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Chapter 3.
Healing Souls and Bodies

One day, Jesus and His disciples had come to our house late at night, being very tired.

I gave water to all of them, so that they could wash themselves after their travels, and hurried to start the fireplace and prepare a meal.

Andrew, one of the closest disciples of Jesus, helped me, bringing firewood and more water for the needs of the kitchen.

I was already accustomed to the fact that one of the disciples of Jesus always undertook to help me in the household.

I was very pleased that this time it was Andrew who did it. I really liked him. Andrew was handsome, tall, and broad-shouldered, with strong hands and with a surprisingly beautiful calm look. I especially singled out him from all the disciples of Jesus. I really wanted to be liked by him — in the way that a woman should be liked by a man.

Andrew told me:

“You do not need to cook delicacies right now, let the food be simple. Today is not the time for a festive meal. Jesus is very tired: it was a difficult day. Mary will come to you now to help, and I’ll go tell those people that have already gathered at the entrance — to come tomorrow.

“How did they find out so quickly that He has come? So many of them only want to receive the healing of the bodies! Cripples, infirm patients — there is always a crowd of them flocking around Him!

“But He has come here not to heal their ulcers, limps, or blindness, but to teach the purity of the soul and the life with God in love! Oh, if only these people could understand this! Oh, if only they could accept the healing of the souls, about which Jesus is teaching to all, and decide to change themselves — to change their lives!

“I’ll go and tell them to come tomorrow. Today the Master must rest.”

… Having returned, Andrew drew attention to the bandage on my arm, which became visible from under my clothes when I began washing vegetables:

“What happened to your arm? Are you well?”

“I burnt my arm the other day, and the wound has not healed yet… But it’s nothing! It will pass!”

“He will definitely help you! But I just ask that you do not bother Him today!”

“Well, what’s the point of involving Him in this? It will heal by itself!”

“He always has something to do with everything! But — you can ask Him tomorrow! Today, let Him rest…”

… Everything was moving in the usual way. Mary helped me with diligence, even though she could hardly stand on her feet due to fatigue. I served bread, water, vegetables, and fruits on the table.

Suddenly, when I stopped next to Jesus, He gently touched my hand and said:

“Thank you, Martha!”

… And immediately the pain in my hand went away!…

A little surprised, I continued to busy myself with housework.

Then, when I finished washing the dishes, and everyone was already going to bed, I decided to change the bandage on my arm.

But under the bandage, there was no wound! There was not even a trace on the skin! It was a miracle! Tears came to my eyes: He knew everything about me, He did this — for me! He had revealed the Power of God! Though I did not ask Him for anything! And no one told Him! And yet, the arm was completely healed!

I was overwhelmed by so much gratitude, which did not fit into the usual understanding of gratitude! The heart was filled with the understanding that Jesus loves me, knows everything about me, even without me asking Him!

This had transformed myself-soul more than anything that I knew or heard about Him before!

* * *

The next morning Jesus went out to the people who had gathered around our house, hungry for help from Him in healing.

Among the people waiting for Jesus, there was our rich neighbor Sarah.

She always looked with hostility at what was happening in our house when Jesus was here. Often, evil gossips began their journey starting precisely from her lips.

Once, she even told me:

“Why do you take all of them in? They are freeloaders, they live in your house, they eat… And they do not pay you for the accomodations!

“And they say that this Jesus can feed a whole crowd! He only breaks one loaf of bread — and everyone receives enough food!

“All of this is lies! They only use your naivety and kindness! You and Lazarus need to be smarter!”

… I was indignant:

“Come to your senses, Sarah! Since when do we accept payment from dear guests and friends?!”

“All people earn their bread by their labor! But these ones — walk, using their strange speeches to tear everyone away from the really necessary deeds! They will completely ruin your sister! And you and Lazarus consider it an honor to receive them! Do you really think that they are saints?”

… I then waved my hand and went away, not wanting to get involved in a dispute…

And now Sarah — on her knees and all in tears — stood among those asking for help from Jesus…

… In my mind, there was a malevolent thought that Sarah got what she deserved… After all, often, it is only when people comprehend suffering and misfortune that they remember about God! And now — Sarah needed Jesus, Whom she had always despised and slandered! He had become needed — only after a certain misfortune had come to her house!…

With an effort, I drove this thought away: “Do not take revenge on the offenders even in your thoughts! Do not rejoice in the misfortunes of even evil people!” — Jesus taught us. We should not triumph when a person receives punishment — even if it is deserved! After all, perhaps, Sarah’s eyes have been opened now!…

I remembered the words of Jesus: “God comes to the house of every man in different ways…”.

… And Sarah howled from grief, crawled on her knees to Jesus, clutched the edges of His clothes and asked:

“My son is dying! Have mercy! Help me! Save him! This morning, he had fallen from a cliff and landed against the rocks! And he still has not regained consciousness!”

… And behind Sarah, through the crowd, her servants walked, carrying her son on a stretcher: a boy of about ten, who was unconscious.

