Awesome News

(Simplification version six)

John dunked people in the wilderness. Saying it was a dunking to turn your life around. This meant the wrong you did was pardoned. The Israelites went to him, were dunked in the Jordan river and confessed how they had gone wrong.

John had camel hair clothes and a leather belt. He ate locusts and honey. He let people know there was someone coming after him. They was One mightier than him coming and he would not even be worthy to touch Him sandal. While John dunked people in water, the One coming would dunk people in purified spirits.

One day Jesus came from Nazareth to be baptised. John dunked Him and as soon as He resurfaced the skies parted. Spirit like a dove descended, settling over Jesus. From heaven there was a voice saying, this was Their Son and They were really pleased with Him.

The spirit forced Jesus into the wilderness. He was there for forty days with Satan tempting Him, with wild beasts around and angels helping out.

John got put in prison, so Jesus went to Galilee. He told them it was time, God was near to run things. Turn your life around and commit to the awesome news.

Walking along the Sea of Galilee He saw the Simon and Andrew fishing. They were fishermen and brothers. He told them to follow him and be made into people fishers. They immediately left their nets and followed. Further on he saw James and John mending nets in their boat. He called, they left their father with the employees and followed.

They went to Capernaum on the Sabbath. He went straight to a meeting house and taught. They were amazed that His teaching had power, unlike the bureaucrats.

There was a man with a tainted spirit. It cried out wanting to know why some Nazarene was bothering them. Was God’s Holy One there to destroy them?

Jesus told it to be quiet and get out.

The tainted, shook the man around before leaving with a yell. People were amazed at teaching with authority that even tainted obeyed. He was instantly famous in Galilee.

Next, they went to Simon and Andrew’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. They told Jesus at once. He took her by the hand and pulled her up. The fever left and she served food.

When the sun set, the cities sick and possessed were brought to Him. He healed many sick and cast out many demons. He silenced the demons because they knew.

Jesus got up before daylight and went to a solitary spot to pray. Everyone was looking for Him, so Simon and the others found Him to let Him know. He told them they’d go and tell the other towns. So Jesus spoke at the meeting houses throughout Galilee and cast out demons.

A leper came to Jesus wondering if He would be willing to cleanse him. Jesus felt for the guy, touched his hand and spoke to be cleansed. When He spoke, the leprosy left. Jesus warned the man to only tell a priest and make an offering for the cleansing as laid out by Moses.

But the guy went out and told everyone, so Jesus couldn’t enter the city any more. Even in abandoned spots people came to Him from everywhere.

Several days later Jesus went back to Capernaum. It got around, that He was back at the house. People quickly packed into the place and there wasn’t even room to squeeze in the door. Four men carrying a paralysed person went to see Jesus. They could not get near Him because of the crowd.

The men uncovered the roof and lowered the paralysed. Seeing they believed He told the young man His sins were forgiven. Bureaucrats sitting there though His talk was insulting because He forgave people like He was God. Sensing this He asked was it easier to forgive sins or easier to tell paralytics to walk.

To demonstrate that the Mere Human had power to forgive sins, Jesus told him to grab his stretcher and go home. He got up and left immediately. People talked about how awesome God was after seeing this.

He walked by the sea again and a huge crowd came. He taught them. As Jesus walked, He told Levi who was in a tax office to follow Him. He got up and followed. They ate at his house with other tax collectors and corrupt people. Bureaucrats and elitists asked His followers what was going on. Jesus heard and said it was the sick that need a doctor, not the well. He was calling the corrupt to turn things around, not the virtuous.

The followers of both John and the elitists were fasting. They asked Jesus why His followers were not. He said if you are the groom’s mates at His wedding you are not going to fast. They would fast when the groom was taken away.

They were wandering through grain fields on the Sabbath. His followers picked the grain as they went. Elitists asked Him why they were acting unlawfully on the Sabbath. Jesus replied that surely they had read what David did when he was in need and hungry. He and those with him unlawfully ate bread only for the priests.

The Sabbath was made for humans; therefore the Mere Human was in charge of it.

He went to the meeting house again. There was a man with a withered hand. Jesus was being watched so that they could accuse Him. He asked if it was lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath, to save life or kill. He wasn’t answered.

He told the man to stretch out his hand. He did and it was restored like the other. The Elitists left and plotted with Herod’s followers to end Jesus.

Jesus and His followers headed back to the sea. A huge crowd from all directions came when they heard how much He had done. He told His followers to get a small boat ready so the crowd didn’t crush Him. He healed many people and so people pushed to get closer. Whenever tainted spirits saw him they fell down and yelled that He was the son of God. He told them not to make Him known.

He went up the mountain with His followers. He appointed twelve that would be with Him, so they could be sent out to preach, heal and cast out demons. He gave Simon the name Peter. James and John He called the sons of thunder. Also Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas,

James, Thaddeeus, Simon and Judas also went with them to a house.

A huge crowd came again and made it so there wasn’t even time to eat. When those who had been around Jesus growing up heard, they decided they would come and get Him. They thought He’d lost the plot.

Bureaucrats were telling people that He was possessed by the foreign fly god. They claimed he cast out demons, using the ruler of demons power. Jesus called them over for a thoughtful illustration. He asked how could Satan cast himself out. If a kingdom is divided against itself it cannot stand. A house divided against itself cannot stand, it will end.

You cannot plunder the house of the strong without binding them.

All human failings and insults can be forgiven, unless they are against the spirit.

Insulting purified spirits is unforgivable and subject to eternal condemnation.

Jesus brothers and mother made it to the edge of the crowd. The crowd pointed them out. He asked who his brothers and mother were. Looking at the people sitting nearby He said His mother and brothers were there. Whoever does what God wants is brother, sister or mother.

Jesus taught by the sea again. A huge crowd gathered so He sat in a boat, with the crowd on land. He gave many thoughtful illustrations. Here’ one of the teachings:

Listen afresh, a sower went out to sow. Birds devoured what fell by the road. Some fell on stony ground. It sprung up in the shallow earth and then withered in the sun. Some fell among thorns, that choked it before it could produce. Other fell on good ground producing small, medium and huge harvests.

He said for anyone with ears on their head, to hear.

When away from the crowd, those with the twelve asked Him about it. He told them they’d been allowed to know how things run God’s way, but it had to be cryptic for everyone else. So that though they look, they may not see and would hear without understanding. In-case they turn and their failings were forgiven.

If they didn’t understand this, how would they understand anything else?

The sower sows the word.

These are those by the road. When they hear Satan immediately removes what was sown in their heart.

