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Here are links to my new book. Jesus of Nazareth:   “Poking the Hornets’ Nest”.  Part 1  In which Jesus develops his mission statement and an action plan.       Free shipping

LINK:     https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?BD66TrDTRxGgO4QPq8y72Dn02ngU9gyT7vHeqBvzv3p

Jesus in the Temple

John the Beloved Disciple

Yesterday we headed a triumphal procession into Jerusalem. I am not sure what I expected, but there was no overt evidence of the Temple squads. Roman troops turned out, but since we did not appear to either be armed or intend to disrupt the peace, they stood aside and watched. Jesus took up his post in the Temple courtyard, and people gathered around.

Philip and Andrew walked the donkey back. A mess of palm branches littered the road up toward Bethany, and as I watched, a swirling wind idly tossed some of them about, as if erasing the part they had played in the procession. I determined to look up Jonathon later in the day. I would visit his parents just before dinnertime as I used to do; unless things had changed, he would be there. The occasional reports I had received from Jonathon had not told me much.

I wondered how my business was going. I had heard reports off and on during the year, and as far as I could judge, it was still doing all right. My manager was more than willing to keep it going. No doubt he was doing a little business on the side on his own behalf. I noted my detachment about the store. My future lay elsewhere. I sat with my back against the wall of the portico, half listening to Jesus and keeping note of the crowd.

After an hour, Jesus got up and signaled to his disciples that we were on the move. I hastily got to my feet and began to tag along. I didn’t hear the first comments, but one of our group from Galilee expressed surprise at the size of the stones and the incredible beauty of the Temple itself. I tended to take it for granted. I had lived with it for almost thirty years. I looked at the soaring walls and thought to myself that Herod had done a good thing. The whole place was beautiful and its proportions perfect. I felt pride in the place well up inside me again, and I thought that this was what made us Jews. This building, perched high up above the city, was the one thing we could be proud of. We had so little. There was no king, no royal palace except the Roman fort, and that didn’t count. The Temple was a symbol to all of us in Jerusalem that there still was an Israel, and we still had a center.

[ii]It was then that I heard Jesus say, “All this will be destroyed. All will be thrown down, and there will not be left one stone upon another.”

What had been said? I tried to recapture the conversation, but I realized I had been thinking my own thoughts. I suddenly felt the rush of alarm at the thought of the destruction of this beautiful building, and I made sounds as if in protest.

Jesus, of course, heard me, although I was a good twelve feet away. He shrugged. “No, it is not God’s will, and no, I am not going to contribute to it; but this whole place will be thrown down, and the nation will be no more, at least as we know it today.”

“When will this be?” piped up one of the men from Galilee.

“There are those standing here among you who will see it. It will be in your lifetime. You ask what the cause is for its destruction; the cause is hardness of heart, stiff-necked self-confidence, and stupidity. I’ve said this before: you can’t turn the months and years back to another time long gone. We must carry the new Israel onward through these growing pains. Don’t you see the signs of that day? The work of a few troublemakers keeps the pot boiling now, but when more powerful leaders use the anger of those men to enlarge the conflagration of the crowd’s passion, then war will break out. Can’t you see the signs?

“It’s no different when you look at the sky and see a blazing red sunrise, and you say, ‘There is a storm coming,’ or if you see the changes in the season and you say, ‘Summer is coming.’ Well, in the same way, read the signs of the times. People make their own futures, and this generation is crafting its inevitable demise. I am their last chance, but they will have none of me. What pains me is that the people who will suffer will be those who always suffer: the wives, mothers, and those who are expecting will suffer the most. The poor and those who have no way to escape the chaos will pay the initial price. I tell you, though, that when the fire has consumed all those, it will not stop until the whole nation is consumed; and those belonging to the Temple will be gone, all those who take up the sword will die, and even those Essenes who look for the day of the Lord will be swept away.

“Religious folk, in their folly, will mislead the people with their prognostications, superstitions, and ideologies. None of them speak for the Almighty. People believe them, and they forget what they have heard from me. Only those who reject the violent course of action will survive. So I tell you, when that time comes, leave the city. Don’t think of tidying up or selling off your belongings. Get out. Leave. No second thoughts. Don’t even go back for your coat.”

I had heard similar warnings before, but today, back in Jerusalem after so long, I felt overwhelmed with sadness as I looked at the city through Jesus’ eyes. I felt his frustration, his grim farsightedness that seemed to see and hear the actions of men not yet born. Dread settled over me. Oh God, No!

