Paper 150 Overview: The Third Preaching Tour

On January 16, 29 CE, Abner and John the Baptist's apostles arrived at Bethsaida to confer with Jesus and his apostles, beginning preparations for the third preaching tour of Galilee. This historic seven-week journey was marked by Jesus' revolutionary decision to include ten women as authorized teachers and ministers of the gospel, a radical departure from Jewish tradition that recognized women as spiritual equals. The apostles and evangelists traveled throughout central and southern Galilee, spreading the message of the kingdom in various cities and villages.

The tour featured Jesus' clear teachings against superstition and magic, his sending forth of the apostles in pairs, and significant discussions about salvation and spiritual living. The journey concluded dramatically in Nazareth, Jesus' hometown, where despite initial interest in his teaching, the people rejected him and even attempted to throw him from a cliff. This rejection taught the disciples that establishing the kingdom would involve disappointment and opposition rather than immediate triumph.

On Sunday evening, January 16, Abner and John the Baptist's apostles met with Andrew and Jesus' apostles at Bethsaida for a joint conference. During their discussions the following day, they considered the practice of anointing the sick with oil during healing prayers, though Jesus declined to establish any formal position on this ritual. On January 18, the twenty-four apostles were joined by approximately seventy-five tested evangelists at the Zebedee house in Bethsaida as they prepared to embark on the third preaching tour of Galilee.

The evangelists were organized and dispatched in groups of five, while Jesus and the twelve typically traveled together, with apostles occasionally going out in pairs to baptize new believers. Abner and his associates worked alongside the evangelistic groups for almost three weeks, providing guidance and assistance with baptizing believers. Their ministry covered significant territory including Magdala, Tiberias, Nazareth, and numerous other cities and villages throughout central and southern Galilee, serving as their final comprehensive message to this region except for its northern portions.

In a bold and unprecedented move, Jesus announced on the evening of January 16 his intention to set apart ten women for the ministering work of the kingdom. He instructed David Zebedee to summon ten devout women who had previously served in the administration of the encampment and tented infirmary. Though these women had received instruction alongside the young evangelists, neither they nor their teachers had imagined Jesus would commission women to teach the gospel and minister to the sick, challenging the deeply entrenched gender restrictions of that era.

The ten women Jesus officially commissioned included Susanna, Joanna, Elizabeth, Martha, Rachel, and five others of diverse backgrounds, with Mary Magdalene and Rebecca added later. Jesus authorized them to create their own organization structure with Susanna as their leader and Joanna as treasurer, instructing Judas to provide necessary funds for their equipment and pack animals. This decision represented a profound liberation proclamation for women, shocking even the twelve apostles despite Jesus' repeated teaching that in the kingdom of heaven all are equally sons and daughters of God. The surrounding countryside was stirred by this progressive action, though female believers strongly supported their chosen sisters in this new recognition of women's role in religious work.

During the apostolic party's journey from Bethsaida, the women traveled at the rear of the group and sat together to the right of the speaker during conference times. This arrangement addressed a longstanding difficulty where women believers struggled to have personal conversations with Jesus or the apostles. Now, any woman wishing to speak with the Master or an apostle would approach Susanna, who would accompany her along with one of the twelve women evangelists to meet with Jesus or his apostles.

The women's corps demonstrated their unique value when the party entered Magdala, where they could enter places that were off-limits to the male apostles under Andrew's strict rules. The women ministers were particularly effective in reaching out to those in "nefarious resorts" and ministering to afflicted women. Through their efforts, Mary Magdalene—who had fallen into a life of ill repute through misfortune and societal rejection—was converted to the kingdom. Martha and Rachel helped her understand that the kingdom welcomed even women in her situation, and Mary was baptized by Peter the following day, eventually becoming one of the most effective teachers among the women evangelists and remaining faithful to Jesus even during his crucifixion.

For the Sabbath services, Andrew had assigned responsibility to the women, following Jesus' instructions, which meant they could not be held in the new synagogue. Joanna was selected to lead the gathering, which took place in the banquet room of Herod's palace while he was away in Perea. During this meeting, Joanna read scripture passages about women's roles in Israel's religious history, making specific references to Miriam, Deborah, Esther, and other significant female figures from their tradition.

Later that evening, Jesus delivered a memorable discourse on the subjects of magic and superstition after Andrew inquired about the significance of a recently observed bright star. Jesus systematically addressed common superstitious beliefs, clearly stating that: celestial bodies have no influence over human affairs; examining animal organs reveals nothing about future events; the dead do not communicate with the living; charms and relics have no healing power; casting lots does not reveal divine will; divination, sorcery, and witchcraft are based on ignorance; dreams are not prophetic; and spirits cannot dwell in material objects. His comprehensive teaching thoroughly dismantled the foundation of popular superstitions that were prevalent during that time.

The next evening, Jesus gathered all his followers—including his apostles, John's apostles, and the newly commissioned women's group—and observed that while the harvest was plentiful, the workers were few. He announced his plan to send the older apostles out in pairs throughout Galilee to quickly preach the kingdom message while conditions remained peaceful. He then designated the pairs: Andrew and Peter, James and John Zebedee, Philip and Nathaniel, Thomas and Matthew, James and Judas Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes and Judas Iscariot.

