John the Apostle

in his youth with Jesus

Love gains the victory

Part 1

Book 2

Max Seltmann

Recommended chronological reading list:

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

1. Childhood years of Jesus (Jakob Lorber)

2. Book 1 – John the Baptist

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

4. Book 3 – Jesus’ Life

5. Book 4 – Jesus’ Life

6. Book 5 – Jesus’ Life

7. Book 6 – Jesus’ Life

8. Book 7 – Jesus’ Life

9. Book 8 – Jesus’ Life

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

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

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

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

14. Book 11 - Good Friday

15. Book 12 - Judas Iscariot in the beyond

16. Book 13 - On the road to Emmaus

17. Book 14 - The Risen One!

18. Book 15 - The New Life in man

19. Book 16 – At Bethany – story of Theophilus

20. Book 17 - Ascension

21. Book 18 - Pentecost!

22. Book 19 - Among the first Christians

23. Book 20 - Divine guidance of the first Christians

24. Book 21 - The chamberlain from the Orient

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

26. Book 23 - Awakening the Divine life

27. Book 24 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 1

28. Book 25 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 2

29. Book 26 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 3

30. Book 27 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 4

31. Book 28 - Naeme

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

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

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Table of Contents

1.  Passover in Jerusalem 4

2.  In Bethany 7

3.  John in Nazareth 10

4.  Jesus rescue Jacob 12

5.  Stormy night in Bethsaida 14

6.  John celebrates the Sabbath together with Jesus 18

7.  Help for the storm-afflicted 21

8.  The change in John 27

9.  Sickness and death of the Greek 28

10.  Jesus overcomes Salome 30

11.  Hermes, the son of the Greek, and the vision on the Sabbath 34

12.  John the Baptist 38

Passover in Jerusalem

In the hostel of Lazarus in Jerusalem it was business as usual on high feast days.  Although the tenant was an amiable and always ready to serve man, it was nevertheless not possible for him on this day to do justice to all desires.

Among others, fishermen from Bethsaida had arrived tired and hungry and were now put to a long test before some bread and salt could be given to them.

Zebedee was quite displeased, but his wife Salome reassured him: "How can you be displeased, since the others are no better off; look at Joseph of Nazareth, how quietly he sits by his wife and waits patiently!"

"Where is he, the old, faithful Joseph?  I haven't even noticed him yet; it would have been nice if we had walked here together.  I hope we can return together, for I have all kinds of requests for him."

Again the woman admonished: "Zebedee, we are now in the City of God; there you leave your personal desires at home."

In the meantime, most of the guests had satisfied themselves.  Only now did the guests really look around, and there was a hearty greeting full of joy at the reunion.

Salome, who did not yet know Mary, the wife of the old Joseph, was surprised by the charm that emanated from the young woman, and the two women consequently became inseparable.  Zebedee had to be patient longer before he could converse with Joseph, for the old carpenter was a well-known and popular figure.  The sons of Joseph had also found friends, as did the sons of Zebedee, and therefore they were not present at the greeting.

It became very late before the night meal could be taken, because there were too many to be satisfied.  Tired, they lay down in the designated rooms.  After the long march, there was a great need for rest.

Early in the morning it was a little better, and at the morning meal they got to know each other even better - Joseph with his wife and Jacob and Jesus, Zebedee with his wife and Jacob and John.  The two Jacobs quickly joined, as did Jesus and John.  After the meal, the two families left to go to the temple, and so the groups also stayed together on the way to their destination.

Mary expressed to Salome her worries about Jesus: only with great difficulty did she succeed in bringing him here; in general, the whole behavior and actions of her son were a great mystery to her.  He was obedient and willing in everything, only in matters of faith he was not to be understood - there he had his own thoughts and interpretations.

Salome said: "But Mary, He is your son, and to teach Him obedience must be possible for Joseph!  If you are already unable to cope with Him, what do you think will happen in the future?"

Mary wept and said: "We must not think of that at all; for as soon as we want to assert our opinion, He looks at us with His clear eyes, as if He wanted to penetrate us; and then He usually goes out of the house and leaves us to worry about Him."

"But Mary" - Salome was horrified - "this is not acceptable; what do your priests have to say about it?"

"They are as powerless as we are; whoever tries to accomplish anything with Jesus by severity, is punished.  Oh what a pity it is sometimes, and yet we thought Jehovah had called Him to something great.  What miraculous things we have seen in Him, and now His mouth remains silent; only His eyes speak all the more forcefully."

They now approached the temple.  The people streaming in from all sides were all pushing for the entrance.  The courtyard and the sacrificial altars were crowded.  The two families were pushed apart.  Jesus and John, however, stayed together.  Jesus had already expressed His disgust about the activities in the temple on the way to the temple, so that John was frightened.

"But Jesus, consider" - he admonished his friend - "You speak about the temple, the house in which Jehovah dwells!  How can You speak so disparagingly of the priests?"

"My John, just wait until we get to the temple.  Then I will open your eyes and show you things that even you will not like."

And so it came to pass.  Already the entrance was anything but consecrating.  There were bleating cattle, sheep and lambs, and on the ground was such a mire that it was not possible to keep clean feet.  At last both had arrived at the altars of sacrifice; there it was quite bad.  These were not priests, but crude butchers, who mercilessly cut the necks of the fearfully bleating sheep and lambs with their sharp knives, then threw the twitching bodies of the dying animals onto the fire-altar.

Then Jesus said: "John, do you think that Jehovah is pleased with this?  I would gladly put an end to all the sacrifices; is it not written: 'The righteous has mercy on his cattle, but the heart of the wicked is unmerciful'?"

"But Jesus, we must not be concerned about that!  Moses commanded the sacrifice, and that is what is to be decisive for us.  What the individual feels about it is none of our business, because the priests are responsible for that, and they are the representatives of God."

"John, I must still leave you with this, but I ask you: what do you feel about this sacrifice?"

"I, Jesus, would also prefer it if this visit of ours to the temple would cause a consecrating mood, but it does not depend on us, but on the fulfillment of God's will."

"I am of a different persuasion, John; in the ways of the Lord, only that can give me joy which is also joy to the Lord, but likewise that which causes me disgust will also be disgust to the Lord."

"I do not understand you, dear Jesus; what then do your parents say to your views?"

"Dear John, this is precisely the bad thing for Me, that I am not allowed to speak about it at all.  If I have one request, it is this: Come, let us leave the temple!  We will find a place where we will like it better."

"No, Jesus, if my father and mother asked me where and how we spent this day, they would be quite saddened if I told them the truth, and I can't lie."

"I do not want to press you, John, but I cannot stay here because all this is disgusting to Me."

So John remained alone, but strange - since Jesus had left him, everything disgusted him too, and so he looked for his parents.  Already the day was drawing to a close, when he at last found them.  On the way to the inn, Salome asked him where Jesus was.

"I don't know, mother.  Jesus left the temple early in the morning, saying He was disgusted by all the activity and was looking for a place where He would like it better."

"I am speechless.  First His parents undertake the long journey here with Him and His brothers, and then He seeks a place where He would like it better."

Jesus came to the supper with radiant eyes; Mary was silent, but Salome said to Him: "Dear Jesus, You are now at the age when one should be more understanding.  This is not the way: first you undertake the long journey with parents and brothers, and now the temple is a place where everything disgusts you; see that Jehovah does not punish you."

"Mother Salome" - replied Jesus - "I think I know Jehovah better than you and all of you do; it would be better for you to strive more for the will of Jehovah than for the fulfillment of statutes of blind priests who obviously no longer know the will of Jehovah."

Then Salome said - "Oh Mary, now I understand your distress; but for Jehovah's sake, what is to be done?  Jesus, I ask you, tell me: what do You intend?  You cannot, after all, be so rejected that You do not feel the sorrow and grief of Your parents."

"More than all of you, dear Salome, but I must obey God more than people, and I cannot make allowances for the weaknesses of My fellow men, even if they are the dearest to Me.  In Me, everything is clear and light; therefore I go My way, because I cannot do otherwise.  But I do not want to be the stone of stumbling among you; therefore I will seek My bed, and Jacob can explain many things to you.  Good night, the peace of God be with you!"

The next morning, no-one touched the conversations of the previous day, only Jesus said to Joseph in the presence of the others: "I will go to Bethany and stay there.  Since the way leads you all there, I ask you, father Joseph, to enter there, for you give thereby to Lazarus, whom you know very well, much joy.  If possible, also persuade Zebedee and his loved ones to stop in, I know it would be a blessing to you and to all."

"Jesus, because You ask, I will do it, and because I feel that You also need joy.  Go ahead in peace and announce us."

Then Jesus turned to Salome and said, "It is to you that I turn, Mother Salome; would you permit John to go with Me to Bethany even today?  Be so good as to comply with My request."

Salome asked her husband what he thought about it; he said yes without further ado, if John wanted to.  And he wanted; therefore they also set out.  John asked: "Where were you all day yesterday? I have had terrible hours in the temple."

"I was in Bethany with the two sisters Mary and Martha, who asked Me to come again today; for I am no stranger there."

In Bethany

They were soon in Bethany, where they were warmly welcomed, and the conversation was lively.  The sisters led them into a large room and said: "Dear brothers, you will have to make do with us for the time being, for our brother will not return until noon.  Oh Jesus, how happy we are that You have made it possible to visit us also today.  Our brother will be happy."

"Yes, Mary, and tomorrow My parents and John's parents will join us.  I invited them because I knew you would be pleased."

"Jesus" - said Mary - "my brother has a special respect for you, and that still comes from our father.  Do you know that about ten years ago your parents stayed here in Bethany with you?  Lazarus often spoke of it, therefore he will have a great joy, if your parents return here."

