29-TWelveApostles-A

AND WE THOUGHT WE KNEW YOU:
SOUL JOURNEY WITH THE REAL JESUS

Twelve Apostles
UNLIKELY CREW

Summer AD 28
Capernaum, Galilee

�� It is time for Jesus to branch out and train some ambassadors, his apostles.� Who will help him develop the new kingdom of God?� Who, among all the untold thousands who've heard his speeches, been healed, and even followed him around from town to town?�

�� So many to choose from.� How to make the selection?� Crowds from everywhere:� From nearby nations of Phoenicia and Idumea.� So much responsibility placed on them.� Who to choose?� Crowds from Jerusalem and all over Palestine.� So many to consider.� Crowds from Syria. [1]

�� But what should the basic qualifications be for apostles?� For starters, Jesus wants them to have been drawn to his movement from the time John the Baptizer began introducing it.� And he wants to make sure they've got stick-to-it-ness so they'll still be around for the big surprise.� The one where he ascends, not to the palace or the Temple in Jerusalem, but the really big one - the throne room in heaven. [2]

�� Well, that still includes an abundance of people.

�� He needs time alone.� Too many distractions in town.� He fills a water skin and wanders off into a nearby mountain.� Alone. [3]

�� Jesus' stride is uncertain as he steps on jagged stones sticking relentlessly out of the earth.� As he hits his toe sometimes on obstinate roots from stubbly shrubs.��

�� Farther from the city below.� Closer to moonglow.� Farther from the influence of people.� Closer to that of his father.� Farther from the crowds pushing and shoving and demanding.� Closer to the unobstructed, uncluttered spirit.

�� Jesus prays.

�� Alone at last.� Alone with his thoughts.� His heart.� The soul of God.� The will of divine Spirit.�

�� Sight and insight.� Seeing and understanding.� Perceiving and recognizing.�

�� As he walks, he thinks.�

�� How about the religious leaders in the Sanhedrin at the Temple in Jerusalem?� No.

�� He turns around to see if he can see any lights from the city below.� He cannot.� That is good.� He has gone far enough.� He sits down on a bolder jutting up out of the ground.

�� Well, there's the teachers of the law, the experts in scripture.� No.�

�� In the bright moonglow he sees a spring.� He has come to this spot many times before.� He stoops down, picks up a stick, and swirls it around.

�� Well, there are the old faithful Pharisees.� No.

�� He stands and walks over to one of the few shrubs on the mountain.� He digs with a stick around the root out of curiosity to see if the roots are going straight down toward an underground well, or to the side toward the spring.

�� Well, how about the Temple orthodoxy?� No.

�� What a quandary.� Jesus has just about eliminated all the powerful people in Palestine.� The really strong religious ones.� He doesn't have much left to choose from.

�� He wanders back over to the boulder.� This time he leans on it and looks up at the moon.

�� That's a big mistake.� Unknowns and riffraff, trouble makers and traitors, and sinners is all that's left.� If he chooses them, he'll blow the whole thing.� Surely Jesus isn't that dumb.�

�� Who to choose?� Faces appear before him in his mind's eye.� He focuses on eternity.��

�� Come on, Jesus!� Wise up!� You're way off on this one.� Everyone's going to tell you to just take a hike.� So he does.

�� Sometimes striding, sometimes tripping, sometimes kicking stones in his path, he wanders this way and that.� And prays.

�� The moon continues to journey across the sky.� The stars appear and join the celestial voyage.�

�� Take your time, Jesus.� Eternity is very long.� So much hinges on this one night on the mountain top.� Moments turn into hours.� Gradually he eliminates and narrows down.�

�� He wanders back in the direction of the spring, picks up some pebbles and tosses them with fair precision, sometimes successfully hitting the spring and creating a small splash.

�� Jesus prays on.� And on.

�� What about this one, God?� He's done this and this and this.� Well, how about that one?� He's very good with that and that and that.

