54-Grecians-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Foreign Grecians
SEEKERS

Sunday, About April 10, AD 30
Jerusalem, Judea

�� Hey, what are those Greeks from Galilee doing?� How dare they show up at the pre-coronation exercises.� Sure they claim they aren't pagans any more, that they've converted to Judaism.� But you can't trust them.� They're probably government spies.� They're out to destroy our religion and our kingdom.� Everyone knows that.

�� They're not being rejected.� Nothing like that.� But this is private business among the Jews.� Go back to your own kind.

�� Jesus slides off his now-exhausted colt, the robes of friends sliding off with him.� Not very dignified for a priest-king.

�� He stoops to pick them up off the ground and give them back to their owners.

�� Let's see....� This one belongs to Philip.� This one is pretty tattered; it must be James Junior's.� This elaborate one is Matthew's.� This fishy-smelling one is one of the brothers, probably Andrew.....

�� Come on, Jesus.� Let's get the show on the road.� Quit dilly-dallying.� You've got a kingdom to conquer and a religion to put on the straight and narrow.��

�� Jesus now turns and faces the great gate into the world-renown Temple.� Slowly he walks up the monumental steps.� He will climb much higher than this in a few days.� Heaven will be his destination. [1]

�� His twelve apostles rush up the steps ahead of him and form an honor guard, holding up their palm branches to form a canopy.� The people approve.� Oh how they approve.� Jesus does too.� A canopy of palm branches is always made over the altar at the Day of Atonement and for the following Feast of Booths.� He walks upon the grand altar beneath the palms, but knowing it will be moved outside the city and changed to a cross.�

�� Just as he enters through the gates a roar rushes out toward him.� It is the roar of the desperate, the hopeful, the heartened who have swarmed the city for Passover and for Jesus.� This year they are the same. [2]

�� By the thousands they burst out in song.� A deliriously victorious song.�

�� Son of David, save us!� Son of David, save us! [3]

�� They do not wait for the official Levite choir.� They cannot contain their joy.� They no longer can be spectators.� They must sing!� They MUST sing, else they burst.

�� The melody echoes back and forth between the walls of the enormous courtyard, then off the stone floor and up to the heavens. Each note of their song magnifies as it leaps from star to star. The angels catch the celestial strains and fling them into a an orchestrated sunburst of glory.

�� Jesus makes his way toward the middle of the courtyard.� It is not reached in a moment, for it holds hundreds of thousands of people.�

�� And the crowd sings on.

�� Once Jesus reaches his destination, he stops.� The crowd grows silent.� How will he do it?� Will he have Governor Pilate brought out and ordered crucified?� Will he have the high priest brought out and stoned?� Or will he just will them out of existence?�

�� Much of the Sanhedrin watches from some upper rooms.� Some are not present because they are in hiding.� A few are not present because they have gone over to Jesus' side.

�� He looks around.� He sees the Grecians among the crowd.� What a time to notice foreigners.� They are so worldly.� Not holy like those born into our religion.

�� Everyone waits expectantly for the first move.� Nothing.

�� He turns and looks in another direction.� Still nothing.�

�� He walks up the grand staircase leading to the inner courtyard.� Surely now.� Surely now.� He looks around.

�� Nothing.

�� "What's he waiting for?" someone whispers.

�� "Shhhh."

�� He turns and goes back down to the outer courtyard.

�� Nothing.

�� Then he walks back toward the front gate.

�� People look puzzled.�

�� "What's he up to?"

�� "Shhhh."

�� Once more he walks back through the gates.�

�� At the top of the steps he looks down on the crowd below.� They, too, are silent.� Will he do it out here where everyone can see?

�� What kind of miracle will it be?� Fire from heaven?� A lightening bolt?� The earth opening up?

�� Nothing.

�� Jesus slowly walks down the steps....

�� He predicted the Temple would be destroyed and he would rebuild it in three days.� Maybe he's getting out of the way.� But what about all the people inside? [4]

�� .... walks to the little colt, pets it a moment, and waits for his apostles to join him.

�� "What's going on?"

