The Urantia Book
PAPER 181
FINAL ADMONITIONS AND WARNINGS
181:0.1 AFTER the conclusion of the farewell
discourse to the eleven, Jesus visited informally with them and
recounted many experiences which concerned them as a group and as
individuals. At last it was beginning to dawn upon these Galileans
that their friend and teacher was going to leave them, and their
hope grasped at the promise that, after a little while, he would
again be with them, but they were prone to forget that this return
visit was also for a little while. Many of the apostles and the
leading disciples really thought that this promise to return for a
short season (the short interval between the resurrection and the
ascension) indicated that Jesus was just going away for a brief
visit with his Father, after which he would return to establish
the kingdom. And such an interpretation of his teaching conformed
both with their preconceived beliefs and with their ardent hopes.
Since their lifelong beliefs and hopes of wish fulfillment were
thus agreed, it was not difficult for them to find an
interpretation of the Master's words which would justify their
intense longings.
181:0.2 After the farewell discourse had been
discussed and had begun to settle down in their minds, Jesus again
called the apostles to order and began the impartation of his
final admonitions and warnings.
1. LAST WORDS OF COMFORT
181:1.1 When the eleven had taken their seats,
Jesus stood and addressed them: "As long as I am with you in the
flesh, I can be but one individual in your midst or in the entire
world. But when I have been delivered from this investment of
mortal nature, I will be able to return as a spirit indweller of
each of you and of all other believers in this gospel of the
kingdom. In this way the Son of Man will become a spiritual
incarnation in the souls of all true believers.
181:1.2 "When I have returned to live in you and
work through you, I can the better lead you on through this life
and guide you through the many abodes in the future life in the
heaven of heavens. Life in the Father's eternal creation is not an
endless rest of idleness and selfish ease but rather a ceaseless
progression in grace, truth, and glory. Each of the many, many
stations in my Father's house is a stopping place, a life designed
to prepare you for the next one ahead. And so will the children of
light go on from glory to glory until they attain the divine
estate wherein they are spiritually perfected even as the Father
is perfect in all things.
181:1.3 "If you would follow after me when I
leave you, put forth your earnest efforts to live in accordance
with the spirit of my teachings and with the ideal of my life --
the doing of my Father's will. This do instead of trying to
imitate my natural life in the flesh as I have, perforce, been
required to live it on this world.
181:1.4 "The Father sent me into this world, but
only a few of you have chosen fully to receive me. I will pour out
my spirit upon all flesh, but all men will not choose to receive
this new teacher as the guide and counselor of the soul. But as
many as do receive him shall be enlightened, cleansed, and
comforted. And this Spirit of Truth will become in them a well of
living water springing up into eternal life.
181:1.5 "And now, as I am about to leave you, I
would speak words of comfort. Peace I leave with you; my peace I
give to you. I make these gifts not as the world gives -- by
measure -- I give each of you all you will receive. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. I have overcome the
world, and in me you shall all triumph through faith. I have
warned you that the Son of Man will be killed, but I assure you I
will come back before I go to the Father, even though it be for
only a little while. And after I have ascended to the Father, I
will surely send the new teacher to be with you and to abide in
your very hearts. And when you see all this come to pass, be not
dismayed, but rather believe, inasmuch as you knew it all
beforehand. I have loved you with a great affection, and I would
not leave you, but it is the Father's will. My hour has come.
181:1.6 "Doubt not any of these truths even
after you are scattered abroad by persecution and are downcast by
many sorrows. When you feel that you are alone in the world, I
will know of your isolation even as, when you are scattered every
man to his own place, leaving the Son of Man in the hands of his
enemies, you will know of mine. But I am never alone; always is
the Father with me. Even at such a time I will pray for you. And
all of these things have I told you that you might have peace and
have it more abundantly. In this world you will have tribulation,
but be of good cheer; I have triumphed in the world and shown you
the way to eternal joy and everlasting service."
