Illustrated Summary of The Chosen: Season 4, Episode 6: Dedication

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We see a candlelit room at night with a long wooden table. A small message scroll lies on the table. Hurried, panicked voices call from without to move quickly. A door bursts open with Jesus's disciples streaming in. One removes candles from the table. Others lay an injured man on that table. It is Big James with a head wound. Orders ring out, "Watch his head. Somebody get some water! Give me some blankets. James, stay with us! Take another sip of water." The disciples are shivering and trying to catch their breath as they can. Jesus stoops down and picks up the note that fell from the table and reads it. Thaddaeus says, "We're going to need more wood. We need to dry these clothes before we catch our death!" Andrew says, "That was terrifying. How can we go back there?" Tamar comments, "Surely we will have to." Zee says, "We should stay here in Perea for the time being." Peter asserts, "We'll talk about it later." Judas wonders out loud, "What does it mean?" Zee hears a noise outside and orders everyone to be quiet. Jesus looks sad.

One week earlier, the apostle Thomas lights the first of 7 clay oil lamps on a small side table, saying, "Blessed are You, Lord our God, sovereign of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the lights of Hanukkah." He joins his fellow disciples at the long table, where Jesus, seated at the head, pronounces, "And so the Feast of Dedication begins." Everyone applauds and then recites together, "Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens" (Psalm 113:1-4).

Later, Jesus acts as narrator for a dramatic but humorous enactment by His apostles of the historic events surrounding Hanukkah: "After Alexander, son of Philip the Macedonian--whom some have taken to calling Alexander the Great, but whom we call Alexander the Worst--had defeated King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and slaughtered the kings of the earth. He advanced to the ends of the earth and plundered many nations. He gathered a very strong army and ruled over countries, nations, and princes. Then he fell sick and perceived he was dying, so he summoned his most honored officers and divided his kingdom among them. Then he died. From them came a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus hated Israel and he hated God. He attacked Jerusalem on the Sabbath, knowing the Jews would not fight. He went into the temple and defiled it by slaughtering a pig on the altar, sprinkling its blood on the Holy of Holies, and pouring the swine's broth onto the Torah scrolls, which were then shredded and burned." Everyone in the room instantly pronounces that defilement as the Abomination of Desolation.

Back at the table, the group recites together, "Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water" (Psalm 114:7-8).

In another slice of Hanukkah festival life, the disciples present gifts to one another. Mary Magdalene gives Tamar a beautiful scarf, Peter gives Andrew a fine leather belt, and John and Matthew give each other items that will help them continue recording what Jesus says and does. John says, "I'm glad I'm not the only one writing it all down." Matthew agrees.

On the second day of the feast, Nathanael lights the second oil lamp. Jesus picks up where He left off in His Feast of Dedication narration: "Antiochus set up pagan altars in every town in Israel and forced Jews to eat pig flesh to prove their conversion from Judaism. If they refused, they were executed. But God raised up a band of fighters led by Judah Maccabee (Judas Maccabeus), also known as The Hammer. For seven years, the Maccabees revolted against the Greeks--just a handful of rebels against 65,000 troops--until finally, 192 years ago this very week, they at last reclaimed Jerusalem, destroyed the statue of Zeus in the temple, and rededicated the altar. There was just one problem: they found only enough uncontaminated oil to light the temple menorah to burn for one day. But miraculously, it burned for 8 nights, giving them enough time to produce a new batch of pure oil. That is why we celebrate this Feast of Dedication for 8 days. The end." (This feast is mentioned in the New Testament in John 10:22.) 

On the third day of the feast, Mary lights the third lamp. The group recites at the table together, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, I am Your servant, I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord" (Psalm 116:15-17). Afterwards they make music together with stringed and other simple instruments, singing, "Who is like the Lord our God? What idol has more worth? No command has proved unsure in heaven and on earth. The hand of God, both great and small, a shelter, staff, and shield. Blessed be great God of love in day and night revealed."

