Adobe Photo Course Class Guide for the Beginner Course Instructor: Dr. Pelham Mead, ED.D.
Part I– Introduction to Graphics Terminology, vector graphics, clipart, true pictures, images, pixels, anti-aliasing Computer Basics-saveas important, copy and paste, reading file size in My Computer Types of Adobe Photo programs by Adobe: Adobe Photo, Photo LE, Photo Deluxe. 20 Picture formats .bmp,.gif .tif .jpg Learning the Toolbar (over five classes 15 hrs. only) Color Palettes Vector graphics and raster graphics (pixels vs. mathematical formula)
Part II– The Input tools to learn how to use- Scanners and Digital Cameras
How to use a scanner (using Adobe Photo shop to scan) Everyone will master this skill. Twain driver and what it is (not Mark Twain) Converting scanner .tif file endings to .gif and .jpg , saveas vs. export commands How to use a Digital Camera Everyone will have an opportunity to master this skill Importing pictures in .jpg format, .gif, .bmp, tif , etc. differences in applications
Part III-The Adobe Photo Toolbar Project #1-Working with the Cropping tool (marquee) Instructions:
Opening a 10 photos in Adobe Photo (use sample photos if available) Using the Marquee Icon to crop a picture (4 different icons available) Drag the dotted box outline around the portion of the picture you want to keep. Cropping and Saveas a photo Practice makes perfect. Each student is to scan ten photos and save them on floppy disks as .jpg compressed pictures. Some students will be working in pairs with the digital cameral saving pictures they took in class of other students. All students will need at least ten photos to work on with cropping.
Project#2– Changing the size of a Picture to allow for a faster load time in a Web page. Sometimes reducing the size of a picture is necessary for a web site for a faster load time. Otherwise pictures need to be reduced to fit in a newsletter or brochure. .bmp format should never be used since they are unusually large and cannot be easily worked with.
Information about working with Palettes (developing drawing and editing skills) The color/swatches/brushes group*The Navigator/Info/Options group *The layers/channels/paths group*The actions palette (repetitive tasks that can be played back)Selecting Palettes Hiding Palettes Moving Palettes
Were Jesus & John Essenes? New novel demystifies tantalizing Bible mystery Dr. Pelham K. Mead III puts things in proper historical and human dimensions to shed amazing new light on the subject with vital new fiction
EL CAJON, Calif. – Were Jesus and his cousin John (later known as the Baptist) members of the mysterious Essenes? Dr. Pelham K. Mead III discusses matters that relate or may be related to the fact; the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls are demystified and put in their proper historical and human dimensions in his new novel “Jesus and John.” It is a very well informed, vital new fiction that the cannon proper may welcome as a bright new light on its dim, musty passages…
The novel “Jesus and John” delves into the childhood years of Jesus and his second cousin, John the Baptist. It researches how Jesus came to be such a great miracle medical healer and how John the Baptist got his spiritual training. Both men may well have joined the Essene societies near them. John could have joined the Qumran Essene community by the Dead Sea which was a monastic community. Jesus, living in Northern Galilee, could have chosen to join the secret Essenes on Mount Carmel which was walking distance from Nazareth where he lived.
The Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran reveal the gospels and prayers of the Essenes which parallel the teachings of John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth. John the Baptist’s lifestyle was copied after the prophet Elijah, and Jesus of Nazareth demonstrated a more liberal Essene lifestyle of simple life, prayer, and the coming of the Messiah or the Righteous Teacher. Jesus and John’s involvement with the Essene communities were always kept a secret so that the enemies of the Essenes (the Pharisees and Sadducees) would not be able to take out their anger on these vital preachers to improve their and the faith’s chances for the future.
The Essenes were a congregation of the most learned men of a dangerous, violent era for men of faith, knowledge and forward-thinking intelligence. Were Jesus, John the Baptist, and the New Testament their final, lasting legacy to a mankind that would suffer the fires of extreme doubt and endless warfare to be able to assume its mantle as God’s true inheritors on the earthly kingdom in what could probably be the near future? Mead offers a rarity of thought and archaeological data in this vividly imagined novel the better for readers to have an informed opinion of the human dimensions of the tantalizing Bible mystery…
For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to http://www.Xlibris.com.
About the Author Dr. Pelham K. Mead III’s previous novels include “Autumn Winds over Okinawa,” 2011, (Historical Fiction, 2001, Xlibris Publishers); “The Chinese Crystal Ball” (Mystery, 2012, AuthorHouse Publishers); “The Junior High” (Fiction, 2012, Xlibris Publishers); and the “The 23rd Psalm” (Science Fiction, 2013, Xlibris Publishers). The author graduated from Freeport High School, Freeport, N.Y. in 1961. He took his BS in Physical Education and Health from Springfield College, Mass. in 1966. His MA in Education came from the same institution in 1967. He earned 21 credits in the sixth level Administrative Certificate program from New Paltz University, N.Y. and in 1992 took his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Columbia University. His outstanding new novel “Jesus and John” will be published in 2014 by Xlibris.
Jesus and John * by Dr. Pelham K. Mead III Publication Date: Trade Paperback; $29.00; # pages; 978-1-4931-2939-3 Trade Hardback; $19.00.; # pages; 978-1-4931-2940-9 Kindle book; $3.99.xx; 978-1-4931-2941-6
To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7879. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (812) 355-4079 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7879. For more information, contact Xlibris at (888) 795-4274 or on the web at http://www.Xlibris.com.
This is a sample of what you encounter when you want to write a Title V Federal Grant. The College of Mount Saint Vincent grant of 2000 was 168 pages long and took several Professors and the Dean of Students to write. I did not come onboard until May 2001, six months after the Grant was awarded.
College of Mount Saint Vincent APPLICATION ORGANIZATION Planning and Assignment Chart.
INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT OUTLINE year 2005-2010
Cover page – Application for Federal Education Assistance Form (ED 424)
Project Abstract (not included in page limit)
Table of Contents
Institutional Narrative-Done by Pel as of April 2003
Comprehensive Development Plan Narrative, including:
Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses and Significant Problems and Description of the Analysis Process
Institutional Goals
Institutional Objectives
Institutionalizing Practices and Improvements
Proposed Activity Description including:
Objectives and Performance Indicators Form (ED 851S-2)
Narrative describing the activity objectives as related to the CDP problems
Implementation Strategy and Timetable Form (ED 851S-3)
Narrative describing the rationale for the Implementation Strategy
Narrative regarding Key Personnel
Positions Descriptions/Resumes of Key Personnel
Activity Budget Form (ED 851S-4)
Other Budget Information Form (ED 851S-5)
If there is more than one activity, repeat item 6 above for each activity.
Project Management and Evaluation Plan Description including:
Narrative regarding Key Personnel
Project Management Narrative
Project Evaluation Narrative
Activity Budget Form (ED 851S-4)
Other Budget Information Form (ED 851S-5)
Summary Budget Form (ED 524)
Other Budget Information Form for Summary Budget (ED 851S-6)
Appendices
Five Year Plan – For Improving the Assistance Provided by the HSI to Hispanic and Other Low-Income Students
Ranking of activities
GEPA Narrative
Prior HSI Program Support
Letters of Commitment from partner institutions (for cooperative arrangement proposals only) Robert Coleman and Manhattan Community College
Cooperative Arrangement Form (ED 851S-1) (for cooperative arrangement proposals only)
Cover page – Application for Federal Education Assistance Form (ED 424)
2 Project Abstract (not included in page limit) 3 Table of Contents
4 Institutional Narrative Pel Mead April 8, 2003 5a b c d Comprehensive Development Plan Narrative, including: Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses and Significant Problems and Description of the Analysis Process Institutional Goals- Institutional Objectives- Institutionalizing Practices and Improvements- 6 Proposed Activity Description including:
Objectives and Performance Indicators Form (ED 851S-2)
Narrative describing the activity objectives as related to the CDP problems
Implementation Strategy and Timetable Form (ED 851S-3)
Narrative describing the rationale for the Implementation Strategy
Narrative regarding Key Personnel
Positions Descriptions/Resumes of Key Personnel
Activity Budget Form (ED 851S-4) Other Budget Information Form (ED 851S-5) 7 One Activity Only 8 Summary Budget Form (ED 524)
9 Other Budget Information Form for Summary Budget (ED 851S-6)
10 Appendices – Five Year Plan – For Improving the Assistance Provided by the HSI to Hispanic and Other Low-Income Students – Ranking of activities – GEPA Narrative – Prior HSI Program Support – Letters of Commitment from partner institutions (for cooperative arrangement proposals only) Robert Coleman and Manhattan Community College – Cooperative Arrangement Form (ED 851S-1) (for cooperative arrangement proposals only) – Dual-submission Certificate – Certification regarding Collaborative Agreements (ED 851S-8)
This book is dedicated to my friends Glenn Bornsen of El Cajon, Calif., and Paul Renfrew of Boston, and George Schandel of Mastic Beach, Long Island, New York. And also to the memory of my mother Doris Grace Mead who taught me to read at age one, and Continued to support my reading adventures all my life.
Index Page
Introduction……………………………………………………..……page 4
Chapter 1-In the beginning…the birth of John………………………page 7
Chapter 2-The birth of Jesu (Jesus) of Nazareth…………………….page 16
Chapter 3-The flight into Egypt of the Holy Family……………….page 22
Chapter 4-Young Jesus at age 6…………………………………….page 46
Chapter 5- Young John of Hebron ………………………………..Page 82
Chapter 6- Jesus at age 12………………………………………….page 48
Chapter 7- The Mount Carmel Essenes…………………….……….page 53
Chapter 8-The funeral of Joseph of Nazareth……………………..page 87
Chapter 9- Jesus the Essene Healer…………………………………page 66
Chapter 10-The voice of one crying in the wilderness…………….page 92
Chapter 11- The Baptism of Jesus…………………………………page 110
Chapter 12- John questions who Jesus really was?……………………page 116
Chapter 14-The Sermon on the Mount……………………………page 122
Chapter 15-The Beginning and the End………………………….page 137
Glossary
Bibliography
Introduction
The purpose of this novel is to reveal secrets about Jesus and John the Baptist when they were infants until when they formally met again, when John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. This novel also seeks to answer how Jesus and John got all their formal training, and how that became the basis of their ministry. I did a great deal of research into what happened when Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled into Egypt for four years. My basis for research for the Egyptian flight of the Holy family is recorded in the oral and written traditions of the modern day Egyptian Coptic Church. The Egyptian Coptic Church places as much significance on oral tradition, as they do in written tradition that might explain the many miracles they claim happened in the flight to Egypt of the Holy Family. Oral tradition passed down over 2,000 years is bound to change.
I also researched extensive parallels in what John the Baptist taught, and what Jesus of Nazareth preached, and how much can be traced to Essene ideas, prayers, and Gospels. The monastic Essene community of Qumran near the Dead Sea was close enough for John to travel from Hebron, and seek membership. Walking distance from Jesus’ house in Nazareth was the secret Essene community on Mount Carmel. It was all very convenient for both Jesus and John that Essene societies were close by at the time.
What Jesus and John revealed to the world was a philosophy of the Essenes, who were around more than 100 years before Jesus, and John. No one in the days of Jesus ever realized that both Jesus and John were secret Essenes. The Essenes were concerned with the coming of the Messiah, and or the return of the “Teacher of Righteousness,” who died 150 years before the birth of Jesus. Here in 15 A.D. when Jesus joined the Mount Carmel Essene community was an opportunity to raise up another “Teacher of Righteousness,” “The son of Man,” or a “Messiah,” by Simon the Essene leader. The Essenes learned not to get involved with the local authority when spreading its messianic word. It cost the original Essenes the life of their many of their beloved brethren, when they attempted to interfere with local politics. As a result, they withdrew from the cities, and fled to Qumran near the Dead Sea, and otherwise, became secret societies in Nazareth, Jerusalem and other major Judean cities.
The Dead Sea Scrolls reveal much about Essene Philosophy at the time of Jesus. Jesus of Nazareth, and John of Hebron (the Baptist) were both secret Essenes, as I shall demonstrate later in this book. If you compare what John the Baptist taught in his ministry and what Jesus of Nazareth taught in his ministry with the Essene documents recorded on the Dead Sea Scrolls of the Qumran Essene community, it is easy to see how John and Jesus’ ideals imitate the Essene philosophy of praying for a messiah or “Righteous Teacher,” to come and save the Jews. Baptism and repentance were a way of life for the Essenes and the core of John the Baptist’s teachings. The Essenes were the best healers of the day and it is no consequence that Jesus was a great healer who had many years of training and experience somewhere like the Essene community of Mount Carmel.
The Essenes looked upon these two men as a way of getting the Temple in Jerusalem to reform, and bring the people to salvation. Many things had to fall in place for the coming of the Messiah to happen, and the Essenes knew that, and prayed about it daily. One of their missions in life believed in the coming of a Messiah who would deliver them from the Romans, and other authority. Another mission was to copy manuscripts, the Old Testament, secret religious documents, and secret healing documents. The question is, was the timing for the Essenes in the Jesus story right?
Many religious scholars fail to point out that in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he was not as popular as John the Baptist. John’s charisma helped to attract thousands to be baptized, however, few if anyone had heard of Jesus yet when he was 29 or 30 years of age. In this novel, I attempt to fill in the missing years of Jesus’ childhood, and John’s childhood based on bible references, Gospels not included in the Bible, Essene Gospels, Dead Sea scrolls, and established academic research by scholars in Biblical research. Sheer speculation fills in the gaps in this story where no direct evidence exists.
I tried to answer the questions, how did Jesus become a “walking Bible?” What preparation in the knowledge of the Bible did he get, and where? Who trained Jesus to be so knowledgeable in the Torah and the Bible? That is the great mystery in the story of Jesus because the bible has been edited again and again by the Catholic Church in the first and second hundred years to fulfill the dogma that the church wanted and not paid heed to the real facts about Jesus in his developing years.
Another question to answer in this book is why is it that John the Baptist’s philosophy was so similar to the Qumran Essene community ideals of baptism, repealing sins, and the coming of the Messiah? John the Baptist used the proclamations of Elijah from the Gospels of the Essenes to form the basis for his ministry. He never healed anyone in his ministry or attempted to convert anyone to the Essene community. His message was the same message that the Essenes were declaring and that was the proclamation that the coming of the Messiah was at hand and that everyone should repent of their sins and evil ways.
Jesus philosophy was more liberal than John’s philosophy, but definitely Essene in origin. You have only to read some of the Essene books included n the appendix of this book to realize that Jesus philosophy and the Essene philosophy were the same, even to the point of become a vegetarian, using baptism on a daily basis, believing in the coming of the second “righteous teacher,” and learning to live a pure life.
Jesus must have been trained at the Mount Carmel Essene community that was walking distance from Nazareth, where Jesus and his family lived. Jesus could read all the sacred Hebrew texts, but somehow never learned to write, or become a Scribe. Why is that? Perhaps when Jesus was eligible to begin the Essene training for a Scribe at age 21 he may have chosen to become a Healer instead, therefore, never learning how to write in Hebrew script.
Learning to heal people was like becoming a Doctor in Jesus day with no formal medical school or institutions to help in learning. Healing was a guarded skill by the Essenes in Jesus’ day. The Essenes were the best healers in Judea and Galilee because they studied cures from around the world and recorded their findings found on the Dead Sea scrolls two thousand years later. They grew special herbs in their gardens, and lived on honey and date palms. They traded for special potent seeds, and powders to store in their collections. Essene men were known at Jesus’ time to live a long life into their 60’s and 70’s when the average age span at the time was 30. Jesus could have trained with the Essenes of Mount Carmel to become a great healer, and to also use the “laying on of hands,” which required a great deal of faith for the healer, as well as the patient. All of this shall be explained by the kind of training Jesus went through to become an Essene at age 20, and to be baptized into the Mount Carmel Essene Community. After becoming a learned Essene leader in the scriptures and the philosophy of the Essenes, Jesus may well have spent the majority of his life in learning Essene Healing techniques, drugs and “laying on of hands.”
After extensive research of the Dead Sea Scrolls I have included some samples of Essene gospels to give direct evidence that Jesus took his Sermon on the Mount from Essene prayers, and Gospels. He shortened the Essene Lord’s Prayer because it was too long for a common person to remember, and the average Jew did not pray to Mother Earth, as did the Essenes, which was the first paragraph of the prayer. The blessings all come directly from the Essene texts as you can see for yourself at the end of the book in the Appendix.
Of the 1,000 Dead Sea scrolls found, many in cave 4 and 11, are most useful in my research, especially with references to the “Righteous Teacher.” The Essenes prayed that the “Righteous Teacher,” would be resurrected, and return to lead them. This is why the Jesus of Nazareth story is so important following the Essene idea of death and resurrection. No direct mention is made of Jesus in the Dead Sea Scrolls, but the image of the “Righteous Teacher,” certainly is likened to the image of Jesus. It is possible that after the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and if there were references to Jesus being an Essene healer or becoming the Essene “righteous leader,” the Catholic Church may have destroyed these scrolls as they lie in storage for over 40 years.
It is unfortunate that in 70 A.D. the Romans for the Jewish revolt against the Romans destroyed all the Essene communities across Judea and Galilee, as well as the Temple in Jerusalem as punishment. All of the Qumran 1,000 plus leather and copper scrolls were put in jars, or otherwise in a rush, just thrown in caves and boarded up with stones, until an Arab child discovered them in the late 1940’s. What ever happened to the scrolls of the other Essene communities around Israel at the time in 70 A.D.? There may never be an answer to that question unless someday a hidden cache on Mount Carmel or under the remains of the Jerusalem Temple are discovered.
We may never know where the scrolls from the Mount Carmel Essene community, Damascus Essenes, and other community scrolls were actually buried or hidden in a cave. How many secret scrolls went underground in Jerusalem, burned or destroyed during the Jewish revolt of 70 A.D. that ended so badly, we will perhaps never know? “The end of time,” that the Essenes preached about, came suddenly in 70 A.D. many years after they had originally predicted it. The Romans in retaliation for revolting in 68 A.D. crushed the rebellion, destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and all of the Essene communities in the desert and on Mount Carmel and other cities in Judea.
With the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls, we might one day discover scrolls more that might reveal more than the Christian churches wanted to be revealed about Jesus, and whether he was really an Essene Healer and Rabbi.
Chapter 1- In the Beginning…The birth of John
Bible: Book of Luke
1:5 THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 1:6 and they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 1:7 and they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 1:9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 1:11 and there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 1:12 and when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 1:14 and you shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 1:16 and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, W hereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings. 1:20 and, behold, you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because you believe not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 1:21 and the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple. 1:22 and when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 1:23 and it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of hi s ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 1:24 And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 1:25 Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach h among men
So it was that John the Baptist was born against all odds. His mother was old, and yet according to the Angel, she would still be able to bear a child. The story is similar to Joseph of Nazareth and Mary his betrothed. Zacharia and his aged wife were finally having a child after being barren for so many years. It would truly be a miracle for Elizabeth to have a child in her advanced years. According to the Angel Gabriel their son would be named John, not Zacharias, as in normal Jewish custom. The Angel also goes on to say that John will be a great person in the eyes of the lord. He will be a person filled with the Holy Spirit. He would be a prophet, because many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. He shall have the power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. It seems John’s mission was to be a prophet of the Lord right from the beginning. Bible:
And, behold, your cousin in Elizabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 1:38 And Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 1:40 and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit: 1:42 And she spoke out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb
So according to the scriptures Mary of Nazareth was informed by an Angel that her cousin Elizabeth, despite her old age, was already six months pregnant. So Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth to the city of Judah called Hebron. A second reason was because when she realized that she was with child, and she could have been stoned to death for having a child out of wedlock. Joseph may have decided to abandon her for having a child without lying with him. Fortunately, Joseph had a vision, and an Angel came to him, and told him not to worry that Mary would bear a male child who would become a leader among men, and his name would be called Jesus (Jesua).
Joseph feared for Mary’s life, and he was himself confused. A young woman that became pregnant without a husband was stoned to death in those days. He knew it was best that Mary go to her cousin Elizabeth for a few months, so that his relatives would forget Mary for a while. This would give him time to announce that he intended to marry Mary. It was the safest way for Mary, Joseph concluded.
It was a hot sunny day in Nazareth that day in the year 1 BC in the country of Judea during the reign of Herod the Great, a governor put in place by the Romans. Mary, a short, longhaired brunette was a Jewish girl of age thirteen living in Nazareth, a city in northern Galilee in Israel. She was preparing for the three-day journey to the south of Judea to the town of Hebron to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Mary had a vision that her cousin Elizabeth, who was quite old and without child, was now pregnant. Mary and Joseph could not go together to Hebron where Elizabeth lived, because Joseph had a building business that required his presence. Joseph was sending a servant that worked for him to keep her safe. Joseph had just gotten done loading the donkey. “Mary, Nathaniel, my servant, will accompany you to Hebron for the three day journey of 70 miles,” Joseph said. “You know I want to come with you, but is better that you stay with your cousin for a while. The Angel of the Lord has told me you are pregnant, and I know you have not slept with me, so it creates a dilemma for us. No one will believe that you are a virgin, and you know the penalty for having a child out of wedlock, is stoning to death. I love you too much to let that happen, so I am sending you to care for your cousin Elizabeth. There you will be out of reach of anyone intending to do you harm,” Joseph stated. “I understand Joseph, and I am grateful,” Mary replied. “Upon your return I will have already announced our wedding to my family and relatives and townsfolk,” Joseph said.
Elizabeth and Mary had grown up together in Nazareth. Elizabeth had often watched over Mary when she was an infant. As Mary got older Elizabeth became more of an Aunt than a cousin. Now that Elizabeth had married, and moved away, Mary had not seen her in over a year. Mary looked upon Elizabeth more as an Aunt than a cousin, because Mary was many years younger than Elizabeth. “It would also be safer for Mary to remain in Hebron for a while, should any of Joseph’s relatives suspect that Mary was with child. Mary knew Joseph was right and that he was acting in her best interests,” Mary thought.
Word had first come from a local merchant trader who had been to Elizabeth’s village, Hebron, that Elizabeth was expecting a child. This further explained the vision of the Angel to Mary, and the vision of the Angel to Joseph. The journey to Hebron, where Zachariah and Elizabeth lived was a long and dangerous journey. The danger was even greater when not traveling with a caravan that could protect its travelers with an armed escort. Despite these facts it was more expedient that Mary be on her way with Joseph’s servant Nathaniel. So it was that Nathaniel and Mary on a donkey headed south to the city of Hebron to visit Mary’s cousin Elizabeth. Nathaniel had to be careful of thieves that prey on caravans or isolated travelers. He took care to stay off the main caravan roads and to take the side roads where they would not run into thieves and robbers.
After Mary and Nathaniel left, Joseph went into his house to pray. “Lord God, if it be thy will, and Mary is to bring a child into this world, watch over her and keep her safe. For this will be my first child, and one who is blessed by the Angels. Give me strength Lord to deal with my weaknesses. God bless my family, Amen,” Joseph prayed.
The first day Nathaniel and Mary had reached the twenty-mile mark and stopped to rest for the night. They took blankets off of the donkey and bundled up for the cold desert air of the night. Mary lay on her blanket looking up at the stars when she noticed a shooting star. “I wonder if that is a sign to me from God,” she questioned. Nathaniel said little for he was but a servant of Joseph’s and he did not know Mary at all. After eating some dried fruit and dried lamb meat they retired for the evening.
The next morning they set out early for Hebron to avoid the heat of the desert. Nathaniel planned to avoid going through or stopping at Jerusalem since it would slow down their trip and it was a dangerous city to enter for just two people. Mary was a talkative young girl with a bundle of energy. She spoke to Nathaniel while riding the donkey as they journeyed south. The next night they camped by a spring where they were able to fill up their water sacks and watered the donkey and give it time to feed on grass.
“How much further Nathaniel do we have to travel to get to Hebron,” Mary asked the next day? “Not far Mary, perhaps another days trip if we can walk more than thirty miles in one day. They passed a caravan headed north that day that were surprised to see just two people walking all the way to Hebron. A person in the caravan yelled out as they went by, “where are you two going, Jerusalem?” Nathaniel responded by yelling back, “No we are visiting relatives in Hebron south of Jerusalem.” “Good luck and watch out for bandits, we killed three of them a day ago on the caravan trail,” the stranger shouted back. They had camels in the caravan that could walk a lot faster than a donkey. Nathaniel wished they had two camels to ride on instead of a donkey. “It is as the master wishes it,” he said to himself.
On the third day just before dawn Nathaniel and Mary approached the hilly country where Hebron lie. “Mary look down there in the valley lies Hebron,” Nathaniel pointed out to Mary. “Thank God, I am glad to get off this donkey and see my cousin Elizabeth,” Mary responded. As darkness descended, they entered the city of Hebron and searched for the house of Zechariah of Hebron. Finally, they came across the house and entered in. “Mary it so good to see you and I guess you have heard the news,” Elizabeth said. Mary introduced Nathaniel to Elizabeth and Zechariah. “I have come to help you cousin in your time of need,” Mary said. “Keep it a secret cousin, but I am also with child,” Mary confided to Elizabeth. “What did Joseph say and did you sleep with him,” Elizabeth asked Mary. “No an Angel of the Lord came to me in a dream and told me I would be with child without lying with my betrothed ’,” Mary whispered. “I was afraid that I would be stoned and fearful that Joseph would leave me,” Mary said. “Do not worry Mary, you are safe here with our family and we will protect, and care for you until you return to Nazareth,” Elizabeth said. The sun rose early the next day and Mary was preparing some food for Nathaniel to take on his return trip. “Thank you Nathaniel for delivering me safely,” Mary exclaimed. “Give my love and best wishes to Joseph,” Mary said. After that Nathaniel took the bag of food Mary had prepared for him, and headed off on the donkey for the three-day trip back to Nazareth.
One day while Mary was staying with Elizabeth the baby kicked in Elizabeth’s stomach. Elizabeth was amazed and excited to have a child, and to have Mary there to help her through the pregnancy. Truly both of them were blessed by God to have children. Elizabeth was in her advanced years, and Mary was in her younger teenage years (13 exactly). Truly two miracles had occurred. Mary stayed for three months, and then returned to Nazareth to her betrothed Joseph. Elizabeth was able to purchase space for Mary in a caravan going from Hebron to Jerusalem and then on to Nazareth to give her a safe return to Nazareth.
When she returned Joseph had a welcoming party to introduce his betrothed to his family and relatives. Everyone was happy for Joseph for this was his first marriage and Mary’s first marriage also. “Joseph, Elizabeth sends her best wishes to you and your family,” Mary said. “I am so glad to be back home in Nazareth with you Joseph,” Mary exclaimed. “I am glad you have returned safe and sound my love,” Joseph said. “Come let us feast and celebrate your return to our family,” Joseph shouted out.
When Elizabeth heard from Mary that an Angel had told her of her pregnancy, Elizabeth was overwhelmed with joy. It would be good to have someone to help her through her first pregnancy, Elizabeth thought. Mary would have time to rest and not fear reprisal from Joseph’s relatives for being with child and not lying with Joseph. Mary knew that once Joseph announced formally that he intended to marry Mary the problems with her being pregnant would subside. It was after all, Mary and Joseph’s first child.
Bible: Book of Luke
1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 1:57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 1:58 and her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 1:60 and his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 1:61 and they said unto her, there is none of your kindred that are called by this name. 1:62 and they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 1:63 and he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.
When Elizabeth finally delivered John, he was premature by a few months. Jewish tradition would have Elizabeth naming the male child after his father Zacharias, but the Angel of God had instructed her to name the child John, and that is what she did. Zacharias was stricken deft and dumb for not believing that his aged wife would have a child. When Zacharias was asked what to name the child, he wrote down on a tablet, John. Immediately he regained his voice, and hearing, and he blessed the Lord. Zacharias was a priest of the Temple at Jerusalem who administered the incense on occasion. Both Elizabeth and Zacharias hailed from a long line of Priests and this gave great credence to John’s legacy from birth. Mary and Joseph were of the house of David and they also had a claim to a great heritage. Two male children, born but 13 months apart, with great family lines, and blessed by an Angel. Destiny was about to erupt in Judea and Galilee.
Chapter 2- The birth of Jesus (Jesua) of Nazareth
Bible: Book of Matthew 1:18 now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 1:19 Joseph her husband to be, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. More 1:20 such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 1:21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 1:22 all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” 1:24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. 1:25 He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.
2:1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2:2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 2:3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 2:4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 2:5 they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 2:6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” 2:7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. 2:8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” 2:9 after their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 2:10 they were overjoyed at seeing the star, More 2:11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Book of Luke:
1:26 in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 1:28 and coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 1:29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 1:30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 1:31 behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 1:32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 1:33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 1:34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 1:35 and the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 1:36 and behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 1:37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” More 1:38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke: 2:3 so all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. 2:4 And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 2:5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 2:6 while they were there, the time came for her to have her child, 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 2:8 now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. 2:9 the angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. 2:10 the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 2:11 for today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. 2:12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 2:13 And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” The Visit of the Shepherds. 2:15 When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 2:16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 2:17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 2:18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 2:19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 2:20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. The Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. 2:21 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The Presentation in the Temple. 2:22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 2:23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” More 2:24 and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Luke 1:24-26, Mary conceived Jesus in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John. This meant that Jesus was born 15 months after the angel Gabriel appeared to Elizabeth’s husband, Zacharias, and informed him that his wife would bear a child.
Mary a 13-year-old dark haired Nazarene girl became pregnant before becoming betrothed to Joseph of Nazareth. Mary was a quiet beauty with deeply piercing brown eyes and a wide smile for everyone she spoke to. Joseph had first thought to abandon Mary until the Angel came to him in a vision. In order to protect Mary, Joseph decided to send Mary to see her cousin Elizabeth in Hebron to get her out of Nazareth before his relatives realized that Mary was pregnant. Mary leaves for Hebron quickly and Joseph takes his time telling his family that he is going to marry Mary when she returns from caring for her elderly cousin Elizabeth. Joseph telling his family and relatives that he is going to marry Mary prevents them from suspecting Mary is pregnant. The penalty for an unmarried woman becoming pregnant in those days was stoning to death. Joseph avoided this situation by sending Mary away immediately and telling his family afterward the he intended to marry Mary. The Angel of God convinced Joseph that he must protect Mary and his first unborn child.
Because of the Roman census, Joseph and Mary had to return to Bethlehem the town in which he was born to register for the tax census. Mary was almost due with her child, but they took the long three-day journey to Bethlehem anyway. When they arrived late at night in Bethlehem they could not find a room in an Inn and Mary was forced to give birth to Jesus in a manager (cave) with straw and animals. It would be as described in the scriptures.
Bible: Book of Luke:
2:25 now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 2:26 it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. 2:27 He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 2:28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: 2:29 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 2:31 , which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” 2:33 the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 2:34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 2:35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 2:36 there was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 2:37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 2:38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 2:39 when they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. More 2:40 the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
The Gospel of Luke goes on to tell us about the birth of Jesus that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be circumcised, as was the tradition after 8 days. While at the temple in Jerusalem they had the child named Jesus, as was the custom. A man named Simeon who was a righteous man had a vision that before his death he would see “The Messiah of the Lord.”
When Mary and Joseph entered the temple, Simeon asked to hold the child, and when he had Jesus in his arms he gave him a blessing. After the blessing Simon, said to Mary and Joseph, “Go in peace.” “My eyes had seen your salvation, Lord, which you prepared in sight of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel,” Simon prayed. Mary and Joseph were amazed and shocked at Simon’s reaction to their son Jesus. Simon had indicated to them that God blessed Jesus and that he was destined to do great things. They thanked Simon and left the Temple, amazed that Jesus was blessed by God and that he has a destiny to achieve in Israel. After the blessing Mary and Joseph returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
Matthew and Luke tell us of the birth of Jesus and the appearance of the Angel of the Lord to Mary and to Joseph. Jesus is born in humble surroundings in a manger (cave) in Bethlehem. Afterward a Star is seen in the sky marking the birth of Jesus. Wise men come from the east and discover Jesus and his Mother Mary and Joseph and give thanks with gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor Jesus.
The actual birth of Jesus is not really December 25th. It is more likely it was earlier in December or November that Jesus was born. The Jewish calendar and the Roman calendar differed as to the date. The closest major Roman holiday was the winter Solstice. The coming of the Wise men or Maggi is celebrated several weeks later in January, however the actual date could be months later. The actual date is not known.
What Jesus’ parents do know about their son is that he destined for great things and is blessed by Angels, Simon and an aged prophetess Anna. This information only further convinces both Mary and Joseph that Jesus birth is a most unique incident that was foretold in the scriptures. It must have been overwhelming for Joseph and Mary to realize that their son could one day become the Messiah destined to save all of Israel. It was a secret that would burn in their hearts for years to come.
Contrary to what the Catholic Church says, Mary would go on to have many children after Jesus with Joseph, Salome, James, and Judah. They would have a large family but only the birth of Jesus would be a unique happening that they must keep secret all their lives. Jesus was the oldest of five children and a special child indeed.
Chapter 3- The Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family
Bible: Book of Luke
2:11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 2:12 and having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. 2:13 When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” 2:14 Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. 2:15 He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
2:16 when Herod realized that the magi had deceived him, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. 2:17 Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: 2:18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.”
2:19 When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 2:20 and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 2:21 He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. More 2:23 He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazorean.”
Editor’s Note: Many thanks to the Coptic Church of Egypt for the oral and written stories of the Holy family in their flight from Herod’s soldiers. The Coptic Church split from the Roman Catholic Church in 450 AD but still maintains many of the original Christian traditions to this day.
After the Wise men left, Joseph had a vision in which an Angel told him to flee to Egypt to avoid Herod’s wrath. Joseph, Mary and Jesus and fled the country in the middle of the night, and traveled from Bethlehem to the Egyptian border which was over a 100 miles, and then onto the nearest Jewish settlement, another 30 miles from the border. The journey took four days.
Herod was very angry that the Magi did not report back to him as to where the New King of the Jews was born. Herod sent out his soldiers to the town of Bethlehem to kill all the infants less than two years of age. The soldiers even chased Mary, Joseph, and Jesus into Egypt itself. When a neighbor of Mary and Joseph told the soldiers of Herod that an infant had been born outdoors in the town of Bethlehem.
“Mary, an Angel came to me in the night and told me we are in great danger. Herod will seek out Jesus or any infant claiming to be the King of the Jews, and slaughter them,” Joseph confessed. Joseph was visibly shaken realizing that the soldiers of Herod were seeking his blessed son Jesus. They had left Bethlehem and had traveled to Jerusalem to have Jesus circumcised as was the Jewish custom after 8 days. Jerusalem was a hard two days walk from Bethlehem. Now after having a vision from an Angel, Joseph had to take his family and flee from Bethlehem for the border of Egypt to avoid Herod’s wrath.
“Mary, help me pack our belongings and let us depart quickly,” Joseph instructed. “Yes my beloved husband, I will do as you say,” Mary exclaimed. “I am worried my husband, what is to become of us, and our child Jesus,” Mary said. “Is he really to become the King of the Jews having been born of such a lowly status in life, Mary questioned? “I do not know, but what I do know is the Angels of God knows all, and sees all, and we are to obey,” Joseph commented. “Let me take some of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the Magi brought us, and trade it for some food and goat sacks of water for our journey,” Joseph said. He went off to find a local merchant that he could trade the gold, frankincense, and myrrh for food supplies such as dried fruit and meat and goat skins to put water in. He found a Jewish merchant called Samuel, and after some bargaining he managed to barter much of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh for a several sacks of food. Returning to Mary soon after, Joseph told her of his successful barter for food and goat water sacks. Mary was relieved that they would have food for the journey. Being that it was late in the day, Joseph decided to wait a few hours until the sun began to set to avoid the heat of the day in the desert. They left in the middle of the night.
It cooled off a few degrees when they departed the city of Jerusalem heading south to Egypt with but a donkey, and all of there belongs loaded on the animal. The dust rose up in the air as Joseph sandals scrapped along the dry soil, and the donkey kicked up dust with the burden of Mary, and all their belongings loaded on the beast. The only thing that kept them going was their faith in God that he would lead them to safety. They had only a few days lead on the soldiers of Herod who were on horseback not donkeys.
Several hours later they stopped to rest. The sun had already set the cool desert night air under a full moon making the trip more bearable. “I am sorry to have dragged you all over Israel,” Joseph commented. “It is as the Angel of God had commanded us my husband,” Mary said. “I will give the donkey some water, and we will be on our way,” Joseph said. Mary breastfed the little infant Jesus, and soon they were on their journey again. They stopped around 3:00 a.m. in the evening from exhaustion, and sought shelter under a large tree along the side of the caravan route.
Mary took out some bread, and dried fish and they offered up prayers to God and ate their small meal. The desert was bright that cold February evening under the full moon. Joseph and Mary were even fearful of the wrath of Herod, and his soldiers. They knew the further they got away from Jerusalem the safer they would be. What they did not know was that Herod’s soldiers would chase them all the way into Egypt.
The next morning was very cold as the sun rose warming the desert landscape. Joseph had risen early, fed the donkey and packed up their supplies before Mary awoke with Jesus. Quickly they were on their journey once again before the heat of the desert made travel impossible, even in the winter of the season. It was six days after the Feast of Purification in the month of February as they fled to Egypt.
“How much farther Joseph do you think the Egyptian border is,” Mary asked? Another two days I believe or maybe three. We will have to go through Sinai first” Joseph responded. They stopped during the midday heat, and rested under a small tree. Mary and Joseph prayed together, and then ate some dried meat, dried fruits, and water. Later Mary breastfed Jesus, and they rested for several hours. In the early evening hours they began their journey until late into the darkness of the night.
Five days later they arrived at the settlement called Gaza. The journey was about 130 miles from Jerusalem. They went first to the well to replenish their water supply. While at the well many Egyptians that passed by asked from where they had come. Mary did not respond for fear of giving away their purpose. Joseph told then that they were traveling to visit family members living in Heliopolis (modern day Cairo). So they stayed at Gaza for two days after the exhaustive trip from Jerusalem. They needed to recover from their fatigue, which they did under a grove of olive trees just outside the town of Gaza. “I have prayed every day and night for our safety on our journey Joseph,” Mary remarked. “I know this is a difficult trip in the middle of the winter season, but summer is even worse with high temperatures and a broiling sun,” Joseph said. Baby Jesus was doing well, and Mary kept him well covered from the dirt of the desert and the heat of the day. After two days of rest they moved on though the Bersabe desert that was well known for its sand dunes and difficult travel. The distance from Gaza to Heliopolis (modern Cairo) was 60 leagues, or 180 miles over sand dunes, and dangerous country. Their progress was much slower each day because of the deep sands of the Bersabe desert. While on their way a caravan from Bethlehem passed them by. “Strangers how goes your journey,” Joseph asked a caravan guide. “We come from Bethlehem,” the caravan guide remarked. “Have your seen any of Herod’s soldiers on the way,” Joseph asked. “Yes, they are two day behind us headed this way,” said the caravan guide. “God be with you in your journey,” Joseph shouted to the caravan guide. Soon the caravans of camels were a cloud of dust on the horizon. “Mary we must proceed faster for the soldiers of Herod are on horseback and two days behind us,” Joseph remarked. “What will we do my husband,” Mary asked sadly. “We must make it to El-Zaraniq today and find food and shelter,” Joseph remarked.
El- Zaraniq (Floussiat) 37 kilometers or 22 miles west of El-Arish After traveling about 22 miles that day they came to the town of El Zaraniq (Floussiat), and there they rested that night. They were careful to stay off the main caravan roads for fear of being robbed or stopped by foreigners. “Joseph I know the God is with us on this terrible journey. Be strong my husband,” Mary said. “It is as it was written my wife that we must bring the savior out of Egypt,” Joseph responded. They prayed together in the shade of an abandoned house foundation. The future looked bleak but their faith in God was their strength. It was a journey that would seem endless for over four years. “We have another days journey to reach El Arish where we can trade for more food. I have some of the gold the Maggi left us to barter with. I did not spend it all in Jerusalem,” Joseph said. “I am sure God will provide if we are in need,” Mary commented. “We must stay ahead of Herod’s soldiers for they are traveling faster than we can travel with a donkey,” Joseph commented.
The next day they left at sunrise to avoid the noonday sun to travel to El-Arish which was about 20 miles or so. The trip was hot and difficult with a hot desert wind that day. Mary was holding up well holding Jesus on the Donkey all the way. They rested every few hours, and took a mid-day break at noon to eat, and avoid the scorching sun. Joseph was tired and he was beginning to feel his age but he said nothing to Mary for fear of worrying her. Joseph had never been to Egypt before and had no map, yet the Lord gave Joseph a vision in his mind as to which caravan road to travel on. It was much like a blind man walking in an unknown desert. The Lord leadeth and the lord knows the mission for whom he had planned for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
Later that evening they entered El-Arish and sought out the well to refill their goatskins with new water. They exhaustion was great and traveling alone on a caravan road without a caravan as protection was dangerous. They were every mindful of robbers who prey on people who travel the caravan roads. Only their faith in God provided the protection they needed to stay away from harms way.
The next day they left for Farma, (ancient Pelusium) which was midway between El-Alish and the present day Port Said. This would be their last stop in the Sinai. On their journey that day many birds assembled overhead and showed the way to Farma. Mary knew it was a divine sign from God, and she was comforted. Joseph walked the entire way of the journey. As he was walking to Farma suddenly his legs had more spring to them and his stride was longer. Truly God had given his old body new strength. It would take many such miracles to keep the Holy Family moving through Egypt. “Joseph how are you doing,” Mary inquired. “God is with me my love and he has given me new strength,” Joseph replied. “I see a mirage of the town of Farma which must be over the horizon,” Joseph said. After many rest stops they finally entered Farma that evening. They rested near an old rock wall. Their food supplies were running low as well as feed for the donkey. They would need to buy some food for them and the donkey at Farma the next morning.
As the sun rose the next day Joseph went into the marketplace at Farma and with some of his few remaining pieces of Gold he bartered for some feed for the donkey and dried meat and dried fruit for him and Mary. Mary waited at the old rock wall in the shade until Joseph returned. Upon his return he fed the donkey and they both eat some dried figs in honey and some dried fish. Packing up the donkey, they got a late start that day. “Where is our destination today,” Mary asked. “The lord has told me we are headed to a town called Tel Basta (Basta),” Joseph commented. “I had a vision that miracles will happen when we reach the town,” Joseph said. “Miracles you say, that is wonderful,” said Mary. “Be patient my wife, we will be at Tel Basta soon. Six hours later they arrived at Tel Basta and a strange thing happened. Tradition has it that all of the stone idols in the town crumbled and fell to the ground as they entered the main marketplace. There was no well in the town, and they were worried about their short supply of water. Mary sat with Jesus on a rock near the marketplace as the sun was going down. Suddenly, water began squirting from the side of the large bolder they had been sitting on. It was a miracle as Joseph had seen. The towns’ people were grateful for the new well of water, but angry about their stone idols crumbling to the ground. They blamed the destruction of the idols on the Holy Family causing them to flee the town after but a few hours.
Several miles outside of Tel Basta, Joseph stopped and told Mary they would sleep under a grove of trees for the night, and then head to Mostorod (Al Mahamma) the next day. Mary was still amazed how the water appeared from nowhere to form a well, as well as the idols falling down. God’s will was very powerful. Joseph and Mary talked that evening about all that happened in Tel Basta and how the miracles of God took place with the new well and the fallen idols. Truly God blessed them on their journey. Sleep came quick that cold night and they huddled together for warmth.
The next day they were on their way to Mostorod (Al Mahamma). Joseph had another vision and so did Mary. They saw idols crumbling again and water and a well too. “Did you have any visions last night Mary,” Joseph inquired as they were walking. “Yes, I saw more idols falling and a bathing place for me to wash Jesus,” Mary replied. “I had the same dream,” Joseph commented. “How strange that all the idols in the towns we enter are to crumble and fall to the ground,” Mary commented out of her amazement at the power of the Lord. “It is as it should be,” said Joseph. “God had ordained that these events to be as we travel throughout Egypt,” Joseph responded. They were getting close to Old Cairo now as the many miles began to shrink. Later that evening around 7:00 while the sun was going down they entered the marketplace of Mostorod. Here again the stone idols crumbled and fell to the ground. Mary and Joseph quickly passed through town and found a small bathing place outside of town where Mary bathed the infant Jesus. No one in the town knew who they were or where they had come from. All they knew is that they were Jews from a foreign country. Mary was not aware that on their return trip Jesus and her would cause another spring to gush forth in Mostorod. There was no time to rest in Mostorod because he again the towns folk were angry that someone had caused their stone idols to crumble and fall to the ground. Ten miles outside Mostorod, Joseph stopped for the evening rest. They huddled together near an olive tree and prepared their bed for the evening. The air was cold as usual and Joseph and Mary and Jesus had to wrap an extra layer of clothing around them to ward off the desert cold. Tradition has it that a traveler on the caravan road from Judea told Joseph that a large group of soldiers on horseback were but a day travel behind them. Mary and Joseph were worried. Mary noticed that a nearby farmer was planting seeds in his field. She asked the farmer when he has started seeding his field and he replied, “ I started seeding yesterday and today.” Mary had a vision in the night, and the next day she told the farmer that some soldiers of Herod were chasing them and would soon come by. She did not want the farmer to lie to the soldiers about when he saw the Holy family go by, so she sprinkled some water she had in her goat sack over the field the farmer had just planted. “The Lord will provide,” Mary prayed. The farmer did not understand what Mary was doing and neither did Joseph. The next day as they were about to leave and suddenly the field had a month’s growth in just one day. After the Holy family left on their journey to Phillippos the Soldiers of Herod arrived, and they stopped and asked the farmer had he seen a couple with an infant travel by. The farmer not wanting to lie told the soldiers that he had indeed seen this couple ride by when he first planted his field. The soldiers looked at the field which was very high and determined that there was at least a months growth. Realizing the Holy family was a month ahead of them they became discouraged, and turned around and headed back to Judea.
Belbeis (Ancient Phillippos) 55 kilometers or 34.1 miles from Old Cairo The next day the Holy Family continued on their journey to Belbeis (ancient Pillippos) that was a long 34-mile trek from Mostorod. “The journey will be longer today Mary,” Joseph commented. “God will guide us as usual, ”Mary commented. “I will set a faster pace today to get us to Phillippos before late evening. The Lord was with them that day, and the 34 miles went by swiftly and they entered the town of Phillippos at 8:00 that evening. Mary was exhausted and when she got off the donkey she rested under a tree. To this day the tree is called “The Virgin Mary’s tree.” They ate, fed the donkey and collapsed into a deep sleep that evening. Soon their journey would be over in Old Cairo where there was a community of Jews living there. Joseph wondered if the soldiers of Herod were still behind them or not.
The next morning they arose, ate and continued on their journey. God had revealed himself to Joseph in a dream that night before that they would have to cross the Nile river at Meniet Samanoud (Meniet Genah), in order to get to Samanoud. When they reached the Nile River they took time to wash up and water the donkey. They a few gold pieces left that was enough to get them across the Nile on a ferry barge. Mary was amazed at the size of the Nile River, and how long and wide it was. “Truly this is a creation of God,” Mary said to Joseph. “Look at how wide and long this Nile River is,” Mary exclaimed. Joseph was also impressed with the size of the Nile River. The coolness of the Nile River around his legs felt wonderful, as Joseph stood knee deep in the river when he got off the raft. “Now that we have crossed the Nile, we are almost to Babylon (old Cairo),” Joseph commented. “It is good that God’s will has come to pass,” said Mary. There were many different nations of people on the river raft that day. Nubians, Egyptians, Jews, and Philistines were all traveling to old Cairo. Here in the Nile Delta the farmlands were rich with dark black dirt, and thousands of acres of crops. Tradition has it that here in Meniet Samanoud that Mary kneaded some dough on a granite trough for the Holy Family. At the well nearby Mary drew water for Joseph and Jesus, and they stayed a few days to rest up from their long journey. They filled their goatskins with water and found a shady place to stay and rest for a few days. Herod’s soldiers did not appear and the fear of them catching up to the Holy family subsided.
Meniet Samanoud (Meniet Genah) After a few days of rest Joseph informed Mary that they would be entering the town of Sakha (Pekha-Issout or Lysous) later that day. They reached Sakha in a day’s journey, and searched for a place to stay. They found an abandoned home foundation on the edge of the town. Tradition has it that here the infant Jesus touched a rock leaving an imprint of his foot in bas-relief. It was another miracle of God to show the local people that this was Jesus, Son of God. Mary did not believe that by Jesus stepping on a rock that his foot impression would be made, but sure enough there was the impression in the rock in front of her eyes. “Truly the power of the Lord is great, and the bounty he has provided us with,” Mary prayed. They stayed in Sakha for several days replacing their water supply, and buying more food in the town marketplace. Wherever they went people were taken by Mary’s appearance, and they always asked, “Where was she from and what was the infant’s name?” Mary was always polite, but never revealed that they were from Israel. Joseph traded the donkey in the marketplace for a stronger and younger donkey, since their donkey was to tired, and without strength to continue the journey. Joseph had some frankincense the Maggi had given him left and he offered that and the old donkey helped seal the barter for a younger and stronger donkey.
Heliopolis (Old Cairo) and the Jewish Ain Shams settlement They left after a few days to cross the Belgas Wastelands in the western desert of Egypt. Their goal was to reach Matareya that was only ten kilometers or 6.2 miles from the city of Heliopolis (Old Cairo). Ain Shams was a settlement of Jews and was home to a large Jewish population. They had erected a temple synagogue of Unias. The Holy family would be welcome in this Jewish settlement. Once again another miracle occurred where Mary rested on a rock a spring gushed forth from the earth. Those around at the time all wondered at the miracle that had occurred. “Who is this Mary of Nazareth, and Joseph the Carpenter,” the townsfolk inquired. “Hail Joseph, where do you come from,” many Egyptians asked him. “I am from Bethlehem in Judeo, and we are visiting relatives in Ain Shams,” Joseph said. “Is it not true that your wife Mary brought forth a new spring in our village,” several Egyptians asked Joseph. “I do not know of this spring you mentioned,” Joseph denied Mary’s miracle. He was afraid that the Egyptians would fear that the Holy family was cursed and force them out of town. Fortunately, no stone idols crumbled or fell to the ground in Ain Shams.
So the Holy family rested in Ain Shams for many months. Mary was beginning to feel that they could live in this place forever. Many towns’ people came to see the miracle Mary had created in forming a spring to spurt forth from the ground. Egyptians and Jews alike were amazed at this miracle and the beauty and grace of Mary and her infant Jesus. They made friends in the Jewish community of Ain Shams, and worshipped in the temple synagogue of Unias. Finally, it seemed they had reached their final destination and God would provide for them. Joseph went out to seek labor in which he could earn some wages in building. Mary trying to help did some stitching and helped her neighbors with their chores. Their life was beginning to come together, although they longed for their homeland.
After six months with only petty jobs to be had, Joseph decided to more on to Misr El Kadima to seek better employment, and a house to live in. Tradition has it that upon entering the town of Misr El Kadima the local stone idols crumbled, and fell to the ground as they had in many other towns they had visited. Mary was afraid because these events usually made the local townsfolk angry and cause them to drive the Holy family out of the town. The Governon of Fustat, when he heard of the crumbling of the stone idols, was enraged. He sent out his soldiers to seek out the culprits. When the soldiers returned they informed the Governor of Fustat that a Jewish family from Bethlehem was to blame. They also found that the mother, Mary and the Child Jesus had miraculous powers. They claimed that it was the power of their Jewish God that caused the statutes to fall and not them personally.
The Holy family was again forced to flee when they learned from a friend that the Governor of Fustat wanted to have the infant Jesus killed for making the idols fall down in the town. Mary, Joseph and Jesus fled the town and hid in a cave called Abu Serga. The cave was small but comfortable. Mary began to wonder if they would ever be safe in Egypt?
The next day the Holy family left for the Maadi where they boarded a sailing boat, and headed up the Nile River. Joseph had to use the last of a few coins he had left to pay for the boat. They docked at Deir-Al-Garmous 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles west of Adhnein El Nassara. They rested here for a day, and then continued to get as far away from Heliopolis (old Cairo) as possible to avoid the wrath of the Governor of Fustat. “Mary I know you are afraid, but it is God’s will that he crumble the stone idols of the Egyptians,“ Joseph said. “We must have faith that God will find us a home where we can live, and not have to worry about anyone killing Jesus,” Joseph said. “You are right my husband,” Mary responded.
Later that evening they entered Abai Issous “The Home of Jesus.” The present day Sandafa village, east of Al-Bahnassa, and 17 kilometers west of Beni Mazar. (10.5 miles). They journeyed to Bahnassa, and finally to Samalout where they had to cross the Nile again. Being that they were foreigners, few people offered them shelter or food. The Holy family rested in a cave at Gabal El Kaf “Palm Mountain.” It was here they lived peacefully for a little more than a year. Mary was feeling tense and tired from having to flee every town and village they came to. Finally, the cave at Gaval El Kar offered some shelter and protection from the elements. Joseph sought some labor locally to help them buy some food, and Mary settled in to caring for Jesus. He was a bright child and had a good appetite. She was still breast feeding him and giving him some chopped up dried fish and dried fruit from time to time. Joseph helped a local person repair their house roof and received some chickens and food for his services. The journey had been long, and they had been in Egypt for over a year and ½.
Gabal El Tair-Samalout (Minia) Tradition has it that another miracle was said to have occured at the Laurel tree south of Gabal El-Tair. The tree is called “Al Abed,” “The Worshipper,” it is said to worship Jesus, branches incline downward, and then upward. Mary, Joseph and Jesus were said to have passed this way. “Joseph do you see how beautiful the laurel tree branches swoop down,” Mary exclaimed to Joseph one day as they rode by the laurel tree that was to become “Al Abed.” Everywhere the Holy family went in the old days of Egypt there seem to be some kind of miracle. Mary did not intentionally cause these miracles; rather the Angels of God seem to have acted on their own in proclaiming the “Son of God.” The miracles were as good and bad for the Holy family. When a miracle occurred it attracted attention, and many people from around the area came to see the woman known as the “Virgin Mary.” The bad part of the miracles is that evil men were also drawn to the miracles for their own gain. Often they had to flee a town when the people began to get out of control. Some townspeople offered food and gifts to the Holy family and Mary was most grateful. They were always considered “foreigners,” wherever they went.
Nazet Ebeid, (Minia) Once day they came to Nazet Ebeid on the Nile and they had to cross over the Nile to get to the city. A raft was available for the Holy family, and their donkey for a small coin Joseph had left. The river currents were strong that day and Mary worried for the infant Jesus. Joseph consoled her as the raft slowly crossed the Nile. When they got to the other side, they stopped and rested at the outskirts of Nazet Ebeid. Here again was another mysterious town they had to adjust to, and find water and shelter. They were never invited by any town’s folk to stay in their home or eat of their food. The townspeople looked on them as some strange foreigners that seemed to have magical powers. “Mary we are going to stay here for a day or so, and then move on to Al-Ashmounein the following day,” Joseph said. “It is good my husband, because I am weary of traveling,” Mary commented. Joseph went into Nazet Ebeid to the marketplace to see if they had a town well where he could refill their goatskins with water. He had also hoped to barter with some local people for some dried meat and dried fruit. One such merchant named El Akim drove a hard bargain in exchange for some gold pieces Joseph had saved. Joseph had managed to buy some goat meat that was dried, figs and dates. Mary would be happy that he was successful in bartering for food since they were running low of supplies.
When Joseph returned to Mary and Jesus whom were waiting outside of town they sat down and ate their dinner for the day. Joseph said a few prayers of thanks before they ate their meal of flat bread, dried goat meat, figs and dates. The air cooled off quickly that evening, as Mary lay with Jesus, breast-feeding while she looked at the many stars in the sky. “Isn’t it amazing how many stars there are in the sky,” Mary said. Joseph responded by saying, “as many as the grains of sand in the desert, and all different.” “Do you think that some day our son will become a leader or king among men as the Angel promised,” Mary asked. “I do not know my love, but I do know that God is with us in our journey and always protecting us when we are in need,” Joseph exclaimed. “My spirit and belief in the Lord has grown these many years in Egypt. I do not know when we can return to our village of Nazareth, but I hope it is God’s will,” Joseph remarked.
Al-Ashmounein (Hermpolis Magna)… Several days later after a good rest the Holy family decided to move on to Al-Ashmounein (Hermpolis Magna). It was only a half-day journey, and they entered the town that was bustling with people in the marketplace. Unfortunately the stone idols again began to crumble and fall to the ground. The townspeople became angry and forced the Holy Family out of town. Mary was visibly upset about the miracles and the negative image it gave them in every town. Joseph tried to calm her to prevent her from crying. “We will stay at the next town called Dairout Al-Sharif,” Joseph said and they continued on the dusty dirt road.
Dairout AL-Sharif (Philes) 12.4 miles The Holy family arrived in Dairout Al-Sharif (Philes) in the later afternoon of the next day. The donkey needed water and rest so Joseph was forced to seek shelter. A grove of trees off the caravan road seemed like a safe place to rest. The heat of the day was especially intense that day, and there were no travelers on the caravan road. Mary and Joseph prayed and washed off Jesus afterward with a wet cloth. Mary and Joseph had darkened considerably from being exposed to the sun all the time. She kept Jesus wrapped up to protect him from the sun. “Is God watching over us today,” Mary asked Joseph. “ He is always watching over us Mary,” Joseph responded in a positive manner. His feet were killing him and he needed a new pair of sandals. Perhaps in the next town he could barter for a pair of sandals.
Qussgam (Qost-Qoussiia) and Meir (Meira) The Holy Family passed through Qussgam and Meir the next day but did not stop except to refill their goatskins with water. It seemed important to Joseph that they make distance between them and Cairo. Mount Gabal in the distance was Joseph’s goal for the day. It would offer caves for shelter and water from the mountain springs. Here they could rest longer and build up their strength. As the sun began to set they came upon Mount Gabel and a large cave half the way up the mountain. A small spring was located nearby which would provide them with water and many wild olive trees grew around the base of the mountain. Truly God had provided once again. Joseph fetched some water while Mary breastfed Jesus.
After feeding and watering the donkey they sat down in the comfort of the cave, and ate sitting upon some rocks. It was the last of the dried goat they had left that night. Mary and Joseph would seek out some olives and other wild plants on the next day. They all fell fast asleep from fatigue that night and all that was to be seemed well.
Gabal Mount Qussqam, Assuit (327 kilometers south of Cairo or 203 miles)
Joseph did not know at the time but the Holy Family was 203 miles south of Heliopolis (old Cairo). Here at Gabal Mount Quussam, Assuit, they felt safe enough to stay in a cave. One night when Joseph was sleeping an Angel appeared to him and said it was safe to return to Israel, for Herod was dead. When Joseph awoke he was overjoyed to tell Mary the good news. “Mary, Mary, the Angel of the Lord came to me in my sleep, and told me to return to Israel our home. Herod is dead, and it was safe for us now to return home,” Joseph shouted. “Thank God,” Mary exclaimed. They packed up their belongings, and left the next day to return to Israel, not to Jerusalem, but to Nazareth where it would be safe for them and Jesus. And so the return journey retracing their steps through Egypt, but giving Cairo a wide avoidance. Their journey took them many months through Mount Dronka- Assiut- 8 kilometers or 4.9 miles southwest of Assiut, and back around Heliopolis (Old Cairo), Matariyah, Mahamma, back to the Sinai Peninsula, and finally back to Galilee, and to Nazareth. All in all they traveled over 2,000 miles over four years in their exile journey to Egypt and back. It was truly a miracle they survived the perils of Egypt.
