In January, 30 AD, Abner dispersed
the entire group of evangelists into the cities and villages of Perea.
This region, evenly divided between gentile and Jew, turned out to be
the most fruitful in acceptance of the Master's teachings. The Perean
mission lasted for three months. Jesus divided his time between teaching
the multitudes at Pella and assisting the traveling preachers.
Over three hundred Pharisees and others
from Jerusalem had followed Jesus to Pella after the feast of the dedication.
Soon after they arrived Jesus addressed the crowd, saying that he knew
there were some among them who would die for him and others who wanted
to kill him.
Jesus told a parable in which he described
himself as a true shepherd, one who gathers his flock in times of danger
and who would lay down his life for his fold. He openly declared that
no other person could take away his life: "I have the right and the
power to lay down my life, and I have the same power and right to take
it up again. You cannot understand this, but I received such authority
from my Father even before this world was." His words prompted astonished
discussion among his friends as well as his enemies. The next day, half
of the Jerusalem Pharisees cast their lot with Jesus.
Toward the end of January, Jesus spoke
on trust and spiritual preparedness. He advised his followers not to
fear their religious enemies who have no power other than to kill the
body. The apostles were instructed not to be concerned for their sustenance:
"Which of you by anxiety can add a handbreadth to your stature or a
day to your life? Since such matters are not in your hands, why do you
give anxious thought to any of these problems? Seek the greater thing,
and the lesser will be found therein; ask for the heavenly, and the
earthly shall be included. The shadow is certain to follow the substance."
Jesus also asked his followers not to be anxious about how to answer
the questions of their enemies, saying, ".for the spirit that dwells
within you shall certainly teach you in that very hour what you should
say in honor of the gospel of the kingdom."
One young man went privately to Jesus
and asked him to help him regain his inheritance which was being withheld
by his brother. Jesus replied that his covetousness in the matter of
his material inheritance was causing him to miss an opportunity to learn
about his heavenly inheritance. After advising him to take his complaint
to the proper authorities, Jesus sent the man away, saying, "My son,
what shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your own
soul?"