Phoenix
by Dale J. Sprague
Op.13 JHVH
Cantos 2. Agape
13 Release the anger while it's still an ember! Let it out!! Everyone has the power to battle and conquer afflictions within. Dethrone fear. Destroy its crown! Yet, fearless, be not, less courage you have not. Only to masters of fear will I show how to cast a net for the heart, where there seems to be not
Do the healthy need a physician? No!! So then, I am here to heal the sick in spirit
Wisdom is father, tender cradle...mother. With them, behold the sea of life and all its splendor! And as I, enpursuant of my own candor, is all life in stillness and motion for itself a seeker
Those who speak from their heart, feel where the spirit begins, where it ends, and thereby receive full measures of life
The peacemakers have already achieved co'dominant dominions within, at one with all, at rest from all, where the lion sleeps with the lamb
For one to condemn where conscience is not, is to condemn the innocence there. Condemning judgment therefore, is an offense to innocence. Only one is empowered to judge one's own
Blessed are those who feel poor in spirit, for they sense the world of the living tora, and the universe within
Blessed are those who hunger for wisdom, for they shall be nurtured and enriched by it
Blessed is love that weeps, for how greater will its thanksgiving be, learning what forever keeps
Blessed are those who are hated in my name's sake!! Their reward is heaven inside the life outside. Those who hate you in my name's sake, in like manner did their fathers do the same to the prophets they institutionalized. And within these institutions, they have raised themselves above you!..and have given themselves the right to tax your work for themselves, and your spirit for their godhood
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The wealthy in goods have the power to purchase endless distractions for themselves. With such riches, flattery becomes a commodity. Beware! The wealthy cannot be forgotten..because though famous in their time, they were never really known. I assure you...the last in mammon's eye shall be first, and the first in mammon's eye shall be last to enter the dominion of the tora
Give compassion to those who are full of themselves, who love what they see in polished metal, because they have become blinded to all but what they see there. They know not how small their world is, knowing not thereby, with each added gold coin or jewel, why feeling impoverished remains the same
Those who are praised by the Pharisees, beware!! So did their fathers praise false prophets. Can the blind lead the blind? Shall not? both course on the same rutted path
I say to you who can hear me now, love your enemies! Do good to them who hate you. Hate is an affliction. Would you be the progeny of affliction? by letting hate beget hate in you
To anyone striking to control you, present yourself again, that they shall know you are spirited, and cannot be subjugated
He in need who steals your overcoat, forbid him not to take your coat also. So give, but know also the heart to which you give
As you would like others to respect you, do likewise to them. Such awareness is your authority and dominion. With this respect, love with heart and soul. Even those burden with guilt will love those who love them
Lend what you can, and your profit shall be great, and you shall be of the greatest, which shines equally bright for the kind and the unkind, for the righteous and unrighteous. Be ever in pursuit of understanding. Only by understanding were the righteous prophets ever merciful. Only by understanding are wounds to spirit healed
Forgive, but forget not..for every measure of forgiveness, there must be three measures of understanding. And again and again forgive, but do not forget. To forgive without understanding is blind faith, faith without vision. Remember with compassion, not hate. Only by understanding can one truly forgive, and it shall come to pass and be self'evident that upon the path of understanding, if one is not in the business of condemning, one need not be in the business of forgiving
Give, and it shall be given to you in good measure. Pressed and shaken together, and running over shall others give from their hearts. With the measure that you give, that measure shall be the least given to you. And those who think you mad, childish, or foolish, will remember you the longest
An apostle cannot be above his master, but every understanding heart is equal to the master
And why criticize the mote that is in another's eye, and not work to see the beam that is in your own eye?!! Do not be a hypocrite!! Cast out first the beam in your eye, and then see clearly how to help another pull the mote out of their eye
Weep not, for I shall raise the still'spirit in you. What you buried there is dead, and what is buried remains dead only through ignorance. The still'spirit can be resurrected! What is unliving in ignorance can be enlightened! and raised to live
The world is as it is conceived. Do not conceive evil therefore. Only by such conception can evil be, and subsquently..is dignity given to ignorance, and for the wounded, a career as a wounded heart
The blind'minded will see, the crippled spirit shall walk. The lepers are cleansed with hope and dignity. The deaf'minded will hear, and the dead'spirited shall rise. What in this wilderness did you come to see?...the wind shaking a reed? Or a man adorned in fine clothes? Beware of they who are clothed in luxury!! What have you come to see!!...a prophet? Good! But remember, no man who has lit a candle will put a vessel over it or place it under a bed. It will be placed where the light will do good. Nothing is secret that shall not be made apparent, nor so hid that it cannot in time be revealed. Take care to listen with your heart...if you be the fertile soil in which I plant my seeds
