Jēsus on Urantēa Akord۔in tū Urantēa Bōok – prezent۔t hēr kronolojik۔lē in Pēpel۔ēz langwij – in Kānan, nēr θe ēstern kōst ov gulf Mediterānēan, mid۔yēr 8 BKE, ap θrē monθ۔s after θe marij ov Jōsef and Marē ov Nazareθ, an ānjel apēr۔d tū Elizabeθ (a distant kin ov Marē’s), and sā۔d, “Wīel yōr husband Zakarīas stand bēfōr θe altar in Jerūsalem, and wīel asembel۔t pēpel۔s prā fōr θe kom۔ing ov a deliver۔ōr, Ī, Gābrēel, hav kom tū anouns θat yū xal sūn birθ a son, hū xal bē θe fōrun۔ōr ov θis divīn tēq۔ōr, and yū xal nām yōr son Jon. Hē wil gladen yōr hart bī turn۔ing manē sōul۔s tōward God, and hē wil prōklām θe kom۔in ov θe sōul hēal۔ōr ov Jūan۔s and θe spērit liberāt۔ōr ov al pēpel۔s. Yōr kin۔woman Marē, tū hū Ī wil alsō apēr, xal bē θe moθer ov θis qīld ov promis.” Θe vijon frīten۔d Elizabeθ, and puzel۔d xē bēkuz xē wuz qīld۔les and long past fertil yēr۔s. Not until xē wuz visibel۔lē pregnant dū۔d xē tel ēven her husband Zakarīas, a Jūan prēst, hū wuz at first skeptikal, θen perplex۔t – until a drēm konvins۔d hē θat his wīf wud indēd bēkum θe moθer ov a son hū wuz destin۔t tū prepār θe wā fōr θe kom۔in ov θe ekspekt۔t mesīa. Lāt dur θat sām yēr, in Kānan’s nōrθern rējon Galilē, in a won-rūm hous slīt۔bē outsīd town Nazareθ, won afternūn ap sunset az Marē wuz prepār۔ing diner fōr her husband Jōsef hū had not yet rēturn۔d hōm from his karpentrē work, ānjel Gābrēel apēr۔d tū Marē bī θe sīd ov a lō stōn tābel, and sā۔d, “Marē, Ī bring glad nūz wen Ī anouns θat θe konsepxun wiθin yū iz ōrdān۔t bī heven, and θat yū wil bēkum θe moθer ov a son. Yū xal nām hē Jēsus, and hē xal inogyūrāt θe king۔dom ov heven on erθ. Spēk not ov θis mater eksept tū Jōsef and tū yōr kin۔woman Elizabeθ, tū hū Ī hav alsō apēr۔d, and hū xal alsō birθ a son, tū bē nām۔t Jon, hū wiθ grāt power and konvikxun wil prepār θe wā fōr θe mesaj ov deliverans θat yōr son xal prōklām.” Marē ponder۔d θe visitāxun sēkret۔lē in her hart, and not until xē wuz sertin xē wuz pregnant dū۔d xē tel her husband Jōsef, hū hensfōrθ lā۔d awāk dur manē nīt۔s, until a drēm konvins۔d hē θat θe kupel had bin qūz۔t tū parent θe mesīa. Marē jurnē۔d souθ۔ward tū rējon Jūdea, tū vilaj Jūda, a haf-dā’s wak west۔ward ov sitē Jerūsalem, and on a xēp۔s ranq slīt۔bē outsīd θe vilaj visit۔d Elizabeθ, and rēmān۔d dur θrē wēk۔s. Θe subsekwent monθ, dur 25 Marq, yēr 7 BKE, Jon wuz birθ۔t. Dur θat tīm Kānan wuz wiθin θe vast Rōma۔ē empīer, and emperōrt Sēzar Ogustus komand۔d al inhabitant۔s tū rēturn tū θā’s familē birθ·plās۔s tū rejister fōr a sensus, fōr θe purpos ov mōr efixent taksāksun. Jōsef, a desendant ov Abraham, wuz not a desendant ov king Dāvid, but Jōsef’s paternal ansestōr siks birθsīkel۔s prēvēus۔lē, bēing an ōrfan, had bin adopt۔t bī a man hū wuz a direkt desendant ov Dāvid, θus Jōsef wuz rēkwīer۔t tū rejister his familē fōr θe sensus at Dāvid’s birθ town, Beθlehem, in Jūdea. Marē, adventūrus, and not want۔ing tū birθ her bābē wen Jōsef wuz awā, and fōrsē۔ing a visit tū Elizabeθ and her nū bābē, insist۔d on gō۔ing. Θus erlē in θe mōrnin ov 18 Ogust θā start۔d souθ۔ward, Marē sit۔ing on θā’s donkē, wiq alsō karē۔d θā’s prōvixun۔s, and wuz lēd۔t bī Jōsef. Dur θe twū-and-a-haf-dā۔s jurnē θā spekyūlāt۔d about θe fyūtūr ov θā’s son: Jōsef tiltlēn۔d mōr tōward θe spiritūal konsept ov θe ekspekt۔t mesīa, wīel Marē, in agrēment wiθ her faθer and wiθ mōst kontemporārē Jūan۔s, ekspekt۔d a kombīnāxun spiritūal and politikal lēd۔ōr hū wud liberāt Jūan۔s in Kānan from Rōma۔ē lēdrūel – alīk Mōses, hū mōr θan a milenēum erlē۔er had lēd۔d Jūan۔s from enslavement in Misr, nōrθ·ēst۔ward tū Kānan, and enrūt had rēlā۔d tū Jūan۔s θe God-inspīer۔t Ten Komandment۔s. Jōsef fāvor۔d ēstern, ōr Babilōnēan, vyū۔s ov Jūdāizm (Jūans’ rēlijon), wīel Marē tiltlēn۔d tōward θe mōr liberal and brod۔er western, ōr Helenistik, interpretāxun ov Jūan profet۔s. Wen θe kupel arīv۔d in Beθlehem θe gestloj wuz ful, but θe karavan stābel۔s, hyū۔d intū θe rok bēlō θe gestloj, had bin klēr۔d ov animal۔s and klēn۔d fōr θe rēsepxun ov loj۔ōrs. Lēv۔ing θe donkē in θe kōrtyard, Jōsef xōlder۔d θā’s bag۔s ov klōθ۔in and prōvixun۔s and, wiθ Marē, desend۔d θe stōn step۔s tū wut had bin a grān stōraj rūm fās۔ing animal stal۔s and mānjer۔s. Tent kurtin۔s had bin hāng۔d, and θe kupel konsider۔d θāself۔s fōrtūnat tū bē in suq komfē kwarter۔s. Θat nīt Marē wuz restles. Bī sunrīz, xē fēel۔d qīld·birθ pāng۔s. Ap nūn, 21 Ogust, 7 BKE, Marē, asist۔d bī felō travel۔ōrms, birθ۔d a māel bābē. Jēsus ov Nazareθ wuz rap۔d in klōz and lā۔d in a nērbī mānjer. Θe nekst dā az Jōsef wuz rejister۔ing fōr θe sensus, hē mēt۔d a man wiθ a rūm at θe gestloj hū ofer۔d tū eksqānj kwarter۔s wiθ θe Nazareθ kupel, θus θat afternūn θā rē۔lōkāt۔d. Θe subsekwent wēk, bābē Jēsus wuz sirkumsīz۔d in akord wiθ Jūw۔ē kustom. Θrē wēk۔s lāter, sūn after rē۔lōkāt۔ing intū θe hōm ov a distant kin ov Jōsef, θā wuz visit۔t bī θrē prēst۔s from sitē Ur, in rējon Mesopōtāmēa, manē dā۔s jurnē ēst۔ward, wār a felō rēlijus tēq۔ōrt had deskrīb۔d his drēm infōrm۔ing hē θat “θe līt ov līf” wud sūn apēr on Erθ az a bābē among Jūan۔s. Θe θrē prēst۔s had θenupon jurnē۔d tū Jerūsalem, but had serq۔d fyūtil۔lē until θā mēt۔d Zakarīas, hū disklōz۔d his bēlēf θat Jēsus wuz θe objekt ov θā’s kwest, and direkt۔d θā onward tū Beθlehem, wār θā fīnd۔d bābē Jēsus, and giv۔d gift۔s. Bōθ Zakarīas, hū fulfil۔d his prēst۔hōod dūtē۔s in sitē Jerūsalem, and his wīf Elizabeθ, on θā’s ranq outsīd vilaj Jūda, fervent۔lē belēv۔d θat Jēsus wuz destin۔t tū bēkum θe Jūan deliver۔ōr, θe mesīa, and θat θā’s son Jon wud bē his qēf asist۔ōr. And bēkuz Marē hōld۔d θēz sām īdēa۔s, it wuz not difikult tū prēvāl upon Jōsef tū rēmān in nērbī Beθlehem, θe sitē ov Dāvid, sō θat Jēsus wud matūr tū bēkum θe suksesōr ov king Dāvid. Akord۔lē, θe kupel rēmān۔d in Beθlehem long۔er θan a yēr, Jōsef work۔ing az a karpentōr. Fīnal۔lē bak in Nazareθ, Jōsef perswād۔d Marē θat it wud bē un۔wīz tū tel θā’s Galilēen kin۔s and frend۔s θat Jēsus wuz a qīld ov promis; θā want۔d hē tū enjōē a nōrmal bōē۔hōod. Θā’s hous, nēr θe hī hil at θe nōrθern part ov town, wuz a won-rūm stōn struktūr wiθ a flat rūf and an adjōin۔ē bild۔in fōr xelter۔ing θe animal۔s. Furnitūr konsist۔d ov a lō stōn tābel, a lūm wār Marē wēv۔d, a lamp stand, several smal stūol۔s, and mat۔s fōr slēp۔ing on θe stōn flōr. In θe rēr yard, nēr θe animal aneks, wuz θe xelter θat kover۔d θe oven and θe mil fōr grīnd۔ing grān. Twū pēpel۔s wuz rēkwīer۔d tū operāt θe grindmil, won tū grīnd and anoθer tū fēd θe grān. Jēsus often fēd۔d grān tū θe grindmil wīel his moθer turn۔d θe grīnd۔ōr. Bōθ Jōsef and Marē, alīk θā’s familē۔s, wuz edyūkāt۔d far abov θe averaj ov θā’s stāxun in līf. Jōsef, a blak-īs۔ē brunet, wuz mīld-maner۔ē, ekstrēm۔bē konxēenxus, and adhēr۔d fāθful۔lē tū rēlijus konvenxun۔s. Hē talk۔d seldom, but θink۔d muq, and dur okāxun۔s laps۔d intū pērēod۔s ov mīld spiritūal diskourajment. Marē, wiθ brown ī۔s and hār۔s almōst blond, poses۔d an ever-sun۔ē dispōsixun, and wuz prōn tū frēkwent۔lē ekspres۔ing her emōxunal fēel۔ins. Xē wuz an ekspert wēv۔ōr. Wen Jōsef had bin a yung man, hē had bin emplōē۔d bī Marē’s faθer tū bild an adixun tū his hous; it wuz wen Marē bring۔d Jōsef a kup ov water, dur a nūn mēal, θat θe kōrtxip ov θe pār bēgin۔d. Twū-yēr۔s lāter, wen Jōsef wuz 22 yēr۔s ōld, θā marē۔d, in akordans wiθ Jūw۔ē kustom, at Marē’s hōm in θe ārēa ov Nazareθ, and sūn afterward rē۔lōkāt۔d intū a hous, ōverlōok۔ing suround۔ē kuntrē, bild۔d bī Jōsef and twū ov his broθer۔s. Wen Jēsus wuz fōur yēr۔s ōld, his broθer Jāms wuz birθ۔t, and his faθer konstrukt۔d a smal rēpār workxop nēr θe vilaj watersprin and nēr θe karavan tārē۔ing landlot. Litel Jēsus, wen hē wuz not help۔ing his moθer wiθ qōr۔s, līk۔d tū stā in θe workxop waq۔ing his faθer māk yōk۔s and plow۔s and dū oθer wōodwork, wīel lisen۔ing konversāxun۔s ov distant plās۔s from θe karavan travel۔ōrs. Θe subsekwent yēr Jēsus’s sister Miriam wuz birθ۔d. Not long afterward Zakarīas and Elizabeθ and θā’s siks-yēr۔s-ōld son Jon arīv۔d fōr a visit, and wīel θe parent۔s diskus۔d fyūtūr plan۔s fōr θā’s son۔s, θe bōē۔s plā۔d wiθ blok۔s in θe sand boks atop θe hous. At θe āj ov first mōral dēsixon, θer arīv tū indwel in ēq pēpel a divīn presens: a fragment ov God θat indwel in ēq hyūman mīnd. It iz an absolūt esens ov an infinit bēing θat iz imbed۔d wiθin θe mīnd ov a fīnīt krētūr, a rēalitē θat personalīz God fōr ēq individyūal, a direkt link, an internal spiritūal kompas pōint۔ing θe sōul alwās God۔ward. Bēkuz pēpel۔s hav frē qōis, divīn indwel۔ing presens۔s (alsō dub۔t θot-ajust۔ōrs and divīn-monitōr۔s) kan ōnlē sujest, enkouraj, at best prod – and if ask۔t, advīz – mind۔s tū qūs direkxun۔s kondūsiv tū spiritūal evolvement, wiq if sufixent۔bē suksesful rēsult in θe sōul’s ēternal survīval. A gift ov God, θis sīlent iner·vōis iz alwās redē tū asist in mōral dēsixon۔s, alθō if ignōr۔t wil rēmān sīlent۔lē dorment dur dekād۔s, ēven dur entīer līf۔span۔s; it depart upon θā’s hōst’s fizikal deθ. Jēsus’s divīn monitōr arīv۔d sūn bēfōr his dē۔fīv birθ·dā (tipikal), dur 11 Febrūarē, 2 BKE, and hē wuz nō mōr awār ov θe ēvent θan wuz anē qīld. Θrē langwij۔s prēvāl۔d in Kānan: komon pēpel۔s, inklūd۔ing θe Nazareθ familē, spēk۔d won ov several dīalekt۔s ov Aramāik۔ēz; Jūan prēst۔s and rabī۔s spēk۔d Hēbrū۔ēz; edyūkāt۔d and hī۔er-stratem pēpel۔s jeneral۔lē spēk۔d Helas۔ēz. Wen Jēsus had master۔d θe Galilēen dīalekt ov Aramāik۔ēz langwij, Jōsef bēgin۔d tēq۔ing θe bōē Helas۔ēz, from a Helas۔ēz kopē ov θe Hēbrū۔ēz skriptūr۔s θat had bin prezent۔t tū θe familē az a gift. It bēing ōnlē won ov twū kopē۔s in Nazareθ, Jōsef’s hōm atrakt۔d a stedē strēm ov ernest stūdent۔s and trūθ sēk۔ōrs, hūz konversāxun۔s kontribyūt۔d tū Jēsus’s edyūkāxun. Jēsus prā۔d non۔fōrmal۔lē, talk۔ing wiθ God az θō talk۔ing wiθ Jōsef – diskonsert۔ē tū his parent۔s, espexal۔bē Marē, bēkuz prār wuz supōs۔t tū bē solem and revērenxal. Θus θe bōē prā۔d az hē had bin tēq۔t, but afterward insist۔d on hav۔ing “a qat wiθ mī Faθer in heven”. Θat yēr Jōsef turn۔d his workxop ōver tū his broθer۔s, and bēkum۔d a bild۔ōr – a kontrakt۔ōr – θerbī prosper۔ing. Wen Jāms wuz ōld enuf tū help his moθer wiθ qōr۔s and θe yung۔er qīld۔s, Jēsus bēgin۔d akompanē۔ing his faθer tū nērbī town۔s and vilaj۔s, θerbī ad۔ing tū his sors ov nolej. Erlē θe subsekwent yēr Marē birθ۔d her dē۔fōur qīld, Jōsef. Jūan qīld۔s at āj seven yēr۔s bēgin۔d θā’s fōrmal edyūkāxun in θe lōkal sinagog skūol, lern۔ing θe skriptūr۔s – bī rōt memōrē – in Hēbrū۔ēz langwij. Distingwix۔ē Jūan visit۔ōrs, wen transit۔ing Nazareθ dur θe Sabaθ, kustomārē۔lē prēq۔d sermon۔s – adhēr۔ing tū vārē۔ē degrē۔s ov ōrθodoks – furθer۔ing Jēsus’s edyūkāxun. Inkrēs۔lē θe lad linger۔d at his faθer’s rēpār workxop, konvers۔ing in Helas۔ēz wiθ karavan travel۔ōrs az θā tārē۔d nēr θe watersprin fōr rest and nurixment. Θe karavan wā stāxun wuz at θe kros·rōd۔s ov θe nōrθ-souθ Surēya-Misr rūtwā and θe western end ov θe sōkald silk rōd from Qīna. Nazareθ, hūz popyūlāxun wuz mān۔lē jentīl (non-Jūan), wuz no۔t az a senter ov liberal interpretāxun ov Jūdāik tradixunal lo. In Galilē, mōr frē۔lē θan in Jūdea, Jūan۔s mingel۔d wiθ jentīl۔s (mōst hū wuz desendant۔s ov θe ōrijinal inhabitant۔s ov Kānan, belēv۔ōrs in sōkald pāgan rēlijon۔s). And ov al θe town۔s in Galilē, Nazareθ wuz laks۔est in adhēr۔ing tū Jūan sōxal rēstrikxun۔s bās۔d on fēr۔s ov kontamināxun az a rēsult ov kontakt wiθ jentīl۔s – θus θe Hēbrū۔ēz adaj, “Kan anē gōod θing kom out ov Nazareθ?” Θe bōē lern۔d tū milk θe familē kow and tend tū θe oθer animal۔s, and hē eksqānj۔d darē produkt۔s fōr harp leson۔s. Dur springtīm his θird broθer, Sīmon, wuz birθ۔d. Θe nekst yēr his sekond sister, Marθa, wuz birθ۔d. Jōsef bild۔d an adixun tū θā’s hous, a kombīn۔d bed·rūm and workxop – inklūd۔ing a smal work·benq fōr Jēsus, hū fōr θe first tīm poses۔d tūol۔s ov his ōn. At mēl۔tīm۔s, familē membōr۔s al skwat۔d around θe enlarj۔t stōn tābel, help۔ing θāself۔s from a komon dix, ōr pot, ov fūd. Dur winter۔s dur θe ēvenin mēal θe tābel wuz ilūmināt۔t bī a klā lamp fyūel۔t bī oliv ōil. At skūol Jēsus wuz not won ov θe best stūdent۔s, but hē rēmān۔d in θe top θird ov his lernklas, θus wuz ekskyūs۔t from atendans won wēk per monθ – wiq θe bōē yūsūal۔lē spend۔d ēθer wiθ his fix۔ōr unkel on θe xōr ov lāk Galilē nēr town Magdala ōr on θe farm ov anoθer unkel (his moθer’s broθer) a haf-mōrnin’s wak souθ۔ward ov Nazareθ. His tēq۔ōrt – θe qazan – lament۔d tū Jōsef θat hē “had lern۔d mōr from Jēsus’s serq۔ing kwestyon۔s” θan hē had bin ābel tū tēq θe lad. His plā۔felōrs konsider۔d Jēsus nōrmal. However, hē wud not fīt, θus his nābōr frend, Jākob, θe stōn māson’s son, won yēr ōld۔er, dēfend۔d Jēsus aganst bulē۔s. Jēsus serēs۔est trubel rēsult۔d wen a lernklas۔felōr tatel۔d θat hē had dro۔d a piktūr ov θe tēq۔ōr on θe lernklas·rūm flōr – wenupon Jēsus qalenj۔d θe qazan’s tēq۔in θat al imaj۔s, piktūr۔s, dro۔ins, and skulptūr۔s wuz konsider۔d īdolatrus. At hōm his parent۔s alow۔d hē tū dro and mōld wiθ klā, but ōldstōrt۔s arīv۔d at θe hous and demand۔d θat Jōsef kontrōl his lo۔les son. Jēsus, lisen۔ing outsīd θe rēr dōr, rēzent۔d θā’s blām۔ing his faθer; hē non۔seremōnēus۔lē enter۔d θe hous and konfront۔d his akyūz۔ōrs, dēfend۔ing his vyūpōint, but agrē۔d tū abīd bī his faθer’s dēsixon. Θe ōldstōrt۔s depart۔d in sīlens, and Jēsus relinkwix۔d his artistik pastīm. Dur Mā θat yēr, on his unkel’s farm, Jēsus fōr θe first tīm help۔d wiθ θe harvest ov grān. Jōsef erlē bēgin۔d tū instrukt Jēsus in θe dīvers wā۔s ov ern۔ing a līvlēhōod, eksplān۔ing θe advantages ov agrikultūr ōver industrē and komers. Galilē wuz byūtēful and prosperus, and it kost۔d ōnlē ap won-dē۔fōur az muq tū resīd θer az in Jūdea, θe souθern rējon inklūd۔ing Jerūsalem. Galilē wuz a provins ov agrikultūral vilaj۔s and mōr θan twū hundred town۔s ēq wiθ mōr θan fīv-θousand۔s inhabitant۔s, and θirtē town۔s wiθ mōr θan fiftēn θousand۔s. Θe klīmat wuz mīld, wiθ twū sēson۔s: drī sumer (wiθ temperatur۔s rānj۔ing from 21 tū 32 degrē۔s, kūol۔t bī an ēst۔ward Mediterānēan brēz۔s, wiθ okāxunal west۔ward wind۔s blō۔ing hot ār from θe desert), and rāin۔ē winter (averaj temperatur 10 degrē۔s, θe rāin yūsūal۔lē fal۔ing in intermitent mīld xower۔s). Wen dur his first trip wiθ his faθer tū observ fix۔in komers on lāk Galilē, Jēsus konsider۔d bēkum۔ing a fix۔ōr, but beter hē līk۔d θe īdēa ov māk۔ing θing۔s from wōod. Jēsus wuz nīn yēr۔s ōld wen hē first indikāt۔d – inixal۔lē tū his faθer, wīel strōl۔ing in θe hil۔ē kuntrē, lāter tū his moθer at hōm – θat hē wuz bēkum۔ing self۔konxus ov θe non۔yūsūal nātūr ov his līf mixun. Bōθ parent۔s lisen۔d kārful۔lē tū θā’s son, but nēθer voluntēr۔d anē infō. From spend۔ing muq tīm at θe karavan suplī stōr konvers۔ing wiθ travel۔ōrs, Jēsus wuz develop۔ing a sens ov Kānan’s plās in θe world. Mediterānēan Gulf (θen nām۔d Grāt Ōxensē) had bin klēr۔t ov pīret۔s, and θe vast teritōrē around it, inklūd۔ing Kānan, wuz yūnifī۔d wiθin θe Rōma۔ē empīer. Rōma’s tolerant polisē ov alow۔ing θā’s kolonē۔s tū lēdrūel θāself۔s – aslongas θā pā۔d taks۔s and rēfrān۔d from aktivitē۔s θreten۔ing Rōma۔ē domināxun – rēsult۔d in relativ۔bē sekyūr travel rūtwā۔s, enābel۔ing komers and travel tū rapid۔lē ekspand. Erlē۔er konkwest۔s bī θe Helasan۔s had rēsult۔d in θe spred۔ing ov Helas۔ēz, enābel۔ing pēpel۔s from distant land۔s tū interkomyūnikāt. Kānan wuz sitūāt۔d bētwēn Oksident and Ōrēent, and Jūan۔s wuz bī eθnisitē parxal۔bē Oksidentan and parxal۔bē Ōrēentan. Wen Jēsus wuz ten yēr۔s ōld his broθer Jūd arīv۔d, but a komplikāxun dur θe birθ ov Marē’s dē۔seven bābē rēsult۔d in xē bēkum۔ing sērēus۔bē sik. Dur several wēk۔s Jōsef rēmān۔d at hōm, and Jēsus wuz kompel۔t tū asūm ōld۔est-son rēsponsibelitē۔s erlē۔er θan nōrmal. Marē fīnal۔lē rēkover۔d tū ful helθ. Θe subsekwent yēr θe lad bēgin۔d regyūlar work in θe karpentrē workxop – hē wuz bēkum۔ing an ekspert in māk۔ing yōk۔s – and, in a non۔yūsūal arānjment, hē wuz alow۔d tū kēp his ōn ern۔ins. Bī θen hē wuz a skilful harp۔ōr, and enjōē۔d entertān۔ing familē and frend۔s wiθ his interpretāxun۔s and improvīzāxun۔s. His dūtē۔s inklūd۔d hōm-skūol۔ing his yung۔er sib۔s. Hē wuz bēkum۔ing inkrēs۔bē awār ov θe konflikt bētwēn his xarpen۔ing konvikxun۔s and θe tradixunal Jūw۔ē praktis۔s ov his parent۔s, but wiθ efōrt hē manaj۔d tū rēmān lōyal tū bōθ. At āj 13, az his vōis’s soundpiq dēpen۔d, Jēsus wuz bēkum۔ing konxus θat hē wuz destin۔t tū perfōrm a spiritūal mixun. Dur springtīm, yēr 7 KE, not long after his bābē broθer Amos wuz birθ۔t, Jēsus gradūāt۔d from θe sinagog skūol, wiq kwalifī۔d hē tū gō tū Jerūsalem wiθ his parent۔s tū selebrāt his first Pasōver. Woman۔s seldom atend۔d tū θe Pasōver fēst at Jerūsalem; θā wuz not rēkwīer۔d tū bē present. Jēsus, however, insist۔d θat his moθer akompanē θā. And wen xē agrē۔d tū gō, manē oθer Nazareθ woman۔s alīkwīz desīd۔d tū undertāk θe jurnē, sō θat θe Pasōver pilgrim۔s, number۔ing 103, kontān۔d θe larj۔est number ov woman۔s, in propōrxun tū man۔s, ever tū gō up tū θe Pasōver from Nazareθ. Raθer θan wak θe direkt rūtwā souθ۔ward θrū Samarēa (θe rējon bētwēn Galilē and Jūdea, inhabit۔d mān۔lē bī nātiv jentīl۔s, wiq Jūan۔s belēv۔d wud kontamināt θā), θā prōsēd۔d ēst۔ward, down intū θe Jōrdan valē, θen, qant۔ing solm۔s, wak۔d souθ۔ward along θe western xōr ov θe river wiq flō۔d tōward Ded Lāk. On bōθ sīd۔s ov θe river, fēld۔s ov grān blō۔d in θe warm springtīm brēz۔s, and θe manē ōlēander evergrēn bux۔s had sprout۔d pink blosom۔s; far tū θe nōrθ θā kud sē snō-kap۔t Mountin Hermon. Dur θe first nīt θā kamp۔d bī a bubel۔ing watersprin, slēp۔ing benēθ a star-strū۔t kloud۔les skī, and dur θe sekond nīt θā kamp۔d at θe bās ov tal Mountin Sartaba; θen θā turn۔d inland, stā۔ing θe θird nīt in town Jerikō. From θer θā trek۔d up·hil west۔ward, along a rōd krowd۔ē wiθ pilgrim۔s; from a hil۔top yung Jēsus lōok۔d bak akros θe river tū mountin۔s bēyond, and, slīt۔bē far۔er souθ, tū salt۔ē Ded Lāk, long and nārō. Far۔er along θā arīv۔d wiθin vyū ov Mountin ov Oliv۔s; Jōsef pōint۔d tū θe nekst ridge, tel۔ing θe lad θat bēyond it lā۔d θe hōlē sitē. Raθer θan kontinyū onward tū Jerūsalem, θā poz۔d fōr rest on θe outskirt۔s ov Beθanē, wār vilajōr۔s tend۔d tū θe pilgrim۔s, and it hapen۔d θat Jōsef and his familē stop۔d nēr θe hous ov won Sīmon, hū had θrē qīld۔s ap sām āj az Jēsus – Marθa, Marē, and Lazarus – and θe Nazareθ familē wuz invīt۔d insīd fōr rēfrexment۔s. Not long afterward, θā enter۔d Jerūsalem, fētūr۔ing pretenxus palas۔s and θe inspīer۔ē tempel. Θe sitē wuz krowd۔ē wiθ hundred۔s ov θousand۔s ov pilgrim۔s from θrūout θe rekognīz۔t world. Jēsus wuz prōfound۔lē impres۔t. But hē wonder۔d wī worxip ov God rēkwīer۔d θe sloter ov sō manē inosent and help۔les animal۔s, and hē fēel۔d afekxunat pitē fōr θe spiritūal۔bē blīnd and mōral۔bē ignorant multitūd۔s asembel۔d tū selebrāt Jūan۔s eksodus from Misr mōr θan 1,200 yēr۔s erlē۔er. Θat nīt, fōr θe first tīm in his Erθ karēr, θer apēr۔d tū twelv-yēr۔s-ōld Jēsus an ānjel, hū tel۔d hē, “It iz tīm tū bēgin yōr Faθer’s biznes.” Dur Pasōver Sabaθ, θe first dā ov θe seven-dā۔s selebrāxun, amid θe krowd۔s ov worxipful pilgrim۔s and θe ōrnāt bild۔ins, Jēsus ask۔d manē kwestyon۔s about θe mēn۔ins ov θe seremōnē۔s. But hē kud not aksept eksplānāxun۔s ov worxip and rēlijus devōtxun θat involv۔d bēlēf in θe raθ ov God. After θe konklūxun ov a tempel visit, wen Jōsef mīld۔lē insist۔d θat his son aknolej akseptans ov θe ōrθodoks Jūdāizm bēlēf۔s, Jēsus rēspond۔d, “Mī faθer, it kan·not bē trū. Our heven۔ē Faθer kan·not luv his qīld۔s les θan yū luv mē. And Ī wel no, nōmater wut un۔wīz θing Ī wud dū, yū wud never flōpōr raθ upon mē.” Az Jēsus wander۔d around tempel kōrtyard۔s, hē fēel۔d distres۔d bī θe spērit ov un۔revērens θat hē observ۔d. Wen Jōsef eskort۔d hē intū θe kōrtyard ov θe jentīl۔s, hē fēel۔d xok۔d at θe nōiz۔ē jargon, loud talk۔in and kurs۔in, θe blēt۔in ov frīten۔t xēp۔s, θe presens ov monē eksqānj۔ōrs, kal۔s from vend۔ōrs ov sakrifīxual animal۔s and oθer komerxal komoditē۔s. Hē admīer۔d θe sentiment and servis ov θe tempel, but fēel۔d apald bī θe spiritūal uglē۔nes θat hē nōtis۔d on θe fās۔s ov manē ov θe worxip۔ōrs. Jōsef lēd۔d hē down۔ward step۔s tū θe prēst۔s’ kōrtyard benēθ θe rok lej in front ov θe tempel wār θe altar stand۔d, tū observ θe kil۔in ov drōv۔s ov xēp۔s and θe wax۔in awā, at θe bronz fountin, ov red blod from θe hand۔s ov θe ofixēāt۔ing sloter prēst۔s. Θe blod-stān۔d pāvment, θe gor۔ē hand۔s ov θe prēst۔s, and θe sound۔s ov θe dī۔ing animal۔s siken۔d θe bōē, hū kluq۔d his faθer’s arm and ask۔d tū bē lēd۔t awā. Θat ēvenin θā rēturn۔d tū nērbī Beθanē, az gest۔s, along wiθ fōur oθer Nazareθ familē۔s, ov θe familē ov Sīmon, and θā fēst۔d on lam, az Jēsus and θe θrē Sīmon qīld۔s – Lazarus, Marθa, and Marē – bond۔d alīk sib۔s. In θe mōrnin θe grūp wak۔d bak tū Jerūsalem, and bōē۔s Lazarus and Jēsus eksplōr۔d θe sitē, diskover۔ing, tū Jēsus’s dēlīt, several plās۔s around θe tempel wār tēq۔in sexun۔s wuz underwā. Suq wuz θe patern fōr θe rēmān۔ōr ov Pasōver wēk, dur wiq Jōsef and Marē fīnalīz۔d arānjment۔s fōr Jēsus tū rēturn, at āj 15 yēr۔s, tū studē in a prestējus akademē ov rabī۔s – but Jōsef wuz perpleks۔t, and Marē distresful, tū observ how non۔interest۔t θā’s son wuz in θat ventūr. After θe selebrāxun, θe Nazareθ resīdent۔s rē۔asembel۔d and hed۔d bak nōrθ۔ward, az yūsūal θe man۔s and woman۔s in separāt grūp۔s. Jōsef asūm۔d Jēsus wuz wiθ Marē, and Marē asūm۔d hē wuz wiθ Jōsef, but θe bōē rēmān۔d in Jerūsalem, engrōs۔d in rēlijus konversāxun۔s. Not until θā rēq۔d Jerikō dū۔d θe parent۔s nōtis θā’s son's absens, sō θā baktrak۔d tū Jerūsalem tū serq fōr hē. Mēnwīel Jēsus sit۔d wiθ θe konversāxun grūp۔s, ask۔ing pōlīt but direkt kwestyon۔s – tū θe inkrēs۔ing amāzment ov θe adult۔s – ēq ēvenin slēp۔ing at Sīmon’s hous in Beθanē. Dur θe afternūn ov θe dē۔fōur dā θe lēd۔ōr ov a konferens grūp invīt۔d Jēsus tū kom fōrward, sit bēsīd hē, and stāt his vyū۔s on prār and worxip. Sūn afterward Jōsef and Marē, wak۔ing nērbī, rekognīz۔d θe vōis ov θā’s mis۔ing son, and wuz astonix۔t sē hē sit۔ing among θe tempel tēq۔ōrs. Jōsef wuz spēq۔les, wīel Marē hurē۔d fōrward, sā۔ing, “Mī qīld, wī hav yū sō trēt۔d wē? It iz now mōr θan θrē dā۔s θat yōr faθer and Ī hav bin serq۔ing fōr yū, sōrō۔ing.” Jēsus, stand۔ing, anser۔d, “Wī dū۔d yū۔s dur sō long sēk mē? Dū۔d yū۔s not ekspekt mē tū bē in mī Faθer’s hous, atend۔ing tū mī Faθer’s biznes?” Bak in Nazareθ, θe stōrē ov yung Jēsus sit۔ing wiθ θe rabī۔s, and konvers۔ing wiθ θā az an ēkwal, wuz gratifī۔ing tū al, espexal۔lē his fōrmer tēq۔ōrs. “Fīnal۔lē,” manē predikt۔d, a grāt lēd۔ōr wud kom from Galilē. Az Jēsus grō۔d ōld۔er, his pitē and luv fōr Jūan۔s dēpen۔d, but hē fēel۔d inkrēs۔lē rēzentful ov θe politikal۔lē apōint۔t prēst۔s. Hē grāt۔lē respekt۔d sinsēr Farisē۔s (a grūp ov rēlijus oθōritē۔s) and θe onest skrīb۔s, but fēel۔d kontemptūus ov hipokritikal Farisē۔s, un۔onest θēolojōr۔s, non۔sinsēr rēlijus lēd۔ōrs. Hē kontinyū۔d tū atend advans۔ē kōrs۔s at θe sinagog, and tū edyūkāt his sib۔s at hōm. Hē wuz develop۔ing intū an ekspert karpentōr and kabinet·māk۔ōr. Frēkwent۔lē hē wak۔d tū θe top ov θe hil nōrθ·west ov town fōr prār and meditāxun. Θe imprūv۔t ekonomik kondixun ov θe familē wuz rēflekt۔d in manē wā۔s around θā’s hōm, inklūd۔ing wīt rīt۔in slāt۔s, θe rīt۔in bēing dū۔d wiθ qarkōl, and rēsumpxun bī Jēsus ov harp leson۔s. Not long after Jēsus’s dē۔fōurtēn birθ·dā a run۔ōr arīv۔d from Sepōris, θen kapital·sitē ov rējon Galilē, wiθ θe nūz θat Jōsef had bin sevēr۔lē injur۔t bī θe fal۔ing ov a derik wīel at work on θe govern۔ōr’s resīdens. Marē, lēv۔ing Jēsus inqarj ov his yung۔er sib۔s, hurē۔d tū θe sēn, but bēfōr xē arīv۔d Jōsef dī۔d. Θe trajedē plunj۔d θe hapē familē intū sad۔nes. Yung Jēsus θerfōr bēkum۔d θe ōnlē wāj ern۔ōr and protekt۔ōr ov his moθer and seven sib۔s and anoθer yet tū bē birθ۔t. Bēkuz Jōsef had sāv۔d a larj sumtōtal ov monē, θe familē wuz not in dīer fīnanxal kondixun. Dur springtīm, yēr 9 KE, Rūθ wuz birθ۔d, θe bābē ov θe familē. Jēsus, āj 15 yēr۔s, tāk۔d θe plās ov Jōsef in komfort۔ing and minister۔ing tū his moθer, and hē akt۔d az faθer tū his yung۔er sib۔s. Familē obligāxun۔s had ēklips۔d θot۔s ov sūn embark۔ing upon a spiritūal mixun, but atlēst hē wud nōlonger bē rēkwīer۔t tū studē in Jerūsalem, and his nū sitūāxun alow۔d hē mōr tīm fōr plan۔in. Hē konsider۔d and rējekt۔d θe īdēa θat hē kud bē θe ekspekt۔t mesīa, and hē no۔d hē wud never komand a Jūan armē tū rid Kānan ov Rōma۔ē lēdrūel. Nor wud hē ever sit on θe θrōn ov fōrmer king Dāvid. Nor – az θot۔s fōrmyūlāt۔d in his mīnd dur wak۔s on θe nērbī hil – wud hē bēkum a spiritūal deliver۔ōr and mōral tēq۔ōr ōnlē tū Jūan۔s. Hē wuz lern۔ing, alsō, not tū spēk al θis θot۔s, ēven tū his moθer, hū kling۔d tū θe īdēa ov his bēkum۔ing a politikal sāvyōr. Hē talk۔d les about ixyū۔s θat averaj pēpel kud not grasp, θat wud koz hē tū bē rēgard۔t az pekyūlyar. Alθō hē krāv۔d a trust·worθē and konfīdenxal frend, hē konsider۔d θe ixyū۔s tyū kompleks fōr his hyūman asōxēāt۔s tū komprēhend. Θe yūnēk۔nes ov his sitūāxun kompel۔d θe bud۔ing adolesant tū endūr his burden۔s alōn. Jēsus work۔d from don tū sundusk in θe workxop ajāsent tū θe hous, but θe pā ov a komon dā-lābor۔ing karpentōr wuz not muq. Familē fund۔s wuz diminix۔ing. Marē asīn۔d θe sāel ov dovbird۔s tū Jāms, and fōkus۔d on wēv۔ing. Θā purqas۔d a sekond kow, and Miriam bēgin۔d sel۔ing milk tū nābōr۔s. Gradūal۔lē θe familē rēturn۔d tū θe simpel līf ov θā’s erlē۔er yēr۔s. Θā’s klōz and ēven θā’s fūd bēkum۔d simpel۔er. Θā had plentē ov milk, buter, and qēz, and in sēson θā enjōē۔d vejtabel۔s and frūt۔s from θā’s garden, but ēq pas۔ing monθ nesesitāt۔d θe praktis ov mōr strinjent frūgalitē. Θā’s brekfast wuz plān; θā sāv۔d θā’s best fūd fōr θe ēvenin mēal. Θe subsekwent yēr θā kud not pā θe ful amount ov θe sivil taks, and θe taks·kolekt۔ōr θreten۔d tū tāk θe harp. Fēr۔ing θat θe kopē ov θe Helas۔ēz skriptūr۔s wud bē diskover۔t and konfiskāt۔t bī θe taks·kolekt۔ōr, Jēsus dōnāt۔d it tū θe Nazareθ sinagog lībrārē, insted ov θe won-haf xekel tempel taks. Bī θen θā had θrē kow۔s, fōur xēp۔s, nūmerus qiken۔s, a donkē, and a dog, in adixun tū θe dovbird۔s – wiq θe yung۔er qīld۔s, ēven θe tots, waqkār۔d. And bēkuz ov θe hī kwalitē ov Jēsus’s kraft·skil, hē alwās had plentē ov work, sō muq θat Jāms, θe ōld۔est ov his yung۔er broθer۔s, bēgin۔d help۔ing hē. But Marē, wīel aprēxēāt۔ing his wilin۔nes tū xōlder familē rēsponsibelitē۔s, grēv۔d θat hē had tū tōil in θe workxop insted ov studē۔ing wiθ θe rabī۔s in Jerūsalem. At āj 15 yēr۔s, Jēsus, hed and sōl provīd۔ōr ov a larj familē, aqēv۔d ful fizikal grōθ. Alīk anē karpentōr, hē wuz fizikal۔bē strong. Hē poses۔d a helθ۔ē and wel-propōrxun bodē, a kēn and analitikal mīnd, a benevolant simpaθetik dispōsixun, a somwut flukqūāt۔ing but agresiv temperment, kontribyūt۔ing tū a strong, atraktiv personalitē. Θe nekst yēr Jāms gradūāt۔d from skūol and bēgin۔d fultīm work at hōm in θe karpentrē workxop māk۔ing yōk۔s and plow۔s, alow۔ing Jēsus tū dū mōr lūkrativ hous finix۔ing and kabinet work. Wiθ fīnanxal prexur somwut ēz۔d, Jēsus desīd۔d tū tāk Jāms tū θe Pasōver festival. Θā wak۔d θe xōrt rūtwā, θrū Samarēa, and stop۔d in Beθanē at θe hous ov Sīmon (hū had dī۔d), tū θe dēlīt ov Sīmon’s qīld۔s, Marē, Marθa, and Lazarus. In Jerūsalem, at Jāms’ urj۔ing, θā atend۔d som ov θe diskuxun۔s in and around θe tempel, but Jēsus ask۔d nō kwestyon۔s. Bak in Nazareθ, wiθ Jāms work۔ing in θe workxop bēsīd θe hous wār hē kud waqkār his yung۔er sib۔s, Jēsus rēsūm۔d work at Jōsef’s ōld workxop bī θe vilaj watersprin, dū۔ing rēpār work fōr θe karavan۔s, and hē wuz grāt۔lē qēr۔t tū bē ābel ēq dā tū mēt and qat wiθ θe manē travel۔ōrs. Al ov Jēsus’s sib۔s, but partikyūlar۔lē θe girl۔s, konsult۔d θā’s ōld۔est broθer about θā’s qīld۔hōod problem۔s and konfīd۔d in hē az θā wud hav in an afekxunat faθer. Jāms wuz a wel-balans۔ē and ēven-temper۔ē yūθ, alθō hē wuz not az spiritūal۔lē prōn az Jēsus; hē wuz a muq beter stūdent θan Jōsef, hū, wīel a hardē work۔ōr, wuz ēven les spiritūal; Jōsef wuz a plod۔ōr, bēlō θe intelektūal level ov θe oθer qīld۔s. Sīmon wuz a drēm۔ōr, yet a gōod and wel-intenxun۔ē lad. Jūd wuz a fīerbrand; hē had θe hī۔est īdēal۔s, but hē wuz non۔stabel in temperment; hē had al and mōr ov his moθer’s dētermināxun and agresiv۔nes, but hē lak۔d muq ov her sens ov propōrxun and diskrexun. Miriam wuz a wel-balans۔d doter wiθ gōod jujment and a kēn aprēxēāxun ov θing۔s nōbel and spiritūal. Marθa wuz slō in θot and akxun, but a depend۔abel and efixent qīld. Bābē Rūθ wuz θe sunxīn ov θe hōm; alθō takt۔les in spēq, xē wuz sinsēr ov hart, and xē adōr۔d Jēsus. But θā dū۔d not indulj·spōil xē. Rūθ wuz a byūtēful qīld, but not az byūtēful az Miriam, hū wuz θe bel ov θe familē, if not ov θe town. Litel Amos, however, after a wēk ov hī fēver, dī۔d, and bēsīd θe rēturn ov sōrō tū θe familē, θe fyūneral ekspens۔s kripel۔d θā’s fīnanxal kombak. Θe yēr Jūd start۔d tū skūol, Jēsus wuz kompel۔d tū sel his harp tū dēfrā ekspens۔s; θus disapēr۔d θe last ov his rekrēāxunal plejur۔s, but hē komfort۔d hiself wiθ θe θot θat atlēst θe harp wuz sāf from sējūr bī θe taks·kolekt۔ōr. Not long after Jēsus’s dē۔seventēn birθ·dā, Elizabeθ and Jon visit۔d θe Nazareθ familē, Zakarīas hav۔ing dī۔d. Jon, alredē twū mēter۔s tal, wiθ long blak hār۔s and bērd, wār۔d ōnlē a hārs۔ē garment wiθ a leθer girdel, hav۔ing adopt۔d θe stīl ov dres ov Elīja, rēgard۔t az a profet. Θe adolesant bōē۔s konfer۔d, agrē۔ing θat bōθ wud spend manē mōr yēr۔s supōrt۔ing θā’s familē۔s bēfōr “θe heven۔ē Faθer kal۔d” θā fōr θā’s work. At āj 18 yēr۔s, Jēsus’s mōst outstand۔ē fētūr wuz his brown ī۔s, wiq sēm۔d non۔yūsūal۔bē klēr and penetrāt۔ē. Apārent in his fās wuz a rār kombīnāxun ov rōbust۔nes and jentel۔nes, strenkθ and sensitivitē. His skin kolor wuz mēdēum brown, and his brown hār۔s fal۔d tū his xōlder۔s ontū his tūnik (lūs nē۔s-lenθ garment), wiq (in θe nōrmal stīl) hē wār۔d along wiθ a turban, girdel, klōk, and sandal۔s. A byūtēful yung lādē nām۔d Rebeka fal۔d in luv wiθ hē. Her faθer, Ezra, a welθ۔ē merqant in Nazareθ, ekspres۔d wilin۔nes, if Jēsus marē۔d his doter, tū suplī θe familē wiθ sufixent inkom tū ful۔lē kompensāt fōr θe los ov Jēsus’s ern۔ins. But Jēsus sens۔d θat marē۔ing and faθer۔ing qīld۔s wud not bē kompatibel wiθ wutever spiritūal mixun awāt۔d hē: his yung۔er broθer Jōsef wuz skedyūel۔d tū sūn gradūāt from skūol and work in θe karpentrē workxop, and, lāter, broθer۔s Sīmon and Jūd wud kontribyūt tū familē ern۔ins, pōtenxal۔lē frē۔ing Jēsus from his familē obligāxun۔s, and hē fēel۔d it non۔wise tū asūm nū rēsponsibelitē۔s. Sō, at diner at Ezra’s hous, hē eksplān۔d tū Rebeka and her faθer θat monē kud not kompensāt fōr his faθer۔ē dūtē۔s tū his stil-yung sib۔s, θat hē “must fulfil θe mōst sākred ov al hyūman trust – lōyaltē tū won’s familē.” Wen lāter Marē frānk۔lē ask۔d her son if hē wud marē if hē wuz frē ov familē dūtē۔s, hē ekspres۔d dout θat hē ever wud, ad۔ing θat hē must awāt “mī klokhour”, wen “mī Faθer’s work must bēgin.” Twū yēr۔s lāter Jēsus tāk۔d his broθer Jōsef souθ۔ward, along θe river rūtwā, tū Jerūsalem tū selebrāt Pasōver, stop۔ing agin in Beθanē tū visit Marē, Marθa, and Lazarus – rēturn۔ing along θe oposit (ēstern) xōr ov Jōrdan River. Θe subsekwent yēr his broθer Sīmon gradūāt۔d from skūol and bēgin۔d work۔ing az a stōn māson wiθ Jēsus’s bōē۔hōod plā۔felōr and dēfend۔ōr Jākob, after it wuz desīd۔t θat it wud bē un۔wīz fōr al θe bōē۔s tū bēkum karpentōr۔s; bī diversifī۔ing θā’s skil۔s, θe broθer۔s wud bē prepār۔ing tū aksept kontrakt۔s tū konstrukt entīer bild۔ins. Jēsus kontinyū۔d hous finix۔ing and kabinetrē but spend۔d mōst ov his tīm in θe karavan rēpār workxop, wār Jāms alsō somtīm۔s work۔d. Wen Jāms bēkum۔d 18 yēr۔s ōld, Jēsus instal۔d hē az hed ov θe familē, θen aksept۔d emplōēment in nērbī sitē Sepōris, wak۔ing bak tū his familē hōm ēq Sabaθ. His haf-yēr stā in θat sitē aford۔d hē θe opōrtūnitē tū bēkum beter akwānt۔d wiθ jentīl۔s – θā’s vyūpōint and wā ov līf. Bēkuz mōral standard۔s in θe jentīl sitē wuz far bēlō ēven θōs ov Nazareθ, hē rēturn۔d tū work in θe karavan rēpār workxop, but dū۔d not rēsūm direkxun ov familē afār۔s and fīnans۔s. Twū yēr۔s lāter, az Jāms prepār۔d tū marē, broθer Jōsef wuz put۔d inqarj ov θe houshōld. Bī θen, wiθ fōur broθer۔s work۔ing, wiθ Miriam ern۔ing muq from θe sāel۔s ov milk and buter, and wiθ Marθa hav۔ing lern۔d from her moθer tū bēkum an ekspert wēv۔ōr, fīnanxal prexur had ēz۔d. Θus dū۔d Jēsus meθodik۔lē prepār θe wā fōr his ēventyūal wiθdro from aktiv partisipāxun in θe afār۔s ov his familē. It wuz Sīmon’s alternat·tīm tū gō tū Jerūsalem fōr Pasōver, and Jēsus tāk۔d hē vīa rējon Dekapōlis oposit river Jōrdan, θrū town۔s Pela and Gerasa. In sitē Filadelfia θā mēt۔d a merqant from θe far-nōrθern sitē ov Dimaxk, hū ōn۔d mōr θan fōur-θousand۔s karavan kamel۔s, wiθ komerxal monēinterest۔s al θe wā tū Rōma, kapital·sitē ov θe Rōma۔ē empīer; θe merqant invīt۔d Jēsus tū kom tū Dimaxk tū work in his Ōrēental impōrt biznes, but Jēsus dū۔d not fēel justifī۔d in ventūr۔ing sō far from his familē at θat tīm. Rē۔kros۔ing θe Jōrdan, θe broθer۔s pas۔d θrū town Jerikō tū Jerūsalem, and after atend۔ing Pasōver festival۔s θā rēturn۔d nōrθ۔ward bī θe kōstal rūtwā, along Mediterānēan Gulf, θrū town۔s Lida and Jopa, and pōrt Sēzarea, θen around Mountin Karmel tū pōrt Tolemāis and fīnal۔lē up·hil tū town Nazareθ. Θe trip – dur θrē wēk۔s, θe long۔est pērēod awā from dā۔ē tōil hē had enjōē۔d sins θe deθ ov his faθer – akwānt۔d Jēsus wiθ al ov Kānan nōrθ ov Jerūsalem. Lāter θat yēr a representativ ov θe merqant hē had mēt۔d in Filadelfia, wen pas۔ing θrū Nazareθ, perswād۔d Jēsus tū akompanē hē tū Dimaxk. Θe parxal۔bē Jūan merqant plan۔d tū kontribyūt a larj amount ov monē tū establix a skūol ov rēlijus filosofē in Dimaxk, wiq wud rīval skūol۔s in Aleksandrēa; hē propōs۔d θat Jēsus xud bēgin a long tūor ov θe world’s edyūkāxunal senter۔s prepārātorē tū bēkum۔ing θe hed ov θis nū projekt, and hē intrōdūs۔d Jēsus tū twelv merqant۔s and monēbank ofisōr۔s hū had agrē۔d tū help fund θe skūol. Jēsus ekspres۔d dēp interest in θe projekt, and hē help۔d θā plan, but – tempt۔d az hē wuz – hē no۔d θat his mixun on Erθ wuz not tū bē supōrt۔t bī institūxun۔s, and θat hē must not obligāt hiself tū bē direkt۔t bī “kounsil۔s ov man۔s”, nōmater how wel-intenxun۔ē. Jēsus’s familē rēsponsibelitē۔s wuz kom۔ing tū and end. Dur subsekwent yēr۔s hē trān۔d Jāms tū manaj θe karavan rēpār workxop. Hē tāk۔d Jūd tū Jerūsalem fōr Pasōver, stop۔ing tū sē Marē, Marθa, and Lazarus agin. Jōsef bēkum۔d θe nū hed ov θe familē. In a dubel wed۔in Jāms marē۔d Esta (and rē۔lōkāt۔d intū a hous giv۔d tū θā bī Esta’s faθer) and Miriam marē۔d her nābōr Jākob, Jēsus’s bōē۔hōod frend and bī θen, az a stōn māson, a biznes partnōr ov Jāms and Jōsef; Jākob and Miriam resīd۔ing in a nū۔lē konstrukt۔t hous ajāsent tū Marē’s. Jūd rē۔lōkāt۔d tū θe lāk and bēkum۔d a fix۔ōrt. Jēsus stil work۔d az a karpentōr, but not stedē۔lē, bēkuz θe familē, wiθ sō manē sib۔s work۔ing, nōlonger nēd۔d his ern۔ins, θus wut hē kontribyūt۔d wuz sāv۔t. Bī θen Marē, hū had never komprēhend۔d her ōld۔est son, seldom anēlonger θink۔d muq about his mixun, and had al but sēs۔d ask۔ing hē about it, bēkuz his anser wuz alwās, “Mī klokhour hav not yet kom.” Θe familē rēalīz۔d θat θā’s faθer-broθer wuz redē tū depart θā. On a rāin۔ē mōrnin ov Janyūarē 21 KE, Jēsus, āj 26 yēr۔s, non۔seremōnēus۔lē depart۔d, eksplān۔ing tū his familē ōnlē θat hē wuz gō۔ing ōver tū Tībērēas and θen onward tū visit oθer town۔s around lāk Galilē. *
Jēsus spend۔d a wēk at
Tībērēas, θe nū
sitē on lāk Galilē’s western xōr, skedyūel۔d
tū suksēd Sepōris az kapital ov rējon Galilē. Θen
hē wak۔d
nōrθ۔ward
along θe xōr
tū town Kapernam, wiq fētūr۔d
a karavan stāxun on a mān travel rūtwā from Dimaxk.
At θe nērbī fix۔in
vilaj ov Beθsīda, at θe nōrθern tip ov lāk Galilē, hē visit۔d his faθer’s
frend Zebedē,
a bōt bild۔ōr. Jēsus bild۔d
bōt۔s wiθ
Zebedē and resīd۔d
wiθ Zebedē and his wīf
Salōmē and θā’s fix۔ōr
son۔s Jāms,
Jon, and
Dāvid, fōr slīt۔lē
long۔er θan
won yēr,
pērēodik۔lē
send۔ing bak
monē tū his broθer
Jāms.After rēturn۔ing tū Nazareθ brēf۔lē tū atend his sister Marθa’s wed۔in, Jēsus kontinyū۔d souθ۔ward tū Jerūsalem, wār dur almōst twū monθ۔s hē spend۔d muq ov his tīm lisen۔ing tempel diskuxun۔s, alθō wiθout partisipāt۔ing. Hē karē۔d a leter from Zebedē’s wīf Salōmē, intrōdūs۔ing hē tū her distant kin, Anas, θe fōrmer hī prēst at Jerūsalem and stil grāt۔bē inflūenxal among θe Sadyūsē۔s (a grūp ov up۔er exelon Jūan۔s wiθ politikal, sōxal, and rēlijus aktrōl۔s inklūd۔ing māntānans ov θe tempel). Anas, impres۔d wiθ Jēsus, tāk۔d hē on a tūor ov θe sitē’s rēlijus akademē۔s. Az θe Pasōver festival aprōq۔d, among θe θrong۔s arīv۔ing from θrūout Kānan wuz θe Zebedē familē – wiθ Jēsus θā al selebrāt۔d at Anas’s spāxus palas. Wīel θer, Jēsus mēt۔d a welθ۔ē travel۔ōr, Gōnod, along wiθ his adolesant son Gānid, from Barat, enrūt tū visit۔ing Rōma and oθer plās۔s around gulf Mediterānēan. Gōnod wuz serq۔ing fōr a translāt۔ōr, and a tūtōr fōr his son, and urj۔d Jēsus tū travel wiθ θā. Jēsus, tū beter komprēhend how pēpel۔s elswār liv۔d, agrē۔d. Θā bēgin۔d θe jurnē dur springtīm ov yēr 22 KE, wen Jēsus wuz 28 yēr۔s ōld, wak۔ing west·nōrθ۔ward tū Jopa, θen nōrθ۔ward along θe gulf kōst tū pōrt Sēzarea, θe politikal kapital ov Kānan, wār resīd۔d θe Rōma۔ē govern۔ōrt. Θe vesel on wiq θā intend۔d tū embark had hyūj stēr۔ing padel۔s, won ov wiq wuz in dānjer ov klēv۔ing; θer bēing a xōrtaj ov wōod·work۔ōrs fōr θe task ov māk۔ing a nū won, Jēsus work۔d on θe projekt. From Sēzarea θā windsāil۔d west·west·souθ۔ward tū Aleksandrēa, at Nīl River delta, wār θā visit۔d θe fāmus sitē’s mān atrakxun۔s: lībrārē, yūniversitē (myūsēūm), θe rōyal masolēum ov Aleksander, θe palas, θe tempel ov Neptūn, θe θēater, θe jim. Wīel Gōnod atend۔d biznes, Jēsus and yung Gānid spend۔d mōst ov θā’s tīm in θe lībrārē, θe larj۔est on Erθ, wiθ mōr θan won-milyon manyūskript۔s from al sivilīz۔ē plās۔s. Jēsus konsentrāt۔d on studē۔ing vārēus rēlijon۔s. Hē konklūd۔d θat θe Rōman۔s lak۔d a rēal God, θat θā’s rēlijon wuz litel mōr θan emperōrt worxip. Θe Helasan۔s had a filosofē but hardlē a rēlijon wiθ a personal God. From Aleksandrēa θā windsāil۔d west·nōrθ۔ward tū Lasea on Krēt’s souθ kōst, mēr۔lē tū wak around θe īland and klīm a mountin. Az alwās, Jēsus talk۔d tū pēpel۔s hē enkounter۔d, bōθ tū lern and tū tēq – az hē had enter۔d θe pērēod ov his personal, not publik, ministrē. And from Gōnod, a sitizen ov Barat hū had θrīs jurnē۔d ekstensiv۔lē in Qīna, Jēsus lern۔d muq about θe kultūr۔s ov θōs twū grāt sivilīzātion۔s. Lak۔ing in his ekspērēens, however, wuz nolej ov Amerindēan۔s, θe mōst spiritūal ov θe rās۔s. From Krēt θā windsāil۔d west۔ward tū pōrt Sirēn, on kontinent Afrika θe nēr۔est plās tū Helas, rēmān۔ing θer twū dā۔s tū rē۔suplī prōvixun۔s, bēfōr kontinyū۔ing west۔ward tū sitē Karθaj, Afrika’s nēr۔est pōrt tū Rōma peninsūla. From Karθaj θā windsāil۔d west·nōrθ۔ward tū īland Sisilēa’s pōrt Mesēna, wār θā stop۔d fōr ōnlē won dā, θen kontinyū۔d nōrθ۔ward tū pōrt Napōlē, and onfut hed۔d tōward fāmus Apēan Wā – konstrukt۔d θrē sentūrē۔s erlē۔er az a level۔t dirt rōd upon wiq smal stōn۔s and mōrtar wuz lā۔d, top۔d wiθ tīt۔lē interlok larj۔er stōn۔s – on wiq θā wak۔d bēsīd θā’s pak animal۔s west·nōrθ۔ward tū θe grāt sitē ov Rōma, hedkwarter۔s ov θe vast empīer θat enkompas۔d mōst ov θe teritōrē around θe mega۔gulf. Evrēwār θā stop۔d Jēsus konvers۔d wiθ resīdent۔s, lern۔ing about θā’s sitūāxun۔s, wīel artful۔lē būst۔ing θā on θā’s jurnē۔s θrū līf, and plant۔ing sēd۔s tū fasilitāt lāter akseptans ov his ministrē. In Rōma resīd۔d pēpel۔s from manē rējon۔s ov θe world, and bēkuz Gōnod’s Baratan kolēg۔s serv۔d az his interpret۔ōr, Jēsus wuz frē tū eksplōr θe sitē ov imens arkitektūral struktūr۔s and ap twū-milyon۔s inhabitant۔s. Hē frēkwent۔d θe fōrum, θe senter ov politikal, lēgal, and komerxal aktivitē۔s. Hē spend۔d muq tīm on Palatīn hil, bēsīd θe emperōrt’s resīdens and θe tempel ov Apōlō, and at θe Helas۔ē and Rōma۔ē lībrārē۔s. Hē wak۔d up θe hil tū θe Kapitōlēum and, az hē gāz۔d upon θe magnifisent tempel dedikāt۔t tū θe Rōman god Jūpiter and godes۔s Jūnō and Minerva, hē ponder۔d θe ignorans in wiq Rōman۔s wuz hōld۔t in bondaj. Hē rēfyūz۔d tū akompanē his frend۔s tū θe baθ, wār seksyūal promiskyūitē prēvāl۔d. A prīoritē wīel in θe empīer’s kapital·sitē wuz tū mēt rēlijus lēd۔ōrs, and hē sūn bēkum۔d akwānt۔d wiθ fīv lēd۔ing Stōik۔s, 11 Sinik۔s, and 16 lēd۔ōrs ov misterē-kult۔s, in partikyūlar Miθraizm, θe mōst popyūlar rēlijon in teritōrē۔s ēst۔ward ov θe gulf. Wiθ θōs lēd۔ōrs hē spend۔d muq ov his spār tīm dur almōst siks monθ۔s in diskuxun۔s (yūsūal۔lē wiθ won at a tīm), az θō prepār۔ing θe wā fōr θe rēsepxun ov fyūtūr mesajōr۔s ov his gospel. His meθod ov instrukxun wuz, insted ov atak۔ing flo۔s in θā’s tēq۔in, tū ilūmināt and embelix trūθ in θā’s tēq۔in kompatibel wiθ his ōn, wiq wud ēventyūal۔lē ōverxadō θe flo۔s – a proses render۔d ēzē۔er θan among Jūan۔s in Kānan bēkuz θā wuz not viktim۔s ov suq rijid rēlijus prē۔kosepxun۔s. His oθer mān prīoritē, dur his stā in θe larj۔est and mōst kosmopolitan sitē on Erθ, wuz tū gān intimāt nolej ov al rās۔s and sōxalklas۔s – wut man۔s and woman۔s wuz θink۔ing and fēel۔ing, wut θā belēv۔d. And dur mōst mēt۔ins hē sā۔d somθin tū enriq his lisen۔ōrs’ līf۔s. From sitē Rōma (wiq θā depart۔d wiθout Jēsus sā۔ing gōodbī tū anē ov his manē frend۔s and akwāntans۔s), after a tūor ov θe visinitē, θe θrē travel۔ōrs rē۔trās۔d θā’s step۔s ēst·souθ۔ward along Apēan Wā, θen kontinyū۔ing al θe wā tū pōrt Tarentum, in θe west·souθern distrikt ov Apulēa, from wār θā embark۔d on a bōt ēst۔ward akros gulf Ādrēatik – slō۔lē, bēkuz ov slak wind – tū pōrt Nikopōlis, in Helas – θen wiθin θe Rōma۔ē empīer. After several dā۔s θā kontinyū۔d ēst۔ward intū gulf Kōrinθ, dok۔ing at pōrt Kōrinθ, a θrīv۔ing komerxal senter, wār θā tārē۔d dur twū monθ۔s. It wuz θer θat Jēsus sā۔d, “Yū۔s hū no God iz θe son۔s ov God if yū trū۔lē yern tū bē alīk Hē.” Wen Gōnod had komplēt۔d his komers monēinterest۔s, θe θrē man۔s wak۔d ēst۔ward akros a xōrt ismus, and sāil۔d in a smal bōt tū Aθēna. Θe sitē – θe politikal, kultūral, and edyūkāxunal kapital ov θe fōrmer Helasan empīer θat ap θrē sentūrē۔s erlē۔er had ekstend۔d al θe wā tū Barat – wuz, alīk Rōma, fil۔d wiθ artistik and arkitektūral wonder۔s. A grāt yūniversitē stil eksist۔d, a remnant ov θe era ov grāt θink۔ōrs suq az Sokratēs, Plātō, and Aristotel. But dur his sōjorn θer, Jēsus konsider۔d fyū ov his konversāxun۔s frūtful, Aθēnan۔s bēing tyū intelektūal۔lē proud ov θā’s repyūtāxun from θā’s fōrmer glōrē yēr۔s. From Aθēna θā windsāil۔d ēst۔ward, bī wā ov Trōas, tū pōrt Efesus, kapital·sitē ov θe Rōma۔ē provins enkompas۔ing peninsūla Anatōlēa. Θā visit۔d θe fāmus tempel ov Artemis, θe rējon’s fāmus۔est godes. From θer θā windsāil۔d souθ۔ward, stop۔ing at pōrt Rōds, and θen īland Sīprus, wār θā trek۔d on mountin۔s dur several wēk۔s, bēfōr windsāil۔ing bak tū θe ēstern xōr ov gulf Mediterānēan tū Antēok, kapital·sitē ov Rōma۔ē provins Surēya, slīt۔bē nōrθ۔ward ov Kānan. Wiθ ap haf-milyon resīdent۔s, Antēok wuz θe θird sitē ov θe empīer in sīz and θe first in wiked۔nes and flāgrant un۔mōralitē; Jēsus visit۔d wiθ fyū pēpel۔s, and seldom wak۔d around. Raθer θan rēturn souθ۔ward tū Kānan, Jēsus kontinyū۔d wiθ Gōnod and Gānid, az plan۔d, tū Mesopōtāmēa, not along θe mōr ōr les direkt rūtwā ēst·souθ۔ward along river Yūfrātes, but, in a karavan wiθ twentē kamel۔s, first souθ۔ward along θe kōst tū Sidon, θen west۔ward tū Dimaxk, from wār, after θrē dā۔s, θā travel۔d bī karavan tū Mesopōtāmēa, pas۔ing θrū Θapsakus and Larisa. Θā tārē۔d in Babilon, fīnal۔lē arīv۔ing at Ūr, an impōrtant Samarian sitēstāt θen lōkāt۔d wār river Yūfrātes mēt۔d gulf Perxa. Jēsus wuz muq interest۔d in θe histōrē ov θe sitē, found۔d ap 3,900 BKE, and θe birθ·plās ov Abraham. From Ūr, Jēsus and his Baratan kompanyon۔s go۔d tū Sūsa, wār Jēsus wuz fasināt۔d bī θe rūin۔s, and from Sūsa θā jurnē۔d tū Qaraks, from wār Gōnod and his son, after fāil۔ing tū perswād Jēsus tū rēturn wiθ θā tū θā’s hōm۔land, embark۔d fōr Barat. Lāt dur yēr 23 KE, from θe xōr Jēsus waq۔d az a smal bōt karē۔d θā out tū an ānkor۔t xip. Ap θis tīm Jēsus rēq۔d θe fīnal dēsixon θat his publik ministrē wud bē in Kānan, az θe best plās from wār his tēq۔in kud spred. Θus hē rēturn۔d bī wā ov Ūr tū Babilon, wār hē jōin۔d a desert karavan hed۔d west·nōrθ۔ward tū Dimaxk, and from θer hē travel۔d souθ۔ward, bak hōm tū Galilē. His first stop in Kānan wuz Kapernam, wār hē mēt۔d his broθer۔s Jāms, hū wuz work۔ing in Zebedē’s bōt workxop, and Jūd, hū hapen۔d tū bē visit۔ing. After transfer۔ing som fīnanxal aset۔s tū Jāms, hē kontinyū۔d souθ·west۔ward tū Nazareθ fōr a jōēful rē۔yūnyon wiθ Marē and θe rēmān۔ōr ov his familē. Jēsus dū۔d not disklōz wut hē had bin dū۔ing ōr wār hē had bin dur his ap twū yēr۔s absens; his familē asūm۔d hē had bin studē۔ing in Aleksandrēa, and Jēsus nēθer konfirm۔d nor denī۔d θā’s bēlēf. Marē in partikyūlar wuz diskonsert۔d bī his pekyūlyar bēhāvyōr. Bōθ broθer۔s Sīmon and Jūd had bin want۔ing tū marē, but had pōstpōn۔d θā’s plan۔s hōp۔ing fōr Jēsus tū rēturn, θus θat springtīm, yēr 24 KE, θā marē۔d at a dubel wed۔in. Ov θe qīld۔s, ōnlē Rūθ, θe yung۔est at āj 15 yēr۔s, rēmān۔d wiθ Marē. At Jēsus’s propōsel, θe familē arānj۔d fōr θā tū rē۔lōkāt tū Kapernam. Az Jēsus wuz prepār۔ing tū depart Nazareθ, θe manaj۔ōr kondukt۔ōr ov a larj karavan pas۔ing θrū θe town bēkum۔d sik, and Jēsus, bī θen a lingwist, voluntēr۔d tū tāk his plās. Ōrijināt۔ing in Jerūsalem, θe karavan – wiθ Jēsus rēsponsibel fōr it’s kargō along wiθ it’s pasenjōr۔s, gard۔ōrs, and kamel drīv۔ōrs – kontinyū۔d nōrθ۔ward tū Dimaxk, θen turn۔d ēst۔ward, gō۔ing θrū Asērēa, Mēdēa, and Parθēa, al θe wā tū Kaspēan Lāk (θen nām۔d Kaspēan Ōxensē). In akord wiθ his habit, along θe wā hē mēt۔d manē pēpel۔s, lern۔d about θā’s līf۔s, and dispens۔d dōs۔s ov his wizdom. A ful yēr pas۔d bēfōr his rēturn tū Galilē. Subsekwent۔lē hē spend۔d monθ۔s trāps۔ing around Kānan and Surēya. Dur Ogust, 25 KE, nōrθ ov Galilē nēr θe Dimaxk rōd, Jēsus arānj۔d fōr a spars but stedē fūd suplī, θen hīk۔d up Mountin Hermon. After mōr θan fīv wēk۔s alōn on θe mountin komyūnikāt۔ing wiθ God and oθer divīn spērit۔s, Jēsus bēkum۔d axūr۔d ov his trīumf ōver θe matērēal level۔s ov tīm·spās personalitē manifestāxun. Bī θen hē wuz ful۔lē awār ov θe asendans۔ē ov his divīn nātūr ōver his hyūman nātūr. Θen apēr۔d tū hē, ful۔lē visibel, Sātan (represent۔ing Lūsifer) and planetārē prins Kaligastēa, hūz rebelyon dur 200,000 tū 199,193 BKE had koz۔d havok on θe natūral spiritūal evolūxun ov pēpel۔s on Erθ – a mōmentus ēvent θat had grāt۔lē inflūens۔d Jēsus’s qōis ov Urantēa (θe rejister۔d nām ov planet Erθ in θe rekōrd۔s ov lōkal yūnivers Nebedon) az θe plās fōr his fizikal manifestāxun. Θe rebelyus spērit۔s apēr۔ing tū Jēsus on θe mountin prezent۔d hē wiθ nūmerus temptāxun۔s rēgard۔in not Urantēa but θe soverentē ov θe yūnivers. Tū θe manē propōsel۔s from Lūsifer’s emisārē۔s, Jēsus rēplī۔d ōnlē, “Mā θe wil ov mī Paradīs Faθer prēvāl,” and, spēk۔ing vīa θā tū Lūsifer, “Az fōr yū, mā θe Ānxent۔s ov Dā۔s juj yū divīn۔lē. Ī iz yōr krēāt۔ōr-faθer; Ī kan hardlē juj yū trū۔lē, and mī mersē yū hav alredē spurn۔d. Ī komit yū tū θe adjūdikāxun ov θe juj۔s ov a grāt۔er yūnivers.” Tū al ov Lūsifer’s sujest۔d kompromīz۔s and mākxift۔s, Jēsus rēplī۔d ōnlē, “Θe wil ov mī Faθer in Paradīs bē dū۔t.” Dur θat sumer on Mountin Hermon, θerfōr, θe transfōrmāxun ov Jēsus’s mīnd and spērit, wiq dur yēr۔s had bin underwā, wuz komplēt۔d. Hē θen kom۔d down from θe mountin and rēturn۔d tū Kapernam fōr a familē gaθer۔in, and θer hē rēsūm۔d work in Zebedē’s workxop wiθ his broθer Jāms, spend۔ing mōst ov his tīm finix۔ing θe intērēor۔s ov som ov θe larj۔est bōt۔s. *
After
Elizabeθ and her tēnāj son Jon had visit۔d
Marē and Jēsus, bak dur yēr 12 KE, Jon finix۔d
his edyūkāxun and bēkum۔d
a xēp۔s herd۔ōr in θe sōkald
wīlder۔nes
ov Jūdea, bēsīd a brōok
θat lēd۔d
intū a larj۔er
strēm θat flō۔d
intū salt۔ē
Ded Lāk. Subsist۔ing
on muton, gōt’s milk, wīld honē, and ēt۔abel
lōkust۔s,
his simpel
līf alow۔d
hē muq tīm
fōr meditāxun. His moθer had axūr۔d hē θat his
distant
kousin, Jēsus ov Nazareθ, wuz θe ekspekt۔d
mesīa, destin۔t
tū sit
on θe θrōn ov fōrmer king Dāvid, and θat hē (Jon) wuz tū bēkum his
advans
herald and qēf supōrt. An era wuz end۔ing, a nū divīn
era sūn tū
bēgin, Jon belēv۔d;
hē
wud bē θe last ov θe ōld profet۔s
and θe first ov θe nū.Dur almōst a sentūrē, Jūan۔s ov Kānan had bin in a kwandarē: at a los tū eksplān θā’s kontinyūus subjūgāxun tū jentīl lēdrūel۔ōrs. Mōses had tēq۔d – and θe skriptūr۔s wuz rēplēt wiθ eksampel۔s demonstrāt۔ing – θat rīqus۔nes wuz rēward۔d wiθ prospāritē and soverentē. Jūan۔s firm۔lē belēv۔d θat θā wuz “God’s qūz۔t pēpel۔s” – θat God fāvor۔d θā ōver al oθer eθnisitē۔s – θerfōr wī wuz Jūan۔s bēing lēdrūel۔t bī Rōman۔s? Dur Jon’s līf۔tīm Jūan۔s wīd۔lē belēv۔d θat θe end ov politikal domināxun bī jentīl۔s wuz iminent, θat θe qānj wud okur dur θat birθsīkel. But how? Som Jūan۔s belēv۔d θat God wud establix θe nū king۔dom bī direkt and divīn intervēnxun, but mōst belēv۔d θat God wud interpōz som representativ intermēdēarē: a mesīa. Θrūout Jūw۔ē histōrē θe man۔s hū tēq۔d God’s wil and prōklām۔d θe nesesitē fōr rīqus liv۔in wuz nām۔d “profet۔s”; kontrast۔lē, a “mesīa”, mōr θan a profet, wud bē a politikal and posibel۔lē militārē lēd۔ōrt hū wud oust θe Rōman۔s and establix a nū king۔dom ov God. Nōbodē hū fāil۔d tū dū θat kud bē θe mesīa, in akordans wiθ Jūan tradixun and popyūlar ōpinyon. Sekond۔lē, Jūan۔s konsider۔d θāself۔s sūpērēor tū nātiv Kananan۔s, sōkald jentīl۔s (non-Jūan۔s), tū hū Jūan mōralitē – inklūd۔ing benevolens and tolerāxun, not tū menxun Mōses’ komandment “Θou xal not kil” – dū۔d not nōrmal۔lē ekstend. Θird۔lē, Jūan۔s wuz hōld۔d in bondaj tū ritualism and rēlijus lēgalizim rēgard۔in evrē dōmān ov personal and sōxal līf, far mōr invāsiv θan Rōma۔ē politikal lēdrūel, θus θā wuz prē۔dispōz۔d tū rējekt anēbodē hū ignōr۔d θā’s sākred tradixun۔s and flout۔d θā’s long-onor۔t regyūlāxun۔s ov sōxal bēhāvyōr. Θōs θrē bāsik faktōr۔s render۔d it difikult fōr Jūan۔s tū aksept a non-politikal mesīa tēq۔ing θe spiritūal sib۔hōod ov al hyūmanitē. Wen Jon wuz 28 yēr۔s ōld, his moθer Elizabeθ suden۔lē dī۔d, and twū and a haf yēr۔s lāter, springtīm 25 KE, Jon emerj۔d from θe wīlder۔nes tū stāxun hiself at a popyūlar fōrd ov Jōrdan River slīt۔bē nōrθ۔ward ov Ded Lāk, and tū pēpel۔s wād۔ing akros θe river hē bēgin۔d tū prēq, prōklām۔ing, “Rēpent, fōr θe king۔dom ov heven iz at hand!” Hē had bin a herd۔ōr, alīk profet Amos, and had apēr۔d from θe Jūdea۔ē wīlder۔nes; hē wuz garb۔d alīk profet Elīja, and hē θunder۔d his admonixun۔s and flōpōr۔d fōrθ his warn۔ins, pēpel۔s sā۔d, in θe “spērit and power ov Elīja”. Mōst hū ērhēr۔d hē konklūd۔d hē wuz mōr θan a prēq۔ōrt; ā belēv۔d θā had ērhēr۔d θe vōis ov a profet, and θā spred۔d θe nūz. Jon intrōdūs۔d a nū fētūr: Hē baptīz۔d belēv۔ōrs “fōr θe rēmixun ov sin۔s.” It had long bin θe praktis fōr Jūan۔s tū baptīz nū jentīl konvert۔s intū θe felōxip ov θe outer kōrtyard ov θe tempel, but never had θe Jūan۔s θāself۔s bin ask۔d tū submit tū θe baptizim ov rēpentans. Dur θe rēmān۔ōr ov θe yēr at θe Beθanē kros۔in Jon baptīz۔d ten۔s ov θousand۔s ov Jūan۔s. Tū θōs hū linger۔d, hē tēq۔d, and som bēkum۔d his disīpel۔s. Ask۔d if hē wuz a rē۔inkarnāxun ov θe profit Elīja, Jon anser۔d, “Ī iz not.” Ask۔d, “Iz yū θe mesīa?” hē anser۔d, “Θer wil kom after mē won hū iz grāt۔er θan Ī, hūz sandal strap۔s Ī iz not worθ۔ē tū stūp tū dis۔fasen. Ī baptīz yū۔s wiθ water, but hē wil baptīz yū۔s wiθ θe Hōlēspirit.” Jon wuz a fīer۔ē prēq۔ōrt, and fēr۔les. Wen a grūp ov Farisē۔s arīv۔d tū bē baptīz۔t, hē sā۔d, “Hū warn۔d yū۔s tū flē, az vīper۔s bēfōr θe fīer, from θe raθ tū kom? Ī wil baptīz yū۔s, but Ī warn yū۔s tū bring fōrθ frūt۔s worθ۔ē ov sinsēr rēpentans if yū۔s wud rēsēv θe rēmixun ov yōr sin۔s.” Hē atak۔d Herod Antipas, θe Jūan tetrark (rējonal lēdrūel۔ōrt) ov Galilē and ov Perea (θe rējon on θe ēst xōr ov Jordon River oposit Jūdea and souθern Samarēa), fōr un۔loful۔lē marē۔ing anoθer man’s wīf. Monθ after monθ Jon’s fām spred۔d θrūout Kānan. Erlē dur subsekwent yēr, 26 KE, in θe Kapernam bōt bild۔in workxop, Jāms and Jūd konsider۔d gō۔ing tū sē hē, and ask۔d θā’s ōld۔est broθer his ōpinyon. Jēsus sā۔d hē wud anser θe nekst dā, and after a nīt ov rēflekxun, at nūn, 13 Janyūarē, Jēsus, 31 yēr۔s ōld, set۔d down his tūol۔s, rēmūv۔d his work āpron, and sā۔d, “Mī klokhour hav kom. Wē wil gō tū Jon.” Θā depart۔d, tārē۔d θat nīt in θe Jōrdan valē, and arīv۔d at θe sēn ov Jon’s baptīz۔ing θe nekst mid۔dā, jōin۔ing a long kyū. Jon, engrōs۔d in rapid۔lē baptīz۔ing larj number۔s ov konvert۔s, dū۔d not nōtis Jēsus until hē stand۔d in his imēdēat presens. Hē grēt۔d his kousin, ask۔ing, “But wī dū yū kom intū θe water tū grēt mē?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Tū bē subjekt tū yōr baptizim.” Jon rēplī۔d, “But Ī hav nēd tū bē baptīz۔t bī yū.” Jēsus wisper۔d, “Abīd wiθ mē now, tū set θis eksampel fōr mī broθer۔s stand۔ing hēr wiθ mē, and sō θat pēpel۔s mā no θat mī klokhour hav kom.” Wen Jon had baptīz۔d θe θrē broθer۔s from Nazareθ, hē dismis۔d θe oθer۔s until nūn θe nekst dā. Wīel θe krowd wuz depart۔ing, az θe fōur man۔s wuz stil stand۔ing in θe xalō river, θer apēr۔d an aparixun ōver θe hed ov Jēsus, and θe fōur man۔s ērhēr۔d a vōis sā, “Θis iz mī bēlovd son in hū Ī iz wel plēzd.” Jēsus fāxal eksprexun transfōrm۔d, and wiθout spēk۔ing hē step۔d out ov θe water and wak۔d awā, awār θat θe vōis wuz θat ov his divīn indwel۔ing presens – wiq difer۔d from oθer۔s’ in θat it had erlē۔er indwel۔d in Makiventa Melqizedek, hū had matērēalīz۔d az an adult man in Kānan dur 1980 BKE ap twū milenēum۔s erlē۔er, and hū had tēq۔d Abraham and manē oθer۔s dur his 94 yēr۔s on Erθ; θus wuz Jēsus’s divīn indwel۔ing presens – his direkt komyūnikāxun link tū God – ekspērēens۔d indwel۔ing in a spiritūal bēing inkarnāt۔d az a hyūman. After bēing baptīz۔d bī Jon, Jēsus rētīer۔d tū hil۔s ēst۔ward ov θe river, not fōr θe purpos ov fūdfast۔in and fōr θe aflikxun ov his sōul – hē wuz not an asetik and hōp۔d tū end suq nōxun۔s rēgard۔in θat aprōq tū God – but tū ponder his sitūāxun. Θe prīmārē purpos ov his inkarnāxun on Erθ wuz θe komplēxun ov his trān۔in – inklūd۔ing θe akwīerment ov krētūr ekspērēens – fōr his subsekwent spiritūal lēdrūel۔ōrxip ov θe lōkal yūnivers ov Nebedon. Θat trān۔in had alredē bin suksesful۔lē akomplix۔d. Wut rēmān۔d wuz tū mōr ful۔lē plan fōr θe uplift۔in ov θe evolūxunārē pēpel۔s and θā’s desendant۔s inhabit۔ing θe world around hē. Jūan۔s had long bin nurtūr۔t on tradixun۔s ov mirakel۔s and on lejend۔s ov wonder۔s. Θā wuz ekspekt۔ing a mesīa hū wud perfōrm wonder۔s ēven grāt۔er θan θōs ov Mōses, hū wuz repyūt۔t tū hav bring۔d fōrθ water from a rok in a desert, and tū hav fēd۔d his folō۔ōrs wiθ mana matērēalīz۔t in θe wīlder۔nes. Jēsus rēalīz۔d hē poses۔d sufixent power۔s and prerogativ۔s tū fulfil θā’s mōst sāngwin ekspektāxun۔s, but hē konsider۔d mirakel work۔ing a hark۔ing bak tū θe ōlden dā۔s ov ignorant majik and θe primitiv praktis۔s ov medisin man۔s. Jūan۔s alsō belēv۔d θat θe mesīa wud uxer۔ōr in an era ov mirakyūlus plentē, but Jēsus’s mixun wuz not tū multiplī bred and wīn, not tū provīd fōr temporal nēd۔s, but tū rēvēl his Faθer in heven tū his Faθer’s qīld۔s on Erθ. Θerfōr prīmārē among his dēsixon wuz θe ēkwivalent ov desīd۔ing aganst perfōrm۔ing mirakel۔s. Subsekwent۔lē hē desīd۔d tū eksersīz nōrmal koxun tū prēvent a prēmatūr termināxun ov his karēr in θe flex, but tū rēfrān from al sūpra۔hyūman intervēnxun tū prēvent his fizikal deθ. Jēsus wuz now pas۔ing θrū θe grāt test ov sivilīz۔ē pēpel۔s: tū poses power and stedfast۔lē rēfyūz tū yūtilīz it fōr pyūr۔lē selfix ōr personal purpos۔s. After fōrtē dā۔s alōn in θe ēstern hil۔s, hē wak۔d bakdown tū θe river. Jon, ēt۔ing brekfast wiθ his disīpel۔s, sē۔ing Jēsus aprōq, klīm۔d ontū a bōlder, and kal۔d out, “Bēhōld, θe son ov God!” Al θat dā – θe Sabaθ – Jēsus mingel۔d wiθ θe multitūd. Won ov Jon’s disīpel۔s, Andrū, tel۔d Jēsus θat hē belēv۔d Jēsus wuz θe nū tēq۔ōr, and deklār۔d his intenxun tū folō hē. Jēsus welkom۔d hē. Andrū θen infōrm۔d his broθer Sīmon, hū rēspond۔d, “Ever sins Jēsus kom۔d tū work at Zebedē’s workxop, Ī hav belēv۔d hē wuz sent۔t bī God. But wut about Jon? Xud wē fōrsāk hē?” Θā agrē۔d tū konsult Jon, hū sā۔d, “Sūn mī work xal end, and wē xal al bēkum his disīpel۔s.” Jēsus θenupon welkom۔d Sīmon, and rē۔nām۔d hē Pēter, θen rētrēt۔d tū θe ēstern hil۔s. Θat nīt Jāms and Jon, son۔s ov Zebedē, arīv۔d. Bōθ had long no۔d Jēsus, and upon ērhēr۔ing θe nūz from Andrū, θā embark on a serq fōr Jēsus dur manē dā۔s bēfōr fīnal۔lē fīnd۔ing hē. Jēsus, hū, after rēbyūk۔ing θā fōr serq۔ing fōr hē in θe hil۔s, alīkwīz aksept۔d θā az his disīpel۔s. Erlē θe nekst mōrnin, az Jēsus prepār۔d tū rēturn tū Galilē wiθ his fōur disīpel۔s – hū hē nām۔d aposol۔s – Jon ask۔d hē about his ōn prēq۔ing mixun. Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Mī Faθer wil gīd yū in θe fyūtūr az Hē hav in θe past.” Az θe fīv man۔s jurnē۔d nōrθ·west۔ward bak tū Galilē, θā enkounter۔d Filip, ov town Beθsīda, wiθ a frend, kom۔ing tōward θā. Filip admīer۔d Jēsus, and wuz akwānt۔d wiθ θe fōur nū aposol۔s; hē and his frend Naθanēel, from town Kana in Galilē, wuz enrūt tū θe river tū ērhēr Jon θe baptīz۔ōr prēq. Pēter mūv۔d Filip asīd and, after konfer۔ing wiθ hē, sujest۔d hē jōin θā. Filip, non۔desīd۔ē, go۔d tū Jēsus, ask۔ing, “Tēq۔ōr, xal Ī gō down tū Jon ōr xal Ī jōin mī frend۔s and folō yū?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Folō mē.” Filip θen rēturn۔d tū Naθanēel, hū had bin wāt۔ing benēθ a mulberē trē, and eksklām۔d, “Ī hav fīnd۔d hē ov hū Mōses and θe profet۔s fōrtel۔d and hū Jon hav prōklām۔d.” Inkwīer۔d Naθanēel, “Wens kom θis tēq۔ōr?” Filip rēplī۔d, “Hē iz Jēsus ov Nazareθ, son ov Jōsef, θe karpentōr, mōr rēsent۔lē resīd۔ing at Kapernam.” Wonder۔d outloud Naθanēel, “Kan anē suq gōod θing kom out ov Nazareθ?” Filip tāk۔d hē bī θe arm, sā۔ing, “Kom and sē,” and lēd۔d hē tū Jēsus, hū koment۔d, “Bēhōld a jenyūīn man in hū θer iz nō desēt. Folō mē.” Naθanēel rēplī۔d, “Ī wil folō, if Ī iz worθ۔ē.” Lāt θat nīt θā arīv۔d at Nazareθ, at Jēsus’s bōē۔hōod hōm, okyūpī۔d bī his yung۔er broθer Jōsef and his wīf. Bēgin۔ing θe nekst mōrnin, eksīt۔ē diskuxun۔s okur۔d bētwēn θe siks nū aposol۔s and familē membōr۔s rēgard۔in Jēsus’s impend۔ē mixun. Bēfōr depart۔ing Nazareθ, Jēsus destrōē۔d al θat hē had ever rīt۔d, inklūd۔ing motō۔s, sā۔ins, a kopē ov Mōses’ Ten Komandment۔s, ēven karpentrē nōt۔s. Jēsus dispaq۔d his aposol۔s tū Kana, wār his familē had bin invīt۔t tū a wed۔in, θen wak۔d ēst·nōrθ۔ward tū fix۔in vilaj Magdala tū sē his broθer Jūd, bēfōr kontinyū۔ing nōrθ·ēst۔ward along lāk Galilē kōst tū Kapernam tū visit his moθer. Hē arīv۔d at nīt, gō۔ing direkt۔lē tū θe hōm ov Zebedē. Tū his ōld frend۔s Jēsus sēm۔d muq qānj۔d: qērful, az hē had bin dur his erlē۔er yēr۔s in Nazareθ, nōlonger sērēus and self۔kontān۔ē az hē had bin dur lāter yēr۔s bēfōr his baptizim. Marē wuz θril۔d wiθ ekspektāxun. Xē antisipāt۔d θat θe promis ov ānjel Gābrēel wuz nēr۔ing fulfilment. Xē ekspekt۔d al Kānan sūn tū bē stun۔t bī θe mirakyūlus revelāxun ov her son az θe sūpra۔natural king ov Jūan۔s. But tū θe manē kwestyon۔s θat his moθer, broθer۔s Jāms and Jūd, and θe Zebedē۔s ask۔d, Jēsus ōnlē smīl۔d and rēplī۔d: “Beter θat Ī tārē hēr fōr a pērēod. Ī must dū θe wil ov mī Faθer hū iz in heven.” Θe nekst dā θā al jurnē۔d west·souθ۔ward tū Kana fōr θe wed۔in ov Nāōmē, a prominent woman ov θat town, tū Jōhab, son ov Nāθan. Despīt Jēsus’s rēpēt۔d warn۔ins tū tel nōbodē about hē, θā kwīet۔lē spred۔d θe word θat θā had fīnal۔lē fīnd۔d θe deliver۔ōr, manē konfīdent۔lē ekspekt۔ing θat Jēsus wud yūtilīz θe wed۔in okāxun tū manifest his power wiθ a mirakyūlus demonstrāxun. Akord۔lē, mōst pēpel۔s θrūout θe suround۔ē ārēa prepār۔d tū gaθer at θe wed۔in fēst θe nekst dā. Marē had not bin sō jōēus dur manē yēr۔s. Xē jurnē۔d tū Kana in θe spērit ov θe kwēn moθer on θe wā tū witnes θe kōronāxun ov her son. Not sins Jēsus wuz θirtēn yēr۔s ōld had xē and his familē and frend۔s sē۔d hē sō kārfrē and hapē, sō θotful ov θe wix۔s and desīer۔s ov his asōxēāt۔s, sō simpaθetik. Az θā wak۔d, θā wisper۔d among θāself۔s, in smal grūp۔s, wonder۔ing wut wud okur. Wut wud θe strānj man dū nekst? How wud hē uxer in θe glōrē ov θe kom۔ing king۔dom? Al fēel۔d eksīt۔ē at θe prospekt ov bēing present tū witnes a revelāxun ov θe mīt and power ov God. Bī nūn θe nekst dā almōst a θousand gest۔s had arīv۔d in Kana fōr θe fēst, mōr θan fōur۔fōld θe number invīt۔t. Θe atmosfēr rēsembel۔d a publik rēsepxun fōr Jēsus mōr θan a wed۔in. Evrēbodē want۔d tū grēt Jēsus, and hē wuz oblīj۔bē kōrjal tū al, yung and ōld, Jūan and jentīl. Dur θe afternūn Jēsus bēkum۔d inkrēs۔bē konxus θat pēpel۔s wuz ekspekt۔ing hē tū perfōrm som wonder, and θat his familē and his siks disīpel-aposol۔s ekspekt۔d hē tū anouns his fōrθkūmē king۔dom bī a sūpra۔natural manifestāxun. Marē sumon۔d her son Jāms, and tūgeθer θā aprōq۔d Jēsus and ask۔d if hē wud konfīd at wut pōint in θe seremōnē hē plan۔d tū manifest hiself az θe “sūpra۔natural won”. Hē anser۔d, “If yū luv mē, tārē wiθ mē wīel Ī wāt upon θe wil ov mī Faθer hū iz in heven.” But his eksprexun bētrā۔d indignaxun. His rēakxun prōdūs۔d a sōber۔ing efekt on Marē. Tū Jāms xē sā۔d, “Ī kan·not komprēhend hē. Wut dū it al mēn? Iz θer nō end tū his strānj bēhāvyōr? Az Jāms and Jūd trī۔d tū komfort xē, Jēsus wiθdro۔d fōr an klokhour ov solitūd. Hē fēel۔d disapōint۔d at his moθer’s sujesxun θat hē indulj in som out۔ward demonstrāxun ov his divīnitē – eksakt۔bē wut hē had desīd۔d, sō rēsent۔lē wīel meditāt۔ing in θe ēstern hil۔s, not tū dū. But wen hē rēturn۔d tū θe gaθer۔in hē wuz wons agin līthart۔ē and jōēus. Θe wed۔in prōsēd۔d wiθ a hux ov ekspektansē, but θe seremōnē end۔d wiθout a mūv, nor a word, from θe onōr۔t gest. Al sēt۔d tū enjōē θe wed۔in super and an ēvenin ov festiv felōxip. Θe faθer ov θe brīdgrūm had provīd۔d plentē ov wīn fōr θe invīt۔t gest۔s, but servant۔s bring۔d hē θe diskonsert۔ē nūz θat θe wīn wuz almōst gon. After diner, az gest۔s strōl۔d around θe garden, θe moθer ov θe brīdgrūm konfīd۔d tū Marē θat θe wīn wuz finix۔d. Marē konfīdent۔lē rēplī۔d, “Hav nō worē. Ī wil spēk tū mī son. Hē wil help wē.” Xē wak۔d ōver tū Jēsus, stand۔in alōn in a kōrner ov θe garden, sā۔ing, “Mī son, θā hav nō wīn.” Jēsus anser۔d, “Mī gōod woman, wut hav θat tū dū wiθ mē?” Sā۔d Marē, “But Ī belēv yōr klokhour hav kom; kan·not yū help wē?” Jēsus rēplī۔d: “Agin Ī deklār Ī hav not kom tū dū suq θing۔s. Wī dū yū trubel mē agin wiθ θēz mater۔s?” Marē bēgin۔d tū wēp, entrēt۔ing hē, “But, mī son, Ī promis۔d θā θat yū wud help wē. Wōnt yū plēz dū somθin fōr mē?” Sā۔d Jēsus, “Woman, wī dū۔d yū māk suq a promis? Sē θat yū dū it not agin. Wē must in al θing۔s wāt upon θe wil ov θe Faθer in heven.” Marē fēel۔d krux۔t, and az xē stand۔d θer mōxun۔les, tēr۔s strēm۔ing down her fās, Jēsus, ōverkom wiθ kompaxun, lā۔d his hand tender۔lē upon her hed, sā۔ing: “Now, now, moθer Marē, grēv not ōver mī apārent۔bē hard sā۔ins. Mōst glād۔lē wud Ī dū wut yū ask ov mē if it wuz wiθin θe Faθer’s wil – ” Jēsus stop۔d in mid۔wordsentans. Marē sēm۔d tū sens θat somθin wuz hapen۔ing. Xē fling۔d her arm۔s around Jēsus’s nek, kis۔d hē, and hurē۔d ōver tū θe servant۔s, sā۔ing, “Wutever mī son sā, dū.” Jēsus sā۔d noθin, rēalīz۔ing hē had alredē sā۔d – ōr raθer θink۔d – tyū muq. Nērbī wuz siks stōn kontān۔ōrs, ēq kontān۔ing ap 75 lēter۔s ov water, intend۔t fōr θe lāter purifikāxun seremōnē. Θe komōxun ov θe servant۔s around θōs hyūj stōn vesel۔s, under θe bizē direkxun ov Marē, atrakt۔d Jēsus’s atenxun, and wak۔ing ōver, hē observ۔d θat servant۔s wuz dro۔ing from θā piqer۔fuls ov wīn. Hē fēel۔d az surpriz۔d az anēbodē. Upon rēflekxun, hē desīd۔d θat θe epesōd wuz bēyond his personal kontrōl under θe sirkumstans۔s and, not bēing advers tū his Faθer’s wil, wuz inevitabel. Θe bestman (θe “lēdrūel۔ōr ov θe fēst”), upon tāst۔ing θe wīn, kal۔d tū θe brīdgrūm, sā۔ing: “Θe kustom iz tū first serv θe gōod wīn, and wen θe gest۔s hav wel drink۔d, tū bring fōrθ θe infērēōr frūt ov θe vīn; but yū hav kēp۔d θe best until θe last .” And at θe mirakel θe gest۔s wuz al abuz, belēv۔ing θat Jēsus wuz indēd θe ekspekt۔d mesīa. *
