The Life of Jesus

An APSE Ministry Bible Study

(AskPrayStudyEmbrace)

James Spangler

Course material/Workbook

Contents

Part 3

Chapter 11  THE PASSION OF CHRIST - 

  Contradictions in the Gospels

  The Anointing                                                                       43

  The Betrayal                                                                         44

  The Trial                                                                                45

  The Crucifixion                                                                     49 

Chapter 12  The RESURRECTION                                        50

References                                                                              52

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11. THE PASSION OF CHRIST - Contradictions in the Gospels

1.  THE ANOINTING:  Exodus 30:29  When you have consecrated them, they shall be most sacred.  Whatever touches them shall be sacred. 

Originally anointing was only used for priests and the Tabernacle articles, but was later extended to include kings (1 Samuel 10:1  Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance?).

The story of the anointing of Jesus is that of Mary, presumably of Martha and Mary fame in the Lazarus story of resurrection in the Gospel of John, who anointed Jesus with oil, sometimes referred to as the extremely expensive NARD.  

In Mark an UNKNOWN WOMAN anointed Jesus head, the act of anointing A KING.  King of the Jews.  Mark has the anointing on the day before Jesus’ arrest, two days before the Passover, BY AN UNKNOWN WOMAN at the home of SIMON THE LEPER.  Mark says the nard was for preparation for burial, surely symbolic since Jesus had yet to be tortured and crucified.  Afterward Judas heads off to the chief priests to betray Jesus.

Matthew has the anointing in Bethany immediately after the chief priests and scribes announce their plot against Jesus, again two days before Passover BY AN UNKNOWN WOMAN at the home of SIMON THE LEPER.  Expensive perfume was used, no mention of Nard.  Matthew also has Judas heading over to the chief priests to betray Jesus after this event.  

Luke places this story MUCH earlier in the gospel, at the home of a Pharisee.  The woman was a long-time “sinner” - we immediately jump to prostitute, but was she?  The Fresh Start Bible doesn’t say sinner - they go right to IMMORAL (amazing they didn’t go further to HOMOSEXUAL given their prejudice).  The Jews have a lot of laws…  

An aside:  In Luke 7:48, 50 this woman is told: “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you..  Go in peace.”  BUT IT DOES NOT say go and sin no more like the adulteress in John 8.    Why the difference?

She anoints Jesus FEET, not head.  First with tears, wiping the feet with her hair, then kissing them, then anointing them with expensive perfume.  So no reference to being a king.  This story is much earlier in the ministry of Christ.  No mention of Judas.

And now John.  The anointing takes place 6 days before Passover.  A pint of pure NARD.  It was poured on Jesus' feet by Mary and rubbed with her hair.  No king reference here.  The reference to Judas as purse keeper of the disciples is made.  Judas thought the money should be used for the poor.  Was he right?  Or did he want to steal it for himself?  Was Judas thrown under the bus to cover for this event?  Was Jesus selfish for “wasting” valuable nard?  Or was Judas really a thief?  Evil?  The betrayer?  Later references point to Judas being a scapegoat for this entire episode (in some people's opinion.)  

Note these changes in timing and details of the events - done to avoid the appearance of Roman concern?

Are we spinning this story to steer BLAME away from the Romans and putting right on the Jews - the Pharisees.  The Sadducees.  The “crowd.”  

The crowd?  Really?  In a few short days had the crowd turned from Hosannahs for their champion/advocate to CRUCIFY HIM?  Possible?  With a charismatic leader?

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2.  THE BETRAYAL:  Did Judas BETRAY Jesus or HAND HIM OVER.  Two different things, and all subject to translation of the Greek words into other languages.

HERE is the sticky part:  The arresting group led by Judas had Roman soldiers. John 18:12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 

The Greek word spira means a “group of soldiers.”  A manipulus (200 soldiers) or a cohort (500 soldiers).  It appears the original texts pointed to the 500 size.  

