Ch. 16, Waiting Time in Galilee
“Son of Man: Urantia,” 2nd edition
Waiting Time in Galilee
Choosing the First Four Apostles
Early Saturday morning, February 23, A.D. 26 Jesus came down from the hills and rejoined John and his followers still camped at Pella. Jesus stayed and visited most of the day. At one point a child fell and hurt himself and Jesus took him home to his parents who lived in another village close by. One of John’s chief disciples, a man named Andrew, went with Jesus to the boy’s house. Along the way there and back Andrew asked Jesus many questions. Right before they returned to the river-camp at Pella they paused, and Andrew said “I have observed you ever since you came to Capernaum, and I believe that you are the new Teacher. Although I do not understand all of your teachings, I have made up my mind to follow you; I would sit at your feet and learn the whole truth about the new kingdom.” Right then and there Jesus welcomed Andrew as the first of his six personally chosen apostles, those who would then go on to select one more each to eventually number twelve.
Andrew had a brother, Simon, who was an even more enthusiastic believer in John the Baptist. When Andrew told Simon that he had pledged his loyalty to Jesus and suggested that he do the same, Simon said “Ever since this man came to work in Zebedee’s shop I have believed he was sent by God. But what about John? Are we to forsake him? Is this the right thing to do?”
They decided to go and ask John for his advice. John was sad to lose them as his disciples, but he was also firm and told Simon and Andrew “This is but the beginning; presently my work will end and we will all become his disciples.”
Simon and Andrew then went to Jesus and told him that Simon, like his brother Andrew, wanted to be one of Jesus’ apostles. Jesus agreed, but said “Simon, your enthusiasm is commendable but it is dangerous to the work of the kingdom. I admonish you to become more thoughtful in your speech. I am changing your name to Peter.” Jesus now had his first two apostles, the brothers Andrew and Peter, once Simon.
Jesus told Peter and Andrew that early the next morning they were going to go to Galilee. Jesus then left and went back to the house where he and Andrew had taken the injured boy earlier in the day: the child’s mother and father had asked Jesus to spend the night with them. A short time later John and James, the sons of Zebedee, returned to the camp: they had been out in the hills the whole time still searching for Jesus. When Peter and Andrew told the brothers that they had been accepted as Jesus’ first apostles and that they were leaving with him the next morning for Galilee, John and James became upset. They had known Jesus for a long time; they loved him and they had just spent days in the hills looking for him only to get back to find out that he had chosen Peter and Andrew to be his apostles before them.
John and James left Peter and Andrew and went to boy’s house where Jesus was spending the night. The brothers woke up Jesus and asked “How is it that while we who have so long lived with you are out in the hills searching for you, you prefer others before us and chose Simon and Andrew as your first associates in the new kingdom?”
Jesus replied “Be calm in your hearts and ask yourselves, ‘who directed that you should search for the Son of Man when he was about his Father’s business?’” Then after the brothers had recited the details of their long search in the hills, Jesus said “You should learn to search for the secret of the new kingdom in your hearts, and not in the hills. What you sought was already present in your souls. You are indeed my brethren—you did not need to be received by me—already you were of the kingdom and you should be of good cheer making ready to go with us tomorrow into Galilee.”
John then boldly asked “But Master, will James and I be associates with you in the new kingdom even as Simon and Andrew?” Then Jesus, laying a hand on each of their shoulders said “My brethren, you were already with me in the spirit of the kingdom even before these others made their request to be received. You, my brethren, have no need to make request for entrance into the kingdom: you have been with me in the kingdom from the beginning. Before humanity others may take precedence over you, but in my heart I also numbered you in the councils of the kingdom even before you thought to make this request. And even so you may have been first before others had you not been absent engaged in a well-intentioned but self-appointed task of seeking for one who was not lost. In the coming kingdom be not mindful of those things that foster your anxiety, but rather at all times concern yourselves only with doing the will of the Father in heaven.” John and James took their scolding with good grace and they were never again jealous of Peter and Andrew. The brothers told John of their decision and then they prepared to leave for Galilee in the morning.