Jesus arranged to meet the twelve at Nazareth and instructed them to focus their ministry on "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" rather than gentile cities or Samaria. He warned them that some would call him an associate of Beelzebub and treat his followers with similar contempt, but encouraged them not to fear those who could harm only their bodies. Jesus reminded them of God's care, noting that God knows even when sparrows fall and has numbered the hairs on their heads. He cautioned that while he came to bring peace, his message would sometimes cause division, even within families, but stressed that those who love family more than the gospel are not worthy of the kingdom.

One evening in Shunem, after John's apostles had returned to Hebron and Jesus' apostles had been sent out in pairs, Rachel asked Jesus what answer they should give when women inquired about salvation. Jesus provided a comprehensive response applicable to both men and women, instructing them to tell inquirers to believe the gospel of the kingdom and accept divine forgiveness by recognizing the indwelling spirit of God, which makes them children of God.

Jesus quoted various scriptures about righteousness and salvation, emphasizing that entrance into the Father's kingdom is freely given, though spiritual growth is essential for continued progress. He explained that salvation is the Father's gift revealed through his Sons, received through faith that justifies and saves believers, allowing them to advance eternally in divine perfection. Following Jesus' gracious words, those present continued proclaiming the gospel with renewed energy and enthusiasm, with the women especially rejoicing to learn they were fully included in the plans for establishing the kingdom on earth.

During the remainder of the tour, Jesus held evening discussions on numerous profound topics that deepened the understanding of his followers. These subjects included the love of God, dreams and visions, malice, humility, courage, music and worship, service, pride, forgiveness, peace, evil speaking, temptation, doubts, wisdom, and worship. With the older apostles away, these younger groups of both men and women could engage more freely in discussions with the Master.

Jesus would typically spend two or three days with each group of twelve evangelists before moving to join another group, keeping informed about the movements of all workers through David's messenger service. Each group was kept fully updated on the progress of the tour through this communication network, which provided encouragement to these scattered workers. Before separating, arrangements had been made for all apostles, evangelists, and the women's corps to gather in Nazareth on Friday, March 4, to meet with Jesus, and by mid-afternoon that day, all had arrived at an encampment prepared north of the city, marking Jesus' first visit to Nazareth since beginning his public ministry.

On Friday afternoon, Jesus walked through Nazareth unrecognized, visiting his childhood home, the carpenter shop, and spending half an hour on the hill he had enjoyed as a boy. This visit stirred powerful human emotions within him, particularly when he heard the familiar trumpet blast announcing sunset, which had marked the rhythm of his youth. Before returning to the encampment, he walked by the synagogue where he had attended school, reflecting on his childhood memories.

The people of Nazareth had never been known for particular piety or righteousness, and their moral standards had deteriorated due to influence from nearby Sepphoris. Throughout Jesus' youth, the town had been divided in its opinions about him, and many resented his move to Capernaum, feeling slighted that he had not included his hometown in his earlier preaching tours. The citizens had heard of Jesus' growing fame but were generally unfavorable toward him. Adding to the tension, Jesus' enemies had hired disruptive individuals to harass him during his visit, while many of his former friends had either died or moved away, leaving younger residents who felt jealousy toward his reputation and even criticized his walking pace on the way to the synagogue.

On the Sabbath, Nazareth's citizens—both supporters and opponents—gathered at the synagogue to hear Jesus speak. The building was so crowded that many of Jesus' apostolic retinue had to remain outside. As a young man, Jesus had often spoken in this worship place, yet remarkably, no one remembered that the very manuscript of sacred writings handed to him was one he had previously donated to the synagogue during his youth.

The service followed traditional Jewish format, beginning with two formal prayers that praised God as the Creator of light and darkness and acknowledged his love for Israel. The congregation then recited the Shema, the Jewish creed of faith, followed by the third prayer. The synagogue ruler recited the first and last of the nineteen benedictions, abbreviated to allow more time for Jesus' discourse. After these formal elements, Jesus was invited to read the Scripture lesson, choosing passages from Deuteronomy and Isaiah that spoke of God's commandments being near to the heart and the Spirit of the Lord anointing one to preach good tidings to the poor. Following the reading, Jesus delivered a fifteen-minute discourse on "The Sons and Daughters of God," which impressed many listeners with his graciousness and wisdom.

Following the formal service, Jesus remained to answer questions from the crowd, as was customary. However, he soon found himself surrounded by antagonistic questioners and troublemakers. When they reminded him of the proverb "Physician, heal yourself" and demanded he perform in Nazareth the wonders he had reportedly done in Capernaum, Jesus calmly responded that a prophet has no honor in his own country and explained that the working of divine grace depends on people's faith, not his personal determination.

The situation deteriorated when Simon Zelotes and some of Jesus' supporters confronted his critics in a belligerent manner, contrary to Jesus' teaching that a soft answer turns away wrath. Under the leadership of hired agitators, the crowd seized Jesus and dragged him to a nearby precipice, intending to throw him to his death. At the critical moment, Jesus turned to face his captors, calmly folded his arms without speaking, and when he began walking forward, the mob inexplicably parted, allowing him to pass through unharmed. Following this confrontation, Jesus and his disciples returned to their encampment and departed for Capernaum the next day, sobered by the realization that establishing the kingdom would involve significant opposition and disappointment rather than immediate triumph.