181:1.7 Jesus gives peace to his fellow doers of
the will of God but not on the order of the joys and satisfactions
of this material world. Unbelieving materialists and fatalists can
hope to enjoy only two kinds of peace and soul comfort: Either
they must be stoics, with steadfast resolution determined to face
the inevitable and to endure the worst; or they must be optimists,
ever indulging that hope which springs eternal in the human
breast, vainly longing for a peace which never really comes.
181:1.8 A certain amount of both stoicism and
optimism are serviceable in living a life on earth, but neither
has aught to do with that superb peace which the Son of God
bestows upon his brethren in the flesh. The peace which Michael
gives his children on earth is that very peace which filled his
own soul when he himself lived the mortal life in the flesh and on
this very world. The peace of Jesus is the joy and satisfaction of
a God-knowing individual who has achieved the triumph of learning
fully how to do the will of God while living the mortal life in
the flesh. The peace of Jesus' mind was founded on an absolute
human faith in the actuality of the divine Father's wise and
sympathetic overcare. Jesus had trouble on earth, he has even been
falsely called the "man of sorrows," but in and through all of
these experiences he enjoyed the comfort of that confidence which
ever empowered him to proceed with his life purpose in the full
assurance that he was achieving the Father's will.
181:1.9 Jesus was determined, persistent, and
thoroughly devoted to the accomplishment of his mission, but he
was not an unfeeling and calloused stoic; he ever sought for the
cheerful aspects of his life experiences, but he was not a blind
and self-deceived optimist. The Master knew all that was to befall
him, and he was unafraid. After he had bestowed this peace upon
each of his followers, he could consistently say, "Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
181:1.10 The peace of Jesus is, then, the peace
and assurance of a son who fully believes that his career for time
and eternity is safely and wholly in the care and keeping of an
all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful spirit Father. And this is,
indeed, a peace which passes the understanding of mortal mind, but
which can be enjoyed to the full by the believing human heart.
2. FAREWELL PERSONAL ADMONITIONS
181:2.1 The Master had finished giving his
farewell instructions and imparting his final admonitions to the
apostles as a group. He then addressed himself to saying good-bye
individually and to giving each a word of personal advice,
together with his parting blessing. The apostles were still seated
about the table as when they first sat down to partake of the Last
Supper, and as the Master went around the table talking to them,
each man rose to his feet when Jesus addressed him.
181:2.2 To John, Jesus said: "You, John, are the
youngest of my brethren. You have been very near me, and while I
love you all with the same love which a father bestows upon his
sons, you were designated by Andrew as one of the three who should
always be near me. Besides this, you have acted for me and must
continue so to act in many matters concerning my earthly family.
And I go to the Father, John, having full confidence that you will
continue to watch over those who are mine in the flesh. See to it
that their present confusion regarding my mission does not in any
way prevent your extending to them all sympathy, counsel, and help
even as you know I would if I were to remain in the flesh. And
when they all come to see the light and enter fully into the
kingdom, while you all will welcome them joyously, I depend upon
you, John, to welcome them for me.
181:2.3 "And now, as I enter upon the closing
hours of my earthly career, remain near at hand that I may leave
any message with you regarding my family. As concerns the work put
in my hands by the Father, it is now finished except for my death
in the flesh, and I am ready to drink this last cup. But as for
the responsibilities left to me by my earthly father, Joseph,
while I have attended to these during my life, I must now depend
upon you to act in my stead in all these matters. And I have
chosen you to do this for me, John, because you are the youngest
and will therefore very likely outlive these other apostles.
181:2.4 "Once we called you and your brother
sons of thunder. You started out with us strong-minded and
intolerant, but you have changed much since you wanted me to call
fire down upon the heads of ignorant and thoughtless unbelievers.
And you must change yet more. You should become the apostle of the
new commandment which I have this night given you. Dedicate your
life to teaching your brethren how to love one another, even as I
have loved you."
