Lection
LXXXI
The Roman Trial Before Pilate
1. THEN led they Jesus from
Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment, to Pontius Pilate, the Governor, and
it was early, and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest
they should be defiled; but that they might keep the feast.
2. Pilate therefore went out
unto them and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered
and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered
him up unto thee. We have a law and by our law he ought to die, because
he would change the customs and rites which Moses delivered unto us, yea,
he made himself the Son of God.
3. Then said Pilate unto them,
Take ye him, and Judge him according to your law. For he knew that for
envy they had delivered him.
4. The Jews therefore said
unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. So the saying
of Jesus was fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should
die.
5. And they further accused
him saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding
to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
6. Then Pilate entered into
the judgment hall again and called Jesus and said unto him, Art thou the
King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself,
or did others tell it thee of me?
7. Pilate answered, Am I a
Jew ? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me;
what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world, if
my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should
not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.
8. Pilate therefore said unto
him, Art thou a King then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am, yea,
a King I am. To this end was I born and for this cause came I unto the
world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of
the truth heareth my voice.
9. Pilate said unto him, What
is truth? Jesus said, Truth is from heaven. Pilate said, Then truth is
not on earth. Jesus said unto Pilate, Believe thou, that truth is on earth
amongst those who receive and obey it. They are of the truth who judge
righteously.
10. And when he had heard
this, he went out again unto the Jews and saith unto them, I find in him
no fault at all. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders
he answered them nothing.
11. Then said Pilate unto
him, Hearest thou not, how many things they witness against thee?
12. And he answered him never
a word, insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly, and again he said
unto them, I find no fault in this man.
13. And they waxed the more
fierce saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry,
beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee he asked,
whether the man were a Galilean.
14. AND as soon as he knew
that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself
also, was at Jerusalem at the time.
15. And when Herod saw Jesus
he was exceedingly glad, for he was desirous to see him of a long season,
because he had heard many things of him, and he hoped to have seen some
miracle done by him.
16. Then he questioned with
him in many words, but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and
scribes stood and vehemently accused him, and many false witnesses rose
up against him, and laid to his charge things that he knew not.
17. And Herod with his men
of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous
robe and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were
made friends together, for before they were at enmity between themselves.
18. And Pilate went again
into the Judgment Hall and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus
gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto
me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power
to release thee?
19. Jesus answered, Thou couldest
have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above,
therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
20. And from thenceforth Pilate
sought to release him; but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this
man go thou art no Caesar’s friend, whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh
against Caesar.
21. And Pilate called together
the chief priests and rulers of the people. When he was set down on the
judgement seat his wife sent unto him, saying. Have thou nothing to do
with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream,
because of him.
22. And Pilate said unto them,
Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people, and
behold I have examined him before you, and have found no fault in this
man touching those things: whereof ye accuse him. No, nor yet Herod, for
I sent you to him, and lo nothing worthy of death was found in him.
23. But ye have a custom that
I should release unto you one at the Passover, will ye therefore that I
release unto you the King of the Jews?
24. Then cried they all again,
saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. And, for
sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.
25. Pilate therefore, willing
to release Jesus, spake again to them. Whether of the twain will ye that
I release unto you; Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus which is called the Christ?
They said, Barabbas
26. Pilate said unto them,
What then shall I do with Jesus which is called the Christ? They all say
unto him, Let him be crucified.
27. And the Governor said,
Why what evil hath he done? But they cried out all the more saying, Crucify
him, crucify him.
28. Pilate therefore went
forth again and said unto him, Behold, again, I bring him forth to you,
that ye may know that I find no fault in him, and again they cried out,
Crucify him, crucify him.
29. And Pilate said unto them,
the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death
in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
30. And they were instant
with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices
of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
31. When Pilate saw that he
could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water,
and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the
blood of this just person: see ye to it.
32. Then answered all the
people, and said, His blood be on us and on our children. And Pilate gave
sentence that it should be as they required. And he delivered Jesus to
their will.
Lection
LXXXII
The Crucifixion
1. THEN released he Barabbas
unto them, and when he had scourged Jesus he delivered him to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus to the common hall and gathered
unto him the whole band of soldiers.
2. And they stripped him and
put on him a purple robe. And when they had plaited a crown of thorns they
put it upon his head and a reed in his right hand, and they bowed the knee
before him and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
3. Then came Jesus forth,
wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto
them, Behold the man!
