The Book of Jesus

Chapter Seven

The New Amsterdam Publishing Company
Copyright © 1997

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Jesus Casts Out Legion
Woman Touches Jesus' Cloak & Daughter of Jairus
Cure of the Two Blind Men
Cure of a Mute Possessed by a Demon
Jesus Returns to Nazareth
The Twelve Are Sent Out
The Disciples Instruction
Herod and Jesus
John the Baptist is Beheaded
The First Miracle of the Loaves
Jesus Walks on the Water
Cures at Gennesaret
The Discourse in the Capernaum Synagogue

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Jesus Casts Out Legion

NARRATOR.: They landed in the country of the Gerasenes [Gadarenes], which is on the other side of the lake opposite Galilee. No sooner had Jesus disembarked from the boat, then a man who had been possessed with demons for a long time came out of the tombs towards him. The man did not wear any clothes, did not live in a house, but in the tombs and was so fierce that no man could pass by that way. All the time, night and day, in the mountains and among the tombs he would howl and cut himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus from a distance he cried out, ran up to him and fell down before his feet in homage. Shouting at the top of his lungs he cried:

MAN.: What do you want with us, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Have you come here to torture us before the time? I beg you, don't torture me...swear by God that you won't torture me!

NARRATOR.: For Jesus had ordered the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times, the unclean spirit would possess the man and he would have to be restrained with chains and foot shackles. But no man could restrain or tame him; no, not even with chains. He would always snap the chains and break in pieces the bands that bound his feet and the devil would drive him out into the wilderness. Jesus asked him:

JESUS.: What's your name?

MAN.: My name is Legion, because there are many of us.

NARRATOR.: Many demons had gone into the man and they pleaded with Jesus not to send them away, out of the territory or order them to depart into the bottomless pit, the Abyss. Now on the mountainside, some distance away, was a large herd of pigs feeding. The demons pleaded with Jesus:

MAN.: If you cast us out, let us go away into the herd of pigs...send us to the pigs so that we can enter into them.

JESUS.: Go!

NARRATOR.: Jesus, immediately permitted them and the demons came out of the man and entered into the heard of pigs. At that, the whole herd of pigs, which numbered about two-thousand, ran violently down the cliff, into the lake and drowned in the water.

When the men who kept and fed the herd of pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and made for the town. In the town and in the surrounding territory, the men related the events that had occurred and told everything, including what had happened to the man possessed of the demons. The people who heard the story, the whole town, went out to meet Jesus and to see what really happened. When the people came to Jesus, they found the man who had been possessed with the demon and had the Legion, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. They were afraid. The man who had been eyewitnesses of the events told them how the man who had been possessed by the demons came to be healed and what had happened to the pigs. The whole population of the Gadarene territory begged Jesus to leave them and depart from their coasts, because they were overcome with great fear. Jesus returned to the boat and was boarding, when the man who had been possessed by the demon, implored Jesus to permit him to stay with him. Jesus however, wouldn't permit it, but sent him away saying:

JESUS.: Go home to your friends and your own house. Show and tell them about all the great things that God (the Lord) in his mercy has done for you.

NARRATOR.: The man departed and began to publish throughout the whole town and the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him and everyone marveled. Jesus left and crossed back to the other side of the lake.

Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39

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The Woman who Touches Jesus' Cloak and The Daughter of Jairus

NARRATOR.: When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, the people welcomed his return , for they had all been waiting for him. Many people gathered around him and he stayed by the lake side. Now a man named Jairus, who was an official of the Synagogue, came up and seeing Jesus, fell at his feet and bowing low in front of him, earnestly pleaded with him to come to his house. For Jairus had only one daughter, about 12 years old and she lay, dying.

JAIRUS.: My little daughter is lying at the point of death. Please, I beg you, come and lay your hands on her so that she can be healed and live.

NARRATOR.: Jesus got up and with his disciples and a large crowd of people following him, proceeded to the house of Jairus. But as Jesus went, the multitude pressed in all around, crowding him on all sides. Now there was a certain woman who had been afflicted with a flow of blood for twelve years. She had undergone extensive and painful treatment at the hands of various doctors and had spent all her living and all that she had without any improvement. She could not be cured by any of them, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus and coming in from behind him through the crowds, she went up and touched the hem of his garment. For she had said within herself:

WOMAN.: If I could just touch his clothes, I would be healed.

NARRATOR.: At once, the source of her bleeding dried up and stopped and she felt within her body that indeed she had been healed of that condition. Immediately, Jesus knowing within himself that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and said:

JESUS.: Who touched me...who touched my clothes?