181:2.5 As John Zebedee stood there in the upper
chamber, the tears rolling down his cheeks, he looked into the
Master's face and said: "And so I will, my Master, but how can I
learn to love my brethren more?" And then answered Jesus: "You
will learn to love your brethren more when you first learn to love
their Father in heaven more, and after you have become truly more
interested in their welfare in time and in eternity. And all such
human interest is fostered by understanding sympathy, unselfish
service, and unstinted forgiveness. No man should despise your
youth, but I exhort you always to give due consideration to the
fact that age oftentimes represents experience, and that nothing
in human affairs can take the place of actual experience. Strive
to live peaceably with all men, especially your friends in the
brotherhood of the heavenly kingdom. And, John, always remember,
strive not with the souls you would win for the kingdom."
181:2.6 And then the Master, passing around his
own seat, paused a moment by the side of the place of Judas
Iscariot. The apostles were rather surprised that Judas had not
returned before this, and they were very curious to know the
significance of Jesus' sad countenance as he stood by the
betrayer's vacant seat. But none of them, except possibly Andrew,
entertained even the slightest thought that their treasurer had
gone out to betray his Master, as Jesus had intimated to them
earlier in the evening and during the supper. So much had been
going on that, for the time being, they had quite forgotten about
the Master's announcement that one of them would betray him.
181:2.7 Jesus now went over to Simon Zelotes,
who stood up and listened to this admonition: "You are a true son
of Abraham, but what a time I have had trying to make you a son of
this heavenly kingdom. I love you and so do all of your brethren.
I know that you love me, Simon, and that you also love the
kingdom, but you are still set on making this kingdom come
according to your liking. I know full well that you will
eventually grasp the spiritual nature and meaning of my gospel,
and that you will do valiant work in its proclamation, but I am
distressed about what may happen to you when I depart. I would
rejoice to know that you would not falter; I would be made happy
if I could know that, after I go to the Father, you would not
cease to be my apostle, and that you would acceptably deport
yourself as an ambassador of the heavenly kingdom."
181:2.8 Jesus had hardly ceased speaking to
Simon Zelotes when the fiery patriot, drying his eyes, replied:
"Master, have no fears for my loyalty. I have turned my back upon
everything that I might dedicate my life to the establishment of
your kingdom on earth, and I will not falter. I have survived
every disappointment so far, and I will not forsake you."
181:2.9 And then, laying his hand on Simon's
shoulder, Jesus said: "It is indeed refreshing to hear you talk
like that, especially at such a time as this, but, my good friend,
you still do not know what you are talking about. Not for one
moment would I doubt your loyalty, your devotion; I know you would
not hesitate to go forth in battle and die for me, as all these
others would" (and they all nodded a vigorous approval), "but that
will not be required of you. I have repeatedly told you that my
kingdom is not of this world, and that my disciples will not fight
to effect its establishment. I have told you this many times,
Simon, but you refuse to face the truth. I am not concerned with
your loyalty to me and to the kingdom, but what will you do when I
go away and you at last wake up to the realization that you have
failed to grasp the meaning of my teaching, and that you must
adjust your misconceptions to the reality of another and spiritual
order of affairs in the kingdom?"
181:2.10 Simon wanted to speak further, but
Jesus raised his hand and, stopping him, went on to say: "None of
my apostles are more sincere and honest at heart than you, but not
one of them will be so upset and disheartened as you, after my
departure. In all of your discouragement my spirit shall abide
with you, and these, your brethren, will not forsake you. Do not
forget what I have taught you regarding the relation of
citizenship on earth to sonship in the Father's spiritual kingdom.
Ponder well all that I have said to you about rendering to Caesar
the things which are Caesar's and to God that which is God's.
Dedicate your life, Simon, to showing how acceptably mortal man
may fulfill my injunction concerning the simultaneous recognition
of temporal duty to civil powers and spiritual service in the
brotherhood of the kingdom. If you will be taught by the Spirit of
Truth, never will there be conflict between the requirements of
citizenship on earth and sonship in heaven unless the temporal
rulers presume to require of you the homage and worship which
belong only to God.
181:2.11 "And now, Simon, when you do finally
see all of this, and after you have shaken off your depression and
have gone forth proclaiming this gospel in great power, never
forget that I was with you even through all of your season of
discouragement, and that I will go on with you to the very end.
