The Abridged Gospel of John

1:1. Back at the start of time, there was a magic Living Word. The Word was next to God, and the Word was Divine.

1:2-3. The Word was there the entire time and created all things.

1:4-5. The Word is Life- the Light for all people that shines in the darkest darkness- and has never been overcome by it.

1:10. When the Light first came into the world, no one recognized them.

1:11. The Light just wanted to see things and hang out, but no one really wanted to.

1:12. Well, some people did- and when they called on the name, they became children of God.

1:13. (Which has nothing to do with your birth parents. Children of God are created by God.)

1:14. But that's when the Word lived a life as a human being. He came to stay with us- we saw it- the One and Only who comes from God- full of grace and truth.

1:15-16. God is full of grace- and God gave us part of that grace.

1:17. In the past, that was done through the Law, but now it comes to us through Jesus Christ.

1:18. No one has ever seen God- but Jesus Christ is Lord and is with God- and has shown us what God is like.

1:6. Anyways, our story starts with a person named John the Baptist.

1:7. He saw that Light- and told people his side of the story to help them believe.

1:8-9. John was not the Light- he just told people about it- how the Light was coming into the world.

1:19-20. One day, when John was baptizing at the Jordan River, the religious leaders in Jerusalem sent guards to ask John who he was- and John told them plainly- "I am not the Messiah."

1:21. "Are you Elijah? Or the Prophet?"
"Nope," John answered.

1:22. "Well we need to tell our boss something. Who are you?"

1:23. John said, "I am a messenger of God- and the Lord is coming."

1:24-25. They asked, "If you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet, what gives you the right to baptize people?"

1:26-31. "I only do ritual baptisms with water," John replied, and pointed at Jesus, "Look! That's who I was talking about! The one who will cleanse the mistakes of the world! God wants me to make it clear to God's People who this person is- that's why I'm baptizing with water.

1:32-33. I saw the Holy Spirit come down from Heaven and go to him. I did not know who they were at first- but God told me that this exact thing will happen- and that person I see the Spirit go to, will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

1:34. I have seen this happen- I am a witness that this is God's Chosen One."

1:35. The next day, John was there again with two students.

1:36-37. He pointed out Jesus to them, and they started following Jesus down the road.

1:38-39. Jesus turned around and said, "What do you friends want?"
They said, "Teacher- where are you staying?"
Jesus said, "Follow- I'll show you."
The two followed Jesus and spent the rest of the day with him.

1:40. One of the two students was Andrew, Peter's brother. He was a student of John the Baptist who left to follow Jesus.

1:41. When Andrew realized the significance, he went to get his brother Peter- and told him that they had found the Messiah.

1:42. Andrew brought Peter to Jesus, who gave him the nickname Peter.

1:43-44. The next day, Jesus found another friend named Phillip, who was from the same town as Peter & Andrew, called Bethsaida.

1:45. Phillip went to his friend Nathanael and said, "We found the Prophet that Moses and the other prophets wrote about- his name is Jesus, son of Joseph- from the town of Nazareth."

1:46. Nathanael said, "Nazareth! What a small little town! Can anything good come from there?"
"Go see for yourself," Phillip said.

1:47. Jesus saw Nathanael approaching and said, "You are a true Child of God."

1:48. "You don't know me," Nathanael said.
Jesus said, "I saw you back when you were standing under the fig tree. I saw you there before Phillip came up to you."

1:49. "Teacher- you really are the Chosen! The leader of God's people!"

1:50. Jesus said, "You think that was impressive? You'll see much more than that."

1:51. Jesus said, "You all will see Heaven open and angels coming down to me, The Chosen One."

2:1-2. Jesus, his students, and his mother Mary were all at a wedding in a town named Cana.

2:3. All of the wine ran out, and Mary asked Jesus to get some more.

2:4. "Mom! What do you expect me to do? I can't reveal who I am yet!" Jesus said.

2:5. "Make them do it for you," Mary said, pointing to the waitstaff.

2:6-8. Jesus saw 6 empty barrels. He told the waitstaff to fill them up with water and take them to the manager. They did.

2:9-10. The manager tasted the water- and realized it had turned to wine! He said it was the best wine they had ever tasted.

2:11. This was the first miracle Jesus performed.

2:12-13. They traveled a while, until eventually they made their way over to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.

2:14. In the temple courtyard there were people selling animals and gambling.

2:15-16. Jesus took a rope and started beating everyone buying & selling, flipping over tables and yelling and chasing people away, saying, "Stop turning God's house into a business!"

2:17. His students thought it was a little intense but admired his passion.

2:18. The religious leaders asked him, "What gives you the authority to do this? Prove yourself."

2:19. Jesus said, "When you destroy this temple, it will only take me 3 days to build it back up."

2:20. They said, "It's taken 46 years to build the temple. 3 days? Yeah right!"

2:21. But Jesus was using symbology- the temple was his body.

2:22. His students did not realize this was what he meant until after he was dead.

2:23-25. But Jesus and everyone stayed for Passover. Many people saw the signs he was doing- but he didn't trust anyone. Jesus knew what people were like and why they do what they do.

3:1. There was a religious person named Nicodemus.

3:2. He snuck away to speak to Jesus at night. "Teacher, we know that you are sent from God, and God is with you, otherwise you couldn't perform all of these miracles."

3:3. Jesus said, "Then try this- No one can see Heaven unless they are reborn."

3:4. "Reborn?" Nicodemus asked, "What, like crawl back inside their mother?"

3:5-7. Jesus said, "Not quite- no one can enter Heaven unless they are born twice- once by a human, once by God. Humans give birth to humans, and Spirit gives birth to spirit. This should not be surprising.

3:8. The wind blows where it wants to, you can hear it and feel it. But you can't tell where it comes from or where it goes. This is how those born of Spirit are, too."

3:9. "Wait, what?" Nicodemus asked.

