nl-Chapter 11 – The Ministry of Jesus on Earth

The Baptism in the Jordan; Time of Preparation in the Desert

1. Jesus, the loving and humble Nazarene, who had been waiting for the hour when the divine Word would come from his mouth, sought out John on the banks of the Jordan to receive the waters of baptism. Did Jesus go there in a desire for purification? No, my people. Did he go to perform a ritual? No, not that either. Jesus knew that the hour had come when He Himself would cease to be, when the man would vanish to let the Spirit speak, and He wished to mark that hour with an act that would be etched into the memory of mankind.

2. The symbolic water had no blemish to wash away, but it did free that body—as an example for humanity—from every attachment to the world, so that it might willingly become one with the Spirit . This happened when those who were present heard a divine voice speaking in human words: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."

3. From that moment on, the Word of God became the Word of eternal life on the lips of Jesus, because Christ revealed Himself in fullness through Him. People called Him Rabbi, Master, Messenger, Messiah, and Son of God. (308, 25–27)

4. Afterward, I withdrew into the desert to meditate and to teach you to enter into dialogue with the Creator, and to contemplate in the silence of the desert the work that awaited Me, and thereby to teach you that you must first purify yourselves before you set out to fulfill the work I have entrusted to you. Seek, then, in the silence of your being, direct communion with your Father, and thus prepared—purified, strengthened, and determined—set out unwaveringly to fulfill your difficult mission. (113, 9)

The Unity of Jesus with God

5. For three years I spoke to the world through Jesus' mouth, without a single one of My words or thoughts being distorted by that mind, without a single one of his actions failing to be in accordance with My will. The reason for this was that Jesus and Christ, man and Spirit, were one, just as Christ is one with the Father. (308, 28)

6. Recognize the Father in Me; for truly, I tell you, Christ has been one with the Father from eternity, even before the worlds were.

7. In the "Second Age," this Christ, who is one with God, became human on earth in the blessed body of Jesus and thus became the Son of God, yet only in regard to His humanity. For I tell you once again that there is only one God. (9, 48)

8. When I became human in Jesus, it was not to make you understand that God has a human form, but to make Myself visible and audible to those who were blind and deaf to all that is divine.

9. Truly, I tell you, if the body of Jesus had been the form of Jehovah, it would neither have bled nor died. It was a perfect body, yet human and sensitive, so that people might see Him and hear the voice of their Heavenly Father through Him. (3, 82)

10. There were two natures in Jesus: one material, human, created by My will in the virgin womb of Mary, which I called the Son of Man, and the other, divine—the Spirit, which was called the Son of God. In this was the "Divine Word" of the Father, which spoke in Jesus; the other was merely material and visible. (21:29)

11. It was Christ, the "Word" of God, who spoke through the mouth of Jesus, the pure and upright man.

12. The man Jesus was born, lived, and died; but as for Christ: He was not born, nor did He grow up in the world, nor did He die, for He is the Voice of Love, the Spirit of Love, the Divine Word, the expression of the Creator's wisdom, who has always been in the Father. (91, 28-29)

The Failure to Recognize Jesus as the Expected Messiah

13. I was not recognized by everyone in the "Second Era." When I appeared among the Jewish people, who were already expecting Me because they saw the signs given by the prophets fulfilled, My presence threw many into confusion—those who did not know how to interpret the prophets correctly and expected to see their Messiah as a mighty prince who would overthrow His enemies, who would humble the kings and the oppressors, and grant possessions and earthly goods.

14. When that people saw Jesus—poor and without trousers, his body covered only by a simple garment; born in a stable and later working as a simple craftsman—they could not believe that he was the One sent by the Father, the Promised One. The Master would have to perform visible miracles and works so that they might believe in him and understand his divine message. (227, 12–13)

15. It has always been the humble and the poor who have discovered my presence, because their minds are not occupied with human theories that cloud their clear judgment.

16. In the "Second Era," it likewise happened that—although the coming of the Messiah had been announced—only those of simple heart, humble spirit, and unburdened mind recognized Him intuitively when He came.

