The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Chapter 162

Joseph's investigation into the source of James' healing power. James' interrogation by Joseph. Joseph's doubts. James' wise reply from the Lord. Joseph's amazement at his son's wisdom. 9 March 1844

01] After a while Joseph approached James and asked him from where such power of breath originated.

02] And James spoke: Dear father! – I heard a voice inside me, which said to me:

03] 'Breath on the blind man's face, and he will regain perfect sight!'

04] And look, I firmly believed in this voice, did according to its words, and the blind man sees again!"

05] And Joseph spoke: "It must have been as you now tell me;

06] but where did this powerful voice come from, and how did you hear it?"

07] And the questioned James said: "Dear father! – Do you not see Him, who is in my arms and is now playing with my hair?

08] I believe He is the one who spoke to me in such a miraculous manner!"

09] And Joseph further asked James and spoke:

10] "Do you still consider the Infant as the genuine one? Do you not think that He has been exchanged?!"

11] And James spoke: "Who or which power could ever be capable of exchanging the Almighty?

12] Did the angels not fall on their faces every time the Infant miraculously spoke, – how could they act with Him, the Almighty, in this way? – !

13] It is with certainty and truth that I regard the Infant to be the original and genuine One, and it is with the same certainty and truth that I never believed in the Infant's exchange!"

14] And Joseph spoke: "My dear son, you have not given me a very firm proof of your faith here;

15] for look, even David himself spoke in this manner, when he said; 'Why are the nations so violently moved, and why are the thoughts of the people so foolish?

16] The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers counsel together against the Lord and his Anointed, saying:

17] Let His band be broken, and His cord taken off from us!'

18] See, my son, these words are spiritual, and the kings are the powers, and the land is the great kingdom of the invisible powers! – But what do these mean; what are they talking about?

19] Do these words not convey the possibility that they can also lay their hands on the Lord?!"

20] And James said: "Certainly, if the Lord would permit it!

21] However, there is a question right at the beginning of the psalm: '"Why are the nations so violently moved, and why are the thoughts of the people so foolish?'

22] With this, doesn't David wish to describe the inadequacy of such powers against the Lord?!

23] For further below it is emphatically said: 'Then He whose seat is in the heavens will be laughing; the Lord will make sport of them!

24] Then will His angry words come to their ears, and by His wrath they will be troubled!'

25] Dear father! I think that these two stanzas of the great singer of God amply justify my faith!

26] For they sufficiently reveal to me that the Lord will always remain a Lord and no exchange can be undertaken against him!"

27] Joseph was astonished at his son's wisdom and went back, together with the entire house, to accept the genuine Infant and praised God for it. – –