Similarly, those sown on stony ground. When they hear it they take it in gladly. They have no root in themselves and only last for a time. Afterward when difficulties of persecution for the word pop up, they stumble.

These sown among the thorns hear the word. Day to day distractions, the lies of riches and other desires choke out the word. It becomes unfruitful.

But these are the ones sown on good ground. They hear the word, accept and bear fruit; some small amounts, some medium amounts and some huge amounts.

He also asked if you get lights, to put in boxes or under a bed. Then He said, do they not go on light stands? There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything kept secret that won’t to come to light.

Anyone with ears, hear.

Then he told them to pay attention to what they heard. Whatever quantity used, would be the quantity in which those who listened, got more. Whoever had, would be given more. Those not having would be taken from.

God’s workings are like seed scattered by a man. The man can go to sleep and get up the next morning. The seed should sprout and grow without the man knowing how. The earth yields crops by herself. First the blade, then the ear and then the grain in it. But as soon as the grain ripens, He sends the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.

He asked what He could compare God’s way of running things to or how could He illustrate it?

A mustard seed sown in the ground is smaller than all other seeds. When it is sown, it grows larger than all other plants. It shoots out large branches so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade. Jesus spoke the word with illustrations. When He was alone with the followers, He would explain everything to them.

That evening He said it was time to head across. Leaving the huge crowd they got in the boat. There were other little boats with them. There was a massive storm making waves bash the boat and it began to fill.

Jesus was asleep in the stern. They woke Him asking if cared that the end was near. He got up and said to the sea, “peace, be still”. He asked them why they were so fearful, still without belief. They were freaked out that the wind and sea obeyed Jesus.

They crossed the sea ending up at the country of Gadarenes. As soon as He got out of the boat a man with a tainted spirit appeared. He lived in the tombs because he could not be restrained. Despite many attempts to restrain him with shackles and chains, people had not managed to tame him as he would shatter the shackles. Day and night he wailed and cut himself.

He’d run at Jesus when he saw Him in the distance. He bowed before Jesus, wanting to know what business He had with him. He called Jesus the son of the highest God and begged him not to torment him.

Jesus told the tainted spirit to get out of the man, asking what its name was.

It answered legion for they were many. It begged not to be sent from the land, instead into a herd of pigs nearby on the mountain.

Jesus okayed this and they went into the two thousand nearby pigs. The pigs then ran off a steep drop and drowned in the sea. Those who fed the pigs ran off to the city. They told people throughout the land what had happened. Hearing this people went to see.

They came to Jesus. They saw the man that had legion, now sitting, clothed and sane. They freaked out. When they found out about the pigs from those who saw what happened, they begged Jesus to leave the region.

When he got in the boat, the man that had been possessed asked to go with Jesus. Jesus didn’t allow it and told him to go home to his friends; to tell them the great things that happened and of God’s compassion. The man left letting people in Decapolis know what Jesus had done for him and all were amazed.

After another crossing, another huge crowd gathered by the sea. Amazingly, one of those in charge of the meeting house, Jairus, came and fell at Jesus feet. His daughter was at death’s door and he begged him to come to touch his daughter so she could be healed. So off they left and a great crowd followed closely.

A woman had had a bleeding problem for twelve years. She had suffered by many physicians, spending all she had only to get worse. When she heard about Jesus she came and touched His garment from behind. She reasoned this would be enough to make her well. The source of the problem was fixed and she could feel what had caused her to suffer was healed.

Jesus noticed power had gone out of Him. He turned around and asked in the crowd who had touched his clothes.

Jesus followers pointed out he was asking who had touched Him, while they were in a huge crowd pushing to get close.

Jesus looked around. The woman afraid and shaking fell down before Him. She told Him everything. Addressing her as daughter, He told her to go in peace and be healed. Her faith had made her well.

While He was speaking people from Jairus’ house came and told him his daughter was dead.

Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid, believe. The aside from Peter, James and John no one else was allowed to go with them. When they came to Jairus house it was chaos, the weeping and wailing sort were there.

Jesus asked why they were making the commotion when the child was not dead, but sleeping.

They mocked Him, but he put them outside. He took the parents and those following Him to where the child was lying. He told the little girl to get up. She got up and walked, as twelve-year-old’s do. They were overcome with amazement. Jesus told them to tell no one and get her something to eat.

Leaving there Jesus and his followers went back to his country. On the Sabbath He taught in the meeting house. People wondered where He had got His stuff from. What was up with the wisdom and power He had. Wasn’t He just a local carpentry lad? They took offence to Him.

Jesus explained that a prophet would have honour, except when they were in their own country, family or house. He was blown away by them not believing. From there He did a loop teaching at nearby villages.

Jesus called His twelve followers and sent them out in pairs. He gave them power over tainted spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except for a stick. (No bag, bread, money or extra clothes would be taken, but sandals would be worn).

Jesus also said that if they entered a house, to stay there till they departed. If they weren’t accepted and listened to, when they left they would shake off the dust from their soles as a testimony against them. He assured them it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah one the day everything is sorted.

They went out and preached that people should turn their existence around. They cast out many demons and many sick were healed when they were anointed with oil.

Herod heard about this and thought it was because the dunking John back from the dead. Others thought Jesus was Elijah, a prophet or someone of the like. But Herod was convinced despite beheading John, he had been raised from the dead. <Story of how John had upset Herod’s wife omitted>

When the apostles got back to Jesus, they told him everything. What they had done and taught. He said they should get to a deserted place to rest. There was so much going on they didn’t have time to eat. They left in the boat by themselves, but they were seen.

When they arrived a huge crowd was waiting for them. Jesus felt for them because there was no-one guiding them. He started to teach them many things.

It turned into a long day. Those following him came and spoke. They were in the middle of nowhere and the day was almost over. His followers wanted to send the crowd to surrounding villages to by bread.

Jesus told His followers to give them something to eat.

They asked if they were to go and get, two hundred days earnings worth of bread.

Jesus asked how much food was there, He told them to go and look.

They found five loaves and two fish. He told them to get the crowd to sit in groups of fifty and a hundred, on nice patches of grass. They did this.

He took the food, looked to the sky, blessed it and started breaking up the food. His followers gave the bits to the crowd. They all ate and were full. After this, twelve baskets of leftovers were collected. There were at least five thousand that had eaten there.

Straight after that he made his followers get in the boat and head across to Bethsaida. Jesus sent the crowd away. After that He headed to the mountain to pray.

When evening came his followers were half way across and He, on the land, alone. He saw them straining to row against the wind.