4. When the chief priests
therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify
him. And Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him and crucify him, for I find
no fault in him.
5. And they spit upon him,
and took the reed and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked
him they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and
led him away to crucify him.
6. And as they led him away,
they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the county, and
on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. And there
followed him a great company of people and of women, which also bewailed
and lamented him.
7. But Jesus, turning unto
them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves
and for your children. For behold the days are coming in which they shall
say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps
which never gave suck.
8. Then shall they begin to
say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For it they
do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry.
9. And there were also two
other malefactors led with him to be put to death. And when they were come
unto a place called Calvary, and Golgotha, that is to say a place of a
skull, there they crucified him; and the malefactors, one on the right
hand, and other on the left.
10. And it was the third hour
when they crucified him, and they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with
gall, and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And Jesus said,
Abba Amma, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
11. Then the soldiers, when
they had crucified Jesus, took his raiment and made four parts, to every
soldier a part; and also his vesture. Now the vesture was without seam,
woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let
us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.
12. That the scripture might
be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my
vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. And
sitting down they watched him there.
13. And a superscription was
also written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This
is the King of the Jews.
14. This title then read many
of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city,
and it was written in Hebrew and Greek and Latin. then said the chief priests
of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews, but that, he said,
I am the King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written, I have
written.
15. And one of the malefactors
which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be the Christ, save thy
self and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou
fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly,
for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this man hath done nothing
amiss.
16. And he said unto Jesus,
Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto
him, Verily I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.
17. And they that passed by
reviled him, wagging heir heads and saying, Thou that wouldst destroy the
temple, and build it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of
God, come down from the Cross.
18. Likewise also the chief
priests mocking him, while the scribes and elders said, He saved a lamb,
himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down
from the cross and we will believe him. He trusted in God, let Him deliver
him now, if He will have him, for he said, I am the Son of God.
19. The usurers and the dealers
in beasts and birds also cast the like things into his teeth, saying, Thou
who drivest from the temple the traders in oxen and sheep and doves, art
thyself but a sheep that is sacrificed.
20. Now from the Sixth hour
there was darkness over all the land unto the Ninth hour, and some standing
around, lighted their torches, for the darkness was very great. And about
the Sixth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lame sabachthani?
that, is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me ?
21. Some of them that stood
there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias; others said,
He calleth on the Sun. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias
will come to save him.
22. Now there stood by the
cross of Jesus his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleophas,
and Mary Magdalene.
23. When Jesus therefore saw
his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his
mother, Woman, behold thy son! And he said to the disciple, Behold thy
mother! And from that hour that disciple took her into his own home.
24. After this, Jesus knowing
that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled,
saith, I am athirst. And from a vessel they filled a sponge with vinegar
and put it upon hyssop and put it to his mouth.
25. And Jesus cried with a
loud voice, saying, Abba Amma, into Thy hand I commend my spirit.
26. When Jesus had therefore
received the vinegar, he cried aloud, It is finished; and he bowed his
head and gave up the ghost. And it was the ninth hour.
27. And behold there was great
thunder and lightning, and the partition wall of the Holy place, from which
hung the veil, fell down, and was rent in twain, and the earth did quake,
and the rocks also were rent.
28. Now when the centurion
and they that were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those
things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was a Son
of God.
29. And many women were there,
which followed from Galilee, ministering unto them, and among them were
Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children
and they lamented, saying, The light of the world is hid from our eyes,
the Lord our Love is crucified.
30. Then the Jews, because
it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross
on the Sabbath, for that was a Paschal Sabbath, besought Pilate that their
legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
31. Then came the soldiers,
and brake the legs of the two who were crucified with him. But when they
came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs,
but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his heart and forthwith came
there out blood and water.
32. And he that saw it bare
record and his record is true, and he knoweth that he saith true, that
ye might believe. For these things were done that the Scriptures might
be fulfilled—A bone of him shall not be broken, and again—In the midst
of the week the Messiah shall be cut off.
Lection
LXXXIII
The Burial Of Jesus
1. NOW, when the even was come,
Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable councillor, who also waited for the
Kingdom of God, came and went in boldly unto Pilate and craved the body
of Jesus. (He was a good man and just, and had not consented to the council
and deed of them).
2. And Pilate marvelled if
he were already dead, and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him
whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion,
he gave the body to Joseph. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
3. And there came also Nicodemus,
who at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh
and aloes, about an hundred weight. Then took they the body of Jesus and
wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is
to bury.
