Paper 181 Overview: Final Admonitions and Warnings

After concluding his farewell discourse to the eleven apostles, Jesus informally recounted various experiences they had shared as a group and as individuals. The apostles were beginning to realize Jesus would leave them, yet they clung to his promise of returning after a brief period. They misinterpreted this statement, believing Jesus would merely visit his Father briefly before returning to establish his kingdom on earth, a misconception that aligned perfectly with their preconceived beliefs and ardent hopes. This alignment between their lifelong expectations and what they wanted to hear made it particularly easy for them to interpret Jesus' words in ways that justified their deepest longings.

Following this period of reflection and discussion, Jesus called the apostles to order again to provide his final admonitions and warnings. He explained that while he would leave them physically, he would return as a spirit presence within each believer, allowing him to guide them more effectively through their earthly lives and into the eternal future. Jesus emphasized that they should follow the spirit of his teachings rather than attempt to imitate his physical life, and left them with his peace, encouraging them not to be troubled or afraid since he had overcome the world and through faith in him, they would triumph as well.

After Jesus finished his farewell discourse to the eleven, he spent time informally with them, recounting many experiences that involved them as a group and as individuals. The apostles were beginning to understand that their teacher was going to leave them, but they held onto his promise that after a short while, he would be with them again. They misunderstood what Jesus meant, thinking he was simply going away for a brief visit with his Father before returning to establish the kingdom on earth. This interpretation aligned perfectly with their existing beliefs and hopes.

Since their lifelong beliefs and their intense desires were in agreement, it became quite easy for them to interpret Jesus' words in a way that supported what they wanted to believe. This natural human tendency to hear what one wants to hear allowed them to miss the deeper implications of Jesus' message about his departure. After the farewell discourse had been discussed and had begun to settle in their minds, Jesus called the apostles to order again and began to share his final admonitions and warnings with them.

When the eleven apostles had taken their seats, Jesus stood and addressed them, explaining that while he was with them in physical form, he could only be one individual in their midst or in the world. He revealed that after being delivered from his mortal body, he would be able to return as a spirit indweller within each of them and all other believers, making the Son of Man a spiritual incarnation in the souls of all true believers. Jesus explained that this spiritual presence would better enable him to guide them through this life and the many stages of the future life in heaven, where they would progress from glory to glory until reaching spiritual perfection.

Jesus encouraged them to earnestly live according to the spirit of his teachings and the ideal of his life—doing the Father's will—rather than trying to imitate his physical life. He promised that although he would soon pour out his spirit upon all flesh, he would also return briefly before ascending to the Father. Jesus left them with his peace, not measured as the world gives, but given fully to each apostle according to their capacity to receive it. He urged them not to be troubled or afraid, reminding them that he had overcome the world and through faith in him, they would all triumph. The peace Jesus offered was not like the temporary comforts sought by stoics or optimists, but the deep assurance that comes from knowing God's will and purpose.

After completing his final group instructions, Jesus addressed each apostle individually, giving personal advice and a parting blessing as they sat around the Last Supper table. Beginning with John Zebedee, Jesus acknowledged him as the youngest brother who had been designated by Andrew to always remain near Jesus. He charged John with caring for his earthly family and watching over the apostles in Jesus' absence, expressing confidence that John would fulfill these responsibilities faithfully. Jesus reminded John that he had once been called a "son of thunder" but had changed greatly since wanting to call fire down upon unbelievers, encouraging him to further transform by becoming the apostle of the new commandment to love one another as Jesus had loved them.

To Simon Zelotes, Jesus acknowledged his true loyalty and devotion to the kingdom, but expressed concern about what might happen to Simon after Jesus' departure. He warned Simon that he still didn't fully grasp the spiritual nature of the kingdom and might be deeply disappointed when he finally realized that Jesus wasn't establishing the kind of kingdom Simon expected. Jesus cautioned Simon about the potential conflict between earthly citizenship and spiritual service, encouraging him to show how mortal people could fulfill Jesus' instruction to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. He assured Simon that after overcoming his season of discouragement, he would return to proclaim the gospel with great power.

To Matthew Levi, Jesus explained that he would no longer need to provide for the treasury of the apostolic group as they would soon all be scattered. He told Matthew that after recovering from the shock of Jesus' departure, he would go forth alone to the ends of the earth, proclaiming the good news that faith-quickened mortals are the sons of God. Jesus encouraged Matthew to first focus on winning his Jewish brothers until fully satisfied, then turn with power to the gentiles. He reminded Matthew that despite his past as a tax collector, he had won the confidence and affection of all his brothers.

To James Zebedee, Jesus recalled when James and his brother had sought preferment in the kingdom, reminding James of his promise to drink from Jesus' cup. He warned that James and John would go different ways, and one might join Jesus in the eternal kingdom long before the other. Jesus advised James to learn that true wisdom includes discretion as well as courage, and to cultivate sagacity along with his natural aggressiveness. He encouraged James to live long on earth if possible so that his life would be fruitful in souls won for the heavenly kingdom.

To Andrew, Jesus acknowledged his faithful service as acting head of the ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom. He officially released Andrew from all administrative responsibility, explaining that such authority was only needed while Jesus was physically present with them. Jesus clarified that in the spiritual realm, brothers are dealt with as individuals, but in group relationships, leadership authority is always provided. He instructed Andrew to do his utmost to promote peace and harmony among the various groups of gospel believers, devoting the remainder of his life to fostering brotherly love among his brethren.

Jesus addressed his remaining apostles individually, giving each personalized counsel. To the Alpheus twins, he praised their faithful work alongside their own flesh and blood and encouraged them to see dignity in common labor. To Philip, he noted his tendency to ask questions and promised he would soon see great things through spiritual vision. To Nathaniel, Jesus commended his sincerity but advised him to develop greater discretion with his frankness. To Thomas, Jesus praised his critical mind and assured him his doubts had never troubled Jesus. Finally, to Simon Peter, Jesus warned about his tendency to speak before thinking, predicting that Peter would deny him three or four times that very night, but encouraging him to learn from this failure and strengthen his brothers afterward.