Chapter 136

The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ, by Levi H. Dowling, [1920], at sacred-texts.com

Chapter 136

Jesus teaches in the temple. Relates the parable of the good Samaritan. Goes to Bethany. Teaches in Lazarus' home. Rebukes Martha for her anxiety about the things of this life.

1. And Jesus stood again within the temple courts and taught.
2. A master of the law was sent to question him that he might find a cause to censure and accuse him of a crime.
3. He said, Lord, tell me what to do that I may have eternal life?
4. And Jesus said, You know the law; what does it say?
5. The lawyer answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind, and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.
6. And Jesus said, Lo, you have answered well; this do and you shall live.
7. The lawyer said, My neighbour, who is he?
8. And Jesus said, A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho, and lo, he met with robbers on the way, who beat him, robbed him of his goods, and left him bleeding by the way.
9. A Pharisee was going down that way; he saw the wounded man; but then he had no time to lose; he passed by on the other side.
10. A Levite came and saw the man; but he was loath to soil his sacerdotal robes, and he passed by.
11. A lawyer on his way to Jericho observed the dying man, and then he said, If I could make a shekel I might help the man; but he has nothing left to give, I have no time for charity; and he passed on.
12. And then a stranger from Samaria came that way; he saw the wounded man; his heart was touched with pity, and he stopped, dismounted from his horse,
13. Revived the man, and placed him on his horse and took him to an inn and charged the keeper of the inn to nurse him back to strength.
14. He gave the keeper all the money that he had and said, Your charges may be more than this, but care for this unfortunate, and when I come again I will pay all; and then he went his way.
15. Now, master of the law, which of these four was neighbour unto him who fell among the thieves?
16. The lawyer said, The man who showed him mercy; he who cared for him.
17. And Jesus said, Go on your way and likewise do, and you shall live.
18. Now, Jesus, Peter, James and John went out to Bethany where Lazarus lived.
19. And Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard him speak the words of life while Martha served.
20. And Martha called, but Mary would not leave the Lord to help her serve.
21. And Martha said to Jesus, Do you not care that Mary makes me bear the burdens of the serving all the day? I beg that you will bid her help.
22. And Jesus said, You are too anxious, Martha, for your guests; you need not trouble so about the things of life.
23. You grow a-weary by your care for little things and slight the one thing needed most of all.
24. Your sister here has chosen far the better part, a part that none can take away.