© Bruce C
Wearne March 2003
Point Lonsdale Victoria AUSTRALIA
The story begins. It is all about some really good news. It is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who He is and what He did.
The story is told by Mark, a young man who followed after Jesus. Jesus was sent by God to be the Messiah. This is the story Mark had to tell.
So the story begins with John the Baptist teaching God's message in the desert. People went there from all over to get their lives cleaned up so they were ready. John reminded them that God sticks to his promises. And the people kept on coming to him. John lived on grasshoppers and honey in the desert near the Jordan River.
So John told the people what God required.And as he did so, he told them that why he was out in the desert. The most important person ever was coming. John baptised people and told them that his baptism was only preparing them for God's baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was John's cousin.
He came along with all the others, wanting John to baptise them in the River. This was a very special moment for John because when Jesus came out of the water heaven was ripped open and God's spirit came down on Him like a dove. A voice was heard: "You are my One and Only Belovéd Son."
This was when Jesus was preparing for His special work which His Father in Heaven had sent Him to do. Next, He was led by God's Spirit into the desert. There the Satan gave Him a really hard time.
There were wild animals there and angels came along to help Him at what was a difficult time.
When John was taken off to prison, Jesus decided to get started with His own work. "Now is the time to repent and welcome God's Kingdom!" He taught.
Andrew, Simon, James and John were some of the first disciples. They worked a fishing business near to the town where Jesus' mother lived.
On the Sabbath, Jesus went along to the Synagogue just like everyone else.
That's when He began to teach and the people listened to what He had to say. They loved His explanation of God's laws. He was not like their other teachers.
A troubled man stood up and shouted.
"Jesus from Nazareth are you going to wipe us out?"
Jesus told him to be quiet. The man screamed and shook loudly. The evil spirit obeyed Jesus. The man was healed. The people were amazed. The news spread everywhere.
The mother of Peter's wife had a fever and when they left the synagogue Jesus went to her house and healed her. She even cooked dinner for them. So, that evening many people were brought to Peter's house. Jesus healed many people and evil spirits were silenced because Jesus knew how they worked.
Jesus woke up very early in the morning to pray. Peter and his other disciples went to him. "They are all looking for you" they said.
Jesus said he was going to visit many other places around Lake Galilee. He wanted to teach and free people from evil spirits.
Leprosy is a skin disease. Lepers were not allowed to touch people. They had to stay away but this leper came to Jesus and asked for help. Jesus touched him and he was healed.
"Go and tell the priest before you go home," Jesus said to him. The man didn't listen and spread the news far and wide.
Jesus' family lived at the sea-side, in Capernaum.
When Jesus visited one time some people broke through the ceiling so a crippled fellow could get to Jesus. "That's OK," Jesus said. "Your sins are forgiven!" Some religious leaders thought this was the wrong thing to say but Jesus healed the man and he walked home!
Jesus still taught the large crowds who came to Him.
He also asked a man called Levi to come along with Peter, Andrew, James and John. Levi's other name was Matthew, the son of Alphaeus. He had been collecting taxes for the Romans. That was a very difficult job.
Some people watched Jesus closely. They saw him eat with Levi and some others. Before they told on him to the religious leaders they complained to Jesus' disciples. "He should not spend time with them" they said. Jesus heard. He said: "When you go to the doctor you know you need some medicine. I'm friends with those in trouble with God."
Many were fasting. John's followers fasted, as did the religious leaders. Jesus' disciples were not fasting.
"Not while I am with them, they don't," He said. "Now we enjoy to the full God's gifts of new clothes and new wine. While I am around it is time to party. Fasting will be later but it'll come."
The Sabbath is a day of rest. One Sabbath Jesus' disciples followed him into the paddocks and picked some wheat and made a meal for themselves. The religious leaders were most upset. That was work, not rest, they said. Jesus explained that these leaders had forgotten what the Sabbath meant - it is a time to enjoy God's gifts.
At the synagogue on another Sabbath, Jesus saw the religious leaders watching him closely. He knew how mean they were. They didn't want anyone healed but Jesus went ahead and healed a man whose arm didn't work. He was so angry that they left, and went off and made a contract with King Herod's friends to have Him killed.
