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Welcome to The OPAD Online Study Session
Today’s Presentation
Paper 186 – Just Before the Crucifixion
[INTRODUCTION]
AS JESUS and his accusers started off to see Herod, the Master turned to the Apostle John and said: “John, you can do no more for me. Go to my mother and bring her to see me ere I die.” When John heard his Master’s request, although reluctant to leave him alone among his enemies, he hastened off to Bethany, where the entire family of Jesus was assembled in waiting at the home of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead.
(1997.2)186:0.2 Several times during the morning, messengers had brought news to Martha and Mary concerning the progress of Jesus’ trial. But the family of Jesus did not reach Bethany until just a few minutes before John arrived bearing the request of Jesus to see his mother before he was put to death. After John Zebedee had told them all that had happened since the midnight arrest of Jesus, Mary his mother went at once in the company of John to see her eldest son. By the time Mary and John reached the city, Jesus, accompanied by the Roman soldiers who were to crucify him, had already arrived at Golgotha.
(1997.3)186:0.3 When Mary the mother of Jesus started out with John to go to her son, his sister Ruth refused to remain behind with the rest of the family. Since she was determined to accompany her mother, her brother Jude went with her. The rest of the Master’s family remained in Bethany under the direction of James, and almost every hour the messengers of David Zebedee brought them reports concerning the progress of that terrible business of putting to death their eldest brother, Jesus of Nazareth.
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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
.
Greetings Fellow Students, Forum Friends, Members and Visitors!
WELCOME to the OPAD presentation of Paper 186. It has seven pages and five Sections. This Paper covers a period from around 8 to 9 on Friday morning, April 7, 30 AD. Jesus has about seven hours left to live in human form, and he wants to bid farewell to his mother before he dies that awful death. The whole universe of Nebadon is looking on, or listening in, as this last grim and painful scene is played out on Urantia, one of the least of all planets in Nebadon, and now the most envied.
Overview of: Paper 186 – Just Before the Crucifixion
3. The Dependable David Zebedee
4. Preparation for the Crucifixion
5. Jesus’ Death in Relation to the Passover
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.
This last request to John Zebedee, in 186’s introduction:
“…John, you can do no more for me. Go to my mother and bring her to see me ere I die….” (1997.1)186:0.1
…has no corollary in the Bible. And neither is the coming of Ruth and Jude with Mary to the place of execution mentioned outside the UB revelations.
The executive business of the universe nearly came to a complete halt as Gabriel and the celestial hosts observed what they termed “Pilate on trial before Jesus.” When Jesus was arrested, he knew that his work in the flesh was finished. He understood the way he would die, and the details of his trial were of little concern to him. Jesus pitied Pilate and sincerely tried to enlighten him as the entire universe looked on.
Jesus was convinced that it was the will of God that the course of human events should unfold without celestial or divine interference. Jesus’ love for mortals was evident in his patience in the face of the jeers and beatings of the soldiers and servants. Jesus’ life was revelation of God to man, and in the final episodes of his earthly career, he made a new and touching revelation of man to God.
At about half past eight that Friday morning, Jesus was turned over to the soldiers who would crucify him.
Judas went to Caiaphas to claim his reward. Before he could enter the Sanhedrin’s chamber, a servant took him aside and handed him thirty pieces of silver. Judas was stunned at this aloof treatment. He tried to go inside to speak to Caiaphas but he was refused admittance. Judas felt humiliated. Judas later saw Jesus’ cross being lifted onto Golgotha from afar and was so overwhelmed that he ran back to Caiaphas’ chamber. He stammered that he had sinned and had been insulted and he repented in what he had done. He threw the silver onto the floor and left. In his despair, Judas went outside the city gates and killed himself.
A detachment of temple guards went to Gethsemane to arrest the Master’s followers, but they had scattered. Upon hearing that Gethsemane was empty, the Sanhedrin were satisfied that there was no further danger of an uprising. They adjourned their meeting to prepare for the Passover.
David Zebedee was the only disciple who took Jesus literally when he said he would rise again on the third day. He dismissed his messengers for the Passover, instructing them to report to him again first thing Sunday morning.
Humans, not God, planned the death of Jesus. The truth that men, by faith, can become spirit-conscious children of God does not depend on the death of Jesus. Mortals are the children of God, and the only thing required to actualize this truth is spirit-born faith. The love of God for his creatures is an inherent universe fact that is independent of the bestowal missions of the Creator Sons. The Father loved man just as much before Jesus lived on earth as he did afterward.
