Elizabeth had a young relative named Mary, who lived in the city of Nazareth in Galilee. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. He said: ‘Good day, Mary. Jehovah has greatly favored you.’ She did not understand what Gabriel meant. He then told her: ‘You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will rule as King. His Kingdom will last forever.’

Mary said: ‘But I am a virgin. How could I have a child?’ Gabriel said: ‘Nothing is impossible for Jehovah. Holy spirit will come upon you, and you will have a son. Your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant.’ Then Mary said: ‘I am Jehovah’s slave girl. May it happen to me just as you have said.’

Mary went to a city in the hills to visit Elizabeth. When Mary greeted her, Elizabeth felt the baby inside of her jump. Filled with holy spirit, she said: ‘Mary, Jehovah has blessed you. It is an honor to have the mother of my Lord in my home.’ Mary said: ‘I praise Jehovah with all my heart.’ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months, and then she went home to Nazareth.

When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he wanted to end the engagement. But an angel appeared to him in a dream and said: ‘Don’t be afraid to marry her. She hasn’t done anything wrong.’ So Joseph took Mary as his wife and brought her to his home.

The ruler of the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus, ordered that all Jews return to their hometowns to be registered. So Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, where Joseph’s family came from. It was almost time for Mary to have her baby.

When they arrived at Bethlehem, the only place they could find to stay was a stable. It was there that Mary gave birth to her son Jesus. She wrapped him in soft cloths and laid him gently in a manger.

Near Bethlehem, some shepherds were spending the night outdoors, watching over their flocks. Suddenly, an angel stood before them and they were surrounded by the light of Jehovah’s glory. The shepherds were frightened, but the angel said: ‘Don’t be afraid. I have exciting news. The Messiah was born today in Bethlehem.’ At that moment, many angels appeared in the sky, saying: ‘Glory to God in heaven, and peace on earth.’ Then the angels disappeared. How did the shepherds react?

The shepherds said to one another: ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem right away.’ They went quickly and found Joseph and Mary in the stable with their newborn baby.

Everyone who heard what the angel had told the shepherds was amazed. Mary thought deeply about the angel’s words and never forgot them. The shepherds went back to their flocks, thanking Jehovah for all they had seen and heard.

In a land to the east of Israel were people who believed that the stars could guide them. One night, some men from the East saw what looked like a bright star moving in the sky, and they followed it. The “star” led them to Jerusalem. The men started asking people: ‘Where is the child who will be king of the Jews? We have come to bow down to him.’

When Herod, the king of Jerusalem, heard about a new king, he was very worried. He asked the chief priests: ‘Where is this king supposed to be born?’ They told him: ‘The prophets said that he would be born in Bethlehem.’ So Herod called the men from the East and told them: ‘Go to Bethlehem and find this child. Come back and tell me where he is. I want to bow down to him too.’ But that was a lie.

The “star” began to move again. The men followed it to Bethlehem. The “star” came to a stop above a house and the men went inside. They found Jesus with his mother, Mary. They bowed down to the child and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Had Jehovah really sent these men to find Jesus? No.

That night, Jehovah told Joseph in a dream: ‘Herod wants to kill Jesus. Take your wife and son and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you it is safe to return.’ Immediately, Joseph and his family went to Egypt.

Jehovah had told the men from the East that they should not return to Herod. When Herod realized that they were not coming back, he was furious. Since he could not find Jesus, he ordered that all little boys of Jesus’ age in Bethlehem be murdered. But Jesus was safe, far away in Egypt.

In time, Herod died. Jehovah told Joseph: ‘Now it is safe for you to go back.’ Joseph, Mary, and Jesus went back to Israel, and they made their home in the city of Nazareth.

Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth with Jesus and their other sons and daughters. Joseph supported the family by working as a carpenter, and he taught them about Jehovah and his Law. The family went to the synagogue regularly to worship and to Jerusalem for the Passover each year.

When Jesus was 12 years old, his family made the long trip to Jerusalem as usual. The city was crowded with people who had come to celebrate the Passover. Afterward, Joseph and Mary began the journey home, thinking that Jesus was traveling with the group. But when they looked for him among their relatives, they couldn’t find him.

They returned to Jerusalem, and for three days, they searched for their son. Finally, they went to the temple. There was Jesus, sitting in the middle of the teachers, listening carefully and asking good questions. The teachers were so impressed with Jesus that they began asking him questions. And they were amazed by his answers. They could see that he understood Jehovah’s Law.

