Urantia Book 24. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of Nebadon. Jesus came down the mountain on February 23, AD 26 and joined John and his disciples at Pella. Andrew, one of John’s followers, was particularly impressed by Jesus. He said to Jesus: “I have fully made up my mind to follow you; I would sit at your feet and learn the whole truth about the new kingdom.” And Jesus welcomed Andrew as his first disciple (137.1.1). Simon, Andrew’s brother, was one of John’s chief supporters. When Andrew asked Simon to change his allegiance to Jesus, Simon said: “I have believed Jesus was sent by God, but what about John? Are we to forsake him?” They agreed at once to consult John. John was sad about losing two of his most promising disciples, but he said: “This is but the beginning; presently shall my work end, and we shall all become his disciples.” When they went back to Jesus, he told Simon to dampen his enthusiasm and renamed him Peter. James and John Zebedee had been wandering the hills in a futile search for Jesus. They came into John’s camp and were told that Jesus was heading for Galilee, and that Simon and Andrew were going with him. Jesus had put some strangers before them and they immediately took off for the town where Jesus was spending the night. They found Jesus and woke him up. They complained to him, saying: “How is it that…you prefer others before us and choose Andrew and Simon as your first associates in the new kingdom? “Jesus answered them: “Be calm in your hearts and ask yourselves ‘who directed that you should search for the Son of Man when he was about his Father’s business?'” When they detailed the long search in the hills, he further instructed them: “You should learn to search for the secret of the new kingdom in your hearts and not in the hills (lol). That which you sought was already present in your souls. You indeed are my brethren–you needed not to be received by me–already were you of the kingdom, and you should be of good cheer, making ready also to go with us tomorrow to Galilee.” But the two needed still more reassurances. Jesus said: “My brethren, you were already with me in the spirit of the kingdom, even before these others made request to be received…you have been with me in the kingdom from the beginning…I also number you in the councils of the kingdom” (137.1.6).****** On the way to Galilee Jesus and his band met Philip, who had always admired him. Nathaniel, who did not know Jesus, was with Philip. Jesus was explaining the plan for Galilee to James as the others were urging Philip to join them. Nathaniel went and sat under a tree. The 4 decided to consult Jesus. Philip asked Jesus whether he should go with him or John, to which Jesus replied, “Follow me.” Philip went to Nathaniel sitting under the tree and told him he was following Jesus. After asking Philip where Jesus was born, he asked his famous question: “Can any good come out of Nazareth?” But he looked closer and recognized in Jesus a “master of men” and joined his growing company. Jesus had now half of his projected 12 disciples, and at this point they crossed the Jordan, reaching Nazareth late that night. They spent the night with Joseph in his boyhood home. The disciples were mystified as Jesus destroyed every piece of his writing in that house, from the Ten Commandments to the most trivial mottoes. His family were full of questions and expectations. His mother, especially, expected all of Palestine to be stunned by the miraculous revelation of her son as the supernatural king of the Jews. But to all questions, Jesus only replied: “It is better that I tarry here for a while; I must do the will of my Father who is in heaven” (137.3.5). On Wednesday, February 27, AD 26, Jesus would be forced to perform his first miracle. The wedding at Cana was scheduled for that day. Jewish weddings were usually held on Wednesdays. So they all went to Cana to attend the wedding of Naomi and Johab. Jesus and his disciples were also invited. And dozens of people who weren’t invited came, too. Jesus’ friends and relatives, despite his repeated warnings, insisted on spreading the news that they had found the Deliverer. They expected him to inaugurate his assumption of Messianic authority at the wedding. Mary went to the wedding in the spirit of a queen mother about to witness the coronation of her son. She was also happy because Jesus, the old carefree Jesus, had been given back to her; he was no longer moody and reclusive. He couldn’t be more considerate of her feelings and so sympathetic. “He was so thoughtful and understanding of the wishes and desires of his associates, and so cheerful. And so they all whispered among themselves in small groups, wondering what was going to happen. What would this strange person do next? How would he usher in the glory of the coming kingdom? And they were all thrilled with the thought that they would be present to see the revelation of the might and power of Israel’s God” (137.3.7). They would be SO disillusioned…but not yet.************** Jesus found that he was an honored guest at the wedding (so much for keeping a low profile). And not only that, he was expected to perform a great act. So many had come to the wedding that the wine was running low during the wedding supper. When the wine was gone, the bride’s mother confided in Mary. Mary blithely said: “Don’t worry–I’ll speak to my son–he will help us.” And Mary presumed to ask Jesus to do a magic trick. Jesus was very angry and he and Mary had an argument, Mary ending up in tears. As Jesus realized he had hurt her feelings and stooped over her in sympathy, something happened—beyond his control, and he would find out that wine appeared in water jugs meant for a purification ritual. The wine appeared because he, in his sympathy, desired the wine to appear, and he could manifest anything he desired. When Jesus and Mary walked over to the stone pots, people were already taking the wine out of them. Jesus was surprised to have the wine confirmed, but only he knew it wasn’t a miracle. And his TA signified that the execution of the Son’s desire was in no way a contravention of the Father’s will(137.4.12). Jesus vowed not to let this happen again, but his sympathy would be aroused in spite of himself.