3:10. Jesus said, "You're supposed to be a teacher, yourself, right? This is confusing for you?

3:11. I'm only speaking what I know- what I have seen. But you don't want to believe me.

3:12. That was only earthly wisdom- and you think I should tell you about the secrets of Heaven?

3:13. The only ones who have seen Heaven have come from Heaven. They are Chosen.

3:14. Moses performed miracles, and so do I.

3:15. Everyone who believes this will experience that they have eternal life.

3:16. God loves the world so much that they sent the Child, and the Child loves us so much, that they desired to come to us no matter the cost. Anyone who believes this will experience that they have eternal life.

3:17. The Child did not come to judge the world. God sent the Child to help the world.

3:18. Anyone who believes in the Child is not judged.

3:19. Light has come into this world. People are still loving darkness instead of the Light.

3:20. Anyone who does evil does not like the Light- they are afraid the light will expose them and what they do will be seen.

3:21. But anyone who seeks and lives by Truth will experience the Light. Those people will continue in Truth with God's help- and God will help show the world their good deeds.

3:22. Then Jesus and his friends left for somewhere else and started healing and baptizing people there.

3:23-24. John was baptizing, too, back before he was arrested.

3:25-26. Some of John's students had an argument with another religious person about baptisms. They came and told John that Jesus was baptizing nearby and that everyone was going to him instead.

3:27-30. John said, "God is telling them where to go. I told you this myself- that I am not Messiah. Jesus is- and hearing this news makes me happy. Focus on him- not me.

3:31-33. The one who comes from Heaven is Lord. The one from the Earth speaks like someone from the Earth. Jesus speaks about what he has seen and heard, and those who understand end up saying, "Yes, God is Truthful."

3:34. God sends those who speak God's words. God sends the Holy Spirit without limit.

3:35. The Parent loves The Child and has given all control to them.

3:36. Anyone who believes in The Child has eternal life."

4:1-3. The religious leaders had heard that Jesus was gaining followers and baptizing more people than John, even though it was Jesus' students baptizing, not Jesus. Jesus left the area.

4:4-8. Around noon, Jesus passed through a town called Samaria. That town was near a special well dedicated to the ancestor Jacob. He sat down near the well, and his disciples went into town to get food. A woman walked up, and he asked her for a drink.

4:9. The woman said to him, "You are religious- I am not- your people look down on mine. Why are you asking me for a drink?"

4:10. Jesus said, "God has many gifts for everyone- I have a special living water."

4:11-12. "Uhm, where? You don't have a cup or anything else. Also, this well and this water is just fine, thank you."

4:13-14. Jesus said, "I'm talking about the internal spring of magic water that gives eternal life- then you will never have to drink normal water again."

4:15. She said, "Alright, fine, you got me. Sounds good. What do I have to do?"

4:16. Jesus said, "Go get your husband and come back."

4:17-18. "But I don't have a husband," she said.
Jesus said, "Exactly. Matter of fact – you've had 5 husbands. And the partner you live with now- you are not married to."

4:19-20. "Whoa, that's true! You really are a prophet! We have always worshipped on this mountain. But there are those who say we must go to Jerusalem to pray," she said.

4:21-24. Jesus said, "Yes, our religion was given by God. But a time is coming when it won't matter where you worship. In fact, that time is already here. Worship God in Spirit and Truth."

4:25. She said, "I already know the Messiah is coming- and when he arrives, he will explain everything."

4:26. Jesus said, "Yeah, exactly, that's me!"

4:27. Just then, Jesus' students returned.

4:31-33. They wanted him to eat some of the food they brought, but Jesus didn't want to.

4:34. Jesus said, "I don't even want to eat- I'm fueled by doing what God sent me to do.

4:35. There is a saying- "There's still four months to harvest time"- but open your eyes! The crop is ripe now!

4:36. The people who plant and the ones who harvest are both growing the plant of eternal life. Everyone can be happy together.

4:37-38. I am sending you out to harvest the work that others have planted."

4:28-29. The woman excitedly ran through town- telling people to come and see the Messiah.

4:30. People were curious and gathered around Jesus.

4:39. A lot of people believed the testimony of the woman.

4:40-42. He stayed in the city for two days and talked to a lot of people. Others started to believe the things he said, and they called him the Savior of the World.

4:43. After this, he went back to his hometown.

4:44. He knew prophets were not respected in their own town.

4:45. When he got there, he was welcomed. Many had seen what he did back in Jerusalem when he destroyed all the merchants in the courtyard.

4:46. Then he went back to Cana- where he turned the water to wine.

4:47-49. An official wanted Jesus to come heal their sick child.

4:50. "Alright, fine, they're healed," Jesus said. The official believed and left.

4:51-53. On their way home, the official received news that his child was healed at exactly one in the afternoon- right when Jesus said. The whole family became believers.

4:54. That was the second miracle Jesus performed.

5:1. Next, Jesus went to Jerusalem.

5:2-4. There is a public bath house on the edge of town, that a lot of people with disabilities use.

5:5. One person there had been unable to walk for 40 years.

5:6. Jesus asked him, "Do you want me to heal you?"

5:7. "Really I just wanted someone to help me into the bath," the person said.

5:8. "Hey- gather up your stuff, and go ahead and try it yourself, "Jesus said and healed him.

5:9. The man stood up and started cleaning up his stuff.

5:10. The religious leaders saw this person be healed and start cleaning up and then said to them, "The law prohibits doing work on the Sabbath."

5:11. The man said, "But that man who healed me told me to start cleaning up and walk."

5:12. "And who exactly was that?" they said.

5:13. The person turned to look, but had not ever seen Jesus before, and he had managed to slip away into the crowd.

5:14. Jesus did run into him later that day and warned the person to become a better person.

5:15. The person left and told the officials who Jesus was.

5:16. All of these things were happening on the Sabbath, and the religious officials began to hear about these things.

