Knjiga Urantije
DIO IV. Isusov život i učenja
POGLAVLJE 154 : POSLJEDNJI DANI U KAFARNAUMU
OVE sadržajne subote uvečer, 30. travnja, dok je Isus govorio riječi utjehe i ohrabrenja svojim snuždenim i zbunjenim učenicima, u Tiberijadi je održan sastanak između Heroda Antipe i skupine posebnih povjerenika koji su zastupali Veliko vijeće Jeruzalema. Ovi su pismoznanci i farizeji tražili od Heroda da uhiti Isusa; nastojali su ga uvjeriti da Isus navodi narod na nesuglasice, pa čak i na pobunu. Ali Herod je odbio poduzeti mjere protiv njega kao političkog prijestupnika. Herodovi su ga savjetnici ispravno izvijestili o događaju koji se odigrao s druge strane jezera, kada je narod htio proglasiti Isusa kraljem, a on je to odbio.
154:0.1 (1717.1)
ON THE eventful Saturday night of April 30, as Jesus was speaking words of comfort and courage to his downcast and bewildered disciples, at Tiberias a council was being held between Herod Antipas and a group of special commissioners representing the Jerusalem Sanhedrin. These scribes and Pharisees urged Herod to arrest Jesus; they did their best to convince him that Jesus was stirring up the populace to dissension and even to rebellion. But Herod refused to take action against him as a political offender. Herod’s advisers had correctly reported the episode across the lake when the people sought to proclaim Jesus king and how he rejected the proposal.
Jedan pripadnik Herodove službene obitelji, Kuza, čija je žena pripadala ženskom služiteljskom korpusu, obavijestio ga je da se Isus ne namjerava miješati u poslove zemaljske vladavine; da se jedino zanima za uspostavljanje duhovnog bratstva svojih vjernika, bratstva koje je nazivao kraljevstvom nebeskim. Herod je imao povjerenja u Kuzina izvješća, toliko da se odbijao miješati u Isusovo djelovanje. Na Herodov je stav prema Isusu u to vrijeme također utjecao njegov praznovjerni strah od Ivana Krstitelja. Herod je bio jedan od onih Židova koji su otpali od vjere, koji nisu ni u što vjerovali, a svega su se bojali. Osjećao je grižnju savjesti zbog Ivanove smrti i nije se želio uplitati ni u kakve spletke protiv Isusa. Znao je za mnoge slučajeve bolesti koje je Isus, kako se činilo, izliječio i smatrao ga ili prorokom ili razmjerno bezopasnim religioznim fanatikom.
154:0.2 (1717.2)
One of Herod’s official family, Chuza, whose wife belonged to the women’s ministering corps, had informed him that Jesus did not propose to meddle with the affairs of earthly rule; that he was only concerned with the establishment of the spiritual brotherhood of his believers, which brotherhood he called the kingdom of heaven. Herod had confidence in Chuza’s reports, so much so that he refused to interfere with Jesus’ activities. Herod was also influenced at this time, in his attitude toward Jesus, by his superstitious fear of John the Baptist. Herod was one of those apostate Jews who, while he believed nothing, feared everything. He had a bad conscience for having put John to death, and he did not want to become entangled in these intrigues against Jesus. He knew of many cases of sickness which had been apparently healed by Jesus, and he regarded him as either a prophet or a relatively harmless religious fanatic.
Od 1. do 7. svibnja Isus je držao privatne sjednice sa svojim sljedbenicima u kući Zebedejevih. Samo su iskušani i pouzdani učenici primljeni u te skupove. U ovom je trenutku tu bilo samo nekih stotinu učenika koji su imali moralne hrabrosti oduprijeti se pritisku farizeja i otvoreno priznati svoju odanost Isusu. S tom je skupinom držao sjednice ujutro, popodne i navečer. Male grupe zainteresiranih okupljale su se uz more svakog poslijepodneva, gdje su pojedini evanđelisti i apostoli držali govore. Te su skupine rijetko brojile više od pedeset ljudi.
154:1.1 (1717.4)
From May 1 to May 7 Jesus held intimate counsel with his followers at the Zebedee house. Only the tried and trusted disciples were admitted to these conferences. At this time there were only about one hundred disciples who had the moral courage to brave the opposition of the Pharisees and openly declare their adherence to Jesus. With this group he held sessions morning, afternoon, and evening. Small companies of inquirers assembled each afternoon by the seaside, where some of the evangelists or apostles discoursed to them. These groups seldom numbered more than fifty.
154:1.2 (1717.5)
On Friday of this week official action was taken by the rulers of the Capernaum synagogue closing the house of God to Jesus and all his followers. This action was taken at the instigation of the Jerusalem Pharisees. Jairus resigned as chief ruler and openly aligned himself with Jesus.
Posljednje vijećanje na obali održano je u subotu popodne, 7. svibnja. Isus je u to vrijeme govorio pred nešto manje od stotinu pedeset okupljenih. Ova subota navečer obilježila je najnižu točku javnog zanimanja za Isusa i njegova učenja. Od tada je uslijedio postojan i spor, ali zdraviji i pouzdaniji rast naklonosti prema njemu; izgradilo se novo sljedbeništvo, čvršće utemeljeno na duhovnoj vjeri i istinskom religioznom iskustvu. Sada je definitivno okončana više ili manje složena i kompromisna prijelazna faza između materijalističkih shvaćanja kraljevstva koja su zastupali Učiteljevi sljedbenici i idealističkijih i duhovnijih shvaćanja koja je poučavao Isus. Od sada se evanđelje kraljevstva otvorenije naviješta u njegovu širem opsegu i s njegovim dalekosežnijim duhovnim implikacijama.
