593 lines
36 KiB
Plaintext
593 lines
36 KiB
Plaintext
Urantia Book Paper 163 Ordination Of The Seventy At Magadan
|
|
SPIRITWEB ORG, PROMOTING SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS ON THE INTERNET.
|
|
|
|
Subjects Archive The Urantia Book Urantia Book PART IV: The Life and Teachings
|
|
of Jesus : The Bestowal Of Michael On Urantia The Times Of Michael's Bestowal
|
|
Birth And Infancy Of Jesus The Early Childhood Of Jesus The Later Childhood Of
|
|
Jesus Jesus At Jerusalem The Two Crucial Years The Adolescent Years Jesus'
|
|
Early Manhood The Later Adult Life Of Jesus On The Way To Rome The World's
|
|
Religions The Sojourn At Rome The Return From Rome The Transition Years John
|
|
The Baptist Baptism And The Forty Days Tarrying Time In Galilee Training The
|
|
Kingdom's Messengers The Twelve Apostles The Ordination Of The Twelve Beginning
|
|
The Public Work The Passover At Jerusalem Going Through Samaria At Gilboa And
|
|
In The Decapolis Four Eventful Days At Capernaum First Preaching Tour Of
|
|
Galilee The Interlude Visit To Jerusalem Training Evangelists At Bethsaida The
|
|
Second Preaching Tour The Third Preaching Tour Tarrying And Teaching By The
|
|
Seaside Events Leading Up To The Capernaum Crisis The Crisis At Capernaum Last
|
|
Days At Capernaum Fleeing Through Northern Galilee The Sojourn At Tyre And
|
|
Sidon At Caesarea-philippi The Mount Of Transfiguration The Decapolis Tour
|
|
Rodan Of Alexandria Further Discussions With Rodan At The Feast Of Tabernacles
|
|
Ordination Of The Seventy At Magadan At The Feast Of Dedication The Perean
|
|
Mission Begins Last Visit To Northern Perea The Visit To Philadelphia The
|
|
Resurrection Of Lazarus Last Teaching At Pella The Kingdom Of Heaven On The Way
|
|
To Jerusalem Going Into Jerusalem Monday In Jerusalem ...
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Paper 163 Ordination Of The Seventy At Magadan
|
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Introduction
|
|
|
|
A FEW days after the return of Jesus and the twelve to Magadan from Jerusalem,
|
|
Abner and a group of some fifty disciples arrived from Bethlehem. At this time
|
|
there were also assembled at Magadan Camp the evangelistic corps, the women's
|
|
corps, and about one hundred and fifty other true and tried disciples from all
|
|
parts of Palestine. After devoting a few days to visiting and the
|
|
reorganization of the camp, Jesus and the twelve began a course of intensive
|
|
training for this special group of believers, and from this well-trained and
|
|
experienced aggregation of disciples the Master subsequently chose the seventy
|
|
teachers and sent them forth to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom. This
|
|
regular instruction began on Friday, November 4, and continued until Sabbath,
|
|
November 19.
|
|
|
|
Jesus gave a talk to this company each morning. Peter taught methods of public
|
|
preaching; Nathaniel instructed them in the art of teaching; Thomas explained
|
|
how to answer questions; while Matthew directed the organization of their group
|
|
finances. The other apostles also participated in this training in accordance
|
|
with their special experience and natural talents.
|
|
|
|
1. ORDINATION OF THE SEVENTY
|
|
|
|
The seventy were ordained by Jesus on Sabbath afternoon, November 19, at the
|
|
Magadan Camp, and Abner was placed at the head of these gospel preachers and
|
|
teachers. This corps of seventy consisted of Abner and ten of the former
|
|
apostles of John, fifty-one of the earlier evangelists, and eight other
|
|
disciples who had distinguished themselves in the service of the kingdom.
|
|
|
|
About two o'clock on this Sabbath afternoon, between showers of rain, a company
|
|
of believers, augmented by the arrival of David and the majority of his
|
|
messenger corps and numbering over four hundred, assembled on the shore of the
|
|
lake of Galilee to witness the ordination of the seventy.
