Dragon Ball Multiverse Stories Jump Stars

by luckyfire562

What if there were many timelines? A whole series of stories ranging from an Evil Goku to Goku as a female Saiyan warrior and even Goku meeting his parents and a certain time travel doctor named Trunks going from timeline to timeline. Enjoy the ride! Story connected to Dragon Z Shippuden. Featuring crossovers between Naruto, One Piece, Chrono Trigger, Gintama, Pokemon, and more!

8. Sweet memories Part 1

Timeline 4 - What if Goku and Trunks went to the past during the Christ appearance. A truly biblical story of how not even a time traveler could change Jesus's destiny.

Goku appeared in a forest and got attacked by monsters, "Woah!!! Easy there!" Goku exclaimed as he beat the monsters up.

"Where am I? What just happened... I can only sense Trunks's energy here. Well, I better go see him." Goku said as he tracked down Trunks in a castle, inside the castle, Trunks appeared to be training with a pink fat monster.

"D-Dad!? Is that you?" Trunks asked as he flew to the sky to see Goku. "What are you doing here? What happened dad?" Trunks asked.

Goku looked confused. "What are you talking about, Trunks? We were just at the millennial fair together a minute ago." Goku said as he looked at Majin Buu.

"Hiya big guy." Goku said.

Trunks looked very confused. "W-What... but dad the last time I saw you, it was when I was a child... you died... from a heart virus... how did you get here?" Trunks asked.

"Uh, Lucca's telepad send me here." Goku said.

"Who is Lucca!?" Trunks asked.

"Huh? What do you mean, Trunks? She's your daughter." Goku said.

Trunks looked even more confused. "I only have one living son right now. His name is Judas."

"Judas? Wait, I think I read of that name from somewhere before. Well, I'm here to find Marle. Will you help me?" Goku asked.

Trunks sighed. "I'm sorry dad, I can't help you, I have to go stop the jews from killing Jesus Christ." Trunks said.

"W-What! Wait, I get it now! I'm in the past, aren't I?" Goku asked.

Trunks nodded. "It seems like it... but wait, you have to be careful, dad... because any one change in the past can have a serious effect on the future."

Goku chuckled. "I'll be careful." Goku lied.

Trunks sighed. "I'm gonna go see if I can stop the jews from killing Jesus. Until then, stay here with Majin Buu." Trunks said as he flew away.

"Majin Buu? Why haven't I met you before?" Goku asked.

Majin Buu smiled. "Buu like you. Let's go eat at the dining hall."

Goku smiled. "Okay, uh, who's castle is this?"

"It's Buu's home. It used to belong to King David." Majin Buu said as he showed Goku around his castle.

The year was 2 B.C. and Trunks had arrived to the city ruled by the Romans and Jews. There Trunks saw Jesus walking nearby. "L-Lord... it's you." Trunks said as he walked over to speak with Jesus.

Jesus smiled. "This is only the beginning. Follow me." Jesus said as he and Trunks entered into a bar.

"Uh, never really took you for a drinker, Jesus." Trunks said.

Jesus chuckled. "Had you read the bible as a young lad, then you would had understood why we are here today."

Trunks chuckled. "I know your planning to die for the sins of humanity, but there must be a better way! Let me help you, lord."

Jesus smiled. "Do you see that woman sitting over there? Her name is Mary, and she has a few demons in her. I want you to cast them out for me."

"W-What!? Me? But how will I do that?" Trunks asked.

"Point your index finger at her, and say, Spirit Be Gone." Jesus said.

Trunks nodded. "Alrighty, here goes nothing! Spirit Be Gone!" Trunks yelled as he felt a vibration in his finger, then he saw a blue light invisible to the naked eye shine from his finger, and then a small cross shaped symbol appeared and went straight into Mary's heart.

Jesus patted Trunks on the shoulder. "Let's go talk with her now. Follow me." Jesus said as he and Trunks approached her.

"You! Was it you who cured me!?" Mary asked.

"Mary of Magdala by name I call you. Thus says the Lord, who created you … and He who formed you … 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.'" Jesus said.

Mary smiled. "My God... Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe..."

Trunks smiled. "Yeah, he is God alright."

Jesus chuckled. "Follow me, Mary."

Then an old man wearing a robe came to see Mary. "I am Nicodemus. I have come to perform an exorcism on you."

"There is no need. For I have been healed." Mary said. "I was one way and now I'm completely different. And the thing that happened in between … was, well... ask them." Mary said looking at Jesus and Trunks.

"You!? You healed Mary? But how is that possible!? Who are you?" Nicodemus asked.

Jesus winked an eye brow at Trunks. "Tell him who I am."

Trunks nodded. "This is the Son of God."

Nicodemus couldn't believe his ears. "No! I simply cannot believe it!"

"We must go now, I have some work to do. Goodbye Nicodemus." Jesus said as he and Trunks with Mary leave the city to go to Jesus's tent on the outskirts.

Jesus then prays by His field tent at night, often with tears (which Hebrews 5:7-10 tells us about). As He lays down for sleep after working hard as a craftsman, He prays, "Blessed are You, O Lord our God—King of the universe, who brings sleep to My eyes."

The next morning Jesus prays before breakfast, "Blessed are You, Lord our God—King of the universe, who gives forth bread from this earth…"

Trunks smiled. "Amen."

Jesus chuckled. "Have you noticed them?" Jesus asked.

Trunks nodded. "The kids that are hiding?"

Jesus nodded. "And I pray that if ever there are two children who come visit My home here, You will give them the courage to say Shalom so that they will know they do not need to remain hiding in secret. Amen." Jesus said making those children laugh. "Come and eat with us." Jesus said to them. They introduce themselves to him. He then teaches them practical skills and spiritual truth.

A girl named Abigail says, "My family is not wealthy."

Jesus responds, "Many times that is better."

She responds, "I don't know about that."

Jesus laughs gently and says, "You will."

Another child asks, "Are You dangerous?"

Jesus answers, "Maybe to some but not to you, and I won't harm anyone."

"What about you, Mr. funny hair?" Abigail asked.

Trunks chuckled. "I won't hurt anyone."

Jesus asks the children, "Do you all know how to pray the Shema? I would love to hear it."

They say yes and respond in unison, "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God; the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And it shall come to pass if you surely listen to the Commandments I command you today that you may gather in your wine, your oil, and your grain that you may eat and be satisfied" (quoting from Deuteronomy 6 and 11).

Jesus, with tears in His eyes, says, "Beautiful—very good."

One child then asks Him, "Why don't You have a home?"

Jesus responds, "My home is many places."

"Many places?" one kid asked.

Jesus nodded. "Because I have a much larger job than just being a craftsman or a teacher."

Another remarks, "You're a teacher too?"

Jesus says, "I will be soon. Everyone has a much larger job than just a trade. And you are ... to show love to one another, and to take God's Word and share it, and at home to honor your father and your mother, and to love Who most of all?"

"God." they all replied.

By a campfire Jesus later teaches the children to pray, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done..."

A boy named Joshua says, "You would teach us to be gentle, but Rabbi Josiah said Messiah will lead us against the Romans—that he would be a great military leader."

Jesus responds, "It is important to respect your teachers … and Rabbi Josiah is a very smart man, but many times smart men lack wisdom. Is there anything in Scripture that says Messiah will be a great military leader? There are many things about Scripture that you cannot understand yet and that is okay…. But children, what if many of the things that our people think about how we are to behave and how we are to treat one another are wrong? There are many things that are wrong, and you want to right them … but what does the Lord say in the Law of Moses?"

Abigail answers promptly, "Vengeance is mine."

Jesus says, "Very good! Boys, pay attention: she doesn't even go to Torah class, huh? The Lord loves justice."

Trunks nodded. "As do I."

"Why are you here?" Abigail asks Jesus about His reason for being here.

He responds: "You ask an important question…. The answer is for all of you. 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. He has anointed Me to proclaim the Good News to the poor; He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.'"

Jesus then says to them, "I have loved spending this time with you—you are all very special. I hope that My next students ask the same questions you do and that they listen to My answers."

Jesus then says goodbye to the kids and tells them, "When He [God] marked out the foundations of the earth, I was besides Him as a Master Craftsman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him, rejoicing in His inhabited world, and I delighted in the sons and daughters of men,"

Trunks nodded. "It's all true, I was there at the beginning too."

Jesus smiled. "Trunks... I must go somewhere alone, please wait for me here. I'll be gone for 40 days." Jesus said as he then disappeared.

"Forty days... I should go check on my dad, oh, maybe not... I'm sure he's doing fine with Majin Buu." Trunks said as he left to hunt down food for himself in a forest.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "

Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' "

Then again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."

Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Now when Jesus heard that his cousin John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee with Trunks. And leaving Nazareth, They came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." From that time Jesus and Trunks began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Meanwhile, back at the capital of Rome.

Matthew, a Jewish tax collector, says to Quintus, the Roman praetor: "I am not accepted … anywhere. You were born Roman; I made the choice."

"Leave my presence, jew." Quintus said to him.

Meanwhile, Simon (Peter) says to his wife (Eden): I can't do this anymore. I haven't been honest with you…. A few days ago I looked you in your eyes and told you, 'I've got this.' I lied…. We haven't been able to keep up. I did some things that I'm not proud of to try to fix it."

Then Simon's brother, Andrew rushed into the house, looking beyond shocked. "He is here! The Messiah!"

Simon isn't interested in anything his brother is saying. "John the baptiser? Is that who your talking about!?"

Andrew sighed. "No! It is the lamb of God! His name is Jesus of Nazareth."