17. The theologians held the Book of the Prophets in their hands, and daily they repeated the words that foretold the signs, the time, and the manner of the Messiah's coming, and yet—they saw Me and did not recognize Me; they listened to Me and denied that I was the promised Savior. They saw My works, yet the only thing they knew how to do was to be indignant at them, even though in truth they had all been prophesied. (150, 21–23)

18. Today, people no longer doubt Jesus, but many debate and even deny My divinity. Some acknowledge My great spiritual elevation; others claim that I, too, am traversing the soul's path of development in order to reach the Father. Yet if that were the case, I would not have told you: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (170, 7)

Jesus as a Savior Among the Common People

19. Your task is to follow the example of your Divine Master on His earthly journey. Remember: Whenever I appeared in homes, I left a message of peace in all of them; I healed the sick and comforted the sorrowful with the divine authority that love possesses.

20. I never failed to enter a house because they would not believe in Me there; I knew that upon leaving that place, the hearts of its inhabitants would be overflowing with joy, for, without knowing it, their spirit had glimpsed the Kingdom of Heaven through My teaching.

21. At times I sought out their hearts; at other times, they sought Me; yet in every case, My love was the bread of eternal life that I gave them through the meaning of My Word. (28, 3-5)

The Tireless Preacher Jesus

22. On some occasions when I withdrew to the solitude of some valley, I remained alone only for a few moments, because the crowds, eager to hear Me, drew near to their Master in longing for the infinite goodness of His gaze. I received them and showered those men, women, and children with the warmth of My boundless mercy, for I knew that in every creature there is a soul for whose sake I had come into the world. Then I spoke to them of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is the true home of the spirit, so that they might soothe their inner restlessness through My Word and be strengthened by the hope of attaining eternal life.

23. It happened that, hidden among the crowd, there was someone who intended to shout out a denial of My truth and to assert that I was a false prophet; but My word preceded him before he had even had time to open his lips. On other occasions, I allowed some blasphemer to revile Me in order to prove to the crowd that the Master did not become displeased in the face of insults, thereby giving them an example of humility and love.

24. There were some who—ashamed by my gentleness—immediately withdrew and repented of having, through their doubts, wounded the One who proclaimed the truth through his works. As soon as the opportunity arose, they came to Me, following Me along the paths—weeping, moved by My words, without even daring to speak to Me to ask forgiveness for the insults they had previously inflicted upon Me. I called them to Me, comforted them with My words, and granted them some grace. (28:6–7)

25. Hear: When I was with you on earth, people came to Me in droves—people in high positions, full of vanity, rulers who secretly sought Me out to hear Me. Some admired Me, but out of fear they did not confess it openly; others rejected Me.

26. Crowds of people came to Me—men, women, and children—and listened to Me in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night, and they always found the Master ready to give them the Word of God. They saw that the Master forgot Himself, and they could not understand at what hour He ate so that His body would not grow weak and His voice would not falter. The reason was that they did not know that Jesus drew strength from His own Spirit and found nourishment within Himself. (241, 23)

Jesus' Love for Children and Nature

27. Occasionally, when I was alone, I was discovered by children who came to Me to offer Me little flowers, tell Me about some small sorrow, and kiss Me.

28. The mothers were anxiously worried when they found their little ones in My arms, listening to My words. The disciples, who thought this showed a lack of respect toward the Master, tried to drive them away from Me. Then I had to tell them: "Let the children come to Me; for to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you must have the purity, simplicity, and innocence of children."

29. I rejoiced in that innocence and spontaneity, just as one is delighted by the sight of a flower bud just opening. (262, 62-64)

30. How often was Jesus found by his disciples speaking with the various creatures of the earth. How often was the Master surprised in His conversations with the birds, with the fields, with the sea! Yet they knew that their Master was not absent-minded; they knew that within their Master lived the Creator Spirit of the Father, who had given all beings a language, who understood all His "children," who received praise and love from all that He had created.

