Life Through THE SON

       So, because JESUS was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted HIM. JESUS said to them, "MY FATHER is always at HIS work to this very day, and I, too, am working." For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill HIM; not only was HE breaking the Sabbath, but HE was even calling GOD HIS OWN FATHER, making HIMSELF equal with GOD.

       JESUS gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, THE SON can do nothing by HIMSELF; HE can do only what HE sees HIS FATHER doing, because whatever THE FATHER does THE SON also does. For THE FATHER loves THE SON and shows HIM all HE does. Yes, to your amazement HE will show HIM even greater things than these. For just as THE FATHER raises the dead and gives them life, even so THE SON gives life to whom HE is pleased to give it. Moreover, THE FATHER judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to THE SON, that all may honor THE SON just as they honor THE FATHER. He who does not honor THE SON does not honor THE FATHER, who sent HIM.

       "I tell you the truth, whoever hears MY word and believes HIM who sent ME has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of THE SON OF GOD and those who hear will live. For as THE FATHER has life in HIMSELF, so HE has granted THE SON to have life in HIMSELF. And HE has given HIM authority to judge because HE is THE SON OF MAN.

       "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear HIS voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. By MYSELF I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and MY judgment is just, for I seek not to please MYSELF but HIM who sent ME.

Gospel of John: chapter 5, verses 16 - 30

Testimonies About JESUS

       "If I testify about MYSELF, MY testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in MY favor, and I know that HIS testimony about ME is valid.

       "You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

       "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that THE FATHER has given ME to finish, and which I AM doing, testifies that THE FATHER has sent ME. And THE FATHER who sent ME has HIMSELF testified concerning ME. You have never heard HIS voice nor seen HIS form, nor does HIS word dwell in you, for you do not believe THE ONE HE sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about ME, yet you refuse to come to ME to have life.

       "I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of GOD in your hearts. I have come in MY FATHER'S name, and you do not accept ME; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from THE ONLY GOD?

       "But do not think I will accuse you before THE FATHER. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe ME, for he wrote about ME. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

Gospel of John: chapter 5, verses 31 - 47

JESUS The Bread of Life

       When they found HIM on the other side of the lake, they asked HIM, "Rabbi, when did YOU get here?"

       JESUS answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for ME, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which THE SON OF MAN will give you. On HIM GOD THE FATHER has placed HIS seal of approval."

       Then they asked HIM, "What must we do to do the works GOD requires?"

       JESUS answered, "The work of GOD is this: to believe in THE ONE HE has sent."

       So they asked HIM, "What miraculous sign then will YOU give that we may see it and believe YOU? What will YOU do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'HE gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "

       JESUS said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is MY FATHER who gives you THE TRUE BREAD FROM HEAVEN. For THE BREAD OF GOD is HE who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

       "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."

       Then JESUS declared, "I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. He who comes to ME will never go hungry, and he who believes in ME will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen ME and still you do not believe. All that THE FATHER gives ME will come to ME, and whoever comes to ME I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do MY will but to do the will of HIM who sent ME. And this is the will of HIM who sent ME, that I shall lose none of all that HE has given ME, but raise them up at the last day. For MY FATHER'S will is that everyone who looks to THE SON and believes in HIM shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

       At this the Jews began to grumble about HIM because HE said, "I AM THE BREAD THAT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN." They said, "Is this not JESUS, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can HE now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"

       "Stop grumbling among yourselves," JESUS answered. "No one can come to ME unless THE FATHER who sent ME draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by GOD.' Everyone who listens to THE FATHER and learns from HIM comes to ME. No one has seen THE FATHER except THE ONE who is from GOD; only HE has seen THE FATHER. I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is THE BREAD THAT COMES DOWN FROM HEAVEN, which a man may eat and not die. I AM THE LIVING BREAD THAT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is MY flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

       Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us HIS flesh to eat?"

       JESUS said to them, "I tell you the truth, 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 MY blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For MY flesh is real food and MY blood is real drink. Whoever eats MY flesh and drinks MY blood remains in ME, and I in him. Just as THE LIVING FATHER sent ME and I live because of THE FATHER, so the one who feeds on ME will live because of ME. This is THE BREAD THAT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." HE said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Gospel of John: chapter 6, verses 25 - 59

The Validity of JESUS' Testimony

       When JESUS spoke again to the people, HE said, "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Whoever follows ME will never walk in darkness, but will have THE LIGHT OF LIFE."

