Difference between revisions of "Paper 142 - The Passover at Jerusalem"
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==PAPER 142: THE PASSOVER AT JERUSALEM== | ==PAPER 142: THE PASSOVER AT JERUSALEM== | ||
| − | 142:0.1 The month of April Jesus and the apostles worked in Jerusalem, going out of the city each evening to spend the night at Bethany. Jesus himself spent one or two nights each week in Jerusalem at the home of Flavius, a Greek Jew, where many prominent Jews came in secret to interview him. | + | 142:0.1 The month of April [[Jesus]] and [[the apostles]] worked in [[Jerusalem]], going out of the [[city]] each evening to spend the night at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany Bethany]. [[Jesus]] himself spent one or two nights each week in [[Jerusalem]] at the [[home]] of Flavius, a [[Greek]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews Jew], where many prominent Jews came in [[secret]] to [[Inquiry|interview]] him. |
| − | 142:0.2 The first day in Jerusalem Jesus called upon his friend of former years, Annas, the onetime high priest and relative of Salome, Zebedee's wife. Annas had been hearing about Jesus and his teachings, and when Jesus called at the high priest's home, he was received with much reserve. When Jesus perceived Annas's coldness, he took immediate leave, saying as he departed: " Fear is man's chief enslaver and pride his great weakness; will you betray yourself into bondage to both of these destroyers of joy and liberty? " But Annas made no reply. The Master did not again see Annas until the time when he sat with his son-in-law in judgment on the Son of Man. | + | 142:0.2 The first day in [[Jerusalem]] Jesus called upon his [[friend]] of former years, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annas Annas], the onetime [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_High_Priests_of_Israel high priest] and relative of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salome_(disciple) Salome], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebedee Zebedee]'s [[wife]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annas Annas] had been hearing about [[Jesus]] and his teachings, and when Jesus called at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_High_Priests_of_Israel high priest]'s [[home]], he was received with much reserve. When [[Jesus]] [[perceived]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annas Annas]'s coldness, he took [[immediate]] leave, saying as he departed: " [[Fear]] is man's chief enslaver and [[pride]] his great weakness; will you betray yourself into [[bondage]] to both of these destroyers of [[joy]] and [[liberty]]? " But [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annas Annas] made no reply. [[The Master]] did not again see Annas until the time when he sat with his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caiaphas son-in-law] in [[judgment]] on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man]. |
==142:1. TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE== | ==142:1. TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE== | ||
| − | 142:1.1 Throughout this month Jesus or one of the apostles taught daily in the temple. When the Passover crowds were too great to find entrance to the temple teaching, the apostles conducted many teaching groups outside the sacred precincts. The burden of their message was: | + | 142:1.1 Throughout this month [[Jesus]] or one of [[the apostles]] taught daily in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_temple temple]. When the [[Passover]] crowds were too great to find entrance to the [[temple]] teaching, [[the apostles]] conducted many teaching [[groups]] outside the [[sacred]] precincts. The burden of their [[message]] was: |
| − | *1. The kingdom of heaven is at hand. | + | *1. The [[kingdom of heaven]] is at hand. |
| − | *2. By faith in the fatherhood of God you may enter the kingdom of heaven, thus becoming the sons of God. | + | *2. By [[faith]] in the [[fatherhood]] of [[God]] you may enter the kingdom of heaven, thus becoming the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40 sons of God]. |
| − | *3. Love is the rule of living within the | + | *3. [[Love]] is the rule of living within [[the kingdom]]—[[supreme]] [[devotion]] to God while loving your [[neighbor]] as yourself. |
| − | *4. Obedience to the will of the Father, yielding the fruits of the spirit in one's personal life, is the law of the kingdom. | + | *4. [[Obedience]] to the will of [[the Father]], yielding the [[fruits of the spirit]] in one's [[personal]] life, is the [[law]] of [[the kingdom]]. |
| − | 142:1.2 The multitudes who came to celebrate the Passover heard this teaching of Jesus, and hundreds of them rejoiced in the good news. The chief priests and rulers of the Jews became much concerned about Jesus and his apostles and debated among themselves as to what should be done with them. | + | 142:1.2 The multitudes who came to [[celebrate]] the [[Passover]] heard this teaching of [[Jesus]], and hundreds of them rejoiced in the good news. The chief [[priests]] and rulers of the [[Jews]] became much concerned about [[Jesus]] and his [[apostles]] and [[debated]] among themselves as to what should be done with them. |
| − | 142:1.3 Besides teaching in and about the temple, the apostles and other believers were engaged in doing much personal work among the Passover throngs. These interested men and women carried the news of Jesus' message from this Passover celebration to the uttermost parts of the Roman Empire and also to the East. This was the beginning of the spread of the gospel of the kingdom to the outside world. No longer was the work of Jesus to be confined to Palestine. | + | 142:1.3 Besides teaching in and about the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_temple temple], [[the apostles]] and other believers were [[engaged]] in doing much [[personal]] work among the [[Passover]] throngs. These interested men and women carried the news of [[Jesus]]' [[message]] from this [[Passover]] [[celebration]] to the uttermost parts of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_empire Roman Empire] and also to [[the East]]. This was the beginning of the spread of the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] to the outside world. No longer was the [[work]] of [[Jesus]] to be confined to [[Palestine]]. |
==142:2. GOD'S WRATH== | ==142:2. GOD'S WRATH== | ||
| − | 142:2.1 There was in Jerusalem in attendance upon the Passover festivities one Jacob, a wealthy Jewish trader from Crete, and he came to Andrew making request to see Jesus | + | 142:2.1 There was in [[Jerusalem]] in attendance upon the [[Passover]] festivities one Jacob, a [[wealthy]] Jewish trader from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crete Crete], and he came to [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] making request to see [[Jesus]] [[private]]ly. Andrew arranged this [[secret]] meeting with [[Jesus]] at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavius Flavius]'s [[home]] the evening of the next day. This man could not [[comprehend]] [[the Master]]'s teachings, and he came because he [[desired]] to [[inquire]] more fully about the [[kingdom of God]]. Said Jacob to [[Jesus]]: " But, [[Rabbi]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] and the olden [[The Prophets|prophets]] tell us that [[Yahweh]] is a [[jealous]] [[God]], a God of great [[wrath]] and fierce [[anger]]. [[The prophets]] say he [[hate]]s evildoers and takes [[vengeance]] on those who [[obey]] not his [[law]]. You and your [[disciples]] teach us that [[God]] is a kind and [[compassionate]] [[Father]] who so [[loves]] all men that he would [[welcome]] them into this new [[kingdom of heaven]], which you [[proclaim]] is so near at hand. " |
| − | 142:2.2 When Jacob finished speaking, Jesus replied: " Jacob, you have well stated the teachings of the olden prophets who taught the children of their generation in accordance with the light of their day. Our Father in Paradise is changeless. But the concept of his nature has enlarged and grown from the days of Moses down through the times of Amos and even to the generation of the prophet Isaiah. And now have I come in the flesh to reveal the Father in new glory and to show forth his love and mercy to all men on all worlds. As the gospel of this kingdom shall spread over the world with its message of good cheer and good will to all men, there will grow up improved and better relations among the families of all nations. As time passes, fathers and their children will love each other more, and thus will be brought about a better understanding of the love of the Father in heaven for his children on earth. Remember, Jacob, that a good and true father not only loves his family as a | + | 142:2.2 When Jacob finished speaking, [[Jesus]] replied: " Jacob, you have well stated the teachings of the olden [[prophets]] who taught the [[children]] of their [[generation]] in [[accordance]] with the [[light]] of their day. [[Our Father]] in [[Paradise]] is changeless. But the [[concept]] of his [[nature]] has enlarged and [[grown]] from the days of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] down through the times of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_(prophet) Amos] and even to the [[generation]] of the [[prophet]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah Isaiah]. And now have I come in the [[flesh]] to [[reveal]] [[the Father]] in new [[glory]] and to show forth his [[love]] and [[mercy]] to all men on [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_49 all worlds]. As the [[gospel]] of this kingdom shall spread over the world with its [[message]] of [[good]] cheer and good will to all men, there will grow up improved and better [[relations]] among the [[families]] of all [[nations]]. As time passes, [[fathers]] and their [[children]] will [[love]] each other more, and thus will be brought about a better [[understanding]] of the [[love]] of [[the Father]] in heaven for his [[children]] on [[earth]]. Remember, Jacob, that a [[good]] and true [[father]] not only loves his [[family]] as a [[whole]]—as a family—but he also truly loves and [[affection]]ately cares for each [[individual]] member. " |
| − | 142:2.3 After considerable discussion of the heavenly Father's character, Jesus paused to say: " You, Jacob, being a father of many, know well the truth of my words. " And Jacob said: " But, Master, who told you I was the father of six children? How did you know this about me? " And the Master replied: " Suffice it to say that the Father and the Son know all things, for indeed they see all. Loving your children as a father on earth, you must now accept as a reality the love of the heavenly Father for you —not just for all the children of Abraham, but for you, your individual soul. " | + | 142:2.3 After considerable [[discussion]] of the heavenly Father's [[character]], [[Jesus]] paused to say: " You, Jacob, being a [[father]] of many, know well the [[truth]] of my [[words]]. " And Jacob said: " But, Master, who told you I was the [[father]] of six children? How did you know this about me? " And [[the Master]] replied: " Suffice it to say that [[the Father]] and [[the Son]] know all things, for indeed they see all. Loving your [[children]] as a [[father]] on [[earth]], you must now [[accept]] as a [[reality]] the [[love]] of the heavenly Father for you —not just for all the [[children]] of [[Abraham]], but for you, your [[individual]] [[soul]]. " |
| − | 142:2.4 Then Jesus went on to say: " When your children are very young and immature, and when you must chastise them, they may reflect that their father is angry and filled with resentful wrath. Their immaturity cannot penetrate beyond the punishment to discern the father's farseeing and corrective affection. But when these same children become grown-up men and women, would it not be folly for them to cling to these earlier and misconceived notions regarding their father? As men and women they should now discern their father's love in all these early | + | 142:2.4 Then Jesus went on to say: " When your [[children]] are very young and immature, and when you must chastise them, they may [[reflect]] that their [[father]] is [[angry]] and filled with resentful [[wrath]]. Their immaturity cannot penetrate beyond the [[punishment]] to [[discern]] the [[father]]'s farseeing and corrective [[affection]]. But when these same [[children]] become grown-up [[men]] and [[women]], would it not be folly for them to cling to these earlier and misconceived notions regarding their [[father]]? As men and women they should now [[discern]] their father's [[love]] in all these early [[discipline]]s. And should not [[mankind]], as the centuries pass, come the better to [[understand]] the true [[nature]] and loving [[character]] of [[the Father]] in heaven? What profit have you from [[successive]] [[generations]] of [[spiritual]] [[illumination]] if you [[persist]] in viewing [[God]] as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] and [[the prophets]] saw him? I say to you, Jacob, under the bright [[light]] of this hour you should see [[the Father]] as none of those who have gone before ever beheld him. And thus seeing him, you should [[rejoice]] to enter [[the kingdom]] wherein such a [[merciful]] [[Father]] rules, and you should seek to have his will of [[love]] [[dominate]] your life henceforth. " |
| − | 142:2.5 And Jacob answered: " Rabbi, I believe; I desire that you lead me into the Father's kingdom. " | + | 142:2.5 And Jacob answered: " [[Rabbi]], I [[believe]]; I [[desire]] that you [[lead]] me into [[the Father]]'s kingdom. " |
==142:3. THE CONCEPT OF GOD== | ==142:3. THE CONCEPT OF GOD== | ||
| − | 142:3.1 The twelve apostles, most of whom had listened to this discussion of the character of God, that night asked Jesus many questions about the Father in heaven. The Master's answers to these questions can best be presented by the following summary in modern phraseology: | + | 142:3.1 The [[twelve apostles]], most of whom had [[listened]] to this [[discussion]] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_2 character of God], that night asked [[Jesus]] many questions about [[the Father]] in heaven. [[The Master]]'s answers to these questions can best be presented by the following summary in [[modern]] phraseology: |
