Jesus’

Life

Book 4

Max Seltmann

Recommended chronological reading list:

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

1. Childhood years of Jesus (Jakob Lorber)

2. Book 1 – John the Baptist

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

4. Book 3 – Jesus’ Life

5. Book 4 – Jesus’ Life

6. Book 5 – Jesus’ Life

7. Book 6 – Jesus’ Life

8. Book 7 – Jesus’ Life

9. Book 8 – Jesus’ Life

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

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

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

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

14. Book 11 - Good Friday

15. Book 12 - Judas Iscariot in the beyond

16. Book 13 - On the road to Emmaus

17. Book 14 - The Risen One!

18. Book 15 - The New Life in man

19. Book 16 – At Bethany – story of Theophilus

20. Book 17 - Ascension

21. Book 18 - Pentecost!

22. Book 19 - Among the first Christians

23. Book 20 - Divine guidance of the first Christians

24. Book 21 - The chamberlain from the Orient

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

26. Book 23 - Awakening the Divine life

27. Book 24 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 1

28. Book 25 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 2

29. Book 26 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 3

30. Book 27 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 4

31. Book 28 - Naeme

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

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

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Table of Contents

1. Jesus and Jacob on the way to the new worksite 4

2. Stopover at the inn of an old innkeeper 6

3. Conversation about the Father in us 9

4. Arrival at the old Zaccheus 13

5. Jesus and Jakob builds the hall 14

6. Inner experiences under the starry sky 15

7. Sabbath morning on the hill - New inner experiences 19

8. Follow me - into the inner Sabbath rest! 22

Jesus and Jacob on the way to the new worksite

Sprightly, on a beautiful morning, Jacob and Jesus walked across the countryside with the tools of their trade in their hands and on their backs.  Silently they walked for a long time through villages and towns, until Jesus began to ask Jacob, "Has your heart finally become calm?"

Jacob answered: "Not yet completely! - But I am already used to walking beside you and with you like a mute.  See, my brother Jesus, I have forgotten nothing, I hope and believe!  But since you finally allow me to speak and we are both alone - there, my Jesus, let me also be open and tell you: That was a hard time!  Hard for us, hard for you!  And just tell me: is and was all this necessary?  The sorrow at home; the old father Joseph can do almost nothing.  And you, Jesus, you good, good man, still manage to remain lonely, mute and shy of people?

Have You so quickly forgotten what You Yourself taught us?  When I read through the records, my good Jesus, I think I am sitting at the gate of the eternal heavens.  But when I look at Your behavior now, I sit at the gates of hell, and discord upon discord is in my heart.  It is true that you are doing your duty, better than all of us, but I cannot understand this behavior of yours.  When you were still a child, you came to your Jacob.  And now, when we would understand each other even better, now you avoid me?  I am only surprised that father allowed both of us to live and work away from home for about four weeks, and that Mary, your mother, approved of it without further ado.

"My Jacob!  Do not ask too much at once!  Everything had to come so, because I wanted it so!  And that I chose you for this journey of work, you will understand by yourself in the end.   Pay attention to everything!  Do not judge anything, not even the smallest thing!  For everything has it's good reason!  And the fact that I no longer came to you in the school of life, as I did as a child, has found it's solution in the fact that I no longer need it. But I give you, My brother Jacob, the good advice: Come to Me all the more often now and let yourself be advised only by Me!  For in My heart lives fullness and exceeding richness.

How happy you and all of you could have been, if you had believed - remembering the glorious, gracious revelations - and had thereby contributed that everything could have been solved easier and faster.  Today, My Jacob, I really stand not only with one, but with both feet on the true ground of God, and what Moses only felt, I know: This ground is holy! And where could I achieve all this?  See, only in silence and solitude!  With a mighty firm will I had to conquer My heart.  Grievous for Me and for you; you did not want to understand this necessity of My life.  That is why I became silent and closed.

All the sorrow in the house of Joseph burned in My soul; tears over tears I shed, and pain over pain pierced My heart.  It wanted to rejoice with you, wanted to be happy and merry.  And it would have been the death, the spiritual death of so many.  It is easier to talk about it when one has already overcome so much; but believe, there is still much, much to overcome!

That mother worried and suffered terribly, is understandable; but that you encouraged mother in her wrongdoing and even ridiculed the holy love that united us (for she loved Me only as her son) was wrong, bitterly wrong!  But now this too is overcome!  And the coming period of our life, as long as we are still together, will be more cordial and peaceful.

Listen, My Jacob!  I wanted to be alone with you now in this time and work.  I will not use any supernatural powers, because 'My time' is not yet here! But in the house of Zacchaeus, where we are working, leave the work arrangement and initiation to Me, as the younger one.  Our reputation is good as carpenters; and Zacchaeus, as a descendant of Abraham, shall be prepared for the work in the kingdom of Jehovah.  And he shall become later - for all eternity - an important witness.  Well I cannot say, so or so it will be - or I want it!  For the will of man shall be holy to Me - also yours!

And out of this basic and life-principle, I want to do everything in the future in such a way that not even the slightest pressure is exerted.  Pay attention to this, My brother Jacob!  And so let us be silent for a little while; in the next village, there we want to stay overnight.  So be mindful of My words."

Stopover at the inn of an old innkeeper

So the two wandered on, Jacob with his heart conflicted, and Jesus on his face a pondering expression.  After a long, arduous journey, they reached the inn.  According to the custom of the Jews they washed their feet and asked in the name of Jehovah for food, drink and lodging for the night, which the friendly innkeeper gladly granted them.  From the adjoining room came a raucous noise of Roman soldiers carousing, but both acted as if this was none of their business.

When they had eaten and drunk, the old innkeeper came and asked how they were. Jesus thanked him with kind words and then asked the innkeeper: "Since you asked us with good intentions and in a good spirit, allow us also to ask you: Are you satisfied and happy?"

