The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 167 -
The Child's Favorite Food
WHEN JONATHAN had completed his devotion in such a wholehearted manner, Joseph said to him,
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'My very dear friend, you dwell alone in your hut with your three helpers.
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Today on the day before the Sabbath you will not catch any more fish anyhow, so remain with me today as well as for the Sabbath tomorrow.'
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Jonathan answered, 'Yes, my friend and brother, if the Child of God were not here I would indeed like to remain with you.
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But you see, I am a sinful person and am unclean in all my parts and limbs,
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and since I live among the heathen, I have hardly thought about the precepts of Moses and lived more like a pagan than a Jew.
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Thus I cannot remain where the Most Holy One dwells.'
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And Joseph said, 'Brother, your argument is good, but it is not acceptable with me!
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See, the Lord, who shows himself so gracious even against all the heathen, will surely show Himself to be still more gracious to you, since you are a penitent Jew.
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All you need is to love Him, and you may be sure that the Lord will also love you beyond measure.
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You see, the eight children and Eudokia are pagans, and for all that the little Child associates with them and loves them beyond measure!
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So He will also accept you ever so lovingly and will concern Himself with you as with His best friend.'
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At these words Jonathan took courage and with Joseph again went down from the hill into the dwelling where the noon meal had long been prepared.
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Joseph now called everyone to the table, and Mary took the little Child and as usual sat down at the table next to Joseph.
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But the little Child did not want to partake of the milk dish prepared for Him.
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Mary was concerned at this, for she supposed that something was wrong with the little Child.
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Here the little Child said, 'Why are you concerned about Me?
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See, Jonathan brought me a better food. This I shall eat, and this will truly satisfy My hunger.'
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Mary thereupon thought the fish were meant which were put on the table last.
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And the little Child stated: 'Mary, you did not understand Me.
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For I do not mean the fish, although they naturally taste better than this milk of yesterday which has already gone sour, and which Joel took in place of fresh milk to cook a mush for me.
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'But the great humility and the great love of Jonathan's heart, which he has already demonstrated to Me on a number of occasions without knowing Me, that is what I mean!
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I tell you, Mary, Jonathan is a strong man in his limbs, but the love of his heart is still much stronger!
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And this his love for Me is the hearty fare which now satisfies Me. I shall also eat of his fish, but I do not want this sour mush.' - This made Jonathan so happy that he began to weep aloud.