31. How often did the disciples and the people see Jesus caressing a bird or a flower and blessing everything, and in His eyes they discovered glances of infinite love for all creatures! The disciples sensed the Lord's divine delight when He saw Himself surrounded by so much glory, so much wonder that had sprung from His wisdom, and they also often saw tears in the Master's eyes when He witnessed people's indifference in the face of such glory, the dullness and blindness of human beings toward so much splendor. They often saw the Master weep when he beheld a leper shedding tears because of his leprosy, or men and women lamenting their fate, even though they were surrounded by a sphere of perfect love! (332, 25-26)

The Teachings of Jesus

32. Jesus taught you mercy, gentleness, and love. He taught you to forgive your enemies from the heart, told you to reject falsehood and love the truth. He proclaimed to you that you should always repay evil with good, just as you received good. He taught you respect for each of your neighbors and revealed to you the way to find health of body and soul; how to honor your parents' name with your life, so that you may in turn be honored by your children.

33. These are some of the commandments that everyone who truly wishes to be a Christian must follow. (151, 35–36)

34. When the scribes and the Pharisees observed Jesus' deeds and discovered that they differed from their own, they claimed that the teaching He preached violated the Law of Moses. The reason for this was that they confused the Law with traditions. Yet I proved to them that I had not transgressed the Law that the Father had revealed to Moses, but rather fulfilled it through both words and deeds.

35. Indeed, I set Myself above many of that people's traditions, for the time had already come for them to disappear so that a new era with higher teachings might begin. (149, 42–43)

36. Remember that in the first commandment of the Law, which I gave to humanity through Moses, I said: "You shall not make for yourselves any graven image or likeness of anything in heaven above, on the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth, to bow down to it and worship it." Since then, the path for humanity and the path for the soul have been clearly laid out.

37. Moses did not limit himself to conveying the Ten Commandments to humanity; he also enacted secondary laws for human life and introduced traditions, rites, and symbols within spiritual worship of God, all in accordance with the stages of development that the human spirit was undergoing at that time.

38. But the promised Messiah came and abolished traditions, rites, symbols, and sacrifices, leaving only the Law untouched. Therefore, when the Pharisees told the people that Jesus was opposed to the laws of Moses, I replied to them that I was not against the Law, but had come to fulfill it. If My teachings were to abolish traditions, it would be because the people, in their effort to fulfill them, had forgotten to obey the Law. (254, 17-18)

39. My Word in the present will not erase the words I gave you in the "Second Era." Epochs, centuries, and ages will pass, but the words of Jesus will not pass away. Today I explain and reveal to you the meaning of what I told you then and which you did not understand. (114, 47)

Jesus' "Miracles"

40. So that this teaching might kindle faith in hearts, I simultaneously performed miracles, so that it might be loved by them; and so that these "miracles" might be as tangible as possible, I performed them on the bodies of the sick, I healed the blind, the deaf, the mute, the lame, the possessed, the lepers, and I also raised the dead to life.

41. How many miracles of love did Christ perform among men! History has preserved their names as an example for future generations. (151, 37–38)

42. Beings of light in the service of the divine work and others who were rebellious and ignorant made themselves known everywhere, and among that humanity appeared the possessed, whom science was unable to free and who were cast out by the people. Neither the teachers of the law nor the scientists were able to restore health to those sick people.

43. Yet all this was foreseen by Me to teach you and to give you proofs of love. Through Jesus, I granted you the healing of His creatures, to the amazement of many.

44. The unbelievers, who had heard of Jesus' power and knew of His miracles, demanded the most difficult proofs to unsettle Him for a moment and prove that He was not infallible. Yet this deliverance of the possessed—the fact that I restored them to the state of normal human beings simply by touching them, looking at them, or speaking a word of command to them, so that those spirits would leave their minds and both would be freed from their heavy burden—confused them.

45. In the face of this power, the Pharisees, the scientists, the scribes, and the tax collectors reacted in different ways. Some acknowledged Jesus' authority; others attributed His power to unknown influences; still others were unable to say anything about it. But the sick who had been healed blessed His name.

