The Gospel Part 18

He said to this servant, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. If you knew that I was a hard man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow, why, then, did you not put the talents in the bank, that, on my return, I would get my own back with interest? Give this talent to the servant who gained ten more. To every one who has, more shall be given. And from him who has not, even the little he has shall be taken away from him. And those who are my enemies and say I should reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.

It came to pa.s.s, when Jesus was near Bethphage and Bethany not far from Jerusalem, He called two of His disciples and said, Go into the village over there. When you enter you will find a colt whereon no man has ever sat. Loose him and bring him here. If any man asks you why you untie him say, Because the Lord has need of him.

And they that were sent went their way and found everything as He had said to them. As they were loosing the colt, the owners said to them, Why do you loose the colt? They said, The Lord has need of him. And they brought him to Jesus, cast their garments upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon. And as He went, they spread their clothes in the way.

When He was near the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole mult.i.tude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise G.o.d with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen. They called out, Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

Some of the Pharisees from among the mult.i.tude said to Him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. Jesus answered, I tell you, if they held their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

When He was near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou had known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong to thy peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compa.s.s thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because you knew not the time of thy visitation.

Jesus went into the temple and began to cast out those who sold and those who bought; saying to them, It is written: My house is the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.

He taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests, scribes, and ruler of the people sought to destroy Him, but could not find a way to do it because all the people were very glad to hear Him.

20 One day, as Jesus taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, the chief priests and scribes came in with the elders, and said to Him, Tell us by what authority you do these things and who gives you this authority? Jesus said to them, I will ask you something also. Tell me, the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

They discussed it among themselves, saying, If we say, From heaven; He will say, Why, then, did you not believe him? And if we say, Of men; the people will stone us for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

Finally, they told Jesus that they could not tell where it came from.

And Jesus said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. Then Jesus told the people a parable.

A man planted a vineyard, then let it out to husbandmen, and he went into a far country for a long time. At the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen to get the fruit of the vineyard, but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

Again he sent another servant. They beat him also, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third servant.

They wounded him and cast him out.

Then the lord of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. They will respect him when they see him. But, when the husbandmen saw him, they said, This is the heir. Let us kill him so the inheritance will be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.

What, therefore, shall the lord of the vineyard do to them? He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. When the people heard this, they said, G.o.d forbid.

Jesus looked at them and said, What is this then that is written: The stone that the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone? Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.

The chief priests and the scribes then wanted to lay hands on Him but they feared the people who saw clearly that He had spoken this parable against them.

They had Him watched and they sent out spies. They looked for ways to take hold of His words so they could deliver Him to the power and authority of the governor. They asked Him, Master, we know that you say and teach the way of G.o.d. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar?

Jesus perceived their craftiness and said, Why test me? Show me a coin.

Whose image and superscription is on it? They answered and said, Caesar's. Jesus said to them, Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to G.o.d the things that are G.o.d's. They marvelled at His answer and had to hold their peace.

Then some of the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, came to Him and said, Master, Moses wrote, If any man's brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died without children. The second took her as a wife and he died childless. The third took her; and, in like manner, all seven. They died and left no children. Last of all the woman died also.

Now, in the resurrection, whose wife is she? Each of the seven had her as a wife.

Jesus said to them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage. But those who are worthy of obtaining that world and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage, nor can they die anymore. They are equal to the angels; and are the children of G.o.d, being the children of the resurrection. And, furthermore, Moses, at the bush, called the Lord the G.o.d of Abraham, and the G.o.d of Isaac, and the G.o.d of Jacob. He is not a G.o.d of the dead, but of the living. All live for Him.

Then some of the scribes said, Master, thou has said well. And, after that, they dared not ask Him any more questions. But Jesus said to them, How can they say that Christ is David's son? David, himself, said in the book of Psalms, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. David, therefore, called him Lord, how is he, then, his son?

Then, before the mult.i.tude, He said to His disciples, Beware of the scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts. They devour widows' houses, and, for a show, make long prayers. They shall receive greater d.a.m.nation.

21 Jesus watched as the rich men cast their gifts into the treasury. Then He noticed a poor widow casting in two small coins. He said to His disciples, this widow has cast in more than all the rest put together. The rich have given out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, cast in all the living she had.

