The

Risen

One!

Book 14

Max Seltmann

Recommended chronological reading list:

(with regard to Jesus’ life in flesh and Spirit, up to the time of the book of Revelation.  All books are written by Max Seltmann, unless otherwise indicated. The book marked with bold, is the book currently opened.)

1. Childhood years of Jesus (Jakob Lorber)

2. Book 1 – John the Baptist

3. Book 2 – John the Apostle in his youth with Jesus (Love overcomes Part 1)

4. Book 3 – Jesus’ Life

5. Book 4 – Jesus’ Life

6. Book 5 – Jesus’ Life

7. Book 6 – Jesus’ Life

8. Book 7 – Jesus’ Life

9. Book 8 – Jesus’ Life

10. Book 9 – Jesus prepares for His ministry Part 1

11. Book 10 – Jesus prepares for His ministry Part 2

12. Great Gospel of John, Volumes 1 – 10 (Jakob Lorber)

13. Great Gospel of John, Volume 11 (Leopoldt Engel)

14. Book 11 - Good Friday

15. Book 12 - Judas Iscariot in the beyond

16. Book 13 - On the road to Emmaus

17. Book 14 - The Risen One!

18. Book 15 - The New Life in man

19. Book 16 – At Bethany – story of Theophilus

20. Book 17 - Ascension

21. Book 18 - Pentecost!

22. Book 19 - Among the first Christians

23. Book 20 - Divine guidance of the first Christians

24. Book 21 - The chamberlain from the Orient

25. Book 22 - The God-spark and Saul's conversion

26. Book 23 - Awakening the Divine life

27. Book 24 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 1

28. Book 25 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 2

29. Book 26 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 3

30. Book 27 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 4

31. Book 28 - Naeme

32. Book 29 - John the Apostle as a guide (Love overcomes Part 2)

33. Book 30 - John the Apostle as a guide (Love overcomes Part 3)

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Table of Contents

1.  Passover morning at Nicodemus 4

2.  At Lazarus’ inn 6

3.  At Nicodemus 7

4.  In the city of God 9

5.  In Bethany 10

6.  Where does Jesus tarry? 12

7.  Morning prayer on the hill 14

8.  Pilate 17

9.  Mary Magdalene 23

10.  Rome 26

11.  A celebration in Bethany 28

Passover morning at Nicodemus

In the inn of Lazarus all had risen early, in order to still serve those who wanted to go into the city. Silently and introverted, Nicodemus, the centurion, the mother Mary and Mary Magdalene went back to the house of Nicodemus, where they met not only Peter and John, but also Salome and Mary, the mother of Jacob. The pain of the reunion caused the women to weep. But while the disciples tried to find words of comfort, Mary Magdalene went out quietly to weep alone at the tomb of Jesus.

The women had provided ointment and spices for embalming, but still had their sorrow because of the large stone that kept the tomb closed; then the centurion spoke: "I am convinced that you no longer need your spices.  A spiritual experience with Jesus gives me the certainty: His tomb is empty!  Jesus is alive!  He is risen!  Therefore rejoice and leave all mourning!  Jesus has overcome death!"  Everyone looked at him in amazement, but asked nothing; then the three women also went silently to the rock tomb.

In the garden of Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene already met them and cried out, moved: "The tomb is empty!  Jesus is alive!  I saw Him from afar, I rushed towards Him to embrace Him, but He refused, saying: 'Do not touch Me' - but I shall proclaim to you all that I have seen Him!  Oh, my heart is so moved, I have seen Him again!"

Quite dismayed, the women hurried back with her to the tomb and found her words confirmed: the stone had rolled away, the tomb was empty!  But two luminous young men guarded the tomb and told them that the Master had risen.

Peter and John had gone after the women and now also saw the angels at the tomb.  Strangely moved, they all returned to Nicodemus' house and told their friends about this miracle.  Now the speeches were buzzing: "The Master is alive?  He may come to us at any moment!  Or do we look for Him among the other disciples?"  Only Mary Magdalene was silent and full of inner sorrow, because: To see Him, to speak to Him, and yet not be allowed to touch Him - that was too painful for her heart that longed for Jesus.

John saw her sorrow and tried to make it clear to her that the Master could now only be touched "in spiritual, heavenly love".  “And therefore you too, dear Magdalene" - John said verbatim - "must put aside the fact that Jesus was a man, like us!  Now you must learn to understand that He is God from eternity to eternity!"

John continued: "You must understand that His incarnation happened to free us humans from the old Adamic curse.  Yes, to pave the way for us humans to the inner life with God as with our Creator and Father!  And to exemplify to all people the use of the right means to this high goal!  In order to reach this blissful, but purely spiritual connection with Him as our God the Father, He has begun His great, long-promised work of redemption as man here among us.  This epoch of His work is now over.  We may still experience the second one.  But the third is still to come for all those who will follow His example as a human being in the Spirit of His love and inner truth.  Therefore, love Jesus no longer as a human being with your senses, but love Him as the purest Spirit, only in your heart!  Then, according to His promise, He will also reveal Himself to you, as to us, in the spirit!"

These words were like a balm for their sore hearts; but also the others had listened attentively to this profound revelation about the inner essence of Jesus and became inwardly more joyful, although their beloved Master was nevertheless greatly missed by all of them.  Then the disciples, Peter being the first, set out and hurried to Jerusalem to the other brothers to announce to them: The Master is alive!

The centurion had already taken his leave saying: "My duty calls!  I must examine the tomb and then report to Pilate."  As he hurried through the garden, none of the Roman guards were to be seen; he paused and then went into the rocky cave himself.  Here he saw again the two youths in unearthly brightness, whom he had seen once before in spirit and who now called to him: "Make haste and do your duty!  The Master needs you!"

The centurion hurried to Pilate and reported: "The tomb of the crucified is empty!  Jesus is alive!  Some women have already seen Him and told!  Any error is impossible here; I myself have investigated the tomb!"

Pilate, to whom this strange news had been delivered shortly before, now sent for the guards.  They had to confirm their statements with an oath and also that a fraud was impossible; and then they reported: "In the night, suddenly a strong lightning illuminated the whole environment, and it's brightness made everything visible; but a man was nowhere to be seen.  The lightning tore apart the rock tomb, and the stone in front of the opening was as if it had disappeared; but from the tomb came such bright rays of light, that we were completely blinded by it.  And then all around was deep night again.  Suddenly the ground beneath us became so incredibly hot that we fled and reported the events to our quarters."

Pilate felt perplexed by such unusual events; he therefore sent a letter to the high priest asking: "What do you say to this event?"  The letter concluded with the words: "This violent death of an innocent man was not my will, but yours!  Now you also bear the responsibility!"

This message caused a panic among the Templars!  They suddenly believed that Judgment Day had dawned for them!  Jesus is alive?  Jesus is alive?  What was to be done?  Most of them crept away from the temple.  In their hearts, conscience was calling!  But Pilate received no answer.

At Lazarus’ inn

Also to the inn of Lazarus near Jerusalem, which was known to all friends, the disciples brought the good news that the grave was empty and that some women had already seen Jesus and had spoken with Him.  In the evening, when all the disciples and many friends were gathered there, John spoke again about the fact that Jesus was now no longer man, but purest spirit, who, however, in His former human form, could now appear to them everywhere.  "For" - John said - "as incomprehensible as it may sound, here it becomes truth: He will be where He is worshipped and loved in spirit and in truth!  And as we all now intimately unite in our hearts, He is also with us and among us!  This purely spiritual existence is the result of His voluntary innocent suffering and death.  He has broken through all human barriers of death.  Everything earthly-human has become Divine.  And that is why we shall be patient!  He already knows the hour when He can also become visible to us.  But we want to hope for His coming and gratefully rejoice that He has also overcome death for us!  So that our goal - eternal life with Him - may become all the more brightly visible before us!"

To these new revelations about the Divine intentions in the voluntary death of their beloved Master, all listened silently and tried to absorb them.  Then, at midnight, the disciples arrived from Emmaus and told of their wonderful experiences with the risen Jesus.

