44-The72-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

The Seventy-Two
INFANTRY

September AD 29
Somewhere in Galilee

�� It is time to go.� The beginning of the end.�

�� Jesus has counted the cost and decided to pay the awful price.

�� Bravely and resolutely, Jesus walks out of Capernaum for the very last time.� His northern headquarters.� Where he laid the foundation of his new spiritual kingdom.� Where the common people are, and the foreigners and pagans.� Far away from all those climbing the political and religious ladders in Jerusalem.

�� Silently he walks down the highway.� He prays for his heavenly father to help him do what he must do.� Help him with the dying.� He is terrified.� But he never lets on.� He is their leader. [1]

Somewhere in Samaria

�� Safe out of King Herod's province, they eventually stop to spend the night at a hostel.� The next day the crowd is there.� Thousands.� He walks outside of town to find room for everyone and stands on a hill where they can all see and hear him.� Everywhere he goes he attracts thousands.� After all, they expect him to be their next king.� They are glad. [2]

�� Jesus tells them again to get ready for the new Kingdom of God.� He has been telling them this for three years.� He says it is closer than ever.� They are relieved.

�� He needs help now.� Help for the southern campaign.� It needs to start in a couple weeks.� It will last twelve weeks.� They will cover 36 cities.� He needs them to go to Jerusalem to the Feast of Tabernacles, and then reassemble in Perea for some training.� That is just one week from today.� Who is willing to go out on his behalf to spread the word after his trip to Jerusalem?

�� "Good thinking," Simon ponders as he hears Jesus lay out his plans to the crowd.� "That should help weed them out.� Get these people to make a real commitment.� Put their money where their mouth is.� They must use their own funds to get to Jerusalem.� Don't give them time to go around to synagogues soliciting donations.� That's good."

�� Jesus offers the invitation.� Who will help him spread the word?� He needs help.� He cannot go out as publicly any more.� And soon it will all be left to those he leaves behind. He will select his own Sanhedrin ~ his own 72.

�� One by one people walk forward to Jesus' now-well-known apostles and explain they have already been cleansed, and now they want to do more.� They want to dedicate their lives to the new kingdom of God.� They want to help recruit other believers in the southern campaign.

�� But it takes a special kind.� Do they have what it takes?�� Not all of them.�

�� One by one they are led over to Jesus.� Jesus talks to them.� One by one most of the people walk back to their friends in the crowd.� They had forgotten to count the cost.� They just cannot make that much of a commitment.� A few stay.� One of them is a professional man.� A lawyer.� His name is Jokthan.

�� A lawyer these days must be an expert in both the political and religious laws because they are so intermingled in the Law of Moses.� This man is sharp.� Jokthan recognizes that Jesus is fulfilling more and more of the prophecies set forth in the scriptures.� He knows without a doubt that Jesus is that Deliverer, that Savior predicted for so many centuries.� He is confident that Jesus is about to take over.

�� "Do you want to follow me?" Jesus asks him.

�� "I will follow you no matter where you go," Jokthan replies confidently. [3]

�� Is he sure?� "Wild animals have lairs to rest in," Jesus warns.� "Even the birds have a nest to return to every night.� But I have no home, and I must search every night for some place to just lay my head." [4]

�� "I know, Jesus.� I know.� But I want to go anyway."

�� Jesus now has a few who have committed themselves to him.� But not enough.� He looks out over the crowd.� He sees into the hearts of some talented people.� People with real potential.� People who would make good workers in the new kingdom of God.��

�� He walks into the crowd slowly looking this way and that.� Peering.� Sizing up the hearts of the audience watching him curiously.� He sees a man over on the left.� He motions for him to come out to the aisle.� He does.

�� This man is wearing a brown robe over a beige tunic.� In the belt with his water skin is a token scroll marked on the outside with the words "holy scriptures."

�� He owns a small pottery business along with his grown son.� They have six employees.� Every morning he assembles everyone and reads to them briefly out of the proverbs written by Solomon.� Then his son leads the little group in a brief prayer asking God to help them be honest and courteous throughout the day.� Jesus could use a good man like this.

�� "Follow me," Jesus tells him.