Joseph and Mary had been very worried. Mary said: ‘Child, we have been looking everywhere for you! Where have you been?’ Jesus said: ‘Did you not know that I must be here in my Father’s house?’

Jesus went home with his parents to Nazareth. Joseph taught Jesus how to do the work of a carpenter. What sort of person do you think Jesus was as a young man? As he grew up, Jesus increased in wisdom and in favor with God and men.

John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, became a prophet when he grew up. Jehovah used John to teach people that the Messiah was coming. But instead of teaching in synagogues or in towns, John preached in the wilderness. People came from Jerusalem and all over Judea to learn from John. He taught them that to please God, they needed to stop doing bad things. After listening to John, many repented of their sins, and John baptized them in the Jordan River.

John lived a simple life. He wore clothing made of camel’s hair and ate locusts and wild honey. People were curious about John. Even the proud Pharisees and Sadducees came to see him. John told them: ‘You need to change your ways and repent. Don’t think that you are special just because you say that you are children of Abraham. This does not mean that you are children of God.’

Many came to John and asked: ‘What do we need to do to please God?’ John told the Jews: ‘If you have two coats, give one away to a person who needs it.’ Do you know why he said that? He wanted his disciples to know that to please God, they must love people.

John said to the tax collectors: ‘Be honest and do not cheat anybody.’ He told the soldiers: ‘Do not accept bribes or tell lies.’

Priests and Levites also came to John and asked him: ‘Who are you? Everyone wants to know.’ John said: ‘I am a voice in the wilderness, leading people to Jehovah, just as Isaiah foretold.’

People loved what John was teaching them. Many wondered if John was the Messiah. But he told them: ‘Someone much greater is coming. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. I baptize with water, but he will baptize with holy spirit.’

John had been preaching: ‘Someone greater than I am is coming.’ When Jesus was about 30 years old, he came from Galilee to the Jordan River, where John was baptizing people. Jesus wanted John to baptize him, but John said: ‘I should not baptize you. You should baptize me.’ Jesus told John: ‘Jehovah wants you to baptize me.’ So they went into the Jordan River, and John dipped Jesus completely under the water.

After Jesus came up from the water, he prayed. At that moment, the heavens opened up, and God’s spirit came down on him like a dove. Then Jehovah spoke from heaven: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.”

When Jehovah’s spirit came on Jesus, he became the Christ, or Messiah. Now he would start the work that Jehovah had sent him to earth to do.

Immediately after his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness and spent 40 days there. When he returned, he went to see John. As Jesus came toward him, John said: ‘This is the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world.’ By saying this, John let the people know that Jesus was the Messiah. Do you know what happened to Jesus while he was in the wilderness? Let’s find out.

After Jesus was baptized, the holy spirit led him into the wilderness. He did not eat anything for 40 days, and he got very hungry. Then the Devil came to tempt Jesus and said to him: ‘If you are really God’s Son, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But Jesus answered by quoting the Scriptures: ‘It is written that you need more than food to live. You need to listen to every word that Jehovah says.’

Next, the Devil challenged Jesus: ‘If you are really God’s Son, jump off the highest point of the temple. It is written that God will send his angels to catch you.’ But Jesus again quoted the Scriptures: ‘It is written that you should not put Jehovah to the test.’

Then, Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their riches and glory and said: ‘I will give you all of these kingdoms and their glory if you worship me just once.’ But Jesus answered: ‘Go away, Satan! It is written that you should worship only Jehovah.’

Then the Devil went away, and angels came and gave Jesus food to eat. From then on, Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom. It was the work that he was sent to earth to do. People loved what Jesus taught them, and they followed him everywhere he went.

In the spring of the year 30 C.E., Jesus went to Jerusalem. Many people had come to the city for the Passover. As part of the celebration, they made animal offerings at the temple. Some people brought animals with them, but others bought them in Jerusalem.

When Jesus went to the temple, he saw people selling animals there. They were making money for themselves right in Jehovah’s house of worship! How did Jesus react? He made a whip out of ropes and drove the sheep and the cattle out of the temple. He overturned the tables of the money changers and poured their coins out on the ground. Jesus told those who were selling doves: ‘Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a place of business!’

