The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 251 -
Jonathan As A Friend in Need
WHEN ALL WERE in the house and Mary had also convinced herself that even her clothes cabinet and that of Eudokia were wholly plundered,
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the tears came into her eyes as well as Eudokia's, and she complained to Joseph,
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'Just look here, even the dress which I had in the temple has been robbed by wicked people!
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Truly, this really upsets and hurts me in my heart!
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We had only as few clothes as we absolutely needed, and still we had to lose even those.
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For that matter, may everything be offered up to the Lord, but it pains me all the same because it was all I had for a necessary change of clothes.
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Now I only have this already worn-out everyday dress and not even a shekel to purchase the most necessary change of clothing!
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And that really hurts me! But it hurts me still more that the wicked thieves have also taken the underclothing of the little Child!
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He now has nothing but the little shirt which He is wearing - how will I now be able to provide Him with a second one?
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Oh my poor little Child, see, see, now I will not be able to put a fresh little shirt on you every day, which always made You feel so good!'
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Here Jonathan, deeply touched, went over and said, 'Oh most honored, more than blessed mother of my Lord, do not mourn; for now I also have gold and silver!
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With the greatest joy I will indeed give it to you to the last stater, and you can then use it according to your needs.
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I do of course well know that the Lord of all glory does not look upon my gold and silver; for He who clothes all the animals and all the trees and plants so magnificently will all the less allow the mother of His body to, become naked.
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But just the same, it would make me happy beyond measure if I could bring all of my wealth to you as an offering.
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Oh mother, accept it from my heart!'
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Here Mary looked at Jonathan in a most friendly manner and replied,
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'Oh Jonathan, how big-hearted and noble you are! Your will counts as the deed with me.
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And if it should be pleasing to the Lord, I would indeed ask you for some support for the little Child.
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But if for some reason it should not be pleasing to the Lord, I have already received everything from your heart, for which I shall never cease to be grateful to you!'
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Here the little Child came up and said to Jonathan, 'Dear Jonathan, give mother what she asks of you, and you will receive a great reward in My kingdom!
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You see, we are really poor now, and that all the more since I must not work any wonder because of the salvation of mankind!'
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At this Jonathan ran home full of joy and in a very short time brought all his gold and silver and laid it at Mary's feet.
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When Mary and Joseph saw this, both wept for joy.
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Jonathan wept with them and could not thank God enough that he was worthy of such grace from the Lord.
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Hereupon the little Child blessed Jonathan and said to Mary, 'See, that will surely provide us with fresh linen, so be of good cheer again!' - And all became happy and cheerful again.