JESUS OF NAZARETH Part Two: KICKING THE HORNETS’ NEST: Arrested, Condemned and Executed -That Was the Plan?

Thousands of books have been written about Jesus of Nazareth, these two books are different. They are about what it was like to be him. I do not stray far from the gospel texts, but from my studies I have been able to put together a coherent story of Jesus’ teaching and ministry as well as a description of the forces that rose against him. I examine in my narrative questions Jesus had to ask himself, ＂Was he indeed the messiah?＂ Any sane person would have to ask that. Then, if he was ＂What was his mission supposed to be?＂ ＂What was his action plan?＂ He did not wander aimlessly around dripping parables behind him. In these two books Jesus evolves in understanding of his mission, identifies the central issue and works his way towards it. I describe the opposition to him that arises as an alarmed demonic response of the Temple clergy. Annas, the power behind the Temple operation, directs steps taken against Jesus, and in Part 2 Annas develops a carefully orchestrated plan to destroy him. The plan evolves gradually, and reads like opening a cold case, reconsidering who wanted Jesus dead so badly, figuring out the motive along with the list of co-conspirators?

All these details are narrated by John the beloved disciple, who looks back as an old man to his years as a twenty year old, when he was a constant companion to Jesus as he developed his ministry. I draw material from all four gospels, from Josephus, a contemporary Jewish historian, the Dead Sea Scrolls and other literary sources.