Knjiga Urantije
DIO IV. Isusov život i učenja
POGLAVLJE 150 : TREĆA TURNEJA PROPOVIJEDI
Paper 150
The Third Preaching Tour
The Third Preaching Tour
U NEDJELJU navečer, 16. siječnja 29. godine poslije Krista, Abner je stigao u pratnji Ivanovih apostola u Betsaidu, gdje je narednog dana održao zajedničku sjednicu s Andrijom i Isusovim apostolima. Abner i njegovi suradnici održavali su tabor u Hebronu i imali su običaj povremeno dolaziti u Betsaidu na ove sastanke.
150:0.1 (1678.1)
ON SUNDAY evening, January 16, {scaps{scaps{a.d.}scaps}scaps} 29, Abner, with the apostles of John, reached Bethsaida and went into joint conference with Andrew and the apostles of Jesus the next day. Abner and his associates made their headquarters at Hebron and were in the habit of coming up to Bethsaida periodically for these conferences.
Među brojnim pitanjima o kojima se raspravljalo na tim zajedničkim sjednicama bilo je pomazanje bolesnika određenim uljima uz molitvu za ozdravljenje. Isus je ponovno odbio sudjelovati u njihovim raspravama ili se izjasniti o njihovim zaključcima. Ivanovi apostoli uvijek su koristili ulja za pomazanje u služenju bolesnima i napaćenima i htjeli su to ozvaničiti kao zajedničku praksu za obje skupine, ali Isusovi apostoli odbili su se vezati takvim pravilom.
150:0.2 (1678.2)
Among the many matters considered by this joint conference was the practice of anointing the sick with certain forms of oil in connection with prayers for healing. Again did Jesus decline to participate in their discussions or to express himself regarding their conclusions. The apostles of John had always used the anointing oil in their ministry to the sick and afflicted, and they sought to establish this as a uniform practice for both groups, but the apostles of Jesus refused to bind themselves by such a regulation.
Evangelisti su bili odaslani u skupinama od po pet, dok su Isus i dvanaestorica uglavnom putovali zajedno, a apostoli su, po potrebi, išli krstiti vjernike po dvojica. Skoro dva tjedna Abner i njegovi suradnici također su surađivali s evangelistima, savjetujući ih u radu i krsteći vjernike. Posjetili su Magdalu, Tiberijadu, Nazaret i sve veće gradove i sela središnje i južne Galileje, sva mjesta koja su prije posjetili i mnoga druga. Bila je to njihova posljednja poruka Galileji, izuzev njezinih sjevernih dijelova.
150:0.4 (1678.4)
The evangelists were sent out in groups of five, while Jesus and the twelve traveled together most of the time, the apostles going out two and two to baptize believers as occasion required. For a period of almost three weeks Abner and his associates also worked with the evangelistic groups, advising them and baptizing believers. They visited Magdala, Tiberias, Nazareth, and all the principal cities and villages of central and southern Galilee, all the places previously visited and many others. This was their last message to Galilee, except to the northern portions.
Od svih hrabrih pothvata Isusova zemaljskog života, najčudesnija je bila njegova iznenadna najava navečer 16. siječnja: „Sutra ćemo odvojiti deset žena za služenje u radu kraljevstva.“ Na početku dvotjednog razdoblja tijekom kojega su apostoli i evangelisti trebali biti odsutni iz Betsaide na dopustu, Isus je rekao Davidu da pozove svoje roditelje da se vrate u svoj dom i da pošalje glasnike kako bi u Betsaidu pozvali deset pobožnih žena koje su služile u upravljanju bivšim taborom i šatorskom bolnicom. Sve su te žene već slušale pouku koju su dobivali mladi evangelisti, ali ni njima ni njihovim učiteljima nikada nije palo na pamet da bi se Isus usudio povjeriti ženama da poučavaju evanđelje kraljevstva i služe bolesnicima. Ovih deset žena koje je Isus odabrao i postavio bile su: Suzana, kći bivšeg hazana nazaretske sinagoge; Ivana, žena Kuze, upravitelja Heroda Antipe; Elizabeta, kći bogatog Židova iz Tiberijade i Sefore; Marta, starija sestra Andrije i Petra; Rahela, snaha Jude, Učiteljeva zemaljskog brata; Nasanta, kći Elmana, sirijskog liječnika; Milka, rođakinja apostola Tome; Ruta, najstarija kći Mateja Levija; Kelta, kći rimskog stotnika; i Agamana, udovica iz Damaska. Isus je ovoj skupini kasnije pridružio još dvije žene — Mariju Magdalenu i Rebeku, kćer Josipa iz Arimateje.
150:1.1 (1678.5)
Of all the daring things which Jesus did in connection with his earth career, the most amazing was his sudden announcement on the evening of January 16: “On the morrow we will set apart ten women for the ministering work of the kingdom.” At the beginning of the two weeks’ period during which the apostles and the evangelists were to be absent from Bethsaida on their furlough, Jesus requested David to summon his parents back to their home and to dispatch messengers calling to Bethsaida ten devout women who had served in the administration of the former encampment and the tented infirmary. These women had all listened to the instruction given the young evangelists, but it had never occurred to either themselves or their teachers that Jesus would dare to commission women to teach the gospel of the kingdom and minister to the sick. These ten women selected and commissioned by Jesus were: Susanna, the daughter of the former chazan of the Nazareth synagogue; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the steward of Herod Antipas; Elizabeth, the daughter of a wealthy Jew of Tiberias and Sepphoris; Martha, the elder sister of Andrew and Peter; Rachel, the sister-in-law of Jude, the Master’s brother in the flesh; Nasanta, the daughter of Elman, the Syrian physician; Milcha, a cousin of the Apostle Thomas; Ruth, the eldest daughter of Matthew Levi; Celta, the daughter of a Roman centurion; and Agaman, a widow of Damascus. Subsequently, Jesus added two other women to this group—Mary Magdalene and Rebecca, the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea.
Isus je ovlastio ove žene da same organiziraju svoju skupinu i naložio Judi da osigura sredstva za njihovu opremu i tovarne životinje. Deset žena izabralo je Suzanu za svoju poglavaricu, a Ivanu za blagajnicu. Od tada su same osiguravale sredstva za svoj rad; nikada više nisu tražile potporu od Jude.
150:1.2 (1679.1)
Jesus authorized these women to effect their own organization and directed Judas to provide funds for their equipment and for pack animals. The ten elected Susanna as their chief and Joanna as their treasurer. From this time on they furnished their own funds; never again did they draw upon Judas for support.