�� "Uh, to the south?� Are you serious?"� Ehud is both flattered and excited.� Flattered that Jesus would believe in him that much.� Excited at the prospects of being involved in a campaign with Jesus himself as the leader, the future king of Palestine.

�� "Wow!� That would be great, Jesus." he responds.� "But first I've got my father's funeral to attend.� He died up in Gaulonities.� I have to.� It's important to the family that I go." [5]

�� Jesus is in a hurry to train his seventy-two~- his own Sanhedrin. [6]� He is disappointed.� "Let spiritually dead people bury the dead," he replies. [7]

�� Ehud just looks at the ground.� He must be an example to his family and friends of how to honor father and mother like one of the Ten Commandments says.� Surely, Jesus understands.

�� This man could have done great things for him.� Instead he looks in Jesus' eyes as if to say, "I am sorry, but I cannot if it is now or never."

�� Jesus looks at him one last time, thinking of all the people who have not heard the news yet.� True, most have heard a little about his mission; but not the real story.� Not the meat and bones of it all.� Jesus cannot get to them all himself.� He needs this man.� The people need this man.� But he is too busy.�

�� Jesus works his way further through the crowd.� Over to the right he spots her.�

�� Deborah is dressed in an ordinary way.� A little over weight.� Hair not well kept.� Age spots appearing on her face.� She has raised a house full of children and taught them all well. Now she is a widow and all alone.� She teaches children who have no mothers to teach them.� She sends baby clothes to couples ~ even those she does not know ~ who have just had a baby, and writes a note of encouragement to each of them.�

�� "Follow me," Jesus tells her.� "I could use your help."

�� "Oh, well, I'd love to.� I really admire you.� I know you were sent by God.� I plan to get more involved after I wind up some things I'm committed to now.� I've been praying about it."

�� "Follow me now," Jesus repeats.

�� "Oh, now?� Right now?"� Deborah fidgets.� "Well, I know you need people in your southern campaign right now.� But I'd have to go back home and pack some things and tell my children where I'll be going.� Then I can meet you." [8]

�� Jesus looks at her disappointed.� So close.� She was so close.

�� "No one," Jesus responds frustrated, "no one who puts their hands on the plow and looks back is fit to serve in the kingdom of God." [9]

�� She looks at him in disbelief.� The whole audience looks at him in disbelief.� Jesus is demanding.� They are shocked.� They were not expecting this.

�� Without another word, Deborah makes her way back out of the crowd.� Her own answer has embarrassed her.

�� But, Deborah.� Jesus needs you.� He needs you now.� You can share the good news with a lot more people this way, Deborah.� You said you loved God.� How much, Deborah?� How much?

�� Jesus continues on through the crowd.� Searching.� But the people are beginning to shuffle.� Looking to see where the sun is in the sky.� Debating whether to leave their spot and duck out without drawing attention to themselves.� What if people think they're volunteering before they can get away?

�� Jesus, you are supposed to understand our limitations and love us anyway.

�� Jesus, we need to work you into our schedules.� Surely you love us anyway.

�� Jesus, this is going too far.� You are expecting us to be fanatics for the next three months.� We can love you in other ways.

�� Jesus, those people with the written scriptures can just figure it out for themselves.�

�� Jesus, you cost too much.

�� Traveling once again.� Steadily toward the enemy.� He will fight the enemy.� Alone if he must.� And at one point, that is exactly what he knows he must do ~ the point of death.

�� It is safe in Samaria.� The Roman senator in Syria now over Samaria, is not interested in him.� It is also safe because the Temple does not officially recognize Samaria as part of Palestine, though it is. [10]

Somewhere in Judea

�� Back on the road, but not on the main highway.� Now in enemy territory, he must return to traveling in secret.� It is hard.� So many people recognize him now.� He puts a hood over his head to help hide his identity.

�� Hiding.� Hiding.� The son of God now hiding from a world he came to save from Satan.� The world has let Satan convince them Jesus does not love them.

�� The journey so long from heaven to earth, Jesus.� Now hiding and cowering in the shadows of his own creation.� Hiding from his own created ones.� Stay alive, Jesus.� Stay alive long enough that they can murder you. [11]

�� His apostles hiding also.� And the women.� Scattered along the highway and side roads.� In disguise.� Fearful.� What will happen to Jesus?� What will happen to them?

