the funeral procession scattered in all directions, until only the
sobbing mother and the youth remained, weeping in their mutual love
and joy, and forgetting even the Master and His followers in their
great flood of affection.
And, leaving them thus, Jesus and His followers passed away on their
pilgrimage. But the fame of the miracle spread from town to town, even
up to the great capital, Jerusalem. And men wondered or doubted,
according to their natures, while the temporal and ecclesiastical
authorities began to again ask themselves and each other whether this
man were not a dangerous person and an enemy to established custom and
order.
In one of His journeys Jesus found Himself invited to the house of a
leading citizen of the town in which He was preaching. This citizen
was one of the class known as Pharisees, whose characteristics were an
extreme devotion and adherence to forms and ceremonies and a bigoted
insistence upon the observance of the letter of the law. The Pharisees
were the ultra-orthodox center of an orthodox people. They were the
straight-laced brethren who walked so erect that they leaned backward.
They were the people who thanked God that they were not like unto
other men. They were the "uncommonly good" members of church and
society. The very name stands even unto this day as a synonym for
"pious sham."
Just why this Pharisee had invited the Master to dine with him is not
easily understood. It is likely that it was a combination of curiosity
and a desire to entrap his guest into statements and admissions that
might be used against him. At any rate, the invitation was given and
accepted.
The Master noted that certain little ceremonies usually extended by
the Hebrews to a guest of equal standing were omitted by His host. His
head was not anointed with the ceremonial oil, as was the custom in
houses of this character when the guest was honored as an equal or
desirable addition to the family gathering. Clearly He was regarded as
a curiosity or "freak" rather than as a friend, and had been invited
in such a spirit. But He said nothing, and passed over the slight. And
the meal passed along smoothly up to a certain point.
The host and his guests were reclining easily, after the Oriental
fashion, discussing various topics, when a woman pressed her way into
the banquet hall. Her dress proclaimed her to be one of the women of
easy virtue abounding in all Oriental towns. She was clad in showy
apparel and her hair fell loosely over her shoulders after the custom
of the women of her kind in that land. She fixed her eyes upon the
Master and moved slowly toward him, much to the annoyance of the host,
who feared a scene, for the Master would most likely administer a
rebuke to the woman for presuming to intrude upon the presence of Him,
a spiritual teacher.
But the woman still pressed forward toward Him, and at last, bending
down low, her head touching His feet, she burst into tears. She had
heard the Master preach some time before, and the seeds of His
teaching had taken root and had now blossomed within her heart; and
she had come to acknowledge her allegiance and to render an offering
to Him whom she revered. The coming into His presence was her token of
a spiritual regeneration and a desire to begin a new life. Her tears
flowed over His feet, and she dried them off with her long hair. Then
she kissed His feet, as a token of her allegiance and worship.
From her neck hung a chain holding a little box filled with precious
perfumed oil, which she esteemed highly, as did all the people of her
race. The oil was of the nature of attar of roses and was the
essential oil extracted from fragrant blossoms. She broke the seal and
poured the fragrant oil over the hands and feet of the Master, who
rebuked her not, but who accepted the tribute even from such a source.
The host began to indulge in thoughts not flattering to the
intelligence of his guest, and a scarcely concealed sneer appeared on
his lips.
Then Jesus turned to His host and with a smile said to him: "Simon, in
thy mind thou thinkest these words: 'If this man be indeed a prophet,
would he not know what manner of woman this be who toucheth him, and
would he not rebuke her and drive her from him?'" And the Pharisee was
sorely confused, for the Master had read his thought word for word by
the method known to occultists as telepathy. And then in gentle
raillery the Master called his host's attention to the fact that the
woman had performed the service which he, the host, had neglected to
observe. Had she not bathed and dried His feet, as the Pharisee would
have done had his guest been deemed worthy of honor? Had she not
anointed Him with precious oil, as the host would have anointed an
honored guest? Had she not impressed upon even His feet the kiss that
etiquette required the host to impress upon the cheek of the esteemed
visitor to his house? And as for the character of the woman, it had
been fully recognized and forgiven. "Much hath been forgiven her, for
she hath loved greatly." And, turning to the woman, He added, "Go in
peace, for thy sins are forgiven thee." And the woman departed with a
new expression on her face and a firm resolve in her heart, for the
Master had forgiven and blessed her.