4. Now in the place where
he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre,
wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore, and it
was about the beginning of the second watch when they buried him, because
of the Jews’ preparation day, for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
5. And Mary Magdalene and
the other Mary, and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
There at the tomb they kept watch for three days and three nights.
6. And the women also, who
came with him from Galilee, followed after, bearing lamps in their hands
and beheld the sepulchre and how his body was laid, and they made lamentation
over him.
7. And they returned and rested
the next clay, being a high day, and on the day following they bought and
prepared spices and ointments and waited for the end of the Sabbath.
8. Now the next day that followed,
the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir
we remember that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days
I will rise again.
9. Command therefore that
the sepulchre be made sure until the third day be past, lest his disciples
come by night and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen
from the dead, so the last error shall be worse than the first.
10. Pilate said unto them,
Ye have a watch, go your way, make it as sure as you can. So they went
and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone and setting a watch till
the third day should be past.
Lection
LXXXIV
000
The Resurrection Of Jesus
1. NOW after the Sabbath was
ended and it began to dawn, on the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene
to the sepulchre, bearing the spices which she had prepared, and there
were others with her.
2. And as they were going,
they said among themselves, who shall roll away the stone from the door
of the sepulchre? For it was great. And when they came to the place and
looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away.
3. For behold there was a
great earthquake; and the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and
rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was
like lighting and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers
did shake and became as dead men.
4. And the angel answered
and said unto the women, Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which
was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.
5. Come, see the place where
the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from
the dead; and, behold he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye
see him; lo, I have told you.
6. And they entered in and
found not the body of Jesus. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter and the
other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said unto them, They have taken away
the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
7. And they ran and came to
the scpulchre, and looking in, they saw the linen clothes lying, and the
napkin that had been about his head not lying with the linen clothes, but
wrapped up in a place by itself.
8. And it came to pass as
they were much perplexed, behold, two angels stood by them in glistening
garments of white, and said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the
dead? He is not here, he is risen, and, behold, he goeth before you into
Galilee, there shall we see him.
9. Remember ye not how he
spake unto you, when he was yet in Galilee, that the Son of Man should
be crucified and that he would rise again after the third day? And they
remembered his words. And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre,
for they trembled with amazement, and they were afraid.
10. NOW at the time of the
earthquake, the graves were opened; and many of the saints which slept
arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into
the city and appeared unto many.
11. But Mary stood without
at the sepulchre weeping, and as she wept she again stooped down, and looked
into the sepulchre and saw two angels in white garments, the one at the
head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And
they said unto her, Woman, why weepest thou?
12. She saith unto them, Because
they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing,
and knew not that it was Jesus.
13. Jesus saith unto her,
Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the
gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where
thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said unto her, Mary,
She turned herself and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
14. Jesus saith unto her,
Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father One with my Mother,
but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Parent and your
Parent; to my God and your God.
15. And Mary Magdalene came
and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken
these things unto her, and commanded her to announce his resurrection from
the dead.
Lection
LXXXV
Jesus Appeareth To Two
At Emmaus
1. AND behold, two of them
went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem
about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things
which had happened.
2. And it came to pass, that,
while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and
went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
3. And he said unto them,
What manner of communications are these that ye have one with another,
as ye walk and are sad?
4. And the one of them, whose
name was Cleophas, answering, said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in
Jerusalem and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in
these days? And he said unto them, What things?
5. And they said unto him,
Concerning Jesus of Nazareth who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people; and how the chief priests and our rulers
delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we
trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel; and beside
all this three days have passed since these things were done.
6. Yea, and certain women
also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
and when they found not his body, they came saying, that they had also
seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
7. And certain of them who
were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had
said; but him they saw not.
8. Then he said unto them,
O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken;
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and then to enter into
his glory?
9. And beginning at Moses
and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures, the
things concerning himself.
10. And they drew nigh unto
the village whither they went; and he made as though he would have gone
further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide, with us, for it is toward
evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
11. And it came to pass as
he sat at table with them, he took bread and the fruit of the vine, and
gave thanks, blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were
opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
12. And they said one to another,
Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and
while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour and
returned to Jerusalem, and found the twelve gathered together, and them
that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared
to Simon.
13. And they told what things
were done in the way and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
14. Now while they had been
going to Emmaus, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto
Caiaphas what things had been done.
15. And they assembled with
the elders and took council and said, Behold, while the soldiers slept,
some of his disciples came and took his body away; and is not Joseph of
Arimathea one if his disciples?