�� As they travel, Jesus continues the fight within himself.� He cannot get out of it.� He must sacrifice his life for them.� Whether or not they are willing to sacrifice anything for him.� Whether or not they think they need it.� Whether or not he wants to.� He must do it.�

�� Mile after mile Jesus conquers and reconquers Satan.� He must.� There is no other way.

�� If he can only get to the Temple.� He has always been safe in the Temple. [12]

Jerusalem, Judea [13]

�� In Jerusalem, the group reassembles in the Temple.� The Temple grounds is where the masses are.� There are tens of thousands of them.� They will riot if Jesus is arrested there.

�� Jesus walks safely, now, out into the massive courtyard surrounded by the giant indestructible walls.� He stands on a bench at the edge of the colonnade.� There he calls out.�

�� "All of you know me!"� His voice echoes.� "You all know where I came from!"

�� The throng grows quiet.� How they had longed to hear that wonderful voice, the voice of their delivering king.

�� Oh yes, Jesus, we know God sent you to us.

�� Keep it up, Jesus.� We're behind you all the way.

�� "You don't know the one who sent me very well!" Jesus continues.� "So look at me!"

�� Yes, we're looking Jesus.

�� "When you look at me, you look at God....at God....at God!" [14] His voice echoes from wall to wall.

�� The people stir.� The Temple leaders jump at the lull in enthusiasm, the spark of doubt.

�� "Heresy!" cries one of the chief priests.

�� "Blasphemy!" calls out one of the rabbis.

�� Do they dare arrest him?� Not in front of the masses.� The masses love him. [15]

�� It is now the last day of the feast.� Once again Jesus grows bold.� He climbs to the top of a massive column base near the outer gate.� He raises his arms and shouts in the loudest voice possible.� He must reach the thousands there within the Temple complex.

�� "Attention, everyone!� Attention!"

�� Yes, we're listening....

�� "Come to me!� I will give you true water!� The water of life.... of life.... of life!" [16]

�� He has given them something to think about.� Both his friends and his enemies.� He quickly leaves through the gate and goes to a home in Bethany.�

�� The next day he is back.� This time he stands at the top of the grand stairway leading to the inner court.� This time he confronts the Temple leaders.� Their inconsistencies in demanding others keep commandments they do not.� Their blindness in not allowing healing on the Sabbath.�

�� Jesus must be stopped.� But how?

Mount of Olives, Judea [17]

�� Jesus sets up camp on a high hill just on the other side of the valley from the Temple in Jerusalem.� He goes there every time he travels to Jerusalem.� There on the Mount of Olives where King Solomon once built two pagan temples. [18]

�� The Feast of Tabernacles is over.� Jesus has dared show his face in Jerusalem.� Procurator Pilate is nervous.� Herod is nervous. The religious leaders are nervous.� Jesus' take over will make him both priest and king.� No one will go unaffected. [19]

�� Everything is astir.� People know his takeover is imminent.� Word has it that he has set up a militia camp in Perea or Samaria, but no one is sure where.�

�� Jesus has withdrawn into hiding.� Only his followers know exactly where, and they are not talking.� One by one they begin to arrive.� On foot, on old donkeys, on beautiful kingly white mules, in chariots, over highways and off the beaten trail.

�� One by one.� The professionals:� Lawyers, physicians, scribes, import-export agents, bankers, teachers.� The common workers:� Miners, carpenters, loggers, camel drivers, pottery makers.� The non-workers:� Retired, students, the independently wealthy, homemakers.

�� One by one the chosen ones ~ those who allowed themselves to be chosen ~ show up on the Mount of Olives.�� A total of 60 have come ~ plus Jesus' twelve apostles. [20]

�� They look for a place to set up shacks made out of branches, and make beds of leaves.� None of them had time to bring luggage.� There are springs scattered around where they can wash their clothes.� The women who continue to follow Jesus around the country will make meals. [21]

�� They stand around and talk among themselves.�

�� "Have you seen him yet?"