Bilo je gotovo za nevjerovati u ono vrijeme, kad ženama nije bilo dopušteno da se pojave na glavnom katu sinagoge (već su bile ograničene na žensku galeriju), vidjeti kako su žene priznate kao zvanične učiteljice novog evanđelja kraljevstva. Služba koju je ovih deset žena primilo od Isusa kada ih je odvojio za poučavanje evanđelja i služenje bila je proglas emancipacije kojim je zauvijek oslobođen ženski rod; muškarac više nije smio smatrati ženu duhovno inferiornom. Bio je to definitivan šok čak i za dvanaestoricu apostola. Premda su mnogo puta čuli Učitelja kako govori da „u kraljevstvu nebeskom nema ni bogatog ni siromašnog, ni slobodnjaka ni roba, ni muškarca ni žene, već su svi jednako sinovi i kćeri Boga“, bili su doslovce zapanjeni kada je odlučio službeno imenovati ovih deset žena na položaj vjerskih učiteljica i čak im dopustiti da s njima putuju. Cijela je zemlja bila potresena ovim postupkom, koji su Isusovi neprijatelji obilato iskoristili protiv njega, dok su posvuda žene koje su vjerovale u dobru vijest odlučno stale uz svoje odabrane sestre i čvrstim glasom izrazile svoje odobravanje ovog zakašnjelog priznanja ženina mjesta u vjerskom radu. Ovo oslobođenje žena, kojim im je dano dužno priznanje, apostoli su provodili neposredno nakon Učiteljeva odlaska, iako su se kasniji naraštaji vratili starim običajima. Tijekom ranih dana kršćanske crkve žene učiteljice i služiteljice nazivane su đakonicama i kao takve uživale su opće priznanje. Ali Pavao, unatoč tome što je sve to u teoriji priznavao, nikada to nije doista ugradio u vlastiti stav i osobno je teško provodio u praksi.
150:1.3 (1679.2)
It was most astounding in that day, when women were not even allowed on the main floor of the synagogue (being confined to the women’s gallery), to behold them being recognized as authorized teachers of the new gospel of the kingdom. The charge which Jesus gave these ten women as he set them apart for gospel teaching and ministry was the emancipation proclamation which set free all women and for all time; no more was man to look upon woman as his spiritual inferior. This was a decided shock to even the twelve apostles. Notwithstanding they had many times heard the Master say that “in the kingdom of heaven there is neither rich nor poor, free nor bond, male nor female, all are equally the sons and daughters of God,” they were literally stunned when he proposed formally to commission these ten women as religious teachers and even to permit their traveling about with them. The whole country was stirred up by this proceeding, the enemies of Jesus making great capital out of this move, but everywhere the women believers in the good news stood stanchly behind their chosen sisters and voiced no uncertain approval of this tardy acknowledgment of woman’s place in religious work. And this liberation of women, giving them due recognition, was practiced by the apostles immediately after the Master’s departure, albeit they fell back to the olden customs in subsequent generations. Throughout the early days of the Christian church women teachers and ministers were called deaconesses and were accorded general recognition. But Paul, despite the fact that he conceded all this in theory, never really incorporated it into his own attitude and personally found it difficult to carry out in practice.
Kad je apostolska skupina putovala iz Betsaide, žene su putovale na kraju kolone. Na sjednicama su uvijek kao skupina sjedile ispred i desno od govornika. Sve je više žena postajalo vjernicama u evanđelje kraljevstva i svaki put kad su željele osobno razgovarati s Isusom ili jednim od apostola, nailazile su na velike poteškoće i beskrajne neprijatnosti. Ali sada je sve to bilo promijenjeno. Kad god je neka vjernica željela vidjeti Učitelja ili razgovarati s apostolima, obraćala bi se Suzani i, u društvu jedne od dvanaest žena evangelistica, odmah bi otišla pred Učitelja ili jednog od njegovih apostola.
150:2.1 (1679.3)
As the apostolic party journeyed from Bethsaida, the women traveled in the rear. During the conference time they always sat in a group in front and to the right of the speaker. Increasingly, women had become believers in the gospel of the kingdom, and it had been a source of much difficulty and no end of embarrassment when they had desired to hold personal converse with Jesus or one of the apostles. Now all this was changed. When any of the women believers desired to see the Master or confer with the apostles, they went to Susanna, and in company with one of the twelve women evangelists, they would go at once into the presence of the Master or one of his apostles.
Žene su u Magdali prvi put pokazale svoju učinkovitost i opravdale mudrost njihova odabira. Andrija je svojim suradnicima nametnuo prilično stroga pravila u vezi s osobnim radom sa ženama, osobito sa ženama sumnjiva karaktera. Kada je skupina stigla u Magdalu, ovih deset žena evangelistica slobodno je moglo ući u zloglasna mjesta i izravno donijeti radosnu vijest svim njihovim stanovnicama. Kada su posjećivale bolesne, ove su se žene mogle vrlo približiti svojim unesrećenim sestrama u svojoj službi. Kao rezultat službe ovih deset žena (koje su kasnije postale poznate kao dvanaest žena), Marija Magdalena bila je pridobivena za kraljevstvo. Nakon niza nesretnih događaja i zbog stava uglednog društva prema ženama koje počine takve pogreške u prosuđivanju, ova se žena našla u jednom od zloglasnih mjesta Magdale. Marta i Rahela jasno su objasnile Mariji da su vrata kraljevstva otvorena čak i takvima kao što je ona. Marija je povjerovala u radosnu vijest i sutradan ju je Petar krstio.
150:2.2 (1680.1)
It was at Magdala that the women first demonstrated their usefulness and vindicated the wisdom of their choosing. Andrew had imposed rather strict rules upon his associates about doing personal work with women, especially with those of questionable character. When the party entered Magdala, these ten women evangelists were free to enter the evil resorts and preach the glad tidings directly to all their inmates. And when visiting the sick, these women were able to draw very close in their ministry to their afflicted sisters. As the result of the ministry of these ten women (afterward known as the twelve women) at this place, Mary Magdalene was won for the kingdom. Through a succession of misfortunes and in consequence of the attitude of reputable society toward women who commit such errors of judgment, this woman had found herself in one of the nefarious resorts of Magdala. It was Martha and Rachel who made plain to Mary that the doors of the kingdom were open to even such as she. Mary believed the good news and was baptized by Peter the next day.
Marija Magdalena postala je najučinkovitija učiteljica evanđelja među tom skupinom od dvanaest žena evangelistica. Bila je postavljena na ovu dužnost zajedno s Rebekom u Jotapati, otprilike četiri tjedna nakon svojega obraćenja. Marija i Rebeka, zajedno s ostalima iz ove skupine, nastavile su vjerno i učinkovito raditi na prosvjetljenju i uzdizanju svojih potlačenih sestara tijekom ostatka Isusova zemaljskog života; a kada se odigravala posljednja i tragična epizoda u drami Isusova života, unatoč tomu što su svi apostoli osim jednoga pobjegli, sve su ove žene bile prisutne i nijedna ga nije ni zanijekala ni izdala.
150:2.3 (1680.2)
Mary Magdalene became the most effective teacher of the gospel among this group of twelve women evangelists. She was set apart for such service, together with Rebecca, at Jotapata about four weeks subsequent to her conversion. Mary and Rebecca, with the others of this group, went on through the remainder of Jesus’ life on earth, laboring faithfully and effectively for the enlightenment and uplifting of their downtrodden sisters; and when the last and tragic episode in the drama of Jesus’ life was being enacted, notwithstanding the apostles all fled but one, these women were all present, and not one either denied or betrayed him.
