Catching Sinners

RM

Good morning. This is Rufus Milo of the Mediterranean News Service with a special report live from Judea. Over the past few weeks we’ve been closely following the growing controversy over Galilean rabbi Yeshua bar Joseph, whose revolutionary message continues to attract followers from all over the province. In a stunning move certain to raise tensions in the area, increasing the possibility of renewed armed conflict, this charismatic figure has invited one of King Herod’s tax collectors, a notoriously corrupt and ruthless member of his revenue enhancement team named Levi, to switch sides. The offer was made and accepted late last night, and the deal was cemented over what has been reported to be a rather raucous dinner. The Jerusalem establishment, already shaken by Yeshua’s popularity, is sure to be seething over this latest development. Our Jerusalem reporter, Xeno Philologos, has the reaction there in the capital city.

XP

Good morning, Rufus. Here with me to comment on this situation is Baruch ben Yoel, a leading figure here in the city and a prominent member of the Pharisee party. Mr. Ben Yoel, can you explain for our viewers what has happened and why it matters?

BBY

First of all, Xeno, let me thank you for inviting me to appear on your program this morning. It’s always a great pleasure to be here. We here in Jerusalem are responsible for the spiritual and moral well-being of our citizens. We know there is a great deal of suffering among our people, especially in the rural areas, and that they are under great temptation to follow charlatans who promise them quick and easy solutions to the problems in their lives. But, as you know from our previous conversations, keeping our Jewish identity is a serious responsibility. There are no short cuts. God himself gave us the Torah, the law and the prophets, and we have to be careful to say and do everything that is in it, otherwise he will remove his protection from our country. In fact, most of our leaders believe that the reason Rome came in and took over after Herod the Great died was because we had become lax in our observance of the law. So when someone appears out of nowhere, telling people that it’s okay to ignore the rules, that my colleagues and I are asking too much of them, why of course we’re concerned.

XP

I understand that your party, the Pharisees and the other group in your ruling council, the Sadducees, have formed an alliance to combat the influence of this Rabbi Yeshua. Can you explain how this unusual meeting of minds came about?

BBY

Certainly, Xeno. It’s very simple, really. We all realize that there is nothing to be gained by stirring up dissension. It is a great deal easier for us to keep the freedom we need to worship as God commanded us when the governor isn’t worried that there’s going to be an uprising. It’s awfully easy for a gathering of undisciplined peasants to turn violent, especially when they’re being encouraged to disregard authority. If they don’t respect and obey their own leaders, the Romans might be tempted to step in and establish order in a way that won’t be good for anyone. It’s really for their own good that we keep these popular movements under control. I mean, look what happened with the Baptizer Johannon. He got to thinking he was so popular no one would touch him, criticized Herod’s wife once too often in public, and got slapped into the dungeon. Things were very tense there for a while as we all wondered if his followers would begin to riot. Everyone expected it. Things are quiet enough now, since most of his followers seem to have joined forces with Yeshua’s, but that’s probably just postponed the next outburst. Yeshua’s crowds are already nearly double Yohannon’s.

XP

I can see where you would both have an interested in maintaining political stability, Mr. Ben Yoel. But it surprises me that Yeshua is attracting Yohannon’s followers. Wasn’t Yohannon one of those old-time Torah-thumpers, you know, all hell-fire and damnation and calling sinners to repent? Rabbi Yeshua’s not in the same mold at all, is he?

BBY

No he’s not, Xeno. And it has us puzzled, too. Yohannon called everyone - even us Pharisees who set the standard for religious observance for the entire country - to repent and be baptized to be cleansed of our sins. But Rab Yeshua! He’ll talk to anyone! He’ll take anyone! All the protective walls that we’ve spent so much time and effort building, all the safeguards that we’ve put into place to make sure no one inadvertently offends our God and brings curses down upon us, he’s just ignoring them as if they didn’t matter! He is a complete menace to the entire Jewish people, and he must be stopped.