60-Herod-A

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

Herod Antipas
SHADOW BOXING

5:00 AM
Thursday, about April 14, AD 30
Jerusalem, Judea

�� The sun rises on the darkest day in civilization.

�� Why is Herod even in Jerusalem?� Hypocrisy.� That's what it is.� His, and half the priests and half the people.

�� Herod Antipas is in town for the festivities.� The Passover celebration.� Not that he believes in it much.� It is interesting, but he is not sure about it.� He is Edomite on his paternal grandfather's side, Jewish on his paternal grandmother's side, Samaritan on his mother's side, and was educated in Rome. [1] So he is not sure what he believes.� At least, not religiously.�

�� Even so, every self-respecting citizen of his provinces in northwestern Palestine and southeastern Palestine is here.� Therefore, it is to his benefit to show up.�

�� But for now, he is still in bed asleep.� He will awaken earlier than he expected to.� For at this moment, the Sanhedrin has just convened....

�� "Is everyone assembled?"

�� "We have our quorum, Your Rightness."

�� "All right then.� Send in the accused."

�� The door to the council chambers opens.� Two senior Temple guards march in first.� Behind them are two younger Temple guards.� And between them....

�� Jesus shuffles slowly in, his feet still in shackles and his arms still chained behind him.

�� He still has the cuts around his head, except there are more now.� He still has the swelling, except it is in both eyes and his lip now.� But there is no evidence that he was ever beaten in his middle, at least, not that can be seen.� That is good.�

�� Jesus is escorted to the front of the grand assembly room.� He turns and faces his accusers.� He is in a stupor.� Frankly, some are a little surprised he is still standing.� He's got mettle. [2]

�� Regardless, the mighty council has much to get done while it is yet day.� This is the day to slaughter the Passover Lamb, and at dusk it will be devoured.�

�� The high priest comes immediately to the point.

�� "Are you the Deliverer of God?"

�� "First of all," Jesus begins, "whatever I answer, you will not believe it."

�� The chief priests are startled.� He still has command in his voice.� He still has control of his world.� And theirs.� They all know it.

�� "Second," Jesus continues, "If I asked if you believed I was the Deliverer, you would not answer with what you know to be the truth."� He's lisping through his fattened lip.� Otherwise his words are clear.� And the meaning.�

�� "But what you believe and admit now does not matter.� You will not stop me."� Jesus pauses and looks around the room.� He steps forward to get closer to them.� Closer to his enemy.

�� Then the bold announcement.� "Beginning today," he shouts, "I will be seated next to almighty God!!!" [3]

�� His words echo and get stuck in their ears, far from their hearts.

�� "So then," replies the high priest condescendingly muted in his tone, "what you are saying is that you are the Son of God."� His Rightness sits proud.� Jesus is taking the bait.

�� "That is your statement, and you are telling the truth!" Jesus replies.� "I AM!" [4]

�� Ah yes.� Once again Jesus has forced the high priest to confess with his own mouth what the real issue is.

�� "There you have it, brethren."� We do not need any more witnesses.� He has admitted his grandiose idea of himself.� It is blasphemy to make yourself God.� He must be executed."

�� "All in favor of executing Jesus, so indicate and all opposed, so indicate."

�� A few try to object, but Caiaphas pretends not to notice.� He stands, thus announcing that the meeting should be concluded.�

�� "I move that we adjourn to the palace to obtain the execution order from Pilate.� It shouldn't take us long."

�� The members who have agreed and given their favorable vote, leave in the procession over to the palace.� The few disinters leave out another door. [5]

6:00 AM�

�� "We have come on official business.� We demand to see Pilate!"

�� "Do you have an appointment?" the guard at the private back gate inquires.

�� Shouting.� Demanding.� Threats of riot.� Pilate has no choice.

�� "All right!� Send them in!"� He is still in his bedroom and angry at being awakened so early.

�� "Sir, they will not come in.� They demand you go out to them."

�� "Demand?� They demand?"

�� "Their sacred feast begins at dusk and they do not want to be ceremonially defiled."

�� "They defile my property just walking on it.� All right.� I'll go.� But they will pay for this.� They will pay."

�� A few moments later, Pilate comes out onto a veranda in his bed robe.

�� "All right!� What is all this?� You have charges against some criminal that can't wait until a decent hour?" [6]

�� Pilate knows that if he doesn't keep the leaders of his province happy, they can make trouble for him.� He knows they would not hesitate to report him to Caesar merely because they like thinking they are in charge.� So, even though he is the official representative of Rome, he knows there are times when it is prudent to do what they say.