154:1.3 (1718.1)
The last of the seaside meetings was held on Sabbath afternoon, May 7. Jesus talked to less than one hundred and fifty who had assembled at that time. This Saturday night marked the time of the lowest ebb in the tide of popular regard for Jesus and his teachings. From then on there was a steady, slow, but more healthful and dependable growth in favorable sentiment; a new following was built up which was better grounded in spiritual faith and true religious experience. The more or less composite and compromising transition stage between the materialistic concepts of the kingdom held by the Master’s followers and those more idealistic and spiritual concepts taught by Jesus, had now definitely ended. From now on there was a more open proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom in its larger scope and in its far-flung spiritual implications.
U nedjelju 8. svibnja 29. godine po Kr., Veliko vijeće je u Jeruzalemu donijelo uredbu o zatvaranju svih sinagoga u Palestini Isusu i njegovim sljedbenicima. Bila je to nova i dotad neviđena uzurpacija vlasti od strane jeruzalemskog Velikog vijeća. Dotada je svaka sinagoga postojala i djelovala kao neovisna zajednica vjernika koja je bila pod vlašću i vodstvom vlastitog upravnog odbora. Samo su sinagoge u Jeruzalemu bile podložne vlasti Velikog vijeća. Nakon ove prijeke odluke Velikog vijeća pet je njegovih članova podnijelo ostavku. Sto je glasnika odmah poslano da prenesu i provedu ovu uredbu. U kratka dva tjedna svaka se sinagoga u Palestini povinovala ovoj odluci Velikog vijeća, osim sinagoge u Hebronu. Upravitelji hebronske sinagoge odbili su priznati pravo Velikog vijeća da vrši takvu vlast nad njihovom zajednicom. To odbijanje prihvaćanja uredbe iz Jeruzalema temeljilo se na njihovom shvaćanju autonomije zajednice, a ne na naklonosti prema Isusovu pokretu. Nedugo zatim hebronska je sinagoga uništena u požaru.
154:2.1 (1718.2)
Sunday, May 8, {scaps{scaps{a.d.}scaps}scaps} 29, at Jerusalem, the Sanhedrin passed a decree closing all the synagogues of Palestine to Jesus and his followers. This was a new and unprecedented usurpation of authority by the Jerusalem Sanhedrin. Theretofore each synagogue had existed and functioned as an independent congregation of worshipers and was under the rule and direction of its own board of governors. Only the synagogues of Jerusalem had been subject to the authority of the Sanhedrin. This summary action of the Sanhedrin was followed by the resignation of five of its members. One hundred messengers were immediately dispatched to convey and enforce this decree. Within the short space of two weeks every synagogue in Palestine had bowed to this manifesto of the Sanhedrin except the synagogue at Hebron. The rulers of the Hebron synagogue refused to acknowledge the right of the Sanhedrin to exercise such jurisdiction over their assembly. This refusal to accede to the Jerusalem decree was based on their contention of congregational autonomy rather than on sympathy with Jesus’ cause. Shortly thereafter the Hebron synagogue was destroyed by fire.
Te iste nedjelje ujutro Isus im je dao tjedan odmora, pozivajući sve svoje učenike da odu svojim kućama ili prijateljima kako bi odmorili svoje uznemirene duše i uputili riječi ohrabrenja svojim najmilijima. Rekao je: „Idite svatko svojim putem; igrajte se ili pecajte dok se molite za proširenje kraljevstva.“
154:2.2 (1718.3)
This same Sunday morning, Jesus declared a week’s holiday, urging all of his disciples to return to their homes or friends to rest their troubled souls and speak words of encouragement to their loved ones. He said: “Go to your several places to play or fish while you pray for the extension of the kingdom.”
Ovaj je tjedan odmora omogućio Isusu da posjeti mnoge obitelji i skupine u priobalnim mjestima. U više je navrata išao u ribu s Davidom Zebedejevim, i dok je uglavnom provodio vrijeme nasamo, uvijek su u blizini bila dva ili tri Davidova najpouzdanija glasnika, kojima je njihov vođa dao jasne upute da paze na Isusovu sigurnost. Ovog tjedna odmora nije bilo nikakvog javnog poučavanja.
154:2.3 (1718.4)
This week of rest enabled Jesus to visit many families and groups about the seaside. He also went fishing with David Zebedee on several occasions, and while he went about alone much of the time, there always lurked near by two or three of David’s most trusted messengers, who had no uncertain orders from their chief respecting the safeguarding of Jesus. There was no public teaching of any sort during this week of rest.
Ovog su tjedna Natanije i Jakov Zebedejev oboljeli od ozbiljne bolesti. Tri su dana i noći teško patili od bolnog probavnog poremećaja. Treće je noći Isus poslao Jakovljevu majku Salomu da se odmori, dok je on preuzeo brigu o svojim napaćenim apostolima. Naravno, Isus je mogao odmah ozdraviti ovu dvojicu, ali to nije način kojim se ni Sin ni Otac služe u postupanju s uobičajenim teškoćama i patnjama ljudskih sinova na evolucijskim svjetovima vremena i prostora. Niti jednom, u cijelom svom znamenitom životu u tijelu, Isus se nije poslužio bilo kakvim nadnaravnim činom kako bi pomogao bilo kojem članu svoje zemaljske obitelji ili bilo kojem od svojih neposrednih sljedbenika.
