Knjiga Urantije
DIO IV. Isusov život i učenja
POGLAVLJE 127 : GODINE RANE MLADOSTI
NA SAMOM pragu rane mladosti, Isus se našao na čelu velike obitelji kao njezin jedini oslonac i uzdržavatelj. U nekoliko godina nakon očeve smrti nestala je sva njihova imovina. Kako je vrijeme prolazilo, postajao je sve svjesniji svoga predljudskog postojanja; istodobno je sve potpunije spoznavao da je prisutan na zemlji i u ljudskom obličju upravo zato da djeci ljudi objavi svoga Rajskog Oca.
127:0.1 (1395.1)
AS JESUS entered upon his adolescent years, he found himself the head and sole support of a large family. Within a few years after his father’s death all their property was gone. As time passed, he became increasingly conscious of his pre-existence; at the same time he began more fully to realize that he was present on earth and in the flesh for the express purpose of revealing his Paradise Father to the children of men.
Nijedna mlada osoba koja je ikada živjela ili će ikada živjeti na ovom ili bilo kojem drugom svijetu nije imala niti će imati teže probleme za nositi ili zamršenije teškoće za razriješiti. Nijedna mlada osoba na Urantiji nikada neće biti pozvana proći kroz veća iskušenja ili teže životne kušnje od onih koje je Isus podnosio tijekom tog zahtjevnog razdoblja između svoje petnaeste i dvadesete godine.
127:0.2 (1395.2)
No adolescent youth who has lived or ever will live on this world or any other world has had or ever will have more weighty problems to resolve or more intricate difficulties to untangle. No youth of Urantia will ever be called upon to pass through more testing conflicts or more trying situations than Jesus himself endured during those strenuous years from fifteen to twenty.
Prošavši tako stvarno iskustvo godina rane mladosti na svijetu opterećenom zlom i pomućenom grijehom, Sin Čovječji stekao je potpuno poznavanje životnog iskustva mladih osoba diljem Nebadona te je zauvijek postao utočište puno razumijevanja svim zabrinutim i zbunjenim mladim bićima svih doba i na svim svjetovima lokalnog svemira.
127:0.3 (1395.3)
Having thus tasted the actual experience of living these adolescent years on a world beset by evil and distraught by sin, the Son of Man became possessed of full knowledge about the life experience of the youth of all the realms of Nebadon, and thus forever he became the understanding refuge for the distressed and perplexed adolescents of all ages and on all worlds throughout the local universe.
127:0.4 (1395.4)
Slowly, but certainly and by actual experience, this divine Son is earning the right to become sovereign of his universe, the unquestioned and supreme ruler of all created intelligences on all local universe worlds, the understanding refuge of the beings of all ages and of all degrees of personal endowment and experience.
Ove je godine dostigao puni tjelesni razvoj. Bio je muževan i pristao mladić. Postajao je sve ozbiljniji i promišljeniji, ali je uvijek ostajao blag i suosjećajan. Imao je vedar, ali pronicav pogled i privlačan, ohrabrujući osmijeh. Glas mu je bio melodičan, ali autoritativan; pozdrav srdačan, ali neusiljen. Uvijek se, čak i u najobičnijim susretima, mogla naslutiti prisutnost njegove dvojne naravi — ljudske i božanske. Neprestano je pokazivao spoj suosjećajnog prijatelja i autoritativnog učitelja. A te su se crte njegove ličnosti počele očitovati vrlo rano, još u tim godinama rane mladosti.
127:1.2 (1395.6)
This year he attained his full physical growth. He was a virile and comely youth. He became increasingly sober and serious, but he was kind and sympathetic. His eye was kind but searching; his smile was always engaging and reassuring. His voice was musical but authoritative; his greeting cordial but unaffected. Always, even in the most commonplace of contacts, there seemed to be in evidence the touch of a twofold nature, the human and the divine. Ever he displayed this combination of the sympathizing friend and the authoritative teacher. And these personality traits began early to become manifest, even in these adolescent years.
Taj fizički snažan i zdrav mladić dosegao je punu razvijenost svoga ljudskog intelekta — još ne puno iskustvo ljudskog mišljenja, nego puninu sposobnosti za takav intelektualni razvoj. Posjedovao je zdravo i skladno građeno tijelo, oštar i analitičan um, blagu i suosjećajnu narav te pomalo promjenjiv, ali prodoran temperament; sve se to postupno oblikovalo u snažnu, upečatljivu i privlačnu ličnost.
127:1.3 (1395.7)
This physically strong and robust youth also acquired the full growth of his human intellect, not the full experience of human thinking but the fullness of capacity for such intellectual development. He possessed a healthy and well-proportioned body, a keen and analytical mind, a kind and sympathetic disposition, a somewhat fluctuating but aggressive temperament, all of which were becoming organized into a strong, striking, and attractive personality.
Kako je vrijeme prolazilo, njegovoj je majci, kao i njegovoj braći i sestrama, postajalo sve teže razumjeti ga; spoticali su se o njegove riječi i pogrešno tumačili njegova djela. Nitko od njih nije bio sposoban razumjeti život svoga najstarijeg brata jer im je majka dala naslutiti da mu je suđeno postati izbavitelj židovskog naroda. Nakon što su od Marije primili takve nagovještaje kao obiteljsku tajnu, zamislite njihovu zbunjenost kada bi Isus otvoreno nijekao sve takve zamisli i namjere.
127:1.4 (1396.1)
As time went on, it became more difficult for his mother and his brothers and sisters to understand him; they stumbled over his sayings and misinterpreted his doings. They were all unfitted to comprehend their eldest brother’s life because their mother had given them to understand that he was destined to become the deliverer of the Jewish people. After they had received from Mary such intimations as family secrets, imagine their confusion when Jesus would make frank denials of all such ideas and intentions.
Šimun je ove godine počeo ići u školu i bili su prisiljeni prodati još jednu kuću. Jakov je sada preuzeo podučavanje svojih triju sestara, od kojih su dvije bile dovoljno odrasle za ozbiljniju naobrazbu. Čim je Ruta malo porasla, Mirijam i Marta preuzele su njezino obrazovanje. U židovskim su obiteljima djevojke obično primale malo naobrazbe, ali Isus je smatrao (a njegova se majka slagala) da djevojke trebaju ići u školu jednako kao i mladići, a budući da ih sinagoška škola nije primala, nisu imali drugog izbora nego organizirati školu u vlastitom domu.
127:1.5 (1396.2)
This year Simon started to school, and they were compelled to sell another house. James now took charge of the teaching of his three sisters, two of whom were old enough to begin serious study. As soon as Ruth grew up, she was taken in hand by Miriam and Martha. Ordinarily the girls of Jewish families received little education, but Jesus maintained (and his mother agreed) that girls should go to school the same as boys, and since the synagogue school would not receive them, there was nothing to do but conduct a home school especially for them.
Tijekom ove godine Isus je bio gotovo neprestano vezan uz tesarsku klupu. Srećom, imao je napretek posla; njegov je rad bio toliko kvalitetan da nikada nije ostajao bez posla, bez obzira na povremena zatišja u poslovima u tom kraju. S vremena na vrijeme imao je toliko posla da mu je Jakov morao priteći u pomoć.
Do kraja ove godine gotovo je odlučio da će se, nakon što podigne svoju obitelj i nakon što sva njegova braća i sestre stupe u brak, javno posvetiti radu na poučavanju istine i objavljivanju nebeskog Oca ljudima. Znao je da neće postati očekivani židovski Mesija te je zaključio da je gotovo uzalud razgovarati o tim pitanjima sa svojom majkom. Odlučio joj je dopustiti da zadrži kakva god uvjerenja želi, budući da sve što joj je ranije govorio nije ostavilo gotovo nikakav dojam, a prisjetio se i da njegov otac nikada nije bio u stanju reći išta što bi je navelo da promijeni mišljenje. Od ove je godine sve manje govorio sa svojom majkom — ili s bilo kim drugim — o tim problemima. Njegova je misija bila toliko jedinstvena da mu nitko živ na zemlji nije mogao dati savjet u vezi s njezinim izvršenjem.
127:1.7 (1396.4)
By the end of this year he had just about made up his mind that he would, after rearing his family and seeing them married, enter publicly upon his work as a teacher of truth and as a revealer of the heavenly Father to the world. He knew he was not to become the expected Jewish Messiah, and he concluded that it was next to useless to discuss these matters with his mother; he decided to allow her to entertain whatever ideas she might choose since all he had said in the past had made little or no impression upon her and he recalled that his father had never been able to say anything that would change her mind. From this year on he talked less and less with his mother, or anyone else, about these problems. His was such a peculiar mission that no one living on earth could give him advice concerning its prosecution.