| − | 142:3.2 Jesus mildly upbraided the twelve, in substance saying: Do you not know the traditions of Israel relating to the growth of the idea of Yahweh, and are you ignorant of the teaching of the Scriptures concerning the doctrine of God? And then did the Master proceed to instruct the apostles about the evolution of the concept of Deity throughout the course of the development of the Jewish people. He called attention to the following phases of the growth of the God idea: | + | 142:3.2 [[Jesus]] mildly upbraided [[the twelve]], in substance saying: Do you not know the [[traditions]] of [[Israel]] relating to the [[growth]] of the [[idea]] of [[Yahweh]], and are you [[ignorant]] of the teaching of [[Hebrew Bible|the Scriptures]] concerning the [[doctrine]] of [[God]]? And then did [[the Master]] proceed to instruct [[the apostles]] about the [[evolution]] of the [[concept]] of [[Deity]] throughout the [[course]] of the [[development]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Jews Jewish people]. He called [[attention]] to the following [[phases]] of the [[growth]] of the [[God]] [[idea]]: |
| − | *1. 142:3.3 Yahweh —the god of the Sinai clans. This was the primitive concept of Deity which Moses exalted to the higher level of the Lord God of Israel. The Father in heaven never fails to accept the sincere worship of his children on earth, no matter how crude their concept of Deity or by what name they symbolize his divine nature. | + | *1. 142:3.3 ''[[Yahweh]]'' —the god of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sinai Sinai] [[clans]]. This was the [[primitive]] [[concept]] of [[Deity]] which [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] exalted to the higher level of the ''Lord God of Israel''. [[The Father]] in heaven never fails to [[accept]] the [[sincere]] [[worship]] of his [[children]] on [[earth]], no matter how crude their [[concept]] of [[Deity]] or by what name they [[symbolize]] his [[divine]] [[nature]]. |
| − | *2. 142:3.4 The Most High. This concept of the Father in heaven was proclaimed by Melchizedek to Abraham and was carried far from Salem by those who subsequently believed in this enlarged and expanded idea of Deity. Abraham and his brother left Ur because of the establishment of sun worship, and they became believers in Melchizedek's teaching of El | + | *2. 142:3.4 ''The [[Most High]]''. This [[concept]] of [[the Father]] in heaven was proclaimed by [[Melchizedek]] to [[Abraham]] and was carried far from [[Salem]] by those who subsequently believed in this enlarged and expanded [[idea]] of [[Deity]]. [[Abraham]] and his brother left [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ur Ur] because of the [[establishment]] of [[sun]] [[worship]], and they became believers in [[Melchizedek]]'s teaching of [[El Elyon]]—the [[Most High]] God. Theirs was a [[composite]] [[concept]] of [[God]], consisting in a blending of their older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamian] [[ideas]] and the [[Most High]] [[doctrine]]. |
| − | *3. 142:3.5 El Shaddai. During these early days many of the Hebrews worshiped El Shaddai, the Egyptian concept of the God of heaven, which they learned about during their captivity in the land of the Nile. Long after the times of Melchizedek all three of these concepts of God became joined together to form the doctrine of the creator Deity, the Lord God of Israel. | + | *3. 142:3.5 ''El Shaddai''. During these early days many of the [[Hebrews]] [[worshiped]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_shaddai El Shaddai], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egyptian concept of the God of heaven], which they learned about during their captivity in the land of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile Nile]. Long after the times of [[Melchizedek]] all [[three]] of these [[concepts]] of [[God]] became joined [[together]] to form the [[doctrine]] of the [[creator]] [[Deity]], the Lord God of Israel. |
| − | *4. 142:3.6 Elohim. From the times of Adam the teaching of the Paradise Trinity has persisted. Do you not recall how the Scriptures begin by asserting that " In the beginning the Gods created the heavens and the earth "? This indicates that when that record was made the Trinity concept of three Gods in one had found lodgment in the religion of our forebears. | + | *4. 142:3.6 ''Elohim''. From the times of [[Adam]] the teaching of the [[Paradise Trinity]] has [[persisted]]. Do you not recall how the [[Scriptures]] begin by asserting that " In the beginning [[the Gods]] created the heavens and the [[earth]] "? This indicates that when that [[record]] was made the [[Trinity]] [[concept]] of three Gods in one had found lodgment in the [[religion]] of our [[forebears]]. |
| − | *5. 142:3.7 The Supreme Yahweh. By the times of Isaiah these beliefs about God had expanded into the concept of a Universal Creator who was simultaneously all-powerful and all-merciful. And this evolving and enlarging concept of God virtually supplanted all previous ideas of Deity in our fathers' religion. | + | *5. 142:3.7 ''The Supreme [[Yahweh]]''. By the times of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah Isaiah] these [[beliefs]] about [[God]] had expanded into the [[concept]] of a [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_4 Universal Creator] who was [[simultaneously]] all-[[powerful]] and all-[[merciful]]. And this [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92 evolving and enlarging concept of God] virtually supplanted all previous [[ideas]] of [[Deity]] in our [[fathers]]' [[religion]]. |
| − | *6. 142:3.8 The Father in heaven. And now do we know God as our Father in heaven. Our teaching provides a religion wherein the believer is a son of God. That is the good news of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. Coexistent with the Father are the Son and the Spirit, and the revelation of the nature and ministry of these Paradise Deities will continue to enlarge and brighten throughout the endless ages of the eternal spiritual progression of the ascending sons of God. At all times and during all ages the true worship of any human | + | *6. 142:3.8 ''The Father in heaven''. And now do we know [[God]] as [[our Father]] in heaven. Our teaching provides a [[religion]] wherein the believer is a [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:5._MORTALS_OF_TIME_AND_SPACE son of God]. That is the good news of the [[gospel]] of the [[kingdom of heaven]]. Coexistent with [[the Father]] are [[the Son]] and [[the Spirit]], and the [[revelation]] of the [[nature]] and ministry of these [[Paradise Deities]] will continue to enlarge and brighten throughout the endless ages of the [[eternal]] [[spiritual]] [[progression]] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#PAPER_40:_THE_ASCENDING_SONS_OF_GOD ascending sons of God]. At all times and during all ages the true [[worship]] of any [[human being]]—as concerns [[individual]] [[spiritual]] [[progress]]—is [[recognized]] by the [[indwelling spirit]] as [[homage]] rendered to [[the Father]] in heaven. |
| − | 142:3.9 Never before had the apostles been so shocked as they were upon hearing this recounting of the growth of the concept of God in the Jewish minds of previous generations; they were too bewildered to ask questions. As they sat before Jesus in silence, the Master continued: " And you would have known these truths had you read the Scriptures. Have you not read in Samuel where it says: `And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, so much so that he moved David against them, saying, go number Israel and Judah'? And this was not strange because in the days of Samuel the children of Abraham really believed that Yahweh created both good and evil. But when a later writer narrated these events, subsequent to the enlargement of the Jewish concept of the nature of God, he did not dare attribute evil to Yahweh; therefore he said: `And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel.' Cannot you discern that such records in the Scriptures clearly show how the concept of the nature of God continued to grow from one generation to another? | + | 142:3.9 Never before had [[the apostles]] been so [[shocked]] as they were upon hearing this recounting of the [[growth]] of the [[concept]] of [[God]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Jews Jewish minds of previous generations]; they were too bewildered to ask questions. As they sat before [[Jesus]] in [[silence]], [[the Master]] continued: " And you would have known these [[truths]] had you read the [[Scriptures]]. Have you not [[read]] in [[Second Book of Samuel|Samuel]] where it says: `And the [[anger]] of the Lord was kindled against [[Israel]], so much so that he moved [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David David] against them, saying, go number [[Israel]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judah Judah]'?[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Second_Book_of_Samuel#Chapter_.24] And this was not strange because in the days of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel Samuel] the [[children]] of [[Abraham]] really believed that [[Yahweh]] created both [[good]] and [[evil]]. But when a later [[writer]] narrated these [[events]], subsequent to the enlargement of the Jewish [[concept]] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_2 nature of God], he did not dare attribute [[evil]] to [[Yahweh]]; therefore he said: `And [[Satan]] stood up against [[Israel]] and provoked [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David David] to number [[Israel]].' Cannot you [[discern]] that such records in the [[Scriptures]] clearly show how the [[concept]] of the [[Paper 2 - The Nature of God|nature of God]] continued to [[grow]] from one [[generation]] to another? |
| − | 142:3.10 " Again should you have discerned the growth of the understanding of divine law in perfect keeping with these enlarging concepts of divinity. When the children of Israel came out of Egypt in the days before the enlarged revelation of Yahweh, they had ten commandments which served as their law right up to the times when they were encamped before Sinai. And these ten commandments were: | + | 142:3.10 " Again should you have [[discerned]] the [[growth]] of the [[understanding]] of [[divine]] [[law]] in [[perfect]] keeping with these enlarging [[concepts]] of [[divinity]]. When the [[children]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exodus Israel came out of Egypt] in the days before the enlarged [[revelation]] of [[Yahweh]], they had [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_commandments ten commandments] which served as their [[law]] right up to the times when they were encamped before [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sinai Sinai]. And these ten commandments were: |
| − | 142:3.11 " 1. You shall worship no other god, for the Lord is a jealous God. | + | 142:3.11 " 1. You shall [[worship]] no other [[god]], for the Lord is a [[jealous]] God.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.34] |
| − | 142:3.12 " 2. You shall not make molten gods. | + | 142:3.12 " 2. You shall not make [[Idol|molten gods]].[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.34] |
| − | 142:3.13 " 3. You shall not neglect to keep the feast of unleavened bread. | + | 142:3.13 " 3. You shall not neglect to keep the feast of unleavened bread.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.12] |
| − | 142:3.14 " 4. Of all the males of men or cattle, the first-born are mine, says the Lord. | + | 142:3.14 " 4. Of all the [[males]] of men or cattle, the first-born are mine, says the Lord.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.13] |
| − | 142:3.15 " 5. Six days you may work, but on the | + | 142:3.15 " 5. Six days you may [[work]], but on the [[seven]]th day you shall [[rest]].[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.34] |
| − | 142:3.16 " 6. You shall not fail to observe the feast of the first fruits and the feast of the ingathering at the end of the year. | + | 142:3.16 " 6. You shall not fail to [[observe]] the feast of the first fruits and the feast of the ingathering at the end of the year.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.34] |
| − | 142:3.17 " 7. You shall not offer the blood of any sacrifice with leavened bread. | + | 142:3.17 " 7. You shall not offer the [[blood]] of any [[sacrifice]] with leavened bread.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.34] |
| − | 142:3.18 " 8. The sacrifice of the feast of the Passover shall not be left until morning. | + | 142:3.18 " 8. The [[sacrifice]] of the feast of the [[Passover]] shall not be left until morning.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.34] |
| − | 142:3.19 " 9. The first of the first fruits of the ground you shall bring to the house of the Lord your God. | + | 142:3.19 " 9. The first of the first fruits of the ground you shall bring to the house of the Lord your [[God]].[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.23] |
| − | 142:3.20 " 10. You shall not seethe a kid in its mother's milk. | + | 142:3.20 " 10. You shall not [[seethe]] a kid in its [[mother]]'s milk.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.23] |
| − | 142:3.21 " And then, amidst the thunders and lightnings of Sinai, Moses gave them the new ten commandments, which you will all allow are more worthy utterances to accompany the enlarging Yahweh concepts of Deity. And did you never take notice of these commandments as twice recorded in the Scriptures, that in the first case deliverance from Egypt is assigned as the reason for Sabbath keeping, while in a later record the advancing religious beliefs of our forefathers demanded that this be changed to the recognition of the fact of creation as the reason for Sabbath observance? | + | 142:3.21 " And then, amidst the thunders and lightnings of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sinai Sinai], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] gave them the new ten commandments, which you will all allow are more [[worthy]] utterances to accompany the enlarging [[Yahweh]] [[concepts]] of [[Deity]]. And did you never take notice of these commandments as [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Deutoronomy#Chapter_.5 twice recorded] in the [[Scriptures]], that in the first case [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exodus deliverance from Egypt] is assigned as the [[reason]] for [[Sabbath]] keeping, while in a later [[record]] the advancing [[religious]] [[beliefs]] of our [[forefathers]] demanded that this be changed to the [[recognition]] of the [[fact]] of [[creation]] as the reason for [[Sabbath]] observance? |
