firmed the Zealot strongly. "It is time to go forward!"

Jesus had told the disciples to wait for him in Capernaum and had gone
to the hills for prayer. He knew his work had reached a turning point.
For several days he remained alone, praying and seeking wisdom from God.
When he returned to Capernaum, he called the disciples together.

"My followers," he said gravely, when they were gathered about him,
"many times I have told you that the Kingdom of God cannot come without
suffering. Men who hate truth hate anyone who speaks the truth." The men
knew Jesus had made a decision. "The Kingdom of God has been proclaimed
only in Galilee," he continued. "The time has now come to carry the news
to all Palestine!"

_That means Judea!_ thought James and John at the same time. In
Jerusalem the priests and Pharisees were strongest.

"Rulers will show us no mercy," said Jesus. "God is our only Source of
strength. We must tell the gospel in every village and countryside. We
must not miss a single Jew. You are to be my missionaries to this
nation!"

The men stirred and glanced at one another. The Zealot vigorously nodded
his approval. No hiding in the hills for them; they were going forward!
Fear mixed with eagerness sent chills through them.

Jesus rose and stood facing Simon, who went to his knees before him.
Jesus laid his hand on Simon's head and, lifting up his eyes, prayed for
him. He asked the Heavenly Father to strengthen him and to give him the
wisdom and courage he would need for the important task he was about to
undertake. One by one, Jesus blessed each of the twelve men. He knew
them better than they knew themselves and he prayed simply and frankly
for each one. Awe filled them as they listened. The work was so great,
and they were so weak! They were to teach and heal as Jesus himself had
been doing! A new spirit gripped them.

"Shall we too be able to drive out demons and raise the dead, Master?"
asked Simon.

"The power of the Kingdom is yours," declared Jesus. "You have both the
right and the power to destroy evil wherever you find it--whether
demons, sickness, or spiritual blindness."

Then he gave them instructions for the journey that lay before them.
"You are to travel two by two. Preach only to Jews, not to Samaritans or
gentiles, for the time is short. Your work is to seek everywhere the
lost sheep of the people of Israel. Return when this is done.

"Take only a walking stick and one pair of sandals--n