Ch. 48, Last Teaching at Pella
“Son of Man: Urantia,” 2nd edition
Last Teaching at Pella
Jesus and the ten apostles returned to the Pella camp late Monday evening, March 6th. This was Jesus’ last week at the camp; he spent his time teaching the people during the afternoons and the apostles and other advanced disciples during the evenings. The news of Jesus resurrecting Lazarus had reached the camp two days before, and the entire assembly was aroused. Not since Jesus had fed the five thousand had anything so exciting happened. This was the peak of Jesus’ second phase of his public ministry: now his plan was to teach at Pella and then start the tour in southern Perea that would lead to the final tragic experiences of his mission on Earth.
The Jewish religious leaders had built their case against Jesus and agreed to the following four accusations. First, he is friends with sinners and tax-collectors; he receives the ungodly and even eats with them; second, blasphemies: he speaks of God being his Father, and he thinks that he is equal with God; third, he breaks our laws. He heals disease on the Sabbath, and in many other ways flouts our traditions, and fourth, he is in partnership with devils. He works wonders and apparently does miracles by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils.
Parable of the Lost Son
On Thursday afternoon Jesus preached the grace of salvation. In the course of this sermon he retold the story of the lost coin and the lost sheep, and then he added his favorite parable of the reckless son.
Jesus said “You have been urged by the prophets from Samuel to John that you should look for God: that you should search for the truth. They have always said ‘Look for the Lord while he may be found.’ All teachings like that should be taken to heart. But I have come to show you that while you are looking to find God, God in the same way is looking to find you. Many times I have told you the story about the good shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep in the fold while he went out looking for the one that was lost, and how when he found the straying sheep he laid it over his shoulder and tenderly carried it back to the fold. When the lost sheep had been brought back to the fold, you remember that the good shepherd called his friends and urged them to rejoice with him over finding the sheep that had been lost. Again I say, there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just people who need no repentance. The fact that souls are lost only increases the interest of the heavenly Father. I have come to this world to do my Father’s bidding, and it is true when they say that the Son of Man is a friend of sinners and tax-collectors.’
“You have been taught that divine acceptance, God’s love and forgiveness, comes after you repent and is based on your shame and sacrificial works. But I assure you the Father accepts you even before you have repented and sends the Son and his helpers to find you and bring you, with rejoicing, back to the fold—the kingdom of sonship and spiritual progress. You are all like sheep that have gone astray, and I have come to look for and to save those who are lost.’
“You should remember the story of the woman who had ten pieces of silver made into a fancy necklace, and how when she lost one piece she lit the lamp and carefully swept the house searching until she found it; then she called her friends and neighbors over to the house saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I have found the piece that was lost.’ So again, I say there is always joy in the presence of the angels of heaven over one sinner who repents and returns to the Father’s fold. Know this: the Father and his Son go out to search for those who are lost, and in this search we use anything that helps us find those who are lost: those in need of salvation. And while the Son of Man goes out in the wilderness looking for the sheep that has gone astray, he also looks for the coins that are lost in the house. The sheep unintentionally wanders away; the coins are covered with the dust of time and hidden by the material things of life.’
“Now I want to tell you the story of a thoughtless son of a well-to-do farmer who deliberately left his father’s house, and went off into a foreign land where he fell into much misfortune. You recall that the sheep strayed away without intention—that it did not mean to get lost—but this youth left his home with premeditation: he knew, or thought he knew, what he was doing.”
“A certain man had two sons. One, the youngest, was carefree and lighthearted and always looking for a good time as he shirked his responsibilities. His older brother was sober, serious, hard-working, and willing to bear his responsibility. These two brothers did not get along well; they were always quarreling. The younger lad was cheerful but unreliable; the older son was industrious but surly, conceited, and self-centered. The younger son enjoyed play but shunned work; the older son devoted himself to work but seldom played. Their relationship became so disagreeable that the younger son went to his father and said ‘Father, give me a third of your possessions that would be mine, and allow me to go out into the world to seek my own fortune.’ When the father heard this request and knowing how unhappy the young man was at home with his older brother, he divided his property and gave the youth his share.’
“Within a few weeks the young man took all of his money and set out on a journey to a far country, and finding no work that was also fun he soon wasted all of his inheritance carousing. After he had spent all of his money a famine hit that country and he found himself in desperate straits. When he was starving and destitute he took a job with a citizen who sent him into the fields to feed the pigs. And the young man would have filled himself with the husks that the swine ate, but no one would give him anything.’