When sins are forgiven because love and understanding is great, much can be forgiven. Much can be owned. One is better enabled to own themselves. Likewise, to whom little is forgiven, there is but little love and understanding, only little can be lived, only little can be owned
A farmer went to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell by a wayside, and birds devoured them. Some fell upon a rock, and withered away because they lacked moisture. Some seeds fell among wild thorny weeds, choking them from lack of light. But other seeds fell on good ground and grew to produce good fruit a hundredfold. The seed is the tora..the law as it issues from the tree of life. The wayside birds are predators who indenture others into their small universe, rather than devote themselves to the tora of a greater universe. The rocks are those who hear and even receive the word with joy, but because of their hardness, the seeds are unable to root. The thorny weeds are those who have sprung from fear and hate, overshadow and block the light of the tora, preventing any fruit of the seed from reaching the light. The good ground represents they, who with good heart and a strong channel to the eden of their soul, and having heard the word, acquire the same understanding as the master, and the means to nurture the tree of life in them
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Where is your faith? Command what you will, but always make fear a subject of your command, and only by your articles of faith, let yourself be commanded, for the relation is singular...between you and JHVH
Set aside your woes. If you have devils troubling you, hold a mirror to each. Evil dies when it sees into its own eyes. Hold a mirror for the evil eye to see, lest you lie to yourself, die to yourself, deny yourself and scurry along with the frightened swine, running blindly into a sea
You fear where you need not fear, and fear not where you should. It is you who has the power to heal. It's your articles of faith in love and celebrations of life that serve as poultice and bandage for spirit's wounds
If any man follows me, let him bear himself...take up his cross daily. Whosoever works for themselves only, the eros, has only the benefit of themselves, but whoever gives also their life in my name sake, the agape, will have the benefit of yourself, and all life in it
Faithless and perverse generation!! How long must I suffer you?! What advantage does a man have if he gains power over the whole world, and loses himself?!
Whosoever resurrects the lost child in themselves receives me. Whosoever receives me, receives the righteousness that sent me. Those regarded as the least among you, those with the humility of a child shall become the greatest among you
Do not forbid anyone working for my name sake, for they understand the power of faith. For now, it is the faith of the people in me, in my name sake that does the healing. We merely inspire...they boldly do. The power to heal is in themselves, but they are not in touch with it. The infirmaries we treat are of those whose infirmaries they create. Their belief in me puts them in touch with the power they already have...in touch with the beliefs from which their infirmaries spring. All I do is awaken that power! I raise a mirror, but only those who use their power have the courage to see their truth within, shall be cured
You do not know who you are, or of whom you are! I come, not to destroy lives, but to save them. Join us, and remember, foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but this son of Man has no where to lay his head
If anyone cannot withstand the separation from one's mother, wife, or children, brother or sister...they cannot join my mission. Unless you hunger for understanding, you will not be invited to feast at my table. Enriched from the nourishment I provide, those attendant shall walk away with the strength to bear their own cross
If you build a house without calculation, you may discover that you lack the resources to finish. This is true of our work. We are laying a foundation. You must decide in which realm you are willing to be judged...mammon?..or within the dominion of the tora. Only the latter can stand beside me. Follow me. Let the dead bury the dead. We go to teach the tora that lives. The harvest is great, but I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse or script, nor bread or sword. In this way will it be apparent that only the words of the tora be your business and salvation
And into whatever house you enter, say first...."Shalom." And if there is peace there, your peace shall rest upon it. If not, it shall turn on you. Where you stay, eat and drink what they offer as return for your labor
Do not move from house to house. Heal the sick there. Say to them, "The dominion of the tora is within you"
And if a community does not receive you, leave its streets by removing its dust from your feet. Do not let their dust darken you. I say to you about such communities...their fate is worse than the ashes of Sodom. He that hears you, hears me. He who despises you, despises me. And he who despises me, despises the wisdom of the tora, which has sent me
I see evil projected as easily as I see lightening from the sky. I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and power to withstand those against us. Nothing shall hurt you, but in this do not rejoice. Do not secure yourself in the thought that another's demons are your subjects. They have their own authority..each whose eyes have opened from the fruit of the Serpent's Tree. Rather, rejoice that you are nurtured by the Tree of Life, and dwell peacefully in its shade
Nearly all that I know was delivered to me by my father. Outside the dominion of the tora, no one knows who my master is, but some day it shall be made known
Blessed are the eyes that see within. Many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, to hear what you hear
Love the tora with all your heart and soul, with all your strength and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself...but who is your neighbor?
