625 lines
38 KiB
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625 lines
38 KiB
Plaintext
Urantia Book Paper 158 The Mount Of Transfiguration
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SPIRITWEB ORG, PROMOTING SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS ON THE INTERNET.
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Subjects Archive The Urantia Book Urantia Book PART IV: The Life and Teachings
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of Jesus : The Bestowal Of Michael On Urantia The Times Of Michael's Bestowal
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Birth And Infancy Of Jesus The Early Childhood Of Jesus The Later Childhood Of
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Jesus Jesus At Jerusalem The Two Crucial Years The Adolescent Years Jesus'
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Early Manhood The Later Adult Life Of Jesus On The Way To Rome The World's
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Religions The Sojourn At Rome The Return From Rome The Transition Years John
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The Baptist Baptism And The Forty Days Tarrying Time In Galilee Training The
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Kingdom's Messengers The Twelve Apostles The Ordination Of The Twelve Beginning
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The Public Work The Passover At Jerusalem Going Through Samaria At Gilboa And
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In The Decapolis Four Eventful Days At Capernaum First Preaching Tour Of
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Galilee The Interlude Visit To Jerusalem Training Evangelists At Bethsaida The
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Second Preaching Tour The Third Preaching Tour Tarrying And Teaching By The
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Seaside Events Leading Up To The Capernaum Crisis The Crisis At Capernaum Last
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Days At Capernaum Fleeing Through Northern Galilee The Sojourn At Tyre And
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Sidon At Caesarea-philippi The Mount Of Transfiguration The Decapolis Tour
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Rodan Of Alexandria Further Discussions With Rodan At The Feast Of Tabernacles
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Ordination Of The Seventy At Magadan At The Feast Of Dedication The Perean
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Mission Begins Last Visit To Northern Perea The Visit To Philadelphia The
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Resurrection Of Lazarus Last Teaching At Pella The Kingdom Of Heaven On The Way
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To Jerusalem Going Into Jerusalem Monday In Jerusalem ...
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Paper 158 The Mount Of Transfiguration
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Introduction
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IT WAS near sundown on Friday afternoon, August 12, A.D. 29, when Jesus and his
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associates reached the foot of Mount Hermon, near the very place where the lad
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Tiglath once waited while the Master ascended the mountain alone to settle the
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spiritual destinies of Urantia and technically to terminate the Lucifer
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rebellion. And here they sojourned for two days in spiritual preparation for
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the events so soon to follow.
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In a general way, Jesus knew beforehand what was to transpire on the mountain,
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and he much desired that all his apostles might share this experience. It was
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to fit them for this revelation of himself that he tarried with them at the
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foot of the mountain. But they could not attain those spiritual levels which
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would justify their exposure to the full experience of the visitation of the
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celestial beings so soon to appear on earth. And since he could not take all of
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his associates with him, he decided to take only the three who were in the
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habit of accompanying him on such special vigils. Accordingly, only Peter,
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James, and John shared even a part of this unique experience with the Master.
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1. THE TRANSFIGURATION
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Early on the morning of Monday, August 15, Jesus and the three apostles began
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the ascent of Mount Hermon, and this was six days after the memorable noontide
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confession of Peter by the roadside under the mulberry trees.
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Jesus had been summoned to go up on the mountain, apart by himself, for the
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transaction of important matters having to do with the progress of his bestowal
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in the flesh as this experience was related to the universe of his own
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creation. It is significant that this extraordinary event was timed to occur
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while Jesus and the apostles were in the lands of the gentiles, and that it
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actually transpired on a mountain of the gentiles.
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They reached their destination, about halfway up the mountain, shortly before
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noon, and while eating lunch, Jesus told the three apostles something of his
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experience in the hills to the east of Jordan shortly after his baptism and
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also some more of his experience on Mount Hermon in connection with his former
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visit to this lonely retreat.
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When a boy, Jesus used to ascend the hill near his home and dream of the
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battles which had been fought by the armies of empires on the plain of
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Esdraelon; now he ascended Mount Hermon to receive the endowment which was to
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prepare him to descend upon the plains of the Jordan to enact the closing
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scenes of the drama of his bestowal on Urantia. The Master could have
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relinquished the struggle this day on Mount Hermon and returned to his rule of
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the universe domains, but he not only chose to meet the requirements of his
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order of
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top of page - 1753
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divine sonship embraced in the mandate of the Eternal Son on Paradise, but he
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also elected to meet the last and full measure of the present will of his
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Paradise Father. On this day in August three of his apostles saw him decline to
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be invested with full universe authority. They looked on in amazement as the
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celestial messengers departed, leaving him alone to finish out his earth life
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as the Son of Man and the Son of God.