“One day when he was starving he said to himself, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough to spare while I die of hunger feeding pigs out here in a foreign country! I will get up and go to my father and I will say to him, Father I have sinned against you and against heaven. I am no longer worthy to be called your son: only be willing to make me one of your hired servants.’ When the young man had reached this decision he got up and started out for his father’s house.’
“This father had grieved much for his son; he missed the cheerful though thoughtless lad and was always on the lookout for his return. On the day that the son came home, even while he was still far off the father on seeing him was moved with love and ran out to meet him, kissing and embracing his son. The son looked up into his father’s tearful face and said ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no more worthy to be called a son…’ But the lad could not complete his confession because the overjoyed father interrupted him and told his servants who had by this time come running up, ‘Quickly bring my son’s best robe, the one I have saved for him, and put it on him and put the son’s ring on his hand and fetch sandals for his feet.’
“After the happy father led the weary and footsore lad into the house, he again called to his servants, ‘Bring on the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry for my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and he is found.’ And they all gathered around the father to celebrate with him over his son’s return.’
“As they celebrated the older son came home after working in the field all day, and a servant told him, ‘Your long-lost brother has come home, and your father has killed the fatted calf to rejoice over his son’s safe return. Come in that you also can greet your brother and welcome him back into your father’s house.’
“But the older brother was so hurt and angry that he would not go into the house. When his father learned that he resented them welcoming home his brother, he went out to beg his eldest son. But the older son would not give into his father’s arguments. He said ‘All of these many years I have served you never breaking the least of your commands, and yet you never gave me even a kid so I could have a party with my friends. I have stayed here to care for you all these years and you never had a feast over my faithful service, but when this son returns after having wasted your money with prostitutes you quickly kill the fatted calf and have a celebration for him.’
“Since this father truly loved both of his sons, he tried to reason with his older one saying ‘But my son, you have been with me the whole time and all that I have is yours. You could have had a kid at any time if you had made friends to share your enjoyment. But it is only right that you should now join me in being happy because your brother has returned. Think of it, my son, your brother was lost and is found; he has returned to us alive!’”
This was one of the most touching and effective of all of the parables that Jesus ever used to impress on his listeners the Father’s willingness to receive everyone who seeks entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus was partial to telling these three stories at the same time. He used the story of the lost sheep to show that when people unintentionally stray away from the path of life, the Father is mindful of such lost ones and goes out with his Sons, who are the true shepherds of the flock, to look for them. Then he would recite the story of the coin that was lost in the house to show how thorough the divine searching is for everyone who is confused or otherwise spiritually blinded by the material cares and possessions of life. Then he would launch into telling this parable of the lost son, the reception of the returning prodigal, to show how complete the restoration of the lost son is into his Father’s heart and house. Many times during his years of teaching Jesus told and retold this story of the prodigal son. This parable and the story of the good Samaritan were his favorite means of teaching the Father’s love and people’s friendliness.
Parable of the Shrewd Steward
One evening, Simon Zelotes asked “Master, what did you mean today when you said that many of the children of the material world are wiser in their generation than the children of the kingdom because they are skillful profiting in unrighteous ways?”
Jesus replied “Some of you before you entered the kingdom were shrewd in dealing with your business associates. If you were unjust and often unfair, you were still prudent and farseeing because you conducted your business with your eye focused on your present profit and future safety. In the same way you should now arrange your lives in the kingdom to provide for your present joy while you also secure your treasures in heaven. If you were so careful in making a profit when you were working for yourselves, why would you show less care in gaining souls for the kingdom since you are now stewards of God and servants in the brotherhood of humanity?’
“You can all learn a lesson from the story of a certain rich man who had a shrewd but unjust steward. This man had not only squeezed his master’s clients for his own selfish gain, but he had also wasted his master’s money. When his master found out he told the steward to give him an immediate accounting of his books, and to prepare to turn his master’s affairs over to another person.’
“This unfaithful steward began to ask himself, ‘What will I do since I am about to lose this stewardship? I do not have the strength to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. How will I make certain that when I am fired from this job I will be welcomed into the houses of all who do business with my master?’”
