Who do you say I am? by HOPE Together

Who do you say I am?

Who do you say I am? by Catherine Butcher

About 2,000 years ago a man called Jesus asked his friends a question: Who do you say I am? Today, believe it or not, he asks you and me the same question. Who do you say I am? Finding an answer is like going on a journey. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start with a tourist travelling through Israel.

Contents

page

The journey of a lifetime

One remarkable weekend

Dawkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; declaration

Trust me, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a doctor

Great expectations

A meal to remember

All change

Who do you say I am?

Take a second look

59 2

The journey of a lifetime We begin our journey in the Middle East with Adrian, a 22-year-old tourist visiting Israel. He thought he knew who Jesus was. A good teacher, a historical figure, but not relevant to his life. The visit took Adrian by surprise. Here’s what he wrote at the end of his holiday: Exploring the country by bus, it felt like history was coming alive. Every town and village name jogged a vague and distant memory: a trip to Tiberius took me through Cana. Suddenly recollections of a long-forgotten RE lesson came flooding back: the story of Jesus’ first miracle, turning water to wine for a wedding. That was the start. Israel began to weave its magic as I reached the Sea of Galilee. I stood on the hillside where it’s said Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. He made outrageous statements like: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,’ or ‘If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well’. Taking in the view, I began to reflect on just whose footsteps I was following.

Writer and broadcaster Lord Melvyn Bragg, who wrote the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The weeks I spent on that film in Pinewood Studios and around the deserts of Israel and Palestine hauled me back to a Christianity I had fully embraced in my childhood but gradually peeled away from.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 4

The Garden Tomb is an empty grave in Jerusalem. The words on the door quote Jesus’ first century followers. The women who found that Jesus’ body was no longer in the tomb saw an angel who said: ‘He is not here - for he is risen!’ 1

Next I hitched a ride around the water’s edge to Capernaum where Jesus lived and worked. It was very picturesque and peaceful, yet every place seemed to resonate somewhere deep inside of me. I couldn’t work out what was happening. Every trip yielded more tourist treasures. But it was Jerusalem where something else happened. Something stirred. I was captivated by the city. The Wailing Wall dating back to the days of Solomon; the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive trees; the walls of the Old City. Everywhere history was coming alive. Then the stakes became higher. I walked the Via Dolorosa through Jerusalem, the final path taken by Jesus as he was led to execution, taking in the Stations of the Cross. Finally, I reached the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, said to be the place where Jesus was crucified. But it wasn’t here among the gold, jewels and church treasures that my life changed. That happened in a small garden, close to Damascus Gate, five-minutes’ walk outside the Old City. The Garden Tomb was an oasis of peace amid the bustle of a busy metropolis. Among the trees I found a burial cave. On its door, a sign quoted from the New Testament: ‘He is not here - for he is risen.’ I sat and stared at it for some time. Academics might debate the truth about the Garden’s history, but that day a far bigger truth became real to me. I had thrown out belief and Bible stories with my old school text books. But now I knew that Jesus deserved a second look. I had to find out more.

One remarkable weekend We can still visit the places Jesus lived. He was born in Bethlehem, lived in Nazareth and Capernaum, a fishing village on the north shore of the sea of Galilee, then travelled throughout the region with twelve followers, known as disciples. Excavations in the ancient village of Capernaum in the last hundred years have uncovered the ruins of a synagogue and a house; there is some evidence to suggest that the house was the home of Peter, one of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; disciples. Jerusalem plays a key part in the Jesus story. If we could travel back 2,000 years to this city in the Middle East, what would we see? Here are the bare bones of what first century witnesses said about what happened in Jerusalem on the weekend when Jesus died. Guards grabbed him at night in a garden. He was betrayed with a kiss. Dragged off by soldiers, he was tried on trumped up charges, deserted by his closest friends. The crowds who had welcomed him to their city only days before turned on him, demanding his execution. He stayed silent.

Author HG Wells: I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Via Dolorosa

Garden of Gethsemane

A cowardly Roman ruler agreed to execute this innocent man to appease the mob. Soldiers dressed the condemned man in a royal robe, twisted a crown from sharp thorns, set it on his head and mocked him. They beat him. Then they took him outside the city walls to crucify him on a wooden cross. They divided his clothes between them by casting lots in a gambling game. A notice nailed above his head described him as King of the Jews. Rather than protest his innocence or threaten revenge, Jesus forgave his torturers, saying: ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’ Two criminals were crucified on either side of him. One hurled insults. The other said these surprising words: ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ What did this criminal know about the man hanging next to him? Where was the kingdom he referred to?