�� Moments later Jesus walks away. [5]

�� Everyone is dumbfounded.� They just stand and stare at each other.�

�� "Has he retreated?"

�� "Did he change his mind?"

�� "Maybe he doesn't have enough daylight left."

�� "You're right!� He'll have to come back in the morning and take over."

Monday, about April 11, AD 30

�� Morning comes.� Jesus returns.� No pomp.� No ceremony.� Just he and his Twelve.� But nothing Jesus does any more goes unnoticed. Believers living in Jerusalem know he always goes to Lazarus' home in Bethany for the night whenever he is in the area. [6]

�� They are ready for him.� Many have gotten up early in anticipate of him, whether they live in Jerusalem or are there for the Passover.� Friends are posted at the city gate or on the city wall as lookouts.� As soon as he is spotted ~ and that is easy because there is always a crowd following him ~ they run to tell their relatives and friends.

�� "Hosanna!� Save us, honored Jesus who comes in God's name!" [7]

�� They try to get the momentum of the previous day going again.�

�� "Hosanna!� Save us, honored Jesus who comes in God's name!"

�� By the hundreds and then the thousands people join them.

�� "Hosanna!� Save us, honored is Jesus who comes in God's name!"

�� Will you now?� Will you take over as priest-king now?�

�� Things look good.� Jesus is walking into the city, but at a fast pace.� He looks angry.� He looks authoritative.� He looks like a conqueror!

�� They follow him into the Temple.

�� Okay now, Jesus!� Do it!� Take over!

�� So he does.� His first attack is on the money exchangers and animal sellers set up for business right there in the Temple courtyard.

�� Fearlessly Jesus marches over and starts pushing over their tables.� Brazenly he lets the animals loose.� Single handedly he takes over.

�� "How dare you!"

�� Money clanging and running across the stone floor.

�� Go for it, Jesus!� Show them whose boos!

�� "My Temple is to be a house of prayer, not buying and selling!"

�� Birds flying everywhere.

�� Good for you, Jesus!

�� "You have turned my Temple into a hangout of thieves!" [8]

�� The crowd roars in delight.

�� "Hosanna!� Save us, honored Jesus who comes in God's name!"

�� "Hosanna!� Save us, honored Jesus who comes in God's name!" [9]

�� Now for the Sanhedrin, Jesus.

�� Jesus does not make his move.� He is waiting for the Sanhedrin to make its move.� He knows they will.� It must be public.�

�� "In the chambers!" one of the chief priests says to another member of the Sanhedrin.

�� "In the chambers.� Pass it on."

�� Within minutes another meeting of the religious hierarchy is called.�

�� "He must be stopped!"

�� "But how?� He's got the whole world running after him!"

�� "He gets by with anything he wants to do!"

�� "Our days are numbered!"

�� "Are our spies still in place?"

�� "Yes.� They follow his every move."

�� "What else is he up to?"

�� "Strangely, nothing.� You would have thought he had made his move yesterday.� But he didn't." [10]

�� "What about now?"

�� "Guard!� Go out and see what Jesus is doing now."

�� The group waits and prays and waits and paces and waits and sweats.

�� "Sirs," the guard reports back.� "He is gone."

�� "Gone?"

�� "Where to?"

�� "Apparently back to Bethany." [11]

�� "Good!� It just shows he can't carry it off.� It just shows there is only so far he can go."

�� "He knows he cannot win."

�� "Maybe he will wise up and back off now."

�� "But in the mean time, we must devise a plan to trap him in front of the people so they will be the ones to demand his death."

�� "Kill him even though he may no longer be a threat?"

�� "He will always be a threat.� He could be in temporary retreat only.� He must not ease up the battle."

Tuesday, about April 12, AD 30

�� Millions of people in Jerusalem wandering around in a festive mood waiting for the day to slaughter their lamb.� Sunday they were to select it.� In two days they must slaughter their lamb.� In the mean time, they would like nothing better than to have a new priest-king to officiate at the ceremonies. [12]

�� It is early morning.� As soon as the Temple gates are opened, Jesus is there with his twelve apostles.

