World Canonical Texts
In a prior post, I have published the first draft of the 'Common Core Gospel' which is less than 1000 words. I want to abridge that further - so that the parts that could be considered "less common" are edited; in abridged version I can more freely re-arrange so that things read better; and ultimately I want it to be short enough that I can copy on one page (double-sided) by hand. This version has just short of 500 words:
John the Baptist proclaimed, “I baptize with water; the one who is coming will baptize with the Holy Spirit." Jesus of Nazareth came; the Spirit descended from heaven like a dove on him, the Son of God.
Jesus taught in the synagogues in Galilee and Judea. Jesus said, “The Son of Man has authority to execute judgment.” He said to a paralytic, “Stand up, take your mat and go.” And the paralytic went. Some said, “This is not lawful on the sabbath.” Jesus answered, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”
A large crowd followed Jesus, for he had cured many - the blind, the dying, even the just dead. He chose twelve, including Simon (Peter) and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. Some said Jesus was a prophet; some like Peter realized Jesus was the Messiah; but others said he had a demon.
Seeing a great crowd, Jesus made the people sit down -- about five thousand men. Taking five loaves and two fish, he blessed and distributed them to the crowd. All were filled, leaving twelve baskets of fragments.
Jesus said, “Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life will save it. Follow me.” He said, “The only true God’s commandment is eternal life: ‘Love Him and love your neighbor.’”
As Jesus approached Jerusalem on a colt, many people shouted, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" Jesus drove out people selling in the temple. The chief priests and some Jews wanted to arrest Jesus, but they feared the crowds.
Jesus sat at the table, a woman poured ointment to anoint his body. Before the Passover, during supper with the twelve, Jesus said, “One of you will betray me.” Jesus took bread and said, “Eat my body, and drink my blood.” Jesus prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours.”
Judas arrived with a crowd with weapons from the religious authorities. They arrested Jesus and took him to the high priest. Peter followed and denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed.
The religious authorities brought Jesus before Pilate. Pilate wanted to release Jesus. The crowd shouted, “Crucify him!” Pilate, after flogging Jesus, handed him over.
They crucified Jesus with two others, one on his right and one on his left. The inscription read, “The King of the Jews.” They cast lots to divide his clothing. Someone gave sour wine to him; Jesus gave a cry and breathed his last.
It was the day before the sabbath. Joseph of Arimathea, a sympathizer, took the body of Jesus down and laid it in a tomb.
Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw the stone removed. An angel said, “Looking for Jesus? He has been raised.” She told his disciples; some doubted. Later Jesus appeared to the disciples. He said, “I send you to baptize (forgive sins).”
In this shortening exercise, I noticed that "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath" ties with the end when Jesus was described to have been (most likely) resurrected on the sabbath.