Bio je pravi, premda još mlad, otac svojoj obitelji; svaki je slobodan trenutak provodio s mlađima i oni su ga iskreno voljeli. Njegovu je majku boljelo gledati kako tako naporno radi. Žalostila se što je Isus iz dana u dan morao stajati za tesarskom klupom i zarađivati za uzdržavanje obitelji, umjesto da se, kako su nekoć s toliko nade planirali, nalazi u Jeruzalemu i uči kod rabina. Premda mnogo toga kod svoga sina nije mogla razumjeti, iskreno ga je voljela i duboko cijenila spremnost s kojom je preuzeo odgovornosti doma.
127:1.8 (1396.5)
He was a real though youthful father to the family; he spent every possible hour with the youngsters, and they truly loved him. His mother grieved to see him work so hard; she sorrowed that he was day by day toiling at the carpenter’s bench earning a living for the family instead of being, as they had so fondly planned, at Jerusalem studying with the rabbis. While there was much about her son that Mary could not understand, she did love him, and she most thoroughly appreciated the willing manner in which he shouldered the responsibility of the home.
Otprilike u to vrijeme, osobito u Jeruzalemu i Judeji, vladalo je veliko uzbuđenje i raspoloženje za pobunu protiv plaćanja poreza Rimu. Nastajala je snažna nacionalistička stranka koja će uskoro postati poznata kao Revnitelji. Za razliku od farizeja, Revnitelji nisu bili spremni čekati dolazak Mesije. Namjeravali su rasplamsati događaje političkom pobunom.
127:2.1 (1396.6)
At about this time there was considerable agitation, especially at Jerusalem and in Judea, in favor of rebellion against the payment of taxes to Rome. There was coming into existence a strong nationalist party, presently to be called the Zealots. The Zealots, unlike the Pharisees, were not willing to await the coming of the Messiah. They proposed to bring things to a head through political revolt.
U Galileju je stigla skupina organizatora iz Jeruzalema koja je postizala znatan uspjeh sve dok nije stigla u Nazaret. Kad su došli razgovarati s Isusom, on ih je pažljivo saslušao i postavio mnoga pitanja, ali se odbio pridružiti njihovu pokretu. Premda nije želio u cijelosti otkriti razloge svoga odbijanja, njegova je odluka navela i mnoge njegove vršnjake u Nazaretu da također ostanu po strani.
127:2.2 (1396.7)
A group of organizers from Jerusalem arrived in Galilee and were making good headway until they reached Nazareth. When they came to see Jesus, he listened carefully to them and asked many questions but refused to join the party. He declined fully to disclose his reasons for not enlisting, and his refusal had the effect of keeping out many of his youthful fellows in Nazareth.
Marija je dala sve od sebe da ga navede da im se pridruži, ali njezini su napori ostali bez uspjeha. Otišla je tako daleko da mu dade naslutiti kako njegovo odbijanje da prihvati nacionalističke ciljeve predstavlja neposlušnost, kršenje obećanja koje je dao po povratku iz Jeruzalema da će biti poslušan svojim roditeljima; ali kao odgovor na tu insinuaciju Isus je samo blago položio ruku na njezino rame i gledajući je u oči, rekao: "Moja majko, kako možeš?" I Marija je povukla svoje riječi.
127:2.3 (1397.1)
Mary did her best to induce him to enlist, but she could not budge him. She went so far as to intimate that his refusal to espouse the nationalist cause at her behest was insubordination, a violation of his pledge made upon their return from Jerusalem that he would be subject to his parents; but in answer to this insinuation he only laid a kindly hand on her shoulder and, looking into her face, said: “My mother, how could you?” And Mary withdrew her statement.
No problem je u Nazaretu uskoro poprimio ozbiljnije razmjere. Isusov stav prema tim pitanjima doveo je do podjele među židovskom mladeži ovoga grada. Otprilike polovica je pristupila nacionalističkoj organizaciji, dok je druga polovica počela okupljati skupinu umjerenijih rodoljuba, očekujući da Isus preuzme njezino vodstvo. Bili su veoma iznenađeni kada je odbio ponuđenu čast, navodeći kao razlog svoje teške obiteljske obveze, što su svi smatrali opravdanim. No situacija se dodatno zakomplicirala kada je nedugo zatim imućni Židov po imenu Izak, koji je posuđivao novac nežidovima, ponudio uzdržavati Isusovu obitelj pod uvjetom da on ostavi svoj zanat i preuzme vodstvo nazaretskih rodoljuba.
127:2.5 (1397.3)
But trouble began to brew in Nazareth. Jesus’ attitude in these matters had resulted in creating a division among the Jewish youths of the city. About half had joined the nationalist organization, and the other half began the formation of an opposing group of more moderate patriots, expecting Jesus to assume the leadership. They were amazed when he refused the honor offered him, pleading as an excuse his heavy family responsibilities, which they all allowed. But the situation was still further complicated when, presently, a wealthy Jew, Isaac, a moneylender to the gentiles, came forward agreeing to support Jesus’ family if he would lay down his tools and assume leadership of these Nazareth patriots.
Isus se, tek što je navršio sedamnaestu godinu, suočio s jednom od najdelikatnijih i najtežih situacija svoga ranog života. Pitanja domoljublja osobito su teška za duhovne vođe kada su povezana s prikupljanjem poreza od strane stranih tlačitelja, a u ovom je slučaju poteškoća bila tim veća što je i židovska religija bila upletena u ovu agitaciju protiv Rima.
127:2.6 (1397.4)
Jesus, then scarcely seventeen years of age, was confronted with one of the most delicate and difficult situations of his early life. Patriotic issues, especially when complicated by tax-gathering foreign oppressors, are always difficult for spiritual leaders to relate themselves to, and it was doubly so in this case since the Jewish religion was involved in all this agitation against Rome.
Isusov je položaj bio dodatno otežan time što su ga njegova majka i ujak, pa čak i njegov mlađi brat Jakov, nagovarali da se pridruži nacionalističkoj stranci. Svi ugledniji Židovi u Nazaretu već su joj pristupili, a mladići koji su još uvijek stajali po strani čekali su samo da se Isus predomisli. U cijelom je Nazaretu imao samo jednog mudrog savjetnika — svoga starog učitelja, hazana — koji mu je pomogao odabrati prave riječi za odgovor nazaretskom odboru građana kada su došli zatražiti njegov odgovor na javni poziv koji mu je bio upućen. U cijelom svom mladom životu ovo je bio prvi put da je Isus svjesno pribjegao javnoj strategiji. Dotad se uvijek oslanjao na otvoreno iznošenje istine kako bi razjasnio svaku situaciju, ali sada nije mogao izreći punu istinu. Nije mogao dati naslutiti da je više od čovjeka; nije mogao govoriti o poslanju koje ga je čekalo i koje je za svoje ostvarenje moralo pričekati njegovu zreliju dob. Unatoč tim ograničenjima, njegova su vjerska odanost i nacionalna lojalnost bile izravno dovedene u pitanje. Njegova je obitelj bila u metežu, njegovi mladi prijatelji podijeljeni, a cijela židovska zajednica grada uzburkana. I zamislite da je upravo on bio kriv za sve to! A on nije imao namjeru izazvati bilo kakve poteškoće, a kamoli metež takvih razmjera.
127:2.7 (1397.5)
Jesus’ position was made more difficult because his mother and uncle, and even his younger brother James, all urged him to join the nationalist cause. All the better Jews of Nazareth had enlisted, and those young men who had not joined the movement would all enlist the moment Jesus changed his mind. He had but one wise counselor in all Nazareth, his old teacher, the chazan, who counseled him about his reply to the citizens’ committee of Nazareth when they came to ask for his answer to the public appeal which had been made. In all Jesus’ young life this was the very first time he had consciously resorted to public strategy. Theretofore, always had he depended upon a frank statement of truth to clarify the situation, but now he could not declare the full truth. He could not intimate that he was more than a man; he could not disclose his idea of the mission which awaited his attainment of a riper manhood. Despite these limitations his religious fealty and national loyalty were directly challenged. His family was in a turmoil, his youthful friends in division, and the entire Jewish contingent of the town in a hubbub. And to think that he was to blame for it all! And how innocent he had been of all intention to make trouble of any kind, much less a disturbance of this sort.
