Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the LordAbbott, Edwin Abbott
Religion
Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the Lord
Abbott, Edwin Abbott
Christian fiction; Jesus Christ -- Fiction
After this, Jesus began to speak to us of the journey to Jerusalem, how
full of peril, and how desperate it was like to be. For he said that
whosoever followed him must be prepared to risk all for his sake. Yea,
even as men condemned to die might go forth to their doom with the ropes
round their necks or the crosses on their shoulders, even so must we go up
to Jerusalem, all prepared for death, if we were fain to go with him. And
this he said many times, saying that none might follow him except they
would take up the cross; and during all the time of our going up to
Jerusalem, the cross was, as it were, the only watch‐word that he would
appoint for them that went with him: insomuch that some, mocking, called
it a journey of the cross, or a journey of the halter. But he added that,
if we had courage to go with him, a reward was in store for us: “Whosoever
will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my
sake shall find it. For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole
world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his
soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his
angels; and then shall he reward every man according to his works.”
Now at these last words Judas turned away in anger, saying in a low voice,
“He speaketh only of what is after the grave.” But Jesus straightway
added, “Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here which shall not
taste of death till they see the Son of man coming in his Kingdom.” At
these words we all rejoiced again, and Judas with the rest, for, said he,
“These words are no dark saying, but such as babes can understand.” So we
went out from the presence of Jesus marvelling indeed, but rejoicing even
more than we marvelled.
Now when we were come forth, and were alone apart from Jesus, we disputed
among ourselves what his words might mean. But Judas said (after his wont)
that whatsoever was obscure should be interpreted by that part which was
clearer. Now Jesus had declared that he would come and reward his
followers and take unto himself his Kingdom even in the lifetime of some
that were standing by. But as for the rest, concerning the losing of life
and finding of it, and as for what Jesus had said concerning his own dying
and rising again, it was clear, said Judas, that the words were used
poetically and in a figure, as if one should speak of sinking into the pit
of the darkness of ruin and then of being raised up therefrom, as it had
been described also by Jonah, and as Hosea the prophet had spoken.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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