Experiences

with

Jacob

Part 1

Book 24

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)



Table of Contents

PART I 4

1. Jacob's return from Edessa 4

2. At Mauritius 6

3. Kamillo – Antonio - Baltasar 11

4. Arminus and Hendrick 15

5. At Kaspar 19

6. Andree 25

7. Ivan 29

8. Experiences bring fulfilment 32

9. At Joram 37

10. Darius 41

11. Arnaut 44

12. Levi 48

13. At Rakey 53

14. Ludmilla 59

15. A wonderful victory 62

16. In Rakka 67

17. At Amalie and Amelia 70

18. Wurka 73

19. With Arius in the temple 77

20. Sabbath in Rakka 81

21. At the old Wurka 85

22. At Annuschka 90

23. Mirigia 94

24. At Adonis 99

25. At Petro 104

26. Sabine 107

27. Laurentius 110

28. The Spiritual Sight 116

29. An Episode of the Lord 120

30. Benedictus 123

31. The reward of love 127

32. Krishan, Mirga and Bonja 130

PART I

Jacob's return from Edessa

Serene sunshine permeated Mary's house.  Jacob's return was imminent.  In this euphoria, they forgot all necessary precaution against the Templers who surrounded the house like vultures.

In the early hours, Mary got the message: Jacob will still today bring joy to all.  The joy escalated and all preparations was set in motion.  After sunset, Jacob entered the house, bringing joy to everybody, for there shone a rare glow from his eyes.  Mary was first to embrace him and said: “Your joy is also our joy.  In the spirit, we were always serving at your side.  We always had joy when our Master let us experience His love and grace – your joy and happiness.”

He had to put up with a lot, but he said: “You all have changed much these two years, you haven't been like this before.”

Mary said: “My Jacob, the time we are now living in, has made us more joyful and free in this love.  See, we had much to learn, but love did wonders.  We got into the habit of always living in love, as the Master have indulged us with.  But now, in this serious time, we are to always give love, for the work of the Lord to not be annulled.”

“Where are the brothers”,  Jacob asked, “I long for them and I don't want to miss the glow of joy in their eyes which I saw in so many brothers.”

Mary:  The brothers are still busy with their work.  They will only come after dark because of the great danger from our enemies, the Templers.”

Jacob:  “Mary, we have in fact only one enemy and that is our own anxiety and fear and that is it.  They all envy us for our joy and can not understand that we are the chosen ones for the eternal work for whose sake He Himself lived among us.  It was a glorious time, Mary – and still it brought us inner worries, anxieties and sorrow, for we could not comprehend the intention of His love.  But His spirit have made us alive, Mary – what can we be to the others?  What we are, we are out of Him, therefore there should be no more hiding and concealing!  He is our protection and shield!”

Mary: “Jacob, I completely and wholly understand you.  But what sorrow I suffer when one or the other is thrown into prison – which usually is their end.”

Jacob: “It is not yours, but the Lord's suffering – how can it be revealed other than through those who are completely His!  How He would not want to prevent everything, if there were not bigger things at stake.  Therefore, do not become smaller, but bigger, for it is about the salvation of all.”

The brothers and many new friends arrived.  There were unfortunately some who fell victim to the enemy, but their joy was great when they found Jacob fresh and in good health.

Andreas, the restful and silent one, said: “Brother, your joy cannot be greater than ours.  Your good looks says that things must have gone well for you, and the glow in your eyes testifies that great things must have happened over there.”

Jacob: “You are right, but I cannot put it into words – but you can be sure that the Lord and Master was always with me.”

After the evening meal, which was consumed quietly and according to custom,  Jacob related his experiences.  He said: “You know about my calling to Edessa.  How gladly did I follow the call of the Master.  But no-one knew what would happen.  In Tyrus, I stayed with the brothers.  Those were edifying hours, being enlivened by the glory of God.  A ship of the Roman Dimetrius, going to Cilicia, took me with and landed at Issus, a beautiful little port city, where I was taken to friends.  It is not necessary to relate all the details, but there I experienced the first healing of the sick.

A woman was laying, heavy with gout, pain paralyzed her limbs, her hands bent.  In tears, this woman said: 'Yes, you people in Judea had it good; there were no sick whom the Master would not heal.  But we here in Cilicia hoped and hoped – but no Savior came, only greater sorrow and greater yearning for redemption from evil.”  I understood this woman.

Joy came to my inner being, and then the Master said: “The hour has now come and you and I are one.  Act according to your love, for your love is My love in you.  Everything you do in this love, will be as if it was Me doing it.”

A fire was kindled in me. I took hold of the sick one's hands, stroked them and said: “Woman, if you could only believe that the Savior, who died and was again resurrected from death, can still heal you, you would find all you yearned for in you.'  Trembling with tears, she said: 'I am confident that if He could be resurrected from death, then He can heal me.”

Her hands then became straight again, her appearance immediately changed and she stood up straight before me and said: 'Yes, Lord, You live;  Your power is still the same and You have healed me, I will never be able to duly thank You.  My hands will work for You only, my love will do everything Your love will call me to do.'  Then I said: 'See what grace the Lord still gives today - wherever His love is reciprocated, His power is manifested.  Therefore, do not forget to thank and serve the Lord and Master who we always serve.'

This event created much joy and excitement, but also annoyance.  For on the one side, a great longing was kindled for evidence for the living God, and on the other side, the hate of the priests waxed.  The word quickly spread and hundreds of sick got healed.  Wherever I arrived at a small town or village, I was received and welcomed with joy and approached for healing of the sick, which then happened in every instance.

I said to the Master: 'My Jesus, if I am going to be delayed everywhere, how will I ever get to Edessa?'  Then the Lord said: 'My Jacob, do not worry yourself about it at all, for you know all power and glory.  Act according to the pull of love in you and all your ways you shall find to be levelled.'

At Mauritius

And so it was.  I have scarcely began embracing this mindset, setting no goal for myself other than following the instruction of the Master, when miraculous help came – for the way to Mesopotamia was long.  The grace of the Lord came to life in an inn.

Since I was still clothed in Jewish clothing, the innkeeper reluctantly took me in.  But I said: 'It is not the garment, but the disposition of the man which ennobles him.'  He said: 'Young man, do not speak in such manner, for one cannot believe a single word from a Jew.  Anyone who represents such crimes as is committed in Jerusalem as if it is the will of God, is not worth giving shelters and quarters to.'

Jacob:  “You might be right, Mauritius, but man should not regard all people the same – for I am one of those who suffered most under them, for Jesus of Nazareth is my brother and Master.”

Mauritius: “Man, if you speak the truth, you can be my guest for as long as you wish; for all I've heard so far was only talk.  I want to see and experience that what I've only heard about, that all doubt, all searching and research might finally come to an end.”

Jacob: “Mauritius, if your longing and desire truly comes from the heart, then you shall experience the whole truth.  Yet, how many are full of curiosity, but if the teaching is to be put to practice, they fail.”

“What does Jesus of Nazareth require?” Mauritius asked.

Jacob: “Nothing other than full faith in Him and His teaching, which is contained in only a few words: Love your neighbour with all your might and give honour only to the true God.”

Mauritius replied: “Well said, young man, yet there is one problem.  Everyone claiming to be a priest – whether Jew, Greek or Roman, says the same, yet have their own god in which man should believe.”

Two Roman soldiers then entered the large guest room and asked whether they could find lodging for their people and their horses there.  It was confirmed with great joy.  With this, our conversation was ended, because he wanted to know how many of them were there and what their wishes were.  At first it was unpleasant for me, but when I saw the powerful men, a warm wave washed over my heart again and set me completely free.

Once the two made their wishes known to the innkeeper, he brought a carafe of wine, with three beakers, bread and salt and said: “Strengthen yourselves first that you may be content, for it is still a while before mealtime.”

The innkeeper pointed in my direction.  So they came to sit at my table and without asking much questions, helped themselves and quenched their thirst.  But I took the bread, broke it and handed each of them their portion and said: “May it taste good to you, I have also been hungry and thirsty on my way here.”

One said: “Where do you come from and where are you going, for you are a Jew?”

“You are right”, I answered, “My destination is Edessa in Mesopotamia, and a ship from Issus brought me here recently.”

We ate our bread together.  Other soldiers entered, received orders and left, and then others came – therefore we did not speak any more.  But I was intrigued by the manner these two treated their soldiers.

Then the landlady entered with two daughters with dishes and set the table.  The landlady greeted us with friendly words, but the daughters took no notice of us.  In less than an hour, the crowd was seated at the tables in the guest room, but we remained at our table.

After a short while, the food was also put on the tables.  So I blessed everyone as well as the simple meal, after which one asked: 'Why are you so devout before eating?  I have never seen this with other Jews.”

“It is necessary to bless all food”, I answered, “To thank for the gift and to ask that it may give strength to all.”

“So have you also blessed my food?”  The one asked.

I replied: “Yes, blessing can only be effective if no-one is excluded.”

[The one:]  “Then I want to thank you – you probably belong to the sect of the Nazarenes – let's eat now.”

The many people became too loud for me, but I stayed, despite my longing for peace.

After the meal, the Roman said: “I love the straight way;  I am Kamillo and this is Antonio.  You have not yet answered my comment that you belong to the sect of the Nazarene.”

Jacob: “You were right, yet I do not belong to the sect of the Nazarene, but I am one.  Jesus of Nazareth is my brother, my Master and also my God and Lord, in whose service I am.  My name is Jacob and we lived in Nazareth up until now.”

Kamillo answered: “I have been denied the right to come to Judea.  I heard much – very much – about Jesus the wonder-man, but I did not take much notice, for when one come close to the source in search of the truth, very little remains.”

Jacob: “You might be right, Kamillo, yet I guarantee you that you have heard way too little.  But our Master still now gives you the opportunity to seek Him and to examine whether, after all you have heard, anything is to be believed.”

Kamillo: “I doubt, my friend Jacob, if the dead can speak about viewpoints of life.  Your master belongs to the dead and his resurrection goes above my ability to understand.”

Jacob: “For you, yes, Kamillo, but not for me or many thousands, for we all saw Him, talked to Him and He gave us, His disciples, His Spirit, His power – as you have heard.”

Then Kamillo said: “Jacob, since you spoke these impactful words with much seriousness, you are also under obligation to provide us with evidence.  We as Romans have a different standard of what is true or false, than you Jews.  I don't want to insult you, but it is just how it is.”

“I would be a bad disciple if I could still be insulted.  On top of it all, I would do my Master a disservice”, I replied, “but for the evidence you want, you need not bring anyone other than yourself.”

“In what sense?” the Roman asked.

Then I said: “The kingdom of God does no come with outer splendour or great ceremonies, but inwardly, in you.  As soon as you are aware that you carry a small spark from the great and powerful Spirit of God - who created everything – in you, a connection must also be possible with the primordial Spirit, or Spirit of God.  If I would say: He gave us His Spirit and His power, it is not just a adage or saying, but the truth!  If I would tell you and everyone what I have experienced, you would hardly believe me.  But to prove God's power and glory to you, I ask you to ask me to do something reasonable out of His power and might.”

Kamillo replied: “I don't know what to ask of you.  At most, for the wine in the cup to not get depleted so fast.”

Then I said: “Then drink as much as you like, for the cup shall not again get empty for today, and on top of that, the wine shall taste much better.  But I do ask you to pace yourself, that you would not suffer great inconvenience even today.”

Kamillo drank, but the beaker did not become empty.  He gave it to Antonio, he gave it to the innkeeper who came closer; he praised the wine, yet the beaker stayed full.

Then Mauritius the innkeeper said: "Young man, forgive me for not giving you due respect. I am convinced that you are the man who brings me full truth and destroys all my doubts. That's why I ask you, stay my guest for as long as you want, you shall not be short of anything."

Jacob: “That is no longer necessary, Mauritius, for the Lord and Master determines my actions, His will is also mine.”

The other soldiers became attentive.  They were interested in the wine that did not lessen.  They asked if they could drink of it also.  Kamillo agreed while looking at me.  They immediately began drinking, watching me, wanting to know what I would say if the beaker would become empty – but it didn't, it stayed full.  They regarded the beaker to be a miracle.

When all have drunk, Kamillo said: “Dear friend, take the wonder-beaker back, for we all did drink and do not get such a wine every day.  I do not need any more proofs, you are indeed full of the power of your Master.  But I want to ask you – would you not tell us who was your Master, what did He do and why His tragic death?  From what I have heard, Jesus was a great man as none on earth.  But His death was a great anticlimax for all.”

I said: “Kamillo and you all here, do not think that I want to win you over to become disciples of Jesus – oh no – I only want to testify of Him, the Saviour, Friend and Brother of us all.  His life was the same as ours, His needs were the same as ours.  He learned carpentry from my father, with the difference that no-one could do the job like He did!  Whatever we could not do, He finished!

As a child, there were promises of greatness, but after His twelfth year, He was like any other child.  As He grew older and was a youth, the trouble began.  He went His own way, His words were curt, yet His being was loving.  We did not understand Him and called Him strange.  Oh, those were terrible times.  It seemed as if all friends abandoned my father's house.

He once said to Mary, His mother: 'Woman, how long will you still grieve God, or should He change His plan of salvation, for you to have your peace?  I will not deviate one inch from the path prescribed for Me!'

In tears, Mary said: 'But Jesus, You are good to all.  Your eyes shine for everyone, but towards us you are hard, yes, heartless.  Think that the old, grey Joseph just want rest and peace, yet you become increasingly more incomprehensible.'

Then Jesus said: 'It is bitter for My Father that you have forgotten everything which He has revealed to you !  Never before has so much information been given to man than to you, and now you demand that I should become unfaithful to Myself?!  I would rather go to the wild animals in the woods and there search in Myself what life is and will be forever!'

He also did that and avoided His parental home for days.  When He came back, one could see the traces of His inner struggle.”

Then Kamillo asked: “It interests me to know what Jesus' struggle consisted of, for to my knowledge, no Jew has as yet put a great constraint on himself?'

I answered: 'His struggle was an inner one;  He meticulously tested everything that existed in Him and eliminated or ennobled whatever did not agree with the Godly man in Him, which His own Spirit revealed to Him.  He thus purified His soul until He was completely perfected and His own spirit became one with the eternal Spirit of God.  On the human side, it remained a mystery – but now that I may testify of His being, of His power and His might, it is as natural to me as if not I, but He lives in me and in all things, He is the only fulfilment.'

'I can understand that quite well', said Kamillo, 'that you could not fully go with Him, as I can not really go with you, despite the evidence of your power working in you.  To me it would be something unnatural if I were not I myself, but someone else who determines and acts.  I am also a servant of my Ceasar, but I myself execute the orders given to me.'

Jacob: 'You are right, but there is a difference.  You are and will remain the servant of your Ceasar and will be rewarded accordingly.  We do without the right to reward or gratitude, but from the urge of our own spirits, we want to redeem everything unredeemed – be it in us or in others, into a free existence, in order to put all – all – people in a higher state of life, giving them an ever greater joy, greater peace and greater awareness of life!  This we experienced in Jesus and now also experience it in ourselves.  In this awareness of life, I know no illness, no worries, no suffering – since my earthbound soul is carried by the Spirit of all life.

This is the success of the Lord and Master – everything is subject to Him – whether elements of other forces; even death had to surrender it's spoils.  He was and is our Saviour since eternity and will also be the Saviour to all who believe in Him and accept His teaching, which is nothing other than to make  the principle of life, love unto one's neighbour.'

Kamillo said: 'Jacob, your presentation is good, but I cannot adhere to making the principle of life, love unto the neighbour, for it will change a lion into a lamb.'

Jacob: 'From human perspective it does seem like it, yes, Kamillo – but did I not say that He gave us His Spirit and His power and that without Him I can do nothing, but with Him, everything.  But your own reason should tell you that this cannot happen all at once.  It takes a willingness like unto when you apply your own will to carry out the commands you received.'

Kamillo said: 'Jacob, I now understand you perfectly, but not Jesus.  If He is the Saviour, if He made all power and might His own, why did He not eliminate all evil – all that was in animosity  against His life-consciousness?  One only gain victory over one's enemies by annihilating everything hostile to you.'

Jacob: 'Thus speaks a soldier who only knows how to handle the sword.  But Jesus was a man who considered all people as His brothers.  His highest goal was to restore human dignity to all!  Not to annihilate, but to revitalise the root of all evils into the root of all life, was His holy task.  In this we gladly followed Him, because His help is the greatest of mercies.'

Mauritius said: 'I have the utmost interest in this person.  Tell me, what did He look like when He came to life again from the dead – for three days in the grave do not pass without a trace.'

'Dear friends', I replied, 'Your question is justified, but in this I still see a false perception of our Master and Saviour Jesus!  His crucifixion and death – and I witnessed it – was as terrible for Him as it would be for any other human.  For us, His disciples, everything was so surreal, that we were in need of comfort even though He often mentioned His death and resurrection.  I was not one of the first to see Him.  We were very anxious and in doubt, until He Himself appeared in our midst.  His body was as solid as it was before, the nail scars were visible – yet He again disappeared from before our eyes just as He came!'

Kamillo said: 'This is like a fairy tale.  To the natural man it is unbelievable, therefore you have to explain.”

'Gladly', I replied, 'Jesus have not decayed like any other body, but His Spirit in Him – who is none other than God Himself, have spritualized His soul and His body, so that He did not appear among us with a fleshly, but with a spiritual body.  The Spirit of God have created with His creative power a material body when He needed it for our sake and dissolved it again into it's original material when it's purpose was fulfilled.  Wherever He appeared, visible to many, He healed the broken hearts and enabled them to move completely in His will.'

Then Kamillo asked: 'Have the resurrected Jesus also healed the sick and resurrected the dead?'

On this, I had to answer: 'No, for all that power He gave over to us, when we would ask the Holy Father for it in His name.'

Kamillo said: 'Jacob, I believe every word, but my reason fights against it – in any case, Jesus is the most incomprehensible for me ever in my life.'

'Less so for me', replied Mauritius, 'how many have come here, telling me incomprehensible things.  But Romans – sensible men – have presented it so truthfully, that I had to believe.  When I was alone again, the doubt came.  We learned new things – so I lived between doubt and curiosity.  Then came the news about the crucifixion and resurrection – and I was a defeated man.  I would have liked to believe, but I could not, did not go beyond the "why" and then lived between hope and doubt.

You, young man, have done well by proving His power to us, so I thank you with all my heart. You will probably be able to give everything else as a disciple and witness of the Lord.

Kamillo – Antonio - Baltasar

The soldiers went to their horses, bringing about a pause.  New guests also arrived, taking the innkeeper away from us.  While we were still talking about our subject, a soldier came to call Kamillo, because an accident happened.  He hastened outside and I was alone with Antonio.

He said: 'I have understood you well, but since Jesus is no more, it is difficult to prove that His disciples are truly spreading His teaching in His Spirit.  Why do your priests not ask after their Jehovahh?  Their actions are a mockery of Jehovahh's laws, but they are the priests and the people are obliged to believe.

Here in Cilicia and in Asia in general, paganism prevails, dominated by very clever priests.  You will even find Jews here, but they do not want to know about any new teaching, because their teaching provides them with quite a nice income and prestige.  The news of the Saviour has also reached the larger trading cities, but not further to the north.  We Romans have instructions to not cause any trouble for the propagators of this new teaching!  But how can we know what teaching is the true teaching of Jesus?

I'm all for people to have a correct light in their dark superstition, but of what use is a good light if the candlesticks are of no use?  I attach little importance to miracles, it is mostly just ruse.  I love the truth.  A proclaimer of eternal truth's every word should be a ray of truth!  See, I know your Moses as well as your prophets.  Everything about them is good, but where does the priests fit in?  If it were up to me, they should all be eliminated, even the few good ones.  That is why I am critical – even about the proclaimers of the new teaching.'

Jacob: 'You are right, Antonio, for if things were not so, God would not have sent His Son to this earth and it's people, who are no longer human.  So think – if there were no Saviour, if no Redeemer have come, imagine yourself what would become of humanity?  Still, despite the coming of the Son of Man and of God, despite His death and resurrection, which sealed His most glorious teaching, things will become extremely bad, conditions we can not even imagine.'

Antonio: 'Why, friend Jacob, are our laws not born of justice?'

Jacob: 'It is indeed, but the legislators was wrong about one thing: that all wrong and evil cannot be exterminated with the harshest punishments, but the seed of falsehood and evil will do a hundred times better than the seed of the good and true.  If you would have insight in a human, you would find a much greater desire for a Saviour, than for good laws.'

Then I said: 'Antonio, your sense of honour, truth and justice is harder than a rock;  what we – and above all, the Master – call love, you call weakness.  You were not yet in need of a wife.  You regard it as a humiliation in violation of your concept of honour and truth.  This is in truth only self-love, bordering on pride.  Do not let this excite you, Antonio, for it had to be said, because you would not have found it yourself.  The truth of what I've said, needs to be proven in that I tell you that your horse have seriously injured one of your men and someone is coming to get you.'

Before Antonio could reply, a soldier came and urgently asked Antonio to come to Kamillo.  An accident happened.  Antonio quickly got up and followed the soldiers.  The guests who overheard this conversation and asked me how I could know that, since I did not leave the room.

I said: 'Dear men, this is nothing special, for the Spirit of God – of whom you know nothing – have revealed it to me.  Your gods can sadly not give you any revelation, for they are lifeless.  I, as a witness of the eternal, living God can and will tell you this, for I do not owe you any evidence.'

One of the Greeks said: 'But I indeed want evidence, for up until now, nobody denied our gods life.'

'Yes it is true – partly out of fear and partly because nobody could provide anything better and more alive', I replied, 'Yet we who are witnesses of the incarnation of the living God, may speak differently than do your priests, since we are connected with the true eternal life – in our inner being!'

The Greek replied:  'Young man, don't be so self-confident, for most of the time, the test does not hold.  Words are always cheap, but it is all about the success.  I do not care about words or a new teaching, but about evidence for which of your or my gods are alive.'

I said: 'I know only one God and His name is Jehovah Zebaoth.  He is visible to all His creatures and palpable in the heart – but who would fully enter into His will revealed by Him, can also hear His call.'

The Greek answered: 'My friend, this is all just words, but I lack evidence.  If you can tell me and interpret a dream I had three days ago, then I will believe your words.'

I said: 'You had a troublesome day.  One of your people lied to you for the sake of a small benefit.  You therefore struggled to fall asleep, for you could find no resolution whether you should keep the man or not.  At last you fell asleep and you had the following dream:  You walked down a long road, lined to the left and the right with trees, leading apparently nowhere.  The road stretched out – then the trees stopped and you came to a vast field, stretching as far as you could see.  Nothing was built on it, but it was overgrown with weeds – every kind of weed imaginable flourished here and you could not proceed.

Then you said: 'Why is there no wheat or barley here?'  You saw no-one and wanted to turn back.  One of your servants stood behind you, who said: 'Lord, I ask you for just a little piece of this field of weeds; if I am successful, I can pay my ransom.'  Then you said: Never ever, I can not afford a lord besides me.  As punishment, you shall cultivate this whole field into a wheat field all by yourself.'

When you woke up, you forgot the dream, but again remembered it during the day when you saw that servant.  His timidity immediately struck you and you asked him if anything was amiss.  He said to you: 'Yes, lord, I am looking for a way to go forward from here, I do not want to stay your servant for always, since you do not tolerate married people.'  But you told him: 'Go do your work and do not come to me with such speeches.'

See, this was your dream and the circumstances before and after – and what does this dream want to tell you?  You are rich, your world is big, but your neighbourly love has not yet cultivated a field of wheat, for you think only of yourself.  The road with the trees represents your fulfilled duties, but at the end of it, you are trapped in your own weed.  The life of God stirs in you and begs you to begin to cultivate your wheat field, but you refuse.  Your love serves only you and no-one else.  Have I spoken the truth, or do you need other proofs?'

'You spoke the truth', the Greek answered, 'That is exactly how it was.  Your word binds me to believe your God.'

Jacob: 'No, Baltasar', I said, 'You are free.  If you can not believe in the living God completely free out of yourself, you should continue to live in your old error.  God wants to let every human or being have his fullest freedom.  It should be people's own need to seek and to search for the living God!'

The Greek answered: 'That may be so, but how do I find the living God?'

'In yourself', I answered, 'In your own heart.  The way to Him is the love unto one's neighbour, love for the poor and the forsaken!'

Antonio now entered together with some soldiers carrying the injured one, who was completely unconscious.  They put him down in a corner, where blankets and carpets was quickly arranged for burial.  Then Kamillo came and said: 'Bring a priest quickly before he dies, no-one can help him anymore.'

I then got up and said to Kamillo: 'Kamillo, this is now an opportunity for you and the others to experience the wonderful saving power of the resurrected Saviour Jesus Christ, if you want.'

He excitedly replied: 'Jacob, if you can – will you help him?'

[Jacob:] 'Not I, but Jesus in me can; so if it is your wish – for without your will, my hands are bound.'

Kamillo said: 'Do as you wish, Jacob, he is one of my best men and would be a loss for all of us.  But if he would live, he would be crippled and would endure much pain throughout his life, for his lower back is broken.'

Without reply, I went to the lifeless one, laid my hand on his pale face, prayed until I came into full harmony with my Master and then said aloud: 'Hendrick, get up – my and your Saviour wants that you would live and be healthy.  To You, my Jesus and my Lord and God, I thank You for Your mercy, love and compassion.  Amen.'

The soldier then sat up, looked around him in astonishment and said: 'What happened to me?  You should have left me where I was.  An amicable man who looks almost like you – pointing at me – said: 'Your hour has not yet come.  Live, be healthy, but from now on, search for My life!'

Kamillo said: 'Jacob, you made us your debtors; how can we thank you?'

I said: 'Nothing other than that you would believe in the One whose love, power and glory you have just experienced!  This is the best proof for you:  Jesus lives and will live forever, and also all who believe in Him, live with Him and are filled with the riches of His love, grace and power to the measure of your faith and your love.'

Antonio said: 'Jacob, this changes the whole situation.  I was searching, critical, demanding evidence.  Now we are asking not for proofs, but for light, clarity and certainty.'

The Greek was initially dumbfounded, but then he said: 'You men, here is more than all priests and altars.  Here is the unknown God, who says without words to all: 'I AM your life.' Oh, whoever could also say and experience this: to bring a dead man to fullest health, only He can be a God who is the true life!  Oh you faithful witness of your God, introduce us to your living God, that we may abandon all dead gods.'

The innkeeper, his wife and his daughters came into the great room to give some relief to the injured man.  But when they saw the great and glorious wonder, they were overcome.  They absorbed every word as if a gift from the highest heaven.  But when they heard Baltasar's words, Mauritius said: 'Children, carry all the gods out into the yard; the existing God shall have a cleansed house as a sign of our faith in Him!  If the wine-wonder was a glorious proof of His might and power, this salvational wonder is love upon love!  You are all my guests today, and we want to dedicated this hour while we are still together here, to the living God and to thank Him.  But you, witness and mediator of the living Love, I beg you: open your mouth and be the mediator of the true life of God.'

Jacob: 'See then, throughout evening until early morning I presented the life of the beloved Master and planted a seed with the help of the Lord, which will bring forth glorious fruit.'

Mary: 'Jacob, why is it so difficult in Jerusalem?  It seems to me as if I understand the Lord as little as in the time we lived in Joseph's house.'

Jacob: 'Mary, you will still oftentimes think like this.  When will the time come when you will think like the Lord?  Is not His sacrifice the witness that He wants to be our everything?  Especially in Jerusalem where hell and the deepest hate persecutes us, love will become the greatest victory in life.  Where anxiety and fear still creeps in, the Master can not yet be everything to us, for we can only give out what we have received from Him!'

Mary: 'You are right in everything, dear Jacob – it is the suffering of others that makes my soul sad, even though my spirit feels completely one with Jesus and knows that we should take care to not miss out anything of His love.  Let us all get our rest – but you, Jacob, bless us today.  It is as if our Jesus was much more wonderful today!'

Jacob did as Mary requested.  That night, the enemy could not disturb the peace.

Armino and Hendrick

As we accompany Jacob further on his way, the Love will continue describing what has happened in the Spirit of love.

Mauritius have prepared a feast despite Kamillo's objections, for the following day would be challenging – but Mauritius said: “The God who gave life to the dead surely will also give the power to overcome all troubles.  It is all about the living God and His from-death-resurrected-Son.  I could tell you, dear messenger of God, to stay for a few days and to teach me to know the living God.  But I will not do that, for this God is worthy to be known by all, and that as soon as possible.  Every hour spent in doubt, worry and suffering is loss!  Everybody should belong to God and the living God should become the property of all!”

Kamillo: “Thank you, dear father of this house, you have rolled many stones out of the way and I consider your love as the love of God.”

Among the guests was a friend of Beltasar.  He had a sickly son, who has been mentally retarded from his earliest childhood.  He came over to Jacob and said: “Dear messenger of God, may I bring my wife and sickly son tomorrow before you commence your journey here just for a moment, that they too may be strengthened?”

Jacob: “Andree, why do you tremble before God and do not ask for your sick son, or are you unable to muster up faith in the eternal and living God?”

Andree: “I did not want to add to the many follies, for I am not worthy of this great miraculous love.”

Jacob: “Andree, now you have again committed folly by playing down your own worth.  Because before God we are all sinners and no-one is without mistakes, but God wants everyone to be helped.  That is what He sent His Son into this world for, that all might know God, believe in Him and love Him!”

Andree: “Oh could I, oh may I?!.  Oh God, how good must You be!  I cannot take it any more, I must go and get mine!”  Andree rushed out of the house.

Then Baltasar said: “If this son gets healed, the priests can build their temples – for Andree's son is often worse than an animal.  The family is pitied by all.”

Mauritius brought wine, and Kamillo said: “Dear father of the house, you will not be sorry for your cellar, which you are plundering today, for my comrades have a thirst and good appetite.”

Mauritius: “Everybody should have a taste and all should be cheerful, for we are celebrating the arrival of a new time!  I have not become poorer up till now and if I would face misfortune, I would also not become less, for I stand in the blessing of the living God!”

Jacob said: “Mauritius, in the name of the living God, I tell you: all love you practice in the spirit of His love, brings about wonderful blessings, for in that spirit you open up yourself to Him and receive Him in you.  So, as you make His cause yours, He likewise makes your cause His.”

All liked the taste of the wine, but they still wanted to hear Jacob, but he said: “Dear brothers,we want to give something to our host; he is so zealous and eager to hear every word, so we will wait till after the meal.  Everything I have to say to you, should be received in a restful state of heart.  All tables should be pushed together to form one table.  Then Brother Andree will arrive with his wife and son Armino.”

This soon happened.  Mauritius was delighted.  He and his daughters was on the point of bringing the food, when Andree appeared.  “Here I brought my wife and our troubled child for your advise.  Act according to your love, for I know the living God will be right.”

Jacob: “What does your wife say, Brother Andree?”

Andree: “Oh, why do you ask, while you already know the answer?  Is this first-born son of ours not our punishment, because she left her faith for my sake and became obedient to my gods?”

Jacob: “You are wrong, Andree.  She still prayed in secret to Jehovah and your son Armino voluntarily took this cross upon himself, to glorify the true God in due time.  You of course do not understand these words yet, but once you recognise the one true eternal God, your son will teach you everything.”

Andree's wife kneeled before Jacob in tears and said: “Oh man of God!  Who have betrayed my secrets to you, my sorrow, my worries and my prayers?  Tell me that I again can look up to Jehovah, whom I have denied.”

Jacob: “Gabriele, get up – Jehovah Himself gives you forgiveness and a blessed promise, if you would freely give your heart back to Him.  But you should no longer deny Him, but actively witness about your love – for God is faithful to the faithful and Love to the loving!”

The wife stood up and spoke through her tears: “Oh holy man of God, you again call me by my childhood name!  That is enough for me that Jehovah, the holy God, have cancelled my guilt.  Oh holy God, give me a new mouth and a new heart, that I can thank you with words from my heart!”

Jacob: “Gabriele, your prayer is answered as you fulfil God's new commandment: 'Love as I have loved you!'

Gabriele said: “Love as I have loved you – oh great, holy God, how easy do You make it for Your human children.  You will no more need to tell me to love, for my love shall burn like a fire, that all may see that I love You in my neighbour.  And now I also know that you will heal Armino, just like you healed the poor soldier!  Oh Andree, why do you still hesitate to give honour to our God?  Do you not feel the sunshine of His love?  Come let us give thanks, for we finally are united, belonging to God.”

Andree said: “I am at a loss for words, but still, glorious brother, pray to God for the sake of our Armino!”

Jacob said: “Let it be so, since you believe that God can heal your son.  So I pray to you, oh my Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer, prove Yourself here as Lord over all life and judgement!  You, Armino, be henceforth healed in the Name of the Lord Jesus!”

Armino, a man of 20 years, who have obviously presented the signs of mental retardation, had absently listened to all the conversations.  But the moment Jacob said: 'be henceforth healed in the Name of the Lord Jesus!”, a jolt shot through his body,  his figure straightened up, his face lit up and he looked at them all with a gaze that clearly witnessed of the miracle.  Then he slowly said: “Father, Mother, what happened to me?  I can sing and rejoice, for everything seems different – may I remain in this state?”

Andree and Gabriele could not say anything, but wept aloud for joy, for these were the first sensible words from their son's mouth.  They pointed to Jacob.  Armino understood and asked: “If you are the benefactor, who removed the veil from my eyes and the fetter from my mouth, then I thank you from my heart;  you have made me into someone different than what I was before.”

“Armino”, Jacob said, “Soon you will recognise your true Benefactor – it is Jesus, the true Son out of God!  Learn diligently, that you may regain what fate denied you.  And stay true to Him; not because He healed your body and soul, but because He wants to honour His promise to you!”

The Romans were overwhelmed, the soldiers were dumb with admiration.  Beltasar said: “This was enough miracles.  Oh God, allow us to know You that we too can love You!”

Mauritius let the foods – which were already prepared in the kitchen – be brought and they all ate together at the father's table.  He said: “To You is due the honour, merciful God, and the thanks, for giving [us] full assurance of Your life, Your power and glory.  How could we duly honour You?  Accept this love that I owe to Your love, as an expression of my gratitude and keep on being as present as You are present now.”

Jacob said: “Mauritius, the Master has blessed your love and say to you: 'Open up your heart even more for the poor and the oppressed, for what you do to them, you have done unto Him!  Blessings upon blessings will pass over your heart, that you would be fully blessed already here and one day over there.  Blessed be His love, blessed be this feast of love and blessed be your love!”

The love feast tasted wonderful to all and the mood kept increasing due to the good wine.

Now Hendrick went to sit next to Jacob and said: “I am completely dazed by what happened.  Tell me openly what actually happened.  I know that I was kicked by the horse, it became black before my eyes, then it was night for me.  I heard voices which I did not recognise and yet I felt so free, so good.  I wondered what this darkness was and called for my comrades, but no-one heard me calling.  I got up as best I could and then walked a few paces, as good as I could.  Then I felt my hand be grabbed, then I felt my eyes being stroked and it became light.  I saw a beautiful garden where many were working and waving at me.  Then I saw a man who kindly smiled at me and said: “Your hour have not yet come.  Live, be healthy – but search Me henceforth in your life!”

How should I understand all this?  Who was that man, for it was not you.  His hands were pierced, but His eyes were the most delightful thing that I have ever seen!”

All eyes were fixed on Jacob and Hendrick;  all conversation became silent – then Jacob said: “See, my brother who became my Lord, who entered into the realm of light and truth, the Lord needed you to glorify His work, His life and His truth and Being, which you have attested to.  Your comrades saw you suffer, your soul got loosened from your bodily hull, and darkness was your fate until the Lord Himself led you out into the realm of grace and light which you could see and hear.

Your hour has not yet come, that is: you are still not ripe for life in those spheres.  Therefore you should acquire His life, what you have experienced in His eyes.  Live henceforth a life of love in His Spirit.  The way you have experienced His love today, all fellow human beings should experience your love.  Carry His image in you – not in your head or memory, but in your heart.  Let it become increasingly more alive, then you too shall experience the blessings which Mauritius is experiencing today.”

Hendrick said: “If this is all you desire, then you have my promise that it will be according to your words, for it is the words of the Lord.”

Jacob said: “You gave your promise easily, but be assured that without the Lord's help, it is impossible to keep yourself to it.  Therefore, receive the promise of His Spirit: 'Those who love Me, to those I shall come and fill them with My power and joy, and I shall reveal Myself more and more on daily basis that all may learn that I am the life without Whom no-one can live!'  Thus I bless you, the Lord and Master Jesus is henceforth your goal!  Jesus be with you!”

The friends still stayed together for a long time.  Jacob had still new things to tell.  Without anyone realising it, the new day arrived.  Kamillo commanded for the horses to be fed and for everything to be prepared for the day's journey.  Then he told Jacob: “We take you [with] on our prescribed route over the mountains.  Before nightfall, you will have progressed a great deal towards your goal.”

Thus it happened.  Directly after the morning meal, the soldiers set out.  It was the hour of devotion for the house of Mauritius, but also for the soldiers.  Armino stayed for yet a long time on his knees, being grateful for the great, great mercy.

At Kaspar

The soldiers had a difficult journey.  Jacob, being unaccustomed to riding, had to put in real effort in the beginning.  But the power of the Lord prevailed and he remained fresh and alert.

They dropped Jacob off at an inn and parted ways with heavy hearts.  But Jacob blessed them for as long as he could still see them.  The innkeeper then approached him and asked why he looked after the soldiers for so long, for Roman soldiers were indeed not an uncommon sight.

“No”, Jacob said: “but it is rare for people to have won the victory over falsehood and wrong with only a slight battle.”

The innkeeper said: “I believe you are an even more unusual person, for no-one has ever come to me with such words, but I still welcome you!”

Jacob: “Will you still welcome me if I come with empty coffers?  See, I don't even have a stick – only a heart full of the most sacred goods!”

The innkeeper said: “It might seem much to you, but not to me.  But regardless, you are welcome.  Maybe you can still bring something of what I'm longing for.  Step inside!”

Jacob entered into the spacious living room where the whole family was gathered, having a meal.  The innkeeper briefly said: “Be seated and help yourself, we have at the moment only fresh milk and good bread.”

Jacob: “Thank you, father of the house, I'll gladly sit at your table and so I bless you in the name of my God!”

The bread and milk were really good, and there was enough.  The meal was consumed in silence, then the sons and daughters left the living room, leaving only the innkeeper and his wife still sitting at the table.  Both were elderly and looked with expectation at Jacob.  He said: “You were surprised that I blessed you in the name of my God – you do not know Him.  I see you have several gods, according to the paintings in this living room.”

“You have seen rightly”, the innkeeper said: “where would we make acquaintance with other gods.  Our inn is small [and] it is rare for strangers to pass through his small town and we do not even have a priest.  The paintings therefore, remind us of our gods, to whom we pay all reverence.”

Jacob: “You are Kaspar and your wife Vera agrees with your beliefs;  but your sons causes you to worry, by not rendering enough reverence to the gods.”

Kaspar said: “Who told you this?  You are a stranger and your clothing is Jewish.  Also, I have never talked about this worry of mine to any person but my faithful wife.”

Jacob said: “Did I not say that I have a heart full of the most sacred goods; and my heart just told me this secret.  But do not be indignant, I could tell you even more, but you would not be able to grasp it.  You have heard about the wonderful man of Judea – you regarded it as only gossip.  But your sons hungered after truth, which was absent from all the rumours.  If you would have shown understanding to your sons, you would have been much richer in the truth.”