Jesus kept teaching in the Lake Galilee region. Large crowds came. He used Peter's boat as a platform. This way He could teach the people while they had a picnic on the shore and then, on the way to a new port, He was able to teach His own disciples. He cured many who were troubled by evil spirits, giving them no chance to shout out.
Jesus chose 12 men as the first senior students in his school. Jesus knew that one day they would spread the message of God's Kingdom, so they would have to learn how it was done. Jesus sent these students out to all the places round about and then He went home for a rest.
The names of the first students in Jesus' school were: Simon-Peter, James & John (Jesus' called his cousins the thunder lads), Andrew, Peter's brother, Philip, Bartholomew, Levi (Matthew), and Thomas and James who was also a son of Alphaeus like Matthew, Simon and Judas Iscariot (who betrayed him).
After he sent his disciples out, Jesus kept teaching. His family was cross with him. The crowd was so large it disrupted their lives. They could not even eat and Jesus was becoming a stranger to them. They decided to grab him and bring him home. But just then the lawyers, who had been investigating Jesus, arrived from Jerusalem.
"You are attracting large crowds because you have been sent by the Ancient Prince of Baal," they said.
"How can that be?" Jesus replied. "If Satan is fighting against Satan then his house will certainly fall down. Be very careful what you say because to sin against God's Holy Spirit is unforgivable."
Jesus continued teaching. The Jerusalem lawyers Jerusalem tried to prove He had an unclean spirit but Jesus stood up to them and they could do nothing. Just then Jesus' mother and brothers came to take him away, home. Jesus looked at the crowd and said, "The people who do God's will are my brothers, sisters and mothers."
To teach the good news of God's Kingdom is like a farmer going out to sow seed in all directions. He throws it far and wide so it might grow in many different places. Some gets eaten by birds, some dies on the path, some sprouts near rocks but some falls in the good soil which has been prepared for the seed and it takes root and grows.
Afterwards His students came to Jesus and asked Him what that story meant.
Jesus reminded them that He had chosen them to learn God's secrets. They were His special students. One day they would be teachers and just like the farmer they would have to spread the message all around.
Jesus told His students that His message was like light. He wanted them to shine the message all around.
A lamp is put on a lamp-stand so you can see everything in the house.
A lamp is for shining; not for hiding. Bring out what I tell you and let your lives shine with my message.
Jesus helped His students to listen to what He said. He taught them to open their ears. "Your ears are important. Your life begins with what you hear. So use your ears and what you hear will be what you give to others. Your task is to spread the word. You will have more to give by listening to me."
God's kingdom is like the seeds growing in the soil which the farmer scattered all around, far and wide. "A few days later there's a sprout, then a stalk, then the head of grain, and then comes the harvest. 'How about that?' says the farmer. 'Look at that wheat! Isn't that something?' That's just like God's Kingdom!" That's what Jesus said.
God's Kingdom is like the mustard seed which can hardly be seen. In our lives new gifts appear just like the mustard tree grows with lovely branches shading all the birds as they rest before flying off.
Jesus taught the crowds with stories like these. He discussed them with His special students. They are called parables.
Leaving the crowds, Jesus decided to cross the lake in the boat. His students went with Him. Others wanted to go too; many followed in boats. A big storm blew up. Jesus was asleep after His hard day's work. They woke Him up.
He told the wind and the waves: "Quieten down!" The storm stopped. His students were amazed.
Jesus sailed away and landed near a cemetery. An unhappy man who lived there came to Him. "Don't hurt me, please!" he said.
Jesus took control. "What is your name!" The man said his name was "Army" because a strong evil force had control of him. The evil "Army" asked Jesus if they could invade a herd of pigs grazing on the hills-side.
Jesus let the pigs go and healed the man. Those looking after the pigs went back to the village and told what had happened. The villagers asked Jesus to leave. They did not want Him there. But the healed man wanted to go with Jesus. Instead Jesus told him to go home and tell his family how God had been so kind to heal him.
Jesus crossed the lake. A twelve year-old girl, the daughter of the synagogue ruler, was gravely ill. His name was Jairus and he asked Jesus to heal her.
Jesus went. A large crowd was following. In the crowd was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. She touched Jesus' cloak and was healed.
"Who touched me?" asked Jesus. The people laughed. Many people were crowding around as He walked. But Jesus knew He had been touched.
The woman came and told Him what had happened.
"Your faith has done this" Jesus said, "You are now free of this trouble."