�� By now the holy crowd has pushed Jesus forward until he is in plain sight of the procurator.� There are three charges.

�� "We just found out this man is planning to overthrow the entire nation, possibly this weekend.� You saw the riot he caused when he arrived in the city a few days ago."� Pilate had, but had not paid much attention to it.� So far he is unimpressed.�

�� "Second," the high priest continues, "he is telling citizens all over the country to quit paying taxes to your government." Well, Pilate hasn't seen any evidence of it.�

�� "Third, he claims he is going to deliver us out of your control and be the new king of the Jews." [7]

�� The last charge piques Pilate's interest, so he has Jesus brought up to him for a private conference.� Jesus admits he is the people's deliverer.� That is all he admits to.� He seems innocent enough.� Pilate has seen a lot of rebels in his day, and this man is no rebel. [8]�

�� Jesus is harmless, and Pilate wants his breakfast.� He tells the Sanhedrin there is no basis for a charge and turns to go back inside.�

�� They do not easily give up.� "He's stirring up everyone in the south.� His movement started in the north and has worked its way down through the country." [9]

�� "Oh, he's from up in Galilee?� Why didn't you say so?� Take him over to Governor Herod." [10]

�� At that, Pilate disappears back into his palace.

�� "All right!� You heard him!" Caiaphas announces.� "Over to the royal guest house!� Be fast about it!� We're running out of time!"

�� Pilate goes to his bedroom, then decides to write a� message to Herod.� He should get it in plenty of time.� In no way can Jesus walk faster than a slow shuffle.�

�� This whole mess may be just the thing to help him get on good terms with the Herod family that pulled this country together and ruled it after the last war.

�� "From Procurator Pilate to King Herod."

�� That is a good beginning.� Everyone knows Herod Antipas is actually only a tetrarch; Caesar took royal titles away from Jewish rulers after his father King Herod the Great died and his older brother King Herod was exiled..

�� "Your highness...."� Pilate is careful to give him a royal title.� Herod was supposed to be king of all of Palestine, not just a provincial governor.� Pilate has been put in an awkward position that was never of his doing.�

�� "Your highness, the Sanhedrin is at it again.� They woke me to demand I sign an order to have a man executed immediately.� They claim he led a riot earlier in the week and he plans to do it again today because he plans to take over as king of the Jews.� Of course the whole idea is insane."��

�� Pilate is wise to let Tetrarch Herod know that this man is harmless compared with Herod's power.

�� "The prisoner's name is Jesus of Nazareth in Galilee.� They should be arriving with him shortly.� In closing, may I invite you to come for dinner some time."

6:30 AM

�� A knock on Herod's bedroom door.� He is already awake and up.

�� "Enter!"

�� "Your highness" ~ he has everyone trained ~ "this urgent message has just arrived from Procurator Pilate."

�� Herod waits in place while the guard walks to him and personally hands him the message.� Herod already feels defensive.� How dare Pilate contact him from the very palace that was supposed to be his!� The very palace that his father grew up in and ruled Palestine from, and the very palace he grew up in.� The royal palace was supposed to be his, not some foreigner's.

�� "This had better be good, Pilate!" he mutters already angry.� He walks toward the window and reads.� He pauses and looks out the window.�

�� "Jesus of Nazareth!� They've actually got him coming over here?"� Herod is pleased.� "That's great!� I've been wanting to see him for the last two years!� We're going to have some entertainment for breakfast!" [11]

�� Herod rushes out of his room to an adjoining one.

�� "Honey, wake up!� Wake up!� We've got company coming!"

�� "Go back to sleep!"

�� "It's Jesus from Nazareth.� He's on his way over here.� Right now!"

�� "Oh, you don't believe that guy, do you?" she says, putting the pillow over her head.� "He's just like that John the Baptizer.� All that religious mumbo jumbo....� Besides, he tried to break up our marriage."

�� "Do what you want, dear.� I'm going to see him.� I'm over John the Baptist. But mjaybe Jesus will do a trick or two for me."

�� ...."Your highness, the high priest is here wishing to speak to you."

�� "Well, send him in!"

�� "There are a lot of men with him.� At least fifty, I'd say."

�� "Was there anyone who looked like he was their prisoner?"

�� "Yes, sir."

�� "Well, send them into my throne room.� There's plenty of room for everyone there."

�� Tetrarch Herod is not quite as unholy as Procurator Pilate who is a Roman who probably doesn't even believe in God.� Tetrarch Herod at least has some semblance of religion in him, being part Jewish..� He at least shows up for the national days of worship.� They consent to come to him.

