[The sections of this entry correspond to the chapters in the King James Bible as follows: 7 = 8; 8 = 9; 9 = 10; 10 = 11.]
7
Jesus then went to the temple in Eldorado, preparing to lecture. But before he could begin, he was confronted by some religious leaders, who came and presented him with a woman, whose name was Susanna. They thrust her forth; and she fell down at the feet of Jesus, weeping.
The religious leaders claimed that they had caught Susanna in the act of adultery. “Our law code states that the punishment for such a crime is death by stoning,” said the religious leaders to Jesus; “so, what do you say?”
Jesus stooped down and wrote with his finger on the ground.
When the religious leaders continued pestering him, he stood up and said: “Let whoever is sinless among you cast the first stone.”
Then he crouched down again, and continued to write on the ground.
Now, because of the doctrine that they were known to teach to their congregations, the religious leaders were loath to step forward as sinless. Thus, they all ended up leaving the place, one by one, until Jesus and Susanna were alone.
Jesus then stood up, looked around, and said to the woman: “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”
Susanna answered: “No one, Sir.”
And Jesus said to her: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, now; be fruitful, multiply: replenish the earth, and subdue it.”
§
When Jesus was lecturing to some wayfarers of the caravan, he said: “If you follow my word, then you are my friends indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
The wayfarers replied: “But our Lord Yahweh, the volcano of potential, rescued our ancestors from oppression under the Empire of Egypt, where they served as slaves, long ago. So, why speak of making us free, when we are already free?”
Jesus answered them: “Whoever has a flesh body is a slave to decay. I offer you immortality, through a body of spirit, which is incorruptible. You are, at present, free from chattel slavery; but I shall free you from physical death.”
Moreover, Jesus said: “You speak of Yahweh as your savior, and you title him ‘Lord.’ What does ‘Lord’ mean? Owner. Yahweh owns you. Is that not slavery? He acquired you from Egypt, as Egypt acquired Joseph from his brothers. What I propose is not another change of ownership but rather equality with God.”
Now the wayfarers answered Jesus, and said: “How could anyone be equal to Yahweh God? For he sent all those plagues to the Empire: frogs, lice, flies, locusts . . . Who else could ever achieve such signs and wonders!”
Jesus said: “Not only am I equal, I am far superior. Have you been following my career? My miracles are positive: water to wine; free foodstuffs . . . whereas his are only negative: blood, pestilence, destruction . . . On top of that, your Lord was only able to accomplish those acts of terror when I deigned to help him: it was truly my own power that he was channeling. Without me, there is no exodus. I still remember how glad your Lord was to see me, when I first came to lend him my support.”
Then the wayfarers said to Jesus: “When our Lord Yahweh led the workforce out of Egypt, that was centuries ago. But you are barely even thirty years old: How can you claim to have met Lord Yahweh God?”
Jesus said unto them: “Truly, truly, I tell you: Before Yahweh was, I AM.”
8
Now as Jesus was walking with his few remaining friends, they passed a man who had been blind from birth. One then said to Jesus: “Sir, can you tell us why this man was born without sight? Was it a punishment by proxy, because his parents sinned? Or did the man himself commit some crime in a former existence, which voided his vision?”
Jesus answered and said: “Not at all. I myself preordained that this man should be born without sight, so as to prove to you that I am the world’s creator.” And Jesus approached the blind man and shouted: “Open your eyes.”
Then the blind man’s vision came in full, and he greatly rejoiced. And those who stood by were astonished.
9
And on another occasion, Jesus taught as follows, saying:
“Whoever enters not by the door to the sheepfold, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. But he that enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
He then said: “Truly, truly, I tell you: I am the door of the sheep. All that preceded me were thieves and robbers. They came to steal, to kill, and to destroy. But I am come so that the sheep might have life more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. I call them by name, and they recognize my voice.”
§
Now a group of Christians came and encircled Jesus, and they said unto him: “Enough of your dark sayings and parables. If you are Christ, tell us plainly.”