At Nicodemus

Early in the morning, the disciples went back to Nicodemus with Lazarus and the friends and told those who had stayed behind about the appearance of the risen Lord to them.  All listened devoutly to the miraculous words; then a deep silence fell and no one dared ask a question.  Then, suddenly, the Master stood among them!  His clear gaze went deep into everyone's heart, and the women could not help tears.

But Jesus said: "Peace!  Holy peace be with you!  Let your sorrow be turned into joy!  Let all your sorrow be over, now that I am among you again!  But as visibly as I am now, I cannot always stay with you.  You must again become completely free and inwardly strengthened as My witnesses, as bearers of My Spirit, in order to freely do what I have so often taught you!

My Spirit within you shall declare to you at all times what you may do and work in My name!  Remain in love!  Stay connected in My Spirit and serve each other!  Then you shall experience that it is I who serve you even now, as I did as a man!  Do not ask: ‘Where were you?’  My Spirit will tell your spirit about it!  He will introduce you to all truth and wisdom!  And all, who fulfill My will, shall experience this.  But now do not keep silent before the people, so that you also become accomplishers!  Do not be afraid, for I have overcome everything for you!  My love in you is always your strength!  Be blessed all of you and greet the other brothers!  Peace be with you!"

His eyes rested blessingly on those present, and as quickly as He appeared, He became invisible again!

The disciples looked at each other in silence.  His mother, however, wept with the purest joy!  Again it was John who took the floor and said: "Dear brothers and beloved sisters!  Now you have all seen for yourselves: the Master lives!  He is among us and always present in His love!  Now it is up to us to give Him only joy!  This happiness is immeasurable, that He Himself appeared to us.  And what He did not tell us, we feel that His infinite love for us is still the same as it was once when He lived among us as a man.  But there is one among us who was a witness of His greatest mercy.

And I am aware that no human being can ever understand and measure this great deed of Jesus!  How high His love stands against our weak love!  How selfish we have been, hoping only for a sign of His love and omnipotence and not caring about the others!  Here I must remind you of brother Judas!  Why did we leave him alone in his distress?  But the Lord also knew this and raised up another brother who lovingly took care of the lost one!

We, who sat at His table all the time and enjoyed love upon love from Him and grace after grace, felt abandoned and full of sorrow!

Oh, I am ashamed of the display of the great poverty of the love of our souls!  Instead of believing, we were despondent!  But now we have seen and heard the Master, we have become joyful again!  Therefore let us all thank Him for this new happiness: Oh Lord Jesus!  Stay with us, so that it will no longer be evening in us!  Pour out the cornucopia of Your Spirit upon our souls, however weak they may be, so that we may recover in soul and body!  That we may become a true testimony of Your eternal love!  Amen!"

Holy silence, holy peace surrounded all hearts.  Then Lazarus stood up, thanked the Lord once again for the infinite grace of His coming, and asked the disciples and all those present to come with him to Bethany, so that everyone there might also learn that Jesus lives, and that peace and joy might also enter their hearts.  After a love feast, when the general joy had reached it's climax, Lazarus again urged departure.  The farewell was emotional, since many wanted to follow only later.  Everyone felt how common sorrow and common joy forged all hearts more firmly together.

In the city of God

On the way to Bethany, the men passed through Jerusalem, where all Templars were visibly agitated.  The Templars had searched the rock tomb, the Roman garrison reinforced their guards, and new troops were approaching, watched by the inhabitants with frightened looks.  Lively talking people had gathered everywhere, so the Roman commanders had all public places manned with double guards.  And all this - because of Jesus!

When the centurion passed by Pontius Pilate's palace with Lazarus, he requested some more soldiers to accompany him as security on the way to Bethany.  There was also great commotion in the vicinity of the temple: a glow was pouring out of the Holy of Holies, so that the high priest could not approach the altar of incense, and the curtain was still hanging down, torn.  If the temple courtyard was usually the place where some people did their good business, today everything was at rest; for people were only interested in the miracle of Jesus' resurrection.  The horror of Good Friday had it's effect, and the more sensible cried aloud: ‘You have crucified an innocent man!  Who will help us so that we may be remitted the judgment of God!’"

The centurion went to them with Lazarus, commanded silence, and called out: "Citizens of Jerusalem, keep silence and go home to your dwellings.  Jesus, the crucified, is alive!  Do not fear Him!  For, if He was your friend as a man, He is even more so today as the One risen from the grave!  And all His teachings of love and humility live on!  Therefore believe in Him, love one another, and forget the sadness of the last days, for He suffered for the sins of others and atoned for all our wrongdoings, as it is written in Isaiah, thus redeeming God's Word!  Now we are to prove to Him that He did not suffer and struggle in vain!  'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!' - His last word gives us the proof of His exceeding love for mankind.  Now you no longer need a caste of priests, because Jesus has taken over the office of the high priest.  He lives!  But He wants to inhabit our own hearts as His temple consecrated to Him by God.  Therefore, go home in peace and always keep rest!  We as Roman pagans protect your new faith!"  The centurion stepped back, greeting.  But Lazarus rejoiced over the new brother and said: "What fire!  What a spirit!  Truly the gospel is a power of God that makes blessed all who believe in it!"

In Bethany

After a long trip, the friends arrived in Bethany, where they received all the love they could ask for.  Here, too, the news had already reached them that Jesus was no longer in the tomb.  Now, however, the truth was proclaimed to all the inhabitants, including the servants and maids: Jesus is alive!  Jesus has passed through the dark night of death and has thus taken away all the sadness and heaviness of death!  Now the sister Martha understood His word: "I am the resurrection and the life!"

But Mary, who was usually so calm, was now agitated and asked so many questions that no one was able to give her a proper answer.  Then the centurion approached her and said: "Calm down and rejoice!  Jesus sends his greetings to you, as to all the others here!"  Immediately she calmed down and thanked the captain for the right word.  This greeting was the bread for which her love longed, and so she extended both hands to the Roman, thanked him again, and asked him to consider this home as his.

After a short rest, during which the walkers cleansed and refreshed themselves, it was then possible to recount the course of the individual experiences with the risen Lord.

The night came and passed, no-one thought of tiredness or rest; the new, the unimagined did not give rise to any other feeling than the great happiness: "The Master is alive and may come to us too?"  And Mary, the sister of Lazarus, already gave instructions to keep everything ready to welcome the Master.  Thus some days of rest and tranquility passed!  Guests and friends came and went; the centurion was especially pleased when Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Magdalene arrived to stay in Bethany for a longer time.

One morning, a messenger from Kis brought the news of Kisjonah's approach; and when the middle of the day was reached, he himself already arrived in Bethany.  What a joyful reunion!  The joy increased to bliss when Kisjonah and Mary were allowed to see together something of the great redemptive work of their beloved Jesus in the spiritual world!  Celestial spirit-beings announced to them the supernatural happiness that all who had long since died and were wandering in the darkness of their concepts about the task and goal of their existence, could now take hold of the hand of grace of Jesus, in order to be led to the light-clear redemption from all error.  A luminous angel explained to the two: "Since the existence of the entire creation, such a thing has never been experienced, that the good asserts itself and love triumphs!  We shuddered with sorrow when the Lord sacrificed Himself, dying in the body of the Son of Man, Jesus - and thereby gave a new Spirit to His creation.  But what a blessing, what a joy it was then to see and feel the living happiness of all those who languished in their narrow graves.  Now, no gate is closed!  There is no need for a guard anymore!  Everyone is his own guardian over himself.  But we stand reverently before the life of this new Spirit in all the hearts that love Jesus and want to build in the spirit, the redemptive work of the Lord!  In grateful love, many are already pressing towards such work.  For the most blessed place of heaven is from now on the common property of those who recognize Jesus as our Lord on this earth, whereby the power of evil is on the wane!"