As it was getting closer to morning, He caught up to them and would have kept going, but they freaked out thinking He was a ghost. He told them to cheer up, not be afraid. It was Him. He got in the boat and the wind stopped. They were blown away with amazement. They hadn’t understood what happened with the bread because of hardened hearts.

When they got to the other side, they anchored at Gennesaret. Jesus was recognised as soon as He got out of the boat. Those people ran through the region, bringing the sick on stretchers to wherever He was. Wherever He went the sick were laid out in the marketplaces. They begged Him to just touch the hem of His clothes. Those touching Him were made well.

Some elitists and bureaucrats came from Jerusalem to find Jesus. They pointed out He was wrong, because those following Him ate bread without washing their hands.

Elitists like other Jews followed a tradition that they would not eat till they had washed their hands. This was especially so if they had come from the marketplace. There were other traditions extending to the way they washed their dishes.

Jesus said Isaiah did well to prophesise of hypocrites like them. He wrote of people acknowledging God with their speech, while their hearts were far away. Their worship was empty, teaching human rules, as Gods. They skipped God’s commandments to focus on rules for washing the dishes.

They really reject God’s commandments to their your traditions. Moses said to honour their parents. Those cursing their parents were to be killed. They had made a ritual for people to no longer have anything to do with their parents and this was just the start of things.

Jesus called the huge crowd to Him. He told them to hear and understand. Nothings that enters someone from outside can defile them. It is what come out of them that defiles people.

Later when they were in a house away from the crowd His followers asked him about this. He asked why they couldn’t understand either. Couldn’t they tell that stuff entering from outside cannot defile. It doesn’t enter the heart but the stomach.

What comes out of people defiles them. Things like evil plans, adultery, casual sex, murder, theft, jealousy, deceit, indecency, deliberate creepy stares, talking of God lightly, pride and foolishness. When these are the result of the state of a person’s heart, they are defiled.

They left there and went to Tyre and Sidon. They tried to get to one of the houses without anyone knowing. But a Greek woman can and fell at his feet. She kept asking Him to cast a demon out of her daughter. Jesus said children need to eat first, you don’t take their portion and throw it to the dogs.

She responded calling Him Sir and pointing out that even the dogs get crumbs that fall under the table.

Jesus let her know, because of her answer, the demon had left her daughter. When she got back to her house, she found her daughter lying in bed and the demon gone.

Leaving there they came to the region of Decapolis. They brought a deaf person with a speech impediment to Jesus, begging Him to touch him. He put his fingers in the guy’s ears then spat and touched his tongue. Then He looked up to the skies saying to be opened. His ears were opened, his tongue freed and he spoke simply.

He was commanded to tell no one. But the more they told him, the greater lengths he went to, to tell others. People were beyond astonished. Jesus had done all things well. He had made the deaf hear and mute speak.

At another time the crowd was huge and hadn’t eaten. Jesus called His followers and told them He would have compassion because the crowd had been with Him three days and had nothing to eat. If sent away now the ones that had come from far away would faint before they got back to their houses.

His followers wanted to know how they were going to feed everyone when they were in the middle of nowhere.

Jesus asked how many loaves they had. They told Him there were seven. He told the huge crowd to sit down. He took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke and gave to His followers for distribution. A couple of small fish were blessed and distributed.

Everyone ate there fill and they collected seven baskets of leftover fragments. About four thousand ate. He sent them away. Then He got in the boat with His followers and went to Dalmanutha.

Elitist came out and started arguing. They demanded a sign from heaven. He sighed and said that generation would not get one. They got back in the boat and headed for the far shore.

Jesus said to pay attention, to be wary of the yeast of elitists and Herod. They were almost out of bread. They figured He was talking about their bread supply.

He asked how they figured He was talking about bread. Did they not understand or still have hard hearts? With eyes did they not see and with ears did they not hear?

Didn’t they remember, when five loaves were broken for five thousand. How many baskets of fragments were collected? They said twelve.

Then seven broken for five thousand, how many baskets of fragments were collected? They said seven.

He asked how they did not understand.

They arrived at Bethsaida. He was brought a blind man and begged to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and took him out of town. He spat on his eyes and touched him. He asked if he saw anything.

He said he saw people like walking trees. Jesus touched his eyes and made him look up. He was restored and saw clearly. Jesus told him not to go into town or tell anyone there.

Jesus and followers went to the towns of Caesarea Philippi. On the road He asked them who people said He was. They said John the Baptist, Elijah and one of the prophets were common options. He asked them who they said He was. Peter said He was the saviour. He warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

He told them that the Mere Human must suffer many things, be rejected by societies leaders, church officials and bureaucrats. He would be killed then after three days rise again. He said this to all of them.

Peter took Him aside and told Him off.

He turned to look at his other followers and told Peter off. He called him Satan and told Him to get out of his sight. He was not thinking of God’s matters but of human matters.

When He called people, as with the followers; He said those that wanted to go with Him must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow. Whoever wanted to save their life will lose it. But whoever lost it for Jesus and the message’s sake, would save it.

What profit would a person have, if they gain the whole world and lose their soul?

People might be ashamed of Him in a generation going wrong and without loyalty. When God came with the pure angels, the Mere Human would be ashamed of those people. Jesus guaranteed that some of them there would not taste death till they had seen the way God operated, powerfully in action.

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John up a huge mountain. His form was changed and His clothes shone whiter than any earthly cleaning could get them. Elijah and Moses showed up to chat to Jesus.

Those following were afraid and didn’t know what to do. Peter joined in the conversation addressing Jesus as teacher and saying they should make the three of them meeting houses there. One for Him, Moses and Elijah.

A Godly cloud came and made what was happening seem less important. It said that this was the beloved Son, hear Him. Then they looked around and it was just them and Jesus again. As they headed down the mountain, He told them they should say nothing till the Mere Human had risen from the dead.

So they didn’t say anything more about this. They were wondering about what he meant by rising from the dead, so they asked why bureaucrats said Elijah must come first.

Jesus said it was so, that Elijah coming first restored all things. Just like it said the Mere Human must suffer much and be treated with contempt. He told them Elijah had come and they did whatever they wished to him as it was written.

When they got back to the rest of the followers there was a huge crowd there. Bureaucrats were arguing with them. People were amazed to see Jesus and ran to greet Him.

Jesus asked the bureaucrats what they were discussing.

One of the crowd addressed Jesus as a teacher and said it was about his son. He had a mute spirit that would take over and throw him to the ground, foaming at the mouth. He would gnash his teeth and become rigid. He had brought him to His followers to cast it out, but they could not.