|
|
|
|
Before Jesus laid his hands upon the heads of the seventy to set them apart as
|
|
gospel messengers, addressing them, he said: "The harvest is indeed plenteous,
|
|
but the laborers are few; therefore I exhort all of you to pray that the Lord
|
|
of the harvest will send still other laborers into his harvest. I am about to
|
|
set you apart as messengers of the kingdom; I am about to send you to Jew and
|
|
gentile as lambs among wolves. As you go your ways, two and two, I instruct you
|
|
to carry neither purse nor extra clothing, for you go forth on this first
|
|
mission for only a short season. Salute no man by the way, attend only to your
|
|
work. Whenever you go to stay at a home, first say: Peace be to this household.
|
|
If those who love peace live therein, you shall abide there; if not, then shall
|
|
you depart. And having selected this home, remain there for your stay in that
|
|
city, eating and
|
|
|
|
top of page - 1801
|
|
|
|
drinking whatever is set before you. And you do this because the laborer is
|
|
worthy of his sustenance. Move not from house to house because a better lodging
|
|
may be offered. Remember, as you go forth proclaiming peace on earth and good
|
|
will among men, you must contend with bitter and self-deceived enemies;
|
|
therefore be as wise as serpents while you are also as harmless as doves.
|
|
|
|
"And everywhere you go, preach, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand,' and
|
|
minister to all who may be sick in either mind or body. Freely you have
|
|
received of the good things of the kingdom; freely give. If the people of any
|
|
city receive you, they shall find an abundant entrance into the Father's
|
|
kingdom; but if the people of any city refuse to receive this gospel, still
|
|
shall you proclaim your message as you depart from that unbelieving community,
|
|
saying, even as you leave, to those who reject your teaching: `Notwithstanding
|
|
you reject the truth, it remains that the kingdom of God has come near you.' He
|
|
who hears you hears me. And he who hears me hears Him who sent me. He who
|
|
rejects your gospel message rejects me. And he who rejects me rejects Him who
|
|
sent me."
|
|
|
|
When Jesus had thus spoken to the seventy, he began with Abner and, as they
|
|
knelt in a circle about him, laid his hands upon the head of every man.
|
|
|
|
Early the next morning Abner sent the seventy messengers into all the cities of
|
|
Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. And these thirty-five couples went forth preaching
|
|
and teaching for about six weeks, all of them returning to the new camp near
|
|
Pella, in Perea, on Friday, December 30.
|
|
|
|
2. THE RICH YOUNG MAN AND OTHERS
|
|
|
|
Over fifty disciples who sought ordination and appointment to membership in the
|
|
seventy were rejected by the committee appointed by Jesus to select these
|
|
candidates. This committee consisted of Andrew, Abner, and the acting head of
|
|
the evangelistic corps. In all cases where this committee of three were not
|
|
unanimous in agreement, they brought the candidate to Jesus, and while the
|
|
Master never rejected a single person who craved ordination as a gospel
|
|
messenger, there were more than a dozen who, when they had talked with Jesus,
|
|
no more desired to become gospel messengers.
|
|
|
|
One earnest disciple came to Jesus, saying: "Master, I would be one of your new
|
|
apostles, but my father is very old and near death; could I be permitted to
|
|
return home to bury him?" To this man Jesus said: "My son, the foxes have
|
|
holes, and the birds of heaven have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to
|
|
lay his head. You are a faithful disciple, and you can remain such while you
|
|
return home to minister to your loved ones, but not so with my gospel
|
|
messengers. They have forsaken all to follow me and proclaim the kingdom. If
|
|
you would be an ordained teacher, you must let others bury the dead while you
|
|
go forth to publish the good news." And this man went away in great
|
|
disappointment.
|
|
|
|
Another disciple came to the Master and said: "I would become an ordained
|
|
messenger, but I would like to go to my home for a short while to comfort my
|
|
family." And Jesus replied: "If you would be ordained, you must be willing to
|
|
forsake all. The gospel messengers cannot have divided affections. No man,
|
|
having put his hand to the plough, if he turns back, is worthy to become a
|
|
messenger of the kingdom."
|
|
|
|
Then Andrew brought to Jesus a certain rich young man who was a devout
|
|
believer, and who desired to receive ordination. This young man, Matadormus,
|
|
|
|
top of page - 1802
|
|
|
|
was a member of the Jerusalem Sanhedrin; he had heard Jesus teach and had been
|
|
subsequently instructed in the gospel of the kingdom by Peter and the other
|
|
apostles. Jesus talked with Matadormus concerning the requirements of
|
|
ordination and requested that he defer decision until after he had thought more
|
|
fully about the matter. Early the next morning, as Jesus was going for a walk,
|
|
this young man accosted him and said: "Master, I would know from you the
|
|
assurances of eternal life. Seeing that I have observed all the commandments
|
|
from my youth, I would like to know what more I must do to gain eternal life?"