Andrija je u skladu s Isusovim uputama povjerio subotnju službu apostolske skupine ženama. To je, naravno, značilo da se služba nije mogla održati u novoj sinagogi. Žene su odabrale Ivanu da vodi ovu prigodu, a sastanak je održan u banketnoj dvorani Herodove nove palače, dok je Herod boravio u Juliji u Pereji. Ivana je čitala iz Pisma o ulozi žena u vjerskom životu Izraela, spominjući Mirjam, Deboru, Esteru i druge.
150:3.1 (1680.3)
The Sabbath services of the apostolic party had been put in the hands of the women by Andrew, upon instructions from Jesus. This meant, of course, that they could not be held in the new synagogue. The women selected Joanna to have charge of this occasion, and the meeting was held in the banquet room of Herod’s new palace, Herod being away in residence at Julias in Perea. Joanna read from the Scriptures concerning woman’s work in the religious life of Israel, making reference to Miriam, Deborah, Esther, and others.
Kasno te večeri Isus je pred ujedinjenom skupinom održao nezaboravan govor o „Magiji i praznovjerju“. U ono se vrijeme pojava sjajne i navodno nove zvijezde smatrala znakom da je na zemlji rođen neki velik čovjek. Budući da je takva zvijezda nedavno bila opažena, Andrija je pitao Isusa jesu li ta vjerovanja bila utemeljena. U svom dugom odgovoru na Andrijino pitanje Učitelj se upustio u temeljitu raspravu o cijelom predmetu ljudskog praznovjerja. Isusove izjave tom se prilikom mogu sažeti i izraziti suvremenim jezikom na sljedeći način:
150:3.2 (1680.4)
Late that evening Jesus gave the united group a memorable talk on “Magic and Superstition.” In those days the appearance of a bright and supposedly new star was regarded as a token indicating that a great man had been born on earth. Such a star having then recently been observed, Andrew asked Jesus if these beliefs were well founded. In the long answer to Andrew’s question the Master entered upon a thoroughgoing discussion of the whole subject of human superstition. The statement which Jesus made at this time may be summarized in modern phraseology as follows:
5. Dok ždrijeb može biti zgodan način rješavanja manjih poteškoća, to nije metoda za otkrivanje božanske volje. Takvi rezultati isključivo su stvar materijalne slučajnosti. Jedini način komunikacije s duhovnim svijetom sadržan je u daru duha čovječanstvu, u Očevu duhu koji prebiva u čovjeku, zajedno s izlivenim Duhom Sina i sveprisutnim utjecajem Beskonačnog Duha.
150:3.7 (1681.2)
5. Casting lots, while it may be a convenient way of settling many minor difficulties, is not a method designed to disclose the divine will. Such outcomes are purely matters of material chance. The only means of communion with the spiritual world is embraced in the spirit endowment of mankind, the indwelling spirit of the Father, together with the outpoured spirit of the Son and the omnipresent influence of the Infinite Spirit.
150:3.11 (1681.6)
9. The practices of the enchanters, the wizards, the magicians, and the sorcerers, were derived from the superstitions of the Egyptians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the ancient Canaanites. Amulets and all sorts of incantations are futile either to win the protection of good spirits or to ward off supposed evil spirits.
Iduće večeri, nakon što je okupio dvanaestoricu apostola, Ivanove apostole i novoformirani zbor žena, Isus je rekao: „Vidite i sami da je žetva velika, ali radnika je malo. Neka se svi, stoga, pomolimo Gospodaru žetve da pošalje još više radnika u svoja polja. Dok ja ostajem ovdje da utješim i poučim mlađe učitelje, vas starije poslao bih po dvojicu da brzo prođete cijelom Galilejom propovijedajući evanđelje kraljevstva dok je još zgodno i mirno.“ Zatim je odredio parove apostola kako je želio da pođu, a to su bili: Andrija i Petar, Jakov i Ivan Zebedejev, Filip i Natanael, Toma i Matej, Jakov i Juda Alfejev, Šimun Revnitelj i Juda Iškariotski.
150:4.1 (1681.8)
The next evening, having gathered together the twelve apostles, the apostles of John, and the newly commissioned women’s group, Jesus said: “You see for yourselves that the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Let us all, therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest that he send forth still more laborers into his fields. While I remain to comfort and instruct the younger teachers, I would send out the older ones two and two that they may pass quickly over all Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom while it is yet convenient and peaceful.” Then he designated the pairs of apostles as he desired them to go forth, and they were: Andrew and Peter, James and John Zebedee, Philip and Nathaniel, Thomas and Matthew, James and Judas Alpheus, Simon Zelotes and Judas Iscariot.
Isus je odredio datum susreta s dvanaestoricom u Nazaretu i na rastanku rekao: „Na ovoj misiji ne idite ni u jedan grad pogana, niti idite u Samariju, nego pođite izgubljenim ovcama doma Izraelova. Propovijedajte evanđelje kraljevstva i proglasite spasonosnu istinu da je čovjek sin Božji. Ne zaboravite da učenik jedva da je iznad svojega učitelja i da sluga nije veći od svojega gospodara. Dovoljno je da učenik bude jednak svojemu učitelju, a sluga da postane poput svojega gospodara. Ako su se neki ljudi usudili nazvati gospodara kuće suradnikom Beelzebuba, koliko će više tako smatrati njegove ukućane! Ali nemojte se bojati tih bezvjernih neprijatelja. Kažem vam: ništa nije skriveno što se neće otkriti, ni tajno što se neće doznati.“ Što sam vas poučavao nasamo, to propovijedajte s mudrošću javno. Što sam vam otkrio u unutarnjoj odaji, to ćete u pravo vrijeme objaviti s krovova. I kažem vam, prijatelji moji i učenici, ne bojte se onih koji mogu ubiti tijelo, ali nisu u stanju uništiti dušu; radije stavite svoje povjerenje u Onoga koji je u stanju održati tijelo i spasiti dušu.
150:4.2 (1681.9)
Jesus arranged the date for meeting the twelve at Nazareth, and in parting, he said: “On this mission go not to any city of the gentiles, neither go into Samaria, but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Preach the gospel of the kingdom and proclaim the saving truth that man is a son of God. Remember that the disciple is hardly above his master nor a servant greater than his lord. It is enough for the disciple to be equal with his master and the servant to become like his lord. If some people have dared to call the master of the house an associate of Beelzebub, how much more shall they so regard those of his household! But you should not fear these unbelieving enemies. I declare to you that there is nothing covered up that is not going to be revealed; there is nothing hidden that shall not be known. What I have taught you privately, that preach with wisdom in the open. What I have revealed to you in the inner chamber, that you are to proclaim in due season from the housetops. And I say to you, my friends and disciples, be not afraid of those who can kill the body, but who are not able to destroy the soul; rather put your trust in Him who is able to sustain the body and save the soul.