154:2.4 (1718.5)
This was the week that Nathaniel and James Zebedee suffered from more than a slight illness. For three days and nights they were acutely afflicted with a painful digestive disturbance. On the third night Jesus sent Salome, James’s mother, to her rest, while he ministered to his suffering apostles. Of course Jesus could have instantly healed these two men, but that is not the method of either the Son or the Father in dealing with these commonplace difficulties and afflictions of the children of men on the evolutionary worlds of time and space. Never once, throughout all of his eventful life in the flesh, did Jesus engage in any sort of supernatural ministration to any member of his earth family or in behalf of any one of his immediate followers.
Svemirske teškoće moraju se svladavati, a planetarne prepreke moraju se susretati kao dio iskustvene obuke za rast i razvoj, za progresivno usavršavanje, evoluirajućih duša smrtnih bića. Oduhovljenje ljudske duše zahtijeva neposredno iskustvo u poučnom rješavanju širokog raspona stvarnih svemirskih problema. Životinjska priroda i niži oblici bića obdarenih voljom ne napreduju povoljno u okolnostima životne lakoće. Problematične situacije, zajedno s poticajem koji zahtijeva napor, potiču djelovanje uma, duše i duha, što uvelike doprinosi postizanju vrijednih ciljeva smrtnog napredovanja i dostizanju viših razina sudbine duha.
154:2.5 (1719.1)
Universe difficulties must be met and planetary obstacles must be encountered as a part of the experience training provided for the growth and development, the progressive perfection, of the evolving souls of mortal creatures. The spiritualization of the human soul requires intimate experience with the educational solving of a wide range of real universe problems. The animal nature and the lower forms of will creatures do not progress favorably in environmental ease. Problematic situations, coupled with exertion stimuli, conspire to produce those activities of mind, soul, and spirit which contribute mightily to the achievement of worthy goals of mortal progression and to the attainment of higher levels of spirit destiny.
16. svibnja sazvana je druga konferencija u Tiberijadi između vlasti Jeruzalema i Heroda Antipe. Među prisutnima su bili vjerski i politički vođe iz Jeruzalema. Židovske su vođe mogle obavijestiti Heroda da su gotovo sve sinagoge u Galileji i Judeji zatvorile vrata Isusovim učenjima. Ponovno su nastojali navesti Heroda da uhiti Isusa, što je ovaj ponovno odbio učiniti. 18. svibnja, međutim, Herod se složio s planom koji je vlastima Velikog vijeća dopuštao da uhite Isusa i odvedu ga u Jeruzalem, gdje bi mu sudili zbog vjerskih prijestupa, pod uvjetom da se rimski vladar Judeje složi s takvim postupkom. U međuvremenu su Isusovi neprijatelji neumorno širili glasine cijelom Galilejom da se Herod okrenuo protiv Isusa i da se sprema istrijebiti sve koji vjeruju u njegova učenja.
154:3.1 (1719.2)
On May 16 the second conference at Tiberias between the authorities at Jerusalem and Herod Antipas was convened. Both the religious and the political leaders from Jerusalem were in attendance. The Jewish leaders were able to report to Herod that practically all the synagogues in both Galilee and Judea were closed to Jesus’ teachings. A new effort was made to have Herod place Jesus under arrest, but he refused to do their bidding. On May 18, however, Herod did agree to the plan of permitting the Sanhedrin authorities to seize Jesus and carry him to Jerusalem to be tried on religious charges, provided the Roman ruler of Judea concurred in such an arrangement. Meanwhile, Jesus’ enemies were industriously spreading the rumor throughout Galilee that Herod had become hostile to Jesus, and that he meant to exterminate all who believed in his teachings.
U subotu navečer, 21. svibnja, u Tiberijadu su stigle vijesti da se građanske vlasti Jeruzalema nisu protivile sporazumu između Heroda i farizeja koji je dopuštao Isusovo uhićenje i odvođenje u Jeruzalem na suđenje pred Velikim vijećem, na temelju optužbi za kršenje svetih zakona židovskog naroda. Prema tome, nešto prije ponoći toga dana Herod je potpisao dekret kojim je ovlastio službenike Velikog vijeća da uhite Isusa na području pod Herodovom vlašću i silom ga odvedu u Jeruzalem na suđenje. Prije nego što je pristao dati to dopuštenje, Herod je bio izložen snažnom pritisku s raznih strana, a dobro je znao da Isus pred svojim ogorčenim neprijateljima u Jeruzalemu nije mogao očekivati pošteno suđenje.
154:3.2 (1719.3)
On Saturday night, May 21, word reached Tiberias that the civil authorities at Jerusalem had no objection to the agreement between Herod and the Pharisees that Jesus be seized and carried to Jerusalem for trial before the Sanhedrin on charges of flouting the sacred laws of the Jewish nation. Accordingly, just before midnight of this day, Herod signed the decree which authorized the officers of the Sanhedrin to seize Jesus within Herod’s domains and forcibly to carry him to Jerusalem for trial. Strong pressure from many sides was brought to bear upon Herod before he consented to grant this permission, and he well knew that Jesus could not expect a fair trial before his bitter enemies at Jerusalem.