Nešto se moralo učiniti. Morao je obrazložiti svoj stav, što je učinio hrabro i diplomatski, na zadovoljstvo mnogih, premda ne svih. Držao se svoga prvotnog stava, ističući da je njegova prva dužnost prema obitelji. Tvrdio je da majka udovica i osmero braće i sestara trebaju nešto više od onoga što se može kupiti novcem — životne potrepštine, očinsku brigu i vodstvo na koje imaju pravo — te da ne može čiste savjesti osloboditi sebe obveza koje mu je okrutna nesreća natovarila na pleća. Pohvalio je svoju majku i najstarijeg brata zbog njihove spremnosti da ga oslobode tih dužnosti, ali je ponovno naglasio da mu odanost prema preminulom ocu ne dopušta napustiti obitelj, bez obzira na novčanu pomoć ponuđenu za njihovo materijalno uzdržavanje, izgovorivši pritom svoju nezaboravnu misao: „Novac ne može voljeti.” Tijekom ovog obraćanja Isus je u nekoliko navrata prikriveno aludirao na svoju „životnu misiju”, ali je objasnio da ona, bez obzira na to je li bila u skladu s nacionalističkim težnjama ili ne, zajedno sa svim ostalim u njegovu životu mora pričekati kako bi on najprije mogao vjerno ispuniti svoje obveze prema obitelji. Svi su Nazarećani dobro znali da je Isus bio dobar otac svojoj obitelji, a kako je to bila stvar bliska srcu svakog plemenitog Židova, njegovo je obrazloženje naišlo na razumijevanje i odobravanje mnogih okupljenih slušatelja. A neke od onih koje nije uvjerio Isusov govor razoružao je Jakovljev govor, održan tom prilikom premda nije bio predviđen programom. Hazan je još istoga dana uvježbao Jakova za njegov nastup, ali to je ostala njihova tajna.
127:2.8 (1397.6)
Something had to be done. He must state his position, and this he did bravely and diplomatically to the satisfaction of many, but not all. He adhered to the terms of his original plea, maintaining that his first duty was to his family, that a widowed mother and eight brothers and sisters needed something more than mere money could buy—the physical necessities of life—that they were entitled to a father’s watchcare and guidance, and that he could not in clear conscience release himself from the obligation which a cruel accident had thrust upon him. He paid compliment to his mother and eldest brother for being willing to release him but reiterated that loyalty to a dead father forbade his leaving the family no matter how much money was forthcoming for their material support, making his never-to-be-forgotten statement that “money cannot love.” In the course of this address Jesus made several veiled references to his “life mission” but explained that, regardless of whether or not it might be inconsistent with the military idea, it, along with everything else in his life, had been given up in order that he might be able to discharge faithfully his obligation to his family. Everyone in Nazareth well knew he was a good father to his family, and this was a matter so near the heart of every noble Jew that Jesus’ plea found an appreciative response in the hearts of many of his hearers; and some of those who were not thus minded were disarmed by a speech made by James, which, while not on the program, was delivered at this time. That very day the chazan had rehearsed James in his speech, but that was their secret.
Jakov je izjavio da je bio siguran da bi Isus pomogao u oslobađanju svog naroda da je on (Jakov) bio stariji i u stanju preuzeti odgovornost za obitelj, i da, ako dopuste da Isus ostane "s nama, da bude naš otac i učitelj, onda ćete imati ne samo jednog vođu iz Josipove obitelji, već pet lojalnih nacionalista, jer zar nije nas pet dječaka koji će odrasti uz brigu našeg brata i oca da služe svojoj naciji?" I tako je mladić doveo do prilično srećnog svršetka vrlo napetu i prijeteću situaciju.
127:2.9 (1398.1)
James stated that he was sure Jesus would help to liberate his people if he (James) were only old enough to assume responsibility for the family, and that, if they would only consent to allow Jesus to remain “with us, to be our father and teacher, then you will have not just one leader from Joseph’s family, but presently you will have five loyal nationalists, for are there not five of us boys to grow up and come forth from our brother-father’s guidance to serve our nation?” And thus did the lad bring to a fairly happy ending a very tense and threatening situation.
Kriza je za sada minula, ali ovaj događaj nikada nije bio zaboravljen u Nazaretu. Previranja su se nastavila; Isus više nikada nije uživao nepodijeljenu naklonost, a podijeljenost mišljenja nikada nije bila u potpunosti prevladana. To je, zajedno s drugim kasnijim događajima, bio jedan od glavnih razloga zbog kojih se Isus u kasnijim godinama preselio u Kafarnaum. Od tada je Nazaret ostao podijeljen u svom odnosu prema Sinu Čovječjem.
127:2.10 (1398.2)
The crisis for the time being was over, but never was this incident forgotten in Nazareth. The agitation persisted; not again was Jesus in universal favor; the division of sentiment was never fully overcome. And this, augmented by other and subsequent occurrences, was one of the chief reasons why he moved to Capernaum in later years. Henceforth Nazareth maintained a division of sentiment regarding the Son of Man.
Isus je ove godine postigao značajan napredak u organizaciji svoga uma. Postupno je sjedinjavao svoje dvije naravi, božansku i ljudsku, postižući to intelektualno usklađivanje snagom vlastitih odluka i samo uz pomoć svoga unutarnjeg Misaonog Ispravljača, upravo onakvog Ispravljača kakvog u svom umu imaju svi normalni smrtnici na svim svjetovima nakon darivanja Sinova. Do tada se u životu ovog mladića nije dogodilo ništa nadnaravno, osim posjeta glasnika kojega je poslao njegov stariji brat Imanuel i koji mu se jedne noći ukazao u Jeruzalemu.
127:2.12 (1398.4)
This year Jesus made great progress in the organization of his mind. Gradually he had brought his divine and human natures together, and he accomplished all this organization of intellect by the force of his own decisions and with only the aid of his indwelling Monitor, just such a Monitor as all normal mortals on all postbestowal-Son worlds have within their minds. So far, nothing supernatural had happened in this young man’s career except the visit of a messenger, dispatched by his elder brother Immanuel, who once appeared to him during the night at Jerusalem.
Tijekom ove godine prodali su svu obiteljsku imovinu, osim kuće i vrta. Prodali su i posljednji posjed u Kafarnaumu (osim udjela u još jednoj nekretnini), koji je već bio pod hipotekom. Dobiveni novac iskoristili su za podmirenje poreza, kupnju nešto novog alata za Jakova i otplatu dijela duga na staroj obiteljskoj trgovini za opskrbu i popravke u blizini karavanskog svratišta, koju je Isus sada namjeravao ponovno otkupiti, budući da je Jakov bio dovoljno odrastao da radi u radionici pored kuće i pomaže Mariji u vođenju doma. Kako je financijski pritisak za neko vrijeme popustio, Isus je odlučio povesti Jakova na Pashu. Krenuli su u Jeruzalem dan prije drugih hodočasnika kako bi mogli putovati nasamo, idući preko Samarije. Putovali su pješice, a Isus je usput govorio Jakovu o povijesnim mjestima, upravo onako kako je njega njegov otac poučavao na sličnom putovanju prije pet godina.
127:3.1 (1398.5)
In the course of this year all the family property, except the home and garden, was disposed of. The last piece of Capernaum property (except an equity in one other), already mortgaged, was sold. The proceeds were used for taxes, to buy some new tools for James, and to make a payment on the old family supply and repair shop near the caravan lot, which Jesus now proposed to buy back since James was old enough to work at the house shop and help Mary about the home. With the financial pressure thus eased for the time being, Jesus decided to take James to the Passover. They went up to Jerusalem a day early, to be alone, going by way of Samaria. They walked, and Jesus told James about the historic places en route as his father had taught him on a similar journey five years before.
Prolazeći Samarijom, vidjeli su mnoge neobične prizore. Tijekom ovog putovanja razgovarali su o mnogim svojim problemima, osobnim, obiteljskim i nacionalnim. Jakov je bio vrlo pobožan mladić i premda se nije u potpunosti slagao s majkom u vezi onoga malo što je znao o Isusovu životnom poslanju, ipak se radovao danu kada će moći preuzeti odgovornost za obitelj kako bi Isus mogao započeti svoju misiju. Bio je duboko zahvalan što ga je Isus poveo na Pashu i razgovarali su o budućnosti otvorenije nego ikada prije.
127:3.2 (1399.1)
In passing through Samaria, they saw many strange sights. On this journey they talked over many of their problems, personal, family, and national. James was a very religious type of lad, and while he did not fully agree with his mother regarding the little he knew of the plans concerning Jesus’ lifework, he did look forward to the time when he would be able to assume responsibility for the family so that Jesus could begin his mission. He was very appreciative of Jesus’ taking him up to the Passover, and they talked over the future more fully than ever before.