       The Pharisees challenged HIM, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."

       JESUS answered, "Even if I testify on MY own behalf, MY testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I AM going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I AM going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, MY decisions are right, because I AM not alone. I stand with THE FATHER, who sent ME. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I AM ONE who testifies for MYSELF; MY other witness is THE FATHER, who sent ME."

       Then they asked HIM, "Where is your father?"

       "You do not know ME or MY FATHER," JESUS replied. "If you knew ME, you would know MY FATHER also." HE spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized HIM, because HIS time had not yet come.

       Once more JESUS said to them, "I AM going away, and you will look for ME, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."

       This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?"

       But HE continued, "You are from below; I AM from above. You are of this world; I AM not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I AM THE ONE I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

       "Who are you?" they asked.

       "Just what I have been claiming all along," JESUS replied. "I have much to say in judgment of you. But HE who sent ME is reliable, and what I have heard from HIM I tell the world."

       They did not understand that HE was telling them about HIS FATHER. So JESUS said, "When you have lifted up THE SON OF MAN, then you will know that I AM THE ONE I claim to be and that I do nothing on MY own but speak just what THE FATHER has taught ME. THE ONE who sent ME is with ME; HE has not left ME alone, for I always do what pleases HIM." Even as HE spoke, many put their faith in HIM.

Gospel of John: chapter 8, verses 12 - 30

The Children of Abraham

       To the Jews who had believed HIM, JESUS said, "If you hold to MY teaching, you are really MY disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

       They answered HIM, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"

       JESUS replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if THE SON sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill ME, because you have no room for MY word. I AM telling you what I have seen in THE FATHER'S presence, and you do what you have heard from your father."

       "Abraham is our father," they answered.

       "If you were Abraham's children," said JESUS, "then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill ME, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from GOD. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does."

       "We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."

Gospel of John: chapter 8, verses 31 - 41

The Children of the Devil

       JESUS said to them, "If GOD were your FATHER, you would love ME, for I came from GOD and now am here. I have not come on MY own; but HE sent ME. Why is MY language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe ME! Can any of you prove ME guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe ME? He who belongs to GOD hears what GOD says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to GOD."

Gospel of John: chapter 8, verses 42 - 47

The Claims of JESUS About HIMSELF

       The Jews answered HIM, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"

       "I am not possessed by a demon," said JESUS, "but I honor MY FATHER and you dishonor ME. I am not seeking glory for MYSELF; but there is one who seeks it, and HE is THE JUDGE. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps MY word, he will never see death."

       At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"

       JESUS replied, "If I glorify MYSELF, MY glory means nothing. MY FATHER, whom you claim as your GOD, is THE ONE who glorifies ME. Though you do not know HIM, I know HIM. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know HIM and keep HIS word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing MY day; he saw it and was glad."

       "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to HIM, "and You have seen Abraham!"

       "I tell you the truth," JESUS answered, "before Abraham was born, I AM!" At this, they picked up stones to stone HIM, but JESUS hid HIMSELF, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Gospel of John: chapter 8, verses 48 - 59

The Shepherd and His Flock

   "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." JESUS used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what HE was telling them.

       Therefore JESUS said again, "I tell you the truth, I AM THE GATE FOR THE SHEEP. All who ever came before ME were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I AM THE GATE; whoever enters through ME will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

       "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD lays down HIS life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

       "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD; I know MY sheep and MY sheep know ME--just as THE FATHER knows ME and I know THE FATHER--and I lay down MY life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to MY voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason MY FATHER loves ME is that I lay down MY life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from ME, but I lay it down of MY own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from MY FATHER."

       At these words the Jews were again divided. Many of them said, "HE is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to HIM?"

       But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

Gospel of John: chapter 10, verses 1 -21

The Unbelief of the Jews

       Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and JESUS was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. The Jews gathered around HIM, saying, "How long will YOU keep us in suspense? If YOU are THE CHRIST, tell us plainly."