NARRATOR.: When everyone denied it, Peter and his companions said:

PETER/COMPANIONS:: Master, you see how the crowds are hemming you in and crushing you. How can you say, 'Who touched me?'

JESUS.: Somebody has touched me, because I felt that power had gone out from me.

NARRATOR.: Jesus continued to look around in order to see who had done it. The woman was frightened and was trembling because she knew what had happened in her and saw that she had not escaped notice. Trembling, she came forward and falling down before Jesus and in front of all the people, told him the whole truth and explained the reason she had touched him and how she was immediately healed. Jesus turned back and seeing her said:

JESUS.: Daughter, have courage, your faith has made you whole. Go in peace and be free of your disease.

NARRATOR.: From that hour, the woman was healed. While he was speaking, some people from Jairus' house arrived and coming up to Jairus said to him:

PEOPLE.: Your daughter is dead! Why trouble the Master any further.

NARRATOR.: But when Jesus heard what had been said, he answered him and said:

JESUS.: Don't be afraid, only have faith and she will be made whole.

NARRATOR.: Permitting no one except Peter, James and John, the brother of James to follow him, he came to Jairus' house. Going in and seeing all the commotion; the flute-players, people in unrestrained wailing, weeping and mourning for her, he said to them:

JESUS.: Why all the commotion and weeping. Leave and don't weep, for the little girl isn't dead, but sleeping.

NARRATOR.: They laughed at him and ridiculed him because they knew she was dead. When Jesus had put them all out, he took the father and mother of the little girl and his own companions into the place where the little girl was. He took her by the hand and calling, said to her:

JESUS.: Tal-i-tha-cu-mi (Talitha Kum)

NARRATOR.: Which in Aramaic means; 'Little child, I tell you to get up. Her spirit returned and she immediately got up and walked, for she was twelve years old. Jesus then told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were overcome with astonishment and he ordered them strictly not to tell anyone or let anyone know about what had happened.

Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56

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Cure of the Blind Men

NARRATOR.: As Jesus went on his way from there, two blind men followed him shouting:

BLIND MEN.: Son of David, take pity on us!

NARRATOR.: When Jesus had gone into the house, the blind men came to him and Jesus said to them:

JESUS.: Do you believe that I can do this?

BLIND MEN.: Yes, Lord.

NARRATOR.: He then touched their eyes saying:

JESUS.: According to your faith, let it be done for you.

NARRATOR.: Their sight returned and Jesus sternly warned them:

JESUS.: Take care that no one knows about this?

NARRATOR.: But the men, when they had left, talked about him all over the countryside.

Matthew 9:27-31

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Cure of a Mute Possessed by a Demon

NARRATOR.: As they were leaving, a man who was possessed by a demon and could not speak was brought to him. When the demon was cast out, the man who was dumb spoke and the crowds were amazed.

PEOPLE.: Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.

NARRATOR.: But the Pharisees said:

PHARISEES.: He casts out demons through the prince of demons.

NARRATOR.: Jesus went about all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom and healing all kinds of diseases and sicknesses that were among the people. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them because they fainted and were scattered abroad like sheep without a shepherd. He then said to his disciples:

JESUS.: The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore, that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into his harvest.

Matthew 9:32-38

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Jesus Returns to Nazareth

NARRATOR.: He went out from there and proceeded to his home town [of Nazareth] with his disciples accompanying him. When the Sabbath day had arrived, he began teaching in the synagogue. He taught the people in the synagogue in such a way that most of them, when they heard him said:

PEOPLE.: Where did this man get this wisdom from and these miracles...What's this wisdom that's been given him, that even miracles are performed by his hands...Isn't this the carpenter?...Isn't this the carpenters son and his mother, the woman called Mary and his brothers; James, Joseph, Simon and Jude? His sisters also, aren't they all here with us?

NARRATOR.: But Jesus said to them:

JESUS.: Only in his own country, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet not honored.

NARRATOR.: He did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith, although he did heal a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith and made a tour round the villages and taught.

Matthew 13:...53-58; Mark 6:1-6

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The Twelve Are Sent Out

NARRATOR.: He then summoned the twelve to him and began to send them out in pairs, giving them power and authority to cure all kinds of diseases and over demons. These twelve Jesus sent out and instructed them:

JESUS.: Do not turn your steps into pagan territory and do not enter any Samaritan city, but rather go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. As you go, proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Don't take anything for your journey except a staff and the sandals you wear. No leather pouch for food, no bread or money; no gold or silver, not even a few coppers for your purses. Don't carry spare sandals, staves or an extra tunic, because the workman is deserving of his keep.

