Letters from Adina - #38

Letter XXXVIII. Jesus appears before His Disciples.

"Thomas, who, not believing that Jesus was risen in His real body from the dead, was told by the divine Lord to place his fingers into His hands, and into His side."

Bethany, House of Mary and Martha, one month after the Passover.

Dear Father,

I am now at Bethany, where I have been sojourning for some time, for such was the enmity of the Jews, incited by the chief priests, against us the disciples of Jesus, that, by Pilate’s command, we were compelled to leave Jerusalem on the day of the resurrection.

Jesus in all things hath proved Himself to be the subject of all prophecy - the King of Israel. It is now four weeks since He arose, and during that time, He has been seen not only by all the disciples, but by hundreds of His followers.

The seventh day after His resurrection He appeared openly at Nazareth, and on the sea-shore to Peter, John, Andrew, James, and other disciples, to His numerous relatives, and many of the chief citizens of His town, all of whom not only knew Him, but marveled to behold His crucified hands.

The effect of this meeting, which was witnessed by many who, being at the Passover, had seen Him crucified, was to bring the whole population worshiping to His feet.

The only change in His usual appearance, dear father, to the eye, is a transparent paleness, which gives a soft radiance to His countenance, and a majestic reserve, which awes all who draw near to Him; so that men speak in His presence in whispers.

His mother, happiest of women now, as she was before the most wretched, ever sits at His feet, and silently rejoices in His sacred presence, seldom speaking, and looking up to Him, rather as a worshiper beholding her God, than a mother looking on her son.

That He is in the flesh in reality, and not a spirit, He has proved to His disciples by eating with them; and in a remarkable way to an doubting disciple, called Thomas, who, not believing that Jesus was risen in His real body from the dead, was told by the divine Lord to place his fingers into His hands, and into His side; which Thomas convinced; with awe refused to do, but, falling at his feet in amazement and adoration, worshiped Him as God.

His disciples after their Master’s crucifixion, began by denying Him and deserting Him; flying in all directions, and concealing the fact that they had been His followers. They were not only moved by fear to this concealment but by shame, being sorely mortified at having been led away by Him.

  Those men who had hidden in dismay from the face of day came boldly forth, and once more were with their Lord, forgiven by Him, and received by Him again into his Holy keeping.

They went with Him wherever He went, even to Jerusalem, from whence they had fled but a few days before. They walked everywhere with hasty steps and cheerful faces, no longer like men serving a defeated monarch, but like men whose Master was Lord of heaven and of earth.

To-day they are with Him in the gardens of David, at Bethlehem, where He is holding a solemn council with the eleven, unfolding to them the future glory of His kingdom, and opening their hearts to the clear understanding of all the prophets have written concerning Him.

“He hath shown us,” said John, “how that his true office, as Son of God and Son of Man, is to be a mediator between both; that by His death He hath reconciled the race of Adam to his Father, having become our Lamb of sacrifice for the whole world."

He further teaches His disciples, that He will shortly ascend from the earth, to enter upon His heavenly kingdom; and that His subjects are to be all who love Him and keep His commandments. It is to be a kingdom of holiness, and none will enter there but the pure in heart.

Jesus has, moreover, taught His disciples that the Gentiles are to share equally with the children of Abraham the benefits of His death and resurrection; that this good news shall be proclaimed to them by His disciples, and that they will gladly hear it and believe.

“The foundation of my everlasting kingdom,” saith He, “truly shall be laid upon earth in the hearts of men; but the building is with God, eternal in the heavens. The tomb through which I have passed is its gate, and all who would come after me and enter in must follow in my footsteps.”

Thomas then asked his Lord "whither He would go, and the way? How He would leave the earth, since He could die no more?"

“Thou shalt see for thyself ere many days are pass,” answered Jesus.

“In that I have risen, all whom my Father giveth me shall rise also from the dead; and those whom I raise up I will take with me the way I go; for where I am they shall evermore be with me also.”

This, dear father, is a brief account of what John has told us touching the divine teaching of Messias, the Son of God, respecting His kingdom.

I rejoice to see by your last letter that you may be expected to arrive here in two weeks.

Oh, that you were here now, that you might be taken by John to see Jesus! for from what he says, He will not long remain visible among us.

Whither He goeth or how He goeth away no man can say. We are filled with expectation of some great event which will conclude the brilliant and wonderful succession of marvels, that attend His footsteps and His presence on earth.

Your loving daughter,

Adina

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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.