpart beholds the face of God at every moment, every day.
15. And hear me once again, He who shall cause a little one to stumble and to fall is marked, accursed; and it were better far if he had drowned himself.
16. Behold, offences everywhere! Men find occasions for to sin and fall, and they grow strong by rising when they fall;
17. But woe to him who causes other men to stumble and to fall.
18. Be on your guard, you men of God, lest you constrain another man to fall; beware lest you fall into sinful ways yourselves.
19. Now, if your hands cause you to sin, you better cut them off; for it is better far to have no hands and not be guilty in the sight of God and men, than to be perfect in your form and lose your soul.
20. And if your feet should cause offence, you better cut them off; for it is better far to enter into life without your feet than fall beneath the curse.
21. And if your eyes, or ears, cause you to sin, you better lose them all than lose your soul.
22. Your thoughts and words and deeds will all be tried by fire.
23. Remember that you are the salt of earth; but if you lose the virtues of the salt, you are but refuse in the sight of God.
24. Retain the virtues of the salt of life and be at peace among yourselves.
25. The world is full of men who have not in themselves the salt of life, and they are lost. I come to seek and save the lost.
26. How think you? if a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, will he not leave the ninety and the nine,
27. And go out in the desert ways and mountain tops to seek the one that went astray?
28. Yes, this you know; and if he finds the one that went astray, lo, he is glad, and he rejoices over it far more than over all the ninety and the nine that did not go astray.
29. And so there is rejoicing in the human courts of heaven when one human birth who has gone forth into the ways of sin is found and brought back to the fold;
30. Yea, there is joy, more joy than over all the righteous men who never went astray.
31. And John said, Master, who may seek and save the lost? and who may heal the sick, and cast the demons out of those obsessed?
32. When we were on the way we saw a man who was not one of us cast demons out and heal the sick.
33. He did it by the sacred Word and in the name of Christ? but we forbade him, for he did not walk with us.
34. And Jesus said, You sons of men, do you imagine that you own the powers of God?
35. And do you think that all the world must wait for you to do the works of God?
36. God is not man that he should have a special care for any man, and give him special gifts.
37. Forbid not any man to do the works of God.
38. There is no man who can pronounce the sacred Word, and in the name of Christ restore the sick, and cast the unclean spirits out, who is not child of God.
39. The man of whom you speak is one with us. Whoever gathers in the grain of heaven is one with us.
40. Whoever gives a cup of water in the name of Christ is one with us; so God shall judge.
Chapter 132
Jesus defends a man who has been convicted of stealing bread. The verdict is reversed. The man goes free, and the people supply the needs of his starving family.
1. A Multitude of people thronged the streets. The officers were on the way to court withone, a man accused of stealing bread.
2. And in a little while the man was brought before the judge to answer to the charge.
3. And Jesus and the twelve were there. The man showed in his face and hands the hard drawn lines of toil and want.
4. A woman richly clad, the accuser of the man, stood forth and said, I caught this man myself: I know him well, for yesterday he came to beg for bread.
5. And when I drove him from my door, he should have known that I would harbour not a man like him; and then to-day he came and took the bread.
6. He is a thief and I demand that he be sent to jail.
7. The servants also testified against the man; he was adjudged a thief, and officers were leading him away.
8. But Jesus standing forth exclaimed, You officers and judge, be not in haste to lead this man away.
9. Is this a land of justice and of right? can you accuse and sentence men to punishment for any crime until they testify themselves?
10. The Roman law will not permit such travesty on right, and I demand that you permit this man to speak.
11. And then the judge recalled the man and said, If you have any tale to tell, say on. 12 In tears the man stood forth and said, I have a wife and little ones and they are perishing for bread, and I have told my story oft, and begged for bread; but none would hear.
13. This morning when I left our cheerless hut in search of work my children cried for bread, and I resolved to feed them or to die.
14. I took the bread, and I appeal to God, Was it a crime?
15. This woman snatched the loaf away and threw it to the dogs, and called the officers and I am here.
16. Good people, do with me whate'er you will, but save my wife and little ones from death.
17. Then Jesus said, Who is the culprit in this case?
18. I charge this woman as a felon in the sight of God.
19. I charge this judge as criminal before the bar of human rights.
20. I charge these servants and these officers as parties to the crime.
21. I charge the people of Capernaum with cruelty and theft, because they heeded not the cries of poverty and want, and have withheld from helpless ones that which is theirs by every law of right;
22. And I appeal unto these people here, and ask, Are not my charges based on righteousness and truth?
23. And every man said, Yes.
24. The accused woman blushed for shame; the judge shrank back in fear; the officers threw off the shackles from the man and ran away.
25. Then Jesus said, Give this man what he needs and let him go and feed his wife and little ones.
26. The people gave abundantly; the man went on his way.
27. And Jesus said, There is no standard law to judge of crime. The facts must all be stated e'er a judgment can be rendered in a case.
28. You men with hearts; go forth and stand where stood this man and answer me, What would you do?
29. The thief thinks every other man a thief and judges him accordingly.
30. The man who judges harshly is the man whose heart is full of crime.
31. The courtesan who keeps her wickedness concealed by what she calls respectability, has not a word of pity for the honest courtesan who claims to be just what she is.
32. I tell you, men, if you would censure not till you are free from sin, the world would soon forget the meaning of the word, accused.
Chapter 133
The twelve go to the feast in Jerusalem, but Jesus remains in Capernaum. He selects seventy disciples, and sends them out to teach and heal. He goes alone to the feast and on his way he heals ten lepers. He teaches in the temple.
1. The harvest feast drew near; the twelve went to Jerusalem, but Jesus did not go with them; he tarried in Capernaum.
2. Among the multitudes that followed him were many who went not up to the feast; they were not Jews.
3. And Jesus called three-score-and -ten of these disciples unto him and said, THe kingdom of the Christ is not for Jews alone; it is for every man.
4. Lo, I have chosen twelve to preach the gospel, first unto the Jews; and they are Jews.
5. Twelve is the number of the Jew and seven the number of the all, including every man.
6. God is the ten, the holy Jod.
7. When God and man are multiplied we have three-score-and-ten, the number of the brotherhood of man.
8. And now I send you forth by twos and twos; not to the Jews alone, but unto every nation under heaven; to Greek and to Assyrian; to the Samaritan; to those beyond the seas; to every man.
9. You need not go afar, for men of every land are here and in Samaria.
10. Arise and go your way; but go in faith; and take no gold nor silver in your purse; no extra coat or shoes.
11. Go in the sacred name; trust God and you will never come to want.
12. And let this be your salutation everywhere, Peace be to all; good will to all.
13. And if the son of peace be in the house, the door will open wide and you will enter in; and then the holy peace will rest upon that house.
14. The seventy in twos went forth; they went into Samaria, and as they went they said, Peace be to all; good will to all!
15. Repent and turn from sin, and set your house in order, for a son of man who bears the image of the Christ, will come, and you may see his face.
16. They entered every village of Samaria; they preached in Tyre and in Sidon by the sea. Some went to Crete, and others into Greece, and others went to Gilead and taught.
17. And Jesus, all alone, went to the feast by the Samaria way; and as he went through Sychar on the way, the lepers saw him and a company of ten called from afar and said,
18. Lord Jesus, stay and speak the Word for us that we may be made clean.
19. And Jesus said, Go forth and show yourselves unto the priests.
20. They went, and as they went their leprosy was healed. One of the ten, a native of Samaria, returned to thank the master and to praise the Lord.
21. And Jesus said to him, Lo, ten were cleansed; where are the nine? Arise, and go your way; your faith has made you whole.
22. You have revealed your heart and shown that you are worthy of the power; behold the nine will find again their leprous hands and feet.
23. And Jesus went his way, and while the feast was on he came into Jerusalem, and went into the temple courts.
24. And he rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, the priests and doctors of the law for their hypocrisy and selfishness.
25. The common people were amazed; they said, From whence has come the wisdom of this man? he speaks as speaks a sage.
26. And Jesus said, I did not learn the wisdom of the Holy One within the schools of men; my teaching is not mine; I speak the words of him who sent me here to do his will.
27. If any man would know whereof I speak, lo, he must do the will of God. No man can know except he enters into life and does the will of God.
28. Now, Moses gave the law; but none of you have kept the law; how can you judge the worthiness of any man?
29. Once in these courts I healed a man upon a Sabbath day, and in a rage you sought to take my life; and now because I tell the truth you seek again to take my life.
30. A scribe spoke out and said, You foolish man, you are obsessed; who wants to take your life?
31. The common people said, Is this not Jesus whom the rulers long have sought to kill? and now he comes and teaches in the temple courts.
32. If he is guilty of such monstrous crimes, why do they not take him away in chains?
33. And Jesus said, You all know me, and know from whence I came; but you know not the God who sent me here, whose words I speak.
34. The multitudes again stood forth in his defence; they said, if this is not the Christ whom God has promised to reveal to men, will he do greater works when he shall come than does this man?
35. The Pharisees and ruling priests were angered and they sent their officers to take him e'er he went away. The officers were filled with fear; they seized him not.
36. And Jesus said, lo, I am here but for a little time and then I go my way to him who sent me here to do his will.
37. You seek me now and you can find me now; the time will come when you will seek and will not find, for where I go you cannot come.
38. The people said, Where will he go that men can find him not? Will he go forth to Greece and teach the Greeks? or will he go to Egypt or Assyria to teach?
39. But Jesus answered not; unnoticed by the multitudes he left the temple courts and went his way.
Chapter 134
Jesus teaches in the temple. His words enrage the rulers. Nicodemus defends him. He spends the night in prayer on Mount Olives. Next day he again teaches in the temple. An adultress is brought before him for judgement.
1. Now, on the last day of the feast when multitudes were in the courtways, Jesus said,
2. Whoever is athirst may come to me and drink.
3. He who believes in me and in the Christ whom God had sent, may drink the cup of life, and from his inner parts shall streams of living waters flow.
4. The Holy Breath will over-shadow him, and he will breathe the Breath, and speak the words, and live the life.
5. The people were divided in their views concerning him. Some said, This man is prophet of the living God.
6. And others said, He is Messiah whom our prophets said would come.
7. And others said, He cannot be the Christ, for he came down from Galilee; the Christ must come from Bethlehem where David lived.