John could not help himself, he was so filled with joy; but the way Jesus moved among the two girls, made him think.  'What kind of man is Jesus', was his constant thought.  Jesus, however, was joyful beyond measure, and the two girls with Him.  It did not worry John that Jesus did not take any notice of him; on the contrary, he was glad that he was left in the background.  Long before noon, Lazarus came; with uplifted hands, he approached Jesus and said: "A greater joy than with your visit, you could not give me, my dear Jesus, and so make yourselves at home in Bethany.  Surely you have invited your parents to come here, for I truly long for old Joseph?"

"Lazarus, I knew of your joy, that is why I invited My parents and John's; tomorrow at this time, they will be here."

"Jesus, can I speak to you quite freely; I do not wish to grieve your friend."

"Do it anyway, dear Lazarus, affliction is out of the question; at the most, the discord will be increased in him, and it can be bridged."

Said John: "Dear Lazarus, if you have something to discuss with Jesus, do it anyway; I will look around a bit in Bethany.  With Jesus I do not come immediately clear, He gives me too many riddles."

Then Lazarus laughed, put both hands on John's shoulders and said: "My young brother and also friend, you are not the only one who is like this; but the time, the great and mighty, will bring clarification.  Remember what I say to you today: whoever has Jesus as a friend, has a treasure in heaven and on earth."

"Lazarus, I thank you for this word, but I cannot yet understand even this.  It is something quite new that I experience with Him, I feel His love, I am drawn to Him, and this is incomprehensible to me; but when I hear Him speak, I dare not say anything back."

"John, as it happens to you, it will happen to millions more, and therefore let time speak, everything is still too young."

Lazarus now went out alone with Jesus into the plantations, John stayed with the girls; in a little hour, Lazarus wanted to be back again.

Lazarus said: "Jesus, yesterday I could not speak with you about what moves me.  Only this night, everything has come back to me, and so I ask You: dear Jesus, have the faculties remained to You, which 10 years ago expressed themselves in and with You in the temple?  Please, be open and do not leave me in the dark!"

"Lazarus, because you asked for an answer quite openly and honestly, you shall also receive an open and honest answer.  Yes, the abilities have remained, even increased; but listen: my time has not yet come!  Many things must be purified in Me, many things must be refined and grow into the Divine.  But to give you the proof that I am the One in whom you also put your hope, this whole mountain shall be covered with olive trees!  As I grow into My mission, so shall these trees grow, and when I have reached maturity, these trees shall bring you the first fruits!  But be silent before everyone and be clear already today: the coming Messiah will disappoint many.  But believe Me already today: the coming Messiah will establish a kingdom that will be a salvation for all people.  But if I may make a request to you, let it be this: do not do anything so that you do not lose yourself, but remain faithful to God and also to yourself.  Do not talk about it with My earthly foster father either, because any coercion is to be avoided.

And now come and see your future oil planting, but do not speak of it to anyone!"

Both went now towards the olive mountain.  The bushes there had become less and everywhere small oil trees stood exactly as Lazarus had always wished; he just lacked the people for the execution of this wish.

"But Jesus, this is a miracle; this is exactly how I wished it; how was this all then possible for You?"

"Lazarus, do not want to know everything prematurely; for to understand this, you still lack maturity.  Always remember that with God no thing is impossible, and so let us return to the house."

Both sisters were already looking out for them, for the midday meal had been prepared.  John was not bored, both girls had so many things to tell and ask about Jesus, but could not get anything from him other than: "Jesus is a mystery to me."

After the midday meal, Lazarus took his two guests and led them far out into the plantations, and with active interest, both followed his explanations.  When they came to the old Tobias, they tarried a while longer.  John wondered how the already old man became so intimate with Jesus.  The afternoon passed quickly; when they came back into the house again, guests had come - old friends of the house of Lazarus.

After the supper, there was a lively exchange of opinions, but John could not follow it.  It was all too high or too low for him.  He was surprised, however, that the two sisters showed such a lively interest.

The next day around noon, Joseph and Zebedee arrived with their relatives.  The joy was great among all, especially Salome and Mary were pleasantly touched by the care shown by the two sisters.  Lazarus now gave himself completely to the visit, but immediately recognized that Joseph had changed.  He could not at all discuss with Joseph the burning question: ‘What is the matter with Jesus?’ - but let Mary tell what all she had experienced in the temple.  Lazarus had hoped for more from the visit, but one look at Jesus, told him more than any conversation.

The return trip resulted in many suggestions, since Salome was not satisfied with the idea of letting Jesus develop freely.  She always stood on the point of view: children have to submit to their parents; and Jesus did not allow himself to be taught.  Old Joseph was glad when he was back with his own in Nazareth; he said, "Never again will I go to Jerusalem, I had hoped for more from the journey, but I am most comfortable this way, when everybody leaves me alone."

John in Nazareth

Two years passed, and John came to Nazareth to speak with Jesus.  The occasion was provided by his mother Salome.  Rumors about Jesus, the stupid and idiot, would not cease.  Fishermen spread such gossip, and the most incredible things were said.

A violent storm had badly damaged Zebedee's house and stables, so Salome sent John as a messenger to Nazareth to ask Joseph to come to Bethsaida with some of his sons.  Joseph agreed, but it would be a little while before he was ready.  John stayed two days, but during those days, Jesus became even more incomprehensible to him.  He therefore said to Him: "Jesus, I am not blind after all, and I see with open eyes how things are with you.  How I rejoiced when my mother sent me to you, and now I am saddened by your behavior.  Why don't you speak?  Your mother suffers from your dumbness, and about you one hears the most unbelievable things."

"Dear John, you judge according to appearances and not according to reality."

"Jesus, I would not have mentioned any of this if I had found everything all right with you; but do you not realize that your mother longs for a word from you?  You can talk; I experienced that in Bethany, and you also expressed joy there.  Why are you so silent here?  Please, give me an answer; I want to give a good picture of you at home, because with my mother you are not held in high esteem."

"My John, I am completely indifferent about what the world says and judges about Me; but I am not indifferent to what God thinks about Me, and therefore people may say what they will; I go My way which God shows Me."

"But Jesus, you don't go to any synagogue, you don't meet with any priest; you haven't attended any school either; tell me, how will you prove before God and all the world that God is your guide?  I cannot understand you.  When I am at home, I almost die of longing for you, and now that I am here, you repel me with your nature, because you do not want to respond to the wishes of your good mother."

"My dear John, I cannot tell you anything else; it is not yet time to speak about it.  I would be happy if you would make an effort to understand Me and My behavior.  If I had only one person who understood Me, many things would be easier for Me.  Certainly, many give their love to Me, but I am concerned that they walk with Me and become one with Me, so that the goal set before Me may be reached all the sooner."

"Jesus, now I don't understand you anymore!  You speak of a high goal; don't we all have it?  Aren't all doors open to You in the temple?  Oh My dear Jesus, sorrow fills me when I hear You speak like this."

"John, do you think that sorrow is foreign to Me?  I think there will hardly be a second man who struggles and suffers as I do.  I would never tell you this if I did not know how you are attached to Me, and so take this home to your parents as a consolation: one day the time will come when everything will be revealed.  As long as it is not yet here, carry Me in your love, for I can well use this influx of strength."

With deep sorrow in his heart, John came home; he wanted to defend Jesus, but could not find the right words, and new rumors about Him spread across the Sea of Galilee.

One evening, Joel, Jacob and Jesus came to repair Zebedee's house.  Joel, struck by the extent of the damage, said: "Our strength is not enough; the house will have to be rebuilt almost from the ground.  Do you at least have enough wood on hand, Zebedee?"

"There look, this I have been able to procure; perhaps I can procure more."

"Is it so bad?" - asked Salome sorrowfully. Then Jesus interjected: "But Joel, don't be so worried; we'll manage, and the wood will do just fine."

"How is it that you are suddenly able to speak again; truly, this would be called a miracle."

Said Jacob to Joel: "Brother, be silent!  When Jesus speaks, He also acts, and so I think we leave everything to Jesus."

Joel now asked Jesus: "Brother Jacob thinks we should leave everything to You; what is Your opinion?"

"Joel, if you leave the building to Me, you will give Me great joy.  I will take it over on the condition that you keep silent."

"If You, Jesus, can promise us to do everything according to the wishes of the builder, then we will keep silent."

"All right, so be it, My brothers, and so we will go to work, but for now, shall we help Zebedee fish?  The sea is quite troubled."

Jesus rescue Jacob

Zebedee was pleased when he received three helpers in fishing; the sea was indeed quite agitated.  Even as the boats went far out, the sails had to be turned, and Jacob, John's brother, fell into the water.  In the high swell that had set in by then, his absence was not noticed by all.  John immediately jumped to his brother's aid, but it took him a long time to reach Jacob, who kept surfacing.  At last he had caught him, and now the others also saw what had happened and headed for the two wrestling in the water.

Zebedee was the first to offer help.  Jacob was unconscious when he was pulled into the boat.  John also struggled with fainting, but soon recovered.  Zebedee now took the boat back to the little house harbor, and amid cries of lamentation, the unconscious man was carried into the house.  Salome was startled; she quickly joined in, and soon they were ready to deal with the unconscious man.  Jesus stood aside, and the excited Salome said to Him, "Why don't you help; is this also your new way?"

"Not at all, Mother Salome, there are far too many people here.  But to prove to you how right I am, I say, all of you stand aside!"

Before the others could say anything, Jesus had come to the bed, stroked with His hands the face of Jacob, who was lying there as if dead, and said: "Get up again and be a little more careful in the future!"

Then Jacob got up, looked around for a long time and said: "What on earth has happened to me?  A few moments ago I was in a beautiful meadow, and now I am here?"

Salome answered him: "You fell into the water and John pulled you out.  You have swallowed much water, and fainted; eat a lemon or two immediately, that the taste of water may go away, or you shall be sick."

