View source for 141:3 The Sojourn At Amathus

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141:3.1 [[The Master]] and his [[apostles]] remained near [http://books.google.com/books?id=-o3XAAAAMAAJ&q=amathus&dq=amathus&hl=en&ei=jgyNTZzrD82ftgfZoPHADQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEYQ6AEwBjgU Amathus] for almost three weeks. [[The apostles]] continued to [[preach]] twice daily to the multitude, and [[Jesus]] preached each [[Sabbath]] afternoon. It became impossible to continue the Wednesday [[play]]time; so [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] arranged that two [[apostles]] should [[rest]] each day of the six days in the week, while all were on [[duty]] during the [[Sabbath]] services.

141:3.2 [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]], [[James, the Apostle|James]], and [[John, the Apostle|John]] did most of the [[public]] [[preaching]]. [[Philip, the Apostle|Philip]], [[Nathaniel]], [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]], and [[Simon, the Apostle|Simon]] did much of the [[personal]] [[work]] and conducted classes for special [[groups]] of [[inquirers]]; the [[James and Judas, the Apostles|twins]] continued their general [[police]] supervision, while [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]], [[Matthew, the Apostle|Matthew]], and [[Judas Iscariot|Judas]] developed into a general [[managerial]] committee of [[three]], although each of these three also did considerable [[religious]] [[work]].

141:3.3 [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] was much occupied with the task of [[adjusting]] the constantly recurring misunderstandings and disagreements between the [[disciples]] of [[John the Baptist|John]] and the newer [[disciples]] of [[Jesus]]. Serious situations would arise every few days, but [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]], with the [[assistance]] of his apostolic [[associates]], managed to induce the contending parties to come to some sort of [[agreement]], at least temporarily. [[Jesus]] refused to [[participate]] in any of these [[conferences]]; neither would he give any [[advice]] about the proper [[adjustment]] of these [[difficulties]]. He never once offered a suggestion as to how [[the apostles]] should solve these perplexing [[problems]]. When [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] came to [[Jesus]] with these questions, he would always say: " It is not wise for the host to [[participate]] in the [[family]] troubles of his guests; a [[wise]] [[parent]] never takes sides in the petty quarrels of his own [[children]]. "

141:3.4 [[The Master]] displayed great [[wisdom]] and [[manifested]] [[perfect]] [[fairness]] in all of his dealings with his [[apostles]] and with all of his [[disciples]]. [[Jesus]] was truly a master of men; he exercised great [[influence]] over his fellow men because of the combined [[charm]] and [[force]] of his [[personality]]. There was a subtle commanding [[influence]] in his rugged, [[nomadic]], and [[homeless]] life. There was [[intellectual]] attractiveness and [[spiritual]] drawing [[power]] in his [[authoritative]] [[manner]] of teaching, in his [[lucid]] [[logic]], his [[strength]] of [[reasoning]], his sagacious [[insight]], his alertness of [[mind]], his matchless [[poise]], and his [[sublime]] [[tolerance]]. He was [[simple]], manly, [[honest]], and fearless. With all of this [[physical]] and [[intellectual]] [[influence]] [[manifest]] in [[the Master]]'s [[presence]], there were also all those [[spiritual]] [[charms]] of [[being]] which have become [[associated]] with his [[personality]]—[[patience]], tenderness, [[meekness]], gentleness, and [[humility]].

141:3.5 [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] was indeed a strong and forceful [[personality]]; he was an [[intellectual]] [[power]] and a [[spiritual]] stronghold. His [[personality]] not only [[appealed]] to the spiritually minded [[women]] among his followers, but also to the [[educated]] and [[intellectual]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] and to the hardy [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centurion Roman soldier], the captain stationed on guard at the cross, who, when he had finished watching [[the Master]] die, said, " Truly, this was a [[Son of God]]. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_mark#Chapter_15] And red-blooded, rugged [[Galilean]] fishermen called him Master.

141:3.6 [http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=christ&go=&form=QBIR&qs=n&sk=&sc=8-6 The pictures] of [[Jesus]] have been most unfortunate. These paintings of the [[Christ]] have exerted a deleterious [[influence]] on [[youth]]; the [[temple]] merchants would hardly have fled before [[Jesus]] if he had been such a man as your artists usually have depicted. His was a [[dignified]] [[manhood]]; he was [[good]], but natural. [[Jesus]] did not pose as a mild, sweet, gentle, and kindly [[mystic]]. His teaching was thrillingly [[dynamic]]. He not only meant well, but he went about actually doing [[good]].

141:3.7 [[The Master]] never said, " Come to me all you who are indolent and all who are [[dreamers]]. " But he did many times say, " Come to me all you who [[labor]], and I will give you rest—[[spiritual]] [[strength]]. " [[The Master]]'s yoke is, indeed, easy, but even so, he never imposes it; every [[individual]] must take this yoke of his own [[free will]].

141:3.8 [[Jesus]] portrayed [[conquest]] by [[sacrifice]], the sacrifice of [[pride]] and [[selfishness]]. By showing [[mercy]], he meant to portray [[spiritual]] deliverance from all grudges, grievances, [[anger]], and the [[lust]] for [[selfish]] [[power]] and [[revenge]]. And when he said, " [[Resist]] not [[evil]], "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Matthew#Chapter_5] he later [[explained]] that he did not mean to condone [[sin]] or to [[counsel]] fraternity with [[iniquity]]. He intended the more to teach [[forgiveness]], to " resist not evil treatment of one's [[personality]], evil [[injury]] to one's [[feelings]] of [[personal]] [[dignity]]. "

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[[Category:Paper 141 - Beginning the Public Work]]