Jesus asked how long He would have to put up with this generation and their lack of faith. He said to bring the child to Him. They did and the spirit threw him to the ground shaking and foaming at the mouth.

Jesus asked the father how long it had been happening.

The father said it had been happening since childhood at it also threw him into fire or water to end him. If Jesus could do anything, he wanted Him to have compassion and help.

Jesus said if he could believe, all things were possible to the person who believes.

With tears in his eyes the father shouted that he believed and asked Sir to help his unbelief.

People ran over, so Jesus rebuked the deaf and dumb spirit. He told it to leave and enter no more. Then yelling and shaking the boy violently, the spirit left. The boy now seemed to be nothing but a corpse and people said so. But Jesus took him by the hand, pulling him up and he got up.

When back at a house His followers asked Jesus why they could not cast it out. Jesus let them know that for something like that, only prayer and fasting would work.

They left and passed through Galilee, without anyone knowing. It was because he’d told His followers that the Mere Human would be betrayed into the hands of men and killed. After the third day He would rise again.

They did not understand and were afraid to ask.

They got to Capernaum. At the house He asked what they were arguing about on the road. The were quiet because they had argued about who was the best. Jesus got them to all sit down. He explained if you want to be the leader of the pack, get left behind and serve everyone.

He brought a child among them and hugged them. He said whoever accepted a child this way, accepted him. Whoever accepted Him actually accepted the one who sent Him.

John addressed Him as teacher and said they had seen someone casting out demons Jesus’ way. They told him not to because he was not one of them. But Jesus told them not to. If they worked a miracle with His name one moment, they wouldn’t turn around and talk trash about Him the next. Those not against us are on our side. I guarantee you whoever gives you a cup of water for My way, as followers of the Saviour, will not lose their reward.

However, it is better to tie a heavy weight around your neck and jump into the sea, than cause a child that believes to stumble.

If your hand causes you to go wrong, cut it off. It is better to be maimed in life, than have two hands in hell. If your foot causes you to go wrong, cut it off. It is better to be lame in life, than have two feet in hell. If your eye causes you to go wrong, pluck it out. It is better to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than being cast into hell with two.

Personality will be brought out with fire and character brought out with each sacrifice. Character is good, but if it loses its flavour it will reveal nothing. Have your own personality and peace with each other.

He headed out of there, arriving at Judea from the other side of the Jordan. Again, a huge crowd gathered and He taught them. Some elitists tested Him asking if divorce was legal. He asked what had Moses commanded. They said Moses permitted divorce certificates to dismiss.

Jesus told them this came about because of hard-heartedness like their own. From the beginning it was male and female to be joined as one. So why would man separate what God had joined? Later the disciples asked Him about this. He explained if man or woman divorce and remarry, they commit adultery.

Children were brought to Him to be touched, but the disciples told off those that had done this. Jesus was not pleased and told them to let the children come to Him without forbidding them. It was like the way God ran things. If you do not get the way God does things like a child does, you can’t be a part of it. He pulled the kids into his arms, laid hands on them and blessed them.

As He headed down the road a guy ran up to Jesus and knelt before Him. Calling Jesus a good teacher, he asked what needed to be done to get eternal life.

Jesus asked why he’d called him good. No one’s good but one, God. You know the rules to not to cheat on your spouse, murder, steal, witness falsely or defraud. To honour your father and mother. He called Him Teacher saying He’d done that from youth.

Jesus looked at him with love and let him know he lacked one thing. He was to sell whatever he had and give it to the poor. Then he would have treasure in heaven and could take up the cross to follow Jesus.

He left with sorrow because he had lots of possessions.

Jesus said it really hard for those with wealth to get into God’s way. His followers were blown away by this. He spoke again addressing them as children. It’s difficult for those trusting in wealth to get into God’s way of doing things. It is easier for a camel to kneel onto its belly and wriggle through a tiny gate.

They were blown away wondering if anyone could be saved. Jesus let them know it was impossible for people, but all things are possible for God.

Peter started going into speech mode, saying they had left all to follow Him. Jesus cut him off to talk about people that left house, family and land for His or the words sake. He guaranteed they would receive a hundred times more with persecution now and eternal life in the age to come. Many first would be last and the last, first.

They took the road to Jerusalem and were amazed Jesus walked ahead. They followed, afraid. He took the twelve aside to explain what was up. They were to pay attention; they were going to Jerusalem and the Mere Human would be betrayed to the head priest and bureaucrats. They would condemn Him to death and give Him to the worldly. He would be mocked, whipped, spat on and killed. On the third day he would rise again.

James and John, Zebedee’s boys, came and said they wanted Him to do whatever he asked.

He asked them what they wanted done.

They said to let them sit at His left and right hand when brought to Glory.

Jesus let them know they didn’t know what they were asking. Would they be able to drink from the cup He did and have the same baptism He was getting? They said they were. He agreed and said that it was not for Him to decide that. When the other ten heard they were pissed at them.

Jesus gathered them together and talked about worldly leaders throwing their weight around and making sure those below them knew. With them it would not be that way. With them whoever wanted to be great would be a servant. Anyone wanting to be first would be a slave of all.

Even the Mere Human did not come to be served, but to serve. Giving His life as a ransom for many.

They went through Jericho and by the time they left there was a huge crowd with them again. Bartimeus was blind and sat by the side of the road begging. When he heard it was Jesus the Nazarene he started shouting. He addressed Jesus as a son of David and cried out for Him to have mercy on him. The crowd tried to hush him, but he cried out more.

Jesus said to call him. They told him to cheer up and get up because he was being called. He threw aside his garment and went to Jesus. Jesus asked him what he wanted to be done. He addressed Him as a great teacher and asked to be given his sight.

Jesus told him his faith had made him well. He immediately got his sight and followed Jesus down the road.

As they got near Mount Olives Jesus sent two of His followers into the village. They were to find an unattended colt, untie it and return. If they were asked what they were doing, they were to say Sir needed it.

So they went on their way, found a colt tied by a door and untied it. They were asked what they were doing. They answered as Jesus had commanded and they were left to return. They put their clothes on it and He got on.

People had spread out their clothes and leafy branches on the road. Some went ahead of Him yelling ‘Hosanna, Blessed, Father David’s Blessed kingdom, Hosanna in the Highest’. Jesus headed into the temple of Jerusalem. Once he had looked around it was already late so He left Bethany with the twelve.

The next day He was hungry and spotted a fig tree in the distance. After looking He found nothing, it wasn’t fig season. Jesus said for no one to eat fruit from it again. His followers heard.