After a pause, the angel continued: "You should only have seen and experienced how Lucifer, the fallen brother, gathered with his angels around Golgotha to prove to his vassals: ‘A great one remains a great one!’  Therefore, he said, the dominion would soon completely belong to him, Lucifer!  But there he experienced his greatest defeat!  Because the great one became not only the victim, no, he became voluntarily the very least!  And thereby for all eternity, the possibility is given that the very least can be raised in Jesus' Spirit to the very highest.  Until now the eye of our God could enjoy the purity of a soul and look with pleasure on all those who in order and conscientiousness endeavored to fulfill the law, but now His gaze is especially turned to those who stand deep in sin and guilt.  He lovingly reaches out His Father's hand to them, so that they too may take hold of salvation and immerse their inner life in that of their Savior!  And so listen: What we see, Lucifer also sees!  And his greatest sorrow is that he can no longer resist this life of the Spirit from Gethsemane and Golgotha.  Rejoice!  Rejoice, you people of this earth: Heaven has descended to you!  It's blessed inhabitants are pressing down to earth and want to help build the new heaven, which has established it's foundations on this earth and will be revealed to all through the living Spirit of Jesus in the people!  Amen!"

Tears of joy rose in all present when these spiritual experiences were reported verbatim; but the most beautiful thing was still missing from their hearts, their beloved Jesus Himself!  And already the hope of seeing Him here, faded away.

Where does Jesus tarry?

Then also friends from Tyre and Sidon came to get certainty with Lazarus about Jesus.  "Because" - they said - "in Jerusalem, the truth is no longer to be separated from the lie.  There are many reports going about where Jesus is said to have been seen.  And so tell us, faithful friend and brother Lazarus, have you seen Jesus or even spoken to Him?"

Lazarus pointed with his hand to Mary and Magdalene and said: "They were the first to see Jesus!  The rest of us also saw Him, but later.  But if you had deep faith in His mission and had followed His words more, you too could have already experienced the miracle of His resurrection!  But the most important thing is not that someone has seen Him; no, the most important thing is that we believe that He lives and that He can live in us through our living faith.  Then our faith leads us to the inner life with Him and shows us the necessity to pay even more attention to His will and to try to fulfill it.

Be assured, now is revealed to all the world: The man Jesus has borne flesh and blood, in order to pay the sacrifice, our and all people's past guilt!  Now we are to carry him in our flesh so that we can pay what we owe according to the sacred Divine urge.  In this way, His life becomes a model for us and His death and resurrection a lifeline, to which anyone who wants to, can cling!  But where there is a serious will, the power comes from above.  For through Jesus' departure from us humans here, spiritual power flows to us from His Power and spiritual life from His Life.  As long as He stayed among us, we received grace upon grace from Him.  But if we now accept His sanctified will and do it, we can give!  And so it will remain until all eternity, that the greatest of the blessedness will consist in happy giving.  But what we have to give, is His love in our being!"

All looked seriously on Lazarus, whose speech had made a deep impression on the new arrivals.  But the secret desire to see Jesus, if possible, was greater than their faith and their desire for such inner interaction with Him!

The centurion read their thoughts and expressed his concern, saying: "Forgive me, dear friends!  Are you looking for Jesus here, in Bethany?  Do you not know what he urged everyone to do: 'Remain in my Spirit!’  Do you think, dear friends, that Jesus as the Risen One would meet you again as he did as a man?  No!  His work planned from eternity has been accomplished!  Now people have received the Spirit of His love through His humanity!  And His death on the cross was the seal, the confirmation of the final act of His incarnation!  Heaven and earth are now equally close to Him!  But through His holy Spirit of love and sense of truth, we find the way to Him and also the strength in us to go this often arduous way.  The Spirit-spark from God, which dwells in every human being, luminously gives us the direction and requests from us to always act as He has exemplified to us.  Oh, if I had known Jesus before!  I, who had done the most shameful thing to Him, was allowed to experience the most wonderful of His love.  For He, as the Eternal Love, has forgiven me, and heavenly joy revives my heart since I know that Jesus lives.  Therefore, do not seek Jesus outwardly!  Seek to become like Jesus was - and He is with you and in you!  You too will experience His blessings as I was able to experience them!  But now I will be silent, because my heart commands me to rest."

Astonished, all present looked at the Roman centurion and remained silent.  Lazarus felt grace working mightily in all hearts, and said to himself: "Be still, my heart!  The calmer I am, the more receptive it will be to this His Spirit of grace."

Then a meal of love was prepared in honor of the friends, leaving a place free for the One still so eagerly awaited.  Lazarus and Kisjonah told many things from Jesus' life, and all became quite happy; until Lazarus asked his guests now to cultivate the rest and to rather watch the sunrise from the nearby hill in the early morning.

Morning prayer on the hill

The few hours of the night passed fast.  Lazarus had already prepared everything on the hill; when he looked over the ready blankets and carpets once more, a man came from the other side to him.  Lazarus looked at the wanderer and went to meet him to greet him and to ask about where from and where to.  There his breath faltered and he sank almost as dead to the ground: He had recognized the Master in the stranger!

He laid His hands on his head, grabbed his hand, lifted him up and said: "My brother, I am drawn to you, because your love is balm for My heart!  Now you also strengthen yourself in My love, so that you can fulfill your duties of love and be and remain a bearer of My life of love.  And now also bring your friends here; but do not betray Me, they themselves shall recognize Me!"

Lazarus kissed the Master's hands, and tears of purest joy streamed down his face; then he hurried back to the house and invited everyone to come quickly to the hill; he also commanded his sisters to leave the work to the maids and to come along for sure.

Full of wonder, Mary and Martha looked at their brother and saw that he had wept; so Mary asked him: "Brother, why are you sad and have you wept?"  Lazarus answered smiling, "Not sadness, but joy was the cause.  You will see it too, come on, come on!"  Full of holy foreboding in their hearts, they quickly followed the hurrying Lazarus.

The others could not explain this haste.  They were also so engrossed in conversation, that they did not notice how a man in a white coat stepped among them and went with them to the hill.  Now Kisjonah, Nicodemus and the friends from Tyre also arrived in very serious conversation, and Lazarus still heard the words: "Not this is the main thing, that you may testify:  ‘I have seen Jesus!  He is truly risen from the dead!' - but it will be more important now and in the future that we manifest His Spirit of love in our lives, and that all the world thereby learns that Jesus lives!  Then He did not die in vain!  Then His resurrection has become truth in us and for each of His followers, the unmistakable proof: now I too may truly live through His Spirit in me!”

Lazarus was glad about the eagerness of his friends and looked at the quietly smiling Master.  Now the friends stopped, looked as if involuntarily into the distance - and then they also recognized the Master.  The others also saw Him and recognized Him, and all of them were moved to tears in heavenly joy.  Expectantly they listened to the words of the Master, who said: "Peace, peace, holy peace be with you!

My love for you drives me once again into your midst to show you the signs of My love and humility.  Look at My hands!  Look at My feet! Pierced by the hands of My blind children!  Blessedly I lay these My hands upon your heads!"  At this, Jesus went from one to the other and placed His hands in blessing on their heads.  He began with Mary, the mother of His body, and said: "That you love Me, not only I know, but all who know you, know it.  In the future, your love for Me will be like a rising sun in the sky.  And through you, many a child will experience what love is able to bear and to accomplish!  We remain one!"

To Mary Magdalene He addressed the words: "Oh child!  As long as the longing to see Me is greater than to appropriate My life of love to you, your longing will remain unsatisfied!  Love!  Love!  Love!  And never will I leave you!  Yet you must not want to embrace Me with your arms, but with your heart!"

Jesus continued blessing, speaking words of love and promise to everyone.  When He came to Kisjonah, He said: "Brother, now one thing is missing, and that is that you substitute Me for your own and for all whom you come in contact with."

