PAPER 183 – THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS

[Richard E Warren]

Welcome to The OPAD Online Study Session

Today’s Presentation

Paper 183 – THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS

4. Discussion at the Olive Press

   James Zebedee found himself separated from Simon Peter and his brother John, and so he now joined the other apostles and their fellow campers at the olive press to deliberate on what should be done in view of the Master’s arrest.

^{(1975.5)183:4.2} Andrew had been released from all responsibility in the group management of his fellow apostles; accordingly, in this greatest of all crises in their lives, he was silent. After a short informal discussion, Simon Zelotes stood up on the stone wall of the olive press and, making an impassioned plea for loyalty to the Master and the cause of the kingdom, exhorted his fellow apostles and the other disciples to hasten on after the mob and effect the rescue of Jesus. The majority of the company would have been disposed to follow his aggressive leadership had it not been for the advice of Nathaniel, who stood up the moment Simon had finished speaking and called their attention to Jesus’ oft-repeated teachings regarding nonresistance. He further reminded them that Jesus had that very night instructed them that they should preserve their lives for the time when they should go forth into the world proclaiming the good news of the gospel of the heavenly kingdom. And Nathaniel was encouraged in this stand by James Zebedee, who now told how Peter and others drew their swords to defend the Master against arrest, and that Jesus bade Simon Peter and his fellow swordsmen sheathe their blades. Matthew and Philip also made speeches, but nothing definite came of this discussion until Thomas, calling their attention to the fact that Jesus had counseled Lazarus against exposing himself to death, pointed out that they could do nothing to save their Master inasmuch as he refused to allow his friends to defend him, and since he persisted in refraining from the use of his divine powers to frustrate his human enemies. Thomas persuaded them to scatter, every man for himself, with the understanding that David Zebedee would remain at the camp to maintain a clearinghouse and messenger headquarters for the group. By half past two o’clock that morning the camp was deserted; only David remained on hand with three or four messengers, the others having been dispatched to secure information as to where Jesus had been taken, and what was going to be done with him.

^{(1976.1)183:4.3} Five of the apostles, Nathaniel, Matthew, Philip, and the twins, went into hiding at Bethpage and Bethany. Thomas, Andrew, James, and Simon Zelotes were hiding in the city. Simon Peter and John Zebedee followed along to the home of Annas.

^{(1976.2)183:4.4} Shortly after daybreak, Simon Peter wandered back to the Gethsemane camp, a dejected picture of deep despair. David sent him in charge of a messenger to join his brother, Andrew, who was at the home of Nicodemus in Jerusalem.

^{(1976.3)183:4.5} Until the very end of the crucifixion, John Zebedee remained, as Jesus had directed him, always near at hand, and it was he who supplied David’s messengers with information from hour to hour which they carried to David at the garden camp, and which was then relayed to the hiding apostles and to Jesus’ family.

^{(1976.4)183:4.6} Surely, the shepherd is smitten and the sheep are scattered! While they all vaguely realize that Jesus has forewarned them of this very situation, they are too severely shocked by the Master’s sudden disappearance to be able to use their minds normally.

^{(1976.5)183:4.7} It was shortly after daylight and just after Peter had been sent to join his brother, that Jude, Jesus’ brother in the flesh, arrived in the camp, almost breathless and in advance of the rest of Jesus’ family, only to learn that the Master had already been placed under arrest; and he hastened back down the Jericho road to carry this information to his mother and to his brothers and sisters. David Zebedee sent word to Jesus’ family, by Jude, to forgather at the house of Martha and Mary in Bethany and there await news which his messengers would regularly bring them.

^{(1976.6)183:4.8} This was the situation during the last half of Thursday night and the early morning hours of Friday as regards the apostles, the chief disciples, and the earthly family of Jesus. And all these groups and individuals were kept in touch with each other by the messenger service which David Zebedee continued to operate from his headquarters at the Gethsemane camp.

 

 

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[Each OPAD presentation is copied from The Urantia Book published by Urantia Foundation. Questions and comments related to the Paper under discussion are welcome and encouraged. In-depth questions and related topics may be studied in branch threads in the OPAD, or other subforums, as you require. Thank you for studying with us.]