Jesus answered with an extraordinary promise: ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ Jesus took six hours to die. He was crucified at about nine in the morning. From midday, it became inexplicably dark. He called out from the cross in his own local language, Aramaic, words which mean ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ About three o’clock in the afternoon, as he died, he cried in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ When the Roman centurion who stood by the cross saw how Jesus died, his conclusion was remarkable: ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’ What did he mean? To make sure he was dead one of the soldiers stabbed Jesus’ side with a spear. Eyewitnesses described what appeared to be blood and water coming from the wound. A rich man asked the Roman ruler’s permission to bury Jesus’ body in a tomb cut out from a rock. A huge stone was rolled in front of the burial cave and Roman soldiers were ordered to guard the grave. But by the end of the weekend Jesus was no longer in the tomb. Indeed more than 500 people saw him alive, raised from the dead; not just resuscitated, but transformed in a resurrection body, yet not a phantom or hallucination. He showed he was flesh and blood by eating a meal. So who was Jesus? Was he ‘King of the Jews’ or something more? Who was the father he cried out to? Where was his kingdom? And what did he mean when he told the criminal crucified beside him: ‘Today you will be with me in paradise’? 2

Bob Dylan in concert at Earls Court, London in June 1978

Listening to songs about Jesus by Bob Dylan, and reading the Bible for himself, convinced astrophysicist and theologian David Wilkinson to become a follower of Jesus. He says: ‘The story of Jesus was so gripping, so compelling and so provocative that in the end I found myself asking the question, “Can this man’s life, death and resurrection be explained in any other way than he is God?” In a very simple way at the age of 17, with a sense that this Jesus wasn’t just on the pages of history, but was somehow mysteriously alive today and calling me to follow him, I made a commitment, a decision to follow Jesus, on the basis of a certain amount of evidence, but trusting myself into this experience of becoming a follower and knowing his love.’ 3

Dawkins’ declaration Before we tackle any other questions, there’s a basic issue to consider. Was Jesus a real person or just a story-book character? Two thousand years after Jesus was born virtually the entire world uses the calendar which counts the years from his birth. Throughout the centuries since he walked through the streets of Jerusalem, countless numbers of people from every country and continent have sought to follow his teaching. Some have died rather than give up following him. Millions of people around the world today say he is still living, loving and giving hope to all who follow him. But is Jesus’ story just a legend or can we be sure he really lived? When events are questioned in court, the judge and jury pay attention to witnesses. We examine the quality of their evidence, and we expect details from other people in the case to support the main character’s story. There’s a wealth of evidence to confirm the fact that a Jewish man called Jesus lived in the Middle East in the first century. When two Oxford science professors, John Lennox and Richard Dawkins, discussed Jesus in a debate, even a hostile witness like atheist Richard Dawkins said Jesus was a real man. Dawkins’ exact words were: ‘I alluded to the possibility that some historians think that Jesus never existed. I take that back. Jesus existed.’ 4

Jerusalem is considered a holy city to Jews, Muslims, and Christians.

The fact that Jesus was a historical person is backed up by the Roman historian and senator Publius Cornelius Tacitus, writing around 116 AD, and the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, writing around 93–94 AD. Although Josephus never became a Christian, he referred to Jesus and the origins of Christianity in his 20-volume Antiquities of the Jews, saying that ‘Jesus the Messiah’ was a wise teacher. Sceptics suggest that his words might have been altered by Christians wanting to make a point. But no one questions his reference to James ‘the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ’. Josephus makes it clear. Jesus was a real historical person. Dawkins, Tacitus and Josephus, three non-Christian witnesses, two millennia apart agree: Jesus existed. So how do we find out more about him?

Plavius Josephus

Publius Cornelius Tacitus

The main sources of evidence about Jesus’ life are four accounts written within 30 to 60 years of Jesus’ death. Two of them were written by eye-witnesses Matthew and John. Thousands of other eye-witnesses were still alive to correct them if their facts were wrong. A third biography of Jesus’ life was written by Luke, a first century man, thought by many to be a doctor. He wanted to examine the evidence for himself. The fourth account was by a man called Mark, thought to be a cousin of Barnabas, one of Jesus’ closest followers. Parts of the four accounts, known as Gospels, have been preserved in more manuscripts than any other ancient work. There are more than 5,800 complete or fragmented Greek manuscripts, 10,000 Latin manuscripts and 9,300 manuscripts in other ancient languages. The oldest surviving copy we have was written less than 100 years after Jesus died. Compare that with evidence for Julius Caesar who lived 100 years earlier. The oldest sources are in just 15 manuscripts of Cicero’s speeches, which range from 400 to 800 AD, at least five centuries after Caesar lived. Even with such limited evidence, we have no problem agreeing that Caesar existed. Sir Frederic Kenyon, a former Director of the British Museum, was a leading authority on ancient manuscripts. He is quoted as saying: ‘The number of manuscripts of the New Testament, of early translations from it, and of quotations from it in the oldest writers of the Church is so large that it is practically certain that the true reading of every doubtful passage is preserved in some one or other of these ancient authorities. This can be said of no other ancient book in the world.’ The Gospels record what the historical Jesus said and did. Different people see events from different perspectives. If Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were before a court and every word they said was identical, a jury would reject their witness statements. They would be accused of collaborating