You shall always be my apostle, and after you become willing to
see by the eye of the spirit and more fully to yield your will to
the will of the Father in heaven, then will you return to labor as
my ambassador, and no one shall take away from you the authority
which I have conferred upon you, because of your slowness of
comprehending the truths I have taught you. And so, Simon, once
more I warn you that they who fight with the sword perish with the
sword, while they who labor in the spirit achieve life everlasting
in the kingdom to come with joy and peace in the kingdom which now
is. And when the work given into your hands is finished on earth,
you, Simon, shall sit down with me in my kingdom over there. You
shall really see the kingdom you have longed for, but not in this
life. Continue to believe in me and in that which I have revealed
to you, and you shall receive the gift of eternal life."
181:2.12 When Jesus had finished speaking to
Simon Zelotes, he stepped over to Matthew Levi and said: "No
longer will it devolve upon you to provide for the treasury of the
apostolic group. Soon, very soon, you will all be scattered; you
will not be permitted to enjoy the comforting and sustaining
association of even one of your brethren. As you go onward
preaching this gospel of the kingdom, you will have to find for
yourselves new associates. I have sent you forth two and two
during the times of your training, but now that I am leaving you,
after you have recovered from the shock, you will go out alone,
and to the ends of the earth, proclaiming this good news: That
faith-quickened mortals are the sons of God."
181:2.13 Then spoke Matthew: "But, Master, who
will send us, and how shall we know where to go? Will Andrew show
us the way?" And Jesus answered: "No, Levi, Andrew will no longer
direct you in the proclamation of the gospel. He will, indeed,
continue as your friend and counselor until that day whereon the
new teacher comes, and then shall the Spirit of Truth lead each of
you abroad to labor for the extension of the kingdom. Many changes
have come over you since that day at the customhouse when you
first set out to follow me; but many more must come before you
will be able to see the vision of a brotherhood in which gentile
sits alongside Jew in fraternal association. But go on with your
urge to win your Jewish brethren until you are fully satisfied and
then turn with power to the gentiles. One thing you may be certain
of, Levi: You have won the confidence and affection of your
brethren; they all love you." (And all ten of them signified their
acquiescence in the Master's words.)
181:2.14 "Levi, I know much about your
anxieties, sacrifices, and labors to keep the treasury replenished
which your brethren do not know, and I am rejoiced that, though he
who carried the bag is absent, the publican ambassador is here at
my farewell gathering with the messengers of the kingdom. I pray
that you may discern the meaning of my teaching with the eyes of
the spirit. And when the new teacher comes into your heart, follow
on as he will lead you and let your brethren see -- even all the
world -- what the Father can do for a hated tax-gatherer who dared
to follow the Son of Man and to believe the gospel of the kingdom.
Even from the first, Levi, I loved you as I did these other
Galileans. Knowing then so well that neither the Father nor the
Son has respect of persons, see to it that you make no such
distinctions among those who become believers in the gospel
through your ministry. And so, Matthew, dedicate your whole future
life service to showing all men that God is no respecter of
persons; that, in the sight of God and in the fellowship of the
kingdom, all men are equal, all believers are the sons of God."
181:2.15 Jesus then stepped over to James
Zebedee, who stood in silence as the Master addressed him, saying:
"James, when you and your younger brother once came to me seeking
preferment in the honors of the kingdom, and I told you such
honors were for the Father to bestow, I asked if you were able to
drink my cup, and both of you answered that you were. Even if you
were not then able, and if you are not now able, you will soon be
prepared for such a service by the experience you are about to
pass through. By such behavior you angered your brethren at that
time. If they have not already fully forgiven you, they will when
they see you drink my cup. Whether your ministry be long or short,
possess your soul in patience. When the new teacher comes, let him
teach you the poise of compassion and that sympathetic tolerance
which is born of sublime confidence in me and of perfect
submission to the Father's will. Dedicate your life to the
demonstration of that combined human affection and divine dignity
of the God-knowing and Son-believing disciple. And all who thus
live will reveal the gospel even in the manner of their death. You
and your brother John will go different ways, and one of you may
sit down with me in the eternal kingdom long before the other. It
would help you much if you would learn that true wisdom embraces
discretion as well as courage. You should learn sagacity to go
along with your aggressiveness. There will come those supreme
moments wherein my disciples will not hesitate to lay down their
lives for this gospel, but in all ordinary circumstances it would
be far better to placate the wrath of unbelievers that you might
live and continue to preach the glad tidings. As far as lies in
your power, live long on the earth that your life of many years
may be fruitful in souls won for the heavenly kingdom."