Jesus beckoned to Zebedee and said: "Let the women talk as they wish; we will go out once more; the sea will soon calm down."

Zebedee did as Jesus said, and wonder of wonders, the sea became calm, and a fine catch was made, so that all had to work until late in the evening.

After the supper, Salome could not keep silent.  She sharply attacked Jesus because of His behavior at home and in the accident, saying: "Jesus, if You were my son, I would not have as much patience as Your mother has with You."

Said Jesus: "Mother Salome, if you want to argue with Me, see that you do not fall short, for in Me lives a God Whose will is holy to Me, and to represent this God, is My most sacred task.  Your God I also know, but He has nothing in common with Mine but the name."

"Jesus" - Salome replied excitedly - "I gave you no right to disparage my God.  But how you arrogate to yourself the right to speak of a God whose will is sacred to you, is a mystery to me.  Because your behavior shows that you have no desire for a God at all; otherwise you would not have an abhorrence of the temple and put yourself on friendly terms with the priests.  It is outrageous what is heard of you, and I consider it my duty to tell you this."

Jesus answered her: "Salome, I do not resent you because you do not know what you are saying, but I ask you one thing: Have you ever seriously considered whether I might not be right after all?  Take a closer look at the people, is their condition not such that they are lost for God and have become a victim of their self-love, their greed and lust for power?  What is left to you of Moses, what of the prophets, many of whom were killed by the priests you praised?  Which service is the predominant one among the priests?  But that of collecting the tithes and the unbearable taxes.  No, Mother Salome, I carry a different God in Me, and this is called love and mercy.  But why do I have to keep silent?  Because I do not want to hurt anyone.  And why do I not yet appear in public with the light out of God that has become in Me?  Because My hour has not yet come.  Behold, the God living in Me would build you a house in an instant as you could dream of, and why can't He do it?  Because you bind His hands.  But you shall still experience the glory of My God.  For in spite of the too little timber, the house shall be built for you, but in a natural way by His power and grace."

"Jesus, it may be that secret powers lie dormant in you, your mother has told me so much about you; I certainly hear the message, but I still cannot believe it."

"Dear Salome, whether you can believe it or not, God will nevertheless still continue His holy work.  If God wanted to be guided by people in everything He does, soon the whole creation would be a chaos and a pile of rubble.  Unfortunately, people always look at their fellow men with the prejudices that their own blind opinion has created for them, and therefore it is better that we keep silent, and the future will prove the truth of My words."

"Jesus, this I can tell you already today: with this opinion of yours you will bring little joy to others and will experience just as little joy.  Remain a decent and obedient person, then God and all people will also have joy in you."

"This is what I will do, Mother Salome, I will be so obedient to My God that He shall only experience joy in Me, even if all people condemn Me because of it."

Salome was shocked by this speech of the young Jesus, she kept silent and took it upon herself.  She promised herself to keep a close watch on him during the days he was in her house.  She vowed to herself to make the stay of Joseph's sons as pleasant as possible, so as not to give any cause for Jesus to be displeased with her.

The building proceeded rapidly, and Zebedee gladly put up with all the inconveniences, for he saw that Jesus was really building him an almost new house, and he was already rejoicing because everything was going according to his wishes.  Of course, there was one thing he did not like, that John was attached to Jesus like a limpet.  Every free minute, he was with Him.  But Salome said to herself that when the builders were gone, John would be all right again.

Stormy night in Bethsaida

Then came a bad stormy night, such as Bethsaida had not yet experienced; not even one house was spared, damage had occurred everywhere.  Zebedee was not out with the boats that very night, because he had had to work hard all day with his sons at Jesus' request.  Salome had held a heavy grudge against Him because of this.  How glad she was now that she could be without fear and worry.

The storm had not passed by the new building without damage, and when the next day revealed everything, the lamentations increased.  Not only was there great damage to the huts, barns and fish tanks, but also many fishermen were missing, and many boats had been smashed by the storm.  A terrible lamentation began, and the priests knew no advice, even reproached the people: they deserved this punitive judgment because they sacrificed too little.

Salome turned to Jesus: "What is your opinion about this judgment that has affected Bethsaida?"

Jesus answered her: "Mother Salome, I have no opinion about it; in this time, storms are not rare, and therefore the fisherman must be particularly careful about the signs which announce heavy storms.  I knew that a heavy night would come; therefore I asked Zebedee to help us until evening, since the night would have little success.  To John I said: ‘This night will demand heavy sacrifices; I wish it were over.'  You see, what I felt in advance as a natural man, the others also could and had to feel.  But unfortunately, it is like this: nobody grants the other a good catch, and everybody wants to be the best fisherman.  If they had rather repaired their half-ruined huts and checked their fish tanks, the damage would not have been half as great and fatalities would have been avoided."

"So you speak, Jesus.  Now that the misery is there, it is easy to turn the game around; why did You not warn the others?  Where was your God, to whom you are so obedient?  What you are saying is a cheap excuse after everything has happened like this."

"Salome, if you want to fight with Me, then see how you will endure it.  In any case, I will and must remain silent, for I will not let any blind woman belittle My God, whom I carry within Me and whom I serve.  Now see how you will cope with yourself; for you, I am only the carpenter Jesus."

The injured parties soon learned that the construction of Zebedee was nearing completion, so they came and asked the carpenters to come and help them as well.  Others complained because their husbands and sons were not recovering; who would pay for these repairs, since they had lost everything?

Then Jesus asked Joel and Jacob: "How do you think we will help the afflicted?  There is no profit for us, of course."

Said James: "Brother Jesus, in these days, enough has been created by Your indwelling omnipotence; could You not also serve the poor afflicted ones with it?"

"No, brothers - because of their unbelief.  Nevertheless, I think we will not deny them our help, and God's blessing will still be upon our doings."

Said Joel: "But what will the father Joseph say if we come home without any earnings at all?"

Answered Jesus: "In need, Father Joseph was also always ready to help, I think we help the poor people."

This is how it happened.  As soon as the house of Zebedee was finished, the three went to the injured parties, and very quickly the work progressed, so that everyone was amazed at the quick work of the three carpenters.  Since there were also many volunteers who lent a hand to the work, it took only a few months and the most necessary was done.

John came every free hour, and once when Jesus was working alone on another house, John was disappointed because he did not find Him.  Then Jacob said: "Listen, John, has Jesus become so dear to you that you must be with Him every free hour?"

"Yes, Jacob, there is a longing for Him in me that I cannot suppress; but if I am with Him, I am also unsatisfied.  I do not know what that condition is."

"Listen, John, I have long since noticed that Jesus is more concerned with you than with anyone else, and so I ask you to tell me if Jesus has expressed Himself to you concerning His future.  Just since we have been here in Bethsaida, Jesus has been much more accessible than at home or in other places.”

"Jacob, I do not know that Jesus has ever said anything about Himself or about what He is going to do.  He always emphasizes that the life of God awake in Him should fill Him completely and that He should become completely one with this life of God.  Can you, Jacob, perhaps say something more detailed about this?  It is puzzling to me that Jesus always speaks only of things that I cannot understand in the least."

"It is the same with us, John; it is not at all possible for us to enter into conversation with Jesus concerning our earthly existence.  He always gives the answer: 'I cannot let Me be stopped by that which hinders Me in My striving'; and there we prefer to be quiet and leave Jesus as He is."

"You may be right.  Jacob, because you are always together; but I am alone, and when you are away, there is no possibility at all of being with Him, and yet I can no longer be without Him.  If I were a girl, I could excuse it by being in love with Him, but I am a man and I love Him.  And with an intimacy that I cannot tell anyone.  How many efforts I made to tear this love from my heart, but it is not possible."

"John, continue to love Him with this intimacy, and in time you will come to understand Him better.  I could tell you so many things about Him that you would be amazed, but take comfort with all of us, we cannot understand Him either."

"Jacob, if you tell me to go on loving Him, surely this love of mine for Him cannot be morbid, and I rejoice that you have set me somewhat free; but now I would still like to have a few words with Jesus.  Where is He?"

John hurried to the aforementioned house, and even from a distance saw Him engaged with the inhabitants of the house.  Jesus noticed him and waved a greeting to him.  Then John hurried, and Jesus called to him: "John, would you help Me a little more, so that I may finish today?"

John answered in the affirmative, and Jesus said: "Bring Me these boards, and keep them always at My hand, that it may be done more quickly."

John did as he was told and in an hour, the damage was repaired.  As he was leaving, the woman said: "I'm afraid I don't have any money with which to pay you; we've become quite poor."

Said Jesus: "Mother Sarah, you are not as poor as you think, for still you have a God Who is abundant; trust Him completely, and you will not feel this your earthly poverty either."

John was astonished at these words, for it was in this very house that the misfortune was greatest.  Then this woman, weeping, said: "Young man, trust in God is already a wealth, but what is too hard, is too hard."

Said Jesus: "And I tell you, tomorrow at this time, you will not have enough words to give thanks.  God is faithful and rewards faithfulness with faithfulness, trust with reward."

"Young man, your words give me hope - oh, if you were right, how I would give thanks."

"Mother Sarah, give thanks already today, for in giving thanks, you make your heart free from the pressure, while in asking and begging, your need only seems harder. Believe My words and trust and also tell your daughter to stop complaining, for God hears prayers, but they must come from a believing and trusting heart.  Mother Sarah, don't look at me so desperately, but believe, trust and give thanks!"

John was speechless.  When he had gone with Jesus, he said, "My Jesus, was it right for You to give hope to the old Sarah; if now it does not come true?"

"John, if you love Me, as you said to My brother today, do not put any doubt in My words; I also want to say the same to you: trust and believe!  Can this be love that puts doubt in the brother's love?  I think not, because love is something holy, something that is given to man as a gift from the heart of God.  If you put doubt in this love of Mine, then you have also put doubt in God."