8. Again the priests and Pharisees sent officers to bring him into court to answer for his life; but when the officers returned and brought him not,
9. The rulers were enraged and said, Why did you not arrest this man and hale him into court?
10. The officers replied, We never heard a man speak like this man speaks.
11. In rage the Pharisees stood forth and said, Have you gone mad? Have you been led astray? Are you disciples of this man?
12. Have any of the rulers, or the Pharisees believed on him? The common people! yes, they may believe; they are accursed; they know not anything.
13. But Nicodemus came before the rulers and he said, Can Jewish judges judge a man and sentence him until they hear his plea? Let Jesus stand before this bar and testify himself.
14. The rulers said, This Jesus is a wily man, and if we suffer him to speak, he will rebuke us face to face, and then the multitudes will laugh and stand in his defence.
15. And then you know, as well as we, that prophets do not come from Galilee.
16. The rulers felt the force of what the officers and Nicodemus said, and they said nothing more.
17. And then the people went their way, each to his home; but Jesus went unto Mount Olives where he spent the night in prayer.
18. BUt in the morning when the sun had scarcely risen, Jesus came again, and many people came to see him in the temple courts, and he sat down and taught the multitudes.
19. The Pharisees and scribes were still alert to find a cause whereby they might condemn him by the words he spoke.
20. The officers had taken in the very act of crime, a courtesan. As Jesus taught, they brought this woman and set her in the midst and said, 21 Rabboni, this vile woman has been taken in adultery. The law of Moses says that such as she shall die, be stoned to death; what do you say should be her punishment?
22. And Jesus stooped and made a figure on the ground and in it placed the a soul, and then he sat in silent thought.
23. And when the priests demanded that he speak, he said, Let him who has no sin stand forth and be the first to cast a stone at her.
24. And then he closed his eyes, and not a word was said. When he arose and saw the woman all alone he said,
25. Where are the men who brought you here? they who accused?
26. The woman said, They all are gone; no one was here who could condemn.
27. And Jesus said, And I condemn you not; go on your way in peace, and sin no more.
Chapter 135
Jesus teaches in the temple. He reveals some of the deeper meanings of the Christine ministry. The rulers are greatly enraged and attempt to stone him, but he disappears.
1. The feast was done and Jesus, Peter, James and John were sitting in the temple treasury.
2. The nine had gone back to Capernaum.
3. The people thronged the temple courts and Jesus said,
4. I am the lamp; Christ is the oil of life; the Holy Breath the fire. Behold the light! and he who follows me shall not walk in the dark, but he shall have the light of life.
5. A lawyer said, You witness for yourself, your witness is not true.
6. and Jesus said, If I do witness for myself I speak that which is true, for I know whence I came and where I go.
7. And no one else in flesh can testify for me, for none know whence I came, nor where I go.
8. My works bear witness to the truth I speak. As man I could not speak the words of Holy Breath; and then my Father testifies for me.
9. The lawyer said, Where does your father live?
10. And Jesus said, You know me not or you would know my Father, and if you knew the Father you would know the son, because the Father and the son are one.
11. I go my way and you shall find me not; for where I go you canot come, because you do not know the way.
12. You cannot find the way because your hearts are gross, your ears are dull, your eyes are closed.
13. The light of life cannot shine through the murky veil that you have drawn about your hearts.
14. You do not know the Christ and if the Christ be not within the heart there is no light.
15. I come to manifest the Christ to men and you receive me not, and you will dwell in darkness and in the shadow of the grave till you believe the words I speak.
16. But you will vilify the son of man, and lift him up and laugh to see him die.
17. But then a little light will come and you will know that I am what I am.
18. The people did not comprehend the meaning of the words he spoke.
19. And then he spoke unto the people who believed in him and said, If you abide in Christ, and Christ abide in you, and if you keep my words within your heart,
20. You are the way, you are disciples in the way, and you shall know what is the truth, and truth shall make you free.
21. And still the people did not understand; they said, We are the seed of Abraham and are already free; we never were the slaves of any man; why do you say, We shall be free?
22. And Jesus sadi, Do you not know that every one committing sin is slave of sin? abides in bondage unto sin?
23. If you sin not then you are free; but if you sin in thought, or word, or deed, then you are slaves, and naught but truth can set you free; if you are free through Christ, then you are free indeed.
24. You are the seed of Abraham, and yet you seek to kill me just because I speak the truth of Abraham.
25. You are the children of the flesh of Abraham; but, lo, I say, There is a spiritual Abraham whom you know not.
26. In spirit you are children of your father, and your father is Diabolus; you hang upon his words and do his will.
27. He was a murderer from the first; he cannot tell the truth, and when he tells a lie he speaks his own; he is himself a lie, and he is father of himself.
28. If you were children of my Father-God, then you could hear the words of God; I speak the words of God, but you can bear them not.
29. A Pharisee stood forth and said, This fellow is not one of us he is a curst Samaritan and is obsesed.
30. But Jesus heeded not the words of Pharisee or scribe; he knew that all the people knew he was a Jew.
31. And then he said, Whoever keeps my words shall never die.
32. A lawyer said, And now we know he is obsessed. Our father Abraham is dead; the prophets all are dead, and yet this fellow says, Whoever keeps my words shall never die.
33. Is this man greater than our Father Abraham? Is he above the prophets? and all of them are dead.
34. And Jesus said, Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.
35. The lawyer said, You simple man; you are not fifty years of age; have you seen Abraham?
36. And Jesus said, Before the days of Abraham I am.
37. Again the scribes and Pharisees were in a rage; they took up stones to cast at him, but, like a phamtom of the night, he disappeared; the people knew not where he went.
Chapter 136
Jesus teaches in the temple. Relates the parable of the good Samaritan. Goes to Bethany. Teaches in Lazarus' home. Rebukes Martha for her anxiety about the things of this life.
1. And Jesus stood again within the temple courts and taught.
2. A master of the law was sent to question him that he might find a cause to censure and accuse him of a crime.
3. He said, Lord, tell me what to do that I may have eternal life?
4. And Jesus said, You know the law; what does it say?
5. The lawyer answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind, and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.
6. And Jesus said, Lo, you have answered well; this do and you shall live.
7. The lawyer said, My neighbour, who is he?
8. And Jesus said, A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho, and lo, he met with robbers on the way, who beat him, robbed him of his goods, and left him bleeding by the way.
9. A Pharisee was going down that way; he saw the wounded man; but then he had no time to lose; he passed by on the other side.
10. A Levite came and saw the man; but he was loath to soil his sacerdotal robes, and he passed by.
11. A lawyer on his way to Jericho observed the dying man, and then he said, If I could make a shekel I might help the man; but he has nothing left to give, I have no time for charity; and he passed on.
12. And then a stranger from Samaria came that way; he saw the wounded man; his heart was touched with pity, and he stopped, dismounted from his horse,
13. Revived the man, and placed him on his horse and took him to an inn and charged the keeper of the inn to nurse him back to strength.
14. He gave the keeper all the money that he had and said, Your charges may be more than this, but care for this unfortunate, and when I come again I will pay all; and then he went his way.
15. Now, master of the law, which of these four was neighbour unto him who fell among the thieves?
16. The lawyer said, The man who showed him mercy; he who cared for him.
17. And Jesus said, Go on your way and likewise do, and you shall live.
18. Now, Jesus, Peter, James and John went out to Bethany where Lazarus lived.
19. And Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard him speak the words of life while Martha served.
20. And Martha called, but Mary would not leave the Lord to help her serve.
21. And Martha said to Jesus, Do you not care that Mary makes me bear the burdens of the serving all the day? I beg that you will bid her help.
22. And Jesus said, You are too anxious, Martha, for your guests; you need not trouble so about the things of life.
23. You grow a-weary by your care for little things and slight the one thing needed most of all.
24. Your sister here has chosen far the better part, a part that none can atke away.
Chapter 137
Jesus and his disciples go into a retired place to pray. Jesus teaches Lazarus how to pray. The model prayer. The value of importunate prayer. Parable of the importunate housewife.
1. Now, in the evening Jesus, Peter, James and John, with Lazarus, went out beyond the village gates to pray. And Lazarus said, Teach me to pray.
2. And Jesus said, The prayer I taught the twelve to pray while we were up in Galilee is one acceptable to God; and when you pray just say,
3. Our Father-God who art in heaven; holy is thy name; thy kingdom come; they will be done on earth as it is done in heaven;
4. Give us this day our needed bread;
5. Help us forget the debts that other people owe to us, that all our debts may be discharged;
6. And shield us from the tempter's snares that are too great for us to bear;
7. And when they come give us the strength to overcome.
8. And Jesus said, The answer to your prayer may not appear in fulness in a little time.
9. Be not discouraged; pray again and then again, for God will hear.
10. And then he spoke a parable; he said, A housewife was alone at night and, lo, some guests arrived, and they were hungry, having had no food for all the day.
11. The housewife had no bread, and so at midnight she went forth and called a friend and said, Loan me three loaves of bread, for guests have come, and I have naught for them to eat.
12. The friend replied, Why do you trouble me at midnight hour? My door is shut; my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise to give you bread; to-morrow you can be supplied.
13. The housewife asked again, and then again, and then because she pled, and would not be refused, the friend arose and gave her bread.
14. Behold, I say to you, Ask firmly and you shall receive; seek trustingly and you shall find; knock earnestly, the door will open up.
15. All things are yours, and when you ask, not as a begging man would ask, but as a child, you shall be satisfied.
16. A son may ask his father for a loaf of bread; the father will not give to him a stone;
17. Or he may ask him for a fish; he will not give a crab; or he may ask him for an egg; the father will not give a pebble from the brook.
18. Behold, if men of flesh know how to give abundantly to children of the flesh, will not your heavenly Father give abundantly to you when you shall pray?
Chapter 138
The Christines in Jerusalem. They meet a man blind from birth. Jesus teaches a lesson on the cause of disease and disasters. He heals the blind man.