 XXXXXX

Jonathon was waiting for me at his parents’ house. I felt relieved to sit in an ordinary house with friendly, ordinary people who were glad to see me. We hugged each other with delight and sat down with a cup of wine and some delicate pastries to nibble on. I began to describe what I had seen in Galilee but decided to just say we had returned for the festival. There was no way I could explain Jesus’ expectation of his death and somehow ushering in the kingdom. If it didn’t make much sense to me, it would only confuse Jonathon. I certainly couldn’t explain it.

Jonathon began to fill me in on developments in Jerusalem. “You may have been buried up there in Galilee, but I assure you old Annas has been following you every step of the way. Be careful. He intends to get rid of Jesus. I know it.

“He thinks Jesus intends to make a move during the festival to be crowned king or high priest. He thinks Jesus will use the crowds to achieve a bloodless coup without the Romans getting involved. He is obsessed with Jesus. There is another thing you should know. He wrote to Herod’s wife to get rid of John the Baptist. That whole episode from John’s arrest to his death came out of Annas’ office. That is not all. He has had Jesus shadowed all the way down from Galilee by at least two siccarii. I dropped their names to Silvanus in Pilate’s office as wanted criminals. They are now out of the way, but I think their orders were to murder Jesus if they got the chance. That is how serious things are. Annas does not intend Jesus to survive the festival.”

Our conversation stopped abruptly when Jonathon’s mother came in from the cooking area and began laying out dishes.

With what Jonathon had said and the expectations Jesus had expressed, my hopes plunged. Jesus was right. The conflict was inevitable. Jesus would not run or fight but stand there like a sacrifice waiting to die.

 

Gathering the Threads. Annas Gets a Sense of Jesus’…

Annas’ Diary

I have another report from my agent up north. They are on the move. They have been sweeping up support from those coming to the festival and even encouraging others to accompany them. So that is his timetable. Let’s see, Passover is in three weeks. Full moon was last week so, yes, three weeks.

There is no indication from this report of which way he is coming. That would be useful. Plenty of time for that. I bet it is the Jordan Valley road. My two siccarii should meet up with him in the next week. I would rather it happen up there. Once he is in our area, an attack on him would set off just the kind of violence I am trying to avoid. Without him, though, we could weather any such storm well enough. I am not sure of the Romans. Would Pilate take advantage of any riots and weigh in with his troops to save us, then turn around and extract more concessions from us? That is a good point. We should do nothing to precipitate violence once he is past Jericho, if he comes that way. I am glad now that I had the forethought to tell those two to do the job north of the Galilean border or not at all.

Do I involve Caiaphas? I think not. I will wait until I hear from my siccarii. If they are successful, then that is an end to it. Caiaphas can’t keep his mouth shut, and in any case, I would not like him to have anything to hang over my head. When I consider how he has recently been less amenable in our discussions and more independent, I have wondered whether he is thinking of making a break with me, maybe even getting rid of me permanently. I would not put it past him. Maybe I should watch my back. That’s my imagination; he doesn’t have the stomach for anything like that. That is why I have had to do everything for him. I just love to see him fluttering his hands when we have to take some dramatic action.

However, I may just have to get rid of him and have somebody else take over as high priest. I can work on that later. If someone has to take the fall for what happens to that Nazarene, then Caiaphas would be my candidate of choice. I like that. Maybe Pilate could be the tool whereby that would happen. What I would really like to do is stick it to Pilate, but there is no way I can get the Romans to do the job. I will have to be satisfied with Caiaphas. I am not sure how I am going to finesse this. There are supporters of the Nazarene in the Sanhedrin, and the majority of its members are Pharisees, so I do not see how we will accomplish what is necessary through the normal legal channels. I have time, though. I think we have at least two, if not three, weeks, so we can do a lot in that time.

I wonder if little Tamara is still available. I haven’t thought of that for months. That is a good sign.

 

Damn, I’ve just had a note from the siccarii. They were too late. “Met up with target near Alexandriam. There are two hundred plus in the party. We have tagged along but, at your direction, avoided contact. We are now at Archelais. Subject is still gathering support. We will continue with him as far as Jericho.”

Maybe I should have let them deal with him when they first met him. I know that would have been messy but maybe less dangerous than letting him loose in the city. Having those two with him is comforting. Do I tell them to finish the job? It’s too late. No, they will be at Jericho and have broken contact. The message has taken three days to get here; my reply would take another day or so to find them. No, by now the Nazarene will be in Jericho. I will probably hear about his arrival tomorrow, if not late this evening.