"Jesus, now I again don't understand You; tell me this one thing: How is it that we do not come to understand each other?"

"Dearest John, I understand you completely, but you do not understand Me.  But I have the greatest interest that you of all people learn to understand Me, and therefore I must make you attentive, in order to still remove everything that separates us."

"Do you know, Jesus, what I would like most?  I don't want to speak a word to you anymore and only lean on you, feel your pulse and live completely in your thoughts."

"I do not prevent you, dear John, but in spirit you can do it after all.  But to tell you in advance, pay attention: You will not reach your goal with this, for God gave man a mind in addition to his feelings, and both must be used in the right sense."

“Now I have understood you, my Jesus, and I will take it to heart, but now I must go home."

"Go home, John; your mother is asking for you, and from tomorrow on, we will be at Jonathan's."

When John came home, there was a hail of reproaches because of his visits to Jesus, for which he completely disregarded the duty in the house.  But this time, John rejected the reproaches because his father had given him permission.  "In any case, I am old enough" - he said to his mother - "to know my own duties."

Quite agitated, Salome replied: "Here again one sees the influence of your Jesus, know: this now ceases!"

John replied: "Not at all, Mother; Jesus is doing everything to educate me to be a free and conscious person, and He speaks only good things about our house.  Jesus is my friend and brother, and it is not acceptable that you want to separate me from Him with a prohibition.  Go once to Sarah and hear what Jesus told her at parting: that she should believe and trust, and give thanks in advance for what good she and her daughter would experience."

"Here you see again the gusher and fantasist: people are indeed right when they say He is a danger to the people."

"Mother" - John cried out then in wild pain - "have you already forgotten the good we have experienced in our building?  How then am I to maintain filial love and respect for you when you are unjust, and deliberately unjust, against my friend."

"So go completely with your Jesus, if I, your mother, am no longer sufficient for you!"

At that moment, Zebedee - who had overheard everything - came and said: "Salome, would it not be better for you to be silent?  In this case I must agree with John.  In these days I have come to know Jesus as a man who knows what He wants.  I can only welcome the fact that John attaches himself more intimately to Him than to his friends of the same age.  Jesus is at least five years older, after all."

The next day, various fishermen returned, including Sarah's husband and son-in-law.  John therefore said to his mother: "Mother, Jesus was not wrong after all in His promise, and the next Sabbath I will spend with Him."

But when it was the Sabbath and John came to Jonathan, Jesus had left quite early in the morning.  Jacob said to him: "John, Jesus never reveals what He does on the Sabbath, and we are so used to it from Him.  We are going to the synagogue with the whole house of Jonathan."  For John, this was a disappointment, he joined Jacob and spent the Sabbath with him in the synagogue, about which mother Salome had real joy.

John celebrates the Sabbath together with Jesus

That week, John had no opportunity to meet with Jesus, and therefore he used the pre-Sabbath to hurry to Jesus.

"Why do you come to Me" - said Jesus - "you know that your mother does not like it."

"Jesus, I must speak with You, my whole being urges towards You; therefore let me be with You and spend the Sabbath with You."

"John, I am not sending you away, but I know that you will be disappointed, and so you may remain with Me after all."

Already at first morning dawn, both left the house and wandered far to the mountains.  At first the conversation was lively, but then Jesus said: "John, let us be silent, that we may try and explore; otherwise the purpose which I associate with this Sabbath observance, is defeated.  I have called your attention to the fact that you will experience disappointment, and it will not do for Me to neglect My purpose in order to support your weakness."

John was silent now and decided to put himself completely into Jesus' life.  After a longer silence it also became more alive in him.  But he had no idea what this life in him had to mean, and thought about various things.  In the meantime, both had arrived at their destination.  John did not know where they were, because he had paid little attention to the way.  They had arrived at a rather high mountain that offered a beautiful view, and here Jesus said: "John, here we will stay until the sun sets, pay attention to everything inside and outside of you!"

Jesus sat down in a clearing and remained quiet, but John watched Jesus.  Strange, he thought, to me he says to watch everything in and around me, He, on the other hand, closes his eyes and takes no notice of anything; that is strange.  After a long time, John began to feel bored, a leaden tiredness overcame him.  He did not try to fight it either, but fell asleep.  He must have slept for a long time, because the sun was already high in the sky when he awoke.

He had to think about where he was, because he had dreamed a vivid dream, the meaning of which he did not understand.  He looked for Jesus, but did not find Him; only when he had gone a few steps to the right and also to the left, he saw Him sitting, but again in a sleeping position.

Should I wake Him up, he pondered.  A strange Sabbath celebration: walking for hours and then sleeping on the mountain, is that true?  I must ask him about it.  The dream vision came again.  Strange that one can also dream with open eyes, he thought - 'no, I have not yet experienced something like that, if it continues like this, the Sabbath will really become a mystery to me.'  He sat down again and leaned against a tree and again he experienced the dream.

As if by magic, he closed his eyes.  The dream seemed much more natural this time, he could think to it.  But every time his own thoughts came out of him, the dream or the image started all over again.  Now all sleep had left him.

With his eyes closed, he sees a large veranda resting on columns, and in the background, a larger garden with a pond on which all kinds of animals are cavorting.  To the left of it, stands a cottage and in front of it, a man.  Judging by the white hair, the man must be very old; he has a basket hanging from his arm and is walking in the garden.  He is cutting flowers, but he seems to be cutting only a certain selection, for he does not take every flower.  Now John witnesses the man talking to his flowers, but cannot understand a word of it.  Now the basket is full, and the man goes to the pond and beckons to a swan.  Gracefully the animal comes swimming, the man lifts the basket into the beak of the animal, and then it swims on.  John follows the animal with eager eyes.

On the shore, towards the porch, a youth of about twelve years old, comes and receives the basket.  Now he sees how the young man on the porch - where at the very back is a small altar - takes a vessel and puts the flowers in it and then puts it back on the altar.  The boy goes back a few steps, as if to see if the vessel has it's proper place, then he bows and is gone.  With his eyes, John searches for the boy; he is gone, simply disappeared from the porch.

Then his gaze goes back to the altar; there the flowers have become a huge chalice in which golden-yellow wine sparkles.  This sparkling is caused by a sunbeam.  But now the wine changes color and becomes red, blood-red; and this by a light which is a rising sun.  The filled chalice now radiates red light.  The radiance becomes more and more powerful, and the whole environment is enveloped in a powerful red.  And brighter and brighter the glow becomes, and out of the luminous chalice emerges a new white light, first like a small star, but then growing larger and larger.  Suddenly, the star is larger than life, and a man in a radiant robe steps out of this star of light and takes the still blood-red shining chalice, drinks the contents, and in an instant, becomes a luminary.

John wants to go to meet this shining man, but he says: "I am the light of the world, grown and mature, so that you too may become a lamp stand and a reflection of this light that casts no shadow!"

At these words, the vision disappeared and John thought: is there then a light that casts no shadow?  This is a mystery to me, there would have to be light coming at me from all sides.  He looked at Jesus, who now looked at him with open eyes and nodded to him; then he went up to Him and said: "Jesus, is there a light that casts no shadow?"

"It is certain, John, that God is light, and that light from God cannot cast shadows, you should know, because this light penetrates everything.  But this light can be seen only by those who have received the light from God, and is synonymous with wisdom from the primordial Wisdom.  Primordial Light or primordial Wisdom combined with primordial Power are the elements out of which everything that is is created and sustained.  In the material it is bound, in the spiritual it is to be felt, and in the spiritual it is freely active."

"My Jesus, who can understand that, I can not; just now I have had a vision, that is just as mysterious to me as your explanation."

"John, do not search before the time for things which need maturity.  You will still experience many visions, but you will find the key to their understanding in yourself.  Above all, understand that in your inner world, many things must first be clarified - and therefore lean on Me in spirit, so that you will be touched by My spirit to understand Me and to live into My life and My will, and you will mature in the grace of God and become free from still so many false concepts."

"Jesus, I can't believe it yet, but I believe You.  I love You like a brother and need You more than You think."

"John, I know about everything, and so I assure you: I love you as well and place the greatest trust in your love.  Only one thing I ask of you: do not become too attached to My person, but embrace the Spirit for which I am striving: the Spirit of light and life from God!"

"You see, Jesus, now I already don't understand you; aren't you as a person and your animating spirit one and the same?"

"No, not yet, this is precisely what I am struggling for, so that in Me everything becomes one and the Spirit of all life from God becomes the leading and acting one in Me."

When John came home tired and hungry at night, his mother could not keep silent and reproached him.  But John said: "Mother, what I have experienced has been great; unfortunately, I do not yet have the understanding to appreciate it; in any case, no priest can reveal to me what God has given me today.  Today I feel the need to rest, but tomorrow I will tell you everything."  Now John was no longer understood either.

Help for the storm-afflicted

One day, Jonathan came to Zebedee and said: "Brother in the Lord, I have a great request, and it concerns the carpenters.  As you know, they are willing to repair the damage of those who have been harmed, but they lack the means and the wood.  What is to be done?"

"Yes, brother, we must help them.  Can't Jesus give some advice?  My good pleasure rests on this young person.  What clarity in His instructions He gave to His elder brothers, and how everything fell into place.  It is precisely thanks to Jesus, that I did not go fishing that fateful evening and was thus saved from greater harm."

"If that is so, I will talk to Jesus; would you help me with that?"

"Very well, there is now no need for any further discussion; let us approach the Nazarene for once."

Zebedee took his boat, and so did John, and so they went out, and having caught little, they steered for Jonathan's hut, where the three of them had labored diligently.  John was overjoyed because his father wanted to go to Jonathan.  It was well-timed: Jonathan and Zebedee arrived just at the time the three had finished work.  Zebedee looked at the work that had been done with a connoisseur's eye and openly gave his praise.  Then Jesus said: "Zebedee, surely you have not come to praise us; what is on your heart?"