AND SOLDIERS, mind you, took Jesus to CAIAPHAS, a PRIEST.  NOT to PILATE who was THEIR BOSS.  That makes no sense.

Why was Judas necessary?  We think of Gethsemane as a small, deserted space.  It was not.  It was PACKED with pilgrims for the Passover.  Judas, as betrayer or missive, was necessary to find Jesus and point him out in the crowd.  And he did it with a kiss, a sign of friendship.  As an added insult, or was Judas doing his job for his rabbi?  Or for Pilate?  Or was it for both?  Or the priests?  Or was it God’s plan?  Or was Judas just plain evil?

John also says Jesus requested his disciples be turned loose.  If Jesus was a treasonous king with real threats, WHY WERE HIS HENCHMEN ALLOWED TO GO FREE?

To fulfill Jesus’ own words?  John 18:9 I did not lose one of those whom you gave me.  Referencing John 6:39.  But that says he will lose not one of those he gave me, BUT WILL RAISE THEM UP ON THE LAST DAY?  Does that even make sense?  What “last day?”  AND…  What about JUDAS???  Jesus lost him.  He was a disciple.

Speaking of Judas, what did happen to him?

Matthew 27:5  He threw back the money and went and hanged himself (from the Judas tree).  No mention in Mark, Luke or John, but in ACTS: Acts 1:18 Judas bought a field with his silver reward and fell headlong into it and his “all his bowels gushed out.”  (He fell on his sword?)  Two totally different versions.

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3.  THE TRIAL:  Paul, a devout Jew, wrote well before the gospels were written.  So his take on Jewish law and the trial of Jesus is of great interest.

Acts 13:28  Even though they found NO CAUSE for a sentence of death, “they” asked Pilate to have Jesus killed. (is part B even true?)

Part A is really interesting.  Paul would have been around for the trial.  He knew the charges.  If there was a guilty verdict he would have pointed out the error and immorality.  At the time Paul had some deep dislike for Jews who rejected Jesus. (This position is debatable.  Yes, Paul had discussions, even disputes with Peter and James, but they were resolved.  Paul was a Pharisee (Acts 26:5) and frequently listed his Jewish credentials in his epistles.  Frustration with Jews?  Maybe.  Dislike?  Maybe not.)  In all likelihood if he could have pinned this on the Jews, he would have.  From this at least, it appears early Christians did not consider the Jews Jesus’ murderers.

As to the gospels, let’s start with MARK.  Considered the first written gospel, perhaps based on “Q.”  “Quelle.”  “The SOURCE.”

Mark gives an account of a Jewish trial before the Sanhedrin.  Such a trial needed a Roman governor’s authorization as seen with the result of the mob execution of Stephen (the stoning supposedly witnessed, if not orchestrated by Saul, later to become the Apostle Paul).  Mark gives no indication that any authorization was issued for Jesus’ tribunal.   The illegal stoning of Stephen led to the expulsion of the high priest by the Roman Governor for this violation.  The authorization would have come from Pilate.  Pilate no doubt had little concern that Stephen was dead, just that someone used power that was HIS and his alone.  Did Mark overlook this or hide the authorization of Jesus’ crucifixion to shift blame from Pilate to the Jews?

Mark sets the evening trial on the Passover holiday.  The Mishnah banned all trials on holidays.  Not only that, it also banned all evening trials.  

Mark does not name who the high priest(s) were nor where the trial was held.

Two charges were brought against Jesus.  1) Jesus threatened to destroy the temple and rebuild it in 3 days.  2) Jesus was asked if he was Jesus, Son of the Blessed One.  

Although the Sanhedrin was composed of both Sadducees and Pharisees, Sadducees were the majority.  Also, the Chief Priests were Sadducees.

Note: Jesus was NEVER charged with violating the Sabbath by healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.  He was NEVER charged with attacking the money changers in the temple. These were actions specifically against Pharisees.

