Difference between revisions of "162:2 The First Temple Talk"
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| − | 162:2.1 The first afternoon that [[Jesus]] taught in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple the temple], a considerable company sat [[listening]] to his [[words]] depicting the [[liberty]] of the new [[gospel]] and the [[joy]] of those who [[believe]] the good news, when a [[curious]] [[listener]] interrupted him to ask: "Teacher, how is it you can quote the [[Scriptures]] and [[teach]] the people so fluently when I am told that you are untaught in the [[learning]] of the [[rabbis]]?[ | + | 162:2.1 The first afternoon that [[Jesus]] taught in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple the temple], a considerable company sat [[listening]] to his [[words]] depicting the [[liberty]] of the new [[gospel]] and the [[joy]] of those who [[believe]] the good news, when a [[curious]] [[listener]] interrupted him to ask: "Teacher, how is it you can quote the [[Scriptures]] and [[teach]] the people so fluently when I am told that you are untaught in the [[learning]] of the [[rabbis]]?[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_7] [[Jesus]] replied: No man has taught me the [[truths]] which I [[declare]] to you. And this [[teaching]] is not mine but His who sent me. If any man really [[desires]] to do [[Universal Father|my Father]]'s will, he shall certainly know about my [[teaching]], whether it be [[God]]'s or whether I speak for myself. He who [[speaks]] for himself seeks his own [[glory]], but when I [[declare]] the [[words]] of [[the Father]], I thereby seek the [[glory]] of Him who sent me. But before you try to enter into the new [[light]], should you not rather follow the [[light]] you already have? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] gave you [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah the law], yet how many of you [[honestly]] seek to fulfill its demands? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] in this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah law] enjoins you, saying, `You shall not kill';[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Deuteronomy#Chapter_.5] notwithstanding this command some of you seek to [[kill]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man]. |
| − | 162:2.2 When the crowd heard these [[words]], they fell to wrangling among themselves. Some said he was mad; some that he had a [[devil]]. Others said this was indeed the [[prophet]] of [[Galilee]] whom the [[scribes]] and [[Pharisees]] had long sought to [[kill]]. Some said the [[religious]] [[authorities]] were afraid to [[molest]] him; others thought that they laid not hands upon him because they had become [[believers]] in him. After considerable [[debate]] one of the crowd stepped forward and asked [[Jesus]], " Why do the [[Sanhedrin|rulers]] seek to [[kill]] you? " And he replied: " The rulers seek to kill me because they resent my [[teaching]] about the good news of [[the kingdom]], a [[gospel]] that sets men [[free]] from the burdensome [[traditions]] of a [[formal]] [[religion]] of [[ceremonies]] which these [[teachers]] are [[determined]] to uphold at any cost. They [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision#Cultures_and_religions circumcise] in [[accordance]] with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah the law] on the [[Sabbath]] day, but they would [[kill]] me because I once on the [[Sabbath]] day set [[free]] a man held in the [[bondage]] of [[affliction]]. They follow after me on the [[Sabbath]] to [[spy]] on me but would [[kill]] me because on another occasion I chose to make a grievously stricken man completely whole on the [[Sabbath]] day. They seek to [[kill]] me because they well know that, if you [[honestly]] [[believe]] and [[dare]] to [[accept]] my teaching, their [[system]] of [[traditional]] [[religion]] will be overthrown, forever destroyed. Thus will they be deprived of [[authority]] over that to which they have [[devoted]] their lives since they [[steadfast]]ly refuse to [[accept]] this new and more [[glorious]] [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] of God. And now do I [[appeal]] to every one of you: [[Judge]] not according to outward [[appearances]] but rather judge by the true [[spirit]] of these [[teachings]]; judge [[righteous]]ly. "[ | + | 162:2.2 When the crowd heard these [[words]], they fell to wrangling among themselves. Some said he was mad; some that he had a [[devil]]. Others said this was indeed the [[prophet]] of [[Galilee]] whom the [[scribes]] and [[Pharisees]] had long sought to [[kill]]. Some said the [[religious]] [[authorities]] were afraid to [[molest]] him; others thought that they laid not hands upon him