Erlē θe
nekst mōrnin Jēsus and his siks disīpel۔s
depart۔d fōr
Kapernam
and Beθsīda, wār Jēsus desīd۔d
tū stā until Jon θe baptīz۔ōr
finix۔d his
prepārāxun
work. After tel۔ing his disīpel۔s
not tū menxun θe konverxun ov water tū wīn, hē direkt۔d θā tū rēturn
tū θā’s fix۔in
net۔s, and
hē rēturn۔d
tū work at Zebedē’s bōt
workxop. Θat Sabaθ at θe sinagog – krowd۔d tū ōverflō۔ing, inklūd۔ing Marē and θe
siks aposol۔s
– Jēsus rēd۔d
from θe skriptūr hand۔d
hē.And sō pas۔d springtīm ov yēr 26 KE, wiθ Jēsus and his broθer Jāms dū۔ing karpentrē work, θe siks aposol۔s fix۔ing. Mōst ēvenin۔s Jēsus spend۔d talk۔ing tū his disīpel۔s, prepār۔ing θe siks man۔s fōr wut wuz tū kom, Jēsus’s broθer Jāms alsō atend۔ing. Jēsus tēq۔d al θā kud asimilāt, and dū۔d not māk θe mistāk ov prezent۔ing trūθ tyū far bēyond θā’s kapasitē tū komprēhend. Hē klarifī۔d θat hē wuz not alī۔d wiθ anē ov θe eksist۔ē skūol۔s ov θot in Jūan Kānan. Skrīb۔s and rabī۔s – tūgeθer nām۔d Farisē۔s – wuz θe mōst progresiv, hav۔ing adopt۔d manē tēq۔ins θat wuz not in θe Hēbrū۔ēz skriptūr۔s. Sadyūsē۔s konsist۔d ov θe prēst۔hōod and sertin welθ۔ē Jūan۔s, and wuz not suq insistens ov ritūalistik prōsēdjur; θā and Farisē۔s wuz akin tū polpartē۔s. Bī kontrast, Esēn۔s wuz a rēlijus sekt: θā resīd۔d az a broθer۔hōod in monasterē۔s, rēfrān۔d from marij, xār۔d al θing۔s in komon; θā had adopt۔d manē Perxan bēlēf۔s and praktis۔s, and spexalīz۔d in tēq۔ing about ānjel۔s. Zelot۔s wuz intens Jūan pātrēot۔s advōkāt۔ing strugel – vīōlent strugel if nesesārē – tū frē Kānan from Rōma۔ē lēdrūel. Herōdēan۔s wuz a polpartē θat advōkāt۔d emansipāxun from θe direkt Rōma۔ē lēdrūel bī a restorāxun ov θe Herōdēan dīnastē. Al ov θe grūp۔s, inklūd۔ing θe smal۔er Nazarīt broθer۔hōod, belēv۔d in θe ēventyūal arīval ov a mesīa. Jēsus emfasīz۔d θat hē wud jōin nun ov θā. Nor, hē rēpēt۔d, wud hē bē a politikal lēd۔ōr alīk king Dāvid. Hē emfasīz۔d “gōod nūz ov θe king۔dom ov heven”, tū bē prōklām۔t wiθ luv, kompaxun, and simpaθē. In θe midst ov Kānan alsō resīd۔d Kananan۔s – desendant۔s ov θe nātiv inhabitant۔s bēfōr θe twū Jūan imigrāxun۔s (dur θe dē-20 and dē-13 sentūrē۔s BKE) – inklūd۔ing Samarēan۔s (inhabit۔ing rējon Samarēa), wiθ hū fyū Jūan۔s had dēal۔ins. Az springtīm end۔d, nūz rēq۔d Jēsus θat Jon θe baptīz۔ōr had bin arest۔t and θrust۔t intū prison. Tetrark Herold Antipas, in hūz teritōrē Jon had bin prēq۔ing, had bēkum۔d alarm۔t θat Jon’s disīpel۔s kud start a rebelyon, and, mōr impōrtant۔lē, hē and espexal۔lē his wīf Herōdēas rēzent۔d Jon’s publik kondemnaxun ov θā’s marij az un۔loful. Jon’s disīpel۔s, under θe lūs lēdōrxip ov disīpel Abner, skater۔d. Fōr θe sekond okāxun dur Jēsus’s fōur-monθ۔s stā on θe nōrθern lāk xōr, Jēsus ask۔d tū spēk at θe sinagog. Raθer θan rēd from skriptūr, hē prēq۔d a sermon – mark۔ing θe bēgin۔in ov his publik karēr. Hē deklār۔d wut hē had bin sā۔ing in prīvat: “Mī king۔dom iz not ov θis world. Θe son ov man wil not lēd fōrθ armē۔s in batel fōr θe establixment ov a θrōn ov power ōr a king۔dom ov world۔ē glōrē. Wen mī king۔dom xal hav kom, yū xal no θe son ov man az θe prins ov pēas, θe revelāxun ov θe everlast۔ē Faθer.” And, “Entrans intū θe Faθer’s king۔dom wāt not upon marq۔ing armē۔s, upon ōverturn۔t king۔dom۔s ov θis world, nor upon θe brāk۔ing ov kaptiv yōk۔s. Θe king۔dom ov heven iz at hand, and al hū enter θerin xal fīnd abundant libertē and jōēus salvāxun.” His lisen۔ōrs’ rēspons wuz divīd۔d: ap won-θird dū۔d not komprēhend his mesaj, ap won-θird rējekt۔d θe īdēa ov a non-politikal mesīa, and ap won-θird aksept۔d θat θe kom۔ing king۔dom wud bē ōnlē spiritūal. Θen Jēsus send۔d his aposol۔s, in pār۔s, tū nābōr۔ē vilaj۔s and town۔s tū tēq θe glad nūz ov his king۔dom. Hē instrukt۔d ēq ov θe siks tū qūs from among his erlē konvert۔s won man tū bēkum an aposol, sō θe tōtal wud bē twelv. Θen Jēsus rēturn۔d tū Nazareθ tū visit θe rēmān۔ōr ov his familē. Twū wēk۔s lāter θā al mēt۔d bak in Beθsīda at θe hōm ov Zebedē. Θe siks rēpōrt۔d θat θā’s inixal fōrā az mixunārē۔s had bin suksesful, and θā had ēq selekt۔d an aposol. Andrū selekt۔d Maθyū Levē, θe kustom۔s kolekt۔ōr ov Kapernam. Filip’s qōis wuz Tomas Didimus, a fix۔ōrt. Broθer۔s Jāms and Jon Zebedē qūz۔d twin broθer۔s Θadēus and Lebeus Alfeus, bōθ fix۔ōrts. Pēter selekt۔d Sīmon Zelotes, a hī-rank۔in ofisōr in θe pātrēotik ōrg ov Zelot۔s. Naθanēel qūz۔d Jūdas Iskārēot, θe ōnlē son ov welθ۔ē Jūan parent۔s; hē resīd۔d in Jerikō, in rējon Jūdea, θus wuz θe ōnlē aposol not from rējon Galilē. Galilēn۔s komon۔lē had hevē strān۔s ov jentīl blod bēkuz ov a fōrsful konverxun ov θe jentīl popyūlāxun tū Jūdāizm a sentūrē prēvēus۔lē. Ov θe twelv aposol۔s, al but θe Alfeus twin۔s wuz gradūāt۔ōrs ov sinagog skūol۔s. Jēsus θen akompanē۔d his ōrijinal siks aposol۔s tū grēt θe nū rēkrūt۔s. Afterward θā al mēt۔d bak at Zebedē, ’s hous. Jēsus instrukt۔d θe twelv, “If θe sivil lēdrūel۔ōrs iz tū bē rēbyūk۔t, lēv θat task tū mē.” Wen Jūdas Iskārēot ask۔d Jēsus wī noθin wuz bēing dū۔d tū rēlēs Jon from prison, Jēsus rēplī۔d θat it wuz not God’s wil θat hē intervēn. A wēk ov intens instrukxun – mān۔lē bī anser۔ing θe twelv aposol۔s’ kwestyon۔s – wuz folō۔t bī twū wēk۔s ov fix۔in tū akyūmyūlāt monē fōr θā’s kom۔ing evangelism. Jēsus – akompanē۔ing θā, alternāt۔ing ēq nīt bētwēn θā’s θrē bōt۔s – trān۔d θā tū bēkum “fix۔ōrs ov pēpel۔s”. Θe fōkus ov his tēq۔in wuz tū rēvēl a beter and trū۔er wā tū no God: θe wā ov fāθ and luv. Jēsus tēq۔d θā tū prēq θe fōrgiv۔nes ov sin θrū fāθ in God wiθout penans ōr sakrifīs, wīel emfasīz۔ing θat God luv۔d al his qīld۔s wiθ θe sām ēternal luv. Jūdāizm emfasīz۔d θe nesesitē ov perfōrm۔ing gōod dēd۔s tū asend tū heven; Jon θe baptīz۔ōr admonix۔d his lisen۔ōrs tū rēpent tū eskāp θe raθ tū kom; Jēsus’s pīonēr۔ing tēq۔in deklār۔d θat fāθ wuz θe ōnlē rekwisit fōr enter۔ing God’s king۔dom. “Fāθ iz θe ōpen dōr fōr enter۔ing intū θe present perfekt, and ēternal luv ov God.” But Jēsus fās۔d a difikult task trī۔ing tū perswād θe Galilēn fix۔ōrts θat bēing rīqus, bī fāθ, must presēd dū۔ing rīqus۔nes in dā۔ē līf. Θe twelv, alθō θā stil dū۔d not ful۔lē komprēhend, plejd θā’s lōyaltē tū θe kom۔in king۔dom, bēkuz al trū۔lē belēv۔d in Jēsus. Bēgin۔ing mid۔sumer, θat yēr 26 KE, Jēsus dispaq۔d θe aposol۔s, in pār۔s, tū prēq in θe town۔s and vilaj۔s in Galilē, hiself akompanē۔ing broθer۔s Andrū and Pēter. Twū wēk۔s lāter θā mēt۔d bak at Beθsīda, tū fix dur twū wēk۔s, θen ventūr۔d out agin, θat tīm Jēsus akompanē۔ing broθer۔s Jāms and Jon Zebedē. Θat patern θā māntān۔d, Jēsus ēq tīm akompanē۔ing anoθer pār ov aposol۔s. Θe aposol۔s witnes۔d Jēsus’s prōfound respekt and simpaθetik rēgard fōr evrēbodē hē mēt۔d – rēgard۔les ov jender, āj, okyūpāxun, eθnisitē, rēlijon. His publik tēq۔in konsist۔d mān۔lē ov xōrt diskōrs۔s, wiq hē redēlē interupt۔d tū anser sinsēr kwestyon۔s. Hē urj۔d his aposol۔s, “Sēk θe sin۔ōrs; fīnd θe despondent, komfort θe ankxus.” Az θe yēr progres۔d θā kontinyū۔d θā’s personal work tū θe town۔s ov Kapernam, Beθsīda-Jūlēas, Qōrazin, Gerasa, Hipōs, Magdala, Kana , Jōtapata, Rama, Safed, Gisqala, Gadara, Abila, and in manē vilaj۔s az wel az in θe kuntrē. Bī yēr’s end θe aposol۔s had fōrm۔d intū an efixent ōrg. Andrū, θe first qūz۔d (āj 33 yēr۔s, non۔marēd, wiθ a stābel personalitē and a brod arā ov talent۔s) wuz designāt۔d presīd۔ōrt and direktōr ov θe twelv. Andrū’s yung۔er broθer Pēter (āj 30, marēd wiθ θrē qīld۔s, emōxunal, impulsiv, optimistik), Jāms (āj 30, marēd wiθ fōur qīld۔s, wiθ a fīer۔ē temper, but wiθ abelitē tū sē al sīd۔s ov a sitūāxun), and Jon (at 24 θe yung۔est, non۔marēd, resīd۔ing wiθ his parent۔s in Beθsīda, lak۔ing matūr yet kourajus, a fix۔ōr partnōr wiθ his ōld۔er broθer Jāms and broθer۔s Andrū and Pēter) wuz apōint۔d Jēsus’s personal kompanyon۔s, atend۔ing tū his personal nēd۔s and akompanē۔ing hē dur his nīt prār vigils. Filip (āj 27, rēsent۔lē marēd, nō qīld۔s, alsō a fix۔ōrt, hū θe oθer۔s niknām۔d “θe kyurēus” bēkuz ov nēd۔ing tū bē xō۔t, hūz strong pōint wuz his rēlī۔abelitē) wuz θe grūp’s stūard, provīd۔ing fūd not ōnlē fōr θāself۔s but fōr multitūd ov lisen۔ōrs. Naθanēel (25, non۔marēd, aspīer۔ing tū bē a merqant, resīd۔ing in Kana wiθ his parent۔s, θe sors ov okāxunal filosofē and hyūmor) waq۔d ōver θe nēd۔s ov θe aposol۔s’ familē۔s, send۔ing fund۔s ēq wēk tū θōs in nēd after māk۔ing rekwizixun۔s tū Jūdas (āj 30, a fōrmer komers۔man, proud ov bēing θe best edyūkāt۔ē and θe ōnlē Jūdean, θe ōnlē son ov parent۔s hū indulj·spōil۔d hē and hū dis۔ōn۔d hē wen hē jōin۔d Jon θe baptīz۔ōr), θe trejūrōr hū karē۔d θe monē bag and pā۔d al ekspens۔s. Maθyū (āj, 31, a kustom۔s kolekt۔ōr in Kapernam, bēlong۔ing tū a familē ov taks·kolekt۔ōrs, θe welθ·ēest, grātful fōr bēing qūz۔d and devōt۔d tū θe koz), niknām۔d “θe monē get۔ōr”, asertān۔d θat θe trejūrē wuz rēplenix۔t and θe bujet wuz balans۔d, and if dōnāxun۔s wuz not sufixent hē wuz redē tū direkt θe twelv bak tū θā’s fix·net۔s, redē tū sēkret۔lē suplement θe trejūrē wiθ his ōn monē. Tomas (āj 29, marē۔d wiθ fōur qīld۔s, a karpentōr and stōn māson turn۔d fix۔ōr, wiθ an analitikal, lojikal, skeptikal mīnd and a pesimistik, suspixus nātūr) manaj۔d θe ītinerārē, arānj۔ing fōr loj۔in and plās۔s fōr prēq۔ing. Θadēus and Lebeus, θe 26-yēr۔s-ōld twin son۔s ov Alfeus, wuz bōθ fix۔ōrs, bōθ marē۔d, Θadēus wiθ θrē qīld۔s, Lebeus wiθ twū, bōθ ēzēgoin and qērful, wel līk۔d but not partikyūlar۔bē intelijent) wuz asīn۔d tū manaj θe multitūd۔s and help wiθ wutever wuz nēd۔d. Sīmon Zelotes (āj 28, a rebel bī nātūr, a fīer۔ē ajitāt۔ōr, impulsiv, intens, a fōrmer merqant in Kapernam bēfōr jōin۔ing θe Zelot۔s wiθ θe ām ov oust۔ing θe Rōman۔s at wutever kost) wuz inqarj ov rekrēāxun and plā, wiq Jēsus had insist۔d bē part ov θā’s wēk۔ē rūtēn. *
Fōr manē hū
no۔d hē, it
wuz
Jēsus’s personalitē, not his word۔s,
θat sō atrakt۔d
θā.Jēsus alwās māntān۔d pōiz. Hē wuz emōxunal۔bē stābel, never kaprēxus, wimzikal, histerikal. Fil۔d wiθ divīn enθūzēazim, hē never bēkum۔d fanatikal. Hē wuz frē from al frēk۔ix, eratik, and eksentrik tendensē۔s. And his self۔kontrōl۔t enθūzēazim wuz kontājus; his asōxēāt۔s often xār۔d his divīn optimizim. Yet hē wuz mūv۔d tū rēsist θat wiq wuz harmful tū θe welfār ov oθer۔s. In dū۔ing sō, hē wuz frank, kandid, yet alwās frend۔ē. His indignaxun aganst sin never lēd۔d tū ānger at θe sin۔ōr. Jēsus wuz konsiderāt ov al pēpel۔s bēkuz hē luv۔d θā and belēv۔d in θā. Stil, hē rēmān۔d trū tū his konvikxun۔s and firm in his devōtxun tū dū۔ing God’s wil. Hē wuz simpaθetik yet not sentimental; yūnēk yet not eksentrik. Alwās jenerus: hē never bēkum۔d wērē ov sā۔ing, “It iz mōr blesed tū giv θan tū rēsēv,” and, “Frē۔lē yū۔s hav rēsēv۔d; frē۔lē giv.” Despīt his jenerositē, hē wuz never wāstful ōr ekstravagant. His benevolens tuq۔d θe hart۔s ov manē, wīel his stalwart strenkθ ov karakter amāz۔d his folō۔ōrs. Jēsus luv۔d pēpel۔s az broθer۔s and sister۔s, wīel rekognīz۔ing how θā difer۔d in ināt endowment۔s and akwīer۔t kwalitē۔s. Θerfōr hē wuz brod in outlok, never nārō-mīnd۔ē. His simpaθetik hart embrās۔d al hyūmankīnd, ēven a yūnivers. Hē eksōrt۔d his folō۔ōrs tū prēq θe gospel tū al pēpel۔s. Alwās his invītāxun wuz, “Hūever wil, let tā kom.” His waqword wuz, “Fēr not.” Hē wuz kourajus, but his kouraj wuz link۔d wiθ diskrexun and kontrōl۔t bī rēson. Hē wuz never rekles, never fūolhardē, never odaxus. Prūdent but never koward۔ē. And pāxent. Never in a hurē. Wen pres۔d tū akt prēmatūr۔lē, hē wud ōnlē rēplī, “Mī klokhour hav not yet kom.” Hē wuz trū۔bē sinsēr. Hē never stūp۔d tū prētens, nor ever rēsort۔d tū desepxun. Jēsus wuz not bind۔t bī tradixun nor handikap۔t bī enslavement tū nārō konvenxunalitē, yet hē dū۔d not ōverlōok θe jem۔s ov trūθ in θe tēq۔ins ov his predesesōr۔s and kontemporārē۔s. Hē spēk۔d wiθ konfīdens and tēq۔d wiθ oθōritē. Θe mōst ōrijinal ov his tēq۔ins wuz his empfasis ov luv and mersē in θe plās ov fēr and sakrifīs. Jēsus wuz non۔rēserv۔lē dedikāt۔d tū “θe Faθer’s biznes.” Hē trust۔d God alīk a litel qīld trust his parent۔s. Hē wuz θerfōr imyūn tū disapōintment and impervēus tū persekyūxun, non۔tuq۔t bī apārent fāilūr. Despīt al, hē never falter۔d in his fāθ. Hē wuz pīus but not sanktimōnēus. His respekt ov θe falt۔ē worxip ov his felō۔s did not deter hē from atak۔ing rēlijus tradixun۔s ōr asolt۔ing erōr۔s ov hyūman bēlēf. Hipokrisē hē dū۔d not hesitāt tū qalenj. Hē wuz revērenxal ov trū hōlē۔nes, yet outspoken in his luv fōr θe sin۔ōr and in his hātred fōr sin. *
Ap nūn,
Sundā, 12 Janyūarē, yēr 27, Jēsus sumon۔d
his aposol۔s
bak tū
xōr. Wen al twelv wuz asembel۔d, hē jurnē۔d wiθ θā tū θe
hīland۔s
nōrθ ov Kapernam, tū
fōrmal۔lē
ōrdān θā az
ambasadōr۔s
ov θe nū
king۔dom, in
prepārāxun fōr θā’s jurnē tū Jūdea fōr θā’s first publik spēk۔in tūor. In his sermon on θe mountin, Jēsus tel۔d θā, “Yōr mesaj tū θe world xal bē: sēk first θe king۔dom ov God, and al oθer
θing۔s esenxal tū ēternal survīval xal bē
sekyūr۔t θerwiθ. And
now wud Ī māk it plān tū yū۔s θat θis king۔dom ov mī Faθer wil not
kom wiθ an out۔ward xō ov power ōr wiθ todrē
demonstrāxun.
Yū۔s iz·not tū gō hens in θe prōklāmāxun
ov θe
king۔dom, sā۔ing, ‘it iz hēr’ ōr ‘it
iz θer’; θe king۔dom ov God iz wiθin yū.”
Hē poz۔d, tū let sōk in wut wuz
probabel۔lē his grāt۔est prōnounsment after
his deklārāxun θat his Faθer wuz a liv۔in and luv۔ē spērit. “Θis
smal bēgin۔in ov twelv komon man۔s xal multiplī until
ēventyūal۔lē θe entīer Erθ xal bē fil۔t wiθ prāz ov mī
Faθer. Not sō muq bī θe word۔s yū۔s spēk az bī θe līf۔s yū۔s liv xal pēpel۔s no yū۔s hav bin wiθ mē and hav
lern۔d ov θe rēalitē۔s ov θe king۔dom. Ī wil
sūn lā upon yōr sōul۔s θe solem rēsponsibelitē
ov represent۔ing mē in θis world, wiq Ī xal sūn
depart.” Tū ōrdān his aposol۔s, Jēsus instrukt۔d θā tū nēel in a sirkel
around hē, and hē put۔d his hand۔s upon ēq ov θā’s hed۔s, and bles۔d θā. Hē
prā۔d, “Ī send yū۔s fōrθ tū prōklām libertē
tū spiritūal kaptiv۔s and jōē tū θōs in bondaj ov fēr, and
tū
hēal θe sik in akordans wiθ θe wil ov mī Faθer in heven.
Wen yū۔s fīnd mī qīld۔s in distres, spēk
enkouraj۔lē tū θā, sā۔ing, ‘Hapē iz θe pōr in
spērit, θe humbel, fōr θā’s iz θe trejūr۔s ov θe king۔dom ov heven. Hapē
iz θā hū hunger and θirst fōr rīqus۔nes, fōr θā xal bē fil۔t. Hapē iz
θe mēk, fōr θā xal inherit θe Erθ. Hapē iz
θe pyūr in hart, fōr θā xal sē
God.’ Sā furθermor, ‘Hapē iz θā hū
mourn, fōr θā xal bē komfort۔t. Hapē iz
θā hū wēp, fōr θā xal rēsēv θe spērit
ov rējōis۔in. Hapē
iz θe mersēful, fōr θā xal obtān mersē. Hapē
iz θe pēas·māk۔ōrs, fōr θā xal bē nām۔t son۔s ov God. Hapē
iz θā hū iz persekyūt۔t fōr rīqus۔nes’ sāk, fōr θā’s iz θe
king۔dom ov heven. Hapē
iz yū۔s wen man۔s xal rēvīl yū۔s and persekyūt yū۔s and xal fals۔lē sā al maner ov ēvil
aganst yū۔s; rējōis and bē eksēd۔bē glad, fōr grāt iz yōr
rēward in heven. Hapē efektiv pēpel۔s iz mōtivāt۔d not bī fēr ov rong dū۔in but bī luv ov rīt·dū۔in. Mī
breθren, az Ī send yū۔s fōrθ, yū۔s iz θe salt ov θe Erθ.
But if θis salt lūz it’s sāvor, it wil bē
worθ۔les, and wil bē tos۔t awā and tred۔t upon. Yū۔s iz θe līt ov θe
world. A sitē upon a hil kan·not bē hīd۔t. Nēθer
dū wē līt a kandel and put it benēθ a
buxel; wē insert it intū a kandel·hold۔ōr, from wār it xīn līt
tū al in θe hous. Let yōr līt sō xīn θat
pēpel۔s mā sē yōr gōod dēd۔s and bē lēd۔t tū glōrēfī yōr Faθer hū
iz in heven. Θe hī۔est level۔s ov self۔rēalīzāxun iz atān۔t bī worxip and
servis.” Jēsus furθer instrukt۔d, “Dū not fōrs۔ablē rēsist un۔justis; put not yōr trust
in θe arm ov θe flex. If yōr nābōr smīt
yū on yōr rīt qēk, turn tū hē yōr oθer qēk. Sufer
un۔justis raθer θan rēsort tū lo۔s. Wiθ
benevolens and mersē minister۔ōr tū al hū iz in distres
and in nēd. Luv yōr enemē.
Dū gōod tū θōs hū hāt yū. Bles
θōs hū kurs yū. Prā fōr θōs hū spītful۔lē abyūs yū. And
wutsōever yū belēv θat Ī wud dū fōr pēpel۔s, dū alsō fōr θā.
Yū۔s iz komixun۔t tū sāv pēpel۔s, not juj θā. At
θe end ov yōr Erθ līf, yū۔s wil ekspekt mersē from
God; θerfōr dur yōr mōrtal līf, xō mersē tū al yōr breθren in θe flex. Yū۔s hav ērhēr۔d it sā۔d, ‘If θe blīnd lēd θe blīnd,
bōθ xal fal intū θe pit.’ If yū۔s wud gīd oθer۔s intū θe king۔dom, yū۔s must yōrself۔s wak in θe klēr līt ov
trūθ. In al θe biznes ov θe king۔dom Ī eksōrt yū۔s tū xō just jujment and kēn
wizdom. Θat wiq iz hōlē, prezent not tū dog۔s, nēθer kast yōr perl۔s tū swīn۔s, lest θā trampel yōr
jem۔s under fōot and turn tū atak yū۔s. Bēwār
ov fals profet۔s: wolf۔s in xēp۔s’ klōθ۔in. Bī
θā’s frūt۔s yū۔s xal rekognīz θā.
Dū wē gaθer grāp۔s from θorn۔s, ōr fig۔s from θisel۔s?” Konklūd۔d Jēsus, “In gān۔ing entrans intū heven,
wut mater۔s iz mōtiv; God lōok intū pēpel۔s’ hart۔s, and juj bī θā’s iner
long۔ins and sinsēr intenxun۔s.”At sunset θā wak۔d down from θe mountin, and θat ēvenin in θe hōm ov Zebedē θā ēt۔d a simpel mēal. Afterward θe twelv bild۔d a fīer in θe garden tū warm θāself۔s, and ask۔d Jēsus tū jōin θā, az θā wuz stil boθer۔d wiθ kwestyon۔s. Jēsus sit۔d wiθ θā, and sā۔d, “Yū۔s fīnd it difikult tū rēsēv mī mesaj bēkuz yū۔s wud bild θe nū tēq۔in direkt۔lē upon θe ōld, but Ī deklār θat yū۔s must bē rē۔birθ۔t. Yū۔s must start out afrex az litel qīld۔s and bē wilin tū trust mī tēq۔in and belēv in God. But dū not māk θe mistāk ov θink۔ing θat Ī hav kom tū set asīd θe lo and θe profet۔s; Ī hav not kom tū destrōē but tū fulfil, tū enlarj and ilūmināt. Ī kom not tū transgres θe lo but raθer tū rīt nū komandment۔s on θe tablet۔s ov yōr hart۔s. Ī demand ov yū۔s a rīqus۔nes θat xal eksēd θe rīqus۔nes ov θōs hū sēk tū obtān θe Faθer’s fāvor bī almsgiv۔in, prār, and fūdfast۔in. Mōral worθ kan·not bē derīv۔t from mēr rēprexun – ōbā۔ing ‘Θou xal not’ injunkxun۔s, fēr and xām, iz non۔worθ۔ē mōtivāxun۔s fōr rēlijus liv۔in. Rēlijon iz valid ōnlē wen it rēvēl θe faθer۔hōod ov God and enhans θe sib۔hōod ov pēpel۔s. If yū۔s wud enter θe king۔dom, yū۔s must hav a rīqus۔nes θat konsist in luv, mersē, and trūθ — θe sinsēr desīer tū dū θe wil ov mī Faθer in heven.” Pēter ask۔d, “Mastōr, if yū hav a nū komandment, let wē ērhēr it.” Jēsus anser۔d, “Mōses giv۔d yū۔s θe komandment, ‘Dū not komit adulterē.’ But Ī sā tū yū۔s, evrē man hū lōok upon a woman lustful۔lē hav alredē komit۔d adulterē wiθ xē in his hart. Yū۔s must evalūāt yōr felō۔s bī θā’s dēd۔s, but God juj yū۔s bī yōr intent.” Aposol Jāms ask۔d, “Mastōr, wut xud wē tēq rēgard۔in divōrsment? Xal a man divōr۔s his wīf, az Mōses direkt۔d?” Rēplī۔d Jēsus, “Ī hav not kom tū lejislāt but tū enlīten. Ī hav kom not tū rēfōrm θis world but raθer tū establix θe king۔dom ov heven. It iz not θe wil ov θe faθer θat Ī xud yēild tū θe temptāxun tū tēq yū۔s rūel۔s ov government, komers, ōr sōxal bēhāvyōr, wiq, wīel θā kud bē gōod fōr tūdā, wud bē far from sūt۔abel fōr sōsīetē ov anoθer plās·tīm.” Hē ad۔d, “Rēmember, Ī hav xēp۔s not ov θis qūn, tū hū Ī iz alsō bēhōld۔d, sō Ī must provīd fōr θā θe patern ov dū۔ing θe wil ov God wīel liv۔ing a mōrtal līf.” Ask۔d Naθanēel, “Mastōr, iz θer nō plās fōr justis? Mōses sā۔d, ‘An ī fōr an ī, and a tūθ fōr a tūθ.’ Wut xal wē sā?” Anser۔d Jēsus, “Pā bak ēvil۔nes wiθ gōod۔nes. Man۔s hav suq lo۔s, but not sō in θe king۔dom, wār bēhāvyōr iz dētermin۔t bī luv and mersē.” Hē ad۔d, “Dū yōr gōod dēd۔s in sēkret; wen yū giv alms, let not θe leftsīd hand no wut θe rītsīd hand iz dū۔ing. And wen yū prā, gō apart bī yōrself, and not yūs repetixun۔s and mēn۔in۔les frāz۔s. Θe Faθer no wut yū nēd ēven bēfōr yū ask.” At Sīmon Zelotes’ kwestyon, Jēsus anser۔d, “Yes, Sīmon, al man۔s iz θe son۔s ov God, and θat iz θe gōod nūz yū wil prōklām.” After θe aposol۔s had talk۔d among θāself۔s dur a xōrt tīm, Jēsus sā۔d, “Rekognīz θe twū vyūpōint۔s ov al mōrtal bēhāvyōr: θe hyūman and θe divīn, θe wā۔s ov θe flex and θe wā ov θe spērit, θe estimāt ov tīm and θe vyūpōint ov ēternitē.” Jēsus yūtilīz۔d θe word “God” tū designāt θe īdēa ov dēitē, and θe word “Faθer” tū designāt θe ekspērēens ov no۔ing God. Az hē wel no۔d, God wuz muq mōr θan a faθer, but “Faθer”, tū bē komprēhend۔t in it’s larj۔est posibel mēn۔in, wuz pēpel۔s’ hī۔est konsept ov God. Θe word “God” kud not bē defīn۔t, and θerfōr stand۔d fōr θe infinit konsept ov θe Faθer. Θe aposol۔s wuz kēn tū prōsēd from personal gīd۔ōrs tū publik spēk۔ōrs, but not wiθout a mejur ov trepidāxun, sō θā komyūnikāt۔d tū Jēsus θat θā wuz not kwīt redē, and ask۔d if θā kud tārē long۔er on θe nōrθern lāk xōr sō θā kud tū rēsēv mōr instrukxun. Jēsus agrē۔d. Fōr several wēk۔s trūθ sēk۔ōrs and kyurēus spektāt۔ōrs, singel۔lē and in grūp۔s, had bin arīv۔ing at Beθsīda from θe nērbī kuntrē and az far awā az Sēzarea, Jerūsalem, Tīer, Sidon, and ēven Dimaxk. Hērtofōr Jēsus had grēt۔d θā and tēq۔d θā about θe king۔dom, but hē hand۔d θe task tū θe twelv, wiθ hū hē lāter hōld۔d prīvat konferens۔s long intū θe nīt۔s. Θus, manē kwestyon۔s wuz ask۔t and anser۔t ōver a wīd rānj ov topik۔s. Jēsus eksalt۔d familē līf az θe hī۔est hyūman dūtē, but hē tēq۔d θat familē rēlāxunxip۔s xud not trump rēlijus obligāxun۔s, and hē trī۔d tū dampen θe Jūan tendensē tū eksesiv۔lē onor ansestōr۔s. Welθ hē dū۔d not denouns, but hē warn۔d ov it’s negativ efekt۔s upon not al but manē; hē often refer۔d tū welθ’s non-fār and non-ēkwal distribyūxun, but hē outpōint۔d θat, kontrārē۔lē, non۔diskrimināt benevolens rēsult۔d in sōxal ēvil۔s, and hē kwōt۔d aprūv۔lē θe Jūw۔ē adaj, “Hē hū rēfyūz tū work xal not ēt.” Hē advans۔d nō ekonomik θērē۔s, nor ēven advōkāt۔d politikal rēfōrm; hē hiself ōbā۔d al sivil lo۔s and regyūlāxun۔s. His aposol۔s had partikyūlar difikultē komprēhend۔ing his polisē ov non-rēsistans; hē tēq۔d θā not tū rēsist ēvil, not tū kombat un۔justis ōr injurē, yet Jēsus dū۔d not tēq pasiv tolerans ov rong bēhāvyōr, and hē aprūv۔d ov sōxal punixment ov ēvil·dū۔ōrs and krīminal۔s, aknolej۔ing θat government۔s must somtīm۔s yūtilīz fōrs tū māntān sōxal ōrder and justis. Mōst strīdent۔lē, hē warn۔d aganst rētalēāxun, aganst θe pōisnus mōtiv ov rēvenj, advōkāt۔ing insted tū asīn suq mater۔s tū government, on θe won hand, and tū God, on θe oθer, sumarīz۔ing, “A rong iz perpeqūāt۔t bī venjens,” and rēpēt۔ing, “Luv yōr enemē.” His tēq۔in wuz mān۔bē positiv, not negativ. Not bēing a mōral rēfōrm۔ōr, hē litel kritisīz۔d θe sōxal vīs ov his dā, koment۔ing θat sensūal urj۔s wuz not supres۔t bī ēθer rēlijus rēbyūk ōr lēgal prōhibixun۔s. Hē iterāt۔d θat strong karakter wuz not derīv۔d from not dū۔ing rong but from dū۔ing rīt, un۔selfix۔nes bēing θe mark ov hyūman grāt۔nes. His fyū denunsēāxun۔s wuz mān۔lē direkt۔d aganst prīd, krūeltē, oprexun, and hipokrisē, along wiθ, “Juj not, θat yū bē not juj۔t.” His grand īdēa wuz θat al pēpel۔s wud bēkum alīk God, and θenupon solv θā’s politikal, sōxal, and ekonomik problem۔s. Θe aposol۔s komprēhend۔d his word۔s tū vārē۔ē degrē۔s, yet it wuz θā’s resīd۔ing wiθ Jēsus, observ۔ing his mōral۔bē non۔reprehensive līf, θat konvins۔d θā abov al els tū folō hē and spred his tēq۔in. Dur θe ēvenin bēfōr θā embark۔d on θā’s jurnē souθ۔ward, Jēsus advīz۔d θā tū tāk nēθer monē nor ekstra klōθ۔in, sā۔ing, “Θe lābor۔ōr iz worθ۔ē ov his hīer.” And fīnal۔lē hē sā۔d: “Bēhōld, Ī send yū۔s fōrθ az xēp۔s in θe midst ov wolf۔s; bē yū۔s θerfōr az wīz az serpent۔s and az harm۔les az dovbird۔s. But tāk hēd, fōr yōr enemē۔s wil sumon yū۔s bēfōr θā’s kounsil۔s, wīel in θā’s sinagog۔s θā wil kastigāt yū۔s. Wen bēfōr govern۔ōrs and lēdrūel۔ōrs yū۔s wil bē bring۔t bēkuz yū۔s belēv θis gospel, yōr testimōnē xal bē a witnes from mē tū θā; wen θā lēd yū۔s tū jujment, bē not ankxus about wut yū۔s xal rēplī, bēkuz θe spērit ov God resīd wiθin yū۔s and wil at suq a tīm spēk θrū yū۔s. Som ov yū۔s wil bē kil۔t, and bēfōr yū۔s establix θe king۔dom on Erθ, yū۔s wil bē hāt۔t bī manē pēpel۔s bēkuz ov θis gospel. But fēr not; Ī wil bē wiθ yū۔s, and mī spērit xal gō bēfōr yū۔s intū al θe world. Mī Faθer’s presens wil abīd wiθ yū۔s wīel yū۔s gō first tū θe Jūan۔s, θen tū θe jentīl۔s.” *
Dur θe mōrnin ov 19 Janyūarē, yēr
27, Jēsus and θe twelv aposol۔s prepār۔d tū depart θā’s
hedkwarter۔s in Beθsīda. At
Zebedē’s hous θe familē۔s ov θe twelv had arīv۔d tū sā gōodbī and wix θā
wel in θā’s nū ventūr. Jēsus wuz awā,
θus aposol Andrū go۔d tū serq fōr hē, fīnd۔ing hē sit۔ing in a bōt slīt۔bē of·xōr, wēp۔ing. Nun
ov Jēsus’s familē, alθō θā resīd۔d nērbī, had kom tū wix
hē godspēd. Θe fēel۔ins ov his broθer۔s Jāms and Jūd had bin
hurt wen hē had eksklūd۔d θā from his iner sirkel
ov asōxēāt۔s; Jēsus’s plan۔s dū۔d not inklūd kin۔s among his aposol۔s. His
moθer Marē fēel۔d hurt at wut xē persēv۔d az her ōld۔est son's alūf۔nes; xē flukqūāt۔d bētwēn enθūzēastik
ekspektansē θat hē wuz destin۔t tū bēkum θe nū king
Dāvid, and disapōintment and despār θat hē wuz not; xē often vōis۔d θat xē dū۔d not komprēhend hē.
Ōnlē Rūθ, θe yung۔est, rēmān۔d stedfast lōyal tū her
broθer, but on θat festiv mōrnin xē wuz visit۔ing her broθer Jōsef at
Nazareθ. Oθer familē membōr۔s stā۔d awā bēkuz ov prīd,
disapōintment, mis۔komprēhenxun,
petē rēzentment.Ap nūn Jēsus and his aposol۔s hed۔d ēst·souθ۔ward tū river Jōrdan, θen wak۔d souθ۔ward. Θe nekst dā θā rēq۔d Pela, on θe ēstern sīd ov θe river, wār Jon had baptīz۔d Jēsus. Θer θā tārē۔d, az pēpel۔s gaθer۔d – several hundred۔s bī θe end ov θe first wēk – tū lisen θe aposol۔s’ tēq۔in. But it wuz a stumbel۔ing stōn tū θōs hū had bin Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s folō۔ōrs θat Jēsus had dū۔d noθin tū help Jon out ov prison. After anoθer wēk, θā rē۔lōkāt۔d far۔er souθ۔ward tū nēr Amaθus. Tū θe multitūd θe aposol۔s prēq۔d twīs per dā, and Jēsus prēq۔d ēq Sabaθ afternūn. Pēter, Jāms, and Jon dū۔d mōst ov θe publik prēq۔ing. Filip, Naθanēel, Tomas, and Sīmon dū۔d muq ov θe personal work and kondukt۔d lernklas۔s fōr spexal grūp۔s ov inkwīer۔ōrs; θe twin۔s kontinyū۔d θā’s jeneral patrōl sūpervīxun, wīel Andrū, Maθyū, and Jūdas fōrm۔d a manajerēal komitē ov θrē, ēq alsō dū۔ing konsiderabel rēlijus work. Wen mis۔komprēhenxun۔s and un۔agrēment۔s okur۔d bētwēn Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s disīpel۔s and Jēsus’s aposol۔s, Jēsus rēfyūz۔d tū bēkum involv۔d, sā۔ing, “A wīz parent dū not qūs sīd۔s in θe petē kwarel۔s ov his qīld۔s.” Az alwās, it wuz not ōnlē wut Jēsus sā۔d but wut hē dū۔d θat sō atrakt۔d and impres۔d pēpel۔s ov bōθ jender۔s and al mōd۔s ov līf. Dur al okāxun۔s hē displā۔d wizdom and fār۔nes. Θe kombīnāxun ov his qarm and θe fōrs ov his personalitē – and θe fakt ov his ruged, nōmadik, hōm۔les līf۔stīl – rēsult۔d in komand۔ē inflūens. Hē disregard۔d publik ōpinyon, ask۔d nōbodē fōr advīs, never apolojīz۔d, ignōr۔d prāz. Hē wuz never eksīt۔ē, veks۔t, diskonsert۔t, ēven surpriz۔t. His tēq۔in wuz startel۔bē oθōritātiv, often θril۔bē dīnamik, emplōē۔ing lūsid lojik and sagāxus insīt, deliver۔d wiθ pōiz, tolerans, pāxents. His fās wuz θat ov a praktikal karpentōr, not ov a non-world۔ē drēm۔ōr. Maskyūlin and fēr۔les, his akxun۔s wuz yet tender and jentel, his atitūd humbel. Wīel sōjorn۔ing nēr Amaθus, θe aposol۔s tēq۔d θōs hū had gaθer۔d, wīel mōst ov Jēsus’s tēq۔in wuz direkt۔d at θe twelv. Tū θā hē emfasīz۔d God az a faθer, not az a divīn bōokēpōr talē۔ing sin۔s bēfōr θe fīnal jujment; Jūan۔s had long konsēv۔d ov God az king ov al kolektiv۔lē, but Jēsus’s nū tēq۔in depikt۔d God az a luv۔ē faθer ov θe individyūal. Sā۔d hē, “Wen θe Faθer’s wil iz yōr lo, yū iz a nōbel slāv, but yū iz hardlē in θe king۔dom; it iz wen θe Faθer’s wil iz yōr wil θat yū hav bēkum a liberāt۔t qīld ov God, establix۔t wiθin in θe king۔dom.” Jēsus trī۔d tū frē θe aposol۔s from θe īdēa ov kil۔ing animal۔s fōr rēlijus purpos۔s, but θe man۔s had bin tēq۔t θat animal sakrifīs wuz θā’s rēlijus dūtē, θus θā wuz slō tū komprēhend. And hē bēgin۔d trān۔ing θe twelv tū komfort θe aflikt۔t and minister tū θe sik, alθō θā kud not disern θe diferens bētwēn θe posexun ov ēvil spērit۔s – wiq hē promis۔d tū eradikāt permanent۔lē upon his asenxun tū heven – and insānitē. Agin θen agin Jēsus warn۔d θā aganst fōrmyūlāt۔ing krēd۔s, lest θe krēd۔s harden intū dogma and θerfōr hamper, not gīd. Fōr θat rēson had hē destrōē۔d al his rīt۔ins, and had rēfrān۔d from ēnunsēāt۔ing lo۔s ōr establix۔ing ōrg۔s efekt۔ing θe rēlijus līf۔s ov individuals. After θrē wēk۔s, θā rē۔lōkāt۔d far۔er souθ۔ward and rē۔kros۔d θe river at θe fōrd slīt۔bē nōrθ۔ward ov Ded Lāk, depart۔ing Perea and enter۔ing Jūdea. Wīel tārē۔ing in θe ārēa, pār۔s ov aposol۔s fōrā۔d intū town Jerikō tū tēq. After fōur wēk۔s, az θe tīm ov θe Pasōver aprōq۔d, θā al jurnē۔d up·hil tōward Jerūsalem tū Beθanē tū θe hōm ov Lazarus, wār θā wuz atend۔d tū bī Lazarus’ sister۔s Marθa and Marē. Sundā mōrnin, 6 April, θā enter۔d nērbī Jerūsalem. Θat first dā in θe sitē Jēsus rēturn۔d tū θe hous ov Anas, θe fōrmer hī prēst and kin ov Zebedē’s wīf Salōmē. But Anas, az θō hē dū۔d not aprūv ov wut hē had ērhēr۔d ov Jēsus’s dū۔ing, wuz not frend۔ē, θus Jēsus kwik۔lē depart۔d, sā۔ing, “Fēr iz man’s qēf enslāv۔ōr, and prīd his grāt wēak۔nes. Wil yū bētrā yōrself intū bondaj tū bōθ ov θēz destrōē۔ōrs ov jōē and libertē?” Anas dū۔d not rēplī. Dā۔ē ēθer Jēsus ōr won ov his aposol۔s tēq۔d at θe tempel. Az θe Pasōver krowd۔s swel۔d, θe aposol۔s kondukt۔d tēq۔ing grūp۔s outsīd θe sākred prēsinkt۔s. Θā prōklām۔d θat θe king۔dom ov heven wuz at hand, and θat bī fāθ in θe faθer۔hōod al kud enter, θus bēkum۔ing qīld۔s ov God. Luv, θā sā۔d, wuz θe rūel ov liv۔ing wiθin θe king۔dom. Manē hundred۔s rējōis۔d in θe nū tēq۔in – but θe qēf prēst۔s wuz perturbd, and debāt۔d how tū rēakt. Among θe Pasōver atend۔ōrs wuz a Helasan Jūan from Krēt īland, nām۔d Flavēus, a grāt admīer۔ōrt ov byūtēful pānt۔ins and skulptūr۔s, and θe grand hous θat hē okyūpī۔d wen sōjorn۔ing in Jerūsalem wuz ekskwisit۔lē adōrn۔t wiθ trejūr۔s hē had gaθer۔d dur his world travel۔s. Jēsus, upon enter۔ing θe hous, insted ov rēbyūk۔ing hē fōr poses۔ing θe nūmerus supōs۔bē īdolatrus objekt۔s, manifest۔d grāt interest in θe entīer kolekxun and ask۔d manē aprēxēātiv kwestyon۔s about θā az Flavēus eskort۔d hē from rūm tū rūm, xō۔ing hē his fāvorit statyū۔s. After θe tūor Jēsus, nōtis۔ing his hōst’s bēwilderment, sā۔d, “Bēkuz yū aprēxēāt θe byūtē ov θing۔s krēāt۔t bī mī Faθer and faxun۔d bī artistik hand۔s, wī xud yū ekspekt tū bē rēbyūk۔t? Bēkuz Mōses long agō atempt۔d tū kombat īdolatrē and worxip ov fals god۔s, wī xud al pēpel۔s hensfōrθ frown upon prōdukxun ov grās and byūtē? Bēkuz Mōses tēq۔d suq rēstrikxun۔s tū θe darken۔d mīnd۔s ov θōs dā۔s, wut hav θat tū dū wiθ tūdā wen θe Faθer in heven iz rēvēl۔t az θe yūniversal spērit lēdrūel۔ōr ōver al? In θe kom۔ing king۔dom θā xal nōlonger tēq, ‘Dū not worxip θis, dū not worxip θat’; nōlonger xal θā konsern θāself۔s wiθ komand۔s tū rēfrān from θis and θat; raθer xal θā bē konsern۔t wiθ won suprēm dūtē, ekspres۔d in twū grāt privilej۔s: sinsēr worxip ov θe infinit Paradīs Faθer, and luv۔ē servis tōward θā’s felō۔s. If yū luv yōr nābōr az yū luv yōrself, yū rēalē no θat yū iz a qīld ov God. Hensfōrθ intelijent pēpel۔s mā enjōē θe trejūr۔s ov art wiθout konfūs۔ing θā wiθ īdol worxip.” Ēq wēk Jēsus spend۔d won ōr twū nīt۔s at θe hōm ov Flavēus, wār manē prominent Jūan۔s kom۔d in sēkret tū intervyū hē. Among θā wuz Jākob, anoθer welθ۔ē Jūan trād۔ōrt, alsō from Krēt. Sā۔d hē tū Jēsus, “But, rabī, Mōses and θe ōlden profet۔s tel wē θat Yāwā iz a jelous God, a God ov grāt raθ and fērs ānger. Θe profet۔s sā Hē hāt ēvil·dū۔ōrs and rēk venjens on θōs hū un۔obā his lo۔s. Yet yū and yōr disīpel۔s tēq θat God iz a benevolant and kompaxunāt Faθer hū sō luv al pēpel۔s θat hē wud welkom θā intū θis nū king۔dom ov heven, wiq yū prōklām iz sō nēr at hand.” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Jākob, yū hav wel stāt۔d θe tēq۔ins ov θe ōlden profet۔s hū gīd۔d θe qīld۔s ov θe tīm۔s in akordans wiθ θe līt ov θōs dā۔s. Our Faθer in Paradīs iz qānj۔les. But θe konsept ov his nātūr hav enlarj۔d and grō۔d from θe dā۔s ov Mōses down θrū θe tīm۔s ov Amos and ēven tū θe tīm۔s ov profet Īzāa. And now hav Ī kom in θe flex tū rēvēl θe Faθer in nū glōrē and tū xō fōrθ his luv and mersē tū al on al world۔s. Az θe gospel ov θis king۔dom xal spred ōver θe world wiθ it’s mesaj ov gōod qēr and gōod wil tū al pēpel۔s, rēlāxunxip۔s among familē۔s and nāxun۔s wil kontinyū۔lē imprūv. Az tīm pas۔s, az pēpel۔s beter komprēhend θe luv ov θe Faθer in heven fōr his qīld۔s on Erθ, faθer۔s and θā’s qīld۔s wil luv ēq oθer mōr.” After a poz, Jēsus kontinyū۔d, “Wen yōr ōn qīld۔s iz yung and non۔matūr, and wen yū must qastīz θā, θā mā belēv θat θā’s faθer iz ānger۔ē and fil۔d wiθ rēzentful raθ. Θā’s non۔matūritē kan·not penetrāt bēyond θe punixment tū disern θā’s faθer’s farsītful and korektiv afekxun. But wen θēz sām qīld۔s grō tū matūr, wud it not bē folē fōr θā tū kling tū θōs erlē۔er mis۔konsēv۔t nōxun۔s rēgard۔in θā’s faθer? Az adult۔s θā wil natūral۔lē disern θā’s faθer’s luv in al θōs erlē disiplin۔s. Θus xud not hyūmankīnd, after manē sentūrē۔s, kom tū beter komprēhend θe underlī۔ē luv۔ē karakter ov θe Faθer in heven? After sō manē suksesiv birθsīkel۔s ov spiritūal ilūmināxun, wī persist in vyū۔ing God az Mōses and θe profet۔s dū۔d?” Sē God in a nū wā, kounsil۔d Jēsus, konklūd۔ing, “Rējōis tū enter θe king۔dom wār suq a mersēful faθer lēdrūel.” A welθ۔ē and ōld membōr ov θe Jūan Sanhedrin nām۔d Nikōdemus had ērhēr۔d muq about θe tēq۔ins ov θe Galilēen, θerfōr won afternūn hē go۔d tū θe tempel kōrtyard tū ērhēr Jēsus tēq, and hē wuz intrēg۔t; but hē dār۔d not rēturn, fēr۔ing bēing sē۔d lisen۔ing tēq۔in sō at vārēans wiθ θat ov θe Sanhedrin. Θus hē arānj wiθ Andrū a prīvat mēt۔in wiθ Jēsus at θe hous ov Flavēus, and won ēvenin apēr۔d θer, sā۔ing, “Rabī, wē no θat yū iz a tēq۔ōr send۔t bī God, bēkuz nō mēr man kud sō tēq unles God wuz wiθ hē. Ī iz desīerus ov no۔ing mōr about yōr tēq۔in.” Jēsus anser۔d, “Verilē, verilē Ī sā tū yū, Nikōdemus, unles a pēpel iz rē۔birθ۔d ov θe spērit, hē kan·not enter intū θe king۔dom ov God.” Rēplī۔d Nikōdemus, “But how kan an ōld man bē birθ۔t agin? Hē kan·not enter a sekond tīm intū his moθer’s wūm.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Θat wiq iz birθ۔d ov flex iz flex, θat wiq iz birθ۔d ov spērit iz spērit. Marvel not. Wē dōnt sē wind, but wē ērhēr θe rusel ov lēf۔s. Alīkwīz wē dōnt sē spērit, but wē bēhōld it’s manifestāxun۔s.” Nikōdemus sā۔d, “But how kan Ī bēgin tū grasp θis spērit θat iz tū rē۔māk mē in prepārāxun fōr enter۔ing intū θe king۔dom?” Jēsus sē۔d θat Nikōdemus wuz a man ov kultūr, altrūistik, wiθ hī mōral kwalitē۔s, but θat hē dū۔d not no how tū submit, az a litel qīld iz wilin tū submit tū his erθ۔ē faθer, tū θe wil ov God. Hē anser۔d: “Alredē dū θe spērit ov θe Faθer in heven resīd wiθin yū. If yū wud bē lēd۔t bī θis spērit, sūn wud yū bēgin tū sē wiθ it’s ī۔s, and θen bī it's gīdans wud yū bē rē۔birθ۔t ov θe spērit, bēkuz yōr ōnlē purpos in liv۔ing wud bē tū dū θe wil ov yōr heven۔ē Faθer. Θen wud yū bēgin tū prōdūs in yōr dā۔ē līf θe abundant frūt۔s ov θe spērit.” After a bizē wēk ov tēq۔in and personal kounsil۔ing dur Pasōver, Jēsus and θe twelv rēturn۔d tū Beθanē tū rest. Dur θe first afternūn θer, in anser tū a kwestyon bī aposol Tomas about θe king۔dom ov heven, Jēsus eksplān۔d θat hē emplōē۔d θe “king۔dom īdēa” bēkuz Jūan۔s wuz ekspekt۔ing a nū king۔dom, however fōr hyūmankīnd θat wuz not θe best wā tū ilustrāt pēpel۔s’ rēlāxunxip wiθ God. Insted, pēpel۔s ov anoθer era and oθer plās۔s “wil beter komprēhend θe gospel wen it iz prezent۔d in term۔s ekspresiv ov θe familē rēlāxunxip.” Jēsus θen lonq۔d intū a diskuxun about familē۔s, fōkus۔ing on māel parent۔s. Mōrtal alīk۔nes۔s wuz inhērent in θe rēlāxunxip, hē outpōint۔d, bēkuz qīld۔s inherit parental trāt۔s. Trū faθer۔s relix۔d provīd۔ing not ōnlē fōr θā’s qīld۔s’ nēd۔s but fōr θā’s qīld۔s’ plejur۔s. Wīz faθer۔s kārful۔lē plan fōr θā’s qīld۔s’s edyūkāxun and trān۔in, prepār۔ing θā fōr θā’s rēsponsibelitē۔s. Az nesesārē, farsītful faθer۔s gīd, korekt, disiplin, and somtīm۔s rēstrān θā’s non۔matūr ofsprin. Θā engāj in intimāt and luv۔ē konversāxun۔s wiθ θā’s qīld۔s, wiθ an ēr ōpen tū θā’s petixun۔s, wīel bēing alwās redē tū xār θā’s difikultē۔s and hardxip۔s. Faθer۔s iz·not alīk juj۔s, enemē۔s, ōr kreditōr۔s; θā dū not hōld rēvenjful memōrē۔s aganst θā’s qīld۔s; raθer, kompaxunāt faθer۔s iz fōrgiv۔ē. Temporal faθer۔s līk tū lēv an inheritens fōr θā’s son۔s. Suq alsō, eksplān۔d Jēsus, iz θe rēlāxunxip bētwēn θe Faθer in heven and pēpel۔s on Erθ. Bī θe end ov April, opōzixun tū Jēsus among θe Farisē۔s and Sadyūsē۔s had bēkum sō prōnouns۔d θat hē and his aposol۔s depart۔d Jerūsalem, wak۔ing souθ۔ward tū Beθlehem, θen far۔er souθ۔ward tū Hebron, wār θā spend۔d a monθ in personal tēq۔in, hous tū hous. Θen θā rēturn۔d nōrθ۔ward, kamp۔ing in tent۔s on θe western slōp ov Mountin ov Oliv۔s not far from brōok Kidron in a garden publikpark nām۔d Geθsemān, minister۔ing tū larj number۔s ov inkwīer۔ōrs. Sabaθ wēkend۔s θā yūsūal۔lē spend۔d wiθ Lazarus and his sister۔s in Beθanē. At θe end ov Jūn θā ventūr۔d nōrθ۔ward tū Samarēa, wār manē Samarēan۔s ērhēr۔d Jēsus glād۔lē. Won afternūn nēr town Sīqar, Jēsus rest۔d at a fāmus groundwel, dub۔t Jākob’s groundwel, wīel θe aposol۔s wuz bizē feq۔ing fūd and erekt۔ing θā’s tent۔s. Jēsus wuz θirst۔ē, but had nō wā ov pul۔ing up water, θus wen a woman arīv۔d hē sā۔d tū xē, “Giv mē a drink.” Xē, pritē, rēspond۔d, “How iz it θat yū, bēing a Jūan, ask fōr a drink ov mē, a Samarēan woman?” Jēsus anser۔d: “Ī hav indēd ask۔d yū fōr a drink, but if yū kud ōnlē komprēhend, yū wud ask mē fōr a drink ov θe liv۔in water.” Sā۔d xē, “But, sir, yū hav nō jar, and θe groundwel iz dēp; from wār, θen, hav yū θis liv۔in water? Iz yū grāt۔er θan our faθer Jākob hū giv۔d wē θis groundwel, and hū drink۔d θerov hiself and his son۔s and his katel۔s?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Al hū drink ov θis water wil θirst agin, but hūever drink ov θe water ov θe liv۔in spērit xal never θirst. And θis liv۔in water xal bēkum in tā a groundwel ov rēfrexment spring۔ing up ēven tū ēternal līf.” Θe woman sā۔d, “Giv mē θis water θat Ī θirst not, nēθer kom al θe wā hiθer tū feq.” Jēsus, nōtis۔ing θat θe woman wuz akt۔ing flirtāxus۔lē, sā۔d, “Woman, gō tū yōr husband, and bring hē hiθer.” Rēplī۔d xē, “But sir, Ī hav nō husband.” Sā۔d Jēsus: “Yū hav spēk۔d trūθful۔lē, bēkuz, wīel yū mā hav wons had a husband, hē wiθ hū yū now resīd iz not yōr husband.” Θā woman rēspond۔d, “Mī Lōrd, Ī persēv θat yū iz a hōlē man ōr perhaps a profet. Ī no θat Jon hav prēq۔d about θe kom۔ing ov a konvert۔ōr, hū wil bē nām۔t θe deliver۔ōr, hū wil deklār tū wē al θing۔s—” Jēsus interupt۔d, sā۔d, “Ī tū hū yū spēk iz hē. Woman, gō yōr wā. God hav fōrgiv۔d yū. Hensfōrθ yū wil liv a nū līf. Yū hav rēsēv۔d θe liv۔in water, and a nū jōē wil spring up wiθin yōr sōul, and yū xal bēkum a doter ov θe mōst hī.” Θe woman, lēv۔ing her water jar, hurē۔d tū town, and prōklām۔d tū al xē mēt۔d, “Gō out tū Jākob’s groundwel, and gō kwik۔lē. Θer yū۔s wil sē a man hū tel۔d mē al Ī ever dū۔d. Kan hē bē θe konvert۔ōr?” Θus at θe groundwel, az θe sun lōer۔d in θe skī, a grāt krowd asembel۔d, and Jēsus eksplān۔d about θe water ov līf, θe gift ov θe indwel۔ing spērit. Jēsus and his aposol۔s jurnē۔d alsō tū θe nū Helasan sitē۔s ov Fāsali and Arqelās nēr θe river, and prēq۔d tū gaθer۔ins ov Helasan۔s, Rōman۔s, and Suriyahan۔s – jentīl۔s hū tend۔d tū konsider Jēsus’s tēq۔in heven۔ē and īdēal, but sūt۔abel mān۔lē fōr wēaklin۔s and slāv۔s, in kontrast tū θā’s rēlijon θat inspīer۔d θe akīerment ov strong, rōbust, and agresiv karakter. Θā asert۔d θat if man۔s bēkum۔d enfēbel۔ē spesimen۔s ov non-rēsist۔ōrs, θā wud sūn dī from θe fās ov θe Erθ. Wen θe aposol۔s ask۔d Jēsus how tū rēspond tū suq objektxun۔s, Jēsus tel۔d θā, “Yū۔s iz θe first voluntēr۔ōrs ov a long līn ov sinsēr belēv۔ōrs hū wil amāz hyūmankīnd bī θā’s hērōik devōtxun tū spred۔ing θe gospel. Kompār۔d tū dī۔ing in fizikal batel wen yōr kouraj iz strenkθen۔t bī θe presens ov yōr fīt۔in komrad۔s, muq mōr kouraj and devōtxun iz rēkwīer۔t tū al alōn lā down yōr līf fōr θe luv ov a trūθ enxrīn۔d in yōr mōrtal hart. Kouraj ov θe flex iz θe lō۔est fōrm ov brāvōrē; mīnd brāvōrē iz a hī۔er tīp, but θe hī۔est and suprēm tīp ov brāvōrē iz non۔kompromīs۔ē lōyaltē tū θe enlītend konvikxun۔s ov prōfound spiritūal rēalitē۔s. Suq kouraj konstitūt θe hērōizim ov God-no۔ing man۔s suq az yōrself۔s.” At anoθer ov θā’s ēvenin konferens۔s, Andrū ask۔d Jēsus: “Mastōr, xud wē praktis self-denīal az Jon prēq۔d, ōr xud wē strīv fōr θe self۔kontrōl ov yōr tēq۔in? How dū yōr tēq۔ins difer?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Jon indēd tēq۔d yū θe wā ov rīqus۔nes in akordans wiθ θe līt and lo۔s ov his ansestōr۔s, wiq wuz θe rēlijon ov self-eksamināxun and self-denīal. But Ī kom wiθ a nū mesaj ov self-fōrgetful۔nes and self۔kontrōl Verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū۔s, hē hū lēdrūel his ōn self iz grāt۔er θan hē hū konker and lēdrūel a sitē. Self۔masterē iz θe mejur ov a man’s mōral nātūr and θe indikāt۔ōr ov his spiritūal development. Bī θe ōld wā θe devout sēk۔d tū supres, tū self-denī, tū ōbā, tū konfōrm tū rijid rūel۔s. Bī θe nū wā yū۔s iz first spiritūal۔lē transfōrm۔t, and yōr sōul iz θerbī strenkθen۔t. In plās ov θe ōld lo ov fēr and self-bondaj and θe slāverē ov self۔denīal, θe nū lo ov θe spērit endow yū۔s wiθ θe libertē ov self۔masterē. Salvāxun iz not bī self۔rīqus۔nes dēd۔s ov θe flex, but bī rē۔jenerāxun ov θe spērit.” Dur θe nekst twū dā۔s Jēsus and θe aposol۔s go۔d intū Sīqar tū prēq, θen establix۔d θā’s kamp on nērbī Mountin Gerīzim, desend۔ing ēq dā tū tēq in oθer Samarēan town۔s. Θe θēm ov his tēq۔in wuz: vyū God az a faθer-frend, az hē (Jēsus) iz a broθer-frend. Luv iz θe grāt۔est rēlāxunxip in θe world – and in θe yūnivers – az trūθ iz θe grāt۔est prōnounsment ov θe observāxun ov θēz divīn rēlāxunxip۔s. Dur ēvenin konferens۔s on θe mountin Jēsus emfasīz۔d, “Az work xud bē rēlēv۔t wiθ plā, and filosofē ofset bī pōetrē, rēlijon xud bē balans۔t bī hyūmor. Prār – wiq self۔rēmind, spiritūal۔lē sustān – iz desīn۔t tū enābel pēpel۔s tū θink les, rēalīz mōr; raθer θan inkrēs nolej, it ekspand insīt. Worxip – kontemplāxun ov θe spiritūal – iz self۔fōrgetful, a fōrm ov restful spiritūal ekserxun. Worxip iz θe divīn۔lē krēātiv akt ov a pōrxun īdentifī۔ing itself wiθ θe entīertē, θe teknēk ov lōok۔ing tū θe won fōr inspīrāxun ov servis ov θe manē, and iz an indikāxun ov θe sōul’s dētaqment from θe matērēal yūnivers.” Θe aposol۔s, despīt θā’s best efōrt۔s, az sō often wiθ Jēsus’s multē۔aspektūal tēq۔in, grasp۔d litel ov wut θā ērhēr۔d. Θe stedfast devōtxun ov θe Galilēen fix۔ōrts wuz in mān۔bē a mater ov personal lōyaltē. At sumer’s end, Jēsus and θe aposol۔s wak۔d far۔er nōrθ۔ward, and kamp۔d on a slōp ov Mountin Gilbōa. In Jerūsalem, rēlijus lēdrūel۔ōrs had bēkum ever mōr antagonistik. Tetrark Herod Antipas stil hōld۔d Jon θe baptīz۔ōrt in prison, fēr۔ing ēθer tū rēlēs ōr eksekyūt hē. Tenxun bētwēn θe aposol۔s and Jon’s disīpel۔s, mēnwīel, had bēkum wors wiθ θe inkrēs۔ē number۔s ov belēv۔ōrs. Θus Jēsus desīd۔d it wud bē non۔wise tū rēsūm publik prēq۔ing in ēθer Jūdea ōr Galilē. Θā’s stā on θe mountin, wiθ nōbodē els around, wuz mān۔lē a tīm ov rest. Dur θis kwīet pērēod θe aposol۔s ask۔d agin about prār, bōθ fōr θā’s ōn benefit and tū gratifī frēkwent rēkwest۔s ov belēv۔ōrs. Jūan tēq۔ōrs rēsīt۔d ap θrē ten۔s ov fiks۔t prār۔s in θe sinagog۔s and ēven on strēt·korner۔s, but Jēsus had rār۔lē bin sē۔t prā۔ing in publik. It wuz aposol Tomas hū won afternūn ask۔d, “Mastōr, tēq wē how tū prā.” “Prār iz a personal and spontānēus eksprexun ov θe atitūd ov θe sōul tōward God,” eksplān۔d Jēsus. “Θe īdēal prār iz a fōrm ov spiritūal komyūnyon θat lēd tū intelijent worxip. Trū prā۔in iz θe sinsēr atitūd ov rēq۔ing heven۔ward fōr θe atānment ov yōr īdēal۔s. Prār – θe breθ ov θe sōul – xud lēd yū tū bē persistent in yōr atempt tū asertān θe Faθer’s wil.” Jēsus kontinyū۔d, “If yū nok on yōr nābōr’s dōr at mid۔nīt, ask۔ing, ‘Lend mē θrē bredlōf۔s, bēkuz a frend hav arīv۔d from a jurnē and Ī hav noθin tū fēd hē,’ and yōr nābōr anser, ‘Boθer mē not, bēkuz wē iz in bed slēp۔ing,’ yū wil persist, insist۔ing θat yōr frend hunger, until yōr nābōr rēlent and giv yū θe bredlōf۔s. If, θerfōr, persistens fāvor۔s ēven mōral man۔s, how muq mōr wil yōr persistens win θe bred ov līf from θe wilin hand۔s ov θe Faθer in heven? Ask, and yū xal rēsēv. Sēk and yū xal fīnd. Nok, and θe dōr xal ōpen.” After a pērēod ov sīlens, Jēsus ask۔d, “Wiq ov yū۔s, if yōr son ask non-wīz۔lē, wil set asīd yōr faθer۔ē wizdom and grant his falt۔ē plē? If yōr litel qīld hunger, and ask fōr a stōn, wud yū grant his rēkwest and giv hē a stōn tū ēt, ōr suplī hē insted wiθ bred? If yū, θen, bēing mōrtal and fīnīt, iz diskrimināt in anser۔ing yōr qīld۔s’s rēkwest, how muq mōr xal yōr Faθer in heven bles yōr rēkwest۔s wiθ heven۔ē wizdom? If yōr prār iz apārent۔lē not anser۔t, θe delā often signifī a beter anser. Ōr θe prār mā bē sō distort۔t bī ignorans ōr sō dēform۔t bī sūperstixun θat θe anser wud bē non۔rekonīz۔abel. Θe qīld iz alwās wiθin his libertērīt tū petixun θe parent; and θe parent iz alwās wiθin his parental obligāxun۔s tū θe non۔matūr qīld wen his sūpērēor wizdom diktāt θat θe anser tū θe qīld’s petixun bē delā۔t, modifī۔t, segregāt۔t, transend۔t, ōr pōstpōn۔t until θe qīld rēq a hī۔er stāj ov development. Prā, and bēkum not diskouraj۔t. However, prār iz not desīn۔d az a teknēk fōr agrandīz۔ing self ōr fōr gān۔ing non۔far advantaj ōver won’s felō۔s. And konxus and persistent rēgard fōr inikwitē in θe hart۔s ov pēpel۔s gradūal۔lē destrōē θe prār konekxun ov θe hyūman sōul wiθ θe spērit sirkit۔s ov komyūnikāxun bētwēn pēpel۔s and God.” Jēsus ad۔d, “Yōr persistens in prār iz not tū win fāvor wiθ God but tū qānj yōr erθ۔ē atitūd and tū enlarj yōr sōul’s kapasitē fōr spērit rēseptivitē. Wen yū prā, eksersīz fāθ. After prār۔s, rēmān fōr a tīm in sīlent rēseptivitē tū aford θe divīn indwel۔ing presens opōrtūnitē tū spēk tū θe lisen۔ing sōul. Jenyūīn fāθ wil rēmūv mountin۔s ov matērēal difikultē θat mā qans tū lā in θe paθ ov sōul ekspanxun and spiritūal progres.” On θe slōp۔s ov Mountin Gilbōa θā linger۔d, after a wīel bēing jōin۔t bī θe twelv mān disīpel۔s – hed۔d bī Abner – θat Jon θe baptīz۔ōr, stil in prison, had apōint۔d. Wīel θēz twū grūp۔s rekonsīl۔d θā’s diferens۔s – qēf۔lē rēgard۔in weθer ōr not baptizim wuz proper – Jēsus rēmān۔d apart, rēfyūz۔ing tū partāk in θā’s diskuxun۔s, and dur twū wēk۔s absent۔d hiself tū bē alōn on θe mountin. Wen θe weaθer bēkum۔d kōld۔er, Jēsus and θe 24 depart۔d θā’s kamp, trek۔d ēst۔ward, and kros۔d θe river, enter۔ing rējon Dekapōlis (souθ ov Gōlan, nōrθ ov Perea). Θer, dur θe last twū monθ۔s ov θe yēr θā tēq۔d kwīet۔lē mān۔lē in θe Helasan town۔s ov Sīθopōlis, Gerasa, Abila, and Gadara. Az θe yēr end۔d, wen θe grūp had rē۔lōkāt۔d nēr۔er tū θe river, nēr Pela wār Jon had baptīz۔d Jēsus, mesajōr۔s arīv۔d from prison wār Jon had bin inkarserāt۔t ap a yēr and won haf. Θā interupt۔d Jēsus’s tēq۔in, sā۔ing, “Jon θe baptīz۔ōr hav dispaq۔d wē tū ask, iz yū θe deliver۔ōr, ōr xal wē lōok fōr anoθer?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Gō bak and tel Jon hē iz not fōrget۔t. Tel hē wut yū۔s hav sē۔d and ērhēr۔d, θat θe pōr hav gōod nūz prēq۔t tū θā.” Tū θōs gaθer۔d around hē, Jēsus, spēk۔ing about hē hū dur his karēr ov fiftēn monθ۔s had baptīz۔d mōr θan 100,000 penitents: “Wut dū۔d yū۔s sē wen yū۔s bēhōld۔d Jon? A profet? Yes, Ī sā tū yū۔s, and muq mōr θan a profet. Among θōs birθ۔t ov woman۔s θer hav not arīs۔d won grāt۔er θan Jon θe baptīz۔ōr.” Ap twū wēk۔s lāter, 10 Janyūarē, yēr 28, az tetrark Herod Antipas selebrāt۔d his birθ·dā wiθ a fēst at his Perea palas, his wīf Herōdēas prezent۔d her doter tū dans fōr θe bankwitor۔s. After θe perfōrmans Herod, intoksikāt۔ē wiθ wīn, kal۔d θe damsel bēfōr hē, and eksklām۔d, “How qarm۔ē! Ī iz muq plēzd. Ask mē fōr wutever yū desīer, and Ī wil giv it tū yū, ēven tū haf mī king۔dom.” Xē θen konfer۔d wiθ her moθer, and, folō۔ing her advīs, rēturn۔d tū Herod, sā۔ing, “Ī rēkwest θat yū fōrθwiθ giv mē θe hed ov Jon θe baptīz۔ōr on a plater.” Herod fil۔d wiθ fēr and sōrō, but bēkuz ov his ōθ and his mēenza hē dispaq۔d a sōjōr tū θe prison. Θat nīt an eksekyūxun۔ōr qop۔d of Jon’s hed, and a sōjōr bring۔d it tū θe bankwit hal and prezent۔d it on a plater tū θe yung woman, hū hand۔d it tū her moθer. Θe nekst dā Jon’s disīpel۔s go۔d tū θe prison fōr Jon’s bodē, and after lā۔ing it in a tūm, go۔d tū tel Jēsus. Twū dā۔s lāter wen Jēsus ērhēr۔d ov it, hē dismis۔d θe multitūd. Nōlonger wud his publik prēq۔ing endānjer Jon’s sāftē. Hē sumon۔d θe 24, and anouns۔d, “Tūnīt arānj yōr afār۔s. Wē xal delā nō long۔er: tomorō wē gō tū Galilē. Θe klokhour hav kom tū prōklām θe king۔dom ōpen۔lē and wiθ power.” *
Upon arīv۔ing at θe
nōrθern ej ov lāk
Galilē at θe fix۔in
vilaj ov Beθsīda, Jēsus and his aposol۔s
hedkwarter۔d
at θe hōm
ov Zebedē. Nūz ov his rēturn spred۔d, and erlē θe
nekst mōrnin
his moθer Marē hāsten۔d
awā, gō۔ing
tū Nazareθ
tū visit her son Jōsef. But a fyū dā۔s lāter apēr۔d Rūθ, Jēsus’s
yung۔est sib
and grāt۔est
komfort ov his
familē. Θat Frīdā az hē stand۔d on θe lāk·xōr tēq۔ing, pēpel۔s sō krowd۔d around hē θat hē signal۔d som fix۔ōrts in a nērbī bōt tū kom tū his reskyū. Enter۔ing θe bōt, slīt۔bē of·xōr, hē kontinyū۔d tū tēq θe asembel۔t multitūd. It wuz a bōt Jēsus hiself had konstrukt۔d, present۔lē bēing yūtilīz۔d bī anoθer ov Zebedē’s son۔s, Dāvid, and after hē had finix۔d tēq۔ing hē sā۔d tū Dāvid and his twū asōxēāt۔s, “Bēkuz yū۔s wuz delā۔d bī kom۔ing tū mī help, let mē fix wiθ yū۔s. Θus θe fōur ventūr۔d out intū θe lāk tū a plās designāt۔t bī Jēsus, lōer۔d θā’s net, and envelop۔d sō manē fix۔s θat θā fēr۔d θā’s net wud brāk, fīnal۔lē fil۔ing θrē bōt۔s. Θā, and θōs θā lāter tel۔d, deklār۔d θe ēvent a mirakel, but Jēsus, a klōs stūdent ov nātūr and an ekspērēens۔d fix۔ōrt, no۔d θe habit۔s ov fix۔s in θōs water۔s. Dur θe Sabaθ hē prēq۔d at θe sinagog, konklūd۔ing wiθ θe word۔s, “Hāt iz θe xadō ov fēr, rēvenj θe mask ov kowardis. Pēpel۔s iz θe qīld۔s ov God, not ov θe devil.” Wen hē had finix۔d spēk۔ing, a yung man in θe kongregāxun hū had bin muq ajitāt۔d bī his word۔s wuz sēz۔d wiθ a vīōlent epileptik atak. At θe end ov θe sējūr, hē spēk۔d in a drēm۔ē tōn, sā۔ing: “Wut hav wē tū dū wiθ yū, Jēsus ov Nazareθ? Yū, θe hōlē won ov God – hav yū kom tū destrōē wē?” Jēsus tāk۔d hē bī θe hand, and tel۔d hē, “Kom out ov it” – and θe yung man wuz θenupon awāk۔d. Az wuz komon θen·θer, pēpel۔s mistāk۔d epilepsē wiθ posexun bī an ēvil spērit; akord۔lē θā belēv۔d θat Jēsus had mirakyūlus۔lē ekstrakt۔d a dēmon from θe aflikt۔t man. And θat stōrē alsō spred۔d θrūout town Kapernam. On θe wā bak from Kapernam tū Beθsīda, Jēsus and frend۔s stop۔d at aposol Pēter’s hous, tū inkwīer about Pēter’s wīf’s moθer, hū dur several dā۔s had bin sik wiθ qil۔s and fēver. It sō hapen۔d θat az Jēsus stand۔d ōver θe sik woman, hōld۔ing her hand, smūθ۔ing her brow, and spēk۔ing word۔s ov komfort and enkourajment, θe fēver depart۔d. And bēfōr Jēsus kud eksplān θat θe tīm۔in wuz mēr kōinsīdens, witnes۔s, rēmember۔ing θe rēsent ēvent۔s at Kana , sēz۔d on θe insident ov evidens ov yet anoθer mirakel. Θe wonder-sēk۔ing Jūan۔s dur θōs yēr۔s wuz ever redē fōr prētekst۔s tū prōklām mirakel۔s. Bī diner۔tīm al Kapernam and it’s environs wuz agog ōver θe repyūt۔t hēal۔in, and upon θe onset ov sunset al hū wuz sik ōr aflikt۔t hāsten۔d – wak۔ing ōr bēing karē۔t – tōward Zebedē’s hous in θe hōp ov bēing kyur۔d. Sūn after sunset, az Jēsus and θe aposol۔s linger۔d around θe super tābel, vōis۔s sound۔d from θe front yard. Az Jēsus step۔d out ov θe front dōr, hē sē۔d gaθer۔d almōst won-θousand pēpel۔s – θōs hū wuz sik ōr aflikt۔t and kin۔s hū had asist۔d θā. Θe sīt ov sō manē sufer۔in qīld۔s, woman۔s, and man۔s tuq۔d Jēsus’s hyūman hart. But alθō hē wuz awār θat hē poses۔d kyūrative power۔s, hē had desīd۔d θat manifest۔ing θā wud distrakt from his kōr mesaj. An endur۔ē spiritūal masmūvment kud not bē bild۔t upon a foundāxun ov matērēal wonder۔s, hē no۔d; θus his konsistent polisē had bin tū rēfrān from eksibit۔ing sūper-hyūman prerogativ۔s. Az hē ponder۔d, a vōis from θe θik krowd kal۔d out, “Mastōr, spēk θe word, restōr our helθ, hēal our disēz۔s, and sāv our sōul۔s.” Nōsūner had θēz word۔s bin uter۔d θan a vast retinū ov non۔visibel serafim, fizikal kontrōl۔ōrs, līf karē۔ōrs, and mid۔wāōr۔s, suq az alwās atend۔d inkarnāt۔t Jēsus, prepār۔d tū akt wiθ krēātiv power xud θā’s soveren giv θe signal. Wiθin Jēsus, divīn wizdom and hyūman kompaxun wuz sō interlok θat hē sēk۔d refyūj bī apēal۔ing tū God’s wil. Wen Pēter implōr۔d Jēsus tū hēd θe krī۔s fōr help, Jēsus, lōok۔ing out upon θe aflikt۔t θrong, anser۔d, “Ī hav kom intū θe world tū rēvēl θe Faθer and tū establix his king۔dom. Fōr θis purpos hav Ī liv۔d mī līf. If, however, it xud bē θe wil ov hē hū send۔d mē, and not non۔konsistent wiθ mī dedikāxun tū θe prōklāmāxun ov θe gospel ov θe king۔dom ov heven, Ī wud desīer tū sē mī qīld۔s bēkum entīer, and—” Tūmult interupt۔d his word۔s. Jēsus had pas۔d θe hēal۔in dēsixon tū God, hū evident۔lē had nō objektxun, bēkuz nōsūner had Jēsus uter۔d θe word۔s θan θe entīer asembelē ov wāt۔in selestēal personalitē۔s desend۔d intū θe midst ov θe motlē θrong ov aflikt۔t mōrtal۔s, and in a singel mōment 683 qīld۔s, woman۔s, and man۔s wuz komplēt۔lē hēal۔d ov al θā’s fizikal disēz۔s and matērēal disōrder۔s. Jēsus hiself wuz dumfound۔ē. Dur θe loud rējōis۔ing ov θe θrong, hē flē۔d. Θe aposol۔s wuz ekstatik; ōnlē a fyū dā۔s erlē۔er hē had tel۔d θā θat his tīm had arīv۔d, and θā konsider۔d θat θe astound۔ē displā ov hēal۔in power wuz mēr۔lē θe bēgin۔in ov wut wuz tū kom. But θā kud not fīnd hē. Klokhour۔s lāter, after mōst ov θe krowd had rēturn۔d tū θā’s hōm۔s, wen Jēsus rēturn۔d, hē rēfyūz۔d θe kongratūlāxun۔s and adorations ov θe aposol۔s and θōs hū had linger۔d, sā۔ing, “Rējōis not θat mī Faθer iz powerful enuf tū hēal θe bodē, but raθer θat hē iz mīt۔ē enuf tū sāv θe sōul.” Θat nīt, fēel۔ing perturb۔t, hē slēp۔d litel. Θe world wuz awax wiθ matērēal difikultē۔s, and kyur۔ing θe sik and aflikt۔t, wiq pēpel۔s wud hensfōrθ ekspekt, wud sīdtrak his mixun ov establix۔ing a spiritūal king۔dom. It dint nesesārē folō θat pēpel۔s mirakyūlus۔lē kyur۔t ov fizikal āilment۔s wud permanent۔lē benefit spiritūal۔lē; mōst, Jēsus rēalīz۔d, wud not. Long bēfōr dābrāk hē arīs۔d and go۔d out. Erlē θat Sundā mōrnin oθer krowd۔s ov aflikt۔t sōul۔s and manē kyurēositē sēk۔ōrs bēgin۔d asembel۔ing outsīd Zebedē’s hous, klamor۔ing tū sē Jēsus. Aposol۔s, perpleks۔t, go۔d tū serq fōr Jēsus, and wen θā fīnal۔lē fīnd۔d hē, Andrū sā۔d, “Mastōr, wī dū yū lēv wē alōn wiθ θe multitūd? Never bēfōr hav sō manē sēk۔d yōr tēq۔in. Ēven now θe hous iz suround۔t bī θōs hū hav kom from nēr and far bēkuz ov yōr mīt۔ē dēd۔s. Wil yū not rēturn wiθ wē tū minister tū θā?” Jēsus ask۔d hē, “Wī hav θā now kom tū bēsēj wē? Iz it not bēkuz ov θe hēal۔in ov θā’s fizikal bodē۔s, raθer θan desīer fōr spiritūal trūθ fōr θe salvāxun ov θā’s sōul۔s? It iz not θe wil ov mī Faθer θat Ī xud rēturn wiθ yū۔s tū kāter tū θe kyurēus and bēkum okyūpī۔d wiθ θing۔s fizikal tū θe eksklūxun ov θe spiritūal. Gō and tel θe pēpel۔s tū belēv wut wē hav tēq۔d θā. Θen prepār fōr our departūr, wīel Ī hēr awāt yū۔s.” Θerfōr Andrū and his felō aposol۔s sōrōful۔lē rēturn۔d tū Zebedē’s hous, dismis۔d θe asembel۔t multitūd, and prepār۔d fōr θe jurnē. *
Θat Sundā
afternūn, 18 Janyūarē, 28 KE, Jēsus and his twelv aposol۔s, akompanē۔d
bī Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s
twelv mān disīpel۔s
hed۔d bī
Abner, embark۔d
upon θā’s first publik
and ōpen prēq۔ing
tūor
ov θe town۔s
ov
Galilē. Θā’s first stop wuz town Rimon,
wār manē ov θe erlē۔er
ēstern tēq۔ins
ov θe
Babilōnēan۔s
(inklūd۔ing
worxip ov a god ov ār),
and ov θe Zōrōastrēan۔s,
wuz stil bēlēv۔t. Θerfōr dū۔d
Jēsus and θe twentē-fōur devōt muq ov θā’s tīm tū θe task ov māk۔ing plān θe
diferens bētwēn
θēz ōld۔er
bēlēf۔s and
θe nū gospel ov θe
king۔dom.