A Jewish man left Jerusalem and fell among thieves. They wounded him and stripped him of his clothes. Then they departed leaving the Jewish man half dead. A Jewish priest walked by, and when he saw the wounded man, he said a prayer and kept walking onward. A Levite, also passed by, looked at the wounded man, and fearing vengeance on himself, did not stop. But when a certain Samarian, who was not Jewish, saw the wounded man, the Samarian felt his wounds. The Samarian went to him, bound up his wounds pouring in oil and wine to treat the wound, and set him on a mule. The Samarian brought him to a nearby inn, and took care of him. On the following day before leaving, the Samarian gave some money to the innkeeper, saying, "Take care of him, and whatever more it costs, when I come again, I will repay you"
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Our vision in heaven, sacred be its name. Its world shall come, eternal Will be done, as above, so below..as within, so without..the same. Give us this 'here and now' as our daily bread. And as we forgive ourselves, help us forgive the wrath of others against us. From seductions of carnal darkness give us strength to withstand its temptation....deliver us, from spiritual oppression
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Every dominion divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls. Moted eyes are divided against themselves. How else can it see?..but the storms of their own thorns and calamities. Can anyone pluck'out deviled eyes? with another's deviled fork. Do not consume the fruit of the Serpent's Tree, and conceive evil to do battles with another who has done the same...lest you draw upon yourself, the fires of Gehenna, the eternal war that such battles fuel
As one well armed protects one's palace, there is always someone else better armed to take it away. Protect the authority already within you! An unclean spirit may leave, but if your authority is not seated within, in due course of time, seven other unclean spirits may enter, and the host becomes worse off than before
You say to me, "Blessed is the womb that borne you, and the breasts given to you! Rather...blessed are they that hear the word of the tora, and keep it
This is a generation that makes wine from the fruit of the Serpent's Tree!! They want proof and greater proof! They seek the truth of a magician's trick! A soothe sayer's truth!..where only half is needed to prove...the other half, the soothe sayers amends with their own vanity and greed. But I tell you, as surely as the sun rises and also sets, there shall be no sign given but the sign of Jonas, the prophet!! As Jonas was a sign to the Nivenites, so shall this son of man be!..to this generation
The light of the body is the eye. And when the eye is single, the body fills with light. But when an eye perceives evil, this eye soon becomes many where one should be...the body darkens and weakens. Make sure, therefore, that the light in you stays singular and lit. Carry only one candle stick through any door. It is enough, they will open. And see there only what casts a shadow, no matter how difficult to look at
Beware of cleaning your outside, but ignoring the filth of craving and deception inside. Is not the finely tuned world outside created by the world inside? Give thanks for what you have! Count the blessings of the good things you have outside and inside of you
But beware, Pharisees!!...you have tithed mint and all kinds of herbs with another's rue for your pious vanity...your temporal pleasure...all, but real treasure...judging not, and loving the tora. The latter you ought to have done, and leave the other undone
Pharisees, beware!!...you love the esteemed seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the marketplace. Beware hypocrites everywhere! You are already like an unmarked grave, overwhich people walk unaware
You lawyers, also beware! You load the burden of responsibility upon everyone's back but your own. You have taken away the key of knowledge. You, holding yourself with a station greater than life itself, cannot see yourself from your lofty height, and hinder those who are trying to
Take care, beware of covetousness, even of position in society. One's worth is not measured by the abundance of things, nor dignity that high position in society may brings
Lay'up wealth of goods for yourself, but remember...you are not valued by your specie, or by the abundance of any things you have. Where your true treasure is stored, is where your heart, the love of life be
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At the time of judgment, everyone shall be judged by their own consciousness. Take care what you store in heart. If there is but one evil eye by which you perceive, it will be with you in eternity..not your abundance of things. Those will be left behind
When you see a cloud rise out of the west, immediately you say, "There comes a shower," and so it is. And when you see the southwind blow, you say, "It will surely be hot today." Yet, the time of judgment will come like a thief in the night. You can read the face of the sky and wind, but ask yourself, "Why cannot I predict the time? of my judgment"
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Woman! Your people make you crouch before them. You need not bow before me. Rise up!! Stand for yourself! Are you less self aware than I? with less authority than I? Do not each of you on the Sabbath feed and water your own ox or mule? Why? cannot this indentured woman, a daughter of Abraham, be released at least on a Sabbath day
