XXVI

FIRST DEFINITe Steps of JesUS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIS KINGDOM ON THE Earth

Accordingly, the time had come for Jesus to take the first definite steps in the actual formation of the kingdom of heaven on the earth.

A. All-Night Prayer to God and Selection of His Twelve Apostles.

Although this kingdom was to be established by men, extended by men and be made up of men, Jesus consulted with no man to ascertain what would be the right thing to do in the beginning of such an important undertaking, for no man could help Him.

He went up into a mountain apart to pray and continued all night in prayer to God, His Father. The next day He chose the men from His disciples through whom He was to begin and extend the kingdom of heaven upon the earth.

Iz. "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

13. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

14. Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,

15. Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

16. And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor" (Luke 6: 12-16).

In the formation of this unparalleled band of His truly royal and loyal representatives, He selected none from the palaces of kings or of other royal families; nor from the dwellings of the rich and powerful in the large cities; nor yet from the instructors or students of the schools of higher learning; but from the homes of the common people in the small towns and villages of Galilee. The first four, and most noted of them, were fishermen by occupation.

Doubtless, Jesus selected these men far from the centers of earthly power and influence, that their minds and hearts would not be preoccupied with false notions of government, false ideas of business and social relations and with false learning, but would be free to receive and adopt His instruction relative to the formation and extension of the kingdom of heaven on the earth, for which they were chosen.

These twelve wonderful, though common, men together embraced within themselves the qualities and characteristics, in the rough, necessary to the founding and first efforts in the extension of the kingdom of heaven on the earth, Judas Iscariot excepted. Under the continuous instructions and personal relations with Jesus, the Son of God and heaven-sent King, they were prepared to accomplish what was required of them.

B. Cultivating the Most Friendly and Intimate Relationship with His Apostles and Affording Them the Most.

Essential Knowledge of Himself and the Kingdom. While Jesus was the Lord and Master of these, His chosen apostles, He treated them as His friends and served them even to the washing of their feet, that they might do the same for their fellow men. He also afforded them liberty in the exercise of their peculiar characteristics, pitied them in the misuse of them, and was grieved at the aggravated abuse of them.

He indulged Peter in his forwardness of speech; John in reclining upon His breast; Thomas in his doubting expressions; and Judas Iscariot in his scrupulous regard for the treasury; but so tenderly and affectionately rebuked the flagrant abuse of the same, as to prevent repetitions of the offenses and gain for Himself the esteem and love of the offenders.

First:

33. "Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

34. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

35. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples" (Matt. 26: 33-35).

69. "Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

70. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

71. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

72. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man,

73. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.

74. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly" (Matt. 26:69-75).

15. "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17).

Second:

20. "Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

21. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons (James and John) may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

22. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

23. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my

left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

24. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

25. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

26. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

27. And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20: 20-28).

Third:

24. "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my fingers into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27. Then said he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20:24-29).

Fourth:

1. "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to