Choosing Philip and Nathaniel
The next morning Sunday, February 24th Jesus and the four left for Galilee. When Jesus said good-bye to John it was the last time that the two of them saw each other on Earth. It was also the beginning of disagreement between John’s followers. The day before John had told Ezra and Andrew that Jesus was the deliver. Andrew as we know believed in Jesus and then went to follow him. Ezra did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, and reminded the other people that “The Prophet Daniel declares that the Son of Man will come with the clouds of heaven, in power and majestic glory. This Galilean carpenter, this Capernaum boatbuilder, cannot be the Deliverer. Can such a gift of God come out of Nazareth? This Jesus is a relative of John, and through much kindness of heart has our teacher been deceived. Let us remain aloof from this false messiah.” John in turn scolded Ezra, but it did not matter. Ezra and the others who still believed in John and not Jesus left and went south. This group continued to baptize people in John’s name, and they eventually founded a cult that continued to believe in John and refused to accept Jesus. Some of the descendants of these people are still in Mesopotamia today.
While walking down the road and before the five reached the river crossing on the Jordan, they encountered a friend of theirs, Philip of Bethsaida, and his friend, Nathaniel of Cana. They all knew and liked Philip but they did not know Nathaniel, so he rested by himself under a shade tree while Philip greeted Jesus and the others. Peter told Philip about how the four of them had just become Jesus’ apostles, and he urged Philip to ask Jesus if he could also join them. This threw Philip into a quandary because he and Nathaniel had been on their way to see John, and now without warning there in the middle of the road he was instead being asked to follow Jesus. Eventually, after the five of them had discussed it for a while, Andrew suggested that Philip go and ask Jesus what he should do. Right then Philip came to the realization that Jesus just may be the Messiah, and he decided he would do whatever Jesus said. Philip went to Jesus and asked “Teacher, will I go down to John or will I join my friends who follow you?”
Jesus replied “Follow me.”
Philip then went over to talk to Nathaniel still resting under the shade tree. Nathaniel had been thinking about John, the Messiah, and the coming kingdom. Philip broke in on those thoughts and said “I have found the Deliverer, he whom John has announced and Moses and the prophets have written.” When Nathaniel asked who this man was, Philip said “He is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph the carpenter, more recently residing at Capernaum.”
Nathaniel was shocked and asked Philip, “Can any such good thing come out of Nazareth?”
Philip just grabbed Nathanial by the arm and said “Come and see.”
Nathaniel had sincere doubts, but when he stood in front of Jesus who looked into his eyes and said “Behold a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit. Follow me,” Nathaniel was immediately convinced.
Turning to Philip Nathanial said “You are right. He is indeed a master of people. I will also follow if I am worthy.”
Jesus nodded to Nathaniel, and again said “Follow me.” Jesus now had half of his apostles, five of whom he had known before and one new acquaintance.
The seven continued on their way, crossed the Jordan, and went through Nain before arriving in Nazareth later in the evening. That night they stayed with Joseph in the house where Jesus grew up. The new apostles watched as Jesus destroyed everything he had ever written down, like the ten commandments and his own mottos hanging on the walls. This made a strong impression on the others even though they did not understand why Jesus was doing it, or why in the future they only saw him write in sand.
The Visit to Capernaum
The next day Jesus sent the six apostles on ahead to Cana. They had been invited to a young woman’s wedding by her wealthy parents living there. Before leaving, the six talked with Jesus’ family and told them everything that had happened, including that they thought Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. After the family talked it over for a while, Jesus’ brother Joseph said “Maybe after all Mother was right—maybe our strange brother is the coming king.”
While the apostles went ahead to Cana, Jesus went to Capernaum to say hello to his mother and then to Magdala to see Jude before heading to Cana himself. When he arrived in Capernaum, Jesus went straight to Zebedee’s house: everyone noticed that Jesus was more like his old self of years before—more joyful, less serious, and lighthearted with a new majestic bearing. Mary of course was thrilled with the news that Jesus was finally starting his mission, though she still thought it would come with miracles and he would be the supernatural king of the Jews. To all of the questions that everyone asked about when he was going to announce himself, Jesus would only say that he had to wait for his Father’s hour.
