54 Mary rushed in to Jesus, telling Him the message. Jesus scolded her, saying, "Put away your fear, woman. Hold it not. He shall out live us both. Go! Keep your place. Disturb us not again!"
55 Mary was upset because Jesus had never treated her thusly. But in the obedience of a wife she went out and awaited Him.
56 Then Jesus took His twelve aside, and said, "It is time. We go up to Jerusalem. All things that have been written by the prophets pertaining to The Son Of Man shall be fulfilled. For He shall be delivered to the gentiles, mocked spitefully, entreated, and spat upon.
57 They shall scourge Him and put Him to death. On the third day He shall rise up again."
58 They closed their minds not wanting what He said to be.
59 As they passed by Jericho a certain blind man begged Jesus to restore his sight, and Jesus did so.
60 The man went on before Him, praising God, telling what Jesus had done.
"LAZARUS, COME FORTH!"
Chapter Fifty Five
Now, Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. There was a man there named Zaccheus, who was a chief among the Publicans, and, rich.
2 He desired to see Jesus, but as he was a short man he could not see over the crowd. Running ahead, he climbed into a tree so he could see Him as He passed by.
3 Jesus looked up, saw him, and cried out to him, "Zacceus, would you come down and go before me, that I might abide in your house this day?"
4 Zaccheus leaped from the tree, made haste to his home, and prepared it. When the Jews of the city saw this they all muttered, "This Jesus is not a righteous man! He goes to be the guest of a sinner."
5 Now, Zaccheus stood at his gate and bid Jesus enter, saying, "Behold, Lord, I give half of all I own to the poor. If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation I will restore it four fold."
6 Jesus answered him, "This day is salvation come to this house. He that dwells therein becomes, therein, a Son Of Abraham.
7 For The Son Of Man is come seeking for to save that which was lost."
8 After they heard these things He spoke a parable because they thought The Kingdom Of God should immediately appear.
9 "A certain noble went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and, to return. He called his ten servants, gave to each ten pounds, instructing them, 'Deal with these until I return.'
10 But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to rule over us.'
11 It came to pass that when he returned having received the kingdom he commanded, his servants to come before him, that he might know how each had fared in trading.
12 The first had gained ten pounds. The master was pleased, and gave him authority over ten cities.
13 The second had gained but five pounds. The master was not displeased and gave him five cities.
14 The third, however, had merely hidden the money away and gained nothing. For he feared he would be punished if he had lost any.
15 The master was very displeased with him. "Fool!" he cried, "You have wasted my money! Had you used it wisely and lost it, I would have forgiven you, but you did nothing at all. By doing nothing you gain nothing, not even experience.'
16 He said unto them that stood by, 'Take the ten pounds he has and give it to him that made ten pounds.' 17 They said, 'But Lord, he already has ten pounds.'
18 The master announced, 'I say to you that unto every one which has shall be given, from him that has not, even that he has shall be taken away from him.
19 Now bring those that would not have me rule over them and slay them here, before me.'"
20 When He was done speaking, the people trembled, and He continued on to Jerusalem.
21 As they neared the city word came to them again of Lazarus' sickness, and that they should make great haste.
22 But Jesus rebuked them, saying, "This sickness is not to death, but for the glorification of God, that The Son Of God may be glorified thereby."
23 He stayed two days more where He was, and after that departed again.
24 His apostles said to Jesus, "The Jews have more than once tried to stone you, but you dare go there again?"
25 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the light? If any man walks in The Light he will not stumble, for he sees where he is going, because he walks in the Light of this world. But if a man walks in the night he stumbles because there is no Light in him."
26 Then He added, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps. I go that I may awaken him out of that sleep."
27 The apostles answered, "Rabbi, if he sleeps he shall do well."
28 Jesus spoke clearly to them, saying, "He is dead." But still they thought that he was saying Lazarus slept.
29 Jesus told them even more strongly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sake, that I was not there to interfere. For by what comes next you may believe more strongly. Come. Let us go to him."
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