What is the dominion of the tora like? What resembles it? It is like a small grain of seed, which a man cast into his garden, and from it grew a great tree, and birds of all kinds lodged in its branches. The dominion of the tora is like a measure of leaven that a woman buries in three greater measures of meal from which the whole was raised
Do not concern yourself with numbers of who may enter. Rather, strive to enter the dominion of the tora through its gate, which is 'love of life,' and the human family. Many will try to enter some other way, but will fail. The dominion is here around you and within you, but even those living and dining with a master who knows where the gate is, will drift on, unable to see the dominion of the tora. They may even demand to be let in, but the master will invite them to leave, saying, 'I do not know who you are, except that you are workers of iniquity'
Jerusalem! Jerusalem that kills the prophets. Jerusalem that stones the prophets sent to you. Behold! Your house is desolate, and I promise you, you will not see me until the time when you say, "Blessed is he that comes in the name of tora"
Remember....the words of the tora are more wisdom than law. Law requires obedience, but wisdom requires love, understanding, and forgiveness. Only with the first law, "Do not eat the fruit of the Serpent's Tree," and the laws of Moses does law come first and require obedience...but mere obedience should not interrupt the quest for understanding
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A man had two sons. The younger son said to his father, "Father, give me the inheritance that is due to me. So the father divided all of his goods to be handed down and gave half to each son. Soon after, the younger son liquidated all his goods into gold, and journeyed to a faraway country. While he was there, he wasted his fortune from wantonness. After all was spent, a great famine arose in that land. The young son began to be in want, and he found a job feeding swine in a field. One day he was so hungry that he could eat the husks that were for the swine. At that moment, he thought, "How many hired servants of my father have bread enough...and I am perishing from hunger?!" So, the young son left for home. As he was approaching home, his grief'ridden father recognized him, and ran out to greet his lost son. The father stood with his young son, hugging him with great pleasure. But the son said to his father, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am not worthy to be called your son. Please hire me as one of your servants." The happy father said to his servants, "Bring forth the best robe, and put it on my son. And put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Kill a fatted calf, and let us eat and be merry!..for my son was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found." The father's oldest son was in the field. As he came close to the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants, and asked what was going on. The servant said, "Your brother has returned and your father has killed a calf for a celebration dinner." The oldest son was angry, and would not go in. The father went outside and asked him to join the fete. The oldest son replied, "Father, all these many years did I serve you. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, and yet you never gave to me so that I might make a merry fete with my friends. But as soon as my brother returned from living with harlots, you kill a fatted calf for him!" The father said, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. We should be happy and make a fete, for your brother was dead, and is alive again. My son was lost, and is found! Are you to live forever in the shadow of the hate cast from your judgment?..or celebrate with me the life resurrected
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Our mission is to resurrect life and celebrate the same. Do not condemn, and all doors will open within you. One who is faithful to the least is faithful also to the most. One who is unjust to the least is unjust to the most. No servant can serve two masters without becoming hateful of one and loving of the other. You cannot serve the tora and mammon equally without giving mammon an equal station with the tora, without replacing the wisdom of the prophets with the vain pursuits of mammon
The unrighteous justify themselves with the power of the holy book by holding it over your heads, but masters of the tora know your hearts..where the words of the tora are written. A righteous man sees only by the light of the tora, and it is far easier for heaven and Earth to pass into oblivion than one ray of the tora to disappear
Offenses to us will come, and of those who offend...beware! It would be better for them that a millstone be hung from, than to offend even a letter of a word we say. Be careful...if you are rejected, seek elsewhere an ear that can hear. If after hearing you, they are in sorrow, tell them their sins are forgiven. Judge and condemn not, not even yourself
The dominion of the tora does not come casting shadows around you. Within the dominion of the tora, only your conscience casts a shadow
The days will come when you will want to see me, but will not be able to. And you will learn where I have been incarcerated, but do not seek me. Do not follow after me, because only after me shall the light of our mission shine. The light of the tora shall prevail. Brothers will become strangers. Strangers will become brothers. The light will gather and spread
