He had to be, didn't He? This blurb from “The Jesus of History” by T.R. Glover helped me think of Jesus in a new way. No thank you, Hollywood -- I can't imagine Jesus with blue eyes and a British accent. It takes work to reach back through time and language barriers for a more candid understanding like this, but it's so worth it.
"A more elaborate and more amusing episode is that of the Pharisee's drinking operations. We are shown the man polishing his cup, elaborately and carefully; for he lays great importance on the cleanness of his cup; but he forgets to clean the inside.
Most people drink from the inside, but the Pharisee forgot it, dirty as it was, and left it untouched. Then he sets about straining what he is going to drink--another elaborate process; he holds a piece of muslin over the cup and pours with care; he pauses--he sees a mosquito; he has caught it in time and flicks it away; he is safe and he will not swallow it.
And then, adds Jesus, he swallowed a camel.
How many of us have ever pictured the process, and the series of sensations, as the long hairy neck slid down the throat of the Pharisee—all that amplitude of loose-hung anatomy--the hump--two humps--both of them slid down--and he never noticed--and the legs--all of them--with whole outfit of knees and big padded feet.
The Pharisee swallowed a camel--and never noticed it (Matt. 23:24, 25). It is the mixture of sheer realism with absurdity that makes the irony and gives it its force.
Did no one smile as the story was told? Did no one see the scene pictured with his own mind's eye--no
one grasp the humour and the irony with delight? Could any one, on the other hand, forget it?"
Imagery. Story. Metaphor. Jesus knew a thing or two about how to capture the imagination. This little revelation was only a starting point for me. I want to know more! But for now, that is all.
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