“God — the Father of Mine and yours — in His Power — is omnipotent over all! Do you believe, Sarah, in His Power, Justice, and Omnipotence?”

“There was no faith in me before, even though I considered myself a believer!… I am a sinner before You, because I was mistaken! Forgive me! Save my son!”

“Try not to forget what you have realized now, Sarah! Your son will be healthy!”

Jesus stretched His hands over the boy — and he woke up and got up!

The boy came to Jesus, embraced Him and stood there for a long time. Jesus also embraced the boy and said something quietly to him alone.

And there was silence, all the people around kept quiet…

Then Jesus healed many sick people and answered their questions.

And a blind old man was last to approach.

Jesus had touched his eyes — and he received his sight!

Out of all that they saw and heard, the people marveled at this miracle most of all.

People whispered to each other: “He is truly from God, for the sick have recovered and even a blind man has received his sight!”

Jesus explained:

“Today — in front of you — I have healed a man who was blind. This one, who was blind, began to see the light!

“But, like this, now the soul must be healed! You — as souls! — should see the Light of the Holy Spirit, hear the Words of God, Who is always near you — for there is no place where there is no God!

“Only one alone can shut oneself off from Him — by one’s own will or by ignorance!

“The Power of the Heavenly Father is great, and bodies can be healed. But these miracles are revealed through Me — in order to save not only the bodies from suffering but also the souls!

“Even before you saw and heard Me, most of you knew that there is God. And many of you believed that you had a firm faith…

“None of you doubt the words of the ancient prophets. And everyone reveres them.

“But the Man from God has come and talks about the Truth, which must be understood, accepted, and executed right now, — and people begin to doubt, be lazy, or postpone the transformation of themselves-souls for later!

“But the life of each of us is happening right now in front of God, not in the past and not in the future! Right now, a time has been assigned for your decisions and your transformation!

“And when tomorrow comes — then, too, in every hour, in every moment of your lives, you will be before the sight of the Heavenly Father!

“God can perform miracles with healing bodies — to strengthen faith. But He does not do — instead of people — their work on the transformation of souls!

“Each of you does your own deeds in life: in fields, in houses, in growing grain, in firing pottery, carpentry or working with metals, or, like most women, cooking meals and taking care of children and the home.

“But there is the main work appointed by God to man: it is the labor on oneself-soul.

“Many parables have been composed on how a father instructs his sons to multiply their wealth — and then watches how they work.

“But is this about earthly wealth?

“Leaving the body, the soul cannot take with it anything of value from the world, except for the love that one has cultivated in oneself and distributed to all around!

“Material wealth grows when a person accumulates it in order to own it.

“The real wealth of man, which has value in the subsequent life, grows when a person gives what he or she has!

“The more love a person gives to others — the more rich, abundant, and strong love he or she becomes as a soul.

“One, who is giving love, multiplies it both in oneself and around oneself! He or she is like a sower who sows good seeds!

“Understand: what you give — multiplies the wealth of yourself-soul! Whether it’s earthly gifts or spiritual gifts, little or large gifts — give them with love — and the beauty and strength of the souls will grow!

“The more the soul is purified and cultivated with good qualities — the more the Divine world opens for such a soul!

“The seed, planted in the soil, is, at first, in darkness. The root appears, and then the sprout grows from the soil — so that the plant can see the light.

“This is the miracle of birth. But this is only the beginning of its life in this world.

“The plant eats from the ground through the roots — as well as from the light of the Sun and the rains spilling from the sky.

“A lot of time must pass, so that a sufficiently strong tree, capable of bearing fruits, grows from the seed.

“Likewise, a soul needs to grow both in the earthly world, and in the Light of the Divine Spirits! And also, it must be watered with the true knowledge.

“People-souls are sent to the Earth in order to grow and to learn, first of all, how to increase one’s love! That’s how souls approach God, Who is Perfect Love!

“A powerful tree will not grow from a seed if it is deprived of its nutrition from the soil. But it will also not grow if it is deprived of light and water.

“The soul must be nurtured like such a tree.

“A Great and Perfect Soul can be made from a small seed!

“The miracle of birth in the Light, when the soul attains faith and then begins to feel the Presence of Living God and see His Light — is like the life of a sprout which squeezes through the soil to the surface and then grows.

“Ahead of each of you, lies a great effort to transform and nurture yourself-soul! It will not happen all at once. But every moment of your lives can be filled with that conscious cultivation of love and wisdom that the Heavenly Father is waiting for His children!

“People do not have the opportunity to simply ‘run away’ from the problems that they carry in themselves, from prejudices that are kept in the mind, from harmful habits. But it is necessary to constantly rid the soul of perverse qualities and develop new properties, skills, and a clean and benevolent mindset. This is your work for God!

“And there is no way to approach God, to learn to feel, see, and hear Him, until this work is accomplished.

“As if covered with dust and clods of dirt — the soul trudges along being burdened with vices! And these accumulated layers are also covered with ‘masked attires’, which hide that dirt from the eyes of people around — from those people who can see only the outside.