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Tomorrow’s reading is Section 1. The End of Judas Iscariot. The truth begins to dawn on the delusional betrayer, that he is universally hated and reviled. He follows in his usual cowardly ways and dies before the one he betrayed.
Listen to Paper 186: (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
Welcome to The OPAD Online Study Session
Today’s Presentation
Paper 186 – Just Before the Crucifixion
1. The End of Judas Iscariot
It was about half past eight o’clock this Friday morning when the hearing of Jesus before Pilate was ended and the Master was placed in the custody of the Roman soldiers who were to crucify him. As soon as the Romans took possession of Jesus, the captain of the Jewish guards marched with his men back to their temple headquarters. The chief priest and his Sanhedrist associates followed close behind the guards, going directly to their usual meeting place in the hall of hewn stone in the temple. Here they found many other members of the Sanhedrin waiting to learn what had been done with Jesus. As Caiaphas was engaged in making his report to the Sanhedrin regarding the trial and condemnation of Jesus, Judas appeared before them to claim his reward for the part he had played in his Master’s arrest and sentence of death.
(1997.5)186:1.2 All of these Jews loathed Judas; they looked upon the betrayer with only feelings of utter contempt. Throughout the trial of Jesus before Caiaphas and during his appearance before Pilate, Judas was pricked in his conscience about his traitorous conduct. And he was also beginning to become somewhat disillusioned regarding the reward he was to receive as payment for his services as Jesus’ betrayer. He did not like the coolness and aloofness of the Jewish authorities; nevertheless, he expected to be liberally rewarded for his cowardly conduct. He anticipated being called before the full meeting of the Sanhedrin and there hearing himself eulogized while they conferred upon him suitable honors in token of the great service which he flattered himself he had rendered his nation. Imagine, therefore, the great surprise of this egotistic traitor when a servant of the high priest, tapping him on the shoulder, called him just outside the hall and said: “Judas, I have been appointed to pay you for the betrayal of Jesus. Here is your reward.” And thus speaking, the servant of Caiaphas handed Judas a bag containing thirty pieces of silver — the current price of a good, healthy slave.
(1998.1)186:1.3 Judas was stunned, dumfounded. He rushed back to enter the hall but was debarred by the doorkeeper. He wanted to appeal to the Sanhedrin, but they would not admit him. Judas could not believe that these rulers of the Jews would allow him to betray his friends and his Master and then offer him as a reward thirty pieces of silver. He was humiliated, disillusioned, and utterly crushed. He walked away from the temple, as it were, in a trance. He automatically dropped the money bag in his deep pocket, that same pocket wherein he had so long carried the bag containing the apostolic funds. And he wandered out through the city after the crowds who were on their way to witness the crucifixions.
(1998.2)186:1.4 From a distance Judas saw them raise the cross piece with Jesus nailed thereon, and upon sight of this he rushed back to the temple and, forcing his way past the doorkeeper, found himself standing in the presence of the Sanhedrin, which was still in session. The betrayer was well-nigh breathless and highly distraught, but he managed to stammer out these words: “I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood. You have insulted me. You have offered me as a reward for my service, money — the price of a slave. I repent that I have done this; here is your money. I want to escape the guilt of this deed.”
(1998.3)186:1.5 When the rulers of the Jews heard Judas, they scoffed at him. One of them sitting near where Judas stood, motioned that he should leave the hall and said: “Your Master has already been put to death by the Romans, and as for your guilt, what is that to us? See you to that — and begone!”
(1998.4)186:1.6 As Judas left the Sanhedrin chamber, he removed the thirty pieces of silver from the bag and threw them broadcast over the temple floor. When the betrayer left the temple, he was almost beside himself. Judas was now passing through the experience of the realization of the true nature of sin. All the glamor, fascination, and intoxication of wrongdoing had vanished. Now the evildoer stood alone and face to face with the judgment verdict of his disillusioned and disappointed soul. Sin was bewitching and adventurous in the committing, but now must the harvest of the naked and unromantic facts be faced.
