THE MISSION: Operation Apostolic
THE YEAR: 2058
THE LOCATION: undisclosed, somewhere in the Middle East
THE DISCOVERY: Robotic archaeological probes have discovered artifacts dating back to biblical times. Ancient parchments appear to be the personal journal of a key disciple: John, one of Jesus’ closest friends.
ACTION: Commence inspection.
THE MANUSCRIPTS
PRESERVATION: EXCELLENT
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: GREEK
If you read Volume 1 in Breakaway’s September 2006 print edition, you know that circumstances have begun to shift for Jesus, John and the other disciples. The young fisherman, John, had been immediately mesmerized by Jesus. Could this teacher really be the long-awaited Messiah? John was ready to leave everything behind to find out.
All went well in the beginning. As the Nazarene began to perform miracles, His popularity spread — even though His ways were often unorthodox and confusing. But now there is much talk of wanting to kill the “heretical” Jesus. What has John gotten himself into?
Find out in this Web-exclusive conclusion.
Day 382
Has it already been more than a year since Andrew and I met the Messiah? And here we are, on a cool, grassy mountainside, eating up everything He has to say, after a day of watching Him heal people left and right.
And now, another crowd wants time with Him, too. I hate sharing the Master with a bunch of hungry scavengers.
What? How are we supposed to feed all these people? You’ve got to be kidding.
Come to think of it, my Master is being serious. His every word counts.
My good friend Andrew has offered up some ankle-biter’s lunch: five buns and two sardines. Nice try. Enough for the boy, anyway. What are we looking at — 5,000 families?
Oops. I’d better put my pen down. I’ve got to serve lunch. Looks as though there’s going to be lots of leftovers.
Day 382, Later
Three hours later, the crowd is fed and happy. I’m stuffed, too, but not real happy.
The Master just walked away. All these people were ready to make Him their king, and He disappears into some mountain hideout. Isn’t He the King of Israel? Of course. Doesn’t He want a crown?
Oh, great. Now the other disciples want to cross the Sea of Galilee in a boat. It’s pitch-dark already. What are you guys thinking? Can’t we wait for the Master? It could storm, you know.
Time to grab an oar. Hope this journal doesn’t get soaked.
Day 383
Incredible! If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes — well, let me explain.
Sure enough, the Sea of Galilee hit us with one of its surprise storms. Here we were, half sunk, totally exhausted and not ready to die. And then this ghost appears, walking on the water. Turns out it’s the Master. Peter jumps in and does some water-walking, too. Wish I had his spine. But then Peter panics, sinks — and the Master saves him. They get in the boat, and the sea calms down.
Now I’m on the beach, totally burned out, and a way huge armada of boats is heading our way, chasing after the Healer.
Never a dull moment with the Son of God around.
Now He’s teaching all His followers. Looks like there are about 70 of us these days. But, wow, the Teacher is dishing up some hard-to-digest ideas here.
What? You guys can’t quit! Get back here!
There are only 12 of us left now? How can anyone stop following the Master?
Peter said it well: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” That’s about the most sensible thing I’ve ever heard Peter say.
I need to get some sleep. The last thing the Master said today was, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
Gulp. Would that be me?
Day 437
The Master is off in Jerusalem by himself, healing blind people and generally causing a stir again. But there’s one thing I’ve heard that has me totally amazed. He told the crowd, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” They must include me. I sure wish He were here right now. Without my Master around, life is not full at all.
It’s kind of empty, really.
Day 643
It’s not so cool hanging with the Master anymore. Seems as if everyone in Judea wants to lob rocks at Him, so we’re avoiding the place.
What’s this? The Messiah’s good friend Lazarus just died, and He wants to go to Bethany and see the family? Talk about sticking your head in a lion’s mouth. Bethany is smack-dab in the middle of Judea.
I’m with Thomas, Mr. Negative, on this one. Let’s all go to Bethany and die. If they don’t stone us first, maybe we can catch whatever disease Lazarus had.
Of course, the Master would probably just heal us. What a shame that it’s too late for Lazarus.
Day 647
Man, this town is wailing. Martha and Mary are sure upset. Even the Master is crying. Lazarus was a nice guy, though. Kind of young to die. Too bad.
What? I’d better lay this journal aside. The Teacher wants some of us to move the stone away from Lazarus’s tomb. Doesn’t make much sense, but . . .
Day 647, Later
I’m not sure how to put this nicely, but Lazarus’s corpse should have been crawling with maggots. It gave me the creeps to see him walk out. I thought he was a zombie. I helped unwrap him. Totally weird. It must have been hard for Lazarus to believe what happened, too.
Mary and Martha can’t stop laughing and crying.
Day 655
Ever since Lazarus was raised from the dead, we’ve been keeping a low profile in a little town called Ephraim. The Teacher is as bold as a lion — always has been — but He’s playing it smart. If He goes anywhere near Jerusalem, He’ll be dead within a week.
Which brings me to another subject: The Master keeps talking about His own death. None of us wants to hear it. Peter pretty much told the Master to stop it. That didn’t turn out too good.
Day 754
Now we’re back in Bethany, way too close to Jerusalem for my liking. The heat’s not off yet. I can feel it from every passing Pharisee and scribe. They stare at us as if we’re lepers. There aren’t as many real lepers around, by the way, since Jesus has healed so many of them.
I can’t believe it’s almost Passover again, the third since we met the Master. He’ll probably have to clear the temple once more. Last year, I saw all kinds of moneychangers crowding the temple doors. I bet this year they’re back inside.
