The Second Preaching Tour
Sunday morning October 3, A.D. 28 Jesus, his apostles, and one hundred seventeen newly taught evangelists began the second round of public preaching in Galilee. They visited Gadara, Japhia, Hippos, Gamala, Jezreel, Megiddo, Tarichea, Ptolemais, Dabaritta, Scythopolis, Bethsaida-Julias and the other villages along the way. This excursion lasted until December 30th.
Before departing, Peter and Andrew asked Jesus to give the new evangelists their final instructions for the mission ahead. Jesus said no, that it was not his place to do what others could manage themselves. After a short discussion it was decided that James Zebedee would speak to the new workers. When he finished, Jesus stepped up and said “Now go forth to do the work as you have been instructed, and after you have shown yourselves faithful and competent I will ordain you to preach the gospel of the kingdom.”
During this three month tour only John and James were assigned to Jesus. The other ten apostles split the new members into ten groups of about a dozen people each, and then they all went their separate way baptizing believers. Jesus, John, and James traveled almost every day to one or two of the cities to watch and encourage the new evangelists’ work. These three months were meant to give the new people practical experience teaching.
Meanwhile, David Zebedee managed the permanent headquarters at his father’s house in Bethsaida. He formed a group of forty to fifty people to act as spies, relays, and messengers to maintain contact between the kingdom workers. When needed to supplement the group’s funds, he would return to fishing for a few days. Zebedee did all of this on his own, but of course with Andrew’s approval.
Jesus’ Fame
Jesus’ fame as a healer had spread throughout Syria, Palestine, and into the surrounding countries. For weeks after they left the Bethsaida camp people continued to arrive looking to be healed, and when they did not find Jesus they would then go searching for him. During this period Jesus did not perform any miracles, but because of their intense faith in Jesus many people were healed.
From this point through the remainder of Jesus’ time on Earth strange things started to happen when people asked to be healed. During this particular three months more than one hundred people from cities far away were somehow unconsciously healed by Jesus. They in turn returned home and told everyone they had been cured, even though every single time Jesus told them to tell no one. All of this increased Jesus’ fame throughout the region. The celestial host was never told exactly what occurred in these cases of spontaneous healing. All they know is that a few times Jesus simply said “I perceive that power has gone forth from me,” like one time when he was touched by a sick child and he said “I perceive that life has gone forth from me.”
Since Jesus did not tell us exactly what happened in these events, it is not our place to try and explain them. But we can give you our opinion about what occurred. We believe three powerful and inter-related influences came together to result in these cases of spontaneous healing.
The first power relates to the degree of living faith in the heart of the person asking to be healed, and the fact that the person wanted healing for its spiritual benefits rather than just physical relief. The second relates to the sympathy and compassion of a mercy-dominated Creator Son with almost unlimited healing powers, and third, the fact that Jesus was the personified expression of God’s will—that when Jesus met someone with a human need his divine nature could fulfill, and if in that moment God did not will otherwise, it was. While these events were not conscious to Jesus’ mortal mind when they occurred, they were immediately recognized by his divine nature.
We believe the cause for these events of spontaneous healing can be found in the great law of creation: “What the Creator Son desires and the eternal Father wills, IS.” Our opinion is that when people were in Jesus’ presence their faith was so strong that it could actually compel healing by the spiritual forces associated with him. It is therefore a fact of record that there were many times when Jesus caused people to heal themselves through the strength of their own faith.
Many other people only wanted to be healed for selfish reasons. One example was the rich woman from Tyre who along with all of her servants showed up and asked Jesus to heal her. As they followed Jesus throughout the land she kept offering him more and more money to do so, as if God’s power was for sale to the highest bidder. At no time did this woman ever become interested in the gospel: she was only interested in healing her physical body.
The People’s Attitude
Jesus understood people: he knew what was in their minds and hearts. If his lessons had been preserved as he taught them, all of the nations on Earth would have quickly adopted his gospel of the kingdom. While Jesus’ early followers meant well when they restated his teachings to appease certain people, nations, and religions this only resulted in making his teachings less acceptable to all other people, nations, and religions.