People at the temple were amazed at what Jesus did. His disciples remembered the prophecy about the Messiah: ‘I will be full of zeal for Jehovah’s house.’

Later, in the year 33 C.E., Jesus cleansed the temple a second time. He would not let anyone show disrespect for his Father’s house.

After the Passover, Jesus and his disciples traveled through Samaria on their way back to Galilee. Near the city of Sychar, Jesus stopped at a place called Jacob’s well. While he rested there, his disciples went into the city to buy food.

A woman came to the well to draw water. Jesus said to her: “Give me a drink.” She said: ‘Why are you talking to me? I’m a Samaritan woman. Jews don’t talk to Samaritans.’ Jesus told her: ‘If you knew who I am, you would ask me for a drink and I would give you living water.’ ‘What do you mean?’ asked the woman. ‘You don’t even have a bucket.’ Jesus said: ‘Whoever drinks the water that I give him will never get thirsty again.’ The woman said: “Sir, give me this water.”

Jesus then told her: ‘Bring your husband to the well.’ She said: ‘I don’t have a husband.’ He said: ‘You are telling the truth. You’ve been married five times, and now you live with a man to whom you are not married.’ The woman said: ‘I see that you are a prophet. My people believe that we can worship God on this mountain, but the Jews say that we can worship only in Jerusalem. I believe that when the Messiah comes, he will teach us how to worship.’ Then Jesus said something he had not told anyone else: ‘I am the Messiah.’

The woman hurried to her city and told the Samaritans: ‘I think I have found the Messiah. He knows everything about me. Come and see!’ They followed her back to the well and listened to Jesus teach.

The Samaritans invited Jesus to stay in their city. For two days, he taught there, and many people put faith in him. They told the Samaritan woman: ‘After listening to this man, we know that he really is the savior of the world.’

Shortly after his baptism, Jesus began to preach: ‘The Kingdom of God is near.’ Disciples followed him as he traveled around Galilee and Judea. When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, he went to the synagogue, opened the scroll of Isaiah, and read aloud: ‘Jehovah has given me holy spirit so that I can preach the good news.’ What did that mean? It meant that even though people wanted to see Jesus perform miracles, the main reason he had received holy spirit was to preach the good news. Then he told his listeners: ‘Today this prophecy has come true.’

Next, Jesus went to the Sea of Galilee, where he met four of his disciples, who were fishermen. He invited them, saying: ‘Come with me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They were Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They immediately left their fishing business and followed him. They went all over Galilee, preaching about Jehovah’s Kingdom. They preached in synagogues, at marketplaces, and in the streets. A large crowd followed them wherever they went. News about Jesus spread everywhere, even as far as Syria.

In time, Jesus gave some of his followers the power to heal people and to expel demons. Others went with him as he preached from city to city and from village to village. A number of faithful women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and others, took care of Jesus and his followers.

After training his disciples, Jesus sent them out to preach. As they traveled throughout Galilee, many others became disciples and got baptized. So many wanted to be disciples that Jesus compared them to a field that was ready to be harvested. He said: ‘Pray to Jehovah to send more workers to harvest the crop.’ He later chose 70 of his disciples and sent them out in pairs to preach all around Judea. They taught all kinds of people about the Kingdom. When the disciples came back, they were eager to tell Jesus what had happened. There was nothing the Devil could do to stop the preaching work.

Jesus made sure that his disciples would continue to do this important work after he returned to heaven. He told them: ‘Preach the good news all over the earth. Teach people about God’s Word, and baptize them.’

Jesus came to earth to declare the good news of God’s Kingdom. To show what Jesus will do as King, Jehovah gave him holy spirit to perform miracles. He could cure any sickness. Wherever he went, sick people came to him for help, and he cured them all. The blind could see, the deaf could hear, paralyzed people could walk, and those controlled by demons were set free. Even if they just touched the edge of his clothing, they would be healed. People followed Jesus wherever he went. Even when he wanted to be alone, Jesus never turned anyone away.

One time, people brought a paralyzed man to a house where Jesus was staying. But the house was so crowded that they could not get in. So they made a hole in the roof and lowered the man down to Jesus. Then Jesus told the man: ‘Get up and walk.’ When he did, the people were amazed.

Another time, as Jesus entered a village, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance and shouted: ‘Jesus, help us!’ In those days, lepers were not allowed to come near other people. Jesus told the men to go to the temple, as Jehovah’s Law said lepers must do after being cured. On their way there, they were healed. When one of the lepers realized that he had been cured, he came back to thank Jesus and praise God. Of the ten, only this one thanked Jesus.

