We watched "The Search for Jesus" , a documentary made by ABC News and presented by Peter Jennings.

One of the goals of our watching this was to understand empire and colonialism with regard to empire during the time of Jesus.

The Search for Jesus

1. Introduction - a number of historical sites in Israel are marked by churches that were built 300-400 years after the time of Jesus. (E.g. a church built near a place where Mary is said to have sat and rested). Interpretation by an ancient church has been maintained until the present day. Religious tradition seems to be more important than historical verification for many people.
2. Four Gospels
   1. Contradict each other regarding the birth of Jesus: Matthew “says” Jesus already lived in Bethlehem. Luke says Jesus traveled to Bethlehem.
3. Nazareth
1. The virgin birth of Jesus is said to mirror the mythical story about the birth of Augustus (who was also known as the prince of peace and son of god).
4. King Herod Antipas
   1. 19.. took over for father… was Jew… raised in Rome
   2. Large projects were financed by taxes on people who were very poor (among peasants life expectancy was 25-30 and infant mortality 30%, among the elite life expectancy was 60-70).
   1. Because people lived in such oppression, there was a hope for someone that could deliver them from their suffering.
   3. Romans subdued all revolts by brutal force - destroying cities and capturing survivors as slaves
   1. Jesus lived through 2 major Jewish revolts against the Romans
5. Jesus the Man
   1. Had an idea…. Something has to be done, maybe I’m the one to do it
   1. There were young men who were dissatisfied and restless and wanted to change something.
   2. Kingdom of G-d was in opposition to the "Kingdom of Ceaser" - it was an explosive message.
   3. "King of the Jews" was seen by Herod as a threat to be neutralized.
   1. Jesus spent much time in Bethsaida, a place that was a "refuge" from the reach of Herod Antipas.
   4. Jesus' command to "turn the other cheek" has been taken to mean "allow people to step on you." N.T. Wright suggests that it actually is a way of reminding the offender that they are equal, not superior, to the offended.
   5. Jesus was a friend of tax collectors, prostitutes, and lepers - his family was embarrased of him.
   6. After spending time in the "backwaters" of Nazareth, Jesus took to the center of power - Jerusalem. His arrival in Jerusalem (celebrated with palm branches) is said by some to be a normal occurence for visitors arriving in Jerusalem.
   1. If Jerusalem could change, other parts of Israel could change
   7. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus
   1. Jesus' overturning of tables in the temple brought him to the attention of chief priests
   2. During passover, the Romans were very watchful of any disturbances and deployed extra troops
   1. The chief priests sought to please both the Jewish people and appease the Roman rulers. The quick elimination of Jesus is said to have been to prevent mass rebellion and consequently a massacre by the Romans.
   3. Kidron Valley, where Jesus and his disciples went after the last supper, has a graveyard.
   4. Some say that Judas was a creation of the early church as a form of anti-semitism.
   5. The charge Jesus was accused with was treason, threat to existing order (some say his death was similar to that of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King)
   6. The death and resurrection of Jesus is said to mirror stories of death and resurrection in other religions.
   7. If Jesus had stayed dead, his followers would have dispersed and searched for a different Messiah; however, his followers grew from a few people, to being the official religion of the Roman Empire - the first disciples must have seen something.
6. John the Baptist
   1. “Kingdom of God” movement – John the Baptist (fire and brimstone preacher)
   2. Was a critic of Herod Antipas, and was eventually killed by him.
   3. Jesus left a "comfortable home" and joined John the Baptist's "impolite" movement

Miracles in the Bible have been seen by some as "advertisements" by early Christians in order to gain more converts. Some of the miracles of Jesus (turning water into wine) paralleled miracles done by gods in Greek mythology.

In watching this video, we were looking at Jesus’ life in Palestine as if that was a model for us as missionaries, few traditions look to what Jesus was doing with His disciples rather than looking to Paul or others.

The interviewees include Robert Funk (The Jesus Seminar), Dr. John Dominic Crossan, Dr. Marcus Borg and Dr. N.T. Wright.

History is not primarily facts, but educated guesses regarding the likelihood of certain events occuring.

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Reflection after watching "The Search for Jesus":

- What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?
- How do we do church and how do we do mission if what Jesus did is our model?
- If Jesus is the friend of the tax collectors, the outcasts, and if Jesus fights for the weak and the hopeless, then, as a follower of Jesus, what shall be my
mission?