1. The Lord with Peter, James and John were in Jerusalem; it was the Sabbath day.
2. And as they walked along the way they saw a man who could not see; he had been blind from birth.
3. And Peter said, Lord, if disease and imperfections all are caused by sin, who was the sinner in this case? the parents or the man himself?
4. And Jesus said, Afflictions all are partial payments on a debt, or debts, that have been made.
5. There is a law of recompense that never fails, and it is summarised in that true rule of life:
6. Whatsoever man shall do to any other man some other man will do to him.
7. In this we find the meaning of the Jewish law, expressed concisely in the words, Tooth for a tooth; life for a life.
8. He who shall injure any one in thought, or word, or deed, is judged a debtor to the law, and some one else shall, likewise, injure him in thought, or word or deed.
9. And he who shed the blood of any man will come upon the time when his blood shall be shed by man.
10. Affliction is a prison cell in which a man must stay until he pays his debts unless a master sets him free that he may have a better chance to pay his debts.
11. Affliction is a certain sign that one has debts to pay.
12. Behold this man! Once in another life he was a cruel man, and in a cruel way destroyed the eyes of one, a fellow man.
13. The parents of this man once turned their faces on a blind and helpless man, and drove him from their door.
14. Then Peter asked, Do we pay off the debts of other men when by the Word we heal them, drive the unclean spirits out, or rescue them from any form of sore distress?
15. And Jesus said, We cannot pay the debts of any man, but by the Word we may release a man from his afflictions and distress,
16. And make him free, that he may pay the debts he owes, by giving up his life in willing sacrifice for men, or other living things.
17. Behold, we may make free this man that he may better serve the race and pay his debts.
18. Then Jesus called the man and said, Would you be free? would you receive your sight?
19. The man replied, All that I have would I most freely give if I could see.
20. And Jesus took saliva and a bit of clay and make a salve, and put it on the blind man's eyes.
21. He spoke the Word and then he said, Go to Siloam and wash, and as you wash say, Jahhevahe. This do for seven times and you shall see.
22. The man was led unto Siloam; he washed his eyes and spoke the word, and instantly his eyes were opened and he saw.
23. The people who had seen the man for many years sit by the way and beg, were much surprised to see him see.
24. They said, Is not this man the Job that was born blind, who sat beside the way and begged?
25. He heard them talk among themselves; he said, Yes I am he.
26. The people asked, How were you healed? who opened up your eyes?
27. He said, A man whom men call Jesus, made a salve of clay and put it on my eyes, and bade me say a word and wash in Siloam seven times; I did as he commanded me, and now I see.
28. A certain scribe was passing, and he saw the man and heard him say that Jesus, by the Word, had opened up his eyes.
29. He therefore took the man up to the synagogue, and told the story to the priests, who asked the man about the miracle.
30. The man replied, I never saw the light until to-day, for I was blind from birth.
31. This morning as I sat beside Siloam, a man I never knew put on my eyes a salve that people say he made of clay; he bade me say a word and bathe my eyes in water seven times; I did as he commanded and I saw.
32. A lawyer asked the man, Who was it opened up your eyes?
33. The man replied, Some people say, His name is Jesus and that he came from Galilee; but others say, He is the son of God.
34. A Pharisee came up and said, This is the Sabbath day; a man who does a work like this, regarding not the Sabbath day, is not from God.
35. Some of the priests were much amazed and said, A wicked man could never do a miracle like this; he must possess the power of God. And so they strove among themselves.
36. They asked the man, What do you think about this man from Galilee?
37. He said, He is a prophet sent from God.
38. Now, many of the Jews did not believe the man was blind from birth; they said, There is no power to open up the eyes of one born blind.
39. And then they brought the parents of the man before the Pharisees that they might testify.
40. They said, This is our son who was born blind; we do not know how he received his sight; he is of age and he can tell ; ask him.
41. They were afraid to say what they believed, that Jesus is the Christ who came to manifest the power of God, lest they offend the priests and be cast from the synagogue.
42. Again the rulers said, This Jesus is a wicked man. The man who had been healed stood forth again and said,
43. This Jesus may be sinner or be saint, I do not know; but this one thing I know; I once was blind, but now I see.
44. And then the scribes and Pharisees reviled the man and said, You are a follower of this man from Galilee. We follow Moses, but this man, we know him not, and know not whence he is.
45. The man replied, It is a marvel that you know not whence he is, and yet he opened up my eyes.
46. You know that nothing but the power of God can do such things.
47. God hears not sinners pray, and you must know that he is not a wicked man who can employ the power of God.
48. The Pharisees replied, You wretch! you were begotten and were born in sin, and now you try to teach the law to us. And then they cast him from the synagogue.
Chapter 139
Jesus meets and instructs the man who was blind. Unfold the mysteries of the kingdom. The sheepfold. Declares himself the shephard. Goes to the home of Massalian, where he abides ceratin days.
1. When Jesus heard what had been done and how the priests had cst the man whom he had healed, out of the synagogue he found the man and said to him,
2. Do you believe in God and in the son of God?
3. The man replied, I do believe in God; but who is he, the son of God, of whom you speak?
4. And Jesus said, The son of God is he who speaks to you.
5. The man inquired then, Why do you say, The son of God? Is there but one?
6. And Jesus said, All men are sons of God by birth; God is the Father of the race; but all are not the sons of God by faith.
7. He who attains the victory over self is son of God by faith, and he who speaks to you has overcome, and he is called son of God, because he is the pattern for the sons of men.
8. He who believes and does the will of God is son of God by faith.
9. The man in joy exclaimed, Lord, I believe in God, and in the son of God.
10. And Jesus said, I came to open prison doors, to make the blind to see; but, lo, the Pharisees are blind from birth.
11. And when I put the salve of truth upon their eyes, and bid them go and wash, and speak the sacred Word they will not go; they love the dark.
12. A multitude of people pressed about the Lord, and he stood forth and said,
13. You men of Israel, I say to you, The fold of God is large; its walls are strong, it has a gateway in the east, and he who does not enter by the gate into the fold, but climbs into the fold some other way, is thief and comes to rob.
14. The shepherd of the sheep stands by the gate; he gives the secret sign; he knocks; the watchman opens up the gate.
15. And then the shepherd calls his sheep by name; they hear his voice and follow him; they enter through the gate into the fold.
16. The sheep know not a stranger's voice; they will not follow him; they flee away.
17. The people did not understand the parable that Jesus spoke; and then he said,
18. Christ is the gateway of the fold; I am the shepherd of the sheep, and he who follows me through Christ shall come into the fold where living waters flow, and where rich pastures are.
19. False prophets come and go; they claim to be the shepherds of the sheep; they claim to know the way; but they know not the word of power; the watchman opens not the gate; the sheep heed not their call.
20. The shepherd of the sheep will give his life to save the sheep.
21. A hireling flees to save his life when wolves infest the fold; and then the tender lambs are snatched away, the sheep are scattered everywhere.
22. I am the shepherd of the sheep; I know the sheep of God; they know my voice, as God knows me and I know him.
23. The Father loves me with a deathless love, because I lay my life down for the sheep.
24. I lay my life down when I will, but I may take it up again; for every son of God by faith has power to lay his mortal flesh aside and take it up again. These words I have received from God.
25. Again the people strove among themselves; they were divided in their views concerning Christ. They could not comprehend the words that Jesus spoke.
26. Some said again, He is obsessed, or he is mad; why listen to his words?
27. And others said, His words are not the words of one obsessed. Can unclean spirits open up the eyes of one born blind?
28. Then Jesus left Jerusalem and with Massalian he tarried certain days.
Chapter 140
Jesus and the three disciples return to Capernaum. Jesus receives the report of the seventy. With his disciples he goes through all Galilee encouraging the believers. He heals a woman. Relates the parable of the little seed and the great tree.
1. The time had come for the return of the three score and
PE
The Third Annual Epoch of the Christine Ministry of Jesus
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Chapter 124
The Christines cross the sea. Jesus gives to his disciples lessons on secret doctrines. Teaches the people. Feeds five thousand. The disciples start to recross the sea. A storm arises. Jesus, walking on the waters, comes to them. Trial of Peter's faith. Thye land in Gennesaret.
1. The twelve apostles now had reached the stage of spirit consciousness, and Jesus could reveal to them the deeper meanings of his mission to the world.
2. Next week the great feast of the Jews would be observed, and Matthew said, Shall we not gird ourselves and go unto Jerusalem?
3. But Jesus said, We will not go up to the feast; the time is short and I have many things to say to you; come you apart into a desert place and rest a while.
4. and then they took their boats and crossed the sea, and came into a desert place near Julius Bethsaida.
5. The people saw them go, and in vast multitudes they followed them.
6. And Jesus had compassion on the anxious throng, and he stood forth and taught them all the day, because they sought a light and were like sheep without a fold.
7. And as the night came on the twelve were doubting what the multitudes would do, and Thomas said,
8. Lord, we are in a desert place; the multitudes have vaught to eat and they are faint from lack of food; what shall we do?
9. And Jesus said, Go to and feed the multitudes.
10. And Judas said, Shall we go down and buy two hundred pennies' worth of bread for them to eat?
11. And Jesus, Go look into our larder and see how many loaves we have.
12. And Andrew said, We have no bread, but we have found a lad who has five barley loaves and two small fish; but this would not be food enough for one in ten.
13. But Jesus said, Command these people all to sit upon the grass in companies of twelve; and they all sat down in companies of twelve.
14. Then Jesus took the loaves and fish, and looking up to heaven he spoke the sacred Word.
15. And then he broke the bread and gave it to the twelve; he also gave the fish unto the twelve, and said, Go to and feed the multitudes.
16. And all the people ate and were refreshed.
17. There were about five thousand men, a company of little ones, and women not a few.
18. And when the people all were filled the master said,
19. Let not a crumb be lost; Go to and gather up the pieces of the bread and fish for others that may want.
20. They gathered up the fragments and they filled twelve baskets full.
21. The people were bewildered by this wondrous act of power; they said, And now we know that Jesus is the prophet that our prophets said would come; and then they said, All hail the king!
22. Whne Jesus heard them say, All hail the king! he called the twelve and bade them take their boats and go before him to the other side;
23. And he went all alone into a mountain pass to pray.
24. The twelve were on the sea and hoped to reach Capernaum in just a little time, when all at once a fearful storm arose, and they were at the mercy of the waves.