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The faith of the apostles was at a high point at the time of the feeding of the
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five thousand, and then it rapidly fell almost to zero. Now, as a result of the
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Master's admission of his divinity, the lagging faith of the twelve arose in
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the next few weeks to its highest pitch, only to undergo a progressive decline.
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The third revival of their faith did not occur until after the Master's
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resurrection.
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It was about three o'clock on this beautiful afternoon that Jesus took leave of
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the three apostles, saying: "I go apart by myself for a season to commune with
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the Father and his messengers; I bid you tarry here and, while awaiting my
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return, pray that the Father's will may be done in all your experience in
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connection with the further bestowal mission of the Son of Man." And after
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saying this to them, Jesus withdrew for a long conference with Gabriel and the
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Father Melchizedek, not returning until about six o'clock. When Jesus saw their
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anxiety over his prolonged absence, he said: "Why were you afraid? You well
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know I must be about my Father's business; wherefore do you doubt when I am not
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with you? I now declare that the Son of Man has chosen to go through his full
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life in your midst and as one of you. Be of good cheer; I will not leave you
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until my work is finished."
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As they partook of their meager evening meal, Peter asked the Master, "How long
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do we remain on this mountain away from our brethren?" And Jesus answered:
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"Until you shall see the glory of the Son of Man and know that whatsoever I
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have declared to you is true." And they talked over the affairs of the Lucifer
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rebellion while seated about the glowing embers of their fire until darkness
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drew on and the apostles' eyes grew heavy, for they had begun their journey
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very early that morning.
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When the three had been fast asleep for about half an hour, they were suddenly
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awakened by a near-by crackling sound, and much to their amazement and
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consternation, on looking about them, they beheld Jesus in intimate converse
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with two brilliant beings clothed in the habiliments of the light of the
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celestial world. And Jesus' face and form shone with the luminosity of a
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heavenly light. These three conversed in a strange language, but from certain
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things said, Peter erroneously conjectured that the beings with Jesus were
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Moses and Elijah; in reality, they were Gabriel and the Father Melchizedek. The
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physical controllers had arranged for the apostles to witness this scene
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because of Jesus' request.
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The three apostles were so badly frightened that they were slow in collecting
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their wits, but Peter, who was first to recover himself, said, as the dazzling
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vision faded from before them and they observed Jesus standing alone: "Jesus,
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Master, it is good to have been here. We rejoice to see this glory. We are
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loath to go back down to the inglorious world. If you are willing, let us abide
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here, and we will erect three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for
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Elijah." And Peter said this because of his confusion, and because nothing else
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came into his mind at just that moment.
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While Peter was yet speaking, a silvery cloud drew near and overshadowed the
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four of them. The apostles now became greatly frightened, and as they fell
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top of page - 1754
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down on their faces to worship, they heard a voice, the same that had spoken on
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the occasion of Jesus' baptism, say: "This is my beloved Son; give heed to
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him." And when the cloud vanished, again was Jesus alone with the three, and he
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reached down and touched them, saying: "Arise and be not afraid; you shall see
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greater things than this." But the apostles were truly afraid; they were a
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silent and thoughtful trio as they made ready to descend the mountain shortly
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before midnight.
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2. COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
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For about half the distance down the mountain not a word was spoken. Jesus then
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began the conversation by remarking: "Make certain that you tell no man, not
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even your brethren, what you have seen and heard on this mountain until the Son
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of Man has risen from the dead." The three apostles were shocked and bewildered
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by the Master's words, "until the Son of Man has risen from the dead." They had
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so recently reaffirmed their faith in him as the Deliverer, the Son of God, and
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they had just beheld him transfigured in glory before their very eyes, and now
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he began to talk about "rising from the dead"!
