Changes

153:5.1 Time and again had [[Jesus]] dashed to pieces the [[hopes]] of his [[apostles]], [[repeatedly]] had he crushed their fondest [[expectations]], but no time of [[disappointment]] or [[season]] of [[sorrow]] had ever [[equaled]] that which now overtook them. And, too, there was now admixed with their [[depression]] a real [[fear]] for their [[safety]]. They were all [[surprisingly]] startled by the suddenness and completeness of the [[desertion]] of the [[populace]]. They were also somewhat [[frightened]] and disconcerted by the unexpected [[boldness]] and [[assertive]] [[determination]] exhibited by the [[Pharisees]] who had come down from [[Jerusalem]]. But most of all they were bewildered by [[Jesus]]' sudden [[change]] of [[tactics]]. Under ordinary circumstances they would have [[welcomed]] the [[appearance]] of this more [[militant]] [[attitude]], but coming as it did, along with so much that was unexpected, it startled them.

153:5.1 Time and again had [[Jesus]] dashed to pieces the [[hopes]] of his [[apostles]], [[repeatedly]] had he crushed their fondest [[expectations]], but no time of [[disappointment]] or [[season]] of [[sorrow]] had ever [[equaled]] that which now overtook them. And, too, there was now admixed with their [[depression]] a real [[fear]] for their [[safety]]. They were all [[surprisingly]] startled by the suddenness and completeness of the [[desertion]] of the [[populace]]. They were also somewhat [[frightened]] and disconcerted by the unexpected [[boldness]] and [[assertive]] [[determination]] exhibited by the [[Pharisees]] who had come down from [[Jerusalem]]. But most of all they were bewildered by [[Jesus]]' sudden [[change]] of [[tactics]]. Under ordinary circumstances they would have [[welcomed]] the [[appearance]] of this more [[militant]] [[attitude]], but coming as it did, along with so much that was unexpected, it startled them.

153:5.2 And now, on top of all of these [[worries]], when they reached [[home]], [[Jesus]] refused [[Food|to eat]]. For hours he [[isolated]] himself in one of the upper rooms. It was almost midnight when Joab, the [[leader]] of the [[evangelists]], returned and reported that about one third of his [[associates]] had [[deserted]] the [[cause]]. All through the evening [[loyal]] [[disciples]] had come and gone, reporting that the revulsion of [[feeling]] toward [[the Master]] was general in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum Capernaum]. The [[leaders]] from [[Jerusalem]] were not slow to feed this [[feeling]] of disaffection and in every way possible to seek to promote the [[movement]] away from [[Jesus]] and his teachings. During these trying hours [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_150#150:1._THE_WOMEN.27S_EVANGELISTIC_CORPS the twelve women] were in session over at [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]]'s house. They were tremendously upset, but none of them [[deserted]].

153:5.2 And now, on top of all of these [[worries]], when they reached [[home]], [[Jesus]] refused [[Food|to eat]]. For hours he [[isolated]] himself in one of the upper rooms. It was almost midnight when Joab, the [[leader]] of the [[evangelists]], returned and reported that about one third of his [[associates]] had [[deserted]] the [[cause]]. All through the evening [[loyal]] [[disciples]] had come and gone, reporting that the revulsion of [[feeling]] toward [[the Master]] was general in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum Capernaum]. The [[leaders]] from [[Jerusalem]] were not slow to feed this [[feeling]] of disaffection and in every way possible to seek to promote the [[movement]] away from [[Jesus]] and his teachings. During these trying hours [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_150#150:1._THE_WOMEN.27S_EVANGELISTIC_CORPS the twelve women] were in session over at [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]]'s house. They were tremendously upset, but none of them [[deserted]].

