The Great Gospel of John
Volume 3
Jesus' Precepts and Deeds through His Three Years of Teaching
Jesus near Caesarea Philippi
- Chapter 41 -
Mathael's story of his fate and healing.
Mathael says, "You see, brothers, we were templars and had to share the same fate, only you went south and we had to go east. But we fell into the hands of a band of devils personified and our bodies thereby became the dwelling of many devils; but there was a savior here, probably the greatest that the world has ever borne, and he has healed us without any reward simply through his powerful word which rules over all life.
2
He is here! The very same, of whom the Roman governor Julius made mention to you in his question; but the time is not yet right for us to enter into a closer acquaintance with him. He himself will decide when you should get to know him better! So do not ask any further and hear what I have to say to you!
3
It"s true that you are still children of this world, but you can join the true, free and living childhood of God, if you want. These masters of Rome will gladly give you the means to do this. The master who questioned you will certainly not hesitate for a moment to set you on the right path, and now it is even easier since the supreme Governor, Cyrenius of Sidon, is also present here.
4
You see, there behind you are another thirty templars! They already belong to the foreign legion and are now Romans through and through. If you become the same, you are helped for all time and for all eternity! But in Jerusalem there is no longer any happiness for us; for you know the nature of the temple, and hopefully that of all Jerusalem too, as well as the accursed water! What person can ever have the desire to revisit the main nest of all devils and sins? If you want to die, then go back to Jerusalem; but if you want to live and to find eternal life, become Romans according to the body and become true Jews according to Moses in the soul! - Do you understand this?"
5
Suetal says, "Yes, yes, yes, we understand that; but only it is unspeakably strange that you have now come to such an enormous clarity! Now I recognize you as my temple colleague and know that you were a competent speaker and that you quite boldly told the truth several times into the face of the high priests, and the consequence of that was that you - and another four like you, I believe - had to move to Samaria! Yes, yes, it is you, and we are all glad to see you here again quite healthy and pure! Your advice, friend, is probably quite good in itself; but the polytheism of the Romans -"
6
Mathael interrupts Suetal: "- is still a thousand times better than the very most dubious monotheism and actual full idolatry of the temple! Tell me, which priest in the temple still believes in a god? I"ll tell you: their stomach and their salaciousness is now the true god of the temple! They serve death, sin and every devil! You can have the commandments of Moses for just a few pieces of silver, as you like them, but they do not give in an inch in their rules about gluttony and satisfying their lust! They no longer have a life and yet they present themselves as lords of life and as such want to be highly honored!
7
They no longer have any idea about what is life; all of them understand not a jot anymore of the Scriptures, and they understand the prophets as much as you understand the end of the world. They all lost all life from their soul a long time ago and therefore they are actively stick-in-the-muds. How could they then show the eternal life of the soul from out of their most complete death, and give it to others?
8
Life must be most profoundly understood in the battle of life against life and death and in such a realization must constantly receive more and more active strength, if it is supposed to exist as a true life; but how can a dead person show you what life, which has not been recognized by him, is in and around himself?! I"ll tell you: eternal death has been dwelling in the temple for a long time now; but eternal life is truly dwelling right here! And you see, the Romans understand it and become full of life, while the temple will never understand it because it is already dead for eternity. What is better then: the polytheism of the Romans or the monotheism of the temple?!"
9
After these words by Mathael the twelve cannot wonder enough about Mathael"s highly correct opinions and his decisive wisdom.
10
Next Suetal says to Julius apologetically, "Great master, forgive us for making you wait so long for an answer; but you heard Mathael"s wise words yourself, didn't you, and we became too inspired by them and couldn't yet give you the desired answer. But if you will have a little more patience with us, we will certainly give you a very solid answer!"
11
Julius says, "Do not leave Mathael out, for he understands more than I do or many thousands of others like me! Whenever he speaks I want to be silent for a thousand years and listen to him! So if you just discuss it with him, he will be able to give you the best advice!"
12
Suetal says, "Yes, he has already given us advice, and it now depends only on you to take us into the foreign legion!"
13
Julius says, "Very good! That is already as good as done; but nonetheless the wise Mathael will be in the very best position to give some very wise teaching!"
14
Suetal says, "Yes, we feel that, although such a characteristic now seems to us even less comprehensible than the air! How he came to such wisdom is purely inexplicable! The wonderful healing from his madness is understandable; but where he gained wisdom - understand that, he who can!"