Paper 171 Overview: On the Way to Jerusalem

Jesus announced his plan to attend Passover in Jerusalem, visiting cities in southern Perea along the way. Many of his followers misunderstood and believed he was going to establish a political kingdom in Jerusalem. After his sermon on "The Kingdom of Heaven," many of his followers couldn't grasp that the kingdom was spiritual rather than political.

Salome, the mother of James and John Zebedee, asked Jesus to give her sons special positions in his kingdom. Jesus gently corrected this misunderstanding, explaining that his mission involved suffering, not political power. This incident caused arguments among the apostles, and Jesus reminded them that true greatness comes through service to others.

After his sermon on "The Kingdom of Heaven," Jesus announced that he and the apostles would travel to Jerusalem for Passover, visiting southern Perea along the way. Despite Jesus' teachings about the non-material nature of the kingdom, many Jewish listeners still expected him to establish a political government. Even when disappointed later, they continued to believe Jesus would return and set up the promised kingdom.

Salome, mother of apostles James and John, approached Jesus asking that her sons receive positions of honor in his kingdom. Jesus explained they didn't understand what they were asking, and questioned if they could "drink the cup" he would drink. Though they answered yes, Jesus told them such honors were not his to give but were reserved by the Father. The other apostles became angry at James and John for seeking special treatment.

On Monday, March 13, Jesus and the twelve apostles left Pella to tour southern Perea cities where Abner's associates were working. They spent over two weeks visiting the seventy messengers before going directly to Jerusalem for Passover. About half of the thousand followers who started with them left when they learned Jesus was going to Heshbon instead of directly to Jerusalem.

Most of Jesus' followers thought that abandoning the Pella camp meant Jesus was finally going to claim David's throne in Jerusalem. David Zebedee closed the visitors' camp at Pella on March 15, selling the equipment and giving the money to Judas Iscariot. After Jesus' crucifixion, David helped Lazarus escape persecution and eventually moved to Philadelphia, where he managed the kingdom's financial interests alongside Abner and Lazarus.

When Jesus and his followers reached the Jordan ford near Bethabara, his disciples realized he wasn't going directly to Jerusalem. While they debated among themselves, Jesus climbed onto a large stone and delivered his "Counting the Cost" sermon. He told them that anyone who wanted to follow him must be willing to give up everything, including their family connections and even their lives.

Jesus warned them to carefully consider whether they were truly ready to pay the price of discipleship. He used examples of someone building a tower or a king preparing for war, saying they should first determine if they had the resources to finish what they started. After this speech, about five hundred followers continued with Jesus to Heshbon, while the others went on to Jerusalem. Even his closest apostles still believed that after a brief time of difficulty, Jesus would establish the kingdom as they had hoped.

For more than two weeks, Jesus and the twelve apostles traveled around southern Perea, visiting all the towns where the seventy messengers were working. Many gentiles lived in this region, and since few were going to Jerusalem for Passover, the kingdom messengers continued their teaching and preaching. Jesus met Abner at Heshbon and advised that the seventy should continue their work regardless of what happened in Jerusalem.

As they traveled from city to city, many followers left to go to Jerusalem, reducing their group to less than two hundred people. Despite knowing the Sanhedrin had condemned Jesus to death, the apostles were less afraid than before because of Lazarus's resurrection. They believed Jesus might use his divine power against his enemies if necessary. Most of the apostles and many close followers didn't believe it possible for Jesus to die, seeing him as immortal and already triumphant over death.

On Wednesday evening, March 29, Jesus and his followers camped at Livias on their way to Jerusalem. That night, Simon Zelotes and Simon Peter received over one hundred swords for those willing to carry them hidden under their cloaks. Early Thursday morning, Jesus called the apostles aside to warn them again about what would happen in Jerusalem, saying he would be condemned to death and killed, but would rise on the third day.

The apostles were amazed but couldn't accept Jesus' words literally. Their belief in an earthly kingdom was so strong that they couldn't understand his warnings about his death. Later that day, some friendly Pharisees warned Jesus that Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus told them Herod would prefer that he die in Jerusalem at the hands of the chief priests. He lamented over Jerusalem, which killed prophets and rejected those sent to teach truth. His followers remained confused, interpreting his reference to "rising on the third day" as meaning the kingdom would be established soon.

On Thursday afternoon, March 30, Jesus and his apostles approached Jericho with about two hundred followers. Near the city gate, they met Bartimeus, a blind man who had heard about Jesus healing Josiah in Jerusalem. When Bartimeus heard Jesus was passing by, he began crying out loudly, asking for mercy. Despite people telling him to be quiet, he called out even louder.

Jesus stopped and asked for the blind man to be brought to him. When asked what he wanted, Bartimeus replied that he wanted his sight restored. Jesus told him his faith had made him whole, and immediately Bartimeus could see. After receiving his sight, he stayed near Jesus, glorifying God, and when Jesus left for Jerusalem the next day, Bartimeus went ahead of the crowd telling everyone how his sight had been restored in Jericho.

When Jesus entered Jericho, it was nearly sunset, and he planned to stay the night. As he passed the customs house, Zaccheus, a wealthy chief tax collector who had heard about Jesus, wanted to see him. Being short, Zaccheus couldn't see over the crowd, so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree that hung over the road. As Jesus passed by, he stopped, looked up at Zaccheus, and said he must stay at his house that night.

The people of Jericho were surprised that Jesus would stay with a tax collector, considered a sinner. When a Pharisee criticized this decision, Zaccheus stood up and announced he would give half his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated four times the amount. Jesus declared that salvation had come to Zaccheus's home that day, and that the Son of Man had come to seek and save the lost. They stayed with Zaccheus that night and the next day traveled to Bethany on their way to Jerusalem.

Jesus spread joy wherever he went, full of grace and truth. His apostles were amazed by the gracious words he spoke. While goodness always commands respect, it is most effective when combined with graciousness. Jesus truly understood people and could show genuine compassion that was practical, personal, and constructive.

Jesus loved people sincerely, which is why he could help them so much. He was a charming listener who made others feel at ease around him. He never seemed curious about people or desired to direct or control them. He was ready to stop a sermon or detain a crowd to help a single person, even a child. Most important things Jesus did seemed to happen casually, "as he passed by." He dispensed health and happiness naturally, and his followers in all ages should learn to minister to others in this same way as they go about their daily duties.

The group didn't leave Jericho until noon because they had stayed up late while Jesus taught Zaccheus's family. Halfway up the road to Bethany, they stopped for lunch while the crowd continued to Jerusalem. Jesus then told the parable of the pounds, which was based on the historical figure Archelaus, who had gone to Rome seeking kingship but was rejected by the people.

In this parable, Jesus compared himself to a nobleman going to a far country to receive a kingdom, while his servants were given money to invest during his absence. Upon returning, the nobleman rewarded those who had used the money wisely and punished the servant who had hidden his money. Jesus was explaining that even though people were rejecting his spiritual rule now, he would return later to receive his kingdom. After the parable, the apostles questioned Jesus about its meaning compared to his earlier parable of the talents. Nathaniel later taught that these parables showed that ability is the measure of opportunity, faithfulness determines trustworthiness, and rewards are given based on faithfulness regardless of opportunity size.