Richard E Warren

[Richard E Warren]

Greetings Bradly, nelsong, Bonita, Alina, Carola, Fellow Students, Forum Friends, Members and Visitors,

Even now, after years of training, Simon Z is still acting out his role as a bloody zealot. From today’s text:

…Simon Zelotes stood up on the stone wall of the olive press and, making an impassioned plea for loyalty to the Master and the cause of the kingdom, exhorted his fellow apostles and the other disciples to hasten on after the mob and effect the rescue of Jesus…. ^{(1975.5)183:4.2}

Saint Simon the Zealot with his attribute of a saw

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Secular and church history have a very strange version of Simon’s death, that he was sawed in half!

But in fact Simon did, after years of retirement, come to follow and obey his Master, and died from old age. From Paper 139:

…After the dispersion because of the Jerusalem persecutions, Simon went into temporary retirement. He was literally crushed. As a nationalist patriot he had surrendered in deference to Jesus’ teachings; now all was lost. He was in despair, but in a few years he rallied his hopes and went forth to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom.

He went to Alexandria and, after working up the Nile, penetrated into the heart of Africa, everywhere preaching the gospel of Jesus and baptizing believers. Thus he labored until he was an old man and feeble. And he died and was buried in the heart of Africa…. ^{(1565.7)139:11.10}

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So, everyone is hiding except John, David and Peter, while Jesus’ family approaches the city. How strange it must have been for his followers to have their beloved Master under arrest, inaccessible, and most likely near death. What his blood relations were thinking and feeling was surely the worst of their lives. 

The Midwayers say this in today’s reading:

…Surely, the shepherd is smitten and the sheep are scattered! ^{(1976.4)183:4.6}

There is little in the Gospel records to reflect today’s reading, except this in Matthew 26 which was spoken at the Last Supper:

³¹ Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

…and this in Mark 14:

²⁷ And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

In all three cases they are harkening to this verse, in the Old Testament book of Zechariah, chapter 13:

⁷ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

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From today’s reading:

…David Zebedee sent word to Jesus’ family, by Jude, to forgather at the house of Martha and Mary in Bethany [house of Simon on the map] and there await news which his messengers would regularly bring them…. ^{(1976.5)183:4.7}

MAP SOURCE

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In tomorrow’s reading, Section 5. On the Way to the High Priest’s Palace, there is a debate about where to take Jesus. And John is given special status by a very insightful and fair-minded Roman captain, to remain with his Master as a legally protected friend, to be unbound and unmolested–unlike Jesus.

Overview of: The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

1. The Father’s Will
2. Judas in the City
3. The Master’s Arrest
4. Discussion at the Olive Press
5. On the Way to the High Priest’s Palace

This group of papers [121-196] was sponsored by a commission of twelve Urantia midwayers acting under the supervision of a Melchizedek revelatory director. The basis of this narrative was supplied by a secondary midwayer who was onetime assigned to the superhuman watchcare of the Apostle Andrew.

Listen to Paper 183: (click the speaker icon at the top of the page)

Thanks for reading. Members’ thoughts, reflections, insights, observations, comments, corrections and questions about today’s OPAD presentation are invited.

Much love, Rick/OPAD host.

Richard E Warren

[Richard E Warren]

Welcome to The OPAD Online Study Session

Today’s Presentation

Paper 183 – THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS

5. On the Way to the High Priest’s Palace

   Before they started away from the garden with Jesus, a dispute arose between the Jewish captain of the temple guards and the Roman captain of the company of soldiers as to where they were to take Jesus. The captain of the temple guards gave orders that he should be taken to Caiaphas, the acting high priest. The captain of the Roman soldiers directed that Jesus be taken to the palace of Annas, the former high priest and father-in-law of Caiaphas. And this he did because the Romans were in the habit of dealing directly with Annas in all matters having to do with the enforcement of the Jewish ecclesiastical laws. And the orders of the Roman captain were obeyed; they took Jesus to the home of Annas for his preliminary examination.

^{(1977.2)183:5.2} Judas marched along near the captains, overhearing all that was said, but took no part in the dispute, for neither the Jewish captain nor the Roman officer would so much as speak to the betrayer — they held him in such contempt.

^{(1977.3)183:5.3} About this time John Zebedee, remembering his Master’s instructions to remain always near at hand, hurried up near Jesus as he marched along between the two captains. The commander of the temple guards, seeing John come up alongside, said to his assistant: “Take this man and bind him. He is one of this fellow’s followers.” But when the Roman captain heard this and, looking around, saw John, he gave orders that the apostle should come over by him, and that no man should molest him. Then the Roman captain said to the Jewish captain: “This man is neither a traitor nor a coward. I saw him in the garden, and he did not draw a sword to resist us. He has the courage to come forward to be with his Master, and no man shall lay hands on him. The Roman law allows that any prisoner may have at least one friend to stand with him before the judgment bar, and this man shall not be prevented from standing by the side of his Master, the prisoner.” And when Judas heard this, he was so ashamed and humiliated that he dropped back behind the marchers, coming up to the palace of Annas alone.