Now He came to Mary, Martha and Lazarus, blessed them and said: "You too, My beloved ones, give tidings of My love to all who come to you!  You know that Bethany is consecrated to Heaven.  Everyone, even the least, shall know here that you are Mine, and that everything that belongs to you belongs to everyone, when My faithful come in distress and suffering.  Now enter into communion with My Spirit, not only you who are present, no, all who are united by the Word and the Spirit of My love!  For even though I may no longer be among you, no-one shall miss Me!  Your heart shall proclaim to all: I am with you all days, always and every hour!  And now I put you in My place: Everything you say and do in this Spirit, shall be as if I had said or done it!  For in the future this word shall be completely confirmed: From now on you shall do nothing without Me.  And now give My Word and a reflection of My eternal life to the hungry and blind world, longing for love-light.  As all death has departed from Me and My life can now penetrate the whole of infinity, so shall also happen to you!  Therefore remain in Me, and I will remain with you for all eternity!

And now, become free!  Free from all weaknesses, from all spiritual darkness!  Free from all false concepts about My existence as your God, who has become your loving Father as the son of man, Jesus!  Become witnesses of My nature, and you will break open the bands, chains and gates of hell!  All that is still bound, hope for deliverance through you, what is still unredeemed, will be put on your heart!  And so I now depart from you and yet remain with you and among you!

You will sometimes feel lonely, and yet I am near you!  Suffering and trials will want to weaken you, and yet I am the strength in you!  Therefore, remember: My Word and My teaching, which remain with you, demand independence and a free, content being!  I am always to be found in you, as I also want to find you in Me for all eternity!  My blessing and peace be with you! Amen!"

After these words, the Lord had disappeared from their sight. On the hill, however, it was deadly quiet, all were deeply moved, some wept.  After a time of inner listening to the reverberation of His words in his own heart, Lazarus then spoke: "Beloved friends!  I am urged to thank you once again for being here.  I am aware that if you had not visited me, I would not have had the grace to see our beloved Lord and Master once again.  I also gratefully acknowledge the love of our faithful God and Father, who knows why and for what purpose everything happens.  But now my advice to you as well as to myself is: We do not want to live in the past and memory, but in the present and the future.  We now know that only this one thing is necessary, namely to look in all things to the Lord.  For through His resurrection we have all received the unmistakable proof that He lives!  And as He lives, so does His love for us, for all people.  Now, in this morning hour, we experienced the dawn of an eternal morning.  From now on, we human beings are called to live in this eternity and to bear witness again and again that we too may live, for His testimony here on the hill is our letter of freedom and seal."

Suddenly, moved into spiritual vision, Lazarus spoke: "Oh earth, what were you allowed to experience!  You have hardly recovered from the horror when your Creator died in the flesh, when already a new shock goes through your body!  You were allowed to experience that your Creator did not remain in death, and your wounds healed quickly.  But now you were worthy that your Creator again with His holy feet entered you, oh earth, then you received a new seed!  Oh earth, you richly blessed!  Ask the Creator, that He would awaken people and call angels, who protect this new seed!  For only under the greatest pain will this new spiritual fruit be born here!  I see nations coming and nations perishing, but this new seed from God our Lord will live!  And I see a time coming, when everything, everything will lie low!  Love will grow cold, and the curse of evil deeds will continue to beget and give birth to another spirit.  And this one will hasten the end!  Oh earth, once again you will experience a time, bleeding from thousands and thousands of wounds, and even the elements will threaten to destroy you.  Then the Spirit of gentleness and love, coupled with purest humility, will arise here and there and release your curse!  A new wave of love will pass over your sore body, and like dew and balm you will feel the Spirit of God's love again after a long time.  You will become a place of eternal peace, for no enemy will dare to look at you askance anymore!  For then the enemy is eternally overcome!  Then you are the place and the refuge, where erring ones experience the salvation necessary for eternity.  And now, you earth, you holy creation, accept the thanks that we were allowed to experience this here already.  Amen!"

It is difficult for everyone to part with the beautiful hill.  But Mary and Martha immediately thought of their duties towards the guests and were the first to hurry back to the house.  Lazarus was the last.  At the meal there was again lively talk about the recent events, and all were merry at heart.

Pilate

In the midst of the merry meal, the door opened and in came a soldier in Roman dress to deliver a letter to the captain.  Upon receiving it, the centurion recognized in the soldier his angelic friend and cheerfully said: "Well, friend, how long have you been in Roman service?"  But the angel answered in his heavenly way: "I am not in Roman service, but in the service of Eternal Love!  Read this letter and you will see how much you need my service!"

The centurion broke the seal, read and paled; for it was his summons back to Jerusalem!  If he did not obey the order, he would be arrested, the letter said.  For the high priest had accused him before Pilate of having supported the robbery of Jesus from the tomb!  But for Jesus' resurrection from death, all proofs were missing!  In the letter it was still noted that according to all rumors, Jesus had appeared only with His friends, but why not in the temple?  Now there was no more stay for the captain!  It was time to say goodbye to Bethany and all the friends who had become so dear to him!  Longer than usual his hand rested in Mary Magdalene's hand, and wishes of happiness and peace followed him on his way.  Nicodemus also wanted to return to Jerusalem, and so it was a wonderful ride, for the angel accompanied them.

About noon, the centurion reported to Pilate, who was very surprised to see him already, whereupon the centurion declared: "Yes, if it had not been the will of the Nazarene, I would only now have had the message in my hands.  But now the Nazarene sent me this messenger, and so I am immediately here to refute the accusation against me!  But above all it should finally be time to make the high priest Caiaphas harmless!  Behold, my brother, either the statements of the Templars are truth, and the resurrection of the Nazarene is lie, or vice versa: the resurrection is truth!  But I know for sure: Jesus, crucified and buried, is alive, as I have already proclaimed to you.  He has been with us today in Bethany; we have seen Him, and He has spoken to us and assured us that through His life, we too can receive this new spirit-life!  Therefore, immediately send this messenger - he is a servant and angel of God - to Bethany and let him report to you in writing about all these events this morning!  While the messenger is on the way, I will already describe our experiences with Jesus to you.  This should be a proof of the truth of the resurrection for you, if the answer of Bethany agrees with my description.  Because here it is not about my honor, but about the truth of Jesus risen from the dead!"

Pilate had a letter written to Lazarus in Bethany and expressed in it the request to describe all events in Bethany since Easter as well as possible, because he needed proofs!  For the centurion was accused of having stolen the body of Jesus with friends and to present another one to the people as if Jesus was alive!

Pilate did not believe the centurion at first that this soldier was an angel of God; rather, he was of the opinion that the centurion had already been on his way back and had met the soldier on the way.  Pilate now had the centurion describe everything to him in the presence of other centurions; he sometimes looked at him concerned, but did not interrupt him.  When the centurion had finished his report, Pilate shook hands with him and said: "If the report from Bethany comes anywhere near yours, then you are justified, and I believe you!  I will now wait for everything else."

Barely two hours passed, when the messenger reported back, which again astonished Pilate.  The messenger handed him a fully written roll; Pilate first read the signatures, whose names alone vouched for the truth!  Then Pilate read aloud to the little forum the whole report, and it was almost the same as the centurion had told.  Excitedly he went back and forth, extended his hand to the centurion and said: "Forgive me that I did not believe you, a Roman, for a moment, but took the cleverly chosen charges of the temple for truth.  But now I am sending you on a secret mission to Rome!  The emperor must know about the events here, that is simply our duty!  For we have killed an innocent man, we have judged by appearances!  But what has been done, cannot be changed!  Prepare for this journey at once, a cohort will accompany you!  But it must be kept secret, so that the temple can not thwart it!  Take this friend of yours with you, if he wishes, and tomorrow morning, when you set out, you will receive my writings to the emperor."  With that, Pilate took his leave.

But the centurion was inwardly moved by this turn of events, which now forced him to leave Jerusalem!  The image of Mary Magdalene appeared before his eyes.  "As much as I like to leave here, I don't like to leave your presence" - he thought - "but orders are orders!"  And immediately the thought came to him to go once more to Bethany and to take a short break there while passing by.  The angel reached out his hand and said: "Dear friend!  Rejoice in this mission of yours, for you may bear witness to Jesus!  No way must be too far for you, no effort too great and no sacrifice too heavy!  For what you do for Jesus, the Risen One, you do for yourself and for all people.  Pilate is afraid because he has judged an innocent man, and since you are a witness of His resurrection, he hopes to soften the severity of the emperor through you, in order to keep his place here in Jerusalem.