At the table they recite, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes" (Psalm 118:8-9). The next thing we see is an arm-wrestling match between John and Andrew where John seems to be prevailing, but Andrew quickly wins in the last moments. Jesus jokes, "Even I didn't see that coming!" He then makes this announcement: "On the final day of the feast, we will make pilgrimage to the Holy City, where I will give a sermon, a teaching." Everyone stares at Him quietly, leading Him to say, "Is that bad news?" Peter quickly says, "It's great." Mary adds, "It will be wonderful." Thomas says, "Rabbi, it was not great or wonderful the last time You gave a sermon around religious leaders," referring to when his fiancée, Ramah, was murdered.  "I see no reason why Your teachings will be acceptable to the ruling class of priests anytime soon." Thomas leaves the now-silent room. Peter moves to follow him, but Jesus motions for Peter to give Thomas time alone and says, "This has been a festival night I will never forget, especially the music. Thank you all."

In the morning, Andrew is telling Big James, John, and Matthew how much he appreciates his new belt from Peter. Big James says, "We need to think of the right gift for Thomas." He suggests something practical, like some new sandals. When Matthew checks the purse to see if there's money for a new pair, he looks confused and inquires if there's another purse. That leads him to find Judas, who is working on some kind of map. Matthew tells Judas they want to buy new sandals for Thomas, but Judas irritably dismisses the idea by describing Thomas's fine sandals and saying that if he wants better sandals for walking, he should trade them in, asserting, "He could get 3 functional pairs for that barter." Matthew reminds him, "We set aside money for gifts" and asks outright, "Where is the other purse?" Judas, not looking at him, says, "What do you mean? There is only one, from Joanna." Matthew asserts, "There has to be another because I went through it and it contains only half of the shekels Joanna sent." Judas tells him they spent it on the inn, food, and gifts. Matthew says, "No, I've done the math and it does not add up." Judas looks up and says angrily, "Do you want to take over keeping the purse? It sounds like you think you could do it better." Matthew clarifies, "I'm not asking for your job, Judas, but facts are facts. Numbers don't change just because I've directed my attention elsewhere." Judas says he should keep his attention elsewhere, stating dramatically, "People's lives are at stake, Matthew. Our people have been waiting thousands of years for this moment. We're on the knife's edge of history. The Messiah is finally here and were moving so inefficiently and slowly that we may very well run out of funds before He can even spread His message. We owe it to the entire nation of Israel to be more scrupulous with the money that is entrusted to us for His work. It's too important." Judas walks away.

Matthew looks confused. Peter comes out with the others and Thomas, saying, "Let's head into town." Big James asks Matthew quietly, "Did you get the money for the gift from Judas?" Matthew says, "I think we are going to have to barter." "Why?" asks James. "Is he being stingy?" Matthew honestly replies, "I don't know."

Sanhedrin member Yussif is working diligently on writing a scroll. His father, Arnán, comes into the chamber where he is working and asks if he wants an extra cut of lamb for their Feast of Dedication meal, but Yussif humbly replies, "No, whatever you get will be feast enough." Yussif appears so absorbed in what he is doing that his father inquires if he is all right. Yussif explains, "I just need to finish this thought." Arnán appears genuinely concerned about his son and inquires about whom he is writing to, but quickly says he does not mean to pry. Yussif suddenly asks him, "If I ask for bread, would you give me a stone? If I asked your servants who are going to market for a fish, would you instruct them to bring a snake?" Arnán says gently that is absurd, but Yussif insists that he answers the question. Arnán replies, "Never. You are my son." Yussif, quoting Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:7-11), tells him, "If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?" Arnán asks, "You who are evil--is this a riddle? Talk to me." Yussif explains, "It's something I heard a Rabbi teach. 'If you are seeking God,' He said, 'Ask and it will be give you, search and you will find, knock and the door will be open for you.' God will not his His messenger from us if only we have eyes to see." Confused, Arnán asks, "Are you getting enough sleep?"

Yussif tells his father, "I am plagued by thoughts too difficult to explain." Arnán says reassuringly they can get him some help, but Yussif blurts out, "Don't give up on me, Abba. Like the fragments from the sermon I just quoted you and as you yourself have said, I am your son and I only ask one thing: don't give up on me. No matter how it goes in Sanhedrin, trust me that I love God and I will always be faithful." Arnán leans over the desk and tells his son earnestly with misty eyes, "I never doubted you. Even when I didn't understand you, I never doubted you. Even when I disagreed with your decision to go into the north, I never doubted you. I know I spoke harshly to you at the time, but deep in my heart I thought what you did was noble. And secretly sometimes I wish I didn't always take the path of least resistance in my life." Yussif, genuinely touched, says, "Your words honor me beyond my deserving." Arnán asserts, "You do deserve it." "Stand with me," says Yussif. "Of course. Always," replies Arnán, who courteously observes, "Well, you have some important writing to do. I will leave you to it." Yussif thanks his father and continues writing.