| − | 142:3.22 " And then will you remember that once again—in the greater spiritual enlightenment of Isaiah's day—these ten negative commandments were changed into the great and positive law of love, the injunction to love God supremely and your neighbor as yourself. And it is this supreme law of love for God and for man that I also declare to you as constituting the whole duty of man. " | + | 142:3.22 " And then will you [[remember]] that once again—in the greater [[spiritual]] [[enlightenment]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah Isaiah]'s day—these ten [[negative]] commandments were changed into the great and [[positive]] [[law]] of [[love]], the injunction to love [[God]] supremely and your [[neighbor]] as yourself. And it is this [[supreme]] law of [[love]] for [[God]] and for man that I also [[declare]] to you as constituting the whole [[duty]] of [[man]]. " |
| − | 142:3.23 And when he had finished speaking, no man asked him a question. They went, each one to his sleep. | + | 142:3.23 And when he had finished [[speaking]], no man asked him a question. They went, each one to his [[sleep]]. |
==142:4. FLAVIUS AND GREEK CULTURE== | ==142:4. FLAVIUS AND GREEK CULTURE== | ||
| − | 142:4.1 Flavius, the Greek Jew, was a proselyte of the gate, having been neither circumcised nor baptized; and since he was a great lover of the beautiful in art and sculpture, the house which he occupied when sojourning in Jerusalem was a beautiful edifice. This home was exquisitely adorned with priceless treasures which he had gathered up here and there on his world travels. When he first thought of inviting Jesus to his home, he feared that the Master might take offense at the sight of these so-called images. But Flavius was agreeably surprised when Jesus entered the home that, instead of rebuking him for having these supposedly idolatrous objects scattered about the house, he manifested great interest in the entire collection and asked many appreciative questions about each object as Flavius escorted him from room to room, showing him all of his favorite statues. | + | 142:4.1 Flavius, the [[Greek]] [[Jew]], was a [[proselyte]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_temple#The_Court_of_the_Gentiles gate], having been neither [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brit_milah circumcised] nor [[baptized]]; and since he was a great [[lover]] of the [[beautiful]] in [[art]] and [[sculpture]], the house which he occupied when [[sojourning]] in [[Jerusalem]] was a beautiful edifice. This [[home]] was exquisitely adorned with priceless [[treasures]] which he had gathered up here and there on his world [[travels]]. When he first [[thought]] of inviting [[Jesus]] to his [[home]], he feared that [[the Master]] might take offense at the sight of these so-called images. But Flavius was agreeably [[surprised]] when [[Jesus]] entered the [[home]] that, instead of [[rebuking]] him for having these supposedly [[idolatrous]] objects scattered about the house, he [[manifested]] great interest in the entire collection and asked many [[appreciative]] questions about each object as Flavius escorted him from room to room, showing him all of his favorite [[statues]]. |
| − | 142:4.2 The Master saw that his host was bewildered at his friendly attitude toward art; therefore, when they had finished the survey of the entire collection, Jesus said: " Because you appreciate the beauty of things created by my Father and fashioned by the artistic hands of man, why should you expect to be rebuked? Because Moses onetime sought to combat idolatry and the worship of false gods, why should all men frown upon the reproduction of grace and beauty? I say to you, Flavius, Moses' children have misunderstood him, and now do they make false gods of even his prohibitions of images and the likeness of things in heaven and on earth. But even if Moses taught such restrictions to the darkened minds of those days, what has that to do with this day when the Father in heaven is revealed as the universal Spirit Ruler over all? And, Flavius, I declare that in the coming kingdom they shall no longer teach, `Do not worship this and do not worship that'; no longer shall they concern themselves with commands to refrain from this and take care not to do that, but rather shall all be concerned with one supreme duty. And this duty of man is expressed in two great privileges: sincere worship of the infinite Creator, the Paradise Father, and loving service bestowed upon one's fellow men. If you love your neighbor as you love yourself, you really know that you are a son of God. | + | 142:4.2 [[The Master]] saw that his host was bewildered at his [[friendly]] [[attitude]] toward [[art]]; therefore, when they had finished the [[survey]] of the entire [[collection]], Jesus said: " Because you [[appreciate]] the [[beauty]] of [[things]] created by my Father and fashioned by the artistic hands of man, why should you [[expect]] to be [[rebuked]]? Because [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] onetime sought to combat [[idolatry]] and the [[worship]] of false gods, why should all men frown upon the reproduction of [[grace]] and [[beauty]]? I say to you, Flavius, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses]' [[children]] have misunderstood him, and now do they make false gods of even his prohibitions of images and the likeness of [[things]] in [[heaven]] and on [[earth]]. But even if [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] taught such restrictions to the [[darkened]] [[minds]] of those days, what has that to do with this day when [[the Father]] in heaven is [[revealed]] as the [[universal]] [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_4#4:2._GOD_AND_NATURE Spirit Ruler] over all? And, Flavius, I [[declare]] that in the coming kingdom they shall no longer teach, `Do not [[worship]] this and do not worship that'; no longer shall they concern themselves with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_commandments commands] to refrain from this and take care not to do that, but rather shall all be concerned with one [[supreme]] [[duty]]. And this [[duty]] of [[man]] is [[expressed]] in two great [[privileges]]: [[sincere]] [[worship]] of the [[infinite]] [[Creator]], the [[Paradise Father]], and loving [[service]] bestowed upon one's fellow men. If you [[love]] your [[neighbor]] as you love yourself, you really know that you are a [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:5._MORTALS_OF_TIME_AND_SPACE son of God]. |
| − | 142:4.3 " In an age when my Father was not well understood, Moses was justified in his attempts to withstand idolatry, but in the coming age the Father will have been revealed in the life of the Son; and this new revelation of God will make it forever unnecessary to confuse the Creator Father with idols of stone or images of gold and silver. Henceforth, intelligent men may enjoy the treasures of art without confusing such material appreciation of beauty with the worship and service of the Father in Paradise, the God of all things and all beings. " | + | 142:4.3 " In an age when my Father was not well [[understood]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] was [[justified]] in his attempts to withstand [[idolatry]], but in the coming age [[the Father]] will have been [[revealed]] in the life of [[Creator Son|the Son]]; and this new [[revelation]] of [[God]] will make it forever unnecessary to [[confuse]] the [[Universal Father|Creator Father]] with [[idols]] of stone or images of gold and silver. Henceforth, [[intelligent]] men may [[enjoy]] the [[treasures]] of [[art]] without [[confusing]] such [[material]] [[appreciation]] of [[beauty]] with the [[worship]] and [[service]] of [[the Father]] in [[Paradise]], the [[God]] of [[all things]] and all [[beings]]. " |
| − | 142:4.4 Flavius believed all that Jesus taught him. The next day he went to Bethany beyond the Jordan and was baptized by the disciples of John. And this he did because the apostles of Jesus did not yet baptize believers. When Flavius returned to Jerusalem, he made a great feast for Jesus and invited sixty of his friends. And many of these guests also became believers in the message of the coming kingdom. | + | 142:4.4 Flavius believed all that [[Jesus]] taught him. The next day he went to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany Bethany] beyond the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan] and was [[baptized]] by the [[disciples]] of [[John the Baptist|John]]. And this he did because [[the apostles]] of [[Jesus]] did not yet [[baptize]] believers. When Flavius returned to [[Jerusalem]], he made a great feast for [[Jesus]] and invited sixty of his [[friends]]. And many of these guests also became [[believers]] in the [[message]] of the coming [[The kingdom|kingdom]]. |
==142:5. THE DISCOURSE ON ASSURANCE== | ==142:5. THE DISCOURSE ON ASSURANCE== | ||
| − | 142:5.1 One of the great sermons which Jesus preached in the temple this Passover week was in answer to a question asked by one of his hearers, a man from Damascus. This man asked Jesus: " But, Rabbi, how shall we know of a certainty that you are sent by God, and that we may truly enter into this kingdom which you and your disciples declare is near at hand? " And Jesus answered: | + | 142:5.1 One of the great [[sermons]] which [[Jesus]] preached in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_temple temple] this [[Passover]] week was in answer to a question asked by one of his hearers, a man from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus Damascus]. This man asked [[Jesus]]: " But, [[Rabbi]], how shall we know of a [[certainty]] that you are sent by [[God]], and that we may truly enter into this [[The Kingdom|kingdom]] which you and your [[disciples]] [[declare]] is near at hand? " And [[Jesus]] answered: |
| − | 142:5.2 " As to my message and the teaching of my disciples, you should judge them by their fruits. If we proclaim to you the truths of the spirit, the spirit will witness in your hearts that our message is genuine. Concerning the kingdom and your assurance of acceptance by the heavenly Father, let me ask what father among you who is a worthy and kindhearted father would keep his son in anxiety or suspense regarding his status in the family or his place of security in the affections of his father's heart? Do you earth fathers take pleasure in torturing your children with uncertainty about their place of abiding love in your human hearts? Neither does | + | 142:5.2 " As to my [[message]] and the teaching of my [[disciples]], you should [[judge]] them by their fruits. If we [[proclaim]] to you the [[truths]] of the [[spirit]], the spirit will [[witness]] in your [[hearts]] that our [[message]] is [[genuine]]. Concerning [[the kingdom]] and your [[assurance]] of [[acceptance]] by the [[heavenly Father]], let me ask what [[father]] among you who is a [[worthy]] and kindhearted father would keep his son in [[anxiety]] or [[suspense]] regarding his [[status]] in the [[family]] or his place of [[security]] in the [[affections]] of his father's [[heart]]? Do you [[earth]] [[fathers]] take [[pleasure]] in [[torturing]] your [[children]] with uncertainty about their place of abiding [[love]] in your [[human]] [[hearts]]? Neither does y[[our Father]] in heaven leave his [[faith]] children of the [[spirit]] in doubtful uncertainty as to their position in [[the kingdom]]. If you receive [[God]] as y[[our Father]], then indeed and in [[truth]] are you the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:5._MORTALS_OF_TIME_AND_SPACE sons of God]. And if you are sons, then are you [[secure]] in the position and standing of all that concerns [[eternal]] and [[divine]] sonship. If you believe my [[words]], you thereby believe in Him who sent me, and by thus believing in [[the Father]], you have made your [[status]] in heavenly [[citizenship]] sure. If you [[do the will of the Father]] in heaven, you shall never fail in the [[attainment]] of the [[eternal]] life of [[progress]] in the [[divine]] kingdom. |
| − | 142:5.3 " The Supreme Spirit shall bear witness with your spirits that you are truly the children of God. And if you are the sons of God, then have you been born of the spirit of God; and whosoever has been born of the spirit has in himself the power to overcome all doubt, and this is the victory that overcomes all uncertainty, even your faith. | + | 142:5.3 " The Supreme Spirit shall bear [[witness]] with your spirits that you are truly the [[children]] of [[God]]. And if you are the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:5._MORTALS_OF_TIME_AND_SPACE sons of God], then have you been [[born]] of the spirit of God; and whosoever has been born of the [[spirit]] has in himself the [[power]] to overcome all [[doubt]], and this is the [[victory]] that overcomes all uncertainty, even your [[faith]]. |
| − | 142:5.4 " Said the Prophet Isaiah, speaking of these times: `When the spirit is poured upon us from on high, then shall the work of righteousness become peace, quietness, and assurance forever.' And for all who truly believe this gospel, I will become surety for their reception into the eternal mercies and the everlasting life of my Father's kingdom. You, then, who hear this message and believe this gospel of the kingdom are the sons of God, and you have life everlasting; and the evidence to all the world that you have been born of the spirit is that you sincerely love one another. " | + | 142:5.4 " Said the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah Prophet Isaiah], speaking of these times: `When [[Spirit of Truth|the spirit]] is poured upon us from on high, then shall the [[work]] of [[righteousness]] become [[peace]], [[quietness]], and [[assurance]] forever.' And for all who truly [[believe]] this [[gospel]], I will become surety for their [[reception]] into the [[eternal]] [[mercies]] and the everlasting life of my Father's kingdom. You, then, who hear this [[message]] and [[believe]] this [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] are the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:5._MORTALS_OF_TIME_AND_SPACE sons of God], and you have life everlasting; and the [[evidence]] to all the world that you have been [[born]] of the [[spirit]] is that you [[sincerely]] [[love]] one another. " |