Pēter prēq۔d
won ov θe grāt sermon۔s
ov his erlē karēr on Aaron
and θe Gōlden Kaf. Far۔er west۔ward θā nekst
enter۔d town
Jōtapata, a bit
west·nōrθ ov Kana . Θā ōrganīz۔d θāself۔s in pār۔s, an aposol ov
Jēsus wiθ a
disīpel ov Jon, az θā kontinyū۔d
tū prēq tū and baptīz belēv۔ōrs
in grūp۔s,
komfort۔ing
θe downkast and
minister۔ing
tū θe sik
and aflikt۔t.From θer θā wak۔d tū vilaj Rama, wār Jēsus enkounter۔d a Helasan filosofōrt hū tēq۔d θat sīens and filosofē wuz sufixent tū satisfī pēpel۔s’ nēd۔s. Jēsus lisen۔d hē at lenθ, aknolej۔ing θe trūθ ov manē θing۔s hē sā۔d, but, wen hē had finix۔d, koment۔d θat θe filosofōr had fāil۔d in his diskuxun ov hyūman eksistens tū eksplān “wens, wī, and wiθer”, ad۔ing, “Wār yū finix, wē bēgin. Rēlijon iz a revelāxun tū pēpel۔s’ sōul۔s dēal۔ing wiθ spiritūal rēalitē۔s θat θe mīnd alōn kan·not ful۔lē faθom. Intelektūal strīv۔ins mā rēvēl fakt۔s ov līf, but θe gospel ov θe king۔dom rēvēl trūθ ov bēing. Yū hav diskus۔d matērēal xadō۔s ov trūθ; wil yū now lisen wīel Ī tel yū about θe ēternal and spiritūal rēalitē۔s θat kast θēz transēent tīm xadō۔s ov θe matērēal fakt۔s ov mōrtal eksistens?” Fōr mōr θan an klokhour Jēsus eksplān۔d tū θe Helasan about θe trūθ ov θe gospel ov θe king۔dom, muq ov wiq θe Helasan, bēing onest ov mīnd and hart, aksept۔d. Θat ēvenin at θā’s kamp θe aposol۔s ekspres۔d diskonsertment bī θe ōpen maner ov Jēsus’s asent tū manē ov θe Helasan’s proposixun۔s, tū wiq Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Mī qīld۔s, marvel not θat Ī wuz tolerant ov θe Helasan’s filosofē. Jenyūīn sertintē dū not in θe lēst fēr out۔ward analīsis۔s, nor rēzent sinsēr kritisizim. Un۔tolōrans iz a mask kover۔ing sēkret dout۔s az tū θe validitē ov won’s bēlēf. Nōbodē iz disturb۔d bī anoθer’s atitūd wen hē hav komplēt konfīdens in θe trūθ ov wut hē hart۔lē belēv. Sinsēr pēpel۔s iz·not afrād ov kritikal eksamināxun ov θā’s trū konvikxun۔s and nōbel īdēal۔s.” It wuz alsō at Ramā, dur θe sekond ēvenin, θat aposol Tomas ask۔d, “Mastōr, how kan a nū belēv۔ōr in yōr tēq۔in rēalē no, rēalē bē sertin, about θe trūθ ov θis gospel ov θe king۔dom?” Anser۔d, Jēsus, “Wīel yū kan·not observ θe divīn spērit at work in yōr mīnd۔s, θer iz a praktikal meθod ov diskover۔ing θe degrē tū wiq yū hav yēild۔d θe kontrōl ov yōr sōul power۔s tū θe tēq۔in and gīdans ov yōr divīn indwel۔ing presens, and θat iz θe degrē ov yōr luv fōr yōr felō pēpel۔s.” Θe vilaj·folk ov Zebulun wuz ov a miks۔ē rās, and alθō θā had ērhēr۔d ov θe hēal۔in at Kapernam, fyū belēv۔d in Jēsus. Nēr θe vilaj ov Īorn wuz mineral groundmīn۔s, and wīel θe aposol۔s visit۔d hōm۔s and prēq۔d in publik plās۔s, Jēsus, tū gān nū ekspērēens, work۔d in θe groundmīn۔s wiθ under۔ground lābor۔ōrs. Dur θe Sabaθ dā at θe sinagog hē spēk۔d dur θe mōrnin, and Pēter spēk۔d dur θe afternūn, az wuz often θā’s kustom; rēlijus lēd۔ōrs in Jerūsalem, alθō antagonistik, had litel kontrōl outsīd θat sitē. Lāt dur afternūn ov θe θird dā az Jēsus wuz rēturn۔ing from θe groundmīn۔s, az hē wak۔d along a nārō sīdstrēt on his wā tū his loj۔ing plās, hē pas۔d bī a skwalid hovel ov a leprus man, hū, hav۔ing ērhēr۔d ov his fām az a hēal۔ōr, nēel۔d at his dōr and implōr۔d, “Lōrd, if ōnlē yū wud, yū kud māk mē klēn. Ī hav ērhēr۔d θe mesaj ov yōr tēq۔ōrs, and Ī wud enter θe king۔dom if Ī kud bē māk۔t klēn.” Jēsus disern۔d θat bēkuz lepōr۔s wuz fōrbid۔t entrans tū sinagog۔s, θe man belēv۔d hē wud not bē rēsēv۔t intū θe kom۔ing king۔dom unles hē wuz kyur۔d ov leprosē. Jēsus’s hyūman hart wuz tuq۔t, and θe divīn mīnd wuz mūv۔d wiθ kompaxun; hē tuq۔d θe nēel۔ing lepōr, sā۔ing, “Ī wil. Bē klēn.” Imēdēat۔lē θe leprosē depart۔d θe man. Jēsus sā۔d, “Sē θat yū tel nōbodē about yōr hēal۔in,” but in θe vilaj θe fakt ov θe mirakel wuz obvēus, and az θe nūz spred۔d, Jēsus wuz sō θrong۔d bī θe sik θat hē wuz fōrs۔d tū arīz erlē θe nekst dā and depart θe vilaj. Θā dū۔d not gō tū Nazareθ, but go۔d on tū Gisqala, wār θā prēq۔d dur twū dā۔s, θen depart۔d fōr Qōrazin – wār dur θe subsekwent wēk θā win۔d manē belēv۔ōrs. After pas۔ing kwik۔lē θrū Kapernam, θā kontinyū۔d on tū vilaj Madon, wiθ disapōint۔ē rēsult۔s. Θe aposol۔s, diskouraj۔t, konsider۔d θat θe rēson fōr θā’s fāilūr wuz Jēsus’s insistens θat θā rēfrān from refer۔ing tū hē az a hēal۔ōr, but despīt θā’s urj۔ing hē wud not rēlent. Bak in Kana , however, θā wuz wel-rēsēv۔t. Dur θā’s θird dā θer, arīv۔d a prominent sitizen ov Kapernam, nām۔d Tutus, a parxal belēv۔ōr, hū implōr۔d Jēsus tū hurē ōver tū Kapernam tū hēal his dī۔ing son. Jēsus anser۔d, “How long must θis kontinyū? Θe power ov God iz in yōr midst, but eksept yū۔s sē sīn۔s and bēhōld wonder۔s, yū rēfyūz tū belēv.” Θe nobelman plēd۔d wiθ Jēsus, sā۔ing, “Mī Lōrd, Ī dū belēv, but wen Ī depart۔d hōm mī qīld wuz at θe verj ov deθ.” Jēsus bow۔d his hed in sīlent meditāxun, and rēsēv۔ing fōrnōlej ov θe bōē’s helθ, sā۔d, “Rēturn tū yōr hōm. Yū son wil liv.” Tutus belēv۔d, and hāsten۔d bak tōward Kapernam. Enrūt his servant۔s mēt۔d hē, sā۔ing, “Rējōis, bēkuz yū son iz imprūv۔d: hē liv!” Wen Titus inkwīer۔d at wut klokhour θe bōē had bēgin۔d tū mend, θe servant۔s anser۔d, “Yesterdā ap θe dē۔seven klokhour his fēver depart۔d – ap θe klokhour wen Jēsus had sā۔d, “Yōr son wil liv.” Hensfōrθ dū۔d hē bēkum a firm belēv۔ōr. Manē θenupon supōs۔d θat Jēsus, hū erlē۔er in Kana had konvert۔d water tū wīn, had kyur۔d θe nōbelman’s son at a grāt distans, and θerfōr not ōnlē bring۔d tū hē θā’s sik but send۔d mesajōr۔s rēkwest۔ing hē hēal sufer۔ōrs at a distans. Wen Jēsus sē۔d θat θe entīer kuntrē wuz arous۔d, hē sā۔d, “Wē wil gō tū Nāin.” Bī θen pēpel۔s ov sentral and souθern Galilē had bēkum mirakel-mīnd۔ē rēgard۔in Jēsus and his personal ministrē. Hundred۔s sufer۔ing from pyūr۔lē nervus disōrder۔s and aflikt۔t wiθ emōxunal disturbans۔s kom۔d intū Jēsus’s presens and θen rēturn۔d hōm anouns۔ing θat Jēsus had mirakyūlus۔lē hēal۔d θā. Suq kās۔s ov mental hēal۔in θōs ignorant and simpel pēpel۔s rēgard۔d az fizikal hēal۔in, az mirakyūlus kyur۔s. Wen Jēsus and θe 24 wak۔d souθ·west۔ward tōward Nāin, a grāt multitūd ov belēv۔ōrs and manē kyurēus pēpel۔s folō۔d, and az θā aprōq۔d θe vilaj gāt, θā enkounter۔d a fyūneral prosexun ov manē hundred۔s ov mourn۔ōrs enrūt tū θe nērbī semeterē, karē۔ing θe ōnlē son ov a hī۔lē respekt۔t widōr۔ē moθer ov Nāin. Wen θā rekognīz۔d Jēsus, θe widōrm and her frend۔s, θā’s mirakel ekspektansē alredē hī, bēsēq۔d hē tū bring θe bōē bak tū līf. Jēsus step۔d fōrward and, rāz۔ing θe kover۔in ov θe grāvbēr, eksamin۔d θe bōē, and nōtis۔d θat hē wuz not rēalē ded. Tū avert θe trajedē ov his bēing burē۔d alīv, hē tel۔d θe widōrm, “Wēp not. Yōr son iz not ded. Hē slēp,” θen, tāk۔ing θe bōē’s hand, sā۔d, “Awāk and arīz.” Θe yūθ hū wuz asūm۔t ded θenupon sit۔d uprīt and bēgin۔d tū spēk. Invān dū۔d Jēsus insist θat θe bōē had not bin ded. Θe multitūd θat had folō۔d hē and θe vilajōr۔s ov Nāin wuz arous۔t tū emōxunal frenzē: fēr sēz۔d manē, and panik, wīel oθer۔s prā۔d and wāil۔d ōver θā’s sin۔s. Not until lāt θat nīt dū۔d θe klamor sēs. And agin wuz Jēsus sō bēsēj۔t az a doktōr θat hē depart۔d erlē θe nekst dā fōr vilaj Endōr. It wuz at Endōr θat Jēsus eksplān۔d tū his aposol۔s θat θe spērit۔s after depart۔ing dēsēsd hyūman bēing۔s dū not komyūnikāt wiθ θā’s alīv felō۔s. Ōnlē after θe pas۔ing ov a dispensāxunal era wud it bē posibel fōr θe advans۔ē spērit۔s ov mōrtal pēpel۔s tū rēturn tū Erθ, and θen ōnlē in ekseptxunal sirkumstans۔s and az a part ov θe spiritūal administrāxun ov θat world. After twū dā۔s θā rēturn۔d tū Beθsīda tū rest dur twū wēk۔s, dur wiq tīm Jēsus, tāk۔ing wiθ hē ōnlē Jāms and Jon Zebedē, visit۔d Tībērēas, twīs, wār manē ov θe houshōld ov tetrark Herod atend۔d θā’s mēt۔ins. Jēsus want۔d Herod Antipas tū no θat θe king۔dom wiq hē prōklām۔d wuz spiritūal in nātūr, and not a politikal ventūr, sō θat Herod wud not fēel θreten۔d and opōz it. A grūp ov Herod’s subōrdināt۔s, however, wuz sō inflūens۔d bī rēlijus lēd۔ōrs in Jerūsalem θat θā konsider۔d Jēsus an enemē. In Kapernam a sentūrēon (kaptin) ov θe Rōman gard۔ōr nām۔d Mangus aprōq۔d θe ōldstōr۔s ov θe sinagog, ask۔ing θā tū spēk tū Jēsus on bēhaf ov his fāθful servant, hū wuz nēr deθ. Θe ōldstōr۔s go۔d tū Beθsīda and tū Jēsus māk۔d θe rēkwest, ad۔ing, “Θe sentūrēon iz worθ yōr nōtis bēkuz hē luv our nāxun and ēven bild۔d θe sinagog wār yū hav dur manē okāxun۔s spēk۔d.” Jēsus go۔d wiθ θā tū θe sentūrēon’s hous, and bēfōr θā had enter۔d his yard, θe sentūrēon dispaq۔d frend۔s out tū grēt Jēsus, hav۔ing instrukt۔d θā tū sā on his bēhaf: “Lōrd, trubel not yōrself tū enter mī hous, fōr Ī iz not worθ۔ē θat yū xud kom under mī rūf. Nēθer dū۔d Ī θink mīself worθ۔ē tū kom tū yū, θerfōr Ī send۔d θe ōldstōr۔s ov yōr ōn pēpel۔s. But Ī no θat yū kan spēk θe word wār yū stand and mī servant wil bē hēal۔t. Fōr Ī iz mīself under θe komand ov oθer۔s, and Ī hav sōjōr۔s under mē, and Ī sā tū θis won gō, and hē gō, tū anoθer kom, and hē kom, and tū mī servant۔s dū θis ōr dū θat, and θā dū it.” Jēsus θenupon turn۔d and koment۔d tū his aposol۔s and θōs wiθ θā, “Ī marvel at θe bēlēf ov θis jentīl. Verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū۔s, ēven among Jūan۔s Ī hav not enkounter۔d suq grāt fāθ.” Θen hē turn۔d from θe hous, kontinyū۔ing onward. Θe frend۔s ov θe sentūrēon go۔d bak intū θe hous and infōrm۔d Mangus wut Jēsus had sā۔d, and from θat klokhour θe servant bēgin۔d tū mend. *
Θe year۔ē fēst ov θe Pasōver wuz
aprōq۔ing, θerfōr Jēsus and θe apostolik grūp
depart۔d Beθsīda and hed۔d souθ۔ward, vīa θe Jōrdan
valē. Twū dā۔s lāter, pas۔ing θrū sitē Jerikō,
aposol Jūdas deposit۔d som ov θā’s komon fund۔s – θā’s first ever
surplus monē – in θe monēbank ov a frend ov his familē.
Θe nekst dā θā arīv۔d at Beθanē, and θer
establix۔d θā’s hedkwarter۔s at θe hōm ov
Lazarus. But sūn θrong۔s ov pēpel۔s arīv۔d – sēk۔ing hēal۔in fōr θā’s bodē۔s, komfort fōr θā’s
ajitāt۔t, salvāxun fōr θā’s sōul۔s – alow۔ing Jēsus litel tīm tū
rest. Θus θā rē۔lōkāt۔d, piq۔ing θā’s tent۔s at Geθsemān on Mountin
ov Oliv۔s, and from θer Jēsus wak۔d bak and fōrθ tū and
from Beθanē – wār hē and his twelv aposol۔s selebrāt۔d an animalmēt۔les Pasōver fēst. Abner
and θe mān disīpel۔s ov Jon θe baptīz۔ōr, mēnwīel, hav۔ing arīv۔d from θā’s hedkwarter۔s in sitē Hebron,
selebrāt۔d θe fēst wiθ manē erlē belēv۔ōrs ov Jon. Bōθ
grūp۔s dā۔ē prēq۔d in Jerūsalem, but Jēsus
dū۔d nō publik prēq۔ing, ōnlē prīvat tēq۔in and personal work.Dur θe afternūn ov θā’s sekond Sabaθ in Jerūsalem, Jon, θe yung۔est aposol, sā۔d tū Jēsus, “Kom wiθ mē, Ī wud xō yū somθin,” and lēd۔d Jēsus θrū won ov θe sitē gāt۔s tū a pūol nām۔d Beθesda. Around θe pūol wuz fīv kover۔t pōrq۔s on wiq a larj grūp ov sufer۔ōrs linger۔d in kwest ov hēal۔in. At non۔regular interval۔s warm red۔ix water bubel۔d up from a hot watersprin benēθ θe pūol, and manē belēv۔d θat θe first tū enter θe water after suq a disturbans wud bē hēal۔t ov infirmitē. Sā۔d Jon tū Jēsus, “Mastōr, sē al ov θēz sufer۔ing won۔s. Iz θer noθin wē kan dū fōr θā?” Jēsus rēplī۔d: “Jon, wī wud yū tempt mē tū turn asīd from θe wā Ī hav qūz۔d? Wī dū yū kontinyū desīer۔ing tū substitūt θe work۔ing ov wonder۔s and θe hēal۔in ov θe sik fōr θe prōklāmāxun ov θe gospel ov ēternal trūθ? Mī son, Ī wil not dū wut yū desīer. But gaθer tūgeθer θēz sik and aflikt۔t θat Ī mā spēk word۔s ov gōod qēr and ēternal komfort tū θā.” Θen tū θōs asembel۔d, Jēsus prēq۔d θe gospel ov θe ēternal king۔dom. Wen hē had finix۔d, som ov θe aflikt۔t wuz sō inspīer۔d and spiritūal۔lē vivifī۔d θat θā prōklām۔d θat θā had alsō bin kyur۔t ov θā’s fizikal āilment۔s. Won man hū dur manē yēr۔s had bin downkast and grēv۔lē aflikt۔t bī infirmitē۔s ov his ajitāt۔t mīnd, a viktim ov θe fēel۔in ov help۔lesnes hū had wāt۔d dur yēr۔s fōr sombodē tū help hē wiθout it okur۔ing tū hē tū help hiself, rējōis۔d at Jēsus’s word۔s and, alθō it wuz θe Sabaθ dā wen nō work wuz permit۔d, pik۔d up his bed and go۔d fōrθ tū his hōm. A Fārisē nām۔d Sīmon, a lakluster belēv۔ōrt, invīt۔d Jēsus and his personal asōxēāt۔s, Pēter, Jāms, and Jon, tū his hōm fōr a sōxal mēal, θerbī risk۔ing bēing sevēr۔lē kritisīz۔t. Welθ۔ē Farisē۔s, wen θā dōnāt۔d tū qaritē, līk۔d tū dū sō publik۔lē: wen prepār۔ing tū giv tū a strēt beg۔ōr θā wud somtīm۔s blō a trumpet, and wen hōst۔ing bankwit۔s θā wud lēv wīd θā’s dōr۔s sō θat beg۔ōrs kud enter and stand along θe wal۔s bēhīnd θe bankwitor۔s, hū wud somtīm۔s tos fūd ōver θā’s xōlder۔s. Θat ēvenin among θōs hū ventūr۔d in from θe strēt wuz a woman wel no۔t az θe fōrmer kēp۔ōr ov a broθel, hū had rēsent۔lē xut۔d her biznes and bēkum۔d a belēv۔ōr ov θe gospel ov θe king۔dom, but xē wuz stil rēgard۔t wiθ disdān bī Farisē۔s and kompel۔t tū weār her hār۔s hāng۔ing down – θe baj ov harlotry. Xē had bring۔d wiθ xē a flask ov perfyūm۔ē anōintment lōxun and, stand۔ing bēhīnd Jēsus az hē ēt۔d, anōint۔d his fōot۔s, wiq xē wet۔d wiθ her tēr۔s ov gratitūd, wīp۔ing θā wiθ her hār۔s, after wiq xē kontinyū۔d wēp۔ing and kis۔ing his fōot۔s. Jēsus, persēv۔ing θat Sīmon wuz θink۔ing θat a trū profet wud hav persēv۔d θat θe woman wuz a nōtōrēus sin۔ōr, sā۔d, “Sīmon, Ī hav somθin tū sā tū yū.” Sīmon anser۔d, “Tēq۔ōr, sā on.” Sā۔d Jēsus, “A sertin welθ۔ē monē·lend۔ōr had twū detōr۔s; won ō۔d hē 500 denarēus۔s, θe oθer 50. Wen nēθer ov θā had wārwiθ tū pā, hē fōrgiv۔d θā bōθ. Wiq ov θā dū yū θink, Sīmon, wud luv hē mōst?” Sīmon anser۔d, “Hē, Ī supōs, hū hē fōrgiv۔d θe mōst.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Yū hav korekt۔lē juj۔d,” and, nod۔ing tōward θe woman, hē kontinyū۔d: “Sīmon, lōok at θis woman. Ī enter۔d yōr hous az an invīt۔d gest, yet yū giv۔d mē nō water fōr mī fōot۔s. Θis grātful woman hav wax۔d mī fōot۔s wiθ tēr۔s, and drī۔d θā wiθ her hār۔s. Yū giv۔d mē nō kis ov frend۔ē grēt۔in, but θis woman hav not sēs۔d tū kis mī fōot۔s. Mī hed wiθ ōil yū neglekt۔d tū anōint, but xē hav anōint۔d mī fōot۔s wiθ prexus lotions. Sō wut iz θe mēn۔in ov al θis? Simpel۔lē θat her manē sin۔s hav bin fōrgiv۔t, and θis hav lēd۔d xē tū luv muq. Yet θōs hū hav rēsēv۔d but litel fōrgiv۔nes somtīm۔s luv but litel.” And turn۔ing around tōward θe woman, hē tāk۔d her hand and, lift۔ing xē up, sā۔d: “Yū hav indēd rēpent۔d ov yōr sin۔s, and θā iz fōrgiv۔t. Bē not diskouraj۔ē bī θe takt۔les and un۔kind atitūd ov yōr felō۔s; gō on in θe jōē and libertē ov θe king۔dom ov heven.” Sīmon and his frend۔s, ērhēr۔ing θōs word۔s, among θāself۔s wisper۔d, “Hū iz θis man hū ēven dār tū fōrgiv sin۔s?” Az Jēsus arīs۔d wiθ his frend۔s tū depart, hē sā۔d, “Ī deklār tū yū۔s θat θe Faθer hav ōpen۔d θe dōr۔s ov θe heven۔ē king۔dom tū al hū hav θe fāθ tū enter, and nō man ōr asōxēāxun ov man۔s kan xut θōs dōr۔s ēven tū θe humbel۔est sōul ōr supōs۔bē flāgrant۔est sin۔ōr if tā sinsēr۔lē sēk an entrans.” Lāter θat ēvenin, bak at θe kamp in θe garden ov Geθsemān, Jēsus diskus۔d θe insident wiθ his aposol۔s, sā۔ing, “Mī qīld۔s, if θer eksist a trū and alīv konekxun bētwēn θe qīld and θe faθer, θe qīld iz sertin tū progres kontinyūus۔lē tōward θe faθer’s īdēal۔s. Θe impōrtant θing iz not θe rapiditē ov progres but raθer it’s sertintē. Wut yū۔s iz bēkum۔ing dā bī dā iz ov infinit۔bē mōr impōrtans θan wut yū iz tūdā. Θe transfōrm۔t woman hū som ov yū۔s sē۔d at Sīmon’s hous tūdā iz liv۔ing on a level muq bēlō θat ov Sīmon and his wel-mēn۔in asōxēāt۔s; but wīel θēz Farisē۔s iz okyūpī۔d wiθ mēn۔in۔les seremōnēal servis۔s, xē hav ernest۔lē komens۔d on θe long and ēventful serq fōr God, and her paθ tōward heven iz not blok۔t bī spiritūal prīd nor bī mōral self۔satisfakxun.” But Jēsus warn۔d aganst presūm۔ing upon God’s luv, deklār۔ing θat θe heven۔ē Faθer wuz nēθer a laks, lūs, nor fūol۔ix۔bē induljent parent ever redē tū kondōn sin and fōrgiv rekles۔nes. Manē oθer parxal۔lē prīvat mēt۔ins and bankwit۔s dū۔d Jēsus atend wiθ pōr and riq dur θā’s θrē-wēk۔s stā in and around Jerūsalem, bēfōr hē and his twelv aposol۔s prepār۔d tū rēturn tū Kapernam. Abner wiθ Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s disīpel۔s desīd۔ing tū rēmān bēhīnd. Mēnwīel θe qēf prēst۔s and θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs mēt۔d in sēkret, agrē۔ing θat Jēsus’s tēq۔in must bē stop۔t. Θā had hōp۔d θat θe Rōma۔ē oθōritē۔s wud dispōs ov hē az tetrark Herod Antipas had dispōs۔d ov Jon θe baptīz۔ōr, but Jēsus wuz sō kondukt۔ing his work θat θe Rōman ofixal۔s wuz not alarm۔d bī his prēq۔in. Akord۔lē, at a mēt۔in kondukt۔d θe dā bēfōr Jēsus’s plan۔d departūr, θā desīd۔d tū aprehend Jēsus on a rēlijus akyūzāxun. Siks Fārisē spī۔s wuz komixun۔t tū folō Jēsus, bī prētend۔ing θā wuz folō۔ōrs, and tū observ his word۔s and akt۔s, and wen θā had amas۔d sufixent evidens ov lawbreaking and blasfēmē, tū rēturn tū Jerūsalem wiθ θā’s rēpōrt. From Jerūsalem θe apostolik grūp, number۔ing ap θirtē, hed۔d ēst·nōrθ۔ward, θrū Jerikō, and from θer nōrθ۔ward along θe river tū a kros۔in, wār Pēter prēq۔d tū an asembel۔t multitūd. Θen θā mūv۔d far۔er up·river, past Amaθus, fīnal۔lē tū Tariqea, from wār Jēsus and θe twelv travel۔d bī bōt, tū eskāp θe krowd۔s, akros θe lāk tū Beθsīda. But θe nekst dā θe oθer۔s, inklūd۔ing θe Fārisē spī۔s, rē۔jōin۔d θā. Dur Tūsdā ēvenin az Jēsus wuz kondukt۔ing won ov his kustomārē lernklas۔s ov kwestyon۔s and anser۔s, θe lēd۔ōr ov θe siks spī۔s sā۔d, “Wē dū not komprēhend wī yū never komand yōr disīpel۔s tū fōdfast and prā az Farisē۔s dū.” Jēsus, after tel۔ing a stōrē, ad۔d, “Tū prā iz natūral fōr θe qīld۔s ov līt, but fūdfast۔in iz not part ov θe gospel ov θe king۔dom.” Θen hē warn۔d his lisen۔ōrs aganst θe nōxun θat al ōld tēq۔in xud bē rēplās۔t bī entīer۔bē nū doktrin. Sā۔d hē, “Θat wiq iz ōld and alsō trū must abīd. Alīkwīz, θat wiq iz nū but fals must bē rējekt۔t. But θat wiq iz nū and alsō trū, hav fāθ and kouraj tū aksept.” Θe rēlijon۔s ov pesimistik despār – ov primitiv fēr and dred – sēk۔d tū obtān rēlēs from θe burden۔s ov līf; θā krāv۔d ekstinktxun in end۔les slumber. Kontrast۔lē, Jēsus’s nū gospel wuz found۔d on fāθ, hōp, and luv. Θe drī sēson had bēgin۔d, and wīel resīd۔ing at θe hōm ov Zebedē, θe aposol۔s establix۔d a lāk۔sīd kamp tū akomodāt θe inkrēs۔ing krowd. Az trūθ sēk۔ōrs, hēal۔in kandidāt۔s, and kyurēositē sēk۔ōrs flok۔d tū θe ārēa, θe kamp ekspand۔d intū a tent vilaj, wiθ an ever-qānj۔ing popyūlāxun rānj۔ing from 500 tū 1,500. Under θe sūpervīxun ov Dāvid Zebedē, asist۔d bī θe Alfeus twin۔s, θe kamp develop۔d intū a model ov ōrder and sanitāxun. Θe sik wuz segregāt۔d nērbī, sūpervīs۔t bī a Surēyan doktōr nām۔d Elman. Andrū arānj۔d apostolik aktivitē۔s, wīel Pēter asūm۔d rēsponsibelitē fōr a skūol fōr won-hundred evanjelīz۔ōrs – a mān fōkus. Θe aposol۔s al dū۔d θā’s xār tēq۔ing grūp۔s ov evanjelīz۔ōrs ēq mōrnin, and bōθ tēq۔ōrs and stūdent۔s tēq۔d θe multitūd۔s dur afternūn۔s. Fīv nīt۔s per wēk after θe ēvenin mēal θe aposol۔s kondukt۔d kwestyon-and-anser lernklas۔s fōr θe benefit ov θe evanjelīz۔ōrs, at wiq Jēsus wons per wēk prezīd۔d, anser۔ing hōldōver kwestyon۔s from prēvēus sexun۔s. Won dā per wēk θe aposol۔s fix۔d, and ēq aposol absent۔d hiself won wēk per fōur tū spend wiθ his familē. Jēsus’s ōn imēdēat familē spend۔d mōst ov θat tīm at ēθer Nazareθ ōr Kana. Az monθ۔s pas۔d and nūz ov θe kamp spred۔d, interest۔t pēpel۔s arīv۔d from θrūout θe Rōma۔ē empīer and from land۔s ēst۔ward ov river Yūfrātes. Jēsus hiself, oθer θan θe kwestyon sexun۔s, and manē ēvenin۔s kounsil۔ing θe aposol۔s in θe hōm ov Zebedē, rēmān۔d jeneral۔lē non۔involv۔d in tēq۔ing and administrāxun, absent۔ing hiself dur dā۔s at a tīm tū rētrēt tū a hilsīd, eksplān۔ing θat hē wuz “about mī Faθer’s biznes.” After fōur monθ۔s in Beθsīda, karpentōr۔s grāt۔lē enlarj۔d θe front rūm ov θe Zebedē hous tū akomodāt gaθer۔ins dur θe aprōq۔ing rāin۔ē weaθer, and sūn afterward θe aposol۔s and θā’s nū kontinjent ov evanjelīz۔ōrs prepār۔d fōr Jēsus’s sekond publik prēq۔ing tūor ov Galilē. Dur θe sekond Sabaθ bēfōr θā’s skedūel۔t departūr, Jēsus spēk۔d at θe Kapernam sinagog about θe “Jōē۔s ov Rīqus Liv۔in”. After θe sermon a larj grūp ov θōs hū wuz mām۔t and sik, ōr oθerwīz aflikt۔t, krowd۔d around hē, sēk۔ing hēal۔in. A man wiθ a wiθer۔d hand ask۔d Jēsus if it wud bē loful tū bē hēal۔t dur θe Sabaθ dā. Jēsus, persēv۔ing θat hē had bin indūs۔d tū spēk bī a Fārisē spī, rēplī۔d, “If yū had a xēp and it fal۔d intū a pit dur θe Sabaθ dā, wud yū rēq down and lift it out? Iz it loful tū dū suq θing۔s dur θe Sabaθ dā?” Θe man anser۔d: “Yes, mastōr, θus wud bē loful dur θe Sabaθ dā.” Θen Jēsus, adres۔ing θe Fārisē, sā۔d, “Ī no wī yū hav bin dispaq۔t intū mī presens: yū wud fīnd koz fōr ofens in mē if yū kud tempt mē tū xō mersē dur θe Sabaθ dā.” Tū θe krowd hē kontinyū۔d, “In sīlens al agrē۔d θat it wuz loful tū lift θe un۔fortūnat xēp out ov θe pit, ēven dur θe Sabaθ, and Ī kal yū tū witnes θat it iz loful tū eksibit luv and benevolens dur θe Sabaθ not ōnlē tū animal۔s but alsō tū pēpel۔s. How muq mōr valyū۔abel iz a man θan a xēp!” Adres۔ing θe man wiθ θe wiθer۔d hand, hē sā۔d, “Stand hēr bī mī sīd θat al mā sē yū. And now θat yū mā no θat it iz mī Faθer’s wil θat yū dū gōod dur θe Sabaθ dā, if yū hav θe fāθ tū bē hēal۔t, Ī bid۔d yū streq out yōr hand.” Θe man streq۔d fōrθ his wiθer۔d hand, and it bēkum۔d entīer. Θe pēpel۔s ekspres۔d wonder, θen ānger۔lē turn upon θe Fārisē, but Jēsus kalm۔d θā. Θe Fārisē spī lēd۔ōr hurē۔d awā and, despīt θat it wuz θe Sabaθ dā, hāsten۔d tū Tībērēas, wār hē trī۔d tū alī tetrark Herod aganst Jēsus. But Herod rēfyūz۔d tū tāk akxun, advīz۔ing θat hē karē his komplānt tū Jerūsalem. At Beθsīda θe rēmān۔ē fīv spī۔s bēkum۔d divīd۔d in θā’s atitūd tōward Jēsus and his tēq۔ins: θrē wuz tremendus۔bē impres۔d bī wut θā had sē۔d and ērhēr۔d. A mesajōr t arīv۔d wiθ nūz and a purs: at Jerūsalem a Fārisē nām۔d Abraham, a yung and inflūenxal membōr ov θe Sanhedrin, had publik۔lē espous۔d θe tēq۔ins ov Jēsus and wuz baptīz۔t in θe pūol ov Siloam bī Abner. Al Jerūsalem wuz agog ōver θe ēvent. Abraham, upon his konverxun, dōnāt۔d al his world۔ē posexun۔s tū θe apostolik trejūrē, tū fund θe send۔ing fōrθ ov θe nū۔lē trān۔t evanjelīz۔ōrs. Andrū θenupon anouns۔d θe klōjur ov θe Beθsīda kamp, and evrēbodē prepār۔d tū ēθer rēturn hōm ōr els folō θe evanjelīz۔ōrs around Galilē. In θe enlarj۔d front rūm ov Zebedē’s hous Jēsus hōld۔d a fīnal mēt۔in wiθ θe aposol۔s, θe evanjelīz۔ōrs, and θe lēd۔ōrs ov θe dis۔band۔ing kamp, among oθer۔s, inklūd۔ing θe spī۔s, wīel around θe entīer hous a vast konkōrs ov pēpel۔s strān۔d tū ērhēr part۔s ov Jēsus’s diskōrs. Arīv۔ing at θe ēvenin sēn wuz a paralitik man, karē۔t on a smal kouq bī his frend۔s al θe wā from Kapernam; hē had ērhēr۔d θat Jēsus wud sūn depart, and hav۔ing talk۔d wiθ Aaron, θe man hūz wiθer۔d hand had bin restōr۔t and hū had sins rēturn۔d tū his job az a stōn māson (and tū a līf ov θanksgivin and rīqus۔nes), hē had rēsolv۔d tū bē karē۔t intū Jēsus’s presens. His frend۔s trī۔d tū gān entrans tū θe hous bī bōθ θe front and rēr dōr۔s, but tyū manē pēpel۔s wuz krowd۔d tūgeθer, θus θe paralitik, rēfyūz۔ing tū aksept dēfēt, direkt۔d his frend۔s tū prōkyur lader۔s bī wiq θā asend۔d tū θe rūf ov θe rūm in wiq Jēsus wuz spēk۔ing, and after lūsen۔ing som tīel۔s θā bōld۔lē lōer۔d θe sik man on his kouq bī rōp۔s until hē rest۔d on θe flōr imēdēat۔lē in front ov Jēsus – hū sēs۔d spēk۔in. Θōs in θe rūm marvel۔d. Sā۔d θe paralitik, “Mastōr, Ī wud not disturb yōr tēq۔in, but Ī iz dētermin۔d tū bē māk۔t entīer. Ī iz not alīk θōs hū rēsēv۔d hēal۔in and afterward fōrget۔d yōr tēq۔in. Ī wud bē māk۔t entīer θat Ī mā serv in θe king۔dom ov heven.” Alθō θe man’s aflikxun had bin koz۔t bī his ōn mis۔spend۔d līf, Jēsus, sē۔ing his fāθ, sā۔d tū θe paralitik: “Son, fēr not. Yōr sin۔s iz fōrgiv۔t. Yōr fāθ xal sāv yū.” Ērhēr۔ing θat, θe Fārisē spī۔s put۔d θā’s hed۔s tūgeθer, ask۔ing, “How dār θis man θus spēk? Dū hē not komprēhend θat suq word۔s iz blasfēmē? Hū kan fōrgiv sin eksept God?” Jēsus, persēv۔ing in his spērit wut θā had rēson۔d, ask۔d θā, “Wī dū yū۔s sō rēson in yōr hart۔s? Hū iz yū۔s θat yū۔s sit in jujment ōver mē? Wut iz θe diferens weθer Ī sā tū θis paralitik, ‘Yōr sin۔s iz fōrgiv۔t’, ōr, ‘Arīz, tāk up yōr bed, and wak?’ But θat yū۔s hū witnes al θis mā fīnal۔lē no θat θe son ov man hav oθōritē and power on Erθ tū fōrgiv sin۔s, Ī wil sā tū θis aflikt۔t man, Arīz, tāk up yōr bed, and gō tū yōr ōn hous.” And wen Jēsus had θus spēk۔d, θe paralitik sit۔d up on his kouq, and θen stand۔d, and az θā klēr۔d wā fōr hē, hē wak۔d out ov θe hous. Witnes۔s ekspres۔d amāzment. Pēter dismis۔d θe asemblaj, wīel manē prā۔d and glōrēfī۔d God. Lāter θat sām ēvenin arīv۔d a mesajōr ov θe Sanhedrin tū sumon θe siks spī۔s bak tū Jerūsalem. Θenupon θā debāt۔d in ernest among θāself۔s, after wiq θe lēd۔ōr and twū ov his asōxēāt۔s rēturn۔d wiθ θe mesajōr, wīel θe rēmān۔ē θrē profes۔d fāθ in Jēsus and, gō۔ing imēdēat۔lē tū θe lāk, wuz baptīz۔d bī Pēter and felōxip۔t bī θe aposol۔s az qīld۔s ov θe king۔dom. *
Θe sekond
publik prēq۔ing
tūor
ov Galilē bēgin۔d
on
Sundā, 3 Oktōber, yēr 28. Ēq aposol
akompanē۔d
ten ōr
eleven evanjelīz۔ōrs
and māntān۔d
klōs
kontakt wiθ θā wīel θā prēq۔d
and tēq۔d. Az fast az belēv۔ōrs wuz redē tū
enter θe king۔dom,
θe aposol۔s
baptīz۔d θā. Jēsus, akompanē۔d
bī ōnlē Jāms and Jon Zebedē, travel۔d
ekstensiv۔lē,
often
visit۔ing
twū town۔s
ōr vilaj۔s
dur θe sām dā tū observ
and enkouraj θe evanjelīz۔ōrs.
Θe prēq۔ing
tūor wuz
mān۔lē an
efōrt tū
aford praktikal ekspērēens fōr θe 117 nū۔lē
trān۔d
evanjelīz۔ōrs.Mēnwīel at Beθsīda, Dāvid Zebedē māntān۔d a permanent hedkwarter۔s in his faθer’s hous: a klēringhous fōr Jēsus’s work and θe rēlā stāxun fōr θe mesajōr servis (inklūd۔ing dispers۔ing fund۔s) θat Dāvid administer۔d bētwēn work۔ōrs in vārēus part۔s ov Kānan and ajāsent teritōrē۔s. Wīel parxal۔lē supōrt۔ing hiself fix۔ing, Dāvid sūpervīs۔d fōrtē tū fiftē mesajōr۔s, inklūd۔ing spī۔s tū monitōr θe plan۔s ov rēlijus opōnent۔s, in θe rapid۔lē ekspand۔ing work ov spred۔ing θe gospel. Θe fām ov Jēsus, partikyūlar۔lē az a hēal۔ōr, had bī θen spred۔d tū al part۔s ov Kānan and Surēya and intū suround۔ē teritōrē۔s. Sik pēpel۔s kontinyū۔d tū arīv at Beθsīda, and upon lern۔ing from Dāvid wār Jēsus wuz, θā wud gō in serq ov hē. Jēsus kontinyū۔d tū rēfrān from deliberāt۔lē perfōrm۔ing sōkald mirakel۔s ov hēal۔in, yet ten۔s ov aflikt۔t fēel۔d after kontakt wiθ hē restōr۔d tū helθ and hapē۔nes. Θe fenomenon kud bē eksplān۔t bī θe strong fāθ, in θōs hū sēk۔d hēal۔in, θat Jēsus wud infakt hēal θā, bī θe abundant simpaθē and kompaxun fēel۔d bī hē hū poses۔d almōst limit۔les hēal۔in power۔s, and bī θe fakt ov Jēsus bēing a personifikāxun ov God’s wil. Manē hū go۔d awā vast۔lē imprūv۔d, upon rēturn۔ing hōm, deklār۔d – despīt Jēsus rēpēt۔d admonixun۔s tū “tel nōbodē” – θat θā had bin rēsipēent۔s ov mirakel۔s. Jēsus dū۔d not eksplān tū his aposol۔s how θēz hēal۔ins okur۔d, oθer θan on several okāxun۔s tū koment, “Ī persēv θat power hav go۔t fōrθ from mē,” and wons tū rēmark wen tuq۔d bī an āl۔ing qīld, “Ī persēv θat līf hav go۔t fōrθ from mē.” But it wuz not ōnlē Jēsus’s kōr mesaj – θe faθer۔hōod ov God and θe broθer۔hōod ov pēpel۔s – deliver۔d wiθ suq apārent۔bē non-hyūman sertitūd, θat atrakt۔d ever inkrēs۔ing number۔s ov admīer۔ōrs. His persona itself wuz a powerful alūr. Hē wuz alwās pāxent, never un۔tolerat, and his jenyūīn konsern fōr evrēbodē hē mēt۔d wuz obvēus. Wīel pā۔ing tribyūt tū θe gōod in θe rēlijon ov his ansestōr۔s, hē dū۔d not hesitāt tū disregard non-relevant seremōnē۔s, matērēalistik worxip, ritūalistik bondaj; hē swēp۔d asīd al pretenxun۔s ov vanitē and hipokrisē – fōr klēn hand۔s hē substitūt۔d klēn hart۔s az θe mark ov trū rēlijon. Yet, in kontrast tū θe Zelot۔s, hē manifest۔d not a drop ov sōxal antagonizim; hē wuz a progresiv evolutionist, not a militant grand·transformāxunōr. Alθō fēr۔les, hē dū۔d not ekspres uter disregard ov θe rēlijus, sōxal, ekonomik, and politikal konvenxun۔s ov his dā; hē engāj۔d in destruktiv kritisizim ov eksist۔ē nōrm۔s ōnlē wen sīmultānēus۔lē ofer۔ing sūpērēor rēplāsment۔s. Hē dār۔d tū tēq θat katastrofē۔s ov nātūr, aksidant-s ov tīm, and oθer kalamitus hapen۔ins wuz not, az Jūdāik tradixun supōs۔d, visitāxun۔s ov divīn jujment۔s ōr misterēus dispensāxun۔s ov providens. Bōld۔lē hē prōklām۔d pēpel۔s’ spiritūal frēdom. In θe hart۔s ov al hū kom۔d under his ministrē hē inspīer۔d hōp and konfīdens. Bēkuz ov θe fāvorabel rēsepxun ov Jēsus and his tēq۔ins bī ōrdinārē pēpel۔s, θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs at Jerūsalem wuz bēkum۔ing inkrēs۔bē alarm۔t and antagonistik. Jūdāizm dur θe ap 12 sentūrē۔s sins Mōses, enhans۔t pērēodik۔lē bī profet۔s, fōrmyūlāt۔d a sistematik and dogmatik θēolōjē, an ōrθodoksē, rēplēt wiθ ritūal, wiθ skant tolerāxun fōr dēvēātxun. Θe rēsent konverxun ov yung Abraham and θe dezerxun ov θrē ov θā’s spī۔s had koz۔d among θe Farisē۔s and Sanhedrin panik. A gospel ov individuals komyūnikāt۔ing direkt۔lē wiθ God θreten۔d θā’s elēt posixun az prēst۔s, θā’s prestēj az kustōdēan۔s ov ritūal. Θā konvins۔d θāself۔s θat Jēsus must bē aprehend۔t, konvikt۔t, and eksekyūt۔t az a rēlijus ofend۔ōr, a vīōlāt۔ōr ov θe tēq۔ins ov Jūan sākred lo. But azyet hē wuz out ov rēq in wāward Galilē. Dur θe prēq۔ing tūor wiθ θe evanjelīz۔ōrs, Jēsus dū۔d litel publik tēq۔in, but hē kondukt۔d manē ēvenin lernklas۔s wiθ belēv۔ōrs in mōst ov θe town۔s and vilaj۔s wār hē sōjorn۔d wiθ Jāms and Jon. After visit۔ing Gadara, Tolemāis, Jafia, Dabarita, Megido, Jezrēl, Siθopōlis, Tariqea, and Hipōs, it wuz at Gamala θat, dur θe ēvenin konferens, aposol Filip ask۔d, “Mastōr, wī iz it θat θe skriptūr۔s instrukt wē tū ‘fēr θe Lōrd,’ wīel yū wud hav wē lōok tū θe faθer in heven wiθout fēr?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, az hē had ap won yēr and a haf erlē۔er in θe hōm ov Flavēus, “Long agō, ōnlē θrū fēr kud pēpel۔s lern revērens, and it iz stil trū ov θōs hū sit in dark۔nes θat fēr ov θe Lōrd iz θe bēgin۔in ov wizdom. But Ī wil deliver yū۔s from slāv۔ix fēr ov a jelous and raθful king God, tū θe jōēful worxip ov a luv۔ē, just, and mersēful faθer God.” A yung qīld, hē eksplān۔d, mā ōbā his faθer bēkuz ov fēr ov harx punixment, but az θe qīld matūr and mōr klēr۔lē komprēhend and aprēxēāt his faθer’s luv fōr hē, it wil bē from his ōn luv ov his faθer θat hē strīv tū emyūlāt and ōbā. “Ī hav kom intū θe world tū put luv inplas ov fēr, jōē inplas ov sōrō, konfīdens inplas ov dred, luv۔ē servis and aprēxēātiv worxip inplas ov slāv۔ix bondaj and mēn۔in۔les ritūal. Yōr faθer۔s wuz tēq۔d tū fēr God, θe almītē king. Ī tēq yū: luv God, θe al-mersēful faθer.’” Anoθer ēvenin hē diskus۔d how kouraj and fāθ kud lēd kārles sōul۔s tū rekles۔nes and presumpxun, yet how prūdens and diskrexun, wen karē۔d tyū far, kud lēd tū kowardis and fāilūr. Hē enkouraj۔d his lisen۔ōrs tū strīv fōr ōrijinalitē wīel xun۔ing eksentrisitē, fōr simpaθē wiθout sentimentalitē, pīetē wiθout sanktimōnēus۔nes. Hē tēq۔d revērens frē from fēr and sūperstixun. Sūn θerafter Andrū, wiθ aprūval ov Jēsus, instrukt۔d Dāvid at Beθsīda tū dispaq mesajōr۔s tū θe vārēus prēq۔ing grūp۔s wiθ instrukxun۔s tū termināt θe tūor and rēturn tū Beθsīda on Θursdā, Dēsember 30. Bī super tīm on θat rāin۔ē dā al θe aposol۔s and tēq۔in evanjelīz۔ōrs had arīv۔d at θe Zebedē hōm. Θe grūp rēmān۔d tūgeθer ōver θe Sabaθ dā, bēing akomodāt۔d in θe hōm۔s ov Beθsīda and nērbī Kapernam, after wiq θe entīer grūp depart۔d fōr a twū-wēk۔s rēses tū gō hōm tū θā’s familē۔s, visit θā’s frend۔s, gō fix۔in. *
Mid-Janyūarē
yēr 29, ov θe 177 evanjelīz۔ōrs
75 rēturn۔d
from θe
rēses, redē fōr anoθer prēq۔in
tūor ov Galilē. Abner, wiθ disīpel۔s ov Jon θe
baptīz۔ōr,
from θā’s hedkwarter۔s
in sitē Hebron souθ۔ward
ov Jerūsalem, arīv۔d
at Beθsīda tū jōin
θā. Θe evanjelīz۔ōrs embark۔d
in grūp۔s ov
fīv,
akompanē۔d
bī Jon θe
baptīz۔ōr’s
disīpel۔s,
hū advīz۔d
θā and baptīz۔d
belēv۔ōrs. Jēsus plan۔d
tū travel wiθ his twelv aposol۔s.
Θe θird prēq۔ing
tūor ov Galilē wuz nōtworθē fōr θe inklūxun ov woman۔s az minister۔ōrms
ov θe gospel. Ten woman۔s wuz selekt۔t from θōs hū
had serv۔d
in θe tent sitē’s
infirmarē; θā inklūd۔d
Sūzana, θe doter ov θe fōrmer qazan ov θe Nazareθ sinagog, Jōana, wīf
ov θe
stūard ov tetrark Herod Antipas, Marθa θe ōld۔er
sister ov Dāvid and aposol۔s
Andrū and Pēter, Raqel θe sister۔inlo
ov Jēsus’s natūral broθer Jūd. Dur an era wen man۔s
konsider۔d
woman۔s
spiritūal۔lē
infērēōr, and woman۔s
wuz ban۔t
from θe mān flōr ov
sinagog۔s
(bēing
konfīn۔t tū
θe woman۔s’
galerē), Jēsus’s anounsment
– despīt θat hē had manē okāxun۔s
sā۔d θat “in
θe king۔dom
ov heven θer iz nēθer
riq nor pōr, frē nor bond, māel nor fēmāel, al iz ēkwal۔bē son۔s
and doter۔s
ov God” –
xok۔d ēven
θe aposol۔s;
θe entīer kuntrē wuz
stir۔d, and
Jēsus’s
enemē۔s rēakt۔d wiθ glē. Provīd۔t
wiθ suplī۔s
and pak
animal۔s, θe
woman۔s qūz۔d Sūzana az θā’s
lēd۔ōrm, and
prōsēd۔d tū
prēq θe gospel in
Galilē. It wuz at town Magdala, on θe
western xōr ov lāk Galilē ap haf۔wā
bētwēn Kapernam and Tībērēas, θat θe woman۔s
first demonstrāt۔d
θā’s yūsful۔nes,
minister۔ing
tū θā’s
āl۔ing sister۔s.
At Magdala θā alsō visit۔d a broθel tū
prēq glad nūz
tū θe harlot۔s
–
inklūd۔ing
tū Marē
Magdalēn, hū wuz θer bēkuz ov a suksexun ov mis۔fōrqun۔s; Marē aksept۔d entīer۔lē θe gōod nūz,
wuz baptīz۔t
bī Pēter θe nekst dā,
jōin۔d θe
woman
disīpel۔s,
and xīn۔d az
an efektiv spōkswoman.Far۔er souθ۔ward at θe nū sitē ov Tībērēas, Jēsus asīn۔d θe woman۔s, bī θen twelv, tū lēd θe Sabaθ servis, wiq, bēkuz bī Jūan lo it kud not bē kondukt۔t in θe sinagog, wuz kondukt۔d in θe bankwit rūm ov tetrark Herod’s nū palas, Herod bēing awā at Perea. Jōana rēd۔d from θe skriptūr۔s, referens۔ing woman۔s in θe skriptūr۔s: Mērēam, Debōra, and Esθer. Θe nekst ēvenin Jēsus gaθer۔d his aposol۔s, Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s disīpel۔s, and θe nū۔lē komixun۔t woman۔s’ grūp. Sā۔d hē, “Yū۔s sē fōr yōrself۔s θat θe harvest iz bountē۔ful, but θe lābor۔ōrs iz fyū. Wē wil θerfōr prā θat θe Lōrd ov θe harvest send fōrθ mōr lābor۔ōrs intū his fēld۔s. Wīel Ī rēmān tū komfort and instrukt θe yung۔er tēq۔ōrs, Ī wud send out θe ōld۔er won۔s twū and twū θat θā mā pas kwik۔lē ōver al Galilē prēq۔ing θe gospel wīel it iz yet konvēnyent and pēasful.” After asīn۔ing a dāt tū rē۔gaθer at Nazareθ, hē sā۔d, “On θis mixun gō not tū anē jentīl sitē, nēθer gō intū Samarēa, but gō insted tū θe lost xēp۔s among Jūan۔s. Prēq θe gospel ov θe king۔dom and prōklām θe trūθ θat pēpel۔s iz θe qīld۔s ov God. Rēmember θat θe disīpel iz hardlē abov his mastōr, nor a servant grāt۔er θan his lōrd; enuf fōr θe disīpel tū bē ēkwal wiθ his mastōr and θe servant tū bēkum alīk his lōrd. Fēr not non۔bēlēv۔in enemē۔s. Noθin kover۔t xal not bē rēvēl۔t; noθin hīd۔t xal not bē no۔t. Wut Ī hav tēq۔d yū۔s prīvat۔lē, prēq wiθ wizdom ōpen۔lē. Wut Ī hav rēvēl۔d tū yū۔s in θe iner qāmber, prōklām from θe hous۔top۔s. Bē not afrād ov θōs hū kan kil θe bodē, but hū iz·not ābel tū destrōē θe sōul; raθer put yōr trust in hē hū iz ābel tū sustān θe bodē and sāv θe sōul.” Ask۔d hē, “Iz not twū spārō۔s sel۔d fōr a trīfel? Yet Ī deklār θat not won ov θā iz fōrget۔d in God’s sīt. Fēr not, θerfōr, bēkuz yū۔s iz ov mōr valyū θan manē manē spārō۔s. Ēven θe hār۔s ov yōr hed iz number۔t. Gō fōrθ prōklām۔ing pēas and gōod wil, but bē not desēv۔t – pēas wil not alwās atend yōr prēq۔ing. Ī kom۔d tū bring pēas on Erθ, but wen pēpel۔s rējekt mī gift, divixun and turmōil rēsult. Wen al ov a familē rēsēv θe gospel ov θe king۔dom, pēas abīd in θat hous; but wen som ov θe familē enter θe king۔dom and oθer۔s rējekt θe gospel, suq divixun kan prōdūs ōnlē sōrō and sad۔nes, θerfōr lābor ernest۔lē tū sāv θe entīer familē lest a man’s fō۔s bēkum θōs ov his ōn houshōld. But, wen yū۔s hav dū۔d yōr utmōst fōr al ov evrē familē, Ī deklār tū yū۔s θat tā hū luv faθer ōr moθer mōr θan θis gospel iz not worθ۔ē ov θe king۔dom.” Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s disīpel۔s depart۔d souθ۔ward bak tū Hebron, and Jēsus’s aposol۔s ventūr۔d awā in pār۔s, ēq pār wiθ ap ten evanjelīz۔ōrs. Jēsus tēq۔d θe woman۔s and θe yung۔est evanjelīz۔ōrs, θen (gīd۔d bī Dāvid’s mesajōr۔s) visit۔d won at a tīm θe vārēus grūp۔s. On Frīdā, 4 Marq, al mēt۔d on a hil nōrθ ov town Nazareθ, Jēsus’s first visit tū θe plās ov his bōē۔hōod sins θe bēgin۔in ov his publik ministrē. Hē spend۔d an afternūn, non۔rekognīz۔t, wander۔ing past familyar plās۔s: his qīld۔hōod hōm (wār his broθer Jōsef and his wīf and qīld۔s stil liv۔d), θe karpentōr workxop, θe sinagog wār hē had atend۔d skūol – az memōrē۔s flud۔d his mīnd. Desend۔ing from θe hil wār hē had enjōē۔d bēing alōn az θe first glimer ov his non۔yūsūal līf had okur۔d tū hē, hē ērhēr۔d θe familyar trumpet blast anouns۔ing θe set۔ing sun. Andrū arānj۔d θat Jēsus spēk dur θe Sabaθ at θe sinagog. Az θe town۔folks rēalīz۔d θat θe fōrmer karpentōr wuz agin in θā’s midst, θā’s rēakxun۔s wuz jeneral۔lē non۔fāvorabel: hav۔ing ērhēr۔d ov his fām, som fēel۔d rēzentful θat hē had rē۔lōkāt۔d tū Kapernam, manē fēel۔d ofend۔d θat hē had not rēturn۔d dur his erlē۔er spēk۔in tūor۔s, oθer۔s wuz ānger۔ē θat hē had perfōrm۔d nō mirakel۔s θer. Θat his familē had al but rējekt۔d hē wuz anoθer konseptpōint ov kontenxun; fōrget۔t wuz his erlē devōtxun tū his moθer and sib۔s. Jēsus’s ōld۔er frend۔s, inklūd۔ing θe qazan tēq۔ōr ov his yūθ, wuz ded ōr had rē۔lōkāt۔d awā. Ad۔ing tū θe kritikal, ēven hostil, atmosfēr, his enemē۔s, ērhēr۔ing θat hē wud spēk dur θe Sabaθ, hīer۔d nūmerus ruf and un۔kūθ man۔s tū haras hē. Dur θe Sabaθ θe sinagog wuz pak۔d tū kapasitē, and Jēsus prēq۔d a sermon on “θe son۔s and doter۔s ov God”. Afterward, az hē step۔d intū θe krowd, som ekspres۔d admirāxun ov his diskōrs, wīel oθer۔s vōis۔d kritisizim۔s, and around θe frinj sirkyūlāt۔d θe debase۔ē man۔s hū had bin hīer۔t tū koz trubel – man۔s hū θe atend۔ing aposol۔s and evanjelīz۔ōrs wuz kwik tū rekognīz, but θā kud not perswād Jēsus tū alow θā tū lēd hē awā. Rēspond۔ing tū ānger۔lē ask۔t rūd kwestyon۔s, Jēsus sā۔d, “A profet iz not wiθout onor eksept in his hōm teritōrē and among his ōn pēpel۔s.” Hē kud hav afabel۔lē manaj۔d θe krowd and efektiv۔lē dis۔wepon۔d ēven his vīōlent opōnent۔s had not his aposol Sīmon Zelotes gaθer۔d a grūp ov evanjelīz۔ōrs and Jēsus’s frend۔s, belijerent۔lē wād۔d intū θe krowd, and komand۔d Jēsus’s antagonīst۔s tū depart. Θe taktikal erōr arous۔d θe mob spērit ov θe un۔god۔ē asembelē. Under θe lēdōrxip ov hīer۔t rufēan۔s, θā sēz۔d Jēsus and rux۔d hē out ov θe sinagog, and up۔ward tū θe brow ov a nērbī presipitus hil tū θe ej ov a klif. Az θā wuz prepār۔ing tū pūx hē ōver θe ej tū his deθ, Jēsus turn۔d suden۔lē upon his kaptūr۔ōrs and, fās۔ing θā, kwīet۔lē fōld۔d his arm۔s, and step۔d fōrward. Tū θe amāzment ov al, θe mob part۔d and permit۔d hē tū pas θrū non۔molest۔t. Θe nekst mōrnin θe apostolik grūp – muq sōber۔t and dis۔ilūxun۔t bī θe epesōd – rēturn۔d bī diferent rūt۔s ēst·nōrθ۔ward tū Beθsīda. *
Az anoθer sēson
ov θe Pasōver aprōq۔d,
θā linger۔d
bī θe
nōrθern xōr ov lāk Galilē. Pēter work۔d wiθ θe nū
kontinjent ov
evanjelīz۔ōrs. Θe woman۔s
wak۔d from
hous tū
hous, minister۔ing
tū
θe sik in Kapernam and suround۔ē
town۔s and
vilaj۔s. Jēsus slō۔lē
rēkover۔d
from his
sōrō ov his rējekxun at Nazareθ. Won
erlē Sundā mōrnin, az hē wuz sit۔ing
alōn in θe ōld fix۔ōr·bōt
ov Andrū and Pēter, slīt۔bē
of·xōr, pēpel۔s
bēgin۔d arīv۔ing, bī mid۔mōrnin number۔ing mōr θan won
θousand. Pēter apēr۔d, ask۔ing, “Mastōr,
xal Ī talk tū
θā?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Nō, Pēter, Ī
wil tel θā a stōrē.” And, sit۔ing
in θe bōt, tū θe krowd hē sā۔d,
“A farm۔ōr go۔d fōrθ tū plant and, az
hē plant۔d, som sēd۔s fal۔d bī θe wāsīd tū bē tred۔t under۔foots and devour۔t bī bird۔s. Oθer sēd۔s fal۔d upon rok۔ē plās۔s wiθ sōil ov litel depθ,
and sūn plant۔s spring۔d up, but wen θe sun xīn۔d θā wiθer۔d bēkuz θā had nō rūt۔s tū absōrb mōistūr.
Oθer sēd۔s fal۔d among θorn۔s, and az θe θorn۔s multiplī۔d, θā qok۔d θe plant۔s until θā dī۔d. Stil
oθer sēd۔s fal۔d upon gōod ground and,
grō۔ing, yēild۔d, som θirtē۔fōld, som sikstē۔fōld, and som a hundred۔fōld.” Wen
Jēsus finix۔d θe parabel, hē sā۔d tū θe multitūd, “Hē hū
hav ēr۔s tū ērhēr, let hē ērhēr.”
Aposol۔s hū ōverērhēr۔d wuz perpleks۔t, and θat nīt in
Zebedē’s garden Maθyū ask۔d, “Wī dū yū spēk in
parabel۔s tū θōs hū sēk trūθ?”
Jēsus anser۔d, “Pāxent۔lē hav Ī instrukt۔d yū۔s, eksplān۔ing misterē۔s ov θe king۔dom ov heven, but tū θe
non۔disern۔lē multitūd and tū θōs hū
sēk our destruktxun, from now on misterē۔s ov θe king۔dom xal bē prezent۔t in parabel۔s. Θus,
θōs hū rēalē desīer tū enter θe king۔dom mā disern θe mēn۔in ov θe tēq۔in and θerbī fīnd
salvāxun, wīel θōs hū lisen ōnlē tū ensnār wē mā bē konfound۔t, bēkuz θā wil sē wiθout
sē۔ing and wil ērhēr wiθout ērhēr۔ing. Mī
qīld۔s, rēmember θe lo ov θe
spērit: tū θōs hū hav muq xal bē giv۔t mōr, but from θōs hū
hav litel, wut litel θā hav xal bē tāk۔t awā.” Jēsus
alsō rēsort۔d tū parabel۔s and simbol۔s bēkuz hē want۔d tū tēq sertin
spiritūal
trūθ in suq a maner az tū māk it difikult fōr his suksesōr۔s tū ataq presīs
interpretāxun۔s
and
definit mēn۔ins
tū his
word۔s and
θus tū
prēvent suksesiv birθsīkel۔s
from kristalīz۔ing
his
tēq۔in and
bīnd۔ing his
spiritūal mēn۔ins
bī θe ded qān۔s
ov tradixun and
dogma. Kwestyon۔d about θe mēn۔in ov θe parabel ov θe
farm۔ōr, Jēsus ask۔d tū first ērhēr θā’s
interpretāxun. Θenupon Pēter
and oθer aposol۔s
wiθdro۔d tū
anoθer
pōrxun ov θe garden wār, after ernest and prōlong۔d
diskuxun, θā konklūd۔d
θat θe parabel wuz infakt an alegōrē, ēq fētūr wiθ a hiden mēn۔in.
Rēturn۔ing
tū Jēsus, Pēter eksplān۔d,
“Θe farm۔ōr
iz θe
gospel prēq۔ōr;
θe sēd۔s iz
θe word۔s ov
God. Θe sēd۔s
θat fal۔d bī
θe wāsīd
represent θōs hū dū not komprēhend θe gospel tēq۔in.
Θe bird۔s
θat snaq۔d
awā θe sēd۔s
represent Sātan. Θe sēd۔s
θat fal۔d
upon θe rok۔ē
plās۔s, and
wiq grō۔d up
kwik۔lē but
sūn disapēr۔d,
represent sūperfixal
lisen۔ōrs hū
rēsēv θe
glad nūz wiθ jōē, but θā’s devōtxun iz ov xōrt durāxun.
Θe sēd۔s
θat fal۔d
among θorn۔s
represent θōs hū ērhēr θe
word۔s ernest۔lē, but hū alow
θe kar۔s ov
θe world and θe
desētful۔nes
ov riq۔s tū
qōk θe trūθ sō θat it
bēkum non۔frūtful. Now θe sēd۔s
θat fal۔d on
gōod sōil
and grō۔d tū
prōdūs –
som θirtē, som sikstē, and som a hundred۔fōld
– represent θōs hū, wen θā hav ērhēr۔d
θe trūθ, rēsēv it wiθ vārē۔ē
degrē۔s ov
aprēxēāxun.” Jēsus θen ask۔d if θer wuz
oθer ōpinyon۔s,
and Naθanēel rēspond۔d
wiθ an interpretāxun in
som wā۔s
similar, in
oθer۔s
distinkt۔bē
diferent – rēsult۔ing
in a lenθ۔ē
diskuxun and a divixun
intū twū sīd۔s. Fīnal۔lē,
at Jēsus’s kōks۔in,
Tomas sā۔d,
“Ī θink
θis parabel mēn θat our tēq۔in
ov θe gospel, nōmater how fāθful۔lē
and efixent۔lē
eksekyūt۔t,
wil rēsult
in vārē۔ē
degrē۔s ov
sukses, koz۔d
bī kondixun۔s
bēyond our kontrōl.” Jēsus arīs۔d
and sā۔d, “Wel dū۔d, Tomas; yū hav disern۔d θe trū mēn۔in ov parabel۔s. And
Pēter and Naθanēel hav dū۔d ēkwal۔bē wel in xō۔ing wē θe downside ov
undertāk۔ing tū māk an alegōrē out ov a parabel.” Jēsus end۔d θe ēvenin
leson wiθ his
ōn koment on θe parabel ov θe plant۔ōr,
wiq hē sā۔d
refer۔d tū
twū θing۔s: first, a sumarē ov his ministrē, past and
fyūtūr; sekond, a hint ov wut θe aposol۔s
and oθer mesajōr۔s
ov
θe king۔dom
kud
ekspekt dur fyūtūr birθsīkel۔s.