As the apostle Paul tried to win over certain groups, he wrote many letters instructing people on his version of the new religion. Other apostles did the same, but none of them realized that one day someone would come along and combine all of these letters and call them Jesus’ actual teachings. The end result was that while Christianity does contain more of Jesus’ truth than any other religion, it also contains much Jesus did not teach.
Aside from incorporating many of the Persian mysteries and later Greek philosophy into early Christianity, two other important mistakes were made. First, the new Christian leaders tried to attach Jesus’ gospel directly to Judaism like they did with the Christian doctrine of atonement—the horrific idea that Jesus was killed to satisfy God’s divine wrath and stern justice. This idea, which Jesus never taught and that contradicts the understanding of a loving and merciful God, was put into the gospel to make it more acceptable to some unbelieving Jews. In the end the Jews still did not believe in Jesus. But worse, the atonement doctrine continues to confuse and sicken people causing many honest seekers to reject the gospel of the kingdom up to this very day.
The second mistake made by Jesus’ early followers, another one that continues to this day, was making Christianity about Jesus the person and not about the teachings of Jesus. This overemphasis on Jesus’ personality has made it increasingly hard for people of all other religions to accept his words. This is not to say that there is not a place for Jesus’ personality in Christianity, but it should not be put before knowing his life or his saving message: the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of humanity. Those spreading Christianity should approach other religions by recognizing the truths they both hold in common—many that stem directly or indirectly from Jesus’ message—while not placing so much emphasis on their differences.
Jesus’ fame resulted mostly from his reputation as a healer but soon more people came to him for spiritual help, and invariably he taught them the light of life and the way of deliverance. When Jesus was on Earth as a man it was inevitable that some extraordinary things would happen. But you should never approach Jesus through these so-called miracles: instead, learn to approach the miracle through Jesus. This warning comes regardless of the fact that Jesus is the only personified reason for a religion that did perform miracles while on Earth.
The most astonishing and revolutionary aspect of Jesus’ message concerned women. During an era when a man was not even supposed to greet his wife in public, Jesus—on his third trip through Galilee—dared to take women along to teach people the gospel. He did this in the face of the Jew’s teaching that it was “better that the words of the law should be burned than delivered to women.” In one generation Jesus lifted women out of the slavish drudgery and disrespectful oblivion that they had been accustomed to over the ages, and it is a shame that the religion that presumed to take Jesus’ name lacked the moral courage to follow his noble example.
The people found that Jesus held none of the superstitions common at the time. He had no social grudges or religious prejudice; he was never intolerant of other people’s beliefs. While he followed the fragments of Judaism that were true, he did not hesitate to disregard superstitious man-made traditions designed to enslave people. He dared to teach that accidents, catastrophes, and other dreadful events were not sent from God to punish people. He did away with unthinking devotion to meaningless ceremonies and showed the error in worshiping material things. Jesus boldly declared humanity’s spiritual freedom and he dared to teach people that they are in truth the sons of the living God. Jesus surpassed all previous teachings when he substituted having clean hearts for clean hands as the hallmark of true religion.
Jesus put reality in the place of tradition and left no room for pride or hypocrisy. At the same time he did not criticize or disregard the social, economic, political, or religious aspects of his day. He was not a militant: he was a progressive evolutionist. He only did away with something that the people believed when he could replace it with a higher teaching. People followed Jesus because they wanted to: he did not force them to believe. Only three men that Jesus invited to be disciples ever refused him. He had a peculiar way to draw people to him, but he was not dictatorial. Jesus’ confidence was compelling, and no one ever resented him giving orders. His authority was absolute, but no one ever objected to it: he let people call him Master.
