Jesus: I Speak to You Again

Chapter 109

Association with Ordinary People of Other Lands Draws Closer These Lands

When I lived among you in the human flesh, people were curious about what was happening in other lands, just as they are today. Back then, the only way to learn about faraway places was by traveling. I found much joy in conversing with the travelers of camel caravans that passed through Nazareth, making their way around the Roman Empire. As a child, I was fortunate to have the chance to meet many of these travelers. My father’s workshop, where he worked as a carpenter and also repaired various items for the caravans, was often visited by those on long journeys.

I listened intently to the stories of these travelers, and my desire to see distant lands grew stronger. I longed not just to hear about the world but to experience it myself. While my father asked about the safety of the roads and the risks of robbery, my interest lay in the everyday lives of the people in those distant lands. I wanted to know about their customs, how they lived, and what they were interested in. I sought to understand the spirit of their lives, not just their material conditions.

Today, you have many more ways to learn about other lands. With technology, you can see and hear about other cultures through television, the internet, books, and radio. But the real understanding of people doesn’t come from simply watching or listening. It comes from engaging with their lives, from being present with them. A tourist who only visits popular sites and listens to guides will never truly know a place or its people. It’s like tasting food without salt—something is missing.

When I traveled, I sought to live among the people, to feel their joys and struggles, to understand them not just with my eyes but with my heart. This deeper knowledge of others brings us closer together. When you associate with ordinary people, you bridge the gaps between lands and cultures. Even if someone has never been to your land, through your actions and words, you represent it. And as you get to know others, you begin to see that, deep down, we are all the same.

Today, travel is often about seeking entertainment or relaxation, not about building connections with others. Tourism has been turned into a business, driven by profit rather than the desire to understand and connect. But if you look within and discover the Father, you will see that travel can be so much more. It can be a way to bring people closer together, to break down the barriers of misunderstanding and unfamiliarity.

Imagine a world where, instead of staying in luxury hotels, travelers stayed with local families, participated in their daily lives, and shared experiences. Instead of focusing on monuments and buildings, they would focus on the people, on understanding how others live and think. Such a form of travel, though it may seem tiring or unfamiliar now, will one day be the norm. Through this direct association, you would not only enrich your own life but also expand the horizons of those you meet.

Even if you do not speak the same language, your open hearts would communicate. Gestures, actions, and the universal language of love would help you understand one another. Over time, you would find ways to share more deeply, perhaps with the help of an interpreter. And every evening, families could come together to share their experiences, creating a stronger bond between lands and cultures.

This kind of tourism may seem far off, but it is within your reach. All it takes is a transformation within yourselves—a discovery of the Father who dwells within you and a recognition that all people, no matter where they live or what language they speak, are your brothers and sisters. Once you see this truth, your desire to know others will deepen. You will no longer be content to view the world through the windows of a tour bus. You will seek to understand, to engage, and to love.

When this happens, the shallow distractions of today’s media—its superficial jokes, glamorous images, and violent scenes—will no longer hold the same appeal. You will seek deeper, more meaningful connections. You will see that we are all part of the same human family, and you will work to build a world where this understanding is the foundation of all relationships.

In time, this change will bring not only individuals but entire lands closer together, creating a world that reflects the Father’s love more fully.