I was really hoping those two would finish it. He is coming. Damn, I should have just told them to get rid of him.

 

Next Day

I’ve just received another report from my agent in his party. My agent says, “He has as much as admitted he is, indeed, the Messiah.” The report took at least five days to get here. I wish I had gotten it sooner.

Look at this! “So the secret is out. Ten days ago, on our way back from the coast, he asked us who we thought he was. One of us blurted out, ‘You are the Messiah,’ and just like that, he agreed. He definitely said he was. He is no longer talking in vague terms about the Son of Man, not that any of us were taken in by that. I do not know what his intentions are. I think he is telling us one thing and planning another. The sanity of his teaching has given way to disturbing and contradictory statements. I no longer understand what he is about.”

“Since his admission that he is the Messiah, he has been talking about how we must now come to Jerusalem. We should be there for Passover. We are joining pilgrims coming for the festival and persuading many others to join us. We are on the way down toward Tiberius right now. It looks as if we will pick up some more there.

“I’ve had difficulty finding a courier. I will try again tomorrow. There will be someone in Tiberius, I am sure.”

Messiah! There it is in black and white. I definitely don’t want to share that with Caiaphas. He would wet his pants, or worse, he would spread it around, and Jesus would have all the publicity he needed. By the time he got here, everyone would be in the streets waiting to welcome him. They have not forgotten Lazarus and all the other people who claim he healed them.

Is he the Messiah? Could he be? What have I been sensing all along? I knew he was dangerous, but is he, indeed, the Messiah? Do I, deep down, acknowledge or recognize him? Is that why he has alarmed me so for so long? Is that what the dreams are about? No! He can’t be. From Nazareth? He has nothing—he has no power, no program, no timetable. As far as I know, he has only attacked the Temple that once, and that was several years ago. Then there are the miracles. Some of them are probably true. There are other wonder workers, though. None of my advisors are worried about him; why am I so sure he is trouble? Some of them think I am senile. Some of the looks that pass between them when I speak of this issue tell me they think I am obsessed. Too right, I am obsessed.

I wish I had listened to him myself. I could have judged better what was going on. Instead, I relied on these reports from so-called reliable sources. Who is he?

I don’t want to go to sleep tonight.

What is he up to?

 

---

 

I look at those last words and still smile bitterly. I thought, “Annas, you blew it. You never figured it out, did you?” I sat there on Patmos with the pages written by that poisonous person. I groaned aloud at the memories his writings brought back. From what he had written, I saw a profound awareness of the deeper issues at stake. If only he had grasped the moment instead of trying to stamp out the inevitable!

 

 

 

[i] Lay Essene group. There is no mention of the Essenes in the gospels, but there were certainly Essenes in Jerusalem. There was a quarter where they were thought to live and a gate referred to as the Essene gate. They would certainly have heard of Jesus and no doubt supported him in his opposition to the Temple. Future references to them are based on possibility not textual fact.

First Lenten Reading

1^st Lenten Reading

The Last Week in Jerusalem

 

 

Gathering the Threads

As we were making our way down the Jordan Valley toward Jericho, Annas sat in his palace and mulled over reports, thinking through scenarios and gauging the tempo of Jerusalem.

 

Annas’ Diary

I have been revisiting the reports on that Nazarene’s friends here in Jerusalem. Even those around the Lazarus family don’t show any activity that I view as suspicious. Given their political leanings and their proclivity for being outspoken critics of Temple administration, I can only view their silence as suspicious.

Another report I have from my agent embedded with the lay [i]Essene group here in Jerusalem has more promise. Their opposition to our administration has never wavered. However, I do see that they are incorporating some of that Nazarene’s teaching in their discussions. They are a small but dedicated community that I know he has strong connections with. They also know many of the players on the list of those who support Jesus. In fact, it was through Jesus’ work they became connected. That is significant.

Most disturbing is their view on sacrifices. They, of course, do not honor our sacrifices at the Temple, but I see here there is discussion about all sacrifice. Otherwise, nothing to be alarmed about. I see they are observing the monastic vows of having everything in common: they observe all the excessive purity requirements. Nothing in any of this that surprises me.

This note at the bottom, though, gives me pause. “There is a suppressed excitement about the imminent arrival of the Messiah. There is no discussion of who, how, or where this will happen.” Now that is enigmatic. Do they know something we don’t know? Why no speculation? It’s this damned silence again. Nobody is saying anything.

My latest report from my agent shadowing the Nazarene in Galilee isn’t much more forthcoming. He speaks of the crowds, the teaching about caring for each other, upholding the law, and fulfilling its intention rather than the letter. Nothing new there. I don’t like the healings. Lepers, blind people, and now epileptics.

