NEUOFFENBARUNG← The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Contents
The neighbours seek advice from Joseph as Cornelius' friend. Jesus warns Joseph against imprudence. Insight into the divine world government: as the people – so the government! "I am the Lord also over Rome!" 28 August 1844
01] On another occasion, again on a pre-Sabbath day, several neighbours came to Joseph together with their children to discuss some pressing matters with him;
02] for these neighbours knew that Joseph had very good relations with the governor.
03] At this time, Joseph received a letter from Cyrenius in Tyre, in which he inquired, immediately upon his arrival in Tyre from Rome, about Joseph's and more particularly, about little Jesus' health.
04] However, the neighbours did not know about this letter,
05] just as they did not know that Joseph was such a great friend of the governor Cyrenius.
06] So Joseph wanted to show them this letter and give them assured consolation,
07] by indicating to them how effectively he could use his own influence with the governor against the ethnarch, –
08] and this with guaranteed success, because Eudokia as well as the five maids belonged wholly to Cyrenius.
09] But the Child leapt up towards Joseph and said most vehemently:
10] "Joseph, Joseph! Never do that, for I am the Lord!
11] If you show the letter, I will strike the earth; for it is I – and not Cyrenius, and not Augustus Caesar – who is the Lord also over Rome! –
12] I say to you, if the people were better than the ethnarch, I then would know how to deal with Archelaus!
13] However, as the people are not one jot better, they will just have to carry their own burden in the ethnarch, who is a miser, like the entire people!
14] Is it not said: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and so on? – So it is also said: miserliness for miserliness and envy for envy!
15] Thus Archelaus is a true doctor to these hard-hearted people; and he shall remain as he is, until his end!"
16] This speech annoyed the neighbours and they spoke: 17] "What a rare fellow of a Messiah that would be for us! 18] He chides us and instead praises the heathen Archelaus!" 19] The Child stamped his heel onto the ground and spoke:
20] "Earth! Tremble, so that your blind children can learn that I am your Lord!"
21] And fire suddenly shot out of the stamped spot and the ground trembled violently.
22] All those present were frightened and spoke: "What is this Child really?! For the earth trembles before Him!
23] Let us flee from here; for it is not good to be near this Child!" – And soon all left Joseph and hurried away. – And thus Joseph was again saved from grave danger.