to invent a false story. Details in the Gospels vary in places, but all four writers agreed on one pivotal fact: Jesus died and then rose from the dead. And the reality of the resurrection has been backed up by millions of changed lives and communities ever since. Here’s how the Queen described the impact of Jesus’ resurrection and her personal response in her Christmas broadcast at the turn of the millennium: ‘The simple facts of Jesus’ life give us little clue as to the influence he was to have on the world. As a boy he learnt his father’s trade as a carpenter. He then became a preacher, recruiting twelve supporters to help him. But his ministry only lasted a few years and he himself never wrote anything down. In his early thirties he was arrested, tortured and crucified with two criminals. His death might have been the end of the story, but then came the resurrection and with it the foundation of the Christian faith… ‘For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example… It is a simple message of compassion... and yet as powerful as ever today, two thousand years after Christ’s birth.’

Queen Elizabeth prepares to record her traditional Christmas day broadcast to the Commonwealth from Buckingham Palace. 25 December 2000.

Actor James Burke-Dunsmore as Jesus in ‘The Passion of Jesus’, performed by the Wintershall Players in London’s Trafalgar Square.

Art historian Helen Rufus-Ward: ‘I believe that Jesus Christ was a real person. I believe there’s enough textual evidence from Tacitus and also from the Bible to prove that he did exist. There are some art historians that might not believe, but on the whole the consensus is that he did exist. ‘The crucifixion is very very rarely painted in early Christian art because it was seen as a very shameful death. They recognised that’s what happened to Jesus but they didn’t want to represent it. They wanted to represent him doing good things like miracles… occasionally when you do get a crucifixion in early Christian art, Christ is alive on the cross. He’s always looking out… because of the resurrection. He is someone who has defeated death. He has come through. He’s still alive. He’s not dead. He goes on!’ 5 20

Trust me, I’m a doctor So we’ve seen that even atheists believe Jesus lived. But can we be sure he really died when he was crucified? And what about the resurrection? Who could survive what Jesus went through? Former surgeon Peter Saunders writes: ‘No-one disputed the fact that Jesus died on the cross. He was seen to breathe his last by eyewitnesses, and was certified dead by Roman soldiers whose very business was killing. They decided not to break Jesus’ legs (customary practice to hasten death in crucifixion), because they were convinced he was dead already; and this was confirmed by the observation of ‘blood and water’ (separated cells and serum) coming from his pierced side. This only occurs as a post-mortem event.’ 6 So, given that he definitely died, what if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead? If the resurrection didn’t happen, then millions of Christians over two millennia on every continent and island have been hoodwinked. Christianity only gives people hope if Jesus died and came back to life. Humanly speaking resurrection is impossible. But who’d follow a god with human limitations? Jesus claimed to be God. If that’s true, then he could break the laws of the universe and come back from the dead.

Physicist Brian Cox: ‘I don’t have a particular faith – or any faith in fact. However I think that difference of opinion and view of the world is to be celebrated and explored… The fundamental principle in science is that we start from a position of ignorance … that means we take delight in being shown to be wrong. We do not assume that we are right.’

Millions of Christians through the ages have dedicated their lives to bringing hope and practical help to others. This girl is being treated by a doctor from a churchbased team of volunteers caring for casualties of the earthquake in 2010 in Haiti.

Here’s how the first century doctor, Luke, described what happened having investigated the facts for himself: ‘On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words.’ 7 When they came back from the tomb, the women told the rest of Jesus’ followers what they had found. Luke wrote: ‘They did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter [one of Jesus’ closest followers] however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.’ 8 If you were planning to make up a resurrection story 2,000 years ago in the Middle East, you would not use women as witnesses. They were considered so unreliable that they were not allowed to give evidence in court. But this unlikely story was first reported by women. Jesus’ body was not in the tomb. The men confirmed that the women’s story was true. Then Jesus appeared to his followers. At first they thought they’d seen a ghost. But when he showed them his hands and his feet, when they touched the wounds, when they watched him eat a piece of fish, they believed he was alive.

An ivory panel, made around 420 AD, showing the women arriving to find Jesus’ tomb empty and two sleeping soldiers.

Jesus reminded them what had been written about him in the Hebrew scriptures: ‘The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ 9 Jesus’ followers did as they were told and waited in Jerusalem. They were expecting a Messiah to start a new kingdom overthrowing Roman rule. The kingdom that Jesus had told them about was still at the forefront of their minds as they questioned Jesus about the future. Luke recorded what happened: ‘The apostles gathered around Jesus and asked him a question. “Lord,” they said, “are you going to give the kingdom back to Israel now?”