because they had become [[believers]] in him. After considerable [[debate]] one of the crowd stepped forward and asked [[Jesus]], " Why do the [[Sanhedrin|rulers]] seek to [[kill]] you? " And he replied: " The rulers seek to kill me because they resent my [[teaching]] about the good news of [[the kingdom]], a [[gospel]] that sets men [[free]] from the burdensome [[traditions]] of a [[formal]] [[religion]] of [[ceremonies]] which these [[teachers]] are [[determined]] to uphold at any cost. They [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision#Cultures_and_religions circumcise] in [[accordance]] with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah the law] on the [[Sabbath]] day, but they would [[kill]] me because I once on the [[Sabbath]] day set [[free]] a man held in the [[bondage]] of [[affliction]]. They follow after me on the [[Sabbath]] to [[spy]] on me but would [[kill]] me because on another occasion I chose to make a grievously stricken man completely whole on the [[Sabbath]] day. They seek to [[kill]] me because they well know that, if you [[honestly]] [[believe]] and [[dare]] to [[accept]] my teaching, their [[system]] of [[traditional]] [[religion]] will be overthrown, forever destroyed. Thus will they be deprived of [[authority]] over that to which they have [[devoted]] their lives since they [[steadfast]]ly refuse to [[accept]] this new and more [[glorious]] [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] of God. And now do I [[appeal]] to every one of you: [[Judge]] not according to outward [[appearances]] but rather judge by the true [[spirit]] of these [[teachings]]; judge [[righteous]]ly. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_7] |
| − | 162:2.3 Then said another [[inquirer]]: " Yes, Teacher, we do look for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism the Messiah], but when he comes, we know that his [[appearance]] will be in [[mystery]]. We know whence you are. You have been among your brethren from the beginning. The deliverer will come in [[power]] to restore the [[throne]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David David]'s kingdom. Do you really claim to be the [[Messiah]]? " And [[Jesus]] replied: " You claim to [[know]] me and to know whence I am. I [[wish]] your claims were true, for indeed then would you find [[abundant]] life in that [[knowledge]]. But I [[declare]] that I have not come to you for myself; I have been sent by [[the Father]], and he who sent me is [[true]] and [[faithful]]. By refusing to hear me, you are refusing to [[receive]] Him who sends me. You, if you will [[receive]] this [[gospel]], shall come to know Him who sent me. I know [[the Father]], for I have come from [[the Father]] to [[declare]] and [[reveal]] him to you. "[ | + | 162:2.3 Then said another [[inquirer]]: " Yes, Teacher, we do look for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism the Messiah], but when he comes, we know that his [[appearance]] will be in [[mystery]]. We know whence you are. You have been among your brethren from the beginning. The deliverer will come in [[power]] to restore the [[throne]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David David]'s kingdom. Do you really claim to be the [[Messiah]]? " And [[Jesus]] replied: " You claim to [[know]] me and to know whence I am. I [[wish]] your claims were true, for indeed then would you find [[abundant]] life in that [[knowledge]]. But I [[declare]] that I have not come to you for myself; I have been sent by [[the Father]], and he who sent me is [[true]] and [[faithful]]. By refusing to hear me, you are refusing to [[receive]] Him who sends me. You, if you will [[receive]] this [[gospel]], shall come to know Him who sent me. I know [[the Father]], for I have come from [[the Father]] to [[declare]] and [[reveal]] him to you. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_7] |
| − | 162:2.4 The [[agents]] of the [[scribes]] wanted to lay hands upon him, but they [[feared]] the [[multitude]], for many [[believed]] in him. [[Jesus]]' [[work]] since [ | + | 162:2.4 The [[agents]] of the [[scribes]] wanted to lay hands upon him, but they [[feared]] the [[multitude]], for many [[believed]] in him. [[Jesus]]' [[work]] since [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_136 his baptism] had become well known to all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism Jewry], and as many of these people recounted these [[things]], they said among themselves: " Even though this [[teacher]] is from [[Galilee]], and even though he does not meet all of our [[expectations]] of the [[Messiah]], we wonder if the deliverer, when he does come, will really do anything more [[wonderful]] than this [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] has already done? "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_7] |
