Paper 165 Overview: The Perean Mission Begins

On January 3, Abner, the former chief of John the Baptist's apostles and now chief of the seventy messengers, gathered his associates to provide final instructions for their mission to the cities and villages of Perea. This Perean mission would continue for almost three months and represented Jesus' last ministry before his final experiences in Jerusalem. The seventy messengers, supplemented by the periodic work of Jesus and the twelve apostles, served in over fifty cities, towns, and villages throughout the region of Perea, which was equally gentile and Jewish in population.

Throughout this tour, the women's corps, now numbering sixty-two members, took over most of the work of ministering to the sick. This period marked the final development of the higher spiritual aspects of the gospel, with notably fewer miracles being performed than in previous missions. Jesus divided his time between the camp at Pella and trips with the twelve to assist the seventy in various cities, while under Abner's instructions, the seventy baptized all believers despite Jesus not specifically charging them to do so.

On January 3, Abner, who had formerly led John the Baptist's twelve apostles and now directed the seventy messengers of the kingdom, assembled his associates to give them final instructions before dispatching them on a mission throughout Perea. This mission would last for almost three months and constituted Jesus' final ministry before proceeding to Jerusalem for his culminating experiences in the flesh. The seventy messengers, with periodic assistance from Jesus and the twelve apostles, worked in numerous cities and towns across Perea, including Zaphon, Gadara, Philadelphia, and many others.

Throughout this tour, the women's corps, which had grown to sixty-two members, assumed primary responsibility for ministering to the sick. This period represented the final phase in developing the higher spiritual aspects of the gospel, and accordingly, there were fewer miracles performed. No other region of Palestine was so thoroughly evangelized by Jesus' disciples, and in no other area did such a high percentage of the upper classes accept his teachings. Perea at this time had a population that was roughly half gentile and half Jewish, as many Jews had been removed from these regions during the time of Judas Maccabee, and the province was widely considered the most beautiful and picturesque in all of Palestine.

By mid-January, over twelve hundred people had gathered at the Pella camp, and Jesus taught this multitude at least once daily when he was in residence, typically speaking at nine o'clock in the morning unless prevented by rain. Peter and the other apostles taught each afternoon, while Jesus reserved the evenings for question and answer sessions with the twelve and other advanced disciples, with these evening groups averaging about fifty people. The Master maintained this schedule throughout their stay at the camp, providing consistent teaching to the growing number of believers gathering there.

By mid-March, when Jesus began his journey toward Jerusalem, the audience listening to Jesus or Peter each morning had grown to over four thousand people. Jesus deliberately chose to conclude his earthly work when interest in his message had reached its peak—the highest point attained during this second, non-miraculous phase of the kingdom's progress. While three-quarters of the multitude were genuine truth seekers, there were also many Pharisees from Jerusalem and elsewhere present, along with numerous doubters and critics. During this period, Jesus and the twelve devoted much of their time to teaching at the Pella camp, rarely engaging in field work except when visiting Abner's associates, who were thoroughly familiar with the Perean district since it had been the primary area of John the Baptist's work.

A company of over three hundred Jerusalemites, including many Pharisees, had followed Jesus northward to Pella when he departed from Jerusalem at the end of the feast of dedication. Jesus preached the sermon on the "Good Shepherd" to about one hundred listeners, including both devoted disciples and bitter enemies. He presented his teaching as a parable so that each person could interpret it according to what resonated in their heart, acknowledging that some present would die for him while others were actively planning to kill him.

Jesus explained that the true shepherd enters the sheepfold through the door, and his sheep recognize his voice, while thieves and robbers try to enter by other means. He declared himself to be both the door to the Father's sheepfold and the true shepherd willing to lay down his life for his sheep. Jesus proclaimed that he had other sheep not of this fold, referring to believers beyond the Jewish people, and that eventually all would be brought into one brotherhood of God's children. After hearing these words, his apostles were confused, his disciples amazed, while many Pharisees departed saying he was either mad or possessed. However, by the next day, approximately half of the Jewish teachers who had heard Jesus professed belief in him, while the rest returned to Jerusalem.

