Where Did Jesus Die? — Page 59
Chapter Four—Early Documentary Evidence 59 Jesus Self-Exiled The letter further tells us that the last time when Jesus met his disciples he: … led them to the place most dear to him, near the summit of Mount Olivet, where can be seen almost the whole of the land of Palestine; for Jesus longed once more to look upon the country where he had lived and worked. (p. 123) … And the chosen disciples believed that Jesus would lead them to Bethania. But the elders of the Brotherhood had silently come together on the other side of the moun- tain, ready to travel, waiting with Jesus, as had been agreed upon. And he exhorted his disciples to be of good cheer, and firm in their faith… He prayed for the friends he was about to leave, and lifting his arms he blessed them. And the mist rose around the mountain, tinted by the descending sun. Then the elders of the Esseer Brotherhood sent word to Jesus that they were waiting, and that it was then already late. As the disciples knelt down, their faces bent toward the ground, Jesus rose and hastily went away through the gathering mist. When the disciples rose there stood before them two of our brethren in white garb of our Brotherhood, and they instructed them not to wait for Jesus, as he was gone, whereupon they hastened away down the mountain. (p. 123–124)