Chapter 4- Young Jesus at age 6
Jesus was a bright child and did everything his mother Mary asked of him. One day Mary decided to share with Jesus the story of his miraculous birth hoping that it would motivate him to achieve his destiny. “Jesu (Jesus) my son come and sit down on this rock in the shade,” Mary asked. “How are you today, my son,” Jesus replied “I am well mother, why do you ask?” “I want to tell you a story that you will need to remember all your life,” Mary said. “I love stories from the Bible,” Jesus remarked. “No this is a real story about a young girl and the Angels of God,” Mary said. “One day she said a poor maiden of Nazareth was sleeping at night when the Angel of the Lord came to her and said, “Do not be afraid Mary for you will bring forth a son and he will be a ruler among men and you will name him Jesu,” Mary said. “That is my name mother, who is this twin?” Jesus asked. “ Let me finish my son,” Mary remarked. “At that time the young maiden was not yet betrothed to her husband to be,” Mary said. “When the young maiden awoke she went and told her husband to be about the vision she had. He too had a vision and a visitation from an Angel of God,” Mary said. “The Angel of the Lord told this man to send his bride to be to a city called Hebron in the south of Judea,” Mary whispered softly. “So what happened Mother?” Jesus inquired. “It was as the Angels forecast and the Angels of the Lord were right. Eventually, the maiden became betrothed to her husband and she returned to Nazareth to bear her first male child called, Jesu Ben Joseph, “Mary finished her story. “So what does this story have to do with me, mother?” Jesus asked. “You are the destined one the Angel of the Lord predicted would be born,” Mary announced. “You are the one who is destined for great things my son,” Mary remarked. “Remember this my son, for one day you will have an opportunity to lead the people of Israel from the yoke of suppression under the Romans. You are the divine one that the scriptures have announced will come one day to save Israel,” Mary said. Jesus sat there and replied, “That was a good story mother, thank you for sharing it with me,” Jesus remarked. “Can I go out and watch father build a house now?” “Yes, my son, go in Peace,” Mary said.
Each year as Jesus got another year older, Mary told Jesus this story over, and over to make sure he knew he had a destiny as foretold by the Angels of God. Jesus always thought they were just stories mother loved to tell, and never really took her seriously until he was 12 years of age.
Chapter 5- Young John of Hebron
Bible: Book of Luke:
1:57 when the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 1:58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 1:59 when they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 1:60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 1:61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 1:62 so they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 1:63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 1:64 immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 1:65 then fears came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 1:66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. 1:67 Then Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 1:68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. 1:69 He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, 1:70 even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: 1:71 salvations from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 1:72 to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant 1:73 and of the oath he swore to Joseph our father, and to grant us that, 1:74 rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him 1:75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 1:76 And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 1:77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 1:78 because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us 1:79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” More 1:80 the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
“The child (John) grew, and became strong in spirit living in Hebron, Judea. John’s father Zechariah saw to it that John was well trained in the bible and Hebrew tradition. Every year Zechariah would take his family, Elizabeth and John to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Here they would meet Joseph of Nazareth and his family Mary, Jesus, and his brothers and sisters. John was 15 months older than Jesus, however they got along very well. John’s nickname for Jesus was “little Yeshua,” because even when they were young boys John was taller than Jesus. By the time John was 12 he grew to six feet four inches tall while Jesus was only five foot ten inches at age 11.
One year when John was eight and Jesus seven years of age, their families met in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. During the week they stayed in tents outside the walls of Jerusalem because they had no relatives living inside the walls of Jerusalem that had any room for their families. While Joseph of Nazareth and Zechariah the priest and father of John were sitting around a fire and talking, John and Jesus were running among the tents outside the walls of Jerusalem.
“Little Yeshua, can you catch me or are you as slow as a turtle,” John shouted. “I will catch you and bury your face in the sand,” Jesus replied as they ran around the tents. John tripped on a tent cord and Jesus finally caught up to him as he rolled on the ground. “Alright you win ‘little Yeshua,’ John shouted as he swallowed some sand. It wasn’t until an hour later that Joseph and Zechariah noticed that John and Jesus were missing. “Mary do you know where Jesus and John are,” Joseph asked? “No I have not seen them all morning,” Mary replied. “James go and look for your older brother, and swat him in the head and bring him back here for your mother and I,” Joseph shouted. “Must I find the little weasel father,” James replied. “You are the eldest and it is your duty to keep track of your brothers and sisters,” Joseph stated firmly. James left in a huff to look for his brother Jesus and their 2nd cousin John. James found them in no time running around the tents in the tent city outside the walls of Jerusalem. “Come here Jesus for your father and mother are concerned as to your whereabouts. You are to return to our tent immediately,” James commanded. Jesus gave James a strange look but turned to John and said,” let us return to our tents before our parents get mad.” So all three returned to their family tents. Nothing more was said about the incident afterward.
John liked to quiz Jesus on his knowledge of the bible since John was always studying the bible with his father who was a priest in the temple in Jerusalem. “Little Jesua, who freed the Jews from the Egyptian Pharaoh?” John asked. Jesus responded quickly, “Moses.” “Good, now where did our Jewish forefathers spend 500 years in captivity?” Jesus thought for a second and said, “Babylon.” This game would go on for hours until the boys tired of the game and sought other entertainment. They were the best of friends each year at Passover time and when the Passover Festival was over they both returned to their towns. John returned with his family to Hebron that was south of Jerusalem, and Jesus and his family returned north to Nazareth in Galilee.
After returning from the Passover feast John’s father Zechariah took John aside and said, “It is time for your formal religious education to begin my son.” “I have asked Rabbi Slocum to spend time with you each week learning the bible and the torah,” Zechariah said. “This will prepare you for your coming of age ceremony at age thirteen in the next year,” Zechariah went on to say. “Thank you father, I welcome the learning Rabbi Slocum will provide me. And so from that day forward John received formal religious training several times a week. He was a bright student and always asking questions.
One day John said to Rabbi Slocum, “who are the Essenes, Rabbi?” Rabbi Slocum an older man with a long white beard and a large distinctive nose and beady little eyes thought about the question for a moment and then replied,” they are Jewish brethren that seek the truth in Judaism and live in communities away from Jerusalem.” “Are they Pharisees or scribes,” John asked? “No John, they are Jews that want to live a life of purity and follow the old traditions of Judaism,” Rabbi Slocum replied. “I have heard that they live in the desert by the Dead Sea,” John commented. “Yes they live in Qumram near the Dead Sea and they follow a person called the ‘enlightened one,’” Rabbi Slocum responded. “Now let us get back to our studies,” Rabbi Slocum asked.
From early on John had an interest in the Essene community and what they were doing out on the edge of the desert near the Dead Sea. He had seen the Essenes one Passover coming as a community to worship in the Temple during the Passover Holiday. They looked like any other person in Jerusalem but dressed a little differently with their robes that were bright in color.
At age thirteen the next year, John was ready for the “coming of age ceremony,” to be held in the temple in Jerusalem. John’s father Zechariah was a Priest in the temple and this gave him some special privileges. Joseph of Nazareth, Mary, Jesus, and all of their other cousins, and family were invited to the ceremony. John was to do several readings that Rabbi Slocum had prepared him for. The ceremony went well, and one of Zechariah’s friends who was a priest, and Rabbi Slocum was the leader of the ceremony. Now John was officially a member of the local synagogue, and Hebrew member of the state of Israel, and an adult Jew. It was a great moment for John because it showed his father that he was ready for greater things perhaps as a priest or maybe a prophet as the Angel of the Lord had decreed when he was born?
Chapter 6 – Jesus at age 12 Bible: Book of Luke 2:39-52
[41] Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. [42] When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. [43] After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. [44] Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. [45] When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. [46] After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. [47] Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. [48] When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” [49] “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” [50] But they did not understand what he was saying to them. [51] Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. [52] And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
The first problem with Jesus being age twelve is in the days of Jesus they counted years from the first day a child was born. That would make Jesus really thirteen years of age. What is interesting is, why did the writer of Luke put this story into the Gospel? It may have been a favorite story that Mary told the disciples about Jesus when he was young? Jesus acted just like a typical teenager when after three days his parents discovered he was still in the temple listening to men discuss the scriptures. How would he have learned so much about the Law and the Bible? Maybe Mary doting over him and making sure he had a good Rabbi to train him in the Torah and the Bible? Regardless what surprises everyone reading this passage is that when Mary told Jesus that his father and her were worried and they did not understand why he remained behind without telling them. This may have been a teenage moment where Jesus disregards his parent’s wishes and stays behind at the temple talking with the elders. His response that his mother should know that Jesus, “was in his father’s house.” This completely baffled Mary, and afterward he returned home and obeyed his mother henceforth.
This is the only story about Jesus youth, and it demonstrates Jesus rebelling to a small degree, before he became a man in his coming of age ceremony later that year or next year. Every year Joseph and his family traveled to the Temple to celebrate the Passover and return home again. Jesus’ brothers and sisters are not mentioned in this passage for some reason. Mary and Joseph thought that Jesus was in the caravan with relatives as teenagers often do with a “sleep-over,” at a friend’s house in modern times. Mary and Joseph trusted Jesus to act responsibly and were shocked that when they searched he was not in the caravan.
So why tell this story? It points out that Jesus was a normal teenager that had a problem rebelling at age 12/13. He wasn’t perfect as a teenage, that is certain. This is perhaps one of Mary’s favorite stories about the headstrong teenager Jesus at age 12/13. Many followers of Jesus when he was an adult would have liked to believe that Jesus was always a perfect person as a teen or an adult.
Many lost Gospels tell stories about Jesus creating miracles when he was a child, and these Gospels were rejected by the church in 100 A.D. and later. What we do know about the young Jesus is that he met his second cousin John every year at the festival of the Passover in Jerusalem when Joseph took his entire family to visit every year. John lived in Hebron, which was 30 miles south of Jerusalem, and his father was a Priest at the Temple in Jerusalem. John was imagined to be a tall boy at 16, and Jesus average height of 5 ft. 10 inches tall. John may have had a nickname for Jesus such as “little Jesua.” It is likely that children always gave one another nicknames to tease one another, as did John and Jesus. Perhaps Jesus stayed at John’s family tent or residence in Jerusalem? We will never really know where Jesus stayed at night for the two nights while his parents were returning to Nazareth with the caravan, only to realize that Jesus was not in the caravan. They were a day away from Jerusalem, and they had to return a day to find Jesus in the temple with the elders in discussions.
What the bible does not tell the reader is how did Jesus after age 13 become so wise in memorizing the scriptures and the Torah? How did Jesus learn of the coming of the Messiah? How did he develop a self-sufficient ministry to tell everyone in Palestine the “Good News?” Those answers are found in other chapters in this book.
Jesus and John were close 2nd cousins whose families went to celebrate the Passover festival in Jerusalem every year. It is more than possible that they met one another during the festival, and prayed together, and shared bread together every year.
Why did Jesus pick this year of all the years they visited the temple to become careless and stay behind knowing his parents would worry and eventually go looking for him? Perhaps it was a Rabbi that Jesus studied under that was getting him ready for his coming of age ceremony? This year would have been the year that he would be officially admitted to the Temple as an adult? Was Jesus a forgetful teenager? No. He was like most teenagers then, and today, not responsible for their actions, acting impulsively, and always challenging their parents.
Perhaps the biggest changes came for Jesus as he started to develop a religious identity? Somewhere between age 12/13, Jesus became more aware of his destiny. At 12/13 Jesus would have gone through the “coming of age ceremony,” at his local temple and would have been recognized as an adult, and an official member of the temple or synagogue. This may have been an enlightening experience for Jesus? It seems that Mary and Joseph did not really understand Jesus, and what he wanted to do to meet his destiny. Jesus at age 12/13 was beginning to come into his own identity and to discover the secrets of the Torah, and the Bible. Eventually, Jesus at age 14 or 15 would come to accidently meet a member of the secret Essene community that worshipped at Mount Carmel that was walking distance from Nazareth.
Chapter 7 – The Secret Mount Carmel Essenes (Children of the Light).
Editor’s Note: The Essenes were a religious group on a par with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Zealots in Jesus’ day. They chose to live in the wilderness, rather than stay in Jerusalem. They lived simple lives without animal sacrifice or greed of money. They dressed simply, and studied the Jewish Torah, the Bible, and other sacred writings in a devout manner. They believed that a Jewish Messiah would come one day and save all Jews from the Romans, and their strong grip on Israel. The Mount Carmel Essenes were not a monastic community as were the Qumran Essenes near the Dead Sea.
Mary went to the central market one day when Jesus was 15 years of age. While at the central market in Nazareth a man approached her, and asked, “pardon me madam, but is your name Mary the wife of Joseph of Nazareth. “Yes, I am, who are you,” Mary asked? “I am Simon of Nazareth,” the man responded. “I am one of the leaders of the Mount Carmel Essene community. My family and I live in Nazareth, but conduct our worship services on Mount Carmel,” Simon said. “ What is your business with me,” Mary asked. “ I would like to meet with your husband, Joseph the builder regarding some repairs to my house in Nazareth. “We live four blocks down this road on the right side. You will see a sign hanging in front of our house,” Mary responded. “My husband and my sons are working there now if you wish to see him today,” Mary said. “Thank you Mary,” Simon answered. After their exchange, Simon headed down the street that Mary pointed to where her husband had his workshop.
When Simon came to the house of Joseph, he noticed a young man outside cutting a log. “Can you tell me where I can find Joseph the builder,” Simon asked? The young man was Jesus, and he answered, “he is inside stranger.” Simon knocked on the door, and called inside for Joseph. A few minutes later Joseph came out and greeted Simon. “ Joseph, I am Simon of Nazareth, and I have a home on the other side of Nazareth which requires some roof repair,” Simon said. “I have many jobs this week,” Joseph replied. “I can come to your house next week to assess the damage to your roof and what it will cost to repair it,” Joseph responded. “Fine,” said Simon. “My home is on the road of Olives, and it located on the corner of the street,” Simon said. “I look forward to your visit,” Simon replied. They shook hands, and Simon walked off down the street. “What did the stranger want, “ Jesus asked. “He has a roof that requires repair,” Joseph said.
Two weeks afterward Joseph, James, Jesus and Joses all headed to the other side of Nazareth to repair Simons house on Olive road. Together they carried two ladders and their tools. The house of Simon was easy to find and Joseph had James and Jesus set the ladders up against the roof to inspect the damage. “How bad is the damage,“ Joseph asked Jesus and James. “It looks like we will have to replace some of the beams with new wood, and then put in a roof over the hole in the roof,” Jesus yelled down to his father. Joseph and Simon came to reasonable terms for the repair of the roof for the wood and covering plus labor. “We can begin tomorrow, “ Joseph told Simon. “That would be wonderful,” Simon replied. “My sons and I have to purchase some wood from Lebanon, and supplies and bring them to your house tomorrow,” Joseph stated. “Come my sons let us go to the market, and see if we can find a dealer in Lebanon wood,” Joseph remarked.
The next day Joseph and his sons returned and began to work on removing the rotted wood on the roof. They started early to avoid the broiling midday Judean sun. While James and Jesus were up on the roof, Simon and Joseph stood on the ground below. “What do you do for a livelihood,” Joseph asked Simon. “ “I buy and sell cloth at the market,” Simon replied. “Some people consider me rich, but it is a myth for I work hard like everyone else in trading goods from other countries,” Simon said.
“I have not seen you at the Synagogue,” Joseph said. Simon replied, “I am a leader of the Mount Carmel Essenes community.” “Really, what is the Essene community all about,” Joseph asked. “We prepare ourselves for the coming of the Messiah,” Simon answered. “I have heard of your community, many of whom live in tents on Mount Carmel,” Joseph said. “Yes, some of our communities seek solitude on Mount Carmel to pray, and study the Torah, and the bible. “We welcome anyone to come and join our community or visit with our community in prayer,“ Simon said.
When Joseph returned home that day he mentioned to Mary that he had met an Essene Jew. Mary asked, “What do these Essene do?” “I am not sure,” Joseph said. “They worship God on Mount Carmel, and some of them live in tents on sacred ground, and that is all I know,” Joseph replied. “How strange, why do they not come to our synagogue to worship as the rest of us do,” Mary questioned? “I do not know,” Joseph remarked.
Six months later Mary and Jesus were in the marketplace shopping for food when Simon and his wife Ruth walked by and said “hello.“ Jesus asked his mother, “is that not the man called Simon the rich merchant whom we repaired his roof.” “Yes, I think it is the man whom your father said was an Essene,” Mary replied. “What is an Essene mother,” Jesus asked? “I do not really know my son. There is something mysterious about their movement. They are like the Pharisees, and the Seduces, whom study and practice in the temple. The Essenes prefer to worship outside of the temple on Holy ground on Mount Carmel,” Mary said. “Cousin John mentioned something about the secret Essene community at Qumram near the Dead Sea,” Jesus said. After their discussion Mary purchased some greens and gave them to Jesus to carry.
“Several months later Jesus met a new friend at the synagogue in Nazareth. His name was Elisha of Nazareth, and he just happened to be the son of Simon of Nazareth whom Jesus had repaired his roof. Elisha and Jesus often discussed the Torah and the bible for many hours after visiting the synagogue. During one of their talks they were discussing what a Messiah was and whether one would ever come. Elisha invited Jesus to join him and his father in worship at Mount Carmel with the community of Essenes. Jesus accepted, and was very curious to see what these Essenes were all about. After he told Elisha he would attend the worship service of the Essenes, Jesus mentioned it to his mother in passing. “Jesus my son, it might be good for you to see another approach to Judaism and learn from it. Do not tell your father however,” Mary said secretly. I am not sure he would approve,” Mary said.
The following Sabbath Jesus went up to the Mount Carmel Essene community after attending his own synagogue. It was a long one-hour walk to Mount Carmel. As he approached the Mountain, Jesus noticed many tents arranged in a large circle. This he knew must be where the Essenes were holding their worship service. As he came close to the tents Elisha came out to meet him and welcome him to the Essene community of Mount Carmel.
The Essenes were all dressed in white robes for the worship service, and many read from the Torah and the Old Testament, as was the same in Jesus’ synagogue. When the Simon the leader began to speak Jesus was mesmerized. The Enlightened One spoke very softly about the coming of the Messiah and how the Essene community by living the pure life might make ready for the Messiah. Jesus was most interested in this talk of a Messiah. It was a topic that he had never heard before in his own synagogue. After the service the Essenes sat down in small groups to discuss living the good life for God. Jesus and Elisha sat in one group of men and listened to the discussion. After they had some food and drink, Jesus returned home with many ideas in his head about the coming of the Messiah.
Jesus and Elisha became fast friends and Jesus continued to visit the Mount Carmel Essenes as often as he could. Eventually he told his father Joseph that he was attending the services at the Essene community. “If you find the Essene community to your liking son, they you have my support. Just beware of false prophets,” Joseph said to Jesus.
After nine months went by Jesus asked Simon of Nazareth if he could formally be initiated into the Essene Community of Mount Carmel. Simon agreed to speak to the leaders of the Essenes for him. So, at age 15 Jesus began his formal initiation to the Essenes Community at Mount Carmel.
John, Jesus’ 2nd cousin had joined the Qumran Essene community a year before Jesus joined the Mount Carmel Essenes. All this occurred after John’s father Zechariah died. The Qumran Essene community was located on the Dead Sea far out in the desert area of Judea. The Qumran community was more of a monastic community with spiritual purity and cleanliness of thought. They lived a simple life in exile from the rest of the Jewish world. Qumran was a major animal tanning center where they made leather scrolls for copying portions of the Old Testament, and other important Essene scrolls. The Qumran Essene community had it’s own water supply and grew much of it’s own vegetables. It was a very self-sufficient community in the Judean desert.
Jesus, being a Nazarene, and a northerner of Galilean, found a whole different philosophy with the Essenes of Mount Carmel. The Mount Carmel Essene community was not monastic community, and some of the community lived in Nazareth, and worshipped on Mount Carmel. Others of the community lived in tents on Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel was sacred ground, and only gardens or trees could be planted. No permanent structures or houses were permitted on Holy Ground. No trees could be chopped down or no one could kill anything there for food, not animals or birds. It was the prophet Elijah that made the mountain Holy Ground by making the mountain his home. It was here that Elijah built an altar of twelve stones (one for each tribe of Israel) on the mountain. The Essenes established a divine school of holiness here in the tradition of Elijah. Simon of Nazareth, the Leader of the Essenes community taught the Essenes to prepare themselves through purity, dedication to the Torah, and deeply mystical spiritual life to receive the Messiah.
Eventually Mary and Joseph and their children followed Jesus’ lead and become members of the Mount Carmel Essene Community. Mary and Joseph were obsessed with the meaning of the coming of the son of man, and the messiah according to the Essenes who based a lot of their philosophy on the prophet Elijah. James, the brother of Jesus, became a very active Essene candidate and became a full candidate two years after Jesus became a candidate. James had always lived in Jesus’ shadow, and he wanted to help Jesus with his ministry by becoming a full-fledged Essene.
Jesus was a good student and became well known in the Essene community for his understanding of the Torah, the scriptures, and the Book of Meditation. Jesus had to promise to Essene community to:
• Exercise piety before God, • Observe justice before all, • Do not harm to others, • Despise wickedness and help the righteous, • Show fidelity to all and those in authority, • Not abuse authority, • Show a simple of manner of dress, • Love the truth and reprove those who lie, • Never steal, • Preserve the Holy Writings.
One day Simon came to Jesus and said, “brother Jesus, I want you to memorize our Lord’s prayer so that you may use it everyday, Morning, Noon, and Evening prayer. “You will in time shorten the prayer for the masses of common people that do not worship Mother Earth,” Simon remarked.
“And pray every day to your Heavenly Father, and Earthly Mother, that your soul becomes as perfect as your Heavenly Father’s holy spirit is perfect, and that your body becomes as perfect as the body of your Earthly Mother is perfect. For if you understand, feel, and do the commandments, then all for which you pray to your Heavenly Father and your Earthly Mother will be given you. For the wisdom, the love, and the power of God are above all.
”After this manner, therefore, pray to your Heavenly Father: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.’ ”And after this manner pray to your Earthly Mother: ‘Our Mother which art upon earth, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, and thy will be done in us, as it is in thee. As thou sends every day thy angels, send them to us also. Forgive us our sins, as we atone all our sins against thee. And lead us not into sickness, but deliver us from all evil, for thine is the earth, the body, and the health. Amen.'”
“Simon, how do you know that the Messiah is coming in our time,” Jesus asked. “ Because, my son, it is written that at the end of time a Messiah will come,” Simon answered. “Stay true to your studies,” Simon encouraged Jesus. “Your destiny may well lie in the studies of our Essene community,” Simon said. Mary had told Jesus many times about the Angel that foretold that Jesus would be a leader among men. Jesus knew that in some way, he must find his true destiny with God through study and prayer. Mary also told Simon about Jesus’ supposed destiny as foretold by the angel Gabriel. Simon took great interest in Jesus when he found that the Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary before Jesus’ birth. He secretly felt this was a clue to the potential that Jesus might in fact one day become the “righteous teacher,” the Essenes had so long prayed for.
Jesus learned the power of prayer after hours of prayer, and meditation each day at the Essene community. His spiritual “eyes” were beginning to see a new meaning to life. The preparation of a good and simple life helped to prepare for the development of Jesus’ mission later in life. “Could this “Messiah” or “Teacher of Righteousness,” really save all the Jews from oppression,” Jesus often asked himself?
After 4 ½ years of study, at age twenty, Jesus was imitated into the Community of Essenes that worshipped on Mount Carmel. He had completed several years of study, and learned the Community Rule, the council of Holiness, and study of the Torah and Bible. He observed fasting, immersion in mikveh, kosher observance, and vegetarianism to live a purer life. He now had a choice of becoming a Scribe, and studying with a Senior Scribe for several years or becoming a Healer. He chose to follow the path of enlightenment by becoming an Essene Healer. Jesus was always a mild mannered young man, with dark skin, deep brown eyes and a busy dark brown full-face beard, who deeply believed that he had a destiny to fulfill one day. He, being only human, lacked some self-confidence in becoming a Healer. He hoped that in time he would be more self-confident, and follow in the ways of the Lord with complete faith.
The same year Jesus was imitated into the Mount Carmel Essene community his brother James became a candidate. James had always lived in the shadow of his brother Jesus and not that Joses and Joseph his brothers were old enough to manage their father’s building business,
Jesus was required to give up his worldly possessions to the Essene community who would hold it in trust for him. At the end of the second year it was merged with the goods of the community. This was an opportunity Jesus could not pass up. He accepted the promise to life a pure life and became a Scribe for the Essene community. “I have little to give Master Simon,” Jesus said. “Here are some personal items, and mementos my mother Mary kept from my childhood,” Jesus remarked. “It is enough that you give up worldly goods and distractions my son,” Simon said. “Come let me introduce you to the Joseph our Essene healer. Joseph has come to us from the Essene community at Qumran near the Dead Sea where he trained for many years. “Joseph this is our prize student, Jesus of Nazareth,” Simon introduced Jesus. “I am pleased to meet you brother Jesus and I am glad you chose healing over becoming a scribe,” Joseph commented. “Peace be with you master Joseph,” Jesus said. “It is my honor as a teacher to show you the secrets of Essene healing and the book of Healing. So it was that Jesus began what was to become 10 years of training as an Essene healer.
One Sabbath Jesus noticed Elisha coming out of one of the tents in the Essene community. “God’s Peace Elisha,” Jesus shouted. “And peace be unto you brother Jesus,” Elisha said. “Where have you been lately Jesus,” Elisha asked? “I have been deep in study with Joseph the Essene healer,” Jesus replied. “I have learned a great deal about the prophets, and especially Elijah who predicted the coming of the Messiah,” Jesus said. “You must come, and join us in the Seder and lead us in prayers,” Elisa asked. “I will try to come, and see you and your father Simon in Nazareth when I have time,” Jesus promised. “God go with you Jesus,” Elisa said as he walked off down the Mount Carmel rocky road.
This was Jesus’ ultimate mission to become a Essene leader and healer for the Essene community and maybe beyond? Jesus continued to study the Holy Writings that God warned ‘Ezra’ to only “show the wise, while learning about Healing at the same time.” These writings would include the “Book of Jasher,” “The book of Enoch,” and others. Jesus would become in time one of the greatest leaders of the Essene community on Carmel Mountain.
So it was, and so it was recorded that Jesus after baptism by John the Baptist began his ministry at age 30. Never did he mention in public or private that he was a trained, and active member of the Mount Carmel Essene community. Jesus had the Essenes to thank for his preparation for his ministry, his healing skills, and for his understanding of “the son of man,” and the Messiah to come. He had his mentors Simon the Essene, Joseph the Essene Healer to always turn to when he doubted himself. Simon and Joseph instilled in Jesus the importance of the end of time, and the coming of the “Righteous Teacher,” and the Messiah.” No one could be as well prepared in the knowledge of the scriptures as Jesus was, thanks to Simon the Essene, and Joseph the Essene.
One day Simon would tell Jesus that it was time for him to go out and be baptized by John the Baptist to certify the beginning of his Essene minded mission. Jesus obeyed Simon, and at the age of 30 he would go to the Jordan River to be baptized. He spoke first with him mother Mary about his seeking a ministry throughout all Judea, and she agreed that his training with the Mount Carmel Essenes was a valuable experience to prepare Jesus for his destiny. “Go forth my son and bring the “Word of God” to the masses that you might achieve your destiny as foretold by the Angel Gabriel,” Mary commented.
Chapter 8 – Jesus the Secret Essene Healer
“Jesus your training has progressed amazingly well since you arrived here 4 1/2 years ago,” Simon said one day to Jesus. Joseph the Healer has told that you are a bright and intelligent and learning everything he is teaching you about healing. Joseph the Healer has mastered herbs, Dead Sea salt, and other amazing plants in healing many diseases. It is my hope that one day you will become one of the greatest Essene healers of all time and help in many ways to keep our community healthy.
One day Joseph and Jesus sat on a rock in his cave on Mount Carmel. “Jesus I have much to teach you regarding herbs, magic mud, salts of the Dead Sea and other plants that heal some of the worst illnesses. In addition to learning magic drugs, I will attempt to teach you the “laying on of hands,” on a sick person and the faith you must have in the Lord to work through you to heal. “I am most excited to learn brother Joseph,” Jesus replied.
From that day forward Jesus trained as an Essene Healer. He learned how to help others in the Essene community that became ill, using certain herbs that Joseph grew in a small garden outside his cave. “Jesus you know it was the Angels the Rephaim (watchers) that gave the Essenes the herbs and roots of healing. We even use the salty mud of the Dead Sea and rocks with special magnetic properties,” Joseph said. “The Angel Raphael watches over all diseases and wounds of humanity in the Parables of Enoch,” Joseph commented. “You and I are but humble servants of the Angels that watch over us Essenes,“ Joseph whispered. “You will learn to use opobalsam, mandrake, madder, bitumen, sulphur, stupteria, salt, soap, and the black mud of the Dead Sea to heal many illnesses,” Joseph advised. “Jesus, look at these seeds. They come from the Opobalsam plant that the Queen of Sheba gave as a gift to Solomon. We make the seed into a wine-like substance of red color,” Joseph commented. “Sometimes we also use the bark and the wood,” Joseph went on to say. “What does this plant heal Master,” Jesus asked? “Well it is a well kept secret but we use it for treating snake venom, eye and ear diseases, shortness of breath, and headaches,” Joseph responded. “Be cautious brother Jesus for this drug is very, very potent and must be used sparingly,” Joseph exclaimed. “I will show you in time how to use the sap as well in the treatment of diseases,” Joseph said.
“We dry dates as a cure for spitting blood and also for eye-salves,” Joseph also stated. “We grow our own date trees here on Mount Carmel and at our Qumran community by the Dead Sea. We use the dates for medicinal uses as well as for eating,” Joseph went on to explain. “Palm trees are one of our main crops here on Mount Carmel. Myrobalan or cherry plum is another fruit we use which we use with astringent wine helps healing of wounds, diarrhea, and menstruation. We also use it as a cure for stomach problems,” Joseph went on to say. “The flowers of Mother earth provides us with many bees which are useful for the treatment of many illnesses,” Joseph stated. Jesus was amazed at the extent of this healer’s knowledge. “Today we will go out to the eastern shore of the Dead Sea and collect plants such as the baaras or mandrake. “Mandrake you will see can be used as a cure for eye diseases, urinary infections, pains, nausea, and anxiety and sleep problems. The drug is so good that it can induce a deep sleep that looks like death,” Joseph remarked with a slight smile. “The mandrake plant is so powerful that we must use a rod to dig up the potent roots,” Joseph said. “You must be very careful brother Jesus with this plant for it is truly powerful and deadly as the same time, “Joseph warned.
“One more plant “madder,” (rubia danaensis) is found in the southeast of the Dead Sea and we use it as a cure for jaundice, sciatica and paralysis,” Joseph pointed out. “Grab a stick and a few reed bags and we will travel to the dried out lake today to collect the plants I have spoken of,” Joseph said. The desert sun was already blazing hot as they set off to the dried lakebed. We can buy the bitumen from an Essene trader that travels to the Dead Sea. He collect Bitumen, a tar pitch that rises to the surface of the Dead Sea, and Madder, and Mandrake in case we cannot find any near the dried lake. We can also trade for andarani a special salt found on the northwestern shores of the Dead Sea. “I have an ancient scroll which our Essene scribes have copied called the Sefer Ha-Rdfu’ot or ‘Book of Remedies,” from Solomon which I want you to read and memorize,” Joseph stated. “I am most interested Master Joseph
A few hours later Jesus, and Master Joseph arrived at the dried lake a few miles from Mount Carmel. Here they would search for mandrake plants. “Quick, Jesus, over here is a mandrake plant. Notice the shape of the leaves,” Joseph pointed out. “Now let us work together with our digging sticks,” Joseph shouted. “Stay away from the plant and help me dig under the plant to get at the roots. We want the whole plant to get the seeds and roots to use in our mixtures,” Joseph pointed out. They both struggled digging at the huge plant until they were able to uproot it. Joseph took a rope and tied it around the plant and finally pulled it out of the sandy clay ground. He and Jesus dragged it until they could wrap a blanket around it and tie it off. Joseph threw the bundle on his back and they returned to the cave on Mount Carmel.
All that day they covered their mouths with cloth, and worked with the removal of the mandrake seeds, and roots. Nothing was wasted. The bark was soaked in water, and the seeds were crushed and made into a paste that they added water to and stored in clay jars. Jesus returned home very tired that first day. It was just the beginning of a constant collecting or trading for special medicinal plants that he and Joseph could use for healing. One day when Master Simon passed by Jesus he asked, “peace be with you brother Simon. How is your healing ministry going?” Simon asked. “Peace be with you too,” Jesus replied. “All is going well, and my Master Joseph is showing me all the secrets of Essene healing as given to us by the Angels. “My wife’s has had a pain in her head for several days, can I drop by and ask your Master Joseph if he has a medicine that will take away her pain?” Simon asked. “Of course Master Simon, please come by Joseph’s cave and he will give you a medicine to cure your wife’s head pain,” Jesus remarked.
As the months went by Jesus was allowed to attend healings with Joseph using the many wonderful and secretive medicines they had collected. One day a small girl of age 7 was very sick, and her parents were worried, so they brought the little girl, named Ruth, to Joseph and Jesus, to be healed. Joseph did not use any drugs this time after examining her eyes and feeling her pulse. He said a short prayer asking God, and the Angels to cure this child. Then as she stood in front of him he placed his hands on her shoulders, and then her head and said, “I cast thee out demon, Go and leave this girl at once. Praise be to God. Amen,” Joseph prayer out loud. Then he poured some water over her eyes. The girl fell backward and her father caught her before she hit the ground. She stood up and looked around, and Joseph asked her, “are you all right child of the light?” She shouted, “I am well, Master, I am well father, and she ran off down the road out of sight.” “Go in Peace brother,” Joseph said to the father. After they left, Jesus asked Joseph, “Master how did you do that? You did not use any medicine,” Jesus asked. “It was a process called, ‘the laying on of hands,’ “ Joseph responded. “What is this laying of hands,” Jesus asked. “It is all about faith brother,” Joseph said. “The sick one must believe that you have the power from God to heal for the laying of hands to work,” Joseph commented. “One day you will be worthy brother Jesus,” Joseph remarked. ‘With God’s help,” Jesus said. When Jesus returned home that evening he told him mother Mary and his brothers and sisters of the remarkable “laying of hands,” today and the curing of the young girl. “One day I hope to be as good as Joseph the Essene,” Jesus said.
After several months went by Joseph the Healer approached Jesus and said, “Today we will learn of the mystical seven Angels of the Earth, and how the Angels help us to cure the sick. Remember we are the “children of the light,” and we believe in the “new covenant.” You faith will determine how great an “Essene Healer,” you will become. We recognize thirteen Sabbaths of the year, and with each Sabbath we have songs dedicated to that ceremony. Songs can help when healing. Some medicines will take time to work, and you must sing softly the songs of the thirteen Sabbath Sacrifice, and the prayers of the Angel of the Sun, and the other Angels that protect us. Some times you will dream of a glimpse of the Merkavah-his majesty’s throne chariot, and above it, God himself.
“I will teach you the prayer the Angels of the four elements, “ Joseph said one day to Jesus. “let us pray,” Joseph prayed.
Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth, most clement and merciful father, send me your four angels: The Angel of Earth, the Angel of Water, the Angel of Air and the Angel of F7ire, That your will may be made manifest in me. May the Angel of Earth take all the wastes of my physical body and give them to the earth, that she may absorb them and send them back to me in the form of health and purity. May he cleanse my whole body so that Life may flow abundantly through my veins and arteries? May my whole being be free, light, and unburdened, so that the kingdom of God and his righteousness may be established on earth and the golden age dawn among men. May the Angel of Water wash all stains from my heart? May selfless love dwell in my heart, bringing me happiness, joy, and bliss. May my heart be pure, transparent, and crystal clear, so that the kingdom of God and his righteousness may be established on earth and the golden age dawn among men. May the Angel of Air purify my intellect with an influx of wisdom and light. May my thought become lucid, keen, and radiant, so that the kingdom of God and his righteousness may be established on earth and the golden age dawn among men. And may the Angel of Fire, who is none other than the Angel of the Sun, sanctify my soul and my spirit. May absolute truth penetrate my whole being. May my soul and my spirit know eternal life and be a dwelling for divine creative omnipotence, so that the kingdom of God and his righteousness may be established on earth and the golden age dawn among men. Amen, amen, amen.
At the end of the first year of training as an Essene Healer, Jesus had memorized the many herbs and plants, and how to preserve and prepare them for the curing of the sick. Joseph the Essene Master was very proud of his pupil’s progress. “You know Jesus, you walk well in the sight of God,” Joseph commented. “Truly you are blessed with a good memory and a humble demeanor worthy of an Essene healer.”
One day a mother brought a sick boy to Joseph the Essene Healer, and Jesus the Essene Healer assistant. Her son had an eye-swollen shut from some disease or bug. “Joseph what do you think caused the eye infection,” Jesus asked? “I do not know brother Jesus, but let us prepare a some opobalsam solution. Jesus ground up the seeds, and added a little water to make a paste. He gave it to Joseph who put the paste on the swollen eye. “Bring him back to us tomorrow to see if the eye does not open or improve,” Joseph instructed the woman. “Thank you healer and peace be with you,” the woman responded. She led the little boy back home.
The next day in the afternoon, Jesus was drying some figs on rocks in the sun when he saw the woman return without the boy. “Peace be with you Healer,” she said to Jesus. “And also with you,” Jesus responded. “How goes the child?” Jesus asked. “It is a miracle, his swelling is gone and the pus has dried out. He can see and asks if he could go play,” said the mother. “Thanks be to God for that,” Jesus said. “I have baked some bread to thank you healers,” the woman said as she put the hot bread wrapped in a cloth down on a rock near the cave of Joseph the Essene healer. “My master will be most pleased, thank you,” Jesus responded.
The woman turned and walked back toward Nazareth.
“Today Brother Jesus we will do more work with the dangerous and powerful mandrake root that we dug out of the ground by the dry lake. We have to be careful not to touch the mandrake until we can dry some of it out in the sun,” Joseph explained. “Be careful if you give too much of the mandrake it can put the patient in a coma,” Joseph said. “Coma can be good and bad. If you need the patient to rest before you give them treatment a coma can be good. If you cannot get a patient to come out of the coma, it can be bad,” Joseph explained. “I have used this powerful drug to cure leprosy and other serious diseases,” Joseph commented. “Just remember to use it sparingly, for it very powerful,” Joseph warned. So they cut up the tubers with sticks and long knives, and a cloth over their mouth and nose and placed the mandrake root out on rocks in the sun. After they dried the root out they ground the root down into a power that could be stored in a clay jar. Jesus did not know at the time, but years later in his ministry he would heal many lepers with this drug, and bring back people to life that were in a coma such as Lazarus.
An old man with many skin sores came to Jesus the next week complaining of pain in his skin. Joseph and Jesus conferred as to what remedy would work and they decided to get some of the black mud of the Dead Sea which they had in jars and add some water to it and put the mud paste on the man’s skin. They had him lie down in the shade of a nearby tree while the black mud dried on his skin. Black mud was full of sulfur and salt and usually worked very well on skin ailments. That evening just before evening prayer they washed the black mud off of the old man’s skin and all the sores were dried up. “A miracle he exclaimed, thank you healers,” he exclaimed and ran down the road to his tent on the mountain.
Sometimes patients are unable to come to the cave of Joseph the Essene Healer so Joseph and Jesus were called to a tent on the Mount Carmel Essene community where a young man had been bitten by a snake. Joseph cut an x where the snake bit the young man while Jesus washed it with sulfur soap. They then put a drying lotion on the bite area that would draw the poison out. Jesus wrapped a tight cloth around the young man’s leg to prevent the poison from traveling up his leg. “We will return tonight,” Joseph said. “Meanwhile, make sure you drink plenty of pure water all day and do not eat any solids. The poison will have drained by tonight, and the pain will be gone by tomorrow, “Joseph remarked.
When they returned that night the young man was sitting up, and looking much better. Jesus released the tight cloth on the leg, and Joseph washed off the sav on the Bitemark. The skin was very red, and the poison had been drawn out and drained onto the ground. You will have some bad dreams tonight, but by tomorrow you will return to normal,” Jesus told the young man. “Thanks be to God,” the young man said. “Amen to that,” Jesus and Joseph both said.
Eventually Jesus and Joseph the Essene were treating hundreds of illnesses and medical problems each month. Collecting the herbs and growing, what they could was a full-time endeavor. Once a month Joseph went into town to trade with the Essene trader for products he had brought from the Qumran Essene community near the Dead Sea. Because the trader was an Essene he, and only he, was allowed to bring these potions and healing plants to Joseph for use in the Mount Carmel Essene community. They swapped local plants and herbs that Joseph had for the ones that the Qumran Essenes had given the trader to bring to Joseph. Ordinarily the Qumran Essenes did not trade with the outside world since they were a monastic community, but this was the one exception since Joseph was originally a healer in the Qumran Essene community many years ago.
Jesus learned about mystical treatments from India and far away countries from Joseph the Essene Healer. Jesus read all the scrolls on healing that Essenes had in their massive library. Each day he became more and more proficient in noticing similar illnesses and the proper cure of medicine for them. The Essenes were most grateful for Joseph the Essene Healer and Jesus the Essene assistant Healer. Many a life was save by their knowledge of all the healing properties of plants, herbs, magic stones, Dead Sea salt, Dead Sea black mud and mineral water.
Jesus read in the Bible, that a man named Reuben went into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very Well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s Mandrakes. Mandrakes were a most powerful mystery medicine that the Essene healers had handed down through many generations.
In Jesus second year of training as an assistant Essene Healer a strange happening occurred. Joseph and Jesus were called to a home of a man who was dying of some disease that was unknown. Unfortunately, neither Jesus nor Joseph had a horse or camel to travel on to reach this man named Nichelias who lived a days journey away from the Mount Carmel community. Joseph dispatched a wealthy young man who was an Essene who also owned a horse. Joseph gave the young man named Jekel a portion of mandrake in the form of power in a small clay jar for the dying man to keep the man alive until Joseph and Jesus got there to care for him. “Off with you now Jekel,” Joseph shouted. “Be sure to give Ezekiel the old dying man this portion when you arrive at his house for we cannot reach his house by foot in a days walk,” Joseph repeated. So off rode Jekel to the south as Jesus, and Joseph packed up their medicines, some dried food and water and began the one-day trek south.
When Jekel arrived at the home of Ezekiel later that evening he introduced himself to Ezekiel’s wife and daughter and told them he had medicine from Joseph the Essene Healer at Mount Carmel. He gave the syrup like drink to Ezekiel who immediately fell into a coma. A day later Jesus and Joseph arrived to find Ezekiel in a deep sleep or coma. “What do you think Joseph,” Jesus whispered? “I will bring him out of the deep sleep and see if one of our potions will bring him back to health,” Joseph remarked. Ezekiel’s wife had already considered him dead since she could not see any breathing. She wept heavily all day long until Joseph and Jesus arrived. Joseph gave Ezekiel a strong stimulant to bring him out of the coma. After a few prayers Jesus and Joseph raised Ezekiel up to a sitting position when he opened his eyes. “His wife cried that he had returned from the dead.” “ Joseph and Jesus knew better since he was in a coma and not dead. Joseph gave Ezekiel some hot herb tea and observed his recovery. “How do you feel Ezekiel,” Joseph asked? “I am a new man, thanks be to God,” Ezekiel shouted out with joy. “Our work is done here. We hope to see you both at services on the Sabbath as soon as you can travel, “ Joseph said. “God be with you,” Ezekiel and his wife responded. Jesus and Joseph left to return to the Mount of Carmel. “How did you raise him from the dead?” Jesus asked. “He was not dead, he was in a deep coma which I induced to help him to recover medically until we arrived,” Joseph commented. Once we gave him the herbal tea the infection that was killing him was gone thanks to the coma we induced,” Joseph observed. “Some would call it a miracle that you raised a man from the dead,” Jesus said.
“Perhaps brother Jesus, but you, and I know that it was just good medicine with powerful drugs that we make to cure people,” Joseph whispered. “You must always keep this a secret for many will challenge you for raising a man from the dead and expect us to raise everyone from death, which we cannot do,” Joseph said as they walked down the hot dusty road back to Nazareth and then Mount Carmel.
On a hot dry day as every day in Galilee on Mount Carmel a visitor came one day to see Simon, Jesus, and Joseph. His name was Nicodemis and he was a Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. Few people knew that Nicodemis was sympathetic to the Essene cause. He had traveled to Mount Carmel that he might talk with Simon, Jesus, Joseph and other Essenes about the coming of the Messiah. All of the Essene leaders did not know it at the time but in the end Nicodemis would claim the body of Jesus and have him buried in his own tomb. “So brother Simon how are my esteemed Essene brothers doing lately,” Nicodemis asked? “Peace be with you Nicodemis and we are blessed to have you visit us. How goes it at the Temple in Jerusalem,” Simon asked? “The usual politics,” Nicodemis commented with a wide smile. “Would you like some herb tea Nicodemis,” Mathias asked?” “Yes that would be delightful,” Nicodemis responded. They talked for hours until Nicodemis decided to go to sleep for the evening in an empty tent provided for visiting Essenes. This was the first time the young Essene Jesus would meet Nicodemis, not realizing that later in his life Nicodemis would come to him outside of Jerusalem, and ask him how a person could get into heaven.
The next day Nicodemis had returned with a caravan to Jerusalem. Jesus and Joseph returned to their daily ministry of healing. A blind man named Emmanuel came to Jesus, and Joseph one day, and begged them to relieve him of his blindness. Joseph asked them man if he asked the Angels to help him? The man named Emmanuel said he had prayed all his life to the Angels after he was stricken with blindness when he was a child. Joseph told Emmanuel that it would take great prayer, and healing power to return his sight to him. Jesus doubted they could reverse years of blindness and scarring of the Emmanuel’s eyes. “Is this within out power Joseph,” Jesus asked? The Angel of Light and Mother Earth will reveal unto us a remedy,” Joseph said and then he prayed to Mother Earth and The Seven Angels of the Earth.
The Essene Seven Angels and Mother Earth Prayer.
Our Earthly Mother, She who sends forth her Angels To guide the roots of man And send them deep into the blessed soil. We invoke the Earthly Mother! The Holy Preserver! The Maintainer! It is She who will restore the world! The earth is hers, And the fullness thereof the world, And they that dwell therein. We worship the good, the strong, The beneficent Earthly Mother And all her Angels, Bounteous, valiant, And full of strength; Welfare-bestowing, kind, And health giving. Through her brightness and glory Do the plants grow up from the earth, By the never-failing springs. Through her brightness and glory Do the winds blow, Driving down the clouds Towards the never-failing springs. The Earthly Mother and I are one. I have my roots in her, And she takes her delight in me According to the Holy Law. “
Editor’s note: See Glossary for Essene Prayers to the Seven Angels of the Earth and Mother earth.
“Jesus mix up some of the medicines we have for infections of the eye and place the mixture on each of Emmanuel’s eyes,” Joseph instructed Jesus. “Rest here for a day or so Emmanuel, and let’s us see if the Angels hear our call for help,” Joseph said. So they left Emmanuel lying on a straw mat under the shade of a tree for a day. That evening they returned and there was no improvement. Jesus fed Emmanuel some vegetable soup and gave him a blanket for the cool evening.
The next morning Jesus and Joseph came to the tree where Emmanuel had been lying and he was gone. “What happened to Emmanuel, was he kidnapped,” Jesus exclaimed? Joseph said he did not know where Emmanuel was either. They looked everywhere in the Mount Carmel Essene community for Emmanuel but they could not find him. Finally, when they returned to Joseph’s cave, there was Emmanuel standing by the entrance to the cave. He was smiling. “Peace be with you brothers,” he said. “How are you today,” Joseph asked? “I can see, can you not see my eyes are open?” Emmanuel shouted. “It is truly a miracle from God and Mother Earth and the Angels have cured me,” Emmanuel said. “Indeed you are blessed, Emmanuel, go with God this day,” Jesus remarked. And so Emmanuel went down into Nazareth and told everyone in the town about the miracle, and how Joseph and Jesus the Essene Healers on Mount Carmel cured him.
Jesus was beginning to learn that prayer and medicine helped to cure people more than any other combination. It was important that the sick person believe the Jesus or Joseph had the power to heal them and had complete faith in their abilities. Faith was the key work that worked more wonders than any of the herbs or medicines Jesus and Joseph had.
Jesus had a vision one night that he would raise a cousin of his from the dead one-day. He shared this with Joseph, Simon, Mathias, and Ezra his Essene mentors the next day. They were amazed and worried at the same time. What did the future hold in store for Jesus the Essene? Joseph knew in his heart that one day Jesus would be able to heal by the laying on of hands. It was just a matter of time and self-confidence in Jesus to make laying of hands for healing possible.
Jesus learned that magic stones that could pick up metal and other stones could also be used for healing. Joseph showed Jesus how they could heat up these magical stones and place them on a person’s back to remove back pain. At first Jesus did not believe that any stone could be magical, but after heating up these special metal attracting stone he changed his mind when saw the back pain go away in an old man who was suffering from great back pain.
Jesus learned over ten years how to use deadly drugs like Mandrake to cure terminally ill patients. When Jesus began his ministry two sisters of a man named Lazarus came to Jesus for help. They were all friends of Jesus. When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When Jesus heard the news he sent some mandrake powder immediately by horseback of a friend, but told no one of this. Jesus did not own a horse or donkey so it took him two days to walk to the town of Bethany by foot. When he got there Lazarus was already considered dead and was laid in the tomb. Martha went out to meet Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.” Martha was not aware that Jesus sent a secret messenger on horseback so that he could get to Bethany in a day’s ride. Jesus told Martha, “Your brother will rise again,” knowing that he had given Lazarus some mandrake powder that would put him a medical coma until Jesus got there to treat him. Martha thought Jesus was talking about the final resurrection of the dead. Jesus than said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
Jesus went with Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, and the mourners to the hillside burial place of Lazarus. When they got to the tomb, Jesus asked to remove the stone that covered the tomb. He then went into the tomb and determined Lazarus was in a medical coma, but still alive. He gave him a very strong stimulant drug he had to bring with to bring Lazarus out of the coma. He then went outside the tomb while the medicine was working and raised his hands to heaven and prayed to God, finishing with these words: “Lazarus, come out!” A few minutes Lazarus came out of the tomb and Jesus instructed the crowd to remove his grave wrappings, and so they did.
Joseph the Essene Healer had told Jesus that one day he would bring someone thought to be dead, back from the dead or a deep coma. Few people in those days knew the difference. The curing of Lazrus was the proof that Jesus the secret Essene healer had learned well from Joseph his mentor over 10 years of training. The medical knowledge Jesus learned always seemed like a miracle to the common folk because they had no knowledge of healing herbs and special medical potions.
Jesus’ greatest challenge was in the learning of “laying on of hands to heal.” Joseph had instructed him how this kind of medical healing could come about. “The first thing Jesus is you must be feared or well known for your prayer and healing ability. People must believe in you more than they believe in the devil or themselves. You must be so positive that there can be no turning back with their healing,” Joseph instructed. “Most laying on of hands will occur in the heat of the moment, in front of a crowd, in a worship ceremony or other sacred event, Joseph went on to say. “You must be strong and not doubt yourself every, “ Joseph said. “They will know if you have any doubts. An invisible feeling will occur between you and the patient,” Joseph remarked. “They have to know in advance that you are the one and only Jesus from Nazareth (the secret Essene healer) who healed so many people before,” Joseph said. “They have to believe that you can produce miracles and that you and God are one working together for the good of mankind,” Joseph commented. “Yes Master I hear what you say but for now I do not feel so great. Perhaps in time, God with me, I will summon the power within to heal the sick no matter what the disease or illness by the laying on of hands, “ Jesus replied.
Chapter 9-The funeral of Joseph of Nazareth
It was in Jesus’ fifteenth year that his aged father Joseph of Nazareth became ill, and after several months of fever and sickness, he passed away in his sleep. As was the Jewish custom he was buried quickly before sunset the day he died. Mary, Jesus, and his brothers James, Joses, Judah, Joseph, and his sisters all grieved greatly for their loss. Jesus being the oldest would have to bear the burden of taking over his father’s building business. James agreed to help his brother Jesus with the business in order to support his mother and sisters. Jesus knew that this might one day postpone his chances of one day becoming a prophet.
“Jesus told his mother. “I grieve for my father, but I know from his hard labors he is at peace now in death,” Jesus sadly stated. “I will be strong for you mother, for my heart is with you and you have always seen to my health and education, for which I am indebted greatly,” Jesus said. “You are my beloved and my favorite son,” Mary said. “From the day you were born I knew that you were destined for greater things and – you would become a leader of men like your cousin John. “Send your brothers James and Joses to my cousin Elizabeth in Hebron, and tell them that Joseph has died. We will sit Shiva for a week to grieve his passing. Tell them to come and share with us,” Mary told Jesus. “James you heard what Mother has said, take Joses and travel to Hebron to tell Elizabeth, John and Zechariah, Jesus commanded.
According to Jewish tradition Joseph was put into the ground that evening, and his family prepared some food for visiting guests and extended family members and townsfolk when they came to sit Shiva in grieving for the loss of Joseph to his family.
This was a major turning point for Jesus for he had always looked up to his father who worked hard, and sacrificed so much for his family. From the death of Joseph’s first wife of many years to the second marriage to Mary when she was a teenager, Joseph prevailed and remained strong. Through all the years in exile in Egypt he protected Jesus and Mary from harm and kept them together for four years until he could return to Nazareth in Galilee. Joseph showed Jesus everything about building, carpentry and how to work with his hands. Over the years Joseph’s family prospered and followed in the Orthodox Jewish customs. Jesus was well versed in the bible thanks to Joseph and Rabbi Ben Juda under whom Jesus studied for many years until it was time for his coming of age ceremony at age twelve.
“Lord I pray gives me strength without my father Joseph to lead me. Guide me Lord and show me the way. Help me to be like Elijah of old and let me be a light to mankind. Show me the way lord and reveal unto me thy blessing,” Jesus prayed softly. “Salome can you help me prepare some dried fruits and goat meat for our guests at Shiva,” Jesus asked? “My beloved brother Jesus, I always love to do as you wish. Let us set up the foods together in memory of our beloved father,” Salome responded. Mary returned to her bed to rest and cry softly for the rest of the day. Her one and only husband were gone and so many memories of the days in Bethlehem, Egypt, and their return to Nazareth were on her mind. Their life had been peaceful and without remorse as Jesus grew to become a strong and bright young man, dark of complexion and long hair with deep dark brown eyes. He was a delight to discuss the bible with because he was so knowledgeable and passionate in his learning. Through her efforts he had become a model Jew who attended temple every Sabbath and studied his bible that was presented to him by Rabbi Ben Juda from their local synagogue. “No mother could ask for a more obedient child than Jesus,” Mary thought to herself. What know would become of Jesus and what of the destiny the Angel of God foretold,” Mary asked herself?
Night descended quickly and the cool desert air moved throughout the house as Jesus and his family slept. When Joseph first became ill, Jesus had a premonition that this illness might not be curable, and so it was. Jesus always regretted that he could not cure his father at the time.
The next day the family prepared for guests, family, and visitors as they began to sit a week of Shiva in grieving for their father Joseph. This was a time to meet long missed cousins and have townspeople come to give their best wishes. In two or three days Zachariah, Elizabeth and John would be arriving from Hebron to give their condolences. Jesus had not seen his second cousin John since last year at the Passover Festival in Jerusalem. Jesus was looking forward to John’s visit since they had known one another all their lives.
Two days later there was a knock at the door and standing there tall, at six foot four inches was cousin John. Elizabeth and Zachariah were unloading the donkeys outside and bringing in presents and food. “Hail John, son of Zachariah,” Jesus proclaimed in jest. “Welcome to our home,” Mary responded. “Mary, Jesus, Salome, Joses, James, Joseph, it is so good to see you all,” Elizabeth replied. It was a time for family, and they all sat down and had some wine, water, and honey-dates. “We are saddened at the passing of our kinsman Joseph,” Zachariah stated for all to hear. “He is with God now after many years as a hard-working and pious man. Amen,” Zachariah prayed.
Jesus and John went off to a quiet corner to talk. “So how are your studies in the bible coming along cousin, “ Jesus asked. “My parents are letting me spend some time with friends of ours whom are Essenes, and live in the Qumran community near the death sea,” John replied. “That sounds interesting, John. I wish I could join you but now I am to share with James the burden of father’s business to support my family,” Jesus replied. “Well little Jesua someday you will be free to follow your destiny,” John commented. “Wine, cousin, you must be thirsty,” Jesus offered. “Yes some wine will help to wash down the dust of the hot roads over which we traveled these past two days,” John said. Jesus was glad to see his cousin for they had much in common. The week of sitting Shiva went by quickly and Zachariah, Elizabeth, and John had returned to Hebron and everything return to normal day-to-day labor of building as it was before.
This would be the last time Jesus would see his cousin John as their destinies would part on different paths in the future. John would join the Qumran Essene community near the Dead Sea, and Jesus would become a full-fledged Essene of the Mount Carmel community. Jesus would not see John for eighteen years when he would have his cousin John baptize him in the Jordan river. Now they were still teenager, and later they would be full-grown bearded men of the Jewish faith.
Chapter 10- “…the Voice of one crying in the wilderness.”
Bible: Book of John:
1:6 a man named John was sent from God. 1:7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 1:8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 1:9 the true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 1:10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. 1:11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. 1:12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, 1:13 who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 1:14 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. 1:15 John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” 1:16 from his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, 1:17 because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 1:18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him. 1:19 and this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites [to him] to ask him, “Who are you?” 1:20 he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.” 1:21 So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 1:22 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 1:23 He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 1:24 Some Pharisees were also sent. 1:25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?” 1:26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 1:27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 1:28 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John the Baptist’s Testimony to Jesus.
1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 1:30 He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ 1:31 I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” 1:32 John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. 1:33 I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 1:34 Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
1:35 the next day John was there again with two of his disciples, 1:36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” 1:37 the two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. 1:38 Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” More 1:39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.
3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” 4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Joseph as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Joseph. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
John the Baptist, or John the Essene, established his career long before Jesus began his ministry. After John’s father’s death, when he was sixteen years of age, John asked to be adopted by the Qumran Essenes of the monastic community near the Dead Sea. John, like Jesus, knew that an Angel of God blessed his birth. Like Jesus, John came to realize he had a destiny to fulfill. The Essenes accepted John into their community because he came from a long line of Priests.
John’s mother Elizabeth had often mentioned that she expected John to become a prophet of a religious leader one day. John had a very close relationship with his mother because he was an only child. Elizabeth being an older mother doted over John from the day he was born. She protected John from the slaughter of the innocent infants by Herod. Like Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, she fled into the wilderness to avoid Herod’s soldiers who were killing every infant under the age of two.
John’s father was a Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem and often taught John how to read the bible and the Torah. Their relationship was difficult because Zechariah did not really believe that his son would become anything but a Priest, as he had become, and his father before him. John knew in his heart that he was destined to do something great, but he was not sure what that would be. He had often discussed this with his cousin Jesus. It was something they did not share with their parents. John left Hebron with nothing but a sack of clothes and dried fruits and a goat sack of water and headed across the hot desert to the Qumran Dead Sea Essene community. It would be a new beginning for John, and one that would shape his future.
When John arrived at the Qumran Essene community, Joshua the Leader of the Qumran Essene Jews met him. “Welcome and Peace be with you, John,” Joshua said. “You have come many miles and come and wipe off your sandals and wash up at our well,” Joshua invited John. “Thank you Master,” John responded. John was a 16 year old teenager at the time, and very impressionable. He was a tall young man with dark hair and piercing dark green eyes and a large nose. There was something very likeable about John that Joshua sensed in the young man. The very first day Joshua spent introducing John to other leaders in the Qumran Essene community. He showed him the Scribes and their room where many scrolls were spread around on rock tables. He showed him the sanctuary and the stone altar that they prayed at. “We are called “the Sons of Light,” not just Essenes, Joshua remarked.