25. And in the fourth watch of the night the wind became a whirling wind, and they were filled with fear.
26. And in the blinding storm they saw a form move on the waves; it seemed to be a man, one spoke out and said, It is a ghost, a sign of evil things.
27. But John discerned the form and said, It is the Lord.
28. And then the wind blew not so hard, and Peter, standing inthe midst, exclaimed:
29. My Lord! my Lord! If this be truly you, bid me to come to you upon the waves.
30. The form reached forth his hand and said, Come on.
31. And Peter stepped upon the waves and they were solid as a rock; he walked upon the waves.
32. He walked until he thought within himself, What if the waves should break beneath my feet?
33. And then the waves did break beneath his feet, and he began to sink, and in the fearfulness of soul he cried, O save me, Lord, or I am lost!
34. And Jesus took him by the hand and said, O you of little faith! why did you doubt? And Jesus led the way unto the boat.
35. The storm had spent its force; the winds were still, and they were near the shore, and when they landed they were in the valley of Gennesaret.
Chapter 125
The Christines are welcomed in Gennesaret. Many follow Jesus for the loaves andfish. He tells them of the bread of life. Speaks of his flesh and blood as symbols of the bread and water of life. The people are offended and many of his disciples follow him no more.
1. The news soon spread through all the valley of Gennersaret that Jesus and the twelve had come, and many people came to see.
2. They brought their sick and laid them at the master's feet, and all the day he taught and healed.
3. The multitudes upon the other side who had been fed the day before and other multitudes, went down to see the Lord; but when they found him not they sought him in Capernaum.
4. And when they found him not at home, they went on to Gennesaret. They found him there and said, Rabboni, when came you to Gennesaret?
5. And Jesus said, Why are you come across the sea? you came not for the bread of life;
6. You came to gratify your selfish selves; you all were fed the other day across the sea, and you are after more of loaves and fish.
7. The food you ate was nourishment for flesh that soon must pass away.
8. You men of Galilee, seek not for food that perishes, but seek for food that feeds the soul; and, lo, I bring you food from heaven.
9. You ate the flesh of fish, and you were satisfied, and now I bring the flesh of Christ for you to eat that you may live for evermore.
10. Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; and then they ate the flesh of quail, and drank the waters of a flowing spring that Moses brought out from the rock; but all of them are dead.
11. The manna and the quail were symbols of the flesh of Christ; the waters of the rock were symbols of the blood.
12. But, lo, the Christ has come; he is the bread of life that God has given to the world.
13. Whoever eats the flesh of Christ and drinks his blood shall never die; and he will hunger nevermore; and he will thirst no more.
14. And they who eat this bread of heaven, and drink these waters from the spring of life cannot be lost; these feed the soul, and purify the life.
15. Behold, for God has said, When man has purified himself I will exalt him to the throne of power.
16. Then Jesus and the twelve went to Capernaum; and Jesus went into the synagogue and taught.
17. And when the Jews, who heard him in Gennesaret, were come they said,
18. This fellow is beside himself. We heard him say, I am the bread of life that comes from heaven; and we all know that he is but a man, the son of man, who came from Nazareth; we know his mother, and his other kin.
19. And Jesus knew their thoughts; he said to them, Why murmur you, and reason thus among yourselves?
20. The Christ is everlasting life; he came from heaven; he has the keys of heaven, and no man enters into heaven except he fills himself with Christ.
21. I came in flesh to do the will of God, and, lo, this flesh and blood are filled with Christ; and so I am the living bread that comes from heaven;
22. And when you eat this flesh and drink this blood you will have everlasting life; and if you will, you may become the bread of life.
23. And many of the people were enraged; they said, How can this man give us his flesh to eat, his blood to drink?
24. And his disciples were aggrieved becaude he said these things, and many turned away and followed him no more.
25. They said, This is a fearful thing for him to say, If you eat not my flesh and drink my blood, you cannot enter into life.
26. They could not comprehend the parable he spoke.
27. And Jesus said, You stumble and you fall before the truth; What will you do when you shall see this flesh and blood transmuted into higher form?
28. What will you say when you shall see the son of man ascending on the clouds of heaven?
29. What will you say when you shall see the son of man sit on the throne of God?
30. The flesh is naught; the spirit is the quickening power. The words I speak are spirit; they are life.
31. When Jesus saw the many who had been so loud in their professions of their faith in him, turn back and go away, he said unto the twelve.
32. Will you desert me inthis hour and go away?
33. But Peter said, Lord, we have no place else to go; you have the words of everlasting life; we know that you are sent to us from God.
Chapter 126
Scribes and Pharisees visit Jesus. They censure him for eating with unwashed hands. He defends his acts and teaches a lesson on hypocrisy. Privately explains to the twelve his public teachings.
1. A company of scribes and Pharisees came from Jerusalem to learn wherein the power of Jesus lay.
2. But when they learned that he and his disciples heeded not the custom of the Jews, regarding washing of the hands before they ate, they were amazed.
3. And Jesus said, Hypocrisy is queen among you scribes and Pharisees. Oh you Isaiah wrote:
4. This people honour me with lips; their hearts are far away. In vain they worship me; their doctrines are the dogmas and the creeds of men.
5. You men who pose as men of God, and still reject the laws of God and teach the laws of men,
6. Stand forth and tell when God gave unto the ceremonial laws that you observe; and tell these people how the spirit life is sullied if one washes not before he eats.
7. His critics answered not, and then he said,
8. Hear me, you men of Israel! Defilement is a creature of the heart. The carnal mind lays hold of thought, and makes a monstrous bride; this bride is sin; sin is a creature of the mind.
9. That which defiles a man is not the food he eats.
10. The bread and fish and other things we eat, are simply cups to caryy to the cells of flesh material for the building of the human house, and when their work is done as refuse they are cast away.
11. The life of plant and flesh that goes to build the human house is never food for soul. The spirit does not feed upon the carcasses of animal, or plant.
12. God feeds the soul direct from heaven; the bread of life comes from above.
13. The air we breathe is charged with Holy Breath, and he will may take this Holy Breath.
14. The soul discriminates, and he who wants the life of Christ may breathe it in. According to your faith so let it be.
15. Man is not a part of his abiding place; the house is not the man.
16. The lower world builds up the house of flesh, and keeps it in repair; the higher world provides the bread of spirit life.
17. The loveliest lilies grow from stagnant ponds and filthiest muck.
18. The law of flesh demands that one should keep the body clean.
19. The law of spirit call for purity in thought and word and deed.
20. Now, when the evening came and they were in the house, the twelve had many things to say, and many questions to propound.
21. Nathaniel asked, Was what you said about the house of flesh a parable? If so, what does it mean?
22. And Jesus said, Can you not yet discriminate? Do you not yet perceive that what a man takes in his mouth defiles him not?
23. His food goes not into his soul; it is material for flesh and bone and brawn.
24. To spirit everything is clean.
25. That which defiles a man wells up from carnal thoughts; and carnal thoughts spring from the heart, and generate a host of evil things.
26. From out the heart comes murders, thefts and foolishness. All selfish acts and senual deeds spring from the heart.
27. To eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.
28. And Peter said, Lord, What you said to-day has grievously offended scribe and Pharisee.
29. And Jesus said, These scribes and Pharisees are not the scions of the tree of life; they are not plants of God; they are the plants of men, and every foreign plant shall be plucked up.
30. Let all these men alone; they are blind guides; they lead a multitude of people who are blind.
31. The leaders and the led together walk; together they will fall into the yawning pits.
Chapter 127
The Christines cross the sea to Decapolis. Jesus finds a retires place where he privately teaches the twelve. They remain three days, then go into a village by the sea.
1. Now, Jesus took the twelve and with them crossed the sea at night and came unto the borders of Decapolis,
2. That he might find a secret place where, all alone, he could reveal to them the things to come.
3. They went into a mountain pass and spent three days in prayer.
4. Then Jesus said, Behold, the time is near when I will walk with you in flesh no more.
5. Lo, I have taught that he who counts his life of so much worth that he would give it not in willing sacrifice to save his brother man, is worthy not to enter into life.
6. Lo, I am come as pattern for the sons of men, and I have not refrained from helpfulness.
7. When I had passed the seven tests in Heliopolis, I consecrated life and all I had, to save the world.
8. In the Judean wilderness I fought the strongest foes of men, and there I reaffirmed my consecration to the service of my fellow man.
9. In troubles and intrials I have wavered not; when false accusers came, I answered not.
10. God gave the saving Word to me, and I have often spoken it and healed the sick, drove unclean spirits out, and raised the dead.
11. And I have shown you how to speak the Word; and I have given you the Word;
12. In just a little while we turn our faces toward Jerusalem, and one of you who hear me now will then betray me into wicked hands.
13. The scribes and Pharisees will bring false charges up and hale me into court, and, by consent of Rome, I will be crucified.
14. Then Peter said, My Lord, it shall not be. The Roman soldiers will tread on twelve dead men before they reach our Lord.
15. But Jesus said, A saviour of the world cannot resist.
16. I came to save the world and I have taken up your names before the highest courts of heaven, and you have been confirmed as saviours of the world.
17. And not a name, excepting that of him who shall betray, will ever be disgraced.
18. I go my way, and though my flesh shall pass, my soul will stand beside you all the way to guide and bless.
19. And wicked men will seize you in the streets, and as you kneel in prayer; will charge you with some legal crime, and think they serve their God by putting you to death.
20. But falter not; the load will heavy be, but with the consciousness of duty done, the peace of God will lift the load, dispel the pain and light the way.
21. And we will meet where carnal executioners come not; there we will serve the cruel men, who in their ignorance had tortured us to death.
22. Can we prevent this outrage and this slaughter of our lives? If not we are but creatures of the ebb and flow of carnal things. It would not be a sacrifice of life.
23. But we are masters of the things of time. Lo, we can speak, and all the spirits of the fire, water, earth and air will stand in our defence.
24. We can command and many legions of the angel world would come and strike our enemies to earth.
25. But it is best that not a power of heaven or earth should come to our relief. And it is best that even God should veil his face and seem to hear us not.
