The Urantia Book
PAPER 137
TARRYING TIME IN GALILEE
137:0.1 EARLY on Saturday morning, February 23,
A.D. 26, Jesus came down from the hills to rejoin John's company
encamped at Pella. All that day Jesus mingled with the multitude.
He ministered to a lad who had injured himself in a fall and
journeyed to the near-by village of Pella to deliver the boy
safely into the hands of his parents.
1. CHOOSING THE FIRST FOUR APOSTLES
137:1.1 During this Sabbath two of John's
leading disciples spent much time with Jesus. Of all John's
followers one named Andrew was the most profoundly impressed with
Jesus; he accompanied him on the trip to Pella with the injured
boy. On the way back to John's rendezvous he asked Jesus many
questions, and just before reaching their destination, the two
paused for a short talk, during which Andrew said: "I have
observed you ever since you came to Capernaum, and I believe you
are the new Teacher, and though I do not understand all your
teaching, I have fully made up my mind to follow you; I would sit
at your feet and learn the whole truth about the new kingdom." And
Jesus, with hearty assurance, welcomed Andrew as the first of his
apostles, that group of twelve who were to labor with him in the
work of establishing the new kingdom of God in the hearts of men.
137:1.2 Andrew was a silent observer of, and
sincere believer in, John's work, and he had a very able and
enthusiastic brother, named Simon, who was one of John's foremost
disciples. It would not be amiss to say that Simon was one of
John's chief supporters.
137:1.3 Soon after Jesus and Andrew returned to
the camp, Andrew sought out his brother, Simon, and taking him
aside, informed him that he had settled in his own mind that Jesus
was the great Teacher, and that he had pledged himself as a
disciple. He went on to say that Jesus had accepted his proffer of
service and suggested that he (Simon) likewise go to Jesus and
offer himself for fellowship in the service of the new kingdom.
Said Simon: "Ever since this man came to work in Zebedee's shop, I
have believed he was sent by God, but what about John? Are we to
forsake him? Is this the right thing to do?" Whereupon they agreed
to go at once to consult John. John was saddened by the thought of
losing two of his able advisers and most promising disciples, but
he bravely answered their inquiries, saying: "This is but the
beginning; presently will my work end, and we shall all become his
disciples." Then Andrew beckoned to Jesus to draw aside while he
announced that his brother desired to join himself to the service
of the new kingdom. And in welcoming Simon as his second apostle,
Jesus said: "Simon, your enthusiasm is commendable, but it is
dangerous to the work of the kingdom. I admonish you to become
more thoughtful in your speech. I would change your name to
Peter."
137:1.4 The parents of the injured lad who lived
at Pella had besought Jesus to spend the night with them, to make
their house his home, and he had promised. Before leaving Andrew
and his brother, Jesus said, "Early on the morrow we go into
Galilee."
137:1.5 After Jesus had returned to Pella for
the night, and while Andrew and Simon were yet discussing the
nature of their service in the establishment of the forthcoming
kingdom, James and John the sons of Zebedee arrived upon the
scene, having just returned from their long and futile searching
in the hills for Jesus. When they heard Simon Peter tell how he
and his brother, Andrew, had become the first accepted counselors
of the new kingdom, and that they were to leave with their new
Master on the morrow for Galilee, both James and John were sad.
They had known Jesus for some time, and they loved him. They had
searched for him many days in the hills, and now they returned to
learn that others had been preferred before them. They inquired
where Jesus had gone and made haste to find him.
137:1.6 Jesus was asleep when they reached his
abode, but they awakened him, saying: "How is it that, while we
who have so long lived with you are searching in the hills for
you, you prefer others before us and choose Andrew and Simon as
your first associates in the new kingdom?" Jesus answered them,
"Be calm in your hearts and ask yourselves, `who directed that you
should search for the Son of Man when he was about his Father's
business?'" After they had recited the details of their long
search in the hills, Jesus further instructed them: "You should
learn to search for the secret of the new kingdom in your hearts
and not in the hills. That which you sought was already present in
your souls. You are indeed my brethren -- you needed not to be
received by me -- already were you of the kingdom, and you should
be of good cheer, making ready also to go with us tomorrow into
Galilee." John then made bold to ask, "But, Master, will James and
I be associates with you in the new kingdom, even as Andrew and
Simon?" And Jesus, laying a hand on the shoulder of each of them,
said: "My brethren, you were already with me in the spirit of the
kingdom, even before these others made request to be received.
You, my brethren, have no need to make request for entrance into
the kingdom; you have been with me in the kingdom from the
beginning. Before men, others may take precedence over you, but in
my heart did I also number you in the councils of the kingdom,
even before you thought to make this request of me. And even so
might you have been first before men had you not been absent
engaged in a well-intentioned but self-appointed task of seeking
for one who was not lost. In the coming kingdom, be not mindful of
those things which foster your anxiety but rather at all times
concern yourselves only with doing the will of the Father who is
in heaven."
