The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 139 -
An Example Of Compassion
THE TREACHEROUS SERVANT stood in a corner of the hall and in his heart regretted the step which he had undertaken against his master -
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but no one thought of him, for all were engaged in profound discussions.
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Besides, the faithful servants of Cyrenius were busily occupied right and left arranging for the banquet, in the kitchen and with the setting up of all manner of ornaments.
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Thus the servants did not think of their beyond all measure sad comrade.
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Here the three lions suddenly arose and trotted over to the rueful servant of Cyrenius, licked him and showed him their sympathy by various gestures.
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Maronius was the first to notice what the three lions were doing with the servant and made this known to Cyrenius,
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for Maronius feared that the three beasts might perhaps get an appetite for the servant.
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When Cyrenius noticed this strange situation of his treacherous servant he began, for the first time, to discuss the offence of this servant with Joseph.
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And Joseph assured him: 'Friend and brother, here is an example of what I advised you to do only a short while ago and explained to you how a drop of compassion is better than a whole palace filled with the best intentioned justice!
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The three animals here are giving you a good example - go over and as a human being do something better!
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On the way over from the villa I heard from one of the servants of the Lord how you praised these three animals to your wife this morning.
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How then is it that these three animals are even now showing you what you should have done in the first place?
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'See, thus does the Lord constantly instruct the children of men.
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Nothing in the world happens in vain - even from the turning of a mote in the sun can one learn true wisdom.
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For it is guided by the same wisdom and omnipotence of God and is supported like the sun and the moon of heaven.
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All the more then can you look on this occurrence as a very strong hint of the Lord, which clearly tells you what you should do.
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Go over and lift up the three-fold poor and deeply fallen one; go and lift up an extremely sad and repentant brother.
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For the Lord has now prepared him for you that he may be a most faithful brother to you.'
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When Cyrenius heard this from Joseph, he hurried over and grasped the servant under the arms and said,
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'Brother, you have acted ill against me, but since I found remorse in you, I raise you up again!
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And from now on you shall no more walk at my side as a servant, but as a faithful brother.'
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This broke the servant's heart, and he began to weep aloud and to lament that he could have sinned against such nobility of a man among men.