|
|
In answer to this question Jesus said: "If you keep all the commandments--do
|
|
not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do
|
|
not defraud, honor your parents--you do well, but salvation is the reward of
|
|
faith, not merely of works. Do you believe this gospel of the kingdom?" And
|
|
Matadormus answered: "Yes, Master, I do believe everything you and your
|
|
apostles have taught me." And Jesus said, "Then are you indeed my disciple and
|
|
a child of the kingdom."
|
|
|
|
Then said the young man: "But, Master, I am not content to be your disciple; I
|
|
would be one of your new messengers." When Jesus heard this, he looked down
|
|
upon him with a great love and said: "I will have you to be one of my
|
|
messengers if you are willing to pay the price, if you will supply the one
|
|
thing which you lack." Matadormus replied: "Master, I will do anything if I may
|
|
be allowed to follow you." Jesus, kissing the kneeling young man on the
|
|
forehead, said: "If you would be my messenger, go and sell all that you have
|
|
and, when you have bestowed the proceeds upon the poor or upon your brethren,
|
|
come and follow me, and you shall have treasure in the kingdom of heaven."
|
|
|
|
When Matadormus heard this, his countenance fell. He arose and went away
|
|
sorrowful, for he had great possessions. This wealthy young Pharisee had been
|
|
raised to believe that wealth was the token of God's favor. Jesus knew that he
|
|
was not free from the love of himself and his riches. The Master wanted to
|
|
deliver him from the love of wealth, not necessarily from the wealth. While the
|
|
disciples of Jesus did not part with all their worldly goods, the apostles and
|
|
the seventy did. Matadormus desired to be one of the seventy new messengers,
|
|
and that was the reason for Jesus' requiring him to part with all of his
|
|
temporal possessions.
|
|
|
|
Almost every human being has some one thing which is held on to as a pet evil,
|
|
and which the entrance into the kingdom of heaven requires as a part of the
|
|
price of admission. If Matadormus had parted with his wealth, it probably would
|
|
have been put right back into his hands for administration as treasurer of the
|
|
seventy. For later on, after the establishment of the church at Jerusalem, he
|
|
did obey the Master's injunction, although it was then too late to enjoy
|
|
membership in the seventy, and he became the treasurer of the Jerusalem church,
|
|
of which James the Lord's brother in the flesh was the head.
|
|
|
|
Thus always it was and forever will be: Men must arrive at their own decisions.
|
|
There is a certain range of the freedom of choice which mortals may exercise.
|
|
The forces of the spiritual world will not coerce man; they allow him to go the
|
|
way of his own choosing.
|
|
|
|
Jesus foresaw that Matadormus, with his riches, could not possibly become an
|
|
ordained associate of men who had forsaken all for the gospel; at the same
|
|
time, he saw that, without his riches, he would become the ultimate leader of
|
|
all of them. But, like Jesus' own brethren, he never became great in the
|
|
kingdom
|
|
|
|
top of page - 1803
|
|
|
|
because he deprived himself of that intimate and personal association with the
|
|
Master which might have been his experience had he been willing to do at this
|
|
time the very thing which Jesus asked, and which, several years subsequently,
|
|
he actually did.
|
|
|
|
Riches have nothing directly to do with entrance into the kingdom of heaven,
|
|
but the love of wealth does. The spiritual loyalties of the kingdom are
|
|
incompatible with servility to materialistic mammon. Man may not share his
|
|
supreme loyalty to a spiritual ideal with a material devotion.
|
|
|
|
Jesus never taught that it was wrong to have wealth. He required only the
|
|
twelve and the seventy to dedicate all of their worldly possessions to the
|
|
common cause. Even then, he provided for the profitable liquidation of their
|
|
property, as in the case of the Apostle Matthew. Jesus many times advised his
|
|
well-to-do disciples as he taught the rich man of Rome. The Master regarded the
|
|
wise investment of excess earnings as a legitimate form of insurance against
|
|
future and unavoidable adversity. When the apostolic treasury was overflowing,
|
|
Judas put funds on deposit to be used subsequently when they might suffer
|
|
greatly from a diminution of income. This Judas did after consultation with
|
|
Andrew. Jesus never personally had anything to do with the apostolic finances
|
|
except in the disbursement of alms. But there was one economic abuse which he
|
|
many times condemned, and that was the unfair exploitation of the weak,
|
|
unlearned, and less fortunate of men by their strong, keen, and more
|
|
intelligent fellows. Jesus declared that such inhuman treatment of men, women,
|
|
and children was incompatible with the ideals of the brotherhood of the kingdom
|
|
of heaven.
