But wait! There’s more. . .
When we last left Jesus and his apostles in the first volume of this series of armchair safaris, “Snapshots of Jesus through the Lens of History” we had traveled back into the first century to explore some of the influences that surrounded the birth, childhood, adolescence, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. His life and death was the central axis around which we circled, dropping down into recorded history with our trusty cameras to snap as many photos for our personal albums as we could of the culture, the environment, the philosophies and religious fervor all roiling around the area and times. Together we tried to discover what modern scholars have unearthed about the first century and this amazing individual.
Like Paul on the road to Damascus, though, I began this odyssey trying to keep my own beliefs in check, yet, like a blinding light my faith grew in new and surprising directions. Though I tried to be just a cool and collected photo journalist, my personal faith seemed to slip through and color a section to two that I wrote. You may have noticed that, but oh well.
I don’t know about you, but peeking through the layers of stories, traditions, myths and hopeful fantasies to peer into the history, customs and natural challenges that faced Jesus and his cohorts back in the day was an eye opener, to say the least.
Well, I just can’t leave it alone now. I have become addicted to the chase, craving more and more insight into the first century and this continuing saga. What happened to the apostles and women who intimately and emotionally followed Jesus? How did they cope with his death? What memories did they hold and share, and how did those stories morph and spread like flood waters over decades into something called Christianity and the New Testament?
The treasure hunt continues! So grab those cameras and let’s go back once more. . .
. . .the first century awaits.
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