Na putu kroz Samariju Isus je mnogo razmišljao, osobito kod Betela i dok je pio vodu iz Jakovljeva zdenca. On i njegov brat razgovarali su o predajama Abrahama, Izaka i Jakova. Isus je uložio mnogo truda da pripremi Jakova za ono što će vidjeti u Jeruzalemu, nastojeći tako ublažiti šok kakav je i sam doživio pri svom prvom posjetu hramu. Ali Jakov nije bio toliko osjetljiv na neke od tih prizora. Primijetio je mehaničan i bezosjećajan način na koji su pojedini svećenici obavljali svoje dužnosti, ali je u cjelini veoma uživao tijekom svog boravka u Jeruzalemu.
127:3.3 (1399.2)
Jesus did much thinking as they journeyed through Samaria, particularly at Bethel and when drinking from Jacob’s well. He and his brother discussed the traditions of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He did much to prepare James for what he was about to witness at Jerusalem, thus seeking to lessen the shock such as he himself had experienced on his first visit to the temple. But James was not so sensitive to some of these sights. He commented on the perfunctory and heartless manner in which some of the priests performed their duties but on the whole greatly enjoyed his sojourn at Jerusalem.
Nakon pashalne večere Marija je sjela razgovarati s Jakovom, dok su Marta, Lazar i Isus razgovarali dugo u noć. Sutradan su prisustvovali službi u Hramu i Jakov je bio primljen u izraelsku zajednicu. Tog jutra, kad su zastali na obronku Maslinske gore promatrajući Hram, Jakov je zadivljeno uzvikivao, dok je Isus nijemo promatrao Jeruzalem. Jakov nije mogao razumjeti držanje svoga brata. Te su se večeri ponovno vratili u Betaniju i namjeravali sljedećeg dana krenuti kući, ali Jakov je ustrajao da se vrate u Hram, objašnjavajući kako želi slušati učitelje. I premda je to bila istina, u dubini srca želio je čuti kako Isus sudjeluje u raspravama, o čemu je slušao od svoje majke. Stoga su otišli u Hram i slušali rasprave, ali Isus nije postavljao pitanja. Sve se to činilo tako djetinjastim i beznačajnim ovom probuđenom umu čovjeka i Boga da ih je mogao samo sažalijevati. Jakov je bio razočaran Isusovom šutnjom. Na njegova pitanja Isus je odgovarao samo: „Moj čas još nije došao.”
127:3.5 (1399.4)
After the Passover supper Mary sat down to talk with James while Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus talked together far into the night. The next day they attended the temple services, and James was received into the commonwealth of Israel. That morning, as they paused on the brow of Olivet to view the temple, while James exclaimed in wonder, Jesus gazed on Jerusalem in silence. James could not comprehend his brother’s demeanor. That night they again returned to Bethany and would have departed for home the next day, but James was insistent on their going back to visit the temple, explaining that he wanted to hear the teachers. And while this was true, secretly in his heart he wanted to hear Jesus participate in the discussions, as he had heard his mother tell about. Accordingly, they went to the temple and heard the discussions, but Jesus asked no questions. It all seemed so puerile and insignificant to this awakening mind of man and God—he could only pity them. James was disappointed that Jesus said nothing. To his inquiries Jesus only made reply, “My hour has not yet come.”
Po povratku u Nazaret Isus je počeo raditi u staroj obiteljskoj radnji i silno se radovao što je svakodnevno mogao susretati toliko ljudi iz svih krajeva zemlje i okolnih područja. Isus je doista volio ljude — običan svijet. Svakoga je mjeseca otplaćivao ratu na radnji i, uz Jakovljevu pomoć, nastavio uzdržavati svoju obitelj.
127:3.7 (1399.6)
Upon returning to Nazareth, Jesus began work in the old family repair shop and was greatly cheered by being able to meet so many people each day from all parts of the country and surrounding districts. Jesus truly loved people—just common folks. Each month he made his payments on the shop and, with James’s help, continued to provide for the family.
Nekoliko puta godišnje, kad nisu imali gostujućih posjetitelja kojima bi se obično ukazivala ta čast, Isus je subotom čitao Spise u sinagogi i često bi dodavao svoje komentare na pročitane odlomke, premda ih je obično tako odabirao da su komentari bili suvišni. Znao je tako vješto odrediti redoslijed čitanja da su pojedini odlomci međusobno rasvjetljavali svoj smisao. Kad god su vremenske prilike dopuštale, subotom poslije podne vodio je svoju braću i sestre u šetnje prirodom.
127:3.8 (1399.7)
Several times a year, when visitors were not present thus to function, Jesus continued to read the Sabbath scriptures at the synagogue and many times offered comments on the lesson, but usually he so selected the passages that comment was unnecessary. He was skillful, so arranging the order of the reading of the various passages that the one would illuminate the other. He never failed, weather permitting, to take his brothers and sisters out on Sabbath afternoons for their nature strolls.
Otprilike u to vrijeme hazan je osnovao klub mladića za filozofske rasprave, koji se sastajao u domovima različitih članova, a često i u njegovoj vlastitoj kući, i Isus je postao istaknuti član ove skupine. Na taj je način uspio povratiti dio ugleda koji je izgubio tijekom nedavnih nacionalističkih prijepora.
127:3.9 (1400.1)
About this time the chazan inaugurated a young men’s club for philosophic discussion which met at the homes of different members and often at his own home, and Jesus became a prominent member of this group. By this means he was enabled to regain some of the local prestige which he had lost at the time of the recent nationalistic controversies.
U rujnu su Elizabeta i Ivan došli posjetiti nazaretsku obitelj. Nakon što je izgubio oca, Ivan se namjeravao vratiti u brda Judeje i baviti se zemljoradnjom i ovčarstvom, osim ako mu Isus ne bi savjetovao da ostane u Nazaretu i prihvati se tesarskog ili nekog drugog zanata. Nisu znali da je nazaretska obitelj bila praktički bez sredstava. Što su više Marija i Elizabeta govorile o svojim sinovima, to su više bile uvjerene da bi mladići trebali više surađivati i češće se posjećivati.
127:3.11 (1400.3)
In September, Elizabeth and John came to visit the Nazareth family. John, having lost his father, intended to return to the Judean hills to engage in agriculture and sheep raising unless Jesus advised him to remain in Nazareth to take up carpentry or some other line of work. They did not know that the Nazareth family was practically penniless. The more Mary and Elizabeth talked about their sons, the more they became convinced that it would be good for the two young men to work together and see more of each other.
Isus i Ivan su vodili brojne razgovore; govorili su i o nekim vrlo osobnim i povjerljivim pitanjima. Kako se njihov posjet bližio kraju, odlučili su da se više neće vidjeti sve dok se ponovno ne sretnu u svojoj javnoj službi, nakon što ih „Otac nebeski pozove” na njihov rad. Ivan je bio duboko impresioniran onim što je vidio u nazaretskoj obitelji i vratio se kući spreman prihvatiti se rada kako bi uzdržavao svoju majku. Bio je uvjeren da će imati udjela u Isusovoj životnoj misiji, ali je ujedno vidio da će Isus još mnogo godina biti zauzet podizanjem obitelji; stoga se mnogo spremnije vratio svome domu, gdje se posvetio brizi za svoju majku i njihovo malo imanje. I Ivan i Isus više se nisu vidjeli sve do onoga dana kada se Sin Čovječji pojavio na Jordanu da primi krštenje.
127:3.12 (1400.4)
Jesus and John had many talks together; and they talked over some very intimate and personal matters. When they had finished this visit, they decided not again to see each other until they should meet in their public service after “the heavenly Father should call” them to their work. John was tremendously impressed by what he saw at Nazareth that he should return home and labor for the support of his mother. He became convinced that he was to be a part of Jesus’ life mission, but he saw that Jesus was to occupy many years with the rearing of his family; so he was much more content to return to his home and settle down to the care of their little farm and to minister to the needs of his mother. And never again did John and Jesus see each other until that day by the Jordan when the Son of Man presented himself for baptism.
U subotu poslijepodne, 3. prosinca ove godine, smrt je po drugi put pogodila nazaretsku obitelj. Mali Amos, njihov mlađi brat, preminuo je nakon tjedan dana bolesti praćene visokom temperaturom. Nakon razdoblja tuge kroz koje je prošla s prvorođencem kao svojim jedinim osloncem, Marija je naposljetku, u punom smislu te riječi, priznala Isusa stvarnim poglavarom obitelji; i doista je bio dostojan te uloge.
