Last Tour of the Holy Land

CHAPTER 84

Yeshua's last tour of Galilee and Judea covers a lot of ground. He does many miraculous healings and has serious encounters with the Greater Sanhedrin, Pharisees, and Sadducees. He speaks in parables to fulfill ancient prophecies and for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see.

Final Tour of Galilee

  1 During the following weeks, Yeshua went from town to town in Galilee and did many miracles of healing and cast out many demons.  As on previous tours to spread the light of Elohim, the Apostles would precede him to each town to alert the people of his coming. This time they made sure everyone knew that this would be the last time that Yeshua would ever come among them.

  2 Knowing this, the crowds of people were large wherever he went, for his reputation as a miracle worker had grown greatly since his first preaching in Galilee, and even people who had disdained to pay him any attention before, came out to see him now.

  3 As his fame quickly spread - that all illnesses and maladies vanished at his touch, the crowds grew larger in every new city and town and so too did his opposition.

  4 The Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees and lower Sanhedrin all came to hear him speak and to see his miracles.  And each for their own cause opposed him and sought to prevent his ministry and miracles.

  5 But in this they were greatly frustrated, for none could contend with his reasoning or knowledge of the law, nor refute his miracles.  Much of his doctrine they argued to be false, but the people heeded not their arguments for the miracles of Yeshua were a more powerful persuader.

  6 As Yeshua completed his visit to Galilee, he proceeded south through Samaria and into Judea.  As he entered Samaria, many of the multitude that had been following him from Galilean town to town fell away and returned to their homes, or took another route into Judea rather than pass through the lands of the despised Samaritans.

  7 Late each afternoon Cephas would choose a site for encampment and the multitude following Yeshua would all make camp for the evening.

Miracle Soup

  8 Many people took care of their own food as they followed Yeshua on his journeys, either having brought it with them, purchased it, or foraged it along the way.  Nevertheless, Yeshua instructed the Apostles to create a warm soup each night, which they prepared in a large clay pot over a small fire, and distributed it along with a little coarse bread to everyone who sought food. 

  9 The soup was nicknamed “miracle soup,” because it consisted of everything they could find each day, from greens along the trails and roads, to bugs of many types, occasional raw fish, a copious base of water and liberal seasoning with wild spices. 

  10 Whenever the pot was half empty, they would fill it again with water, throw in anything else edible that might have shown up and continue dispensing until everyone had been satisfied.

  11 Yeshua had charged the Apostles in particular to be responsible for the miracle soup, both to show that in the Kingdom of Light, it is an honor for even the greatest to be of service to the lowest, and also to give them practice using their gifts to insure the miracle soup always was sufficient for the needs.

  12 “This is very good soup!” exclaimed one man who had just begun to follow Yeshua since the last town.  “What is in it?” he asked Yudas Iscariot who had served him.

  13 “Things that are good for you,” replied Yudas.

  14 “What kind of things?” the man persisted.

  15 “Things that taste better when they remain a mystery,”  answered Yudas dryly.

  16 “Oh, those type of things,” the man muttered less enthusiastically.

  17 “Yes, those type of things,” Yudas agreed stifling a chuckle.

  18 The man walked away and Toma who was also serving people, gave Yudas a nudge in the side with his elbow as he chuckled over the exchange.

  19 Yudas looked at him and feigned innocence, saying, “What else could I say?  I spoke tactfully, but also truthfully.”

  20 They looked at each other and both laughed a little and Toma said unto him.  “Nothing is wrong with what you said; nothing at all.  It was just funny.”

  21 Now Ligia, the wife of Yudas, had been standing nearby with their two children, speaking to another woman, and seeing her husband and Toma talking jovially over the soup, she called to Yudas, saying, “Be sure to save some of the mystery for me Yudas.”