"Well, If indeed the Messiah is here, the Romans don't matter—anything is possible now!" Simon said, but he still didn't believe it at all.

Andrew sighed. "Come with me to see him!"

"No! We have to go fishing, so stop your nonsense and let's go." Simon said. "I owe a lot of money to the Romans."

Meanwhile.

Matthew, was given an assignment by Quintus to spy on Simon fishing at night, he hears Simon from a distance grunting loudly in frustration over not catching anything. Matthew says to his dog with him, "People sometimes bark, too."

Simon then speaks to God bitterly while in his fishing boat: "'And I will make your descendants as many as the stars in the heavens.' And then what, huh? Make the descendants as many as the stars only to let Egypt enslave us for generations! Bring us out of Egypt, part the Red Sea, only to let us wander in the desert for 40 years! Give us the land, only to let us be exiled to Babylon! Bring us back only to be crushed by Rome!... You're the God I'm supposed to thank. You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say You enjoy yanking us around like goats and can't decide whether we're chosen or not. Which one is it, huh?"

At this point Simon's boat is joined by another, carrying his brother, Andrew and an older fisherman named Zebedee with his sons James and John. (Andrew explains they were tipped off by Simon's wife that Simon needed help.)

When they ask who Simon was talking to, he says, "Apparently no one."

In the morning, Zebedee sighs and says, "Sometimes the sea bests all of us."

As Simon's boat comes to shore, Andrew spots Jesus teaching a small crowd there with Mary and Trunks.

Jesus asks them if He can come on board to finish His teaching since the crowd is having trouble hearing Him and since His shouting voice is "hard on the ears."

Sullen Simon reluctantly agrees.

Jesus, holding up one of Simon's nets, says: "This net gathers all kinds of fish. The Kingdom of heaven is like this. After the net is full, the good fish are gathered in barrels and the bad fish thrown away. So it will be at the end of the age. Angels will come and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into a fiery furnace. Do you understand?" He asks Simon to put the boat back out a little and let down his net.

Simon is reluctant, but something about the way Jesus looks at him convinces him to at least humor Him—and the net soon becomes so full of fish, it is in danger of breaking! Zebedee quickly comes over with James and John to help. Soon Simon's boat is filled with fish!

Andrew says to Simon, "I told you!"

Simon kneels before Jesus and says humbly, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

Jesus asks him to look up. As Simon does he says, "You are the Lamb of God, yes?"

Jesus answers, "I am. Did you understand that parable I told earlier? Fish are nothing. From now on, I will make you fishers of men. And you are to gather as many as possible—all kinds. I will sort them out later."

Meanwhile, Nicodemus officially interrogates the newly imprisoned John the Baptizer, but confesses to him: "I am searching for an explanation for something I cannot unsee." He tells John about Mary Magdalene's miraculous healing by an as-yet unnamed man seeking no credit.

John exclaims, "It has begun! If He is healing in secret, the public signs cannot be far off.

Nicodemus asks for his name (which Mary did not know when Nicodemus spoke to her after she was restored).

John answers with Scripture: "'Who has ascended into heaven and come back down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?' Teacher of Israel, finish it! Finish the oracle of Agur, son of Jakeh" (in Proverbs 30).

Nicodemus correctly answers, "What is His name, and what is the name of His Son?"

John chuckled. "Exactly."

Nicodemus recoils in horror, saying sternly, "You are careless with Torah! God does not have a Son, except Israel."

John the Baptist says these concluding words to Nicodemus: "All your life you've been asleep. 'Make straight the way for the King': He is here, to awaken the earth, but some will not want to be awakened. They're in love with the dark. I wonder which one you will be."

A day later.

When Simon tells his wife, Eden, about what Jesus did for them and that Jesus has asked Simon to follow Him, which will require him being away from home often, she reassures him, saying: "Why would I be upset?... How could I feel abandoned? I feel saved! When have we ever had anything easy? That's not our people's way."

Simon says to Andrew, on their way with Jesus and other disciples to the wedding of Jesus's childhood friend in Cana: "I don't want to let Him down."

Andrew responds, "I don't want to do it wrong either."

Jesus has fun with children and their parents at the wedding. While Trunks and Mary begin to dance with each other.

Mary feels affection for Trunks. "The lord told me that it was you who healed me."

Trunks nodded. "Through the power of God, yes. But it is Jesus who you should truly be grateful to." Trunks said as he gave her a kiss on the hand.

Mary smiled. "Do you have any children of your own?" she asked.

Trunks nodded. "Just one, he's busy taking care of his studies, but someday he'll come to join me on this adventure. I just hope Jesus approves of him. His name is Judas." Trunks said.

Mary nodded. "I'm sure it'll be fine with Jesus."

Jesus then says to Thomas, the caterer at the wedding, who is distraught over what to do about not bringing enough wine: "It's good to ask questions, to seek understanding. Join Me and I will show you a different way to count and measure; a different way of seeing time."

Jesus then said to his mother, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."

His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.

And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

Then before leaving Cana, there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."

The nobleman said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies!"

Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, "Your son lives!"

Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives." And he himself believed, and his whole household. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.

And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."

So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?"

Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"

Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. And had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

Jesus's life would never be the same after taking this monumental step. "It's just more final. If the smith wants to change the plowshare or the pot hook, he has only to put the iron back into the fire and reshape it to fit his designs. Once you make that first cut into the stone, it can't be undone. It sets in motion a series of choices. What used to be a shapeless block of limestone or granite begins its long journey of transformation, and it will never be the same." Jesus took that journey, and the world has never been the same by the grace of God.

Later that day, back at their home. Jesus brought Lazarus back to life in front of everyone.

Simon looked happy. "He even has the power to raise the dead. I can't believe why those jews won't believe in him."

Jesus looked over at Trunks. "And you shall do greater things than this. Now, I will built my church on this rock! And the gates of hell shall not prevail over it!" Jesus said as he placed his right hand on Simon. "Yesterday, I called you to follow me, and today I anoint you keeper of the keys to Heaven and Earth. Whatever you bound on Earth, will be bound and whatever you loose will be loosed. You, Simon, and the rest of you will soon spread the gospel all over the world." Jesus finished saying, then everyone went to sleep.

A day later.

Quintus, the cynical Roman praetor, says to Matthew about Jesus's miraculous provision of fish: "You're a fine reporter but you're also a bit of a rube. I read your report: it's clear Simon and his accomplice tricked you."

Matthew objects, "To what end?... I'm neither sophisticated nor subtle, Dominus, but I am observant. I detected no subterfuge. I recorded everything I witnessed—however impossible it seemed."

Quintus sighed. "Leave my presence, and keep an eye out on that Jew for me."

Jesus is then approached by a man full of leprosy. His disciples are horrified. "Stay away, leper!" they yell at him.

The man begs for Jesus not to turn away and says, "If You are willing, You can make me clean," explaining his sister was one of the servers at the wedding where Jesus turned water into wine.

Jesus says, "I am willing: Be cleansed."

Simon looked beyond shocked. "Who can do these things... but God only!"

Trunks nodded. "He is God."

John then says to Simon, who is nervous about a crowd gathering to listen to Jesus teach in Zebedee's home: "Simon, you don't need to be His bodyguard—I think He can handle anything! He called you to catch men."

Simon replies, "I don't even know what that means."

John reasons: "If He needed you to know what it meant, He would have told you. So just be you, okay?"

John and James with their father, Zebedee, at whose house people will gather. They begin to tell of Jesus's wisdom and acts to the crowd.

Meanwhile.

Nicodemus says to Shmuel, a hard-hearted Pharisee who, contrary to the practice of his order, betrayed John the Baptizer to the Romans since he was deeply offended by John's calling religious leaders like him vipers: "Shmuel, would you read to me from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah?"

Shmuel reads from chapter 40: "'Comfort, comfort My people,' says our God... A voice cried in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of Adonai, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'"

Nicodemus asks, "Who does that sound like?"

"The heretic John," answers Shmuel. "And what heresy do you find in those words, being that Isaiah said them also?" Shmuel says, "The problem is that John has appropriated Isaiah's words by taking a spiritual description of God in heaven and applying it to John's physical successor on earth. John said, 'After me comes He who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.' God has no body. He cannot wear sandals. God cannot take human form. To say so is blasphemy."

Nicodemus asks with a mild laugh, "Where does it say that God cannot take human form?"

Shmuel answers, "In the scroll of Deuteronomy: 'You saw no face the day Adonai spoke to you at Horeb—'"

Nicodemus interjects, "Just because they saw no form doesn't mean God cannot take one!"

Shmuel replies, "In Exodus: 'No one can see My face and live.' This person would have to walk around with his face covered!"

Nicodemus says, "So you would place limits on the Almighty?"

Shmuel answers, "None that are not written in Law!"

Nicodemus adds, "And if God did something that you felt contradicted the Torah, would you tell Him to get back in that box that you have carved for Him—or would you question your interpretation of the Torah?"

Shmuel, feeling bewildered, and tells his teacher: "When I was a student, I knew all your sayings. I read every word you wrote. Your teachings were so sturdy, so reasoned and pure."

Nicodemus tries to guide him, saying, "We are still students, Shmuel, all of us! Our understanding will never be complete."

Shmuel confesses, "It frightens me that I can no longer predict your rulings."

Nicodemus asserts, "Fear alone ensures we remain ignorant, asleep in the safety of rigid tradition. Take the Sadducees: they take the first five Books, the Law of Moses, as inspired Scripture. The rest they disregard. To them, God stopped speaking when Moses died. Think of all they have missed: the Psalms of David, the stories of Ruth and Boaz, Esther and Mordecai! I don't want to live in some bleak past where God cannot do anything new, do you?"

