A Secret Trip To Jerusalem

IT IS the autumn of 32 C.E., and the Festival of Tabernacle is near. Jesus has confined his activity mostly to Galilee since the Passover of 31 C.E., when the Jews tried to kill him. Likely, since then Jesus has only visited Jerusalem to attend the three annual festivals of the Jews. Jesus' brothers now urge him: "Pass on over from here and go into Judea." Jerusalem is Judea's main city and the religious center of the whole country. His brothers reason: "Nobody does anything in secret while himself seeking to be know publicly."

Although James, Simon, Joseph and Judas do not believe that their elder brother, Jesus is really the Messiah,they want him to show his miraculous powers to all those gathered at the festival. Jesus, however, is aware of the danger. "The world has no reason to hate you," he says, "but it hates me, because I bear witness concerning it that its works are wicked." So Jesus tells his brothers: "You go up to the festival; I am not yet going up to this festival."

The Festival of Tabernacles is a seven-day celebration. On the eighth day it is brought to a close with solemn activities. The festival marks the end of the agricultural year and is a time of great rejoicing and thanksgiving. Several days after Jesus' brothers leave to attend along with the main body of travelers, he and his disciples go secretly, staying out of the public eye. They take the routed through Samaria, rather than the one that most people take near the Jordan River.

Since Jesus and his company will need accommodations in a Samaritan village, he sends messengers ahead to make preparations. The people, however, refuse to do anything for Jesus after learning that he is heading for Jerusalem. Indignantly, James and John ask: "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and annihilate them?" Jesus rebukes them for suggesting such a thing, and they travel on to another village.

Next time: Conclusion of A Secret Trip To Jerusalem

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991