Where Did Jesus Die? — Page 55
Chapter Four—Early Documentary Evidence 55 Thirty hours had now passed since the assumed death of Jesus. And when the Brother, having heard a slight noise within the grotto, went in to observe what had happened, he observed with inexpressible joy that the lips of the body moved, and that it breathed. He at once hastened to Jesus to assist him, and heard slight sounds rising from his breast. The face assumed a living appearance, and the eyes opened and in astonishment gazed at the novice of our Order. This occurred just as I was leaving with the brethren of the first degree, from the council, with Joseph, who had come to consult how to bring help. (p. 79) Nicodemus who was an experienced physician, said, on the way, that the peculiar condition of the atmosphere caused by the revolution of the elements was beneficial to Jesus, and that he never had believed that Jesus really was dead. And he further said the blood and water which flowed from the wound was a sure sign that life was not extinct. Conversing thus, we arrived at the grotto, Joseph and Nicodemus going before. We were in all twenty-four brethren of the first degree. Entering we perceived the white-robed novice kneel- ing upon the Moss-strewn floor of the grotto, supporting the head of the revived Jesus on his breast. And as Jesus recognised his Esseer friends, his eyes sparkled with joy; his cheeks were tinted with a faint red, and he sat up, asking: ‘Where am I?’ Then Joseph embraced him, folded him in his arms,