105 So it was the next day he taught in the
temple, reminding the people of the laws they had forgotten. "You
pray," he taught, "but you forget. You expect not to do my Father's
will, and still receive His reward. You think, 'Well, I can do this,
and do that, and have a sacrifice, and it will be forgiven.' But you
forgot why the sacrifices were given you. It was not so you could do
evil again and again, but so those who had done evil might find peace
with The Most High. You have altered the meaning of the sacrifices,
made them a thing of evil, rather than a thing of good."
106 Now, when The Priests heard this, they were angry, for the
sacrifices were their greatest means of income, providing the temple
with its riches and it gave them an opportunity to wear their bright
robes, to perform their lavish ceremonies.
107 "There'll come a time soon," announced The Young Teacher, "that
there there will be a final sacrifice, one final shedding of blood,
which shall put an end to the need for any further sacrifice. For
whoever believes in THAT sacrifice, and does the will of The One, then
he or she shall know Paradise.
108 But whoever rejects this sacrifice, refuses to accept that which
The One God has given them, that one shall burn in The Place of Fire.
They shall grit their teeth for eternity, and cry 'Mercy, mercy!' But
their mercy was already given them, and they refused it. Now, they will
be given no more. "
109 "This is blasphemy! " cried The Priests, "This is not The Teachings
of The One! He is a demon, a deceiver; perhaps even The Lord of Demons.
Drive him out! Stone him!"