�� A cold breeze comes up and the night air grows cold.� He had not brought a robe, so walks around to the other side of a hill for some shelter.� He sits and thinks and ponders and prays.

�� One at a time.� Slowly.� Carefully.� Meticulously.� Read the hearts.� Study the souls.� Slowly.� One person at a time.� Fastidiously.� Correctly.� Faithfully.� Careful, now....

�� A glow emerges.� Slowly.� Uncertain.� Pink.� Then gold.� Then white.� Vague silhouettes.� Fuzzy outlines.� Sharp images.� Jesus can now see things clearly.� He knows what to do.� He's made his decision.� There will be twelve of them.� Not too large.� Not too small.� Just right.

�� Accidental number?� Probably not.� The same number as the ancient Sons of Israel who escorted in the old religious system, the Mosaic age.� Jesus' twelve will escort in the new religious system, the Christian age. [4]

�� Down from the mountain.� Jesus is tired.� But content.� Heavy-eyed.� But clear-sighted.� He goes back into town and to the city square where he often begins his day and where people often pass by on their way to work or to the market.� Today, as they walk by, he checks his mental list and stops those who are on it.

�� "You over there!� Come over by me.� I want to talk to you in a little while." [5]

�� In a relatively short time, he has a crowd around him.� Not of thousands or of hundreds.� He has his twelve.

�� He indicates for them to go to a house nearby.� He must speak with them alone.� Then he makes the announcement.� He is choosing them to be his special apostles.� And when the new kingdom of God is begun, they will be his ambassadors.� He will begin their formal training now, for they will be ruling primarily in his absence. [6]

�� Well, Jesus has gone and done it.� Who in the world are these guys, anyway?� He's made the biggest mistake of his life.� The new so-called kingdom of God is doomed from the beginning.� Jesus, you may as well give up right now and call the whole thing off.

�� They cannot possibly fill your expectation or to handle the unbelievable pressure.� From the twelve you expect to change the world.� The world does not want it.� The world does not want peaceful relations with each other and with God.� The world is too rebellious.� They'll kill whoever tries to push them into it.

�� There is already talk of killing Jesus.� It started over a year ago down in Jerusalem when he dared to heal someone on the Sabbath. [7]� The next death threat came up in Galilee after he healed someone else on the Sabbath. [8]� There will be more.� Eventually they will succeed.� No way will this twelve bunch of misfits be able to lead his cause and stand up against death threats.

�� Jesus takes his twelve traveling with him.� They are proud beyond belief.� They were selected to help him start God's kingdom.� All part of the elite group.� Twelve out of the thousands who've been following Jesus everywhere.� How did they get so lucky?

�� Jesus trains them for a year.� They witness miracles and sermons, then more miracles and sermons.� They accompany Jesus on a tour of the country.� Jesus' movement is actually taking off.� But these twelve apostles he selected, they are still wrong for the job.

�� Finally, they witness for themselves a death threat nearly carried out.� It comes from Jesus' old friends, people he grew up with in Nazareth.� They stick it out with him.� But can they handle it alone?� Absolutely not.

Spring AD 29
Capernaum, Galilee

�� At last, they return from their campaign tour.� So far the government has left them alone.� Good to see all their families again.

�� His popularity with the common citizens multiply unbelievably.� The twelve have learned so much, Jesus decides to divide and conquer.� They've learned the routine.� Jesus must now divide in order to multiply.�

�� But with common men?� People no one ever heard of?

�� The movement has grown and Jesus has become a folk hero.� But he cannot do everything himself.� He had taught people for about six months alone.� And for a year and a half he's been the only one able to perform miracles.� The only one.� That power is from heaven.� Jesus is the only one with such connections.� He's been the only one with the power.�

�� Let them fly.� It's time to let them lose to try their wings.� Yes, they'll fall out of the sky a few times, and crash.� But they'll rebuild themselves, get back up, and take off again.

