Disciples of Yochanan

CHAPTER 12

Yeshua speaks briefly to the disciples of Yochanan after the evening meal.

 1 And it came to pass that Yeshua and Miriam stayed with Yochanan and his disciples that night, and among them was Philip of Bethsaida, who had come to hear the preaching of Yochanan and was baptized by him.

 2 Both Yochanan and Philip had spoken to the disciples of Yochanan of their experiences with Yeshua, and some were excited that he was to spend the night with them, but others did not look so favorably upon him, for in their minds he was usurping Yochanan whom they revered.

 3 After the people that had come to hear Yochanan preach and to be baptized by him had returned to their towns and villages, Yochanan and his disciples ate the evening meal with Yeshua and Miriam.

 4 Miriam was the only woman present, and some of the men objected to this, and others complained that she had not prepared a meal for them.

 5 Hearing this, Philip confided to them, "It was the same at the home of my friend in Bethsaida. Truly she is a most strange woman. But she is the wife of the Rabbi Yeshua, and he has told us that women are not to serve men, but to be served by them.”

 6 Some of the disciples of Yochanan were so angry at the words of Philip that they stood up in disbelief and would have walked away, but Yochanan bade them remain and asked them, “Where do you think to go? Would you leave the light to walk alone, forsaken in the darkness?

 7 I tell you in truth that the light of Elohim sits among you, and you know him not.

 8 Verily, I say unto you that Yeshua of Nazareth is he whom I have said that I am not worthy to unlatch the strap of his sandal.

 9 If you would walk away from him before you have even listened to his words and sought the truth in your own spirit, then your shame is even greater than your ignorance, and you have learned nothing from your time with me.”

 10 Chastised by his words, the disciples of Yochanan that had stood up to leave sat down again.

 11 Yochanan turned to Yeshua and said unto him, “Brother, will you share your light with us this night?”

 12 Yeshua nodded his agreement and rose and stood before them, saying, “Verily, among those born of women, none are greater than Yochanan the Baptizer.

 13 For those of you fortunate enough to share the cup with him and receive a portion of his light, you are blessed among the children of men, and you shall remember this time dearly, all the days of your life and your children’s children shall still speak of it.”

 14 And knowing the thoughts of those that had been angry, Yeshua said unto them, “Some have thought that I have come to overshadow Yochanan, but I have come to be blessed by him, even as you are.

 15 I know him more than any man can know him, for we have shared years in the exclusive company of each other and made great discoveries together.

 16 This is his moment; he is doing the work he was called to do before the foundations of the world.

 17 Cling to his words, for his teachings will be a part of you, long after his soul has returned to the presence of Elohim.

 18 As for me, my teachings taste strange to the children of men fed upon the plate of the law and tradition, for I have not come to uphold the meals of the past, but to bring the food of the future.

 19 Until you understand the words of Yochanan and live them in your life, you will have no place in your heart for the teachings that I bring.

 20 And why do you think that women should serve men? Rather should men serve women, for it is by them that every person comes into the world; and by them that the pure and simple principles of virtue and righteousness are woven into the character of their children, that when they are grown they will walk in the light.

 21 What virtuous man would put himself above a woman or above any other man? Verily, I say unto you the first shall be last and the last shall be first. The exalted shall be abased, and the abased shall be exalted.

 22 Those that would be called great must feed the least, in both spirit and body, even as Elohim, who is greater than any, freely gives life and love to all that dwell upon the face of the Earth.

 23 Now, I shall teach you no more, nor answer your questions, for these are the days of Yochanan, until the days of Yochanan are fulfilled. And those who have been pulled by their heart to Yochanan must stand with him until the end, for only those who endure until the end will find the fullness of the light that they seek.”

 24 Then Yeshua returned to sit by Miriam, and Yochanan said a prayer of thanksgiving and supplication unto Elohim. Without much further conversation, everyone found a spot of comfort for the night and fell asleep, each to their own, beneath the stars.