“Coming to a plan, he went to each of his lord’s debtors: the first one he asked ‘How much do you owe my master?’”
“And the man replied ‘A hundred measures of oil.’”
“Then the steward said ‘Take your wax board bond, sit down quickly, and change it to fifty.’”
“Then the steward went to another debtor and asked ‘How much do you owe?’”
“And he replied ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’”
“Then the steward said ‘Take your bond and write fourscore.’ And the steward did the same with other debtors, making friends for himself that he could use after he was fired from his stewardship. Even the steward’s lord and master had to admit that his unfaithful steward had at least shown wisdom in how he went about providing for future needs.’
“This is how the sons of this world sometimes show more wisdom in preparing for the future than do the children of light. I am telling you who are acquiring treasure in heaven to take lessons from those who make friends with the mammon of unrighteousness, and in the same way live your lives making an eternal friendship with the forces of righteousness so that when all things on Earth fail you are joyfully received in the eternal kingdom.’
“I confirm that he who is faithful in little will also be faithful in much, while he who is unrighteous in little will also be unrighteous in much. If you have not shown foresight and integrity in the affairs of this world, how can you hope to be faithful and prudent when you are trusted with the stewardship of the true riches of the heavenly kingdom? If you are not faithful bankers and good stewards, if you have not been faithful in what is another’s, who will be foolish enough to give you great treasure in your own name?’
“Again, I assert that people cannot serve two masters; either they will hate the one and love the other, or else they will hold to one while they despise the other. You cannot serve both God and wealth.”
When the Pharisees present heard this, they began to sneer since they were well intent on becoming rich. These unfriendly listeners tried to argue with Jesus, but he refused to debate his enemies. When the Pharisees fell to wrangling among themselves the commotion attracted the other people camped in the area, and when they all began to argue with one another Jesus left and went to his tent for the night.
The Rich Man and the Beggar
When the meeting became noisy Simon Peter stood up and taking charge said “Men and friends, it does not look good to fight among ourselves. The Master has spoken, and you do well to ponder his words. This is no new doctrine that he told you. Have you not also heard the story of the Nazarites and the rich man and the beggar? Some of us heard John the Baptist thunder this parable in warning to those who love riches and want dishonest wealth. And while this old parable is not according to the gospel we preach, you would all do well to heed its lessons until you understand the new light of the kingdom of heaven.”
Simon Peter said “There was a rich man named Dives, who dressed in fine purple lived in joy and splendor every day. And there was a beggar named Lazarus who laid at this rich man’s gate covered with sores and wanting to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, and yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. After some time the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to rest in Abraham’s bosom. Later, the rich man also died and was buried with great pomp and regal splendor.
After the rich man departed from this world he woke up in Hades, and finding himself suffering he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus in his bosom. Dives cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue; I am suffering much because of my punishment.’
Abraham replied ‘My son, you should remember that in your lifetime you enjoyed the good things, while Lazarus in like manner suffered the evil. But now all of this has changed, seeing that Lazarus is comforted while you are tormented. Besides, between you and us there is a vast gulf and we cannot go to you and neither can you come over to us.’
Dives said ‘I pray you send Lazarus back to my father’s house so he can tell my five brothers what has happened to me, and prevent them from coming to this place of torment.’
But Abraham said ‘My son, they have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.’
Dives replied ‘No, No, Father Abraham! If one goes to them from the dead they will repent.’
And Abraham said ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded even if one were to arise from the dead.’”
After Peter recited the Nazarite brotherhood’s ancient parable and the crowd had quieted down, Andrew dismissed everyone for the night. Jesus was frequently asked questions about the parable of Dives and Lazarus, but he never commented on it.
The Father and His Kingdom
Jesus was announcing the establishment of the kingdom of God, but the Father in heaven is not a king. In Jesus’ era people knew mostly of kings and emperors, and the Jews had long contemplated the coming of the kingdom of God. For these and other reasons the Master designated the spiritual brotherhood of humanity as the kingdom of heaven, and the spirit head of this brotherhood as the Father in heaven. Never did Jesus call his Father king. In his intimate conversations with the apostles, Jesus always referred to himself as the Son of Man and their elder brother, and to his followers he referred to them all as servants of humanity and messengers of the gospel of the kingdom.