Θe aposol۔s ekspres۔d muq interest in parabel۔s. Jēsus kontinyū۔d θat ēvenin’s konferens bī sā۔ing: “Mī bēlovd, yū must present yōr tēq۔ing tū sūt θe mind۔s and hart۔s ov yōr lisen۔ōrs. Wen yū stand bēfōr a multitūd ov vārē۔ē intelekt۔s and temperment۔s, yū kan·not spēk diferent word۔s fōr ēq tīp ov ērhēr۔ōrs, but yū kan tel a stōrē tū konvā yōr tēq۔in; and ēq individyūal wil bē ābel tū interpret it in akord wiθ his ōr her mental and spiritūal kapasitē. Let yōr līt xīn, but dū sō wiθ wizdom and diskrexun.” Jēsus advīz۔d aganst θe yūtilizāxun ov ēθer fābel۔s ōr alegōrē۔s in tēq۔in θe trūθ ov θe gospel, but hē rekomend۔d yūtilīz۔ing parabel۔s, espexal۔lē parabel۔s about nātūr. Hē elaborat۔d θat θe yūtilizāxun ov parabel۔s enābel۔d θe tēq۔ōr tū prezent nū and ēven startel۔ē trūθ wiθout direkt۔lē qalenj۔ing tradixun and establix۔t oθōritē – θerfōr avōid۔ing rēsistans and kontroversē. Parabel۔s wuz handē wiθ larj odēens۔s, hē rēpēt۔d, bēkuz θā sīmultānēus۔lē apēal۔d tū muq diferent level۔s ov mīnd and spērit. Bī yūtilīz۔ing natūral, familyar matērēal, θā kud eksplān les intūitiv konsept۔s; bī prōsēd۔ing from θe no۔t, θā kud klarifī θe non۔no۔t. Tū rējekt trūθ kontān۔d in a parabel rēkwīer۔d konxus intelektūal efōrt tū ōverīd onest and fār jujment. Fīnal۔lē, parabel۔s – and θus θe trūθ kontān۔d in θā – wuz relativ۔bē ēzē tū rēmember. Hē konklūd۔d wiθ anoθer parabel: “Θe king۔dom ov heven iz alsō alīk a man hū tos۔d gōod sēd۔s upon θe erθ. Wīel hē slēp۔d bī nīt and work۔d bī dā, θe sēd۔s spring۔d up and grō۔d, and alθō hē no۔d not how ōr wī, θe plant۔s kom۔d tū frūt: first θe blād, θen θe plantēr, θen dū۔d θe ful grān apēr. Wen θe grān wuz rīp, hē wēeld۔d θe sikel, and θe harvest wuz komplēt. Hē hū hav ēr۔s tū ērhēr, let hē ērhēr.” Θe nekst dā Jēsus agin tēq۔d θe pēpel۔s from θe bōt, sā۔ing: “Θe king۔dom ov heven iz alīk a man hū plant۔d gōod sēd۔s in his fēld; but wīel hē slēp۔d, his enemē kom۔d and plant۔d wēd۔s among θe wēt. Θus wen θe yung blād۔s grō۔d, θer apēr۔d alsō θe wēd۔s. A servant ov θe farm۔ōrt kom۔d and ask۔d hē, ‘Sir, in yōr fēld dū۔d yū not plant gōod sēd۔s? Wens θen kom θēz wēd۔s?’ Hē rēplī۔d, ‘An enemē dū۔d θat.’ Θe servant۔s θen ask۔d, ‘Wud yū hav wē gō out and pluk up θōs wēd۔s?’ But hē anser۔d, ‘Nō, lest wīel yū iz pluk۔ing θā, yū uprūt alsō θe wēt. Raθer, let θā bōθ grō tūgeθer until θe tīm ov θe harvest, wen Ī wil sā tū θe rēp۔ōrs, Gaθer up first θe wēd۔s and bīnd θā in bundel۔s tū burn, and θen gaθer up θe wēt tū bē stōrkēp۔t in mī barn.’” After pēpel۔s had ask۔d a fyū kwestyon۔s, Jēsus sā۔d, “Θe king۔dom ov heven iz alīk a mustard sēd θat a man plant۔d in his fēld. Now a mustard sē۔d iz θe lēst ov sēd۔s, but wen it iz ful۔lē grō۔d, it bēkum θe grāt۔est ov herb۔s: a trē in wiq bird۔s ov heven kan rest on it’s branq۔s.” And, “Θe king۔dom ov heven iz alsō alīk leven θat a woman hīd۔d wiθin θrē mejur۔s ov grānflourdō, sō θat al ov θe grānflourdō wuz leven۔t.” And, “Θe king۔dom ov heven iz alsō alīk a trejūr θat a man diskover۔d burē۔d in a fēld; jōēful۔lē hē go۔d fōrθ tū sel al hē had sō hē kud purqas θe fēld.” And, “Θe king۔dom ov heven iz alsō alīk a merqant sēk۔ing byūtēful perl۔s; and hav۔ing fīnd۔d won ekstraordinārē perl ov hī prīs, hē go۔d out and sel۔d evrēθin hē poses۔d sō θat hē kud purqas it.” Agin, “Θe king۔dom ov heven iz alsō alīk a swēp net, tos۔d ontū θe lāk, θat gaθer۔d evrē tīp ov fix; wen θe net wuz fil۔d, θe fix۔ōrts hol۔d it ontū θe bēq, wār θā sit۔d and sōrt۔d θe fix۔s, gaθer۔ing θe gōod, θrō۔ing awā θe bad.” Θat ēvenin, tū his aposol۔s and evanjelīz۔ōrs, Jēsus mōr eksplisit۔lē ekspound۔d his tēq۔ins. On θe mōrnin after θe Sabaθ, Jēsus sā۔d tū Pēter, “Ī iz wērē ov θe θrong۔s; Ī wud līk tū kros ōver tū θe oθer sīd, sō wē kan rest.” Enrūt akros θe lāk at θe onset ov ēvenin a suden gāl tār۔d θe bōt’s windsāil bēfōr θe aposol۔s – strong and ekspērēens۔t – kud furl it, and wāv۔s wax۔d ōver θe bōt’s sīd, az Jēsus rēmān۔d aslēp bēlō in θe rēr. Suq tempests, often kom۔ing and gō۔ing kwik۔lē, wuz karakteristik ov lāk Galilē, abov wiq hēt۔d ār hover۔d dur dātīm, at sunset miks۔ing wiθ kūol۔er ār from hī hil۔s rux۔ing down stēp gorj۔s. Az θe aposol۔s rō۔d tōward xōr, θe non۔yūsūal۔bē strong stōrm intensifī۔d, and θe bōt bēgin۔d tū fil wiθ water. Pēter relinkwix۔d his waterōr and wāk۔d Jēsus, sā۔ing, “Mastōr, dū yū not no θat a vīōlent stōrm iz upon wē? Kār yū not θat wē dī?” Az Jēsus kom۔d out intū θe rāin, hē pēr۔ing intū θe dark۔nes at θe strugel۔ing waterōr۔s۔mans, and sā۔d tū θā, “Wī iz al ov yū۔s sō fil۔d wiθ fēr? Wār iz yū۔s’ fāθ? Pēas, bē kwīet.” Jēsus had hardlē uter۔d his rēbyūk wen θe disturb۔t atmosfēr, hav۔ing establix۔d it’s ēkwēlibrēum, kalm۔d. Θe hī wāv۔s prompt۔lē flaten۔d, wīel θe ōver·hed kloud۔s, hav۔ing rēlēs۔d θā’s rāin, ēvaporāt۔d, rēvēl۔ing star۔s. Tū θe amāz۔t aposol۔s Jēsus kwik۔lē eksplān۔d θat hē had spēk۔d tū kalm θā’s ajitāt۔t, not tū komand θe wind. But his word۔s rēq۔d def ēr۔s, θe aposol۔s sā۔ing tū won anoθer, “Ēven θe wind۔s and wāv۔s ōbā hē.” Alθō muq ov θe nērbī ēstern xōr slōp۔d up jentel۔lē tū θe hīland۔s bēyond, θe bōt tuqland۔d bī a stēp hilsīd, inklūd۔ing klif۔s direkt۔bē abov θe lāk. Θe rok wuz pokmark۔d wiθ kavern۔s, manē ov θe niq۔s kontān۔ing ānxent sepulker۔s. Ap haf۔wā up θe hilsīd, at a relativ۔bē level plās wuz θe semeterē ov nērbī vilaj۔et Keresa, and θat erlē mōrnin az θā klīm۔d pas۔d it, out rux۔d a lūnatik: a man nām۔d Amos hū wuz inflikt۔t wiθ a pērēodik fōrm ov demenxa, hū – wons bind۔t wiθ feter۔s and qān۔s – resīd۔d in θe kavern۔s and rōm۔d among θe tūm۔s and abandon۔t sepulker۔s. Dur won ov his relativ۔bē nōrmal interval۔s, hē had go۔t tū Beθsīda, wār hē had ērhēr۔d Jēsus prēq, and had bēkum a lakluster belēv۔ōr, but dur a stōrm۔ē fāzpērēod hē had rētrēt۔d tū θe tūm۔s, wār hē mōn۔d, krī۔d loud۔lē, and terorīz۔d al hū enkounter۔d hē. Upon sē۔ing Jēsus hē fal۔d tū θe ground, eksklām۔ing, “Ī no yū, Jēsus, but Ī iz poses۔t ov manē devil۔s, and Ī bēsēq yū not tū tōrment mē.” Jēsus, lōok۔ing down upon θe man krouq۔ing alīk an animal at his fōot۔s, rēq۔d down and, tāk۔ing hē bī θe hand, stand۔d hē up, sā۔ing, “Yū iz·not poses۔d ov a devil. Ī komand yū tū kom out ov θis spel.” In Amos, upon ērhēr۔ing θōs word۔s, θer okur۔d suq a transfōrmāxun in his intelekt θat hē imēdēat۔lē rē۔gān۔d nōrmal kontrōl ov his mīnd, and bēgin۔d konvers۔ing wiθ Jēsus – witnes۔t from θe hīland۔s abov bī swīn herd۔ōrs, hū abandon۔d θā’s qūn and hāsten۔d tū θe vilaj tū spred θe nūz ov θe tām۔ing ov θe lūnatik. Θen bark۔ing dog۔s atakqarj۔d θe non۔tend۔t qūn ov ap θirtē swīn۔s, wiq flē۔d down·hil and plunj۔d ōver a presipis intū θe lāk. Vilajōr۔s flok۔d tū θe sēn, deklār۔ing θat ēvil spērit۔s had depart۔d from Amos and enter۔d θe swīn۔s, koz۔ing θā tū rux hedlong tū θā’s destruktxun – a konvikxun (in agrēment wiθ jeneral bēlēf θat mental ill۔ness wuz koz۔d bī θe intrūxun ov ēvil spērit۔s) θat Amos xār۔d, and θat lonq۔d hē on a paθ tū permanent kyur. Θe nekst mōrnin θe aposol۔s wuz awāk۔t bī jentīl swīn herd۔ōrs, hūz spōksman urj۔d θā, “Fix۔ōrts, depart wē and tāk yōr profet wiθ yū. Wē no hē iz a hōlē man, but θe god۔s ov our land dū not no hē, and wē stand in dānjer ov lūz۔ing manē mōr swīn۔s.” Θerfōr θe grūp rō۔d bak tū Beθsīda. Bī Tūsdā afternūn wen θā’s bōt tuqland۔d, θe stōrē ov θe Keresa lūnatik had presēd۔d θā, and at lāk·xōr awāt۔d a hyūj krowd, inklūd۔ing nū observ۔ōrs from θe Jerūsalem Sanhedrin hōp۔ing tū fīnd koz fōr Jēsus’s arest and konvikxun. Az Jēsus spēk۔d wiθ θōs hū had asembel۔d tū grēt hē, Jaērus, a lēdrūel۔ōr ov θe Kapernam sinagog, fīnd۔d his wā tū θe front ov θe krowd, nēel۔d at Jēsus’s fōot۔s, and implōr۔d hē, “Mastōr, mī litel doter, mī ōnlē qīld, lā in mī hōm on θe verj ov deθ. Ī prā θat yū wil kom and hēal xē.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Ī wil gō wiθ yū.” Az hē wak۔d along wiθ Jaērus, θe larj kyurēus krowd folō۔d. Nēr۔ing θe hous, az θā hāsten۔d θrū a nārō strēt and az θe θrong josel۔d hē, Jēsus suden۔lē stop۔d, eksklām۔ing, “Sombodē tuq۔d mē.” Pēter, bēsīd hē, sā۔d, “Mastōr, yū kan sē θat θis krowd pres yū, θreten۔ing tū krux wē, and yet yū sā ‘sombodē tuq۔d mē.’ Wut dū yū mēn?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Ī ask۔d hū tuq۔d mē bēkuz Ī persēv۔d θat enerjē had go۔t fōrθ from mē.” Az Jēsus lōok۔d around, hē nōtis۔d a nērbī woman, hū kom۔d fōrward and nēel۔d at his fōot۔s sā۔ing, “Dur yēr۔s Ī hav bin aflikt۔t wiθ a tōrment۔ē hemoraj, but nun ov mī manē doktōr۔s kud help mē. Wen Ī ērhēr۔d ov yū, Ī θink۔d θat if Ī kud but tuq θe hem ov yōr garment, Ī wud bē kyur۔t. Mastōr, Ī tuq۔d θe ej ov yōr garment, and Ī no Ī hav bin hēal۔d ov mī aflikxun.” Jēsus tāk۔d θe woman bī θe hand, lift۔d xē up, and sā۔d, “Doter, yōr fāθ hav kyur۔d yū.” Bēfōr depart۔ing hē eksplān۔d, az θe krowd lisen۔d, θat it wuz indēd her fāθ – not his hēal۔in power ōr wut xē tuq۔d – θat had kyur۔d xē. Θen, tū kompensāt fōr θe delā, θā hāsten۔d onward at a kwik۔er pās, but az θā enter۔d Jaērus’s yard a servant apēr۔d at θe dōr and anouns۔d, “Trubel not θe mastōr; his doter iz alredē ded.” Jēsus turn۔d tū θe grēv۔ing faθer and sā۔d, “Grēv not; ōnlē belēv,” and enter۔d θe hous. Insīd θe flūt myūzixun۔s wuz alredē θer wiθ θe mourn۔ōrs, māk۔ing a todrē tūmult, az kin۔s wēp۔d and wāil۔d. Enter۔ing θe sik girl’s rūm Jēsus tel۔d θe mourn۔ōrs θat xē wuz not ded, but θā laf۔d skōrnful۔lē. Tū θe moθer, Jēsus sā۔d, “Yōr doter iz ōnlē aslēp.” Wen θe hous had kwīet۔d, Jēsus tāk۔d θe qīld’s hand and sā۔d, “Doter, Ī sā tū yū, awāk and arīz!” Θe girl sit۔d up. Bī and bī, wen xē had rēkover۔d from her dāz, Jēsus direkt۔d θat θā xud giv xē somθin tū ēt, bēkuz xē had bin a long tīm wiθout fūd. Tū her familē hē eksplān۔d θat θe māden had bin in kōma after a long fēver, and θat hē had mēr۔lē arous۔d xē, θat hē had not rāz۔d xē from θe ded. But despīt his repyūtāxun fōr truθful۔nes, θe mirakel-mīnd۔ē popyūlas belēv۔d hē had rēvīv۔d θe litel girl from deθ. Jēsus, emerj۔ing from θe hous, apēr۔d eksost۔t, and his frend۔s wuz bēkum۔ing konsern۔d lest hē kontinyū his work ov tēq۔in and hēal۔in, and kolaps. Θrē dā۔s lāter Jēsus deklār۔d a won-wēk furlō, and wīel evanjelīz۔ōrs tēq۔d θe multitūd hē and θe twelv trī۔d tū eskāp non۔nōtis۔t tū θe oposit xōr ov θe lāk tū a byūtēful publikpark. However, pēpel۔s nōt۔d θe direkxun ov Jēsus’s bōt, and hīer۔ing evrē bōt avāilabel, pursū۔d, wīel oθer۔s trek۔d around θe nōrθern xōr ov θe lāk, and sūn θā lōkāt۔d Jēsus in θe publikpark. Bī lāt afternūn mōr θan won-θousand had gaθer۔d, and dur θe nekst twū dā۔s θā’s number inkrēs۔d tū θrē θousand۔s – manē stop۔ing θer on θā’s wā tū Jerūsalem fōr Pasōver, θe weaθer bēing plezant nēr θe end ov θe rāin۔ē sēson at θat lōkalitē. Twū dā۔s lāter θe krowd had swel۔d tū ap fīv θousand۔s qīld۔s, woman۔s, and man۔s. Jēsus glād۔lē tēq۔d θā, but sūn θe fūd θat evrēbodē had bring۔d wiθ θā had bin ēt۔t, and θe pēpel۔s – amid rūmor۔s θat Jēsus had selekt۔d θat rēmōt lōkāxun outsīd θe jurisdikxun ov his enemē۔s az θe proper plās tū bē krown۔t king – wud not gō awā. Andrū (θe aposol’s lēd۔ōr) and Filip (θā’s stūard) advīz۔d Jēsus tū send θe multitūd awā, but Jēsus rēfyūz۔d, sā۔ing, “Hēr θā iz, alīk xēp۔s wiθout a xeperd. Ī want tū fēd θā. Wut fūd hav wē?” Filip, after a survā, rēpōrt۔d, “Ōnlē fīv barlē bredlōf۔s and twū drī۔t fix۔s.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Bring θā,” and wen Andrū had bring۔d θe basket, Jēsus sā۔d, “Direkt θe pēpel۔s tū sit on θe gras in grūp۔s ov won hundred and apōint a lēd۔ōr ōver ēq grūp, wīel yū bring al ov θe evanjelīz۔ōrs hēr.” Θen Jēsus tāk۔d θe bredlōf۔s in his hand۔s, and after giv۔ing θank۔s, hē brāk۔d θe bred and fil۔d manē basket۔s, wiq hē giv۔d tū his aposol۔s, hū pas۔d θā on tū θā’s asōxēāt۔s, hū karē۔d θā tū θe multitūd. Jēsus in alīk maner brāk۔d and distribyūt۔d θe fix۔s. And az θe fūd multiplī۔d, θe multitūd ēt۔d, and wuz fil۔t. Wen θā had finix۔d θe mēal, Jēsus sā۔d tū θe disīpel۔s, “Gaθer θe rēmān۔ōrs sō θat noθin wil bē wāst۔t.” And θā gaθer۔d twelv basket۔fuls. Θe rēakxun ov θe multitūd tū θe spektakyūlar wonder suplī۔ing θā’s fizikal nēd۔s wuz prōfound and ōverwelm۔ē. Fōr a long tīm Jūan۔s had bin tēq۔d θat θe mesīa, a son ov Dāvid, wen hē arīv۔d, wud koz θe land tū flō “wiθ milk and honē”, and θat θe bred ov līf wud bē bestō۔t upon θā az mana from heven, az wuz supōs۔t tū hav mirakyūlus۔lē apēr۔d tū fēd θā’s fōrfaθer۔s in θe wīlder۔nes dur θe tīm ov Mōses. Θe īdēa tū sēz θe mastōr and prōklām hē king rēkwīer۔d nō personal direkxun: it spred۔d θrū θe eksīt۔ē krowd alīk a kontājun. Wen θā had finix۔d fēst۔ing, θā rīz۔d az won, and xout۔d, “Krown hē king!” In rēspons, Jēsus step۔d ontū a bōlder and lift۔d his rītsīd hand tū komand θā’s atenxun; majestik۔lē pōz۔d, hē apēr۔d king۔ē tū θe ekspektant multitūd. “Mī qīld۔s,” hē bēgin۔d, “yū۔s’ intenxun۔s iz gōod, but yū۔s iz xōrtsīt۔ē and matērēal-mīnd۔ē. Yū۔s wud māk mē king not bēkuz yōr sōul۔s hav bin ilūmināt۔t wiθ a grāt trūθ, but bēkuz yū۔s’ stomak۔s hav bin fil۔t wiθ gratis bred and fix۔s. How manē okāxun۔s hav Ī tel۔d yū۔s θat mī king۔dom iz not ov θis world? Θis king۔dom ov heven θat wē prōklām iz a spiritūal broθer۔hōod, and nō man lēdrūel ōver it sēt۔d upon a matērēal θrōn. Mī faθer in heven iz θe al-wīz al-powerful lēdrūel۔ōr ōver θis spiritūal broθer۔hōod ov θe son۔s and doter۔s ov God on Erθ. Hav Ī sō fāil۔d in rēvēl۔ing tū yū۔s θe Faθer ov spērit۔s θat yū۔s wud māk a king ov his son in θe flex? Now al ov yū۔s gō hens tū yōr hōm۔s. If yū۔s must hav a king, let θe Faθer ov līt bē enθrōn۔t in θe hart ov ēq ov yū۔s az θe spērit lēdrūel۔ōr ov al.” Θenupon θe pēpel۔s, disapōint۔t and dējekt۔t, prepār۔d tū depart. Θe aposol۔s wuz spēq۔les, som, inklūd۔ing Pēter, hav۔ing hōp۔d θat Jēsus wud infakt alow hiself tū bē prōklām۔t king. Jēsus, bēfōr depart۔ing alōn tū θe hil۔s, turn۔d tū Andrū and sā۔d, “Tāk yōr breθren bak tū Zebedē’s hous and prā wiθ θā, espexal۔lē fōr yōr broθer Pēter.” Θus θe aposol۔s, worē۔ing bēkuz Jēsus had never bēfōr depart۔d θā, rēturn۔d tū θā’s bōt and bēgin۔d rō۔ing tōward Beθsīda. A strong kontrārē wind slō۔d θā’s progres, and after klokhour۔s ov rō۔ing, Pēter bēkum۔d eksost۔t and laps۔d intū dēp slēp. Wīel oθer aposol۔s tōil۔d aganst θe wind and wāv۔s, Pēter drēm۔d θat Jēsus wuz kom۔ing tū θā, wak۔ing on θe water. In θe drēm Jēsus sā۔d, “Bē ov gōod qēr; it iz Ī; bē not afrād,” upon wiq Pēter anser۔d, “Lōrd, if it iz rēalē yū, ask mē tū kom and wak wiθ yū on θe water. And wen Pēter start۔d tū wak on θe water, θe bōēsterus wāv۔s frīten۔d hē, and az hē start۔d tū sink, hē krī۔d out, “Lōrd, sāv mē!” and in θe drēm Jēsus streq۔d fōrθ his hand, tāk۔d hōld and lift۔d hē up, sā۔ing, “Ō, yū ov litel fāθ, wī dū۔d yū dout?” In θe bōt θe aposol۔s after ērhēr۔ing Pēter in his slēp kal out, “Lōrd, sāv mē!”, lōok۔d ōver at Pēter, az hē, stil slēp۔ing, rīz۔d, step۔d ontū θe sīd ov θe bōt, and θen step۔d ōverbōrd intū θe water. Wiθ a splax hē awāk۔d from his drēm. Andrū and Jāms kwik۔lē pul۔d hē bak intū θe bōt. Θe nekst dā Jēsus rēturn۔d tū Beθsīda, and sūn θerafter wiθ ōnlē his twelv aposol۔s jurnē۔d souθ۔ward tū Genesaret fōr several dā۔s rest at θe hōm ov a welθ۔ē belēv۔ōr. Ov θe ap fīv-θousand۔s hū had bin mirakyūlus۔lē fēd۔t, mōst fēel۔d disapōint۔ē θat hē wuz not, afteral, θā’s ekspekt۔t king, and ōnlē ap fīv-hundred۔s persist۔d in folō۔ing his tēq۔in. Yet θe insident stir۔d θe fēr۔s ov bōθ θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs and sivil lēdrūel۔ōrs ov Galilē and Jūdea. And θe aposol۔s rēalīz۔d mōr ful۔lē θat Jēsus wuz not gō۔ing tū sit on Dāvid’s θrōn. Θā sē۔d mōr ful۔lē θat spiritūal trūθ kud not tū bē advans۔t bī matērēal wonder۔s. Θā bēgin۔d tū rēalīz θat θe fēd۔in ov θe fīv θousand۔s and θe popyūlar masmūvment tū māk Jēsus king wuz θe āpeks ov θe mirakel-sēk۔ing, wonder-work۔ing ekspektans ov θe pēpel۔s, and perhaps θe hīt ov Jēsus’s aklām bī θe popyūlas. Θā dim۔lē fōrsē۔d aprōq۔ing adversitē. Θā wuz slō۔lē awāk۔ing tū θe rēal nātūr ov θā’s task az ambasadōr۔s ov θe king۔dom. Bak in Galilē, from Beθsīda, on Sundā, 3 April, Jēsus, akompanē۔t ōnlē bī θe twelv aposol۔s, start۔d tōward Jerūsalem fōr θe Pasōver. Tū avōid θe multitūd۔s and tū atrakt az litel atenxun az posibel, θā kros۔d θe river and kontinyū۔d souθ۔east۔ward, pas۔ing θrū Gerasa and θen Filadelfia. Jēsus instrukt۔d his aposol۔s tū rēfrān from tēq۔in, bōθ dur θe jurnē and wīel sōjorn۔ing in Jerūsalem. Rē۔kros۔ing θe river, θā arīv۔d at Beθanē lāt Wensdā, spend۔ing θe nīt at θe hōm ov Lazarus, Marθa, and Marē. Θen θā separāt۔d, stā۔ing in diferent hōm۔s. Dur θe Pasōver Jēsus enter۔d Jerūsalem ōnlē wons, dur θe dā ov θe fēst. Manē ov θe Jerūsalem belēv۔ōrs wuz bring۔t out bī Abner tū mēt Jēsus at Beθanē. Θe aposol۔s, dur θā’s sōjorn at Jerūsalem, lern۔d how biter θe fēel۔in wuz bēkum۔ing tōward θā’s mastōr. Klēr۔lē, in θe mind۔s ov manē, Jēsus wuz not θe ekspekt۔t politikal lēd۔ōr hū wud liberāt Kānan from Rōma۔ē kolonēzāxun; θerfōr, θā rēson۔d, hē wuz not θe promis۔t mesīa. Θrē wēk۔s after arīv۔ing, Jēsus and θe twelv depart۔d tōward θe gulf kōst, θen jurnē۔d nōrθ۔ward θrū θe kōstal sitē۔s ov Jōpa, Sēzarea, and Tolemāis, θen turn۔d inland, pas۔ing θrū town۔s Rama and Qōrazin, arīv۔ing fīnal۔lē bak in Beθsīda. Jēsus arānj۔d tū spēk at θe Kapernam sinagog afternūn servis θe subsekwent Sabaθ. Atend۔ing wuz 53 Farisē۔s and Sadyūsē۔s hū had arīv۔d from Jerūsalem; akt۔ing direkt۔lē under komand۔s ov θe Jerūsalem Sanhedrin, θā konstitūt۔d an ōrθodoks vangard, and had kom tū qalenj Jēsus and his disīpel۔s. Alsō present wuz mōr θan θirtē lēd۔ōrs and lēdrūel۔ōrs ov nābōr۔ē sinagog۔s, and sit۔ing in θe sēt۔s ov onor wuz ofixal observ۔ōrs ov tetrark Herod Antipas, hū wuz konsern۔d bī θe popyūlas’s atempt in rējon Gōlan (administer۔t bī his broθer Filip) tū prōklām Jēsus a king. Jairus, qēf lēdrūel۔ōr ov θe Kapernam sinagog, prezīd۔d and hand۔d Jēsus θe skriptūr۔s tū rēd. From Jūdāizm’s bōok ov Dūteronomē, hē bēgin۔d, “‘But it xal kom tū pas, if θēz pēpel۔s wil not harken tū θe vōis ov God, θat θe kurs۔s ov transgrexun xal xur۔lē ōvertāk θā. Θe Lōrd xal koz yū۔s tū bē smīt۔t bī yōr enemē۔s; yū۔s xal bē dispers۔t tū al θe king۔dom۔s ov θe Erθ....’” Wen hē had finix۔d rēd۔ing θe long pasaj۔s, hē rēd۔d from θe profet۔s, rēd۔ing from Jeremīā, “‘If yū۔s wil not harken tū θe word۔s ov θe profet۔s Ī hav send۔d yū۔s, θen wil Ī māk θis hous alīk Shiloh, and Ī wil māk θis sitē a kurs tū al θe nāxun۔s ov θe Erθ….’”, end۔ing wiθ Jeremīā’s word۔s, “‘But no yū۔s fōr sertin θat, if yū۔s put mē tū deθ, yū xal bring inosent blod upon yōrself۔s and upon θēz pēpel۔s, bēkuz, trūθful۔lē, θe Lōrd hav send۔d mē tū spēk al θēz word۔s in yōr ēr۔s.’” Lāter dur θe long sermon Jēsus pōint۔d up tū a pot ov mana θat dekōrāt۔d θe lintel ov θe nū sinagog, and sā۔d, “Yū۔s hav belēv۔d θat yōr fōrfaθer۔s in θe wīlder۔nes ēt۔d mana – θe bred ov heven – but Ī sā tū yū۔s θat θis wuz θe bred ov erθ. Wīel Mōses dū۔d not giv yōr faθer۔s bred from heven, mī faθer now stand redē tū giv yū۔s θe trū bred ov līf. Θe bred ov heven iz θat wiq kom down from God and giv ēternal līf tū θe pēpel۔s ov θe world. And wen yū۔s sā tū mē, Giv wē θis liv۔in bred, Ī wil anser: Ī iz θis bred ov līf. Hē hū kom tū mē xal not hunger, wīel hē hū belēv mē xal never θirst.” Az Jēsus poz۔d fōr a mōment tū lōok ōver θe kongregāxun, a membōrt ov θe Jerūsalem Sanhedrin stand۔d and bōld۔lē ask۔d, “Dū Ī komprēhend yū tū sā θat yū iz θe bred θat kom down from heven, and θat θe mana θat Mōses giv۔d tū our faθer۔s in θe wīlder۔nes wuz not a mirakel?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Yū komprēhend۔d korekt۔lē.” Θen sā۔d θe kwestyon۔ōrt, “But iz yū not Jēsus ov Nazareθ, θe son ov Jōsef, θe karpentōr? Iz·not yōr faθer and moθer, az wel az yōr broθer۔s and sister۔s, wel no۔d tū manē ov wē? How θen iz it θat yū apēr hēr in God’s hous and deklār θat yū hav kom down from heven?” Bī θen·θer wuz muq murmur۔in in θe sinagog, and suq a tūmult θat Jēsus stand۔d and sā۔d, “Bē pāxent; θe trūθ never sufer from onest eksamināxun. Ī iz al θat yū۔s sā but mōr. Θe Faθer and Ī iz won. Evrē won hū yēild tū θe tēq۔in ov θe Faθer’s divīn indwel۔ing presens wil ēventyūal۔lē kom tū mē.” Wen Jēsus finix۔d spēk۔ing, Jaīrus dismis۔d θe kongregāxun, but θe pēpel۔s wud not depart; som krowd۔d around Jēsus tū ask mōr kwestyon۔s, wīel oθer۔s murmur۔d and dispyūt۔d among θāself۔s. Θen won ov θe Jerūsalem spī۔s hū had bin observ۔ing Jēsus and his aposol۔s, sā۔d, “Wē nōtis θat nēθer yū nor yōr aposol۔s wax yōr hand۔s proper۔lē bēfōr yū۔s ēt bred. Yū must wel no θat suq a praktis az ēt۔ing wiθ defīl۔t and non۔wax۔t hand۔s iz a transgrexun ov θe lo ov θe ōldstōr۔s. Nēθer dū yū proper۔lē wax yōr drink۔in kup۔s and ēt۔in vesel۔s. Dū۔d yū not sā, ‘Salvāxun iz a mater ov klēn hart۔s raθer θan ov klēn hand۔s’? Wī iz it θat yū xō suq un۔respekt fōr θe tradixun۔s ov θe faθer۔s and θe lo۔s ov our ōldstōr۔s?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Θe komandment sā, ‘Onor yōr faθer and yōr moθer,’ and direkt θat yū xār wiθ θā yōr substans if nesesārē; but yū۔s enakt a lo ov tradixun θat permit non۔dūtēful son۔s tū sā θat θe monē wiθ wiq θe parent۔s mīt hav bin asist۔t hav bin ‘giv۔d tū God’, wīel spend۔ing it on yōr ōn komfort. Θe lo ov θe ōldstōr۔s θus rēlēv suq kraftē son۔s ov θā’s parental rēsponsibelitē. Yū۔s θerbī dezert God’s komandment wīel yū۔s hōld fast tū θe tradixun.” From θe rēr ov θe krowd a Fārisē lēd۔d fōrθ a demēnt۔ē yūθ hū poses۔d a rebelyus spērit; θe Fārisē ask۔d Jēsus, “Wut kan yū dū fōr suq aflikxun az θis? Kan yū ekspel devil۔s?” Jēsus lōok۔d upon θe lad and, mūv۔d wiθ kompaxun, bekon۔ing hē, tāk۔d hē bī θe hand, and sā۔d, “Yū no hū Ī iz; kom out ov hē; and Ī komand yōr lōyal felō۔s tū sē θat yū dū not rēturn.” Θe lad apēr۔d suden۔lē nōrmal. Az witnes۔s marvel۔d, θe Farisē۔s klām۔d θat Jēsus kud perfōrm suq akt۔s bēkuz hē wuz in lēg wiθ devil۔s, ad۔ing θat θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs at Jerūsalem had desīd۔d θat Jēsus perfōrm۔d al his sōkald mirakel۔s bī θe power ov Bēlzebub, θe prins ov devil۔s. Rēspond۔d Jēsus: “How kan Sātan ekspel Sātan? A king۔dom divīd۔d aganst itself kan·not stand. If yū۔s wuz not blīnd۔t bī prejudis and mis۔lēd۔t bī fēr and prīd, yū۔s wud ēzē۔lē persēv θat won hū iz grāt۔er θan devil۔s stand in yōr midst. Yū kompel mē tū deklār θat hē hū iz not wiθ mē iz aganst mē, wīel hē hū gaθer not wiθ mē skater abrod. Let mē uter a solem warn۔in tū yū۔s hū wud presūm, wiθ yōr ī۔s ōpen and wiθ prēmeditāt۔ē malis, tū askrīb θe dēd۔s ov God tū θe dū۔ins ov devil۔s! Verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū۔s, al yōr sin۔s xal bē fōrgiv۔t, ēven al ov yōr blasfēmē۔s, but hūever xal blasfēm aganst God wiθ deliberāxun and wiked intenxun xal never obtān fōrgiv۔nes.” Wen hē had finix۔d spēk۔ing, his aposol۔s suround۔d hē and lēd۔d hē from θe sinagog. In sīlens θā wak۔d hōm wiθ hē tū Beθsīda. Θe subsekwent Frīdā θe Jerūsalem Farisē۔s inixēāt۔d ofixal akxun tū xut θe Kapernam sinagog tū Jēsus and al his folō۔ōrs. Jaīrus θenupon rēzīn۔d az qēf lēdrūel۔ōr and ōpen۔lē alīn۔d hiself wiθ Jēsus. Θrē dā۔s lāter θe Sanhedrin ixyū۔d a dekrē xut۔ing al θe sinagog۔s ov Kānan tū Jēsus and his folō۔ōrs; until θen ēq sinagog had bin an independent kongregāxun ov worxip۔ōrs under lōkal direkxun, θe Sanhedrin hav۔ing oθōritē ōnlē ōver θe sinagog۔s ov Jerūsalem. Won hundred representativ۔s wuz dispaq۔d tū konvā and enfors θe dekrē. At Tībērēas a delegāxun represent۔ing θe Jerūsalem Sanhedrin mēt۔d wiθ tetrark Herod Antipas tū trī tū konvins hē θat Jēsus wuz instigāt۔ing a rebelyon. But Herod’s advīz۔ōrs had rēpōrt۔d θat Jēsus had rējekt۔d kingxip, and wuz konsern۔d ōnlē wiθ establix۔ing a spiritūal broθer۔hōod. Herod alsō sufer۔d from a bad konxens at hav۔ing komand۔d θat Jon θe baptīz۔ōr bē bēhed۔t. Hē had ērhēr۔d ov manē kās۔s ov kyur۔t sik۔nes, and hē rēgard۔d Jēsus az ēθer a profet ōr a rēlijus fanatik. Wen θe Jūan rēlijus lēd۔ōrs θreten۔d tū rēpōrt tū Sēzar θat hē wuz xēeld۔ing a trātorus sitizen, Herod komand۔d θā out ov his kounsil qāmber. Jēsus hudel۔d at Zebedē’s hous wiθ his aposol۔s and ap won hundred ov his rēmān۔ē disīpel۔s. At a fīnal lāk۔sīd mēt۔in hē talk۔d tū an asembel۔t krowd ov les θan 150. Klēr۔lē θe sitūāxun had drastik۔lē qānj۔d. Θe Jerūsalem Farisē۔s, yūtilīz۔ing al meθod۔s at θā’s dispōsal tū θwart θe gospel tēq۔in, had agresiv۔lē ekstend۔d θā’s oθōritātiv rēq intū Galilē, wār Jēsus had az manē az fiftē-θousand۔s folō۔ōrs. Jēsus, sē۔ing θat reserv wuz pōint۔les after θe ōpen ruptūer ov rēlāxun۔s wiθ θe Farisē۔s, in a startel۔lē qānj ov taktik۔s, desīd۔d tū direkt۔lē qalenj θā. Θe multitūd, after Jēsus had sō publik۔lē rēfyūz۔d tū bē krown۔t king, had bī and larj relinkwix۔d θā’s hōp θat hē wuz θe ekspekt۔d mesīa, and had abandon۔d hē in drōv۔s. Θōs hū rēmān۔d lōyal tū Jēsus dū۔d sō mān۔lē bēkuz θā jenyūīn۔lē belēv۔d in θe spiritūal king۔dom. Pēter sumarīz۔d θe aposol۔s’ vyū wen hē sā۔d, “Yes, Lōrd, wē iz sad and perpleks۔t, but wē wil never fōrsāk yū.” Jēsus deklār۔d a won-wēk holidā, wenupon θe aposol۔s and disīpel۔s rēturn۔d tū θā’s familē۔s. It okur۔d tū Jēsus tū visit his moθer, his θrē broθer۔s, and his nefyū۔s and nēs۔s, al hū resīd۔d nērbī; insted, hē go۔d fix۔ing wiθ Dāvid Zebedē, visit۔d oθer familē۔s in θe ārēa, and lōiter۔d around θe Zebedē hous. Lurk۔ing alwās nērbī wuz twū ōr θrē ov Dāvid’s work۔ōrs, entrust۔d wiθ sāfgard۔ing Jēsus. At a sekond konferens at Tībērēas, Jerūsalem rēlijus lēd۔ōrs rēpōrt۔d tū tetrark Herod Antipas θat almōst al sinagog۔s in bōθ Galilē and Jūdea wuz xut۔d tū Jēsus’s tēq۔in. Ōnlē θe sinagog at Hebron had rēfyūz۔d tū abīd bī θe dekrē, not from simpaθē wiθ Jēsus but bās۔d on insistens on otonomē; it wuz sūn afterward destrōē۔t bī fīer. Herod agin rēfyūz۔d tū arest Jēsus, but hē agrē۔d, subjekt tū konkurens ov θe Rōma۔ē lēdrūel۔ōr ov Jūdea, tū permit Sanhedrin oθōritē۔s tū sēz Jēsus and transpōrt hē tū Jerūsalem tū fās akyūzāxun۔s ov blasfēmē. Dur 21 Mā, yēr 29, word rēq۔d Herod from Jūdea θat θe rēkwest۔t aprūval had bin grant۔t, θus hē signatūr۔d a dekrē oθōrīz۔ing ofisōr۔s ov θe Sanhedrin tū sēz Jēsus wiθin Herod’s dōmān۔s (rējon۔s Galilē and, far۔er souθ and on θe ēst sīd ov river Jōrdan, Perea). Mēnwīel, Jēsus’s enemē۔s wuz spred۔ing θe rūmor θrūout Galilē θat Herod had bēkum hostil tū Jēsus, and θat hē plan۔d tū ekstermināt al hū aksept۔d θe gospel tēq۔ins. Bēfōr dābrāk θe nekst dā, Sundā, a mesajōr arīv۔d at θe Zebedē hous wiθ θe nūz ov θe arest dekrē. Dāvid arous۔d his mesajōr۔s and dispaq۔d θā tū θe aposol۔s and disīpel۔s tū sumon θā tū an erlē mōrnin mēt۔in. Wen al had arīv۔d Jēsus direkt۔d θe disīpel۔s and evanjelīz۔ōrs tū kontinyū θe work ov θe king۔dom rēgard۔les ov konsekwens۔s. Hē instrukt۔d θe twelv woman۔s tū rēmān at Zebedē’s and at Pēter’s hous until hē send۔d fōr θā. Dāvid axūr۔d Jēsus ov θe lōyaltē his mesajōr۔s, som ov hū had asūm۔d θe aktrōl ov gard۔ōrs. Θe prēvēus ēvenin twū Farisē۔s had visit۔d Marē’s hous, and – after wāt۔ing fōr θe arīval ov Marē’s qīld۔s Jāms, Jōsef, Jūd, and Rūθ – had trī۔d tū perswād Marē θat Jēsus wuz dement۔ē, and tū urj xē tū gō wiθ her son۔s tū diswād hē from furθer publik tēq۔in – warn۔in xē θat disgrās wud sertin۔lē rēsult if hē wuz alow۔t tū kontinyū. Hav۔ing talk۔d long intū θe nīt, θe fōur qīld۔s had slēp۔d at Marē’s hous, θus θe nekst mōrnin, Sundā, wen Jūd’s sister۔inlo arīv۔d wiθ θe nūz ov θe arest dekrē, θe familē hed۔d imēdēat۔lē tū Zebedē’s hous. Az θā hurē۔d along, θā diskus۔d. Marē wuz tār۔d bētwēn luv and fēr, bētwēn moθer۔ē luv and familē prīd; alθō haras۔t bī dout۔s, xē kud not fōrget her vijon ov Gābrēel, hū had predikt۔d xē wud birθ a son hū wud inogyūrāt a king۔dom ov heven on Erθ. Jūd and Jāms, and ēven Jōsef stil retān۔d muq ov θā’s fāθ in Jēsus, but θā had permit۔d prīd tū interfēr wiθ θā’s beter jujment and rēal spiritūal inklīnāxun۔s; wiθ publik ōpinyon sō strong۔lē turn۔ing aganst θā’s ōld۔est broθer, θā fēel۔d θreten۔t bī disgrās and embarasment, and ēven fēr۔d fōr θā’s sāftē. Ōnlē Rūθ (θe yung۔est, bī θen āj twentē) belēv۔d hōlhart۔lē in θe divīnitē ov her broθer hū had bin a faθer tū xē, and wen Marē sā۔d “Ī no Ī kud inflūens mī son if hē wud ōnlē kom hōm and lisen mē”, Rūθ objekt۔d, “Ī wil tel mī broθer θat Ī θink hē iz a man ov God, and θat Ī hōp hē wil bē wilin tū dī bēfōr alow۔ing θōs wiked Farisē۔s tū stop his prēq۔ing.” Jōsef promis۔d tū kēp Rūθ kwīet wīel θe oθer۔s wud tāk Jēsus asīd, axūr hē θat θā wud fōrgiv and fōrget his neglekt ov θā if hē wud ōnlē relinkwix θe fūol۔ix۔nes ov trī۔ing tū prēq a nū rēlijon θat kud bring ōnlē trubel tū hiself and un۔onor upon his familē. Θā rēq۔d Zebedē’s hous ap āt ōklok θat mōrnin, and wak۔d past nūmerus sentinel۔s pōst۔t bī Dāvid. Insīd, Jēsus, his vōis sound۔ing non۔yūsūal۔bē qērful, wuz deliver۔ing his depart۔ē mesaj tū ap won hundred disīpel۔s. Θe front entrans wuz krowd۔ē tū ōverflō۔ing, θus Jēsus’s familē establix۔d θāself۔s on θe rēr pōrq, and send۔d word θat θā had arīv۔d. Θā ērhēr۔d Pēter interupt۔d Jēsus’s spēq, sā۔ing, “Bēhōld, yōr moθer and yōr broθer۔s iz outsīd, and θā iz ankxus tū spēk wiθ yū,” and Jēsus – insted ov rux۔ing out tū mēt θā, az θā had ekspekt۔d – rēplī۔d in his myūzikal vōis, wiθ inkrēs۔ing loud۔nes, “Sā tū mī moθer and mī broθer۔s θat θā xud hav nō fēr fōr mē. Θe Faθer hū send۔d mē intū θe world wil not fōrsāk mē; nēθer xal anē harm kom upon mī familē. Tel θā tū bē ov gōod kouraj and put θā’s trust in θe Faθer ov θe king۔dom. But, afteral, hū iz mī moθer and hū iz mī broθer۔s?” And streq۔ing fōrθ his hand۔s tōward al his disīpel۔s asembel۔d in θe rūm, hē sā۔d: “Ī hav nō moθer. Ī hav nō broθer۔s. Bēhōld mī moθer and bēhōld mī breθren! Fōr hūever dū θe wil ov mī Faθer hū iz in heven, θe sām iz mī moθer, mī broθer, and mī sister.” Marē, after ōverērhēr۔ing her son's word۔s, “Ī hav nō moθer”, kolaps۔d in Jūd’s arm۔s. Her yung۔er son۔s karē۔d xē tū θe garden tū rēvīv xē. Az Jēsus poz۔d bēfōr kontinyū۔ing his spēq, a woman in θe rūm eksklām۔d, “Blesed iz θe wūm θat birθ۔d yū, and blesed iz θe brest۔s θat nurs۔d yū.” Jēsus rēplī۔d tū θe woman, “Nō, raθer iz θe won blesed hū ērhēr θe word ov God and dār tū ōbā it.” Nōsūner had Jēsus rēsūm۔d his spēq, θan Andrū interupt۔d hē wiθ θe nūz θat ofisōr۔s ov θe Sanhedrin wuz hed۔d θā’s wā, wiθ oθōritē tū arest Jēsus and karē hē tū Jerūsalem. In a flurē ov aktivitē, Jēsus hurē۔d out θe front dōr, and step۔d ontū a wāt۔in bōt. Az θā prepār۔d tū lonq, hē sā۔d tū Dāvid Zebedē, “Tel mī moθer and mī broθer۔s θat Ī aprēxēāt θā’s kom۔in, and θat Ī intend۔d tū sē θā. Ask θā tū fīnd nō ofens in mē but raθer tū sēk nolej ov θe wil ov God and θe grās and kouraj tū dū θat wil.” *
Θus it wuz θat on Sundā mōrnin, 22
Mā, yēr 29, Jēsus and twelv aposol۔s and twelv evanjelīz۔ōrs pul۔d waterōr۔s tōward θe ēstern xōr ov
lāk Galilē, folō۔d bī a smal۔er bōt kontān۔ing siks ov Dāvid’s
mesajōr۔s. Θā
dok۔d nēr vilaj Keresa, lēv۔d θā’s bōt in θe kustodē
ov frend۔s, and, wiθin θe Gōlan rējon (administer۔d bī tetrark Filip,
tetrark Herod’s broθer), trek۔d nōrθ۔ward along Jōrdan valē,
past lāk Huleh, and fīnal۔lē nōrθ·ēst۔ward along θe Dimaxk rōd
tōward sitē Sēzarea-Filipē. Dur θe jurnē
Jēsus tel۔d θā, “In al θat yū dū, bēkum not
won-sīd۔ē and ōverspexalīz۔ē. Θe
Farisē۔s hū sēk our destruktxun
belēv θā iz dū۔ing God’s servis. Θā
hav bēkum sō nārō۔t bī tradixun θat θā iz
blīnd۔t bī prejudis and harden۔t bī fēr. Konsider
θe Helasan۔s, hū hav a sīens wiθout
rēlijon, wīel θe Jūan۔s hav a rēlijon wiθout sīens. Wen pēpel۔s bēkum θus mis۔lēd۔t intū aksept۔ing nārō verxun۔s ov trūθ, θā’s ōnlē hōp
ov salvāxun iz tū bēkum trūθ-kōordināt۔t: konvert۔t.” Jēsus
ekspres۔d tū θe
aposol۔s θat
– despīt
θe aqēvment۔s
ov
Abraham, Mōses, Amos, Hosea, among manē oθer Jūan profet۔s hū had
progresiv۔lē
rēvēl۔d
an ever klēr۔er
vijon
ov θe ēternal God, θerbī prepār۔ing
θe wā fōr θe present revelāxun – Jūan۔s
wuz spiritūal۔lē
stagnant bēkuz θā had fosilīz۔d
trūθ intū a krēd. Jēsus lāter dur θe
jurnē eksplān۔d
θat θe
akseptans ov a tradixunal rēlijon ov oθōritē prezent۔d an ēzē – but
not θe mōst efektiv – wā fōr
pēpel۔s tū
satisfī
long۔ins ov
θā’s
spiritūal nātūr. Setel۔t, kristalīz۔t, and establix۔t rēlijon۔s ov oθōritē ofer۔d a redē refyūj
tū wiq θe
distrakt۔t
and distrot
sōul۔s ov
pēpel۔s kud
flē wen haras۔t
bī fēr and tōrment۔t
bī non۔sertinē. Wīel a
rēlijon ov oθōritē kud impart a fēel۔in ov sekyūritē, rēkwīer۔ing mēr۔bē pasiv and pyūr۔bē mental asent, it’s
adhērant۔s pā۔d fōr suq transēent
satisfakxun θe prīs ov los ov spiritūal frēdom and rēlijus libertē. Non۔alīk suq a
rēlijon ov θe mīnd – θe θēolōjē ov oθōritē – a rēlijon ov θe spērit
rēkwīer۔d
individyūal efōrt,
strugel, konflikt, fāθ, dētermināxun, luv, lōyaltē, progres. A rēlijon
ov θe mīnd tī۔d it’s belēv۔ōrs tū θe past; a rēlijon
ov θe spērit konsist۔d ov progresiv revelāxun, ever bekon۔ing θe devōt۔ōr tōward hī۔er and hōlē۔er aqēvment۔s in spiritūal īdēal۔s and ēternal rēalitē۔s.Sitē Sēzarea-Filipē wuz nesel۔d in a valē bētwēn sēnik hil۔s wār θe Jōrdan river flōpōr۔d fōrθ from an under۔ground kāv. Mountin Hermon stand۔d majestik۔lē nōrθ۔ward, wīel θe hil۔s souθ۔ward prezent۔d a magnifisent vyū ov river Jōrdan and lāk Galilē. In θe sitē Jēsus dū۔d nō publik tēq۔in, wīel θe aposol۔s kondukt۔d manē prīvat ēvenin mēt۔ins. Fyū nū belēv۔ōrs wuz ad۔t, and θe prōlong۔ē diskouraj۔ē pērēod test۔d θe aposol۔s’ and evanjelīz۔ōrs’ fāθ and θā’s rēsolv tū kontinyū tū folō Jēsus. Hē had klarifī۔d tū θe 24 θat hē had not flē۔d from Galilē bēkuz hē lak۔d kouraj tū konfront his enemē۔s, but bēkuz hē wuz not yet redē fōr an ōpen klax wiθ establix۔t rēlijon, and hē dū۔d not want tū bēkum a marter. After twū wēk۔s θe grūp hed۔d west۔ward tōward θe Fonēxa۔ē kōst, sirkumvent۔ing θe marx bī wā ov Lūz, fīnal۔lē arīv۔ing at kōstal Sidon. Θer Jēsus stā۔d outsīd θe sitē at θe hous ov a welθ۔ē woman nām۔d Karuska, hū had bin a pāxent at θe Beθsīda tent vilaj infirmarē at θe hīt ov Jēsus’s popyūlaritē; θe aposol۔s and evanjelīz۔ōrs loj۔d wiθ her frend۔s nērbī. Jēsus ask۔d θat nōbodē rēvēl his presens, eksplān۔ing θat hē desīer۔d rest, but a servant ov Karuska infōrm۔d a Surēyan woman, Nōrana, hū bring۔d her aflikt۔t doter tū Karuska’s hous, rēkwest۔ing tū sē Jēsus. Tel۔d bī θe Alfeus twin۔s, θen bī Pēter, and θen Tomas, θat Jēsus wuz not avāilabel bēkuz hē wuz rest۔ing, θe woman rēfyūz۔d tū depart until Jēsus hēal۔d her doter, ask۔ing, “Wut hav hapen۔d tū yū۔s, his disīpel۔s, θat yū۔s send awā θōs sēk۔ing yōr mastōr’s help?” Nekst Sīmon Zelotes konfront۔d θe Surēyan woman, sā۔ing, “Woman, yū iz a Helas۔ēz spēk۔in jentīl. It iz not rīt θat yū xud ekspekt θe mastōr tū tāk θe bred intend۔d fōr θe qīld۔s ov θe fāvor۔d houshōld and tos it tū θe dog۔s.” Nōrana rēfyūz۔d tū fēel ofend۔t, rēplī۔ing, “Ī komprēhend yōr word۔s. Jentīl۔s iz dog۔s in θe ī۔s ov Jūan۔s. But rēgard۔in yōr mastōr, Ī iz a belēv۔ing dog. If hē xal but lōok upon mī doter, hē wil hēal xē. Ēven yū, mī gōod man, wud not dēprīv dog۔s ov θe privilej ov obtān۔ing θe krum۔s θat qans tū fal from θe tābel.” Her doter wuz θen sēz۔d wiθ vīōlent konvulxun۔s. Jēsus, ōverērhēr۔ing θe konversāxun θrū an ōpen windō, wak۔d outsīd, and sā۔d tū xē, “Ō woman, grāt iz yōr fāθ, sō grāt θat Ī kan·not wiθhōld θat wiq yū desīer. Gō yōr wā in pēas. Yōr doter iz alredē mend۔ing.” Θe litel girl rēkover۔d, and az θā depart۔d Jēsus entrēt۔d θā tū tel nōbodē – but θe woman blab۔d, fōrs۔ing hē tū qānj his loj۔ins. Sā۔d Jēsus tū his aposol۔s, “Verilē, verilē, Ī tel yū۔s θat θe faθer’s king۔dom xal bē okyūpī۔t bī θe jentīl۔s if θe qīld۔s ov Abraham dū not xō fāθ enuf tū enter θerin.” Enter۔ing θe sitē ov Sidon, Jēsus and his asōxēāt۔s pas۔d ōver a brij – θe first brij manē ov θā had ever sē۔d. Koment۔d Jēsus, “Θis world iz ōnlē a brij; yū mā pas ōver it, but yū xud not bild a resīdens upon it.” At θe hōm ov Justa, ēq mōrnin Jēsus tēq۔d θe 24, and dur afternūn۔s’ and ēvenin۔s θā tēq۔d and prēq۔d. Θe aposol۔s and θe evanjelīz۔ōrs wuz muq qēr۔t bī θe maner in wiq jentīl۔s ov Sidon rēsēv۔d θā’s mesaj dur θā’s twū and a haf wēk stā. In manē wā۔s jentīl belēv۔ōrs aprēxēāt۔d Jēsus’s tēq۔ins mōr ful۔lē θan Jūan۔s. Θe sōkald hēθen۔s komprēhend۔d tēq۔ins about θe yūnifōrmitē ov spiritūal lo۔s ov θis world and θe entīer yūnivers. Θā grasp۔d θe tēq۔in θat God had nō fāvorit۔s among pēpel۔s, eθnisitē۔s, ōr nāxun۔s. Jēsus grāt۔lē enjōē۔d θe jentīl۔s’ kēn sens ov hyūmor; hē koment۔d tū Tomas: “Mī pēpel۔s tāk θāself۔s tyū sērēus۔lē. Θe burdensom rēlijon ov θe Farisē۔s kud never hav ōrijināt۔d among pēpel۔s wiθ a sens ov hyūmor. Jūan۔s alsō lak konsistensē; θā strān nat۔s, yet swalō kamel۔s.” It wuz dur a konferens۔s at θe hōm ov Justa θat Jēsus sā۔d, “Ēven θō heven and Erθ xal pas awā, mī word۔s ov trūθ xal not pas awā.” Dur onset ov sumer, θe grūp depart۔d nōrθ۔ward along θe kōst. Wīel θe aposol۔s prēq۔d at Pōrfirēon and θe evanjelīz۔ōrs tēq۔d at Heldua, Jēsus jurnē۔d bī hiself far۔er nōrθ۔ward tū kōstal sitē Bārūt, wār hē visit۔d wiθ a Surēyan nām۔d Malaq, a belēv۔ōr hū had bin at Beθsīda θe yēr bēfōr. Θe nekst wēk θā al rēturn۔d tū Sidon, tārē۔d brēf۔lē at θe hōm ov Justa, θen trek۔d souθ۔ward along θe kōst, θrū Sarepta, tū Tīer, fāmus fōr it's purpel kolordī, and hens a bizē pōrt. Jentīl۔s θer wuz sō interest۔d in ērhēr۔ing θe gospel θat θā ōpen۔d θe dōr۔s ov θe Melkarθ tempel. Jēsus deskrīb۔d a wīt lilē, it’s pyūr snō۔ē wīt hed hōld۔d hī in sunxīn, it’s rūt۔s ground۔d in dark sōil. “Alīkwīz, mōrtal man, wiθ rūt۔s in θe animal sōil ov hyūman nātūr, kan bī fāθ rāz his spiritūal nātūr up intū θe sun·līt ov heven۔ē trūθ, and ofxed θe nōbel frūt۔s ov θe spērit.” Dur θe sām sermon hē warn۔d, “Dū not māk θe mistāk ov θe fūol۔ix karpentōr hū wāst۔d valyū۔abel tīm skwār۔ing, mejur۔ing, and smūθ۔ing a worm-ēt۔t timber, ōnlē tū θen rējekt it az non۔sūt۔abel fōr θe foundāxun ov a bild۔in θat hē wud konstrukt tū wiθstand θe asolt۔s ov tīm and stōrm. Let evrēbodē axūr θat θe intelektūal and mōral foundāxun ov tā’s karakter kan adekwut۔lē supōrt θe struktūr ov tā’s ekspand۔ing spiritūal nātūr – wiq kan transfōrm his mōrtal mīnd, and θen, in asōxēāxun wiθ θat rē۔krēāt۔d mīnd, kan aqēv θe evolvement ov θe sōul ov imōrtal destinē. Yōr spērit nātūr – θe jōint۔lē krēāt۔t sōul – iz a liv۔in grōθ, but θe mīnd and mōral۔s ov θe individyūal iz θe sōil from wiq θēz hī۔er manifestāxun۔s ov hyūman development and divīn destinē must spring. Θe sōil ov θe evolv۔ing sōul iz hyūman and matērēal, but θe destinē ov θis kombīn۔d krētūr ov mīnd and spērit iz spiritūal and divīn.” After almōst twū wēk۔s at Tīer, Jēsus and his twelv aposol۔s hed۔d souθ۔ward (θe twelv evanjelīz۔ōrs tāk۔ing a diferent rūtwā) along θe kōst, stop۔ing fōr a dā at Tolemāis, wār Pēter prēq۔d a sermon, θen θā ventūr۔d inland on θe Tībērēas rōd, stop۔ing brēf۔lē at Jōtapata, bēfōr kontinyū۔ing along θe Nazareθ - Mountin Libnan trāil tū vilaj Rama, wār θā hōld۔d mēt۔ins and rēmān۔d dur θe Sabaθ, θen onward tū vilaj Zebulun, kondukt۔ing a mēt۔in θer θat ēvenin. Θe nekst mōrnin θā jurnē۔d ōver tū θe junkxun wiθ θe Magdala-Sidon rōd, nēr Gisqala, and from θer θā wak۔d bak tū Genesaret on θe western xōr۔s ov lāk Galilē, wār mesajōr۔s had arānj۔d a mēt۔in wiθ Dāvid Zebedē. From Dāvid θā lern۔d θat dur θā’s twū-monθ۔s’ absens θe enemē۔s ov θe gospel, rekon۔ing θat Jēsus’s hāst۔ē flīt indikāt۔d θat hē wud not rēturn tū boθer θā, had sēs۔d aktiv opōzixun tū his tēq۔ins. Hens belēv۔ōrs wuz bēgin۔ing tū rēsūm publik mēt۔ins. Θe mandāt tū xut al sinagog۔s tū Jēsus’s tēq۔in krēāt۔d rēzentment aganst θe Farisē۔s and Sanhedrin in Jerūsalem, and manē sinagog۔s had sureptixus۔lē ōpen۔d θā’s dōr۔s tū Abner and his asōxēāt۔s, klām۔ing θat θōs tēq۔ōrs wuz folō۔ōrs ov Jon θe baptīz۔ōr, not disīpel۔s ov Jēsus. Tetrark Filip had bēkum a lakluster belēv۔ōr, and had dispaq۔d word θat θe Jēsus wuz frē tū resīd and work in his dōmān۔s (Dekapōlis and, far۔er nōrθ, Gōlan, bōθ ēst۔ward ov river Jōrdan). Ēven Herod Antipas ekspērēens۔d a qānj ov hart and, upon lern۔ing θat Jēsus wuz sōjorn۔ing akros θe lāk in θe teritōrē ov his broθer Filip, send۔d word – and infōrm۔d θe rūel۔in Jūan۔s at Jerūsalem – θat hē had signatūr۔d a warant fōr Jēsus’s arest ōnlē in Galilē, but had not oθōrīz۔d his aprehenxun in Herod’s oθer dōmān, Perea, and θat Jēsus wud not bē molest۔t if hē rēmān۔d outsīd ov Galilē. Jēsus arānj۔d – θrū Dāvid, and Dāvid θrū Jūd – tū gō nōrθ۔ward tū Kapernam on Sundā, 7 Ogust, tū mēt his familē at Zebedē’s bōt workxop. But twū Farisē۔s, lern۔ing θat Jēsus wuz in θe ārēa, visit۔d Marē at her hous tū lern his wārabouts and, detekt۔ing θe nervus۔nes ov θe entīer familē, sumon۔d rēinfōrsment۔s and pāxent۔lē awāt۔d Jēsus’s arīval – θus prēvent۔ing θe apōintment. Az Jēsus wāt۔d nēr θe Kapernam bōt workxop, a tempel-taks·kolekt۔ōr arīv۔d and, rekognīz۔ing Jēsus, kal۔d Pēter tū won sīd and ask۔d, “Dū not yōr mastōr pā θe tempel taks?” Pēter, tū avōid trubel, rēplī۔d, “Yes, ovkōrs. Wāt bī θe gāt, and Ī wil rēturn wiθ θe taks.” However, Jūdas, hū karē۔d θe monē, wuz not θen in Kapernam, θus Jēsus ask۔d Pēter, “If yū hav promis۔d, yū must pā, and it iz wel wiθin θe sirkumstans θat wē dū, but how wil yū rēdēm yōr promis?” Θā dētermin۔d θat Pēter xud gō fix۔in, sel his kaq at θe market, and pā θe taks, Jēsus ad۔ing hyūmorus۔lē, “Gō hens. Mābē yū wil kaq a fix wiθ a xekel in it's mouθ” – referens tū manē stōrē۔s about kaq۔ing fix۔s wiθ trejūr۔s on θā’s mouθ۔s. At lāk·xōr won ov Dāvid’s mesajōr۔s, lern۔ing ov θe dilema, signal۔d a fix۔ōrt frend rēturn۔ing wiθ his kaq – wiq θā fōrθwiθ karē۔d tū θe market and sel۔d; Pēter θenupon rēturn۔d tū θe taks·kolekt۔ōr, hū aksept۔d θe taks, fōrgō۔ing θe penaltē fōr tardē pāment bēkuz θā had bin absent from Galilē. Jēsus, wiθ Andrū and Pēter, wāt۔d nēr θe bōt workxop until almōst sunset, wen mesajōr۔s bring۔d word θat Marē’s hous wuz stil under survālans. Θerfōr θe θrē bōrd۔d a bōt and rō۔d tōward θe sāftē ov θe ēstern xōr. Θe nekst dā wīel θā wuz enkamp۔d in Magadan Publikpark, from Kapernam arīv۔d θe evanjelīz۔ōrs, θe woman۔s’ kontinjent, and mōr θan won-hundred oθer۔s. Among θā wuz som Farisē۔s, hū at a publik gaθer۔in hekel۔d Jēsus; sā۔d won, “Tēq۔ōr, wē wud līk yū tū giv wē a sīn ov yōr oθōritē tū tēq.” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Wen yū۔s sē a kloud rīz۔ing in θe west, yū۔s sā xower۔s wil kom; wen θe wind blō from θe souθ, yū۔s sā skōrq۔ing hēt wil kom. How iz it θat yū۔s sō wel no how tū disern θe fās ov θe heven۔s but iz sō komplēt۔lē non۔abel tū disern θe sīn۔s ov θe tīm۔s? Tū θōs hū wud no θe trūθ, alredē hav a sīn bin giv۔d, but tū ēvil-mīnd۔ē and hipokritikal pēpel۔s nō sīn xal bē giv۔t.” Afterward at a konferens wiθ θe belēv۔ōrs, Jēsus anouns۔d a yūnīt۔d mixun θrūout al θe sitē۔s and vilaj۔s ov rējon Dekapōlis, tū bēgin after several wēk۔s. First, however, Jēsus and θe twelv rē۔trās۔d θā’s step۔s nōrθ۔ward along θe Jōrdan valē, tū sitē Sēzarea-Filipē, nēr θe fōothil۔s ov Mountin Hermon. Jēsus had desīd۔d it wuz θe tīm·plās – fōur sumer۔s after his erlē۔er spiritūal ekspērēens on θat mountin – tū disklōz tū his aposol۔s his divīnitē. Θus hē eksplān۔d θat not ōnlē wuz hē θe son ov man, az hē had bin prōklām۔ing dur yēr۔s, but hē wuz alsō a son ov God: θus hē wuz bōθ mōrtal and divīn. Yet bēkuz dur oθer okāxun۔s hē had sā۔d θat al pēpel۔s wuz θe son۔s ov θe Faθer, not tū menxun komon nolej θat hē wuz θe son ov Jōsef and Marē, and wiθ θe kwestyon stil hāng۔ing in θe ār ov weθer ōr not hē wuz θe ekspekt۔t mesīa (and wut θat kud mēn), his eksplānāxun bēwilder۔d θā. Oθer bafel۔ē stātment۔s inklūd۔d, “Θe Faθer and Ī iz won,” difikult tū imajin ov a faθer-son rēlāxunxip, and, “Hē hū hav sē۔d mē hav sē۔d θe Faθer.” Θen Jēsus, akompanē۔d ōnlē bī Pēter, Jāms, and Jon, ventūr۔d up Mountin Hermon. On θe θird ēvenin, az θā ēt۔d θā’s mēger super, Pēter ask۔d, ““How long dū wē rēmān on θis mountin awā from our breθren?” Jēsus anser۔d: “Until yū۔s xal sē θe glōrē ov θe son ov man and no θat wutsōever Ī hav deklār۔d tū yū۔s iz trū.” Wīel sēt۔d around θe glō۔ing ember۔s ov θā’s kamp·fīer, θā talk۔d about θe Lūsifer rebelyon, Jēsus eksplān۔ing θat θe sin ov Lūsifer and Kaligastēa wuz θā’s prostitūt۔ing θā’s divīn talent۔s and God-grant۔t abelitē۔s fōr personal agrandīzment, fōr pyūr۔lē selfix gān and glōrēfīkāxun. At θe onset ov nīt, θe aposol۔s slēp۔d. A nērbī krakel۔ing sound awāk۔d θā, and θā bēhōld۔d Jēsus konvers۔ing wiθ twū brilyant bēing۔s klōθ۔d in selestēal līt. Jēsus’s fās and fōrm xīn۔d wiθ lūminositē. Θā’s langwij wuz non۔intelijabel tū θe astonix۔t and frīten۔t aposol۔s. Wen θe dazel۔ē vijon fād۔d, Pēter eksklām۔d, “Mastōr, wē rējōis tū sē θis glōrē! Wē iz lōθ tū gō bakdown tū θe non۔glōrēus world.” Suden۔lē a silver۔ē kloud mūv۔d nēr, hover۔ing abov θā. Θe aposol۔s, agin fērful, drop۔d tū θā’s nē۔s, az θā ērhēr۔d a vōis sā, “Θis iz mī bēlovd son. Giv hēd tū hē.” Θe kloud θen vanix۔d. Jēsus sā۔d, “Arīz, and bē not afrād. Yū۔s xal sē grāt۔er θing۔s θan θis.” Fizikal kontrōl۔ōrs had arānj۔d fōr θā tū witnes hē konvers۔ing wiθ ānjel Gābrēel and faθer Melqizedek. Jēsus ad۔d, “Tel nōbodē, not ēven yōr breθren, wut yū۔s hav sē۔d and ērhēr۔d on θis mountin until θe son ov man hav rīz۔d from θe ded.” Alθō it wuz past mid۔nīt, bī θe līt ov θe mūn θā bēgin۔d θā’s dēsent. Θā rē۔jōin۔d θe apostolik kamp, and θe nekst mōrnin hed۔d bak souθ۔ward, vēr۔ing west۔ward bī a seldom-frēkwent۔t rōd tū avōid enkounter۔s, arīv۔ing dur ēvenin at Kapernam, wār θā stop۔d fōr θe ēvenin mēal at Pēter’s hous. Θer θe aposol۔s rēsūm۔d a diskuxun az tū wut posixun۔s θā wud hōld in θe kom۔ing king۔dom, and Jēsus, no۔ing ov it, bekon۔d tū won ov Pēter’s litel qīld۔s, set۔d θe qīld down among θā, and sā۔d: “Verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū۔s, unles yū۔s bēkum alīk θis qīld, yū wil māk litel progres in θe king۔dom ov heven. Hūzōever xal humbel hiself and bēkum az θis litel won, θe sām xal bēkum grāt۔est in θe king۔dom ov heven. If yū wud bē first in θe king۔dom, sēk tū minister θēz gōod trūθ tū yōr breθren in θe flex. But hūever koz won ov θēz litel won۔s tū stumbel, it wud bē beter fōr hē if a milstōn wuz hāng۔d on his nek and hē wuz θrō۔t intū θe lāk. If θe θing۔s yū dū wiθ yōr hand۔s, ōr θe θing۔s yū sē wiθ yōr ī۔s giv ofens in θe progres ov θe king۔dom, sakrifīs θēz qerix۔d īdol۔s, bēkuz it iz beter tū enter θe king۔dom mīnus manē ov θe bēlovd θing۔s ov līf raθer θan tū kling tū θēz īdol۔s and fīnd yōrself xut۔d out ov θe king۔dom.” Θe nekst mōrnin θā rēturn۔d bī bōt tū Magadan Publikpark, wār awāt۔d a grūp ov almōst won hundred, redē tū bēgin a tēq۔ing tūor ov Dekapōlis. Jēsus asīn۔d an aposol tū akompanē an evanjelīz۔ōr, and θe rēmān۔ē evanjelīz۔ōrs tū gō out in grūp۔s ov twelv, wīel θe woman۔s’ kontinjent and oθer disīpel۔s wud stā wiθ hē. Hē direkt۔d θā tū visit θe vilaj۔s and town۔s ov Gerasa, Gamala, Hipōs, Zafon, Gadara, Abila, Edrā, Filadelfia, Hexbon, Dēum, Siθopōlis, among oθer۔s, promis۔ing θat hē wud visit θā often. Won ēvenin at Hipōs, tū a disīpel’s kwestyon about fōrgiv۔nes, Jēsus rēplī۔d, “If a benevolant man hav won-hundred xēp۔s and won ov θā gō astrā, dū hē not imēdēat۔lē depart θe 99 and serq fōr it? And if hē iz a gōod xeperd, wil hē not kontinyū his serq until hē fīnd it? Θen, fīnd۔ing it, hē wil lā it ōver his xōlder and rēturn hōm, rējōis۔ing. Ī deklār θat θer iz mōr jōē in heven ōver won sin۔ōr hū rēpent θan ōver 99 rīqus pēpel۔s hū nēd nō rēpentans. Nor iz it θe wil ov God θat ēven won ov θēz litel won۔s gō astrā. In yōr rēlijon God mā rēsēv rēpentant sin۔ōrs; in θe gospel ov θe king۔dom, θe Faθer gō fōrθ tū sēk θā.” Jēsus ad۔d, “Θe Faθer in heven luv his qīld۔s, and θerfōr xud yū۔s lern tū luv won anoθer. Θe Faθer in heven fōrgiv yū۔s yōr sin۔s; θerfōr xud yū۔s fōrgiv won anoθer. If yōr broθer sin aganst yū, gō tū hē, alōn, and wiθ takt and pāxents xō hē his falt. If hē lisen yū, yū hav win۔d hē. But if hē wil not lisen, and persist in erōr, gō agin tū hē, akompanē۔t bī won ōr twū myūtūal frend۔s, witnes۔s tū konfirm θat yū hav dēal۔d trū۔lē and mersēful۔lē wiθ hē. If hē rēfyūz tū ērhēr yōr breθren, yū mā tel θe entīer stōrē tū θe kongregāxun, and θen, if hē rēfyūz tū ērhēr θe broθer۔hōod, let θā tāk suq akxun az θā dēm wīz; let suq an unrūlē membōr bēkum an outkast. Wīel yū۔s kan·not sit in jujment ov θe sōul۔s ov yōr felō۔s, and wīel yū۔s mā not fōrgiv sin۔s ōr oθerwīz presūm tū yūsurp θe prerogativ۔s ov θe heven۔ē hōst۔ōrs, at θe sām tīm, yū۔s must māntān temporal ōrder on Erθ. Wutsōever yū xal dekrē on Erθ, xal bē rekognīz۔t in heven. Wen twū ōr mōr ov yū۔s agrē rēgard۔in anē ov θēz θing۔s, and ask ov mē, it xal bē dū۔t fōr yū۔s if yōr petixun iz not non۔konsistent wiθ θe wil ov God. Bēkuz wen twū ōr mōr belēv۔ōrs iz gaθer۔d tūgeθer, Ī iz in θā’s midst.” Pēter, θe aposol inqarj ov θe work۔ōrs at Hipōs, ask۔d: “Lōrd, how often xal mī broθer sin aganst mē, and Ī fōrgiv hē? Until seven okāxun۔s?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Not ōnlē seven okāxun۔s, but ēven tū seventē multiplī۔d bī seven. Θe king۔dom ov heven iz alīk a sertin king hū komand۔d a fīnanxal rekon۔in wiθ his stūard۔s. And wen θā had bēgin۔d tū kondukt θis eksamināxun ov akount۔s, won ov his qēf stūard۔s wuz bring۔d bēfōr hē konfes۔ing θat hē ō۔d his king 10,000 talent۔s, plēd۔ing θat difikult tīm۔s had kom upon hē, and θat hē had not wārwiθ tū pā hē bak. Θe king θenupon komand۔d θat his propertē bē konfiskāt۔t, and θat his qīld۔s bē sel۔t tū pā his det. Θe detōr, upon ērhēr۔ing θe stern dekrē, fal۔d tū θe ground and beg۔d θe king fōr mersē, sā۔ing, ‘Lōrd, if ōnlē yū wil hav pāxents, Ī wil pā yū bak al.’ Θe king, gāz۔ing upon his neglijent stūard and his familē, wuz ōverkom wiθ kompaxun; hē komand۔d θat hē xud bē rēlēs۔t, and θat θe lōn bē entīer۔lē fōrgiv۔t. Θus θe stūard, hav۔ing rēsēv۔d mersē and fōrgiv۔nes, rēturn۔d tū his biznes, and diskover۔ing θat won ov his subōrdināt۔s ō۔d hē a mēr won-hundred denarēus۔s, hē grab۔d his θrōt, demand۔ing, ‘Pā mē al yū ō.’ Θe subōrdināt fal۔d tū θe ground, bēsēq۔ing hē, ‘Ōnlē hav pāxents wiθ mē, and Ī wil pā yū bak.’ But θe stūard xō۔d nō mersē, and had hē put۔d intū prison until hē pā۔d his det. Ērhēr۔ing ov it, his felō stūard۔s fēel۔d sō distresful θat θā infōrm۔d θā’s king – hū sumon۔d θe non۔fōrgiv۔ē stūard bēfōr hē, and sā۔d, “Yū wiked and non۔worθ۔ē stūard, wen yū sēk۔d kompaxun, Ī frē۔lē fōrgiv۔d yōr entīer det. Wī dū۔d yū not alsō xō mersē tū yōr felō stūard?’ Ānger۔lē θe king θen deliver۔d his un۔grātful qēf stūard tū θe jāil۔ōrs, instrukt۔ing θā tū hōld hē until hē had pā۔d bak al θat wuz ō۔t. Ēven sō xal mī heven۔ē faθer xō abundant mersē tū θōs hū frē۔lē xō mersē tū θā’s felō۔s. How kan yū kom tū God ask۔ing konsiderāxun fōr yōr xōrtkomin۔s wen yū qastīz yōr breθren fōr bēing gilt۔ē ov θēz sām hyūman frāiltē۔s? Ī sā tū al ov yū۔s: Frē۔lē yū۔s hav rēsēv۔d θe gōod θing۔s ov θe king۔dom; θerfōr frē۔lē giv tū yōr felō۔s on Erθ.” Hē tēq۔d θat disiplin must bē māntān۔t, justis must bē administer۔t, but in al mater۔s θe wizdom ov θe broθer۔hōod xud prēvāl. Hē invest۔d lejislātiv and jūdixal oθōritē not in θe individyūal but in θe grūp – a grūp not domināt۔t bī an individyūal, nor warp۔t bī prejudis ōr paxun. Jēsus trek۔d ēst۔ward tū Gamala tū visit aposol Jon Zebedē and θōs work۔ing wiθ hē. Θat ēvenin after θe sexun ov kwestyon۔s and anser۔s, Jon sā۔d tū Jēsus: “Mastōr, yesterdā Ī go۔d tū Axtaroθ tū sē a man hū wuz tēq۔ing in yōr nām and ēven klām۔ing tū bē ābel tū ekspel devil۔s. Θis felō had never bin wiθ wē, nēθer dū hē folō after wē; θerfōr Ī fōrbid۔d hē tū dū suq θing۔s.” Rēspond۔d Jēsus, “Fōrbid hē not. Dū yū not persēv θat θis gospel ov θe king۔dom xal present۔lē bē prōklām۔t in al θe world? How kan yū ekspekt θat al hū wil belēv θe gospel xal bē subjekt tū yōr direkxun? Rējōis θat alredē our tēq۔in hav bēgin۔d tū manifest itself bēyond θe boundarē۔s ov our personal inflūens.” At Edrā, wār aposol Tomas and his asōxēāt۔s lābor۔d, Jēsus tārē۔d a dā and a nīt and dur θe ēvenin diskuxun prezent۔d gīd۔ing prinsipel۔s fōr θōs hū prēq trūθ and spred θe gospel. Lāter hē ad۔d, “Θe world iz fil۔d wiθ hunger۔ē sōul۔s hū famix in θe presens ov θe bred ov līf; pēpel۔s dī serq۔ing fōr θe God hū resīd wiθin θā. Man۔s sēk θe trejūr۔s ov θe king۔dom wiθ yern۔ing hart۔s and wērē fōot۔s wen θā iz wiθin θe imēdēat grasp ov liv۔in fāθ. Fāθ iz tū rēlijon wut windsāil۔s iz tū a bōt: ad۔d power, not ad۔d burden. Θe belēv۔ōr hav ōnlē won batel: aganst dout – non۔belēf.” Θen Jēsus go۔d ōver tū Abila, wār aposol Naθanēel and his asōxēāt۔s lābor۔d. Naθanēel, fōr hū onestē wuz prīmārē, wuz muq boθer۔d bī som ov Jēsus’s prōnounsment۔s θat sēm۔d tū difer from θe rekognīz۔t Hēbrū۔ēz skriptūr۔s. Akord۔lē, after θe yūsūal pērēod ov kwestyon۔s and anser۔s, Naθanēel lēd۔d Jēsus awā from θe oθer۔s and ask۔d, “Mastōr, Ī observ θat yū tēq wē ōnlē a pōrxun ov θe sākred rīt۔ins, and Ī infer θat yū rējekt θe rabī’s tēq۔in θat θe word۔s ov θe skriptūr۔s iz θe eksakt word۔s ov God. Wut iz θe trūθ ov θe mater?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Naθanēel, yū hav korekt۔lē juj۔d; Ī dū not rēgard θe skriptūr۔s az dū θe rabī۔s. Wīel θā kontān θe best ov θe hī۔er θot۔s and yern۔ins ov Jūan pēpel۔s, θā alsō kontān muq θat iz far from bēing representativ ov θe karakter and tēq۔ins ov θe Faθer in heven. Θēz rīt۔ins iz θe work ov man۔s, som hōlē, oθer۔s not sō hōlē, and noθin θat hyūman۔s hav tuq۔d kan bē rēgard۔t az non۔falibel. Never, fōreks, dur won mōment belēv θat θe God ov luv direkt۔d yōr fōrfaθer۔s tū gō fōrθ in batel tū slā al θā’s enemē۔s – man۔s, woman۔s, and qīld۔s. Yet mistāk not: θe Jūan skriptūr۔s konstitūt θe best kolekxun ov rēlijus wizdom and spiritūal trūθ in al θe world at θis tīm. Θā iz sākred bēkuz θā prezent θe θot۔s and akt۔s ov man۔s hū wuz serq۔ing fōr God, and hū lēv۔d on rekōrd θā’s hī۔est konsept۔s ov rīqus۔nes, trūθ, and hōlē۔nes. Hōlē rīt۔ins alwās hav, and alwās wil, rēflekt θe intelektūal, mōral, and spiritūal status ov θōs hū krēāt θā. Nor dū God limit revelāxun ov trūθ tū anē won birθsīkel ōr tū anē won eθnisitē. Θe Jūan skriptūr۔s represent θe vyū۔s and ekstent ov enlītenment ov θe pēpel۔s and θe era in wiq θā had θā’s ōrijin; az revelations ov trūθ, θe rēsent۔est iz mōr depend۔abel θan θe first. Hav yū not nōt۔d θat θe konsept۔s ov God grō in byūtē and glōrē az θe profet۔s māk θā’s rekōrd۔s from Samuel tū Īzāa? And rēmember θat θe skriptūr۔s iz stōrē۔s ov nēθer histōrēan۔s nor filosoōr۔s; θā iz intend۔d fōr rēlijus instrukxun and spiritūal gīdans. If θe stōrē ov Jonah iz not fakqūal, ōr ēven if Jonah had never liv۔d, stil wud θe prōfound trūθ ov θe nārativ – θe luv ov God fōr Nineveh and θe sōkald hēθen – bē nun θe les prexus in θe ī۔s ov al hū luv θā’s felō pēpel۔s.” At Filadelfia, wār aposol Jāms Zebedē wuz work۔ing, Jēsus diskōrs۔d about θe positiv nātūr ov θe gospel ov θe king۔dom. His positiv eksōrtāxun, “Luv yōr nābōr az yōrself,” hē tāk۔d from θe skriptūr, “Yū xal not tāk venjens aganst θe qīld۔s ov yōr pēpel۔s, but yū xal luv yōr nābōr az yōrself.” Bī “positiv” hē emfasīz۔d not ōnlē word۔s and bēlēf۔s, but akxun۔s. Upon bēing konfront۔d wiθ an ēvil akt, a man kud rēturn ēvil۔nes fōr ēvil۔nes (θe ānxent “an ī fōr an ī” advīs, wiq perpeqūāt۔d ēvil۔nes), ōr hē kud rēakt wiθ pasiv non۔komplān۔ē non۔rēsistans, ōr hē kud pā bak ēvil۔nes wiθ gōod۔nes. “Wen an enemē smīt yū on won qēk, dū not stand θer dum and pasiv but in positiv atitūd turn θe oθer qēk; θat iz, dū θe best θing posibel tū aktiv۔lē lēd yōr broθer awā from his erōnēūs paθ tū a beter wā ov rīqus liv۔in.” Jēsus enkouraj۔d his folō۔ōrs tū rēakt positiv۔lē and agresiv۔lē tū evrē līf sitūāxun. Turn۔ing θe oθer qēk demand۔d krēātiv inixēāxun ov kourajus eksprexun. “Θe trū۔bē gōod iz mōr powerful θan θe mōst malignant ēvil.” Tū θe kwestyon, “Mastōr, wut xud Ī dū if a strānjōr fōrs۔d mē tū karē his pak ōver a hil?” Jēsus anser۔d, “If yū kan θink ov noθin mōr positiv tū dū, karē his pak ōver twū hil۔s.” Hē dū۔d not tēq θat his rēlijon rēkwīer۔d sōxal servis, but raθer θat sōxal servis wuz an inevitabel rēsult ov θe posexun ov trū rēlijus spērit. Mid-September, bī prē۔aranjment, al θe work۔ōrs rē۔asembel۔d bak at Magadan Publikpark. Kompār۔ing ekspērēens۔s, θā juj۔d θe monθ-long Dekapōlis mixun moderāt۔bē suksesful, bēkuz hundred۔s ov sōul۔s wuz rēsēv۔d intū θe king۔dom, and θe aposol۔s and evanjelīz۔ōrs gān۔d valyū۔abel ekspērēens work۔ing wiθout θe personal presens ov Jēsus. Dāvid’s mesajōr۔s wuz present, wiθ rēpōrt۔s from θrūout Kānan, and wiθ fund۔s from θā’s ekstensiv kolekxun efōrt۔s, bēkuz kontribyūxun۔s had drastik۔lē dēklīn۔d sins Jēsus’s hādā. Abner had rē۔lōkāt۔d his bās ov operāxun۔s from Hebron tū Beθlehem, wār Dāvid’s mesajōr۔s establix۔d a Jūdea hedkwarter۔s. Θe subsekwent dā, θe Sabaθ, Jēsus anouns۔d a won-wēk rest pērēod, dur wiq θe aposol۔s eksept Naθanēal and Tomas (hū rēmān۔d tū konvers wiθ Rōdan, a Helasan belēv۔ōr and filosofōr from Aleksandrēa) rēturn۔d wiθ fund۔s tū rēlaks wiθ θā’s familē۔s. Jēsus direkt۔d θat θe woman۔s’ kontinjent rēturn tū Beθsīda, and θat θe evanjelīz۔ōrs after θe rest pērēod, visit belēv۔ōrs θrūout Galilē. *
On 25
September, yēr 29, bak at Magadan Publikpark, Jēsus māk۔d θe surpriz
anounsment θat hē and his aposol۔s wud gō tū
Jerūsalem tū
atend θe fēst. Depart۔ing θat mōrnin,
θā stop۔d
fōr θe nīt at a vilaj nēr
a Jōrdan fōrd. Θe nekst dā θā kros۔d θe river, and
wak۔d along
θe Jōrdan rōd, arīv۔ing
lāt θat ēvenin at
Beθanē.Θe fēst ov tabernakel۔s selebrāt۔d θe harvest, and, selebrāt۔d dur θe kūol otum monθ۔s, it wuz mōr jeneral۔lē atend۔ bī Jūan۔s from outsīd Kānan, hū arīv۔d from az far awā az Espanya and Barat, θan wuz θe Pasōver at θe end ov winter and Pentekost at θe bēgin۔in ov sumer. It kombīn۔d solem rītyūalrīt۔s ov rēlijus worxip wiθ vākāxun plejur۔s – an okāxun fōr eθnik rējōis۔ing miks۔d wiθ sakrifīs, Levitikal qant۔s, and blast۔s ov θe silver۔ē trumpet۔s ov θe prēst۔s. Θe entīer sitē ov Jerūsalem wuz gā۔lē dekōrāt۔t eksept θe hāt۔d Rōma۔ē kasel ov Antonia, wiq apēr۔d grim in kontrast tū θe impresiv spektikal. Jēsus, a fyū dā۔s after arīv۔ing at Beθanē, bōld۔lē wak۔d intū θe sitē, worē۔ing θe aposol۔s (hū trī۔d invān tū diswād hē) and amāz۔ing manē, az it wuz wel-no۔t θat θe Jūan lēdrūel۔ōrs plan۔d tū arest Jēsus at θā’s erlē۔est opōrtūnitē. Θe θousand۔s ov pilgrim۔s hū had arīv۔d from θrūout θe Rōma۔ē empīer and bēyond had al ērhēr۔d ov Jēsus, and manē hōp۔d tū lisen hē. Jēsus’s odēens, θerfōr, mōr θan at anē oθer tīm, wuz a world odēens. Θat afternūn at θe tempel, tū a big krowd, Jēsus prēq۔d a sermon, depikt۔ing θe libertē and jōē ov θe nū gospel. A kyurēus lisen۔ōr interupt۔d, ask۔ing, “Tēq۔ōr, how iz it θat yū tēq sō flūent۔lē, wen yū iz·not a lern۔d rabī?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Nō man tēq۔d mē θe trūθ Ī deklār tū yū۔s. Θis tēq۔in iz not mīn, but Hē۔s hū send۔d mē.” Hē ad۔d, “But bēfōr yū۔s trī tū enter intū θe nū līt, xud yū not raθer folō θe līt yū alredē hav? Mōses giv۔d yū۔s θe lo, yet how manē ov yū۔s onest۔lē sēk tū fulfil it’s demand۔s? Mōses enjōin۔d yū۔s, ‘Yū xal not kil.’ Despīt θis komand, som ov yū sēk tū kil θe son ov man.” Θe lisen۔ōrs θen argyū۔d among θāself۔s, som deklār۔ing hē wuz krāzē, oθer۔s θat hē wuz a devil; oθer۔s respekt۔d hē az a profet from Galilē. Won man ask۔d, “Wī dū θe lēdrūel۔ōrs sēk tū kil yū?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Bēkuz θā wel no θat, if yū۔s dār tū aksept mī tēq۔in, θā’s sistem ov tradixunal rēlijon wil bē topel۔t. Θus wil θā bē dēprīv۔t ov oθōritē ōver θat tū wiq θā hav devōt۔d θā’s līf۔s, bēkuz θā stedfast rēfyūz tū aksept θis nū and mōr glōrēus gospel ov θe king۔dom ov God.” Θe Farisē۔s and θe Sanhedrin, after wēk۔s ov serq۔ing fōr hē tū arest hē, rēakt۔d tū Jēsus’s suden, bōld, publik apērans in θā’s midst wiθ bēwilderment. Manē θēorīz۔d θat hē must hav bin sēkret۔lē promis۔d protekxun bī θe Rōma۔ē oθōritē۔s, posibel۔lē bēkuz ov θe inflūens ov tetrark Filip. Oθer۔s fēr۔d tū arest hē dur θe fēst, bēkuz ov θe larj number۔s hū ēθer belēv۔d in hē ōr wuz atlēst frend۔ē tū his spiritūal masmūvment. Alθō θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs’ vōis۔t sentiment wuz firm۔lē antē۔Jēsus, som membōr۔s harbor۔d dēp but sīlent reservāxun۔s about opōz۔ing sō powerful a presens hū prōklām۔d wiθ suq apārent oθōritē an non۔dout۔bē god۔ē mesaj – despīt θat θe mesaj in som wā۔s kounter۔d tradixunal tēq۔in. Θus dū۔d Jēsus kontinyū prēq۔ing in θe tempel ov Jerūsalem non-molest۔t, alθō dur mōst dā۔s hē stā۔d in Beθlehem wiθ Abner and Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s disīpel۔s – hūz work in Jūdea had dū۔d muq tū konsolidāt sentiment fāvorabel tū θe king۔dom. But his odaxus۔nes perpleks۔d ēven his folō۔ōrs. Manē, and ēven aposol Jūdas Iskārēot, konsider۔d θat Jēsus had flē۔d tū Fōnēxa bēkuz hē fēr۔d arest. Wen Jēsus’s aposol۔s implōr۔d hē tū sēs ventūr۔ing intū Jerūsalem, hē tel۔d θā, “Mī klokhour hav arīv۔d.” Θā’s fēr fōr hē inkrēs۔d az θā lisen۔d, from dā tū dā, tū his inkrēs۔lē bōld prōnounsment۔s rēgard۔in θe nātūr ov his mixun ov Erθ. In esens his tēq۔ins konstitūt۔d a fōrmal anounsment tū Jūan۔s and tū θe entīer world ov his divīnitē. Θōs hū lisen۔d Jēsus’s tēq۔ins wuz divīd۔d in θā’s ōpinyon۔s. Som sā۔d hē wuz a gōod man; som a profet; som θat hē wuz trū۔lē θe mesīa. Oθer۔s sā۔d hē wuz a misqēvēus medel۔ōr, θat hē wuz lēd۔ing θe pēpel۔s astrā wiθ his strānj doktrin۔s. His enemē۔s hesitāt۔d tū denouns hē ōpen۔lē fōr fēr ov his frend۔ē belēv۔ōrs, wīel his frend۔s fēr۔d tū aknolej hē ōpen۔lē fōr fēr ov θe Jūan lēd۔ōrs, no۔ing θat θe Sanhedrin wuz dētermin۔d tū kil hē. But ēven his enemē۔s marvel۔d at his tēq۔in, no۔ing θat hē had not bin instrukt۔t in θe skūol۔s ov rabī۔s. Fīnal۔lē θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs dētermin۔d tū stop his pyūbik apērans۔s. Akord۔lē, θā dispaq۔d Eber, an ofisōrt ov θe Sanhedrin, wiθ twū asist۔ōrts tū arest Jēsus. Az θā wād۔d intū θe krowd, Jēsus, kal۔d tū θā, “Fēr not tū aprōq mē. Kom nēr wīel yū۔s lisen mī tēq۔in. Yū۔s hav bin dispaq۔t tū aprehend mē, but komprēhend θat noθin xal bēfal θe son ov man until his klokhour arīv. Yū۔s iz·not arā۔d aganst mē; yū۔s kom ōnlē tū dū θe bid۔in ov yōr mastōr۔s, and ēven θōs lēdrūel۔ōrs ov θe Jūan۔s verilē θink θā iz dū۔ing God’s servis wen θā sēk mī destruktxun. Ī wix yū۔s nō bad wil. Θe Faθer luv yū۔s, and θerfōr dū Ī yern fōr yōr deliverans from θe bondaj ov prejudis and θe dark۔nes ov tradixun. Ī ofer yū۔s θe libertē ov līf and θe jōē ov salvāxun. Ī prōklām θe nū and liv۔in wā, θe deliverans from ēvil۔nes and θe brāk۔ing ov θe bondaj ov sin. Ī hav kom θat yū۔s kan hav ēternal līf. Yū۔s sēk tū bē rid۔t ov mē and mī diskwīet۔ē tēq۔ins. Yet sūn Ī wil rēturn tū Hē hū send۔d mē. Θen wil manē ov yū۔s sēk mē, but yū۔s xal not diskover mī presens, bēkuz wār Ī wil sūn gō yū۔s kan·not kom.” Skof۔ōrs ask۔d θāself۔s, “Wār wil θis man gō θat wē kan·not fīnd hē? Wil hē gō tū resīd among θe Helasan۔s? Wil hē destrōē hiself? Wut kan hē mēn, wē kan·not gō wār hē gō?” Eber rēfyūz۔d tū arest Jēsus, and wiθ his asist۔ōr turn۔d bak. Wen θe qēf prēst۔s and Farisē۔s upbrād۔d hē, Eber rēplī۔d, “Wē fēr۔d tū arest hē in θe midst ov θe multitūd bēkuz manē belēv in hē. Bēsīds, wē never ērhēr۔d anēbodē spēk alīk θis man. Hē iz nō ōrdinārē tēq۔ōr. Yū۔s wud al dū wel tū gō ōver tū ērhēr hē.” Ānger۔ē, θe qēf lēdrūel۔ōrs tont۔d Eber, ask۔ing, “Iz yū alsō lēd۔t astrā? Hav anē skrīb۔s ōr Farisē۔s bin desēv۔t bī his klever tēq۔ins? Wī iz yū inflūens۔t bī θe ignorant multitūd hū no not θe lo ōr θe profet۔s? Dū yū not no θat suq ignorant pēpel۔s iz under a kurs?” Anser۔d Eber: “Ēven sō, mī mastōr۔s, θis man spēk tū θe multitūd word۔s ov mersē and hōp. Hē qēr θe sadhart۔ē, and his word۔s wuz komfort۔ing ēven tū our sōul۔s. Wut kan θer bē rong in θēz tēq۔ins ēven θō hē mā not bē θe mesīa ov θe skriptūr۔s? And dū not our lo rēkwīer fār۔nes? Dū wē kondem a man bēfōr wē ērhēr hē?” Raθful۔lē, θe qēf ov θe Sanhedrin xout۔d, “Hav yū bēkum krāzē? Iz yū alsō from Galilē? Serq θe skriptūr۔s, and yū wil diskover θat out ov Galilē arīz nō profet, muq les θe mesīa.” Θe Sanhedrin θen dis۔band۔d in konfyūxun. On θe ēvenin ov θe nekst tū last dā ov θe fēst, at θe tempel brilyant۔lē ilūmināt۔t bī θe glār ov tōrq۔s and bī kandel۔s on θe branq۔ing arm۔s ov θe kandelabrum۔s, Jēsus stand۔d in θe midst ov an asembel۔d θrong and sā۔d, “Ī iz θe līt ov θe world. Hē hū folō mē xal not wak in dark۔nes, but xal hav θe līt ov līf. Yū۔s hū wud rējekt θis līt iz from benēθ; Ī iz from abov. Yū۔s hū prefer tū sit in dark۔nes iz ov θis world; Ī iz not ov θis world, and Ī resīd in θe ēternal līt ov θe Faθer ov līt۔s. Yū۔s al hav had abundant opōrtūnitē tū lern hū Ī iz, but yū۔s xal hav stil oθer evidens konfirm۔ing θe īdentitē ov θe son ov man. Ī iz θe līt ov līf, and evrēbodē hū deliberāt۔lē and wiθ komprēhenxun rējekt θis sāv۔in līt xal dī in his sin۔s. Muq Ī hav tū tel yū۔s, but yū۔s iz non۔abel tū rēsēv mī word۔s. Wen θe son ov man iz lift۔d up, θen xal yūs al no θat Ī iz hē.” Manē belēv۔d, and nō man dār۔d lā hand۔s upon hē. On θe last dā ov θe selebrāxun – θe dā ov θe fēst – almōst fōur hundred and fiftē prēst۔s wiθ a korespond۔ing number ov Levites ofixēāt۔d. At dābrāk a prosexun ov pilgrim۔s marq۔d from θe pūol ov Siloam, pas۔d θrū θe tempel kōrtyard۔s, and after θe prēst۔s flōpōr۔d θe water and θe wīn upon θe altar, θe pilgrim۔s qant۔d θe Halel, and wīel a prēst rēd۔d θe solm۔s θe gaθer۔t pilgrim۔s wāv۔d θā’s palmplant branq۔s in front ov θe altar. In θe poz wīel θe sakrifīs۔s ov θe 70 bulok۔s (simbolīz۔ing θe 70 nāxun۔s ov hēθen۔dom) wuz bēing redē۔d, Jēsus, stand۔ing among θe pilgrim۔s, sā۔d: “If anē man θirst, let hē kom tū mē and drink. From θe Faθer abov Ī bring tū θis world θe water ov līf. Hē hū belēv mē xal bē fil۔t wiθ θe spērit θat θis water represent, bēkuz ēven θe skriptūr۔s hav sā۔d, ‘Out ov hē xal flō river۔s ov liv۔in water.’ Wen θe son ov man hav finix۔d his work on Erθ, θer xal bē flōpōr۔t out upon al flex θe liv۔in spērit ov trūθ. Θōs hū rēsēv θis spērit xal never no spiritūal θirst.” Θat afternūn, after θe aposol۔s had fāil۔d in θā’s efōrt۔s tū perswād hē tū flē from Jerūsalem, Jēsus agin go۔d intū θe tempel tū tēq. Fīnd۔ing a larj grūp asembel۔d in Solomon’s Pōrq, hē spēk۔d tū θā. “If mī word۔s abīd in yū۔s and yū۔s iz dētermin۔d tū dū θe wil ov mī Faθer, θen iz yū۔s trū۔lē mī disīpel۔s. Yū۔s xal no θe trūθ, and θe trūθ xal māk yū۔s frē. Ī no how yū۔s wil anser mē: Wē iz θe qīld۔s ov Abraham, and wē iz in bondaj tū nun; how θen xal wē bē māk۔t frē? Yet Ī dū not spēk ov out۔ward subjekxun tū anoθer’s lēdrūel; Ī refer tū θe libertē۔s ov θe sōul. Verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū۔s, evrēbodē hū komit sin iz θe servant ov sin.” Az hē spēk۔d, arīv۔d mōr non۔belēv۔ōrs, and Jēsus inkrēs۔lē direkt۔d his diskōrs at θā. “Wiq ov yū۔s konvikt mē ov sin?” hē ask۔d θā; “Verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū۔s hū belēv θe gospel θat, if a man wil kēp θēz word۔s ov trūθ alīv in his hart, hē xal never tāst deθ.” Ask۔d a nērbī skrīb, “Iz yū sō muq grāt۔er θan Abraham and θe profet۔s θat yū dār tū stand hēr and sā θat whoso kēp yōr word۔s xal not tāst deθ? Hū dū yū klām tū bē θat yū dār tū uter suq blasfēmē۔s?” Jēsus kontinyū۔d, “If Ī glōrēfī mīself, mī glōrē iz noθin. It iz God hū xal glōrēfī mē. Ēven Abraham rējōis۔d tū fōrsē mī dā.” Θenupon θōs hū dū۔d not belēv, along wiθ ājent۔s ov θe Sanhedrin, rāz۔d a tūmult, xout۔ing: “Yū iz·not fiftē yēr۔s ōld, yet yū talk about sē۔ing Abraham – yū iz a qīld ov θe devil!” Jēsus wuz not ābel tū kontinyū, sā۔ing az hē depart۔d, “Verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū۔s, bēfōr Abraham wuz, Ī iz.” Manē θenupon rux۔d fōrθ wiθ stōn۔s, wiq θā θrō۔d at hē, az ājent۔s ov θe Sanhedrin hurē۔d fōrward tū arest hē, but Jēsus kwik۔lē wak۔d θrū θe krowd, and θrū θe tempel kōridōr۔s, and eskāp۔d tū a sēkret mēt۔in plās nēr Beθanē wār Marθa, Marē, and Lazarus awāt۔d. After θe fēst ov tabernakel۔s, manē belēv۔ōrs gaθer۔d at Beθanē and rēsēv۔d instrukxun from θe twelv aposol۔s. Θe Sanhedrin māk۔d nō efōrt tū molest θe gaθer۔ins bēkuz Jēsus wuz not present; hē depart۔d tū visit Abner and his asōxēāt۔s at θā’s hedkwarter۔s at nērbī Beθlehem, from wār Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s disīpel۔s wuz dispaq۔d tū θe town۔s and vilaj۔s ov Jūdea and souθern Samarēa and tū az far awā az Aleksandrēa on θe far sīd ov θe river Nile delta. Sūn after Jēsus’s arīval, hē and Abner komplēt۔d θe arānjment۔s fōr θe konsolidāxun ov θe work ov θe twū grūp۔s. Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s disīpel۔s had bin inkrēs۔lē inflūens۔t bī Jēsus, and mōst rēsent۔lē wuz impres۔d wiθ his displā ov kouraj in his publik tēq۔ins in Jerūsalem, hens θā’s dēsixon tū jōin Jēsus’s aposol۔s az a yūnīt۔d grūp. Θā agrē۔d tū mēt at Magadan Publikpark. Jēsus θen rēturn۔d tū Beθanē, and hē and his aposol۔s hed۔d ēst۔ward, rest۔ing a fyū dā۔s at town Efrāim, and dur 30 Oktōber, after mōr θan a monθ evād۔ing arest in Jūdea, rē۔kros۔d river Jōrdan tū θe sāftē ov rējon Perea, θen trek۔d bak nōrθ۔ward, intū rējon Dekapōlis. *
A fyū dā۔s
lāter at Magadan Publikpark
gaθer۔d,
bēsīds Jēsus
and θe twelv, Abner and ap 50 disīpel۔s
from Beθlehem, θe evanjelīz۔ōr
kontinjent, θe woman۔s’
kontinjent, and ap 150 oθer disīpel۔s
from around Kānan. After visit۔ing ēq oθer and
rē۔ōrganīz۔ing θe kamp,
Jēsus and θe
twelv bēgin۔d
intensiv
trān۔in fōr
θe spexal
grūp ov belēv۔ōrs,
from wiq θā qūz۔d
70
az gospel mesajōr۔s
under θe lēdōrxip ov Abner. A
rēkwīerment fōr akseptans – fōr gospel mesajōr۔s,
but not disīpel۔s
–
wuz tū fōrsāk evrēθin, inklūd۔ing
al posexun۔s
and
familē obligāxun۔s. Won ernest disīpel ask۔d Jēsus,
“Mastōr, Ī wud bē won ov yōr nū
gospel mesajōr, but mī faθer iz nēr deθ. Kud
Ī bē permit۔t
tū rēturn hōm tū burē hē?” Jēsus sā۔d, “Foks۔s hav hōl۔s, and bird۔s hav nest۔s, but θe son ov man hav
nōwār tū lā his hed. Yū iz a fāθful
disīpel, and yū kan rēmān suq wīel yū rēturn hōm tū minister۔ōr tū yōr luv۔t won۔s, but mī gospel mesajōr۔s fōrsāk al tū prōklām θe
king۔dom.”