137:1.7 James and John received the rebuke in
good grace; never more were they envious of Andrew and Simon. And
they made ready, with their two associate apostles, to depart for
Galilee the next morning. From this day on the term apostle was
employed to distinguish the chosen family of Jesus' advisers from
the vast multitude of believing disciples who subsequently
followed him.
137:1.8 Late that evening, James, John, Andrew,
and Simon held converse with John the Baptist, and with tearful
eye but steady voice the stalwart Judean prophet surrendered two
of his leading disciples to become the apostles of the Galilean
Prince of the coming kingdom.
2. CHOOSING PHILIP AND NATHANIEL
137:2.1 Sunday morning, February 24, A.D. 26,
Jesus took leave of John the Baptist by the river near Pella,
never again to see him in the flesh.
137:2.2 That day, as Jesus and his four
disciple-apostles departed for Galilee, there was a great tumult
in the camp of John's followers. The first great division was
about to take place. The day before, John had made his positive
pronouncement to Andrew and Ezra that Jesus was the Deliverer.
Andrew decided to follow Jesus, but Ezra rejected the
mild-mannered carpenter of Nazareth, proclaiming to his
associates: "The Prophet Daniel declares that the Son of Man will
come with the clouds of heaven, in power and great glory. This
Galilean carpenter, this Capernaum boatbuilder, cannot be the
Deliverer. Can such a gift of God come out of Nazareth? This Jesus
is a relative of John, and through much kindness of heart has our
teacher been deceived. Let us remain aloof from this false
Messiah." When John rebuked Ezra for these utterances, he drew
away with many disciples and hastened south. And this group
continued to baptize in John's name and eventually founded a sect
of those who believed in John but refused to accept Jesus. A
remnant of this group persists in Mesopotamia even to this day.
137:2.3 While this trouble was brewing among
John's followers, Jesus and his four disciple-apostles were well
on their way toward Galilee. Before they crossed the Jordan, to go
by way of Nain to Nazareth, Jesus, looking ahead and up the road,
saw one Philip of Bethsaida with a friend coming toward them.
Jesus had known Philip aforetime, and he was also well known to
all four of the new apostles. He was on his way with his friend
Nathaniel to visit John at Pella to learn more about the reported
coming of the kingdom of God, and he was delighted to greet Jesus.
Philip had been an admirer of Jesus ever since he first came to
Capernaum. But Nathaniel, who lived at Cana of Galilee, did not
know Jesus. Philip went forward to greet his friends while
Nathaniel rested under the shade of a tree by the roadside.
137:2.4 Peter took Philip to one side and
proceeded to explain that they, referring to himself, Andrew,
James, and John, had all become associates of Jesus in the new
kingdom and strongly urged Philip to volunteer for service. Philip
was in a quandary. What should he do? Here, without a moment's
warning -- on the roadside near the Jordan -- there had come up
for immediate decision the most momentous question of a lifetime.
By this time he was in earnest converse with Peter, Andrew, and
John while Jesus was outlining to James the trip through Galilee
and on to Capernaum. Finally, Andrew suggested to Philip, "Why not
ask the Teacher?"
137:2.5 It suddenly dawned on Philip that Jesus
was a really great man, possibly the Messiah, and he decided to
abide by Jesus' decision in this matter; and he went straight to
him, asking, "Teacher, shall I go down to John or shall I join my
friends who follow you?" And Jesus answered, "Follow me." Philip
was thrilled with the assurance that he had found the Deliverer.
137:2.6 Philip now motioned to the group to
remain where they were while he hurried back to break the news of
his decision to his friend Nathaniel, who still tarried behind
under the mulberry tree, turning over in his mind the many things
which he had heard concerning John the Baptist, the coming
kingdom, and the expected Messiah. Philip broke in upon these
meditations, exclaiming, "I have found the Deliverer, him of whom
Moses and the prophets wrote and whom John has proclaimed."
Nathaniel, looking up, inquired, "Whence comes this teacher?" And
Philip replied, "He is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, the
carpenter, more recently residing at Capernaum." And then,
somewhat shocked, Nathaniel asked, "Can any such good thing come
out of Nazareth?" But Philip, taking him by the arm, said, "Come
and see."
137:2.7 Philip led Nathaniel to Jesus, who,
looking benignly into the face of the sincere doubter, said:
"Behold a genuine Israelite, in whom there is no deceit. Follow
me." And Nathaniel, turning to Philip, said: "You are right. He is
indeed a master of men. I will also follow, if I am worthy." And
Jesus nodded to Nathaniel, again saying, "Follow me."
137:2.8 Jesus had now assembled one half of his
future corps of intimate associates, five who had for some time
known him and one stranger, Nathaniel. Without further delay they
crossed the Jordan and, going by the village of Nain, reached
Nazareth late that evening.
137:2.9 They all remained overnight with Joseph
in Jesus' boyhood home. The associates of Jesus little understood
why their new-found teacher was so concerned with completely
destroying every vestige of his writing which remained about the
home in the form of the ten commandments and other mottoes and
sayings. But this proceeding, together with the fact that they
never saw him subsequently write -- except upon the dust or in the
sand -- made a deep impression upon their minds.