46. Some had been possessed by a single spirit, others by seven, like Mary of Magdala, and some by such a large number that they themselves said they were a legion.

47. Throughout the Master's entire life, one spiritual manifestation followed another. Some were witnessed by the twelve disciples, others by the people—outdoors and in homes. It was a time of miracles, of "wonders." (339, 20–22)

48. The miracle, as you understand it, does not exist; there is no contradiction between the Divine and the material.

49. You attribute many miracles to Jesus; yet truly, I tell you, his deeds were the natural result of love, that divine power which you do not yet know how to use, even though it lies unused within every soul. For you have not wanted to come to know the power of love.

50. What was at work in all the miracles that Jesus performed, other than love?

51. Hearken, disciples: In order for the love of God to be revealed to humanity, the humility of the instrument was necessary, and Jesus was always humble; and since He set an example of this for people, He told you on one occasion that He could do nothing without the will of His Heavenly Father. Whoever fails to grasp the humility of these words will think that Jesus was a man like any other; yet the truth is that He wished to teach you humility.

52. He knew that this humility, this unity with the Father, made him almighty in relation to humanity.

53. O exceedingly great and beautiful transfiguration, which bestows love, humility, and wisdom!

54. Now you know why Jesus, even though he said he could do nothing unless it was in accordance with his Father's will, was in reality capable of everything; for he was obedient, for he was humble, for he made himself a servant of the law and of humanity, and he knew how to love.

55. Recognize, then, that—although you yourselves know some of the capacities of spiritual love—you do not feel them, and therefore you cannot comprehend the cause of all that which you call a miracle or a mystery, which are the works wrought by Divine Love.

56. What teachings did Jesus give you that were not rooted in love? What science, what practices, or what esoteric knowledge did he employ to give you his examples of power and wisdom? Only the blissful love with which one can do all things.

57. There is nothing contradictory in the Father's laws, which are simple because they are wise, and wise because they are imbued with love.

58. Understand the Master; He is your textbook. (17, 11-21)

59. The Spirit that animated Jesus was My own, your God, who became human to dwell among you and allow Himself to be seen, because this was necessary. As a human, I felt all human sufferings. The scientists who had studied the essence of nature came to Me and discovered that they knew nothing of My teaching. Great and small, virtuous and sinful, innocent and guilty alike received the essence of My Word, and I honored all with My presence. Yet although many were called, there were only a few chosen ones, and even fewer who were around Me. (44, 10)

The Adulteress

60. I defended the sinners. Do you not remember the adulteress? When she was brought to Me, pursued and condemned by the crowd, the Pharisees came and asked Me, "What shall we do with her?"—The priests expected Me to say, "Let justice be done," so that they might then reply: 'How is it that you preach love and yet allow this sinner to be punished?' And if I had said, 'Set her free,' they would have replied, 'In the laws of Moses, which you—as you say—uphold, there is a provision that states: Every woman caught in adultery shall be stoned.'

61. Since I recognized their intent, I did not answer their words, but bent down and wrote in the dust of the earth the sins of those who condemned her. Again they asked Me what they should do with that woman, and I answered them: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." Then they recognized their own transgressions and withdrew, covering their faces. None were pure, and since they felt I had seen right into the depths of their hearts, they no longer accused that woman, for they had all sinned. But the woman, and with her others who had likewise broken their marriage vows, repented and sinned no more. I tell you, it is easier to convert a sinner through love than through severity. (44, 11)

Mary Magdalene

62. Mary Magdalene—the sinner, as the world called her—had earned my warmth and my forgiveness.

63. She soon attained her salvation, which does not happen to others who ask for forgiveness for their sins with only weak faith. While she soon found what she sought, others do not attain it.

64. Mary Magdalene was forgiven without boasting of her repentance. She had sinned, just as you sin; yet she had loved deeply.

65. Those who love may exhibit lapses in their human conduct; but love is the warmth that overflows from the heart. If you wish to be forgiven—as you are—then turn your gaze, full of love and trust, toward Me, and you will be acquitted of every transgression.