Jesus was admired by everyone except those people who held deep-seated religious hatreds or who saw him as a threat to their political power. The people were astonished that his teachings were so original and authoritative, and they marveled at his patience when he had to deal with backward and troublesome people. Jesus inspired hope and confidence in all of his followers. The only people who feared Jesus were those who had not met him, and the only people to hate Jesus were those who wanted to cling to the evil in their hearts. Jesus exercised a strong and fascinating influence on both foes and friends. People would follow him for weeks just to be around him, and his devotees loved him beyond what human words can express. This is still true to this day and it will continue to be throughout all ages—the more people get to know Jesus, the more they will love and follow him.
Hostility of the Religious Leaders
While the common people were excited about Jesus’ teachings, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were becoming increasingly antagonistic. The Pharisees were dogmatic and systematic. Jesus was the opposite and taught as the occasion demanded. Rather than using the law to make his point, Jesus used parables.
The Sanhedrin was in chaos about young Abraham converting to the gospel and the three spies who not only deserted, but who were then baptized by Peter and joined the other evangelists preaching across Galilee. Day by day the Jewish leaders became increasingly blinded by fear and prejudice, and over time this continued rejection of the truth hardened their hearts. When people decide to ignore the quiet voice of their spirit there is little that anyone can do to change their minds.
Back when Jesus had first spoken to the evangelists at Bethsaida, he ended his address saying “Remember that people are individuals. Their personalities and their reactions to the gospel will vary: emotionally, people react individually. The only thing that people have in common is the divine spirit inside each of them. While these divine spirits are unique entities with various degrees of personal experience, they all respond similarly to spiritual requests. It is only through appealing to this divine spirit that humanity will ever attain unity and brotherhood.” But many of the Jewish leaders had shut themselves off the spiritual appeal of the gospel, and from this point on they plotted Jesus’ death.
Preaching Tour Progress
Jesus taught little during the second tour through Galilee, but he did conduct many evening classes in the cities where he, John, and James stayed overnight. It was at one of these sessions that a young evangelist asked about anger. Among other things, Jesus said “Anger shows the degree to which the spiritual nature in a person has failed to gain control over their combined physical and intellectual natures; it indicates a lack of tolerance for others and a lack of self-respect and self-control. Anger destroys a person’s mind, hurts their health, and gets in the way of the divine spirit guiding their soul. Have you read in the scriptures that ‘wrath kills the foolish person,’ and that people ‘tear themselves in their anger’? That ‘those who are slow of wrath are of elevated understanding,’ while ‘those who have a hasty temper praise folly’? You all know that a soft answer turns away anger, while hard words fuel it. ‘Discretion defers anger,’ while ‘those who have no control over their own emotions are like defenseless cities without walls.’ ‘Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous.’ ‘Angry people stir up strife while the furious multiply their transgressions.’ ‘Do not be hasty in spirit, for anger rests in the hearts of fools.’”
Before Jesus finished, he said “Let your hearts be so filled with love that your spirit guide has an easy time helping you resist those outbursts of animal anger that do not fit with the status of divine sonship.”
In this same meeting Jesus spoke about having a well-balanced character. He knew people needed to devote themselves to mastering some craft, but he deplored overspecialization or becoming too narrow-minded in one’s lifestyle. He reminded people that any virtue taken to extremes can become a vice. Jesus preached moderation, and taught people to be consistent when adjusting to life’s problems. He pointed out that too much enthusiasm can lead to fanaticism, too much sympathy can result in serious emotional instability, and too much imagination can bring forth visionary and impractical things. At the same time Jesus warned them against becoming dull, mediocre, or over conservative. While it is true that many people have to focus their time on earning a livelihood, it is also desirable to learn how others live. Truly educated people are not satisfied being ignorant of the world.
Jesus spoke about the dangers of faith and courage and how they can sometimes lead to assumptions and reckless behavior. He showed how caution when taken too far leads to failure and cowardice. Jesus urged people to be original, but not to become an oddity: he pleaded with them to show sympathy without over-romanticizing it and to be devoted without being self-righteous. Jesus taught people to worship God without fear or superstition.