       JESUS answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in MY FATHER'S name speak for ME, but you do not believe because you are not MY sheep. MY sheep listen to MY voice; I know them, and they follow ME. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of MY hand. MY FATHER, who has given them to ME, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of MY FATHER'S hand. I and THE FATHER are one."

      Again the Jews picked up stones to stone HIM, but JESUS said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from THE FATHER. For which of these do you stone ME?"

       "We are not stoning YOU for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because YOU, a mere man, claim to be GOD."

       JESUS answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'? If HE called them 'gods,' to whom the word of GOD came--and the Scripture cannot be broken--what about THE ONE whom THE FATHER set apart as HIS very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse ME of blasphemy because I said, 'I AM GOD'S SON'? Do not believe ME unless I do what MY FATHER does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe ME, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that THE FATHER is in ME, and I in THE FATHER." Again they tried to seize HIM, but HE escaped their grasp.

       Then JESUS went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here HE stayed and many people came to HIM. They said, "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true." And in that place many believed in JESUS.

Gospel of John: chapter 10, verses 22 - 42

The Jews Continue in Their Unbelief

       Even after JESUS had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in HIM. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

          "LORD, who has believed our message

              and to whom has the arm of THE LORD been revealed?"

       For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

          "HE has blinded their eyes

              and deadened their hearts,

          so they can neither see with their eyes,

              nor understand with their hearts,

              nor turn--and I would heal them."

Isaiah said this because he saw JESUS' glory and spoke about HIM.

       Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in HIM. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from GOD.

       Then JESUS cried out, "When a man believes in ME, he does not believe in ME only, but in THE ONE who sent ME. When he looks at ME, he sees THE ONE who sent ME. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in ME should stay in darkness.

       "As for the person who hears MY words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects ME and does not accept MY words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of MY own accord, but THE FATHER who sent ME commanded ME what to say and how to say it. I know that HIS command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what THE FATHER has told ME to say."

Gospel of John: chapter 12, verses 37 - 50

JESUS Comforts HIS Disciples

   "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in GOD; trust also in ME. In MY FATHER'S house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I AM going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with ME that you also may be where I AM. You know the way to the place where I AM going."

Gospel of John: chapter 14, verses 1 - 4

JESUS THE WAY to THE FATHER

       Thomas said to HIM, "LORD, we don't know where YOU are going, so how can we know the way?"

       JESUS answered, "I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. No one comes to THE FATHER except through ME. If you really knew ME, you would know MY FATHER as well. From now on, you do know HIM and have seen HIM."

       Philip said, "LORD, show us THE FATHER and that will be enough for us."

       JESUS answered: "Don't you know ME, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen ME has seen THE FATHER. How can you say, 'Show us THE FATHER'? Don't you believe that I AM in THE FATHER, and that THE FATHER is in ME? The words I say to you are not just MY own. Rather, it is THE FATHER, living in ME, who is doing HIS work. Believe ME when I say that I AM in THE FATHER and THE FATHER is in ME; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in ME will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I AM going to THE FATHER. And I will do whatever you ask in MY name, so that THE SON may bring glory to THE FATHER. You may ask ME for anything in MY name, and I will do it.

Gospel of John: chapter 14, verses 5 - 14

JESUS Promises THE HOLY SPIRIT

       "If you love ME, you will obey what I command. And I will ask THE FATHER, and HE will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. The world cannot accept HIM, because it neither sees HIM nor knows HIM. But you know HIM, for HE lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see ME anymore, but you will see ME. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I AM in MY FATHER, and you are in ME, and I AM in you. Whoever has MY commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves ME. He who loves ME will be loved by MY FATHER, and I too will love him and show MYSELF to him."

       Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, LORD, why do YOU intend to show YOURSELF to us and not to the world?"

       JESUS replied, "If anyone loves ME, he will obey MY teaching. MY FATHER will love him, and WE will come to him and make OUR home with him. He who does not love ME will not obey MY teaching. These words you hear are not MY own; they belong to THE FATHER who sent ME.

       "All this I have spoken while still with you. But THE COUNSELOR, THE HOLY SPIRIT, whom THE FATHER will send in MY name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

       "You heard ME say, 'I Am going away and I AM coming back to you.' If you loved ME, you would be glad that I AM going to THE FATHER, for THE FATHER is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on ME, but the world must learn that I love THE FATHER and that I do exactly what MY FATHER has commanded ME.