66. That woman sinned no more; the love that overflowed from her heart, she dedicated to the Master's teaching.

67. She was forgiven, even though she had committed errors. But in her heart burned the fire that purifies, and because of the forgiveness the sinner received, she never again parted from Jesus for a single moment; my disciples, on the other hand, left Me alone in the bloodiest hours. Yet that despised Mary did not part from Me, did not deny Me, was not afraid, nor was she ashamed.

68. Therefore, she was granted the privilege of shedding tears at the foot of My cross and at My tomb. Her soul soon found salvation because she loved deeply.

69. In her heart, too, she possessed the spirit of an apostle. Her conversion shines like the light of truth. She had thrown herself at My feet to say to Me: "Lord, if You will it, I shall be free from sin."

70. You, on the other hand—how often do you try to convince Me of your innocence by covering up your transgressions with long prayers.

71. No, disciples, learn from her; truly love your Lord in each of your fellow human beings. Love abundantly, and your sins will be forgiven. You will be great if you allow this truth to blossom in your hearts. (212, 68–75)

Nicodemus and the Question of Reincarnation

72. At that time I said to Nicodemus, who had come to Me in good faith to speak with Me: "What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised when I tell you that one must be born again." Who understood those words?

73. With them, I wanted to tell you that a single human life is not enough to comprehend even one of My teachings, and that you need many earthly lives to understand the textbook that this life contains within itself. Therefore, the flesh has only the task of serving as a support for the soul on its journey across the earth. (151, 59)

The Transfiguration of Jesus

74. During the "Second Era," Jesus once went on a hike, followed by some of his disciples. They had climbed a mountain, and while the Master filled those men with admiration through his words, they suddenly saw the body of their Lord transfigured, floating in space, with the spirit of Moses at his right hand and that of Elijah at his left.

75. At that supernatural sight, the disciples threw themselves to the ground, blinded by the divine light. But they quickly calmed themselves and suggested to their Master that he put the purple robe of kings over his shoulders, and likewise over Moses and Elijah. Then they heard a voice coming down from the infinite heights, which said: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!"

76. Great fear seized the disciples when they heard that voice, and when they looked up, they saw only the Master, who said to them: "Do not be afraid, and tell no one about this vision until I have risen from the dead." Then they asked their Lord: "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" And Jesus answered them, "Truly, Elijah will come first and set all things right. Yet I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him; rather, they did to him whatever they pleased." Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

77. How often have I, in this present time, made the body through which I communicate invisible before your eyes, only to then allow you to see Me in the human form in which humanity knew Jesus, and yet you have not prostrated yourselves in the face of the new transfiguration.* (29:15–18)

* This phenomenon is also known in parapsychology as "transfiguration," the gradual becoming visible of a

manifesting spirit being.

Lack of Courage to Confess

78. When I lived among you as a human being back then, it often happened that at night, when all were resting, people came to Me, seeking Me out in secret because they feared being discovered. They sought Me out because they felt remorse, having shouted at Me and caused offense against Me while I was speaking to the crowd. Their sense of remorse was even more intense when they realized that My Word had left a gift of peace and light in their hearts and that I had poured out My healing balm upon their bodies.

79. With their heads bowed, they came before Me and said, "Master, forgive us; we have realized that your words contain the truth." I answered them: "If you have discovered that I speak only the truth—why then do you hide yourselves? Do you not go out into the open to receive the rays of the sun when it appears—yet when have you ever been ashamed of that? Whoever loves the truth never conceals it, nor does he deny it, nor is he ashamed of it."

80. I tell you this because I see that many listen to Me only in secret and deny where they have gone—concealing what they have heard, and sometimes denying that they were with Me. Whose are you ashamed of, then? (133, 23-26)

Hostility toward Jesus

81. When I spoke to the crowds of people in the "Second Era," My Word—perfect in meaning and form—was heard by all. My gaze, penetrating into their hearts, discovered everything that each one harbored within. In some there was doubt, in others faith; in still others, a voice filled with fear spoke to Me: They were the sick, whose pain made them hope for a miracle from Me. There were those who sought to hide their mockery when they heard Me say that I had come from the Father to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to mankind, and there were also hearts in which I discovered hatred toward Me and the intention to silence or eliminate Me.

