Jesus Was Really, Really, Nice
A gentle, accessible retelling of Jesus's life that emphasizes his kindness, patience, and radical love for everyone he met.
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Chapters
13 total- 01Chapter Two - The Time He Shared His Lunch
- 02Chapter Three - People Got Mad
- 03Chapter Four - Jesus and the Weird Kids
- 04Chapter Five - He Sat With Everyone
- 05Chapter Six - No Gold Stars
- 06Chapter Seven - Rules Are Fine, Love Is Better
- 07Chapter Eight - The Guy Who Yelled Got a Hug
- 08Chapter Ten - He Wasn’t in a Rush
- 09Chapter Thirteen - He Didn’t Kick Anyone Out
- 10Chapter Seventeen - He Laughed, A Lot
- 11Chapter Eighteen - The Miracle Was Kindness
- 12Chapter Nineteen - What Would Happy Jesus Do?
- 13Chapter Twenty - The End (But Not Really)
Edition notes and short pages
Jesus Was Really, Really, Nice
Jesus Was Really, Really Nice
A Gentle Book About Big Love
by JJ
Dedication
For every kid who thought they had to be perfect to be loved.
You already are.
– JJ
Chapter One - Smiling Jesus
CHAPTER ONE
Smiling Jesus
JESUS SMILED A lot.
Not because everything was easy.
But because he loved people.
He smiled when someone shared their snack.
He smiled when kids danced in the dirt.
He probably even smiled when someone made a funny face during prayer.
He didn’t smile to look polite.
He smiled because he meant it.
Happy Jesus smiled like the world was still good —
Because deep down,
He believed it was.
Chapter Nine - Jesus Walked Everywhere
CHAPTER NINE
Jesus Walked Everywhere
JESUS COULD’VE FLOWN.
He could’ve teleported.
He could’ve ridden a glowing horse with rocket sandals.
But he didn’t.
He walked.
Everywhere.
It took longer.
It made his feet dirty.
Sometimes he got tired.
But walking let him meet people.
Talk to them.
Listen to their stories.
Jesus didn’t rush past life.
He walked with it.
One step at a time.
Chapter Eleven - Big Powers, Small Moments
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Big Powers, Small Moments
JESUS HAD BIG powers.
Like, really big.
He could calm storms.
Heal pain.
Feed a crowd with a lunchbox.
But most of the time?
He just sat with someone who was sad.
Listened to someone who was scared.
Laughed at a really bad joke.
He didn’t need thunder and lightning.
He just needed love.
Because the biggest power Jesus had…
was showing up when it mattered most.
Chapter Twelve - Happy Jesus Forgives Fast
CHAPTER TWELVE
Happy Jesus Forgives Fast
JESUS DIDN’T STAY mad.
Even when someone hurt him.
Even when they lied, or yelled, or ran away.
He felt it, sure.
But then he let it go.
Not because he forgot —
but because he loved more than he hurt.
He forgave before people even said sorry.
He forgave while they were still being mean.
Happy Jesus didn’t wait for perfect.
He forgave fast,
so love could come back sooner.
Chapter Fourteen - Sometimes He Needed Quiet, Too
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Sometimes He Needed Quiet, Too
JESUS LOVED PEOPLE.
But sometimes, he got tired.
So he went up a hill.
Or sat by the water.
Or found a quiet place to pray.
He didn’t disappear forever.
He just needed space to feel his own heart again.
Happy Jesus wasn’t a superhero.
He was a human, too.
And humans need quiet to stay soft.
If Jesus needed breaks,
You’re allowed to take them too.
Chapter Fifteen - Jesus Would’ve Played Tag
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jesus Would’ve Played Tag
JESUS DIDN’T JUST preach.
He played.
He would’ve run in the grass.
He would’ve laughed when you almost tagged him.
He might’ve even let you win.
He liked joy.
He liked friends.
He liked moments that made hearts feel free.
If someone fell down,
He’d help them up —
then ask if they wanted another turn.
Happy Jesus wasn’t above fun.
He was right in the middle of it.
Chapter Sixteen - He Cried Too
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
He Cried Too
JESUS CRIED.
NOT just little sniffles.
Real tears.
He cried when his friend died.
He cried when people hurt.
He cried when no one understood him.
Even with all his power,
Even with all his love,
He still felt it all.
Happy Jesus wasn’t afraid to feel sad.
He let the tears come —
and he never told anyone else to hide theirs.
Because being soft…
was part of being strong.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TO THE SOURCE, for the light.
To every reader, young or old, who still believes in gentleness.
And to my dog Stoney — you remind me what unconditional love actually looks like.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JJ IS A storyteller, sidewalk philosopher, and believer in second chances.
He writes books to make people cry, laugh, and think — sometimes all at once.
This is his 20-something-th book, but it might be his nicest.
He also believes Jesus would’ve laughed at fart jokes.
More at his Instagram: jj_james.johnson
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 JJ
ALL rights reserved.
No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, or distributed in any form without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews or scholarly works.
This book is a work of creative nonfiction and artistic interpretation. While inspired by biblical themes and figures, it is not affiliated with or endorsed by any religious institution.
This book is not intended to replace religious instruction, doctrine, or scriptural authority.
It is a creative interpretation of love, compassion, and the teachings attributed to Jesus of Nazareth, written to encourage kindness, empathy, and curiosity in young readers (and maybe adults too).