Θerfōr θe man go۔d awā, disapōint۔t.
A riq yung man nām۔d Matadōrmus, a
membōr ov θe Jerūsalem
Sanhedrin hū after ērhēr۔ing
Pēter prēq had bēkum۔d
a nū belēv۔ōr,
ask۔d,
“Mastōr, sē۔ing
θat Ī hav alwās observ۔d al θe
komandment۔s,
wut mōr Ī must dū tū gān
ēternal līf?” Jēsus anser۔d, “If yū kēp al θe komandment۔s – dū not komit
adulterē, dū not kil, dū not stēl, dū not fals۔lē testifī, dū not
dēfrod, dū not un۔onor yōr parent۔s – yū dū wel, but
salvāxun iz θe rēward ov fāθ, not mēr۔lē ov akxun۔s. Dū yū
belēv θis gospel ov θe king۔dom?”
Matadōrmus anser۔d,
“Yes, mastōr, Ī dū belēv evrēθin yū and yōr aposol۔s hav tēq۔d
mē.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Θen iz yū indēd mī disīpel and a qīld
ov θe king۔dom.” Sā۔d Matadōrmus, “But,
mastōr, Ī iz not kontent tū bē yōr disīpel; Ī want tū bē
won ov
yōr nū gospel mesajōr۔s.” Jēsus lōok۔d
at hē wiθ a grāt luv and sā۔d, “Ī wil aksept yū az
won ov mī mesajōr۔s if yū iz wilin tū pā θe prīs: gō and sel al θat yū hav and, wen yū hav
bestō۔d θe prōsēd۔s upon θe pōr ōr upon yōr
breθren, kom and folō mē.” Matadōrmus’
fās saden۔d;
hē stand۔d,
and go۔d awā
sōrōful, bēkuz hē had
grāt posexun۔s. Hē had bin rāz۔d
tū belēv θat welθ wuz a tōken ov God’s fāvor. Jēsus
no۔d
hē
wuz not frē from θe luv ov hiself and his riq۔s;
hē want۔d tū
deliver
hē from θe luv ov welθ, not nesesārē۔lē
from θe welθ itself. Pēter and oθer
aposol۔s had
gaθer۔d
around tū ērhēr θe end ov
θe konversāxun, and wen Matadōrmus had depart۔d,
Jēsus sā۔d
tū θā,
“Spiritūal worxip kan·not bē xār۔t
wiθ matērēal devōtxun۔s;
nō man kan serv twū mastōr۔s.
It iz ēzē۔er
fōr a kamel tū gō θrū a nēdel’s ī θan fōr komplāsent riq pēpel۔s tū enter θe
king۔dom ov
heven.” Pēter ask۔d,
“Hū θen, Lōrd, kan bē sāv۔t?
Xal al hū hav riq۔s bē kēp۔t
out ov θe king۔dom?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Nō, Pēter, but θōs
hū put θā’s trust in riq۔s xal not enter intū a
spiritūal līf θat lēd tū ēternal progres.” Hē
kontinyū۔d, “Θe king۔dom ov heven iz alīk a
vinyard ōn۔ōr hū go۔d out erlē in θe mōrnin
tū hīer lābor۔ōrts. Wen
θā had agrē۔d tū aksept pāment ov won denarēus fōr
θe dā,
hē dispaq۔d θā intū θe vinyard.
Lāter θat mōrnin, sē۔ing oθer۔s man۔s stand۔ing īdel in θe
market·plās, hē sā۔d tū θā: ‘Gō yū۔s alsō tū work in mī
vinyard, and Ī wil pā yū۔s,’ sō θā go۔d tū work. Ap
nūn, and agin dur mid۔afternūn, hē dū۔d alīkwīz. Lāt
afternūn, hē sē۔d stil oθer۔s stand۔ing īdel, θus hē ask۔d θā, ‘Wī dū yū stand hēr
īdel al θe dā?’ A man anser۔d, ‘Bēkuz nōbodē hīer۔d wē.’ Θen
sā۔d θe emplōē۔ōr, ‘Gō yū alsō tū work
in mī vinyard, and Ī wil pā yū۔s.’ Θat ēvenin hē direkt۔d his stūard, ‘Kal θe
lābor۔ōrs and pā θā’s wāj۔s, bēgin۔ing wiθ θe rēsent۔est hīer۔d and end۔ing wiθ θe first.’
Wen θōs hū wuz hīer۔d dur lāt afternūn arīv۔d, θā ēq rēsēv۔d won denarēus, and sō it
wuz wiθ ēq ov θe oθer lābor۔ōrs. Wen
θe man۔s hū wuz hīer۔d at θe bēgin۔ing ov θe dā sē۔d how θe lāt·kom۔ōrs wuz pā۔d, θā ekspekt۔d tū rēsēv mōr θan θe
amount agrē۔d upon, but alīk θe oθer۔s, ēq man rēsēv۔d ōnlē won denarēus.
Θā komplān۔d tū θe vinyard ōn۔ōr, sā۔ing: ‘Θe rēsent۔est man۔s hīer۔t work۔d ōnlē won klokhour, yet
yū pā۔d θā θe sām az wē hū hav endur۔d θe burden fōr an entīer
dā’s work under skōrq۔ē sun.’ Anser۔d θe ōn۔ōr, ‘Mī frend۔s, Ī dū yū۔s nō rong. Dū۔d not ēq ov yū agrē tū
work fōr won denarēus per dā? Tāk now
wut iz yours and gō yōr wā, bēkuz it iz mī desīer tū giv tū θōs hū kom۔d lāter az muq az Ī hav
giv۔d yū۔s. Iz it
not loful fōr mē tū dū wut Ī want wiθ
mī ōn? Ōr dū yū۔s bēgruj mī jenerositē
bēkuz Ī desīer tū bē gōod and tū xō mersē?’” Jēsus
emfasīz۔d θat riq۔s had noθin
direkt۔lē tū
dū wiθ
entrans intū θe king۔dom
ov heven, but θat luv ov welθ dū۔d.
Hē rēgard۔d
θe wīz investment ov ekses ern۔ins
az a lejitimat fōrm ov inxurans aganst fyūtūr and non۔avōid۔abel
adversitē. Wen θe apostolik trejūrē wuz
ōverflō۔ing,
Jūdas put۔d
fund۔s on
deposit tū bē yūtilīz۔t
dur okāxun۔s
ov les inkom. But Jēsus kondem۔d un۔fār
eksplōitāxun ov θe wēak bī θe strong.At θe ōrdināxun seremōnē on θe ēstern xōr ov lāk Galilē, Jēsus tel۔d θe 70 gospel mesajōr۔s, “Ī iz send۔ing yū۔s, twū and twū, az mesajōr۔s ov θe king۔dom, tū Jūan and jentīl, az lam۔s among wolf۔s. Evrēwār yū۔s gō, prēq, sā۔ing, ‘Θe king۔dom ov heven iz at hand.’ Karē nēθer purs nor ekstra klōθ۔in, az yū۔s gō fōrθ on θis first brēf mixun. Wenever yū stā at a hōm, first sā, ‘Pēas bē tū θis houshōld.’ If θōs hū luv pēas resīd θerin, yū۔s xal abīd θer; if not, θen depart. And hav۔ing selekt۔d θe hōm, rēmān θer dur yōr stā in θat sitē, rē۔lōkāt۔ing not tū a beter loj۔in if ofer۔t, wīel ēt۔ing and drink۔ing wutever iz set۔d bēfōr yū۔s – θe lābor۔ōr iz worθ۔ē ov his sustenans. Rēmember, az yū۔s gō fōrθ prōklām۔ing pēas on Erθ and gōod wil among pēpel۔s, yū۔s must kontend wiθ biter and self-desēv۔t enemē۔s; θerfōr bē az wīz az serpent۔s, wīel rēmān۔ing az harm۔les az dovbird۔s.” Dur θe ēvenin bēfōr θā’s departūr, Jēsus furθer ad۔d, “Θe gospel ov θe king۔dom must bē prōklām۔t tū al θe world, tū jentīl۔s and Jūan۔s. Minister۔ōr tū al hū mā bē sik in ēθer mīnd ōr bodē, but rēfrān from tēq۔ing θe ekspektāxun ov mirakel۔s. Avōid los ov tīm θrū tyū muq sōxal visit۔ing and oθer trivēalitē۔s θat kud dētrakt from hōlhart۔ē devōtxun tū prēq۔ing θe gospel. Māk klēr tū al fāθful belēv۔ōrs θat θe tīm hav arīv۔d fōr an ōpen brāk wiθ θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs ov θe Jūan۔s in Jerūsalem.” In kontrast tū θe 613 rūel۔s fōr liv۔in ekspound۔t bī θe Farisē۔s, Jēsus sā۔d, “Tēq θat man’s entīer dūtē iz sumarīz۔d in won komandment: Luv θe Lōrd yōr God wiθ al yōr mīnd and sōul, and luv yōr nābōr az yōrself.” Erlē θe nekst mōrnin Abner dispaq۔d θe 35 pār۔s ov gospel mesajōr۔s bak west۔ward akros θe river tū al θe sitē۔s and town۔s ov Galilē, Samarēa, and Jūdea. Dur θe first wēk in Dēsember, θōs hū rēmān۔d – a grūp ov almōst 300 – rē۔lōkāt۔d θā’s kamp from Magadan souθ۔ward tū rējon Perea, tū θe sām sītplās nēr θe Pela kros۔in wār Jon θe baptīz۔ōr had establix۔d his kamp and had, almōst fōur yēr۔s erlē۔er, baptīz۔d Jēsus. Dāvid Zebedē rēturn۔d tū Beθsīda and bēgin۔d dis۔band۔ing his mesajōr servis, wiq bī θen number۔d almōst 400 man۔s. Θe king۔dom wuz enter۔ing a nū fāzpērēod. Dā۔ē, pilgrim۔s arīv۔d from around Kānan, and som from rēmōt rējon۔s ov θe Rōma۔ē empīer, ēven okāxun۔lē from Mesopōtāmēa and land۔s ēst۔ward ov river Tīgris. Akord۔lē, Dāvid, wiθ θe help ov his dwindel۔ing mesajōr kontinjent, lōd۔d ontū pak animal۔s θe kamp ekwipment (from stōraj at his faθer’s hous) from θe fōrmer Beθsīda lāk۔sīd kamp, transpōrt۔d it souθ۔ward along θe lāk's ēstern xōr, and bēgin۔d erekt۔ing it slīt۔bē nōrθ۔ward ov θe nū apostolik kamp at Pela – prepār۔ing tū ofer hospitalitē – it bēing θe rāin۔ē sēson – tū almōst 1,500 pilgrim visit۔ōrs, wīel θe nērbī apostolik kamp kud akomodāt ap 500. Wīel θe kamp wuz bēing establix۔d, Jēsus, tāk۔ing wiθ hē Naθanēel and Tomas, sēkret۔lē kros۔d ōver tū Jūdea, intend۔ing, despīt entrētē۔s ov his twū aposol۔s, tū atend θe fēst ov θe dedikāxun. Θat ēvenin at Jerikō, tū a gaθer۔ing hē tel۔d a stōrē. “A sertin man wuz wak۔ing from Jerūsalem tū Jerikō, and hē wuz atak۔d bī krūel brigandōr۔s, hū rob۔d hē, striprēmūv۔d hē, bēt۔d hē, and, depart۔ing, lēv۔d hē haf ded. Sūn a sertin prēst hapen۔d along, and wen hē kom۔d upon θe wūnd۔d man, sē۔ing his sorē plīt, hē pas۔d bī on θe oθer sīd ov θe rōd. And in alīk maner a Levit alsō, wen hē kom۔d along and sē۔d θe man, pas۔d bī on θe oθer sīd. Θen a man from Samarēa, az hē jurnē۔d down·hil tū Jerikō, enkounter۔d θe wūnd۔d man; and wen hē sē۔d how hē had bin rob۔t and bēt۔t, hē wuz ōverwelm۔d wiθ kompaxun, and, gō۔ing ōver tū hē, hē rap۔d his wūnd۔s, flōpōr۔ing on θā ōil and wīn, and, set۔ing θe man upon his ōn bēst, tāk۔d hē tū an gestloj and kār۔d fōr hē. And θe nekst mōrnin hē giv۔d som monē tū θe gestloj’s hōst, sā۔ing, ‘Tāk gōod kār ov mī frend, and if θe ekspens iz mōr, wen Ī kom bak agin, Ī wil pā yū bak.’” In Jerūsalem, dur Sabaθ mōrnin, az Jēsus and his twū aposol۔s aprōq۔d θe tempel, θā nōtis۔d in θe distans a wel-no۔t beg۔ōr, a man nām۔t Jōsāa hū had bin birθ۔d blīnd, sit۔ing at his yūsūal plās. Ask۔d Naθanēel, “Mastōr, hū sin۔d, θat blīnd man ōr his parent۔s?” Rabī۔s tēq۔d θat a bābē wuz birθ۔d blīnd tū punix tā’s sinful faθer ōr moθer, ōr ēven bēkuz θe bābē taself had sin۔d bēfōr kom۔ing intū θe world. Ōld۔er Jūan tēq۔ōrs, tūgeθer wiθ Plātō, Philo, and manē ov θe Esēn۔s, tolerāt۔d θe θērē θat a pēpel kud rēp wut tā had plant۔d dur a prēvēus līf۔tīm, and in Jūdea θat θērē linger۔d. Dur θe ensū۔ing diskuxun Jēsus agin trī۔d tū māk klēr θat pēpel۔s’ sōul۔s dū۔d not hav a prēvēus eksistens. Sā۔ing, “Nēθer dū۔d θat man sin nor dū۔d his parent۔s θat hē wuz birθ۔d θus,” hē warn۔d aganst θe komon and tradixunal tendensē ov asīn۔ing spiritūal koz۔s tū komonplās fizikal ēvent۔s; ēven belēv۔ōrs hū enter۔d θe king۔dom wuz not θerbī render۔d imyūn tū aksidant-s ov tīm and ōrdinārē katastrofē۔s ov nātūr. It had okur۔d tū Jēsus tū yūtilīz θe blīnd man fōr his purpos, θus tū Naθanēel and Tomas hē sā۔d, “Lets krēāt θe sīt ov θis blīnd man dur θe Sabaθ dā, sō θat θe skrīb۔s and Farisē۔s mā hav a gōod ekskyūs tū akyūs θe son ov man. Θen, stūp۔ing, hē spit۔d on θe ground and miks۔d klā wiθ his spitel, wak۔d ōver tū Josiah (hū had not rēkwest۔d alms bēkuz it wuz dur θe Sabaθ), and put۔d θe klā ōver his sīt۔les ī۔s, sā۔ing, “Gō, mī son, wax awā θis klā in θe pūol ov Siloam, and imēdēat۔lē yū xal rēsēv yōr sīt.” And wen Josiah had sō wax۔d in θe pūol, hē rēturn۔d tū his frend۔s and familē, sē۔ing. But wen θe astonix۔t gaθer۔in ask۔d hū wuz θe man hū giv۔d hē sīt, Jōsāa kud anser ōnlē θat hē dū۔d not no. Bak in Pela, Jēsus nōlonger nēd۔d tū trek from plās tū plās; insted, at θe nū kamp, pēpel۔s arīv۔d in inkrēs۔ing number۔s. At θe end ov θe monθ – and θe yēr – θe 35 pār۔s ov gospel mesajōr۔s arīv۔d bak at θe Pela kamp. Wiθ eksītment θā rēlā۔d θat θā’s mesaj had bin wīd۔lē rēsēv۔d bī bōθ Jūan۔s and jentīl۔s. Jēsus θerbī sē۔d θat hē kud depart θe world wiθout sērēus۔lē hinder۔ing progres ov θe king۔dom. Θen bēgin۔d prepārāxun۔s fōr a tūor ov Perea, tū inklūd θe woman۔s’ kontinjent. Θe ōrijinal twelv woman۔s had trān۔d fiftē oθer woman۔s in θe work ov hōm visitāxun and minister۔ing tū θe sik and aflikt۔t. Nū membōrms inklūd۔d Salōmē (θe moθer ov Dāvid, Jāms, and Jon Zebedē) and θe wīf۔s ov aposol۔s Filip and Maθyū; Pēter’s wīf Perpetūa bēkum۔d θā’s lēd۔ōrm, sūpervīs۔t bī Abner. On 3 Janyūarē, yēr 30, Abner deliver۔d fīnal instrukxun۔s tū θe 70 gospel mesajōrts and θe 62 woman۔s, hū θenupon blanket۔d Perea – θe sōkald land bēyond θe Jōrdan, θe mōst piktūresk rējon ov Kānan, inhabit۔t ap ēkwal۔lē bī Jūan۔s and jentīl۔s – prēq۔ing θe gospel and baptīz۔ing nū belēv۔ōrs. Rēmān۔ing at θe kamp, Jēsus and Pēter prēq۔d tū θe multitūd, hū bī mid۔Janyūarē number۔d mōr θan 1,200, inklūd۔ing nūmerus Farisē۔s. Won ēvenin, prēq۔ing tū a krowd ov ap 100, Jēsus sā۔d, “Tūnīt, hēr bēfōr mē iz man۔s wilin tū dī fōr mē and fōr θe gospel ov θe king۔dom, and hēr alsō iz slāv۔s ov tradixun hū in kahūt۔s wiθ θā’s delūd۔t lēd۔ōrs sēk tū kil mē. Bōθ xal bē juj۔t, θe trū xeperd۔s and θe fals xeperd۔s. If θe fals xeperd wuz blīnd, hē wud hav nō sin, but hē klām θat hē sē and profes tū bē a tēq۔ōr, θerfōr dū hē sin. Θus Ī wil prezent mī tēq۔in in a parabel, sō θat yū mā ēq aksept θat wiq fīnd a rēsepxun in yōr hart.” Hē kontinyū۔d, “Θe trū xeperd gaθer his qūn intū θe fōld dur θe nīt in tīm۔s ov dānjer. Mōrnin, hē enter intū θe qūn bī θe gāt, and wen hē kal, θe xēp۔s no his vōis, and kom, and folō hē. Anē xeperd hū enter θe xēp۔s’ qūn bī oθer θan θe gāt iz a θēf and a rob۔ōr; θe xēp۔s no not his vōis, θus wil not folō hē; insted, θā wil flē. Θe multitūd gaθer۔d around wē hēr iz alīk xēp۔s wiθout a xeperd, but wen wē spēk tū θā, θā no θe xeperd۔s’ vōis۔s, and θā folō wē; atlēst, θōs hū hunger fōr trūθ and θirst fōr rīqus۔nes dū. Som ov yū۔s iz·not ov mī qūn; yū۔s no not mī vōis, and yū۔s dū not folō mē. And bēkuz yū۔s iz fals xeperd۔s, θe xēp۔s no not yōr vōis۔s and wil not folō yū۔s.” Bī θe end ov Janyūarē, pilgrim۔s at θe kamp mōr θan dubel۔d tū almōst θrē θousand۔s. In a sermon, Jēsus sā۔d, “Wut Ī hav manē okāxun۔s sā۔d tū mī aposol۔s and tū mī disīpel۔s, Ī now deklār tū yū۔s: bēwār ov θe leven ov θe Farisē۔s, wiq iz hipokrisē birθ۔d ov prejudis and nurtūr۔d in tradixunal bondaj, despīt θe fakt θat manē Farisē۔s iz onest ov hart and som ov θā abīd hēr az mī disīpel۔s. Sūn our enemē۔s’ sēkret plan۔s wil bē bring۔t from dark۔nes intū θe līt and prōklām۔d from hous۔top۔s. But Ī sā tū yū۔s, mī frend۔s, wen θā sēk tū destrōē θe son ov man, bē not afrād ov θā. Fēr not θōs hū, alθō θā mā bē ābel tū kil θe bodē, after θat hav nō mōr power ōver yū۔s. Iz not fīv spārō۔s sel۔d fōr a pitans? And yet, wen θēz bird۔s flit around in kwest ov θā’s sustenans, not won ov θā eksist wiθout nolej ov θe Faθer, θe sors ov al līf. Tū θe serafik gardēan۔s evrē hār ov yōr hed iz number۔t. Ī sā tū yū۔s: fēr not; yū۔s iz muq mōr valyū۔abel θan spārō۔s. Al ov yū۔s hū hav had θe kouraj tū konfes fāθ in mī gospel Ī wil sūn aknolej bēfōr θe ānjel۔s ov heven; but hē hū xal no۔lē denī θe trūθ ov mī tēq۔ins bēfōr man۔s xal bē denī۔t bī his gardēan ov destinē bēfōr θe ānjel۔s ov heven. And wen our enemē۔s bring yū۔s bēfōr θe lēdrūel۔ōrs ov θe sinagog۔s and bēfōr oθer hī oθōritē۔s, bē not ankxus az tū how yū۔s xud anser θā’s kwestyon۔s, bēkuz θe spērit θat resīd wiθin yū xal sertin۔lē tēq yū wut tū sā tū onor θe gospel ov θe king۔dom.” Ask۔d Jēsus, “How long wil yū tārē in θe valē ov dēsixon? Wī xud a Jūan ōr a jentīl hesitāt tū aksept θe gōod nūz θat hē iz a son ov θe ēternal God? How long bēfōr yū۔s aksept yōr spiritūal inheritens? Ī kom۔d tū θis world tū rēvēl θe Faθer tū yū۔s and tū lēd yū۔s tū θe Faθer. Θe first Ī hav dū۔d, but θe last Ī mā not dū wiθout yōr konsent; θe Faθer never kompel anē man tū enter θe king۔dom. Θe invītāxun ever hav bin and alwās wil bē: hūever wil, let hē kom and frē۔lē partāk in θe water ov līf.” Az θe aposol۔s baptīz۔d belēv۔ōrs, Jēsus talk۔d tū θōs hū tārē۔d. A yung man sā۔d tū hē, “Mastōr, mī faθer dī۔d lēv۔ing muq propertē tū mē and mī broθer, but mī broθer rēfyūz tū giv mē mī xār. Wil yū, θen, tel mī broθer divīd θis inheritens wiθ mē?” Jēsus rēspond۔d, “Man, hū māk۔d mē a divīd۔ōr ōver yū۔s? Wār dū۔d yū get θe īdēa θat Ī giv atenxun tū θe matērēal afār۔s ov θis world?” Turn۔ing tū θōs around hē, hē ad۔d, “Hav yū۔s not rēd۔d θe komandment, ‘Dū not kovet’? Hapē۔nes kom not from θe power ov welθ, nēθer dū jōē spring from riq۔s. Welθ, in itself, iz not a kurs, but θe luv ov riq۔s dur manē okāxun۔s lēd tū suq devōtxun tū world۔ē θing۔s θat θe sōul bēkum blīnd۔d tū θe byūtē ov θe spiritūal rēalitē ov θe king۔dom ov God on Erθ and tū θe jōē۔s ov ēternal līf in heven.” Hē kontinyū۔d, “Let mē tel yū a stōrē ov a man hūz land prōdūs۔d plentēful۔lē. Wen hē had bēkum riq, hē wonder۔d, ‘Wut xal Ī dū wiθ al mī riq۔s?’ Hē desīd۔d, ‘Θis Ī wil dū: Ī wil pul down mī barn۔s and bild big۔er won۔s, θus wil Ī hav abundant rūm tū stōr mī frūt۔s and mī produkt۔s. Θen kan Ī sā tū mī sōul, sōul, yū hav muq welθ lā۔d up fōr manē yēr۔s; tāk now yōr ēz: ēt, drink, and bē jolē.’ But θis riq man wuz alsō fūol۔ix. In provīd۔ing fōr θe matērēal rēkwīerment۔s ov his mīnd and bodē, hē had fāil۔d tū ad trejūr۔s in heven fōr θe satisfakxun ov θe spērit and fōr θe salvāxun ov θe sōul. And ēven θen hē wuz not tū enjōē θe plejur ov konsūm۔ing his hōrdsāv۔t welθ, bēkuz θat sām nīt wuz his sōul rēkwīer۔t ov hē: brigandōr۔s fōrs۔ablē enter۔d his hous and kil۔d hē, θen plunder۔d his barn۔s, and burn۔d wut rēmān۔d. Ōver his land his lofulār۔s among θāself۔s fīt۔d. Afteral, welθ dū not endūr. Θe luv ov riq۔s al tyū often obskyur and ēven destrōē θe spiritūal vijon. Fāil not tū rekognīz θe dānjer ov welθ’s bēkum۔ing, not yōr servant, but yōr mastōr.” Θen, az pēpel۔s wak۔d down tū θe river tū witnes θe baptīz۔ing, θe man wiθ θe inheritens problem kom۔d prīvat۔lē tū Jēsus bēkuz hē konsider۔d Jēsus had dēal۔d harx۔lē wiθ hē; and wen θe Jēsus had agin ērhēr۔d hē, hē rēplī۔d: “Mī son, wī dū yū mis θe opōrtūnitē tū fēd upon θe bred ov līf, on a dā alīk θis, tū indulj yōr kovet۔ē dispōsixun? Dū yū not no θat θe Jūw۔ē lo۔s ov inheritens wil bē trū۔lē administer۔t if yū wil gō wiθ yōr komplānt tū θe lokōrt ov θe sinagog? Kan yū not sē θat mī work hav tū dū wiθ māk۔ing xur θat yū no about yōr heven۔ē inheritens?” Jēsus send۔d θe yung man awā, sā۔ing tū hē, “Mī son, wut xal it profit yū if yū gān θe entīer world and lūz yōr ōn sōul?” Jēsus go۔d intū his tent tū rest, and after super, wen hē and θe twelv gaθer۔d fōr θā’s nīt۔ē konferens, Andrū ask۔d wut θā had mis۔d dur θe afternūn tēq۔in. Jēsus sā۔d θat θrē kwestyon۔s must bē anser۔t bī al hū akwīer grāt welθ: how muq dū۔d yū akyūmyūlāt, how dū۔d yū akwīer it, how dū۔d yū yūtilīz it? Hē emfasīz۔d, “Mī word۔s tū yū۔s aposol۔s iz diferent from mī word۔s spēk۔d tū θe disīpel۔s and θe multitūd bēkuz yū hav fōrsāk۔d evrēθin, not ōnlē tū folō mē, but tū bē ōrdān۔t az ambasadōr۔s ov θe king۔dom. Dū not worē about temporal θing۔s, about wut yū۔s xal ēt ōr weār. Wen yū۔s iz tempt۔d tū dout θe sertintē ov yōr bred, konsider θe rāven۔s: θā nēθer plant nor rēp, θā hav nō depositōrē۔s ōr barn۔s, and yet θe Faθer provīd fūd fōr evrē won ov θā θat sēk it. And ov how muq mōr valyū iz yū۔s θan bird۔s! Bēsīds, fret۔ing kan dū noθin tū suplī yōr matērēal nēd۔s. Konsider θe lilē۔s, how θā grō: θā tōil not, yet ēven Solomon in al his glōrē wuz not arā۔t alīk won ov θā. If God sō klōθ θe gras ov θe fēld, how muq mōr xal hē klōθ yū۔s, θe ambasadōr۔s ov θe heven۔ē king۔dom. Let mē axūr yū۔s wons and fōr al θat if yū dedikāt yōr līf۔s tū θe work ov θe king۔dom, al yōr nēd۔s xal bē suplī۔t. Sēk θe grāt۔er, and θe les۔er wil bē fīnd۔t θerin. Ask fōr θe heven۔ē, and θe Erθ۔ē xal bē inklūd۔t. Θe xadō iz sertin tū folō θe substans.” Bēgin۔ing in erlē Febrūarē, Jēsus and ten ov his disīpel۔s tūor۔d θe plās۔s in Pelea wār θe asōxēāt۔s ov Abner and θe woman۔s’ kontinjent wuz work۔ing wiθ konsiderabel sukses, az manē nū belēv۔ōrs wuz baptīz۔d. Jēsus direkt۔d θe atenxun ov his aposol۔s tū θe fakt θat θe gospel ov θe king۔dom kud spred wiθout θā’s partisipāxun, and wiθout θe perfōrmans ov mirakel۔s. Mōrōver, θe gospel rēflekt۔d not sō muq Jēsus’s personalitē, but his tēq۔in. Wīel mōst Kananan۔s ēt۔d twū mēl۔s per dā, it wuz θe kustom ov Jēsus and θe aposol۔s wen jurnē۔ing tū poz mid۔dā fōr rest and rēfrexment. At won suq nūntīd stop enrūt tū Filadelfia, Tomas ask۔d weθer ānjel۔s and oθer spērit bēing۔s wuz ābel tū prēvent aksidant-s. Jēsus, after ekspres۔ing eksasperāxun at yet anoθer matērēal kwestyon, anser۔d, “Al tyū long hav yōr faθer۔s belēv۔d θat prospāritē wuz θe tōken ov divīn aprūval, θat adversitē wuz prūf ov God’s un۔plējur. Ī deklār θat suq bēlēf۔s iz sūperstixun۔s. Θe Faθer koz his rāin tū fal on θe just and θe un۔just; θe sun alīkwīz xīn on θe rīqus and θe un۔rīqus. Yū۔s no about θōs Galilēn۔s hūz blod Pīlat mingel۔d wiθ θe sakrifīs۔s, but Ī tel yū۔s θōs Galilēn۔s sin۔d nō mōr θan θā’s felō۔s. Yū۔s alsō no about θe 18 man۔s upon hū θe tower ov Siloam fal۔d, kil۔ing θā; θink not θat θā wuz wors ofend۔ōrs θan θā’s breθren. Θōs fōlk۔s wuz simpel۔lē inosent viktim۔s ov aksidant-s ov tīm.” Jēsus kontinyū۔d, “A man plant۔d a fig trē in his yard, and wen it prōdūs۔d nō frūt۔s, hē sumon۔d θe vīn dres۔ōr and sā۔d, ‘Hēr hav Ī kom θēz θrē sēson۔s lōok۔ing fōr fig۔s on θis trē and hav fīnd۔d nun. Wī xud θis baren trē enkumber θe ground? Kut it down.’ Θe hed garden۔ōrt anser۔d, ‘Let it alōn fōr won mōr yēr sō θat Ī mā dig around it and put fertilīz۔ōr; nekst yēr if it prōdūs nō frūt۔s, it xal bē kut۔t down.’ And wen θā had θus komplī۔d wiθ θe lo۔s ov frūtful۔nes, bēkuz θe trē wuz alīv and gōod, θā wuz rēward۔d wiθ an abundant yēild.” Ad۔d Jēsus, “In θe mater ov sik۔nes and helθ, no θat θēz bodē۔ē kondixun۔s iz θe rēsult ov matērēal koz۔s. Helθ iz not a smīl ov heven, nēθer iz aflikxun a frown ov God.” In θe sitē ov Filadelfia θer resīd۔d a welθ۔ē and inflūenxal Fārisē hū had aksept۔d θe tēq۔ins ov Abner, and hē invīt۔d Jēsus tū his hous Sabaθ mōrnin fōr brekfast. Among θe fōrtē oθer۔s invīt۔t wuz manē Farisē۔s, som arīv۔ing al θe wā from Jerūsalem. Az Jēsus linger۔d bī θe dōr qat۔ing wiθ Abner, and after θe hōst had sēt۔d hiself, θer enter۔d intū θe dīn·rūm won ov θe lēd۔ing Farisē۔s ov Jerūsalem, a membōr ov θe Sanhedrin, and, az wuz his habit, hē wak۔d strāt fōr θe sēt ov onor at θe leftsīd ov θe hōst. But bēkuz θat sēt had bin reserv۔d fōr Jēsus, and θat on θe rītsīd fōr Abner, θe hōst bekon۔d θe Jerūsalem Fārisē tū sit elswār, and θe dignitārē wuz θerbī muq ofend۔t. Sūn θā wuz al sēt۔d and enjōē۔ing visit۔ing among θāself۔s, θe mājoritē bēing ēθer disīpel۔s ōr frend۔ē tū θe gospel. Az θe mēal end۔d, Jēsus stand۔d and sā۔d, “Mī breθren, wen yū iz bid۔t tū a fēst, sit not in θe qēf sēt, lest, perqans, a mōr onor۔d man θan yū hav bin invīt۔t, and θe hōst wil nēd tū rēkwest θat yū relinkwix yōr plās tū hē, and wiθ xām yū wil bē rēkwīer۔t tū tāk a lō۔er plās at θe tābel. Insted, arīv۔ing at θe fēst, sit in θe lō۔est sēt, sō θat, wen θe hōst lōok ōver θe gest۔s, hē mā sā tū yū, ‘Mī frend, wī sit in θe sēt ov θe lēst? Kom up hī۔er’. Θus wil suq a won hav glōrē in θe presens ov his felō gest۔s. Hē hū eksalt hiself xal bē humbel۔t, wīel hē hū trū۔lē humbel hiself xal bē eksalt۔t.” Won ov θe loyōr۔s, desīer۔ing tū rēlēv θe rēsult۔ing sīlens, θot۔leslē koment۔d, “Blesed iz hē hū xal ēt bred in θe king۔dom ov God” – a komon sā۔in. Rēspond۔d Jēsus, “A lēdrūel۔ōr hōst۔d a grāt super, and hav۔ing invīt۔d manē gest۔s, hē dispaq۔d his servant۔s at super tīm tū sā tū θōs hū wuz invīt۔d, ‘Kom, bēkuz evrēθin iz redē.’ But al vōis۔d ekskyūs۔s. Θe first sā۔d, ‘Ī hav justnow purqas۔d a farm, and Ī must gō sertifī it; Ī prā yū ekskyūs mē.’ Anoθer sā۔d, ‘Ī hav purqas۔d fīv yōk ov oks۔s, and Ī must gō tū rēsēv θā; Ī prā yū ekskyūs mē.’ And anoθer sā۔d, ‘Ī hav justnow marē۔d, θerfōr Ī kan·not kom.’ Wen θe servant۔s rēpōrt۔d, θe mastōr ov θe hous ekspres۔d raθ, sā۔ing, “Θe fatlin۔s hav bin kil۔t, and al iz in redē۔nes fōr mī gest۔s, but θā hav spurn۔d mī invītāxun. Gō out kwik۔lē, θerfōr, intū θe strēt۔s and lān۔s ov θe sitē, out tū θe mān rōd۔s and θe bīwā۔s, and bring hiθer θe pōr and θe outkast, θe blīnd and θe lām, θat θe marij fēst mā hav gest۔s.’ Θe servant۔s dū۔d az komand۔t, but ēven θen θer wuz rūm fōr mōr gest۔s. Θen sā۔d θe lōrd tū his servant۔s: ‘Gō now out intū θe kuntrē and invīt al tū kom, sō θat mī hous mā bē fil۔t. Ī deklār θat nun ov θōs hū wuz first invīt۔d xal tāst ov mī super.’ Θus θe servant۔s dū۔d az θā’s mastōr komand۔d, and θe hous wuz fil۔d.” Manē ov θe Farisē۔s θenupon depart۔d wiθ snēr۔ing eksprexun۔s, but won, komprēhend۔ing θe mēn۔in ov θe parabel, θat dā bēkum۔d baptīz۔t. Abner had arānj۔d fōr Jēsus tū tēq in θe Filadelfia sinagog dur θe Sabaθ dā, θe first tīm Jēsus had apēr۔d in a sinagog sins θā had al bin xut۔t tū his tēq۔ins bī komand ov θe Sanhedrin (hū had nō oθōritē ēst۔ward ov river Jōrdan). Az θe seremōnē wuz konklūd۔ing, Jēsus nōtis۔d an ōld woman wiθ a downkast eksprexun, and hū wuz muq bend۔d in fōrm. Klēr۔lē xē had long bin fērful, al jōē hav۔ing pas۔d out ov her līf. Jēsus step۔d down from θe pulpit and wak۔d ōver tū xē and, tuq۔ing her bow۔d-ōver fōrm on θe xōlder, sā۔d: “Woman, if yū wud ōnlē belēv, yū kud bē entīer۔lē frē from yōr infirmitē.” Xē, hū had bin bend۔d ōver bī mūd·deprexun and fēr۔s dur mōr θan 18 yēr۔s, belēv۔d his word۔s and bī fāθ imēdēat۔lē strāten۔d up. Θen, sē۔ing θat xē had bēkum۔d strāten۔d, xē lift۔d her vōis and glōrēfī۔d God. Witnes۔s deklār۔d – despīt θe fakt θat her mental aflikxun wuz rēmūv۔d bī θe power ov her fāθ – θat Jēsus had mirakyūlus۔lē hēal۔d a fizikal disōrder. Lāt θe subsekwent ēvenin az θe nīt۔ē konferens wiθ θe aposol۔s wuz end۔ing, a run۔ōrt arīv۔d from Beθanē, bring۔ing a mesaj from Marθa and Marē: “Lōrd, hē hū yū luv iz grāv۔bē sik.” Jēsus’s impuls wuz tū depart imēdēat۔lē tū Beθanē, but dur θe nekst fyū mōment۔s hē rēsēv۔d a divīn komyūnikāxun θat θe sister۔s’ broθer Lazarus wuz alredē ded. It θen okur۔d tū Jēsus θat θe sitūāxun prezent۔d a lastdiq opōrtūnitē tū trī tū perswād Jerūsalem’s rēlijus lēd۔ōrs tū aksept his tēq۔in. Jūan۔s kling۔d tū θe konsept ov a mirakel-work۔ōr deliver۔ōr, and alθō Jēsus had long agō desīd۔d not tū yūtilīz his sūpra۔natural power۔s, despīt instans۔s wār a mikstūr ov his dēp simpaθē and God’s wil kombīn۔d tū krēāt apārent mirakel۔s, hē sīlent۔lē ask۔d God’s konsent tū alow manifestāxun ov power ōver deθ. Jēsus’s divīn indwel۔ing presens had alredē ixyū۔d komand۔s (15 minut۔s bēfōr Lazarus’ last breθ) fōr Lazarus’s divīn indwel۔ing presens tū rēmān on θe planet after Lazarus’s deθ – halt۔ing θe nōrmal praktis ov depart۔ing at θe mōment θā’s hōst۔ōrs nōlonger liv۔d. Tū θe run۔ōrt from Beθanē, Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Θe sik۔nes iz rēalē not tū θe deθ. Dout not θat it mā bē yūtilīz۔t tū glōrēfī God and eksalt θe son.” Jūan۔s alsō belēv۔d θat wīel θe spērit ōr sōul kud linger nēr a bodē twū ōr θrē dā۔s after it’s deθ; it never tārē۔d after θe θird dā, wen bodē۔ē dēkā wuz alredē advans۔d. Θerfōr Jēsus wāt۔d in Filadelfia twū mōr dā۔s bēfōr anouns۔ing tū his aposol۔s θat hē wuz depart۔ing fōr Beθanē. Wiθ won vōis θā urj۔d hē tū rē۔konsider, argyū۔ing θat in Jūdea ājent۔s ov θe Farisē۔s wud sertin۔lē arest hē; θen, non۔abel tū diswād hē, θā, along wiθ almōst 40 frend۔s and enemē۔s, akompanē۔d hē. Enrūt, at lunq۔tīm Wensdā, hē sā۔d tū θe grūp, “Θe Faθer giv salvāxun az a frē gift tū al hū hav fāθ tū rēsēv sonxip in θe divīn familē. Θer iz noθin man۔s kan dū tū ern θis salvāxun. Dēd۔s ov self۔rīqus۔nes kan·not purqas θe fāvor ov God, and muq prā۔ing in publik wil not atōn fōr lak ov liv۔in fāθ in θe hart. Man۔s yū۔s mā desēv bī yōr out۔ward servis, but God lōok intū yōr sōul۔s.” Hē θen tel۔d θā a parabel about twū man۔s – a Fārisē and a taks·kolekt۔ōr – hū enter۔d θe tempel. Prā۔d θe Fārisē tū hiself, ‘God, Ī θank yū θat Ī iz not alīk oθer man۔s: ekstōrxun۔ōrs, ignorant, un۔just, adulterōr۔s, ōr ēven alīk θis taks·kolekt۔ōr. Ī fōdfast twīs a wēk, and tīθ.’ Θe taks·kolekt۔ōr, stand۔ing nērbī, bēt۔d his qest, prā۔ing, ‘God, bē mersēful tū mē, a sin۔ōr.’ Eksplān۔d Jēsus, “Ī tel yū۔s θat θe taks·kolekt۔ōr go۔d hōm wiθ God’s aprūval raθer θan θe Fārisē. Hē hū eksalt hiself xal bē humbel۔t, but hē hū humbel hiself xal bē eksalt۔t.” After kros۔ing river Jōrdan, θat nīt in Jerikō un۔frend۔ē Farisē۔s trī۔d tū entrap Jēsus bī indūs۔ing hē tū diskus marij and divōr۔s, az had θā’s felō۔s won tīm in Galilēen. Jēsus artful۔lē avōid۔d θā’s efōrt۔s, and az yūsūal rēsist۔d temptāxun tū artikyūlāt mōral lo۔s, wiq qānj۔d wiθ plās and sentūrē. Yet rēgard۔in θe laks and un۔fār divōr۔s praktis۔s ov Jerūsalem Jūan۔s, hū permit۔d a man tū divōr۔s his wīf fōr suq trīfel۔ē reasons az bēing a pōr kōok ōr falt۔ē hous·tend۔ōrm, θerbī frē۔ing hē fōr a mōr atraktiv woman, Jēsus – hū tēq۔d noθin θat dū۔d not akord woman۔s ēkwalitē wiθ man۔s – outpōint۔d θā’s un۔justis tū woman۔s and qīld۔s. Hē eksalt۔d marij az θe īdēal, θe hī۔est fōrm, ov hyūman rēlāxunxip۔s. Θe nekst dā θā jurnē۔d tōward Beθanē. Ap nūn, az θā wuz desend۔ing from θe brow ov a hil, θā spotnōtis۔d Marθa hurē۔ing tōward θā. Wen xē rēq۔d θā, xē fal۔d at Jēsus’s fōot۔s, eksklām۔ing, “Mastōr, if yū had bin hēr, mī broθer wud not hav dī۔d!” Jēsus lift۔d xē up, sā۔ing, “Ōnlē hav fāθ, Marθa, and yōr broθer xal rīz agin.” Xē anser۔d, after eksplān۔ing θat Lazarus had dī۔d sūn after θā had dispaq۔d θe run۔ōrt, θat xē had not abandon۔d hōp. At θe hous wuz gaθer۔t manē mourn۔ōrs – bōθ frend۔s and fō۔s ov Jēsus – bēkuz θe sib۔s’ faθer Sīmon had bin a lēd۔ing resīdent ov Beθanē vilaj, and θe familē ōn۔d ekstensiv vinyard۔s and oliv ōrqard۔s, wiq bēsīds ad۔ing tū θā’s prestēj enābel۔d θā tū aford a prīvat burēal tūm on θā’s land. Marē, grēt۔ing Jēsus, fal۔d tū θe ground, eksklām۔ing, “If ōnlē yū had bin hēr, mī broθer wud bē alīv!” Jēsus, sē۔ing how θā grēv۔d (alθō nōtis۔ing wiθ disgust θat som ov θe mourn۔ōrs wuz ekspres۔ing fals sōrō), wuz mūv۔d wiθ kompaxun. After komfort۔ing Marθa and Marē, hē ask۔d θā, “Wār hav yū lā۔d hē?” Marθa sā۔d, “Kom and sē.” Az Jēsus folō۔d θe twū sōrō۔ing sister۔s, hē wēp۔d – at wiq his enemē۔s snēr۔d, ask۔ing ēq oθer, “If hē sō kār۔d, wī dū۔d hē tārē sō long bēfōr kom۔ing tū Beθanē?” and, “If hē iz wut θā klām, wī dū۔d hē not sāv his dēr frend?” Jēsus and θe twū sister۔s wak۔d θrū θe garden tū θe familē tūm, a smal natūral kāv in θe fās ov a tal bōlder. Mourn۔ōrs, hū folō۔d, wuz non۔awār ov a vast konkōrs ov manē tīp۔s ov selestēal bēing۔s asembel۔d under θe lēdōrxip ov ānjel Gābrēel, bī direkxun ov Jēsus’s divīn indwel۔ing presens; vībrāt۔ing wiθ ekspektansē, θā wuz redē tū eksekyūt θe bid۔ing ov θā’s bēlovd soveren. Jēsus sā۔d, “Tāk awā θe stōn.” Marθa objekt۔d, “Must wē rōl it awā? Mī broθer hav now bin ded fōur dā۔s, θus iz dēkā۔ing.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Dū۔d Ī not send word θat his sik۔nes wuz not tū θe deθ? Wī dū yū dout?” Aposol۔s, wiθ θe asistans ov nābōr۔s, θen rōl۔d θe bōlder awā from θe kāv's entrans. Az ap 45 mōrtal۔s pēr۔d insīd θe tūm, θā kud dim۔lē sē θe fōrm ov Lazarus, rap۔d in linen grāv kloθ۔s, his fās kover۔d wiθ a napkin, lā۔ing on a rītsīd lō۔er niq. Jēsus rāz۔d his gāz skī۔ward, sā۔ing, “Faθer, Ī iz θankful θat yū ērhēr۔d and grant۔d mī rēkwest.” Θen hē kal۔d out wiθ a loud vōis, “Lazarus, kom fōrθ!” Wīel θe hyūman observ۔ōrs rēmān۔d mōxun۔les, θe vast selestēal hōst spring۔d in yūnītē tū akxun. Mōment۔s lāter θe hiθertū līf۔les fōrm ov Lazarus stir۔d. Θen hē sit۔d up on θe ej ov θe stōn xelf. Az hē stand۔d, θe divīn indwel۔ing presens ov Jēsus ixyū۔d a komand tū θe wāt۔in fōrmer divīn indwel۔ing presens ov Lazarus tū rēsūm abīd۔ing in θe mīnd and sōul ov θe resurekt۔t man. Jēsus sā۔d tū θōs around hē, “Lūsen his koverap۔ins.” Az Lazarus wak۔d out ov θe tūm, mourn۔ōrs gasp۔d wiθ astonixment. Eksept Marē, Marθa, and θe aposol۔s, evrēbodē flē۔d: som tōward θe hous, manē hāsten۔ing onward tōward θā’s ōn hōm۔s. Lazarus grēt۔d Jēsus and θe aposol۔s, and ask۔d θe mēn۔in ov his grāv kloθ۔s and wī hē had awāk۔d in θe garden. His sister۔s tel۔d hē ov his deθ on Sundā, his burēal, and his resurekxun θat dā, Θursdā. Lazarus θen nēel۔d bēfōr Jēsus, giv۔d θank۔s, and ofer۔d prāz tū God. Jēsus, tāk۔ing hē bī θe hand and lift۔ing hē up, sā۔d, “Mī son, wut hav hapen۔d tū yū wil alsō bē ekspērēens۔t bī al hū belēv θis gospel, eksept θat θā xal bē resurekt۔t in a mōr glōrēus fōrm. Yū xal bē a liv۔in witnes ov θis trūθ. Now wē al gō intū θe hous and partāk ov nurixment fōr our fizikal bodē۔s.” A puzel۔ē aspekt ov θe dramatik ēvent wuz θat Jēsus’s divīn indwel۔ing presens ixyū۔d a komand tū Lazarus’ divīn indwel۔ing presens not tū depart θe planet upon Lazarus’ deθ mōr θan haf a dā bēfōr θe run۔ōrt rēq۔d Jēsus (at wiq tīm Lazarus had bin ded dur 11 klokhour۔s), and θus bēfōr Jēsus subsekwent۔lē konxus۔lē fōrm۔d θe īdēa ov bring۔ing Lazarus bak tū līf. Puzel۔ē, alsō, wuz wī θe kondixun θat koz۔d his deθ, upon his resurekxun, dū۔d not agin kil hē. Θe stōrē ov Lazarus’s resurekxun kwik۔lē spred۔d ōver al Jerūsalem, and bēgin۔ing θe nekst mōrnin manē man۔s and woman۔s go۔d tū Beθanē tū lōok upon Lazarus and talk wiθ hē, manē θen deklār۔ing θā’s bēlēf in Jēsus. Θat afternūn in Jerūsalem θe Farisē۔s, alarm۔t and diskonsert۔t, mēt۔d wiθ θe Sanhedrin tū dētermin wut xud bē dū۔t. Θā iterāt۔d θā’s objektxun۔s tū Jēsus’s tēq۔in, deklār۔ing θat hē wuz a frend ov sin۔ōrs (ēven xār۔ing mēl۔s wiθ θā), a blasfēm۔ōr (klām۔ing ēkwalitē wiθ God), a lo۔vīōlāt۔ōr (hēal۔ing θe sik dur θe Sabaθ and vīōlāt۔ing mēal-tīm wax۔in rūel۔s), and in lēg wiθ θe devil (bī wiq hē presūm۔ablē perfōrm۔d apārent mirakel۔s). Θā ekspres۔d fēr۔s θat if Jēsus wuz not imēdēat۔lē stop۔d, sūn al komon pēpel۔s wud belēv in hē. After mōr θan twū klokhour۔s ov akrimōnēus debāt, a lēd۔ing Fārisē prezent۔d a rēsolūxun kal۔ing fōr Jēsus’s imēdēat deθ. Wen θe Sanhedrin fōrmal۔lē komit۔d tū kil۔ing Jēsus, 14 ov θā’s membōr۔s, outrāj۔ē at θe vīōlāxun ov presedent bī kondem۔ing tū deθ wiθout lokōrtrīal, rēzīn۔d and wiθdro۔d. Θe deθ rēsolūxun θus rēmān۔d wiθout efektiv opōzixun. Konklūd۔d hī prēst Kīafas, “Beter θat won man dī, θan θat θe komyūnitē dī.” Lāter θat Frīdā Jēsus rēsēv۔d warn۔ins ov θe plan۔s ov θe Sanhedrin, but hē kontinyū۔d rest۔ing dur θe Sabaθ wiθ frend۔s in Beθpāj, a nābōr۔ē vilaj, of θe mān rōd and a xōrt distans nōrθ·west ov Beθanē. Erlē Sundā mōrnin hē and θe aposol۔s asembel۔d at θe hōm ov Lazarus, θen komens۔d θā’s trek bak ēst۔ward tōward θe Pela kamp. Wak۔ing along, Naθanēel ask۔d Jēsus, “Wut xal wē tēq θe pēpel۔s rēgard۔in θe heven۔ē minister۔ōrs?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Ānjelik hōst۔ōrs iz a separāt tīp ov krēāt۔t bēing۔s; θā iz entīer۔lē diferent from – hav ōnlē a spiritūal akinxip wiθ – mōrtal krētūr۔s, and θā funkxun az a distinkt grūp ov yūnivers intelijensē۔s. Ānjel۔s iz·not θe glōrēfī۔t spērit۔s ov mōrtal۔s hū hav kontinyū۔d onward tū progres θrū θe manxun۔s on hī. Ānjel۔s iz a direkt krēāxun; θā dū not rē۔prodūs, nor dū θā dī. Θā iz spērit servant۔s. Bī θā’s ministrē dū won world rēmān in kontakt wiθ oθer world۔s. Ānjel۔s iz konsern۔d wiθ θe wā wārbī man’s spērit iz rēlēs۔t from θe tabernakel۔s ov θe flex and his sōul eskort۔t tū θe manxun۔s in heven; θā iz θe xur and heven۔ē gīd۔ōrs ov θe sōul ov man dur θat non۔definit pērēod θat intervēn bētwēn deθ ov θe flex and nū līf in θe spērit abōd۔s. Θā iz nēθer al-wīz nor al-powerful, but lōyal ānjel۔s iz trū۔bē pyūr and hōlē.” Jēsus ad۔d, “If yū had yōr spiritūal ī۔s anōint۔d, yū wud bēhōld θe ānjel۔s ov God asend۔ing and desend۔ing.” Wen Jēsus and θe aposol۔s rēq۔d θe Pela kamp lāt Mondā ēvenin, θe entīer asembelē – number۔ing almōst 4,000 visit۔ōrs plus ap 1,000 at θe tēq۔ōrs’ kamp – wuz agog, hav۔ing lern۔d twū dā۔s erlē۔er ov θe mirakyūlus resurekxun ov Jēsus’s frend Lazarus. Not sins θe fēd۔in ov θe fīv θousand۔s had anēθin sō stir۔d θe imajināxun ov θe multitūd. Bēgin۔ing θe nekst afternūn, Jēsus prēq۔d tū θe krowd, ēq ēvenin anser۔ing kwestyon۔s ov θe aposol۔s and som ov θe advans۔ē disīpel۔s. Θat Θursdā afternūn az hē adres۔d θe multitūd, hē sā۔d, “A sertin man had twū son۔s. Θe yung۔er wuz līthart۔ē and kārfrē, alwās sēk۔ing fun and xirk۔ing rēsponsibelitē, wīel his ōld۔er broθer wuz sērēus, sōber, hardwork۔ē, rēsponsibel. Θe broθer۔s despīz۔d ēq oθer, often kwarel۔ing and biker۔ing. Θe yung۔er lad wuz qērful and vīvāxus, but indolent and non۔rēlī۔abel; θe ōld۔er son wuz stedē and industrēus, but self-senter۔ē, surlē, konsētful. Θe yung۔er enjōē۔d plā but xun۔d work; θe ōld۔er devōt۔d hiself tū work but seldom plā۔d. Θe rēlāxunxip wuz sō un۔agrē۔abel θat θe yung۔er son petixun۔d θā’s faθer, “Giv mē θe θird pōrxun ov yōr posexun۔s θat wud fal tū mē, and alow mē tū gō out intū θe world tū sēk mī ōn fōrtūn.’ Θus θe faθer, no۔ing how un۔hapē hē wuz at hōm wiθ his ōld۔er broθer, divīd۔d his propertē, giv۔ing θe yūθ his xār. Θenupon θe yung man ventūr۔d upon a jurnē tū a distant land, but, fīnd۔ing noθin profitful tū dū θat wuz alsō plejurful, hē sūn wāst۔d al his inheritens in rīotus۔ē liv۔in. Wen hē had spend۔d al, θer arīs۔d in θat land famin, and hē fīnd۔d hiself in want. Wen hē sufer۔d hunger and his distres wuz grāt, hē fīnd۔d an emplōē۔ōrt hū send۔d hē intū θe fēld۔s tū fēd swīn۔s, and hē krāv۔d tū fil hiself wiθ θe husk۔s θat θe swīn۔s ēt۔d, but wuz giv۔t litel. Won dā hē θink۔d, ‘How manē hīer۔d servant۔s ov mī faθer hav bred enuf and tū spār wīel Ī dī wiθ hunger, fēd۔ing swīn۔s hēr in a fōren land! Ī wil arīz and gō tū mī faθer, and sā tū hē: faθer, Ī hav sin۔d aganst heven and aganst yū. Ī iz nō mōr worθ۔ē tū bē dub۔t yōr son; ōnlē māk mē won ov yōr hīer۔t servant۔s.’ Θenupon hē start۔d tōward his faθer’s hous. Mēnwīel θe faθer had grēv۔d muq fōr his son, mis۔ing grāt۔lē θe qērful, θō takt۔les lad, and often lōok۔d yonder fōr his rēturn, sō θat dur θe dā θe son aprōq۔d his hōm, ēven wīel hē wuz yet far awā, θe faθer sē۔d hē and, mūv۔d wiθ kompaxun, run۔d out tū mēt hē, and wiθ afekxunat grēt۔in hē, embrās۔d, and kis۔d hē. Θe son θen lōok۔d intū his faθer’s tērful fās and sā۔d, ‘Faθer, Ī hav sin۔d aganst heven and in yōr sīt; Ī iz nō mōr worθ۔ē tū bē dub۔t a son’ – but hē dū۔d not fīnd opōrtūnitē tū komplēt his konfexun bēkuz his jōēful faθer kal۔d tū his servant۔s, sā۔ing, ‘Kil θe fat۔t kaf, and wē wil and māk jolē, bēkuz mī son wuz ded and iz agin alīv; hē wuz lost and iz fīnd۔t.’ Az θā wuz selebrāt۔ing, θe ōld۔er son rēturn۔d from his dā’s work in θe fēld, and, nēr۔ing θe hous, ērhēr۔d myūzik and merēment. And lern۔ing θe rēson, hē fēel۔d sō hurt and ānger۔ē hē wud not gō intū θe hous. Wen his faθer ērhēr۔d ov his rēzentment, hē go۔d out tū entrēt hē. But θe ōld۔er son wud not yēild, sā۔ing, ‘Hēr θēz manē yēr۔s hav Ī serv۔d yū, never transgres۔ing θe lēst ov yōr komand۔s, and yet yū never rējōis۔d ōver mī fāθful servis, ōr ēven giv۔d mē a yung gōt θat Ī kud māk jolē wiθ mī frend۔s. Yet wen θis yōr son rēturn, hav۔ing skwander۔d yōr substans wiθ harlot۔s, yū māk hāst tū kil θe fat۔t kaf and māk jolē ōver hē.’ Bēkuz θe faθer trū۔lē luv۔d bōθ ov his son۔s, hē trī۔d tū rēson wiθ θis ōld۔er won, ‘But, mī son, yū hav al θe wīel bin wiθ mē, and al θis θat Ī hav iz yours. Yū kud hav had a yung gōt at anē tīm yū had māk۔d frend۔s tū xār yōr merēment. But it iz ōnlē proper θat yū xud now jōin wiθ mē in bēing glad and jolē bēkuz ov yōr broθer’s rēturn. Θink ov it, mī son, yōr broθer wuz lost and iz fīnd۔t!’” Jēsus līk۔d tū tel θe stōrē ov θe lost xēp tū xō θat wen pēpel۔s strā non۔intenxunal۔lē, θe xeperd ov θe qūn wil gō out and serq fōr θā. It’s kompanyon stōrē wuz θe lost son, hū strā۔d intenxunal۔lē, yet stil wuz restōr۔t intū his faθer’s hous and hart. Θat parabel and θe stōrētāl ov θe gōodsamāritan wuz his fāvorit wā ov tēq۔ing θe luv ov God and θe nābōr۔nes ov pēpel۔s. Anoθer afternūn Jēsus deliver۔d a sermon eksplān۔ing his often yūtilīz۔t frāz “king۔dom ov heven”. King۔dom۔s wuz teritōrē۔s ov king۔s, and king۔s wuz diktātōrēal lēdrūel۔ōrs not no۔d fōr θā’s benevolens, but Jēsus often insist۔d θat θe king۔dom ov heven dū۔d not refer tū a politikal teritōrē, and θat God wuz luv۔ē, and not a king. Θerfōr pēpel۔s wuz konfyūs۔t. Jūan۔s had long kontemplāt۔d a kom۔ing “king۔dom ov God”, but tū θā “king۔dom” mēn۔d Jūw۔ē teritōrē in rējon۔s Jūdea and Galilē, wiq θā nām۔d Isrāel, wāraz tū Jēsus θe king۔dom mēn۔d al pēpel۔s (Jūan۔s and jentīl۔s, wārever θā resīd۔d in θe world) hū deklār۔d θā’s fāθ in θe “faθer۔hōod ov God”, θus bēkum۔ing membōr۔s ov θe “broθer۔hōod ov man۔s”. Som moθer۔s and sister۔s in θe krowd۔s wonder۔ing wār θā fit۔d. A fyū advans۔ē lisen۔ōrs vāg۔lē komprēhend۔d wen Jēsus sā۔d, “θe king۔dom ov heven iz wiθin yū”, but θe mājoritē fiksāt۔d on wut hē alsō often refer۔d tū az θe “fyūtūr king۔dom”, wiq θā belēv۔d wud bē θe politikal king۔dom in wiq a Jūan king (a desendant ov king Dāvid) wud oust θe Rōman۔s and benevolant۔lē rān ōver Jūan۔s in Kānan. Θe nekst dā Jēsus anouns۔d θat hē and his aposol۔s wud depart tū visit town۔s and vilaj۔s in souθern Perea, θen gō ōver tū Jerūsalem fōr θe Pasōver. Manē hōp۔d θat at Jerūsalem hē wud klām king Dāvid’s θrōn. Az Dāvid Zebedē xut۔d θe Pela kamp, Jēsus and ap won-θousand folō۔ōrs hed۔d souθ۔ward. At θe fōrd, ap 500 disīpel۔s kros۔d θe river tū gō tū Jerūsalem, θe rēmān۔ē ap 500 disīpel۔s and θe aposol۔s rēmān۔ing wiθ Jēsus, wār at sitē Hexbon θā mēt۔d Abner. Jēsus direkt۔d θat θe lābōr۔s ov θe seventē gospel mesajōr۔s xud not bē interupt۔t bī θe Pasōver fēst, and θat θā xud kontinyū wiθ θā’s work rēgard۔les ov wut wud okur in Jerūsalem. Hē alsō kounsil۔d Abner tū permit θe woman۔s’ kontinjent tū gō, if θā desīer۔d, tū Jerūsalem fōr θe Pasōver. Sā۔d Jēsus tū Abner, “Mī son, Ī no yū wil bē trū tū θe king۔dom, and Ī prā θe Faθer grant yū wizdom θat yū mā luv and komprēhend yōr breθren.” Az θā kontinyū۔d onward, on θe sāf sīd ov θe river, travel۔ing from town tū town, larj number۔s ov disīpel۔s depart۔d fōr Jerūsalem, sō θat after twū wēk۔s wen Jēsus hed۔d fōr Jerūsalem fōr θe Pasōver, θe number ov θōs hū akompanē۔d hē had dwindel۔d tū les θan twū hundred۔s. Evrēbodē had ērhēr۔d θe Sanhedrin’s anounsment, brodkast۔d θrūout Kānan, θat Jēsus had bin kondem۔d tū dī, and θā’s komand θat anēbodē no۔ing his wārabouts xud infōrm θā, but θe aposol۔s and θe rēmān۔ing disīpel۔s wuz not muq alarm۔t, mān۔lē bēkuz, sins θe resurekxun ov Lazarus, θā rēson۔d θat in an emerjensē Jēsus kud asert his divīn power tū trīumf ōver his enemē۔s. Θat hōp, verj۔ing on ekspektāxun, kupel۔d wiθ θā’s prōfound fāθ in θe spiritūal suprēmasē ov θā’s mastōr, būst۔d θā’s kouraj, az θā prepār۔d tū folō Jēsus intū Jerūsalem. On Wensdā ēvenin, Marq 29, Jēsus and his folō۔ōrs, after komplēt۔ing θā’s tūor ov souθern Perea, enkamp۔d at Livēas on θā’s wā tū Jerūsalem. Lāt θat nīt Sīmon Zelotes and Pēter, hav۔ing konspīer۔d fōr deliverē ov mōr θan won hundred sōrd۔s, rēsēv۔d θe wepon۔s, and distribyūt۔d θā tū al hū wud aksept θā, tū weār konsēal۔d benēθ θā’s klōk۔s. Erlē θe nekst mōrnin Jēsus, wiθout disklōz۔ing θat hē no۔d about θe sōrd۔s, adres۔d θe grūp, sā۔ing, “Mī qīld۔s, yū۔s hav bin wiθ mē a long wīel, and Ī hav tēq۔d yū۔s muq θat iz nēdful fōr θis tīm, but Ī wud now warn yū۔s not tū put yōr trust in θe non۔sertinē۔s ov θe flex nor in θe frāiltē۔s ov man’s dēfens aganst θe trīal۔s and test۔s θat lā ahed. Wē wil gō tū Jerūsalem, wār yū۔s no θe son ov man hav bin kondem۔d tū deθ. Agin Ī tel yū۔s θat θe son ov man wil bē deliver۔t intū θe hand۔s ov θe qēf prēst۔s and θe rēlijus lēdrūel۔ōrs, θat θā wil kondem hē and θen deliver hē intū θe hand۔s ov θe jentīl۔s. And sō wil θā mok θe son ov man, ēven spit upon hē, and skurj hē, and θā wil deliver hē tū deθ. And wen θā kil θe son ov man, bē not dismā۔t, bēkuz Ī deklār θat on θe θird dā hē xal rīz. Tāk hēd, and rēmember θat Ī hav fōrwarn۔d yū۔s.” Θe aposol۔s ponder۔d θe prōnounsment۔s, but dār۔d not aksept θā az literal. After brekfast a grūp ov frend۔ē Farisē۔s aprōq۔d Jēsus, sā۔ing, “Flē in hāst! Herod, az hē sēk۔d Jon, now sēk tū kil yū. Hē fēr an uprīz۔in.” Θā spekyūlāt۔d θat θe resurekxun ov Lazarus had alarm۔d Herod, and θat θe Sanhedrin’s deθ rēsolūxun had embōlden۔d hē. “Wē bring yū θis warn۔in sō θat yū mā eskāp.” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Herod, hav۔ing stān۔d his hand۔s wiθ θe blod ov Jon, wud muq prefer θat θe son ov man gō up tū Jerūsalem tū sufer and dī at θe hand۔s ov θe qēf prēst۔s.” Tū his aposol۔s, hē sā۔d, “From ōlden tīm۔s hav profet۔s perix۔d in Jerūsalem, θus it iz aprōprēat θat θe son ov man gō up tū θe sitē ov θe Faθer’s hous tū bē ofer۔t up az θe prīs ov bigotrē, rēlijus prejudis, and spiritūal blind۔nes. Ō Jerūsalem, Jerūsalem, wiq kil profet۔s and stōn tēq۔ōrs ov trūθ! How often wud Ī hav gaθer۔d yōr qīld۔s ēven az a hen gaθer her ōn brūd under her wing۔s, but yū wud not let mē dū it! Neverθeles, wē wil wē gō up tū Jerūsalem tū atend θe Pasōver and fulfil θe wil ov θe Faθer in heven.” Θerfōr dū۔d θā kros θe river intū Jūdea, and prōsēd onward tū Jerikō. Lāt θat afternūn az Jēsus and his aposol۔s, at θe hed ov a grūp ov ap 200 folō۔ōrs, aprōq۔d θe wal۔s ov Jerikō, hundred۔s ov inhabitant۔s flok۔d tū mēt hē and eskort θā intū θe sitē. Nēr θe sitē gāt among a θrong ov beg۔ōrs wuz Bartimeus, an ōld man hū had bin blīnd sins his yūθ. Hē had ērhēr۔d about Jēsus’s hēal۔ing blīnd Jōsāa in Jerūsalem, but had mis۔d sē۔ing Jēsus dur his rēsent۔est trip θrū θe sitē. Lern۔ing θat Jēsus wuz pas۔ing bī, hē krī۔d out, “Jēsus, Jēsus, hav mersē upon mē!” loud۔er θen loud۔er. Jēsus, ērhēr۔ing hē, stop۔d wak۔ing, and sā۔d, “Bring θe man tū mē.” Wen Bartimeus had bin gīd۔t fōrθ, Jēsus ask۔d hē, “Wut dū yū want mē tū dū fōr yū?” Anser۔d θe blīnd man, “Ī wud hav mī sīt restōr۔t.” Jēsus rēspond۔d, “Yū xal rēsēv yōr sīt. Gō yōr wā. Yōr fāθ hav māk۔d yū entīer.” Imēdēat۔lē hē rēsēv۔d his sīt, and hē rēmān۔d nēr Jēsus, glōrēfī۔ing God, az θe multitūd marvel۔d. Θe sun wuz set۔ing az θe prosexun enter۔d Jerikō, and az θā pas۔d θe kustom۔s hous, Zakheus, θe qēf taks·kolekt۔ōr, hū wuz kwīt welθ۔ē and had ērhēr۔d muq about θe profet from Galilē, strān۔d tū sē Jēsus, but θe krowd wuz θik and hē wuz xōrt ov stayūer. Rēsolv۔ing tū lā ī۔s on hē bēfōr hē depart۔d, hē run۔d ahed ov θe krowd, and klīm۔d a sikamōr trē hūz branq۔s ōverhang۔d θe rōd. Wen Jēsus sē۔d hē, hē stop۔d, and sā۔d, “Māk hāst, Zakheus, kom down, bēkuz tūnīt Ī must abīd at yōr hous.” Θe taks·kolekt۔ōr, from amāzment and hāst, almōst fal۔d from θe trē; hurē۔ing ōver tū Jēsus, hē ekspres۔d jōē at hav۔ing hē az a gest in his hous. Az θā wak۔d tū Zakheus’s nērbī hōm, sitē resīdent۔s ekspres۔d surpriz θat Jēsus wud konsent tū abīd wiθ a taks·kolekt۔ōr; won ov θe Jerikō Farisē۔s, stand۔ing nērbī, sā۔d, “Sē how hē hav go۔t tū loj wiθ a sin۔ōr, an ekstōrxun۔ōr, and a rob۔ōr ov his ōn pēpel۔s.” Wen Jēsus ērhēr۔d θat, hē lōok۔d at θe taks·kolekt۔ōr and smīl۔d. Zakheus θen stand۔d upon a stūol and anouns۔d tū θe krowd, “Pēpel۔s ov Jerikō, ērhēr mē! Ī mā bē a taks·kolekt۔ōr and a sin۔ōr, but θe grāt tēq۔ōr hav kom tū abīd in mī hous; and bēfōr hē enter, Ī tel yū۔s θat Ī wil bestō haf ov al mī produkt۔s upon θe pōr, and bēgin۔ing tomorō, if Ī rong۔lē eksakt anēθin from anē man, Ī wil restōr it fōur۔fōld. Ī wil sēk salvāxun wiθ al mī hart and lern tū dū rīqus۔nes in θe sīt ov God.” Jēsus θen sā۔d tū θe krowd, “Tūdā hav salvāxun kom tū θis hōm. Marvel not at wut Ī sā nor tāk ofens at wut wē dū, bēkuz Ī hav long deklār۔d θat θe son ov man hav kom tū sēk and tū sāv θā hū iz lost.” After loj۔ing wiθ Zakheus, in θe mōrnin θā trek۔d up·hil along θe sōkald rōd ov rob۔ōrs, arīv۔ing at Beθanē lāt afternūn. Ever sins Lazarus had bin resurekt۔t, a stedē strēm ov kyurēus visit۔ōrs had arīv۔d at his hous, θus θā arānj۔d fōr Jēsus and θe aposol۔s tū stā wiθ a nābōr۔ē belēv۔ōr, Sīmon, θe vilaj’s lēd۔ing sitizen. Almōst al vilajōr۔s from Beθanē and nērbī Beθpāj wuz belēv۔ōrs, and θat ēvenin manē kom۔d tū sē Jēsus, koment۔ing among θāself۔s θat despīt θe deθ θret hē rēmān۔d az alwās unflapabel, konjēnēal, kalm. Θat nīt az hē slēp۔d, θe aposol۔s, in twū۔s, gard۔d θe hous, θā’s sōrd۔s redē. Erlē θe nekst mōrnin – θe Sabaθ, won wēk bēfōr θe Pasōver – hundred۔