  22 “I am still trying to unravel the mystery that you are,” Yudas replied with a smile.  “Perhaps it would be unwise to let you eat something that might make you more mysterious.  You are already a Greek.  Who knows what might happen to you if mystery was added upon mystery?”

  23 “I would probably be changed into an Apostle, the most mysterious of all God's creatures!” Ligia laughed in reply.  And Yudas and Toma laughed with her.

Healings in Northern Judea

  24 Following the Sabbath, Yeshua entered into Judea and performed many miracles in the northern towns during the next three weeks. The paralytic walked again, the lepers were cleansed, the blind saw, the dumb spoke, the sick and the ill were made well and many demons were cast out of those whom they had tormented.

  25 The opponents of Yeshua fumed as his fame grew day by day and there seemed to be nothing they could say or do to thwart his sway over the people.

  26  The Romans were also growing increasingly uneasy with the large and sometimes boisterous crowds that were following Yeshua and they kept an ever vigilant eye upon his activities, with increasing numbers of soldiers shadowing his movements.

Arrival at Bethany

  27 Two days before the Sabbath of the new moon, Yeshua and his family arrived in Bethany at the childhood home of Miriam and Martha.

  28 They were greeted with much enthusiasm and affection by their brother Lazarus and all the members of their family and extended family.

  29 The father of Miriam, Martha and Lazarus loved to put on feasts and desired to immediately commence a five day feast, but Yeshua forbade him saying, “Good patriarch of the house of those that I love, Miriam and I must depart on the morrow, for the field is ready to harvest.  But would you do me the great kindness of keeping my mother and Martha and all the children of our family while Miriam and I journey through Judea?”

  30 “Keep them!” cried the father of Lazarus indignantly.  “I should be affronted if they did not stay.”

  31 And it came to pass that after Miriam and Yeshua departed the following day, the father of Lazarus still threw a feast in celebration of his children and grandchildren whom he and his wife saw too seldom.

  32 But Lazarus and his wife departed with Yeshua and Miriam and the Apostles, for having been much apart, Lazarus longed to spend every moment with them.

Confrontation at the Home of the Chief Judge

  33 And it came to pass that Yeshua came unto Jerusalem and was met at the gate by emissaries of the Great Sanhedrin who bade him come with them to see the Chief Judge Caiaphas at his home.

  34 Among the Apostles there was some trepidation, for to be summoned to appear before the judges could not bode well.  But they could see that Yeshua seemed happy at the prospect, so decided they should be as well.

  35 When they came near to the house, the women were told to remain behind at a small outbuilding, as only the Apostles could pass with Yeshua into the premises of Caiaphas' home.

  36 But Yeshua said unto them, “Where I go, Miriam goes, or I go not.”

  37 The emissaries did not balk at the words of Yeshua, but immediately one said unto him, “But of course we did not mean your wife, whom we know to be one of your closest disciples.  For her, an exception has been granted.”

  38 Yeshua then followed the emissary leading the way into the courtyard and Miriam came after him and the Apostles. 

  39 But then a cry went up from the other emissary, saying, “Wait!  There are twelve men here; with his wife that is thirteen.  We were told only to admit twelve disciples.”

  40 The first emissary looked back and counting the men and Miriam saw that there was indeed thirteen, and he said unto Yeshua. “Why do you try to deceive us? Do you think us fools; that we cannot count to twelve?”

  41 Yeshua answered them, “Count as you choose.  These are the hearts that beat as one with mine.  Pass us all, or not one shall pass, but decide now lest I conclude you are wasting my time.”

  42 “How dare you speak so insolently concerning a command to appear before the Chief Judge Caiaphas,” exclaimed one of the emissaries. “It is not for you to choose, but for him. Now follow me quickly lest you draw the wrath of Caiaphas even greater than you already have.”

  43 So saying he turned on his heel and headed again into the courtyard. “I suppose that is his I feel very important way of saying we can all come,” Lazarus chuckled quietly. Yeshua smiled and nodded his head in silent agreement.