Said Zebedee: "My dear Jesus, the distress of others is our concern, and we wanted to ask you once for advice on how to remedy it."

Joel said: "Brothers, we wish to go home, for we are expected; but Jesus thinks we must help, but how?"

"Yes, the how is just our concern."

Said Jesus: "Brothers, I know a way; but whether it will meet with your approval is doubtful, and without your approval it cannot be done, and that is about the necessary wood.  These woods belong to a pagan, a Greek.  This one would let you cut off the wood for a small price if you would offer him something in return."

"Why not" - said Zebedee - "what is it about?"

"About nothing else than that you cut him wood to make a sheepfold and a pigsty, and bring it to him on your ships to his place of loading."

"That will not do" - Jonathan said - "the priest does not give permission for pigsties."

Said Jesus: "Brothers, if you lean on your priest, the priest may also see to it that this need is removed.  But I know that for the sake of other needs, your priests do not lift a finger.  I say: decide for yourselves and do not ask your priests, and I assure you: you will get the timber for free and also a wage, which we charge."

Zebedee said: "Jonathan, we can take that on ourselves, and the others have no business to ask what the timber is to be cut for and where it is to be carried; I take it all on myself, since I have much to thank the brothers for, especially Jesus."

Jesus asked: "But what will your wife say to this?"

"It will not be so easy, but the need dictates and action must be taken."

"Well, my brother, but if your wife learns that I am building the pigsty, what will she say?"

"Oh Jesus, You son of my old friend Joseph, there will be a tremendous uproar.  Nevertheless, we will follow Your advice, and John may go to the Greek tomorrow and order him to come to Me or to you."

"Well, brothers, I expected the night to be different; I can rely on My brothers, for we are not in Nazareth, and I do not fear the priests."

John was beside himself.  How could Jesus be so careless and act over the heads of the priests; but Zebedee instructed to order the Greek.  The Greek, who was known as a dark heathen, but also as a benefactor of the poor, was quite pleased when John came with the message that he should visit his father or Jonathan quite soon, it was about the timber.  John was well entertained and asked many questions, then he returned home.

The next day the Greek came to Zebedee.  They were old acquaintances.  Zebedee said: "Friend, come with me to Jonathan's; the three craftsmen are there, and everything can be done quickly."

And so it came to pass, for Jesus agreed to all the Greek's wishes, and went even further: He also wanted to build his fish boxes for him.  Then the Greek promised: "My young friend, if you do everything according to my wishes, then I will not only pay for the work at my place, but also for everything that needs to be repaired in the fishing huts.  I will have enough wood cut, and I will provide you with food and lodging all the time."

Said Jesus: "Dear friend, My brothers may repair the damage to the fishermen, and I will arrange everything according to your wishes.  I only need some of your people to give Me a hand."

Said Jonathan: "Jesus, do You also know what You want?  Do You want to do the work alone, only with the help of some people?  It is right and dear to me, if only for the sake of the Templars."

"Jonathan, no Templar will know anything if you can keep silent, and for the sake of the aggrieved, you can make the sacrifice.  Do not worry about Me, for I know what I want."

So Jesus went with the Greek, since the cutting of wood was to begin the next day, and the two fishermen promised to bring the wood to his loading place in community with those who were to be helped.

Jesus stayed with the Greek for a full month.  In the meantime, Joel and Jacob had repaired the damage, prepared new fish boxes, and by the pre-Sabbath, everything was ready.

The Greek brought Jesus to Jonathan and his brothers himself and requested the bill from Joel.  Joel was biased, not daring to ask for even a few pennies.  Then the Greek said: "I see you have no courage to give me the bill, but neither can a man live on love alone.  Jesus has helped me in a way and has also revealed things to me that cannot be weighed at all with gold and silver.  Therefore, I give you 100 pennies for the journey, and this bag you give to your old father Joseph for his own use.  The contents are one pound of gold and three pounds of silver.  If you have any other requests, share them with me so that I may fulfill them."

Joel, struck by the amount, refused.  But the Greek said: "Friends, do not say a word and keep silent before anyone.  Through Jesus' help, I have become a different person.  Of course, I will not become a Jew outwardly.  Inwardly I have been one for a long time; but why should I give sacrifices to the priests when I am surrounded by the greatest poverty?  All fishermen love and respect me, only the priests do not, and the simple thanks of a poor fisherman's wife is a gift from heaven to me, and this is enough for me."

Said Jacob: "Friend, since it is your wish, we will be silent, but I want to ask you: did everything go according to your wishes?  The old fishermen were so pleased that no work was too much for them to carry the many wood, and it went without any accident."

"Jacob, I am completely happy, not only my wishes that I expressed, but also those that I secretly carried within me, have been fulfilled.   What I would give for Jesus to come to me forever!"

In the meantime, Jesus had discussed many things with Simon Judah and his mother, and Zebedee and his two sons Jacob and John arrived.  John was very happy to speak to Jesus again.  He had all kinds of questions to ask.  But Jesus embraced him and said: "John, do not ask, for you will find everything answered within you; only continue to practice looking around inside yourself, and in a short time, you will come to understand Me better.  But this one thing I can tell you: keep silent about your inner experiences and know that the Lord and eternal God stretches out his hand to help every man.  If you would like to be with Me again tomorrow, come to the Greek's loading place early in the morning."

"You want to go to the pagan?  Oh Jesus, I cannot accompany you there, because if the mother asks where I am going, I cannot lie."

"You should not lie either.  You come to Me, and leave everything else to Me!"

Early on, John was at the loading place.  Jesus had been expecting him, and after greeting him, said to him: "John, don't be angry with Me, we are staying with the Greek today.  Today there will be another heavy thunderous weather and a great storm; we will stay with him in the house the whole time.  Then we will go up to a hill and spend our Sabbath in peace."

The Greek's house was also quiet; his servants were resting on the Sabbath.  The Greek told how he had experienced God in his life.

John listened, strangely touched by the stories of the well-traveled man.  Here, for once, he met an experienced man who could compete with any priest.  Even when the thunderstorm began to make all hearts restless, the Greek remained quite calm.  But when he asked Jesus if there would be damage even in this storm, Jesus gave him the answer: "Today you need not trouble yourself, no-one will be harmed; continue to remain calm!"

Then John looked at them both and thought: "The Greek is in full agreement with Jesus, while I am always worrying about all kinds of things.  The sun was shining again, and soon the weather was bright; then Jesus said: "Now we will go up to the hill and stay there until the sun inclines."

Then the Greek left them alone, and John asked: "Did you forbid the Greek to come with you?"

"No, John, he knows that I want to be alone for the Sabbath, and so he brings Me this sacrifice; but we will still exchange a few words with him today."

That afternoon, John experienced nothing - but Jesus initiated him into His mission, which John admittedly could not quite understand.

The Greek, however, could not bring himself to stay in his house; he sought and found them also.  When Jesus noticed him, He beckoned to him, and without saying a word, the Greek sat down with them.

Jesus now gave a glorious picture of the Father, whom He felt in Him, and soon both were so moved that they forgot time and hour.  But Jesus finally urged them to leave; at the loading place, He took leave of the Greek and asked him once again to keep silent about everything; in spirit he would witness everything.  They looked at each other for a long time, then they boarded the boat, and the Greek waved to them for a long time.  A good wind drove the boat, and in a short time they were with Jonathan.

John bid a fond farewell to Jesus, kissed Him several times, and then sailed with a good wind to his parents' home.  This time Salome said nothing to her son, but Jacob asked: "Where were you today?"

"With Jesus, Jacob - today I learned many things from Him.  But I am to be silent, and therefore I beg you: do not pry; now I have received a different image about Jesus."

Now came a long period of waiting before John met Jesus again.  He initially practised internalisation, but later the experience faded, and a growing restlessness came over him.  He learned almost nothing from Jesus, only sometimes, when it was convenient, he talked with the old Greek.  Each time this was a refreshment of his being filled with inner restlessness.  Once the Greek invited him to come to his estate, and Zebedee granted the visit.

There they went out to the outlying estate, and now John saw the sheepfold and pigsty that Jesus had built.  "Yes," said the Greek, "this is the work of the young Jesus.  Can you imagine that He finished it in three weeks with four people?  Not I, for He asked me to stay away until He finished it."

"Jesus built that?  That is almost to be called a miracle for that short time."

"Yes, even more: these dwellings are also His work, that is, old ones stood there, and new ones have been built.  Let us go in."

Then John was amazed and said: "Now I understand Him better and better, but I am still full of the greatest restlessness."

"Why, young friend, you still have a long life ahead of you; but I have become quite tired.  Don't you want to stay here with me?  My sons possess my wandering blood and have become capable merchants."

"I must decline" - John replied - "for I am and will remain a fisherman and help my father to the best of my ability."

"Too bad, my son, Jesus also refused my wish; now I must remain lonely, since unfortunately almost no-one knows me or understands me."

Zebedee sailed with his sons in a large boat to Tiberias on behalf of the old Greek.  This trip brought Zebedee greater profit, and his friendship with the Greek grew more intimate.  John asked his father for leave to go to Nazareth, but Zebedee did not want to stay that long, as he was driven back home.  John was disappointed, but that evening, as they sat at supper in the inn, Joseph came with his sons to take up quarters.  John was overjoyed.  "At last, at last, my dear Jesus, I can see You once again and look into Your faithful eyes.  I have missed You very much."