When back at the temple, Jesus started chasing out people selling animals or offering money services at the temple. He wouldn’t even let traders take a shortcut through. He reminded them of how it was written, that this was supposed to be a place of prayer for all nations. Instead, it had been turned into a den of thieves.

When the bureaucrats and head priests heard this, they wanted to end Him. They were afraid of how His explanations astonished people. He left the city when it was evening.

In the morning, they saw the fig tree had dried up. Peter addressed Him as a teacher and pointed out because He had cursed it had withered away.

Jesus told them to believe God, guaranteeing that a person telling a mountain to be removed and chucked in the sea, would have it done. If they were without doubt in the heart and believed. Therefore, when they prayed, they were to believe they would receive and they would have.

When they were praying, they were to let go of things they held against others. Then their father in heaven could let go of when they were in in the wrong.

They headed into Jerusalem again. Head priests, bureaucrats and elders came to Him as He was walking in the temple. They demanded to know who had given him what sort of authority to make changes. He said he’d ask a question, when they answered He would explain his authority to act.

He asked if John’s baptism was from heaven or human. He told them to answer.

They reasoned amongst themselves. If they said John had acted with heavenly authority, they would be questioned on why they didn’t believe him. But they were afraid what the people would do if they said he only had human authority. (People considered John to have been a legit prophet). They told Jesus they did not know.

Jesus told them He wasn’t going to tell them what authorised Him to act either.

He gave another thoughtful illustration. It was about a man planting a vineyard, making a hedge, digging in a wine vat and building a tower. He leased it to labourers and then went to a far-off country.

When the time was right, he sent a servant to get some fruit from the labourers. They gave him a beating and sent him away empty handed. He sent another servant that was sent away shamefully by throwing stones till his head was wounded. Again, he sent another that they killed. Others were sent some beaten some killed.

Since He still had a Son, He sent Him to them thinking that they would respect Him. But the labourers thought it was their chance to kill him and then the ownership would fall to them. They killed the Son and threw Him from the vineyard.

Jesus asked what they thought the owner would do. He’d destroy the labourers and give the vineyard to others. Had they not read that the stone builders rejected had become the main cornerstone. This was Sir’s doing and it was marvellous.

They knew the illustration was about them and wanted to deal to Him. But they were afraid of the huge crowd so they left.

More Elitists and Herod’s followers were sent to try to get Him say something incriminating. They called Him a teacher, praising His true nature, lack of care for human nature and explaining God’s truths instead.

They asked if it was legal to pay tax to Caesar or not? Should they pay or not?

Realising they wanted to test Him for the same sort of rubbish they tried, He asked why they were testing Him. Jesus got them to bring a coin to see. He asked whose image and inscription were on it.

They replied it was Caesar’s.

Jesus said to give Caesar things that are his and give God the things that are His. People were amazed.

Then those of a religion that claimed death was it, questioned Him. They gave a scenario about seven brothers and the ‘take your brother’s wife if he dies’ rule from Moses time. The scenario was that one by one each brother married the woman and then died. Because all seven had married her they wanted to know whose wife she would be in resurrection.

Jesus told them that they were way off because they didn’t know scripture or God’s power. Those that rise from the dead don’t marry, they are like angels. To further clear up dead rising, did you not read the bit about the bush? God spoke saying he was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Your way off talking death, when God is the God of the living.

Another bureaucrat understood Jesus was answering things really well. He asked what the number one commandment was.

Jesus answered reciting ‘Listen Israel, Sir God is one. Work for the best for Sir God with all your heart soul mind and strength, this was number one. And second work for the best for those around you as you do for yourself. There are no commandments greater than these.’

The bureaucrat addressed Him as a teacher and said He had spoken the truth well. There is one God no other. Doing the best for Him with all the heart, soul, understanding and strength, while doing the best for those around you like for yourself; is more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Jesus said that he was not far from God’s way.

After that no-one came with any more tricks.

He explained another thing at the temple. He asked why bureaucrats said that the Saviour would be David’s son. When David through pure spirit said that Sir wanted him to sit at his right hand and He would make his enemies his footstool. If David calls Him Sir, how will the saviour be his son? People were relieved about this.

He also explained to be wary of the bureaucrats. There are ones that want nice clothes, to be greeted at the shops, have the best seats at the meeting house, the best seats at feasts, widow’s houses and to seem important by making long prayers. They will get the most condemnation.

While sitting opposite the treasury, they watched people give money. Many rich gave much. Then one widow came and gave two bits of change. He called his followers close. He guaranteed them that the widow had given more than the others. They had given out of their abundance and she had given everything.

As they left the temple a follower commented on the impressive buildings around them, with amazing stonework.

Jesus said these great buildings stones would all be thrown down.

They sat opposite the temple. Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Him what will be the signs of this happening.

He told them to make sure no-one tricked them. Many would claim to be the one. They were not to be troubled by rumours of war or war, that would not be the end. Despite the sorrows of wars, earthquakes, famines and troubles, they needed to watch themselves. Because they would be put on trial and be beaten in the meeting houses.

They would be arrested so that rulers and kings could hear how things were. Also, the awesome news had to be taught in all nations. When they were arrested, they were not to worry about what to say beforehand. They were to say whatever came to mind at the time and the purified spirit would speak.

Death would come as brother betrayed brother and children rose up against their parents. They would be hated by all for Jesus’ sake, but those that endured would be saved. Jesus told them that the prophet Daniel had spoken about the ‘abomination of desolation’ standing where it shouldn’t. When they saw this those in Judea should flee to the mountains. Even if they were going back through the house, they shouldn’t get stuff. If working in the field they shouldn’t even head back for clothes.

It will be horrible for those who are pregnant or have newborns. Also pray that you don’t have to flee in winter. Because at that time there will be trials never seen since creation and that will never happen again. Unless the Lord shortens these days, none will survive but his chosen. If people say that the saviour has returned, do not believe. False saviours and prophets will do signs or wonders trying to trick even the ones that God’s chosen. But pay attention to what I’ve told you.

In those days, after the trials, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. The stars will fall from the heavens and the powers there will be shaken. They will see the Mere Human’s amazing entry and His power. He will send angels and gather His chosen from the furthest part of earth to the furthest part of heaven. Learn from a story about a fig tree. When it puts out leaves you know summer is near. Then when you see these things, know that it is near, at the very door.

I guarantee you that this generation will not pass away till this has happened. But the exact time is unknown not even the angels or God’s Son know, only the Father. Pay attention, watch and pray, because you don’t know when.