Shmuel asks, "Why is that your concern? God gave us His Law; we must uphold it!"

Nicodemus tells him, "We can do both! Let's 'look to the ancient roads where the good way is and walk in it,' as Jeremiah said, and still keep our eyes open to the startling and the unexpected. Can we agree on that?"

Shmuel reluctantly says yes.

Nicodemus tries to encourage him, saying, "You and I, we can lead the others in this—" The conversation is interrupted by a fellow Pharisee named Yussif, who tells them a crowd has gathered to hear a common man preach. The three leave to investigate.

Then they arrived to see Jesus speaking earnestly to the crowd inside and outside Zebedee's home in Capernaum: "You know the Tower of Siloam, which fell and killed the 18, yes? Do you think that they were worse than those who lived in Jerusalem? No, all must repent or perish."

When Zebedee's wife, Salome, worries about running out of snacks to feed the crowd, Mary Magdalene reassures her, saying, "They're already being fed."

Jesus says to Tamar the Ethiopian, the lead person lowering a paralyzed man through Zebedee's roof to be healed by Jesus in the crowd below: "Your faith is beautiful."

Rabbi Shmuel, having pushed his way to the window with Rabbi Yussif, calls out: "You! By whose authority do you teach?"

Jesus remains silent.

Shmuel presses, "Answer me!

Jesus, focusing His attention on the man paralyzed since childhood, says to him: "Son, take heart, your sins are forgiven." Turning to Shmuel and Yussif, He utters out loud the thoughts of their outraged hearts: "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sin but God alone, right? But I ask you—which is easier to say: Your sins are forgiven or rise up and walk? It's easy to say anything, no? But to show you that the Son of Man has the authority in earth to forgive sins, I say to you, my son: Rise, pick up your bed, and go home... Easy does it."

The man then walked. Everyone looked shocked.

Nicodemus, seeing Mary Magdalene, calls out: "Mary, wait: I saw it! I saw a paralytic walk past me on his two feet!"

Mary answers "You asked me before if I knew His name. Now everyone knows His name and I fear for His safety."

Nicodemus tells her sincerely, "I mean no trouble to Him, no dishonor—"

Mary objects: "Your friends tried to have Him arrested."

Nicodemus explains, "They're jealous, they're afraid. But I'm not, I promise. Mary, please, I need to talk to Him."

Mary explains, "I follow Him, not the other way around."

Nicodemus pleads, "Will you ask Him for a meeting—in secret, under cover of night, at a place of His choosing... I just need to speak to Him! Please, Mary." Mary tells him she will try.

Later that night, at Nicodemus's home.

Nicodemus says to his wife, Zohara, who questions his frame of mind: "I have never been closer to my senses. I must meet with him!"

Meanwhile.

Quintus, the Roman praetor serving under Pontius Pilate, says about Matthew: "My source has unwavering accuracy and a compulsion for the truth."

"And what about Princess Nadia? Has she returned home?" Pontius Pilate asked.

"My allies are trying to find her as we speak." Nicodemus replied.

"Very good. Now leave my presence, jew." Pontius Pilate said.

Meanwhile, Jesus says to His disciple John: "I want to do the will of My Father, and I want to spread the message of salvation. So yes, I am happy to not stay in one place."

Later He speaks with Mary Magdalene, who tells Him this about Nicodemus and his desire to meet with Jesus: "He was earnest. He wasn't offended when someone had succeeded where he failed. There was a hunger in his eyes, not fear."

Jesus responds, "Not like the Pharisees at the window yesterday, huh? There was a reason you met this Pharisee... Send word to Nicodemus I will meet with him."

Trunks smiled. "This is getting exciting!"

Meanwhile, Matthew goes home and says to his mother: "The things I thought I knew to be true—do you think impossible things could happen that overturn the laws of nature, that cannot be explained?... My whole world, everything I thought I knew—what if it's wrong?"

"You should always follow your heart." Matthew's mother tells him.

Then Jesus meets at nighttime with Nicodemus, who says he knows Jesus comes from God because of the miracles He does. Jesus says, "And how is that belief going over in the synagogue?"

They both laugh. Nicodemus asks, "What have You come here to show us?"

"A Kingdom," answers Jesus.

"That is what our rulers are worried about," says Nicodemus.

"No, not that kind," says Jesus.

"Then what?" asks Nicodemus.

Jesus answers, "The sort of Kingdom that a person cannot see unless he is born again."

Nicodemus is confused: "Born again? You mean like a new creature, a conversion from Gentile to Jewish?"

Jesus answers, "No, that's not what I'm talking about... Truly I say to you 'unless one is born of water and Spirit' [Ezekiel 36, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh [touching Nicodemus's hand, but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit [pointing to Nicodemus's heart]. That part of you—that is what must be reborn to new life."

Nicodemus, smiling and shaking his head, asks, "How can these things be?"

Jesus, gently sighing, responds: "A teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things."

Nicodemus says humbly: "I'm trying, Rabbi."

Jesus says, "I know... Listen. What do you hear?"

"The wind," answers Nicodemus.

Jesus asks, "How do you know?"

"Because I can feel it and I hear its sound," answers Nicodemus.

Jesus asks, "Do you know where it comes from and where it is going?"

When Nicodemus says no, Jesus explains, "That's what it is to be born again of the Spirit. The Spirit may work in a way that is a mystery to you, and while you cannot see the Spirit, you can recognize His effect."

Nicodemus tells Him frankly, "My mind is consumed with what a stir these words would cause among the teachers of the Law."

Jesus acknowledges, "Yes, and I do not expect otherwise. I speak of what I know and have seen, and it has not been received by the religious leaders."

Nicodemus says, "It is hard to receive."

Jesus tells him frankly, "So if I have told you of earthly things and you do not believe, how can I tell you heavenly things?"

Nicodemus says, "I believe Your words."

Jesus tells him, "I have come to do more than speak words... Do you remember when the children of Israel complained against God and against Moses in the wilderness?"

Nicodemus answers, "Yes, they wanted to return to Egypt, and they cursed the manna God sent them. They were all almost killed, But God made a way for them to be healed."

Jesus explains, "Moses lifted up the people in the desert, So will the Son of Man be lifted up so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life."

Nicodemus responds, "Our people are not dying like that though. They're dying from taxation and oppression."

Jesus says to him, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I did not come to deliver the people from Rome."

"Then from what?" asks Nicodemus.

"From sin. From spiritual death," answers Jesus.

"God loves the world in this way: that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, Nicodemus. He sent Him to save it through Him. Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already."

Jesus's disciples Andrew and John are both listening intently to this conversation out of sight. Andrew whispers to him, "Have you ever heard anything like this before?"

John, who later recorded this conversation in his Gospel, is taking furious notes and shushing Andrew.

Nicodemus is believing what Jesus is saying, but also counting the cost. Jesus, knowing that, tells him, "It's true: there is a lot you would give up but what you would gain is far greater and more lasting... I know mysteries aren't easy for a scholar."

Nicodemus returns to the subject Jesus began with, asking, "Is the Kingdom of God really coming?"

Jesus asks him, "What does your heart tell you?"

Nicodemus tells Him, "My heart is swollen with fear and wonder and can tell me nothing except that I am standing on holy ground. He kneels, kisses Jesus's hand, and quotes from Psalm 2): "Kiss the Son lest He be angry and you perish in the way..."

Jesus raises Nicodemus to his feet and finishes the quotation of Psalm 2's ending: "...Blessed are all those who take refuge in Him."

The next day Jesus calls Matthew at his tax booth to follow Him.

As Matthew starts to do so, his Roman escort, Gaius, says to him: "Have you lost your mind? You have money. Quintus protects you. No Jew lives as good as you. You're going to throw it all away?"

Matthew simply says yes.

Simon says to Jesus, "Whoa, do You have any idea what this guy has done? I don't get it."

Jesus answers, "You didn't get it when I chose you, either."

Simon objects, "But this is different!"

Jesus says, "Get used to different."

Trunks chuckles. "You have no idea how different things will be like in the future."

Matthew proves to be a gracious host. Yussif and another Pharisee are shocked to hear that Matthew left and then they see Jesus and His disciples in the tax collector's house. Yussif says through the window, "Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

The Lord Jesus explains simply, "It's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." He kindly invites the two men in, but is quickly repelled.

Rabbi Yussif says, "I must say I am shocked. She (pointing) is from the Red Quarter! Much of what is done there cannot even be spoken by my tongue or cross my lips."

Simon retorts, "Sounds like a personal problem."

Jesus is seen sitting next to Shula, a blind woman.

Yussif points to Matthew and says, "Him, and the others he works with: they betray our people for money! And they're not even sorry and don't make the proper sacrifices."

Matthew responds, "Tax collectors aren't allowed in the Temple."

Yussif says, "This is about what God wants!"

Jesus interjects at this point: "You are forgetting the scroll of Hosea, hmm? Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy more than sacrifice.'"

Yussif, ignoring that, states: "There are many righteous men watching You!"

Jesus says, "Please let them know this: I have not come to call the 'righteous,' but sinners."

The Pharisees quickly move along when Matthew's former Roman bodyguard, Gaius, walks by and asks if everything is in order.

Matthew steps outside privately to speak with Gaius, who urges Matthew to walk away from his newfound faith and come back into Roman service. Matthew says, "I've made my choice," and sensing the opportunity, asks Gaius for a favor. "Take good care of my dog and mother."