127:3.13 (1400.5)
On Saturday afternoon, December 3, of this year, death for the second time struck at this Nazareth family. Little Amos, their baby brother, died after a week’s illness with a high fever. After passing through this time of sorrow with her first-born son as her only support, Mary at last and in the fullest sense recognized Jesus as the real head of the family; and he was truly a worthy head.
Tijekom posljednje četiri godine njihov je životni standard neprestano opadao; iz godine u godinu osjećali su sve snažniji pritisak rastućeg siromaštva. Pred kraj ove godine suočili su se s jednom od najtežih kušnji svoje mukotrpne borbe. Jakov još nije zarađivao mnogo, a troškovi pogreba, povrh svega ostalog, gotovo su ih slomili. No Isus bi svojoj zabrinutoj i ožalošćenoj majci samo rekao: "Majko Marijo, tuga nam neće pomoći; svi dajemo sve od sebe, a možda bi nas čak i majčin osmijeh mogao nadahnuti da učinimo još više. Iz dana u dan jača nas nada u bolje dane pred nama." Isusov čvrsti i praktični optimizam bio je doista zarazan; sva su djeca živjela u ozračju iščekivanja boljih vremena i boljih prilika. I upravo je ta hrabra nada uvelike pridonijela razvoju njihovih snažnih i plemenitih karaktera, unatoč turobnosti njihova siromaštva.
127:3.14 (1400.6)
For four years their standard of living had steadily declined; year by year they felt the pinch of increasing poverty. By the close of this year they faced one of the most difficult experiences of all their uphill struggles. James had not yet begun to earn much, and the expenses of a funeral on top of everything else staggered them. But Jesus would only say to his anxious and grieving mother: “Mother-Mary, sorrow will not help us; we are all doing our best, and mother’s smile, perchance, might even inspire us to do better. Day by day we are strengthened for these tasks by our hope of better days ahead.” His sturdy and practical optimism was truly contagious; all the children lived in an atmosphere of anticipation of better times and better things. And this hopeful courage contributed mightily to the development of strong and noble characters, in spite of the depressiveness of their poverty.
Isus je imao sposobnost učinkovito mobilizirati sve moći svoga uma, duše i tijela i usmjeriti ih na zadatak koji je bio pred njim. Znao je usredotočiti svoj dubokomisleni um na problem koji je želio riješiti, a to mu je, zajedno s njegovim neumornim strpljenjem, omogućavalo da spokojno podnosi kušnje teškog smrtnog života — da živi kao da „vidi Onoga koji je nevidljiv.”
127:3.15 (1400.7)
Jesus possessed the ability effectively to mobilize all his powers of mind, soul, and body on the task immediately in hand. He could concentrate his deep-thinking mind on the one problem which he wished to solve, and this, in connection with his untiring patience, enabled him serenely to endure the trials of a difficult mortal existence—to live as if he were “seeing Him who is invisible.”
Do tog vremena Isus i Marija su se mnogo bolje slagali. Ona ga je sve manje doživljavala kao sina; sve više je postajao otac njezinoj djeci. Svaki je dan bio prepun praktičnih i neodgodivih poteškoća. Sve su rjeđe govorili o njegovoj životnoj misiji jer su, kako je vrijeme prolazilo, sve svoje misli zajednički posvećivali uzdržavanju i odgoju svoje obitelji od četvorice dječaka i triju djevojčica.
127:4.1 (1401.1)
By this time Jesus and Mary were getting along much better. She regarded him less as a son; he had become to her more a father to her children. Each day’s life swarmed with practical and immediate difficulties. Less frequently they spoke of his lifework, for, as time passed, all their thought was mutually devoted to the support and upbringing of their family of four boys and three girls.
Početkom ove godine Isus je u potpunosti privolio Mariju da prihvati njegove metode odgoja djece — pozitivno poticanje na činjenje dobra umjesto starije židovske metode zabranjivanja činjenja zla. U svom domu, kao i tijekom svoje javne učiteljske službe, Isus je uvijek koristio pozitivan oblik poticaja. Uvijek je govorio: „Čini ovo — čini ono.” Nikada se nije služio negativnim načinom poučavanja proizašlim iz drevnih tabua. Izbjegavao je naglašavati zlo zabranjujući ga, dok je uzdizao dobro zahtijevajući njegovo izvršavanje. Vrijeme molitve u ovoj obitelji bilo je prigoda za razgovor o svemu što se ticalo dobrobiti doma.
127:4.2 (1401.2)
By the beginning of this year Jesus had fully won his mother to the acceptance of his methods of child training—the positive injunction to do good in the place of the older Jewish method of forbidding to do evil. In his home and throughout his public-teaching career Jesus invariably employed the positive form of exhortation. Always and everywhere did he say, “You shall do this—you ought to do that.” Never did he employ the negative mode of teaching derived from the ancient taboos. He refrained from placing emphasis on evil by forbidding it, while he exalted the good by commanding its performance. Prayer time in this household was the occasion for discussing anything and everything relating to the welfare of the family.
Isus je započeo mudro odgajati svoju braću i sestre još od njihove najranije dobi, tako da je vrlo rijetko bilo potrebno posegnuti za kažnjavanjem kako bi osigurao njihovu spremnu i svesrdnu poslušnost. Jedina iznimka bio je Juda, kojeg je Isus u nekoliko navrata morao kazniti zbog kršenja obiteljskih pravila. U tri slučaja, kada je smatrao mudrim kazniti Judu zbog svjesnih prekršaja obiteljskih pravila ponašanja, koje je Juda sam priznao, kazna je bila određena jednoglasnom odlukom starije djece, a Juda se s njom suglasio prije nego što je bila izvršena.
127:4.3 (1401.3)
Jesus began wise discipline upon his brothers and sisters at such an early age that little or no punishment was ever required to secure their prompt and wholehearted obedience. The only exception was Jude, upon whom on sundry occasions Jesus found it necessary to impose penalties for his infractions of the rules of the home. On three occasions when it was deemed wise to punish Jude for self-confessed and deliberate violations of the family rules of conduct, his punishment was fixed by the unanimous decree of the older children and was assented to by Jude himself before it was inflicted.
Dok je Isus bio vrlo metodičan i sistematičan u svemu što je činio, u svojim je odlukama pokazivao jednu rijetku elastičnost i sposobnost osobne prilagodbe, i tako duboko impresionirao svu djecu duhom pravednosti koji je pokretao njihova oca-brata. Nikada nije samovoljno kažnjavao svoju braću i sestre i prema svima se odnosio pravedno i obzirno, zbog čega su ga voljeli svi članovi njegove obitelji.
127:4.4 (1401.4)
While Jesus was most methodical and systematic in everything he did, there was also in all his administrative rulings a refreshing elasticity of interpretation and an individuality of adaptation that greatly impressed all the children with the spirit of justice which actuated their father-brother. He never arbitrarily disciplined his brothers and sisters, and such uniform fairness and personal consideration greatly endeared Jesus to all his family.
Jakov i Šimun su nastojali slijediti Isusov primjer pokušavajući umiriti svoje ratoborne i ponekad razdražljive drugove uvjeravanjem i nepružanjem otpora, i u tome su bili prilično uspješni. Ali Josip i Juda, premda su kod kuće prihvaćali takva učenja, spremno su se branili kada bi ih napali njihovi vršnjaci; osobito je Juda često kršio duh tih učenja. Međutim, nepružanje otpora nije bilo obiteljsko pravilo i nitko nikada nije bio kažnjen zbog kršenja osobnih učenja.
127:4.5 (1401.5)
James and Simon grew up trying to follow Jesus’ plan of placating their bellicose and sometimes irate playmates by persuasion and nonresistance, and they were fairly successful; but Joseph and Jude, while assenting to such teachings at home, made haste to defend themselves when assailed by their comrades; in particular was Jude guilty of violating the spirit of these teachings. But nonresistance was not a rule of the family. No penalty was attached to the violation of personal teachings.
Jakov je odrastao u dobro uravnoteženog i smirenog mladića, ali nije imao Isusovu duhovnu sklonost. Bio je puno bolji učenik od Josipa, koji je bio dobar radnik, ali još manje duhovno naklonjen. Josip je bio spor i uporan radnik i nije bio dorastao intelektualnoj razini ostale djece. Šimun je bio dobronamjeran mladić, ali preveliki sanjar. Trebalo mu je dulje da se skrasi u životu i zadavao je mnogo briga Isusu i Mariji. No uvijek je bio dobar i čestit mladić. Juda je bio vatrene naravi. Imao je najviše ideale, ali nestabilan temperament. Imao je jednaku, ako ne još veću, odlučnost i borbenost od svoje majke, ali mu je nedostajalo mnogo njezina osjećaja za mjeru i razboritost.
