The Great Gospel of John
Volume 1
Jesus' Precepts and Deeds through His Three Years of Teaching
Second day in Sychar
- Chapter 89 -
Jesus prays for His, and sends His brethren to attend to their domestic affairs. About Thomas and Iscariot. Peter and the Lord. 'Where faith is lacking there is little work for us.' The best seasoning. Healing by the laying on of hands. Return of the disciples. The young Mark - Peter's son. Thomas' good catch. Iscariot's nature.
After the morning meal I say to all those present, 'If there is anyone who has domestic affairs to attend to, he is welcome to take a couple of days leave for the purpose, but you need to attend again on the third day because I intend to spend a couple of days here in Cana and also take a little rest. But those too far from home can stay here, as also those not wishing to leave Me! But I propose during these two days to neither teach or work things but, as said, just to rest and to pray to the Father for you all.'
2
Mary and My five brethren however also come over to Me and ask whether it would be all right for them to go to Nazareth for a couple of days, to put domestic affairs in order.
3
And I say, 'Yes, go and do so, because My disciples need to also have their worldly affairs in order! But organise your domestic affairs for a couple of years, and let out to someone poor, but mark well, without rent. Because as My brothers and disciples you should in future never seek rent or wages from anyone, but only accept what is handed to you voluntarily!' The brethren together with Mary promise to do so, and leave for Nazareth.
4
But of My disciples it was only Thomas who went home, with the resolve to seek out disciples for Me, which he also did. There was however among them a certain Jew, not an actual Galilean, by the name of Iscariot, who subsequently betrayed Me. Up to a certain time he was the most industrious of My disciples, he played the purser, paying everything everywhere, and acting as it were as forerunner and stage-manager wherever I went. Yet he also knew how to secretly make money out of My deeds and teaching, and this money-greed in the end made him what he eventually became - My betrayer! But Peter and the other disciples who had followed Me from Bethabara remained.
5
To My asking him whether he was not inclined to go home for a couple of days, Peter replied, 'Lord, only death can part me from You, or a commandment from Your mouth! I arranged with Thomas for my son Mark to come here, he could be of use, because with writing he is almost as good as Matthew. But that's about all that I have to attend to domestically, everything else You my Lord and my God are taking care of anyway!' - Say I, 'Not so loud, My Simon Peter, because here we are not at Sychar! There are also some here who are not at your stage yet - these could be offended. Hence it is enough if in future you call Me 'Lord', the rest for the time being keep in your heart, which I know quite well!'
6
Peter is satisfied with that, asking Me whether we are to undertake nothing at all during the two days in Cana. But I say, 'This be far from us! But we shall not strain ourselves as we did at Sychar! In a worldly sense we are here in our homeland, and you know how much a prophet is worth in his homeland! Hence we shall be doing and teaching very little here in our actual sphere. Because where faith is lacking there is little work for us. Hence we shall, as they would say, take it easy for a couple of days, and prepare a little for the time ahead!'
7
After these words Matthew comes asking Me whether to perhaps now record some of the things he has seen and heard at Sychar.
8
But I say, 'If you are intent on doing something, then you could twice copy the Sermon on the Mount, and a copy can then be left with the host here in Cana, and one at Capernaum, because there too we shall not get to do much!'
9
But now the host comes to ask what I should like for lunch And I say to him, 'Friend, why such an idle question? Not having asked Me before the morning meal, I still quite enjoyed it! Hence I shall also find lunch excellent! Verily I say unto you, every meal seasoned with the noble and loving heart of the giver is the tastiest, - better than the most sumptuous and resplendent things upon the tables of selfish gluttons, filling the halls with their Ambrosian scent. - With this advice the young host was fully satisfied, and with the most joyful heart then did everything to serve us with lunch as well as possible.
10
Thus, the two days passed with many a good discussion and visits by citizens of this small town.
11
Some sick people were also healed merely by the laying on of hands, and to an honest physician there I pointed out quite a number of healing herbs, ... with which he then achieved good cures.
12
On the third day however all but mother Mary and the four eldest brethren returned from home, bringing new disciples on all sides. Thomas in particular in this respect had made a big catch of fish, and brought a great many fried fish with him, for he knew how I liked eating such fish.
13
The young Mark thus also brought his father Simon many greetings from home, and many fried fish as well, and Iscariot brought much money and much life into the company, since he was very lively and active, organising everything and being exceptionally pleased with Me, and had much to relate about diverse happenings occurring all over the great Roman empire.
14
After we were all gathered up thus I was bent on re-commencing the journey. But the host asked Me to remain till evening, since it was very hot. And I remained till evening. But when the sun came close to setting I reminded the company to be ready for travel, as I was intent on re-commencing the journey at sunset.