A woman who had been sick for 12 years was desperate to be cured. She came up behind Jesus in a crowd and touched the edge of his outer garment. Immediately, she was healed. When that happened, Jesus asked: “Who touched me?” The woman was frightened, but she came forward and told him the truth. Jesus comforted her by saying: ‘Daughter, go in peace.’

An officer named Jairus begged Jesus: ‘Come to my house! My little daughter is very sick.’ But before Jesus could get to Jairus’ house, the girl died. When Jesus arrived, he saw that many people had come to mourn with the family. Jesus told them: ‘Don’t cry; she is only sleeping.’ Then he took the girl’s hand and said: “Child, get up!” She sat up immediately, and Jesus told her parents to give her something to eat. Just think how her parents must have felt!

After Jesus had been preaching for about a year and a half, he had an important decision to make. Whom would he choose to work closely with him? Whom would he train to take the lead in the Christian congregation? To make these decisions, Jesus wanted Jehovah’s direction. So he went to a mountain where he could be by himself, and he prayed all night long. In the morning, Jesus called some of his disciples together and chose his 12 apostles. Which of their names do you remember? Their names were Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot.

The Twelve would travel along with him. After he trained them, they were sent out to preach on their own. Jehovah gave them power to expel demons and to heal sick people.

Jesus called the Twelve his friends, and he trusted them. The Pharisees thought that the apostles were uneducated and ordinary. But Jesus gave them training for their work. They would be with Jesus at the most important times in his life, such as before his death and after his resurrection. Like Jesus, most of the Twelve were from Galilee. Some of them were married.

The apostles were imperfect men who made mistakes. Sometimes they spoke before thinking and made bad decisions. At times they were impatient. They even argued over who was more important. But they were good people who loved Jehovah. They would be the foundation of the Christian congregation after Jesus was gone.

After choosing the 12 apostles, Jesus came down the mountain to a place where a large crowd was gathered. They had come from Galilee, Judea, Tyre, Sidon, Syria, and the other side of the Jordan. They brought people who were suffering from diseases and some who were tormented by demons. Jesus healed them all. Then he sat down on the mountainside and began to speak. He explained what we must do if we want to be friends of God. We must realize that we need Jehovah and learn to love him. But we cannot love God if we do not love other people. We must be kind and fair to everyone, even our enemies.

Jesus said: ‘It’s not enough to love just your friends. You also need to love your enemies and to forgive people from your heart. If someone is upset with you, go to him right away and apologize. Treat others the way you want them to treat you.’

Jesus also gave the people good advice about material things. He said: ‘It’s more important to be Jehovah’s friend than to have a lot of money. A thief can steal your money, but no one can steal your friendship with Jehovah. Stop worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear. Look at the birds. God always makes sure that they have enough to eat. Worrying will not make you live one day longer. Remember, Jehovah knows what you need.’

The crowds had never heard anyone speak as Jesus did. Their religious leaders had not taught them these things. Why was Jesus such a great teacher? Because everything he taught came from Jehovah.

Everything the Pharisees did was to impress people. If they did something kind, it was so that others would notice. They prayed in public places so that everyone could see them. The Pharisees memorized long prayers and repeated them in synagogues and on street corners where others could hear them. So the people were surprised when Jesus told them: ‘Don’t pray like the Pharisees. They think that God will be impressed by their many words, but he is not. Prayer is between you and Jehovah. Don’t say the same things over and over. Jehovah wants you to tell him how you really feel inside.

‘This is how you should pray: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth.”’ Jesus also told them that they should pray for their food for the day, for their sins to be forgiven, and about other personal matters.

Jesus said: ‘Never stop praying. Keep on asking your Father, Jehovah, for good things. Every parent wants to give good things to his child. If your son asks you for bread, will you give him a stone? If he asks for a fish, will you give him a snake?’

Then Jesus explained the lesson: ‘If you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will your Father, Jehovah, give holy spirit to you? All you need to do is ask.’ Do you follow Jesus’ advice? What sort of things do you pray about?