Some men came. "Jairus, you needn't bother Jesus because your daughter's dead." Jesus ignored them. "Trust me " he said. Taking Peter, James and John, the Ruler and his wife, Jesus went to the little girl's room. When He said, "Get up little girl!" she woke up and walked around. "Keep this to yourselves and get her something to eat!" He said.
Jesus went back home. On the Sabbath He taught in the Synagogue. Some were very interested. Others said, "This is the son of Mary and Joseph. Why should He be teaching us?" They were annoyed by Him. Jesus was amazed. "It seems I can teach people everywhere except in my home town." So He left and went to the other villages.
As He taught He sent out His disciples, two by two.
They were to proclaim God's Kingdom.
They were to live simply and accept people's hospitality in return for their teaching. They went out and did many good things.
Herod was told about all the things Jesus and His disciples were doing. Many people wondered if God was about to do something very special. "Is this Elijah come back or one of the prophets?" the people asked.
Herod was very worried. "Maybe it is John the Baptist come back to life!" he said.
King Herod ruled Galilee. John the Baptist had told him that God's law had been broken when he married his brother's wife.
Herod put him into prison. He talked with him but Herodias, Herod's new wife, hated John. She wanted him killed.
Herodias' daughter danced at Herod's party. All the powerful people of Galilee were there.
"What can I give you, my girl?" asked Herod.
The girl was told by her mother to ask that John be executed. And so John's head was brought in on a plate and that was why Herod was very worried.
Jesus realised that hard times lay ahead, and He knew His disciples needed rest if they were to do the work He wanted of them.
"Come away with me for a bit," Jesus said. They went away in the boat to rest at a lonely place.
The crowds saw the boat and gathered on the shore.
After the boat anchored Jesus taught the crowd. It got late. He told his disciples to share their food for the evening meal. "But we only have five loaves and two fish to share" they said. "Now sit down" Jesus said. "Lord we thank you for this food." He gave the disciples the food to share with the crowd and there was even a little left over.
Jesus told the disciples to prepare to sail to the other side, to Bethsaida. They would also have to use the oars because strong winds would slow the passage.
Meanwhile, He explained to the crowd why they should now go home. He then went to the hills. He prayed. Many problems lay ahead. Some were wanting to make Him king.
There was a very strong wind blowing. It was not easy to sail under those conditions. Very early before dawn the wind died after Jesus joined the boat having come out to them across the water. "Don't be afraid! It's only me!" He said. But the disciples did not know what to think. They were amazed and not a little frightened.
They reached the other side at Gennesaret. The people there recognized Him. News had got around.
Jesus healed the sick and taught about God's Kingdom.
Wherever He went the people from the villages round about came to Him. His teaching and healing was a sensation.
The religious leaders were not pleased with Jesus. They wanted Him to make his disciples wash their hands like all good religious leaders did. "Your disciples should obey this tradition?" they demanded. "You're a bunch of hypocrites" Jesus replied. "You've ditched God's law because you think your traditions are more important."
Jesus explained to the religious leaders that God was not pleased with them. "Your rules allow a person to ignore God's commands! You think the law to honour parents can be suspended. You break God's law by trying to give people a choice of either giving a gift to God or a gift to their parents. You and your tradition are off track!"
"Where does evil come from?" Jesus asked. "Is it from dirt or food? No. Evil is not what goes into the body, it is what comes out of the heart." Later the disciples asked: "Please explain this some more!"
"Don't be thick!" Jesus said. "It's not from eating; evil comes from your heart, what you say, or do or think. That brings evil."
Jesus travelled near the coast. He wished to be alone but many heard He was there.
A Greek woman, living in Syria, came. "Please cure my daughter and cast out the demon?" she pleaded.
In those days the Jews called the Syrians "dogs".
Jesus said His work was for the children of Israel. "Do I throw the children's bread to the dogs?" He asked. She was persistent and replied, "Master, dogs live from crumbs which fall from the table of God's children." "Your child is healed," Jesus assured her and when she went home she found it to be so.
Jesus returned to Galilee. A man was brought to Him who could hardly talk and could not hear. Jesus took Him away by himself and cleared the man's ears and helped the man spit by loosening his tongue.
Jesus told them not to spread news of this but many got to hear of it and all were amazed at the good things He did.