I am not going with you, but come to you visibly only occasionally, according to the Lord's will.  But Jesus will soon be visibly taken from this earth, as if in a cloud!  And this will be the sign that His mission as man is finished here, and that a new time begins!  You are not to do anything else then, oh no!  Only what He as man exemplified to all, you shall also always do, and what He taught all people, they shall believe and then arrange their lives according to it!  Then He will come to all those who have fulfilled His conditions, and will fill them with His Spirit of love and truth!  Therefore go confidently!  The Lord be with you and in you!  Peace be with you!" - and the angel disappeared.

Now Pilate came back once more and invited the centurion to have a meal as a guest in his house.  He still asked: "Where has your wonderful friend gone?" - and was greatly astonished to hear: "He has returned to his true nature!  After all, he is not a man, but an angel, a servant of God!"

Shaking his head, Pilate looked at his centurion, then they went upstairs to his apartment.  As they entered, Pilate's wife met them, and laughing, Pilate said: "Now look at our guest, for he, like you, is a fan of the Nazarene!  And think: a witness of His resurrection!  Never in my life would I have thought that Jesus of Nazareth would worry me more now than when He was alive!  And who knows what is yet to come."

But the centurion replied: "This is not quite true, for He can only worry those who doubted His high mission and condemned Him without examining Him, as the temple did!  Brother, go once to His friends, who are honest people, honorable Jews and respectable Romans!  There you will be given truth about His teaching.  What a cordial relationship prevails among Jesus' friends, and what zeal to do only good!  I have never found anything similar among Romans, Greeks and Jews!  But the most glorious of Jesus' teachings is: We are all brothers among ourselves!  And He, Jesus, as our Creator, our God and Sustainer, wants to be Father to all those who want to receive His Divine Life into themselves!

This life, however, will first manifest itself as selfless love and blessing energy in the innermost heart!  And with such an inner life, one will be able to follow Him in order to reach the glorious goal of becoming truly perfect in the Spirit of Jesus!  More conscious in love, more conscious in truth, in order to let a new generation arise on this earth with this primordial basic life in us!  For hatred and lies can only cease when they are immediately recognized out of the Spirit of God of Jesus in man, and we no longer let ourselves be deceived or dominated by them.  That is why I like to go to Rome!  But first I would like to go to Bethany to say goodbye to my new friends.  Perhaps you will go with me and get to know this new Spirit of brotherly love and mutual respect in that circle?"

Pilate refused; but his wife Claudia asked so urgently that he gave his consent, then they took the meal.  In the meantime, the report to the emperor was written, which a secretary prepared according to Pilate's instructions.  Pilate signed it, sealed it and handed it to the centurion, who solemnly promised to hand it over to the emperor according to Pilate's wishes, if it was the will of God!  Claudia asked to leave for Bethany that evening after all; and both men gave their instructions so that the departure could happen soon.  Two sub-captains were ordered by Pilate to be at the court in two hours with twenty men, fully equipped and supplied for two months, and to select only the most able men.  Pilate also asked the captain to be ready to leave in two hours.  The latter hurried to his home, where they quickly packed; he also sent a few lines to Nicodemus to tell him that he had to go to Rome for Jesus' sake.

At the appointed time, soldiers and horses were ready to depart from the governor's courtyard, and the people were full of curiosity as whereto then this journey, so swift and unprepared, would lead.  Pilate, the centurion at his side, stepped with his wife among the Herculean figures, staring at the weapons and said to them: "Soldiers!  I am sending this captain of mine and yours on a special mission to our emperor in Rome!  It is a special honor for you to accompany him!  And therefore I also expect you to stand up for the life of your captain at any time!  For on this mission depend the destinies of Rome as well as ours!  The Emperor will decide our future here, and I hope to see you all healthy again after your return!  Be it done!"

Now the captain was given command of the little band, and then he said: "In the name of the Almighty, let us set out on this long journey!  His assistance will lead us to our destination!"

Pilate and his wife took their seats in the specially provided chariot, and at a sharp trot, they set out on their journey.

The day was drawing to a close.  In Bethany, the guests brought by the centurion were both astonished and delighted.  Lazarus greeted Pilate and his wife most cordially - and led them into his house, saying to Pilate: "Consider it yours, high sir, and feel and sense the Spirit that rules in this house!"  Then he introduced him to the other guests.

Pilate was shaken to the core when Lazarus introduced Mary to him as the mother of Jesus!  But her quiet, pure look and gentle handshake told him: "Here is more than human forgiveness!  Here is heavenly understanding!"  And only now did he feel the guilt, the great guilt, which he thought he could wash off his hands with water, and so he almost stammered: "If I had known what I know today: Jesus would still be alive!"

Mary answered him gently: "Jesus is alive!  He has overcome death and out of His deep love, has forgiven all!  Therefore I have nothing more to forgive you!  But in the Spirit of the Lord, I say to you and to your dear wife: Welcome to Bethany!  May the Spirit of peace and love also fill you, that you may remember this holy hour!  Your coming also gives me only joy!  Even if our suffering was overwhelming and the pain almost unbearable, the joy of His resurrection is a thousand times greater!  For here the grace of our God works exceedingly powerfully!"

The centurion also greeted the friends and told them about his new mission.  Then he sought Mary Magdalene; for a long time he held her hand in his, looked deeply into her eyes, and said, "It is only for your sake that I have come once more to Bethany; tomorrow I shall be beyond the borders of Judea."

Lazarus asked the servants whether also all soldiers and horses were well accommodated, which was assured to him.  The captain spoke: "If your servants say that it is in order, then I believe it also; however, dear brother, if it is right for you, then let me discuss something with you alone once this night."

Here Lazarus gladly agreed with him.  At the meal there was a cheerful mood, since all were of one mind, and one had almost forgotten that the supreme Roman commander was among them.  John, in his gentle and serious manner, told many an incident from the life of the Lord.  But when Lazarus told of his resurrection by Jesus, the proud Roman sobbed.  Pilate said: "Oh, my guilt, my great guilt against Him!  Now it becomes a mountain that threatens to crush me!  Who, who will take such guilt from me?"

Lazarus put his hands on Pilate's shoulders and said: "Not so, brother!  There is no guilt, which could not be redeemed by doing good!  But if you truly want to make good where you think you have sinned, use all your influence to prevent too much evil from happening to the friends of Jesus from the temple, for the Templars will not stop fighting Jesus' teachings, since they are evil of heart.  With such good deeds you will then experience in yourself that Jesus has forgiven you!  We are convinced of His Divine truth, power and glory!  But shall this knowledge be of use only to us?  Oh no!  All mankind must now experience it: In Jesus lived the power and glory of God!"

Lazarus remained silent.  Pilate, however, gave him no answer to his words, but remained in deep thought.  Within him it worked overpoweringly, and once again all the scenes passed before his eyes!  Once more the grave question: "What is truth here?" - came before his soul; then it was as if he saw, within himself, a sun rising with mild light; he rose and silently went out.

Claudia watched her husband and said to mother Mary: "Let him go now; he needs to be alone; the impressions we experience here are too powerful.  Why did we not come together with you earlier?  It - would have saved us all much struggle and suffering."

Mary answered her consolingly: "Claudia, let all that is past, be past!  When the night is over, and the day with it's light reveals to us all the beauties of life, we no longer think of the night, but rejoice and thank with an elated heart the kind Creator for showing us a tiny part of His so glorious creation.  Let it be the same in you!  The last days were like a night in which heavy thunderstorms and earthquakes alternated.  It has passed, and before us lies a day that will pass no more!  For Jesus is not dead!  He was taken from us only a little while, to remain forever with us, around us and in us, according to our will and devotion to Him!"