But by this act Jesus brought upon His head the hatred of the Pharisee
and his friends. He had dared rebuke the host in his own palace, and
had moreover arrogated to Himself the sacred rite to pronounce
remission of sins, a right vested solely in the high-priest of the
Temple, upon the performance of certain ceremonies and sacrifices upon
the altar. He had flung defiance at vested ecclesiastical right and
functions, even in the house of one of the stanchest adherents of
formalism and authority--a Pharisee.
In this incident was shown not only the broadness of Jesus' views and
the universality of His love, as well as His courage in defying the
hated formalism, even in the palace of its stanchest advocates, but
also His attitude toward women. The Jews as a race held women in but
scant esteem. They were not deemed worthy to sit with the men in the
synagogue. It was deemed unworthy of a man to mention his female
relations in general company. They were regarded as inferior in every
way to men, and were treated as almost unclean in their most sacred
natural functions.
Toward fallen women especially Jesus was ever considerate. He saw
their temptation and the social cruelty of their position. He resented
"the double standard" of virtue which allowed a man to commit certain
offenses and still be respected, while the woman who committed the
same offense was damned socially, reviled and treated as a shameful
outcast. He was ever ready to voice a defense for women of this kind,
and seemed to be ever actuated by the sense of injustice in the
attitude of men toward them, which finally voiced itself on a notable
occasion when called upon to pass judgment upon the woman taken in
adultery: "Let him among ye who is without sin cast the first stone."
No wonder that the outcast woman kissed His feet and poured out the
precious ointment upon Him. He was the Friend to such as she.
THE SEVENTH LESSON.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
The ministry of Jesus went on in about the same channels. Wandering
here and there throughout the country, preaching and teaching in this
town and that village, gathering around Him new followers, Jesus
continued His work. He adapted Himself to His audience, giving to each
what it needed, and not making the mistake of speaking over the heads
of the people. He gave the general public the broad general teachings
that they required, but He reserved the Inner Teachings for the Inner
Circle of His followers whom He knew to be fit to receive the same. In
this He showed a deep knowledge of men, and a strict accordance with
the established custom of the mystics, who never make the mistake of
giving the higher spiritual mathematics to the students who are
learning the addition, subtraction and division rules of the occult.
He cautioned His apostles regarding this point of teaching, even going
so far as warning them positively and strongly against "casting pearls
before swine."
One night He was in a boat crossing the lake of Gennesaret, in company
with some of His fisherman followers. Tired out by the strenuous work
of the day, He wrapped Himself up in His robe and fell into a deep
sleep, from which He was later awakened by a noise and commotion among
the crew and passengers. A terrible lake storm had sprung up, and the
little vessel was tossing and pitching about among the waves in a
manner which gave concern to even the experienced fishermen who manned
her. The sails had been torn off, carrying away with them a portion of
the mast, and the boat refused to respond to her rudder, the steering
gear being rendered useless. The crew became panic-stricken and
rushing to Jesus besought Him to save them from death in the storm.
"Master! Master! Help ere we perish. The boat is foundering! Save us,
Master!"
The Master arose and, using His occult power, caused the winds to
cease their tempestuous activity, and the waves to become calm. He
followed the Oriental occultists' custom of voicing His commands in
words, not that the words had any virtue in themselves, but because
they served a vehicle for His concentrated thought and focused will
which He was using in his manifestation of occult power. With this
knowledge of the process, occultists smile when they read the _naïve_
account of the occurrence in the Gospels, where Jesus is described as
addressing and rebuking the rebellious winds and then gently and
kindly soothing the waters with words of "Peace, be still!" The
fishermen who witnessed the occurrence, and from whom the reports
thereof spread among the people, not understanding the nature of
occult manifestations, thought that He was addressing the winds as
actual entities, rebuking them and bidding them cease their vicious
work, and soothing the sea in the same manner.