127:4.7 (1401.7)
James was growing up to be a well-balanced and even-tempered youth, but he was not so spiritually inclined as Jesus. He was a much better student than Joseph, who, while a faithful worker, was even less spiritually minded. Joseph was a plodder and not up to the intellectual level of the other children. Simon was a well-meaning boy but too much of a dreamer. He was slow in getting settled down in life and was the cause of considerable anxiety to Jesus and Mary. But he was always a good and well-intentioned lad. Jude was a firebrand. He had the highest of ideals, but he was unstable in temperament. He had all and more of his mother’s determination and aggressiveness, but he lacked much of her sense of proportion and discretion.
Marijam je bila uravnotežena i razborita kći, s istančanim osjećajem za sve plemenito i duhovno. Marta je bila spora u mislima i djelima, ali vrlo pouzdano i učinkovito dijete. Ruta je bila miljenica cijele obitelji; iako joj je jezik znao biti brži od pameti, srce joj je bilo posve iskreno. Gotovo je obožavala svoga velikog brata i oca. No nisu je razmazili. Bila je lijepo dijete, ali ne tako pristala kao Marijam, koja je bila ljepotica obitelji, ako ne i grada.
127:4.8 (1402.1)
Miriam was a well-balanced and level-headed daughter with a keen appreciation of things noble and spiritual. Martha was slow in thought and action but a very dependable and efficient child. Baby Ruth was the sunshine of the home; though thoughtless of speech, she was most sincere of heart. She just about worshiped her big brother and father. But they did not spoil her. She was a beautiful child but not quite so comely as Miriam, who was the belle of the family, if not of the city.
127:4.10 (1402.3)
This year Jude started to school, and it was necessary for Jesus to sell his harp in order to defray these expenses. Thus disappeared the last of his recreational pleasures. He much loved to play the harp when tired in mind and weary in body, but he comforted himself with the thought that at least the harp was safe from seizure by the tax collector.
Iako je Isus bio siromašan, njegov društveni položaj u Nazaretu nije bio ni na koji način narušen. Bio je jedan od najistaknutijih mladića u gradu i većina djevojaka ga je duboko cijenila. Budući da je bio tako izvrstan primjer snažne i intelektualne muževnosti, te uživao ugled kao duhovni vođa, nije bilo čudno što je Rebeka, najstarija kćerka bogatog nazaretskog trgovca, Ezre, postupno otkrila da se zaljubljuje u ovog Josipovog sina. Svoje je osjećaje najprije povjerila Isusovoj sestri Marijam, a Marijam je potom o svemu razgovarala sa svojom majkom. Marija se silno uznemirila. Zar će izgubiti sina, koji je postao nezamjenjiva glava obitelji? Zar nevoljama nikada neće biti kraja? Što ih još čeka? Zatim se počela pitati kakav bi učinak brak mogao imati na Isusov budući životni put; i premda ne često, ipak bi se s vremena na vrijeme prisjetila da je Isus bio „dijete obećanja“. Nakon razgovora s Marijam, njih su dvije odlučile pokušati zaustaviti cijelu stvar prije nego što Isus za nju dozna, pa su otišle ravno Rebeki, sve joj otvoreno ispričale i iskreno joj rekle da prema njihovom uvjerenju Isus nije običan čovjek, nego sin sudbine; da je predodređen postati veliki vjerski vođa, možda čak i Mesija.
127:5.1 (1402.4)
Although Jesus was poor, his social standing in Nazareth was in no way impaired. He was one of the foremost young men of the city and very highly regarded by most of the young women. Since Jesus was such a splendid specimen of robust and intellectual manhood, and considering his reputation as a spiritual leader, it was not strange that Rebecca, the eldest daughter of Ezra, a wealthy merchant and trader of Nazareth, should discover that she was slowly falling in love with this son of Joseph. She first confided her affection to Miriam, Jesus’ sister, and Miriam in turn talked all this over with her mother. Mary was intensely aroused. Was she about to lose her son, now become the indispensable head of the family? Would troubles never cease? What next could happen? And then she paused to contemplate what effect marriage would have upon Jesus’ future career; not often, but at least sometimes, did she recall the fact that Jesus was a “child of promise.” After she and Miriam had talked this matter over, they decided to make an effort to stop it before Jesus learned about it, by going direct to Rebecca, laying the whole story before her, and honestly telling her about their belief that Jesus was a son of destiny; that he was to become a great religious leader, perhaps the Messiah.
Rebeka ih je pažljivo saslušala; bila je dirnuta cijelom pričom i još odlučnija u svojoj želji da okuša sreću s ovim izabranim čovjekom i da podijeli njegov životni put vođe. Uvjeravala je samu sebe da je takvom čovjeku tim više trebala vjerna i sposobna žena. Protumačila je Marijamino nastojanje da je odvrati kao prirodnu reakciju na strah od gubitka glave i jedine potpore obitelji; ali znajući da je njezin otac odobravao njezine osjećaje prema tesarevu sinu, s pravom je računala da bi on rado obitelji osigurao dovoljno prihoda da u cijelosti nadoknadi gubitak Isusove zarade. Kad je njezin otac pristao na takav plan, Rebeka je još razgovarala s Marijom i Marijam, a kako nije uspjela pridobiti njihovu podršku, odvažila se otići izravno k Isusu. To je učinila u suradnji sa svojim ocem, koji je pozvao Isusa u njihov dom na proslavu Rebekina sedamnaestog rođendana.
127:5.2 (1402.5)
Rebecca listened intently; she was thrilled with the recital and more than ever determined to cast her lot with this man of her choice and to share his career of leadership. She argued (to herself) that such a man would all the more need a faithful and efficient wife. She interpreted Mary’s efforts to dissuade her as a natural reaction to the dread of losing the head and sole support of her family; but knowing that her father approved of her attraction for the carpenter’s son, she rightly reckoned that he would gladly supply the family with sufficient income fully to compensate for the loss of Jesus’ earnings. When her father agreed to such a plan, Rebecca had further conferences with Mary and Miriam, and when she failed to win their support, she made bold to go directly to Jesus. This she did with the co-operation of her father, who invited Jesus to their home for the celebration of Rebecca’s seventeenth birthday.
Isus je pažljivo i suosjećajno saslušao sve što mu je bilo izneseno, najprije od oca, a zatim i od same Rebeke. Ljubazno je odgovorio da nikakva svota novca ne može zamijeniti njegovu osobnu obvezu da podigne obitelj svoga oca i „ispuni najsvetiju od svih ljudskih dužnosti — odanost vlastitoj obitelji, vlastitom rodu“. Rebekin otac bio je duboko dirnut Isusovim riječima o obiteljskoj odanosti i povukao se iz razgovora. Jedino što je rekao svojoj ženi Mariji bilo je: „Ne možemo ga imati za sina; previše je plemenit za nas.“
127:5.3 (1403.1)
Jesus listened attentively and sympathetically to the recital of these things, first by the father, then by Rebecca herself. He made kindly reply to the effect that no amount of money could take the place of his obligation personally to rear his father’s family, to “fulfill the most sacred of all human trusts—loyalty to one’s own flesh and blood.” Rebecca’s father was deeply touched by Jesus’ words of family devotion and retired from the conference. His only remark to Mary, his wife, was: “We can’t have him for a son; he is too noble for us.”
Tako je započeo njegov znameniti razgovor s Rebekom. Dotad Isus u svom životu nije pravio veliku razliku u druženju s dječacima i djevojčicama, mladićima i djevojkama. Njegov je um bio potpuno zaokupljen gorućim problemima praktičnog zemaljskog života i zaintrigiran misima o predstojećoj službi izvršenja „Očeva posla“, da nikad nije ozbiljnije razmatrao pitanje osobne ljubavi i ljudskog braka. Ali sada se našao licem u lice s još jednim od onih problema s kojima se svaki prosječan čovjek mora suočiti i o njima odlučiti. Doista je bio „iskušan u svemu kao i vi.“
127:5.4 (1403.2)
Then began that eventful talk with Rebecca. Thus far in his life, Jesus had made little distinction in his association with boys and girls, with young men and young women. His mind had been altogether too much occupied with the pressing problems of practical earthly affairs and the intriguing contemplation of his eventual career “about his Father’s business” ever to have given serious consideration to the consummation of personal love in human marriage. But now he was face to face with another of those problems which every average human being must confront and decide. Indeed was he “tested in all points like as you are.”