The accommodations for members of the community ranged from small to large caves adjacent to the main complex. There were no walls to protect the community from hostiles, for their faith was in God to protect them. The men at the Qumran community out numbered the women three to one because it was a male dominated society.
Joshua showed John to his quarters that were a small cave he shared with other men from the community. The caves for the novices of the community were along a steep rock cliff overlooking the Essene community.
Later that evening, after dinner, Joshua discussed the rules of the community with John. “John since you have a long line of Priests in your family, we have decided to adopt you, and bring you into our community,” Joshua said. “I am grateful Master,” John replied. “You understand that you must give up all your worldly goods, and possessions and that our community will hold them for you until such time as you become a full fledged member of the community,” Joshua remarked. “We do not talk during our mealtimes and we always eat together as one big family,” Joshua commented. “We pray in the morning before eating, at noon and again in the evening. You are required to join us at these prayer services every day including the larger service on the Sabbath,” Joshua went on to explain.
“Tomorrow I will introduce you to Ezra one of our teachers who will work with you on your studies and help you go from a candidate to a full-fledged member of our Qumran Essene community. “You will wear a white robe on the Sabbath when we worship which we will provide, and you will wear this tan robe all the other days. You will be given a new pair of sandals which are made here in our community,” Joshua remarked. “Thank you Master,” John replied. “Baptism is a regular form of worship and cleansing on the Sabbath here,” Joshua said. “You will come to learn all our rules in time, John, just be patient,” Joshua remarked. “Rest here for a while, and I will return later to bring you to the dinner tonight when the sun goes down,” Joshua said. “Peace brother,” Joshua commented as he left John by himself in the cave.
John had time to reflect in the cave sitting on his straw mattresses that lie on a stone platform carved out of the side of the cave. The air was hot and humid that day and John remembered feeling a fresh breath of air as he stepped out of the cave to overlook the Essene community site. It was a beautiful site but austere in it’s overall appearance. There were no flags, or clothes or marketplace in site. Just hillside caves and several stone buildings in the middle of the community. John thought about what the Essene community would do to help him acquire divine inspiration and blessing of God to spread good word one day in the future. The great hall was the largest building right in the center of the Essene community.
Joshua came to get John later that night as darkness spread over the desert. A hawk cried overhead, and stillness set upon the desert. John and Joshua walked down the courtyard of stone to a small stone building in the middle of the community. This was their great hall where they ate meals in silence, and often studied during the day. Joshua introduced John to Ezra who would become his teacher as an Essene candidate for the next three years. “John this is Ezra whom I spoke of earlier. He is one of our best teachers, and he will personally work with you everyday to help you complete your candidacy in our Essene community. You will study the Bible, the Torah, and the Book of Community Rules. When you have completed your studies in a few years you will be admitted to our community as a full-fledged member. It is then you will be baptized and cleansed of the spirit in order to join our “Sons of Light.” Then you can, if you so desire, choose to become a Scribe, and study under one of your senior scribes. You will have plenty of opportunity to study and pray here and again welcome John, “Joshua concluded. “Peace be to you brother,” Ezra remarked. “ Peace be with you also,” John replied.
They sat down to a vegetarian mean of bread, wine, nuts, and dried fruits. “We do not believe in animal sacrifices or killing animals for food in our community,” Ezra commented to John. Around the great hall were around 200 men and women all sharing in the communal eating. It was a place of happiness and faith. Everyone was treated with respect. The teachers, scribes and leaders were very knowledgeable, and most respected in the Essene community. They did not worship at the temple in Jerusalem anymore because they felt the Pharisees and the Sadducees were corrupt. The temple in Jerusalem had become defiled with greed and evil men the Essenes believed.
So the days, months and years of John’s training began. He did not see his relatives or his mother anymore. Life in the Essene community was very monastic and independent from the world outside the Essene community. There would be no distractions in the Essene community to hinder study and discussion of the scriptures. Each day followed with the same routine except the Sabbath where a large worship service took place. The Essenes preferred to eat a vegetarian style menu with little or no meat. Breads were cooked daily and fresh food was brought in daily from nearby marketplaces.
A year later John had a vision one night in his sleep. He dreamt that he was wandering around aimlessly in the desert until an Angel of God appeared to him and said, “Why do you wander in circles in the desert, John.” John answered, “I know not where I am going.” “Follow the river Jordan and one day you be as Elijah, a prophet in the wilderness, crying out to make straight the path for God and come and baptize yourselves for the remission of sins.” When John awoke he went to Ezra his teacher to discuss this vision. Ezra felt it was God telling him about his divine future and John agreed. Many in the community learned of John’s vision and it was the talk of many for days and weeks. “Perhaps John is a blessed one,” a leader said? Another commented that, “his vision must reflect our Essene values that he has learned. Certainly baptism is good for cleansing the soul?” John became a celebrity after his vision and many in the community came to John and spent time talking with him.
Three years later at age nineteen, John was officially admitted into the Qumran Essene community. He had passed all the requirements of study and prayer and had the recommendation of his teacher Ezra. A small ceremony was performed and John was baptized in a small bathing pool, and given the blessing by Joshua the leader of the Essenes. “This day we welcome our beloved brother John into our Essene community,” Joshua shouted to all who could hear. “Let us welcome him, and embrace him into our fold,” Joshua commented. “John came to us a few years ago after his father died, and we adopted him into our community based on his family heritage of Priests. “We are blessed to have such an intelligent, and dedicated follower such as John. He is destined for great things I truly believe,” Ezra remarked to the Essene community.
In time, John entered the Essene Rabbi program, and studied under a senior scribe called Mecchia. Mecchia would take John under his wing and turn him into a man of great knowledge, and inspire him to one day become a prophet. What a wonderful privilege to learn how to become a Prophet of God and spread the Essene news of the coming of the Messiah or the Teacher of Righteousness. “The son of man,” was an elusive expression that John learned to cherish. John learned and memorized all he could about the Prophet Elijah and how the Essene community related to what Elijah said in the scriptures.
It was a time of learning and prayer for John. It was a time to become closer to God in the wilderness of the Dead Sea. In this little monastic Essene community, John had learned to believe in himself and his destiny. Many times he had discussions with Ezra and Joshua about the “coming of the Messiah,” and the meaning of “the beginning of dark times.” One day soon, John knew it would be his time to go out into the world and preach the ‘Good News,” he had learned from the Essenes. He would eventually become a copy of Elijah by dressing in camel skins a leather belt. He would refrain from eating meat except Locust, wild honey and wild plants. The training he had received from the Essenes would establish who he was and how he would model his life. The time for the rivers of Jordan was not to far away.
One day Joshua took sick for a week, and he asked John to come and speak with him. “John it is time, for I am not long to be in this world and I want to see you fulfill your destiny. You are to become an Essene Prophet, but tell no one that you are an Essene. Be your own person. Go and seek the truth, and baptize as we have shown you. Baptize for the people’s remission of sins. Baptize for renewal of religious spirit. Baptize to prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah. Go and spread the Word. You are our beloved brother, and teacher John. Even though your studies as a scribe are not finished, we feel it is time for you to step forth,” Joshua remarked from his bed.
The next day Joshua died, and they buried him that night in the traditional Jewish fashion. John participated in the prayer ceremony as they laid Joshua to rest. It was a moment of great sadness in the Essene community. The next day John informed Ezra of Joshua’s wishes that John leave the Essene community and spread the Good News to the world. So, John with Ezra’s blessing set out to spread the Good News about the coming of the Messiah and the need for everyone to repent and be baptized. He went first to Jerusalem to the Temple to receive a blessing, but the Priests there had forgotten who his father was, and who he was. They rebuked him and so he left the temple with haste. He proceeded to travel around Judea speaking to strangers everywhere. He lived a solitary life eating only plants with the exception of locusts, wild honey and wild plants that he could find. Many a night he would look up at the stars and wonder what God had in store for him. Many a night he would sleep in the open desert that was always cold at night and hot in the daytime. John’s skin became almost black from the constant exposure to the sun. His beard grew long and reached his waist. His eyebrows looked like small bushes on his forehead. His skin wrinkled beyond his years.
One night, while sleeping in a cave in the desert, John had another vision. An Angel of God appeared to him and said,” John why do you wander so, come and baptize my people, and redeem them for their sins at the river Jordan.” Upon waking John realized that the Lord God wanted him to baptize people at the Jordan River. After a day’s journey from Jerusalem, he arrived at the Jordan river to see a group of woman washing their clothes and some men fishing along it’s banks. Some of the women asked John who he was, and he replied, “I am John the Prophet, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” “So you are a Prophet,” the woman giggled? “Yes, I have come in the name of the Lord to baptize for the remission of sins,” John said. As John walked along the banks of the Jordan River a man came up to him and said, “Prophet can you heal me?” John replied, “have you faith in God?” The man answered, “Yes, I do.” John said, “then step into the Jordan River, and be baptized and you shall be healed.” The man was crippled from early childhood from a disease, and could hardly walk; yet he entered the river trying not to fall down in the swift current. In the middle of the river John was standing in his camel hair coat waiting for the man to come forth. When the man made it into the middle of the river, John asked him, “Do you ask God for forgiveness of your sins and your illness?” The man replied,” Yes, I do.” Then John held the man under water, and said, “I baptize you in the name of the Lord for the remission of your sins.” He lifted the man back out of the water and the man took a deep breath of air. “You have been saved,” John said to the man. The man walked amazingly to the edge of the river and his crippled leg was gone and he could walk normally. “God be praised, John the Prophet has healed me, “ the man shouted to the women and men standing on the banks of the Jordan. Word spread quickly, and the next day a few more lost souls showed up at the Jordan river to be baptized by the prophet John, whom some called Elijah.
John found shelter nearby the Jordan River in a cave and that is where he lived for many years. Days turned into weeks and weeks became years, as John became known as John the Baptist. It was what he did best, and being baptized by such a great prophet, always spiritually moved those people that came from Judea, Galilee and other countries. John had one weakness, however, and that was his mouth spoke louder than his deeds. He felt it was not enough to ask people to repent and be baptized; he had to rebuke Herod and his wife in public. Finally, one day Herod had John arrested and threw him in a dark prison. John a man of the wilderness, a man of the out-of-doors languished in the darkness of the prison for months. Some say he was in the prison for 6 months and others record that he was there for two years. What is important is just as John the Baptist was at the peak of success he was put in prison. Was it God’s power or was it destiny that Jesus of Nazareth, an unknown preacher at the time, should come to the Jordan River to be baptized by his second cousin and childhood friend John the Baptist? At first when Jesus learned of John being imprisoned he was shocked. Simon advised Jesus to take up the reins of John’s followers and continue his ministry. Jesus was reluctant to do so because he truly believed God would release John from prison and let him return to the Jordan as before. It was not to be and destiny would play out with John being beheaded. Many of John’s thousands of followers did not know where to turn. Jesus had recently returned from his secret journey to the Mount Carmel Essene community and the followers of John asked Jesus, “Are you Elijah?” Jesus said “No.” Then what of John the Baptist, will you lead his followers?” the followers of John asked.
Jesus believed in John the Baptist, and he made it known that John was and always would be a great Prophet appointed by God to bring the good news of salvation (an Essene expression). Sadly, John the Baptist’s ministry would end in his death at the hands of Herod. There was a huge gap in religious leadership at the time. The people were tired of listening to the Pharisees and the Seduces on how to live the good life in Judaism.
Chapter 11- The Baptism of Jesus
A year after Jesus’ father’s death, when Jesus was just fifteen years of age, Mary decided it was time for Jesus to spent more time with the Essene Community at Mount Carmel, rather than labor on everyday at his father’s building business. “Yesua (Jesus), my son, I have heard that your cousin John has joined the Qumran Essene Community after his father died. He will receive a great deal of religious training there so that he may achieve his destiny. He did not want to become a Priest at the Temple like his father, so this is a good alternative for him.” Mary said. “Why do you mention this mother,” Jesus responded? “Since your father died you have taken up the reins of the family business with your brothers and supported me and your sisters, and we are indebted,” Mary replied. “Perhaps it is time to let your younger brother James take the reins of the family building business, and allow you to meet your destiny,” Mary stated. “I know your Essene membership and studies have become an important part of your life and you have a destiny to achieve according to the Angel of God who told me before you were born that you would become a great person among men,” Mary said.
Jesus sat in the shade of an olive tree and pondered what his mother has said. He was almost fifteen years of age and he knew in his heart and mind that he would be destined to become a prophet like his cousin John. “When would be the right time he asked himself.” He had prayed often to God to give him a sign and yet no sign had yet to appear. John’s father Zechariah had died, as did Jesus’ father Joseph when they both were 15 and 16 years of age, respectively. It would be 15 years before John and Jesus would again meet at the Jordan River.
For Jesus, he was at a crossroad in his life when his father died. He had become involved in the Essene community on Mount Carmel and had to help his younger brother James to also become an Essene.
Jesus remembered the last time his cousin John and he spoke. He remembered John’s parting words for Jesus to live up to his destiny as the Angel of God had blessed them both at birth. John would live with the Qumran Essenes community by the Dead Sea for a while to learn from them and seek to find the true nature of God and how he could become a prophet that could make a difference in these terrible times for Judea. John had always called Jesus “little Yeshua,” because Jesus was much shorter that the taller John who towered over him at six feet two inches. Jesus took this nickname kindly, and often called John, “Goliath,” because of his large size. They had always been close as cousins, just as their mothers had been close before, and after their first births.
Fifteen years had passed and Jesus was 30 now, and he had competed his studies as an Essene Healer and Rabbi. He never got the opportunity to become a scribe, and therefore, never learned to write in Aramaic or Hebrew. Joseph the Merchant and secret Essene Healer had taught Jesus for many years the skills of healing and “laying on of hands” that the Essenes treasured so greatly. Joseph the Essene healer had shown Jesus the Book of Healing and had made him his personal healing assistant until he was 30 years of age. Jesus entered the Rabbinical stage of training at age 15 while still studying healing. Jesus kept up his healing duties with Joseph all through his rabbinical training. Simon was Jesus primary mentor and friend. Simon remained Jesus primary mentor and his teacher had already told Jesus that the time for him to remove himself from the Essene community would one day come. Jesus would go out into the world and preach what he had learned over 19 years of study in the Essene community to perhaps testify to the coming of the Messiah?
At age 30, Jesus took his brother James aside and said, “brother I think my time has come to go out and seek my destiny as my teachers Simon and Joseph have encouraged me to do.” “John the Baptist, my cousin, is already preaching in the wilderness near the Jordan, and establishing a large following in all the lands,” Jesus proclaimed. James responded by saying, “it is alright for you to go forth brother for you are a man who had met his family obligation, after our father died, and remained true to our mother.” “I can handle the family business, and we will prosper. I wish you well on your journey. Stay safe brother,” James said.
Later that day Jesus bid goodbye to Salome, Jose, Joseph, Jude and his other sisters. Jesus packed his bag he said goodbye to his mother for the last time. “Mother I will always be with you, and I will try to visit you often. It is my time to embark on my mission for God. I need to take the many years of studying our Jewish traditions and beliefs in the bible and make sense of them,” Jesus commented with great compassion. “My Essene studies as a healer, and as a Rabbi have come to an end,” Jesus remarked.
“Go forth my son and God be with you always,” Mary cried as Jesus walked down the dusty road out of Nazareth Jesus had no idea where he was going but he knew his God would direct him on his journey. On his travels Jesus met many other Galatians who lived in Galilee all their lives. Galilee was the northern frontier of Judea in those days, and many Jews from other regions looked down on the Galatians as “lower” Jews. Jesus bid all the travelers on the road a “good day,” and then proceeded on his way. Jesus had but a few coins in his pocket that would buy him bread or wine. He knew if he stopped at the houses of his relatives, that he would always be welcome, and would fine food and shelter. He did this for over a month going from city to city, learning in the temples and seeking his future. He returned from time to time to the Essene community on Mount Carmel to speak with Simon and Joseph the healer about his travels and his developing ministry.
Finally, he heard that his cousin, John the Baptist, was baptizing at the Jordan River near Bethany. Jesus had not seen John in 15 years, and did not realize how he had changed. John was reported to be living on locusts, honey, and living a simple life. After walking almost a day, Jesus came upon the Jordan River near Bethany where he could see a large crowd of hundreds of people standing near the banks of the river. In the middle of the river a dark longhaired tall man stood. Could this be his cousin John whom he had grown up with? Jesus could not tell who the man was at the distance, so he walked further to the Jordan River edge. He heard the bearded longhaired man call out “make straight the way,” “repent and be saved of your sins,” he said. The large crowd and the spirit of those around him moved Jesus. Jesus wondered if John would recognize him after 15 years? Jesus waded into the river, and suddenly the crowd parted. Jesus was facing John straight on. John watched as the crowd parted and wondered who was coming through the crowd. Suddenly, a shorter man whom he thought he knew stood wading toward him. It was Jesus his 2nd cousin with a full beard and darker skin than he remembered. “Little Jeshua has returned,” he thought to himself.
John felt a strange feeling in his body as if he was having a spiritual experience. He asked the shorter man, “Who are you? “Do you not recognize me prophet, “ Jesus responded? “Can it be, are you my cousin Jesus, “little Yeshua,” John replied. “Yes, I am he,” Jesus responded. You have grown a beard since last I saw you cousin. “Yes, we both have beards now,” Jesus replied. John was certainly surprised to see his second cousin, Jesus before him requesting that he be baptized. “Where had all the years gone?” John thought to himself. The last time John had seen Jesus was at Joseph, Jesus’ father’s funeral almost 15 years ago. Jesus was already involved with the Mount Carmel Essene community and John just about to enter the Essene community at Quran near the Dead Sea. Many years had passed since, and they no longer met at the festival of the Passover in Jerusalem. Both of John’s parents had passed away, and Jesus and John had grown apart in their spiritual and religious life by being involved in different Essene training.
John looked at this man Jesus, and he began to understand that Jesus might be the one who was to come. “Could his cousin be the light unto Israel? John thought. “Jesus you should be baptizing me not I you,” John said. “John it is ordained that you baptize me in order for my ministry to begin,” Jesus responded. “But I am not good enough to even tie your shoe laces or buckles,” John responded. “Be that as it may, I beg you to baptize me and let the prophecy come true,” Jesus pleaded with John. “Then let be so, John said, and he took Jesus and baptized him in the Jordan River. The sun broke out of the clouds overhead and something strange happened that moment. All of the people standing around the Jordan River heard John Proclaim that Jesus was the light.
Chapter 12- John Questions who Jesus really was?
Bible: Book of Luke: 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy [b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed are anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’[C] 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, [d] and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
John declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God, and several followers of John followed Jesus to understand what Jesus was all about. Before John the Baptist baptized Jesus, no one knew who Jesus was. Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist was like having a “coming our party or event.” Jesus made himself known to the world by being baptized by John the Baptist. John being a humble man did not want to baptize Jesus, but Jesus insisted and so it was. Jesus used this event as the event that marked the beginning of his mission. The followers of John the Baptist were in the thousands coming from all parts of Judea and elsewhere. By identifying with John the Baptist and agreeing by Baptism to become a follower of John the Baptist, Jesus reveals that he believes in Baptism and the remission of sin which was an important Essene belief.
As fate would have it John the Baptist did not know when to stop verbally attacking Herod and he ended up being arrested. John the Baptist’s arrest set back his mission and perhaps the training of Jesus as to John’s philosophical view of sin and repentance. The followers of John thought that perhaps Jesus would get John out of jail, but that did not happen. John who praised Jesus when he was baptized, was a little shocked to see that Jesus had begun his own ministry and was known to be going around Galilee healing the sick and baptizing many people like John did for the repentance of sin. Actually Jesus first disciples were doing all the baptizing while Jesus tended to heal the sick, and small miracles. John proclaimed that he was not the Messiah but that he was the one who would point the way for one greater than himself.
With John in Jail, his following were without a leader. Many turned to Jesus to follow and others question what Jesus’ message was all about. Even John was confused while in jail. For a moment John became a doubter and sent his followers to ask Jesus if he was the ONE or should they wait for another. Jesus felt this was a foolish request and sent word back that his actions spoke louder than his words. Jesus had in fact begun to heal the sick, baptize the sinners, and feed the poor. John longed for freedom to join with Jesus or continue on his ministry in baptism, but his pride and big mouth could not shut up about attacking Herod and his wife.
John thought that the Messiah would bring a military revolution over the Romans not just a religion revolution. Jesus stressed improving individuals and their faith in God. He did not care about the Romans for his ministry encompassed everyone regardless of religion or race. John and many others did not understand the concept of non-violent protesting, and passive resistance. John could not believe that his 2nd cousin, whom he grew up with, could be in fact be “the chosen one,” or “the Messiah.” Much had changed since they had both entered different Essene communities far apart from one another.
Jesus respected John and believed in most of his values for after all they were both secret Essenes. He spoke highly to all of his followers and John’s followers about John. He pointed out what a great prophet John was and what he had accomplished. The problem is Jesus did not feel it was in his power to free John and that it was God’s will that John remain in prison. By John being killed he became an early martyr and his name became well known for centuries to come. John’s martyrdom and his followers helped Jesus gain recognition more rapidly than had he try to gain a following on his own. Jesus and John became known as prophets that believed in baptism for the remission of sins. Jesus took the philosophy even further with the beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. John’s ministry was just the beginning and Jesus’ ministry was for all time to come.
Did Jesus know John the Baptist? Of course, he and John met every year at the Passover festival in Jerusalem when their families traveled to the temple to celebrate the Passover. Jesus came from a devout Jewish family, and so did John. John’s father was a Priest of the Temple, and was well trained in the Bible, and the religious practices of Judaism. As Jewish children, Jesus, and John’s world centered around their religion, and their families belief, that their sons were blessed by God to be leaders among men.
Chapter 13- The Righteous Teacher
Jesus did not know that at the age of fifteen when he began his Essene training ministry that he would become “the Righteous Leader” that the Essenes prayed would return. It would take fifteen years into his ministry for him to realize that he was the anointed one or “the Righteous Leader,” that the Essenes had been praying for over a hundred years. Simon’s, the Essene Leader’s encouragement had a lot to do with Jesus’ self-realization that he was in fact the holy one the Essenes have prayed for so many years. His continued support of Jesus when he felt unworthy, and he helped to feed the flame inside Jesus to meet his destiny. Jesus was after all only human, and sometimes he had his doubts about preaching to the masses.
Almost a hundred years before Jesus, an Essene Righteous Leader arose, and took a stand against the governing bodies, and was killed for that action. All the Essenes communities prayed for the return or resurrection of “The Righteous Teacher,” until the day Jesus became an Essene himself. Then, God’s plan revealed itself with the death of John the Baptist, the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. The realization that this would be no easy task for anyone, least of all an Essene was given great consideration by the Essene Leaders of the Mount Carmel community. The Essenes chose to stay and hide in their communities. However, Simon, Joseph and Ezra the Essene teachers realized the Jesus was especially gifted and that at Jesus’ birth an Angel foretold of the potential greatness of Jesus in years to come.
Simon the Essene of Mount Carmel realized that his protégé,’ Jesus of Nazareth, might have the power to go out in the world of Galilee, and Judea, preaching among the Jews about the coming of the Messiah, baptism for the remission of sins, and the many other good virtues of the Essenes ideology. Jesus must, however, always remain the Secret Essene Leader or the Jewish people of the time would hold it against him.
It is interesting to note how Jesus exemplified the personification of a great Essene leader. He devoted half of his life to study in the Mount Carmel Essene community, and he emerged as one of the leaders of the community after Simon, and Joseph. There were four religious groups in Judaism in Jesus’ days, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes and the Zealots. Jesus had two Zealots in his twelve disciples; James and Judas were both Zealots. Zealots wanted a military victory over the Romans and often fought and rebelled against the Romans on many occasions. Jesus was not a Zealot, but a peaceful Essene.
The Sadducees studied the laws and readings in seeking a good life, but they were often found to be corrupt. The Pharisees also saw to the ceremonies in the temple, and studied the Bible and Torah. Paul of Tarsus was a Pharisee, after the dead of Christ, he helped to stone to death the first martyr, Stephen outside the walls of the city. Jesus focused many of his stories about the Sadducees, and the Pharisees, but never toward the Zealots or the Essenes. This was one clue that he was trained by the Essenes, and not self-taught, or taught by a traditional rabbi. A traditional Jewish approach would have been “an eye for an eye.”
The bible never gives any credit for the expressions and parables of Jesus from the Essenes. The reason for this is Jesus never tells any of his disciples where he first heard these stories in the Essene community. Jesus tried to make the stories plain and simple, known as parables, but at the same time having a double meaning that was not easy to interpret by Jesus’ enemies.
Almost all of what Jesus said came from the rules and laws of the Essenes. One has only to hold up the Essene rules side by side with what Jesus preached and it would be more than obvious that the root of the parables and teachings came from the Essene rules. Jesus took some liberties with the Sabbath rule and the eating of animal flesh that the Essenes would never have done. Perhaps he did these things to distinguish his Essene training and disguise the similarities to his rules of life and the Essene rules of life? Where the Essenes preferred to remain separate from the people, Jesus was open to the people. It was Simon and Joseph the Healer, Jesus’ teachers, whom decided to break with the Essene tradition and send their beloved pupil out into the world to see if Jesus could establish a following and bring about the coming of the Messiah. Early on even Simon, and Joseph the healer did not realize that Jesus would grow in spirit, and eventually take on the yoke of the Messiah, and sacrifice himself for mankind.
The Essenes were great stewards of writing comments about the Prophets and what they did. Jesus on the other hand never wrote anything down about his ideas and philosophy of life. This is strange since he trained as a Healer and as a Rabbi. Jesus had learned to read Hebrew and Aramaic, but because he chose to become a healer and not a scribe, he never learned to write in Hebrew or Aramaic.
Few people were aware that Jesus was very well trained in the bible, and the laws of Judaism from the Essenes. He could not have learned all this information from his mother or by self-study. John, his second cousin chose the more extreme Essene approach when he entered the monastic community of the Qumran by the Dead Sea. Both men had to give up their worldly goods and possessions, and give everything to the Essene community. John was very ascetic in his approach to Judaism by looking like Elijah, and using Elijah’s expressions about the coming of the Lord and the need to appeal for forgiveness of sins. All of those ideas are written in the Dead Sea scrolls and are cornerstones to their view on life. Jesus on the other hand was more liberal than John because he received his training from the Essenes from Northern Galilee on Mount Carmel. The Mount Carmel Essene community was not monastic in it’s way of life and was more liberal in it’s rules to allow Jews living and working in Nazareth to come and worship as often as they could. They did not require that their members live in tents on Mount Carmel or remove themselves from society.
Jesus had heard from his mother that he was a blessed individual by an Angel of God. His purpose in life was to live up to the forecast of his becoming a leader among men. Expressions like “the son of Man,” soon became “the son of God,” with Jesus later in his ministry. Perhaps Jesus original plan was to start his ministry slowly, and then branch out from there? This was not to be once John was imprisoned, and eventually beheaded. The followers of John the Baptist turned to Jesus for leadership. The thousands of John the Baptist followers were thrust upon Jesus, and he had to step up much earlier than he had planned. Jesus was developing his confidence in his message. He sought help with his teachers Simon and Joseph the healer. They encouraged him to go forth and bring to the world the ideals of the Essene community without actually admitting he was an Essene or that he got his ideas from the Essene community. This is why in many ways Jesus ministry was very different than the ministry of John the Baptist in his more liberal northern Essene ministry.
Jesus was not foolish enough to try and interfere with the Romans like John had done. He kept his mission quiet at first telling his followers not to mention the miracles and healings. He remembered what Simon had told him, “keep your Essene message secret, and do not attack the authorities of the land.” Jesus had to pick up the job that John the Baptist had done, after a decade of experience in the wilderness near the Jordan River. Jesus was in many ways a reluctant preacher that had the followers of John the Baptist thrust upon him when Herod beheaded John.
Jesus needed followers and a close group of personal supporters that could train and develop into disciples to baptize the thousand of followers of John and new followers everyday. He needed disciples to protect him from the crowds and to arrange their journeys. He did as Simon his Essene teacher suggested; he sought out common people to help him with his mission. He shied away from the rich because of his Essene beliefs. Salvation was for the poor in spirit, and the needy, not the rich. As Jesus would later state in his sermon on the mount, “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The Essenes thought that wealth was a path to sin, and that living in poverty was the true way to God. None of Jesus’ disciples were rich, and only a few could read or write. Mathew the Tax collector was capable of reading and writing. Jesus led the life of an ascetic Essene and even ate little meat, and tried to remain mostly vegetarian.
Chapter 14- The Sermon on the Mount Editor’ note: From the Dead Sea Scrolls The Demons Of Death (Beatitudes – 4Q525) (Plate 12) Translated by Robert Eisenman and Michael Wise 1992.
Column 2 (1) [Blessed is he who walks] with a pure heart and who doesn’t slander with his Tongue. Blessed are they who hold fast to her Laws and do not hold (2) to the ways of Evil. Bless[ed] are they who rejoice in her and do not overflow with the ways of folly. Blessed are they who ask for her (3) with clean hands and do not seek her with a deceitful [heart]. Blessed is the man who grasps hold of Wisdom and walks (4) in the Torah of the Most High and directs his heart to her Ways and restrains himself with her disciplines and always accepts her chastisements. (5) And doesn’t cast her off in the misery of [his] affliction[s] nor forsake her in a time of trouble, nor forget her in [days of terror, (6) and in the Meekness of his soul, doesn’t despise her, but rather always meditates on her, and when in affliction, occupies himself [with God’s Torah; who al] 1 (7) his life [meditates] on her [and places her continually] before his eyes so he will not walk in the ways of [Evil]… (8) In unity and his heart is Perfect. God… (9) And wisdom will lift up his head] and seat among kings…. (10) They [shall look upon… brothers will be fruitful]… (12) Now, my sons, War my voice and do] not turn aside [from the words of my mouth…. “A portion of the Demons of Death Beatitudes by Essenes at Qumran Community Dead Sea.”
After John the Baptist had baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, Jesus went off into the desert to meditate. Actually that is what the author of the Gospel of Luke would have you believe. Jesus actually traveled back to Mount Carmel to seek out his teachers Simon, Joseph the healer, as to what he should do next. The bible says Jesus faced the Devil for 40 days and 40 nights. 40 days and 40 nights was the magical biblical phrase for an unspecified amount of time that no one really new to be true. Jesus spent several months back in the Mount Carmel Essene community developing his ministry and continuing his training as an Essene healer.
Jesus’ realized that by being Baptized by John the Baptist, he had accepted John’s teaching. John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth were from two different disciplines of the Essene society. John was from the Qumran Essene community that was a monastic community where scrolls were made from animal hides for the thousands of scrolls they had. Jesus on the other hand had a different training background with the northern Galilean Mount Carmel Essenes who did not live in a monastic community. The Mount Carmel Essenes were more liberal than the Qumran Essenes. The Mount Carmel Essenes did not have a tanning factory to make hides into scrolls. Nothing permanent could be erected on Mount Carmel because it was Holy ground. The Mount Carmel Essenes had professions in nearby Nazareth and worshipped on the Sabbath and other Holy days at Mount Carmel. Jesus being a healer and a rabbi by Essene training had a different philosophy than John the Baptist who was an acknowledged Prophet after the image of Elijah the famous Prophet.
Jesus came in plain clothes and plain dress and John the Baptist dressed like a wild man living in the desert with a coat of camel hair, a leather belt and a diet of wild honey and locusts. They were similar in being secret Essene leaders but different in how they approached life. John the Baptist was more of an extremist modeling after Elijah.
The time was at hand for Jesus to embark on his mission. Jesus was in his heart afraid. Here he was a secret Essene leader, not in a closed community, but in the real world where the enemies of the Essenes were everywhere. In shame for his loss of personal strength, and commitment, Jesus fled back to the safety of the Mount Carmel Essene community. He had not yet assembled his twelve disciples as Simon suggested he do. He was alone in the world, a feeling he would experience many times during his ministry.
“Master, when I was baptized by John, I had a strange vision. I saw the skies open and a dove fly overhead and the voices of Angels Singing, ‘this is my beloved son,” Jesus remarked. “I was frightened and at the same time enlightened,” Jesus shared with Simon and Joseph the healer” Joseph whispered. “Fear not Jesus for you have something none of us Essenes have and that is you are destined by God to lead the people of Israel.”. “We have broken our laws, and sent you out to see if you are the ‘Righteous Leader,’ chosen by God,” Simon said. “Righteous Leader, are you crazy, I am but a man,” Jesus said. “No you are the ‘Son of Man,” (mankind),” Simon went on to say. “Brother Jesus we will pray with you and give you strength to out and spread the Good News of the coming of the Messiah,” Ezra said. You will bring the Lord’s Prayer to the people, you will bring the rules of the Essenes to the people and you will make it your own,” Simon repeated with much enthusiasm. Come let us pray and plan your ministry in the real world,” Joseph the healer commented. “Jesus I have given you all the knowledge and drugs for healing that I know over the past ten years. Take this small bag of herbs, seeds, salts, and medicines with you in your journey as a secret essene healer and righteous teacher, “ Joseph went on to say.
After being baptized Jesus finally realized the God had given him a sign that his destiny was to be fulfilled as the Angel of God had predicted to his mother Mary. Jesus went and sat on a rock in the shade and watched as John baptized hundreds of people that day never showing fatigue or doubt. His message was like Elijah, for he was a “prophet crying in the wilderness.”
Jesus felt the spirit of God within him more than he had ever felt before in his life. He decided to go into the wilderness and fast, and wait for God to reveal his plan to him. He knew that he must be renewed and ready to receive God’s word. He withdrew into the desert far from the crowds at the Jordan River. It was time for Jesus to begin his ministry and to bring God’s word of salvation to the people of Judea. Finally, he felt that his mission was at hand and that he had received the Word of God and like the prophets of old he would spread the good word of God.
“Teacher, I have both doubts and I have had a vision while being baptized,” Jesus confided in Simon. “You must go the way of “the Righteous Teacher,” Simon said. “You must have faith in the Lord to show you the way. Remember all that you learned in our community and share it with the world. Do not try to disturb the authorities, both rather be subtle in your message. Most of all you must believe in yourself,” Simon pointed out. “But, I worry that I am not worthy Simon,” Jesus pleaded. “You path is not an easy road to take but it is written that you will fulfill the scriptures,” Simon said. “Come we will pray together and after a few days you will go and select some common men to support you and travel with you,” Simon said. “Yes, Master, I understand and my soul is willing, but my heart seems weak. Am I worthy Simon?” Jesus asked.
So Jesus, Simon and Joseph the healer spend most of the evening praying and seeking courage for Jesus to being his ministry. “Remember above all to keep the secrets of our community to yourself,” Simon warned. “Most of all never reveal you are of the Essene community for there are many Seduces and Pharisees that hate the Essene society and fear that we have more knowledge and power than they do,” Simon stated.
Jesus knew he needed to gain a following as did John the Baptist. He also realized the rich Jews would not make a good following. He had to reach out to the poor, and the downtrodden Jews of Israel to hear his new message of salvation. All of Jesus’ life he had been reading the bible, and the Torah and training as an essene healer. He had been learning of what the prophets of old did, and what they predicted would happen in the future. Isaiah was his favorite prophet, and much of what he predicted Jesus would endeavor to make come true. It was a beginning for Jesus. It was the moment of truth that he was free to preach, and to deal with death, disease, poverty, the Romans, taxes, and depression from years of captivity.
“Jesus you must introduce the Lord’s prayer in a shortened form,” Joseph said. “The average Jew does not worship Mother Earth as do the Essenes.
The Essene Lords Prayer from the Dead Sea Scrolls
“And pray every day to your Heavenly Father and Earthly Mother, that your soul becomes as perfect as your Heavenly Father’s holy spirit is perfect, and that your body becomes as perfect as the body of your Earthly Mother is perfect. For if you understand, feel, and do the commandments, then all for which you pray to your Heavenly Father and your Earthly Mother will be given you. For the wisdom, the love, and the power of God are above all. ”After this manner, therefore, pray to your Heavenly Father: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.’ ”And after this manner pray to your Earthly Mother: ‘Our Mother which art upon earth, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, and thy will be done in us, as it is in thee. As thou sendest every day thy angels, send them to us also. Forgive us our sins, as we atone all our sins against thee. And lead us not into sickness, but deliver us from all evil, for thine is the earth, the body, and the health. Amen.'”
“Let us begin with Our Father, who art in heaven. This way the prayer will be easier for the masses to memorize,” Simon said. Jesus and Joseph agreed that Simon was making a good point. “If I gather together the followers of John the Baptist, and others what shall I tell them,” Jesus asked? “You will use your own words, and repeat many of the Rules of the Essenes,” Simon went on to say. “Consider the many blessings we bestow three times a day in our prayers,” Simon explained. “Yes the blessed poor, the mourners, the meek, the hungry, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted for the sake of righteousness, those who insult others,” Jesus commented. “Simon can you write that down for me?” Jesus asked. “Surely brother Jesus,” Simon responded. Jesus had never learned how to write because he skipped the Essene Scribe training for the Healing Ministry with Joseph the Healer.
“What else is important?” Jesus inquired. “I will speak in parables such as the story of the salt of the earth and the light of the world,” Jesus said. “Perhaps for the sake of the Pharisees and the Sadducees you should mention that your message had nothing to do with changing or abolishing the law,” Simon said. “I will write that down for you,” Simon said. “Many Jews do not obey the ten commandments,” Jesus commented. “Then mention the ten commandments such as thou shall not kill,” Simon went on to say. “Thou shall not commit adultery should also be mentioned,” Jesus said. “Write that down Simon, please,” Jesus said. “Do not take false oath, rather do not swear at all,” Jesus continued to explain. “Whenever someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well,” Jesus expressed this important Essene ideal. “Getting them to love their enemy is a profound thought I should dwell on for they are all expecting a military overthrow of the Romans,” Jesus observed. “What about those the falsely give alms, the hypocrites?“ Simon pointed out. “I will introduce the Lord’s prayer as we discussed, but in a shorter form than the Essene Lord’s prayer as you suggested Simon,” Jesus commented. “How about storing up treasures on earth where moth and decay and thieves break in and steal, but store up treasures in heaven where neither moth or decay destroys nor thieves break in and steal,” Jesus said with great enthusiasm
“I am tired now let us continue tomorrow and discuss what are the ideals mankind should adopt,” Jesus said. “So be it brother Jesus,” Simon said. “I will finish writing our thoughts for you to memorize tonight.”
So the next day Joseph the healer joined Jesus and Simon, and they all listed many Essene sayings such as : “the birds in the sky parable, do not worry about tomorrow, judge that ye be not judged, splinter in your eye parable, seek and ye shall find, the narrow gate parable, and the wise man house on rock and not sand parable. After a whole day of deliberation the three men sat back and drank some fruit wine and pondered their strategy for Jesus. “Tomorrow Jesus you will begin to practice this sermon and how you will tell the stories and ideals for good men to follow, Joseph commented. Simon and Joseph agreed and they all went their own way until the next day.
It was the third day after morning prayer that the three men met and discussed what Jesus would say to begin his ministry. They wanted to make sure he included, as many good Rules of Essene living as possible that would apply to the masses. And so it came to pass that Jesus developed what would become known as the Sermon on the Mount. The Blessed portion would become known centuries later as the Beatitudes. Jesus began to feel more confident with his mentors helping him for he knew they would always be there to support him whenever he stumbled. God had truly blessed Jesus the secret Essene Leader.
So they went to the big tent where the services are held on the Sabbath and prayed together. They prayed for Jesus to have strength to carry out his ministry to the Jews of Galilee and Judea. They repeated the Lords prayer and decided to remove the part of the prayer relating to Mother earth so the prayer would apply to everyone. Jesus agreed with their strategy and now he was feeling stronger now that they had a plan. He was to gather the followers of John and others on a field or a mountain where everyone could see him and he was to lay out the philosophy of becoming a good person in the sight of God. He was to tell of the blessed ones, turning a cheek from one’s enemy, living a righteousness life, following the Ten Commandments and many more wise rules of life for an Essene or any Jew for that matter. They practiced together for weeks because Jesus had never learned how to write. He could only read and memorize text, so they questioned him daily on how to properly answer questions by Pharisees and Sadducees who would try and trick him. He was not to preach against Romans or they would arrest him like they did John and he could be murdered to keep him quiet and not start a rebellion.
It was at that time that Jesus together with his teachers Joseph, and Simon that they would assemble all the beliefs that Jesus would relate on the Sermon on the Mount from memory, for Jesus could not write. He could not take along notes. His speech had to come from his heart and his amazing memory.
An Angel came to Jesus in his sleep one night and said, “It is time to go forth and spread the Good News my son. Take what you have learned from your Essene brothers of the Light and spread the message to Jews in Galilee and Judea. Do not be afraid for I will be with you always and help you to speak well.” Jesus awoke in a chilled sweat after the vision. The next day he told Simon and Joseph the healer that he was ready to embark on his mission, and that the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a vision and instructed him to go forth and teach the multitudes in Galilee and Judea.
Chapter 15- The beginning and the end
And so the story of the Crucification of Jesus of Nazareth played out with a cast of many characters. Nickademus, who had met Jesus when he was a young man training to become an Essene Healer, was himself a secret Essene sympathizer, and secret Leader of the Mount Carmel Essenes. Jesus did not remember Nickademus, when he came to Jesus in the night to ask how he might achieve salvation. It was Nickademus who told the other priests including Califus that Jesus had done nothing wrong at Jesus trial in the middle of the night. Later after Jesus was crucified, Nickademus, and Joseph of Arimather (the same Joseph the Essene healer that Jesus trained under for ten years) would take down his body and put it in a tomb.
Joseph of Arimathea was really Joseph the Essene. He was a wealthy businessman from Nazareth, and also a secret Essene. Joseph never revealed this secret to Jesus because he wanted to think he was a normal man and an Essene healer and nothing more. Joseph had told Pilate that he was from Arimathea, when in fact he was really from Nazareth, and a secret Essene Healer and Leader. Joseph asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and Pilate granted his wish. Together with Nicodemus, Joseph the secret Essene had Jesus placed in his personal tomb. Joseph the wealthy Essene and healer proved Jesus wrong in the end that rich men could go through the eye of a needle as easily as a camel could go through the eye of a needle. It was faith to the end that made the difference for Joseph the Essene. He was there for Jesus, even unto Jesus’ death.
Joseph the Essene was the Healing mentor to Jesus for many years in the Essene community at Mount Carmel. He kept it a secret that he was a wealthy merchant to everyone including Jesus.
When Jesus was forced to carry his cross he stumbled, and fell, and a nearby man called Simon the Cyrene in the Bible was forced to help Jesus carry the heavy cross. This was actually Simon the Essene leader, who recruited Jesus when he was a young boy to join the Essenes at Mount Carmel. Simon who had trained Jesus as an Essene for fifteen years and who had encouraged Jesus to go and become the “Righteous Teacher” for all mankind.
Simon lied to the Romans and told them he was a Cyrene. Simon whispered to Jesus, “be strong, Righteous Leader Jesus, for God is with you and the whole Essene nation prays for you this day.” Jesus looked at Simon, and just nodded since he was in great pain from the whipping. Simon the secret Essene was overcome with grief as he dragged Jesus’ cross to Golgothia where the Romans would crucify Jesus. So in the end Simon became part of the death and resurrection prophesy that Essenes had prayed for the “Teacher of Rightness.” Jesus became the “teacher of righteousness and the Messiah” for the Essenes and for the world.
So it came to pass that none of the authors of the Gospels never knew Jesus was a secret Essene Rabbi and Healer, nor they did not want to give the Essenes credit for preparing Jesus for his mission. Many years after Jesus’ death in Jerusalem, James the brother of Jesus had become an Essene when he was much younger. He became the leader of the twelve disciples of Jesus that hid from the Romans in Jerusalem. When the Romans killed James there was a revolt of the Jews that the Romans quickly put down. Even the brother of Jesus had become an Essene and a martyr.
The military victory for the Jews and their Messiah never came, but the followers of Jesus Christ, the followers of “The Way,” who eventually became what was called “Christians,” succeeded after 300 years of torture, and ridicule by the Romans and the Jews to become the recognized religion of Rome. Christianity did in fact outlive the Roman Empire and became the official Religion of Rome, thanks to Emperor Constantine. John the Baptist was immortalized as the one who lead the way for the Messiah Jesus. Jesus used his Essene rules to try and change the establishment “in the days of darkness.” The leaders of the secret Essene community of Mount Carmel with Joseph the Healer (Joseph of Arimathia) and Simon of Cyrene grieved for their “Messiah and Righteous Leader. “ They got what they prayed for in Jesus’ resurrection and the fulfillment of the Essene prophesy, but they did not see the overthrow of the Roman rule.
Thanks to the Dead Sea scrolls we are able to see how significant the Qumran Essene community, and other Essene communities such as the Mount Carmel Essenes, and the thousands of secret Essenes had lived in all Galilee and Judean communities in the first century A.D.
Perhaps in the next hundred years some scrolls buried in a cave on Mount Carmel will come to light and have scrolls telling of the wonderful “Righteous Leader, Jesus the Essene from Nazareth, and his cousin John the Baptist the Essene prophet from the Qumran community by the Dead Sea. As more and more of the Dead Sea scrolls come to shed more light of the Messiah Jesus the Essene healer and leader the role of the Essenes in training Jesus will be revealed. Jesus’ ministry will prove that what is said in the New Testament is close to the truth of what really happened.
Appendix
The Gospels of the Essenes
Essene Book of Revelations Translated by E. B. Szekely
Behold, the Angel of the Air shall bring him, And every eye shall see him, And the brotherhood, All the vast brotherhood of the Earth Shall raise their voice as one and sing, Because of him. Amen.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End; What is, what was, and what is to come?”
And the voice spoke, and I turned to see The voice that spoke to me, And being turned, I saw seven golden candles; And in the midst of their blazing light I saw someone like a son of man, Clothed in white, white as the snow. And his voice filled the air with the sound of rushing water; And in his hands were seven stars, And when he spoke, his face was streaming light, Blazing and golden like a thousand suns. And he said, “Fear not, I am the first and the last; I am the beginning and the end. Write the things that you have seen, And the things that are, and the things that will come after; The mystery of the seven stars which fill my hands, And the seven golden candles, blazing with eternal light. The seven stars are the Angels of the Heavenly Father, And the seven stars are the Angels of the Earthly Mother. And the spirit of man is the flame That streams between the starlight and the glowing candle; A bridge of holy light between Heaven and Earth.”
These things said he who held the seven stars in his hands, Who walked within the flames of the seven golden candles? He that has an ear, let him hear what the spirit said: “To him that overcomes I will allow to eat from the tree of life, That stands in the midst of the shining paradise of God.”
And then I looked, and behold, A door was opened in heaven: And a voice which sounded from all sides, like a trumpet, Spoke to me: “Come up here, And I will show you the things which must be hereafter.”
And immediately I was there, in spirit, At the threshold of the open door. And I entered through the open door Into a sea of blazing light. And in the midst of the blinding ocean of radiance was a throne: And on the throne sat one whose face was hidden. And there was a rainbow around about the throne, Which looked like emerald. And round about the throne were thirteen seats: And upon the seats I saw thirteen elders sitting, Clothed in white raiment; And there faces were hidden by swirling clouds of light. And seven lamps of fire burned before the throne, The fire of the Earthly Mother. And seven stars of heaven shone before the throne, The fire of the Heavenly Father. And before the throne There was a sea of glass like crystal: And reflected within it Were all the mountains and valleys of the Earth, And all the creatures abiding therein. And the thirteen elders bowed down before the splendor of him Who sat upon the throne, whose face was hidden, And rivers of light streamed from their hands, one to the other, And they cried, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Which was, and is, and is to come. Thou art worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power: For thou hast created all things.” And then I saw in the right hand Of him that sat on the throne, A book written within and on the back, Sealed with seven seals. And I wept, because the book could not be opened, Nor was I able to read what there was written. And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep not. Reach out your hand and take the book.’ And I reached out my hand and touched the book. And behold, the cover lifted, And my hands touched the golden pages, And my eyes beheld the mystery of the seven seals.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels Round about the throne, And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, And thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “All glory, and wisdom, and strength, And power forever and ever, To him who shall reveal the Mystery of Mysteries.” And I saw the swirling clouds of golden light Stretching like a fiery bridge between my hands, And the hands of the thirteen elders, And the feet of him who sat on the throne, Whose face was hidden?
And I opened the first seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of the Air, And between her lips flowed the breath of life, And she knelt over the earth And gave to man the winds of wisdom, And man breathed in. And when he breathed out, the sky darkened, And the sweet air became fetid, And clouds of evil smoke hung low over all the earth. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the second seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of the Water. And between her lips flowed the water of life, And she knelt over the Earth And gave to man an ocean of love. And man entered the clear and shining waters. And when he touched the water, the clear streams darkened, And the crystal waters became thick with slime, And the fish lay gasping in the foul blackness, And all the creatures died of thirst. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the third seal. And I saw and beheld the Angel of the Sun. And between her lips flowed the light of life, And she knelt over the earth And gave to man the Fires of Power. And the strength of the Sun entered the heart of man, And he took the power, and made with it a false sun, And he spread the fires of destruction, Burning the forests, Laying waste the green valleys, Leaving only charred bones of his brothers. And I turned away in shame.
And I opened the fourth seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of Joy. And between her lips flowed the music of life, And she knelt over the Earth And gave to man the song of peace. And peace and joy like music Flowed through the soul of man. But he heard only the harsh discord of sadness and discontent, And he lifted up his sword And cut off the heads of the singers. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the fifth seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of Life. And between her lips Flowed the holy alliance between God and Man, And she knelt over the Earth And gave to man the gift of Creation. And man created a sickle of iron in the shape of a serpent, And the harvest he reaped was of hunger and death. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the sixth seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of the Earth. And between her lips flowed the river of eternal life, And she knelt over the Earth And gave to man the secret of eternity, And told him to open his eyes And behold the mysterious Tree of Life in the Endless Sea. But man lifted up his hand and put out his own eyes, And said there is no eternity. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the seventh seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of the Earthly Mother. And she brought with her a message of blazing light From the throne of the Heavenly Father. And this message was for the ears of Man alone, He who walks between the Earth and Heaven, And into the ear of man was whispered the message. And he did not hear. But I did not turn away my face in shame. Lo, I reached out my hand to the wings of the angel, And turned my voice to heaven saying, “Tell me the message. For I would eat of the fruit Of the Tree of Life that grows in the Sea of Eternity.”
And the angel looked upon me with great sadness, And there was silence in Heaven.
And then I heard a voice, Which was like the voice that sounded like a trumpet, Saying, “O Man, would you look upon the evil you have done When you turned your face away from the throne of God? When you did not make use of the gifts Of the seven Angels of the Earthly Mother, And the seven angels of the Heavenly Father?”
And a terrible pain seized me As I felt within me the souls of all those Who had blinded themselves, So as to see only their own desires of the flesh. And I saw the seven angels who stood before God; And to them were given seven trumpets And another angel came and stood at the alter, Having a golden censer; And there was given to him much incense, That he should offer it with the prayers of all the angels Upon the golden alter that was before the throne.
And the smoke of the incense ascended up before God Out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, And filled it with fire of the alter, And cast it onto the Earth, And there were voices and thundering’s, And lightning, and earthquakes. And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets Prepared themselves to sound.
The first angel sounded, And there followed hail and fire mixed with blood, And they were cast upon the Earth. And the green forests and trees were burnt up, And all the green grass shriveled to cinders.
The second angel sounded, And a great mountain burning with fire Was cast into the sea And blood rose from the earth as a vapor.
And the fourth angel sounded, And there was a great earthquake; And the sun became as black as sackcloth of hair, And the moon became as blood.
And the fifth angel sounded And the stars of heaven fell onto the earth Like figs from fig tree Shaken by a mighty wind.
And the sixth angel sounded And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together. And over the whole earth there was not one tree, Nor one flower, nor one blade of grass. And I stood on the earth, And my feet sank into the soil, Soft and thick with blood, Stretching as far as the eye could see. And all over the earth was silence.
And the seventh angel sounded. And I saw a mighty being come down from Heaven, Clothed with a cloud; And a rainbow on his head, And his face was as is it were the Sun, And his feet were pillars of fire. And he had in his hand a book open: And he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And he cried with aloud voice, which was wondrous to hear: ‘O Man, would you have this vision come to pass?’ And I answered, ‘You know I would do anything So that these terrible things might not come to pass.’
And he spoke: “Man has created these powers of destruction. He has made them from his own mind. He has turned his face away From the angels of the Heavenly Father and the Earthly Mother, And he has fashioned his own destruction.”
And I spoke: “Then is there no hope, bright angel?” And a blazing light streamed like a river from his hands As he answered, “There is always hope, O thou for whom Heaven and Earth were created.”
And then the angel, He who stood upon the sea and upon the earth, Lifted up his hand to heaven, And swore by him who lives for ever and ever, Who created heaven and the things that therein are, And the Earth, and the things that therein are, And the sea, and the things that are therein, That there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, When he shall begin to sound, The mystery of God should be revealed to those Who have eaten from the Tree of Life Which stands forever in the Eternal Sea.
And the voice spoke again saying: “Go take the book that is in the hand of the angel, Who stands upon the sea and upon the earth.”? And I went to the angel, and said to him, “Give me the book, For I would eat from the Tree of Life Which stands in the middle of the Eternal Sea.” And the angel gave to me the book, And I opened the book, and I read therein What had always been, what was now, and what would come to pass.
I saw the holocaust that would engulf the Earth, And the great destruction That would drown all her people in oceans of blood. And I saw too the eternity of man And the endless forgiveness of the Almighty. The souls of men were as blank pages in the book, Always ready for a new song to be there inscribed.
And I lifted up my face To the seven Angels of the Earthly Mother And the seven Angels of the Heavenly Father, And I felt my feet touching the holy brow of the Earthly Mother, And my fingers touching the holy feet of the Heavenly Father, And I uttered a hymn of thanksgiving: “I thank thee, heavenly father, Because thou hast put me at a source of running streams, At a living spring in a land of drought, Watering an eternal garden of wonders, The Tree of Life, Mystery of mysteries, Growing everlasting branches for eternal planting, To sink their roots into the stream of life from an eternal source. And thou, Heavenly Father, Protect their fruits With the angels of day and night, And with flames of Eternal Light lighting every way.
But again the voice spoke, And again my eyes were drawn away From the splendors of the realm of light, “Heed thou, O man! You may walk on the right path And walk in the presence of the angels, You may sing of the Earthly Mother by day And of the Heavenly Father by night, And through your being course the golden stream of the Law, But would you leave your brothers To plunge through the gaping chasm of blood, As the pain-wracked Earth shudders and groans Under her chains of stone? Can you drink from the cup of eternal life While your brothers die of thirst?”
And my heart was heavy with compassion. And I looked, and lo, There appeared a great wonder in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, And upon her head a crown of seven stars. And I knew she was the source of running streams And the mother of the forests.
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, And saw a beast rise up out of the sea, And from his nostrils wafted foul and loathsome air, And where he rose from the sea, the clear waters turned to slime, And his body was covered with black and steaming stone.
And the woman clothed with the sun Reached out her arms to the beast, And the beast drew near and embraced her. And lo, her skin of pearl withered beneath his foul breath, And her back was broken by his arms of crushing rock, And with tears of blood she sank into the pool of slime.
And from the mouth of this beast there poured armies of men, Brandishing swords and fighting, one with the other. And they fought with a terrible anger, And they cut off their own limbs and clawed out their own eyes, Until they fell into the pit of slime, Screaming in agony and pain.
And I stepped to the edge of the pool and reached down my hand, And I could see the swirling maelstrom of blood, And the men therein, trapped like flies in a web. And I spoke in a loud voice, saying, “Brothers, drop your swords and take hold of my hand. Leave off this defiling and desecration Of she who has given thee birth, And he who has given thee thy inheritance. For you the days of buying and selling are over And over, too, the days of hunting and killing. For he that leadeth into captivity will go into captivity, And the sword must kill him who kills with the sword. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn Because no man buys their merchandise any more. The merchants of gold, and silver, and precious stones, And of pearls, and fine linen, and purple dyes, and silk, and scarlet, And marble, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, And chariots, and slaves, and souls of men, All these things you cannot buy and sell, For all is buried in a sea of blood Because you have turned your back on your father and mother, And worshipped the beast who would build a paradise of stone. Drop thy swords, my brothers, and take hold of my hand!”
And as our fingers clasped, I saw in the distance a great city, White and shining on the far horizon, glowing alabaster, And there were voices and thunders, and lightning’s, And there was a great earthquake, Such as was not since men were on the Earth, So mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, And the cities of the nations fell. And the great city came in remembrance before God To give unto her the cup of the wine Of the fierceness of his wrath,
And every island fled away, And the mountains were not found, And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, Every stone about the weight of a talent. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, And threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus, with violence shall the great city be thrown down, And shall be found no more at all.’
And the voice of harpists, and musicians, and of pipers, And of singers, and trumpeters, Shall be heard no more in thee; And no craftsmen, of whatever craft he be, Shall be found anymore in thee; And the sound of the millstone shall be heard no more in thee. And the light of the candle will shine no more in thee And the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride Shall be heard no more in thee For your merchants were great men of the Earth; By there sorceries all nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, And all those who were slain upon Earth.
And my brothers laid hold of my hand, And they struggled out of the pool of slime And stood bewildered on the sea of sand, And the skies opened and washed their naked bodies with rain. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, And as the voice of great thunder: And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps, And they sang a new song before the throne.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of Heaven, Having the songs of day and night And the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the Earth, Unto them that have climbed from the pit of slime, And stand naked and washed by rain before the throne. And the angel cried out, “Fear God, and give glory to him; For the hour of his judgment has come: And worship him that made Heaven and Earth, And the sea, and the fountains of waters.”
And I saw Heaven open, and beheld a white horse; And he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, And in righteousness he does judge. His eyes were like a flame of fire, And on his head were many crowns, And he was cloaked in blazing light And his feet were bare. And his name is called the Word of God. And the holy brotherhood followed him upon white horses, Clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And they entered the eternal Infinite Garden, In whose midst stood the Tree of Life?
And the rain washed naked throngs came before them, Trembling to receive their judgment. For their sins were many, and they had defiled the Earth, Yea, they had destroyed the creatures of the land and sea, Poisoned the ground, fouled the air, And buried alive the mother who had given them birth.
But, I saw not what befell them, for my vision changed, And I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth; For the first Heaven and the first Earth had passed away; And there was no more sea. And I saw the holy city of the brotherhood Coming down from God out of Heaven, Prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying: “Lo, the mountain of the Lord’s house Is established in the top of the mountains And is exalted above the hills; And all people shall flow to it. Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of God; And he will teach us of his ways, And we will walk in his paths: For out of the Holy Brotherhood shall go forth the Law. Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, And he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, And God himself will be with them, and be their God.’ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; And there shall be no more death, Neither sorrow, nor crying, Neither shall there be any more pain: For the former things have all passed away. Those who made war shall beat their swords into ploughshares, And their spears into pruning hooks: Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore: For the former things have passed away.
And he spoke again: “Behold I make all things new. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to him that thirsts at the Fountain of the Water of Life freely. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, And I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and the unbelieving, And the abominable, and murderers, and all liars, Shall dig their own pit which burns with fire and brimstone.”
And again my vision changed, And I heard the voices of the holy brotherhood raised in song, Saying, “Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Law.” And I saw the Holy City, And the brothers were streaming to it. And the city had no need of the sun, Neither of the moon to shine on it: For the glory of God did lighten it.
And I saw the pure river of the Water of Life, Clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God. And in the middle of the river stood the Tree of Life, Which bore fourteen kinds of fruits, And yielded her fruit to those who would eat of it, And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no night there; And they need no candle, neither light of the sun, For the Lord gives them light: And they shall reign forever and ever.
I have reached the inner vision And through thy spirit in me I have heard thy wondrous secret. Through thy mystic insight Thou hast caused a spring of knowledge To well up within me, A fountain of power pouring forth living waters; A flood of love and all embracing wisdom Like the splendor of eternal light.