�� Herod, now dressed in his finery, sits in a large regal chair which he calls his throne.� Then the door is opened.� First walks in the more senior members of the Sanhedrin.� They begin to explain Jesus' heresies.� He interrupts.

�� "Yes, yes.� Send him in.� You do have him in your custody, don't you?"

�� "Send in the prisoner!"

�� The shuffling once again.� The theologians step aside as Jesus is led up to Tetrarch Herod.�

�� The half-mile walk to Pilate's palace and the walk to see Tetrarch Herod, while physically strenuous, have provided Jesus with a few moments of silent reflection.� It has been good for him.� He has even been rejuvenated somewhat.� He is recharged for the new day dawning.� The new day for mankind.

�� In an unusual move, Herod stands and walks forward to get a closer look at Jesus.� He touches his hand to a bloody place on Jesus' face where a wound has broken open.� He looks at the blood on his finger, and proceeds to wipe it off on Jesus' arm.

�� He puts his hand on Jesus' upper eye lid and forces it open.� He can feel Jesus wince, and senses that he is gritting his teeth.� But he makes no sound.� Then Herod steps back and returns to his throne.�

�� "Looks like they really worked you over, son," he chuckles.� "What did you say to make them so mad?� Or was it something you did?"

�� Silence.

�� "You come from quite a family.� I got a chance to meet John the Baptizer.� Wasn't he your cousin or something? [12]

�� "Or maybe you're John reincarnated.� That's what my Buddhist friends believe in.� It has come to my mind, you know.� That wouldn't be anything to be ashamed of.� John was quite a guy.� Nobody's fool, that's for sure.� Except his own.�

�� "I never intended to hurt you, John~- if that's John inside of you.� Not that I didn't want to. �You were a threat to me.� People liked you too much. [13]

�� But you weren't half bad once I got to know you.� Remember all those times I sneaked down to the dungeon for our talks?� You were a good man.� Actually too good for your own good, if you get my drift. [14]�

�� Herod stands back up and walks closer again to Jesus.� The Sanhedrin begins to see better why Herod was never allowed to be their king.� They are grateful.

�� "I kept you alive a lot longer than my wife wanted, John.� She wanted you executed as soon as you were captured.� I wouldn't let her.� It was because of me you stayed alive so long down there.� I liked what you had to say.� Dual citizenship is all you were pushing for ~stay in my province, but have some kind of spirit citizenship too.� Well, that was okay by me. [15]��

�� "You'd still be alive today, you know, if it hadn't been for that tricky wife of mine.� It was her idea, you know, to have you beheaded.� I was forced to.� I had no choice.� I hope it didn't hurt much.� Did it?" [16]

�� The governor puts his hands on both sides of Jesus' head and rocks it back and forth.� "Seems to be back in place pretty good."� He walks back to his throne.� "Are you sure you're not John?"� Then seats himself.

�� Jesus listens as his cousin's executioner recalls first hand the last weeks and hours of his life.� How he misses John.� But he knows he will be reunited with John soon now.� John was his inspiration.� This reminder, however devious its intent, has served as a boost to Jesus.� If John can do it, so can he.

�� "That mother of yours," Herod goes on, reverting back to the fact that it is really Jesus standing before him.� Never knew her name, but wasn't she some kind of prostitute?"

�� Not my mother, Jesus thinks.� Not her.� Leave her out of this.� My precious mother.� Leave her alone.� You don't deserve to even say her name.� Leave my mother alone.

�� Jesus begins to wonder what his mother is going through.� She and the other women accompanied them to Jerusalem.� By now she's been told of her son's arrest.� Oh, Mother, he thinks.� Be at peace.� I am.� Be at peace....

�� In a few moments Herod's words come back into focus.� "You're illegitimate, you know, Jesus.� Everyone knows it.� She must be some looker to convince some guy to marry her before you were even born.� What a loser he must have been.� What did you say his name was?" [17]

�� Herod sits on his throne soaking in these moments of glory.� In vain he watches Jesus for the reaction he has been pushing for.

�� "Well, fight, Jesus!� Aren't you going to protect your mother?� You're some sorry excuse for a son, I tell you.� A real coward.� Well, what would you expect of a bastard?" [18]

�� The king is just warming up.� The priests are growing irritated.� He has gotten completely off the subject.

�� "King Herod," ~ the Jews have always been careful to call him king ~ "this man has been found guilty by the Sanhedrin of blasphemy by saying he is God, and of treason by saying he is going to take over your rightful position as head of the country."

