The Life of Jesus

They answered, “Yochanan the Immerser; but others say Eliyahu, and others that some prophet of long ago has risen.”

“But you,” he said to them, “who do you say I am?” Kefa answered, “The Mashiach of God!”

However, he, warning them, ordered them to tell this to no one,

adding, “The Son of Man has to endure much suffering and be rejected by the elders, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers; and he has to be put to death; but on the third day, he has to be raised to life.”

Then to everyone he said, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake daily and keep following me.

For whoever tries to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life on my account will save it.

What will it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but destroys or forfeits his own life?

For if someone is ashamed of me and of what I say, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and of the holy angels.

I tell you the truth, there are some people standing here who will not experience death until they see the Kingdom of God.”

About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray.

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white.

Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu!

They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim.

Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.”

As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud;

and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!”

When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.

The next day, as they were coming down out of the hill country, a large crowd met him.

Suddenly a man in the crowd shouted, “Rabbi! Look at my son, I beg you, because he’s my only child!

What happens is this: a spirit seizes him, and suddenly it lets out a shriek and throws him into convulsions with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty will it leave him. It’s destroying him!

I asked your talmidim to drive the spirit out, but they couldn’t.”

“Perverted people, without any trust!” Yeshua answered, “How long do I have to be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

Even as the boy was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground and threw him into a fit. But Yeshua rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.

All were struck with amazement at the greatness of God. While they were all marvelling at everything Yeshua was doing, he said to his talmidim,