�� In the mean time, the Sanhedrin has a plan.� They will show up Jesus' true cowardice.� He has backed off the past two days.� Maybe he can't take over the Temple or anything else.� They plan to make sure he never does.

�� They're on the watch for him.� It does not take long for a crowd to surround him begging to hear more about Jehovah who is not only their maker but also wants to be a caring father to them.� The Sanhedrin does not mind getting him off that subject.

�� "Oh, uh Jesus...."

�� He already has a group around him listening attentively.� A crowd actually.

�� The chief priests interrupt.� After all, they are in charge.� This is their Temple, not Jesus'. [13]

�� They choose not to challenge his teachings this time.� This time they will challenge the man.

�� "Jesus, we demand to see your credentials.� Just which school of prophecy did you attend?� And who ordained you?� You are not one of us." [14]

�� They have him of course.� The hierarchy stands there waiting for him to condemn himself.� They are smug.

�� "Let me clarify something with you, and then I will answer," Jesus responds without hesitation.� They hate that ~ when he doesn't even have to pause long enough to look confused stupid.�

�� "Baptism.� John the Baptizer taught that people should be baptized.� Was that a decision from man or from God?"

�� The stunned priests duck for a ricochet.� They get in a quick huddle and talk over their options.�

�� "If we say baptism originated with God, he'll ask why we refused to be baptized," one whispers. [15]

�� "But if we say baptism originated with man, the people will riot because everyone knows John the Baptizer was a prophet of God," another responds.

�� "What are we going to say?"

�� "Uh, Jesus...." one of them calls out.� "We do not really know."

�� "In that case, I refuse to answer your question." [16]

�� But the religious hierarchy does not leave.� They must keep a close eye on him.�

�� Jesus knows that.� That is good.� He has got them running scared.� Still, that is not what he wants.� It is not far enough.

�� He must push them until they show their true colors and either choose to follow him or fight harder.

�� Jesus' muscles tighten.� Once again he is a warrior defending the common people.� Once again he is the spokesman speaking for the little man.� He looks them straight in the eye.� He points at them.�

�� "Swindlers!"

�� Jesus has nerve calling these holy leaders names.

�� "Street walkers," he continues, "will get into heaven but you will be left behind!"

�� How dare he talk disrespectfully to the religious hierarchy!

�� "John the Baptizer showed everyone what to do to be saved from your sins!" he continues.� "Every one of you snubbed him saying it wasn't in your creeds.� Even when you saw swindlers and street walkers everywhere turning their lives around, you still refused to follow." [17]

�� The holy leaders object.� But still they are not openly angry enough.� They must be pushed again.

�� Jesus turns and points his finger at another group of religious leaders mingling among the crowd.� Spies.�

�� "The promise of heaven will be seized from you and given to humble people!"

�� "Arrest him!" a chief priest whispers almost aloud.

�� A scribe grabs him by the arm and escorts him away from Jesus and his followers.

�� "Are you crazy?� The whole congregation will turn on us and get us fired!� They all believe him!" [18]

�� Jesus continues to push.� He tells them in front of the entire throng gathered around him that the religious leaders are all invited to go to heaven, but they are all too busy with acting important.

�� The leaders in turn try to trap him over taxes.� If he says people shouldn't pay taxes, he can be arrested by the Romans for being a traitor.� If he says people should pay them taxes, the people will turn on him for being a turncoat.� He can't win.

�� But he does win.� Whatever has the government's name on it belongs to the government.� Whatever has God's name on belongs to God.

�� At this point, the religious hierarchy sends for the neo pagans, the surface-only Jews, ones who don't believe you actually go to heaven when you die, but you are just absorbed into the Spirit of the Universe. [19]

�� The neo-pagan Jews make fun of his belief in an afterlife.� Their fun is short lived.� He makes sense.� They do not.� They cannot trap him either. [20]

�� Eventually Jesus wears them down.� They ask him no more questions.� Now what?

�� Jesus cannot have them back off.� It is push-and-shove time again.� He must make them go public.� What is really going on inside their minds?� The congregation must know.� The people of the world must know.