| − | 142:5.5 The throng of listeners remained many hours with Jesus, asking him questions and listening attentively to his comforting answers. Even the apostles were emboldened by Jesus' teaching to preach the gospel of the kingdom with more power and assurance. This experience at Jerusalem was a great inspiration to the twelve. It was their first contact with such enormous crowds, and they learned many valuable lessons which proved of great assistance in their later work. | + | 142:5.5 The throng of [[listeners]] remained many hours with [[Jesus]], asking him questions and listening [[attentively]] to his [[comforting]] answers. Even [[the apostles]] were emboldened by [[Jesus]]' teaching to [[preach]] the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] with more [[power]] and [[assurance]]. This [[experience]] at [[Jerusalem]] was a great [[inspiration]] to [[the twelve]]. It was their first [[contact]] with such enormous crowds, and they learned many valuable lessons which proved of great [[assistance]] in their later [[work]]. |
==142:6. THE VISIT WITH NICODEMUS== | ==142:6. THE VISIT WITH NICODEMUS== | ||
| − | 142:6.1 One evening at the home of Flavius there came to see Jesus one Nicodemus, a wealthy and elderly member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. He had heard much about the teachings of this Galilean, and so he went one afternoon to hear him as he taught in the temple courts. He would have gone often to hear Jesus teach, but he | + | 142:6.1 One evening at the [[home]] of Flavius there came to see [[Jesus]] one [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus], a [[wealthy]] and elderly member of the Jewish [[Sanhedrin]]. He had heard much about the teachings of this [[Galilean]], and so he went one afternoon to hear him as he taught in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_temple temple courts]. He would have gone often to hear [[Jesus]] teach, but he [[fear]]ed to be seen by the people in attendance upon his teaching, for already were the rulers of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews Jews] so at [[Opposition|variance]] with [[Jesus]] that no member of the [[Sanhedrin]] would want to be identified in any open [[manner]] with him. Accordingly, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] had arranged with [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] to see [[Jesus]] [[private]]ly and after nightfall on this particular evening. [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]], [[James, the Apostle|James]], and [[John, the Apostle|John]] were in Flavius's [[garden]] when the interview began, but later they all went into the house where the [[discourse]] continued. |
| − | 142:6.2 In receiving Nicodemus, Jesus showed no particular deference; in talking with him, there was no compromise or undue persuasiveness. The Master made no attempt to repulse his | + | 142:6.2 In receiving [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nidodemus Nicodemus], [[Jesus]] showed no particular [[Favor|deference]]; in talking with him, there was no [[compromise]] or undue persuasiveness. [[The Master]] made no attempt to repulse his [[secret]]ive caller, nor did he employ [[sarcasm]]. In all his dealings with the distinguished [[visitor]], [[Jesus]] was calm, [[earnest]], and [[dignified]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] was not an official [[delegate]] of the [[Sanhedrin]]; he came to see [[Jesus]] wholly because of his [[personal]] and [[sincere]] interest in [[the Master]]'s teachings. |
| − | 142:6.3 Upon being presented by Flavius, Nicodemus said: " Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God, for no mere man could so teach unless God were with him. And I am desirous of knowing more about your teachings regarding the coming kingdom. " | + | 142:6.3 Upon being presented by Flavius, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] said: " [[Rabbi]], we know that you are a teacher sent by [[God]], for no mere man could so teach unless God were with him. And I am desirous of knowing more about your teachings regarding the coming [[The Kingdom|kingdom]]. " |
| − | 142:6.4 Jesus answered Nicodemus: " Verily, verily, I say to you, Nicodemus, except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God. " Then replied Nicodemus: " But how can a man be born again when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born. " | + | 142:6.4 [[Jesus]] answered [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus]: " Verily, verily, I say to you, Nicodemus, except a man be [[born]] from above, he cannot see [[the kingdom]] of God. " Then replied [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus]: " But how can a man be [[born]] again when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his [[mother]]'s [[womb]] to be born. " |
| − | 142:6.5 Jesus said: " Nevertheless, I declare to you, except a man be born of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. But you should not marvel that I said you must be born from above. When the wind blows, you hear the rustle of the leaves, but you do not see the wind—whence it comes or whither it goes—and so it is with everyone born of the spirit. With the eyes of the flesh you can behold the manifestations of the spirit, but you cannot actually discern the spirit. " | + | 142:6.5 [[Jesus]] said: " Nevertheless, I [[declare]] to you, except a man be [[born]] of the [[spirit]], he cannot enter into [[the kingdom]] of God. That which is [[born]] of the flesh is [[flesh]], and that which is born of the [[spirit]] is spirit. But you should not [[marvel]] that I said you must be [[born]] from above. When the [[wind]] blows, you [[hear]] the rustle of the leaves, but you do not see the wind—whence it comes or whither it goes—and so it is with everyone [[born]] of the [[spirit]]. With the eyes of the [[flesh]] you can behold the [[manifestations]] of the [[spirit]], but you cannot actually [[discern]] the spirit. " |
| − | 142:6.6 Nicodemus replied: " But I do not | + | 142:6.6 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] replied: " But I do not [[understand]]—how can that be? " Said [[Jesus]]: " Can it be that you are a [[teacher]] in [[Israel]] and yet [[ignorant]] of all this? It becomes, then, the [[duty]] of those who know about the [[realities]] of the [[spirit]] to [[reveal]] these things to those who [[discern]] only the [[manifestations]] of the [[material]] world. But will you [[believe]] us if we tell you of the heavenly [[truths]]? Do you have the [[courage]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus], to [[believe]] in one who has [[descended]] from [[heaven]], even the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man]? " |
| − | 142:6.7 And Nicodemus said: " But how can I begin to lay hold upon this spirit which is to remake me in preparation for entering into the kingdom? " Jesus answered: " Already does the spirit of the Father in heaven indwell you. If you would be led by this spirit from above, very soon would you begin to see with the eyes of the spirit, and then by the wholehearted choice of spirit guidance would you be born of the spirit since your only purpose in living would be to do the will of your Father who is in heaven. And so finding yourself born of the spirit and happily in the kingdom of God, you would begin to bear in your daily life the abundant fruits of the spirit. " | + | 142:6.7 And [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] said: " But how can I begin to lay hold upon this [[spirit]] which is to remake me in [[preparation]] for entering into [[the kingdom]]? " [[Jesus]] answered: " Already does [[Thought Adjuster|the spirit]] of [[the Father]] in heaven indwell you. If you would be [[led]] by this [[spirit]] from above, very soon would you begin to see with the eyes of [[Thought Adjuster|the spirit]], and then by the wholehearted [[choice]] of [[spirit]] [[guidance]] would you be [[born]] of the [[spirit]] since your only [[purpose]] in living would be to [[do the will of your Father]] who is in [[heaven]]. And so finding yourself [[born]] of the [[spirit]] and [[happily]] in [[the kingdom]] of God, you would begin to bear in your daily life the [[abundant]] [[fruits of the spirit]]. " |
| − | 142:6.8 Nicodemus was thoroughly sincere. He was deeply impressed but went away bewildered. Nicodemus was accomplished in self-development, in self-restraint, and even in high moral qualities. He was refined, egoistic, and altruistic; but he did not know how to submit his will to the will of the divine Father as a little child is willing to submit to the guidance and leading of a wise and loving earthly father, thereby becoming in reality a son of God, a progressive heir of the eternal kingdom. | + | 142:6.8 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] was thoroughly [[sincere]]. He was deeply impressed but went away bewildered. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] was accomplished in [[self]]-[[development]], in self-restraint, and even in high [[moral]] [[qualities]]. He was refined, [[egoistic]], and [[altruistic]]; but he did not know how to [[Doing the will of God|submit his will to the will of the divine Father]] as a little [[child]] is willing to submit to the [[guidance]] and [[leading]] of a [[wise]] and loving [[earthly]] [[father]], thereby becoming in [[reality]] a [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:5._MORTALS_OF_TIME_AND_SPACE son of God], a [[progressive]] heir of the [[eternal]] kingdom. |
| − | 142:6.9 But Nicodemus did summon faith enough to lay hold of the kingdom. He faintly protested when his colleagues of the Sanhedrin sought to condemn Jesus without a hearing; and with Joseph of Arimathea, he later boldly acknowledged his faith and claimed the body of Jesus, even when most of the disciples had fled in fear from the scenes of their Master's final suffering and death. | + | 142:6.9 But [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] did summon [[faith]] enough to lay hold of [[the kingdom]]. He faintly [[protested]] when his [[colleagues]] of the [[Sanhedrin]] sought to [[condemn]] [[Jesus]] without a hearing; and with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_of_Arimathea Joseph of Arimathea], he later boldly acknowledged his [[faith]] and claimed the [[body]] of [[Jesus]], even when most of the [[disciples]] had fled in [[fear]] from the scenes of [[the Master|their Master]]'s [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_186 final suffering] and [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_187 death]. |
==142:7. THE LESSON ON THE FAMILY== | ==142:7. THE LESSON ON THE FAMILY== | ||
| − | 142:7.1 After the busy period of teaching and personal work of Passover week in Jerusalem, Jesus spent the next Wednesday at Bethany with his apostles, resting. That afternoon, Thomas asked a question which elicited a long and instructive answer. Said Thomas: " Master, on the day we were set apart as ambassadors of the kingdom, you told us many things, instructed us regarding our personal mode of life, but what shall we teach the multitude? How are these people to live after the kingdom more fully comes? Shall your disciples own slaves? Shall your believers court poverty and shun property? Shall mercy alone prevail so that we shall have no more law and justice? " Jesus and the twelve spent all afternoon and all that evening, after supper, discussing Thomas's questions. For the purposes of this record we present the following summary of the Master's instruction: | + | 142:7.1 After the [[busy]] period of teaching and [[personal]] [[work]] of [[Passover]] week in [[Jerusalem]], [[Jesus]] spent the next Wednesday at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany Bethany] with his [[apostles]], [[resting]]. That afternoon, [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]] asked a question which elicited a long and instructive answer. Said Thomas: " Master, on the day we were set apart as [[ambassadors]] of [[the kingdom]], you told us many things, instructed us regarding our [[personal]] mode of life, but what shall we teach the [[multitude]]? How are these people to live after [[the kingdom]] more fully comes? Shall your [[disciples]] own [[slaves]]? Shall your believers court [[poverty]] and shun [[property]]? Shall [[mercy]] alone prevail so that we shall have no more [[law]] and [[justice]]? " [[Jesus]] and [[the twelve]] spent all afternoon and all that evening, after supper, discussing [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]]'s questions. For the [[purposes]] of this [[record]] we present the following summary of [[the Master]]'s instruction: |
| − | 142:7.2 Jesus sought first to make plain to his apostles that he himself was on earth living a unique life in the flesh, and that they, the twelve, had been called to participate in this bestowal experience of the Son of Man; and as such coworkers, they, too, must share in many of the special restrictions and obligations of the entire bestowal experience. There was a veiled intimation that the Son of Man was the only person who had ever lived on earth who could simultaneously see into the very heart of God and into the very depths of man's soul. | + | 142:7.2 [[Jesus]] sought first to make plain to his [[apostles]] that he himself was on [[earth]] living a [[unique]] life in the [[flesh]], and that they, [[the twelve]], had been called to [[participate]] in this [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_120 bestowal experience] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man]; and as such coworkers, they, too, must [[share]] in many of the special restrictions and [[obligations]] of the entire [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_21#21:4._THE_MICHAEL_BESTOWALS bestowal experience]. There was a veiled intimation that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] was the only person who had ever lived on [[earth]] who could [[simultaneously]] see into the very [[heart]] of [[God]] and into the very depths of man's [[soul]]. |