"John, have you forgotten that we can never part again?  Does not the certainty live in you that I cannot be lost by anyone who loves Me dearly and receives in himself My Spirit and My being?  My John, your love in honor, but it is a rapturous love and wants only fulfillment in it's longing.  But I need brothers who grasp and understand the travails of My Spirit, for what I want, those who want to become one with Me, shall also want.  Why, John, did you let the life flatten out again, which began to revive in the connection with Me; it caused Me great pain.  All your longing to be with Me did not have to be, because you were allowed to experience great things with Me, and My works, which you could see with the old Greek, had to tell you that more lives in Me than in humans otherwise.  Therefore, My John, take good note of what I say to you; for in My Spirit revelations will also come to you, which will stir you into the life of love and wisdom."

"Jesus, my Jesus, if only I could really understand you - I have the will, and our relationship is nevertheless an exceedingly cordial one."

"Yes, John, but it is not a cordial relationship that I long for, but an inward one."

"Jesus, how am I to understand this again, is my longing for You not an inward one?"

"Not yet, my John.  Longing is a desire for fulfillment and is proof that you have not yet recognized Me inwardly and are still distant from My Spirit.  In the longing for Me, you are a desiring one, but in My Spirit, you are a giving one.  In longing you still manifest weakness, while those who receive My Spirit, are already to be counted among the strong."

"Jesus, You wonderful being of flesh and blood, I suspect great things in You and believe I can also understand You somewhat, but Your humanity drives me crazy again and again."

"John, you have heard enough from the elders and also priests what Moses and the prophets prophesied.  Does it speak of a man who will be guided by his humanity, or of a man who is full of the Spirit of God?"

"You are right, Jesus, this coming man is to be filled with all that is Divine, because He is to bring victory over all death and judgment."

"Quite right, John, now place yourself in the Coming One and the One awaited with longing; your inner knowledge and inner spirit will open heart and door to the Coming One, and in you, longing becomes life and life becomes love, and love unites you with the One so ardently longed for.  And all these are inner processes, which you have deprived yourself of by your own lukewarmness and your weakness, which still clings to you so much.  Only try again, and do not be deterred if you experience things in yourself that you do not like."

"If you want it, my Jesus, I will do it again, and I also see that you are inwardly a very great one.  But how is it that all this has not satisfied me and that I find full fulfillment only in the connection with You?  Not a day goes by when I don't think of You, and not an evening when I don't exhaust myself with plans how I could meet You and be together with You."

"Behold, John, this is just the great detour; seize Me with all your heart and all your mind, and do not take offence at anything human about Me and your dear neighbor, and you are on the path to which I am directing you.  I could fill you with great power and wisdom, but what would that serve you?  Everything would be My work, and you would become more and more alien to My heart, the Divine graces would become a judgment to you and a judge to your brothers.  Oh no, My John, you are consecrated to love, in love you shall arise out of yourself; you shall manifest life through love, which is only given to those who have known Me and received My Spirit."

"Jesus, Jesus, You have never spoken to me like this before; I realize that with my longing for You, we are not getting closer, but since I can never leave You, I will follow Your words and do as You told me on the mountain."

"Do it, My John, and now let us go to rest."

"Jesus, I will not be able to sleep yet, for Your words will stir up everything in me like a plow, let us be together for another hour."

"Very well, My John, but let us not speak another word.  May Life speak to us, germinating our love, and we will both gain more in the process."

John leaned on Jesus and said not a word.  But life upon life formed in him, and pictures passed quickly before his mind's eye, great landscapes with people and animals announced to him a new life.  The longer he turned off all thinking, the more a life still unknown to him revealed itself in him, and so he clasped Jesus' hands, pressed them to his heart.  At that moment, all the images disappeared.

Jesus said: "John, now let us say goodbye; what we have both begun tonight, we will complete during the day.  Early in the morning we will go to our work, and your father must go home.  Remain faithful to yourself and also to Me, and make My life your own!"  Without incident, Zebedee returned home with his sons.

The change in John

John became a different person from then on.  As he used to be a person who preferred to avoid people, now he was much too lively, according to his mother.  He went on excursions all by himself on the Sabbath and holidays and told no-one where he had been.  He preferred to go to the old Greek; there he could give vent to his heart.  It was on a pre-Sabbath, he was urged to go to the old Greek with a power he had never known before.

Therefore he said to his father: "Father, allow me to go to our friend, the old Greek.  I feel as if he needs me and calls me incessantly."

"John, it is pre-Sabbath, and if you are not in the synagogue again tomorrow, you will be in trouble."

"Father, it is the same, what shall I do there?  I find no more satisfaction in the synagogue, and all the priests' talk is empty babble to me."

"John, I forbid you such words!  Let them never be heard again, for you do great harm not only to yourself but also to us!"

"Yes, Father, I will endeavor not to let this be heard again, but I beg you: give me permission to sail in the sailboat right now!"

"Very well, do according to your love, and if the wind is unfavorable, you will come home again."

Sickness and death of the Greek

The wind was favorable, it was as if invisible powers were assisting John, for also at the landing place were servants of the Greek, who took over his boat and said to him: "The lord has been expecting you all day."  With quick steps, John then hurried to the Greek's dwelling and was immediately led into his chamber.  The Greek was lying on a resting bed, facing the sun.

"I knew you would come, and so welcome with me a thousand times; unfortunately I am violently ill, and I feel the last hour of my life coming.  John, I have no-one but you whom I could use as the bearer of my last will to my sons, and therefore I beg you: stay with me until I have entered into the life of the holy God!"  The old Greek felt feeble, and praying was difficult for him.  After a while he brought out a parcel from under his bed, handed it to the astonished John and said: "John, you give this to my son Hermes, to no-one else; he will reveal to his brothers and sisters all that is written on these parchments.  Now I feel better, because I know that you, my son, will fulfill my wish, even if it takes years.

Then deliver this letter to your father when I shall be no more: it contains a request that he may administer my property, and that my servants may serve you and your father as they served me."

John could not speak, his throat was tight; at last he said: "My father, I thank you for your trust, but how do we come to fulfill your legacy?"

"Jesus wills it, my son - Jesus, who became everything to me, and whose word I could hear within me.  He speaks even now: Fear not, all paths are prepared, and greet My John.  Soon we shall be together again."

"Dear father, do not talk too much; I see that this causes you pain."

"My son, do not be troubled, I am eager to go to my fathers; but now let me rest a little, I have become very tired."

John went out of the chamber and hid the parcel he had received; then he said to a maid who was working the kitchen: "If the lord should call, I will stay near."

"Is it that bad with the lord?" - asked the maid.   "Shall we call the priest?"

"No, the lord has no need of that; at any rate, I have received no instruction."

The sick man slept for three quarters of an hour, then the maid called John, who was waiting.  The sick man spent another quiet night.  John did not move from his bed.  It was not as if he were with a dying man, but as if he were in a temple.  Early in the morning, John was awakened from his light slumber by the sick man talking.  He seemed to be talking to someone, because he was mostly asking questions.  Now he became lively.  He said: "Jesus, now You also have come and make my departure a joy, as Your eyes shine and Your hands bless me and all the others who have come.  My Jesus, my Jesus, receive me into Your kingdom, which You will prepare for all.  There I will be entirely Your servant."

The sick man then became quiet and soon fell asleep again.  John watched over his sleep.

Sweat stood on the forehead of the sick man.  John wiped it off with a cloth without the sick man waking up.  After a quarter of an hour, he heard him say: "Oh Jesus, how beautiful You are!"  Then his breathing became weaker, and after a quarter of an hour, the Greek was still and without pain.

John called together all the servants and maids in the house and made the death of their master known to them.  One of the oldest servants said, "Young friend of my lord, I know my lord's will: we will be obedient to you as we were obedient to our lord.  You are now over us, we all know you and are glad to serve you."

"Then immediately deliver this letter to my father, but the rest of us will prepare everything for the funeral."

The next day Zebedee came, and now John had the opportunity to admire his father.  In what peace and order everything was settled by him.  John remained in the Greek's dwelling, but took a servant for Zebedee in return.  He spent a full year in this job, then Hermes, the oldest son and heir of the Greek who had gone home, arrived.  A friendly relationship gradually developed between Hermes and John.  Nevertheless, John returned to the family home.  But despite his best efforts, he could no longer get along with his mother.  John suffered greatly from this relationship.  All good intentions and the greatest efforts did not bring about a balance between the two; then a great misfortune happened.

Zebedee had another servant, and he did not return from a trip.  On a stormy night, he remained as the only victim on the lake.  Salome resented: "You should have been more careful; it is simply duty that one stand up for the other."

Zebedee again stressed that nothing necessary for his salvation had been omitted and rejected the accusation, but Salome would not be taught and accused John of dreaminess and laxity.

This hit John hard.  He became silent.  In these struggles, he finally gained the calmness necessary to perceive the influx of the Spirit of God.  Now he was filled with great joy with the awareness that he had finally come closer to the Eternal Truth, the image of Jesus became more and more lovely, and the longing for Him changed.  It became devotion.

Jesus overcomes Salome

The sons of Joseph again had work near Bethsaida and were called by Jonathan.  It was namely his son Simon who took great interest in Jesus, and John was called by Simon.  The reunion with Jesus was indescribable, and the latter said: "John, tomorrow I come to you; since it is pre-Sabbath, we can not yet begin work, and on the Sabbath we visit Hermes, your friend."

"Jesus, this is causing trouble in our house; Mother is angry with You and also with me."

"This is the way you see it, My John; learn to understand your mother."

When Jesus came, Salome had pulled out all the stops, but Jesus let the whole storm pass over Him, then He said: "Mother Salome, why do you speak different than how it lives in you?  Why don't you let the spark of love become a flame?  Do you gain inwardly when you want to see everything settled from the righteousness standpoint?  Behold, if Jehovah were to serve you as you serve your dear neighbor and closest neighbor, how would you stand?  If you were an ignorant person, you would have a right to instruction; but you know everything better, so Jehovah will have to go to school with you."