�� "ATTENTION EVERYONE!� WILL YOU PLEASE ASSEMBLE ON THE CREST OF THE HILL.� WE WILL EAT, THEN HAVE OUR FIRST MEETING."

�� A few who have explored the miniature mountain begin to shout.� "Over here!� Over this way!"

�� As everyone assembles, they notice Jesus sitting among a group eating back away from the center.� Why isn't he at the head?� As they people notice, they nudge each other and smile.�

�� After the meal, Jesus gets up for a few brief comments.

�� "I am going to be sending you out like children among maniacs," he explains. [22]

�� Everyone knows this is true.� It is dangerous to be part of this new movement.� They may be taking their lives in their hands.� But they believe in the cause.� They believe in the new kingdom of God.� They are willing to take the chance.� God will help them and be their strength and guide.

�� "You are going to go with no money pouch or luggage," he continues.

�� Well, that was practically understood from the beginning.� He wanted them to drop everything and go with him. [23]

�� "You are not to stop on your way to your assigned cities to visit other people, even if they are old friends.� This is not a social trip." [24]

�� Everyone senses the urgency.� The takeover is eminent.� Everyone must be notified as soon as possible.� Jesus will take his place in the palace as king by winter, or at the latest next spring.� It is common belief.� It is common knowledge.

�� It is late.� They end the session and retire to their makeshift shacks.

�� The next morning everyone is awakened by an announcement.

�� "BREAKFAST WILL BE IN ONE HOUR."

�� Jesus is seated at a different place this morning.� He wants to get to know as many people as possible.� How grateful he is for their faith in him.� How grateful they are for his faith in them.

�� The meeting resumes.� Jesus wanders among his audience as he talks.

�� "When you enter a house, first pronounce a blessing from God on their house.� If that doesn't make them nervous, they will be glad for you to stay with them.� Eat whatever they give you and don't offer to pay them.� This is their way of helping with the cause." [25]

�� Questions are asked and answered.� It is lunch time.� They dismiss for a break.� They rest awhile and get to know each other better.� At mid-afternoon they re-assemble.

�� Then Jesus makes an announcement they are not expecting.� He is going to give them the power!� They will be able to perform miracles in his name!� Miracles!

�� They sit listening with mixed emotions.� All they had expected was to share the good news with people.� They were not expecting this.�

�� He explains how to use it.� They cannot heal everyone in the world.� That would keep them too busy.� They are only to heal to confirm that their words are from God.� Then people will listen to them.� Then they are to explain the good news. [26]

�� One by one they walk forward and are given the power to perform miracles.� One by one they who came empty are being filled - filled with the amazing. [27]

�� It is sunset.� That is all they can handle for one day.� They are being overwhelmed each hour.� If they'd only known.� But still there is more to know.

�� The next morning after breakfast Jesus speaks once more.

�� "When you enter a town, tell the people outright why you are there.� If they welcome you, heal the sick who are around you, then explain the good news to them, that the new kingdom of God is very close now.� If they don't welcome you, explain God's kingdom will come whether or not they believe it.� And explain that God will be forced to turn away from them on the Day of Judgment because they turned away from him now.� Then leave." [28]

�� Peter gets up and makes the closing announcements.� They will be divided among the Judean and Perean provinces by twos.� After they have spent a couple weeks in each town convincing people, they are to move on.� Jesus will follow up in each town. [29]

�� That afternoon, they are given their assignments.� They are divided into groups of six to check in with of one of the twelve apostles.

�� Peter's Line:� "You two will go to southeastern Judea, you two to mideastern Judea and you two to northeastern Judea."

�� Andrew's Line:� "You will go to southcentral Judea, you will midcentral Judea, and you to northcentral Judea."

�� James' Line:� "You're going to southwestern Judea, you're going to midwestern Judea, and you're going to northwestern Judea."

�� John's Line:� "You'll hit southwestern Perea, you'll hit midwestern Perea, and you'll hit northwestern Perea."

�� Philip's Line:� "You'll cover southeastern Perea, you'll cover mideastern Perea, and you'll cover northeastern Perea."

�� Nathaniel's Line:� "You're getting all of Phoenecia, you're getting all of Iturea, and you're getting all of Gaulonitis."