„Ne prodaju li se dva vrapca za novčić? Ipak, kažem vam da ni jedan od njih nije zaboravljen pred Bogom. A vama su i vlasi na glavi sve izbrojene! Ne bojte se, dakle; vi ste vrijedniji od mnogo vrabaca. Nemojte se sramiti mojega nauka; idite po svijetu navješćujući mir i dobru volju, ali nemojte se zavaravati — mir neće uvijek pratiti vaše propovijedanje. Došao sam donijeti mir na zemlju, ali kada ljudi odbiju moj dar, dolazi do podjele i previranja. Kada cijela obitelj primi evanđelje kraljevstva, istinski mir ostaje u toj kući; ali kada neki u obitelji uđu u kraljevstvo, a drugi odbace evanđelje, takva podjela može donijeti samo tugu i patnju. Radite iskreno na spasenju cijele obitelji kako čovjekovi neprijatelji ne bi postali oni iz njegova doma. Ali, nakon što učinite sve što je u vašoj moći za sve pripadnike svake obitelji, kažem vam: onaj koji ljubi oca ili majku više nego ovo evanđelje nije dostojan kraljevstva.“
150:4.3 (1682.1)
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And yet I declare that not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Know you not that the very hairs of your head are all numbered? Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than a great many sparrows. Be not ashamed of my teaching; go forth proclaiming peace and good will, but be not deceived—peace will not always attend your preaching. I came to bring peace on earth, but when men reject my gift, division and turmoil result. When all of a family receive the gospel of the kingdom, truly peace abides in that house; but when some of the family enter the kingdom and others reject the gospel, such division can produce only sorrow and sadness. Labor earnestly to save the whole family lest a man’s foes become those of his own household. But, when you have done your utmost for all of every family, I declare to you that he who loves father or mother more than this gospel is not worthy of the kingdom.”
Jedne večeri u Šunemu, nakon što su se Ivanovi apostoli vratili u Hebron i nakon što su Isusovi apostoli odaslani u parovima, dok je Učitelj bio zaokupljen poučavanjem dvanaestorice mlađih evangelista koji su radili pod upravom Jakoba, kao i dvanaest žena, Rahela je ovako pitala Isusa: „Učitelju, što ćemo reći kad nas žene pitaju: ‘Što trebamo učiniti da primimo spasenje?’“ Kad je Isus čuo ovo pitanje, odgovorio je:
150:5.1 (1682.3)
One evening at Shunem, after John’s apostles had returned to Hebron, and after Jesus’ apostles had been sent out two and two, when the Master was engaged in teaching a group of twelve of the younger evangelists who were laboring under the direction of Jacob, together with the twelve women, Rachel asked Jesus this question: “Master, what shall we answer when women ask us, What shall I do to be saved?” When Jesus heard this question, he answered:
„Kad vas muškarci i žene pitaju što će učiniti da prime spasenje, ovako im odgovorite: Vjeruj u evanđelje kraljevstva; prihvati božanski oprost. Vjerom prepoznaj duh Božji koji prebiva u tebi i prihvaćanjem tog duha postani sin Božji. Niste li pročitali u Pismima gdje piše: ‘Jedino je u Jahvi pobjeda i snaga.’ I gdje Otac kaže: ‘Brzo će stići pravda moja, moje će spasenje doći kao svjetlost. Moja će mišica obujmiti moj narod.’ ‘Radošću silnom u Jahvi se radujem, duša moja kliče u Bogu mojemu, jer me odjenu haljinom spasenja, zaogmu plaštem pravednosti.’ Niste li također pročitali da će Otac ‘biti prozvan Gospodarem pravednosti.’ ‘Skinite s njega prljave haljine samozvane ispravnosti i ogrnite moga sina plaštem božanske pravednosti i vječnog spasenja.’ Zauvijek je istina: ‘Pravednik živi od svoje vjere.’ Ulazak u Očevo kraljevstvo posve je slobodan, ali napredovanje — rast u milosti — nužno je za ostanak u njemu.“
150:5.2 (1682.4)
“When men and women ask what shall we do to be saved, you shall answer, Believe this gospel of the kingdom; accept divine forgiveness. By faith recognize the indwelling spirit of God, whose acceptance makes you a son of God. Have you not read in the Scriptures where it says, ‘In the Lord have I righteousness and strength.’ Also where the Father says, ‘My righteousness is near; my salvation has gone forth, and my arms shall enfold my people.’ ‘My soul shall be joyful in the love of my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation and has covered me with the robe of his righteousness.’ Have you not also read of the Father that his name ‘shall be called the Lord our righteousness.’ ‘Take away the filthy rags of self-righteousness and clothe my son with the robe of divine righteousness and eternal salvation.’ It is forever true, ‘the just shall live by faith.’ Entrance into the Father’s kingdom is wholly free, but progress—growth in grace—is essential to continuance therein.
„Spasenje je dar Oca koje obznanjuju njegovi Sinovi. Kad čovjek vjerom prihvati ovu činjenicu, on postaje dionikom božanske prirode, sinom ili kćerkom Boga. Po vjeri ste opravdani; po vjeri ste spašeni; te istom tom vjerom čovjek vječno napreduje na putu progresivnog i božanskog savršenstva. Abraham je bio opravdan vjerom i zahvaljujući učenjima Melkizedeka postao svjestan spasenja. Kroz mnoga stoljeća ta je ista vjera spašavala sinove ljudi, ali sada je došao Sin od Oca da učini spasenje stvarnijim i prihvatljivijim.“
150:5.3 (1682.5)
“Salvation is the gift of the Father and is revealed by his Sons. Acceptance by faith on your part makes you a partaker of the divine nature, a son or a daughter of God. By faith you are justified; by faith are you saved; and by this same faith are you eternally advanced in the way of progressive and divine perfection. By faith was Abraham justified and made aware of salvation by the teachings of Melchizedek. All down through the ages has this same faith saved the sons of men, but now has a Son come forth from the Father to make salvation more real and acceptable.”
Kad je Isus završio s govorom, zavladala je velika radost među onima koji su čuli njegove riječi i svi su u danima koji su uslijedili propovijedali evanđelje kraljevstva s novom snagom i obnovljenom energijom i entuzijazmom. I žene su se utoliko više radovale jer su saznale da su i one uključene u ove planove za uspostavu kraljevstva na zemlji.
150:5.4 (1683.1)
When Jesus had left off speaking, there was great rejoicing among those who had heard these gracious words, and they all went on in the days that followed proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom with new power and with renewed energy and enthusiasm. And the women rejoiced all the more to know they were included in these plans for the establishment of the kingdom on earth.