At the marketplace, Peter distracts Thomas while James, John, and the others seek to make a barter to get practical sandals for Thomas. Peter takes advantage of Thomas's sense of taste and smell to buy good soaps for the group, but also uses the opportunity to inquire how Thomas has been feeling. Thomas answers, "We are celebrating the Feast of Dedication. I'm supposed to feel grateful, I think." Peter says, "Who cares what you're supposed to feel? Look, the Maccabees overthrew the Greeks so we could have full lives, not be wooden figures." "Then I feel horrible," Thomas quickly states. "Thank you," says Peter, affirming that the truth is always the best place to start. Thomas says, "What I'm interested in is when it will end." Peter asks, "Is there any moment when you don't feel awful?" Thomas answers, "When we have some important work to do, that takes my mind off things. If I can just think about the task at hand, I'm okay. But apart from that, in the stillness, everything just ..." "Aches," finishes Peter. "You know?" asks Thomas, stepping closer to him.

Peter looks down and says, "I never met the person I lost." Thomas says to him, "Ramah told me about Eden's miscarriage. The women, they talk to each other about those kinds of things." Peter asks, "She tell you how badly I took it?" "She didn't have to," reminds Thomas. "I was on the boat, remember? You weren't subtle." Peter quips, "I don't know the meaning of the word," adding, "Do you remember what He said on the sea, that He allows trials because they prove the genuineness of our faith and strengthen us? (1 Peter 1:6-7)" "At the cost of someone's life?" asks Thomas. Peter confesses, "I had the same thoughts in the depth of my pain and they only made things worse." Thomas says defensively, "It doesn't make them wrong." Peter replies, "It's not wrong to question, but it does become wrong when you don't accept the answer." Thomas says, "I just don't understand why He didn't help Ramah. We've seen the miracles He does--walking on water, multiplying food, powers that have not been seen manifested in the history of the earth. Why couldn't He have prevented her from being struck at all or even stopped time before her dying or even bring her back?" Peter tells him, "When I turn these things over in my mind, I go back to what God said through the prophet Isaiah: 'My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways,' declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:8-9). You know, He can create a world where we have no free will and where nothing goes wrong, but that last part is clearly the future. It's not now." Thomas says bitterly, "Don't throw scraps of prophets around. I know all the same words, Peter. Were they any help to you?" Before Peter can answer, Thomas moves aside to pick up and pay for soap for the women and the men in their group.

At the Capernaum synagogue, Jairus the administrator receives a message sent to him from Yussif in Jerusalem. He has a grave expression on his face as he reads it.

Jesus and His disciples recite another passage of Scripture at their feast table: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness. Why should the nations say, 'Where is their God?' Our God is in the heavens. He does all that He pleases" (Psalm 115:1-3). Afterwards, some of the disciples are playing a merry tune on their instruments while others talk in separate gatherings, including one where Thomas unwraps a gift he truly appreciates. He says he gets blisters all the time from his fancy sandals so is grateful for ones made for all the walking they do. Judas looks on, obviously somewhat happy for Thomas, but he looks away guiltily when Matthew tries to make friendly eye contact with him.

While Jesus talks with Philip, a lady from the inn apologizes for interrupting and hands Jesus a message, saying that someone dropped it off for Him that day from the other side of the Jordan River. He thanks her for it courteously, reads it with a sad expression on His face, crumples it up, and tosses it. Peter and John notice, wanting to know what happened. Jesus answers, "It's word from Bethany: Laz is sick, very sick." John, shocked, says, "We were just with him!" Jesus, knowing Lazarus well, tells him, "He would never let on something was wrong." Matthew, overhearing, asks, "Do we need to go see him?" Jesus says, "No, not now. This isn't a sickness that leads to death." Jesus then announces to everyone, "My friends, I think I will retire for the night. But you all, please continue. Enjoy yourselves. Shalom, shalom." They return His greeting of peace, but look concerned.

Peter, noticing, decides to encourage the group to do what Jesus just said by asking Andrew, one of the musicians, for another song. Then he says, "Little James, I cannot get enough of that voice!" Little James humbly suggests getting the women in on the next song. "The Song of Miriam" (Exodus 15:21) is called for, which Tamar does not know, but Mary and the others teach her as they sing in echo fashion, "I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously." As they continue, we see Jesus turning on His bed and looking troubled.