Then the old innkeeper looked at Him with his penetrating eyes, saying: "You young friend! You are actually the first to ask me about contentment and happiness. But if I am to answer you honestly, I must say: "No! For sorrow upon sorrow weighs upon my heart. Listen to these strangers, how do they act?  Like masters, and we have to watch powerlessly how everything is blasphemed that is so sacred to us.  If the Templars come another day, and one laments one's sorrow, then we have not prayed and sacrificed enough!  And how I hoped that our beautiful fatherland would again be worthy of housing all Jews as free and happy people, loved and blessed by the Lord God of hosts!

Now I have grown old and gray; who knows how soon I can go home to my fathers?  And how I had hoped for the Redeemer, the Messiah!  How I have silently stored up love for love, good for good, to honor Him who leads our people out of Roman Babylon!

About 25 years ago Indian wise men and priests passed by on camels and gave us here at this table news and hope of One who was born in Bethlehem; who should be called by God to sift the land from the invader and should carry light into all dark chambers. Sometimes, after years, the miracle boy was still heard of, but - now I am bent by age - hope after hope fades away."

"You, dear father of the inn, has told us more than you wanted; yet, attracted by the love in us for you, you could not be silent.  For I say to you: I understand your longing, your hope, and also your pain.  Also in My heart lives the rock-solid confidence: Soon the redemption will come!  Soon the time will have come!  Of course, you will hardly experience it.  But now go to your guests, you are asked for."

The door opens, and with reddened cheeks, a sub-commander comes to their table and invites them both to go into the next room, since they are alone. But Jesus declines with thanks and then ask: "Sit down at our table!  See, we have walked almost all day and still have a great journey ahead of us, so we need rest.  But we can be together for a little while.”

The sub-leader looks at Jesus and gives Him his hand, saying: 'When I look at You like this, something stirs in my heart that makes me exceedingly joyful.  It cannot be from the wine I have enjoyed.  You - with you I could make friends right away!"

Jesus gets up from the table, gives him his right hand and says: "So shall your wish be granted!  Now, in this hour, now I have nothing to offer you but My friendship.  But a time will come when My friendship will be the greatest happiness for you.  I am like that by nature.   When I acknowledge a person as a friend, I want to make him completely happy. And My love shall be like a rising sun, which envelops everything in brightness.   And so become happy!   Call Me your Jesus, and burn My image into your heart when you are far away and have to fulfill your duty.

For see, I have also received you into My heart and will love and bless you!  My whole heart is filled with one thought: How do I do it only so that all people may realize what great happiness awaits them when they turn their attention to making others happy.

Behold, you are a Gentile, I am a Jew.  But our hearts did not ask: Who are you?  but we both let ourselves be taken captive by the course of love, in order to separate - certainly bodily - but no longer according to love!

I am - Who I am! My great task lies before Me like a beautiful landscape seen from the mountain, and clearly I see the way I must go.  When the time has come, then I will announce to the listening world: that their present wrong, perverse actions are the downfall of all the world.  And that every human being should work and create only on himself in order to break the fetters that bind us all so closely to the world.

Just look at Me calmly.  My dear Julius!  I know your name, but not since today, I have known you for a long time, and you too will wish to get to know Me better.  Give Me your word of honor to keep silent about what I speak to you, and today will still be a blessing for you!  Look at Him, about whom your brother told you so much and said to you: "When you meet Jesus, hold on to Him!  Hold on to Him - if possible - so tightly that He becomes your friend!"

My brother Jacob was a witness here of so many glorious, mighty revelations of God. But it also happened to him like to your brother Cornelius: they have not yet recognized the Spirit in me.  But everything needs it's time!  But you recognize the eternal God of the Jews and receive Him in you!  It is He who can give us strength to overcome all fetters, all urges of dark passion, all bad instincts in us.  Then you will understand My words!

All happinesses have their origin in the own, inner heart-house!  But as long as passions dominate man completely, no true happiness can arise in him! - You ask: How shall I understand you, my Jesus? I tell you this one thing: Observe your soldiers, how they are on duty and off duty, when they are sober and when they are full of sweet wine.  There you will see My answer!"

Because - if I would tell you everything that you need, I would be in your way in your future happiness.  But if you find everything on your own, then think of Me, and I will blessingly support you in your struggle with yourself!  The greatest happiness of mankind consists in the 'desirelessness'!  But the steps to this happiness do not lead upward to honor and glory, but downward to 'wanting nothing', to 'being ready to serve', to 'being one who sacrifice and help'.

You are a Roman - that is, a man of will.  So will, and we never separate forever, even if we are physically far from each other.  But think also in this like Me: Who has My friendship, cannot be 'the world's' friend!  For all the world is hollow, rotten and sick, sick unto death!  Therefore I am Myself to fight against the world, to serve those who lend Me their friendship, to help to the glorious goal!"

Now the old innkeeper entered again, and Julius then said: "My dear innkeeper!  Bring us another jug of wine and two cups, for I have made friends with this young craftsman, and this must still be celebrated."

The innkeeper went out, but first he sent a long look at Jesus.  Silence reigned in the room, and it was as if the exclamation of Julius had yet to come to life.  Then the host came, put a jug of wine on the table and wanted to fill the cups.  But Julius said: "Let me pour it myself!  To you, my Jesus, first!  Then to you, Jacob, and to you, innkeeper, as witnesses - and to me last!"  And so Julius took the full cup in his left hand, grasped Jesus' left hand with his right, and said: "Come!  Let us drink to our friendship, and you let me know, so that the spirit and the essence of pure, true brotherly and friendly love may bind us together as long as we are human!  Lest dark, dreary times bring doubt into our friendship, but we help and serve each other in all times of need."