|
|
|
|
3. THE DISCUSSION ABOUT WEALTH
|
|
|
|
By the time Jesus had finished talking with Matadormus, Peter and a number of
|
|
the apostles had gathered about him, and as the rich young man was departing,
|
|
Jesus turned around to face the apostles and said: "You see how difficult it is
|
|
for those who have riches to enter fully into the kingdom of God! Spiritual
|
|
worship cannot be shared with material devotions; no man can serve two masters.
|
|
You have a saying that it is `easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
|
|
needle than for the heathen to inherit eternal life.' And I declare that it is
|
|
as easy for this camel to go through the needle's eye as for these
|
|
self-satisfied rich ones to enter the kingdom of heaven."
|
|
|
|
When Peter and the apostles heard these words, they were astonished
|
|
exceedingly, so much so that Peter said: "Who then, Lord, can be saved? Shall
|
|
all who have riches be kept out of the kingdom?" And Jesus replied: "No, Peter,
|
|
but all who put their trust in riches shall hardly enter into the spiritual
|
|
life that leads to eternal progress. But even then, much which is impossible to
|
|
man is not beyond the reach of the Father in heaven; rather should we recognize
|
|
that with God all things are possible."
|
|
|
|
As they went off by themselves, Jesus was grieved that Matadormus did not
|
|
remain with them, for he greatly loved him. And when they had walked down by
|
|
the lake, they sat there beside the water, and Peter, speaking for the twelve
|
|
(who were all present by this time), said: "We are troubled by your words to
|
|
the rich young man. Shall we require those who would follow you to give up all
|
|
their worldly goods?" And Jesus said: "No, Peter, only those who would become
|
|
apostles, and who desire to live with me as you do and as one family. But the
|
|
Father requires that the affections of his children be pure and undivided.
|
|
What-
|
|
|
|
top of page - 1804
|
|
|
|
ever thing or person comes between you and the love of the truths of the
|
|
kingdom, must be surrendered. If one's wealth does not invade the precincts of
|
|
the soul, it is of no consequence in the spiritual life of those who would
|
|
enter the kingdom."
|
|
|
|
And then said Peter, "But, Master, we have left everything to follow you, what
|
|
then shall we have?" And Jesus spoke to all of the twelve: "Verily, verily, I
|
|
say to you, there is no man who has left wealth, home, wife, brethren, parents,
|
|
or children for my sake and for the sake of the kingdom of heaven who shall not
|
|
receive manifold more in this world, perhaps with some persecutions, and in the
|
|
world to come eternal life. But many who are first shall be last, while the
|
|
last shall often be first. The Father deals with his creatures in accordance
|
|
with their needs and in obedience to his just laws of merciful and loving
|
|
consideration for the welfare of a universe.
|
|
|
|
"The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who was a large employer of men,
|
|
and who went out early in the morning to hire laborers to work in his vineyard.
|
|
When he had agreed with the laborers to pay them a denarius a day, he sent them
|
|
into the vineyard. Then he went out about nine o'clock, and seeing others
|
|
standing in the market place idle, he said to them: `Go you also to work in my
|
|
vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will pay you.' And they went at once to
|
|
work. Again he went out about twelve and about three and did likewise. And
|
|
going to the market place about five in the afternoon, he found still others
|
|
standing idle, and he inquired of them, `Why do you stand here idle all the
|
|
day?' And the men answered, `Because nobody has hired us.' Then said the
|
|
householder: `Go you also to work in my vineyard, and whatever is right I will
|
|
pay you.'
|
|
|
|
"When evening came, this owner of the vineyard said to his steward: `Call the
|
|
laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last hired and ending
|
|
with the first.' When those who were hired about five o'clock came, they
|
|
received a denarius each, and so it was with each of the other laborers. When
|
|
the men who were hired at the beginning of the day saw how the later comers
|
|
were paid, they expected to receive more than the amount agreed upon. But like
|
|
the others every man received only a denarius. And when each had received his
|
|
pay, they complained to the householder, saying: `These men who were hired last
|
|
worked only one hour, and yet you have paid them the same as us who have borne
|
|
the burden of the day in the scorching sun.'