Jesus never taught his apostles a systematic lesson concerning the personality of the Father. He never asked people to believe in his Father—he took it for granted that they already did. Jesus never belittled himself trying to prove the reality of the Father. His teachings all centered on the declaration that he and the Father are one; that the Father like the Son knows all things; that he who has seen the Son has seen the Father; that those who know the Son also know the Father; that only the Son and those to whom the Son reveals the Father know the Father, and that the Father sent him into the world to show humanity their combined work and natures. Jesus never made other statements about his Father except to the Samarian woman at Jacob’s well when he stated “God is spirit.”
You learn about God from Jesus by observing the divinity of his life, not by depending on his teachings. From the Master’s life you can each embrace that idea of God that best fits with your ability to understand divine and spiritual truths. The finite can never hope to understand the Infinite except through how it was brought forth in the earthly personality of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus knew that God can only be known through experience; that God can never be understood simply by mental learning. Jesus taught his apostles that while they could never fully understand God, they could most certainly know him, even as they had known the Son of Man. You can know God not by understanding what Jesus said, but by knowing what Jesus was. Jesus was a revelation of God.
Except when quoting the Hebrew scriptures, Jesus only referred to Deity by two names: God and Father. When Jesus referred to his Father as God he usually used the Hebrew word that represented the plural God, the Paradise Trinity, and not the word Yahweh that stood for the progressive idea of the Jewish tribal God.
Jesus never called the Father a king, and he much regretted that the Jewish hope for a restored kingdom and John’s announcement of a coming kingdom required him to reduce the importance of his proposed spiritual brotherhood of the kingdom of heaven. With the one exception—his declaration that God is spirit—Jesus never referred to Deity in any other manner than in terms that described his own personal relationship with the First Source and Center of Paradise. Jesus used the word God to show the idea of Deity, and the word Father to describe the experience of knowing God. When the word “Father” is used to represent God it should be understood in its broadest possible meaning. The word God cannot be defined so it stands for the infinite concept of the Father, while the term Father has many levels of meaning so it can be used to show people’s idea of God during the time of mortal existence.
For the Jews, Elohim was the God of gods while Yahweh was the God of Israel. Jesus accepted the concept of Elohim and called this supreme group of beings God. In the place of the concept of Yahweh, the racial God, he introduced the idea of the fatherhood of God and the world-wide brotherhood of humanity. Jesus raised the Yahweh idea of a deified racial Father to the idea of a Father of all humanity’s children, a divine Father of the individual believer. He further taught that this God of universes and this Father of all people were one and the same Paradise Deity.
Jesus never claimed to be the manifestation of the God Elohim in the flesh. He never declared that he was a revelation of the God Elohim to the worlds. He never taught that he who had seen him had seen the God Elohim. But he did say that he was the revelation of the Father in the flesh, and he did say that those who had seen him had seen the Father. As the divine Son, he only claimed to represent the Father.
Jesus was indeed the Son of even the Elohim God, but in the likeness of mortal flesh; to humanity he chose to limit his life’s revelation of the Father’s character so we could understand it. Regarding the character of the other personalities of the Paradise Trinity, we have to be satisfied with the teaching that they are altogether like the Father who was revealed in the life of his incarnated Son, Jesus of Nazareth.
Although Jesus revealed the true nature of the heavenly Father in his earth life, he taught little about him. In fact he only taught two things about the Father: that God is himself spirit, and that in all relationships with his creatures he is a Father. During this evening talk, Jesus made his final statement about his relationship with God when he said “I have come out from the Father and I have come into the world; again, I will leave the world and go to the Father.”
But listen up, all of you! Jesus never said “Whoso has heard me, has heard God.” But he did say “Those who have seen me, have seen the Father.” To hear Jesus’ teaching is not equivalent to knowing God, but to see Jesus is an experience that is itself a revelation of the Father to the soul. The God of universes rules the far-flung creation, but it is the Father in heaven who sends forth his spirit to dwell in your minds.
Jesus is the spiritual lens in human likeness that makes him who is invisible, visible to the material creature. He is your elder brother who in the flesh makes known to you a being of infinite attributes that not even the celestial hosts can say they fully understand. But all of this must happen in the personal experience of the individual believer. God who is spirit can only be known as a spiritual experience. God can be revealed to the finite sons of the material worlds by the divine Son of the spiritual realms only as a Father. You can know the Eternal as a Father, and you can worship him as the God of universes—the infinite Creator of all existences.