Kaspar said: “You are not only an unusual, but also a mysterious person, but I have to admit that you're right.  See, the few strangers are mostly merchants and their goods are their truth.  Jews rarely come here, but not so much, for I do not have enough to grant free meals.”

Jacob said: “Yes, that is why they have avoided you.  I still hope that things will soon change, for I am a disciple of the wonder-man Jesus and my heart strongly urges me to share with you the truth about Jesus of Nazareth!”

Kaspar said: “You will have it difficult, for the cross is an unworthy death for a man of wonders.  He is supposed to have risen from the dead, but who would believe it?  As a Jew, you were acquainted with the teachings of your God since your childhood; your priests did what they did.  But you did not become better than us heathens through it, but only worse.  For whenever I suffered damage or loss, it was mostly through Jews.  It must not sound praiseworthy for you as a Jew, yet it is the truth.”

Jacob said: “Yes indeed, I do agree with you and I have experienced even more bad things from my tribesmen.  But the Jewish people leads all other peoples in one thing: they are still in contact with the true God, the Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth!  Exactly because the Jewish people is still in possession of this truth, He sent His Son, first to the Jews and then also to all the peoples of the earth, to bring back again the lost truth and to make even the way to the only God and Sustainer!  That the wanting priests did not live up to their calling as priests, is a proof of the intensity of the resistance, even though the holy books of the prophets have foretold the arrival of the Son of God in a hundred places.”

Kaspar said: “This is all well and good, but it does not do it for me, for I do not understand everything yet.  I mean, there is already a God – why then also send His Son, to also find His demise on the cross.  Then I would rather stay true to my gods and stay free from blood guilt.”

Jacob said: “This principle of yours is indeed praiseworthy, if only your gods had life – but my God is different.  He is the life Itself, and whoever would believe in Him and do His will, will take on His life.  This will present itself as joy and bliss!”

Kaspar said: “All this sounds really good, young man.  I can also externally manifest the same attributes if I want to and still suffer from the evil of all men.”

Jacob said: “That would be self-delusion and no truth, for God gives a peace which the world does not know, and a joy as it is alive in His heavens.  Everything old in a person is converted into something new, true and perfect.  The whole difference is: God wants to be taken into the heart.  He who only carry God in his head, is just like a heathen like you and many thousand others.  If you would bring your gods to life and consciousness in yourself, you would be just the same believer as I and many other thousands are.”

Kaspar: “This I do not understand, but I want you to talk about God to our sons tonight, for they lack the peace and the joy.”

Vera, Kaspar's wife, said: “Yes, do that, for I long for nothing more than my children's happiness.”

Jacob: “What mother does not want this.  As long as they are restless, you are also not happy.  It is the same with the living and eternal God.  He is after all the Father of all children of man.  He constantly carried and still carries the longing in Him, to make His human children happy and free from the pressure of earthly matter.  In human history up until the current times, the living God coaxes humans to again become true humans.”

Kaspar: “Would you not come with me outside to my sons?  We still have a lot of work to do because our well is failing and we have to provide water for us and our livestock.  During the long drought, the water in the well became less and less.”  Jacob nodded towards Vera and left the living room together with Kaspar.

A short way across the yard, the children were working in and around the well.  Jacob, being a carpenter, knew this work well and wanted to join in with the work.  Then he clearly heard: “Do not continue the work, it is useless effort.  Dig a new well ten steps to the right, it shall give you abundant water for ever.”

He paced ten steps to the right, feeling a strong spring there.  He went to Kaspar and told him: “Would you accept some good advice from me?  It is useless to make this well deeper.  But only ten steps to the right is a strong spring;  make a new well there.  Then you shall be provided with water for all times.”

Kaspar: “That was quickly said – how can you guarantee us that it is so?  Tomorrow you'll be gone again, but we may keep digging uselessly.”

Jacob: “It is difficult to talk to you, for you work with your head.  Do you think I would make the suggestion if I did not know in advance what the outcome would be?  What I receive and feel in my heart, is given by the love and grace of the primordial divine Love and is a certain truth!  I have never yet been misled!”

Kaspar: “Let me talk to my sons.”

Kaspar called his sons and said: “This stranger advises us to stop digging and are of the opinion that there is a strong spring ten steps to the right.”

The oldest said: “Are you serious, stranger, how do you know that there is a spring?”

Jacob: “I do not know it, but my God, Who is the eternal and true God, have told me.  I am a witness of the wonder-man from Judea and I have come to bring you the truth about your dead gods and about the eternal God.  I would be a bad witness if I would withhold from you the grace of my God, for it is in exactly this proof of love and mercy that you shall experience Who the God of love and life is, which can never be said about your gods.”

“Father”, the oldest said, “I think we'll stop for now and let our guest have the word – this man interests me.  Finally someone who have known the miracle-man.”

“But we need water, Andree”,  Kaspar protested.

Andree said: “Let us haul some from the neighbour, Father, this man won my trust.”  “Mine too”, Krischan, the youngest, said, “we can anyway go no further, we hit rocks.”

Kaspar: “All right then – you girls, go help your mother with a good supper.”

Vera is amazed when all came back into the house and asked:  “Have you found water, that you come back so soon?”  -  “Let it be good, Mother, we shall look at it again tomorrow, we are done for today and our guest here is going to tell us about the miracle-man.”  -  and so it happened.

Jacob related about the grace and love of God and the incarnation of the Lord without anyone interrupting him.  After the shared meal, all stayed seated around the table, for there came no guests.

Then Andree asked: “How does it actually work that God – whom you call the eternal, primordial power, omnipotence and perfection, today have to serve small people Himself?  Why not send an angel as a messenger of God from His kingdom to instruct the people?  Behold, your words sure sound true and good, but prove the truth to me!  I've been dissatisfied with our gods already for a long time, everything just complicate our lives; we are slaves of our own lives and all yearning remains unsatisfied.”

Jacob: “Andree, your question is the question of the whole of humanity and an answer coming from a human will never satisfy.  But my answer shall not come from me, but from the eternal and true God and it is as follows:

If mankind would be taught by an angel, they would not believe him and label it as a lie.  If he would display his power, he would deprive the people of their freedom and make them blind machines, for they then would not freely recognise the living God, but be put under compulsion and unbearable laws.  God does not want that, but that all would be set free from law and judgement.”

Andree: “Your answer is good, I understood you.  But if God is truly love, He can not force me to do anything.  But how could God allow for His Son to bleed to death on the cross – that can not be love?”

Jacob: “Oh Andree, exactly that was the greatest love!  When Jesus was born, I was intent to take care of Him, and through that I have experienced glories which will need days to describe.  That was the evidence that He was called to greater things and we saw in Him the Messiah, the Promised One!  As He grew older, He lost His gifts and He learned the trade of carpentry together with us.  When He lost His gifts, our hope that He would be the Messiah, disappeared.  Then came the difficult, troubled years for my parental home.  Jesus went His own way, yes, He avoided us because we did not understand Him.  That was a difficult and evil time; bad for Him, for we never agreed with Him, and evil for us, for we have deprived ourselves of the greatest glory God is able to give.  Until the hour of redemption arrived and Jesus could say – full of the Spirit of God: “Now the greatest battle is won, what comes next, will not be as difficult.”

Now the time came of which you have heard:  the dead were revived, the blind saw, the deaf heard, the lame and all sick was healed!  The elements obeyed Him;  there was nothing not subjected to His will.  In the process He spread His teaching which had love as foundation and life as content.

He died on the cross – we all knew it from His own mouth, and on the third day He stood among us with an indestructible body!  [He] fortified our faith and returned to His original home after 40 days, to from there, fill all who believe in Him with His Spirit, His truth of life and His eternal life!”

Vera said: “Oh you lucky, lucky people, and even more lucky mother, what have you been given – and that man had to die?  Oh earth, why did you not devour those people?”

Jacob: “For all to be saved and redeemed!  That is also why I am with you, to pave the way for you towards your great, holy goal – your redemption – in and through Jesus Christ.  For your humanity does not end when your body dies, but keep on existing for ever, in order to accomplish their calling.”

Andree: “Dear friend, do not be vague.  Man has a calling which should be accomplished in his life on earth – and who does not accomplish it here, shall do so after death?”

“You have understood correctly”, Jacob replied, “our life on earth is but the smallest portion of our full life which we live.  But exactly this life is the most important part, because everything we carry and find in and around us, serves us to find redemption in ourselves.  If I fail to do this as a human being, this matter stays with me and in life after death, it needs to be guided to it's destiny, which is to take everything existing into the next higher degree of perfection.

Kaspar said: “That is obscure, I have never heard such words.”

Andree said: “Father, I understand this friend completely, it is easy to follow him.  He is saying in a few words: Everything on earth is imprisoned.  Man is the prison guard, the earth the prison and everything imprisoned needs to be set free by man, or find their redemption.”

Jacob said: “See, dear friends, we need very little for all of this.  God, as the eternal Love, have put into the heart of each man His love-spark.  Let this spark become a flame, and love God and all your fellow human beings.  In this love, the Spirit and life out of God grows in you and you shall become aware that you have changed.  Your life will have content and worth, your inner being will be free and joyful, darkness will become light and you shall inwardly receive the evidence that you truly belong to the living God, since the life of God has become your own!  What no human being have seen or felt, will become true in you, in your own heart!”

Andree said: “I thank you, dear messenger from God, there is no need for more words.  I also believe that we shall find water tomorrow.  But that is enough for today, I cannot handle so much joy.  I now ask only one thing from your God, that He would not withhold His life from me.”

Jacob said: “Andree, be assured that whoever have taken hold of God with the heart, is accepted by Him for time and eternity!”

Kaspar said: “Andree, have you considered that you have deeply insulted our gods.  Be aware of being so rash.  Think of our neighbour's oldest son!”

Andree said: “It is good, Father, that you reminded me of that.  I shall get Ivan, since it is not too late yet.  There must come a time for the truth to be revealed.”

Kaspar pleaded: “Stay, Andree – do not bring even greater evil upon us, it is enough as it is.”

Andree said: “Father, I am so proper, I was always a good son, but this time I stick to my resolution, what do you think, my friend?”

Jacob said: “Do as your heart leads you.  By the way, you are not guilty of the dumbness of your friend, but it was the shock of when you accidentally bumped the dead idols on the ledge.  Throw all your dead idols at your friend's feet in the name of the eternal and holy God, and the shock shall again loosen his tongue.  Believe and act, and you shall experience the power of the Lord!”

Andree said: “Friend, this will be the final break with all the gods and with all our neighbours.  But I do this, because that would free us all – my father included – of the dead gods.  When the water will be found, there will be no more danger.  The truth has to be revealed.”

Andree

Andree hastily left the house, but Kaspar said: “May all go well, dear friend, for my neighbour – Ivan's father – have an even greater reverence for his gods than I.”

Jacob said: “You will still experience much disappointment in your gods, but do not worry about the others.  If the eternal God did not give you His blessing, you would not have been here anymore.  God is not only love, but also patience.  Leave your heart therefore wide open, that you can receive the right and new Spirit from God in you.”

Kaspar replied: “Dear stranger, you speak with a conviction that I am making your God mine.  Could you not foresee that nothing would be able to separate me from my gods?  The world have to perish before I will change my mind.”

Jacob: “You are right, Kaspar – your world will go to ruins.  Do not depend on your gods, for they are nothing.  Then you will gladly grab the hand of the Saviour Jesus and will experience the love, the mercy and the compassion of Jesus.”

Vera said: “Dear stranger, do not regard Kaspar to be evil, he is stubborn and do not accept teaching.  But I pray to your God for him, that He would not withdraw His help.  I would give my life with joy, if Kaspar could only become a happy person again.  Since Ivan's misfortune, he became twice as serious.”

Jacob: “Mother Vera, who loves as you do, carries the life of the Saviour in himself, without even knowing it.  Rejoice in the grace of the living God!  Soon, your mouth will not be able to praise loud enough, for all the good things you shall experience.”

Salome, the daughter, timidly approached Jacob and said: “You must forgive me, stranger, I am concerned for Andree, that he would encounter misfortune when he would really desecrate the gods.  You should not have urged Andree.”

Jacob said: “Salome, why do you lock yourself up to the living God, who is love and only wants the best for you?  It was not fear for Andree's sake that made you open your mouth, but fear for Ivan.  What should God do to change your mind, or do you really believe that your gods could heal Ivan?  Never – but I assure you, Ivan is healed!  Quickly go over to him, so that you, who have taken the greatest part of Ivan's suffering upon yourself, will also be the first to experience the joy.”

After a few minutes, Andree returned.  Excited as never before, he said: “Friend, come here, let me press you against my breast, for there are no words for what I have just experienced.  Oh You, living God, why did I only today get to know You?”  He passionately pressed Jacob to his breast, being silent for a few minutes.  Then he went to his father and said: “Father, allow me to take our gods to the dead well, which will anyway give us no more water.  It is now the beginning of a new time, a time of life out of God, Who is eternal and true!”

Kaspar said:  “Andree, you became a fool, first let only evidence speak.”

Andree said: “Father, you are still requiring evidence, where everything in me pushes towards breakthrough?  Every moment I still delay, I interpret as sin against God.  Father, I ask you – do not disturb me in my work, for I have to – otherwise I will forfeit all rights to God.”

Vera, who attentively followed everything, said: “Andree, I have never seen you like this.  What have gotten into you, that you suddenly speak up against your father?”

Andree: “Mother, Mother, forgive your son, if I could not find satisfactory words in my passion, but I had to.  It seems to me that I would, if I delay, deny you the joy of getting to know the living God and heap great guilt upon myself.  Come, Krischan, help me – both of us had the greatest yearning for the truth.”

Krischan said: “Yes, Andree, let us cleanse the house.  We have said enough.”

Kaspar was as if paralyzed while both sons took down the dead idols from the ledges and consoles and threw them into the well, which they had to do multiple times.  When they finished this work, Andree went over to Jacob and said: “Friend, the house has been cleansed for your God;  reveal to us how He could become ours.”

Jacob said: “Andree, in your sisters' room is one more statue.  Finish there too, the work you have begun.”

“I did not know anything about it,”  Andree replied, “but I shall have a look, I do it according to your word.  Did you know about it, Mother?”

“No, Andree, I did not know about it.  Do you not first want to ask Salome about it?” Vera replied.

Then Jacob said: “It is truly so.  Salome got this idol in secret, to whom she daily prayed for Ivan to regain his speech.  Lift the covering off from her chest, that you can complete your work.”

Andree went, and a few minutes later he had the little statue in his hands and said: “See how stupid we human beings can be.  I can crush this in my hand, and this should heal Ivan?  I understand you, dear friend and benefactor, that it is our greatest task to search for life where it is, namely in one's own heart, and not in dead things!”

Andree went outside with the statue, and at that moment Salome arrived together with Ivan.  She asked Andree: “Where are you going?”

Then Andree said: “To throw you dead god into the well, since it has no life.  Wait just a moment, I want to share the joy with Father and Mother.”

Salome said: “Andree, give me back the statue, I want to drop it that nobody can find it again, for with it I will bury my stupidity.”

Andree gave the statue back to Salome, she took Ivan by the hand and went with him to the well and threw the statue in it.  Together they entered the house, then Ivan said: “Great joy lives in me, for I can really speak again.  May I be your son who will love you for as long as you live?  I love Salome and desire her to be my wife.”

Kaspar said: “What has happened with you, Ivan, that you have regained your speech – how did it happen?”

Ivan said: “Oh what can I say, Andree is very excited.  He came into our living room, Father was just then with me there, and he [Andree] said: “Herminus, we have a living God, in His name I renounce the previous religion and sacrifice these dead idols to Him.”  Before my father could say anything, Andree went over to the ledge and threw our house idol before our feet.  I yelled for shock, regained my speech and said to Andree: “what does this all mean?”  Then Andree hugged me and said: “Ivan, this means the greatest of joy – only the dead gods is still blocking our way.”  Without asking, he reached for the other idols.  Then my father said: “Andree, are you in your or in my house?  The gods remain, or I shall strike you down as you have smashed my house idol.”

Then Andree said: “Herminus, you are right, you should cleanse your own house from dead things yourself, if the living God is to make you happy with His love and grace.  See, Ivan's regained speech is God's first work among us.  Tomorrow, a second work of God shall be revealed:  we will dig a well, but not only us, but the whole community and us will be blessed by it.  A messenger of His have come into my father's house.  Ivan's healing happened by mandate of the true and living God!”

Then Salome entered our living room and Mother came in from the stable, and then I said: “Salome, the way is now open, now I can court you!  Oh what great joy that you have come!”  Then Andree said: “Now that Salome came, I can go, for Salome is better able to convey the truth about the living God than I.”  My father is dumbfounded and Mother pressed Salome to her heart;  she is now my bride.”

Kaspar said: “Ivan, Ivan, all of this is like a bad dream, I do not know at all what to think, but look, I entrust Salome to you.  Salome never revealed to us that she loves you, but this stranger did when he revealed that she daily begged her god for your healing.”

Salome turned around and said to Jacob: “How did you know this?  I have not betrayed my sweet secret with a single word.”

Jacob said: “My and your God revealed it to me.  That is why you now also receive from the living God this covenant of life, that you as a blessed one can spread the blessing.  But you, my dear father of the house, give me my own room, I long for rest;  for tomorrow you all shall experience the glory of God.”  Jacob went, led by Salome, to the room.  The family, though, stayed awake for still a long time, for Ivan had a lot to talk about.

Very early in the morning, Kaspar's children went to work.  Even before that, they got Jacob to show them the spot where they should dig.  Led by Jacob, they went to the spot and Jacob said: “The well should be here, but you should also make a drain and a trough for your livestock, for this is a powerful fountain which could cause you much trouble if you would not take these precautions.”

Then Kaspar opened his mouth and said: “I am becoming afraid of your God, how will I be able to survive?”

Jacob said: “Very well, Kaspar, you will love Him and be a faithful servant.  But your children will be granted greater things, they shall become children!”

After digging for seven hours, the soil became moist.  Buckets were used to throw the dug up soil into the old well.  Then Jacob, who zealously joined in with the work, said: “Now, be careful – build a high stone wall all around, that nobody should fall in.  Dig an opening here, your faith shall be crowned in a few minutes!  You, Kaspar – go get your friends, your neighbours - especially Herminus, who fights against the living God.”

Using the stones from the old well, the enclosure was finished within a short time.  The neigbours came, shaking their heads at the old Kaspar's foolishness.  But when Ivan forbade the remarks with a tremendous voice, they fell silent, being astonished that Ivan could speak.  Kaspar succeeded with much trouble, to bring Herminus over to the new well.

Then Jacob said: “Dear friends, you are amazed at what is happening here.  Kaspar's well dried up and soon, your wells will also dry up.  Your gods have not yet helped you in any way, because they cannot help, for they have no life!  I, Jacob, am a witness of the only and true God and bring all of you the truth about the true and eternal God, who foresaw your need and have now come to your aid with His help.  You need this living God in your lives, and it will be proven by this well that He is your life.  Andree, push one more time deep into the damp soil, in the name of the living God, and when you pull out your iron bar, the spring will flow.”

Andree took the heavy bar and hit hard in the name of the holy God.  He pulled the bar back and the water shot out, several metres high.  The well filled up quickly and in less than a quarter of an hour, the water was already in the drainage ditch.

Jacob said: “Bring a cup.  Taste the water and consider this well as a gift given by God to all of you!  But you, glorify God, thanking Him for His love and faithfulness, Amen!”

Everybody – around thirty people – watched this great wonder and marvelled at the water, which in the meantime have cleared up.  Krischan, holding a pitcher in his hands, said: “Jacob, here is a pitcher – be the first to serve us from the well, which from now on will be called the Jacob's well!”  But Jacob said: “Salome, you give everyone a drink from the well, for you believed without questioning.”

Everybody drank of the tasty water;  then Herminus came to Jacob and said: “Stranger, I sense great things about your God.  What should I do to honour Him?”

Herminus, and all of you, listen!  This living, unknown-to-you God asks much, which consists of that you should sacrifice all your gods to Him.  Besides that, He is asking you through me: Love Him and love each other, let no-one cause distress to another, and be full of compassion and charity towards those who do not yet fully understand you.  There is no obligation towards this well.  It belongs to the whole community, just as the living God becomes the possession of all.  But now, go back to your homes and come back in the early evening, then I want to acquaint you with the living God.”

Some still stayed to look at the miracle.  Then a flock of sheep and goats came to drink of the fresh water from the ditch.  One then said: “The animals also already know about it and yet they do not stand still.  It would be better to take heed of this unknown God!”

Ivan

It became evening, the work was done.  All the men and women came with their big children.  It soon became rather crowded at Kaspar's and soon the innkeeper could host no more.  Last of all came Herminus with his wife and brought a bag, which he put at Jacob' feet.

Then Jacob said: “Herminus, I thank you in the name of my and your God, for you are the first from among your neighbours to have cleansed your house.  Krischan can carry your gods out of here.  Kaspar's house should henceforth be clean of the dead idols, and likewise yours and the other houses.  Hear the message which I have to convey from the true and eternally living God: 'You all lived a similar existence and life, which God, the Eternal, alone knew about.  Your daily efforts provided you with only the most necessary and your gods brought you no joy, only sacrifices.  From now on, it will be different.  My eternal God and Creator of the heavens and earth, wants to be yours too.  He has taken care of your needs for a long time now, He wants to give you even more, so that you can also extend the blessing to others who come to you.  Everything is His work, everything is His love, protecting you from need and hard times, if you, in faithful devotion and faith in Him, put His commandment of love in action in your life!

Consider Andree, your brother, being one of the youngest among you, to be your priest. Listen to him, for he understood Him – the true Lord and God – the best, and sacrificed his heart to Him.  But you, Andree, be a servant to all.  Keep your heart open to all who come to you, but shut it tight if anyone would want to take your sanctuary.  And now, experience the pure truth about God:  God is God over everything that exists.  He will forever be unknown and incomprehensible in His Omnipotence, all-power and authority.  He therefore sent His eternal Word from His heavens and became flesh.  As Jesus – the son of man – we came to know Him; as the Son of God, He revealed the God dwelling in Him and called Him Father.  Surrounded and persecuted by the priests who did know God, but acted faithlessly, He brought the greatest sacrifice: His life!

His life, His love, His works of which you have heard, they forgot.  The poor and insignificant ones were not allowed to fight back.  He became a sacrifice and this sacrifice redeemed all – you too!  Yes, keep marvelling at my words!  His shed blood became the eternal truth, that all who would believe in it, shall be the property of the Son Jesus who presented Himself before God, His holy Father!

But listen some more: this Jesus did not remain in death, but after three days He Himself declared His victory over all death and have made life His eternal property!

Here your spring is flowing, which shall be here for you for always, as well as those who shall come after you.  As this spring flows, likewise His Life flows to you.  We have done nothing but to remove the soil in order to get to the source that it might flow as a blessing to all.  If you now would likewise remove in yourselves the soil of false and dead gods, then the stream of true life will flow and nourish you out of His Spirit, which is the love and true life!

Love is your life, love is your aspiration and love is the bond which embraces all;  for in this love, Jesus the Saviour and Deliverer, wants to belong to you.  Purify your hearts - but first your dwellings - for Jesus wants everything of you, for you to fully possess Him, for your salvation.  So I convey to you His blessing and the promise that He will continue to reveal Himself through His living grace and mercy.”

Everyone was silent, not a sound was heard in the big living room.  Then Ivan said: “Excuse me, Jacob, if I interrupt you – I can not be silent anymore for this immense love.  My heart burns with longing to express my gratitude for my recovery.  While I was dumb, I would have made the greatest of sacrifices just to regain my speech, and now I hear nothing about sacrifice, nothing about guilt which I have to pay off, yet I received the blessings of His love.  Yes, I thank this God that I can tie Salome to my life as wife.  How can I be a happy person, knowing that I am a debtor?  Tell the truth about that too, dear messenger from God and friend of the people.”

Jacob said: “Ivan and all here, listen and receive the most precious thing which the Father can give His children:  you are freed from all guilt before Him, since He has paid the ransom on the cross and His blood is the freedom of your souls.  When you will fully awaken in His love out of your own free life,  then His Spirit urges you to act as He did.  To free those who are still bound, by helping them  as  brothers.  To carry the poor and oppressed, that they may be helped!  Only, be strict with those who want to again take the living God – Who now became yours - from you.  He is calling out to you through me: He wants to be your Father, but you should become His children.  Let the life of your Saviour grow in you, then you shall already here on earth be His children, until all of eternity, Amen!”

The next day, early in the morning, some came again to have a look at the miracle.  Among them came also a mother with a young child with an evil leprosy in the face.  Jacob, who joined the group, was asked by the mother whether it was true that the Saviour also healed the sick.

Then Jacob said: “Oh woman, why do you ask, while your heart urges you to ask the Saviour Jesus to help you.  Did He not come to redeem also you from everything oppressing you?  Believe, believe – and you shall see the glory of God.  Believe that this water will heal your child from the leprosy and Jesus will not disappoint you, for He is love and faithfulness to those who are in His love and faithfulness!”

Without a word, she went to the ditch where the water flowed, washed her child and said: “Lord, and now my God!  Not that I want to test Your love, but because I know You will help my child through this Your given water, for what comes from You, is good!”

Then the festering ulcers fell from the child's face and within minutes, the child was clean.  Then the woman knelt down and prayed: “Lord and God, how can I thank you for the joy which has become mine.  You have taken all my worry about my child and have rewarded my faith above all understanding.  Let me rightly love You and never leave us again.  For now that we have experienced the benefit of Your love, I do not want to live without Your love ever again.  Thank you very much for allowing us to pray to You!”

There were others around.  They first watched this miracle and inspected the child.  Then one of them said: “I reluctantly got rid of my gods, but now I am happy that I did comply with the request of the messenger of God.  Jacob, would you not like to come to clean my house?”

Jacob said: “My entering [your house] is of no effect, for when you removed your gods, the Lord and Saviour already took residence with you.  But I will go on, for the glory of God is yet to be experienced by many.”

So another day passed with glorious works, where Andree did not leave Jacob's side.  Richly rewarded in the heart, Jacob took leave from them all, being again urged by the Spirit unto the service of Eternal Love.

But Andree said: “Brother Jacob, I have spoken with Father and Mother;  I will stay with you for a few more days.  The road over the mountains is difficult, but I know every way to the caravan road that leads to Rakka.  Father did not want to, but Mother said it would be the greatest gift of God for all of us, if I stayed with you even longer. I would still have to learn much from the true living God if I am to be a priest."

Jacob: “You meet my wishes, Brother Andree, and it will be a blessing to you and to everyone, for there is still much to know about the true and living God.”

Experiences bring fulfilment

The two had been walking for two days without coming into contact with people. The supply of food was coming to an end, and Andree said: "Brother, we will not have a roof over us this night either, because we have taken a little too much time, or do we want to turn night into day?"

Jacob said: "Andree, do you regret that we hesitated on the way? What you have been able to experience and absorb is only possible for others in weeks."

Andree said:" Oh brother, not for my sake but for your sake I was worried. But now I'm not anymore, because truly, I wish I did not need to part with you anymore."

Jacob said: "Andree see, I am but a weak servant of His love, but you must not cling to me, but the Lord alone is your salvation! From Him you will receive the light, the clarity, as I receive it from Him. But one thing is missing, the right patience! Greedily, you absorb every word of me in you, as if it were the word of the Lord. But you must also remember that I am also only a human whose soul is bound to the earth, as yours is bound to the earth.  I indeed feel the need for rest.  So I think we stay here until dawn, and the eternal Love shall give us what we long for.”

"Brother Jacob, is the yearning to look once upon the Lord and Master, even if only from afar, sin against His love?  I can not help myself, the more you tell me about Him, who was for all of you a Lord, Friend and Brother as well as Saviour, the more the longing burns in me to just once see Him and impress His image on my heart, that no-one could take away from me.”

Jacob said: “Andree you call that which your own spirit gave you, a sin against His love.  See, this longing is the proof that your spirit is stirring your lazy and indolent soul.  Until now, your soul have been bound.  But now, as your spirit becomes more active, it is up to you to recognise what comes from your spirit and what comes from your soul.  Everything soulish is earthbound and greatly needs purification, so that it may take on a higher level and be totally immersed in the flow of the Spirit out of God in you.”

Andree: “Brother, how is it possible, it is a completely new teaching.”

Jacob said: “No, Andree, you should not have a wrongful image of yourself, for without the Spirit out of God in you, you remain a creature and subject to the law.  Man, since his creation, was called the crown of everything created – he is the highest level of all creation.”

Andree: “Brother Jacob, why do you confuse my mind, for I know myself as human being, as a very wretched creature.”

Jacob said: “Only until today, my brother.  From now on, be aware that you are the carrier of two worlds!  Everything soulish is a world in itself and carries in it a particle of everything created.  But your own spirit carries in it a world that first needs to be unlocked through the gift which reveals God's love, grace and compassion to your spirit.  For this reason, God became human – to create possibilities for the Spirit of God to again have the right to become ruler and leader in the earthbound soul, for the bound to be set free and go on to true salvation.”

Andree: “You tell me many new things, Jacob;  it seems to me that I am still too evil to be a priest.  It would have been better if you would have appointed Ivan to be priest.”

Jacob: “Andree, be content with what the Lord wants.  Do not fear, the Lord has never asked for the impossible.  Be aware that the Lord is with you.”

Andree: "Jacob, these words give me reassurance, but I'm really quite stupid.”

Jacob: “To love Jesus, to be a servant and brother to all, is more than all knowledge!  In your love unto your brother, you enrich yourself in your spirit, while in the greatest of knowledge, you could forget your brothers.  So let us be silent and retreat into ourselves, for the soul to be in peace, content with the riches of the Spirit of God in us.”

Both were silent for a long time, but Andree could not find rest.  He watched Jacob, who seemed to sleep, but did not shut his eyes.  Then he said: “Jacob, everything in me is mixed up, I find no rest in myself.  One thought chases the other, I can not rest;  I did ask, but in vain.  What is it, what have I done wrong?”

Jacob: “You want to achieve with force, what can only be achieved through patience.  But to make you aware of what is going on in your inner world, I want to lay my hands on you, and you should see, as if from outside, the processes that prevent you to calm down. Let it be, Lord Jesus, dear Master, that this my brother may experience You and Your glorious love, Amen.

So he put both hands on Andree's head and then on his breast, and said: “In the name of the Lord, awaken and be clairvoyant.”

Everything began to spin around Andree.  Jacob disappeared, the camp underneath the trees was no longer there.  He found himself in his father's house, which seemed deserted to him.  He went from one room to another in search of his father, but could not find him.  When he went to the back to the stables which were meant for the travellers, there were many people in there, who took no notice of him.  He did not understand their language, they must have spoken different languages, for when he approached some, he became more confused, for they could understand him, but he could not understand them.  They could explain through many gestures with their hands, that they were hungry and thirsty.

He wanted to lead them to the guest room right away, when his father arrived and said: 'Andree, let them stay in the stable until you can understand them.  For you know that the moment they would discover our filled rooms, all peace would be gone, for these are still pure animals.”

Andree: “But Father, they are hungry and thirsty, they would be the first people we would fail to provide for.”

Kaspar: “Andree, these are not our housemates and they reap where they have not sown.  But they shall become useful housemates in your house, they would be denied nothing – for know, I am not lord in this house anymore, but you are.“

Kaspar went outside, not waiting for an answer.  Andree followed him to continue talking with his father - for he never told him that he did not want to be the father of the house and innkeeper anymore – but he could not find him.  He now went into the kitchen where Vera, his mother, was busy at the stove.

Mother, what about you?  Father said that I am master of the house; yet that is not possible, for you are still here.”

Vera: “It will have to be, my child, because you have now outgrown our care and are on your own feet. Nevertheless, we stay in the house and will enjoy your work, which should be a blessing to all. You have cleansed the house of the dead idols, but your house dwellers will miss them. Now you will have to make an effort and give them life and content.'

Andree: “How shall I do this, Mother;  they do understand what I say, but I do not understand them – what are these strangers to me at all?“

Vera: “Very much, for they are no strangers, but are well known and you would not easily get rid of them.  Up until now you did not know, but now that you are the father of the house, it is time for you to get acquainted with what is going on in your house.”

Andree: “Mother, stop it, I do not want to be the father of the house, I still lack the necessary experience.”

Vera: “My son, rejoice in the great task that awaits you, for behind you lies the time that made you what you are today, but before you lies a great holy goal.  People should like to return to your house, and if possible, even stay.”

Andree: “Oh Mother, you are now starting things I do not understand.  I would rather talk to  father.”

Andree went outside again in search of his father, and again entered the stable where the strangers were, but they were no longer there. 'That is also good', he thought, 'probably at the well.'  In the hope of finding his father there, he went out to the well, but no-one was there, except a stranger.

Andree asked: “Are you alone, and where have the others gone?”

He said: “I am still alone, Andree, and I'm waiting for you, for I am thirsty after a long journey.”

Andree: “Yes – were you then with the others in the stable?  Who are you, for you know my name?  Why do you keep sitting here at the well and do not come into the house?”

“Andree, I could and would not, because no-one wanted me – for it is difficult to knock on closed doors.  That's why I prefer to sit at the well, for the spring refreshes, without the owner having to sacrifice anything.”

Andree: “Stranger, you speak sad words.  It occurs to me that my father was harsh and unkind to those who did not have a stater with them. But that will change, because now I am master of the house."

[The stranger]: "Andree, With good intentions hunger and thirst are not satisfied, but with active love. What do you know about hunger and longing?  Your life followed a pattern and anything beyond that, was none of your business.  For know, a stranger can be hungry and thirsty, he may want a place to stay;  but which innkeeper is in need of it?”

Andree: “I have never thought about that, but come in, enter the house.  Be the first guest welcomed by me.  Have a good rest and feel yourself at home.”

“Andree, would you still greet me with joy, if I would be the hundredth, and you have lots of work and frustration?  For know, in peace and quiet it is easy.  But how will you survive if you are in an unavoidable struggle?  The security of your peace and the knowing that you can exist despite it all, because your house stands on good ground, is imperative.”

Andree: “But now come and strengthen yourself, otherwise I'll forget what I owe my first guest.”

He went to the kitchen, no-one was there, took the bread, filled a jar of wine from a skin and served it to his guest.  Then he fetched two cups, poured them in and said: “For your sake, my dear guest, may it serve to strengthen you.”  Andree handed a cup to the guest, when he saw a scar on his hand.

But the stranger said: “Do not be distraught, dear Andree, one can bless also with pierced hands.  So I bless this bread and this wine and this My love shall be the satisfaction of your longing.”

Andree wanted to call out when he woke up and said: “Jacob, what have I just dreamed, was this all reality?  I saw the Lord, He was my guest, why did I have to wake up from the dream?”

Jacob: "It was not a dream my brother, but a look into your world that was foreign to you until today. Did not I tell you to look at the events that unsettles you? And now you will ask of what use the experiences are, if you can not interpret them. But to tell you in advance what it means, so know, I have witnessed the events.

Your father's house, symbolic of your inner world, is the showplace and playground of many residents. When it seemed as if no-one was in the house, you went searching and found the strangers in the stable, where animals are kept. You did not understand their language, but they understood you. It means they have been your inner residents for a long time, without you knowing it. You met your father who taught you that you are the master of the house. It corresponds to your God-Spirit resting in you, who points out that you should recognise everything in your soul and bring it to subservience in you.

Even your father's talk seems foreign to you and then you came to your mother, who is a correspondence of the Godly life awakening in your spirit, seeking and also finding refuge in the love, even though you do not yet understand this enticing and enlightening speech.  Unsatisfied, you continue to search to question the Father - your spirit in you - and go into the chambers and rooms of your house, but find no-one else. Your restlessness urges you towards the well, and you blessed the One who you longed for for a long time – and the rest, you can easily explain yourself.”

Andree said: “I can understand you, Jacob, your explanation made many things clear to me.  But I want to ask you, was the Lord an apparition, or was He a reality?  Do not spare me, but tell me the truth!”

Jacob: “Andree, that was the Lord Himself, for where the Lord gives every fulfilment, He sends no representative!  His glorious word: 'Behold, I am with you all the days, until the end of the world' finds it's fulfillment daily and hourly!  But if you separate yourself from Him then He will have to break away from you too. But the moment you rejoin him, all the separation is gone. For behold, that is the victory of all victories, He leaves you and all men the freedom! The Lord went back to His original home, yet in His spirit He is available to everyone according to his yearning and desire.  As you saw Him, you will always see Him.  If you are in pain and sorrow, He will suffer with you, if you are in joy, He will rejoice with you and your own spirit in you absorbs the impressions of the Lord and they become tangible in your soul.  But now the time has come for you to have a rest. Sleep well for a few hours, because the coming day needs well-rested people."

At sunrise, the two walked towards the coming day.  A spring provided refreshment and what was left in the bag was consumed.  Then Andree asked: “Are you not concerned about lunch, for we will not reach any inn before evening?”

Jacob: “No, Andree, in the ways of the Lord, worry is unnecessary, as He is our Companion and hears us!  He is the Giver of the glory man experiences, therefore He releases man from all worries.  He has an abundance of angels as well as people and animals whom He uses in His service.  Of course, when man does not notice what God is doing to take care of Him, any miracle is unnecessary, for God's love should be like a miracle to all people.”

The two walked in the scorching sunshine without resting once, but Jacob continuously spoke about the wonderful Saviour, from His birth to His resurrection.  They did not feel any hunger, any thirst and no need to rest, until Jacob said: “This is enough, Andree, you are abundantly filled with spiritual bread.  If you are still unclear about anything, ask – for I believe we do not have much time left.”

Andree said: “Jacob, what else can I still ask you, was not every single word of yours clear?  The accounts of His earthly life were so gripping that I believe that I will not be able to forget them all my life.  But you said that we do not have much time left – have the Lord spoken in you?”

“No, Andree, my spirit triggered a feeling in me.  For know, if the Lord would speak and give instructions in all things, it would be compulsion.  For me, as one of His disciples, it would say little, but much for you, since you have to develop yourself as His child and work freely out of love for your Heavenly Father.  He can educate disciples and servants Himself, but not free children!  Be therefore completely His child.  Everything you do out of your free child-spirit, will be a wonderful gift to the Holy Father!”

They arrived at the caravan road.  Their view stretched wide, but there was no living being in sight.  Then Andree said: “We will arrive at a large inn in two hours.  The innkeeper is a stingy Jew who let one even pay for the salt.  I have some staters with me, so he will not turn us away.”

At Joram

They could see the inn with many people and animals from a distance.  A real wagon fortress was built there.  When they arrived, they saw that it was guarded, with nets pulled over the wagons.  When they wanted to look into such a wagon, a guard stopped them.  Jacob knew right away that people were entrapped there.

Jacob said: “Come into the house, Andree, I see clearly that we have to leave everything to the Lord, for He does not let us experience this for nothing."

Things were lively in the inn's big living room.  Almost all of the tables were occupied by loudly talking people in almost every language.  They were searching for a somewhat less loud table, when the host already approached Jacob, saying: “Has your wagon and animals already been taken care of?  I missed your arrival.”

Jacob: “We came on foot and want a bed for the night, we have to go to Rakka.”

[Innkeeper:] “On foot is almost impossible, for it is many hours away and you are not in Israel.”

Jacob said: “Joram, do not let that be your worry, for the Lord who has led me here, will also take me there.  Let us be brought some bread, salt and fresh water, you will not deny us that?”

“No, provision for the journey is free, but tomorrow you have to take care of yourselves.  By the way, I have never seen you before, how do you know my former name?”

Jacob said: “I do not know you, and have not seen you before.  But I do know that you are the former priest Joram, who did not like the coercion in the temple in Jerusalem.”

The innkeeper said: “Then be silent, but you can remain my guest with your companion as long as you want.”