In the morning on day 5 of the Feast of Dedication, the apostles are in the courtyard of the inn, threshing, sifting, and grinding their own wheat to make bread. The women are working with vegetables. Judas stops grinding and announces excitedly, "I have an idea: What if we set up donation points in the various villages that we visit?" Matthew asks, "Who would manage the funds abroad and how would they get them to us?" Judas answers, "In every place we've gone, Jesus has made a special connection with someone, sometimes even hundreds. We could collect upon visitations. We could appoint a person in every village who could spread the word to others who believe in the message of our Rabbi. We could tell them that if they want to support the work of the Messiah, they can by gathering aid so that He is well supported the next time He makes it into town." Peter asks skeptically, "How would you vet their character and trustworthiness?" Judas says with a smile, "Ask for references, letters of recommendation."

Philip asks Judas, "If Jesus was worried about funding, don't you think He would have set up something like this already?" Judas laughs but says with mild frustration, "If we had something like this set up already, we wouldn't be threshing and winnowing wheat ourselves. We could just buy flour at  market." Matthew says, "I, for one, am enjoying learning the process of how it's made." Thaddaeus tells him, "Manual labor feels good when you've been sitting around a lot, doesn't it?" Judas looks around and sees everyone hard at work, saying, "Wait. No one? Really?" Mary says, "We've bought flour at the market before, Judas. This just isn't one of those times." Little James adds with a kindly tone, "In the words of Qoheleth, 'For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven' (Ecclesiastes 3). This is a time for us to make the flour ourselves."

Later the group enjoys together the bread and vegetables they have worked hard to prepare. John notices that Judas is sitting by himself so he decides to join him, saying, "I was thinking about your idea from earlier." Judas asks if he likes it, but John takes the conversation a different direction. "I had an idea of my own a few weeks back," John reminds Judas, referring to when he and his brother broke Jesus's heart by asking for positions of power and authority (Mark 10:35-45). He explains, "We asked for what we wanted based on our own understanding, our own ambitions." Judas recalls, "He was not happy." John states, "He was heartbroken at how little we understood." Judas asks, "You believe I'm doing this from a lack of understanding? Does He not want us to be creative, to think critically, to use the gifts Adonai gave us to support Him?" John says, "Look, I've been here since before He announced who He is and there's still so much I don't understand." Judas responds with passion, "I'm not presuming. I'm seeking to understand. I want to reduce the strain, the uncertainty around resources so we can get back to building the Kingdom He is here to build." John suggests he asks Jesus about this matter.

Judas seeks out Jesus and finds Him observing and smiling at a shepherd working with his sheep in a sheepfold, pointing out to Judas that the shepherd is calling his sheep by name. Jesus explains, "I have sheep and shepherds on My mind." Then He asks what Judas has on his mind. Judas tells Him, "All I want is to see Your Kingdom come." "That's quite a conversation starter," quips Jesus. "I want that for you too." "I want everyone to," says Judas softly. "And I want to remove any obstacles that stand in the way of that." Jesus questions what Judas means about obstacles. Judas answers, "Limitations. Barriers. Whatever Your vision is--and I know it's beyond my wildest dreams--I want to make sure You're never held back by not having enough resources. You told us to be as gentle as doves, but also wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16). Is this not wisdom?" Jesus asks, "Has Joanna's donation run out?" "No," Judas answers, "but we're getting close with the holiday celebrations and gift giving." He starts talking about his donation-centers idea, but Jesus gently interrupts, saying, "You're right. My vision for the world is bigger than you can imagine. I want you to pay close attention to My sermon tomorrow, the events surrounding it, and the feelings inside you." Jesus turns His gaze toward the sheep again. Judas looks disillusioned.

Reaching the Capernaum synagogue with a delivery of oil is Zebedee, who is greeted by Jairus and rushed inside. Jairus tells Zebedee of Yussif's urgent message regarding a plot for Jesus to be executed to bring attention to a pet cause of a Sanhedrin committee. Jairus explains, "I am familiar with these people from my time in Jerusalem, and I am sure they barely know about His teachings. This is wholly political to advance their cause. Torah contains passages prescribing the death penalty for false prophecy and Shabbat breaking. All they need is an event." Zebedee observes, "All kinds of people break Shabbat." "But He is not all kinds of people," observes Jairus. "Jesus has become a highly controversial figure." "He's the Messiah!" states Zebedee. "Apparently not the one they're looking for," says Jairus. "These people are distracted by their own agendas. They've become ignorant. You must get word to your sons about this imminent threat." He explains the synagogue cannot dispatch a messenger because the Sanhedrin have eyes and ears everywhere, especially in Capernaum because of Jesus's past ministry there.