�� He becomes angry.� He often becomes angry these days.� Not at the common people, but at the religious leaders.�

�� "You hypocrites!" he blasts.

�� How dare you talk to the theologians like that!

�� "You dress in your long flowing robes and wear special holy accessories, and eat it up when people call you by holy titles." [21]

�� Now wait a minute, Jesus.

�� "You hypocrites!" he continues loudly.� "You bring in converts and groom them to go to hell with you!" [22]

�� How dare you!

�� "ypocrites!"� His voice is booming.� "You brag about tithing, but are unfaithful to your congregations!" [23]

�� You've gone too far, Jesus!

�� "You hypocrites!� You act so lily white, but you're full of tainted revelry!" [24]

�� Okay, people.� You hear for yourselves how disrespectful he is to the approved theologians.

�� "You hypocrites!� You claim you would never kick people out of the Temple teaching God's word, then take pride that you imitate the religious fathers who did just that!" [25]

�� All of this inner-religious arguing has not escaped the eyes or ears of the foreigners who have become Jews by choice.� The Egyptians, Persians, Russians, Spanish, Grecians.� Maybe everyone forgot they were there.� Too bad.� They have seen everything.� Heard everything.

�� The foreigners have noticed, too, that Jesus really tells it like it is.� Maybe, just maybe....� Even though they are considered outsiders....

�� Don't get any ideas in your foreign heads.� Everyone knows your kind is always trying to take over.� Can't trust you.� You're too worldly.� You dress too good.� We cannot abide that.

�� "Do you think he would give us an audience?" one of them confides.

�� "I don't know," his friend acknowledges.� "Even if he would, how could we get through this crowd to get to him?"

�� "Isn't that one of his apostles over there?"

�� "Yes, I think I've seen him up in Galilee or maybe Syria.&"

�� "Are you sure?"

�� "My folks live in Galilee.� I go back on a lot of visits."

�� Don't trust them, Philip.� They are spies.� They are subtle and up to no good.� Walk away before they get to you, Philip.� Just walk away.

�� "Uh, sir, were wondering if we could have an audience with Jesus a few moments.� We have no wish to disturb him.� Our ancestors did not believe in this God, but we do."

�� "Do you think he'd accept us?" his friend adds.

�� Philip stands there listening.� He is not supposed to be doing that, encouraging those foreigners like that.� Who do they think they are anyway?� Walk away and pretend you didn't hear them.

�� "Would you introduce us, sir?� We know he is important and will indeed be the next king, but if he could just spare a moment...."

�� Hang on there, Philip.� Don't do it.� Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.� Jesus has better things to do.� He has God's new kingdom to set up now.� The Palestine nation, not the southern European nation.� The Jews, not the Greeks or Romans or Egyptians or anyone else.� Tell them to beat it, Philip.

�� "Once he gets into office, it will be nearly impossible to get to him in person."

�� They wait for Philip's answer.� Will he?

�� "Uh, wait here.� I'll see what I can do."

�� They dare to become hopeful.

�� Philip begins looking around through the crowd as though he is looking for someone besides Jesus.� Then he locates him and motions for him to come over.

�� "Hey, Andrew.� What should I do?� Tell them Jesus is busy?"

�� "I don't know.� Well, maybe we should let Jesus decide."

�� "You're right.� It is not up to us to judge who Jesus is interested in and who he is not."

�� Philip directs Andrew over to where he left the Grecians.

�� "Come with us," Philip says.� He and Andrew make their way through the crowds.� Finally they get close enough to Jesus to indicate by sign language that they need to confide in him.

�� Jesus interrupts what he is saying, and tells the crowd to let Andrew and Philip through.� He knows they would not interrupt him unless it was important.

�� "These Grecians want to meet you, Jesus." [26]

�� Grecians?� Really, Jesus.� Red?� Yellow?� Black?� White?� Where will it all stop?

�� People with inquiring minds.� Souls searching for answers when they are not quite sure what the question is.� All his personal creation.� All the reason he came here in the first place.