Then Salome faced Jesus and said: "Jesus, what kind of man are you!  Do you think that I too will grovel before you?  Is it not enough that you have already twisted John completely?  Tomorrow we will again go somewhere where you surely cannot be controlled; what will Jehovah say about that?  The Sabbaths are kept as it occurs to you, and as if that is not enough: You also corrupt John.  This, I suppose, you have learned from Jehovah?  It has long been my wish to speak to you once, because much has truly been missed in you.  Tell me only this: Why do you avoid the priests and the synagogue?"

"Salome" - Jesus replied - "you of all people should know that I have no need to run after the priests and listen to their talk in the synagogues.  And if you think that much has been neglected in Me, you can always make up for it with Me, so that I no longer look so poor in your eyes.  If you would only think once and would only once face Me without prejudice; many things would be revealed to you."

She replied: "You cannot lure me with such promises as you lured John; but since you are here, tell me: What are you actually up to?  You should be ashamed of yourself!  What worries and discord you have already caused in your parents' house, and now your mother can no longer do anything with you, she has surrendered to everything.  You should not be my son!"

"Mother Salome, you are aroused, and so I will give you no answer but this: My time has not yet come, and about My conduct towards Me and all people, I have to give account only to Me and to My God.  I want to see the one who wants to shape me differently.  I know what I do; but you all do not know what you speak, since you neither know God nor His love.  But I know Him, and also His holy will; therefore I walk in His ways, and do nothing without His consent."

"So you say, but I can only answer you: if all people would do so, what would it look like among us!"

"Salome, then no storm and no thunderstorm would cause you such harm, and all people would live like true children of their heavenly Father, and no enemy, neither from without nor from within, would disturb their peace.  Still more: there people would also have the power to command tranquillity to all elements incited by dark powers, and thus prevent harm.  But to show you that in Me, all this is in truth, I tell you: In one hour, a storm will break loose like you have never experienced before.   Thank God that you celebrate pre-Sabbath, because no-one would come back healthy again.  But you, John, get the boat ready quickly; we must warn everyone."

"John, you stay, it is nonsense to say this, never on any day has the sea been so calm as today."

"All right, John, stay; then I will go alone."

Jesus went out, unhitched a boat, hoisted the sail, and before John could follow, the boat was gone.  John said: "Mother, what have you done?  It will be difficult for you to make up for this."

"How do you speak to your mother; there you see again what the Nazarene has done with his education.  If it does not please you with your mother, then go quietly again to the Gentiles or to the lost ones of Israel!"  John was silent; he felt that here it would be a wasted effort to say a word against it.  He left the house, and after a while, looking around, he saw a black cloud rising in the western sky.  He sought out his father and said: "Father, you have heard all the words between Jesus and Mother; come out once and see the western sky!"

Zebedee went out with him and said: "John, now it is necessary to quickly recover all that is by the water; I will call everyone together at once."

Salome said: "Today is pre-Sabbath, don't be chased in fear and anxiety; you are all possessed by Jesus."

Zebedee hurried out, secured everything, and brought everything to safety.  After about half an hour, a storm broke out such as had never been experienced before.  In this tremendous storm, the boat with Jesus approached.  He calmly landed, pulled in the sail, sat on the oar bench, and watched the storm rage. The storm grew worse and worse; everyone in Zebedee's house was filled with fear, and distraught, they saw Jesus sitting in the boat without a care.

Then John heard within himself the call: "John, come to Me in the boat."  Without saying a word, he hurried out of the house to the boat.

Now a terrible thunderstorm broke out with incessant lightning and thunder, and masses of water rushed to the earth and into the troubled sea.  Jesus, however, was sitting on dry land.  John went to sit close to Jesus, and He asked him: "John, if you are afraid, know that He Who is with Me, is safe; but I will that no harm come to your house."

John assured: "My Jesus, now that I can be with You, all fear is gone, but before I was more afraid for You than for myself.  Couldn't we go into the house, my parents and brothers and sisters are scared to death."

"No, John, then let them come out to us; they can certainly see that we do not even get wet."

The thunderstorm would not stop, it was scary to watch.  One flash flood after another made the house shake, but the two in the boat did not get wet.  Said John: "Jesus, my love, truly, today I experience you differently than usual.  If You already show Yourself like a prophet in the storm and tempest, what must Your nature be like when love is shown to You!"

"Then, John, the whole world will experience the miracle of My love.  Continue to believe in Me in all afflictions, then you will experience the miracle in you.  Still a short time, then all wrestling will have an end, and in Me My soul can unite with the One from whom we receive everything.  Soon the call will also go out to you like today: John, come to Me!  Then we will no longer separate.  But now go and bring Me your father and your brother Jacob."

John got out of the boat, hurried into the house and said to his father: "Father, and you, Jacob, come out to Jesus!"

Jacob left immediately, Zebedee stayed.  Once more he asked: "Father, come out with me to Jesus."

"Let me be, John, for mother's sake!"

"No, father, for mother's sake come out with me to Jesus, I beg you; otherwise great danger threatens our house and all of us."

"Then quickly, John" - and without listening to Salome's shouting, they both ran to the boat to Jesus.

"Zebedee, now it is well; no harm will come to your house, and all the others are warned by Me; no-one's life will be harmed, and all the other harm, we will repair."

"Jesus, what is the matter with you?  You speak like one who already knows everything" - Zebedee wondered - "why didn't You come to our house?"

"Because you should be delivered from your fear and even more from your perverse faith.  For you see, your Jehovah, as the True and Eternal One, wants to be worshipped with the heart and not with the mouth, and I cannot be misled by humans."

Said Zebedee: "Jesus, I should have forbidden my wife to speak; she has offended and insulted You.  What shall I do to make You come back into the house?"

"Nothing, Zebedee, but believe in Me and become no hindrance to My work.  Today we will still go to your friend Hermes and return only tomorrow after sunset.  Will you?"

"Yes, now I will."

"Zebedee, now you have given Me great joy, and so I want the storm to subside in a moment and the sea to become calm; but it will still rain for a full hour.  But we will stay here in the boat."

It happened as Jesus said: the storm subsided, and after an hour, the most beautiful weather returned.  They got out of the boat and looked at the house.  Nothing had happened.  Then the others also ventured out of the house, and Zebedee said to his Salome: "Look here in the boat and see us also; everything has remained dry and whole.  From today on, I will not tolerate a single word being said against Jesus.  Today we are still going to Hermes, and if anyone should ask about us, tell the truth!"

The words spoken with all seriousness, did not miss their effect.  Salome remained silent.  At last she realized that Jesus was the stronger One.

The boat brought the four quickly and safely to the landing place of Hermes; soon they were in his house and were warmly welcomed.

Hermes, the son of the Greek, and the vision on the Sabbath

Hermes was attracted to Jesus.  John was speechless at how quickly Hermes understood Jesus, and so he experienced anew the strength and power of the love that Jesus revealed in His freedom.  Hermes had a good meal prepared and said to Zebedee: "My friend and brother, today you are my guests, and tomorrow I will submit to your customs.  Give me the pleasure and do not say no!"

Said Zebedee: "Hermes, you faithful friend and brother, as of today, I am freed from all legal customs, and as long as and as often as I stay in your house, you do not have to pay any more attention to me and my sons, because today we have been led by miraculous events into another being and thinking.  Think: this storm and this weather were not even able to make us wet, let alone cause us harm."

Said Hermes: "My people were warned by a fisherman; therefore we were also saved from serious harm."

Said Jesus: "All fishermen were warned, but unfortunately only a few heeded the warning, and so they also have to bear the damage."

Said John: "I, fool, let myself be dissuaded when You had asked me to warn all."

Hermes now had all the events described to him and turned to Jesus at the end: "I wish I could also be a friend to you as my father was to you.  In his last letter to me, he asks me to seek you and to solicit your friendship - for the sake of my salvation and that of others.  Forgive me, friend of the people, for not doing so until now, but now I will make up for everything."

Jesus replied: "My friend Hermes, whoever, like you, continues in the same spirit the work of love that your Father began, is already My friend and also brother.  No more words are needed for this; that is why I have also come to you with these My brothers."

Hermes: "Jesus, You honor me with Your friendship, and yet I have been such a hard man; but now that I may look into Your eyes, it is as if I live in another, better world."

Jesus: "Hermes, I tell you: you shall experience a heaven, but not apart from, but in you.  In Me, the eternal and true God offers you a life that will carry you in all circumstances, that you will have only reason to praise and thank."

"Oh Jesus, You call me friend; how happy You make me, since I am a Gentile and not a Jew."

"Hermes, I call all people My brothers; My endeavor is also only to be a mediator and intermediary to all people, so that the life of God may become an eternal salvation to all."

Soon the meal was ready, and John experienced, even if only as a listener, things that had hitherto been completely foreign to him.  Hermes was a wise and well-traveled man.  Without asking much, he understood Jesus.  So the day and the evening passed under stimulating conversations.  Early in the morning, they all visited a lovely hill, and Jesus asked His companions to watch with devotion the rising of the sun and to observe all the signs that the growing day would bring.

Hermes, too, was a nature lover; therefore, when the sun was already high in the sky, he said to Jesus: "Friend, I have often observed the rising of the sun, but what I saw today did not seem quite natural to me.  For example, in front of the rising sun there was a bank of clouds that had the shape of a crocodile.  As the sun rose higher and higher, the cloud could no longer harm the sun, but the wonderful sunlight was clouded and had a reddish-yellow glow.  The animals of the air, which were looking for water, were also excited; no, I have not yet experienced something like that.”

Said Jesus: "Hermes, it is good that you have said this; for our friends have not noticed this.  Can you explain these natural processes?"

"No, dear friend, is there anything at all to explain?  Clouds take all kinds of forms, but the behavior of the animals was strange."