3. THE VISIT TO CAPERNAUM
137:3.1 The next day Jesus sent his apostles on
to Cana, since all of them were invited to the wedding of a
prominent young woman of that town, while he prepared to pay a
hurried visit to his mother at Capernaum, stopping at Magdala to
see his brother Jude.
137:3.2 Before leaving Nazareth, the new
associates of Jesus told Joseph and other members of Jesus' family
about the wonderful events of the then recent past and gave free
expression to their belief that Jesus was the long-expected
deliverer. And these members of Jesus' family talked all this
over, and Joseph said: "Maybe, after all, Mother was right --
maybe our strange brother is the coming king."
137:3.3 Jude was present at Jesus' baptism and,
with his brother James, had become a firm believer in Jesus'
mission on earth. Although both James and Jude were much perplexed
as to the nature of their brother's mission, their mother had
resurrected all her early hopes of Jesus as the Messiah, the son
of David, and she encouraged her sons to have faith in their
brother as the deliverer of Israel.
137:3.4 Jesus arrived in Capernaum Monday night,
but he did not go to his own home, where lived James and his
mother; he went directly to the home of Zebedee. All his friends
at Capernaum saw a great and pleasant change in him. Once more he
seemed to be comparatively cheerful and more like himself as he
was during the earlier years at Nazareth. For years previous to
his baptism and the isolation periods just before and just after,
he had grown increasingly serious and self-contained. Now he
seemed quite like his old self to all of them. There was about him
something of majestic import and exalted aspect, but he was once
again lighthearted and joyful.
137:3.5 Mary was thrilled with expectation. She
anticipated that the promise of Gabriel was nearing fulfillment.
She expected all Palestine soon to be startled and stunned by the
miraculous revelation of her son as the supernatural king of the
Jews. But to all of the many questions which his mother, James,
Jude, and Zebedee asked, Jesus only smilingly replied: "It is
better that I tarry here for a while; I must do the will of my
Father who is in heaven."
137:3.6 On the next day, Tuesday, they all
journeyed over to Cana for the wedding of Naomi, which was to take
place on the following day. And in spite of Jesus' repeated
warnings that they tell no man about him "until the Father's hour
shall come," they insisted on quietly spreading the news abroad
that they had found the Deliverer. They each confidently expected
that Jesus would inaugurate his assumption of Messianic authority
at the forthcoming wedding at Cana, and that he would do so with
great power and sublime grandeur. They remembered what had been
told them about the phenomena attendant upon his baptism, and they
believed that his future course on earth would be marked by
increasing manifestations of supernatural wonders and miraculous
demonstrations. Accordingly, the entire countryside was preparing
to gather together at Cana for the wedding feast of Naomi and
Johab the son of Nathan.
137:3.7 Mary had not been so joyous in years.
She journeyed to Cana in the spirit of the queen mother on the way
to witness the coronation of her son. Not since he was thirteen
years old had Jesus' family and friends seen him so carefree and
happy, so thoughtful and understanding of the wishes and desires
of his associates, so touchingly sympathetic. And so they all
whispered among themselves, in small groups, wondering what was
going to happen. What would this strange person do next? How would
he usher in the glory of the coming kingdom? And they were all
thrilled with the thought that they were to be present to see the
revelation of the might and power of Israel's God.
4. THE WEDDING AT CANA
137:4.1 By noon on Wednesday almost a thousand
guests had arrived in Cana, more than four times the number bidden
to the wedding feast. It was a Jewish custom to celebrate weddings
on Wednesday, and the invitations had been sent abroad for the
wedding one month previously. In the forenoon and early afternoon
it appeared more like a public reception for Jesus than a wedding.
Everybody wanted to greet this near-famous Galilean, and he was
most cordial to all, young and old, Jew and gentile. And everybody
rejoiced when Jesus consented to lead the preliminary wedding
procession.
137:4.2 Jesus was now thoroughly self-conscious
regarding his human existence, his divine pre-existence, and the
status of his combined, or fused, human and divine natures. With
perfect poise he could at one moment enact the human role or
immediately assume the personality prerogatives of the divine
nature.
137:4.3 As the day wore on, Jesus became
increasingly conscious that the people were expecting him to
perform some wonder; more especially he recognized that his family
and his six disciple-apostles were looking for him appropriately
to announce his forthcoming kingdom by some startling and
supernatural manifestation.
137:4.4 Early in the afternoon Mary summoned
James, and together they made bold to approach Jesus to inquire if
he would admit them to his confidence to the extent of informing
them at what hour and at what point in connection with the wedding
ceremonies he had planned to manifest himself as the "supernatural
one." No sooner had they spoken of these matters to Jesus than
they saw they had aroused his characteristic indignation. He said
only: "If you love me, then be willing to tarry with me while I
wait upon the will of my Father who is in heaven." But the
eloquence of his rebuke lay in the expression of his face.