U zaključku svoje završne izjave, Isus je rekao: „Čovjek ne može kupiti spasenje; ne može zaraditi pravednost. Spasenje je dar od Boga, a pravednost je prirodni plod života sinovstva rođenog od duha u kraljevstvu. Niste spašeni zbog toga što živite pravednim životom; nego živite pravednim životom zato što ste već spašeni, jer ste prepoznali sinovstvo kao dar Božji, a službu u kraljevstvu kao najveće zadovoljstvo života na zemlji. Kad ljudi vjeruju u ovo evanđelje, koje je objava Božje dobrote, ono ih vodi k dobrovoljnom pokajanju za sve poznate grijehe. Spoznaja sinovstva nespojiva je sa željom za grijehom. Vjernici kraljevstva gladuju za pravednošću i žeđaju za božanskim savršenstvom.“
150:5.5 (1683.2)
In summing up his final statement, Jesus said: “You cannot buy salvation; you cannot earn righteousness. Salvation is the gift of God, and righteousness is the natural fruit of the spirit-born life of sonship in the kingdom. You are not to be saved because you live a righteous life; rather is it that you live a righteous life because you have already been saved, have recognized sonship as the gift of God and service in the kingdom as the supreme delight of life on earth. When men believe this gospel, which is a revelation of the goodness of God, they will be led to voluntary repentance of all known sin. Realization of sonship is incompatible with the desire to sin. Kingdom believers hunger for righteousness and thirst for divine perfection.”
U večernjim razgovorima Isus je govorio o brojnim temama. Tijekom ostatka turneje — prije nego što su se svi ponovno okupili u Nazaretu — govorio je o „Božjoj ljubavi“, „Snovima i vizijama“, „Zlobi“, „Poniznosti i blagosti“, „Hrabrosti i odanosti“, „Glazbi i bogoštovlju“, „Službi i poslušnosti“, „Ponosu i preuzetnosti“, „Vezi između oprosta i pokajanja“, „Miru i savršenstvu“, „Zlim riječima i ljubomori“, „Zlu, grijehu i iskušenju“, „Sumnji i nevjeri“, „Mudrosti i obožavanju“. Kako nije bilo starijih apostola, ove mlađe skupine muškaraca i žena slobodnije su se uključivale u te razgovore s Učiteljem.
150:6.1 (1683.3)
At the evening discussions Jesus talked upon many subjects. During the remainder of this tour—before they all reunited at Nazareth—he discussed “The Love of God,” “Dreams and Visions,” “Malice,” “Humility and Meekness,” “Courage and Loyalty,” “Music and Worship,” “Service and Obedience,” “Pride and Presumption,” “Forgiveness in Relation to Repentance,” “Peace and Perfection,” “Evil Speaking and Envy,” “Evil, Sin, and Temptation,” “Doubts and Unbelief,” “Wisdom and Worship.” With the older apostles away, these younger groups of both men and women more freely entered into these discussions with the Master.
Nakon što bi proveo dva ili tri dana s jednom dvanaestočlanom skupinom evangelista, Isus bi krenuo dalje pridružiti se drugoj skupini, a Davidovi glasnici obavještavali su ga o tome gdje se nalaze svi ti radnici i kamo se kreću. Kako je ovo bila njihova prva turneja, žene su najveći dio vremena provodile s Isusom. Putem glasničke službe svaka je skupina bila u potpunosti obaviještena o napretku turneje, a primanje vijesti o radu drugih skupina uvijek je bilo izvor ohrabrenja tim razasutim i međusobno odvojenim radnicima.
150:6.2 (1683.4)
After spending two or three days with one group of twelve evangelists, Jesus would move on to join another group, being informed as to the whereabouts and movements of all these workers by David’s messengers. This being their first tour, the women remained much of the time with Jesus. Through the messenger service each of these groups was kept fully informed concerning the progress of the tour, and the receipt of news from other groups was always a source of encouragement to these scattered and separated workers.
Prije nego što će se razići, dogovoreno je da se dvanaestorica apostola, zajedno s evangelistima i zborom žena, okupe u Nazaretu s Isusom u petak, 4. ožujka. Prema tome, otprilike u ovo vrijeme, iz svih dijelova središnje i južne Galileje krenule su različite skupine apostola i evangelista prema Nazaretu. Do sredine poslijepodneva Andrija i Petar, posljednji koji su stigli, došli su u tabor koji su pripremili oni koji su ranije pristigli, a koji se nalazio na uzvisinama sjeverno od grada. I to je bio prvi put da je Isus posjetio Nazaret od početka svojega javnog rada.
150:6.3 (1683.5)
Before their separation it had been arranged that the twelve apostles, together with the evangelists and the women’s corps, should assemble at Nazareth to meet the Master on Friday, March 4. Accordingly, about this time, from all parts of central and southern Galilee these various groups of apostles and evangelists began moving toward Nazareth. By midafternoon, Andrew and Peter, the last to arrive, had reached the encampment prepared by the early arrivals and situated on the highlands to the north of the city. And this was the first time Jesus had visited Nazareth since the beginning of his public ministry.
Ovaj petak poslijepodne Isus je hodao po Nazaretu uglavnom nezapaženo i neprepoznato. Prošao je pored kuće u kojoj je odrastao i svoje stolarske radionice te proveo pola sata na brdu na koje se tako rado penjao kao mladić. Otkada je primio krštenje od Ivana u Jordanu, Sin Čovječji nije bio tako duboko preplavljen ljudskim emocijama u svojoj duši. Dok je silazio s brda, čuo je poznati zvuk trube koji je najavljivao zalazak sunca, upravo onako kako ga je imao prilike čuti mnogo, mnogo puta tijekom svojega djetinjstva u Nazaretu. Prije nego što se vratio u tabor, prošao je pored sinagoge gdje je išao u školu i prepustio se mnogim uspomenama iz dana djetinjstva. Isus je ranije poslao Tomu da se s upraviteljem sinagoge dogovori o njegovu propovijedanju na subotnjoj jutarnjoj službi.
150:7.1 (1683.6)
This Friday afternoon Jesus walked about Nazareth quite unobserved and wholly unrecognized. He passed by the home of his childhood and the carpenter shop and spent a half hour on the hill which he so much enjoyed when a lad. Not since the day of his baptism by John in the Jordan had the Son of Man had such a flood of human emotion stirred up within his soul. While coming down from the mount, he heard the familiar sounds of the trumpet blast announcing the going down of the sun, just as he had so many, many times heard it when a boy growing up in Nazareth. Before returning to the encampment, he walked down by the synagogue where he had gone to school and indulged his mind in many reminiscences of his childhood days. Earlier in the day Jesus had sent Thomas to arrange with the ruler of the synagogue for his preaching at the Sabbath morning service.
Stanovnici Nazareta nikada nisu bili na glasu po pobožnosti i ispravnom življenju. Kako su godine prolazile, ovo je selo sve više bilo zagađeno niskim moralnim standardima obližnje Sefore. Tijekom cijelog Isusova djetinjstva i mladosti u Nazaretu je vladala podijeljenost mišljenja o njemu; javila se velika odbojnost kada se preselio u Kafarnaum. Dok su žitelji Nazareta mnogo čuli o djelima svojega negdašnjeg tesara, bili su uvrijeđeni što svoje rodno selo nikada nije uključio u svoje ranije propovjedničke pohode. Doista su čuli mnogo toga o Isusovoj slavi, ali većina žitelja bila je ljuta što nije učinio nijedno od svojih velikih djela u gradu svoje mladosti. Mjesecima su Nazarećani raspravljali o Isusu, ali njihovo je mišljenje o njemu uglavnom bilo nepovoljno.