82. It was the arrogant ones, the Pharisees, who felt struck by My truth. For although My Word was so clear, so full of love, and so comforting—although it was always confirmed by mighty works—many people still sought to discover the truth of My presence by judging Me according to the man Jesus, by scrutinizing My life, and by focusing their attention on the simplicity of My garments and My absolute poverty in material goods.

83. Yet not content with condemning Me, they also condemned My disciples, watching them closely, whether they were speaking, following Me along the roads, or sitting down to eat. How the Pharisees were upset when, on a certain occasion, they saw that my disciples had not washed their hands before sitting down to eat! Pitiful minds who confused bodily cleanliness with the purity of the soul! They were unaware that when they touched the holy bread in the temple, their hands were clean, but their hearts were full of rot. (356, 37-38)

84. At every turn, they scrutinized Me. All My deeds and words were judged with evil intent; for the most part, they were confused in the face of My works and proofs, for their minds were incapable of understanding what only the Spirit can comprehend.

85. When I prayed, they said, "Why does he pray, when he claims to be full of power and wisdom? What could he possibly need or ask for?" And when I did not pray, they said that I was not fulfilling their religious precepts.

86. When they saw that I did not take food while my disciples were eating, they judged that I was outside the laws established by God; and when they saw Me taking food, they asked themselves: Why must he eat to live—he who claimed to be the life? They did not understand that I had come into the world to reveal to people how humanity would live after a long period of purification, so that a spiritualized generation might emerge from it, one that would rise above human misery, above the necessary needs of the flesh, and above the passions of the physical senses. (40, 11-13)

Announcement of the Farewell

87. For three years, Jesus lived together with His disciples. He was surrounded by large crowds who loved Him deeply. For those disciples, there was nothing but listening to their Master as He preached His divine teaching. Following in His footsteps, they felt neither hunger nor thirst; there was no stumbling or hindrance; everything was peace and happiness in the atmosphere surrounding that group, and yet—when they were once particularly enraptured by the sight of their beloved Jesus, He spoke to them: "A different time is now coming; I will depart from you, and you will be left behind like sheep among wolves. That hour is drawing near, and it is necessary for Me to return to where I came from. You will be alone for a time and will bring the testimony of what you have seen and heard to those who hunger and thirst for love and justice. Work in My name, and afterward I will take you to Me in the Eternal Home."

88. Those words saddened the disciples, and the closer the hour drew, the more emphatically Jesus repeated that announcement, speaking of His departure. But at the same time, He comforted the hearts of those who listened to Him by telling them that His Spirit would not depart but would continue to watch over the world. As they prepared to bring His Word to the people of that time as a message of comfort and hope, He would speak through their mouths and perform miracles. (354, 26-27)

Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem

89. The crowds welcomed Me with jubilation as I entered the city of Jerusalem. They came in droves from the villages and alleys—men, women, and children—to witness the Master's entry into the city. They were those who had received the miracle and the proof of the Son of God's power—the blind who could now see, the mute who could now sing "Hosanna," the lame who had left their beds and hurried to see the Master at the Passover feast.

90. I knew that this triumph was fleeting; I had already foretold to My disciples what would happen afterward. This was scarcely more than the beginning of my struggle, and today, looking back from a great distance at those events, I tell you that the light of my truth continues to battle against the darkness of ignorance, sin, and deceit, which is why I must add that my final triumph has not yet come.

91. How can you believe that that entry into Jerusalem signified the victory of My cause, when there were only a few who had converted, and many who did not recognize who I was?

92. And even if all those people had converted to My Word—would not many generations still have to follow?

93. That moment of jubilation, that brief, triumphant entry, was merely a symbol of the victory of light, goodness, truth, love, and justice—of the day that must come and to which you are all invited.