The Essene The Gospel of the Holy Twelve Also known as The Gospel of the Perfect Life TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL ARAMAIC AND EDITED BY THE REV. GIDEON JASPER RICHARD OUSELEY “Blessed are they who read, Hear and do. Old things pass away. Then comes the new, Out of the darkness, Ariseth the Light. “There are many things which I have to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit the Spirit of Truth whom I will send unto you from above, shall guide you into all truth, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you from above, shall guide you into all truth, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.” ”After my departure there will arise the ignorant and the crafty, and many things will they ascribe unto Me that I never spake, and many things which I did speak will they withhold, but the day will come when the clouds shall be rolled away, and the Sun of Righteousness shall shine forth with healing in his wings.” ”I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. The doctrine, which I teach, is that which I am. I am It and It is I.”
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT CHAPTER V
A ND seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: ** And when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 If Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted.
5 If Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth.
6 If Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteous- ness : for they shall be filled.
7 If Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy.
8 TJ Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God.
9 If Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be called sons of God.
10 f Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteous- ness’ sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad : for great is your reward in heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 If Ye are the salt of the earth : but if the salt have lost its savior, wherewith shall it be salted ? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand ; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.
1 6 Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father that is in heaven.
1 7 U Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
1 8 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven : but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill ; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment :
22 But I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council ; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.
23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art with him in the way ; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.
27 U Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery :
28 But I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee : for it is profitable for thee that one of
CHAPTER V 7
…ancient sanctions, rather to unfold their deeper meaning.
Mark this ! the universe itself shall pass away, before
the smallest detail of God’s law revealed in Scripture
comes to be out of date ; rather shall every part disclose
a larger truth. It follows that the man whose teaching
lessens the force of what seem to be the least important
of God’s laws, has but a very humble place in the age
which I proclaim ; on the other hand he whose practice
and teaching enhance their authority shall have wide
influence there. All the same, your practice of the moral
law must go far beyond the code of conduct preached by
professional moralists ; only a new way of life can qualify
you for the new world that is coming.
I will illustrate my meaning ; you know the old words
of Scripture, ‘You are not to commit murder,’ your
teachers go on to say, ‘ Whoever kills must come up
for trial.’ What I tell you is that every one who persists
in unreasonable anger with a brother-man, must account
for his behavior ;
whoever treats another with contempt
shall be indicted for blasphemy ; whoever curses another
brings down upon himself the doom he has invoked.
And more than this, until you are on good terms with
your brother, you must not bring your gifts to God’s
altar ; if, when you have brought your gift you
remember that he has anything against you, you
must leave the gift where it is, go and make friends
with your brother, and then offer your gift.
Never lose a chance of making friends ; if you are involved
in a lawsuit, you must try to come to an understanding
with your opponent on the way to court.
Remember, God is judge ; if you prolong the quarrel, it will be
you that He will condemn, whatever happens to the
other man; the man who nurse’s ill will always pays,
and to the last penny too.
Again the word of Scripture runs, ‘ You must not
commit adultery.’ What I have to say on this subject
is : Every one who casts upon a woman a lustful look
has already in his heart seduced her. If some passion
of this kind is your hindrance, you must tear yourself
away from it at all costs ; better to live a maimed life,
than with all your bodily powers about you be plunged
into a hell of unsatisfied desire. If your daily business
8 THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
..thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into
hell.
30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut if off,
and cast it from thee : for it is profitable for thee that one of
thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into
hell.
31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let
him give her a writing of divorcement :
32 But I say unto you, that every one that putteth away
his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an
adulteress : and whosoever shall marry her when she is put
away committeth adultery.
33 H Again, y e have heard that it was said to them of old
time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto
the Lord thine oaths :
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all ; neither by the
heaven, for it is the throne of God ;
35 Nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet ; nor
by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not
make one hair white or black.
37 But let your speech be, Yea, yea ; Nay, nay : and what-
soever is more than these is of the evil one.
38 ^ Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and
a tooth for a tooth :
39 But I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil : but
whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other
also.
40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away
thy coat, let him have thy coat also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would
borrow of thee turn thou not away.
43 If Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor, and hate thine enemy :
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them
that persecute you ;
CHAPTER V 9
puts a hindrance in your way, be rid of it, whatever it
costs ; better to be a broken man, than in the full tide
of your well being to find yourself in hell. The old law
ran : ‘ Whoever would be rid of his wife must make
proper provision for her ! ‘ I go a stage further and say
leaving on one side the question of misconduct you
are not to part company with your wives at all ; if
you do, you are to blame if they go wrong,
while the man who marries a woman already divorced
commits adultery himself. Another illustration: you have all heard the law once given to your fathers ‘ You must not commit perjury, but must fulfill your vows as in God’s sight.’ I tell you, you should not need to swear by this and that at all. Heaven is God’s throne, earth His footstool, Jerusalem the city of the King of Kings ; your head for the matter of that is sacred too you know you cannot make a single hair really white or black. Great words like these are God’s gift to you, and are not to be used as makeweights to your light talk. ‘ Yes, yes ‘ ; ‘ No, no ‘ ; that is emphasis enough for you ; when you go beyond such simple speech, you are giving the devil his chance.
Once more ; you know the words, ‘ Eye for eye, tooth for tooth ‘ ; your teachers explain them as meaning ‘ slap for slap, or give as good as you get.’ I tell you, to follow this line of action is to measure yourself with the devil. Whoever slaps you on the right cheek* let him do it again, if he wants to ; if some one takes you into the law-courts, and to pay the damages you have to forfeit your vest, make him a present of your upper garment as well ; if you are pressed to go one mile in the government service, of your own accord accompany the officials who commandeer your services the rest of the league. You are to be at the service of every claimant, and are not to turn churlishly away from any one that wants to borrow of you.
Again, you have heard the words of Scripture, ‘ Love your fellow-countrymen,’ and know the conclusion your teachers draw : ‘ Of course this means that
*That is, ‘ whoever insults you ‘ ; a blow on the left cheek is a figure used for real injury, a slap on the right cheek for insult is the idiom current in those days.
24 No man can serve two masters : for either he will hate the one, and love the other ; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment ?
26 Behold the birds of the heaven that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns ; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they ?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto his stature ?
28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment ? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin :
29 Yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which To day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith ?
CHAPTER V
IUDGE not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye ?
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT –by Jesus Christ (The Secret Essene Healer and Rabbi) Editor’s note: This is provided as a comparison as to the different
versions of Jesus’ sermon on the mount. The Essene principles are
included everywhere in Jesus’ sermon.
…..prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out devils, and
by thy name do many mighty works ?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Every one therefore which heareth these words of mine,
and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, which built
his house upon the rock :
25 And the rain descended, and’ the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house ; and it fell not : for it
was founded upon the rock.
26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth
them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his
house upon the sand
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and smote upon that house ; and it fell : and great
was the fall thereof.
CHAPTER VII 19
who calls Me ‘ Lord, Lord ‘ shall have a place in God’s
new world, but only those who carry out My Father
God’s will. In the day of My coming many shall say,
‘ Lord, Lord, have we not preached, saved men from
the sway of dark powers of evil, healed them body and
soul, and all in Thy name ? ‘ And after all I shall have
to tell them publicly, ‘ You were never Mine ; depart
from Me, you are rebels all of you.’ All depends, you
see, upon the reality of men’s relations with Me. The
man who listens to My words and carries them into
action is like a sensible builder, who builds his house
upon the solid rock. The rainy season comes, rivers
rise, fierce gusts of wind come sweeping down upon the
house, and yet it does not fall ; its foundation lies
secure upon the rock. As for the man, whoever he be,
who listens to My words and does not carry them into
practice, he is like a heedless builder, who builds his
house on loose sandy soil.- The rainy season comes,
rivers rise, fierce gusts of wind batter the house it
totters then down it comes in utter ruin !
The Essene Angels (source from the Dead Sea Scrolls)
The first Communion is with the Angel of Sun The Angel of Sun, She who cometh each morning As a bride from her chamber, To shed her golden light on the world. O thou immortal, shining, swift-steeded Angel of the Sun! There is no warmth without thee, No fire without thee, No life without thee. As green leaves of the trees Do worship thee, And through thee is the tiny wheat kernel Become a river of golden grass, Moving with the wind. Through thee is opened the flower In the center of my body. Therefore will I never hide myself From thee. Angel of Sun, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother, Enter the holy temple within me And give me the Fire of Life!
The second Communion is with the Angel of Water The Angel of Water, She who makes the rain To fall on the and plain, Who fills the dry well to overflowing. Yea, we do worship thee, Water of Life- From the heavenly sea The waters run and flow forward From the never-failing springs. In my blood flow A thousand pure springs, And vapors, and clouds, And all the waters That spread over all the seven Kingdoms. All the waters The Creator hath made Are holy. The voice of the Lord Is upon the waters: The God of Glory thundereth; The Lord is upon many waters. Angel of Water, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother, Enter the blood that flows through me, Wash my body in the rain That falls from heaven, And give me the Water of Life.
The third Communion is with the Angel of Air The Angel of Air, Who spreads the perfume Of sweet-smelling fields, of spring grass after rain, of the opening buds of the Rose of Sharon. We worship the Holy Breath Which is placed higher Than all the other things created. For, lo, the eternal and sovereign Luminous space, Where rule the unnumbered stars, Is the air we breathe in And the air we breathe out. And in the moment betwixt the breathing in And the breathing out Is hidden all the mysteries of the Infinite Garden. Angel of Air, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother, Enter deep within me, As the swallow plummets from the sky, That I may know the secrets of the wind And the music of the stars.
The fourth Communion is with the Angel of Earth The Angel of Earth, She who brings forth corn and grapes From the fullness of the earth, She who brings children From the loins of husband and wife. He who would till the earth, With the left arm and the right, Unto him will she bring forth An abundance of fruit and grain, Golden-hued plants Growing up from the earth During the spring, As far as the earth extends, As far as the rivers stretch, As far as the sun rises, To impart their gifts of food unto men. This wide earth do I praise, Expanded far with paths, The productive, the full-bearing, Thy Mother, holy plant! Yea, I praise the lands Where thou dost grow Sweet-scented swiftly spreading, The good growth of the Lord. He who sows corn, grass and fruit, Soweth the Law. And his harvest shall be bountiful, And his crop shall be ripe upon the hills As a reward for the followers of the Law, The Lord sent the Angel of Earth, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother To make the plants to grow, And to make fertile the womb of woman, That the earth may never be without The laughter of children. Let us worship the Lord in her!
The fifth Communion is with the Angel of Life The Angel of Life, She who gives strength and vigor to man. For, lo, if the wax is not pure, How then can the candle give a steady flame? Go, then, toward the high-growing trees, And before one of them which is beautiful, High-growing and mighty, Say these words: ‘Hail be unto thee! O good, living tree, Made by the Creator!’ Then shall the River of Life Flow between you and your Brother, The Tree, And health of the body, Swiftness of foot, Quick hearing of the ears, Strength of the arms And eyesight of the eagle be yours. Such is the Communion With the Angel of Life, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother.
The sixth Communion is with the Angel of Joy The Angel of Joy, She who descends upon earth To give beauty to all men. For the Lord is not worshipped with sadness, Nor with cries of despair. Leave off your moans and lamentations, And sing unto the Lord a new song: Sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Let the heavens rejoice And let the earth be glad. Let the field be joyful, Let the floods clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together Before the Lord. For you shall go out with joy And be led forth with peace: The mountains and the hills Shall break forth before you into singing. Angel of Joy, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother, I will sing unto the Lord As long as I live: I will sing praise to my God While I have my being.
The seventh Communion is with Our Earthly Mother Our Earthly Mother, She who sends forth her Angels To guide the roots of man And send them deep into the blessed soil. We invoke the Earthly Mother! The Holy Preserver! The Maintainer! It is She who will restore the world! The earth is hers, And the fullness thereof the world, And they that dwell therein. We worship the good, the strong, The beneficent Earthly Mother And all her Angels, Bounteous, valiant, And full of strength; Welfare-bestowing, kind, And health giving. Through her brightness and glory Do the plants grow up from the earth, By the never-failing springs. Through her brightness and glory Do the winds blow, Driving down the clouds Towards the never-failing springs. The Earthly Mother and I are One. I have my roots in her, And she takes her delight in me According to the Holy Law. “
THE VISION OF ENOCH THE MOST ANCIENT REVELATION according to the Essenes from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Editor’s Note: This is something Jesus as an Essene would have been required to read. God Speaks to Man I speak to you. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you When you were born. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first sight. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first word. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first thought. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first love. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first song. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the grass of the meadows. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the trees of the forests. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the valleys and the hills. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the Holy Mountains. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the rain and the snow. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the waves of the sea. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the dew of the morning. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the peace of the evening. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the splendor of the sun. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the brilliant stars. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the storm and the clouds. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the thunder and lightning. Be still Know I am God I speak to you Through the mysterious rainbow. Be still Know I am God. I will speak to you When you are alone. Be still Know I am God I will speak to you Through the Wisdom of the Ancients. Be still Know I am God I will speak to you At the end of time. Be still Know I am God. I will speak to you When you have seen my Angels. Be still Know I am God. I will speak to you Throughout Eternity. Be still Know I am God I speak to you. Be still Know I am God.
The Essene Book of Moses
Editor’s note: The Ten Commandments in the extended Essene version according to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
I am the Law, thy God, which hath brought thee out from the depths of the bondage of darkness. Thou shalt have no other Laws before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any image of the Law in heaven above or in the earth beneath. I am the invisible Law, without beginning and without end. Thou shalt not make unto thee false laws, for I am the Law, and the whole Law of all laws. If thou forsake me, thou shalt be visited by disasters for generation upon generation. If thou keepest my commandments, thou shalt enter the Infinite Garden where stands the Tree of Life in the midst of the Eternal Sea. Thou shalt not violate the Law. The Law is thy God, who shall not hold thee guiltless. Honor thy Earthly Mother, that thy days may be long upon the land, and honor thy Heavenly Father, that eternal life be thine in the heavens, for the earth and the heavens are given unto thee by the Law, which is thy God. Thou shalt greet thy Earthly Mother on the morning of the Sabbath. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Earth on the second morning. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Life on the third morning. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Joy on the fourth morning. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Sun on the fifth morning. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Water on the sixth morning, Thou shalt greet the Angel of Air on the seventh morning- All these Angels of the Earthly Mother shalt thou greet, and consecrate thyself to them, that thou mayest enter the Infinite Garden where stands the Tree of Life. Thou shalt worship thy Heavenly Father on the evening of the Sabbath. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Eternal Life on the second evening. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Work on the third evening. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Peace on the fourth evening. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Power on the fifth evening, Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Love on the sixth evening. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Wisdom on the seventh evening. All these Angels of the Heavenly Father shalt thou commune with, that thy soul may bathe in the Fountain of Light, and enter into the Sea of Eternity. The seventh day is the Sabbath: thou shalt remember it, keep it holy. The Sabbath is the day of the Light of the Law, thy God. In it thou shalt not do any work, but search the Light, the Kingdom of thy God, and all things shall be given unto thee. For know ye that during six days thou shalt work with the Angels, but the seventh day shalt thou dwell in the Light of thy Lord, who is the holy Law. Thou shalt not take the life from any living thing. Life comes only from God, who giveth it and taketh it away. Thou shalt not debase Love. It is the sacred gift of thy Heavenly Father. Thou Shalt not trade thy Soul, the priceless gift of the loving God, for the riches of the world, which are as seeds sown on stony ground, having no root in themselves, and so enduring but for a little while. Thou shalt not be a false witness of the Law, to use it against thy brother: Only God knoweth the beginning and the ending of all things, for his eye is single, and he is the holy Law. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s possessions. The Law giveth unto thee much greater gifts, even the earth and the heavens, if thou keep the Commandments of the Lord thy God. And Moses heard the voice of the Lord, and sealed within him the covenant that was between the Lord and the Children of Light.
And Moses said unto the people, these are the laws, which thy God hath given thee. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, nor thy neighbor’s wife, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.
THE ESSENE SEVENFOLD PEACE Editor’s note: Note the similarities to the different versions of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to the Essene Sevenfold Peace. And seeing the multitudes, Jesus went up into a mountain, and his disciples came unto him, and all those who hungered for his words. And seeing them gathered, he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Peace I bring to thee, my children, The Sevenfold Peace Of the Earthly Mother And the Heavenly Father. Peace I bring to thy body, Guided by the Angel of Power; Peace I bring to thy heart, Guided by the Angel of Love; Peace I bring to thy mind, Guided by the Angel of Wisdom. Through the Angels of Power, Love and Wisdom, Thou shalt travel the Seven Paths Of the Infinite Garden, And thy body, thy heart and thy mind Shall join in Oneness In the Sacred Flight to the Heavenly Sea of Peace.
Yea, I tell thee truly, The paths are seven Trough the Infinite Garden, And each must be traversed By the body, the heart and the mind As one, Lest thou stumble and fall Into the abyss of emptiness. For as a bird cannot fly with one wing, So doth thy Bird of Wisdom Need two wings of Power and Love To soar above the abyss To the Holy Tree of Life.
For the body alone Is an abandoned house seen from afar: What was thought beautiful Is but ruin and desolation When drawing near. Are body alone Is as a chariot fashioned from gold, Whose maker sets it on a pedestal, Loath to soil it with use. But as a golden idol, It is ugly and without grace, For only in movement Doth it reveal its purpose. Like the hollow blackness of a window When the wind puts out its candle, Is the body alone, With no heart and no mind To fill it with light.
And the heart alone is a sun with no earth to shine upon, A light in the void, A ball of warmth drowned In a sea of blackness. For when a man doth love, As love turneth only to Its own destruction When there is no hand to stretch forth In good works, And no mind to weave the flames of desire Into a tapestry of psalms. Like a whirlwind in the desert Is the heart alone, With no body and no mind To lead it singing through the cypress and the pine.
And the mind alone Is a holy scroll Which has worn thin with the years, And must be buried. The truth and beauty of its words Have not changed, But the eyes can no longer read the faded letters, And it falleth to pieces in the hands. So is the mind without the heart To give it words, And without the body To do its deeds. For what availeth wisdom Without a heart to feel And a tongue to give it voice? Barren as the womb of an aged woman Is the mind alone, With no heart and no body To fill it with life.
For, lo, I tell thee truly, The body and the heart and the mind Are as a chariot, and a horse, and a driver. The chariot is the body, Forged in strength to do the will of the Heavenly Father And the Earthly Mother. The heart is the fiery steed, Glorious and courageous, Who carries the chariot bravely, Whether the road be smooth, Or whether stones and fallen trees Lie in its path. And the driver is the mind, Holding the reins of wisdom, Seeing from above what lieth On the far horizon, Charting the course of hoofs and wheels.
Give ear, O ye heavens, And I will speak; And hear, O earth, The words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, My speech shall distil as the dew, As the small rain Upon the tender herb, And as the showers upon the grass.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who is strong in body, For he shall have oneness with the earth. Thou shalt celebrate a daily feast With all the gifts of the Angel of Earth: The golden wheat and corn, T’he purple grapes of autumn, The ripe fruits of the trees, The amber honey of the bees. Thou shalt seek the fresh air of the forest and of the fields, And there in the midst of them Shalt thou find the Angel of Air. Put off thy shoes and clothing And suffer the Angel of Air To embrace all thy body. Then shalt thou breathe long and deeply, That the Angel of Air May be brought within thee. Enter into the cool and flowing river And suffer the Angel of Water To embrace all thy body. Cast thyself wholly into his enfolding arms, And as often as thou movest the air with thy breath, Move with thy body the water also. Thou shalt seek the Angel of Sun, And enter into that embrace Which doth purify with holy flames. And all these things are of the Holy Law of the Earthly Mother, She who did give thee birth. He who hath found peace with the body Hath built a holy temple Wherein may dwell forever The spirit of God. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who is wise in mind, For he shall create heaven. The mind of the wise Is a well-ploughed field, Which giveth forth abundance and plenty. For it thou showest a handful of seed To a wise man, He will see in his mind’s eye A field of golden wheat. And if thou showest a handful of seed To a fool, He will see only that which is before him, And call them worthless pebbles. And as the field of the wise man Giveth forth grain in abundance, And the field of the fool Is a harvest only of stones, So it is with our thoughts. As the sheaf of golden wheat Lieth hidden within the tiny kernel, So is the kingdom of heaven Hidden within our thoughts. If they be filled with the Power, Love and Wisdom of the Angels of the Heavenly Father, So they shall carry us To the Heavenly Sea. But if they be stained With corruption, hatred and ignorance, They shall chain our feet To pillars of pain and suffering. No man can serve two masters; Neither can evil thoughts abide in a mind Filled with the Light of the Law. He who hath found peace with the mind Hath leamed to soar beyond The Realm of the Angels. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who is pure in heart, For he shall see God. For as the Heavenly Father hath given thee His holy spirit, And thy Earthly Mother hath given thee Her holy body, So shall ye give love To all thy brothers. And thy true brothers are all those Who do the will of thy Heavenly Father An d thy Earthly Mother. Let thy love be as the sun Which shines on all the creatures of the earth, And does not favor one blade of grass For another. And this love shall flow as a fountain From brother to brother, And as it is spent, So shall it be replenished. For love is eternal. Love is stronger Than the currents of deep waters. Love is stronger than death. And if a man hath not love, He doth build a wall between him And all the creatures of the earth, And therein doth he dwell In loneliness and pain. Or he may become as an angry whirlpool Which sucks into its depths All that floats too near. For the heart is a sea with mighty waves, And love and wisdom must temper it, As the warm sun breaks through the clouds And quiets the restless sea. He who hath found peace with his brothers Hath entered the kingdom of Love, And shall see God face to face. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who doth build on earth The kingdom of heaven, For he shall dwell in both worlds. Thou shalt follow the Law of the Brotherhood, Which saith that none shall have wealth, And none shall be poor, And all shall work together In the garden of the Brotherhood. Yet each shall follow his own path, And each shall commune with his own heart. For in the Infinite Garden There are many and diverse flowers: Who shall say that one is best Because its color is purple, Or that one is favored Because its stalk is long and slender? Though the brothers Be of different complexion, Yet do they all toil In the vineyard of the Earthly Mother, And they all do lift their voices together In praise of the Heavenly Father. And together they break the holy bread, And in silence share the holy meal Of thanksgiving. There shall be no peace among peoples Till there be one garden of the brotherhood Over the earth. For how can there be peace When each man pursueth his own gain And doth sell his soul into slavery? Thou, Child of Light, Do ye gather with thy brothers And then go ye forth To teach the ways of the Law To those who would hear. He who hath found peace With the brotherhood of man Hath made himself The co-worker of God Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who doth study the Book of the Law, For he shall be as a candle In the dark of night, And an island of truth In a sea of falsehood For know ye, that the written word Which cometh from God Is a reflection of the Heavenly Sea, Even as the bright stars Reflect the face of heaven. As the words of the Ancient Ones Are etched with the hand of God On the Holy Scrolls, So is the Law engraved on the hearts of the faithful who do study them. For it was said Of old, That in the beginning there were giants In the earth, And mighty men, which were of old, Men Of renown. And the Children of Light Shall guard and preserve Their written word, Lest we become again as beasts, And know not the Kingdom of the Angels. Know ye, too, That only through the written word shalt thou find that Law Which is unwritten, As the spring which floweth from the ground Hath a hidden source in the secret depths beneath the earth. The written Law Is the instrument by which The unwritten Law is understood, As the mute branch of a tree Becomes a singing flute In the hands of the shepherd. Many there are Who would stay in the tranquil Valley of ignorance, Where children play And butterflies dance in the sun For their short hour of life. But none can tarry there long, And ahead rise the somber Mountains of learning. Many there are Who fear to cross, And many there are Who have fallen bruised and bleeding From their steep and rugged slopes. But faith is the guide Over the gaping chasm, And perseverance the foothold In the jagged rocks. Beyond the icy peaks of struggle Lies the peace and beauty Of the Infinite Garden of Knowledge, Where the meaning of the Law Is made known to the Children of Light. Here in the center of its forest Stands the Tree of Life, Mystery of mysteries. He who hath found peace With the teachings of the Ancients, Through the light of the mind, Through the light of nature, And through the study of the Holy Word, Hath entered the cloud-filled Hall of the Ancients, Where dwelleth the Holy Brotherhood, of whom no man may speak. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who knoweth his Earthly Mother, For she is the giver of life. Know that thy Mother is in thee, And thou art in her. She bore thee And she giveth thee life. She it was who gaveth thee thy body, And to her shalt thou one day Give it back again. Know that the blood which runs in thee is born of the blood Of thy Earthly Mother. Her blood falls from the clouds, Leaps up from the womb of the earth, Babbles in the brooks of the mountains, Flows wide in the rivers of the plains, Sleeps in the lakes, Rages mightily in the tempestuous seas. Know that the air which thou dost breathe Is born of the breath Of thy Earthly Mother. Her breath is azure In the heights of the heavens, Soughs in the tops of the mountains, Whispers in the leaves of the forest, Billows over the cornfields, Slumbers in the deep valleys, Bums hot in the desert. Know that the hardness of thy bones Is born of the bones Of thy Earthly Mother, Of the rocks and of the stones. Know that the tenderness of thy flesh Is born of the flesh Of thy Earthly Mother, She whose flesh waxeth yellow and red In the fruits of the trees. The light of thy eyes, The hearing of thy ears, These are born Of the colors and the sounds Of thy Earthly Mother, Which doth enclose thee about, As the waves of the sea enclose a fish, As the eddying air a bird. I tell thee in truth, Man is the Son Of the Earthly Mother, And from her did the Son of Man Receive his whole body, Even as the body of the newborn babe Is born of the womb of his mother. I tell thee truly, Thou art one with the Earthly Mother; She is in thee, and thou art in her. Of her wert thou born, In her dost thou live, And to her shalt thou return again. Keep, therefore, her laws, For none can live long, Neither be happy, But he who honors his Earthly Mother And keepeth her laws. For thy breath is her breath, Thy blood her blood, Thy bone her bone, Thy flesh her flesh, Thy eyes and thy ears Are her eyes and her ears. He who hath found peace With his Earthly Mother Shall never know death. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart,
Blessed is the Child of Light Who doth seek his Heavenly Father, For he shall have eternal life. He that dwelleth in the secret place Of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. For he shall give his Angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. Know ye that the Lord hath been our dwelling place In all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever he had formed The earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Hath there been love Between the Heavenly Father And his children. And how shall this love be severed? From the beginning Until the ending of time Doth the holy flame of love Encircle the heads Of the Heavenly Father And the Children of Light: How then shall this love be extinguished? Ye that love thy Heavenly Father, Do ye then his bidding: Walk ye with his Holy Angels, And find thy peace with his Holy Law. For his Law is the entire Law: Yea, it is the Law of laws. Through his Law he hath made The earth and the heavens to be one; The mountains and the sea Are his footstools. With his hands he hath made us And fashioned us, And he gaveth us understanding That we may learn his Law. He is covered with Light As with a garment: He stretcheth out the heavens Like a curtain. He maketh the clouds his chariot; He walketh upon the wings of the wind. He sendeth the springs into the valleys, And his breath is in the mighty trees. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: The strength of the hills is his also. T’he sea is his, And his hands formed the dry land. All the heavens declare the Glory of God, And the firmament showeth his Law. And to his children Doth he bequeath his Kingdom, To those who walk with his Angels, And find their peace with his Holy Law. Wouldst thou know more, my children? How may we speak with our lips That which cannot be spoken? It is like a pomegranate eaten by a mute: How then may he tell of its flavor? If we say the Heavenly Father Dwelleth within us, Then are the heavens ashamed; If we say he dwelleth without us, It is falsehood. The eye, which scanneth the far horizon And the eye, which seeth the hearts of men He maketh as one eye. He is not manifest, He is not hidden. He is not revealed, Nor is he unrevealed. My children, there are no words To tell that which he is! Only this do we know: We are his children, And he is our Father. He is our God, And we are the children of his pasture, And the sheep of his hand. He who hath found peace With his Heavenly Father Hath entered the Sanctuary of the Holy Law, And hath made a covenant with God Which shall endure forever. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body, Though heaven and earth may pass away, Not one letter of the Holy Law Shall change or pass away. For in the beginning was the Law, And the Law was with God, And the Law was God. May the Sevenfold Peace Of the Heavenly Father Be with thee always.
Bibliography
Aslaw, Reza,” Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth,” Random House Publishers, 2013.
Baigent, Michael, “The Jesus Papers,” Harper San Francisco Publishers, 2006
Bar-Adon, Pessah, “The Hasmonean Fortresses and the Status of Khirbet Qumran”, Eretz Israel 15 (1981): 349-52.
Bar-Nathan, Rachel, “Qumran and the Hasmonaean and Herodian Winter Palaces of Jericho”, in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006), 263-278.
Boccaccini, Gabriele, Beyond the Essene Hypothesis: The Parting of Ways between Qumran and Enochic Judaism (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998).
Boccaccini, Gabriele, Editor, “Enoch and Qumran Origins, New Light on a Forgotten Connection,” Associate editors J. Harold Ellens, James Alan Waddel, With the collaboration of Jason Von Ehreakiat, Ronald Puark, Aaron Brunell, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich, 2005.
Broshi, Magen, “The Archaeology of Qumran- A Reconsideration”, in The Dead Sea Scrolls, Forty Years of Research, D. Diamant & U. Rappaport (Eds), (Brill-Magnes Press, 1992), 113-115.Broshi, Magen, and Eshel, Hanan, “Residential Caves at Qumran.” Dead Sea Discoveries 6 (1999), 328-348.
Broshi, Magen, and Eshel, Hanan, “Was There Agriculture at Qumran?” in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006).
Cansdale, Lena (1997). Qumran and the Essenes: A Re-Evaluation of the Evidence (Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr).
Cansdale, Lena, & Crown, Alan, “Qumran, Was It an Essene Settlement?”, Biblical Archaeology Review” 20/5 (1995) 24-35, 73-79.
Cansdale, Lena, The Metamorphosis of the Name “Qumran”, in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery, 1947-1997, Schiffman, Lawrence, Tov, Emanuel, & VanderKam, James, (eds.), (Jerusalem: IES, 2000), pp. 630–635.
Cargill, Robert R., “The Qumran Digital Model: An Argument for Archaeological Reconstruction in Virtual Reality and Response to Jodi Magness”, Near Eastern Archaeology 72/1 (2009): 28-47.
Cargill, Robert R., Qumran through (Real) Time: A Virtual Reconstruction of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Bible in Technology 1, (Piscataway, New Jersey: Gorgias Press, 2009).
Cook, Edward M., “Qumran: A Ritual Purification Center”, Biblical Archaeology Review 22/6 (1996): 39, 48-51, 73-75.
Crossan, John Dominic, “ “Jesus A revolutionary Biography,” Harper One Publishers, 1989
Crowfoot, Grace Mary, “The Linen Textiles.” Pages 18–40 in Discoveries in the Judean Desert I: Qumran Cave I. Edited by Dominique Barthélemy and Joseph Tadeusz Milik (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1956).
Crown, A.D. and Cansdale, L., “Qumran-Was It an Essene Settlement?” Biblical Archaeology Review 20 (1994), 24-35 & 73-4 & 76-78.
Crown, Alan D. and Cansdale, Lena (1994). ‘Qumran: Was it an Essene Settlement?’Biblical Archaeology Review 20: 24-35, 73-74, 76-78.
Davies, Philip R., Qumran, Cities of the Biblical World (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982).
de Vaux, Roland (1953a) ‘Fouille au Khirbet Qumrân,’ Revue Biblique 60, 83-106.
de Vaux, Roland, Archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1973). English translation from the French.Dávid, Nóra, Armin Lange, Kristin De Troyer and Shani Tzoref (eds). The Hebrew Bible in Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls (Göttingen, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2011) (Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments, 239),
Dombrowski, B.W.W., “Golb’s Hypothesis: Analysis and Conclusions.” In Mogilany 1995: Papers on the Dead Sea Scrolls Offered in Memory of Aleksy Klawek (ed. Zdzislaw Jan Kapera; QM 15; Kraków: Enigma, 1998) 32-51.
Donceel-Voûte, Pauline H. E. “Les ruines de Qumran réinterprétées.” Archeologia 298 (1994) 24-35.Donceel-Voûte, Pauline H.E. “‘Coenaculum’: La salle à l’étage du locus 30 à Khirbet Qumrân sur la Mer Morte.” In Banquets d’Orient (ed. R. Gyselen, with M. Bernus-Taylor et al.; ResO 4; Leuven: Peeters, 1992) 61-84.
Donceel, R. and Donceel-Voûte, Pauline H.E., “The Archaeology of Khirbet Qumran.” In Methods of Investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects (ed. Michael O. Wise, Norman Golb, John J. Collins, and Dennis G. Pardee; Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 722 (New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1994) 1-38.
Donceel, Robert and Donceel-Voûte, Pauline (1994). ‘The Archaeology of Khirbet Qumran,’ in Michael Wise, Norman Golb, John J. Collins, Dennis Pardee (eds),Methods of Investigations of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 722: New York), 1-38.
Donceel, Robert and Donceel-Voûte, Pauline (1998). ‘Poursuite des travaux de publication du matériel archéologique de Khirbet Qumrân: Les lampes en terre cuite,’ in Mogilany 1995: Papers on the Dead Sea Scrolls Offered in Memory of Aleksy Klawek., ed. Z. J. Kapera (Qumranica Mogilanensia 15; Cracow: Enigma Press), 87-104.
Eshel, Hanan (2009). Qumran: Scrolls, Caves, History (Jerusalem: Carta).
Eshel, Hanan, Qumran: A Field Guide. (Jerusalem: Carta, 2009). Fields, Weston W. The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Full History. volume 1 (Leiden: Brill, 2009).
Frey, Jörg, Carsten Claußen u. Nadine Kessler (Hrsg.), Qumran und die Archäologie. Texte und Kontexte (Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2011) (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament (WUNT I), 278).
Galor, Katharina, “Plastered Pools: A New Perspective”, in Khirbet Qumran et Ain Feshkha, Vol. II., ed. Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Gunneweg, Jan, (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003) 291-320.
Galor, Katharina, Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, and Zangenberg, Jurgen, The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), (Leiden: Brill, 2006).
Gibson, Shimon, and Joan E. Taylor, “Roads and Passes Round Qumran.” Palestine Exploration Quarterly 140/3 (2008) 225-227.
Golb, Norman, “Khirbet Qumran and the Manuscript Finds of the Judaean Wilderness.” In Methods of Investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects (ed. Michael O. Wise, Norman Golb, John J. Collins, and Dennis G. Pardee; ANYAS 722; New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1994) 51-72.
Golb, Norman, Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?: The Search for the Secret of Qumran. (New York: Scribner, 1995).
Goranson, Stephen. “Review: Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jürgen Zangenberg, eds., The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates. Proceedings of a Conference Held at Brown University, November 17-19, 2002.” Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 347 (2007) 114-116.
Gunneweg, J. and Balla, M., “How Neutron Activation Analysis Can Assist Research into the Provenance of the Pottery at Qumran.” In Historical Perspectives: From the Hasmoneans to Bar Kokhba in Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium of the Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Associated Literature, 27–31 January 1999, eds. D.Goodblatt, A.Pinnick, and D.R. Schwartz, 179-185. STDJ 37.
Leiden: Brill, 2001 , Ch., “Qumran: Archaeology.” Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls, 2 vols. (ed. Lawrence H. Schiffman and James C. VanderKam; (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000) II.746-751.
Hirschfeld, Yizhar (1998). ‘Early Roman Manor Houses in Judea and the Site of Khirbet Qumran,’ Journal of Near Eastern Studies 57/3: 161-189.
Hirschfeld, Yizhar, “Qumran in the Second Temple Period: A Reassessment”, in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006).
Hirschfeld, Yizhar, “The Architextural Context of Qumran”, in The Dead Sea Scrolls, fifty years after their discovery 1947-1997 (L.H.Schiffman, E. Tov and J. VanderKam eds.), (Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society and the Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, 2000) 673-683.
Hirschfeld, Yizhar, Qumran in Context: Reassessing the Archaeological Evidence, (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 2004).
Humbert Jean-Baptiste and Gunneweg, Jan (2003). Khirbet Qumran and `Ain Feshkha II: Études d’anthropologie, de physique et de chimie (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht; Fribourg: Editions universitaires).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Chambon, Alain, Fouilles de Khirbet Qumran et de Ain Feshka, Vol. I. Editions Universitaires Fribourg Suisse (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 1994).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Chambon, Alain, The Excavations of Khirbet Qumran and Ain Feshkha, Vol. 1B. trans by Stephen J. Pfann, Editions Universitaires Fribourg Suisse (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Gunneweg, Jan, Khirbet Qumran et Ain Feshkha: études d’anthropologie, de physique et de chimie = studies of anthropology, physics and chemistry, Vol. II. Editions Universitaires Fribourg Suisse (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste and Chambon, Alain (1994). Fouilles de Khirbet Qumrân et de Ain Feshka I: Album de photographies. Répertoire du fonds photographiques. Synthèse des notes de chantier du Père Roland de Vaux(Novum Testamentum et Orbis Antiquus, Series Archaeologica 1; Fribourg: Editions universitaires).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, “L’espace sacré à Qumrân.” Revue Biblique (1994) 101-102 and 161-214.
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, “Les différentes interprétations du site de Qumran.” Monde de la Bible, 107 (1997), 20-25.
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, “Reconsideration of the Archaeological Interpretation”, in Khirbet Qumran et Ain Feshkha, Vol. II. ed. Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Gunneweg, Jan, (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003) 419-425.
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, “Some Remarks on the Archaeology of Qumran”, in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006).
Hutchesson, Ian, “63 BCE: A Revised Dating for the Depositation of the Dead Sea Scrolls”, Qumran Chronicle 8/3 (1999): 177-194.
Kapera, Z. J., “How Many Tombs in Qumran?”, The Qumran Chronicle 9.1 (August 2000), 35-49.
Lemaire, Andre, “Inscriptions du Khirbeh, des Grottes et de ‘Ain Feshkha”, in Khirbet Qumran et Ain Feshkha, Vol. II., ed. Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Gunneweg, Jan, (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003) 341-388.
Lönnqvist, K. A. K. (2008) New Perspectives on the Roman Coinage on the Eastern Limes in the Late Republican and Roman Imperial Periods. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller. Saarbrücken 2009.
Lönnqvist, M., and Lönnqvist, K., Archaeology of the Hidden Qumran, The New Paradigm (Helsinki University Press, 2002).Lönnqvist, K. and Lönnqvist, M. (2006) ‘The Numismatic Chronology of Qumran: Fact and Fiction’, The Numismatic Chronicle 166, London: The Royal Numismatic Society, pp. 121–165.
Lönnqvist. K. (2007). The report of the Amman lots of the Qumran silver coin hoards. New Chronological Aspects of the Silver Coin Hoard Evidence from Khirbet Qumran at the Dead Sea. Amman 2007, pp. 1–72.
Magen, Yitzhak, and Peleg, Yuval, “Back to Qumran: Ten Years of Excavations and Research, 1993-2004”, in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006).Magen, Yitzhak & Peleg, Yuval, “The Qumran Excavations 1993-2004: Preliminary Report”, JSP 6 (Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority, 2007)
Magen, Yizhak and Peleg, Yuval (2006). ‘Back to Qumran: Ten Years of Excavation and Research, 1993-2004,’ in Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert and Jürgen Zangenberg, eds. Qumran, the Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates (Leiden/Boston: Brill), 55-113.
Magness, Jodi (1996). ‘What Was Qumran? Not a Country Villa,’ Biblical Archaeology Review 22/6 38: 40-47, 72-73.
Magness, Jodi, “Qumran Archaeology: Past Perspectives and Future Prospects.” In The Dead Sea Scrolls after Fifty Years: A Comprehensive Reassessment, vol. 1, ed. Peter W. Flint and James C.VanderKam; (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1998) 47-77 and pp. 708–719.
Magness, Jodi, A Reassessment of the Excavations of Qumran, in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery, 1947-1997, Schiffman, Lawrence, Tov, Emanuel, & VanderKam, James, (eds.), (Jerusalem: IES, 2000), pp. 708–719.
Magness, Jodi, The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002).
Meyers, F. B. B.A., Paul: a Servant of Jesus Christ The Prophet of Hope Saved and Kept etc., etc London: Morgan and Scott Office of the Christian 12, Pasternoster Bldgs, E.C., 1911
Meyers, Eric. “Khirbet Qumran and its Environs,” In The Oxford Handbook of the Dead Sea Scrolls, ed. Timothy H Lim and John Joseph Collins (Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2010).
Milik, J. T., Ten Years in the Wilderness of Judaea, (Translated by J. Strugnell; London: SCM, 1959).
Murphy, Catherine M., Wealth in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumran Community, (Leiden: Brill 2002).
Netzer, Ehud. “Did any perfume industry exist at ʻEin Feshkha?,” Israel Exploration Journal 55 no 1 2005, p 97-100.
North, Wyatt, “The Life and Prayers of Saint John the Baptist,” Wyatt North Publishers, 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970.
Patrich, Joseph, “Did Extra-Mural Dwelling Quarters Exist at Qumran?” in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery. Edited by Lawrence H. Schiffman, Emanuel Tov, James C. VanderKam, and Galen Marquis (Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 2000) 720-727.
Patrich, Joseph, “Khirbet Qumran in the Light of New Archaeological Explorations in the Qumran Caves”, in Methods of Investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects (ed. Michael O. Wise, Norman Golb, John J. Collins, and Dennis G. Pardee; Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 722 (New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1994) 70-96.
Puech, Émile, “The Necropolises of Khirbet Qumrân and ‘Ain el-Ghuweir and the Essene Belief in the Afterlife”, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 312 (1998) 21-
Perry, Paul, “Jesus in Egypt, Discovering the Secrets of Christ’s Childhood Years,” Ballantine Book Publishers, 2003.
Rabin, Ira, Oliver Hahn, Timo Wolff, Admir Masic, and Gisela Weinberg. “On the Origin of the Ink of the Thanksgiving Scroll (1QHodayota).” Dead Sea Discoveries 16/1 (2009) 97-106.
Reed, William L., “The Qumran Caves Expedition of March, 1952”, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 135 (1954) 1-13.
Regev, Eyal, “Access Analysis of Khirbet Qumran: Reading Spatial Organization and Social Boundaries”, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 355 (2009) 85-99.
Reich, Ronny, “Miqwa’ot at Khirbet Qumran and the Jerusalem Connection.” Pages 728-31 in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery. Edited by Lawrence H. Schiffman, Emanuel Tov, James C. VanderKam, and Galen Marquis (Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 2000). Rengstorf, Karl Heinrich, Hirbet Qumrân and the Problem of the Library of the Dead Sea Caves, Translated by J. R. Wilkie (Leiden: Brill, 1963).
Ricklin, Shimon, “When Did the Essenes Arrive at Qumran? – An Architectural Response.” Pages 263-66 in Studies in the Settlement of Judea: A Collection of Papers in Historical Geography. Edited by Ze’ev H. Erlich (Beni Brak: Moriah, 1995).
Schiffman, Lawrence H. (1991). From text to tradition: a history of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism. New York City: Ktav Pub. House.
Schiffman, Lawrence, Tov, Emanuel, & VanderKam, James, eds. The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery, 1947-1997, (Jerusalem: IES, 2000).
Schultz, Brian, “The Qumran Cemetery: 150 Years of Research.” Dead Sea Discoveries 13 (2006): 194-228.
Souvay, Charles L., “John the Baptist, A Short Biography,” N. Y. Encyclopedia Press 1911.
Steckoll, S.H., “An Inkwell from Qumran”, Mada 13 (1969), 260-261 (in Hebrew).
Taylor, Joan (2006). ‘Kh. Qumran in Period III,’ in Qumran, the Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, proceedings of a conference held at Brown University, Nov. 17-19, 2002, edited by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert and Jurgen Zangenburg (Leiden/Boston: Brill), 133-46.
Taylor, Joan and Gibson, Shimon (2011). ‘Qumran Connected: The Paths and Passes of the North-western Dead Sea,’ in Jörg Frey and Carsten Claussen (eds.), Qumran und Archäologie – wechselseitige Perspektiven (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck), 1-51.
Taylor, Joan E., “Khirbet Qumran in the Nineteenth Century and the Name of the Site.” Palestine Exploration Quarterly 134 (2002) 144–164.
Taylor, Joan E., “The Cemeteries of Khirbet Qumran and Women’s Presence at the Site”, Dead Sea Discoveries 6 (1999): 625-323.
Trever, John C., The Untold Story of Qumran, (Westwood: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1965).
Wise, Michael O., Golb, Norman, Collins, John J., and Pardee, Dennis G., Methods of Investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 722 (New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1994) Yellin, J., Broshi, M. and Eshel, H., “Pottery of Qumran and Ein Ghuweir: The First Chemical Exploration of Provenience”, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 321 (2001) 65-78.
(2007). The Qumran Excavations 1993-2004: Preliminary Report (Judea and Samaria Publications 6; Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority).
(1953b) ‘Exploration de la Région de Qumrân,’ Revue Biblique 60, 540-561.
(1954) ‘Fouilles au Khirbet Qumrân.’ Revue Biblique 61, 206-236.
(1956) ‘Fouilles de Khirbet Qumrân,’ Revue Biblique 63, 533-577. (1959) ‘Fouilles de Feshkha,’ Revue Biblique 66, 225-255. (1973). Archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls , transl. by David Bourke of L’archéologie et les Manuscrits de la Mer Morte (London: British Academy). (1998-d). ‘Qumran Archaeology: Past Perspectives and Future Prospects,’ in The Dead Sea Scrolls after Fifty Years: A Comprehensive Assessment, ed. Peter W. Flint and James C. VanderKam, 2 vols. (Leiden: Brill), 1: 47-77. (1998). ‘Traces of Fragrance along the Dead Sea,’ Res Orientales 11: 93-124. (1998a). ‘The Archaeology of Qumran: A Review,’ Qumran Chronicle 8/1-2: 49-62. (1998b). ‘The Chronology of Qumran, Ein Feshkha, and Ein El-Ghuweir.’ InMogilany 1995: Papers on the Dead Sea Scrolls Offered in Memory of Aleksy Klawek, ed. Zdzislaw Jan Kapera, 55-76. (Kraków: Enigma Press). (1998c). ‘Two Notes on the Archaeology of Qumran,’ Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 312: 37-44. (2000). ‘A Community of Hermits above Ein Gedi,’ Cathedra 96: 8-40 (Heb.). (2000). ‘A Reassessment of the Excavations of Qumran,’ in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years after Their Discovery. Proceedings of the Jerusalem Congress, July 20-25, 1997, ed. Lawrence H. Schiffman, Emanuel Tov, and James C. VanderKam (Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society in cooperation with the Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum), 708-719.
(2000a). ‘The Architectural Context of Qumran,’ In The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years after Their Discovery. Proceedings of the Jerusalem Congress, July 20-25, 1997, ed. Lawrence H. Schiffman, Emanuel Tov, and James C. VanderKam, 673-683. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society in cooperation with the Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum).
(2002). The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans).
(2002). ‘Qumran in the Second Temple Period. Reassessing the Archaeological Evidence,’ Liber Annuus 52: 247-296.
(2004). Qumran in Context: Reassessing the Archaeological Evidence(Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers).
(2004a). Debating Qumran: Collected Essays on its Archaeology. (Interdisciplinary Studies in Ancient Culture and Religion 4; Dudley, Mass.: Peeters).
(2004b). ‘Why Scroll Jars?’ in Religion and Society in Roman Palestine: Old Questions, New Approaches, ed. Douglas R. Edwards (London: Routledge), 146-61.
(2006). ‘Qumran in the Second Temple Period: A Reassessment,’ in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates. Proceedings of the Conference Held at Brown University, November 17-19, 2002, ed. Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jürgen Zangenberg (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah 57; Leiden: Brill, 2005), 223-39.
This book is dedicated to my friends Glenn Bornsen of El Cajon, Calif., and Paul Renfrew of Boston, and George Schandel of Mastic Beach, Long Island, New York. And also to the memory of my mother Doris Grace Mead who taught me to read at age one, and Continued to support my reading adventures all my life.
Index Page
Introduction……………………………………………………..……page 4
Chapter 1-In the beginning…the birth of John………………………page 7
Chapter 2-The birth of Jesu (Jesus) of Nazareth…………………….page 16
Chapter 3-The flight into Egypt of the Holy Family……………….page 22
Chapter 4-Young Jesus at age 6…………………………………….page 46
Chapter 5- Young John of Hebron ………………………………..Page 82
Chapter 6- Jesus at age 12………………………………………….page 48
Chapter 7- The Mount Carmel Essenes…………………….……….page 53
Chapter 8-The funeral of Joseph of Nazareth……………………..page 87
Chapter 9- Jesus the Essene Healer…………………………………page 66
Chapter 10-The voice of one crying in the wilderness…………….page 92
Chapter 11- The Baptism of Jesus…………………………………page 110
Chapter 12- John questions who Jesus really was?……………………page 116
Chapter 14-The Sermon on the Mount……………………………page 122
Chapter 15-The Beginning and the End………………………….page 137
Glossary
Bibliography
Introduction
The purpose of this novel is to reveal secrets about Jesus and John the Baptist when they were infants until when they formally met again, when John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. This novel also seeks to answer how Jesus and John got all their formal training, and how that became the basis of their ministry. I did a great deal of research into what happened when Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled into Egypt for four years. My basis for research for the Egyptian flight of the Holy family is recorded in the oral and written traditions of the modern day Egyptian Coptic Church. The Egyptian Coptic Church places as much significance on oral tradition, as they do in written tradition that might explain the many miracles they claim happened in the flight to Egypt of the Holy Family. Oral tradition passed down over 2,000 years is bound to change.
I also researched extensive parallels in what John the Baptist taught, and what Jesus of Nazareth preached, and how much can be traced to Essene ideas, prayers, and Gospels. The monastic Essene community of Qumran near the Dead Sea was close enough for John to travel from Hebron, and seek membership. Walking distance from Jesus’ house in Nazareth was the secret Essene community on Mount Carmel. It was all very convenient for both Jesus and John that Essene societies were close by at the time.
What Jesus and John revealed to the world was a philosophy of the Essenes, who were around more than 100 years before Jesus, and John. No one in the days of Jesus ever realized that both Jesus and John were secret Essenes. The Essenes were concerned with the coming of the Messiah, and or the return of the “Teacher of Righteousness,” who died 150 years before the birth of Jesus. Here in 15 A.D. when Jesus joined the Mount Carmel Essene community was an opportunity to raise up another “Teacher of Righteousness,” “The son of Man,” or a “Messiah,” by Simon the Essene leader. The Essenes learned not to get involved with the local authority when spreading its messianic word. It cost the original Essenes the life of their many of their beloved brethren, when they attempted to interfere with local politics. As a result, they withdrew from the cities, and fled to Qumran near the Dead Sea, and otherwise, became secret societies in Nazareth, Jerusalem and other major Judean cities.
The Dead Sea Scrolls reveal much about Essene Philosophy at the time of Jesus. Jesus of Nazareth, and John of Hebron (the Baptist) were both secret Essenes, as I shall demonstrate later in this book. If you compare what John the Baptist taught in his ministry and what Jesus of Nazareth taught in his ministry with the Essene documents recorded on the Dead Sea Scrolls of the Qumran Essene community, it is easy to see how John and Jesus’ ideals imitate the Essene philosophy of praying for a messiah or “Righteous Teacher,” to come and save the Jews. Baptism and repentance were a way of life for the Essenes and the core of John the Baptist’s teachings. The Essenes were the best healers of the day and it is no consequence that Jesus was a great healer who had many years of training and experience somewhere like the Essene community of Mount Carmel.
The Essenes looked upon these two men as a way of getting the Temple in Jerusalem to reform, and bring the people to salvation. Many things had to fall in place for the coming of the Messiah to happen, and the Essenes knew that, and prayed about it daily. One of their missions in life believed in the coming of a Messiah who would deliver them from the Romans, and other authority. Another mission was to copy manuscripts, the Old Testament, secret religious documents, and secret healing documents. The question is, was the timing for the Essenes in the Jesus story right?
Many religious scholars fail to point out that in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he was not as popular as John the Baptist. John’s charisma helped to attract thousands to be baptized, however, few if anyone had heard of Jesus yet when he was 29 or 30 years of age. In this novel, I attempt to fill in the missing years of Jesus’ childhood, and John’s childhood based on bible references, Gospels not included in the Bible, Essene Gospels, Dead Sea scrolls, and established academic research by scholars in Biblical research. Sheer speculation fills in the gaps in this story where no direct evidence exists.
I tried to answer the questions, how did Jesus become a “walking Bible?” What preparation in the knowledge of the Bible did he get, and where? Who trained Jesus to be so knowledgeable in the Torah and the Bible? That is the great mystery in the story of Jesus because the bible has been edited again and again by the Catholic Church in the first and second hundred years to fulfill the dogma that the church wanted and not paid heed to the real facts about Jesus in his developing years.
Another question to answer in this book is why is it that John the Baptist’s philosophy was so similar to the Qumran Essene community ideals of baptism, repealing sins, and the coming of the Messiah? John the Baptist used the proclamations of Elijah from the Gospels of the Essenes to form the basis for his ministry. He never healed anyone in his ministry or attempted to convert anyone to the Essene community. His message was the same message that the Essenes were declaring and that was the proclamation that the coming of the Messiah was at hand and that everyone should repent of their sins and evil ways.
Jesus philosophy was more liberal than John’s philosophy, but definitely Essene in origin. You have only to read some of the Essene books included n the appendix of this book to realize that Jesus philosophy and the Essene philosophy were the same, even to the point of become a vegetarian, using baptism on a daily basis, believing in the coming of the second “righteous teacher,” and learning to live a pure life.
Jesus must have been trained at the Mount Carmel Essene community that was walking distance from Nazareth, where Jesus and his family lived. Jesus could read all the sacred Hebrew texts, but somehow never learned to write, or become a Scribe. Why is that? Perhaps when Jesus was eligible to begin the Essene training for a Scribe at age 21 he may have chosen to become a Healer instead, therefore, never learning how to write in Hebrew script.
Learning to heal people was like becoming a Doctor in Jesus day with no formal medical school or institutions to help in learning. Healing was a guarded skill by the Essenes in Jesus’ day. The Essenes were the best healers in Judea and Galilee because they studied cures from around the world and recorded their findings found on the Dead Sea scrolls two thousand years later. They grew special herbs in their gardens, and lived on honey and date palms. They traded for special potent seeds, and powders to store in their collections. Essene men were known at Jesus’ time to live a long life into their 60’s and 70’s when the average age span at the time was 30. Jesus could have trained with the Essenes of Mount Carmel to become a great healer, and to also use the “laying on of hands,” which required a great deal of faith for the healer, as well as the patient. All of this shall be explained by the kind of training Jesus went through to become an Essene at age 20, and to be baptized into the Mount Carmel Essene Community. After becoming a learned Essene leader in the scriptures and the philosophy of the Essenes, Jesus may well have spent the majority of his life in learning Essene Healing techniques, drugs and “laying on of hands.”
After extensive research of the Dead Sea Scrolls I have included some samples of Essene gospels to give direct evidence that Jesus took his Sermon on the Mount from Essene prayers, and Gospels. He shortened the Essene Lord’s Prayer because it was too long for a common person to remember, and the average Jew did not pray to Mother Earth, as did the Essenes, which was the first paragraph of the prayer. The blessings all come directly from the Essene texts as you can see for yourself at the end of the book in the Appendix.
Of the 1,000 Dead Sea scrolls found, many in cave 4 and 11, are most useful in my research, especially with references to the “Righteous Teacher.” The Essenes prayed that the “Righteous Teacher,” would be resurrected, and return to lead them. This is why the Jesus of Nazareth story is so important following the Essene idea of death and resurrection. No direct mention is made of Jesus in the Dead Sea Scrolls, but the image of the “Righteous Teacher,” certainly is likened to the image of Jesus. It is possible that after the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and if there were references to Jesus being an Essene healer or becoming the Essene “righteous leader,” the Catholic Church may have destroyed these scrolls as they lie in storage for over 40 years.
It is unfortunate that in 70 A.D. the Romans for the Jewish revolt against the Romans destroyed all the Essene communities across Judea and Galilee, as well as the Temple in Jerusalem as punishment. All of the Qumran 1,000 plus leather and copper scrolls were put in jars, or otherwise in a rush, just thrown in caves and boarded up with stones, until an Arab child discovered them in the late 1940’s. What ever happened to the scrolls of the other Essene communities around Israel at the time in 70 A.D.? There may never be an answer to that question unless someday a hidden cache on Mount Carmel or under the remains of the Jerusalem Temple are discovered.
We may never know where the scrolls from the Mount Carmel Essene community, Damascus Essenes, and other community scrolls were actually buried or hidden in a cave. How many secret scrolls went underground in Jerusalem, burned or destroyed during the Jewish revolt of 70 A.D. that ended so badly, we will perhaps never know? “The end of time,” that the Essenes preached about, came suddenly in 70 A.D. many years after they had originally predicted it. The Romans in retaliation for revolting in 68 A.D. crushed the rebellion, destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and all of the Essene communities in the desert and on Mount Carmel and other cities in Judea.
With the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls, we might one day discover scrolls more that might reveal more than the Christian churches wanted to be revealed about Jesus, and whether he was really an Essene Healer and Rabbi.
Chapter 1- In the Beginning…The birth of John
Bible: Book of Luke
1:5 THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 1:6 and they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 1:7 and they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 1:9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 1:11 and there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 1:12 and when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 1:14 and you shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 1:16 and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, W hereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings. 1:20 and, behold, you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because you believe not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 1:21 and the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple. 1:22 and when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 1:23 and it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of hi s ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 1:24 And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 1:25 Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach h among men
So it was that John the Baptist was born against all odds. His mother was old, and yet according to the Angel, she would still be able to bear a child. The story is similar to Joseph of Nazareth and Mary his betrothed. Zacharia and his aged wife were finally having a child after being barren for so many years. It would truly be a miracle for Elizabeth to have a child in her advanced years. According to the Angel Gabriel their son would be named John, not Zacharias, as in normal Jewish custom. The Angel also goes on to say that John will be a great person in the eyes of the lord. He will be a person filled with the Holy Spirit. He would be a prophet, because many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. He shall have the power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. It seems John’s mission was to be a prophet of the Lord right from the beginning. Bible:
And, behold, your cousin in Elizabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 1:38 And Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 1:40 and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit: 1:42 And she spoke out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb
So according to the scriptures Mary of Nazareth was informed by an Angel that her cousin Elizabeth, despite her old age, was already six months pregnant. So Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth to the city of Judah called Hebron. A second reason was because when she realized that she was with child, and she could have been stoned to death for having a child out of wedlock. Joseph may have decided to abandon her for having a child without lying with him. Fortunately, Joseph had a vision, and an Angel came to him, and told him not to worry that Mary would bear a male child who would become a leader among men, and his name would be called Jesus (Jesua).
Joseph feared for Mary’s life, and he was himself confused. A young woman that became pregnant without a husband was stoned to death in those days. He knew it was best that Mary go to her cousin Elizabeth for a few months, so that his relatives would forget Mary for a while. This would give him time to announce that he intended to marry Mary. It was the safest way for Mary, Joseph concluded.