Then Jesus took the word again, saying: "So be it, and so remain it forever!  With a strong draught the three drank, Jesus however slowly, sip by sip, as if He wanted to taste each drop individually.  Then Jesus asked: "Oh dear Julius!  Leave us alone now.  We would like to go to rest, for at sunrise we must continue."

Julius does not want to accept it and thinks that today is an exception; but Jesus remains firm and determined and says: "Now we want to say goodbye for today. And God willing, we will see each other again soon!"

And Julius, without question, takes Jesus' head in his two hands and presses a hot, long kiss on his forehead and mouth.  "So, my Jesus!  So that You remain permanently in my memory, I took what my mother so gladly did!   And may Your love be my strength!”

Then he hurried to the door.  Then Jesus said again: "Julius!  What you did to Me today in and out of love, I will do - in spirit - daily, if you do not lose Me from your heart! And so 'The Love' blesses you!"

The old innkeeper is astonished and cannot believe it: A Roman makes 'friendship' with a young Jew?  To this Jesus said: "Yes!  Do you think that there are no people among the Romans to whom we should pay the greatest respect?  I am fully aware that I have not graced any unworthy person with My friendship.  For Julius alone is better than all those who belong to the temple at Jerusalem.  And I do not say too much when I say: I would rather give My love and friendship to ten other believers than to a priest from the house of Jehovah!  Do not be misled!  Be sober, and remain kind, then your eyes will also see 'the salvation' that serves the people!  And so we now go to rest."

And thus ended an important day on the way to His glorious goal!

Conversation about the Father in us

Early in the morning - hardly had the first rays of sun appeared - the two hikers were already in the parlor and with the old innkeeper, who did not want to miss the opportunity to shake hands with these rare guests to say goodbye.  And so they sat down to the morning meal.  From the kitchen came the singing of David's psalms from the throats of the other inhabitants of the house.

Then the old innkeeper said to Jesus: "Dear young friend!  Forgive me, old man (because I do not understand you in your youth!)  How was it possible for you to make friends with our enemies, who are Gentiles?  It is almost not to be believed, with which lightheartedness you cultivate contact with others!  And you hardly pay attention to your brother?  I really cannot understand you!"

"My dear landlord!  You faithful, righteous man!  There sure is no other like you besides My foster father Joseph.  But let this be told you by Me: Of the true life you have no idea, let alone the knowledge!  Behold, what I did and do is from the life of love from God!  What you do is following the rigid laws!  See!  My goal and principle of life is: to make happy - and to bask in the happiness of others!

Everything that is created is destined towards and for the happiness of the people.  But man drew borders, enriched himself with things which should serve all people, and so differences have arisen where the one has no sense for spiritual beauties and withholds them, giving others no joy in this beauty through worries and hardships.  But I love everything beautiful and would like to make everything that is not beautiful, also beautiful. In this soldier's breast I saw a beautiful soul.  That is why I had sense for it and was allowed to put a thought of love into it as life from God, which will one day be resplendent in beauty through the grace of God.

Also in you I see a desire, a movement, but it cannot be realized.  Your mind is directed the other way.  Reluctantly you serve the Romans and consider them as enemies, as opponents of Jehovah.  I tell you out of My Spirit: I cannot think of a better herald than the oppression of foreign occupation!  They hold back the temple from many a thing that would surely lead to paganism.  And some are forced to think about this 'why' and 'for what reason'.

For all just and sober-minded Jews are friends with the Romans and no doubt promote among them the recognition of the eternal God!  The Romans do not fight against God and worship; but they think soberly about all the dogmas and statutes of the temple and their false, hungry tendencies!

This is what you strive for: Do everything willingly and voluntarily that God allows, and life will arise in you.  You will wake up from your long sleep and will recognize 'the signs' of our time.  Look at Me!  I, by far the younger in years, know this life better than you, even if you had gathered a thousand earth years of experience.  For I am in the most intimate connection with the Spirit, which let you and all creation come into existence out of Itself. And even if today, as a simple craftsman, I still need bread and gain - when My time comes, it will be revealed to all the present world that the kingdom of heaven has come to them.  If you could appreciate it that I stayed in your house as a guest, truly, from that hour on you would be blissful!  But you will only recognize it in My kingdom one day.

Our way continues, but we leave you our love-blessing!  Try to receive Me in your heart as you received each of your children - then your years still to live, will become a summer evening for you, and you will be happy in the memory: to have been together with Him, who can give you eternal happiness.  And now, in the name of Jehovah, let us move on! God's love and blessing remain with you!"

Quickly they hurried away from there, before the old host could come to his senses; and with worship in their hearts, they hurried away on the sandy road.

There, at a bend in the road, a larger troop of soldiers was waiting them, well ordered; and as they approached, the sub-leader stepped forward and saluted.  They thanked him, and then Julius - for it was he who was waiting for them - came and asked them to accept his company, since his subordinates were only doing marching exercises and had no regard for the destination.

Jesus nodded his head, and Julius now gave the order to march on.  He himself stayed behind to go with Jesus and Jacob.  Jesus held out his hand to Julius, telling him: "Thank you for ordering your soldiers to go to the camp last night, since I, as your best friend, was in urgent need of rest.  Thus you have done Me a great service.  But you will do yourself a thousandfold service if you apply this "area of rest" to yourself and your innermost!  Can you understand this?"

"Yes - and no - my best Jesus, because your speech leads me into my inner life.  But I do not yet know quite what for?  Behold, my whole upbringing was directed to present a man of education, honor and reputation and to fill my post. To be as fair as possible to all, to avoid sin and wickedness, and to acknowledge the stronger.  And with that, you have 'my image.'  But if you have anything to add, I beg you most earnestly to, as my friend, do so."