26. As I am pattern unto you, so you are patterns for the human race. We show by non-resistance that we give our lives in willing sacrifice for man.
27. But my example will not end with death. My body will be laid within a tomb in which no flesh has lain, symbolic of the purity of life in death.
28. And in the tomb I will remain three days in sweet communion with the Christ, and with my Father-God and Mother-God.
29. And then, symbolic of the ascent of the soul to higher life, my flesh within the tomb will disappear;
30. Will be transmuted into higher form, and, in the presence of you all, I will ascend to God.
31. Then Jesus and the twelve went to a village by the sea.
Chapter 128
Jesus goes at night to a mountain to pray. His disciples and the villagers find him and he teaches them for three days. Feeds four thousand people. The Christines go to Caesarea-Philippi. They consider the personality of Christ. Peter is chosen as apostolic leader.
1. Now, in the night while the disciples slept, lo, Jesus rose and went alone into a mountain pass, six miles away, to pray.
2. And in the morning when the twelve awoke they could not find the Lord, and all the people of the village sought, and when the sun had passed its highest point they found him in the mountain pass.
3. And multitudes of people came and brought their sick, and Jesus taught and healed.
4. And when the night came on the people would not go; they slept upon the ground that they might be a-near the Lord.
5. Three days and nights the multitudes remained, and none had aught to eat.
6. And Jesus had compassion and he said, If I should send the multitudes away they might not reach their homes, for they are faint, for some have journeyed many miles.
7. And his disciples said, Where shall we get enough of food to feed them all? There are four thousand men, besides the women and the little ones.
8. And Jesus said, How many loaves have you?
9. They answered, Seven, and some little fish.
10. And Jesus said, Go to, and seat the people as you seated them the other day when all the multitudes were fed, in companies of twelve.
11. And when the people were sat down in companies of twelve the loaves and fish were brought.
12. And Jesus looked to heaven and spoke the Word; and then he broke the seven loaves in little bits, and likewise cut the fish.
13. And every bit of bread became a loaf, and every piece of fish became a fish.
14. The twelve went forth and gave to every one; the people ate and they were filled; and all the fragments that were left were gathered up, and there were seven baskets full.
15. and then the people went their ways, and the twelve took boats and came to Dalmanatha by the sea.
16. Here they remained for many days, and Jesus told the twelve about the inner light that cannot fail;
17. About the kingdom of the Christ within the soul; about the power of faith; about the secret of the resurrection of the dead; about immortal life, and how the living may go forth and help the dead.
18. And then they went into their boats, and came unto the northern coast of Galilee, and in Chorazin where the kin of Thomas lived, they left their boats and journeyed on.
19. They came to Merom, where the crystal waters seem to catch the images of heaven and to reflect the glory of the Lord of hosts.
20. And here they tarried certain days in silent thought.
21. And then they journeyed on, and came into the land of Caesarea-Philippi.
22. And as they walked and talked among themselves, the master said, What do the people say about the son of man? Who do they think I am?
23. And Matthew said, Some say that you are David come again; some say that you are Enoch, Solomon, or Seth.
24. And Andrew said, I heard a ruler of the synagogue exclaim, This man is Jeremiah, for he speaks like Jeremiah wrote.
25. Nathaniel said, The foreign masters who were with us for a time, declared that Jesus is Gautama come again.
26. James said, I think that most the Jews believe you are the reappearance of Elijah on the earth.
27. And John spoke out and said, When we were in Jerusalem I heard a seer exclaim, This Jesus is none other than Melchizedek, the king of peace, who lived about two thousand years ago, and said that he would come again.
28. And Thomas said, The Tetrarch Herod thinks that you are John arisen from the dead;
29. But then his conscience troubles him; the spirit of the murdered John looms up before him in his dreams, and haunts him as a spectre of the night.
30. And Jesus asked, Who do you think I am?
31. And Peter said, You are the Christ, the love of God made manifest to men.
32. And Jesus said, Thrice blessed are you, Simon, Jonas' son. You have declared a truth that God has given you.
33. You are a rock, and you shall be a pillar in the temple of the Lord of hosts.
34. And your confession is the cornerstone of faith, a rock of strength, and on this rock the Church of Christ is built.
35. Against it all the powers of hades and of death cannot prevail.
36. Behold, I give to you the keys to open up the doors of safety for the sons of men.
37. The Holy Breath will come upon you and the ten, and in Jerusalem you shall stand before the nations of the earth, and there proclaim the covenant of God with men.
38. And you shall speak the words of Holy Breath, and whatsoever God requires of men as earnest of their faith in Christ, you shall make known.
39. Then turning to the twelve he said, What you have heard this day tell not to any man.
40. Then Jesus and the twelve went up and were Susanna's guests for many days.
Chapter 129
Jesus teaches the people. He takes Peter, James and John and goes to a high mountain and is transfigured before them.
1. The news soon spread that Jesus and the twelve were come, and many people came to see.
2. And Jesus said, Behold, you come to see, but that means naught. If you would have the benedictions of the Christ, take up your and follow me.
3. If you would give your life for selfish self, then you will lose your life.
4. If you will give your life in service of your fellow men, then you will save your life.
5. This life is but a span, a bauble of to-day. There is a life that passes not.
6. Where is your profit if you gain the world and lose your soul? What would you take in payment for your soul?
7. If you would find the spirit life, the life of man in God, then you must walk a narrow way and enter through a narrow gate.
8. The way is Christ, the gate is Christ, and you must come up by the way of Christ. No man comes unto God but by the Christ.
9. The kingdom of the Christ will come; yea, some of you who hear me now will not pass through the gates of death until you see the kingdom come in power.
10. For seven days the master and the twelve remained in Caesarea-Philippi.
11. Then Jesus, taking Peter, James and John, went forth unto a mountain top to pray.
12. And as he prayed a brilliant light appeared; his form became as radiant as a precious stone;
13. His face shone like the sun; his garments seemed as white as snow; the son of man became the son of God.
14. He was transfigured that the men of earth might see the possibilities of man.
15. When first the glory came the three disciples were asleep; a master touched their eyes and said, Awake and see the glory of the Lord.
16. And they awoke, and saw the glory of the Lord; and more, they saw the glory of the heavenly world, for they beheld two men from thence stand forth beside the Lord.
17. And Peter asked the master who awakened them, Who are these men who stand beside the Lord?
18. The master said, These men are Moses and Elijah, who are come that you may know that heaven and earth are one; that masters there and masters here are one.
19. The veil that separates the worlds is but an ether veil. For those who purify their hearts by faith the veil is rolled aside, and they can see and know that death is an illisive thing.
20. And Peter said, Praise God! And then he called to Jesus and he said, My master and my Lord, this is the gate of heaven, andit is well that we remain.
21. May we go down and bring three tents; a tent for you, a tent for Moses, and for Elijah one? But Jesus answered not.
22. And Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus on the mount. They talked about the coming trial of the LOrd;
23. About his death, his rest within the tomb; about the wonders of the resurrection morn; the transmutation of his flesh, and his ascension on the clouds of light;
24. And all symbolic of the path that every man must tread; symbolic of the way the sons of men become the sons of God.
25. The three disciples were amazed, and suddenly the ethers were surcharged with song, and forms as light as air moved all about the mountain top.
26. And then from out the glory of the upper world they heard a voice that said,
27. This is the son of man, my chosen one to manifest the Christ to men. Let all the earth hear him.
28. When the disciples heard the voice they were afraid; they fell upon the ground and prayed.
29. And Jesus came; he touched them and he said, Arise, fear not; lo, I am here.
30. Then they arose, and as they looked about they saw no one; the men had gone. The master only stood with them.
31. As Jesus and the three came from the mountain top they talked about the meaning of the scene, and Jesus told them all; and then he said,
32. Till I have risen from the dead tell not to any one what you have seen.
33. But the disciples could not comprehend the meaning of the words, Till I have risen from the dead.
34. And Jesus told them once again about his death, and rising from the grave; about the kingdom of the soul that was to come in glory and in power.
35. But Peter said, The scribes have taught that e'er the king shall come Elijah must appear.
36. And Jesus said, Elijah has already come; but scribes and Pharisees received him not;
37. And men reviled him, bound him, cast him in a prison cell, and shouted with a fiend's delight to see him die.
38. What men have done to him, that they will do to me.
39. Then the disciples understood that Jesus spoke of John whom Herod slew.
Chapter 130
Jesus and the three disciples return to Caesarea-Philippi. The nine had failed to cure an epileptic child. Jesus heal it and rebukes his disciples for their lack of trust in God. The Christines return to Capernaum.
1. When Jesus, Peter, James and John were come unto the city's gates a multitude of people thronged the way.
2. The nine apostles who went not with Jesus to the mount, had tried to heal an epileptic child who was obsessed waited for the coming of the Lord.
3. When Jesus came the father of the child knelt down before him and implored his help.
4. He said, My master, I beseech that you will look in pity on my son, my only child; he is an epileptic child and suffers grievously.
5. Sometimes he falls into the fire and is burned; again he falls into the water and is like to drown; and many times a day he falls, he grinds his teeth, the foam pours from his mouth.
6. I took my child to your disciples, and they failed to give relief.
7. And as he spoke a servant brought the child before the Lord (the child spoke not, for he was dumb), and instantly he fell upon the ground, he foamed, he writhed in agony.
8. And Jesus said, How long has he been troubled thus?
9. The father said, From infancy; and we have sought in many lands for help, but found it not; but I believe that you can speak the Word and heal my son.
10. And Jesus said, Faith is the power of God. All things are possible for him who in his heart believes.
11. The father cried, in tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
12. And Jesus spoke the Word of power; the epileptic child lay in a swoon; he did not breathe, and all the people said, The child is dead.
13. But Jesus took him by the hand and said: Arise; and he arose and spoke.
14. The people were amazed, and many said, This surely is a man of God, for no such power was ever given to man.
15. Then Jesus and the twelve went to the house, and after they had taken food and been refreshed, the nine disciples said,
16. Lord, why could we not heal this child? We spoke the Word; but even that was powerless.
17. And Jesus said, Your great success in all your former work has made you careless, and you forgot to recognise the power of God.