�� Herod looks over at the high priest only briefly.� Herod is toying with his emotions too.� It'll do him good.� Keep him humble.� Isn't that what priests are supposed to be?� Humble?

�� "Oh, uh, Jesus, I got your message. [19] First you heard of it, isn't it?� You think I didn't know?� So you think I'm a fox!� Well, that's a fair assessment.� I can get real sly sometimes.� I can sneak around you, and before you know it I've pounced on you and devoured you.� You think I can't?� Of course you don't.� You called me a fox.� Not bad....� You're a good assessor of character.� Actually I'm kind of proud you called me that.� A fox....� Not bad...."

�� "By the way, sorry about chasing after you all over Galilee.� I was forced to do it.� My backers would have had my crown if I hadn't.� That is, if I had a crown."

�� "Your highness!"

�� "Yes, Your Most Holy Rightness High Priest sir!" Herod mocks.� "Did you want to say something?"

�� "Sir, we must get the order for his execution so it can be carried out before the holy day starts at dusk.� You know how long some of them take to die once the process is started." [20]

�� "You know, Caiaphas, you are really annoying sometimes."

Herod then turns back to Jesus. "How about a miracle?� Hey, anybody want to see a miracle?� I've never seen one.� Don't believe they can be done.� Do any of you?"

�� The priests in the room and the guards all shake their heads no in an effort to appease Herod and get the execution order written, and laugh condescendingly in agreement.

�� "Do you hear that, Jesus?� No one believes in you.� Better perform a miracle.� Uh....how about making that candle stand float?"

�� He waits.� Nothing.� Jesus does not even look at him.

�� "Too hard for you?� Well, uh....how about making my throne spin around?� That shouldn't be too hard."

�� Once again everyone waits.� Once again Jesus stares at the floor.� Once again the priests look over at each other in disgust.

�� "Oh, come on now, Jesus.� I believed in your cousin, John.� I could be persuaded to believe in you too.� Just a little miracle.� Not much.� Just enough to persuade us you're really from God.� Uh....how about lighting the torches, unlighting them, then lighting them back without touching them?� That should be easy enough, even for a novice.� How about it?"

�� The priests glare at each other and begin to look out the window at the rising sun in an obvious enough manner that they know Herod notices.

�� "Cool it!� We've got all day!� I want to see a miracle."

�� "Sir, we cannot tolerate this...."

�� "Out!� All of you out!� No, you guards stay.� I just want the Sanhedrin and His Holiness out of here.� Wait outside.� I'll talk to you when I'm ready."

�� The priests are escorted out by a servant who has stayed by the door.� They will wait in an adjoining room.� A few moments later the priests hear a noise coming from the other room.

7:00 AM

�� "Ughhhh."

�� "I always wanted to hit a king!" Tetrarch Herod says, delighted with himself.� "My father was king for nearly 40 years. Herod the Great they called him. Maybe you heard of him." [21]�

�� "Ughhh."� Jesus takes another blow in his stomach and doubles over.�

�� It is starting again.

�� "You know, I really hated my father.� Well, I loved him too.� But mostly I hated him.� He had two of my half-brothers killed, and their mother and uncle and grandfather.� All at different times, but all for the same reason.� He thought they wanted to take over as king. [22]

�� "And you know what else he did ~ that father of mine?� He killed another one of my half-brothers just five days before he himself died.� My brother declared himself king five lousy days too soon to suit my father. [23]

�� "Was your father like that?"

�� Jesus has recovered but continues to say nothing.

�� "I heard you claim God is your father.� Man, wouldn't that be something?"� Herod begins to strut around the room, and talk in an imitation gruffness.� "Hey you!� My father is God!� Better do what I say or my father will beat up on your father!"� Then the laughter.

�� He walks back over to Jesus, grabs his head by the hair and pulls it up.� He puts his eyes close to Jesus nearly closed eyes, stares crazily into them, then shoves Jesus' head back down.

�� "Dummy!� Idiot!� Well, I don't blame you for not talking.� It doesn't do any good.� It just gets you into trouble....

�� "Hey, I got an idea!� Anyone around here have a ring with the royal seal on it?� Wait, I've got one.� Here, take my royal ring.� It never did me any good anyway."� He pushes it onto Jesus finger.� It falls off and rolls along the floor.

�� "Well, that's not going to work.� How about a royal robe.� Hey, Demetrius, run up to my bedroom and bring my coronation robe down.� I bet it would fit this young man just about perfectly."