Jacob said: “No, Joram, I do not comply with this business.  But be assured that I will not hurt you in any way, for you are – just like me – of the tribe of David.”

Shaking his head, he watched Jacob, then he quickly went to the kitchen to fetch some bread and wine himself.

Amidst the din, the guests did not notice that the innkeeper was serving the two himself, whereas the others were served by the two daughters.

The innkeeper had no more time to talk to Jacob, his business was too big.  Also because it became evening, everyone wanted to eat.  Jacob did not mind that he was busy with the many people.  They fortified themselves with the bread and wine, then he asked Andree whether he understood the languages being spoken.  Andree understood them only partly, but he did find out that these were not Roman merchants, but Persians and Jews.  Here the Jews were exchanging merchandise with the Persians, and vice versa.

Jacob felt constrained among the many people. He felt so sad, he would have liked to continue walking in the morning.  He left the dining room with Andree to look around the small town, he had to breathe in a different atmosphere.  There were poor hut dwellers with some goats, sheep and chickens.  At the well, the water was pulled up with buckets and this simple device interested Andree.  The heavy buckets were pulled up with ease.  Two elderly women came for water.  Andree pulled the water for them and offered to carry it to their dwellings, causing great joy.

He stayed away for a long time, then he came, asking Jacob to follow him, for there was a young man in the house who was dying.  When they entered, all the inhabitants were gathered there.  They were amazed that strangers would be interested in a patient, who was a stranger himself.  A caravan dropped him off.  Since the innkeeper did not have time, the old people offered to take care of the man until they come back, which could be a month.  It was now long past that time, and he was close to death.

Jacob felt that human help would be useless, if the Lord would not help.  So he told Andree: “What do you feel in you, my brother?”

Andree: “Aah, Jacob, if only I could help this poor man, his eyes look so pleading and trusting.”

Jacob said: “Yes, my brother, why are you still hesitating when you feel the Saviour's urge in you?  Do you think that the urge in you to help this poor one is from your soul?  Connect yourself actively with Him who always wants to be with you, and you shall see the wonder of His love!”

Andree then went over to the sick one, staring at him for a long time.  The power worked mightily in him, then he got down on his knees and prayed: “You Jesus, You glorious Father and Savior, I come to ask you for your help for this poor brother. You have let me experience You for three days, I have not yet found the time to thank You for the great things that I experienced from You.  Let me beg you from my heart to grant me Your strength, that I can glorify You as You have glorified Your Father!  Penetrate me with Your strength and restore this poor brother's health! - I feel Your power, I feel Your strength, I see you, Oh my Jesus. You are waving at me, my heartfelt gratitude!  And you, my poor brother, my and your Savior, wants you to live!"

Then Andree laid both his hands on the sick.  The death-fever left, and Andree said: “In the name of Jesus, be healthy and have life.  Get up, you are helped!”

The patient's appearance changed considerably.  He got up and said: “Where is the pain and torment, I am completely free and, to whom do I owe this blessing?”

Jacob: “First take a few bites of bread and some milk, then you shall learn about everything.”

The residents marvelled at what happened, not able to find the right words for this miracle.  The elderly mother brought bread and milk, which the healed one at once consumed.  Then the elderly mother said to Jacob: “Your clothing tells me you are Jews.  These are hated by us, because they only caused us bitterness.”

Jacob: “Have no faith in human beings, but in the true and living God, whom you have today really experienced for the first time and whom you should also get to know.”

The elderly mother said: “We have had enough of the gods, which we believe and sacrifice to.  We are poor, yet do not desire to be blessed with good fortune, as long as we have enough to live.  At the innkeeper of course, the riches are piling up, yet he becomes all the more stingy.  He did not bring us even one piece of bread, but he received a lot of money.”

Jacob: “Dear mother, is not your peace of heart worth more than the rushing and chasing after profit?  My parents were also poor, but when money entered the house, the peace was gone.  Are you not richer than the innkeeper?  Consider that I am conveying to you the acquaintance with the eternal God, who has given this poor brother life.  You are about three times my age, yet I have a thousand times more experience with the true God than you.  Have you, and all of you, never heard about the wonderful Saviour Jesus, who has healed the sick throughout Judea, and even raised the dead?”

“We did hear”,  the mother replied, “but over there the innkeeper did not speak well of Him, so  I lost interest.  But Ilonka can tell, for she was often summoned to help in the inn.”

Jacob:  “So the Saviour is not a complete stranger to you!”

Ilonka: “He will remain a stranger to us, because he belongs to the dead.  He was supposedly crucified.  If you as Jews want to bring the God of the Jews [to us], you can move on, for we have never experienced anything divine about the Jews, but only disrepute.  This is why I am speechless that your companion prayed to Jesus and healed the sick in the name of Jesus.”

Jacob: “You are most of all happy that Veit is healthy again, although you have never lacked love and endurance.  But since you were the only one who noticed that Veit was healed in the name of Jesus, you should be the one best able to receive the truth.”

Ilonka: “I have no desire to discuss the dead, for death is gruesome and people are powerless.”

Jacob: “Not so, Ilonka, death is not horrible any more, but merely a transition into one's eternal, immortal being!  Everyone's earthly life from birth to death, is indeed a struggle, but through Jesus, everything takes on a whole different meaning.  Yes, Jesus did die on the cross, but He rose again on the third day!  The local priests spread rumours that the resurrection was a lie.  But I am one of His witnesses and His disciples, who – on His behalf – move from place to place to proclaim the message:  'death has been overcome and all life is eternal through the holy Jesus!'  Those who would believe in Him and adhere to His teaching, shall live – but a life after death, for which the world has no words to describe!”

Ilonka: “What is His teaching,  for one has to know His teaching in order to believe in Him.”

Jacob: "Only love should enliven all people, and in this love one should serve the other. This is His whole teaching! Before I think of myself, I should first think of others and strive to be the smallest!"

Ilonka: “Oh woe, immediately something is amiss, for the struggle for the little bit of life has made us hard and mistrusting towards our neighbours, you will find little joy with us.”

Jacob: “I am convinced of the opposite, when I have explained your error.  Up until now, you have lived in your own world and had no longing for your fellow human beings.  You were very much annoyed by strangers and that embittered you even more.  Did you ever put in any effort to understand the strangers?  No, when camel riders came to get water for their animals, you were angered, because once, one [of them] was a lout.  But you did not think about it that 99 decent ones had, in response to their friendly greeting, deserved a friendly thank you.  All those people who pass by here, has the same right to eternal life, because Jesus, the more than good Saviour had put His life at stake for all – all people – and crowned His life by sacrificing Himself for all their sins!  It happened exactly as you have heard.  But what you did not know, is that He lives!  But He lives an indestructible life.  We saw Him, we spoke to Him and are now connected with Him.  Yes, brother Andree saw Him waving, to give Veit his life back again!”

Ilonka said: “Mother, can these two not stay with us, do we have enough room?  Jesus is beginning to interest me and it is time for supper.”

The mother nodded and said: “Stay with us for the night, nobody will miss you over there.  We are also indebted to you, for all care for Veit have been transformed into joy.”

Jacob said: “We would like to stay, but the innkeeper has taken us in as guests and my presence is more needed there than here with you.  Brother Andree may stay with you.  When I have moved on, he will continue to teach you, for I do not belong to myself, but to the living God and Lord, revealed to us through Jesus.  But to prove the glory of God to you, put a pitcher of fresh water from the well on the table.  The Lord shall bless it and give you a wine which will delight you.  Come, Andree – the Lord's call has come, so let His will be done, but you are blessed in His love!”

Both hastily left the poor hut.  When they arrived at the inn, the innkeeper had not yet noticed their absence, for yet another caravan had arrived with fully loaded wagons.  The innkeeper needed all his servants’ and daughters' hands to take care of the people and animals.  Without ordering, they were also served a meal of meat, vegetables and bread.

Then Andree said: “Brother, I believe we are totally unnecessary here, we should have stayed with the others.”

Jacob said: “No, Andree, the Lord's call has been made.  We will just wait, something will certainly happen.”

Darius

Once again, new arrivals entered, led by the innkeeper, searching for a comfortable place.  One of them saw Jacob and said: “By Zeus, I should know you, are you not one of those who walked with the miracle man?“

Jacob said: “Yes, sir, you are right, but I have not seen you yet.  Our Master is not in the flesh anymore, but I work for Him by His Spirit.”

“Let us sit here”, [the newcomer] said to his companions, “this man is most important to me now”.  While the three were sitting down and Jacob watched the man, the revelation came.

After supper, the others ordered some wine, also for Andree and Jacob.  Then the man said: “I am Darius, a Roman commissioner, and I once travelled the whole of Judea in the entourage of a governor, but saw the Saviour and Master only once at the sea of Galilee.  Unfortunately, duty called, so it was not possible to properly orientate myself, but what I did hear, was great!  Sadly, the end of that peculiar man was not a good one.  But the rumours did not stop, what is going on in Judea?”

Jacob said: “Sir, great things have happened.  It is true, our Master did die on the cursed wood, but He truly did not remain in death, but made us missionaries of His teaching of life.”

Darius said: “People say that is a great deception of the people, so it's important to me to get light and clarity.  When I talked with Jews, the Master was portrayed as a deceiver of the people, but when I talk to my tribesmen, it sounded very different.  But if you are – according to your words – a missionary of your Master, you should be able to prove this.  See, here are my credentials [endowed] by my Ceasar, with all imaginable powers, what can you show?  It is my right to ask you this, even though I am well disposed towards the Nazarenes.”

Jacob said: “Sir, I cannot show you anything but what my Master, Lord and God put into me, although the same ability is in you.  This is also difficult to prove, because belief in the Master and His teaching of life should not be based on evidence, otherwise it would be almost impossible to overcome the opponent.  We as the messengers of His teaching of life, only act on the command of the Master, Lord and God, who every time gives us instructions, which I hear inside of me.”

Darius said: “This is new to me, I've never heard it from anyone in this way.  You have now made me curious and I would like to know what instructions the Master has for me?”

Jacob: “Sir, it is little and yet much.  It is in your power to give the 19 captives their freedom again, whom the greedy merchant wants to sell here.”

Darius: “What are you saying!?  That cannot possibly be true?”

Jacob: “Sir, my Master has never told me anything which did not happen.  There on the left, at the third table, sits the merchant.”

Darius: “Can you also tell me where the captives are of whom you have spoken?”

Jacob: “I have neither seen or spoken to them,  but they are on the guarded wagon.”

Darius: “If your information is correct, your Master will also be satisfied.  Now tell me your name, I will not doubt your words.”

Jacob: “I am Jacob, the brother of the son of man, Jesus – a disciple of the Son of God, Jesus!”

Darius: “That is enough for me.  Stay calmly seated at the table.  You Fabian, go outside to the tent, all the men have to be ready at once without a horse.”

Darius went to the indicated table, showing the two merchants his credentials and demanded their identification documents.  The two took fright, but collected themselves quickly and took out their passports.  Darius, after having studied the documents for a long time, [said]: “But it does not indicate your kind of trade.  Do you have any other documents with you?”

Levi, a Jewish merchant: “Sir, everything applicable is in my wagon, I will go and get it.”

Darius: “No, stay here, my soldiers will take care of everything.  And what do you say, Arnaut?”

“Nothing”, Arnaut replied: “I can only ask you not to be too strict with us, for I have no documentation for my cargo.”

Darius: “Of what nature is your merchandise?”

Arnaut: “Sir, Persian carpets, fabrics and 19 young people whom I have promised a home and a benevolent lord.”

Darius: “I want to check your documents.  But before I negotiate any further with you, let's get the 19 people in here first.”

Arnaut: “Sir, as you will, but the people are almost naked, for slaves are not transported otherwise.”

Darius: “No matter what, get [them] in right now.  But you, Arnaut, and you, Levi, you stay here and do not leave this room.  Please, Fabian – call in our people.”

There were great excitement in the crammed guest room where the others sat.  The innkeeper wanted to do something, but it was too late.  When the 20 soldiers entered, Darius spoke to his subordinate: “Nobody may leave this room.  Go with your men, secure the guard and bring the captives here, but exactly in the condition you find them.  Treat them humanely, they are innocent prisoners.”  The subordinate gave some orders, divided his men, gave them torches and hurried outside with the others.

Within less than fifteen minutes, the subordinate came [back] and said: “Sir, do you insist that we should bring the bound people in here, they look pathetic.  We have another tent in which we can house them humanely.”

Darius: “You are right, Humbert, do what you think – I will hear them tomorrow morning.  What did you achieve with the guards?”

Humbert: “Sir, they are glad to be relieved by us, for it had been arranged for them to be in service of the Jewish temple.”

Darius beckoned Arnaut to him and asked: “Do you want to keep the guards in your service, since they are glad to be guards no longer?”

Arnaut: “Lord, whatever you arrange will happen, I have no more use for them.”

Arnaut

Levi was now really scared, this whole story did not suit him.  It is good that he did not confiscate the goods, so at least he had no major losses.  But why should no-one leave the place?

Attracted by the burning torches, the people from the surrounding grounds came too.  Ilonka and Veit also came to see what was the matter at the inn.  Getting there, the soldiers asked them what they wanted there.  Ilonka wanted to leave, but the subordinate said: “Stop, stay here.  The judge should question you, march into the guest room.”  Concerned, they entered the guest room,  giving the many people who sat there very quietly, a fright.

The subordinate announced them to Darius: “Here are two who were curious, but I do not like spectators in front of the prisoners.”

Darius: “Who are you, and why are you standing in front of the inn in the dead of night?”

Ilonka said: “Lord, we have experienced great things today, therefore sleep evaded us.  There – those two men gave us this experience.”

Darius: “What experience?  Speak, young man, your word as man is more trustworthy than a woman's.”

Veit: “Lord, I laid sick for weeks in the house of Ilonka's mother, whom the innkeeper knows well.  Tonight, these two friends visited us, bringing me complete health in the name of a certain Jesus, and at their departure, they gave us a pitcher of pure water from the well as the best wine, which brought us in a good and happy mood.  We saw from the house the glow of the torches, which made us think of our two friends, and wanted to see whether a miracle was happening here.  That's all.”

Darius: “Take a seat at the two friend's table, I would like to learn more.  Are you employed here?”

Veit: “No, I am a cattle driver, I belong to the caravan of Melchior.  During a sandstorm, I was almost kicked to death by the raging animals, but Melchior brought me all the way here for the innkeeper to take care of me.  But since the inn could not provide the right rest and care, the people brought me to Ilonka's mother.  Everything else, Ilonka can tell.”

Without prompting, Ilonka spoke: “Yes, Sir, this is how it was.  All our efforts and care was useless, the sick became weaker by the day and he would have died today, if it were not that we've been helped by these two!”

Darius: “Thank you, Ilonka, but tell me, did you know that these two men would help the sick?”

Ilonka: “No, sir – on the contrary, I resisted accepting anything from Jesus, for I have heard much good, but more evil things about Him here in this house. But now I'm fine and I know who to believe. Not because Veit got well, or a jug of wine was given to us, but because everything turned around inside of me."

Darius: "Girl, keep this place at the table. I am glad to hear this testimony about Jesus. Only about Veit I am not quite clear yet.  Tell me, was Veit really so ill that you feared the worst?”

Ilonka:" Lord, we have been nursing him for weeks, but with each passing day he became weaker. We could not offer him anything special because we are poor people, so we sadly awaited his demise".

Turning to Jacob, Darius continued: "Dear friend, this report is valuable to me, but still I have to ask you more questions.  How does Jesus, who was awakened from the dead, actually express Himself?"

Jacob: “Sir, above all, one should believe that Jesus Christ, the from Himself-begotten Son, has conquered all death, and is now Life over all life, but a life which is not felt or experienced in the mind, but in the full surrender to Christ Jesus.  This life educates me about what separates me from God's Self.  Everything that is revealed to me by God's Self, helping me to be active in love,  or to teach or give witness, or to see in the spirit, are just messages from Jesus, my Master, Lord and God, which I believe without reservations and act on immediately.  For all faith is dead, and can only become alive through love.  It was not me who healed this poor brother Veit, but my companion Andree did.  So you see that Jesus' Spirit can work through anyone, when all conditions have been met.”

Darius: “This is new to me – for how long does Andree know the Saviour Jesus?”

Jacob: “Barely five days, but the true Spirit of Jesus has come to life in him.”

Here, the subordinate came to Darius and said: "Lord, I carried out the transfer to the tent which I had set up. But we need clothing for the girls. I would [like to] separate the young girls – there are 9 - from the young men.  They all seem to be very good-natured and anxious."

Jacob: "Sir, the innkeeper has daughters. He earned a lot over the years, it would mean little loss to him if he clothed the girls."

Darius called the innkeeper and asked him to provide clothing for the 9 girls, that it would not cause offense when they go out free.  The innkeeper protested: “Sir, should the slaves then be released?  That is against all custom, I have never experienced such!”

Darius: “Arnaut could not provide evidence that they have been honestly acquired.  Are you not going to give heed to my request?”

The innkeeper said: “I shall give my wife and daughters instructions, but how am I going to retrieve my clothing?”

Jacob said: “Lord, it is no longer necessary to talk about it, the host [shall] clothe all the prisoners.  With Ilonka and Veit's help, things will happen faster.  And it will be no loss to the innkeeper, because Melchior deposited several pounds of silver for Veit's care, which was never spent, for Ilonka and her mother did the care out of pure neighbourly love.”

Darius: “How do you know this, Jacob, did your Lord and Master tell you?”

Jacob: “Yes and even more.  There is still a girl in the other wagon, who still needs to be freed, for she had to follow Arnaut involuntarily.”

Darius: “Is that correct, Arnaut?”

Arnaut: “Sir, she was not to be sold, she is not merchandise, but ...” - here Arnaut hesitated.  But Darius spoke: “Why do you not keep on talking, do you fear for yourself?”

Arnaut: “Sir, what shall become of me; you let us be guarded, you cleared out the cargo and you believe what these Jewish people say.”

Darius: “You are wrong, my friend, I have only good in mind with the prisoners, I do not want to lay hands on your stuff.  What these Jews are telling me from a state of clairvoyance, which is unpleasant to you, I cannot change.  But if you do not want to voluntarily bring your personal prisoner in here, Humbert can accompany you.  I am giving you good advice, do not try to deceive me, for then I would have to proceed with great severity.  These Jews have even asked me to save you from the gallows.”

Arnaut: “Sir, I want to get the girl, but do be lenient, it was the first and last time that I transport people.”

The innkeeper went to the kitchen, followed by Ilonka and Veit.  Arnaut went with Humbert, bringing back within minutes, a girl of striking beauty.

“Sir, here is the girl, I had the best of intentions,” said Arnaut.

Darius calmly said: “Arnaut, if this girl would want to voluntarily join you, I would not in the least stand in your way.  It would be better for you to have confidence in me, for a benevolent skill led me here.  But before we move on to further negotiations, I would like to get some information from you, a lot depends on you. Surely, you have travelled far and wide in the country, you were certainly also in Judea.  Did you hear and experience something of the miracle-healing Jesus of Nazareth, who performed great miracles and died an ignominious death on the cross - and then rose again?"

Arnaut:" Lord, I have heard the most incredible things, I have not seen anything yet. But I have to admit, I did not believe the rumours and never cared. I have seen too much of all kinds of priests, and have no interest in the manifold gods."

Darius: "You have never heard of the eternally true and sole God whom you call the unknown?"

Arnaut: "Lord, we are people of the highway. What good would a god benefit us if he were unknown? All the gods are only there to extort sacrifices from us."

Darius: "Have you ever made a sacrifice to the Unknown God?  If not, I would ask you to do it, and sacrifice your aversion to the divine and the sublime.  We Romans have deeply realised that all laws can only exist if they are derived from the divine laws, therefore I do not want to act according to the pure human, but according to the divine laws. Of course, I will have to take care of you, whether you are willing to acknowledge the divine.

Arnaut: "Lord, you have the power, I am in your hands.  But your action is a compulsion against my inner freedom.  I am to recognise divine things that I have never recognised.  I do not want to say what I think of all the gods, because it would mean the cross, and the unknown god will be no different.  Bring me a God who is kind and wise, loving and gracious, then I will be the first in this inn who can bring the greatest sacrifice"

Darius: “Is this your manly word, Arnaut?”

Arnaut: “Yes sir, I swear it at the memory of my beloved mother."

Darius, turning to Humbert, said: "Let your people go into the tent, but they can stay here too, the watch is lifted.  But I would rather have you near me, as you will be interested in the further conversations.  But before that, give the prisoners the message that they can move freely.  no-one should be allowed to enter this room.  I will negotiate with you, Arnaut, tomorrow, if it is still necessary.  Consider yourself a free man and as a guest of this inn, but bring me Levi to our table, I have to talk to him too."

Levi, who noticed the change in the mind of the Roman, rejoiced inwardly.  But when he was seated at his table, he acted indifferently.  Darius asked the girl after her name and background, but she felt intimidated and dared not say a word.

Then Arnaut said: “Ludmilla, you can calmly speak, this lord is a high Roman and an emissary of the Caesar.  He is well-intentioned and wants the best for you.”

Then the girl spoke: “High lord, I am Ludmilla, a carpet weaver's daughter, [I] have a mother and two more sisters.  Since the death of my father, it did not go well with us.  I therefore went to look for a place to stay with my uncle, but without luck, for also there the worry and need was a constant guest.  I therefore had to search for my own bread and came to Arnaut.  He promised to accommodate me.

Darius: “Well Ludmilla, did you have any reason to complain about Arnaut, or did he ever get too close to you?”

Ludmilla: “No, lord, Arnaut was a friend and protector, I only have reason to thank him.”

Darius: "Thank you, Ludmilla, but one more question I would like to have answered. Would you like to be in Arnaut's service and always accompany him on his trade?"

Ludmilla: “No Sir, I would not like to stay among these rude people under any circumstances and Arnaut is still single.  I long to have a stable home.”

Darius spoke to Arnaut: “Well my friend, you will have to make other arrangements with Ludmilla, for you have heard her answer.”

Levi

He now turned to Levi and continued speaking: “Levi, what was your plans with the captives?   You do not need to answer me if you don't want to, for I have learned the truth from the man called Jacob, a brother and disciple of the Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth.”

Levi: “Sir, if you would call on the Nazarene or His disciples, then you can only be ill advised, for from a deceiver of the people and a temple desecrator can come no salvation, but only disaster.  It was therefore a good thing that He found His end on the cross.”

Darius: “Levi, is what you have said your own opinion, or conveyed to you by your tribesmen.  It is peculiar: when I would ask of your tribesmen after Jesus of Nazareth, I constantly get unfavourable answers;  when asking Romans, Greeks or others, the answers are quite the opposite, I find only the good.  According to your answer, also Jacob should be a deceiver and desecrator of your faith.  How come then, exactly today, have a person on the brink of death been brought back to full health in the name of Jesus?  You have seriously disappointed me with your answer.  Now you speak!”

Levi: “Sir, what shall I say, if a high Roman still lets himself be bowled over by Belzebub's arts.  I have seen the powerless Nazarene stumbling underneath his cross in the streets of Jerusalem – a worthy representative of Jehovahh, I must say.”

Darius turned to Jacob and said: “Well, Jacob, what do you say about this speech?”

Jacob: “Sir, I have the power to lay dumbness or some other infirmity on him, but I remember the glorious admonition of my Lord and Master, to repay all evil with good.  I forgive him, for he is blind in his hatred.  When he still was a priest himself, his best business was to collect tithings from everybody.  But when many came to better understanding through the Lord and Master, the soil became too hot for him, he took his gold and silver and became a merchant.  The high priest does not yet know that he is a renegade of the temple, they think he is dead"

Darius: “Jacob, how can you prove these accusations, for we are deep in Syria, very far from Jerusalem.  I made it my duty to watch over justice.  So ask your Lord and Master, that you might stand justified in this struggle, for you represent your Master here!”

Jacob: “Sir, blindfold my eyes here with a cloth – I want to present the proof to you now in this late hour of the afternoon.  Choose one of your companions, and from Levi's possessions, I shall bring you the evidence with my own hands.”

Darius said to Fabian: “I am curious as to what will be revealed.  It would be enough of a miracle to locate evidence from among Levi's possessions, but take nevertheless a light with and take care that Jacob is not hindered.  But take two more men with you.”

He then took a big cloth and blindfolded Jacob's eyes, but in such a way that also his nose and ears was covered, but his mouth was free.  Then he said: “Now go and justify yourself.”

Jacob went through the tables as if seeing.  Then Fabian shouted: “Stop, I first have to get a light!”  Jacob stood still.  [Fabian] soon had a lantern in his hand.  Without waiting, he (Jacob) rushed out, followed by Fabian, towards Levi's caravan.  The guard protested, but Fabian said: “Rest, people, can you not see the man's eyes are blindfolded.  He has an assignment to perform;  you should only watch, but not hinder him.”

Jacob went to a wagon from which many chests have been unloaded, pushed some aside, then found what he was looking for.  He untied the straps of a big chest with much effort.  He then opened the chest, took some garments from it as well as a packet, closed and secured the chest again and said: “Let us go to the others, for the Master's honour to be restored.”

He rushed ahead so quickly, that Fabian could hardly keep up with the light, and brought the garments and packet to Darius.  Darius, curious about the result, is astonished to see full priest's garments in his hands.

Then Jacob said: “Sir, see for yourself these garments, they are Levi's property. But take the cloth off again, your companion may testify how I found it. " Darius asked Levi, "Do you recognise these vestments as your property?"

Levi: "Lord, what is property, I have many more robes, why should not I have a priest's robe with me?"

Fabian: "Darius, you should have seen Jacob, with what surety and speed he hurried in the darkness to the wagon. There were several boxes unloaded and the right one had to be released first, the strapping was the only thing that took longer. With a sure grip, he took the robes and the pack, tied the box again, and you see what he has in his hands."

Now all in the room became animated.  They saw Jacob coming in with the bandage around his head.  They thought it was to be a joke, but how the priest's robe was causing a stir.  They stood around the table, yes some even got onto the benches to be able to see, and Darius allowed it.

Jacob: “Sir, in this packet is the best proof, it is the priestly headgear.  On this headgear is the blessing of his mother embroidered.  It goes: 'Elis, always hold the belief that God will never let you fall.  Your mother, Elizabeth.'  Since Levi is only an adopted name, his real name is revealed through this blessing.  His name is Elis, after his mother, Elizabeth.”

Darius: “You know, Jacob, one can become afraid of you when everything gets revealed to you?  I believe that this is so, but first I ask you, Levi: is everything as Jacob says?”

Levi: “What do you ask, sir, if you know, this illusion from hell is after all no feat.”

Darius: “Senseless and deluded one, how far will you in your hate keep on playing your game with us?  I want to know whether all Jacob said holds true.  I want only a yes or no!”  Levi kept silent.

Then Darius opened the packet himself, it was exactly as Jacob said.  “Levi”, he said, “I do not say anything more here.  I do not care about what you did as a priest, but that you have traded with slaves under a false name, sends you to the gallows.  It is not my decision, but that of the Roman law.  Us Romans love justice, but you Jews love only yourselves.  Would you be open and truthful like Arnaut, we could have been lenient.  You do not seem to have heeded the beautiful blessing of your Mother, otherwise you would have remained a priest.  Fabian, put this man under custody, such people disgusts me.”

This caused a sensation among the many guests, and nobody thought about getting rest.  Then Darius said: “People, get some rest, tomorrow is another day, and you, Jacob, stay here for longer, I can use you.”

The innkeeper now became generous, and suddenly concerned for his guests – yes, he even offered to Veit to stay with him, but Ilonka said: “No, he stays with us.”

They slept very little.  Andree was very excited because he had never experienced something like this, but Jacob said: “Do not be surprised, for we are here merely representing the Master – it is important to glorify the Master.”

In the early morning, Arnaut came to Jacob and said: "Man, you are a Jew, why did you allow Levi to be harmed? I can not understand you. Yes, you are directly to blame with your evidence, he's a fellow tribesman.”

Jacob: “Arnaut, you might be right in human terms, but I'm not of Levi's kind.  My life serves the honour of my God, and my love is applicable to all men.  Behold, I forsook everything in order to serve my eternal Lord and God.  I do not want Levi to perish, but to live.  Had he shown some remorse yesterday night, he would still have been a free man like you.  His offense is no greater than yours, and you are and will remain a free man and shall keep your possessions.  But do you also know to whom you owe this?  Only to Jesus, the crucified and risen One.  It is impossible to change the fact that people make mistakes, but he does not want his mistakes to be seen and then make claims to change these mistakes into virtues, which are daring games.  Levi as a priest knows more than you suspect, but his avarice, his miserliness and hatred did not allow the message of love and mercy to enter him.  Everything is not yet lost, but it is up to himself;  for my Lord and God has no pleasure in the death of sinners, but that all would live and receive full salvation!”

Arnaut: “Man, you speak of one Lord and God, otherwise of a Saviour who is your Master, how should I understand you?  I've been thinking the whole night through, but could not come to a conclusion.  Who is your God, and who is your Master?  Is it perhaps Jesus the miracle-man, for it could without question not be another.  But He died on the cross, how am I to fit this in?”

Jacob: “Arnaut, have you not heard from the Roman, that he said that I represent my Master?  Yesterday night you swore by the memory of your mother.  Tell me, does your mother still live in you, either in your love or in your spirit?”

Arnaut: “Her love shall always live in my heart, for she was the best of all mothers.”

Jacob: "See, Arnaut, as your mother's love and life enliven you, so Jesus of Nazareth, who was our Master, animates me. Only with the difference that your mother went into eternity and lives in your memory, and you stay the same as you were. However, Jesus does not live in my memory but as a power, love and life, for His entrance into eternity opened the gates to eternal life for all men, since He Himself is life!  His death is our birth to life!  And through His resurrection, death has lost all power. There will be no death for eternity, but only a transformation."

Arnaut: "That's too much for me, I can not quite follow you. But tell me, how could you find anything like that in the dark?  I am faced with a riddle."

Jacob: "Arnaut hear, my Master is light and life, what I do happens at the urging of His Spirit in me.  When the cloth covered my eyes, the brightest day was in and around me. I heard His voice in me, and so everything was as simple as if you were looking for something on the brightest day.  We are together today and tomorrow, so you will get full clarity.  But if you want to take some advice from me, look for Darius pretty soon, because as you know from experience, the Romans work thoroughly."

Arnaut: “Yes, what am I to do with the many people who cost me many pounds of silver – I do not know whereto with this.  Then I am also not prepared with food, which Levi had to take care of.”

Jacob: “Why do you not release them to the Romans?  Your silver is lost anyway, but you instead gained the only living and true God, who offers you in His love and grace a new way and a new life.  Let go of everything material and from now on, hold fast to the divine, that is if you want to.  For God is the purest love, but He forces no-one – not even Levi.  See, there comes the children who are under your care.  They are hungry and still know nothing about their freedom.”

Arnaut showed them all into the guest room, which was still empty. The drivers and guards were busy with their animals, the soldiers were with their horses and the others in their chambers.  The innkeeper's wife and daughters were in the kitchen.  Andree went there after the 20 took their places and ordered a breakfast consisting of bread and soup, and then went to sit with them.  When all were satisfied, he asked if they needed more.  They were silent, but a young man said: "Lord, we have been set free, what is our destiny now?  We need a Lord who gives us bread and work, are we already there?”

Arnaut: “No, things will be different for you, for the lord who would have taken you over, is a hard, stern lord.  But you should receive a good lord, this is my wish.  For now, do not worry, but stay calm, a good star watches over you.”

Arnaut asked after Darius' room.  When he was on his way there, Darius was just on his way with Fabian.  His greeting was short, but warm.  Then Arnaut said: “Sir, I just wanted to come to see you.  I have the 20 people on my heart, they need care; I don't know where to go with them.”

Darius: "I feel the same way when I think that they no longer have a home, are deprived of rights and are exposed to the free will of hard-hearted masters.  I would like to make anyone who deals with slaves, a slave himself.  That is why the law is sharp against those who deal with people without the consent of the Roman authorities. That's why I ask you, Arnaut, since when do you deal with people?"

Arnaut: "Lord, this is the first time, at the urging of Levi I did it. I was not aware of the offense I actually committed, it was not until this night my eyes really opened."

Darius: "What did you think now to do with the many people, you have no customers."

Arnaut: "Lord, I do not know, I would like to recommend your love and care, because then I would have a guarantee that they would get honest lords."

Darius:"If it is your wish, there will already be a way, for now I want to talk to the people a little.  Have you already seen Jacob and his companion? I really do not want to do anything without his advice."

Arnaut: "I talked to him, only I can not quite understand him, because what he spoke about was something completely new."

Darius: “Thank the eternal God, that He arranged it as such that His disciple would be here, for otherwise, you and Levi would have carried the full weight of the law.  The risen Jesus, whom I only once saw and heard, have changed my sense and moved my heart so much, that I can also reach you the hand, that you might become good citizens and sensible people.  Levi have unfortunately no sense for honesty and charity.”

Arnaut: “Sir, if I would again ask him to reconsider, would you be lenient?”

Darius: “Gladly, Arnaut, but I doubt it would bear fruit, that man is blind in his hatred and void of all love unto the neighbour.  But at least try.”

Jacob went over to Ilonka's cottage, who sat with their morning bread.  How the poor people rejoiced over Jacob!  The old mother wept with joy and pressed him a few times to her breast and said: “Oh you messenger of love and joy, how sunny have this day begun.  Veit is going to stay here, Ilonka have loved this man long since, even though she knew he was dying, and now this joy.  Oh, tell me something about this wonderful Savior, who brought such sunshine into our house and into our miserable life.  Where is the worry and the need?  He took it away.  That is why the yearning for Him is great and we still want to know a lot about Him."

Jacob: “Mother Rakey, your wish will be fulfilled tonight, but not this morning.  I still want to eat breakfast with brother Andree, for over there things are too busy for me.”

Very happily, Ilonka brought bread and milk, and then Jacob prayed: “Oh Jesus, you faithful, glorious Father, we thank you for Your love, goodness and obvious blessings.  Fill me with the full glow of love and Your life-force.  Be around us and in us and bless this meal, that we may become a blessing to all.  Your love is our life and our love is Your joy,  Amen.”

Then they all wept, for all suddenly saw the blessing Saviour and Lord, standing in the doorway.  Rakey wanted to get up to rush over to Him, but He disappeared.  Then Jacob said: “Now your eyes have seen Him, He will always be here and takes part in your joy.  Let us be joyful, for joy is thankfulness.”

At Rakey

Darius and Fabian sat down at the next table.  Arnaut asked for permission to talk to Levi, his inner being urging him, so Darius allowed it.  In the meantime, however, the drivers and soldiers came, wanting to eat their morning bread. It was getting louder and louder in the big lounge.  Darius was soon finished with his morning bread, then he conversed with the liberated people, especially with Ludmilla, who had a free and open gaze.

Darius said to them: “I already know a gentleman who lives quite far from here.  But you will not be slaves, but free people.  Only one thing is still holding me back from sending you there: you are people who worship dead gods.”

Ludmilla said: “Lord, we have never yet heard that our gods are dead, quite the contrary.  The priests caused us fear and anxiety, because the gods can become terribly angry.  To whom does the lord you are sending us to, pray?”

Darius: "Listen to what I tell you, that lord is praying to the true and living God whom your priests call the unknown.  I know the true and living God, He is love, love and again love, and the people who pray to Him, should also become love and more and more love! Therefore, this gentleman, in conduct, is not a lord, but a father, to whom the welfare of all his servants and handmaids is dear."

Ludmilla: "Oh, this must be beautiful, loving and being loved is the yearning of my heart.  I would give my life, if necessary, for the sake of true love.  Lord, make known to me the place and the lord, I want to go to him."

"Me too, me too," said the girls.

But one said: “Sir, teach us about the living and true God.  I will not be lacking in zeal, for our gods have long since become foreign to us.”

Darius: “Listen, I can not do it, but I shall today introduce you to a messenger of the living God.  Until then, you are completely free and guests of this inn.  But stay together, that I can find you when I need you.”

Darius and Fabian left the room.  One of the daughters who served them came up to him and said: “Lord, lord, my father wants to speak to you, but in private, he had a sleepless night.”

“Where is your father?”, Darius asked.

“In his room”, the girl answered, “I have never seen him like that before.”

“Take me to him”, said Darius.  The girl went ahead, Darius following.

The innkeeper waited for Darius in a beautiful living room.  Then he slowly spoke: “Lord, I have called on you, for I have to confide in you.  Levi's case is very close to me.”

“How so?”  Darius asked, “You have nothing to do with him, or do you work with him hand in hand?”

“No, sir, but it is quite something different, because I have also been a priest and have become untrue to the temple.  I could no longer stand the criminal activities of the high priest and the chief priests.”

Darius: “What criminal activities do you mean?  Were you forced to commit crimes?”

“Yes, sir – us priests and servants had to eliminate Jesus of Nazareth, on Whom many of the people depended.  Since then, I took my gold, silver and all my treasures, and fled from the temple and built myself a new life.  Through paid messengers, I let my wife and daughters be brought and we now lead a life like the heathen.”

Darius: “What you did, you have to deal with yourself, and see how you have to deal with God.  You have committed no unlawful act according to your law;  at most, the temple might take revenge on you, and for that, there is a way: become a Roman citizen.  The fact that you wanted to do no harm to Jesus of Nazareth and because of that freed yourself from the temple, is a mitigating factor which makes all your misdeeds, your stinginess and your hardheartedness appear in a different light.  I hope you will understand this, and as Roman citizen, be an exemplary father of the house and do recompense for everything you should – or have you taken part in human trafficking?”

“No Sir, I love gold and silver, but so far it has not come to that.  I solemnly promise that my hands are clean from that curse, only my name carries misconduct.”

Darius: “Renounce your name and be today again who you were.  I can not force you, nor give you a law to become a priest again.”

“So from now on I want to be called Joram again and be a Roman subject.”

Darius: “It will be that Fabian will attach the shield to your door in Caesar's name.  What lies behind you is buried, before you lies a life of fulfilment of duty and honourability!  Furthermore, take care that the new teaching of Jesus of Nazareth should not experience any difficulties, this is the will of the governor.”

Joram: “Sir, thank you, you took every burden from my heart and have made me a free man.”

Darius: “Joram, listen: thank me with your hands and feet.  I see so much need and misery, it grieves me.  But now come and lead me to the man who was considered dead and is now healthy, I would like to speak with him.”

When Jacob and Andree had taken the morning meal with the poor people, Rakey saw the innkeeper and the Roman approaching.  She said: “Since when would those men come to us, do they want to get Veit?”

Then Joram stepped inside and said: “Rakey, two Romans want to enter your house, do you have anything against it?”

“No, no,”  she went to the Romans and said: “Welcome, gentlemen – it might be a miserable cottage, but we've been very happy since last night.”

Darius: “Then I am happy too.  Of course, since you have received the messengers of God, it is understandable.  You, Jacob, would have least expected me here – did you not want to be my guest anymore?  You mother of the house, if I may ask, what have you experienced, since your eyes are so radiant?”

Rakey: “Oh sir, the Lord and eternal God has made us unspeakably happy, because we were allowed to see Him standing in our doorway, blessing us, for a few moments.  Then, taste this wine.  Never has such a wonderful wine come over my lips.”  She takes a mug and hands it to him.  Darius takes it and tastes it, takes a few more sips and says: “Fabian, taste this, I have never drank such a wine.  Also you, Joram – taste this, you don't have such a wine in your cellar.”

Both had to praise the wine.

Then Darius said: “I have seen and heard enough, I no longer require evidence.  Jesus had to be God, for all this is impossible for man.  Now His resurrection from the grave is no miracle anymore, for God, Who is eternal, cannot die.”

