Jesus' Discourses of the Perean Mission

A Study of Selected Discourses of Jesus

by Ruth Burton

5. Jesus' Discourses of the Perean Mission

January through March, AD 30 (This was the final period of the higher spiritual aspects of the gospel of the kingdom, with an absence of mirazcle working. In no other region did the better classes so generally accept the Master's teaching. The seventy and the womens' corps labored in the field, while Jesus and the apostles taught the multitudes at the Pella camp and at times assisted workers in various towns.)

1. Sermon on the Good Shepherd. 1818

Time and place: late December, AD 29, when Jesus, followed by some 300 Pharisees and others, returned to the Pella camp from the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem
Situation: Among the loyal disciples were amany bitter enemies, false shepherds of Israel. Excerpts: "I am the true shepherd..." 1819.3 "I have many other sheep not of this fold,...one brotherhood of sons of God." "If I lay down my life, I have power to take it up again...such authority from my Father even before this world was." 1819.5,6
Result: Half the Jerusalemites believed; the others fled in dismay.

2. Talks on Wealth. (Two sessions) 1821, 1823

1. To the multitude, when a young man wanted Jesus to settle a question of inheritance; others asked about owning property. 1821.l where your treasure is 1822.2 Love of riches...obscures...spiritual values 1822.nl Three test questions.
2. To Andres and apostles, that same evening, regarding self-support. 1823.3,4,5 ...consider the ravens...lilies of the field...your treasure 1824.lf ...just ahead of us, ...and after I go to the Father,you wil be grievously tried...Be on watch against doubts. ...You preach peace, but my mission will not bring peace in material affairs...not for a time.

3. Sermon at Gerasa, on How Many Saved. 1828.Sec.3

Time and place: Mid February, Northern Perea Occasion: A believing Pharisee asked, "Lord, will there be few or many really saved?" 1826.6; Luke 13:3
Reply: 1828.l Salvation is first a matter of personal choosing. Even if the door is narrow, it is wide enough to admit all who sincerely seek to enter." 1829.1
Parable of the last judgment. Imagery from Daniel 7:13f. 1500.2 (apocalyptists). Cf. 1571lnl (Ordination). Matthew 25:31-46
About parables: 1672.2 (One feature, only). 1691.1-3 (Thomas's comments)
About survival: 447.nl; 1733.4 (faint flicker). 1233.4 (On probation) 1206.4b (Only conscious resistance) 69.l (lack of culture not counted) 1586.1 (Jesus on essentials of salvation.) 1653.3; 1766.5 (No permissiveness)

4. Talks about Angels (Two occasions)

1. On the way to Philadelphia (they arrived February 22; 1833.3); Thomas asked ifangels could prevent acidents. 1830.1
- Jesus' answer: 1831.1 Accidents are not pre-arranged or produced by spiritual forces.
- (See entire Section 4.)
2. After the visit to Philadelphia, nearing Bethany, March 2, Nathaniel asked, "Since the Sadducees do not believe in angels, what shall we teach the people?" 1840.Sec.7
- Answer: Angels are a separate order of being, not spirits of mortal man. They keep the heavenly creation informed about its parts. Many are in service of the human races on earth, and escort man's soul to the heavenly mansions. Cf. 1244.2,4,nl; 1245.Sec.4; 1249.1

5. The Answer to Prayer. 1848

Time and place: Returning from Bethany to Pella, after the resurrection of Lazarus. Sunday, March 5. 1847.l
Occasion: The apostles' confusion. Inspite of Jesus' promise, (this sickness is not really ot the death), Lazarus had died. 1848.2 The Master's discussion, summarized in ten paragraphs. 1848.3f
- Prayer of man's spirit is answered, rather than that of mere mind.
- Answers may be postponed until the person matures, even to eternity.
- Some answers not recognized.
- Prayers may be kept on deposit.
- All spirit-born prayers are certain of answer.

6. Jesus' Concept of the Kingdom. 1859.Sec.2

Time and place:Sabbath afternoon, March 11, AD 30, at Pella
Occasion: The Master's desire in this last sermon at Pella to clarify confused thinking which he knew existed in minds of apostles and disciples.
Excerpts: 1859.Sec.2a
- Dual concept (Fatherhood-brotherhood) brings 7 endowments ofnew life. 1860.l
- Double nature of kingdom, present and future. 1861
- Essentials for entering the kingdom. 1862
- Religion of kingdom is personal, results are social, familial. 1862.nlf
- Five phases, or epochs. 1863.3
- Five cardinal features Later history: "Christ became the head of the church, rather than the elder brother of each individual believer." 1865.l

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