Nakon što ju je pažljivo saslušao, iskreno je zahvalio Rebeki na njezinu divljenju, dodajući: ‘To će me bodriti i tješiti cijeloga života.’ Objasnio joj je da nije slobodan stupiti ni u kakav odnos sa ženom osim u odnos jednostavne bratske privrženosti i čistog prijateljstva. Jasno joj je dao do znanja da je njegova prva i najvažnija dužnost podići obitelj svoga oca te da ne može razmišljati o ženidbi dok tu dužnost ne ispuni; a zatim je dodao: ‘Ako sam doista sin sudbine, ne smijem preuzimati doživotne obveze dok se moja sudbina ne očituje.’
127:5.5 (1403.3)
After listening attentively, he sincerely thanked Rebecca for her expressed admiration, adding, “it shall cheer and comfort me all the days of my life.” He explained that he was not free to enter into relations with any woman other than those of simple brotherly regard and pure friendship. He made it clear that his first and paramount duty was the rearing of his father’s family, that he could not consider marriage until that was accomplished; and then he added: “If I am a son of destiny, I must not assume obligations of lifelong duration until such a time as my destiny shall be made manifest.”
Rebeka je bila slomljena srca. Odbijala je svaku utjehu i neprestano nagovarala oca da napuste Nazaret, sve dok on konačno nije pristao preseliti se u Seforis. U kasnijim je godinama mnogim mladićima koji su tražili njezinu ruku davala samo jedan odgovor. Živjela je samo za jednu svrhu — da dočeka čas kad će ovaj, za nju najveći od svih ljudi, započeti svoj rad kao učitelj živuće istine. I odano ga je slijedila kroz sudbonosne godine njegova javnog djelovanja. Bila je prisutna (premda je Isus nije zapazio) onoga dana kad je pobjednički ujahao u Jeruzalem; a stajala je „među ostalim ženama” uz Mariju onoga kobnog i tragičnog poslijepodneva kad je Sin Čovječji visio na križu, onaj koji je za nju, kao i za nebrojene svjetove na visini, bio „sav od ljupkosti i najveći među desecima tisuća.”
127:5.6 (1403.4)
Rebecca was heartbroken. She refused to be comforted and importuned her father to leave Nazareth until he finally consented to move to Sepphoris. In after years, to the many men who sought her hand in marriage, Rebecca had but one answer. She lived for only one purpose—to await the hour when this, to her, the greatest man who ever lived would begin his career as a teacher of living truth. And she followed him devotedly through his eventful years of public labor, being present (unobserved by Jesus) that day when he rode triumphantly into Jerusalem; and she stood “among the other women” by the side of Mary on that fateful and tragic afternoon when the Son of Man hung upon the cross, to her, as well as to countless worlds on high, “the one altogether lovely and the greatest among ten thousand.”
U Nazaretu, a kasnije i u Kafarnaumu, šaptom se prenosila priča o Rebekinoj ljubavi prema Isusu, tako da, premda su ga u godinama koje su slijedile mnoge žene voljele kao što su ga voljeli i muškarci, više nikada nije morao odbiti osobno iskazanu odanost neke druge plemenite žene. Od tada je ljudska naklonost prema Isusu poprimila obilježja štovanja i divljenja. I muškarci i žene odano su ga voljeli zbog onoga što je bio, bez imalo sebičnosti ili posesivnosti. No, još mnogo godina, kad god bi se govorilo o Isusovoj ljudskoj ličnosti, uvijek se spominjala Rebekina odanost.
127:6.1 (1403.5)
The story of Rebecca’s love for Jesus was whispered about Nazareth and later on at Capernaum, so that, while in the years to follow many women loved Jesus even as men loved him, not again did he have to reject the personal proffer of another good woman’s devotion. From this time on human affection for Jesus partook more of the nature of worshipful and adoring regard. Both men and women loved him devotedly and for what he was, not with any tinge of self-satisfaction or desire for affectionate possession. But for many years, whenever the story of Jesus’ human personality was recited, the devotion of Rebecca was recounted.
127:6.2 (1404.1)
Miriam, knowing fully about the affair of Rebecca and knowing how her brother had forsaken even the love of a beautiful maiden (not realizing the factor of his future career of destiny), came to idealize Jesus and to love him with a touching and profound affection as for a father as well as for a brother.
Iako su to jedva mogli priuštiti, Isus je osjećao neobičnu čežnju da za Pashu ode u Jeruzalem. Njegova ga je majka, znajući za njegova nedavna iskustva s Rebekom, mudro potaknula na to putovanje. On toga nije bio osobito svjestan, ali ono što je najviše želio bila je prilika za razgovor s Lazarom i za posjet Marti i Mariji. Izvan vlastite obitelji, njih troje volio je najviše.
127:6.3 (1404.2)
Although they could hardly afford it, Jesus had a strange longing to go up to Jerusalem for the Passover. His mother, knowing of his recent experience with Rebecca, wisely urged him to make the journey. He was not markedly conscious of it, but what he most wanted was an opportunity to talk with Lazarus and to visit with Martha and Mary. Next to his own family he loved these three most of all.
Putujući u Jeruzalem, Isus je išao preko Megida, Antipatrisa i Lide, dijelom slijedeći isti put kojim se vraćao u Nazaret nakon povratka iz Egipta. Putovanje do Pashe trajalo je četiri dana, a mnogo je razmišljao o prošlim događajima koji su se zbili u Megidu i oko njega, na međunarodnom bojnom polju Palestine.
127:6.4 (1404.3)
In making this trip to Jerusalem, he went by way of Megiddo, Antipatris, and Lydda, in part covering the same route traversed when he was brought back to Nazareth on the return from Egypt. He spent four days going up to the Passover and thought much about the past events which had transpired in and around Megiddo, the international battlefield of Palestine.
Isus je prošao kroz Jeruzalem, zastavši samo da pogleda hram i mnoštvo posjetitelja koji su se ondje okupljali. Osjećao je čudnu i sve veću odbojnost prema tom Herodovu hramu i njegovu politički imenovanom svećenstvu. Prije svega želio je vidjeti Lazara, Martu i Mariju. Lazar je bio Isusov vršnjak i glava obitelji; do vremena ovog posjeta i Lazarova je majka već bila preminula. Marta je bila nešto više od godinu dana starija od Isusa, dok je Marija bila dvije godine mlađa. I sve troje su u Isusu vidjeli svoj obožavani ideal.
127:6.5 (1404.4)
Jesus passed on through Jerusalem, only pausing to look upon the temple and the gathering throngs of visitors. He had a strange and increasing aversion to this Herod-built temple with its politically appointed priesthood. He wanted most of all to see Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Lazarus was the same age as Jesus and now head of the house; by the time of this visit Lazarus’s mother had also been laid to rest. Martha was a little over one year older than Jesus, while Mary was two years younger. And Jesus was the idolized ideal of all three of them.
Prilikom ovog posjeta dogodio se jedan od onih Isusovih povremenih izljeva pobune protiv tradicije — izraz ogorčenja zbog obrednih običaja koje je smatrao iskrivljenim prikazom svoga Oca na nebu. Ne znajući da Isus dolazi, Lazar je planirao proslaviti Pashu s prijateljima u obližnjem selu na putu za Jerihon. Isus je predložio da blagdan proslave u Lazarovoj kući. „Ali“, rekao je Lazar, „nemamo pashalno janje.“ Tada je Isus održao dugo i uvjerljivo izlaganje o tome kako Ocu na nebu zapravo nisu važni takvi djetinjasti i besmisleni obredi. Nakon svečane i usrdne molitve ustali su, a Isus je rekao: „Neka djetinjasti i pomračeni umovi moga naroda služe Bogu onako kako je odredio Mojsije; bolje je da tako čine. Ali mi koji smo ugledali svjetlo života nećemo više pristupati svome Ocu kroz tamu smrti. Budimo slobodni u spoznaji istine o vječnoj ljubavi našega Oca.“
127:6.6 (1404.5)
On this visit occurred one of those periodic outbreaks of rebellion against tradition—the expression of resentment for those ceremonial practices which Jesus deemed misrepresentative of his Father in heaven. Not knowing Jesus was coming, Lazarus had arranged to celebrate the Passover with friends in an adjoining village down the Jericho road. Jesus now proposed that they celebrate the feast where they were, at Lazarus’s house. “But,” said Lazarus, “we have no paschal lamb.” And then Jesus entered upon a prolonged and convincing dissertation to the effect that the Father in heaven was not truly concerned with such childlike and meaningless rituals. After solemn and fervent prayer they rose, and Jesus said: “Let the childlike and darkened minds of my people serve their God as Moses directed; it is better that they do, but let us who have seen the light of life no longer approach our Father by the darkness of death. Let us be free in the knowledge of the truth of our Father’s eternal love.”