Tuesday, Jesus and the others arrived in Cana for Naomi’s marriage to Johab, the son of Nathan, being held the following day on Wednesday. Jesus had many times warned the apostles and his family not to tell anyone else about him until it was his Father’s hour, but they did not listen to him. Each of them believed that Jesus was going to announce that he was the Messiah at the wedding, and each of them expected him to do it with miracles and supernatural wonders. None of them could help but to quietly spread the word that the Jew’s deliverer had finally arrived, and because of those whispers the entire countryside decided to go to the wedding. Mary had not been this excited in ages, and she made the trip to Cana like she was the queen mother going to see her son coronated as the King of the Jews. Everyone was expecting wonderful things, and they were all excited to witness the coming of Israel’s God.
The Wedding at Cana
It was Jewish custom to hold weddings on Wednesday, and invitations had been sent out a month prior. By noon almost a thousand people had arrived in Cana, more than four times the number that had actually been invited to the feast. Most of these uninvited guests had come to see Jesus, and they all wanted to meet him. Jesus was asked to lead the beginning of the wedding procession and he agreed. At this point in his life Jesus was conscious of both the human and divine sides of his being, and he could switch his personality between the two at will.
As the afternoon wore on Jesus realized that the people, including his family and the apostles, were expectant: that they were waiting for him to announce his coming kingdom with some supernatural wonder. Mary became impatient over time and finally, with her son James, went and asked Jesus when he was going to announce himself as the Messiah. This aroused Jesus’ characteristic indignation, and while it showed on his face all he said to his mother was “If you love me be patient with me while I wait on the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Mary’s inability to understand Jesus’ mission and her desire to see him perform miracles disappointed Jesus. He was also bothered by his reaction to her suggestion that he break the vows he had just made up in the Perean hills. Jesus went off to be by himself for an hour, and when he returned he was again joyous and lighthearted. But Mary spent the next couple hours depressed, and lamented to Jude and James “I cannot understand him; what can it all mean? Is there no end to his strange conduct?”
The wedding ceremony continued with everyone expecting that at any moment Jesus was going to do or say something spectacular. When the wedding itself was over and Jesus still had not announced himself as the Messiah, everyone then assumed that he would do so later in the evening, maybe during the supper. Then right before everyone sat down to eat, Jesus called his six apostles together and dashed their hopes of seeing a miracle when he told them, “Think not that I have come to this place to work some wonder for the gratification of the curious, or for the conviction of those who doubt. Instead, we are here to wait on the will of our Father who is in heaven.” But Mary and other guests who had been watching Jesus and the apostles from a distance thought that Jesus was telling them just the opposite: that he was going to perform a miracle.
Before the dinner was over the father of the bridegroom, who had planned the wedding feast for many less people, was told by the servants that the wine was running out. By the end of the supper when all of the guests were strolling around the garden, his wife complained to Mary that there was no more wine and that she did not know what to do. Mary, even though she had just been told otherwise by Jesus earlier in the day, said with confidence “Have no worry. I will talk with my son. He will help us.”
While it was natural for Mary to turn to her eldest son for help, she was also ambitious and had other motives. As Jesus was standing alone in a corner of the garden, Mary came up to him and said “My son, they have no wine.”
Jesus just replied “My good woman, what have I to do with that?”
Mary said “But I believe your hour has come; can you help us?”
Jesus told her again that he had not come to perform miracles, and he asked her why she kept bothering him about them. At that point Mary reached her emotional limit, and Jesus’ mother broke down in tears saying “But my son, I promised them that you would help us; please, will you not do something for me?”
To which Jesus replied “Woman, what have you to do with making such promises? See that you do not do it again. In all things we must wait on the will of the Father in heaven.”
Mary was crushed: stunned! As she stood there before Jesus motionless with tears streaming down her face, Jesus’ human heart was overcome with compassion for the woman who bore him in the flesh. Bending forward he laid his hand tenderly on Mary’s head and said “Now, now, Mother Mary, grieve not over my apparently hard sayings because have I not told you many times that I have come only to do the will of my heavenly Father? Most gladly I would do what you ask of me if it were a part of the Father’s will—,” and then Jesus stopped short: he hesitated.