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Peter shuddered at the thought of the Master's dying--it was too disagreeable
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an idea to entertain--and fearing that James or John might ask some question
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relative to this statement, he thought best to start up a diverting
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conversation and, not knowing what else to talk about, gave expression to the
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first thought coming into his mind, which was: "Master, why is it that the
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scribes say that Elijah must first come before the Messiah shall appear?" And
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Jesus, knowing that Peter sought to avoid reference to his death and
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resurrection, answered: "Elijah indeed comes first to prepare the way for the
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Son of Man, who must suffer many things and finally be rejected. But I tell you
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that Elijah has already come, and they received him not but did to him
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whatsoever they willed." And then did the three apostles perceive that he
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referred to John the Baptist as Elijah. Jesus knew that, if they insisted on
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regarding him as the Messiah, then must John be the Elijah of the prophecy.
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Jesus enjoined silence about their observation of the foretaste of his
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post-resurrection glory because he did not want to foster the notion that,
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being now received as the Messiah, he would in any degree fulfill their
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erroneous concepts of a wonder-working deliverer. Although Peter, James, and
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John pondered all this in their minds, they spoke not of it to any man until
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after the Master's resurrection.
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As they continued to descend the mountain, Jesus said to them: "You would not
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receive me as the Son of Man; therefore have I consented to be received in
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accordance with your settled determination, but, mistake not, the will of my
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Father must prevail. If you thus choose to follow the inclination of your own
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wills, you must prepare to suffer many disappointments and experience many
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trials, but the training which I have given you should suffice to bring you
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triumphantly through even these sorrows of your own choosing."
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Jesus did not take Peter, James, and John with him up to the mount of the
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transfiguration because they were in any sense better prepared than the other
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apostles to witness what happened, or because they were spiritually more fit to
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enjoy such a rare privilege. Not at all. He well knew that none of the twelve
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were spiritually qualified for this experience; therefore did he take with him
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only the three apostles who were assigned to accompany him at those times when
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he desired to be alone to enjoy solitary communion.
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top of page - 1755
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3. MEANING OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
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That which Peter, James, and John witnessed on the mount of transfiguration was
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a fleeting glimpse of a celestial pageant which transpired that eventful day on
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Mount Hermon. The transfiguration was the occasion of:
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1. The acceptance of the fullness of the bestowal of the incarnated life of
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Michael on Urantia by the Eternal Mother-Son of Paradise. As far as concerned
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the requirements of the Eternal Son, Jesus had now received assurance of their
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fulfillment. And Gabriel brought Jesus that assurance.
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2. The testimony of the satisfaction of the Infinite Spirit as to the fullness
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of the Urantia bestowal in the likeness of mortal flesh. The universe
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representative of the Infinite Spirit, the immediate associate of Michael on
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Salvington and his ever-present coworker, on this occasion spoke through the
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Father Melchizedek.
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Jesus welcomed this testimony regarding the success of his earth mission
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presented by the messengers of the Eternal Son and the Infinite Spirit, but he
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noted that his Father did not indicate that the Urantia bestowal was finished;
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only did the unseen presence of the Father bear witness through Jesus'
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Personalized Adjuster, saying, "This is my beloved Son; give heed to him." And
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this was spoken in words to be heard also by the three apostles.
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After this celestial visitation Jesus sought to know his Father's will and
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decided to pursue the mortal bestowal to its natural end. This was the
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significance of the transfiguration to Jesus. To the three apostles it was an
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event marking the entrance of the Master upon the final phase of his earth
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career as the Son of God and the Son of Man.
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After the formal visitation of Gabriel and the Father Melchizedek, Jesus held
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informal converse with these, his Sons of ministry, and communed with them
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concerning the affairs of the universe.
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4. THE EPILEPTIC BOY
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It was shortly before breakfast time on this Tuesday morning when Jesus and his
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companions arrived at the apostolic camp. As they drew near, they discerned a
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considerable crowd gathered around the apostles and soon began to hear the loud
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words of argument and disputation of this group of about fifty persons,
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embracing the nine apostles and a gathering equally divided between Jerusalem
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scribes and believing disciples who had tracked Jesus and his associates in
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their journey from Magadan.
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Although the crowd engaged in numerous arguments, the chief controversy was
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about a certain citizen of Tiberias who had arrived the preceding day in quest
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of Jesus. This man, James of Safed, had a son about fourteen years old, an only
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child, who was severely afflicted with epilepsy. In addition to this nervous
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malady this lad had become possessed by one of those wandering, mischievous,
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and rebellious midwayers who were then present on earth and uncontrolled, so
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that the youth was both epileptic and demon-possessed.
