Beginning the Public Work 

Jesus began his first public work with his twelve apostles in a subdued manner, avoiding the domain of Herod. He dedicated evenings to helping his apostles fully comprehend humanity's new relationship with God, which he termed the kingdom of heaven. This concept was entirely novel to them, presenting material they had never encountered before. Jesus emphasized the importance of understanding God as a personal, loving Father, which was the core of his teaching.

Even today, the concept of God as "Our Father" may not seem tangible or personal to many. However, this idea forms the essence of Jesus' teachings. Once individuals embrace God as their father, all evolving truths are enhanced. This new perspective allows people to evaluate their current beliefs by asking, "Is this what a good father would do?" This fundamental shift in understanding God's nature and our relationship with him was the cornerstone of Jesus' message during this initial phase of his public ministry.

On January 19, 27 CE, Jesus and the twelve apostles readied their departure for their long-awaited and much-delayed public work. That morning at Zebedee’s house, the families of the apostles and disciples came to wish them well and much success. As they were about to depart, the Master was missing. Andrew found Jesus sitting in a boat a little way down the beach, weeping. Andrew, surprised, asked, "Why is it that you weep? Which of us has offended you?" Jesus explained, “No one of you has grieved me. I am saddened only because none of my father Joseph’s family have remembered to come over to bid us Godspeed.” His ever-faithful sister Ruth would have been there but was visiting their brother Joseph in Nazareth. The rest of his family kept away due to pride and hurt feelings from Jesus going his own way.

Jesus and the apostles journeyed down the Jordan River to Judea, staying outside Herod’s jurisdiction. By the second day, they reached the point where John had baptized Jesus and remained in Pella for over two weeks. Jesus spoke to his apostles in the evening and let them preach during the day. Many followers had been baptized by John and were interested in finding out more about Jesus.

Each night, Andrew coached the apostles on how best to win over John’s disciples. He taught them not to criticize or detract from anything that John taught. The two main hurdles were that the apostles of Jesus did not baptize, and the perplexing question that if Jesus was the promised deliverer, as John proclaimed, why didn’t he get their beloved teacher out of prison before Herod beheaded him? During the first year, more than three-fourths of John’s followers joined up with Jesus and resumed John’s work in Perea and Judea.

Jesus wished to further explain the kingdom, hoping that no matter what happened, the one lesson imprinted in the apostles’ minds would be the new relationship to God as their heavenly Father. This was a transcendent concept, surpassing their current understanding. Their religious tradition promised a deliverer who would conquer the world for the Jews and reign as king, seated upon a royal throne and enforcing their laws. Jesus elevated the scope to encompass the entire universe with God as sovereign, who also proclaimed laws to be obeyed. Then came the profound revelation: God rules through love, and he relinquishes his throne to be enthroned in hearts.

Jesus explained that once you understand that God is your father and you want to do everything he does to become like him, then the long-anticipated kingdom manifests within. One is no longer merely a law-abiding subject of an all-powerful king but a privileged child of a loving and divine Father. When one aligns with God's will, laws are transformed into acts of love. This represents a fundamental transformation and embodies the essence of Jesus' gospel.

Jesus journeyed next to Amathus and remained for almost three weeks. Jesus preached each Sabbath afternoon, while the apostles, mostly Peter, James, and John, preached twice daily to the multitude. Andrew was the ambassador of peace, settling differences between the disciples of John and the newer disciples of Jesus with help from his fellow apostles. Jesus explained that a wise parent doesn’t take sides in the children’s squabbles.

The apostles’ one disappointment was Jesus’ reluctance to advise them on handling conflicts with John’s disciples. Jesus only encouraged them to always be patient; do not strive with men. On the critical decision to adapt John’s practice of baptism, Jesus would only comment that John baptized with water, but when you enter the kingdom of heaven you shall be baptized with the Spirit. The Master displayed great wisdom in all his dealings with his apostles and all his disciples. He was always fair to everyone.

Jesus was truly a master of people. His charisma and definitive personal approach held their attention. He lived free, went where he chose, and was happy. When he spoke, you immediately knew he was very intelligent, but more importantly, had a spiritual outlook that honored every individual he met and really cared about them. He had a stalwart appearance, a matchless poise, and tendered a sublime tolerance. He possessed traits that many people desired to have. He was simple, manly, honest, fearless, strong in body and mind, and all enhanced by those spiritual qualities that shine through and make one more attractive. His personality overflowed with attributes as from above – graciousness, tireless patience, a tender heart, and always meek and humble before his Father.

Jesus’ personality had a universal appeal, and he attracted men and women from all walks of life. He toiled side-by-side with hard-working laborers. He met kings and leaders who he impressed. Many educated and intellectual people, artists, philosophers, and businessmen desired to talk with him. Rugged, red-blooded fishermen called him Master. Jesus provided the perfect demonstration of the personality of God and did so via a truly human experience.