18. Without the spirit of the Word, the Word is like an idle tale; and you forgot to pray.
19. There is no faith without the prayer of faith. Faith is the wings of prayer; but wings alone fly not.
20. By prayer and faith you can bring down the mountain peaks, and cast them in the sea; the little hills will skip about like lambs at your command.
21. This failure may be well for you. The great lessons that are learned in life come through the failures that are made.
22. As the disciples sat in thoughtful meditation Jesus said, Let these words sink into your hearts:
23. The time has nearly come when you must bear your load alone; that is, without my presence in the flesh.
24. For I will fall into the hands of wicked men, and they will slay me on a mount beyond Bezetha wall.
25. And men will lay my body in a tomb where, by the sacred Word, it will be guarded and preserved three days; then I will rise again.
26. The twelve were sad; they did not understand, and yet they feared to ask him to reveal the meaning of his word.
27. Next day the Christine master and the twelve began their journey of return, and soon were in Capernaum.
Chapter 131
Jesus and Peter pay the half-shekel tax. The disciples contend for the supremacy. Jesus rebukes them. Teaches them many practical lessons. The parable of the good shepherd.
1. As Jesus and the twelve were resting in the house, the tax collector came to Peter saying, Man, do Jesus and yourself pay this half-shekel tax?
2. And Peter said, We pay whatever is assessed.
3. And Jesus said, From whom do publicans collect this special tax? from strangers or from native sons?
4. And Peter said, The strangers only are supposed to pay this tax.
5. Then Jesus said, We all are native sons and we are free; but lest we cause contention we will pay the tax; but neither had the shekel wherewithal to pay.
6. And Jesus said, Go to the sea; cast in a hook and catch a fish and you will find within its inner parts a shekel, which take up and pay the tax for you and me.
7. And Peter did as Jesus said; he found the shekel and he paid the tax.
8. Now Jesus heard the twelve dispute among themselves. The spirit of the carnal self was moving in their hearts, and they were questioning among themselves who was the greatest in the sight of God and man.
9. And Jesus said, You men, for shame! The greatest is the servant of the rest. And then he called to him a little child; he took it in his arms and said.
10. The greatest is the little child, and if you would be great at all you must become as is this child in innocence, in truth, in purity in life.
11. Great men scorn not the little things of earth; he who regards and honours such a child, regards and honours me, and he who scorns a child, scorns me.
12. If you would enter through the kingdom gate you must be humble as this little child.
13. Hear me, you men, This child, as every other child, has one to plead its cause before the throne of God.
14. You scorn it at your peril, men, for lo, I say, its counterpart beholds the face of God at every moment, every day.
15. And hear me once again, He who shall cause a little one to stumble and to fall is marked, accursed; and it were better far if he had drowned himself.
16. Behold, offences everywhere! Men find occasions for to sin and fall, and they grow strong by rising when they fall;
17. But woe to him who causes other men to stumble and to fall.
18. Be on your guard, you men of God, lest you constrain another man to fall; beware lest you fall into sinful ways yourselves.
19. Now, if your hands cause you to sin, you better cut them off; for it is better far to have no hands and not be guilty in the sight of God and men, than to be perfect in your form and lose your soul.
20. And if your feet should cause offence, you better cut them off; for it is better far to enter into life without your feet than fall beneath the curse.
21. And if your eyes, or ears, cause you to sin, you better lose them all than lose your soul.
22. Your thoughts and words and deeds will all be tried by fire.
23. Remember that you are the salt of earth; but if you lose the virtues of the salt, you are but refuse in the sight of God.
24. Retain the virtues of the salt of life and be at peace among yourselves.
25. The world is full of men who have not in themselves the salt of life, and they are lost. I come to seek and save the lost.
26. How think you? if a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, will he not leave the ninety and the nine,
27. And go out in the desert ways and mountain tops to seek the one that went astray?
28. Yes, this you know; and if he finds the one that went astray, lo, he is glad, and he rejoices over it far more than over all the ninety and the nine that did not go astray.
29. And so there is rejoicing in the human courts of heaven when one human birth who has gone forth into the ways of sin is found and brought back to the fold;
30. Yea, there is joy, more joy than over all the righteous men who never went astray.
31. And John said, Master, who may seek and save the lost? and who may heal the sick, and cast the demons out of those obsessed?
32. When we were on the way we saw a man who was not one of us cast demons out and heal the sick.
33. He did it by the sacred Word and in the name of Christ? but we forbade him, for he did not walk with us.
34. And Jesus said, You sons of men, do you imagine that you own the powers of God?
35. And do you think that all the world must wait for you to do the works of God?
36. God is not man that he should have a special care for any man, and give him special gifts.
37. Forbid not any man to do the works of God.
38. There is no man who can pronounce the sacred Word, and in the name of Christ restore the sick, and cast the unclean spirits out, who is not child of God.
39. The man of whom you speak is one with us. Whoever gathers in the grain of heaven is one with us.
40. Whoever gives a cup of water in the name of Christ is one with us; so God shall judge.
Chapter 132
Jesus defends a man who has been convicted of stealing bread. The verdict is reversed. The man goes free, and the people supply the needs of his starving family.
1. A Multitude of people thronged the streets. The officers were on the way to court withone, a man accused of stealing bread.
2. And in a little while the man was brought before the judge to answer to the charge.
3. And Jesus and the twelve were there. The man showed in his face and hands the hard drawn lines of toil and want.
4. A woman richly clad, the accuser of the man, stood forth and said, I caught this man myself: I know him well, for yesterday he came to beg for bread.
5. And when I drove him from my door, he should have known that I would harbour not a man like him; and then to-day he came and took the bread.
6. He is a thief and I demand that he be sent to jail.
7. The servants also testified against the man; he was adjudged a thief, and officers were leading him away.
8. But Jesus standing forth exclaimed, You officers and judge, be not in haste to lead this man away.
9. Is this a land of justice and of right? can you accuse and sentence men to punishment for any crime until they testify themselves?
10. The Roman law will not permit such travesty on right, and I demand that you permit this man to speak.
11. And then the judge recalled the man and said, If you have any tale to tell, say on. 12 In tears the man stood forth and said, I have a wife and little ones and they are perishing for bread, and I have told my story oft, and begged for bread; but none would hear.
13. This morning when I left our cheerless hut in search of work my children cried for bread, and I resolved to feed them or to die.
14. I took the bread, and I appeal to God, Was it a crime?
15. This woman snatched the loaf away and threw it to the dogs, and called the officers and I am here.
16. Good people, do with me whate'er you will, but save my wife and little ones from death.
17. Then Jesus said, Who is the culprit in this case?
18. I charge this woman as a felon in the sight of God.
19. I charge this judge as criminal before the bar of human rights.
20. I charge these servants and these officers as parties to the crime.
21. I charge the people of Capernaum with cruelty and theft, because they heeded not the cries of poverty and want, and have withheld from helpless ones that which is theirs by every law of right;
22. And I appeal unto these people here, and ask, Are not my charges based on righteousness and truth?
23. And every man said, Yes.
24. The accused woman blushed for shame; the judge shrank back in fear; the officers threw off the shackles from the man and ran away.
25. Then Jesus said, Give this man what he needs and let him go and feed his wife and little ones.
26. The people gave abundantly; the man went on his way.
27. And Jesus said, There is no standard law to judge of crime. The facts must all be stated e'er a judgment can be rendered in a case.
28. You men with hearts; go forth and stand where stood this man and answer me, What would you do?
29. The thief thinks every other man a thief and judges him accordingly.
30. The man who judges harshly is the man whose heart is full of crime.
31. The courtesan who keeps her wickedness concealed by what she calls respectability, has not a word of pity for the honest courtesan who claims to be just what she is.
32. I tell you, men, if you would censure not till you are free from sin, the world would soon forget the meaning of the word, accused.
Chapter 133
The twelve go to the feast in Jerusalem, but Jesus remains in Capernaum. He selects seventy disciples, and sends them out to teach and heal. He goes alone to the feast and on his way he heals ten lepers. He teaches in the temple.
1. The harvest feast drew near; the twelve went to Jerusalem, but Jesus did not go with them; he tarried in Capernaum.
2. Among the multitudes that followed him were many who went not up to the feast; they were not Jews.
3. And Jesus called three-score-and -ten of these disciples unto him and said, THe kingdom of the Christ is not for Jews alone; it is for every man.
4. Lo, I have chosen twelve to preach the gospel, first unto the Jews; and they are Jews.
5. Twelve is the number of the Jew and seven the number of the all, including every man.
6. God is the ten, the holy Jod.
7. When God and man are multiplied we have three-score-and-ten, the number of the brotherhood of man.
8. And now I send you forth by twos and twos; not to the Jews alone, but unto every nation under heaven; to Greek and to Assyrian; to the Samaritan; to those beyond the seas; to every man.
9. You need not go afar, for men of every land are here and in Samaria.
10. Arise and go your way; but go in faith; and take no gold nor silver in your purse; no extra coat or shoes.
11. Go in the sacred name; trust God and you will never come to want.
12. And let this be your salutation everywhere, Peace be to all; good will to all.
13. And if the son of peace be in the house, the door will open wide and you will enter in; and then the holy peace will rest upon that house.
14. The seventy in twos went forth; they went into Samaria, and as they went they said, Peace be to all; good will to all!
15. Repent and turn from sin, and set your house in order, for a son of man who bears the image of the Christ, will come, and you may see his face.
16. They entered every village of Samaria; they preached in Tyre and in Sidon by the sea. Some went to Crete, and others into Greece, and others went to Gilead and taught.
17. And Jesus, all alone, went to the feast by the Samaria way; and as he went through Sychar on the way, the lepers saw him and a company of ten called from afar and said,
18. Lord Jesus, stay and speak the Word for us that we may be made clean.
19. And Jesus said, Go forth and show yourselves unto the priests.
20. They went, and as they went their leprosy was healed. One of the ten, a native of Samaria, returned to thank the master and to praise the Lord.
21. And Jesus said to him, Lo, ten were cleansed; where are the nine? Arise, and go your way; your faith has made you whole.
22. You have revealed your heart and shown that you are worthy of the power; behold the nine will find again their leprous hands and feet.