Wherever the light of the tora gathers, there will eagles be gathered together. Be strong in prayer. Bear the unjust, for their inequities will compound and become a dark force seeking them
Let the children come to me. Do not forbid them. Such innocence is of the dominion of the tora, and whosoever does not receive the dominion as a child shall not enter
Sell all that you own and distribute what you receive to the poor. Only then will you know if you will inherit eternities of life...but how hard it will be for a rich man? having already chosen his security, to enter the dominion of the tora. It will be easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle, than for one weighted by hate and its seven deadlies to enter. Such possession is security of a kind, and happiness of a kind, but it is only temporal and shallow. Everlasting life, a deep sense of life is given only to those in possession of the tora's light
There is no one I know who has left all for the sake of the dominion. But of this light you receive, you shall receive many times that in life everlasting
After I arrive in Jerusalem for Passover, all things that are written by the prophets concerning me shall be accomplished. I will be delivered to the unrighteous, the pious, the hypocrites, and to the Gentiles. I shall be mocked and be treated with bitterness and spatted upon. They will scourge me, and condemn me to death. But upon the third day of this ordeal, I shall be delivered by my father from the dust we walk upon
If you acquire faith in my words, you shall receive sight far greater than what your eyes can perceive
* * *
I journey to Jerusalem, not to bring the dominion of the tora to you, but to prepare for times to come before the day of judgment
It is difficult enough to learn to be a peacemaker, but with this idle banter of money changing, everlasting things were replaced with temporary things!!
Why tempt me? Show me a coin! Whose image is on it? Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to the heart the things that belong to the tora
Those obtaining resurrection from the spiritual dead shall not experience death evermore, because they have become kindred spirit of the tora, and having been newly born, become the children of the tora. The flesh is host to death, not lost to it. Resurrection is the awakening to the life within you. The dominion of the tora is within you. For the dead to be raised, even Moses, inspired by a simple bush saw the light of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and gave guiding light by which to live
Beware of the scribes who desire to walk in long robes, and love your reverent greetings at the markets, and love the highest seats in the synagogues, and covet the finest rooms at feasts. They devour widows' hearts, and for public show, make long prayers. Be assured, the same shall receive greater damnation, not elevation, except in their own mind
That poor widow there. With her pennies she has given more than all the others put together. And what she gives, no one notices. What she gives in poverty, rich men are not able to give with all their property
Be careful not to be deceived. Many shall come in my name, saying, "I am the Messiah and the time draws near." Do not follow them. Worldwide revolt and warfare must first come to pass. Nations against nations. There shall be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilence, but before all this, there will be the inquisition of mammon, having long since consumed the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, and having been impassioned by its fruit, had the innocent delivered before them to account for themselves, and those not responding to their authority will be imprisoned
Decide now, in your heart. And if you become imprisoned, do not think about what you should answer. The light of the tora will guide your words, which all inquisitors shall not be able to overrule
The righteous will be betrayed by both parents and brethren, kinfolk and friends. And some of the righteous may be put to death. The righteous shall be hated for my name's sake. The fate of your body, they may control, but you shall retain your soul
When Jerusalem becomes surrounded with armies, the great destruction is near. Those living in Judea should flee to the promised land where no menace can enter. These will be the days of vengeance, the days in which all things that were written shall be fulfilled. In these days, it will be very difficult for mothers with children because the land will be made poor by hearts full of wrath and greed
Many shall fall by the edge of the sword, and be imprisoned by other nations. Jerusalem will be overrun by the Gentiles. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. Upon Earth, nations will be in turmoil. The angry sea roaring! Hearts filled with vain wrath and fear will look for earthly signs of impending doom
Then, they shall see, a son of Man hidden in a cloud with power and impending victory. When these things come to pass, redemption is near. I say to you now, the spirit of your generation will not pass until the beginning of all this passes. The stars and the Earth shall pass, but my words shall not pass away
14 Whenever you break bread, do in remembrance of me. Likewise, this cup of wine is my blood, which will be shed for you. But beware, the hand of him that betrays me is with me at this table. This son of Man goes forth in light, but that man who betrays me shall go deeper into his own faithless night!