5:17. Jesus said in defense, "The Child does what The Parent says. God is still working even today- if you have a problem with God working on the Sabbath, you can take it up with Them yourself."

5:18. This really pissed them off. Not only was Jesus working on the Sabbath, he was also calling God his Parent.

5:19. Jesus said, "Listen up. The Child can't do anything by themselves- only what they've seen The Parent doing. What The Parent does, The Child does.

5:20. This is because The Parent loves the Child and shows them everything- far greater things than what you've seen so far.

5:21. The Parent gives us life after death. And The Child can show that to anyone they choose.

5:22. The Parent does not judge, they have given that task to the Child.

5:23. So honor The Child, like you do The Parent.

5:24-25. Believe me- and you'll see eternal life. You will not be judged and will cross over from death into life.

5:26-27. God has Life, and allows me to give it as is fit.

5:28-29. This should not be surprising. Dead people will come back to life. The good ones will be allowed to party, and the bad ones will have to sit in time out.

5:30. I only judge what I see, and do not try to please myself- only the one who sent me.

5:31-32. People tend to lie when talking about themselves- but testimonies from others are harder to pick apart.

5:33-35. John the Baptist has been talking about me, and I've been talking about him. John is like a little light.

5:36-37. I am doing the works of God, and these works should prove God has sent me- God is my witness.

5:38. You would believe me if you knew God.

5:39-40. You might study the Scripture, but the Scripture is not the one who gives Life. That's God.

5:41-44. The opinions of humanity mean nothing to me- but I still know you and see in your hearts. There is no love for God here. I come in God's name, and you fight me, yet other's come in their own names, and you accept them, just to pat each other on the back. Do you even care about God's opinion, or do you just want to congratulate each other?

5:45. I am not here to argue with you and point out your flaws. That is what the Law of Moses does.

5:46. Do you remember what Moses said? Then you should believe this too.

5:47. But if you don't believe what Moses said, then you have no reason to believe what I say."

6:1-4. Jesus and his friends traveled a bit more. He sat with them on a mountain close to the Passover festival.

6:2. A large crowd followed him, having seen the miracles he did.

6:5-6. Jesus saw the crowd coming and decided to test Phillip. "Where do you think we can buy enough bread for all of these people?"

6:7. Phillip said, "What!? We would have to spend a year's salary just for everyone to have only one bite!"

6:8-9. Andrew said, "Here is a boy with 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish. But how will that help such a big crowd?"

6:10-11. Jesus told everyone to sit down. He took the break and prayed. He started handing it out, each person got as much as they wanted. There were 5,000 people there.

6:12-13. When they were all fed, Jesus said, "Take everything that's left and save it, don't let it go to waste." They saved the leftover pieces in a basket.

6:14. The people saw this miracle and knew he was the Prophet that Moses had predicted.

6:15. Jesus saw them thinking this, and knew they would force him to be king, so he ran away to a mountain to be by himself.

6:16-17. Nighttime came, and Jesus' friends sailed back home.

6:18-19. There was a storm, and things got real rough a few miles from shore. All of a sudden, they saw Jesus walking up to them. They were terrified.

6:20. "Hey, it's just me, friends," Jesus said.

6:21. They relaxed and let him on the boat. They got to where they were heading immediately.

6:22. They next day, the crowd realized Jesus wasn't there anymore, and didn't know how it happened.

6:23-24. Some more people arrived, and everyone realized Jesus wasn't there, so they left to go look for him.

6:25. Eventually, they found him on the other side of the lake. They asked him how he got there.

6:26-27. Jesus said, "You are looking for me not because I am magic, but because I make you whole. Don't look for things that fade with time, look for things that last forever. These are things that the Chosen will give you- because God has given them the seal of approval."

6:28. They asked, "What does God want from us?"

6:29. Jesus answered, "Believe in the one God sends."

6:30-31. They said, "Fine, well, what sign can you give us? We got bread from Moses in the desert."

6:32-33. Jesus said, "Moses did not give you that bread- God did. And not only that, but God has also kept giving bread since."

6:34. "Shit, give us more bread," they said, catching onto his metaphor.

6:35-40. Jesus said, "I am that bread of life. Whoever believes in me will never be hungry or thirsty. I will never send away anyone who comes to me. I have not come to do what I want- but to do God's will, which is to give eternal life to anyone who believes me.

6:41-42. Some of the guard recognized Jesus, they said, "Isn't this that little kid, son of Joseph? What does all this mean- that he's come from heaven?"

6:43-51. Jesus said, "Don't be rude. No one is able to follow me unless God wants them to. God teaches everyone, and God will lead them to me. Whoever has faith in me will have eternal life. Your ancestors ate the bread in the desert, and they died. I am the bread of life- whoever eats me will have eternal life- I give my life for the world."

6:52. The guards were mad, they couldn't figure out what Jesus meant by "eat me".

6:53-59. Jesus said, "You have to eat the Perfected Human. If you don't drink their blood, you'll die. Whoever eats me and drinks me will live forever. I will bring them back to life, just like God sent me to do."

6:60. "Hey, this is kind of crazy," some of the disciples said.

6:61-65. Jesus said, "What are you mad about? What will you think when you see me raise up to heaven? The Spirit gives life, the body is worthless. I know some of you don't believe me. That's why I said you need God's help."

6:66. This freaked out some students too much, and they left.

6:67. Jesus asked his 12 disciples if it was too much for them.

6:68-69. Peter said, "But where would we go? You have the wisdom of eternal life, and we have faith you come from God."

6:70-71. Jesus said, "That's right, I picked you all personally. But one of you is evil." He was talking about Judas Iscariot, the one who would betray Jesus.

7:1. Jesus was on the run from the law.

7:2. The Feast of Booths was coming up.

7:3-5. Jesus' brothers wanted him to go to the feast with them to reveal himself.

7:6. But Jesus didn't want to.