Back among the Pharisees, Shmuel says to Nicodemus, the conversation cordial at first: "I have found a matter of Law I'm deeply passionate about, one that resonates with many others as far away as Jerusalem: false prophecy. When I heard the man from Nazareth tell the paralytic that his sins were forgiven, I thought, 'Only God can forgive sins.' At that very moment, He turned to me and recited my thoughts as if reading them from a scroll. [Nicodemus looks astonished.] I felt the same... He called himself the Son of Man, as if from the prophet Daniel ... 'to Him was given dominion and glory and a Kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him... His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.' The Man claimed to be God and you said nothing. I will petition Jerusalem, requesting permission to search the archives for all matters pertaining to such false prophecy. Will you oppose my petition?"

Shmuel points his finger in accusation at Nicodemus.

Nicodemus is angered by his former student's pride and insolence.

Nicodemus has an accusation for Shmuel: "So, it's all about politics and promotion for you, isn't it? It's not to serve God."

Shmuel answers, "On the contrary, Teacher, it's about the Law. And the Law ... is God. If I'm rewarded for that, it's because I learned from the very wisest."

Nicodemus concludes their conversation curtly: "I will not oppose your petition and, Shmuel, you have learned nothing from me."

Shmuel is now menacing and in his former mentor's face.

Nicodemus is alarmed but self controlled.

Jesus takes time to talk with Simon's wife, Eden, before her husband and His other disciples go with Him to minister in other towns, saying, "I told Simon to make sacrifices and leave things behind in order to follow Me. You are one flesh with Simon. He cannot make sacrifices that are not also yours. You have a role to play in all of this."

Eden, with shy joy, whispers: "Do I?"

Jesus answers, "You will know in time. I can't make everything about this easier for you."

Eden replies, "That wouldn't be our people's way."

Jesus, laughing gently, says, "No. It has not been nor will it continue to be. But I see you. Do you understand? I know it is not easy to be at home when your husband is out doing all of this, even when you are excited about it and proud of him." He then heals Eden's mother instantly from a terrible fever.

Eden later says to Simon, "Thank you for obeying and following Him. Your meant to be at his side."

Simon smiled. "I'll be back someday."

Gaius visits Matthew's parents to inform them of Matthew's choice to follow Jesus, whom Matthew believes to be a prophet. Elisheva, Matthew's mother, says, "That is the man who healed the paralytic at Zebedee's house!"

Gaius interrupts, "I would be careful with that word healed. We do not know what trickery or illusion may have been involved."

Matthew's father, Alphaeus, says, "Matthew has no interest in illusion. He upended his wicked life to be with this man."

Elisheva adds, "He does not make decisions lightly."

Gaius agrees that is true and tells them Matthew wants them to have the key to his house and also his dog. They do not want either but see the sense of hanging onto both, especially when they detect that Gaius has a grudging admiration for their son.

On the road, Jesus's disciples are shocked to learn He is taking them through Samaria, which they have avoided all their lives. James says of the hated Samaritans, "Rabbi, these were the people that profaned our Temple."

His brother John adds, "They fought against us with the Selucids [Syrians] in the Maccabeean Wars. I've never even spoken to a Samaritan!"

Jesus responds, "And we destroyed their temple 100 years ago. None of you here were present for any of these things, well except for Trunks. Now listen, if we are going to have a question-and-answer session every time we do something you're not used to, it's going to be a very annoying time together for all of us. We'll be fine so follow Me."

Jesus keeps listening to James and John, whom He later nicknamed Sons of Thunder.

Jesus, purposefully walking up alone to a well after He sent His disciples into town to buy food, asks a Samaritan woman drawing water there if He may have a drink. The Samaritan woman responds with mild disdain, "Aren't I 'unclean' to You? Won't You be 'defiled' by this vessel?"

Jesus tells her, "Maybe some of My people say that about your women, but I don't."

"Yeah? And what do You say?" says the woman.

Jesus answers, "I say if you knew who I am, you'd be asking Me for a drink, and I would give you living water."

The Samaritan woman replies, "What do You need from me if you have Your own supply of 'living water'?... Is Jewish water better than Samaritan water?"

"That's not what I said," clarifies Jesus. "Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty again."

The woman says dismissively, "Wouldn't that be nice?"

Jesus explains further: "The water I give will become in a person a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

The Samaritan woman asks Him to prove it.

Jesus says, "First, go and call your husband, then come back. I will show you both."

The Samaritan woman tells Him, "I don't have a husband."

Jesus says, "You are right. You've had 5 husbands and the man you're living with now is not your husband.

The Samaritan woman, visibly startled, says, "I see: you're a prophet.You're here to preach at me. Usually the one good thing of coming here alone is I can escape being condemned." (The woman, however is wrong: Jesus is not bringing up her past to be unkind but for the secrets of her heart to laid bare so she will "fall down and worship God, exclaiming, 'God is really among you!" [1 Corinthians 14:24-25].)

Jesus tells her, "I'm not here to condemn you."

The Samaritan woman tells Him, "I've made mistakes—too many. But it's men like You who have made it impossible for me to do anything about it."

Jesus asks her to explain. She says, "Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews insist Jerusalem is the only place for true worship."

Jesus replies, "They say that because the Temple is there."

She says, "Yeah, exactly where we're not allowed!"

Jesus explains, "I'm here to break those barriers. And the time is coming when neither one this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. God is Spirit. And the time is coming and is now here that it won't matter where you worship, but only that you do it in spirit and truth. Heart and mind. That—that is the kind of worshiper He's looking for. It won't matter where you're from or what you've done. Do you believe what I'm telling you?"

The Samaritan woman answers, "Until the Messiah comes, and explains everything—and sorts this mess out, including me—I don't trust in anyone."

Jesus tells her, "This Messiah you speak of: I am He."

Jesus tells her details about her marriages that astound her. She asks, "Why are You doing this?"

Jesus answers, "I have not revealed Myself to the public as the Messiah. You are the first. It would be good if you believed Me."

The Samaritan woman says, "You picked the wrong person."

Jesus tells her, "I came to Samaria just to meet you. Do you think it's an accident that I'm here in the middle of the day?"

The Samaritan woman hangs her head and says, "I am rejected by others."

Jesus tells her, "I know, but not by the Messiah."

The Samaritan woman now begins to understand what Jesus has been saying. She says to Him, "You know these things because You the Christ?"

Jesus nods His head.

The Samaritan woman, her face brightening, says, "I'm going to tell everyone!"

Jesus, delighted, tells her, "I was counting on it!"

The woman, laughing now, says, "Spirit and truth? It won't be all about mountains or temples?"

Jesus promises her, "Soon, just the heart."

The Samaritan woman runs off, leaving her valuable water jugs behind. She shouts joyfully to Jesus's disciples as they return to Him with food: "This Man told me everything I've done! Oh, He must be the Christ!"

Jesus, after being offered food by His disciples, replies, "Ah, I have food to eat that you do not know about... My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work."

Simon asks: "You told her who You are? So does that mean ...?"

Jesus tells them, "It means we're going to stay here for a couple days. It's been a long time of sowing, but the fields are ripe for harvest."

Simon clarifies, "And so it's time?"

Jesus nods. "Yes, now let's go!"

"To where, my lord?" Trunks asked.

Jesus smiled. "I want you to meet someone important. Just you and me, Trunks. Everyone else head for Sychar and wait for me there." Jesus instructed.

The next day, Jesus and Trunks arrived outside a castle. "The woman that Son Goku is looking for is inside. I'll leave you here to save her. I must now go and do the will of my father." Jesus said.

"B-But Lord... I want to see everything you did for us... your sacrifice..." Trunks said.

Jesus sighed. "Alright, so be it. Follow me, and once our journey is over, go see Goku and help him save Marle."

Trunks nodded. "I won't just save Marle, I'll save you from the jews!"

Jesus chuckled. "We'll see about that in time."

The disciples, then arrive as instructed by Jesus to Sychar, bringing along Ramah's father, Kafni. Mary of Magdala tells them everyone is looking for Jesus. One of them asks if He is lost.

Mary responds, "He is never lost. The townspeople have been clamoring to see Him. He has been changing many hearts."

Thomas smiles and says, "I know how that works."

Jesus and Trunks then arrived, addressing a crowd in the city, saying, "We know that God pursues the sick more than the healthy. Think of it this way—are there any sheep herders in the crowd?"

One speaks up and Jesus warmly replies, "Ah, welcome! We are honored you are here. I have a very warm place in My heart for shepherds." He finds out that the man and his brothers are caring for 100 sheep, and then asks, "Suppose one of them goes missing?"

The shepherd says, "I'd go look for it, of course."

Jesus asks about the other 99. The shepherd answers, "I'd have to leave them behind. I can't lose the one sheep." When asked what he would do if he finds it, he says he'd lay it over his shoulders and bring it home, probably doing a little dance!

Jesus asks, "What would you say to the friends who were worried about you?"

"Rejoice with me: I have found my lost sheep!"

Jesus concludes, "Do you hear what he just said? He rejoices more for that one sheep than the 99 who never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father that one of these (Jesus points throughout the crowd) should perish. In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance."

Andrew, Peter, and Thaddaeus gaze in wonder, commenting that you can't tell Jew from Samaritan the way they're listening.

When Jesus and the others return to where Thomas is waiting, Peter responds, "So you came through!"

Jesus says, "Of course he did!" After courteous greetings, Jesus says to Kafni, "I imagine you would like to speak with me, yes?"

