The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Chapter 290

Joseph's neighbours and their children enjoy the cosy atmosphere in Joseph's house. The children on the terrace. Zeno breaks his neck in his dare-devil act. His parents' anger. The revival of the dead boy. Zeno's testimonial of Jesus. Jesus cautions Zeno: "Refrain from such games that can lead to death!" A prophetic reference to the later Judas Iscariot. 27 August 1844

01] After some time, the love of the neighbours' children, as well as that of their parents, drew them to Joseph again, –

02] particularly so on the pre-Sabbath days (Fridays), especially during the afternoons, when little or no work was done.

03] On such pre-Sabbath day, several neighbours came to Joseph's house along with their children.

04] The girls found the company of Cyrenius' five daughters to be most delightful, as they were friendly and beautiful and industrious and had extensive knowledge of all things.

05] But the boys considered the charming and cheerful Boy Jesus above everyone else;

06] for firstly, He showed them many meaningful games, which greatly entertained the boys;

07] and secondly, he often narrated such moving stories in the form of parables to them that the young children were all eyes and ears.

08] And this time, as the ground was a little damp due to a preceding thunderstorm, the roof terrace (the flat and roofless upper surface of the house, enclosed with a parapet) was chosen as the playground.

09] For a while, all was calm; for Jesus was narrating several most fascinating little stories.

10] But towards evening, it was more lively on the terrace; for Jesus had arranged for a little game of dice, which frequently led to some jumping around.

11] A certain Zeno was among the twelve boys present; he was a real leader in placing bets and, with his dare-devil acts, always tried to win all the savings his playmates had brought along.

12] He also tried as such on this occasion, and placed a bet of eleven pennies, and this against the will of the Lord Jesus,

13] that he could walk around the parapet three times without losing his balance.

14] Should he manage to round it successfully three times, the other children around would have to give him eleven pennies each;

15] but if he lost his balance and fell, he would lose his eleven pennies.

16] The other children agreed to this, and Zeno promptly sprang onto the parapet, but instantly become a bit dizzy, lost his balance, fell down to the ground, broke his neck and was dead on the spot.

17] At this the parents of the dead boy, filled with sorrow and anger, went up to the terrace, took hold of Jesus and wanted to ill- treat Him.

18] But Jesus tore Himself away from them, ran down to the dead boy and called out loudly:

19] "Zeno! Stand up and testify on My behalf to your blind parents whether I threw you down and killed you?!"

20] At this the dead boy instantly got up and said:

21] "O Lord! You have not thrown me down and killed me, 22] only my greediness and shameful haste is to blame!

23] But as my sin killed me, You, o Lord, came to me and revived me!"

24] When Zeno's parents heard this testimonial, they promptly fell down before Jesus and prayed to the power of God in the Child Jesus.

25] And Jesus said to Zeno: "Let this be a lesson to you and henceforth refrain from such playacting that can lead to death, and bear in mind that I had dissuaded you from it!"

26] The parents and Zeno wept from sheer gratitude and then went home.

27] (Incidentally, this was a prophetic intimation of Judas Iscariot, as can be recognized easily.) – –