7:7-9. "I'm calling their ass out- they don't want me around. You guys go onto the feast without me."

7:10. In actuality, Jesus was joking, and went with them secretly.

7:11. At the feast, the cops were looking for him.

7:12-13. There were lots of murmurs, some calling Jesus good, others evil, but they were afraid to speak too loudly.

7:14. Jesus kept hidden until halfway through the feast. Then he stood up and started to teach.

7:15. Everyone was amazed at how much he knew.

7:16-18. Jesus said, "It's not my content- it comes from the one who sent me. If you don't believe what I say- ask God yourself- then you'll know what I say comes from them. If you speak your own ideas, you might get credit, but if you speak the ideas of God, then you speak truth.

7:19. Shouldn't you all follow the law before you kill me for not following it?"

7:20. The crowd thought he was crazy- that no one wanted to kill him.

7:21-24. Jesus said, "I did one miracle, and you all are amazed. You do rituals on the Sabbath, so why can't I heal on the Sabbath? Stop judging by your own perceptions. Judge the right way."

7:25-27. People thought he couldn't be the Messiah since they knew where he came from and he was out in public speaking openly.

7:28-29. Jesus said, "Duh, you know who I am and where I come from, but clearly you don't know who sent me."

7:30. This angered them to want to arrest him.

7:31. People started debating whether or not he was Messiah.

7:32. Other government officials heard all of this commotion and sent their own guards.

7:33-34. Jesus said, "I will be with you here only for a while. Then I will go back to where I came from, and you won't be able to find me."

7:35-36. This caused great confusion in the crowd.

7:37-39. Then Jesus said, "Let anyone who is thirsty come and drink some of this shit up. Believe in me, and the Spirit will rise in you."

7:40-44. Then some people in the crowd were sure he had to be the Messiah, though others doubted, and others went as far as wanting to arrest him.

7:45. The cops returned to their posts, and their captain was like, "Why didn't you arrest him?"

7:46. "He was speaking truth," the guards said

7:47-49. The captain said, "He tricked you, too? None of you idiots know anything about religion."

7:50-51. Then Nicodemus said, "Don't we want to hear everything he says before we condemn him?"

7:52. "You just think that because you're from the same town. Go look into it if you want, but you'll see he doesn't know anything."

7:53. They all went home.

8:1. Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

8:2. Jesus started teaching in the temple yard at sunrise.

8:3. The cops brought up a woman to him.

8:4-5. They told him she was caught cheating. They repeated the Law of Moses that commanded those found guilty of cheating to be put to death and asked him what they should do.

8:6. This put Jesus in quite the pickle- either he would have to tell the cops off to their face or have to agree to killing the woman. Jesus started drawing on the ground with his finger, ignoring them.

8:7.  But they pestered him, and so finally he stood up and said, "Sure, whoever is perfect and has never done any wrong can give the order."

8:8. He returned to his picture on the ground.

8:9.  The cops grumbled and left. Eventually it was just Jesus and the woman remaining.

8:10-11. "Where do you think they went?" Jesus asked sarcastically, "Was there no one perfect? Exactly. Go and be free. Try to do better, though."

8:12. Jesus spoke aloud, "I am the light and life of the world- anyone who follows me will have that light, and have that life, and will never walk in darkness."

8:13. "Says who? Says you?" Said the cops.

8:14-18. Jesus answered, "Yeah, me. I know what I'm saying, where I came from, and where I'm going. But you don't, do you? You judge by your own standards. I don't judge at all. Your own Law requires two witnesses- and yes, I'm the first, and God is the second."

8:19. "Well then where is God to speak for you?" they said.
"You don't know God very well then, otherwise you wouldn't ask." Jesus said.

8:20. This was all in that courtyard. This made them angry but they still didn't arrest him.

8:21. Jesus said again, "I'm leaving and you'll never be able to find me."

8:22. At first they thought this meant he was going to kill himself.

8:23-24. But Jesus said, "No, it means I'm from Heaven and you are from this world. You will die if you don't believe me."

8:24. "Who are you?" they asked.

8:25-29. "I've already told you," Jesus said, "I have a lot to say that will piss you off. But you can trust God. And everything I say comes from God. I do nothing on my own- just speak what God has taught me. God is with me, because I always do what they want."

8:30. People started to believe him.

8:31-32. Jesus said, "If you obey my teachings, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

8:33. They said, "We are descendants of Abraham, and have never been slaves. What do we need to be set free from?"

8:34-47. Jesus said, "You may technically be descendants, but you have not escaped sin. You are looking for a way to kill me. That is not what Abraham would have done. Who taught you to be like that? It wasn't God. If God taught you, you would understand the things I'm saying. Can any of you prove I'm guilty of sinning? Then what's the issue? You clearly don't know how to listen to God."

8:48. They said, "Hmm. Sounds like something a demon would say."

8:49-51. Jesus said, "I'm giving glory to God, how could a demon do that? Seriously- whoever listens to me will know they will never die."

8:52-53. They said, "Now we know you're full of bullshit- Abraham already died, and so did many others. Are you saying you're better than them?"

8:54-56. Jesus said, "I don't know about that, but Abraham seemed to like the idea."

8:57. They said, "Wait, what? You are hardly 30 years old- yet you say you've met Abraham?!"

8:58. Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am."

8:59. This really pissed them off, and they picked up stones to kill him. But he ran away and hid.

9:1. While walking down the road, Jesus saw someone who had been blind since birth.

9:2. Jesus' students asked him, "Why is he blind? Is it because he sinned? Or because his parents sinned?"

9:3-5. "Neither," Jesus said, "but this gives us an opportunity to do God's work. I am the light of the world."

9:6-7. Jesus took some mud from the ground and put it on the person's eyes. He told them to go wash it off, and when he came back, he could see again.

9:8-15. The townspeople had trouble believing it was the same person- but the person testified it was them, and that it was Jesus who had healed them.