Jesus: "Already in the behavior of the animals we experience that these processes, which only those experience who are familiar with nature, must have causes, and these causes lie in the spirits of nature, which all still await their solution.  The cloud bank was the cause, for in it many powers of destruction have gathered, and the wrongdoings of the people now living, are to blame.  Our earthly sphere is overcrowded with dark and destructive powers.  These exert a bad influence on people, and they in turn become the medium or mediator of those who do not know that they are influenced.  What would have happened yesterday if I had not been a watchman or guardian.  If these powers could, they would cause us a lot of trouble even today.  But My Father in Heaven has also taken precautions that the will of these beings is thwarted.

Later, when I no longer need to take care of the others, many things will be revealed and much light will be spread about them.  But now let us go back to the house and have the morning meal; but then we will stay in the house so as not to cause any more trouble, since the enemy of all life is very active."

For John these were all things which he did not understand, but which gave him strong food for thought, and more and more clearly his mother's life up to that time, and especially his own, came before his spiritual eyes.  If it was so, as Jesus described it, then it was not the mother who was to blame, but the beings influencing her.  Now it was necessary to solve the task that his mother would not let herself be influenced any more.  On this Sabbath, much was said about life out of God and in God, and Jesus presented everything so naturally that it was not in the least boring for the others, but highly captivating.  To John, He said: "John, do not break anything over your knee, because you must not ask anything from your mother.  You yourself must be active, and the more you purify the sphere around you, all lower influence will also cease.

Everything in the whole of infinity is regulated according to laws; therefore only pay attention to yourself, that things do not subvert you consciously or unconsciously, which cause annoyance to you or yours.  Take Me as an example: all the struggles I had to go through had to be; because through them, all these things from My soul have become steps which lead into My inner world and there create a life out of God, so that I now work everything I do out of this God-life.  But as long as in My inner world things still prevail which belong to My ego-soul, the life out of God or the life-part out of God is not yet the free property of My inner world and I can still be influenced very much from outside.  But every influence should serve to strengthen and purify us inwardly and outwardly."

John had understood this well, and there was great joy in him, but Hermes said: "Jesus, You dear, good man and friend, if a thousand people told me this, I could neither believe it nor grasp it, but Your words are light and life, I see and feel the truth of Your words.  Why is it then that other people cannot grasp this or even find it for themselves?"

"My friend Hermes, this truth is ancient.  Our sages represent it even today; but if the priests and also your priests spoke so naturally, their nimbus would soon disappear.  The more mysterious and incomprehensible they make themselves before the people, the more necessary they make themselves to them.  The people, however, need someone to whom they can adhere, and that is how all these conditions have come about.  Take away the priests from the people and they are defeated for a long time.  That is why the unification of your soul with your own spirit is so important, because the eternal Spirit of God wants to communicate everything to your spirit.  No-one can testify out of the spirit who has not received it first.   Can you now explain to yourselves that the priests can no longer give your awakened spirit what it hungers for?  Behold, John, the longing that drove and still drives you to Me is from the Spirit that wants to lift it's wings in your soul to receive what your own soul cannot give it.  Admittedly, now you cannot understand everything, but soon you will rejoice, and a new stage of your life will begin."

This time, the separation from Jesus was not difficult for John; there was hope in his heart, and in the coming days, his nature changed.

Mother Salome had no more reason to be angry with her son; now even Zebedee and Jacob, when they were fishing, had occasion to talk about Jesus.  Interaction with Simon of Cana became more active, and Jesus was already regarded in their speeches and imaginations as the coming Messiah.

John did not share this opinion, because in his view, a Messiah who would disappoint the hoping people, would make them poorer instead of richer.  Then, one Sabbath, when he was truly immersed in the life of Jesus, he had a vision.  In his mind's eye, a marvellous picture formed: In a great hall, supported by magnificent columns, were many, many people.  Their clothing was not of the Jewish kind, but was white throughout.  Among them was an old man adorned with a great white beard; he spoke to those gathered: "Fathers and children, at last it is possible for us to communicate.  It is true that our clothes are adorned with the sign of purity, but our desire for the Source of all life is not yet satisfied.  We are always put off by glorious beings of light to the holy time that has now dawned, but that is all.  Who of you can say and profess something more specific?"

Then a very young man stood in the middle, looked around to see if everyone was gathered, and said: "You fathers and forefathers, we look up to you with reverence and expect from you the testimony that is to tell us about true life, and just now we had to hear that you are also being put off.  What is the reason for this?  We are dressed in the clothes that promise us the highest.  We see the Man of Light becoming more and more radiant, but we also see the black birds that always disturb Him.  Say, you fathers and forefathers, could we not help the man of light?"

Said the venerable old man: "You have seen right, but we have no instructions.  Our hope is directed to the man of light, but he is a man and we are spirits.

Said the young man: "Fathers, I will not be put off any longer, for we have not received any prohibition to assist the people.  I see their distress and how their souls are wasting away more and more, but I also see how the Man of light strengthens many souls with His light.  On earth, it was the highest thing for us to be allowed to be servants with our love, and here in the blessed life, only the conditions of our being and life should satisfy me?  This Man of light would not need to toil on the dark earth, for His garment outshines our garments a hundredfold."

"My son" - said the old man - "I do not understand your impatience, since we have only the order from the light-beings not to let the light-Man out of our sight.  The dark earth has cast enough shadows on our souls."

Then a light-being stepped into their midst and said: "Also we must not disturb the wrestling of the light-Man, because the enemy of all life would not tolerate this and would press the light-Man even more.  But it would be something else if the people of this dark earth would support Him.  Our being is detached from earthly bondage; but the earthly people must loosen their fetters themselves with the light that the light-Man will give to all when His time has come.  Therefore, by the power given to me by God, I will call the enemy of all life."

In an instant, a powerful man stood among them, and the being of light said, "I have called you out of the power and freedom given only to me, and I ask you before this assembly of blessed spirits: why do you oppress the Man of light, who has the best intentions with people?  It is incomprehensible to the blessed how beings of your kind have an interest in hindering the light-Man in His development?"

Said the enemy: "It is my right and my intention to completely finish off the Man of light, Who is God himself in everything, and even God himself cannot prevent me from doing so.

The former speaker came forward and said: "Whoever you may be, no eternal being has such a goal; where would the creation end up if everything thought like that?  The light-Man has intentions which are open and clear, and it is the greatest wrong to disturb these intentions.  Come to think of it, we too could put a stop to you and your black servants."

The enemy: "You can't do that yet, and that's why my fight is mainly with the Man of light, because if He succeeds in reaching His goal, then I must also fear you, and my power will come to an end.  But that this does not happen, let that be my concern, because the Divinity does not let me see through His intentions.

Said the angel of light: "In this arrogant angel there is neither reason nor gentleness; therefore let him go again, and you, who are inhabitants of a gentle paradise, let the things take their course.  When everything will be accomplished, everything will look different; for then the enemy of life will be the defeated one, but we must keep silent about everything."

Slowly the vision passed away, and John thought: "Oh Jesus, this is meant for You and Your mission; I will still often think of this Sabbath, who will give me the right understanding of it?"

John the Baptist

The public appearance of Jesus and the discipleship of John's preaching, spread like wildfire through the countryside, and the fishermen of the Sea of Galilee listened.  Zebedee and Simon of Cana also discussed the matter, and after weeks they made up their minds and sailed in their boats to Tiberias.  They learned many things about the preacher of repentance, but not a word about the coming Messiah.  They were already about to return, when Templars came to their inn.  Now they heard a diatribe against the Baptist such as they had never expected.

But there was one who sounded his warning voice, and asked that nothing be broken over his knees.  He said: "If the Baptist is the man who announces the coming Messiah, let us certainly stand with him; for then the people will also be on our side."

Others again said: "The Baptist is dangerous and spares neither people nor priests; to him, repentance and the kingdom of heaven are everything."

John listened, and what his father and the others did not understand, gained clarity in his mind's eye.  The great vision on the Sabbath came alive again, and in peace he now heard the others talking about the Baptist, saying: "At any rate, we must meet with the Baptist."

It was a tedious journey, to be sure, but at last they had all succeeded in meeting the strange man.  John was actually disappointed.  Jesus would not appear before the people like this.  All of John's longing was attuned to the Spirit that Jesus represented and that he took pains to fully assimilate.  Jesus worked on the inner man so that everything would be in order from within; but John the Baptist worked on the outer man so that he would turn around and repent, that is, the other way around, from the outside to the inside.  How will Jesus relate to the Baptist, was his question.

Weeks passed.  The messages about the Baptist became more and more interesting.  The priests warned, threatened.  Still, the messages did not stop.  John had recruited disciples who were again promoting their Master; they too were penitential preachers and heralds for the Kingdom of Heaven that had come near.

This was the turning point for John and many others.  Jesus took up His teaching ministry, and without asking a word, John joined the Savior with his father and brother.  Powerful were the messages that now rushed through the country.  John the Baptist faded into the background above these events, and the priests became open opponents of the eagerly awaited Messiah.

John only came to the parental home when His Master once came to the area around Bethsaida: for him, the Savior Jesus had become his home.  How comprehensible to him was now every word from His mouth, and his records under the supervision of his Master formed a part of the inheritance of Jesus, which was now to become common property.

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Table of Contents

1.  Passover in Jerusalem 4

2.  In Bethany 7

3.  John in Nazareth 10

4.  Jesus rescue Jacob 12

5.  Stormy night in Bethsaida 14

6.  John celebrates the Sabbath together with Jesus 18

7.  Help for the storm-afflicted 21

8.  The change in John 27

9.  Sickness and death of the Greek 28

10.  Jesus overcomes Salome 30

11.  Hermes, the son of the Greek, and the vision on the Sabbath 34

12.  John the Baptist 38