�� This will be the third tour.�

�� But first, he must give them the power.� The power!� For nearly two years Jesus has been the only one able to perform miracles.� He's decided to pass this power on to his ambassadors, his twelve apostles.�

�� Them, Jesus?� You're going to enable these guys to perform those miracles?� To heal every disease, and every malady caused by accidents?� Even to cast out Satan's demons from the other world?�

�� The power to heal?� Wow!� They're just regular guys.� But it's not for their personal elevation.� It's to prove they're from Jesus who in turn is from God.� That way people will believe their message and follow Jesus.� Right now, until Jesus' life and words are put in written form, they must perform miracles to prove they're from him.

�� He calls them together.� He prays with them.� He tells them what he's going to do.

�� Give them power to do miracles?

�� Yes, the power.

�� But can they be trusted?

�� They're honest men.�

�� But what if they pronounce a miracle and it doesn't happen?� That could be embarrassing?

�� It will happen. [9]

�� But....

�� He prays again.� They all pray.

�� "God, help us use your power only to prove we also have your words explaining your will for the people."

�� "Yes, God.� Jesus won't be around in case we can't handle something."

�� Oh, but God will.� Jesus....God....the same thing.

�� The power is granted quietly.� No lighting slashing into the room.� No thunderous bolts.� Just....quietly....

�� Now, the only way they'll know for sure they have the power is to go out among the people.

�� What responsibility!� Can they handle it?

�� Jesus now gives them their assignments.� Where ever they go, even outside of Palestine, they are only to preach to Jews.� The other will come later.� They are not ready to go to other nationalities yet.� Besides, the Jews have the best background for understanding prophecies of the kingdom of God and of Jesus, their new king.� They are to skip Samaria for now because they have intermingled Judaism with pagan religions and there is too much confusion. [10] Jesus will cover Galilee. [11]

�� It is bound to be a knock-out tour.� Everyone's on a mountain top.� This is living!� Each one assigned their own territory.� Each one with a mission.� Each one with powers.� Life just can't get any better than this!� Can it?

�� Peter and Andrew will go together, natural since they're brothers.� They are given Gaulonitis at the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee where they will have something in common with other fishermen.� What good are these guys going to do you, Jesus?��

�� PETER, born in Bethsaida, Galilee. [12] His folks named him Simon.� When he was a kid, he was pretty good to listen to other people.� But the older he got, the farther from truth that got to be.� He'd turned into a big mouth. [13]

�� Why in the world did you give him the nickname Peter, Jesus?� A stone?� A pebble?� There's nothing solid about him.� You can trust him about as far as you can throw him.� Ever throw a stone into water?� Notice what it does?� It makes waves.� That's Peter.� Makes waves everywhere he goes.� Never satisfied.� Always changing things around.� Always trying to get people's attention.� Bad news, that Peter. [14]

�� Bet you didn't know Peter is reported to carry a sword.� He's been known to use it upon occasion too.� He hasn't been so bad since he got married.� But he still carries it. [15]

�� He's going to be a real trouble maker, that Peter.� He's going to cause you nothing but heartache, Jesus.� He's going to end up in jail. [16] Mark our words.� You'll regret this decision.

�� ANDREW - well, that's more like it.� He's more like their late father ~ Jonah ~ who was mild mannered and easy to get along with.

�� Probably too easy, though.� Never meets a stranger.� Trusts everyone.� Naive.� Gullible.� Always hanging around with strangers.� Even takes them to his friends and introduces them.� He could hook you up with some real nuts, Jesus.

�� Can't get him to do anything by himself.� He's not self-motivated.� Always has to have someone to tag along with. Relatives, foreigners, especially kids.� Sometimes he acts like a kid himself. [17]

�� Sounds too immature to even consider, even though he is a likeable guy. [18]

�� On the road.� Doing the best they can.� Can they do it?� Peter and John arrive at their first town.� They go to the city square and begin to preach.� It is in mid-afternoon when people prefer to rest anyway, so a small crowd gathers out of curiosity.�

�� "The new kingdom of God is about to start.� We're representing Jesus who will be the king of that kingdom."