(1998.5)186:1.7 This onetime ambassador of the kingdom of heaven on earth now walked through the streets of Jerusalem, forsaken and alone. His despair was desperate and well-nigh absolute. On he journeyed through the city and outside the walls, on down into the terrible solitude of the valley of Hinnom, where he climbed up the steep rocks and, taking the girdle of his cloak, fastened one end to a small tree, tied the other about his neck, and cast himself over the precipice. Ere he was dead, the knot which his nervous hands had tied gave way, and the betrayer’s body was dashed to pieces as it fell on the jagged rocks below.
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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
.
Good Day Nelsong, Bonita, Bradly, Alina, Carolyn, Carola, Fellow Students, Forum Friends, Members and Guests,
In Paper 183, the Midwayers revealed it wasn’t necessary that Judas betray Jesus. When the guards came to arrest him, Jesus stepped up so Judas would not have to identify him with that infamous kiss. Judas did it anyway.
…Jesus made one last effort to save Judas from actually betraying him in that, before the traitor could reach him, he stepped to one side and, addressing the foremost soldier on the left, the captain of the Romans, said, “Whom do you seek?” The captain answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Then Jesus stepped up immediately in front of the officer and, standing there in the calm majesty of the God of all this creation, said, “I am he….” (1974.2)183:3.4
This betrayal, with its inevitable conclusion, was entirely about Judas’ egotistical pride, craving honor and glory for self, no?
Curiously, only the Gospel of Matthew has details of Judas’, reward, remorse and suicide:
From Matthew 26 & 27:
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
But there is this somewhat cryptic and grisly reference to Judas’ end in the New Testament book of Acts, chapter 1:
16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
This one sentence from the Midwayers in today’s text well encapsulates the origin, history and destiny of Judas’ monumental mistake:
…All the glamor, fascination, and intoxication of wrongdoing had vanished…. (1998.4)186:1.6
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In tomorrow’s reading, Section 2. The Master’s Attitude, the Midwayers make a summary statement about the betrayal, arrest and mistreatment of Jesus, noting his sublime composure throughout. And they also comment on the attention and attitude of the celestial hosts who are all intensely observing Urantia as our incarnate Sovereign goes unswervingly into the final and most cruel of all the physical ordeals he has yet endured.
Overview of Paper 186 – Just Before the Crucifixion
3. The Dependable David Zebedee
4. Preparation for the Crucifixion
5. Jesus’ Death in Relation to the Passover
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 186: (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
Welcome to The OPAD Online Study Session
Today’s Presentation
Paper 186 – Just Before the Crucifixion
2. The Master’s Attitude
When Jesus was arrested, he knew that his work on earth, in the likeness of mortal flesh, was finished. He fully understood the sort of death he would die, and he was little concerned with the details of his so-called trials.
(1999.2)186:2.2 Before the Sanhedrist court Jesus declined to make replies to the testimony of perjured witnesses. There was but one question which would always elicit an answer, whether asked by friend or foe, and that was the one concerning the nature and divinity of his mission on earth. When asked if he were the Son of God, he unfailingly made reply. He steadfastly refused to speak when in the presence of the curious and wicked Herod. Before Pilate he spoke only when he thought that Pilate or some other sincere person might be helped to a better knowledge of the truth by what he said. Jesus had taught his apostles the uselessness of casting their pearls before swine, and he now dared to practice what he had taught. His conduct at this time exemplified the patient submission of the human nature coupled with the majestic silence and solemn dignity of the divine nature. He was altogether willing to discuss with Pilate any question related to the political charges brought against him — any question which he recognized as belonging to the governor’s jurisdiction.
(1999.3)186:2.3 Jesus was convinced that it was the will of the Father that he submit himself to the natural and ordinary course of human events just as every other mortal creature must, and therefore he refused to employ even his purely human powers of persuasive eloquence to influence the outcome of the machinations of his socially nearsighted and spiritually blinded fellow mortals. Although Jesus lived and died on Urantia, his whole human career, from first to last, was a spectacle designed to influence and instruct the entire universe of his creation and unceasing upholding.
(1999.4)186:2.4 These shortsighted Jews clamored unseemlily for the Master’s death while he stood there in awful silence looking upon the death scene of a nation — his earthly father’s own people.
(1999.5)186:2.5 Jesus had acquired that type of human character which could preserve its composure and assert its dignity in the face of continued and gratuitous insult. He could not be intimidated. When first assaulted by the servant of Annas, he had only suggested the propriety of calling witnesses who might duly testify against him.