|
|
|
|
"Then answered the householder: `My friends, I do you no wrong. Did not each of
|
|
you agree to work for a denarius a day? Take now that which is yours and go
|
|
your way, for it is my desire to give to those who came last as much as I have
|
|
given to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? or do you
|
|
begrudge my generosity because I desire to be good and to show mercy?'"
|
|
|
|
4. FAREWELL TO THE SEVENTY
|
|
|
|
It was a stirring time about the Magadan Camp the day the seventy went forth on
|
|
their first mission. Early that morning, in his last talk with the seventy,
|
|
Jesus placed emphasis on the following:
|
|
|
|
1. The gospel of the kingdom must be proclaimed to all the world, to gentile as
|
|
well as to Jew.
|
|
|
|
2. While ministering to the sick, refrain from teaching the expectation of
|
|
miracles.
|
|
|
|
top of page - 1805
|
|
|
|
3. Proclaim a spiritual brotherhood of the sons of God, not an outward kingdom
|
|
of worldly power and material glory.
|
|
|
|
4. Avoid loss of time through overmuch social visiting and other trivialities
|
|
which might detract from wholehearted devotion to preaching the gospel.
|
|
|
|
5. If the first house to be selected for a headquarters proves to be a worthy
|
|
home, abide there throughout the sojourn in that city.
|
|
|
|
6. Make clear to all faithful believers that the time for an open break with
|
|
the religious leaders of the Jews at Jerusalem has now come.
|
|
|
|
7. Teach that man's whole duty is summed up in this one commandment: Love the
|
|
Lord your God with all your mind and soul and your neighbor as yourself. (This
|
|
they were to teach as man's whole duty in place of the 613 rules of living
|
|
expounded by the Pharisees.)
|
|
|
|
When Jesus had talked thus to the seventy in the presence of all the apostles
|
|
and disciples, Simon Peter took them off by themselves and preached to them
|
|
their ordination sermon, which was an elaboration of the Master's charge given
|
|
at the time he laid his hands upon them and set them apart as messengers of the
|
|
kingdom. Peter exhorted the seventy to cherish in their experience the
|
|
following virtues:
|
|
|
|
1. Consecrated devotion. To pray always for more laborers to be sent forth into
|
|
the gospel harvest. He explained that, when one so prays, he will the more
|
|
likely say, "Here am I; send me." He admonished them to neglect not their daily
|
|
worship.
|
|
|
|
2. True courage. He warned them that they would encounter hostility and be
|
|
certain to meet with persecution. Peter told them their mission was no
|
|
undertaking for cowards and advised those who were afraid to step out before
|
|
they started. But none withdrew.
|
|
|
|
3. Faith and trust. They must go forth on this short mission wholly unprovided
|
|
for; they must trust the Father for food and shelter and all other things
|
|
needful.
|
|
|
|
4. Zeal and initiative. They must be possessed with zeal and intelligent
|
|
enthusiasm; they must attend strictly to their Master's business. Oriental
|
|
salutation was a lengthy and elaborate ceremony; therefore had they been
|
|
instructed to "salute no man by the way," which was a common method of
|
|
exhorting one to go about his business without the waste of time. It had
|
|
nothing to do with the matter of friendly greeting.
|
|
|
|
5. Kindness and courtesy. The Master had instructed them to avoid unnecessary
|
|
waste of time in social ceremonies, but he enjoined courtesy toward all with
|
|
whom they should come in contact. They were to show every kindness to those who
|
|
might entertain them in their homes. They were strictly warned against leaving
|
|
a modest home to be entertained in a more comfortable or influential one.
|
|
|
|
6. Ministry to the sick. The seventy were charged by Peter to search out the
|
|
sick in mind and body and to do everything in their power to bring about the
|
|
alleviation or cure of their maladies.
|
|
|
|
And when they had been thus charged and instructed, they started out, two and
|
|
two, on their mission in Galilee, Samaria, and Judea.
|
|
|
|
top of page - 1806
|
|
|
|
Although the Jews had a peculiar regard for the number seventy, sometimes
|
|
considering the nations of heathendom as being seventy in number, and although
|
|
these seventy messengers were to go with the gospel to all peoples, still as
|
|
far as we can discern, it was only coincidental that this group happened to
|
|
number just seventy. Certain it was that Jesus would have accepted no less than
|
|
half a dozen others, but they were unwilling to pay the price of forsaking
|
|
wealth and families.
