Gift from Creator Tells the Good Story 11
11
1After instructing his twelve followers, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) left there to teach and announce his message in the surrounding villages.
ARE YOU THE ONE?
2From prison Gift of Goodwill (John) heard about the things the Chosen One was doing. So he sent two of his followers to ask Creator Sets Free (Jesus), 3“Are you the one we are waiting for, or should we look for someone else?”
4Creator Sets Free (Jesus) told them, “Go back to Gift of Goodwill (John) and tell him about the things you have seen with your own eyes and heard with your own ears. 5The blind can see again, the lame can walk, the ones with skin disease have been cleansed! Ears that cannot hear have been opened, the dead have come back to life again, and the poor are being told the good story! 6Creator’s blessing and goodwill rest on the one who does not stumble and leave the path because of me.”
HONORING GIFT OF GOODWILL
7When the messengers left, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) spoke to the people about Gift of Goodwill (John):
“What were you looking for in the desert wilderness? A frail reed blowing in the wind? 8Did you see a man in soft clothes? Behold, the ones who wear soft clothes live soft lives. 9Were you looking for a true prophet? Yes! He is a true prophet but also much more! 10He is the one spoken of in the Sacred Teachings, ‘Look! I am sending my messenger ahead of you. He will clear the path before you.’#11:10 Malachi 3:1
11“I speak from my heart, Gift of Goodwill (John) who performed the purification ceremony#11:11 Baptism is a true human being. No one born of a woman has ever been greater, but now the smallest one who walks Creator’s good road from above is greater than he.
12“From the time of Gift of Goodwill (John) until now, Creator’s good road from above has been under attack, and the violent ones are trying to force their way upon it. 13The Law and the Prophets spoke until he came. 14If you can accept it, he is Great Spirit Is Creator (Elijah), the one the prophets said would come.#11:14 Malachi 4:5 15If you have ears to hear, you will understand.
16“This generation, what can I compare them to? They are like children at a trading post, teasing each other, saying, 17‘You did not dance when we played the drum! You did not cry when we played a sad flute song.’
18“Gift of Goodwill (John) did not feast or drink wine, but they say, ‘He has an evil spirit.’ 19The True Human Being comes feasting and drinking and they say, ‘He eats too much and is a drunk, a friend of tribal tax collectors and outcasts!’ But wisdom is like a mother who knows what her children are doing and can see right through them.”
VILLAGE WARNINGS
20Then Creator Sets Free (Jesus) began to warn about what would happen to the villages that saw his greatest signs and wonders but did not receive his message.
21“Sorrow and trouble will come to you, Village of Secrets (Chorazin), and the same for you, House of Fishing (Bethsaida). If the ancient villages of Rock Land (Tyre) and Hunting Grounds (Sidon) had seen the powerful signs you have seen, they would have humbled themselves long ago and with great sorrow turned their hearts back to Creator’s ways. 22So then, it will be worse for you in the day when you face your end.
23“As for you, Village of Comfort (Capernaum), do you think you will be lifted up to the spirit-world above? No! You will be brought down low, to the Dark Underworld of Death (Hades). If Village of Bad Spirits (Sodom) had seen the powerful signs you have seen, that village would have remained to this day. 24But the day of their end will be better than yours.”
FATHER AND SON
Creator Sets Free (Jesus) turned his eyes to the sky and sent his voice to the Great Spirit.
25“I honor you, O Great Father, Maker of earth and sky,” he prayed, “for you have hidden these things from the ones who are wise in their own eyes but have shown them to the humble of heart. 26Yes, my Father, it has made your heart glad to see this day come.”
Then he turned to the ones who walked the road with him.
27“My Father has put everything into my hands,” he said with a solemn voice. “Only the Father knows the Son and only the Son knows the Father. No one can know the Father in his fullness unless the Son makes him known.”
Then he lifted his eyes to the horizon as if he were speaking to all the world.
28“Come close to my side, you whose hearts are on the ground, you who are pushed down and worn out, and I will refresh you. 29Follow my teachings and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest from your troubled thoughts. 30Walk side by side with me and I will share in your heavy load and make it light.”
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