Mary, watching him, sensed that something had happened. Leaping up she threw her arms around Jesus’ neck, kissed him, and rushed off to the servants’ quarters saying “Whatever my son says, do it.” But Jesus said nothing. He now realized that he had already said—or rather desired—too much.
Mary was dancing with glee. She did not know how the wine would come, but she was confident believing that she had finally persuaded her first-born son to announce himself as the Messiah and show his supernatural powers. And this time Mary was not going to be disappointed. Unknown to her and all of the other people present, the host of universe personalities standing ready to do Jesus’ will was already at work and the wine that Mary desired and that the human Jesus in sympathy for his mother also desired, was coming.
Nearby where Jesus and his mother had just spoken were six large stone pots of about twenty gallons each that had been filled with water for the final purification ceremonies. Mary went over to these water pots and started giving orders to the excited servants that were crowded around them. When Jesus went over to see what was happening he saw the servants taking full pitchers of wine out of the stone vessels. Jesus was more surprised than anyone else at what had happened. He had expressly decided not to work miracles. Then Jesus remembered that when he was in the Perean hills his Personalized Adjuster had warned him that the celestial host did not have the power to not do something he wanted in his creator prerogative independent of time. Two events occurred: first, Jesus felt sympathy for his mother and he let down his mental guard when he said that he would most gladly grant her wish if it was in his Father’s will, and second, at the same time he said that to Mary his Personalized Adjuster signaled to the universe personalities that fulfilling Jesus’ desire was not against his Father’s will. At that point the celestial beings ready to serve Jesus had no choice but to instantly enact his wish and manifest wine because what God desires, is.
What occurred at Cana was not a miracle. No natural law was broken, crossed, or modified. The universe personalities made wine by the normal process, except they did so independent of time and with the intervention of the celestial personalities needed to bring together the necessary chemical ingredients. And it is evident that what happened was not against the Father’s will, or it would not have ever occurred because Jesus had already submitted himself to that will.
When the servants served the wine to the best man, who was known as the ruler of the feast, he tasted it and then toasting the bridegroom said “It is our custom to first set out the good wine, and when the guests are well drunk to serve the inferior fruit of the vine; but you have kept the best of the wine until the last of the feast.”
Mary and the six apostles were ecstatic, but Jesus was just perplexed. He took a few moments to himself and then decided that what had happened was not in his control, and if it was not against his Father’s will it was inevitable. The people at the wedding now all believed Jesus was the Messiah, but he knew this was only because they thought they had seen a miracle. Sitting up on the flat rooftop all by himself, Jesus now realized that he had to constantly guard his mind so that his pity and sympathy did not cause this sort of thing to happen again. But regardless of his efforts many similar events occurred before Jesus finished his time on Earth.
Back in Capernaum
The wedding was going to last a full week, but early the next morning Jesus and his six new apostles left without saying good-bye. They returned to Capernaum going straight to Zebedee’s house in Bethsaida. The wedding guests were upset that Jesus had left so suddenly and Jude, his brother, went looking for him. As Jesus and the seven walked to Zebedee’s house, he started to teach his apostles about the coming kingdom. In this talk he specifically told them to never mention him turning the water to wine, and that in the future when they were out teaching on their own to stay away from the cities of Tiberias and Sepphoris.
After supper at Zebedee’s home, Jesus gave one his most important lectures to the six apostles. While these six men were excited to have been chosen the Messiah’s helpers, they were also devote Jews; their ideas of the coming messiah were set in Jewish lore. When Jesus tried to clarify their ideas of who he was, his mission on Earth, and how it may well end the six were stunned, speechless, and crushed beyond expression. Jesus could tell that his apostles did not understand what he was saying, so he ended the lesson and let them rest. Then right before Jesus dismissed them his brother Jude arrived—he had been looking for them all day. After the six apostles went to bed, Jesus and Jude took a long walk and talked about many things. Before Jude left for the evening he spoke his heart saying “My father-brother I have never understood you. I am not sure whether you are what my mother has taught us and I do not understand the coming kingdom, but I do know that you are a mighty man of God. I heard the voice in the Jordan, and I believe in you no matter who you are.”
