Evening and Week Following the Ordination 

Sunday evening, January 12, 27 CE, at the home of the Zebedees near Capernaum, Jesus and his twelve apostles had a simple meal. Earlier that day, the Master had ordained them and revealed many things related to his mission. He told them what they would teach, he delivered the Beatitudes, he said they were the "salt of the earth, and he spoke about fatherly and brotherly love. After eating, they talked these things over while Jesus went for a walk on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

The chief of the apostles, Andrew, went to talk with Jesus, and when he found him, he said: "Master, my brethren are unable to comprehend what you have said about the kingdom. We do not feel able to begin this work until you have given us further instructions. I have come to ask you to join us in the garden and help us to understand the meaning of your words." He then went with Andrew to meet with the apostles.

With the apostles gathered around him, Jesus said, in part: "…I declare that you must be reborn. You must start out afresh as little children and be willing to trust my teaching and believe in God. But do not make the mistake of thinking that I have come to set aside the law and the prophets; I have not come to destroy but to fulfill, to enlarge and illuminate. …If you would enter the kingdom, you must have a righteousness that consists in love, mercy, and truth – the sincere desire to do the will of my Father in heaven.

"…I declare to you that everyone who is angry with his brother is in danger of condemnation. He who nurses hatred in his heart and plans vengeance in his mind stands in danger of judgment. You must judge your fellows by their deeds; the Father in heaven judges by the intent. …You can only judge men by their acts, but my Father looks into the hearts of his children and, in mercy, adjudges them in accordance with their intents and real desires.

"…I have come not to reform the kingdoms of this world but rather to establish the kingdom of heaven. It is not the will of the Father that I should yield to the temptation to teach you rules of government, trade, or social behavior, which, while they might be good for today, would be far from suitable for the society of another age. I am on earth solely to comfort the minds, liberate the spirits, and save the souls of men.

"Always must you recognize the two viewpoints of all mortal conduct – the human and the divine; the ways of the flesh and the way of the spirit; the estimate of time and the viewpoint of eternity. …You are my personal representatives, but do not err in expecting all men to live as you do in every particular."

Then Nathaniel asked: "Master, shall we give no place to justice? The law of Moses says, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ What shall we say?"

Jesus answered: "You shall return good for evil. My messengers must not strive with men, but be gentle toward all. Measure for measure shall not be your rule. The rulers of men may have such laws, but not so in the kingdom; mercy always shall determine your judgments and love your conduct."

The Master used this occasion to impart teachings about personal matters. Among other things, he said:

"Be willing to take up your responsibilities and follow me. Do your good deeds in secret; when you give alms, let not the left hand know what the right hand does.

"When you pray, go apart by yourselves and use not vain repetitions and meaningless phrases. Always remember that the Father knows what you need, even before you ask him. As my chosen apostles, now set apart for the service of the kingdom, lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, but by your unselfish service lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, for where your treasures are, there will your hearts be also.

"Seek first the kingdom of God, and when you have found entrance thereto, all things needful shall be added to you. Be not, therefore, unduly anxious for the morrow. Sufficient for the day is the trouble thereof."

The following morning, when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said: "Now must you begin your work of preaching the glad tidings and instructing believers. Make ready to go to Jerusalem."

Then Thomas mustered up the courage to say: "I know, Master, that we should now be ready to enter upon the work, but I fear we are not yet able to accomplish this great undertaking. Would you consent for us to stay hereabouts for just a few days more before we begin the work of the kingdom?" When Jesus saw that all his apostles had this same fear, he said: "It shall be as you have requested; we will remain here over the Sabbath day."

Until this time, Jesus had greeted and taught the many visitors who came to the Zebedee home to see him, but now he turned this work over to the twelve. Andrew was tasked with assigning each of his brothers to a group of visitors for the purpose of teaching.

For two days, the apostles worked, teaching by day and holding private conferences with Jesus late into the night. On the third day, the Master sent them off to "go fishing, seek carefree change, or perhaps visit your families." On Thursday, they returned for three more days of instruction and teaching.

During this week of rehearsing, Jesus many times repeated to his apostles the two great motives of his mission on earth:

1. To reveal God to people.
2. To lead them to realize that, through faith, they are the children of God.

One week of this varied experience did much for the twelve; some even became over-confident. At the last conference, the night after the Sabbath, Peter and James came to Jesus, saying, "We are ready; let us now go forth to take the kingdom." To which Jesus replied, "May your wisdom equal your zeal, and your courage atone for your ignorance."

Though the apostles failed to comprehend much of his teaching, they did not fail to grasp the significance of the charmingly beautiful life he lived with them.