It was a hot sunny day in Nazareth that day in the year 1 BC in the country of Judea during the reign of Herod the Great, a governor put in place by the Romans. Mary, a short, longhaired brunette was a Jewish girl of age thirteen living in Nazareth, a city in northern Galilee in Israel. She was preparing for the three-day journey to the south of Judea to the town of Hebron to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Mary had a vision that her cousin Elizabeth, who was quite old and without child, was now pregnant. Mary and Joseph could not go together to Hebron where Elizabeth lived, because Joseph had a building business that required his presence. Joseph was sending a servant that worked for him to keep her safe. Joseph had just gotten done loading the donkey. “Mary, Nathaniel, my servant, will accompany you to Hebron for the three day journey of 70 miles,” Joseph said. “You know I want to come with you, but is better that you stay with your cousin for a while. The Angel of the Lord has told me you are pregnant, and I know you have not slept with me, so it creates a dilemma for us. No one will believe that you are a virgin, and you know the penalty for having a child out of wedlock, is stoning to death. I love you too much to let that happen, so I am sending you to care for your cousin Elizabeth. There you will be out of reach of anyone intending to do you harm,” Joseph stated. “I understand Joseph, and I am grateful,” Mary replied. “Upon your return I will have already announced our wedding to my family and relatives and townsfolk,” Joseph said.
Elizabeth and Mary had grown up together in Nazareth. Elizabeth had often watched over Mary when she was an infant. As Mary got older Elizabeth became more of an Aunt than a cousin. Now that Elizabeth had married, and moved away, Mary had not seen her in over a year. Mary looked upon Elizabeth more as an Aunt than a cousin, because Mary was many years younger than Elizabeth. “It would also be safer for Mary to remain in Hebron for a while, should any of Joseph’s relatives suspect that Mary was with child. Mary knew Joseph was right and that he was acting in her best interests,” Mary thought.
Word had first come from a local merchant trader who had been to Elizabeth’s village, Hebron, that Elizabeth was expecting a child. This further explained the vision of the Angel to Mary, and the vision of the Angel to Joseph. The journey to Hebron, where Zachariah and Elizabeth lived was a long and dangerous journey. The danger was even greater when not traveling with a caravan that could protect its travelers with an armed escort. Despite these facts it was more expedient that Mary be on her way with Joseph’s servant Nathaniel. So it was that Nathaniel and Mary on a donkey headed south to the city of Hebron to visit Mary’s cousin Elizabeth. Nathaniel had to be careful of thieves that prey on caravans or isolated travelers. He took care to stay off the main caravan roads and to take the side roads where they would not run into thieves and robbers.
After Mary and Nathaniel left, Joseph went into his house to pray. “Lord God, if it be thy will, and Mary is to bring a child into this world, watch over her and keep her safe. For this will be my first child, and one who is blessed by the Angels. Give me strength Lord to deal with my weaknesses. God bless my family, Amen,” Joseph prayed.
The first day Nathaniel and Mary had reached the twenty-mile mark and stopped to rest for the night. They took blankets off of the donkey and bundled up for the cold desert air of the night. Mary lay on her blanket looking up at the stars when she noticed a shooting star. “I wonder if that is a sign to me from God,” she questioned. Nathaniel said little for he was but a servant of Joseph’s and he did not know Mary at all. After eating some dried fruit and dried lamb meat they retired for the evening.
The next morning they set out early for Hebron to avoid the heat of the desert. Nathaniel planned to avoid going through or stopping at Jerusalem since it would slow down their trip and it was a dangerous city to enter for just two people. Mary was a talkative young girl with a bundle of energy. She spoke to Nathaniel while riding the donkey as they journeyed south. The next night they camped by a spring where they were able to fill up their water sacks and watered the donkey and give it time to feed on grass.
“How much further Nathaniel do we have to travel to get to Hebron,” Mary asked the next day? “Not far Mary, perhaps another days trip if we can walk more than thirty miles in one day. They passed a caravan headed north that day that were surprised to see just two people walking all the way to Hebron. A person in the caravan yelled out as they went by, “where are you two going, Jerusalem?” Nathaniel responded by yelling back, “No we are visiting relatives in Hebron south of Jerusalem.” “Good luck and watch out for bandits, we killed three of them a day ago on the caravan trail,” the stranger shouted back. They had camels in the caravan that could walk a lot faster than a donkey. Nathaniel wished they had two camels to ride on instead of a donkey. “It is as the master wishes it,” he said to himself.
On the third day just before dawn Nathaniel and Mary approached the hilly country where Hebron lie. “Mary look down there in the valley lies Hebron,” Nathaniel pointed out to Mary. “Thank God, I am glad to get off this donkey and see my cousin Elizabeth,” Mary responded. As darkness descended, they entered the city of Hebron and searched for the house of Zechariah of Hebron. Finally, they came across the house and entered in. “Mary it so good to see you and I guess you have heard the news,” Elizabeth said. Mary introduced Nathaniel to Elizabeth and Zechariah. “I have come to help you cousin in your time of need,” Mary said. “Keep it a secret cousin, but I am also with child,” Mary confided to Elizabeth. “What did Joseph say and did you sleep with him,” Elizabeth asked Mary. “No an Angel of the Lord came to me in a dream and told me I would be with child without lying with my betrothed ’,” Mary whispered. “I was afraid that I would be stoned and fearful that Joseph would leave me,” Mary said. “Do not worry Mary, you are safe here with our family and we will protect, and care for you until you return to Nazareth,” Elizabeth said. The sun rose early the next day and Mary was preparing some food for Nathaniel to take on his return trip. “Thank you Nathaniel for delivering me safely,” Mary exclaimed. “Give my love and best wishes to Joseph,” Mary said. After that Nathaniel took the bag of food Mary had prepared for him, and headed off on the donkey for the three-day trip back to Nazareth.
One day while Mary was staying with Elizabeth the baby kicked in Elizabeth’s stomach. Elizabeth was amazed and excited to have a child, and to have Mary there to help her through the pregnancy. Truly both of them were blessed by God to have children. Elizabeth was in her advanced years, and Mary was in her younger teenage years (13 exactly). Truly two miracles had occurred. Mary stayed for three months, and then returned to Nazareth to her betrothed Joseph. Elizabeth was able to purchase space for Mary in a caravan going from Hebron to Jerusalem and then on to Nazareth to give her a safe return to Nazareth.
When she returned Joseph had a welcoming party to introduce his betrothed to his family and relatives. Everyone was happy for Joseph for this was his first marriage and Mary’s first marriage also. “Joseph, Elizabeth sends her best wishes to you and your family,” Mary said. “I am so glad to be back home in Nazareth with you Joseph,” Mary exclaimed. “I am glad you have returned safe and sound my love,” Joseph said. “Come let us feast and celebrate your return to our family,” Joseph shouted out.
When Elizabeth heard from Mary that an Angel had told her of her pregnancy, Elizabeth was overwhelmed with joy. It would be good to have someone to help her through her first pregnancy, Elizabeth thought. Mary would have time to rest and not fear reprisal from Joseph’s relatives for being with child and not lying with Joseph. Mary knew that once Joseph announced formally that he intended to marry Mary the problems with her being pregnant would subside. It was after all, Mary and Joseph’s first child.
Bible: Book of Luke
1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 1:57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 1:58 and her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 1:60 and his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 1:61 and they said unto her, there is none of your kindred that are called by this name. 1:62 and they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 1:63 and he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.
When Elizabeth finally delivered John, he was premature by a few months. Jewish tradition would have Elizabeth naming the male child after his father Zacharias, but the Angel of God had instructed her to name the child John, and that is what she did. Zacharias was stricken deft and dumb for not believing that his aged wife would have a child. When Zacharias was asked what to name the child, he wrote down on a tablet, John. Immediately he regained his voice, and hearing, and he blessed the Lord. Zacharias was a priest of the Temple at Jerusalem who administered the incense on occasion. Both Elizabeth and Zacharias hailed from a long line of Priests and this gave great credence to John’s legacy from birth. Mary and Joseph were of the house of David and they also had a claim to a great heritage. Two male children, born but 13 months apart, with great family lines, and blessed by an Angel. Destiny was about to erupt in Judea and Galilee.
Chapter 2- The birth of Jesus (Jesua) of Nazareth
Bible: Book of Matthew 1:18 now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 1:19 Joseph her husband to be, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. More 1:20 such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 1:21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 1:22 all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” 1:24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. 1:25 He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.
2:1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2:2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 2:3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 2:4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 2:5 they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 2:6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” 2:7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. 2:8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” 2:9 after their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 2:10 they were overjoyed at seeing the star, More 2:11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Book of Luke:
1:26 in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 1:28 and coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 1:29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 1:30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 1:31 behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 1:32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 1:33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 1:34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 1:35 and the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 1:36 and behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 1:37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” More 1:38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke: 2:3 so all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. 2:4 And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 2:5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 2:6 while they were there, the time came for her to have her child, 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 2:8 now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. 2:9 the angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. 2:10 the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 2:11 for today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. 2:12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 2:13 And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” The Visit of the Shepherds. 2:15 When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 2:16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 2:17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 2:18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 2:19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 2:20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. The Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. 2:21 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The Presentation in the Temple. 2:22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 2:23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” More 2:24 and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Luke 1:24-26, Mary conceived Jesus in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John. This meant that Jesus was born 15 months after the angel Gabriel appeared to Elizabeth’s husband, Zacharias, and informed him that his wife would bear a child.
Mary a 13-year-old dark haired Nazarene girl became pregnant before becoming betrothed to Joseph of Nazareth. Mary was a quiet beauty with deeply piercing brown eyes and a wide smile for everyone she spoke to. Joseph had first thought to abandon Mary until the Angel came to him in a vision. In order to protect Mary, Joseph decided to send Mary to see her cousin Elizabeth in Hebron to get her out of Nazareth before his relatives realized that Mary was pregnant. Mary leaves for Hebron quickly and Joseph takes his time telling his family that he is going to marry Mary when she returns from caring for her elderly cousin Elizabeth. Joseph telling his family and relatives that he is going to marry Mary prevents them from suspecting Mary is pregnant. The penalty for an unmarried woman becoming pregnant in those days was stoning to death. Joseph avoided this situation by sending Mary away immediately and telling his family afterward the he intended to marry Mary. The Angel of God convinced Joseph that he must protect Mary and his first unborn child.
Because of the Roman census, Joseph and Mary had to return to Bethlehem the town in which he was born to register for the tax census. Mary was almost due with her child, but they took the long three-day journey to Bethlehem anyway. When they arrived late at night in Bethlehem they could not find a room in an Inn and Mary was forced to give birth to Jesus in a manager (cave) with straw and animals. It would be as described in the scriptures.
Bible: Book of Luke:
2:25 now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 2:26 it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. 2:27 He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 2:28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: 2:29 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 2:31 , which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” 2:33 the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 2:34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 2:35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 2:36 there was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 2:37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 2:38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 2:39 when they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. More 2:40 the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
The Gospel of Luke goes on to tell us about the birth of Jesus that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be circumcised, as was the tradition after 8 days. While at the temple in Jerusalem they had the child named Jesus, as was the custom. A man named Simeon who was a righteous man had a vision that before his death he would see “The Messiah of the Lord.”
When Mary and Joseph entered the temple, Simeon asked to hold the child, and when he had Jesus in his arms he gave him a blessing. After the blessing Simon, said to Mary and Joseph, “Go in peace.” “My eyes had seen your salvation, Lord, which you prepared in sight of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel,” Simon prayed. Mary and Joseph were amazed and shocked at Simon’s reaction to their son Jesus. Simon had indicated to them that God blessed Jesus and that he was destined to do great things. They thanked Simon and left the Temple, amazed that Jesus was blessed by God and that he has a destiny to achieve in Israel. After the blessing Mary and Joseph returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
Matthew and Luke tell us of the birth of Jesus and the appearance of the Angel of the Lord to Mary and to Joseph. Jesus is born in humble surroundings in a manger (cave) in Bethlehem. Afterward a Star is seen in the sky marking the birth of Jesus. Wise men come from the east and discover Jesus and his Mother Mary and Joseph and give thanks with gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor Jesus.
The actual birth of Jesus is not really December 25th. It is more likely it was earlier in December or November that Jesus was born. The Jewish calendar and the Roman calendar differed as to the date. The closest major Roman holiday was the winter Solstice. The coming of the Wise men or Maggi is celebrated several weeks later in January, however the actual date could be months later. The actual date is not known.
What Jesus’ parents do know about their son is that he destined for great things and is blessed by Angels, Simon and an aged prophetess Anna. This information only further convinces both Mary and Joseph that Jesus birth is a most unique incident that was foretold in the scriptures. It must have been overwhelming for Joseph and Mary to realize that their son could one day become the Messiah destined to save all of Israel. It was a secret that would burn in their hearts for years to come.
Contrary to what the Catholic Church says, Mary would go on to have many children after Jesus with Joseph, Salome, James, and Judah. They would have a large family but only the birth of Jesus would be a unique happening that they must keep secret all their lives. Jesus was the oldest of five children and a special child indeed.
Chapter 3- The Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family
Bible: Book of Luke
2:11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 2:12 and having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. 2:13 When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” 2:14 Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. 2:15 He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
2:16 when Herod realized that the magi had deceived him, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. 2:17 Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: 2:18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.”
2:19 When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 2:20 and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 2:21 He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. More 2:23 He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazorean.”
Editor’s Note: Many thanks to the Coptic Church of Egypt for the oral and written stories of the Holy family in their flight from Herod’s soldiers. The Coptic Church split from the Roman Catholic Church in 450 AD but still maintains many of the original Christian traditions to this day.
After the Wise men left, Joseph had a vision in which an Angel told him to flee to Egypt to avoid Herod’s wrath. Joseph, Mary and Jesus and fled the country in the middle of the night, and traveled from Bethlehem to the Egyptian border which was over a 100 miles, and then onto the nearest Jewish settlement, another 30 miles from the border. The journey took four days.
Herod was very angry that the Magi did not report back to him as to where the New King of the Jews was born. Herod sent out his soldiers to the town of Bethlehem to kill all the infants less than two years of age. The soldiers even chased Mary, Joseph, and Jesus into Egypt itself. When a neighbor of Mary and Joseph told the soldiers of Herod that an infant had been born outdoors in the town of Bethlehem.
“Mary, an Angel came to me in the night and told me we are in great danger. Herod will seek out Jesus or any infant claiming to be the King of the Jews, and slaughter them,” Joseph confessed. Joseph was visibly shaken realizing that the soldiers of Herod were seeking his blessed son Jesus. They had left Bethlehem and had traveled to Jerusalem to have Jesus circumcised as was the Jewish custom after 8 days. Jerusalem was a hard two days walk from Bethlehem. Now after having a vision from an Angel, Joseph had to take his family and flee from Bethlehem for the border of Egypt to avoid Herod’s wrath.
“Mary, help me pack our belongings and let us depart quickly,” Joseph instructed. “Yes my beloved husband, I will do as you say,” Mary exclaimed. “I am worried my husband, what is to become of us, and our child Jesus,” Mary said. “Is he really to become the King of the Jews having been born of such a lowly status in life, Mary questioned? “I do not know, but what I do know is the Angels of God knows all, and sees all, and we are to obey,” Joseph commented. “Let me take some of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the Magi brought us, and trade it for some food and goat sacks of water for our journey,” Joseph said. He went off to find a local merchant that he could trade the gold, frankincense, and myrrh for food supplies such as dried fruit and meat and goat skins to put water in. He found a Jewish merchant called Samuel, and after some bargaining he managed to barter much of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh for a several sacks of food. Returning to Mary soon after, Joseph told her of his successful barter for food and goat water sacks. Mary was relieved that they would have food for the journey. Being that it was late in the day, Joseph decided to wait a few hours until the sun began to set to avoid the heat of the day in the desert. They left in the middle of the night.
It cooled off a few degrees when they departed the city of Jerusalem heading south to Egypt with but a donkey, and all of there belongs loaded on the animal. The dust rose up in the air as Joseph sandals scrapped along the dry soil, and the donkey kicked up dust with the burden of Mary, and all their belongings loaded on the beast. The only thing that kept them going was their faith in God that he would lead them to safety. They had only a few days lead on the soldiers of Herod who were on horseback not donkeys.
Several hours later they stopped to rest. The sun had already set the cool desert night air under a full moon making the trip more bearable. “I am sorry to have dragged you all over Israel,” Joseph commented. “It is as the Angel of God had commanded us my husband,” Mary said. “I will give the donkey some water, and we will be on our way,” Joseph said. Mary breastfed the little infant Jesus, and soon they were on their journey again. They stopped around 3:00 a.m. in the evening from exhaustion, and sought shelter under a large tree along the side of the caravan route.
Mary took out some bread, and dried fish and they offered up prayers to God and ate their small meal. The desert was bright that cold February evening under the full moon. Joseph and Mary were even fearful of the wrath of Herod, and his soldiers. They knew the further they got away from Jerusalem the safer they would be. What they did not know was that Herod’s soldiers would chase them all the way into Egypt.
The next morning was very cold as the sun rose warming the desert landscape. Joseph had risen early, fed the donkey and packed up their supplies before Mary awoke with Jesus. Quickly they were on their journey once again before the heat of the desert made travel impossible, even in the winter of the season. It was six days after the Feast of Purification in the month of February as they fled to Egypt.
“How much farther Joseph do you think the Egyptian border is,” Mary asked? Another two days I believe or maybe three. We will have to go through Sinai first” Joseph responded. They stopped during the midday heat, and rested under a small tree. Mary and Joseph prayed together, and then ate some dried meat, dried fruits, and water. Later Mary breastfed Jesus, and they rested for several hours. In the early evening hours they began their journey until late into the darkness of the night.
Five days later they arrived at the settlement called Gaza. The journey was about 130 miles from Jerusalem. They went first to the well to replenish their water supply. While at the well many Egyptians that passed by asked from where they had come. Mary did not respond for fear of giving away their purpose. Joseph told then that they were traveling to visit family members living in Heliopolis (modern day Cairo). So they stayed at Gaza for two days after the exhaustive trip from Jerusalem. They needed to recover from their fatigue, which they did under a grove of olive trees just outside the town of Gaza. “I have prayed every day and night for our safety on our journey Joseph,” Mary remarked. “I know this is a difficult trip in the middle of the winter season, but summer is even worse with high temperatures and a broiling sun,” Joseph said. Baby Jesus was doing well, and Mary kept him well covered from the dirt of the desert and the heat of the day. After two days of rest they moved on though the Bersabe desert that was well known for its sand dunes and difficult travel. The distance from Gaza to Heliopolis (modern Cairo) was 60 leagues, or 180 miles over sand dunes, and dangerous country. Their progress was much slower each day because of the deep sands of the Bersabe desert. While on their way a caravan from Bethlehem passed them by. “Strangers how goes your journey,” Joseph asked a caravan guide. “We come from Bethlehem,” the caravan guide remarked. “Have your seen any of Herod’s soldiers on the way,” Joseph asked. “Yes, they are two day behind us headed this way,” said the caravan guide. “God be with you in your journey,” Joseph shouted to the caravan guide. Soon the caravans of camels were a cloud of dust on the horizon. “Mary we must proceed faster for the soldiers of Herod are on horseback and two days behind us,” Joseph remarked. “What will we do my husband,” Mary asked sadly. “We must make it to El-Zaraniq today and find food and shelter,” Joseph remarked.
El- Zaraniq (Floussiat) 37 kilometers or 22 miles west of El-Arish After traveling about 22 miles that day they came to the town of El Zaraniq (Floussiat), and there they rested that night. They were careful to stay off the main caravan roads for fear of being robbed or stopped by foreigners. “Joseph I know the God is with us on this terrible journey. Be strong my husband,” Mary said. “It is as it was written my wife that we must bring the savior out of Egypt,” Joseph responded. They prayed together in the shade of an abandoned house foundation. The future looked bleak but their faith in God was their strength. It was a journey that would seem endless for over four years. “We have another days journey to reach El Arish where we can trade for more food. I have some of the gold the Maggi left us to barter with. I did not spend it all in Jerusalem,” Joseph said. “I am sure God will provide if we are in need,” Mary commented. “We must stay ahead of Herod’s soldiers for they are traveling faster than we can travel with a donkey,” Joseph commented.
The next day they left at sunrise to avoid the noonday sun to travel to El-Arish which was about 20 miles or so. The trip was hot and difficult with a hot desert wind that day. Mary was holding up well holding Jesus on the Donkey all the way. They rested every few hours, and took a mid-day break at noon to eat, and avoid the scorching sun. Joseph was tired and he was beginning to feel his age but he said nothing to Mary for fear of worrying her. Joseph had never been to Egypt before and had no map, yet the Lord gave Joseph a vision in his mind as to which caravan road to travel on. It was much like a blind man walking in an unknown desert. The Lord leadeth and the lord knows the mission for whom he had planned for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
Later that evening they entered El-Arish and sought out the well to refill their goatskins with new water. They exhaustion was great and traveling alone on a caravan road without a caravan as protection was dangerous. They were every mindful of robbers who prey on people who travel the caravan roads. Only their faith in God provided the protection they needed to stay away from harms way.
The next day they left for Farma, (ancient Pelusium) which was midway between El-Alish and the present day Port Said. This would be their last stop in the Sinai. On their journey that day many birds assembled overhead and showed the way to Farma. Mary knew it was a divine sign from God, and she was comforted. Joseph walked the entire way of the journey. As he was walking to Farma suddenly his legs had more spring to them and his stride was longer. Truly God had given his old body new strength. It would take many such miracles to keep the Holy Family moving through Egypt. “Joseph how are you doing,” Mary inquired. “God is with me my love and he has given me new strength,” Joseph replied. “I see a mirage of the town of Farma which must be over the horizon,” Joseph said. After many rest stops they finally entered Farma that evening. They rested near an old rock wall. Their food supplies were running low as well as feed for the donkey. They would need to buy some food for them and the donkey at Farma the next morning.
As the sun rose the next day Joseph went into the marketplace at Farma and with some of his few remaining pieces of Gold he bartered for some feed for the donkey and dried meat and dried fruit for him and Mary. Mary waited at the old rock wall in the shade until Joseph returned. Upon his return he fed the donkey and they both eat some dried figs in honey and some dried fish. Packing up the donkey, they got a late start that day. “Where is our destination today,” Mary asked. “The lord has told me we are headed to a town called Tel Basta (Basta),” Joseph commented. “I had a vision that miracles will happen when we reach the town,” Joseph said. “Miracles you say, that is wonderful,” said Mary. “Be patient my wife, we will be at Tel Basta soon. Six hours later they arrived at Tel Basta and a strange thing happened. Tradition has it that all of the stone idols in the town crumbled and fell to the ground as they entered the main marketplace. There was no well in the town, and they were worried about their short supply of water. Mary sat with Jesus on a rock near the marketplace as the sun was going down. Suddenly, water began squirting from the side of the large bolder they had been sitting on. It was a miracle as Joseph had seen. The towns’ people were grateful for the new well of water, but angry about their stone idols crumbling to the ground. They blamed the destruction of the idols on the Holy Family causing them to flee the town after but a few hours.
Several miles outside of Tel Basta, Joseph stopped and told Mary they would sleep under a grove of trees for the night, and then head to Mostorod (Al Mahamma) the next day. Mary was still amazed how the water appeared from nowhere to form a well, as well as the idols falling down. God’s will was very powerful. Joseph and Mary talked that evening about all that happened in Tel Basta and how the miracles of God took place with the new well and the fallen idols. Truly God blessed them on their journey. Sleep came quick that cold night and they huddled together for warmth.
The next day they were on their way to Mostorod (Al Mahamma). Joseph had another vision and so did Mary. They saw idols crumbling again and water and a well too. “Did you have any visions last night Mary,” Joseph inquired as they were walking. “Yes, I saw more idols falling and a bathing place for me to wash Jesus,” Mary replied. “I had the same dream,” Joseph commented. “How strange that all the idols in the towns we enter are to crumble and fall to the ground,” Mary commented out of her amazement at the power of the Lord. “It is as it should be,” said Joseph. “God had ordained that these events to be as we travel throughout Egypt,” Joseph responded. They were getting close to Old Cairo now as the many miles began to shrink. Later that evening around 7:00 while the sun was going down they entered the marketplace of Mostorod. Here again the stone idols crumbled and fell to the ground. Mary and Joseph quickly passed through town and found a small bathing place outside of town where Mary bathed the infant Jesus. No one in the town knew who they were or where they had come from. All they knew is that they were Jews from a foreign country. Mary was not aware that on their return trip Jesus and her would cause another spring to gush forth in Mostorod. There was no time to rest in Mostorod because he again the towns folk were angry that someone had caused their stone idols to crumble and fall to the ground. Ten miles outside Mostorod, Joseph stopped for the evening rest. They huddled together near an olive tree and prepared their bed for the evening. The air was cold as usual and Joseph and Mary and Jesus had to wrap an extra layer of clothing around them to ward off the desert cold. Tradition has it that a traveler on the caravan road from Judea told Joseph that a large group of soldiers on horseback were but a day travel behind them. Mary and Joseph were worried. Mary noticed that a nearby farmer was planting seeds in his field. She asked the farmer when he has started seeding his field and he replied, “ I started seeding yesterday and today.” Mary had a vision in the night, and the next day she told the farmer that some soldiers of Herod were chasing them and would soon come by. She did not want the farmer to lie to the soldiers about when he saw the Holy family go by, so she sprinkled some water she had in her goat sack over the field the farmer had just planted. “The Lord will provide,” Mary prayed. The farmer did not understand what Mary was doing and neither did Joseph. The next day as they were about to leave and suddenly the field had a month’s growth in just one day. After the Holy family left on their journey to Phillippos the Soldiers of Herod arrived, and they stopped and asked the farmer had he seen a couple with an infant travel by. The farmer not wanting to lie told the soldiers that he had indeed seen this couple ride by when he first planted his field. The soldiers looked at the field which was very high and determined that there was at least a months growth. Realizing the Holy family was a month ahead of them they became discouraged, and turned around and headed back to Judea.
Belbeis (Ancient Phillippos) 55 kilometers or 34.1 miles from Old Cairo The next day the Holy Family continued on their journey to Belbeis (ancient Pillippos) that was a long 34-mile trek from Mostorod. “The journey will be longer today Mary,” Joseph commented. “God will guide us as usual, ”Mary commented. “I will set a faster pace today to get us to Phillippos before late evening. The Lord was with them that day, and the 34 miles went by swiftly and they entered the town of Phillippos at 8:00 that evening. Mary was exhausted and when she got off the donkey she rested under a tree. To this day the tree is called “The Virgin Mary’s tree.” They ate, fed the donkey and collapsed into a deep sleep that evening. Soon their journey would be over in Old Cairo where there was a community of Jews living there. Joseph wondered if the soldiers of Herod were still behind them or not.
The next morning they arose, ate and continued on their journey. God had revealed himself to Joseph in a dream that night before that they would have to cross the Nile river at Meniet Samanoud (Meniet Genah), in order to get to Samanoud. When they reached the Nile River they took time to wash up and water the donkey. They a few gold pieces left that was enough to get them across the Nile on a ferry barge. Mary was amazed at the size of the Nile River, and how long and wide it was. “Truly this is a creation of God,” Mary said to Joseph. “Look at how wide and long this Nile River is,” Mary exclaimed. Joseph was also impressed with the size of the Nile River. The coolness of the Nile River around his legs felt wonderful, as Joseph stood knee deep in the river when he got off the raft. “Now that we have crossed the Nile, we are almost to Babylon (old Cairo),” Joseph commented. “It is good that God’s will has come to pass,” said Mary. There were many different nations of people on the river raft that day. Nubians, Egyptians, Jews, and Philistines were all traveling to old Cairo. Here in the Nile Delta the farmlands were rich with dark black dirt, and thousands of acres of crops. Tradition has it that here in Meniet Samanoud that Mary kneaded some dough on a granite trough for the Holy Family. At the well nearby Mary drew water for Joseph and Jesus, and they stayed a few days to rest up from their long journey. They filled their goatskins with water and found a shady place to stay and rest for a few days. Herod’s soldiers did not appear and the fear of them catching up to the Holy family subsided.
Meniet Samanoud (Meniet Genah) After a few days of rest Joseph informed Mary that they would be entering the town of Sakha (Pekha-Issout or Lysous) later that day. They reached Sakha in a day’s journey, and searched for a place to stay. They found an abandoned home foundation on the edge of the town. Tradition has it that here the infant Jesus touched a rock leaving an imprint of his foot in bas-relief. It was another miracle of God to show the local people that this was Jesus, Son of God. Mary did not believe that by Jesus stepping on a rock that his foot impression would be made, but sure enough there was the impression in the rock in front of her eyes. “Truly the power of the Lord is great, and the bounty he has provided us with,” Mary prayed. They stayed in Sakha for several days replacing their water supply, and buying more food in the town marketplace. Wherever they went people were taken by Mary’s appearance, and they always asked, “Where was she from and what was the infant’s name?” Mary was always polite, but never revealed that they were from Israel. Joseph traded the donkey in the marketplace for a stronger and younger donkey, since their donkey was to tired, and without strength to continue the journey. Joseph had some frankincense the Maggi had given him left and he offered that and the old donkey helped seal the barter for a younger and stronger donkey.
Heliopolis (Old Cairo) and the Jewish Ain Shams settlement They left after a few days to cross the Belgas Wastelands in the western desert of Egypt. Their goal was to reach Matareya that was only ten kilometers or 6.2 miles from the city of Heliopolis (Old Cairo). Ain Shams was a settlement of Jews and was home to a large Jewish population. They had erected a temple synagogue of Unias. The Holy family would be welcome in this Jewish settlement. Once again another miracle occurred where Mary rested on a rock a spring gushed forth from the earth. Those around at the time all wondered at the miracle that had occurred. “Who is this Mary of Nazareth, and Joseph the Carpenter,” the townsfolk inquired. “Hail Joseph, where do you come from,” many Egyptians asked him. “I am from Bethlehem in Judeo, and we are visiting relatives in Ain Shams,” Joseph said. “Is it not true that your wife Mary brought forth a new spring in our village,” several Egyptians asked Joseph. “I do not know of this spring you mentioned,” Joseph denied Mary’s miracle. He was afraid that the Egyptians would fear that the Holy family was cursed and force them out of town. Fortunately, no stone idols crumbled or fell to the ground in Ain Shams.
So the Holy family rested in Ain Shams for many months. Mary was beginning to feel that they could live in this place forever. Many towns’ people came to see the miracle Mary had created in forming a spring to spurt forth from the ground. Egyptians and Jews alike were amazed at this miracle and the beauty and grace of Mary and her infant Jesus. They made friends in the Jewish community of Ain Shams, and worshipped in the temple synagogue of Unias. Finally, it seemed they had reached their final destination and God would provide for them. Joseph went out to seek labor in which he could earn some wages in building. Mary trying to help did some stitching and helped her neighbors with their chores. Their life was beginning to come together, although they longed for their homeland.
After six months with only petty jobs to be had, Joseph decided to more on to Misr El Kadima to seek better employment, and a house to live in. Tradition has it that upon entering the town of Misr El Kadima the local stone idols crumbled, and fell to the ground as they had in many other towns they had visited. Mary was afraid because these events usually made the local townsfolk angry and cause them to drive the Holy family out of the town. The Governon of Fustat, when he heard of the crumbling of the stone idols, was enraged. He sent out his soldiers to seek out the culprits. When the soldiers returned they informed the Governor of Fustat that a Jewish family from Bethlehem was to blame. They also found that the mother, Mary and the Child Jesus had miraculous powers. They claimed that it was the power of their Jewish God that caused the statutes to fall and not them personally.
The Holy family was again forced to flee when they learned from a friend that the Governor of Fustat wanted to have the infant Jesus killed for making the idols fall down in the town. Mary, Joseph and Jesus fled the town and hid in a cave called Abu Serga. The cave was small but comfortable. Mary began to wonder if they would ever be safe in Egypt?
The next day the Holy family left for the Maadi where they boarded a sailing boat, and headed up the Nile River. Joseph had to use the last of a few coins he had left to pay for the boat. They docked at Deir-Al-Garmous 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles west of Adhnein El Nassara. They rested here for a day, and then continued to get as far away from Heliopolis (old Cairo) as possible to avoid the wrath of the Governor of Fustat. “Mary I know you are afraid, but it is God’s will that he crumble the stone idols of the Egyptians,“ Joseph said. “We must have faith that God will find us a home where we can live, and not have to worry about anyone killing Jesus,” Joseph said. “You are right my husband,” Mary responded.
Later that evening they entered Abai Issous “The Home of Jesus.” The present day Sandafa village, east of Al-Bahnassa, and 17 kilometers west of Beni Mazar. (10.5 miles). They journeyed to Bahnassa, and finally to Samalout where they had to cross the Nile again. Being that they were foreigners, few people offered them shelter or food. The Holy family rested in a cave at Gabal El Kaf “Palm Mountain.” It was here they lived peacefully for a little more than a year. Mary was feeling tense and tired from having to flee every town and village they came to. Finally, the cave at Gaval El Kar offered some shelter and protection from the elements. Joseph sought some labor locally to help them buy some food, and Mary settled in to caring for Jesus. He was a bright child and had a good appetite. She was still breast feeding him and giving him some chopped up dried fish and dried fruit from time to time. Joseph helped a local person repair their house roof and received some chickens and food for his services. The journey had been long, and they had been in Egypt for over a year and ½.
Gabal El Tair-Samalout (Minia) Tradition has it that another miracle was said to have occured at the Laurel tree south of Gabal El-Tair. The tree is called “Al Abed,” “The Worshipper,” it is said to worship Jesus, branches incline downward, and then upward. Mary, Joseph and Jesus were said to have passed this way. “Joseph do you see how beautiful the laurel tree branches swoop down,” Mary exclaimed to Joseph one day as they rode by the laurel tree that was to become “Al Abed.” Everywhere the Holy family went in the old days of Egypt there seem to be some kind of miracle. Mary did not intentionally cause these miracles; rather the Angels of God seem to have acted on their own in proclaiming the “Son of God.” The miracles were as good and bad for the Holy family. When a miracle occurred it attracted attention, and many people from around the area came to see the woman known as the “Virgin Mary.” The bad part of the miracles is that evil men were also drawn to the miracles for their own gain. Often they had to flee a town when the people began to get out of control. Some townspeople offered food and gifts to the Holy family and Mary was most grateful. They were always considered “foreigners,” wherever they went.
Nazet Ebeid, (Minia) Once day they came to Nazet Ebeid on the Nile and they had to cross over the Nile to get to the city. A raft was available for the Holy family, and their donkey for a small coin Joseph had left. The river currents were strong that day and Mary worried for the infant Jesus. Joseph consoled her as the raft slowly crossed the Nile. When they got to the other side, they stopped and rested at the outskirts of Nazet Ebeid. Here again was another mysterious town they had to adjust to, and find water and shelter. They were never invited by any town’s folk to stay in their home or eat of their food. The townspeople looked on them as some strange foreigners that seemed to have magical powers. “Mary we are going to stay here for a day or so, and then move on to Al-Ashmounein the following day,” Joseph said. “It is good my husband, because I am weary of traveling,” Mary commented. Joseph went into Nazet Ebeid to the marketplace to see if they had a town well where he could refill their goatskins with water. He had also hoped to barter with some local people for some dried meat and dried fruit. One such merchant named El Akim drove a hard bargain in exchange for some gold pieces Joseph had saved. Joseph had managed to buy some goat meat that was dried, figs and dates. Mary would be happy that he was successful in bartering for food since they were running low of supplies.
When Joseph returned to Mary and Jesus whom were waiting outside of town they sat down and ate their dinner for the day. Joseph said a few prayers of thanks before they ate their meal of flat bread, dried goat meat, figs and dates. The air cooled off quickly that evening, as Mary lay with Jesus, breast-feeding while she looked at the many stars in the sky. “Isn’t it amazing how many stars there are in the sky,” Mary said. Joseph responded by saying, “as many as the grains of sand in the desert, and all different.” “Do you think that some day our son will become a leader or king among men as the Angel promised,” Mary asked. “I do not know my love, but I do know that God is with us in our journey and always protecting us when we are in need,” Joseph exclaimed. “My spirit and belief in the Lord has grown these many years in Egypt. I do not know when we can return to our village of Nazareth, but I hope it is God’s will,” Joseph remarked.
Al-Ashmounein (Hermpolis Magna)… Several days later after a good rest the Holy family decided to move on to Al-Ashmounein (Hermpolis Magna). It was only a half-day journey, and they entered the town that was bustling with people in the marketplace. Unfortunately the stone idols again began to crumble and fall to the ground. The townspeople became angry and forced the Holy Family out of town. Mary was visibly upset about the miracles and the negative image it gave them in every town. Joseph tried to calm her to prevent her from crying. “We will stay at the next town called Dairout Al-Sharif,” Joseph said and they continued on the dusty dirt road.
Dairout AL-Sharif (Philes) 12.4 miles The Holy family arrived in Dairout Al-Sharif (Philes) in the later afternoon of the next day. The donkey needed water and rest so Joseph was forced to seek shelter. A grove of trees off the caravan road seemed like a safe place to rest. The heat of the day was especially intense that day, and there were no travelers on the caravan road. Mary and Joseph prayed and washed off Jesus afterward with a wet cloth. Mary and Joseph had darkened considerably from being exposed to the sun all the time. She kept Jesus wrapped up to protect him from the sun. “Is God watching over us today,” Mary asked Joseph. “ He is always watching over us Mary,” Joseph responded in a positive manner. His feet were killing him and he needed a new pair of sandals. Perhaps in the next town he could barter for a pair of sandals.
Qussgam (Qost-Qoussiia) and Meir (Meira) The Holy Family passed through Qussgam and Meir the next day but did not stop except to refill their goatskins with water. It seemed important to Joseph that they make distance between them and Cairo. Mount Gabal in the distance was Joseph’s goal for the day. It would offer caves for shelter and water from the mountain springs. Here they could rest longer and build up their strength. As the sun began to set they came upon Mount Gabel and a large cave half the way up the mountain. A small spring was located nearby which would provide them with water and many wild olive trees grew around the base of the mountain. Truly God had provided once again. Joseph fetched some water while Mary breastfed Jesus.
After feeding and watering the donkey they sat down in the comfort of the cave, and ate sitting upon some rocks. It was the last of the dried goat they had left that night. Mary and Joseph would seek out some olives and other wild plants on the next day. They all fell fast asleep from fatigue that night and all that was to be seemed well.
Gabal Mount Qussqam, Assuit (327 kilometers south of Cairo or 203 miles)
Joseph did not know at the time but the Holy Family was 203 miles south of Heliopolis (old Cairo). Here at Gabal Mount Quussam, Assuit, they felt safe enough to stay in a cave. One night when Joseph was sleeping an Angel appeared to him and said it was safe to return to Israel, for Herod was dead. When Joseph awoke he was overjoyed to tell Mary the good news. “Mary, Mary, the Angel of the Lord came to me in my sleep, and told me to return to Israel our home. Herod is dead, and it was safe for us now to return home,” Joseph shouted. “Thank God,” Mary exclaimed. They packed up their belongings, and left the next day to return to Israel, not to Jerusalem, but to Nazareth where it would be safe for them and Jesus. And so the return journey retracing their steps through Egypt, but giving Cairo a wide avoidance. Their journey took them many months through Mount Dronka- Assiut- 8 kilometers or 4.9 miles southwest of Assiut, and back around Heliopolis (Old Cairo), Matariyah, Mahamma, back to the Sinai Peninsula, and finally back to Galilee, and to Nazareth. All in all they traveled over 2,000 miles over four years in their exile journey to Egypt and back. It was truly a miracle they survived the perils of Egypt.
Chapter 4- Young Jesus at age 6
Jesus was a bright child and did everything his mother Mary asked of him. One day Mary decided to share with Jesus the story of his miraculous birth hoping that it would motivate him to achieve his destiny. “Jesu (Jesus) my son come and sit down on this rock in the shade,” Mary asked. “How are you today, my son,” Jesus replied “I am well mother, why do you ask?” “I want to tell you a story that you will need to remember all your life,” Mary said. “I love stories from the Bible,” Jesus remarked. “No this is a real story about a young girl and the Angels of God,” Mary said. “One day she said a poor maiden of Nazareth was sleeping at night when the Angel of the Lord came to her and said, “Do not be afraid Mary for you will bring forth a son and he will be a ruler among men and you will name him Jesu,” Mary said. “That is my name mother, who is this twin?” Jesus asked. “ Let me finish my son,” Mary remarked. “At that time the young maiden was not yet betrothed to her husband to be,” Mary said. “When the young maiden awoke she went and told her husband to be about the vision she had. He too had a vision and a visitation from an Angel of God,” Mary said. “The Angel of the Lord told this man to send his bride to be to a city called Hebron in the south of Judea,” Mary whispered softly. “So what happened Mother?” Jesus inquired. “It was as the Angels forecast and the Angels of the Lord were right. Eventually, the maiden became betrothed to her husband and she returned to Nazareth to bear her first male child called, Jesu Ben Joseph, “Mary finished her story. “So what does this story have to do with me, mother?” Jesus asked. “You are the destined one the Angel of the Lord predicted would be born,” Mary announced. “You are the one who is destined for great things my son,” Mary remarked. “Remember this my son, for one day you will have an opportunity to lead the people of Israel from the yoke of suppression under the Romans. You are the divine one that the scriptures have announced will come one day to save Israel,” Mary said. Jesus sat there and replied, “That was a good story mother, thank you for sharing it with me,” Jesus remarked. “Can I go out and watch father build a house now?” “Yes, my son, go in Peace,” Mary said.
Each year as Jesus got another year older, Mary told Jesus this story over, and over to make sure he knew he had a destiny as foretold by the Angels of God. Jesus always thought they were just stories mother loved to tell, and never really took her seriously until he was 12 years of age.
Chapter 5- Young John of Hebron
Bible: Book of Luke:
1:57 when the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 1:58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 1:59 when they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 1:60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 1:61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 1:62 so they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 1:63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 1:64 immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 1:65 then fears came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 1:66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. 1:67 Then Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 1:68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. 1:69 He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, 1:70 even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: 1:71 salvations from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 1:72 to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant 1:73 and of the oath he swore to Joseph our father, and to grant us that, 1:74 rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him 1:75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 1:76 And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 1:77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 1:78 because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us 1:79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” More 1:80 the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
“The child (John) grew, and became strong in spirit living in Hebron, Judea. John’s father Zechariah saw to it that John was well trained in the bible and Hebrew tradition. Every year Zechariah would take his family, Elizabeth and John to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Here they would meet Joseph of Nazareth and his family Mary, Jesus, and his brothers and sisters. John was 15 months older than Jesus, however they got along very well. John’s nickname for Jesus was “little Yeshua,” because even when they were young boys John was taller than Jesus. By the time John was 12 he grew to six feet four inches tall while Jesus was only five foot ten inches at age 11.
One year when John was eight and Jesus seven years of age, their families met in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. During the week they stayed in tents outside the walls of Jerusalem because they had no relatives living inside the walls of Jerusalem that had any room for their families. While Joseph of Nazareth and Zechariah the priest and father of John were sitting around a fire and talking, John and Jesus were running among the tents outside the walls of Jerusalem.
“Little Yeshua, can you catch me or are you as slow as a turtle,” John shouted. “I will catch you and bury your face in the sand,” Jesus replied as they ran around the tents. John tripped on a tent cord and Jesus finally caught up to him as he rolled on the ground. “Alright you win ‘little Yeshua,’ John shouted as he swallowed some sand. It wasn’t until an hour later that Joseph and Zechariah noticed that John and Jesus were missing. “Mary do you know where Jesus and John are,” Joseph asked? “No I have not seen them all morning,” Mary replied. “James go and look for your older brother, and swat him in the head and bring him back here for your mother and I,” Joseph shouted. “Must I find the little weasel father,” James replied. “You are the eldest and it is your duty to keep track of your brothers and sisters,” Joseph stated firmly. James left in a huff to look for his brother Jesus and their 2nd cousin John. James found them in no time running around the tents in the tent city outside the walls of Jerusalem. “Come here Jesus for your father and mother are concerned as to your whereabouts. You are to return to our tent immediately,” James commanded. Jesus gave James a strange look but turned to John and said,” let us return to our tents before our parents get mad.” So all three returned to their family tents. Nothing more was said about the incident afterward.
John liked to quiz Jesus on his knowledge of the bible since John was always studying the bible with his father who was a priest in the temple in Jerusalem. “Little Jesua, who freed the Jews from the Egyptian Pharaoh?” John asked. Jesus responded quickly, “Moses.” “Good, now where did our Jewish forefathers spend 500 years in captivity?” Jesus thought for a second and said, “Babylon.” This game would go on for hours until the boys tired of the game and sought other entertainment. They were the best of friends each year at Passover time and when the Passover Festival was over they both returned to their towns. John returned with his family to Hebron that was south of Jerusalem, and Jesus and his family returned north to Nazareth in Galilee.
After returning from the Passover feast John’s father Zechariah took John aside and said, “It is time for your formal religious education to begin my son.” “I have asked Rabbi Slocum to spend time with you each week learning the bible and the torah,” Zechariah said. “This will prepare you for your coming of age ceremony at age thirteen in the next year,” Zechariah went on to say. “Thank you father, I welcome the learning Rabbi Slocum will provide me. And so from that day forward John received formal religious training several times a week. He was a bright student and always asking questions.
One day John said to Rabbi Slocum, “who are the Essenes, Rabbi?” Rabbi Slocum an older man with a long white beard and a large distinctive nose and beady little eyes thought about the question for a moment and then replied,” they are Jewish brethren that seek the truth in Judaism and live in communities away from Jerusalem.” “Are they Pharisees or scribes,” John asked? “No John, they are Jews that want to live a life of purity and follow the old traditions of Judaism,” Rabbi Slocum replied. “I have heard that they live in the desert by the Dead Sea,” John commented. “Yes they live in Qumram near the Dead Sea and they follow a person called the ‘enlightened one,’” Rabbi Slocum responded. “Now let us get back to our studies,” Rabbi Slocum asked.
From early on John had an interest in the Essene community and what they were doing out on the edge of the desert near the Dead Sea. He had seen the Essenes one Passover coming as a community to worship in the Temple during the Passover Holiday. They looked like any other person in Jerusalem but dressed a little differently with their robes that were bright in color.
At age thirteen the next year, John was ready for the “coming of age ceremony,” to be held in the temple in Jerusalem. John’s father Zechariah was a Priest in the temple and this gave him some special privileges. Joseph of Nazareth, Mary, Jesus, and all of their other cousins, and family were invited to the ceremony. John was to do several readings that Rabbi Slocum had prepared him for. The ceremony went well, and one of Zechariah’s friends who was a priest, and Rabbi Slocum was the leader of the ceremony. Now John was officially a member of the local synagogue, and Hebrew member of the state of Israel, and an adult Jew. It was a great moment for John because it showed his father that he was ready for greater things perhaps as a priest or maybe a prophet as the Angel of the Lord had decreed when he was born?
Chapter 6 – Jesus at age 12 Bible: Book of Luke 2:39-52
[41] Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. [42] When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. [43] After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. [44] Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. [45] When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. [46] After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. [47] Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. [48] When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” [49] “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” [50] But they did not understand what he was saying to them. [51] Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. [52] And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
The first problem with Jesus being age twelve is in the days of Jesus they counted years from the first day a child was born. That would make Jesus really thirteen years of age. What is interesting is, why did the writer of Luke put this story into the Gospel? It may have been a favorite story that Mary told the disciples about Jesus when he was young? Jesus acted just like a typical teenager when after three days his parents discovered he was still in the temple listening to men discuss the scriptures. How would he have learned so much about the Law and the Bible? Maybe Mary doting over him and making sure he had a good Rabbi to train him in the Torah and the Bible? Regardless what surprises everyone reading this passage is that when Mary told Jesus that his father and her were worried and they did not understand why he remained behind without telling them. This may have been a teenage moment where Jesus disregards his parent’s wishes and stays behind at the temple talking with the elders. His response that his mother should know that Jesus, “was in his father’s house.” This completely baffled Mary, and afterward he returned home and obeyed his mother henceforth.
This is the only story about Jesus youth, and it demonstrates Jesus rebelling to a small degree, before he became a man in his coming of age ceremony later that year or next year. Every year Joseph and his family traveled to the Temple to celebrate the Passover and return home again. Jesus’ brothers and sisters are not mentioned in this passage for some reason. Mary and Joseph thought that Jesus was in the caravan with relatives as teenagers often do with a “sleep-over,” at a friend’s house in modern times. Mary and Joseph trusted Jesus to act responsibly and were shocked that when they searched he was not in the caravan.
So why tell this story? It points out that Jesus was a normal teenager that had a problem rebelling at age 12/13. He wasn’t perfect as a teenage, that is certain. This is perhaps one of Mary’s favorite stories about the headstrong teenager Jesus at age 12/13. Many followers of Jesus when he was an adult would have liked to believe that Jesus was always a perfect person as a teen or an adult.
Many lost Gospels tell stories about Jesus creating miracles when he was a child, and these Gospels were rejected by the church in 100 A.D. and later. What we do know about the young Jesus is that he met his second cousin John every year at the festival of the Passover in Jerusalem when Joseph took his entire family to visit every year. John lived in Hebron, which was 30 miles south of Jerusalem, and his father was a Priest at the Temple in Jerusalem. John was imagined to be a tall boy at 16, and Jesus average height of 5 ft. 10 inches tall. John may have had a nickname for Jesus such as “little Jesua.” It is likely that children always gave one another nicknames to tease one another, as did John and Jesus. Perhaps Jesus stayed at John’s family tent or residence in Jerusalem? We will never really know where Jesus stayed at night for the two nights while his parents were returning to Nazareth with the caravan, only to realize that Jesus was not in the caravan. They were a day away from Jerusalem, and they had to return a day to find Jesus in the temple with the elders in discussions.
What the bible does not tell the reader is how did Jesus after age 13 become so wise in memorizing the scriptures and the Torah? How did Jesus learn of the coming of the Messiah? How did he develop a self-sufficient ministry to tell everyone in Palestine the “Good News?” Those answers are found in other chapters in this book.
Jesus and John were close 2nd cousins whose families went to celebrate the Passover festival in Jerusalem every year. It is more than possible that they met one another during the festival, and prayed together, and shared bread together every year.
Why did Jesus pick this year of all the years they visited the temple to become careless and stay behind knowing his parents would worry and eventually go looking for him? Perhaps it was a Rabbi that Jesus studied under that was getting him ready for his coming of age ceremony? This year would have been the year that he would be officially admitted to the Temple as an adult? Was Jesus a forgetful teenager? No. He was like most teenagers then, and today, not responsible for their actions, acting impulsively, and always challenging their parents.
Perhaps the biggest changes came for Jesus as he started to develop a religious identity? Somewhere between age 12/13, Jesus became more aware of his destiny. At 12/13 Jesus would have gone through the “coming of age ceremony,” at his local temple and would have been recognized as an adult, and an official member of the temple or synagogue. This may have been an enlightening experience for Jesus? It seems that Mary and Joseph did not really understand Jesus, and what he wanted to do to meet his destiny. Jesus at age 12/13 was beginning to come into his own identity and to discover the secrets of the Torah, and the Bible. Eventually, Jesus at age 14 or 15 would come to accidently meet a member of the secret Essene community that worshipped at Mount Carmel that was walking distance from Nazareth.
Chapter 7 – The Secret Mount Carmel Essenes (Children of the Light).
Editor’s Note: The Essenes were a religious group on a par with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Zealots in Jesus’ day. They chose to live in the wilderness, rather than stay in Jerusalem. They lived simple lives without animal sacrifice or greed of money. They dressed simply, and studied the Jewish Torah, the Bible, and other sacred writings in a devout manner. They believed that a Jewish Messiah would come one day and save all Jews from the Romans, and their strong grip on Israel. The Mount Carmel Essenes were not a monastic community as were the Qumran Essenes near the Dead Sea.
Mary went to the central market one day when Jesus was 15 years of age. While at the central market in Nazareth a man approached her, and asked, “pardon me madam, but is your name Mary the wife of Joseph of Nazareth. “Yes, I am, who are you,” Mary asked? “I am Simon of Nazareth,” the man responded. “I am one of the leaders of the Mount Carmel Essene community. My family and I live in Nazareth, but conduct our worship services on Mount Carmel,” Simon said. “ What is your business with me,” Mary asked. “ I would like to meet with your husband, Joseph the builder regarding some repairs to my house in Nazareth. “We live four blocks down this road on the right side. You will see a sign hanging in front of our house,” Mary responded. “My husband and my sons are working there now if you wish to see him today,” Mary said. “Thank you Mary,” Simon answered. After their exchange, Simon headed down the street that Mary pointed to where her husband had his workshop.
When Simon came to the house of Joseph, he noticed a young man outside cutting a log. “Can you tell me where I can find Joseph the builder,” Simon asked? The young man was Jesus, and he answered, “he is inside stranger.” Simon knocked on the door, and called inside for Joseph. A few minutes later Joseph came out and greeted Simon. “ Joseph, I am Simon of Nazareth, and I have a home on the other side of Nazareth which requires some roof repair,” Simon said. “I have many jobs this week,” Joseph replied. “I can come to your house next week to assess the damage to your roof and what it will cost to repair it,” Joseph responded. “Fine,” said Simon. “My home is on the road of Olives, and it located on the corner of the street,” Simon said. “I look forward to your visit,” Simon replied. They shook hands, and Simon walked off down the street. “What did the stranger want, “ Jesus asked. “He has a roof that requires repair,” Joseph said.
Two weeks afterward Joseph, James, Jesus and Joses all headed to the other side of Nazareth to repair Simons house on Olive road. Together they carried two ladders and their tools. The house of Simon was easy to find and Joseph had James and Jesus set the ladders up against the roof to inspect the damage. “How bad is the damage,“ Joseph asked Jesus and James. “It looks like we will have to replace some of the beams with new wood, and then put in a roof over the hole in the roof,” Jesus yelled down to his father. Joseph and Simon came to reasonable terms for the repair of the roof for the wood and covering plus labor. “We can begin tomorrow, “ Joseph told Simon. “That would be wonderful,” Simon replied. “My sons and I have to purchase some wood from Lebanon, and supplies and bring them to your house tomorrow,” Joseph stated. “Come my sons let us go to the market, and see if we can find a dealer in Lebanon wood,” Joseph remarked.
The next day Joseph and his sons returned and began to work on removing the rotted wood on the roof. They started early to avoid the broiling midday Judean sun. While James and Jesus were up on the roof, Simon and Joseph stood on the ground below. “What do you do for a livelihood,” Joseph asked Simon. “ “I buy and sell cloth at the market,” Simon replied. “Some people consider me rich, but it is a myth for I work hard like everyone else in trading goods from other countries,” Simon said.
“I have not seen you at the Synagogue,” Joseph said. Simon replied, “I am a leader of the Mount Carmel Essenes community.” “Really, what is the Essene community all about,” Joseph asked. “We prepare ourselves for the coming of the Messiah,” Simon answered. “I have heard of your community, many of whom live in tents on Mount Carmel,” Joseph said. “Yes, some of our communities seek solitude on Mount Carmel to pray, and study the Torah, and the bible. “We welcome anyone to come and join our community or visit with our community in prayer,“ Simon said.
When Joseph returned home that day he mentioned to Mary that he had met an Essene Jew. Mary asked, “What do these Essene do?” “I am not sure,” Joseph said. “They worship God on Mount Carmel, and some of them live in tents on sacred ground, and that is all I know,” Joseph replied. “How strange, why do they not come to our synagogue to worship as the rest of us do,” Mary questioned? “I do not know,” Joseph remarked.
Six months later Mary and Jesus were in the marketplace shopping for food when Simon and his wife Ruth walked by and said “hello.“ Jesus asked his mother, “is that not the man called Simon the rich merchant whom we repaired his roof.” “Yes, I think it is the man whom your father said was an Essene,” Mary replied. “What is an Essene mother,” Jesus asked? “I do not really know my son. There is something mysterious about their movement. They are like the Pharisees, and the Seduces, whom study and practice in the temple. The Essenes prefer to worship outside of the temple on Holy ground on Mount Carmel,” Mary said. “Cousin John mentioned something about the secret Essene community at Qumram near the Dead Sea,” Jesus said. After their discussion Mary purchased some greens and gave them to Jesus to carry.
“Several months later Jesus met a new friend at the synagogue in Nazareth. His name was Elisha of Nazareth, and he just happened to be the son of Simon of Nazareth whom Jesus had repaired his roof. Elisha and Jesus often discussed the Torah and the bible for many hours after visiting the synagogue. During one of their talks they were discussing what a Messiah was and whether one would ever come. Elisha invited Jesus to join him and his father in worship at Mount Carmel with the community of Essenes. Jesus accepted, and was very curious to see what these Essenes were all about. After he told Elisha he would attend the worship service of the Essenes, Jesus mentioned it to his mother in passing. “Jesus my son, it might be good for you to see another approach to Judaism and learn from it. Do not tell your father however,” Mary said secretly. I am not sure he would approve,” Mary said.
The following Sabbath Jesus went up to the Mount Carmel Essene community after attending his own synagogue. It was a long one-hour walk to Mount Carmel. As he approached the Mountain, Jesus noticed many tents arranged in a large circle. This he knew must be where the Essenes were holding their worship service. As he came close to the tents Elisha came out to meet him and welcome him to the Essene community of Mount Carmel.
The Essenes were all dressed in white robes for the worship service, and many read from the Torah and the Old Testament, as was the same in Jesus’ synagogue. When the Simon the leader began to speak Jesus was mesmerized. The Enlightened One spoke very softly about the coming of the Messiah and how the Essene community by living the pure life might make ready for the Messiah. Jesus was most interested in this talk of a Messiah. It was a topic that he had never heard before in his own synagogue. After the service the Essenes sat down in small groups to discuss living the good life for God. Jesus and Elisha sat in one group of men and listened to the discussion. After they had some food and drink, Jesus returned home with many ideas in his head about the coming of the Messiah.
Jesus and Elisha became fast friends and Jesus continued to visit the Mount Carmel Essenes as often as he could. Eventually he told his father Joseph that he was attending the services at the Essene community. “If you find the Essene community to your liking son, they you have my support. Just beware of false prophets,” Joseph said to Jesus.
After nine months went by Jesus asked Simon of Nazareth if he could formally be initiated into the Essene Community of Mount Carmel. Simon agreed to speak to the leaders of the Essenes for him. So, at age 15 Jesus began his formal initiation to the Essenes Community at Mount Carmel.
John, Jesus’ 2nd cousin had joined the Qumran Essene community a year before Jesus joined the Mount Carmel Essenes. All this occurred after John’s father Zechariah died. The Qumran Essene community was located on the Dead Sea far out in the desert area of Judea. The Qumran community was more of a monastic community with spiritual purity and cleanliness of thought. They lived a simple life in exile from the rest of the Jewish world. Qumran was a major animal tanning center where they made leather scrolls for copying portions of the Old Testament, and other important Essene scrolls. The Qumran Essene community had it’s own water supply and grew much of it’s own vegetables. It was a very self-sufficient community in the Judean desert.
Jesus, being a Nazarene, and a northerner of Galilean, found a whole different philosophy with the Essenes of Mount Carmel. The Mount Carmel Essene community was not monastic community, and some of the community lived in Nazareth, and worshipped on Mount Carmel. Others of the community lived in tents on Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel was sacred ground, and only gardens or trees could be planted. No permanent structures or houses were permitted on Holy Ground. No trees could be chopped down or no one could kill anything there for food, not animals or birds. It was the prophet Elijah that made the mountain Holy Ground by making the mountain his home. It was here that Elijah built an altar of twelve stones (one for each tribe of Israel) on the mountain. The Essenes established a divine school of holiness here in the tradition of Elijah. Simon of Nazareth, the Leader of the Essenes community taught the Essenes to prepare themselves through purity, dedication to the Torah, and deeply mystical spiritual life to receive the Messiah.
Eventually Mary and Joseph and their children followed Jesus’ lead and become members of the Mount Carmel Essene Community. Mary and Joseph were obsessed with the meaning of the coming of the son of man, and the messiah according to the Essenes who based a lot of their philosophy on the prophet Elijah. James, the brother of Jesus, became a very active Essene candidate and became a full candidate two years after Jesus became a candidate. James had always lived in Jesus’ shadow, and he wanted to help Jesus with his ministry by becoming a full-fledged Essene.