  44 Upon entering the main courtyard Yeshua looked to see a little over a dozen of the Greater Sanhedrin sitting about the courtyard and these were almost all Sadducees, and the chief judge Caiaphas sat on a raised dais at the end of the courtyard.

  45 Walking directly to him, Yeshua said unto him, “You have brought the light; do you now have torches to illuminate the darkness?”

  46 “Please do not insult me by speaking to me in riddles or meaningless parables,” Caiaphas replied stonily.

  47 “This is an informal meeting to ascertain if you are a threat to the way of life of the chosen people of Elohim.  Are you a threat Yeshua of Nazareth?  Someone we should fear and put away in prison, or just a misguided but harmless healer to ignore?”

  48 Yeshua answered him, saying, “I am your greatest fear, and your greatest hope. Which is more important to you?”

  49 Obviously irritated at Yeshua's answer,  Caiaphas replied, “Were you never taught to speak as a normal person and with respect?  A simple yes or no will suffice for most questions and those requiring more than one word answers should use words that clarify the answer, not make it more confused. And do not respond to my queries with questions lest you draw my ire thinking you are insolent.”

  50 “If you never allow questions then you must have already concluded the answers,” Yeshua responded.  “If that is so, then it would be better to have trained monkeys appear before you rather than men, for they will always give you what you seek.”

  51 “Humph!” Caiaphas grunted. “From what I hear you are a poor man of little means, the questionable son of an equally poor carpenter from the dilapidated town of Nazareth.” 

  52 Because I have heard that you have some healing abilities, I have invited you to my home to learn more.  Yet you speak to me without respect or fear, of which you should have both in ample quantities. 

  53 Does it make you feel important to thus speak to your betters Yeshua of Nazareth?  Are you trying to impress the motley lot that follows you?  I wonder how impressed they will be to see you thrown in prison for your blasphemes?  What do you think?”

  54 “I know that men will be uplifted or condemned on the day of judgment by every idle word they have spoken,” Yeshua answered. 

  55 “I am the light that others follow, and my path is true and straight. If my words or tone offend, consider why, and reflect that even the life-giving sun will burn your skin like a fire if you do not act with prudence in its presence.”

  56 “Are you speaking again in riddles as I have forbidden you to do?” exclaimed Caiaphas.  “You would do well to remember that I am the chief judge and by my command all things can occur, both the pleasant and the unpleasant in your life.  I am not trying to be your enemy, but you seem intent on making me so.”

  57 Yeshua looked at him and smiled his mischievous smile and said unto him, “Caiaphas, you are an important man in Judea, but Judea is not all of Rome, and Rome is not all of the world; and in the world beyond Palestine and Judea the Earth does not tremble at your name.”

  58 Pointing to the sun, Yeshua said, “Can you in all your power stop the sun?”

  59 “Of course not!” protested Caiaphas. Only Elohim can stop the sun as the scriptures record he did in the days of Joshua.”

  60 Without saying another word, Yeshua walked over to a small tree and snapping off a branch he went to a spot of dirt nearby.  Placing the broken stick vertically into the ground he marked the spot where the shadow of the stick fell upon the ground.

  61 Turning to Caiaphas he said unto him, “That you will have no excuse on the day of judgment, let there be no doubt to whom you speak.  Until I decree it, the sun shall not move again from its spot in the sky.”

  62 This proclamation brought about a chorus of derisive laughter from the gathered Sanhedrin and Caiaphas laughing too said unto Yeshua, “If nothing else you are a bold rascal.  But I think you shall soon be shown to be a false prophet by your own overreaching bravado, so we will wait for an hour to see you undone by your words. 

  63 In the meantime, this is not a court, but simply an informal gathering of learned men.  Perhaps you would be so kind to clarify some of your doctrines for us while we wait for the sun to move?”

  64 Yeshua lifted his eyebrows and turned his palms up toward Caiaphas indicating that he should continue with his questions.