Fabian: “But Darius, His death on the cross – how should one explain it?”

Darius: “Jacob can explain that to us, but not now – only when everything which is bothering us, is done away with.  May I ask something of you, Mother of the house?  May I be your guest tonight, together with many who should give you pleasure.  Do not take fright, no sacrifice will be asked of you, but it will rather bring you joy.  For such love as you have given for weeks to a sick person, should be crowned.  I could have invited you to be my guests, but it has come to me like that and I stick to it.”

Turning to Veit, he said: “My son, I came to this house for your sake, and because I want to see things clearly, I ask you: Can you still remember those last hours before you got hurt?  On the brink between death and life, exact information is granted to very few.”

Veit: “Lord, the only thing I know is that I was very hot, had an agonising thirst and had peculiar and wild dreams.  But I cannot remember any of it.  At one point, a man stood before me – it was Andree over there, then it felt as if someone else was standing before me.  A pleasant coolness emanated from him, which animated me.  Then it was Andree again and I could get up.”

Darius: “What did the man from whom life came look like, can you tell exactly?”

Veit: “No, lord – but the memory is coming [back].  It must have been the Lord, for I have seen him standing in the doorway for a quarter of an hour!”

Darius: “Veit, listen to what I say to you.  If you cannot exactly tell, keep silent until you are sure, so that the curiosity of others would not be satisfied.  How do you feel today, would you bring a sacrifice to Jesus, the living God by being His servant for a few months?  I have 20 young people I need to take good care of.  It is about a 30-day journey and my dear friend urgently needs good manpower – and for the homeless it would mean a home and sure bread.”

Veit: “Lord, determine the hour, I am available.  My life does not belong to me anymore, but to Him who gave it back to me again – it is Jesus, the living Saviour!”

Darius: “Then it is good, my friend, you will suffer no harm.  From now on, consider yourself a free Roman.  If you have any wish, I would like to fulfil it, if it is in my power.  Consider it well, for today and tomorrow we are still here.”

The day brought much pleasant things, but also many unpleasant things.  The issue of provision was taken care of, organised to the minutest detail of transport.  Only Levi remained hard and unbending.  He was put under the custody of the soldiers, his merchandise helped those people who lost their homes because of him.

Arnaut gave Darius the hand, on which he [Darius] said: “Arnaut, your willingness makes my heart happy.  You have suffered great loss, which unfortunately I can not replace as a result of your wrong course of action.  But as a Roman, you have certain privileges that will put you in a better position."

Arnaut: “Lord and great friend of man, what is my loss against what I have gained here. I'll leave my wagons and animals to the young man, and I'll give them a few hundred pounds of silver which is in my wagon.”

Darius: “Arnaut, you now have fulfilled your word, because I did not expect this sacrifice.  With the silver, much can be acquired of what these young people need.  This is a great help to their new provider.  The eternal God will reward you with a double blessing!  What are you going to do?”

Arnaut: “Lord, I am not an inactive person, I am and stay a merchant.”

Darius: “Listen, dear friend, we need honest men in fixed places.  The way things are done these days, does not suit me.  We need more merchants to take their goods from one destination to another.  The governor wants to have large warehouses in the cities, in order to give trade a new, more secure and honest structure, as it is already in some bigger cities.  Then also such kind of business in which you and Levi were involved in, will be stopped.  Human trafficking have taken on downright frightening and devilish measures.  From Asia Minor, young people gets stolen and sold at high prices.  And from Judea trafficking has begun, organised by the temple.  We are powerless, since there are no accusers, we therefore need control in order to curb this evil.”

Arnaut: “Lord, the plan is good, but it lacks assets.  There are plenty of goods, also enough caravans, only the very rich can sell to the customer, we trade among ourselves.  Of course many go astray, as was the case with me and Levi, were it not for the Lord's intervention.”

Darius: "I am glad to hear this, and I am happy that my wavering is now over and there is only one God and Savior, who gives my job and my mission a completely different direction.  Sometimes I have accused the governor of weakness when he treated criminals with unprecedented leniency, now I understand his actions.  The governor's vision was directed toward giving anyone who strayed from the law, another chance to improve.  Maybe it will be possible to save Levi.”

No strangers arrived today, so Darius invited Joram to come to the old cottage owner.  Darius took all 20 freed [people] with himself, and Arnaut took his old, trusted people with to the house of Rakey.

Veit and Ilonka arranged seats and benches in sufficient numbers in such a way that, despite the lack of room, all had place to sit.  With visible joy, Jacob blessed all who came, who were already well prepared that day to hear the news and the message of the living God.  Only a few other neighbours have also come out of curiosity, for they have heard about Veit's miracle.

Darius addressed a few words to the gathered, alerting them that they would hear something that would seem unbelievable to them. "Everybody has the right to speak, whether it be for or against it.  no-one should be afraid that anything would happen to him, you are all under my protection, for I have found that these days have been the will of the eternal God.  Come together, then Jacob will tell us something.”

Jacob: “Dear friends, dear fellow men, who are all brothers and sisters to me, the peace of God be with you!  I do not want to tell you what you should do or not do in the future, this is not my mission, but I am a witness and disciple of the Lord Jesus, whose physical brother and most faithful friend I was.

My parents and I have experienced during the childhood years of Jesus, the most wonderful things which I need to describe.  The development of the child was already a miracle, and at the age of twelve they were upset by the wisdom of the boy who had never attended school in the temple in Jerusalem.  As long as the care of my parents, and also mostly mine, was necessary, Jesus was quite willing and obedient.  But during the years He worked with us - He became a carpenter like us - there was a change in Him.  Jesus found in Himself the Educator who educated Him to do the work for which He was called.

From that time on, no-one who did not go along with His ideas and thoughts, could get along with Him,.  We experienced days of the greatest distress.  Jesus went His own way, He was loving, yet also strict.  He gave us no command, unless it was grounded in love.  How hard my father suffered is hard to describe, and his mother, Mary, often implored him with tears to abandon His false views. The result was even greater alienation, until He reached the age of thirty.

After a self-imposed trial in the wilderness, He entered the public scene and proclaimed the true living God in a manner that brought Him the enmity of the temple and the trust of the entire people.  Wherever He went, He brought joy and contentment.  The sick got healed, even the dead came to life, there was nothing that was not possible for him.  All the elements obeyed Him, but the greatest miracle was His words.  So simple, so unpretentious, so true, not a single person could refute Him anything.  He always testified of Himself and his God and holy Father Who lived in Him!  The number of followers increased.  How did the temple not try to tempt Him, but nothing succeeded.

We merely called Him Lord and Master, and now listen carefully:  The Master made it clear to us that He would suffer much and would die a shameful death.  We did not want to believe it, we did not want to hear it, but He resolutely said: 'If the Son of Man would not want to accept this cross, everything that exists will go to dissolution and destruction'. That's why the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we experienced untold glories.

It happened - Jesus was crucified. Let me be silent about what it was like for all of us. His death was our biggest misfortune.

Here He appears to us as He lived, here and there He visited the broken-hearted and made them happy again. Something has come to life in us through His resurrection, and this life has remained and will remain.  Then came His visible separation from us, where He again returned to His eternal home – to His primordial heaven – but He left His Spirit behind.  In this Spirit and in His power, I serve you.  Make His most beautiful word: 'Come to Me, whoever is troubled and laden, I will refresh you', your own.  Whoever remains in this love, remains in God and God in him!

Here, He was the Son of Man, and by His obedience became the Son of God. But now He is the life that has overcome all death. Whoever believes in Him and takes up His life in active love, will live with Him for all eternity."

A sacred calm came over the listeners. Then the innkeeper got up and said: "If I say a few words, I do it for the sake of the neighbours.  I must affirm every word that Jacob, the faithful servant, and messenger of God told me, for I was also a priest.  It was getting too bad for me, the agitation against Jesus of Nazareth was getting worse and worse.  We should bring Him, dead or alive – so I fled from the Jewish country and sought and found another means of living here.

As of yesterday, when I really recognised the true God, I am again someone different.  I want to be everybody's friend and brother.  No-one should need to complain about me any more, due to lovelessness on my part.  I ask you for forgiveness for whenever I was hard.  Jesus changed me into the serving Joram.  I can also tell much about Jesus, which came to life in me today.”

Ludmilla got up and said: “Oh dear, dear people, into which heavens we have been transferred! How dismal was our past. Love was only for the high and the rich, and now it is said, 'Whoever believes in Him and receives His life in active love will receive a life that lasts forever'.  Yes, why do we not rejoice, but remain silent and are still dumb?  Oh you miserable gods, one will not grieve over you, for you are coming to nought before this love of Jesus.

But you, Jesus of the most holy love, thank You that in Your love You are not less, but rather greater and more glorious. O come to us and refresh us, the Word of Your messenger has kindled a longing, Oh come and silence our heart's longing.  Open our eyes, that we may see You and our hearts, that we may feel You.  You have torn us out of a life of fear and need, we belong to You now and always."

Ludmilla

After a few moments, Jacob said: “Do not be afraid, Eternal Love is among us in our midst.  Look, He stands at the door and says: 'See My hands and feet, they are witness of My visible love.  Through this sacrifice, all of you have become My eternal possession.  Never let this knowing be taken from you any more;  strive through My spirit of Salvation, that I may also become your possession, then we live a life of joy and bliss for ever.  Amen.'

He spread out His arms in a blessing and slowly, the light-drenched figure faded away.  Nobody said a word in the silence.

At last, Darius spoke: “Friend Jacob, did you contribute to this appearance of the Lord, I was completely unprepared.”

Jacob: “Oh Darius, it is due to this flower of a girl, who thanked Him, dedicating her life to Him with a glowing yearning, without knowing Him.  Are you disappointed?”

Darius: “Oh no, on the contrary, very happy.  His eyes are milder and His face became more serious.”

Then someone began a speech, straight from the school of the Jews.  But Darius said: “Listen friends, in this way, we will lose this beautiful experience!  Let us stay in the good rest of our hearts, for the Lord and Master is still among us and we want to earnestly ask Him to give us something more.  He, being Life, can give us insights in life.  Therefore, brother Jacob, do ask the Lord, since you are the closest connected to Him, if He would like to give out of His love, something more for all of us, which would serve unto our salvation.”

Jacob: “Your request is understandable.  As of today, you are living with your heart in heaven and with your head in the world.  But each one of us can only carry within himself the heaven that love created.  Jesus, the Lord and Master, created a heaven that included all and everything in the whole of infinity.  But us humans, who now call only a part of His love our own, can only live in the partial heaven of His love, which was created in us.  Now, to not give long explanations, the Lord and Master will let each of you experience the heavens which had it's origin and beginning in your inner being.  Close your eyes and immerse yourselves in the silence and in the Lord Who blessed you so lovingly.”

Jacob made the sign of the cross, then he saw how some became totally enraptured, and others completely disappointed.  He said: “Talk to your loved ones, they are not illusions, but just as full of life as you are.”

Conversations ensued, questioning and amazement, yet nobody bothered the others.  This act of mercy lasted for an hour, controlled by Jacob and a staff of angels, so that the enemy of life could do no harm.

“Everybody awake again in reality.”

With these words, all were again back in their natural state.

Then Darius asked: “Jacob, I have heard much and great things from the Lord and Master Jesus, that He reveals Himself to loving and yearning hearts, and that is love, great and holy love.  The fact that He lets things be revealed by those who are long gone, is more than a miracle, because here the mind just can not keep up.  See, my dad was carrying a secret.  At his hour of death he longed for me, his only son.  My mother's greatest efforts made it possible for me to come to my father, who wanted to confide in me about something, but I came too late. He already passed when I arrived.  And now, in the presence of my mother, he revealed to me that his last request to me has come true today.  I should renounce the dead gods, because he also believes in the living God, unknown to us, whom he has found through an old friend.  So I stayed in his world and, O holy love, the Lord and Master was his guest there.

It was all so dignified, so simple and yet so beautiful, completely adapted to my father's character. So he led me, though I have not left this room, through large estates where many people led a happy life.

At my question: “Father, and also you, Mother, you are deceased, but still also completely alive, what happened?”  Then I was told: 'See, Jesus the Crucified brought us salvation, life upon life is ours, but only to the degree to which we gave love to our neighbours and also animals.  We have been given much, but there are many who have been given little joy, since they did not want to believe in Jesus.'

Then they also said: 'Darius, today is my birthday in life, you still regard it as the day of my death.  That is the reason for this feast where the Lord – my all – is our guest and joy.  The greatest joy however, is that you have finally found the One Who is your and our full salvation.' “

Others also wanted to tell Jacob their visions.  But Jacob said: “My friends, be calm and full of joy.  Keep it to yourselves and strive to be active in love.  You have above all the Lord and Master only to thank for your happiness and freedom.  Be faithful, be conscious that much, much greater things still await you all, for the Lord wants to be your Father and you are to become His children.  What you were allowed to see now was grace upon grace, and events in and around you.  But if you are active in love and fully alive in His Spirit, you will experience glories from His Fatherly Love for which there are no words.  Do not forget thanksgiving, for never before has such a sacrifice been made like Jesus, the glorious Saviour, did.  Forgive one another, love the love and life, then grow in His Spirit so that you may become free and joyful children.”

Ludmilla could not stand it anymore, and glowing with love, she said: "I can not remain silent, because too much joy has accumulated in me.  I have to let my lips flow of what fills me.  I saw my poor father, looking at me dismally, and said: 'Ludmilla, I have suffered much, for my dead gods were without life, and I never believed in a survival after death.  Oh, how poor I am still, for I am surrounded by joy, but I can not believe it.  It's all so hard, there is no-one there to help me and free me from my confusion. I also heard the message of the Crucified, but I remained deaf, until at last, through much suffering and hard work, a good spiritual messenger took care of me. If only I had grasped the message of the Crucified with both hands, I would have been spared much. Oh Ludmilla, we have often spoken about love when you were a young little girl, but what I hear today about love, from my spirit messenger and guide, is something completely different. Not asking for love, but practicing and giving love is the fundamental law in this world.  Oh, who can grasp and understand it, for I am still so dumb and stupid.  My guide taught me and others that I should not think like this, but that I am also called to the congregation of the blessed, which was founded by the Risen One.  A terrible thing in this life is that everything is a thousand times more difficult, while as a human, it would have been so easy.  Oh, the words from the human brother was so beautiful, and they were like a miraculous balm to my heart.  If you can and will be able, take the message of life, so that you can avoid all this misery.  Tell all who would listen: death is terrible, but life is sweet.' “

Ludmilla was silent, then she said to all:  Even if the sacrifice is ever so great to come to the Lord, it certainly is worth the while, for it is about life.  I want to stir up a glow in my heart, for the fire of love to become increasingly brighter.  And You, Lord Jesus, well-known to all of us, do accept our small, weak faith coming from our weak hearts.  You have given Your life for all of us, so take ours, it is yours; not only today, but for always!”

Jacob: “Dear sisters and brothers, these were enough words.  What you have experienced, came from His immeasurable love and grace.  Do not long for this anymore, that you would not again loose yourselves, but wait and be active in the Spirit of Jesus, Who should be your singular love and everything should be loved through this love.  You, brother Veit, and you, sister Ilonka, your hearts burn for each other, but you should truly and really love each other in that love that would make others happy.  The Lord and Master blesses your covenant.  You, Joram, be a priest again, but for the living Christ; and your first act should be to bless their covenant tomorrow morning.

My faithful Darius, in the name of the Lord and Master, I thank you for your efforts, infinite blessing will come from your actions.  Now I have only one more request for you: May Ludmilla go with Andree to his parents, where he will establish a small but good congregation for Jesus.  Would it be right with  you, Ludmilla?”

Ludmilla: “Would it be right?  You are terrible, for nothing is hidden from you.  If Andree wants to, I have not even spoken a word to him.”

Jacob: “Now, Andree, relax and tell all of us what stirs in your heart.  As priest of your congregation you have to be completely free, and you have to open your heart at some point.”

Andree: “Brother Jacob, there has been enough grace and love upon me, I am beginning to feel like a debtor.  Of course, Ludmilla would be the perfect priestess for me, I would consider this as the greatest gift from God.”

Darius: "Jacob, dear messenger and proclaimer of true and pure love, bless us all through the power of the Lord in you.  So much has happened on this day, we want to end this day.  It is only for this love that I ask you to accompany me and Arnaut to Levi, for I want to save him at all costs."

Jacob: "Darius, the Master thanks you for this word, now it will succeed. And all of you, go to rest, and I wish you a blessed night. Blessings upon you and your hearts, blessings upon you and your love, blessings upon you and your works, that they bring forth the fruit of the love of Jesus. Amen."

A wonderful victory

Levi curses in the dark room, then he thumps at the firm door and the guard asks what he wants.

“Open, soldier, I want to talk to you.”

“No, prisoner, you may only speak to me through this small window, but make it short, conversations are forbidden.”

When the soldier opened the window, Levi spoke: “Man, I am rich, much richer than your master.  Let me escape, I shall reward you with gold.”

“No, prisoner, death would be a sure thing and your gold will be the cause.  But why do you want to flee, while freedom is still a possibility?  Darius said: 'As soon as the prisoner shows remorse, let me know, I do not want his misfortune.'  See, your freedom would not cost you as much money as you are offering me.  Arnaut also told me with sadness: 'It is a pity that Levi is so stubborn, Darius only wants the best for him.' “

Levi: “Tell Darius that I want to speak to him.”

It took another two hours for Darius to let Levi be brought by two soldiers.  A small room had been provided by Joram.

Darius: “Levi, I am glad that it is your wish to speak to me, but on one condition only: honesty!.  Do not think that you can deceive me – you know I have a helper, Jesus is His name.”

Levi: “Lord, I am your prisoner.  How can I know that you are honest, if I stand before you with bound hands.  It is my first time to stand bound before people.”

Darius removed the fetters from Levi himself, and then said: “Levi, you Jews are not to be trusted, but rest assured your life is over if you flee.  Remember, honesty is my main virtue, but I am also careful.  Before you say anything, be assured that I care not for your destruction, but for your salvation.  But your salvation means that you free yourself from your hatred of Jesus, the Crucified and the Risen, the change of your mind that only enriched itself at the expense of others."

Levi: “Lord, it is easy to talk, but what can I do other than to give my promise, if I want to be free.  I should bury my hate against Jesus.  Well, I think that hating a dead man is an absurdity, and I doubt his resurrection.  If you could bring me proof that he really lives, then I was in great error throughout my life.  I can not judge my attitude, because I've never tried to get to know it, it's just in my blood.”

Darius: “Levi, I like your language better than yesterday, and I'm to bring you proof that Jesus really lives. Have you forgotten how Jacob, the disciple and brother of Jesus, brought proof?  Rest assured, Jesus has not led and informed Jacob to let you perish.  Think about the blessing of your mother: 'Elis, hold on to your belief that God will not let you fall', or do you still need more proof?  Now, I am established in the faith in the Lord and Master Jesus, but I also tell you: do not play with the mercy of God, for you shall have a terrible encounter with the earnestness and punishment of God.  Keep your current situation in mind, that if not death, then the galleys are sure.  For the rest of your future, you are a beaten and finished man.  Your fortune, which is very big, as you have told the soldier, is definitely lost to you.  Change your attitude, yes your whole life;  try to do the right thing;  whatever guilt you have accumulated, free yourself from it;  become a free, even respected man again.  I do not ask you to believe in Jesus, only to bury your hatred.”

Levi: "Lord, you are gracious, I would be a fool if I did not respond to your wishes. I can only promise you that I will arrange my life the way you want it and only because you do not demand that I believe in Jesus. I promise not to say another word against Jesus and I beg your pardon for offending you yesterday as I put Jesus down as a comrade of Beelzebub."

Darius: “Good, Levi, you are again a free man.  Now listen: the slaves you wanted to acquire, became free men through me.  I had them taken to a friend at the Moran Sea by a steward.  The transport requires greater resources – would you contribute, the main burden has already been carried by Arnaut.”

Levi: “Sir, how did Arnaut get involved?  I was the initiator.  I guarantee that I will not only take care of their transport, but I will give to all of them, that they will not arrive there as poor ones.”

Darius: “Levi, are you serious about this?”

Levi: “Yes, sir – in memory of my mother, who always wanted the best for me and believed in me.”

Darius: “Then it is good, your possessions are yours again.  Now let's talk like friends, we'll come to an agreement.  But you're going to have to talk to your friend Arnaut, so I'll go to sleep.  But if I can ask you something: do not miss out on Jacob's friendship – he is not only loving, but also wise.”

In the early morning, the scene was as usual: the animals were taken care of, everything was made ready for departure, and Levi gave the instructions.  There was a real change in him.  Now Veit came to Levi, having yet no idea that Levi took over the transport.

Levi said: “Friend, should I not know you?  Are you not Melchior's confidant?”

Veit: “I was, but by great misfortune I had to stay behind here and would have died, if Jesus the Saviour had not made me well.”

Levi: “Do not talk about such nonsense.  How can the dead heal you – there must be a mistake.”

Veit: “No, there is no mistake.  Jacobs companion, named Andree, laid his hands on me in the name of Jesus, and I became well.  And yesterday morning at the same hour, Jesus stood in the doorway and blessed us, as well as yesterday evening, when we were gathered together at Rakey."

Levi: “Have you been sent to tell me this?  Why did you come here anyway?”

Veit: “Nobody sent me here; only the interest on behalf of the freed prisoners, whom I should transport to the Moran Sea, brought me here.  I also have a little time, for in two hours' time, Joram, the innkeeper and priest, will join me to Ilonka, Rakey's daughter, for life.”

Levi: “Aah, you are the man named Veit, of whom Arnaut told me about yesterday night.  Now the whole picture changes.  But listen, I have taken over the transport and your service has become obsolete.”

Veit: "I have not spoken to Darius yet. If so, I would like to come along with my wife and mother because I want to find a new home among my fellow believers and sisters."

Levi: “Nothing stands in your way.  Anyway, thank you for your message, it is very important to me.  You can tell Darius everything, but for your wedding, I invite myself, for the sake of my salvation."

All the liberated people came to Rakey's to celebrate Veit's wedding.  Joram appeared in the priest's gown, then came Darius, accompanied by Fabian, Arnaut, Levi, Jacob and Andree.  The neighbours have never seen Joram in the priestly garments.  They curiously enquired after the reason, and in no time they were all in Rakey's guest room to watch the wedding, which was completed in a short time.

During the congratulations, Darius marvelled at Levi, for he said: “The transport will leave tomorrow morning early.  For today, and unto our destination, you are my guests.  I ask all of you, especially you who have accepted Jesus, to trust me.  I am so happy that I can do for the first time, something out of the love of which you have experienced so much, I have never experienced that joy before.  [To Veit:] When you had a few hours ago so unsuspectingly witnessed about your Saviour, I believed I was transported back to the time when the Saviour Jesus in Judea healed many sick.  When you were gone, Veit, I felt in me that I should thank you, for I have never believed in the resurrection of the Lord.  I indeed had a huge grudge against the Lord – why?  For the temple and we as priest were more and more lost.  Only now it becomes clear that our income was a pure gift from the Saviour Jesus.  If He did say: free yourselves from the temple, from your priests – truly, the people would have done it.  But there was none of that, but He admonished all to stay in truth and in faith, until His work was completed.  I ask you, have real patience with me, then you shall be contented with me.  For now, it is impossible for me to accept the Saviour Jesus, because I had the greatest joy in His death.”

Jacob: “Dear sisters and brothers and you, newlywed couple! In my heart Eternal Love urges to announce to you the joy of the Lord, who is in spirit among us.  All your actions should be full of blessing.  You should unfold full life all around you, and in this new life, the life of the always present love of the Lord and Master, should be revealed.  Be blessed out of this cornucopia of His love, that your love would unite with the Saviour's love and become a shining example to others.  Let your life be dedicated in service to the Spirit Who redeemed you.  As He opened up the heavens to eternal life, so should you also open up a heaven, but in yourselves, in which all shall become truly happy.

But to you, Levi, I say: bury what you can bury, lest you stay a slave of your mind.  It is the greatest property of the Lord and Saviour's love to reciprocate with love to all, everything they have done unto Him!  Everything that was, are bygones.  You will be guided and lead in a new life and a new Spirit, that you may fulfill your love-tasks, which you will increasingly recognise.  I therefore do not tell you to search for Jesus that you may be forgiven, but to turn His life in you into a reality, and you will become aware that Jesus the Saviour, Lord and God, is also the eternal Forgiveness and Mercy.

You, my dear Joram and priest, be a friend and father to your congregation.  And let a well be dug close to your inn, that the inhabitants of this little place should no more be disturbed by the desert travellers of this country road.  I unfortunately separate myself from you, but the eternal Love reminded me of my service.  You have received mercy upon mercy, so now, be thankful for your neighbour with love, for only in active love do you secure the peace and salvation of your souls.  Go in peace.  Amen.”

All stayed together for one more day.  As evening fell, Jacob said to Andree: “Come with Ludmilla to Rakey, I have an urge in my heart.”

There was a lot of life in Joram's dining room, Levi gave almost too much of a good thing.  Veit and Ilonka stayed with Rakey, who had stayed away from the hustle and bustle. no-one noticed that Andree and Ludmilla left the dining room.  Jacob had no set place.  He was now here, then there, then at someone else to say something.  So he also quietly went to spend the evening with Rakey, being the last one [arriving] there.

The five sat at the table, serious and solemn, waiting on Jacob – finally, their longing was satisfied.  Jacob spoke: “May peace, peace and moreover peace fill you, for the eternal Love is among us.  Tomorrow I will leave you, but in this hour – my Andree – the Lord wants, through me, to entrust Ludmilla to you and give her to you as wife.  Your hearts are laying open before me, I need not ask anything; but I read the answer in you, that you want to be connected in faithful love, unto eternity.  Prepare yourselves for the grace, for the Lord and Master will bless you.”

Then the Lord stood visibly among them and said audibly to all:  Little children, rejoice in the grace that is pouring upon you in this house.  It is My heart's need to serve you personally.  To you, faithful Rakey and guardian of this little house, you served Me without knowing Me.  To you, Veit and Ilonka, I gave My blessing to your covenant. Now do not forget this sacred moment of grace, because I can not always come to you, as at this hour: but I say even in My most sacred love.  Carry Me in your hearts, then My spirit will replace everything in you.

You Andree, you fire-spirit in My love and you, Ludmilla, your heart stands in radiant love to Me.  I brought you together to find in you children who, in My Spirit of Love, want nothing greater than to serve in this filial love.  I bless you as husband and wife, but this is still your secret.  I Myself will accompany you both, though invisibly, to be a test to the enemy of life. Do not be fooled by the serpent, and wait with the procreation until you are married according to the law before all the world.  All the heavens are witnesses of this sacred hour, all those who are still bound, to whom you are to become their redeemers, are looking at you.  I could make you see all the heavens, but now that you have seen Me, something greater has happened to you.  And why?  Because I also expect great things from you.  So take My Fatherly Blessing, that it would become power and life in you.  My love and peace fulfill your salvation for all.  Amen.  Amen.  Amen".

The Lord disappeared, and then Ludmilla said: Oh Andree this was a blissful hour.  How did the eyes of the Lord glow.  However, I still want to pledge to you, in the face of the Lord and His disciple, and before the friends, that I will be your faithful wife, as the Lord hopes for your happiness in life. Should I become weak, support me, because I am afraid of this love, it is too much of love."

Jacob: “Be calm, Ludmilla, the seriousness of life has it's rightful place.  To love the Lord, you must be free, completely free.  The slightest consideration you still pay to the world, inhibits your power to love.  This is the highest love, and you should strive to resemble this love.

Now we have to make decisions in the evening, for tomorrow morning we shall separate.  But stay together still, for someone is searching for me.”

And so it was.  Arnaut walked in, went to Jacob and said: “Brother, I've been searching for you for an hour, have you been with Rakey and Ilonka?”

Jacob: “Yes, Brother,  Andree and Ludmilla have been united in marriage by the Lord.  But it should stay a secret, the Lord does not want to pre-empt the worldly laws.”

Arnaut: “I thank you for this information, she deserves to be happy, and Andree seem to be a pure character.”

Jacob: “Thank you for this word, it shall also be a joy to you.”

Arnaut: “Jacob, may I give Ludmilla a dowry, since she was like a daughter to me, I love that girl.”

Jacob: “If it is your urge, then yes – Andree can use it well in his love-service.  There, Darius is beckoning, I want to go to him.”

For yet a long time, everybody was still together in true joy.  But then Levi said: “Children, rest for a few more hours, for we have busy days ahead.  I still feel a need to be alone with Jacob.”

That night, Jacob and Levi did not sleep.  Although they spoke little, Jacob was able to plant good seeds and see a lot of weeds.  Levi, who was never a friend of tenderness, hugged and kissed Jacob. In this act of love, the last remnant of false concepts melted, and the image of Jesus stood in purity before Levi's eyes.

The morning meal was short, same as the farewell.  Then Arnaut took Andree and Ludmilla by the hand and led them to the packed wagon with the two horses and said: “Brother Andree, consider this wagon as yours.  You should not take Ludmilla as a poor girl into your heart.  Consider all this as a gift of eternal love.”

Andree did not want to, but Jacob said: “Andree, accept it – what comes out of love, is [meant] to again serve in love.  See yourself merely as a steward, and the blessing shall be great.”

Thus the wagons drove off, after Darius once again praised the love of Jesus as the most glorious gift of love.  With many handshakes, Rakey and Ilonka blessed what was their home until now.  Also Darius prepared himself for departure with his people.

Arnaut, having now only one car and one driver, took Jacob along for another two days' journey to Rakka, where they dismounted at a large inn.  Here the two parted, Arnaut having a heavy heart, for in those two days, Jacob had become his true brother, but Jesus a true Father.

In Rakka

As evening fell, Jacob – who did not like the hustle and bustle – went into the bedroom which Arnaut had ordered and paid for.  Also his physical well-being had been taken care of.  It was strange – he could not find rest in this night, the noisiness of the coming and going continued throughout the night.

He took his morning meal very early, which was prepared by a girl.  He was alone in the big and desolate guest room, being a scene of filth and garbage.  The girl made excuses when she saw that it did not sit well with him.

Jacob: “It is not as much the filth in this guest room, but about the filth in the inner man.  What I experience, exceeds all limits.”

The girl: “Yes, we have to work and work for meagre food and the few frocks to wear on the body.  I do not even have a penny to buy a few fruits for my sick mother.”

Jacob: “Is your mother close, can you take me to her?  I also have no money, but I carry a divine gift of power in me that could release her from all her physical needs.”

The girl: “Ah, you too will not be able to help her, for the priest Arius had had already much trouble.  For us, there is only work, sorrow and tribulation until the hour of death.”

Jacob: “But Amelia, why do you see life from the dark side, did you not have a sunny childhood and some happy hours?  Of course, if you despair, you disrupt the will to live in you.”

Amelia: “Stranger, you do not know our life.  It is also better to walk around with a grumpy face than with a happy one, for then one becomes too quickly a victim of the traders – what happens then, one does not know.  Only two days ago, there were more than a 100 in the yard, what a misery.”

Jacob: “I know about that and even more.  It will still be a long while before this will be in the right order.  But for that very reason you should be very happy, for the sake of your mother, who will still be completely well today, if she wants."

Amelia: “Are you a doctor or a priest?  I have no faith in Arius any more, I feel creepy in his vicinity.”

A caravan driver entered the guest room, boisterously ordering his soup, for they were truly crude people.  Since the girl was alone, it naturally took much longer.  He cursed the girl, even though she made the greatest of efforts, which was obvious to all.  The desert travellers became increasingly louder.

Then Jacob went over to them and said: “It is not good of you to pour your anger and crudeness out over this poor human child.  You can see that her hands and feet are moving.”

“Keep silent, you daylight-thief of a Jew.  Man should slaughter every one of you, you are worth  nothing more”, one of them said.

Jacob: “Is there not enough blood sticking to your fingers, or do you want your scandalous deeds to be revealed?”

The man jumped up and wanted to get a hold of Jacob.  But he met him with a fixed gaze, he backed up step by step, but Jacob followed him.  At the door, he turned around and rushed outside.  The others were looking at Jacob flustered, stunned.  But he said: “Learn a lesson from this, and do not stain yourselves with the blood of your brothers, for sometime the hour will come, when all will be revealed.”

One said: “Yeah, who are you then, to have tamed the paragon of rage?”

Jacob: “Nothing different than you, a man of flesh and blood, yet filled with the mind to help all people and to make them happy.  As things are at the moment, you are in danger of being killed at the next opportunity.  A sense of higher things, even of eternal life, is completely lost on you, otherwise you would have felt that this poor maiden was going through much grief.  Instead of a friendly greeting, you cursed her.”

One said: “Of course you are right, but the same goes for us, for if the lords are not here, we are the masters.”

Jacob: "I do not want to give you any instructions, but I feel obliged to protect the girl from your brutality."

Another one answered: "So, since when did the Jews become heroes? In my experience, you Jews are only heroes in cheating, but not in honest fight."

The girl brought the morning soup and some breads.  Forgetting all the strife, they hastily consumed their morning meal.  But Jacob watched them silently.  He was dissatisfied, because he could not make a connection; he also did not want the insult to stick to him.

Other men came and asked for their morning soup.  It was again the same crude tone as with the others.  One, however, stared at him with dark and unfriendly eyes.  After a while he got up, went over to Jacob and said: “What are you doing here in Rakka, are you the one sent by the temple for robbery?”

Jacob: “On the contrary, I am here on a mission on behalf of the crucified and risen One.  I am not obliged to answer to anyone but my Lord and Master.”

The enquirer said: “If you are speaking the truth, then forgive my unfriendly manner.  I could slap every Jew I meet in the face, for they delivered their fellow tribesman, who was of a different kind.  I have heard so much about the Saviour and miracle worker, He fascinates me.  What does the miserable Jewish rabble do, they deliver Him up for the cross, so that no-one can continue to receive His performed benefits anymore.  I just can not understand that He put up with all this because He should also have been in possession of great power and wisdom."

Jacob: “You have heard correctly, that is how it all was.  That He died on the cross, was predetermined.  You will not understand it so readily, for even to us, His disciples, it was incomprehensible, until He resurrected Himself and changed our perspective.  His death on the cross was for the salvation of all people.  To proclaim this salvation, is my and other disciples' mission.”

“It sounds very mysterious, almost unbelievable," the man replied, "if it had not been right, He would have used His power and might and killed His enemies. His enemies have remained, yes, they even have become more - the consequences of His omission must be borne by His followers, and you will not be spared. I have seen enough, I could slay every Jew who brings his fellow tribesmen into the greatest misery because of the miracle-worker.”

Jacob: "Obeth, I could tell you more, but it would not do you any good. But rest assured, the Lord and Master Jesus is fully informed of everything.  He knows about everything, not even the smallest or most insignificant [thing] evades Him.  Our suffering is also His suffering.  That is why I am silent and aware that if it were not for the sake of salvation, it would not be allowed."

Obeth: "Why is it that you know my name, but we've just seen each other for a few minutes?"

Jacob: "I know even more, I even know that your mother was a Jew and spoke a lot about the coming Messiah, but your father called this blind enthusiasm."

Obeth: "Man, you are becoming mysterious, no-one in this environment knows about this. My parents are dead, for me it's old stories."

Jacob: "It may be, Obeth, the yearning of the mother lays within you, for there was a time when you placed great hope on the miracle-man Jesus".

Obeth: “It is useless to deny it, but what was the use of His death?  What a living person can not accomplish, a dead one can also not finish.”

Jacob: “Again a misconception on your side, for Jesus' death prepared the way to life.  You said that what the living cannot accomplish, the dead also cannot finish.  Are you even able to get an idea of Jesus' power, strength and glory?  You can not do it, because you do not keep account of Jesus' love.  It is simply incomprehensible to you to be in possession of power and to fail at the decisive moment.  Oh, my friend, others expected that, and why?  That the work of redemption would be accomplished.  In His death, all His enemies were conquered; through His resurrection, He gained victory over all death.  That is why everyone who believes in Him, shall live, even if he dies.”

Obeth: “But now you have missed it again.  Making your master's life interesting, and at the end you turn everything on it's head.  One shall live even though you die, this is a complete contradiction.  You are just as passionate as my mother.”

Jacob: “Obeth, rather being passionate for life, than a cold man of reason, opposing life, just because it still needs to be revealed.  A passionate person always has doors to open in life, while an intellectual man slams them shut.  But let me tell you, for the followers of Jesus, passion is an abomination – to them, life is holy seriousness.  Life needs to be sought after and taken hold of, sometimes it means the greatest dedication and firm will.  The way you live, is not life, just a vegetative worldly spirit.  The world-spirit is judged, and the consequence is death.  But life is to be free out of the spirit of charity, with resultant never-ending bliss.”

At Amalie and Amelia

The girl came to speak with Jacob: “I am allowed to go to my mother for one or two hours, the housemother has allowed me. If you want, come with me."

Jacob: “I'll come with you, Amelia; and you, Obeth, this excursion will be a great blessing for you.”

Obeth: “Just have patience for a few minutes, I just need to give some instructions to my people.  But one thing I also tell you – if I am not satisfied, I will make fire with you.”

When the three entered at Amelia's mother after a walk of five minutes, Arius the priest just arrived, greeting the three very amicably.  It did not suit him to see strangers with Amelia.

Then Amelia said: “Mother, I brought a friend to you, he is sure to bring you the longed-for help.”

Amalie: “O Amelia, you good child, I have given up hope.  I could have screamed of pain the whole night long and sleep fled from my eyes and my bed.  How caring is the good Arius, to be also concerned about my pain.”

Arius: “Oh dear Amalie, do not talk so much.  The gods should not be grieved, nor should something be wrested from them.  It is your fate to suffer.”

Jacob spoke with Amalie: “I gave your daughter hope that you could get well, if you only wanted, That's why I'm asking you here"

Arius: “Then I am curious how you will begin this, for these crippled limbs can not possibly be straight again.”

Jacob: “Why not, dear friend?  Are your gods not capable of giving someone the straight limbs back, which they have taken from him?  What is your gods, anyway – as their representative and priest you ought to know?”

Arius: “Who and what are you, what kind of tone do you allow yourself as a stranger with me, a priest?  With what right do you even ask?”

Jacob: “With the right of humaneness, wanting to give every person the best possible.  You are assuming a negative stance, seeing an enemy in me, which is not the case.  I am not well disposed towards your wrongful concept of God and the way you serve and am able to open your eyes about your gods who are completely dead and only serve as a means to hold people down, even more, to bind them.  But I have come to proclaim the message of the true and living God and Lord,  Who wants all people to be freed from all servitude, and gain a free and eternal life.”

Arius: “Aah, you are a Jew, one of those who claim to be the chosen one of your Jehovahh, who you hold to be God, and exploit people through that in their greed and avarice. Ask Amalie if I have ever claimed the least stater for my service."

Jacob: “Here and now it is not about what we humans do or have done, but about the true and living God, of whom I proclaim that He wants to make people completely happy, now and for all of eternity, while your gods seem to be concerned only with their own welfare.”

Arius: “I dare not give an answer, because your words are pure blasphemy"

Jacob: “Friend, you want to get rid of me, that is why I will not be able to get through to you.  I've been requested by the daughter of this house to bring help to the mother.  Therefore I ask you not to disturb me so that the evil does not come upon you.  But you, Mother Amalie, I ask: Could you believe in an eternal and living God?"