150:7.2 (1684.1)
The people of Nazareth were never reputed for piety and righteous living. As the years passed, this village became increasingly contaminated by the low moral standards of near-by Sepphoris. Throughout Jesus’ youth and young manhood there had been a division of opinion in Nazareth regarding him; there was much resentment when he moved to Capernaum. While the inhabitants of Nazareth had heard much about the doings of their former carpenter, they were offended that he had never included his native village in any of his earlier preaching tours. They had indeed heard of Jesus’ fame, but the majority of the citizens were angry because he had done none of his great works in the city of his youth. For months the people of Nazareth had discussed Jesus much, but their opinions were, on the whole, unfavorable to him.
Učitelja tako nije dočekao prijem i topla dobrodošlica, nego neprijateljska i izrazito kritična atmosfera. Ali to nije bilo sve. Njegovi neprijatelji, znajući da je namjeravao provesti ovu subotu u Nazaretu i pretpostavljajući da je namjeravao govoriti u sinagogi, podmitili su mnoge grube i neotesane ljude da ga maltretiraju i da mu stvore sve moguće probleme.
150:7.3 (1684.2)
Thus did the Master find himself in the midst of, not a welcome homecoming, but a decidedly hostile and hypercritical atmosphere. But this was not all. His enemies, knowing that he was to spend this Sabbath day in Nazareth and supposing that he would speak in the synagogue, had hired numerous rough and uncouth men to harass him and in every way possible make trouble.
Većina Isusovih starih prijatelja, uključujući i omiljenog učitelja religije iz njegove mladosti, bilo da su umrli ili napustili Nazaret, dok je mlađa generacija uglavnom iz snažne ljubomore osjećala odbojnost prema njegovoj slavi. Zaboravili su njegovu ranu odanost obitelji njegova oca i ogorčeno ga kritizirali što nije dolazio u posjet svome bratu i udanim sestrama koji su živjeli u Nazaretu. Ova je neljubaznost građana također bila pojačana stavom Isusove obitelji prema njemu. Staromodniji među Židovima čak su se usudili kritizirati Isusa zbog toga što je ovoga subotnjeg jutra prebrzo hodao na putu prema sinagogi.
150:7.4 (1684.3)
Most of the older of Jesus’ friends, including the doting chazan teacher of his youth, were dead or had left Nazareth, and the younger generation was prone to resent his fame with strong jealousy. They failed to remember his early devotion to his father’s family, and they were bitter in their criticism of his neglect to visit his brother and his married sisters living in Nazareth. The attitude of Jesus’ family toward him had also tended to increase this unkind feeling of the citizenry. The orthodox among the Jews even presumed to criticize Jesus because he walked too fast on the way to the synagogue this Sabbath morning.
Subota je bila predivan dan i cijeli je Nazaret, prijatelji i neprijatelji, došao čuti govor svog negdašnjeg sugrađanina u sinagogi. Veći dio apostolske pratnje morao je ostati vani; nije bilo mjesta za sve koji su došli da ga čuju. Kao mladić Isus je često govorio u ovoj bogomolji i ovoga se jutra, kad mu je upravitelj sinagoge pružio svitak Svetih spisa iz kojega je trebao pročitati odlomak Svetoga pisma, činilo da se nitko od prisutnih nije sjetio da je upravo taj rukopis bio Isusov dar ovoj sinagogi.
150:8.1 (1684.4)
This Sabbath was a beautiful day, and all Nazareth, friends and foes, turned out to hear this former citizen of their town discourse in the synagogue. Many of the apostolic retinue had to remain without the synagogue; there was not room for all who had come to hear him. As a young man Jesus had often spoken in this place of worship, and this morning, when the ruler of the synagogue handed him the roll of sacred writings from which to read the Scripture lesson, none present seemed to recall that this was the very manuscript which he had presented to this synagogue.
Služba je toga dana održana upravo onako kako je Isus u njoj sudjelovao kao dječak. Popeo se na govornicu s upraviteljem sinagoge, a služba je otvorena recitiranjem dviju molitava: „Blažen je Gospodin, Kralj svijeta, koji oblikuje svjetlo i stvara tamu, koji sklapa mir i stvara sve; koji, u svojoj milosti, daje svjetlo zemlji i svima koji na njoj žive te u svojoj dobroti, iz dana u dan, obnavlja djela stvaranja. Blažen je Gospodin, naš Bog, zbog slave djela svojih ruku i zbog svjetlila koja je stvorio da ga slave. Selah. Blažen je Gospodin, naš Bog, koji je oblikovao svjetlila.”
150:8.2 (1684.5)
The services on this day were conducted just as when Jesus had attended them as a boy. He ascended the speaking platform with the ruler of the synagogue, and the service was begun by the recital of two prayers: “Blessed is the Lord, King of the world, who forms the light and creates the darkness, who makes peace and creates everything; who, in mercy, gives light to the earth and to those who dwell upon it and in goodness, day by day and every day, renews the works of creation. Blessed is the Lord our God for the glory of his handiworks and for the light-giving lights which he has made for his praise. Selah. Blessed is the Lord our God, who has formed the lights.”
Nakon kraće pauze ponovno su molili: „S velikom nas je ljubavlju volio naš Bog i s velikim obiljem samilosti iskazao nam je milosrđe, naš Otac i naš Kralj, radi naših otaca koji su se u njega uzdali. Ti si ih poučio pravilima života; smiluj nam se i pouči nas. Prosvijetli naše oči Zakonom; učini da naša srca prionu uz tvoje zapovijedi; ujedini naša srca da ljubimo i bojimo se tvoga imena i nećemo biti osramoćeni dovijeka. Jer ti si Bog koji pripravlja spasenje i nas si izabrao između svih naroda i jezika te si nas uistinu približio svojem velikom imenu — selah — kako bismo s ljubavlju slavili tvoje jedinstvo. Blagoslovljen je Gospodin koji je iz ljubavi izabrao svoj narod Izrael.“
150:8.3 (1685.1)
After a moment’s pause they again prayed: “With great love has the Lord our God loved us, and with much overflowing pity has he pitied us, our Father and our King, for the sake of our fathers who trusted in him. You taught them the statutes of life; have mercy upon us and teach us. Enlighten our eyes in the law; cause our hearts to cleave to your commandments; unite our hearts to love and fear your name, and we shall not be put to shame, world without end. For you are a God who prepares salvation, and us have you chosen from among all nations and tongues, and in truth have you brought us near your great name—selah—that we may lovingly praise your unity. Blessed is the Lord, who in love chose his people Israel.”