| − | 142:7.3 Very plainly Jesus explained that the kingdom of heaven was an evolutionary experience, beginning here on earth and progressing up through successive life stations to Paradise. In the course of the evening he definitely stated that at some future stage of kingdom development he would revisit this world in spiritual power and divine glory. | + | 142:7.3 Very plainly [[Jesus]] explained that [[the kingdom]] of heaven was an [[evolutionary]] [[experience]], beginning here on [[earth]] and [[progressing]] up through [[successive]] life stations to [[Paradise]]. In the [[course]] of the evening he definitely stated that at some [[future]] stage of kingdom [[development]] he would revisit this world in [[spiritual]] [[power]] and [[divine]] [[glory]]. |
| − | 142:7.4 He next explained that the " kingdom idea " was not the best way to illustrate man's relation to God; that he employed such figures of speech because the Jewish people were expecting the kingdom, and because John had preached in terms of the coming kingdom. Jesus said: " The people of another age will better understand the gospel of the kingdom when it is presented in terms expressive of the family | + | 142:7.4 He next [[explained]] that the " kingdom idea " was not the best way to [[illustrate]] man's [[relation]] to [[God]]; that he employed such [[figures of speech]] because the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews Jewish people] were [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism expecting the kingdom], and because [[John the Baptist|John]] had [[preached]] in terms of the coming kingdom. [[Jesus]] said: " The people of another age will better [[understand]] the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] when it is presented in terms [[expressive]] of the [[family]] [[relationship]]—when man understands [[religion]] as the teaching of the [[fatherhood]] of [[God]] and the brotherhood of man, sonship with God. " Then [[the Master]] [[discoursed]] at some length on the earthly [[family]] as an [[illustration]] of the heavenly family, restating the two [[fundamental]] [[laws]] of living: the first commandment of [[love]] for [[the father]], the head of the [[family]], and the second commandment of [[mutual]] [[love]] among the [[children]], to love your brother as yourself. And then he [[explained]] that such a [[quality]] of brotherly [[affection]] would invariably [[manifest]] itself in [[unselfish]] and loving [[social]] [[service]]. |
| − | 142:7.5 Following that, came the memorable discussion of the fundamental characteristics of family life and their application to the relationship existing between God and man. Jesus stated that a true family is founded on the following seven facts: | + | 142:7.5 Following that, came the memorable [[discussion]] of the [[fundamental]] characteristics of [[family]] life and their application to the [[relationship]] existing between [[God]] and [[man]]. [[Jesus]] stated that a true [[family]] is founded on the following [[seven]] [[facts]]: |
| − | *1. 142:7.6 The fact of existence. The relationships of nature and the phenomena of mortal likenesses are bound up in the family: Children inherit certain parental traits. The children take origin in the parents; personality existence depends on the act of the parent. The relationship of father and child is inherent in all nature and pervades all living existences. | + | *1. 142:7.6 ''The fact of existence''. The [[relationships]] of [[nature]] and the [[phenomena]] of mortal likenesses are bound up in the [[family]]: Children [[inherit]] certain parental [[traits]]. The children take [[origin]] in the [[parents]]; [[personality]] [[existence]] depends on the [[act]] of the [[parent]]. The [[relationship]] of [[father]] and [[child]] is [[inherent]] in all [[nature]] and pervades all living existences. |
| − | *2. 142:7.7 Security and pleasure. True fathers take great pleasure in providing for the needs of their children. Many fathers are not content with supplying the mere wants of their children but enjoy making provision for their pleasures also. | + | *2. 142:7.7 ''Security and pleasure''. True [[fathers]] take great [[pleasure]] in providing for the needs of their [[children]]. Many [[fathers]] are not content with supplying the mere wants of their children but enjoy making [[provision]] for their [[pleasures]] also. |
| − | *3. 142:7.8 Education and training. Wise fathers carefully plan for the education and adequate training of their sons and daughters. When young they are prepared for the greater responsibilities of later life. | + | *3. 142:7.8 ''Education and training''. [[Wise]] [[fathers]] carefully [[plan]] for the [[education]] and adequate [[training]] of their sons and daughters. When young they are [[prepared]] for the greater [[responsibilities]] of later life. |
| − | *4. 142:7.9 Discipline and restraint. Farseeing fathers also make provision for the necessary discipline, guidance, correction, and sometimes restraint of their young and immature offspring. | + | *4. 142:7.9 ''Discipline and restraint''. Farseeing [[fathers]] also make [[provision]] for the necessary [[discipline]], [[guidance]], correction, and sometimes restraint of their young and immature offspring. |
| − | *5. 142:7.10 Companionship and loyalty. The affectionate father holds intimate and loving intercourse with his children. Always is his ear open to their petitions; he is ever ready to share their hardships and assist them over their difficulties. The father is supremely interested in the progressive welfare of his progeny. | + | *5. 142:7.10 ''Companionship and loyalty''. The [[affectionate]] [[father]] holds [[intimate]] and loving [[intercourse]] with his [[children]]. Always is his ear open to their [[petitions]]; he is ever ready to [[share]] their hardships and assist them over their [[difficulties]]. The father is supremely interested in the [[progressive]] welfare of his progeny. |
| − | *6. 142:7.11 Love and mercy. A compassionate father is freely forgiving; fathers do not hold vengeful memories against their children. Fathers are not like judges, enemies, or creditors. Real families are built upon tolerance, patience, and forgiveness. | + | *6. 142:7.11 ''Love and mercy''. A [[compassionate]] [[father]] is freely [[forgiving]]; fathers do not hold vengeful [[memories]] against their children. [[Fathers]] are not like [[judges]], enemies, or creditors. Real [[families]] are built upon [[tolerance]], [[patience]], and [[forgiveness]]. |
| − | *7. 142:7.12 Provision for the future. Temporal fathers like to leave an inheritance for their sons. The family continues from one generation to another. Death only ends one generation to mark the beginning of another. Death terminates an individual life but not necessarily the family. | + | *7. 142:7.12 ''Provision for the future''. [[Temporal]] [[fathers]] like to leave an inheritance for their sons. The [[family]] continues from one [[generation]] to another. [[Death]] only ends one [[generation]] to mark the beginning of another. Death terminates an [[individual]] life but not necessarily the [[family]]. |
| − | 142:7.13 For hours the Master discussed the application of these features of family life to the relations of man, the earth child, to God, the Paradise Father. And this was his conclusion: " This entire relationship of a son to the Father, I know in perfection, for all that you must attain of sonship in the eternal future I have now already attained. The Son of Man is prepared to ascend to the right hand of the Father, so that in me is the way now open still wider for all of you to see God and, ere you have finished the glorious progression, to become perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. " | + | 142:7.13 For hours [[the Master]] [[discussed]] the application of these features of [[family]] life to the [[relations]] of man, the [[earth]] child, to [[God]], the [[Paradise Father]]. And this was his conclusion: " This entire [[relationship]] of a son to [[the Father]], I know in [[perfection]], for all that you must [[attain]] of sonship in the eternal [[future]] I have now already [[attained]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] is [[prepared]] to [[ascend]] to the right hand of [[the Father]], so that in me is the way now open still wider for all of you to see [[God]] and, ere you have finished the [[glorious]] [[progression]], to become [[perfect]], even as your Father in heaven is perfect. " |
| − | 142:7.14 When the apostles heard these startling words, they recalled the pronouncements which John made at the time of Jesus' baptism, and they also vividly recalled this experience in connection with their preaching and teaching subsequent to the Master's death and resurrection. | + | 142:7.14 When [[the apostles]] heard these startling [[words]], they recalled the pronouncements which [[John the Baptist|John]] made at the [[time]] of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_136#136:2._THE_BAPTISM_OF_JESUS Jesus' baptism], and they also vividly recalled this [[experience]] in [[connection]] with their [[preaching]] and teaching subsequent to [[the Master[['s [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_187 death] and [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_189 resurrection]. |
| − | 142:7.15 Jesus is a divine Son, one in the Universal Father' s full confidence. He had been with the Father and comprehended him fully. He had now lived his earth life to the full satisfaction of the Father, and this incarnation in the flesh had enabled him fully to comprehend man. Jesus was the perfection of man; he had attained just such perfection as all true believers are destined to attain in him and through him. Jesus revealed a God of perfection to man and presented in himself the perfected son of the realms to God. | + | 142:7.15 [[Jesus]] is a [[divine Son]], one in the [[Universal Father]]' s full [[confidence]]. He had been with [[the Father]] and [[comprehended]] him fully. He had now lived his [[earth]] life to the full [[satisfaction]] of [[the Father]], and [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_119#119:7._THE_SEVENTH_AND_FINAL_BESTOWAL this incarnation in the flesh] had enabled him fully to [[comprehend]] [[man]]. [[Jesus]] was the [[perfection]] of man; he had [[attained]] just such perfection as all true believers are [[destined]] to [[attain]] in him and through him. [[Jesus]] [[revealed]] a [[God]] of [[perfection]] to man and presented in himself the perfected son of the realms to [[God]]. |
| − | 142:7.16 Although Jesus discoursed for several hours, Thomas was not yet satisfied, for he said: " But, Master, we do not find that the Father in heaven always deals kindly and mercifully with us. Many times we grievously suffer on earth, and not always are our prayers answered. Where do we fail to grasp the meaning of your teaching? " | + | 142:7.16 Although [[Jesus]] [[discoursed]] for several hours, [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]] was not yet [[satisfied]], for he said: " But, Master, we do not find that [[the Father]] in heaven always deals [[kindly]] and [[mercifully]] with us. Many times we grievously [[suffer]] on [[earth]], and not always are our [[prayers]] answered. Where do we fail to grasp the [[meaning]] of your teaching? " |
| − | 142:7.17 Jesus replied: " Thomas, Thomas, how long before you will acquire the ability to listen with the ear of the spirit? How long will it be before you discern that this kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, and that my Father is also a spiritual being? Do you not understand that I am teaching you as spiritual children in the spirit family of heaven, of which the fatherhead is an infinite and eternal spirit? Will you not allow me to use the earth family as an illustration of divine relationships without so literally applying my teaching to material affairs? In your minds cannot you separate the spiritual realities of the kingdom from the material, social, economic, and political problems of the age? When I speak the language of the spirit, why do you insist on translating my meaning into the language of the flesh just because I presume to employ commonplace and literal relationships for purposes of illustration? My children, I implore that you cease to apply the teaching of the kingdom of the spirit to the sordid affairs of slavery, poverty, houses, and | + | 142:7.17 [[Jesus]] replied: " [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]], Thomas, how long before you will acquire the [[ability]] to [[listen]] with the ear of the spirit? How long will it be before you [[discern]] that this kingdom is a [[spiritual]] kingdom, and that my Father is also a [[spiritual]] [[being]]? Do you not [[understand]] that I am teaching you as [[spiritual]] [[children]] in the spirit [[family]] of [[heaven]], of which the fatherhead is an [[infinite]] and [[eternal]] spirit? Will you not allow me to use the [[earth]] [[family]] as an [[illustration]] of [[divine]] [[relationships]] without so [[literally]] applying my teaching to [[material]] affairs? In your minds cannot you separate the [[spiritual]] [[realities]] of [[the kingdom]] from the [[material]], [[social]], [[economic]], and [[political]] [[problems]] of the age? When I speak the [[language]] of the [[spirit]], why do you insist on [[translating]] my [[meaning]] into the language of the [[flesh]] just because I presume to employ commonplace and [[literal]] [[relationships]] for [[purposes]] of [[illustration]]? My [[children]], I implore that you cease to apply the teaching of [[the kingdom]] of the [[spirit]] to the sordid affairs of [[slavery]], [[poverty]], houses, and [[land]]s, and to the [[material]] [[problems]] of human [[equity]] and [[justice]]. These [[temporal]] matters are the concern of the men of this world, and while in a way they affect all men, you have been called to [[represent]] me in the world, even as I represent my [[Universal Father|Father]]. You are [[spiritual]] [[ambassadors]] of a [[spiritual]] kingdom, special [[representatives]] of the [[Universal Father|spirit Father]]. By this [[time]] it should be possible for me to instruct you as full-grown men of the spirit kingdom. Must I ever address you only as [[children]]? Will you never grow up in spirit [[perception]]? Nevertheless, I [[love]] you and will bear with you, even to the very end of our [[association]] in the [[flesh]]. And even then shall [[Spirit of Truth|my spirit]] go before you into all the world. " |
==142:8. IN SOUTHERN JUDEA== | ==142:8. IN SOUTHERN JUDEA== | ||