The crowds gathered again and after three days Jesus was worried. They had not eaten. "How can I send them home, now?" He asked. This time He took 7 loaves and all were fed. The crowd numbered 4000 this time. And there was some left over.
The crowds had been fed, the deaf and dumb healed, evils spirits had been cast out, and the religious leaders were not satisfied.
They wanted Jesus to give a special sign to prove God was with Him. Jesus was annoyed by these silly questions. He groaned and then got into a boat, leaving them standing on the shore as He sailed off.
"Beware of the yeast of the religious leaders and the followers of Herod," Jesus warned.
His disciples thought Jesus was talking about food.
"Don't you understand?" Jesus asked. "You don't have to worry about bread. Remember the 5000! Remember the 4000?"
Jesus kept on teaching and healing.
Once a blind man was brought to him. Jesus spat and touched the man's eyes.
"People look like trees" he said, "Walking trees."
Jesus touched his eyes a second time. Now he saw everything clearly.
Jesus asked "What are the people saying about me?"
His disciples answered:
"Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah and other a new prophet."
"And what do you say?"
Peter spoke up. "You are the Messiah!" Jesus said, "God has given Peter special understanding. For now, you should keep that to yourself."
"The Son of Man is the Messiah" Jesus taught. "He will suffer terribly and the religious leaders will have Him killed. But on the third day He will be raised."
Peter was angry. "No way!" he said.
Jesus gave Peter a very stern rebuke in front of the disciples.
Jesus then turned and taught the crowds. "To follow after me means you deny your own life and take up a cross. To find your life you must be prepared to lose it. If you lose your life for me you will find it. This is the true way to life as God meant it. What benefit is there if you gain the whole world and miss this?"
"Let me tell you that I know some are following me who think they know what it all means," Jesus said. "They think it is all a matter of committing themselves to the utmost. They believe they should follow me to the limit. They think such a commitment will bring in God's Kingdom in its fullness, and in all of its power."
Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain. While they were there they had a special vision of Jesus with Moses and Elijah.
They heard God's voice tell them that Jesus was His special son. This was the same message that John the Baptist had taught after Jesus Baptism.
Jesus told them about Elijah and how John the Baptist had fulfilled God's special task. Like Elijah he was happy for Jesus' work to start and then grow.
Jesus reminded Peter, James and John that the Son of Man would be killed and raised to life again. But the disciples still found it difficult to understand.
Coming down the mountain Jesus saw His disciples arguing. An epileptic boy was in big trouble and his father said to Jesus. "It will kill him. They couldn't help but maybe you …!"
"Maybe …?" Jesus answered.
"I believe a bit" the boy's dad said. The boy was healed with a loud shriek. They left together.
"That was awful" said the disciples. They asked Jesus: "Why are those cases so difficult to heal?"
"Quiet prayerful fasting is the only way to overcome this kind of terror," Jesus replied. They kept travelling and He kept teaching them what was to happen to the Son of Man.
On the way back to Jesus' home town, the disciples argued. Jesus asked them what it was about. They were too embarrassed to say. It had been over who was most important student in Jesus' school? He sat them down and said. "To be first, put yourself last. When you welcome this child you welcome me? Any more questions?"
"Yes," said John. "We met a man driving out demons who was using your name. We told him to join us or stop, but he didn't. What should we do, now?"
"You should be glad," said Jesus, "A miracle in my name is something to rejoice at. All kinds of little things, even a drink you are given by someone, should always make you glad."
"It's very serious" Jesus said "to be a member of God's kingdom. But don't stop others from becoming members. It is not a game. Since you are part of my circle of friends it is important that you don't stand in the way of others receiving God's gifts."
Jesus moved from place to place, teaching and healing. The religious leaders were worried. They did not like Him at all. "What about divorce?" they asked.
Jesus replied, "Marriage is for women and men and God's law is for husbands and wives. Be faithful. Find God's blessing together."
Women and children were coming to Jesus. The disciples tried to keep them away.
Jesus told the disciples: "Back off! Get real! God's Kingdom is especially for children! If you can't see this you have missed the point."
Jesus also loved the hugs children gave him.
A rich man turned up and asked, "Jesus, how do I inherit eternal life."
Jesus replied "What about the commandments?"
"Done all that" he said.
Jesus said, "You will have a fortune in heaven when you sell up, give it all away to the poor and follow me."
The man then became very sad. He went away. He was very rich.
