On this occasion we also reach the city, arriving directly at Irhael’s house, now also the physician Joram’s. Jairuth and the colonel, as well as his wife and the two subordinate commanders, cannot marvel enough at its new beauty. The man who had recovered from palsy is also exceedingly astonished and at last says quite loudly, ‘Such a thing is possible only to God alone! As a boy I often caught lizards mischievously in the mostly ruined walls of this mansion or house, which Jacob had built for his son Joseph. And now it stands here so perfect that surely it was not built more perfectly by Jacob! Oh, no human power accomplishes that overnight! Now I know where I stand and what I shall do. My name is John; remember this name!’
(This is the same John whom My apostles later once threatened, when I sent them out in the second year to teach the people, because he too, without an express command from Me, healed people and drove out evil spirits in My name.)
Jonael says, ‘Friend, your will, your disposition and your words are good; but you still lack one thing, and that is a pure knowledge of the divine will. Therefore come to me in the next few days, or remain here right now, and I shall acquaint you more closely with the will of God the Lord. Only then can you begin to put into practice in good order everything you have in mind with good intent.’
The healed man says, ‘May God the Lord enlighten you for this. I shall do as you advise me, for I see that you are a true friend of this great prophet and will therefore also have a true light from Him. But this prophet is above all, and I think He is the very One of whom David sang and prophesied thus:
‘“The earth and what is in it, and the ground of the earth and what dwells upon it, belong to the Lord; for He founded it (the ground of the earth) beside the seas and established it beside the waters. Who may go onto the Lord’s mountain? And who will stand in His holy place? Whoever has innocent hands and is pure of heart, takes no pleasure in loose teaching and does not swear falsely will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. But this is the generation that asks after Him, that seeks your face, Jacob!
‘“Make the gates wide and the doors of the world high, so that the King of glory may enter! Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Make the gates wide and the doors of the world high, so that the King of glory may enter! Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord Zebaoth; He is the King of glory.”
‘And I, John, who was healed by Him, openly testify here that this One is bodily the very same King of glory of whom David thus sang and prophesied! Therefore all honor be to Him forever!’
Jonael says, ‘Friend, you are already standing on the right ground now! But for the present, speaking between ourselves, it is not yet time to open our mouths in this way. When He leaves here, as He Himself has determined, perhaps for Galilee, only then shall we begin teaching the people about Him. And when He soon returns to us, He shall find our gates properly wide and the doors of the world properly high for His entry. That is, our hearts shall be as wide as possible to receive Him, and our love for Him raised beyond the stars; for our hearts are the gate that must be made wide, and pure love for Him is the door that must be raised above everything!’
Here I step between the two, lay My hands on their shoulders and say, ‘That is right, My dear friends! Wherever you are thus in My name, I shall be among you, even if not visibly, yet strengthening you with all power. But now I hear a commotion in the city’s streets, so all of you remain quiet. We shall see what spirit possesses and guides these minds!’
Jairuth immediately comes to Me and says, ‘Lord, this is an evil noise and points to nothing good! If You wish, I shall have two legions ordered here at once, and peace will immediately be restored!’
I say, ‘Leave that be! Should it become necessary, I already have the right guard at hand. Only you yourself may hide a little in the house, so that no one sees and recognizes you; for no good spirit now dwells among the worldly people of this city, and later they could cause great damage to your possessions!’
Jairuth says, ‘But I still have the two young men; they will surely protect my possessions!’
I say, ‘Even so, let the matter rest now; for if I needed human help, I would ask it of the colonel, who is also here. But I do not need such help, so be quiet now and let the matter rest!’ Jairuth is satisfied with this and goes into Irhael’s house.