Zebedee, back at home, is packing for a sudden trip to Jerusalem. His wife holds up a letter, asking what it says.  Zebedee answers that Jairus wrote a letter of introduction to some of his old colleagues endorsing the suitability of their oil for use in the sacred temple rites. Salome says with joy, "Zeb, this is unthinkable. The honor--your oil at the temple!" Zebedee tells her, "While in Judea, I'll divert to find James and John and the others."

"Save us, we pray, O Lord," says Jesus with His disciples at the feast table on the last day. "O Adonai, we pray, give us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless You from the house of Adonai. The Lord is God, who has made His light to shine upon us (Psalm 118:25-27). Amen." They rise. Thomas is the last to stand up, remembering the tragedy that happened the last time Jesus preached in public. The group boards a ferry across the Jordan as they journey toward Jerusalem for Jesus to preach at the temple.

As they enter its first court, Jesus leads His disciples toward a sheep pen there. He tells them, "Listen carefully, He who does not enter the sheepfold by the door climbs in by another way. That man is a thief and a robber, hmm? But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep (John 10). The sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." Jesus leads His disciples away from the pen and towards large courtyard steps. Pharisees managing that pen of sacrificial lambs watch Him carefully and suspiciously.

Jesus sits on a step and continues, "They won't follow a stranger, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." Nathanael says, "I'm not sure I'm following you." Peter asks Jesus if He can make this figure of speech plainer. Jesus responds, "This is important: I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them." One of the Pharisees orders the other to get their supervisor, Ozem. Jesus repeats, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them." Judas, instead of paying close attention to Jesus's words, notices a ring of Pharisees gathering around them. 

"He flees," continues Jesus, "because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father," pointing upward, "knows Me and I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep." Ozem says to his fellow Pharisees about Jesus, "He fits the description of a man we're looking for." Jesus says, "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also. They will listen to My voice." Ozem interrupts, "Other sheep not of this fold--are You referring to Gentiles?" Jesus, ignoring him, says, "So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me because I lay down My life that I may take it up again." Gedera the Sadducee shouts out at Jesus, "That's not real: there is no resurrection!" Zebediah the Pharisee adds, "At least not one that any mortal man could have authority to enact for himself, once perished." Judas, agitated, says to Peter, "We need to do something." Peter calmly tells him, "Just pay attention." Judas, ignoring him, says to Matthew, "How can we pay attention when these men keep talking and insulting Him?"

Jesus calmly asserts, "No one takes My life from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father." Angry Pharisees shoot out questions: "What is Your charge?" "Who is Your Father?" Judas tells them to be quiet so they can listen to their rabbi. Ozem says harshly, "Those are not the teachings of any credible rabbi, but of an insane person." Judas starts arguing but Peter orders him to get back and listen. 

Ozem huddles the group of religious leaders and says, "I didn't see His face when I went to the Decapolis to investigate, but Jesus of Nazareth is the man who broke bread with the mass of Gentiles there." Gedera protests, "The heretic in Shammai's creed is said to be a well-spoken and remarkable teacher." Pointing to Jesus he says, "Those were the ravings of a madman." "Or someone demon possessed," says another. Zebediah insists on knowing, "What does He mean by My Father? Certainly He's not speaking in the manner of God through the prophet Isaiah, 'But now Adonai, You are our Father, we are the clay. You are our potter'" (Isaiah 64:8). Ozem insists that text refers only to Israel, but Zebediah and Gedera recall that Shammai's report hinted at claims of Messiah so Jesus means something more. Ozem states that he was too late to capture Jesus after the feeding of the 5,000+, but is determined not to be this time. They all turn from their huddle, but observant Jesus has already removed Himself and His followers from their sight.