�� That is enough to keep their attention for awhile.� They struggle through their first sermon.�

�� "I think you're all crack pots, myself."

�� Peter stops talking and Andrew takes over.� At least he is a change of pace.

�� "What proof do we have that he'll do what he promises?� We've heard promises before."

�� Should they tell it?� Once they do, they've set themselves up for failure and ridicule.� But they must tell it.

�� "The power of God has been given to us.� Much the same power that Jesus has."

�� "You mean miracles?"

�� "Yes, miracles."

�� "But that's not possible now.� Not in these modern times."

�� "It is possible temporarily.� While Jesus' cause is getting established and building its foundation."

�� "Healing and everything?"

�� "Healing and everything." [19]

�� "But you teach that we should not follow the traditions of the Temple leaders.� You need to mind your own business."

�� "Open your eyes!� Read the scriptures for yourself!� See what the scripture says to do and do that.� Don't believe just any priest or rabbi that comes along.� There are too many beliefs out there.� Check for yourself!"

�� James and John travel together, which is good because they are brothers.� They cover Decapolis to the southeast of the Sea of Galilee, also being fishermen.

�� JAMES was born in Bethsaida, just like Peter and Andrew. [20]�� But what else could you expect?� After all, his mother, Salome, is your mother's sister.� Family pressure probably made you do it. [21]

�� Have you ever blown this one, Jesus.� He is much too competitive.� He will do whatever is necessary to get rid of his competition.� If people oppose him, he will stop at nothing short of calling lightening out of the sky to strike them dead. [22]

�� He will do anything to be the first, the man on top, the most noticed.� Doesn't matter what it is.� He has got to be the first in line, the big cheese.� If there were a bunch of men lined up for decapitation, he'd insist on being the first.� He is a crazy man. [23]

�� JOHN, his brother ~ well, just more nepotism, of course.� People don't like that.� Now you've got double trouble.� Two of the same kind.� Jesus, you are you a glutton for punishment!� Sure, his father knows the high priest in Jerusalem personally.� Maybe that's a plus, his religious and political connections. [24]

�� But John is stubborn.� He calls it loyalty, but it is stubbornness plain and simple.� You cannot change his mind for love nor money, high water or hell.� You had just better watch what you tell him.� Once he believes it, there is no budging him.� He'll die an old man believing something is true rather than admit he is wrong.� John isn't a team player, Jesus.� Better cross him off the list. [25]

�� The two arrive in town and, they too go to the city square to preach their first sermon.� It turns out fairly good.� Some of the people want to hear more the next day.� One of them offers to let the two spend the night at their house.

�� The next afternoon they are back to preaching about Jesus and his coming from God to start the new kingdom of God.� They need to repent to they can be part of it.� But how do the people know James and John are from God?� Anyone could say that.�

�� "First, we want to see your proof."

�� Now?� Now!�

�� Their head swims.� Perform their first miracle!

�� A man hobbles forward.� He has a club foot.� What are they going to do about it?

�� James bends over and puts his hand on the foot.� Now what?� What if it does not work?� Then they've made fools of themselves.

�� He prays.� Then slowly, oh so slowly he pulls his hand away from the foot.� What will it be?� In front of this crowd?� Laughing stock or hero?� Mockery or true champion of the cause?

�� "I'm healed!� I'm healed!� Look at my foot, everyone!� I'm healed!� These men healed me!"

�� "They're really from God!"

�� "Look what he did for that man!� They've done the impossible!"

�� "It's a fake."

�� "Can't fake a club foot.� Maybe blindness or a back ache.� But not a club foot."

�� Applause!� Wild applause!� Whistling.� Shouting for more.