Claudia spoke: "Dearest Mother!  I do not yet fully understand this, but your words fill me with a blissful delight that I have never experienced in my life.  Your love, your closeness to one another show me what I have always missed in my life.  What in the city, in our circles, politeness and custom demand, I find here authentically in your love, in the spirit which my heart has long longed for."

Meanwhile the centurion was talking with Mary Magdalene, and for both souls this was like a gift of grace.  When Pilate went out, Lazarus followed his steps.  Pilate sat down under a large tree on a resting bench, to which Lazarus also came and spoke: "My friend, I feel in me the desire not to leave you alone with your inner struggle.  It happened to us as well, since the truth of Jesus shook all the errors in us!  Do not blame yourself, but lay all the blame at the feet of the One whom you think you have wronged the most!  I am aware of your inner struggle, and that is why I followed you, since it is in the Spirit of Jesus to support and strengthen everyone who is struggling and suffering.

As with us, it will also become with you: The old will pass away, everything will become new!  Already rays of hope of the coming peace announce themselves in you; be assured, this is a proof of the forgiveness through our Jesus!  Contribute to it and receive this grace of the Eternal Love of God by recognizing and acknowledging Jesus as the almighty Lord of heaven and earth!  He has overcome all death!  And also His children, His brothers and followers are promised the same, as I myself can be considered as proof to you.  Therefore, my brother, live no longer according to the past, but towards that which is to come!"

Pilate said: "Lazarus!  You true friend!  Truly, today gives and gave me a new life!  It is not yet so clear in me, as it should be after this experienced hour; because the memories of these past days cannot be completely wiped away.  I would have liked to save Jesus, because my wife told me that she had seen Jesus in a dream, surrounded by countless angels.  These secret angels would constantly have called: "Hail to the eternal conqueror of death and hell!  But woe to you in Jerusalem, when you judge Jesus and crucify Him; your portion shall be eternal death!"  I did not succeed in saving Him, and the reproaches in me for not having done everything that should have been done, do not subside.  On the one hand, I am inwardly drawn to you and to Jesus, but on the other hand, there is my guilt!"

Lazarus answered him: "Brother!  In what is coming, you will find new tasks to serve.  To serve the One to whom your heart draws you.  Then the barriers that guilt erects in you will fall of their own accord!  For, to work in the Spirit of Jesus, therein lies the redemptive bearing of our guilt!  As much as I remove, so much I build up!  And soon it will also become apparent to you that what you are doing is blessed!  If you want to make yourself worthy of this great grace of God, then watch over the Templars; for in their arrogance they now know no bounds, only to the power of a Roman do they bow.  You will receive in yourself the confirmation that you are worthy of Him to work for Him and His glorious work!  Behold, all the beauties of heaven are nothing compared to what God has prepared for those who stir their hands and feet for Him and declare with their hearts: ‘He is my Lord and God, my Father and Sustainer!’  Come into the house, the hours hurry and pass, but the Spirit of Eternal Love remains, if we remain in love!"

Both rose, and Pilate said as he walked: "Brother, a brother are you to me, this I feel alive!  Be also a further brother to me, in order to support and strengthen me!  But if I should fall back into my old doubts, shake me up and remind me of this day!  But I hope that Jesus can celebrate the victory over me."

Lazarus said, "Rejoice, rejoice; for man's greatest happiness comes only from Jesus!"  Both entered the house again, and Pilate saw his wife happy at Mary's side.  He went up to the two and said, "My dears!  Today is a turning point in my life!  From today I know that I can no longer live without this love!  It is impossible to understand what we have missed until now.  Well, I tried to serve my emperor and my people in truth, justice and fulfillment of duty!  But I realize: without this Spirit of love, respect and devotion, any fulfillment of duty is one-sided!  Therefore I thank you all!  You, my captain, first of all, because you found the courage to put your God-life, which was awakened in you, on the outside in my presence!  And you, dear Bethanians, because you showed me and let me experience the Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth!  These words would not have been necessary, because in Bethany, everything is permeated by the Spirit of love and understanding!  But I hope to prove to you all that I, too, stand by your side and want to help to promote His Divine work in the Spirit of the Crucified and Risen One!  Let us say goodbye for today and thank you once again!"

Claudia also said goodbye and said: "The few hours among you have made it that I have to say: You have become dear to me!  What I have experienced today in love and goodness, what I have received today in love and understanding, is inexpressible!  Therefore, thanks, heartfelt thanks to You, oh good Jesus!  What glories You must have at Your disposal, if You can make us so happy, who did not go with You!  Therefore I ask for Your grace and mercy, so that I may be and remain Yours for all time!  Soon we shall meet again, that we may be one in loving - as in serving!"

But Lazarus said: "Go home in peace to Jerusalem!  May the Spirit of love and peace guide you - and strengthen yourselves in faith and trust in Jesus - our Lord!"

Mary Magdalene

Then Lazarus said to the centurion: "Come, brother, let us go into the garden for a few moments, since you wish to speak with me.”  There they sat down at a table, and the centurion said: "Listen, my brother!  Your love has been a great blessing to me, such as I have never felt before in my life.  Circumstances now force me to make a great request to your love; you know I must now go to Rome, but my heart remains in Bethany!  I love Mary Magdalene and would like to make her my wife, but I have not yet spoken a word to her about it, and so the future lies uncertain before me.  Mary Magdalene is a guest in your house, dear brother Lazarus, keep her here until I am back.  I think that if I could establish such a home for myself as you have here as a place of care for the Spirit of our Master Jesus, I would gladly stop being a soldier!"

Delighted, Lazarus answered: "First do your duty in this just Divine cause!  Because the grace, which you experienced, and everything, which you were allowed to experience already in the spiritual, obliges you to the greatest zeal for the cause of Jesus.  But in Magdalene you would receive a gift from heaven, for no-one has yet shown such love to the Lord as she.  She is not poor, and your future would not be dark, but could be sunny and filled with waves of grace from Eternal Love, if you would establish a place of care for our still lost, searching human brothers!

In the meantime, let me look into it, but not here, in my homeland, but it should be outside Judea!  For the Master has revealed to me: ‘Here, one day, not one stone will be left upon another!’ - and while proclaiming His teaching, we should at the same time establish shelters for homeless brothers and refugees!  Now let us go in!  You already have my blessing and wishes for your choice."

Back in the hall, the captain asked Magdalene to spend a few minutes in the garden; hesitantly, she got up and went out with him.  Outside, however, he found it difficult to speak; but when at last the spell was lifted, he said resolutely: "Mary Magdalene!  Tomorrow I shall be far from here; duty commands, and I must obey!  But my heart remains here, and only for this reason have I sought out Bethany once more to speak with you.  Behold, I love you more than a sister!  Circumstances call for few words, and so I ask you: Will you become my wife?  I need you as a helper and adviser for my new life!  I would like to establish a home out of thanksgiving to Jesus, as it is here with Lazarus, for the reception of many friends of the teachings of Jesus.  I have spoken with Lazarus; he wants to help me gladly with it; and thus I ask you for your open answer.  Whatever the answer may be, I will always remain your brother in the Spirit of Jesus.”

Magdalena answered pensively: "Dear brother!  I too have already thought about how I would like to shape my life in the future in order to best serve the beloved Master!  For the time being I wanted to help the brother Lazarus with his sisters Mary and Martha.  See, I love only Jesus!  But He taught me to love Him in such a way that from His love in return, I would always get the strength to love others and to relieve their earthly suffering!  Therefore, your wish for a proper place of care for Jesus' friends could become mine as well.  But first I must confess to you: I am no longer a virgin!  I was once a deeply fallen woman, and I thank Jesus alone that I became a human being again!  Therefore, think about your question, dear brother!  Only if I knew that this is also Jesus' will, would I want to belong to you, since you have received the Spirit and mercy of Jesus into yourself!  And now you speak and be also you open to me."

The centurion answered happily, "Mary Magdalene!  What do I care about your past?  If you have been honored by the Lord of all life, that He, in His infinite love and grace, drew a line under your past life, and that you may now serve Him, then I will consider myself the happiest person, if you want to become my wife, which I gratefully accept as a gift of grace of Eternal Love.  I promise you in the presence of Jesus to live in such a way that you will never regret having bestowed your love on me as a stranger of your country!"