Whatever city or village you go into, ask for someone who is deserving and stay there until you go and leave from that place. Whatever house you go into, stay there and from there, leave. As you enter his house; embrace it and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it. If it does not deserve it, let your peace return to you. If anyone does not listen to what you have to say, as your leave from that house or town, shake the dust from under your feet as a testimony against them. I tell you most sincerely, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than it will be for that town. Remember, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.

Matthew 10:1,5-16; Mark 6:7-11; Luke 9:1-5

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The Disciples Instructions

JESUS.: Beware of men; for they will hand you over to Sanhedrins and they will scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, don't think about how or what you will say. For what to say will be given you in that same hour. Because it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.

Brother will betray brother to death and the father, his child. Children will rise against their parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but the man who has endured to the end, will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee into another. For truly I say to you, you will not have gone the round of the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

The disciple is not superior to his teacher nor the slave to his master. It's enough that the disciple should be like his teacher and the slave his master. If they have called the master of the house, Beelzebub, how much more will they call the members of his household. Therefore, don't be afraid of them. For there's nothing that's covered, that will not be uncovered. Or hidden, that will not be made known. What I say to you in the dark, tell it in the light and what I say to you in a whisper, proclaim it from the house tops. Don't be afraid of those who can kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who's able to destroy both the body and the soul in Gehenna. You can buy two sparrows for a penny, can't you? And yet, not one of them will fall to the ground without your Heavenly Father knowing. Why even every hair on your head is numbered. So don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows. Therefore, whoever declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father who is in Heaven. But whoever rejects me in the presence of men, that person also will I reject in the presence of my Father who is in Heaven. Do not think that I've come to bring peace to the earth. I came not to bring peace, but a sword. Because I've come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies will be those of his own household. The person who has more affection for his father or his mother than for me, isn't worthy of me or if he has more affection for his son or daughter than for me, isn't worthy of me either. And anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps, is not worthy of me. The person who finds his life will lose it and the person who loses his life for my sake, will find it.

Anyone who welcomes you, welcomes me and welcomes the one who sent me. Any one who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet, will receive a prophet's reward. Anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man, will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever will give a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, I tell you most sincerely, he will in no way lose his reward.

NARRATOR.: When Jesus had finished instructing his Twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their towns. The disciples set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and preaching that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, anointed many who sick with oil and healed them.

Matthew 10:17-42,11:1; Mark 6:12,13; Luke 9:6

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Herod and Jesus

NARRATOR.: At that time, Herod the Tetrarch had heard about the reputation of Jesus and all the things that were being done by him, for by now his name was well known. But Herod was perplexed, because some of the people were saying; 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead,' others that Elijah had reappeared saying, 'He is Elijah,' and still others that one of the ancient prophets had risen again, 'He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.' When Herod heard this he said:

HEROD.: John, I had his head cut off, so who's this I'm hearing all these reports about?

NARRATOR.: And he said to his servants:

HEROD.: This is John the Baptist, he's risen from the dead, that's why miraculous powers are at work in him.

NARRATOR.: And Herod wanted to see him.

Matthew 14:1,2; Mark 6:14-16; Luke 9:7-9

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John the Baptist Beheaded

NARRATOR.: Now it was Herod himself who had previously given orders to have John arrested. He had him chained up and put in prison for the sake of his brother Philip's wife, Herodias, whom he had married. For John had said to Herod, 'It is against the Law for you to marry your brother's wife and have her.' As for Herodias, she was furious with John and would have killed him; but on account of Herod, she couldn't. Even when he would have put him to death, he feared the crowds, because they believed him to be a prophet. Herod was afraid of John and knew that he was a just and holy man. So he kept a watchful eye out for him and protected him.

However, an opportunity had arisen on Herod's birthday to have him killed. On the day Herod's birthday was celebrated, he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, his high ranking military officers and leading figures in Galilee. During the festivities, the daughter of Herodias came in, danced for all the guests and proceeded to get Herod and all the people that sat with him at dinner aroused. The king then swore with an oath and said to the girl:

HEROD.: Ask me to give you anything you want and I'll give it to you. I'll give you anything you ask for, up to half of my kingdom.

NARRATOR.: She went out and said to her mother:

GIRL.: What should I ask for?

HERODIAS.: The head of John the Baptist!

NARRATOR.: So the girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request as she had been instructed by her mother.

GIRL.: I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, right here and now on a plate!