^{(1977.4)183:5.4} And this explains why John Zebedee was permitted to remain near Jesus all the way through his trying experiences this night and the next day. The Jews feared to say aught to John or to molest him in any way because he had something of the status of a Roman counselor designated to act as observer of the transactions of the Jewish ecclesiastical court. John’s position of privilege was made all the more secure when, in turning Jesus over to the captain of the temple guards at the gate of Annas’s palace, the Roman, addressing his assistant, said: “Go along with this prisoner and see that these Jews do not kill him without Pilate’s consent. Watch that they do not assassinate him, and see that his friend, the Galilean, is permitted to stand by and observe all that goes on.” And thus was John able to be near Jesus right on up to the time of his death on the cross, though the other ten apostles were compelled to remain in hiding. John was acting under Roman protection, and the Jews dared not molest him until after the Master’s death.

^{(1977.5)183:5.5} And all the way to the palace of Annas, Jesus opened not his mouth. From the time of his arrest to the time of his appearance before Annas, the Son of Man spoke no word.

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[Each OPAD presentation is copied from The Urantia Book published by Urantia Foundation. Questions and comments related to the Paper under discussion are welcome and encouraged. In-depth questions and related topics may be studied in branch threads in the OPAD, or other subforums, as you require. Thank you for studying with us.]

Richard E Warren

[Richard E Warren]

 

.

Good Day nelsong, Bonita, Bradly, Alina, Carola, Fellow Students, Forum Friends, Members and Guests,

You may recall Annas from Jesus’ childhood. From Paper 129:

…Jesus had carried with him to Jerusalem a letter from Salome, Zebedee’s wife, introducing him to the former high priest, Annas, as “one, the same as my own son.” Annas spent much time with him, personally taking him to visit the many academies of the Jerusalem religious teachers…. ^{(1422.4)129:2.7}

But Annas’ heart turned cold by the time Jesus became a man. From Paper 142:

…The first day in Jerusalem Jesus called upon his friend of former years, Annas, the onetime high priest and relative of Salome, Zebedee’s wife. Annas had been hearing about Jesus and his teachings, and when Jesus called at the high priest’s home, he was received with much reserve. When Jesus perceived Annas’s coldness, he took immediate leave, saying as he departed: “Fear is man’s chief enslaver and pride his great weakness; will you betray yourself into bondage to both of these destroyers of joy and liberty?” But Annas made no reply. The Master did not again see Annas until the time when he sat with his son-in-law in judgment on the Son of Man…. ^{(1596.2)142:0.2}

The Gospel of John has only a little of the record of this march to Annas’ home, in chapter 18:

¹³ And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year…

¹⁵ And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

Mark has but one line, in chapter 14:

⁵³ And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

This is all there is in Luke, chapter 22:

⁵⁴ Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house.

Matthew (like Mark and Luke) doesn’t mention the preliminary visit to Annas, from chapter 26:

⁵⁷ And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

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At this point the awful truth is beginning to descend on Judas, that no one likes, loves nor respects him. From today’s reading:

…he was so ashamed and humiliated that he dropped back behind the marchers, coming up to the palace of Annas alone…. ^{(1977.3)183:5.3}

Woe be the role of the traitor.

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IMAGE SOURCE

That is the end of 183, next up tomorrow is the introduction to Paper 184: BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN COURT. But before facing the Sanhedrin Jesus is taken to Annas, who had secretly arranged the meeting in order that he could assert his status and influence. And, by Jewish law, he had to delay the trial until after morning offerings.

Overview of: The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

1. The Father’s Will
2. Judas in the City
3. The Master’s Arrest
4. Discussion at the Olive Press
5. On the Way to the High Priest’s Palace

 

This group of papers [121-196] was sponsored by a commission of twelve Urantia midwayers acting under the supervision of a Melchizedek revelatory director. The basis of this narrative was supplied by a secondary midwayer who was onetime assigned to the superhuman watchcare of the Apostle Andrew.

Listen to Paper 183: (click the speaker icon at the top of the page)

 

Thanks for reading. Members’ thoughts, reflections, insights, observations, comments, corrections and questions about today’s OPAD presentation are invited.

 

Much love, Rick/OPAD host.

Richard E Warren

[Author]

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