John of Zebedee (apostle)

Jesus is at the Jordan ford: they're looking for John the Baptist, but he's not here. Instead, they meet Solomon, who is a disciple of John and has brought souls to him without asking for money to cross the Jordan. He is a righteous man. Christ greets him and they continue on their way to Jericho. The Lord then gives them a parable about the fields being tilled by the farmer: so it is with souls who allow themselves to be more or less tilled by the Lord. Then they talk indirectly about the Passion. Jesus says that even if legions of angels came to defend him, they could do nothing, for Justice must be done. They also speak of the present cup, the second cup, and the third cup that will be drunk at the end of the world. Simon the Zealot understands the words of the Book and guesses that the Redeemer will have to suffer enormously. Jesus confirms his vision of things, and Peter comes to ask Simon for an explanation. He wants to defend his Master, but the Zealot, being a wise man, guesses that the apostles' courage will melt like snow in the sun. They continue talking until Peter, who sees how sad Jesus is, goes off to the Savior and tells him not to be so sad anymore. This passage is a fine example of Peter's spontaneity.

Jesus goes to a banquet given by Joseph of Arimathea. Lazarus, Gamaliel, Felix, John, Simon and Cornelius (Pharisees) are present. Jesus, for his part, has taken Thomas and Nicodemus with him. The guests talk about John the Baptist, whose holiness is indisputable, and how miracles do not necessarily prove holiness. They deviate to Aaron and Moses, talking in particular about the pontificate and the high priest, Caiaphas. Jesus gives a definition of a pontiff, but Felix is angry and leaves. Jesus then asks Gamaliel if he too wants a miracle, and Gamaliel only wants the sign the Child has promised him.

Jesus is in the Temple in Jerusalem. He is praying. But Alexander, the Roman soldier he has met before, appears. His horse has wounded a child, who is in agony, so he comes looking for the Master, who he is sure can save this innocent. His arrival causes a scandal, because a pagan in the Temple is very serious in the eyes of the Pharisees. So Jesus goes straight to him and heals the boy. The doctors of the Law then reproached him for all the commotion he was causing in the holy place...

Jesus goes to Bethany to face the hostility of the Pharisees. Lazarus gives him the land of Belle-Eau. In this chapter, we discover that the son of Theophilus intervened a great deal in secret, on behalf of Jesus and his friend Simon. The Lord speaks of his friend's spiritual goodness and promises that the Father has a great reward in store for him. He speaks of his future sanctification in Heaven, and by extension of the saints and blessed who will be there.