Then some spoke about the temple and how it was adorned with golden tones and beautiful gifts. Jesus said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, when every stone shall be thrown down and there shall not be left one stone upon another. Then His disciples asked Him, Master, when shall these things happen? And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pa.s.s?

Jesus said, Take heed so you are not deceived, for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ. Do not go after them. When ye hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified for these things must first come to pa.s.s. But the end is not yet come.

Then He said, Nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilence in divers places. There will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you. They shall deliver you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, and before kings and rulers for my name's sake. It will fall on you to give a testimony. Settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand about what ye shall answer. I will give you the words and wisdom which your adversaries shall not be able to refute or deny.

You shall be betrayed by parents, brethren, kinsfolks, and friends; some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated by all men for my name's sake. But there shall not be a hair on your head that will perish.

In your patience carefully guard your souls, and when ye see Jerusalem compa.s.sed with armies, then know that the desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let those who are in the midst of it get away; and do not let those out in the country enter in. These are the days of vengeance, when all things that are written will be fulfilled.

There shall be great distress in the land and wrath upon the people.

They shall fall by the sword, and shall be led away as captives into all nations. Jerusalem shall be trodden down until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.

There shall be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars. The entire earth shall be in distress, nations will be in crisis as the sea and the waves roar. Hearts shall fail from fear and from looking after those things that are happening on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.

And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pa.s.s, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.

Then Jesus told a parable. He said, Behold the fig tree, and all the trees. When new shoots come forth, you see and, inside you know, that summer is close at hand. So, likewise, when ye see these things come to pa.s.s, know that the kingdom of G.o.d is near at hand. I say to you, This generation shall not pa.s.s away, until all this is fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pa.s.s away, but my words shall not pa.s.s away.

And watch yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with self-indulgence, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day comes and you are unaware and unprepared. For, as a snare, it shall come on all who dwell on the face of the earth. Watch, therefore, and pray always, so you may be counted worthy to escape these things that shall come to pa.s.s, and to stand before the Son of man.

During the day Jesus taught in the temple. At night He went out of the city and abode in the mount called the mount of Olives. People came to the temple early in the morning to hear Him.

22 The feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Pa.s.sover, was near. The chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Him; for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot who was one of the twelve. He approached the chief priests and captains and said he was willing to betray Jesus to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. He gave a promise and then sought an opportunity to betray Him.

Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the pa.s.sover must be killed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare the pa.s.sover that we may eat. They said to Him, Where do you want us to go to prepare? Jesus said, When you enter the city, a man, bearing a pitcher of water, will meet you, follow him into the house he enters. Say to the good man of the house, The Master says to thee, Where is the guestchamber where I shall eat the pa.s.sover with my disciples? He shall show you a large furnished upper room. Prepare everything there. They went and found everything as He said to them. And there they prepared the pa.s.sover.

When the hour came, Jesus sat down with the twelve apostles. He said to them, I have looked forward to sharing this pa.s.sover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will not eat again until the kingdom of G.o.d is fulfilled. He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of G.o.d comes.

Then He took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper, He took a cup, saying, This cup is the new testament, my blood which is shed for you.

But, behold, the hand of him that betrays me is with me at the table.

The Son of man goes as it was determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! They began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that could do this thing. There was also a strife among them about which of them should be counted the greatest.

Jesus said, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lords.h.i.+p over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But, among you this shall not be so for he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, let him be as he that serves. Which is greater, he that sits at the table or he that serves?

Is it not he that sits at the table? Yet I am among you as He that serves.

You are the ones who have stood by me in my temptations. I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed to me, so you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith would not fail. When you are converted, strengthen your brothers.

Peter said, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And Jesus said, I tell you, Peter, the c.o.c.k shall not crow this day before you shall three times deny that you know me.

Then He said to them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, did you lack anything? And they said, Nothing. Then He said, But now, he that has a purse let him take it, and likewise, his scrip, and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you, this that is written must yet be accomplished in me: He was reckoned among the transgressors. The things concerning me have an end.

They said to Him, Lord, look, here are two swords. And Jesus said to them, It is enough. He went out and up into the mount of Olives; and His disciples followed Him.

At a certain spot He said to them, Pray that you do not enter into temptation. He withdrew, about a stone's cast, and knelt down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.