137:4.5 This move of his mother was a great
disappointment to the human Jesus, and he was much sobered by his
reaction to her suggestive proposal that he permit himself to
indulge in some outward demonstration of his divinity. That was
one of the very things he had decided not to do when so recently
isolated in the hills. For several hours Mary was much depressed.
She said to James: "I cannot understand him; what can it all mean?
Is there no end to his strange conduct?" James and Jude tried to
comfort their mother, while Jesus withdrew for an hour's solitude.
But he returned to the gathering and was once more lighthearted
and joyous.
137:4.6 The wedding proceeded with a hush of
expectancy, but the entire ceremony was finished and not a move,
not a word, from the honored guest. Then it was whispered about
that the carpenter and boatbuilder, announced by John as "the
Deliverer," would show his hand during the evening festivities,
perhaps at the wedding supper. But all expectance of such a
demonstration was effectually removed from the minds of his six
disciple-apostles when he called them together just before the
wedding supper and, in great earnestness, said: "Think not that I
have come to this place to work some wonder for the gratification
of the curious or for the conviction of those who doubt. Rather
are we here to wait upon the will of our Father who is in heaven."
But when Mary and the others saw him in consultation with his
associates, they were fully persuaded in their own minds that
something extraordinary was about to happen. And they all sat down
to enjoy the wedding supper and the evening of festive good
fellowship.
137:4.7 The father of the bridegroom had
provided plenty of wine for all the guests bidden to the marriage
feast, but how was he to know that the marriage of his son was to
become an event so closely associated with the expected
manifestation of Jesus as the Messianic deliverer? He was
delighted to have the honor of numbering the celebrated Galilean
among his guests, but before the wedding supper was over, the
servants brought him the disconcerting news that the wine was
running short. By the time the formal supper had ended and the
guests were strolling about in the garden, the mother of the
bridegroom confided to Mary that the supply of wine was exhausted.
And Mary confidently said: "Have no worry -- I will speak to my
son. He will help us." And thus did she presume to speak,
notwithstanding the rebuke of but a few hours before.
137:4.8 Throughout a period of many years, Mary
had always turned to Jesus for help in every crisis of their home
life at Nazareth so that it was only natural for her to think of
him at this time. But this ambitious mother had still other
motives for appealing to her eldest son on this occasion. As Jesus
was standing alone in a corner of the garden, his mother
approached him, saying, "My son, they have no wine." And Jesus
answered, "My good woman, what have I to do with that?" Said Mary,
"But I believe your hour has come; cannot you help us?" Jesus
replied: "Again I declare that I have not come to do things in
this wise. Why do you trouble me again with these matters?" And
then, breaking down in tears, Mary entreated him, "But, my son, I
promised them that you would help us; won't you please do
something for me?" And then spoke Jesus: "Woman, what have you to
do with making such promises? See that you do it not again. We
must in all things wait upon the will of the Father in heaven."
137:4.9 Mary the mother of Jesus was crushed;
she was stunned! As she stood there before him motionless, with
the tears streaming down her face, the human heart of Jesus was
overcome with compassion for the woman who had borne him in the
flesh; and bending forward, he laid his hand tenderly upon her
head, saying: "Now, now, Mother Mary, grieve not over my
apparently hard sayings, for have I not many times told you that I
have come only to do the will of my heavenly Father? Most gladly
would I do what you ask of me if it were a part of the Father's
will --" and Jesus stopped short, he hesitated. Mary seemed to
sense that something was happening. Leaping up, she threw her arms
around Jesus' neck, kissed him, and rushed off to the servants'
quarters, saying, "Whatever my son says, that do." But Jesus said
nothing. He now realized that he had already said -- or rather
desirefully thought -- too much.
137:4.10 Mary was dancing with glee. She did not
know how the wine would be produced, but she confidently believed
that she had finally persuaded her first-born son to assert his
authority, to dare to step forth and claim his position and
exhibit his Messianic power. And, because of the presence and
association of certain universe powers and personalities, of which
all those present were wholly ignorant, she was not to be
disappointed. The wine Mary desired and which Jesus, the God-man,
humanly and sympathetically wished for, was forthcoming.
137:4.11 Near at hand stood six waterpots of
stone, filled with water, holding about twenty gallons apiece.
This water was intended for subsequent use in the final
purification ceremonies of the wedding celebration. The commotion
of the servants about these huge stone vessels, under the busy
direction of his mother, attracted Jesus' attention, and going
over, he observed that they were drawing wine out of them by the
pitcherful.
137:4.12 It was gradually dawning upon Jesus
what had happened. Of all persons present at the marriage feast of
Cana, Jesus was the most surprised. Others had expected him to
work a wonder, but that was just what he had purposed not to do.
And then the Son of Man recalled the admonition of his
Personalized Thought Adjuster in the hills. He recounted how the
Adjuster had warned him about the inability of any power or
personality to deprive him of the creator prerogative of
independence of time. On this occasion power transformers,
midwayers, and all other required personalities were assembled
near the water and other necessary elements, and in the face of
the expressed wish of the Universe Creator Sovereign, there was no
escaping the instantaneous appearance of wine. And this
occurrence was made doubly certain since the Personalized Adjuster
had signified that the execution of the Son's desire was in no way
a contravention of the Father's will.