After Jude left, Jesus took his blankets and went down to the lake shore and sat in deep thought until dawn. As the night wore on Jesus realized that there was no way he could change the Jew’s minds about a coming messiah. He decided the only way for him to begin his mission was to address their desires and fulfill John’s predictions of the Deliverer. While he was not a messiah in David’s sense he was meeting the more spiritual aspects of the olden prophecies, so from then on Jesus never wholly denied that he was the Messiah. As for how to untangle the fine points, Jesus just decided to leave that up to the outworking of his Father’s will.
At breakfast the next morning the apostles were downcast. Jesus informed them that it was his Father’s will that they all remain there in Capernaum. He explained that since John was preparing the way for the kingdom, it was best for all of them to wait until John was done with his mission before they started theirs; in the meantime they should return to fishing. Before leaving, Jesus said he would see them the next day, the Sabbath, at the synagogue where he was going to speak and then afterwards they would all get together for a talk.
The Events of a Sabbath Day
Jesus’ first public appearance after his baptism was in the Capernaum synagogue on Saturday, March 2, A.D. 26. Jesus gave the seats of honor to his six apostles and to his two brothers, Jude and James. Mary was also present and seated in the women’s section. Between what had occurred in the river when he was baptized and now the new story about him turning the water into wine in Cana, the synagogue was overflowing with people. Everyone was excited, and they all expected to see him do more miracles to prove that he was their messiah. But that was not going to happen.
When all was ready, Jesus stood up and was given a roll of scripture from which to read. Choosing the Prophet Isaiah, Jesus read “Thus says the Lord: ‘The heaven is my throne and the Earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you built for me? And where is the place of my dwelling? All these things my hands have made,’ says the Lord. ‘But to this, man I will look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit and who trembles at my word.’ Hear the word of the Lord you who tremble and fear. ‘Your brethren hated you and cast you out for my name’s sake.’ But let the Lord be glorified. He will appear to you in joy and all others will be ashamed. A voice from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice from the Lord says ‘Before she travailed she brought forth; before her pain came she was delivered of a man child.’ Who has heard such a thing? Will the Earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or can a nation be born at once? But thus says the Lord, ‘Behold I will extend peace like a river and the glory of even the gentiles will be like a flowing stream. As one whom his mother comforts so will I comfort you. And you will be comforted even in Jerusalem. And when you see these things, your heart will rejoice.’” After Jesus finished reading and before sitting down he told the people to be patient and they would see the glory of God—to wait with him and learn to do the will of his Father who is in heaven.
The people left and went home not understanding Jesus’ words. Later that afternoon Jesus took his apostles and his two brothers, Jude and James, out in a boat where they anchored off shore and he explained more about the coming kingdom. Jesus told his apostles that until the kingdom arrives they were to go back to their regular jobs and he was going to return to work with Zebedee in the boatshop. They were also going to spend three hours each night studying and preparing themselves for the work to come. Ending his talk, Jesus said “We will all remain here until the Father has me call you. Each of you must now return to your work just like nothing has happened. Tell no one about me and remember that my kingdom is not going to come with noise and glamor, but rather through the great change that my Father will make in your hearts and in the hearts of those who join you in the kingdom. You are now my friends; I trust you and I love you, and you are soon to become my personal associates. Be gentle; be patient. Be ever obedient to the Father’s will and make yourselves ready for the call of the kingdom. While you will experience immense joy serving my Father you should also be prepared for trouble, because I warn you that it will only be through much tribulation that many will enter the kingdom. But for those who have found the kingdom, their joy will be full and they will be called the blessed of all the Earth. Do not entertain false hope: the world will stumble at my words. Even you, my friends do not understand what I am unfolding to your confused minds. Make no mistake—we go forth to labor for a generation of sign seekers. They will demand wonders as proof that I am sent by my Father, and they will be slow to recognize that in the revelation of my Father’s love are the credentials of my mission.” When they returned to the shore, Jesus stood by the water’s edge and prayed “My Father, I thank you for these little ones who in spite of their doubts even now believe. And for their sakes I have set myself apart to do your will. And now may they learn to be one, even as we are one.”