They did not comprehend the mental processes back of the words, and in
their simplicity thought that He was actually rebuking the wind and
soothing the waters. All occultists know that in "treating" material
conditions the process is rendered much easier and simpler if we will
but think of and "speak to" the condition as if it had intelligence
and actual being, thus more easily directing the forces.
Obeying the thought and will of the Master, the winds abated their
fury and the waters ceased their troubling. Gradually the boat rested
easily upon the bosom of the lake, and the crew breathed freely once
more, and then began their work of righting the mast and steering
gear. And they wondered as they worked and asked each other "What
manner of man is this, whom even the winds and the waters obey?" And
Jesus, looking sadly at them, voiced that cry of the mystic who knows
of the inherent and latent powers of man over material conditions,
awaiting the exercise of the Will that may be exercised only in
response to a great Faith. He answered them, saying, "Oh, ye of little
Faith. What had you to fear?"
To the mystic it seems strange that people are able to read the Gospel
accounts of the above and similar events and yet see no more in them
than a mere recital of miracles wrought by some supernatural power. To
the reader who has learned the fundamental truths, the New Testament
record of the wonder-working of Jesus, even as imperfect as that
record is, is full of advanced occult instructions stated so plainly
that it seems as if even the casual reader must recognize it. But no,
the old rule is still in force--each reads only that for which he is
ready--each must bring something to a book, before he may expect to
take anything away from it--to him that hath shall be given. Ever the
same old mystic truth, manifest ever and ever, at all times and in all
places. It is a fundamental law of the mind.
The journey across the lake was attended by another manifestation of
occult power which is often passed over by the church teachers without
comment, or at least with a labored endeavor to "explain" the evident
meaning of the narrative. The modern materialistic trend of thought
has invaded even the churches and has caused the preachers and
teachers to endeavor to escape the accusation of "believing in
spirits" and similar phenomena of the Astral World.
When the company reached the coast of Gergesa, on the opposite side of
the lake, it disembarked and Jesus and His disciples pressed in toward
the coast towns. As they passed among the cliffs lining the shore,
they perceived two uncanny wandering figures which, gibbering,
followed them along. The two maniacs, for such they were, approached
the party, and one of them began to address the Master in a strange
manner, beseeching Him to relieve the two of the devils possessing
them. He called aloud, "O Master, thou Son of the Living God, have
mercy upon us, and drive away the unclean things that we have allowed
to enter into us."
The Gospels say nothing regarding the cause of this demoniac
obsession, and the preachers prefer to pass over it rapidly, or else
to treat it as a delusion of the insane, notwithstanding the direct
statement of the New Testament narrative and its sequel or concluding
statement. But the occult traditions have it that these two men were
victims of their dabbling into certain phases of psychic phenomena,
i.e., the "raising up of spirits" by the arts of Black Magic. In other
words, these men had been experimenting along the lines of Jewish
Necromancy, or Invocation and Evocation of Disembodied Astral
Intelligences by means of Conjuration. They had raised up Astral
Intelligences that had then refused to retire to their own plane, but
which had taken possession of the physical organisms of their invokers
and had remained in possession, causing the men to be regarded as
maniacs, which resulted in their becoming outcasts among the caves
with which the cliffs abounded, the same places being also the tombs
of the dead. We do not wish to go into details here regarding this
matter, but we wish to give the occult explanation of this little
understood "miracle" of Jesus, which, however, is clearly understood
by all occultists.