Te iste subote navečer u sinagogi u Kafarnaumu okupila se skupina od nekih pedeset vodećih građana kako bi raspravila ovo presudno pitanje: „Što nam je učiniti s Isusom?“ Vodili su razgovore i rasprave sve do poslije ponoći, a nisu mogli pronaći nikakvu zajedničku osnovu za sporazum. Osim nekoliko osoba koje su bile sklone vjerovati da je Isus možda Mesija, ili barem svet čovjek, a možda i prorok, skup je bio podijeljen u četiri gotovo jednake skupine koje su o Isusu zastupale sljedeća stajališta:
154:4.1 (1719.4)
On this same Saturday night, in Capernaum a group of fifty leading citizens met at the synagogue to discuss the momentous question: “What shall we do with Jesus?” They talked and debated until after midnight, but they could not find any common ground for agreement. Aside from a few persons who inclined to the belief that Jesus might be the Messiah, at least a holy man, or perhaps a prophet, the meeting was divided into four nearly equal groups who held, respectively, the following views of Jesus:
Mnogo se govorilo o Isusovu propovijedanju i učenjima koja su uznemirivala obične ljude; njegovi su neprijatelji tvrdili da su njegova učenja bila nepraktična, da bi se sve raspalo kada bi svi uložili iskrene napore da žive u skladu s njegovim idejama. A ljudi su kroz mnoge kasnije naraštaje govorili iste te stvari. Mnogi inteligentni i dobronamjerni ljudi, čak i u prosvjećenijem dobu u vrijeme davanja ovih otkrivenja, tvrde da se suvremena civilizacija nije mogla izgraditi na Isusovim učenjima — i oni su djelomično u pravu. Ali svi takvi skeptici zaboravljaju da se na njegovim učenjima mogla izgraditi mnogo bolja civilizacija i da će se to jednom i dogoditi. Ovaj svijet nikada nije ozbiljno pokušao provoditi Isusova učenja u velikim razmjerima, unatoč tome što su često činjeni polovični pokušaji da se slijede nauci takozvanog kršćanstva.
154:4.6 (1720.3)
There was much talk about Jesus’ preaching doctrines which were upsetting for the common people; his enemies maintained that his teachings were impractical, that everything would go to pieces if everybody made an honest effort to live in accordance with his ideas. And the men of many subsequent generations have said the same things. Many intelligent and well-meaning men, even in the more enlightened age of these revelations, maintain that modern civilization could not have been built upon the teachings of Jesus—and they are partially right. But all such doubters forget that a much better civilization could have been built upon his teachings, and sometime will be. This world has never seriously tried to carry out the teachings of Jesus on a large scale, notwithstanding that halfhearted attempts have often been made to follow the doctrines of so-called Christianity.
22. svibnja bio je sadržajan dan u Isusovu životu. Ove nedjelje ujutro, prije zore, jedan od Davidovih glasnika stigao je u velikoj žurbi iz Tiberijade i donio vijest da je Herod ovlastio ili se spremao ovlastiti službenike Velikog vijeća da uhite Isusa. Vijest o ovoj prijetećoj opasnosti navela je Davida Zebedejeva da probudi svoje glasnike i pošalje ih svim lokalnim skupinama učenika kako bi ih sazvali na hitno vijećanje u sedam ujutro. Kad je žena Isusova brata Jude čula ovaj alarmantni izvještaj, požurila je obavijestiti cijelu Isusovu obitelj koja je živjela u blizini, pozivajući ih da se odmah okupe u kući Zebedejevih. I tako su se, odazvavši se na ovaj hitni poziv, ondje okupili Marija, Jakov, Josip, Juda i Ruta.
154:5.1 (1720.4)
May 22 was an eventful day in the life of Jesus. On this Sunday morning, before daybreak, one of David’s messengers arrived in great haste from Tiberias, bringing the word that Herod had authorized, or was about to authorize, the arrest of Jesus by the officers of the Sanhedrin. The receipt of the news of this impending danger caused David Zebedee to arouse his messengers and send them out to all the local groups of disciples, summoning them for an emergency council at seven o’clock that morning. When the sister-in-law of Jude (Jesus’ brother) heard this alarming report, she hastened word to all of Jesus’ family who dwelt near by, summoning them forthwith to assemble at Zebedee’s house. And in response to this hasty call, presently there were assembled Mary, James, Joseph, Jude, and Ruth.
Na tom je ranom jutarnjem sastanku Isus okupljenim učenicima dao svoje oproštajne upute; to jest, oprostio se od njih za sada, dobro znajući da će uskoro biti raspršeni iz Kafarnauma. Uputio ih je da traže Božje vodstvo i nastave s poslovima kraljevstva bez obzira na posljedice. Evanđelisti su trebali raditi po vlastitom nahođenju dok ponovno ne prime poziv. Odabrao je dvanaestoricu evanđelista da ga prate; dvanaestorici apostola uputio je da ostanu s njim bez obzira na to što se dogodi. Rekao je korpusu od dvanaest žena da ostanu u kući Zebedejevih i u Petrovoj kući dok ne pošalje po njih.
154:5.2 (1720.5)
At this early morning meeting Jesus imparted his farewell instructions to the assembled disciples; that is, he bade them farewell for the time being, knowing well that they would soon be dispersed from Capernaum. He directed them all to seek God for guidance and to carry on the work of the kingdom regardless of consequences. The evangelists were to labor as they saw fit until such time as they might be called. He selected twelve of the evangelists to accompany him; the twelve apostles he directed to remain with him no matter what happened. The twelve women he instructed to remain at the Zebedee house and at Peter’s house until he should send for them.