94. Know that if even one of My children were then to be outside the New Jerusalem, there would be no celebration, for God could not then speak of triumph; He could not celebrate a victory if His power had not been able to save even the last of His children. (268, 17-21)

95. You are the same as those who sang the Hosanna in the "Second Era" when Jesus entered Jerusalem. Today, as I reveal Myself to you in the Spirit, you no longer spread your cloaks on My path; it is your hearts that you offer to your Lord as a dwelling. Today your Hosanna no longer comes from the depths of your throats; this Hosanna springs from your soul as a hymn of humility, love, and knowledge of the Father, as a hymn of faith in this revelation that your Lord has brought you in the "Third Era."

96. Then as now, you are the same as those who followed Me upon My entry into Jerusalem. The great crowds surrounded Me, captivated by My words of love. Men and women, the elderly, and children shook the city with their shouts of joy, and even the priests and Pharisees, who feared the people might rebel, said to Me: "Master, if You teach peace—why do You allow Your followers to cause such an uproar?" But I answered them: "Truly, I tell you, if these were to be silent, the stones would cry out." For these were moments of jubilation; it was the culmination and glorification of the Messiah among those who hunger and thirst for righteousness—those souls who had long awaited the Lord's coming in fulfillment of the prophecies.

97. With that jubilation and that joy, My people also celebrated their deliverance from Egypt. I wanted to make that remembrance of the Passover unforgettable for My people. But truly, I tell you, I was not merely following a tradition by sacrificing a lamb—no, I offered Myself in Jesus, the Lamb of Sacrifice, as the way through which all My children would find salvation. (318, 57–59)

The Last Supper

98. When Jesus celebrated that Passover meal with His disciples, as was the custom of that people, He said to them: "I now reveal something new to you: Take of this wine and eat of this bread, which represent My blood and My body, and do this in remembrance of Me."

99. After the Master's passing, the disciples commemorated their Lord's sacrifice by drinking wine and eating bread, which were symbols of Him who gave everything out of love for humanity.

100. Over the centuries, peoples divided into denominations have given different interpretations to My words.

101. Today I want to tell you what I felt at that moment, during that Last Supper, when every word and every action of Jesus was a lesson from a book of profound wisdom and infinite love. When I used bread and wine for this purpose, it was to help you understand that they are like love, which is the nourishment and life of the soul; and when I told you, "Do this in remembrance of Me," the Master meant that you should love your neighbors with a love like that of Jesus and give yourselves to people as true nourishment.

102. Every ritual you perform based on these teachings will be fruitless if you do not apply My teachings and examples in your lives. This is precisely what is difficult for you, but therein lies the merit. (151, 29–32; 34)

103. Just as you are now around Me, so it was on that last evening in the "Second Era." The sun was just setting as Jesus spoke with His disciples for the last time in that room. They were the words of a dying Father to His beloved children. There was sorrow in Jesus and also in the disciples, who did not yet know what awaited Him a few hours later—He who had taught them and loved them so dearly. Their Lord was about to depart, yet they did not yet know how. Peter wept, clutching the cup to his heart; John wet the Master's chest with his tears; Matthew and Bartholomew were overcome by my words. Philip and Thomas hid their heartache while they ate. James the Younger and the Elder, Thaddeus, Andrew, and Simon were speechless with grief; yet there was much they spoke to Me in their hearts. Judas Iscariot, too, carried pain in his heart, but also fear and remorse. Yet he could not turn back, for darkness had taken hold of him.

104. When Jesus had spoken His final words and admonitions, those disciples were overcome with tears. Yet one of them was no longer there; his soul could not receive so much love nor behold so much light, and so he departed, for that word had scorched his heart. (94, 56–58)

105. Jesus' divine longing was that his disciples would become sowers of his redeeming teaching.

106. At the climax of his final address to the disciples, which was also the last conversation between the Father and the children, he therefore said to them in a loving tone: "I now give you a new commandment: Love one another."

107. With the light of that Supreme Commandment, he thereby kindled the greatest hope for humanity. (254, 59)