162:2.5 When the [[Pharisees]] and their [[agents]] heard [[the people]] talking this way, they took [[counsel]] with their [[leaders]] and [[decided]] that something should be done forthwith to put a stop to these [[public]] [[appearances]] of [[Jesus]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple temple courts]. The [[leaders]] of the [[Jews]], in general, were disposed to avoid a [[clash]] with [[Jesus]], believing that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic Roman authorities] had promised him [[immunity]]. They could not otherwise account for his [[boldness]] in coming at this time to [[Jerusalem]]; but the officers of the [[Sanhedrin]] did not wholly believe this [[rumor]]. They [[reasoned]] that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic Roman rulers] would not do such a thing [[secretly]] and without the [[knowledge]] of the [[Sanhedrin|highest governing body of the Jewish nation]]. | 162:2.5 When the [[Pharisees]] and their [[agents]] heard [[the people]] talking this way, they took [[counsel]] with their [[leaders]] and [[decided]] that something should be done forthwith to put a stop to these [[public]] [[appearances]] of [[Jesus]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple temple courts]. The [[leaders]] of the [[Jews]], in general, were disposed to avoid a [[clash]] with [[Jesus]], believing that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic Roman authorities] had promised him [[immunity]]. They could not otherwise account for his [[boldness]] in coming at this time to [[Jerusalem]]; but the officers of the [[Sanhedrin]] did not wholly believe this [[rumor]]. They [[reasoned]] that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic Roman rulers] would not do such a thing [[secretly]] and without the [[knowledge]] of the [[Sanhedrin|highest governing body of the Jewish nation]]. | ||
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162:2.6 Accordingly, Eber, the proper officer of the [[Sanhedrin]], with two assistants was dispatched to [[arrest]] [[Jesus]]. As Eber made his way toward [[Jesus]], [[the Master]] said: " [[Fear]] not to approach me. Draw near while you [[listen]] to my [[teaching]]. I [[know]] you have been sent to [[apprehend]] me, but you should [[understand]] that nothing will befall the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] until his hour comes. You are not arrayed against me; you come only to do the bidding of your masters, and even these [[Sanhedrin|rulers of the Jews]] verily [[think]] they are doing [[God]]'s [[service]] when they [[secretly]] seek my [[Death|destruction]]. | 162:2.6 Accordingly, Eber, the proper officer of the [[Sanhedrin]], with two assistants was dispatched to [[arrest]] [[Jesus]]. As Eber made his way toward [[Jesus]], [[the Master]] said: " [[Fear]] not to approach me. Draw near while you [[listen]] to my [[teaching]]. I [[know]] you have been sent to [[apprehend]] me, but you should [[understand]] that nothing will befall the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] until his hour comes. You are not arrayed against me; you come only to do the bidding of your masters, and even these [[Sanhedrin|rulers of the Jews]] verily [[think]] they are doing [[God]]'s [[service]] when they [[secretly]] seek my [[Death|destruction]]. | ||
| − | 162:2.7 " I bear none of you ill will. [[The Father]] [[loves]] you, and therefore do I long for your [[deliverance]] from the [[bondage]] of [[prejudice]] and the [[darkness]] of [[tradition]]. I offer you the [[liberty]] of life and the [[joy]] of [[salvation]]. I [[proclaim]] the new and living way, the [[deliverance]] from [[evil]] and the breaking of the [[bondage]] of [[sin]]. I have come that you might have life, and have it [[eternally]]. You seek to be rid of me and my disquieting [[teachings]]. If you could only [[realize]] that I am to be with you only a little while! In just a short time I go to [[Universal Father|Him]] who sent me into this world. And then will many of you [[diligently]] seek me, but you shall not [[discover]] my [[presence]], for where I am about to go you cannot come. But all who truly seek to find me shall sometime attain the life that [[leads]] to [[Universal Father|my Father]]'s [[presence]]. "[ | + | 162:2.7 " I bear none of you ill will. [[The Father]] [[loves]] you, and therefore do I long for your [[deliverance]] from the [[bondage]] of [[prejudice]] and the [[darkness]] of [[tradition]]. I offer you the [[liberty]] of life and the [[joy]] of [[salvation]]. I [[proclaim]] the new and living way, the [[deliverance]] from [[evil]] and the breaking of the [[bondage]] of [[sin]]. I have come that you might have life, and have it [[eternally]]. You seek to be rid of me and my disquieting [[teachings]]. If you could only [[realize]] that I am to be with you only a little while! In just a short time I go to [[Universal Father|Him]] who sent me into this world. And then will many of you [[diligently]] seek me, but you shall not [[discover]] my [[presence]], for where I am about to go you cannot come. But all who truly seek to find me shall sometime attain the life that [[leads]] to [[Universal Father|my Father]]'s [[presence]]. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_7] |