  65 “It has come to my attention,”  Caiaphas began,  “that according to the Pharisees who were witnesses, on at least one occasion, you and your Apostles plucked and ate some corn from a field on the Sabbath.  How can you justify breaking the Sabbath in this way?”

  66 Yeshua answered him, saying, “Your question is trivial but the answer can have substance.  Therefore, I will answer. Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? They entered the house of God, and ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 

  67 And haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?  Does that not seem strange to you that the priests who are supposed to be servants of God, can make themselves above the laws of God? Or perhaps they are only men making laws unto themselves in the name of God?

  68 But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. And if it is permissible for priests who serve Elohim to eat that which is forbidden, how much more shall the Lord of the Sabbath have mercy on those who hunger?”

  69 At Yeshua's answer Caiaphas looked slyly over at his fellow Sanhedrin to make sure they had all heard his blasphemy. 

  70 Then continuing with his questions he said, “I have heard that you are a great healer and that is to be commended if you are in fact healing by the power of Elohim. But I have heard it said that you do much of your healing on the Sabbath, which is forbidden by the law. It would seem then that your healing comes from a place of darkness, not light as you profess.”

  71 “You ere in your understanding of the law Caiaphas,” Yeshua responded.  “If ever there was a day to do good, it is on the Sabbath.  "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

  72 Caiaphas rubbed his beard as he contemplated Yeshua's answer, then said unto him, “I have also heard that you cast out many demons; so many in fact, that I had no idea there was such a multitude of them in Judea and Galilee.

  73 It seems most strange to me that in all my life I have only on four occasions ever met a man with a demon, yet you seem to find them everyday, and everywhere you go. 

  74 Some have said this is because you are in fact a minion of Beelzebub, the prince of demons, and so see your demonic friends on every corner and simply make a meaningless show of casting them out."

  75 “Oh foolish men,” Yeshua answered. "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

  76 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

  77 If I drive out demons by the power of Beelzebub, how would that be helping the darkness?  But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, and men who have been enslaved are now free, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

  78 Have you never watched the farmers grow the good fruit? If a tree is good, its fruit will be good, but if a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. A tree is recognized by its fruit, be it good or bad, and so am I, and so are all of you.

  79 Are you bringing forth good fruit or are you a brood of vipers poisoning the people? How can evil say anything is good? For out of the truth of the heart the mouth speaks. Therefore, the good man continually brings good things out of the light stored up in him, and the evil man continually brings forth evil things out of the darkness stored up in him.”

  80 “You are not helping your cause by insulting us,” Caiaphas replied with a scowl. “But I still have one question if you are brave enough to answer.”

  81 “If you are brave enough to question,” Yeshua answered.

  82 “It has been reported,” Caiaphas began, “that you preach that Elohim is not one God but many, such as the heathen religions do, even to the point of claiming a mother figure in your array of gods as equal to Elohim. 

  83 Of course admitting this will condemn you, but you seem oblivious to the pit you are digging, so what have you to say about your plurality of gods, including female gods?”

  84 Yeshua answered him quickly, saying, “Choose your words with care Caiaphas; for by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.  I tell you solemnly, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven men with repentance, but blasphemy against the Holy Mother will not be forgiven, but must suffer the cold, dark resonance.

  85 Anyone who speaks a word against me or my Apostles, or Elohim the Father, can be forgiven with repentance.  But anyone with malicious intent, who speaks against the Holy Mother, will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.  Their road back to the light will be cold, dark and lonely, if ever they find it.”

  86 Then another of the Sanhedrin spoke up saying, “You have said many things that condemn you should we hold a court against you, and you obviously cannot be a true prophet for you disobey the law at every opportunity and teach others to do likewise.  But if you would have our mercy, show us a miraculous sign that you are more than just a charlatan or a man demented, lest we conclude that you must be removed for the safety of the Children of Israel.”