‘The Resurrection’ by Vladimir Mazuranic

‘He said to them, “You should not be concerned about times or dates. The Father has set them by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Then you will tell people about me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria. And you will even tell other people about me from one end of the earth to the other.” ‘After Jesus said this, he was taken up to heaven. The apostles watched until a cloud hid him from their sight. ‘While he was going up, they kept on looking at the sky. Suddenly two men dressed in white clothing stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. But he will come back in the same way you saw him go.”’ 10 Not long afterwards, while Jesus’ followers waited in Jerusalem, Jesus’ promised gift of Holy Spirit power was given. His frightened followers, who had abandoned him at the crucifixion, became bold witnesses to his resurrection. Peter, one of his closest friends, who had denied knowing him when he was on trial before the crucifixion, stood up in front of the crowds in Jerusalem and said: ‘Fellow Israelites, listen to this! Jesus of Nazareth was a man who had God’s approval. God did miracles, wonders and signs among you through Jesus. You yourselves know this. Long ago God planned that Jesus would be handed over to you. With the help of evil people, you put Jesus to death. You nailed him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead. He set him free from the suffering of death. It wasn’t possible for death to keep its hold on Jesus.’ 11 For the past 2,000 years Jesus’ followers have continued to tell Jesus’ story around the world, even when it puts their lives on the line.

In 1973 Bishop Festo Kivengere, a Ugandan Christian leader in the era of Idi Amin, was asked to speak to three men facing a government firing squad on a trumped-up charge. A crowd of about 3,000 had gathered to watch. The men were handcuffed and their feet were chained. The firing squad – soldiers – stood to attention. The crowd watched in silence. Bishop Festo recalled: ‘We approached them from behind, and as they turned to look at us, what a sight! Their faces were all alight with an unmistakable glow and radiance. Before we could say anything, one of them burst out: “Bishop, thank you for coming! I wanted to tell you. The day I was arrested, in my prison cell, I asked the Lord Jesus to come into my heart. He came in and forgave me all my sins! Heaven is now open, and there is nothing between me and my God! Please tell my wife and children that I am going to be with Jesus. Ask them to accept him into their lives as I did.” The other two men told similar stories, excitedly raising their hands, which rattled their handcuffs. ‘I felt that what I needed to do was to talk to the soldiers, not to the condemned. So I translated what the men had said into a language the soldiers understood. The military men were standing there with guns cocked and bewilderment on their faces. They were so dumbfounded that they forgot to put the hoods over the men’s faces! The three faced the firing squad standing close together. They looked toward the people and began to wave, handcuffs and all. The people waved back. Then shots were fired, and the three were with Jesus.’ 12 27

Great expectations Having some historical context might help us find answers to who Jesus is. He certainly wasn’t what people expected. The people in Jerusalem had been expecting a king; a saviour; someone who would rescue them from Roman rule. About 600 years before Jesus lived, a Jewish prophet, Jeremiah, prophesied that God would send a king, a descendant of the psalm-writer King David, who would ‘reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land’. 13 First century Jews were living in occupied territory. Rome was the latest superpower with a massive empire. They expected the promised king to overthrow Roman rule. They wanted a conquering warrior to make their lives different then and there. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a few days before his crucifixion, the mob welcomed him as king. But days later at his trial they were shouting ‘Crucify him!’ Even the disciples, who had listened to Jesus talking about his death before it happened, didn’t know what to expect. Jesus had told them so much about the coming kingdom, but they didn’t expect a servant king. A king who washed his disciples’ dirty feet. A king who died a criminal’s death nailed to a Roman cross, crucified between two thieves.

A shepherd on a donkey herding sheep near Jerusalem.

No one expected Jesus to start his kingdom by defeating the biggest enemy of all: death. They didn’t anticipate that turning the tables on all the evil and suffering in the world would start with his own death and resurrection. That his love would change hard hearts. That what started with a few followers in Jerusalem would spread worldwide through centuries. That the kingdom he taught his disciples to pray for might be glimpsed even in the worst mess and misery of human existence. Like us, they wanted pain and suffering and evil to end immediately. Somehow one of the convicts hanging next to Jesus recognised Jesus as a king with an eternal kingdom. Somehow he knew that this man - who had announced forgiveness to his torturers and accusers – this man could give him hope for the future: eternal life. As well as describing events surrounding the crucifixion, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe many of Jesus’ encounters with first century men and women. For example, a religious leader called Nicodemus visited Jesus, putting his reputation at risk in doing so. Nicodemus recognised Jesus as ‘a teacher who has come from God’. He must have seen Jesus healing people, as he added ‘No one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ 14 Nicodemus questioned Jesus about the ‘kingdom of God’. In the discussion that followed Jesus explained that God’s kingdom is personal not political. Becoming part of God’s kingdom is like being born all over again – making a fresh start. Jesus also explained that it was love for humanity that motivated God to send him. Jesus identified himself as God’s Son. He told Nicodemus: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ 15

Jesus said the new life he gives is like a spring of water.