“The soul must cast off those ‘vestments’ of false grandeur, ostentatious decency, and cleanse itself from the filth of all other vices! Let it be like this: naked and purified — the soul must appear before God!”

“And what sacrifices should we bring to God for these healings? Should we bring them to You?” — one of those, who had been healed on this day, asked.

“I do not do anything from Myself! But I do what God desires — the Heavenly Father of both Mine and of all of you!

“Think yourselves: what does God need from man?

“Is it really pleasing for God to see the torment of the innocent lambs being killed? Does it really purify you from the sins that have been committed by you? No! So is it possible to show your gratitude to God in this way?

“And does God need money to be brought to the priests? How can the ‘sacrifice’ of such actions be pleasing to God? Is it true that since many of you have been healed by the Power of God today, that you should go to the temple and contribute money for killing animals or for other ‘thankful’ rituals?

“No! Let the gratitude, which was born in your hearts, light the lamps of the unquenchable love that will never cease to burn in yourselves-souls! Let your ‘sacrifice’ to God be your rejection of your own evil desires, thoughts, words, and deeds of unkindness!

“Let your kind deeds, done for all around, be your thanksgiving to God!

“Man is not a body or a mind, but a soul, capable of loving and thinking, even while living in the body or without a body.

“The bodiless soul is able to think, rejoice, cognize, and love!

“And it is for personal development, first of all, that God sends souls to evolve in bodies!

“But, unfortunately, not all people, born on the Earth, are aware of these tasks and opportunities!

“Human life can be like the life of animals: it takes place, first of all, in cares for food and reproduction. But it can also be sublime — thanks to the awareness of life and to spiritual efforts!”

… Together with all the others, I listened to Jesus and the understanding filled me.

* * *

After that, I talked with Mary. And she told me another story about how Jesus helps people:

“I’ve seen many miracles in the past months of separation from you! He heals and preaches almost every day! It even seems to me sometimes that I have become accustomed to miracles…

“But yesterday afternoon, I saw something that had struck me more than all those miraculous healings…

“The greatest miracle happens when the soul sees and directly perceives God! And then — the soul does not lose this, but keeps the Light, which has ignited in the heart, and augments It!

“He also spoke about this to people that time. But not many understood Him…

“Then, as we were walking, a huge crowd followed us.

“Jesus, I repeat, already spoke with these people and had healed many of them… But they did not understand almost anything from His speeches! They tried to touch His body… They kept on wanting and wanting miracles and blessings from Him…

“The crowd was huge! There was dust lifted up by many feet, heat, and stuffiness…

“Suddenly, an elderly woman fell down. And because of this, she was almost trampled to death!

“I would not have seen this, and none of the disciples would have noticed if Jesus had not stopped.

“She, exhausted, layed on the side of the road, where she was dragged, so that the crowd would not hurt her even more…

“She looked after the departed — with despair! Her whole appearance seemed to say: ‘Jesus, do not leave! I no longer have the strength to follow You!…’.

“Jesus had returned and came close to her. People parted before Him.

“He bent down, His hands touched her head and heart area.

He said:

‘For those, who want to be with Me, I am always near! There is no distance between us, and there is no time of parting! I am always in your spiritual heart!

‘Get up and return to your house! You can go your way with Me in your heart — all your life! And the paradise will be opened before you, when your hour comes!’

“He lifted and kissed her.

“She smiled — happily! — and went home, without looking back.

“Thousands of people continued to crowd around Him… But it was this woman who got the most that day!”

“But you, too, follow after the body of Jesus. And, no matter how much I ask you, you will not stay at home with me and Lazarus. Is that not so?”

“Yes, it’s so…

“Once John asked Jesus about this:

‘Teacher, why do You say to some people to leave everything and follow You, and to others — that they go to their houses and only live a life of righteousness before God? You teach them only to keep the commandments of mercy, caring for others, and love for God. Why do You advise differently?’

“Jesus answered:

‘Do many need the kind of life that you now live with Me? Would they not get bored soon, desiring their herds and plowlands, the relatives that they left, and will they not want to return to their old life? It is always better to move, even slowly, but still approaching God — than in a brief impulse to rush, and then rush back!

‘Do many people want and can learn from Me what I teach you? The purpose is not to just herd flocks of sheep, but to instruct the children of God in the ways of righteous life, to sow not wheat but seeds of knowledge of God, to cultivate the fields of souls, bringing a harvest to the Heavenly Father.

‘Small souls cannot yet contain all the understanding of the Heavenly Kingdom. The Infinity of the Kingdom cannot be embraced by them yet… And they cannot yet manifest the Love and Power of the Heavenly Father — through themselves…’

‘But can we really do this?’ — John asked.

“And Jesus answered him:

‘That’s why I have chosen you and teach you. I do so because you can do it! And let everyone do what he or she can — for the glory of the Heavenly Father! Then — power will increase, and your skills will grow!’”