  87 Yeshua answered him, saying, “When evening comes, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red, and in the morning, Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

  88 It is a wicked and adulterous generation that asks for a miraculous sign! But you will know a great blessing has dawned when you shall witness the sign of the prophet Jonah.

  89 As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Light will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. But only three.

  90 Verily, unless you repent, the men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment of this assembly and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.

  91 So shall the Queen of the South rise at the judgment of this assembly lest you repent, and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.”

  92 “I have heard enough!” shouted Caiaphas. Then pointing at Yeshua, he commanded, “Leave my house, you pollute it! But do not leave Jerusalem, for I will see you again soon, and if you try to hide, it will be the worse for you.”

  93 “Fear not, foolish man, the sun will not be hidden, but brighter than on any day.”

  94 With those words Yeshua, Miriam and the Apostles turned and departed from the house of Caiaphas.

  95 After they had left, the Sanhedrin spoke of him derisively among themselves, mocking him and the things he had said.

  96 Some time later, one of them noticed the stick Yeshua had stuck in the ground to cast a shadow from the sun. He walked over to it proclaiming, “Look here is the stick the charlatan would have us believe would mark his stopping of the sun. See how the shadow has...”

  97 When he looked closer he saw that the shadow had not moved, and with a tremble in his voice he called the other Sanhedrin to come and look.  One by one they all came over and stood looking at the shadow of the stick which had not moved one iota past the mark Yeshua had made in the dirt, then lifted their gazed to glance uncomprehending at the bright sun in the sky.

  98 “What can this mean?” asked one of the Sanhedrin.

  99 Almost in unison they glanced up quickly at the sun. “Could it actually have stopped?” asked another.

  100 “Of course not!” exclaimed Caiaphas. Walking over to the stick he grabbed it and pulled it out of the ground. “It was just a simple magician’s trick,” he stated. “Nor was he here hardly long enough for the shadow to move!”  But even as he spoke, the stick he was holding in his hand disintegrated into gray ash and blew away in a fine powder upon the wind.

  101 The Sanhedrin looked at one another in bewilderment and Caiaphas said unto them. “This Yeshua of Nazareth is a dangerous man, the likes such as we have not seen before. The sooner we remove him from the presence of the people, the safer all of Israel shall be.”

  102 And the rest of the Sanhedrin nodded their heads in agreement.

  103 Despite the warning of Caiaphas for Yeshua to remain in Jerusalem, he and Miriam returned with the Apostles to the house of Miriam's parents in the evening so they could be with their children.

Conversation with the Zealots

  104 The following day, Yeshua, Miriam and the Apostles, accompanied by Salome, returned to Jerusalem where Yeshua once again began healing many people of all manner of infirmities and quickly drawing large crowds unto him.

  105 While he was healing a paralytic man, two zealots came up to the Apostle Shim'on and confided in him, “Your teacher is a mighty man of stature, words and deeds.  It is said by many of our friends that he is the Messiah that has been prophesied and has come to Jerusalem to lead us in a revolt against the Romans. We have come to ascertain the truth of this, and to enter the secret army we have heard he is gathering.  And we can bring many others with us.”

  106 Hearing the words of the two men Shim'on was cautious, for they could be spies as easily as zealots,  “Yeshua comes with a sword of truth to slice away the darkness that has covered the eyes of men, but you are mistaken to think he is here to lead a revolt against the Romans.”

  107 “And so you must say,” replied one of the zealots cunningly. “We understand. But tell us where we can meet privately to plan, for we have many mighty men who have waited only for God to send us a leader, and seeing his strong stature and his miracles, and hearing his words against taxes and oppression, few doubt that it is Yeshua whom God has called.”

  108 “That is not why he is here,” protested Shim'on. 

  109 “What has happened to you?” demanded one of the zealots. “Are you not Shim'on the Fierce? Your reputation as a zealot has gone before you, but today you sound like a sheep afraid of his own shadow.