| − | 162:2.8 Some of the scoffers said among themselves: " Where will this man go that we cannot find him? Will he go to live among the [[Greeks]]? Will he destroy himself? What can he mean when he [[declares]] that soon he will depart from us, and that we cannot go where he goes? "[ | + | 162:2.8 Some of the scoffers said among themselves: " Where will this man go that we cannot find him? Will he go to live among the [[Greeks]]? Will he destroy himself? What can he mean when he [[declares]] that soon he will depart from us, and that we cannot go where he goes? "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_7] |
| − | 162:2.9 Eber and his assistants refused to [[arrest]] [[Jesus]]; they returned to their meeting place without him. When, therefore, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Priest_of_Israel chief priests] and the [[Pharisees]] [[Rebuke|upbraided]] Eber and his assistants because they had not brought [[Jesus]] with them, Eber only replied: " We [[feared]] to [[arrest]] him in the midst of the [[multitude]] because many [[believe]] in him. Besides, we never heard a man speak like this man. There is something out of the ordinary about this [[teacher]]. You would all do well to go over to hear him. " And when the chief rulers heard these [[words]], they were astonished and spoke tauntingly to Eber: " Are you also led astray? Are you about to [[believe]] in this [[deceiver]]? Have you heard that any of our [[learned]] men or any of the rulers have believed in him? Have any of the [[scribes]] or the [[Pharisees]] been [[deceived]] by his clever [[teachings]]? How does it come that you are [[influenced]] by the [[behavior]] of this [[ignorant]] multitude who know not [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah the law] or [[Hebrew Prophets|the prophets]]? Do you not know that such untaught people are ac[[curse]]d? " And then answered Eber: " Even so, my masters, but this man [[speaks]] to the multitude [[words]] of [[mercy]] and [[hope]]. He cheers the downhearted, and his [[words]] were [[comfort]]ing even to our [[souls]]. What can there be wrong in these [[teachings]] even though he may not be the [[Messiah]] of the [[Scriptures]]? And even then does not our [[law]] require [[fairness]]? Do we [[condemn]] a man before we hear him? " And the chief of the [[Sanhedrin]] was [[wroth]] with Eber and, turning upon him, said: " Have you gone mad? Are you by any [[chance]] also from [[Galilee]]? Search the [[Scriptures]], and you will [[discover]] that out of [[Galilee]] arises no [[prophet]], much less [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism the Messiah]. "[ | + | 162:2.9 Eber and his assistants refused to [[arrest]] [[Jesus]]; they returned to their meeting place without him. When, therefore, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Priest_of_Israel chief priests] and the [[Pharisees]] [[Rebuke|upbraided]] Eber and his assistants because they had not brought [[Jesus]] with them, Eber only replied: " We [[feared]] to [[arrest]] him in the midst of the [[multitude]] because many [[believe]] in him. Besides, we never heard a man speak like this man. There is something out of the ordinary about this [[teacher]]. You would all do well to go over to hear him. " And when the chief rulers heard these [[words]], they were astonished and spoke tauntingly to Eber: " Are you also led astray? Are you about to [[believe]] in this [[deceiver]]? Have you heard that any of our [[learned]] men or any of the rulers have believed in him? Have any of the [[scribes]] or the [[Pharisees]] been [[deceived]] by his clever [[teachings]]? How does it come that you are [[influenced]] by the [[behavior]] of this [[ignorant]] multitude who know not [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah the law] or [[Hebrew Prophets|the prophets]]? Do you not know that such untaught people are ac[[curse]]d? " And then answered Eber: " Even so, my masters, but this man [[speaks]] to the multitude [[words]] of [[mercy]] and [[hope]]. He cheers the downhearted, and his [[words]] were [[comfort]]ing even to our [[souls]]. What can there be wrong in these [[teachings]] even though he may not be the [[Messiah]] of the [[Scriptures]]? And even then does not our [[law]] require [[fairness]]? Do we [[condemn]] a man before we hear him? " And the chief of the [[Sanhedrin]] was [[wroth]] with Eber and, turning upon him, said: " Have you gone mad? Are you by any [[chance]] also from [[Galilee]]? Search the [[Scriptures]], and you will [[discover]] that out of [[Galilee]] arises no [[prophet]], much less [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism the Messiah]. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_7] |