So it seems the charges came from the Sadducees, NOT the Pharisees, despite Jesus’ history of criticizing them.  

Of the two charges leveled presumably then by Sadducees, Jesus was absolved of the charge of destroying the temple.  But he was found guilty of blasphemy, claiming to be 

the Son of the Blessed One, whatever “Blessed One” means - God?  David?

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Son of the Blessed One makes no sense in Jewish circles.  The wording is highly improbable.  Matthew 23:63 asks the more appropriate, Are you the Messiah, the Son of God.  To the Jews this would mean Jesus was a KING.

But Jesus refers to himself as the SON OF MAN, a favorite of Jesus and a reference back to the Book of Daniel 7:13-14. (One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven.)  Punishment for blasphemy is stoning, not crucifixion.  For crucifixion Jesus has to be in rebellion and a threat to the Roman Government - like maybe if he was a competing King.

Many scholars think the trial in the Book of Mark is totally fictitious.

The unanimous verdict of the Sanhedrin meant Joseph of Arimathea, who was a known member of the Sanhedrin, voted to CONVICT Jesus.  Luke says he OPPOSED conviction.  For Pete’s sake HE GAVE JESUS THE TOMB!

Nicodemus, who in the past defended Jesus before the same body, also would have voted to convict Jesus.  John says Nicodemus HELPED Joseph bury Jesus.  And he voted to convict?

Also a presumed member of the Sanhedrin was Gamaliel, a staunch supporter of Jesus, the one who testified on behalf of Peter when he was jailed.  He convinced Annas and Caiaphas that the Sanhedrin should reject NO ONE who claims to be a Messiah.  If they are frauds they will fail and GOD will punish them.  

Additionally, Mark omits the High Priest’s name.  Annas?  He supposedly retired.  Caiaphas?  He’s the one.  Was Annas an “honorary judge” for this event?  You would think Mark would know and Mark would have specified him.

Paul states in his writings: The Sanhedrin found NO CAUSE for a sentence of death.

Yet Mark portrays the high priest(s) in a tither, rending clothes and proclaiming Jesus blasphemous.  Why were they worked up with no cause?

WHY ARE WE BLAMING THE JEWS?

Let’s move to the gospel accepted as next written - MATTHEW.

Matthew names the high priest, Caiaphas, and that is where Jesus is taken after his arrest.  (Thursday night)  TO HIS HOUSE.  Not the temple, not a meeting room.  To his HOUSE.  And all the Sanhedrin was there.  On the evening of Passover.  At night.  ALL AGAINST JEWISH LAW. 

(Note: The “house” gives the impression there was not enough space to accommodate 

the entire Sanhedrin.  Not true.  The Sadducees were RICH.  Their houses were so big 

they included areas that COULD accommodate the entire Sanhedrin.  Politics of Jesus/Hendricks, Jr.)  

In contrast, Mark has an unknown high priest in an unknown location.  John has the meeting at the house of a former high priest related to Caiaphas, presumably Annas, his father in law.  Matthew tries to rectify the two.  The meeting in  Caiaphas’ house.

Matthew says the priests WERE LOOKING FOR FALSE TESTIMONY AGAINST JESUS so that they might put him to death, but they found NONE, though MANY FALSE WITNESSES CAME FORWARD - from the crowd who a few days earlier shouted Hosannah!  How low is Matthew going to put the Jews in the wrong?  This version is far from what Mark says.

Supposedly Jesus spent the rest of the night in an underground hole?

In the morning (Friday) Matthew is crystal clear: In the morning “consultation,” ALL the high priests and elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to bring about his death.   They bound him and headed for Pilate.  