�� Jesus tells the two to bring the men up to him.�

�� He clasps hands with them and smiles.� It is a smile of reassurance.� They know he understands their hearts and likes what he sees.� He forgives the rest.� Like he does everyone.

�� They are his kind all right.� They think for themselves.� They even go where they are not always wanted when it is important enough.� They know something good when they see it.� Jesus is good.� Maybe more.

�� "We were here yesterday when you said this Temple of yours was to be a house of prayer for every nation."

�� "We want to thank you.� It meant much to us.� Keep talking about it, Jesus.� You know, inviting people of every nation to your Temple."

�� Jesus smiles in ascent.

�� "And, Jesus.� We have heard you will be king of the world some day.� We hope to live to see that."

�� "But how are you going to do it?� You know, free everyone from pompous kings?� Our Alexander the Great tried it, but never succeeded.� Now the Romans are trying it.� How can it be done, Jesus?� Being king of the world and freeing everyone?"

�� Jesus turns solemn.� He has been explaining it to everyone, but they still do not understand.� Within two days they will suspect how ~ the day the world crucifies him.� Within three days after that they will know how ~ the day he comes back to life.

�� But Jesus must get through the dying part first.� And the torture part.� Doubts suddenly rush unwanted to his head.� Can he do it?� Will it really work?� The dying part?� Will he really come back to life?

�� It is going to be hard.� So very, very hard.� Not only the dying part.� But the facing Satan part.� For he, and he alone, must tear down the foundations of hell.�

�� Jesus, how can you be so solemn when just twenty-four hours ago the masses declared you their new priest-king?� You've got it made.� Don't go losing it.�

�� Jesus looks at these outsiders and knows that he, too, will soon be an outsider.

�� He grows more noticeably troubled.�

�� What about the triumphal entry?�

�� They do not understand.� The real triumph is yet to be seen.� He tries to explain it in layman's terms.� Then he turns to the multitude waiting for him to continue his coronation address.

�� As he does, his new friends, the former pagans smile and indicate their gratitude for their moments with greatness.

�� "Thank you, Jesus, for letting us meet you.� We like what we hear.� We'd like to hear more.� We think you were sent by God.� We think so.� We're not sure yet, but we think so."

�� The Grecians walk back into the crowd satisfied, but puzzled.� He told them that they inspired him.� How could they?

�� "All the preparations have been made!" Jesus announces loudly.�

�� Ah, yes, King Jesus!� It's now, isn't it? �The takeover.

�� "I've explained everything to you in every way I know how.� The time has come for me to be magnified."

�� Yes, Jesus!� You're back on track!� Great!� You can take over any time you want!� No need to be glum.

�� Jesus' voice grows quieter.� Only those at the front of the multitude understand him now.�

�� "All of you know that unless a seed is buried in the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.� But if it dies, it produces many other seeds just like it."

�� What are you talking about, Jesus?� What does becoming the King of Kings and eternal high priest have to do with seeds dying and sprouting?

�� "If you love your life here on earth, you will lose it.� If you hate your life in this world, you will keep it eternally."

�� Double talk.� Stop that, Jesus!� None of this double talk.� Get back on the subject.� It's your elevation to the kingship we're talking about here.� We've all agreed to back you.� Didn't you see any of us out on the road?

�� "Whoever serves me, regardless of nationality, must go where I go.� Then my Father will honor you."

�� Now we're back on the subject.� Of course we'll go with you.� All the way to the top!� And we'll serve you loyally.� Right there in the palace.�

�� What an honor!� What an exciting time in which to live! [27]

�� Jesus stops abruptly.� He looks around.� He absorbs his own words.� Unless you die....

�� unless you die....

�� The reality is closer than ever.� He has never died before.� How can he trade places with the very people he has just been condemning?� How can he die in their place?� And go to hell in their place?� Can he take it?� Can he handle it?� Can he eventually escape to pave the way for them?