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For almost two weeks this anxious father, a minor official of Herod Antipas,
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had wandered about through the western borders of Philip's domains, seeking
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Jesus that he might entreat him to cure this afflicted son. And he did not
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catch
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top of page - 1756
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up with the apostolic party until about noon of this day when Jesus was up on
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the mountain with the three apostles.
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The nine apostles were much surprised and considerably perturbed when this man,
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accompanied by almost forty other persons who were looking for Jesus, suddenly
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came upon them. At the time of the arrival of this group the nine apostles, at
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least the majority of them, had succumbed to their old temptation--that of
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discussing who should be greatest in the coming kingdom; they were busily
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arguing about the probable positions which would be assigned the individual
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apostles. They simply could not free themselves entirely from the
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long-cherished idea of the material mission of the Messiah. And now that Jesus
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himself had accepted their confession that he was indeed the Deliverer--at
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least he had admitted the fact of his divinity--what was more natural than
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that, during this period of separation from the Master, they should fall to
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talking about those hopes and ambitions which were uppermost in their hearts.
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And they were engaged in these discussions when James of Safed and his fellow
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seekers after Jesus came upon them.
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Andrew stepped up to greet this father and his son, saying, "Whom do you seek?"
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Said James: "My good man, I search for your Master. I seek healing for my
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afflicted son. I would have Jesus cast out this devil that possesses my child."
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And then the father proceeded to relate to the apostles how his son was so
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afflicted that he had many times almost lost his life as a result of these
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malignant seizures.
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As the apostles listened, Simon Zelotes and Judas Iscariot stepped into the
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presence of the father, saying: "We can heal him; you need not wait for the
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Master's return. We are ambassadors of the kingdom; no longer do we hold these
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things in secret. Jesus is the Deliverer, and the keys of the kingdom have been
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delivered to us." By this time Andrew and Thomas were in consultation at one
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side. Nathaniel and the others looked on in amazement; they were all aghast at
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the sudden boldness, if not presumption, of Simon and Judas. Then said the
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father: "If it has been given you to do these works, I pray that you will speak
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those words which will deliver my child from this bondage." Then Simon stepped
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forward and, placing his hand on the head of the child, looked directly into
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his eyes and commanded: "Come out of him, you unclean spirit; in the name of
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Jesus obey me." But the lad had only a more violent fit, while the scribes
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mocked the apostles in derision, and the disappointed believers suffered the
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taunts of these unfriendly critics.
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Andrew was deeply chagrined at this ill-advised effort and its dismal failure.
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He called the apostles aside for conference and prayer. After this season of
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meditation, feeling keenly the sting of their defeat and sensing the
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humiliation resting upon all of them, Andrew sought, in a second attempt, to
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cast out the demon, but only failure crowned his efforts. Andrew frankly
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confessed defeat and requested the father to remain with them overnight or
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until Jesus' return, saying: "Perhaps this sort goes not out except by the
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Master's personal command."
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And so, while Jesus was descending the mountain with the exuberant and ecstatic
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Peter, James, and John, their nine brethren likewise were sleepless in their
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confusion and downcast humiliation. They were a dejected and chastened group.
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But James of Safed would not give up. Although they could give him no idea as
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to when Jesus might return, he decided to stay on until the Master came back.
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top of page - 1757
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5, JESUS HEALS THE BOY
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As Jesus drew near, the nine apostles were more than relieved to welcome him,
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and they were greatly encouraged to behold the good cheer and unusual
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enthusiasm which marked the countenances of Peter, James, and John. They all
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rushed forward to greet Jesus and their three brethren. As they exchanged
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greetings, the crowd came up, and Jesus asked, "What were you disputing about
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as we drew near?" But before the disconcerted and humiliated apostles could
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reply to the Master's question, the anxious father of the afflicted lad stepped
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forward and, kneeling at Jesus' feet, said: "Master, I have a son, an only
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child, who is possessed by an evil spirit. Not only does he cry out in terror,
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foam at the mouth, and fall like a dead person at the time of seizure, but
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oftentimes this evil spirit which possesses him rends him in convulsions and
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sometimes has cast him into the water and even into the fire. With much
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grinding of teeth and as a result of many bruises, my child wastes away. His
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life is worse than death; his mother and I are of a sad heart and a broken
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spirit. About noon yesterday, seeking for you, I caught up with your disciples,
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and while we were waiting, your apostles sought to cast out this demon, but
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they could not do it. And now, Master, will you do this for us, will you heal
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my son?"