       "Come now; let us leave.

Gospel of John: chapter 14, verses 15 - 31

THE VINE and the Branches

   "I AM THE TRUE VINE, and MY FATHER is THE GARDENER. HE cuts off every branch in ME that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit HE prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in ME, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in ME.

       "I AM THE VINE; you are the branches. If a man remains in ME and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from ME you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in ME, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in ME and MY words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to MY FATHER'S glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be MY disciples.

       "As THE FATHER has loved ME, so have I loved you. Now remain in MY love. If you obey MY commands, you will remain in MY love, just as I have obeyed MY FATHER'S commands and remain in HIS love. I have told you this so that MY joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. MY command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are MY friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from MY FATHER I have made known to you. You did not choose ME, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then THE FATHER will give you whatever you ask in MY name. This is MY command: Love each other.

Gospel of John: chapter 15, verses 1 - 17

The World Hates the Disciples

       "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated ME first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted ME, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed MY teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of MY name, for they do not know THE ONE who sent ME. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates ME hates MY FATHER as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both ME and MY FATHER. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated ME without reason.'

       "When THE COUNSELOR comes, whom I will send to you from THE FATHER, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH who goes out from THE FATHER, HE will testify about ME. And you also must testify, for you have been with ME from the beginning.

       "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known THE FATHER or ME. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

Gospel of John: chapter 15, verses 18 - 27 & chapter 16, verses 1 - 4

The Work of THE HOLY SPIRIT

       "Now I AM going to HIM who sent ME, yet none of you asks ME, 'Where are YOU going?' Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I AM going away. Unless I go away, THE COUNSELOR will not come to you; but if I go, I will send HIM to you. When HE comes, HE will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in ME; in regard to righteousness, because I AM going to THE FATHER, where you can see ME no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

       "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, comes, HE will guide you into all truth. HE will not speak on HIS own; HE will speak only what HE hears, and HE will tell you what is yet to come. HE will bring glory to ME by taking from what is MINE and making it known to you. All that belongs to THE FATHER is MINE. That is why I said THE SPIRIT will take from what is MINE and make it known to you.

       "In a little while you will see ME no more, and then after a little while you will see ME."

Gospel of John: chapter 16, verses 5 - 16

The Disciples' Grief Will Turn to Joy

       Some of HIS disciples said to one another, "What does HE mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see ME no more, and then after a little while you will see ME,' and 'Because I AM going to THE FATHER'?" They kept asking, "What does HE mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what HE is saying."

       JESUS saw that they wanted to ask HIM about this, so HE said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see ME no more, and then after a little while you will see ME'? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask ME anything. I tell you the truth, MY FATHER will give you whatever you ask in MY name. Until now you have not asked for anything in MY name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

       "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about MY FATHER. In that day you will ask in MY name. I AM not saying that I will ask THE FATHER on your behalf. No, THE FATHER HIMSELF loves you because you have loved ME and have believed that I came from GOD. I came from THE FATHER and entered the world; now I AM leaving the world and going back to THE FATHER."

       Then JESUS' disciples said, "Now YOU are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that YOU know all things and that YOU do not even need to have anyone ask YOU questions. This makes us believe that YOU came from GOD."

       "You believe at last!" JESUS answered. "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave ME all alone. Yet I AM not alone, for MY FATHER is with ME.

       "I have told you these things, so that in ME you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Gospel of John: chapter 16, verses 17 - 33

JESUS Prays for HIMSELF

After JESUS said this, HE looked toward heaven and prayed:

       "FATHER, the time has come. Glorify YOUR SON, that YOUR SON may glorify YOU. For YOU granted HIM authority over all people that HE might give eternal life to all those YOU have given HIM. Now this is eternal life: that they may know YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom YOU have sent. I have brought YOU glory on earth by completing the work YOU gave ME to do. And now, FATHER, glorify ME in YOUR presence with the glory I had with YOU before the world began.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 1 - 5