Isus je pristao da David Zebedejev nastavi svoju glasničku službu, a opraštajući se od Učitelja, David je rekao: „Idi svojim poslom, Učitelju. Ne dopusti zadrtim ljudima da te uhvate i nikada nemoj sumnjati da će glasnici poći za tobom. Moji ljudi nikada neće izgubiti vezu s tobom, a preko njih ćeš znati o kraljevstvu u drugim krajevima i preko njih ćemo mi znati o tebi. Što god se dogodi meni neće ni najmanje utjecati na ovu službu, jer sam imenovao prvog i drugog vođu, pa čak i trećeg. Ja nisam ni učitelj ni propovjednik, ali ovaj je posao u mom srcu i nitko me ne može zaustaviti.“
154:5.3 (1720.6)
Jesus consented to David Zebedee’s continuing his countrywide messenger service, and in bidding the Master farewell presently, David said: “Go forth to your work, Master. Don’t let the bigots catch you, and never doubt that the messengers will follow after you. My men will never lose contact with you, and through them you shall know of the kingdom in other parts, and by them we will all know about you. Nothing that might happen to me will interfere with this service, for I have appointed first and second leaders, even a third. I am neither a teacher nor a preacher, but it is in my heart to do this, and none can stop me.”
Oko 7:30 ovoga jutra Isus je započeo svoj oproštajni govor pred stotinjak vjernika koji su se nagurali u kući da ga čuju. Bila je to svečana prigoda za sve prisutne, ali Isus se činio neobično vedar; ponovno je bio onaj stari. Nestala je ozbiljnost prošlih tjedana i sviju je nadahnuo svojim riječima vjere, nade i hrabrosti.
154:5.4 (1720.7)
About 7:30 this morning Jesus began his parting address to almost one hundred believers who had crowded indoors to hear him. This was a solemn occasion for all present, but Jesus seemed unusually cheerful; he was once more like his normal self. The seriousness of weeks had gone, and he inspired all of them with his words of faith, hope, and courage.
Bilo je oko osam sati u nedjelju ujutro kad je pet članova Isusove zemaljske obitelji stiglo, odazvavši se na hitan poziv žene Isusova brata Jude. Od cijele njegove obitelji u tijelu samo je Ruta svim srcem i trajno vjerovala u božanstvenost njegove misije na zemlji. Juda i Jakov, pa čak i Josip, još su uvijek u velikoj mjeri vjerovali u Isusa, ali dopustili su da ponos poremeti njihovu bolju prosudbu i njihove istinske duhovne naklonosti. Marija je isto tako bila rastrgana između ljubavi i straha, između majčinske ljubavi i obiteljskog ponosa. Iako su je mučile sumnje, nikada nije posve zaboravila posjet Gabrijela prije Isusova rođenja. Farizeji su pokušavali uvjeriti Mariju da je Isus bio izvan sebe, lud. Nagovarali su je da pođe sa svojim sinovima i pokuša ga odvratiti od daljnjeg javnog poučavanja. Uvjeravali su Mariju da će mu se zdravlje uskoro narušiti i da će cijeloj obitelji donijeti samo sramotu i bruku ako mu dopuste da nastavi s radom. I tako, kad su primili vijest od žene Isusova brata Jude, njih petero smjesta je krenulo prema Zebedejevu domu, nakon što su se noć prije bili okupili u Marijinu domu i tamo sastali s farizejima. Dugo u noć razgovarali su s jeruzalemskim vođama i svi su bili više ili manje uvjereni da se Isus ponaša čudno, da se već neko vrijeme čudno ponašao. Ruta nije mogla objasniti njegovo ponašanje, ali je inzistirala na tome da se uvijek pošteno odnosio prema svojoj obitelji i odbila pristati na ideju da ga pokušaju odvratiti od daljnjeg rada.
154:6.1 (1721.1)
It was about eight o’clock on this Sunday morning when five members of Jesus’ earth family arrived on the scene in response to the urgent summons of Jude’s sister-in-law. Of all his family in the flesh, only one, Ruth, believed wholeheartedly and continuously in the divinity of his mission on earth. Jude and James, and even Joseph, still retained much of their faith in Jesus, but they had permitted pride to interfere with their better judgment and real spiritual inclinations. Mary was likewise torn between love and fear, between mother love and family pride. Though she was harassed by doubts, she could never quite forget the visit of Gabriel ere Jesus was born. The Pharisees had been laboring to persuade Mary that Jesus was beside himself, demented. They urged her to go with her sons and seek to dissuade him from further efforts at public teaching. They assured Mary that soon Jesus’ health would break, and that only dishonor and disgrace could come upon the entire family as a result of allowing him to go on. And so, when the word came from Jude’s sister-in-law, all five of them started at once for Zebedee’s house, having been together at Mary’s home, where they had met with the Pharisees the evening before. They had talked with the Jerusalem leaders long into the night, and all were more or less convinced that Jesus was acting strangely, that he had acted strangely for some time. While Ruth could not explain all of his conduct, she insisted that he had always treated his family fairly and refused to agree to the program of trying to dissuade him from further work.
Na putu do Zebedejeve kuće razgovarali su o tim stvarima i složili se da ga pokušaju nagovoriti da pođe kući s njima, jer je, kako je Marija rekla: „Znam da mogu utjecati na svoga sina ako me samo htjedne poslušati i doći kući.“ Jakov i Juda čuli su glasine o planovima za Isusovo uhićenje i odvođenje u Jeruzalem na suđenje. Također su se bojali za svoju osobnu sigurnost. Tako dugo dok je Isus uživao popularnost u očima javnosti, njegova je obitelj dopuštala da stvari idu svojim tijekom, ali nakon što su se ljudi u Kafarnaumu i vođe Jeruzalema odjednom okrenuli protiv njega, itekako su osjetili pritisak zbog svoje navodno sramotne i neugodne pozicije.