162:2.10 The [[Sanhedrin]] disbanded in [[confusion]], and [[Jesus]] withdrew to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany Bethany] for the night. | 162:2.10 The [[Sanhedrin]] disbanded in [[confusion]], and [[Jesus]] withdrew to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany Bethany] for the night. | ||
| − | <center>[ | + | <center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_162 Go to Paper 162]</center> |
| − | <center>[ | + | <center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center> |
[[Category:Paper 162 - At the Feast of Tabernacles]] | [[Category:Paper 162 - At the Feast of Tabernacles]] | ||
[[Category: Jesus/TeaM]] | [[Category: Jesus/TeaM]] | ||
[[Category: Revelation]] | [[Category: Revelation]] | ||
Revision as of 21:40, 12 December 2020
162:2.1 The first afternoon that Jesus taught in the temple, a considerable company sat listening to his words depicting the liberty of the new gospel and the joy of those who believe the good news, when a curious listener interrupted him to ask: "Teacher, how is it you can quote the Scriptures and teach the people so fluently when I am told that you are untaught in the learning of the rabbis?[1] Jesus replied: No man has taught me the truths which I declare to you. And this teaching is not mine but His who sent me. If any man really desires to do my Father's will, he shall certainly know about my teaching, whether it be God's or whether I speak for myself. He who speaks for himself seeks his own glory, but when I declare the words of the Father, I thereby seek the glory of Him who sent me. But before you try to enter into the new light, should you not rather follow the light you already have? Moses gave you the law, yet how many of you honestly seek to fulfill its demands? Moses in this law enjoins you, saying, `You shall not kill';[2] notwithstanding this command some of you seek to kill the Son of Man.
162:2.2 When the crowd heard these words, they fell to wrangling among themselves. Some said he was mad; some that he had a devil. Others said this was indeed the prophet of Galilee whom the scribes and Pharisees had long sought to kill. Some said the religious authorities were afraid to molest him; others thought that they laid not hands upon him because they had become believers in him. After considerable debate one of the crowd stepped forward and asked Jesus, " Why do the rulers seek to kill you? " And he replied: " The rulers seek to kill me because they resent my teaching about the good news of the kingdom, a gospel that sets men free from the burdensome traditions of a formal religion of ceremonies which these teachers are determined to uphold at any cost. They circumcise in accordance with the law on the Sabbath day, but they would kill me because I once on the Sabbath day set free a man held in the bondage of affliction. They follow after me on the Sabbath to spy on me but would kill me because on another occasion I chose to make a grievously stricken man completely whole on the Sabbath day. They seek to kill me because they well know that, if you honestly believe and dare to accept my teaching, their system of traditional religion will be overthrown, forever destroyed. Thus will they be deprived of authority over that to which they have devoted their lives since they steadfastly refuse to accept this new and more glorious gospel of the kingdom of God. And now do I appeal to every one of you: Judge not according to outward appearances but rather judge by the true spirit of these teachings; judge righteously. "[3]
162:2.3 Then said another inquirer: " Yes, Teacher, we do look for the Messiah, but when he comes, we know that his appearance will be in mystery. We know whence you are. You have been among your brethren from the beginning. The deliverer will come in power to restore the throne of David's kingdom. Do you really claim to be the Messiah? " And Jesus replied: " You claim to know me and to know whence I am. I wish your claims were true, for indeed then would you find abundant life in that knowledge. But I declare that I have not come to you for myself; I have been sent by the Father, and he who sent me is true and faithful. By refusing to hear me, you are refusing to receive Him who sends me. You, if you will receive this gospel, shall come to know Him who sent me. I know the Father, for I have come from the Father to declare and reveal him to you. "[4]