NARRATOR.: The king was deeply distressed, but on account of all the promises that he had made in front of everyone that were sitting with him at dinner, he couldn't back down from fulfilling her request. He then commanded it be given her. The king immediately sent for the executioner and ordered that John's head be brought to her. The executioner went to the prison and beheaded John there and his head was brought back on a platter and given to the girl, who in turn took it to her mother and gave it to her. When John's disciples heard what had happened; they came, took up the body, laid it in a tomb and buried it and went and told Jesus what had happened.

Matthew 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29

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The First Miracle of the Loaves

NARRATOR.: The apostles returned and rejoined Jesus. They gave him an accounting of all their activities, what they had done and what they had taught. Now when Jesus heard the news from John's disciples about his death, he said to his apostles:

JESUS.: You must get away to some quiet place by yourselves for a while and rest.

NARRATOR.: He said this because there were so many people coming and going that the apostles didn't even have time to eat. So taking them with him, they left in a boat for the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias, and withdrew into a quiet place belonging to the city of Bethsaida where they could be by themselves. But many people saw them going and knowing him, many guessed where they were heading. When the crowds found out they went after him.

From every town they all hurried on foot to the place and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore, he saw the great crowd waiting for him there. He was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God. He began to teach them many things and healed those who were sick and need of healing. And a large crowd followed him, impressed by the signs he gave healing those who were diseased. Climbing up the hillside, Jesus sat down there with his disciples, it was shortly before the Jewish feast of Passover. Now when the day began to wear away and it was late afternoon, the Twelve approached Jesus and said:

DISCIPLES.: It's getting late and this place is desolate, send the crowds away so that they can go to the neighboring villages and farms to find lodgings and provisions for themselves. They don't have anything to eat.

JESUS.: They don't have to go. Give them something to eat.

DISCIPLES.: Do you want us to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them?

NARRATOR.: Looking up, Jesus saw the crowds coming towards him and said to Philip:

JESUS.: Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?

NARRATOR.: He said this only to test Philip, because Jesus himself knew exactly what he was going to do.

PHILIP.: Two hundred denarii worth of bread isn't even enough for them to even have a small piece each.

JESUS.: How many loaves do you have? Go and see.

NARRATOR.: When they found out, one of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother said to him:

SIMON.: There's a small boy here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what is that between so many, unless we go ourselves and buy food for these people. We have no more than five loaves and two fish.

JESUS.: Bring them to me.

NARRATOR.: Now there was plenty of green grass there and instructing his disciples said:

JESUS.: Make the people sit down. Have the men sit down in companies of fifty.

NARRATOR.: They did what Jesus had instructed them to do and made them all sit down on the grass. The people sat down on the grass in squares of hundreds and fifties, the men alone numbered about 5,000. Jesus took the five loaves and looking to heaven, gave thanks. He broke the loaves and gave the loaves to his disciples who in turn handed them out to the crowds who were sitting down. He likewise did the same with the fish and divided the two fish among them all, giving out as much as they wanted and everyone ate. When they had all they wanted and were filled, he said to his disciples:

JESUS.: Gather up all the pieces that are left over, so that nothing gets wasted.

NARRATOR.: So they gathered up all the pieces that were left over after everyone had eaten and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves and the fish. Those who had eaten numbered about 5,000 men to say nothing of the woman and the children. The people, when they had seen this sign Jesus had given said:

PEOPLE.: This really is the prophet who is to come into the world.

NARRATOR.: Jesus, perceived that they were about to come and take him by force and make him king, immediately compelled his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to Bethsaida, on the other side, while he personally would send the crowds away.

Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Lluke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15...

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Jesus Walks on the Water

NARRATOR.: The disciples went down to the shore of the lake, got into the boat and went over the lake towards Capernaum. After sending the crowds away, Jesus went off again into the hills by himself to pray. Evening had arrived and he was by himself and had still not rejoined his disciples who were on the lake. The wind was strong, the sea was getting rough and by now, the boat was far in the midst of the lake being tossed about in the heavy sea. He could see that they were worn out from rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night and after they had rowed three or four miles, Jesus came towards them, walking on the lake. He would have passed by them, but when the disciples saw him coming towards the boat, walking on the lake and they were terrified. Crying out in fear, they said:

DISCIPLES.: It is a spirit!

NARRATOR.: Immediately, Jesus talked with them and said:

JESUS.: Be of good cheer and take courage, it is I. Don't worry or be afraid.

NARRATOR.: Peter answered him and said:

PETER.: Lord if it's you, tell me to come to you across the water.

JESUS.: Come.

NARRATOR.: Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water. But as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he got frightened and began to sink, crying out:

PETER.: Lord, save me!

