Ch. 57, Last Day at the Camp
“Son of Man: Urantia,” 2nd edition
Last Day at the Camp
Jesus spent Thursday, his last free day on Earth as a divine Son incarnated in the flesh, with his apostles and devoted disciples. After breakfast Jesus led everyone to a secluded spot above their camp where he had taught them many times in the past. The apostles were all present except for Judas. Peter and several of the others commented on his absence, and some of them thought that Jesus had sent him into the city to maybe arrange details for the Passover celebration. Judas did not return to the camp until midway through the afternoon, a short time before Jesus took the twelve into Jerusalem for the Last Supper.
Talk on Sonship and Citizenship
Jesus spoke to about fifty trusted followers, Jews and gentiles, for almost two hours. He answered a score of questions about sonship with God and citizenship in earthly governments, and the relationships between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdoms of this world. This talk, together with his answers to their questions, is summarized below in modern language.
The kingdoms of this world, being material, may often find it necessary to use physical force to maintain law and order. In the kingdom of heaven true believers will not resort to using physical force. The kingdom of heaven, being a spiritual brotherhood of the spirit-born sons of God, can only be declared by the power of the spirit. This distinction refers to the relationship of the kingdom of believers to the kingdoms of earthly government, and does not stop the right of social groups to maintain order in their ranks and discipline unworthy members.
There is nothing incompatible with sonship in the spiritual kingdom and citizenship in civil government. It is the believer’s duty to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. There cannot be any disagreement between these two requirements, the one being material and the other spiritual, unless it should happen that Caesar dares to assume God’s rights and demand that supreme worship be given to him instead. In such a case you will only worship God while you look to enlighten such misguided earthly rulers and lead them also to the recognition of the Father in heaven: you will not render spiritual worship to earthly rulers. Neither should you use the physical force of earthly governments, whose rulers may sometimes become believers, to further the spiritual kingdom.
Sonship in the kingdom from the standpoint of advancing civilization should help you to become ideal citizens of the kingdoms of this world since service and brotherhood are the cornerstones of the gospel of the kingdom. The call to love of the spiritual kingdom should prove to be an effective destroyer of the urge to hate in these war-minded and unbelieving citizens of the earthly kingdoms. But these material-minded sons in darkness will never know your spiritual light of truth unless you draw nearby them with unselfish social service that is the natural outgrowth of bearing the fruits of the spirit in each individual believer’s life.
As mortals you are indeed citizens of the earthly kingdoms and you should be good citizens, and you will be all the better members for having become reborn spirit sons of the heavenly kingdom. As spirit-liberated and faith-enlightened sons of the kingdom of heaven you face a double responsibility: your duty to God and your duty to humanity, while you voluntarily assume a third sacred obligation—service to the brotherhood of God-knowing believers.
You do not worship your earthly rulers and you should not use material power to further the spiritual kingdom. But you should show your righteous ministry of loving service to believers and unbelievers alike. In the gospel of the kingdom there is the mighty Spirit of Truth, and I will soon pour out this same spirit on all flesh. The fruits of the spirit—your sincere and loving service—are the mighty social lever to uplift the people of darkness, and this Spirit of Truth will become your power-multiplying fulcrum.
Be wise in your dealings with unbelieving civil rulers. Through discretion show yourselves to be experts at ironing out minor disagreements and misunderstandings. In every way possible, in everything short of your spiritual loyalty to the rulers of the universe, try to live peaceably with all people. Be as wise as serpents, but as harmless as doves.
You should become better citizens of the secular government as a result of becoming enlightened sons of the kingdom; so should the rulers of earthly governments become better rulers in civil affairs as a result of believing this gospel of the heavenly kingdom. The attitude of intelligent worship of God and unselfish service to humanity should make all kingdom believers better world citizens, and the attitude of honest citizenship and sincere devotion to one’s earthly duties should make the person more easily reachable by the spirit’s call to sonship in the heavenly kingdom.
As long as the rulers of earthly governments look to exercise the authority of religious dictators, you who believe this gospel can only expect trouble, persecution, and even death. But the light that you bear to the world, and even the manner that you will die and suffer for this gospel, will in themselves eventually enlighten the whole world and result in the gradual divorce between politics and religion. The persistent preaching of this gospel of the kingdom will someday bring to all nations a new and unbelievable religious liberty and intellectual freedom.
Under the soon coming persecutions by those who hate this gospel of joy and liberty, you will thrive and the kingdom will prosper. But you will stand in grave danger in later times when most men will speak well of kingdom believers and many leaders in high places supposedly accept the gospel of the heavenly kingdom. Learn to be faithful to the kingdom even in times of peace and prosperity. Do not tempt the angels that are supervising you to lead you into trouble as a discipline to save your souls from drifting off into easy channels.
Remember that you are commissioned to preach this gospel of the kingdom, the supreme desire to do the Father’s will coupled with the supreme joy of realizing, by faith, your sonship with God, and you must not allow anything to divert your devotion to this one duty. Let all humanity benefit from the overflow of your loving spiritual ministry, uplifting social service, and enlightening intellectual communion but not one of these humanitarian efforts, not even all of them combined, should be allowed to take the place of announcing the gospel. These mighty social works are the by-products of the still more mighty and uplifting transformations in the believer by the living Spirit of Truth, and by that person’s realization that a spirit-born mortal’s faith grants that person the assurance of fellowship with the eternal God.