�� As they wait, Herod circles Jesus, then suddenly thrusts his fist again into Jesus' middle.

�� "Ughhhh!"

�� Herod smiles.� "You know, if you were king, you'd be just like my father.� Then I'd have to hate you too.� I don't hate you yet.� But I would have to then ~ if you were king.� I was the one who was supposed to be king.� They took it from me.� I'm the one whose supposed to be living in the palace, not his haughtiness Procurator Pilate.� That's my home he has taken over."

�� The servant arrives with the robe and tunic.� "Here it is, sir."

�� Tettrarch Herod grabs the tunic.� He holds it in front of Jesus.� You're just a boy!� You'd trip all over it.� You haven't lived long enough yet to get tall and fat like me.� Too bad you'll have to miss it.� Growing old.

�� "Yeah, you and I both know those self-righteous priests are going to win.� They always win.� They'll talk me into it because you're a citizen of my province, and they'll talk Procurator Pilate into it because they want the execution to take place in his province.� So, if you die....well, when you die, don't blame me.� I like you."

�� He throws the tunic on the floor.� "A lot of good it did me.� How about the robe?� The red plush robe?� I wore it to be inaugurated as procurator, but not as king.� It was a waste.� But, well, since you're going to be king, you may as well have it."

�� Herod tosses the robe over to his servant, then turns to a couple of the guards.� "Help him on with his coronation robe, gentlemen.� I have an idea he's going to be crowned in a couple hours."

�� The commander of the guard throws it onto Jesus' shoulders.� It is much too large for him, so one side slides slightly off one shoulder.

�� They stand back proud.

�� "Well, he could use a tailor, but he doesn't have time.� His coronation is almost upon him.� Mustn't miss it!�

�� "Hmmmm, your beard.� Doesn't look like you've shaved for awhile.� That will never do!� No-no-no-no-no!� No, indeed.� But where's a barber?� We can't get a barber on such short notice.� Guess we'll have to do it ourselves.� Uh, Demetrius, run upstairs and get my tweezers."

�� Procurator Herod remembers the priests in the other room.� He opens his door and calls down the corridor.� "Oh, uh priests!� Hope you're not in a hurry!� We're getting him ready for his coronation!� He should be out shortly!"

�� Silence in the room.� Herod looks over at one of the guards.� "Go ahead.� Help yourself.� Do what you can to straighten up his attitude while we wait for the tweezers."

�� He turns, walks over to the window, and looks out smiling.� Behind him he can hear the sharp groans.�

�� "Ughhhh!"

�� "Ahhhhwww!"

�� "Ahhhhyyyy!"

�� The door opens and closes again.

�� "Oh, Demetrius.� You found the tweezers, I presume!� Good!"

�� "Okay, who wants the first honors?"

�� The commander walks forward.� "This was my specialty at one time, sir.� I'm sure I haven't lost my touch."

�� The governor backs up and sits on the edge of his throne.

�� The commander pulls Jesus' head back far enough he has easy access to his chin while standing behind him.

�� "Aaaaahhhhh!" [24]

�� "Very good!� We must try another one!"

�� "Aaaaahhhhh!"

�� "You do good work, commander.� Is that six or seven hairs we've got out so far?"

�� "Aaaaahhhhh!"

�� "Well, stand back!� Let me see your work!� Not bad.� But I think someone needs to even out the other side of his beard.� Any volunteers?� Commander, can you recommend a good man?"

�� Another guard comes forward and pulls out a large machete.� "A good shave is what I'm an expert in."

�� "Very good.� Let's see how expert you are."

�� Once more Jesus' head is pulled back until his chin is easily reached from behind.

�� The soldier scrapes part of his neck.

�� "Oh, sorry!� I think I cut it.� We'll have to try over here.� Man, I'm losing my touch!� Another cut!"

�� Gradually the nerves that have been subtly sliced begin to acknowledge the fiery pain.� "Aaaahhhh!"

�� "Hold on now, while I get the middle part."

�� "Aaaaahhhh!"�

�� "You moved!� Look what you made me do!� I got your nose!� Well, it was in the way anyway."

�� "You know," Herod interjects.� "I'm sure I could be persuaded to stop these fine barbers if you'd just consent to perform one miracle.� I'd accept even a small miracle.� How about it, Jesus?� Any spare miracles today?"

�� "Aaaaahhhhh!"

�� The blood trickles down Jesus' neck, down the side of his face into his ears, and down his forehead into his already matted hair.� The pulling has also broken open old wounds from the night before.� Blood mingles with blood.

