Paper 177 Overview: Wednesday, the Rest Day

This paper describes the events of Wednesday, the last full day of Jesus's life as a free man before his arrest and crucifixion. After asking his apostles to rest and reflect, Jesus spent the day alone in the hills with young John Mark while the apostles remained at camp, increasingly anxious about their Master's safety and the growing tensions in Jerusalem. During this time, Jesus and John Mark discussed the importance of early home life and how proper upbringing prepares one for spiritual service.

Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot secretly met with the chief priests to arrange Jesus's betrayal, motivated not by money but by disappointment, resentment, and a desire for recognition. The evening ended with a somber social hour where Jesus warned his followers about the coming persecution and the unreliability of public support. The heavy atmosphere in the camp reflected the apostles' growing awareness that significant and possibly tragic events were imminent.

On Wednesdays, when teaching demands were not pressing, Jesus and his apostles typically rested from their labors. On this particular Wednesday, they ate breakfast later than usual in an atmosphere of unusual silence. Jesus instructed them to take the day for rest and reflection on recent events in Jerusalem and to prepare for what was to come, encouraging them to grow in grace and hold to the truth.

After breakfast, Jesus informed Andrew of his intention to be absent for the day and instructed that the apostles should not enter Jerusalem. When David Zebedee attempted to provide armed guards for Jesus's protection, Jesus declined, explaining that no one would harm him until his appointed time. As Jesus prepared to leave alone, John Mark approached him with a small basket containing food and water for the day.

As Jesus was about to take the lunch basket, John Mark boldly asked if he could accompany Jesus, promising to remain silent and simply carry the food while Jesus sought solitude for prayer. Despite the apostles' surprise at this boldness, Jesus accepted John's offer, telling him they would have a good visit together and that John could ask any questions in his heart. This special occasion became known in the universe as "the day which a young man spent with God in the hills," exemplifying how the Creator willingly fellowships with his creatures.

Jesus spent considerable time talking with John Mark, discussing matters of both this world and the next. John explained his regret at being too young to be an apostle and expressed appreciation for being allowed to follow Jesus's ministry since the Jordan ford near Jericho. Jesus assured John that he would become a "mighty messenger of the kingdom" and warned him not to reveal their conversations to anyone. From that day forward, John Mark remained exceptionally close to Jesus, rarely letting the Master out of his sight during his final hours.

During their conversations, Jesus and John Mark compared their childhood experiences, finding many similarities despite differences in their families' financial circumstances. When John asked how Jesus knew he would become a strong messenger for the kingdom, Jesus explained that John's balanced home environment had provided him with the foundation for spiritual service. Jesus described how John's parents had demonstrated sincere affection for each other without overindulging their son, thus developing his self-confidence without inflating his self-importance.

Jesus further elaborated on the critical importance of early home training, explaining how a child derives all early concepts of intellectual, social, moral, and spiritual relationships from family life. He taught that a child's first impressions of the universe come from their mother's care, while early ideas about the heavenly Father stem from their earthly father's example. Jesus and the midwayers believed that his gospel, founded on the father-child relationship, could not achieve worldwide acceptance until home life embraced more love and wisdom. The text notes that while modern homes have eliminated many negative aspects of ancient Jewish households, they must still provide the love, loyalty, and discipline necessary for children to develop proper understandings of spiritual relationships.

While Jesus was away, the apostles spent most of their day walking around Mount Olivet and visiting with other disciples encamped with them. As the afternoon progressed, they grew increasingly anxious about Jesus's safety and debated whether they should have allowed him to go off alone with only an errand boy. Nathaniel made a speech about how they had all failed by not showing the same eagerness as John Mark to accompany Jesus, noting that they had stood by while the youth secured his place with the Master.

Around mid-afternoon, messengers arrived with word from David Zebedee's mother in Bethsaida and from Jesus's mother. David, convinced that the religious authorities intended to kill Jesus, had arranged for his mother to bring Mary and Jesus's entire family to Jerusalem, though he kept this plan secret from everyone. Later, more than twenty Greek followers arrived at the camp, and Peter and John conferred with them for several hours. When Jesus returned in the evening, he visited with these Greeks and might have ordained them as he had the seventy, had it not risked disturbing his apostles and other disciples. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, the chief priests were puzzled by Jesus's absence, as they continued preparing for Passover while finalizing their plans to destroy him.

Shortly after Jesus and John Mark left the camp, Judas Iscariot disappeared, not returning until late afternoon. Despite Jesus's specific request to stay out of Jerusalem, Judas went to meet with Caiaphas the high priest for an informal gathering of the Sanhedrin. This meeting, scheduled for shortly after ten in the morning, was intended to discuss the charges against Jesus and plan his delivery to Roman authorities for confirmation of the death sentence they had already passed.

The day before, Judas had confided to relatives and Sadducean friends of his father's family that he had concluded Jesus was merely a well-meaning dreamer rather than Israel's deliverer. Though not fully believing Jesus worked through demonic powers, Judas was convinced Jesus would allow himself to be destroyed by Jewish authorities. Judas resented not receiving greater recognition within Jesus's group and felt particularly bitter toward Peter, James, and John for their close relationship with Jesus. When Judas arrived at Caiaphas's home, he formally offered to help arrange for Jesus's quiet arrest and asked what reward they would give him. Caiaphas instructed him to coordinate with the temple guards to apprehend Jesus the following evening, when most people would be asleep.

That evening at camp was designated as a social hour, but Jesus struggled to cheer his downcast apostles in the somber atmosphere. He inquired about all the apostles' families, paying particular attention to David Zebedee's family. Jesus then warned his followers about the unreliability of crowd support, reminding them how the multitudes in Galilee had enthusiastically followed them and then quickly turned away. He cautioned that they should not be deceived by the temple crowds who seemed to believe their teachings but whose faith was superficial.

Jesus predicted that when Jewish authorities united against him, the crowds would either flee or stand by in silent amazement as the gospel teachers were led to their deaths. He warned that persecution would come, that some close to them had already decided to desert, and that even family members might turn against them. The camp was filled with tension as silent messengers came and went, communicating only with David Zebedee. The apostles found Jesus's unusual sociability and good cheer frightening, as they sensed impending trouble but couldn't identify its nature. Just before midnight, Jesus dispersed them for the night with the words: "Go to your sleep, my brethren, and peace be upon you till we rise on the morrow, one more day to do the Father's will and experience the joy of knowing that we are his sons."