9:16. The cops were there and heard and were upset because Jesus was healing on the Sabbath- which was forbidden. They accused Jesus of being a criminal.

9:17. The asked the person for their opinion. The person said, "He is a prophet."

9:18-23. The cops went and got the person's parents. They testified that they were blind since birth, and didn't know how they got their sight back. They were afraid of the cops.

9:24. They asked the person again, "Tell us the truth! Is the person who healed you a criminal?"

9:25. The person said, "Shit, I don't know, all I know is they healed me."

9:26. "How!" the cops said.

9:27. "I already told you, jeez, why do you care so much about knowing? What, do you want to become his students, too?"

9:28-29. This upset the cops. "YOU are Jesus' student- we are Moses' students! We know God spoke to Moses- but don't even know where that other person comes from."

9:30-33. The person said, "Well, neither do I, but he healed me, and we know God doesn't heal through criminals. No one has ever healed the blind before, so shit."

9:34. The cops kicked the person out of the temple.

9:35. When Jesus heard he was kicked out, he went and found him. "Do you believe in the One sent from God?"

9:36. "Who is that, sir?" the person said.

9:37. "It's me!" Jesus said.

9:38. "Yes, I do." The person said.

9:39. "I have come to balance the world. I will enlighten those who cannot see, and those who can see will become blinded."

9:40. The cops overheard, and said, "What, are you saying we're blind?"

9:41. "Only because you're so sure you're not," Jesus said.

10:1-6. Jesus said, "Only a thief enters through the window. But the homeowner walks in the front door. And the cats come up to them and follow them around. They come for their treats. But they won't follow a stranger around."

10:7-10. Jesus said, "I am like a house for cats. All who have come before have scared them, and the cats have not listened to them. But anyone who comes to me is free to come and go, and they will find plenty of food. A thief comes to steal and kill. I come to give, and I want you all to have it in the fullest way possible."

10:11-18. "I am like a good farmer- I give my life for the animals. The hired hand doesn't really care about them, so when danger approaches, he runs and saves himself. He does not care about the animals. I know the animals, and they know me, just as I know God and God knows me. I will give my life for the animals, and make sure all get brought in. God appreciates that I'm willing to give up my life."

10:19-21. The religious leaders again accused him of being a demon, and it started an argument, some coming to his defense.

10:22-24. Soon it was Hanukkah in Jerusalem. Religious leaders came up to Jesus and said, "If you're the Messiah, just tell us already."

10:25-30. Jesus said, "I did tell you, but you don't believe me, that what I'm doing is backed by God. You don't believe me because none of you are my students- one of my animals. My animals know my voice. I will give them eternal life- no one will be able to take it from them. God has given them to me- and I and God are One."

10:31. The cops picked up stones and wanted to kill him.

10:32. But Jesus said, "Why? Which of my miracles do you want to kill me for?"

10:33. They said, "Not because of your miracles, but because you just said you were God."

10:34-38. "Doesn't the scripture say that we are all gods? So what are you upset about? Because I know it for sure? Because I said I am God's Child? There's no reason to believe me unless I'm doing the work of God. But even if you don't believe me, you can still see the work I do. Then you will know God is in me, and I am in God."

10:39. Again, they tried to arrest him, but he slipped away.

10:40. He went back to the Jordan River, where he and John used to hangout.

10:41-42. Many people started talking and gossiping and coming to Jesus. John had never performed a miracle, but Jesus was, and this caused many to believe.

11:1-3. One of Jesus' friends named Lazarus was sick, and his sisters Mary and Martha sent Jesus a letter to let him know.

11:4-7. Even though he loved the three of them, Jesus didn't worry too much about it. After a few days, he decided to go see what was up.

11:8. "Teacher, are you sure that's a good idea? Didn't they just try to kill you there?"

11:9-10. Jesus said, "There are 12 hours of daylight. If you walk during the day, you won't trip and fall, and that's because of the light. But at night, with no light, you will trip and fall."

11:11-15. "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, and I'm going to go wake him up." Jesus said. His students didn't realize he was using a metaphor for death, so Jesus had to clarify that's what he meant.

11:16. Thomas spoke up and said, "We should go, too. If they want to kill you, we'll die with you, Jesus."

11:17-19. By the time Jesus got there, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Many people had come to comfort Mary & Martha.

11:20. Martha went to go meet Jesus, and Mary stayed at home.

11:21-22. Martha said, "If you were here, my brother would have never died!"

11:23. Jesus said, "Your brother will live again."

11:24. Martha said, "Yeah, I know, in heaven."

11:25-26. Jesus said, "Do you really believe that?"

11:27. Martha said, "Yes, of course, and I believe you are here to help us, that you are the Child of God."

11:28-30. Martha went back home and told Mary to go see Jesus out on the edge of town where they just were.

11:31. Some of the locals got curious why Mary was in such a hurry, and decided to follow her.

11:32. Mary got to where Jesus was, and fell at his feet. "Lord, if you were there, my brother would have never died!"

11:33. Jesus saw her crying. He saw the locals behind her crying, too.

11:34-37. "Where is he?" Jesus asked, crying himself. They started to lead him. The crowd could see how much he cared, but others wondered why he didn't stop it in the first place.

11:38-39. They got to the tomb- a cave with a stone in front of the entrance. He told them to remove the stone.

11:39. "But Lord, he's been dead four days, it won't be very nice in there," said Martha.

11:40. Jesus said, "Have faith."

11:41-44. They took away the stone. Jesus thanked God, and then he called out to Lazarus. Suddenly, he started walking out, covered in bandages and cloth.
"Clean him and let him go." Jesus said.

11:45-46. Many people saw this happen and believed. But others went and told the cops.

11:47-48. The cops called an emergency meeting about what to do about all of these miracles.

11:49-50. One of them spoke up in defense of Jesus, a high priest named Caiaphas. He said, "It is better for one person to die for the people, than it is for a whole nation to be destroyed."