In another encounter Jesus crossed racial boundaries and broke local customs when he asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water from a well on the edge of a town. (Samaritans were a group of people who were avoided by their Jewish neighbours â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a practice Jesus rejected personally and challenged in others.) Jesus and the woman got talking about being thirsty and Jesus said: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 16 When Jesus told the Samaritan woman that he was the Messiah people were waiting for, she went back into town to bring everyone to meet him. People then and now are thirsty for the life Jesus promised.

British political writer Matthew Parris: ‘Now a confirmed atheist, I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people’s hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.’ 17 33

Eternal life was also on the mind of a religious scholar who tried to catch Jesus out. He asked Jesus, ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ The man already knew the answer: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ But he wanted to excuse his own treatment of others, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus told him a story about a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way the man was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest was travelling on the same road, but when he saw the injured man he crossed the road to avoid him. Then another religious man came along; he also avoided the injured man. Then a Samaritan came along and when he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and paid the innkeeper to care for him. Having told the story, Jesus asked the religious scholar, ‘What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbour to the man attacked by robbers?’ ‘The one who treated him kindly,’ the scholar responded. Jesus said, ‘Go and do the same.’ 18 People sometimes didn’t like what Jesus said. As well as challenging them to love God wholeheartedly, he called on his followers to make a difference for good in the world. The values in Jesus’ kingdom often turn convention upside down. Often it was the despised foreigners, the rejects, the untouchables who became heroes in Jesus’ stories. Then and now, there is something about Jesus that provokes people: to reject him or to find out more about him and the kingdom he describes.

Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; descriptions of the kingdom of heaven used familiar images that everyone could understand.

Jesus used pictures to describe the kingdom of heaven like the smallest seed that grows to a giant tree, or yeast that spreads through dough making it rise. When Jesus talked about the future he didn’t promise instant peace and harmony. Wars, famines and earthquakes would happen, he said. But they would end with his return. And meanwhile his followers would know his love and his peace overcoming fear. Jesus’ stories also explained that finding the way to his kingdom is worth everything. He said: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.’ 19

A meal to remember Why is the cross part of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; story? Why did Jesus have to die? As part of the journey to find answers, it helps to understand some of the imagery. Like most of us, Jesus enjoyed a meal with his friends and he chose this most ordinary of daily activities to reveal why he came. The crowds in Jerusalem at the time of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; crucifixion had gathered to celebrate the Jewish festival of Passover. They were commemorating a key point in their history by sharing a meal of roast lamb, bread and wine. The meal reminded them that God had set them free from slavery in ancient Egypt, when the blood of a slaughtered lamb had saved them from death. Blood sacrifices seem gruesome for those of us who buy our meat in shrink-wrapped supermarket packs, but they were common practice in ancient history. When Jesus entered Jerusalem to celebrate Passover with his disciples, his every action was profoundly significant and richly symbolic. Scholars through the ages have devoted their lives to exploring the symbolism, its mystery and its meaning.

‘Lamb of God’ (in Latin, Agnus Dei) by Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664) 38

Paul, one of Jesus’ first followers, described the Passover meal – the Last Supper which Jesus shared with his disciples: ‘The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.’ 20

‘The Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Put simply, Jesus became the slaughtered lamb. His blood poured onto the ground from his broken body on the cross; a sacrifice to save humanity from death once and for all. Since that first Easter Christians have used bread and wine to remember Jesus’ death and the freedom from death that he achieved on the cross; sharing bread and wine to share in his death and new life; looking forward to his promised return at the end of time. That’s what makes the cross so significant.

Stef Reid celebrating after winning Silver in the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Long Jump at the 2012 London Paralympics.

Paralympic medal winner Stef Reid’s lifetime dreams of a sporting career nearly ended when she was 15. Her foot was amputated after a boating accident. Coming to terms with the loss, she found herself saying: ‘I’m going to give the creator of the world the benefit of the doubt and trust that he can do something with this.’ She prayed for the first time, ‘a really true and honest prayer’. She adds: ‘I remember being in that hospital room. It was strange to have, on the one hand, so much anger and frustration, and at the same time just to feel – to actually feel in that room – God’s love and God’s peace. That was my starting point…’. Still competitive, Stef learned to walk and run again. She’s broken world records, and was a silver medallist in both the 2012 London Paralympics and the 2016 Rio Paralympics.21

All change Jesus changes everything, but not always in the way we expect. When asked, six in ten UK adults believe Jesus was a real person (61%). The most common belief about Jesus is that he was ‘a prophet or spiritual leader, not God’ (29%). 22 Academic and author CS Lewis said: ‘A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher… He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.’ 23 More recently U2 singer Bono said something similar: ‘When people say “Good teacher” “Prophet” “Really nice guy” this is not how Jesus thought of himself … So, you’re left with a challenge in that, which is either Jesus was who he said he was or a complete and utter nut case. And I believe that Jesus was the Son of God.’ 24 Reading CS Lewis’ writing helped leading geneticist and longtime leader of the Human Genome Project Francis Collins to decide to follow Christ. He was still a medical student when an elderly patient shared her Christian beliefs with him and asked him what he believed. ‘I’m not really sure,’ was his stammering reply. ‘That moment haunted me for several days,’ he said. ‘Did I not consider myself a scientist? Does a scientist draw conclusions without