137:4.13 But this was in no sense a miracle. No
law of nature was modified, abrogated, or even transcended.
Nothing happened but the abrogation of time in association
with the celestial assembly of the chemical elements requisite for
the elaboration of the wine. At Cana on this occasion the agents
of the Creator made wine just as they do by the ordinary natural
processes except that they did it independently of time and
with the intervention of superhuman agencies in the matter of the
space assembly of the necessary chemical ingredients.
137:4.14 Furthermore it was evident that the
enactment of this so-called miracle was not contrary to the will
of the Paradise Father, else it would not have transpired, since
Jesus had already subjected himself in all things to the Father's
will.
137:4.15 When the servants drew this new wine
and carried it to the best man, the "ruler of the feast," and when
he had tasted it, he called to the bridegroom, saying: "It is the
custom to set out first the good wine and, when the guests have
well drunk, to bring forth the inferior fruit of the vine; but you
have kept the best of the wine until the last of the feast."
137:4.16 Mary and the disciples of Jesus were
greatly rejoiced at the supposed miracle which they thought Jesus
had intentionally performed, but Jesus withdrew to a sheltered
nook of the garden and engaged in serious thought for a few brief
moments. He finally decided that the episode was beyond his
personal control under the circumstances and, not being adverse to
his Father's will, was inevitable. When he returned to the people,
they regarded him with awe; they all believed in him as the
Messiah. But Jesus was sorely perplexed, knowing that they
believed in him only because of the unusual occurrence which they
had just inadvertently beheld. Again Jesus retired for a season to
the housetop that he might think it all over.
137:4.17 Jesus now fully comprehended that he
must constantly be on guard lest his indulgence of sympathy and
pity become responsible for repeated episodes of this sort.
Nevertheless, many similar events occurred before the Son of Man
took final leave of his mortal life in the flesh.
5. BACK IN CAPERNAUM
137:5.1 Though many of the guests remained for
the full week of wedding festivities, Jesus, with his newly chosen
disciple-apostles -- James, John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and
Nathaniel -- departed very early the next morning for Capernaum,
going away without taking leave of anyone. Jesus' family and all
his friends in Cana were much distressed because he so suddenly
left them, and Jude, Jesus' youngest brother, set out in search of
him. Jesus and his apostles went directly to the home of Zebedee
at Bethsaida. On this journey Jesus talked over many things of
importance to the coming kingdom with his newly chosen associates
and especially warned them to make no mention of the turning of
the water into wine. He also advised them to avoid the cities of
Sepphoris and Tiberias in their future work.
137:5.2 After supper that evening, in this home
of Zebedee and Salome, there was held one of the most important
conferences of all Jesus' earthly career. Only the six apostles
were present at this meeting; Jude arrived as they were about to
separate. These six chosen men had journeyed from Cana to
Bethsaida with Jesus, walking, as it were, on air. They were alive
with expectancy and thrilled with the thought of having been
selected as close associates of the Son of Man. But when Jesus set
out to make clear to them who he was and what was to be his
mission on earth and how it might possibly end, they were stunned.
They could not grasp what he was telling them. They were
speechless; even Peter was crushed beyond expression. Only the
deep-thinking Andrew dared to make reply to Jesus' words of
counsel. When Jesus perceived that they did not comprehend his
message, when he saw that their ideas of the Jewish Messiah were
so completely crystallized, he sent them to their rest while he
walked and talked with his brother Jude. And before Jude took
leave of Jesus, he said with much feeling: "My father-brother, I
never have understood you. I do not know of a certainty whether
you are what my mother has taught us, and I do not fully
comprehend the coming kingdom, but I do know you are a mighty man
of God. I heard the voice at the Jordan, and I am a believer in
you, no matter who you are." And when he had spoken, he departed,
going to his own home at Magdala.
137:5.3 That night Jesus did not sleep. Donning
his evening wraps, he sat out on the lake shore thinking, thinking
until the dawn of the next day. In the long hours of that night of
meditation Jesus came clearly to comprehend that he never would be
able to make his followers see him in any other light than as the
long-expected Messiah. At last he recognized that there was no way
to launch his message of the kingdom except as the fulfillment of
John's prediction and as the one for whom the Jews were looking.
After all, though he was not the Davidic type of Messiah, he was
truly the fulfillment of the prophetic utterances of the more
spiritually minded of the olden seers. Never again did he wholly
deny that he was the Messiah. He decided to leave the final
untangling of this complicated situation to the outworking of the
Father's will.
137:5.4 The next morning Jesus joined his
friends at breakfast, but they were a cheerless group. He visited
with them and at the end of the meal gathered them about him,
saying: "It is my Father's will that we tarry hereabouts for a
season. You have heard John say that he came to prepare the way
for the kingdom; therefore it behooves us to await the completion
of John's preaching. When the forerunner of the Son of Man shall
have finished his work, we will begin the proclamation of the good
tidings of the kingdom." He directed his apostles to return to
their nets while he made ready to go with Zebedee to the boatshop,
promising to see them the next day at the synagogue, where he was
to speak, and appointing a conference with them that Sabbath
afternoon.