11:51-52. Caiaphas had already prophesied that Jesus would die not only for their nation, but for God's children everywhere.

11:53. So from that day on, the religious leaders decided they had to kill Jesus.

11:54. From this point on, Jesus had to attract much less attention, and went to go nearer the desert.

11:55-57. Though, it was almost time for the Passover Feast, and everyone was getting ready. They were looking for Jesus all over the temple, and put out a warrant for his arrest.

12:1. It was 6 days before Passover, and the crew was in Bethany, where Lazarus and his sisters lived.

12:2. They threw a dinner to honor Jesus. Martha served food.

12:3. Mary took a lot of expensive perfume and wiped it on Jesus' feet.

12:4-6. Judas Iscariot wasn't happy with this. He thought they should have sold the perfume and taken the money.

12:7-8. "Shut the fuck up, Judas, let her do something nice," Jesus said.

12:9. But a lot of people weren't just there for Jesus, they also wanted to see Lazarus, since he had just come back from the dead.

12:10-11. This made the cops want to kill Lazarus, too.

12:12-13. Jesus left on his way to Jerusalem, and the people took palm branches to go meet him.

12:14-15. Jesus rode up on a donkey.

12:16. This all had a lot of deeper meaning.

12:17-19. Everyone was still talking about all the miracles Jesus had done, and the cops got more desperate to put an end to all the ruckus.

12:20-22. People started asking to see Jesus.

12:23. Jesus started a speech, "Now is the time.

12:24. Unless you reuse the seeds, a grain of wheat produces only itself. But if it falls to the ground and dies, it produces many more.

12:25. Anyone who chases this life will loose it- anyone who seeks more will find eternal life.

12:26. To serve God, do as I did. God will honor you.

12:27. I'm a little nervous about all of this coming up, but it's the reason I'm here, so I'm going to stay strong and bring glory to God."

12:28. A voice from Heaven said, "Yup, you did."

12:29. Some people thought it was thunder, others thought it was an angel.

12:30-33. "Now it's time for me to die. When I do, I'll come back for all of you."

12:34. "That's not how the Messiah is supposed to work!" Yelled the crowd.

12:35-36. "I will be here a little longer- so watch while you can. But Messiah comes to you personally. Then you become a child of the light yourself."

12:37-43. Many people argued about the nature of Jesus. Some people were afraid of what the others thought.

12:44-46. Jesus said, "Trust me, and you'll also be trusting in God. I am the light God sent into the world."

12:47-50. "I didn't come to judge the world- I came to save it. I do not speak on my own- God speaks with me. This is how you find eternal life."

13:1. It was just before Passover, and Jesus knew that it was just about time for him to die.

13:2. One night, they were eating supper. Little did anyone but Jesus know, Judas had already turned in Jesus to the cops.

13:3. Jesus knew God was in control though.

13:4. So he got up and took off his robes, wrapping a towel around his waist.

13:5. After that, he began to wash his disciple's feet.

13:6. He got to Peter, and Peter was astonished- he was not worthy of this. "Are you sure, Lord?" he asked.

13:7. "Trust me- it's deep," Jesus said.

13:8. "No!" Peter said.
"You have too, or else you won't be my friend forever," Jesus said.

13:9. "Alright, fine, then wash my hands and face, too!" Peter said.

13:10. "You've already taken a bath Peter, that's not why I'm doing this. But some of you aren't as clean."

13:11. Jesus looked at Judas.

13:12-17. When he finished, he put back on his clothes. "Do you understand now?" Jesus asked and continued speaking, "You call me Teacher and Lord- and you are correct. But I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. So you also should wash others', just as I've done to you. Then you will be blessed."

13:18-21. Then Jesus said, "I know one of you fuckers turned me in. But that was part of the plan. It will make you believe who I am. Then you'll know who sent me."

13:22. His students looked at each other confused.

13:23-24. Peter pointed to The Beloved Disciple, and said, "You ask him who he means."

13:25. The Beloved Disciple said, "Yeah, who is it?"

13:26. Jesus threw a piece of bread at Judas. "You know what to do."

13:27-30. No one really knew what was going on- but Judas left the tent and went out into the night.

13:31-33. After Judas left, Jesus said, "Now I give glory to God. I will be with you only a little longer- and you can't come where I'm going."

13:34-35. "But I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you. Then people will know you are my students."

13:36. Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?"
Jesus said, "You'll have to wait and see. You can't come now."

13:37. Peter said, "Please, I'd do anything for you- even die for you."

13:38. "Really now?" Jesus said, "I don't think so. Before a rooster crows, you will betray me three times."

14:1-4. Jesus said, "Don't worry. Have faith in God. There is plenty of room in Heaven. I prepared spots for you all. I will come back to take you with me, then you'll be able to follow me."

14:5. Thomas said, "How will we know, Lord?"

14:6-7. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I will show you God. If you know me, you know God."

14:8. Phillip said, "Then show us, God, Lord."

14:9-14. Jesus said, "What are you talking about? If you've seen me, then you've seen God. God acts through me- God and I are one.
Believe that God is in me, or believe I'm from God, or just believe that I do good things. If you do believe, you'll be able to do the same things I do- even greater. I will help you.

14:15-21. If you love me, listen up. God will send you the Spirit of Truth. The world isn't ready for the Spirit- but they will come be with you, and in you. I will come to you also, and live in you also, even though the world won't be able to see me. Then you'll realize all three of us are one. I will show myself and God to anyone who loves me."

14:22. Then Jude said, "But why do you only show yourself to us? Why not to everyone else?"

14:23-25. Jesus said, "I will show myself to anyone who loves me and obeys my teachings. God will love them, too- and we will come be with them. These are the words of God.

14:26-27. The Holy Spirit is the Friend, and will help you, and teach you all things- reminding you of everything I've said. I leave you with peace- do not be afraid.