You have been with me through all my trials and temptations. And I give over to your care the path to the dominion, as my father had given to me. Your demons still seek you, but I pray that your faith will not fail. And when you awaken, strengthen your brethren
When I sent you out without money, script, and shoes, did you lack anything then? But now, he that has a purse, let him take it...and his script. And he that had no sword, let him buy one. For I say to you, what has been written concerning this son of Man must yet be accomplished. I must reckon with my inquisitors...the things concerning me do have an end
The dominion within you is dual. Maintain the bridgeway, broad and clear. Use it without reservation, without hesitation...that the lion sleeps with the lamb
Beware of the temptations of power. Thank you father!!...for your wise counsel about the temptations of power..to teach to only those who would listen..to discern and separate rock from fertile soil, and leave the others to barter bits of soul among themselves. Father! If you be willing, remove this cup from me. If I am not worthy, let not my will, but yours, be done. This sweat dripping on stone, drops of blood falling to the ground. The time of this mission nears its end. Its fruit, ripened
And you!!..who would be king, ask if I am king! Yes, I am..master of myself
15 Yeshua was arrested by the Jewish guard of Jerusalem in the Garden of Gesthame. He was tried by Jewish court. It was just a matter of semantics, and yes!...the eternal spirit is within, as we all are sons and daughters of JHVH, of all and everything, from which the wisdom of the tora springs. Nevertheless, having been prejudged as one having too much influence over the mind's of the people, having significantly undermined their power, Yeshua was judged to be a blasphemer and condemned to death. Yeshua was remanded to the Roman court, which later judged Yeshua to be innocent of any serious crime
Nevertheless, the Roman court, under pressure to do the politically correct thing, left the decision up to the crowd, as it was a custom to do on Passover...to choose between Barrabas, a warrior with a sword in hand, or Yeshua...a warrior with an idea in mind. The Jewish crowd chose Barrabas to be set free. Yeshua was far more fearful
Yeshua was scourged by a Roman soldier at the request of the Jewish Sandhedrin. And to mock him, a crown of thorns was pressed down on his head. Blood flowed onto his shoulders and down his back, upon which they draped Herod's scarlet robe
On the road to Schull Hill, Yeshua proved to be too weak to carry his wood. The Roman centurion in charge ordered one, Simon, a Cyrenian, to help. On Simon they laid the cross, to bear it after Yeshua
A great company of people followed Simon and Yeshua and two other prisoners who were condemned. Some of the followers were women lamenting for Yeshua
Yeshua turned to them and said, "Weep not for me. Weep for yourselves, and for your children. Remember, the days are coming when it will be said, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that cannot bear, and the breasts that cannot give. The mountains shall fall, the hills shall roll over all that is green"
When they came to Schull Hill, which was called Calgary, the crosses were prepared. Yeshua was stripped to the waist and laid upon the wood. In addition to binding hands and feet to the cross, Roman soldiers skillfully drove spikes through the wrists and feet of Yeshua. He was promptly raised and secured. One prisoner was placed on the right of Yeshua and the other on the left. Soon, Yeshua said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"
To pass the time, the Roman soldiers cast lots for Yeshua's robe. The people stood looking, and the rulers with them jeered Yeshua, saying, "He saved others. Now, let him save himself, if he be the Messiah Prophet..the chosen of God!"
