Lesson 25 - Looking for Jesus, His Day and Times

‘Saturday Night Live’ with Jesus on the Mountain

When was the last time you sat in a really long lecture without falling asleep? I bet the ones that were the most memorable were the ones with superb speakers. So, let’s take not just our cameras, but for sure our recording equipment and head back to the Galilee and attend one of Jesus’ talks.

          As we shuffle through a dusty road and begin to climb into the rocks along the edge of the Sea of Galilee, we can hear the talking and laughing of a large group of people. We now see them spreading blankets and pillows on the ground and on large flat rocks that form a natural amphitheater with great acoustics.  In the center of the ‘U’ shaped area stands a man surrounded by a few others who are waving their arms and directing the arriving audience so that as many as possible will be able to hear and see. Though we notice a cross section of the population, from farmers to families to Pharisees and Roman soldiers, most are local farmers and artisans. Surprisingly, a large number of women are right in the first rows.

    The crowd settles and Jesus begins to speak. We are so far back, we can’t catch the exact words, but we become fascinated none the less with his style. Though his features are unclear from here, we can tell he stands straight and relaxed (or history would have recorded the abnormality).  And he smiles a lot as he talks. In fact, he clearly loves telling stories with great animation and humor. Laughter fills the air. He is fascinating, entertaining, stimulating, mind stretching, and even heart stretching.

     He has a twist of phrase that just doesn’t fit the same old rants and sermons. This is not the in your face, better accept what I say style of the average rabbis and teachers filled with quotes from the Scriptures. The gospels tell us people keep remarking, ‘He speaks with his own authority’. What they mean is instead of simply quoting Scripture, he instead speaks from personal experience. He feels of what he speaks. He lives of what he speaks. He radiates spiritual knowledge.

      All are riveted to every word and gesture.  Many are comforted and nod their heads in agreement. Some argue and discuss with Jesus point by point. But there are also those who are offended. They take his criticisms about lack of faith and closed hearts personally. . .

                    . . .and we can see trouble brewing.

  

Questions to Contemplate and Discuss

1.     What are the qualities that stand out in the speakers you have heard over the years? What made they good and what made them bad?

2.     When controversial speakers offer their views what is the rate of acceptance in the public at large or even at a cocktail party? All, some, few?

3.     In many countries today what is the usual response of the leaders of government to political dissent?