154:6.2 (1721.2)
On the way to Zebedee’s house they talked these things over and agreed among themselves to try to persuade Jesus to come home with them, for, said Mary: “I know I could influence my son if he would only come home and listen to me.” James and Jude had heard rumors concerning the plans to arrest Jesus and take him to Jerusalem for trial. They also feared for their own safety. As long as Jesus was a popular figure in the public eye, his family allowed matters to drift along, but now that the people of Capernaum and the leaders at Jerusalem had suddenly turned against him, they began keenly to feel the pressure of the supposed disgrace of their embarrassing position.
Očekivali su se naći s Isusom, odvesti ga u stranu i nagovoriti ga da se s njima vrati kući. Planirali su pokazati spremnost da mu oproste što ih je zanemario — da oproste i zaborave — ako bi samo odustao od ludosti pokušaja propovijedanja nove religije koja jedino može donijeti nevolje njemu samome i sramotu njegovoj obitelji. Na sve je ovo Ruta samo odgovorila: „Reći ću svome bratu da mislim da je on čovjek Božji i da se nadam da će biti spreman umrijeti prije nego što dopusti ovim zlim farizejima da ga spriječe u propovijedanju.“ Josip je obećao ušutkati Rutu dok ostali budu razgovarali s Isusom.
154:6.3 (1721.3)
They had expected to meet Jesus, take him aside, and urge him to go home with them. They had thought to assure him that they would forget his neglect of them—they would forgive and forget—if he would only give up the foolishness of trying to preach a new religion which could bring only trouble to himself and dishonor upon his family. To all of this Ruth would say only: “I will tell my brother that I think he is a man of God, and that I hope he would be willing to die before he would allow these wicked Pharisees to stop his preaching.” Joseph promised to keep Ruth quiet while the others labored with Jesus.
Kad su stigli do kuće Zebedejevih, Isus je upravo držao svoj oproštajni govor sljedbenicima. Pokušali su ući u kuću, ali bila je prekrcata. Na kraju su se smjestili na stražnjem trijemu i poslali riječ Isusu, prenoseći je od osobe do osobe, sve dok mu je konačno nije saopćio Šimun Petar, koji ga je zbog toga prekinuo u govoru, rekavši: „Evo ti majke i braće vani i jako žele govoriti s tobom.“ Isusova majka nije pomislila koliko je važna ova oproštajna poruka njegovim sljedbenicima, niti je znala da bi njegov govor svakoga trenutka mogao biti prekinut dolaskom onih koji su ga namjeravali uhvatiti. Ona je doista mislila, nakon tako dugog prividnog otuđenja i s obzirom na to da su ona i njegova braća ipak pokazali toliko dobre volje da dođu k njemu, da bi Isus prekinuo govor i došao do njih čim primi vijest da ga čekaju.
154:6.4 (1721.4)
When they reached the Zebedee house, Jesus was in the very midst of delivering his parting address to the disciples. They sought to gain entrance to the house, but it was crowded to overflowing. Finally they established themselves on the back porch and had word passed in to Jesus, from person to person, so that it finally was whispered to him by Simon Peter, who interrupted his talking for the purpose, and who said: “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, and they are very anxious to speak with you.” Now it did not occur to his mother how important was the giving of this parting message to his followers, neither did she know that his address was likely to be terminated any moment by the arrival of his apprehenders. She really thought, after so long an apparent estrangement, in view of the fact that she and his brothers had shown the grace actually to come to him, that Jesus would cease speaking and come to them the moment he received word they were waiting.
Bio je to još jedan od onih slučajeva u kojima njegova zemaljska obitelj nije mogla shvatiti da se on mora baviti poslom svoga Oca. I Marija i njegova braća bili su duboko povrijeđeni jer, premda je zastao u govoru da primi njihovu poruku, nije požurio da ih pozdravi, nego su umjesto toga čuli njegov milozvučni glas kako govori pojačanim glasom: „Recite mojoj majci i mojoj braći da se ne boje za mene. Otac koji me je poslao na svijet neće me napustiti; niti će bilo kakva nevolja zadesiti moju obitelj. Recite im da budu hrabri i da se uzdaju u Oca kraljevstva. Uostalom, tko je moja majka i tko su moja braća?“ I pružajući ruke prema svim svojim sljedbenicima okupljenima u sobi, rekao je: „Ja nemam majke; ja nemam braće. Evo moje majke i evo moje braće! Jer tko god vrši volju Oca mojega koji je na nebesima, on je moja majka, moj brat i moja sestra.“
154:6.5 (1722.1)
It was just another of those instances in which his earth family could not comprehend that he must be about his Father’s business. And so Mary and his brothers were deeply hurt when, notwithstanding that he paused in his speaking to receive the message, instead of his rushing out to greet them, they heard his musical voice speak with increased volume: “Say to my mother and my brothers that they should have no fear for me. The Father who sent me into the world will not forsake me; neither shall any harm come upon my family. Bid them be of good courage and put their trust in the Father of the kingdom. But, after all, who is my mother and who are my brothers?” And stretching forth his hands toward all of his disciples assembled in the room, he said: “I have no mother; I have no brothers. Behold my mother and behold my brethren! For whosoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my mother, my brother, and my sister.”