23. And Jesus went his way, and while the feast was on he came into Jerusalem, and went into the temple courts.
24. And he rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, the priests and doctors of the law for their hypocrisy and selfishness.
25. The common people were amazed; they said, From whence has come the wisdom of this man? he speaks as speaks a sage.
26. And Jesus said, I did not learn the wisdom of the Holy One within the schools of men; my teaching is not mine; I speak the words of him who sent me here to do his will.
27. If any man would know whereof I speak, lo, he must do the will of God. No man can know except he enters into life and does the will of God.
28. Now, Moses gave the law; but none of you have kept the law; how can you judge the worthiness of any man?
29. Once in these courts I healed a man upon a Sabbath day, and in a rage you sought to take my life; and now because I tell the truth you seek again to take my life.
30. A scribe spoke out and said, You foolish man, you are obsessed; who wants to take your life?
31. The common people said, Is this not Jesus whom the rulers long have sought to kill? and now he comes and teaches in the temple courts.
32. If he is guilty of such monstrous crimes, why do they not take him away in chains?
33. And Jesus said, You all know me, and know from whence I came; but you know not the God who sent me here, whose words I speak.
34. The multitudes again stood forth in his defence; they said, if this is not the Christ whom God has promised to reveal to men, will he do greater works when he shall come than does this man?
35. The Pharisees and ruling priests were angered and they sent their officers to take him e'er he went away. The officers were filled with fear; they seized him not.
36. And Jesus said, lo, I am here but for a little time and then I go my way to him who sent me here to do his will.
37. You seek me now and you can find me now; the time will come when you will seek and will not find, for where I go you cannot come.
38. The people said, Where will he go that men can find him not? Will he go forth to Greece and teach the Greeks? or will he go to Egypt or Assyria to teach?
39. But Jesus answered not; unnoticed by the multitudes he left the temple courts and went his way.
Chapter 134
Jesus teaches in the temple. His words enrage the rulers. Nicodemus defends him. He spends the night in prayer on Mount Olives. Next day he again teaches in the temple. An adultress is brought before him for judgement.
1. Now, on the last day of the feast when multitudes were in the courtways, Jesus said,
2. Whoever is athirst may come to me and drink.
3. He who believes in me and in the Christ whom God had sent, may drink the cup of life, and from his inner parts shall streams of living waters flow.
4. The Holy Breath will over-shadow him, and he will breathe the Breath, and speak the words, and live the life.
5. The people were divided in their views concerning him. Some said, This man is prophet of the living God.
6. And others said, He is Messiah whom our prophets said would come.
7. And others said, He cannot be the Christ, for he came down from Galilee; the Christ must come from Bethlehem where David lived.
8. Again the priests and Pharisees sent officers to bring him into court to answer for his life; but when the officers returned and brought him not,
9. The rulers were enraged and said, Why did you not arrest this man and hale him into court?
10. The officers replied, We never heard a man speak like this man speaks.
11. In rage the Pharisees stood forth and said, Have you gone mad? Have you been led astray? Are you disciples of this man?
12. Have any of the rulers, or the Pharisees believed on him? The common people! yes, they may believe; they are accursed; they know not anything.
13. But Nicodemus came before the rulers and he said, Can Jewish judges judge a man and sentence him until they hear his plea? Let Jesus stand before this bar and testify himself.
14. The rulers said, This Jesus is a wily man, and if we suffer him to speak, he will rebuke us face to face, and then the multitudes will laugh and stand in his defence.
15. And then you know, as well as we, that prophets do not come from Galilee.
16. The rulers felt the force of what the officers and Nicodemus said, and they said nothing more.
17. And then the people went their way, each to his home; but Jesus went unto Mount Olives where he spent the night in prayer.
18. BUt in the morning when the sun had scarcely risen, Jesus came again, and many people came to see him in the temple courts, and he sat down and taught the multitudes.
19. The Pharisees and scribes were still alert to find a cause whereby they might condemn him by the words he spoke.
20. The officers had taken in the very act of crime, a courtesan. As Jesus taught, they brought this woman and set her in the midst and said, 21 Rabboni, this vile woman has been taken in adultery. The law of Moses says that such as she shall die, be stoned to death; what do you say should be her punishment?
22. And Jesus stooped and made a figure on the ground and in it placed the a soul, and then he sat in silent thought.
23. And when the priests demanded that he speak, he said, Let him who has no sin stand forth and be the first to cast a stone at her.
24. And then he closed his eyes, and not a word was said. When he arose and saw the woman all alone he said,
25. Where are the men who brought you here? they who accused?
26. The woman said, They all are gone; no one was here who could condemn.
27. And Jesus said, And I condemn you not; go on your way in peace, and sin no more.
Chapter 135
Jesus teaches in the temple. He reveals some of the deeper meanings of the Christine ministry. The rulers are greatly enraged and attempt to stone him, but he disappears.
1. The feast was done and Jesus, Peter, James and John were sitting in the temple treasury.
2. The nine had gone back to Capernaum.
3. The people thronged the temple courts and Jesus said,
4. I am the lamp; Christ is the oil of life; the Holy Breath the fire. Behold the light! and he who follows me shall not walk in the dark, but he shall have the light of life.
5. A lawyer said, You witness for yourself, your witness is not true.
6. and Jesus said, If I do witness for myself I speak that which is true, for I know whence I came and where I go.
7. And no one else in flesh can testify for me, for none know whence I came, nor where I go.
8. My works bear witness to the truth I speak. As man I could not speak the words of Holy Breath; and then my Father testifies for me.
9. The lawyer said, Where does your father live?
10. And Jesus said, You know me not or you would know my Father, and if you knew the Father you would know the son, because the Father and the son are one.
11. I go my way and you shall find me not; for where I go you canot come, because you do not know the way.
12. You cannot find the way because your hearts are gross, your ears are dull, your eyes are closed.
13. The light of life cannot shine through the murky veil that you have drawn about your hearts.
14. You do not know the Christ and if the Christ be not within the heart there is no light.
15. I come to manifest the Christ to men and you receive me not, and you will dwell in darkness and in the shadow of the grave till you believe the words I speak.
16. But you will vilify the son of man, and lift him up and laugh to see him die.
17. But then a little light will come and you will know that I am what I am.
18. The people did not comprehend the meaning of the words he spoke.
19. And then he spoke unto the people who believed in him and said, If you abide in Christ, and Christ abide in you, and if you keep my words within your heart,
20. You are the way, you are disciples in the way, and you shall know what is the truth, and truth shall make you free.
21. And still the people did not understand; they said, We are the seed of Abraham and are already free; we never were the slaves of any man; why do you say, We shall be free?
22. And Jesus sadi, Do you not know that every one committing sin is slave of sin? abides in bondage unto sin?
23. If you sin not then you are free; but if you sin in thought, or word, or deed, then you are slaves, and naught but truth can set you free; if you are free through Christ, then you are free indeed.
24. You are the seed of Abraham, and yet you seek to kill me just because I speak the truth of Abraham.
25. You are the children of the flesh of Abraham; but, lo, I say, There is a spiritual Abraham whom you know not.
26. In spirit you are children of your father, and your father is Diabolus; you hang upon his words and do his will.
27. He was a murderer from the first; he cannot tell the truth, and when he tells a lie he speaks his own; he is himself a lie, and he is father of himself.
28. If you were children of my Father-God, then you could hear the words of God; I speak the words of God, but you can bear them not.
29. A Pharisee stood forth and said, This fellow is not one of us he is a curst Samaritan and is obsesed.
30. But Jesus heeded not the words of Pharisee or scribe; he knew that all the people knew he was a Jew.
31. And then he said, Whoever keeps my words shall never die.
32. A lawyer said, And now we know he is obsessed. Our father Abraham is dead; the prophets all are dead, and yet this fellow says, Whoever keeps my words shall never die.
33. Is this man greater than our Father Abraham? Is he above the prophets? and all of them are dead.
34. And Jesus said, Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.
35. The lawyer said, You simple man; you are not fifty years of age; have you seen Abraham?
36. And Jesus said, Before the days of Abraham I am.
37. Again the scribes and Pharisees were in a rage; they took up stones to cast at him, but, like a phamtom of the night, he disappeared; the people knew not where he went.
Chapter 136
Jesus teaches in the temple. Relates the parable of the good Samaritan. Goes to Bethany. Teaches in Lazarus' home. Rebukes Martha for her anxiety about the things of this life.
1. And Jesus stood again within the temple courts and taught.
2. A master of the law was sent to question him that he might find a cause to censure and accuse him of a crime.
3. He said, Lord, tell me what to do that I may have eternal life?
4. And Jesus said, You know the law; what does it say?
5. The lawyer answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind, and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.
6. And Jesus said, Lo, you have answered well; this do and you shall live.
7. The lawyer said, My neighbour, who is he?
8. And Jesus said, A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho, and lo, he met with robbers on the way, who beat him, robbed him of his goods, and left him bleeding by the way.
9. A Pharisee was going down that way; he saw the wounded man; but then he had no time to lose; he passed by on the other side.
10. A Levite came and saw the man; but he was loath to soil his sacerdotal robes, and he passed by.
11. A lawyer on his way to Jericho observed the dying man, and then he said, If I could make a shekel I might help the man; but he has nothing left to give, I have no time for charity; and he passed on.
12. And then a stranger from Samaria came that way; he saw the wounded man; his heart was touched with pity, and he stopped, dismounted from his horse,
13. Revived the man, and placed him on his horse and took him to an inn and charged the keeper of the inn to nurse him back to strength.
14. He gave the keeper all the money that he had and said, Your charges may be more than this, but care for this unfortunate, and when I come again I will pay all; and then he went his way.
15. Now, master of the law, which of these four was neighbour unto him who fell among the thieves?
16. The lawyer said, The man who showed him mercy; he who cared for him.
17. And Jesus said, Go on your way and likewise do, and you shall live.
18. Now, Jesus, Peter, James and John went out to Bethany where Lazarus lived.
19. And Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard him speak the words of life while Martha served.
20. And Martha called, but Mary would not leave the Lord to help her serve.
21. And Martha said to Jesus, Do you not care that Mary makes me bear the burdens of the serving all the day? I beg that you will bid her help.