Jesus said "It sure is tough for some! It's easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom." The disciples were very surprised at this.
"But with God all things are possible!" Jesus said.
Peter said, "We have given it all up!"
Jesus said, "I know and it won't get any easier."
They kept on going toward Jerusalem. The disciples were astonished.
They were also afraid.
Jesus said: "To serve God means a lot of trouble and suffering. The One God sends will suffer betrayal, hate from the religious leaders and they will give Him over to be killed. But God will raise Him to life again!"
James and John, Jesus' cousins, were getting very worried about Him. "We want you to let us be at your side always!" they said. "Are you able to suffer like I will?" Jesus asked. "Yes" they said. Then the other disciples were cross. Jesus told them, "Serving God is not about being on top. You must serve," He said "like I do."
Blind Bartimaeus shouted: "Jesus! Have mercy." The people were saying, "Shut-up Bartimaeus!" But Jesus called him over and asked, "How can I help you?"
"I want to see again!"
"Righto! If that's what you want," Jesus said "See! Your faith has cured you."
Bartimaeus followed Jesus, He left his cloak and stick on the road outside Jericho.
Jesus went to Bethany. He knew someone in the next village owned a colt. The disciples fetched it for Him, and He rode on it from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. "At last" the people cheered. "The king God promised to great King David has come!" When He arrived Jesus looked around the temple and then returned to Bethany.
The next day, on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig-tree. The fig-tree had lots of leaves but no figs. "Well that's it then. You're finished as a fig-tree," Jesus said. The disciples heard him say this. What did it mean? More was to come.
When Jesus arrived at the temple He was furious. He sent tables crashing and set animals free. Money went all over the place. He told the shop owners and those giving change to get out. "Don't you know what this place is for? It's here for all people to come and pray, not so you can rob them when they draw near to God! Get out!"
The religious leaders realized that Jesus had seen how false their religion was. They decided they just had to kill Him. They were angry with Him, but not as angry as Jesus was with what had been going on in the temple.
Jesus was teaching and crowds were still listening to Him. At night He returned to Bethany.
Jesus was right. There would be no more figs coming from that fig-tree.
The disciples showed the dead tree to Jesus.
"So" said Jesus. "Do great acts of faith, but you need forgiveness, from your heart. When you pray to God, you must forgive. Then you will be forgiven."
Next day, when He walked in the temple, the religious leaders asked, "Who said you could do these things?"
Jesus replied, "You tell me this. Was John's baptism from God?" They thought about it and realized Jesus had caught them out. So they said "We really don't know." "Fine" said Jesus. "I'm not answering any of your questions either."
Jesus told a story about a man who planted a vineyard and lost it when the hired workers ignored his requests, threatened his managers and murdered of his son. The man recruited an army, and took his land back, vindicating his son's death.
This story angered the religious leaders who were then planning to kill Jesus.
The religious leaders, with some of Herod's followers, tried to trick Jesus.
"Tell us, should we pay taxes to Caesar?"
"Another trick question?" Jesus said. "Look at the face on this coin. Give to Caesar what is Caesar's. Give God what is God's!"
That stopped them dead in their tracks.
The Sadducees who didn't believe God could raise the dead made up a case about a woman who had been married to seven brothers. "Whose wife would she be in the next life?" they asked.
Jesus told them, "You miss the point. God's laws are about the life He is giving to us now!" Jesus was just too quick for them.
One lawyer said that Jesus had given a good answer to a question about the most important law. Jesus had said, "Love God with everything you have and love your neighbour as yourself." "Good answer" the lawyer said. "It's all about what comes from the heart!" "You're standing at the gates of God's Kingdom," Jesus said.
Jesus helped the people understand God's law and the prophets and also the psalms of David. He taught: "God has promised that His son will be a descendent of David. So then, how is it that David can call Him his Lord?" The people enjoyed this teaching because it helped them understand how God's promises were for them.
Jesus warned the people to be careful about their teachers, the teachers of the law. He was not at all impressed by teachers who wanted to use their classrooms to go on power trips. He was also not impressed with teachers who used their positions to show how important they were.
While at the temple, Jesus taught about the meaning of sacrifice and of giving. He sat down with a group of them and together they watched people putting money into the temple money-box. What a circus that was! But then a poor lady came along and put in two cents. "That is giving," said Jesus "because she gave everything she had."