�� Ah, this is living!� This is the good life!� They've arrived.� Things can't get any better than this.� The whole town's going after them!

�� They will now be celebrities!� They won't be able to even walk down the street any more without being recognized!� Oh, holy status!

�� But remember!� It's for God.� Not yourself.� Calm down.� Glorify God!

�� Jesus has put Philip and Nathaniel together.� Well, Philip is the fellow that likes all nationalities equally, and Nathaniel is the honesty fanatic, so they should be able to work together okay.� Philip and Nathaniel were assigned the Jews in Phoenicia.

�� PHILIP?� Well, he's a little better that the first four.� There's possibilities for Philip.� He comes from a family of horse breeders outside of Bethsaida.� He's been known to enter a few chariot races.� He's been a friend of Andrew's a long time. [26]

�� Philip brags how logical he is, investigating all the facts before he decides something.� Don't know how he gets along with Andrew and Nathaniel who seem to believe anyone who comes along.� But he does.� Actually, he's more like Thomas.� But Tom didn't grow up around these parts. [27]

�� But Philip lets too many outsiders in, same as Andrew.� He was in favor of doing business with people from India, Africa, and even barbarians from Germania.� Then he decided they ought to mingle with all the good Jews.� You just can't go around mixing people like that.� They have their own kind to associate with.� Jesus, he's going to make trouble for you. [28]

�� NATHANIEL was born in Cana, Galilee, where Jesus turned water to wine.� He lived down in Judea for awhile.� Should have stayed there. [29] His parents named him Bartholomew, but he hated that name.� Sounded like an outlaw.� Nathaniel's anything but an outlaw. [30]

�� He has this hangup about being truthful.� Truthful, schmuthful.� He's a fanatic about it.� Tell him to tell someone at the door you're not home and he goes and blabs that you are home.� Then you have to talk to them.� He found some old scrolls in the storeroom and returned them.� It ended up costing him seven denaria in fines because the original owner had to replace them.� He just can't leave well enough alone.� Always stirring up trouble [31]

�� Gullible too.� He believes the first person to come along about anything.� He was one of the first people to believe John the Baptizer was telling the truth.� Well, that was good, because he really was telling the truth.� But it could get out of hand.� What if Andrew takes off on some other tangent?� He's too gullible. [32]

�� Better watch him, Jesus.� He could be here today and gone tomorrow.� Maybe you should reconsider awhile.� Take more time to observe him.� Make sure he can stick to things. [33]

�� They arrive in their first town and locate the synagogue.� Tomorrow is the Sabbath.� They are given permission to speak the next day.

�� They reach prophecies about Jesus.� They explain everything to the best of their own understanding.� Yes, the new kingdom of God is coming soon.� No, it won't completely eliminate all the present laws.� Yes, it will take in both the high priesthood and kingship in one office.� No, the present hierarchy will not be automatically ousted; they'll be invited to join the cause.� We must love our enemies and make friends out of them.� If we can.

�� It's late.� They adjourn.

�� People begin to spread the word.� These men are ambassadors of Jesus.� Everyone, of course, has heard of Jesus.� They are good.� They make sense.� They want to hear more.

�� The next afternoon the two apostles meet at a pre-selected place and begin once more to teach.� They are impressive in their understanding of the scriptures, though they stumble over them sometimes.� But who doesn't?

�� Then they perform a healing.� Their first healing.� It goes well.� The more teaching.� More warning. �More encouraging.

�� They end their sermon, but a community leader stands up before the crowd.�

�� "Ladies and gentlemen.� We must have a free-will offering at this time.� It will go strictly for the expenses of these men.� We must contribute what we can to their cause."

�� "No!� No!� You mustn't do that!"

�� The man turns.