"Dear Julius!  I know you, and that for a very long time!  And because I know what is going on in you between duty and honor, and because I also know your good, honest will, therefore I let Myself be found by you!  And if you think that coincidence wanted it, I tell you that there are and can be no coincidences, but only life-directions!

I need you, because I know your will!  You showed Me your upbringing, and so let Me tell you Mine: From earliest youth I am conscious of 'My mission'.  Strict and just was and is My foster father, and at any time endeavored to fulfill the law of Moses.  So I also became aware: The law is to be fulfilled!

And so, in childlike obedience and with iron energy, many things in Me were solved, which would seem inexplicable to you.  Thus in Me My spirit united with the SPIRIT of all life.  But I also saw in Me all the great obstacles which still prevented Me, as a completely free man, to divinize in Me everything which was still bound and tied up.

Thus, I lived an inward life.  Outwardly I did and do My duty towards everyone.  But inwardly I have long since been released and detached from earthly existence.  Today, victory and reward beckon Me.  And no emperor or prince can reward better and more gloriously than I am rewarded by God!  For, although I am an inhabitant of the earth, I carry all heavens and all glories and all power and all life - in Me!

I only need still a short time to wait for the call of My heavenly Father, which I want to follow immediately when the time has come.  Do not ask for it, you will soon know and then many things will become clear to you, which I am not allowed to tell you today.  Be sure: I will never rebel against the law and the temple.  But to show all people how man should be and how he has to live, will be My most sacred task!

Mankind darkens more and more.  Here paganism, there idolatry!  Here superstition and there unbelief!  This is the outward appearance of the people.  In addition, there is the greed and lust for power, combined with the greatest wickedness.  Say, My Julius, could you be silent, if in you there were truth and light, power and consciousness - and in addition a spirit, which drives you like the water is driven from a spring?

You say within yourself: “No!”  And therefore I say to you: I cannot and will not keep silent, but place Myself completely at the service of My heavenly Father, who lives in Me and reveals everything to Me!   But without His Spirit, I am no more than you.  And you, too, can release your spirit from the soul's transitory existence, so that it may serve you and show you life in it's fullness".

"My Jesus! How can I understand all this so quickly and so rightly?  What I experienced with You in these few hours is too new and incomprehensible to me!  For then You are no longer the weak, little man, then You are an emissary of Your God?!  But then I cannot quite understand why you avoid the temple, since your mother was brought up in the temple? (although she came by her pregnancy into the biggest conflict with the temple)!

See, I am also informed of this through Cornelius; and I would have given much if I could have always been with him.  With heartfelt affection he told me miraculous things about you, which I almost could not believe; but then the news stopped.  How happy he will be when he hears that you have remained the same, and he will always remain faithful to you throughout his life!  Continue to tell about your Father Who lives in you!

Say, this I don't understand: Who, what and where is Your Father?  Can I also see Him, as I see You, or is He hidden behind the Fatum, which hide behind our gods?  I would like to ask You cordially to free me from my obscurity, so that I may learn to understand You completely, and discard all that I have been uselessly cultivating for years."

"Yes, My dear Julius, you ask about many things.  But whether the answer satisfies you, I do not want to explore in My spirit yet.  Therefore listen: My Father from eternity to eternity - is the Spirit of all life out of God and is called: The eternal, infinite Love.  Your mother's love for you - tell Me, My Julius - who, what and where was she?   It was just as a holy, invisible urge, feeling and sensation and lived only in the heart of your good mother. And what this Love wanted, hands and feet, eyes, ears and mouth brought into fulfillment.

And so this holy LOVE lives in Me as a LIFE full of POWER and CONSCIOUSNESS! And what your mother's hands and feet and all limbs were, I am in My own person.  Only there the limbs executed the will mechanically, while I do it consciously and voluntarily and will always do it!  Have you understood this picture?  You nod your head, but doubt lives in your breast, because the meaning of all My words is too new to you.

You have heard of the God of the Jews, who shall dwell in the temple at Jerusalem and testify of His presence with blazing flames.  You know all the deceits of the temple and wonder about the stupidity of the Jews, but you have never thought about your own?  I think differently - and yet certainly know about everything!

Therefore, start with yourself!  Take every word from God into your heart! Think: Every word is a crystal!  Kept and guarded, it is a glorious possession.  But if it falls to the ground, you can not only lose it, but it can also break; and you have lost it forever.

Only he who receives My Word and arranges his life accordingly, will realize Who My Father is and what He is and wants!  But He can live only in the heart of those who willingly follow Him as in the same spirit!

He was from eternity to eternity!  And this spirit is called: LOVE! - LOVE! - LOVE!  I, as the Son of Man, have chosen the banner of love.  Through faithfulness and conscientiousness in accepting and fulfilling His commandments, I have enriched Myself with the Spirit of Love, so that nothing else lives in My heart but this MY eternal, glorious FATHER!

And as a faithful witness of His nature, I extend to you once again the hand of brotherhood.  See, I told you, I need you!  And now you recognize Me as the One who wants to testify to the true life of God in man, then I ask you: Protect My Own, since I am not allowed to do so by the power of God in Me!

See, I will avoid Nazareth and all places where I dwelt as a child and a youth, so that all the inhabitants are not forced to accept something while their inner being is still against it.  But you can easily fulfill this request, since you will be there much in the future.  You, too, My Julius, do not accept anything that your heart cannot affirm!  In the future, seek everything in yourself, and you will find Me, your Jesus, your friend and brother!

We must part, because your office, your duty, requires other ways!  But still remember My words!   Enliven them in you from the ground up - and you will be free from all doubts! Do not seek Me otherwise than only in you!  Let My image and My Spirit arise in you, and you can hear - Me!  And in a lovely way you too will soon communicate with My Father, as I communicate with Him!