One day, on leaving the temple, a disciple pointed to the beautiful stones.
"This is a beautiful building isn't it?" said the disciple.
Jesus was not impressed.
"You might as well bring in the wreckers" He said, "It is going to be completely demolished one day that's for sure!"
Later, Peter with Andrew his brother, and Jesus' cousins, James and John, , were all sitting with Him looking over the city toward the temple. They had heard what Jesus had said about the temple and wanted to know more. "Please explain what you meant when you said it will be completely demolished. When? How?"
Jesus explained. "It's not just the temple! Things are going to get bad, I mean really bad. There'll be wars, earthquakes. You name it, you'll have to wear it. But God will not be taken by surprise and you shouldn't be either. Keep teaching about God's Kingdom. Stay alert and let God's Spirit do His work."
"Even families will split over the agony that will come. And when you know you can't accept what's being asked of you, then you have to get out. Don't stick around. Fly! Don’t go believing those who are trying to con you by saying they are me. They're not. God's in control. He won't let you go. You have to keep your wits about you."
"It'll be like the whole creation is back before day three when God made sun, moon and stars so you could tell the time by them. From now on tell the time by keeping watch for the One God will send. Those other clocks will have had their day; set your alarm by the Son of Man. That's who you can rely on when everything else runs out."
"But not even the One sent knows what time that will be. Don't waste your time trying to work it out. It's like the boss turning up at the factory. You just don't know. Instead learn how to be ready, learn how to watch. That is the message I have to give you about these things. Be on guard. Teach others to be alert!"
The Passover Celebration meal of unleavened bread and lamb was a few days away. It was the meal to remember God helping Israel escape from Egypt.
The religious leaders were worried about Jesus. They wanted to get rid of Him once and for all. But how? The Roman authorities would not be pleased if a riot broke out.
One evening, at Simon's house in Bethany, Jesus was sharing meal and a woman came and poured perfume on His head. Jesus was happy but others said it was a waste.
"Leave her," Jesus said, "She's preparing me for my burial." That was when Judas decided to arrange Jesus' capture by the religious leaders.
Jesus organised a Passover meal with his friends. He sent two disciples to Jerusalem to set up the room. A man with a water jar would tell show them where it was. They found the place just as Jesus said. He had taken care of everything. All was arranged. Now they only had to wait for the evening celebration.
They shared the Passover and Jesus said, "It will be one of my students who will betray me to the religious leaders." They were very upset and each asked, "Who? Me?" Jesus was sad too. "Drink this wine," He said, "it's to remember my spilt blood. When you eat this bread, remember my broken body." They sang a hymn and left.
"It's going to be too hard for all of you" Jesus said, "but when I am raised let's meet back in Galilee." Peter was upset. "I'll stick with you," He said. "No you won't," said Jesus. "By the second cock crow you will have denied me three times." "Not if I can help it" said Peter. The others agreed. They said they would stick with Jesus to the end.
It was time to pray. They went to a garden called Gethsemane. Jesus said to His disciples: "It's time to pray!" He took Peter, James and John with Him and told them to keep watch. He prayed. "Father, do I have to go through with this? But I'll do what you want me to do!" Each time when He came back they had fallen asleep.
Judas arrived at the front of the militia. When He embraced Jesus the thugs knew who to seize but a fight broke out. Jesus stopped the brawling by speaking up, "You have had plenty of opportunity to arrest me in broad daylight but this deceit is part of what the Scriptures say must happen." But Jesus' students fled in panic.
One young fellow followed Jesus. He didn't run off with all the others. He was wearing his night-clothes and when one of the militia grabbed him he wriggled free leaving his linen sheet behind. It was not funny to be running away with no clothes on. This experience stayed with that young man all his life.
The religious leaders had been planning this trial for a long time so they had everything ready to convict Jesus, or so it seems. The soldiers were in place and when Peter arrived he sat outside with them by their fire. Witnesses were called to give testimony but with all their false evidence they could not agree.
The High Priest was getting more furious by the minute. "You must answer our questions!" he said. Jesus kept silent. Then, the High Priest asked a question he had wanted to ask for some time. "Are you God's son?"
"Yes I am" said Jesus, "and you should indeed set your clocks by the coming of the Son of Man on the clouds of God's glory!"