Just before Passover of the year 32 C.E., the apostles returned from a preaching tour. They were tired, so Jesus took them by boat to Bethsaida, where they could rest. But when the boat came near the shore, Jesus saw that thousands of people had followed them there. Even though Jesus wanted to be alone with his apostles, he welcomed the people kindly. He cured their sick ones and began to teach them. All day long, Jesus taught them about God’s Kingdom. When evening fell, his apostles came to him and said: ‘The people must be hungry. Send them away so that they can get something to eat.’

Jesus said: ‘They do not have to leave. Give them something to eat here.’ The apostles asked: ‘Do you want us to go and buy bread for them?’ Philip, one of the apostles, said: ‘Even if we had a lot of money, we could not buy enough bread for this crowd.’

Jesus asked: ‘How much food do we have?’ Andrew said: ‘We have five loaves of bread and two small fish. That is not nearly enough.’ Jesus said: ‘Bring me the bread and the fish.’ He told the people to sit on the grass in groups of 50 and of 100. Jesus took the loaves and fish, looked up to heaven, and prayed. Then he gave the food to the apostles, and they handed it out to the people. The 5,000 men and the women and children all ate until they were full. Afterward, the apostles collected what was left over, so that nothing was wasted. There were 12 baskets full! That was an amazing miracle, wasn’t it?

The people were so impressed that they wanted to make Jesus their king. But Jesus knew that it was not Jehovah’s time for him to be king. So he sent the crowds away and told his apostles to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They got into their boat, and Jesus went up into a mountain by himself. Why? Because he wanted time to pray to his Father. No matter how busy he was, Jesus always made time for prayer.

Not only could Jesus heal the sick and resurrect the dead but he could also control the wind and the rain. After praying on a mountain, Jesus looked down at the Sea of Galilee and saw a storm. His apostles were in their boat, struggling to row against the wind. Jesus came down and began to walk on the water toward their boat. When the apostles saw someone walking on the water, they became frightened. But Jesus told them: ‘It is I. Don’t be afraid.’

Peter said: ‘Lord, if it’s really you, command me to come to you.’ Jesus told Peter: ‘Come to me.’ So in the middle of the storm, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But as he got near him, Peter looked at the storm and became afraid. He felt himself starting to sink. Peter shouted: ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus caught his hand, saying: ‘Why did you begin to doubt? Where is your faith?’

Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat, and immediately, the storm stopped. Can you imagine how the apostles felt? They said: “You really are God’s Son.”

This was not the only time that Jesus controlled the weather. At another time, when Jesus and the apostles sailed to the other side of the sea, Jesus went to sleep in the back of the boat. While he was asleep, a violent storm came up. Waves crashed into the boat, and the boat filled with water. The apostles woke Jesus up, shouting: ‘Teacher, we are about to die! Help us!’ Jesus got up and said to the sea: “Be quiet!” Right away, the wind and the sea became calm. Jesus asked the apostles: ‘Where is your faith?’ They said to one another: “Even the wind and the sea obey him.” The apostles learned that if they trusted Jesus completely, they did not need to be afraid of anything.

The Pharisees hated Jesus and wanted to find a reason to arrest him. They said that he should not heal sick people on the Sabbath. One Sabbath, Jesus found a blind man begging in the street. He told his disciples: ‘See how God’s power will help this man.’ Jesus mixed his own saliva with dirt to make a paste, and then he put it on the man’s eyes. Jesus told him: ‘Go and wash your eyes in the pool of Siloam.’ The man did that, and then for the first time in his life, he could see.

People were shocked. They said: ‘Is this the man who used to sit and beg, or is it just someone who looks like him?’ The man said: ‘I was the one born blind!’ The people asked him: ‘Why aren’t you blind anymore?’ When he told them what had happened, they took him to the Pharisees.

The man told the Pharisees: ‘Jesus put a paste on my eyes and told me to go and wash it off. I did, and now I can see.’ The Pharisees said: ‘If Jesus cures on the Sabbath, his power cannot be from God.’ But others said: ‘If his power were not from God, he would not be able to cure at all.’

The Pharisees called the man’s parents and asked: ‘How is it that your son can now see?’ His parents were afraid because the Pharisees had said that anyone who puts faith in Jesus would be thrown out of the synagogue. So they said: ‘We don’t know. Ask him yourself.’ The Pharisees asked the man more questions until he said: ‘I’ve told you all I know. Why do you keep asking me?’ The Pharisees were angry, and they threw him out.