Kad je Marija čula te riječi, srušila se u Judino naručje. Odnijeli su je u vrt da se povrati dok je Isus govorio zaključne riječi svoje oproštajne poruke. Nakon toga namjeravao je govoriti sa svojom majkom i braćom, ali je prije nego što je to učinio stigao glasnik iz Tiberijade i donio vijest da su službenici Velikog vijeća bili na putu s ovlaštenjem da uhite Isusa i odvedu ga u Jeruzalem. Andrija je primio poruku i saopćio je Isusu, prekidajući ga u govoru.
154:6.6 (1722.2)
And when Mary heard these words, she collapsed in Jude’s arms. They carried her out in the garden to revive her while Jesus spoke the concluding words of his parting message. He would then have gone out to confer with his mother and his brothers, but a messenger arrived in haste from Tiberias bringing word that the officers of the Sanhedrin were on their way with authority to arrest Jesus and carry him to Jerusalem. Andrew received this message and, interrupting Jesus, told it to him.
Andrija je zaboravio da je David postavio nekih dvadeset i pet stražara oko Zebedejeve kuće i da ih nitko nije mogao iznenaditi, pa je upitao Isusa što će učiniti. Učitelj je stajao u tišini dok se njegova majka oporavljala od šoka u vrtu nakon što je čula riječi: „Ja nemam majke.“ Upravo je u ovom trenutku u sobi ustala jedna žena i uzviknula: „Blago utrobi koja te nosila i prsima koja su te othranila!“ Isus je na trenutak prekinuo razgovor s Andrijom kako bi odgovorio ovoj ženi: „Ne, nego je blagoslovljen onaj koji sluša riječ Božju i koji se usuđuje biti joj poslušan.“
154:6.7 (1722.3)
Andrew did not recall that David had posted some twenty-five sentinels about the Zebedee house, and that no one could take them by surprise; so he asked Jesus what should be done. The Master stood there in silence while his mother, having heard the words, “I have no mother,” was recovering from the shock in the garden. It was at just this time that a woman in the room stood up and exclaimed, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and blessed are the breasts that nursed you.” Jesus turned aside a moment from his conversation with Andrew to answer this woman by saying, “No, rather is the one blessed who hears the word of God and dares to obey it.”
Marija i Isusova braća mislili su da ih Isus nije razumio, da je izgubio zanimanje za njih, ne shvaćajući da su upravo oni bili ti koji nisu razumjeli Isusa. Isus je u potpunosti shvaćao koliko je ljudima teško razbiti okove svoje prošlosti. Znao je kako ljudska bića lako padaju pod utjecaj propovjednikove rječitosti i kako ljudska savjest reagira na emocionalni apel, jednako kao što um reagira na logiku i razum, ali je isto tako znao koliko je teško uvjeriti ljude da se odreknu prošlosti.
154:6.8 (1722.4)
Mary and Jesus’ brothers thought that Jesus did not understand them, that he had lost interest in them, little realizing that it was they who failed to understand Jesus. Jesus fully understood how difficult it is for men to break with their past. He knew how human beings are swayed by the preacher’s eloquence, and how the conscience responds to emotional appeal as the mind does to logic and reason, but he also knew how far more difficult it is to persuade men to disown the past.
Zauvijek ostaje istina da svi koji možda misle da ih se ne razumije ili ne cijeni imaju u Isusu suosjećajnog prijatelja i savjetnika koji ih potpuno razumije. On je upozorio svoje apostole da čovjekovi neprijatelji mogu biti oni iz njegove vlastite obitelji, ali jedva je mogao zamisliti koliko će se te riječi približiti njegovu vlastitom iskustvu. Isus se nije odrekao svoje zemaljske obitelji da bi vršio poslove svoga Oca — oni su se odrekli njega. Nakon Učiteljeve smrti i uskrsnuća, kad se Jakov povezao s ranim kršćanskim pokretom, neizmjerno je patio zbog toga što ranije nije iskoristio priliku biti uz Isusa i njegove sljedbenike.
154:6.9 (1722.5)
It is forever true that all who may think they are misunderstood or not appreciated have in Jesus a sympathizing friend and an understanding counselor. He had warned his apostles that a man’s foes may be they of his own household, but he had hardly realized how near this prediction would come to apply to his own experience. Jesus did not forsake his earth family to do his Father’s work—they forsook him. Later on, after the Master’s death and resurrection, when James became connected with the early Christian movement, he suffered immeasurably as a result of his failure to enjoy this earlier association with Jesus and his disciples.
Prolazeći kroz ove događaje, Isus je izabrao da se vodi ograničenim znanjem svog ljudskog uma. Želio je proživjeti ovo iskustvo sa svojim suradnicima kao puki čovjek. Isus je svojim ljudskim umom želio vidjeti svoju obitelj prije odlaska. Nije želio zastati usred govora i tako pretvoriti svoj prvi susret s njima nakon tako dugo vremena u javni događaj. Namjeravao je završiti s govorom i onda provesti neko vrijeme s njima prije odlaska, ali je taj plan osujetio splet događaja koji su neposredno uslijedili.
154:6.10 (1723.1)
In passing through these events, Jesus chose to be guided by the limited knowledge of his human mind. He desired to undergo the experience with his associates as a mere man. And it was in the human mind of Jesus to see his family before he left. He did not wish to stop in the midst of his discourse and thus render their first meeting after so long a separation such a public affair. He had intended to finish his address and then have a visit with them before leaving, but this plan was thwarted by the conspiracy of events which immediately followed.