Jesus was a good student and became well known in the Essene community for his understanding of the Torah, the scriptures, and the Book of Meditation. Jesus had to promise to Essene community to:
• Exercise piety before God, • Observe justice before all, • Do not harm to others, • Despise wickedness and help the righteous, • Show fidelity to all and those in authority, • Not abuse authority, • Show a simple of manner of dress, • Love the truth and reprove those who lie, • Never steal, • Preserve the Holy Writings.
One day Simon came to Jesus and said, “brother Jesus, I want you to memorize our Lord’s prayer so that you may use it everyday, Morning, Noon, and Evening prayer. “You will in time shorten the prayer for the masses of common people that do not worship Mother Earth,” Simon remarked.
“And pray every day to your Heavenly Father, and Earthly Mother, that your soul becomes as perfect as your Heavenly Father’s holy spirit is perfect, and that your body becomes as perfect as the body of your Earthly Mother is perfect. For if you understand, feel, and do the commandments, then all for which you pray to your Heavenly Father and your Earthly Mother will be given you. For the wisdom, the love, and the power of God are above all.
”After this manner, therefore, pray to your Heavenly Father: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.’ ”And after this manner pray to your Earthly Mother: ‘Our Mother which art upon earth, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, and thy will be done in us, as it is in thee. As thou sends every day thy angels, send them to us also. Forgive us our sins, as we atone all our sins against thee. And lead us not into sickness, but deliver us from all evil, for thine is the earth, the body, and the health. Amen.'”
“Simon, how do you know that the Messiah is coming in our time,” Jesus asked. “ Because, my son, it is written that at the end of time a Messiah will come,” Simon answered. “Stay true to your studies,” Simon encouraged Jesus. “Your destiny may well lie in the studies of our Essene community,” Simon said. Mary had told Jesus many times about the Angel that foretold that Jesus would be a leader among men. Jesus knew that in some way, he must find his true destiny with God through study and prayer. Mary also told Simon about Jesus’ supposed destiny as foretold by the angel Gabriel. Simon took great interest in Jesus when he found that the Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary before Jesus’ birth. He secretly felt this was a clue to the potential that Jesus might in fact one day become the “righteous teacher,” the Essenes had so long prayed for.
Jesus learned the power of prayer after hours of prayer, and meditation each day at the Essene community. His spiritual “eyes” were beginning to see a new meaning to life. The preparation of a good and simple life helped to prepare for the development of Jesus’ mission later in life. “Could this “Messiah” or “Teacher of Righteousness,” really save all the Jews from oppression,” Jesus often asked himself?
After 4 ½ years of study, at age twenty, Jesus was imitated into the Community of Essenes that worshipped on Mount Carmel. He had completed several years of study, and learned the Community Rule, the council of Holiness, and study of the Torah and Bible. He observed fasting, immersion in mikveh, kosher observance, and vegetarianism to live a purer life. He now had a choice of becoming a Scribe, and studying with a Senior Scribe for several years or becoming a Healer. He chose to follow the path of enlightenment by becoming an Essene Healer. Jesus was always a mild mannered young man, with dark skin, deep brown eyes and a busy dark brown full-face beard, who deeply believed that he had a destiny to fulfill one day. He, being only human, lacked some self-confidence in becoming a Healer. He hoped that in time he would be more self-confident, and follow in the ways of the Lord with complete faith.
The same year Jesus was imitated into the Mount Carmel Essene community his brother James became a candidate. James had always lived in the shadow of his brother Jesus and not that Joses and Joseph his brothers were old enough to manage their father’s building business,
Jesus was required to give up his worldly possessions to the Essene community who would hold it in trust for him. At the end of the second year it was merged with the goods of the community. This was an opportunity Jesus could not pass up. He accepted the promise to life a pure life and became a Scribe for the Essene community. “I have little to give Master Simon,” Jesus said. “Here are some personal items, and mementos my mother Mary kept from my childhood,” Jesus remarked. “It is enough that you give up worldly goods and distractions my son,” Simon said. “Come let me introduce you to the Joseph our Essene healer. Joseph has come to us from the Essene community at Qumran near the Dead Sea where he trained for many years. “Joseph this is our prize student, Jesus of Nazareth,” Simon introduced Jesus. “I am pleased to meet you brother Jesus and I am glad you chose healing over becoming a scribe,” Joseph commented. “Peace be with you master Joseph,” Jesus said. “It is my honor as a teacher to show you the secrets of Essene healing and the book of Healing. So it was that Jesus began what was to become 10 years of training as an Essene healer.
One Sabbath Jesus noticed Elisha coming out of one of the tents in the Essene community. “God’s Peace Elisha,” Jesus shouted. “And peace be unto you brother Jesus,” Elisha said. “Where have you been lately Jesus,” Elisha asked? “I have been deep in study with Joseph the Essene healer,” Jesus replied. “I have learned a great deal about the prophets, and especially Elijah who predicted the coming of the Messiah,” Jesus said. “You must come, and join us in the Seder and lead us in prayers,” Elisa asked. “I will try to come, and see you and your father Simon in Nazareth when I have time,” Jesus promised. “God go with you Jesus,” Elisa said as he walked off down the Mount Carmel rocky road.
This was Jesus’ ultimate mission to become a Essene leader and healer for the Essene community and maybe beyond? Jesus continued to study the Holy Writings that God warned ‘Ezra’ to only “show the wise, while learning about Healing at the same time.” These writings would include the “Book of Jasher,” “The book of Enoch,” and others. Jesus would become in time one of the greatest leaders of the Essene community on Carmel Mountain.
So it was, and so it was recorded that Jesus after baptism by John the Baptist began his ministry at age 30. Never did he mention in public or private that he was a trained, and active member of the Mount Carmel Essene community. Jesus had the Essenes to thank for his preparation for his ministry, his healing skills, and for his understanding of “the son of man,” and the Messiah to come. He had his mentors Simon the Essene, Joseph the Essene Healer to always turn to when he doubted himself. Simon and Joseph instilled in Jesus the importance of the end of time, and the coming of the “Righteous Teacher,” and the Messiah.” No one could be as well prepared in the knowledge of the scriptures as Jesus was, thanks to Simon the Essene, and Joseph the Essene.
One day Simon would tell Jesus that it was time for him to go out and be baptized by John the Baptist to certify the beginning of his Essene minded mission. Jesus obeyed Simon, and at the age of 30 he would go to the Jordan River to be baptized. He spoke first with him mother Mary about his seeking a ministry throughout all Judea, and she agreed that his training with the Mount Carmel Essenes was a valuable experience to prepare Jesus for his destiny. “Go forth my son and bring the “Word of God” to the masses that you might achieve your destiny as foretold by the Angel Gabriel,” Mary commented.
Chapter 8 – Jesus the Secret Essene Healer
“Jesus your training has progressed amazingly well since you arrived here 4 1/2 years ago,” Simon said one day to Jesus. Joseph the Healer has told that you are a bright and intelligent and learning everything he is teaching you about healing. Joseph the Healer has mastered herbs, Dead Sea salt, and other amazing plants in healing many diseases. It is my hope that one day you will become one of the greatest Essene healers of all time and help in many ways to keep our community healthy.
One day Joseph and Jesus sat on a rock in his cave on Mount Carmel. “Jesus I have much to teach you regarding herbs, magic mud, salts of the Dead Sea and other plants that heal some of the worst illnesses. In addition to learning magic drugs, I will attempt to teach you the “laying on of hands,” on a sick person and the faith you must have in the Lord to work through you to heal. “I am most excited to learn brother Joseph,” Jesus replied.
From that day forward Jesus trained as an Essene Healer. He learned how to help others in the Essene community that became ill, using certain herbs that Joseph grew in a small garden outside his cave. “Jesus you know it was the Angels the Rephaim (watchers) that gave the Essenes the herbs and roots of healing. We even use the salty mud of the Dead Sea and rocks with special magnetic properties,” Joseph said. “The Angel Raphael watches over all diseases and wounds of humanity in the Parables of Enoch,” Joseph commented. “You and I are but humble servants of the Angels that watch over us Essenes,“ Joseph whispered. “You will learn to use opobalsam, mandrake, madder, bitumen, sulphur, stupteria, salt, soap, and the black mud of the Dead Sea to heal many illnesses,” Joseph advised. “Jesus, look at these seeds. They come from the Opobalsam plant that the Queen of Sheba gave as a gift to Solomon. We make the seed into a wine-like substance of red color,” Joseph commented. “Sometimes we also use the bark and the wood,” Joseph went on to say. “What does this plant heal Master,” Jesus asked? “Well it is a well kept secret but we use it for treating snake venom, eye and ear diseases, shortness of breath, and headaches,” Joseph responded. “Be cautious brother Jesus for this drug is very, very potent and must be used sparingly,” Joseph exclaimed. “I will show you in time how to use the sap as well in the treatment of diseases,” Joseph said.
“We dry dates as a cure for spitting blood and also for eye-salves,” Joseph also stated. “We grow our own date trees here on Mount Carmel and at our Qumran community by the Dead Sea. We use the dates for medicinal uses as well as for eating,” Joseph went on to explain. “Palm trees are one of our main crops here on Mount Carmel. Myrobalan or cherry plum is another fruit we use which we use with astringent wine helps healing of wounds, diarrhea, and menstruation. We also use it as a cure for stomach problems,” Joseph went on to say. “The flowers of Mother earth provides us with many bees which are useful for the treatment of many illnesses,” Joseph stated. Jesus was amazed at the extent of this healer’s knowledge. “Today we will go out to the eastern shore of the Dead Sea and collect plants such as the baaras or mandrake. “Mandrake you will see can be used as a cure for eye diseases, urinary infections, pains, nausea, and anxiety and sleep problems. The drug is so good that it can induce a deep sleep that looks like death,” Joseph remarked with a slight smile. “The mandrake plant is so powerful that we must use a rod to dig up the potent roots,” Joseph said. “You must be very careful brother Jesus with this plant for it is truly powerful and deadly as the same time, “Joseph warned.
“One more plant “madder,” (rubia danaensis) is found in the southeast of the Dead Sea and we use it as a cure for jaundice, sciatica and paralysis,” Joseph pointed out. “Grab a stick and a few reed bags and we will travel to the dried out lake today to collect the plants I have spoken of,” Joseph said. The desert sun was already blazing hot as they set off to the dried lakebed. We can buy the bitumen from an Essene trader that travels to the Dead Sea. He collect Bitumen, a tar pitch that rises to the surface of the Dead Sea, and Madder, and Mandrake in case we cannot find any near the dried lake. We can also trade for andarani a special salt found on the northwestern shores of the Dead Sea. “I have an ancient scroll which our Essene scribes have copied called the Sefer Ha-Rdfu’ot or ‘Book of Remedies,” from Solomon which I want you to read and memorize,” Joseph stated. “I am most interested Master Joseph
A few hours later Jesus, and Master Joseph arrived at the dried lake a few miles from Mount Carmel. Here they would search for mandrake plants. “Quick, Jesus, over here is a mandrake plant. Notice the shape of the leaves,” Joseph pointed out. “Now let us work together with our digging sticks,” Joseph shouted. “Stay away from the plant and help me dig under the plant to get at the roots. We want the whole plant to get the seeds and roots to use in our mixtures,” Joseph pointed out. They both struggled digging at the huge plant until they were able to uproot it. Joseph took a rope and tied it around the plant and finally pulled it out of the sandy clay ground. He and Jesus dragged it until they could wrap a blanket around it and tie it off. Joseph threw the bundle on his back and they returned to the cave on Mount Carmel.
All that day they covered their mouths with cloth, and worked with the removal of the mandrake seeds, and roots. Nothing was wasted. The bark was soaked in water, and the seeds were crushed and made into a paste that they added water to and stored in clay jars. Jesus returned home very tired that first day. It was just the beginning of a constant collecting or trading for special medicinal plants that he and Joseph could use for healing. One day when Master Simon passed by Jesus he asked, “peace be with you brother Simon. How is your healing ministry going?” Simon asked. “Peace be with you too,” Jesus replied. “All is going well, and my Master Joseph is showing me all the secrets of Essene healing as given to us by the Angels. “My wife’s has had a pain in her head for several days, can I drop by and ask your Master Joseph if he has a medicine that will take away her pain?” Simon asked. “Of course Master Simon, please come by Joseph’s cave and he will give you a medicine to cure your wife’s head pain,” Jesus remarked.
As the months went by Jesus was allowed to attend healings with Joseph using the many wonderful and secretive medicines they had collected. One day a small girl of age 7 was very sick, and her parents were worried, so they brought the little girl, named Ruth, to Joseph and Jesus, to be healed. Joseph did not use any drugs this time after examining her eyes and feeling her pulse. He said a short prayer asking God, and the Angels to cure this child. Then as she stood in front of him he placed his hands on her shoulders, and then her head and said, “I cast thee out demon, Go and leave this girl at once. Praise be to God. Amen,” Joseph prayer out loud. Then he poured some water over her eyes. The girl fell backward and her father caught her before she hit the ground. She stood up and looked around, and Joseph asked her, “are you all right child of the light?” She shouted, “I am well, Master, I am well father, and she ran off down the road out of sight.” “Go in Peace brother,” Joseph said to the father. After they left, Jesus asked Joseph, “Master how did you do that? You did not use any medicine,” Jesus asked. “It was a process called, ‘the laying on of hands,’ “ Joseph responded. “What is this laying of hands,” Jesus asked. “It is all about faith brother,” Joseph said. “The sick one must believe that you have the power from God to heal for the laying of hands to work,” Joseph commented. “One day you will be worthy brother Jesus,” Joseph remarked. ‘With God’s help,” Jesus said. When Jesus returned home that evening he told him mother Mary and his brothers and sisters of the remarkable “laying of hands,” today and the curing of the young girl. “One day I hope to be as good as Joseph the Essene,” Jesus said.
After several months went by Joseph the Healer approached Jesus and said, “Today we will learn of the mystical seven Angels of the Earth, and how the Angels help us to cure the sick. Remember we are the “children of the light,” and we believe in the “new covenant.” You faith will determine how great an “Essene Healer,” you will become. We recognize thirteen Sabbaths of the year, and with each Sabbath we have songs dedicated to that ceremony. Songs can help when healing. Some medicines will take time to work, and you must sing softly the songs of the thirteen Sabbath Sacrifice, and the prayers of the Angel of the Sun, and the other Angels that protect us. Some times you will dream of a glimpse of the Merkavah-his majesty’s throne chariot, and above it, God himself.
“I will teach you the prayer the Angels of the four elements, “ Joseph said one day to Jesus. “let us pray,” Joseph prayed.
Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth, most clement and merciful father, send me your four angels: The Angel of Earth, the Angel of Water, the Angel of Air and the Angel of F7ire, That your will may be made manifest in me. May the Angel of Earth take all the wastes of my physical body and give them to the earth, that she may absorb them and send them back to me in the form of health and purity. May he cleanse my whole body so that Life may flow abundantly through my veins and arteries? May my whole being be free, light, and unburdened, so that the kingdom of God and his righteousness may be established on earth and the golden age dawn among men. May the Angel of Water wash all stains from my heart? May selfless love dwell in my heart, bringing me happiness, joy, and bliss. May my heart be pure, transparent, and crystal clear, so that the kingdom of God and his righteousness may be established on earth and the golden age dawn among men. May the Angel of Air purify my intellect with an influx of wisdom and light. May my thought become lucid, keen, and radiant, so that the kingdom of God and his righteousness may be established on earth and the golden age dawn among men. And may the Angel of Fire, who is none other than the Angel of the Sun, sanctify my soul and my spirit. May absolute truth penetrate my whole being. May my soul and my spirit know eternal life and be a dwelling for divine creative omnipotence, so that the kingdom of God and his righteousness may be established on earth and the golden age dawn among men. Amen, amen, amen.
At the end of the first year of training as an Essene Healer, Jesus had memorized the many herbs and plants, and how to preserve and prepare them for the curing of the sick. Joseph the Essene Master was very proud of his pupil’s progress. “You know Jesus, you walk well in the sight of God,” Joseph commented. “Truly you are blessed with a good memory and a humble demeanor worthy of an Essene healer.”
One day a mother brought a sick boy to Joseph the Essene Healer, and Jesus the Essene Healer assistant. Her son had an eye-swollen shut from some disease or bug. “Joseph what do you think caused the eye infection,” Jesus asked? “I do not know brother Jesus, but let us prepare a some opobalsam solution. Jesus ground up the seeds, and added a little water to make a paste. He gave it to Joseph who put the paste on the swollen eye. “Bring him back to us tomorrow to see if the eye does not open or improve,” Joseph instructed the woman. “Thank you healer and peace be with you,” the woman responded. She led the little boy back home.
The next day in the afternoon, Jesus was drying some figs on rocks in the sun when he saw the woman return without the boy. “Peace be with you Healer,” she said to Jesus. “And also with you,” Jesus responded. “How goes the child?” Jesus asked. “It is a miracle, his swelling is gone and the pus has dried out. He can see and asks if he could go play,” said the mother. “Thanks be to God for that,” Jesus said. “I have baked some bread to thank you healers,” the woman said as she put the hot bread wrapped in a cloth down on a rock near the cave of Joseph the Essene healer. “My master will be most pleased, thank you,” Jesus responded.
The woman turned and walked back toward Nazareth.
“Today Brother Jesus we will do more work with the dangerous and powerful mandrake root that we dug out of the ground by the dry lake. We have to be careful not to touch the mandrake until we can dry some of it out in the sun,” Joseph explained. “Be careful if you give too much of the mandrake it can put the patient in a coma,” Joseph said. “Coma can be good and bad. If you need the patient to rest before you give them treatment a coma can be good. If you cannot get a patient to come out of the coma, it can be bad,” Joseph explained. “I have used this powerful drug to cure leprosy and other serious diseases,” Joseph commented. “Just remember to use it sparingly, for it very powerful,” Joseph warned. So they cut up the tubers with sticks and long knives, and a cloth over their mouth and nose and placed the mandrake root out on rocks in the sun. After they dried the root out they ground the root down into a power that could be stored in a clay jar. Jesus did not know at the time, but years later in his ministry he would heal many lepers with this drug, and bring back people to life that were in a coma such as Lazarus.
An old man with many skin sores came to Jesus the next week complaining of pain in his skin. Joseph and Jesus conferred as to what remedy would work and they decided to get some of the black mud of the Dead Sea which they had in jars and add some water to it and put the mud paste on the man’s skin. They had him lie down in the shade of a nearby tree while the black mud dried on his skin. Black mud was full of sulfur and salt and usually worked very well on skin ailments. That evening just before evening prayer they washed the black mud off of the old man’s skin and all the sores were dried up. “A miracle he exclaimed, thank you healers,” he exclaimed and ran down the road to his tent on the mountain.
Sometimes patients are unable to come to the cave of Joseph the Essene Healer so Joseph and Jesus were called to a tent on the Mount Carmel Essene community where a young man had been bitten by a snake. Joseph cut an x where the snake bit the young man while Jesus washed it with sulfur soap. They then put a drying lotion on the bite area that would draw the poison out. Jesus wrapped a tight cloth around the young man’s leg to prevent the poison from traveling up his leg. “We will return tonight,” Joseph said. “Meanwhile, make sure you drink plenty of pure water all day and do not eat any solids. The poison will have drained by tonight, and the pain will be gone by tomorrow, “Joseph remarked.
When they returned that night the young man was sitting up, and looking much better. Jesus released the tight cloth on the leg, and Joseph washed off the sav on the Bitemark. The skin was very red, and the poison had been drawn out and drained onto the ground. You will have some bad dreams tonight, but by tomorrow you will return to normal,” Jesus told the young man. “Thanks be to God,” the young man said. “Amen to that,” Jesus and Joseph both said.
Eventually Jesus and Joseph the Essene were treating hundreds of illnesses and medical problems each month. Collecting the herbs and growing, what they could was a full-time endeavor. Once a month Joseph went into town to trade with the Essene trader for products he had brought from the Qumran Essene community near the Dead Sea. Because the trader was an Essene he, and only he, was allowed to bring these potions and healing plants to Joseph for use in the Mount Carmel Essene community. They swapped local plants and herbs that Joseph had for the ones that the Qumran Essenes had given the trader to bring to Joseph. Ordinarily the Qumran Essenes did not trade with the outside world since they were a monastic community, but this was the one exception since Joseph was originally a healer in the Qumran Essene community many years ago.
Jesus learned about mystical treatments from India and far away countries from Joseph the Essene Healer. Jesus read all the scrolls on healing that Essenes had in their massive library. Each day he became more and more proficient in noticing similar illnesses and the proper cure of medicine for them. The Essenes were most grateful for Joseph the Essene Healer and Jesus the Essene assistant Healer. Many a life was save by their knowledge of all the healing properties of plants, herbs, magic stones, Dead Sea salt, Dead Sea black mud and mineral water.
Jesus read in the Bible, that a man named Reuben went into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very Well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s Mandrakes. Mandrakes were a most powerful mystery medicine that the Essene healers had handed down through many generations.
In Jesus second year of training as an assistant Essene Healer a strange happening occurred. Joseph and Jesus were called to a home of a man who was dying of some disease that was unknown. Unfortunately, neither Jesus nor Joseph had a horse or camel to travel on to reach this man named Nichelias who lived a days journey away from the Mount Carmel community. Joseph dispatched a wealthy young man who was an Essene who also owned a horse. Joseph gave the young man named Jekel a portion of mandrake in the form of power in a small clay jar for the dying man to keep the man alive until Joseph and Jesus got there to care for him. “Off with you now Jekel,” Joseph shouted. “Be sure to give Ezekiel the old dying man this portion when you arrive at his house for we cannot reach his house by foot in a days walk,” Joseph repeated. So off rode Jekel to the south as Jesus, and Joseph packed up their medicines, some dried food and water and began the one-day trek south.
When Jekel arrived at the home of Ezekiel later that evening he introduced himself to Ezekiel’s wife and daughter and told them he had medicine from Joseph the Essene Healer at Mount Carmel. He gave the syrup like drink to Ezekiel who immediately fell into a coma. A day later Jesus and Joseph arrived to find Ezekiel in a deep sleep or coma. “What do you think Joseph,” Jesus whispered? “I will bring him out of the deep sleep and see if one of our potions will bring him back to health,” Joseph remarked. Ezekiel’s wife had already considered him dead since she could not see any breathing. She wept heavily all day long until Joseph and Jesus arrived. Joseph gave Ezekiel a strong stimulant to bring him out of the coma. After a few prayers Jesus and Joseph raised Ezekiel up to a sitting position when he opened his eyes. “His wife cried that he had returned from the dead.” “ Joseph and Jesus knew better since he was in a coma and not dead. Joseph gave Ezekiel some hot herb tea and observed his recovery. “How do you feel Ezekiel,” Joseph asked? “I am a new man, thanks be to God,” Ezekiel shouted out with joy. “Our work is done here. We hope to see you both at services on the Sabbath as soon as you can travel, “ Joseph said. “God be with you,” Ezekiel and his wife responded. Jesus and Joseph left to return to the Mount of Carmel. “How did you raise him from the dead?” Jesus asked. “He was not dead, he was in a deep coma which I induced to help him to recover medically until we arrived,” Joseph commented. Once we gave him the herbal tea the infection that was killing him was gone thanks to the coma we induced,” Joseph observed. “Some would call it a miracle that you raised a man from the dead,” Jesus said.
“Perhaps brother Jesus, but you, and I know that it was just good medicine with powerful drugs that we make to cure people,” Joseph whispered. “You must always keep this a secret for many will challenge you for raising a man from the dead and expect us to raise everyone from death, which we cannot do,” Joseph said as they walked down the hot dusty road back to Nazareth and then Mount Carmel.
On a hot dry day as every day in Galilee on Mount Carmel a visitor came one day to see Simon, Jesus, and Joseph. His name was Nicodemis and he was a Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. Few people knew that Nicodemis was sympathetic to the Essene cause. He had traveled to Mount Carmel that he might talk with Simon, Jesus, Joseph and other Essenes about the coming of the Messiah. All of the Essene leaders did not know it at the time but in the end Nicodemis would claim the body of Jesus and have him buried in his own tomb. “So brother Simon how are my esteemed Essene brothers doing lately,” Nicodemis asked? “Peace be with you Nicodemis and we are blessed to have you visit us. How goes it at the Temple in Jerusalem,” Simon asked? “The usual politics,” Nicodemis commented with a wide smile. “Would you like some herb tea Nicodemis,” Mathias asked?” “Yes that would be delightful,” Nicodemis responded. They talked for hours until Nicodemis decided to go to sleep for the evening in an empty tent provided for visiting Essenes. This was the first time the young Essene Jesus would meet Nicodemis, not realizing that later in his life Nicodemis would come to him outside of Jerusalem, and ask him how a person could get into heaven.
The next day Nicodemis had returned with a caravan to Jerusalem. Jesus and Joseph returned to their daily ministry of healing. A blind man named Emmanuel came to Jesus, and Joseph one day, and begged them to relieve him of his blindness. Joseph asked them man if he asked the Angels to help him? The man named Emmanuel said he had prayed all his life to the Angels after he was stricken with blindness when he was a child. Joseph told Emmanuel that it would take great prayer, and healing power to return his sight to him. Jesus doubted they could reverse years of blindness and scarring of the Emmanuel’s eyes. “Is this within out power Joseph,” Jesus asked? The Angel of Light and Mother Earth will reveal unto us a remedy,” Joseph said and then he prayed to Mother Earth and The Seven Angels of the Earth.
The Essene Seven Angels and Mother Earth Prayer.
Our Earthly Mother, She who sends forth her Angels To guide the roots of man And send them deep into the blessed soil. We invoke the Earthly Mother! The Holy Preserver! The Maintainer! It is She who will restore the world! The earth is hers, And the fullness thereof the world, And they that dwell therein. We worship the good, the strong, The beneficent Earthly Mother And all her Angels, Bounteous, valiant, And full of strength; Welfare-bestowing, kind, And health giving. Through her brightness and glory Do the plants grow up from the earth, By the never-failing springs. Through her brightness and glory Do the winds blow, Driving down the clouds Towards the never-failing springs. The Earthly Mother and I are one. I have my roots in her, And she takes her delight in me According to the Holy Law. “
Editor’s note: See Glossary for Essene Prayers to the Seven Angels of the Earth and Mother earth.
“Jesus mix up some of the medicines we have for infections of the eye and place the mixture on each of Emmanuel’s eyes,” Joseph instructed Jesus. “Rest here for a day or so Emmanuel, and let’s us see if the Angels hear our call for help,” Joseph said. So they left Emmanuel lying on a straw mat under the shade of a tree for a day. That evening they returned and there was no improvement. Jesus fed Emmanuel some vegetable soup and gave him a blanket for the cool evening.
The next morning Jesus and Joseph came to the tree where Emmanuel had been lying and he was gone. “What happened to Emmanuel, was he kidnapped,” Jesus exclaimed? Joseph said he did not know where Emmanuel was either. They looked everywhere in the Mount Carmel Essene community for Emmanuel but they could not find him. Finally, when they returned to Joseph’s cave, there was Emmanuel standing by the entrance to the cave. He was smiling. “Peace be with you brothers,” he said. “How are you today,” Joseph asked? “I can see, can you not see my eyes are open?” Emmanuel shouted. “It is truly a miracle from God and Mother Earth and the Angels have cured me,” Emmanuel said. “Indeed you are blessed, Emmanuel, go with God this day,” Jesus remarked. And so Emmanuel went down into Nazareth and told everyone in the town about the miracle, and how Joseph and Jesus the Essene Healers on Mount Carmel cured him.
Jesus was beginning to learn that prayer and medicine helped to cure people more than any other combination. It was important that the sick person believe the Jesus or Joseph had the power to heal them and had complete faith in their abilities. Faith was the key work that worked more wonders than any of the herbs or medicines Jesus and Joseph had.
Jesus had a vision one night that he would raise a cousin of his from the dead one-day. He shared this with Joseph, Simon, Mathias, and Ezra his Essene mentors the next day. They were amazed and worried at the same time. What did the future hold in store for Jesus the Essene? Joseph knew in his heart that one day Jesus would be able to heal by the laying on of hands. It was just a matter of time and self-confidence in Jesus to make laying of hands for healing possible.
Jesus learned that magic stones that could pick up metal and other stones could also be used for healing. Joseph showed Jesus how they could heat up these magical stones and place them on a person’s back to remove back pain. At first Jesus did not believe that any stone could be magical, but after heating up these special metal attracting stone he changed his mind when saw the back pain go away in an old man who was suffering from great back pain.
Jesus learned over ten years how to use deadly drugs like Mandrake to cure terminally ill patients. When Jesus began his ministry two sisters of a man named Lazarus came to Jesus for help. They were all friends of Jesus. When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When Jesus heard the news he sent some mandrake powder immediately by horseback of a friend, but told no one of this. Jesus did not own a horse or donkey so it took him two days to walk to the town of Bethany by foot. When he got there Lazarus was already considered dead and was laid in the tomb. Martha went out to meet Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.” Martha was not aware that Jesus sent a secret messenger on horseback so that he could get to Bethany in a day’s ride. Jesus told Martha, “Your brother will rise again,” knowing that he had given Lazarus some mandrake powder that would put him a medical coma until Jesus got there to treat him. Martha thought Jesus was talking about the final resurrection of the dead. Jesus than said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
Jesus went with Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, and the mourners to the hillside burial place of Lazarus. When they got to the tomb, Jesus asked to remove the stone that covered the tomb. He then went into the tomb and determined Lazarus was in a medical coma, but still alive. He gave him a very strong stimulant drug he had to bring with to bring Lazarus out of the coma. He then went outside the tomb while the medicine was working and raised his hands to heaven and prayed to God, finishing with these words: “Lazarus, come out!” A few minutes Lazarus came out of the tomb and Jesus instructed the crowd to remove his grave wrappings, and so they did.
Joseph the Essene Healer had told Jesus that one day he would bring someone thought to be dead, back from the dead or a deep coma. Few people in those days knew the difference. The curing of Lazrus was the proof that Jesus the secret Essene healer had learned well from Joseph his mentor over 10 years of training. The medical knowledge Jesus learned always seemed like a miracle to the common folk because they had no knowledge of healing herbs and special medical potions.
Jesus’ greatest challenge was in the learning of “laying on of hands to heal.” Joseph had instructed him how this kind of medical healing could come about. “The first thing Jesus is you must be feared or well known for your prayer and healing ability. People must believe in you more than they believe in the devil or themselves. You must be so positive that there can be no turning back with their healing,” Joseph instructed. “Most laying on of hands will occur in the heat of the moment, in front of a crowd, in a worship ceremony or other sacred event, Joseph went on to say. “You must be strong and not doubt yourself every, “ Joseph said. “They will know if you have any doubts. An invisible feeling will occur between you and the patient,” Joseph remarked. “They have to know in advance that you are the one and only Jesus from Nazareth (the secret Essene healer) who healed so many people before,” Joseph said. “They have to believe that you can produce miracles and that you and God are one working together for the good of mankind,” Joseph commented. “Yes Master I hear what you say but for now I do not feel so great. Perhaps in time, God with me, I will summon the power within to heal the sick no matter what the disease or illness by the laying on of hands, “ Jesus replied.
Chapter 9-The funeral of Joseph of Nazareth
It was in Jesus’ fifteenth year that his aged father Joseph of Nazareth became ill, and after several months of fever and sickness, he passed away in his sleep. As was the Jewish custom he was buried quickly before sunset the day he died. Mary, Jesus, and his brothers James, Joses, Judah, Joseph, and his sisters all grieved greatly for their loss. Jesus being the oldest would have to bear the burden of taking over his father’s building business. James agreed to help his brother Jesus with the business in order to support his mother and sisters. Jesus knew that this might one day postpone his chances of one day becoming a prophet.
“Jesus told his mother. “I grieve for my father, but I know from his hard labors he is at peace now in death,” Jesus sadly stated. “I will be strong for you mother, for my heart is with you and you have always seen to my health and education, for which I am indebted greatly,” Jesus said. “You are my beloved and my favorite son,” Mary said. “From the day you were born I knew that you were destined for greater things and – you would become a leader of men like your cousin John. “Send your brothers James and Joses to my cousin Elizabeth in Hebron, and tell them that Joseph has died. We will sit Shiva for a week to grieve his passing. Tell them to come and share with us,” Mary told Jesus. “James you heard what Mother has said, take Joses and travel to Hebron to tell Elizabeth, John and Zechariah, Jesus commanded.
According to Jewish tradition Joseph was put into the ground that evening, and his family prepared some food for visiting guests and extended family members and townsfolk when they came to sit Shiva in grieving for the loss of Joseph to his family.
This was a major turning point for Jesus for he had always looked up to his father who worked hard, and sacrificed so much for his family. From the death of Joseph’s first wife of many years to the second marriage to Mary when she was a teenager, Joseph prevailed and remained strong. Through all the years in exile in Egypt he protected Jesus and Mary from harm and kept them together for four years until he could return to Nazareth in Galilee. Joseph showed Jesus everything about building, carpentry and how to work with his hands. Over the years Joseph’s family prospered and followed in the Orthodox Jewish customs. Jesus was well versed in the bible thanks to Joseph and Rabbi Ben Juda under whom Jesus studied for many years until it was time for his coming of age ceremony at age twelve.
“Lord I pray gives me strength without my father Joseph to lead me. Guide me Lord and show me the way. Help me to be like Elijah of old and let me be a light to mankind. Show me the way lord and reveal unto me thy blessing,” Jesus prayed softly. “Salome can you help me prepare some dried fruits and goat meat for our guests at Shiva,” Jesus asked? “My beloved brother Jesus, I always love to do as you wish. Let us set up the foods together in memory of our beloved father,” Salome responded. Mary returned to her bed to rest and cry softly for the rest of the day. Her one and only husband were gone and so many memories of the days in Bethlehem, Egypt, and their return to Nazareth were on her mind. Their life had been peaceful and without remorse as Jesus grew to become a strong and bright young man, dark of complexion and long hair with deep dark brown eyes. He was a delight to discuss the bible with because he was so knowledgeable and passionate in his learning. Through her efforts he had become a model Jew who attended temple every Sabbath and studied his bible that was presented to him by Rabbi Ben Juda from their local synagogue. “No mother could ask for a more obedient child than Jesus,” Mary thought to herself. What know would become of Jesus and what of the destiny the Angel of God foretold,” Mary asked herself?
Night descended quickly and the cool desert air moved throughout the house as Jesus and his family slept. When Joseph first became ill, Jesus had a premonition that this illness might not be curable, and so it was. Jesus always regretted that he could not cure his father at the time.
The next day the family prepared for guests, family, and visitors as they began to sit a week of Shiva in grieving for their father Joseph. This was a time to meet long missed cousins and have townspeople come to give their best wishes. In two or three days Zachariah, Elizabeth and John would be arriving from Hebron to give their condolences. Jesus had not seen his second cousin John since last year at the Passover Festival in Jerusalem. Jesus was looking forward to John’s visit since they had known one another all their lives.
Two days later there was a knock at the door and standing there tall, at six foot four inches was cousin John. Elizabeth and Zachariah were unloading the donkeys outside and bringing in presents and food. “Hail John, son of Zachariah,” Jesus proclaimed in jest. “Welcome to our home,” Mary responded. “Mary, Jesus, Salome, Joses, James, Joseph, it is so good to see you all,” Elizabeth replied. It was a time for family, and they all sat down and had some wine, water, and honey-dates. “We are saddened at the passing of our kinsman Joseph,” Zachariah stated for all to hear. “He is with God now after many years as a hard-working and pious man. Amen,” Zachariah prayed.
Jesus and John went off to a quiet corner to talk. “So how are your studies in the bible coming along cousin, “ Jesus asked. “My parents are letting me spend some time with friends of ours whom are Essenes, and live in the Qumran community near the death sea,” John replied. “That sounds interesting, John. I wish I could join you but now I am to share with James the burden of father’s business to support my family,” Jesus replied. “Well little Jesua someday you will be free to follow your destiny,” John commented. “Wine, cousin, you must be thirsty,” Jesus offered. “Yes some wine will help to wash down the dust of the hot roads over which we traveled these past two days,” John said. Jesus was glad to see his cousin for they had much in common. The week of sitting Shiva went by quickly and Zachariah, Elizabeth, and John had returned to Hebron and everything return to normal day-to-day labor of building as it was before.
This would be the last time Jesus would see his cousin John as their destinies would part on different paths in the future. John would join the Qumran Essene community near the Dead Sea, and Jesus would become a full-fledged Essene of the Mount Carmel community. Jesus would not see John for eighteen years when he would have his cousin John baptize him in the Jordan river. Now they were still teenager, and later they would be full-grown bearded men of the Jewish faith.
Chapter 10- “…the Voice of one crying in the wilderness.”
Bible: Book of John:
1:6 a man named John was sent from God. 1:7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 1:8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 1:9 the true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 1:10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. 1:11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. 1:12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, 1:13 who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 1:14 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. 1:15 John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” 1:16 from his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, 1:17 because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 1:18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him. 1:19 and this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites [to him] to ask him, “Who are you?” 1:20 he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.” 1:21 So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 1:22 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 1:23 He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 1:24 Some Pharisees were also sent. 1:25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?” 1:26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 1:27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 1:28 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John the Baptist’s Testimony to Jesus.
1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 1:30 He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ 1:31 I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” 1:32 John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. 1:33 I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 1:34 Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
1:35 the next day John was there again with two of his disciples, 1:36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” 1:37 the two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. 1:38 Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” More 1:39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.
3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” 4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Joseph as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Joseph. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
John the Baptist, or John the Essene, established his career long before Jesus began his ministry. After John’s father’s death, when he was sixteen years of age, John asked to be adopted by the Qumran Essenes of the monastic community near the Dead Sea. John, like Jesus, knew that an Angel of God blessed his birth. Like Jesus, John came to realize he had a destiny to fulfill. The Essenes accepted John into their community because he came from a long line of Priests.
John’s mother Elizabeth had often mentioned that she expected John to become a prophet of a religious leader one day. John had a very close relationship with his mother because he was an only child. Elizabeth being an older mother doted over John from the day he was born. She protected John from the slaughter of the innocent infants by Herod. Like Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, she fled into the wilderness to avoid Herod’s soldiers who were killing every infant under the age of two.
John’s father was a Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem and often taught John how to read the bible and the Torah. Their relationship was difficult because Zechariah did not really believe that his son would become anything but a Priest, as he had become, and his father before him. John knew in his heart that he was destined to do something great, but he was not sure what that would be. He had often discussed this with his cousin Jesus. It was something they did not share with their parents. John left Hebron with nothing but a sack of clothes and dried fruits and a goat sack of water and headed across the hot desert to the Qumran Dead Sea Essene community. It would be a new beginning for John, and one that would shape his future.
When John arrived at the Qumran Essene community, Joshua the Leader of the Qumran Essene Jews met him. “Welcome and Peace be with you, John,” Joshua said. “You have come many miles and come and wipe off your sandals and wash up at our well,” Joshua invited John. “Thank you Master,” John responded. John was a 16 year old teenager at the time, and very impressionable. He was a tall young man with dark hair and piercing dark green eyes and a large nose. There was something very likeable about John that Joshua sensed in the young man. The very first day Joshua spent introducing John to other leaders in the Qumran Essene community. He showed him the Scribes and their room where many scrolls were spread around on rock tables. He showed him the sanctuary and the stone altar that they prayed at. “We are called “the Sons of Light,” not just Essenes, Joshua remarked.
The accommodations for members of the community ranged from small to large caves adjacent to the main complex. There were no walls to protect the community from hostiles, for their faith was in God to protect them. The men at the Qumran community out numbered the women three to one because it was a male dominated society.
Joshua showed John to his quarters that were a small cave he shared with other men from the community. The caves for the novices of the community were along a steep rock cliff overlooking the Essene community.
Later that evening, after dinner, Joshua discussed the rules of the community with John. “John since you have a long line of Priests in your family, we have decided to adopt you, and bring you into our community,” Joshua said. “I am grateful Master,” John replied. “You understand that you must give up all your worldly goods, and possessions and that our community will hold them for you until such time as you become a full fledged member of the community,” Joshua remarked. “We do not talk during our mealtimes and we always eat together as one big family,” Joshua commented. “We pray in the morning before eating, at noon and again in the evening. You are required to join us at these prayer services every day including the larger service on the Sabbath,” Joshua went on to explain.
“Tomorrow I will introduce you to Ezra one of our teachers who will work with you on your studies and help you go from a candidate to a full-fledged member of our Qumran Essene community. “You will wear a white robe on the Sabbath when we worship which we will provide, and you will wear this tan robe all the other days. You will be given a new pair of sandals which are made here in our community,” Joshua remarked. “Thank you Master,” John replied. “Baptism is a regular form of worship and cleansing on the Sabbath here,” Joshua said. “You will come to learn all our rules in time, John, just be patient,” Joshua remarked. “Rest here for a while, and I will return later to bring you to the dinner tonight when the sun goes down,” Joshua said. “Peace brother,” Joshua commented as he left John by himself in the cave.
John had time to reflect in the cave sitting on his straw mattresses that lie on a stone platform carved out of the side of the cave. The air was hot and humid that day and John remembered feeling a fresh breath of air as he stepped out of the cave to overlook the Essene community site. It was a beautiful site but austere in it’s overall appearance. There were no flags, or clothes or marketplace in site. Just hillside caves and several stone buildings in the middle of the community. John thought about what the Essene community would do to help him acquire divine inspiration and blessing of God to spread good word one day in the future. The great hall was the largest building right in the center of the Essene community.
Joshua came to get John later that night as darkness spread over the desert. A hawk cried overhead, and stillness set upon the desert. John and Joshua walked down the courtyard of stone to a small stone building in the middle of the community. This was their great hall where they ate meals in silence, and often studied during the day. Joshua introduced John to Ezra who would become his teacher as an Essene candidate for the next three years. “John this is Ezra whom I spoke of earlier. He is one of our best teachers, and he will personally work with you everyday to help you complete your candidacy in our Essene community. You will study the Bible, the Torah, and the Book of Community Rules. When you have completed your studies in a few years you will be admitted to our community as a full-fledged member. It is then you will be baptized and cleansed of the spirit in order to join our “Sons of Light.” Then you can, if you so desire, choose to become a Scribe, and study under one of your senior scribes. You will have plenty of opportunity to study and pray here and again welcome John, “Joshua concluded. “Peace be to you brother,” Ezra remarked. “ Peace be with you also,” John replied.
They sat down to a vegetarian mean of bread, wine, nuts, and dried fruits. “We do not believe in animal sacrifices or killing animals for food in our community,” Ezra commented to John. Around the great hall were around 200 men and women all sharing in the communal eating. It was a place of happiness and faith. Everyone was treated with respect. The teachers, scribes and leaders were very knowledgeable, and most respected in the Essene community. They did not worship at the temple in Jerusalem anymore because they felt the Pharisees and the Sadducees were corrupt. The temple in Jerusalem had become defiled with greed and evil men the Essenes believed.
So the days, months and years of John’s training began. He did not see his relatives or his mother anymore. Life in the Essene community was very monastic and independent from the world outside the Essene community. There would be no distractions in the Essene community to hinder study and discussion of the scriptures. Each day followed with the same routine except the Sabbath where a large worship service took place. The Essenes preferred to eat a vegetarian style menu with little or no meat. Breads were cooked daily and fresh food was brought in daily from nearby marketplaces.
A year later John had a vision one night in his sleep. He dreamt that he was wandering around aimlessly in the desert until an Angel of God appeared to him and said, “Why do you wander in circles in the desert, John.” John answered, “I know not where I am going.” “Follow the river Jordan and one day you be as Elijah, a prophet in the wilderness, crying out to make straight the path for God and come and baptize yourselves for the remission of sins.” When John awoke he went to Ezra his teacher to discuss this vision. Ezra felt it was God telling him about his divine future and John agreed. Many in the community learned of John’s vision and it was the talk of many for days and weeks. “Perhaps John is a blessed one,” a leader said? Another commented that, “his vision must reflect our Essene values that he has learned. Certainly baptism is good for cleansing the soul?” John became a celebrity after his vision and many in the community came to John and spent time talking with him.
Three years later at age nineteen, John was officially admitted into the Qumran Essene community. He had passed all the requirements of study and prayer and had the recommendation of his teacher Ezra. A small ceremony was performed and John was baptized in a small bathing pool, and given the blessing by Joshua the leader of the Essenes. “This day we welcome our beloved brother John into our Essene community,” Joshua shouted to all who could hear. “Let us welcome him, and embrace him into our fold,” Joshua commented. “John came to us a few years ago after his father died, and we adopted him into our community based on his family heritage of Priests. “We are blessed to have such an intelligent, and dedicated follower such as John. He is destined for great things I truly believe,” Ezra remarked to the Essene community.
In time, John entered the Essene Rabbi program, and studied under a senior scribe called Mecchia. Mecchia would take John under his wing and turn him into a man of great knowledge, and inspire him to one day become a prophet. What a wonderful privilege to learn how to become a Prophet of God and spread the Essene news of the coming of the Messiah or the Teacher of Righteousness. “The son of man,” was an elusive expression that John learned to cherish. John learned and memorized all he could about the Prophet Elijah and how the Essene community related to what Elijah said in the scriptures.
It was a time of learning and prayer for John. It was a time to become closer to God in the wilderness of the Dead Sea. In this little monastic Essene community, John had learned to believe in himself and his destiny. Many times he had discussions with Ezra and Joshua about the “coming of the Messiah,” and the meaning of “the beginning of dark times.” One day soon, John knew it would be his time to go out into the world and preach the ‘Good News,” he had learned from the Essenes. He would eventually become a copy of Elijah by dressing in camel skins a leather belt. He would refrain from eating meat except Locust, wild honey and wild plants. The training he had received from the Essenes would establish who he was and how he would model his life. The time for the rivers of Jordan was not to far away.
One day Joshua took sick for a week, and he asked John to come and speak with him. “John it is time, for I am not long to be in this world and I want to see you fulfill your destiny. You are to become an Essene Prophet, but tell no one that you are an Essene. Be your own person. Go and seek the truth, and baptize as we have shown you. Baptize for the people’s remission of sins. Baptize for renewal of religious spirit. Baptize to prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah. Go and spread the Word. You are our beloved brother, and teacher John. Even though your studies as a scribe are not finished, we feel it is time for you to step forth,” Joshua remarked from his bed.
The next day Joshua died, and they buried him that night in the traditional Jewish fashion. John participated in the prayer ceremony as they laid Joshua to rest. It was a moment of great sadness in the Essene community. The next day John informed Ezra of Joshua’s wishes that John leave the Essene community and spread the Good News to the world. So, John with Ezra’s blessing set out to spread the Good News about the coming of the Messiah and the need for everyone to repent and be baptized. He went first to Jerusalem to the Temple to receive a blessing, but the Priests there had forgotten who his father was, and who he was. They rebuked him and so he left the temple with haste. He proceeded to travel around Judea speaking to strangers everywhere. He lived a solitary life eating only plants with the exception of locusts, wild honey and wild plants that he could find. Many a night he would look up at the stars and wonder what God had in store for him. Many a night he would sleep in the open desert that was always cold at night and hot in the daytime. John’s skin became almost black from the constant exposure to the sun. His beard grew long and reached his waist. His eyebrows looked like small bushes on his forehead. His skin wrinkled beyond his years.
One night, while sleeping in a cave in the desert, John had another vision. An Angel of God appeared to him and said,” John why do you wander so, come and baptize my people, and redeem them for their sins at the river Jordan.” Upon waking John realized that the Lord God wanted him to baptize people at the Jordan River. After a day’s journey from Jerusalem, he arrived at the Jordan river to see a group of woman washing their clothes and some men fishing along it’s banks. Some of the women asked John who he was, and he replied, “I am John the Prophet, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” “So you are a Prophet,” the woman giggled? “Yes, I have come in the name of the Lord to baptize for the remission of sins,” John said. As John walked along the banks of the Jordan River a man came up to him and said, “Prophet can you heal me?” John replied, “have you faith in God?” The man answered, “Yes, I do.” John said, “then step into the Jordan River, and be baptized and you shall be healed.” The man was crippled from early childhood from a disease, and could hardly walk; yet he entered the river trying not to fall down in the swift current. In the middle of the river John was standing in his camel hair coat waiting for the man to come forth. When the man made it into the middle of the river, John asked him, “Do you ask God for forgiveness of your sins and your illness?” The man replied,” Yes, I do.” Then John held the man under water, and said, “I baptize you in the name of the Lord for the remission of your sins.” He lifted the man back out of the water and the man took a deep breath of air. “You have been saved,” John said to the man. The man walked amazingly to the edge of the river and his crippled leg was gone and he could walk normally. “God be praised, John the Prophet has healed me, “ the man shouted to the women and men standing on the banks of the Jordan. Word spread quickly, and the next day a few more lost souls showed up at the Jordan river to be baptized by the prophet John, whom some called Elijah.
John found shelter nearby the Jordan River in a cave and that is where he lived for many years. Days turned into weeks and weeks became years, as John became known as John the Baptist. It was what he did best, and being baptized by such a great prophet, always spiritually moved those people that came from Judea, Galilee and other countries. John had one weakness, however, and that was his mouth spoke louder than his deeds. He felt it was not enough to ask people to repent and be baptized; he had to rebuke Herod and his wife in public. Finally, one day Herod had John arrested and threw him in a dark prison. John a man of the wilderness, a man of the out-of-doors languished in the darkness of the prison for months. Some say he was in the prison for 6 months and others record that he was there for two years. What is important is just as John the Baptist was at the peak of success he was put in prison. Was it God’s power or was it destiny that Jesus of Nazareth, an unknown preacher at the time, should come to the Jordan River to be baptized by his second cousin and childhood friend John the Baptist? At first when Jesus learned of John being imprisoned he was shocked. Simon advised Jesus to take up the reins of John’s followers and continue his ministry. Jesus was reluctant to do so because he truly believed God would release John from prison and let him return to the Jordan as before. It was not to be and destiny would play out with John being beheaded. Many of John’s thousands of followers did not know where to turn. Jesus had recently returned from his secret journey to the Mount Carmel Essene community and the followers of John asked Jesus, “Are you Elijah?” Jesus said “No.” Then what of John the Baptist, will you lead his followers?” the followers of John asked.
Jesus believed in John the Baptist, and he made it known that John was and always would be a great Prophet appointed by God to bring the good news of salvation (an Essene expression). Sadly, John the Baptist’s ministry would end in his death at the hands of Herod. There was a huge gap in religious leadership at the time. The people were tired of listening to the Pharisees and the Seduces on how to live the good life in Judaism.
Chapter 11- The Baptism of Jesus
A year after Jesus’ father’s death, when Jesus was just fifteen years of age, Mary decided it was time for Jesus to spent more time with the Essene Community at Mount Carmel, rather than labor on everyday at his father’s building business. “Yesua (Jesus), my son, I have heard that your cousin John has joined the Qumran Essene Community after his father died. He will receive a great deal of religious training there so that he may achieve his destiny. He did not want to become a Priest at the Temple like his father, so this is a good alternative for him.” Mary said. “Why do you mention this mother,” Jesus responded? “Since your father died you have taken up the reins of the family business with your brothers and supported me and your sisters, and we are indebted,” Mary replied. “Perhaps it is time to let your younger brother James take the reins of the family building business, and allow you to meet your destiny,” Mary stated. “I know your Essene membership and studies have become an important part of your life and you have a destiny to achieve according to the Angel of God who told me before you were born that you would become a great person among men,” Mary said.
Jesus sat in the shade of an olive tree and pondered what his mother has said. He was almost fifteen years of age and he knew in his heart and mind that he would be destined to become a prophet like his cousin John. “When would be the right time he asked himself.” He had prayed often to God to give him a sign and yet no sign had yet to appear. John’s father Zechariah had died, as did Jesus’ father Joseph when they both were 15 and 16 years of age, respectively. It would be 15 years before John and Jesus would again meet at the Jordan River.
For Jesus, he was at a crossroad in his life when his father died. He had become involved in the Essene community on Mount Carmel and had to help his younger brother James to also become an Essene.
Jesus remembered the last time his cousin John and he spoke. He remembered John’s parting words for Jesus to live up to his destiny as the Angel of God had blessed them both at birth. John would live with the Qumran Essenes community by the Dead Sea for a while to learn from them and seek to find the true nature of God and how he could become a prophet that could make a difference in these terrible times for Judea. John had always called Jesus “little Yeshua,” because Jesus was much shorter that the taller John who towered over him at six feet two inches. Jesus took this nickname kindly, and often called John, “Goliath,” because of his large size. They had always been close as cousins, just as their mothers had been close before, and after their first births.
Fifteen years had passed and Jesus was 30 now, and he had competed his studies as an Essene Healer and Rabbi. He never got the opportunity to become a scribe, and therefore, never learned to write in Aramaic or Hebrew. Joseph the Merchant and secret Essene Healer had taught Jesus for many years the skills of healing and “laying on of hands” that the Essenes treasured so greatly. Joseph the Essene healer had shown Jesus the Book of Healing and had made him his personal healing assistant until he was 30 years of age. Jesus entered the Rabbinical stage of training at age 15 while still studying healing. Jesus kept up his healing duties with Joseph all through his rabbinical training. Simon was Jesus primary mentor and friend. Simon remained Jesus primary mentor and his teacher had already told Jesus that the time for him to remove himself from the Essene community would one day come. Jesus would go out into the world and preach what he had learned over 19 years of study in the Essene community to perhaps testify to the coming of the Messiah?
At age 30, Jesus took his brother James aside and said, “brother I think my time has come to go out and seek my destiny as my teachers Simon and Joseph have encouraged me to do.” “John the Baptist, my cousin, is already preaching in the wilderness near the Jordan, and establishing a large following in all the lands,” Jesus proclaimed. James responded by saying, “it is alright for you to go forth brother for you are a man who had met his family obligation, after our father died, and remained true to our mother.” “I can handle the family business, and we will prosper. I wish you well on your journey. Stay safe brother,” James said.
Later that day Jesus bid goodbye to Salome, Jose, Joseph, Jude and his other sisters. Jesus packed his bag he said goodbye to his mother for the last time. “Mother I will always be with you, and I will try to visit you often. It is my time to embark on my mission for God. I need to take the many years of studying our Jewish traditions and beliefs in the bible and make sense of them,” Jesus commented with great compassion. “My Essene studies as a healer, and as a Rabbi have come to an end,” Jesus remarked.
“Go forth my son and God be with you always,” Mary cried as Jesus walked down the dusty road out of Nazareth Jesus had no idea where he was going but he knew his God would direct him on his journey. On his travels Jesus met many other Galatians who lived in Galilee all their lives. Galilee was the northern frontier of Judea in those days, and many Jews from other regions looked down on the Galatians as “lower” Jews. Jesus bid all the travelers on the road a “good day,” and then proceeded on his way. Jesus had but a few coins in his pocket that would buy him bread or wine. He knew if he stopped at the houses of his relatives, that he would always be welcome, and would fine food and shelter. He did this for over a month going from city to city, learning in the temples and seeking his future. He returned from time to time to the Essene community on Mount Carmel to speak with Simon and Joseph the healer about his travels and his developing ministry.
Finally, he heard that his cousin, John the Baptist, was baptizing at the Jordan River near Bethany. Jesus had not seen John in 15 years, and did not realize how he had changed. John was reported to be living on locusts, honey, and living a simple life. After walking almost a day, Jesus came upon the Jordan River near Bethany where he could see a large crowd of hundreds of people standing near the banks of the river. In the middle of the river a dark longhaired tall man stood. Could this be his cousin John whom he had grown up with? Jesus could not tell who the man was at the distance, so he walked further to the Jordan River edge. He heard the bearded longhaired man call out “make straight the way,” “repent and be saved of your sins,” he said. The large crowd and the spirit of those around him moved Jesus. Jesus wondered if John would recognize him after 15 years? Jesus waded into the river, and suddenly the crowd parted. Jesus was facing John straight on. John watched as the crowd parted and wondered who was coming through the crowd. Suddenly, a shorter man whom he thought he knew stood wading toward him. It was Jesus his 2nd cousin with a full beard and darker skin than he remembered. “Little Jeshua has returned,” he thought to himself.
John felt a strange feeling in his body as if he was having a spiritual experience. He asked the shorter man, “Who are you? “Do you not recognize me prophet, “ Jesus responded? “Can it be, are you my cousin Jesus, “little Yeshua,” John replied. “Yes, I am he,” Jesus responded. You have grown a beard since last I saw you cousin. “Yes, we both have beards now,” Jesus replied. John was certainly surprised to see his second cousin, Jesus before him requesting that he be baptized. “Where had all the years gone?” John thought to himself. The last time John had seen Jesus was at Joseph, Jesus’ father’s funeral almost 15 years ago. Jesus was already involved with the Mount Carmel Essene community and John just about to enter the Essene community at Quran near the Dead Sea. Many years had passed since, and they no longer met at the festival of the Passover in Jerusalem. Both of John’s parents had passed away, and Jesus and John had grown apart in their spiritual and religious life by being involved in different Essene training.
John looked at this man Jesus, and he began to understand that Jesus might be the one who was to come. “Could his cousin be the light unto Israel? John thought. “Jesus you should be baptizing me not I you,” John said. “John it is ordained that you baptize me in order for my ministry to begin,” Jesus responded. “But I am not good enough to even tie your shoe laces or buckles,” John responded. “Be that as it may, I beg you to baptize me and let the prophecy come true,” Jesus pleaded with John. “Then let be so, John said, and he took Jesus and baptized him in the Jordan River. The sun broke out of the clouds overhead and something strange happened that moment. All of the people standing around the Jordan River heard John Proclaim that Jesus was the light.
Chapter 12- John Questions who Jesus really was?
Bible: Book of Luke: 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy [b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed are anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’[C] 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, [d] and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
John declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God, and several followers of John followed Jesus to understand what Jesus was all about. Before John the Baptist baptized Jesus, no one knew who Jesus was. Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist was like having a “coming our party or event.” Jesus made himself known to the world by being baptized by John the Baptist. John being a humble man did not want to baptize Jesus, but Jesus insisted and so it was. Jesus used this event as the event that marked the beginning of his mission. The followers of John the Baptist were in the thousands coming from all parts of Judea and elsewhere. By identifying with John the Baptist and agreeing by Baptism to become a follower of John the Baptist, Jesus reveals that he believes in Baptism and the remission of sin which was an important Essene belief.
As fate would have it John the Baptist did not know when to stop verbally attacking Herod and he ended up being arrested. John the Baptist’s arrest set back his mission and perhaps the training of Jesus as to John’s philosophical view of sin and repentance. The followers of John thought that perhaps Jesus would get John out of jail, but that did not happen. John who praised Jesus when he was baptized, was a little shocked to see that Jesus had begun his own ministry and was known to be going around Galilee healing the sick and baptizing many people like John did for the repentance of sin. Actually Jesus first disciples were doing all the baptizing while Jesus tended to heal the sick, and small miracles. John proclaimed that he was not the Messiah but that he was the one who would point the way for one greater than himself.
With John in Jail, his following were without a leader. Many turned to Jesus to follow and others question what Jesus’ message was all about. Even John was confused while in jail. For a moment John became a doubter and sent his followers to ask Jesus if he was the ONE or should they wait for another. Jesus felt this was a foolish request and sent word back that his actions spoke louder than his words. Jesus had in fact begun to heal the sick, baptize the sinners, and feed the poor. John longed for freedom to join with Jesus or continue on his ministry in baptism, but his pride and big mouth could not shut up about attacking Herod and his wife.
John thought that the Messiah would bring a military revolution over the Romans not just a religion revolution. Jesus stressed improving individuals and their faith in God. He did not care about the Romans for his ministry encompassed everyone regardless of religion or race. John and many others did not understand the concept of non-violent protesting, and passive resistance. John could not believe that his 2nd cousin, whom he grew up with, could be in fact be “the chosen one,” or “the Messiah.” Much had changed since they had both entered different Essene communities far apart from one another.