|
|
|
|
5. MOVING THE CAMP TO PELLA
|
|
|
|
Jesus and the twelve now prepared to establish their last headquarters in
|
|
Perea, near Pella, where the Master was baptized in the Jordan. The last ten
|
|
days of November were spent in council at Magadan, and on Tuesday, December 6,
|
|
the entire company of almost three hundred started out at daybreak with all
|
|
their effects to lodge that night near Pella by the river. This was the same
|
|
site, by the spring, that John the Baptist had occupied with his camp several
|
|
years before.
|
|
|
|
After the breaking up of the Magadan Camp, David Zebedee returned to Bethsaida
|
|
and began immediately to curtail the messenger service. The kingdom was taking
|
|
on a new phase. Daily, pilgrims arrived from all parts of Palestine and even
|
|
from remote regions of the Roman Empire. Believers occasionally came from
|
|
Mesopotamia and from the lands east of the Tigris. Accordingly, on Sunday,
|
|
December 18, David, with the help of his messenger corps, loaded on to the pack
|
|
animals the camp equipage, then stored in his father's house, with which he had
|
|
formerly conducted the camp of Bethsaida by the lake. Bidding farewell to
|
|
Bethsaida for the time being, he proceeded down the lake shore and along the
|
|
Jordan to a point about one-half mile north of the apostolic camp; and in less
|
|
than a week he was prepared to offer hospitality to almost fifteen hundred
|
|
pilgrim visitors. The apostolic camp could accommodate about five hundred. This
|
|
was the rainy season in Palestine, and these accommodations were required to
|
|
take care of the ever-increasing number of inquirers, mostly earnest, who came
|
|
into Perea to see Jesus and to hear his teaching.
|
|
|
|
David did all this on his own initiative, though he had taken counsel with
|
|
Philip and Matthew at Magadan. He employed the larger part of his former
|
|
messenger corps as his helpers in conducting this camp; he now used less than
|
|
twenty men on regular messenger duty. Near the end of December and before the
|
|
return of the seventy, almost eight hundred visitors were gathered about the
|
|
Master, and they found lodging in David's camp.
|
|
|
|
6. THE RETURN OF THE SEVENTY
|
|
|
|
On Friday, December 30, while Jesus was away in the near-by hills with Peter,
|
|
James, and John, the seventy messengers were arriving by couples, accompanied
|
|
by numerous believers, at the Pella headquarters. All seventy were assembled at
|
|
the teaching site about five o'clock when Jesus returned to the camp. The
|
|
evening meal was delayed for more than an hour while these enthusiasts for the
|
|
gospel of the kingdom related their experiences. David's messengers had brought
|
|
much of this news to the apostles during previous weeks, but it was truly
|
|
inspiring to hear these newly ordained teachers of the gospel personally tell
|
|
how their message had been received by hungry Jews and gentiles. At last Jesus
|
|
|
|
top of page - 1807
|
|
|
|
was able to see men going out to spread the good news without his personal
|
|
presence. The Master now knew that he could leave this world without seriously
|
|
hindering the progress of the kingdom.
|
|
|
|
When the seventy related how "even the devils were subject" to them, they
|
|
referred to the wonderful cures they had wrought in the cases of victims of
|
|
nervous disorders. Nevertheless, there had been a few cases of real spirit
|
|
possession relieved by these ministers, and referring to these, Jesus said: "It
|
|
is not strange that these disobedient minor spirits should be subject to you,
|
|
seeing that I beheld Satan falling as lightning from heaven. But rejoice not so
|
|
much over this, for I declare to you that, as soon as I return to my Father, we
|
|
will send forth our spirits into the very minds of men so that no more can
|
|
these few lost spirits enter the minds of unfortunate mortals. I rejoice with
|
|
you that you have power with men, but be not lifted up because of this
|
|
experience but the rather rejoice that your names are written on the rolls of
|
|
heaven, and that you are thus to go forward in an endless career of spiritual
|
|
conquest."