Amalie: “Why not, dear friend of people – if this God is love and goodness?  I've always longed for something to make me happy and contented, but it remained a longing.  See my crippled hands and feet.  I have to wait for hours for good people to come and ease my fate, and with them belongs above all, Arius!  I have never heard anyone asking me if I could believe in an eternal and living God.  See, in the corner is my little house-god.  His eyes follow my every step and tread.  Yes, it seems to me as if he often watched me in anger.”

Jacob: “Amalie, your answer satisfies me.  But to free you from your error, and to free the way to the true God for you, I will give your household god another place, until you are ready to freely destroy him completely.”

Jacob took the little image,  wrapped it in a cloth which laid there, and put the little bundle under her couch.  Arius wanted to protest, but Obeth said: “Let the man act freely, I am eager to see what will become.”

Jacob: “Amalie, listen: the true God knows your yearning.  He wants to help you through me.  He has only one condition, and that is that you should firmly believe that it is not I, but Him, who can help you, and that you should give Him alone the honour.”

Amalie: “Nothing else?  This would be the highest love.  Yes, your words sound so promising; yes, I feel – yes, I believe that God will help me.”

Jacob: “Dear Amalie, according to the words of your mouth, we shall proceed to the blessed work.  You, glorious Master, You, my Jesus, my God and Father, fill me completely with Your power and with Your Spirit.”

Jacob laid both his hands on Amalie's head and prayed: “My Jesus, Your love in me urges me to help this child of Yours.  Permeate me with Your power and glorify Yourself in this child.  Amen.  But you, Amalie, let it be done according to your faith.  Get up and be henceforth a servant of love, which are now so gloriously revealed to you.  Jesus be with you.  Amen.”

A lightning bolt – seen by Arius and Obeth – went through Amalie.  Amalie cried out and looked down to her hands, then at her feet, which were all straight.  She stood up, stretched and straightened herself and said with a burst of tears: “I am healed, Oh You true God gave me my health again.  What shall I do to thank you for this gift?”

Jacob: “Nothing other than that you should believe in the eternal God and His from Himself-born Son Jesus Christ, to consider all gods as non-existing, and to bring about with the greatest of zeal, His teaching, which is: love God above all and your neighbour as yourself.”

Arius was done for.  He looked at Amalie's hands and feet and said: “Oh friend, what an abyss is opening up for me, what have I done, how can I reconcile myself with your God?"

Jacob: "Arius, throw all your gods into the fire and if you take hold of God with all your heart, the Lord and His Son Jesus, then you will be able to be happy, now and always."

Amalie was ecstatic.  Rejoicing and weeping, she called out: “This joy, this happiness, everybody should experience this”, and she quickly ran out of the house.  A few minutes later, the neighbours came, saw the miracle and wanted to know who did it.  It was Arius who made himself the speaker and gave the honour to the true God.

Among the curious was an old, elderly mother. It was hard to talk to her, for she had two leprous grandchildren who were still isolated with others far out of the city.  This miracle was a message from another world to her.  She considered the miracle greater than the God who accomplished it.  Again, it was Arius who persuaded the old mother to believe that healing was not a miracle, but an expression of the great love of God that they are experiencing today.  There was a smile on her old wrinkled face. From her toothless mouth, the words bubbled: "If this God has such love, then the others should also experience this love."

Wurka

She left the house without saying a word. But the others said, "What happened to old Wurka, she has not talked so coherently in her life yet."

Jacob says: "Yes, dear people, do not be surprised, she will bring all the lepers to be healed."

The others then rushed out in fright, for they were afraid of this terrible disease.  Only a few remained.  Jacob said to them: “Why did you not go with the fearful, for you also were driven by your curiosity into Amalie's house.”

They said: “It is no more curiosity, but a longing to also get to know this God.”

Jacob: "Then stay, you all will then behold the glory of God and experience His great love."

More and more came, and fear and horror seized them when they heard that old Wurka was bringing the lepers.

Then said Jacob: "Dear people, do not be afraid of things that will serve you all for eternal salvation. Look at your Amalie, she is healthy through the power and love of the true and living God, who was previously unknown to you. You have heard of the Savior and miracle-man Jesus of the Jewish land whose messenger I am. May I bring you the message of the Eternal God and His Son Jesus, which says, 'I live and all who believe in Me will live'. Do not think: we are alive, what is this message for us?  Oh dear people, a life out of God is a different life, because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, redeemed us from death and judgment, and atoned for all the curses that were upon the human race."

Arius: “Dear man, what kind of curse is it which is resting upon all people, what is this death and judgement, all human beings do have to die.”

Jacob: “Arius – what do all of you know about life … nothing.  Every pulse beat indeed witnesses about life, but a life which can be extinguished at any moment, since it is judged.  Such a life is the curse upon the human race, being subject to the flesh, and all spiritual life has to be hard fought for.  Therefore the whole human race needs a Redeemer, lest it falls into eternal death.  In Jesus, the Son of man and God, the Saviour has risen - and the way and the door to eternal life has become available for all human beings who are of good will.”

Arius. “But friend, you paint the human race as if it stands on the verge of the abyss.  What will become of those already resting in the grave and those who have not been reached by your message?”

Jacob: “Do not trouble yourself.  God is Love and the Redeemer and Saviour has found a way also to those who have left earthly life.  His love and wisdom find ways and means to let also those come into contact with the message.”

Arius: “Friend, one more important question which weighs heavily on me.  Who can guarantee me – if I should believe in God and His Son – that I would also truly receive the eternal life.  Until now, everybody has died and no-one could prove or reveal his life.”

Jacob: “Arius – and all of you – listen: Jesus Christ is the guarantee for your eternal life and existence; even though He was a human, He fulfilled the law to the letter and allowed Himself to be persecuted, despised and at the end, nailed to the cross and sacrificed His life for the sake of the truth of His teaching.  But His spirit united with the Spirit of God in Him and overcame death, and after three days, He stood among us in His immortal body and brought the word: 'I live, and those who believe in Me and live according to My teaching, shall also live.'  See, the same lives in everybody who believes in Him and His Spirit, His love, His power and glory, and everything is possible to him who truly believes and is connected with Him in Spirit.”

Obeth: “Dear friend of the people, I understood not only you, but also your God and the Saviour and Redeemer Jesus.  I do not wish to object, and there are some things in my life I would want to undo.  But humanity and the whole world looks completely different.  What am I to do to obtain eternal life?”

Jacob: “Believe in Jesus the Living, then His Spirit shall come to life in you.  And do not stifle this Spirit, for it leads you towards the eternal God.”

Amelia came, greatly excited, saying: “Half of the city knows about the wonder, you will have to put up with many questions, you noble friend of the people!”

Jacob: “Amelia, what will the whole city say when the eternal God will heal all your lepers who the old Wurka is bringing, for she is already on her way here.”

Amelia: “The old Wurka, who could barely say ten words?  Oh You, unknown God, do not let Yourself be sought after for so long, do not hide Yourself behind your priest, that we can give you the due thanks.”

Jacob: “Amelia, would you – in true faith – bring a sacrifice to this unknown God and do Him a service which would be unto the salvation of your sick and leprous brothers and sisters?”

Amelia: “I would do without questioning whatever your God – who shall also be mine – would ask of me.”

Jacob: “Fill then a bucket with clean water; and with a clean cloth, wash down every single one of the sick.  Do this in the Name of the Lord and eternal God, then you shall see His glory.”

Amelia: “Yes, I will do that.  It is enough for me to know that your God is also my God.”

She quickly filled a bucket with clean water from the well and her mother gave her a cloth.  Then Wurka came with a large number of lepers, old and young.  They waited in front of the house on Wurka's command.  Curious people followed the sick from a distance, but Wurka took no notice.  “Come, the Saviour is there”, was her words.  Presently all homes were empty – all hurried out into the street, Jacob and Amalie being the last ones.

Jacob said: “Wurka, are you convinced that the true and holy God will not let you down, since you hurried out from here without asking?”

Wurka: “If the true God is Love, as I have experienced with Amalie, then I shall not be disappointed, for Love wants to help everybody.”

Jacob: “Based on your faith I tell you, faithful Wurka, that the holy God and Father of all children of man have found you worthy to be a servant of the holy and redeeming love – it shall be according to your faith.  But you sick and suffering, allow yourselves to be told that your time of suffering is over, if you want to believe in the God who is the Love and the eternal life.  If you cannot believe that, you may return in peace.  If you can believe, sit down on the ground, that Amelia can wash you with the water which I shall bless in the name of the Lord.  Are you ready, Amelia?”

“Yes, my Lord and God!”, Amelia called out with a loud voice.

Then Jacob knelt down and prayed: “Oh Lord and Master, Your love has orchestrated it that many sick should seek help from You – You Who are the power, might and glory.  Completely fill me with the flow of Your power and might and let the work of Your love succeed.  We thank you with childlike hearts and ask You: be among us and reveal Your love, might and glory. Amen.  Water, be blessed in the name of the Lord Jesus; be enlivened by the power of the Lord and eternal God and as such, fulfil the will of God to these sick ones.  You Amelia, the Lord bless you and your love!  Do in faith that which Love longs for.  Jesus be with you.”

Amelia was just about to dip the cloth into the water, when Wurka came and said: “Not so, Amelia – I shall draw water for you, for this deed needs double faith.”  A bowl was soon at hand.  Amelia washed the first three accompanied with prayer and supplication – Oh wonder!  The water removed the leprosy.  The three cheered, but Wurka said: “Children, give thanks and pray for all to be cleansed, that is the true God's will.”  Wurka brought water ten times and all got healed and kept kneeling on the ground.

Jacob said: “Brother Arius, do your duty as priest and servant of the living God. Amen.”

Arius inspected the healed and said: “You are cleansed by the grace of the Lord and God.  You may again go wherever you want to.  Do not forget to be grateful and remember this great grace; stay true to this true God.”

In shock, the crowd made way.  Nobody dared to utter a word about this all-powerful work of the unknown God.  But Wurka took both her grandsons by the hands, and said to Jacob: 'You, messenger of love and representative of your Deity, give us instructions on how we are to live.  What has happened to us here, can only be possible through a living God.”

Jacob said: “First thing, children, create peace within yourselves.  There are still many among you who are still attached to the dead gods, for the true God – who is also the creator of heaven and earth, will not accept this.  Tonight, I shall serve you as a brother and lead you into the Spirit who wants all happiness and life for you, and shall give you knowledge about the Son Jesus, who is the way to the Father for us all.  Purify your hearts from the false attachments and dead gods, so that Jesus – the Saviour – would find clean homes in your hearts.  But whoever can not leave his dead gods, go in peace.”

Wurka: “Your word, messenger of God, is like a light shining in the night, emanating joyful hope.  I wished I could still be young, to be a servant of the love.  But now I am content to die, having seen these poorest of the poor and outcasts from happiness, happy again.  Just let me live still long enough, you glorious and unknown God, until I can understand You fully and can thank You for the fulfilment of my longing.”

Jacob: “Wurka, stay with your worried children – your heart's door is open; but you others, do according to my words.”

The inn-hostess came to fetch Amelia, because the work was heaping up.  But Amalie said: “Leave Amelia here for today, for everything should cease in the face of this great, Godly wonder.  She will again pick up everything with double and faithful diligence.”

The inn-hostess: “Godly miracle is not having any work.  For me it would be a wonder if there would not be so much work anymore, I also long for rest.”

Jacob: “Look at Amalie's hands and feet, she has been resting until now.”

Amalie: “Ask Wurka, who went to bring all the lepers.  They are all cleansed.”

The inn-hostess: “Oh, so that is the reason for the gathering – Rakka has never seen anything like this.  But I still do not know what has happened.”

Wurka: “God came to us – the true, real and living God, of Whom no priest or man had told us anything yet.”

Inn-hostess: “Do we not already have enough gods?  But I do want to know a bit about this God.”

Jacob: “Not yet, duty binds you to your house.  Your husband is indignant because he cannot find you anywhere – but tomorrow you shall learn more.  But accustom yourself to the thought that the true God wants to also enter into your house.”

Inn-hostess: “Then I need to hasten, otherwise there will be strife in stead of the true God.”

Obeth also left Amalie's house.  But he first again thanked Jacob, saying: “I long for more of the living God, who wants to be everybody's Redeemer.  I only know that He exists, but could not yet find the true way to Him.”

Jacob: “Obeth, the old Wurka has shown everybody the way to Him.  Love is His true Being and love is His legacy, which He lays as an impulse in all – all people's hearts.  Therefore, love the Love and become it's servant – then you have not only found the eternal God, but you are then His servant and connected with Him.”

With Arius in the temple

That day, Amalie's home was the focal point of Rakka, and Jacob felt the pangs of holy love.  His heart was so overflowing, he had to hold [himself] back, for the people still had great fear for the dead gods.

By the evening, many, many people came and brought their wrapped, dead gods.  Those who did not yet have them, quickly went to get them, then Arius said: “To sacrifice our dead gods is no sacrifice, but an exchange of gifts, which the living and eternal God gives to all who have freed themselves from idolatry.”

It was impossible to accommodate the multitude in the house.

Then Arius said: “Let us go into our temple – and you, Jacob, consecrate it to our God who gave so much to us today.  Both the other priests are also on their way to Him who leads to the true life.”

Since night was falling quickly, some torches was brought with.  A procession as was never before seen in Rakka, moved to the city's temple.  The driving force was Wurka with the cleansed – half of whom had torches, illuminating the plain in front of the main temple, which was a hall with an altar and an idol statue.  On Wurka's command, all laid their idols on the altar.  Also Amalie brought and sacrificed her idol.

Arius stepped in front of the altar and said: “I stand here before you in another Spirit.  We have never before gathered here by night, but the things which happened, require great decisions.  Since Rakka has been given a great gift of grace by which the true God revealed Himself, we would also like to offer our gratitude to this true God.  I as your priest now lay down my dignity, since you have freed yourself from what was a mistake.  But for my last action, I ask for your love.  See, I will bury the dead gods – not only in your presence, but also in the presence of the living God, who came to meet us in Jacob.  So I will go to work.  You, the cleansed, bring everything laying on the altar, so that it is buried for our eyes and also for our hearts.

A grave was dug just a few paces from the hall, and the idols were carried there.  Arius himself shovelled them in the light of the torches, then he stepped in front of the congregation and said: “Jacob, the house has been cleansed, the way to God is levelled.  Reveal to us all what we need to accept the true God as our God.”

Jacob, filled with blissful delight, spoke: “Dear men, women and also children, I greet all of you in the name of the Eternal Love, Who is our God and Father!  I want to lead you into His Kingdom, which is eternal and lasting.

In the beginning was the Word, God was the Word and everything which was created, happened through it.  Thus great worlds, suns, stars and earths came into existence – all of which were populated – of which humans had no knowledge.  These creations were the beginning of the greatest work which still had to emerge – the human.  God created man in His image, filled with all that was in God.

God needed a mediator between Him and His creations.  Thus, the creation was for the sake of man, and man because of creation.  But man lost himself in all that was created, thereby losing the Creator and the powers latent in him.  For the Deity – Who created man with so much glory in the greatest of freedom – man's error was thwarting His plans, and man lost his position as mediator.  Some remained in possession of God's wisdom and revelations, but the enemy of life who understood this separation of men to God, accomplished even more by presenting himself as God and becoming the prince of this world!  All the gifts from God which man originally carried within himself, got more and more lost to him and he became doomed.

God then took pity on His misguided children and became human Himself.  Man like us, no better and no worse than us, He fulfilled all requirements necessary to achieve the perfection the first created people possessed, and became the Mediator between God and man.  That was Jesus of Nazareth.

Dear men and women, I – Jacob – was witness at His birth, lived in the same house He lived, and experienced Jesus' development process.  I tell you, no man has yet managed to achieve so much in thousands upon thousands of struggles with Himself and His own soul, until the enemy of life had no more power, no more influence on Him – and He could stand in as the Son of God in public office as the Mediator.

To give an example of His struggles, I will relate to you a few episodes:  in the house of Joseph – my father – Jesus lived with his mother.  Joseph's faith and reverence for God was unprecedented and Mary's devotion had no equal.

Some of my father's friends were Templars and my father was an old man.  They reproached him that Jesus did not have a better education in the temple.  Jesus – who was present – asked [them] what he then should still learn in the temple.  Then one of the priests answered: “My boy, you still have much to learn, especially reading and writing, and then you shall be dedicated to the temple, as your mother was dedicated.”

Jesus said: All these I have learned without the temple.  And I do not want to be there for the temple, but for the people, who are in need of a guide towards the true God, Who also are lost to the temple.”

This caused great upset among the priests, as well as with my father Joseph and Mary.  But Jesus said: “Why do you upset yourself because of Me?  Is the Spirit, wrestling with the ego, then the enemy of mankind?  You shatter the people with your laws, leaving them in confusion and ignorance.  Do not think that I would deviate from My set goal.  It is better to be misunderstood and despised by men, than to be unfaithful to God and His mission.”

The priest said: “Jesus, you have my goodwill, but do you not know that children should obey their parents?”

Jesus replied: “Obedience is good, but not in things which would magnify misfortune.  To serve God and man, I must separate Myself from the spirit of the world, which disconnects all hearts.”

What then followed, you can imagine yourselves, for from that time on, peace in the house was always in danger.

I would like to present another [situation].  In Joseph's house, prayer was a holy law.  Woe to the one who would withdraw from it – father's full anger would be unleashed on him.  What followed, you can imagine for yourselves.  Jesus left the house – because for Him, praying before the altar was compulsion, and was disagreeable.

At one time, the old father blew up towards Jesus about His unwillingness.  Jesus humbled himself and said: “Joseph, If I now, in the Spirit, which you want to destroy in Me, destroy this altar – the peace of your heart – how could I still pray with you here?  To whom would you pray, to whom should I pray?  See, you have great faith, but God is still unknown to you.  You know His word, His revelations, His laws – but it is impossible for you to understand Him, because you do not want to stray from the law with even one inch.  Behold, I shall teach you true prayer, when the Romans shall bring a criminal in an hour.”

Truly, an hour later, a troupe of Roman soldiers came on horseback, with a man bound to a horse, having to keep up with the horse's pace if he would not want to be dragged.  In order to create a deterring example, they hastened their pace, making it impossible for the prisoners to follow them.

What did Jesus do?  To everyone's horror, He went to stand in the middle of the road, forcing the troupe to stop, if they did not want to run Him over.  The troupe leader cursed, but Jesus grabbed the reins and spoke: 'You should thank Me, for you should not become your brother's murderer.  Your prisoner is not a wilful criminal, but due to circumstances, and [he] deserves mercy and grace, in order to become better and good again.'

The leader jumped off and roared: “What right do you have, you freak of a man?”

But Jesus said: “Only what one man should do to another.  And to prove to you that I am no freak as you have called Me, you shall not take a single bite or drop over your lips, and your tongue shall fail you in this time.”

This indeed happened and the troupe leader could not utter a sound.  The other troops became afraid that the same could happen to them.  After three days, the troupe leader came to speak to Jesus, but Jesus left the house.  What else had happened, will be experienced by later generations.  Jesus succeeded to unite Himself completely with God.

By the time He began teaching, no man knew what lived in Jesus.  But as the sick got healed,  the blind received sight and the deaf received hearing – yes even the dead was resurrected, our fellow tribesmen recognised the visitation of God, but not so the temple – they became Jesus' enemies.  This happened so that what was written, would be revealed:  Jesus died on the cross!  All the enemies rejoiced, but to the horror of them all, He again stood among us after three days, and brought the message of the victory of life over death.

My dear friends, we became happy and relieved!  All sorrow and worries were gone.  We experienced the greatest victory of all times, His Spirit of life was given to us.  In this Spirit, I now stand before you; in this Spirit I am now a mediator and servant of His love.  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the executive and the Finisher.  In this Spirit I bless you!  And your love consecrates this piece of earth for Him and for you, to the fulfilment of your yearnings and wishes.

You Arius, remain the priest.  Take up also in you the blessing of the Lord and Master Jesus and God, that His Spirit may witness in your spirit, in which you can serve all according to the love you carry in you.

You purified, rejoice in the grace which has been glorified through you!  The glorious and holy God who is the life – the eternal life – wants by His grace to give life to all who are of good will.

It is still night in you – kindle in yourselves the love of the holy love-fire, which I also reveal to you.  And build a cross to decorate your altar.  For from now on, no other sacrifice shall burn anymore, other than in your own hearts.  Sacrifice your self-love; sacrifice what opposes the spirit of love in you, then the light of His Spirit shall enlighten you and you will become children of God, and you, brothers and sisters for each other.

Unite with the love, the pure and the glorious.  No-one should be greater or lesser than the other; love and service should be your glorious task, then God, the Eternal and Holy, will have become your Father for time and eternity.  His peace fills you with rest,  His love becomes your life and His blessing, the blessing for your brothers.  Amen, Amen, Amen.”

Sabbath in Rakka

There were also strangers at this gathering, who only returned to the big inn at evening. The news of the healings spread quickly, heightening the curiosity.

Among the arrivals was a Roman merchant, who had heard much about Jesus on his extended journeys, but never validated it.  Today presented an opportunity to listen to one of Jesus' disciples, so he went to where the others rushed.  Jacob's speech was a disappointment to him – he hoped to experience some miracle.  Now this Jacob came inside later, ordering an evening meal as if he had not enjoyed anything the whole day.

The inn-hostess served him [Jacob] herself, in order to hear some more words from him.  But the Roman merchant occupied him and straightaway asked him whether he could affirm, everything he spoke and did, that it was also from the spirit.

Jacob: “Dear friend, if you have accepted my words tonight, as if they came from me, then my answer will not satisfy you, for whoever can not accept the Word as miracle or revelation from God, is difficult to talk to. You expected a miracle, because you were never interested in the teachings of the Lord and Master, but only His miracles."

The Roman: “You might be right, teaching and words need confirmation, but not works – this speak for itself and withstands all criticism.  I always prefer the real and the natural above the supernatural.  Your Master made fertile land out of a barren area.  That wonder withstands any criticism, and His enemies had to doubtlessly recognise it as a miracle.  Why should I care about a new doctrine, since I would never become a Jew.”

Jacob: “Dear Danilos, your speech tells me just how little you cared about Jesus of Nazareth.  It was not smart of you.  Other Romans sought acquaintance with Jesus and have gained thousandfold blessings from it.  You said you prefer the real and natural and reject the supernatural – the divine.  But I tell you now, Jesus was the most natural thing you could ever come to know.  His inner life was the Godhead.  Everything He learned and did, was out of the primordial Divinity.  God and wonder is the same, for without God, no miracle is possible.  Since God is also the most natural Being, miracles and revelations should also be natural.  It is of course not possible without wisdom and power, but these are inherent in the Deity.

The Roman said: “You called me by name, who revealed it to you?  Then I shall willingly accept your comments, but what does that have to do with Jesus?  You said His inner being was the Deity – but I now ask you, does the Deity then need a human to hide Himself in?  That seems to be unnatural to me that a deity – the Love – being wisdom and power, would impose Himself on a human and hide in him.  Is Jesus to be taken seriously under such circumstances – since the driving force is after all God.  How many Gods are there really?”

Jacob: “Dear friend, with such a way of thinking, you will not be able to reach the goal of your soul.  This evening should have given you more.  This is because you consider everything from a human perspective.  God and man are two – God the Creator, and man the created.  God is God and man is man.  God became man in order to bring man to the level of perfection, so that man can regain the divine love, wisdom and power which he has lost, when he would consolidate himself in the freedom bestowed on him by God.

Jesus did not do this out of compulsion, but out of the urge of His own spirit, which is of Divine origin.  Your inner spirit is also of Divine origin and resides inside your soul, which again resides in your fleshly body.  Your own spirit is directly out of God, but your soul has come forth as a creation.  Your own spirit moves in the greatest of freedom, but your soul is bound to laws.  Your spirit can take your soul with to the highest levels of perfection; that is, if you are of firm will.

But your spirit can also – if you so will – condemn you to the greatest indolence, and then your soul perishes in everything creaturely.  At the level of perfection, your soul unites with your spirit and becomes godly – that is, the eternal God can minister to your spirit.  But if your soul would become completely animalistic, then everything becomes animal-like and has been made as low as the elements.  Now you have a picture of the state of a human being.”

The Roman: “I begin to understand you.  But why did the Deity – since He created everything – allow man to fall, that it became an animal – yes, a devil?  I am not clear about this yet.”

Jacob: “Because God has made man to be free and wanted him to be as a lord over all things on our earth, for His joy; that man, having this inheritance from God, should transform everything created and transient, into perfection and the eternal.

But man failed.  Therefore God had to become human Himself, in order to save the creation, that it would not become the sacrifice for the enemies of this world and life.  In order to become human, He needed a vessel, and this was the human, Jesus.  He succeeded to bring His soul unto perfection and He could therefore fully unite His innate spirit with God, so that no distinction existed anymore between God and Jesus.

But now the man Jesus was still completely free.  Therefore, He worked out of the power of the Godhead which was concentrated in Him, and created a new life for all people, which outlasts death and is the crown of perfection.  That is why Jesus came back from death again, to prove to all: He lives and will live forever – and all who believe in Him and act according to His teaching, with Him.

The Roman: “Dear friend, now leave me alone, it is too much for today, I have to rethink everything again."

The two were so engrossed in their conversation, that they did not notice how many listened to their conversation and were completely satisfied, for all were submerged in a glow of bliss.  The morning was peaceful.  The strangers gave only the most necessary attention to their cattle and wagons.  It was Sabbath.  Some strangers had arrived the night before, wanting some rest, ignorant of what had happened in Rakka.

A Greek merchant went to the temple in the morning to sacrifice as he did every Sabbath, so as to not anger the gods.  He was surprised to find so many people in the temple, not being used to such a scene.  He brought his sacrifice – several pounds of silver – but the priest did not accept it, but said: “Dear friend, we have made the unknown God our God, since we have experienced that the former unknown God is life upon life – the other gods are merely illusions and completely dead.”

The Greek said: “What do you mean?  Do you want to bring the whole country in distress and grief?  How can you so grieve the gods?”

Arius: “On the contrary, dear friend, the end of all misery has now begun.  There, look at the small crowd.  Only yesterday they were still lepers and today they are honouring the true God.”

The Greek: “But wait – hell is loose in the whole of Judea because of this Jesus who they crucified, who came to life again and people reckon him to be God.  What I have experienced there, was horrible.  The old priests claim to serve God, and persecute those who believe that Jesus is God and that He lives.  But Jesus does not notice anything, for all the persecuted become victims of their faith and are miserably ruined.”

Arius: “Dear friend, what you have experienced, can indeed be true, and I cannot help you against that.  But it is also true that these 30 had been healed yesterday, and a woman who was heavily smitten with gout, was given full healing again in the name of the Lord Jesus, through the disciple of the Lord.”

The Greek: “Let me talk with the 30, that I can question them.  I have heard many stories of the miracles of Jesus, but His death is an undeniable fact.”

Arius: “There is no need to interrogate others, for there comes the disciple of the Lord Jesus and many others with him.”

*

And so it was.  Jacob have just finished his morning prayer, when Danilos also entered.  He sat down with Jacob in silence and took his morning meal in silence.  Jacob allowed him his silence, for he felt that he was still fermenting.  The guest room filled up over time, but things did not become loud, because all looked at Jacob and awaited a word from him.

Jacob said: “Dear friends, do take your soup.  Since today is Sabbath, we can go to the newly dedicated temple, where many more shall go and bring more sick people.  But only those who want to and care about the salvation of his soul.”

Thus the people of Rakka experienced the move of a crowd of people from the inn, over to the temple, talking quietly.  They also met others, even with carriages, carrying bedridden sick people.  The temple square filled up quickly, as Jacob also came with Danilos.

Arius went over to Jacob and said: “Brother, you were expected.  Here is a friend who has experienced much of what is happening in your homeland.  Do you accept the service of love?”

Jacob: “Arius, you are today the priest as always.  Allow yourself to be completely permeated by the spirit of service, then all will be good.  If the spirit urges you, I shall support you.”

Arius greeted the visitors, and again described the experienced love and grace of yesterday, which was given over and over, when faith and trust in the eternal God becomes increasingly alive.  Therefore, the messenger of the true God shall describe it to us even more, that no-one should any more regret that he has left the dead gods.

Here Jacob stepped up and said with a loud voice: “Brothers and Sisters, an unspeakable joy lives in me, that I detect a yearning in you, to fully serve the true and living  God.  As you left your dead gods behind, you should also leave behind the life you were accustomed to, as you have lived up until now.  You lived only for yourselves, others had to fend for themselves.  Your priest had to collect sacrifices in order to be able to fulfill his duties.  This situation deprived you of freedom.  You have now came to know the true God and Lord.  I, as His messenger would like to acquaint you even more with His will, which needs only a few words.  He said: “Love as you want to be loved!  This love should not be a law.  Who lives in this love, is in God and God lives in him.  Each one should look out for the other, and no-one is greater than the other.  Live in this spirit of love, then blessings will become visible and all need and sufferings will be a rare guest with you.  Bring therefore now your sick, that all hearts should be overflowing with joy, and God – the living and eternally true One - can fully reveal Himself.”

Seriously ill ones, some blind and a cripple, was brought before the altar on which a simple wooden cross stood.  Several lamps stood on it.  Jacob asked for the lamps to be lit, since it was Sabbath and this day should always be especially consecrated and restful.  The lamps were lit quickly.  It was an extraordinary image for the people of Rakka: a rough cross and seven burning lamps in broad daylight.

Jacob: “I serve you in the name of God and His Son Jesus Christ.  Especially you who seek redemption from your sufferings.  Your hope should not be dashed.  But you should be able to believe that it is not I, but the true God and Lord – the Father of all children of man – Who gives you your life and health.  I bless you by His command, I serve you in His love and His Spirit fills you, as I am filled!”

Jacob touched everyone with his hands, his eyes glowed, the stream of power flowed through him, until the very last one has been touched.  Then he said: “Get up from your places and thank the Lord in your hearts for the grace, and glorify the great love of God by serving one another.”

All got up.  That broke the silence of the big crowd.  All wanted to see the sick who was now healed.

But Jacob said: “Not so, my beloveds, let not your gratitude be a frenzy.  It is the nature of the Lord to see your joy.  Get acquainted with His Fatherly and Saviour's Spirit, then you shall be true brothers and sisters.  One's joy should be the other's joy.  But one's suffering should also be the other's suffering.  Then the true heaven has come to you and you will have joy like you have never known.

This is enough for today.  Return now to your abodes, the Sabbath is not celebrated in the temple, but in your hearts and deeds and it should not be sacrifices, prayers and abnegations, but joy upon renewed joy to serve others.  But since your hearts thirst after a word of mercy and love, the Lord says the following to you: “Finally the hour has come for Me and for you, where we can enter into the proper interaction.  I always had to watch your wrestling, doings and works from afar.  But despite your work, you have been bound by a false spirit.  But now the hour of liberation has arrived.  I want to turn the night into day Myself, and you can seek and recognise Me in the light.  I will never leave nor forsake you, as long as you believe in Me and make use of My love, mercy and compassion.  My love is also yours, My blessing the visible sign and My Spirit, the Giver of life in you for others.  Let go of what is low and put on the new man, as I lived in Jesus.  So, go in peace, My blessing and My peace be with you all.  Amen.”

The jubilation was short, but happy.  All wanted to thank Jacob, but he replied: “Love”, was his word, “is the best thank you!”

The old Wurka watched everything with joy, it looked as if she was given new life.  Then she said: “Ah, just to be young again and live this love!”

At the old Wurka

Danilos and Barabeaus knew each other.  They greeted each other, but the wonder was too obvious.  Danilos said: “Here, all voices must be silent.  I feel dizzy because of all I have seen and heard!”

Barabaeus: “But friend, am I at fault when thinking about the persecuted, where is God?  I saw with my own eyes the prisoners caught by the temple.  His teaching moved me, but where is your God – your Jesus?  What I have experienced today, can impossibly be a human craft, but only a true God can do this.  It would be good to keep silent about our suspicion and get clarification from the messenger.”

Jacob still tarried for a long while with Arius and the healed ones, then Jacob thought about leaving.  The old Wurka asked him if he would – if only for a few minutes – come into her house again.  Her joy was so great, she could not put it to words – but her yearning for God was much, much greater, and she saw Him in God's representative.

Since Danilos and Barabaeus were also with those who stayed behind, they asked if they too could accompany the old mother, which was gladly granted them.  Oh, how poor was the little hut, yet neat and clean.  Wurka was overjoyed to see Jacob in her home.  She succeeded to bring into her home all who were healed today, who would now have joyfully done something to please Jacob.  But she was poor – so poor, that she did not possess anything but what she wore on her body, and even that was scanty.  Never before was so many people together in Wurka's hut.  Then also Amalie and Amelia came, who learned that Jacob came to Wurka.

Wurka had a bread, some meat and a cup of wine for Jacob, given by the innkeeper.  She wanted to do the best she could, because she wanted to bring the Lord a sacrifice of her love.

When the many was crammed into her hut, they sat on the floor, for she had only seats for Jacob, Danilos and Barabaeus, she began crying and said: “See, dear messenger of God, I have prepared a small meal for you.  But now I feel my poverty more than ever before, for also the others are hungry, but I have nothing, absolutely nothing.  Behold, Love gave this small gift, and now it causes me sorrow.”

Then Jacob said: “Wurka, do not cry – your tears are the expression of your great love, and is  especially rewarded by the eternal God.  You did not want to please me, but the Lord.  But since the Lord is so gloriously at home at every poor home, do begin to exert the right faith and trust, then all will be happy and satisfied.  Where the Lord sees someone giving the last [he has], do you think that He – as the greatest and holiest Love – watches idly?  Ask Him in His Spirit for blessing, then His love will be revealed even more clearly!”

Wurka: “Oh friend, I believe it and I thank You, You great, great God, and ask You for Your blessing and Your presence.”

Wurka took the bread and meat, first offering Jacob some, and then the others. But it did not become less, yes there was even some left.  Then she took the small jug and let all drink.  Also here she saw that it did not become emptier.  Thus, all were satiated.  Wurka then gave thanks on her knees and said: “Lord, now all my longing has been satisfied, You are present among us, even though my eyes do not see You, I do feel Your nearness.  Let me remain here on earth for still a while,  I want to make up for a missed life, for I only yesterday learned what love is and what love unto others means.”

Then the Lord stood among them in white raiment, blessing them with His hand and said: “Wurka, your love urged Me to visibly bless you and those you have here with you.  See My hands – you should always see them with your spiritual eyes, always giving love and blessings.  I allowed them to be pierced by the enemy for your sake.  I gave My life for you, so that all – all – can have part in the victory, which I have fought for your sake.  Even though so many things in your lives might seem incomprehensible to you, the way to eternal life has been levelled.  All doors have been opened, the eternal home I have created for you, awaits you.  What does all glories mean without My children.  Heaven is filled with the most beautiful angels;  the glory of one exceeds that of the other, but My eyes are searching for the child for whom I have fought the fight unto death, and My children are the stewards of My heaven, since they are the bearers of My Spirit.  Wurka, My child, your heart was trying to make Me happy, and you forgot to think about yourself when you were giving the gift of My love.  As a visible grace, take now this bread and the wine from My hands.  I want to share with you this lasting memory here and there in eternity.”

Then the Lord took the bread, ate and drank a few sips, then He spoke: “Now you eat too, Wurka.  Behold, all of heaven is witness of these glorious minutes.  For your sake, I took up My omnipotence, while I want to say through this act what My mouth has to conceal.  Stay true to Me in this love, and I shall also stay true to you.  Wurka, receive the gift of sight and healing.  Do not let false illusions deceive you, for I alone am the eternal Being.  Your word is like Mine, but it should first be born in you, from My love.  Free your heart from deceptive delusion, then I can live in you as Love, Truth, Power and Life!

You, Barabaeus, do not doubt any more, for My thoughts are different and My guidance proves that I and I alone am the Life for ever.  My blessings and My peace be with you.  Amen.”

The Lord disappeared, but the reflection of joy laid on all faces.  Then Jacob spoke: “Wherever the Lord reveals Himself so powerfully, our mouths should actually be silent, hence we should serve each other more in the spirit.”

Barabaeus said: “Jacob, would you relate to me and the others some more about Jesus, since it means the greatest mercy to us that He, as Jesus, have sacrificed His life for us and all people.  In His greatness and glory, we have experienced Him today.  To prove this is easy after this miracle and the manifestation of His power, might and love.  It would be most fortunate for me to learn something about the humility of His humanity, about His work and His struggles, since I want in no way to return to the old gods.  I was used to bringing a sacrifice every Sabbath.  The true God does not require any sacrifice, but that one should make others happy.  Therefore I give you, dear Wurka, even still today,  ten pounds of silver and one pound of gold, at your free disposal for the poor.”

Jacob: “I feel urged to thank you for this gift, dear Barabaeus.  And I can readily tell you that the Master Jesus' greatest desire was to make people's hearts glad and happy – which was not difficult for Him, since all His power was at His disposal.  But do not think that it was no feat to become a servant, but follow me into the time when He struggled as a human for this unification to be completely one with God, the Eternal One.  You know that we Jews have strict laws, and have to make great sacrifices for our faith – and the priests did the rest.  To us, the priests were the representatives of God.

My father was one of the strictest and most faithful.  In that time, Jesus was born from His mother Mary, who still lives.  I will be silent about the mystery of His birth and the natural processes, for these were not the greatest.

The boy Jesus was a noticeable child and His mouth spoke of many holy things.  He gradually developed His own will against which we proved to be powerless, for it was founded on the greatest of wisdom.  I as His brother, experienced more than the others – was witness of many events of which nobody had any idea up till today.  But my mouth had to be silent.

Jesus spent much time with elderly and wise men.  Not to learn from them, but to reveal things to them that were still unknown.  My parents suffered very much under the development of the youthful Jesus.  Joseph especially feared the transgression of the customs and laws prescribed by the temple.  Jesus could not be moved to enter into the synagogue.  He would say: “I do not want to be a judge prematurely”, or: “Father Joseph, if you love the peace of this house, allow Me My freedom, as I allow you your freedom.”

The priests, who liked to associate with Joseph because he was a sincere and honest person, looked at Jesus with contempt.  One pre-Sabbath, a high priest and some other priests who lived in Nazareth, came to put Jesus in His place.  Jesus – who could be silent for days – was summoned to the guest room by Mary, His mother, to reason with the high priest.

“I shall only do it if you do not want to annoy me”, was His answer.

Then Mary said: “But Jesus, they only mean the best for You, the high priest make a good impression.”

Jesus answered: “Mother, why do you also allow yourself to be influenced by the external?  Do you not know that one should not reveal great things prematurely.  When are you going to have the right wisdom?  But to not offend you, I want to do you the favour.”

When Jesus entered with Mary, Jesus tilted His head, looking at the high priest with lucid eyes.  Then the latter spoke: “Jesus, I came to ask you, for how long you still want to be a rebel against Jehovah Zebaoth?  His servants do not exist for you, you are indifferent towards Moses and the prophets.  If you continue like this, you'll have to be expelled from the congregation of believers!”

Jesus: “ Simon, had you truly come into Joseph's house in order to guide Me out of My apparent error into the real truth, I would humbly reveal to you the foundation of My life and aspiration.  But since you came here with a lie in your heart, you will get no other answer than: Leave this house which Joseph have made a house of the Lord, and know: You fear that I might become inconvenient for you!  Your life is in conflict with Moses and the prophets.  Your laws and instructions bind the people and make them willing towards your goals, which consist of your well-being.”

Totally infuriated, the high priest said: “Joseph, what you failed to do with this offshoot of Beelzebub, you will have to answer for before the high council.  My priestly dignity prevents me to keep talking with this one!”