s ov pilgrim۔s arīv۔d from Jerūsalem tū sē Jēsus and Lazarus. Ājent۔s ov θe Sanhedrin wuz among θā, but wiθ Jēsus amid sō manē frend۔s θā dār۔d not arest hē. Θat ēvenin θe fōlk۔s ov Beθanē and Beθpāj jōin۔d in selebrāt۔ing θe arīval ov Jēsus wiθ a publik bankwit at θe hōm ov Sīmon. Marθa direkt۔d θe serv۔in, and after θe mēal Marē, Lazarus’ oθer sister, ōpen۔d a jar ov rār and ekspensiv ōintment and, after anōint۔ing Jēsus’s hed, flōpōr۔d it on his fōot۔s, wiq xē wīp۔d wiθ her hār۔s. Az θe hous fil۔d wiθ θe arōma, som murmur۔d indignant۔lē about θe hī kost ov θe ōintment: ēkwivalent tū a man’s year۔ē wāj, enuf tū provīd bred fōr 5,000 pēpel۔s. Aposol Jūdas step۔d ōver tū wār aposol Andrū rēklīn۔d and sā۔d, “Wī wuz θis ōintment not sel۔d and θe monē bestō۔d tū fēd θe pōr? Yū xud spēk tū θe mastōr θat hē rēbyūk suq wāst.” Jēsus, ōverērhēr۔ing koment۔s, put۔d his hand upon Marē’s hed az xē nēel۔d bī his sīd, and sā۔d, “Lēv xē alōn. Wī dū yū۔s trubel xē, sē۔ing θat xē hav dū۔d a gōod θing in her hart? Tū yū۔s hū sā θat θis ōintment xud hav bin sel۔t and θe monē giv۔t tū θe pōr, let mē sā θat yū۔s hav θe pōr wiθ yū۔s alwās, but mē yū۔s wil hav ōnlē a xōrt pērēod long۔er.” Wīel Jūdas fyūm۔d wiθ sīlent indignant, Jēsus kontinyū۔d, “Marē hav long sāv۔d θis ōintment fōr mī bodē at it’s burēal, and bī aplī۔ing it now xē hav rē۔prūv۔d al ov yū۔s bī ēvins۔ing fāθ in wut Ī hav sā۔d about mī impend۔ē deθ and asenxun tū mī Faθer in heven. Dur era۔s tū kom, wārever θis gospel xal bē prēq۔t θrūout θe entīer world, wut xē hav dū۔d wil bē rēpēt۔t in memōrē ov xē.” Sundā mōrnin in Sīmon’s byūtēful garden, Jēsus kal۔d his aposol۔s around hē, and advīz۔d θā tū rēfrān from anē publik tēq۔in dur θe Pasōver sōjorn in Jerūsalem. Hē instrukt۔d θā tū rēmān nēr hē, tū “waq and prā.” Hē menxun۔d not θā’s sōrd۔s. Dāvid Zebedē arīv۔d wiθ θe fund۔s from θe sāel ov θe Pela kamp ekwipment, wiq hē giv۔d tū Jūdas, hū θenupon hand۔d θe monē tū θā’s hōst Sīmon fōr sāf·kēp۔ing in antisipāxun ov trubel upon θā’s entrē tū Jerūsalem. Dāvid, suspekt۔ing θat Jēsus wud not eksert his divīn power۔s ōr oθerwīz evād efōrt۔s bī θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs tū kil hē, dispaq۔d a run۔ōrt tū Beθsīda wiθ a mesaj tū his moθer Salōmē, urj۔ing xē tū kom at wons tū Jerūsalem and tū bring Marē θe moθer ov Jēsus and evrē membōr ov Jēsus’s familē. Akt۔ing alsō on his ōn inixativ, Dāvid and som ov his mesajōr۔s hāsten۔d tū Jerūsalem tū spred θe word among visit۔ing pilgrim۔s θat Jēsus ov Nazareθ wuz kom۔ing. In Beθanē, word arīv۔d θat θe Sanhedrin had desīd۔d θat Lazarus, hūz līf wuz a publik testament tū θe power ov Jēsus, xud alsō bē kil۔t; Jēsus instrukt۔d hē tū avōid sakrifīs۔ing hiself, wenupon Lazarus and his sister۔s solidifī۔d plan۔s tū flē akros θe river tū Filadelfia. In akordans wiθ Jūw۔ē tradixun, a warēōr king enter۔d a sitē rīd۔ing a hōrs, wāraz a king on a mixun ov pēas enter۔d rīd۔ing a donkē. Jēsus direkt۔d aposol۔s Pēter and Jon, “Gō tū Beθpāj, and wen yū۔s kom tū θe junkxun ov rōd۔s, yū۔s wil fīnd a yung donkē tī۔t θer. Bring it bak wiθ yū۔s. If anēbodē kwestyon yū۔s, sā, ‘Θe mastōr hav nēd ov hē.’” Θe twū aposol۔s wak۔d ōver tū θe vilaj, and, sē۔ing a yung donkē tī۔t nēr his moθer in θe ōpen strēt and nēr a hous on θe kōrner, bēgin۔d dis۔tī۔ing it. Θe ōn۔ōrt apēr۔d and ask۔d wī, and, after ērhēr۔ing Pēter’s anser, sā۔d, “If yōr mastōr iz Jēsus from Galilē, let hē hav it.” Wen θā rēturn۔d wiθ θe yung animal, θe Alfeus twin۔s put۔d θā’s klōk۔s on it’s rēr۔sīd, and hōld۔d it wīel Jēsus mount۔d. Al mōrnin long, pilgrim۔s, pas۔ing θrū Beθanē enrūt from Galilē and Perea tū Jerūsalem, had tārē۔d; number۔ing bī θen several hundred۔s, θā’s mūd wuz festiv. Ap nūn θe twelv woman۔s ov θe ōrijinal woman۔s’ kontinjent arīv۔d wiθ som ov θā’s asōxēāt۔s, justintīm tū jōin θe prosexun. Θe strong sens ov an impend۔ē krīsis fēel۔t bī Jēsus’s frend۔s and aposol۔s and disīpel۔s wuz soften۔d bī his non۔yūsūal qērful۔nes θat sun۔ē springtīm erlē afternūn az θā al start۔d tōward Jerūsalem, θrē kilō۔mēter۔s west۔ward. Az θe prosexun wak۔d up·hil tōward θe sumit ov Mountin ov Oliv۔s, θe festiv krowd tos۔d θā’s garment۔s on θe ground and lā۔d branq۔s from nērbī trē۔s tū māk a karpet ov onor fōr θe donkē karē۔ing hē hū manē hōp۔d and som belēv۔d wuz θe promis۔t mesīa. Az θe jolē krowd mūv۔d on tōward Jerūsalem, θā sing۔d θe solm, “Hōsana tū θe son ov Dāvid. Blesed iz hē hū kom in θe nām ov θe Lōrd. Hōsana in θe hī۔est. Blesed bē θe king۔dom θat kom down from heven.” Aprōq۔ing θe brow ov Mountin ov Oliv۔s, Jēsus’s līthart۔ē and qērful mūd nōtis۔ablē fād۔d, and at θe sumit, from wār hē kud sē θe sitē and θe tempel tower۔s, and θe vast multitūd ov pilgrim۔s kom۔ing out ov Jerūsalem tū grēt hē, hē bēgin۔d wēp۔ing. In a tērful vōis, hē sā۔d, “Ō Jerūsalem, if yū had ōnlē no۔d, atlēst dur θis yōr dā, θe θing۔s θat bēlong tū yōr pēas, θat yū kud sō frē۔lē hav had! But sūn θēz glōrē۔s wil bē hīd۔t from yōr ī۔s. Yū wil now rējekt θe son ov pēas and turn yōr rēr۔sīd۔s upon θe gospel ov salvāxun. Θe dā۔s wil sūn kom upon yū wen yōr enemē۔s wil lā sēj tū yū on evrē sīd; θā xal tōtal۔lē destrōē yū, sō θat not won stōn xal rēmān upon anoθer. And al θis xal bēfal yū bēkuz yū no۔d not θe tīm ov yōr divīn visitāxun. Yū iz sūn tū rējekt θe gift ov God, and al pēpel۔s wil rējekt yū.” Desend۔ing Mountin ov Oliv۔s, θe swel۔ing prosexun wuz jōin۔t bī θrong۔s flōpōr۔ing out ov θe sitē tū grēt θe muq-diskus۔t profet and mirakel perfōrm۔ōr, amid wāv۔ing ov palmplant branq۔s, xout۔ing hosannas, and oθerwīz ekspres۔ing glād۔nes and gōod felōxip. Among θe krowd wuz manē Farisē۔s, perturb۔t bī θe outburst ov popyūlar aklām, wīel fēr۔ing tū arest hē lest θe popyūlas ōpen۔lē revolt. Az θe krowd nēr۔d θe sitē gāt, it bēkum۔d ēven mōr demonstrātiv, koz۔ing a Fārisē tū kal out, “Tēq۔ōr, yū xud rēbyūk yōr disīpel۔s and eksōrt θā tū bēhāv mōr aprōprēāt۔lē.” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “It iz ōnlē proper θat θā θus welkom θe son ov pēas, hū θe qēf prēst۔s hav rējekt۔t. It wud bē yūs۔les tū stop θā, lest insted θēz stōn۔s bī θe rōd۔sīd krī out.” Θe Farisē۔s hāsten۔d on ahed ov θe prosexun tū rē۔jōin θe Sanhedrin, rēpōrt۔ing, “Bēhōld, al wē dū iz ov nō avāil; wē iz konfound۔t bī θis Galilēen. Θe pēpel۔s hav bēkum krāzē about hē. If wē dū not stop θēz ignorant won۔s, al θe world wil gō after hē.” Wiθ Jēsus’s trīumfant entrans, θe entīer sitē wuz mīt۔lē stir۔d. Θōs fyū hū dint no, ask۔d, “Hū iz θis man?” And θe multitūd anser۔d, “Θe profet ov Galilē, Jēsus ov Nazareθ.” Wīel twin۔s Θadēus and Lebeus Alfeus rēturn۔d θe donkē tū it’s ōn۔ōr, Jēsus and θe oθer ten aposol۔s strōl۔d around θe tempel, vyū۔ing θe prepārāxun۔s fōr θe Pasōver. Jēsus dū۔d not prēq. Az θe skī darken۔d, and θe pēpel۔s go۔d in kwest ov ēvenin mēl۔s, Jēsus and θe aposol۔s, lēv۔d alōn, sit۔d bī θe trejūrē waq۔ing pilgrim۔s drop in kontribyūxun۔s – θe riq put۔ing muq intū θe rēsēv۔ing boks. Az θā waq۔d, a woman, pōr۔lē atīer۔t, tos۔d in twū araknid۔ets (smal koper۔s). Koment۔d Jēsus, “Hēd wel wut wē hav justnow witnes۔d. Θis pōr widōrm put۔d in mōr θan al θe oθer۔s, bēkuz al θēz oθer۔s, from θā’s grāt welθ, giv۔d trīfel۔s, but θis pōr woman, alθō xē iz in want, giv۔d al θat xē had.” Dur erlē ēvenin θā wak۔d around θe tempel kōrtyard۔s, and after Jēsus had survā۔d familyar sēn۔s, rēkal۔ing his emōxun۔s dur prēvēus visit۔s, hē sā۔d, “Wē wil gō up tū Beθanē fōr our rest.” Θus θā depart۔d θe sitē, and az θā wak۔d along θe dirt rōd ilūmināt۔t bī star·līt, not a word wuz spēk۔d, az θe aposol۔s al fēel۔d intens emōxun۔s, θā’s mind۔s swirl۔ing wiθ konfyūz۔ē θot۔s. Pēter had bin ekstatik at θe popyūlar manifestāxun ov enθūzēazim enrūt tū θe sitē, ekspekt۔ing θat θe premēr mōment ov his mastōr’s karēr wuz on θe brink ov arīval. But wen Jēsus dū۔d not spēk tū θe ekspektant θrong۔s, hē fēel۔d stun۔t. Hiself a sūperb prēq۔ōr, it pāin۔d hē tū sē suq a larj and rēseptiv odēens wāst۔d, but Jēsus had fōrbid۔d θe aposol۔s tū prēq. Truj۔ing along θe nīt rōd bēhīnd Jēsus, hē wuz perpleks۔t and sad. Andrū, θe aposol۔s’ lēd۔ōr and emōxunal mānstā, had dur θe glōrēus prosexun bin mān۔lē okyūpī۔d wiθ monitōr۔ing θe oθer aposol۔s – partikyūlar۔lē his yung۔er broθer Pēter, θe Zebedē broθer۔s, and Sīmon Zelotes, hūz emōxun۔s sēm۔d on θe verj ov vēr۔ing out ov kontrōl. Hē wuz alsō konsern۔d about θe sōrd۔s θā karē۔d hīd۔t benēθ θā’s robes. Jēsus had never bin predikt۔abel, θus hē tāk۔d θe antīklīmaktik ēvent۔s in strīd. Jāms Zebedē, az dur θe inkrēs۔bē qil۔ē nīt hē sīlent۔lē wak۔d along bēsīd his yung۔er broθer Jon, wuz trī۔ing tū rekonsīl Jēsus’s permit۔ing θe wīld aklām wiθ his rēfyūzal tū sā a word tū θe θrong wen hē arīv۔d at θe tempel. Dur θe aprōq tū θe sitē his emōxun۔s had vasilāt۔d bētwēn ēlāxun at θe wīld grēt۔in and fēr ov wut wud hapen wen θā arīv۔d. Wen Jēsus dis۔mount۔d θe donkē and strōl۔d around θe tempel, hē kud not komprēhend θe θrō۔ing awā ov suq a magnifisent opōrtūnitē tū prōklām θe king۔dom, and had bin ōverwelm۔t wiθ disapōintment. Sins θen his mūd had bin downkast, his mīnd grip۔d wiθ negativ non۔sertinē. His yung۔er broθer Jon, az θe multitūd had aprōq۔d Jerūsalem, Jēsus sit۔ing astrīd θe yung bēst, had rēmember۔d Jēsus wons kwōt۔ing a pasaj in θe skriptūr rēgard۔in profet Zekarīa deskrīb۔ing θe mesīa az a man ov pēas rid۔ing intū Jerūsalem on a donkē – an asōxēāxun θat prēvent۔d Jon Zebedē from bēing muq disapōint۔t at θe fizel۔ē end ov θe trīumfal prosexun, az his mīnd inklīn۔d tū θink and fēel in simbol۔s. Filip had enjōē۔d θe prosexun down۔ward Mountin ov Oliv۔s, but had bin inkrēs۔lē worē۔d θat Jēsus wud ask hē tū fēd θe multitūd – krowd۔s, bēkuz ov θā’s non۔predikt۔abel larj number۔s, had alwās bin stresful tū θe konxēenxus stūard. Wons θōs fēr۔s wuz alā۔t, hē fēel۔d disapōintment θat noθin wuz dū۔d tū tēq θe multitūd, but θer wuz muq hē dint komprēhend about Jēsus, in hū hē had grāt personal fāθ. Naθanēel’s filosofik nātūr kontribyūt۔d tū his komprēhenxun ov wī Jēsus, hū had alwās xun۔d dramatik ostentāxun, had alow۔d hiself tū bēkum senter tū suq a pompus prosexun: tū prēvent bēing arest۔t and imprison۔t θe mōment hē enter۔d θe sitē. Θerfōr hē wuz not surpriz۔d at nō grāt folōup, and θat ēvenin az θā wak۔d along in sīlens, hē wuz θe ōnlē trankwil aposol. Maθyū, θe praktikal fīnans۔ōr ov θe grūp, erlē۔er θat afternūn az θā had start۔d down θe mountin, had bin konfyūs۔d until hē alsō rēmember۔d profet Zekarīa from θe skriptūr; hē θen bēkum۔d ekstatik in his ekspektāxun ov wut wud okur wen Jēsus arīv۔d at θe tempel at θe hed ov θe xout۔ing multitūd, but wen noθin hapen۔d, hē had bēkum۔d, and rēmān۔d, dēp۔lē mūd·dēpres۔t, and, truj۔ing along benēθ θe blak skī ilūmināt۔t wiθ star۔s, hē fēel۔d emōxunal۔bē eksost۔ē. Tomas, dur θe dā’s ēvent۔s, had inixal۔lē bin θe mōst bēwilder۔t ov al, az Jēsus sēm۔d tū bē akt۔ing sō out ov karakter, but bī θe tīm θā rēq۔d θe sitē hē rēalīz۔d θat θe demonstrāxun had sō frīten۔d θe Sanhedrin θat θā dār۔d not arest Jēsus. Dur θe wak bak tū Beθanē, put۔ing θe pēs۔s tūgeθer, his mastōr’s klever۔nes at plan۔ing θe tūmultūus entrē sēm hyūmorus, a θot wiq qēr۔d hē. Sīmon Zelotes, kom۔ing down θe mountin in θe prosexun, wuz fīer۔d wiθ enθūzēazim. Θe dā had arīv۔d, hē konfīdent۔lē belēv۔d, wen Jēsus wud asend tū θe θrōn ov Dāvid. Θen θe Zelot nāxunalist۔s wud spring tū akxun, perhaps wiθ hē hiself az suprēm militārē komand۔ōr. Hē ēven envisaj۔d θe Sanhedrim al ded bī sunset. Hē wuz θe nōiz۔ēest man in θe entīer multitūd, but bēfōr θe sun had sink۔d out ov sīt hē had bēkum sīlent, krux۔t, disilūxun۔t, and wak۔ing bak θat nīt tū Beθenē, his mīnd stil rēel۔d from xok. Jūdas had vyū۔d θe prosexun intū Jerūsalem wiθ disgust, rēgard۔in Jēsus, sit۔ing on θe yung donkē, mōr az a klown θan a king. It okur۔d tū hē tū dezert, but hē karē۔d θe monē bag. His rēvenjful strēk had bin aktivāt۔t bī Jēsus’s rēsent publik kritisizim ov hē fōr his praktikal sujesxun θat θe ekspensiv ōintment kud hav bin beter yūtilīz۔t tū fēd θe pōr. In his mīnd, az fīnal۔lē θā aprōq۔d Sīmon’s hous in Beθanē, wuz kwestyon۔s about wut hē xud personal۔lē dū. Θe Alfeus twin۔s Θadēus and Lebeus had bin present fōr θe pajent, wiq θā konsider۔d komplēt۔bē aprōprēat fōr θā’s mastōr’s entrans tū θe sitē. Upon his arīval, θā had tāk۔d θe yung donkē bak tū Beθpāj, θus θā had mis۔d θe antīklīmaktik end۔ing ov θe dā. Wen Jēsus and θe ten rēturn۔d tū Sīmon’s hous, wār θā wuz wāt۔ing, θe twin۔s dū۔d not komprēhend θā’s felō aposol۔s’ pervād۔ing glūm. Erlē θe nekst mōrnin, warm and sunxīn۔ē, θā ventūr۔d bak west۔ward – Jēsus lēd۔ing θe wā, θe aposol۔s folō۔ing bēhīnd in meditātiv sīlens. Wons in Jerūsalem, θā wak۔d strāt tū θe tempel, wār belēv۔ōrs wuz wāt۔ing. Jēsus mount۔d won ov θe tēq۔ing platfōrm۔s, prepār۔ing tū adres θe krowd. Justθen, bī a nērbī tābel, an argyūment bētwēn a monē eksqānj۔ōrt and a Jūan from Aleksandrēa suden۔lē eskalāt۔d intū a xout۔in maq – wiq mōment۔s lāter wuz drown۔t bī θe belō۔ing ov ap won-hundred bulok۔s bēing herd۔d tū θe tempel pen۔s tū bē sel۔t tū Jūan۔s fōr θe animal sakrifīs۔s. Jēsus, wāt۔ing fōr θe nōiz tū subsīd, lōok۔d around θe tempel, wār θe komers ov monē eksqānj۔ōrs and vend۔ōrs sel۔ing dovbird۔s and animal۔s fōr blod sakrifīs wuz, az yūsūal dur θe Pasōver, in ful swing. Kompound۔ing his long-hōld۔t indignant at komers bēing kondukt۔t in θe tempel ov God wuz θe fakt θat al θe vend۔ōrs ōverqarj۔d, θe bulk ov θe hyūj profit۔s, bēkuz ov heft۔ē fē۔s, gō۔ing non۔direkt۔lē tū familē۔s ov θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs. Jēsus step۔d down from θe tēq۔in platfōrm, wak۔d ōver tū θe lad hū wuz drīv۔ing θe katel۔s θrū θe kōrtyard, tāk۔d from hē his wip, and swift۔lē drīv۔d θe animal۔s from θe tempel. Θen, az θe amāz۔d aposol۔s stand۔d bī, hē strīd۔d akros θe tempel kōrtyard tū θe far۔est katel pen, and prōsēd۔d tū ōpen θe gāt۔s ov stal after stal, frē۔ing al θe imprison۔t animal۔s. Pilgrim۔s, rēlēs۔ing θā’s ōn supres۔d rēzentment, xout۔d wiθ aprūval, and bēgin۔d ōverturn۔ing θe tābel۔s ov θe monē eksqānj۔ōrs. Wiθin minut۔s al komers had bin swēp۔d from θe tempel. Bī θe tīm θe nērbī Rōman gard۔ōrs apēr۔d on θe sēn, al wuz kwīet and ōrder۔ē. Jēsus step۔d bak ontū θe spēk۔ōrs’ platfōrm. “Yū hav θis dā witnes۔d wut wuz rīt۔d in θe skriptūr۔s, ‘Mī hous xal bē dub۔t a hous ov prār fōr al nāxun۔s, but yū۔s hav faxun۔d it intū a den ov rob۔ōrs.’” Θe krowd xout۔d θā’s prāz at θe ridans ov θe profitēr۔ing merqant۔s, θen sing۔d himsong۔s. Jēsus tēq۔d fōr θe rēmān۔ōr ov θe dā, wīel gard۔ōrs from θe pēpel۔s stand۔d waq at evrē arq·wā, fōrbid۔ing θe karē۔ing ov ēven an emptē vesel akros θe tempel kōrtyard۔s. Wen θe qēf prēst۔s and θe skrīb۔s ērhēr۔d ov θe insident, θā fēel۔d dumfound۔t. Θe Sadyūsē۔s, hū bī θen represent۔d a mājoritē ov θe Sanhedrin, had agrē۔d wiθ θe Farisē۔s θat Jēsus must bē destrōē۔t. But θā wuz non۔wilin tū risk arest۔ing hē fōr fēr θe multitūd wud turn aganst θā in a fyurē ov rēzentment, and θā dred۔d θe posibelitē ov Rōma۔ē gard۔ōrs bēing sumon۔t tū kwel a popyūlar uprīz۔in. Fīnal۔lē θā desīd۔d tū trī tū first diskredit hē in front ov his lisen۔ōrs. Strikt rūel۔s, sentūrē۔s ōld, rēkwīer۔d tēq۔ōrs tū first atend θe rabīnik akademē۔s and subsekwent۔lē bē ōrdān۔t bī θe Sanhedrin; mōrōver, θe trād۔ōrs and monē eksqānj۔ōrs wuz al līsens۔t bī θe tempel lēdrūel۔ōrs, and a persentaj ov θā’s gān۔s go۔d tū θe tempel trejūrē. Akord۔lē, dur erlē afternūn θe lēd۔ōrt ov a grūp ov oθōritātiv ōldstōr۔s aprōq۔d Jēsus, and interupt۔d his tēq۔in bī demand۔ing, “Hū grant۔d yū oθōritē tū dū θēz θing۔s?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Ī wud ask yū won kwestyon, after wiq, if yū anser, Ī wil tel yū bī wut oθōritē Ī dū θēz dēd۔s. Dū۔d Jon rēsēv his oθōritē tū baptīz from heven ōr from man۔s?” Θe ōldstōr۔s wiθdro۔d tū won sīd, and rēson۔d θat if θā anser۔d “from heven”, Jēsus wud ask wī θā dint belēv hē, and perqans wud ad θat hē rēsēv۔d his oθōritē from Jon, wīel if θā sā۔d “from man۔s” θe lisen۔ōrs, hū presūm۔ablē rēgard۔t Jon az a profet, kud turn aganst θā. Θus θā rēturn۔d, and anser۔d Jēsus’s kwestyon bī sā۔ing, “Rēgard۔in θe baptizim ov Jon, wē kan·not anser. Wē dū not no.” Jēsus, lōok۔ing down upon θā, sā۔d, “Nēθer wil Ī tel yū۔s bī wut oθōritē Ī dū θēz θing۔s.” Hē ad۔d, “Bēkuz yū۔s iz in dout about Jon’s mixun and arā۔d in enmitē aganst θe tēq۔in and θe dēd۔s ov θe son ov man, giv ēr۔s tū a parabel. A sertin grāt and respekt۔d land·ōn۔ōrt had twū son۔s, and desīer۔ing θe help ov his son۔s in θe manajment ov his larj estāt۔s, hē sā۔d tū won, ‘Son, gō work tūdā in mī vinyard.’ Θe yung۔er son anser۔d, ‘Ī wil not gō’; but afterward hē rēpent۔d and go۔d. Θe faθer alīkwīz sā۔d tū θe ōld۔er son, “Son, gō work in mī vinyard.’ Θat hipokritikal and un۔fāθful son anser۔d, ‘Yes, mī faθer, Ī wil gō.’ But wen his faθer had depart۔d, hē go۔d not. Now wiq ov θōs son۔s rēalē dū۔d his faθer’s wil?” Θe pēpel۔s anser۔d wiθ won vōis, “Θe first son.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Ēven sō, Ī deklār θat θe sin۔ōrs, ēven θō θā apēr tū rēfyūz θe kal tū rēpentans, xal sē θe erōr ov θā’s wā and gō on intū θe king۔dom ov God bēfōr yū۔s hū māk grāt prētenxun۔s ov serv۔ing θe Faθer in heven wīel yū۔s rēfyūz tū dū θe wil ov θe Faθer. It wuz not yū۔s, Farisē۔s and skrīb۔s, hū belēv۔d Jon, but raθer taks·kolekt۔ōrs and sin۔ōrs. Nēθer dū yū۔s belēv mī tēq۔in, but θe komon pēpel۔s ērhēr mī word۔s glād۔lē.” Wen θe qēf Farisē۔s and θe skrīb۔s had wiθdro۔d fōr furθer kounsil۔ing, Jēsus adres۔d θe lisen۔in multitūd. “A gōod man, a hous ōn۔ōr, plant۔d a vinyard, plant۔d a hejfens around it, dig۔d a pit fōr θe jūspres, and bild۔d a waq·tower fōr gard۔ōrs. Θen hē rent۔d it tū tenant۔s wīel hē go۔d on a long jurnē tū anoθer teritōrē. Dur harvest sēson hē dispaq۔d servant۔s tū rēsēv his rental. But θe tenant۔s, insted ov pā۔ing θe servant۔s, bēt۔d won, stōn۔d anoθer, and send۔d θe oθer۔s awā emptē hand۔ē. Θe hous ōn۔ōrt, upon ērhēr۔ing θe rēpōrt, dispaq۔d mōr trust۔t servant۔s tū dēal wiθ θe wiked tenant۔s, and θōs θā wūnd۔d and alīkwīz trēt۔d xāmful۔lē. Θe houshōldōr θenupon dispaq۔d his fāvorit servant, his stūard, and hē θā kil۔d. Stil, wiθ pāxents and fōrbārans, hē dispaq۔d manē oθer servant۔s, but som θā bēt۔d, oθer۔s θā kil۔d. Desīd۔d θe houshōldōr, ‘Θā mā mistrēt mī servant۔s, but xur۔lē θā wil xō respekt fōr mī bēlovd son.’ But wen θōs non۔rēpentant, wiked tenant۔s sē۔d θe son, θā rēson۔d, ‘Θis iz θe lofulār; kom, lets kil hē and θen θe inheritens wil bē wē's.’ Θus θā grab۔d hē, and kil۔d hē.” After a poz, Jēsus ask۔d, “Wen θe lōrd ov θat vinyard ērhēr how θā rējekt۔d and kil۔d his son, wut wil hē dū tū θōs un۔grātful and wiked tenant۔s?” Lisen۔ōrs anser۔d, “Hē wil destrōē θōs miserabel man۔s and rent his vinyard tū oθer, onest farm۔ōrs hū wil render tū hē θe frūt۔s in θā’s sēson.” Θōs hū persēv۔d θat θe parabel refer۔d tū Jūan۔s’ trētment ov θe profet۔s and Jēsus eksklām۔d, “God fōrbid!” Θat lāt afternūn az Jēsus prepār۔d tū dismis θe multitūd, a simpaθetik lisen۔ōrt worm۔d θrū θe krowd and ask۔d, “But, mastōr, wut sīn wil yū giv wē wārbī wē xal no θat yū iz a son ov God?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Won sīn xal bē giv۔t yū۔s.” Pōint۔ing tū his ōn bodē, hē kontinyū۔d, “Destrōē θis tempel, and in θrē dā۔s Ī wil rāz it up.” But θōs hū ērhēr۔d dū۔d not komprēhend, sā۔ing among θāself۔s az θā dispers۔d, “Dur almōst fiftē yēr۔s wuz θis tempel konstrukt۔t, yet hē sā hē wil destrōē it and rāz it up in θrē dā۔s.” Sūn afterward komens۔d a mēt۔in bētwēn θe Sanhedrin and ap fiftē lēd۔ōrs from among θe Farisē۔s, Sadyūsē۔s, and skrīb۔s. Θe kwestyon wuz how tū kil Jēsus. Θe konsensus rē۔konfirm۔d θat it wuz tyū risk۔ē tū arest hē wiθout first diskredit۔ing hē in θe ī۔s ov θe multitūd. Akord۔lē, several grūp۔s ov lern۔d man۔s wuz designāt۔t tū gō θe tempel bēgin۔ing θe nekst mōrnin, and fil θe entīer dā wiθ kwestyon۔s desīn۔d tū entrap and embaras θe outspoken prēq۔ōr in front ov θe multitūd. Az Jēsus and θe twelv trek۔d bak up θe western slōp ov Mountin ov Oliv۔s enrūt tū Beθanē, θe aposol۔s wuz agin sīlent. Θā fēel۔d puzel۔d at Jēsus’s sēm۔lē non۔kārateristik disrupxun ov θe komerxal aktivitē۔s wiθin θe tempel, aktivitē presūm۔ablē non۔qānj۔t dur θe ap twentē yēr۔s hē had bin atend۔ing θe Pasōver, θus θā wonder۔d about it’s tīm۔in. Perhaps, som fēr۔d, hē nōlonger hōp۔d tū eskāp arest, θerfōr nōlonger nēd۔d tū apēz θe rēlijus lē۔d۔ōrs, θus had fīnal۔lē bin ābel tū ekspres long-kontān۔t indignaxun at θe ritūalistik sloter ov animal۔s and θe yūtilizāxun ov θe hous ov God fōr monetārē gān. Θā’s jeneral fēel۔in, az θā truj۔d along bēhīnd Jēsus in θe qil۔ing blak nīt, wuz ov impend۔ē dūm. *
Erlē θe
subsekwent mōrnin, Tūsdā, at Sīmon’s hōm, Jēsus mēt۔d wiθ Lazarus,
θe woman۔s’
kontinjent, and ap twū-ten۔s oθer prominent
disīpel۔s. His word۔s
tāk۔d θe
fōrm and tōn
ov fārwel and part۔in
advīs. Az θe aposol۔s apēr۔d from nērbī hōm۔s, hē grēt۔d ēq wiθ a
personal
salūtāxun. Tū Andrū hē sā۔d, “Bē not dismā۔d bī θe ēvent۔s ahed. Kēp
a firm hōld on yōr breθren and sē θat θā
dū not fīnd yū downkast.” Tū
Pēter hē sā۔d,
“Put not yōr trust
in θe arm ov flex nor in wepon۔s ov stēelmetal. Establix
yōrself on spiritūal foundāxun۔s ov ēternal rok۔s.” Tū
Jāms hē sā۔d,
“Falter not bēkuz
ov out۔ward apērans۔s. Rēmān
firm in yōr fāθ, and yū xal sūn no ov
θe rēalitē ov θat wiq yū belēv.” Tū
Jon hē sā۔d,
“Bē jentel; luv
ēven yōr enemē۔s; bē tolerant. Rēmember
θat Ī hav trust۔d yū wiθ manē θing۔s.” Tū
Naθanēel hē sā۔d,
“Juj not bī apērans۔s; rēmān firm in yōr fāθ
wen al apēr tū vanix; bē trū tū yōr komixun az an ambasadōr ov θe king۔dom.”
Tū Filip hē sā۔d, “Bē not mūv۔t bī θe impend۔ē ēvent۔s. Rēmān
stedfast, ēven wen yū kan·not sē θe
wā. Bē lōyal tū yōr ōθ ov konsekrāxun.” Tū Maθyū hē sā۔d, “Fōrget not θe
mersē θat rēsēv۔d yū intū θe king۔dom. Let
nō man qēt yū ov yōr ēternal rēward. Az yū
hav wiθstand۔d θe inklīnāxun۔s ov mōrtal nātūr, bē
stedfast.” Tū Tomas hē sā۔d, “Nōmater how difikult, wak not bī sīt
but bī
fāθ. Dout not θat Ī iz ābel tū finix θe
work Ī hav bēgin۔d, and θat Ī xal ēventyūal۔lē sē al ov mī fāθful ambasadōr۔s in θe king۔dom bēyond.”
Tū θe Alfeus twin۔s hē sā۔d, “Dū not alow θing۔s θat yū۔s kan·not komprēhend tū
krux yū۔s. Bē
trū tū θe afekxun۔s ov yōr hart۔s and put not yōr trust
in ēθer grāt man۔s ōr qānj۔ing atitūd۔s ov pēpel۔s. Stand
bī yōr breθren.” Tū Sīmon
Zelotes hē sā۔d,
“Sīmon, yū mā bē krux۔t bī disapōintment, but
yōr spērit xal rīz abov al θat mā kom upon yū. Wut
yū hav fāil۔d tū lern from mē, mī spērit wil tēq yū. Sēk θe trū rēalitē۔s ov θe spērit and sēs tū
bē atrakt۔t bī non۔rēal and matērēal xadō۔s.” And
tū Jūdas hē sā۔d,
“Jūdas, Ī hav luv۔d yū and hav prā۔d θat yū wud luv yōr
breθren. Bē not wērē in dū۔ing gōod; and Ī wud warn
yū tū bēwār ov θe sliperē paθ۔s ov flaterē and θe
pōison dart۔s ov ridikyūel.” Jēsus
instrukt۔d āt ov θe aposol۔s tū erekt tent۔s on a ravēn hilsīd
ōverlōok۔ing Geθsemān Publikpark on a pēs ov
ground ōn۔t bī θā’s hōst Sīmon – tū
bē θā’s kamp·sītplās (it’s lōkāxun a klōs۔lē gard۔d sēkret) dur θe rēmān۔ōr ov Pasōver wēk – and
tū mēt θer θat nīt. Θen, akompanē۔d bī twū pār۔s ov broθer۔s – Andrū and Pēter, Jāms
and Jon – hē depart۔d fōr Jerūsalem.Az θā wak۔d along, Pēter, tāk۔ing advantaj ov θe sitūāxun tū klarifī a diskuxun hē had bin hav۔ing wiθ Jāms, ask۔d Jēsus if it wuz nesesārē tū rēpent tū atān God’s fōrgiv۔nes ov sin, ōr, az Jāms māntān۔d, dū۔d God fōrgiv bēfōr bēing ask۔t. Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Mī breθren, yū۔s fāil tū grasp θat inklūsiv simpaθē θat a wīz parent fēel tōward his non۔matūr and somtīm۔s er۔ē qīld. It iz indēd doutful weθer intelijent and afekxunat parent۔s iz ever kal۔d upon tū fōrgiv a nōrmal qīld. Θā’s luv۔ē rēlāxunxip efektiv۔lē prēvent estrānjment۔s θat lāter nesesitāt rēpentans bī θe qīld and fōrgiv۔nes bī θe parent. A part ov evrē faθer resīd in θe qīld. Θe faθer, wīz۔er, iz ābel tū vyū his qīld’s non۔matūritē in līt ov his ōn advans۔ē parental matūritē. Divīn fōrgiv۔nes, inhērent in God’s infinit komprēhenxun, iz inevitabel. Divīn justis iz ēternal۔lē fār. God iz ever mersēful.” Far۔er along θe rōd, Jēsus ad۔d, “Yōr lak ov abelitē ōr wilin۔nes tū fōrgiv yōr felō۔s iz θe mejur ov yōr non۔matūritē, yōr fāilūr tū simpaθīz, komprēhend, and luv. Pēpel۔s hōld gruj۔s and akt vengefully in direkt propōrxun tū θā’s ignorans ov θe iner nātūr and trū long۔ins ov θā’s felō۔s. Θe hyūman kapasitē tū fōrgiv apārent rong۔s iz god۔alīk.” Wen Jēsus arīv۔d in θe tempel kōrtyard, hē bēgin۔d tū tēq, but wuz kwik۔lē interupt۔d bī θe spōksman ov a grūp ov stūdent۔s, hū sā۔d, “Mastōr, wē no yū iz a rīqus tēq۔ōr, and wē no θat yū prōklām θe wā۔s ov trūθ, and θat yū serv ōnlē God, bēkuz yū fēr nō man, and θat yū iz nō diskrimināt۔ōr ov pēpel۔s. Wē iz ōnlē stūdent۔s, and wē wud līk tū no θe trūθ about a mater wiq trubel wē. Iz it loful fōr wē tū giv tribyūt tū Sēzar? Xal wē giv ōr xal wē not giv?” Jēsus, lōok۔ing down on θā, persēv۔d θā’s hipokrisē and kraftē۔nes: if hē advīz۔d θā not tū pā θe rēkwīer۔d taks, θā wud gō tū θe Rōma۔ē oθōritē۔s – bōθ Pīlat and Herod wuz θen in Jerūsalem fōr θe Pasōver – and akyūs hē ov sedixun; but tū advīz θā tū pā wud ofend his Jūan lisen۔ōrs’ nationalism and hātred ov θe Rōman۔s and θā’s taks. Jēsus anser۔d, “Wī dū yū۔s θus kom tū tempt mē? Xō mē θe tribyūt monē, and Ī wil anser yū۔s.” Wen θā hand۔d hē a denarēus kōin, hē lōok۔d at it and ask۔d θā, “Hūz imaj iz on θis kōin?” Wen θā anser۔d, “Sēzar’s,” Jēsus sā۔d, “Render tū Sēzar θe θing۔s θat iz Sēzar’s, and render tū God θe θing۔s θat iz God’s.” Θe stūdent۔s and θā’s Herōdēan akomplis۔s θenupon wiθdro۔d, wīel θe pēpel۔s smīl۔d and koment۔d at θā’s un۔komfort. After Jēsus sīdstep۔d a kwestyon about Mōses’ tēq۔in, a grūp ov Sadyūsē۔s desīd۔d aganst ask۔ing θā’s prepār۔d kwestyon about ānjel۔s. A loyōr θen ask۔d wiq wuz θe grāt۔est komandment. Jēsus anser۔d, “Luv God wiθ al yōr hart and sōul, wiθ al yōr mīnd and strenkθ. Θe sekond grāt komandment spring from θe first: Luv yōr nābōr az yōrself.” Θe loyōr admit۔d θat θōs komandment۔s wuz grāt۔er θan anē rēlāt۔ing tū burn۔d ofer۔ins and sakrifīs۔s. And θus kontinyū۔d al mōrnin prepār۔d kwestyon after prepār۔d kwestyon, wiq Jēsus deflekt۔d tū θe dēlīt ov θe krowd. Θat afternūn Jēsus – nōlonger pester۔t bī enemē۔s, nōlonger boθer۔t bī θe din ov θe animal merqant۔s and monē eksqānj۔ōrs hū had dār۔d not rēturn – deliver۔d a sermon in θe tempel, wiq som fēr۔d wud bē his last. “Birθsīkel after birθsīkel hav God dispaq۔d profet۔s tū tēq and warn, and birθsīkel after birθsīkel hav wē kil۔d θā. And now iz our wilful hī prēst۔s and stuborn lēdrūel۔ōrs alīkwīz redē tū destrōē θe son ov man. Jūan۔s wuz kal۔d upon tū bēkum θe līt tū θe world, tū xō fōrθ θe spiritūal glōrē ov a God-nolejful eθnisitē, but yū۔s hav sō far depart۔d from θe fulfilment ov yōr divīn privilej۔s θat yōr lēd۔ōrs iz sūn tū komit θe suprēm folē: rējekt θe gift ov God tū al pēpel۔s dur al era۔s. Wons yū۔s rējekt θis revelāxun ov God tū man, θe king۔dom ov heven xal bē giv۔t tū oθer pēpel۔s, hū wil rēsēv it wiθ jōē and glād۔nes. Hēd: yū۔s iz sūn tū lūz yōr posixun in θe world az θe standardbārōr۔s ov ēternal trūθ and θe kustōdēan۔s ov θe divīn lo. Ī iz now ofer۔ing yū۔s yōr last qans tū kom fōrward and rēpent, tū signifī yōr intenxun tū sēk God wiθ al yōr hart۔s and tū enter, alīk litel qīld۔s and bī sinsēr fāθ, intū θe sekyūritē and salvāxun ov θe king۔dom ov heven.” Hē θen deklār۔d, “Wō upon yū۔s, skrīb۔s, Farisē۔s, and hipokrit۔s!” az hē rē۔artikyūlāt۔d θā’s wā۔s ov erōr. Fīnal۔lē hē konklūd۔d, “Now Ī depart. Yū۔s hav ērhēr۔d mī mesaj and hav māk۔d yōr dēsixon. Θōs hū hav belēv۔d mī gospel iz ēven now sāf wiθin θe king۔dom ov God. Yū۔s wil nō mōr sē mē tēq۔in in θe tempel. Mī work fōr yū۔s iz komplēt۔d. Bēhōld, Ī now gō fōrθ wiθ mī qīld۔s. Yōr hous iz lēv۔d desolāt!” Jēsus θen bekon۔d his aposol۔s and wak۔d out ov θe tempel. Tū avōid θe krowd۔s pas۔ing along Kidron valē tōward Geθsemān, Jēsus and θe twelv aposol۔s wak۔d up θe western slōp ov Mountin ov Oliv۔s fōr a xōrt distans, θen folō۔d a trīal tōward θā’s prīvat kamp abov θe publik kamp۔ing ground. Az θā depart۔d θe rōd lēd۔ing onward tū Beθanē, θā observ۔d θe tempel, xīn۔ing in rā۔s ov θe set۔ing sun. Θā sit۔d tū waq θe vyū, az θe skī darken۔d and in θe sitē bēlō tōrq·līt۔s apēr۔d, ilūmināt۔ing θe tempel. Maθyū sā۔d, “Mastōr, observ θe masiv stōn۔s and θe byūtēful adōrnment; kan it bē θat θēz bild۔ins wil bē destrōē۔t?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū۔s: dur dā۔s sūn tū kom, θer xal not rēmān won stōn upon anoθer. Al xal bē θrō۔t down.” Naθanēel ask۔d, “Tel wē, mastōr, how xal wē no wen θēz ēvent۔s wil kom tū pas?” Jēsus anser۔d, “After Ī depart yū۔s, tāk hēd θat nō man desēv yū۔s, bēkuz manē wil kom az deliver۔ōrs and wil lēd manē astrā. Wen yū۔s ērhēr ov war۔s and rūmor۔s ov war۔s, bē not konsern۔t, bēkuz alθō al θēz θing۔s wil hapen, θe end ov Jerūsalem iz not yet at hand. Bē not perturb۔t bī famen۔s nor erθ·kwāk۔s, nēθer bē konsern۔t wen yū۔s iz deliver۔t up tū sivil oθōritē۔s and persekyūt۔t fōr θe sāk ov θe gospel. Yū۔s wil bē θrō۔t out ov θe sinagog and θrust۔t intū prison fōr mī sāk, and som ov yū۔s wil bē kil۔t. Wen yū iz bring۔t bēfōr govern۔ōrs and lēdrūel۔ōrs, it xal bē fōr a testimōnē ov yōr fāθ and tū xō yōr stedfast۔nes in θe gospel ov θe king۔dom. Dur θōs dā۔s ov trevāil, ēven yōr ōn kinsfōk, under θe lēdōrxip ov θōs hū hav rējekt۔d θe son ov man, wil deliver yū۔s tū prison and deθ. Fōr a tīm yū۔s mā bē hāt۔t bī al man۔s fōr mī sāk, but Ī wil not fōrsāk yū۔s; mī spērit wil not dezert yū۔s. Bē pāxent! Dout not θat θe gospel ov θe king۔dom wil trīumf ōver al enemē۔s and, ēventyūal۔lē, bē prōklām۔t tū al θe world.” Andrū θen ask۔d, “But, Mastōr, if θe Hōlē Sitē and θe tempel iz tū bē destrōē۔t, and if yū iz·not hēr tū direkt wē, wen xud wē fōrsāk Jerūsalem?” Rēplī۔d Jēsus, “Wen, after θe revolt ov fals profet۔s, yū sē Jerūsalem bēing enkompas۔t bī θe Rōma۔ē armē۔s, no θat her desolāxun iz at hand, and flē tū θe mountin۔s. Θen θe un۔obēdēent pēpel۔s wil fal bī θe ej ov sōrd۔s, ōr wil bē lēd۔t kaptiv intū al nāxun۔s. Sō xal Jerūsalem bē tred۔t down bī θe jentīl۔s.” Jēsus ad۔d, “Θis birθsīkel wil not pas awā until mī word۔s iz fulfil۔t.” Θā rēsūm۔d θā’s up·hil trek tōward θe kamp, and wen θā arīv۔d θā wuz grēt۔d bī Dāvid Zebedē and several lēd۔ing disīpel۔s, hū serv۔d θā a mēal. Wiθ θe inkrēs۔ing konvikxun among θe aposol۔s θat Jēsus wud indēd depart θā, θe kwestyon ov wen hē wud rēturn – az hē had infer۔d dur several okāxun۔s – asūm۔d nū urjensē. Tū Pēter’s kwestyon, az θā sit۔d around θe kamp·fīer tū ward of θe ēvenin qil, Jēsus konfirm۔d, “Ēven θō Ī xal bē present wiθ yū۔s in spērit, Ī alsō promis θat Ī wil some۔time rēturn tū θis world, wār Ī hav liv۔d θis līf in θe flex and aqēv۔d θe ekspērēens ov sīmultānēus۔lē rēvēl۔ing God tū man and lēd۔ing man tū God. Yū۔s bēhōld mē now in wēak۔nes and in θe flex, but wen Ī rēturn, it xal bē wiθ power and in θe spērit. Θe ī۔s ov flex bēhōld θe son ov man in θe flex, but ōnlē θe ī ov θe spērit wil bēhōld θe son ov man glōrēfī۔t bī θe Faθer and apēr۔ing on Erθ in his ōn nām. Yet θe tīm ov θe rē۔apērans ov θe son ov man iz no۔d ōnlē in θe kounsil۔s ov Paradīs; not ēven θe ānjel۔s no. Wen θe world hav pas۔d θrū a long winter ov matērēal-mīnd۔nes, dur θe spiritūal springtīm ov a nū dispensāxun, hyūmanitē xud no θat a sumer۔tīm visitāxun iz nēr.” Lāter θat sām Tūsdā ēvenin in Jerūsalem θe Sanhedrin komens۔d a mēt۔in. Θā’s plan۔s tū diskredit Jēsus in front ov θe multitūd had kom tū noθin, and θā worē۔d θat Jēsus, bēkuz ov θe fīnalitē ov tōn ov his afternūn’s sermon, posibel۔lē wud not rē۔apēr agin tū prēq θat Pasōver. Ofisōr۔s ov θe Sanhedrin wuz partikyūlar۔bē īrāt at θe popyūlar klens۔in ov θe tempel ov it’s komerxal enterprīz۔s, wiq lesen۔d θā’s ern۔ins. Farisē۔s sēθ۔d wiθ ānger at Jēsus’s prōlong۔ē, skāθ۔ing atak upon θā’s karakter and θā’s tradixunal praktis۔s. Sūn bēfōr mid۔nīt θe Sanhedrin vōt۔d anonimus۔lē tū arest Jēsus awā from publik skrūtinē, prefer۔ably at nīt, az sūn az posibel. Wensdā mōrnin on Mountin ov Oliv۔s after an non۔yūsūal۔bē sīlent brekfast, Jēsus anouns۔d θat hē plan۔d tū spend θe dā alōn on θe mountin komyūnikāt۔ing wiθ God. Hē instrukt۔d θe disīpel۔s not tū gō wiθin θe gāt۔s ov Jerūsalem. Hē rēfyūz۔d Dāvid Zebedē’s ofer ov fōur gard۔ōrs tū akompanē hē. A yung lad nām۔d Jon Mark hand۔d Jēsus a basket ov fūd, and wen Jēsus rēq۔d fōr it, θe lad rēfyūz۔d tū rēlēs hōld ov it, insist۔ing θat hē karē it, and promis۔ing tū stā sīlent; tū θe surpriz ov al, Jēsus konsent۔d, ad۔ing θat θe lad nēd not stā sīlent. Θen θe twū hed۔d intū θe fōrest. Subsekwent۔lē a run۔ōrt arīv۔d at θe kamp from Beθsīda wiθ nūz fōr Dāvid Zebedē θat Jēsus’s moθer and entīer familē wuz enrūt tū Jerūsalem, and wud arīv θe subsekwent dā ōr erlē θe nekst mōrnin. Dāvid tel۔d nōbodē. Lāter θat mōrnin Jūdas Iskārēot depart۔d, hurē۔d down·hil, enter۔d Jerūsalem, and hed۔d strāt fōr θe hōm ov hī prēst Kīafas. In Judas’ mīnd wuz θe rēsent۔lē fōrm۔d konklūxun θat Jēsus wuz a wel-intenxun۔ē drēm۔ōr and idealist, alθō perhaps a bit krāzē, and definit۔lē not θe ekspekt۔t deliver۔ōr. Jēsus’s rēbyūk۔s – inklūd۔ing θe mōst rēsent rēgard۔in θe lavix ekspendiqur ov bodē ōil – rē۔surfas۔d in his θot۔s agin θen agin az hē hāsten۔d θrū θe krowd۔ē nārō kobelstōn strēt۔s. Hē rēmīnd۔d hiself θat Jēsus, despīt his mirakyūlus power۔s, had alow۔d Jon θe baptīz۔ōr – tū hū Jūdas had bin a disīpel – tū langwix in prison and ultimāt۔lē bē bēhed۔t. Jēsus and θe oθer eleven aposol۔s, hē θink۔d skōrnful۔lē, wuz Galilēn۔s, not muq beter θan Samarēan۔s, wīel hē hiself wuz a Jūdean. Not suspekt۔ing his ōn kowardis, Jūdas konsider۔d Jēsus a koward fōr not prōklām۔ing hiself king ov Jūan۔s. Jēsus’s karēr, espexal۔lē after his odaxus bēhāvyōr dur θe rēsent۔est twū dā۔s at θe tempel, sēm۔d sertin tū kom tū an un۔glōrēus end, and Jūdas konsider۔d it best θat hē swiq sīd۔s bēfōr tyū lāt. Hē envixun۔d θat bī bēing intstrumental in fasilitāt۔ing θe wil ov θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs, hē wud rēsēv hī onor۔s. Wen hē arīv۔d at Kīafas’ palas, a fōrmal mēt۔in wuz transpīer۔ing, az θe Sanhedrin diskus۔d wut spesifīk akyūzāxun۔s tū loj aganst Jēsus tū present tū θe Rōman۔s, bēkuz ōnlē θe Rōman۔s, not Jūan۔s, had θe lēgal oθōritē tū eksekyūt imprison۔ērs. Insīd, Jūdas, spēk۔ing first θrū an intermēdēarē, eksplān۔d θat hē had bin mis۔lēd۔t bī Jēsus’s tēq۔in, and want۔d tū rektifī his erōr; hē konklūd۔d θat θe Sanhedrin wuz justifī۔d in want۔ing tū tāk Jēsus intū kustodē, and hē kud arānj wiθ θe kaptin fōr Jēsus tū bē aprehend۔t wiθout stir۔ing θe multitūd. Wen prezent۔t tū Kīafas, Jūdas konfirm۔d his ofer, ad۔ing, “But wut wil yū giv mē fōr θis servis?” Kīafas, wiθ an eksprexun ov disdān θat Jūdas dū۔d not nōtis, rēplī۔d, “Konfer wiθ θe kaptin ov θe gard۔ōrs, and wen yōr mastōr hav bin deliver۔t intū our hand۔s, yū xal rēsēv yōr rēward.” Jūdas θen mēt۔d wiθ θe kaptin, and arānj۔d – Jēsus bēing θat dā absent from θe kamp·sītplās – fōr θe arest θe subsekwent nīt. Θe betrā۔ōr θen rēturn۔d tū θe kamp intoksikāt۔d wiθ θot۔s ov grandyur and glōrē. Θat afternūn at θe kamp·sītplās arīv۔d mōr θan twentē Helasan۔s, hav۔ing bin instrukt۔t about θe king۔dom bī Rōdan at Aleksandrēa, and hav۔ing lāter mēt۔d Jēsus at θe hōm ov Jōsef ov Arimaθēa. Pēter and Jon spend۔d several klokhour۔s konfer۔ing wiθ θā, jōin۔t bī Jēsus wen hē and Jon Mark rēturn۔d slīt۔bē bēfōr sunset. Θat ēvenin θe atmosfēr at θe kamp wuz tens; θe aposol۔s, despīt Jēsus’s qērful۔nes, wuz downkast. Sīlent mesajōr۔s kom۔d and go۔d, komyūnikāt۔ing wiθ ōnlē Dāvid Zebedē. Jēsus inkwīer۔d about al θe aposol۔s’ familē۔s, and ask۔d if anēbodē had ērhēr۔d from his moθer, yung۔est sister, and oθer sib۔s, but Dāvid rēmān۔d sīlent. After super Jēsus warn۔d his folō۔ōrs tū bēwār ov supōrt ov θe multitūd. Hē rē۔kount۔d θā’s ekspērēens۔s in Galilē wen tīm after tīm θrong۔s enθūzēastik۔lē folō۔d θā around and θen ardent۔lē turn۔d aganst θā and rēturn۔d tū θā’s fōrmer wā۔s. Hē warn۔d, “Alow not yōrself۔s tū bē desēv۔t bī θe krowd۔s hū ērhēr۔d wē in θe tempel, and hū sēm۔d tū belēv our tēq۔ins. Θēz pēpel۔s lisen θe trūθ and belēv it sūperfixal۔lē wiθ θā’s mind۔s, but fyū permit θe word۔s ov trūθ tū penetrāt θā’s hart wiθ liv۔in rūt۔s. Θōs hū no θe gospel ōnlē in θā’s mind۔s, and hū hav not ekspērēens۔d it in θe hart۔s, kan·not bē depend۔t upon fōr supōrt in tīm ov trubel. Wen θe lēdrūel۔ōrs ov θe Jūan۔s rēq an agrēment tū destrōē θe son ov man, and wen θā strīk wiθ won akord, yū۔s wil sē θe multitūd ēθer flē in dismā ōr els stand bī in sīlent amāzment wīel θēz blīnd lēdrūel۔ōrs lēd θe tēq۔ōrs ov θe gospel trūθ tū θā’s deθ. Wen adversitē and persekyūxun dēsend upon yū۔s, stil oθer۔s hū yū۔s θink luv θe trūθ wil bē skater۔t, and som wil rēnouns θe gospel and dezert yū۔s.” Θursdā mōrnin wuz warm and sun۔ē. Jēsus lēd۔d his aposol۔s (eksept Jūdas, hū had disapēr۔d, θe oθer۔s θink۔ing hē had go۔t tū town tū purqas prōvixun۔s fōr θe fēst) and a fyū lōyal disīpel۔s tū a seklūd۔d plās abov θe kamp·sītplās. Emfasīz۔ing θat θe gospel ov θe king۔dom wuz liv۔in trūθ, hē refer۔d tū a parabel. “A grāt man, bēfōr embark۔ing on a long jurnē tū anoθer teritōrē, sumon۔d his trust۔ē servant۔s. Tū won hē giv۔d fīv talent۔s, tū anoθer twū, and tū anoθer won. Wen θā’s lōrd had depart۔d, hē hū had rēsēv۔d fīv talent۔s bēgin۔d trād۔ing wiθ θā, and after a pērēod māk۔d a profit ov anoθer fīv talent۔s. Alīkwīz, hē hū had rēsēv۔d twū talent۔s gān۔d twū mōr. However, hē hū had rēsēv۔d ōnlē won talent dig۔d a hōl in θe ground and θer hīd۔d his lōrd’s monē. Wen θe mastōr rēturn۔d, hē sumon۔d his stūard۔s fōr a rekon۔in. Hē hū had rēsēv۔d θe fīv talent۔s kom۔d fōrward wiθ ten, sā۔ing, ‘Lōrd, yū giv۔d mē fīv talent۔s tū invest, and Ī iz glad tū present fīv oθer talent۔s az mī gān.’ Θe lōrd rēplī۔d, ‘Wel dū۔d, gōod and fāθful servant. Ī wil now set yū az stūard ōver manē.’ Θen hē hū had rēsēv۔d θe twū talent۔s kom۔d fōrward, sā۔ing: ‘Lōrd, bēhōld, Ī hav gān۔d θēz oθer twū talent۔s, and now hav fōur,’ and his lōrd similar۔lē prāz۔d hē. Θen kom۔d fōrward hē hū had rēsēv۔d θe won talent, sā۔ing, ‘Lōrd, no۔ing θat yū iz a xrūd man hū wud ekspekt gān wār yū had not personal۔lē lābor۔d, Ī wuz θerfōr afrād tū risk wut yū entrust۔d tū mē, sō Ī sāf۔lē hīd۔d it. Hēr, yū now hav wut bēlong tū yū.’ But his lōrd anser۔d, ‘Yū indolent, sloθful stūard, bī yōr ōn word۔s yū konfes θat yū no۔d Ī wud rēkwīer ov yū a profit. Yū ot, θerfōr, tū hav atlēst put۔d mī monē intū θe hand۔s ov monēbankōrs, θat it kud hav garner۔d interest.’ And θen tū θe qēf stūard θe lōrd sā۔d, ‘Tāk awā θe won talent from θis servant and giv it tū hē hū hav θe ten talent۔s.’” Jēsus eksplān۔d, “Yū kan·not stand stil in θe afār۔s ov θe ēternal king۔dom. Mī faθer rēkwīer al his qīld۔s tū grō in grās and in nolej ov θe trūθ. Yū۔s hū no θēz trūθ۔s must inkrēs θe frūt۔s ov θe spērit and manifest grō۔ing devōtxun tū θe non۔selfix servis ov yōr felō servant۔s. Trūθ iz alīv. Θe spērit ov trūθ ever lēd qīld۔s ov līt intū nū relm۔s ov spiritūal rēalitē and divīn servis. Yū۔s iz·not giv۔t trūθ tū alow it tū kristalīz intū setel۔d, sāf, and onor۔t fōrm۔s. Yōr revelāxun ov trūθ must bē sō enhans۔t bī pas۔ing θrū yōr personal ekspērēens θat nū byūtē and spiritūal gān۔s wil bē disklōz۔t tū al hū bēhōld it. How paθetik fōr suksesiv birθsīkel۔s ov θe profes۔t folō۔ōrs ov Jēsus tū brag, rēgard۔in θā’s stūardxip divīn trūθ, ‘Hēr, mastōr, iz θe trūθ yū komit۔d tū wē a hundred ōr a θousand yēr۔s agō; wē hav lost noθin; wē hav fāθful۔lē prēserv۔d yōr word۔s, alow۔ing nō qānj۔s.’ But suq a plē rēgard۔in spiritūal indolens wil not justifī θe baren stūard ov trūθ in θe presens ov θe mastōr. Θe revelāxun Ī hav giv۔d yū۔s iz a liv۔in revelāxun, and Ī desīer θat from it xal kom aprōprēat frūt۔s in ēq individyūal and in ēq birθsīkel in akordans wiθ θe lo۔s ov spiritūal grōθ and adaptiv development. From birθsīkel tū birθsīkel θis gospel must xō inkrēs۔ing vītalitē and eksibit ever grāt۔er depθ ov spiritūal power. It must not bē permit۔t tū bēkum mēr۔lē a sākred memōrē, a mēr tradixun about mē and θe era in wiq wē now liv. Θe gospel ov θe king۔dom iz liv۔in – not ded – trūθ.” Θat mōrnin Jēsus tēq۔d θā manē oθer θing۔s. Ap nūn hē konklūd۔d, “Θrūout θe visisitūd۔s ov līf, rēmember alwās tū luv won anoθer. Dū not strīv wiθ man۔s, ēven wiθ non۔belēv۔ōrs. Xō mersē ēven tū θōs hū spītful۔lē abyūs yū۔s. Xō yōrself۔s tū bē lōyal sitizen۔s, uprīt artisan۔s, prāz·worθ۔ē nābōr۔s, devōt۔ē kin۔s, komprēhend۔ē parent۔s, and sinsēr belēv۔ōrs in θe broθer۔hōod ov θe Faθer’s king۔dom. Mī spērit xal bē upon yū۔s, now and until tū θe end ov θe world.” Erlē afternūn, bak at θe kamp·sītplās, belēv۔ōrs fēr۔d, despīt Jēsus’s qērful atitūd, θat impend۔ing wuz an enōrmus trajedē. Mesajōr۔s had bring۔d nūz ov θe hāst۔ē flīt ov Lazarus from Beθanē, pōint۔ing tū θe dētermināxun ov Jūan lēdrūel۔ōrs not ōnlē tū kil Jēsus but tū eradikāt his tēq۔ins. Dāvid Zebedē’s ājent۔s had diskover۔d Judas’s plot, and after lunq Dāvid dro۔d Jēsus asīd tū ask hē if hē no۔d; Jēsus hōld۔d up his hand, sā۔ing, “Yes, Dāvid, Ī no, and no θat yū no, but tel nō man. Dout not θat θe wil ov God xal prēvāl.” Θā’s konversāxun wuz interupt۔t bī θe arīval ov a mesajōrt from Filadelfia bring۔ing word θat Abner had ērhēr۔d ov θe plan tū kil Jēsus and ask۔d if hē xud kom tū Jerūsalem. Jēsus instrukt۔d θe run۔ōr tū rēturn wiθ θe mesaj, “Kontinyū yōr work. If Ī depart yū in θe flex, it iz ōnlē θat Ī mā rēturn in θe spērit. Ī wil not fōrsāk yū.” Lāter Filip ask۔d, “Mastōr, az θe tīm ov θe Pasōver fēst iz nēr, wār wud yū līk wē tū prepār tū ēt?” Jēsus anser۔d: “Bring Pēter and Jon, and Ī wil giv yū direkxun۔s rēgard۔in θe super wē wil ēt tūgeθer tūnīt. Az fōr θe Pasōver, konsider θat lāter.” Jūdas, hū had rēturn۔d tū θe kamp·sītplās, step۔d nēr۔er, sō hē kud ōverērhēr; Dāvid θen wak۔d ōver and engāj۔d Jūdas in konversāxun, sō Jūdas dū۔d not ērhēr Jēsus (hū had erlē۔er dispaq۔d Jon Mark tū māk θe sēkret arānjment) tel Filip, Pēter, and Jon Zebedē, “Gō now tū Jerūsalem, and az yū۔s enter θe gāt, yū wil mēt a man karē۔ing a water piqer. Hē wil spēk tū yū۔s, θen folō hē. Wen hē lēd yū۔s tū a sertin hous, gō in and ask θe gōod man ov θat hous, ‘Wār iz θe gest qāmber wār θe mastōr iz tū ēt super wiθ his aposol۔s?’ And wen yū hav θus inkwīer۔d, θis houshōldōr wil xō yū۔s a larj up۔er rūm al furnix۔d and redē fōr wē.” After Jūdas had giv۔d Dāvid monē fōr prōvixun۔s, Dāvid sā۔d tū hē, “Jūdas, wud it bē apōprēāt, under θe sirkumstans۔s, tū provīd mē wiθ a litel monē in advans ov mī aktūal nēd۔s?” Jūdas rēflekt۔d fōr a mōment, and anser۔d, “Yes, Dāvid. Infakt, in vyū ov θe disturb۔ing kondixun۔s in Jerūsalem, Ī θink it best fōr mē tū turn ōver al θe monē tū yū. Θā plot aganst θe mastōr, and inkās anēθin xud hapen tū mē, yū wud not bē hamper۔t.” And hē hand۔d tū Dāvid al θe apostolik kax and θe rēsēt۔s fōr al θe monē on deposit. Az θe sun apēr۔d tū ekspand, bēkum ōranj, and lōer tōward θe hil۔ē hōrīzon, Jēsus and θe twelv start۔d down·hil. Tū avōid krowd۔s pas۔ing θrū Kidron valē bak and fōrθ bētwēn Geθsemān Publikpark and Jerūsalem, θā wak۔d ōver θe western brow ov Mountin ov Oliv۔s tū mēt θe rōd lēd۔ing from Beθanē down tū θe sitē. At θe plās θā had tārē۔d θe prēvēus ēvenin, θā sit۔d, and wīel awāt۔ing θe kover ov dark۔nes Jēsus talk۔d tū θā, sā۔ing, “Ī hav plān۔lē tel۔d yū۔s θat Ī must depart yū۔s in θe world tū karē on θe work ov θe king۔dom. Fōr θis purpos Ī set۔d yū۔s apart, in θe hil۔s ov Galilē. Wut yū۔s hav ekspērēens۔d wiθ mē yū۔s must now māk redē tū xār wiθ oθer۔s. Az θe Faθer send۔d mē intū θis world, sō iz Ī send۔ing yū۔s fōrθ tū represent mē and finix θe work Ī start۔d.” Pōint۔ing tū θe darken۔ing sitē, hē kontinyū۔d, “Yū۔s lōok down on yonder sitē in sōrō, bēkuz yū hav ērhēr۔d mī word۔s tel۔ing ov θe end ov Jerūsalem. Ī hav fōrwarn۔d yū۔s lest yū۔s xud dī in it’s destruktxun and sō delā θe prōklāmāxun ov θe gospel ov θe king۔dom. Alīkwīz dū Ī warn yū۔s tū tāk hēd lest yū nēd۔leslē ekspōz yōrself۔s tū peril wen θā kom tū tāk θe son ov man. Ī must gō, but yū۔s iz tū rēmān az witnes۔s tū θis gospel wen Ī hav go۔t, ēven az Ī direkt۔d θat Lazarus flē from raθ θat hē mā liv tū prōklām θe glōrē ov God. If it iz θe Faθer’s wil θat Ī depart, noθin yū۔s mā dū kan frustrāt θat divīn plan. Tāk hēd lest θā kil yū۔s alsō. Let yōr sōul۔s bē valyant in dēfens ov θe gospel bī spērit power, but bē not mis۔lē۔t intū anē fūol۔ix atempt tū dēfend θe son ov man. Ī nēd nō dēfens bī θe hand ov man; θe armē۔s ov heven iz ēven now nēr at hand; but Ī iz dētermin۔d tū dū θe wil ov mī Faθer in heven, and θerfōr must wē submit tū θat wiq iz sō sūn tū kom upon wē.” Jēsus θen stand۔d, and θā folō۔d hē down·hil and intū θe busel۔ē sitē. Krowd۔s josel۔d θā, but nun rekognīz۔d hū wuz pas۔ing. Wen θā arīv۔d at θe plās ov dīn۔in, yung Jon Mark wuz θer tū grēt θā, and welkom θā intū his faθer’s hōm. Wīel Jēsus linger۔d tū qat wiθ Elīja and Marē Mark, θā’s yung son lēd۔d θe aposol۔s tū θe up۔er qāmber. On θe long U-xāp tābel, suround۔t bī 13 kouq۔s (tipikal fōr θe Pasōver selebrāxun ov a prosperus Jūan houshōld) wuz bred, wīn, water, and herb۔s. Insīd θe dōr wuz θe yūsūal piqer۔s ov water, a bāsin, and towel۔s fōr wax۔ing dustē fōot۔s, but bēkuz Jēsus had arānj۔d θat nō servant۔s bē present, ēq aposol θink۔d, ‘Hū xal wax our fōot۔s?’, ēq desīd۔ing hē wud not lōer hiself bē θe servant ov θe oθer۔s. Nekst, ēq wonder۔d weθer hē xud sēt hiself ōr wāt fōr Jēsus tū asīn sēt۔in plās۔s. Wīel θā hesitāt۔d, Jūdas Iskārēot step۔d ōver tū θe sēt ov onor, at θe leftsīd ov θe hōst, signifī۔ing θat hē intend۔d tū rēklīn θer az θe prefer۔t gest. Jon Zebedē θen wāst۔d nō tīm klām۔ing θe nekst prefer۔d sēt, at θe rītsīd ov θe hōst. Pēter fēel۔d sō ānger۔ē at θā’s presumpxun θat hē marq۔d around θe tābel and tāk۔d his plās on θe lō۔est kouq, hōp۔ing Jēsus wud kal hē tū a hī۔er won. Θe oθer۔s θen qūz۔d plās۔s, som nēr Jūdas, som nēr Pēter. Az θā trād۔d ānger۔ē rekrimināxun۔s, Jēsus apēr۔d in θe dōr·wā, hesitāt۔d, and wak۔d ōver tū his plās. Rēlēv۔ing θe tenxun wiθ a smīl, hē sā۔d, “Ī hav grāt۔lē desīer۔d tū ēt θis Pasōver wiθ yū۔s. Ī arānj۔d θis super fōr tūnīt bēkuz, rēgard۔in tomorō, wē iz al in θe hand۔s ov θe Faθer, hūz wil Ī hav kom tū fulfil.” Lebeus miks۔