(1999.6)186:2.6 From first to last, in his so-called trial before Pilate, the onlooking celestial hosts could not refrain from broadcasting to the universe the depiction of the scene of “Pilate on trial before Jesus.”
(1999.7)186:2.7 When before Caiaphas, and when all the perjured testimony had broken down, Jesus did not hesitate to answer the question of the chief priest, thereby providing in his own testimony that which they desired as a basis for convicting him of blasphemy.
(1999.8)186:2.8 The Master never displayed the least interest in Pilate’s well-meant but halfhearted efforts to effect his release. He really pitied Pilate and sincerely endeavored to enlighten his darkened mind. He was wholly passive to all the Roman governor’s appeals to the Jews to withdraw their criminal charges against him. Throughout the whole sorrowful ordeal he bore himself with simple dignity and unostentatious majesty. He would not so much as cast reflections of insincerity upon his would-be murderers when they asked if he were “king of the Jews.” With but little qualifying explanation he accepted the designation, knowing that, while they had chosen to reject him, he would be the last to afford them real national leadership, even in a spiritual sense.
(2000.1)186:2.9 Jesus said little during these trials, but he said enough to show all mortals the kind of human character man can perfect in partnership with God and to reveal to all the universe the manner in which God can become manifest in the life of the creature when such a creature truly chooses to do the will of the Father, thus becoming an active son of the living God.
(2000.2)186:2.10 His love for ignorant mortals is fully disclosed by his patience and great self-possession in the face of the jeers, blows, and buffetings of the coarse soldiers and the unthinking servants. He was not even angry when they blindfolded him and, derisively striking him in the face, exclaimed: “Prophesy to us who it was that struck you.”
(2000.3)186:2.11 Pilate spoke more truly than he knew when, after Jesus had been scourged, he presented him before the multitude, exclaiming, “Behold the man!” Indeed, the fear-ridden Roman governor little dreamed that at just that moment the universe stood at attention, gazing upon this unique scene of its beloved Sovereign thus subjected in humiliation to the taunts and blows of his darkened and degraded mortal subjects. And as Pilate spoke, there echoed throughout all Nebadon, “Behold God and man!” Throughout a universe, untold millions have ever since that day continued to behold that man, while the God of Havona, the supreme ruler of the universe of universes, accepts the man of Nazareth as the satisfaction of the ideal of the mortal creatures of this local universe of time and space. In his matchless life he never failed to reveal God to man. Now, in these final episodes of his mortal career and in his subsequent death, he made a new and touching revelation of man to God.
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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
.
Greetings Bonita, nelsong, Brad, Alina, Carolyn, Carola, Fellow Students, Forum Friends, Members and Visitors,
It is astonishing how composed he has remained throughout this pain-filled day that began with his betrayal and arrest eight hours before. No wonder his peaceful and regal continence shook Pilate and disturbed Caiaphas to their cores.
…His conduct at this time exemplified the patient submission of the human nature coupled with the majestic silence and solemn dignity of the divine nature….(1999.2)186:2.2
This Friday, a man and a nation died:
…These shortsighted Jews clamored unseemlily for the Master’s death while he stood there in awful silence looking upon the death scene of a nation — his earthly father’s own people…. (1999.4)186:2.4
And Pilate! His unease must have been a reflection of subconsciously knowing it was he who was being tried:
…the onlooking celestial hosts could not refrain from broadcasting to the universe the depiction of the scene of “Pilate on trial before Jesus….” (1999.6)186:2.6
Guilty. Of human ignorance and woeful cowardice.
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Hmmm…what do you think this means exactly?
…he would be the last to afford them real national leadership, even in a spiritual sense…. (1999.8)186:2.8
Simply that his “would-be murderers” were unqualified to lead at all, or something more?
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…Pilate spoke more truly than he knew when, after Jesus had been scourged, he presented him before the multitude, exclaiming, “Behold the man!” …And as Pilate spoke, there echoed throughout all Nebadon, “Behold God and man!” (2000.3)186:2.11
This is how one renaissance artist depicted, “Ecce Homo” (Behold the Man!). There are many, many other paintings, almost all showing an emaciated, forlorn, miserable, dejected, pitiable and/or disfigured Jesus. Wonder how the celestial artists of Nebadon painted him at this moment?
