one for the lenten season

This is a bit long but I hope that in the spirit of the Lenten season, you will find time to read this.

For three weeks now I’ve been watching a series presented by BBC Prime every Friday at 9PM. A better alternative to the re-run of the Lord of the Ring trilogy (One) or the ever-present James Bond movies (MBC2). The series is called “Jesus Son of God”. And believe me, it was just as engaging as the Return of the Kings or Golden Eye. Probably more.

The series tried to probe the story of Jesus from his birth to the time of his death. A story so magical and, from a non-Christian point of view, has incredulously debatable merits just like any other stories of fantasy or fiction.

How true was his story, the program asks. Was he really born on a manger? Was he really crucified? Did he really rise from the dead? What did he look like? Questions that the program tried to answer objectively by using historical facts, archeological finds, analysis and testimonies from experts, forensic evidences and – CGI (computer graphic imaging – for those technically challenged!). At times, it tries too painfully as it rationalize, dehumanize and demystify the myths and miracles surrounding Jesus – something I’m sure that some devotees will find sacrilegious.

The program, in trying to present an unbiased view of the entire Jesus story, assumed a non-believing stand. Tried to be a devil’s advocate, posing questions, challenging what we have blindly accepted as “truth”, things that we believed in and used as the foundation of our faith.

Was Mary really a virgin when she conceived Jesus? Was it really divine grace who did the whole thing? The program almost resoundingly said yes. Cultural history supports what was written in the scriptures. Remember - adulterers, fornicators, prostitutes and anybody who falls prey into sins of the flesh are stoned to death. Mary was not. Something only a divine intervention can make possible.

Based on existing ruins and archaeological finds, and with the aid of computers, the program somehow succeeded in recreating buildings and communities of the early Nazareth, Bethlehem and other important sites. Which presented a logical explanation as to why Jesus was born on a manger, how his life was when he was growing up, where he lived, where he played and where he spent times as a young boy.

Based on written history and inputs from experts, it explained how the young Jesus got the motivation to heal the sick, got involved in the plight of the marginalized Jews and later on challenged the temple priests thus challenging the government of Israel and the Roman empire.

It offered a close approximation on how he entered the walled city during Passover. It offered conclusion as to why he was charged blasphemy. It explained the strategy Caiphas used to hand over the case to Pontius Pilate. And many other things that you would have probably asked why and how while reading the scriptures or contemplating on that wonderful story of his existence.

It offered explanations. It’s up for you to think, accept and believe.

One highlight for me was the question about the crucifixion. Was he really crucified? Yes the program confirmed. It was the Romans’ favorite way to torture and eventually kill their victims. But where did the nails go through? His hands or his wrist? The argument here is that if it is the palm of the hands, the weight of his body would rip his hands off and he will not be able stay up the cross for hours as the story claimed.

Actual tests by an American doctor and his assistant who gets “nailed” on a cross, footages of the “penitensiya” and crucifixion in San Pedro Laguna (yes, our Philippines) was shown, then a real cross from the 2nd century was presented.

In the end, an answer far from the common presentation of the crucifixion was offered. It was the hands alright, but the feet were not nailed as it was shown in most crosses we’ve seen. Why? Because, it defies the law of gravity. We should all remember that Jesus was, at this time, human. Therefore his body weight will pull him down at that position. The closest theory, which to me is credible, is that he had a piece of wood supporting his feet. Thus taking much of the weight off the hands. But can you see any of this in any crosses you’ve seen, kissed and worn all through your Christian life? Naahhh… that would be too much of a kill joy.

Another interesting part was how Jesus looked like. And again, as the program presented, it is miles and miles away from the common picture of Jesus we see today – a tantalizingly good-looking man of alabaster skin and flowing locks of soft, silky hair. It is, undoubtedly the work of people who wanted to present Jesus through their own perception of what is “beautiful”. Just like this generation’s perception of beauty – the cosmetically enhanced physical features far from the God-given features of an individual.

And Jesus’ image apparently fell victim to this too. Because if you think objectively, he was a sub-African/middle-eastern man whose skin cannot be as flawless as an Eastern European as it was portrayed. And the hair! Why was he given a hair so soft and beautiful? It couldn’t possibly be true. Because people who understand the middle-eastern region knows for a fact that human hair in this region is far from the straight, soft hair that was made to appear on Jesus’ head. And people who knew the Bible know that a man with long hair in that time is totally out of sync. Somewhere in the Gospel of St. Paul, it was mentioned that it is a disgrace for a man of that time to have locks of flowing (long) hair. As it is still now in the present middle-eastern culture. Logic? Yes. Supported by the scripture? Yes. I think it will make you think twice before you kiss another Jesus’ image.

Highly investigative as it is, the program faced a blank wall when it came to explaining the Resurrection. There was no evidence, whatsoever supporting the story behind the rising from the dead. It even posed more questions, theories and hypothesis as to what really happened. In the end, the presenter summarized the whole thing in one phrase so closely associated with Ripley’s – Jesus’ story – either you believe it… or not. Believe it or be an agnostic. Worse, an atheist.

But beyond religious branding, the program succeeded in poking into my own faith and reflected the same questions that have been bothering me since my early Christian days. It made me think and reflect on my own thoughts, my own beliefs. Beliefs that came from what we were taught and doctrinized by the church, the priests and nuns, the religious leaders, even the “manangs” of our local community. Beliefs based on scriptures of the Bible, translated billions of times over and over and ending up with billions of different interpretations. And who knows how far from the truth the current version we are using as the foundation of our present-day Christian faith.

Jesus’ life was quite a story. But incredibly wonderful and arguable as it is, it nevertheless changed the shape of human life. His was a story was so powerful that 2,000 years after his death, his crusade still commands faith among 2 billion followers around the world. That you can not deny.

He existed. That I believe. He performed miracles. His life has a purpose. He served that purpose. And he has given us something to hold on to – our faith. Whatever debate comes into play, no one can argue that his is one story that has ruled my life, your life and the lives of that 2 billion people around the world.

And, as I always say before – believe that there is air not because you can see it, but because you can breathe it.

Have a blessed Lenten season you guys.