| − | 142:8.1 By the end of April the opposition to Jesus among the Pharisees and Sadducees had become so pronounced that the Master and his apostles decided to leave Jerusalem for a while, going south to work in Bethlehem and Hebron. The entire month of May was spent in doing personal work in these cities and among the people of the surrounding villages. No public preaching was done on this trip, only house-to-house visitation. A part of this time, while the apostles taught the gospel and ministered to the sick, Jesus and Abner spent at Engedi, visiting the Nazarite colony. John the Baptist had gone forth from this place, and Abner had been head of this group. Many of the Nazarite brotherhood became believers in Jesus, but the majority of these ascetic and eccentric men refused to accept him as a teacher sent from heaven because he did not teach fasting and other forms of self-denial. | + | 142:8.1 By the end of April the [[opposition]] to [[Jesus]] among the [[Pharisees]] and [[Sadducees]] had become so pronounced that [[the Master]] and his [[apostles]] [[decided]] to leave [[Jerusalem]] for a while, going south to work in [[Bethlehem]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebron Hebron]. The entire month of May was spent in doing [[personal]] work in these [[cities]] and among the people of the surrounding villages. No [[public]] [[preaching]] was done on this trip, only house-to-house [[visitation]]. A part of this time, while [[the apostles]] taught the [[gospel]] and ministered to the sick, [[Jesus]] and [[Abner]] spent at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ein_Gedi Engedi], visiting the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazarite Nazarite] colony. [[John the Baptist]] had gone forth from this place, and [[Abner]] had been head of this [[group]]. Many of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazarite Nazarite] brotherhood became believers in [[Jesus]], but the [[majority]] of these [[ascetic]] and eccentric men refused to [[accept]] him as a [[teacher]] sent from [[heaven]] because he did not teach [[fasting]] and other forms of self-denial. |
| − | 142:8.2 The people living in this region did not know that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem. They always supposed the Master had been born at Nazareth, as did the vast majority of his disciples, but the twelve knew the facts. | + | 142:8.2 The people living in this region did not know that [[Jesus]] had been [[born]] in [[Bethlehem]]. They always supposed [[the Master]] had been born at [[Nazareth]], as did the vast [[majority]] of his [[disciples]], but [[the twelve]] knew the [[facts]]. |
| − | 142:8.3 This sojourn in the south of Judea was a restful and fruitful season of labor; many souls were added to the kingdom. By the first days of June the agitation against Jesus had so quieted down in Jerusalem that the Master and the apostles returned to instruct and comfort believers. | + | 142:8.3 This [[sojourn]] in the south of [[Judea]] was a [[restful]] and fruitful [[season]] of [[labor]]; many [[souls]] were added to [[the kingdom]]. By the first days of June the [[agitation]] against [[Jesus]] had so [[quieted]] down in [[Jerusalem]] that [[the Master]] and [[the apostles]] returned to instruct and [[comfort]] believers. |
| − | 142:8.4 Although Jesus and the apostles spent the entire month of June in or near Jerusalem, they did no public teaching during this period. They lived for the most part in tents, which they pitched in a shaded park, or garden, known in that day as Gethsemane. This park was situated on the western slope of the Mount of Olives not far from the brook Kidron. The Sabbath week ends they usually spent with Lazarus and his sisters at Bethany. Jesus entered within the walls of Jerusalem only a few times, but a large number of interested inquirers came out to Gethsemane to visit with him. One Friday evening Nicodemus and one Joseph of Arimathea ventured out to see Jesus but turned back through fear even after they were standing before the entrance to the Master's tent. And, of course, they did not perceive that Jesus knew all about their doings. | + | 142:8.4 Although [[Jesus]] and [[the apostles]] spent the entire month of June in or near [[Jerusalem]], they did no [[public]] teaching during this period. They lived for the most part in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tents tents], which they pitched in a shaded park, or [[garden]], known in that day as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gethsemane Gethsemane]. This park was situated on the western slope of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_of_Olives Mount of Olives] not far from the brook [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidron_Valley Kidron]. The [[Sabbath]] week ends they usually spent with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus Lazarus] and his sisters at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany Bethany]. [[Jesus]] entered within the walls of [[Jerusalem]] only a few times, but a large number of interested [[inquirers]] came out to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gethsemane Gethsemane] to [[visit]] with him. One Friday evening [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus Nicodemus] and one [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_of_Arimathea Joseph of Arimathea] ventured out to see [[Jesus]] but turned back through [[fear]] even after they were standing before the entrance to [[the Master]]'s tent. And, of [[course]], they did not [[perceive]] that [[Jesus]] knew all about their doings. |
| − | 142:8.5 When the rulers of the Jews learned that Jesus had returned to Jerusalem, they prepared to arrest him; but when they observed that he did no public preaching, they concluded that he had become frightened by their previous agitation and decided to allow him to carry on his teaching in this private manner without further molestation. And thus affairs moved along quietly until the last days of June, when one Simon, a member of the Sanhedrin, | + | 142:8.5 When the [[Sanhedrin|rulers of the Jews]] learned that [[Jesus]] had returned to [[Jerusalem]], they [[prepared]] to [[arrest]] him; but when they [[observed]] that he did no [[public]] [[preaching]], they concluded that he had become frightened by their previous [[agitation]] and decided to allow him to carry on his teaching in this [[private]] manner without further molestation. And thus affairs moved along [[quietly]] until the last days of June, when one Simon, a member of the [[Sanhedrin]], [[public]]ly espoused the teachings of [[Jesus]], after so declaring himself before the [[rulers of the Jews]]. [[Immediately]] a new [[agitation]] for [[Jesus]]' apprehension sprang up and grew so strong that [[the Master]] decided to retire into the cities of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaria Samaria] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapolis Decapolis]. |
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[[Category: PART IV: The Life and Teachings of Jesus]] | [[Category: PART IV: The Life and Teachings of Jesus]] | ||
Revision as of 18:07, 28 March 2011
PAPER 142: THE PASSOVER AT JERUSALEM
142:0.1 The month of April Jesus and the apostles worked in Jerusalem, going out of the city each evening to spend the night at Bethany. Jesus himself spent one or two nights each week in Jerusalem at the home of Flavius, a Greek Jew, where many prominent Jews came in secret to interview him.
142:0.2 The first day in Jerusalem Jesus called upon his friend of former years, Annas, the onetime high priest and relative of Salome, Zebedee's wife. Annas had been hearing about Jesus and his teachings, and when Jesus called at the high priest's home, he was received with much reserve. When Jesus perceived Annas's coldness, he took immediate leave, saying as he departed: " Fear is man's chief enslaver and pride his great weakness; will you betray yourself into bondage to both of these destroyers of joy and liberty? " But Annas made no reply. The Master did not again see Annas until the time when he sat with his son-in-law in judgment on the Son of Man.
142:1. TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE
142:1.1 Throughout this month Jesus or one of the apostles taught daily in the temple. When the Passover crowds were too great to find entrance to the temple teaching, the apostles conducted many teaching groups outside the sacred precincts. The burden of their message was:
- 1. The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- 2. By faith in the fatherhood of God you may enter the kingdom of heaven, thus becoming the sons of God.
- 3. Love is the rule of living within the kingdom—supreme devotion to God while loving your neighbor as yourself.
- 4. Obedience to the will of the Father, yielding the fruits of the spirit in one's personal life, is the law of the kingdom.
142:1.2 The multitudes who came to celebrate the Passover heard this teaching of Jesus, and hundreds of them rejoiced in the good news. The chief priests and rulers of the Jews became much concerned about Jesus and his apostles and debated among themselves as to what should be done with them.
142:1.3 Besides teaching in and about the temple, the apostles and other believers were engaged in doing much personal work among the Passover throngs. These interested men and women carried the news of Jesus' message from this Passover celebration to the uttermost parts of the Roman Empire and also to the East. This was the beginning of the spread of the gospel of the kingdom to the outside world. No longer was the work of Jesus to be confined to Palestine.
142:2. GOD'S WRATH
142:2.1 There was in Jerusalem in attendance upon the Passover festivities one Jacob, a wealthy Jewish trader from Crete, and he came to Andrew making request to see Jesus privately. Andrew arranged this secret meeting with Jesus at Flavius's home the evening of the next day. This man could not comprehend the Master's teachings, and he came because he desired to inquire more fully about the kingdom of God. Said Jacob to Jesus: " But, Rabbi, Moses and the olden prophets tell us that Yahweh is a jealous God, a God of great wrath and fierce anger. The prophets say he hates evildoers and takes vengeance on those who obey not his law. You and your disciples teach us that God is a kind and compassionate Father who so loves all men that he would welcome them into this new kingdom of heaven, which you proclaim is so near at hand. "
142:2.2 When Jacob finished speaking, Jesus replied: " Jacob, you have well stated the teachings of the olden prophets who taught the children of their generation in accordance with the light of their day. Our Father in Paradise is changeless. But the concept of his nature has enlarged and grown from the days of Moses down through the times of Amos and even to the generation of the prophet Isaiah. And now have I come in the flesh to reveal the Father in new glory and to show forth his love and mercy to all men on all worlds. As the gospel of this kingdom shall spread over the world with its message of good cheer and good will to all men, there will grow up improved and better relations among the families of all nations. As time passes, fathers and their children will love each other more, and thus will be brought about a better understanding of the love of the Father in heaven for his children on earth. Remember, Jacob, that a good and true father not only loves his family as a whole—as a family—but he also truly loves and affectionately cares for each individual member. "
142:2.3 After considerable discussion of the heavenly Father's character, Jesus paused to say: " You, Jacob, being a father of many, know well the truth of my words. " And Jacob said: " But, Master, who told you I was the father of six children? How did you know this about me? " And the Master replied: " Suffice it to say that the Father and the Son know all things, for indeed they see all. Loving your children as a father on earth, you must now accept as a reality the love of the heavenly Father for you —not just for all the children of Abraham, but for you, your individual soul. "
142:2.4 Then Jesus went on to say: " When your children are very young and immature, and when you must chastise them, they may reflect that their father is angry and filled with resentful wrath. Their immaturity cannot penetrate beyond the punishment to discern the father's farseeing and corrective affection. But when these same children become grown-up men and women, would it not be folly for them to cling to these earlier and misconceived notions regarding their father? As men and women they should now discern their father's love in all these early disciplines. And should not mankind, as the centuries pass, come the better to understand the true nature and loving character of the Father in heaven? What profit have you from successive generations of spiritual illumination if you persist in viewing God as Moses and the prophets saw him? I say to you, Jacob, under the bright light of this hour you should see the Father as none of those who have gone before ever beheld him. And thus seeing him, you should rejoice to enter the kingdom wherein such a merciful Father rules, and you should seek to have his will of love dominate your life henceforth. "
142:2.5 And Jacob answered: " Rabbi, I believe; I desire that you lead me into the Father's kingdom. "
142:3. THE CONCEPT OF GOD
142:3.1 The twelve apostles, most of whom had listened to this discussion of the character of God, that night asked Jesus many questions about the Father in heaven. The Master's answers to these questions can best be presented by the following summary in modern phraseology:
142:3.2 Jesus mildly upbraided the twelve, in substance saying: Do you not know the traditions of Israel relating to the growth of the idea of Yahweh, and are you ignorant of the teaching of the Scriptures concerning the doctrine of God? And then did the Master proceed to instruct the apostles about the evolution of the concept of Deity throughout the course of the development of the Jewish people. He called attention to the following phases of the growth of the God idea:
- 1. 142:3.3 Yahweh —the god of the Sinai clans. This was the primitive concept of Deity which Moses exalted to the higher level of the Lord God of Israel. The Father in heaven never fails to accept the sincere worship of his children on earth, no matter how crude their concept of Deity or by what name they symbolize his divine nature.