Jesus went to find the man, and asked him: ‘Do you have faith in the Messiah?’ The man said: ‘I would if I knew who he was.’ Jesus said: ‘I am the Messiah.’ Was that not kind of Jesus? Not only did he cure the man but he also helped him to have faith.

Jesus had three very close friends who lived in Bethany. They were Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. One day, while Jesus was on the other side of the Jordan, Mary and Martha sent him an urgent message: ‘Lazarus is very sick. Please come quickly!’ But Jesus did not go right away. He waited for two more days and then said to his disciples: ‘Let’s go to Bethany. Lazarus is sleeping, and I am going to wake him up.’ The apostles said: ‘If Lazarus is asleep, that will help him to get well.’ So Jesus told them clearly: ‘Lazarus has died.’

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had already been buried for four days. Crowds of people had come to comfort Martha and Mary. When Martha heard that Jesus had come, she rushed to meet him. She said: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus told her: ‘Your brother will live again. Do you believe this, Martha?’ She said: ‘I believe that he will rise in the resurrection.’ Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Then Martha went to Mary and told her: ‘Jesus is here.’ Mary ran to Jesus, and the crowd followed. She fell down at his feet, and she could not stop crying. She said: ‘Lord, if you had been here, our brother would still be alive!’ Jesus saw how much she was suffering, and he also began to cry. When the crowd saw his tears, they said: ‘See how Jesus loved Lazarus.’ But some wondered: ‘Why didn’t he save his friend?’ What would Jesus do next?

Jesus went to the tomb, where a large stone covered the entrance. He commanded: ‘Roll the stone away.’ Martha said: ‘But it has been four days! His body will smell.’ Still, they rolled the stone away, and Jesus prayed: ‘Father, thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me, but I speak aloud so that these people may know that you sent me.’ Then he called out in a loud voice: “Lazarus, come out!” Something amazing happened: Lazarus came out of the tomb, still wrapped in linen cloths. Jesus said: “Free him and let him go.”

Many who saw this put faith in Jesus. But some went and told the Pharisees. From then on, the Pharisees wanted to kill both Lazarus and Jesus. One of the 12 apostles, Judas Iscariot, secretly went to the Pharisees and asked: ‘How much will you pay me if I help you to find Jesus?’ They agreed to pay 30 pieces of silver, and Judas began to look for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to the Pharisees.

The Jews celebrated the Passover every year on the 14th day of the month of Nisan. This was to remind them of how Jehovah had set them free from slavery in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land. In the year 33 C.E., Jesus and his apostles celebrated the Passover in an upper room in Jerusalem. At the end of the meal, Jesus said: ‘One of you is going to betray me.’ The apostles were shocked, and they asked Jesus: ‘Who is it?’ Jesus said: ‘It is the man to whom I give this bread.’ Then he gave a piece of bread to Judas Iscariot. Immediately, Judas got up and left the room.

Jesus then said a prayer, broke some bread into pieces, and handed it to the remaining apostles. He said: ‘Eat this bread. It represents my body, which I will give for you.’ Then he prayed over some wine and gave it to his apostles. He said: ‘Drink this wine. It represents my blood, which I will give so that sins can be forgiven. I promise that you will be kings with me in heaven. Do this every year to remember me.’ Jesus’ followers still meet together on that evening every year. That meeting is now called the Lord’s Evening Meal.

After the meal, the apostles argued over which one of them was the most important. But Jesus told them: ‘The one who is greatest among you is the one who sees himself as the youngest, the least important one.

‘You are my friends. I tell you everything my Father wants me to tell you. Soon I’m going to my Father in heaven. You will remain behind, and people will know that you are my disciples by the love that you have for one another. You must love one another just as I have loved you.’

Finally, Jesus prayed, asking Jehovah to protect all the disciples. He asked Jehovah to help them to work together in peace. He prayed for Jehovah’s name to be sanctified. Then Jesus and his apostles sang praises to Jehovah and went outside. The time was near for Jesus to be arrested.

Jesus and the apostles walked through the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives. It was after midnight, and the moon was full. When they arrived at the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said to them: “Stay here and keep on the watch.” Then Jesus went a little way into the garden and fell on his knees. In great distress, he prayed to Jehovah: “Let your will take place.” Then Jehovah sent an angel to encourage Jesus. When Jesus went back to the apostles, he found three of them sleeping. He said: ‘Wake up! This is not the time to be sleeping! The hour has come for me to be given into the hands of my enemies.’