Dr Francis Collins former director of the Human Genome Project, now Director of the National Institutes of Health in the USA. 44

Balbinder’s story: ‘I started exploring Christianity just by accident,’ Balbinder says. She had been a Sikh for more than 50 years. ‘Most of my life I was looking for God.’ One day in a heart-to-heart phone call with a friend, she was talking about a problem she was facing. Her friend told her, ‘If you really want help, there is only one person who can help you and that’s Jesus. With all your heart pray to him and he will help you.’ Balbinder prayed and three days later she received a Bible from her friend and started reading. ‘I was in awe and amazement that it was real; God was talking to me… I now know the living God whom I didn’t know before. Jesus has truly touched my heart. I am a new creation in Jesus Christ.’ 25

considering the data? Could there be a more important question in all of human existence than “Is there a God?” ‘During my boyhood years I really had no idea who Christ was. I thought of him as a myth, a fairy tale, a superhero in a “just so” bedtime story. But as I read the actual account of his life for the first time in the four Gospels, the eyewitness nature of the narratives and the enormity of Christ’s claims and their consequences gradually began to sink in. Here was a man who not only claimed to know God, he claimed to be God. No other figure I could find in any other faith made such an outrageous claim. He also claimed to be able to forgive sins, which seemed both exciting and utterly shocking. He was humble and loving, and spoke remarkable words of wisdom, and yet he was put to death on the cross by those who feared him … I had to make a choice.’ 26 Millions of people throughout history to the present day, from every ethnic background, have made that choice and testify to knowing Jesus, knowing that he is with them, and that he has changed their lives. David Hill was studying maths at university. He described himself as an agnostic. He argued with the Christians he met and says: ‘I gradually became persuaded there was more evidence for the life of Christ than I had thought. Maybe Jesus had lived. Maybe Jesus really had risen from the dead. I was not sure. Months passed but eventually I got to the point of giving it a go. With maths books in front of me in the university library, I prayed asking Jesus to make himself real to me. It was an important decision and I expected something to happen. But nothing did. Two weeks later I prayed again. The next day something unusual happened. Alone in my room I experienced a quiet and undeniable assurance that Jesus was alive and that his Spirit was in my life. The experience became overwhelming, lasting several hours. It was from then on that life began to change. God had begun to answer my prayer.’ 27 46

Christian author Becky Manley Pippert

U2 singer Bono: ‘I believe that Jesus was the Son of God.’

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, recalls an event which prompted him to become a Christian: ‘I was sitting in my room and I was reading John’s Gospel. I got to chapter 3 verse 16 and I realised that I was personally, individually loved by God and so was everyone else. If you are profoundly loved by someone who knows exactly who you are, bad and good, it’s got to be very bizarre if you are not changed by that.’ Former agnostic, now Christian author Becky Manley Pippert says: ‘I vividly remember the first time I read one of the Gospel accounts that tell the story of Jesus. My impression of Jesus was that he was probably sincere, and no doubt always blissfully happy. Then I started to read the Bible. I was not prepared for how much of what I discovered would challenge my pre-conceived ideas.’ Following Jesus prompts Christians to put his teaching into practice, with his help. Jesus’ priority was love. It is love for God and love for others that has prompted 47

Young people at the Soul Survivor festival praying for Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury

Christians in the UK run foodbanks, volunteer as Street Pastors and give hope to millions of people through their work as individuals, churches and charities. Christians are also making a difference around the world. The well and pump that is making this Ugandan boy so happy was paid for by supporters of Compassion International, a Christian child development charity.

Christians through the centuries to start schools, hospitals and hospices. Christian charities and churches around the world feed millions of hungry people, house the homeless, shelter refugees of all faiths or none, and campaign for justice. Following Jesus takes Christians to prisons and the margins of society. For example, around the UK 11,000 volunteer Street Pastors spend nights on the streets helping to keep party-goers and clubbers safe in 270 towns and cities. Founder Les Isaacs says ‘It is part of our DNA as a Christian to love our neighbour as ourselves and obey the command to look after the poor, weak and vulnerable in our society.’ His Christian faith promoted Foodbank pioneer Adrian Curtis to leave a career in banking to start the first Trussell Trust Foodbank in Wales. The work has grown and Adrian now works as the director of the Trussell Trust Foodbank network across the UK, which gives over a million emergency food packages to people in crisis each year. Jesus’ followers also cross international boundaries taking up his challenge to ‘Go into all the world…’. For example, in 1966, at the age of 22, Jackie Pullinger left England for Hong Kong. She started sharing the love of Jesus Christ with gangsters and drug addicts living in the Kowloon Walled City and began to see them set free from drug addiction to start new lives. Today, many of these people have gone to other countries in Asia to share what Jesus has done. These and countless other people worldwide, celebrities and unknown individuals, seek to follow Jesus daily by loving God and loving their neighbour. There is still evil and suffering in the world, but the story isn’t finished yet. As Jesus taught his first followers, Christians still pray ‘your kingdom come’.