Jesus respected John and believed in most of his values for after all they were both secret Essenes. He spoke highly to all of his followers and John’s followers about John. He pointed out what a great prophet John was and what he had accomplished. The problem is Jesus did not feel it was in his power to free John and that it was God’s will that John remain in prison. By John being killed he became an early martyr and his name became well known for centuries to come. John’s martyrdom and his followers helped Jesus gain recognition more rapidly than had he try to gain a following on his own. Jesus and John became known as prophets that believed in baptism for the remission of sins. Jesus took the philosophy even further with the beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. John’s ministry was just the beginning and Jesus’ ministry was for all time to come.
Did Jesus know John the Baptist? Of course, he and John met every year at the Passover festival in Jerusalem when their families traveled to the temple to celebrate the Passover. Jesus came from a devout Jewish family, and so did John. John’s father was a Priest of the Temple, and was well trained in the Bible, and the religious practices of Judaism. As Jewish children, Jesus, and John’s world centered around their religion, and their families belief, that their sons were blessed by God to be leaders among men.
Chapter 13- The Righteous Teacher
Jesus did not know that at the age of fifteen when he began his Essene training ministry that he would become “the Righteous Leader” that the Essenes prayed would return. It would take fifteen years into his ministry for him to realize that he was the anointed one or “the Righteous Leader,” that the Essenes had been praying for over a hundred years. Simon’s, the Essene Leader’s encouragement had a lot to do with Jesus’ self-realization that he was in fact the holy one the Essenes have prayed for so many years. His continued support of Jesus when he felt unworthy, and he helped to feed the flame inside Jesus to meet his destiny. Jesus was after all only human, and sometimes he had his doubts about preaching to the masses.
Almost a hundred years before Jesus, an Essene Righteous Leader arose, and took a stand against the governing bodies, and was killed for that action. All the Essenes communities prayed for the return or resurrection of “The Righteous Teacher,” until the day Jesus became an Essene himself. Then, God’s plan revealed itself with the death of John the Baptist, the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. The realization that this would be no easy task for anyone, least of all an Essene was given great consideration by the Essene Leaders of the Mount Carmel community. The Essenes chose to stay and hide in their communities. However, Simon, Joseph and Ezra the Essene teachers realized the Jesus was especially gifted and that at Jesus’ birth an Angel foretold of the potential greatness of Jesus in years to come.
Simon the Essene of Mount Carmel realized that his protégé,’ Jesus of Nazareth, might have the power to go out in the world of Galilee, and Judea, preaching among the Jews about the coming of the Messiah, baptism for the remission of sins, and the many other good virtues of the Essenes ideology. Jesus must, however, always remain the Secret Essene Leader or the Jewish people of the time would hold it against him.
It is interesting to note how Jesus exemplified the personification of a great Essene leader. He devoted half of his life to study in the Mount Carmel Essene community, and he emerged as one of the leaders of the community after Simon, and Joseph. There were four religious groups in Judaism in Jesus’ days, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes and the Zealots. Jesus had two Zealots in his twelve disciples; James and Judas were both Zealots. Zealots wanted a military victory over the Romans and often fought and rebelled against the Romans on many occasions. Jesus was not a Zealot, but a peaceful Essene.
The Sadducees studied the laws and readings in seeking a good life, but they were often found to be corrupt. The Pharisees also saw to the ceremonies in the temple, and studied the Bible and Torah. Paul of Tarsus was a Pharisee, after the dead of Christ, he helped to stone to death the first martyr, Stephen outside the walls of the city. Jesus focused many of his stories about the Sadducees, and the Pharisees, but never toward the Zealots or the Essenes. This was one clue that he was trained by the Essenes, and not self-taught, or taught by a traditional rabbi. A traditional Jewish approach would have been “an eye for an eye.”
The bible never gives any credit for the expressions and parables of Jesus from the Essenes. The reason for this is Jesus never tells any of his disciples where he first heard these stories in the Essene community. Jesus tried to make the stories plain and simple, known as parables, but at the same time having a double meaning that was not easy to interpret by Jesus’ enemies.
Almost all of what Jesus said came from the rules and laws of the Essenes. One has only to hold up the Essene rules side by side with what Jesus preached and it would be more than obvious that the root of the parables and teachings came from the Essene rules. Jesus took some liberties with the Sabbath rule and the eating of animal flesh that the Essenes would never have done. Perhaps he did these things to distinguish his Essene training and disguise the similarities to his rules of life and the Essene rules of life? Where the Essenes preferred to remain separate from the people, Jesus was open to the people. It was Simon and Joseph the Healer, Jesus’ teachers, whom decided to break with the Essene tradition and send their beloved pupil out into the world to see if Jesus could establish a following and bring about the coming of the Messiah. Early on even Simon, and Joseph the healer did not realize that Jesus would grow in spirit, and eventually take on the yoke of the Messiah, and sacrifice himself for mankind.
The Essenes were great stewards of writing comments about the Prophets and what they did. Jesus on the other hand never wrote anything down about his ideas and philosophy of life. This is strange since he trained as a Healer and as a Rabbi. Jesus had learned to read Hebrew and Aramaic, but because he chose to become a healer and not a scribe, he never learned to write in Hebrew or Aramaic.
Few people were aware that Jesus was very well trained in the bible, and the laws of Judaism from the Essenes. He could not have learned all this information from his mother or by self-study. John, his second cousin chose the more extreme Essene approach when he entered the monastic community of the Qumran by the Dead Sea. Both men had to give up their worldly goods and possessions, and give everything to the Essene community. John was very ascetic in his approach to Judaism by looking like Elijah, and using Elijah’s expressions about the coming of the Lord and the need to appeal for forgiveness of sins. All of those ideas are written in the Dead Sea scrolls and are cornerstones to their view on life. Jesus on the other hand was more liberal than John because he received his training from the Essenes from Northern Galilee on Mount Carmel. The Mount Carmel Essene community was not monastic in it’s way of life and was more liberal in it’s rules to allow Jews living and working in Nazareth to come and worship as often as they could. They did not require that their members live in tents on Mount Carmel or remove themselves from society.
Jesus had heard from his mother that he was a blessed individual by an Angel of God. His purpose in life was to live up to the forecast of his becoming a leader among men. Expressions like “the son of Man,” soon became “the son of God,” with Jesus later in his ministry. Perhaps Jesus original plan was to start his ministry slowly, and then branch out from there? This was not to be once John was imprisoned, and eventually beheaded. The followers of John the Baptist turned to Jesus for leadership. The thousands of John the Baptist followers were thrust upon Jesus, and he had to step up much earlier than he had planned. Jesus was developing his confidence in his message. He sought help with his teachers Simon and Joseph the healer. They encouraged him to go forth and bring to the world the ideals of the Essene community without actually admitting he was an Essene or that he got his ideas from the Essene community. This is why in many ways Jesus ministry was very different than the ministry of John the Baptist in his more liberal northern Essene ministry.
Jesus was not foolish enough to try and interfere with the Romans like John had done. He kept his mission quiet at first telling his followers not to mention the miracles and healings. He remembered what Simon had told him, “keep your Essene message secret, and do not attack the authorities of the land.” Jesus had to pick up the job that John the Baptist had done, after a decade of experience in the wilderness near the Jordan River. Jesus was in many ways a reluctant preacher that had the followers of John the Baptist thrust upon him when Herod beheaded John.
Jesus needed followers and a close group of personal supporters that could train and develop into disciples to baptize the thousand of followers of John and new followers everyday. He needed disciples to protect him from the crowds and to arrange their journeys. He did as Simon his Essene teacher suggested; he sought out common people to help him with his mission. He shied away from the rich because of his Essene beliefs. Salvation was for the poor in spirit, and the needy, not the rich. As Jesus would later state in his sermon on the mount, “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The Essenes thought that wealth was a path to sin, and that living in poverty was the true way to God. None of Jesus’ disciples were rich, and only a few could read or write. Mathew the Tax collector was capable of reading and writing. Jesus led the life of an ascetic Essene and even ate little meat, and tried to remain mostly vegetarian.
Chapter 14- The Sermon on the Mount Editor’ note: From the Dead Sea Scrolls The Demons Of Death (Beatitudes – 4Q525) (Plate 12) Translated by Robert Eisenman and Michael Wise 1992.
Column 2 (1) [Blessed is he who walks] with a pure heart and who doesn’t slander with his Tongue. Blessed are they who hold fast to her Laws and do not hold (2) to the ways of Evil. Bless[ed] are they who rejoice in her and do not overflow with the ways of folly. Blessed are they who ask for her (3) with clean hands and do not seek her with a deceitful [heart]. Blessed is the man who grasps hold of Wisdom and walks (4) in the Torah of the Most High and directs his heart to her Ways and restrains himself with her disciplines and always accepts her chastisements. (5) And doesn’t cast her off in the misery of [his] affliction[s] nor forsake her in a time of trouble, nor forget her in [days of terror, (6) and in the Meekness of his soul, doesn’t despise her, but rather always meditates on her, and when in affliction, occupies himself [with God’s Torah; who al] 1 (7) his life [meditates] on her [and places her continually] before his eyes so he will not walk in the ways of [Evil]… (8) In unity and his heart is Perfect. God… (9) And wisdom will lift up his head] and seat among kings…. (10) They [shall look upon… brothers will be fruitful]… (12) Now, my sons, War my voice and do] not turn aside [from the words of my mouth…. “A portion of the Demons of Death Beatitudes by Essenes at Qumran Community Dead Sea.”
After John the Baptist had baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, Jesus went off into the desert to meditate. Actually that is what the author of the Gospel of Luke would have you believe. Jesus actually traveled back to Mount Carmel to seek out his teachers Simon, Joseph the healer, as to what he should do next. The bible says Jesus faced the Devil for 40 days and 40 nights. 40 days and 40 nights was the magical biblical phrase for an unspecified amount of time that no one really new to be true. Jesus spent several months back in the Mount Carmel Essene community developing his ministry and continuing his training as an Essene healer.
Jesus’ realized that by being Baptized by John the Baptist, he had accepted John’s teaching. John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth were from two different disciplines of the Essene society. John was from the Qumran Essene community that was a monastic community where scrolls were made from animal hides for the thousands of scrolls they had. Jesus on the other hand had a different training background with the northern Galilean Mount Carmel Essenes who did not live in a monastic community. The Mount Carmel Essenes were more liberal than the Qumran Essenes. The Mount Carmel Essenes did not have a tanning factory to make hides into scrolls. Nothing permanent could be erected on Mount Carmel because it was Holy ground. The Mount Carmel Essenes had professions in nearby Nazareth and worshipped on the Sabbath and other Holy days at Mount Carmel. Jesus being a healer and a rabbi by Essene training had a different philosophy than John the Baptist who was an acknowledged Prophet after the image of Elijah the famous Prophet.
Jesus came in plain clothes and plain dress and John the Baptist dressed like a wild man living in the desert with a coat of camel hair, a leather belt and a diet of wild honey and locusts. They were similar in being secret Essene leaders but different in how they approached life. John the Baptist was more of an extremist modeling after Elijah.
The time was at hand for Jesus to embark on his mission. Jesus was in his heart afraid. Here he was a secret Essene leader, not in a closed community, but in the real world where the enemies of the Essenes were everywhere. In shame for his loss of personal strength, and commitment, Jesus fled back to the safety of the Mount Carmel Essene community. He had not yet assembled his twelve disciples as Simon suggested he do. He was alone in the world, a feeling he would experience many times during his ministry.
“Master, when I was baptized by John, I had a strange vision. I saw the skies open and a dove fly overhead and the voices of Angels Singing, ‘this is my beloved son,” Jesus remarked. “I was frightened and at the same time enlightened,” Jesus shared with Simon and Joseph the healer” Joseph whispered. “Fear not Jesus for you have something none of us Essenes have and that is you are destined by God to lead the people of Israel.”. “We have broken our laws, and sent you out to see if you are the ‘Righteous Leader,’ chosen by God,” Simon said. “Righteous Leader, are you crazy, I am but a man,” Jesus said. “No you are the ‘Son of Man,” (mankind),” Simon went on to say. “Brother Jesus we will pray with you and give you strength to out and spread the Good News of the coming of the Messiah,” Ezra said. You will bring the Lord’s Prayer to the people, you will bring the rules of the Essenes to the people and you will make it your own,” Simon repeated with much enthusiasm. Come let us pray and plan your ministry in the real world,” Joseph the healer commented. “Jesus I have given you all the knowledge and drugs for healing that I know over the past ten years. Take this small bag of herbs, seeds, salts, and medicines with you in your journey as a secret essene healer and righteous teacher, “ Joseph went on to say.
After being baptized Jesus finally realized the God had given him a sign that his destiny was to be fulfilled as the Angel of God had predicted to his mother Mary. Jesus went and sat on a rock in the shade and watched as John baptized hundreds of people that day never showing fatigue or doubt. His message was like Elijah, for he was a “prophet crying in the wilderness.”
Jesus felt the spirit of God within him more than he had ever felt before in his life. He decided to go into the wilderness and fast, and wait for God to reveal his plan to him. He knew that he must be renewed and ready to receive God’s word. He withdrew into the desert far from the crowds at the Jordan River. It was time for Jesus to begin his ministry and to bring God’s word of salvation to the people of Judea. Finally, he felt that his mission was at hand and that he had received the Word of God and like the prophets of old he would spread the good word of God.
“Teacher, I have both doubts and I have had a vision while being baptized,” Jesus confided in Simon. “You must go the way of “the Righteous Teacher,” Simon said. “You must have faith in the Lord to show you the way. Remember all that you learned in our community and share it with the world. Do not try to disturb the authorities, both rather be subtle in your message. Most of all you must believe in yourself,” Simon pointed out. “But, I worry that I am not worthy Simon,” Jesus pleaded. “You path is not an easy road to take but it is written that you will fulfill the scriptures,” Simon said. “Come we will pray together and after a few days you will go and select some common men to support you and travel with you,” Simon said. “Yes, Master, I understand and my soul is willing, but my heart seems weak. Am I worthy Simon?” Jesus asked.
So Jesus, Simon and Joseph the healer spend most of the evening praying and seeking courage for Jesus to being his ministry. “Remember above all to keep the secrets of our community to yourself,” Simon warned. “Most of all never reveal you are of the Essene community for there are many Seduces and Pharisees that hate the Essene society and fear that we have more knowledge and power than they do,” Simon stated.
Jesus knew he needed to gain a following as did John the Baptist. He also realized the rich Jews would not make a good following. He had to reach out to the poor, and the downtrodden Jews of Israel to hear his new message of salvation. All of Jesus’ life he had been reading the bible, and the Torah and training as an essene healer. He had been learning of what the prophets of old did, and what they predicted would happen in the future. Isaiah was his favorite prophet, and much of what he predicted Jesus would endeavor to make come true. It was a beginning for Jesus. It was the moment of truth that he was free to preach, and to deal with death, disease, poverty, the Romans, taxes, and depression from years of captivity.
“Jesus you must introduce the Lord’s prayer in a shortened form,” Joseph said. “The average Jew does not worship Mother Earth as do the Essenes.
The Essene Lords Prayer from the Dead Sea Scrolls
“And pray every day to your Heavenly Father and Earthly Mother, that your soul becomes as perfect as your Heavenly Father’s holy spirit is perfect, and that your body becomes as perfect as the body of your Earthly Mother is perfect. For if you understand, feel, and do the commandments, then all for which you pray to your Heavenly Father and your Earthly Mother will be given you. For the wisdom, the love, and the power of God are above all. ”After this manner, therefore, pray to your Heavenly Father: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.’ ”And after this manner pray to your Earthly Mother: ‘Our Mother which art upon earth, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, and thy will be done in us, as it is in thee. As thou sendest every day thy angels, send them to us also. Forgive us our sins, as we atone all our sins against thee. And lead us not into sickness, but deliver us from all evil, for thine is the earth, the body, and the health. Amen.'”
“Let us begin with Our Father, who art in heaven. This way the prayer will be easier for the masses to memorize,” Simon said. Jesus and Joseph agreed that Simon was making a good point. “If I gather together the followers of John the Baptist, and others what shall I tell them,” Jesus asked? “You will use your own words, and repeat many of the Rules of the Essenes,” Simon went on to say. “Consider the many blessings we bestow three times a day in our prayers,” Simon explained. “Yes the blessed poor, the mourners, the meek, the hungry, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted for the sake of righteousness, those who insult others,” Jesus commented. “Simon can you write that down for me?” Jesus asked. “Surely brother Jesus,” Simon responded. Jesus had never learned how to write because he skipped the Essene Scribe training for the Healing Ministry with Joseph the Healer.
“What else is important?” Jesus inquired. “I will speak in parables such as the story of the salt of the earth and the light of the world,” Jesus said. “Perhaps for the sake of the Pharisees and the Sadducees you should mention that your message had nothing to do with changing or abolishing the law,” Simon said. “I will write that down for you,” Simon said. “Many Jews do not obey the ten commandments,” Jesus commented. “Then mention the ten commandments such as thou shall not kill,” Simon went on to say. “Thou shall not commit adultery should also be mentioned,” Jesus said. “Write that down Simon, please,” Jesus said. “Do not take false oath, rather do not swear at all,” Jesus continued to explain. “Whenever someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well,” Jesus expressed this important Essene ideal. “Getting them to love their enemy is a profound thought I should dwell on for they are all expecting a military overthrow of the Romans,” Jesus observed. “What about those the falsely give alms, the hypocrites?“ Simon pointed out. “I will introduce the Lord’s prayer as we discussed, but in a shorter form than the Essene Lord’s prayer as you suggested Simon,” Jesus commented. “How about storing up treasures on earth where moth and decay and thieves break in and steal, but store up treasures in heaven where neither moth or decay destroys nor thieves break in and steal,” Jesus said with great enthusiasm
“I am tired now let us continue tomorrow and discuss what are the ideals mankind should adopt,” Jesus said. “So be it brother Jesus,” Simon said. “I will finish writing our thoughts for you to memorize tonight.”
So the next day Joseph the healer joined Jesus and Simon, and they all listed many Essene sayings such as : “the birds in the sky parable, do not worry about tomorrow, judge that ye be not judged, splinter in your eye parable, seek and ye shall find, the narrow gate parable, and the wise man house on rock and not sand parable. After a whole day of deliberation the three men sat back and drank some fruit wine and pondered their strategy for Jesus. “Tomorrow Jesus you will begin to practice this sermon and how you will tell the stories and ideals for good men to follow, Joseph commented. Simon and Joseph agreed and they all went their own way until the next day.
It was the third day after morning prayer that the three men met and discussed what Jesus would say to begin his ministry. They wanted to make sure he included, as many good Rules of Essene living as possible that would apply to the masses. And so it came to pass that Jesus developed what would become known as the Sermon on the Mount. The Blessed portion would become known centuries later as the Beatitudes. Jesus began to feel more confident with his mentors helping him for he knew they would always be there to support him whenever he stumbled. God had truly blessed Jesus the secret Essene Leader.
So they went to the big tent where the services are held on the Sabbath and prayed together. They prayed for Jesus to have strength to carry out his ministry to the Jews of Galilee and Judea. They repeated the Lords prayer and decided to remove the part of the prayer relating to Mother earth so the prayer would apply to everyone. Jesus agreed with their strategy and now he was feeling stronger now that they had a plan. He was to gather the followers of John and others on a field or a mountain where everyone could see him and he was to lay out the philosophy of becoming a good person in the sight of God. He was to tell of the blessed ones, turning a cheek from one’s enemy, living a righteousness life, following the Ten Commandments and many more wise rules of life for an Essene or any Jew for that matter. They practiced together for weeks because Jesus had never learned how to write. He could only read and memorize text, so they questioned him daily on how to properly answer questions by Pharisees and Sadducees who would try and trick him. He was not to preach against Romans or they would arrest him like they did John and he could be murdered to keep him quiet and not start a rebellion.
It was at that time that Jesus together with his teachers Joseph, and Simon that they would assemble all the beliefs that Jesus would relate on the Sermon on the Mount from memory, for Jesus could not write. He could not take along notes. His speech had to come from his heart and his amazing memory.
An Angel came to Jesus in his sleep one night and said, “It is time to go forth and spread the Good News my son. Take what you have learned from your Essene brothers of the Light and spread the message to Jews in Galilee and Judea. Do not be afraid for I will be with you always and help you to speak well.” Jesus awoke in a chilled sweat after the vision. The next day he told Simon and Joseph the healer that he was ready to embark on his mission, and that the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a vision and instructed him to go forth and teach the multitudes in Galilee and Judea.
Chapter 15- The beginning and the end
And so the story of the Crucification of Jesus of Nazareth played out with a cast of many characters. Nickademus, who had met Jesus when he was a young man training to become an Essene Healer, was himself a secret Essene sympathizer, and secret Leader of the Mount Carmel Essenes. Jesus did not remember Nickademus, when he came to Jesus in the night to ask how he might achieve salvation. It was Nickademus who told the other priests including Califus that Jesus had done nothing wrong at Jesus trial in the middle of the night. Later after Jesus was crucified, Nickademus, and Joseph of Arimather (the same Joseph the Essene healer that Jesus trained under for ten years) would take down his body and put it in a tomb.
Joseph of Arimathea was really Joseph the Essene. He was a wealthy businessman from Nazareth, and also a secret Essene. Joseph never revealed this secret to Jesus because he wanted to think he was a normal man and an Essene healer and nothing more. Joseph had told Pilate that he was from Arimathea, when in fact he was really from Nazareth, and a secret Essene Healer and Leader. Joseph asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and Pilate granted his wish. Together with Nicodemus, Joseph the secret Essene had Jesus placed in his personal tomb. Joseph the wealthy Essene and healer proved Jesus wrong in the end that rich men could go through the eye of a needle as easily as a camel could go through the eye of a needle. It was faith to the end that made the difference for Joseph the Essene. He was there for Jesus, even unto Jesus’ death.
Joseph the Essene was the Healing mentor to Jesus for many years in the Essene community at Mount Carmel. He kept it a secret that he was a wealthy merchant to everyone including Jesus.
When Jesus was forced to carry his cross he stumbled, and fell, and a nearby man called Simon the Cyrene in the Bible was forced to help Jesus carry the heavy cross. This was actually Simon the Essene leader, who recruited Jesus when he was a young boy to join the Essenes at Mount Carmel. Simon who had trained Jesus as an Essene for fifteen years and who had encouraged Jesus to go and become the “Righteous Teacher” for all mankind.
Simon lied to the Romans and told them he was a Cyrene. Simon whispered to Jesus, “be strong, Righteous Leader Jesus, for God is with you and the whole Essene nation prays for you this day.” Jesus looked at Simon, and just nodded since he was in great pain from the whipping. Simon the secret Essene was overcome with grief as he dragged Jesus’ cross to Golgothia where the Romans would crucify Jesus. So in the end Simon became part of the death and resurrection prophesy that Essenes had prayed for the “Teacher of Rightness.” Jesus became the “teacher of righteousness and the Messiah” for the Essenes and for the world.
So it came to pass that none of the authors of the Gospels never knew Jesus was a secret Essene Rabbi and Healer, nor they did not want to give the Essenes credit for preparing Jesus for his mission. Many years after Jesus’ death in Jerusalem, James the brother of Jesus had become an Essene when he was much younger. He became the leader of the twelve disciples of Jesus that hid from the Romans in Jerusalem. When the Romans killed James there was a revolt of the Jews that the Romans quickly put down. Even the brother of Jesus had become an Essene and a martyr.
The military victory for the Jews and their Messiah never came, but the followers of Jesus Christ, the followers of “The Way,” who eventually became what was called “Christians,” succeeded after 300 years of torture, and ridicule by the Romans and the Jews to become the recognized religion of Rome. Christianity did in fact outlive the Roman Empire and became the official Religion of Rome, thanks to Emperor Constantine. John the Baptist was immortalized as the one who lead the way for the Messiah Jesus. Jesus used his Essene rules to try and change the establishment “in the days of darkness.” The leaders of the secret Essene community of Mount Carmel with Joseph the Healer (Joseph of Arimathia) and Simon of Cyrene grieved for their “Messiah and Righteous Leader. “ They got what they prayed for in Jesus’ resurrection and the fulfillment of the Essene prophesy, but they did not see the overthrow of the Roman rule.
Thanks to the Dead Sea scrolls we are able to see how significant the Qumran Essene community, and other Essene communities such as the Mount Carmel Essenes, and the thousands of secret Essenes had lived in all Galilee and Judean communities in the first century A.D.
Perhaps in the next hundred years some scrolls buried in a cave on Mount Carmel will come to light and have scrolls telling of the wonderful “Righteous Leader, Jesus the Essene from Nazareth, and his cousin John the Baptist the Essene prophet from the Qumran community by the Dead Sea. As more and more of the Dead Sea scrolls come to shed more light of the Messiah Jesus the Essene healer and leader the role of the Essenes in training Jesus will be revealed. Jesus’ ministry will prove that what is said in the New Testament is close to the truth of what really happened.
Appendix
The Gospels of the Essenes
Essene Book of Revelations Translated by E. B. Szekely
Behold, the Angel of the Air shall bring him, And every eye shall see him, And the brotherhood, All the vast brotherhood of the Earth Shall raise their voice as one and sing, Because of him. Amen.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End; What is, what was, and what is to come?”
And the voice spoke, and I turned to see The voice that spoke to me, And being turned, I saw seven golden candles; And in the midst of their blazing light I saw someone like a son of man, Clothed in white, white as the snow. And his voice filled the air with the sound of rushing water; And in his hands were seven stars, And when he spoke, his face was streaming light, Blazing and golden like a thousand suns. And he said, “Fear not, I am the first and the last; I am the beginning and the end. Write the things that you have seen, And the things that are, and the things that will come after; The mystery of the seven stars which fill my hands, And the seven golden candles, blazing with eternal light. The seven stars are the Angels of the Heavenly Father, And the seven stars are the Angels of the Earthly Mother. And the spirit of man is the flame That streams between the starlight and the glowing candle; A bridge of holy light between Heaven and Earth.”
These things said he who held the seven stars in his hands, Who walked within the flames of the seven golden candles? He that has an ear, let him hear what the spirit said: “To him that overcomes I will allow to eat from the tree of life, That stands in the midst of the shining paradise of God.”
And then I looked, and behold, A door was opened in heaven: And a voice which sounded from all sides, like a trumpet, Spoke to me: “Come up here, And I will show you the things which must be hereafter.”
And immediately I was there, in spirit, At the threshold of the open door. And I entered through the open door Into a sea of blazing light. And in the midst of the blinding ocean of radiance was a throne: And on the throne sat one whose face was hidden. And there was a rainbow around about the throne, Which looked like emerald. And round about the throne were thirteen seats: And upon the seats I saw thirteen elders sitting, Clothed in white raiment; And there faces were hidden by swirling clouds of light. And seven lamps of fire burned before the throne, The fire of the Earthly Mother. And seven stars of heaven shone before the throne, The fire of the Heavenly Father. And before the throne There was a sea of glass like crystal: And reflected within it Were all the mountains and valleys of the Earth, And all the creatures abiding therein. And the thirteen elders bowed down before the splendor of him Who sat upon the throne, whose face was hidden, And rivers of light streamed from their hands, one to the other, And they cried, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Which was, and is, and is to come. Thou art worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power: For thou hast created all things.” And then I saw in the right hand Of him that sat on the throne, A book written within and on the back, Sealed with seven seals. And I wept, because the book could not be opened, Nor was I able to read what there was written. And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep not. Reach out your hand and take the book.’ And I reached out my hand and touched the book. And behold, the cover lifted, And my hands touched the golden pages, And my eyes beheld the mystery of the seven seals.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels Round about the throne, And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, And thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “All glory, and wisdom, and strength, And power forever and ever, To him who shall reveal the Mystery of Mysteries.” And I saw the swirling clouds of golden light Stretching like a fiery bridge between my hands, And the hands of the thirteen elders, And the feet of him who sat on the throne, Whose face was hidden?
And I opened the first seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of the Air, And between her lips flowed the breath of life, And she knelt over the earth And gave to man the winds of wisdom, And man breathed in. And when he breathed out, the sky darkened, And the sweet air became fetid, And clouds of evil smoke hung low over all the earth. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the second seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of the Water. And between her lips flowed the water of life, And she knelt over the Earth And gave to man an ocean of love. And man entered the clear and shining waters. And when he touched the water, the clear streams darkened, And the crystal waters became thick with slime, And the fish lay gasping in the foul blackness, And all the creatures died of thirst. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the third seal. And I saw and beheld the Angel of the Sun. And between her lips flowed the light of life, And she knelt over the earth And gave to man the Fires of Power. And the strength of the Sun entered the heart of man, And he took the power, and made with it a false sun, And he spread the fires of destruction, Burning the forests, Laying waste the green valleys, Leaving only charred bones of his brothers. And I turned away in shame.
And I opened the fourth seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of Joy. And between her lips flowed the music of life, And she knelt over the Earth And gave to man the song of peace. And peace and joy like music Flowed through the soul of man. But he heard only the harsh discord of sadness and discontent, And he lifted up his sword And cut off the heads of the singers. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the fifth seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of Life. And between her lips Flowed the holy alliance between God and Man, And she knelt over the Earth And gave to man the gift of Creation. And man created a sickle of iron in the shape of a serpent, And the harvest he reaped was of hunger and death. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the sixth seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of the Earth. And between her lips flowed the river of eternal life, And she knelt over the Earth And gave to man the secret of eternity, And told him to open his eyes And behold the mysterious Tree of Life in the Endless Sea. But man lifted up his hand and put out his own eyes, And said there is no eternity. And I turned my face away in shame.
And I opened the seventh seal. And I saw, and beheld the Angel of the Earthly Mother. And she brought with her a message of blazing light From the throne of the Heavenly Father. And this message was for the ears of Man alone, He who walks between the Earth and Heaven, And into the ear of man was whispered the message. And he did not hear. But I did not turn away my face in shame. Lo, I reached out my hand to the wings of the angel, And turned my voice to heaven saying, “Tell me the message. For I would eat of the fruit Of the Tree of Life that grows in the Sea of Eternity.”
And the angel looked upon me with great sadness, And there was silence in Heaven.
And then I heard a voice, Which was like the voice that sounded like a trumpet, Saying, “O Man, would you look upon the evil you have done When you turned your face away from the throne of God? When you did not make use of the gifts Of the seven Angels of the Earthly Mother, And the seven angels of the Heavenly Father?”
And a terrible pain seized me As I felt within me the souls of all those Who had blinded themselves, So as to see only their own desires of the flesh. And I saw the seven angels who stood before God; And to them were given seven trumpets And another angel came and stood at the alter, Having a golden censer; And there was given to him much incense, That he should offer it with the prayers of all the angels Upon the golden alter that was before the throne.
And the smoke of the incense ascended up before God Out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, And filled it with fire of the alter, And cast it onto the Earth, And there were voices and thundering’s, And lightning, and earthquakes. And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets Prepared themselves to sound.
The first angel sounded, And there followed hail and fire mixed with blood, And they were cast upon the Earth. And the green forests and trees were burnt up, And all the green grass shriveled to cinders.
The second angel sounded, And a great mountain burning with fire Was cast into the sea And blood rose from the earth as a vapor.
And the fourth angel sounded, And there was a great earthquake; And the sun became as black as sackcloth of hair, And the moon became as blood.
And the fifth angel sounded And the stars of heaven fell onto the earth Like figs from fig tree Shaken by a mighty wind.
And the sixth angel sounded And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together. And over the whole earth there was not one tree, Nor one flower, nor one blade of grass. And I stood on the earth, And my feet sank into the soil, Soft and thick with blood, Stretching as far as the eye could see. And all over the earth was silence.
And the seventh angel sounded. And I saw a mighty being come down from Heaven, Clothed with a cloud; And a rainbow on his head, And his face was as is it were the Sun, And his feet were pillars of fire. And he had in his hand a book open: And he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And he cried with aloud voice, which was wondrous to hear: ‘O Man, would you have this vision come to pass?’ And I answered, ‘You know I would do anything So that these terrible things might not come to pass.’
And he spoke: “Man has created these powers of destruction. He has made them from his own mind. He has turned his face away From the angels of the Heavenly Father and the Earthly Mother, And he has fashioned his own destruction.”
And I spoke: “Then is there no hope, bright angel?” And a blazing light streamed like a river from his hands As he answered, “There is always hope, O thou for whom Heaven and Earth were created.”
And then the angel, He who stood upon the sea and upon the earth, Lifted up his hand to heaven, And swore by him who lives for ever and ever, Who created heaven and the things that therein are, And the Earth, and the things that therein are, And the sea, and the things that are therein, That there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, When he shall begin to sound, The mystery of God should be revealed to those Who have eaten from the Tree of Life Which stands forever in the Eternal Sea.
And the voice spoke again saying: “Go take the book that is in the hand of the angel, Who stands upon the sea and upon the earth.”? And I went to the angel, and said to him, “Give me the book, For I would eat from the Tree of Life Which stands in the middle of the Eternal Sea.” And the angel gave to me the book, And I opened the book, and I read therein What had always been, what was now, and what would come to pass.
I saw the holocaust that would engulf the Earth, And the great destruction That would drown all her people in oceans of blood. And I saw too the eternity of man And the endless forgiveness of the Almighty. The souls of men were as blank pages in the book, Always ready for a new song to be there inscribed.
And I lifted up my face To the seven Angels of the Earthly Mother And the seven Angels of the Heavenly Father, And I felt my feet touching the holy brow of the Earthly Mother, And my fingers touching the holy feet of the Heavenly Father, And I uttered a hymn of thanksgiving: “I thank thee, heavenly father, Because thou hast put me at a source of running streams, At a living spring in a land of drought, Watering an eternal garden of wonders, The Tree of Life, Mystery of mysteries, Growing everlasting branches for eternal planting, To sink their roots into the stream of life from an eternal source. And thou, Heavenly Father, Protect their fruits With the angels of day and night, And with flames of Eternal Light lighting every way.
But again the voice spoke, And again my eyes were drawn away From the splendors of the realm of light, “Heed thou, O man! You may walk on the right path And walk in the presence of the angels, You may sing of the Earthly Mother by day And of the Heavenly Father by night, And through your being course the golden stream of the Law, But would you leave your brothers To plunge through the gaping chasm of blood, As the pain-wracked Earth shudders and groans Under her chains of stone? Can you drink from the cup of eternal life While your brothers die of thirst?”
And my heart was heavy with compassion. And I looked, and lo, There appeared a great wonder in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, And upon her head a crown of seven stars. And I knew she was the source of running streams And the mother of the forests.
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, And saw a beast rise up out of the sea, And from his nostrils wafted foul and loathsome air, And where he rose from the sea, the clear waters turned to slime, And his body was covered with black and steaming stone.
And the woman clothed with the sun Reached out her arms to the beast, And the beast drew near and embraced her. And lo, her skin of pearl withered beneath his foul breath, And her back was broken by his arms of crushing rock, And with tears of blood she sank into the pool of slime.
And from the mouth of this beast there poured armies of men, Brandishing swords and fighting, one with the other. And they fought with a terrible anger, And they cut off their own limbs and clawed out their own eyes, Until they fell into the pit of slime, Screaming in agony and pain.
And I stepped to the edge of the pool and reached down my hand, And I could see the swirling maelstrom of blood, And the men therein, trapped like flies in a web. And I spoke in a loud voice, saying, “Brothers, drop your swords and take hold of my hand. Leave off this defiling and desecration Of she who has given thee birth, And he who has given thee thy inheritance. For you the days of buying and selling are over And over, too, the days of hunting and killing. For he that leadeth into captivity will go into captivity, And the sword must kill him who kills with the sword. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn Because no man buys their merchandise any more. The merchants of gold, and silver, and precious stones, And of pearls, and fine linen, and purple dyes, and silk, and scarlet, And marble, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, And chariots, and slaves, and souls of men, All these things you cannot buy and sell, For all is buried in a sea of blood Because you have turned your back on your father and mother, And worshipped the beast who would build a paradise of stone. Drop thy swords, my brothers, and take hold of my hand!”
And as our fingers clasped, I saw in the distance a great city, White and shining on the far horizon, glowing alabaster, And there were voices and thunders, and lightning’s, And there was a great earthquake, Such as was not since men were on the Earth, So mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, And the cities of the nations fell. And the great city came in remembrance before God To give unto her the cup of the wine Of the fierceness of his wrath,
And every island fled away, And the mountains were not found, And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, Every stone about the weight of a talent. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, And threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus, with violence shall the great city be thrown down, And shall be found no more at all.’
And the voice of harpists, and musicians, and of pipers, And of singers, and trumpeters, Shall be heard no more in thee; And no craftsmen, of whatever craft he be, Shall be found anymore in thee; And the sound of the millstone shall be heard no more in thee. And the light of the candle will shine no more in thee And the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride Shall be heard no more in thee For your merchants were great men of the Earth; By there sorceries all nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, And all those who were slain upon Earth.
And my brothers laid hold of my hand, And they struggled out of the pool of slime And stood bewildered on the sea of sand, And the skies opened and washed their naked bodies with rain. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, And as the voice of great thunder: And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps, And they sang a new song before the throne.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of Heaven, Having the songs of day and night And the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the Earth, Unto them that have climbed from the pit of slime, And stand naked and washed by rain before the throne. And the angel cried out, “Fear God, and give glory to him; For the hour of his judgment has come: And worship him that made Heaven and Earth, And the sea, and the fountains of waters.”
And I saw Heaven open, and beheld a white horse; And he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, And in righteousness he does judge. His eyes were like a flame of fire, And on his head were many crowns, And he was cloaked in blazing light And his feet were bare. And his name is called the Word of God. And the holy brotherhood followed him upon white horses, Clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And they entered the eternal Infinite Garden, In whose midst stood the Tree of Life?
And the rain washed naked throngs came before them, Trembling to receive their judgment. For their sins were many, and they had defiled the Earth, Yea, they had destroyed the creatures of the land and sea, Poisoned the ground, fouled the air, And buried alive the mother who had given them birth.
But, I saw not what befell them, for my vision changed, And I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth; For the first Heaven and the first Earth had passed away; And there was no more sea. And I saw the holy city of the brotherhood Coming down from God out of Heaven, Prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying: “Lo, the mountain of the Lord’s house Is established in the top of the mountains And is exalted above the hills; And all people shall flow to it. Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of God; And he will teach us of his ways, And we will walk in his paths: For out of the Holy Brotherhood shall go forth the Law. Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, And he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, And God himself will be with them, and be their God.’ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; And there shall be no more death, Neither sorrow, nor crying, Neither shall there be any more pain: For the former things have all passed away. Those who made war shall beat their swords into ploughshares, And their spears into pruning hooks: Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore: For the former things have passed away.
And he spoke again: “Behold I make all things new. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to him that thirsts at the Fountain of the Water of Life freely. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, And I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and the unbelieving, And the abominable, and murderers, and all liars, Shall dig their own pit which burns with fire and brimstone.”
And again my vision changed, And I heard the voices of the holy brotherhood raised in song, Saying, “Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Law.” And I saw the Holy City, And the brothers were streaming to it. And the city had no need of the sun, Neither of the moon to shine on it: For the glory of God did lighten it.
And I saw the pure river of the Water of Life, Clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God. And in the middle of the river stood the Tree of Life, Which bore fourteen kinds of fruits, And yielded her fruit to those who would eat of it, And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no night there; And they need no candle, neither light of the sun, For the Lord gives them light: And they shall reign forever and ever.
I have reached the inner vision And through thy spirit in me I have heard thy wondrous secret. Through thy mystic insight Thou hast caused a spring of knowledge To well up within me, A fountain of power pouring forth living waters; A flood of love and all embracing wisdom Like the splendor of eternal light.
The Essene The Gospel of the Holy Twelve Also known as The Gospel of the Perfect Life TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL ARAMAIC AND EDITED BY THE REV. GIDEON JASPER RICHARD OUSELEY “Blessed are they who read, Hear and do. Old things pass away. Then comes the new, Out of the darkness, Ariseth the Light. “There are many things which I have to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit the Spirit of Truth whom I will send unto you from above, shall guide you into all truth, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you from above, shall guide you into all truth, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.” ”After my departure there will arise the ignorant and the crafty, and many things will they ascribe unto Me that I never spake, and many things which I did speak will they withhold, but the day will come when the clouds shall be rolled away, and the Sun of Righteousness shall shine forth with healing in his wings.” ”I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. The doctrine, which I teach, is that which I am. I am It and It is I.”
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT CHAPTER V
A ND seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: ** And when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 If Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted.
5 If Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth.
6 If Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteous- ness : for they shall be filled.
7 If Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy.
8 TJ Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God.
9 If Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be called sons of God.
10 f Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteous- ness’ sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad : for great is your reward in heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 If Ye are the salt of the earth : but if the salt have lost its savior, wherewith shall it be salted ? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand ; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.
1 6 Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father that is in heaven.
1 7 U Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
1 8 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven : but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill ; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment :
22 But I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council ; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.
23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art with him in the way ; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.
27 U Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery :
28 But I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee : for it is profitable for thee that one of
CHAPTER V 7
…ancient sanctions, rather to unfold their deeper meaning.
Mark this ! the universe itself shall pass away, before
the smallest detail of God’s law revealed in Scripture
comes to be out of date ; rather shall every part disclose
a larger truth. It follows that the man whose teaching
lessens the force of what seem to be the least important
of God’s laws, has but a very humble place in the age
which I proclaim ; on the other hand he whose practice
and teaching enhance their authority shall have wide
influence there. All the same, your practice of the moral
law must go far beyond the code of conduct preached by
professional moralists ; only a new way of life can qualify
you for the new world that is coming.
I will illustrate my meaning ; you know the old words
of Scripture, ‘You are not to commit murder,’ your
teachers go on to say, ‘ Whoever kills must come up
for trial.’ What I tell you is that every one who persists
in unreasonable anger with a brother-man, must account
for his behavior ;
whoever treats another with contempt
shall be indicted for blasphemy ; whoever curses another
brings down upon himself the doom he has invoked.
And more than this, until you are on good terms with
your brother, you must not bring your gifts to God’s
altar ; if, when you have brought your gift you
remember that he has anything against you, you
must leave the gift where it is, go and make friends
with your brother, and then offer your gift.
Never lose a chance of making friends ; if you are involved
in a lawsuit, you must try to come to an understanding
with your opponent on the way to court.
Remember, God is judge ; if you prolong the quarrel, it will be
you that He will condemn, whatever happens to the
other man; the man who nurse’s ill will always pays,
and to the last penny too.
Again the word of Scripture runs, ‘ You must not
commit adultery.’ What I have to say on this subject
is : Every one who casts upon a woman a lustful look
has already in his heart seduced her. If some passion
of this kind is your hindrance, you must tear yourself
away from it at all costs ; better to live a maimed life,
than with all your bodily powers about you be plunged
into a hell of unsatisfied desire. If your daily business
8 THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
..thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into
hell.
30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut if off,
and cast it from thee : for it is profitable for thee that one of
thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into
hell.
31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let
him give her a writing of divorcement :
32 But I say unto you, that every one that putteth away
his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an
adulteress : and whosoever shall marry her when she is put
away committeth adultery.
33 H Again, y e have heard that it was said to them of old
time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto
the Lord thine oaths :
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all ; neither by the
heaven, for it is the throne of God ;
35 Nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet ; nor
by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not
make one hair white or black.
37 But let your speech be, Yea, yea ; Nay, nay : and what-
soever is more than these is of the evil one.
38 ^ Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and
a tooth for a tooth :
39 But I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil : but
whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other
also.
40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away
thy coat, let him have thy coat also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would
borrow of thee turn thou not away.
43 If Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor, and hate thine enemy :
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them
that persecute you ;
CHAPTER V 9
puts a hindrance in your way, be rid of it, whatever it
costs ; better to be a broken man, than in the full tide
of your well being to find yourself in hell. The old law
ran : ‘ Whoever would be rid of his wife must make
proper provision for her ! ‘ I go a stage further and say
leaving on one side the question of misconduct you
are not to part company with your wives at all ; if
you do, you are to blame if they go wrong,
while the man who marries a woman already divorced
commits adultery himself. Another illustration: you have all heard the law once given to your fathers ‘ You must not commit perjury, but must fulfill your vows as in God’s sight.’ I tell you, you should not need to swear by this and that at all. Heaven is God’s throne, earth His footstool, Jerusalem the city of the King of Kings ; your head for the matter of that is sacred too you know you cannot make a single hair really white or black. Great words like these are God’s gift to you, and are not to be used as makeweights to your light talk. ‘ Yes, yes ‘ ; ‘ No, no ‘ ; that is emphasis enough for you ; when you go beyond such simple speech, you are giving the devil his chance.
Once more ; you know the words, ‘ Eye for eye, tooth for tooth ‘ ; your teachers explain them as meaning ‘ slap for slap, or give as good as you get.’ I tell you, to follow this line of action is to measure yourself with the devil. Whoever slaps you on the right cheek* let him do it again, if he wants to ; if some one takes you into the law-courts, and to pay the damages you have to forfeit your vest, make him a present of your upper garment as well ; if you are pressed to go one mile in the government service, of your own accord accompany the officials who commandeer your services the rest of the league. You are to be at the service of every claimant, and are not to turn churlishly away from any one that wants to borrow of you.
Again, you have heard the words of Scripture, ‘ Love your fellow-countrymen,’ and know the conclusion your teachers draw : ‘ Of course this means that
*That is, ‘ whoever insults you ‘ ; a blow on the left cheek is a figure used for real injury, a slap on the right cheek for insult is the idiom current in those days.
24 No man can serve two masters : for either he will hate the one, and love the other ; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment ?
26 Behold the birds of the heaven that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns ; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they ?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto his stature ?
28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment ? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin :
29 Yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which To day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith ?
CHAPTER V
IUDGE not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye ?
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT –by Jesus Christ (The Secret Essene Healer and Rabbi) Editor’s note: This is provided as a comparison as to the different
versions of Jesus’ sermon on the mount. The Essene principles are
included everywhere in Jesus’ sermon.
…..prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out devils, and
by thy name do many mighty works ?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Every one therefore which heareth these words of mine,
and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, which built
his house upon the rock :
25 And the rain descended, and’ the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house ; and it fell not : for it
was founded upon the rock.
26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth
them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his
house upon the sand
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and smote upon that house ; and it fell : and great
was the fall thereof.
CHAPTER VII 19
who calls Me ‘ Lord, Lord ‘ shall have a place in God’s
new world, but only those who carry out My Father
God’s will. In the day of My coming many shall say,
‘ Lord, Lord, have we not preached, saved men from
the sway of dark powers of evil, healed them body and
soul, and all in Thy name ? ‘ And after all I shall have
to tell them publicly, ‘ You were never Mine ; depart
from Me, you are rebels all of you.’ All depends, you
see, upon the reality of men’s relations with Me. The
man who listens to My words and carries them into
action is like a sensible builder, who builds his house
upon the solid rock. The rainy season comes, rivers
rise, fierce gusts of wind come sweeping down upon the
house, and yet it does not fall ; its foundation lies
secure upon the rock. As for the man, whoever he be,
who listens to My words and does not carry them into
practice, he is like a heedless builder, who builds his
house on loose sandy soil.- The rainy season comes,
rivers rise, fierce gusts of wind batter the house it
totters then down it comes in utter ruin !
The Essene Angels (source from the Dead Sea Scrolls)
The first Communion is with the Angel of Sun The Angel of Sun, She who cometh each morning As a bride from her chamber, To shed her golden light on the world. O thou immortal, shining, swift-steeded Angel of the Sun! There is no warmth without thee, No fire without thee, No life without thee. As green leaves of the trees Do worship thee, And through thee is the tiny wheat kernel Become a river of golden grass, Moving with the wind. Through thee is opened the flower In the center of my body. Therefore will I never hide myself From thee. Angel of Sun, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother, Enter the holy temple within me And give me the Fire of Life!
The second Communion is with the Angel of Water The Angel of Water, She who makes the rain To fall on the and plain, Who fills the dry well to overflowing. Yea, we do worship thee, Water of Life- From the heavenly sea The waters run and flow forward From the never-failing springs. In my blood flow A thousand pure springs, And vapors, and clouds, And all the waters That spread over all the seven Kingdoms. All the waters The Creator hath made Are holy. The voice of the Lord Is upon the waters: The God of Glory thundereth; The Lord is upon many waters. Angel of Water, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother, Enter the blood that flows through me, Wash my body in the rain That falls from heaven, And give me the Water of Life.
The third Communion is with the Angel of Air The Angel of Air, Who spreads the perfume Of sweet-smelling fields, of spring grass after rain, of the opening buds of the Rose of Sharon. We worship the Holy Breath Which is placed higher Than all the other things created. For, lo, the eternal and sovereign Luminous space, Where rule the unnumbered stars, Is the air we breathe in And the air we breathe out. And in the moment betwixt the breathing in And the breathing out Is hidden all the mysteries of the Infinite Garden. Angel of Air, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother, Enter deep within me, As the swallow plummets from the sky, That I may know the secrets of the wind And the music of the stars.
The fourth Communion is with the Angel of Earth The Angel of Earth, She who brings forth corn and grapes From the fullness of the earth, She who brings children From the loins of husband and wife. He who would till the earth, With the left arm and the right, Unto him will she bring forth An abundance of fruit and grain, Golden-hued plants Growing up from the earth During the spring, As far as the earth extends, As far as the rivers stretch, As far as the sun rises, To impart their gifts of food unto men. This wide earth do I praise, Expanded far with paths, The productive, the full-bearing, Thy Mother, holy plant! Yea, I praise the lands Where thou dost grow Sweet-scented swiftly spreading, The good growth of the Lord. He who sows corn, grass and fruit, Soweth the Law. And his harvest shall be bountiful, And his crop shall be ripe upon the hills As a reward for the followers of the Law, The Lord sent the Angel of Earth, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother To make the plants to grow, And to make fertile the womb of woman, That the earth may never be without The laughter of children. Let us worship the Lord in her!
The fifth Communion is with the Angel of Life The Angel of Life, She who gives strength and vigor to man. For, lo, if the wax is not pure, How then can the candle give a steady flame? Go, then, toward the high-growing trees, And before one of them which is beautiful, High-growing and mighty, Say these words: ‘Hail be unto thee! O good, living tree, Made by the Creator!’ Then shall the River of Life Flow between you and your Brother, The Tree, And health of the body, Swiftness of foot, Quick hearing of the ears, Strength of the arms And eyesight of the eagle be yours. Such is the Communion With the Angel of Life, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother.
The sixth Communion is with the Angel of Joy The Angel of Joy, She who descends upon earth To give beauty to all men. For the Lord is not worshipped with sadness, Nor with cries of despair. Leave off your moans and lamentations, And sing unto the Lord a new song: Sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Let the heavens rejoice And let the earth be glad. Let the field be joyful, Let the floods clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together Before the Lord. For you shall go out with joy And be led forth with peace: The mountains and the hills Shall break forth before you into singing. Angel of Joy, Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother, I will sing unto the Lord As long as I live: I will sing praise to my God While I have my being.
The seventh Communion is with Our Earthly Mother Our Earthly Mother, She who sends forth her Angels To guide the roots of man And send them deep into the blessed soil. We invoke the Earthly Mother! The Holy Preserver! The Maintainer! It is She who will restore the world! The earth is hers, And the fullness thereof the world, And they that dwell therein. We worship the good, the strong, The beneficent Earthly Mother And all her Angels, Bounteous, valiant, And full of strength; Welfare-bestowing, kind, And health giving. Through her brightness and glory Do the plants grow up from the earth, By the never-failing springs. Through her brightness and glory Do the winds blow, Driving down the clouds Towards the never-failing springs. The Earthly Mother and I are One. I have my roots in her, And she takes her delight in me According to the Holy Law. “
THE VISION OF ENOCH THE MOST ANCIENT REVELATION according to the Essenes from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Editor’s Note: This is something Jesus as an Essene would have been required to read. God Speaks to Man I speak to you. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you When you were born. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first sight. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first word. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first thought. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first love. Be still Know I am God. I spoke to you At your first song. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the grass of the meadows. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the trees of the forests. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the valleys and the hills. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the Holy Mountains. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the rain and the snow. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the waves of the sea. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the dew of the morning. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the peace of the evening. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the splendor of the sun. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the brilliant stars. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the storm and the clouds. Be still Know I am God. I speak to you Through the thunder and lightning. Be still Know I am God I speak to you Through the mysterious rainbow. Be still Know I am God. I will speak to you When you are alone. Be still Know I am God I will speak to you Through the Wisdom of the Ancients. Be still Know I am God I will speak to you At the end of time. Be still Know I am God. I will speak to you When you have seen my Angels. Be still Know I am God. I will speak to you Throughout Eternity. Be still Know I am God I speak to you. Be still Know I am God.
The Essene Book of Moses
Editor’s note: The Ten Commandments in the extended Essene version according to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
I am the Law, thy God, which hath brought thee out from the depths of the bondage of darkness. Thou shalt have no other Laws before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any image of the Law in heaven above or in the earth beneath. I am the invisible Law, without beginning and without end. Thou shalt not make unto thee false laws, for I am the Law, and the whole Law of all laws. If thou forsake me, thou shalt be visited by disasters for generation upon generation. If thou keepest my commandments, thou shalt enter the Infinite Garden where stands the Tree of Life in the midst of the Eternal Sea. Thou shalt not violate the Law. The Law is thy God, who shall not hold thee guiltless. Honor thy Earthly Mother, that thy days may be long upon the land, and honor thy Heavenly Father, that eternal life be thine in the heavens, for the earth and the heavens are given unto thee by the Law, which is thy God. Thou shalt greet thy Earthly Mother on the morning of the Sabbath. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Earth on the second morning. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Life on the third morning. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Joy on the fourth morning. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Sun on the fifth morning. Thou shalt greet the Angel of Water on the sixth morning, Thou shalt greet the Angel of Air on the seventh morning- All these Angels of the Earthly Mother shalt thou greet, and consecrate thyself to them, that thou mayest enter the Infinite Garden where stands the Tree of Life. Thou shalt worship thy Heavenly Father on the evening of the Sabbath. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Eternal Life on the second evening. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Work on the third evening. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Peace on the fourth evening. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Power on the fifth evening, Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Love on the sixth evening. Thou shalt commune with the Angel of Wisdom on the seventh evening. All these Angels of the Heavenly Father shalt thou commune with, that thy soul may bathe in the Fountain of Light, and enter into the Sea of Eternity. The seventh day is the Sabbath: thou shalt remember it, keep it holy. The Sabbath is the day of the Light of the Law, thy God. In it thou shalt not do any work, but search the Light, the Kingdom of thy God, and all things shall be given unto thee. For know ye that during six days thou shalt work with the Angels, but the seventh day shalt thou dwell in the Light of thy Lord, who is the holy Law. Thou shalt not take the life from any living thing. Life comes only from God, who giveth it and taketh it away. Thou shalt not debase Love. It is the sacred gift of thy Heavenly Father. Thou Shalt not trade thy Soul, the priceless gift of the loving God, for the riches of the world, which are as seeds sown on stony ground, having no root in themselves, and so enduring but for a little while. Thou shalt not be a false witness of the Law, to use it against thy brother: Only God knoweth the beginning and the ending of all things, for his eye is single, and he is the holy Law. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s possessions. The Law giveth unto thee much greater gifts, even the earth and the heavens, if thou keep the Commandments of the Lord thy God. And Moses heard the voice of the Lord, and sealed within him the covenant that was between the Lord and the Children of Light.
And Moses said unto the people, these are the laws, which thy God hath given thee. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, nor thy neighbor’s wife, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.
THE ESSENE SEVENFOLD PEACE Editor’s note: Note the similarities to the different versions of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to the Essene Sevenfold Peace. And seeing the multitudes, Jesus went up into a mountain, and his disciples came unto him, and all those who hungered for his words. And seeing them gathered, he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Peace I bring to thee, my children, The Sevenfold Peace Of the Earthly Mother And the Heavenly Father. Peace I bring to thy body, Guided by the Angel of Power; Peace I bring to thy heart, Guided by the Angel of Love; Peace I bring to thy mind, Guided by the Angel of Wisdom. Through the Angels of Power, Love and Wisdom, Thou shalt travel the Seven Paths Of the Infinite Garden, And thy body, thy heart and thy mind Shall join in Oneness In the Sacred Flight to the Heavenly Sea of Peace.
Yea, I tell thee truly, The paths are seven Trough the Infinite Garden, And each must be traversed By the body, the heart and the mind As one, Lest thou stumble and fall Into the abyss of emptiness. For as a bird cannot fly with one wing, So doth thy Bird of Wisdom Need two wings of Power and Love To soar above the abyss To the Holy Tree of Life.
For the body alone Is an abandoned house seen from afar: What was thought beautiful Is but ruin and desolation When drawing near. Are body alone Is as a chariot fashioned from gold, Whose maker sets it on a pedestal, Loath to soil it with use. But as a golden idol, It is ugly and without grace, For only in movement Doth it reveal its purpose. Like the hollow blackness of a window When the wind puts out its candle, Is the body alone, With no heart and no mind To fill it with light.
And the heart alone is a sun with no earth to shine upon, A light in the void, A ball of warmth drowned In a sea of blackness. For when a man doth love, As love turneth only to Its own destruction When there is no hand to stretch forth In good works, And no mind to weave the flames of desire Into a tapestry of psalms. Like a whirlwind in the desert Is the heart alone, With no body and no mind To lead it singing through the cypress and the pine.
And the mind alone Is a holy scroll Which has worn thin with the years, And must be buried. The truth and beauty of its words Have not changed, But the eyes can no longer read the faded letters, And it falleth to pieces in the hands. So is the mind without the heart To give it words, And without the body To do its deeds. For what availeth wisdom Without a heart to feel And a tongue to give it voice? Barren as the womb of an aged woman Is the mind alone, With no heart and no body To fill it with life.
For, lo, I tell thee truly, The body and the heart and the mind Are as a chariot, and a horse, and a driver. The chariot is the body, Forged in strength to do the will of the Heavenly Father And the Earthly Mother. The heart is the fiery steed, Glorious and courageous, Who carries the chariot bravely, Whether the road be smooth, Or whether stones and fallen trees Lie in its path. And the driver is the mind, Holding the reins of wisdom, Seeing from above what lieth On the far horizon, Charting the course of hoofs and wheels.