Titian‘s Ecce Homo (1570-156) shows a masculine Christ
who is calmly acceptant of his faith…
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Biblical References to today’s reading.
From John 19:
5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
From Matthew 26 & 27:
62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
From Mark 14:
60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
From Luke 22 & 23:
70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
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In tomorrow’s reading, Section 3. The Dependable David Zebedee, the Midwayers pay tribute to Jesus’ best non-apostle, a fearless, bright self-starter, and one who understood what Jesus taught, often better than his brothers John and James, or any of the Master’s closest associates.
Overview of Paper 186 – Just Before the Crucifixion
3. The Dependable David Zebedee
4. Preparation for the Crucifixion
5. Jesus’ Death in Relation to the Passover
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 186: (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
Hmmm…what do you think this means exactly?
…he would be the last to afford them real national leadership, even in a spiritual sense…. (1999.8)186:2.8
Had the same question myself .
i think something more
Had the same question myself . i think something more
Maybe…the more thinking, the more it seems the Midwayers are saying they couldn’t be trusted to run an earthly or heavenly office…But then again, not certain.
Richard E Warren
Or possibly wherever they were headed leadership wise, political or spiritual-Jesus would not be part of it??
regardless-the statement provokes more thought.
Or possibly wherever they were headed leadership wise, political or spiritual-Jesus would not be part of it?? regardless-the statement provokes more thought.
Ah, good thinkin’. It’s plausible, and for sure true.
Richard E Warren
Hmmm…what do you think this means exactly? ” …he would be the last to afford them real national leadership, even in a spiritual sense…. “(1999.8)186:2.8 Simply that his “would-be murderers” were unqualified to lead at all, or something more?
I read something more. I think they say that Jesus was the last with the potential currency to save Israel as a people and as those chosen to illuminate the world with truth, beauty, and goodness. I think they are revealing to us that there did exist a potential outcome that Jesus worked hard to create and might have changed world history. But the nationalistic fervor of overthrowing those who could not possibly be overthrown, the false expectations and demands upon their fantasy Messiah, and the entrenched special interests in the priesthood, all were too much to allow for that potential….a Master Son leading those with spiritual hunger and thirst into the kingdom of God and the brotherhood of man.
I have never given much thought to the many different possible outcomes to Michael’s final bestowal. But I do not think he wished for or plotted for but merely allowed the forces of ignorance, evil, and sin to align themselves in the story that unfolded. Was there a “plan A” and plan B, C, and D that failed first? I think maybe so. Jesus was the last chance for “real national leadership”….and so much more! Don’t know but that’s how I read it.
I read something more. I think they say that Jesus was the last with the potential currency to save Israel as a people and as those chosen to illuminate the world with truth, beauty, and goodness. I think they are revealing to us that there did exist a potential outcome that Jesus worked hard to create and might have changed world history. But the nationalistic fervor of overthrowing those who could not possibly be overthrown, the false expectations and demands upon their fantasy Messiah, and the entrenched special interests in the priesthood, all were too much to allow for that potential….a Master Son leading those with spiritual hunger and thirst into the kingdom of God and the brotherhood of man.
I have never given much thought to the many different possible outcomes to Michael’s final bestowal. But I do not think he wished for or plotted for but merely allowed the forces of ignorance, evil, and sin to align themselves in the story that unfolded. Was there a “plan A” and plan B, C, and D that failed first? I think maybe so. Jesus was the last chance for “real national leadership”….and so much more! Don’t know but that’s how I read it.
I like it, Bradly. He couldn’t be THEIR leader, because they wouldn’t follow where he led.
Richard E Warren
Welcome to The OPAD Online Study Session
Today’s Presentation
Paper 186 – Just Before the Crucifixion
3. The Dependable David Zebedee
Shortly after Jesus was turned over to the Roman soldiers at the conclusion of the hearing before Pilate, a detachment of the temple guards hastened out to Gethsemane to disperse or arrest the followers of the Master. But long before their arrival these followers had scattered. The apostles had retired to designated hiding places; the Greeks had separated and gone to various homes in Jerusalem; the other disciples had likewise disappeared. David Zebedee believed that Jesus’ enemies would return; so he early removed some five or six tents up the ravine near where the Master so often retired to pray and worship. Here he proposed to hide and at the same time maintain a center, or co-ordinating station, for his messenger service. David had hardly left the camp when the temple guards arrived. Finding no one there, they contented themselves with burning the camp and then hastened back to the temple. On hearing their report, the Sanhedrin was satisfied that the followers of Jesus were so thoroughly frightened and subdued that there would be no danger of an uprising or any attempt to rescue Jesus from the hands of his executioners. They were at last able to breathe easily, and so they adjourned, every man going his way to prepare for the Passover.