NARRATOR.: Jesus immediately stretched out his hand, caught him and said to him:

JESUS.: Man of little faith, why did you doubt?

NARRATOR.: The men, then willingly received both of them back into the boat. As soon as he boarded the boat, the wind dropped and the boat immediately reached the shore at the place where they had been heading. The men that were in the boat came and bowed down before him and said:

MEN.: You are truly the Son of God.

NARRATOR.: The men were utterly and completely amazed beyond measure and wondered. Because their heart was hardened, they had not seen the significance of the miracle of the loaves.

Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:...15-21

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Cures at Gennesaret

NARRATOR.: When they had made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat, than the people recognized him. When the local men found out he was there, they ran and spread the news throughout the whole region round about and hurrying through all the countryside, they brought to him all those who were sick. They began to carry all those who were sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went; to village or towns or farms, they would lay the sick in the open places and streets, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched him, were completely healed.

Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56

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The Discourse in the Capernaum Synagogue

NARRATOR.: The next day after they had landed at Gennesaret, the people who had stayed on the other side of the lake saw that only one boat had been there and that Jesus had not boarded the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had set off by themselves. However, other boats that had put in from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had given thanks and the bread was eaten. When the people saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they boarded the boats from Tiberias and crossed to Capernaum to look for Jesus. When they found him, on the other side of the lake, they said to him:

PEOPLE.: Rabbi, when did you come here?

JESUS.: I tell you most sincerely, you're not looking for me because you've seen the signs, but because you ate the bread and were filled. Don't work for food that can't last, but work for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him, God the Father has set his seal.

PEOPLE.: What do we have to do to be able to labor in God's work's?

JESUS.: This is God's work's, that you believe in the one whom he has sent.

PEOPLE.: Then what sign will you show us so that we can see it and believe you? What work will you do? Our fathers did eat manna in the wilderness as it is written; 'He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.'

JESUS.: I tell you most sincerely, Moses did not give you bread from heaven, but my Father. It is He who gives you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is the one who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world.

PEOPLE.: Lord, always give us this bread.

JESUS.: I am the bread of life, the person who comes to me will never hunger, the person who believes on me will never thirst. But as I have said to you, that you also have seen me, but you still don't believe. Everything that the Father has given me, will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will in no way turn him away. Because I have come from Heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of the one who sent me. Now the will of the Father who has sent me is that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but that I should raise it up again on the Last Day. And this is the will of Him who sent me; that everyone who sees the Son and believes on him may have everlasting life and that I will raise him up on the Last Day.

NARRATOR.: Meanwhile, the Jews were complaining to each other about Jesus, because he had said, 'I am the bread of life that came down from Heaven'.

JEWS.: Isn't this Jesus, Joseph's son? We know his father and mother, so how can he say 'I came down from Heaven?'

NARRATOR.: Jesus said in reply:

JESUS.: Stop grumbling among yourselves!. No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise him up at the Last Day. It is written in the prophets: 'And they will all be taught by God'.

Therefore, every man who has heard and has learned of the Father, comes to me. Not that any man has seen the Father, except the one who is of God, he has seen the Father. I tell you most sincerely, everyone who believes on me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your father's did eat manna in the wilderness and they are dead, but this is the bread that comes down from Heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from Heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. The bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world.

NARRATOR.: The Jews then started arguing among themselves.

JEWS.: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

JESUS.: I tell you most sincerely, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks me blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood real drink. The person who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him. As the Living Father has sent me and I draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me, even he will draw life from me. This is the bread which came from Heaven. Not like the bread your ancestors ate and are dead. Anyone who eats of this bread will live forever.

NARRATOR.: He said these things in the synagogue as he taught in Capernaum. Many of his disciples when they had heard these things said:

DISCIPLE.: What he is saying is intolerable speech, how could anyone accept it?

NARRATOR.: Jesus knew in himself that his disciples were complaining about what he had said.

JESUS.: Does this stumble you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh offers nothing at all. The words I speak to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who don't believe.

NARRATOR.: For Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who didn't believe and who it was who was going to betray him.

JESUS.: This is why I said to you that no one can come to me, unless my Father had given it to him to do so.

NARRATOR.: From that point on, many of his disciples left him and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve:

JESUS.: Are you going to leave me also?

NARRATOR.: Simon Peter replied:

PETER.: Lord, who would we go to? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and are sure that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

JESUS.: Haven't I chosen you Twelve, yet one of you is a slanderer.

NARRATOR.: He was speaking of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. For he was the one out of the Twelve who was going to betray him.

John 6:22-71