14:28-29. Honestly, you should be happy for me. Heaven is awesome. Plus, I've called it beforehand- that doubles as a sign.

14:30. I won't say much more- death is coming.

14:31. I love God, and do what God says."

15:1-8. "I am a vine- and God is a gardener. They trim every branch that does not bear fruit, so that the vine will bear more fruit. Be a good branch and remain attached to the vine- that way you will be able to bear good fruit."

15:9-11. "I have loved you like God has loved me. We all love each other, and that brings us joy.

15:12. Love one another, just as I have loved you.

15:13. The greatest love is to give your life for your friends.

15:14-15. You guys are no longer my students- you are now my friends. I have taught you everything I've learned from God.

15:16. You did not choose me- I chose you. I chose you to receive and bear the fruit that will last. I also chose you to receive anything you want from God. Anything you ask for.

15:17. Here is my command- love one another."

15:18-19. "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first."
19. If you belonged to the physical world, it would love you like it's own. But you do not belong here- I have chosen you out of the world. That is why it hates you.

15:20-25. People will treat you the same as me. If they hated me, they will hate you. They have seen my miracles and my goodness- but choose to hate me for no reason. They do not know God sent me, and this means they hate God. I've tried to tell them- but they won't listen.

15:26-27. If they obeyed me, they will obey you. I will send you the Friend from God- the Spirit of Truth who comes from God. The Friend will help you tell your story- and you should- because you've been with me since the beginning."

16:1-11. "I have told you all of this to prepare you for the truth. You will be outcast, and possibly even killed. And those doing it will think they are doing justice. But they do not know God. I am warning you now, because I am leaving you and can no longer protect you.
Even though it makes you sad I'm leaving- it's for the best. This way the Friend can come visit and be with you. The Friend will highlight the evil and crime in the world- those who don't believe in Light or God."

16:12-15. "There is much more to be said, but I'm not sure you're ready yet. But the Spirit of Truth will guide you into all truth. They will not speak their own opinions- only what they see and hear. The Spirit will tell you everything that God and I want- they will show you everything."

16:16. "I will be gone for a little while- then I'll return."

16:17-18. This confused the students.

16:19-24. Jesus noticed and said, "Yes, you will be sad and cry, but eventually that will turn to joy. Like how someone giving birth is in extreme pain but is overcome with joy when they see their baby. You will have everything you ever wanted. So ask away.

16:25-28. Yes, I have hidden things from you, but I will speak more plainly soon. God loves you- but now I'm going to be with God."

16:29-30. "We get it now," the students said.

16:31-33. "Okay then," Jesus said, "There will be a time when you guys get scattered- and it's coming soon. I want to give you peace- worry not- I have won the battle over this world."

17:1-5. Then Jesus looked at Heaven and started to pray, "God, the time has come. Bring glory to me, as I'm bringing glory to you. You gave me authority over everyone, and I gave them eternal life with me and you. I have brought you glory on Earth and finished the work you sent me to do. So now, God, give me glory in Heaven, the glory I had before creation."

17:6-19. "I pray for my students- they have been faithful to you. I've told them everything you've told me, and they believed me. So I'm praying for them. They've given us much glory. I will not be here much longer- but they still will be. So, God, keep them safe, so they can be one with you, just as you and I are One. Give them the same joy I have. Protect them in this world. Let them be sent into the world, the same way I was. Use the truth to make them holy, the same way I did."

17:20-26. "I also pray for anyone else who hears me and believes me. God, I pray that they will be One, just as we are. I give them glory, so that we may become perfectly together as One. Then the world will know you sent me, and they will know you love them just as you love me. Bring them to Heaven with us. You are Holy- let the world get to know you as you have shown yourself to me. Your love will be in them, and I myself will be in them."

18:1. Jesus finished praying and went with his students and entered a garden.

18:2-3. Judas came with the cops.

18:4. Jesus asked who they wanted.

18:5. "Jesus of Nazareth," they said.

18:6. "That's me." Jesus said, and they fell down, "what do you want?"

18:7. "Jesus of Nazareth," they repeated

18:8-9. "I told you that's me- if you're looking for me, then let these others go."

18:10. Peter drew his sword and cut off one of the guard's ears.

18:11. Jesus said, "Put your weapon away! This has to happen."

18:12-14. They arrested Jesus and brought him to the high priest.

18:19. The priest asked Jesus about his teachings.

18:20-21. Jesus said, "I have spoke openly in public, and didn't say anything in secret. Why are you bothering with me? Ask them."

18:22. One of the guards slapped Jesus and said, "That's not how you talk to the high priest."

18:23-24. Jesus said, "What did I say that was wrong? Can you repeat it? No? Then why did you hit me?"
They sent him off chained up.

18:15-18. Meanwhile, Peter and another student followed Jesus to the courtyard. At the courtyard, someone saw Peter and asked if he was one of Jesus' students. He said that he was not. He warmed himself by the fire.

18:25. Then someone else said, "Are you sure?" and Peter denied it again.

18:26. Then another said, "No, I'm pretty sure I saw you cut off someone's ear in the garden."

18:27. Peter said no again, and then a rooster started to crow.

18:28. The next morning, the guards took Jesus to the capitol to be executed.

18:29. Pontius Pilate came out to them. "What did he do?"

18:30. "Very serious crimes," they assured him, "otherwise we wouldn't have brought him to you."

18:31-32. "Well can't you handle it yourself?"
"We want you to kill him- and we're not allowed."

18:33. Pilate walked up to Jesus. "Are you the king of this world?"

18:34. "Where did you hear that? Is it your own idea? Or have you been listening to rumors?"

18:35. "Look, I really don't know who the hell you are- it's just what the people who left you with me said."

18:36. "I am not king of this world no- otherwise they would have never captured me. I am king of another land."

18:37. "But you are a king, then?"
"That's what is said- it's the reason I was born, to be a witness to truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth believes me."