Jesus is walking past stone cutters working at an upper level in the temple complex. As He and His disciples pass through the columns, Ozem and the other religious leaders catch up to them and call out, "You! You're Jesus of Nazareth, aren't You?" Jesus and His disciples turn to face them. Jesus steps forward. Zebediah says, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answers, "I told You and You did not believe." "When?" asks one. "Blasphemer!" asserts another. Jesus tells them, "The works I do in My Father's name bear witness about Me, but you do not believe because you are not among My sheep." Zebediah, enraged, calls out, "You would utter such a profanation amid the pillars of Solomon's Porch?" "My sheep hear My voice," Jesus asserts, "and I know them and they follow Me." Gedera tells his colleagues, "He just said He is the Christ and we did not believe! This blasphemy is enough for capital punishment and we are on temple grounds." Zebediah calls out, "Stones! We need stones!"

While they run to the stonemasons for stones, Jesus continues, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all and no one will be able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." The leaders start pelting Jesus and His disciples with stones. One of them strikes Big James on the head as he tries to protect Jesus, who calls out, "I have shown you many good works from the Father! For which of them do you stone Me?" Zebediah says, "Good works? It's for blasphemy because You, being a man, make Yourself God." Jesus responds, "You call Me a blasphemer because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?" Zebediah insists anyone saying that must be punished by death according to the Law of Moses. Jesus laughs and says, "You know little of the Law of Moses," who said in Deuteronomy 18:15-22 that the Lord Himself would raise up a Prophet like him from their own people whom God would require them to listen to. 

The religious leaders call out for the temple guards. Jesus's disciples get Big James on his feet and move Jesus and themselves out, catching and blocking stones. Jesus turns and tells the leaders, "If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me, but by My works you should understand the Father is in Me and I am in the Father." The religious leaders charge at Jesus, but Peter and Zee muscle them away until "He escaped from their hands," as John 10:39 records.

The next verse tells us that He went away again across the Jordan River. This time Jesus and His disciples are on the run and staying out of sight, swimming through the Jordan instead of taking a ferry ride. They arrive in a harried state back at their inn, as we saw in the beginning, tending to Big James's head wound on the long table and hampered by their wet clothing. Zee hears noises outside, but thankfully it is Zebedee. John, surprised, asks his father if everything is all right. Zebedee says, "You tell me: you're soaked and bleeding." John leads him to James. Both sons reassure their father and start filling him in.

Jesus picked up the note on the table when they came in and sat down still and quiet after reading it. Mary notices. He hands her the note. Mary reads it and quietly announces to the group, "Lazarus is dead" (John 11). Thaddaeus hears and quiets the room. Mary tells them again that Lazarus has died and Judas says, "Peter, you told us Rabbi said ..." but Peter cuts him off and approaches Jesus, saying, "Rabbi, may God give You comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, but I thought You said his sickness wouldn't lead to death." Jesus announces, "We will go back across the Jordan into Judea." Peter objects, "Rabbi, just hours ago, they tried to stone You." Jesus tells them, "Our friend has fallen asleep, but I will go and awaken him." Nathanael and Judas are confused by sleep as a metaphor for death, but Big James is not, saying, "Asleep, like that little girl," a reference to the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37-43). Peter says, "Rabbi, tell us what You intend to do." Jesus responds, "Lazarus has died, and for your sake I'm glad I was not there so that you may believe. You're about to be given firmer grounds for which to believe." Matthew asks, "What does his death have to do with our belief?" Jesus says, "Come with Me and you will see. Everyone put on dry clothes. The sun will soon rise." Thomas replies, "If we're going back into Judea, it might as well be to the house of Lazarus that we might die with him."

The disciples move slowly and painfully to obey what Jesus said about dry clothing. Mary notices Jesus in pain, saying to Him, "John and Zee weren't able to shield You from every stone. Where does it hurt?" "Everywhere," answers Jesus, "inside and out." "I hurt inside too. Why?" asks Mary. "Because you've been listening," says Jesus. He gives her a nod of appreciation before heading upstairs to change.

Zebedee and John help James to sit up. John asks if he can walk on his own. Zebedee says, "Boys, I have to talk to you about something." John wants to know if their mother is all right, saying, "You haven't explained why you came here without sending word." Zebedee tells him, "We couldn't risk the dispatch being intercepted." Before explaining further, he finds out who stoned them and why and asks if it seemed premeditated. John answers, "No, they drifted over to us and overheard Jesus teaching." Zebedee puts a hand on each son and tells them, "Jairus received a letter from a source within the Sanhedrin. What just happened to all of you is about to get worse."

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