Let it be enough for today!  On the way back to our homeland, I will meet you again. For My time is not yet here.  Call out to your soldiers, so that they may rest and I may bless them in passing!  And so be blessed by the power of eternal Love from your Jesus! Amen."

The two continue to wander, and in a short time they have disappeared from the view of Julius and the soldiers.  Julius speaks to his soldiers: "You see a man who has become my best friend.  From this man go forth streams of happiness, truth, light and power, and He will become a mighty blessing!  Memorize His image, His figure!  He is a messenger of the Jewish God and will not despise any of us, but will love us according to His testimony!  Let us turn back again!"

In the meantime, Jesus and Jacob walked toward their destination.  And without rest, without speaking with the mouth, but all the more with the heart, they arrived at their destination at sunset, driven by the power of the Lord.

Arrival at the old Zaccheus

They were expected by old Zacchaeus, who did nothing more urgently than to entertain the new arrivals and offer them refreshments.

It also did not take long for this to be arranged, and brother Jacob longed for rest. Jesus, however, still wanted to discuss many things with His host and employer, so He said to Jacob: "Let our chamber be assigned to you, and for the time being lie down to rest.  In two hours, I will follow."

Old Zacchaeus now gave instructions so that the two guests could rest.  Jesus, however, stayed with the master of the house to discuss the work to be done.  In the course of the conversation, Jesus agreed with Zacchaeus that a large hall as an extension to the spacious house would remedy his previous lack of space.

There was wood in great quantity and also some workers and servants were promised. When the wages were to be discussed, Jesus said: "My dear Zacchaeus, let it remain as you have discussed with Joseph, My foster father!  And so be it resolved upon our contract anew."

They talked for quite a while until Zacchaeus asked about Joseph, Mary, the brothers, and the miracle boy.  Jesus smiled and said, "Yes, it is well with all.  And all is always well when the will of God our Lord is done!  Joseph is now weary; the burden of the years presses on his shoulders, and he longs for his fathers.

Mary is in good health, as if she were getting younger, and in the fulfillment of her duties, no-one can imitate her.  The brothers are doing their work as well as they can, and the wonder-boy has long since passed away because he was never there.  If all the friends and neighbors would have been as faithful to Joseph as to say nothing of him, stories and tales would not have circulated, which brought the old father Joseph many a struggle and many a test of faith.

It is unfortunately almost always the case that everything sublime is soiled and many a lowly thing is presented as gold before the great curiosity among the people.  You two - you and Joseph - would be such good friends, but how many years have you not seen each other?  You would have gained much, very much, had you remained in contact with the house of Joseph, but now we will speak no further of it.  We can continue to talk every evening.

One more request I make to you, also in the name of My brother: Let us have the greatest freedom in your house as long as we stay here, since I am used to be alone for an hour early in the morning.  And if we should be absent in the evening, at the evening blessing, then excuse this, since we both create hours of full peace for ourselves at the sight of the marvelous constellations.  In the house of Joseph, therefore, disharmony has never arisen, and in your house I also feel at home.

Agreeing, the Jew nods and asks if he could not go along now and then, which was immediately accepted with pleasure.  And so the day came to an end.

Jesus and Jakob builds the hall

Days of hard work followed, but on the pre-Sabbath and the after-Sabbath, Zacchaeus' house was very quiet.  His son, also named Zacchaeus, came home to visit his parents and rejoiced exceedingly over the work, which was already very well progressed, saying to his father: "Listen, this is truly a brilliant achievement of two carpenters; and what proper, ingenious work!  It was good to call in the Nazarenes!"

"Yes, my son, you are right!  But you wouldn't believe how attracted I am to both of them; it's mainly the younger one who has impressed me!  You know, such a conscious demeanor, such modesty, and I have found an education that you don't find among the richest, that it gives me the greatest pleasure to always watch them."

"Yes, where are they today, are they in the synagogue?"

"I don't know!  For both of them left together early in the morning and will probably also hardly return today, since the older one has taken bread and wine with him.  Do you think they speak to each other?  Not a word, not a sound, just a happy, cheerful nod.  Even once a handshake, like two lovers, and further you see nothing and hear nothing at all."

"Yes, Father, is this possible?  Surely there must be an understanding?  Just look at the solid work, here not everyone has created according to his own head!  Do you know what? Next Saturday let me come to you; I would like to meet them, too.  You have made me curious.  But now - let's not talk about it any further."

The two returned home late.  They had visited a good friend to whom Jesus had once done a great service.  In the following days, they worked hard again; then, on the eve before Saturday, Zacchaeus himself presented his request to the two of them and asked them to spend the Sabbath in the house tomorrow, since his son, who lived outside the house, would like to meet them.

Then Jesus said, "Yes, my dear Zacchaeus!  We too would like to be more closely acquainted with him.  We have been here for fourteen days, and yet we have barely seen each other.  And you know, from seeing one becomes desirous for connection.

However, I have good reason to postpone My desire for now.  But it pleases Me all the more to get to know ourselves better.  Let us just finish first; in eight days we will be so far, then we will rest and together we want to serve each other further with the gifts which the eternal Creator bestowed on everyone.  But let us still go to the hill tonight and refresh ourselves with the beautiful starry sky."

Inner experiences under the starry sky

All three went silently to the nearby hill, and took a seat under a tree.  For a while they looked and heard the birds wishing each other good night; then it became silent and night quickly fell.  The rising moon spread a dull brightness, and the sky shone with exuberant splendor.

Then Zacchaeus opened his mouth, saying: "For seventy-two years I have lived in this place, and never before have I been so aware of the beauty of the night sky.  I have never seen heaven like today.  Oh Lord!  How beautiful are Your works, that we may enjoy them, and in this beauty receive a foretaste of how You have built Your spiritual heavens!"