You must not try to spread truth or to establish righteousness by the power of civil governments or by enacting secular laws. You can always work to change people’s minds, but you must never dare to force them. You must not forget the grand law of human fairness that I have taught you in positive form: treat others as you yourselves want to be treated.
When a kingdom believer is called on to serve the civil government let the person serve as an earthly citizen, though such a believer should do so demonstrating the spiritual enlightenment resulting from the human mind being indwelt by the eternal God’s spirit. If an unbeliever qualifies as a better civil servant, you should seriously consider whether or not the roots of truth in your heart have died from a lack of the living water that results from blending social service with spiritual communion. The consciousness that a person is a son of God should quicken all of the inherent powers of human personality in the entire life service of every man, woman, and child who has it.
You are not to be passive mystics or colorless puritans; you should not become drifters and dreamers lazily trusting in a fictitious Providence to provide you life’s necessities. You are to be gentle in your dealings with erring people, tolerant when provoked, and patient interacting with ignorance; but you are also to be mighty in announcing the truth, brave in defense of righteousness, and aggressive in preaching this gospel of the kingdom even to the ends of the Earth.
This gospel of the kingdom is a living truth. I have told you that it is like the leaven in the dough and like the grain of a mustard seed; now I am telling you that it is like the seed of the living being that from generation to generation, while it remains the same living seed, never fails to unfold itself in new ways and grow in channels adapting to the peculiar needs of each later generation.
The revelation I have made to you is a living revelation, and I want it to bear appropriate fruit in each individual and in each generation in accordance with the laws of spiritual growth, increase, and adaptative development. From generation to generation this gospel must show increasing vitality and exhibit enhanced spiritual power. It must not be allowed to become merely a sacred memory—a mere tradition about me and the times in which we now live.
Do not forget that we have not made a direct attack on the people or on the authority of those who sit in Moses’ seat: we have only offered them the new light that they have so vigorously rejected. We have criticized them only by denouncing their spiritual disloyalty to the truths that they profess to teach and safeguard. We clashed with these established leaders only when they threw themselves directly in the way of preaching the gospel of the kingdom to the sons of humanity. Even now we are not the ones who assail them, but rather they are whom seek our destruction. Do not forget that you are commissioned to go forth preaching only the good news. You are not to attack the old ways: you are to skillfully put the leaven of new truth in the midst of the old beliefs. Let the Spirit of Truth do his own work. Let controversy come only when they who despise the truth force it on you. But when the willful unbeliever attacks you, do not hesitate to stand in vigorous defense of the truth that has saved and sanctified you.
Throughout life’s changes remember to always love one another. Do not strive with people, even with unbelievers. Show mercy to even those who despitefully abuse you. Show yourselves to be loyal citizens, devoted kinsmen, upright artisans, understanding parents, praiseworthy neighbors, and sincere believers in the brotherhood of the Father’s kingdom. My spirit will be with you now, and even to the end of the world.
When Jesus had finished teaching it was almost one o’clock, so they immediately went back to the camp where David and the others had lunch ready for them.
After the Noon Meal
Of all of those who attended Jesus’ earlier talk, the Greeks understood the most. Even the eleven apostles were bewildered by Jesus’ references to future political kingdoms and to successive generations of kingdom believers. Jesus’ most devoted followers could not connect the impending end of his earthly ministry with his references to future gospel activities. Some of these Jews were beginning to sense that Earth’s ultimate tragedy was about to take place, but they could not reconcile such an impending disaster with either Jesus’ cheerful demeanor or his mid-morning sermon extending over vast stretches of time and encompassing successive material kingdoms on Earth.
All of the apostles and disciples had learned about Lazarus’ hasty escape from Bethany, and they began to sense the Jewish rulers’ grim determination to exterminate Jesus and his teachings. David Zebedee, through the work of his secret agents in Jerusalem, was aware of the Sanhedrin’s progress to arrest Jesus. He knew all about Judas’ part in this plot, but he never told any of the other apostles or disciples. Shortly after lunch David got Jesus aside and started to ask him if he knew about Judas, but Jesus cut him off saying “Yes David, I know all about it and I know that you know, but see to it that you tell no one else. Only do not doubt in your own heart that the will of God will prevail in the end.”
Jesus and David were interrupted by a messenger arriving from Philadelphia who brought word that Abner had heard of the plot to kill Jesus, and asking if he should leave for Jerusalem. This runner quickly ran back to Philadelphia to give Abner Jesus’ answer, “Go on with your work. If I leave from you in the flesh it is only so I can return in the spirit. I will not abandon you. I will be with you to the end.”
Philip came to Jesus and asked “Master, seeing that the Passover draws near, where do you want us to prepare to eat it?”
Jesus replied “Go and bring John and Peter, and I will give you instructions concerning the supper we will eat together tonight. As for the Passover, you will have to consider that after we have first done this.”
