Letters from Adina - #19

Letter XIX. The Roman Kneels before Jesus.

“Thou art Mercury or Jupiter, O mighty God!"

Dear Father,

The visit of the Prophet Jesus to the city has hath brought forth fruit abundantly.

His numerous miracles, performed in the open day by a word, or by a look, by a touch, or a command; the power of His preaching, the excellency of His doctrines, which are manifestly divine; His clear assertion that He is the very Christ, have all worked together to bring the first men of Israel, rulers as well as people, to believe in Him!

During the four days he sojourned at the house of my uncle Amos, the chief men of the city came to hear Him, and, haply, to see some miracle performed by Him.

The priesthood are divided. Caiaphas has publicly recognised Him as a prophet, while Annas has openly declared that he is an imposter; and thus two parties are formed in the city, headed by the two priests, and most men have taken sides with one or the other.

But the greater number of the common people are in favor of Jesus, believing him to be the Christ.

The Pharisees most oppose Him, because he boldly reproves their sins and hypocrisies; and though they fear Him, they hate and would destroy Him, for He preaches so plainly against their wickedness, that the people have ceased to respect them.

Even Nicodemus, who at first was inclined to accept Jesus as a Prophet, finding the Pharisees opposed to Him, and being unwilling to lose his following among them, kept away from the house where Jesus was by day; but his curiosity to learn more of Him, led him to visit the holy Prophet secretly by night.

This he did twice, coming alone in the darkness, and being let in by his friend, Rabbi Amos.

In all that He says, in all that He does, Jesus seems both all-knowing and all-powerful. Whatever He wills to do, He doeth. Never man had power such as dwells in Him.

This morning, as He was going forth from the house to depart into the country, a man lame from his youth, seated upon the threshold, caught Him by His robe, saying, ‘‘Master, heal me!”

‘‘Son, thy sins be forgiven thee,” answered Jesus, and then passed on; but the Scribes and Pharisees who stood about, when, they heard this, cried - ‘‘This man, blasphemeth, for God alone can forgive sins!’’

Jesus stopped, and turning to them, said - “Which is easier, to say to this man, who hath not walked for twelve years, and whose legs and arms are withered, as you see, ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk?’ If I can bid him rise and walk as aforetime, and he is healed, is it not proof to you that I have power to forgive his sins also?

For what could make him to rise and walk but the power of God alone, who also forgiveth men’s sins?

But that ye may know that the Son of God hath power on earth to forgive sins - Behold!”

Then in a loud voice, The Prophet said to the lame man, ‘‘Arise, take up thy bed, and go to thine house!”

Immediately the man rose to his feet, leaping and praising God, and taking up the mattress upon which they had brought him to the door, he ran swiftly away to show himself to his kinsfolk, while all the people shouted and praised God!

Thus did Jesus publicly show men that He could forgive sins, as He could heal - as the power to do both came equally from God.

Does not this prove that He is the Son of God?

We all wept at his departure, and followed him to the Damascus gate. Here there was assembled a large company of Levites and priests among whom were mingled some of the most worthless wretches in Jerusalem.

Knowledge of this fact reached Rabbi Amos, who at once sent a message to Aemilius, our Roman friend, informing him that he feared there would be an attempt made to murder Jesus as He went out of the gate, and asking his help.

Aemilius placed himself at the head’ of fifty horse, and reaching the gate, pressed the crowd back and took possession of the entrance.

When Jesus passed through the armed guard beneath the arch, the young Roman courteously offered him an escort to the next village.

But Jesus said - “Young man, I need not thy help. My hour is not yet come. They cannot harm me till my hour cometh. I am not yet given by my Father into their hands! But take my blessing, and one day thou shalt know to whom thou hast offered the protection of thy troop.”

The Levites and their hired murderers now pressed forward, and with wild and threatening cries broke through the cohort to reach Jesus, but Aemilius charging, scattered them, and put several to the sword.

He then rode up to the side of the Prophet, offering him the best horse in his company. This help Jesus refused, but walked by the Roman soldier, who constrained Him to accept his escort.

Jesus talked kindly with him, and taught him wonderful things touching the kingdom of God.

Aemilius, who informed me of these matters, bought Him as far as Ephraim, and then was about to leave Him to return to the city, when four lepers came from the cemetery of the tombs, near the village, and crying out afar off, said - “Thou blessed Christ, have mercy on us!”

Jesus stopped, though his disciple Peter would have bidden the lepers to hold their peace, as it was late, and his Master was weary; but Jesus, who is never weary doing good, called the lepers to approach. As they came forward, the whole company of people, as well as the Roman soldiers, drew back to a distance, in horror at the sight of these smitten men.

They advanced with fear and trembling within twenty paces of Jesus, and stood still, sore afraid.

“Fear not,” said he, ‘‘I will make you whole!”

He then advanced towards them, and laid His hand upon each of them; they all at the touch, were instantly made whole, and stood before Him as men completely cleansed.

When Aemilius saw this miracle, he dismounted from his horse, and fell at Jesus’ feet, worshiping him, crying -

“Thou art Mercury or Jupiter, O mighty God! Give me wisdom and power from the skies!”

“Rise, young man,’’ answered Jesus, looking sadly upon him; ‘‘thou shalt have wisdom and grace, but not from thy gods. There is but one God, even the Father; worship Him, and He shall reward thee!”

Aemilius hath told me that his heart thrilled at these words, and at others he had spoken on the way; and he promised me that he will henceforth cast aside his gods and believe in the God of Israel, and in Jesus, His holy Prophet.

Is not this blessed news? ‘Lo! He proclaims as saith the prophet - liberty to the Gentiles.

The common people worship the very dust of his sandals. The priests believe and tremble; but, like Herod who sought to kill Him when He was an infant in Bethlehem, they would destroy Him, lest He should put them to shame.

They say the daily sacrifice will cease, the Temple fall to ruins, and the faith of Israel depart, if Jesus be suffered to live and preach, and to show these mighty signs and wonders among the people.

But all this witness Him! Did not David prophesy concerning Messias, that should come, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take council together against the Lord and against His anointed? But He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.’’

Thus, dear father, all things work together to prove that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ of God.

Your affectionate and loving daughter, Adina

Next Letter

LADY DONNA PROGRAM

The new Lady Donna Immersion in Spirituality, Academics and Citizenship @ the "I AM" School will study abridged excerpts of the Letters from Adina taken from Reverend Ingraham's original edited version of 'The Prince of the House of David', published by Cassell & Co. Ltd (1903), that reveal remarkable insights into the Living Etheric Record left by Beloved Jesus's Ministry in the Holy Land.