And Jesus answered: “Christ means ‘one anointed by a divinity’s representatives.’ I am more than Christ: I am God.”
Then the Christians prepared to burn him at the stake.
So Jesus said: “For which of my good works do you intend to set me ablaze?”
The Christians answered him: “We understand that the Evil One beguiles by performing good works; it is not, however, such deception that deserves punishment, but your blasphemy. For, from the beginning, the Devil has temped man with the lie that he can become the equal of God. This is the ultimate sin, which necessitates immolation.”
Jesus answered: “Is it then blasphemous for God to declare his own identity while inviting all to share it?” And he absconded from out of their sight.
10
Now Jesus retreated into the desert where his old friend John had done his baptizing. But immediately there came a communication from Sweet Beulah Land, the place where he had just left: it was a message to Jesus from the house of his three closest friends. The sisters Mary and Martha explained in the letter that their brother Lazarus was gravely ill.
Jesus wrote back, comforting the sisters, saying: “Fear not. Your brother is sick for the purpose of revealing my glory.”
Now Mary and Martha marveled in their hearts that glory might result from a painful disease. But they were hopeful that Jesus would come visit them soon, and that his meaning would then be made apparent.
Yet Jesus abode in the desert for two more days, despite the desperate note about Lazarus. Then he announced to John’s community of baptizers that he must travel back to Sweet Beulah Land. But when John’s disciples heard his intention, they said to Jesus: “You just told us how the Christians in that region tried to burn you at the stake! Now, so soon, you wish to return?”
Jesus answered: “It is important that I make this trip, since it will give me a chance to wake Lazarus from sleep.”
The disciples answered: “Oh, but if the man truly falls asleep, do not arouse him; for, considering the way that his sisters spoke of his failing state, poor Lazarus needs his rest. He has been so terribly ill, a deep sleep might heal him.”
Howbeit they misunderstood; for Jesus spoke only figuratively of slumber. Then he told them plainly:
“Lazarus is dead.”
And he added: “But I am glad that I lingered here for these extra days, instead of hastening back to treat him, when his sisters first wrote to me. For, if I had gone there immediately and cured Lazarus, then I would have had no chance to display my powers of resurrection. This demonstration shall win me followers; because people who would otherwise remain skeptical of my divinity will reverse their disbelief if someone visits them from the dead. Many who would never read Moses or the prophets will be persuaded by a corpse brought back to life.”
So, Jesus set out from the desert on foot, heading for the family house of Lazarus in Sweet Beulah Land.
§
By the time he arrived, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the grave for four days already.
Mary and Martha met Jesus in tears and said: “What took you so long? If you had been here earlier, our brother had not died.”
Jesus answered: “Your brother shall awaken.”
They said: “We know; he shall rise again on the last day.”
Jesus said: “I AM the resurrection and the life. Anyone who is filled with my spirit eclipses death.”
The sisters said: “Yes, we believe that you are the God who created the world.”
Then they led him to the place where their brother was buried.
When Jesus saw the grave, he wept. It was a cave sealed with a stone.
Jesus said: “Take away the stone.”
The groundskeeper said to Jesus: “O Sir, please don’t; for that fellow hath been dead several days now, and by this time he stinketh.”
Jesus answered: “I know what I ask; do not forestall me. I shall display the glory of God.”
So they removed the stone from the grave. And Jesus cried with a loud voice: “Lazarus, come forth.”
Then the dead man came forth, bound head to foot with graveclothes.
Jesus, gesturing, said: “Unwrap him.”
Now Jesus sent Lazarus to the family of a man named Dives, an affluent notable who had just passed away, whose five siblings Jesus desired to win over. So Lazarus went and testified to them, and they were persuaded to believe in his good tidings.
§
All the highest leaders of the Christian church then met to discuss the problem of Jesus. One said: “What can we do? For this man performs many miracles.” Another said: “If we allow him to continue, all people will end up accepting his breath of everlasting life, and then how will our religion survive?” A third said: “It is expedient that this one man should die to save the whole church.”
So, from that day forth the Christian leadership conspired to assassinate Jesus.
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