(2000.5)186:3.2 As soon as Jesus was turned over to the Roman soldiers by Pilate for crucifixion, a messenger hastened away to Gethsemane to inform David, and within five minutes runners were on their way to Bethsaida, Pella, Philadelphia, Sidon, Shechem, Hebron, Damascus, and Alexandria. And these messengers carried the news that Jesus was about to be crucified by the Romans at the insistent behest of the rulers of the Jews.*
(2001.1)186:3.3 Throughout this tragic day, until the message finally went forth that the Master had been laid in the tomb, David sent messengers about every half hour with reports to the apostles, the Greeks, and Jesus’ earthly family, assembled at the home of Lazarus in Bethany. When the messengers departed with the word that Jesus had been buried, David dismissed his corps of local runners for the Passover celebration and for the coming Sabbath of rest, instructing them to report to him quietly on Sunday morning at the home of Nicodemus, where he proposed to go in hiding for a few days with Andrew and Simon Peter.
(2001.2)186:3.4 This peculiar-minded David Zebedee was the only one of the leading disciples of Jesus who was inclined to take a literal and plain matter-of-fact view of the Master’s assertion that he would die and “rise again on the third day.” David had once heard him make this prediction and, being of a literal turn of mind, now proposed to assemble his messengers early Sunday morning at the home of Nicodemus so that they would be on hand to spread the news in case Jesus rose from the dead. David soon discovered that none of Jesus’ followers were looking for him to return so soon from the grave; therefore did he say little about his belief and nothing about the mobilization of all his messenger force on early Sunday morning except to the runners who had been dispatched on Friday forenoon to distant cities and believer centers.
(2001.3)186:3.5 And so these followers of Jesus, scattered throughout Jerusalem and its environs, that night partook of the Passover and the following day remained in seclusion.
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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
Good Day nelsong, Bradly, Bonita, Alina, Carolyn, Carola, Fellow Students, Forum Friends, Members and Guests,
How unfortunate there is no mention of this unsung disciple hero in secular history or the New Testament. Maybe it was reward enough for him to marry Jesus’ baby sister and his most loyal family member, Ruth. The world little knows this man who was, in many ways, far ahead of his brothers John and James in understanding Jesus’ teachings, even tho John and James were much closer, and spent far more time at Jesus’ side.
David constantly surveyed the Master’s ever-changing situation and quickly filled essential needs, unbidden. Neither was David slow to anticipate and out maneuver the temple guards. From today’s text:
…David Zebedee believed that Jesus’ enemies would return; so he early removed some five or six tents up the ravine…David had hardly left the camp when the temple guards arrived…. (2000.4)186:3.1
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Places named in today’s reading:
…within five minutes runners were on their way to Bethsaida, Pella, Philadelphia, Sidon, Shechem, Hebron, Damascus, and Alexandria…. (2000.5)186:3.2
This map shows the area and some of those towns. Philadelphia was where the word AMMON appears. Pella is where the Jabbok and Jordan rivers join. Alexandria is south and east. Bethsaida sits atop Galilee.
From today’s reading:
…David sent messengers about every half hour with reports to the apostles, the Greeks, and Jesus’ earthly family, assembled at the home of Lazarus in Bethany…. (2001.1)186:3.3
…David had once heard him make this prediction and, being of a literal turn of mind, now proposed to assemble his messengers early Sunday morning at the home of Nicodemus…. (2001.2)186:3.4
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Tomorrow’s reading, Section 4. Preparation for the Crucifixion, has the details of the Roman guards dressing the Master before marching him to Golgotha, and the captain’s decision to execute two thieves alongside him, one of whom had heard Jesus teach at Pella and Jerusalem.
Overview of Paper 186 – Just Before the Crucifixion
3. The Dependable David Zebedee
4. Preparation for the Crucifixion
5. Jesus’ Death in Relation to the Passover
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 186: (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
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