Paper 165 Overview: The Perean Mission Begins

On January 3, Abner prepared his seventy messengers to preach in cities across Perea. The mission would last for almost three months and was Jesus' last ministry before going to Jerusalem. Unlike earlier work, this mission focused on the spiritual aspects of the gospel rather than miracle-working.

Perea was a beautiful province that was nearly half Jewish and half gentile. Jesus divided his time between the camp at Pella and trips with the twelve apostles to help the seventy. While the seventy baptized all believers, Jesus spent time teaching at the Pella camp.

On January 3, Abner gathered his seventy messengers to give them final instructions before their mission to Perean cities and villages. This would be Jesus' last ministry before his final experiences in Jerusalem. The seventy worked in over fifty towns across Perea, while Jesus stayed either at the Pella camp or traveled with the apostles to visit them.

The women's corps, now numbering sixty-two, mostly handled ministering to the sick. This period focused on teaching spiritual aspects of the gospel rather than performing miracles. Perea was equally gentile and Jewish, and was known as "the land beyond the Jordan."

By mid-January, more than twelve hundred people had gathered at the Pella camp. Jesus taught them at least once each day when he was there, usually speaking at nine o'clock in the morning. Peter and the other apostles taught in the afternoons, while Jesus saved evenings for question sessions with the twelve and other advanced disciples.

By mid-March, when Jesus began his journey toward Jerusalem, over four thousand people came to hear Jesus or Peter preach each morning. Jesus chose to end his work on earth when interest in his message was at its highest point. While most of his followers truly sought the truth, many Pharisees and doubters were also present.

A group of over three hundred Jerusalemites, including many Pharisees, had followed Jesus to Pella. Jesus preached to about one hundred people about the good shepherd, using a parable so each person could take what touched their heart. He explained that some present would die for him while others sought to kill him.

Jesus described how a true shepherd enters through the door and his sheep know his voice, while thieves climb in another way. He said the sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice, but run from strangers. Jesus declared himself both the door to the sheepfold and the true shepherd willing to lay down his life for his sheep.

By the end of January, the Sabbath afternoon crowds numbered almost three thousand. On January 28, Jesus preached a sermon called "Trust and Spiritual Preparedness" after Simon Peter made some opening remarks. Jesus warned the people about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and encouraged them not to fear those who could harm their bodies.

Jesus assured his listeners that they were valuable to God, who knows when even a sparrow falls. He promised to acknowledge before the angels those who confessed faith in him. He urged them not to tarry in the "valley of decision" but to enter joyfully into their spiritual inheritance, noting that the Father never forces anyone into the kingdom.

A young man asked Jesus to make his brother divide their inheritance with him. Jesus was mildly upset that someone would bring up such a material concern. He warned everyone to be careful about greed, saying that life does not consist in having many possessions and that happiness does not come from wealth.

Jesus told a story about a rich man who built bigger barns for his crops, only to die that very night. Jesus explained that wealth itself is not a sin, but loving riches can distract people from spiritual realities. He taught that it's important to use wealth wisely as stewards rather than allowing possessions to become one's master.

That evening after supper, Andrew asked Jesus to repeat what he had said about wealth earlier that day. Jesus said his words to the apostles would be different because they had left everything to follow him. He reminded them that God would provide for their needs as they served the kingdom.

Jesus told them not to worry about food or clothing, just as God feeds the ravens and clothes the lilies. He said that if they truly devoted themselves to preaching the gospel, they would be provided for. Jesus warned them about difficult times ahead and encouraged them to be watchful and ready, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding feast.

Peter asked if Jesus was speaking his parable just to the apostles or to all disciples. Jesus answered that testing reveals what is in a person's heart. He said that just as a homeowner trusts a proven servant with his household, Jesus would know who could be trusted with the welfare of his children when he returned to the Father.

Jesus warned about lazy servants who mistreat others when they think their master is delayed. He reminded them that much was expected from those who had received much. Jesus told them that his mission would not bring peace on earth right away and might even divide families, but each believer would have peace in their heart.