Pilate asks Jesus if he is king of the Jews - a real threat to Pilate given the size and fervor of Jesus’ following.  It’s Passover.  Jerusalem is a zoo.  And Pilate has some partying to do.   Jesus answers, “You say so.”  Which is far from an admission, in fact it is close to a denial.  Problem solved for Pilate?  But Matthew has the priests hurling accusations.  The Jews are the bad guys.  And it is NOT the Pharisees.  It’s the Sadducees.  It says so in Acts.  Pilate just wanted to be left alone (Yeah, right.  He is one mean fellow who stomps out insurrection without a second thought).

Insurrection was ALWAYS on the mind of Roman leaders.  With good reason.   

Rebellions had been a regular occurrence.   So much so a group of Zealots - the 4th Philosophy - had been born.  They were a military resistance to foreign authority over the Jewish people, often acting as an old world guerilla army not unlike Osama bin Laden.  Zealots?  Patriots? Guerillas? Thieves?  Bandits?  They were all of the above.

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On to LUKE:

Jesus is arrested and brought to the high priest’s house and placed under arrest until morning (presumably in that hole).  No night time trial.

While in custody, the guards blindfolded Jesus and began to mock and beat Him.  Hey, Messiah, who hit you?  No he didn’t.  Whack.  Who hit you that time?

Mark and Matthew say the guards AND council members beat Jesus AFTER the trial.  John says only one guard slapped Jesus for being rude.  Then only guards abused Jesus, no priests.  Luke tries to meld the two stories.  Guards beating Jesus but no council members.  

Luke agrees with John on this: There was NO TRIAL.  NO WITNESSES.  NO FALSE CHARGES.  Only two questions:  Are you the Son of God?  Again the semi-denial.  You say that I am.  Case closed.  He is guilty of blasphemy. 

Luke did add one item.  Herod (Antipas) was in town at the time so Pilate sent Jesus 

over to see him.  Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him a bit, but Herod wanted no part in this.  He sent Jesus back to Pilate. 

Are you the Messiah?  Jesus again gives his Son of Man response, dropping the part about riding in on the clouds of heaven.  That response is NO CLAIM of a messianic deity, but a messianic tradition.

Finally, JOHN:

Jesus is arrested and taken to ANNAS, father in law of Caiaphas, the high priest of the year.  But later John calls Annas the high priest, so who knows.  Josephus said sometimes high priests retained the title - honorary?  (like Judge Wolfe or Judge Morgan in my home county?)

But if it is Caiaphas, a SADDUCEE (as was Annas), recall he once said: Better to kill one for the people… John 18:14.

The meeting was at Annas’ home.  NO OTHER council members or priests were mentioned as being there.  No Sanhedrin?  Evidently not.

Annas tries to question Jesus. 

John 18:20-21   “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.  Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

Simply stated Jesus says: My record is out there.  You know what I do and say.  

A guard thinks it is a sassy comment and slaps Jesus.  No other conversation is recorded.  None of the  “are you the Messiah stuff.”  That’s it.  Jesus is bound and sent to Caiaphas.  No details are given.  

Jesus was then sent to Pilate.

Pilate asks what’s the problem and the Jews answer he is a criminal, that’s why we brought him.  In other words, we don’t know, you figure it out.

Pilate says you take him, he’s your problem.  The Jews say we can’t kill him.  YOU (Pilate) have to figure something out.  Jesus has violated NO Jewish Law.  They just want him dead.

The evidence is: The Sadducee LEADERS want him dead.  There is no indication the Pharisees want him dead (although undoubtedly there were some miffed at Jesus).  

There is no indication the Hosannah crowd had turned on Jesus.

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3 MAJOR areas of concern:

1) Pilate had obviously been consulted as to what was going on.  He sent either 200 or 500 soldiers to arrest Jesus.  The gospels all portray this as the JEWS handing Jesus over to the 

ROMANS.  Baloney.  The ROMANS arrested him.

2) If the ROMANS arrested Jesus, why did they hand Jesus over to the JEWISH authorities?  It greatly increased the risk of a riot, and that would be the BIGGEST CONCERN of Pilate and exactly what he would have wanted to prevent.  The Romans would have locked him up themselves, beat him a little, and probably released him when the Passover crowds had left.  Or if they really were afraid of him THEY would have killed him.  

3) Why were Jewish leaders involved at all in this purely ROMAN ISSUE (of insurrection)?  The priests would have had little say in a dangerous political issue.    

Additional material:  Compare Mark and John, the first and last gospels, and see how the story evolved over years.  See Article: Comparing Jesus’ Trial in Mark and John.

Additional material: See Article Who Killed Jesus?

QUESTION:  ARE CHRISTIANS IN THE 1st Century writing this the way they want it?  Or the way it happened?    (My belief: Christianity is the Faith in Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.  My personal Faith has not changed.  But there is no doubt the accounts  of Jesus’ trial and passion are different.)

Discussion: Has the story been altered to shift blame from the Romans to the Jews?  For political purposes?  To reduce or avoid persecution?  To help spread the gospel to the Gentiles?  Perhaps?  If so, in many circles it has worked.  Jews have been persecuted for years.  The “Jesus killer” label is still hurled at Jewish people.  The most ironic is the assessment of Pontius Pilate and his wife Claudia.  The Roman Catholic Church has little to say about Pilate’s involvement in Jesus’ crucifixion, although Pilate’s history of cruelty is quite evident.  One would think he would have sentenced Jesus to be crucified without batting an eye.  The Orthodox tradition names Claudia Procula, Pilate’s wife, a saint and honors her on October 27 each year.  The Coptic Christian Church goes one step further, not only honoring Claudia with sainthood, but also NAMING PILATE A SAINT, honoring them both on June 25.  The Coptics insist Pilate became a Christian in later years, some even suggest his martyrdom.  History suggests otherwise.  Josephus wrote that Pilate was removed from office because of the violent suppression of an armed Samaritan movement at Mount Gerizim.  He was to appear before Tiberius in Rome but Tiberius had died before he arrived.  Supposedly he was exiled.  Nothing else has been known about the fate of Pontius Pilate.  Still apologists for Pilate exist.  

Note:  All 4 Gospels do include the account of the release of Barabbas in exchange for Jesus by Pilate.  There is NO historical evidence outside of the Bible that this was a custom of either Jewish OR Roman law.  It has been a source of antisemitism for years.

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4.  THE CRUCIFIXION:  When Jesus was crucified he died relatively quickly.   Because these crucifixions took place just before observance of the Day of Passover the bodies could not remain on the crosses the next day.  Victims were known to last days hanging on a cross before death.  The thought is that Jesus was beaten severely so the loss of blood would hasten death.  It seemed to have worked.  He died after 3 to 6 hours. 

What happened to the other 2 crucified with Jesus?

When I was younger I was told crucified persons died by dehydration/thirst.  Thirst is a factor and significantly two of Jesus’ few words from the cross were, “I thirst.”  But the cause of death from crucifixion is something different.  As the body collapses on the cross the airway becomes obstructed and the crucified person suffocates.  One way to postpone this suffocation is to push oneself up with the legs (not really understanding why a person would want to prolong this agony…  there is only one report of a person surviving a crucifixion).  So to ensure the other 2 died quickly the Roman crucifiers broke their legs so they could not push themselves up and grab a breath.  

Jesus’ legs were not broken because he had already died, fulfilling a scripture Psalm 34:20 …he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.  No bones of the passover lamb were to be broken. 

Scripture fulfilled: They pierced his hands and feet - Psalm 22:16 

To ensure Jesus was truly dead they pierced his side with a sword, fulfilling another Old Testament scripture Zechariah 12:10b They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 

Estimates of 100,000 to 150,000 people were crucified from 200 BC to 337 AD in the Roman Territories.  (185 to 280 a year.)   And we call these Romans a “civilization.”