d θe wīn and water, and his twin, Θadēus, hand۔d θe kup tū Jēsus, hū ofer۔d θank۔s, θen sā۔d, “Tāk θis kup and divīd it among yōrself۔s and, wen yū۔s partāk ov it, rēalīz θat Ī xal not agin drink wiθ yū۔s θe frūt ov θe vīn bēkuz θis iz our last super. Wen wē sit agin in θis maner, it wil bē in θe king۔dom tū kom.” After drink۔ing θe first kup, Jēsus rīz۔d, wak۔d ōver tū θe wax bāsin, flōpōr۔d water, and wiθ θe towel prepār۔d tū wax Pēter’s fōot۔s. Pēter prōtest۔d vēement۔lē, but invān, az Jēsus wax۔d his fōot۔s, θen go۔d around θe tābel and wax۔d θe fōot۔s ov θe oθer eleven aposol۔s. Afterward hē rēturn۔d tū his plās az hōst, and after lōok۔ing ōver his bēwilder۔d aposol۔s, sā۔d, “Yū۔s kal mē mastōr. If, θen, yōr mastōr hav wax۔d yū۔s’ fōot۔s, wī wuz yū۔s not wilin tū wax won anoθer’s fōot۔s? Wut leson xud yū۔s lern from θe parabel Ī hav justnow enakt۔d? Yū۔s hav witnes۔d θe wā ov servis in mī līf. Blesed iz yū۔s hū wil hav θe grāxus kouraj tū sō serv.” Jēsus ad۔d, “Wen Ī enter۔d θis qāmber, yū۔s wuz dispyūt۔ing among yōrself۔s az tū hū xud sit at θe plās۔s ov onor. Suq onor۔s θe Farisē۔s sēk, but it xud not bē sō among ambasadōr۔s ov θe heven۔ē king۔dom. Dū yū۔s not no θat θer kan bē nō plās ov preferment at mī tābel?” Θen θe Alfeus twin۔s bring۔d fōrθ θe bred and wīn, wiθ θe biter herb۔s and θe pāst ov drī۔t frūt۔s. Θe aposol۔s ēt۔d in sīlens, but under θe inflūens ov Jēsus’s qērful۔nes θā sūn bēgin qat۔ing. Dur θe sekond mēalkōrs, Jēsus koment۔d, “Mī klokhour hav kom, but it wuz not rēkwīer۔t θat won ov yū xud bētrā mē intū θe hand۔s ov mī enemē۔s.” Startel۔t, al twelv aposol۔s lōok۔d at won anoθer, ask۔ing, “Iz it ī?” Jēsus kontinyū۔d, “Θis iz θe kom۔ing tū frūixun ov θe konsēal۔t ēvil in θe hart ov won hū fāil۔d tū luv θe trūθ wiθ his entīer sōul. How desētful iz θe intelektūal prīd θat presēd θe spiritūal downfal! Mī frend ov manē yēr۔s, hū ēven now ēt mī bred, iz wilin tū bētrā mē, ēven az hē now dip his hand wiθ mē in θe dix.” Jēsus, dip۔ing θe bred in θe dix ov herb۔s, hand۔d it tū Judas. Jon, hū rēklīn۔d on Jēsus’s rītsīd, tiltlēn۔d ōver and ask۔d, “Hū iz it?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Alredē hav Ī tel۔d yū۔s: hē tū hū Ī giv۔d θe sop.” But it wuz sō natūral fōr θe hōst tū first giv θe sōk۔t bred tū θe won hū sit۔d on his leftsīd, θat eleven ov θe twelv dū۔d not komprēhend. Jēsus θen tiltlēn۔d ōver tū Jūdas, hū had bēkum fērful lest his breθren rēalīz θat hē wuz θe betrā۔ōr, and sā۔d, “Wut yū hav desīd۔d tū dū, dū kwik۔lē.” Jūdas θenupon rīz۔d from θe tābel and wak۔d hāst۔lē out ov θe rūm. Θe oθer aposol۔s, stil konfyūs۔t, wonder۔d if (bēkuz θā belēv۔d θat Jūdas stil karē۔d θe monē purs) Jēsus had send۔d hē on an erand fōr an adixun tū θe super. Θe Alfeus twin۔s flōpōr۔d θe θird kup ov wīn – θe “kup ov bles۔in” – and hand۔d it tū Jēsus, hū, rīz۔ing from θe kouq, bles۔d it, sā۔ing, “Tāk θis kup, al ov yū۔s, and drink ov it in rēmembrans ov mē. Θis iz θe kup ov θe bles۔in ov a nū dispensāxun ov grās and trūθ, θe emblem ov θe bestowal and ministrē ov θe divīn spērit ov trūθ.” Θen Jēsus pik۔d up θe bred and, after giv۔ing θank۔s, brāk۔d it, and pas۔d θe pēs۔s around, sā۔ing, “Ēt θis bred ov rēmembrans. Θe word ov θe Faθer, az rēvēl۔t in θe Son, iz indēd θe bred ov līf.” After al stand۔d and sing۔d a solm tū konklūd θe mēal, Jēsus sā۔d, “Ī iz θe vīn, mī Faθer iz θe farm۔ōr, and yū۔s iz θe branq۔s. Θe Faθer rēkwīer ov mē ōnlē θat yū۔s prōdūs muq frūt۔s. Θe vīn iz prūn۔d ōnlē tū inkrēs θe frūtful۔nes ov it’s branq۔s; evrē branq kom۔ing out ov mē θat prōdūs nō frūt۔s, θe Faθer wil tāk awā. Evrē branq θat prōdūs frūt۔s, θe Faθer wil klenz θat it mā prōdūs mōr frūt۔s. Az θe branq kan·not prōdūs frūt۔s unles it abīd in θe vīn, nēθer kan yū۔s yēild θe frūt۔s ov luv۔ē servis unles yū۔s abīd in mē. Hē hū resīd in mē, and Ī in hē, wil bring fōrθ manē frūt۔s ov θe spērit and ekspērēens θe suprēm jōē ov yēild۔ing θis spiritūal harvest. Hērin iz θe Faθer glōrēfī۔d: θat θe vīn hav manē liv۔in branq۔s, and θat evrē branq prōdūs manē frūt۔s.” Nekst Jēsus wak۔d ōver tū θe yung۔est aposol, Jon Zebedē, and bles۔d hē wiθ advīs and enkourajment, ask۔ing hē tū lōok after Jēsus’s familē, and ad۔ing, “Rēmān nēr at hand”. Θen Jēsus wak۔d ōver tū ēq aposol wiθ an individyūal bles۔in. Tū al hē sā۔d, “Tūnīt yū۔s wil al bē in grāt dānjer ov stumbel۔ing. Yū۔s no it iz rīt۔d, ‘Θe xeperd wil bē smīt۔t and θe xēp۔s wil skater.’ Wen Ī iz absent, θer iz dānjer θat som ov yū۔s wil sukum tū dout۔s bēkuz ov wut bēfal mē. But Ī promis now θat Ī wil sūn kom bak tū yū۔s fōr a litel pērēod, and θat Ī wil θen gō bēfōr yū۔s intū Galilē.” Pēter θen put۔d his hand on Jēsus’s xōlder, sā۔ing, “Nōmater if al mī breθren xud sukum tū dout۔s, Ī promis θat Ī wil not stumbel ōver anēθin yū mā dū. Ī wil gō wiθ yū and, if nēd bē, dī fōr yū.” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Pēter, verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū, θis nīt θe rūstōr wil not krō until yū hav denī۔d mē θrīs.” Tū al hē sā۔d, “Rēmember mī promis: Wen Ī iz rāz۔d up, Ī wil tārē wiθ yū۔s fōr a sēson bēfōr Ī gō tū θe Faθer.” Θā sing۔d anoθer himsong, and depart۔d fōr Mountin ov Oliv۔s. Az Jēsus and his eleven aposol۔s eksit۔d θrū θe sitē gāt۔s, elswār on Jerūsalem’s nārō wind۔ē strēt۔s, hurē۔ing tōward θe hōm ov Elīja Mark, wuz Jūdas Iskārēot and several tempel gard۔ōrs, inklūd۔ing θā’s komand۔ōr. Arīv۔ing at θe Mark hous tyū lāt, Jūdas fēel۔d distres۔t; hē had no۔d θat dur θe mēal ōnlē Pēter and Sīmon Zelotes wuz gird۔t wiθ sōrd۔s. Hē infōrm۔d θe komand۔ōr θat θā wud nēd tū gō up tū θe Geθsemān kamp·sītplās, wār mōr θan siks ten۔s ov disīpel۔s, inklūd۔ing visit۔ing Helasan۔s, wud bē enkounter۔t, suplī۔t wiθ an ampel number ov sōrd۔s. Fēr۔ing fōr his ōn sāftē, Jūdas bōld۔lē rēkwest۔d fōrtē wepon۔t sōjōr۔s. Θe komand۔ōr agrē۔d, but bēkuz θe Jūan oθōritē۔s had nō suq fōrs, θā go۔d tū θe fōrtres ov Antonia, wār θe Rōman komand۔ōrt, upon lern۔ing θā want۔d sōjōr۔s tū arest Jēsus, rēfyūz۔d, refer۔ing θā tū his sūpērēor ofisōrt, hū infōrm۔d θā θat θā wud hav tū sēk oθōritē from nun lō۔er θan Jūdea۔ē govern۔ōr Pontēus Pīlat. Ap θat tīm, Jēsus and θe eleven arīv۔d bak at θā’s prīvat kamp·sītplās abov Geθsemān Publikpark. Θe aposol۔s wuz surpriz۔d θat Jūdas wuz not θer wāt۔ing fōr θā. Θā bēsēj۔d Andrū about his wārabouts, but θā’s qēf rēmark۔d ōnlē, “Ī dū not no wār Jūdas iz, but Ī fēr hē hav dezert۔d wē.” Θe eleven, muq ajitāt۔t, engāj۔d in hēt۔d diskuxun about θā’s felō aposol, wīel Dāvid Zebedē (wiθ nū infō from his ājent۔s) and Jon Mark (hū had bin stā۔ing nēr tū Jēsus fōr θe purpos ov protekt۔ing hē, and θus had folō۔d θā up from θe sitē) mōxun۔d Jēsus asīd, rēvēl۔d θat θā had kēp۔d Jūdas under observāxun dur several dā۔s, and warn۔d θat his bētrāl wuz iminent. Jēsus rēspond۔d, “Mī frend۔s, noθin kan hapen tū θe son ov man unles it iz θe wil ov θe Faθer in heven. Let not yōr hart۔s bē ankxus. Al θing۔s xal work tūgeθer fōr θe glōrē ov God and θe salvāxun ov pēpel۔s.” However, Jēsus’s qērful atitūd wuz nōtis۔ablē wān۔ing. Rēturn۔ing from his talk wiθ Dāvid and Jon, hē sā۔d tū θe aposol۔s, “Mī frend۔s, gō tū yōr rest. Prepār yōrself۔s fōr tomorō. Mī pēas Ī lēv wiθ yū۔s.” Az hē mōxun۔d θā tū θā’s tent۔s, hē kal۔d tū Pēter, and tū Jāms and Jon Zebedē, sā۔ing, “Rēmān wiθ mē fōr a litel pērēod.” Sīmon Zelotes θen lēd۔d θe oθer ten tū his tent, wār θe sōrd۔s wuz hīd۔d, and hand۔d won tū ēq aposol. Ōnlē Naθanēel rēfyūz۔d, sā۔ing, “Mī breθren, θe mastōr rēpēt۔lē tel۔d wē θat his king۔dom iz not ov θis world, and θat his disīpel۔s xud not fīt wiθ sōrd۔s tū bring about it’s establixment. Wē hav witnes۔d his mīt۔ē power, θus hē kud dēfend hiself if hē sō desīer۔d. Ī wil prā, but Ī wil not wēeld a sōrd.” Andrū θen hand۔d bak his sōrd; θus nīn aposol۔s poses۔d wepon۔s. Rēzentment miks۔d wiθ xok at Judas’ dezerxun domināt۔d θā’s θot۔s az θā separāt۔d – Pēter, Jāms, and Jon rēturn۔ing tū bē wiθ Jēsus. Jēsus kal۔d tū Dāvid, and sā۔d, “Send tū mē yōr fast۔est and trust·worθē۔est mesajōr. Dāvid prezent۔d Jākob, wons an ōvernīt run۔ōrt bētwēn Beθsīda and Jerūsalem; adres۔ing hē, Jēsus sā۔d, “In al hāst, gō tū Abner at Filadelfia and tel hē, ‘Θe mastōr send grēt۔ins ov pēas tū yū, and sā θat θe klokhour hav kom wen hē wil bē deliver۔t intū θe hand۔s ov his enemē۔s, hū wil put۔t hē tū deθ, but θat hē wil rīz from θe ded and apēr tū yū sūn, bēfōr hē gō tū θe Faθer, and θat hē wil θen giv yū gīdans until θe tīm wen a nū tēq۔ōr xal kom tū resīd in yōr hart۔s.’” After Jākob had rēhers۔d θe mesaj, Jēsus dispaq۔d hē, sā۔ing, “Fēr not anē man, Jākob, fōr θis nīt an non۔visibel mesajōr wil run bī yōr sīd.” Wen Jākob had depart۔d, Dāvid sā۔d tū Jēsus, “Mastōr, Ī hav had grāt jōē in mī servis wiθ yū. Mī broθer۔s iz yōr aposol۔s, but Ī hav dēlīt۔d tū dū θe les۔er θing۔s az θā xud bē dū۔t, and Ī xal mis yū wiθ al mī hart wen yū iz go۔t.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Dāvid, mī son, oθer۔s hav dū۔d wut θā wuz direkt۔t tū dū, but θis servis hav yū dū۔d ov yōr ōn hart, and Ī hav not bin non۔mindful ov yōr devōtxun. Yū, alsō, xal serv wiθ mē in θe ēternal king۔dom.” Dāvid θen sā۔d, “Yū no, mastōr, Ī send۔d fōr yōr familē, and Ī hav word bī a mesajōr θat θā arīv۔d θis ēvenin in Jerikō. Θā wil bē hēr erlē tomorō mōrnin, az it wud bē dānjerus fōr θā tū kom up θat blod۔ē rōd dur nīt.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Let it bē sō.” Dāvid θen wak۔d tū θe up۔er trāil θat lēd۔d tū θe Beθanē-Jerūsalem rōd, θer tū stand gard. Jon Mark, bī prē۔aranjment, wak۔d tū θe rōd kom۔ing up from Kidron brōok, θe lōkāxun ov his self۔impōz۔t outpōst dūtē; but kyurēositē sūn ōverwelm۔d hē, sō hē fōrsāk۔d his sentinel pōst and folō۔d Jēsus, Pēter, Jāms, and Jon Zebedē intū a nērbī ravēn, wār from his hīd۔ing plās among bux۔s hē kud ērhēr θā’s vōis۔s. Jēsus ask۔d his θrē aposol۔s tū sit and waq, and hē, apēr۔ing sōrōful, wak۔d a xōrt distans awā. Θer hē nēel۔d, his fās tū θe ground, and prā۔d, “Mī Faθer, Ī kom۔d intū θis world tū dū yōr wil, and sō Ī hav. Ī no θat θe klokhour hav kom tū lā down θis līf in θe flex, and Ī xrink not from it. But Ī wud no θat it iz yōr wil θat Ī drink θis kup. Send mē axūrans θat Ī wil plēz yū in mī deθ ēven az Ī hav in mī līf.” Sūn afterward wen hē rēturn۔d tū his aposol۔s, hē fīnd۔d θā aslēp. Wāk۔ing θā, hē ask۔d, “Kan yū۔s not waq wiθ mē ēven won klokhour? Kan·not yū۔s sē θat mī sōul iz eksēd۔bē sōrōful, ēven tū deθ, and θat Ī krāv yōr kompanyonxip?” After θe θrē had arous۔d from θā’s slumber, Jēsus agin go۔d apart bī hiself and agin prā۔d, “Faθer, Ī no it iz posibel tū avōid θis kup – al θing۔s iz posibel wiθ yū – but Ī hav kom tū dū yōr wil, and wīel θis iz a biter kup, Ī wil drink it if it iz yōr wil.” Wīel hē θus prā۔d, an ānjel kom۔d down tū his sīd and, spēk۔ing tū hē, eksplān۔d θat θe Faθer desīer۔d his son tū komplēt his Erθ bestowal bī pas۔ing θrū θe krētūr ekspērēens ov deθ; θe ānjel θen tuq۔d hē, strenkθen۔ing hē, and depart۔d. Jēsus, sit۔ing alōn in θe fōrest, wuz fīnal۔lē konvins۔d θat God intend۔d tū alow natūral ēvent۔s tū tāk θā’s kōrs, and hē iterāt۔d his dētermināxun tū rēfrān from yūtilīz۔ing anē ov his soveren power۔s. But likwidrop۔s ov perspīerāxun rōl۔d down his fās. Θe divīn mīnd ov Jēsus no۔d θat hē had dū۔d his best fōr θe twelv aposol۔s, but θe hyūman hart ov Jēsus wix۔d θat mōr kud hav bin dū۔t fōr θā bēfōr hē lēv۔d θā alōn in θe world. Jēsus trū۔lē luv۔d his breθren, but hē wuz īsolāt۔t from his familē in θe flex, and won ov his aposol۔s wuz bētrā۔ing hē. His erθ۔ē faθer Jōsef’s pēpel۔s had rējekt۔d hē and θerbī sēal۔d θā’s dūm az an eθnisitē wiθ a spexal mixun on Erθ. His hyūmanitē wuz not rēsistant tū prīvat lōnlē۔nes, publik xām, and θe apērans ov fāilūr ov his mīt۔ē koz. Suq sentiment۔s maswā۔d hevē۔lē upon hē. In his grāt sōrō hē rēmember۔d bak tū θe dā۔s ov his qīld۔hōod in Nazareθ, his erlē tēq۔in in Galilē, twū spiritūal ekspērēens۔s on Mountin Hermon, sunrīz۔s and sunset۔s on ximer۔ing lāk Galilē – θōs plezant memōrē۔s fōrtifī his hyūman hart fōr his impend۔ē trīal. Wen hē rēturn۔d tū his θrē aposol۔s, hē agin sē۔d θā slumber۔ing. Hē wāk۔d θā, sā۔ing, “At suq an klokhour Ī nēd yū۔s tū prā wiθ mē, wī dū yū۔s fal aslēp?” Θen fōr a θird tīm hē wiθdro۔d, prā۔ing, “Faθer, yū sē mī slēp۔ing aposol۔s; hav mersē upon θā. Θe spērit iz indēd wilin, but θe flex iz wēak. And now, Faθer, not mī wil, but yours, bē dū۔t.” And wen hē had finix۔d prā۔ing, hē lā prostrāt on θe ground. Fīnal۔lē hē stand۔d and wak۔d bak tū his aposol۔s, wons mōr slumber۔ing. Hē rēq۔d down and tender۔lē xāk۔d θā awāk, sā۔ing, “Arīz, lets rēturn tū kamp. Bēhōld, hē hū bētrā mē iz at hand. Θe klokhour hav kom wen mī qūn xal bē skater۔t.” And az θā wak۔d bak up·hil θrū θe θin fōrest, ōver·hed hover۔d asembel۔t hōst۔ōrs ov a vast krēāxun, al under θe jōint komand ov Gābrēel and θe divīn indwel۔ing presens ov Jēsus. Θe divixun lēd۔ōrs ov θat non۔visibel heven۔ē armē had bin warn۔d not tū interfēr wiθ erθ۔ē ēvent۔s unles Jēsus hiself sō komand۔d. Nōsūner had θā arīv۔d bak at θe kamp·sītplās, wen twū mesajōr۔s hurē۔lē arīv۔d, ask۔ing fōr Dāvid. Wen Pēter infōrm۔d θā ov Dāvid’s outpōst lōkāxun, θā run۔d in θat direkxun. Θe oθer āt aposol۔s wuz aslēp in θā’s tent۔s, and Jēsus fōrbid۔d Pēter tū wāk θā. But θe Helasan۔s, kamp۔d nērbī, had pōst۔d a sentinel, hū, witnes۔ing θe eksīt۔ē mesajōr۔s, arous۔d his kompātrēot۔s, hū kom۔d strēm۔ing from θā’s tent۔s, dres۔d and karē۔ing wepon۔s. Jēsus, konsern۔d θat his oθer aposol۔s wud awāk, and wud atempt tū dēfend hē, and subsekwent۔lē bē kil۔t, ask۔d al not tū folō hē, and wak۔d down·hil tōward θe oliv jūspres nēr θe publikpark’s entrans. Yung Jon Mark hāsten۔d θrū θe oliv trē۔s, and hīd۔d in a smal xed nēr θe jūspres. Non-sē۔t, nūmerus selestēal hōst۔ōrs hover۔d in redē۔nes. From θe fōrest bēlō, tōrq۔s and lantern۔s aprōq۔d. Az Jēsus sit۔d wāt۔ing, θer apēr۔d in θe klēr۔in Jūdas Iskārēot, lēd۔ing a grūp ov wepon۔t sōjōr۔s and tempel gard۔ōrs. Ap θe sām tīm, from θe hilsīd abov aprōq۔d θe θrē aposol۔s (Pēter, Jāms, and Jon) and θirtē ov θā’s felō kamp۔ōrts, hav۔ing bin alert۔d bī θe tōrq۔s swing۔ing around θe brow ov θe hil. Az Jūdas strīd۔d fōrward tū akost Jēsus, θe twū grūp۔s sēs۔d wak۔ing. Jēsus, stand۔ing bētwēn θā, in a last efōrt tū sāv Jūdas from bētrā۔ing hē, kal۔d tū θe Rōman kaptin, “Hū dū yū sēk?” Θe kaptin anser۔d, “Jēsus ov Nazareθ.” Jēsus, step·ing fōrward, sā۔d, “Ī iz hē.” Θer wuz nō nēd, θerfōr, fōr Jūdas tū prōsēd wiθ his trātorus plan; however, tū enxur hē wud klām his rēward and onor۔s, hē wak۔d ōver tū Jēsus and kis۔d his fōrhed, sā۔ing, “Hāil, mastōr and tēq۔ōr.” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Frend, iz it not enuf tū dū θis? Wud yū ēven bētrā θe son ov man wiθ a kis?” Jēsus step۔d tōward θe gard۔ōrs and sōjōr۔s and agin ask۔d, “Hū dū yū sēk?” Agin θe kaptin rēplī۔d, “Jēsus ov Nazareθ.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Ī hav tel۔d yū θat Ī iz hē. Θerfōr, let θēz oθer۔s gō θā’s wā. Ī iz redē tū gō wiθ yū۔s.” Θe mater sēm۔d setel۔d wen θe Surēyan bodē·gard ov θe hī prēst, nām۔d Malqus, step۔d ōver tū Jēsus and prepār۔d tū bīnd his hand۔s bēhīnd his rēr۔sīd. Pēter, sē۔ing his mastōr subjekt۔d tū θat indignitē, nōlonger ābel tū rēstrān hiself, dro۔d his sōrd and rux۔d fōrward tū smīt Malqus. Jēsus rāz۔d a fōrbid۔ing hand tū Pēter and sā۔d stern۔lē, “Pēter, put awā yōr sōrd. Θā hū liv bī θe sōrd xal dī bī θe sōrd. Dū yū not no θat Ī kud ēven now komand mōr θan twelv lējon۔s ov ānjel۔s and θā’s asōxēāt۔s tū deliver mē from θe hand۔s ov θēz fyū man۔s?” Jēsus’s word۔s efektiv۔lē halt۔d fizikal rēsistans bī his folō۔ōrs, but arous۔d sufixent fēr in θe kaptin θat hē komand۔d his sōjōr۔s tū grab Jēsus and bīnd hē. Jēsus, az θā bind۔d his rist۔s, sā۔d, “Wī dū yū kom out aganst mē wiθ sōrd۔s az if tū sēz a rob۔ōr? Wen Ī dā۔ē tēq۔d in θe tempel, yū۔s māk۔d nō efōrt tū arest mē.” Θe kaptin θen komand۔d his sōjōr۔s tū sēz Jēsus’s folō۔ōrs, but θā flē۔d intū θe suround۔ē dark fōrest. Wen al wuz kwīet, Jon Mark emerj۔d from θe xed, eskāp۔d from a linger۔ing sōjōr, and hāsten۔d bak up·hil tū θe kamp tū infōrm Dāvid; θen, suspekt۔ing θat θe sōjōr۔s wud tāk Jēsus tū θe hōm ov Anas, hē hed۔d at a fast pās vīa a xōrt rūtwā θrū mūn ilūmināt۔t oliv ōrqard۔s in θat direkxun. Dāvid wāk۔d θe slēp۔ing aposol۔s, and θā hurē۔d down·hil tū θe sēn ov θe arest, wār θōs hū had flē۔d intū θe fōrest – eksept Pēter and Jon Zebedē – had rē۔gaθer۔d. After a xōrt diskuxun, Sīmon Zelotes stand۔d on θe stōn wal ov θe oliv pres, deklār۔d his lōyaltē, and eksōrt۔d his felō۔s tū hāsten after θe sōjōr۔s and reskyū Jēsus. Θe mājoritē ekspres۔d agrēment, but θen Naθanēel klīm۔d ontū θe wal and rēpēt۔d his erlē۔er odēens·spēq, emfasīz۔ing θat Jēsus had instrukt۔d θe aposol۔s tū prēserv θā’s līf۔s tū spred θe gospel. Jāms Zebedē ad۔d θat Jēsus had tel۔d Pēter tū xēθ his sōrd. Tomas rēmīnd۔d θā θat θā’s mastōr had kounsil۔d Lazarus tū avōid deθ; hē perswād۔d his felō aposol۔s tū abandon θā’s reskyū atempt, and insted tū skater. Dāvid anouns۔d θat θe kamp·sītplās wud bēkum θe nū mesajōr hedkwarter۔s. Θenupon aposol۔s Naθanēel, Maθyū, Filip, and θe Alfeus twin۔s hed۔d fōr frend۔ē hōm۔s in Beθpāj, wīel Tomas, Andrū, Jāms, and Sīmon Zelotes hed۔d down·hil tū hīd in θe sitē. Mēnwīel Jon Zebedē and Pēter, after hīd۔ing among θe oliv trē۔s, had emerj۔d tū folō θe sōjōr۔s and Jēsus az θā, inklūd۔ing Jūdas, hed۔d down·hil tōward hī prēst۔s emeritus Anas’ palas sitūāt۔d lō۔er on θe mountin. Pēter lag۔d bēhīnd, but Jon Zebedē, rēmember۔ing his mastōr’s instrukxun۔s tū rēmān nēr at hand, hurē۔d nēr۔er tū Jēsus az hē wak۔d along bētwēn θe kaptin ov θe Rōman sōjōr۔s and θe komand۔ōr ov θe tempel gard. Θe komand۔ōr, nōtis۔ing Jon, tel۔d his asist۔ōr, “Tāk θis man and bīnd hē. Hē iz won ov θe folō۔ōrs.” But θe Rōman kaptin kounter-komand۔d θat nō man molest hē, rēmīnd۔ing θe Jūan komand۔ōr, “Rōma۔ē lo alow anē imprison۔ōr wīel bēing juj۔d tū hav atlēst won frend tū stand wiθ hē.” Θus Jon wak۔d bēsīd Jēsus, hū uter۔d not a word. Jūdas Iskārēot drop۔d bak bēhīnd θe marq۔ōrs. Pēter trāil۔d at a distans and, az hē pas۔d bī a bux, dispōs۔d ov his sōrd. Wen θā arīv۔d at Anas’ palas, θe Rōman kaptin komand۔d a sōjōr, “Akompanē θe imprison۔ōr and sē θat θēz Jūan۔s dū not kil hē wiθout Pīlat’s konsent. And sē θat his frend, θe Galilēen, iz permit۔d tū stand bī and observ.” After Jon Zebedē had enter۔d θe palas kōrtyard wiθ Jēsus and θe gard۔ōrs, Jūdas arīv۔d at θe gāt, but, sē۔ing Jon, turn۔d around and hed۔d fōr θe palas ov Kīafas, wār hē no۔d θe rēal lokōrtrīal wud okur. Sūn after hē had depart۔d, Pēter arīv۔d; Jon Zebedē nōtis۔d hē, and spēk۔d tū θe gāt tend۔ōrm, hū hē no۔d, rēkwest۔ing θat xē alow Pēter tū enter, and xē asent۔d. Θus Pēter enter۔d θe kōrtyard, and, fēel۔ing afrād and konfyūs۔t, wonder۔ing ēven wut hē wuz dū۔ing θer, wak۔d ōver tū sit bī θe qarkōl fīer tū warm hiself. Anas wuz nōlonger θe hī prēst – θat tītel hav۔ing bin pas۔d tū his son۔inlo Kīafas – but hē wuz stil θe mōst powerful and inflūenxal Jūan, and hē wuz dētermin۔d tū rēmān sō. Θus, alθō ap θirtē membōrts ov θe Sanhedrin wuz wāt۔ing at Kīafas’ palas tū sit jujment on Jēsus, Anas had instrukt۔d θe Rōman kaptin tū bring Jēsus tū his palas. Upon θā’s arīval hē enter۔d his spāxus odēens qāmber, sēt۔d hiself in a larj qār, nod۔d tū Jon Zebedē – hū wiθ his broθer Jāms and his moθer Salōmē (a distant kin ov Anas) had visit۔d θe palas dur manē Passovers – and dur several mōment۔s sīlent۔lē survā۔d θe imprison۔ōrt . Wen Jēsus wuz yung, Anas had tāk۔d an interest in hē, but had bin disapōint۔t wen θe lad had xun۔d θe rēlijus akademē۔s, and sins θen Jēsus, alθō non۔dout۔bē rēlijus, had vēr۔d awā from tradixunal tēq۔ins pas۔d along dur twelv sentūrē۔s sins θe tīm ov Mōses. Dur θā’s sekond mēt۔in at his palas Anas had bin xok۔t bī Jēsus’s arogant rūd۔nes, and mōr rēsent۔lē Jēsus had bin uter۔ing publik stātment۔s θat kud ōnlē bē konsider۔t blasfēmus. But θe akt θat jenerāt۔d bīfar θe mōst enmitē wuz Jēsus’s disrupxun ov Anas’ rēvenyū۔s from tempel komers. After a fyū mōment۔s, Anas sā۔d tū Jēsus, “Yū rēalīz θat somθin must bē dū۔t about yōr tēq۔in, bēkuz yū iz disturb۔ing pēas and ōrder.” Hē had hōp۔d θat bī dro۔ing upon θā’s erlē۔er akwāntans, hē kud perswād Jēsus tū abandon his klām۔s and depart Kānan, but, fās۔ing θe stalwart and dētermin۔ē Galilēen, hū apēr۔d ēven mōr pōizd θan hē rēmember۔d, hē no۔d suq a propōsel wud bē fyūtil. After a poz, hē ask۔d, “Wut iz θe nām۔s ov yōr disīpel۔s, bēsīds θe ajitāt۔ōr Sīmon Zelotes?” Wen Jēsus dū۔d not rēplī, hē kontinyū۔d, “Dū yū not kār weθer ōr not Ī iz frend۔ē? Dū yū hav nō rēgard fōr θe power Ī hav in dētermin۔ing θe ixyū۔s ov yōr impend۔ē lokōrtrīal?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Anas, yū no θat yū kud hav nō power ōver mē unles it wuz permit۔t bī mī Faθer. Som wud destrōē θe son ov man bēkuz θā iz ignorant; θā no nō beter. But yū, frend, no wut yū iz dū۔ing. How kan yū, θerfōr, rējekt θe līt ov God?” Anas, hū had alredē dētermin۔d θat Jēsus must ēθer depart Kānan ōr dī, ask۔d, “Wut eksakt۔lē iz yū trī۔ing tū tēq? Wut dū yū klām tū bē?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Yū wel no. Manē okāxun۔s hav Ī tēq۔d in θe sinagog۔s and in θe tempel; in sēkret Ī hav tēq۔d noθin. Wī θen dū yū ask?” Θenupon θe qēf stūard ov θe palas, stand۔ing nērbī, slap۔d Jēsus’s fās, sā۔ing, “How dār yū anser θe hī prēst wiθ suq word۔s?” Tū Anas, hū had not rēbyūk۔d his stūard, Jēsus sā۔d, “Mī frend, if Ī hav spēk۔d ēvil, provīd evidens; but if Ī hav spēk۔d θe trūθ, wī θen xud yū smīt mē?” Anas, tū kolekt his θot۔s, stand۔d and depart۔d θe rūm, lēv۔ing Jēsus alōn wiθ θe houshōld atend۔ōrs and θe tempel gard۔ōrs. A gāt tend۔ōr (atend۔ing θe entrans) wak۔d ōver tū wār Pēter wuz warm۔ing hiself, and ask۔d misqēvēus۔lē, “Iz yū not alsō won ov θis man’s disīpel۔s?” Pēter, surpriz۔d and fērful, anser۔d, “Ī iz not.” Sūn anoθer servant wak۔d ōver and wiθ a smerk ask۔d Pēter, “Dū۔d Ī not sē yū in θe garden wen θā arest۔d θis felō? Iz yū not alsō won ov his folō۔ōrs?” Pēter, bī θen alarm۔d, sā۔d, “Ī no not θis man, nēθer iz Ī won ov his folō۔ōrs.” Θe gāt tend۔ōrm rēturn۔d, tēz۔ing hē, sā۔ing, “Mī sister hēr sē۔d yū in θe tempel wiθ θis man. Wī dū yū denī it?” Pēter anser۔d, “Ī dū not ēven no hē; Ī never ērhēr۔d ov hē bēfōr.” Fērful ov arest, hē stand۔d, and wak۔d bak out intū θe kōrtyard, wenupon hē ērhēr۔d a rūstōr krō, θen rēmember۔d his mastōr’s predikxun. Bī θen a klokhour had pas۔d. Anas rē۔apēr۔d, wak۔d ōver tū Jēsus, and ask۔d, “Dū yū klām tū bē θe mesīa, θe deliver۔ōr ov Jūan۔s?” Rēplī۔d Jēsus, “Anas, yū hav no۔d mē sins mī yūθ. Yū no θat Ī klām tū bē noθin eksept θat wiq mī Faθer hav apōint۔d, and θat Ī hav bin send۔t tū al pēpel۔s, jentīl۔s and Jūan۔s.” Anas sā۔d, “Ī hav bin tel۔t θat yū hav klām۔d tū bē θe mesīa. Iz θat trū?” Jēsus lōok۔d upon Anas, rēplī۔ing, “Sō yū hav sā۔d.” Mesajōr۔s arīv۔d, inkwīer۔ing wut tīm Jēsus wud bē bring۔t bēfōr θe lokōrt ov θe Sanhedrin. Anas θenupon dispaq۔d Jēsus, stil bind۔d, in θe kustodē ov tempel gard۔ōrs, tū θe palas ov Kīafas, hē hiself tū sūn folō. Az gard۔ōrs lēd۔d Jēsus θrū θe kōrtyard, Jēsus nōtis۔d Pēter, hūz yūsūal۔lē self۔konfident fās, ilūmināt۔t bī tōrq·līt۔s, rēvēl۔d blak despār, az θe aposol sē۔d on his mastōr’s fās an eksprexun ov pitē blend۔d wiθ luv. After Jēsus and θe gard۔ōrs pas۔d out ov θe palas gāt۔s, Pēter folō۔d θā, but ōnlē a xōrt distans. Not ābel tū gō far۔er, hē slump۔d tū θe rōd۔sīd, and wēp۔d biter۔lē. Ap mid۔wā bētwēn mid۔nīt and don, θe qēf prēst Kīafas, at his palas, komand۔d θat θe Sanhedrin lokōrt ov inkwīerē bēgin. Jēsus, dres۔d in his yūsūal tūnik, his hand۔s bind۔d bēhīnd his bak, apēr۔d bēfōr ap θirtē membōr۔s ov θe Sanhedrin – qēf prēst۔s, Sadyūsē۔s, Farisē۔s, skrīb۔s – al in jolē mūd۔s at hav۔ing θā’s nemesis fīnal۔lē in θā’s kluq۔s. Anas arīv۔d and sit۔d bēsīd Kīafas. Jon Zebedē wuz alow۔d tū witnes θe prōsēd۔ins. Θōs ov θe Sanhedrin hū had bin simpaθetik tū Jēsus had kwit۔d, and θōs hū want۔d tū trēt Jēsus fār۔lē had bin ekspel۔t, θus θe lokōrt wuz ūnanimus in θā’s dētermināxun tū eksekyūt Jēsus. But θā fās۔d twū problem۔s. Ōnlē Rōman govern۔ōr Pontēus Pīlat kud lēgal۔lē kondem an imprison۔ōr tū deθ, and θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs’ grēvans۔s aganst Jēsus – blasfēmē, flont۔ing ritūal, klām۔ing tū bē a son ov God, perfōrm۔ing mirakel۔s wiθ θe ād ov θe devil, disrupt۔ing tempel komers, θreten۔ing θā’s posixun۔s ov welθ and prestēj – vīōlāt۔d nō Rōma۔ē lo۔s. And tīm wuz xōrt: dur θe prepārāxun dā bēfōr θe Pasōver nō sekyūlar work kud bē dū۔t after nūn; govern۔ōr Pīlat had arīv۔d fōr θe selebrāxun, but hē kud at anē tīm rēturn tū θe Rōma۔ē kapital ov Jūdea, Sēzarea; hōld۔ing θe popyūlar imprison۔ōr dur several dā۔s risk۔d θe īer ov θe popyūlas, at present in Jerūsalem in hyūj number۔s. Θe lokōrtrīal prōsēd۔d, but fars۔lē, witnes۔s vent۔ing θā’s hātred bī fling۔ing eksajerāt۔ē akyūzāxun۔s, wiθ qēf prēst Kīafas akt۔ing mōr alīk prosikyūt۔ōr θan juj, and wons ēven slap۔ing Jēsus’s fās. Θe akyūz۔t māntān۔d his pōiz and spēk۔d not a word in dēfens. Tīm wuz pas۔ing wiθ nō progres in fōrmyūlāt۔ing akyūzāxun۔s θat vīōlāt۔d Rōma۔ē lo on wiq konvins۔ing witnes۔s konsistent۔lē agrē۔d, θus Kīafas adjurn۔d θe lokōrtrīal fōr won klokhour. Az membōr۔s eksit۔d θe rūm, som spit۔d on Jēsus, oθer۔s slap۔d his fās. Jēsus, wiθ a nod ov his hed, indikāt۔d tū Jon – hū hē fēr۔d wud bē non۔abel tū rēstrān hiself, wiθ lēθal konsekwens۔s – tū depart θe rūm. Tempel gard۔ōrs and servant۔s ov θe hī prēst θenupon amyūz۔d θāself۔s kurs۔ing Jēsus, mok۔ing hē, spit۔ing upon hē, fistpunq۔ing hē, strīk۔ing his fās wiθ an īorn rod. Θus dū۔d Jūan۔s rēvīl and mistrēt Jēsus fōr an entīer klokhour. Θe lokōrtrīal rēsūm۔d – it’s alter۔t tōn sērēus and urjent – wiθ θe artikyūlāxun ov θrē fōrmal akyūzāxun۔s aganst Jēsus: hē wuz a pervert۔ōr ov Jūan۔s, desēv۔ing θā and insīt۔ing θā tū rebelyon; hē kounsil۔d Jūan۔s tū rēfyūz tū pā tribyūt tū Sēzar; and bī klām۔ing tū bē a king and θe found۔ōr ov a nū tīp ov king۔dom, hē insīt۔d trēson aganst θe Rōma۔ē emperōrt. At dābrāk, Pēter, hū after kolaps۔ing in tēr۔s bī θe rōd۔sīd had pas۔d tū slēp from emōxunal eksosxun, awāk۔d, and, hōp۔ing tū fīnd his broθer Andrū, truj۔d bak up·hil tū θe kamp·sītplās. But it wuz al but dezert۔t: ōnlē Dāvid and θrē run۔ōrs rēmān۔d. Θe aposol۔s had skater۔d, and θe Helasan۔s had depart۔d. Dāvid dispaq۔d Pēter, akompanē۔t bī a mesajōr, bak down·hil tū Jerūsalem tū jōin Andrū at θe hōm ov Nikōdemus. Sūn afterward at θe kamp·sītplās arīv۔d Jūd, Jēsus’s broθer in θe flex, in advans ov θe rēmān۔ōr ov Jēsus’s familē, ōnlē tū lern θat Jēsus had alredē bin arest۔t. Θus hē hāsten۔d bak down·hil tōward Jerikō, wiθ instrukxun۔s from Dāvid tū gō wiθ his moθer and sib۔s tū Beθanē, and θer at θe hōm ov Marθa and Marē awāt nūz from mesajōr۔s. Ap θe sām tīm θat Frīdā mōrnin at Antonia fōrtres, θe Jerūsalem hedkwarter۔s ov govern۔ōr Pontēus Pīlat, arīv۔d Jēsus, along wiθ tempel gard۔ōrs, ap fiftē ov his akyūz۔ōrs inklūd۔ing θe Sanhedrin lokōrt, θe hī prēst Kīafas (but not fōrmer hī prēst Anas), Jūdas Iskārēot, and aposol Jon. Despīt θe erlē klokhour Pīlat, bēkuz θe nīt bēfōr hē had oθōrīz۔d θe yūtilizāxun ov Rōma۔ē sōjōr۔s tū arest Jēsus, wuz prepār۔d tū rēsēv۔d θā. Θe Jūan۔s rēfyūz۔d tū enter θe bild۔in – fēr۔ing θat insīd leven wuz yūtilīz۔t in bāk۔ing bred, wiq θā belēv۔d wud render θā non۔klēn and θerbī prēvent θā from partāk۔ing in θe afternūn fēst ov θanksgivin and nesesitāt θā’s subjekxun tū purifikāxun seremōnē۔s after sunset bēfōr θā kud bē elijabel tū partāk in θe Pasōver super. Θus Pīlat konsent۔d tū hōld θe publik lokōrtrīal on θe bild۔in’s front step۔s. Apēr۔ing bēfōr θe asembelē, hē ask۔d, “Wut akyūzāxun dū yū۔s bring aganst θis man?” Rēplī۔d θe spōksman fōr θe Sanhedrin lokōrt, “If θis man wuz not an ēvil dū۔ōr, wē wud not hav deliver۔d hē tū yū.” Pīlat sā۔d, “Θen juj hē in akordans wiθ yōr ōn lo۔s.” Θe spōksman rēplī۔d, “It iz not loful fōr wē tū put anē man tū deθ, and θis disturb۔ōr iz worθ۔ē tū dī fōr θe θing۔s hē hav sā۔d and dū۔d.” Pīlat, hū no۔d jeneral۔lē about Jēsus and had bin infōrm۔t in mōr dētāil bī his wīf Kodēa (a parxal konvert tū Jūdāizm), surmiz۔d θat hē had vīōlāt۔d eksēsēatrikal lo۔s, θus hē sā۔d, “Ī wil not kondem θis man tū deθ wiθout a lokōrtrīal. Nēθer wil Ī konsent tū eksamin hē until yū hav prezent۔d yōr akyūzāxun۔s aganst hē in rīt۔in.” Hī prēst Kīafas θenupon signal۔d θe lokōrt klerk, hū hand۔d θe govern۔ōr a pāper kontān۔ing θe θrē akyūzāxun۔s aganst Jēsus. Pīlat θen sumon۔d Jēsus, along wiθ his witnes Jon Zebedē, tū folō hē insīd, and lēd۔d θā tū a prīvat qāmber, wār θā sit۔d. Pīlat bēgin۔d bī sā۔ing hē dū۔d not belēv Jēsus wuz an insīt۔ōr ov rebelyon, θen ask۔d, “Dū۔d yū ever tēq θat tribyūt xud bē rēfyūz۔t Sēzar?” Jēsus, indikāt۔ing Jon, anser۔d, “Ask hē ōr anē oθer man hū hav ērhēr۔d mī tēq۔in.” Jon θen testifī۔d θat Jēsus never sā۔d not tū pā taks۔s, and θat Jēsus and his aposol۔s pā۔d taks۔s bōθ tū Sēzar and tū θe tempel. Pīlat turn۔d bak tū Jēsus; “Now rēgard۔in θā’s θird akyūzāxun, iz yū θe king ov θe Jūan۔s?” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Pīlat, dū yū ask θis fōr yōrself, ōr dū yū tāk θis kwestyon from mī akyūz۔ōrs?” Θe govern۔ōr anser۔d: “Iz Ī a Jūan? Yōr qēf prēst۔s ask۔d mē tū kondem yū tū deθ. Ī kwestyon θe validitē ov θā’s akyūzāxun۔s and iz ōnlē trī۔ing tū diskover fōr mīself wut yū hav dū۔d. Tel mē, hav yū sā۔d θat yū iz θe king ov Jūan۔s, and dū yū sēk tū establix a nū king۔dom?” Jēsus anser۔d, “Dū yū not persēv θat mī king۔dom iz not ov θis world? If mī king۔dom wuz ov θis world, xur۔lē wud mī disīpel۔s fīt θat Ī xud not bē deliver۔t intū θe hand۔s ov θe Jūan۔s. Mī presens hēr bēfōr yū iz sufixent tū xō al pēpel۔s θat mī king۔dom iz a spiritūal dominyon. And θis salvāxun iz fōr jentīl۔s, az wel az fōr Jūan۔s.” “Θen yū iz a king afteral?” ask۔d Pīlat. Jēsus anser۔d, “Yes. Ī iz suq a king, and mī king۔dom iz θe familē ov θe fāθ son۔s ov mī Faθer hū iz in heven. Fōr θis purpos wuz Ī birθ۔t intū θis world, θat Ī xō mī Faθer tū al pēpel۔s and giv evidens tū θe trūθ ov God. And ēven now dū Ī deklār tū yū θat evrē won hū luv θe trūθ ērhēr mī vōis.” Koment۔d θe govern۔ōr, haf in jest, “Trūθ, wut iz trūθ? Hū no?” Tū hē, klēr۔lē θe imprison۔ōrt, hū apēr۔d jentel and wērē, yet majestik and uprīt, wuz not a dānjerus rebel aspīer۔ing tū topel Rōma’s lēdrūel ov Kānan, and Pīlat, bēing familyar wiθ θe Stōik۔s’ tēq۔in θat “θe wīz man iz king” konsider۔d θat hē komprēhend۔d Jēsus’s mēn۔in ov “king” and “king۔dom”. Θus hē go۔d bak outsīd and sā۔d tū θe asembel۔d akyūz۔ōrs, “Ī hav eksamin۔d θis man, and fīnd nō falt in hē. Ī dū not θink hē iz gilt۔ē ov θe akyūzāxun۔s. Hē ot tū bē frē۔t.” Θe Jūan۔s erupt۔d in rāj, demand۔ing in loud vōis۔s θat Jēsus xud dī. Won ov θe Sanhedrin bōld۔lē upstep۔d tū Pīlat and sā۔d, “Θis man ajitāt θe multitūd, bēgin۔ing in Galilē and kontinyū۔ing θrūout al Jūdea. Hē iz a misqēf māk۔ōr and an ēvil dū۔ōr. Yū wil long rēgret it if yū let θis wiked man gō frē!” Pīlat, hū dur his ten yēr۔s az govern۔ōr ov Jūdea had lern۔d θe best polisē wuz tū if posibel plākāt θe Jūan lēd۔ōrs, upon ērhēr۔ing θat Jēsus wuz from Galilē, disern۔d an opōrtūnitē tū avōid rēsponsibelitē in desīd۔ing θe kās. Kal۔ing tū θe gard۔ōrs, hē sā۔d, “Θis man iz a Galilēen. Tāk hē fōrθwiθ tū Herod, hū iz hēr fōr θe Pasōver, and wen hē hav eksamin۔d hē, rēpōrt his ōpinyon tū mē.” Jēsus tiltlēn۔d ōver tū his aposol and sā۔d, “Jon, yū kan dū nō mōr fōr mē. Gō tū mī moθer and bring xē tū sē mē bēfōr Ī dī.” Θus Jon, hū had sureptixus۔lē updāt۔d Dāvid’s mesajōr۔s and θerbī lern۔d θat Jēsus’s familē wuz hed۔d from Jerikō tū Beθanē, rēluktant۔lē hurē۔d awā. Θe tempel gard۔ōrs θenupon lēd۔d Jēsus, folō۔t bī his akyūz۔ōrs and an inkrēs۔ing multitūd, tū θe ōld Malabēan palas ov fōrmer king Herod θe sōkald Grāt, wār tetrark Herod resīd۔d wen visit۔ing Jerūsalem. Tetrark Herod, lōok۔ing at Jēsus, dū۔d not rekognīz hē az θe yūθ hū 21 yēr۔s erlē۔er had apēr۔d bēfōr hē in θe Galilēen sitē ov Sepōris plēd۔ing (invān) fōr a just dēsixon rēgard۔in monē ō۔t his faθer hū had bin aksidantal۔lē kil۔d wīel work۔ing on won ov θe publik bild۔ins. Θe tetrark ov Galilē and Perea, hiself a Jūan, stil fēel۔d gilt۔ē at hav۔ing komand۔d Jon θe baptīz۔ōr’s eksekyūxun, and had worē۔d about Jēsus wen hē wuz prēq۔ing in Galilē, but had alsō bin kyurēus about hē. Hē ask۔d Jēsus kwestyon after kwestyon, θen dār۔d hē tū perfōrm a mirakel, but Jēsus rēplī۔d not a word. Klēr۔lē, Herod observ۔d, Jēsus wuz not alīk θe outspoken fīer۔ē profet hū had ekspōz۔d and dēnouns۔d his prīvat līf. Fīnal۔lē Herod, hū had nō jurisdikxun ōver Jēsus in Jūdea, and not want۔ing tū bē rēsponsibel fōr anoθer profet’s deθ, arā۔d hē in an ōld purpel rōyal rōb and dispaq۔d hē bak tū θe govern۔ōr. Wen gard۔ōrs bring۔d Jēsus bak tū Antonia hedkwarter۔s, Pontēus Pīlat rē۔apēr۔d on θe front step۔s and anouns۔d tū θe qēf prēst۔s and θe Sanhedrin θat nēθer hē nor Herod juj۔d Jēsus gilt۔ē ov θe θrē akyūzāxun۔s, ad۔ing, “In fakt, Ī fīnd nō falt in hē.” Az θe Jūan۔s prepār۔d tū prōtest aganst θe rēlēs ov Jēsus, a larj krowd arīv۔d ask۔ing fōr θe rēlēs ov an imprison۔ōr in onor ov θe Pasōver fēst, in akordans wiθ θā’s tradixun. Surj۔ing up θe step۔s, θā kal۔d out θe nām ov Barabas, θe son ov a prēst, hū had bin konvikt۔d ov roberē and murder on θe Jerikō rōd and kondem۔t tū dī. Pīlat, tū ekstrikāt hiself from his predikament, sujest۔d insted Jēsus, but θe qēf prēst۔s xout۔d, “Barabas! Barabas!” and θe fikel Jūan۔s, inklūd۔ing manē ov θe sām pēpel۔s hū had aplod۔d Jēsus’s termināxun ov komers in θe tempel fōur dā۔s erlē۔er, urj۔d onward bī θā’s rēlijus lēd۔ōrs, rēpēt۔d θe krī. Pīlat ask۔d θe multitūd, “If Ī rēlēs θe murder۔ōrt Barabbas, wut xal Ī dū wiθ Jēsus?” Θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs, and θen θe krowd, xout۔d, “Krūsifī hē! Krūsifī hē!” Θe govern۔ōr prefer۔d not tū kondem a man hē rēgard۔d az inosent ov Rōma۔ē lo tū deθ tū apēz θōs hū hē lēdrūel۔d, θerfōr, θink۔ing tū arous θā’s pitē, hē komand۔d gard۔ōrs tū tāk Jēsus intū θe iner kōrtyard (out ov θe publik’s sīt) tū bē wip۔t. Θā tī۔d Jēsus tū θe pōst, and wip۔d hē. Afterward θe gard۔ōrs put۔d a brād۔d krown ov θorn۔s on his hed, put۔d a rēdgras in his hand az a mok spekter, and nēel۔d bēfōr hē, mok۔ing hē, sā۔ing, “Hāil, king ov θe Jūan۔s!” Θen θā spit۔d upon hē and slap۔d hē. Pīlat θen lēd۔d his imprison۔ōr – his fās drip۔ing wiθ blod – his fōrm bow۔d down wiθ sufer۔ing and grēf – bak outsīd θe bild۔in, prezent۔d hē tū θe krowd, and sā۔d, “Bēhōld θe man! Agin Ī deklār tū yū۔s θat Ī fīnd nō krīm in hē, and hav۔ing skurj۔d hē, Ī wud rēlēs hē.” But θe multitūd xout۔d, “Krūsifī hē! Krūsifī hē! Krūsifī hē!” Az Pīlat stil wāver۔d, hī prēst Kīafas aprōq۔d hē, xāk۔d an avenj۔ing finger in Pīlat’s fās, and sā۔d wiθ ānger۔ē word۔s θat θe entīer multitūd kud ērhēr: “If yū rēlēs θis man, yū iz·not Sēzar’s frend, and Ī wil sē θat θe emperōrt no al.” Pīlat ask۔d sarkastik۔lē, “Xal Ī krūsifī yōr king?” Jūan۔s anser۔d, “Yes, krūsifī hē! Wē hav nō king but Sēzar.” Pīlat kapitūāt۔d, sā۔ing, “Sē tū it.” Wen hē komand۔d sōjōr۔s tū rēlēs Barabas and tū prepār tū krūsifī Jēsus, Jūan۔s loud۔lē qēr۔d. Pīlat komand۔d θat a bāsin ov water bē bring۔t tū hē, and hē wax۔d his hand۔s, sā۔ing, “Ī iz inosent ov θe blod ov θis man.” Glēful Jūan۔s rēplī۔d, “His blod bē on wē and on our qīld۔s.” Kīafas and his asōxēāt۔s θen go۔d direkt۔lē tū θā’s yūsūal mēt۔in plās in θe hal ov hyū۔t stōn in θe tempel tū rēpōrt tū wāt۔ing membōr۔s ov θe Sanhedrin. Jūdas Iskārēot arīv۔d sūn afterward tū kolekt his onor۔s and rēward. However, ov θōs hū nōtis۔d Jūdas, som rēakt۔d wiθ alūf۔nes, oθer۔s wiθ eksprexun۔s ov non۔disgīz۔t kontempt. A servant ov θe hī prēst mōxun۔d hē tū akompanē hē outsīd, and θer tel۔d hē, “Ī hav bin apōint۔d tū giv yū yōr rēward,” and hand۔d Jūdas 30 silver kōin۔s, θe prīs ov a helθ۔ē slāv. At his insult۔ē trētment – Jūdas had envixun۔d bēing lod۔t in front ov θe Sanhedrin and prezent۔t wiθ a substanxal rēward – Jūdas fēel۔d stun۔t. After wander۔ing around in a dāz, hē hurē۔d bak intū θe tempel, and tū θe Sanhedrin sā۔d, “Ī rēpent θat Ī hav dū۔d θis. Ī want tū eskāp θe gilt ov θis dēd.” His lisen۔ōrs skof۔d, won sā۔ing, “Wut iz θat tū wē? Bē go۔t!” Jūdas hurl۔d θe 30 kōin۔s ontū θe flōr and, almōst tērful۔lē, wak۔d out. It don۔d on hē θat hē had māk۔d a trajik mistāk, ōr far wors: θat hē had komit۔d θe grāv۔est ov sin۔s. His rēward, hē rēalīz۔d, wuz tū bēkum a despīz۔t outkast. Fōrsāk۔t and alōn, hē wak۔d bēyond θe sitē wal۔s, and down tū desolāt Hinom valē, from wār hē klīm۔d stēp rok۔s. Tāk۔ing θe girdel from his turban, hē fasen۔d won end tū a smal trētrunk, tī۔d θe oθer about his nek, and jump۔d ōver θe presipis. Θe tīnot θat his nervus hand۔s had tī۔d lūsen۔d, and hē fal۔d ontū jag۔ē bōlder۔s tū his deθ. Ap θat tīm Rōman sōjōr۔s arīv۔d at θe Geθsemān kamp·sītplās ōbā۔ing a komand tū arest Jēsus’s folō۔ōrs. But θe sītplās wuz emptē. Dāvid Zebedē had mūv۔d his mesajōr hedkwarter۔s up·hil, and had alredē dispaq۔d run۔ōrs wiθ nūz ov Jēsus’s iminent krūsifikxun tū Jēsus’s familē, tū θe Helasan۔s, az wel az tū supōrt۔ōrs in θe sitē۔s ov Beθsīda, Pela, Filadelfia, Sidon, Xeqem, Hebron, and az far awā az Dimaxk and Aleksandrēa. Non۔alīk almōst evrēbodē els, literal-mīnd۔ē Dāvid belēv۔d Jēsus wen hē predikt۔d hē wud “rīz agin on θe θird dā”, and hē θerfōr dispaq۔d instrukxun۔s tū θe aposol۔s tū asembel erlē Sundā mōrnin at θe hōm ov Nikōdemus – wār hē hiself plan۔d tū hīd wiθ Pēter and Andrū. After govern۔ōr Pīlat had put۔d Jēsus inqarj ov Rōman sōjōr۔s tū bē krūsifī۔t, θe kaptin desīd۔d θat twū kondem۔d θēf۔s (kaptūr۔d wiθ θā’s lēd۔ōr Barabas) hū had bin skedyūel۔d tū dī after θe Pasōver festivitē۔s xud insted bē krūsifī۔t θat mōrnin wiθ Jēsus – hens a delā wīel θe twū wuz feq۔d from prison and skurj۔d. Wīt sīn۔s wuz prepār۔d: θōs fōr θe θēf۔s rīt۔d wiθ θā’s nām۔s abov θe word۔s “brigandōr”, θe oθer inskrīb۔d bī Pontēus Pīlat hiself, “Jēsus ov Nazareθ – King ov θe Jūan۔s” in Latin۔ēz, Helas۔ēz, and Aramāik۔ēz langwij۔s; wen Jūan lēd۔ōrs objekt۔d, θe govern۔ōr rēplī۔d, “Wut Ī hav rīt۔d, Ī hav rīt۔d.” Θe imprison۔ōrts’ klōz wuz rēmūv۔d and substitūt۔d wiθ lōinkloθ۔s. Fīnal۔lē θe kaptin (θe sām man hū had lēd۔d Rōman sōjōr۔s θe prēvēus nīt tū arest Jēsus at Geθsemān) and twelv sōjōr۔s lēd۔d Jēsus and θe twū rob۔ōrs tōward θe sītplās ov θe krūsifikxun at Gōlgōθa. Ēq ov θe kondem۔d man۔s wuz rēkwīer۔d, per kustom, tū karē a krūsifiks krosbēm, θe long۔er hevē۔er uprīt pōst۔s hav۔ing bin transpōrt۔t separāt۔lē. Θe ōrdinārē rūtwā wuz vīa θe long۔est rōd, sō θat manē spektāt۔ōrs kud vyū θā, but θat dā θā go۔d bī θe mōst direkt rūtwā nōrθ۔ward. Ap 200 pēpel۔s folō۔d, inklūd۔ing a fyū Jūan lēd۔ōrs, som (mōst۔bē sēkret) simpaθīz۔ōrs, θe rēmān۔ōr ēθer enemē۔s ōr spektāt۔ōrs want۔ing tū waq θe man۔s tōrtur۔t tū deθ – θe barbārik meθod hav۔ing ōrijināt۔d from Fonēxan۔s, and adopt۔d bī Rōman۔s tū eksekyūt non۔Rōman۔s. Az θe prosexun pas۔d along θe nārō strēt۔s ov Jerūsalem, tenderhart۔ē Jūan woman۔s hū had ērhēr۔d Jēsus’s word۔s ov qēr and kompaxun, and·or hū no۔d ov his līf ov luv۔ē ministrē, kud not rēfrān from wēp۔ing, wāil۔ing, lament۔ing – alθō it wuz un۔loful tū ekspres simpaθē fōr θe kondem۔t. Wen som ov θā ēven dār۔d tū folō along his sīd, Jēsus, hū had not spēk۔d a word sins bēing kondem۔t tū deθ bī Pīlat, turn۔d tū θā and sā۔d, “Doter۔s ov Jerūsalem, wēp not fōr mē, but raθer fōr yōrself۔s and yōr qīld۔s. Mī work iz dū۔d; sūn Ī gō tū mī Faθer. But, bēhōld, θe dā۔s iz kom۔ing wen yū۔s xal sā, ‘Blesed iz θe baren and θōs hūz brest۔s hav never sukel۔d θā’s bābē۔s.’ Sūn yū۔s wil prā θat rok۔s from θe hil۔s fal on yū۔s tū deliver yū۔s from yōr teror.” Far۔er along, az hē truj۔d along karē۔ing θe hevē krosbēm, Jēsus fēel۔d inkrēs۔bē wērē: hē had not ēt۔d sins θe last super wiθ his aposol۔s, nor had hē slēp۔d won wink θe prēvēus nīt, not tū menxun bēing bēt۔t, wip۔t and skurj۔t – al wiq sēm۔d mīnor kompār۔d tū his spiritūal disapōintment, āngwix at his impend۔ē tōrtur, and hyūman lōnlē۔nes. Sūn after pas۔ing θrū θe Dimaxk gāt, hē stager۔d, and fal۔d. Sōjōr۔s xout۔d, and kik۔d hē, but hē kud not arīz. Θe kaptin, no۔ing wut Jēsus had endur۔t, komand۔d θe sōjōr۔s tū desist, and sumon۔d a man (nām۔d Sīmon, from Sirēnē in nōrθern Afrika, visit۔ing Jerūsalem tū atend θe Pasōver) tū xōlder Jēsus’s krosbēm and karē it θe rēmān۔ōr ov θe wā up·hil tū Gōlgōθa. On θe hil, sōjōr۔s had finix۔d erekt۔ing in hōl۔s θe θrē vertikal timber۔s. Visibel bēyond wuz vila۔s ov θe welθ۔ē, and on θe oθer sīd ov θe rōd wuz larj ōrnāt tūm۔s. Non۔visibel tū al, heven۔ē hōst۔ōrs stand۔d bī in antisipāxun ov witnes۔ing Jēsus’s Erθ۔ē bestowal tū būst θe spiritūal level ov hyūmankīnd sūn tū end wiθ his ignōbel krētūr deθ az a kondem۔t krīminal. Sōjōr۔s first bind۔d Jēsus’s arm۔s wiθ kōrd۔s tū θe krosbēm, θen wiθ metal۔ē spīk۔s θā nāil۔d his hand۔s tū θe wōod. Θā hōist۔d θe krosbēm and nāil۔d it tū θe uprīt timber ov θe krūsifiks. Jēsus, sufer۔ing ekskūxēāt۔ē pāin, prā۔d, “Faθer, fōrgiv θā, bēkuz θā no not wut θā dū.” Sōjōr۔s bind۔d his ānkel۔s tū θe pōst, and hamer۔d won long metal۔ē spīk θrū bōθ ov his fōot۔s intū θe wōod. Mōst ov his maswāt wuz supōrt۔d bī a θik peg insert۔d intū θe pōst slīt۔bē bēlō his fōot۔s – slīt۔bē les θan bodēwāst-hīt from θe ground. Alīkwīz θā nāil۔d θe twū rob۔ōrs tū krūsifiks۔s on bōθ sīd۔s ov Jēsus. Θe kaptin θen nāil۔d θe wīt sīn۔s wiθ qarkōl inskrībxun۔s tū nēr θe top ov ēq krūsifiks. Bī θen it wuz mid۔mōrnin, Frīdā, 7 April, yēr 30. Marē, θe moθer ov Jēsus, at θat tīm arīv۔d wiθ her son Jūd and doter Rūθ. Sē۔ing θā, Jēsus smīl۔d. Mōr θen mōr Jūan۔s arīv۔d at θe sēn. Som sīlent۔lē waq۔d θe man۔s slō۔lē dī, wīel manē wag۔d θā’s hed۔s and dēnouns۔d Jēsus, sā۔ing, “Yū hū wud destrōē θe tempel and bild it agin in θrē dā۔s, sāv yōrself.” “If yū iz θe son ov God, wī dū yū not kom down from yōr krūsifiks?” Lēdrūel۔ōrs ov θe Jūan۔s mok۔d hē, sā۔ing, “Hē sāv۔d oθer۔s, but hiself hē kan·not sāv.” Oθer۔s sā۔d, “If yū iz θe king ov θe Jūan۔s, kom down from θe krūsifiks, and wē wil belēv in yū.” “Hē ēven klām۔d tū bē a son ov God, but lōok at hē now, krūsifī۔t bētwēn twū θēf۔s.” Jēsus dū۔d not rēplī tū θā’s tont۔s. Won ov θe brigandōr۔s sā۔d tū Jēsus, “If yū iz θe son ov God, wī dū yū not sāv yōrself and wē?” But θe oθer brigandōr kal۔d ōver tū hē, “Hav yū nō fēr ēven ov God? Dū yū not sē θat wē iz sufer۔ing fōr our dēd۔s, but θat θis man sufer un۔just۔lē? Beter θat wē xud sēk fōrgiv۔nes fōr our sin۔s and salvāxun fōr our sōul۔s.” Wen Jēsus smīl۔d at hē, θe brigandōr ad۔d, “Lōrd, rēmember mē wen yū kom intū yōr king۔dom.” Jēsus rēplī۔d, “Verilē, verilē, Ī sā tū yū, yū xal somtīm bē wiθ mē in Paradīs.” Won woman – a membōr ov a Jūan grūp θat opōz۔d krūsifikxun۔s az eksesiv۔lē krūel – hand۔d up on a pōl a sop ov narkotik wīn, but Jēsus, alθō θirst۔ē, rēfyūz۔d tū drink it. Bī lāt mōrnin ap won-θousand pēpel۔s had asembel۔d at θe bās ov θe hil tū witnes θe spektikal. Stand۔ing nēr Marē, Rūθ, and Jūd, wuz aposol Jon Zebedē and θōs hē had rēturn۔d wiθ, inklūd۔ing his moθer Salōmē, Marē θe wīf ov Klōpas and sister ov Jēsus’s moθer, Marē Magdalēn, Rebeka ov Sepōris, and oθer frend۔s. Jēsus lōok۔d down upon his moθer and sā۔d, “Woman, bēhōld yōr son!” Lōok۔ing at aposol Jon, hē sā۔d, “Mī son, bēhōld yōr moθer!” tū iterāt θat hē want۔d hē tū waqkār xē. Hē ad۔d, “Ī desīer θat yū۔s depart θis plās.” Sō Jūd lēd۔d θā’s moθer Marē awā, wīel θe oθer woman۔s wiθdro۔d a xōrt distans. Az nūn aprōq۔d, mōst ov θe antagonistik and kyurēus spektāt۔ōrs depart۔d fōr Pasōver prepārāxun۔s; bī nūn rēmān۔d ōnlē ap fiftē pēpel۔s. Θirtēn sōjōr۔s, setel۔ing down fōr θā’s long deθ waq, ēt۔d θā’s lunq and drink۔d qēp sour wīn (dub۔t vinegar), won derīsiv۔lē ofer۔ing a drinktōst, “Hāil and gōod fōrtūn tū θe king ov Jūan۔s!” Jēsus, lōok۔ing down upon θā, sā۔d, “Ī θirst,” upon wiq θe kaptin flōpōr۔d wīn ontū a sponj, ataq۔d tū θe end ov his javelin, and rāz۔d it sō θat Jēsus kud mōisten his parq۔d lip۔s. Sūn after nūn θe skī darken۔d from fīn sand in θe ār, karē۔t bī hot wind۔s from θe Rub al-kalē desert, a komon fenomenon, alθō it wuz erlē in θe sand·storm sēson. Az θe skī furθer darken۔d and kut۔ing sand wip۔d θrū θe ār, mōst ov θe spektāt۔ōrs hāsten۔d bak tū θe sitē, lēv۔ing ōnlē Jēsus’s sister Rūθ and broθer Jūd (hū had rēturn۔d), Jon Zebedē and his moθer Salōmē, Marē Magdalēn, Rebeka, and nīn oθer woman۔s. Won klokhour after nūn θe skī wuz sō dark θat θe sun wuz blok۔t out. Jēsus’s hyūman konxusnes bēgin۔d tū fād. Uter۔d hē, “Mī God, mī God, wī hav yū fōrsāk۔d mē?” A kupel ov klokhour۔s lāter, mid۔afternūn, hē kal۔d out in a loud vōis, “It iz finix۔d! Faθer, intū yōr hand۔s Ī komend mī spērit.” Θen Jēsus bow۔d his hed, and relinkwix۔d his mōrtal līf. *
After θe
deθ ov Jēsus, az θe sand·storm abāt۔d
and θe skī brīten۔d,
aposol Jon send۔d
θe
woman۔s tū
θe hōm ov
Elīja Mark, wār θā wuz welkom tū tārē dur θe Sabaθ dā, Jon rēmān۔ing at θe
krūsifikxun
sītplās. Θe Jūan rēlijon lēd۔ōrs wuz worē۔d θat ded bodē۔s wud bē lēv۔t ekspōz۔t after sunset,
in vīōlāxun
ov θā’s ritūal, θus θā go۔d
bēfōr govern۔ōr
Pīlat
rēkwest۔ing
θat sōjōr۔s
brāk θe leg۔s
ov θe θrē krūsifī۔d
man۔s, θat
θe karkas۔s
bē rēmūv۔t
from θā’s krūsifiks۔s
and karē۔t
souθ ov θe sitē and, az
wuz kustomārē fōr krūsifikxun viktim۔s,
dump۔t intū
θe
krīminal pit۔s
(wār θā
wud bē ekspōz۔t
tū
wīld bēst۔s). Pīlat agrē۔d,
and dispaq۔d
θrē sōjōr۔s
tū Gōlgōθa, hū brāk۔d
θe leg۔s ov
θe twū θēf۔s,
θerbī kil۔ing
θā, but diskover۔d
Jēsus alredē ded; tū bē
sertin, won ov θe sōjōr۔s
pērs۔d
Jēsus’s leftsīd
wiθ a spēr. Pīlat wuz nekst visit۔t bī Nikōdemus
and Jōsef ov
Arimaθēa – bōθ fōrmer membōr۔s
ov θe Sanhedrin, but belēv۔ōrs
in Jēsus, Jōsef’s doter bēing a membōrm ov θe woman۔s’ kontinjent –
ask۔ing θat
Jēsus’s bodē bē giv۔t
tū θā fōr proper
burēal. Jōsef, hū ōn۔d a nū familē
tūm in his
garden on a hilsīd nēr θe krūsifikxun sītplās, had bring۔d wiθ hē a larj
amount ov monē fōr a brīb (a
komon praktis fōr θōs hū wix۔d
tū spār θā’s krūsifī۔t
kin۔s from
θe pit۔s);
Pīlat rēfyūz۔d
θe monē, yet signatūr۔d
θe permixun
dokyūment. Wen Jōsef and Nikōdemus arīv۔d at Gōlgōθa,
sōjōr۔s wuz
rēmūv۔ing
Jēsus’s bodē from θe krūsifiks,
wīel representativ۔s
ov θe Sanhedrin stand۔d
bī sō θat nun ov Jēsus’s folō۔ōrs
kud prēvent his bodē from bēing karē۔d
tū θe krīminal burēal pit۔s.
