Paper 178 Overview: Last Day at the Camp

Jesus chose to spend his final free day on earth with his apostles and devoted disciples, delivering a significant discourse on the relationship between spiritual sonship and earthly citizenship. During this Thursday, he instructed his followers on many new truths in a secluded location above their camp, while the apostles noted Judas's absence, unaware of his betrayal plans. Jesus spoke about the proper relationship between the kingdom of heaven and earthly governments, emphasizing that believers could be loyal to both while maintaining their spiritual integrity.

Later that day, Jesus secretly arranged for the Last Supper through John Mark to prevent Judas from informing the authorities of their location. The Master sent Peter, John, and Philip ahead to prepare the upper room while David Zebedee kept Judas occupied at the camp. As evening approached, Jesus led his apostles toward Jerusalem, pausing on the Mount of Olives to deliver a poignant farewell address reminding them of their mission to continue his work and warning them not to needlessly risk themselves when he would be arrested.

Jesus intended to spend Thursday, his last day of freedom as a divine Son in human form, with his apostles and devoted followers. Early that beautiful morning, he led them to a secluded location near their camp where he taught them many new truths. Although Jesus would deliver additional discourses to the apostles during the evening hours, this morning talk served as his farewell address to the combined camp group of apostles and chosen disciples, including both Jews and non-Jews.

All twelve apostles were present except Judas Iscariot, whose absence was noted by Peter and several others. Some apostles assumed Jesus had sent Judas into the city on some errand, possibly to arrange details for their upcoming Passover celebration. In reality, Judas was engaged in his plot of betrayal and did not return to the camp until midafternoon, shortly before Jesus led the twelve into Jerusalem for what would become known as the Last Supper.

Jesus spent nearly two hours speaking to about fifty trusted followers, addressing approximately twenty questions regarding the relationship between the heavenly kingdom and earthly governments. He explained that while material kingdoms might require physical force to maintain order and execute laws, true believers in the spiritual kingdom would never resort to such methods. He clarified that this distinction referred specifically to the relationship between spiritual believers and secular governments, not to how spiritual groups might maintain internal discipline.

Jesus taught that there was no inherent conflict between spiritual sonship and earthly citizenship unless secular rulers demanded worship that belonged only to God. He instructed his followers to be exemplary citizens whose spiritual enlightenment enhanced their civic contributions, rendering to Caesar what belonged to Caesar and to God what belonged to God. He emphasized that kingdom believers should manifest righteous service to both believers and unbelievers, allowing the Spirit of Truth to empower their loving interactions with all people. His detailed instructions covered proper conduct toward civil authorities, the avoidance of using governmental power to advance spiritual aims, and the importance of maintaining peaceful relationships with all people whenever possible.

Few of Jesus' listeners fully comprehended his morning discourse, with the Greek followers grasping more than most. Even the eleven apostles struggled to reconcile Jesus' references to future kingdom activities extending across generations with the apparent imminent end of his earthly ministry. These Jewish believers were beginning to sense that a great tragedy was about to occur, yet they couldn't harmonize this with Jesus' cheerful attitude and his discussion of future heavenly kingdom transactions spanning vast time periods and involving successive earthly kingdoms.

By midday, all the apostles and disciples had learned about Lazarus's hasty flight from Bethany, which helped them realize the Jewish rulers' determination to eliminate Jesus and his teachings. Through his network of secret agents in Jerusalem, David Zebedee was fully informed about the plot against Jesus, including Judas's role in it, though he kept this knowledge to himself. Shortly after lunch, Jesus arranged for the Last Supper by sending Peter, John, and Philip into Jerusalem with specific instructions to follow a man carrying a water pitcher, who would lead them to the prepared upper room. Jesus had made these secret arrangements with John Mark the previous day to prevent Judas from revealing their location to the authorities.

Seeking to avoid the crowds moving through the Kidron valley between Gethsemane Park and Jerusalem, Jesus and the twelve walked over the western slope of Mount Olivet to connect with the road from Bethany to the city. As they approached the spot where Jesus had previously discussed Jerusalem's destruction, they paused and looked down upon the city in silence. Since they had arrived early and Jesus preferred to enter the city after sunset, he invited his apostles to rest while he spoke with them about coming events.

Jesus reminded the apostles that he had lived with them as brothers and taught them kingdom truths for years, and that he had warned them he must return to his Father's work. He explained that he had specially appointed them in the hills of Capernaum to carry on the kingdom work after his departure, comparing their future mission to how his Father had sent him into the world. Jesus warned them not to needlessly expose themselves to danger when they came to arrest him, emphasizing that while his departure was according to the Father's will, they should remain to witness to his gospel. He concluded by assuring them that though they would endure tribulation on earth, they had already entered eternal life and would eventually join him in his Father's many dwelling places after completing their earthly missions.