�� Jesus gets out a handkerchief and wipes his brow.� He turns his back on the crowd to regain control of himself.� He looks up at the sky above the open courtyard and takes a deep breath.� Then another.� He has got to be the example.� He has got to show them how to do it.� To die.�

�� Jesus, you're talking confused again.� Is there some kind of hitch in your plans, Jesus?� Maybe these foreigners shouldn't be hearing all this.�

�� Philip and Andrew know there is something wrong.� They look at each other.� They look at him as though to say, "Maybe we had better take you aside somewhere and talk."

�� Jesus looks again over the massive crowd.� "My heart is so full of dilemma!"

�� Oh, Jesus, you had too much for one day yesterday and the day before.� You shouldn't have come back today.� You're just tired.�

�� "What should I pray for?"

�� You're asking us, Jesus?� You are the one who taught all of us how to pray.� You are the one who prays all night sometimes.� You are the one who says God answers prayer.

�� "What should I ask God to do?� Save me from what is about to happen to me?"

�� Come on.� Save you from what?� Your kingship?� Make some sense, Jesus.

�� He turns his back on the crowd once more, takes another deep breath, and turns back around while he still has some self-control.� He must no lose it.

�� "No!" he cries out.� His words echo from wall to wall.� Building to building.� Heart to heart.� Earth to heaven.

�� "No!� I must do it!� This is the very reason I was born here on earth!.� This is why I have gone through all I have so far.� It is now or never!" he calls out.

�� The anguish on Jesus' face does not acknowledge the triumph of yesterday or the day before.� The multitude stands there astonished at their fearless leader.� What is going on?� Is he about to break?� Right there in public?

�� Then with a stubbornness that shakes the foundations of the grand Temple and of hell, Jesus raises his eyes and calls out.

�� "Father!"

�� He searches the heavens as the storm clouds shift overhead.

�� "Yes, Son.� I'm listening.� I can hear you.� Go ahead, Son.� What do you need?� Just say the word."

�� "Father!� Put your magnificent glory on display through me!� Make everyone see your glory!" [28]

�� Show Andrew and Philip and the Grecians, the Germanics, the Spaniards, the Africans, the Asians.� The promise.� It is for all of them.� The glory.� It's for all of them.

�� Thunderous voice.� Rumbling voice.� Voice that breaks open heaven and cracks like lightening through the universe and into the astounded ears of the Temple multitude.

�� "I HAVE GLORIFIED IT!"

�� What was that?� Where did that voice come from?

�� "AND I WILL GLORIFY IT AGAIN!"

�� People raise their eyes to the sky.� Strain to hear what he hears.� Strain to see what he sees.� Strain to absorb God.� Where?� Where did that voice come from?� Still searching.� What was that?

�� Thunder?� No.� An angel?� A figment?� Andrew and Philip know.� So do the Grecians.� It was the voice of God. [29]

�� Still Jesus stands there.� Absorbed.� Absorbing.� Absorbing the love and strength of his father.� He has made it thirty-three years so far.� Just days to go.� Then the glory. �The confusing glory.

�� Jesus calms and looks around him.� At Andrew and Philip.� At the other ten.� At the crowd.

�� "This voice was to help you understand the seriousness of what is happening."

�� Well, Jesus, we know you are about to take over as priest-king, although we are uncertain of your tactics.

�� "This is judgment day for the one who controls the world from hell."

�� What are you talking about, Jesus?� You mean you can control hell too?� Is that what you're trying to tell us?

�� Amen, Jesus!� Hallelujah!� Drive out those foreign rulers!� Then drive out Satan so we can return to Paradise.�

�� Lift up the banner of God!� Lift up Righteousness on every wall.� Lift up Justice in every court in the nation!

�� "But I," he goes on, "when I am nailed down to the cross...."

�� You, Jesus?� That's not what we meant.� You're talking crazy again.

�� "When I am nailed down to the cross, I will draw all men of every nation in the world to myself." [30]

�� "That's exactly why we led these Grecians to you, Jesus," Philip says under his breath proudly and yet confused.

�� But we do not agree with the other thing you said, Jesus.� Not all that dying.� You have it all mixed up.

�� The Grecians do not understand.� Andrew and Philip and the other ten kind of do.� But not very well. �It is not until Jesus is sent to the cross and the grave, then returns to life that they do understand.

