The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 144 -
The Baby Reproves Joseph
WHEN THE CAPTAIN has thus been dismissed, Joseph said to Cyrenius,
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'Brother, now let us have a look at the Holy of Holies.'
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Cyrenius most happily acceded to the request of his to him invaluable friend.
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Here the Baby sat erect and said to Joseph:
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'Hear Me, faithful provider of My body! Just a little while ago you yourself told the captain who is seeking God:
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Everything requires its time. When you are ready it will be revealed to you, so be content with this promise for now.
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Thus I also say to you before entering the here imitated as well as to-be-imitated Holy of Holies:
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This entry also requires its time! All of you are still not ready for it, and when you are ready I will have it opened for you by My servants.
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So you may also be content with this promise for the present.'
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At this Joseph and Cyrenius gazed at each other wide-eyed, and the embarrassment of one topped that of the other.
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Joseph then said to Mary, 'That promises well, so the Baby now gives me laws while He still has His feet in diapers!
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What then will He do when He numbers ten years, and what, when twenty?'
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And Mary answered Joseph, 'But dear father Joseph, how can you waver in your faith also?
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The angels plainly show you with their beyond all measure great humility who this Baby is!
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And the many wonders which take place about us surely are also a loud and clear-as-sunlight proof of this great and marvelous truth of truths.
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See, I, your faithful wife and your handmaiden, can plainly see to what the words of the Baby refer.
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You do that, and I believe I can guarantee in advance that another wind will promptly blow.'
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Hereupon Joseph again asked Mary, 'Well, just what is it that I shall do now?'
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Mary answered, 'Look at the man who there seeks and wisely show him What he seeks, from which he believes himself to be so far and is so near.'
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And the Baby smiled at Joseph in a most friendly manner and said,
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'Yes, yes, My very dear Joseph, the woman is right - go over and instruct the captain.
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See, to those who ask, seek and knock, the long-locked door into My kingdom must be opened!
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But you must not point straight at Me with your finger since My time has not yet come. As you well know, everything requires its time.'
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Joseph thereupon kissed the Baby, then went over to the captain and assured him,
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'Come and hear - What you seek shall be given you!' - And the captain listened joyfully to the words of Joseph.