153:5.3 It was a little after midnight when [[Jesus]] came down from the upper chamber and stood among [[the twelve]] and their [[associates]], numbering about thirty in all. He said: " I [[recognize]] that this sifting of [[the kingdom]] distresses you, but it is unavoidable. Still, after all the [[training]] you have had, was there any [[good]] [[reason]] why you should stumble at my [[words]]? Why is it that you are filled with [[fear]] and consternation when you see [[the kingdom]] being divested of these lukewarm multitudes and these halfhearted [[disciples]]? Why do you [[grieve]] when the new day is [[dawning]] for the shining forth in new [[glory]] of the [[spiritual]] teachings of [[the kingdom]] of heaven? If you find it [[difficult]] to [[endure]] this test, what, then, will you do when the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] must return to [[the Father]]? When and how will you [[prepare]] yourselves for the time when I [[ascend]] to the place whence I came to this world?

153:5.3 It was a little after midnight when [[Jesus]] came down from the upper chamber and stood among [[the twelve]] and their [[associates]], numbering about thirty in all. He said: " I [[recognize]] that this sifting of [[the kingdom]] distresses you, but it is unavoidable. Still, after all the [[training]] you have had, was there any [[good]] [[reason]] why you should stumble at my [[words]]? Why is it that you are filled with [[fear]] and consternation when you see [[the kingdom]] being divested of these lukewarm multitudes and these halfhearted [[disciples]]? Why do you [[grieve]] when the new day is [[dawning]] for the shining forth in new [[glory]] of the [[spiritual]] teachings of [[the kingdom]] of heaven? If you find it [[difficult]] to [[endure]] this test, what, then, will you do when the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] must return to [[the Father]]? When and how will you [[prepare]] yourselves for the time when I [[ascend]] to the place whence I came to this world?

153:5.4 " My beloved, you must [[remember]] that it is the [[spirit]] that quickens; the [[flesh]] and all that pertains thereto is of little [[profit]]. The [[words]] which I have spoken to you are [[spirit]] and life. Be of [[good]] [[cheer]]! I have not [[deserted]] you. Many shall be [[offended]] by the plain speaking of these days. Already you have heard that many of my [[disciples]] have turned back; they walk no more with me. From the beginning I knew that these halfhearted [[believers]] would fall out by the way. Did I not [[choose]] you [[The Apostles|twelve men]] and set you apart as [[ambassadors]] of [[the kingdom]]? And now at such a time as this would you also desert? Let each of you look to his own [[faith]], for one of you stands in grave [[danger]]. " And when [[Jesus]] had finished speaking, [[Simon Peter]] said: " Yes, Lord, we are sad and [[perplexed]], but we will never forsake you. You have taught us the [[words]] of [[eternal]] life. We have [[believed]] in you and followed with you all this time. We will not turn back, for we know that you are sent by [[God]]. " And as [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]] ceased speaking, they all with one accord nodded their [[approval]] of his [[pledge]] of [[loyalty]].

153:5.4 " My beloved, you must [[remember]] that it is the [[spirit]] that quickens; the [[flesh]] and all that pertains thereto is of little [[profit]]. The [[words]] which I have spoken to you are [[spirit]] and life. Be of [[good]] [[cheer]]! I have not [[deserted]] you. Many shall be [[offended]] by the plain speaking of these days. Already you have heard that many of my [[disciples]] have turned back; they walk no more with me. From the beginning I knew that these halfhearted [[believers]] would fall out by the way. Did I not [[choose]] you [[The Apostles|twelve men]] and set you apart as [[ambassadors]] of [[the kingdom]]? And now at such a time as this would you also desert? Let each of you look to his own [[faith]], for one of you stands in grave [[danger]]. " And when [[Jesus]] had finished speaking, [[Simon Peter]] said: " Yes, Lord, we are sad and [[perplexed]], but we will never forsake you. You have taught us the [[words]] of [[eternal]] life. We have [[believed]] in you and followed with you all this time. We will not turn back, for we know that you are sent by [[God]]. " And as [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]] ceased speaking, they all with one accord nodded their [[approval]] of his [[pledge]] of [[loyalty]].