THE death and resurrection of the ‘Christ’ is described as “The Greatest Story ever told.” It revolves around the exploits of a young man who inspired millions. But his name has been twisted by organised religion and cults, to commence murder, theft and deceptions into physical and mental bondage of millions because he became enveloped as a revolutionary religious personality, for which he paid the ultimate sacrifice.

One of the most interesting episodes of the records of Jesus the man, whom the ancient people of Khemet would deem the maa Kheru and Christendom ‘the Christ,’ rests with the incidents surrounding the event that envelops Gethsemane. From the narratives in the New Testament, Jesus knew that he had made enemies with the local class structure who were as vicious as ever to protect their comfort zone, even though pagan imperial Rome had colonised their sphere of operations.

What class structure are we discussing? Together, the Scribes and the Pharisees constituted the legal and social policing of their population. Kind of today’s lawyers and then, social moderators of immense authority, in that order. Christ had a perspective on the Pharisees that is still haunting the legal profession today, “Beware of the Scribes, who love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market places; and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the utmost rooms at feasts: which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence, make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.” –Mark 12-38.

Thus, Jesus became more than just another sect proselytiser, but rather one who was construed to be an appointed deliverer ordained by God through the faith he departed to the obviously hopelessly occupied population. He had become a troublemaker to the beneficiaries of then-organised religion. He had become too great an influence not to pay attention to.

The conspiracy against Jesus did not come from the Romans but from the very Jewish religious oligarchy, ‘because nothing severe had changed for them despite Roman rule.’ One of the most revolutionary insights from Jesus on the relationship between man and the divine is: “God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here, or there! For, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” – Luke, chap. 17 verses 20-21. This was in response to his taunting interrogation from the Pharisees, who had asked when would the Kingdom of God come. This telling narrative must have brought anger to that section of the religious hierarchy who had held their flock within a realm of subtle superstitions about themselves as God’s angels on earth, with infinite access to the kingdom of God, rather than as collaborative religious counsellors. It also would have sent a sense of nervousness to all those told this, because it ushered into the active consciousness the issue of personal responsibility, in one’s dealings with the decisions we make regarding principles and values. It erodes the common comfort zone of, “tek a treacherous chance, then beg God fuh forgiveness.” Jesus had shifted the confession concept to more of a personal responsibility, through which redemption may only be realistic through one’s own commitment to a more stable state of principles and values, towards eclipsing what we describe to console our misgivings as- “the way of the world.”

Upon realising that his preachings had offended very powerful people with the means to harm him, he most likely considered the following option “But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his script: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” Was there a swift consideration to defy those who pursued him? Even If they were successful in escaping the charge of him declaring himself ‘The Messiah,’ which was punishable by death, if in defence they possibly could have been successful, then what? Escape to somewhere beyond the Roman rule? Jesus was raised in Khemet (Egypt) but they had long lost their independence. His only other familiar options would have been Kush (Sudan) or Punt (Ethiopia) a far stretch, but in doing that, the Scribes and Pharisees would undo his teachings, rewrite his legacy and damn him. This was common then and afterwards with those peoples and lands that the Rabbis thought to be foes. For this Jesus (yes, there were others) was tremendously popular among the ordinary people. This Jesus of Nazareth, son of Miriam. Jesus would have known that the religious authorities would stop at no bribery of hecklers, soldiers and thugs, towards his crucifixion, yet, he embraced his faith. Thus, we should explore the heroic stand he took, and the narratives ascribed to him, that can be translated to other human platforms. We can doubt the following that constitutes the Easter pageant when it comes to the resurrection. But we will also quietly confess that we just really do not know.