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When Jesus had listened to this recital, he touched the kneeling father and
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bade him rise while he gave the near-by apostles a searching survey. Then said
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Jesus to all those who stood before him: "O faithless and perverse generation,
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how long shall I bear with you? How long shall I be with you? How long ere you
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learn that the works of faith come not forth at the bidding of doubting
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unbelief?" And then, pointing to the bewildered father, Jesus said, "Bring
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hither your son." And when James had brought the lad before Jesus, he asked,
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"How long has the boy been afflicted in this way?" The father answered, "Since
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he was a very young child." And as they talked, the youth was seized with a
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violent attack and fell in their midst, gnashing his teeth and foaming at the
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mouth. After a succession of violent convulsions he lay there before them as
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one dead. Now did the father again kneel at Jesus' feet while he implored the
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Master, saying: "If you can cure him, I beseech you to have compassion on us
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and deliver us from this affliction." And when Jesus heard these words, he
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looked down into the father's anxious face, saying: "Question not my Father's
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power of love, only the sincerity and reach of your faith. All things are
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possible to him who really believes." And then James of Safed spoke those
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long-to-be-remembered words of commingled faith and doubt, "Lord, I believe. I
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pray you help my unbelief."
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When Jesus heard these words, he stepped forward and, taking the lad by the
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hand, said: "I will do this in accordance with my Father's will and in honor of
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living faith. My son, arise! Come out of him, disobedient spirit, and go not
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back into him." And placing the hand of the lad in the hand of the father,
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Jesus said: "Go your way. The Father has granted the desire of your soul." And
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all who were present, even the enemies of Jesus, were astonished at what they
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saw.
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It was indeed a disillusionment for the three apostles who had so recently
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enjoyed the spiritual ecstasy of the scenes and experiences of the
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transfiguration, so soon to return to this scene of the defeat and discomfiture
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of their fellow apostles. But it was ever so with these twelve ambassadors of
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the kingdom.
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top of page - 1758
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They never failed to alternate between exaltation and humiliation in their life
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experiences.
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This was a true healing of a double affliction, a physical ailment and a spirit
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malady. And the lad was permanently cured from that hour. When James had
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departed with his restored son, Jesus said: "We go now to Caesarea-Philippi;
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make ready at once." And they were a quiet group as they journeyed southward
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while the crowd followed on behind.
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6. IN CELSUS' GARDEN
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They remained overnight with Celsus, and that evening in the garden, after they
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had eaten and rested, the twelve gathered about Jesus, and Thomas said:
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"Master, while we who tarried behind still remain ignorant of what transpired
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up on the mountain, and which so greatly cheered our brethren who were with
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you, we crave to have you talk with us concerning our defeat and instruct us in
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these matters, seeing that those things which happened on the mountain cannot
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be disclosed at this time."
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And Jesus answered Thomas, saying: "Everything which your brethren heard on the
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mountain shall be revealed to you in due season. But I will now show you the
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cause of your defeat in that which you so unwisely attempted. While your Master
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and his companions, your brethren, ascended yonder mountain yesterday to seek
|
||
for a larger knowledge of the Father's will and to ask for a richer endowment
|
||
of wisdom effectively to do that divine will, you who remained on watch here
|
||
with instructions to strive to acquire the mind of spiritual insight and to
|
||
pray with us for a fuller revelation of the Father's will, failed to exercise
|
||
the faith at your command but, instead, yielded to the temptation and fell into
|
||
your old evil tendencies to seek for yourselves preferred places in the kingdom
|
||
of heaven--the material and temporal kingdom which you persist in
|
||
contemplating. And you cling to these erroneous concepts in spite of the
|
||
reiterated declaration that my kingdom is not of this world.