�� Thomas' Line:� "Your assignment is all of Auranitis, your assignment is eastern Samaria, and your assignment is western Samaria."

�� Matthew's Line:� "You two will tour the seaport cities of Judea, you two will tour the seaport cities of Samaria, and you two will tour the seaport cities of Phoenecia."

�� James' Line:� "You'll spread the news in Moab, you'll spread the news in Ammon, and you'll spread the news in Decapolis."

�� Thaddeus Line:� "You're responsible for southeast Galilee, you're responsible for mideast Galilee, and you're responsible for northeast Galilee."

�� Simon's Line:� "You will travel to southcentral Galilee, you will travel to midcentral Galilee, and you will travel to northcentral Galilee."

�� Judas' Line:� "Your circuit will be in southwest Galilee, your circuit will be in midwest Galilee, and your circuit will be in northwest Galilee."

�� They reassemble for dinner that evening.� Things are quieter than usual.� Everyone has grown close this past few days.� In the morning they will part.� They will weed out the cities that would turn Jesus over to the enemy.� At the end of twelve weeks, everyone is to report back.

November AD 29
Mount of Olives, Judea

�� Hell is rocking in its foundations.� Satan is infuriated.� This thing has gone way too far.� Jesus is out of control.� He must be stopped.� And soon.� His time is almost up.

�� Two by two the brave ones return to the camp site where they'd first assembled three months earlier.� Their hearts are full to overflowing.� Their souls are leaping for joy.� Their spirits are straining to comprehend what they have experienced.�

�� Though exhausted from the pressure of covering their assigned territory and explaining the same message over and over, they are elated.� Their bodies refuse to acknowledge any tiredness, for they are driven by love and excitement and anticipation of the glorious.

�� Within a few days, everyone is there.� The stories rush from one group to another like delirious torrents of people turning from their sin, of people turning to God, of people standing ready for the new kingdom of God.� The time is now, Jesus!� The time is now!

�� Hardly anyone eats.� In their exhausted state they do not even know they are exhausted.� They only know that Jesus will be the next king.� This is not a time to feast on physical food.� They prefer to feast on the Bread of Life!

�� The food is cleared away, and the meeting begins.� Group after group reports what happened in their province.� The exhilaration engulfs the room with lightening.�

�� "Jesus, even the demons surrendered to us in your name!" [30]

�� Jesus stands up and replies.� You think that's something to behold, guess what Jesus saw a long time ago?

�� "I saw Satan himself plummet like lightning down out of heaven!� Nothing these demons use will harm you.� But even more than this, you should rejoice in one other thing:� Your names are now written in heaven!" [31]

�� Jesus cannot restrain the moment.� With laughter in his heart and jubilation on his lips, he lifts his hands heavenward.

�� "I praise you, Father!" he shouts.� "Creator of heaven and earth!� You have hidden these things from all those educated and enlightened religious and political people and revealed it to child-like submissive people.� All because you wanted to." [32]

�� Jesus then turns toward his twelve apostles never very far away.� "You are blessed beyond measure!"� He can hardly contain his jubilation.� "You have seen things that prophets and kings centuries ago wanted to but could not!"
Now with tears of joy.� "You have heard things they wanted to but could not!� How lucky you are!" [33]

�� The campaign comes to a close.� In a few days is the Feast of Dedication at the Temple.� Jesus closes down the camp.� He and his apostles go over to Bethany nearby and spend a few nights with Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary.� Then on to Jerusalem again. [34]

December AD 29
Jerusalem, Judea

�� But things do not go well in Jerusalem.� The Temple leaders are in a panic.� There are assassination attempts.� The danger is too great. [35]

�� Jesus escapes and takes a raft to the other side of the Jordan River where he had been baptized three years earlier.� He needs a little time to himself to regroup one last time.� To remember simpler days earlier in his ministry when he was relatively unknown.� To remember John the Baptizer's courage in laying his life on the line.�

�� Alone during the following days and nights he remembers the recruiting, the laughter, the surprises, the serious times, the good times, and it strengthens him.� Then he heads back toward Judea.� He will stop and talk to the people as he goes as long as he is still in Perea. [36]