|
|
|
|
And it was at this time, just before partaking of the evening meal, that Jesus
|
|
experienced one of those rare moments of emotional ecstasy which his followers
|
|
had occasionally witnessed. He said: "I thank you, my Father, Lord of heaven
|
|
and earth, that, while this wonderful gospel was hidden from the wise and
|
|
self-righteous, the spirit has revealed these spiritual glories to these
|
|
children of the kingdom. Yes, my Father, it must have been pleasing in your
|
|
sight to do this, and I rejoice to know that the good news will spread to all
|
|
the world even after I shall have returned to you and the work which you have
|
|
given me to perform. I am mightily moved as I realize you are about to deliver
|
|
all authority into my hands, that only you really know who I am, and that only
|
|
I really know you, and those to whom I have revealed you. And when I have
|
|
finished this revelation to my brethren in the flesh, I will continue the
|
|
revelation to your creatures on high."
|
|
|
|
When Jesus had thus spoken to the Father, he turned aside to speak to his
|
|
apostles and ministers: "Blessed are the eyes which see and the ears which hear
|
|
these things. Let me say to you that many prophets and many of the great men of
|
|
the past ages have desired to behold what you now see, but it was not granted
|
|
them. And many generations of the children of light yet to come will, when they
|
|
hear of these things, envy you who have heard and seen them."
|
|
|
|
Then, speaking to all the disciples, he said: "You have heard how many cities
|
|
and villages have received the good news of the kingdom, and how my ministers
|
|
and teachers have been received by both the Jew and the gentile. And blessed
|
|
indeed are these communities which have elected to believe the gospel of the
|
|
kingdom. But woe upon the light-rejecting inhabitants of Chorazin,
|
|
Bethsaida-Julias, and Capernaum, the cities which did not well receive these
|
|
messengers. I declare that, if the mighty works done in these places had been
|
|
done in Tyre and Sidon, the people of these so-called heathen cities would have
|
|
long since repented in sackcloth and ashes. It shall indeed be more tolerable
|
|
for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment."
|
|
|
|
The next day being the Sabbath, Jesus went apart with the seventy and said to
|
|
them: "I did indeed rejoice with you when you came back bearing the good
|
|
tidings of the reception of the gospel of the kingdom by so many people
|
|
scattered throughout Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. But why were you so
|
|
surprisingly elated? Did you not expect that your message would manifest power
|
|
in its delivery? Did you go forth with so little faith in this gospel that you
|
|
come back
|
|
|
|
top of page - 1808
|
|
|
|
in surprise at its effectiveness? And now, while I would not quench your spirit
|
|
of rejoicing, I would sternly warn you against the subtleties of pride,
|
|
spiritual pride. If you could understand the downfall of Lucifer, the
|
|
iniquitous one, you would solemnly shun all forms of spiritual pride.
|
|
|
|
"You have entered upon this great work of teaching mortal man that he is a son
|
|
of God. I have shown you the way; go forth to do your duty and be not weary in
|
|
well doing. To you and to all who shall follow in your steps down through the
|
|
ages, let me say: I always stand near, and my invitation-call is, and ever
|
|
shall be, Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
|
|
rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am true and loyal, and you
|
|
shall find spiritual rest for your souls."
|
|
|
|
And they found the Master's words to be true when they put his promises to the
|
|
test. And since that day countless thousands also have tested and proved the
|
|
surety of these same promises.
|
|
|
|
7. PREPARATION FOR THE LAST MISSION
|
|
|
|
The next few days were busy times in the Pella camp; preparations for the
|
|
Perean mission were being completed. Jesus and his associates were about to
|
|
enter upon their last mission, the three months' tour of all Perea, which
|
|
terminated only upon the Master's entering Jerusalem for his final labors on
|
|
earth. Throughout this period the headquarters of Jesus and the twelve apostles
|
|
was maintained here at the Pella camp.
|
|
|
|
It was no longer necessary for Jesus to go abroad to teach the people. They now
|
|
came to him in increasing numbers each week and from all parts, not only from
|
|
Palestine but from the whole Roman world and from the Near East. Although the
|
|
Master participated with the seventy in the tour of Perea, he spent much of his
|
|
time at the Pella camp, teaching the multitude and instructing the twelve.
|
|
Throughout this three months' period at least ten of the apostles remained with
|
|
Jesus.
|
|
|
|
The women's corps also prepared to go out, two and two, with the seventy to
|
|
labor in the larger cities of Perea. This original group of twelve women had
|
|
recently trained a larger corps of fifty women in the work of home visitation
|
|
and in the art of ministering to the sick and the afflicted. Perpetua, Simon
|
|
Peter's wife, became a member of this new division of the women's corps and was
|
|
intrusted with the leadership of the enlarged women's work under Abner. After
|
|
Pentecost she remained with her illustrious husband, accompanying him on all of
|
|
his missionary tours; and on the day Peter was crucified in Rome, she was fed
|
|
to the wild beasts in the arena. This new women's corps also had as members the
|
|
wives of Philip and Matthew and the mother of James and John.