It was not Jesus’ lessons that impressed the people, but rather how he lived them. In a life of stress and storm Jesus never wavered. His enemies continually tried to trap him but they never caught him. The wise and educated tried to trip him, but he never stumbled: when questioned his answers were always conclusive. The Jews tried to fool him in debates but his answers were always dignified, enlightening, and in the end, final. Jesus was never dishonorable with his enemies while they did not hesitate to use every unfair tactic against him.
The Lesson Regarding Contentment
Jesus was holding an evening session with Simon Zelotes’ group of evangelists, when Simon said “Master, why are some people more happy and content than others? Is contentment a matter of religious experience?”
Jesus said “Simon, some people are naturally more happy than others. Much depends on the person’s willingness to be led by the Father’s spirit. Have you read in the scriptures the words, ‘The spirit of a person is the candle of the Lord searching through all the inner parts’? And also that such spirit-led mortals say ‘The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good heritage.’ ‘A little that a righteous person has is better than the riches of many wicked people,’ for ‘a good person is satisfied from inside themselves.’ ‘A merry heart makes a cheerful person and is a continual feast. Better is a little with the reverence of the Lord, than having immense treasures and the trouble they bring. Better to eat a dinner of herbs with loving friends, than a fattened ox with hateful people. Better is a little with righteousness, than riches with low morals.’ ‘A merry heart is like good medicine.’ ‘Better is having a handful with composure than having riches, sadness, and a bad attitude.’
“Much sadness comes from a person wounding their pride by not achieving their ambitions. Although people have a duty to themselves to make the best of their lives on Earth, once they have put forth the effort to do so they need to cheerfully accept the outcome and make the best of what they have. Too many of people’s problems originate from the fear in their heart. ‘The wicked flee when no one pursues.’ ‘The wicked are like the troubled sea for it cannot rest and its waters cast up mire and dirt: there is no peace, says God, for the wicked.’
“Do not look for false peace in fleeting fun and joy, but rather seek the assurance of divine sonship that brings composure, contentment, and the supreme pleasures of the spirit.’ Jesus did not look at this world as a vale of tears, but rather as the birth world of eternal and immortal spirits ascending to Paradise: a cradle of soul making.
The Fear of the Lord
At Gamala during the evening talk, Philip said “Master, why is it that the scriptures instruct us to fear the Lord while you want us look to the Father in heaven without fear? How are we to harmonize these teachings?”
Jesus replied “My children I am not surprised that you ask these things. In the beginning it was only through fear that people could learn reverence. But I have come to reveal the Father’s love so that you will be drawn to worship the Eternal through my recognition of, and reciprocation of, the Father’s perfect love. I am delivering you from the bondage of forcing yourselves, because of your fear, to serve an angry and jealous God-Father.’
“The fear of the Lord has meant different things over the ages, beginning with fear, then moving through anguish and dread, and finally arriving at awe and reverence. Now from reverence I would lead you still higher through recognition, realization, and appreciation to love. When a person only sees the works of God they are led to fear the Supreme, but when people experience the personality of the living God they are increasingly led to love such a perfect, eternal, and universal Father. It is for this purpose, changing humanity’s relationship to God, that I have come to Earth.’
“Children do not fear their father to receive his gifts. Instead, since they have already received his love they in turn love him for his graciousness. The goodness of God leads to service and repentance; the mercy of God leads to salvation, and the love of God leads to intelligent freehearted worship.’
“Your ancestors feared God because he was mighty and mysterious. You will adore him because he is truthful, merciful, and magnificent. The power of God creates fear in the hearts of people, but his nobility and righteousness commands our love, worship, and reverence. A dutiful and loving son does not fear or dread even a mighty and noble father. I have come into the world to put love in the place of fear, joy in the place of sorrow, confidence in the place of dread, and loving service and sincere worship in the place of slavish bondage and meaningless ceremonies. While it is still true that for those who sit in darkness the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, when the light has more fully come the sons of God are led to praise the Infinite for what he is rather than to fear him for what he does.’
“When children are young and unthinking they must be taught to honor their parents, but when they grow older and are more appreciative of the benefits of their parents guidance, they are led up through respect and increasing affection to actually love their parents for what they are more than for what they have done. The father naturally loves his child, but the child must develop his love for the father from the fear of what the father can do, and then higher through awe, dread, dependence, and reverence to appreciation and love.’