16. For this cause then did
he beg the body from Pilate that he might bury it in his garden in his
own tomb. Let us therefore give money to the soldiers, saying, say ye,
His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept. And if this
come to the ears of the governor we will persuade him, and secure you.
Lection
LXXXVI
Jesus Appeareth In The Temple
Blood Sacrifices Cease
1. THE same day, at the time
of sacrifice in the Temple there appeared among the dealers in beasts and
in birds, One clothed in white raiment, bright as light, and in his hand
a whip of seven cords.
2. And at the sight of him,
those who sold and bought fled in terror, and some of them fell as dead
men, for they remembered how before his death Jesus had driven them away
from the Temple enclosure, in like manner.
3. And some declared that
they had seen a spirit. And others that they had seen him who was crucified
and that he had risen from the dead.
4. And the sacrifices ceased
that day in the Temple, for all were in fear, and none could be had to
sell or to buy, but, rather, they let their captives go free.
5. And the priests and elders
caused a report to be spread, That they who had seen it were drunken, and
had seen nothing. But many affirmed that they had seen him with their own
eyes, and felt on their backs the scourge, but were powerless to resist,
for when some of the bolder among them put forth their hands, they could
not seize the form which they beheld, nor grasp the whip which chastised
them.
6. And from that time, these
believed in Jesus, that he was sent from God, to deliver the oppressed,
and free those that were bound. And they turned from their ways and sinned
no longer.
7. To others he also appeared
in love and mercy and healed them by his touch, and delivered them from
the hands of the persecutor. And many like things were reported of him,
and many said, Of a truth the Kingdom is come.
8. And some of those who had
slept and risen, when Jesus rose from the dead appeared, and were seen
by many in the holy City, and great fear fell upon the wicked, but light
and gladness came to the righteous in heart.
Lection
LXXXVII
Jesus Appeareth To The Twelve
1. THEN the same day at evening,
being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples
were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst,
and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were affrighted and supposed
that they had seen a spirit.
2. And he said unto them,
Behold, it is I myself, like as ye have seen me aforetime. A spirit can
in deed appear in flesh and bones as ye see me have. Behold my hands and
my feet, handle and see.
3. And when he had so said,
he shewed unto them his hands and his Heart. Then were the disciples glad,
when they saw the Lord.
4. For Thomas, called Didymus,
one of the disciples, had said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands
the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his heart, I will not believe.
Then saith he to Thomas, Behold my hands, my heart, and my feet; reach
hither thy hands, and be not faithless but believing.
5. And Thomas answered and
said unto him, My Lord and my God! And Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because
thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen
and yet have believed.
6. Then saith Jesus unto them
again, Peace be unto you, as Abba Amma hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this he breathed on them and said unto them, Receive
ye the Holy Ghost; preach the Gospel, and anounce ye unto all nations;
the resurrection of the Son of Man.
7. Teach ye the holy law of
love which I have delivered unto you. And whosoever forsake their sins,
they are remitted unto them, and whosoever continue in their sins they
are retained unto them.
8. Baptise them who believe
and repent, bless and anoint them, and offer ye the pure Oblation of the
fruits of the earth, which I have appointed unto you for a Memorial of
me.
9. Lo, I have given my body
and my blood to be offered on the Cross, for the redemption of the world
from the sin against love, and from the bloody sacrifices and feasts of
the past.
10. And ye shall offer the
Bread of life, and the Wine of salvation, for a pure Oblation with incense,
as it is written of me, and ye shall eat and drink thereof for a memorial,
that I have delivered all who believe in me from the ancient bondage of
your ancestors.
11. For they, making a god
of their belly, sacrificed unto their god the innocent creatures of the
earth, in place of the carnal nature within themselves.
12. And eating of their flesh
and drinking of their blood to their own destruction, corrupted their bodies
and shortened their days, even as the Gentiles who knew not the truth,
or who knowing it, have changed it into a lie.
13. As I send you, so send
ye others also, to do these things in my Name, and he laid his hands upon
them.
14. In the like manner as
the Apostles, so also be ordained Prophets and Evangelists and Pastors,
a Holy Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hand upon those whom they
chose for Deacons, one for each of the fourfold twelve.
15. And these are for the
rule and guidance of the Church Universal, that all may be perfected in
their places in the Unity of the Body of the Christ.