January AD 30
Jordan River, Perea [37]

�� Despite the danger, Jesus is now traveling up the highway with a parade of people.� Behind him are his apostles, then the group of women who have so faithfully assisted them on every tour the past two years.� Behind them are donkeys and mules and chariots of the seventy-two who he had trained to teach in his place.� And behind them are an assortment of people from all parts of the country and even outside of it.�

�� All believers.� All ready to get in on the ground floor of the new kingdom of God.� Citizens ready to escort their new leader right into Jerusalem in blatant defiance of the Jewish nation and of Rome.� All willing to defend him to the death. [38]

�� With comparable public show of support everywhere Jesus goes, the political and religious leaders' hands are tied.� If Jesus even stubs his toe, they will be blamed.� If Jesus even breaks a finger, they will be deposed.

�� Jesus finally stops for the night.

�� Everyone leaves the road to find a spot to set up camp.� They form a protective circle around him.�

�� Full of jubilation.� Full of euphoria.� Full to brimming with love for their new leader, Jesus.� "Long live the King" is on the heart and lips of everyone in the crowd.� Never before has anyone seen such a pre-victory celebration as this.

�� Do they realize what they are getting into?� Do they really understand what is about to happen?� They do not.

�� After everyone has had a chance to eat and freshen up, Jesus climbs up a nearby hill, the signal he is about to make a speech. It is time to call a spade a spade.� Call the shots as he sees them.

�� "If you follow me and do not hate your father and mother, your wife and children, your brothers and sisters, and even your own life, I will turn you down!" [39]

�� What are you saying, Jesus?� Hate my family?� You have always told us to honor our family, especially our parents.� Like one of the Ten Commandments says.

�� What is going on?� Has he gone without sleep too long?

�� "If you do not pick up your own cross, I will turn you down!� You cannot be on my side!" [40]

�� Things are really getting heavy.� What is he talking about?

�� "When you build a house, you first sit down and figure out the cost to see if you can pay for it, don't you?" [41]

�� Okay, Jesus, we know that, but....

�� "Or suppose the king was trying to decide whether to declare war.� Wouldn't he first figure out if he had enough troops and artillery to win?" [42]

�� Well, yes, we know there are risks following you, but....

�� Maybe we made a mistake.� Maybe he....

�� Give him a chance.�

�� But, somehow, Jesus evades them and disappears into the hills.�

February AD 30
Between Samaria and Perea

�� The unbelievable has just happened.� Jesus has sneaked down to Bethany where he went to the cemetery and brought a man back to life!� Back to life!� In broad daylight.� No tricks. �[43]

�� The whole world is now running after Jesus!� He has to be the one sent by God!� No one can do the things he does unless he is from God!� He does the impossible!� Only God can do the impossible!

�� But, as soon as his he spends some time with his friend, Lazarus, he leaves again to get back out of danger.� After all, Bethany is just a stone's throw from Jerusalem. [44]

�� Jesus heads back over into a hidden spot in Ephriam.� Then up into Samaria for awhile.� He has some people he wants to see there.� Once in Samaria he can travel more freely. [45]

�� Now circle back to Perea.� But two highly decorated camels carrying a royal litter approaches them.� Everyone gets off the highway to let them through.� But the camels with their human cargo are not passing.� Maybe someone is in trouble.� Jesus stops.� The entire group stops.

�� Both camels kneel in unison.� The drivers dismount and go over to the litter.� One opens the awning while the other holds out his hand.� A young man steps out wearing a gold-threaded robe and ornate turban, with rings on every finger and a large ruby inset on a chain around his neck.� He looks around.

�� "Is Jesus here?� Anyone, is Jesus here?" he asks.�

�� The camel drivers threaten the crowd so they will talk, but he makes them go back to their respective camels.� He walks to the edge of the crowd.� Please, I am not here to harm you.� Which one of you is Jesus?

�� Jesus stands and walks toward the young ruler about ten years his junior.

�� When he is still a little way from him, Enoch falls to the ground and bows with his head to the ground.� Right in front of everyone.� He, the ruler, bowing low to a commoner.� He is different.