Jesus fully understood the nature of the trouble, and began at once to
drive out these invading Astral Intelligences by means of his occult
power. In a few moments, a cry was heard from the hills near by, and a
great herd of swine were seen rushing down the hill, and in a moment
were over the precipice and were soon drowned. The Gospel narrative is
perfectly plain on this subject--it states that the legions of devils
had passed from the men into the swine and the latter had plunged in
terror into the water and were drowned. Jesus had distinctly and
positively spoken to the demons, calling them "unclean spirits," and
bidding them "come out" of the men. And all advanced students of
Occultism understand why the pigs were used as intermediate
instruments of the driving back of the Astral Intelligences to their
own plane of life, which reason, however, is not in place or keeping
in this work intended for general public reading.
The maniacs were restored to their normal condition, and the
traditions say that the Master instructed them regarding the evil
courses which they had been pursuing, and bade them desist from their
nefarious practices which had wrought such evil consequences upon
them.
The church and its preachers, with but few exceptions, have seen fit
to ignore the frequent Biblical allusions to "devils," "demons," etc.;
their position being practically that the writers of the events of
Jesus' ministry (whom they otherwise consider to have been "inspired")
must have been superstitious, credulous people believing in "the
absurd demonology of their times." They ignore the fact that Jesus
Himself repeatedly spoke to these intelligences, bidding them depart
from the people whom they had been obsessing. Does the church wish to
hold that the Master was also an ignorant, credulous peasant, sharing
popular superstitions? It would seem so. We must except the Catholic
Church from this criticism, for its authorities have recognized the
true state of affairs and have warned its followers against indulging
in the dark practices of Necromancy or Invocation of Astral
Intelligences.
Occult science informs its students of the various planes of life,
each of which contains its inhabitants. It teaches that on the Astral
Plane there are disembodied entities which should not be transplanted
to our plane. And it warns all against the dark practices, so common
in ancient times and in the Middle Ages, of invoking and evoking these
undesirable denizens of that plane. It is to be regretted that some of
the modern Psychic Researchers ignore these plain warnings, for some
of them are laying themselves open to grave consequences by reason of
their wilful folly. We urge upon our readers to refrain from this
dabbling in the phenomena of the Astral Plane. Some writer has well
compared "Psychism" to a great machine, in the cog-wheels of which
persons may become entangled only to be afterward drawn into the
machine itself. Keep away from the wheels!
This "miracle" of Jesus aroused great excitement, and it was urged
against Him that He was going about the country driving devils into
people's flocks and herds, causing their destruction. The priests
fomented the popular feeling, and encouraged the distrust, hatred and
fear which the orthodox portion of the community was beginning to
entertain toward the Master. The seeds of Calvary were being sown
among the people. And their awful fruit was latent in them. Hate and
bigotry were the essence of both seed and fruit.
Jesus returned to Capernaum, and once more the little town was crowded
with people seeking instruction and crying to be healed. The news of
his wonderful healing power spread far and near, and people were
carried on litters for many miles in order that they might be touched
by the hands of the Master.
About this time there came to Him one Jairus, a man of eminence in the
community and in the church. Jairus had a little daughter about twelve
years of age, who was taken seriously ill, and who had been given up
as incurable by the physicians.
With his daughter lying at death's door, Jairus hastened to the scene
of the Master's meetings, and, throwing himself at His feet, besought
Him to heal his beloved child ere she passed beyond the dark portals
of the unknown. The Master, feeling compassion for the father's great
grief, paused in His teaching and started toward Jairus' home. His
mind charged with the concentration of healing thought, and His
organism filled with the vital forces aroused to perform the task, He
felt some one touch the hem of His garment in search of healing power,
and He at once recognized the occurrence, saying, "The power hath been
drawn from me. Who touched my garment?" As they approached the house
of Jairus, the servants came running out with wild cries and
lamentations, announcing that the child had died while awaiting the
coming of the Healer. The father broke down at this terrible news,
coming at the very moment of his greatest hope. But Jesus bade him to
have faith and still believe. Then, accompanied by three of His
disciples--John, Peter and James--He entered the chamber of death.