Kafni says he has questions to ask, and Jesus responds, "You wouldn't be a good father if you didn't. Here's what I'd like to propose, if you approve: We've both had very long days, yes? This establishment has rooms available for you. So, why don't we get some rest, and tomorrow morning, we talk about everything. Sound good?" Kafni agrees.

In the morning when going on an errand to buy groceries, as Matthew distributes money to the disciples, he expresses concern they will not have enough left to get to Judea.

John replies, "Have faith, Matthew—in Him."

Simon's assignment is to get the wine. He asks for three skins, but the Samaritan vintner gives him four, saying, "Anything for Him!"

When Jesus sees Kafni, obviously ill at ease, waiting for Him, He says, "I know what it's like to be concerned about someone you feel responsible for, but I am not a father. I imagine all of this makes you nervous."

Kafni says, "I want to thank You for whatever you did at the wedding. You kept the reputation of my business and of Thomas and Ramah from suffering. Ramah and Thomas have insisted you performed a miracle. I believe this to be the edge of blasphemy, and I am not in the habit of believing a man performed a miracle. I'm not in the habit of giving a blessing for my daughter to leave our home, but I am in your debt and that is why we are in this room now."

Jesus thanks him for his honesty and says, "I understand. I ask a lot of those who follow Me, but I ask little of those who do not."

Jesus and His disciples, carrying the food they purchased in town, pass by a once-rough field He asked James and John to plow and plant over the past two days. Approaching them out of a ramshackle house is a lame man named Melech, whom Photina—the woman at the well—told Jesus about. With Melech's reluctant permission, they all dine together in the house with Melech's wife, Chedva, and young daughter, Rebecca.

Chedva says around the campfire after the meal, "When I was a little girl, my father told me the Messiah would bring an end to pain and suffering. If You are who people are saying You are, when will You do that?" Everyone listens intently.

Jesus says, "I'm here to preach the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven, a Kingdom that is not of this world, a Kingdom that is coming soon, where—yes—sorrow and sighing will flee away. I make a way for people to access that Kingdom. But in this world, bones will still break, hearts will still break, but in the end the light will overcome darkness."

Jesus uses this opportunity to ask Melech about the broken bones that caused him to walk painfully with crutches. The story Melech tells everyone with shame in his voice makes clear he was one of the thieves who robbed a Jewish man on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho, as told in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Melech explains that his injury occurred after the thieves parted ways, leaving the Jewish man half dead on the road. He is wracked with guilt, thinking about that man every day and feeling responsible for his death. Jesus tells Melech the welcome news that the man did not die, for someone came along and helped him.

Melech asks, "Why me? Why did you come all the way out here? Isn't everyone in town falling at Your feet?"

Jesus replies, "The shepherd leaves the 99 on the mountain to search for the one that went astray." He encourages Melech to believe His words, return to the synagogue, and listen to the Word of God read aloud, letting it affect his heart and telling others about it.

"Sleep on it," says Jesus. "We'll be in town one more day."

Jesus and His disciples had previously received an invitation from Photina, the woman at the well, for the whole group to sleep in the large house she again shares with Neriah, her elderly husband, with whom she has reconciled. Neriah greets them at the door, saying, "You have certainly livened things up around here!" He warns them that one of the rooms is haunted by his dead grandmother.

Jesus's eyes light up and He says, smiling, "Ooh, I'll take that one!"

Photina says, "Do you know who He is? He's not afraid of ghosts!"

Trunks mutters, "I might be."

In the morning, Melech wakes up with a sharp gasp. Chedva asks what's wrong. He says, "My leg—no pain, no pain!" Then he jumps up and down for joy on two perfectly good legs!

Chedva says, "Melech—it was Him!"

Jesus wakes up with a smile and a chuckle, the little family's joy ringing in His ears. John stirs and asks with a raspy voice, "What's so funny?"

Jesus replies, "Oh, I just know of a family that's having an unexpectedly good morning," and walks with His fingers on the bed.

John exclaims, "You don't even have to be there to do miracles!"

Jesus answers, "Don't act so surprised, John. One day you'll be given authority to do the things I do. Even greater." The subject changes and John confesses to having had trouble falling asleep for fear of the room being haunted.

Jesus says, "Oh, come on, it's not haunted." James asks why Jesus didn't correct Neriah when he said it was.

Jesus answers, "I don't address everything at once with new converts."

Before they all rise from their beds and go down to breakfast, they pray with Jesus leading, "I am thankful before You, living and enduring King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me. Great is Your faithfulness." The breakfast, however, turns out to be an unpleasant affair with the beginnings of what later in Jesus's ministry will become open arguments about which of the disciples are greater. John complains about all the arguing.

Thaddaeus sensibly replies, "So don't argue."

Jesus left His disciples to spend time alone. James and John, feeling rather full of themselves, go out to find Him and tell Him their plans. A group of nearby Samaritans show disrespect toward them all, which infuriates James and John's unrelenting prejudice against Samaritans to the point where Jesus has to physically hold them back. The brothers want Jesus to rain down fire on those Samaritans, which is something Elisha the prophet did in that area hundreds of years earlier. Jesus makes it clear to them, however, that He sent them to sow seeds that will bring life, not death, for generations.

The Lord explains to James and John, "These people, whom you hate so much, are believing in Me without even seeing miracles. It's the message, the truth, that we're giving them. And you're going to get in the way of that because a few people from a region you don't like—that they're not worthy? Are you so much better? Well, let me tell you something: you're not. That's the whole point! It's why I'm here."

They both apologize with heads down. Jesus continues, "As we gather others, I need you to help show the way, to be humble like Trunks."

They say they will. Jesus observes, "You wanted to use the power of God to bring down fire to burn these people up?"

John admits, "Well, it sounds a lot worse when you put it that way."

Then Jesus laughs and says, "You two are like a storm on the sea. Thunder exploding out of your chests at every turn. In fact, that's what I'm going to call you from now on: James and John, the Sons of Thunder."

John asks, "Is that a bad thing or a good thing?"

Jesus says, "Today, it was not good. But strong passion can be a good thing when channeled for righteousness. I may have to delay giving you authority until you calm down a bit."

Approaching them with the rest of the disciples is the most important religious official in town with an invitation for Jesus to do the honor of the Torah reading (from the first five Books of Moses). After entering the synagogue, Jesus asks for John to join Him as He makes His selection for the reading. They discuss memorable sections, including some that the Samaritans sadly missed out on, and then John says, "I suppose I love the beginning. I love how God simply spoke and the world came into being."

"Yes," says Jesus, "As David wrote, 'By the Word of the Lord, the heavens were made.'"

John observes, "You know, the Greeks use word to describe divine reason and what gives the world form and meaning."

Jesus says, "I like that. And it is a favorite memory." He takes the scroll containing Genesis 1 to read before the gathered crowd, which happily includes the restored Melech and his wife and daughter. John listens in awe, wonder, and genuine humility as he considers the divine Person before him, fully God and fully man, the One who said and will say, "I am who I am."

The next day.

When Simon mocks Matthew for looking for wood where it is wet, Philip teaches Matthew how to dry wood, but first recites a stirring text from Ezekiel when Israel will make firewood from the weapons of enemies. Some of the other disciples who went to Hebrew school join in the recitation, inspiring the others to want to learn more of God's Word for themselves.

As Philip walks with Matthew, he gently inquires about the reason for Simon's hostility toward him. Matthew tells him he was a tax collector, a fact that Philip literally takes in stride, which surprises Matthew enough to say, "That doesn't shock you?"

Philip says, "I 'was' something else once, too. Once you've met the Messiah, 'am' is all that matters. Next time Simon rides you, remind him that the people out there want to define us by our past. Our sins."

"Out where?" inquires Matthew.

"Out there, with the sleepers. But we're different: we're awake," says Philip, using an analogy that appears often in the Bible. He further explains that men act by men's standards and are playing by a different game than Jesus's followers. Matthew has a hard time understanding these word pictures. Philip encourages him, saying he will probably pick up these concepts faster than the rest in time. Matthew draws a circle in the ground to show how he feels like an outcast. Philip relates, but says, "You're fine, Matthew. Stick around—you're going to be all right."

Nathanael slowly approaches a fig tree in a remote spot. He sits under the tree and opens his satchel, looking over his architect renderings of a job that literally fell apart for him. He starts a fire and consigns them to the flames mournfully, pouring out his heart to God, whom he earnestly desired to serve with his skills. With his tears running over and obviously experiencing the worst day of his life, Nathanael begins to recite Psalm 102, "a prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord: Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to You! Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline Your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!" Nathanael asks out loud if God sees him, but hears nothing. He stays until darkness approaches, pouring ashes from the dead fire over his head in deep lamentation. With resignation he gets up and walks away.

Earlier, as Philip and Matthew work together to prepare the wood to be suitable for burning, Philip teaches Matthew how to work efficiently on the job. Matthew is grateful, remarking, "I've never done manual labor before!"

Philip quips, "You must have worked hard to avoid it, but all that is behind you now. You've got to lean into it. Let someone teach you a thing or two. Laugh at someone's jokes and then tell some. Do you know any?" Matthew does not so Philip again seeks to help his new friend, who feels the sting of not being liked.

Philip tells him, "If Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth has called you, it means you already have everything you need for right now. He'll give you the rest in time."

Matthew wonders what Jesus sees in him, knowing He is a religious teacher but that he himself knows very little about religion. Philip says, "From what I understand, Jesus doesn't love everything about religion. Matthew, what you think you know doesn't matter. Only that Jesus chose you. That's where your confidence comes from now."

