Paper 181 Overview: Final Admonitions and Warnings

After giving his farewell speech to the eleven apostles, Jesus spoke with them informally and reminded them that he would soon leave them. The apostles misunderstood Jesus when he said he would return for a short time, thinking he meant he was just going away briefly and would come back to establish his kingdom. Jesus knew they misunderstood, but their beliefs matched their hopes, making it easy for them to interpret his words the way they wanted.

Jesus then called the apostles together to share his final advice and warnings with them. He told them that even though he would leave them physically, he would return as a spirit to live in their hearts. He encouraged them to have peace and not be afraid, reminding them that he had overcome the world and they would triumph through faith in him.

After Jesus finished his farewell speech to the eleven apostles, he spent time talking with them about their shared experiences. The apostles were beginning to understand that Jesus was going to leave them, but they held onto his promise that he would return after a short time. They believed Jesus was just going away for a quick visit with his Father and would then come back to establish his kingdom on earth.

Their interpretation of Jesus' teaching matched their existing beliefs and deepest hopes. Since their lifelong beliefs and wishes for fulfillment agreed with this understanding, it was easy for them to interpret Jesus' words in a way that supported what they wanted to believe. After they had discussed the farewell speech for a while, Jesus called the apostles to order again to give them his final advice and warnings.

When the eleven apostles had taken their seats, Jesus stood and told them that while he was with them in physical form, he could only be one person in one place. He explained that after he was freed from his physical body, he would be able to return as a spirit indweller in each of them and all other believers. Jesus said this would allow him to better guide them through life and into the future life in heaven.

Jesus urged them to follow him after he left by living according to his teachings and his Father's will, rather than trying to copy his physical life. He assured them that even though he would soon die, he would come back before going to the Father. Jesus promised them peace and encouraged them not to be troubled or fearful, reminding them that he had overcome the world and they would triumph through faith in him.

After giving his final group instructions, Jesus spoke to each apostle individually as they sat around the Last Supper table. To John, Jesus said he was the youngest brother and had been designated by Andrew to always be near Jesus. He gave John the responsibility of watching over his earthly family and told him to be the apostle of love, teaching the other apostles how to love one another.

When Jesus came to Simon Zelotes, he acknowledged Simon's love for him and the kingdom but expressed concern about what might happen to Simon after Jesus left. Jesus warned Simon that he still did not understand the spiritual nature of the kingdom and might be disappointed when it didn't come as he expected. He encouraged Simon to be loyal and to serve acceptably as an ambassador of the heavenly kingdom.

Jesus spoke to Matthew Levi, telling him he would no longer need to take care of the group's money since they would all soon be scattered. Jesus told Matthew that after he recovered from the shock of Jesus' departure, he would go out alone to proclaim the good news that faith-quickened people are sons of God. He encouraged Matthew to go first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.

Jesus addressed James Zebedee, reminding him of when he and his brother had sought special positions in the kingdom. He warned James that he might have to drink from Jesus' cup of suffering and urged him to learn patience and tolerance. Jesus told Andrew that he was releasing him from the responsibilities of group leadership, as this was only needed while Jesus was with them in the flesh.

Jesus spoke to the Alpheus twins, praising them for working peacefully with their family members. He told them not to be discouraged if their work for the kingdom seemed to be finished, but to return to their former labors with new understanding. Jesus encouraged Philip to see with spiritual eyes rather than always asking for physical proof.

Jesus advised Nathaniel to be more tactful in speaking the truth, and Thomas to continue using his logical mind in service of the kingdom. Finally, he spoke to Simon Peter, warning him about his tendency to speak before thinking, which would get him in trouble that very night. Jesus predicted Peter would deny him, but encouraged him to learn from this experience and strengthen his brothers afterward.