|
||
|
||
"No sooner does your faith grasp the identity of the Son of Man than your
|
||
selfish desire for worldly preferment creeps back upon you, and you fall to
|
||
discussing among yourselves as to who should be greatest in the kingdom of
|
||
heaven, a kingdom which, as you persist in conceiving it, does not exist, nor
|
||
ever shall. Have not I told you that he who would be greatest in the kingdom of
|
||
my Father's spiritual brotherhood must become little in his own eyes and thus
|
||
become the server of his brethren? Spiritual greatness consists in an
|
||
understanding love that is Godlike and not in an enjoyment of the exercise of
|
||
material power for the exaltation of self. In what you attempted, in which you
|
||
so completely failed, your purpose was not pure. Your motive was not divine.
|
||
Your ideal was not spiritual. Your ambition was not altruistic. Your procedure
|
||
was not based on love, and your goal of attainment was not the will of the
|
||
Father in heaven.
|
||
|
||
"How long will it take you to learn that you cannot time-shorten the course of
|
||
established natural phenomena except when such things are in accordance with
|
||
the Father's will? nor can you do spiritual work in the absence of spiritual
|
||
power. And you can do neither of these, even when their potential is present,
|
||
without the existence of that third and essential human factor, the personal
|
||
experience of the possession of living faith. Must you always have material
|
||
manifestations as an attraction for the spiritual realities of the kingdom? Can
|
||
|
||
top of page - 1759
|
||
|
||
you not grasp the spirit significance of my mission without the visible
|
||
exhibition of unusual works? When can you be depended upon to adhere to the
|
||
higher and spiritual realities of the kingdom regardless of the outward
|
||
appearance of all material manifestations?"
|
||
|
||
When Jesus had thus spoken to the twelve, he added: "And now go to your rest,
|
||
for on the morrow we return to Magadan and there take counsel concerning our
|
||
mission to the cities and villages of the Decapolis. And in the conclusion of
|
||
this day's experience, let me declare to each of you that which I spoke to your
|
||
brethren on the mountain, and let these words find a deep lodgment in your
|
||
hearts: The Son of Man now enters upon the last phase of the bestowal. We are
|
||
about to begin those labors which shall presently lead to the great and final
|
||
testing of your faith and devotion when I shall be delivered into the hands of
|
||
the men who seek my destruction. And remember what I am saying to you: The Son
|
||
of Man will be put to death, but he shall rise again."
|
||
|
||
They retired for the night, sorrowful. They were bewildered; they could not
|
||
comprehend these words. And while they were afraid to ask aught concerning what
|
||
he had said, they did recall all of it subsequent to his resurrection.
|
||
|
||
7. PETER'S PROTEST
|
||
|
||
Early this Wednesday morning Jesus and the twelve departed from
|
||
Caesarea-Philippi for Magadan Park near Bethsaida-Julias. The apostles had
|
||
slept very little that night, so they were up early and ready to go. Even the
|
||
stolid Alpheus twins had been shocked by this talk about the death of Jesus. As
|
||
they journeyed south, just beyond the Waters of Merom they came to the Damascus
|
||
road, and desiring to avoid the scribes and others whom Jesus knew would
|
||
presently be coming along after them, he directed that they go on to Capernaum
|
||
by the Damascus road which passes through Galilee. And he did this because he
|
||
knew that those who followed after him would go on down over the east Jordan
|
||
road since they reckoned that Jesus and the apostles would fear to pass through
|
||
the territory of Herod Antipas. Jesus sought to elude his critics and the crowd
|
||
which followed him that he might be alone with his apostles this day.
|
||
|
||
They traveled on through Galilee until well past the time for their lunch, when
|
||
they stopped in the shade to refresh themselves. And after they had partaken of
|
||
food, Andrew, speaking to Jesus, said: "Master, my brethren do not comprehend
|
||
your deep sayings. We have come fully to believe that you are the Son of God,
|
||
and now we hear these strange words about leaving us, about dying. We do not
|
||
understand your teaching. Are you speaking to us in parables? We pray you to
|
||
speak to us directly and in undisguised form."
