NEUOFFENBARUNG← The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Contents
The cross-bearing Joseph. The Infant's gospel of the cross. 24 May 1844
01] After this heavenly meal on the small hill, Joseph said to the Infant:
02] "My Lord and my God! I, a poor old man, entreat you to forgive me for having offended You for sure, and to return home with me!
03] For I can never return without You; if I should return without You, then all will turn bitterly against me and will punish me with harsh words!"
04] And the Infant spoke: "Yes, yes, I will indeed come with you; for I do not intend to set up residence and remain here!
05] However, there is one thing I demand of you, which is that you take My table on your shoulders and carry it home ahead of Me!
06] Do not be afraid of its weight; for although it will press you a little, it will not bend you nor exhaust you in the least!"
07] At these words, Joseph took the beautiful cross and James took the leftovers of the meal and set off for the return journey, with the Infant in the middle.
08] After a while, Joseph spoke to the Infant: "Listen, my most beloved Jesus! The cross is indeed rather heavy, – may we not rest awhile?"
09] And the Infant spoke: "Joseph, you have carried heavier burdens as a carpenter, which were not imposed on you by Me;
10] and look, you then did not allow yourself to rest until you had carried the loads to its destination!
11] You are now carrying just a small burden for Me for the first time and you want to take a break already after a thousand paces!?
12] O Joseph! – Carry, carry My light burden without taking a rest, and you will find just reward in My kingdom one day!
13] See, on this cross you will be aware of My burden, and its slight pressure will tell you what I am to you in the world!
14] But if you would leave this world in My arms, then this cross will become a fiery chariot of Elijah, in which you would blissfully ascend before Me!"
15] After these words, the elderly Joseph kissed the rather heavy cross and continued to carry it without stopping on the way;
16] and he did not seem nearly as heavy to him anymore, so he brought it to the villa with ease.
17] All in the villa were waiting in tense anticipation, and full of great anxiety as to from where Joseph, together with the Infant and James, would return.
18] But when Mary, Cyrenius and the others finally saw all three approaching, they were beside themselves!
19] Everyone ran towards them with open arms, and Mary at once seized the lnfant and hugged Him with unrestrained love.
20] Cyrenius, however, wondered how Joseph could drag home a gallows, a symbol of the uttermost disgrace and humiliation, on his shoulders.
21] And the Infant raised Himself in the arms of the mother and said to Cyrenius:
22] "Truly, truly! – This symbol of the greatest shame will become the symbol of the greatest glory!
23] If you do not carry it after Me, as Joseph is now doing, you will not enter My kingdom hereafter!" – These words caused Cyrenius to remain silent, and he did not ask further questions about Joseph's burden.