into the cities that I will visit." He turned to
the Seventy: "Declare the good news of the rule of God. Tell them that
the Kingdom is here. Return to me on the third day. Then we shall set
out for Jerusalem!"

The people began to talk excitedly with one another. "You must go two by
two," continued Jesus, raising his voice. "You have a great work to do,
and now is the time to do it! Pray, therefore, that you will find many
who will believe your message of the Kingdom of God and help you. Do not
let anyone stop you, but press on to tell the gospel in every city where
Jews live. You will be in danger; I send you out like sheep among
wolves. Just the same, have courage, for you carry good news. Preach
this message: 'The rule of God is here; give yourselves to him'!"

After the Seventy had gone, great crowds continued to throng Jesus as he
preached in the market place of Tiberias. The anxiety that the
disciples first felt when Jesus decided to await the return of the
Seventy gradually gave way to optimism when they saw the great
popularity of Jesus.

"The king knows he cannot arrest us," said the Zealot. "Look at this
crowd!"

"It will not be long before we are in Jerusalem!" said John. Jerusalem!
The disciples began to talk eagerly about the new kingdom.

"Nothing must stop us!" declared James and John. When the Seventy
returned, they were enthusiastic.

"Everyone listened to us!" declared the first two men to return. "People
brought their sick to us. They believed our teaching! Even the demons
obeyed us!"

"Here is a man who wants to become a follower," said his companion.

A third person stepped up to Jesus and said very sincerely, "I will go
with you anywhere."

Jesus looked at him keenly and said: "My way is not easy. The foxes in
the woods have holes to sleep in. Even the wild birds have nests--but I
have no home and no place to give you."

"I will follow you anywhere," said the man again.

Through the day others returned. Every hour the disciples heard good
reports of the success of the Seventy. At sunset all the followers whom
Jesus had sent out gathered in the hills. The bright rays of the sinking
sun lighted Jesus' face as he raised his hand to quiet the excited men.

"Satan is utterly defeated!" he declared. "The power of God is yours!
Nothing can stand in the way of God's rule!" The people could not
restrain their excitement. They burst into a babble of conversation. One
man cried out, "Master, w