There is, as well, something that deeply moves and scares them. Because the Teacher caresses, with amazing realism, the impossible dream of the most ambitious prophets and reformers: to change the world.
And they would like to be a part of that dream.
But, will they be capable of following the Teacher in such an inconceivable plan?
1. The Depression of the Dead Sea is the site of Sodom and Gommorah, consumed according to tradition by fire coming down from heaven (Gen. 19:1-28).
2 . Regarding the Essene community of Qumran, see Flavio Josefo, The Wars of the Jews, Book 1, Barcelona: Orbis, 1985, pp. 122-126.
3 . John 1:19-28.
4 . These are Jesus’ first words recorded in the Gospels (John 1:35-39, NKJV).
5 . John 1:35-37.
6 . Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 112.
7 . My studies of the gospels have led me to the conclusion that these first disciples of Jesus were younger than 30 years of age. The first and foremost reason is that they call him “rabbi” (Teacher). Jesus was then about 30 years of age (Luke 3:23) and had never worked as a Teacher, but as a carpenter. In that patriarchal society (of traditional gerontocracy) it was not conceivable that a Teacher were younger than his disciples, or that he would take it upon himself to teach prior to 40 or 50 years of age. If these young men address Jesus calling him “rabbi” it was because they clearly appeared to be younger than he. Until the end of his ministry, Jesus continued calling them paidia (John 21:5), Greek term that means ‘children’ or ‘little children,’ an appellation that would be unthinkable in that culture if they had been older than he. They were more likely to be about 20 years of age. Their youth would explain their enormous availability, which allowed them to follow Jesus full time for more than three years, what would have been very difficult if they had had families to support (Luke 18:28-31). See Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 73.
8 . “Only Jesus Christ, who bids us follow him, knows where the path will lead [. . .]. The following is the joy.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship. The Following, Salamanca: Sígueme, 2004, p. 12)
9 . See Matthew 3, 7-10 and parallels.
10 . In reality, Jesus threatens only those who dedicate themselves to threathening those who are weaker than they; that is, the Scribes and the Pharisees, who think that fear serves to obtain desired changes. But the threats achieve only external and fleeting changes. True transformation is born simultaneously from within and from above.
11 . The term “disciple” describes a follower of a Teacher who is in the process of learning.
12 . The Gospels say that Jesus had four brothers, named James, Joseph, Simon and Judas, in addition to several sisters (Matt. 13:55).
13 . “The life of Jesus can be seen from the perspective of change rather than conservation.” He was the Reformer of reformers, and His lever for reform was the revelation of God’s plan for humanity.” (George Knight, Philosophy & Education, Miami: APIA, 2002, p. 255)
14 . According to Matthew 28:20, the last words of Jesus will be: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
15 . Paul of Tarsus, Jesus’ great disciple, made a living producing such tents (Acts 18:1-3).
16 . This availability confirms that these disciples were young. Some of their reflections, like the one expressed in Matthew 19:10 “if this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” It would imply, based on the use of the aorist tense, that they were still single. The fact that we later find the disciple Peter already married, does not mean that he was older, given that the recommended age for marriage by the rabbis was from 16 to 24. His impulse of wanting to walk on water (today we would say “surfing without a board”) is much easier to understand as a juvenile fit—which the Teacher does not care to indulge—than a mature decision of an adult, who would not have dared to have such a crazy idea (Matt. 14:28-33). More than three years later, when John and Peter compete by racing to see who arrives first at the tomb, John has the naive satisfaction of indicating that he won the race (John 20:3-8). If you bear in mind that in such society the act of adults running in public was frowned upon, this “feat” clearly appears as a juvenile thing.
17 . The “tenth” hour is equivalent more or less to two hours before sunset (John 1:39).
18 . The author of this account is John, one of the travelers, who would go on to become an apostle (John 1:35-42).
19 . John 1:1-14.
20 . Hence, the first activity of Jesus’ public ministry was camping with the young men . . .
21 . “Every glance of the eye, every feature of the countenance, [. . .] expressive of unutterable love” (Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 81). “God is love” John would write years later (1 John 4:8).
22 . [Translated quote] Antonio Muñoz Molina, Sefarad, Madrid: Editorial Santillana, 2001, pp. 291-192.
23 . John would sign his Gospel with the pseudonym of “the beloved disciple”or “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20). “Even John, the beloved disciple — the one who most fully reflected the likeness of the Savior— did not naturally possess loveliness of character. He was not only self-assertive and ambitious for honor but impetuous and resentful under injuries. [. . .] The strength and patience, the power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness that he beheld in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with admiration and love. Day by day his heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. [. . .] The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character.” (Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, Madrid: Safeliz, 2018, p. 75)
2
The Invitation
The travelers arrive at Bethsaida with mixed feelings. On one hand, they are happy to return home; on the other, they find it difficult to say goodbye to the Teacher, who continues His route toward Galilee.1 Interacting with Him has been an unforgettable experience, which they would like to extend. Will they manage to get Him to stay with them, even if only for one more day?
The village receives them with its loose embrace, nestled between the lake