Four Months of Training
Waiting on the coming kingdom lasted four long months: March, April, May, and June. Jesus held over one hundred earnest—though joyous and cheerful—sessions with his six apostles and his brother James, but Jude was not able to attend many of these classes. Jesus’ brother James kept his faith in Jesus, but Mary was distraught with the months of delay and inaction. Her faith, so strong after Cana, now sank to new lows. All she could repeat was “I cannot understand him. I cannot figure out what it all means.”
The six apostles and his brother James went about their work during the day and listened to Jesus at night. They were becoming acquainted with and learning how to live with Jesus, the God-man incarnate in mortal flesh. They called him rabbi and with Jesus’ matchless grace they found it easy to be friends with God, even if the lack of any miracles tested all of their faith. Simon Peter was the hardest hit by this period of waiting and throughout the entire time he tried to persuade Jesus to begin his mission in Galilee sooner, even while John was still preaching in Judea. But all Jesus would ever tell Peter was to be patient and to keep studying, warning him that they could never be too prepared for when the Father called. Andrew, who was impressed with how natural, considerate, and friendly Jesus was with ordinary people, would at times help out with calming his brother.
Jesus only spoke twice at the synagogue as they all waited on the future. He made sure no more miracles occurred and over time the excitement about his baptism and the wine at Cana died down. But even though he and the apostles were laying low in Bethsaida, Herod Antipas still heard about these strange events and he sent spies to learn more. Because Jesus had kept his mission toned down, Herod was not too concerned with him at this point; he decided to instead concentrate on the trouble John was stirring up out on the River Jordon.
One of Jesus’ goals when he taught the apostles at night was to shape their attitudes toward the various religious and political organizations then in Palestine. Jesus taught them that they were seeking to win over people from all of these groups while emphasizing that they were not to be part of any of them. Together the rabbis and scribes were called the Pharisees, although they referred to themselves as the associates. These were the liberal Jews and they had adopted many teachings not necessarily in the Hebrew scriptures, like the belief in the resurrection of the dead: that doctrine was not mentioned until later by the prophet Daniel. The Sadducees were comprised of both the priesthood and some of the wealthier Jews, and they were not concerned with the details of enforcing the law. In reality, the Pharisees and Sadducees were more religious political parties than religious variations of Judaism.
The Essenes were a true religious sect, or variation on traditional Judaism: they specialized in teachings about angels. This group started back during the Maccabean revolt and their membership requirements were stricter than those of the Pharisees. The Essenes had adopted many Persian beliefs and practices: they did not marry, they all lived as a brotherhood in monasteries, and they had no personal possessions with everyone sharing whatever they had.
The Zealots were fanatical Jewish patriots. They considered anything to be justified in the fight against Roman rule. The Herodians were a political party that also wanted freedom from direct Roman rule, but through the restoration of the Herodian dynasty. And in the middle of all of these groups were the Samaritans; although they had views similar to all of the others, the Jews were intent on not intermingling with them.
Each of these groups believed in a coming messiah that would free the Jews from the Romans, but Jesus told the apostles not to join any of them. Later when the apostles went out to preach, Jesus emphasized that their job was to teach that the kingdom of heaven was a spiritual experience stemming from love, sympathy, and compassion. Jesus did not over teach his students, which would have confused them more. Years later the apostles remembered these four months as their most precious time with Jesus.
Sermon on the Kingdom
It was Tuesday, June 18, A.D. 26. Jesus was at his workbench in the boatshop when Peter came in and told him that John had been arrested. For the second time Jesus laid down his tools, took off his apron, and said “The Father’s hour has come. Let us make ready to announce the gospel of the kingdom.”
Peter rushed off to tell the other apostles. By midafternoon they were all waiting in a grove while Peter went to find Jesus. But Jesus had gone off elsewhere to pray and they did not see him until he returned to Zebedee’s house later that night. The next day, Jesus asked his brother James to go to the synagogue and request permission to speak at the service that coming Saturday.