That did it! The High Priest tore his robes and said, "This is blasphemy!"
"Then he must die!" said the others. They spat on Jesus, covered His face so they could punch Him without having to look him in the eye.
"Give us a prophecy!" they shouted cruelly. The guards joined in, beating him savagely.
Peter was waiting by the fire when a servant recognised him. "What?" he replied. "No way!" "Yes you are" said another. "I'm not!" he shouted. Someone else said, "But aren't you from Galilee?" "I don't know the guy!" said Peter for the third time as the cock crowed again. He then recalled Jesus' words that morning. He broke down and cried.
The religious leaders took Jesus to the Roman Governor named Pilate. They changed their charge from blasphemy to sedition. Pilate was told He had been arrested because He was making Himself out to be the King. But Jesus did not answer Pilate's questions and so Pilate was confused about what to do.
At the feast Pilate had a custom of releasing a Jewish prisoner. He knew Jesus was popular so he thought he get Jesus free. He said to the crowd:
"Shall I free Jesus?" The crowd shouted, "We want Barabbas!" That was why Pilate had to have Jesus made ready for execution. It was that simple. It was that unjust.
Roman soldiers were in charge of Jesus. They treated Him with contempt and were violent toward Him. The whole battalion was called together for the show. They played a dressup game with Him as King, jamming a crown of thorns on His head, belting Him continually, spitting on Him and treating as if He was their worst enemy.
Just as they were leaving the building and dragging Jesus out into the street, the father of Alexander and Rufus was passing by. His name was Simon and he had come from a place called Cyrene in Africa. The soldiers grabbed him and made him carry Jesus' cross.
The place was called Skull Hill. Did Jesus want a painkiller? They offered a drug but He wouldn't take it. They crucified Him as they played dice for who could have His clothes. An inscription had to be nailed to the cross to tell of the person's crime. It said "King of the Jews."
There were also two other criminals crucified with Him. The passers-by came for a look and sneered. The religious leaders could not stay away; they came along to add their cruel words, too. Even those crucified with Jesus abused Him. Jesus suffered. There was no let up. It was piled on Him from all angles, all at the same time.
That day was remembered for the darkness that covered the land from around midday until 3 o'clock. Then in a loud voice Jesus shouted:
"My God! My God! Why have you left me alone like this?" Some standing by thought this sounded like He was calling for Elijah. But Jesus took his last breathe and died.
This was also the moment that the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The Roman Centurion standing guard at the execution was heard to say in an astonished voice: "This man was truly son of God."
So that, it seemed, was that, the end of Jesus' ministry. What was left was a group of women, the women who had followed Him and looked after Him in Galilee, staring at the dead body on the cross. In this group of women who had watched until the end were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses and Salome.
This was a Friday, before the Sabbath, just a little before sunset. Joseph, a leading Jew, went and asked Pilate for Jesus' body. "Dead already?" asked Pilate, surprised. The centurion confirmed the fact and Joseph, with the two Marys, took Jesus' body and laid it in a new grave. A large stone was rolled across the entrance.
Sabbath day over, late in the evening, the two Marys and Salome bought spices to anoint Jesus' body.
Very early, next morning, they got up and just as the sun was rising they came to Joseph's tomb. Then they remembered the large rock.
"What can we do with that barring the doorway?" they asked each other.
Arriving at the tomb they saw the rock rolled back. So they went in and a young man in white spoke. They were very scared. "Fear not," he said. "Jesus said He would be raised didn't He? Look there? Go and remind Peter and the others that He said He would meet you all again in Galilee." They fled, afraid and speechless.
Jesus' first appearance after He rose was to Mary Magdalene the one cured of awful troubles. She went and told those mourning Jesus' death but they didn't believe her. Two others, on a walk in the country, met Jesus but their news wasn't believed either. Later Jesus appeared to the eleven and told them off for not believing.
Jesus gave his disciples these orders: "Go everywhere and pass on the good news so people can believe and be saved, and as you go drive out demons, learn new languages, overcome all kinds of dangers, avoid the tricks that might kill you, and learn to treat people so that they find true healing."
After passing on all He had to say, Jesus was taken to Heaven to be God's right-hand man. Ever since, His students have gone out with this message, and they know that their Master is with them in this work, day after day, year in year out, and that, if anyone was to ask, is why what they do is so successful as far as God is concerned.