Moved, Magdalene sank on her knees and prayed aloud: "Oh Jesus!  You good One!  Into Your hands we want to put our future!  Watch over us!  And give us right thoughts and right knowledge, that we may carry out our covenant, supported by Your Spirit and Your blessing, in Your way, and bear witness to Your love, power and glory!  Amen."

Then, all at once, there was light around them, and Jesus suddenly stood before them.  He softly said: "My children!  In spirit I already stretched out My hands to both of you, but now that you have asked Me again for My blessing, I will also be visibly with you and say to you: Become one in all things, in working, doing and creating, and let Me be in your midst at all times, so that you can withstand all threatening storms!  For until now I could be your Guardian and could care like a mother and create like a father!  But when I will have ascended, then I can only work and create in you!  And this requires much strength, much humility and full devotion on your part!  No pain must depress you!  But you must sympathize with the pain of your fellow men.  No suffering must take away your joy of serving!  But the suffering of others shall make you strong to eliminate the evil which causes suffering!  No sin may stand separating between you and the people, because I was and I am and I will remain eternally, standing above all sins!  Everywhere where sin has broken in devastatingly with it's destruction, go there and lovingly reach out your hands to help and save!  Let this be the foundation stone for your life-covenant!  Say, my daughter, that all the angels may know it from your mouth, do you have another goal?"

With tears in her eyes Magdalene said: "Now I learn it again from Your mouth, Jesus, I know: The highest goal, it is not in You, but You in me!  Oh Lord Jesus, give me strength to succeed!  Your will be done, and be mine also."

Lovingly, Jesus answered her, "Now come to My breast, My child; for now you are purified!  And now you too, My son, come and feel both what bliss I can prepare for those who consecrate their earthly life to Me!"

Now both heard the singing of heavenly angelic choirs, for many from the great spirit-realm also witnessed this gracious scene.  Then Jesus spoke: "Now you have received the consecration from me for your life covenant!  But only a few can receive such visible grace.  Remain good and faithful!  Keep away from you all influences of darkness and shine like a bright star in all spiritual night, so that My work may prosper, so that the beginning of redemption may be revealed to all!  And now be blessed from My Spirit of love and energy, so that the footprints of your steps may betray and proclaim everywhere: Here walked children of God!  Amen!"

The master had disappeared!  Silently and deeply moved, both paused, then the captain spoke: "Mary Magdalene!  We have now become one before God!  Now stay in Bethany; here you will find enough time to tell everyone about our consecration by Him, our God!  But I now gladly go to Rome, for now I have such a glorious goal before me!  And so let us take leave here, it is the Lord's will!  His will be done!"  And so they went back to the house, happy.

Lazarus, however, suggested to still take care for some rest, since the captain would start a long journey, and thus the guests settled down and made themselves comfortable; for the women, however, rooms were prepared.  When the first ray of sunlight appeared, the house came alive; the captain woke up his soldiers, the horses were taken care of, and in the large guest room, the friends had already gathered to say goodbye.  Once again they pressed each other's hands, and Magdalena could not help tears.  When the order to leave was given, the captain's horse shied.  Magdalena cried out, but the Roman's strong fist kept the upper hand.  Once again he saluted her, and then they set off at a sharp trot into the unknown, towards a faraway goal.

Rome

From afar the captain saw the great city, and now he could not refrain from thanking his subordinates for their loyalty and attention, as a result of which the whole caravan did not have a single accident or incident during their long journey.  With a last sharp ride, they reached Rome and immediately sought out the guards of the city and palace commander.  When the captain reported on his mission to the emperor, the commander said: "That is a good thing!  For the high Cyrenius is also present here; I will announce you at once; and the quarters for your soldiers will also be assigned at once."

The captain was delighted and thanked the commander, but in his heart he thanked even more his glorious God, who guided everything so wonderfully.  After an hour, when he had refreshed himself a little, an orderly came with the command to report as soon as possible to the reception room of his supreme lord, and a few minutes later, he found himself facing the emperor and Cyrenius.

The two looked at the captain for a long time, and only then did the emperor greet his captain.  He handed him the sealed scroll of Pilate, which the emperor immediately opened and read.  In the meantime, Cyrenius and the captain were talking to each other, but they did not come to any real exchange, because the emperor got excited while reading and handed the scroll to Cyrenius.  Thinking, the emperor paced up and down the room; but when Cyrenius had read everything, he said to his brother, the emperor: "Well, do you still doubt it?  I knew long ago that the temple at Jerusalem was up to nothing but lies and revenge."

The centurion now had to report in detail everything he knew and had experienced himself. Cyrenius could not hear enough details about it, because now Jesus became personally alive to him again; but the emperor could not be convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead!  Then the centurion learned that also the temple had already sent messengers to Rome, who yesterday had brought forward their accusations against Pilate and against himself, but Cyrenius immediately recognized this temple message as a lie.  Here the centurion could gain a deep insight into the inner workings of the temple; and only now did he realize how necessary his urgent mission to the emperor was.

Before his spiritual eyes appeared the image of Jesus - in His great infinite love for mankind.  So he asked for the floor once again to describe the sad scene on Golgotha and concluded with the words: "This is how this wonderful man ended, who unfolded a love in His heart that could forgive even the greatest injustice!  Not a single glance betrayed that He was powerless in the face of this whole process!  No!  His disciples and His followers also give Him this testimony: ‘He wanted it to be so for Him!’  Their sincere love and love-activity to all people testify to the spirit of truth and selflessness of their Master.  I myself have seen Jesus after His resurrection and freely and joyfully confess: Jesus lives!  And we may now also live in His Spirit."

Cyrenius thanked the captain and invited him to his house as a guest.  But the emperor doubted the speech of his captain, but also doubted the message of the temple - and therefore left the further negotiations to Cyrenius.  The centurion now spent some quiet days as a guest in the house of Cyrenius and was allowed to testify of the power and glory of Jesus.  The messengers of the temple, however, had a hard time, because Cyrenius went sharply into judgment with them; but he could not imprison them, because they only delivered the report of the high priest Caiaphas.

Thus ended the mission of the centurion in Rome.  It was a great satisfaction to him that he could win many friends for the teachings of Jesus.  Then he longed to go back to Bethany and asked Cyrenius to allow him to resign from the army in order to be able to work completely for the work of Jesus!  This wish was gladly granted to him.  He was dismissed as commissioner to Sidon and Asia,  and started an easier return journey with his soldiers.  The journey on the sea showed him repeatedly the great glory of God in His works!  And gratefully, his companions also learned to recognize this.

A celebration in Bethany

After months, they all arrived back in Jerusalem safe and sound.  When the formalities with the governor Pilate were settled, and the centurion was recognized in his new profession as a Roman commissioner, he first paid a visit to Nicodemus.  Here the Roman learned about the events of Jesus' ascension and the outpouring of the living Holy Spirit on His disciples.  Nicodemus described to him: "The Templars were at a loss against this suddenly so mighty power of speech of the apostles!  And when some priests tried to make it seem as if these disciples were in a drunken state, a bright indignation went through all the listeners, and, whether Jew or stranger, all took the side of Jesus' disciples and demanded baptism as well!  There was a great ferment in the temple!  The high priest was full of hatred and vengeance, and I therefore renounced the temple!  Now the wickedness will no longer be done secretly, but publicly!  It will not be long before the prisons of the temple will be full, for they will find fault with every follower of Jesus.  At these words, Nicodemus' heart clenched in deep pain!  Although Pilate was allowed to experience and feel something of the glory of the Risen One, he remained the old one who let the temple have it's way and had to let it have it's way, for it was Jews they were dealing with!  And they themselves did not have the courage to ask for help from the Romans as their enemies.