Now Jesus says: My beloved ones!  As beautiful as the shining stars, as calm and quiet as the serene, beautiful evening, and as harmonious as on our hearts all the glorious constellations, so was man created.  What are all those glories in the infinite universe compared to the unimagined and unseen ones in our own hearts!

As in peace and in holy order a star serves the others with it's light and thereby begets life, so a man should serve others with the holy hereditary property from the heavens, with which every man is provided.  Then our earth would be even more than a paradise.  It would be the place and site where there would be no more expression for the greatest of the blisses!  Therefore, let us close our eyes and shut our mouths tightly and look inward, so that stars may also rise in our heart's firmament and we may rejoice in them!"

A long silence descended.  But all at once Zacchaeus begins to speak: "I am now experiencing miracles upon miracles!  It is as if I am no longer on earth, but on one of these beautiful stars."

Then Jesus says to him, "Be silent a little while longer, and then we will talk about it! - So be it."

And so the three men sit as if they were asleep; only some deep breaths indicate that they are still awake.   Then Jesus said, "Now arise, and let us go into the house, lest old father Zacchaeus catch cold in the cool of the night!"  And so they went back to the house in silence.  There everything had gone to rest, the whole house had prepared itself for the Sabbath, because no work was allowed to be done.

Once in the room, the three of them made themselves comfortable, and then Zacchaeus began, saying: "Yes, dear friends, and especially you, my dear Jesus, explain to me today's experience!  If I did not know that I had been awake, I would think I had been dreaming!  But it was so wonderful!"

Then Jacob said: "Please tell me about your experience, so that I too can see it clearly," - and Jesus, nodding His head, gave His consent.

"Yes, let me tell" - Zacchaeus begins - "I am on a high mountain on the highest peak, where there was no room for a second - and looking at the land so beautiful in the far distance, the sea with the ships and boats, and was enjoying the most beautiful view. There, all of a sudden, the sun darkens!  It became dark, as if a big thunderstorm was coming, and I wanted to turn back.  I couldn't go back, because it was too steep and there was no path to be seen.  I became anxious and worry about myself and my life makes me more and more restless - and still no way out!  It becomes darker and darker, I became afraid and began to call out and pray: "Oh Jehovah!  Help us!  Do not forsake us!  For doom threatens here!"

For although I was alone, I thought of you while praying and pleading.  And my plea became more anxious and begging; I would have liked to sink to the ground, but I did not dare, because the peak on which I stood, was too small.  It seemed to me as if there were lightenings far away in the distance, but I could no longer see anything because of the thickest darkness.

Then, when I no longer knew where to go, a beautiful, small, sparkling star, such as one sees almost every day in the sky, came toward me, and the closer it came, the larger it became, and also the brighter it became around me.   Closer and closer it came, and it's light became as bright as the sun.  Now it was already very close, I felt as if it was a brightly shining cloud and it came closer and closer.  I wanted to scream and could not.  I felt your closeness and yet I could not give any sign.

There, suddenly the cloud passed through me.  I stood in the middle of it and hoped that it would go away.  Then I realized that it was no longer a cloud, but I was suddenly standing in a garden!  All light, all strangeness had disappeared.  I was somewhere on earth again, and yet everything was strange and unknown to me.  I looked around and then began to move away; there I felt as if I had wings, so fast I could go, and now I hurried far away - and yet - no goal!

I saw beautiful, glorious things on my journey, and unimagined joy pervaded my heart. Then, all at once, I became quite frightened; I was alone after all.  And so I lost all joy and my sense of beauty.  I sat down under a palm tree of immense height and strength and began to think about my situation.  Then I saw a very small stream trickling in a short distance. I went and saw and tasted the water.  Oh, it tasted like the best wine, and then I drank again with two hands in full sips, and again new delights came into my heart.

Then, at last, I found myself to the point of turning to Jehovah.  I knelt down reverently and gave my heart a proper vent!  I gave thanks for the benefits and asked for a change of my situation; for to live in the glorious paradise and alone? - say, dear friends, this became a torture!  Suddenly a person came from afar and do you know who it was?  You!  Jesus, it was you!  But Your face was more serious, Your beard was bigger; in general Your approach was much more dignified than now.

You came to me, gave me Your hand and said: ‘Yes, Zacchaeus, your prayer will be heard!  But you must animate and populate this world of yours yourself!  And for this I will show you the way!  I, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Man, according to the inner love, the Son of God!

Then I heard: "But now get up - and let us go into the house!  Then I opened my eyes, saw myself among you, and everything was as before.  This is the truthful account of my experience, but which of you can give me light that will satisfy me?"

Then Jesus said: "Dear Jacob!  Tell our friend and father of the house what you have seen."

Jacob said: "Praise and thanks be to you above all, oh Lord and God Jehovah of hosts, for again such glorious revelations of grace!  I was here on the hill, looking at the glorious stars.  I felt as if I were lifted from the earth and carried by arms so soft, and was pressed against a breast by a being I could not yet recognize.  Then the being spoke: 'Oh fear not, you faithful servant and shepherd of our faithful God, who took on flesh and blood like yourself!  I will carry you to your glorious, beautiful house, so that you can sunbathe and strengthen yourself at your own discretion!'

Then a star came toward us among myriads of stars.  We hurried toward it, and in a few moments we were not only there, but on the star, which represented a great, great beautiful world.  Huge palaces, all imaginable splendor, all lavish wealth were on display. The streets, though narrow, but bright, paved with gold and silver, and how beautiful the people!  Very simple, a snow-white coat and a belt around the body!  The women and girls wore the same clothes, only a golden hoop set with rubies in their hair.

They came up to us and greeted us with wonderful welcome songs.  Wherever our eyes looked, only happy, joyful and blissful people!  And the cry resounded from among the many - many: 'Welcome!  He who comes in the name of the Lord!’  There was a great silence.  A choir of singers with harps and other instruments took their places before us, and a song or psalm resounded, as sweet and beautiful as I have never heard in my life.

