Episode:Jesus Faces Death—Brought to Trial (Part 2)

From Symmetry of Soul


Jesus made one last effort to save Judas from actually betraying him in that, before the traitor could reach him, he stepped to one side and addressed the foremost soldier, saying, "Whom do you seek?" The captain of the Romans answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Then Jesus stepped up immediately in front of the officer and, standing there in the calm majesty of the God of all this creation, said, "I am he."

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Keywords: Urantia, Jesus, The Master's Arrest, Judas's Pride, The Apostles' Disarray

Summary by Kermit

Commentary after Review

Re-visiting the issue of free will vs. self-assertion the question was asked, “how could Lucifer, a brilliant spirit being, not comprehend such a distinction?” We speculated that his failure stemmed from an overemphasis on experiential temporal matters which disrupted his foundation in eternity. The confusion of external and inner life issues begets error, which in association with pride proceeds to evil, which in association with the additional element of insincerity leads to sin and iniquity. He is one of the best bad examples of cosmic disintegration available to us. Maintaining awareness of the separation of the inner and outer life domains, and avoiding overmuch focus on temporal matters can give the appearance of a lack of concern about the vicissitudes of the outer life. Yet, it is precisely this awareness which enables an individual to objectively offer genuine loving service informed by an internal eternal predicate, thus bringing eternity to bear on a moment in time.

Regrettably we mortals have not mastered the management of our animal-origin fear, making us overly focused on external circumstances. We observed the effects of this in the interactions between the Master and his fear ridden enemies. These fearful ones, thinking that intimidation is one of the best ways to control their adversaries have no adequate response in the presence of the fearless Master. This leads to their frustration, anger, and hatred.

The frequently mentioned emergency today has much to do with the persistence of mankind’s fear dominated consciousness, coupled with the supercharged spirit ministries which animate and energize the age old ignorance and fear to problematic ends. Listen to the archive for more details.

A caller inquired further about the implications of the difference between Jesus’ declaration, “not my will but yours be done, Father”, and the ascender’s declaration, “it is my will that your will be done, Father.” Again, listen to the archive for a deeper explanation, an elucidating discussion involving self-assertion, personal will, self-mastery, and the ascension career immediately ahead.

183:3. The Master’s Arrest

The midwayers employ a non-linear narrative to help disabuse the reader of common preconceptions of this event from the Bible versions which have become deeply imbedded in our culture, at least until more recent and more secular times. Between the Roman soldiers, temple guards, and curious onlookers coming out to arrest Jesus on one side and the associates of the Master on the other there were well over a hundred individuals attending this remarkable scene.

Judas, well out in front of the arresting band, with his cherished ambitions of glory and honor swimming in his head approaches. But he is completely derailed by the Master’s kindly greeting coupled with Jesus’ matter of fact exposure to all present of Judas’s cowardly betrayal.

We remarked on the comparison of the gospel records of this event and the more complete midwayer narrative. The revelators expect us to have a grasp of the Biblical versions of these events as they are essential to understanding the foundations and framework of western civilization, without which establishment of universal brotherhood cannot be accomplished.

Jesus even tried to save Judas from committing the actual act of betrayal by identifying himself to the Roman captain before Judas could plant the cowardly kiss. Note the fear-dominated soldiers who fell back in the face of Jesus’ commanding presence. And remember Jesus was mindful of the potential for violence with the crowd of attendees on both sides.

The question was asked if we leave fear behind when we leave this world. Certainly, animal-origin fear dies with our material self. But we will need to exercise trust and faith in our continuing universe ascension. Confusion, ignorance, and disappointment will still be waiting for us on high. Faith and trust are more than mere antidotes to fear.

We further discussed the accounts in the gospels and our text concerning Peter’s reaction to Jesus being bound by the Syrian bodyguard of the high priest. Malchus’s ear was not cut off. Peter’s drawing of his sword evoked a quick response from Jesus commanding him to stand down and announcing that he had at his command more than twelve legions of angels and their associates who could easily deliver him from these few men. This celestial contingent numbered more than six million individuals.

We marveled at 5th ER’s role in authoritatively eliminating errors in the gospels and coordinating their essential knowledge. Future adventuresome Bible scholars will find a treasure trove of confirmations, corrections, and clarifications to their numerous questions and controversies.

As Jesus is arrested and led away we note that John Mark’s witness of these events is supplanted now by John Zebedee who continues on accompanying the Master to the end, to provide the written record which has served mankind for the last two thousand years.