Jesus said: “Take this accusation against Joseph back.  You can insult Me, I forgive you, for you do not know Me.  But Joseph, whom you know for many years to be one of the most faithful of people, you all of a sudden want to see doomed.  To give you time to recognize your blindness, your eyesight shall be removed until you are willing to disturb no one's - no matter who it may be - peace of heart and peace of house.  Do not try to change My mind.  I'm going back to work, I dread listening to your lamentation.”

With these words, Jesus left the house.  You can very well imagine for yourselves what was happening in the house.  This Simon really became blind, came after 4 weeks – led by the local priest – to Joseph and Mary and humbly asked for forgiveness.

At that moment, Jesus entered through the door and said: “Simon, the Lord and eternal God does not want the sinners' death, but that they would repent and live according to God's will.  Are you willing to be a just servant of Jehovah, be then seeing and stay true to God, that nothing worse would happen to you.”

With these words, Jesus left the guest room and Simon could see.  “I can see again”, he then said, “Joseph, you old friend and brother in the Lord, how can I thank your son Jesus for this benevolence?”

Joseph: “Do not talk about it.  Be mindful of Jesus' words and be my guest for a few days.  Do not take offense at Jesus, His life, His wrestling and struggle is a riddle to all of us, completely incomprehensible, but His love and conduct is exemplary.  We have wrestled and fought, it is useless.  His will is unwavering and His rest is our peace.”

The high priest remained our guest for a full week, and Jesus stayed away from our parents' home.  The high priest longed to speak with Jesus, but I [Jacob] heard the voice [of Jesus] in me: ‘it is not yet time.  For as long as Simon resided in the house, I can not return, for his [Simon’s] welfare's sake’.  Simon then left my father's house.

Two hours later, Jesus also returned, showing visible signs of suffering.  We were used to not press Him with questions.  Then Jesus came to me and said: ‘Jacob, the struggle is becoming more intense – can you not come with Me for a while?’

I answered: ‘Jesus, You know that I love you, but I cannot approve of your absence.  Simon longed to talk with you.  Instead of winning him, You have lost him.’

Then Jesus spoke these meaningful words: ‘Jacob, if this is your opinion, I can say nothing against it.  But it hurts, for also you stand like a stranger to Me.’

These words unleashed a storm in me.  But I still could not yet understand Him.

At some time, a cousin with their 15 year old daughter Mary – a joyful child - visited us.  This flower understood Jesus from the first hour.  It was no wonder therefore, that Jesus had spent much time alone with her.  When Sabbath came, we all went to the synagogue according to habit.  What did Jesus do?  At dawn in the morning, He left the house with the young Mary and both came back home only at dusk.

That angered Joseph and he said: ‘Jesus, you wayward son of your mother Mary, what scandal you bring over my house.  Do you not know that you too owe us respect?  How much did I have to bear for your sake, but what is too much, is too much.  You will always puzzle me.  If you have to celebrate the Sabbath in your own way, at least do not deprive others from serving their God and Lord.

Jesus said with a sad mien: ‘Father Joseph, this reproach will cost you much, for you know My goal.  If you had overcome yourself - of excessive justice – by the spirit of love, you would have joy like never before in your life, for on this day, I have made great progress.’

He turned to Mary: ‘Mary, do not weep.  When I will be able to begin with My great work, you shall come to understand your ministry to Me, yourself and the people.’

Then Jesus went to His room.

In the following days, He was even more silent.  The mother Mary took the weeping girl to her breast.  Then she asked: ‘Where were you and what have you done the whole Sabbath.’

The young Mary said: ‘O Mother, we have walked a long way, then we arrived at a high mountain, where we stayed.  During this time, Jesus asked me to be silent and not disturb Him in His work.  He wanted to see through me and Himself.  I did as He wanted.  At first it began to feel boring, but then I began to dream, in which I saw the most beautiful and glorious things, which I can not describe.  I saw beautiful cities, beautiful people, beautiful lands, heard glorious songs and was fed wonderful foods.  When Jesus woke me from my dream, I became aware by the stance of the sun, that several hours must have passed.

Then He said: “Come, girl, we need to go home – we should not cause your mother concern.  Thank you for your service, for now I know that the human body is a temple, a sanctuary, which man has to prepare for God.’

But we still did not understand the struggling Jesus, until He finally could convince the parents’ home of the mission waiting for Him.  With this, I want to finish with the struggles of Jesus and want to witness of His love-power, which you all have so gloriously experienced.  His death became our life, for with His death, He paid off the guilt that weighed down on mankind.  His life is the sanction for all people, and his Spirit the seal that we are His and will be His forever!”

Barabaeus: “Jacob, with these simple words, you have revealed much for me.  This is enough for my whole life.  I gladly recognize Jesus as the true and loving God, whom I was allowed to see – and I pray, oh Lord, allow me to know and understand You even more.”

At Annuschka

Barabaeus invited Jacob onto his wagon, and took him for a few days' journey.  Then Jacob came again in more residential areas, where he was given much joy by the grace of the Lord.  Only three days' journey was between him and his destination.  He searched for an inn in a poor town, but he could unfortunately find nothing.  A young woman came along, with a small child on her arm.  He asked her where one could find a resting place for the night.

The young woman said: “I've been waiting for you the whole day.  My mother saw you coming in a dream.  You are the man who would be of great blessing to us all, so come along and follow me.”

But Jacob answered: “But what if I am not the awaited one?”

The young woman: “You are him, my mother's description of you fits.  I also feel that it can only be you, that is why I bade you welcome.  Our house is unfortunately a house of sorrows, but you are bringing salvation to us all.”

When Jacob entered the very poor guest room, he was in a solemn mood, for here, the Lord had told him that he was expected.  He greeted the woman lying on a couch with a thankful heart, and said: “I already received your welcome through your daughter.  Prepare yourself to receive the blessing of my Lord and God.  The peace of the Lord and eternal God be with you and your whole house, His holy Spirit penetrates you and illuminates your inner being.  While you have believed your eyes, says the Lord: Get up and walk, henceforth you shall not be powerless with weakness, the Lord has chosen you to be a witness of His power and love.”

The elderly mother got up.  Still unaccustomed to standing, she offered Jacob her hand and said: “Oh you, whom I am not worthy to look at, how shall I greet and receive you?  Here is our little home, consider it yours.  How can I thank you because I can stand again?”

Jacob: “In the name of Jesus, who's servant and messenger I am, I tell you: Just do not have false hopes and give thanks for today until you have known the true God and His will.  Your need has ended now, I am here [because of] your longing to get to know the Saviour of all.  I am Jacob, an apostle of the Lord and Saviour Jesus and a servant of His love.”

The Mother: “Oh Jacob, how great and good your Lord must be, that He would send people to those who have longed for Him for a long time.  Oh, miracle of the love which I now have experienced myself, You are worthy that all should experience what love is.”

Jacob: “Rejoice with your heart, not about the miracle of the great love of God, but about Him who is the Lord and God Himself, Who is the eternal Love and will forever be, that you may know, that your longings and your hopes may be fulfilled.”

The daughter prepared a simple but strengthening evening meal.  Jacob felt safe and sound.  The two women were maybe for the first time perfectly happy.  Then Annuschka asked him if he would like to go to his room.  Jacob [answered]: “Annuschka, all tiredness has left now.  I see in you the longing for others who have the same longing as you, to be here.  Do according to the pull of your heart, then the joy will be even greater.”

The elderly woman then became very joyful and gave her daughter with quiet words an order, saying: “Jacob, I have sent Mirigia to some, to bring joy to those who are close to my heart.  They were so good to me in my suffering, they should share in our joy.”

Jacob: “It is right so, the Lord and Saviour has great joy in your love.  I therefore tell you, tomorrow this time – he whom you and Mirigia are mourning for as if he's dead – will come to live under your roof.  But be silent [about it] for now, that the Lord can move in you in the meantime.

Annuschka: “Jacob, you bringer of joy, it is enough of love.  So the news about the great Saviour we heard from Edessa was true – that wherever He went, all need and suffering turned to joy.  And this Saviour was dead and is alive again?  Oh Jacob, be silent before me, but when the others come, talk to them, for He is alive, yes – I feel it in me.”

In a short time, not only the friends, but also several acquaintances came.  Then Mirigia brought her elderly parents-in-law, who was speechless of amazement that Annuschka could again move around.  They looked full of expectation to Jacob.

Then he spoke: “Dear men, dear women, why are you in amazement about the healing of your sister.  Is not the yearning to get to know the great Saviour from Judea already a wonder?  Is it not a greater wonder that this Saviour today has sent me to you as a witness to the truth?  Oh rejoice, your yearning will be stilled and your hunger for the right knowledge shall be satisfied.  You have rightly learned that the Saviour Jesus had travelled from land to land.  From city to city He walked and brought redemption, that all – all – people may find salvation.  It is also true that the people have crucified this Saviour and have covered His name with scandal, but after three days, He came forth from the grave with His new and eternal body, visited all the faithful who were in deep mourning, and made them happy and free.  I, too, was among those who had collapsed under the force of these blows of fate.  But He – the Victor over all death – then brought us His life, which is His Spirit of true Love.  He sent out all His faithful among the mourning ones, that they too may become free and happy.  It is our task to not only bring the news of His resurrection, but to also bring His love, power and glory to all and reveal the truth to the world.”

Then the old Semja, Mirigia's father-in-law, spoke: “Oh you friend of the Saviour of Judea, what a blessing you give to our hearts, which are full of longing and yearning.  Your words are full of peace and even greater promises.  Yes, we have much sorrow – not only for my son who has not returned, but because it is written in the Book of Fate that it was denied to us to get to know the Saviour, while it was the happy fate of Judea and other countries.  We had to bury our longing because we learned that He died – and we could not believe it that He came to life again.  Now we are experiencing this holy wonder that you, His holy messenger, has come to our city – oh, what new life you have brought us!  Tell us what we could do to honour Him worthily?  What sacrifice does He ask of us?”

Jacob: “Semja, you still have a wrong idea of Jesus, the good Saviour.  I am here so you can get to know Him.  See, all people lived in night and darkness; their worldliness knew no God, so they all had to be lost.  But God, who is the love and the life, sent messengers and seers.  The people did hear, but they did not believe.  Then God had compassion and became human, took on the figure of a servant, being obedient unto death, and brought all people to God, Whom only a very few people knew that He was Life itself and the Creator of heaven and earth.  His name was Jesus.  Filled with holy love, He fulfilled the will of God, Whom He clearly recognized within Himself, united His will with the recognized will of God – and became the Son of the true and eternal God.  As the true Son of His eternal Father and God, He did the works of which you have heard. But He did more, He revealed the true God, revealed to us the heavens in his various ways, and also let us experience hells of which we had no idea. We interacted with the dwellers of the heavens and could experience their bliss and delight until we had the conviction that there is eternal existence and life.  He took the horror of death from us and showed us life as it really is, according to the eternal, primordial laws and the holy love and mercy.”

Semja: “Oh friend – stop – you can only heighten our desire, which you should still.  It is enough for us to now know that the Saviour lives and will live forever.  His Saviour's love has been revealed to Annuschka, what more do we want, you dear ones?”

The others remained silent.

Then Jacob said: “Semja, you are modest and content with the revelation to Annuschka and my words.  But you forget that, with faith in the eternal, true God, you take on responsibilities.  Not obligations towards the eternal God, but towards your human brothers.  For this you need the holy Spirit of God – emanating from God the Holy Father and from His Son Jesus.  This Spirit is urging, strengthening, inspiring and no-one can serve another without this Spirit, which everyone receives, who lives according to His words and His love.  These are: “Love God above all and your neighbour as yourself.

He who only wants to receive the Spirit in order to be saved here, is not worthy – but only he who wants to make [others] happy and blessed.  This is how the human Jesus lived and acted, and so do we, who are His messengers.  You should act likewise, then the eternal life out of God has begun in you and will never stop again, for it is not dependent on the fleshly body, which we will all lay down, according to God's right order.”

Semja: “Friend, I am afraid.  What are you telling us – our life will not end, even though we die?  Yes, where will we then live and how will things be?  But where are the deceased who have never heard of the Saviour Jesus?”

Jacob: “My friend and now also Brother, do not trouble yourself about all of this, the Lord is Lord over all life.  His immeasurable love which provides so wonderfully for us, has also made provision for the eternal spiritual realms.  Here in His earthly life He had His witnesses of truth, but legions of the most glorious angels stand ready to serve Him.  What seems impossible to us in the earthly life, is reality in the eternal kingdom.  In the beginning, people were in possession of these gifts through the indwelling Spirit, according to their will.  But as man lost himself, regarded the Godly life too unimportant and unimpressive, he opened up his inner world to the worldly spirit and slowly but surely approached his demise.  In order to give mankind another opportunity to turn towards the eternal and holy, Jesus fulfilled the greatest work of love, and accomplished salvation on the cross, who anyone can experience who believes and truly lives according to His word.

Semja: “Oh, you friend and messenger of the Lord, in your word is heaviness, but also a promise.  We have a cheerless life and existence.  Our life is a hard struggle, we do not cling to the eternal, for it lies in the unreachable distance.  We do learn from the priests about the lives of the gods, but it does not make us free and happy, it shackles us to a life we have to gain through hard struggles.  See, my son Stani – shortly after he took Mirigia as wife – went somewhere far away in order to make a better life, until the news came that he died.”

Jacob: “Now everything will be different in your existence and life, for now you have a sure goal for your soul and a holy task.  Your life is to be regarded as the greatest grace, for during this earthly life, the first level can be achieved where man can meet his God, his Creator and Father.  As from that moment, man is no longer alone, for God is surely with him; so man is no more separated from God, his Creator and Father.  But to introduce you even closer to God, you have to have a look into the eternal and holy world which you sometime shall inhabit, since it has made it's beginning in you.  So close your eyes, and open your world in the Name of Jesus, that you may be confirmed in the Spirit of His love.”

They were left in this state for a quarter of an hour.  Then Jacob said: “Return to your reality, and let what you have experienced be a lasting memory.”  Everyone looked pensive.

Then Semja said: “Oh friend, what a wonderful world have you let me see.  At first, everything was cloudy and foggy, but then a strong light appeared, so that everything was clear.  Many were gathered alongside a clear [body of] water.  I did not recognize them, but they must have recognized me and were really pleased to be able to talk with me.  One said he was my father – I never knew him.  He was happy that I accepted the message of Jesus as true and said: 'For everything you see here, thank Jesus and His endless love, which will also bring your son back into your arms.'  Then we went into a house, where many were gathered.  These were taught, as if in a school, that they should also be active workers in the kingdom of the Lord.  Now I have become much richer again, dear friend. It was all so beautiful as I had never seen it before. But I ask you for one thing: Can you also give me information about my son, whom Jesus' love wants to bring back into my arms?”

Jacob: “Semja, why do you doubt God's love which was revealed in such rich measures?  Believe, and when everything speaks against it, believe!  Faith opens up the door to life, but unbelief shuts it.  See, also I do everything in true faith.  This consciousness is so unshakeable, that no-one can take it from me.  Even before the hardest rehearsals I will be the same as I am now, where I serve you out of the cornucopia of the great Fatherly love.  It is the privilege of the people of this earth, that they can rise in the right faith to a high level of life - yes, they are capable of the highest perfection.  But where faith is absent or dead, man remains a creature, where every hope remains unfulfilled.  Therefore believe, believe and love, then you are right and earn a son's rights!"

The friends stayed together like this for a long time, until tiredness urged them to sleep.  What did Semja do the next morning?  He sent his people to the towns Jacob still have to pass through, and let them say: 'The messenger of God is coming – he has proven to us that the Saviour lives.  Believe, he also heals all your sick ones.’

Mirigia

Early in the morning, some patients were brought to Annuschka.  Semja's message brought the whole village on their feet.  The people wanted to see Jacob, who could heal the sick, but who will also bring the truth about the miracle man Jesus.  Annuschka – totally amazed by this great amount of people, knew not what to do until Jacob finally came, and – after a few words – also healed the sick.  Semja was full of life and asked whether he too could heal the sick.

Jacob: “Semja, if you can believe that the Lord is working with you, then it will be possible for you too;  for I cannot heal, but the Lord in me [can].  Faith is the condition, love is the executor!”

The day was well spent with teachings.  The people rushed to their poor huts, took care of their animals and came back with some bread – they did not want to miss anything.

Jacob told Mirigia: “Go with your child to the place where you met me, your husband is on his way there.  Expect him as you have expected me, that the joy of your reunion would not be troubled by anyone.”

Mirigia: “I will wait on your word, for now I know that Stani lives.”  She took her child and quickly rushed to the indicated place.

After two hours, Stani and Mirigia returned with shining eyes and were cheerfully welcomed by all.  When the initial excitement subsided, Stani said to Jacob: “I could tell a lot about you, dear friend, for the whole region around here is filled with lively joy about the living God, of Whom I am completely convinced – only thing is that I still have so much conflict about Jesus of Nazareth in me.  Some say He is God, others say He was just a human; again others declare Him to be our Heavenly Father.  Most claim that He is the Saviour and Messiah, and lastly, others attribute supernatural powers to Him.”

Jacob asked: “What do you say?”

Stani: “He was a saviour.  His death scared many, but His resurrection proved that He is the Son of God.”

Jacob: “Stani, stay with your faith.  Become active in the Spirit of the Son of God, then more shall be added to you.”

Semja: “Jacob, with the opinions about Jesus being so varied, what shall we do?  It is not my intention to belittle or obscure His experienced glories.  Give us after all the correct image of Jesus.”

Jacob: “Gladly, but first bring all your domestic activities in order.  Then come again, that we can spend the evening unhindered.  I will come with you to your house, because these two – Annuschka and Mirigia – want to discuss much with Stani.”

All came back again.  Annuschka's home was full, but they kept a place for Jacob.  Jacob and Semja were the last to arrive.  Everybody looked at Jacob with great expectation.

Jacob spoke: “Dear men, women and children, just like today, we often liked to sit around the Lord and Master Jesus and listened to His words, who gave so much to all of us.  You do know about the true God and Lord, but in you burns the yearning to fully know Him, so that – in your full clarity and connection with Him, your life would be full of content and true meaning.

I do not need to say anything about the laws of nature, of animals and people, for that is your priests' concern;  but you all still lack the holy things of life.  Your brother Semja shall serve you in the future, for most has been revealed to him.  Consider that the human is resident of two worlds: one transient, one eternal.  I need not say anything about the transient, but we have gathered here for the sake of the eternal.  Who can give us a better understanding about the spiritual and eternal world than the Lord and Master Himself?

Now, when you look at the holy stars, a holy reverence comes over you, and these are indeed huge, huge worlds.  These are inhabited just like this earth, but in these spheres, the cities are inhabited by many, many blessed spirits, of whom many have lived on this earth and now serve humanity.  Your sister Mirigia, who in her childhood had often encounters with beautiful people who were as transparent as the sun's rays, shall from now on – for the sake of her faith – return to her vision, by which she can serve you all well.  And Mirigia, are you ready to serve your fellow people selflessly for the sake of your salvation?  You are willing.  I will therefore lay my hands on you in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and so receive according to your love and your faith.  Amen.

Now Marigia, overcome all shyness and tell us what you see.  Fear not, for the Lord is the eternal Love.”

Mirigia began to speak – initially hesitantly, but increasingly more fluent: “Our room is getting bigger and bigger.  We are but very few, but many, many have come to see and listen to God's messenger.  Oh, there are some with radiant clothing and their eyes twinkle like stars.  But there are also some with grey garments and restless eyes.  There the Father beckons – he waves at me and has, as I see, very great joy.  More and more beings are coming.  Yes – is this possible – there are not so many people.  Dear Jacob, is this an illusion, or reality?”

Jacob: “Mirigia, believe.  The eternal can not be feigned, what you see is the real truth.  We humans do not see it, only those who have been called and chosen.”

Mirigia: “Yes, I want to believe, even at the risk of not being believed.  Yes, the many thousands keep coming closer.  Where do they want to go, they will crush us.  Now they stop.  They too, are led by radiant beings.  Everyone is now looking at us, they even kneel down.”

Then Marigia saw the Lord standing beside her, blessing the very big crowd.  She first took fright, but Jacob said: “The Lord has come amongst us, He is blessing us and the multitude which Marigia sees.  Now hear through my mouth what the Lord and Master wants to say to us.

He says: “My children, the hour has finally come that also I, your Father and God, can reveal Myself to you.  You are surely a few in number who are still living in the flesh in comparison to those who are already inhabitants of the spiritual world.  The message I bring is the same for everyone.  I am your Lord, but you are all My created beings.  In order to free you from the created existence, I became a human Myself and wore the transient earthly garment.  Not for My sake, but for the redemption and salvation of man I took upon Myself all the loads and burdens of this earth. I also had to struggle and fight for the release from the shackles that wanted to stop My development to perfection. But I succeeded with the command of My powers inherent in Me to become so free that all heavens, all powers were subject to Me and the lower powers trembled before Me.

But victory should not be revealed in the might of divine power, but in the spirit of humility and meekness. What no human ever had to endure, I endured.  All powers pulled the Deity back into Me. I was only dependent on My own love, which showed Me the way the Savior had to go, through death, through the dark night to the light.

Little children, the torments of death were nothing against those who rose in My struggling soul, for I was alone and misunderstood. The most faithful servants and helpers for ages had veiled their faces. All those to whom I was brother and friend became mad at Me, and yet there was no other way. I had to go through, had to sacrifice the last drop of blood so that everything could live and grow up to perfection. It succeeded; the victory in the hells was quickly accomplished, for like hammer blows I knocked at the gates and revealed the victory of life. My brothers and friends, who had become lost to Me, I straightened up again and filled them with joyful confidence that the life that now emanates from Me, will remain eternally inviolable.

But the highest thing that has been achieved is this: I am no longer an  unapproachable God and Creator anymore. My earthly life has been successful, so that those who want to see Me can now see that all who love Me can visibly communicate with Me, and that all who are of good will can also receive My Spirit. Now, all the gates are open, no enemy can harm you any more, if you offer devotion to Me, your God and eternal Father, which I bring to you.

I call you all children and also give you children's rights.  And everyone can enrich themselves from the cornucopia of My love and grace, as much as he wants and likes, but only in My Spirit. But My Spirit will bear witness to your spirit, that I not only call you children, but that you are also – and become – My representatives, because I can only come again for your salvation, when you have all matured.  So receive My love, My blessing and My peace.  Amen.”

Jacob was silent, but Mirigia said: "The Lord is still among us, but the many, many withdraw while showing the greatest joy. They are still waving at us, because they know the Lord has stayed among us.  Oh, You faithful and eternal God, my voice fails me.  I want to love You as no-one else could.  Oh, stay with us because we have received only one eternal Father in You.  You are smiling, and now I also hear Your lovely voice speaking: “Stay in this love, in the pure, childlike faith.  The more you are a child of Mine, the more I can be your Father.  You should always hear My words in you, if you would put yourself into My Spirit, My Spirit of salvation, being only Love and again Love.  Tell your siblings: 'I will always be among you, when you serve each other in My Spirit!'

Oh, Mother Annuschka, what a beautiful crown shines above your head, it is yours when you have finished your earthly course.  You, father Semja, a great light shines above you, which shall enlighten you ever more; and dear ones, I see in all of you a little light, which shall become a great flame, so that we shall never again be in the dark.  The love of the Father wants to be our life and His Life has revealed Himself!”

Jacob: “Now my mission with you is finished.  Very early in the morning I will move on, my love remains here.  You, Semja – be a servant of His mercy;  you, Marigia, a maidservant of His love.  You others, watch over these two, so that the enemy of life can not sow false seeds.”

Semja: “Jacob, you always love us, but give us yet a few more words to this newly formed congregation about the life of our Saviour, during His life on earth.  We know so little, and yet He said through your mouth how hard His struggles were.”

Jacob: "Yes, dear ones, it has been like that. Since His childhood He knew about His mission. His Spirit revealed Himself, as revealed by Eternal Love, through Mirigia. He believed and followed every revelation, yes, He waited for the divine appeal and established His whole life accordingly, until finally His own Spirit was one with the eternal Spirit of God. There were many, many conflicts. Consider in what spirit we were educated by the priests, what sacrifices we had to bring to the temple, and what hard laws to keep. Our father Joseph was one of the most faithful in the belief in God and the temple. We were not allowed to have fellowship with other faiths.

But what did Jesus do?  He made no distinction, it did not matter to Him whether someone was a Jew or of a different faith.  He only valued the inner attitude.  There were many arguments, but Jesus did not let Him be taught.  We were carpenters, sometimes working away for weeks and meeting many people.

Once, a Greek's pigsty burned down , a lightning struck it.  With wringing hands, [the Greek] asked my father Joseph to rebuild his pigsty for good pay.  Joseph firmly refused, but Jesus asked my father to build the stable.  This request of Jesus was also rejected.  Then Jesus said: “Then I shall build the stall Myself and I shall know how to bear the consequences.  This time, you shall not be able to proceed with your work, until I have finished the stall.”  This said, He let us stand there.  He took His tools, went to the Greek and built the stall within three days, much larger and more beautiful than before.

This was of course no secret and, although Joseph was completely innocent, he was severely punished by the priest.  Jesus then went to the synagogue and made it clear that it was wrong that Joseph should work off the punishment.  The priest, however, did not accept Jesus' words and did not deviate one jot.  Then Jesus said: “Since your heart is as hard as a stone, punishing the innocent with a hard punishment, you shall not be able to move from your bed, until you become convinced that you should be a faithful servant of Jehovah, and submit yourself under Godly laws.”

After 10 days, the priest called Joseph and asked him for forgiveness, and then he could resume his priestly service.  He did not bother Jesus anymore.  But for Joseph, it was another lesson and again peace returned to our house.

Again at another occasion, a friend came to the house of Joseph and accused Jesus of bringing a scandal upon Joseph's house and spoiling his youth, because he spent evenings and nights out of home.

But for Jesus it was a necessity to spend each evening one to two hours under the free heaven, to do introspection.  This was His divine service, and no request could move Him to abandon this habit.

Then Jesus said to this old, honest man: 'You mean it honestly and really well with Me, but what you ask for is purely human.  Not I ruin the youth, but you are doing it yourself, because you put a lock to their young hearts. What do you know about Me? But if you only want to go with Me once, it would be a great blessing to you.'

My father's friend said:  'But Jesus, that would be to support you in your weakness. Behold, we are old, we have no children, only a granddaughter.  If you would come to our house, we will keep you as a son.  You would be the heir of my not-so-small possessions and have a different future than your brothers, who are all as poor as your father Joseph.'

Then Jesus said: 'You are offering Me your house, your love – that will not be forgotten.  But I do not need this kind of love, for I have no desire for the treasures of this earth.'

My brothers were upset by this refusal.  There was much unhappiness, but Jesus remained firm in His intentions, until Joseph finally asked: 'Jesus, have you thought about Your and Your mother's future?  Your behaviour does not guarantee a carefree future.'

Jesus said: 'Joseph, listen.  That which spoke out of you is not love born in the heart, but an influence from the princes of this world.  If I were to yield and prepare according to your concern, then not only yours, but the future of all would be endangered.  Instead of helping Me, you are hindering Me;  instead of understanding Me, you betray the Divine love struggling in Me for life's sake.  Oh Joseph and Mary, if the eternal God's patience were as short as yours, then long ago, there would have been no sun in the heaven anymore.'

After these words, Jesus again left the house for a full week.  He stayed away without any food, which He was very well able to handle.  When we let Jesus go, our work got out of hand.  He, as the youngest, could handle more than any one of us.  If He would miss two, three or more days, He caught up with everything again.  We should only never give any reproaches, then the peace was immediately gone.

See, dear ones, Jesus strove for the maturity that would make Him capable of becoming a Saviour, the Son of God.  Even during His active ministry – in possession of divine might and power – He remained faithful and sought solitude, in order to connect even deeper with the indwelling Spirit of God.  Oh how great was the injustice, since we supported Him so little, how small was our love in comparison with His love!

Now we have seen this great glory, which is revealed afresh daily, and this glory has remained with us and will remain with you, if you all remain in the love in His Spirit.  God is the Life itself, and Jesus had to strive after this life.  This life can not just be thrown at us, but all of us also have to strive for it; and for this, He gave His power, His Spirit, His peace and His joy.  Just like He makes us forget all the suffering with His love, so we all, through His grace, want to make others forget it all, that our hearts should be free for Jesus, our God.”

At Adonis

Accompanied only by Semja, Jacob left the village in the early morning.  He knew: again a congregation was founded which shall withstand the onslaught.  Semja have changed.  He embraced Jacob and said: “Now you are my brother – until now you have been my saviour.”

The people of the next village expected Jacob.  They have brought some people into a house – Semja's message had results.  But not only the inhabitants was expectant, but also the priest of the local pagan temple.  When the people came to cheerfully welcome Jacob, the priest also came.  Immediately a fear arose that paralyzed everyone.  Ignoring the people, Jacob went to the priest, greeted him and asked him why he approached him with animosity.

The priest said: "Whoever disregards our gods and praises a new god, can not be my friend. The joy with which one is expected is an insult to our gods, which I can not tolerate."

Jacob: "Adonis, I do not prevent you from representing your gods. But you also have to be in the picture that nothing prevents me from representing My God. But since there can only be one God, the other can not be real. It is up to both of us to give the proof of the reality of the true God. Without my will, Semja spread the word. I bring the message of the true God and heal your sick. Ask your gods for the healing of the sick, then I will go my way quietly and without saying a word."

The priest: “I can not do that, the gods do not allow themselves to be prescribed.  We are to fulfill their will, not ours.”

Jacob: “Adonis, why are you dishonest in the sight of God.  You very well know that your gods are dead.  You have long since knowledge of the true and living God of the Jews, but your gods have assured you of a carefree income.  Therefore, do not hinder me in my mission to bring the true salvation to the people, which they have longed for.  I also come to you as a friend and do not touch your gods.  But if you would oppose me as an enemy, then you are also an enemy of my God, then I don't have to be considerate of you.”

Adonis: "You call me by my name, I do not know yours. I have orders to prevent everything that damages the reputation of our gods. That's why I'm asking you to move on."

Jacob: “My dear Adonis, we have to obey God and not the blind, domineering people.  God – and no human - have given me a task.  But you are a representative of the people.  If you want to fight, you will break; but if you desire salvation, you shall live.  Do not hinder me, for the true, living God is with me.”

Many heard this conversation.  Then Jacob said [to them]: “Take me to your sick, that the love of God and His power and glory may be revealed.”

The priest: “No, I will take you myself.  Who is as deliberate as you are, can not be a hypocrite or word swindler.”

Jacob: “You shall not regret this, Adonis, I feel it;  you shall experience great things.”

Now the crowd was happy that their priest was not showing any enmity any more, and they greeted Jacob with joy.  But he said: “Dear people, let me first talk to your sick ones, that your joy would be perfect.”

They made room respectfully.  Without a word, Adonis led Jacob into the nearest house.  The sick were placed in a room on beds and huddling on the floor.  The relatives were peaceful, until Jacob said: “The peace of God be with you.  I come to you in His Name, to serve you.  But I have not come to cure your sick, but to proclaim the teachings of the true and eternal God.  This God can also restore your health.  I therefore ask you if you can believe in the true and living God?  Can you also believe that He can restore your health?  Then get up, and it shall happen according to your faith.”

All stood up, except for one who had a bad leg.  Then Jacob asked: “For what reason could you not believe in the true and living God?  See how the others are full of joy, why not you?”  The man began to tremble.  Then he said: “I am afraid of our priest and feared his wrath.”

Jacob said to Adonis: “Behold, a fruit of your love, does the man not get to you?  Make good your mistake in the sight of the living God, then the holy God shall have mercy on you too and His eyes shall rest on you with pleasure.”

Adonis said to the sick: “Schaba, I do not prevent you to believe in the God of the Jews, you have to fear nothing from me.  If I were sick, I would also ask the true God with a hot desire for healing;  therefore, believe!”

Schaba still do not trust the priest.  Then Jacob said: “You poor brother, do not fear Adonis any more, for he now also believes the message I'm bringing, and will continue being a priest to you, but a priest for the true Lord and God.  Therefore, get up and walk, and give honour to the true God.”

A jolt shot through Schaba, and he could walk.  He said: “Adonis, we will serve and sacrifice to this God.”

Adonis: “Schaba, we will make good what we have neglected.  The true God shall be our God, but let us forget our gods.  But you, messenger of the Lord and true God, give us all the truth, which we know not.  Do ask God to forgive us our sins and transgressions and to accept us as His servants.“

Schaba hurried outside to the waiting people and excitedly spoke: “Rejoice, we are all healthy.  But be of even more cheer, for Adonis have met the true God, we will forget our gods.”

Now Jacob went with Adonis to the others and the healthy followed them.  They were about to erupt in jubilation, when Jacob said: “Do not rejoice in this way, dear people.  The true God have no pleasure in the praise of your mouths, but He sees the heart.  The gratitude of your hearts is His food and the love unto your fellow men is the sacrifice He desires.  All of you should live as true sisters and brothers, since you are all children of the living God.  Not only does He want to be your God, but He wants to be your Father forever.  Affirm the true bond of love among you, then you have taken hold of the true and glorious God.  As you serve each other in this love, He will serve you!  As close as you stand to the poorest brother, the poorest sister, that close will God stand to you.  Get your households in order and then come to the temple, where I and Adonis will wait for you.  Invite all who does not yet know.  Then, through my mouth, God will reveal to you all His will and love.  You, Schaba and Adonis, stay with me;  with this, you shall become the right key to the heart of God.”

The people acted obediently according to Jacob's word.  Then he said to Adonis: “Brother, make this temple a temple of the Lord, Schaba shall help you.  But I will be your guest.”

Adonis: “Not a guest, but a helping brother.”

Jacob: “It is good so, Adonis – with these words you have gained much.  I am happy to be your brother.”

In the temple were some idol images and some statues.  Without hesitation, Adonis took the idols from their places and carried it to a back room which was still inside the temple.

Adonis: “Brother Jacob, what else could I do to make this house worthy of the true living

God?  Everything seems so desolate and empty."

Jacob: “My brother, do not worry about anything other than how you could become increasingly servants of His love.  Eliminate this altar, because from now on the Lord does not need these sacrifices anymore.  He has only pleasure in the sacrifices of your hearts, when these are brought in the Spirit of love.”

Adonis: "But brother, I do not quite understand you now.  They still do sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem, as well as on Gerizim.”

Jacob: "Yes, you are right, but since Jesus, the true Son of God gave Himself as a sacrifice, there is no need for atonement anymore.  The legal barriers which separated the people from God, have fallen!  The way to God is now open for all.”

So, with some difficulty, also the sacrificial altar disappeared.  Jacob set up a cross in it's place, which he assembled from beams and rafters he found in the back room.  Schaba looked at the cross with attention, then he said to Jacob: “One should decorate this cross, it looks so miserable.”

Jacob: “Schaba, as a symbol, it is enough.  All worship is an abomination to the Lord.  Just as His love enlivens everything, our love, our gratitude and reverence should enliven everything! Behold, all that you see is consecrated to death and decay, only the love of God gives all creation eternal development and perfection."

The first people have already arrived.  In their gratitude, they brought bread and meat, that the messenger of God should not go hungry.  Night fell and many came.  Adonis lit a torch, which Schaba carried.  He took his place at the cross.”

The crowd waited patiently on Jacob.  He was still in conversation with others who had particular questions, then he said to Adonis: “Brother, tell the congregation that a mother with a sick child is on her way here, we will wait for her, in order to avoid disturbance.”

Adonis said: “Brother, how can you know what is happening outside our surroundings?  Nobody has said anything yet, but I do believe that it is so.”

The young mother finally arrived.  Bathed in sweat, she stepped before Adonis with her child on her arm, but she could not say a word.  She laid down the child and said: “He will die, if there is no help!”

Jacob said: “Your child shall live, but you have to believe!  Yet, with an idol figure in the garment, no healing is possible.  The young mother then tore the hidden figure from the garment as if it is a poisonous snake, and threw it on the floor.  The waiting crowd was shocked by the knowledge of the messenger of God.

Jacob said: “Take your child, he is healthy.  But believe henceforth in Jesus Christ, because only He is the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls!“

The young mother took the child in her lap, sat down on the floor at Jacob's feet and remained sitting.

Jacob: “The grace and love of God and rest and peace be with you.  The Love called, you came.  It called to satisfy everybody's great longing, which have lived in you for so long.  Many of you who have heard that there was a prophet and saviour in Judea, have longed to once see Him and talk with Him.  How you have envied those whom He has made happy with His heavenly love, but of one thing you did not think:  what does this Saviour and Prophet want from you.  Now hear the answer and do not take fright!  He wants everything!  You too have the desire to give everything to Him which you have in you, be it either pure or impure, be it great or small.

His call also came to us. We left wife and child, house and yard, sisters and brothers and followed Him, the beautiful Savior and Son of God. We were not missed at home, endless blessings rested on our actions.  But what was most important, is that we got to know the eternal God.  We got to see into His primordial Being and by that, we got to know ourselves.  So the highest love was manifested in Jesus, the Son of man and God, and His Spirit freed our spirits.

In this freedom I stand before you, who are still bound.  The greatest hindrances have indeed been removed through the revelation of His miracle-power.  But if you want to become free and experience the blessings of His Fatherly and Saviour's love, then also give yourselves to everything that lives in you, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Then His Spirit shall come over you and guide you into all truth and wisdom!  Free yourselves completely from the dead gods, get rid of all fear.  Serve each other in humility and love, then you have put on Jesus, and He shall complete His holy work of love in you!

He speaks to you through me: “My little children, I have loved you since long ago.  My Father's heart burned with desire to meet you, but the hour was not yet there.  Now that I have finished My work, I can come to all who long for Me, and I announce to you the blessed message that I have come to you in this brother. If you believe Me, keep My easy commandments,  love one another as I have loved you, then I am in each of you, and your word will be like Mine.  And your blessing will have the same effect as My blessing.

I charge you, Adonis, with this congregation;  from now on, take care of it in My Spirit.  You, Schaba, shall be My herald and shall have visions which shall reveal the deepest secrets to you.  You are now a torch-bearer, but from now on, you will be a bearer of love!  Never in your life forget this holy hour!  Always remember the great grace.

As the son of man, I was bound to time and space, even though My Spirit was completely free.  But now that the greatest work is accomplished,  I am outside of time and space and can be at any time and hour simultaneously Father, Brother, Friend and Saviour, according to your love and desire!  As God, I am rich in worlds and servants, everything has come from Me!  But My Heart longs for children who - like Me - want to bring the Holy Father, Friend or Brother, to the world.

I am not yet visible to you all, I must cover Myself for the sake of your development, but look at the cross, it is the symbol of My victorious love.  Therefore, take up My cross – it is necessary for your salvation.  So receive My Spirit, My love and My blessing for yourselves and for others, unto salvation!  Amen.”

When Jacob finished, silence descended, but Schaba was animated.  He asked Jacob whether he could speak, everything in him urged to speak.  Jacob nodded, then Schaba said: “Listen to me, all of you who are of the few people who heard these promising words.  I saw the Lord and eternal God!  He was among us, in a snow white garment, had His hands uplifted as if He was blessing us.  I saw on His hands the very marks the executioner's servants inflicted on Him when he was still human.  Then he stepped behind Jacob.  When we were given the meaningful words that only a father can say, rays radiated from Jacob's mouth, and these rays became glittering stars, which came to rest on each one of your heads.  The stars became increasingly bigger and more beautiful, almost half a head's [size], and radiated such a glorious light, which they received from Jacob's mouth.  As the words of blessing were given to us, the stars' glitter ceased – the light was absorbed by your bodies.  With the 'Amen', the glorious vision vanished!  The Lord became invisible again.  With you, Adonis, the star was not a star, but a figure which became increasingly more beautiful the longer we received the words.  With the 'Amen', the glorious figure disappeared.”