6. THE EVENTS OF A SABBATH DAY
137:6.1 Jesus' first public appearance following
his baptism was in the Capernaum synagogue on Sabbath, March 2,
A.D. The synagogue was crowded to overflowing. The story of the
baptism in the Jordan was now augmented by the fresh news from
Cana about the water and the wine. Jesus gave seats of honor to
his six apostles, and seated with them were his brothers in the
flesh James and Jude. His mother, having returned to Capernaum
with James the evening before, was also present, being seated in
the women's section of the synagogue. The entire audience was on
edge; they expected to behold some extraordinary manifestation of
supernatural power which would be a fitting testimony to the
nature and authority of him who was that day to speak to them. But
they were destined to disappointment.
137:6.2 When Jesus stood up, the ruler of the
synagogue handed him the Scripture roll, and he read from the
Prophet Isaiah: "Thus says the Lord: `The heaven is my throne, and
the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you built for
me? And where is the place of my dwelling? All these things have
my hands made,' says the Lord. `But to this man will I look, even
to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at
my word.' Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble and fear:
`Your brethren hated you and cast you out for my name's sake.' But
let the Lord be glorified. He shall appear to you in joy, and all
others shall be ashamed. A voice from the city, a voice from the
temple, a voice from the Lord says: `Before she travailed, she
brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man
child.' Who has heard such a thing? Shall the earth be made to
bring forth in one day? Or can a nation be born at once? But thus
says the Lord: `Behold I will extend peace like a river, and the
glory of even the gentiles shall be like a flowing stream. As one
whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you. And you shall be
comforted even in Jerusalem. And when you see these things, your
heart shall rejoice.'"
137:6.3 When he had finished this reading, Jesus
handed the roll back to its keeper. Before sitting down, he simply
said: "Be patient and you shall see the glory of God; even so
shall it be with all those who tarry with me and thus learn to do
the will of my Father who is in heaven." And the people went to
their homes, wondering what was the meaning of all this.
137:6.4 That afternoon Jesus and his apostles,
with James and Jude, entered a boat and pulled down the shore a
little way, where they anchored while he talked to them about the
coming kingdom. And they understood more than they had on Thursday
night.
137:6.5 Jesus instructed them to take up their
regular duties until "the hour of the kingdom comes." And to
encourage them, he set an example by going back regularly to work
in the boatshop. In explaining that they should spend three hours
every evening in study and preparation for their future work,
Jesus further said: "We will all remain hereabout until the Father
bids me call you. Each of you must now return to his accustomed
work just as if nothing had happened. Tell no man about me and
remember that my kingdom is not to come with noise and glamor, but
rather must it come through the great change which my Father will
have wrought in your hearts and in the hearts of those who shall
be called to join you in the councils of the kingdom. You are now
my friends; I trust you and I love you; you are soon to become my
personal associates. Be patient, be gentle. Be ever obedient to
the Father's will. Make yourselves ready for the call of the
kingdom. While you will experience great joy in the service of my
Father, you should also be prepared for trouble, for I warn you
that it will be only through much tribulation that many will enter
the kingdom. But those who have found the kingdom, their joy will
be full, and they shall be called the blest of all the earth. But
do not entertain false hope; the world will stumble at my words.
Even you, my friends, do not fully perceive what I am unfolding to
your confused minds. Make no mistake; we go forth to labor for a
generation of sign seekers. They will demand wonder-working as the
proof that I am sent by my Father, and they will be slow to
recognize in the revelation of my Father's love the
credentials of my mission."
137:6.6 That evening, when they had returned to
the land, before they went their way, Jesus, standing by the
water's edge, prayed: "My Father, I thank you for these little
ones who, in spite of their doubts, even now believe. And for
their sakes have I set myself apart to do your will. And now may
they learn to be one, even as we are one."
7. FOUR MONTHS OF TRAINING
137:7.1 For four long months -- March, April,
May, and June -- this tarrying time continued; Jesus held over one
hundred long and earnest, though cheerful and joyous, sessions
with these six associates and his own brother James. Owing to
sickness in his family, Jude seldom was able to attend these
classes. James, Jesus' brother, did not lose faith in him, but
during these months of delay and inaction Mary nearly despaired of
her son. Her faith, raised to such heights at Cana, now sank to
new low levels. She could only fall back on her so oft-repeated
exclamation: "I cannot understand him. I cannot figure out what it
all means." But James's wife did much to bolster Mary's courage.
137:7.2 Throughout these four months these seven
believers, one his own brother in the flesh, were getting
acquainted with Jesus; they were getting used to the idea of
living with this God-man. Though they called him Rabbi, they were
learning not to be afraid of him. Jesus possessed that matchless
grace of personality which enabled him so to live among them that
they were not dismayed by his divinity. They found it really easy
to be "friends with God," God incarnate in the likeness of mortal
flesh. This time of waiting severely tested the entire group of
believers. Nothing, absolutely nothing, miraculous happened. Day
by day they went about their ordinary work, while night after
night they sat at Jesus' feet. And they were held together by his
matchless personality and by the gracious words which he spoke to
them evening upon evening.