- 2. 142:3.4 The Most High. This concept of the Father in heaven was proclaimed by Melchizedek to Abraham and was carried far from Salem by those who subsequently believed in this enlarged and expanded idea of Deity. Abraham and his brother left Ur because of the establishment of sun worship, and they became believers in Melchizedek's teaching of El Elyon—the Most High God. Theirs was a composite concept of God, consisting in a blending of their older Mesopotamian ideas and the Most High doctrine.
- 3. 142:3.5 El Shaddai. During these early days many of the Hebrews worshiped El Shaddai, the Egyptian concept of the God of heaven, which they learned about during their captivity in the land of the Nile. Long after the times of Melchizedek all three of these concepts of God became joined together to form the doctrine of the creator Deity, the Lord God of Israel.
- 4. 142:3.6 Elohim. From the times of Adam the teaching of the Paradise Trinity has persisted. Do you not recall how the Scriptures begin by asserting that " In the beginning the Gods created the heavens and the earth "? This indicates that when that record was made the Trinity concept of three Gods in one had found lodgment in the religion of our forebears.
- 5. 142:3.7 The Supreme Yahweh. By the times of Isaiah these beliefs about God had expanded into the concept of a Universal Creator who was simultaneously all-powerful and all-merciful. And this evolving and enlarging concept of God virtually supplanted all previous ideas of Deity in our fathers' religion.
- 6. 142:3.8 The Father in heaven. And now do we know God as our Father in heaven. Our teaching provides a religion wherein the believer is a son of God. That is the good news of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. Coexistent with the Father are the Son and the Spirit, and the revelation of the nature and ministry of these Paradise Deities will continue to enlarge and brighten throughout the endless ages of the eternal spiritual progression of the ascending sons of God. At all times and during all ages the true worship of any human being—as concerns individual spiritual progress—is recognized by the indwelling spirit as homage rendered to the Father in heaven.
142:3.9 Never before had the apostles been so shocked as they were upon hearing this recounting of the growth of the concept of God in the Jewish minds of previous generations; they were too bewildered to ask questions. As they sat before Jesus in silence, the Master continued: " And you would have known these truths had you read the Scriptures. Have you not read in Samuel where it says: `And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, so much so that he moved David against them, saying, go number Israel and Judah'?[1] And this was not strange because in the days of Samuel the children of Abraham really believed that Yahweh created both good and evil. But when a later writer narrated these events, subsequent to the enlargement of the Jewish concept of the nature of God, he did not dare attribute evil to Yahweh; therefore he said: `And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel.' Cannot you discern that such records in the Scriptures clearly show how the concept of the nature of God continued to grow from one generation to another?
142:3.10 " Again should you have discerned the growth of the understanding of divine law in perfect keeping with these enlarging concepts of divinity. When the children of Israel came out of Egypt in the days before the enlarged revelation of Yahweh, they had ten commandments which served as their law right up to the times when they were encamped before Sinai. And these ten commandments were:
142:3.11 " 1. You shall worship no other god, for the Lord is a jealous God.[2]
142:3.12 " 2. You shall not make molten gods.[3]
142:3.13 " 3. You shall not neglect to keep the feast of unleavened bread.[4]
142:3.14 " 4. Of all the males of men or cattle, the first-born are mine, says the Lord.[5]
142:3.15 " 5. Six days you may work, but on the seventh day you shall rest.[6]
142:3.16 " 6. You shall not fail to observe the feast of the first fruits and the feast of the ingathering at the end of the year.[7]
142:3.17 " 7. You shall not offer the blood of any sacrifice with leavened bread.[8]
142:3.18 " 8. The sacrifice of the feast of the Passover shall not be left until morning.[9]
142:3.19 " 9. The first of the first fruits of the ground you shall bring to the house of the Lord your God.[10]
142:3.20 " 10. You shall not seethe a kid in its mother's milk.[11]
142:3.21 " And then, amidst the thunders and lightnings of Sinai, Moses gave them the new ten commandments, which you will all allow are more worthy utterances to accompany the enlarging Yahweh concepts of Deity. And did you never take notice of these commandments as twice recorded in the Scriptures, that in the first case deliverance from Egypt is assigned as the reason for Sabbath keeping, while in a later record the advancing religious beliefs of our forefathers demanded that this be changed to the recognition of the fact of creation as the reason for Sabbath observance?
142:3.22 " And then will you remember that once again—in the greater spiritual enlightenment of Isaiah's day—these ten negative commandments were changed into the great and positive law of love, the injunction to love God supremely and your neighbor as yourself. And it is this supreme law of love for God and for man that I also declare to you as constituting the whole duty of man. "
142:3.23 And when he had finished speaking, no man asked him a question. They went, each one to his sleep.
142:4. FLAVIUS AND GREEK CULTURE
142:4.1 Flavius, the Greek Jew, was a proselyte of the gate, having been neither circumcised nor baptized; and since he was a great lover of the beautiful in art and sculpture, the house which he occupied when sojourning in Jerusalem was a beautiful edifice. This home was exquisitely adorned with priceless treasures which he had gathered up here and there on his world travels. When he first thought of inviting Jesus to his home, he feared that the Master might take offense at the sight of these so-called images. But Flavius was agreeably surprised when Jesus entered the home that, instead of rebuking him for having these supposedly idolatrous objects scattered about the house, he manifested great interest in the entire collection and asked many appreciative questions about each object as Flavius escorted him from room to room, showing him all of his favorite statues.
142:4.2 The Master saw that his host was bewildered at his friendly attitude toward art; therefore, when they had finished the survey of the entire collection, Jesus said: " Because you appreciate the beauty of things created by my Father and fashioned by the artistic hands of man, why should you expect to be rebuked? Because Moses onetime sought to combat idolatry and the worship of false gods, why should all men frown upon the reproduction of grace and beauty? I say to you, Flavius, Moses' children have misunderstood him, and now do they make false gods of even his prohibitions of images and the likeness of things in heaven and on earth. But even if Moses taught such restrictions to the darkened minds of those days, what has that to do with this day when the Father in heaven is revealed as the universal Spirit Ruler over all? And, Flavius, I declare that in the coming kingdom they shall no longer teach, `Do not worship this and do not worship that'; no longer shall they concern themselves with commands to refrain from this and take care not to do that, but rather shall all be concerned with one supreme duty. And this duty of man is expressed in two great privileges: sincere worship of the infinite Creator, the Paradise Father, and loving service bestowed upon one's fellow men. If you love your neighbor as you love yourself, you really know that you are a son of God.
142:4.3 " In an age when my Father was not well understood, Moses was justified in his attempts to withstand idolatry, but in the coming age the Father will have been revealed in the life of the Son; and this new revelation of God will make it forever unnecessary to confuse the Creator Father with idols of stone or images of gold and silver. Henceforth, intelligent men may enjoy the treasures of art without confusing such material appreciation of beauty with the worship and service of the Father in Paradise, the God of all things and all beings. "
142:4.4 Flavius believed all that Jesus taught him. The next day he went to Bethany beyond the Jordan and was baptized by the disciples of John. And this he did because the apostles of Jesus did not yet baptize believers. When Flavius returned to Jerusalem, he made a great feast for Jesus and invited sixty of his friends. And many of these guests also became believers in the message of the coming kingdom.
142:5. THE DISCOURSE ON ASSURANCE
142:5.1 One of the great sermons which Jesus preached in the temple this Passover week was in answer to a question asked by one of his hearers, a man from Damascus. This man asked Jesus: " But, Rabbi, how shall we know of a certainty that you are sent by God, and that we may truly enter into this kingdom which you and your disciples declare is near at hand? " And Jesus answered:
142:5.2 " As to my message and the teaching of my disciples, you should judge them by their fruits. If we proclaim to you the truths of the spirit, the spirit will witness in your hearts that our message is genuine. Concerning the kingdom and your assurance of acceptance by the heavenly Father, let me ask what father among you who is a worthy and kindhearted father would keep his son in anxiety or suspense regarding his status in the family or his place of security in the affections of his father's heart? Do you earth fathers take pleasure in torturing your children with uncertainty about their place of abiding love in your human hearts? Neither does your Father in heaven leave his faith children of the spirit in doubtful uncertainty as to their position in the kingdom. If you receive God as your Father, then indeed and in truth are you the sons of God. And if you are sons, then are you secure in the position and standing of all that concerns eternal and divine sonship. If you believe my words, you thereby believe in Him who sent me, and by thus believing in the Father, you have made your status in heavenly citizenship sure. If you do the will of the Father in heaven, you shall never fail in the attainment of the eternal life of progress in the divine kingdom.
142:5.3 " The Supreme Spirit shall bear witness with your spirits that you are truly the children of God. And if you are the sons of God, then have you been born of the spirit of God; and whosoever has been born of the spirit has in himself the power to overcome all doubt, and this is the victory that overcomes all uncertainty, even your faith.
142:5.4 " Said the Prophet Isaiah, speaking of these times: `When the spirit is poured upon us from on high, then shall the work of righteousness become peace, quietness, and assurance forever.' And for all who truly believe this gospel, I will become surety for their reception into the eternal mercies and the everlasting life of my Father's kingdom. You, then, who hear this message and believe this gospel of the kingdom are the sons of God, and you have life everlasting; and the evidence to all the world that you have been born of the spirit is that you sincerely love one another. "
142:5.5 The throng of listeners remained many hours with Jesus, asking him questions and listening attentively to his comforting answers. Even the apostles were emboldened by Jesus' teaching to preach the gospel of the kingdom with more power and assurance. This experience at Jerusalem was a great inspiration to the twelve. It was their first contact with such enormous crowds, and they learned many valuable lessons which proved of great assistance in their later work.
142:6. THE VISIT WITH NICODEMUS
142:6.1 One evening at the home of Flavius there came to see Jesus one Nicodemus, a wealthy and elderly member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. He had heard much about the teachings of this Galilean, and so he went one afternoon to hear him as he taught in the temple courts. He would have gone often to hear Jesus teach, but he feared to be seen by the people in attendance upon his teaching, for already were the rulers of the Jews so at variance with Jesus that no member of the Sanhedrin would want to be identified in any open manner with him. Accordingly, Nicodemus had arranged with Andrew to see Jesus privately and after nightfall on this particular evening. Peter, James, and John were in Flavius's garden when the interview began, but later they all went into the house where the discourse continued.