183:4. Discussion at the Olive Press

The apostles and associates are now in disarray and unable to use their minds normally as demonstrated by their momentary failure to abide by Jesus’ teachings while in crisis. Simon Zelotes attempts to rally the group to pursue and effect Jesus’ rescue. The more level-headed Nathaniel reminded the group of Jesus’ teachings concerning non-resistance and his instructions that very night to save their skins for the future when they would go forth proclaiming the good news of the kingdom. James Zebedee also recounted how Jesus rebuked Peter’s attempt to resist his arrest. Thomas reminded them of the Master’s counsel to Lazarus against exposing himself to death, and further how he refrained from using his divine powers to deal with his enemies. Thus Thomas persuaded them to scatter with the understanding that David Zebedee’s messengers would serve to maintain communication amongst them all.

The midwayers' account for the locations of the apostles and Jesus’ family as we continue our story.

Notes by Brad

  • Caring about your inner life does not imply utter indifference toward the outer life.
    • If it did, why even bother existing here?
    • It simply means: guard your inner domain. Don't allow it to be sucked into temporal affairs.
    • You are sovereign there. It's the only place you're sovereign.
    • To be someone standing with your feet on eternity instead of in time. Not seen often in this world.
    • Could the Spirit of Truth help us with this today?
      • Superconsciously, sure.
      • But in our conscious lives? No, nothing has much changed in the last 2,000 years.


  • Most on Earth today are dominated by outer-life fear.
    • Fear appears to be a source of power.
      • Sure! It is. But there is a greater source of power.
    • Someone not dominated by fear, when everyone else is, is frankly terrifying to people (c.f., Jesus)
      • What we're talking about here is uncommon.
    • Also, we are more spiritually animated today than 2,000 years ago.
      • We are logically, therefore, quicker to hate that which we fear.
      • Hence the emergency.


  • Can we expect to gain any insight the intellectual giants of the past have achieved?
    • Perhaps, or perhaps not. But make the effort if you will.
    • Why? Because a humble relationship with the authoritative elimination of error (the 5th ER) could potentially spark something even some of the best intellectual giants of the last 2,000 years have been unable to obtain.


  • Concerning schemers
    • Judas was such a schemer. And Jesus cuts right through it with one sentence, delivered masterfully, after the infamous kiss.
    • A schemer cannot think on his feet, in the moment, objectively.
    • A schemer only has a Plan A, no Plan B. Jesus has new plans over and over, adapting to conditions.
    • Jesus tried to give Judas an "out," and Jesus will not play Judas' little game.
    • Can you stop being a schemer?
      • you think you aren't? How about those times you prepare remarks to say to a group? Where you wait to talk instead of really listen to others?
      • Can you set your ego aside and be really present in the moment and truly interact with your fellow humans?


  • Nonlinear storytelling going on here. The midwayers like it. They'll set the scene before proceeding with a linear narrative, for example. They'll step outside of the narrative with a digression. Etc.


  • Compare with the Bible:
    • Each gospel has a slightly different perspective.
    • In John's gospel, Judas is removed from the picture. In truth, this garden arrest is an interaction between Jesus and the Romans. Including the two times the Roman captain is addressed.
    • But in (John) Mark's gospel, it's all about Judas' kiss. Vivid, discongruous imagery.
    • Luke found out Malchus' ear wasn't chopped off, as John Mark exaggeratedly told. So Luke deduced Jesus healed the ear. And on goes the tall tale.
      • You can see how the gospels got constructed by reflecting on this ear not being chopped off.
    • Meanwhile, here we have the authoritative elimination of error.


  • HOMEWORK: try reading the Gospel of Mark. It only takes a couple of hours, the narrative is simple if you've studied The Urantia Book.
    • And you need this to properly understand the context of Western Civilization.
    • Remember: "The Bible" literally means "The BOOK." As in, the one major book.


  • We had an excellent discussion about animal-origin fear, its place in this life, and the ongoing need to trust even after this life.


  • Jesus addresses Judas as "friend." In truth, Jesus still regards him as a friend. But Judas thinks of Jesus as an enemy.
    • That simple, one, sincere word to Judas blights his mind.
    • And it sidelines him from the proceedings. It defuses things. Instead of an animated, bloody garden slaughter, Jesus is taken away quietly.
      • Jesus is the master of de-escalation. Six million angels were ready to step in! That would have been a scene.


  • The Apostles cannot use their minds normally in this moment.
    • No amount of preparation by Jesus could help in this moment.
    • They're like a cork tossed about in the ocean of material energy currents at the moment.