As ordered by the centurion, the soldiers raised vinegar to Yeshua's face. But the soldiers used the vinegar to mock Yeshua, "If you be the king of the Jews, save yourself!" But unbeknownst to the soldiers, and by design of the centurion, the vinegar served to keep Yeshua from passing out. The vinegar was necessary to keep Yeshua breathing
Script was hung over Yeshua in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrews, "This is the king of the Jews"
One of the prisoners looked over to Yeshua and said, "If you be the Messiah, save yourself and us!" But the other prisoner broke in saying, "Don't you fear God!!..seeing that you are condemned in the same way. We are guilty and are receiving our due...but this man has done nothing wrong!"
Then he said to Yeshua, "Master, remember me when you come into your dominion"
To comfort them, Yeshua said, "I say to you, on this day, you shall be with me in paradise"
It was noon, and the sky was darkly overcast until about three hours past. The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn by the wind
16 Many people came to mourn the death of Yeshua. They struck their breasts and ripped their clothing. All the mourners, including the women that followed Yeshua on the road, stood from a'far gazing darkly at insulted flesh, wounded heart, and blood stained wood. They stood unbelieving. How could so much love be held in contempt? With the memory of his light, they turned and left in the darkness of their night
But there was a man named Joseph, a wise elder, and a friend of the Abian order. He was a good man, and was of the city, Arimathaea. This man was sent to Pilate as soon as Yeshua passed out on the cross. He pleaded for Yeshua's body. The centurion went with him to testify about the spear in Yeshua's side and that he was dead. Pilate was already sympathetic towards Yeshua, and angered against the blood thirsty mob who called for Yeshua's death, believed the centurion without proof, and gave permission to Joseph to take Yeshua down
Yeshua was carried to Joseph's burial tomb. Yeshua was cleaned and wrapped warm in burial linen. Yeshua laid there where no other had lain, to recover from his wounds
The Sabbath drew on. Miriam Magdalene, and Joanna, and Miriam, the mother of James, followed after, and saw the tomb, within which he was laid. They returned and prepared spices and ointments and rested for the remainder of the Sabbath day according to the law
Upon the first day of the week, early in the morning, the women entered into the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. When they entered, they did not find Yeshua. Everyone was confused
Two men dressed in white approached. The women were afraid, and bowed their faces low in front of them. One of the men said, "Why do you seek the living in a place for the dead?"
The women began to talk, "He is not here! He has risen! Remember what he said in Galilee...'this son of Man must be delivered into the hands of the unrighteous, be crucified, and on the third day rise again!' It all began on Friday, the first day, and today is Sunday, the third! The women left the tomb after the two strangers departed
The eleven remaining apostles were still together when the women approached them. They told the apostles about what happened..about the two men in white, and the disappearance of Yeshua
Their words seemed hysterical to the apostles, and the apostles would not believe them. But Peter wondered, and departed for the tomb to see for himself
Peering into the tomb, Peter saw the burial linens on the floor. And he wondered also..."Who else has been on the mission! Indeed! Who has been on the mission since the birth of Yeshua!" Peter reasoned that there are other benefactors of Yeshua that they, the apostles, knew not of
Later that afternoon, two disciples left to travel to a village called Emmaus, which was about twelve kilometers from Jerusalem. While they journeyed, they talked about all the things that has happened since they first met Yeshua. As they talked and reasoned, Yeshua, himself, drew near, and began to walk with them. Yeshua was heavily cloaked with a hood drawn up, which hid his face. They did not recognize him...mainly because they were not expecting him
Yeshua spoke out, "What are you talking about that makes you so saddened?"
One of the disciples, whose name was Cleopas, said to Yeshua, "You must be the only one in Jerusalem who does not know what has happened over this Passover Sabbath!"