  110 Look around at this crowd,” he said pointing at the multitude. “Half the people here are zealots like us, looking to Yeshua and seeing the salvation we have been waiting for. Surely this is a day given by God, and we shall heed the call to deliver our people. 

  111 Do not waste time with petty diversions of words. Let the master know we are here and ready to fight.”

  112 Shim'on shook his head and said unto them, “I am Shim'on once known as the Fierce, but Yeshua has changed my heart to a peace my life has never known. He is here for your salvation and mine, but it is a salvation of the soul, not of the sword.”

  113 “We shall see,” one of the zealots replied. “Let him know we are here, amassing even now in Jerusalem, waiting his initiative. There will never be another time as ripe as this one. Make sure he knows.” With those words, the two men disappeared back into the crowd.

  114 Shim'on went immediately to tell Yeshua of his encounter and when he had an opening he pulled him aside to relate his conversation with the zealots. 

  115 Yeshua already knowing of their conversation, stopped him before he could speak, saying, “You spoke well to your two visitors Shim'on, although they seemed to be deficient in hearing for they did not comprehend your words.”

  116 “I tried to explain that you are not here to lead an army of revolt,” Shim'on began. “But having once been a zealot, I can say that other alternatives are not much considered, so they did not believe me when I refuted their desires.”

  117 “Worry not about this,” Yeshua consoled Shim'on. “The zealots have a more important part to play than they realize in the days to come.”

  118 “I do not understand,” Shim'on said with bewilderment.

  119 “You soon will,” Yeshua reassured him. “When you encounter the zealots again, tell them you have spoken to me, and reaffirm that I will not be leading or participating in their revolt.”

Parable of the Sower

  120 That same day Yeshua stood outside the temple and preached in parables to the large crowd that had come to see him.

  121 And he said unto them, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

  122 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

  123 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear."

Parable of the Weeds

 124 Yeshua told them another parable, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

 125 The owner's servants came to him and said, Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?

 126 An enemy did this, he replied.

 127 The servants asked him, Do you want us to go and pull them up?

 128 No, he answered, because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn."

Parable of the Tiny Unknown Seed

 129 Then he told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a small unknown seed, which a man took and planted in his field because it appeared unique and curious.

 130 Though it was tiny, when it grew, it became a tree, so vast that the birds of the air came and perched in its branches and built nests and thrived."

Parable of the Yeast

 131 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is also like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

 132 Yeshua spoke all these things to the crowd in parables and he did not say anything to them without using a parable.

 133 So it was fulfilled that which was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."

 134 For a moment Yeshua stopped speaking and told the multitude to remain while he rested a moment.  Then the Apostles came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

 135 Yeshua replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given to you, but not to them, because you have seen the light and embraced it into your heart, but they have seen the light yet kept their hearts closed.

 136 Whoever has been a good steward of his life will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever has not been a good steward, even what he has will be taken from him.

 137 This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

 138 For the hearts of these people have become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.

 139 Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn to the Celestine Light, and then I would heal more than the infirmities of their body, I would enliven their spirit with the light that is never extinguished.

 140 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. Many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you have seen, but did not see it, and to hear what you have heard, but did not hear it.

 141 Listen now to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the adversary within comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

 142 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, the adversary within steals his courage and he quickly falls away.

 143 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the adversary within allows the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth to choke it, making it unfruitful.

 144 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He overcomes the adversary within and produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

 145 “Can you also explain the parable of the weeds?” Asked Salome.

 146 Yeshua nodded in affirmation and said unto them, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Light.

 147 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons and daughters of the kingdom.

 148 The weeds are the people of the world who sin without repentance and restitution, and the enemy who sows them is Lucifer who ever works to bring out the worst in all people and stir the adversary within.

 149 The harvest is the end of the mortal life, and the harvesters are angels.

 150 As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the mortal life of they who acquiesced to the adversary within and sowed darkness instead of light.