And, think, I forgot to look at the one who carried me there on his strong arms, and suddenly he was gone!  I did not miss anything, because the new and magnificent beauty captured all my senses.  Then an elderly, very handsome man came up to me, carrying a cup in his right hand, saying to me:  'Oh lord of this your house!  Welcome us in the name of the Lord!  But do not refuse the drink, as proof of our love for you!  We waited in longing until you come!  We know that Your time has not yet come, that you have yet to perform the holy service of love for the great work of God; but strengthen yourself, that we too may be strengthened by your love for us!’

I took the cup and drank; then my interior was filled, I wanted to shout!  Then, beloved Jesus, I heard Your voice: 'Let us go into the house!', and I was again truly the Jacob I first was!"

Old Zacchaeus' eyes widened and he shakes his head once and again a second time and then say, "Listen!  Suppose these things are true?  It is most incomprehensible to me!"

Then Jesus said: "My dear, dear friends! Yes, dear father of the house - all is well! Only this experience is new to you! Behold, when you, Zacchaeus, turned off your senses, your natural being began to withdraw and you saw your inner state in images and correspondences.  The high mountain top represented your righteous life before God.  But all the beauties of your natural world did not withstand the penetration into your true spiritual world.  The star did not come to you, but you were drawn to it and became acquainted with your true, inner world, which will be your eternal home one day.

All the beauties of your inner world are the consequences of your just and wise way of thinking; and since you endeavored to fulfill the law of Moses, this your new and true own world was able to offer you a potion as thanks!  But that you met no inhabitant, is because you never in your whole life went beyond the law in purest, unselfish way and love.  You sacrificed and thought you had done enough.  But that is why I came to you, not only to your spiritual world, but also to your natural world, to show you the way that leads to life out of God - to true happiness and beatitude!

See, 'to be happy' means 'to make happy!'  And with the unjust mammon soothe tears, help and promote, create prayers of thanksgiving and blessings for you and your house! Every blessing from a grateful heart becomes an inhabitant of your inner world, which will serve you eternally with gratitude and create your happiness!

And now I will tell you nothing more than this: You can believe it and arrange your further life according to it, but you can also continue your old life!  For I do not say: Do this or that!  Your own heart must be decisive, and the move of love will bring you clarity.

To you, brother Jacob, I need say nothing but: Continue to do your duty - and remain silent before everyone.  And now let us go to rest.  Good night!  God's blessing be with you!"

Jesus bows before the old master of the house and leaves the room with Jacob.  But what did he do? He remained sitting at the table, thinking over every word many times, muttering incomprehensible words.  Finally he got up and said: "First I must talk with my son, but now I too am going to rest" - but he did not find a minute's restorative sleep.

Sabbath morning on the hill - New inner experiences

Hours passed, and Zacchaeus was the first to be up, again to await the two friends on Sabbath morning.  He did not have to wait long, when the door opened and Jesus and Jacob entered the room.  They were surprised to find the old man already awake, and after greeting him, he informed them that he had not slept, his insides were too troubled. Jesus said: "Yes, have you not called upon the Lord God to take away your agitation?"

He looked at Jesus in amazement and said: "Yes, young friend, could I do that?  My whole thinking was set on my experience and did not let me come at all to the clear way of thinking, until I intended to question my son.  But now you are here, I feel better;  but let us have the morning meal!"

But Jesus modestly refused and said in a sweet tone: "Would you not accompany us again to the hill?  If we saw the sky so beautiful yesterday at night, it must be even more beautiful as the day grows!"  Zacchaeus nodded in the affirmative.

Gently and quietly the three went to the hill, and the sun began to color the horizon bright red.  When Zacchaeus wanted to say something, Jesus said: "Let us look at everything in silence, so that nothing, nothing at all escapes us!"  And so the three sat down on the dewy moss bench, facing the rising sun.

Peace and silence triggered a detachment from the earthly, and attentively Zacchaeus and Jacob observed all the events in the sky and in the valley on earth.  Jesus seemed to be absent as if spiritually; only deep sighs and deep breaths attested to His presence.  The sun rose higher and higher, and the eyes of the two must have become tired, because Zacchaeus said to Jacob: "Now I have seen enough of the miraculous, and it has made me quite fresh!  But you, my dear Jesus, seem to have slept?  Because you have had the eyes more closed than open".

"Not at all, My old, good Zacchaeus!  For I have long since made a habit of seeing in Myself all that you see with your eyes, as if outside of you!  For behold, all that you saw was refreshment and pleasure for your sense-world!  But what I saw in Myself, was life upon life in My heart-world!  But I ask you: What was it that captivated you so much?  Tell it freely, so that the truth may be freed from appearance!"

Now Zacchaeus began: "First of all, so that I will not have blame, let me thank God: 'God! You Eternal One!  There is no one like You, and everything is Yours!  Your creation gives me witness that You are beautiful and glorious!  And that I could see this this morning, I thank You for it, also in the name of these two young friends!  And so, kneeling, receive my thanks and ours!  Amen.”

Well, dear friends!  I looked and saw how the light in the fight with the night - became the winner!  For when the crest of the rising morning sun became visible, almost everything was illuminated, that the smallest little clouds became visible to me.  But it was as if these light little clouds represented veils which were carried by invisible hands to let me recognize that actually the earth would be not yet worthy enough to take 'this light' in itself!  But the higher the sun rose, the less became the light little clouds, until I saw no more.  Of course, then I could also not look into the sun anymore!