JESUS Prays for HIS Disciples

       "I have revealed YOU to those whom YOU gave ME out of the world. They were YOURS; YOU gave them to ME and they have obeyed YOUR word. Now they know that everything YOU have given ME comes from YOU. For I gave them the words YOU gave ME and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from YOU, and they believed that YOU sent ME. I pray for them. I AM not praying for the world, but for those YOU have given ME, for they are YOURS. All I have is YOURS, and all YOU have is MINE. And glory has come to ME through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I AM coming to YOU. HOLY FATHER, protect them by the power of YOUR name--the name YOU gave ME--so that they may be one as WE are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name YOU gave ME. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

       "I AM coming to YOU now, but I say these things while I AM still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of MY joy within them. I have given them YOUR word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I AM of the world. MY prayer is not that YOU take them out of the world but that YOU protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I AM not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; YOUR word is truth. As YOU sent ME into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify MYSELF, that they too may be truly sanctified.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 6 - 19

JESUS Prays for All Believers

       "MY prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in ME through their message, that all of them may be one, FATHER, just as YOU are in ME and I AM in YOU. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that YOU have sent ME. I have given them the glory that YOU gave ME, that they may be one as WE are one: I in them and YOU in ME. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that YOU sent ME and have loved them even as YOU have loved ME.

       "FATHER, I want those YOU have given ME to be with ME where I AM, and to see MY glory, the glory YOU have given ME because YOU loved ME before the creation of the world.

       "RIGHTEOUS FATHER, though the world does not know YOU, I know YOU, and they know that YOU have sent ME. I have made YOU known to them, and will continue to make YOU known in order that the love YOU have for ME may be in them and that I MYSELF may be in them."

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 20 - 26

To Us a Child Is Born

   Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past HE humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future HE will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan--

       The people walking in darkness

          have seen a great light;

       on those living in the land of the shadow of death

          a light has dawned.

Isaiah: chapter 9, verses 1 & 2

JESUS Begins to Preach

       When JESUS heard that John had been put in prison, HE returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, HE went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

       "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

          the way to the sea, along the Jordan,

          Galilee of the Gentiles--

       the people living in darkness

          have seen a great light;

       on those living in the land of the shadow of death

          a light has dawned."

       From that time on JESUS began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 4, verses 12 - 17

The Temptation of JESUS

       Again, the devil took HIM to a very high mountain and showed HIM all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give YOU," he said, "if YOU will bow down and worship me."

       JESUS said to him, "Away from ME, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship THE LORD your GOD, and serve HIM only.' "

       Then the devil left HIM, and angels came and attended HIM.

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 4, verses 8 - 11

Love THE LORD Your GOD

       Fear THE LORD your GOD, serve HIM only and take your oaths in HIS name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for THE LORD your GOD, who is among you, is a jealous GOD and HIS anger will burn against you, and HE will destroy you from the face of the land. Do not test THE LORD your GOD as you did at Massah.

Deuteronomy: chapter 6, verses 13 - 16

The Temptation of JESUS

       JESUS answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put THE LORD your GOD to the test.' "

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 4, verse 7

PSALM 91

       If you make THE MOST HIGH your dwelling--

          even THE LORD, who is my refuge--

       then no harm will befall you,

          no disaster will come near your tent.

       For HE will command HIS angels concerning you

          to guard you in all your ways;

       they will lift you up in their hands,

          so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm: 91, verses 9 - 12

The Temptation of JESUS

       Then the devil took HIM to the holy city and had HIM stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are THE SON OF GOD," he said, "throw YOURSELF down. For it is written:

       " 'HE will command HIS angels concerning YOU,

          and they will lift YOU up in their hands,

       so that YOU will not strike YOUR foot against a stone.' "

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 4, verses 5 & 6

Do Not Forget THE LORD

   Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that THE LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. Remember how THE LORD your GOD led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep HIS commands. HE humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of THE LORD.

Deuteronomy: chapter 8, verses 1 - 3

The Temptation of JESUS

   Then JESUS was led by THE SPIRIT into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, HE was hungry. The tempter came to HIM and said, "If YOU are THE SON OF GOD, tell these stones to become bread."

       JESUS answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of GOD.' "

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 4, verses 1 - 4

Comfort for GOD'S People

       Comfort, comfort MY people,

          says your GOD.

       Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

          and proclaim to her

       that her hard service has been completed,

          that her sin has been paid for,

       that she has received from THE LORD'S hand

          double for all her sins.