Waving back the weeping family and the neighbors who had gathered,
"Stand back," He cried, "the child is not dead--she but sleepeth."
An indignant cry went up from the orthodox relatives and friends at
these words of the Master. How dared He so mock the very presence of
the dead, whom the physicians had left, and over whom the priests had
already begun the last sacred rites? But, heeding them not, the Master
passed His hands over the child's head, and took her little cold palms
within his own. Then began a strange happening. The little chest began
to heave, and the white wan cheeks began to show traces of color. Then
the arms and hands began to move, and the wasted limbs drew slightly
up. Then, opening her eyes with a wondering look, the child gazed at
the Healer and smiled gently at Him. Then the Master, with a look of
gentle tenderness, withdrew from the room, after ordering that
nourishing food be brought for the child.
Then began the usual dispute. Some declared that another had been
raised from the dead, while others declared that the child had but
been in a trance and would have awakened anyway. Had not even the
Healer declared that she only slept? But Jesus heeded not the
disputants, but returned to the scene of His work.
The work went on in its accustomed way. He began to send His apostles
away on longer and more extended tours, having fully instructed them
in the occult methods of healing. Great success attended their efforts
and the best reports came in from all sides. The authorities
recognized to a still greater extent the growing influence of the
young Master, and His actions were still more closely watched by the
spies. Reports of His teachings and work were carried to Herod, who,
recognizing in them the same note that had been struck by John the
Baptist, who had been put to death, perceived that though men might
die, the spirit of their teachings would still live on. No wonder the
guilty ruler should cry in terror, "This verily is the spirit of John,
whom I put to death, risen from the grave to wreak vengeance upon me!"
And the authorities reported to Rome that here was a young fanatic,
whom many believed to be the Messiah and coming King of the Jews, who
had thousands of followers all over the land. And word came back from
Rome, in due time, to watch carefully over the man, who was
undoubtedly striving to incite an insurrection, and to imprison Him or
put Him to death as soon as the evidence was sufficient to convict
Him.
Jesus about this time was near a small fishing town called Bethseda,
on the lake about seven miles from Capernaum. Near this place His boat
landed at a place on the beach where He had hoped to take a few days'
rest. But, alas, a great crowd had hastened to the place of
disembarkation, and now gathered around Him, demanding teaching and
healing. Putting aside His mental and physical fatigue, He attended to
the wants of the crowd. Healing now, and then teaching, He threw
Himself into His work with fervor and zeal. There were over five
thousand people gathered together around Him, and toward evening the
cry went up that there was not sufficient food in the camp to begin to
feed the multitude. A great tumult arose among the crowd, and
complaints and even curses began to be heard. The spiritual wants were
forgotten, and the physical began to manifest itself in a most
insistent manner. What was to be done?
He called together those of His company who had been entrusted with
the care of the food which the little company carried with it. And, to
His sorrow, He learned that the entire stock of food consisted of five
loaves of bread and two fishes. And the little band carried
practically no money with it, for they depended upon the hospitality
of the country and the offerings by the faithful. The disciples
advised that the Master order the crowd to disperse and return to
Bethseda for food. But Jesus felt loath to do this, particularly when
there were so many invalids in the gathering who had traveled so many
miles to see Him, and who had not yet been healed. And so He decided
to give the company its food by means of His power.
He bade His people divide the multitude into little groups of fifty
people, who were then instructed to be seated for a meal. Then He
ordered the scanty supply of available food to be brought before Him,
and, placing His hands over it, He offered a blessing, then ordered
His people to serve the throng. They began to serve out the food with
looks of wonder and amazement. Had the Master lost His senses? But in
some way the food seemed miraculously to increase and multiply, until
at last all of the five thousand had been fully supplied and their
hunger appeased. And then, after all had been served and had eaten,
the scraps and fragments which were gathered up filled many wicker
baskets and were distributed to the poorer people in the company for
tomorrow's use.