|
|
|
|
The work of the kingdom now prepared to enter upon its terminal phase under the
|
|
personal leadership of Jesus. And this present phase was one of spiritual depth
|
|
in contrast with the miracle-minded and wonder-seeking multitudes who followed
|
|
after the Master during the former days of popularity in Galilee. However,
|
|
there were still any number of his followers who were material-minded, and who
|
|
failed to grasp the truth that the kingdom of heaven is the spiritual
|
|
brotherhood of man founded on the eternal fact of the universal fatherhood of
|
|
God.
|
|
|
|
top of page - 1809
|
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Subjects Archive The Urantia Book Urantia Book PART IV: The Life and Teachings
|
|
of Jesus : The Bestowal Of Michael On Urantia The Times Of Michael's Bestowal
|
|
Birth And Infancy Of Jesus The Early Childhood Of Jesus The Later Childhood Of
|
|
Jesus Jesus At Jerusalem The Two Crucial Years The Adolescent Years Jesus'
|
|
Early Manhood The Later Adult Life Of Jesus On The Way To Rome The World's
|
|
Religions The Sojourn At Rome The Return From Rome The Transition Years John
|
|
The Baptist Baptism And The Forty Days Tarrying Time In Galilee Training The
|
|
Kingdom's Messengers The Twelve Apostles The Ordination Of The Twelve Beginning
|
|
The Public Work The Passover At Jerusalem Going Through Samaria At Gilboa And
|
|
In The Decapolis Four Eventful Days At Capernaum First Preaching Tour Of
|
|
Galilee The Interlude Visit To Jerusalem Training Evangelists At Bethsaida The
|
|
Second Preaching Tour The Third Preaching Tour Tarrying And Teaching By The
|
|
Seaside Events Leading Up To The Capernaum Crisis The Crisis At Capernaum Last
|
|
Days At Capernaum Fleeing Through Northern Galilee The Sojourn At Tyre And
|
|
Sidon At Caesarea-philippi The Mount Of Transfiguration The Decapolis Tour
|
|
Rodan Of Alexandria Further Discussions With Rodan At The Feast Of Tabernacles
|
|
Ordination Of The Seventy At Magadan At The Feast Of Dedication The Perean
|
|
Mission Begins Last Visit To Northern Perea The Visit To Philadelphia The
|
|
Resurrection Of Lazarus Last Teaching At Pella The Kingdom Of Heaven On The Way
|
|
To Jerusalem Going Into Jerusalem Monday In Jerusalem Tuesday Morning In The
|
|
Temple The Last Temple Discourse Tuesday Evening On Mount Olivet Wednesday, The
|
|
Rest Day Last Day At The Camp The Last Supper The Farewell Discourse Final
|
|
Admonitions And Warnings In Gethsemane The Betrayal And Arrest Of Jesus Before
|
|
The Sanhedrin Court The Trial Before Pilate Just Before The Crucifixion The
|
|
Crucifixion The Time Of The Tomb The Resurrection Morontia Appearances Of Jesus
|
|
Appearances To The Apostles And Other Leaders Appearances In Galilee Final
|
|
Appearances And Ascension Bestowal Of The Spirit Of Truth After Pentecost The
|
|
Faith Of Jesus
|
|
|
|
������������������������������������������������������������������������������Ŀ
|
|
� // � � � � �
|
|
� At The Feast � At The Feast � Urantia Book � Search � SiteMap! �
|
|
� Of... � Of... � PA... � � �
|
|
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������
|
|
//
|
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
������������������������������������������������������������������������������Ŀ
|
|
� � � � � � � SPIRITWEB ORG (info@spiritweb.org), � �
|
|
� � � � � � � http://www.spiritweb.org � �
|
|
� � � � � � � Webmaster <webmaster@spiritweb.org> � �
|
|
� � � � � � � � �
|
|
� � � � � � � ONLINE SINCE 1993. MAINTAINED IN SWITZERLAND. � �
|
|
� � � � � � � DISTRIBUTED TO CALIFORNIA, SPAIN, ITALY, SOUTH AFRICA, � �
|
|
� � � � � � � AUSTRALIA � �
|
|
� � � � � � � � �
|
|
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������
|