|
||
|
||
In answer to Andrew, Jesus said: "My brethren, it is because you have confessed
|
||
that I am the Son of God that I am constrained to begin to unfold to you the
|
||
truth about the end of the bestowal of the Son of Man on earth. You insist on
|
||
clinging to the belief that I am the Messiah, and you will not abandon the idea
|
||
that the Messiah must sit upon a throne in Jerusalem; wherefore do I persist in
|
||
telling you that the Son of Man must presently go to Jerusalem, suffer many
|
||
things, be rejected by the scribes, the elders, and the chief priests, and
|
||
after all this be killed and raised from the dead. And I speak not a parable to
|
||
you; I speak the truth to you that you may be prepared for these events when
|
||
|
||
top of page - 1760
|
||
|
||
they suddenly come upon us." And while he was yet speaking, Simon Peter,
|
||
rushing impetuously toward him, laid his hand upon the Master's shoulder and
|
||
said: "Master, be it far from us to contend with you, but I declare that these
|
||
things shall never happen to you."
|
||
|
||
Peter spoke thus because he loved Jesus; but the Master's human nature
|
||
recognized in these words of well-meant affection the subtle suggestion of
|
||
temptation that he change his policy of pursuing to the end his earth bestowal
|
||
in accordance with the will of his Paradise Father. And it was because he
|
||
detected the danger of permitting the suggestions of even his affectionate and
|
||
loyal friends to dissuade him, that he turned upon Peter and the other
|
||
apostles, saying: "Get you behind me. You savor of the spirit of the adversary,
|
||
the tempter. When you talk in this manner, you are not on my side but rather on
|
||
the side of our enemy. In this way do you make your love for me a stumbling
|
||
block to my doing the Father's will. Mind not the ways of men but rather the
|
||
will of God."
|
||
|
||
After they had recovered from the first shock of Jesus' stinging rebuke, and
|
||
before they resumed their journey, the Master spoke further: "If any man would
|
||
come after me, let him disregard himself, take up his responsibilities daily,
|
||
and follow me. For whosoever would save his life selfishly, shall lose it, but
|
||
whosoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's, shall save it. What does
|
||
it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? What would a man
|
||
give in exchange for eternal life? Be not ashamed of me and my words in this
|
||
sinful and hypocritical generation, even as I will not be ashamed to
|
||
acknowledge you when in glory I appear before my Father in the presence of all
|
||
the celestial hosts. Nevertheless, many of you now standing before me shall not
|
||
taste death till you see this kingdom of God come with power."
|
||
|
||
And thus did Jesus make plain to the twelve the painful and conflicting path
|
||
which they must tread if they would follow him. What a shock these words were
|
||
to these Galilean fishermen who persisted in dreaming of an earthly kingdom
|
||
with positions of honor for themselves! But their loyal hearts were stirred by
|
||
this courageous appeal, and not one of them was minded to forsake him. Jesus
|
||
was not sending them alone into the conflict; he was leading them. He asked
|
||
only that they bravely follow.
|
||
|
||
Slowly the twelve were grasping the idea that Jesus was telling them something
|
||
about the possibility of his dying. They only vaguely comprehended what he said
|
||
about his death, while his statement about rising from the dead utterly failed
|
||
to register in their minds. As the days passed, Peter, James, and John,
|
||
recalling their experience upon the mount of the transfiguration, arrived at a
|
||
fuller understanding of certain of these matters.
|
||
|
||
In all the association of the twelve with their Master, only a few times did
|
||
they see that flashing eye and hear such swift words of rebuke as were
|
||
administered to Peter and the rest of them on this occasion. Jesus had always
|
||
been patient with their human shortcomings, but not so when faced by an
|
||
impending threat against the program of implicitly carrying out his Father's
|
||
will regarding the remainder of his earth career. The apostles were literally
|
||
stunned; they were amazed and horrified. They could not find words to express
|
||
their sorrow. Slowly they began to realize what the Master must endure, and
|
||
that they must go through these experiences with him, but they did not awaken
|
||
to the reality of these coming events until long after these early hints of the
|
||
impending tragedy of his latter days.
|
||
|
||
top of page - 1761
|
||
|
||
In silence Jesus and the twelve started for their camp at Magadan Park, going
|
||
by way of Capernaum. As the afternoon wore on, though they did not converse
|
||
with Jesus, they talked much among themselves while Andrew talked with the
|
||
Master.
