Israel, 33 to 42 AD
The Father looked to the Mother of all things, and asked, “Shall you like to take over this lecture for a while?”
“Certainly, my dear,” answered the Mother. Then she proceeded, “Jesus was allowed to say his goodbyes to his closest family members before traveling to the east, and settling down in the region known as Kashmir. He would stay in Kashmir for twelve years before passing on to this side.”
“He would never again be allowed to be with his family while he remained in the flesh. He had indeed saved his physical life, at the cost of his family life. He had been allowed to live another twelve years, but it wouldn’t be with his wife and his children.”
“His wife Mary Magdalene and their children would have to flee Israel in 42 AD. Nine years after the crucifixion. Several events led to this departure, and we will cover these accordingly. But as our Father likes to say ‘I’m getting ahead of myself.”
Laughter from the angelic host. They loved her sense of humor. And the way that she picked at the Ancient of Days. Poking fun at his many eccentricities. He smiled at her amusement.
She smiled back at him and continued, “So we are all wondering what happened to all those apostles, and closest followers of his after the crucifixion.”
“As our Father explained, they were all afraid for their very lives. And scattered about in four directions. Each with their own hiding places. Eventually they would all coalesce back to the scene of the last supper, the upper room. There they would try to figure out what to do next.
“Now keep in mind that the apostles knew nothing of the crucifixion plot of Joseph and Pontius Pilate. Only Joseph, Mary Magdalene, Martha, Jesus mother Mary, and Lazarus were in the know. Eventually Jesus’ sister’s Mary and Sarah would be told, but that wouldn’t come until years later, in France. The rest were left blind to the events that had played out.”
“Therefore, gathered into the upper room was Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, Thomas, James the Just, Simon the Zealot, and Jude. Nine of the original twelve apostles. Judas Iscariot had been in the grips of Lucifer, overcome with grief, and hanged himself. Meanwhile Philip and Bartholomew were returning from their trip to Gaza.
“Speaking of Philip, he and his cohort Bartholomew had made this Gaza trip a meaningful one. There they had met an Ethiopian prince, whom they had the pleasure of exchanging spiritual points of views. During their discussion, Philip had convinced the prince to follow the ways of Jesus. Therefore Philip baptized the prince, and sent him on his way to Ethiopia. Once the prince was on his way, Philip and Bartholomew returned back to Jerusalem. Knowing their mission was complete. Thinking that the reason that the Father had sent him was to baptize this Ethiopian, Philip saw his mission as complete.”
The viewer showed an image of Philip. The usual auburn red hair with electric blue eyes was featured. The same characteristics of the other famous lives of the soul of Amos. By now usual features to the angelic host.
The Mother continued, “When Philip and Bartholomew returned to Jerusalem, they started hearing reports of a crucifixion of one Jesus of Nazareth. A death that supposedly happened the day after Philip and Bartholomew had left. Hardly believing their ears, the two apostles searched the city, asking the populace if this was true. Had their teacher been murdered while they were away? The answer was always in the affirmative. Finally, the two returned to the upper room. There they found the other nine apostles of Jesus.”
“What happened next was an interesting discussion, as the viewer will show.”
The viewer appeared to show the upper room. Nine apostles all sitting in their chairs. Discussing what to do next, now that their leader was gone. Sheep without a shepherd, and no answers to speak of.
Immediately burst through the door was Philip, and his eternal friend Bartholomew.
Philip was first through the door. His eyes scanning the entire room. He noticed there was no Jesus, nor any sign of Judas. He asked, “Where is Jesus and Judas?”
The others all looked at each other. None of them knowing how to tell this sad tale of their fallen master. Nor were any of them willing to confront Philip. Not one apostle had met the eyes of Philip during his interrogation. Finally Peter spoke up, “Both of them are dead. Judas by suicide, and Jesus by crucifixion.”
“So it is true,” whispered Bartholomew.
“What happened?” demanded Philip. The anger in him was clearly rising. From the high pitch in his voice, to his temples pulsing.
Matthew spoke next, “After you two left, the temple guards led by Judas, had Jesus arrested. The next day he was crucified.”
“Judas betrayed him,” piped in Andrew. He had known Philip since the days when they both followed John the Baptist. Andrew knew that his good friend Philip was enraged. He could always tell when then happened, for Philip’s eyes would narrow, and his hair seemed to turn another shade of red.
“Why did you not stop them?” asked Philip. His teeth clenched.
Bartholomew put a hand on Philip’s shoulder, trying to calm him. He knew when his best friend was unbalanced. This was one of those times.
“They all had swords. And besides, Jesus told us not to resist,” said Peter.
“So you just let them take him, and sacrifice him like a lamb at Passover?” asked Philip.
The apostles had their heads down. None of them answered Philip. They were all ashamed of their cowardice. Even though they were following their master’s advice. To a man, every one of them felt guilty for giving up Jesus to the enemy. A deep, underlying feeling of shame surrounded them all. And now Philip was cutting the wound deeper.
Philip looked around the room. Disgusted at the betrayal of his friend. And enraged by the acts of his fellow apostles. He had seen enough. He stuck his finger in the air and declared, “I’m leaving to go do what he would have me do. I’m going to teach his way to as many people as I encounter. Showing them the way to salvation, through his good works, and his many teachings. The rest of you may stay here and act like frightened sheep, but I’m leaving you all to go and finish what Jesus started.”
“And I’m going with him,” said Bartholomew.
The nine remaining apostles held their mouths at the departure of Philip and Bartholomew. None said a word at their leaving.
The Mother of all things looked from the viewer to the angelic host. She continued, “Therefore Philip and Bartholomew left the others to their own devices. The pair headed to the seaside town of Caesarea, vowing never to return to the others. To go and build for themselves a church dedicated to the memory of their friend, Jesus of Nazareth.”
“This was all done by design,” interrupted the Father.
“Indeed it was,” said the Mother, smiling at him.
She looked to him, who motioned for her to keep on with the story, so she complied with his wishes, “Therefore two of the chosen twelve had left the group. Believing the rest of them to be cowards. These so called cowards would remain in Jerusalem for the next few years. Building its church there.”
“Meanwhile, those family members who were closest to Jesus, chose to reside in Bethany. Those members would be Mary Magdalene, her sister Martha, her brother Lazarus, Jesus’ mother Mary, Jesus’ sisters Mary and Sarah, and Jesus’ and the Magdalene’s children, Joseph, Judah, and Sarah. This group would all build their own church in Bethany. Let us focus on this group for a while.