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SearchApostles Follow Guidance
Andrew had been released from all responsibility in the group management of his fellow
apostles; accordingly, in this greatest of all crises in their lives, he was silent. After a short
informal discussion, Simon Zelotes stood up on the stone wall of the olive press and, making an
impassioned plea for loyalty to the Master and the cause of the kingdom, exhorted his fellow
apostles and the other disciples to hasten on after the mob and effect the rescue of Jesus. The
majority of the company would have been disposed to follow his aggressive leadership had it not
been for the advice of Nathaniel, who stood up the moment Simon had finished speaking and
called their attention to Jesus' oft-repeated teachings regarding nonresistance. He further
reminded them that Jesus had that very night instructed them that they should preserve their lives
for the time when they should go forth into the world proclaiming the good news of the gospel of
the heavenly kingdom. And Nathaniel was encouraged in this stand by James Zebedee, who now
told how Peter and others drew their swords to defend the Master against arrest, and that Jesus
bade Simon Peter and his fellow swordsmen sheathe their blades. Matthew and Philip also made
speeches, but nothing definite came of this discussion until Thomas, calling their attention to the
fact that Jesus had counseled Lazarus against exposing himself to death, pointed out that they
could do nothing to save their Master inasmuch as he refused to allow his friends to defend him,
and since he persisted in refraining from the use of his divine powers to frustrate his human
enemies. Thomas persuaded them to scatter, every man for himself, with the understanding that
David Zebedee would remain at the camp to maintain a clearinghouse and messenger
headquarters for the group. By half past two o'clock that morning the camp was deserted; only
David remained on hand with three or four messengers, the others having been dispatched to
secure information as to where Jesus had been taken, and what was going to be done with him.
Five of the apostles, Nathaniel, Matthew, Philip, and the twins, went into hiding at Bethphage
and Bethany. Thomas, Andrew, James, and Simon Zelotes were hiding in the city. Simon Peter
and John Zebedee followed along to the home of Annas.
Shortly after daybreak, Simon Peter wandered back to the Gethsemane camp, a dejected picture
of deep despair. David sent him in charge of a messenger to join his brother, Andrew, who was
at the home of Nicodemus in Jerusalem.
Until the very end of the crucifixion, John Zebedee remained, as Jesus had directed him, always
near at hand, and it was he who supplied David's messengers with information from hour to hour
which they carried to David at the garden camp, and which was then relayed to the hiding
apostles and to Jesus' family.
Surely, the shepherd is smitten and the sheep are scattered! While they all vaguely realize that
Jesus has forewarned them of this very situation, they are too severely shocked by the Master's
sudden disappearance to be able to use their minds normally.
It was shortly after daylight and just after Peter had been sent to join his brother, that Jude, Jesus'
brother in the flesh, arrived in the camp, almost breathless and in advance of the rest of Jesus'
family, only to learn that the Master had already been placed under arrest; and he hastened back
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down the Jericho road to carry this information to his mother and to his brothers and sisters.
David Zebedee sent word to Jesus' family, by Jude, to forgather at the house of Martha and Mary
in Bethany and there await news which his messengers would regularly bring them.
This was the situation during the last half of Thursday night and the early morning hours of
Friday as regards the apostles, the chief disciples, and the earthly family of Jesus. And all these
groups and individuals were kept in touch with each other by the messenger service which David
Zebedee continued to operate from his headquarters at the Gethsemane camp.