�� The Sanhedrin begins to feel more firm in their positions.

�� Satan begins to quaking in his.� He is about to lose control.� He has been the accuser all these centuries.� He has gloated by accusing people of their sins and never letting them forget them.� He has gloated by putting God and mankind at enmity with each other. [31]

�� Satan has gloated by saying to God, "So, you think they love you, but they don't really."� He has gloated by saying to mankind, "God does not love you.� He wants you to go to hell." [32]

�� But he is about to lose control of it all.� He is about to lose his ability to accuse.� God is about to forgive.�

�� Somehow.� How can he?� Can God undo everything Satan does?�

�� Satan causes illness, but God can heal.� Satan kills, but God can bring back to life.� If Satan influences people to sin, can God forgive?

�� Grasp it!� Hold on to it, world!� This kingdom of God is not of this world at all.� It transcends worlds!�

�� It begins here and continues on in heaven.� It begins now in time and continues on in eternity.� It begins in death and continues on in life.

�� Jesus has just a little left to tell mankind.� It draws late.� He has not been able to force their hand - that of the Sanhedrin.� A few more have come over to his side. [33]

�� But it draws late.� He will leave for the night.� Then he will return tomorrow for the final showdown.� This time he does not return to Bethany.� This time he goes into hiding.� The time is soon, but not quite yet. [34]

Wednesday, about April 13, AD 30

�� Jesus returns the next morning feeling better.� It is two days before Passover.� People will slaughter their Passover lamb tomorrow.� So will mankind.� On the altar of the world. [35]

�� He's ready now to make his last push toward the honest hearts.� The very last time he will speak publicly.� If they only knew it.

�� He will blast it through the corridors of the great Temple.� He will try to force it home to the hearts of mankind.

�� While the Sanhedrin meets in another part of the city at the palace of the high priest, some of the Pharisee leaders remain at the Temple to keep an eye on the enemy. [36]

�� Immediately the people crowd around him.� He stands on the top of some steps. �He spots the hypocritical Pharisees.� It is his turn to interrogate them.

�� "You Pharisees!� Yes, you!� Whose son is the sacred Deliverer?" he calls out.

�� "That's easy!" one of them calls back.� "He is David's son.� Everyone knows that."

�� "If he is just David's son, why did he call him God?" [37]

�� Jesus has done it again.� Everyone has called him the Deliverer, the son of David.� Now he gets into the nitty gritty.� Into the ethereal.� Into the sublime.

�� David's descendant is God?� How can that be?� Jesus! �How?

�� The entire assembly ~ theologically trained and laity ~ is stumped. [38]

�� Is he calling himself God?

�� The people stir.� The leaders are glad.� Jesus has gone too far this time.� Their priest and king ~ yes.� But God on earth.� Never!

�� He lets it soak in.� Rejection is eminent.� He knows this.

�� "I did not come to reject you!" he shouts.� "I do not reject anyone!� But if anyone hears my words and rejects them, then he is the one who chooses rejection!" [39]

�� That's it.�

�� Jesus has done his best.�

�� It is all over.�

�� All that is left now

�� is the solitary unbearable.�

�� Jesus walks out of the Temple for the very last time.

�� Has it done any good?� Will the Jews believe him?� Some will.� How about the Grecians and Romans, the Africans, the Spanish and British? [40] Perhaps especially them.

LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� Some worthy organizations think of themselves as the clique or power group of society.� Although it may build the egos of people within that organization, does it help the organization grow?� If you belonged to such a group, what will you do to put across the impression that society in general is welcome to join while still not compromising their standards?

2.�� Some worthy organizations overall strive to have good relations with society in general, but there is a clique or power group within the organization holding them back.� What kind of people does such a group want to attract to their organization?� If you are in an organization with such a power group, what will you as an individual do to encourage people who can think for themselves to become a member?

3.�� Regardless of nationality, everyone has the same basic emotions about life and love, hatred and death.� That is what drew people of all nationalities to Jesus, and still does.� What will you do to emphasize these emotions rather than worldly accomplishments in order to mend fences among nationalities around you?

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