�� "Don't do that!� We won't take your money.� We'll take room, board, and transportation, but that is all.� We won't take your money.� Please.� Don't do this.� God is free." [34]

�� Thomas and Matthew are assigned Syria to the north.� One of them was born among the foreign rulers near there, and Matthew works for them, so they should be able to get along.��

�� THOMAS was born in the seaport town of Antioch up in Syria. [35]� Kind of a mixed breed.� Sure, he believes the scriptures and all, but he has been influenced too much by the Gentiles.

�� He does not think like the rest of us.� Got a suicidal mentality.� He says crazy things about being willing to die for his leader, or even with his leader.� He'd jump off a cliff onto the enemy below if it would please his leader.� Well, the way Jesus is going with all this, Thomas may just get his chance.� Jesus is committing political and religious suicide. [36]

�� Well, Thomas does not just fall for any line.� He demands proof.� A real stickler on proof.� But can you fault a guy with a suicidal leaning like his?� A real fanatic, Jesus.� No one is going to take him seriously. [37]

�� MATTHEW is a traitor.� Consorts with the enemy.� The very enemy you plan to overthrow, Jesus.� He's going to end up being a spy, a double agent.� Mark our words, Jesus.� He'll betray you. [38]

���� He is a cheat too.� Yeah, he claims he's being honest when he collects our taxes.� But there's no such thing as an honest tax collector.� You know that's true.� He'll steal you blind, Jesus.� How do you think he got so rich?� He puts new meaning into the term filthy rich. [39]

�� And those people he associates with.� Those people he has as friends.� They're known frauds themselves.� The synagogue won't let them in.� Don't know why you're wanting to, Jesus.� He'll ruin your reputation before you get things off the ground.� Your miracles won't convince people otherwise.� They'll just use you for your miracles, just like he uses the people for their money.� Better reconsider, Jesus.� He's a mistake with a capital M. [40]

�� Thomas and Matthew men have no trouble attracting attention at their first town.� The crowd grows beyond their expectations.� They're everywhere.� Wanting to learn more of the new kingdom of God.� Wanting to learn more of their new freedoms.� They stay three days.

�� But things begin to turn sour.

�� "You're quacks.� That's all you are!" someone in the crowd shouts.

�� Troublemakers in the crowd.

�� "You are advocating the overthrow of the synagogue as it has been for centuries.� You're heretics."

�� Synagogue leaders fearful of being deposed.� They've brought their henchmen.

�� "You may fool some of the people some of the time.� But you're not going to fool us."

�� Several men grab Thomas and Matthew and force them into their synagogue.� They hold a mock trial of heresy.� They are found guilty and ordered flogged with ten stripes.� Then they are to immediately leave their city. [41]

�� They try not to show their fear.� Had they not been told this could happen?� Had not Jesus warned them?� After all, people are trying to kill Jesus.� They'll be after his adherents too.

�� The first blow hits Thomas' back.� He flinches.� His fists clinch.� Another blow.� He prays.� Another blow.� He becomes dizzy but keeps praying.� The stinging.� The blood.� The unbearable pain.�

�� "God, thank you!� God, thank you!� God, thank you!"� He repeats it over and over until the last blow.

�� Matthew is next.� They ache for each other's pain.� Jesus, far away, aches for their pain also.� This is just the beginning.� He prays they can survive the humiliation.� They do.� "God, thank you."

�� James Junior and Thaddeus go to Perea to the southeast.� Well, James thinks he's a know-it-all and Thaddeus is the quiet acquiescing one, so that should work.�

�� JAMES JUNIOR is the younger brother of Matthew.� They're Alphaeus' and Mary's sons. [42]

�� Matthew convinced the whole family Jesus will be the next king.� Well, that comes in handy.� They'll be able to donate to your cause.� They're as rich as Matthew; learned his techniques even.� Better watch both these guys.� Bad reputations. [43]

�� His father is a big community leader.� But James Junior doesn't take after him.� He is an essene and prefers to live in squalor.� Everything Matthew is, Little James isn't.� He dresses different from everyone else.� Doesn't believe in the finer things in life.� Get him in the palace, Jesus, and he's going to be a real embarrassment.� Better cut this guy and his brother both from your ambassadors.� The press will crucify you. [44]

