The Real Jesus
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The Real Jesus

Introduction

Meet the Real Jesus

   It's time you met the real Jesus.
   It's time you knew Him as He was: sometimes brusque, abrupt and authoritative. Always thoughtful, philosophical and profound.
   It's time you knew that Jesus could be the kindest and most gentle human being on earth, showing boundless love, mercy and forgiveness to those who genuinely asked for it and were in a repentant spirit. But it is time to recognize that Jesus could also radiate blazing anger and could hurl swift, incisive indictments at all posturing egotists, self-righteous religionists, simpering crowd followers, or even at His own beloved disciples when they got out of line.
   It's time you knew that Jesus perspired just as you do; that He grew desperately hungry and tired; that He almost starved to death on one terrible occasion; that He suffered through the entire panorama of human temptations, passions and emotions which are common to us all; that He enjoyed good food and drink; that He appreciated feminine beauty.
   It's time you knew that Christ could cry, shout, laugh and sing; that He could enjoy the rough camaraderie of men of His own age in an out-of-doors camp, or appreciate the glittering setting of fabulous feasts in the most palatial of estates.
   It's time that you realized that Jesus was not a vagabond; that He was a professional builder in the construction business, combining the technology of "modern," first-century engineering with the art of the skilled craftsman.
   It's time you knew the Jesus who was admired by officers high in the Roman army, who became a puzzle to Pilate, who was hated by the Pharisees, greatly beloved by His disciples, held in awe by the masses, detested by Judas, deeply admired by a proud mother, intensely loved by John, rebuked by Peter, and who was just as intensely human as you are.
   Few know that Jesus was a Jew; that He looked like any common, average Jew of His day; that He was so nondescript that He was frequently overlooked in crowds even among people who were seeking to put Him to death.
   Few know that Jesus was not born on or anywhere near December 25;
   — that, as a boy, Jesus learned a profession; that He became the senior member in a construction partnership; that He owned at least one and probably two homes of His own; that He paid taxes. — that Jesus had a large family with at least six brothers and sisters.
   — that Jesus slept indoors most of His life and frequently spent the night in the homes of very wealthy people, including Romans as well as religious opponents.
   — that He was a personal friend of con artists, soldiers, fishermen, cheats, liars, thieves, crooked politicians, religious leaders and prostitutes.
   — that Jesus did not come to save the world some two thousand years ago, that He has not been trying to save it since, and that He is not trying to save it today.
   — that Jesus did not die of a broken heart; that He was not crucified on "Good Friday"; that He was not resurrected on "Easter Sunday"; that neither Jesus nor His disciples ever celebrated (or taught anyone to celebrate) Christmas or Easter.
   — that Jesus had to prove to doubting disciples by incontrovertible evidence that He had truly been resurrected.
   — that much of what He taught lies abandoned in the dust of history.
   — that Jesus Christ is alive today, is planning to return to earth and has actually begun His "countdown" from heaven!
   If your own values are those of the common person, the real Jesus may insult you, shock you, please you, challenge you, inspire you, surprise you, make you wonder. But He will never bore you.

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Publication Date: 1977
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