22. And Jesus said, You are too anxious, Martha, for your guests; you need not trouble so about the things of life.
23. You grow a-weary by your care for little things and slight the one thing needed most of all.
24. Your sister here has chosen far the better part, a part that none can atke away.
Chapter 137
Jesus and his disciples go into a retired place to pray. Jesus teaches Lazarus how to pray. The model prayer. The value of importunate prayer. Parable of the importunate housewife.
1. Now, in the evening Jesus, Peter, James and John, with Lazarus, went out beyond the village gates to pray. And Lazarus said, Teach me to pray.
2. And Jesus said, The prayer I taught the twelve to pray while we were up in Galilee is one acceptable to God; and when you pray just say,
3. Our Father-God who art in heaven; holy is thy name; thy kingdom come; they will be done on earth as it is done in heaven;
4. Give us this day our needed bread;
5. Help us forget the debts that other people owe to us, that all our debts may be discharged;
6. And shield us from the tempter's snares that are too great for us to bear;
7. And when they come give us the strength to overcome.
8. And Jesus said, The answer to your prayer may not appear in fulness in a little time.
9. Be not discouraged; pray again and then again, for God will hear.
10. And then he spoke a parable; he said, A housewife was alone at night and, lo, some guests arrived, and they were hungry, having had no food for all the day.
11. The housewife had no bread, and so at midnight she went forth and called a friend and said, Loan me three loaves of bread, for guests have come, and I have naught for them to eat.
12. The friend replied, Why do you trouble me at midnight hour? My door is shut; my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise to give you bread; to-morrow you can be supplied.
13. The housewife asked again, and then again, and then because she pled, and would not be refused, the friend arose and gave her bread.
14. Behold, I say to you, Ask firmly and you shall receive; seek trustingly and you shall find; knock earnestly, the door will open up.
15. All things are yours, and when you ask, not as a begging man would ask, but as a child, you shall be satisfied.
16. A son may ask his father for a loaf of bread; the father will not give to him a stone;
17. Or he may ask him for a fish; he will not give a crab; or he may ask him for an egg; the father will not give a pebble from the brook.
18. Behold, if men of flesh know how to give abundantly to children of the flesh, will not your heavenly Father give abundantly to you when you shall pray?
Chapter 138
The Christines in Jerusalem. They meet a man blind from birth. Jesus teaches a lesson on the cause of disease and disasters. He heals the blind man.
1. The Lord with Peter, James and John were in Jerusalem; it was the Sabbath day.
2. And as they walked along the way they saw a man who could not see; he had been blind from birth.
3. And Peter said, Lord, if disease and imperfections all are caused by sin, who was the sinner in this case? the parents or the man himself?
4. And Jesus said, Afflictions all are partial payments on a debt, or debts, that have been made.
5. There is a law of recompense that never fails, and it is summarised in that true rule of life:
6. Whatsoever man shall do to any other man some other man will do to him.
7. In this we find the meaning of the Jewish law, expressed concisely in the words, Tooth for a tooth; life for a life.
8. He who shall injure any one in thought, or word, or deed, is judged a debtor to the law, and some one else shall, likewise, injure him in thought, or word or deed.
9. And he who shed the blood of any man will come upon the time when his blood shall be shed by man.
10. Affliction is a prison cell in which a man must stay until he pays his debts unless a master sets him free that he may have a better chance to pay his debts.
11. Affliction is a certain sign that one has debts to pay.
12. Behold this man! Once in another life he was a cruel man, and in a cruel way destroyed the eyes of one, a fellow man.
13. The parents of this man once turned their faces on a blind and helpless man, and drove him from their door.
14. Then Peter asked, Do we pay off the debts of other men when by the Word we heal them, drive the unclean spirits out, or rescue them from any form of sore distress?
15. And Jesus said, We cannot pay the debts of any man, but by the Word we may release a man from his afflictions and distress,
16. And make him free, that he may pay the debts he owes, by giving up his life in willing sacrifice for men, or other living things.
17. Behold, we may make free this man that he may better serve the race and pay his debts.
18. Then Jesus called the man and said, Would you be free? would you receive your sight?
19. The man replied, All that I have would I most freely give if I could see.
20. And Jesus took saliva and a bit of clay and make a salve, and put it on the blind man's eyes.
21. He spoke the Word and then he said, Go to Siloam and wash, and as you wash say, Jahhevahe. This do for seven times and you shall see.
22. The man was led unto Siloam; he washed his eyes and spoke the word, and instantly his eyes were opened and he saw.
23. The people who had seen the man for many years sit by the way and beg, were much surprised to see him see.
24. They said, Is not this man the Job that was born blind, who sat beside the way and begged?
25. He heard them talk among themselves; he said, Yes I am he.
26. The people asked, How were you healed? who opened up your eyes?
27. He said, A man whom men call Jesus, made a salve of clay and put it on my eyes, and bade me say a word and wash in Siloam seven times; I did as he commanded me, and now I see.
28. A certain scribe was passing, and he saw the man and heard him say that Jesus, by the Word, had opened up his eyes.
29. He therefore took the man up to the synagogue, and told the story to the priests, who asked the man about the miracle.
30. The man replied, I never saw the light until to-day, for I was blind from birth.
31. This morning as I sat beside Siloam, a man I never knew put on my eyes a salve that people say he made of clay; he bade me say a word and bathe my eyes in water seven times; I did as he commanded and I saw.
32. A lawyer asked the man, Who was it opened up your eyes?
33. The man replied, Some people say, His name is Jesus and that he came from Galilee; but others say, He is the son of God.
34. A Pharisee came up and said, This is the Sabbath day; a man who does a work like this, regarding not the Sabbath day, is not from God.
35. Some of the priests were much amazed and said, A wicked man could never do a miracle like this; he must possess the power of God. And so they strove among themselves.
36. They asked the man, What do you think about this man from Galilee?
37. He said, He is a prophet sent from God.
38. Now, many of the Jews did not believe the man was blind from birth; they said, There is no power to open up the eyes of one born blind.
39. And then they brought the parents of the man before the Pharisees that they might testify.
40. They said, This is our son who was born blind; we do not know how he received his sight; he is of age and he can tell ; ask him.
41. They were afraid to say what they believed, that Jesus is the Christ who came to manifest the power of God, lest they offend the priests and be cast from the synagogue.
42. Again the rulers said, This Jesus is a wicked man. The man who had been healed stood forth again and said,
43. This Jesus may be sinner or be saint, I do not know; but this one thing I know; I once was blind, but now I see.
44. And then the scribes and Pharisees reviled the man and said, You are a follower of this man from Galilee. We follow Moses, but this man, we know him not, and know not whence he is.
45. The man replied, It is a marvel that you know not whence he is, and yet he opened up my eyes.
46. You know that nothing but the power of God can do such things.
47. God hears not sinners pray, and you must know that he is not a wicked man who can employ the power of God.
48. The Pharisees replied, You wretch! you were begotten and were born in sin, and now you try to teach the law to us. And then they cast him from the synagogue.
Chapter 139
Jesus meets and instructs the man who was blind. Unfold the mysteries of the kingdom. The sheepfold. Declares himself the shephard. Goes to the home of Massalian, where he abides ceratin days.
1. When Jesus heard what had been done and how the priests had cst the man whom he had healed, out of the synagogue he found the man and said to him,
2. Do you believe in God and in the son of God?
3. The man replied, I do believe in God; but who is he, the son of God, of whom you speak?
4. And Jesus said, The son of God is he who speaks to you.
5. The man inquired then, Why do you say, The son of God? Is there but one?
6. And Jesus said, All men are sons of God by birth; God is the Father of the race; but all are not the sons of God by faith.
7. He who attains the victory over self is son of God by faith, and he who speaks to you has overcome, and he is called son of God, because he is the pattern for the sons of men.
8. He who believes and does the will of God is son of God by faith.
9. The man in joy exclaimed, Lord, I believe in God, and in the son of God.
10. And Jesus said, I came to open prison doors, to make the blind to see; but, lo, the Pharisees are blind from birth.
11. And when I put the salve of truth upon their eyes, and bid them go and wash, and speak the sacred Word they will not go; they love the dark.
12. A multitude of people pressed about the Lord, and he stood forth and said,
13. You men of Israel, I say to you, The fold of God is large; its walls are strong, it has a gateway in the east, and he who does not enter by the gate into the fold, but climbs into the fold some other way, is thief and comes to rob.
14. The shepherd of the sheep stands by the gate; he gives the secret sign; he knocks; the watchman opens up the gate.
15. And then the shepherd calls his sheep by name; they hear his voice and follow him; they enter through the gate into the fold.
16. The sheep know not a stranger's voice; they will not follow him; they flee away.
17. The people did not understand the parable that Jesus spoke; and then he said,
18. Christ is the gateway of the fold; I am the shepherd of the sheep, and he who follows me through Christ shall come into the fold where living waters flow, and where rich pastures are.
19. False prophets come and go; they claim to be the shepherds of the sheep; they claim to know the way; but they know not the word of power; the watchman opens not the gate; the sheep heed not their call.
20. The shepherd of the sheep will give his life to save the sheep.
21. A hireling flees to save his life when wolves infest the fold; and then the tender lambs are snatched away, the sheep are scattered everywhere.
22. I am the shepherd of the sheep; I know the sheep of God; they know my voice, as God knows me and I know him.
23. The Father loves me with a deathless love, because I lay my life down for the sheep.
24. I lay my life down when I will, but I may take it up again; for every son of God by faith has power to lay his mortal flesh aside and take it up again. These words I have received from God.
25. Again the people strove among themselves; they were divided in their views concerning Christ. They could not comprehend the words that Jesus spoke.
26. Some said again, He is obsessed, or he is mad; why listen to his words?
27. And others said, His words are not the words of one obsessed. Can unclean spirits open up the eyes of one born blind?
28. Then Jesus left Jerusalem and with Massalian he tarried certain days.
Chapter 140
Jesus and the three disciples return to Capernaum. Jesus receives the report of the seventy. With his disciples he goes through all Galilee encouraging the believers. He heals a woman. Relates the parable of the little seed and the great tree.
1. The time had come for the return of the three score and
