Paper 178 Overview: Last Day at the Camp

On his final day of freedom as an incarnated divine Son, Jesus devoted himself to instructing his apostles and loyal disciples in a secluded setting near their camp. His discourse primarily addressed the complex relationship between spiritual sonship and temporal citizenship, elaborating on how believers could honor both heavenly and earthly allegiances without compromise. This discourse was particularly noteworthy for its nuanced exploration of kingdom values in relation to worldly governance, emphasizing the transformative power of love and service rather than political coercion or religious legislation to bring about genuine social change.

The narrative then transitions to the preparations for the Last Supper, revealing Jesus' foresight in arranging secret accommodations through John Mark to prevent Judas from prematurely disclosing their location to the authorities. While Peter, John, and Philip were dispatched to prepare the upper room, David Zebedee, aware of Judas's treachery through his intelligence network, engaged the betrayer in conversation to divert his attention. As evening approached, Jesus led his apostles toward Jerusalem, pausing on the Mount of Olives to deliver a poignant farewell address that reiterated his impending departure, encouraged their continued ministry, and assured them of eventual reunion in the Father's eternal kingdom, all while remaining unaware that one of their number had already conspired to betray him to the Jewish authorities.

Jesus deliberately chose to spend Thursday, his final unencumbered day on earth as an incarnated divine Son, in the company of his apostles and devoted followers. In the early morning hours of this beautiful day, he guided them to a secluded location slightly elevated from their camp, where he imparted numerous profound truths. Although Jesus would deliver additional discourses to the apostles during the evening hours, this morning address served specifically as his farewell message to the combined assembly of apostles and selected disciples, encompassing both Jewish and gentile believers.

The twelve apostles were present with the notable exception of Judas Iscariot, whose absence was observed and commented upon by Peter and several others within the group. Some speculated that Jesus had dispatched him to the city on official business, possibly to finalize arrangements for their forthcoming Passover celebration. Judas did not return to the encampment until midafternoon, shortly before Jesus led the twelve into Jerusalem to participate in what would become known as the Last Supper, unaware that Judas had already initiated the conspiracy that would lead to Jesus' arrest later that night.

Jesus engaged approximately fifty of his trusted followers for nearly two hours, responding thoughtfully to around twenty questions concerning the relationship between the heavenly kingdom and temporal earthly governments. He articulated that while material kingdoms might necessarily employ physical force to execute their laws and maintain civic order, true believers in the spiritual kingdom would never resort to such coercive methods. Jesus carefully clarified that this distinction applied specifically to the relationship between the community of believers and secular governmental structures, without invalidating the legitimate right of spiritual communities to maintain internal order and administer appropriate discipline to unruly or unworthy members.

The Master explained that no inherent incompatibility existed between spiritual sonship and temporal citizenship, asserting that believers should render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar while reserving for God what is God's. This balanced approach would only become problematic if temporal authorities presumed to usurp divine prerogatives by demanding spiritual worship or supreme allegiance. He encouraged disciples to be exemplary citizens whose spiritual enlightenment enhanced rather than diminished their civic contributions, emphasizing that the love manifest in the spiritual kingdom should serve as an effective antidote to hatred and conflict in earthly realms. When addressing the relationship between faith and politics, Jesus counseled wisdom and discretion in dealings with unbelieving civil authorities, advocating peaceful coexistence while maintaining unwavering spiritual allegiance to the divine kingdom's values.

Jesus further expounded that citizens of the heavenly kingdom should never utilize physical force or political mechanisms to advance spiritual objectives, nor should they worship temporal rulers or employ governmental powers to further spiritual work. He emphasized that the genuine ministry of loving service to unbelievers represents the natural outgrowth of bearing spiritual fruit, enabling believers to draw near to those in spiritual darkness. The Master advised his followers to display righteous ministry to both believers and unbelievers alike, allowing the Spirit of Truth to become a power-multiplying fulcrum in their service. He cautioned that while they should anticipate persecution from those opposing the gospel, they must maintain unwavering commitment to proclaiming the kingdom message of the supreme desire to do the Father's will coupled with the sublime joy of faith realization regarding divine sonship.

