PHASE THIRTEEN
THE GREAT CONNECTION
Section I--The Risen Baptist
ND when sunrise had arrived, that is to say, on Monday morning, the twenty-seventh day of March, we came straight over the sea of Galilee, and we entered into Bethsaida and into the country of the Geshurians, the wind storm having passed.
02 And as we stepped out of the boat, forthwith there met us out of the mountains of Bethsaida, a man with an unclean trade, who had his dwelling in the caves of Geshur.
03 And no man could change him, not even with gifts. For they said he was a crazy demonic, possessed by spirits of ghosts.
04 And he was always day and night in the caves and in the mountains, himself a cutter of stones and a builder of mausoleums.
05 And seeing me from afar off, he ran toward me, as if he knew me, and yelling with a loud voice, he said: What have we to do with thee, David the son of Adam? Have you come to feed and clothed the wicked? or have you come to raise up the dead [which is, the unveiling of the dead].
06 And I saith unto him from afar: Go out of the man, thou unholy spirit. But as he approached closer he looked familiar; and I asked him, and saith unto him: Do I know you? that you should know my father's name.
07 And answering he said: yes you do, for I am called Eleazar, [which is here being interpreted to mean Lazarus, or the man who raises up the dead]; for I am the very same man who buried your father, but a short year ago.
08 And crying, he that raises up the dead besought me much, that I would not drive him away out of his native country, but would allow him to live and work in peace. And having compassion toward God's Helper, I gave to him that was without. And in exchange he ministered unto my needs by helping me find and unveil my father's grave.
09 And some of the local residence there came to me, and they saw him that was without, sitting, clothed, and well in his wits, and they were troubled by my connection with a man who takes care of the dead.
10 And some herdsmen there that had also seen it, told other herdsmen in what manner I had dealt with the cutter of stones.
11 And they began to beseech me, that I would depart from their country of Geshur, because I had compassion on an unclean man who could never attend synagogue, because he was continually day and night defiling himself by his helpful trade.
12 And when we were departing from their country, he that had been troubled and without, began to beseech me that he might follow me into my father's tomb.
13 And wishing to be alone, I permitted him not, and desirous to have my accepted name published, I saith unto him: Go into thy dwelling and to thy friends, and tell them how great things the risen Baptist hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee because of thy holy trade.
14 And following my instructions, he went his way and began to spread the good news as far south as Gadara, and to the tombs beyond the Gadarenes, how many great things the Lord had done for him.
15 And all men wondered why John the Baptist should appear to Lazarus. Because I said: Go and tell everyone what the risen Baptist hath done for thee, But I knew the holiness of his work, because I had recognized him to be the very same man who helped raise up my father, but a short year ago.
16 And immediately I obliged my disciples to take care of the boat, and then to go up the inland strait of Geshur, whilst they awaited my arrival by the sea of Hula.
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