Lection
LXXXVIII
The Eighth Day After The Resurrection
1. AND after seven days again,
his disciples were within the Upper Room; then came Jesus, the doors being
shut, and stood in their midst and said, Peace be unto you, and he was
known unto them in the holy Memorial.
2. And he said unto them.
Love ye one another and all the creatures of God. Yet I say unto you, not
all are men, who are in the form of man. Are they men or women in the image
of God whose ways are ways of violence, of oppression and wrong, who choose
a lie rather than the truth?
3. Nay, verily, till they
are born again, and receive the Spirit of Love and Wisdom within their
hearts. Then only are they sons and daughters of Israel, and being of Israel
they are children of God, And for this cause came I into the world, and
for this I have suffered at the hands of sinners.
4. These are the words which
I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled
which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets, and in the
psalms, concerning me.
5. And Jesus said, I stood
in the midst of the world, and in the flesh was I seen and heard, and I
found all men glutted with their own pleasures, and drunk with their own
follies, and none found I hungry or athirst for the wisdom which is of
God. My soul grieveth over the sons and daughters of men because they are
blind in their heart, and in their soul are they deaf and hear not my voice.
6. Then opened he their understanding,
that they might understand the scriptures. And said unto them, Thus it
is written, and thus it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise from
the dead after the third day. And that repentance and remission of sins
should be preached in my name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And ye are witnesses of these things.
7. And, behold, I send the
promice of my Parent upon you, even of my Father One with my Mother, Whom
ye have not seen on the earth. For I say unto you of a truth, as the whole
world have been ruined by the sin and vanity of woman, so by the simplicity
and truth of woman shall it be saved, even by you shall it be saved.
8. Rejoice therefore and be
ye glad, for ye are more blessed than all who are on earth, for it is ye,
my twelve thousand who shall save the whole world.
9. Again I say unto you when
the great tyrant and all the seven tyrants began to fight in vain against
the Light, they knew not with Whom or What they fought.
10. For they saw nothing beyond
a dazzling Light, and when they fought they expended their strength one
against another, and so it is.
11. For this cause I took
a fourth part of their strength, so that they might not have such power,
and prevail in their evil deeds.
12. For by involution and
evolution shall the salvation of all the world be accomplished: by the
Descent of Spirit into matter, and the Ascent of matter into Spirit, through
the ages.
Lection
LXXXIX
Jesus Appeareth At The Sea Of Tiberias
1. AFTER these things Jesus
shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias, and on this
wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon, Peter, and Thomas, called
Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and James and John and two other
of his disciples.
2. And Peter saith unto them,
I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth
and entered into a ship immediately, and that night they caught nothing.
And when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples
knew not that it was Jesus.
3. Then Jesus said unto them,
Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, Nay, Lord, not enough for
all; there is naught but a small loaf, a little oil, and a few dried fruits.
And he said unto them, Let these suffice; come and dine.
4. And he blessed them, and
they ate and were filled, and there was a pitcher of water also, and he
blessed it likewise, and lo, it was the fruit of the vine.
5. And they marvelled, and
said. It is the Lord. And none of the disciples dost ask him. Who art thou?
knowing it was the Lord.
6. This is now the sixth time
that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from
the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Peter, son of Jonas, lovest
thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that
I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith unto him again
the second time, Peter, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him,
Yea, Lord thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto him. Feed my sheep.
7. He saith unto him the third
time, Peter, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he
said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me ? And he said unto him, Lord,
thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.
8. Jesus saith unto him, Feed
my Flock. Verily verily, I say unto thee, thou art a rock from the Rock,
and on this rock will I build my Church, and I will raise thee above my
twelve to be my vicegerent upon earth for a centre of Unity to the twelve,
and another shall be called and chosen to fill thy place among the twelve,
and thou shalt be the Servant of servants and shalt feed my rams, my sheep
and my lambs.
9. And yet another shall arise
and he shall teach many things which I have taught you already, and he
shall spread the Gospel among the Gentiles with great zeal. But the keys
of the Kingdom will I give to those who succeed thee in my Spirit and obeying
my law.
10. And again I say unto thee.
When thou wast young thou girdedst thyself and walketh whither thou wouldst,
but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another
shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldst not. This spake he,
signifying by what death he should glorify God.
11. And when he had spoken
this he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the
disciple whom Jesus loved following. Peter seeing him, saith to Jesus,
Lord and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he
tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
12. Then went this saying
abroad among the brethren that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said
not unto him, He shall not die, but, if I will that he tarry till I come,
what is that to thee.
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