Later, as Matthew and the others sleep, Philip tends the fire. Jesus approaches and the two greet one another warmly. Jesus says, "Follow Me" and Philip says, "I will." They discuss where the ministry will take them. That includes insight on one of the reasons Jesus felt compelled to seek solitude in prayer throughout His ministry. Jesus tells Philip He has had much on His mind, requiring careful thought on how best to explain what and when in His preaching. When Philip learns they are on their way to minister on the outskirts of Syria and will be passing near where a friend lives, he asks the Lord if he may take the time to see him.

Jesus responds, "Listen, if we don't make time for friends, we won't have any."

In the morning, Mary Magdalene and Ramah talk about the adjustments they're learning to make to life on the road, and decide to put their time to good use by learning Scripture. Soon Mary will be borrowing writing materials from Matthew to teach Ramah to read and write with passages Matthew will get from Philip. The disciples are learning to help each other as they help others in service to Christ.

Andrew runs to take his turn pushing the big cart.

On the road the disciples take turns pushing their big cart, with Big James having the longest shift because of his size. Simon organizes the labor swaps and sends out Andrew to replace Big James.

Jesus says, "I'll be up next, Andrew." Simon protests, but Jesus says, "Let me tell you something: Some days I miss manual labor. Fewer questions, less speculation, honest sweat." Simon brings up the subject of having a more formal structure for their group, especially when Jesus leaves them to be alone.

Jesus answers, "I love how you are trying to make things better for the whole group. You could stand to be a little nicer sometimes. But you're a leader: you always have been and always will be. I cherish that and will need it in time. Every one of these people I have called for a reason. Each of them brings something unique and important to the whole. I want every voice heard and none silenced. Everyone can learn from each other."

Simon says, "Yes, but some people are troubled with tiny things and they slow us down."

Jesus responds, "If someone is thinking things that you feel slow everyone down, maybe you need to slow down. One day, Simon, there will need to be more structure." Simon wants to know why not now, and Jesus says it's because He's still with them. Stunned, Simon wants to know if one day He won't be. "That's a conversation for another time," says the Lord.

Simon wants it to be soon. Jesus observes that soon is a most imprecise word, for it can mean a few minutes, hours, days or a thousand years. "Ask My Father in heaven how long a thousand years is. Then talk to Me about soon," Jesus says with a friendly slap to Simon's shoulder as He runs off to relieve Andrew on the cart.

As the group walks along, Matthew asks Philip about Scripture passages to memorize to make up for lost time. Philip responds, "No, Matthew, you didn't lose any time. It just got rearranged. You're gaining it all back now."

Matthew says, "But in the meantime I want to understand the same things you do and everyone else."

"It doesn't happen overnight," remarks Philip, who then promises to think about a good passage for Matthew to start memorizing. He excuses himself to run on ahead to the approaching town to find the friend he told Jesus about.

Philip crawls through a window to get to Nathanael, whom he finds in bed and despondent. A cup of water and good conversation help Nathanael revive. Despite hearing of the construction accident and Nathanael getting fired from his architect job, Philip says, "I'm proud of you. I've lived through you at times. Do you know that? I mean the part of building something with your own hands. I had a calling and I don't regret it, but while you were in the city being validated by top professionals, I was in the wilderness with a lot of yelling. You had actual physical evidence to show for your efforts."

"A pile of rubble," replies Nathanael.

Philip says, "You don't know what your impact was or will be. I thought I knew where God was putting me, too. John sent me to someone new. He's not just anyone. This is who the baptizer has been preparing us for. Nathanael, He's the One—the One that Moses foretold and the prophets said would come: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Nathanael scoffs at the idea of anyone important coming from an insignificant town like Nazareth, but Philip simply says, "Come and see. Your whole life you've wanted to serve God, to meet the Son of God, the King of Israel. I promise you will not regret it. I know you: you don't mess around; you will want to join Him. He's like no Rabbi who ever has been or will be." Nathanael is struck by never hearing Philip speak like this before, so he decides to come and see.

Jesus sees them coming toward Him in the night and says, "It is a good night!" Then He catches Nathanael off guard when He says to Philip and then Nathanael, "Do you know who that is standing next to you? The truth teller! Man is often deceitful, and Israel began with Jacob, a bit of a deceiver, yes? But one of the great things about you is you are a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit."

Nathanael says abruptly, "What is this? How do you know me?"

Jesus answers truthfully, "I have known you long before Philip called you to 'come and see.' Don't look at him; look at Me. When you were in your lowest moment and you were alone, I did not turn My face from you. I saw you. Under the fig tree."

Nathanael immediately comes to the right conclusion: "Rabbi, You are the Son of God, the King of Israel."

Philip laughs, saying "I knew it!"

Jesus says, "Well, that didn't take long. Because I said to you I saw you under the fig tree, you believe?" Placing His hand on Nathanael's shoulder in an affirming way, He continues, "You are going to see many greater things than that. Like Jacob, you are going to see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. That's Me, by the way."

Nathanael says, "Yeah, I got that!"

"Good!" says Jesus, "I know you like to be clear."

Peter and Andrew run up, apologizing for the interruption, but excited to report to Jesus, "Your fame is spreading—the good kind!" The poor and the sick are already gathering nearby in Syria, eager to listen to Jesus and be ministered to by Him.

After giving thanks for that report, Jesus turns to Nathanael and says, "So you wanted to help build something that would cause prayer and songs. Something to bring souls closer to God, yes? Can you start tomorrow?"

As Jesus's fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and He healed them.

Matthew reads Psalm 139. "If I ascend to heaven, You are there. If I make my bed deep in the depths [in Sheol, You are there." Matthew wonders out loud how practical that really is.

Philip replies, "That is what I know and is what you must come to believe if you want to make any meaningful study of Torah. There is nowhere you can go, no heights you can climb to in your intellectual mind, no depths you can reach in your soul where God is not with you. Do you get it?"

Matthew smiles and says, "I think so."

Philip continues, "No amount of learning can bring you closer to God or make you more or less precious to Him. He's always right here, right now—with you and for you!"

Trunks nodded at hearing this. "He's always there, during good and bad times. It's during the bad times that we must pray to him."

Matthew confesses, "But I don't always feel like praying..."

Philip says, "The feeling doesn't always come first. Sometimes you have to believe first."

Matthew observes, and Philip agrees, that believing a thing does not make it true. The crucial point, however, "Is that these aren't just any words: they are David's in Scripture," says Philip.

The two speak briefly with someone who was just healed; he gives them each a big hug when he learns they are Jesus's students. Philip concludes their discussion, saying, "The trying is the thing. Meditate on it for a few days and come back to me. Try writing it down several times. Something about writing it down goes a long way." Matthew eagerly agrees.

Matthew shares Psalm 139 with Mary and Ramah later that night.

The next day, Jesus wakes up early and goes out to meet with Trunks.

"I will be leaving you soon. I hope you can help my disciples in their paths. Will you do this for me, Trunks?" Jesus asked.

Trunks nodded. "Of course you can count on me, but I'm still gonna try to save your life."

Meanwhile, Thomas, Ramah, James, John, and the others contemplate fame.

The group is now in a big circle around a campfire. Daylight is fading fast. Philip tells them that fame is not as much fun as they might think. John starts talking about his Messianic hopes from childhood, saying "I prayed and prayed that the Messiah would come during this time, and I hoped that I would at least get to see Him. But to be close to Him like this? A nobody like me, I—what's not fun about that!"

James complains, "You call today fun?"

Philip says, "Maybe not fun, but good. But with this fame comes enemies. You will be hated, too."

Matthew responds that he's used to that, but Philip reminds him that he was protected when he was a tax collector, and that his enemies weren't powerful. "Speaking of enemies," says James, "if someone had told you growing up that you would be a student of the Messiah, that you would be close to Him and help Him in His mission, what would you have thought?"

Thomas says his first thought would be, "I don't have military training."

James agrees with that line of thinking, saying, "When I was a child, I used to think how amazing it would be to see Messiah kill all the Romans on my street, and I wanted to help Him, so I trained with a wooden sword."

Ramah adds that she would imagine hiding in her bed from the Romans, ready to defend herself with a knife, but then Messiah would rescue her at the last second.

James says with disappointment in his voice, "I didn't think we'd spend our time healing—well, watching Him heal." He gloomily fears the people will never stop coming and they'll spend the next 5 years doing this without getting to the fighting part.

Philip gently challenges this thinking, saying, "Eager to bring out that wooden sword of yours, are you?"

Mary Magdalene humbly remarks, "I guess I haven't had any expectations. That's probably why it's a little easier for me. I only remember hearing someone would save us someday. Why is it you expect a warrior?"

Thomas quotes from Zechariah 14: "For I will gather the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east—"

Philip interrupts, saying, "Yes, the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, but we don't even know when this is going to be, if it's even in this lifetime."

John adds, "Here's also what I do not understand: Isn't the Messiah supposed to come at a time when all is holy?" Ramah wants to know where that idea comes from.

James answers, "With a prophetic poem written by the rabbis not so long ago: 'And there shall be no unrighteousness in them on his [Messiah's] day, for they shall all be holy, and their king shall be the Lord Messiah.'"

Philip quips, "I guess that's why the Pharisees do not think Jesus is the one: you have to help clean out the Red Quarter first!"

Many laugh, but Mary Magdalene profoundly states, "I don't think He's waiting for us to be holy. I think He's here because we can't be holy without Him."

Philip gives voice to the reflective silence that begins: "Whoa, that's good! The Baptizer will want to use that."