�� THADDEUS.� Where did he come from?� A regular wall flower.� He's so shy and backward, the others will run over him.� And the crowds are going to trample him.� He's an absolute waste. [45]

�� You know how those religious leaders follow you around and challenge everything you say?� Don't let them get at Thaddaeus.� If you do, you're a goner, Jesus.� He'll never be able to represent you, or anyone else.� He is a real loser. [46]

�� Actually, no one likes Thaddaeus.� He is too quiet.� Can't trust a quiet man.� Never know what he's thinking.� He just quietly slithers like a snake in the grass.� He'll go over to the enemy and you'll never know what hit you.�

�� James and Thaddaeus do well in their first three cities.� The fourth one is not as receptive.�

�� They preach.� They explain how God loves them and wants to help them.� They explain that God wants them to be part of his new kingdom, the one over which Jesus of Nazareth will be king.� At first people believe and are baptized.� But their luck runs out.

�� People argue with them.� People shout at them.� People demand their arrest.� Leaders of the synagogue are sent for.� They bring still more people.�

�� Roman soldiers show up.� They must avert a riot situation.� James and Thaddaeus are arrested and thrown in jail for inciting a riot.� Now what?� Will they be left there to riot?

�� All night in jail the two pray.�

�� "God, make a way for us to get out.� We only want to tell others of your way."

�� The next morning they hear keys at the door.

�� "You're lucky.� Your day in court is this morning.� Come with us."

�� So they are able to testify before the judge and the city council.� Just as Jesus had predicted they would.� They address the judge and the council.� They tell them what Jesus want to do for them.� They tell about the peaceable kingdom of God that will come soon and co-exist with the current kingdom.��

�� Just as Jesus said it would be.� Jail is not so bad after all.� Not if people who do not want to hear the message are forced to hear it anyway.� Like a boomerang their plan always works. [47]

�� The council sees nothing to convict them of, so release them with a warning not to come back.� They have other places to go anyway.

�� Simon and Judas travel south through Judea.� May as well put the political rebel with the financial rebel.

�� SIMON was born in Phoenicia over on the Mediterranean coast. [48]� He's not really a citizen of Palestine.� He immigrated some time ago.� His background is a little under question.�

�� Heard he's also been in the militia. [49] Hooked himself up with that outlaw Commander Judas who leads terrorist raids against Roman military targets.� You know how many riots this guy's been in, Jesus?� He's a battering ram tied back with half-broken rope.� A temper that won't quit. �He's marched on Jerusalem.� Burned effigies.� Harassed the military.� Carries a dagger under his tunic.

�� You ought to see him and Matthew go at it.� Matthew the traitor.� Simon the revolutionary.� Ever hear them argue?� Of course you have.� Lots of times.� Came to blows a few times.� You've had to pull them apart more than once.� You really know how to run after trouble, don't you, Jesus?

�� Well, go ahead and ruin your reputation.� You'll do it with this guy.� He'll turn your entire organization inside out.� Him and Matthew.� You're doomed, Jesus. [50]

�� JUDAS -� well, this man is the only one you chose who was born near Jerusalem in Kerioth, practically a suburb. [51] �He may be the only wise choice you made, Jesus.

�� His ancestor, Caleb was given his own towns to rule. [52] �Another ancestor was the contractor in charge of building the very first synagogue with all the gold in it under Moses' direction.� He's from the tribe of Judah, the tribe destined to rule the eternal kingdom of God some day.� Got the background for it. [53]

�� Everyone else you chose is from those wicked cities up north closer to the Gentiles.� Everyone speaks with an accent, and they're kind of mavericks.� Not Judas.� He's refined and educated.� He's from around the nation's capital where all the culture is.� Been exposed to politics all his life too.� Solid foundation.