150:8.4 (1685.2)
The congregation then recited the Shema, the Jewish creed of faith. This ritual consisted in repeating numerous passages from the law and indicated that the worshipers took upon themselves the yoke of the kingdom of heaven, also the yoke of the commandments as applied to the day and the night.
A zatim je uslijedila treća molitva: „Istina je da si ti Jahve, naš Bog i Bog naših otaca; naš Kralj i Kralj naših otaca; naš Spasitelj i Spasitelj naših otaca; naš Stvoritelj i stijena našega spasenja; naša pomoć i naš izbavitelj. Tvoje je ime od vječnosti i nema Boga osim tebe. Novu su pjesmu tvojem imenu pjevali oni koji su bili izbavljeni na morskoj obali; zajedno su te svi slavili i priznavali za Kralja i govorili: Jahve će kraljevati dovijeka. Blagoslovljen je Gospodin koji spašava Izrael.“
150:8.5 (1685.3)
And then followed the third prayer: “True it is that you are Yahweh, our God and the God of our fathers; our King and the King of our fathers; our Savior and the Savior of our fathers; our Creator and the rock of our salvation; our help and our deliverer. Your name is from everlasting, and there is no God beside you. A new song did they that were delivered sing to your name by the seashore; together did all praise and own you King and say, Yahweh shall reign, world without end. Blessed is the Lord who saves Israel.”
Upravitelj sinagoge je zatim preuzeo njegovo mjesto pred kovčegom — škrinjom — sa Svetim spisima i počeo recitirati devetnaest molitvenih eulogija ili benedikcija. No, ovaj put bilo je poželjno skratiti službu kako bi odabrani gost imao više vremena za govor; tako su pročitali samo prvu i posljednju molitvu. Prva je bila: „Blažen bio Gospodin, naš Bog i Bog naših otaca, Bog Abrahama i Bog Izaka i Bog Jakova; veliki, moćni i strašni Bog koji iskazuje milost i ljubaznost, koji sve stvara, koji se sjeća milostivih obećanja koja je dao našim očevima i koji iz ljubavi, radi svojega imena, donosi Spasitelja djeci njihove djece. O Kralju, pomagaču, Spasitelju, Branitelju! Blažen bio, o Jahve, zaštitniče Abrahamov.“
150:8.6 (1685.4)
The ruler of the synagogue then took his place before the ark, or chest, containing the sacred writings and began the recitation of the nineteen prayer eulogies, or benedictions. But on this occasion it was desirable to shorten the service in order that the distinguished guest might have more time for his discourse; accordingly, only the first and last of the benedictions were recited. The first was: “Blessed is the Lord our God, and the God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who shows mercy and kindness, who creates all things, who remembers the gracious promises to the fathers and brings a savior to their children’s children for his own name’s sake, in love. O King, helper, savior, and shield! Blessed are you, O Yahweh, the shield of Abraham.”
Zatim je slijedila posljednja molitva: „Daruj svom narodu Izraelu veliki mir dovijeka, jer ti si Kralj i Gospodin svakoga mira. Dobro je u tvojim očima uvijek i u svakom času blagoslivljati Izrael mirom. Blagoslovljen bio, o Jahve, koji blagoslivljaš svoj narod Izrael mirom.“ Okupljeni nisu gledali upravitelja sinagoge dok je recitirao blagoslove. Nakon blagoslova ponudio je neformalnu molitvu prikladnu toj prilici i, kada je završio, cijela je zajednica rekla: „Amen.“
150:8.7 (1685.5)
Then followed the last benediction: “O bestow on your people Israel great peace forever, for you are King and the Lord of all peace. And it is good in your eyes to bless Israel at all times and at every hour with peace. Blessed are you, Yahweh, who blesses his people Israel with peace.” The congregation looked not at the ruler as he recited the benedictions. Following the benedictions he offered an informal prayer suitable for the occasion, and when this was concluded, all the congregation joined in saying amen.
Upravitelj je zatim otišao do kovčega i izvadio svitak koji je pružio Isusu da pročita odlomak iz Svetih spisa. Bilo je uobičajeno pozvati sedam osoba da pročitaju najmanje tri stiha iz Zakona, ali su ovom prigodom odstupili od te prakse kako bi gost mogao pročitati odlomak prema vlastitom izboru. Nakon što je uzeo svitak, Isus je stao pred okupljene i počeo čitati iz Ponovljenog zakona: „Ova zapovijed koju ti danas dajem nije skrivena od tebe, niti je predaleko. Nije na nebesima, da bi rekao: Tko će se za nas popeti na nebesa, donijeti nam je i objaviti da je vršimo? Nije ni preko mora, da se može reći: Tko će za nas prijeći preko mora, donijeti nam je i objaviti da je vršimo? Ne, riječ života vrlo je blizu tebe, u tvojoj je prisutnosti i u tvome srcu, da je spoznaš i vršiš.“
150:8.8 (1685.6)
Then the chazan went over to the ark and brought out a roll, which he presented to Jesus that he might read the Scripture lesson. It was customary to call upon seven persons to read not less than three verses of the law, but this practice was waived on this occasion that the visitor might read the lesson of his own selection. Jesus, taking the roll, stood up and began to read from Deuteronomy: “For this commandment which I give you this day is not hidden from you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it down to us that we may hear and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, who will go over the sea for us to bring the commandment to us that we may hear and do it? No, the word of life is very near to you, even in your presence and in your heart, that you may know and obey it.”
150:8.9 (1686.1)
And when he had ceased reading from the law, he turned to Isaiah and began to read: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are bruised and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Isus je zatvorio knjigu i, vraćajući je upravitelju sinagoge, sjeo i počeo sa svojim obraćanjem narodu. Počeo je riječima: „Danas se ovo Pismo koje ste čuli svojim ušima ispunilo.“ A onda je Isus govorio skoro petnaest minuta o „sinovima i kćerima Božjim“. Mnogi su bili zadovoljni onim što su čuli i divili su se njegovom dostojanstvu i mudrosti.
150:8.10 (1686.2)
Jesus closed the book and, after handing it back to the ruler of the synagogue, sat down and began to discourse to the people. He began by saying: “Today are these Scriptures fulfilled.” And then Jesus spoke for almost fifteen minutes on “The Sons and Daughters of God.” Many of the people were pleased with the discourse, and they marveled at his graciousness and wisdom.
Bilo je uobičajeno da nakon završetka formalne službe u sinagogi govornik ostane na svom mjestu kako bi zainteresirani imali priliku postaviti pitanja. Isus je tako nakon govora sišao s govornice i stao među okupljeni narod koji se tiskao oko njega da mu postavi pitanja. U ovoj su skupini bili i mnogi problematični pojedinci koji nisu htjeli ništa drugo nego stvarati probleme, a oko rubova ove mase kružili su pokvarenjaci koji su bili plaćeni da stvore nevolje Isusu. Mnogi učenici i evangelisti koji su ostali vani sada su se počeli probijati u sinagogu i nije im dugo trebalo da shvate kako se sprema nevolja. Nastojali su odvesti Učitelja, ali on im to nije dopustio.