Soon Judas arrived, leading a large mob armed with swords and clubs. He knew where to find Jesus because they had often come to this garden. Judas had told the soldiers that he would identify Jesus for them. He went right up to Jesus and said: ‘Greetings, Teacher,’ and then he kissed him. Jesus said: ‘Judas, are you betraying me with a kiss?’

Jesus stepped forward and asked the mob: “Whom are you looking for?” They said: “Jesus the Nazarene.” Then he answered: “I am he,” and the men drew back and fell to the ground. Again Jesus asked the mob: “Whom are you looking for?” Again they said: “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus answered: ‘I told you that I am he. Let these men go.’

When Peter realized what was happening, he pulled out a sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, a slave of the high priest. But Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him. Then he said to Peter: ‘Put your sword away. If you fight with a sword, you will die by a sword.’ The soldiers seized Jesus and tied his hands, and the apostles ran away. Then the mob took him to Annas, the chief priest. Annas interrogated Jesus and sent him to the house of High Priest Caiaphas. But what happened to the apostles?

When Jesus was with his apostles in the upper room, he said to them: ‘All of you will abandon me tonight.’ Peter said: ‘Not I! Even if all the others leave you, I will never leave you.’ But Jesus told Peter: ‘Before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.’

When the soldiers took Jesus to the house of Caiaphas, most of the apostles fled. But two of them followed in the crowd. One of them was Peter. He went into the courtyard of the house of Caiaphas and warmed himself by the fire. In the light, a servant girl saw Peter’s face and said: ‘I know you! You were with Jesus!’

Peter said: ‘No, I wasn’t! I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ He headed toward the gate. But soon another servant girl saw him and told the crowd: ‘This man was with Jesus!’ Peter said: ‘I don’t even know Jesus!’ A man said: ‘You are one of them! I can tell from your accent that you are from Galilee, like Jesus.’ But Peter swore: ‘I don’t know him!’

At that moment, a rooster crowed. Peter saw Jesus turn and look at him. He remembered Jesus’ words, and he went outside and wept bitterly.

In the meantime, the Sanhedrin convened to put Jesus on trial inside the house of Caiaphas. They had already decided to kill Jesus, and now they were looking for a reason. But they could not find anything against him. Finally, Caiaphas asked Jesus directly: ‘Are you the Son of God?’ Jesus said: ‘I am.’ Caiaphas said: ‘We don’t need any more evidence. This is blasphemy!’ The court agreed: ‘This man must die.’ They slapped Jesus, spat on him, covered his eyes, and hit him, saying: ‘If you are a prophet, tell us who hit you!’

When it became day, they took Jesus to the Sanhedrin hall and asked him again: ‘Are you the Son of God?’ Jesus answered: ‘You are saying that I am.’ Then they found him guilty of blasphemy and took him to the palace of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. What happened next? Let’s find out.

The chief priests took Jesus to the governor’s palace. Pilate asked them: ‘What accusation do you have against this man?’ They said: ‘He claims to be a king!’ Pilate asked Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus replied: “My Kingdom is no part of this world.”

Then Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, the ruler of Galilee, to see if he could find anything against him. Herod could not find anything wrong with Jesus and sent him back to Pilate. Then Pilate told the people: ‘Neither Herod nor I find anything against this man. I will set him free.’ The crowd shouted: ‘Kill him! Kill him!’ Soldiers beat Jesus with a whip, spat on him, and hit him. They put a crown of thorns on his head and mockingly said: ‘Good day, King of the Jews.’ Again Pilate told the crowd: ‘I found nothing wrong in this man.’ But they shouted: “To the stake with him!” So Pilate handed him over to be executed.

They took Jesus to a place called Golgotha, nailed him to a stake, and raised it up. Jesus prayed: ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.’ People made fun of Jesus, saying: ‘If you are God’s Son, come down off that stake! Save yourself.’

One of the criminals hanging next to him said: “Remember me when you get into your Kingdom.” Jesus promised him: “You will be with me in Paradise.” In the afternoon, a darkness that lasted for three hours fell over the land. Some of the disciples stood near the stake, including Mary, Jesus’ mother. Jesus told John to take care of Mary as if she were his own mother.

