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==CHAPTER 6==

==CHAPTER 6==

Jesus was asleep when they reached his abode, but they awakened him:

Jesus was asleep when they reached his abode, but they awakened him:

   

   

*"'''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'''?"  

*"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:

Jesus answered them:

And Jesus, laying a hand on the shoulder of each of them, said:

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."

*"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. <u>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."</u>

*"I cannot understand him. I cannot figure out what it all means."  

*"I cannot understand him. I cannot figure out what it all means."  

Throughout these four months these seven believers 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 that 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.  

Throughout these four months these seven believers 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 that 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.  

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.  

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:

But Jesus' reply to Peter ever was:

*"Be '''patient''', Simon. Make '''progress'''. We shall be none too ready when the Father calls."

*"Be patient, Simon, make progress. We shall be none too ready when the Father calls."

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.  

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:

Jesus' words always were: