The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ: A Singular and Interwoven Biblical Account

By Sterling H. Redd, Sr.

By use of a singular and seamless format, and organized into thirteen chapters of pure Scripture, The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ takes the complexity out of a readers attempt to get a clear, basic, yet thorough overview of Christs mortal life and teachings.

All of Christs major sermons, miracles, and parables are also identified and placed at a readers fingertips by use of an accompanying appendix.

When you finish reading this story, you may want to keep it close by for ready reference, and to experience again and again the simple, beautiful and powerful story of him who is worshipped by and inspires hundreds of millions. This is a complete, interwoven story not found in either one of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or Johns New Testament accounts alone.

Though purely Biblical, even a child can understand this books marvelous message.

I have read (The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ)A Singular and Interwoven Biblical Account which was compiled by Sterling H. Redd.

I have found that this compilation of the four gospels of the New Testament has profoundly clarified and made extremely accessible and readable the mortal ministry of the Savior.

It is in a format that would enable children from about ten years of age and older to read the Scriptures as they are written with increased understanding and appreciation.
Garth G. Myers, MDpediatric neurologist, retired

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490820613

Sterling H. Redd, Sr.

Sterling Redd is a retired clinical social worker, former high school English teacher, published writer, and a father of five children. With a love of Scriptures, literature, music, and nature, and with a desire to share his deep gratitude for these things, he employs clarity and organized simplicity throughout his works.

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Copyright © 2014 Sterling H. Redd, Sr.

e-mail: [e-mail]

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Cover design © by Sterling H. Redd, Sr., 2013

Typeset by Sterling H. Redd, Sr.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2062-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2063-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2061-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013923353

WestBow Press rev. date: 2/5/2014

CONTENTS

Endorsements

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Chapter One Before Christ’s Mortal Life

Chapter Two Christ’s Birth

Chapter Three Christ’s Childhood

Chapter Four Christ’s Preparation for the Ministry

Chapter Five Jesus’ First Ministry in Judea

Chapter Six Jesus’ First Ministry in Galilee

Chapter Seven Jesus’ Great Galilean Ministry

Chapter Eight Christ’s Ministry in Phoenicia, Northern Judea and the Decapolis

Chapter Nine Christ’s Latter Judean Ministry

Chapter Ten Christ’s Ministry Beyond Jordan

Chapter Eleven Christ’s Preparation for His Atonement

Chapter Twelve Christ’s Trial, Crucifixion and Burial

Chapter Thirteen Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension

Appendix

Christ’s Major Sermons

Christ’s Miracles and Manifestations

Christ’s Parables

Endnote References

About the Compiler/Editor

Endorsements

"I have read (The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ)—A Singular and Interwoven Biblical Account…which was compiled by Sterling H. Redd.

I have found that this compilation of the 4 Gospels…of the new Testament…has profoundly clarified and made extremely accessible and readable the mortal ministry of the Savior…

It is in a format that would enable children from about 10 years of age and older to read the scriptures as they are written with increased understanding and appreciation."

Garth G. Myers, M.D.—

Pediatric Neurologist, retired

The

Reader-Friendly

Life of Christ

The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ is a singular, purely scriptural and interwoven account of Christ’s earthly ministry among mankind taken from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John of the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

This book is written for the purpose of taking the complexity out of a person’s attempt to get a basic, clear, yet comprehensive overview of Christ’s mortal life and ministry among people who knew him, loved him, and recorded their experiences with him.

The book includes an appendix as well as headings which make recognizable and available the identification of the primary and chronological events, sermons, miracles and parables recorded in the four gospels.

The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ is an attempt, in a large part inspired by a friend and former colleague, Dr. Garth G. Myers, to gather in simplicity for youth as well as adults, the message, spirit, concepts and wisdom in Christ’s life among people of his day; rather than to analyze and speculate the complexity of social, cultural, political and other factors surrounding Christ’s life, as many Biblical scholars have already done.

Sterling H. Redd, Sr.

Introduction

The accounts of Christ’s mortal life and ministry on the earth are considered by countless people as the greatest story ever told. Understandably then, this powerful and far-reaching message merits corresponding clarity and ease of access.

The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ is a modest but genuine attempt to present from the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament the complete available recorded Biblical story of Christ’s life and teachings among a challenging mix of people in the land of Jerusalem, in a fresh, singular, seamless and comprehensive scriptural form.

The need for such a work has many components, as evidenced from the vast differences and confusion among and between countless sects of Christianity; for while the four Biblical accounts provide a sacred and revered basis for the faith of hundreds of millions, a person cannot go to the Holy Bible for a single, complete and flowing account of the Savior’s recorded ministry.¹

Consider, but for the beauty and messages in the New Testament’s recorded gospels, that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each give what could be considered somewhat mosaiac accounts; and with the exception of Matthew and John, reflected accounts, and each written decades after Christ’s ministry at that. Further, each account has a different purpose.²

While one account embellishes a major episode, in another account the same event or episode is sparse if not completely missing. While many segments or events understandably concur in certain accounts, the same events in yet other accounts differ in varying degrees. Furthermore, the sequence of events, sermons, miracles, and parables sometimes vary somewhat one account from another —all leaving complete agreement impossible.