Finally, Jesus said: “It has been accomplished!” He bowed his head and took his last breath. At that moment, there was a powerful earthquake. In the temple, the heavy curtain between the Holy and the Most Holy was ripped in half. An army officer said: ‘This really was God’s Son.’

After Jesus died, a wealthy man named Joseph asked Pilate to let him take Jesus’ body down from the stake. Joseph wrapped the body in fine linen and spices and laid it in a new tomb. He had a heavy stone rolled in front of the entrance. The chief priests told Pilate: ‘We are afraid that some of Jesus’ disciples will take his body and say that he has come back to life.’ So Pilate told them: ‘Seal the tomb and guard it.’

Three days later, early in the morning, some women went to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away. Inside the tomb, an angel told the women: ‘Don’t be afraid. Jesus has been raised up. Go and tell his disciples to meet him in Galilee.’

Mary Magdalene hurried to find Peter and John. She told them: ‘Someone has taken Jesus’ body!’ Peter and John ran back to the tomb. When they saw that it was empty, they went back to their homes.

When Mary returned to the tomb, she saw two angels inside and said to them: ‘I don’t know where they have taken my Lord.’ Then she saw a man, and thinking that he was the gardener, she said: ‘Sir, please tell me where you have taken him.’ But when the man said, “Mary!” she knew that he was Jesus. She cried out: “Teacher!” and held onto him. Jesus told her: ‘Go and tell my brothers that you have seen me.’ Right away, Mary ran to the disciples and told them that she had seen Jesus.

Later in the day, two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. A man joined them on the road and asked what they were talking about. They said: ‘Haven’t you heard? Three days ago, the chief priests put Jesus to death. Now some women are saying that he is alive!’ The man asked: ‘Don’t you believe the prophets? They said that the Christ would die and then be raised up.’ He continued to explain the Scriptures to them. When they reached Emmaus, the disciples asked the man to come with them. At supper after he prayed over the bread, they realized that he was Jesus. Then he disappeared.

The two disciples hurried to the house in Jerusalem where the apostles were gathered and told them what had happened. While they were there, inside the house, Jesus appeared to all of them. At first, the apostles couldn’t believe that it was Jesus. Then he said: ‘Look at my hands; touch me. It was written that the Christ would rise from the dead.’

Some time after Jesus appeared to the apostles, Peter decided to go fishing in the Sea of Galilee. Thomas, James, John, and some other disciples went with him. All night long they fished but did not catch anything.

Early the next morning, they saw a man standing on the shore. He called to them across the water: ‘Did you catch any fish?’ They told him: “No!” The man said: “Cast your net on the right side of the boat.” When they did that, the net became filled with so many fish that they could not pull it aboard. John suddenly realized that the man was Jesus and said: “It is the Lord!” Immediately, Peter jumped into the water and swam to shore. The other disciples followed in the boat.

When they arrived at the beach, they saw bread and fish cooking on a fire. Jesus told them to bring some of their fish to add to the meal. Then he said: ‘Come and have breakfast.’

After they finished breakfast, Jesus asked Peter: ‘Do you love me more than fishing?’ Peter said: ‘Yes, Lord, you know I do.’ Jesus said: ‘Then feed my lambs.’ Jesus again asked: ‘Peter, do you love me?’ Peter said: ‘Lord, you know I do.’ Jesus said: “Shepherd my little sheep.” Jesus asked a third time. Peter felt very sad. He said: ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus said: “Feed my little sheep.” Then he told Peter: “Continue following me.”

In Galilee, Jesus met with his followers. He gave them a very important command: ‘Go and make disciples of people from all lands. Teach them the things I taught you, and baptize them.’ Then he promised: ‘Remember, I will always be with you.’

During the 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to hundreds of his disciples in Galilee and Jerusalem. He taught them important lessons and performed many miracles. Then Jesus met with his apostles for the last time, on the Mount of Olives. He said: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem. Keep waiting for what the Father has promised.’

His apostles didn’t understand what he meant. They asked him: ‘Are you now going to become King of Israel?’ Jesus said: ‘It is not yet Jehovah’s time for me to become King. Soon you will receive power from holy spirit, and you will be my witnesses. Go preach in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.’

Then Jesus was lifted up into the sky and a cloud covered him. His disciples kept looking up, but he was gone.

The disciples left the Mount of Olives and went to Jerusalem. They regularly met together in an upper room and prayed. They were waiting for Jesus to give them further instructions.