CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ABGAR AND JESUS

This material was reported by Eusebius (ca. 325) as having come from
the archives of the east Syrian royal city of Edessa (EH 1.13.15), in 
the Syriac (eastern Aramaic) language, then translated into Greek.


COPY OF THE LETTER WRITTEN BY ABGAR THE RULER TO JESUS
AND SENT TO HIM THROUGH ANANIAS THE MESSENGER, TO JERUSALEM 
 
Abgar, ruler of Edessa, to Jesus the good savior who has appeared 
in the city of Jerusalem, greetings.

Information about you and your healings,
which you perform without drugs or herbs, 
has come to my attention. 
It is reported that you 
make the blind to see, the lame to walk, and you cleanse lepers 
and exorcise unclean spirits and demons, and you heal persons   
who have lingering illnesses and you raise the dead.  

When I heard all these things about you, it occurred to me that you 
must be one of two things; either you are God and have come down
from heaven to do these things, or you are a son of God who does
such things. Therefore I have written to beg you to be solicitous 
towards me and to heal the malady I have. 

I have also heard that the Jews plot against you and wish to do 
you injury. But my city is small and loyal, adequate for us both. 


THE RESPONSE FROM JESUS TO ABGAR THE RULER, 
SENT THROUGH ANANIAS THE MESSENGER

Abgar: Blessed are you for believing in me although you have not seen 
me! For it is written concerning me that those who have seen me do not
believe in me and that those who have not seen, they will believe and live. 

Now concerning your request that I come to you, it is necessary for 
me to complete here all things for which I was sent, and after they are 
completed, to return to the one who sent me.  
 
And after I have returned, I will send to you one of my disciples 
to heal your malady and to offer life to you and to those with you. 


[[RAK 9/8/83]]