Little James hurries breathlessly to the group and says, "Big James, they need you to help with crowd control. People are bickering and getting physical, and I can't help much in that department." As Big James goes away to help, Little James returns to a board game he was playing with Thomas, who rejoins him. Thomas fills him in on some of the campfire conversation. Little James says, "Well, I'm not sorry I missed it." He sighs with exasperation, adding, "I'm ready for this day to be over! One thing that's annoying me is these people are believing in Him and praising Him—don't get me wrong; that's great—but it's because He's healing them, unlike the Samaritans. I don't know how many would believe in Him if He wasn't healing them."

Thomas listens patiently and then ventures to say, "So I have to ask..."

Little James responds in an encouraging voice, "I think I can guess."

Thomas says, "Forgive me, but I speak plainly. What is your malady? Forgive me, I don't mean to offend."

James says, "It's fine. It's a form of paralysis that's caused problems since birth."

Thomas wonders, "Why hasn't Jesus healed you? How do you watch all these healings today—does it bother you?"

James says, "Those are fair questions. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about all of this. I suppose one big thing is I haven't asked."

Thomas wants to know why not. James confesses, "I don't know." Thomas says, "If I had your struggle, and I was watching what was happening today, I'd demand it."

James immediately responds, "I don't know if I should. It doesn't feel right. I suppose I'm just grateful He called me to follow Him in spite of it, but it's never come up—not even once. I'm afraid that if I mention it to Him, it will make Him change His mind about me."

Thomas laughs gently, saying, "I'm pretty sure He knows your situation. It's not like if you pointed it out to Him He would be surprised." James laughs too and agrees.

Jesus's mother, Mary, now walks into the camp, to the delight of the others. They walk over to greet her. Matthew is new to her. Mary says something complimentary about his clothing, and he thanks her awkwardly. She asks, "So what do you do?"

He answers, "I don't. I was a ta—" but then Mary Magdalene graciously states, "He's a new student. Jesus called him."

Mother Mary says, "Lovely! I'm sure you're someone special. So was today a very long day? I saw a lot of people. Do we know when Jesus will be finished?" When being told they have been there since early morning and He has been working nonstop all day, she remarks, "He has always been a worker. He gets that from His father—both of them, I suppose?" Mary proves to be the same, for she sees the food and immediately sets to work preparing it to serve to her tired friends.

The disciples are delighted to see Jesus's mother, Mary, join them.

Then Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene prepare the evening meal.

Simon and the others get ready to eat as Trunks and Jesus return to the camp. Then we see almost all the disciples filter in, preparing to eat with the others. They look exhausted. After the meal, in a circle around the campfire, Simon says to his brother, "Andrew, I need a mental break. Do one of your 'meaningless question' games."

Andrew states, "They're not meaningless; they're interesting, and I've got one I've been thinking about lately: What would you do for unlimited money? Or what would you give up to have all the money you could ever want for the rest of your life?"

James wants clarification: "Do you mean would I do something painful?"

Andrew says, "Yes—or crazy. Would you run through the marketplace with no clothes on, screaming?"

Thomas answers, "Of course not! I'd be killed by a soldier."

Trunks adds, "Plus it would be immodest: it would be a sin."

Simon says, "Fine, something that wasn't a sin. Would you give up your left hand if you could be rich the rest of your life?"

Trunks answers, "Heck no dude! My brother Gohan lost his arm once, it's probably so painful, so please don't ever joke about that again."

Andrew says, "What about love? Would you give up ever getting married?"

Trunks chuckled. "Not everyone is meant for marriage, though if I were to stay single my whole life, I'd probably kill myself, no just kidding, I'd focus living like a hermit and just enjoy life."

Mother Mary says, "I was a teen when I married and Joseph was much older than me."

Simon sighs, saying. "Money is important."

Thomas says, "I don't expect we'll have much money for as long as we're following Him."

Trunks chuckles. "Tomorrow we leave by boat. Everyone should sleep as much as possible, it will be a long trip."

Later that night, Mary Magdalene goes to ask Mother Mary, "How did you feel when it happened—His birth and even before that? How did you know, when did you know who He was?"

Mother Mary meekly states, "We're all tired. Do you really want to hear all that?" Mary proceeds: "Nothing about it was easy. I can tell you that. It wasn't in my hometown, my mother wasn't there, we had no midwife. I'm not ready to give all the details, but I do remember this: when Joseph handed Him to me, it was like nothing I expected. It was like everything I'd heard about having a baby, but I thought this would be completely different. I had to clean Him off—I will be polite; He needed to be cleaned. And He was cold, and He was crying. He needed my help—my help, a teenager from Nazareth! It actually made me think for just one moment, Is this really the Son of God? And Joseph later told me he briefly thought the same thing. But we knew He was. I don't know what I expected, but He was crying and He needed me. I wondered how long that would last. He doesn't need me anymore, not since we taught Him how to walk and eat. He hasn't needed me for a long time, I suppose. And after Joseph passed—may he rest in peace—Jesus grew up even quicker. I wish I could say that made me happy. Of course, as a Jew, I'm excited to see everything He does for our people, and I'm proud of Him. But as a mom, it makes me a little sad sometimes. So it's good to be with all of you for a little bit. I can find ways to help."

The next morning.

Mother Mary asks Simon if he has any idea how much longer today's healing ministry will last. He says the line was dying down when he left, but since Jesus won't send anyone away, they'll have to wait and see. Mary leaves to check.

Thomas says, "I didn't know He lost His father. I'll have to ask Him about that."

Mary Magdalene talks a little about losing her father as a little girl, saying, "I didn't fully understand it right away, but eventually it made me really angry. I left everything when I was young. I tried to stop acting like a Jew. I tried to stop being myself, and then later worse things happened. Most of it is a blur, but I forgot so much of everything I learned as a little girl."

Trunks says encouragingly, "But now you can catch up."

"Yes, I hope, with Matthew and Ramah," says Mary. "You all are so far ahead, and you're all so good at all of this." Some admit to not knowing as much as she thinks.

Thaddaeus walks in and flop down, saying the others are finishing up. Mary Magdalene says, "I really want to be a good student."

Andrew says, "I don't think any of us went to bet midrash or did much study after school. That's what's so surprising about all this." Thomas admits to not being much of a student before he graduated to serve in the family business at age 13.

Thaddaeus says, "I wasn't even good at praying until recently. I would get bored with it. You know, the same thing over and over. I learned to love it as I got older." Some in the group admit to not liking the rules, while others say they like the comfort of having rules to follow.

Trunks chuckled as he found himself so happy to have all their company. "I never prayed in my youth, yet Jesus Christ changed me when I met him in the beginning of time."

Simon looked very surprised. "Your a time traveler, Trunks!? How is that possible?"

Trunks sighed. "I'd rather not talk about my past anymore. Too many good people died."

Thomas says, "Let's change the subject. You know I've grown to love being Jewish and following the Law, but sometime it's exhausting."

The group discusses how it's hard to do both, even before the Roman occupation. Mary Magdalene says, "Yes, but aren't we used to it by now? Hasn't Jesus made us stronger?"

Thomas admits, "I don't get it if I'm honest. I don't know why God has allowed the occupation. I'll have to ask Jesus more about that, why this has been allowed for so long. It's hard to feel like 'the chosen people.'"

Simon admits he has felt like that. "But it's all worth it now, yes? The wait is over."

Simon looks over at Matthew, whose eyes are cast to the ground, and says in a sarcastic tone, "What about you? Has it been difficult for you all this time—the occupation, following Jewish Law?"

Matthew responds defensively, "My life has not been easy."

Simon scoffs, "Oh really? What was more difficult for you: escaping Roman persecution by working for them, or escaping your guilt with all the money? And now you're catching up on Torah and wanting to follow the Law? Why now all of the sudden? Why not all the other times when you had the chance?"

John tries to curb Simon's hostility, but Simon persists.

"What do you want me to say?" asks Matthew. "I don't know what you want from me."

Andrew wants an apology, saying, "Simon's not wrong. He could be more delicate about it, but you did choose to work for them, and you made my life even harder than it already was."

When it looks like Matthew might speak up, Simon says forcefully, "I don't want you to apologize. I won't forgive it anyway."

John, now angry, demands to know what puts Simon in authority to forgive or not to forgive, and reminds Simon of his past sins. Simon gives excuses, and now Thomas demands to know what Matthew's excuse is, saying, "I was a successful businessman and yet I was always behind."

John observes fairly that Matthew wasn't Thomas's tax collector, but Thomas persists, saying, "I want an answer!"

Trunks then fractures the group further, saying to Thomas, "Hey, leave the man alone! We are all guilty of sin!"

Simon grunted and renews his attack on Matthew: "Do you even know what it's like to be Jewish—to suffer for centuries and centuries because of it, but to still commit to it? To protect our heritage even though it never stops being painful because the one comfort we have is to know that we're doing it together. We're all suffering together, but if we just wait a little longer, we'll have rescue because we're chosen. And you betrayed that and spit on it! I can't forgive it; I'll never forgive it!"

Trunks shouts, "All right! You've said what you needed to say. Sit down, Simon!" He refuses and others arise angrily on their feet, glaring at one another.

Mother Mary had quietly drifted in, overhearing this tense conversation and obviously grieved by it. Now Jesus slowly walks in on very tired feet, His breathing labored. He simply says goodnight and waves as He passes by, but practically stumbles as He tries to take off His cloak by His tent. Everyone stares at Him, but Mother Mary moves swiftly to assist Him.