Mary, what are you doing? Pouring that expensive perfume on the Teacher’s head? Why? Aren’t there cheaper ways to say “I love you”?
Sounds like Judas Iscariot is with me on this one. Of course, he’s our treasurer, and money is a sensitive issue with him. What’s this about giving money to the poor, anyway? Judas has never had much of a bleeding heart. Whatever.
The Teacher is talking about His burial. How morose! What do You mean we won’t have You around anymore? How am I supposed to follow You?
Day 755
This has been a splendid day! Everyone cheered the Master on His way into Jerusalem. Maybe they won’t kill Him after all. That’s a huge relief. Sounds more like they’re ready to make Him king. That’s more like it.
Why the Teacher rode a boring donkey, I have no idea. If it were me, I’d have ridden a big, white horse. The Son of God would look spectacular on one. Anyway, I’m just glad they didn’t grab the Master and crucify Him or something awful like that.
But He’s still talking about His demise, even as I write. Does He have a death wish or something? I bet tomorrow He’ll clear out the temple scum again.
That will make us popular.
Day 759
I can hardly see my journal for all the tears. The Master just washed all our feet, mine included. Sooo humbling. Now I’m laying right beside Him. I can almost hear His heartbeat. I love you, I love you, I love you. That’s what His heart keeps saying to me.
But the real reason I’m crying is that one of us is going to betray Him. Why would the Master say such a thing? It’s ripping me apart. I’ve been scared, that’s for sure, feeling as though the Pharisees are ready to crucify us all. But to betray our beloved Teacher? I don’t know. Who could be capable of that?
Where is Judas Iscariot going? He’s probably not handling this upsetting news any better than the rest of us.
Peter claims he’s ready to die for the Master. I can still see him whipping that sword of his around, like some wannabe Roman centurion. He nearly chopped my ear off once. What? Peter’s going to disown Jesus three times? Before tomorrow morning’s rooster call?
My world is coming apart. And now the Master is teaching us some mind-blowing truth. How am I supposed to remember all this? I can’t write fast enough.
Did I hear that correctly? The Holy Spirit is going to remind me of everything the Master has said to us? Wow. Maybe I’ll be able to get this down on paper after all. This is important stuff. Beats talking about death.
Listen to the Son of God pray! He’s praying for me and the other disciples and for everyone who would ever believe in Him. It’s like He already knows them all by name. He certainly has never forgotten mine, John, son of Zebedee.
Well, better tuck this journal away for a while. The Master wants to go to Gethsemane. I like it there, too. It’s a good place to relax, and I’m way tired.
Sabbath Day — the Darkest of My Life
I’m sick of counting the days. I may as well tear this journal to shreds. Burn it. It’s worthless.
He’s dead. Gone. Speared. Bled dry. Gave up the ghost. Slaughtered like a lamb. Crucified. Finished. Buried. And now I’m supposed to take care of His mother. We can both sob our hearts out together, I suppose. Where are His siblings, anyway? Isn’t taking care of Mary supposed to be their job? Are they still blind to who their big brother was? This is awful.
Judas Iscariot, the rat. I can’t believe it. Why didn’t they crucify him? Why didn’t they crucify me, for that matter? That would have been easier to take.
Because I was too busy running scared, that’s why. Like the rooster who crowed with Peter’s third denial. Baawk, bok, bok, bok, baaawk! Oh, Father in heaven, I’ve failed Your Son. My Master. My Teacher. The Messiah. My Best Friend.
Go ahead and wring my neck, Father. I’d rather be dead.
So would Peter, it seems. Poor guy.
Black Sunday
This is the third day of what’s going to be a long, miserable rest-of-my-life. I have no desire to get out of bed. Some of the women went to the tomb to embalm the Body. Better them than me.
Mary Magdalene is already back.
What?! There’s no way! This I’ve gotta see —
Resurrection Day, Later
I’m back, and I can hardly write fast enough! Where to start?
Gone! Disappeared! EMPTY!!! The tomb. Totally empty — except for a few grave clothes. But they were empty, too! This is brain-boggling. He’s gone! HE’S ALIVE!!! Back from the dead. Where is He? He’s gotta show. Today. He wouldn’t leave us in suspense! We better get the rest of the disciples over here and tell them. And lock that door. Those religious snakes are still fanged and ready to bite.
Resurrection Day, Even Later
Sure enough, the Master showed. He scared us silly; walked right through a wall. Scarred hands and feet, pierced side — just enough to remember the Sacrifice — but very much alive. Poor Thomas. He wasn’t around to see, but I’m sure he’ll get his chance.
This is the biggest day in history, I’m sure. Death just died. This Sunday wasn’t so dark after all. It’s the brightest ever!
I can’t stop laughing and crying.
Resurrection Day, Plus 40
The Master disappeared today. Sucked up into the clouds. But the Holy Spirit is coming soon to take His place, so I’m OK with it.
Did I just write that? Yep.
He’s gone, but I don’t feel alone. That’s huge.
Resurrection Day, Plus a Few Years
I’ve got to rewrite this old journal into something more readable. It would be impossible to record all the miracles I saw, but I want to write enough for people to believe that Jesus Christ (what a wonderful name) is the true Messiah, God’s Son.
I want the whole world to understand that Jesus loves them.
Holy Spirit, I need You to remind me, just like the Master said You would. Guide my pen. Please.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
Whoa. Where’d those words come from? Heaven? I’d better get some clean parchment and copy that over again. 