Yeshua urged, "Tell me. What happened?"
They said, "Concerning Yeshua of Nazareth!...who was a prophet great in deeds...a great teacher of the tora! And how the priests and rulers delivered him to be condemned by crucifixion. We believe that it is he that can redeem Israel. And today is the third day since these things began. Certain women gave us a strange story. They were at the tomb early this morning where Yeshua was laid. They did not find his body there! They said that two men dressed in white told them that Yeshua was alive! One of us, Peter, went to the tomb and saw for himself the burial linens heaped on the floor"
Yeshua said to them, "O fools!..and slow of heart to believe what the prophets had to say! Should not the Messiah Prophet suffer these things to fulfill his mission?!" Thereafter, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Yeshua explained to them with reference to the scriptures all the things concerning his mission
They drew close to the village, and Yeshua walked as though he would travel on, but the two disciples invited him, "Abide with us. It is toward evening, and the day is nearly spent"
Yeshua stayed with them for a bit. They sat to eat meat. Yeshua took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. After dinner, Yeshua departed into the night"
They left in the same hour, and promptly returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven apostles still gathered together. Cleopas said to the apostles, "The master has risen!" They told the apostles of their experience with Yeshua, and as they were speaking, Yeshua appeared and greeted, "Shalom!"
The apostles were terrified, and wondered if they were seeing a ghost
Yeshua said, "Why are you so troubled? Why do doubting thoughts grip your hearts? Behold my hands and feet. See that it is I, myself! Touch me and feel, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see me have!" And they did
After he showed them his wounded hands and feet, he asked, "Do you have any food?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb. Yeshua took it, and ate in front of them
Leaving their company for the last time, Yeshua said, "Remember my words. All of them must be fulfilled. They were written in the law of Moses, in Prophets, and in Psalms"
Yeshua gave them more understanding of the scriptures. He said, "It is written that the Messiah Prophet shall suffer at the hands of the unrighteous, but prevail and rise on the third day." Yeshua stressed that to repent is to first forgive one's self. How can you forgive others if you have not forgiven yourself first?"
You are witnesses of the mission, and I give you the spirit of my father, 'your soveriegn dominion is within. Rule it well.' Stay in Jerusalem until you feel the light of the tora
Yeshua walked with them as far as Bethany, and departing said, "Shalom"
17 Two years passed since the passing of that dark Passover day. A heavy bounty had been placed on the head of Yeshua's followers. They all went underground and were unable to carry on the mission in their own country. They were known too well. Too much time spent hiding. They were remiss...never had so much learning so high caused one to hide so low
Some time after, Yeshua was in the desert south of Damascus. He was on a journey there to intercept the bounty hunter known as Saul of Tarsus. Yeshua found him nearly dead, prostrate on the hot desert floor..eyes swollen shut. Yeshua took time to revive him and bring him back to life. Saul was a wise man and loved life, and was moved by the compassion of Yeshua, his passion for life. Saul was so moved, it caused the bounty hunter of Tarsus to become Paul, the apostle
In the desert south of Damascus, Paul, having fully recovered from his near death experience and former wretched existence, understood every word spoken by Yeshua, and saw brightly and far, long before his eyes were able to open. And when his eyes could open, he saw a man in white, somewhat gaunt, but strong in spirit. A scarred hand showed through a worn sleeve as it grasped a staff. His gentle eyes were steady and strong....they said, "Shalom"
Paul watched Yeshua leave, and at a distance, over the hot desert floor, a silvery lake appeared under the feet of Yeshua overwhich he strode. The image of his form wavered with the heat rising. Sweat pours down Paul's face. He does not move. He intently watches Yeshua walking on water until Yeshua's form wavers and dissipates with the heavy heat rising...ascending into the sun
Paul felt he knew this man in his heart, and thought, "If you can see through the violence and perceive the innocence, if you can love without return, if you can learn the shadows of your mind and always give time for the healing of spirit, if you can perceive the mote in your eye and have the courage to name it, if your love can give you the sight to see others truly as they live knowing them and how to give, and if you can perceive the world as a child, unashamed, unassuming, at least for awhile, Yeshua would smile..and be happy to know you"