�� "A necklace!� He needs a necklace now!" Herod interrupts.

�� He disdainfully pulls a tieback from a tapestry on the wall.� He holds it up and happily forms it into a noose.� He throws it at one of the guards.� The guard catches it.

�� "See what you can do with this!"

�� The soldier forces it over Jesus' head and down onto his neck.� He jerks it tighter and tighter and tighter.

�� "Uckckckckck."

�� "It's a breath-taking moment for him!" Procurator Herod announces.�

�� "Uckckckckck."

�� "Wonder how long he can last.� Anyone with an hour glass?"

�� "Uckckckckck."

�� There is a knock on the door.

�� "Your highness Herod.� We cannot wait any longer.� We have got to carry out the execution before anyone...."

�� "Oh, all right, Your Worshipfulness," He says mockingly.� "Come on in!"�

�� He walks over to a table with a small scroll.

�� The door opens.

�� The guard abruptly lets go of the noose, and Jesus drops to the floor, his knees buckled under him.� Another guard kicks him.�

�� "Turn over where you belong.� Crawl on your belly."

�� The commander kneels on the floor before Jesus, grabs both his arms, and rechains them once more behind his back.

�� Once more Jesus is forced to his feet.�

�� "So you want a death warrant.� Too bad.� You're not getting one.� Though I think often of signing yours.� Yours, and Procurator Pilate's ~ and mine.� If you talk Pilate into it ~ and you probably will he's such a pushover ~ all of us will regret this day."

�� The high priest smiles, realizing that he has won.

�� "Get out of here!" Herod shouts!� "Get out of here, all of you!"

�� In a moment the room is quiet.� Procurator Herod walks over to his throne and sinks down in it exhausted.� He hits his fist on the arm.

�� "Satan damn you, Caiaphas!� Satan damn you, Annus!� Satan damn us all!� Damn us all....�

�� "The man's harmless.� Innocent.� Just like John was!� God, we deserve for you to damn us all!"

�� He scribbles another message and gives it to a messenger always on standby at his door.

�� Later in the morning they will meet.� And talk.� At Pilate's palace ~ the Herod family palace.

�� "They won," Herod will say.

�� "Yes.� They usually do," Pilate will respond.

�� "You know, I think the country is better off without me being their king after all.� My wife talked me into beheading an innocent man just a couple years ago.� Now these religious fanatics have done it to me again."

�� "Why do we do it, Pilate?� Why do we do it?"

�� "I don't know.� Maybe for the fun of it...."

�� That's what they will tell each other later in the morning.

�� But for now the procession of soldiers and religious leaders back toward Pilate's palace.� The procession resolute on killing God.� The God who loves them anyway.� Enough to let them do it.�

�� And Tetrarch Herod will continue as he has through his life, winning for awhile but always ultimately losing.� Given the kingship by his father, only to have it taken away from him because of an irresponsible brother. [25]� Given the tetrarchy of two provinces, only to have it taken from him because of an irresponsible brother-in-law. [26]�

�� An old man in exile, he often will wonder what went wrong.� Everyone ends up losers eventually.� Even Jesus.��

LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� In this account, everyone was submitting to people they did not want to submit to:� The Sanhedrin to the Roman procurator; half-breed former royalty, Herod to the Sanhedrin; Jesus to them all.� But ultimately Jesus won.� The Psalms of the Bible often say that God will fight for people when they are weak so that ultimately they will win.� Think of a time you had to give in to someone who was in the wrong but was later taken out of that position of power.� Do you believe that was of your doing or God's?

2.�� Reincarnation was taught by both the Hindus and Buddhists not far away in India.� The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 that it is appointed unto man once to die, then the judgment.� Although some people see reincarnation as a wonderful form of immortality, it just forces a person to go through the difficulties of life over and over.� Furthermore, the cycle cannot be broken until the person is perfect.� This is a philosophy of futility.� No one can be perfect in every attitude, every deed, and every word.� So Jesus came to be perfect for us (II Corinthians 5:21) and free us after only one life here on earth.� What advantages does Jesus offer over other world religions?

3. It was prophesied 700 years before Jesus' birth that he would be tortured by beating and his beard pulled out (Isaiah 50:6).� No wonder Jesus dreaded his death process.� Yet Isaiah 53:10-11 says that his suffering was in our place for our sins so that the price would be paid and we could be saved into heaven without punishment.� Satan had to have someone to punish.� So Jesus offered himself in our place.� How does that make you feel about Jesus?

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