View source for 138:9 Five Months of Testing

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138:9.1 This somewhat monotonous period of alternate [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing fishing] and [[personal]] [[work]] proved to be a grueling [[experience]] for [[the twelve apostles]], but they [[endured]] the test. With all of their grumblings, [[doubts]], and transient dissatisfactions they remained true to their [[vows]] of [[devotion]] and [[loyalty]] to [[the Master]]. It was their [[personal]] association with [[Jesus]] during these months of testing that so endeared him to them that they all (save [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas Iscariot]) remained [[loyal]] and true to him even in the [[dark]] hours of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_185 trial] and [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_187 crucifixion]. Real men simply could not actually desert a [[revered]] [[teacher]] who had lived so close to them and had been so [[devoted]] to them as had [[Jesus]]. Through the [[dark]] hours of the Master's [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_188 death], in the [[hearts]] of these [[apostles]] all [[reason]], [[judgment]], and [[logic]] were set aside in deference to just one extraordinary human [[emotion]]—the [[supreme]] sentiment of [[friendship]]-[[loyalty]]. These five months of work with [[Jesus]] led these [[apostles]], each one of them, to regard him as the best [[friend]] he had in all the world. And it was this [[human]] sentiment, and not his superb teachings or marvelous doings, that held them [[together]] until after [[the resurrection]] and the renewal of the [[proclamation]] of the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]].

138:9.2 Not only were these months of [[quiet]] work a great test to [[the apostles]], a test which they [[survived]], but this [[season]] of [[public]] inactivity was a great [[trial]] to [[Jesus]]' [[family]]. By the time Jesus was [[prepared]] to launch forth on his [[public]] work, his entire family (except Ruth) had practically deserted him. On only a few occasions did they attempt to make subsequent [[contact]] with him, and then it was to [[persuade]] him to return [[home]] with them, for they came near to believing that he was beside himself. They simply could not [[fathom]] his [[philosophy]] nor grasp his teaching; it was all too much for those of his own [[flesh]] and blood.

138:9.3 [[The apostles]] carried on their [[personal]] [[work]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum Capernaum], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethsaida_Julias Bethsaida-Julias], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorazin Chorazin], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerasa Gerasa], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippos Hippos], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdala Magdala], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cana Cana], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethelehem Bethlehem] of [[Galilee]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jotapata Jotapata], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramah Ramah], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safed Safed], Gischala, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadara Gadara], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abila_%28Decapolis%29 Abila]. Besides these towns they labored in many villages as well as in the [[Rural|countryside]]. By the end of this period the twelve had worked out fairly [[satisfactory]] [[plans]] for the care of their respective [[families]]. Most of the [[apostles]] were [[married]], some had several [[children]], but they had made such arrangements for the [[support]] of their home folks that, with some little [[assistance]] from the apostolic funds, they could [[devote]] their entire energies to [[the Master]]'s work without having to worry about the [[financial]] welfare of their [[families]

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[[Category:Paper 138 - Training the Kingdom's Messengers]]