137:7.3 This period of waiting and teaching was
especially hard on Simon Peter. He repeatedly sought to persuade
Jesus to launch forth with the preaching of the kingdom in Galilee
while John continued to preach in Judea. But Jesus' reply to Peter
ever was: "Be patient, Simon. Make progress. We shall be none too
ready when the Father calls." And Andrew would calm Peter now and
then with his more seasoned and philosophic counsel. Andrew was
tremendously impressed with the human naturalness of Jesus. He
never grew weary of contemplating how one who could live so near
God could be so friendly and considerate of men.
137:7.4 Throughout this entire period Jesus
spoke in the synagogue but twice. By the end of these many weeks
of waiting the reports about his baptism and the wine of Cana had
begun to quiet down. And Jesus saw to it that no more apparent
miracles happened during this time. But even though they lived so
quietly at Bethsaida, reports of the strange doings of Jesus had
been carried to Herod Antipas, who in turn sent spies to ascertain
what he was about. But Herod was more concerned about the
preaching of John. He decided not to molest Jesus, whose work
continued along so quietly at Capernaum.
137:7.5 In this time of waiting Jesus endeavored
to teach his associates what their attitude should be toward the
various religious groups and the political parties of Palestine.
Jesus' words always were, "We are seeking to win all of them, but
we are not of any of them."
137:7.6 The scribes and rabbis, taken together,
were called Pharisees. They referred to themselves as the
"associates." In many ways they were the progressive group among
the Jews, having adopted many teachings not clearly found in the
Hebrew scriptures, such as belief in the resurrection of the dead,
a doctrine only mentioned by a later prophet, Daniel.
137:7.7 The Sadducees consisted of the
priesthood and certain wealthy Jews. They were not such sticklers
for the details of law enforcement. The Pharisees and Sadducees
were really religious parties, rather than sects.
137:7.8 The Essenes were a true religious sect,
originating during the Maccabean revolt, whose requirements were
in some respects more exacting than those of the Pharisees. They
had adopted many Persian beliefs and practices, lived as a
brotherhood in monasteries, refrained from marriage, and had all
things in common. They specialized in teachings about angels.
137:7.9 The Zealots were a group of intense
Jewish patriots. They advocated that any and all methods were
justified in the struggle to escape the bondage of the Roman yoke.
137:7.10 The Herodians were a purely political
party that advocated emancipation from the direct Roman rule by a
restoration of the Herodian dynasty.
137:7.11 In the very midst of Palestine there
lived the Samaritans, with whom "the Jews had no dealings,"
notwithstanding that they held many views similar to the Jewish
teachings.
137:7.12 All of these parties and sects,
including the smaller Nazarite brotherhood, believed in the
sometime coming of the Messiah. They all looked for a national
deliverer. But Jesus was very positive in making it clear that he
and his disciples would not become allied to any of these schools
of thought or practice. The Son of Man was to be neither a
Nazarite nor an Essene.
137:7.13 While Jesus later directed that the
apostles should go forth, as John had, preaching the gospel and
instructing believers, he laid emphasis on the proclamation of the
"good tidings of the kingdom of heaven." He unfailingly impressed
upon his associates that they must "show forth love, compassion,
and sympathy." He early taught his followers that the kingdom of
heaven was a spiritual experience having to do with the
enthronement of God in the hearts of men.
137:7.14 As they thus tarried before embarking
on their active public preaching, Jesus and the seven spent two
evenings each week at the synagogue in the study of the Hebrew
scriptures. In later years after seasons of intense public work,
the apostles looked back upon these four months as the most
precious and profitable of all their association with the Master.
Jesus taught these men all they could assimilate. He did not make
the mistake of overteaching them. He did not precipitate confusion
by the presentation of truth too far beyond their capacity to
comprehend.
8. SERMON ON THE KINGDOM
137:8.1 On Sabbath, June 22, shortly before they
went out on their first preaching tour and about ten days after
John's imprisonment, Jesus occupied the synagogue pulpit for the
second time since bringing his apostles to Capernaum.
137:8.2 A few days before the preaching of this
sermon on "The Kingdom," as Jesus was at work in the boatshop,
Peter brought him the news of John's arrest. Jesus laid down his
tools once more, removed his apron, and said to Peter: "The
Father's hour has come. Let us make ready to proclaim the gospel
of the kingdom."
137:8.3 Jesus did his last work at the carpenter
bench on this Tuesday, June 18, A.D. Peter rushed out of the shop
and by midafternoon had rounded up all of his associates, and
leaving them in a grove by the shore, he went in quest of Jesus.
But he could not find him, for the Master had gone to a different
grove to pray. And they did not see him until late that evening
when he returned to Zebedee's house and asked for food. The next
day he sent his brother James to ask for the privilege of speaking
in the synagogue the coming Sabbath day. And the ruler of the
synagogue was much pleased that Jesus was again willing to conduct
the service.