Not only were there personality and background differences between Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but history reveals numerous Biblical translations having taken place over the centuries by scholars and others that were often of quite different religious or even political orientations and agendas³—all further explaining some of the gaps and variations encountered in relating the sacred ministry.

While standard and traditional scriptural formats by means of separated, vertical and numbered verses facilitate quick identification as for class or group study, a chapter’s sometimes forty, fifty or more verses foster an absence of the more familiar organized flow of thought found, for example, in the paragraph form of essentially all written English language.

With this background of challenges, not unlike putting pieces of a critical and complex puzzle together, The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ takes a significant risk in fitting together a careful selection of what the compiler has felt to be the more familiar and reputable wording, phrases and accounts that comprise Christ’s life in the given books. Then, with minimal repetition, short of the Savior’s repeated emphases, presents in a single interwoven account the entire available recorded life and ministry of Christ as found in the Bible’s four gospels. The book includes a smooth, concurrent, and chronological ordering of the events, sermons, miracles and parables—the latter being gratefully based on the meticulous research presented primarily in the book Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King, by Duane S. Crowther.⁴

Not only does The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ give a much more comprehensive account than is found in either one of the gospels, but it is presented in a familiar reader-friendly format, is entirely faithful to the original wording in the King James Translation, (even preserving capital letters in the middle of sentences—one verse to another), provides consistent and comprehensive scriptural documentation throughout, and makes easy identification of Christ’s words by use of italics.

Apart from what it does provide, The Reader-Friendly Life of Christ in no way proposes to be a replacement of the sacred and authorized scriptural sources from which it is taken, nor does it offer the service of cross-referencing, a Bible dictionary, a comprehensive topical guide, location maps, or even an interpretive or contemporary Biblical translation as is otherwise available. One is still encouraged to maintain close familiarity with the authorized Biblical accounts just the same. SHR

Acknowledgements

It is hard to identify all who over the years have taught me to recognize, appreciate, revere and even worship the Savior. Certainly my long-deceased mother instilled in me a great faith in Him during her long struggle with leaukemia. Church leaders and associates have also strengthened my love for the Savior.

When starting to piece together the more complete story of Jesus from the New Testament, I received much encouragement from a well-published author of religious and spiritual works, Duane S. Crowther. For emphasis on appealing more to the youth in the book’s organization, I give credit to the late Dr. Garth G. Myers, a pediatric neurologist and colleague of many years whose life had been dedicated to the well-being of children and youth.

It is felt that inspiration brought me to the WestbowPRESS publishers as I was stumbling through the internet one day. Mary Wegener, my check-in coordinator at WestbowPRESS, introduced me to the Thinkstock.com sight which offers countless illustrations to choose from. This allowed circumvention of otherwise horrendous legal copyright permission hurdles in a primary focus to render the book even more reader friendly. Some of the limited depictions of Christ, however, are rather morose and do not portray the glorious being that I am certain he really is. It is hoped that the general selection will be enjoyed just the same.

Finally, I give much credit to the quiet patience and tolerance of my wife, Fusako, and other family members amidst the long hours, desk clutter, calls and other implications and incidentals needed in bringing the book forth.

DEDICATION

From a deep sense of gratitude for the Savior Jesus Christ, I dedicate this book to all youth who, along with many others, may struggle to make clear sense of the partial and diverse Bible accounts of the life of Christ–-wonderful as they are.

The

Reader-Friendly

Life of Christ *

from the

New Testament

Biblical Accounts

(Some helpful identifying suggestions)

*Events in Christ’s life appear chronologically throughout the text, are identified with a bolded heading in normal lower case letters, and the first letter is enlarged as follows: Shepherds Visit the Newborn Child.

MIRACLES in Christ’s life appear chronologically throughout the text, are identified with a bolded and italicized title in upper case or capital letters, and the first letter is enlarged as follows: JESUS TURNS WATER INTO WINE.

Parables in Christ’s life appear chronologically throughout the text, are identified with a bolded and italicized title in lower case letters, and the first letter is enlarged as follows: The Foolish Rich Man.

(Familiar Quotes or Statements) used as headings or subtitles appear throughout the text in non-bolded italics, with lower case letters, and are enclosed in parentheses as follows: (When Thou Goest With Thine Adversary)

Chapter One

Before Christ’s Mortal Life

Christ’s Pre-Mortal Role

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:1-5

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light; but was sent to bear witness of that Light. John 1:6-8

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:9-14

Introduction to the Book of Luke

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. Luke 1:1-4

Christ’s Genealogy through Joseph

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminidab; and Aminidab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; Matthew 1:1-5

And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: Matthew 1:6-11

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Matthew 1:12-16

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Matthew 1:17

Christ’s Genealogy through Mary

And Jesus…being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge; Luke 3:23-25

Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semel, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, Luke 3:26-29

Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, Luke 3:30-31

Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda. Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, Luke 3:32-35

Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Malelee, which was the son of Cainan, Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. Luke 3:36-38

Angel Gabriel Foretells John the Baptist’s Birth to Zacharias

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. Luke 1:5-7

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. Luke 1:8-10

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and light of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:11-17

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Luke 1:18-20

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. Luke 1:21-22

And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. Luke 1:23-25

Angel Gabriel Foretells Jesus’ Birth to Mary

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:26-33

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:34-35

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:36-38

Mary Visits Her Cousin Elisabeth

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of