�� Fine stock this Judas comes from.� Good material.� Solid foundation.� He'd make a good treasurer. [54] ��Well, he'll probably do well in whatever post you assign him.� Too bad you didn't choose more men like him for your ambassadors, Jesus.� You might have made a go of this new kingdom of God and all. [55]

�� They travel from town to town.� They preach, then prove these are the words of God by performing miracles.� Over and over they go through the routine.� They can cover sometimes three towns in a week.� Sometimes less or more.

�� They have just entered a new town.� They announce they will be speaking early that evening on the hill just outside of town.� But people on the street do not respond.� What is going on?

�� "We're going to give you a head start out of town.� But you must leave now."

�� "What do you mean?� What did we do wrong?"

�� "Your first leader, the one before Jesus...."

�� "You mean John the Baptizer?"

�� "Yes, him.� He has been executed." [56]

�� Startled, the two stare at each other, then back at the stranger who has secretly befriended them.

�� "Thank you.� Thank you for your kindness to us."

�� "You did not have to do this for us, you know."

�� "Yes, I know.� But somehow I believe you.� You're good men.� Now get out of here!"

�� And so, after the great high, the twelve ~ wherever they are around the country ~ slink out of their respective towns and into hiding.� Into the night.� Trying to disappear into the woodwork.� Like the insects they went out to in order to raise their level of dignity.� Into the darkness.� Hoping not to be detected.

�� Are they being cowards?� Jesus had said no.� He had said they were to leave if they weren't received well.� This is no time to let pride reign supremely.�

Capernaum, Galilee

�� Back to Galilee.� Back to Capernaum.� Back to Jesus.� Will he be there?� Will they have arrested him and executed him too?� Surely not.� He's more powerful than John.� He's THE ONE.� God won't let anything happen to him.�

�� Two by two they return.� They go to Peter's house.� Or to the house Jesus had rented.� Or to relatives' houses.� Hiding.� Fearing.� What has happened to Jesus?� Where is he?�

�� Then Jesus shows up.� They meet.� They embrace each other.� How bitter sweet.� They were planning to brag on the great things God had done for his cause on their trips.� But all is covered with a funeral shroud.

�� It has begun.� The killings have begun.� Who will be next?� Jesus had warned them.�

�� After meeting and greeting, they just sit.� Sit and stare in confusion.� Bewilderment.� The tears come.� For their friend, John.� Jesus, too, cries.� For his best friend and his cousin.� How he will miss him.� For now.

�� What to do now?� They will try to arrest them next.

�� How they miss John.� Everyone is exhausted.� Mentally wrung out.� They need a rest.� But word of them being back in town has already spread.� People are trying to get an audience with Jesus.� They are tired.� They are in heart pain.� They are in danger.

�� "Come away to somewhere that is private out in the desert." [57]

�� They cross the Sea of Galilee in their large fishing boat.� Their is a slight breeze.� They are not in a hurry.� Their sails fill and they float off into their grief.�

�� It is the solitude they all need.� Everyone is quiet.� The only sound is the swish of the water as they slip through the deep. �[58]

�� They watch their leader grieve too.� They were so close, the miracle babies.� Jesus knows John gave his life for his cause.�

�� Yes, they all grieve and give in to their heart pain.

LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� There are some things in the Bible God wants all people to do - things that are generally right and good.� Think of something good ~ large or small ~ that you should do but which you cannot.� What will you do to force yourself to do it anyway?

2.�� Have you ever suffered for doing something that was good?� Reflect on that.� Then think of a way you will expand on that same kind of action so that more people will know of God's way of peace with him and with each other.�

3.�� Sometimes we think we have met utter defeat.� It may be that we will never again be able to accomplish something good and that we are a failure.� Think of our work from the other side of eternity.� There God sees not only our efforts in our single part of the world, but every one else's efforts in their parts of the world.� Thank God for the opportunity you took advantage of while you still could.

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