Jesus defined true conquest as the sacrifice of pride and selfishness. When he stated that we should show mercy, he desired spiritual deliverance from all grudges, anger, lust for selfish power, and revenge. He taught us not to resist evil but rather to use goodness that effectively destroys evil. Jesus' forgiveness is not condonation; it is salvation from condemnation.

Jesus devoted time in Amathus to reiterate his new concept of God that the apostles were to teach: that God is our heavenly Father. He encouraged them to recall the cherished memories of their relationships with their earthly fathers and then to envision a similar relationship with a perfect Father, with themselves as his children. Never before had humanity conceived of God as a loving Father of the individual. This concept supplants the notion of an all-powerful record-keeper documenting transgressions for judgment day. Fathers do not treat their children in such a manner.

When Thomas inquired about God and this kingdom, Jesus said, “God is your Father, and religion – my gospel – is nothing more nor less than the believing recognition of the truth that you are his son. And I am here among you in the flesh to make clear both of these ideas in my life and teachings.”

Jesus employed various approaches to reach all his apostles, recognizing that sometimes a slightly different description or wording could lead to understanding. During this first mission, Jesus introduced new concepts to challenge the apostles' long-held beliefs. For instance, he attempted to guide them away from the practice of animal sacrifices as a religious duty.

Jesus instructed the apostles on comforting the afflicted and ministering to the sick. He taught them about the whole person – a union of body, mind, and spirit. He explained how to recognize:

1. Diseases of the body or physical illness.
2. Non-physical afflictions; troubled minds.
3. Possession by evil spirits. Jesus could distinguish between insanity and spirit possession. At that time, rebellious spirits could possess individuals with inferior or evil minds.

Throughout this year, the apostles focused on healing ministry to the sick.

One of the most significant conferences at Amathus centered on spiritual unity. The Jews adhered to the same religious laws, which prompted the question: What creed should we commit to? What beliefs should we collectively embrace?

James Zebedee inquired of Jesus how they might learn to see alike, eliciting a passionate response. Jesus emphatically stated that this was not his desire. He explained that the Father delights in the uniqueness of his children, wanting each to know and seek him through their individual personality and manner. The Father desires that his children enjoy freedom in their relationship with him. Unity, Jesus taught, lies in doing the will of the Father with united dedication. Each contribution is singular. Our harmony springs from a hope rooted in the indwelling spirit, where we share origin, nature, and destiny. Jesus requires of us a unity of spirit.

Jesus explained that we achieve unity when serving God, each utilizing our original endowments of mind, body, and soul. Others will observe this singular identity and soul unity in the spirit fruits of divine worship and brotherly love while our personalities remain refreshingly diverse and distinctly different. A unity in spirit implies possession of a common motive for loving service and a desire, above all else, to do the will of the Father in heaven. Each day, we grow more like God.

Jesus admonished his apostles that those who believed in him should not allow themselves to be dogmatized or standardized by religious interpretations. He cautioned against forming creeds or establishing traditions to guide and control believers in the gospel of the kingdom.

During the last week at Amathus, Simon Zelotes met Teherma, a Persian doing business at Damascus who had walked down the Jordan River to find Jesus. Simon dismissed the man as a “fire worshiper,” showing little interest in him. Yet, after Teherma talked with Jesus, he enthusiastically desired to remain for several days.

Simon later asked Jesus why he was so successful when Teherma had little interest in what he had to say. Jesus told Simon not to dwell on what you deemed as errors but rather enhance his present understanding. The living truths of the kingdom will soon drive out serious errors. When you present that God is his father, he will deduce he must be his son. When you first met me, did I denounce Moses and the prophets? I took nothing away from our forefathers but rather widened your vision of what they showed you only partially. Once one is familiar with the kingdom and enters within, he will then ask you how to progress. Simon, astonished by these words, took Jesus’ advice and succeeded in winning Teherma for the kingdom.

That evening, Jesus shared more about the kingdom, explaining that when you enter the kingdom, you undergo a spiritual transformation. You cannot impart the profound truths of the spirit to those who have only experienced physical existence; first, ensure that individuals have awakened spiritually before attempting to guide them in the advanced ways of the spirit. Do not try to reveal the splendors of the sacred place until you have first brought them into it.

Introduce people to God as children of God before expounding on the doctrines of God's parenthood and humankind's divine heritage. Avoid conflict with others – always exercise patience. This is not your personal domain; you are merely emissaries. Simply go forth proclaiming: This is the kingdom of heaven – God is your Father, and you are his children, and this good news is your eternal salvation.

The apostles gained a better understanding of what they were to teach and further embraced the truth of God as their father. They made remarkable spiritual progress.