It’s like a man going to a distant country and leaving servants in charge, each with their own duties. Watch because you don’t know when He’ll return and you get found sleeping. I tell you watch.

Two days later it was Passover. The head priests and bureaucrats were trying to figure out how to kill Jesus. It couldn’t be during the feast otherwise people would riot.

They were in Simon the lepers house, in Bethany. While he was at the table a woman came with expensive oil. She broke it open and poured it on His head. But some there got worked up about it thinking it could have been sold and given to the poor. They criticised her harshly.

Jesus told them to leave her alone. She had done good for Him. They would always have the poor, but not Him. She had done what she could, anointing his body for burial. He guaranteed them that wherever the awesome news was taught, she would be remembered by the story.

After that Judas, one of the twelve, went to the head priests to betray Jesus. They were glad and promised him money.

On the first day of yeast-less bread, when a lamb was killed, His followers asked Him where they would eat Passover. He told two of them to go into the city and follow the man that met them with a pitcher of water. When he entered a place, they would find its owner. They would ask where the guest room was that the teacher could have Passover with His Disciples.

They would be shown a large upper room furnished and prepared. They would set up there. So they went into the city, found it just as He had said and set up for Passover. In the evening, He brought the twelve there.

As they sat and ate Jesus guaranteed them that one of them would betray him. They were gutted and one by one asked if it was going to be them. He answered it was one of the twelve that used the same dip dish. The Mere Human will go as it was written, but it will be horrible for the one that betrays. It would be better that they were never born.

As they were eating Jesus blessed bread, broke it and gave it to them. Take, eat it was His body. He took a cup and they all drank from it. His blood of the new agreement, poured out for many. He guaranteed that he would not drink of the vine again until he was in God’s new kingdom. They sung a hymn and went to Mount Olives.

Jesus told them, like it was written, they would all stumble because of Him tonight. The Shepherd would be struck and the sheep scattered. Peter said that even if everyone else stumbled, he wouldn’t. Jesus guaranteed him before the rooster had crowed twice that night, he would have denied Him three times. Peter got heated saying he wouldn’t and the others said the same.

They went to a place called Gethsemane and he told His followers to wait there while he prayed. He took Peter James and John with Him. He was troubled and distressed. He told them His soul was pretty much dying of sorrow. They would keep watch from there.

He went further and collapsed on the ground. He asked His Heavenly Father if what would come next could be taken away, but He would do what He wanted anyway.

He came back to find them sleeping. Addressing Peter as Simon, he asked why he couldn’t keep watch for an hour. They were to watch and pray so they were not tempted. He let them know that the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. He went away and spoke the same prayer.

When He returned, He found them sleeping again. They had no answer for Him on why their eyes were heavy.

He came back to find them sleeping for a third time. He asked why they were still sleeping and resting. Enough was enough. They were to pay attention, because it was time for the Mere Human to be betrayed, handed over to those going astray.

It was time to get up and go because His betrayer was there. Judas of the twelve came from the head priests, bureaucrats and elders. He had a crowd with swords and clubs. The signal was he would kiss the one they would seize. He went up to Him addressing Him as teacher and kissed him. They grabbed Him and took Him away.

One of His followers cut off the head priest’s servant’s ear off.

Jesus asked why they came like they were after a robber. Why hadn’t they just grabbed Him as He taught at the temple daily? But scripture had to be fulfilled.

His followers left Him and fled. One only had a cloth covering him. He was caught until he left the cloth and escaped naked. They took Jesus away to a gathering of those that had ordered Him captured. But Peter followed right into the high priest’s courtyard and warmed himself by the fire with the servants.

The head priests and council looked for witnesses that could get Jesus a death sentence, but found none. Many gave false reports but they did not agree. Several reported hearing that he said he would destroy the temple made with hands and in three days build one without hands. But even their reports didn’t agree.

The high priest asked if He had nothing to say. There were a lot of people trying to convict Him. He remained silent. The high priest asked if he was the Saviour; the Son of the Blessed.

Jesus said he was and that they would see the Mere Human sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.

The high priest tore his clothes and asked why they had even looked for witnesses. They had heard the blasphemy, what did they think? All judged Him deserving of death. Jesus was spat on, blindfolded, beaten, mocked and slapped.

One of the high priest’s servant girls went down to the courtyard. She saw Peter warming himself by the fire and said he had been with Jesus the Nazarene. He told her that he had no idea what she was talking about and went out to the porch. A rooster crowed.

The servant girl saw him again and told those around that he was one of those lot. But he denied it again. A little later those around Peter said surely, he was one of those. He was Galilean and his speech showed it.

He cursed and swore. He said he didn’t know the Man they spoke of. A rooster crowed for a second time. Peter remembered what Jesus had said about denying him before rooster crowing and wept.

As soon as it was morning the head priests gathered and talked with the council. They tied Jesus up and took Him away to Pilate. Pilate asked Him if He was the ‘King of the Jews’.

Jesus said it was as he said.

The head priests accused Him of many things, He didn’t answer. Then Pilate asked if he had no answers, they were bringing a lot of accusations against Him. But as Jesus continued to not answer Pilate was amazed. He could tell the head priests had handed Jesus over because they were was jealous.

It was the custom to release a prisoner because of the feast. When the crowd shouted for this again, Pilate asked if they wanted to have the ‘King of the Jews’ released.

The head priests wound the crowd up. The crowd shouted to have Barabbas, a murderer rebelling against Rome, released.

Pilate asked what they wanted done with the one they called the ‘King of the Jews’.

They shouted to crucify Him. Pilate asked why questioning what evil He had done.

But the crowd shouted even louder to crucify Him.

Wanting to please the crowd, Pilate had Barabbas released. Jesus was whipped and sent away. He was taken to the Praetorium hall and the garrison gathered.

There He was dressed in purple and had thorns twisted into a crown put on His head. They saluted Him shouting ‘Hail King of the Jews’. Then they hit His head with a reed, spat on Him and bowed to the knee.

Once they had finished mocking Him, they put His own clothes back on Him and took Him away to be crucified. A man named Simon was approaching, they forced him to carry the cross. They went to Golgotha. They nailed Him to the cross with the accusation ‘King of the Jews’ written above Him.

They crucified Him at about nine in the morning with two thieves. They cast lots to see who would get His clothes. Passers-by shook their heads at the One that had claimed He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. They told Him to save Himself and come down off the cross.

The head priests mocked with the scribes. The Guy that had saved others, couldn’t save Himself. They said if He was the Saviour King of Israel shouldn’t He come down so that they could believe. Even those being crucified with Him joined in.