All marvelled at Schaba, that he was talking so much, since he was always a so-called subdued person.

Jacob: “But dear, dear hearts, do not marvel at your Schaba, who have suddenly changed.  It is the endless Love who have prepared Schaba for all of you, that he may serve you with this gift.  If he would have been always as healthy as you, this gift of seeing and speaking would not have come to a breakthrough.  Schaba is nothing other than you brother;  but Adonis is your servant, friend and helper.  I am happy to leave you with this knowledge, for I know that you, guided by Adonis and Schaba, will penetrate even deeper into the holy and eternal Love, which is the life of the Godhead, and which is henceforth also your life.  Go in peace, the Lord's life is your reward for your love.”

Many stayed with Jacob for the night, for they wanted to hear about the life of Jesus, how He lived as a man, which Jacob was happy to describe.

At Petro

After a few hours' sleep, he departed from there, accompanied by many who would have loved to keep him to themselves.  It was a very hot day.  He then came to a village which had a very big inn in it's centre  He was called to enter there.  As it is in every inn, it was here too.  In the street and court were many wagons and people, who were still active.

In the big guest room sat only a few, still busy with transactions.  One looked up and said: “What does he have to sell, he is a Jew.”

The other said: “Probably one of the Nazarenes, who is after security for his life.”

“How so”, asked the other, “The Romans do not do anything to anyone.”

“Not the Romans, but the temple priests, who want to eradicate the new teaching of the Nazarene.  I will call him to our table.”

He beckoned Jacob and said: “Are you alone, since you came on foot?  From where are you and where are you going?  If you need to go to Edessa, you can come with us.”

Jacob: “I come from Jerusalem and I want to go to Edessa, and I came here by a roundabout way.  I desire nothing, on the contrary: I bring the message of the true and eternal God, Whose disciple I am.”

“You will not experience much joy there, because there are no lack of gods there, but of goods that are hard to sell, for the people are poor”, the merchant replied.

Jacob: “Not at all, people accept the teaching of the Saviour Jesus with joy, because it makes the lives of the poor, enslaved people happy and peaceful.  Moreover, all their sick was also healed.”

Achmet, the merchant:  “Then I am curious, for the innkeeper has a daughter who has been ill for years.”

Jacob: “It has not been shown yet whether the girl will get well, for without faith in Jesus the Saviour, no healing is possible.”

Achmet: “That is very well said: If no results are seen, then it is ascribed to lack of faith.  You need to come with other arguments for me to believe in your God.”

Jacob: “I was not hired to raise faith, but to bring tidings of the true and eternal God, Who redeems people from the curse, from death, from judgement.  It is precisely you, Achmet, who have the greatest need for a saviour, for the worldly spirit has taken you completely!  Nobody is as imprisoned as you.  All the gods are good commodities for you, since they contribute to the enslavement and dumbing down of the already enslaved people.  But you can not think of a true and eternal God, though you can not deny the existence of a true God."

Armino said: “Achmet, now you have to be honest.  Not only does he know your name, but he also seems to see right through you.  I advise you, be careful – the gods are not to be jested with.”

Jacob: “I read not only in you, Achmet, but also in you, Amino – in your souls – as if everything lies open before me.  You too have succumbed to the world’s spirit. It will take all of your power if you would like to live forever.  Your life is no life, you are like a snake-plant that pulls everything into it's embrace, but when death comes, everything has to die.  You have killed the good in yourself, you still carry only the outward look [of life].”

Achmet: “You, I forbid you, your reproaches.  I do not need a saviour.  You Jews have proved to all mankind that they want to live without a redeemer, because they brought the benevolent Redeemer to the cross.  You can stay nicely at home with your God, for to a God who leaves His son defenseless to his enemies, you can not ascribe much power or glory.”

Jacob: "Oh, you poor deluded person, your knowledge is the greatest ignorance. You will scold yourself for being a fool when you learn to look into the greatness and sublimity of God. But what will you answer me when I say to you: That same Son of God was God Himself, but this sacrifice brought is the salvation and the way to the salvation of all."

Achmet: “What should I answer? I have no desire for a God, I am enough for myself.”

Then the innkeeper came, who had been listening for some time, and said: “Achmet, would you also talk that way if, like Sabine, you lay on the bed for years? Certainly, you do not need a Savior because you can not find any infirmities in yourself. But how many will there be who long for a Savior?”

Achmet: “Petro, it is the suffering that makes you speak like that.  Think about the king in Edessa, who had hoped for the Saviour and Redeemer, and yet his son died.  Who is born to suffer - that is fate; you cannot resist fate.”

Jacob: “Achmet, I respect your viewpoint, but it deviates from order.  Everything, even the smallest, is subservient to the eternal, primordial laws;  the slightest deviation from the primordial laws, has consequences.  Mankind is not anymore what it should be and how he was from the beginning of his creation.  Only he who knows God and His laws, can speak of fate.  But if the state has occurred where fate really was the predestining factor, then, be assured, God is also there with His powers, helping to carry and persevere.  You, Petro, are proof enough, as you have often said: 'I often wonder where I get the power from.'  Your wife is ill, Sabine even more miserable, but you were always full of hope.  But when your wife died, you were at the end of your strength, and yet you are still [going]!  See, that was fate which not God, but you yourself have caused.  You once wanted the true glory of God to be revealed; today, the hour is here for you to receive the reward of your faithfulness.  You can still not understand me, but that you may truly know God, everything will be revealed to you!”

Petro: “Stranger, no human has ever spoken like that, not [even a] priest.  You gave me a promise which depends upon knowing God.  Tell me, can man really know God?”

Jacob: “You must first know yourself, you have to find the border in yourself between what is human, and what is animal in you.  When you can humanize all the animal in yourself, then you are a noble human, helpful and good to everyone – all people and all animals, and [then] you are at the level where you can recognise God.

You think: 'Recognising God – yes, exactly where is God?'

Yes, I tell you:  God is wherever you want to see Him.  There is no place where you will not see Him.  There is no [place] in the whole of infinity, where you will not find witness of Him, since everything came to existence out of Him and through Him.

The human, however, as the product of His perfection, was set free and is supposed to be the connection between all of creation and He Himself!  He is supposed to imprint the stamp of divinity, so that everything should develop to perfection.  Man failed, destroying all the hope God had for him, and lost himself in selfishness, greed and pride.  In order to not allow man to become completely lost, God became human, took up everything which could lift man up or drag him down, and sanctified everything that was unholy.  He revealed the kingdom of eternal life, which begins in the heart of man and showed the ways that lead into the kingdom of life and truth.

Jesus lived among us as the son of man, did signs and wonders as you have heard often enough, but He gave us even more!  That was His word – so simple, so plain and true-to-life, that His divine Love came to meet us in His word.  Whoever would believe this word and makes it his own, makes the Godly life his own.  This reveals itself as power, wisdom and peace!  This can only reveal itself when the prerequisites are being met.  That is: “Love God and serve your neighbour more than yourself!”

Petro: "It could not be hard to love God when He asks no more than love for your neighbour!  I believe you, stranger - and so [you are] no longer my guest, but my neighbour.  Consider this my house as yours and teach me how I can love rightly.  I am tired of the many worries and wrestling. My life has been a restless struggle - and then you forget the love."

Jacob laid his hands on Petro's head and said: “Petro, my brother, the love of Jesus be with you.  His Spirit enlightens you and lets you forget everything of the past.  From now on, see life as love, light and sunshine, and soon you will have joy upon joy.”

Achmet: “Well, Petro, you now have brought a real fanatic into your house.  I do not begrudge you the joy,  you will be happy when he is gone, the poor faun.”

Jacob: “Achmet, keep silent, I only did you good, but you are offended because I showed you how you are. But be smarter in the future and do not block the way I show you. Come on, Petro, to Sabine, so that your heart will be free and happy."

Sabine

Sabine – the innkeeper's only daughter - laid in an upper room with pale and sunken cheeks.  The creeping poison had almost decomposed her body, but her eyes pleaded for salvation.  When they both came into the room, Petro said: “Sabine, I have been given a great promise, we shall all be truly happy.”

Sabine: “Yes, father, when I finally followed Mother into the grave, then you will be glad.”

Jacob: “Not at all, my daughter, you shall live.  Live for the joy of God and others.  Your Saviour and Redeemer, whom you have seen in so many sleepless nights, comes to you in me and says: “Finally do believe that I am real and not a dream-image.  Get up and do not allow yourself to be misled by anyone, for I am the Life, the Love and the true Existence!”

Then Sabine got up with great difficulty.  Jacob laid his hands on her, and life and colour rapidly returned to her.  Then she said: “Yes, I feel the life, but who is He who I have seen so often, whom I love unspeakably much?  How can I get to Him?”

Jacob: “Sabine, dress yourself and come down with us, then you shall experience everything you are longing for – but keep silent before strangers.”

Both merchants were completely confused when Sabine came through the guest room into the kitchen, holding Petro's hand.  But Jacob went to sit with the merchants.

Then Achmet asked: “What happened to Sabine?”

“Nothing”, Jacob replied, “but only what she have longed for: health!  You will of course not gain anything, for you are indifferent towards God.”

Armino: “Stranger, do not let me prod you.  What has happened to Sabine, for that is the greatest miracle I can think of, no-one has ever recovered from that disease.”

Jacob: “You are right, but with God, nothing is impossible – His holy will is capable of anything.”

Petro came to the table and said: “Let go of all business.  Sabine had been given back to me, therefore we will celebrate this day which has brought me so much happiness.  And you, who called me 'brother', be so also to the others and reveal the true God to us!”

This attracted the attention of all others who were still in the room.  They watched Petro, who acted so differently.  They asked: “What happened?”

But Petro said: “Sabine has been healed by the God whom we do not know.”

The others looked at Petro incredulously, but he said: “You will see her soon.  Sabine is preparing a meal, for today is the day of joy.  Tell your comrades, stop your day's work – today, everything is for free and all debts are cancelled.”

Achmet: Petro, you became a fool.  What do you mean with: 'free and all debts cancelled' – did you become that rich?”

Petro: “Yes, yes and again yes, for life has come to us.  Joy requires activity, otherwise everything would seem dead.  If you do not want to see any of it, then do not in any way disturb me in my joy.”

Jacob: “Well said, Petro – this day will give you much joy, but tell Sabine to come.”

When Sabine entered the guest room somewhat timidly, nobody could see any signs of the many years of illness on her.  Petro was surprised by his daughter.  He wept loudly and said: “Sabine, if only your mother could still be alive!”

Sabine: “Father, she sees us and is happy – for I saw her previously, even though I did not dream.”  She offered Jacob her hand and said: “I do not know your name, but I have to thank you.  I am as if in a dream and ask myself whether I am still alive?  How many times have I expected death, which would have been sweet in my pain.  But now I feel the life and ask you: teach me how to be really thankful.”

Jacob: “Oh Sabine, do not worry about anything other than that the true and holy love might fill you, for the true God is the love and life Himself.  Whoever lives in this love, lives in God and God in him.  His Spirit shall reveal everything to you.”

The others were speechless about the loveliness of this young human flower, how calmly and freely she gazes around her.  Then she said to Achmet: “But friend, why do your eyes look cloudy and shadows cover your face?  You have given so many consoling words to me.  Rejoice with me and my father.  I am truly completely healthy and feel new power and new joy, I can move mountains.”

Achmet: “Sabine, Sabine, I would like to be happy with you, but here inside is something that binds me. Let me go, I need time."

Sabine: “No, Achmet – like a father you were involved with us.  You were our friend in our greatest need, and now you have to accept it that we are not going to leave you alone in your need.  God will help you too, as He helped me – this friend will help you.”

Sabine left the guest room to go help the maidservants in the kitchen.

Achmet said: “Petro, is that really your Sabine?!  She looks like an angel and her language – does that not sound as if from the heavens?  I had to be ashamed before her, because I had so little power.”

Petro: “You have always been our friend and you will also stay that.  Only do share in our happiness, because now all struggling and worry came to an end.”

Jacob: “Petro, today you see life from it's light side, yet life will remain a struggle.  Silence and rest will inhibit development.  But life these days has gained another definition and different content.  Tell your Sabine that she should cook for 30 more men, because today many guests will still come to your house.”

Petro: “If you say so, it has to be true – it only doubles my joy.”

Armino: “Friend, are you omniscient, that you would predict things which are indescribable to me.  Can you tell me who these 30 men are, and what do they want here at Petro?”

Jacob: “It would be bad if I, as a messenger of the eternal Love, and a carrier of the will of God would have nothing more in me than what I have in my head!  But through my connection with Him – the true and living God – things are revealed to me, which are not understandable to others.  You will experience much joy in the Romans coming from Edessa, because there is one among them to whom you owe your life, when you were attacked and robbed of your possessions.”

Armino: “What – Benedictus, the fallen priest?  He is coming together with the Romans?”

Jacob: “Yes, exactly that.  But it is possible that you will not understand him because he presents the gospel of the love of Jesus as something incomprehensible."

And so it was.  There was barely time to finish the meal, when the group of Romans came to spend the night at Petro's, as they have done so many times before.  Laurentius, the leader and imperial administrator, greeted Petro like an old friend and requested lodging for himself and his people.

Petro laughingly greeted them and said: “Oh Laurentius, everything is already prepared.  Come with your people, today you are my dear guests.”

Laurentius: “What good thing have you experienced, you laugh and look like the happiest of happy  ones?”

Petro: “And so I am, Laurentius, you've known me for years, and also Sabine – do you want to see her?”

Laurentius: “No, Petro, sick people make me sad.  What I see in the streets of towns and cities is bad enough; a sickbed gives me no joy.”

Petro: “Laurentius, this time you will share in my joy – Sabine is healthy, I will go get her.”

She joyfully hurried to them and said: “Father, I have little time, what do you have for me?”

When she saw Laurentius standing there, she went over to him, reached out her hand to him and said: “Dear, noble friend, you come at the right hour.  For us, today is a day of joy and gratitude, I am truly healthy.”

Laurentius: “Are you really Sabine, child of Petro's sorrows?  By Zeus, I have never seen such a beautiful flower of a girl.”

Sabine: “It is I, noble friend, a messenger of God healed me.  But he brought something even better with him: the Saviour, whom I have long known as an unknown love.  But forgive me my dear friend, work is waiting – you will learn everything through the messenger of God.”

Laurentius: “Petro, was that really Sabine?  Now I understand your joy, I give you that.  But introduce me to the messenger of God, I have become really curious.”

Petro called Jacob and said: “Brother, this friend wants to get to know you, do give him your friendship too.”

Laurentius

He looked at Laurentius for a long time and said, "I am Jacob, the brother of Jesus the Savior."

Laurentius: "It will be difficult for me to make friends with you because your brother is an outlaw, but I am a Roman. But tell me, did you really heal Sabine?"

Jacob: " Yes and no, I was only the mediator, the outlaw healed her, [He] who came out victorious from the ignominious death."

Laurentius: "You make me confused, Jacob.  So is the resurrection of the dead a reality and not a scam of the Nazarenes?”

Jacob: “The scam is the work of the Templars.  I am a witness that He lives and will live for ever and I have been sent to give witness of this life which goes forth from Him.  Sabine is but a small example of this new life.”

Laurentius: “If I did not know Sabine and her suffering so well, I would have sent you as a deceiver to the galleys, yet there is something more than reason here – the impossible became possible.”

Jacob: “Laurentius, why do you subordinate yourself to dead idols, where the living, the true and the eternal have already given you so much evidence of His being, of His love and wisdom? You believe those gods have clarified the mistake when your mother lost that jewel."

Laurentius: “Jacob, what do you know about that, I was then still but a young man and you too.”

Jacob: “I know everything, Laurentius!  Your mother was a Greek who never took her gods seriously, because her father traded much with Jews.  But your priest feared losing her completely, therefore he at some occasion hid the jewel and led your mother to believe that it got stolen or lost.  To your mother's delight, he one day surprised your mother with the idea that the jewel is in the house, they should search for it on the roof, in a crack in the wall.  Your mother asked where he got the knowledge from.  The priest said that you were a witness yourselves that the gods were well-disposed towards you, [so] they revealed the location to him.  You went with the priest, and he was indeed correct, the jewel was recovered.  But it did not occur to you that the priest might have known.”

Laurentius: “You claim that the priest attempted to bind me and my mother both in obligation to the gods?”

Jacob: “He has also achieved his goal, for with a rare devotion and faithfulness your mother remained dedicated to her faith. Even you can not yet decide to believe in the true and living God, whose son was Jesus of Nazareth!”

Laurentius: "But, my friend, what you tell me sounds just as true as the priest's portrayal. How can you prove to me the deceit of that priest?"

Jacob: “I cannot prove it, but that priest cannot forgive himself for this deed, and that closes the way back to Jesus for him.”

Laurentius: “But Jacob, since when are the dead trying to find forgiveness for deeds committed in earthly life?  You become more and more mysterious to me.”

These conversations, which were loud in tone, was heard by all.  They regretted not having closure, because Petro has put the food on the table.  Sabine, in her radiant freshness, rushed with agility together with two more maidservants from the kitchen to the great guest room, which put an end to all conversations.  In a short time, everything was taken care of, and all took their places.  Then Armino saw his life-saver.  He got up and went to sit at Benedictus' side, who had great joy in seeing Armino.

Armino could unfortunately not say a thing, because Petro spoke: “Friends, dear friends, do not be amazed about me, for my heart is full of joy and gratitude.  I again have Sabine back, who – as you know – has suffered from wasting away for years.  She now is healthy, due to the messenger sent to us by God, and now I believe Him and will faithfully follow Him.

With how many sacrifices have I tried to move the gods – and even more, as it was demanded, in order to preserve her life.

Now God – the true, the living and the eternal – came to meet us in this simple man and healed Sabine without sacrifice.  Therefore enjoy everything with cheer, for today we want to be happy and want to remember the true God in our happiness.  But You, true God of eternity, You came to us in our need, stay also with us in our joy.  To You all glory, all praise and thanksgiving and to You all our hearts,  Amen.”

The meal was delicious, but the wine was sour, so the right mood could not be achieved.  Even Laurentius could not process Jacob's words.

Armino, who was again reunited with Benedictus, said: “What do you say about Sabine's healing?”

Benedictus: “Let me be content with the Jewish God.  I've again heard much in Edessa, what is then the truth?  Here and there were great healing wonders, but where it really matters, the Nazarene failed.  Go ask in Edessa after the heir of the throne.  Despite all their efforts to bring the Nazarene, he still went to the grave.  I am finally satisfied, I have renounced the gods, I love a glass of good wine, because it helps you to forget all your cares.”

Armino: “You're avoiding me, I asked you about Sabine.  What do you think, could you believe  that Jesus the Saviour could have healed this child?”

Benedictus: “No, Armino – you know, I've been the deceiver and the deceived for long enough.  Remember, Jesus is dead; everything else is fairy tales.”

Armino: “Jacob, this messenger of God is endowed with powers which he attributes to Jesus.  Listen, Jacob also predicted that you would come in here and that you as my former life-saver would be among them, and that is something no man could know.”

Benedictus: “Armino, you are gullible.  Of course there are people with great gifts, but that is why I stay on my natural grounds and let the gods be gods – and where are they? - in people's brain cells.  I would prefer the wine to not be so sour.”

Laurentius became aware of Armino in conversation with Benedictus.  He knew Benedictus would speak negatively about the gods.  Some event in his life caused him to rebel, so he became a soldier.

The meal was consumed, the tables were cleared, only the pitchers and beakers remained.  Then Petro said: “Friends, those among you who could not completely share in our joy, join yourselves with Jacob, for the eternal God came to us in this brother.”

Benedictus smiled, but Laurentius said: “Benedictus, do not be so smugly aloof about what Petro said, for in Jacob, more than a human came here.  You know, I am a hard man and do not tolerate any deceivers.”

Benedictus: “Lord, I can understand a lot, but is my past life to be ignored?  Why did the gods not help me when I needed them?  Is it not enough that – for as long as I can remember – I have sacrificed my life to the gods, and denied myself so much joy in life?  Did I not seem to be the deceiver where I was the deceived?  No, Lord – leave me in peace, I have no desire to bother with the gods.  With Jesus too, it was the same.  He devoted His life to Jehovah, and in the end, Jehovah allowed Him to perish the same way I would perish, were it not for you Romans.”

Laurentius drew Jacob closer to him and said: “Jacob, we two did not yet finish our discussion.  I have a subordinate here to whom much injustice has been done.  You have helped Sabine, can you also help Benedictus?”

"No", replied Jacob, "because he has no desire for help. But since the wine is too sour for him, the wine should be sweet in the name of the Lord, for only wine is his comforter."

When Benedictus wanted to laugh, Jacob said: “Benedictus, for the sake of the truth, try the wine and then you tell me whether the wine is sweet enough.”

Benedictus then drank and said: “Yes, truly, this is good, sweet wine – but how is this possible?”

Jacob: “My poor friend, for the true and living God, nothing is impossible, yet still man needs to believe in Him.  But since the wine is good, be modest, that you would not become intoxicated – for under intoxication, you might betray things you would later regret.”

Benedictus: "Do not be so mysterious, I do not know what I could tell. By the way, to me you do not need to be so mysterious, I've been a priest for long enough. Of gods I have had enough for the time being, I would like to be left completely alone."

Jacob: “All good, Benedictus, but you should also leave God in peace.  There is no way that you could attack God and undo His guidance.  It was your own fault that you have a person on your conscience who was still supposed to be alive.”

Benedictus: “What do you know, Jacob – do you want to make me even more miserable than I already am, could I as priest have acted any differently?”

Jacob: “I do not want to judge you, nor condemn your actions, but a person should be a helper, even if circumstances forbid it. To make you miserable would be to smite my God.  No, you should be free, completely free – and only the Lord Jesus can help with that.  See, the power of the Lord did you good, that you may drink a sweet wine.  I likewise have the power of the Lord to make the wine sour, for you to stay sober.  But I want to make you happy, that you may forget for hours what it is what is keeping you from being happy.  But now, be happy with all the others.”

Sabine came to sit at Jacob's side and spoke: “You, dear messenger from God, stay for a long time with us and tell us much of the glorious Saviour Jesus.  Since when do you know Him ?”

Jacob: “Since His birth, dear Sabine, He was my brother.  His whole life, His development from the first to the last breath is burned into my heart, which no man on earth could take from me. The world did not learn the 10,000th part of what I experienced [myself], and [also] through Him."

Sabine: "O fortunate people, how are you to be envied, what a wonderful life you must have led. When I imagine Him as Love and the sun of life, how must you have felt under the rays of this love, it must have been a heaven on earth. No need, no suffering, grief, how you must miss Him!"

Jacob: “Oh Sabine, you are greatly mistaken, thinking out of your own great longing, your human knowledge.  With us in Joseph's house it was not heaven at all.  Jesus was loving, but He was also hard and strict.  Life with Him was pure struggle, while He practiced us in the greatest indulgence. My elderly father was one of the most righteous and strictly faithful Jews.  The fulfillment of all laws prescribed by the Temple, was important to him.  We were also held liable to yield to everything prescribed, for example the food, the prayers, tithings, and above all, the strict observance of the Sabbaths and the feast days.

But Jesus, right from His childhood, developed an independent spirit.  He did not attend school or synagogue, and yet was smarter than all of us.  He never prayed in front of us, but only on His own.  All laws where only kept not to cause anyone offense.  When it was about doing a service of love, no law or Sabbath held Him back.  I know also about the opposite: When anyone would want Him to do any work, He was relentless and refused with the words: “I will not do that, I will not burden My soul.”

The older He got, the more difficult it became for us.  We did not understand Him and made His life difficult.  How His mother wept about His behaviour and implored Him to conform to us and to all.  But He refused and avoided us – and why?  Because He made from early on the evident Spirit of God in Himself, His Guide and guiding star, in order to reach the degree of maturity that made Him, the son of man, the Son of God.  He succeeded.  At the age of 30, He began His teaching and manifested the true and eternal God to all who would hear Him, doing miracles and signs in every place you heard of.  Many people followed him and believed. The temple, however, was and remained His enemy, and had also achieved it's purpose of rendering Him harmless."

Sabine: “Oh you blind people, why did you allow this Benefactor to die?”

Jacob: “Jesus submitted Himself to the will of God, His death is even so our life.  It was exactly through this greatest sacrifice of love, that this fully matured Spirit could be sacrificed for all human beings.  It was only through this Spirit out of Him that it was possible to heal you, and in that Spirit He is also among us. Can you understand this?”

Sabine: “Oh yes, very well.  But whether our friends understand you, I doubt, because they have a certain aversion to you Jews.  I would be really happy if you could convince them.”

Laurentius: “Friend, with respect for your idea, it does not stand up against my criticism.  It gives God little honour to leave His son defenseless against His enemies.  God's will was a weak support, so to speak, to which Jesus subordinated Himself.  Jesus' obedience sure is praiseworthy, but it does conflict with God here.”

Jacob: "You may be right as a Roman - according to your conceptions of honor - but there was a need to redeem, and only the slightest influence of divine powers would have ended the work of salvation."

Laurentius: “Why?  Jesus still died and stayed there as the defeated.”

Jacob: "What died, dear friend, was only the covering or the transient, for after three days He stood with us with an indestructible and imperishable body among us!  Not as defeated, but as Victor over all death and all judgement.  He had to die to deprive death of it's power and to fulfill everything in His life.  God had known for eternities that the greatest and most grievous sacrifice was needed to break the power of evil so that a way could be found for the salvation and redemption of all who were trapped by the power of evil. Therefore, God Himself became man, assumed the form of a servant, and remained obedient until death on the cross. God did not abandon the Son of Man, but God as Son of Man separated Himself from His Godhead and brought as man the greatest and heaviest of all sacrifices.”

Laurentius: “Let him who can, understand it – I can not!  Did you then know that God, your Jehovah, lived as a simple human among you?  I am eager for an answer.”

Jacob: "Yes and no. The evidence was often so overwhelming that we knew that Jesus is God.  But if we again saw His human side, we thought we were mistaken. Often Cyrenius, the governor, wondered why we were mistaken about Jesus, because for you Romans, Jesus was God."

Laurentius: “Thank you, Jacob. At least I realize why we Romans should not be a hindrance to the Nazarenes.  Cyrenius had penetrated deeper than myself and many others, but that's why I'm not quite clear about God and Jesus. Jesus found a way to redeem all. Nice and good. Were all people lost, who had to be saved? See, I'm not aware of any guilt in ever doing anything that makes me lost. Did Jesus have to die for my sake?"

Jacob: "As hard as it sounds, dear Laurentius, He died for you as well. For all, all humans, as well as for the growing creation, He gave His life. For all material things, as well as all flesh, did not come out of the hand of the Creator, as it is now, but were deprived of it's high state of life by the infidelity and disobedience of the first created Archangel, and delivered to death and judgment. But God - as love and mercy - sought a way, a solution, and found it in the spirit of humility and devoted love. In this spirit the power of evil failed and gave people the spirit of redeeming love as a free possession. That is why God had to make this sacrifice."

Laurentius: "Jacob, you may be right, but I can not accept your explanations, which I find plausible, as a matter of fact, for with the acceptance of your maxims of faith, my faith should be extinguished. But it is not so easy, to extinguish without further ado, which was my preferred habit for 30 years. Can you provide evidence that the blood-sacrifice of Jesus - or your God - really brought salvation? It is easy to say, go the way of humility and love, then you will be redeemed from death and perdition. As far as I know, now hundreds are being put to death, and why? Because they believe in a Redeemer. Even my speech sounds hard, but the facts - which unfortunately we can not deny – speak of the opposite."

Jacob: “It does not sound hard to me.  I would put my life in the balance too, for I have as good as died to the world through the redeeming love of Jesus.  It is not I who live anymore, but Jesus in me.  Take my life, then I will be carried to the eternal kingdom of life, who's peace, joy and bliss knows no end.  While those who do not believe in eternal life, and still have the old self-absorbed life in them in the beyond, go into night and dread, darkness and horror, is not difficult to prove.  Here sits Sabine – her soul is purified through terrible suffering, and she is able to see in the spirit, which is impossible to other people.  It is not a miracle, but a natural consequence from this now newly revealed truth out of Jesus.  What declines of the old man in you, the new man takes in from God.  It is therefore not necessary to know – Jesus the Lord is My helper, but the grace of the Lord is revealed without the struggling and suffering person being conscious thereof.”

Laurentius: "Jacob, every word is a new riddle. Was your Jesus so mysterious and enigmatic?"

Jacob: “Dear lord and friend, for those who did not walk with Him, He was the greatest mystery and question mark. For those who loved Him and walked with Him, He was the simplest and most natural. His words were clear and undeniable. Yes, His Word is the Word of a true God and will never pass away. Rather, worlds perish before only one tittle of one of His words will pass away!"

Laurentius: “Jacob, I do not know whether I should admire your faith or your conviction.  I will anyway make use of your reference to Sabine.”

The Spiritual Sight

Laurentius: “So Sabine, you have heard every word Jacob spoke with so much conviction.  I am not against him, but I want clarification at any price.  What can you tell me?”

Sabine: “But dear friend, I will not disappoint you either, for I am indebted to Jesus for a thousandfold thanks.  You know and are acquainted with me, that I only longed for salvation, and that I am now a redeemed one, but in a different way than I wanted.

Jacob is right that I can see, for around me are rejoicing beings, and in their midst, the Lord, who nods kindly to me.  I of course cannot prove it to you, you'll just have to believe it.  But wait, dear friend, the Lord raises His hand and in front of me is a rocky area that is all dark.  From the hand of the Lord, a light is shining, allowing me to see only what is illuminated by the light.  Now I see people too – oh, but they are miserable, just skin and bones.  They are frightened by the light and fell to the ground.

One says: ‘What was that, should the gods at last take pity and save us from this turmoil and distress?’

Another one says: ‘I would gratefully accept it, but I do not believe it anymore, because ever

since the Light Figure called us, we should have turned away from the dead gods, it has only become worse. Since when have we found only one crumb, let alone eaten a bite? I'm afraid we've made the biggest mistake of our lives, because we rejected the Light Figure.’

A third party: ‘What good would it do you?  They're all illusionary images.’

‘Do not talk about it, Casimir’, the other replies, ‘I do not believe anymore.  As soon as the Light-carrier appears again, I will go with him, for I can not get more miserable than I am already.’

‘You will not do that, Oron – what will become of our congregation?  Until now we could restrain them, but if you would go against it, that will be the end.’

‘I will do it, Casimir – or should I load up [on myself] the same guilt as you [did]?  You became a thief and a liar for the sake of the gods, and what have you gained from it?  Oh we fools, how stupid we have been!’

Now it flashes, but even brighter. A figure of light comes to the two priests and says: 'Oron, if you have the courage to turn away from your dead gods, I am ready to pave for you the way to life, but on one condition, which is: faith in the Crucified and Risen One of whom you have heard so much, and to begin a new life according to His teaching.'

Oron says: ‘How can I believe in the One I have rejected, how can I begin a new life, since I did not  put any effort into getting to know His teaching?’

‘You still can, Oron, because in Me, the hand of Jesus the Crucified and Risen, reaches out, not only to you, but to all of you.  You know His teaching, which is: 'Love God above all and all people as sisters and brothers.’

Casimir: ‘Oron, do not allow yourself to be fooled by this illusion and it's deceptive speech.’

The Light-figure: ‘Casimir, be silent, the measure of your sins is already full.  In His patience and mercy, the Lord hoped that you would find yourself in your and other's misery, but it was in vain.  But I will not tolerate you being a hindrance to others any longer.  Here, you are not a priest or human any more, but a very poor and lost one, standing on the brink of being completely lost.’

Casimir laughs and says: ‘You fool, I shall see how you can hinder me, for I have hundreds of people waiting for a hint from me, and you will be walking into the fire.’

The Light-figure is now lifting His hand and it becomes quite light when it says: ‘Everyone present here, listen: this is your last opportunity to decide to become free from your distress.  Whoever walks with me will be able to enter life through faith in Jesus, the Risen One. Your gods are nothing but deceptive illusions, your priests nothing but servants of wrong views of life.  But you, Casimir, are from now on alone - no servant, no being shall come near you until you regret your guilt, for you are a thief, a liar and a perjurer.

And you Camilla, listen: You got to walk on the paths of light and life, for Jehovah was closer to you than your idols.  But Casimir was a thief and deceiver towards you and knew how to bind you to the dead gods through a deceitful spirit.  Do you deny that, Casimir?’

Irated, Casimir [answered]: ‘Who are you to portray my actions as fraud?  All my actions were truthful for the sake of the gods.  Damn you if you would dare to brand me.’

The Light-figure speaks very seriously: ‘Casimir, you have spoken your own verdict: open up, abyss, and hold on [to him] until tears of regret cools down his glowing anger!  You are free to go the way which is now open to you.’

Oh, oh - the earth really devoured the priest.  The others are watching the process in horror, now Oron speaks: ‘Let us hurry towards the visible, narrow way, lest Casimir's misfortune befalls us.’

The Light-figure is still here and are approaching the Lord, who watched this scene silently and seriously.

So, dear friend Laurentius, I have truthfully related what I have seen through the grace of the Lord.'

Laurentius was already with Jacob and asked: “Jacob, did you influence Sabine with your inherent powers?  Camilla was my mother and Casimir our priest.”

Jacob: “No, brother Laurentius, the grace of the Lord allowed it that Sabine with her sight, could describe the need and conditions of those residing in need, night and darkness; and the Lord sent an angel for the sake of their salvation, who tried to save the erring ones, but he only partially succeeded.”

Laurentius: “This is good, Jacob – it is enough for me.  But now I have to be alone to deal with myself.”

Sabine: “No, dear friend, stay calmly with us, for the Lord is still in our midst, and where He is, is rest and peace!”

Laurentius: “Sabine, what did my mother look like?”

Sabine: “Do not ask, best friend.  Be content with the answer: she went on the way which leads to salvation.”

Laurentius: “I'll have to be content with that, but I am burning inside.  What is my mother's fate?  Can you give me an indication, Jacob?”

Jacob: “I could do it, Laurentius, but here too, Sabine will serve you.  Allow a few hours to pass, for the deceived ones first have to make a firm decision.  One thing is sure, they are under the protection and care of the Lord!  You are also contributing to help them succeed to break away from the old gods very quickly.”

All the guests became very attentive.  Sabine, in her loveliness, beamed for joy.  Now she said: “Oh dear friends who had the fortune to experience these blissful hours:  If only I could convince you all of the truth and loveliness of the Lord, who is still with us and many, many blessed with Him! Now I ask you, what more can I do to convince all of you of the truth of my words – you are not really convinced yet.  You rejoice because I am completely healed.  I would rather that you would rejoice because the Lord is with us.”

Achmet said: “O daughter of Petro, you are happy because you are well. Gladly we believe you, because your eyes shine like the sun and your speech is like a spring, which refreshes the weary wanderer and promises new life! But there is still a shadow in us because we do not see what you see, and we do not feel what you feel. I do not deny the fact, but I would rather see very clearly myself."

Sabine: “You will, dearest friend.  Whoever has – like you – a heart for being helpful and participated [helping] other's in their need,  has already begun on the way which leads to life!  Now the Life Himself is among us and has been manifested through His messenger.  Do have the right trust this time.”

Achmet: “Jacob, you messenger of the Lord, Sabine is inspiring me to experience more of Him Who is the Life, and is now invisibly in our midst.  I have heard much of Him, which goes to the limits of impossibility.  But why did this Saviour let the king in Edessa down?  It would have been sufficient evidence for everyone to believe in Him. But the opposite happened, the heir to the throne died and many, many later suffered severely from the plague that struck Edessa. Can you give me the right light?"

Jacob: “I can do it by the grace of the Lord, but why do you not freely rise out of yourself to the faith of the true God, who imposes no heaviness, no burdens on you, only one request: to love your neighbour as yourself.  Achmet, when you take offense about everything, you had to turn away from so many things due to your sense of justice;  have you never attempted to be the bigger and higher one?  You were numb for other's suffering, while you could have helped.  Do you believe, that if God would have acted like this, that any redemption would have been possible?  It was exactly what you did not do, which moved the Lord to become a human, in order to manifest the Way, the Truth and the Life.

You are a man of great experience, but you are inexperienced in yourself.  Because if God is to manifest Himself as life, He can only do so where the conditions are fulfilled, or do you believe that since God is God, everything goes only according to His will?  Oh no, God reveals Himself always, always through mediators, and these have to be prepared for this.  The best evidence of this is indeed Jesus Himself!”

“Why so”,  Achmet asked, “was He not the anointed of God?”

Jacob: “Well, my dear Achmet, but how do you understand the anointing of God?  Let it be said that Jesus led a life of struggling in and with His guidance, of which we had no understanding, until finally, with His baptism at the Jordan, came an anointing in fully audible words: 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'.”

Sabine: “Oh faithful soul of a servant of God, would you not tell us the nature of His struggle, the manner of His wrestling and above all, how the powers that gave me health and life, was revealed to Him!  I do now see Him in purity and clarity, but He certainly was not as He is now, when He was a child, [and] a man.”

An Episode of the Lord

Jacob: “You are right, Sabine, I will gladly serve you all, since I know His life from the first breath and very seldom parted with Him, until He departed from us all.  Many of you cannot picture for yourself of the life to which a true Jew is obliged.  Also the priests allowed themselves many things, which they presented to be 'divine instructions'.

A father took this very seriously and no neglect was tolerated in the parental home.  Through curious circumstances, Mary came into our house and, being blessed in body, became Joseph's wife at the tender age of 15.  I do not want to talk about those days, because it was a trial of which there is only one in a million.

Thus Jesus was born.  Nothing made Him different from the other children.  But even in his youngest years, He spoke revelations that increased until He was 12 years old. The revelation ceased, but Jesus had become a strong-willed person, subordinate to none other than the Spirit, with whom He was in constant communication and followed all instructions. That this disturbed some harmony and brought some conflict with others, you can believe. There was sometimes great sadness in the house of Joseph and much concern for His welfare among us. His mother suffered the most."

Sabine replied: “But that is not possible, His eyes betray the greatest mildness!”

Jacob: “And still it was as I have told.  I, as the youngest of my brothers, was in closest connection with Him, and yet there were still times when also I did not understand Him.  He was the love and mercy embodied for the poor and the suffering; towards the hard and loveless [people], He was harder than granite.”

“Why so?”, Achmet asked, “this is then in opposition against His Saviour's love.  A Helper to the suffering, and hard towards the hard-hearted, how does that relate?”

Jacob: "Your objection is good, dear friend," replied Jacob," and yet it is not a contradiction, since Jesus carried the salvation of all as a goal in Himself. To explain, I want to describe an episode.

Joseph was a beloved, honest carpenter.  His works were sought after, [and] we as his sons were also carpenters, Jesus not excluded.  We were often away from Nazareth for weeks, as we were given work which a carpenter like Joseph, who had many helpers, could manage.

At one time, we were a day's journey away, busy with the construction of a house.  The work went well, Joseph was in good spirits.  Two hours away, an upstanding Greek had his property.  Since he stood in close relationship with Joseph, he asked Joseph to come some day together with all of us, to repair the pigsty, which was very dilapidated.  Joseph resolutely declined, all appeals and promises were useless, Joseph remained hard.

‘Do you want our friendship of many years to die for the sake of a pigsty?’, the old Greek asked.

Then Joseph answered: ‘And if I have to lose you for myself, I still will not do it.  How am I then supposed to stand before my fellow believers?’

The old Greek said: ‘Joseph, you were my saving anchor in my need.  Now I have no more advice, for you have cut the last rope of hope.’

