Table of Contents
P ART 1. ARRIVAL......................................................................................................... 122
1. Zacharias is speechless....................................................................................... 122
2. Angel in Milwaukee............................................................................................. 124
3. Cousins have news .............................................................................................. 125
4. Naming the baby ................................................................................................. 126
5. Joseph ................................................................................................................. 127
6. Birth in Pullman.................................................................................................. 128 PART 2. YOUTH............................................................................................................ 129
7. Keeping watch..................................................................................................... 129
8. The first broadcast .............................................................................................. 130
9. Ride from Cape Kennedy .................................................................................... 131
10. Gift-giving ......................................................................................................... 132
11. Escape to Alabama ........................................................................................... 133
12. A Chicago holiday............................................................................................. 134 PART 3. ADULTHOOD................................................................................................... 135
13. John the Baptist................................................................................................. 135
14. Jesus at 30......................................................................................................... 137
15. Going hungry .................................................................................................... 138
16. John is interviewed ........................................................................................... 139
17. Talking with students ........................................................................................ 140
18. Immediate belief................................................................................................ 141 PART 4. MIRACLES....................................................................................................... 142
19. The wedding guests ........................................................................................... 142
20. Jesus in Chicago ............................................................................................... 143
21. A call from Nicodemus...................................................................................... 144
22. The Baptists....................................................................................................... 145
23. Stopping in Gurnee ........................................................................................... 146
24. Return to Milwaukee ......................................................................................... 149
25. Healing the sick................................................................................................. 150
26. Roundup ............................................................................................................ 151
27. Healing in Neenah ............................................................................................ 152
28. Wisconsin travel................................................................................................ 153
29. The parking lot audience .................................................................................. 154
30. Matthew............................................................................................................. 155 PART 5. SUNDAYS........................................................................................................ 156
31. In Grant Park.................................................................................................... 156
32. Never on a Sunday ............................................................................................ 158
33. In the public eye ................................................................................................ 159
34. Selecting teachers ............................................................................................. 160
35. Sermon from the water slide ............................................................................. 162
36. Communicating with John ................................................................................ 164
37. For love of John ................................................................................................ 165
38. Chastising the critics......................................................................................... 166
39. Towns in trouble ............................................................................................... 167
PART 6. CONNECTING.................................................................................................. 168
40. The shoe shine................................................................................................... 168
41. Friends and attackers ....................................................................................... 170
42. In the family ...................................................................................................... 172
43. The cornfield ..................................................................................................... 173
44. Converting an Army.......................................................................................... 177
45. A listener is healed............................................................................................ 180
46. Teachers spread the word................................................................................. 181
47. Herod’s birthday............................................................................................... 182
48. Faith in the farmland ........................................................................................ 183
49. One for 5,000 .................................................................................................... 184
50. Jesus walks the wheat ....................................................................................... 185
51. Interviewed........................................................................................................ 188
52. Responding to politicians.................................................................................. 191
53. To the top .......................................................................................................... 193
54. Paying the fee.................................................................................................... 195
55. The mental hospital........................................................................................... 198
PART 7. CONFLICT ....................................................................................................... 200
56. Followers get an earful..................................................................................... 200
57. Getting Jesus..................................................................................................... 203
58. Michigan Avenue broadcast ............................................................................. 204
59. The blind man ................................................................................................... 207
60. More calls ......................................................................................................... 210
61. Talking to an audience...................................................................................... 213
62. Winter heat........................................................................................................ 224
63. Lazarus.............................................................................................................. 228
64. For Martha and Mary....................................................................................... 230
65. Getting rid of Jesus ........................................................................................... 232
66. Connecting with the young................................................................................ 233
67. Searching for Jesus ........................................................................................... 236
68. Dinner with Lazarus ......................................................................................... 237
PART 8. CHICAGO ........................................................................................................ 238
69. Final ride to Chicago........................................................................................ 238
70. Clearing the studio............................................................................................ 240
71. The greatest medium ......................................................................................... 241
72. Tense exchanges................................................................................................ 242
73. True sponsor ..................................................................................................... 246
74. The ultimate betrayal ........................................................................................ 249
75. Making reservations.......................................................................................... 250
76. Thursday dinner ................................................................................................ 251
77. Singled out ........................................................................................................ 252
78. Instructions to teachers..................................................................................... 253
79. Extra help to Peter ............................................................................................ 254
80. In Navy Pier ...................................................................................................... 255
PART 9. ARREST........................................................................................................... 256
81. Friday arrest ..................................................................................................... 256
82. Caiaphas ........................................................................................................... 258
83. Peter’s three exchanges .................................................................................... 259
84. Injustice............................................................................................................. 260
85. Judas is sorrowful ............................................................................................. 262
86. Pilate ................................................................................................................. 263
87. Herod ................................................................................................................ 265
88. Holiday pardons................................................................................................ 266
89. Illinois steps in .................................................................................................. 268
90. Pilate goes to Jesus........................................................................................... 269
91. Friday midday................................................................................................... 270
92. Execution........................................................................................................... 271
PART 10. RESURRECTION............................................................................................. 273
93. After the execution ............................................................................................ 273
94. Saturday ............................................................................................................ 274
95. Visitor to the grave............................................................................................ 275
96. Sunday............................................................................................................... 276
97. Meeting followers.............................................................................................. 277
98. Reunion in Chicago........................................................................................... 278
99. Doubting Thomas.............................................................................................. 279
100. Going home..................................................................................................... 280
September, 1965
1. Zacharias is speechless
There was a disc jockey named Zacharias, and he was married to Elizabeth.1 She
One time, while prepping for his show,3 Zacharias was arranging his carts (similar to 8-track tapes). This was the custom for radio broadcasters of that time.4 A radio audience was waiting for his program to begin.5
One of God’s angels appeared in the studio and stood to the right of the turntables.6 Zacharias was frightened.7“Don’t worry,” the angel said. “Your prayers are answered. Elizabeth is going to have a son, and you’ll call him John.8 It will be a very happy day for everyone,9 and God will see that John is great. He’ll never drink, but he’ll be filled with the Holy Spirit.10 He will turn many Illinoisans toward God,11 and he’ll prepare everyone for the leader.”12
“How am I supposed to believe all this?” Zacharias asked. “My wife and I are old.”131 43 Luk 01:05 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
2 43 Luk 01:07 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
3 43 Luk 01:08 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
4 43 Luk 01:09 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
5 43 Luk 01:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
6 43 Luk 01:11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
7 43 Luk 01:12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
8 43 Luk 01:13 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.