Give ear, O ye heavens, And I will speak; And hear, O earth, The words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, My speech shall distil as the dew, As the small rain Upon the tender herb, And as the showers upon the grass.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who is strong in body, For he shall have oneness with the earth. Thou shalt celebrate a daily feast With all the gifts of the Angel of Earth: The golden wheat and corn, T’he purple grapes of autumn, The ripe fruits of the trees, The amber honey of the bees. Thou shalt seek the fresh air of the forest and of the fields, And there in the midst of them Shalt thou find the Angel of Air. Put off thy shoes and clothing And suffer the Angel of Air To embrace all thy body. Then shalt thou breathe long and deeply, That the Angel of Air May be brought within thee. Enter into the cool and flowing river And suffer the Angel of Water To embrace all thy body. Cast thyself wholly into his enfolding arms, And as often as thou movest the air with thy breath, Move with thy body the water also. Thou shalt seek the Angel of Sun, And enter into that embrace Which doth purify with holy flames. And all these things are of the Holy Law of the Earthly Mother, She who did give thee birth. He who hath found peace with the body Hath built a holy temple Wherein may dwell forever The spirit of God. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who is wise in mind, For he shall create heaven. The mind of the wise Is a well-ploughed field, Which giveth forth abundance and plenty. For it thou showest a handful of seed To a wise man, He will see in his mind’s eye A field of golden wheat. And if thou showest a handful of seed To a fool, He will see only that which is before him, And call them worthless pebbles. And as the field of the wise man Giveth forth grain in abundance, And the field of the fool Is a harvest only of stones, So it is with our thoughts. As the sheaf of golden wheat Lieth hidden within the tiny kernel, So is the kingdom of heaven Hidden within our thoughts. If they be filled with the Power, Love and Wisdom of the Angels of the Heavenly Father, So they shall carry us To the Heavenly Sea. But if they be stained With corruption, hatred and ignorance, They shall chain our feet To pillars of pain and suffering. No man can serve two masters; Neither can evil thoughts abide in a mind Filled with the Light of the Law. He who hath found peace with the mind Hath leamed to soar beyond The Realm of the Angels. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who is pure in heart, For he shall see God. For as the Heavenly Father hath given thee His holy spirit, And thy Earthly Mother hath given thee Her holy body, So shall ye give love To all thy brothers. And thy true brothers are all those Who do the will of thy Heavenly Father An d thy Earthly Mother. Let thy love be as the sun Which shines on all the creatures of the earth, And does not favor one blade of grass For another. And this love shall flow as a fountain From brother to brother, And as it is spent, So shall it be replenished. For love is eternal. Love is stronger Than the currents of deep waters. Love is stronger than death. And if a man hath not love, He doth build a wall between him And all the creatures of the earth, And therein doth he dwell In loneliness and pain. Or he may become as an angry whirlpool Which sucks into its depths All that floats too near. For the heart is a sea with mighty waves, And love and wisdom must temper it, As the warm sun breaks through the clouds And quiets the restless sea. He who hath found peace with his brothers Hath entered the kingdom of Love, And shall see God face to face. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who doth build on earth The kingdom of heaven, For he shall dwell in both worlds. Thou shalt follow the Law of the Brotherhood, Which saith that none shall have wealth, And none shall be poor, And all shall work together In the garden of the Brotherhood. Yet each shall follow his own path, And each shall commune with his own heart. For in the Infinite Garden There are many and diverse flowers: Who shall say that one is best Because its color is purple, Or that one is favored Because its stalk is long and slender? Though the brothers Be of different complexion, Yet do they all toil In the vineyard of the Earthly Mother, And they all do lift their voices together In praise of the Heavenly Father. And together they break the holy bread, And in silence share the holy meal Of thanksgiving. There shall be no peace among peoples Till there be one garden of the brotherhood Over the earth. For how can there be peace When each man pursueth his own gain And doth sell his soul into slavery? Thou, Child of Light, Do ye gather with thy brothers And then go ye forth To teach the ways of the Law To those who would hear. He who hath found peace With the brotherhood of man Hath made himself The co-worker of God Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who doth study the Book of the Law, For he shall be as a candle In the dark of night, And an island of truth In a sea of falsehood For know ye, that the written word Which cometh from God Is a reflection of the Heavenly Sea, Even as the bright stars Reflect the face of heaven. As the words of the Ancient Ones Are etched with the hand of God On the Holy Scrolls, So is the Law engraved on the hearts of the faithful who do study them. For it was said Of old, That in the beginning there were giants In the earth, And mighty men, which were of old, Men Of renown. And the Children of Light Shall guard and preserve Their written word, Lest we become again as beasts, And know not the Kingdom of the Angels. Know ye, too, That only through the written word shalt thou find that Law Which is unwritten, As the spring which floweth from the ground Hath a hidden source in the secret depths beneath the earth. The written Law Is the instrument by which The unwritten Law is understood, As the mute branch of a tree Becomes a singing flute In the hands of the shepherd. Many there are Who would stay in the tranquil Valley of ignorance, Where children play And butterflies dance in the sun For their short hour of life. But none can tarry there long, And ahead rise the somber Mountains of learning. Many there are Who fear to cross, And many there are Who have fallen bruised and bleeding From their steep and rugged slopes. But faith is the guide Over the gaping chasm, And perseverance the foothold In the jagged rocks. Beyond the icy peaks of struggle Lies the peace and beauty Of the Infinite Garden of Knowledge, Where the meaning of the Law Is made known to the Children of Light. Here in the center of its forest Stands the Tree of Life, Mystery of mysteries. He who hath found peace With the teachings of the Ancients, Through the light of the mind, Through the light of nature, And through the study of the Holy Word, Hath entered the cloud-filled Hall of the Ancients, Where dwelleth the Holy Brotherhood, of whom no man may speak. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body.
Blessed is the Child of Light Who knoweth his Earthly Mother, For she is the giver of life. Know that thy Mother is in thee, And thou art in her. She bore thee And she giveth thee life. She it was who gaveth thee thy body, And to her shalt thou one day Give it back again. Know that the blood which runs in thee is born of the blood Of thy Earthly Mother. Her blood falls from the clouds, Leaps up from the womb of the earth, Babbles in the brooks of the mountains, Flows wide in the rivers of the plains, Sleeps in the lakes, Rages mightily in the tempestuous seas. Know that the air which thou dost breathe Is born of the breath Of thy Earthly Mother. Her breath is azure In the heights of the heavens, Soughs in the tops of the mountains, Whispers in the leaves of the forest, Billows over the cornfields, Slumbers in the deep valleys, Bums hot in the desert. Know that the hardness of thy bones Is born of the bones Of thy Earthly Mother, Of the rocks and of the stones. Know that the tenderness of thy flesh Is born of the flesh Of thy Earthly Mother, She whose flesh waxeth yellow and red In the fruits of the trees. The light of thy eyes, The hearing of thy ears, These are born Of the colors and the sounds Of thy Earthly Mother, Which doth enclose thee about, As the waves of the sea enclose a fish, As the eddying air a bird. I tell thee in truth, Man is the Son Of the Earthly Mother, And from her did the Son of Man Receive his whole body, Even as the body of the newborn babe Is born of the womb of his mother. I tell thee truly, Thou art one with the Earthly Mother; She is in thee, and thou art in her. Of her wert thou born, In her dost thou live, And to her shalt thou return again. Keep, therefore, her laws, For none can live long, Neither be happy, But he who honors his Earthly Mother And keepeth her laws. For thy breath is her breath, Thy blood her blood, Thy bone her bone, Thy flesh her flesh, Thy eyes and thy ears Are her eyes and her ears. He who hath found peace With his Earthly Mother Shall never know death. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart,
Blessed is the Child of Light Who doth seek his Heavenly Father, For he shall have eternal life. He that dwelleth in the secret place Of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. For he shall give his Angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. Know ye that the Lord hath been our dwelling place In all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever he had formed The earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Hath there been love Between the Heavenly Father And his children. And how shall this love be severed? From the beginning Until the ending of time Doth the holy flame of love Encircle the heads Of the Heavenly Father And the Children of Light: How then shall this love be extinguished? Ye that love thy Heavenly Father, Do ye then his bidding: Walk ye with his Holy Angels, And find thy peace with his Holy Law. For his Law is the entire Law: Yea, it is the Law of laws. Through his Law he hath made The earth and the heavens to be one; The mountains and the sea Are his footstools. With his hands he hath made us And fashioned us, And he gaveth us understanding That we may learn his Law. He is covered with Light As with a garment: He stretcheth out the heavens Like a curtain. He maketh the clouds his chariot; He walketh upon the wings of the wind. He sendeth the springs into the valleys, And his breath is in the mighty trees. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: The strength of the hills is his also. T’he sea is his, And his hands formed the dry land. All the heavens declare the Glory of God, And the firmament showeth his Law. And to his children Doth he bequeath his Kingdom, To those who walk with his Angels, And find their peace with his Holy Law. Wouldst thou know more, my children? How may we speak with our lips That which cannot be spoken? It is like a pomegranate eaten by a mute: How then may he tell of its flavor? If we say the Heavenly Father Dwelleth within us, Then are the heavens ashamed; If we say he dwelleth without us, It is falsehood. The eye, which scanneth the far horizon And the eye, which seeth the hearts of men He maketh as one eye. He is not manifest, He is not hidden. He is not revealed, Nor is he unrevealed. My children, there are no words To tell that which he is! Only this do we know: We are his children, And he is our Father. He is our God, And we are the children of his pasture, And the sheep of his hand. He who hath found peace With his Heavenly Father Hath entered the Sanctuary of the Holy Law, And hath made a covenant with God Which shall endure forever. Know this peace with thy mind, Desire this peace with thy heart, Fulfill this peace with thy body, Though heaven and earth may pass away, Not one letter of the Holy Law Shall change or pass away. For in the beginning was the Law, And the Law was with God, And the Law was God. May the Sevenfold Peace Of the Heavenly Father Be with thee always.
Bibliography
Aslaw, Reza,” Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth,” Random House Publishers, 2013.
Baigent, Michael, “The Jesus Papers,” Harper San Francisco Publishers, 2006
Bar-Adon, Pessah, “The Hasmonean Fortresses and the Status of Khirbet Qumran”, Eretz Israel 15 (1981): 349-52.
Bar-Nathan, Rachel, “Qumran and the Hasmonaean and Herodian Winter Palaces of Jericho”, in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006), 263-278.
Boccaccini, Gabriele, Beyond the Essene Hypothesis: The Parting of Ways between Qumran and Enochic Judaism (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998).
Boccaccini, Gabriele, Editor, “Enoch and Qumran Origins, New Light on a Forgotten Connection,” Associate editors J. Harold Ellens, James Alan Waddel, With the collaboration of Jason Von Ehreakiat, Ronald Puark, Aaron Brunell, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich, 2005.
Broshi, Magen, “The Archaeology of Qumran- A Reconsideration”, in The Dead Sea Scrolls, Forty Years of Research, D. Diamant & U. Rappaport (Eds), (Brill-Magnes Press, 1992), 113-115.Broshi, Magen, and Eshel, Hanan, “Residential Caves at Qumran.” Dead Sea Discoveries 6 (1999), 328-348.
Broshi, Magen, and Eshel, Hanan, “Was There Agriculture at Qumran?” in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006).
Cansdale, Lena (1997). Qumran and the Essenes: A Re-Evaluation of the Evidence (Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr).
Cansdale, Lena, & Crown, Alan, “Qumran, Was It an Essene Settlement?”, Biblical Archaeology Review” 20/5 (1995) 24-35, 73-79.
Cansdale, Lena, The Metamorphosis of the Name “Qumran”, in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery, 1947-1997, Schiffman, Lawrence, Tov, Emanuel, & VanderKam, James, (eds.), (Jerusalem: IES, 2000), pp. 630–635.
Cargill, Robert R., “The Qumran Digital Model: An Argument for Archaeological Reconstruction in Virtual Reality and Response to Jodi Magness”, Near Eastern Archaeology 72/1 (2009): 28-47.
Cargill, Robert R., Qumran through (Real) Time: A Virtual Reconstruction of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Bible in Technology 1, (Piscataway, New Jersey: Gorgias Press, 2009).
Cook, Edward M., “Qumran: A Ritual Purification Center”, Biblical Archaeology Review 22/6 (1996): 39, 48-51, 73-75.
Crossan, John Dominic, “ “Jesus A revolutionary Biography,” Harper One Publishers, 1989
Crowfoot, Grace Mary, “The Linen Textiles.” Pages 18–40 in Discoveries in the Judean Desert I: Qumran Cave I. Edited by Dominique Barthélemy and Joseph Tadeusz Milik (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1956).
Crown, A.D. and Cansdale, L., “Qumran-Was It an Essene Settlement?” Biblical Archaeology Review 20 (1994), 24-35 & 73-4 & 76-78.
Crown, Alan D. and Cansdale, Lena (1994). ‘Qumran: Was it an Essene Settlement?’Biblical Archaeology Review 20: 24-35, 73-74, 76-78.
Davies, Philip R., Qumran, Cities of the Biblical World (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982).
de Vaux, Roland (1953a) ‘Fouille au Khirbet Qumrân,’ Revue Biblique 60, 83-106.
de Vaux, Roland, Archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1973). English translation from the French.Dávid, Nóra, Armin Lange, Kristin De Troyer and Shani Tzoref (eds). The Hebrew Bible in Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls (Göttingen, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2011) (Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments, 239),
Dombrowski, B.W.W., “Golb’s Hypothesis: Analysis and Conclusions.” In Mogilany 1995: Papers on the Dead Sea Scrolls Offered in Memory of Aleksy Klawek (ed. Zdzislaw Jan Kapera; QM 15; Kraków: Enigma, 1998) 32-51.
Donceel-Voûte, Pauline H. E. “Les ruines de Qumran réinterprétées.” Archeologia 298 (1994) 24-35.Donceel-Voûte, Pauline H.E. “‘Coenaculum’: La salle à l’étage du locus 30 à Khirbet Qumrân sur la Mer Morte.” In Banquets d’Orient (ed. R. Gyselen, with M. Bernus-Taylor et al.; ResO 4; Leuven: Peeters, 1992) 61-84.
Donceel, R. and Donceel-Voûte, Pauline H.E., “The Archaeology of Khirbet Qumran.” In Methods of Investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects (ed. Michael O. Wise, Norman Golb, John J. Collins, and Dennis G. Pardee; Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 722 (New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1994) 1-38.
Donceel, Robert and Donceel-Voûte, Pauline (1994). ‘The Archaeology of Khirbet Qumran,’ in Michael Wise, Norman Golb, John J. Collins, Dennis Pardee (eds),Methods of Investigations of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 722: New York), 1-38.
Donceel, Robert and Donceel-Voûte, Pauline (1998). ‘Poursuite des travaux de publication du matériel archéologique de Khirbet Qumrân: Les lampes en terre cuite,’ in Mogilany 1995: Papers on the Dead Sea Scrolls Offered in Memory of Aleksy Klawek., ed. Z. J. Kapera (Qumranica Mogilanensia 15; Cracow: Enigma Press), 87-104.
Eshel, Hanan (2009). Qumran: Scrolls, Caves, History (Jerusalem: Carta).
Eshel, Hanan, Qumran: A Field Guide. (Jerusalem: Carta, 2009). Fields, Weston W. The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Full History. volume 1 (Leiden: Brill, 2009).
Frey, Jörg, Carsten Claußen u. Nadine Kessler (Hrsg.), Qumran und die Archäologie. Texte und Kontexte (Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2011) (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament (WUNT I), 278).
Galor, Katharina, “Plastered Pools: A New Perspective”, in Khirbet Qumran et Ain Feshkha, Vol. II., ed. Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Gunneweg, Jan, (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003) 291-320.
Galor, Katharina, Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, and Zangenberg, Jurgen, The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), (Leiden: Brill, 2006).
Gibson, Shimon, and Joan E. Taylor, “Roads and Passes Round Qumran.” Palestine Exploration Quarterly 140/3 (2008) 225-227.
Golb, Norman, “Khirbet Qumran and the Manuscript Finds of the Judaean Wilderness.” In Methods of Investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects (ed. Michael O. Wise, Norman Golb, John J. Collins, and Dennis G. Pardee; ANYAS 722; New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1994) 51-72.
Golb, Norman, Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?: The Search for the Secret of Qumran. (New York: Scribner, 1995).
Goranson, Stephen. “Review: Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jürgen Zangenberg, eds., The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates. Proceedings of a Conference Held at Brown University, November 17-19, 2002.” Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 347 (2007) 114-116.
Gunneweg, J. and Balla, M., “How Neutron Activation Analysis Can Assist Research into the Provenance of the Pottery at Qumran.” In Historical Perspectives: From the Hasmoneans to Bar Kokhba in Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium of the Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Associated Literature, 27–31 January 1999, eds. D.Goodblatt, A.Pinnick, and D.R. Schwartz, 179-185. STDJ 37.
Leiden: Brill, 2001 , Ch., “Qumran: Archaeology.” Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls, 2 vols. (ed. Lawrence H. Schiffman and James C. VanderKam; (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000) II.746-751.
Hirschfeld, Yizhar (1998). ‘Early Roman Manor Houses in Judea and the Site of Khirbet Qumran,’ Journal of Near Eastern Studies 57/3: 161-189.
Hirschfeld, Yizhar, “Qumran in the Second Temple Period: A Reassessment”, in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006).
Hirschfeld, Yizhar, “The Architextural Context of Qumran”, in The Dead Sea Scrolls, fifty years after their discovery 1947-1997 (L.H.Schiffman, E. Tov and J. VanderKam eds.), (Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society and the Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, 2000) 673-683.
Hirschfeld, Yizhar, Qumran in Context: Reassessing the Archaeological Evidence, (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 2004).
Humbert Jean-Baptiste and Gunneweg, Jan (2003). Khirbet Qumran and `Ain Feshkha II: Études d’anthropologie, de physique et de chimie (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht; Fribourg: Editions universitaires).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Chambon, Alain, Fouilles de Khirbet Qumran et de Ain Feshka, Vol. I. Editions Universitaires Fribourg Suisse (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 1994).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Chambon, Alain, The Excavations of Khirbet Qumran and Ain Feshkha, Vol. 1B. trans by Stephen J. Pfann, Editions Universitaires Fribourg Suisse (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Gunneweg, Jan, Khirbet Qumran et Ain Feshkha: études d’anthropologie, de physique et de chimie = studies of anthropology, physics and chemistry, Vol. II. Editions Universitaires Fribourg Suisse (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste and Chambon, Alain (1994). Fouilles de Khirbet Qumrân et de Ain Feshka I: Album de photographies. Répertoire du fonds photographiques. Synthèse des notes de chantier du Père Roland de Vaux(Novum Testamentum et Orbis Antiquus, Series Archaeologica 1; Fribourg: Editions universitaires).
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, “L’espace sacré à Qumrân.” Revue Biblique (1994) 101-102 and 161-214.
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, “Les différentes interprétations du site de Qumran.” Monde de la Bible, 107 (1997), 20-25.
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, “Reconsideration of the Archaeological Interpretation”, in Khirbet Qumran et Ain Feshkha, Vol. II. ed. Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Gunneweg, Jan, (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003) 419-425.
Humbert, Jean-Baptiste, “Some Remarks on the Archaeology of Qumran”, in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006).
Hutchesson, Ian, “63 BCE: A Revised Dating for the Depositation of the Dead Sea Scrolls”, Qumran Chronicle 8/3 (1999): 177-194.
Kapera, Z. J., “How Many Tombs in Qumran?”, The Qumran Chronicle 9.1 (August 2000), 35-49.
Lemaire, Andre, “Inscriptions du Khirbeh, des Grottes et de ‘Ain Feshkha”, in Khirbet Qumran et Ain Feshkha, Vol. II., ed. Humbert, Jean-Baptiste & Gunneweg, Jan, (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Goettingen, 2003) 341-388.
Lönnqvist, K. A. K. (2008) New Perspectives on the Roman Coinage on the Eastern Limes in the Late Republican and Roman Imperial Periods. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller. Saarbrücken 2009.
Lönnqvist, M., and Lönnqvist, K., Archaeology of the Hidden Qumran, The New Paradigm (Helsinki University Press, 2002).Lönnqvist, K. and Lönnqvist, M. (2006) ‘The Numismatic Chronology of Qumran: Fact and Fiction’, The Numismatic Chronicle 166, London: The Royal Numismatic Society, pp. 121–165.
Lönnqvist. K. (2007). The report of the Amman lots of the Qumran silver coin hoards. New Chronological Aspects of the Silver Coin Hoard Evidence from Khirbet Qumran at the Dead Sea. Amman 2007, pp. 1–72.
Magen, Yitzhak, and Peleg, Yuval, “Back to Qumran: Ten Years of Excavations and Research, 1993-2004”, in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah, Vol. 57), ed. by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jurgen Zangenberg, (Leiden: Brill, 2006).Magen, Yitzhak & Peleg, Yuval, “The Qumran Excavations 1993-2004: Preliminary Report”, JSP 6 (Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority, 2007)
Magen, Yizhak and Peleg, Yuval (2006). ‘Back to Qumran: Ten Years of Excavation and Research, 1993-2004,’ in Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert and Jürgen Zangenberg, eds. Qumran, the Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates (Leiden/Boston: Brill), 55-113.
Magness, Jodi (1996). ‘What Was Qumran? Not a Country Villa,’ Biblical Archaeology Review 22/6 38: 40-47, 72-73.
Magness, Jodi, “Qumran Archaeology: Past Perspectives and Future Prospects.” In The Dead Sea Scrolls after Fifty Years: A Comprehensive Reassessment, vol. 1, ed. Peter W. Flint and James C.VanderKam; (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1998) 47-77 and pp. 708–719.
Magness, Jodi, A Reassessment of the Excavations of Qumran, in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery, 1947-1997, Schiffman, Lawrence, Tov, Emanuel, & VanderKam, James, (eds.), (Jerusalem: IES, 2000), pp. 708–719.
Magness, Jodi, The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002).
Meyers, F. B. B.A., Paul: a Servant of Jesus Christ The Prophet of Hope Saved and Kept etc., etc London: Morgan and Scott Office of the Christian 12, Pasternoster Bldgs, E.C., 1911
Meyers, Eric. “Khirbet Qumran and its Environs,” In The Oxford Handbook of the Dead Sea Scrolls, ed. Timothy H Lim and John Joseph Collins (Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2010).
Milik, J. T., Ten Years in the Wilderness of Judaea, (Translated by J. Strugnell; London: SCM, 1959).
Murphy, Catherine M., Wealth in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumran Community, (Leiden: Brill 2002).
Netzer, Ehud. “Did any perfume industry exist at ʻEin Feshkha?,” Israel Exploration Journal 55 no 1 2005, p 97-100.
North, Wyatt, “The Life and Prayers of Saint John the Baptist,” Wyatt North Publishers, 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970.
Patrich, Joseph, “Did Extra-Mural Dwelling Quarters Exist at Qumran?” in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery. Edited by Lawrence H. Schiffman, Emanuel Tov, James C. VanderKam, and Galen Marquis (Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 2000) 720-727.
Patrich, Joseph, “Khirbet Qumran in the Light of New Archaeological Explorations in the Qumran Caves”, in Methods of Investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects (ed. Michael O. Wise, Norman Golb, John J. Collins, and Dennis G. Pardee; Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 722 (New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1994) 70-96.
Puech, Émile, “The Necropolises of Khirbet Qumrân and ‘Ain el-Ghuweir and the Essene Belief in the Afterlife”, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 312 (1998) 21-
Perry, Paul, “Jesus in Egypt, Discovering the Secrets of Christ’s Childhood Years,” Ballantine Book Publishers, 2003.
Rabin, Ira, Oliver Hahn, Timo Wolff, Admir Masic, and Gisela Weinberg. “On the Origin of the Ink of the Thanksgiving Scroll (1QHodayota).” Dead Sea Discoveries 16/1 (2009) 97-106.
Reed, William L., “The Qumran Caves Expedition of March, 1952”, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 135 (1954) 1-13.
Regev, Eyal, “Access Analysis of Khirbet Qumran: Reading Spatial Organization and Social Boundaries”, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 355 (2009) 85-99.
Reich, Ronny, “Miqwa’ot at Khirbet Qumran and the Jerusalem Connection.” Pages 728-31 in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery. Edited by Lawrence H. Schiffman, Emanuel Tov, James C. VanderKam, and Galen Marquis (Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 2000). Rengstorf, Karl Heinrich, Hirbet Qumrân and the Problem of the Library of the Dead Sea Caves, Translated by J. R. Wilkie (Leiden: Brill, 1963).
Ricklin, Shimon, “When Did the Essenes Arrive at Qumran? – An Architectural Response.” Pages 263-66 in Studies in the Settlement of Judea: A Collection of Papers in Historical Geography. Edited by Ze’ev H. Erlich (Beni Brak: Moriah, 1995).
Schiffman, Lawrence H. (1991). From text to tradition: a history of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism. New York City: Ktav Pub. House.
Schiffman, Lawrence, Tov, Emanuel, & VanderKam, James, eds. The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years After Their Discovery, 1947-1997, (Jerusalem: IES, 2000).
Schultz, Brian, “The Qumran Cemetery: 150 Years of Research.” Dead Sea Discoveries 13 (2006): 194-228.
Souvay, Charles L., “John the Baptist, A Short Biography,” N. Y. Encyclopedia Press 1911.
Steckoll, S.H., “An Inkwell from Qumran”, Mada 13 (1969), 260-261 (in Hebrew).
Taylor, Joan (2006). ‘Kh. Qumran in Period III,’ in Qumran, the Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates, proceedings of a conference held at Brown University, Nov. 17-19, 2002, edited by Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert and Jurgen Zangenburg (Leiden/Boston: Brill), 133-46.
Taylor, Joan and Gibson, Shimon (2011). ‘Qumran Connected: The Paths and Passes of the North-western Dead Sea,’ in Jörg Frey and Carsten Claussen (eds.), Qumran und Archäologie – wechselseitige Perspektiven (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck), 1-51.
Taylor, Joan E., “Khirbet Qumran in the Nineteenth Century and the Name of the Site.” Palestine Exploration Quarterly 134 (2002) 144–164.
Taylor, Joan E., “The Cemeteries of Khirbet Qumran and Women’s Presence at the Site”, Dead Sea Discoveries 6 (1999): 625-323.
Trever, John C., The Untold Story of Qumran, (Westwood: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1965).
Wise, Michael O., Golb, Norman, Collins, John J., and Pardee, Dennis G., Methods of Investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Khirbet Qumran Site: Present Realities and Future Prospects, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 722 (New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1994) Yellin, J., Broshi, M. and Eshel, H., “Pottery of Qumran and Ein Ghuweir: The First Chemical Exploration of Provenience”, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 321 (2001) 65-78.
(2007). The Qumran Excavations 1993-2004: Preliminary Report (Judea and Samaria Publications 6; Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority).
(1953b) ‘Exploration de la Région de Qumrân,’ Revue Biblique 60, 540-561.
(1954) ‘Fouilles au Khirbet Qumrân.’ Revue Biblique 61, 206-236.
(1956) ‘Fouilles de Khirbet Qumrân,’ Revue Biblique 63, 533-577. (1959) ‘Fouilles de Feshkha,’ Revue Biblique 66, 225-255. (1973). Archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls , transl. by David Bourke of L’archéologie et les Manuscrits de la Mer Morte (London: British Academy). (1998-d). ‘Qumran Archaeology: Past Perspectives and Future Prospects,’ in The Dead Sea Scrolls after Fifty Years: A Comprehensive Assessment, ed. Peter W. Flint and James C. VanderKam, 2 vols. (Leiden: Brill), 1: 47-77. (1998). ‘Traces of Fragrance along the Dead Sea,’ Res Orientales 11: 93-124. (1998a). ‘The Archaeology of Qumran: A Review,’ Qumran Chronicle 8/1-2: 49-62. (1998b). ‘The Chronology of Qumran, Ein Feshkha, and Ein El-Ghuweir.’ InMogilany 1995: Papers on the Dead Sea Scrolls Offered in Memory of Aleksy Klawek, ed. Zdzislaw Jan Kapera, 55-76. (Kraków: Enigma Press). (1998c). ‘Two Notes on the Archaeology of Qumran,’ Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 312: 37-44. (2000). ‘A Community of Hermits above Ein Gedi,’ Cathedra 96: 8-40 (Heb.). (2000). ‘A Reassessment of the Excavations of Qumran,’ in The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years after Their Discovery. Proceedings of the Jerusalem Congress, July 20-25, 1997, ed. Lawrence H. Schiffman, Emanuel Tov, and James C. VanderKam (Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society in cooperation with the Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum), 708-719.
(2000a). ‘The Architectural Context of Qumran,’ In The Dead Sea Scrolls: Fifty Years after Their Discovery. Proceedings of the Jerusalem Congress, July 20-25, 1997, ed. Lawrence H. Schiffman, Emanuel Tov, and James C. VanderKam, 673-683. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society in cooperation with the Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum).
(2002). The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans).
(2002). ‘Qumran in the Second Temple Period. Reassessing the Archaeological Evidence,’ Liber Annuus 52: 247-296.
(2004). Qumran in Context: Reassessing the Archaeological Evidence(Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers).
(2004a). Debating Qumran: Collected Essays on its Archaeology. (Interdisciplinary Studies in Ancient Culture and Religion 4; Dudley, Mass.: Peeters).
(2004b). ‘Why Scroll Jars?’ in Religion and Society in Roman Palestine: Old Questions, New Approaches, ed. Douglas R. Edwards (London: Routledge), 146-61.
(2006). ‘Qumran in the Second Temple Period: A Reassessment,’ in The Site of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeological Interpretations and Debates. Proceedings of the Conference Held at Brown University, November 17-19, 2002, ed. Katharina Galor, Jean-Baptiste Humbert, and Jürgen Zangenberg (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah 57; Leiden: Brill, 2005), 223-39.
College of Mt. St. Vincent Teacher Learner Center Dr. Pelham Mead, Director 2004-2005 TLC Curriculum update
Spring 2005-Teacher Learner Center Professional Development Course outline- Revised and upgraded by Dr. Pelham Mead- May and Aug. 2004.
Tutorial Session- Week 1 -Session 1- 90 min. * Instructors- please note if you have any missed classes they must be made up with your professor student. The grant mandates 45 hours for the course, and does not allow for any less.
• Course Orientation, Review TLC Manuals and Powerpoint Manual • Explanation of laptop computers and equipment. TLC professors are personally responsible if a laptop they have is stolen or damaged. They must be very careful about not leaving the laptop around or not loaning it to students or other faculty. • Laptop loan program and TLC policies. See the Manual provided. • Title V Goals, and how they relate to the TLC Course. 80% of the faculties are to be educated in Technology in the Classroom over a five year period. • 15 hour personal project in addition to weekly projects. Usually most professors select 50 slides + in Powerpoint for their personal project. It should include all the skills they have learned. Graphics, transitions, cartooning, sounds, movie clips, special effects, word art, pictures, animation, clip art, etc. and styles. • 90 minute tutorial session each week for 14 weeks. • Blackboard participation is required, therefore, review with your faculty student about changing the e-mail password to activate ecourses.manhattan.edu. Remember, to then use the menu at the bottom of the screen to activate each course. They are deactivated as default.
Personal Sessions-(90 min.) How to upload courses to Blackboard (ecourses.manhattan.edu) • Activate you account by changing the e-mail password for the first time • Activate all your courses by logging on and activating the course • Review the Announcements • Review the Documents section • Things you cannot do such as delete a student or add a student • Grading program • Testing program • Bulletin Board • E-mail the entire class • Digital Drop Box- great for secure student projects being sent • E-chat section is now called Collaboration. • Looking at the statistics for each student as to their activity
Week 2 Session (90 min.)- Getting Started with Computer Basics: • Copy and paste files using My Computer • Cut and paste files • Delete a file • Burning a CD-R (Burning CD-RW or formatting takes 80 minutes) • Windows XP is copy files, paste them to the CD and then click the burn files to CD selection on the menu. • Burning a DVD-R if a DVD burner is available- Yes for all the new Dells only. • All about DVD+RW for copying movies, other formats, MPG3 formats, etc. copying problems • Emergency problems with laptops, FN key and F-8 function key when working with LCD projectors to send a signal to the projector. Dells only. • Emergency shutdown procedures. Hold start button down 5 seconds or more. • Control –Alternate- Delete Keys • Caught in a loop and cannot get out, remove the battery and put it back. • Importing pictures with a digital camera
Begin Introduction to Powerpoint 2003 (see curriculum detail in Powerpoint Guide) • Changes in PowerPoint 2003 from XP version- Mostly menu changes, better organization of clipart and all media, side pop up menus for Clipart, and other features. • Jump start Powerpoint • Using the Powerpoint Manual written by Dr. Mead • Planning using the Powerpoint template guide- using the story board chart organizes your efforts. • Style guidelines- One Million Styles CD handed out by TLC • Show your student how to load the styles from the CD. BROWSE to CD at the bottom of the styles menu. • Conciseness is the key in Powerpoint- keep it short and sweet. • Getting use to the Menu layout of Powerpoint. What icons mean what? • Project #1- 9 or 10 slide Basic Powerpoint Slide show with no transitions or graphics to be completed by the next session. Due week three.
Smart Classroom orientation- At sometime in the first 4 weeks. • Take a trip to a wireless smart classroom on the 4th floor, and practice setting up a wireless laptop. Capture the signal. • Take a trip to a regular hardwired smart classroom. Rooms on the third floor not including rooms 314 and 312. Practice hooking up the wire and LAN wire in these classes. Use the remote to turn the projector on and off. • Sign-out procedures for Remotes, portable LCD projectors and other equipment.
Week 3 Session-3 (90 min.)- Powerpoint Review of basics • Powerpoint Project work- Project #a Due. Go over the project and how well they did or did not do. • Review using styles, • Review using Templates, • Review Layout formats, the title layout, 8 lines, 4 lines, bullets, graphics, text and graphics, etc. and blank slide. • Basic Powerpoint skills- See PowerPoint Manual. Editing, inserting Graphics and images. • Demonstrate transitions with text and clipart. Right click a text box and use the Custom animation menu. Entrance, Emphasis and Exit menu choices. Try them out to see what effect they produce. Why teachers do not often use Exit transitions. • Project #2- Create another slide show and insert graphics and images on some of the slides. Apply some text transitions. Add 5 slides to a total of 15 slides. Due next week 4.
Week 4 Sesssion (90 minutes)-Powerpoint presentation in a Smart Classroom setting.
• Review how to connect wires to the laptop, and use the remote; trouble shooting with LCD. • Mention about Digital video filming requirement of the Grant. A ten minute digital filming merely as a record, not for evaluation. • Work on editing, deleting and adding slides into an existing slide show. See Powerpoint Manual. • Adding sound to transitions • Adding sound to slides automatically and manually • Using the Custom Animation Menu, Entrance, Emphasis, Exit and Motion choices. Add one of each of these to an existing slide show. • Review burning a CD-R and save Projects #1 and #2 to a CD. • Review wireless connections for a laptop • Review Printing a Powerpoint slide show, Setup, Preview and Print. • Printing Handouts to students- three slides with note lines. • Do not print full page color or you will use up all the color ink • Options for instructions to print out for students • Project #3- Create a 20 Slide Powerpoint Presentation- Use graphics and wordart as well as pictures in this 20 slides or more show.
Week 5 Sessions (90 min.)- • Browsers, search engines, top 25 search engines • Review the top 10 search engines • Google, Yahoo (used to rent google), altavista, dogpile.com, Ask Jeeves, http://www.northernlight.com (journals and speeches for a slight print charge); • Safari (MAC), Opera.com, • The death of Netscape and Compuserve- bought out by AOL • The future with MS Explorer, and Apple’s Safari? Monopoly?? • Internet downloading of pictures, gif., jpg fast and slow .bmp? • Cartooning Techniques vs. Motion menu in custom animation • Review how to cartoon • Review how to create special effects in Powerpoint. • Caution of using white text on black background. Cannot see text when Powerpoint highlights the text box in black. • Project #4- Cartooning Assignment- Increase your previous Powerpoint slide slow by 15 slides to allow for a Cartooning effect done manually. Due week 5.
Week 6 Sessions (90 min.)-Powerpoint-3-D graphics, 3-D drawing, 3-D title slides from Crystal Graphics
• Learn how to Add 3-D title slides, if available. Get the new Powerplugs update disk. 2003 does not work with the old Powerplugs programs. • Learn how to Add 3-D transitions to a few slides • Learn how to use Webtricity Program to create an animated .gif logo Make sure you have Webtricity installed. • Insert animated logo into Powerpoint slide show. • Learn how to draw a square or circle and add 3-D effects to it. Change color. • Project #5- Apply 3-D effects and special animated logo from Webtricity Simply 3-D program to your existing powerpoint 25-30 slide show. Complete by next week.
Week 7 Session (90 min.) ½ way point in the course- Begin work on 50 slide 15 hour project. Include all the skills and special effects learned in the course in this one show. • Hyper-linking in Powerpoint to another show • Hyper-linking in Powerpoint to an Internet URL • Flash styles available free for PowerPoint • Special Animations styles available for Powerpoint • Inserting CD music in the background • Apply to previous Slide show • Movie clips and how to hyperlink to them. Quicktime vs. DVD movies for linking.
**Most professors will finish Powerpoint by week 6 to 8 at the latest. Do not let them fall behind.
Week 8- Session (90 min.) Begin Publisher 2003 • Introduction- to Publisher newsletter templates • Tri- brochures course requirement • Learning to do a one page flyer. • Project 1 and 2- Develop a Tri-brochure and Newsletter • How to create Business Cards
Note: Some professors may still be working on Powerpoint projects. Regardless, start the Publisher 2003 unit.
*Advanced Work for Professors who are up to date and moving faster than others-
*Digital Movie Camera Unit- Take short movie clips of students or projects or classes
*Digital Camera Unit- Learn how to use a MAC iPhoto program and Adobe Photoshop CS for importing digital photos
*iMovie Digital Movie Editing Unit- a short 30 minutes session in editing digital movies on a MAC
Adobe Photoshop CS Unit- See Manual and online Tutorial also Assignments: Mr. Melon Head; Chalk girl, and Layer Slicing project with hat and logo, see Project Disk or manual.
Week 9 Session (90 min.)-Web Basics, Ftp process, avoid Browser control Personal Sessions (1 hr.)-Work on tables, Gifs to control placement use Publisher for web templates for beginners or more advanced Frontpage 2003.
Week 10 Sessions (90 min.)-Web Site Publishing 3 Pages, response form, URL page, and main content page. Begin basics of more advanced programs like FrontPage 2003 Personal Sessions (1 hr.)-Create 3 Page Web Sites with Publisher 2000
Week 11 Session (90 min.)-Photo Graphics for Web Publishing, Adobe Photoshop-Introduction to Publisher 2003 Web template or FrontPage 2003. • Practice Adobe Photoshop skills with pictures for Web • Crop, edit, and save photos • Insert digital photos into Web Site
Week 12 Session (90 min.)-Adobe Photoshop or FrontPage 2003 or Dreamweaver MX 2004 Work on Project on two pages Front Page 2003 or Dreamweaver MX 2004 Web Site
Week 13 Session (90 min.)-FrontPage 2003 or Dreamweaver MX 2004- Last week of course instruction.
• Response forms • Adding a CGI script to activate the e-mail for the form • Publishing to the Web via ftp
Week 14 Session (No actual session this week due to exams)- FrontPage or Dreamweaver MX 2004-
Personal project should be completed 50 plus slides in Powerpoint
• Work on commercial add-ons such as Web page counters, • Banners, see http://www.bravenet.com register and copy script. • Pop up voter, • marquee, • Hover buttons.
Developed by Dr. Pelham Mead and Dr. John McCarthy, Directors at NYSCOM 2008-2009.
I. Mission of NYCOM
The New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology is committed to training osteopathic physicians for a lifetime of learning and practice, based upon the integration of evidence-based knowledge, critical thinking and the tenets of osteopathic principles and practice. The college is also committed to preparing osteopathic physicians for careers in primary care, including health care in the inner city and rural communities, as well as to the scholarly pursuit of new knowledge concerning health and disease. NYCOM provides a continuum of educational experiences to its students, extending through the clinical and post-graduate years of training. This continuum provides the future osteopathic physician with the foundation necessary to maintain competence and compassion, as well as the ability to better serve society through research, teaching, and leadership.
II. INSTITUTIONAL GOALS
The Osteopathic Philosophy: Upon graduation, a student must possess the ability to demonstrate the basic knowledge of Osteopathic philosophy and practice, as well as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.
Medical Knowledge: A student must possess the ability to demonstrate medical knowledge through passing of course tests, standardized tests of the NBOME, post-course rotation tests, research activities, presentations, and participation in directed reading programs and/or journal clubs, and/or other evidence-based medicine activities.
Practice-based learning and improvement: Students must demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate their methods of clinical practice, integrate evidence-based medicine into patient care, show an understanding of research methods, and improve patient care practices.
Professionalism: Students must demonstrate knowledge of professional, ethical, legal, practice management, and public health issues applicable to medical practice.
Systems-based practice: Students must demonstrate an understanding of health care delivery systems, provide effective patient care and practice cost-effective medicine within the system.
Patient Care: Students must demonstrate the ability to effectively treat patients and provide medical care which incorporates the osteopathic philosophy, empathy, preventive medicine education, and health promotion.
Communication skills: Students must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills with patients and other healthcare professionals, which enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other healthcare providers.
Primary Care: NYCOM is committed to preparing osteopathic physicians for careers in primary care, including health care in the inner city, as well as rural communities.
Commitment to scholarly work: NYCOM is committed to preparing osteopathic physicians for the scholarly pursuit of new knowledge concerning health and disease. NYCOM is committed to preparing academic physicians in order to address this nation’s projected health care provider shortage and the resulting expansion of medical school training facilities.
Global Medicine and Health policy: NYCOM—as a global institution and leader in global health, education, and knowledge—is committed to creating opportunities for students to engage in global health practice, policy, and the development of solutions to the world’s vital problems.
Cultural Diversity: NYCOM is committed to attracting, retaining, and graduating students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and prepare them as osteopathic physicians to deliver the highest quality medical care, with the highest degree of compassion, understanding, and empathy toward cultural differences in our global society.
III. Introduction and Rationale
At NYCOM we believe it is our societal responsibility to monitor our students’ quality of education through continual assessment of educational outcomes. On-going program evaluation mandates the utilization of empirical data based on a scientific methodology; a longitudinal study. As defined, a longitudinal study is a correlational research study that involves repeated observations of the same items over long periods of time.
At Thomas Jefferson University, an innovative study was implemented circa 1970, which was ultimately titled “Jefferson Longitudinal Study of Medical Education”. As a result of implementation of this longitudinal study plan, Thomas Jefferson University was praised by the Accreditation Team for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for “…..their academic interest in outcome data, responsiveness to faculty and department needs and the clear use of data to modify the curriculum and teaching environment….their use of this data has impacted many components of the curriculum, the learning environment, individual student development, and program planning…” (TJU, 2005).
The Jefferson Longitudinal Study of Medical Education has been the most productive longitudinal study of medical students and graduates of a single medical school. This study has resulted in 155 publications in peer review journals. Many of the studies were presented before national or international professional meetings prior to their publication (TJU, 2005).
According to Hernon and Dugan (2004), the pressure on higher education institutions to prove accountability has moved beyond the acceptance and reliance of self-reports and anecdotal evidence compiled during the self-regulatory accreditation process to an increasing demand from a variety of constituencies to demonstrate institutional effectiveness by focusing on quality measures, such as educational quality, and cost efficiencies.
Accountability focuses on results as institutions quantify or provide evidence that they are meeting their stated mission, goals, and objectives. Institutional effectiveness is concerned, in part, with measuring (Hernon and Dugan, 2004):
• Student outcomes: such as graduation rates, retention rates. Such outcomes are institution-based and may be used to compare internal year-to-year institutional performance and as comparative measures with other institutions. • Student learning outcomes: oftentimes referred to as educational quality and concerned with attributes and abilities, both cognitive and affective, which reflect how student experiences at the institution supported their development as individuals. Students are asked to demonstrate acquisition of specific knowledge and skills.
This program evaluation approach provides for on-going data collection and analysis targeted at assessing outcomes of student achievement and program (curricular design) effectiveness. As a result of the NYCOM Learning Outcome Assessment Plan’s continual assessment cycle, the report is available (with scheduled updates) as a resource in the decision-making process through offering outcomes data, recommendations, and suggestions which inform key stakeholders of areas of growth and/or improvement, and proposed changes to policy that strengthen both overall assessment and data-driven efforts to improve student learning.
IV. Purpose and Design
The NYCOM Learning Outcome Assessment Plan incorporates data and outcomes from many different constituents, including pre-matriculation data, the 4-year pre-doctoral NYCOM curriculum and the 5-year pre-doctoral Scholars program, post-graduate data, and practice/career tracking of our graduates. The Assessment Plan Guide (Table 1) and the following ten principles guide the NYCOM Learning Outcome Assessment Plan:
The assessment plan provides outcomes of formative and summative assessment experiences of our students’ learning. Examples of formative assessment activities include post-course roundtable discussions, Institute for Clinical Competence (ICC) seminars, and the Course/Faculty Assessment program. Examples of summative assessments include the Graduation Questionnaire submitted to AACOM, COMLEX scores, NBOME subject exam scores, and Clerkship evaluations.
NYCOM’s primary reason for assessment is to improve student learning and development.
The development of an effective, valid assessment program is a long-term dynamic process.
The assessment plan utilizes the most reliable, valid methods and instruments of assessment.
The priorities of this assessment program are grounded in the core goals and competencies of the NYCOM Mission Statement.
The assessment involves a multi-method approach.
The assessment of student learning and development is a process that is separate from faculty evaluation.
The assessment plan is of greatest benefit to the institution through providing an evidence-based analysis for decision-making around program revision and program improvement.
Provides a substantive and sustainable mechanism which enables NYCOM to fulfill its’ responsibility of evaluating our graduates in order to ensure the quality, rigor, and overall effectiveness of our educational program as it relates to educating competent and compassionate physicians;
Ensures that the Assessment Plan and reporting process measures what it is intended to measure (student achievement and program effectiveness) and provides stakeholders with relevant and timely data to make informed decisions on changes in curricular design implementation, program planning, and the overall learning environment.
The specifics of the NYCOM Learning Outcome Assessment Plan include:
• A detailed description of planned assessment procedures; • Detailed linkage of assessment outcomes to NYCOM’s Mission and the osteopathic core competencies (as identified in Institutional Goals); • Identification of specific data sources / outcome indicators (see figure 1); • Description of assessment reporting cycle; • A process for linkage to strategic planning, if appropriate; • Detailed outcomes baseline and established benchmarks; • Dissemination to appropriate committee level and/or departmental level personnel for development of appropriate action plans to ensure continuous program improvement. • Description of responsible department/staff to organize and coordinate data collection, report generation and presentation, as well as directing dissemination of information to appropriate staff Statement(s) of Expected Outcomes Identification of where expected outcomes are addressed Methods/criteria to assess outcomes Development of Baseline Development of benchmarks Demonstrate basic knowledge of Osteopathic Competencies • Academic Coursework
• ICC Seminars
• Descriptors of changes in academic status (attrition/remediation)
• C/FA program
• COMLEX 1 & II
• DPC Curriculum
• LDB Curriculum
• Clinical Clerkships
• Residency Match Rate
• NBOME Shelf Exams
• 5-Year Scholars Program
• Alumni feedback • Course Exams
• Simulation
• Formative / Summative Experiences
• Surveys
• Standardized Tests (NBOME)
• Faculty feedback (clerkships)
• Class ratings Vis a Vis:
• Standardized Tests
• Internal / External Surveys
• Analysis of Residency Trends Data
• End-of-year pass rates
• Analysis of Specialty Choice Demonstrate medical knowledge Demonstrate ability for critical reasoning Demonstrate knowledge of professionalism, ethics Demonstrate an understanding of health care delivery systems Demonstrate the ability to effectively treat patients Students must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills NYCOM is committed to preparing osteopathic physicians for careers in primary care NYCOM is committed to preparing osteopathic physicians for the scholarly pursuit of new knowledge NYCOM is committed to creating opportunities for students to engage in global health practice NYCOM is committed to preparing students to effectively interact with people of diverse cultures
V. Outcomes
Figure 2 provides an illustration of the inter-face of constituents’ data which will comprise NYCOM’s Learning Outcome Assessment Plan.
Outcome Indicators—evaluating student learning outcomes and program effectiveness in conjunction with the medical education training continuum:
Pre-matriculation data, including pre-matriculation survey;
Academic course-work (scores on exams, etc.) “attrition rate”;
Student feedback (assessment) of courses;
COMLEX Scores (pass rates), including mean scores and comparison to national averages;
Residency match rate;
Feedback from 4th Year Exit Survey;
Feedback from (AACOM) Graduation Questionnaire;
Residency program director evaluations of residents;
Completion rates (Post-Doctoral programs);
Specialty certification and licensure;
Career choices (practice type–academic, research, etc.);
Geographic practice locations.
Alumni survey
VI. Outcomes Detail / Data Sources
Pre-matriculation data This data-set includes data captured prior to students entering NYCOM, which includes the following: AACOM pre-matriculation survey given to students; total MCAT scores, collegiate GPA (total GPA-including undergraduate/graduate); and interview score. As there are several cohorts of students in NYCOM (Traditional, BS/DO, Med-Prep, and Émigré) all data is inclusive.
Academic course-work This data-set includes data captured during 4-year pre-doctoral program and 5-year scholar program and includes the following: course grades (H/P/F); exam scores; end-of-year class rankings; ratings of clinical clerkship performance; descriptors of changes in academic status (attrition); percent of students remediating; and percent of repeat students.
Student feedback of courses This data-set includes student feedback from the new Course / Faculty Assessment (program) reports.
COMLEX Scores This will include scores on COMLEX I and II and will incorporate pass rates-both overall and first time, mean scores, and comparisons to national averages (NBOME).
Residency match rates and overall placement rate Data will be compiled as received from the AOA and the National Residency Match Program (NRMP).
Feedback from (AACOM) Graduation Questionnaire Annual survey report received from AACOM comparing NYCOM graduates responses to numerous categories (including demographics, specialty choice, overall perception of pre-doctoral training, indebtedness, and more) to nation-wide osteopathic medical school graduating class responses.
Completion rates (post-doctoral programs) Percent of NYCOM graduates completing internship/residency training programs.
Specialty certification and licensure Data compiled from state licensure boards and other specialty certification organization (board certification) on NYCOM graduates.
Career choices and geographic practice location Data includes practice type (academic, research, clinical, and so on) and practice location. Data obtained from licensure boards, as well as NYCOM Alumni survey.
VII. Compiling the Data
Discussions with departmental leaders and dean’s confirmed data gathering occurs at various levels throughout the institution. Development of a central repository (centralized database) facilitates data gathering, data mining and overall efficiency as it relates to data assessment, report generation, and report dissemination. This includes utilization of internal databases (internal to NYCOM) as well as interfacing with external organizations’ databases, including the AOA (American Osteopathic Association), AMA (American Medical Association), and the ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties).
VIII. Stakeholders
Information from the data collection serves to inform NYCOM administration, appropriate faculty, appropriate research endeavors, and academic/administrative committees, including the following:
Further, this data analysis serves the college for accreditation purposes and institutional self-study.
NYCOM Learning Outcome Assessment Plan
Stages of Implementation of NYCOM Learning Outcome Assessment Plan
I. STAGE 1 Responsible Department/Staff: Office of Educational Development & Assessment (EDA) is lead department responsible for directing all aspects/components of NYCOM Assessment Plan to fruition. Organizational reporting structure of EDA is to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
II. STAGE 2 Centralized database: Development of a (shared or central) repository (database) utilized by internal departments of NYCOM comprised of student data categorized as follows:
Pre-matriculation Data includes demographics, academic data (GPA), and other admissions data (MCAT’s, etc.).
Pre-doctoral Data includes responses to pre-matriculation surveys, course grades, end-of-year grade point averages, Course / Faculty assessment data, ratings of clinical clerkship performance, performance scores on COMLEX I and II, descriptors of changes in academic status (attrition), 4th year exit surveys, and AACOM Graduation questionnaires.
Post-graduate/Career Data includes residency choice, hospitals of residency, geographic location, chosen specialty, residency performance ratings, performance on COMLEX III, geographic and specialty area of practice following post-graduate graduation, licensure, board certification status, scholarly work, professional activities/societies, faculty appointments, type(s) of practice (academic, clinical, research).
This database supports and assimilates collaborative surveys utilized by internal departments in order to capture requested data (see item IV. Outcomes on page 4) essential for tracking students during and after post-graduate training. Specific data (e.g., COMLEX III, board certification, and licensure) is provided by external databases, through periodic reporting means, or queries from NYCOM, therefore the database provides for assimilation of this external data, in order to incorporate into institutional reporting format.
III. STAGE 2 Benchmarks and Reporting: Compile/collate data in order to establish baseline metrics (see item V. Compiling the Data on page 3). Following development of these metrics, institutional benchmarks are established. Benchmarks align with Institutional Goals as written above.
Reporting of data analysis occurs on an annual basis. An annual performance report is compiled from all survey data and external sources. Timeframe for reporting is congruent with end of academic year. Updates to report occur semi-annually, as additional (external) data is received.
Data reporting includes benchmarking against Institutional Goals (mission), in order to provide projections around effectiveness of learning environment, quality improvement indicators, long-range and strategic planning processes, and cost analysis/budgetary considerations.
Report dissemination to key stakeholders, as previously identified (in footnote 3, page 1) in addition to other staff, as deemed appropriate for inclusion in the reporting of assessment analysis.
IV. STAGE 3 Process Evaluation: Annual evaluation of implementation of (longitudinal) Learning Outcome Assessment Plan for review and critique of assessment reports, as well as overall evaluation of report results (to include review of any programmatic changes, curricular modifications, etc.). Annual evaluation should focus on the question: Is the institutional plan assessing what it intended to assess?
Syllabus -Introduction to Adobe Photoshop CS series By Dr. Pelham Mead
Welcome Description of Course: This is an introductory blended online course for students who wish to learn how to use Adobe Photoshop CS series. The course covers everything from the simplest tools, and how to use them, to layering and how to work with layers. Each week (13 weeks), one or more photo projects will be due by the Monday of the following week. This course is all about hands-on participation, and some discussion about obstacles in completing the weekly photo project. Students taking the course will need a copy of Adobe Photoshop CS2 or CS3. It is available free for 60 days online at http://www.adobe.com/photoshop. Skills as well as concepts in solving photo problems will be assessed so there will be quizzes, a midterm and a written final project based on previous projects and the concepts learned. This course is good for students who want to learn how to create quality graphics and manipulate photos. Students must make a commitment of at least 5 hours a week to complete their photo assignments. Some assignments are short, and take only 30 minutes, and others are more complex, and will take 2 hours or more. All samples are provided in .pdf format so that they cannot be copied. Each week is a Module, and will be found in the Blackboard Documents Instructor Information Dr. Pelham Mead Office: eTeachUSA online e-mail : See Blackboard e-mail system Note: For course related issues, please use the e-mail system in Blackboard.
Textbook and Supplemental
No Textbook is required, however if you want a more detailed description of some of the projects like the Melon Man project, you can find it in Adobe Photoshop in the Classroom series 4,5, 6, 7, or 8. Most of the project descriptions will be done in the classroom, however if you miss the class you may be able to find a similar project on the Internet.
Module Submissions
All submissions will be via the Blackboard lockbox feature. This will apply a time stamp for your protection that your submission was in on time 12:00 midnight on each Monday. When I open your submission, Blackboard will automatically send you a receipt via e-mail that your project was received.
Topics Included in this Course
Toolbar skills: oval, square cutters, lasso tool, magic wand tool, painting, erasing, lifting and placing objects. Working with fonts and lettering. Shadowing, bevel, and other shape additions. Shadow reduction techniques. Working with black and white photos or converting color photos to black and white. Editing and repairing old photos. Working with layers, flattening layers, and overlaying layers. Special printing techniques, automatic tasks, fitting more than one photo on a page and setting printers for different photo paper. These are a few but not all the skills and concepts that will be taught. The Course structure
This course runs the entire semester, including online orientation. The course is a combination of hands-on photo projects that teach certain Photoshop tools and photo editing concepts. Each week is a different module or Module and will be contained in a folder in Blackboard’s Documents section listed as Module 1 which is week one and Module 2, and so forth. Thirteen Modules plus a midterm test and a Final written test compromise 15 weeks total.
You will be required to log on to Blackboard everyday, and sometimes several times a day, especially when you are having difficulty understanding the project. You are being evaluated on how many times you log on so feel free to log on as often as possible. If you have a question about the course in general then post your comments in the Instructor’s Office Folder. These are general questions that everyone can read and understand. For specific project related or personal comments use the Blackboard e-mail. That way your e-mail wouldn’t get lost in my regular NYIT mail.
Check the course master Calendar to know what project is due each week. When you project is finished you should use the Blackboard Assignment Section to send it to me. Do not use my personal e-mail to attach projects. It is possible sometimes that a particular .jpg photo may be too large to attach to an e-mail. In that case, try to .pdf the .jpg photo to reduce the size of the file.
As in a regular course, attendance is mandatory. If you fall behind three projects then you might want to consider withdrawing from the course. If you project comes in late on Tuesday when it is due on Monday there will be a penalty of dropping your grade by one letter grade for lateness.
Communication Tools
Since this is a Blended Online course you will have the opportunity to meet with me once a week for one hour to help you through the assignment for the week. You do not want to miss this session since I will not in most cases be giving you a step-by-step account of how to complete the photo project. I will give you specific requirements and you will have to figure them out by yourself if you do not come to the weekly class labs.
We will not be using the Chat function because of the difficulty of setting a time for everyone. You can however use chat among yourselves when working on a project at a group. There will be a few group projects for you to work on during the course.
WHITEBOARD The whiteboard can be a useful addition to chat.
e-mail. Remember to use the Blackboard e-mail system so that I can tell who is sending me a message and not get it confused with my regular office e-mail.
Assessment
Projects=5 pts. Each= 65 total Quizzes= 5 pts.x3= 15 total Discussion on line, participation=15 Final exam=5 pts. Total= 100 pts.
Projects for the Course
Module 1-Melon head project- using cutting and pasting tools Using a Mr. Melon head we cut and drag eyes, mouth, nose, ears and hat onto another canvas.
Module 2-Bear Mountain bridge project- Editing tools With a photo of Bear Mountain bridge (located in New York), remove the bad parts of the photo and the cones on the road using edit skills, cloning, painting, erasing and color matching.
Module 3-Scotland Girl project- Editing, shading, erasing, cloning skills A project that takes an hour or more in a pastel painting on a sidewalk in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mission is to remove the cracks in the sidewalk from the girls head.
Module 4-Limo Project- Editing, color matching, erasing, text skills You have a bus-limo photo and you want to remove the bus lettering and put in NYIT letters instead. Then find photos of 3 people and reduce them in size to match the limo dpi and insert them in the limo windows.
Module 5-College Banner project- Web banner skills- In this project you will put together a Web Banner using several photos and text layered on top. Flatten the layered photo into a .jpg and you are done.
Module 6-Coyote project- drawing skills, pen and brush This is an Adobe in the Classroom book project from Book 4 or 5. It forces you to use the pen and drawing skills in Photoshop. I have taught this dozens of times and there were some errors in the book that had to be adjusted when doing the project.
Module 7-Draw bridge project- editing, cutting and drag and drop skills The Amish in Pennsylvania do not like you to take their photos, however, I caught this Amish horse and wagon entering a covered bridge. Use your erasing skills and remove them from the photo.
Module 8- Church steeple project- using the magic wand This is the steeple of the “Fish” church in Stamford, Conn. It is a perfect detailed project for using the Adobe Photoshop “magic wand tool.” Students will use the magic want to fill in the pipes and stairs in the tower and then Control key, left mouse down and drag to another blank canvas of the same dpi as the original photo.
Module 9- Layer slicing with a hat- creating the ultimate 3-D effect with layer slicing This is a fun project that creates a baseball hat into a 3-D effect by using layer slicing techniques.
Module 10- Lighthouse Project- more discrete editing skills- This photo needs to be made lighter and improved the shadows with special skill tools.
Module 12- Lilies Project- easy replication of cut and drag tools- This is a quick project that emphasizes the use of the clone tools. NOTE: Modules after Module 12 are in additional to the regular assignments and considered Optional for extra credit. Do not work on Modules 13-19 unless you have permission from the instructor.
Module 13- NY City layered Project- cut and drag skills I combined two projects, a banner with fill in boxes and the Gates Project seen in Central Park a few years ago where an artist places beautiful gates of orange fabric gates all over Central Park. Cutting and dragging skills apply here.
Module 14- Printing skills Project- auto and manual printing of photos different sizes How to print more than one photo on a page. How to do proofs for photos and how to use the automatic features in printing in Photoshop.
Module 15-Venice Boats Project- editing, special paste option tool This is another old Adobe Photoshop in the Classroom project in which the special paste function is used with great results of a Venice photo.
Module 16- Watermarks Project- creating watermarks on paper Watermarks are fonts created in black and white that are washed out to become a letter watermark background.
Module 17- Copyrighting- how to digitally embed copyrighting This is a free tool for the first time in which you can embed digital copyright material to protect your photos from being illegally used.
Module 18- Loading Brushes Project- How to do Brushes are also like ink stamps. Many different sizes and figures can be loaded into the brush menu and used.
Module 19- Assorted small projects supplement- a few small projects combined- Some extra bonus work available for bonus credit if you finish you projects early each week.
Mead Novels, Movie Scripts, Educational topics 