The Real Jesus?
An imagined dialogue between a 21st-century man and Jesus as he prays in the Garden of Gethsemane
Almost 20 years ago I set up a now-defunct web site called emptychurch.org. Its purpose was to explore various aspects of Roman Catholicism, the branch of Christianity with which I was most familiar. This reflected my growing belief that much of what I had learnt about the origins of Christianity was wrong.
I loved the Roman Catholic Church, in particular the rich ceremonial aspects, many of which were discarded in the 1960s. For a long time I hoped that, somehow, things would get back to normal. But they did not; things just got worse, as I discuss here.
The piece that follows was first published in 2004 on emptychurch.org. It was an attempt to channel my frustration, and yes my anger, into a form that would cut through centuries of lies and distortions.
Is it true? Could it be true? I don’t know. It might be.
21st Century Man
I am very sorry for disturbing you. Is your name Jesus or Yeshua? If this is a bad time I can come back later. Although I don't think there is much time left so maybe we could talk now.
Jesus
I am Jesus. Who are you? Are you here to arrest me?
21st Century Man
No I am a friend. It is difficult to explain, but here goes. I have come from the far future to tell you something of what is going to happen next. Not only in your own life, but long afterwards.
Jesus
I have been praying. Has my Father sent you?
21st Century Man
Perhaps, I don't know. I think I am dreaming and somehow my self or my essence has been sent back 2,000 years to meet you. I have been thinking about you a lot, wondering what you were really like as a person. By the way, you don't look at all like we imagine you in our time.
Jesus
Maybe I am dreaming too, but I would welcome some company. My companions are asleep over there. You say you have come from 2,000 years in the future to talk to me. How do you even know about me?
21st Century Man
Well, that is what I want to talk to you about. I am still trying to take in how much your appearance differs from the images of you in our time. You are usually portrayed as a tall strong figure, pale-skinned and with flowing brown hair and beard.
Jesus
The only pale-skinned people around here are the Governor and his soldiers. I am a Judean and this is what we look like. And as you can see, I am not very tall or strong-looking but this is how God made me.
21st Century Man
Of course, I didn't mean to offend you.
Jesus
I am not offended. I am very interested in what you have to say.
21st Century Man
It is difficult to know where to start. Maybe I will begin by answering your question about how I know about you. Most people in our world have heard of you. You are the most important person to have lived during the last 2,000 years. The details of your life and teachings have been recorded and passed down through the generations. They have inspired millions of people to try to live good lives.
Jesus
This is extraordinary. Are you Jewish?
21st Century Man
No, I am a Christian. That is what people who follow your teachings call themselves. It is based on the title bestowed upon you, the Christ. It means the Anointed One.
Jesus
But what about the Jews in your world?
21st Century Man
Most of them do not accept your teachings or regard you as the Messiah.
Jesus
The Messiah?
21st Century Man
Yes, we regard you as the promised one, sent by God to save us from our sins.
Jesus
This sounds like you have elevated me to some kind of god, like the Roman emperors.
21st Century Man
Not some kind of god, God Himself, or His only Son anyway.
Jesus
I must be hallucinating. Look, can you start at the beginning please and explain what you are talking about? You are making no sense whatsoever.
21st Century Man
OK, I am sorry. I thought that somehow you knew all about this. But I will start at the beginning. Very soon, soldiers will come to arrest you. You will be put on trial and I am afraid you will be executed within the next few days.
Jesus
Yes, I know. My Father has shown me what is to happen and I accept His Will.
21st Century Man
Following your death, a man named Saul will start spreading your teachings around this country and other countries.
Jesus
I don't know any such man. Who is he?
21st Century Man
He never actually met you, but he will have a vision of you and, as a result, will come to believe he has been charged by God to spread your Gospel, that is your teachings.
Jesus
I have come across a lot of people like that. They believe they alone are divinely inspired and everyone must listen to them.
21st Century Man
Well anyway, the Jewish authorities don't like Saul's, or Paul as he now calls himself, Paul's activities. Effectively there is a split between the Jews and the new Christians. The Romans don't like the Christians either and they are persecuted.
Jesus
Stop just a moment. You seem to be describing some sort of schism within Judaism, a breakaway group led by this Paul, and all in my name.
21st Century Man
Well, yes. That is one way of looking at it.
Jesus
But I am a devout Jew. My concern has always been to root out the corruption that has become embedded in Judaism. I have been trying to remind our leaders of the purity of what Moses taught us. I certainly do not want to start a new cult with me at its centre.
21st Century Man
Really?! This is a shock to say the least. We have been taught that you came into the world to found a new church, that you appointed Peter as its first head, and that you set up the initial structures with your apostles as its first bishops.
Jesus
This is definitely an hallucination, or worse a nightmare. Are you the Devil come to tempt me again? I did not listen to you in the desert and I won't listen to you now.
21st Century Man
Please! I am not the Devil. I am telling you the truth. Look, we even measure time in our world according to the year of your birth. I come from the year 2004, which means 2,004 years after your birth. We regard you as God. There is a huge organisation called the Catholic Church that believes it is the only custodian of your teachings. It is led by a man called the Pope who lives in Rome.
Jesus
He sounds like the Emperor.
21st Century Man
No, he is not the Emperor. The Roman Empire vanished a long time ago. The Pope has no armies. He exercises moral authority over the members of the Catholic Church.
Jesus
I cannot believe that this will happen in my name. Maybe it is my own fault. If I had more time to develop my teachings, write them down myself, then they could not become so distorted.
21st Century Man
But is it not God's Will that you go willingly to your fate?
Jesus
Yes it is, but only because of the circumstances that have developed. You see, I have always believed that true Judaism can be restored only when the Romans have been driven out of our land. They are the corrupting influence. So I came to believe that violent revolution was the only way to achieve this. This attracted certain kinds of hot head who were eager to attack the Romans. Peter, for instance, has a good heart but he is also impetuous. I would never dream of appointing him leader as you suggest.
21st Century Man
But are you saying that you actually wanted to use violence against the Romans?
Jesus
I could see no alternative. They are brutal and corrupt. They would never leave voluntarily. At the same time I hesitated. I knew many people would be killed and I longed to find another way. Then, just a few days ago, trouble erupted when I entered Jerusalem. People were killed and I knew I would be blamed. Some of my friends urged me to take advantage of the situation and declare an uprising, but I could not do it. Now I must await my fate.
21st Century Man
You seem to be saying that things could have been different, should have been different.
Jesus
Yes. I should have trusted God more. He did not want bloodshed. He wanted me to show people through my example how they could serve Him better.
21st Century Man
But we have been told that you came into the world to suffer and die, that this is what God wanted to happen.
Jesus
You must have a strange view of God if you think He would want anyone to suffer and die. No, I see now that He wanted me to influence others through my teachings and through my obedience to His Will. And to accept whatever suffering came my way, but there are many forms of suffering - not just physical torture.
21st Century Man
This is all so strange and unexpected. Of course I believe what you say. But it seems that we have been seriously misled about what your life was all about.
Jesus
Yes it sounds like it. I hear voices in the distance. And look! There are lights approaching. They are coming for me. You must go.
21st Century Man
But I feel I should help you in some way.
Jesus
You have kept me company at my darkest hour, although what you say has disturbed me. When you get back to your own time, think carefully about my life and what it really meant. Don't allow others to tell you what you should and should not believe about God. Find Him for yourself and learn to obey Him in all you do. That would be the greatest gift you could give me now.
21st Century Man
I will try. Thank you for allowing me to be with you. No matter what happens next you are in God's hands.
Jesus
His Will be done.
Brilliant. Thank you.