Few among the Master's audience fully comprehended the profound implications of his morning discourse, with the Greek followers demonstrating greater understanding than most others present. Even the eleven apostles found themselves bewildered by Jesus' seemingly contradictory references to Jerusalem's impending destruction alongside mentions of extended future kingdom activities spanning generations and encompassing successive temporal kingdoms. These loyal Jewish believers increasingly sensed the approach of a catastrophic event in Jesus' ministry, yet struggled to reconcile this foreboding with his paradoxically cheerful demeanor and his discourse references to future kingdom transactions extending across vast temporal periods and involving multiple earthly political entities throughout future ages.

By midday, the entire group of apostles and disciples had become aware of Lazarus's precipitous flight from Bethany, which heightened their awareness of the Jewish authorities' implacable determination to eliminate Jesus and suppress his teachings. Through his network of clandestine operatives in Jerusalem, David Zebedee possessed comprehensive knowledge regarding the conspiracy against Jesus, including Judas's instrumental role in the developing plot, though he deliberately withheld this information from the other apostles. Shortly after their midday meal, Jesus privately directed Philip, Peter, and John to proceed to Jerusalem and prepare for the evening supper, providing cryptic instructions about following a man carrying a water pitcher who would lead them to the designated location. This arrangement had been secretly coordinated with John Mark during the previous day, specifically to prevent Judas from disclosing their gathering place to the authorities who sought to arrest Jesus.

When Peter, John, and Philip departed for Jerusalem, Judas attempted to follow them, driven by curiosity about their destination, but David Zebedee skillfully engaged him in conversation regarding financial matters. Recognizing the deteriorating situation in Jerusalem and the growing threat to Jesus, Judas unexpectedly turned over all the apostolic funds to David for safekeeping, ostensibly as a precautionary measure. By late afternoon, the three apostles returned to report that the preparations for the evening meal had been completed according to Jesus' instructions, having followed the pre-arranged signal with John Mark's family and secured the upper room for their private gathering, all without Judas's knowledge of their destination until he would later accompany them.

Seeking to avoid the densely populated routes through the Kidron valley between Gethsemane Park and Jerusalem, Jesus led the twelve along the western slope of Mount Olivet to intersect with the road descending from Bethany into the city. As they approached the location where Jesus had previously discoursed on Jerusalem's impending destruction, they paused instinctively and gazed in contemplative silence upon the city spread before them. Since they had arrived somewhat early, and because Jesus preferred to enter the city after sunset, he invited his apostles to rest momentarily while he shared final thoughts regarding the imminent events that would unfold.

Jesus began by reminiscing about their years together as brothers, acknowledging how he had taught them kingdom truths and revealed the mysteries of the heavenly realm. He reminded them that he had previously warned them about his necessary return to the Father's work, and that he had specifically prepared them in the hills of Capernaum to continue the kingdom mission after his departure. Drawing a parallel between his own commission from the Father and their future ministry, Jesus explained, "As the Father sent me into this world, so am I about to send you forth to represent me and finish the work I have begun." He urged them to avoid needless exposure to danger during his arrest, emphasizing that while his departure accorded with the divine plan, they should remain behind to bear witness to his gospel message after he had gone.

The Master continued by assuring them that despite Jerusalem's approaching destruction, they had already entered into eternal life through their faith, with the promise of endless service in the advancing kingdom of heaven. He directed their attention beyond the impending terrestrial calamities to the spiritual reality that in his Father's universe were many abodes awaiting the children of light. Jesus concluded his farewell address by explaining that before they could ascend to these celestial realms, they must first complete their earthly mission, enduring tribulations and sorrows that were already beginning to manifest. As they descended toward Jerusalem, neither the apostles nor Jesus himself spoke further, though John Mark followed them discreetly to his father's home where the upper room had been prepared, ensuring that he would be present to welcome them when they arrived for what would become their final meal together before the crucifixion.