18:38-39. Pilate went out to the crowd. "I honestly can't find anything wrong with him, do you want him to be the yearly traditional pardon?"

18:40. "No! We want someone else pardoned!" the crowd roared.

19:1-3. Pilate took Jesus to be flogged. They put a crown of thorns on his head, and gave him a purple robe. They said, "Hail to to the king!" mockingly, as they beat him.

19:4-5. Pilate showed Jesus to the crowd and gave them another opportunity to pardon him.

19:6. "Crucify him!" they said.
"Um, maybe you guys should do it yourselves if you're so eager. I really can't see anything he's done actually wrong."

19:7. "Well he said he was the Child of God! Our law says he must die!"

19:8-10. This scared Pilate, and he took Jesus back to the cell.
"Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus didn't answer. "Don't you realize I'm the one with the power to either kill you or set you free?"

19:11. Jesus said, "Nah, I wouldn't be here if God didn't want me here. You're not doing anything wrong- the ones who turned me in are guilty."

19:12. Finally, Pilate went to set Jesus free, but then the leaders mentioned that if Jesus said he was king- that meant he was opposition to Caesar.

19:13-15. Now Pilate had to act. He brought Jesus out to the courtyard.
"Is this your king?" he shouted to the crowd.
"We have no king but Caesar!" The crowd shouted back, "Crucify him!"

19:16. Pilate handed him to the executioners.

19:17-18. They forced Jesus to carry his own cross to a field, and crucified him with two others.

19:19-22. They hung a sign that said "Jesus of Nazareth, King of This World" in mockery.

19:23-24. The soldiers took Jesus' clothes and gambled over who got to keep them.

19:25-27. Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene were there watching. Jesus called out to The Beloved Disciple and Mother Mary, and said, "Watch after each other."

19:28-30. Jesus said he was thirsty, and they took a sponge of vinegar and dripped it into his mouth. He bowed his head and died.

19:31-37. The guards took down the body the next day.

19:38-42. Joseph, a disciple of Jesus, asked for the body, and Nicodemus helped him wrap Jesus in herbs and linens and laid him in a tomb.

20:1. Early on Monday, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark. She saw the stone had been moved away from the entrance.

20:2. So she ran to Peter and The Beloved Disciple. She said, "They have taken our Lord from his grave! He's missing!"

20:3-6. Peter and The Beloved Disciple went rushing. The Beloved Disciple reached first and saw strips of linen, but did not go in.

20:7-8. Peter arrived and went straight in the tomb, and then The Beloved Disciple followed. Everything was at it should have been- just no Jesus.

20:9-10. They did not yet know what had happened. The disciples left and went back to where they were staying.

20:11. Mary stayed outside the tomb crying.

20:12. Two angels appeared, sitting in the tomb where Jesus was.

20:13. They asked her why she was crying. She told them because they had stolen Jesus.

20:14-15. She turned around and saw a stranger, who asked her why she was crying. She assumed he was the gardener, and asked if he knew anything.

20:16. The stranger simply said, "Mary," and Mary realized it was Jesus. She cried out in happiness.

20:17. Jesus said, "Do not become attached. I have not yet ascended to Heaven. Go tell the others what you have seen- that I am headed to God."

20:18. Mary went and told the disciples.

20:19. Later that evening, all the disciples were together in a house, hiding from the religious leaders. Jesus came to visit them.

20:20. He showed his hands and sides, and let the disciples see.

20:21. Jesus said, "Peace be with you! God has sent me. Now I am sending you."

20:22. Jesus breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit.

20:23. "Anyone you forgive is forgiven in the eyes of God."

20:24. Thomas was one of the 12 disciples, but wasn't in the house when this happened.

20:25. When they told him what happened, he said he wouldn't believe it unless he saw it with his own eyes.

20:26. A week later, Jesus came back to visit, and Thomas was there.

20:27. Thomas got to stick his finger into Jesus' flesh wound.

20:28. Thomas was shocked it was true.

20:29. Jesus said, "You're lucky you got to see firsthand. God bless those who believe without seeing."

20:30. This is not all- there's tons more Jesus did.

20:31. But these are written down to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah. If you believe, you will have eternal life.

21:1. After this, Jesus appeared to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened:

21:2. Peter, Thomas, John, James, and Nathanael were there, along with other disciples.

21:3. Peter went out to fish, but they didn't catch anything all night.

21:4. Early in the morning, a stranger stood on the shore.

21:5. He said, "What's wrong friends? Don't have any fish?"
"No," they answered.

21:6. "Try the right side. There will be some there." When they did, they caught too many fish to pull the net into the boat.

21:7-8. Then The Beloved Disciple said to Peter, "That is the Lord!" Peter put on his coat and jumped into the water, while the other disciples followed in the boat.

21:9. When they got to shore, there was a campsite with fish and bread.

21:10. Jesus told them to bring the fish they had just caught.

21:11. Peter got back on the boat and dragged the fish onto shore. There were 153 in the net.

21:12. Jesus said, "Come have breakfast." They all knew who he was now, without him saying anything.

21:13-14. Jesus took the bread and fish and split it with them. This was Jesus' third appearance to the disciples.

21:15-17. When they finished eating, Jesus turned to Peter. "Do you love me?" Jesus asked.
Peter was sad that Jesus would even have to ask, he said, "Of course I do, Lord!"
Jesus said, "Feed and look after my lambs and my sheep.

21:18. When you were younger, you dressed how you wanted and went where you wanted. But when you are old- someone else dresses you and tells you where to go.

21:19. Now, follow me!"

21:20-21. Peter pointed at The Beloved Disciple and asked, "What about him? What is going to happen to him?"

21:22-23. "It doesn't matter, Peter," Jesus said.

21:24. This is the disciple who was a witness to these things and wrote them down. We know what they say is true.

21:25. Jesus also did many other things. The whole world would not have enough room for the book that would be created if every single one of them were written down.