Bible translators training in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea.

There have been many different versions of the Bible over the centuries, as scholarship improves and as our language evolves. The complete Bible has been translated into more than 600 languages. King James authorized an English translation of the Bible, which was completed in 1611. Millions of English-speaking people like to use its language to pray the prayer which Jesus taught his followers. Here is a modern translation of the prayer known as the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come. May what you want to happen be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. Keep us from sinning when we are tempted. Save us from the evil one. 28

Who do you say I am? Behind all the other questions, there’s one crucial question that Jesus asked his disciples. Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the conversation. When Jesus asked his closest followers: ‘Who do people say I am?’ they replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’ 29 Spending time with Jesus had shown him that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. The question Jesus asked is as relevant today as it was when he first asked it. Changed lives, historical literature, creative expression in art, music, drama and architecture, all point us to Jesus. Evidence and experience suggest he died and rose again 2,000 years ago. He was called ‘King of the Jews’ but showed he was so much more. He talked about being with God before the world was made. Describing God as Father, he prayed to him as a child confident in the love of a parent. He invited his followers to enjoy the same parent-child relationship with God.

One of his stories portrays God as a loving parent longing for a relationship with his rebellious child, eager to forgive and restore broken family relationships. You can read it on page 58. Promising that he would always be with his followers, even when they couldn’t see him, he talked about God’s Holy Spirit as a gift who gives power and direction to each of his followers. And he taught that love and service are the characteristics of all who follow him. The kingdom he described gives status to the last, the least and the lost; power in God’s kingdom is expressed with humility, gentleness and respect. Many people can point to followers of Jesus who have made mistakes and who have failed to follow Jesus’ lead. Some dismiss the message when they see the messenger is imperfect. Sadly, many simply ignore the question Jesus asks. ‘Who do you say I am?’

Jesus said: ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.’ 30

The Prodigal Son Jesus told this story: There was a man who had two sons. The younger son spoke to his father. He said, ‘Father, give me my share of the family property.’ So the father divided his property between his two sons. Not long after that, the younger son packed up all he had. Then he left for a country far away. There he wasted his money on wild living. He spent everything he had. Then the whole country ran low on food. So the son didn’t have what he needed. He went to work for someone who lived in that country. That person sent the son to the fields to feed the pigs. The son wanted to fill his stomach with the food the pigs were eating. But no one gave him anything. Then he began to think clearly again. He said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough food! But here I am dying from hunger! I will get up and go back to my father. I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven. And I have sinned against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ So he got up and went to his father. While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him. He was filled with tender love for his son. He ran to him. He threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattest calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. This son of mine was dead. And now he is alive again. He was lost. And now he is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 31 58

Take a second look How do we answer the question Jesus asked, and what difference does it make? I’d love to take you in a plane to show you the place Jesus lived 2,000 years ago. If it was possible, a time-machine would be even better. We could walk with him and hear first-hand what he said. We could listen to him talking to people of all ages and backgrounds. Children, prostitutes, religious leaders, tax collectors, fishermen… we would see how people loved him – and hated him. And we could ask questions like the disciples did: when are you going to set up your kingdom and stop all the suffering in the world? We’d be amazed when he chose his team: mainly local fishermen – strong and sometimes impetuous, not carefully thought-out academics. One was a freedom fighter, two brothers were nicknamed Sons of Thunder. Then there was a tax-collector and one man who looked after the money for the whole group. It took just 30 silver coins to persuade him to identify Jesus to his accusers. Yes, Jesus’ closest companions included the man whose betrayal led to Jesus’ death.

The Sea of Galilee near Capernaum, a fishing village in Israel, which Jesus often visited.

The play ‘The Passion of Jesus’ in Trafalgar Square, London, performed by the Wintershall players.

