GRM 74.2
The Gospel as revealed to me
Quotation
74.2 «Let us go.»
«Where, Master?»
«To Bethlehem.»
«Again? I do not think the situation is a favourable one for us…»
«It does not matter. Let us go. I want to show you where the Magi came and where I was.»
«In that case, listen. Excuse me, will You, Master? But let me do the talking. Let us do one thing. In Bethlehem and at the hotel, let me speak and ask questions. You Galileans are not very much liked in Judaea, and much less here than anywhere else. Or better still, let us do this: your clothes show that You and John are Galileans. It’s too easy. And then… your hair! Why do you persist in wearing it so long? Simon and I will change mantles with you. Simon, give yours to John, I’ll give mine to the Master. That’s it! See? You already look a little more like Judaeans. Now take this.» And he takes off the cloth covering his head: a yellow, brown, red, green striped length of material, like his mantle, held in position by a yellow cord, he places it on Jesus’ head, adjusting it along His cheeks to hide His fair hair. John puts on the very dark green one of Simon: «Oh! That’s better now. I have a practical sense.»
«Yes, Judas, you have a practical sense. That is true. Watch, however, that it does not exceed the other sense.»
«Which one, Master?»
«The spiritual sense.»
«No! No! But in certain cases it pays to be more of a politician than an ambassador. And listen… be good a little longer… it is for Your own good… Do not contradict me if I should say something,… something… which is not true.»
«What do you mean? Why tell lies? I am the Truth and I want no lies in Me or around Me.»
«Oh! I will only tell half lies. I will say that we are all coming back from remote places, from Egypt for instance, and that we are seeking news of dear friends. I will say that we are Judaeans coming back from exile. After all, there is some truth in everything, and I will be speaking, and… one lie more, one lie less…»
«But Judas! Why deceive?»
«Never mind, Master! The world lives on deceit. And at times deceit is a necessity. Well: to make You happy, I will only say that we are coming from far and that we are Judaeans. Which is true for three out of four of us. And you, John, please do not speak at all. You would give yourself away.»
«I will be quiet.»
«Then… if everything works out all right… we shall say the rest. But I do not believe it… I am shrewd, I grasp things at once.»
«I see that, Judas. But I would prefer you to be simple.»
«It does not help much. In Your group, I will be the one in charge of difficult missions. Let me carry on.»
Jesus is reluctant. But He gives in.
Detail
Judas points out to Jesus that he won't really be telling the truth to the people of Bethlehem about what happened at the time of the Massacre of the Innocents. But Jesus doesn't want lies around and within him.