Here is something. “His followers, who until now were overflowing with enthusiasm, are now beginning to question Jesus’ leadership and direction.” Now that is interesting. “Since the news of John the Baptizer’s death, Jesus has changed direction and even warns his disciples about his own death.” He doesn’t have to be a prophet to see that coming. I think we can help him there.

“He has stated that in the event of his death, he will return to complete his mission.” Yes, right, that I would like to see. I think our tougher stance with John is paying off. It has quite obviously unsettled those around him. He is clearly trying to buy them back. Do I see disintegration of his movement? Not yet but maybe that is the way this will play out. In which case, we allow things to take their course and let him become another wandering windbag, uttering his pronouncements and being enjoyed for his entertainment value. That I like.

Still, there is more to this than is obvious at first glance. I think it is wishful thinking to believe this will all blow away. He has something else up his sleeve, but I don’t see it. All along, his teaching has been within our accepted norms, but yet, I know—I just know—he is up to something. Why did he run away to Galilee after the Lazarus affair? Maybe he did not run away but went to raise support from among Galileans. Thousands have been turning out, if this report is correct. Those damned Galileans are always ready to revolt against us here.

I remember his words from early on, almost seven years ago now. “Tear down the Temple and I will rebuild it in three days.” I wonder what he meant by that. Whatever it was, I know he has not forgotten; he has it in for us. There is not much to do while he is in Galilee. Herod is likely to become one of his followers if I involve him.

His wife was useful in the case of John, but I don’t want to go to that well twice. I know a couple of siccarii who would quietly murder him while he is up there in Galilee. They come cheap, and with other jobs I have asked them to do they were discreet, so I will get in touch with them. The other thing is to send word to my agents to keep tabs on the other players here in Jerusalem. If there is an upsurge in activity, that will give me warning.

I would prefer all this to blow over, but that is not realistic. I just know he is a serious threat. I wish I knew what he was after. I just don’t get it. Then there are the dreams. Night after night he is there in the background. I know it is him, but I can’t quite see him. He appears closer each time. Even in my dreams he is both a threat and not a threat. I must not let him get under my skin. I must not become obsessed with him. I wish I could get someone else to look after him. Maybe the Romans will. That would be the answer. They could deal with him, and I could wring my hands at Pilate’s persecution of a good Jewish rabbi. Trouble is, he hasn’t done anything that Pilate is interested in.

One thing I might do is check with Pilate’s office. He hasn’t come up from Caesarea yet, so Silvanus might be more forthcoming and give us more details of their surveillance. I know for a fact they have shadowed his work in Galilee. After all, Herod is their surrogate. I will send young Jonathon over there tomorrow. It is too late today.

Since that Lazarus thing, I have not looked forward to sleep. I must admit that Nazarene disturbs me, and when I sleep, I am more vulnerable to his touch. Why did I say touch? Enough of this foolish thinking! I must get rid of him. There is no other way.

[i] Lay Essene group. There is no mention of the Essenes in the gospels, but there were certainly Essenes in Jerusalem. There was a quarter where they were thought to live and a gate referred to as the Essene gate. They would certainly have heard of Jesus and no doubt supported him in his opposition to the Temple. My future references to them are based on possibility not textual fact.  Was he originally an Essene? Jesus used expressions only found in Essene documents, e.g. Children of light.

The Jesus Story: – Read It for Lent

I will enter one by one, episodes of the story of Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. I have taken them from my book Jesus the God App. The reason for this is few people stop to ask a critcal questions about a story we hear every year. 1) Why did the authorities want Jesus dead? surely not because of his teaching or his healing? 2)  Who wanted him dead? It has become fashionable to believe Pilate was the villain. 3) What was Jesus’ agenda? He had a plan, what went wrong or maybe not. 4)  Where was God in all of this?  5)  What was the plan? It worked very well and managed to remove Jesus within a few hours instead of drawn out proceedings required by Jewish law.

To help tell the story I invented a diary kept by Annas, the controlling figure behind the High  Priest, Caiaphas. The diary is fiction, but Annas is not. He was so bad as High Priest 15 or so years or so before Caiaphas, that the Roman Governor Gatos deposed him. He was for years a calculating power behind the Temple heirarchy as he put his sons on the High Priest’s throne one by one, and finally had Caiaphas appointed. Control of the Temple was his famil’s business they had the monopoly of all functions from sacrices to tourist industry. Into this power vortex Jesus intruded.