142:6.2 In receiving Nicodemus, Jesus showed no particular deference; in talking with him, there was no compromise or undue persuasiveness. The Master made no attempt to repulse his secretive caller, nor did he employ sarcasm. In all his dealings with the distinguished visitor, Jesus was calm, earnest, and dignified. Nicodemus was not an official delegate of the Sanhedrin; he came to see Jesus wholly because of his personal and sincere interest in the Master's teachings.
142:6.3 Upon being presented by Flavius, Nicodemus said: " Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God, for no mere man could so teach unless God were with him. And I am desirous of knowing more about your teachings regarding the coming kingdom. "
142:6.4 Jesus answered Nicodemus: " Verily, verily, I say to you, Nicodemus, except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God. " Then replied Nicodemus: " But how can a man be born again when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born. "
142:6.5 Jesus said: " Nevertheless, I declare to you, except a man be born of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. But you should not marvel that I said you must be born from above. When the wind blows, you hear the rustle of the leaves, but you do not see the wind—whence it comes or whither it goes—and so it is with everyone born of the spirit. With the eyes of the flesh you can behold the manifestations of the spirit, but you cannot actually discern the spirit. "
142:6.6 Nicodemus replied: " But I do not understand—how can that be? " Said Jesus: " Can it be that you are a teacher in Israel and yet ignorant of all this? It becomes, then, the duty of those who know about the realities of the spirit to reveal these things to those who discern only the manifestations of the material world. But will you believe us if we tell you of the heavenly truths? Do you have the courage, Nicodemus, to believe in one who has descended from heaven, even the Son of Man? "
142:6.7 And Nicodemus said: " But how can I begin to lay hold upon this spirit which is to remake me in preparation for entering into the kingdom? " Jesus answered: " Already does the spirit of the Father in heaven indwell you. If you would be led by this spirit from above, very soon would you begin to see with the eyes of the spirit, and then by the wholehearted choice of spirit guidance would you be born of the spirit since your only purpose in living would be to do the will of your Father who is in heaven. And so finding yourself born of the spirit and happily in the kingdom of God, you would begin to bear in your daily life the abundant fruits of the spirit. "
142:6.8 Nicodemus was thoroughly sincere. He was deeply impressed but went away bewildered. Nicodemus was accomplished in self-development, in self-restraint, and even in high moral qualities. He was refined, egoistic, and altruistic; but he did not know how to submit his will to the will of the divine Father as a little child is willing to submit to the guidance and leading of a wise and loving earthly father, thereby becoming in reality a son of God, a progressive heir of the eternal kingdom.
142:6.9 But Nicodemus did summon faith enough to lay hold of the kingdom. He faintly protested when his colleagues of the Sanhedrin sought to condemn Jesus without a hearing; and with Joseph of Arimathea, he later boldly acknowledged his faith and claimed the body of Jesus, even when most of the disciples had fled in fear from the scenes of their Master's final suffering and death.
142:7. THE LESSON ON THE FAMILY
142:7.1 After the busy period of teaching and personal work of Passover week in Jerusalem, Jesus spent the next Wednesday at Bethany with his apostles, resting. That afternoon, Thomas asked a question which elicited a long and instructive answer. Said Thomas: " Master, on the day we were set apart as ambassadors of the kingdom, you told us many things, instructed us regarding our personal mode of life, but what shall we teach the multitude? How are these people to live after the kingdom more fully comes? Shall your disciples own slaves? Shall your believers court poverty and shun property? Shall mercy alone prevail so that we shall have no more law and justice? " Jesus and the twelve spent all afternoon and all that evening, after supper, discussing Thomas's questions. For the purposes of this record we present the following summary of the Master's instruction:
142:7.2 Jesus sought first to make plain to his apostles that he himself was on earth living a unique life in the flesh, and that they, the twelve, had been called to participate in this bestowal experience of the Son of Man; and as such coworkers, they, too, must share in many of the special restrictions and obligations of the entire bestowal experience. There was a veiled intimation that the Son of Man was the only person who had ever lived on earth who could simultaneously see into the very heart of God and into the very depths of man's soul.
142:7.3 Very plainly Jesus explained that the kingdom of heaven was an evolutionary experience, beginning here on earth and progressing up through successive life stations to Paradise. In the course of the evening he definitely stated that at some future stage of kingdom development he would revisit this world in spiritual power and divine glory.
142:7.4 He next explained that the " kingdom idea " was not the best way to illustrate man's relation to God; that he employed such figures of speech because the Jewish people were expecting the kingdom, and because John had preached in terms of the coming kingdom. Jesus said: " The people of another age will better understand the gospel of the kingdom when it is presented in terms expressive of the family relationship—when man understands religion as the teaching of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, sonship with God. " Then the Master discoursed at some length on the earthly family as an illustration of the heavenly family, restating the two fundamental laws of living: the first commandment of love for the father, the head of the family, and the second commandment of mutual love among the children, to love your brother as yourself. And then he explained that such a quality of brotherly affection would invariably manifest itself in unselfish and loving social service.
142:7.5 Following that, came the memorable discussion of the fundamental characteristics of family life and their application to the relationship existing between God and man. Jesus stated that a true family is founded on the following seven facts:
- 1. 142:7.6 The fact of existence. The relationships of nature and the phenomena of mortal likenesses are bound up in the family: Children inherit certain parental traits. The children take origin in the parents; personality existence depends on the act of the parent. The relationship of father and child is inherent in all nature and pervades all living existences.
- 2. 142:7.7 Security and pleasure. True fathers take great pleasure in providing for the needs of their children. Many fathers are not content with supplying the mere wants of their children but enjoy making provision for their pleasures also.
- 3. 142:7.8 Education and training. Wise fathers carefully plan for the education and adequate training of their sons and daughters. When young they are prepared for the greater responsibilities of later life.
- 4. 142:7.9 Discipline and restraint. Farseeing fathers also make provision for the necessary discipline, guidance, correction, and sometimes restraint of their young and immature offspring.
- 5. 142:7.10 Companionship and loyalty. The affectionate father holds intimate and loving intercourse with his children. Always is his ear open to their petitions; he is ever ready to share their hardships and assist them over their difficulties. The father is supremely interested in the progressive welfare of his progeny.
- 6. 142:7.11 Love and mercy. A compassionate father is freely forgiving; fathers do not hold vengeful memories against their children. Fathers are not like judges, enemies, or creditors. Real families are built upon tolerance, patience, and forgiveness.
- 7. 142:7.12 Provision for the future. Temporal fathers like to leave an inheritance for their sons. The family continues from one generation to another. Death only ends one generation to mark the beginning of another. Death terminates an individual life but not necessarily the family.
142:7.13 For hours the Master discussed the application of these features of family life to the relations of man, the earth child, to God, the Paradise Father. And this was his conclusion: " This entire relationship of a son to the Father, I know in perfection, for all that you must attain of sonship in the eternal future I have now already attained. The Son of Man is prepared to ascend to the right hand of the Father, so that in me is the way now open still wider for all of you to see God and, ere you have finished the glorious progression, to become perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. "
142:7.14 When the apostles heard these startling words, they recalled the pronouncements which John made at the time of Jesus' baptism, and they also vividly recalled this experience in connection with their preaching and teaching subsequent to [[the Master[['s death and resurrection.
142:7.15 Jesus is a divine Son, one in the Universal Father' s full confidence. He had been with the Father and comprehended him fully. He had now lived his earth life to the full satisfaction of the Father, and this incarnation in the flesh had enabled him fully to comprehend man. Jesus was the perfection of man; he had attained just such perfection as all true believers are destined to attain in him and through him. Jesus revealed a God of perfection to man and presented in himself the perfected son of the realms to God.
142:7.16 Although Jesus discoursed for several hours, Thomas was not yet satisfied, for he said: " But, Master, we do not find that the Father in heaven always deals kindly and mercifully with us. Many times we grievously suffer on earth, and not always are our prayers answered. Where do we fail to grasp the meaning of your teaching? "
142:7.17 Jesus replied: " Thomas, Thomas, how long before you will acquire the ability to listen with the ear of the spirit? How long will it be before you discern that this kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, and that my Father is also a spiritual being? Do you not understand that I am teaching you as spiritual children in the spirit family of heaven, of which the fatherhead is an infinite and eternal spirit? Will you not allow me to use the earth family as an illustration of divine relationships without so literally applying my teaching to material affairs? In your minds cannot you separate the spiritual realities of the kingdom from the material, social, economic, and political problems of the age? When I speak the language of the spirit, why do you insist on translating my meaning into the language of the flesh just because I presume to employ commonplace and literal relationships for purposes of illustration? My children, I implore that you cease to apply the teaching of the kingdom of the spirit to the sordid affairs of slavery, poverty, houses, and lands, and to the material problems of human equity and justice. These temporal matters are the concern of the men of this world, and while in a way they affect all men, you have been called to represent me in the world, even as I represent my Father. You are spiritual ambassadors of a spiritual kingdom, special representatives of the spirit Father. By this time it should be possible for me to instruct you as full-grown men of the spirit kingdom. Must I ever address you only as children? Will you never grow up in spirit perception? Nevertheless, I love you and will bear with you, even to the very end of our association in the flesh. And even then shall my spirit go before you into all the world. "
142:8. IN SOUTHERN JUDEA
142:8.1 By the end of April the opposition to Jesus among the Pharisees and Sadducees had become so pronounced that the Master and his apostles decided to leave Jerusalem for a while, going south to work in Bethlehem and Hebron. The entire month of May was spent in doing personal work in these cities and among the people of the surrounding villages. No public preaching was done on this trip, only house-to-house visitation. A part of this time, while the apostles taught the gospel and ministered to the sick, Jesus and Abner spent at Engedi, visiting the Nazarite colony. John the Baptist had gone forth from this place, and Abner had been head of this group. Many of the Nazarite brotherhood became believers in Jesus, but the majority of these ascetic and eccentric men refused to accept him as a teacher sent from heaven because he did not teach fasting and other forms of self-denial.
142:8.2 The people living in this region did not know that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem. They always supposed the Master had been born at Nazareth, as did the vast majority of his disciples, but the twelve knew the facts.
142:8.3 This sojourn in the south of Judea was a restful and fruitful season of labor; many souls were added to the kingdom. By the first days of June the agitation against Jesus had so quieted down in Jerusalem that the Master and the apostles returned to instruct and comfort believers.
142:8.4 Although Jesus and the apostles spent the entire month of June in or near Jerusalem, they did no public teaching during this period. They lived for the most part in tents, which they pitched in a shaded park, or garden, known in that day as Gethsemane. This park was situated on the western slope of the Mount of Olives not far from the brook Kidron. The Sabbath week ends they usually spent with Lazarus and his sisters at Bethany. Jesus entered within the walls of Jerusalem only a few times, but a large number of interested inquirers came out to Gethsemane to visit with him. One Friday evening Nicodemus and one Joseph of Arimathea ventured out to see Jesus but turned back through fear even after they were standing before the entrance to the Master's tent. And, of course, they did not perceive that Jesus knew all about their doings.
142:8.5 When the rulers of the Jews learned that Jesus had returned to Jerusalem, they prepared to arrest him; but when they observed that he did no public preaching, they concluded that he had become frightened by their previous agitation and decided to allow him to carry on his teaching in this private manner without further molestation. And thus affairs moved along quietly until the last days of June, when one Simon, a member of the Sanhedrin, publicly espoused the teachings of Jesus, after so declaring himself before the rulers of the Jews. Immediately a new agitation for Jesus' apprehension sprang up and grew so strong that the Master decided to retire into the cities of Samaria and the Decapolis.