181:2.16 When the Master had finished speaking
to James Zebedee, he stepped around to the end of the table where
Andrew sat and, looking his faithful helper in the eyes, said:
"Andrew, you have faithfully represented me as acting head of the
ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom. Although you have sometimes
doubted and at other times manifested dangerous timidity, still,
you have always been sincerely just and eminently fair in dealing
with your associates. Ever since the ordination of you and your
brethren as messengers of the kingdom, you have been
self-governing in all group administrative affairs except that I
designated you as the acting head of these chosen ones. In no
other temporal matter have I acted to direct or to influence your
decisions. And this I did in order to provide for leadership in
the direction of all your subsequent group deliberations. In my
universe and in my Father's universe of universes, our
brethren-sons are dealt with as individuals in all their spiritual
relations, but in all group relationships we unfailingly provide
for definite leadership. Our kingdom is a realm of order, and
where two or more will creatures act in co-operation, there is
always provided the authority of leadership.
181:2.17 "And now, Andrew, since you are the
chief of your brethren by authority of my appointment, and since
you have thus served as my personal representative, and as I am
about to leave you and go to my Father, I release you from all
responsibility as regards these temporal and administrative
affairs. From now on you may exercise no jurisdiction over your
brethren except that which you have earned in your capacity as
spiritual leader, and which your brethren therefore freely
recognize. From this hour you may exercise no authority over your
brethren unless they restore such jurisdiction to you by their
definite legislative action after I shall have gone to the Father.
But this release from responsibility as the administrative head of
this group does not in any manner lessen your moral responsibility
to do everything in your power to hold your brethren together with
a firm and loving hand during the trying time just ahead, those
days which must intervene between my departure in the flesh and
the sending of the new teacher who will live in your hearts, and
who ultimately will lead you into all truth. As I prepare to leave
you, I would liberate you from all administrative responsibility
which had its inception and authority in my presence as one among
you. Henceforth I shall exercise only spiritual authority over you
and among you.
181:2.18 "If your brethren desire to retain you
as their counselor, I direct that you should, in all matters
temporal and spiritual, do your utmost to promote peace and
harmony among the various groups of sincere gospel believers.
Dedicate the remainder of your life to promoting the practical
aspects of brotherly love among your brethren. Be kind to my
brothers in the flesh when they come fully to believe this gospel;
manifest loving and impartial devotion to the Greeks in the West
and to Abner in the East. Although these, my apostles, are soon
going to be scattered to the four corners of the earth, there to
proclaim the good news of the salvation of sonship with God, you
are to hold them together during the trying time just ahead, that
season of intense testing during which you must learn to believe
this gospel without my personal presence while you patiently await
the arrival of the new teacher, the Spirit of Truth. And so,
Andrew, though it may not fall to you to do the great works as
seen by men, be content to be the teacher and counselor of those
who do such things. Go on with your work on earth to the end, and
then shall you continue this ministry in the eternal kingdom, for
have I not many times told you that I have other sheep not of this
flock?"
181:2.19 Jesus then went over to the Alpheus
twins and, standing between them, said: "My little children, you
are one of the three groups of brothers who chose to follow after
me. All six of you have done well to work in peace with your own
flesh and blood, but none have done better than you. Hard times
are just ahead of us. You may not understand all that will befall
you and your brethren, but never doubt that you were once called
to the work of the kingdom. For some time there will be no
multitudes to manage, but do not become discouraged; when your
lifework is finished, I will receive you on high, where in glory
you shall tell of your salvation to seraphic hosts and to
multitudes of the high Sons of God. Dedicate your lives to the
enhancement of commonplace toil. Show all men on earth and the
angels of heaven how cheerfully and courageously mortal man can,
after having been called to work for a season in the special
service of God, return to the labors of former days. If, for the
time being, your work in the outward affairs of the kingdom should
be completed, you should go back to your former labors with the
new enlightenment of the experience of sonship with God and with
the exalted realization that, to him who is God-knowing, there is
no such thing as common labor or secular toil. To you who have
worked with me, all things have become sacred, and all earthly
labor has become a service even to God the Father. And when you
hear the news of the doings of your former apostolic associates,
rejoice with them and continue your daily work as those who wait
upon God and serve while they wait. You have been my apostles, and
you always shall be, and I will remember you in the kingdom to
come."
