Teaching in Bethany and Jericho 

Jesus continued his first public preaching with his twelve apostles, moving on to Jericho and Bethany and then to Jerusalem. He took Peter, James, and John for a few days’ rest and taught them many advanced truths about himself and the Father. These teachings were crucial as they laid the foundation for the apostles' future ministries and equipped them with deeper spiritual insights. These three apostles never forgot this time with Jesus and the heavenly lessons they were privy to. After preaching in Jericho, they went to Bethany where they enjoyed spending time with Lazarus and his two sisters at their home, further cementing the personal and communal aspects of his teachings.

Commencing on January 19, 27 CE, Jesus began his first public teaching in the cities of Pella and Amathus. On February 26, Jesus and his apostles and a large group of followers walked to the Jordan river ford near Pella in Perea, where John the Baptist first proclaimed the coming kingdom. They remained here for four weeks. In the second week, Jesus took Peter, James, and John into the hills south of Jericho for a three-day rest. Here the Master taught them many new and advanced truths about the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus impressed upon them that he wanted his apostles to attract others’ interest in the kingdom by incorporating it into their lives. Having experienced the good spirit of the kingdom and noticing the change in your lives, others will want to know why. Those who seek truth will be glad to hear about your eternal and divine realities and want what you have.

The Master explained their mission is to the individual to introduce God as their father and, consequently, as they become son-conscious, to present this same man to God as his faith son. Jesus perfectly demonstrated this in his bestowal life, showing us “the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus left the example of his mortal life as his religion, leaving nothing else that could be called religious: no books, laws, or shrines.

Jesus came to establish a personal and lasting relationship with humans, the most important bond ever offered to rich and poor, young and old, for both now and forever. Jesus showers us with spiritual gifts: in this world, the joy of divine communion, and in the next, eternal progress, to learn more about God and to experience increasing and intimate closeness.

Jesus pointed to two truths of great importance. The first is the attainment of salvation by faith – by faith alone. The second is the attainment of human liberty by realizing what is true. Jesus confirmed, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus is the truth, who came to earth in human form, and before he passed, he promised to send his own Spirit of Truth, this same Jesus who was once on earth, into our hearts. And that is what he did at Pentecost.

Jesus would become animated and emphasize each of his points with such intensity that Peter, James, and John considered the possibility that Jesus might be beside himself. These teachings were advanced, and many went over the apostles’ heads. They were intended for his apostles and for other worlds that were more evolved, and for mortals in a future time, like us. His words were everlasting. His life exemplified a new and original blueprint for how to live.

Jesus came to establish and demonstrate a human standard, one of perfection that highlights the goodness of God. He did not come so far for a few earth creatures but for all peoples upon all worlds throughout his entire universe. From a human standpoint, he was indeed a Jew, but he lived his life for this world and all worlds as a mortal of the realm.

Jesus disclosed that to ensure the recognition of his Father in all his works, he ignored the “great men of earth” and worked with the poor, the class so often ignored in previous religions. He apprised them that he came to function as a teacher from heaven to describe spiritual realities to men who tread through the dirt. Jesus’ effectiveness was sourced from speaking directly to one’s soul. He connected to one's spirit through their mind.

Jesus maintained a single-mindedness, motivated by one supernal purpose. He revealed to these first-chosen apostles that he received pre-bestowal instructions from his Paradise brother, Immanuel, that here he is to do his Father’s will and only his Father’s will. Jesus focused all his energies on this one purpose and therefore was not anxiously bothered by the evil in the world. Jesus foresaw sin as a temporary phenomenon.

The three apostles gained insights into the person of Jesus. They found Jesus to be a true and loyal ally, easy to approach, and willing to discuss any care. He listened intently as if the future of the world rested on solving their personal worry. The apostles could better comprehend what Jesus meant by that key relationship with the Father because it was as if Jesus and the Father were talking to them as one. This connection allowed Jesus to be above human foibles, gossip, glory, propaganda, and even a death sentence. Jesus lived independent of all human beings, as one on a higher plane. Jesus made no effort to correct misunderstandings or defend himself when misrepresented. He never asked any man to pray for him or for advice.

Jesus abided as one with the Father and as one with his Father’s will. And his Father’s will was for Jesus to have that same relationship with every mortal. Each apostle experienced Jesus’ desire to be close to him. All who knew Jesus knew him as a true friend.

During this time together, they became deeply impressed with Jesus, each finding something uniquely striking. James observed that the Master never got flustered. Jesus went about in an even tempo, like someone with a beautiful song going through their mind. He seemed never surprised, as if he could see the end from the beginning. He never had the need to apologize to anyone. He was never discouraged, even during the saddest of times. John could not believe that with all of Jesus’ divine endowments, he was still so human, a man among men. Jesus understood, loved, and knew how to manage others.

These three days stayed with these three apostles, and after the crucifixion and resurrection, these words greatly gladdened their subsequent ministry. We are often challenged with another person's lifetime of learning that is way over our heads yet gives us joy to comprehend a portion, and that manages to uplift us. Jesus was projecting to these three the plan of a new age at some time in the far future.

For four weeks, the apostles camped by the Jordan river crossing. Throughout the week, Andrew would assign teams of two to go up to Jericho for a day or two. John the Baptist had paved the way, so many believers of John welcomed the more advanced teachings of Jesus. The apostles largely ministered to the sick, going from house to house and providing comfort. They discovered their message carried healing for the afflicted. Jericho stood out as the first city where the apostles applied Jesus’ commission to preach and minister to the sick.

When Jesus left the encampment to go to Jerusalem, they planned to stop in Jericho for the day. When there, they met a delegation from Mesopotamia who had traveled far to confer with Jesus. After three days, these truth seekers returned to their home along the Euphrates, delighted after hearing new truths from Jesus about the kingdom of heaven.

Lazarus had come to the camp to visit Jesus twice and offered his home in Bethany, a short distance from Jerusalem, for them to stay. On Monday, the last day of March, Jesus and the apostles left Jericho and started for Jerusalem. The disciples of John had remained at the Jordan river teaching and baptizing the multitudes, so only the Master and his apostles arrived in Bethany to lodge with Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. Here they all enjoyed their time together, and Martha and Mary were delighted to have the Master in their home and loved to minister to their guests. They stayed for five days, and on Sunday, April 6, proceeded to the Passover, the first time Jesus and all twelve apostles went into Jerusalem together.