150:8.11 (1686.3)
It was customary in the synagogue, after the conclusion of the formal service, for the speaker to remain so that those who might be interested could ask him questions. Accordingly, on this Sabbath morning Jesus stepped down into the crowd which pressed forward to ask questions. In this group were many turbulent individuals whose minds were bent on mischief, while about the fringe of this crowd there circulated those debased men who had been hired to make trouble for Jesus. Many of the disciples and evangelists who had remained without now pressed into the synagogue and were not slow to recognize that trouble was brewing. They sought to lead the Master away, but he would not go with them.
Isus se našao okružen u sinagogi velikim brojem svojih neprijatelja i nekolicinom svojih učenika i prijatelja te je, odgovarajući na njihove provokacije, napola duhovito rekao: „Da, ja sam Josipov sin; ja sam stolar i ne čudim se što me podsjećate na staru poslovicu: ’Doktor treba sebe da izliječi’ i što me pozivate da učinim u Nazaretu ono što ste čuli da sam učinio u Kafarnaumu; ali pozivam vas za svjedoke da i Pismo kaže kako ’prorok nije bez slave osim u svojoj zemlji i među svojim narodom.’“
150:9.1 (1686.4)
Jesus found himself surrounded in the synagogue by a great throng of his enemies and a sprinkling of his own followers, and in reply to their rude questions and sinister banterings he half humorously remarked: “Yes, I am Joseph’s son; I am the carpenter, and I am not surprised that you remind me of the proverb, ‘Physician heal yourself,’ and that you challenge me to do in Nazareth what you have heard I did at Capernaum; but I call you to witness that even the Scriptures declare that ‘a prophet is not without honor save in his own country and among his own people.’”
Ali oni su ga nastavili gurati i, upirući prstom u njega, optuživali: „Ti misliš da si bolji od naroda iz Nazareta; ti si odavde otišao, ali tvoj brat ovdje radi kao obični radnik, dok tvoje sestre žive među nama. Znamo tvoju majku, Mariju. Gdje su svi oni danas? Čujemo velike stvari o tebi, ali vidimo da ne radiš čuda kad si se vratio među nas.“ Isus im je odgovorio: „Ja volim narod koji živi u gradu moje mladosti i radovalo bi me da svi uđete u kraljevstvo nebesko, ali nije do mene da odlučujem o Božjim djelima. Preobraženja su djela milosti koja se događaju kao odgovor na živu vjeru onih koji primaju Božje milosti.“
150:9.2 (1686.5)
But they jostled him and, pointing accusing fingers at him, said: “You think you are better than the people of Nazareth; you moved away from us, but your brother is a common workman, and your sisters still live among us. We know your mother, Mary. Where are they today? We hear big things about you, but we notice that you do no wonders when you come back.” Jesus answered them: “I love the people who dwell in the city where I grew up, and I would rejoice to see you all enter the kingdom of heaven, but the doing of the works of God is not for me to determine. The transformations of grace are wrought in response to the living faith of those who are the beneficiaries.”
Isus bi dobroćudno upravio masu i uspješno razoružao čak i svoje najljuće neprijatelje da nije bilo taktičke greške jednog od njegovih apostola, Šimuna Revnitelja, koji je uz pomoć jednog mlađeg evangeliste po imenu Nahor u međuvremenu okupio nekoliko Isusovih prijatelja i, zauzevši neprijateljski stav, naredio Učiteljevim neprijateljima da se smjesta raziđu. Isus je dugo učio svoje apostole da blag odgovor stišava bijes, ali njegovi učenici nisu bili spremni vidjeti svog voljenog učitelja, kojeg su tako rado nazivali Učiteljem, kako se suočava s tolikom neučtivošću i prezirom. Bilo je to više nego što su mogli podnijeti i počeli su glasno i bučno izražavati negodovanje, što je samo dodatno raspirilo duh rulje u toj bezbožnoj i neotesanoj skupini. I tako su, pod vodstvom najamnika, ovi grubijani uhvatili Isusa i žurno ga izgurali iz sinagoge do obližnje strme litice, odakle su ga htjeli gurnuti u smrt. No, baš kad su se spremali da ga gurnu preko ruba, Isus se iznenada okrenuo prema svojim otmičarima i, gledajući ih u lice, mirno prekrižio ruke. Nije rekao ni riječi, a njegovi su prijatelji bili više nego iznenađeni kad je krenuo prema njima, dok se rulja razišla i dopustila mu da prođe bez ozljede.
150:9.3 (1686.6)
Jesus would have good-naturedly managed the crowd and effectively disarmed even his violent enemies had it not been for the tactical blunder of one of his own apostles, Simon Zelotes, who, with the help of Nahor, one of the younger evangelists, had meanwhile gathered together a group of Jesus’ friends from among the crowd and, assuming a belligerent attitude, had served notice on the enemies of the Master to go hence. Jesus had long taught the apostles that a soft answer turns away wrath, but his followers were not accustomed to seeing their beloved teacher, whom they so willingly called Master, treated with such discourtesy and disdain. It was too much for them, and they found themselves giving expression to passionate and vehement resentment, all of which only tended to arouse the mob spirit in this ungodly and uncouth assembly. And so, under the leadership of hirelings, these ruffians laid hold upon Jesus and rushed him out of the synagogue to the brow of a near-by precipitous hill, where they were minded to shove him over the edge to his death below. But just as they were about to push him over the edge of the cliff, Jesus turned suddenly upon his captors and, facing them, quietly folded his arms. He said nothing, but his friends were more than astonished when, as he started to walk forward, the mob parted and permitted him to pass on unmolested.
Isus je u pratnji svojih učenika otišao u tabor, gdje su prepričali cijeli događaj. Te su se večeri spremili rano ujutro krenuti u Kafarnaum, prema Isusovoj odluci. Taj uzburkani završetak trećeg javnog propovjedničkog putovanja djelovao je otrježnjujuće na sve Isusove sljedbenike. Počeli su shvaćati smisao određenih Učiteljevih riječi; spoznali su činjenicu da je kraljevstvo moglo doći samo kroz veliku patnju i gorka razočaranja.
150:9.4 (1687.1)
Jesus, followed by his disciples, proceeded to their encampment, where all this was recounted. And they made ready that evening to go back to Capernaum early the next day, as Jesus had directed. This turbulent ending of the third public preaching tour had a sobering effect upon all of Jesus’ followers. They were beginning to realize the meaning of some of the Master’s teachings; they were awaking to the fact that the kingdom would come only through much sorrow and bitter disappointment.
150:9.5 (1687.2)
They left Nazareth this Sunday morning, and traveling by different routes, they all finally assembled at Bethsaida by noon on Thursday, March 10. They came together as a sober and serious group of disillusioned preachers of the gospel of truth and not as an enthusiastic and all-conquering band of triumphant crusaders.