The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 116 -
The Reawakening Of The Mercenaries
IN THE MORNING early before sunrise there was great activity in Joseph's house.
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The youths put the stable and the kitchen in order with the sons of Joseph, for many things had to be prepared for the wedding feast of Cyrenius,
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Joseph himself now went outside with two of the youths, Zuriel and Gabriel, viewed the corpses and said to the two,
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'What will come of this? We will surely have to bury them first before Cyrenius comes from the city.'
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But the youths answered, 'Joseph, do not concern yourself with that, for it is namely the governor who must see what power dwells in your house.
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So these corpses must remain until Cyrenius comes and he can then have them removed himself.'
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Joseph was satisfied with this information and went into the house with the two.
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As they stepped into the room, Mary was just bathing the Baby, wherewith Eudokia helped her where she could.
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Hereupon the two youths remained standing in the greatest veneration with hands crossed over the breast as long as the Baby was being bathed.
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When the Baby was bathed and again clothed in fresh linen, He promptly called Joseph over and stated,
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'Joseph, no one shall lose his life on the land which belongs to this house!
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I called you that you may take this water and save it.
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When Cyrenius comes from town and sees those who were strangled, take the water and sprinkle them and they will awaken and will be brought before the state court of justice.
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But first tie the hands of each corpse behind its back, so that when it awakens it will not directly take up arms and defend itself!'
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When Joseph heard this, he promptly with the help of the two did what the Baby had spoken,
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and when he had bound the hands of the last corpse, Cyrenius arrived in full splendor from the city with a great following.
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He was horrified at the sight of these bound corpses and hastily asked what had happened here.
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Joseph told him everything, then had water brought and immediately sprinkled the corpses, which thereupon arose as from a deep sleep.
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Cyrenius, now wholly informed, had the resuscitated mercenaries promptly brought into the prison of the state.
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When all of these, along with the one who had been left alive, were led away under strong guard, Cyrenius went into the chamber with his bride and there honored and praised the God of Israel with all his might.