Wen Jōsef prezent۔d θe posexun
dokyūment tū θe kaptin, θe Jūan۔s rāz۔d a tūmult and
klamor۔d fōr
posexun, and wen θe
kaptin rēfyūz۔d,
θā
vīōlent۔lē
trī۔d tū sēz
θe bodē, wenupon
θe kaptin komand۔d
fōur ov sōjōr۔s,
θā’s
sōrd۔s dis۔xēθ۔t, tū gard
Jēsus’s bodē az it lā۔d
on θe hil۔ē
ground, wīel oθer sōjōr۔s qās۔d awā θe fyurēus
Jūan۔sIt wuz lāt afternūn wen θe entombment prosexun ov Jēsus ov Nazareθ start۔d from Gōlgōθa. Jēsus’s bodē, rap۔d in a linen xēt, wuz karē۔d bī Jōsef, Nikōdemus, Jon Zebedē, and θe Rōman kaptin, folō۔d bī fāθful woman۔s from Galilē, a xōrt distans nōrθ۔ward, akros θe rōd lēd۔ing tū Samarēa. Jōsef’s familē tūm, not yet yūtilīz۔t, wuz hyū۔t out ov solid rok. Θā karē۔d θe bodē intū it’s qāmber (ap θrē skwār mēter۔s) and put۔d it on a rok xelf. Bēkuz Jūan۔s embalm۔d (not burē۔d) θā’s ded, θe woman۔s rap۔d θe bodē wiθ bandaj۔s satūrāt۔d in θe mer and alō۔s θat θā had bring۔d, tī۔d a napkin ōver Jēsus’s fās, and rē۔rap۔d θe bodē in θe linen xēt. Θe kaptin θen signal۔d his sōjōr۔s tū rōl θe hyūj sirkyūlar stōn, intū a grūv qizel۔d intū θe rok, tū blok θe tūm’s entrans. Θe sōjōr۔s θen rēturn۔d tū Gōlgōθa tū kolekt θe bodē۔s ov θe brigandōr۔s and transpōrt θā tū θe pit۔s. Jōsef, Nikōdemus, and Jon and mōst ov θe woman۔s rēturn۔d tū Jerūsalem fōr θe Pasōver. Linger۔ing wuz Marē Magdalēn, Marē θe wīf ov Klōpas, Marθa (anoθer sister ov Jēsus’s moθer), and Rebeka ov Sepōris; θā konsider۔d θat Jēsus’s bodē had not bin proper۔lē prepār۔d, θus after nītfal az θā wak۔d bak tū θe sitē θā agrē۔d tū prepār spīs۔s and ōintment۔s and rēturn on θe dā after θe Sabaθ. Muq lāter θat Frīdā nīt, after θe Pasōver super, a grūp ov Jūan lēd۔ōrs gaθer۔d at θe hōm ov Kīafas tū diskus θā’s fēr۔s rēgard۔in Jēsus’s aserxun۔s θat hē wud rīz from θe ded on θe θird dā. Lest Jēsus’s disīpel۔s stēl his bodē and θen prōklām hē wuz alīv, and θe multitūd bē swā۔t, θā desīd۔d tū petixun Pīlat erlē θe nekst mōrnin tū pōst sōjōr۔s around θe tūm’s entrans. Dur θe Sabaθ dā almōst won and won-haf milyon Jūan۔s wuz present in Jerūsalem, hāil۔ing from al part۔s ov θe Rōma۔ē empīer and Mesopōtāmēa, and al diskus۔d θe deθ ov Jēsus on θe krūsifiks. At an erlē mōrnin mēt۔in govern۔ōr Pīlat aksēd۔d tū θe Sanhedrin’s rēkwest bī dispaq۔ing ten sōjōr۔s tū gard θe tūm entrans, tū wiq θe Sanhedrin ad۔d ten tempel gard۔ōrts; at θe tūm θā rōl۔d a sekond stōn in front ov θe first, and set۔d θe seāl ov Pīlat on and around bōθ stōn۔s. Marē θe moθer ov Jēsus, wiθ her qīld۔s Jūd and Rūθ, rēturn۔d tū Beθanē tū jōin θe rēmān۔ōr ov θā’s familē. Θe oθer Galilēen woman۔s prepār۔d spīs۔s at θe hōm ov Jōsef ov Arimaθēa. Θat afternūn Jon Mark kontakt۔d θe eleven aposol۔s, and slīt۔bē bēfōr mid۔nīt θā al asembel۔d at θe hōm ov his faθer Elīja, in θe up۔er qāmber wār θā had partāk۔d ov Jēsus’s last super. Θe qēf ark۔anjel ov θe lōkal yūnivers ov Nebedon, θen present on Urantēa (planet Erθ), sumon۔d a kounsil ov ark۔anjel۔s, līf karē۔ōrs, and θā’s vārēus asōxēāt۔s in θe work ov krētūr rehabilitation and mōrontēa krēāxun, tū konsider posibel teknēk۔s fōr θe restorāxun ov Jēsus. Θā dētermin۔d θat θā kud dū noθin tū fasilitāt his resurekxun, and aksept۔d θe ōpinyon ov ānjel Gābrēel, θat bēkuz Jēsus had lā۔d down his krētūr līf ov his ōn frē wil, his spērit retān۔d θe power tū tāk it up agin. Jēsus’s divīn indwel۔ing presens konfirm۔d θe konklūxun. Dur Sundā mōrnin not long after mid۔nīt arīv۔d at θe tūm sītplās seven personalitē۔s from θe Paradīs inkarnāxun komixun. Sūn, intens vībrāxun۔s ov blend۔t matērēal and mōrontēa aktivitē ixyū۔d from insīd θe tūm. A fyū minut۔s lāter θe resurekt۔t mōrontēa fōrm and personalitē ov Jēsus ov Nazareθ kom۔d fōrθ from θe tūm. Mōrontēa iz θe transixunal stāt bētwēn matērēal and spiritūal, a waystation bētwēn fizikal deθ and spiritūal kontinyūans (fōr θōs hū kwalifī); it’s fōrm, alθō not a spērit, iz nōrmal۔lē non۔visibel tū hyūman۔s, θerfōr θe ten Rōman sōjōr۔s and ten tempel gard۔ōrts on waqful nīt dūtē nēθer sē۔d nor ērhēr۔d anēθin non۔yūsūal. Θe sēal۔d stōn۔s stil blok۔d θe tūm ōpen۔in, and insīd stil lā۔d on θe sepulker xelf θe dēkā۔ing fizikal bodē – bī θen ōnlē a diskard۔d outer kover wiθ nō furθer konekxun tū θe resurekt۔t mōrontēa personalitē ov Jēsus. Az a nū۔lē fōrm۔t mōrontēa personalitē, Jēsus’s first akt wuz tū grēt ānjel Gābrēel. Hē θen spēk۔d θe first word۔s ov his post۔mōrtal karēr, “Hav۔ing finix۔d mī līf in θe flex, Ī wud tārē hēr in transixunal fōrm θat Ī mā mōr ful۔lē no θe līf ov mī asendent krētūr۔s and furθer rēvēl θe wil ov mī Faθer in Paradīs.” Θen bēgin۔d his inixēāxun intū θe mōrontēa world, a proses θat rēkwīer۔d mōr θan won klokhour ov Erθ tīm. Az Jēsus fraternīz۔d wiθ θe asembel۔d mōrontēa personalitē۔s, θe qēf ov θe ark۔anjel۔s dētermin۔d θat, rēgard۔in θe fizikal bodē stil insīd θe tūm, raθer θan emplōē θe teknēk ov dis۔matērēalīzāxun, θā wud insted invōk θe proses ov akselerāt۔ing tīm; wen θe nesesārē permixun۔s wuz fōrθkūmē, θe aprōprēat selestēal personalitē۔s inixēāt۔d an akselerāxun ov tīm sō grāt θat θe dēkompōzixun proses θat wud hav rēkwīer۔d yēr۔s wuz akomplix۔t almōst instantānēus۔lē: Jēsus’s fōrmer bodē bēkum۔d dust. It θen rēmān۔d fōr θe sekondārē midwāōr۔s tū rōl awā θe entrans stōn۔s. Θe resurekxun ov Jēsus from animal tū mōrontēa fōrm wuz not ekstraordinārē, but ōrdinārē – a fakt ov hyūman eksistens θat Jēsus sēk۔d tū demonstrāt. Al pēpel۔s, upon fizikal deθ, ekspērēens suq a transfōrmāxun. Transixunal mōrontēa bodē۔s dū not hav sirkyūlāt۔ing blod, nor nēd matērēal fūd, but θā iz neverθeles rēal, and in sertin kondixun۔s visibel and odibel. In al θat iz personal, masmater iz θe skeleton ov mōrontēa, and bōθ iz θe rēflekt۔t xadō ov endur۔ē spērit rēalitē. Tīm iz θe mūv۔ing imaj ov ēternitē, and spās θe flētin xadō ov Paradīs rēalitē۔s. It iz from θe intermēdēarē mōrontēa stāt θat θōs hū kwalifī tū rēsēv θe gift ov ēternal līf advans tū θe first level ov θe manē pyūr۔lē spiritūal stāt۔s, θrū wiq θā wil progresiv۔lē asend tōward God in Paradīs, θen rēturn, level bī level, az spiritūal tēq۔ōrs. At θe tūm, in θe līt ov erlē don, wen θe waqful Jūan gard۔ōrs and θe Rōman sōjōr۔s sē۔d θe hyūj outer stōn bēgin tū rōl awā, apārent۔lē ov it’s ōn akord, from θe kāv's ōpen۔in, θā wuz sēz۔d wiθ fēr and panik. Al flē۔d θe sēn az fast az θā’s leg۔s wud karē θā, hed۔ing down·hil tū θe sitē. Θat Sundā don fīv woman۔s – Marē Magdalēn, Marē θe moθer ov θe Alfeus twin۔s, Salōmē θe moθer ov θe θrē Zebedē broθer۔s, Jōana θe wīf ov Qūz, and Sūzana θe doter ov Ezra ov Aleksandrēa – start۔d out from θe hous ov Jōsef, wār θā had spend۔d θe Sabaθ in seklūxun prepār۔ing spīs۔s and ōintment۔s, and hed۔d nōrθ۔ward θrū almōst emptē strēt۔s. Sūn after θā pas۔d θrū θe Dimaxk gāt, twentē wepon۔t sōjōr۔s and gard۔ōrs kom۔d run۔ing tōward θā at top spēd az θō bēing qās۔d bī a līon. Az θe dust setel۔d from θā’s pas۔ing, θe woman۔s poz۔d, ankxus, wonder۔ing outloud wut nūz θā mā hav mis۔d, but θā brāv۔lē desīd۔d tū kontinyū onward, az θā’s worē۔s turn۔d tū hū wud rōl awā θe dōr stōn. Upon arīv۔ing at θe tūm θā wuz amāz۔d tū sē bōθ stōn۔s rōl۔d asīd and θe entrans ōpen. Set۔ing down θā’s bundel۔s ov embalm۔in lotions and linen bandaj۔s, θā trembel۔d wiθ fēr. Marē Magdalēn fīnal۔lē wak۔d around θe smal۔er stōn and dār۔d tū enter θe ōpen sepulker; wen her ī۔s ajust۔d tū θe dark, xē sē۔d θat on θe xelf wār Jēsus’s bodē had lā۔d wuz ōnlē grāv kloθ۔s. Xē uter۔d a krī ov alarm, and run۔d out ov θe tūm, eksklām۔ing, “Hē iz go۔t! Θā hav tāk۔d hē!” Θe oθer۔s ventūr۔d insīd and konfirm۔d θat θe bodē wuz mis۔in. Bak outsīd, diskus۔ing θe misterē, θā suspekt۔d θe bodē had bin mūv۔t, but θā kud not akount fōr θe rēmān۔ē grāv kloθ۔s. Az θā dā brīten۔d, θā nōtis۔d nērbī a sīlent mōxun۔les strānjōrt. At first afrād, Marē Magdalēn, θink۔ing hē kud bē θe garden kārtākōr, ask۔d, “Wār hav θā tāk۔d θe mastōr?” Wen θe strānjōr dū۔d not anser, Marē, ōverkom bī θe sitūāxun, bēgin۔d tū wēp. Θen sā۔d Jēsus, “Hū dū yū sēk?” Marē anser۔d, “Jēsus, hū wuz lā۔t tū rest in Jōsef’s tūm, but hē iz go۔t. Dū yū no wār θā hav tāk۔d hē?” Jēsus sā۔d, “Dū۔d not θis Jēsus tel yū, ēven in Galilē, θat hē wud dī, but θat hē wud rīz agin?” Θe word۔s startel۔d θe woman۔s, but Jēsus, his bak turn۔d tū θe erlē mōrnin dim līt, his mōrontēa fōrm muq les distinkt θan a nōrmal fizikal fōrm, wuz sō qānj۔t θat θā dū۔d not yet rekognīz hē. Az θā ponder۔d his word۔s, hē adres۔d Magdalēn wiθ a familyar vōis, sā۔ing, “Marē.” And wen xē ērhēr۔d θat word ov wel-no۔t simpaθē and afekxunat grēt۔in, xē no۔d it wuz θe vōis ov Jēsus, and xē rux۔d tū nēel at his fōot۔s, eksklām۔ing, “Mī Lōrd, and mī mastōr!” Θe oθer woman۔s alīkwīz rekognīz۔d θat Jēsus stand۔d in front ov θā in glōrēfī۔t fōrm, and θā alsō nēel۔d. Θā’s hyūman ī۔s wuz enābel۔d tū sē θe mōrontēa fōrm ov Jēsus bēkuz ov θe spexal ministrē ov θe transfōrm۔ōrs and θe midwāōr۔s in asōxēāxun wiθ sertin mōrontēa personalitē۔s θen akompanē۔ing hē. Marē start۔d tū embrās Jēsus’s fōot۔s, but hē sā۔d, “Tuq mē not, Marē, fōr Ī iz not az yū no۔d mē in θe flex. In θis fōrm wil Ī tārē fōr a sēson bēfōr Ī asend tū θe Faθer. Gō, al ov yū۔s, now, and tel mī aposol۔s – and Pēter – θat Ī hav rīz۔d, and θat yū۔s hav talk۔d wiθ mē.” At θe fōrtres ov Antonia, wen θe Rōman kaptin rēpōrt۔d fōr work, hē diskover۔d tū his surpriz θe ten sōjōr۔s hē had dispaq۔d tū gard Jēsus’s tūm had rēturn۔d. Al talk۔ing at wons, wiθ grāt angzīetē, in a mōst non۔disiplinārē maner, θā rēpōrt۔d θat θe tūm’s dōr stōn had rōl۔d awā bī itself – wenupon θā flē۔d. Elswār in θe awāk۔ing sitē on θat dā ov θe Pasōver, θe tempel gard۔ōrs hū had alīkwīz flē۔d θe sēn, al first tū θā’s hōm۔s, arīv۔d bī prē۔aranjment at θe hōm ov Kīafas, and eksīt۔lē rēlāt۔d θā’s stōrē ov θe self۔mūv۔ing outer tūm entrans stōn. Kīafas, raθer θan punix θā fōr dezert۔ing θā’s pōst, brīb۔d θā, instrukt۔ing θā tū sā, “Dur θe nīt wīel wē slēp۔d, his disīpel۔s kom۔d upon wē and tāk۔d awā θe bodē.” But hē fēr۔d θat suq an ēvent wud bē difikult tū kēp sēkret: θe tempel gard۔ōrs had presūm۔ablē alredē tel۔d θā’s familē۔s, and hē had nō klēr meθod ov brīb۔ing θe ten Rōman sōjōr۔s. Wen θe fīv woman, hū had sē۔d Jēsus’s mōrontēa fōrm, arīv۔d bak in Jerūsalem at θe hōm ov Elīja Mark, ten aposol۔s (al eksept Tomas, hū had nēd۔d tū grēv alōn) wuz aslēp on θe kouq۔s in θe up۔er qāmber. Ērhēr۔ing θe eksīt۔ē woman۔s’ stōrē, θā dū۔d not belēv θā, konsider۔ing θat θe woman۔s had sē۔d a vijon. But wen Marē Magdalēn rēpēt۔d Jēsus’s word۔s, Pēter ērhēr۔d his nām, and rux۔d out ov θe hous, folō۔d klōs۔lē bī aposol Jon, and θā run۔d tōward θe tūm and sē fōr θāself۔s. Jon, yung۔er, outrun۔d Pēter and arīv۔d first, tārē۔ing at θe dōr. Pēter sūn arīv۔d, and enter۔d θe emptē tūm, nōtis۔ing θe grāv kloθ۔s sō pekyūlyar۔lē arānj۔t. Outsīd, az θā sit۔d on a stōn, Pēter sujest۔d θat enemē۔s had stēl۔d θe bodē, but Jon rēson۔d θat suq a θērē dū۔d not eksplān۔d θe grāv kloθ۔s lēv۔d intakt, az θō Jēsus had disintegrāt۔d. Θā hed۔d bak tū tel θe oθer aposol۔s. Bī θen θe woman۔s wuz arīv۔ing at θe hous ov Nikōdemus, wār θā rēpōrt۔d wut θā had sē۔d tū Nikōdemus, Jōsef ov Arimaθēa (hū had turn۔d his hous ōver tū θe woman۔s), Dāvid Zebedē, and oθer man۔s present. Dāvid and Jōsef wuz dispōs۔d tū belēv θe rēpōrt, θus θā hurē۔d out tū inspekt θe tūm, and diskover۔d evrēθin eksakt۔lē az θe woman۔s had deskrīb۔d. Θe twū man۔s θen hāsten۔d tū θe hōm ov Elīja Mark, and in θe up۔er qāmber konfer۔d wiθ θe ten aposol۔s. Ōnlē Jon Zebedē wuz dispōs۔d tū belēv, ēven fānt۔lē, θat Jēsus had rīz۔d from θe ded. Θe oθer۔s konsider۔d it probabel θat θe Jūan۔s, hū had bin enrāj۔t at not bēing ābel tū dispōs ov θe bodē in θe krīminal pit۔s, had stēl۔d it and dump۔d it θer. Dāvid Zebedē sā۔d, “Yū۔s iz θe aposol۔s – yū۔s ot tū komprēhend θēz θing۔s. Ī wil now gō bak tū θe hōm ov Nikōdemus, wār Ī hav arānj۔d fōr θe mesajōr۔s tū asembel θis mōrnin, and dispaq θā, on θā’s last mixun, az herald۔s ov Jēsus’s resurekxun. Ī ērhēr۔d θe mastōr sā θat, after hē dī۔d, hē wud rīz on θe θird dā, and Ī belēv hē.” Θus dū۔d θe self۔apōint۔t qēf ov komyūnikāxun and spī۔ing, after drop۔ing Jūdas Iskārēot’s bag kontān۔ing al θe apostolik fund۔s in θe lap ov aposol Maθyū Levi, depart θe dējekt۔ē and fōrlorn ambasadōr۔s ov θe king۔dom. Bak at θe hōm ov Nikōdemus, Dāvid, after eksplān۔ing tū his 26 run۔ōrs al hē had sē۔d and ērhēr۔d, dispaq۔d θā tū al belēv۔ōr senter۔s – from Bērxēba in θe souθ tū Sidon and Dimaxk in θe nōrθ, from Filadelfia in θe ēst, tū Aleksandrēa in θe souθ·west, and θrūout Kānan – wiθ θe mesaj ov Jēsus’s resurekxun. Dāvid and his moθer Salōmē θenupon hed۔d tū Beθanē tū jōin θe familē ov Jēsus. Som dū۔d not mis θe īronē θat θe first atempt at sōxalīzāxun ov θe gospel ov θe king۔dom and θe sib۔hōod ov pēpel۔s wuz not bī θe qūz۔t aposol۔s, but bī lāman۔s. Θe komand۔ōr ov θe tempel gard۔ōrs, dispaq۔t bī θe hī prēst, visit۔d Jēsus’s tūm, rēmūv۔d θe grāv۔s kloθ۔s, rap۔d θā in linen xēt, and hurl۔d θā ōver a nērbī klif. Ap nūn at θe hous ov Marθa and Marē at Beθanē, wār tārē۔d Jēsus’s familē, a mesajōr arīv۔d, anouns۔ing, “Jēsus hav rīz۔d from θe ded! Θe tūm iz emptē!” Dur θe eksīt۔ē diskuxun ov θe startel۔ing nūz, Marē Magdalēn arīv۔d, and sūn afterward Dāvid and Salōmē, al ad۔ing θā’s stōrē۔s. Rūθ ful۔lē belēv۔d θe rēpōrt۔s, az dū۔d Jūd. Jēsus’s moθer Marē dint no wut tū θink. Jēsus’s broθer Jāms, ponder۔ing, wander۔d out tū θe garden nēr θe tūm from wiq Lazarus had bin resurekt۔d, and sūn bēkum۔d awār ov a nērbī presens, az if sombodē had tuq۔d his xōlder; wen hē turn۔d tū lōok, hē bēhōld۔d θe gradūal apērans ov a strānj fōrm bī his sīd. Hē wuz tyū muq amāz۔d tū spēk and tyū afrād tū flē. Θe strānj fōrm spēk۔d, sā۔ing, “Jāms, Ī kom tū kal yū tū θe servis ov θe king۔dom. Jōin ernest hand۔s wiθ yōr breθren and folō after mē.” Jāms rekognīz۔d klēr۔lē θe vōis ov his ōld۔er broθer. Eksklām۔ing, “Mī faθer and mī broθer!” hē start۔d tū nēel, but Jēsus bid۔d hē stand, and, az θā strōl۔d θrū θe garden θā konvers۔d about fōrmer ekspērēens۔s and nēr-fyūtūr ēvent۔s. Nēr۔ing θe hous, Jēsus sā۔d, “Fārwel, Jāms, until Ī grēt yūs al tūgeθer.” Jāms rux۔d insīd, eksklām۔ing: “Ī justnow sē۔d Jēsus, and talk۔d wiθ hē! Hē vanix۔d bēfōr mē, sā۔ing, ‘Fārwel until Ī grēt yūs al tūgeθer!’” Dāvid deklār۔d, “Hē iz sē۔d not ōnlē bī eksīt۔abel woman۔s, but bī strong hart۔ē man۔s! Ī ekspekt tū sē hē mīself!” Not kwīt twū klokhour۔s lāter, az twentē kin۔s and frend۔s sit۔d in θe hous, θrū θe ōpen rēr dōr wak۔d Jēsus, sā۔ing “Pēas bē wiθ yū۔s. Grēt۔ins tū θōs wons nēr mē in θe flex and felōxip fōr mī broθer۔s and sister۔s in θe king۔dom ov heven. How kud yū۔s dout? Wī hav yū۔s linger۔d sō long bēfōr hōlhart۔ē qūs۔ing tū folō θe līt ov trūθ? Kom, θerfōr, al ov yū۔s intū θe felōxip ov θe spērit ov trūθ in θe Faθer’s king۔dom.” Az θā rēkover۔d from xok and astonixment, and mūv۔d tōward hē az if tū embrās hē, hē vanix۔d from θā’s sīt. Dur eksītment θat folō۔d, manē want۔d tū prōklām tū al θe fakt ov his resurekxun, atlēst tū θe dout۔ing aposol۔s, but Jāms, Marē’s sekond ōld۔est, rēstrān۔d θā, sītreferens۔ing, wiθout spesifī۔s, θing۔s Jēsus had sā۔d tū hē in θe garden. Θus ōnlē Marē Magdalēn rēturn۔d tū Jerūsalem. It wuz past mid۔afternūn wen Marē Magdalēn arīv۔d bak at θe hōm ov Jōsef ov Arimaθēa, wār, wiθ Jāms’ permixun and after swār۔ing θe ap 25 woman۔s gaθer۔d θer tū sēkresē, lonq۔d intū her θril۔ē stōrē. Az xē spēk۔d, a hux desend۔d upon θā, and apēr۔d bēfōr θā θe fōrm ov Jēsus. Hē grēt۔d θā, sā۔ing: “Pēas bē upon yū۔s. In θe felōxip ov θe king۔dom θer xal bē nēθer Jūan nor jentīl, riq nor pōr, frē nor bond۔t, man nor woman. Yū۔s alsō iz kal۔d tū spred θe gōod nūz ov θe libertē ov hyūmankīnd θrū θe gospel ov θe king۔dom ov heven. Gō tū al θe world prōklām۔ing θis gospel and konfirm۔ing belēv۔ōrs in θā’s fāθ. Wīel yū۔s dū θis, fōrget not tū minister tū θe sik and strenkθen θe fānthart۔ē and fērful. Ī wil bē wiθ yū۔s alwās, ēven tū θe end۔s ov θe Erθ.” Θen hē vanix۔d, az θe woman bow۔d and worxip۔d in sīlens. Haf a klokhour lāter at θe hōm ov Flavēus, wiq Jēsus had manē okāxun۔s visit۔d, ap fōrtē Helasan belēv۔ōrs wuz asembel۔d, inklūd۔ing manē hū at Geθsemān had rux۔d out ov θā’s tent۔s tū dēfend Jēsus wen θe sōjōr۔s arīv۔d. Alθō Flavēus’ hous’s outer dōr۔s wuz al sekyūr۔lē fasen۔d, θā rēsēv۔d a visit۔ōr: Jēsus ov Nazareθ manifest۔d in θā’s midst, grēt۔ing θā, “Pēas bē upon yū۔s.” Hē kontinyū۔d, “Alθō θe son ov man apēr۔d in θe world among Jūan۔s, hē kom۔d tū minister tū al pēpel۔s. In θe king۔dom ov mī Faθer θer xal bē nēθer Jūan nor jentīl; yū۔s wil al bē breθren – qīld۔s ov God. Gō yū۔s, θerfōr, tū al θe world, prōklām۔ing θis gospel ov salvāxun az yū۔s hav rēsēv۔d it from θe ambasadōr۔s ov θe king۔dom, and Ī wil felōxip yū۔s in θe broθer۔hōod ov θe Faθer’s son۔s ov fāθ and trūθ.” Θen hē vanix۔d. O۔t, θe Helasan۔s setel۔d intū ernest diskuxun. Ap won klokhour lāter, lāt afternūn, on θe rōd tū Emāus, ap 11 kilō۔mēter۔s west۔ward ov Jerūsalem, twū broθer۔s, bōθ xeperd۔s, wak۔d along on θā’s wā hōm from θe Pasōver wēk in Jerūsalem after atend۔ing θe sakrifīs۔s, seremōnē۔s, and fēst. Θā wuz debāt۔ing about Jēsus –Klēōpas, hav۔ing ērhēr۔d Jēsus tēq several okāxun۔s, bēing a parxal belēv۔ōr, his yung۔er broθer Jākob insist۔ing θat θe rūmor۔s ov resurekxun wuz a frod. Jēsus apēr۔d, wak۔ing bēsīd θā, and ask۔d, “Wut wuz θe word۔s yū۔s eksqānj۔d sō intent۔lē az Ī kom۔d upon yū۔s?” Rēplī۔d Klēōpas, “Kan it bē θat yū sōjorn۔d in Jerūsalem and no not θe θing۔s θat hav rēsent۔lē hapen۔d?” Ask۔d Jēsus, “Wut θing۔s?” Klēōpas anser۔d, “Jēsus ov Nazareθ, a profet mīt۔ē in word and in dēd, wuz deliver۔t bī θe qēf prēst۔s tū θe Rōman۔s, hū krūsifī۔d hē. Manē ov wē had hōp۔d it wuz hē hū wud deliver wē from θe yōk ov θe jentīl۔s. Θōs hū visit۔d his tūm diskover۔d it emptē, and rūmor۔s iz swirl۔ing θat hē rēvīv۔d from deθ.” Jēsus θen, az θā wak۔d along, sumarīz۔d fōr θā som ov his tēq۔ins. Wen θā arīv۔d at θā’s humbel abōd, θe sun wuz set۔ing, and θe broθer۔s invīt۔d Jēsus in fōr a mēal. Az θā sit۔d at θe tābel, Klēōpas rekognīz۔d Jēsus, eksklām۔ing, “It iz θe mastōr!” – upon wiq Jēsus vanix۔d from sīt. Agrē۔d θe broθer۔s tū ēq oθer, “Dū۔d not our hart۔s burn wiθin wē az hē ōpen۔d our komprēhenxun tū θe skriptūr۔s?” Θā hurē۔d from θe hous, hed۔ing bak tū Jerūsalem tū herald θe nūz. Az θe skī darken۔d, θe glūm ov θe ten aposol۔s, in θe up۔er qāmber ov θe Mark hous, dēpen۔d. Stā۔ing in seklūxun tū avōid arest, nūz rēq۔ing θā wuz minimal, and θā rēalīz۔d how dependent θā had bin on Dāvid’s mesajōr۔s. Pēter vasilāt۔d bētwēn belēv۔ing and dout۔ing θat Jēsus wuz alīv; hē wuz āk۔ing under θe rēalīzāxun θat hē had bētrā۔d Jēsus, wonder۔ing ēven weθer hē wuz stil an aposol, wonder۔ing weθer Jēsus, if hē had indēd rīz۔d, wuz stā۔ing awā bēkuz ov his bētrāl; in dark mōment۔s hē kompār۔d hiself tū Jūdas Iskārēot. Jon Zebedē, mōr upbeat, rēmember۔d fīv okāxun۔s wen Jēsus had sā۔d hē wud rīz agin, and θrē okāxun۔s wen hē alūd۔d tū θe θird dā; hē tend۔d tū belēv θat Jēsus wuz alīv, az dū۔d θe Alfeus twin۔s, hū sā۔d, “Our moθer tel۔d wē xē talk۔d tū θe mastōr, and wē belēv xē.” Jāms Zebedē fāvor۔d gō۔ing tū θe tūm, bī kover ov nītfal, az kē tū solv۔ing θe misterē, but Naθanēel rēmīnd۔d θā θat Jēsus had warn۔d θā aganst non۔nesesārē۔lē jepardīz۔ing θā’s līf۔s, and his advīs prēvāl۔d. Andrū, grātful tū bē rēlēv۔t from θe burden ov lēdōrxip, fēel۔d perpleks۔d, θus sā۔d litel. Sīmon Zelotes wuz krux۔t bī θe rēalīzāxun θat, weθer ōr not Jēsus had rēvīv۔d, hē wud sertin۔lē never lēd a Jūan armē tū ekspel θe Rōman۔s; hē rēmān۔d rēklīn۔ing on a kouq in a kōrner ov θe rūm fās۔ing θe wal, despondent. Θe yūsūal۔bē ekspresiv Filip kontinyū۔d his babel۔ing ov muq ov θe dā, wonder۔ing outloud, fōreks, weθer Jēsus’s rēvīv۔d bodē wud rēvēl fizikal mark۔s ov θe krūsifikxun. Maθyū wuz sāv۔d from distres bēkuz ov his fiksāxun on θe urjent problem ov θe aposol۔s’ fyūtūr fīnans۔s, fōr wiq hē wuz suden۔lē komplēt۔lē rēsponsibel. Tomas not had rēturn۔d. After a pērēod, Pēter go۔d outsīd tū θe garden, brūd۔ing. Az hē strōl۔d among θe flower۔s and xrub۔s, apēr۔d in front ov hē θe xāp ov a man, hū wiθ a familyar vōis sā۔d, “Pēter, θe enemē desīer۔d tū poses yū, but Ī wud not giv yū up. Ī no۔d it wuz not from θe hart θat yū dis۔ōn۔d mē; θerfōr Ī fōrgiv۔d yū ēven bēfōr yū ask۔d. But now must yū sēs tū θink about yōrself and θe trubel ov θe klokhour wīel yū prepār tū karē θe gōod nūz ov θe gospel tū θōs hū sit in dark۔nes. Bē konsern۔t nōlonger wiθ wut yū mā obtān from θe king۔dom but raθer wut yū kan giv tū θōs hū resīd in dīer spiritūal povertē. Gird yōrself fōr θe batel ov a nū dā, θe strugel aganst spiritūal dark۔nes and ēvil dout۔s.” Pēter and θe mōrontēa Jēsus strōl۔d θrū θe garden and talk۔d ov θing۔s past, present, and fyūtūr dur almōst fīv minut۔s. Jēsus konklūd۔d, “Fārwel, Pēter, until Ī sē yū wiθ yōr breθren,” and vanix۔d from his gāz. Pēter, eksilarāt۔d θat Jēsus had rē۔eksōrt hē tū prēq θe gospel, hurē۔d bak up·stār۔s, eksklām۔ing, “Ī hav sē۔d θe mastōr! Hē wuz in θe garden! Ī talk۔d wiθ hē, and hē fōrgiv۔d mē!” Θe aposol۔s fēel۔d grāt۔lē enkouraj۔d, but Andrū warn۔d θat his yung۔er broθer Pēter tend۔d tū konfūs vijon۔s wiθ rēalitē – alūd۔ing tū Pēter’s bēlēf θat Jēsus had wak۔d on water. Pēter, krestfalen, laps۔d sīlent, but θe twin۔s ofer۔d hē simpaθē and iterāt۔d θā’s bēlēf θat θā’s moθer had alsō sē۔d Jēsus. Suden۔lē Jēsus apēr۔d among θā, sā۔ing, “Pēas bē upon yū۔s. Wī iz yū۔s sō afrād wen Ī apēr, az θō yū۔s had sē۔d a spērit? Dū۔d Ī not tel yū۔s about θēz θing۔s wen Ī wuz present wiθ yū۔s in θe flex? Dū۔d Ī not sā tū yū۔s θat θe qēf prēst۔s and θe lēdrūel۔ōrs wud deliver mē up tū bē kil۔t, θat won ov yū۔s wud bētrā mē, and θat on θe θird dā Ī wud rīz? Wī al yōr dout۔s? How long wil yū۔s rēfyūz tū belēv mī promis۔s? Now θat yū۔s aktūal۔lē sē mē, wil yū۔s belēv? Ēven now won ov yū۔s iz absent. Wen yū iz gaθer۔d tūgeθer wons mōr, and after al ov yū۔s no ov a sertintē θat θe son ov man hav rīz۔d from θe grāv, gō hens intū Galilē. Hav fāθ in God; hav fāθ in won anoθer; and sō xal yū۔s enter intū θe nū servis ov θe king۔dom ov heven. Ī wil tārē in Jerūsalem wiθ yū۔s until yū۔s iz redē tū gō intū Galilē. Mī pēas Ī lēv wiθ yū.” Jēsus disapēr۔d from θā’s sīt, and al θā bow۔d tū θe flōr, prāz۔ing God and venerāt۔ing θā’s mastōr. Θat Sundā ēvenin Kīafas konvēn۔d a mēt۔in ov θe Sanhedrin. Al dā long rūmor۔s had bin rēq۔ing θā’s ēr۔s θat Jēsus wuz alīv, and θat manē pēpel۔s klām۔d tū hav sē۔d and ērhēr۔d hē. Θe komand۔ōrt ov θe tempel gard۔ōrs had konfirm۔d θat θe tūm wuz indēd emptē eksept fōr θe grāv kloθ۔s, wiq strānj۔lē had not bin dis۔rap۔t. Θe develop۔ing nūz put۔d a blīt on θe konklūxun ov θā’s Pasōver wēk ov festivitē۔s, and kloud۔d θā’s glē ov hav۔ing dispōs۔d wons and fōr al ov θā’s inflūenxal kompēt۔ōr. Som membōrts sēkret۔lē fēr۔d θat Jēsus aktūal۔lē wuz hū hē klām۔d tū bē, and θat bī kil۔ing hē θā’s sōul۔s wuz dūm۔t. Out۔ward۔lē, kontrast۔lē, θā ekspres۔d indignaxun at θe rūmor۔s, and vōt۔d tū ekspel from θe sinagog۔s anēbodē hū menxun۔d resurekxun. Dur Mondā Jēsus spend۔d entīer۔lē wiθ θe mōr θan won-milyon mōrontēa direktōr۔s and asōxēāt۔s θen present on planet Urantēa. Ap mid۔nīt his fōrm wuz ajust۔d fōr θe sekond stāj ov mōrontēa progrexun – wiq render۔d hē mōr difikult fōr mōrontēa intelijensē۔s and θā’s transfōrm۔ing asōxēāt۔s tū māk visibel tū mōrtal۔s. Θe subsekwent ēvenin at Filadelfia in θe sinagog, Abner and Lazarus stand۔d tūgeθer at θe pulpit in front ov an odēens ov ap 150 belēv۔ōrs, inklūd۔ing ap 50 ov θe evanjelīz۔ē kontinjent. Abner had kal۔d θe mēt۔in tū diskus θe mesajōr’s rēpōrt θat Jēsus had bin krūsifī۔t and subsekwent۔lē resurekt۔t. Az Lazarus hiself had bin rīz۔d from θe ded bī Jēsus, θe grūp wuz dispōs۔d tū konsider θe rēpōrt trū. Suden۔lē bētwēn θe twū man۔s at θe pulpit apēr۔d θe mōrontēa fōrm ov Jēsus, visibel tū θe entīer kongregāxun. “Pēas bē upon yū۔s,” hē grēt۔d θā. “Yū۔s al no θat wē hav won Faθer in heven, and θat θer iz but won gospel ov θe king۔dom – θe gōod nūz ov θe gift ov ēternal līf θat al pēpel۔s rēsēv bī fāθ. Az yū۔s rējōis in yōr lōyaltē tū θe gospel, ofxed grāt۔er luv fōr yōr breθren. Luv al pēpel۔s, az Ī hav luv۔d yū۔s. Serv al pēpel۔s, az Ī hav serv۔d yū۔s. Wiθ komprēhend۔ē simpaθē and broθer۔ē afekxun, bestō felōxip upon al yōr breθren hū iz dedikāt۔d tū θe prōklāmāxun ov θe gōod nūz, weθer θā bē Jūan ōr jentīl, Helasan ōr Rōman, Perxan ōr Eθēōpēan. Rēmember, az yū۔s luv won anoθer, al wil no θat yū۔s iz mī disīpel۔s.” After elaborat۔ing, hē ad۔d, “Gō, θen, intū al θe world prōklām۔ing tū al nāxun۔s and rās۔s, ever wīz۔lē in yōr qōis ov prezentāxun meθod۔s, θis gospel ov θe faθer۔hōod ov God and θe broθer۔hōod ov pēpel۔s. Frē۔lē yū۔s hav rēsēv۔d θe gospel, and frē۔lē yū۔s wil yū۔s giv it tū oθer۔s. Fēr not θe rēsistans ov ēvil, bēkuz Ī iz wiθ yū۔s alwās, ēven tū θe end ov era۔s. And mī pēas Ī lēv wiθ yū۔s.” Θen Jēsus disapēr۔d. Belēv۔ōrs in θe kongregāxun hāsten۔d tū θā’s hōm۔s tū prepār tū gō fōrθ, erlē θe nekst mōrnin, prōklām۔ing θat Jēsus ov Nazareθ had rīz۔d from θe ded. Az mesajōr۔s and disīpel۔s spred۔d out from episenter Jerūsalem, θe qūz۔t aposol۔s wuz stil hīd۔ing bēhīnd bar۔t dōr۔s in Elīja Mark’s up۔er qāmber. Saturdā, 15 April, fōur dā۔s after Jēsus’s apērans in Filadelfia, and won dā after Jēsus transit۔d tū θe θird mōrontēa stāj, twū ov θā lōkāt۔d aposol Tomas wander۔ing around Mountin ov Oliv۔s, and bring۔d hē bak tū θā’s randāvū at θe Mark hōm. Θe nekst dā θe ten atempt۔d tū konvins Tomas θat Jēsus rēalē had resurekt۔d, but hē rēfyūz۔d tū belēv θā, stāt۔ing dur θe ēvenin mēal, “Ī wil not belēv unles Ī sē θe mastōr wiθ mī ōn ī۔s and put mī finger in θe mark ov θe nāil۔s.” Mōment۔s lāter apēr۔d direkt۔lē in front ov hē θe mōrontēa fōrm ov Jēsus, sā۔ing, “Pēas bē upon yū۔s. Dur a ful wēk hav Ī hav tārē۔d sō θat Ī kud apēr agin wen yū۔s wuz al present tū ērhēr wons mōr θe komixun tū gō intū al θe world and prēq θe gospel ov θe king۔dom.” Wenupon hē lonq۔d intū his yūsūal resurekxun spēq, ad۔ing, “Yū۔s wil not hīd yōr līt hēr bēhīnd xut۔d dōr۔s,” and end۔ing, “Θe Jūan۔s hav ekstōl۔d gōod۔nes; θe Helasan۔s hav eksalt۔d byūtē; θe Hindus prēq devōtxun; θe far·away asetik۔s tēq revērens; θe Rōman۔s demand lōyaltē; but Ī rēkwīer ov mī disīpel۔s a līf ov luv۔ē servis fōr yōr broθer۔s in θe flex.” Jēsus θen lōok۔d at doutful Tomas and sā۔d, “And yū, Tomas, hū sā۔d yū wud not belēv unles yū kud sē mē – alθō yū sē nō nāil mark۔s bēkuz Ī iz rāz۔d in θe fōrm θat yū۔s alsō xal hav wen yū۔s depart θis world – Ī no yū now belēv.” Tomas drop۔d tū his nē۔s, eksklām۔ing, “Ī belēv! Mī Lōrd and mī mastōr!” Jēsus sā۔d, “Yū belēv bēkuz yū hav rēalē sē۔d and ērhēr۔d mē. Blesed iz θōs dur era۔s tū kom hū wil belēv ēven θō θā hav not sē۔d wiθ ī۔s ov flex nor ērhēr۔d wiθ mōrtal ēr۔s.” Mūv۔ing tū θe hed ov θe tābel; hē sā۔d, “Gō al now tū Galilē, wār Ī wil sūn apēr tū yū۔s.” Θen hē vanix۔d. Θrē dā۔s lāter, won dā after Jēsus’s transit۔ing tū θe dē۔fōur mōrontēa stāj, lāt afternūn, a mesajōr (θe dē۔fīv in θe rēlā ov run۔ōrs from Jerūsalem) arīv۔d at Aleksandrēa, on θe far sīd ov θe Nile delta. Rōdan, ērhēr۔ing his mesaj θat Jēsus’s murder wuz iminent, anouns۔d a mēt۔ing, and θat ēvenin ap 80 Helasan Jūan۔s gaθer۔d tū ērhēr θe mesajōr rēpēt al θat hē had bin tel۔d bī θe presēd۔in run۔ōr, konklūd۔ing, “But Dāvid, hū dispaq۔d θēz word۔s, rēpōrt۔d θat θe mastōr, in fōrtel۔ing his deθ, deklār۔d θat hē wud rīz agin.” At θat mōment Jēsus apēr۔d in ful vyū ov al. “Pēas bē upon yū۔s,” hē bēgin۔d, and tū his astonix۔t odēens hē kontinyū۔d, “Θe gospel ov θe king۔dom bēlong tū bōθ Jūan and jentīl, tū riq and pōr, tū frē and slāv, tū māel and fēmāel, ēven tū litel qīld۔s. Prōklām θis gospel ov luv and trūθ bī θe līf۔s yū۔s liv. Luv won anoθer wiθ nū afekxun, ēven az Ī hav luv۔d yū۔s. Serv mankind wiθ imens devōtxun, ēven az Ī hav serv۔d yū۔s. Karē θe gōod nūz tū θōs hū sit in dark۔nes. Θis gospel ov θe king۔dom bēlong tū al hū belēv it; it xal not bē komit۔t tū θe kustodē ov mēr prēst۔s. Lō, Ī iz wiθ yū۔s alwās, ēven tū θe end ov era۔s.” Θen θe mōrontēa fōrm ov Jēsus vanix۔d. Al nīt θe eksīt۔ē Helasan Jūan۔s rēmān۔d gaθer۔d, eksqānj۔ing enθūzēastik word۔s. Twū dā۔s lāter wen Dāvid’s swift herald ov θe resurekxun arīv۔d and rēlā۔d his mesaj, dramatik۔lē anouns۔ing, “Jēsus hav rīz۔d from θe ded! Θe tūm iz emptē!”, θā rēplī۔d, “Yes, wē no. Wē hav sē۔d hē.” In Jerūsalem θe Jūan lēd۔ōrs wuz fēel۔ing mōr rēlaks۔ē. Θe rūmor۔s ov kontinyū۔d sīt۔ins ov Jēsus boθer۔d θā, but θe rēpōrt۔s derīv۔d ōnlē from familē and belēv۔ōrs. Θe aposol۔s had apārent۔lē flē۔d, and θer wuz nō rēpōrt۔s ov publik prēq۔ing. Θā wuz awār θat at θe hōm ov Jōsef ov Arimaθēa wuz gaθer۔d nūmerus woman belēv۔ōrs, inklūd۔ing Jēsus’s moθer, but θe woman۔s kēp۔d tū θāself۔s. Wiθ grāt satisfakxun θe hī prēst۔s konklūd۔d θat θe upstart masmūvment had bin efektiv۔lē krux۔t. Θā’s hī sōxal posixun۔s az gardēan۔s ov ritūal and akyūmūlat۔ōrs ov welθ sēm۔d agin sekyūr, and θā’s tradixunal rēlijon az hand۔d down from Mōses rēmān۔d non۔tānt۔t. Θe dā after Jēsus apēr۔d in Aleksandrēa, θe aposol۔s, along wiθ Jon Mark, arīv۔d in Galilē. Sīmon Zelotes, stil despondent, depart۔d fōr his hōm in Kapernam; wīel θe rēmān۔ing ten aposol۔s and Jon Mark lounj۔d in θe Zebedē hōm at Beθsīda. Bī θen θā rēgard۔d Pēter az hed ov θe apostolik kontinjent, bēkuz hē wuz θe mōst efektiv prēq۔ōr and θā’s mixun konsist۔d ov publik prēq۔in. Θe nīt after θā arīv۔d, Θursdā, θe ten aposol۔s go۔d fix۔in on lāk Galilē, but θā kaq۔d nō fix۔s, sō at don θā desīd۔d tū rō bak tū θe waterpēr at Beθsīda. Az θā nēr۔d xōr, θā nōtis۔d a man on θe bēq nēr θe bōt land۔in stand۔ing bī a fīer; θā supōs۔d hē wuz Jon Mark, but, nēr۔er, kud sē θat hē wuz tal۔er θan Jon. Az θā drop۔d ānkor, θe man kal۔d tū θā, “Lad۔s, dū۔d yū۔s kaq anēθin?”, koz۔ing θā tū supōs θat θe strānjōrt wuz won ov θe fix۔s merqant۔s hū often mēt۔d θe bōt۔s tū purqas θā’s kaq۔s fōr θe drī۔in establixment۔s. Wen θā anser۔d, “Nō,” θe man sā۔d, “Hurl yōr net on θe rītsīd ov θe bōt, and yū wil fīnd fix۔s.” Θā dū۔d sō, and fix۔s fil۔d θā’s net, sō manē θat wiθ difikultē dū۔d θā pul it bak up. Jon Zebedē wisper۔d tū Pēter, “It iz θe mastōr,” upon wiq Pēter impulsiv۔lē jump۔d intū θe water tū sūn۔er rēq xōr, wīel θe oθer aposol۔s in θā’s smal bōt kwik۔lē folō۔d. Jon Mark, arīv۔ing tū mēt θe rēturn۔d fix۔ōrts, run۔d ōver tū Jēsus, nēel۔d at his fōot۔s, and sā۔d, “Mī Lōrd and mastōr.” Jēsus sā۔d, “Wel, Jon, Ī iz glad tū sē yū agin, and in kārfrē Galilē, wār wē kan hav a gōod visit. Stā wiθ wē fōr brekfast” – his tōn kontrast۔ing muq۔lē from θe fōrmal diskōrs۔s ov his fōrmer visitāxun۔s – and tū θe ten spēq۔les aposol۔s, “Bring in yōr fix۔s and prepār som fōr brekfast. Alredē wē hav θe fīer and muq bred. Ēven θe twin۔s xud sit. Jon Mark wil dres θe fix۔s.” Ov θe 153 larj fix۔s, Jon gut۔d seven, and put۔d θā ōver θe fīer, and wen θā wuz kōok۔d, serv۔d θā tū θe ten. Jēsus brāk۔d θe bred and hand۔d it tū Jon, hū serv۔d it tū θe hunger۔ē aposol۔s. Wen θā had al bin serv۔d, Jēsus tel۔d Jon Mark tū sit, wīel hē hiself serv۔d fix and bred tū θe lad. Az θā ēt۔d, θā qat۔d hapē۔lē about θā’s manē ekspērēens۔s in Galilē, som on θat sām sītplās. After mōr θan an klokhour sit۔ing around θe fīer, Jēsus sā۔d θat hē want۔d tū talk tū θe aposol۔s in pār۔s, and hē bekon۔d tū Pēter and Jon Zebedē tū strōl wiθ hē along θe bēq. Tū Jon hē ask۔d, “Jon, dū yū luv mē?” Wen Jon anser۔d, “Yes, mastōr, wiθ al mī hart,” Jēsus sā۔d, “Relinkwix yōr un۔tolōrans. Devōt yōr līf tū prūv۔ing θat luv iz θe grāt۔est θing in θe world. It iz θe luv ov God θat impel pēpel۔s tū sēk salvāxun. Luv iz θe ansestōr ov al spiritūal gōod۔nes, θe esens ov θe trū and θe byūtēful.” Jēsus θen turn۔d tōward Pēter and ask۔d, “Pēter, dū yū luv mē?” Pēter anser۔d, “Lōrd, yū no Ī luv yū wiθ al mī sōul.” Sā۔d Jēsus, “If yū luv mē, fēd mī lam۔s. Dū not neglekt tū minister۔ōr tū θe wēak, θe pōr, θe yung. Prēq θe gospel wiθout fēr ōr fāvor; God iz nō diskrimināt۔ōr ov pēpel۔s. Fōrgiv yōr felō mōrtal۔s ēven az Ī hav fōrgiv۔d yū. Let ekspērēens tēq yū θe valyū ov meditāxun and θe power ov intelijent rēflekxun. Bē on gard, lest enemē۔s surpriz yū – waq and prā.” Θā rēturn۔d tū θe oθer۔s bī θe fīer, and Jēsus θen wak۔d wiθ Andrū and Jāms. Tū ēq hē ask۔d, “Dū yū trust mē,” and after rēsēv۔ing θā’s axūrans۔s θat θā dū۔d, sā۔d, “Andrū, θen trust yōr breθren. Wen θā skater bēkuz ov biter persekyūxun۔s, bē a wīz kounsel۔ōr tū mī flex broθer Jāms.” And tū Jāms Zebedē, “Lern tū maswā θe konsekwens۔s ov yōr sā۔ins and dū۔ins. Rēp۔ing iz in akordans wiθ plant۔ing. Prā fōr trankwilitē ov spērit. Kultivāt pāxents. Θēz grās۔s, wiθ liv۔in fāθ, xal sustān yū wen θe klokhour arīv tū drink θe kup ov sakrifīs.” Jēsus nekst talk۔d wiθ Tomas and Naθanēel. After ask۔ing, “Dū yū serv mē?” and rēsēv۔ing θā’s positiv rēplī۔s, tū Tomas hē sā۔d, “Θen serv yōr breθren in θe flex ēven az Ī hav serv۔d yū. Sēs dout۔in. Belēv in God alīk a qīld, but akt not qīld۔ixlē.” And tū Naθanēel, “Admiks frendxip wiθ yōr kounsel and ad luv tū yōr filosofē. Bē les kritikal; ekspekt les ov som, θerbī lesen۔ing θe ekstent ov yōr disapōintment.” Tū Maθyū and Filip, hē ask۔d, “Dū yū ōbā mē?” And upon axūrans۔s, hē sā۔d tū Filip, “Θer iz but won lo tū ōbā: θe komand tū gō fōrθ prōklām۔ing θe gospel ov θe king۔dom. Bē not afrād tū prēq θe gōod nūz ov ēternal līf tū yōr felō۔s hū langwix in dark۔nes and hunger fōr θe līt ov trūθ.” And tū Maθyū, “Nōlonger wil yū serv yōr breθren θe matērēal θing۔s ov līf; hensfōrθ yū iz tū prōklām θe gōod nūz ov spiritūal salvāxun. Fēr nō man wen yū prōklām θe sāv۔in trūθ ov θe king۔dom ov heven.” Tū θe Alfeus twin۔s Θadēus and Lebeus, hē ask۔d, “Dū yū belēv in mē?”, and upon θā’s axūrans۔s sā۔d, “Yū۔s iz mī aposol۔s, and yū۔s alwās wil bē. Kontinyū belēv۔ing wen Ī iz gon and after yū۔s hav, perqans, rēturn۔d tū yōr work ov fix۔ōrts. Wen yū۔s iz fāθful tū God, al uprīt work iz sākred.” And manē oθer θing۔s dū۔d Jēsus sā tū his aposol۔s, axūr۔ing ēq θat wen θā had finix۔d θā’s servis on Erθ, θā wud agin bē wiθ hē tūgeθer. Bī θen it wuz mid۔mōrnin. Bak at θe fīer, hē direkt۔d θat twū xud tū gō tū Sīmon Zelotes and bring hē bak θat dā. Θen, “Fārwel, until Ī mēt yūs al on θe mountin ov yōr ōrdināxun tomorō at nūn.” Wenupon hē vanix۔d from θā’s sīt. Θus at nūn on Saturdā, 22 April, twū wēk۔s and won dā after Jēsus’s fizikal bodē dī۔d on θe krūsifiks, θe eleven aposol۔s, inklūd۔ing Sīmon Zelotes, gaθer۔d on θe sām hil nōrθ ov Kapernam wār slīt۔bē mōr θan θrē yēr۔s erlē۔er Jēsus had ōrdān۔d θā az ambasadōr۔s ov θe king۔dom. Jēsus apēr۔d bēfōr θā, and rēpēt۔d muq ov wut hē had sā۔d bak θen, and sins. From his word۔s θā infer۔d θat hē wud rē۔apēr wons mōr in Galilē, after wiq θā xud rēturn tū Jerūsalem. Θā nōt۔d a signifikant diferens in his prār۔s, deliver۔d, from his mōrontēa fōrm (on θat dā transixun۔d tū θe dē۔fīv stāj), wiθ startel۔ē power and majestē. Rēpōrt۔s ov θe apērans۔s ov Jēsus wuz spred۔ing θrūout Galilē, and evrē dā inkrēs۔ing number۔s ov belēv۔ōrs arīv۔d at θe Zebedē hōm tū inkwīer. Pēter, erlē in θe wēk, send۔d word θat a publik lāk۔sīd mēt۔in wud bē kondukt۔t mid۔afternūn θe subsekwent Sabaθ. Akord۔lē, mōr θan 500 pēpel۔s asembel۔d at Beθsīda tū ērhēr Pēter prēq his first publik sermon sins θe resurekxun. Θe aposol wuz at his best, konvins۔ing manē lisen۔ōrs θat indēd Jēsus had rīz۔d from deθ. Θe mōment hē finix۔d, Jēsus, bī θen in his dē۔siks-stāj mōrontēa fōrm, apēr۔d stand۔ing bēsīd Pēter in ful vyū ov θe lisen۔ōrs. Sā۔d hē, “Pēas bē upon yū۔s, and mī pēas Ī lēv wiθ yū۔s.” Θen his fōrm disapēr۔d. Θe nekst dā θe eleven hed۔d bak souθ۔ward, along θe river rūtwā, stop۔ing often tū prēq, arīv۔ing at Jerūsalem Wensdā, 3 Mā, and hāsten۔ing benēθ θe kover ov nīt tū θe hōm ov Elīja Mark, māk۔ing θā’s hedkwarter۔s in θe up۔er qāmber. At a mēt۔in θe nekst ēvenin wiθ manē disīpel۔s inklūd۔ing woman۔s, under θe lēdōrxip ov Pēter, θā plejd tū gō fōrθ prēq۔ing a nū gospel ov θe resurekt۔t Jēsus. Naθanēel objekt۔d θat a prōklāmāxun ov θe resurekxun ov Jēsus difer۔d from Jēsus’s gospel ov θe king۔dom: faθer۔hōod ov God and broθer۔hōod wiθ man. But hē kud not wiθstand Pēter’s elokwans, nor θe enθūzēazim ov θe disīpel۔s, espexal۔lē θe woman۔s. Θus dū۔d θe wel-mēn۔in representativ۔s bēgin θe sutel but signifikant proses ov qānj۔ing θe rēlijon ov Jēsus intū a modifī۔t rēlijon about Jēsus. Θe subsekwent ēvenin in θe kōrtyard ov Nikōdemus asembel۔d a muq larj۔er grūp ov belēv۔ōrs: θe eleven aposol۔s, θe woman۔s’ kontinjent and θā’s asōxēāt۔s, and ap fiftē oθer lēd۔ing disīpel۔s inklūd۔ing Helasan۔s. After ap haf an klokhour, apēr۔d θe dē۔seven-stāj mōrontēa fōrm ov Jēsus. After his yūsūal grēt۔in, hē refer۔d tū θe fakt θat hē had tel۔d θā klēr۔lē and rēpēt۔lē θat θe rēlijus lēd۔ōrs wud kil hē, and θat hē wud rīz from θe grāv, and ask۔d θā wī θā wuz surpriz۔d wen θōs ēvent۔s transpīer۔d, ad۔ing, “Now giv ēr tū mī word۔s lest yū۔s agin māk θe mistāk ov ērhēr۔ing mī tēq۔in wiθ yōr mind۔s wīel in yōr hart۔s yū۔s fāil tū komprēhend θe mēn۔in. Mī won purpos iz tū rēvēl mī Faθer in heven tū his qīld۔s on Erθ. Ī hav liv۔d θe God-rēvēl۔ing bestowal sō θat yū۔s wud ekspērēens θe God-no۔ing karēr. Ī hav rēvēl۔d God az yōr Faθer in heven; Ī hav rēvēl۔d yū۔s az θe son۔s and doter۔s ov God on Erθ, hū God luv. Bī fāθ in mī word۔s θis fakt bēkum an ēternal and liv۔in trūθ in yōr hart۔s. Wen, bī liv۔in fāθ, yū۔s bēkum divīn۔lē God-konxus, yū۔s iz θen birθ۔t ov θe spērit az qīld۔s ov līt and līf. Yū۔s wil bē grant۔t ēternal līf, dur wiq yū۔s wil asend tū fīnd God in Paradīs. Ī admonix yū۔s ever tū rēmember θat yōr mixun iz tū prōklām θe gospel ov θe king۔dom: θe rēalitē ov θe faθer۔hōod ov God and θe trūθ ov θe sonxip ov man. Yōr mesaj iz not qānj۔d bī mī resurekxun ekspērēens. Θe world mōst nēd tū no: Pēpel۔s iz θe qīld۔s ov God, and θrū fāθ θā kan aktūal۔lē rēalīz, and dā۔ē ekspērēens, θis enōbel۔ing trūθ.” Jēsus θen vanix۔d from sīt, lēv۔ing θe enθral۔t belēv۔ōrs tū diskus his admonixun۔s until θe līt ov don. Āt dā۔s lāter on θe Sabaθ, in Samarēa, bī Jākob’s wel, Jēsus apēr۔d tū Nalda (tū hū almōst θrē yēr۔s erlē۔er hē had tel۔d about θe water ov līf) and ap 75 Samarēan belēv۔ōrs az θā wuz konklūd۔ing a diskuxun about rēpōrt۔s ov Jēsus’s resurekxun. After grēt۔ing θā, hē rēpēt۔d muq ov wut hē had tel۔d θe grūp ov bōθ jender۔s dur his rēsent۔est visitāxun, ad۔ing, “Θe tīm hav kom wen yū۔s worxip God nēθer on Gerīzim nor at Jerūsalem, but wār yū۔s iz, az yū۔s iz, in spērit and in trūθ. It iz yōr fāθ θat sāv yōr sōul۔s. Salvāxun iz θe gift ov God tū al hū belēv θā iz his qīld۔s.” Θe Samarēan۔s wuz astonix۔t at his apērans, and hāsten۔d tū nērbī town۔s and vilaj۔s wiθ θe nūz. Θrē dā۔s lāter in Fōnēxa, at Tīer, on θe kōst, Jēsus apēr۔d at a mēt۔in ov belēv۔ōrs, rēpēt۔ing his mesaj and enkouraj۔ing θā tū spred it tū al nāxun۔s. Bī θen his mōrontēa fōrm wuz ōnlē fānt۔bē rekognīz۔abel, but lisen۔ōrs klēr۔lē rekognīz۔d his vōis and personalitē wen hē spēk۔d. Θe nekst dā manē ventūr۔d awā from Tīer tōward Sidon, karē۔ing θe gospel tōward far·away sitē۔s Antēok and Dimaxk. Jēsus’s mōrontēa fōrm, until θen visibel dur 18 separāt okāxun۔s, had bēkum part ov θe personal ekspērēens ov almōst won-θousand hyūman belēv۔ōrs. Erlē Θursdā mōrnin, 18 Mā, yēr 30, θirtē-nīn dā۔s after his fizikal bodē on θe krūsifiks ekshāel۔d it’s last breθ, θe mōrontēa fōrm ov Jēsus apēr۔d agin tū his eleven aposol۔s in θe up۔er qāmber ov θe Mark hōm. Hē spēk۔d tū θā brēf۔lē, konklūd۔ing, “Θe klokhour hav arīv. Ī iz sūn tū gō tū θe Faθer.” Bekon۔ing θā tū folō hē, hē lēd۔d θā, wiθout spēk۔in, out ov θe hous, out ov θe sitē, up θe western slōp ov Mountin ov Oliv۔s, stop۔ing ap twū-θird۔s ov θe wā tū θe top, tū wār θā kud lōok down on Geθsemān Publikpark, and, far۔er bēlō, θe sitē ov Jerūsalem. Az θe sīlent aposol۔s nēel۔d around hē in a sirkel, Jēsus sā۔d, “Ī wil asend tū mī Faθer, and sūn wil wē send intū θis world θe spērit ov trūθ. Wen it arīv, bēgin θe prōklāmāxun ov θe gospel ov θe king۔dom, first in Jerūsalem and θen tū θe utermost part۔s ov θe world. Luv pēpel۔s az Ī hav luv۔d yū۔s, and serv yōr felō mōrtal۔s az Ī hav serv۔d yū۔s. Bī θe spērit frūt۔s ov yōr līf۔s impel sōul۔s tū belēv θe trūθ θat pēpel۔s iz son۔s and doter۔s ov God, and θat al pēpel۔s iz breθren. Rēmember al Ī hav tēq۔d yū۔s, and θe līf Ī hav liv۔d among yū۔s. Mī luv ōverxadō yū۔s. Mī spērit wil resīd wiθ yū۔s. Mī pēas xal abīd upon yū۔s. Fārwel.” Θen hē vanix۔d. Jēsus’s spērit depart۔d planet Urantēa, tū bēgin θe asendment tū θe rītsīd hand ov God, θer tū rēsēv fōrmal konfirmāxun ov his komplēt۔t soverentē ov θe lōkal yūnivers ov Nebedon. * *
Epilog
Θat sām springtīm afternūn, yēr 30, ap 120 aposol۔s and lēd۔ing disīpel۔s gaθer۔d in Jerūsalem at θe Mark hōm, among θā Marē θe moθer ov Jēsus, and θer lisen۔d Pēter’s rēpōrt ov θe last mēt۔in wiθ Jēsus. Az θā wuz engāj۔d in prār, al bēkum۔d awār ov a strānj presens, wīel ekspērēens۔ing a nū and prōfound sens ov spiritūal jōē, sekyūritē, and konfīdens. Konxusnes ov nū spiritūal strenkθ wuz folō۔t bī a strong urj tū gō out and publik۔lē prōklām θe gospel ov θe king۔dom and θe gōod nūz θat Jēsus had rēvīv۔d from deθ. Pēter stand۔d and deklār۔d θat θā must hav rēsēv۔d θe promis۔t spērit ov trūθ. Θen θā hāsten۔d tū θe tempel tū prā and prōklām θe glōrē ov θe resurekt۔t mastōr. But in θā’s spiritūal ekstasē, lēd۔t bī Pēter, θā konfyūs۔d θe mesaj – θe faθer۔hōod ov God and θe sib۔hōod ov pēpel۔s – wiθ θe glōrēus mesajōr and his resurekxun. Fōur aposol۔s – Θadēus and Lebeus Alfeus, Sīmon Zelotes, and Tomas Didimus – hed۔d bak nōrθ۔ward tū Galilē: θe twin۔s tū fix, Sīmon tū sulk, Tomas tū ponder. Sō alsō go۔d Jon Zebedē, hū tāk۔d Marē θe moθer ov Jēsus tū his hōm in Beθsīda. Jāms, Jēsus’s ōld۔est broθer, rēmān۔d in Jerūsalem az an outspoken prēq۔ōr. Dāvid Zebedē marē۔d Rūθ, Jēsus’s yung۔est sister; θen θe nū۔lē marēd kupel akompanē۔d Marθa and Marē (hū had komplēt۔d θe sāel ov θā’s posexun۔s) tū jōin θā’s broθer Lazarus in Filadelfia. Naθanēel adhēr۔d tū his bēlēf θat θe gospel xud bē about God and broθer۔hōod, not about Jēsus, and, tū avōid furθer dispyūt wiθ Pēter, depart۔d alsō fōr Filadelfia tū jōin Abner and Lazarus, hū hōld۔d similar vyū۔s. In Jerūsalem θe siks rēmān۔ing aposol۔s – Maθyū, Filip, broθer۔s Pēter and Andrū, broθer۔s Jon (rēturn۔d from Galilē) and Jāms – kontinyū۔d tū prēq, atrakt۔ing θousand۔s ov belēv۔ōrs. Θe Farisē۔s, after θā’s inixal surpriz, laps۔d intū non۔konsern, bēkuz noθin θat θe aposol۔s wuz tēq۔ing vīōlāt۔d ritūal; indēd, mōst belēv۔ōrs in Jēsus konsider۔d θat θā bēlong۔d tū a sekt wiθin Jūdāizm. Θe Sadyūsē۔s, on θe oθer hand, wuz kēn on jāil۔ing Jēsus belēv۔ōrs, until prēvāl۔d upon bī Gamaliel, a lēd۔ing rabī, hū advīz۔d θā θat if θe nū sekt wuz θe work ov man۔s it wud self۔destrukt, but if it wuz θe work ov God it wud bē non۔destrukt۔abel. Θerfōr θe prosilitīz۔ōrs kontinyū۔d, and θe nū gospel about Jēsus spred۔d. It wuz θe wil ov θe Faθer θat Jēsus wud hav had tū ēventyūal۔lē dīvest hiself ov his mōrtal bodē, end his inkarnāxun in θe flex, won wā ōr anoθer, but it wuz man۔s, not God, hū plan۔d and implement۔d his tōrturus deθ on a krūsifiks. Nor dū۔d his deθ apēz θe raθ ov God – God iz not raθful. Nor dū۔d Jēsus dī az a sakrifīs fōr sin; hē dū۔d not dī tū atōn fōr inborn mōral gilt ov θe hyūman rās – nō suq θing eksist. Θe trankwilitē ov Jerūsalem wuz fīnal۔lē disturb۔t bī θe arīval ov larj number۔s ov Helasan۔s from Aleksandrēa. Among θā wuz twū stūdent۔s ov Rōdan: Stephen and Barnabas, hū konvert۔d manē Helasan۔s. Θe nū Helasan belēv۔ōrs had nō rēson tū folō Jūdāik ritūal, θerbī ānger۔ing θe Farisē۔s and Sadyūsē۔s. Won afternūn az Stephen wuz prēq۔ing a sermon, at an objektxun۔abel part ov his diskōrs, īrāt Jūan۔s stōne۔d hē tū deθ. Among θōs in θe krowd hū witnes۔d θe Helasan dī fōr his fāθ wuz a man nām۔d Saul, a sitizen ov Tarsus, a Rōman bī birθ, and a folō۔ōr ov Jūdāizm rēlijon. Stephen θus bēkum۔d θe first marter ov θe nū fāθ, and his deθ krēāt۔d θe nēd fōr an ōrg apart from Jūdāizm. Wiθin won monθ a qurq at Jerūsalem wuz establix۔t under θe lēdōrxip ov Pēter, wiθ Jāms θe broθer ov Jēsus az it’s tityūlar hed. Jūan lēd۔ōrs rēakt۔d wiθ rēlent۔les persekyūxun. Bēkuz Jūan۔s – among θe mōst rēlijus pēpel۔s on θe planet, but slāv۔s tū θā’s ritūal and tradixun – rējekt۔d θe spiritūal۔lē uplift۔ing mesaj prōklām۔t bī θā’s Jūan profet from Galilē, θerfōr θe ambasadōr۔s ov Jēsus fan۔d out intū suround۔ē teritōrē۔s. Around gulf Mediterānēan komers wuz flourix۔ing, wiθ gōod rōd۔s dur θe first tīm in histōrē interkonekt۔ing mājor senter۔s. Θe manē eθnisitē۔s wuz ōverlā۔d wiθ Rōma۔ē lēgal and politikal struktūr, Helas۔ē kultūr and langwij and filosofē, and – bēkuz ov θe manē Jūw۔ē komyūnitē۔s and mōr θan 200 sinagog۔s θrūout θe vast ārēa – Jūdāik rēlijon and mōral tēq۔in. Jēsus had apēr۔d on Erθ not ōnlē amidst perhaps θe mōst rēlijus pēpel۔s, but at a tīm kondūsiv wiθout presedent tū spred۔ing his gospel θrūout θe world. Θerfōr az Jerūsalem bēkum۔d inkrēs۔bē un۔tolerat, θe Helasan۔s depart۔d, bēkum۔ing θe gospel’s first long-distans mesajōr۔s: θā hed۔d bī wā ov Tīer tōward Antēok (at θe west·nōrθern kōrner ov gulf Mediterānēan), wiθ θe intenxun ov kontinyū۔ing west۔ward akros Asēa Mīnor peninsūla tū nōrθ Masadōnēa, souθ۔ward tū Rōma, and ēventyūal۔lē θrūout θe empīer. In Jerūsalem persekyūxun intensifī۔d. Jāms Zebedē wuz eksekyūt۔t bī θe sōrd, θe first aposol tū ekspērēens marter۔hōod. Filip rē۔lōkāt۔d tū Samarēa tū tēq. Nekst, Maθyū, after skribel۔ing nōt۔s in Aramāik۔ēz langwij about his ekspērēens wiθ Jēsus and giv۔ing θā tū his disīpel Isadōr, jurnē۔d nōrθ۔ward, and prēq۔d and baptīz۔d in Surēya. Andrū, tāk۔ing wiθ hē his ekstensiv nōt۔s on θe tēq۔ins and dū۔ins ov Jēsus, depart۔d fōr Hayastan, bētwēn lāk۔s Blak and Kaspēan. Pēter, akompanē۔d bī his wīf Perpetūa (fōrmer۔lē a membōrm ov θe woman’s kontinjent), travel۔d ēst۔ward tū Babilon. Jon Zebedē, an aktiv supōrt۔ōr ov θe Jerūsalem qurq, wuz imprison۔d, but his retisens sāv۔d hē from marter۔hōod; upon bēing rēlēs۔d, hē and Jāms θe broθer ov Jēsus, hav۔ing dētermin۔d θat “soft anser۔s turn awā raθ”, kontinyū۔d tū administer θe Jerūsalem qurq – nōlonger az a “king۔dom” but az a “spiritūal broθer۔hōod devōt۔d tū sōxal servis”. In Galilē, Sīmon ralē۔d, and jurnē۔d souθ·ēst۔ward tū Aleksandrēa tū prēq. Sō dū۔d Tomas, hū spred۔d θe glad nūz on Sīprus īland. From Filadelfia, Naθanēel, after tārē۔ing θer dur mōr θan a yēr, and not long after θā rēsēv۔d nūz θat Jēsus’s moθer Marē had dī۔d, depart۔d ēst۔ward tū prēq in Mesopōtāmēa. Saul ov Tarsus, hav۔ing bin dēp۔lē impres۔t bī Stephen’s marter۔hōod, after hed۔ing nōrθ۔ward, and after a personal ekspērēens wiθ Jēsus on θe Dimaxk rōd, setel۔d in Antēok (at θe nōrθ·west kōrner ov gulf Mediterānēan), prōklām۔ing in Helas۔ēz langwij θe gospel ov a Jūan mesīa. Rēsolūt and agresiv, Pol, hav۔ing grasp۔d Pēter’s verxun ov θe gospel, prosilitīz۔d it wiθ a venjens. In Antēok, supōrt۔ing hiself māk۔ing tent۔s, hē establix۔d a qurq, dro۔ing manē folō۔ōrs, mōst from θe lō۔er sōxal and ekonomik stratum۔s, inklūd۔ing slāv۔s; qurq atend۔ōrs dur θe first tīm nām۔d θāself۔s “Qristēan۔s”. Pol’s kult ov Antēok Kristēanitē rest۔d hevē۔lē on Jūdāik tradixun۔s, his doktrin۔s ov θēolōjē and filosofē derīv۔d not ōnlē from Jēsus’s tēq۔ins but alsō from Plātō and Fīlō, his eθik۔s inspīer۔t not ōnlē bī Jēsus and Jūdāizm but bī θe Stōik۔s. Pēter had inadertent۔lē alter۔d Jēsus’s kōr mesaj bī prēq۔ing about Jēsus raθer θan about faθer۔hōod and broθer۔hōod; Pol, wiθ nō direkt ekspērēens wiθ Jēsus, adopt۔d Pēter’s verxun, θen purpos۔lē alter۔d it tū bēkum mōr aksept۔abel tū Jūan۔s, alsō tū jentīl۔s, espexal۔lē Helasan۔s. Hē tēq۔d, fōreks, θe doktrin ov atōnment – θat Jēsus wuz sakrifīs۔t tū satisfī God’s stern justis and apēz God’s divīn raθ – in xarp kontrast tū Jēsus’s tēq۔ins ov a fōrgiv۔ē, alwās luv۔ē faθer۔ē God; Pol’s doktrin θerbī link۔d θe gospel wiθ Jūan θēolōjē, but his wel-intend۔t efōrt fāil۔d tū mas۔konvert Jūan۔s, and subsekwent۔lē koz۔d konfyūxun among jentīl۔s. Pol’s θērē ov ōrijinal sin, θe doktrin۔s ov hereditārē gilt and ināt ēvil and rēdempxun θerfrom – parxal۔lē derīv۔d from Miθraizm, a pāgan rēlijon popyūlar in θe rējon – had litel in komon wiθ Jūdāik θēolōjē ōr Jēsus’s tēq۔ins. Erlē Qristēan۔s, mān۔lē under Pol’s lēdōrxip, instigāt۔d xrūd bargin۔s wiθ θe pāgan۔s and kult۔s bī adopt۔ing θā’s ritūalistik pajentrē in eksqānj fōr akseptans ov θe bāsik۔s ov Pol۔ē Kristēanitē; fōreks, Dēsember 25, Miθraizm’s mān festival dā, Qristēan۔s selebrāt۔d az θe birθ·dā ov Jēsus, hū wuz birθ۔d dur Ogust. Θat a qurq wud bē fōrm۔t tū prēserv and spred Jēsus’s mesaj wuz natūral, but, bēsīd θe fakt θat θe Kristēan qurq wuz found۔d on Pēter’s mis۔konstrukxun ov Jēsus’s tēq۔in, Pol’s qurq, wiθ Jēsus az it’s nominal hed, sūn bēkum۔d a substitūt fōr θe king۔dom ov heven; worxip۔ōrs wuz membōr۔s ov a qurq ov alīk-mīnd۔ē belēv۔ōrs hed۔d bī a prēq۔ōr, not individuals rēlāt۔ing direkt۔lē tū God. In Filadelfia, Abner, mōr Babilōnēan θan Helasan in his filosofē, māk۔d nō bāsik mis۔interpretāxun۔s ov Jēsus’s gospel, θerfōr hē wuz at vārēans wiθ Pēter ōver θēolōjē. On mater۔s ov administrāxun and jurisdikxun ov θe Jerūsalem qurq, hē un۔agrē۔d wiθ Jāms θe broθer ov Jēsus, hū wuz supōrt۔t bī Pēter. Θe fōrmer qēf disīpel ov Jon θe baptīz۔ōr stuborn۔lē rēsist۔d al atempt۔s bī Pol tū rē۔faxun θe tēq۔ins ov Jēsus sō az tū prezent les θat wuz objektxun۔abel, first tū Jūan۔s, θen tū rējonal pāgan bēlēf۔s. Abner wuz mōr ov a purist, want۔ing noθin tū dū wiθ θēolojikal trād۔ing. Furθermor, from his lōkāxun ēst۔ward ov river Jōrdan, it wuz mōr apārent θat alter۔ing Jēsus’s gospel tū akomodāt western gulf Mediterānēan eθnisitē۔s wud render it les aksept۔abel tū ēstern eθnisitē۔s. Alθō hē had θe supōrt ov Lazarus and his sister۔s, hē wuz īsolāt۔d from θe lēd۔ōrs ov θe erlē Kristēan qurq and, after Naθanēel depart۔d, from θe oθer aposol۔s. In kontrast tū Pēter and Pol’s rapid۔lē ekspand۔ing, lūs۔lē yūnifī۔t qurq, Abner rēmān۔d hed ov a qurq non۔rekognīz۔t in Jerūsalem. *
Θe
Helasīzaxun ov Kristēanitē start۔d
in ernest θe dā Pol stand۔d
in front ov θe kounsil ov θe Areōpagus, in θe xadō ov θe Akropōlis in
Helas’s
kapital·sitē Aθēna, and prōklām۔d
his verxun ov θe nū rēlijon. Helas۔ē kultūr had
alredē atān۔d
it’s hī۔est
level and wuz in
rēgrexun, but Helasan۔s,
az θā had bin dur several sentūrē۔s,
wuz stil mastōr۔s
ov
filosofē, literaqur, arkitektūr, skulptūr; θā had inixēāt۔d sīens, had
pīonēr۔d
parxal demokrasē, had
delv۔d intū
ekonomik
and sōsēōlojikal ixyū۔s
– θā had neglekt۔d
ōnlē rēlijon. Θrē and haf sentūrē۔s prēvēus۔lē wen konker۔ōrt Aleksander
had spred۔d
Helas۔ē
kultūr ēst۔ward
al θe wā tū θe Indus
river valē, θā’s art and filosofē had bin ful۔lē
kwalifī۔t
fōr θe
aktrōl, but not sō θā’s politikal administrāxun nor θā’s rēlijon. After θā’s sitēstāt۔s had rapid۔lē
ekspand۔d
intū a vast
empīer, θā’s parōkēal god۔s,
wiq θā θāself۔s
rēgard۔d wiθ
skant sērēus۔nes,
wuz klēr۔lē
non۔adekwut
fōr fōren
adopxun. Jūan۔s wuz θe oposit: θā poses۔d
a hī۔lē
develop۔d
rēlijon, wiq θā rēgard۔d perhaps tyū
sērēus۔lē,
but had neglekt۔d
virtūal۔lē
evrēθin els. Yet θe twū grāt kultūr۔s poses۔d
ārēa۔s in
komon. Helasan۔s
revēr۔d
byūtē, Jūan۔s
revēr۔d hōlē۔nes, bōθ luv۔d trūθ. Eθnōsentrik Jūdāizm wuz non۔sūt۔abel fōr anēbodē
but Jūan۔s,
but Kristēanitē wuz
planetārē. Helas۔ē filosofē and
Jēsus’s tēq۔ins
had a komon gōl: θe emerjens ov θe
individyūal – fōr Helasan۔s, sōxal and
politikal
emerjens; fōr Jēsus, mōral and spiritūal emerjens.
Helasan۔s
tēq۔d θat
intelektūal
frēdom lēd۔d
tū
politikal libertē; Jēsus tēq۔d
θat spiritūal liberalism lēd۔d
tū rēlijus libertē. Jōin۔d tūgeθer, θā
wuz mōr θan
komplimentarē: θā konstitūt۔d a nū and mīt۔ē qarter fōr
hyūman frēdom,
fōrun۔ōrs tū
hyūmanitē’s sōxal, politikal, and spiritūal libertē.
At θe tīm Pol prēq۔d in Aθēna,
Helasan۔s
wuz spiritūal۔lē
hunger۔ē. Non۔alīk
Jūan۔s, θā
had long
prōvixunal۔lē
belēv۔d in
imōrtalitē, wiq mex۔d
wiθ Jēsus’s tēq۔in. Θā θerfōr embrās۔d Pol’s rēlijon,
θerbī signifikant۔lē
uplift۔ing
θā’s sag۔ing
kultūr. And wārever Helas۔ē kultūr prēvāl۔d,
Helasīz۔t
Kristēanitē
rūt۔d.Θe Rōman۔s, lēdrūel۔ōrs ov manē dīvers kolonē۔s, wuz tolerant ov al langwij۔s, sōxal kustom۔s, and rēlijon۔s – az demonstrāt۔d in Kānan – but θrūout θā’s empīer, urj۔d onward bī insistent Jūan۔s, θā kontinyū۔d tū persekyūt folō۔ōrs ov Jēsus. Θe aposol۔s had skater۔d. Tomas, from Sīprus, windsāil۔d tū Krēt on Afrika’s nōrθern kōst, θen tū īland Sisilē, prēq۔ing and baptīz۔ing, and had start۔d rīt۔ing about his ekspērēens۔s wen hē wuz aprehend۔d bī Rōman ājent۔s and put۔d tū deθ on īland۔et Malta. Maθyū, after depart۔ing Surēya, prēq۔d in Kpadōsēa, Galatēa, Biθinēia, and it wuz in Θrās, at Līsimaqēia, nōrθ۔ward ov Āgēan Gulf, θat Jūan۔s konspīer۔d wiθ Rōman sōjōr۔s and kil۔d hē. Bī θen Naθanēel wuz enrūt tū Barat, and Sīmon Zelotes wuz slō۔lē travel۔ing up·river along θe Nile, souθ۔ward tōward Afrika’s jungel. Filip, after win۔ing manē sōul۔s, wuz fīnal۔lē aprehend۔d at Hīerapōlis in souθ·western Anatōlēa; az hē slō۔lē dī۔d, his fēr۔les wīf, a fōrmer membōrm ov θe woman۔s’ kontinjent, stand۔d at θe fōot ov his krūsifiks enkouraj۔ing hē tū prōklām θe glad nūz tū his murder۔ōrs until his strenkθ fāil۔d, θen xē herself rēsīt۔d prār۔s until īrāt Jūan۔s stōn۔d xē tū deθ – wenupon θā’s ōld۔est doter vow۔d tū kontinyū θā’s prēq۔ing. Andrū, after his stā in Hayastan, jurnē۔d θrūout Asēa Mīnor and Nōrθ Masadōnēa (nōrθ ov Helas), bring۔ing manē θousand۔s intū θe king۔dom; not long after komplēt۔ing his inklūsiv rīt۔t akount ov his ekspērēens۔s wiθ Jēsus, hē wuz aprehend۔d in Patrae, nōrθern peninsūla Pelopones, Helas; fōr twū ful dā۔s θe rōbust man hāng۔d on θe krūsifiks bēfōr dī۔ing. Jon Zebedē marē۔d his broθer Jāms’ widōrm; after bēing imprison۔d several okāxun۔s, hē wuz banix۔d tū īland Patmos, of·xōr western Anatōlēa, wār dur fōur yēr۔s hē rīt۔d wut bēkum۔d no۔d az θe Bōok ov Revelāxun. Abner kontinyū۔d tū prēq relativ۔bē non۔molest۔t in Filadelfia; Dāvid Zebedē had rēmān۔d az his qurq’s fīnanxal ofisōr. Pol, wiθ tīer۔les enerjē, travel۔d ekstensiv۔lē, found۔ing qurq after qurq θrūout θe gulf rējon, and alīk manē erlē tēq۔ōrs hē rīt۔d nūmerus leter۔s tū θe nū qurq۔s enkouraj۔ing θā in his absens and adres۔ing θā’s θēolojikal konsern۔s. Lūk, an Antēok doktōr, a jentīl disīpel ov Pol, bēgin۔d asembel۔ing nōt۔s and intervyū۔ing ī·witnes۔s. Pēter, wiθ his wīf Perpetūa, alsō travel۔d ekstensiv۔lē, inklūd۔ing minister۔ing tū manē ov θe qurq۔s establix۔t bī Pol; despīt Pēter and Pol’s larj diferens۔s in temperment and edyūkāxun, θe twū work۔d tūgeθer harmonēus۔lē. In Anatōlēa Pēter enkouraj۔d Jon Mark tū bēgin rīt۔ing an akount ov Jēsus’s līf and tēq۔in; Jon, no۔ing how Jēsus konsistent۔lē rēfyūz۔d tū rīt anēθin, fēel۔d rēluktant, but neverθeles bēgin۔d an outlīn bās۔d on his and Pēter’s memōrē۔s. Wen Pol۔ē Qristēan۔s bēgin۔d win۔ing nūmerus konvert۔s in θe empīer’s kapital·sitē Rōma, Rōman۔s, fērful ov insurekxun, prosikyūt۔d θe prosilitīz۔ōrs and θā’s konvert۔s bī θe hundred۔s: nāil۔ing θā tū krūsifiks۔s, burn۔ing θā alīv tī۔t tū stāk۔s, fēd۔ing θā alīv tū līon۔s in θe publik arēna. It wuz parxal۔lē θe wā θe devōt۔t Qristēan۔s kourajus۔lē kontinyū۔d tū prēq despīt dānjer, and dī۔d glōrē۔lē, θat krēāt۔d nū belēv۔ōrs. Pēter and Perpetūa wuz among θe bōld trumpet۔s ov θe gospel hū prēq۔d in Rōma despīt θe grāv risk۔s, and wen θā wuz kaptūr۔d and Pēter wuz infōrm۔d θat hē wud dī alīk Jēsus, hē rēgard۔d hiself az θe rēsipēent ov hī onor. On θe dā Pēter ekspīer۔d on θe krūsifiks, his wīf Perpetūa wuz θrō۔d tū θe wīld bēst۔s in θe publik arēna. Θe yēr Pēter and Perpetūa dī۔d, 67 KE, a rebelyon wuz underwā in θe Kānan rējon ov Jūdea bī Jūan Zelot۔s – a gunghō atempt tū ekspel θe Rōman۔s. Rōma۔ē lējon۔s θenupon eradikāt۔d θe Zelot۔s in θe kuntrē, and at θā’s apērans outsīd Jerūsalem almōst θe entīer grūp ov belēv۔ōrs and disīpel۔s – rēmember۔ing Jēsus’s predikxun – flē۔d, fīnd۔ing sāf xelter akros θe river in Pela. Dur yēr 70, Rōman sōjōr۔s brēq۔d θe outer wal۔s, and enter۔d θe sitē. Θā sloter۔d θousand۔s upon θousand۔s ov man۔s, woman۔s, and qīld۔s, burn۔d θe tempel tū θe ground, and level۔d θe bild۔ins. Θen θā bēgin۔d klēr۔ing Kānan ov al Jūan۔s, a proses komplēt۔d ap θrē yēr۔s lāter wiθ θe fal ov θe Jūan۔s’ laststand at θe platō fōrtres ov Masada. *
Θe Rōman۔s’
tōrturus kil۔ing
ov sō manē marter۔s
wuz mān۔lē
bēkuz ov a mis۔komprēhenxun: Qristēan۔s’
konsistent۔lē
yūtilīz۔d θe
kēword “king۔dom”
in θā’s prēq۔ing,
and θe Rōman۔s
krux۔d
wiθout rēstrānt anē
masmūvment suspekt۔d
ov politikal rīvalrē. Wen θā fīnal۔lē rēalīz۔d θat θe
Kristēan “king۔dom”
wuz not a politikal
entitē, nor a kompēt۔ōr
ov θe stāt, θā sēs۔d
θā’s rēsistans. Θe Rōman۔s wuz ekspert۔s at
institūxunalīzāxun and
mastōr۔s at
politikal
administrāxun۔s,
but
θā kār۔d
litel about
art ōr rēlijon. Θā wuz bī nātūr, and
trān۔in,
loyōr۔s; Rōma۔ē lo komand۔d dignitē and
respekt –
kontrast۔d
tū
arbitrārē but stern Ōrēental lo, artistik and flūid Helas۔ē lo. Rōma۔ē
edyūkāxun brēd۔d
a non۔presedent۔ē and stolid
lōyaltē. Rōman۔s
wuz skrūpyūlus۔bē
onest, rēsolūt۔lē
self۔kontrōl۔t, zelus۔lē dedikāt۔d tū θā’s īdēal۔s, yet θā’s
langwij had nō
word fōr “non۔selfix۔nes”. Lak۔ing
a signifikant nāxunal filosofē and nātiv kultūr, θe Rōman۔s had adopt۔d Helas۔ē kultūr enmas. Lak۔ing
a rēlijon worθ۔ē
ov a
nām, Rōma, after fēr۔s
ov politikal kompētixun wuz kwel۔t,
bēkum۔d
fertil sōil
fōr Kristēanitē. Mōrōver, θe Helas۔ē kultūral and
Rōma۔ē
politikal konsolidāxun ov
teritōrē suround gulf Mediterānēan intū a vast rējon wiθ a singel ōverlā۔t langwij and
kultūr enābel۔d
θe nūmerus eθnisitē۔s
pōtenxal۔lē
tū aksept won God. Θe Rōman۔s,
dur θe proses ov absōrb۔ing
θe alredē substanxal۔lē
alter۔d
mesaj ov
Jēsus, furθer qānj۔d
it. Θā kompel۔d a
systemization ov Kristēanitē’s īdēal۔s and praktis۔s – at wiq Pol,
hiself a
Rōman sitizen az wel az an hī۔bē
intelijent intelektūal, not tū menxun a sūperb ōrganīz۔ōr, eksel۔d,
bī krēāt۔ing
– and
rēkōrd۔ing
in his
leter۔s – a
kōhērent
θēolōjē. And bēkuz Rōman۔s politik۔lē wuz devōt۔d tū θā’s
institūxunalīz۔t
stāt, it wuz ēzē۔er
fōr θā tū bēkum
spiritūal۔lē
devōt۔d tū
an institūxunalīz۔t
qurq. Rōmanīz۔t
Helasīz۔t
Polēn
Kristēanitē wuz θus posixun۔d
tū bēkum θe nū Rōma۔ē
stāt rēlijon. However, it had mīgrāt۔d ēven furθer
awā from θe
individyūal ekspērēens in spiritūal grōθ az tēq۔t
bī Jēsus.Jēsus dū۔d not direkt sōxal bēhāvyōr. Hē dū۔d not ēven tēq mōralitē. In his vyū, upon aksept۔ing θe faθer۔hōod ov God and θe broθer۔hōod ov man, pēpel۔s wud natūral۔lē bēhāv proper۔lē and akt mōral۔lē – per standard۔s ov θā’s kontemporārē eθnisitē. But bī θen Kristēanitē, establix۔d on a mis۔konstrū۔t foundāxun bī Pēter, lāden۔d wiθ Jūdāik mōralitē, kosmolojē, and anθropolojē, alter۔t bī Pol tū akomodāt pōtenxēal belēv۔ōrs, pāganīz۔t tū satisfī θe misterē kult۔s, Hellasīz۔t, and Rōmanīz۔t, had evolv۔d intū a komplēt sōxal sistem enkompas۔ing atitūd۔s on rēlijus ritūal۔s, mōral۔s, seks regyūlāxun, polēgamē, majik, art, literaqur, edyūkāxun, government, lo, medisin, and sīens. Kristēanitē bēkum۔d not mēr۔lē a nū rēlijon, but a nū ōrder ov hyūman sōsīetē. At Anatōlēa, Jon Mark komplēt۔d his akount ov Jēsus’s līf and tēq۔in. Θrē yēr۔s lāter Isadōr, hū had eskāp۔d from θe sēj ov Jerūsalem wiθ Maθyū’s nōt۔s, at Pela komplēt۔d rīt۔ing θe gospel nām۔d (az wuz kustomārē) after his mentōr, Maθyū. Abner, hū dēnouns۔d Pol az “θe klever korupt۔ōr ov Jēsus’s tēq۔ins”, kontinyū۔d tū propagāt his relativ۔bē pyūr verxun ov Jēsus’s mesaj, spred۔d bī emisārē۔s from his senter in Filadelfia θrūout Mesopōtāmēa and Arābēa; Abner dī۔d at āj 89. Āt yēr۔s lāter dur 82 KE in nōrθ·western Helas, Lūk, from his nōt۔s, from a kopē ov θe first fōur dee۔fīv۔s ov Mark’s gospel, and from a myūtilāt۔t muq-edit۔t kopē ov nōt۔s purport۔t tū hav bin rīt۔t bī Andrū – komplēt۔d his gospel; hē plan۔d twū oθer bōok۔s about θe histōrē ov Krist and Kristēanitē but sūn bēfōr hē finix۔d θe sekond, “Akt۔s ov θe Aposol۔s”, hē dī۔d, dur 90 KE. Sīmon Zelotes penetrāt۔d intū θe hart ov Afrika, wār hē lābor۔d until hē dī۔d, a fēbel ōld man. Naθanēel dī۔d in Barat. Jon Zebedē, θe yung۔est aposol, frē۔d from prison, travel۔d ekstensiv۔lē, bēkum۔d bixop ov θe Asēa Mīnor qurq۔s, fīnal۔lē setel۔d at Efesus on θe western kōst ov Anatōlēa; at āj 99, hav۔ing rēd۔d θe gospel۔s ov Mark, Maθyū, and Lūk, and nōt۔ing θat muq had bin ōmit۔d, hē enkouraj۔d his asōxēāt, Nāθan, a Helasan Jūan from Sēzarea, tū bēgin rīt۔ing θe gospel ov Jon’s nām (from memōrē and referens۔ing θe oθer θrē gospel۔s, Jon hav۔ing nō nōt۔s), wīel hē hiself rīt۔d an intrōdukxun; Jon dī۔d twū yēr۔s lāter dur yēr 103. Several dekād۔s lāter θe last eksist۔ē kopē ov Andrū’s gospel wuz destrōē۔d bī fīer in Aleksandrēa. Bī θe dē۔fōur sentūrē KE θe Kristēan rēlijon stil dū۔d not hav a skriptūr, θus θe Rōman۔s, hū bī θen had asūm۔d ful kontrōl ov θe qurq, undertāk۔d tū krēāt won. Θer eksist۔d muq matērēal tū sift θrū – inklūd۔ing ēven a gospel ov Jūdas Iskārēot, among θe manē manyūskript۔s diskard۔t. From Jon Mark’s gospel θe later dē۔fīv wuz los۔t bēfōr it wuz kopē۔t; sins θen, nūmerus pasaj۔s had bin rēmūv۔d, oθer matērēal ad۔d. Maθyū’s gospel, az rīt۔d bī Isadōr, pōrtrā۔d Jēsus az a son ov king Dāvid, and demonstrāt۔d grāt respekt fōr θe lo and θe profet۔s, atempt۔ing tū xō θat som ov wut Jēsus dū۔d fulfil۔d profesē۔s ov Jūdāizm’s fōrmer profet۔s. Lūk prēserv۔d muq ov Jēsus’s grās, and pōrtrā۔d hē az a frend ov taks·kolekt۔ōrs and sin۔ōrs; Lūk’s gospel wuz in manē wā۔s θe gospel ov Pol, but wiθ adixun۔s. Abner, bēkuz ov his rēsistans tū alter۔ing Jēsus’s fundamental mesaj, and his subsekwent īsolāxun, wuz ignōr۔t. Θe bulk ov θe krēāt۔t skriptūr (θe Nū Testament) wuz devōt۔d tū Pol’s rēlijus ekspērēens, his personal rēlijus konvikxun۔s, and his θēolōjē, az pōrtrā۔d in his leter۔s (wiq Pol never suspekt۔d wud bēkum part ov a sākred dokyūment); θe ōnlē nōt۔abel ekseptxun۔s, asīd from muq ov θe fōur gospel۔s, wuz θe Bōok ov Hebrews and θe Episel ov Jāms. Θus θe Nū Testament kontān۔d muq θat Jēsus dū۔d not tēq. Kristēanitē wuz bās۔d mān۔lē upon θe ōpinyon۔s ov Pol, not upon θe gospel ov Jēsus. Θe Rōma۔ē empīer slō۔lē dēklīn۔d – from eksesiv taksāksun and grōs kolekxun abyūs۔s, rampant paternalism, non۔balans۔t komers wiθ θe Levant θat drān۔d gōld reserv۔s, amyūzment mad۔nes, dēgrādāxun ov woman, fizikal plāg۔s. Mēnwīel θe Rōma۔ē stāt qurq (Kristēanitē), institūxunalīz۔t almōst tū θe pōint ov spiritūal baren۔nes, kontinyū۔d tū gān inflūens and power. In Arābēa and Mesopōtāmēa Jēsus’s tēq۔ins wuz engulf۔t bī θe suden rīz ov Islam. In Yūrop dur θe sōkald Dark Era (ap yēr۔s 500 tū 1000 KE) θe qurq, bēing ful۔lē integrāt۔t wiθ sōsīetē, wuz dūm۔t tū xār in θe intelektūal and spiritūal dēklīn. Kristēanitē hībernāt۔d. Individuals wuz domināt۔d bī diktātxun from θā’s rēlijus lēd۔ōrs, hūz suksexun ov powerful pōp۔s deklār۔d θāself۔s θe ōnlē link bētwēn God and pēpel۔s. Kristēanitē had bēkum۔d, alīk Jūdāizm, a sekondhand rēlijon. Mōrōver, a nū spiritūal menas arīs۔d in θe krēāxun ov sōkald sānt۔s, belēv۔d tū hav spexal inflūens at divīn lokōrt۔s, and hū, θerfōr, if efektiv۔lē apēal۔t tū (tipikal۔lē bī pā۔ing monē tū prēst۔s), kud intersēd in worxip۔ōrs’ bēhaf. Yet θe rēlijon wuz sufixent۔lē sōxalīz۔t and pāganīz۔t θat it survīv۔d θe long pērēod ov kultūral stagnāxun, and emerj۔d stil inflūenxal at θe don ov θe Yūrop۔ē renisans. Along wiθ rēvīv۔ing interest in θe nolej ov θe ānxent۔s, dē-14 sentūrē Kristēanitē rē۔blūm۔d alīk flower۔s after a snō۔ē winter, but stil under tīt kontrōl ov θe institūxunalīz۔t Rōma۔ē qurq. And furθer distōrt۔ing Jēsus’s mesaj wuz mis۔translāxun۔s (aksidantal and purposful) ov θe ānxent rīt۔ins. Jēsus prēq۔d spiritūal yūnītē – a vast broθer۔hōod ov belēv۔ōrs in θe faθer۔hōod ov God – but bēkuz Kristēanitē asūm۔d tū enkompas almōst al aspekt۔s ov hyūman sōsīetē, az pēpel۔s gān۔d mōr nolej bēkuz ov advans۔s in sīens and komyūnikāxun, θe qurq splinter۔d intū sub۔qurq۔s (sōkald dēnomināxun۔s), ēq ekspres۔ing partikyūlar vyūpōint۔s. Kristēanitē fragment۔d. And θus wuz θe ōrijinal mesaj – wiq emfasīz۔d ēq individyūal’s direkt komyūnikāxun wiθ God – furθer mudel۔t. Sīens gradūal۔lē dis۔prūv۔d qerix۔t Jūdāik doktrin۔s (wiq had alsō bēkum Kristēan doktrin۔s) in θe fēld۔s ov astronomē and anθropolojē, krēāt۔ing a “sīens versus rēlijon” ilūxun. In rēalitē, nō konflikt eksist bētwēn sīens and trū rēlijon – θe akt ov an individyūal in tā’s self۔konxus rēlāxunxip wiθ God, kontrast۔d wiθ ōrganīz۔t rēlijon az pēpel۔s’ sōxalīzāxun ov θe worxip ov individyūal religionists. Trū rēlijon, kwalitātiv, iz not in anē wā konsern۔d wiθ matērēal θing۔s, wīel sīens, kwantitātiv, iz ōnlē konsern۔d wiθ matērēal θing۔s. Sīensōr۔s mēr۔lē dis۔prūv۔d miθ۔s and presumptiv doktrin۔s ov rēlijus lēd۔ōrs. Rēlijon, a pyūr۔lē personal and spiritūal ekspērēens, iz θe revelāxun tū individyūal mōrtal۔s ov θā’s divīn and ēternal destinē. Trū rēlijon iz θerfōr separāt from mōralitē, sōxal obligāxun, politik۔s, esθetik۔s, atitūd۔s tōward matērēal rēalitē. Bī θe dē-20 sentūrē Yūropēn۔s had bēkum۔d progresiv۔bē sekyūlarīz۔d. Θe faθer ov sekyūlarizm wuz θe nārō-mīnd۔ē and god۔les atitūd ov sīens. Θe moθer ov sekyūlarizm wuz θe tōtalitarēanizm ov θe Kristēan qurq. Θe ofsprin ov sekyūlarizm wuz θe tīranikal and diktātōrēal politikal stāt. Sekyūlarizm frē۔d pēpel۔s from eksēsēatrikal slāverē, ōnlē tū bētrā θā intū politikal slāverē. Tū sumarīz, θe kōr konsept and manē ov θe grāt trūθ tēq۔t bī Jēsus wuz los۔d in erlē mis۔komprēhenxun۔s and kompromīz۔s, and Pol’s Jūdāizm-frend۔ē sōxalīz۔t rēlijon wuz lāter Helasīz۔t, Rōmanīz۔t, and pāganīz۔t, bēkum۔ing ritūalistik and sekondhand; θen it splinter۔d, wuz asolt۔t bī sīens, and endur۔t a sekyūlar baklax from it’s tōtalitarēan past. Az a world rēlijon it wuz handikap۔t bī bēing īdentifī۔d az a part ov θe sōxal sistem, industrēal līf, and mōral standard۔s ov Oksident sivilīzātion, and θus non۔witin۔lē sēm۔d tū sponsōr a sōsīetē θat stager۔d under θe gilt ov tolerāt۔ing sīens wiθout īdēalizim, politik۔s wiθout prinsipel۔s, industrē wiθout mōralitē, power wiθout konxens, nolej wiθout karakter, welθ wiθout work, grēd wiθout limit, plejur wiθout rēstrānt. Yet θe Galilēen karpentōr had set۔d in mōxun tēq۔ins θat, after absōrb۔ing θe entīeretē ov Hēbrū۔ēz θēolōjē and Helas۔ē filosofē, konker۔d θe Rōma۔ē world dur θrē sentūrē۔s and θen kontinyū۔d onward tū trīumf ōver θe barbārēan۔s hū topel۔d Rōma. After bēkum۔ing kōmatōs dur mōr θan won-θousand yēr۔s, it resurekt۔d itself and rē۔konkur۔d Yūrop and θen θe entīer Amerika۔ē hemisfēr. Twū milenēum۔s after Jēsus ov Nazareθ wak۔d θe Erθ, Kristēanitē rēmān a mīt۔ē rēlijon, bīfar θe mōst popyūlar on wut iz refer۔d tū θrūout θe lōkal yūnivers ov Nebedon az θe planet ov θe krūsifiks. Pēpel۔s iz the qildren’s of God, and θrū fāθ θā kan aktūal۔lē rēalīz and dā۔ē ekspērēens θis enōbel۔ē trūθ. Jēsus’s kōr mesaj – θe Faθer۔hōod ov God and θe sib۔hōod ov pēpel۔s – iz az relevant az ever. *
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