“You have been taught to ‘fear God and keep his commandments for that is humanity’s whole duty.’ But I have come to give you a new and higher commandment: to ‘love God and learn to do his will for that is the highest privilege of the liberated sons of God.’ Your fathers were taught to ‘fear God: the Almighty King.’ I teach you, ‘Love God: the all-merciful Father.’
“In the kingdom of heaven that I have come to declare there is no high and mighty king: this kingdom is a divine family. The universally worshiped and recognized head of this far-flung brotherhood of intelligent beings is my Father and your Father. I am his Son, and you are also his sons. Therefore it is eternally true that you and I are partners in the heavenly estate, and all the more so since we have become friends in the flesh on Earth. Cease then to fear God as a king or to serve him as a master. Instead, learn to revere him as the Creator; love him as a merciful defender; honor him as the Father of your young spirit and ultimately worship him as the loving and all-wise Father.’
“From your wrong concepts of the Father come your false ideas of humility and much of your hypocrisy. People may be worms in the dust by nature, but when they become indwelt by my Father’s spirit they become divine in their destiny. The spirit of my Father in a person will return to its divine source and universe origin, and the human soul of the person that has now become the reborn child of that indwelling spirit will ascend with it to the presence of the eternal Father.’
“There is a divine dignity associated with those faith candidates who have received the Father’s gifts in the eternal ascent to heaven, and humility indeed becomes these people. But meaningless practices to show falsehumility are not appropriate ways to appreciate the source of your salvation or the destiny of your souls. Humility before God is appropriate in the depths of your heart and humbleness before people is commendable, but outward acts done solely for the attention of others are childish, hypocritical, and unworthy of the enlightened sons of the kingdom.’
“It is good to be humble before God and self-controlled with people, but let your conduct be of spiritual origin and do not deceive yourselves with outward displays of self-righteous superiority. The prophet advised well when he said ‘Walk humbly with God,’ for while the Father in heaven is the Infinite and the Eternal, he also dwells in him with a humble spirit and a repentant mind.’
“My Father abhors evil, despises pride, and loathes hypocrisy. It has been to emphasize the value of sincerity and perfect trust in the loving support and faithful guidance of the heavenly Father that I have so often used the example of a little child’s unconditional love, trust, and acceptance of their human father to show you those attitudes essential for your entrance into the kingdom of heaven.’
“The Prophet Jeremiah was correct about many people when he said ‘You are near God in the mouth but far from him in your heart.’ And have you read that dreadful warning of the prophet who said ‘The priests there teach for hire and the prophets there divine for money, but at the same time they claim to be righteous and say that the Lord is with them.’ You have been well warned against those who ‘speak peace to their neighbors when mischief is in their hearts,’ and those who ‘flatter with the lips while the heart is double-dealing.’ Of all the sorrows of a trusting person none are so terrible as to be ‘wounded in the house of a trusted friend.’”
Returning to Bethsaida
After talking with Simon Peter and getting Jesus’ approval, Andrew instructed David at Bethsaida to send out messengers telling the apostles to end the tour and return to Bethsaida sometime on Thursday, December 30th. By supper time that day everyone had arrived back to the Zebedee’s.
The group was put up in people’s homes in Bethsaida and nearby Capernaum and then they all gathered for the Sabbath. These three days spent together in Bethsaida were exhilarating; even the older teachers learned from the younger preachers as everyone spoke of their experiences. Then they were all given two weeks off to go fishing, visit their friends, or go home to be with their families. Of the one hundred seventeen evangelists who participated in this second preaching tour of Galilee, about seventy-five survived the practical experience and returned for service at the end of the two weeks. Jesus along with John, James, Peter, and Andrew stayed at Zebedee’s house and spent their time planning the welfare and extension of the kingdom of heaven.
Godspeed, everyone.
Bob
Chap. 28, The Second Preaching Tour