       A voice of one calling:

       "In the desert prepare

          the way for THE LORD;

       make straight in the wilderness

          a highway for our GOD.

       Every valley shall be raised up,

          every mountain and hill made low;

       the rough ground shall become level,

          the rugged places a plain.

       And the glory of THE LORD will be revealed,

          and all mankind together will see it.

                     For the mouth of THE LORD has spoken."

Isaiah: chapter 40, verses 1 - 5

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

   In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

       "A voice of one calling in the desert,

       'Prepare the way for THE LORD,

          make straight paths for HIM.' "

       John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

       But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones GOD can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

       "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. HE will baptize you with THE HOLY SPIRIT and with fire, HIS winnowing fork is in HIS hand, and HE will clear HIS threshing floor, gathering HIS wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 3, verses 1 - 12

Restoration of Israel

       This is what THE LORD says:

       "A voice is heard in Ramah,

          mourning and great weeping,

       Rachel weeping for her children

          and refusing to be comforted,

          because her children are no more."

Jeremiah: chapter 31, verse 15

The Escape to Egypt

       When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

       "A voice is heard in Ramah,

          weeping and great mourning,

       Rachel weeping for her children

          and refusing to be comforted,

       because they are no more."

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 2, verses 16 - 18

GOD'S Love for Israel

       "When Israel was a child, I loved him,

          and out of Egypt I called MY son.

       But the more I called Israel,

          the further they went from ME.

       They sacrificed to the Baals

          and they burned incense to images.

       It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,

          taking them by the arms;

       but they did not realize

          it was I who healed them.

       I led them with cords of human kindness,

          with ties of love;

       I lifted the yoke from their neck

         and bent down to feed them.

       "Will they not return to Egypt

          and will not Assyria rule over them

          because they refuse to repent?

       Swords will flash in their cities,

          will destroy the bars of their gates

          and put an end to their plans.

       MY people are determined to turn from ME.

          Even if they call to THE MOST HIGH,

          HE will by no means exalt them.

       "How can I give you up, Ephraim?

          How can I hand you over, Israel?

       How can I treat you like Admah?

          How can I make you like Zeboiim?

       MY heart is changed within ME;

          all MY compassion is aroused.

       I will not carry out MY fierce anger,

          nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.

       For I AM GOD, and not man--

          THE HOLY ONE among you.

          I will not come in wrath.

       They will follow THE LORD;

          HE will roar like a lion.

       When HE roars,

          HIS children will come trembling from the west.

       They will come trembling

          like birds from Egypt,

          like doves from Assyria.

       I will settle them in their homes,"

          declares THE LORD.

Hosea: chapter 11, verses 1 - 11

The Escape to Egypt

       When they had gone, an angel of THE LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take THE CHILD and HIS mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for THE CHILD to kill HIM."

       So he got up, took THE CHILD and HIS mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what THE LORD had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called MY SON."

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 2, verses 13 - 15

A Promised Ruler From Bethlehem

       Marshal your troops, O city of troops,

          for a siege is laid against us.

       They will strike Israel's ruler

          on the cheek with a rod.

       "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

          though you are small among the clans of Judah,

       out of you will come for ME

          one who will be ruler over Israel,

       whose origins are from of old,

          from ancient times."

       Therefore Israel will be abandoned

          until the time when she who is in labor gives birth

       and the rest of HIS brothers return

          to join the Israelites.

       HE will stand and shepherd HIS flock

          in the strength of THE LORD,

          in the majesty of the name of THE LORD HIS GOD.

       And they will live securely, for then HIS greatness

          will reach to the ends of the earth.

          And HE will be their peace.

Micah: chapter 5, verses 1 - 5

The Visit of the Magi

   After JESUS was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is THE ONE who has been born king of the Jews? We saw HIS star in the east and have come to worship HIM."

       When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where THE CHRIST was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

       " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

          are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

       for out of you will come a ruler

          who will be THE SHEPHERD of MY people Israel.' "

       Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for THE CHILD. As soon as you find HIM, report to me, so that I too may go and worship HIM."

       After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where THE CHILD was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw THE CHILD with HIS mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped HIM. Then they opened their treasures and presented HIM with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 2, verses 1 - 12