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12. THE RESURRECTION

As we have seen, crucifixions were not rare occurrences.  Constructing crosses, trees, stakes, poles, must have been a good business.  What makes Jesus’ crucifixion different?  This is the basis of the Religion of Christianity.  Our faith.  What we believe.  What we affirm when we recite the Apostles’ Creed.  

1) Jesus was fully God and fully human.  God, through the Son, Jesus, suffered as a human on the cross.

2) Jesus carried the burden of all the sins of the world - past, present, and future - on his fully God, fully human body.  He was the sacrificial lamb.  

3)  The most significant difference is the RESURRECTION of Jesus from the dead.  Through atonement by the death and resurrection of Jesus our sins are forgiven.  Every person has access to God through the Holy Spirit.  No longer do we need to bring a sacrifice to the altar.  No longer do we need priests to intercede for forgiveness from God.  

Resurrection:  Is there verification of Jesus' death and resurrection?  

1.  500 witnesses.  All the disciples and followers who were willing to die for their faith.  Would they have done this had they not seen or had proof of Christ’s resurrection?

2.  Could he have faked his death?  Taken all the beating, suffered hours on a cross, pestered by insects, stabbed in the side, rolled away a stone, healed in less than a week?

3.  If resurrection is so important to the Gospel story why are the first witnesses to see the empty tomb women?  Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary mother of James (and Jesus?), and 8 others first saw the empty tomb.  (Luke 24:10)  To wit, no one believed them.

The first witnesses to see Jesus were also women in 3 of the 4 Gospels.  Mary Magdalene only (Mark 16:9 and John 20:14).  The “three Marys” (Matthew 28:9).  Women had few if any rights.  Their opinions were not given respect.  No woman could serve on a jury.  If you wanted to confirm something wouldn’t you have used a man or men?

4.  Luke, however, is different, listing 2 males - Cleopas and another man - as the first to see a resurrected Jesus on the Road to Emmaus.  Why is only one named in this account?  One is Cleopas.  The other man is you.  It takes faith to believe.  Do you have faith?

Paul’s emphasis on Resurrection:

Discussing Paul is a course in itself.  For all of the questions, guidance, and controversy of Paul’s epistles, he offers one crucial pillar of Christianity.  Saved by grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus.   Our symbol for FAITH is not Jesus hanging from the cross but the EMPTY CROSS that reminds us of Jesus’ suffering, but more that the cross is empty.  

Paul does not discuss Jesus as teacher, Paul discusses Jesus always in terms of the RESURRECTION.  To Paul it is all about the resurrection.  1 Corinthians 15:13-14 If there is no resurrection of the dead then not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless and SO IS YOUR FAITH.  

There is a new creation.   Paul, by accepting Christ, is a NEW CREATION.  A NEW HUMANITY.  A NEW ADAM.  A resurrection not just for JEWS, but for EVERYBODY.  

Paul’s focus on resurrection raises two issues: One, a concern.  The second one I am and all Christians should be highly thankful for.

1.  Paul rightly emphasizes resurrection.  It is the central tenet of our faith.  My concern is of those who dwell on Paul’s teachings and ethics and forget Jesus was a teacher as well as our Savior.   Jesus taught us to love everyone, even your enemy, and TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED.  Paul seemed perfectly happy to toss someone from the church (1 Corinthians 5:1-11).  Jesus never gave up on anyone.  Should we?   See Course: Everything You Want to Know About the Apostle Paul.

2.  No doubt Resurrection can be a stumbling block for unbelievers and, at times, believers as well.  The crucifixion.  The resurrection.   Did they happen?  

There were many other theories, ideas, definitions of the importance of Jesus.   Who was crucified - was it really Jesus?  How could someone be resurrected?  What did resurrection mean?

