1. The next week was devoted to bringing the new apostles up-to-speed with the original six. They worked in pairs, with the older apostles each teaching the one he had selected. In the evenings, they met in Zebedee’s garden where Jesus would instruct them all together.
2. Jesus taught the difference between preaching his actual teachings, and teaching the people about him, Jesus, the man-God. They weren’t to get sidetracked creating legends about him or building up a cult having to do with beliefs and teachings about his beliefs and teachings.
3. Jesus was absolutely clear: he was only still on Earth after he’d been baptized by John to show us the higher truths of God and the path of faith and love needed to find him. He told his apostles, Go seek for the sinners; find the downhearted and comfort the anxious.
4. The apostles wanted to know when Jesus would announce the kingdom, and their seats of power in it. Jesus was disappointed, and scolded them all. How long will I bear with you! Get out of your minds this idea that my kingdom is a rule of power or a reign of glory.
5. The apostles were stunned, but loyal. As Thomas put it, To this coming kingdom, no matter what it is and even if I don’t fully understand it. The apostles all believed in Jesus, even though they couldn’t understand a lot of what he was trying to teach them.
6. For the next 5 months, right up to end of this year, A.D.26, the schedule was for the apostles to fish for two weeks to support themselves, and then to go out and work with the people for two weeks, or as Jesus put it, they were to go forth to become fishers of men.
7. Jesus was a good fisherman and a cheerful and inspiring friend. The more they worked with him, the more they loved him. Matthew said, The more you understand some people, the less you admire them, but with this guy, the less I understand him, the more I love him.
8. The Jews taught that sins were forgiven through so called good works. Jesus taught that sins are forgiven simply through having faith in God: that there is no need for sacrifice or for someone to pay a fine for their sins.
9. Faith is the only admission needed or allowed into the kingdom of heaven. Where John had taught them “repentance—to flee from the wrath to come,” Jesus taught them, “Faith is the open door for entering into the present, perfect, and eternal love of God.”
10. The people were amazed. The rabbis said common folk couldn’t be so devoted to God or live such righteous lives. But the 12 apostles, all happily ignorant of what the rabbis knew, were completely devoted to God and righteous in their lives and work.
11. By the time the apostles started public work, his entire family, except Ruth, had almost given up on him. They only tried to contact him a few times after this, always to come home. They were close to thinking he was crazy: they couldn’t understand him or his teachings.
12. Andrew was chairman and director general of the apostles. Peter, James, and John were Jesus’ personal companions. They took care of him day and night, got him what he needed, and were with him when he’d go out to pray at night and talk with our Father.
13. Philip was steward of the group. He kept everyone fed. Nathaniel took care of the twelve’s families. Matthew was in charge of the budget and keeping money in the treasury. Thomas managed the itinerary. He made sure the travel schedule went smoothly.
14. James and Judas, the twin sons of Alpheus, were assigned to take care of all of the people that showed up. Simon Zelotes was in charge of fun and recreation. Judas Iscariot was appointed treasurer. He made weekly budget estimates for Matthew and weekly reports to Andrew.
15. On Sun., Jan. 12, A.D. 27, Jesus called the 12 together and formally ordained them as his apostles – ambassadors of the kingdom and preachers of its good news. Then they packed their gear and got ready to head to Jerusalem and Judea on their first public preaching tour.
Okay, folks, that’s it for the Highlights of Son of Man: Urantia, Chapter 17, part 2, “Training the Kingdom’s Messengers.”
This week is Chapter 18, part 1, The Twelve Apostles.
Have a fantastic week out there, everybody.
Bob