Then Jesus said to Joseph: ‘Father Joseph, why do you want to lose such an honest friend as Valerius for the sake of a pigsty?’

Joseph harshly replied: ‘Be silent, Jesus, and do not try to change my mind, I will never build a pigsty!’

‘Then I am going to build him one, father Joseph.  The friendship of an old, worthy man is worth more than the opinion of your doubtful fellow brothers in faith!’

‘You will let that be’, Joseph heftily replied, ‘I do not want to bear the consequences of your ill-considered decision.’

‘I build the stall, father Joseph, and My decision is not ill-conceived, but the move in me to not lose an old friend.’

Joseph was agitated, but Jesus said: ‘You do know that I always stand up for My word, but now I want to see the one who wants to hinder Me!  Come, Valerius, I will go with you right now.  But you, Joseph, will not be able to work for even an hour, until I come back.’

Jesus hurried away with Valerius.  But then it began to rain, storm and thunder, preventing us to do even one hour of work.  The storming and thunder passed, but the rain lasted for three days.  Joseph resented Jesus, but he had to remain silent.

After three days at nightfall, Jesus returned and said: ‘Father Joseph, we kept the friend!  All his wishes are fulfilled.  Valerius will take care of the loss of wages for the three days, since he will settle with you tomorrow according to My will.  Thank God that He gave you three days to see your lovelessness and hardness, because there will come a time when you can not do it anymore.’  Joseph was silent, he continued to fast.

Valerius indeed came after three days.  Joseph refused to take the payment for the work.  Then Jesus came and said: ‘Joseph, why do you challenge Me?  You do know that I do not take back one iota of what I have given, you should know Me!’

Then Joseph accepted reason and everything was settled according to Jesus' will.  The lost days was not mentioned, for Jesus fell silent.  He avoided all of us!

When we were back in Nazareth, Joseph felt responsible to deliver the tithes of his work to the synagogue straightaway, but this time, the priest pre-empted him.  Bitterness rose up inside Joseph, so he said to the priest: ‘Am I always in arrears with the temple's share?  Your style is offensive to me, for I have always done my full duty.  Therefore I also calculate my sacrifices, as prescribed by Moses.’

This time, the priest did not agree, it was not enough for him.  Joseph protested it, for the work rested for three days, hence the meagre income.  The priest was irate.  Jesus came and said: ‘Father Joseph, since when do someone not believe your words?  Make use of your Roman citizenship and put him back in the boundaries of decency, or give Me the right to act on your behalf.’

Greatly angered, the priest said: ‘I have nothing to say to you, you renegade.  Jehovah and the temple are things you avoid.  But if pigsties are to be built, no-one equals you – and you, Joseph, will pay hard.’

Jesus: ‘Why Joseph?  I built the stall without Joseph's permission, and you want Joseph, the old, honest and completely pure man to suffer hard?  Take back this word, or you will become what you intended for Joseph!’

That angered the priest and he said: ‘Joseph, you have heard your son's threat.  The temple-court shall decide what should happen with you and this one.’

Then Jesus went to stand before the priest and said: ‘Nothing happens without My consent. But to stop you to want to insult even older and honest people and to throw them into misfortune with a cold heart, your voice should be taken away from you and make room for only a pig's grunt, until you beg pardon and with remorse the old father's forgiveness. But do not think that you can fool Me. Your heart is full of venom and gall against Me and for months you have been watching Me. This has an end now.’

Joseph protested, but Jesus said: ‘No word, Father Joseph, this one has reached the limit of  badness, so I will also go to the limit of what is permitted.’

So it also happened.  The priest avoided the people.  After months, he hand-wringingly asked Joseph for forgiveness, which was also granted to him, but he avoided Jesus as best he could.”

Achmet: “Jacob, I like your presentation, I can not say that Jesus was repaying too hard.  Granted, it is a tall order for a Jew to have to build a pigsty.  How did Jesus behave towards the temple and the priests?”

Jacob: “Ah, you friends, Jesus stayed completely on His ground.  He did not seek their acquaintance, and could not be brought into a Synagogue.  He spent Sabbaths in His own way in nature and stayed far from people on these days, in order to stay fully in touch with the Spirit of God in Him, and no-one could withhold Him from it, no matter who it was.  Despite Him not attending any school or Synagogue, He was superior to all.  How often did Joseph's friends, old, wise and staunch men, seek  Jesus' advice.

I think that you, dear friends, and also you, Sabine, could form a correct image of His life.  As good and loving as He was towards the old and infirm people, as hard was He towards the haughty.  He also did not allow anyone to change His conduct, if father or mother or any of us would force anything on Him, His reason was: ‘I do not act out of Myself, but out of the Spirit in Me, who wants to educate Me to the true salvation.’

Achmet: “Jacob, I am in the picture, but do tell me the end.  Why did Jesus let the heir to the throne of Edessa die, did His healing power not reach that far?  I know Abgarus and his faith in the Saviour – can you and are you able to answer me?”

Jacob: “I could do it, but the Spirit in me is silencing me.  Abgarus will hear the answer from my mouth, be content with this answer.”

Achmet: “It is right so, I thank you, my heart should be happy.  I will love and understand Jesus too.”

Benedictus

Benedictus pressed in closer and said: “Dear friend, your descriptions and the narration for this beautiful flower, have made me long for salvation from the pressure, which almost drive me to despair.”

Jacob: “You are right when you feel the yearning for the true salvation.  But this, only Jesus - the Crucified and Risen One – of Whom you want to know nothing, can give.  See, dear friend, you judge yourself.  Your conduct sure was unworthy of a wise and good man, but you were not guilty.  Does your friend not also have a free will and a right mind?  When you think correctly about it, your friend had to say: Benedictus could not act differently as a priest.  But he could act differently by, becoming right and true and to defy you and all the gods, and marry his girl.  When you learned of his death, it was too late for you to have a balancing effect. You blame your gods who abandoned you, but in reality you were abandoned by the power of your faith and the way to yourself. You sought comfort in wine and became ever more miserable, and the last comfort you seek in your death, like your friend, will bring you even less salvation.”

Benedictus: “Jacob, you are frightening, seemingly knowing my most secret thoughts.  But give me advice, what shall I do?  For I am fed up with life;  wherever I look, everywhere I find the same hopelessness.  I have lost all trust.”

Jacob: “Benedictus, if you believe this, it can be no different.  Why don't you look at life from the other side for a change?  You have heard about the wondrous Saviour.  You had nothing against His deeds, but you thought His teaching of love, to be an expression of weakness.  Therefore you could never rise to the true love and all life in you was and remained dead. Out of defiance and out of fear of yourself you became a soldier and fled from yourself. But the merciful love of Jesus never gave up and led you so that today you came to the house of Petro and experienced things that pertain to life.

You looked at Sabine in her freshness and heard words of the life and love out of her mouth, which just hours before, still moaned for redemption.  What Jesus did for Sabine, He can do for you too, but that entails finding yourself and making yourself known to Him, for He can only work where He is approached in living faith.  See, your friend was smarter than you.  There, in his miserable sorrow, he accepted the message of the redeeming love of the Saviour and changed his attitude.  Today, he is a redeemed one and his gratitude knows no bounds.  Ask Sabine about him, she will tell you.”

Benedictus: “Really, then death would be no salvation.”

Then Sabine said: “Oh you poor friend, how joyless was and is your life.  In my pain, I longed for salvation, as I suffered physically.  But my soul yearned for Him, whom I saw so often.  But you lived in night and horror and fled from yourself.  Do you think the true God can help with you wanting to know Him?  But now God, the true and the living, has become manifest. Why do you not believe His messenger and demand proofs? Behold, the one whom you believe dead is alive, but you are dead.  You always think of yourself and your peace of mind.  That's why your friend tells you: 'Turn away from the road you are on, or you will not reach the goal of your soul.  You have to live through a hundredfold woes, if you do not accept the help of the Saviour and eternal Lord, which I advise you as a friend and brother.  When I was driven to utter despair through you lovelessness and hardness of heart, I cursed you.  Vera, the believer, went on the way of renunciation, for a life without the true God, can not be a real life.

I one more time implored you to convince me about the truthfulness of the gods, but you left me in my distress.  The worst, though, was your condemning words about Vera's greatness of heart.  I then became mad at you, at the gods, and I challenged fate.  The rest, you know.

But what you do not know, is the hard, oversized, overly tragic life after the death of the body. All regrets, all, all tears, all cursing and raving are in vain.  Not even a ray of light illuminates your existence in the dark night and makes eternities out of minutes.  After endless torments and unspeakable suffering, help was provided by the Crucified One, who brought salvation to me and many, many, and demanded nothing more than devotion and faith.  At last, before such great love, which took all my great guilt, I realized my great error.  Once again I experienced the great gravity of my offense against life, until at last the love of the Crucified was bathed in my whole self like balm.  I became smaller and smaller.  Lying at his feet, I heard His words: 'It is not too late yet - what the world has sinned against you, I have atoned for, but you will become alive in the faith of My love and my mercy.  From now on, you are carried by My Spirit.'

I believed.  Light is around me and also in me!  The wonder of the greatest divine life of love, again made me a being filled with hope and longing!  So be smart at last and throw everything dark and cloudy in you far behind you.  From now on, live a life of the present and the future. Short is the life we have lived, but in eternity there seems to be no time at all."

Benedictus: “Sabine, is what you have told me really true – why do I not see Kaminski?  Your words sound like a punishment, yet it still contains an appeal for understanding.  Can you save me from doubt?”

Sabine: “Poor friend, how dead you must be, if the courting of love leaves you cold!  If you would see your friend Kaminski, eternity would have stood before you as an irrefutable proof, then there would be only one choice.

Then Armino came around: “Brother Benedictus, what are you still considering, does not everything lie open before you?  The great thing is not that you now have an idea of Kaminski, but the greatest of it all is that you know Kaminski doesn't hold a grudge against you.  On the contrary, he asked you to remain his friend and to think about your own salvation.  I owe my life to you, that you freed me from my opponents, I appreciate your love and courage.  Why do you want to lose the love and friendship of your brother Kaminski? The fact that this is in eternity, can not be the obstacle, on the contrary, it will only help you, because you can never lose the love of your brother.”

Benedictus looked at all of them with flaring eyes, got up and stormed outside.

Jacob said: "Do not be bothered, now he has to ride out the last storm in himself! If we do not want to deny him our love, he will become a wonderful brother!"

“Shall I go after him?”  Sabine asked.

Jacob: “No, Sabine, the Lord Himself is going after him.  Trust completely in the eternal Love and Mercy, and everything shall be well.”

Laurentius, who had followed the whole scene attentively, said: “You, Jacob, and you, Sabine, you bring to light things that, when properly thought through, reveal the incomprehensible.  The thing regarding Kaminski is shocking.  According to his words, I have to assume that he died willingly, he must have endured terrible things.  The Saviour also came to the unfortunate ones!  Jacob, this I can not yet readily understand.  Casimir, the deceiver; my mother, the deceived.  Tell me one thing, why does the eternal God not prevent deceit?  Only now, after many, many years, the truth comes to the light.  It can be useful to me, but what about my mother?

Sabine answered: “Oh, you faithful friend, do not worry about that anymore! Light-beings, with radiant eyes, look after them. It is to me as if the Lord is fully pouring out the measure of His love over the many. They have all received the message from the Savior and are about to leave their sad place. Oh, you faithful, good Savior, finally this cloudy area has disappeared."

Laurentius: “Sabine, I believe you and your visions.  I will never stand between God and people anymore!  Thank you very much!  You, Jacob, shall receive full pass from me to make your journey easier.”

Jacob: “Dear brother, I do not need it.  The Lord is my task-Master in His missionary journey from town to town, from city to city.  He who faithfully helps me in everything is my protection and shield, and all my doing and acts is done only at His command. It is just the proof to be connected with God, the eternal and living, since I can do nothing without Him.

Behold, how I would have loved to give my brotherly love to Benedictus, but the Lord wants him to find himself.  Yes, he is finding himself and will make us all very happy.

You wonder, Laurentius, you also have to remove the inhibiting aspect by yourself; only then does the true life of God emerge in you.  Where coercion is still needed, the enemy still has a great part;  this applies to the release from everything, including the enemy of life.”

Petro – who attentively listened to all the to and fro arguments – said: “My dear, dear friends, do let go of all these questions and arguments.  Is this not enough evidence?  How it must grieve the Lord to still be questioned, after measuring out His love so richly.  Is that love, too?  I vouch for it that we would experience much more, if we would rejoice with true gratitude, if we would radiate with true gratitude!  Could it then happen that a struggling brother would want solitude?  Oh no, all hearts should be wide open, as the heart of the true God and Saviour is wide open!  He alone has made us free and happy, has encouraged us – we should do likewise!  I believe we shall achieve more by that, than hours of questioning and investigating.”

A depressed silence followed, then Jacob said: “Petro, your words come from a liberated heart, feeling the yearning in you to see everyone free.  But think that you too, had to endure and suffer for a long time, in order to fully recognize the love and mercy of the Lord.  But everyone needs the right maturity!

The ways of the Lord is already incomprehensible, so that we often ask why He does things like this or that.  But when the work achieved success, then understanding dawns, that the Lord has directed everything so wonderfully – only, we must recognize it by ourselves.

The maturity, however, consists not in the initial discovery of the Lord's oversized love and grace as it was initially given, but how to get there by yourself, and in this 'getting there', we then grow together with the life of God out of His love and grace.  Only one thing is definitive with the Lord, and that is that all of us will find the Lord.  This is absolute freedom given to all humans and spirits.  Whether we find the Lord and God as Creator or as a Judge, everything shall witness for Him in that sense.  That is why so many [people] are so limited in everything,  while in those who find Him as the eternal Father with His endless Love and Grace, everything is so free and unbound, and their only desire is to be fully worthy of the eternal love of the Father.  But this happens only through brotherly love and charity.”

Sabine, absorbing every word from the disciple's mouth, went outside unnoticed.  Her inner being urged her to search for Benedictus and to help him.  The moon shone brightly.  When she looked towards the well, she saw a man pacing up and down.  She slowly walked towards him, recognized his face and said: “But dear friend, why did you flee from us, since we are all so joyful and happy?  Are you suffering because of our joy, or your own sorrow?”

Benedictus: “Is it you Sabine?  Why you and not God's messenger?  I can not come to you in my condition, everything is broken inside me.”

Sabine: “But Benedictus, does not the Savior want to heal all who are broken-hearted? Is it so difficult to accept the helping and redeeming love of the Savior and God? Look at me, this morning I longed for death as salvation, and in this hour I long for all – all – to want to seize life, as I seized it!"

"Sabine, you are young, there is still a long life ahead of you, little behind you, what do you have to regret?  I am a spent person with a botched life, how can I make amends for the wrong?"

Sabine: "Not at all, dear friend, that will be what the overly good Savior Jesus will do when He accepts you. And that's what I'm devoting my new life to. And He takes you as you are and makes you useful for His service.  Therefore I ask you, come to the others and open your heart to the stream of love emanating from Him, the Holy and Living Savior.”

Benedictus: "Girl, you mean well. I want to trust you, because I can not live any longer in the old misery."

Sabine: “Then come and trust!  A new life will make you happy again, just as I became a new and happy person through His unspeakable love.”

All were astonished when Sabine entered the big guest room with Benedictus.

Then Petro said: “Sabine you reacted on the urge of love, while we only spoke of it.  But now, children, rejoice, be joyful for as long as we are still together, that we can also give the Lord joy.  We will not sleep tonight.  Jacob, tell me something else about your life with the Lord.”

The reward of love

Jacob: “Gladly, dear friends, but before you let the cups be filled, the Lord will give us a wine you have not yet tasted.”

The cups were quickly filled, yet the carafes stayed full – then Jacob said: “Now, friends – drink to the welfare of all people who are of good will, that their hearts may fully absorb the truth of God, our eternal Saviour and Father.”

Then all drank with shining eyes, for they had never drunk such good wine.

Jacob stood up and said: “Dear friends and now also brothers, have I said too much that the eternal God and Lord is the eternal Love Himself?  Now that we all have the good will to know and love Him as He really is, He can also make us happy with His overflowing heart.

When the Lord was taken from all of us by the terrible death of crucifixion, we were all crushed.  We were penetrated with doubt, we were bereft of all joy in life.  In this great sadness we received the message, ‘the Lord arose’!  Doubt and joy wrestled in me, I needed to be alone, I could perish of the pain.

Then, dear friends, His clear words resounded in me: “Jacob, my brother, why are you losing yourself?  Do you not know that the two of us can never be separated again?  Is it not enough that I could give birth to life through great sorrows, which shall be eternal Salvation for all?  Therefore, look for a few moments what is going on in the spiritual world right now.  Do not be downcast, but strong in joy.  Do not doubt, but be great in the awareness that I am the Victor and can give eternal life to all!”

I then calmed completely down; I thought: where His word is heard, He is not far, [and] is a reality.  And I saw immense spiritual hosts accepting the great wonder of the Love as the most glorious revelation.  Angels stood ready to lead them out of their misery.  Some called out: “You, son of David, save us from all evil as You have saved others.”

Then He showed them the wound scars on His hands and said: “From My hands flowed the blood which brought you salvation!  Let go of everything which still binds you, and enter into a bond with Me, for I am the life and all existence!”

No one objected, but believingly bowed their heads!  A cloud of light and brightness came over them, that they could see the angels, who now took them out from their misery.

Then, my dear friends, I was ashamed of myself.  I straightened up and told myself: “The Lord shall never again have a reason to have sorrow because of me!”

Then a joy came over me in which all happiness lay.

And see, dear friends, even if the Lord does not appear to us personally, I know – the Lord lives!  His death is my gain.  His death, the hour when eternity opened all it's doors for the salvation, the happiness of all!  Also those who do not want to remain in doom.  I've remained in this joy since that hour!

When the Lord came visibly into our midst, I was no more blessed than now, as I carry the greatest bliss in me, which I can only increase whenever I bless with the love of the Lord, such as you.

Now I have nothing more to tell you, everything else is up to you.  What is in me, is the same you will find in yourselves.  Maybe even more beautiful, because it depends only on how you make life in yourselves.

You Sabine, stay in your childlike love, then the One who became your Saviour, will become your Father.  You, Petro, increase in your love completely according to His mind, then the Eternal and the Glorious One shall be your Friend and Brother.  His full love, His full heart is His legacy; become fully His possession, then He also belongs to you, and the heaven will be revealed to all.  So now, take His Spirit.  Endure in His love and patience, then you will be detached from the spirit which hinders you to have contact with the Supreme.  But He is now speaking in me: “Open your hearts for the needy and the poor, that is the way to the Father's house.  Would you encounter doubt, then look in the spirit at My blessing hands, which will then be visible to all of you.  My love and grace remain with you always, so that you become a blessing for the others."

Everyone saw the hand which blessed them.  Then Sabine said: “Oh you faithful Saviour, I also see You Yourself.  Help me to become Your child too.”

The vision ended, that was enough for Benedictus.  He said with a teary voice: “Oh a fool – that is what I was;  for half my life I've been dragging myself around with my burden, but now it is lifted from me.  I have seen Your hands, oh Lord, receive my thanks for this revelation, for where Your hands are visible, also Your heart is not far away.  And do not refuse me when I seek comfort from Your heart from now on.”

Laurentius: “My friends, tonight is the farewell of the old, and the entrance into the new world.  The night is in us.  But just as we are approaching a new day, so also is our faith life.  The greatest thing I have experienced today is that none of us has ever been reproached, but: 'Take the promise of My love and grace that has always belonged to you'.

We Romans, who regard honor as the highest, can not easily forgive others' mistakes and misdemeanors, and regard them as dishonorable. But this Jesus, in His love and with his great heart, covers everything and asks, `Take Me as your Lord, as God and Father, then you become My property. 'Oh my friends, this is a lot, almost too much. But not a word more, for every word is reduction of His love."

Jacob: “Finally the last barrier fell and full joy is the heart of the Father!  Taste again the wine, which we want to enjoy with childlike thanks. But you, glorious Father and Jesus, fulfill our request and remain visible in our midst ".

Then everybody's eyes were opened.  They saw the Lord in a snow-white garment, spreading out His hands in blessing over all.  And His words were audible: “Remain in My love and remember those still living in need and poverty!  I gave My children the privilege of My work of Love.  Oh make use of the time and the hour!  For at the time of all times, there will be a need and poverty, which you should already prevent today.  I have erased your guilt, and I seek children who can act accordingly in My Spirit.  Then heaven is descending to earth and all woe and suffering are eradicated.  It does not become heaven when I can come among you, but when you embody Me and through your actions and deeds prove that I am the love and life, patience and compassion in you!  So, remain in My love.  My blessing and My grace are your inheritance.  Amen!”

The Lord remained visible for a long time, stroking one over the head, squeezing the other's hand.  Yet the hearts still remained bound, except for Sabine.

Sabine said: “Oh my Saviour, my God and Father, take the last remnant of fear from the brothers, that they may experience Your love.”

The Lord said: “Sabine, I have the power to create and destroy worlds, but I am powerless before a bound child.  I can only court him with love, that he may taste all the sweetness of My Fatherly love, but nothing else, to not give the opponent new weapons.  I can only call those Mine, who confesses Me freely!  And if I would have to bleed to death with sorrows, I must not violate the limits of the granted freedom, because it is about the redemption of all and everything.  My power flows to all, and My love is a source for all.  Make sure that you make all of My love your possession.  But also consider that wherever I am, My opponent is too!  To quench your yearning, I open your eyes, but you have to open your hearts yourselves.  This I announce to you as your Father, God and Saviour.  Amen.”

The vision slowly faded, but not for Sabine.  In her spirit, she raised the cup to Him, then He said to her: “Sabine, just like you now enjoy Me, it will still often happen.  You will have healing power, which shall flow from your hands, to bring healing to the sick.  But streams shall pour forth from your heart, which, being born from My love, will reveal themselves everywhere as My grace and My blessing.”

Sabine quietly took these words as a promise into herself.  Jacob said: “Sabine, believe and act according to His will, then you shall experience the glory of the Father and others, through you.  Stay in the right love and meekness, then the enemy of life can not rob you of this gift.”

Krishan, Mirga and Bonja

Nobody even thought about sleep.  Sabine prepared another meal before the breaking of day, for it became time to separate.  Only Jacob stayed another day on internal command, but the friends needed to depart, for duty called.

Petro was enthralled to have Jacob for another day, but Jacob said: “Petro, the Lord wants it.  You will experience great things today, for the friends will not be silent about the great wonder of the Lord, for you have been pitied by many for the sake of your wife and Sabine.  Many will visit you and inquire, but secretly also to find relief for their own suffering.  Be aware of it that every single guest – stranger or not – is a seeker after God and is wrestling; then the Lord will give you the right words and to Sabine, the right way to help.”

What Jacob predicted, happened.  In the afternoon, the first guests already arrived, driven by curiosity, but also out of a yearning for help.  Sabine was a miracle to everyone.  They had confidence in her, while they regarded Jacob with some timidity.  Sabine had trouble answering all the questions.  But Petro was smart, and ordered bread and wine to be brought to the table.

A donkey cart arrived, accompanied by two women, who hesitantly entered into the guest room.  Petro – who was the first to see them – went over to them, greeted them very amicably and asked them what they needed.

[They wanted to know] if they understood it right that there is a prophet here, and that he could heal all the sick.

Petro: "You are already at the right place, but whether the prophet can help you depends on

you, for this prophet is as human as we are, but filled with a faith in a living God. First bring in your sick and bring your animal into the stable, because it is hungry and thirsty."

One of them said: “Petro, you dear, we can take care of the animal, but we had to leave my husband on the cart, for he has pain that makes him very weak.  Maybe the good man could come to the cart.”

Jacob, who was just then in the courtyard, saw the harnassed donkey, went to it and saw the man lying on a bed of straw.  The heat of the sun, as well as the bad road they travelled on,  caused him to sink into a soothing powerlessness.  He stroked his pain-distorted face and let a stream of love flow through his hands into him.

The man awoke and said: “What good thing did you do to me, I have no more pain.  Would you help me from the wagon?  My wife and sister must have gone into the house to look for the prophet.”

Jacob: “Sir, if you could believe in the living God, you would not need my help, for He is the one and true God of eternity.”

The man then asked: "May I dare to leave the gods who punished me so severely?"

“You are in error”, Jacob answered, “it was not the gods who punished you, but your own ambition.  You wanted to prove to your neighbors that you could build your house without their help and without the gods. You fell off the roof and broke your spine. But you were of the opinion that the gods punished you!"

The patient: “How can you know all this, you are a stranger.  Have the women told you anything about it?”

Jacob: “No, but the true God, who's servant I am.  That is why you trust me, and I want you to be joyful and happy again.”

The patient: "I want to trust, good man, I have to believe you if I want to live, because with this pain, life is impossible".

Jacob touched him with his hand and said: “Get up and get off of the wagon in the name of the Lord!  Believe henceforth in the true, living God!  And from now on, regard all people as your brothers and sisters.  God wants you to be healed!”

The patient got up, got off from the wagon and said: “Ask of me whatever you want, whatever is in my power and will, and I shall do it – for before this might and power, all human foolishness gives way!”

Jacob took his hand and said: “Come into the house, the women are worried about you.  You have experienced the power of God in you, and now you must also experience His love for the sake of your brothers!"

Just then, the women came.  One fell down and cried: “Krischan, Krischan, what happened to you?”

“Nothing, Omelie, the eternal God gave me my health back which I wasted.”

The other sister could not think what happened to them.  She quietly went to the donkey, tensed up, and said: “What donkeys have we been, to regard the news of the Saviour as fairy tales and to keep hanging on to our gods!”

More and more people kept coming.  Those who knew Krischan were astonished about his healing, but Omelie, with her gentle manner, calmed their curiosity.

Chaos reigned in the big guest room.  Jacob could do nothing beneficial, due to the momentum of the sensation the healings caused.  Then another visitor arrived.  The people fell completely silent when he entered, for he was a fanatic pagan priest.  Without greeting, he  went over to Krischan and said: “Krischan, did you have to go to this Jew for help?  Why did you not come to me?  Whatever this fickle Jewish God is capable of, is effortless for our gods.”

Sabine – who heard every word – was appalled by this assumption.  She knew this priest well enough.  Her whole inner being surged up, but the Eternal Life admonished her to silence.

Krischan said: “Bonja, you came too late with your accusations.  You knew for days about my misfortune, it was your duty to come to me.  If there is anything to get, you would have come.  That I did not give my full attention to the gods is not mine, but your fault.  Does it surprise you, when we received the news of the healing of Sabine, that we hurried here with the greatest effort? It was not in vain, because I did not beg for healing, but the God of the Jews - despised by you - offered me His help if I could believe in Him.  I did, and I was healed in an instant!”

Petro walked up to the priest and said: “Bonja, this is a free house and not your home!  Your way of governing my guests is an insult to the living God who has just given me His greatest love and grace.  You shrugged your shoulders for Sabine's suffering!  At my wife's death, there was no feeling heart in you.  Your words were cold, but your being was even colder!  There, look at Sabine.  Why did the gods fail – as well as you as their priest?  I was willing for every sacrifice.  I would have given everything for Sabine and my wife's sakes.”

Then Bonja said: “Petro, I have not given you the right to criticize my nature. What I am, I am through the gods, whose priest I am and will remain."

Petro put his arm on Bonja's shoulder and said, "Bonja, we have to part. To be with you any longer would be to smack the living God. Or do you think your dead gods could do something similar or bigger? In any case, communion with you, as long as you remain in your error, is no longer thinkable."

Bonja replied: “Petro, I do not understand you, why do you relate everything to me!  Was what I did not to the benefit of the gods?”

Petro: “You meant to say 'for your benefit', for you can not do anything to anyone who does not exist.”

Bonja – laughing deridingly: “Oh, just look at this, all of a sudden our gods are nothing, nobody - and only because a dubious Jew knew how to perform some healings with his arts.  King Abgarus would have brought an even greater sacrifice to the Jewish God if his son would have become well. You are all drunk, so it is my duty to make you sober again."

Jacob, who have kept silent through all of this, stepped up to Bonja and said: “I am the dubious Jew, what do you intend to do with me?”

Bonja: “What do I have to do with you?  I do not associate with Jews.  My community's welfare is close to my heart.”

Jacob: “Exactly because the welfare of all is the goal of my life, you should allow me to concern myself with you.  Also your eternal welfare is close to my heart, and that is why it is not acceptable to me, as servant of the living God, that one or the other would be excluded.  Your degrading style does not hurt me.  Within half an hour, you can give evidence of the power of your gods!  The old Mirja is coming with her grandchild to ask for healing.”

Most of those present looked in shock at Jacob.  Then Bonja said: “What do you know about Mirja and her grandchild, who live outside in the cold?”

Jacob looked the priest steadily in the eyes, and said: “Mirja is on her way here with her grandchild.  Good, helpful people brought her the message of my presence and the healing of Sabine. Why are you appalled by it? You should rejoice over it, for now you have the opportunity to prove your living power with your gods.  My eternal God allows you the privilege!  If you will be able to heal their leprosy through the power of your gods, then I will be a leper for the rest of my life.  But if you will not be able to achieve anything with your gods, you shall remain leprous until you have humbled yourself before the living God, until you have  laid down your imperious nature.  Do not think that you can escape the living God. His might and power knows you!”

Bonja was appalled.  “You devil”, he screamed out loud, “what do I have to do with you?”

Then Petro said: “Bonja, I am the head of this community and a Roman subject.  I find Jacob's proposal to be quite good, for if you succeed, then Jacob will be leprous for life, while you will be only until you acknowledge the true God.  I do not know how you could be upset about that.”

He turned towards the others and spoke again: “Friends, do not be afraid, nothing will happen to you.  Those of you who are weak may quietly leave before Mirja comes. But I can assure you: no-one who will accept the true God in faith, will be harmed!”

Sabine:" I will also join my father - yes I want to hug them and offer them a place to stay in our house."

Jacob: “Bonja, I will again accommodate you in the way of the living God.  Sabine shall heal both the unfortunate ones in the name of the Lord, so that not the slightest doubt may arise about any mysterious powers.  Sabine, are you ready to give such love to these gentiles?  Do not allow a thought that it can not succeed, but believe – then you shall satisfy all their longing!”

Bonja behaved like a savage.  He wanted to flee, but could not;  he wanted to roar, but had to be dumb.  Sabine saw his wrestling, went over to him, and said: “Bonja, why do you not want to see the love of the true God?  Nothing will be taken from you, but rather given to you!  How many in your congregation are afraid of you, because your ruthless hardness is incomprehensible to them.

Now, if the true and merciful God has mercy on us and reveals His holy love to all of us through His messenger - offers His helping hand to all of us - it can only be a reason to rejoice, not to hate, as you now exhibit! We do not want to lose you, but you should continue to be our priest, but in the spirit of the redeeming love of Jesus, the living God who offers us in Jacob His love, His life, His power and His glory!"

Mirja and her grandchild arrived.  They stood far from the house, they did not dare to venture closer.  Even further away stood several others who didn't dare to come near Mirja for the sake of their own safety.

Jacob: “Bonja, they have come.  In your heart is hope and doubt.  Are you willing to bring them in here, or do you want to decide who should go to get them?  The decision is yours.  You could not demand a greater proof of the love of God!"

Bonja kept silent.

But Sabine rushed out to the waiting, took her hands and said: “Mother Mirja, quickly come into the house with Katinka.  You will now be saved from all evil, great things have happened to all of us.”

Mirja: “Can I still dare to hope, good child?  There are still some in front of us who are afraid of me.”

Sabine: “No need for that any more, Mother Mirja.  Come inside with me, you are expected – for the true, eternal God has let us know that you are on your way to us, together with Katinka.”

At the door, Mirja and her grandchild hesitated.  Audible to all, Sabine said: “Enter into our house as cleansed, according to the will of the Lord!  Let His Name be highly glorified and praised!  His might and His love should become our love!  Go to Bonja the priest – that you can again move freely.”

The two patients looked at each other, their leprosy had vanished.  Mirja wanted to walk, but she fainted and fell to the ground before Sabine.

The others crowded in, but Jacob said: “Sabine, lay your hands on her head; the joy of the blessing was too great – then she will come to again.”

Sabine did what Jacob recommended.  Then Mirja awoke, knelt for a long time and said: “Oh what a joy, what greatness of love we are allowed to experience, we are pure!  Come, Katinka, on our knees we shall thank this God whom we did not know, but who must be alive, because we are allowed to have a new life!  Oh you – you living beings – let us hear from your priest Whom it is Who are due praise and glory!  His will shall be our law for ever!”

She got up, took Katinka by the hand, went over to Bonja and asked if they were still unclean.  Bonja investigated both, his eyes could see nothing.  Then he said: “You are pure, your steps are free, but I will have to pay for it.  I already feel the eating evil on my hands.”

Jacob said: “Only until you find the true God, then also you shall live!  Think about the love Sabine offered you.  But since you can not make up your mind to humble yourself, your own law forces you to leave us. In the cold corner you can hold court with yourself.  The true God offers you grace!  You will have no need to beg for your sustenance like Mirja and Katinka had to, but Mirja will bring you every day what you need.  It is up to you to shorten your suffering.  Through Sabine, God's help can be yours.  You could dominate your fellow men with your gods, but with the true God, you shall serve!  You have been deceived about the gods, since they do not exist. But the eternal God sees in everyone’s heart and knows all thoughts.  Therefore, remove from yourself what is still alienating between you and God, and you will be accepted. But now go, so that nothing worse happens to you."

Bonja left the house without looking back. He was unable to say a word.

Jacob said, "Do not be sad, you will soon experience true joy.  There is no other way for him! He needs to experience the suffering of his own body, in order to gain understanding for the suffering of others, because a human's inner value is revealed, as he puts himself into the suffering of others."

Mirja said: "I will be with him every day.  I will not stop asking him to find his way back here."

Petro: “Children, come now together in the love which was revealed to us.  Sabine has prepared a meal for us, all of you are my guests today.”

It took quite a while for all the emotions to calm down and become true joy.  Krischan and Mirja never tired of hearing new things about the good Savior.  Then a disturbance ensued.  A Roman troop stopped in front of the inn.  Their leader ordered them to dismount, and entered into the big guest room.

Petro rushed over to him and called out: “Claudius, you came on a good hour.  You should stay here today with your people, we have all become one in faith with you!”

Claudius: “I've heard great things about you and I made a detour here to find out the truth.  Brother Jacob, finally I see you again.  Your faithful eyes are still the same! It was worth the effort, I have to stay here until tomorrow."

When he saw Sabine, he said: "Do you still long to follow your mother to the grave?"

Sabine: "Oh lord, it was you who drew my attention to Jesus, the good Savior.  It was you who awoke longing in me, to Him who is my God and Father today.  Oh, you have to also share in the joy, as we are so happy.  See Krischan - this morning still a man with a broken spine.  And mother Mirja with her Katinka was still unclean an hour ago!  Shall not our hearts rejoice?"

Claudius gave his last order to take care of the horses, because they would stay until the next morning.  His people, half convinced of the teachings of the Lord, marveled at the healings.  But they were even more astonished to learn that Bonja, the priest of the pagan community, was suddenly overcome with leprosy.

Claudius said: “I am surprised to hear this.  It is the first case in which God works in a punishing way.  Until today, I have experienced only the greatest love!”

Jacob: "But Claudius, Bonja is experiencing the greatest love today, because only then will this brother escape his downfall and, as I believe, become a true pillar!  I see it in me – Sabine as the representative of love, and Bonja as representative of the teaching.  I will leave tomorrow with a thankful heart, for once again a congregation is founded on which the Lord will visibly lay His blessing.”

Now Jacob had to tell about his experiences.  Everyone listened to his words, but most of all the soldiers, who had never been in contact with a disciple of Jesus.  At the meal, Petro brought wine.  It was a miracle to the simple folks to be hosted like that.  But old Mirja refused, she wanted to take it to Bonja.

Hours passed, the people did not think about returning home until Petro finally  said: "Dear friends and neighbors, you must now go back to your homes. Your livestock needs to be taken care of, your work needs to be done.  From now on Sabine will serve you until Bonja has become our priest.  Do not forget these holy hours!  You, Krishan, and you, Mirja, remain here with your loved ones, as you are yet to receive the consecration.  Through your healing, you have become the center of attention.  There are still many things that you need to know.  Jacob will continue to serve us."

Until long past midnight, Jacob served the attentive listeners.  All soldiers were completely won over for the teaching of the Lord.  Mirja was the most attentive.  She said: "My heart is so overflowing with thanks.  As much as I experienced today has not happened in my life before.  I can not remember all this, but one thing is certain: for this Savior, I would like to go back into the cold corner, because I do not feel an outcast anymore."

Claudius, who had remained silent all the way for the sake of the others, now described his encounters with Jesus.  Once again he told about the merciful guidance which brought him to the conviction that Jesus lives and have truly risen from death: "He who has experienced the hours of the death of Jesus and is then led into the new life, can not help but go with Jesus!  There is no advice for him who can not understand this, when sorrow and pain squeeze him.  I saw some who were martyred by the Templars, but their eyes shone with joy.  Once again I experienced afflictions, because I wanted to be a comforter and helper, but the opposite happened - I left there being consoled and strengthened!  But the most wonderful thing of it all is that you feel so close to all the like-minded people!  Heavenly labour surrounds our hearts and makes us free and strong for the best Father. Yes, You my Savior and my Father, God and Lord, You have paved the way for every human being - as a Son, to accompany us now - as a Father, until we have become your full property forever. So take our hands and lead us according to Your loving will! Amen."

Then the holy Father became visible in the doorway.  Coming closer, He said: “My holy peace be with you!  It finally is also My joy to make you happy and give you yet another proof of how much I love you!  I will not make it known with words, but everyone shall experience My heavenly labour.  I do not exclude anyone, no-one is too lowly for Me.  But I can be as good to you to the measure of room given to Me in you!  So, receive My Fatherly blessing out of my love, so that I can remain in you.  For the sake of the weak, I can not give more today.  But you who are serving Me with all your might, take My place fully, that no-one would miss out.  My peace strengthens you and My love is your life!  Amen.”

The Lord slowly disappeared.  At first there was silence, but then they all became free.  Some went to rest.  But Claudius, as well as Petro, Sabine, Krischan and Mirja stayed with Jacob, who led them deeper into the nature of the eternal love, so that they might understand this love even more.

At dawn, duty called – they separated, but only externally.  Inwardly, they were united and fully willing to serve the Lord and His holy works.  When Jacob blessed them, tears of gratitude and joy shone from their eyes.

Reinforced, Jacob needed only one more day to reach Edessa.  Jacob said to himself: “You, my Jesus, are everything to me.  I have become a carpenter for Your kingdom, for Your sake only!”



Table of Contents

PART I

PART I 4

1. Jacob's return from Edessa 4

2. At Mauritius 6

3. Kamillo – Antonio - Baltasar 11

4. Arminus and Hendrick 15

5. At Kaspar 19

6. Andree 25

7. Ivan 29

8. Experiences bring fulfilment 32

9. At Joram 37

10. Darius 41

11. Arnaut 44

12. Levi 48

13. At Rakey 53

14. Ludmilla 59

15. A wonderful victory 62

16. In Rakka 67

17. At Amalie and Amelia 70

18. Wurka 73

19. With Arius in the temple 77

20. Sabbath in Rakka 81

21. At the old Wurka 85

22. At Annuschka 90

23. Mirigia 94

24. At Adonis 99

25. At Petro 104

26. Sabine 107

27. Laurentius 110

28. The Spiritual Sight 116

29. An Episode of the Lord 120

30. Benedictus 123

31. The reward of love 127

32. Krishan, Mirga and Bonja 130