181:2.20 And then Jesus went over to Philip,
who, standing up, heard this message from his Master: "Philip, you
have asked me many foolish questions, but I have done my utmost to
answer every one, and now would I answer the last of such
questionings which have arisen in your most honest but unspiritual
mind. All the time I have been coming around toward you, have you
been saying to yourself, `What shall I ever do if the Master goes
away and leaves us alone in the world?' O, you of little faith!
And yet you have almost as much as many of your brethren. You have
been a good steward, Philip. You failed us only a few times, and
one of those failures we utilized to manifest the Father's glory.
Your office of stewardship is about over. You must soon more fully
do the work you were called to do -- the preaching of this gospel
of the kingdom. Philip, you have always wanted to be shown, and
very soon shall you see great things. Far better that you should
have seen all this by faith, but since you were sincere even in
your material sightedness, you will live to see my words
fulfilled. And then, when you are blessed with spiritual vision,
go forth to your work, dedicating your life to the cause of
leading mankind to search for God and to seek eternal realities
with the eye of spiritual faith and not with the eyes of the
material mind. Remember, Philip, you have a great mission on
earth, for the world is filled with those who look at life just as
you have tended to. You have a great work to do, and when it is
finished in faith, you shall come to me in my kingdom, and I will
take great pleasure in showing you that which eye has not seen,
ear heard, nor the mortal mind conceived. In the meantime, become
as a little child in the kingdom of the spirit and permit me, as
the spirit of the new teacher, to lead you forward in the
spiritual kingdom. And in this way will I be able to do much for
you which I was not able to accomplish when I sojourned with you
as a mortal of the realm.
And always remember, Philip, he who
has seen me has seen the Father."
181:2.21 Then went the Master over to Nathaniel.
As Nathaniel stood up, Jesus bade him be seated and, sitting down
by his side, said: "Nathaniel, you have learned to live above
prejudice and to practice increased tolerance since you became my
apostle. But there is much more for you to learn. You have been a
blessing to your fellows in that they have always been admonished
by your consistent sincerity. When I have gone, it may be that
your frankness will interfere with your getting along well with
your brethren, both old and new. You should learn that the
expression of even a good thought must be modulated in accordance
with the intellectual status and spiritual development of the
hearer. Sincerity is most serviceable in the work of the kingdom
when it is wedded to discretion.
181:2.22 "If you would learn to work with your
brethren, you might accomplish more permanent things, but if you
find yourself going off in quest of those who think as you do, in
that event dedicate your life to proving that the God-knowing
disciple can become a kingdom builder even when alone in the world
and wholly isolated from his fellow believers. I know you will be
faithful to the end, and I will some day welcome you to the
enlarged service of my kingdom on high."
181:2.23 Then Nathaniel spoke, asking Jesus this
question: "I have listened to your teaching ever since you first
called me to the service of this kingdom, but I honestly cannot
understand the full meaning of all you tell us. I do not know what
to expect next, and I think most of my brethren are likewise
perplexed, but they hesitate to confess their confusion. Can you
help me?" Jesus, putting his hand on Nathaniel's shoulder, said:
"My friend, it is not strange that you should encounter perplexity
in your attempt to grasp the meaning of my spiritual teachings
since you are so handicapped by your preconceptions of Jewish
tradition and so confused by your persistent tendency to interpret
my gospel in accordance with the teachings of the scribes and
Pharisees.