All the more, however, my thoughts were occupied with the processes in nature.  In the valley I saw only clouds of mist; but they did not descend, but were absorbed by the light of the sun.  And then it became alive!  Birds, beetles, pigeons, chickens, everything was busy looking for 'water' and 'food'.  And then I did not look any more, but made comparisons, and thereby I became delight-weary!  For the earth is nevertheless glorious and paradisiacally beautiful, and so I addressed Jacob."

Jesus then said to Jacob: "Would you not also tell what you have seen?"

Jacob began: "Yes, my beloved! My heart is overflowing and richly compensated for many things that the earth has given me 'as sorrow' until now.  For in the rising sun I saw a man who showed only sense for our earth; not once did He turn His gaze from the earth. Then I felt as if innumerable beings approached Him and I heard: 'Oh Lord!  You life of all life!  You light of all light!  Allow us to go before You, to prepare the ground for You, so that Your truth, Your light-full Being may become the property of Your so dearly beloved earth!  Give thanks, you faithful of My Father, for your will!  It is not yet time!  For alone and first I must accomplish "the Holy Work!  But at the end of 'great times', then I need you to support those who want to complete 'the Holy Work!’”

And lovingly and in blessing, His hands glided over the multitude, and then, turned to the earth, sent streams of fluid to it.  And so I also made comparisons and regretted to be already now an inhabitant of the earth.  For, I thought to myself, there He speaks: 'Alone - and as the first, I must accomplish it!' - while in distant times, any man will be able to do this?  And then - I was torn out of my thinking".

Then Jesus said: "Right and well you have spoken, but seek also the explanation, it will come to you!"

Then Zacchaeus asked: "Dearest young friend!  Would you not also tell us what you have seen and observed, as you said: 'within yourself'?"

"Yes, with pleasure you shall hear it!  This time I only saw you, Zacchaeus, and you, brother Jacob, resting at the breast of My Holy Father!  And in your happiness, a holy happiness was poured out to Me, and I needed it to strengthen Me for My spiritual struggle! And now let it be enough!  Let's go into the house!  A messenger is waiting for you and wants to speak with you, dear Zacchaeus!"

Slowly they go back.  Jesus, in the middle, takes the hands of the two on the right and on the left, and without a word, they reach their destination.

A messenger approaches Zacchaeus and brings news that Zacchaeus, the son, cannot come to the Sabbath-visit to the Father's house, that important work and negotiations with the Roman commander keep him away.  He will not appear until the middle of the week, and he sincerely asks that the two Nazarenes not leave until he has spoken to them.  Thoughtfully, Zacchaeus shows Jesus this letter, but Jesus says: "I know what it says.  I wished it so, and so it came, that you might find time today to come to the Sabbath celebration with and in yourself!  And so we take a leave of absence!  Tomorrow we will be here for work again."

Zacchaeus asks: "Stay here today, or I will be alone."

Then Jacob speaks quickly: "Do not ask Jesus to change His will, for you would ask in vain!  One word from Him is as a thousand."

Then Jesus, grasping Zacchaeus' hands, says: "See, for your sake we leave you today, that you may become the master of your own free will!  For what you decide to do, must be done of your own free will!  If I were your guest all day, you would not come to an independent decision.  Therefore remain so, because it is the best!  And now be blessed for the true Sabbath celebration in you!

And so they departed and went into the parlour to satisfy themselves, in spite of the Sabbath!  For on the table was still the untouched morning meal.

Follow me - into the inner Sabbath rest!

Then they went out and directed their steps to a nearby grove.  There Jesus then said to Jacob: "Receive My heartfelt thanks, because you recognized Me and did not betray Me! But I ask you: see in Me only 'your brother', until the redemption and 'the time' come!  For I also still see in Me many things that are still unredeemed and bound!

"Dear Jesus! Your will be done! But one thing I ask of You: I still doubt too easily.  When I look at You as a human being, I see that You are like me.  You eat, You sleep, You work like me.  But sometimes I see: You can't be a human being, only God can be like that! Then I get confused, and so I fall into the old evil!  Oh give me clarity, since we are alone!"

"My good Jacob!  You will find it in yourself!  And what you have found, do not let human concepts take it away from you!  It would be 'to bind you' if I would give you clarification about My Being.  And yet you would not become free from doubt.  Doubt and research are a struggle!  And let 'through struggle to the goal', be your slogan, as it is also Mine!  Only - what you have laboriously won for yourself - remains yours - for eternity!

For see, it depends for you humans on this: What you are - and what you do - and - how you stand before God and people!  In lovely harmony, everything will complement each other!  And so you will never become the plaything of your thoughts and the whims arising from them!  The more tested you have become, the more real is your world, in which you were able to look around in yesterday!  And therefore heed this!  In a short time, we will be 'one' in everything!  Have you understood this?"

"Yes, my Jesus!  You are my salvation, and without You I am nothing!  Your will - may it become mine!  Bless me, that I may be worthy also to keep the true Sabbath observance beside You; yet joined, wordlessly, with You!"

And so Jesus blessed and said, "That we may become 'one' forever! Amen!"

Silence fell around them, and their hearts became wide and full of love!  And in this silence again 'the Spirit', Whom gives comfort and strength, bliss and happiness to all people, was strengthened!  Thus the two had no desire but to mature, to become capable of being the instruments of Eternal Love!

The day was drawing to a close, so they got up and went back, without a word, to the house to eat the evening meal and to go to bed for the night.  And in this way, "Follow Me - into the inner chamber!  Amen."

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Table of Contents

1. Jesus and Jacob on the way to the new worksite 4

2. Stopover at the inn of an old innkeeper 6

3. Conversation about the Father in us 9

4. Arrival at the old Zaccheus 13

5. Jesus and Jakob builds the hall 14

6. Inner experiences under the starry sky 15

7. Sabbath morning on the hill - New inner experiences 19

8. Follow me - into the inner Sabbath rest! 22