�� "Good sir.� Please help me.� I want to have that eternal life you keep talking about.� I want to live forever." [46]

�� "Why are you calling me good? �Don't you know only God is good?"

�� Of course he knows.� Enoch believes that Jesus is not just sent by God, but that he is actually the Son of God.�

�� Jesus knows this.� He is just testing him.� He know enough about him that he instantly loves this young man. [47]

�� "Keep the Ten Commandments," Jesus replies like a good Jew.� Then he quotes the last half of them, the half people don't seem to want to hear these days.� "Don't murder, don't have sexual affairs, don't steal, don't lie, honor your parents, and love other people as much as you love yourself." [48]

�� Without hesitation the young man replies.� "I have kept all these commandments since I was a little boy." [49]

�� He waits for the commendation.� Jesus will admire him.� The whole crowd will admire him.

�� So this young man likes challenges, does he?� Well, Jesus has one for him.� He doesn't give this challenge to just anyone.� But Enoch has the fortitude to do it.� If he wants to.� It would lift this young man to levels he never dreamed.

�� "If you want to be completely good," Jesus counsels carefully, his eyes peering into Enoch's, "go home, put your mansion up for sale, give away all the proceeds to the poor.� Then join me." [50]

�� Enoch's mouth parts and his eyes squint in disbelief.� His neck juts forward and he peers back into the eyes of his savior.

�� "Do what?"

�� "Sell it all.� Then come with me."

�� He swallows air and shakes his head in amazement.�

�� "That's too much!� I cannot do that!� Not even for eternal life!" [51]

�� That is Jesus' other point.� No one can afford eternal life.� No one is rich enough to pay the price.�

�� "No!� Don't ask that of me, Jesus!� That's too much!� I've changed my mind!� Aren't the Ten Commandments enough?� I've kept them all!"

�� Jesus puts his arm around the young man and looks at his twelve friends listening in on the conversation.

�� "It is so very hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God." [52] Enoch has a harder time with it than some.

�� "It's hard for the rich?� But isn't that the way God rewards people?" Judas asks.� "If they're good, he showers them with blessings?"

�� "It is hard for everyone to enter the kingdom of God.� But for the rich it is even harder.� Those camels over there could walk through the eye of a needle easier than a rich person can enter God's nation." [53]

�� "But that's impossible!" Matthew declares.� "In that case, no one can be saved!" [54]

�� Jesus smiles.� "Yes, it is impossible for man.� But not with God.� God can do the impossible for you." [55]

�� Self-satisfied, Peter cannot hold back his pride in his humility.� "We left everything," he reminds Jesus.� "We gave it all up to follow you." [56]

�� Watch it, Peter.� You're stretching the point too much.

�� Yes, they left everything, but they did not sell it.� Some day Peter and his partners will return to their fishing business.� They still have families back home.� And homes.� They didn't sell it.� However, they did give up a lot. [57]

�� "Everyone who leaves their home and family and business behind for me and their salvation will receive a hundred times more in this life.� But your home and family and business will persecute you for it."

�� "Yes, Jesus, we know.� We are willing to pay the price," Thomas says.

�� "And on top of all this, you will receive eternal life." [58]

�� Young Enoch leaves.� His bragging did him no good.� He was brought down.� Later he will understand and perhaps be able to make that ultimate sacrifice.� Maybe.

���� LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� There was a song written many years ago that begins, "I gave my life for thee, what hast thou given for me?" Think of something specific that you complain about that is involved in being saved.� Compare that personal sacrifice with the excruciating death of Jesus.

2.�� Jesus was demanding.� But sometimes our physicians are demanding.� Sometimes they tell us there is only one way to rid ourselves of a terrible disease and it will be painful.� Do we accuse the physician of being unreasonable and bigoted?� Compare some of the things Jesus wants us to do in exchange for an eternal heavenly life, with what physicians sometimes want us to do in exchange for an extended earthly life.� Does it help your perspective?

3.�� Jesus did not tell the women who assisted him financially to sell everything they had (though we do not know whether they did), yet he told this rich ruler to.� How would you feel toward God if something you really liked was taken away from you?� Can you think of a way it could ultimately help you?

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