 151 The Son of Light shall send out his angels, and they will weed out his kingdom of everything that invites and entices to sin, and all the weak of will who have given into the adversary within and given excuse to evil rather than sincere repentance and restitution.

 152 The wages of unrepentant sin are torment of the soul, because those of darkness cannot bear the brightness of the light, but they shall still long forlornly for the light they cannot bear. 

153 The angels will release them to be drawn by their own resonance into the fiery furnace, fueled by their own despair for what might have been. There they shall remain, wallowing in the torment of their own creation, within the darkness they can scarcely bear, until they become greater than their adversary within and return to the glory of the light through repentance and restitution.

 154 The wheat are the righteous, those that have endeavored continually to do good, and sincerely and fully repented when they have done wrong, and they will shine like the sun with me in the kingdom of heaven, forever.”

Parable of the Hidden Treasure

 155 Then Yeshua spoke again to the multitude in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

156 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it, for its worth exceeded all else.

Parable of the Fish in the Net

 157 Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.

 158 This is how it will be at the end of mortality. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and release the wicked to be drawn into the fiery furnace by their disharmonious resonance. And there shall be much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

 159 In the world of the darkness and fire, the wicked will see what could have so easily been in the world of the light. But even seeing, even knowing and understanding how simple it would be to change, most will still be unwilling to walk the path of repentance and turn torment into joy because of the restitution they would have to make.

 160 Have you understood all these things?" Yeshua asked. "Yes," they replied.

 161 “May your affirmation lead you to greater light,” Yeshua encouraged. "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the true Celestine Light of the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures, as well as old."

Unwashed Hands

 162 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Yeshua and asked, "Why do your Apostles break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"

 163 Yeshua replied with a laugh, "Can you not think of something new to ask? Only when you are near do they not wash their hands, for I have asked them not to do so whenever they see you, to refute your traditions.

 164 A greater question is why do you break the command of Elohim for the sake of your tradition? For in the Commandments of Sinai Elohim said, Honor your father and mother. But you say that it is acceptable if a man says to his father or mother, Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me I cannot give for it is a gift devoted to God.

 165 Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; and their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

 166 Yeshua called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, unhealthy perhaps, but not unclean. But what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean before Elohim."

 167 Then the Apostles came to him and Cephas said, "You are making more enemies everyday. You know that the Pharisees were greatly offended when they heard what you said?"

 168 Yeshua answered him, saying, "Every plant that does not grow under the light of our Heavenly Mother and Father will be pulled up by the roots. 

 169 Do not concern yourselves with them or those who follow them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

 170 Yohannan then asked, "Will you also explain the last parable to us."

 171 Yeshua replied, “Lest I begin to think you are dull or not listening closely yourself, why don't you tell us what it means, for I will not long be with you to answer such questions."

 172 Yohannan stammered a little as he was put on the spot and tried to answer, but then he found his voice and replied, “Whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body. So though it may be unhealthy, and make a man sick if he does not eat with prudence, it is not unclean.

 173 But the things that come out of the mouth, the words a man speaks, these come from his heart, and these are the things that make a man unclean if they are contrary to the Celestine Light of Elohim.

 174 For out of the heart can come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander and many more things of darkness.

 175 Certainly, these are what make a man unclean, but eating with unwashed hands, though not wise, does not make him unclean."

 176 “Well spoken!” Yeshua exclaimed. “Now all of you, remember to ponder upon my words often that you may understand them fully. Be at peace in your heart and in love with the light, and surely the Holy Spirit of Elohim will ever enlighten you to the greater truths.”

Parable of the Two Sons

 177 Turning again to the multitude that had gathered to hear him speak Yeshua noticed that more Sadducees and Pharisees had appeared among the crowd near him.

 178 And he spoke to them again in parables, saying, “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, Son, go and work today in the vineyard.