Te večeri o sumraku njih četvero sjelo je i blagovalo prvu pashalnu večeru koju su pobožni Židovi ikada proslavili bez pashalnog janjeta. Za ovu Pashu bili su pripravljeni beskvasni kruh i vino, a Isus je te simbole, koje je nazivao „kruhom života” i „vodom života”, poslužio svojim prijateljima, i oni su blagovali u svečanom skladu s učenjima koja im je upravo bio iznio. Pri svakom kasnijem posjetu Betaniji imao je običaj obavljati ovaj sveti obred. Kad se vratio kući, o svemu je ispričao svojoj majci. Marija je isprva bila šokirana, ali je postupno počela shvaćati njegovo gledište; ipak, silno joj je laknulo kad ju je Isus uvjerio da ne namjerava uvesti ovaj novi način slavljenja Pashe u njihovu obitelj. Kod kuće je, zajedno s djecom, iz godine u godinu nastavio blagovati Pashu „prema Mojsijevu zakonu”.
127:6.7 (1404.6)
That evening about twilight these four sat down and partook of the first Passover feast ever to be celebrated by devout Jews without the paschal lamb. The unleavened bread and the wine had been made ready for this Passover, and these emblems, which Jesus termed “the bread of life” and “the water of life,” he served to his companions, and they ate in solemn conformity with the teachings just imparted. It was his custom to engage in this sacramental ritual whenever he paid subsequent visits to Bethany. When he returned home, he told all this to his mother. She was shocked at first but came gradually to see his viewpoint; nevertheless, she was greatly relieved when Jesus assured her that he did not intend to introduce this new idea of the Passover in their family. At home with the children he continued, year by year, to eat the Passover “according to the law of Moses.”
Tijekom ove godine Marija je dugo razgovarala s Isusom o braku. Otvoreno ga je pitala bi li se oženio kad ne bi imao obiteljskih obveza. Isus joj je objasnio da, budući da mu sadašnje dužnosti nisu dopuštale ženidbu, o tome nije mnogo razmišljao. Rekao je da sumnja hoće li ikada stupiti u brak; rekao je da sve takve stvari moraju pričekati „moj čas”, vrijeme kad moraju započeti poslovi moga Oca. Budući da je već bio odlučio da neće postati tjelesni otac djece, vrlo je malo razmišljao o ljudskom braku.
127:6.8 (1404.7)
It was during this year that Mary had a long talk with Jesus about marriage. She frankly asked him if he would get married if he were free from his family responsibilities. Jesus explained to her that, since immediate duty forbade his marriage, he had given the subject little thought. He expressed himself as doubting that he would ever enter the marriage state; he said that all such things must await “my hour,” the time when “my Father’s work must begin.” Having settled already in his mind that he was not to become the father of children in the flesh, he gave very little thought to the subject of human marriage.
127:6.10 (1405.2)
Although all their Nazareth property (except their home) was gone, this year they received a little financial help from the sale of an equity in a piece of property in Capernaum. This was the last of Joseph’s entire estate. This real estate deal in Capernaum was with a boatbuilder named Zebedee.
127:6.11 (1405.3)
Joseph graduated at the synagogue school this year and prepared to begin work at the small bench in the home carpenter shop. Although the estate of their father was exhausted, there were prospects that they would successfully fight off poverty since three of them were now regularly at work.
Isus brzo postaje čovjek, ne samo mladić nego odrastao čovjek. Već je naučio snositi odgovornost. Zna ustrajati kad je suočen s razočaranjem. Hrabro se nosi kad su mu planovi poremećeni, a namjere privremeno osujećene. Naučio je biti pošten i pravedan čak i pred nepravdom. Sada uči prilagoditi svoje ideale duhovnog življenja praktičnim zahtjevima zemaljske egzistencije. Uči planirati ostvarenje viših i udaljenijih idealnih ciljeva, dok se istodobno predano trudi ostvariti bliže i neposrednije ciljeve koje nameće nužda. Postupno usvaja umijeće prilagođavanja svojih težnji svakodnevnim zahtjevima ljudskog života. Gotovo je ovladao vještinom korištenja energije duhovnog poriva za pokretanje mehanizma materijalnog postignuća. Polako uči živjeti nebeskim životom dok i dalje živi zemaljskim životom. Sve se više oslanja na konačno vodstvo svoga nebeskog Oca, dok istodobno preuzima očinsku ulogu vođenja i usmjeravanja djece svoje zemaljske obitelji. Stječe iskustvo u umijeću izvlačenja pobjede iz samih ralja poraza; uči pretvarati teškoće vremena u trijumfe vječnosti.
127:6.12 (1405.4)
Jesus is rapidly becoming a man, not just a young man but an adult. He has learned well to bear responsibility. He knows how to carry on in the face of disappointment. He bears up bravely when his plans are thwarted and his purposes temporarily defeated. He has learned how to be fair and just even in the face of injustice. He is learning how to adjust his ideals of spiritual living to the practical demands of earthly existence. He is learning how to plan for the achievement of a higher and distant goal of idealism while he toils earnestly for the attainment of a nearer and immediate goal of necessity. He is steadily acquiring the art of adjusting his aspirations to the commonplace demands of the human occasion. He has very nearly mastered the technique of utilizing the energy of the spiritual drive to turn the mechanism of material achievement. He is slowly learning how to live the heavenly life while he continues on with the earthly existence. More and more he depends upon the ultimate guidance of his heavenly Father while he assumes the fatherly role of guiding and directing the children of his earth family. He is becoming experienced in the skillful wresting of victory from the very jaws of defeat; he is learning how to transform the difficulties of time into the triumphs of eternity.
I tako, kako godine prolaze, ovaj mladić iz Nazareta nastavlja proživljavati život kakav se živi u smrtnom tijelu na svjetovima vremena i prostora. Na Urantiji živi punim, reprezentativnim i ispunjenim životom. Napustio je ovaj svijet obogaćen iskustvom kroz koje prolaze njegova stvorenja tijekom kratkih i mukotrpnih godina svoga prvog života, života u tijelu. Sve je to ljudsko iskustvo vječni posjed Suverena Svemira. On je naš brat koji nas razumije, samilosni prijatelj, iskusni suveren i milostivi otac.
127:6.13 (1405.5)
And so, as the years pass, this young man of Nazareth continues to experience life as it is lived in mortal flesh on the worlds of time and space. He lives a full, representative, and replete life on Urantia. He left this world ripe in the experience which his creatures pass through during the short and strenuous years of their first life, the life in the flesh. And all this human experience is an eternal possession of the Universe Sovereign. He is our understanding brother, sympathetic friend, experienced sovereign, and merciful father.
Od malih nogu Isus je stekao golemo znanje; kao mladić razvrstao je, klasificirao i međusobno povezao te spoznaje; a sada, kao zreo čovjek ovoga svijeta, počinje uređivati i organizirati to umno blago u pripremi za njegovu primjenu u kasnijem poučavanju, služenju i radu za dobrobit svojih bližnjih smrtnika na ovom svijetu i na svim drugim nastanjenim svjetovima diljem cijelog svemira Nebadona.
127:6.14 (1405.6)
As a child he accumulated a vast body of knowledge; as a youth he sorted, classified, and correlated this information; and now as a man of the realm he begins to organize these mental possessions preparatory to utilization in his subsequent teaching, ministry, and service in behalf of his fellow mortals on this world and on all other spheres of habitation throughout the entire universe of Nebadon.
Došavši na svijet kao dijete ovoga svijeta, proživio je svoje djetinjstvo i prošao kroz mladost i ranu zrelost; sada stoji na pragu pune zrelosti, bogat iskustvom ljudskog života, prožet razumijevanjem ljudske naravi i ispunjen suosjećanjem prema njezinim slabostima. Postaje vješt u božanskoj umjetnosti otkrivanja svoga Rajskog Oca svim uzrastima i svim stupnjevima razvoja smrtnih stvorenja.
127:6.15 (1405.7)
Born into the world a babe of the realm, he has lived his childhood life and passed through the successive stages of youth and young manhood; he now stands on the threshold of full manhood, rich in the experience of human living, replete in the understanding of human nature, and full of sympathy for the frailties of human nature. He is becoming expert in the divine art of revealing his Paradise Father to all ages and stages of mortal creatures.