PAPER 178: Section 3.
On The Way To The Supper
P1934:3, 178:3.1
Seeking again to avoid the crowds passing through the Kidron valley back and
forth between Gethsemane Park and Jerusalem, Jesus and the twelve walked over
the western brow of Mount Olivet to meet the road leading from Bethany down
to the city. As they drew near the place where Jesus had tarried the previous
evening to discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem, they unconsciously paused
while they stood and looked down in silence upon the city. As they were a
little early, and since Jesus did not wish to pass through the city until
after sunset, he said to his associates:
P1934:4, 178:3.2
"Sit down and rest yourselves while I talk with you about what must shortly
come to pass. All these years have I lived with you as brethren, and I have
taught you the truth concerning the kingdom of heaven and have revealed to
you the mysteries thereof. And my Father has indeed done many wonderful works
in connection with my mission on earth. You have been witnesses of all this
and partakers in the experience of being laborers together with God. And you
will bear me witness that I have for some time warned you that I must presently
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 for this purpose 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 am I about to send you forth to
represent me and finish the work I have begun.
P1934:5, 178:3.3
"You look down on yonder city in sorrow, for you have heard my words telling
of the end of Jerusalem. I have forewarned you lest you should perish in her
destruction and so delay the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom. Likewise
do I warn you to take heed lest you
needlessly expose yourselves to peril
when they come to take the Son of Man. I must go, but you are to remain to
witness to this gospel when I have gone, even as I directed that Lazarus flee
from the wrath of man that he might live to make known the glory of God. If
it is the Father's will that I depart, nothing you may do can frustrate the
divine plan. Take heed to yourselves lest they kill you also. Let your souls
be valiant in defense of the gospel by spirit power but be not misled into
any foolish attempt to defend the Son of Man. I need no defense by the hand
of man; the armies of heaven are even now near at hand; but I am determined
to do the will of my Father in heaven, and therefore must we submit to that
which is so soon to come upon us.
P1934:6, 178:3.4
"When you see this city destroyed, forget not that you have entered already
upon 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 are many abodes, and that there awaits the children of
light the revelation of cities whose builder is God and worlds whose habit
of life is righteousness and joy in the truth. I have brought the kingdom
of heaven to you here on earth, but I declare that all of you who by faith
enter therein and remain therein by the living service of truth, shall surely
ascend to the worlds on high and sit with me in the spirit kingdom of our
Father. But first must you gird yourselves and complete the work which you
have begun with me. You must first pass through much tribulation and endure
many sorrows -- and these trials are even now upon us -- and when you have
finished your work on earth, you shall come to my joy, even as I have finished
my Father's work on earth and am about to return to his embrace."
P1935:1, 178:3.5
When the Master had spoken, he arose, and they all followed him down Olivet
and into the city. None of the apostles, save three, 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 nor knew that the Son
of God was passing by on his way to the last mortal rendezvous with his chosen
ambassadors of the kingdom. And neither did the apostles know that one of
their own number had already entered into a conspiracy to betray the Master
into the hands of his enemies.
P1935:2, 178:3.6
John Mark had followed them all the way into the city, and after they had
entered the gate, he hurried on by another street so that he was waiting to
welcome them to his father's home when they arrived.