Paper 162 Overview: At the Feast of Tabernacles

Jesus and the ten apostles traveled toward Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles, despite the dangers awaiting him there. When a Samaritan village refused them lodging because they were Jews, Jesus rebuked James and John for their vengeful attitude and instead led the group to another village. Once in Jerusalem, Jesus boldly appeared in the temple to teach, surprising both his disciples who feared for his safety and his enemies who had expected him to remain in hiding.

During this significant visit, Jesus delivered several profound teachings, including declaring himself the "light of the world" and the giver of "living water." He demonstrated compassion by freeing a woman caught in adultery from her accusers and healing a blind beggar on the Sabbath. The religious authorities attempted to arrest him multiple times but failed due to the power of his words and the support of the crowds. After the feast, Jesus divided his time between Bethany with his apostles and Bethlehem with Abner's group, whom he completely won over to the kingdom message.

Jesus and ten apostles decided to travel to Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles, choosing to go through Samaria as the shorter route. When Philip and Matthew went ahead to secure lodging in a Samaritan village on Mount Gilboa, the villagers refused them because of their prejudice against Jews, especially during this time when many were traveling to a Jewish festival. Upon hearing this rejection, James and John asked permission to "bid fire come down from heaven" to punish the village, but Jesus severely rebuked them, saying, "You know not what manner of attitude you manifest."

Instead of seeking retribution, Jesus led the group to a village near the Jordan ford, where they spent the night before crossing the river and continuing to Jerusalem by the east Jordan highway. They arrived at Bethany on Wednesday evening, with Thomas and Nathaniel joining them later after finishing their discussions with Rodan. Jesus and the twelve remained near Jerusalem for about four and a half weeks, though Jesus himself only went into the city a few times during the feast while spending considerable time with Abner and his associates in Bethlehem.

Jesus' followers had long urged him to proclaim his gospel in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish culture, but now that he had decided to go, they feared for his life. The Sanhedrin had been seeking to bring Jesus to Jerusalem for trial, and he had previously avoided the city saying, "The hour has not yet come." Now, however, he declared that his hour had come, and despite his apostles' concerns, he entered Jerusalem several times to teach publicly in the temple.

His sudden appearance astounded everyone, as many had believed he was hiding in Phoenicia out of fear. The Jewish leaders hesitated to arrest him for several reasons: many members of the Sanhedrin secretly believed in him, thousands of pilgrims from throughout the Roman Empire were present and receptive to his message, and some even thought he had secured protection from Roman authorities. Jesus proclaimed his divine nature more boldly than ever before, declaring in the temple courts what his apostles considered "the official or formal announcement of the divinity of Jesus to the Jewish people and to the whole world."

During his first public teaching in the temple, Jesus was interrupted by someone questioning how he could teach so eloquently without rabbinical training. Jesus replied that his teaching came not from himself but from the One who sent him, stating that anyone who sincerely wanted to do God's will would recognize the divine origin of his message. He challenged his critics by pointing out their hypocrisy, noting they were planning to kill him while claiming to follow Moses' law which commanded "You shall not kill."

The crowd debated whether Jesus might be the Messiah, leading the Sanhedrin to send officers to arrest him. When they approached, Jesus spoke to them with such wisdom and love that they hesitated, listening as he proclaimed the "new and living way" and the "liberation from evil." The officers eventually returned to the Sanhedrin without Jesus, explaining, "We feared to arrest him in the midst of the multitude because many believe in him. Besides, we never heard a man speak like this man." The chief rulers mocked them for being deceived, but Eber, one of the officers, defended Jesus, noting that he spoke "words of mercy and hope."

Jesus encountered a woman accused of adultery who was brought before him by hired agents of the Sanhedrin, not by sincere religious leaders as commonly believed. This was a deliberate trap: if Jesus upheld the Mosaic law requiring stoning, he would conflict with Roman law forbidding Jews to execute anyone; if he opposed the punishment, they would accuse him of disregarding Jewish law. Jesus, recognizing the scheme, handled the situation masterfully.

The woman's husband had actually arranged this trap, forcing his wife into prostitution and then conspiring with the Sanhedrin's agents to catch her and use the situation against Jesus. After writing in the sand messages that caused first the woman's corrupt husband, then her accusers, and finally her accomplice to depart in shame, Jesus asked her, "Woman, where are your accusers?" When she replied that no one remained, Jesus said, "I know about you; neither do I condemn you. Go your way in peace." The woman, named Hildana, subsequently left her wicked husband and became a disciple of the kingdom.

The feast of tabernacles provided an ideal opportunity for Jesus to proclaim his gospel to an international audience, as it attracted people from throughout the known world from Spain to India. During this harvest festival, which occurred in the cooler autumn months, people lived outdoors in leafy booths or temporary shelters. More Jews attended this celebration than either Passover or Pentecost because of the favorable weather conditions and its timing after the harvest season.