Three days later, Saturday, June 22nd Jesus preached the first real sermon of his career on the kingdom of God. He began by reading “You will be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy people. Yahweh is our judge, Yahweh is our lawgiver, Yahweh is our king; he will save us. Yahweh is my king and my God. He is a great king over all the Earth. Loving-kindness is on Israel in this kingdom. Blessed be the glory of the Lord, for he is our King.”
Putting the scripture aside, Jesus spoke freely and said “I have come to announce the establishment of the Father’s kingdom. And this kingdom will include the worshiping souls of Jew and gentile, rich and poor, free and bond because my Father is no respecter of persons; his love and his mercy are over all.’
“The Father in heaven sends his spirit to reside in people’s minds, and when I have finished my work on Earth likewise will the Spirit of Truth be poured out on all flesh. And the spirit of my Father and the Spirit of Truth will establish you in the coming kingdom of divine righteousness and spiritual understanding.’
“My kingdom is not of this world. The Son of Man will not lead armies in battle to establish a throne of power or a kingdom of worldly glory. When my kingdom has come you will know the Son of Man as the Prince of Peace, the revelation of the everlasting Father.’
“While the children of Earth fight for the enlargement and establishment of the kingdoms of this world, my disciples will enter the kingdom of heaven by their moral decisions and by their spiritual victories. And when they do they will find joy, eternal life, and righteousness.’
“Those who enter the kingdom by striving for a noble character like that of my Father will soon possess all else needed. But I say to you in all sincerity: unless you seek to enter the kingdom with the faith and trust of a little child you will not gain admission.’
“Do not be deceived by people who come saying that here is the kingdom or there is the kingdom, because my Father’s kingdom is not filled with things visible and material. The Father’s kingdom is with you right now because where the spirit of God leads and teaches people’s souls, there in reality is the kingdom of heaven. And this kingdom of God is joy, peace, and righteousness in the Holy Spirit.’
“John baptized you in token of repentance and for the remission of your sins, but when you enter the heavenly kingdom you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. In my Father’s kingdom there will be neither Jew nor gentile, but rather only people who seek perfection through service, because I declare that those who would be great in my Father’s kingdom must first become servers of all. If you are willing to serve humanity you will sit down with me in my kingdom like I will soon sit down with my Father in his kingdom.’
“This new kingdom is like a seed growing in good soil: it does not reach maturity quickly. There is a period of time between the establishment of the kingdom in a person’s soul, and when the kingdom ripens into the full fruit of eternal salvation and everlasting righteousness.’
“And this kingdom is not a reign of power and plenty. The kingdom of heaven is not a matter of meat and drink, but rather a life of increasing joy and progressive righteousness in perfecting our service to my Father who is in heaven. For the Father said of his children of the world, ‘It is my will that they should eventually be perfect, even as I am perfect.’
“I have come to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom. I have not come to add to the heavy burdens of the people who want to enter this kingdom. I announce the new and better way and those who enter the coming kingdom will enjoy divine rest. No matter what price you pay to enter the kingdom of heaven, you will receive many more times the joy and spiritual progress in this world and then in the age to come, eternal life.’
“Entrance into the Father’s kingdom does not wait on marching armies, on breaking free of captive yokes, or on overturned kingdoms of this world. The kingdom of heaven is already at hand and all who enter it will find abundant liberty and joyous salvation. This kingdom is an everlasting dominion. Those who enter the kingdom will ascend to my Father and they will attain the right hand of his glory in Paradise. All who enter the kingdom of heaven will become the sons of God, and in the age to come they will ascend to the Father. I have not come to call the would-be righteous, but rather sinners and all who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of divine perfection. John came preaching repentance to prepare you for the kingdom; now I come announcing that faith, the gift of God, is the price to enter the kingdom of heaven. If you believe that my Father loves you with an infinite love, then you are already in the kingdom of God.”
Everyone was astonished at what they had heard. While the apostles marveled at Jesus words, the people were not prepared for them. About a third of the people believed Jesus even if they could not understand him, a third were already starting to reject the idea of a spiritual and not material kingdom, and the rest of the people just thought that Jesus may be out of his mind.