9 43 Luk 01:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
10 43 Luk 01:15 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.
11 43 Luk 01:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
12 43 Luk 01:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power 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.
13 43 Luk 01:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
“I’m Gabriel,” the angel replied. “God sent me to tell you this great news.1 But since you don’t believe me, you won’t be able to speak until everything I say happens.”2
Zacharias had to go on the air, but he couldn’t speak.3 He left the studio, and coworkers figured that he must have seen a vision.4Zacharias went home.5 Soon thereafter, Elizabeth was pregnant. She hid herself five months. She also said,6 “God gave me this so I wouldn’t be negative about men.”7
1 43 Luk 01:19 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.
2 43 Luk 01:20 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.
3 43 Luk 01:21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
4 43 Luk 01:22 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.
5 43 Luk 01:23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
6 43 Luk 01:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
7 43 Luk 01:25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
January, 1966
2. Angel in Milwaukee
God then sent Gabriel into Milwaukee, Wisconsin.1 In that city lived Mary, a
This concerned Mary. Why was an angel telling her these things?4
Gabriel caught Mary’s look and said, “Don’t be afraid, because God loves you.5 And, prepare yourself for this: You’re going to have a baby, and you’ll call him Jesus.6 He’ll be the savior,7 and his authority will go on forever.”8
Mary replied, “I’ve never been with a man, so how can this happen?”9“Don’t worry,” Gabriel said. “The Holy Spirit will take care of everything.10 Also, your cousin Elizabeth? I understand she can’t have babies. Well, she’s pregnant.11 And God made this happen.”12
Mary said, “I’ll do anything God wants.”131 43 Luk 01:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
2 43 Luk 01:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
3 43 Luk 01:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women.
4 43 Luk 01:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
5 43 Luk 01:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary for thou hast found favour with God.
6 43 Luk 01:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
7 43 Luk 01:32 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
8 43 Luk 01:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
9 43 Luk 01:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
10 43 Luk 01:35 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.
11 43 Luk 01:36 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.
12 43 Luk 01:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
13 43 Luk 01:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
3. Cousins have news
After meeting the angel, Mary quickly drove to Chicago’s south side,1 and she hugged Elizabeth.2 Just then, the baby jumped inside Elizabeth, and she was filled with power from the Holy Spirit.3
“Mary, you’re one special lady,” Elizabeth said.4 “Why did you come here?5 Because I’ll tell you, the moment you talked, my baby jumped for joy!”6Mary talked about the recent events and said, “I’m really honored,7 because God took an ordinary person like me. And from now on, everyone will say I’m blessed.”8
“Well,” Elizabeth said, “we’re two believers who are fulfilled.”9
Mary stayed with Elizabeth until April, 1966, and then she drove home.10
1 43 Luk 01:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
2 43 Luk 01:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
3 43 Luk 01:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost
4 43 Luk 01:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
5 43 Luk 01:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
6 43 Luk 01:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
7 43 Luk 01:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
8 43 Luk 01:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
9 43 Luk 01:45 And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
10 43 Luk 01:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
June, 1966
4. Naming the baby
Elizabeth gave birth to a son.1 Her family and friends knew the Lord was
But Elizabeth said, “No, we’ll call him John.”3
They said, “Nobody in your family is named John.”4 And they asked Zacharias what he thought.5
Zack got a piece of paper and wrote, “His name is John.”6 Suddenly, Zacharias could talk! He thanked God, of course.7
Sadly, John’s birth brought fear into the entire south side.8 People asked, “What is this child going to be?” But naturally, the Lord was there with them, so everything was going to be fine.9
Zacharias became spirited and said,10 “Let’s bless the Lord, because we’re going to be free!”11 He echoed messages from the forefathers, saying,12 “They’ll call my son a leader, because he’ll make a path for the Lord.13 John will tell everyone about a man who saves people by forgiving their sins.14 This man will shine a light on people, and he will guide them toward peace.”15
1 43 Luk 01:57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
2 43 Luk 01:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
3 43 Luk 01:60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
4 43 Luk 01:61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
5 43 Luk 01:62 And they made