181:2.24 "I have taught you much by word of
mouth, and I have lived my life among you. I have done all that
can be done to enlighten your minds and liberate your souls, and
what you have not been able to get from my teachings and my life,
you must now prepare to acquire at the hand of that master of all
teachers -- actual experience. And in all of this new experience
which now awaits you, I will go before you and the Spirit of Truth
shall be with you. Fear not; that which you now fail to
comprehend, the new teacher, when he has come, will reveal to you
throughout the remainder of your life on earth and on through your
training in the eternal ages."
181:2.25 And then the Master, turning to all of
them, said: "Be not dismayed that you fail to grasp the full
meaning of the gospel. You are but finite, mortal men, and that
which I have taught you is infinite, divine, and eternal. Be
patient and of good courage since you have the eternal ages before
you in which to continue your progressive attainment of the
experience of becoming perfect, even as your Father in Paradise is
perfect."
181:2.26 And then Jesus went over to Thomas,
who, standing up, heard him say: "Thomas, you have often lacked
faith; however, when you have had your seasons with doubt, you
have never lacked courage. I know well that the false prophets and
spurious teachers will not deceive you. After I have gone, your
brethren will the more appreciate your critical way of viewing new
teachings. And when you all are scattered to the ends of the earth
in the times to come, remember that you are still my ambassador.
Dedicate your life to the great work of showing how the critical
material mind of man can triumph over the inertia of intellectual
doubting when faced by the demonstration of the manifestation of
living truth as it operates in the experience of spirit-born men
and women who yield the fruits of the spirit in their lives, and
who love one another, even as I have loved you. Thomas, I am glad
you joined us, and I know, after a short period of perplexity, you
will go on in the service of the kingdom. Your doubts have
perplexed your brethren, but they have never troubled me. I have
confidence in you, and I will go before you even to the uttermost
parts of the earth."
181:2.27 Then the Master went over to Simon
Peter, who stood up as Jesus addressed him: "Peter, I know you
love me, and that you will dedicate your life to the public
proclamation of this gospel of the kingdom to Jew and gentile, but
I am distressed that your years of such close association with me
have not done more to help you think before you speak. What
experience must you pass through before you will learn to set a
guard upon your lips? How much trouble have you made for us by
your thoughtless speaking, by your presumptuous self-confidence!
And you are destined to make much more trouble for yourself if you
do not master this frailty. You know that your brethren love you
in spite of this weakness, and you should also understand that
this shortcoming in no way impairs my affection for you, but it
lessens your usefulness and never ceases to make trouble for you.
But you will undoubtedly receive great help from the experience
you will pass through this very night. And what I now say to you,
Simon Peter, I likewise say to all your brethren here assembled:
This night you will all be in great danger of stumbling over me.
You know it is written, `The shepherd will be smitten and the
sheep will be scattered abroad.' When I am absent, there is great
danger that some of you will succumb to doubts and stumble because
of what befalls me. But I promise you now that I will come back to
you for a little while, and that I will then go before you into
Galilee."
181:2.28 Then said Peter, placing his hand on
Jesus' shoulder: "No matter if all my brethren should succumb to
doubts because of you, I promise that I will not stumble over
anything you may do. I will go with you and, if need be, die for
you."
181:2.29 As Peter stood there before his Master,
all atremble with intense emotion and overflowing with genuine
love for him, Jesus looked straight into his moistened eyes as he
said: "Peter, verily, verily, I say to you, this night the cock
will not crow until you have denied me three or four times. And
thus what you have failed to learn from peaceful association with
me, you will learn through much trouble and many sorrows. And
after you have really learned this needful lesson, you should
strengthen your brethren and go on living a life dedicated to
preaching this gospel, though you may fall into prison and,
perhaps, follow me in paying the supreme price of loving service
in the building of the Father's kingdom.
181:2.30 "But remember my promise: When I am
raised up, I will tarry with you for a season before I go to the
Father. And even this night will I make supplication to the Father
that he strengthen each of you for that which you must now so soon
pass through. I love you all with the love wherewith the Father
loves me, and therefore should you henceforth love one another,
even as I have loved you."
181:2.31 And then, when they had sung a hymn,
they departed for the camp on the Mount of Olives.
►
