A Synopsis of Paper 136: Baptism and the Forty Days

Following his baptism, Jesus went into seclusion for forty days. He was now fully aware of his relationship to the universe, and recalled Immanuel's instructions concerning the bestowal mission. While Jesus was in seclusion, Gabriel appeared to him to discuss the welfare of the local universe. He was accompanied by the Constellation Father of Edentia who informed Jesus that he was now at liberty to terminate his incarnation.

After Jesus' celestial visitors left he planned for his remaining days on earth. Jesus decided not to teach until John's work was finished. He reviewed Immanuel's instructions and pondered the methods of ministry open to him. Jesus realized that situations might arise in his public career in which his concern for the planet could conflict with his Father's desire for an illustration of the ideal mortal life. He decided that if he had to choose between these two, he would subordinate his own wishes to the will of his Father.

Three days after Jesus secluded himself in the hills, he was given a vision of the assembled hosts of seraphim and other celestial beings who had been sent to serve him. Twelve legions of seraphim, nearly six million angels, awaited his command. Jesus decided that he would not use them unless it was evident that it was his Father's will.

Jesus made a conscious decision not to transcend natural law to obtain personal necessities or to prevent his own untimely death. Neither would he use superhuman power to win favor for his saving message. Jesus decided that he would not allow his followers to think of him as the Messiah, and that he would remain completely subject to the Father's will in all matters.

Jesus did not intend to use miracles or wonders to win people to his message. He knew the Jewish people were expecting a Messiah who could perform miracles, but Jesus refused to prostitute his divine powers. Miracle-working might have gratified the Jews, but would not have been a revelation of the heavenly Father. Jesus chose to establish the kingdom of heaven by the natural, ordinary, and difficult methods that all humans must use in their work of expanding the kingdom.