Around midday darkness covered the land till then shouted ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ Some around though He was calling Elijah. Someone put a sponge in wine to offer Him on a reed, telling them to be quiet and wait to see if Elijah would take Him down. But Jesus shouted and stopped breathing.

The curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

A centurion seeing the way He died believed He had been the Son of God. Many of the women that had helped Him watched from the distance.

It was the evening before the Sabbath. A prominent guy called Joseph was waiting for things to be run God’s way. He mustered up courage and went to ask Pilate for Jesus body. Pilate was amazed that Jesus was already dead. Pilate called the centurion to check that Jesus had been dead long enough. The centurion confirmed it and Pilate gave him permission.

Joseph took the body down, wrapped it it in fine linen and put it in a tomb carved of stone. A large stone was rolled against the entrance of the tomb. The two Marys watched where the body was put.

On the day after the Sabbath, shortly after the sun had risen, the two Marys and Salome brought spices to anoint the body. They were talking about who would roll the large stone away from the tomb. But it had already been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they were alarmed to find a guy in a long white robe sitting there.

He told them not to be alarmed. They were looking for Jesus of Nazareth that had been crucified. He had risen and was not there. They were to go and tell the disciples and Peter. They would see Him in Galilee as He had told them.

They ran away from the tomb shaking and amazed. They were scared and didn’t tell anyone.

<’Prologue’ skipped>

When they met up, Jesus said to wait for Father’s promise before they left Jerusalem. He told them John baptised with water and in a couple of days they would be baptised in purified spirits. The followers asked if he was going to make it so Israelites ran their country again. He told them that was for Father to know. They were going to get power to tell what He had done there, to the rest of the country, to neighbouring countries and the ends of the earth.

When Jesus had said this, He was taken up and disappeared out of sight in a cloud. As they watched Him going up two men in white stood by them. They asked why they were gazing to heaven. Jesus who was taken to heaven from them, would come in the same manner.

They returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet. It was as far as you could walk on a Sabbath. They went to the upper room where Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas Batholomew, Matthew, James, Simon, his son Judas, Women, Mary and Jesus’ brothers were. As a group they prayed.

Around then there was about a hundred and twenty disciples. Peter addressed them all, as they had read what the scripture said about the time and wanted to find someone to take Judas place. They wanted someone that had been there from when John had baptised Him, through to when Jesus was taken up.

Barsabas and Matthias were considered, so they asked Sir who it would be, since He knew their hearts. They drew lots for the position that Judas had fallen from. Matthias was selected and included in the twelve.

They were all gathered for the last feast of weeks feast. Suddenly there was the sound of a mighty wind from heaven that filled the house. Fire appeared, separating and settling over each of them. Purified spirits filled them and let them speak in other languages.

There were Jews from many nations in Jerusalem that crowded around with confusion. They all heard their own languages from what looked like a bunch of Galileans. They shouldn’t have been able to speak the variety of languages they heard.

Others mocked them and said they were all drunk on cheap wine. The twelve stood up and Peter addressed the Judeans and others staying in Jerusalem to let them know what was going on. He explained that they weren’t drunk, it was only nine in the morning.

It was what Joel had spoken of. God had poured spirits out on all flesh. Their sons and daughters would prophesise. Young men would see vision and old men would dream dreams. Anyone that served God would get the spirit and prophesise. There would be wonders in heaven and earth. It would come to pass that whoever called on Sir would be saved.

He then addressed them as the people of Israel, urging them to listen. God had backed up Jesus the Nazarene with miracles, wonders and signs. They knew what He’d done. Then as God had determined beforehand; He was given to the lawless to be killed on a cross.

God also didn’t let death hold Him. He loosened the pain of death and raised Jesus. It’s like David said about seeing the Holy One who helped at his right hand. Because of this he was glad and had hope. David’s soul would not be left in death and God’s Holy One would not see corruption.

They saw when Jesus was raised up. Now back with God, He had got the promise and poured out the purified spirits. It was what they were seeing and hearing.

I guarantee it, you crucified Jesus that God made both Sir and Saviour.

When the crowd heard this, it hit at a heart level. They asked Peter and those there, what they should do. Peter said that they had to apologise for going wrong and turn their life around. Then they could be baptised in Jesus’ name to be freed from going wrong and be given the spirit.

The promise is to you, your children and to those far away. It’s to any God calls. He spoke more and encouraged them to be saved from a messed-up generation. Those that were stoked to hear this got baptised and three thousand people joined them.

They continued steadily studying what those selected passed on, getting to know each other, eating together and praying. They feared God, so many signs and wonders happened through those selected.

All who believed were together and shared what they had. Possessions and goods were sold if anyone had need. Every day they met at the temple, gladly ate simply at each other’s houses, praised God and gained favour with all. Sir added to them daily more people that were being saved.

Peter and John went to the temple, at the prayer hour, around three in the afternoon. There was a man at the gate begging because he had been lame from birth. He asked them for money as they were heading in.

Peter told him to look at them.

The man did expecting something.

Peter told him they didn’t have silver and gold, but they would give what they had. They told the man to get up and walk in Jesus’ name. He grabbed him by the hand and pulled him to his feet.

Both the man’s ankle bones received strength. He went around the temple jumping and praising God. Everyone saw this and recognised him. They were amazed and wondered what had happened.

Peter and John had gone to a porch. The man went and clung to them. People ran to see them amazed. Peter addressed them as the people of Israel and asked why they were looking at them as if human power had made the man walk?

The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all their fathers glorified His Servant Jesus. They then denied Jesus and gave Him to Pilate. Denying the Holy One they asked to be given a murderer. Peter and John were witnesses that though the Prince of Life had been killed, God had raised Him from the dead. It was through His name that the man they were staring at had been made strong.

They were to confess and turn their life around. Then their sins could be smeared away and the refreshing of God’s presence could come. Then He could send Jesus again, who had been taken to heaven for the time being. He would come again to fix things as the prophets had spoken since the world began.

As they spoke the priests, head of the temple and the death obsessed came for them. They were really worried about them teaching people about Jesus being resurrected. They grabbed them and locked them up. Many that heard believed and the number of people came to about five thousand.

The next day rulers, elders, bureaucrats and all the big names for the high priests gathered at Jerusalem. They brought Peter and John in and asked them what power they had used.

Peter was full of purified spirits and addressed them as rulers of the people and elders of Israel. He asked them why they were being judged for a good deed done to a helpless man. The man had been made well by the name the saviour Jesus of Nazareth, that they had crucified. God had raised Jesus from the dead and by his name the man was standing before them.