If we were with Jesus, we might laugh when he called religious leaders ‘white-washed tombs’. We’d cry when he cried after one of his friends died. We’d be amazed when he healed everyone who asked for his help. Being there to watch him being crucified, we’d be sure he died. We’d have been alongside ‘doubting’ Thomas, one of his disciples, when he saw proof that Jesus rose from the dead. Seeing Jesus face to face, we’d hear him say ‘I am with you always’ before he disappeared from sight, promising to return. If you were standing face to face with Jesus, would you be saying ‘Yes! I want to know you. I want to follow you. Let me be part of your kingdom. Fill me with your love and power so I can make a difference in my part of the world. Tell me how’? We haven’t got a time machine, but we do have the eye-witness accounts of Jesus’ life. We might not go to the places Jesus lived, but we can catch a glimpse from those who have been there. And we can hear countless stories of hope from millions of Jesus’ followers who have said ‘Yes!’ to him. People who say that Jesus has changed their lives and whose lives are spent following him, little by little, seeing his kingdom come, longing for his return and the end of pain and evil. Adrian, the tourist we met at the start of our journey, said ‘Yes’ to Jesus and has been following him for the past 30 years. Who do you say Jesus is? And how will you respond when he says ‘Follow me’?

Jesus said: ‘You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?’

John 11:25-26 The Message

CV is a global Christian ministry with a strategic goal to reach a billion people with the gospel. We love Jesus and are dedicated to using our creative gifts and talents to help connect people to him. Visit www.cvglobal.co for more info.

HOPE brings churches of all denominations together. Our goal is to see lives transformed in villages, towns and cities as Christians put their faith into words and action to make Jesus known. Find out more at www.hopetogether.org.uk

Author Catherine Butcher Designer Claire Simmons-Clark Production and distribution CPO

References

With special thanks to Adrian Butcher, Roy Crowne, Jennie Pollock, Jon Turner Watch the video Visit easterhope.org.uk to watch the interviews of some of the people featured in this book. For more stories from people who are following Jesus, visit yesheis.com and YesHeIs on Facebook and Instagram. To find out more about following Jesus visit christianity.org.uk Photography Credits Alamy (alamy.com) Benedict Parsons (wintershall-estate.com) Compassion International (compassion.com) Great Commission (greatcommission.co.uk) Ian Britton (ianbritton.co.uk) James D White (cvglobal.co) Jesus Army (jesus.org.uk) Jon Turner (cvglobal.co) Elyse Patten (wycliffe.net) Simon Jones (lichfield.anglican.org) Toby Lewis Thomas (cvglobal.co) Trussell Trust (trusselltrust.org) Wycliffe Global Alliance (wycliffe.net) Copyright 2017 HOPE and CV Scripture quotes taken from: King James Version (KJV) Public Domain New International Reader’s Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. New International Version - UK (NIV-UK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

1. Matthew 28:6 King James Version (KJV) 2. This is a summary of the accounts in Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24, John 18-20 3. Watch David Wilkinson tell his story at easterhope.org.uk 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5EjA-JNiVk 5. Watch Helen Rufus-Ward talking about Jesus in art history at easterhope.org.uk 6. http://www.cmfblog.org.uk/2012/04/12/jesus-resurrection-theevidence-reviewed/ 7. Luke 24:1-8 New International Version - UK (NIV-UK) 8. Luke 24:11-12 (NIV-UK) 9. Luke 24:46-49 (NIV-UK) 10. Acts 1:6-11 New International Reader’s Version (NIRV) 11. Acts 2:22-24 (NIRV) 12. Frederick Quinn African Saints: Saints, Martyrs, and Holy People from the Continent of Africa (Crossroads Publishing Co., 2002) 13. Jeremiah 23:5 (NIV-UK) 14. John 3:2 (NIV-UK) 15. John 3:16-17 (NIV-UK) 16. John 4:13-14 (NIV-UK) 17. The Times - 27/12/08 18. Luke 10:25-37 The Message (MSG) 19. Matthew 13:44-45 (NIV-UK) 20. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV-UK) 21. Watch Stef Reid telling her story on the yesheis UK YouTube channel 22. talkingjesus.org 23. CS Lewis Mere Christianity (HarperCollins, 2011) 24. http://www.atu2.com/news/transcript-bono-husband-fatheradvocate-focus-on-the-family-interview.html 25. Watch Balbinder tell her story: greatcommission.co.uk/balbinders-story 26. Francis Collins The Language of God (Simon & Schuster UK, 2007) 27. Watch David Hill tell his story at trypraying.co.uk/stories/ 28. Matthew 6:9-13 (NIRV) 29. Mark 8:27-29 (NIV-UK) 30. Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) 31. Luke 11:15-24 (NIRV)

If you would like to purchase more copies of this book please call (+44) 01903 263354 or visit cpo.org.uk/jesusbook

About 2,000 years ago a man called Jesus asked his friends: ‘Who do you say I am?’ Not long after that at 3pm on a Friday, just outside Jerusalem in the Middle East, the man we call Jesus Christ died. He’d been tortured and executed. Christians and even many atheists agree: it was a pivotal point in history. Far more significant than the Berlin Wall coming down, 9/11, Mandela’s walk to freedom, or the Brexit vote. Every part of life and culture has been affected by events on that one Friday. The question ‘Who do you say I am?’ is as relevant today as it was then. This book starts the journey to find an answer.

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