James of Alphaeus (apostle)

Jesus arrives at the plain of Esdrelon. There he meets four peasants from Yokhanan, who are working in the fields. Peter decides to help them while they talk with the Master. The four men are impressed, but eventually stop being afraid and start questioning Christ. They tell him about Jonah and the harshness of Doras. Jesus goes to the Pharisee's house and a violent confrontation ensues. Doras wants to impress Jesus with his wealth, but the Lord only asks for Jonah, and Doras finally complies, ordering servants to bring him. Jesus, however, follows his servants to the shepherd of Bethlehem. The latter is dying, and the Messiah tells his apostles to take the bed on which Jonah lies: they are going to Nazareth. Before leaving, he puts an anathema on Doras' land. Doras wants him to withdraw his curse, but Christ leaves him to the God of Sinai. Finally, the apostolic group arrives in Nazareth and Jonah dies between Jesus and Mary.

Jesus is near Lake Meron. Peter thinks they'll never get to Jerusalem in time, having healed a wounded man and created joy in a family, but Jesus reassures him and tells him never to put love before acts of piety. Peter has been touched by the act of Publius Quintilianus and Jesus asks him if he would be interested in the Romans. Just afterwards, the rain falls and they take refuge with Jacob of Meron, who is very poor and full of worries. But he welcomes the apostolic group and Jesus blesses him for his mercy. He then speaks of God's will, which is his food.

Jesus is at the Jordan ford: they're looking for John the Baptist, but he's not here. Instead, they meet Solomon, who is a disciple of John and has brought souls to him without asking for money to cross the Jordan. He is a righteous man. Christ greets him and they continue on their way to Jericho. The Lord then gives them a parable about the fields being tilled by the farmer: so it is with souls who allow themselves to be more or less tilled by the Lord. Then they talk indirectly about the Passion. Jesus says that even if legions of angels came to defend him, they could do nothing, for Justice must be done. They also speak of the present cup, the second cup, and the third cup that will be drunk at the end of the world. Simon the Zealot understands the words of the Book and guesses that the Redeemer will have to suffer enormously. Jesus confirms his vision of things, and Peter comes to ask Simon for an explanation. He wants to defend his Master, but the Zealot, being a wise man, guesses that the apostles' courage will melt like snow in the sun. They continue talking until Peter, who sees how sad Jesus is, goes off to the Savior and tells him not to be so sad anymore. This passage is a fine example of Peter's spontaneity.

Jesus is in the Temple in Jerusalem. He is praying. But Alexander, the Roman soldier he has met before, appears. His horse has wounded a child, who is in agony, so he comes looking for the Master, who he is sure can save this innocent. His arrival causes a scandal, because a pagan in the Temple is very serious in the eyes of the Pharisees. So Jesus goes straight to him and heals the boy. The doctors of the Law then reproached him for all the commotion he was causing in the holy place...

Jesus goes to Bethany to face the hostility of the Pharisees. Lazarus gives him the land of Belle-Eau. In this chapter, we discover that the son of Theophilus intervened a great deal in secret, on behalf of Jesus and his friend Simon. The Lord speaks of his friend's spiritual goodness and promises that the Father has a great reward in store for him. He speaks of his future sanctification in Heaven, and by extension of the saints and blessed who will be there.