Žurbu njihova odlaska uvelike je povećao dolazak skupine Davidovih glasnika na stražnja vrata Zebedejeve kuće. Komešanje prilikom njihova dolaska navelo je apostole da pomisle da su to oni koji su došli po njih i, u strahu od neposrednog uhićenja, požurili su kroz prednja vrata prema brodu koji je čekao. I sve ovo objašnjava zašto Isus nije vidio svoju obitelj koja je čekala na stražnjem trijemu.
154:6.11 (1723.2)
The haste of their flight was augmented by the arrival of a party of David’s messengers at the rear entrance of the Zebedee home. The commotion produced by these men frightened the apostles into thinking that these new arrivals might be their apprehenders, and in fear of immediate arrest, they hastened through the front entrance to the waiting boat. And all of this explains why Jesus did not see his family waiting on the back porch.
154:6.12 (1723.3)
But he did say to David Zebedee as he entered the boat in hasty flight: “Tell my mother and my brothers that I appreciate their coming, and that I intended to see them. Admonish them to find no offense in me but rather to seek for a knowledge of the will of God and for grace and courage to do that will.”
Tako je ove nedjelje ujutro, 22. svibnja 29. godine po Kr., Isus sa svojih dvanaest apostola i dvanaest evanđelista žurno umakao progonu službenika Velikog vijeća koji su bili na putu prema Betsaidi s ovlasti Heroda Antipe da ga uhvate i odvedu u Jeruzalem na suđenje zbog optužbi za bogohuljenje i druga kršenja svetih zakona Židova. Bilo je skoro pola devet ovoga lijepog jutra kad su dvadeset petorica uzeli vesla i zaveslali prema istočnoj obali Galilejskog jezera.
154:7.1 (1723.4)
And so it was on this Sunday morning, the twenty-second of May, in the year {scaps{scaps{a.d.}scaps}scaps} 29, that Jesus, with his twelve apostles and the twelve evangelists, engaged in this hasty flight from the Sanhedrin officers who were on their way to Bethsaida with authority from Herod Antipas to arrest him and take him to Jerusalem for trial on charges of blasphemy and other violations of the sacred laws of the Jews. It was almost half past eight this beautiful morning when this company of twenty-five manned the oars and pulled for the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Za Učiteljevim je brodom slijedio još jedan, manji brod, sa šestoricom Davidovih glasnika koji su imali nalog održavati kontakt s Isusom i njegovim suradnicima te redovito slati vijesti o njihovu boravištu i sigurnosti u Zebedejevu kuću u Betsaidi, koja je već neko vrijeme služila kao sjedište rada kraljevstva. Ali Isus više nikada nije živio u kući Zebedejevih. Od sada pa do kraja svog zemaljskog života Učitelj doista „nije imao gdje ni glavu nasloniti“. Više nije imao čak ni privid nekakvog stalnog prebivališta.
154:7.2 (1723.5)
Following the Master’s boat was another and smaller craft, containing six of David’s messengers, who had instructions to maintain contact with Jesus and his associates and to see that information of their whereabouts and safety was regularly transmitted to the home of Zebedee in Bethsaida, which had served as headquarters for the work of the kingdom for some time. But Jesus was never again to make his home at the house of Zebedee. From now on, throughout the remainder of his earth life, the Master truly “had not where to lay his head.” No more did he have even the semblance of a settled abode.
154:7.3 (1723.6)
They rowed over to near the village of Kheresa, put their boat in the custody of friends, and began the wanderings of this eventful last year of the Master’s life on earth. For a time they remained in the domains of Philip, going from Kheresa up to Caesarea-Philippi, thence making their way over to the coast of Phoenicia.
Narod koji se zadržao oko kuće Zebedejevih imao je priliku vidjeti kako se čamci udaljuju na jezeru prema istočnoj obali i kako su, čim su se malo odmaknuli, ondje stigli službenici iz Jeruzalema koji su žurno počeli potragu za Isusom. Odbili su vjerovati da im je pobjegao, a dok je Isus sa svojim suradnicima putovao na sjever kroz Bataneju, farizeji i njihovi pomoćnici proveli su gotovo cijeli tjedan uzalud tragajući za njim u okolici Kafarnauma.
154:7.4 (1723.7)
The crowd lingered about the home of Zebedee watching these two boats make their way over the lake toward the eastern shore, and they were well started when the Jerusalem officers hurried up and began their search for Jesus. They refused to believe he had escaped them, and while Jesus and his party were journeying northward through Batanea, the Pharisees and their assistants spent almost a full week vainly searching for him in the neighborhood of Capernaum.
Isusova se obitelj vratila u svoj dom u Kafarnaumu i provela gotovo tjedan dana u razgovoru, raspravi i molitvi. Bili su puni zbunjenosti i zaprepaštenja. Nisu imali duševnog mira sve do četvrtka poslijepodne, kad se Ruta vratila iz posjeta Zebedejevima, gdje je od Davida čula da su njezin otac i brat bili na sigurnom, dobrog zdravlja i na putovanju prema obali Fenicije.
154:7.5 (1724.1)
Jesus’ family returned to their home in Capernaum and spent almost a week in talking, debating, and praying. They were filled with confusion and consternation. They enjoyed no peace of mind until Thursday afternoon, when Ruth returned from a visit to the Zebedee house, where she learned from David that her father-brother was safe and in good health and making his way toward the Phoenician coast.