|
||
|
||
8. AT PETER'S HOUSE
|
||
|
||
Entering Capernaum at twilight, they went by unfrequented thoroughfares
|
||
directly to the home of Simon Peter for their evening meal. While David Zebedee
|
||
made ready to take them across the lake, they lingered at Simon's house, and
|
||
Jesus, looking up at Peter and the other apostles, asked: "As you walked along
|
||
together this afternoon, what was it that you talked about so earnestly among
|
||
yourselves?" The apostles held their peace because many of them had continued
|
||
the discussion begun at Mount Hermon as to what positions they were to have in
|
||
the coming kingdom; who should be the greatest, and so on. Jesus, knowing what
|
||
it was that occupied their thoughts that day, beckoned to one of Peter's little
|
||
ones and, setting the child down among them, said: "Verily, verily, I say to
|
||
you, except you turn about and become more like this child, you will make
|
||
little progress in the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever shall humble himself and
|
||
become as this little one, the same shall become greatest in the kingdom of
|
||
heaven. And whoso receives such a little one receives me. And they who receive
|
||
me receive also Him who sent me. If you would be first in the kingdom, seek to
|
||
minister these good truths to your brethren in the flesh. But whosoever causes
|
||
one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone
|
||
were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea. If the things you do
|
||
with your hands, or the things you see with your eyes give offense in the
|
||
progress of the kingdom, sacrifice these cherished idols, for it is better to
|
||
enter the kingdom minus many of the beloved things of life rather than to cling
|
||
to these idols and find yourself shut out of the kingdom. But most of all, see
|
||
that you despise not one of these little ones, for their angels do always
|
||
behold the faces of the heavenly hosts."
|
||
|
||
When Jesus had finished speaking, they entered the boat and sailed across to
|
||
Magadan.
|
||
|
||
top of page - 1762
|
||
|
||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Subjects Archive The Urantia Book Urantia Book PART IV: The Life and Teachings
|
||
of Jesus : The Bestowal Of Michael On Urantia The Times Of Michael's Bestowal
|
||
Birth And Infancy Of Jesus The Early Childhood Of Jesus The Later Childhood Of
|
||
Jesus Jesus At Jerusalem The Two Crucial Years The Adolescent Years Jesus'
|
||
Early Manhood The Later Adult Life Of Jesus On The Way To Rome The World's
|
||
Religions The Sojourn At Rome The Return From Rome The Transition Years John
|
||
The Baptist Baptism And The Forty Days Tarrying Time In Galilee Training The
|
||
Kingdom's Messengers The Twelve Apostles The Ordination Of The Twelve Beginning
|
||
The Public Work The Passover At Jerusalem Going Through Samaria At Gilboa And
|
||
In The Decapolis Four Eventful Days At Capernaum First Preaching Tour Of
|
||
Galilee The Interlude Visit To Jerusalem Training Evangelists At Bethsaida The
|
||
Second Preaching Tour The Third Preaching Tour Tarrying And Teaching By The
|
||
Seaside Events Leading Up To The Capernaum Crisis The Crisis At Capernaum Last
|
||
Days At Capernaum Fleeing Through Northern Galilee The Sojourn At Tyre And
|
||
Sidon At Caesarea-philippi The Mount Of Transfiguration The Decapolis Tour
|
||
Rodan Of Alexandria Further Discussions With Rodan At The Feast Of Tabernacles
|
||
Ordination Of The Seventy At Magadan At The Feast Of Dedication The Perean
|
||
Mission Begins Last Visit To Northern Perea The Visit To Philadelphia The
|
||
Resurrection Of Lazarus Last Teaching At Pella The Kingdom Of Heaven On The Way
|
||
To Jerusalem Going Into Jerusalem Monday In Jerusalem Tuesday Morning In The
|
||
Temple The Last Temple Discourse Tuesday Evening On Mount Olivet Wednesday, The
|
||
Rest Day Last Day At The Camp The Last Supper The Farewell Discourse Final
|
||
Admonitions And Warnings In Gethsemane The Betrayal And Arrest Of Jesus Before
|
||
The Sanhedrin Court The Trial Before Pilate Just Before The Crucifixion The
|
||
Crucifixion The Time Of The Tomb The Resurrection Morontia Appearances Of Jesus
|
||
Appearances To The Apostles And Other Leaders Appearances In Galilee Final
|
||
Appearances And Ascension Bestowal Of The Spirit Of Truth After Pentecost The
|
||
Faith Of Jesus
|
||
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>Ŀ
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