This feast combined religious ceremonies with vacation-like celebrations, featuring sacrifices, music from Levite choirs, and the blowing of silver trumpets by priests. Temple courts were brilliantly illuminated at night by candelabras and torches, creating a spectacular scene. A significant ritual involved priests carrying water from the pool of Siloam to the temple in a golden pitcher, symbolizing the outpouring of divine spirit. Seventy bulls were sacrificed during the feast to represent the seventy gentile nations, demonstrating both religious devotion and a complex relationship with the broader world during this important Jewish observance.

On the evening before the last day of the feast, with the temple courts brilliantly illuminated by candelabras and torches, Jesus stood among the assembled throng and made one of his most profound declarations: "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life." When challenged about the validity of his self-testimony, Jesus explained that his witness was true because he knew his origin and destination, while they judged only by appearances.

Jesus continued his discourse by explaining that he came from the Father and would soon return to him, saying, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You who prefer to sit in darkness are of this world; I am not of this world." He warned that they would seek him but not find him, for where he was going, they could not come. Jesus proclaimed that when the "Son of Man is lifted up," they would understand his identity and relationship with the Father. Many in the crowd believed his message, though others remained doubtful or hostile, demonstrating the division his teachings increasingly caused.

On the final day of the feast, during the solemn ceremony when priests poured water from the golden pitcher onto the altar, Jesus stood and proclaimed, "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. From the Father above I bring to this world the water of life." This statement directly connected to the ceremonial water pouring they had just witnessed, giving profound spiritual meaning to the ritual. Jesus explained that those who received his spirit would never experience spiritual thirst again.

Later that morning, Jesus continued teaching the multitude, connecting his message to the water symbolism by quoting scripture: "Behold, as the waters are poured out upon the dry ground and spread over the parched soil, so will I give the spirit of holiness to be poured out upon your children." He contrasted their ceremonial traditions with the living reality of his spiritual offering, saying they sought to "water their souls with the traditions of men, poured from the broken pitchers of ceremonial service" while he offered the true spirit of the Father and Son that would lead to "life everlasting, to the true waters of life in the kingdom of heaven."

On the afternoon of the last festival day, after his apostles had unsuccessfully tried to persuade him to flee from Jerusalem, Jesus returned to the temple to address a group of believers gathered in Solomon's Porch. He told them that by continuing in his word, they would know the truth, and "the truth shall make you free." When questioned about this freedom, Jesus explained he was speaking about spiritual liberty, not political freedom, stating, "Everyone who commits sin is the bond servant of sin."

Jesus contrasted spiritual children of God with those who rejected his message, saying, "If God were your Father, you would know me and love the truth which I reveal." The tension escalated when Jesus claimed that "before Abraham was, I am," which his opponents interpreted as blasphemy. The Jewish leaders attempted to stone him, but Jesus escaped through the temple corridors to a secret meeting place near Bethany where Martha, Mary, and Lazarus awaited him. This discourse marked another significant moment where Jesus clearly claimed divine authority, further polarizing those who heard him.

Jesus arranged to stay with Lazarus and his sisters at a friend's house while in the Jerusalem area, taking precautions because Jewish authorities were again plotting to arrest him. The apostles were scattered in small groups for safety. During this visit, Martha became distracted by her many household responsibilities while Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to his teaching, continuing a pattern of behavior that characterized their personalities.

When Martha complained to Jesus that Mary wasn't helping with the serving, Jesus gently but firmly responded, "Martha, Martha, why are you always anxious about so many things and troubled by so many trifles? Only one thing is really worth while, and since Mary has chosen this good and needful part, I shall not take it away from her." He then asked when both sisters would learn to live as he had taught them—serving cooperatively while also refreshing their souls together. This incident reveals Jesus' emphasis on spiritual priorities while acknowledging the importance of daily service.

While believers gathered at Bethany for instruction from the apostles after the feast, Jesus spent much of his time working with Abner and his associates in Bethlehem. Abner had been a leader among John the Baptist's followers and now directed the work of seventy kingdom messengers. Through both his public courage in Jerusalem and his private teaching in Bethlehem, Jesus won over all of Abner's associates to "wholehearted acceptance of the kingdom."

Jesus and Abner arranged for their two groups to join forces in a united effort. In early November, Abner and his eleven companions officially joined Jesus and the twelve at Magadan Park, working together as one organization until the crucifixion. The apostles were relieved to leave Jerusalem and return to friendly territory, no longer urging Jesus to proclaim his message in the dangerous environment of Jerusalem. This alliance with Abner's group significantly strengthened Jesus' movement during the final months of his ministry.