Paul  stated we are saved BY GRACE.  Other thoughts included gnosticism.  Special knowledge imparted by Jesus is what saves a person.  Let’s take a closer look:

Thank God for the Apostle Paul.  (And Irenaus and Tertullian)

The competing theories of Paul’s writings included the Gnostics.  Valentius of Egypt promoted “gnosis” - knowing, secrets to a perfect life - as the interpretation of Paul.  Valentius’ teaching may have had some support by the emphasis on Jesus being a revolutionary and champion for the rights of a persecuted people.  Martyrs sometimes feel they would be more valuable dead than alive.  Would this be true for Jesus?  Would his mission of representing his fellow common Jews be advanced more if he was dead or if he was alive to do his work?  

But Irenaus and Tertullian argued against his teaching of “heresy” in the 2nd century.  Paul was all about the resurrection.  Irenaus and Tertullian prevailed.  Valentius was excommunicated from the Catholic Church.

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Gnostics believe Jesus was NEVER CRUCIFIED.  

Theory 1: He was swapped out on the final day, perhaps by Thomas (Hebrew for twin) 

Didymus (Greek for twin).  Was Jesus a twin or was Thomas so similar in appearance to 

Jesus he could be a body double.  Did they cast lots? Flip a coin?  Who would die?  Was Thomas swapped in?  

Theory 2:  Jesus and James were BOTH messiahs!  Jesus was a dwarf of a man, 4 ft. 6 inches.  His size and body limited his ability to survive on a cross, hence he died MUCH faster than usual.  James survived to serve as messiah.  James “the Just” he was called.  

Theory 3:  Did Jesus miraculously survive crucifixion?  As we have noted, it is extremely unlikely.  1 out of 150,000?  

Regardless of how it was pulled off, Jesus the messiah was not crucified.  He survived to work under a different alias, a different persona.  Jesus’ work was left in “secret works,” gnostic gospels only some of which we call apocrypha.  These “secrets” have been kept by “those who know.”  These secrets lead to the full life Jesus represented and taught.  Whoever Jesus was -  a human or perhaps just an apparition?

Some of these secrets and inclusion of asceticism (denial of physical desires) parallel the thoughts of the Essenes.  

Muslims picked up on this same plot line on Jesus’ crucifixion as the gnostics:  Surah 4:157  And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah ." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it.  

DISCUSSION NOTE: And we want Muslims and Christians to get along.  

So here is the choice.   

1. The message of Christ:  Love the Lord your God.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  AND here are a bunch of secrets for you to remember and not share, and if you CAN keep a secret and follow these rules your life will be richly blessed.  If you are too stupid to understand our secrets or too dumb to remember them, well you don’t deserve saving.  You are what we call “expendable…”   P.S. Nice job ducking the crucifixion.   

VERSUS  

2. Jesus died, not for the sins of the world, but for the SINNERS of the world - fallen Jew AND Gentile - and all sinners who believe in Him are saved by FAITH and not by works lest any man should boast.

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References

The Holy Bible (in several translations)

The Politics of Jesus by Obery M.Hendricks, Jr. 

Christians Against Christianity by Obery M.Hendricks, Jr.

The Universe Bends Towards Justice by Obery M.Hendricks, Jr.

The History and Archaeology of the Bible  by Jean-Pierre Isbouts 

In the Footsteps of Jesus by Jean-Pierre Isbouts

A Marginal Jew by John P. Meier

Historical Jesus by John Dominic Crossan  

Christian Doctrine by Shirley Guthrie

Great World Religions CHRISTIANITY by Luke Timothy Johnson

The Apostle Paul by Luke Timothy Johnson

New Testament by Bart Ehrman

Lost Christianities: Christian Scriptures and the Battle over Authentication by Bart Ehrman

The Apocryphal Jesus by Davide Brakke

Various Books of the Apocrypha

Introduction to the Qur’an by Martyn Oliver

Reliability of the Gospels  by  Craig Blomberg

Wikipedia - Various articles 

GotQuestions.org - 2 articles included

Other referenced articles in this study are available upon request at:

APSEMinistries@yahoo.com