137:8.4 Before Jesus preached this memorable
sermon on the kingdom of God, the first pretentious effort of his
public career, he read from the Scriptures these passages: "You
shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy people. Yahweh is our
judge, Yahweh is our lawgiver, Yahweh is our king; he will save
us. Yahweh is my king and my God. He is a great king over all the
earth. Loving-kindness is upon Israel in this kingdom. Blessed be
the glory of the Lord for he is our King."
137:8.5 When he had finished reading, Jesus
said:
137:8.6 "I have come to proclaim the
establishment of the Father's kingdom. And this kingdom shall
include the worshiping souls of Jew and gentile, rich and poor,
free and bond, for my Father is no respecter of persons; his love
and his mercy are over all.
137:8.7 "The Father in heaven sends his spirit
to indwell the minds of men, and when I shall have finished my
work on earth, likewise shall the Spirit of Truth be poured out
upon all flesh. And the spirit of my Father and the Spirit of
Truth shall establish you in the coming kingdom of spiritual
understanding and divine righteousness. My kingdom is not of this
world. The Son of Man will not lead forth armies in battle for the
establishment of a throne of power or a kingdom of worldly glory.
When my kingdom shall have come, you shall know the Son of Man as
the Prince of Peace, the revelation of the everlasting Father. The
children of this world fight for the establishment and enlargement
of the kingdoms of this world, but my disciples shall enter the
kingdom of heaven by their moral decisions and by their spirit
victories; and when they once enter therein, they shall find joy,
righteousness, and eternal life.
137:8.8 "Those who first seek to enter the
kingdom, thus beginning to strive for a nobility of character like
that of my Father, shall presently possess all else that is
needful. But I say to you in all sincerity: Unless you seek
entrance into the kingdom with the faith and trusting dependence
of a little child, you shall in no wise gain admission.
137:8.9 "Be not deceived by those who come
saying here is the kingdom or there is the kingdom, for my
Father's kingdom concerns not things visible and material. And
this kingdom is even now among you, for where the spirit of God
teaches and leads the soul of man, there in reality is the kingdom
of heaven. And this kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and
joy in the Holy Spirit.
137:8.10 "John did indeed baptize you in token
of repentance and for the remission of your sins, but when you
enter the heavenly kingdom, you will be baptized with the Holy
Spirit.
137:8.11 "In my Father's kingdom there shall be
neither Jew nor gentile, only those who seek perfection through
service, for I declare that he who would be great in my Father's
kingdom must first become server of all. If you are willing to
serve your fellows, you shall sit down with me in my kingdom, even
as, by serving in the similitude of the creature, I shall
presently sit down with my Father in his kingdom.
137:8.12 "This new kingdom is like a seed
growing in the good soil of a field. It does not attain full fruit
quickly. There is an interval of time between the establishment of
the kingdom in the soul of man and that hour when the kingdom
ripens into the full fruit of everlasting righteousness and
eternal salvation.
137:8.13 "And this kingdom which I declare to
you is not a reign of power and plenty. The kingdom of heaven is
not a matter of meat and drink but rather a life of progressive
righteousness and increasing joy in the perfecting service of my
Father who is in heaven. For has not the Father said of his
children of the world, `It is my will that they should eventually
be perfect, even as I am perfect.'
137:8.14 "I have come to preach the glad tidings
of the kingdom. I have not come to add to the heavy burdens of
those who would enter this kingdom. I proclaim the new and better
way, and those who are able to enter the coming kingdom shall
enjoy the divine rest. And whatever it shall cost you in the
things of the world, no matter what price you may pay to enter the
kingdom of heaven, you shall receive manyfold more of joy and
spiritual progress in this world, and in the age to come eternal
life.
137:8.15 "Entrance into the Father's kingdom
waits not upon marching armies, upon overturned kingdoms of this
world, nor upon the breaking of captive yokes. The kingdom of
heaven is at hand, and all who enter therein shall find abundant
liberty and joyous salvation.
137:8.16 "This kingdom is an everlasting
dominion. Those who enter the kingdom shall ascend to my Father;
they will certainly attain the right hand of his glory in
Paradise. And all who enter the kingdom of heaven shall become the
sons of God, and in the age to come so shall they ascend to the
Father. And I have not come to call the would-be righteous but
sinners and all who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of
divine perfection.
137:8.17 "John came preaching repentance to
prepare you for the kingdom; now have I come proclaiming faith,
the gift of God, as the price of entrance into the kingdom of
heaven. If you would but believe that my Father loves you with an
infinite love, then you are in the kingdom of God."
137:8.18 When he had thus spoken, he sat down.
All who heard him were astonished at his words. His disciples
marveled. But the people were not prepared to receive the good
news from the lips of this God-man. About one third who heard him
believed the message even though they could not fully comprehend
it; about one third prepared in their hearts to reject such a
purely spiritual concept of the expected kingdom, while the
remaining one third could not grasp his teaching, many truly
believing that he "was beside himself."
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