By the end of January, the Sabbath afternoon crowds had grown to nearly three thousand people. On Saturday, January 28, Jesus delivered a memorable sermon on "Trust and Spiritual Preparedness" following some preliminary remarks by Simon Peter. He warned his listeners about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and encouraged them not to fear those who could only harm the body, reminding them that even five sparrows sold for two pennies are known to the Father. Jesus promised to acknowledge before the angels those who confessed their faith in him, and cautioned that blasphemy against God would hardly find forgiveness.

Jesus advised his followers not to worry about what to say when brought before authorities, assuring them that the indwelling spirit would teach them what to say in defense of the gospel. He questioned why they tarried in the "valley of decision" and hesitated between two opinions, urging them to accept the good news of divine sonship. Jesus emphasized that the Father never compels anyone to enter the kingdom, concluding with the invitation: "Whosoever will, let him come and freely partake of the water of life." After his discourse, many went to be baptized by the apostles in the Jordan River, while Jesus remained to answer questions from those who stayed behind.

A young man approached Jesus asking him to intervene in a family inheritance dispute with his brother. Jesus was mildly indignant that someone would bring up such a material matter but used this opportunity to provide important teaching about wealth and possessions. He warned everyone to guard against covetousness, explaining that a person's life does not consist in the abundance of their possessions and that happiness does not come from wealth. While acknowledging that wealth itself is not inherently wrong, Jesus cautioned that the love of riches can blind people to spiritual realities.

Jesus illustrated his point with the parable of a rich man who built larger barns to store his abundant crops, planning to enjoy his wealth for years to come, only to die that very night. When the young man returned privately to Jesus believing he had been treated harshly, Jesus quoted numerous scriptures about the dangers of covetousness and misplaced priorities. When asked how the wealthy would fare in the day of judgment, Jesus explained that the wealthy would need to answer three crucial questions: how much wealth they accumulated, how they acquired it, and how they used it. Throughout this teaching, Jesus emphasized that wealth should be held as a stewardship responsibility rather than allowing material possessions to become one's master.

That evening after supper, when Jesus and the twelve gathered for their daily conference, Andrew asked Jesus to repeat the words about wealth he had spoken to the multitude earlier that day. Jesus explained that his advice to the apostles would differ from what he told others because the apostles had forsaken everything to follow him and had been ordained as ambassadors of the kingdom. He assured them not to worry about material necessities, comparing their situation to the ravens who neither sow nor reap yet are provided for by the Father, and to the lilies that grow beautifully without toiling or spinning.

Jesus promised his apostles that if they wholeheartedly devoted themselves to proclaiming the gospel, they would be provided for through the gospel. He distinguished between their situation and that of ordinary believing disciples who needed to earn their own bread while contributing to those who taught and healed. Jesus warned them about the trials ahead, encouraging them to be watchful like servants awaiting their master's return from a wedding feast. He reminded them to be prepared for his departure, which would come at an unexpected hour, just as a homeowner would stay alert if he knew when a thief would come.

Simon Peter asked Jesus whether the parable was directed specifically to the apostles or to all disciples. Jesus responded by explaining that testing reveals a person's true character, just as trial discloses what resides in the heart. He compared this to how a homeowner might test a servant before entrusting them with greater responsibility, stating that he would similarly determine who could be trusted with the welfare of his children after he returned to the Father. Jesus warned about the fate of unfaithful servants who might think, "My master delays his coming," and begin mistreating fellow servants and engaging in inappropriate behavior.

Jesus cautioned the apostles that they faced imminent fiery trials and that his mission would not immediately bring peace in worldly affairs. He explained that the gospel would initially cause division, even setting family members against one another, though each believer would experience great and lasting inner peace. Despite these challenges, Jesus instructed them to continue proclaiming the gospel throughout the world, to every nation and person. This concluded a full and busy Sabbath day, and the next day Jesus and the twelve traveled to the cities of northern Perea to visit the seventy messengers who were working in those regions under Abner's supervision.