162:2.4 The agents of the scribes wanted to lay hands upon him, but they feared the multitude, for many believed in him. Jesus' work since his baptism had become well known to all Jewry, and as many of these people recounted these things, they said among themselves: " Even though this teacher is from Galilee, and even though he does not meet all of our expectations of the Messiah, we wonder if the deliverer, when he does come, will really do anything more wonderful than this Jesus of Nazareth has already done? "[5]
162:2.5 When the Pharisees and their agents heard the people talking this way, they took counsel with their leaders and decided that something should be done forthwith to put a stop to these public appearances of Jesus in the temple courts. The leaders of the Jews, in general, were disposed to avoid a clash with Jesus, believing that the Roman authorities had promised him immunity. They could not otherwise account for his boldness in coming at this time to Jerusalem; but the officers of the Sanhedrin did not wholly believe this rumor. They reasoned that the Roman rulers would not do such a thing secretly and without the knowledge of the highest governing body of the Jewish nation.
162:2.6 Accordingly, Eber, the proper officer of the Sanhedrin, with two assistants was dispatched to arrest Jesus. As Eber made his way toward Jesus, the Master said: " Fear not to approach me. Draw near while you listen to my teaching. I know you have been sent to apprehend me, but you should understand that nothing will befall the Son of Man until his hour comes. You are not arrayed against me; you come only to do the bidding of your masters, and even these rulers of the Jews verily think they are doing God's service when they secretly seek my destruction.
162:2.7 " I bear none of you ill will. The Father loves you, and therefore do I long for your deliverance from the bondage of prejudice and the darkness of tradition. I offer you the liberty of life and the joy of salvation. I proclaim the new and living way, the deliverance from evil and the breaking of the bondage of sin. I have come that you might have life, and have it eternally. You seek to be rid of me and my disquieting teachings. If you could only realize that I am to be with you only a little while! In just a short time I go to Him who sent me into this world. And then will many of you diligently seek me, but you shall not discover my presence, for where I am about to go you cannot come. But all who truly seek to find me shall sometime attain the life that leads to my Father's presence. "[6]
162:2.8 Some of the scoffers said among themselves: " Where will this man go that we cannot find him? Will he go to live among the Greeks? Will he destroy himself? What can he mean when he declares that soon he will depart from us, and that we cannot go where he goes? "[7]
162:2.9 Eber and his assistants refused to arrest Jesus; they returned to their meeting place without him. When, therefore, the chief priests and the Pharisees upbraided Eber and his assistants because they had not brought Jesus with them, Eber only replied: " We feared to arrest him in the midst of the multitude because many believe in him. Besides, we never heard a man speak like this man. There is something out of the ordinary about this teacher. You would all do well to go over to hear him. " And when the chief rulers heard these words, they were astonished and spoke tauntingly to Eber: " Are you also led astray? Are you about to believe in this deceiver? Have you heard that any of our learned men or any of the rulers have believed in him? Have any of the scribes or the Pharisees been deceived by his clever teachings? How does it come that you are influenced by the behavior of this ignorant multitude who know not the law or the prophets? Do you not know that such untaught people are accursed? " And then answered Eber: " Even so, my masters, but this man speaks to the multitude words of mercy and hope. He cheers the downhearted, and his words were comforting even to our souls. What can there be wrong in these teachings even though he may not be the Messiah of the Scriptures? And even then does not our law require fairness? Do we condemn a man before we hear him? " And the chief of the Sanhedrin was wroth with Eber and, turning upon him, said: " Have you gone mad? Are you by any chance also from Galilee? Search the Scriptures, and you will discover that out of Galilee arises no prophet, much less the Messiah. "[8]
162:2.10 The Sanhedrin disbanded in confusion, and Jesus withdrew to Bethany for the night.