During the night, the centurion stayed with Nicodemus - but in the morning, he was already on his way to Bethany.  On the way he met two wanderers who also wanted to see Lazarus and to whom he could describe the way.  From them he learned that they were fugitives, who, in order to avoid the persecutions of the temple, wanted to look for protection in Bethany; because the Templars would not dare to go to Bethany.

Lazarus already awaited the centurion full of joy; for the Lord had inwardly indicated his coming to him.  About noon he arrived there, warmly welcomed by all present; and for a long time he held Mary Magdalene in his arms.  Now they also made their life covenant before all the world, and again only their Jesus, their faithful God and Father, was the giver of peace, happiness and bliss!  Their wedding in the house of Lazarus was to be a feast for all disciples and friends of Jesus; for Lazarus considered it his duty to prepare a proper wedding feast for Mary Magdalene and the centurion.  All the friends of Jesus were invited, down to the simplest worker, and in the evening they united in the innermost union for a spiritual celebration.

Lazarus and his two sisters were very happy in the consciousness: "The Master also takes part in this celebration" - and completely filled with it, Lazarus asked all guests and house inhabitants to include even more consciously the faithful Master in their joy!  "For the true joy" - said Lazarus - "is the manifestation of genuine gratitude!  Thus, as we now ask: 'Lord!  Bless us and this celebration by Your presence, so let us also give thanks together in heartfelt joy, since He has made us worthy to dwell among us in the Spirit of heavenly harmonies!’

His glorious work of redemption began, visibly for us, with the wedding at Kana.  Today, as His called and chosen ones, we may also participate in a wedding in the continuation of His work.  At that time, His love made sure that there was no lack of wine.  Today, we want to be concerned about the spiritual wine, which only causes true joy in our hearts!  And so I am sure to act completely in the sense of the Lord, if I ask you, brother John, to give us from the deepest part of your heart something of what Jesus' love put into you."

After this invitation, John felt the current of the innermost God-connectedness flowing into him - and asked his Jesus for the right words.  Then he rose from his seat, went to the newly married couple, blessed them and said: "My beloved ones!  To the Lord and Savior Jesus, who has so gloriously revealed His love to us, it is a real joy to see you happy!  Gone is all the sorrow of seeing Him no longer among us as He once was!  But now we know: The Lord lives!   He is with us and among us!  He knows why He must hide Himself from our searching eyes; but His love accompanies us tangibly and always ensures that we, His children and fosterlings, lack nothing!

This evening and this wedding ceremony blessed by Jesus, are also a proof of His caring love with which He wants to show us, especially you, my dear brother, and you, dear sister, the importance and sanctity of your marriage!  Many times we, His disciples, had the privilege to participate with Him in a wedding ceremony, and the Master always attached importance to instructing the newlyweds, as well as all the participants, about the purpose and the essence of the marriage willed by God.  Not all, who make such a covenant for the earthly life, know that without the blessing from above, the marriage cannot have a happy existence!  Many think they can love each other in the intoxication of the senses; but soon, both partners realize that their union was a mistake!

But a marriage, carried by the Spirit of true respect and pure love, begets a special, holy spirit, namely a spirit, which is not property of the earth, but a part of the heavens!  All the glories of heaven, however, are still hidden in the hearts of the human children, like a well-kept treasure, and are only to be awakened by the Spirit of heavenly communion!  We were allowed to experience it for the first time with our Master Himself, who tried to make happy all those who came into inner connection with Him only with the heavenly good inherent in Him.  The most sacred task of His love was to redeem everything, to be a Helper and Savior for all!

As a loving mother seeks to unite and complete all that the world brings into confusion with it's discord, with it's disintegrating spirit, so you, oh brother, now stand before such a mighty task!  And the Lord, our holy God and most loving Father, therefore gave you this your wife, who knows and loves Him and all His words!  In three stages this life task lies before you.  First: Always try to get your body, which is the cover of your soul, into the right order, so that the second stage, the integrity and purity of the soul's emotions, can be reached.  Only then the way to the third stage is open, where the Spirit of all life, which is the Spirit of all understanding and true love, can unfold in you and also be released.  Therefore, dear brother, I do not say to you: 'Love each other truly and be faithful to each other!'  But I say to you: ‘Strive for this Spirit, which revealed itself in and through Jesus, our Master, so that the fullness of the right experience of God may become yours!’  Then you are, oh sister, a servant of the Eternal Love and a guardian and keeper of that good, which the Eternal Love gave you to serve and to make happy!  Strive, strive after the inner unity!  Only in oneness can you accomplish your great work of love!

Always be aware: If you remain in the right love, you can also overcome everything that approaches you as an opposition!  For then also helpers will arise, who will be sent to you from the heart of God!  Now complete in each other what you still lack!  And always keep in mind: True marriages are made in heaven!  Then all your actions will bear witness to the joyful spirit of heavenly harmonies in you!  Then it cannot fail that the fruits of your love are also a part of the light-filled heavens.  But be also aware that the serpent is not dead yet, but still lives quietly and hidden in you!  Therefore, beware of it and watch over the good spirit in you, so that the serpent's slobber may never contaminate your emotions.

Let one bear the other's burden in patience!  And forever remember that united forces, united work and creation on the way to the goal, make doubly happy!  My brother, you were a pagan; but sacred to you was always another faith.  But since you have now become an initiate into our faith and have received the consecration for it from the Lord Himself, it will not be difficult for you to fulfill your self-chosen task in life, to found a home for persecuted friends of Jesus, now in the sense of the Lord.  Your wife loves the Lord like none of us, and in her heart, there is already built a holy altar for Him!  Therefore respect her inner life, and you will become one!  And His glorious word: ‘Husband and wife - shall be one’ - will come true!  And Jesus, our glorious Master, can fruitfully continue the work of His redemption in you and then also around you.

The suffering-redeeming love urges you to the realization of the Divine plan, which also lies in you and lets you suspect and feel what the Master has not yet expressed in words!  So now go your way, carried by the love of all those who know you!  Do not look at what lies behind you, but upward!  Because from there you receive everything that is necessary for the overcoming of all still existing contradictions!   Also my blessing accompany you, and our Master's love and grace be always with you!  Amen!"

All eyes were on John during this speech. Magdalene thanked him saying: "Brother John!  - Your words were like a watering of our heart's flowers, which made the Eternal Love grow in us for our joy and for the joy of others!  But when I consider all the words that you spoke out of your heart's love for both of us, then, dear brother, our task seems very great to me.  Yes, if the Lord and Master would still come to us now and then, I would live in the hope to be able to reveal my worries and needs to Him and to receive advice from Him!  For I want to and must fulfill these tasks of ours, I owe it to my beloved Jesus."

John answered her: "Sister, oh sister!  Do not make your life's journey unnecessarily difficult!  The Master has loved you and provided you with heavenly food in gratitude for your love!  Do you think the Lord could ever cease to love you?  Behold, only when He is visibly taken from us, the time of maturity begins for us, when we must begin to take care of ourselves!  Then we relieve Him and offer Him our heart for joy and strengthening!  Then His time has come, when His innermost wish is fulfilled, that we are always connected with Him through the spirit of freest, childlike devotion!  Then our share is no longer worry, but power and peace.

So now live with your life-companion chosen by Himself as a covenant companion for Him and His work!  Therefore He is present, tangible to you and perhaps also visible to you!  May His love be your life and existence, and your devotion, the thanks for all His love!  Amen."

The day ended happily.  In all hearts the gratitude for Jesus, the beloved Master, was glowing!  For they knew: Even if invisible to their eyes, the Lord was still among them, making everyone happy!

So this day ended as an event as in the Lord's lifetime!  And for a long time, people in Bethany talked about the wedding of the Roman centurion.  And how even a Gentile became an instrument of the great love of the Savior.

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Table of Contents

1.  Passover morning at Nicodemus 4

2.  At Lazarus’ inn 6

3.  At Nicodemus 7

4.  In the city of God 9

5.  In Bethany 10

6.  Where does Jesus tarry? 12

7.  Morning prayer on the hill 14

8.  Pilate 17

9.  Mary Magdalene 23

10.  Rome 26

11.  A celebration in Bethany 28