 179 I will not, he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

 180 Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, I will, sir, but he did not go.”

 181 Addressing the Sadducees and Pharisees directly, Yeshua asked, “Which of the two did what his father wanted?"

 182 "The first," they answered. And Yeshua replied to them, “And you are like unto the second. Verily, the tax collectors and the prostitutes will enter the Kingdom of Heaven ahead of you, for they have seen the error of their ways and have been humbled unto repentance. But you, seeing the error of your sins, remain haughty and full of words that justify, but empty of deeds that testify.

 183 Remember my brother Yochanan? He came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, and heard the purity of the light as it was spoken from his lips, you did not repent and believe him. What is this sand you stand upon?

Parable of the Unworthy Tenants

 184 Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey.

 185 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

 186 The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

 187 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way.

 188 Last of all, he sent his son to them. They will respect my son, he thought.

 189 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.

 190 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

 191 "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"

 192 "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "And he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time."

 193 Yeshua said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?

 194 Therefore I tell you that you that like the evil tenants you have failed in your stewardship, and the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

 195 Like Belshazzar you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting and your kingdom shall be given to another.  He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, and he on whom it falls will be crushed."

 196 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard the parables of Yeshua, they were greatly offended, for it was obvious to everyone that in many of his stories he was talking about them. They looked then for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet and a healer sent by God.

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

 197 Yeshua spoke to the religious leaders and the multitude again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

 198 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

 199 Then he sent some more servants and said, Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: Every type of delicacy imaginable, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.

 200 But the invitees paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed some of them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

 201 Then he said to his servants, The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find. But tell them to come prepared for the occasion and to give the honor that is due.

 202 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both the good and bad who said they would come prepared and willing to give the honor that was due, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

 203 But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. Friend, he said, You disrespect me and the honor I have given you. Why are you here without wedding clothes? The man was speechless to have been caught unprepared, for he had thought to partake of the banquet without needing to pay tribute to the king.

 204 Then the king told the attendants, Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth for what has been lost and could have been.

 205 Verily, many are invited to partake of the Celestine Light, but few are worthy to be chosen.”

Parable of the Ten Virgins

 206 And he spoke another parable unto them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

 207 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

 208 At midnight the cry rang out: Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!

 209 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.

 210 No, they replied, we have prepared ourselves to be ready for the bridegroom and we do not have enough oil for both us and you. You must go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.

 211 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

 212 Later the others also came. Sir! Sir! they said. Open the door for us!

 213 But he replied, Your lamps were needed at the beginning and now there is no place for you.

 214 Therefore be prepared. Live your life each day in ways that are worthy of the Celestine Light within you, and the eternal reward that awaits the valiant.  Because you do not know the day or the hour when your soul shall be called to come before Elohim to be weighed in the balance.

Parable of the Talents Multiplied

 215 Again, I urge you not to neglect the stewardship of your life. It is like a man going on a journey who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

 216 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

 217 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. Master, he said, You entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.

 218 His master replied, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!

 219 The man with the two talents also came. Master, he said, You entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.

 220 His master replied, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!

 221 Then the man who had received the one talent came. Master, he said, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.

 222 His master replied, You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have at least received it back with some interest.

 223 Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. He ordered.

 224 For everyone who multiplies will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But whoever does not multiply, even what he has will be taken from him.

 225 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth for what might have been.

Parable of Helping a Stranger

 226 When the Son of Light reigns in his majesty, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

 227 Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father and Mother; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

 228 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me.

 229 Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in; or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

 230 The King will reply, Verily, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.

 231 Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who were selfish, into the tormenting fire prepared for the unworthy. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.

 232 They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?

 233 He will reply, Verily, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did not do for me.

 234 Then they will go away to the torment they have earned by their selfishness, but the righteous will enter into eternal life and glory because of their selfless love.”

 235 Then Yeshua was finished speaking and he departed again to Bethany to be with his children for the evening.