He spoke scripture as it applied there, the stone that the builders here had rejected had become the chief cornerstone. This was now the name by which people must be saved.

It amazed them to see how bold Peter and John were. They were clearly uneducated men. They realised that they had been with Jesus. The man that was healed was standing there so they couldn’t

speak in opposition.

They sent them aside from the council and talked amongst themselves. They wondered what they would do about the men as they couldn’t deny the miracle that those in Jerusalem had seen.

To stop any further spread of the idea, they decided to severely threaten them so that they didn’t speak Jesus name any more. They called them back in and told them they weren’t to teach or even mention Jesus’ name.

Peter and John said they might be better off judging whether God would see listening to them more than God as right. They could only speak of the things that they had seen and heard.

They threatened them more but couldn’t figure out how to punish them. The had to let them go because people were still going on about the awesome thing God had done. Especially because the man was over forty.

Once they were let go they headed back to their companions. They reported all the head priests and elders had said. When they heard they prayed together acknowledging what was going on and asking for boldness. The building where they were was shaken and they were filled with pure spirits. They spoke God’s word with boldness.

The huge amount of people that believed were of one heart and soul. They didn’t claim ownership and shared everything. Those selected had great power backing them up as they told of Jesus’ resurrection. God’s favour was really with them.

None of them lacked, because people would sell their land and houses, taking the money to those selected. They would distribute it to anyone in need.

Joses a Levite from Cyprus was called Barnabas (son of encouragement) by the selected. He had sold his land and put it at the selected’s feet.

But Ananias and his wife Sapphira made a sale. He kept some of the money and took the rest to give to the selected. His wife knew this. Peter asked him what Satan had put in his heart, to lie to purified spirits about keeping part for himself.

It had been his and when he sold it he could do with it as he pleased. Why had his heart come up with this. He hadn’t lied to men but purified spirits.

When he heard this he fell over and died. People were freaked out when they heard this. Young guys got up, wrapped him up and took him away. He was buried.

Three hours later his wife came in, unaware of what had happened. She was asked if the land was sold for the price claimed. She said that that was the price. Peter asked why they had agreed to test Sir’s spirit? He told her the people coming to the door and had buried her husband. They would bury her too.

She fell over and died at his feet. The young guys came in and found her dead. They took her and buried her with her husband. The church and those who heard were really freaked out.

Other groups of Israelites didn’t dare become involved, but they still had a great reputation. More believed in Sir, lots of men and women joined. The sick were brought out on stretchers or the like so that at least Peters shadow could cross them on the way past. Huge crowds came from the cities around Jerusalem brought the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits and they were all healed.

The high priest and death sect thought enough was enough. They grabbed the selected and put them in the normal prison.

But at night Sir’s angel let them out and sent them to the temple to speak words of life. So they were at the temple early in the morning teaching.

The high priest called the council of elders and sent to prison to have them brought. The officers couldn’t find them and returned. They reported the prison was secure and the guards were outside, but when it was opened no-one was there.

When the high priest, temple captain and head priests heard this they wondered what they would do. But someone told them the men they had put in prison were teaching at the temple. The captain took men and brought them without violence. They were afraid that the people would stone them otherwise.

They were brought before the council The high priest said that the council had strictly ordered them not to use that name. They had filled Jerusalem with their doctrine and intended to hold them to account for the man’s death.

Peter and the others selected said that they should obey God rather than people. The God of their fathers had brought Jesus into the limelight and they had murdered him on a tree. God raised him to be a prince and Saviour. To allow Israel to turn their lives around and be forgiven for going astray. They and the purified spirits given to believers were witness of this.

When they heard this the council were pissed and figured out how they could kill them. An elitist in the council called Gamaliel taught law and was respected by the people. He told them to put the selected outside for a while.

He addressed them as men of Israel and told them to pay attention to what they were planning on doing to the men. A while back Theudas claimed to be somebody and four hundred followed him. He died and those who obeyed him were scattered, so nothing happened. Judas gathered many people around the time of the census. He died and those that obeyed him dispersed.

Leave these men alone, if it is a plan of men it will come to nothing. If it was God’s doing they could not stop it and might even find themselves fighting God. They agreed and had the selected brought back. They had them beaten and ordered them not to speak in Jesus’ name.

Then they were let go. They left the council rejoicing that they had been worthy enough to be shamed for His name. They preached and taught about Jesus Christ without ceasing. Every day at the temple and in every house.

The number of followers kept growing and people complained that the Greek speaking widows were getting neglected in the daily distribution. The twelve got the huge amount of followers together. They explained things wouldn’t go well if they left God’s word to serve at the tables.

They wanted them to find seven men with good reputations, full of spirit and wisdom that could be appointed to the work. But they would continuously devote themselves to prayer and teaching God’s word. The people were pleased and chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas. They brought them forward and the selected laid hands on them.

God’s word spread and the number of followers multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. Many priests also followed.

Stephen was full of faith and did signs and wonders among the people. A group from one meeting house constantly argued with him. Their resistance didn’t achieve much because of the spirit and wisdom he spoke with.

They secretly persuaded people to claim that Stephen talked insultingly towards Moses and God. They wound up the people, elders and bureaucrats. He was grabbed and brought before a council. They also set up false witnesses to say his talk insulted the holy place and the law. They also said that he spoke of Jesus of Nazareth destroying the temple and changing the customs Moses had gotten them.

The council stared at him, his face looked angelic to them. The high priest asked if these things were so. Stephen spoke of Abraham, God’s promise, circumcision, Isaac’s family, Egypt, Moses. He talked about Solomon’s temple before quoting the prophet that pointed out God lived in heaven, not in places built by people.

He called them stubborn people, that had the hearts and ears of those that didn’t believe. The had resisted the purified spirit like their fathers. Their fathers had persecuted all the prophets and killed those that told of a Just One that would come. They then became the betrayers and murderers of the this Just One, despite receiving the law through the angels.

This cut deep and they raged at him, they covered their ears and ran at him. After dragging him out of the city they stoned him. During this he told them he could see the Mere Human standing at the right hand of God, asked God to receive his spirit and to forgive them for going astray.

Saul agreed with Stephen being stoned. For a time there was huge persecution against the church. Except for the selected, they were scattered through Judea and Samaria. Some dedicated followers carried Stephen for burial and mourned him greatly.

Saul made great havoc for the church. He entered houses grabbing men and women to take them to prison.

Those that were scattered preached the word where they were.