The Delay at Ramah

The delay at Ramah

146:3.1 (1641.3)At Ramah, Jesus had the memorable conversation with the elderly Greek sage who taught that science and philosophy were sufficient to meet the needs of human experience. Jesus listened with patience and sympathy to this Greek teacher, acknowledging the truth of many things he said, but when the Greek had finished, Jesus pointed out to him that in his discussion of human existence, he had failed to give an explanation of the “whence, why, and whither,” adding, “Where thou hast ceased, we begin. Religion is a revelation to the soul of man, dealing with spiritual realities that thought alone could never discover or fully fathom. The efforts of the intellect may reveal the facts of life, but the gospel of the kingdom unfolds the truths of existence. Thou hast discussed the material shadows of truth, wilt thou now listen while I tell thee of the eternal, spiritual realities that shed these passing time-shadows of the material facts of mortal existence? For more than an hour, Jesus taught this Greek the saving truths of the gospel of the kingdom. The ancient philosopher was receptive to the Master's approach, and being sincere and honest in heart, he soon believed this gospel of salvation.

146:3.2 (1641.4)The apostles were somewhat dismayed at the open manner in which Jesus agreed with many of the Greek's propositions, but Jesus said to them afterwards, when they were among themselves again, “Children, do not be surprised that I was tolerant of the Greek's philosophy. True, genuine inner certainty is not in the least afraid of outside analysis, nor does truth take offence at honest criticism. One must never forget that bigotry is a mask to disguise the fact that one secretly doubts the correctness of what one believes. No one will ever be upset by his neighbor's disposition if he has perfect confidence in the truth of what he sincerely believes. Courage is the confidence that comes from absolute honesty about the things one says he believes in. Sincere people are not afraid of a critical examination of their true beliefs and noble ideals.

146:3.3 (1641.5)On the second evening at Ramah, Tomas asked Jesus the following question, “Master, how can anyone who only believes in your teaching really know, really be sure, that this gospel of the kingdom is true?

146:3.4 (1641.6)And Jesus said to Tomas, “Your assurance that you have become a member of the family of the Father's kingdom, and that you will live forever with the children of the kingdom, is entirely a matter of personal experience - faith in the word of truth. Spiritual assurance is the equivalent of your personal religious experience in the eternal realities of divine truth, and is otherwise equivalent to your intelligent understanding of the truth realities, plus your spiritual faith confidence, and minus your honest doubt.

146:3.5 (1642.1)'The Son is naturally endowed with the life of the Father. Because you are endowed with the living spirit of the Father, you are therefore sons of God. You survive your life in the material world of the flesh because you become identified with the living spirit of the Father, the gift of eternal life. Very many already had this life before I went forth from the Father, and many more received this spirit because they believed my word; but I tell you that when I return to the Father, he will send his spirit into the hearts of all men.

146:3.6 (1642.2)'Although you cannot see the divine spirit working in your consciousness, there is a practical method of discovering to what extent you have transferred control over the faculties of your souls to the instruction and guidance of this indwelling spirit of the Heavenly Father, and that is the degree to which you love your fellow men. This spirit of the Father shares in the love of the Father, and according to the degree to which it controls human beings, it certainly leads you in the direction of worshiping God and loving your fellow man. At first you believe that you are sons of God because my teaching has made you more aware of the inner indications of our Father's indwelling presence, but soon the Spirit of Truth will be poured out on all flesh, and it will live among men and teach all men, just as I now live among you and speak the words of truth to you. And this Spirit of Truth, speaking for the spiritual gifts to your souls, will help you to know that you are sons of God. It will witness unceasingly, together with the indwelling presence of the Father, your spirit, which will then dwell in all men as it now dwells in some, telling you that in truth you are sons of God.

146:3.7 (1642.3)'Every child of the earth who follows the instruction of this spirit will eventually know the will of God, and he who surrenders to the will of my Father will live forever. The way from life on earth to the eternal state has not been made clear to you, but there is a way, there has always been a way, and I have come to make that way new and alive. He who enters the kingdom already has eternal life - he will never perish. But much of this you will understand better when I have returned to the Father and you can see your present experiences in retrospect.

146:3.8 (1642.4)All who heard these blessed words were greatly encouraged. Jewish teaching had been confused and uncertain regarding the survival of the righteous, and it was invigorating and inspiring for the followers of Jesus to hear these very clear and positive words of assurance regarding the eternal survival of all sincere believers.

146:3.9 (1642.5)The apostles continued to preach and baptize believers, while also remaining faithful to their custom of making visits from house to house, encouraging the downcast, and caring for the sick and suffering. The apostolic organization was expanded, in that each of Jesus' apostles now had one of John's apostles as an associate. Abner was Andrew's associate, and this plan remained in effect until they went to Jerusalem for the next Passover.

146:3.10 (1642.6)The special instruction that Jesus gave them during the stay at Zebulun had primarily to do with further discussions of mutual obligations in the kingdom and included teaching designed to make clear the differences between personal religious experience and the friendly relationships that flow from social religious obligations. This was one of the few times the Master ever discussed the social aspects of religion. Throughout his life on earth, Jesus gave very little instruction to his followers regarding the socialization of religion.

146:3.11 (1643.1)The inhabitants of Zebulun were of mixed race, hardly Jewish nor pagan, and few of them really came to believe in Jesus despite the fact that they had heard of the healing of the sick at Capernaum.

A Thought for Consideration from The Urantia Book