He says, "Oh Eema, thank you." She gently takes off His sandals, which is obviously painful for Him because of how long He has been on his feet.

Now she bathes each foot. Then she observes, "You've got blood on Your hands," and washes them. Moving to His forehead, she says, "One more. There we go."

Jesus says with a chuckle, "I'm a mess! Good?"

"Good," says Mary.

He kisses her and says, "What would I do without you, Eema?" She encourages Him to get some sleep.

"Okay," He says. "I'm so tired." As He lies down with shuddered breaths, she draws the curtain and we hear Him blessing His Father in a bedtime prayer. Everyone at the campfire watches and listens in silence, contemplating His devotion, contrasting that with their own and all they have yet to learn.

"Trunks... soon I will change the world." Jesus quietly whispers into his ear.

After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.

Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little."

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?"

Then Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?"

Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?"

Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "

Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father 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."

Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always."

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, 'I have come down from heaven'?"

Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. 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, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?"

Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. 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, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."

The next day, everyone wakes up to see Jesus is missing, so they all get on the boat and go searching for him. From a distance, Jesus appeared to be walking on water again. "Simon... come to me." Jesus said.

"N-No... I cannot... I'm not ready!" Simon yelled.

Trunks sighed. "I'll help him." Trunks said as he helped Simon get across.

Jesus smiled as he gave Simon a big hug. "Simon Peter... you shall soon face many trials, and you will not like your death. Will you still follow me?"

Simon nodded. "I will always follow you, lord. I would give my life up for you!"

"Oh, Peter... if only you knew..." Jesus said, knowing that Peter would deny him three times at his crucifixion.

Then Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them all about God and claimed that the Christ was him which had been foretold in scriptures.

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.

But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"

She said, "No one, Lord."

And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true." Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."

Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?"

Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also." These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come. Then Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come."

So the Jews said, "Will He kill Himself, because He says, 'Where I go you cannot come'?"

And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

Then they said to Him, "Who are You?"

And Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him."

They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?"

Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. "I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father."

They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father."

Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father."

Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God."

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me."

Trunks nodded. "People who are evil are not children of the lord."

Jesus nodded. "Trunks is right! Those who believe in me and my commandments are my true children. Those who leave worldly possessions behind are fit for the kingdom of heaven and not you! So I ask you again, Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."

Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?"

Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."

Trunks nodded. "I'm proof of that! I've never once died." Trunks said, but everyone ignored his comment.

Then the Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, 'If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.' Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?"

Jesus answered, "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, 'I do not know Him,' I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."

Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"

Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

Then they got ready to stone him, but Jesus easily disappeared from sight.

Jesus then departed with his disciples to go towards the big city and on the way there Jesus casted out a legion of demons out of a person and casted them into swine.

Once they arrived to where they were going, Jesus came into the city riding on a donkey. The jews then gathered together to make a plan to kill Jesus, and with the help of Pontius Pilate, they waited for nightfall to make their attack on him.

At the last supper, Jesus met Trunks's son Judas. "Do not fear me, Judas. I am a good lord, and soon I will be gone. I want to make this one last meal in honor of all of you here. You will all see the kingdom of heaven soon. Be strong and courageous for your rewards in heaven will be great." Jesus said as he broke the bread and handed everyone their own with wine. "This is my body and blood, the new testament."

Then roman soldiers came rushing into the home.

"Who the heck told them we were here!? Was it you, Matthew!" Simon yelled taking out his sword and slicing off the ear of one of the soldiers.

Trunks also got out his sword. "I'll save the lord!"

Jesus smiled. "My time has come, Trunks! Now you must help Son Goku get Marle back. Goodbye." Jesus said as he waved his hand and Trunks disappeared from the room.

Trunks then appeared back at Majin Buu's castle.

"Dang it! No! I couldn't save him after all..." Trunks said.

Goku looked confused. "Trunks? Are you okay?" Goku asked.

Trunks sighed. "Let's go find your friend, Marle now."

Goku, Trunks and Majin Buu then headed into Jerusalem, where they witnessed Jesus being tortured by the romans in public.

Marle then appears to be within the crowds of people. Goku goes to see her and she hugs him, saying, "Goku! You're here! We have to save Jesus Christ!"

Then a jewish leader looked angry as he saw Marle and Goku. "Princess Nadia! What are you doing with these men? Come with me now, Pilate will like to have a word with you." the jew said as he forcefully grabbed Marle and pulled her out of the crowd, and so Goku, Trunks and Majin Buu followed after her.

They then arrived into Pontius Pilates's headquarters.

Pilate looked surprised. "How did you get in here!? I am busy handling this situation of Jesus! Men, get these people out of here!"

Trunks looked angry. "Give us Marle back and don't kill Jesus Christ! You'll burn in hell if you do!"

Pilate chuckled. "Oh, I know I'm going to hell already! I've killed hundreds just for fun! So spare me the sermon! Now guards take these fools to the prison chambers!" Pilate yelled.

Trunks looked angry, he wanted to save Jesus, but in his heart he knew Jesus was meant for this, he had prepared his whole life for this day.

Outside, Jesus was nailed to the cross. "Father... forgive them... for they do not know what they are doing..."

Trunks and Goku were then taken away and locked into a prison cell.

The jewish leader then came to see them. "Pontius Pilate has ordered your execution! It will take place in three days. Ha ha ha, you criminals are so dead." the jewish leader said as he left.

Trunks sighed. "Well, we can easily get out of here. What do you say, dad?"

"I have to rescue Marle though." Goku said.

Trunks nodded. "That's true... We don't know where she could be, but we'll find her somehow! Alright, let's go after them." Trunks said as he took off with Goku and Majin Buu to save Marle. They easily beat up the guards and a huge flying machine with guns appears which they quickly destroyed.

Then they were confronted by the jewish leader.

"Where is Marle?" Goku asked.

The jewish leader looked confused. "Who are you talking about?" he asked.

"Princess Nadia is Marle I think." Trunks said.

"You dare insult the princess! You traitors will be hunted down by all the Romans! Your all as good as dead." The jewish leader said.

Trunks looked at him with disgust. "Why do you dirty jews always want to kill the innocent? First you go after Jesus, and now you even want to kill a kid like Goku? What the hell is wrong with you? Does your evil know no end? Are you jews that fucking evil? Your gonna burn in hell in the end, you know that right?" Trunks asked.

The jewish leader chuckled. "The kingdom of heaven belongs to the jews! We are the true descendants of God almighty!"

Trunks chuckled. "That's why Jesus was born and gave his life up today, so you evil monsters wouldn't take over the world! It ends here now! Die." Trunks said as he aimed a ki blast to kill him.

"Thou shall not kill." Jesus voice reminded him.

Then all of a sudden an earthquake occurs, and a pile of boulders comes crashing down, killing the jewish leader.

"He got what he deserved. I guess Jesus has died by now." Trunks said.

Then they left the prison, and were met by Bulma as she appeared inside a time machine outside in a forest. "Goku! Babe!!!" She yelled.

"B-Bulma... but how did you get here?" Goku asked.

"The dragon couldn't bring you back because you went into the past and created a new timeline. So I used a time machine to get here myself." Bulma said. "C'mon, I'll take you home, but it will create another timeline again, and now there will be three Bulma's instead of two." Bulma said.

Trunks looked confused. "Will I still remember you, dad?" Trunks asked.

Bulma nodded. "Yeah, this new timeline will have the same you. It's gonna be interesting to see how things work out. C'mon Goku, let's go, the time machine has three seats."

"Can Buu come too?" Majin Buu asked.

Bulma nodded. "Uh, sure, I guess."

Thus Bulma, Goku, and Majin Buu all left back to the present timeline. Except this time Trunks knew what had happened before.

Then Goku remembered they forgot all about Marle. "Dang it, we forgot about her! I have to go back for her, Bulma" Goku said.

Bulma sighed. "No, Goku... your staying here with me, if we go back another timeline will be created again. Instead we'll send Crono, he'll rescue Marle for us."

Goku sighed. "But I really wanted to be the one to save her... I like her..."

Bulma slapped some sense into Goku. "C'mon, your parents are waiting at home."

Then they arrived to Mount Paozu. Where Marle and Crono were waiting for them, they were all grown up now and had a daughter with them.

"W-What!? Marle and Crono!? What happened to you guys?" Goku asked.

Marle chuckled. "It's a long story."

Crono nodded. "This is our daughter, Cynthia. I went back in time and saved Marle, then we met a talking frog and robot and... uh, well, it's a long story."

Marle chuckled. "It was a long adventure, we even got to see the future."

Goku smiled. "I'm glad you guys survived. Did you meet Trunks there too?" Goku asked.

"Huh? You mean the apostle Trunks? The one who spread the gospel of Jesus with Simon Peter and his friends? Yeah, we met him for awhile, he helped us get back here." Crono said.

Marle nodded. "You know it's weird, that Trunks we met in the past had the same name and appearance as Crono's dad. Do you think they could be related somehow?" Marle asked.

Goku chuckled. "Boy life is crazy."

The doctor Trunks smiled as he appeared in the sky. "I remember this chapter of my life, if only my dad hadn't messed up our timeline so much! I swear when I find Gohan someday, I'm never gonna time travel again! It's too much of a pain now." Trunks said as he opened up a portal and left that timeline.

To be continued.

A/N: Update! I added the whole story of Jesus with some minor changes. I hope you like it.

Time travel is weird. Stay tuned for more.

Update Feb 13th - So after I took down my first story, Ultimate Crossover Z, I decided I would save this particular chapter, since it was one of my better ones. Please review, follow and favorite!