Day One (part one)...

Arthur Action. 2006

Arthur Action is a fictitious newspaper reporter who has gone back in time to the year that Jesus Christ was crucified. Through his eyes, I hope to give an account of the last eight days of Christ life. This is revealed in the four gospels and other research books by authors who are recognized theologians. I hope that you find it interesting and informative. Especially, if you read this study day by day, on the actual day this would have happened.

Rumour has it that the one they call the Christ will no longer be able to avoid arrest by the authorities if he shows up for the first Holy Days of the year. Arthur Action has caught up with the Christ and his so called disciples and a host of followers. They have been keeping a low profile ever since this Christ was able to pull off the miracle of the year at a small village called Bethany on the south eastern side of Mount of Olives, about 2 miles east of Jerusalem. There he was able, by a miracle, so it is said; raise his good friend Lazarus from the tomb where he had reposed in death for 4 days. This event had galvanized the populace to believe that this Christ is actually the Messiah, which greatly unnerved the leading religious authorities, causing them to take desperate measures. So as Arthur Action waits, in the small village of Ephraim early on Friday the 7th of Nisan he hopes to tag along with this Christ’s motley bunch of followers to see what happens.

Background for the beginning of the last 8 days in the life of Christ.

John 11:44-55. And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go." Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples. And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.

Journey From Ephraim to Jericho, along the Joppa Ammon road.
Friday 7th of Nisan [Wednesday the 05th April 2006].

Arthur Action Reporting. [Day 1]

The year is 30A.D or 30 C.E.[Common Era] It is the 1st month of the year for Israel, called Nisan. It is Friday the 7th of Nisan. If this were the year 2006 A.D, it would be Wednesday the 05th of April.
Jn11.54. The place I am reporting from is the small village of Ephraim, a little east & north of Bethel and north west of Jericho. This about 10 miles as the crow flies from Jericho, and about 19 miles actual.
It is early in the morning and Jesus, the disciples and the other followers are off on their 19 mile plus walk to Jericho.
The surrounding mountains are 2 – 3 thousand feet above sea level; the rough road to Jericho winds its way through these mountains. Most of the way is a desert and filled with caves, rocks and forests, a suitable place for robbers. Mk10.32. Christ is leading the way to Jerusalem; most of the disciples are apprehensive to follow Him. The disciples had already said to Christ when he went to raise Lazarus a few weeks ago, Jn11.8."Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?" JN11.53.The rumour is that ever since the resurrection of Lazarus the Pharisees were plotting to kill Jesus.

Mk10:32-34. Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."

Luke 18:34. But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.
Mt20:20-21. Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom."
Mark 10:35. Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."

I was not there at the time, so I heard about this incident two different ways. I think that the mother spoke to Jesus and the other disciples thought that James and John had gone to Jesus directly. Or maybe the mother and the two sons all went to Jesus at the same time.
It is an eye opener to realize that these guys, like most people, wanted position and power, and playing the role of the servant was not upper most in their minds at this time.Earlier, before Christ set out on his journey to Jerusalem Peter said Matt 19:27. "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?"

Mk10.38-45. But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared."

And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Luke 18:35-43. Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Luke 19:1-10. Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus [za-KEE-uhs] who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, [za-KEE-uhs] make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus [za-KEE-uhs] stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Next time, the parable of the Minas and conclusion of day one.