Judas saw Jesus talking with Philip, and drew closer so he could overhear their conversation. But David Zebedee, who was standing close by, stopped Judas by stepping up and starting to speak to him while John, Peter, and Philip went to one side to talk with Jesus.
To the three apostles, Jesus said “Go immediately into Jerusalem, and as you enter the gate you will meet a man carrying a water pitcher. He will speak to you, and you will follow him. When he leads you to a certain house, go in after him and ask the good man of that house, ‘Where is the guest chamber where the Master is to eat supper with his apostles?’ When you have asked this householder he will show you a large upper room all furnished and ready for us.” When the apostles reached the city they met the man with the water pitcher near the gate, and then they followed him to John Mark’s house where his father showed them the upper room all ready for the evening meal.
All of this came about as the result of Jesus and John Mark making a secret plan the day before when they were alone in the hills. Jesus wanted to be sure that he would have this one last undisturbed meal with his apostles, and he believed that if Judas knew beforehand he might arrange with his enemies to arrest him there. This way Judas did not learn where they were meeting until later when he arrived with Jesus and the other apostles.
David Zebedee had enough business to conduct with Judas that he was easily prevented from following John, Peter, and Philip. When Judas gave David part of the money to buy supplies, David said “Judas, maybe under the circumstances it would be good to give me a little more money in advance of my actual needs?”
After Judas thought for a moment, he said “Yes David, I think that would be wise. In fact, in view of the trouble in Jerusalem I think it would be best to turn over all of the money to you. They plot against the Master, and in case anything should happen to me you would not be hampered.” David received all of the apostles’ cash and receipts for all of the money on deposit, but it was not until evening the next day that the apostles learned that Judas had given David their group funds.
About four-thirty in the afternoon the three apostles returned and told Jesus that everything was arranged for the supper. Jesus immediately led his twelve apostles over the trail to the Bethany road and on into Jerusalem. This was the last journey he ever made with all twelve of them together.
On the Way to the Supper
Wanting to avoid the crowds passing through the Kidron valley, Jesus and the twelve walked over the western brow of Mount Olivet and took the road leading from Bethany down into Jerusalem. At the spot where Jesus had spoken to them the night before, they unconsciously paused and looked down in silence on the city. It was still daylight, and since Jesus did not want to pass through the city until after sunset he said “Sit down and rest while I tell you about what must soon happen. All of these years I have lived with you as friends, and I have taught you the truth concerning the kingdom of heaven and revealed to you its mysteries. And my Father has indeed done many wonderful works in connection with my mission on Earth. You have witnessed all of this, and you have taken part in the experience of being laborers with God. You will bear me witness that I have warned you for some time that I must soon return to the work the Father has given me to do. I have plainly told you that I must leave you in the world to carry on the work of the kingdom. It was because of this that I set you apart in the hills of Capernaum. The experience you have had with me, you must now make ready to share with others. As the Father sent me into this world, so I am about to send you forth to represent me and finish the work I have begun.’
“You look down on yonder city in sorrow because you have heard me telling you of the end of Jerusalem. I have forewarned you in case you die in her destruction and delay announcing the gospel of the kingdom. In the same way I am warning you to take heed in case you needlessly expose yourselves to danger when they come to take the Son of Man. I must go, but you are to remain to be witness to this gospel when I have gone, even as I ordered that Lazarus flee from the people’s wrath so that he may live to make known the glory of God. If it is the Father’s will that I leave there is nothing you can do to frustrate the divine plan. Take heed to yourselves in case they kill you also. Let your souls be brave with spirit power in defense of the gospel, but do not be misled into any foolish attempts to defend the Son of Man. I need no defense by mortal hands: the armies of heaven are even now mustered above if I should want them, but instead we will submit to what is coming because I am determined to do the will of my Father in heaven.’
“When you see this city destroyed do not forget that you have already entered into the eternal life of endless service in the ever-advancing kingdom of heaven, even of the heaven of heavens. You should know that in my Father’s universe and in mine there are many dwellings, and there awaits you, the children of light, the revelation of cities whose builder is God and of worlds whose way of life is righteousness and joy in the truth. I have brought the kingdom of heaven to you on Earth, but I am telling you that everyone who by faith enters and remains in it by living service to the truth will surely ascend to the worlds on high and sit with me in the spirit kingdom of our Father. But first you must restrain yourselves and complete the work that you have begun with me. You must first pass through much tribulation and endure many sorrows; these trials are even now on us, and when you have finished your work on Earth you will come to my joy even as I have finished my Father’s work on Earth and am about to return to his embrace.”
Jesus then led his apostles down Olivet and into Jerusalem. Except for John, Peter, and Philip none of them knew where they were going as they made their way along the narrow streets in the approaching darkness. The crowds jostled them, but no one recognized them or knew that the Son of God was passing by on his way to the last human rendezvous with his chosen ambassadors of the kingdom. Neither did the apostles know that one of their own number had already entered into a conspiracy to betray their Master into the hands of his enemies.
John Mark had followed them all the way into the city, and just after they entered the gate he hurried on by another street so that he was waiting to welcome them to his father’s house when they arrived.