NEUOFFENBARUNGBJ.01_Brief_3,01 Abgarus, a little prince of Edessa, sends greetings for all eternity to Jesus, the good Saviour who has appeared in the country around Jerusalem.
BJ.01_Brief_3,02 From your wonderful letter of grace, which you, O Lord, Lord God from eternity, so graciously sent to me, a worm in the dust, before this letter of mine, to bring such great comfort to my son and me, I have clearly seen that the highest love must dwell in you. Otherwise it would be impossible for you, the sole Lord of all the heavens and of this earth, to give me, a worm before you, such mighty consolation, remembering my son who loves you above all else. O Lord, I can do nothing in return but sink into the dust of my nothingness before your most holy name and offer you my son’s thanks and my own. Graciously accept our fervent thanks as a pledge of our fervent love, and always remember us in your kindness, which is beyond my understanding.
BJ.01_Brief_3,03 A few days ago my very ill son’s love for you revealed to me a dear wish concerning you. Lord, forgive me if I make it known to you in this letter. I know that our thoughts are known to you even before my son and I have thought them. Even so, I write to you as one writes to another person. I follow the advice of the poor young man whom you commended to me. He is now staying with me and is well cared for. He told me that everyone who wishes to receive something from you must come to you in this way.
BJ.01_Brief_3,04 This young man said he had seen you. His way of describing things is very simple, but to my mind remarkably accurate and vivid. We hold him dear for that gift. Recently, to our great joy, he described your appearance so vividly that my son, who is still alive but very weak, and I felt as if we could see you. A great painter lives in my city. He at once painted your head and chest from the young man’s description. My son and I were all the more delighted by this portrait because the poor young man assured me that this was exactly how you looked, O Lord.
BJ.01_Brief_3,05 I have taken this opportunity to send you your own portrait by the faithful bearer of this letter of thanks, which I owe you. Would you look at it yourself and let me know through the messenger whether it resembles you?
BJ.01_Brief_3,06 O Lord Jesus, good Saviour of all people, do not be angry with us for this. It was no idle curiosity but pure and overflowing love for you that moved us to have this dearest treasure of our hearts made, so that we might form some picture of you who have filled our hearts to their very depths with your love and become our greatest wealth, our greatest comfort and the most precious bridal adornment of our hearts in life and in death.
BJ.01_Brief_3,07 O Lord, never cease to remember us in your heart. May your will, which is holy to us, be done.