Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly - Book Report/Review Example

Killing Jesus by Bill OReilly The book opens with ahistrionic recapping of occurrences surrounding the days after Jesus`s birth. Explanation of the conflict between the Jews and Rome shows the atmosphere at the time. Billy places the birth of Jesus somewhere in spring arguing that was when lambs were born, and it was a perfect time for shepherds to be out herding at night The act helps in painting a picture of the cultural perspective surrounding the birth of Jesus.it is a classic story - the birth of Jesus is tied to the inception of Christianity (OReilly 14). Discovering that a child would be born amongst the Jews, liberating them from the Roman rule, Herod orders the killing of all newborn baby boys. Fortunately, Joseph had visions of the approaching danger; he prepares and escapes with Mary to a safe place where Jesus is born. Later when Jesus is 12 years old, and his parents take him to the Passover celebrations in Jerusalem. On their way back home from the celebrations, Jesus’s parents realize that he is missing. Joseph finally finds him in the temple- he claims that the temple is his father’s house- teaching scholars of religion. The religious scholars are stunned at his knowledge of the intricate religious topics. Jesus experiences a relatively quiet childhood. Oppression of the Jews by the romans growing year by year. When he reaches age 30, he takes the ultimate step that would transform the world and eventually land him his death. John-son of Zachariah-the Baptist baptizes and preaches about the second coming of the messiah. Jesus comes to John for baptism. John recognizes him as the messiah when Holy Spirit descends on Jesus in the form of a dove. John baptizes Jesus. John the Baptist is later arrested and beheaded for offending the wife of Herod Antipas. The Jews get desperate and hope for Jesus to deliver them from the Roman rule. In AD 27, Jesus begins his work by an act of cleaning the temple. He whips the people trading in the temple, scattering and destroying their products. He criticizes the turning of a place of worship into a market place. He promises to destroy the place -the temple- and build it back in three days. Jesus gathers twelve disciples and begins to perform miracles around Judea. The disciples are meant to take over his work after he is gone. Jesus inspires the Galileans despite the roman oppression. A Pharisee introduces Jesus to a prostitute, Mary Magdalene, hoping to trick him, but Jesus forgives Mary of her sins and she becomes a follower (OReilly 17). The Roman and Jewish authorities view Jesus as a threat but ignore him because he preaches about peace. The disciples are worried about Jesus as he continually provokes the Jewish leaders with his teachings. Upon raising Lazarus, fear dawns on the religious leaders of a potential uprising. They begin to plot against Jesus. 30 AD, he arrives in Jerusalem riding a donkey, a fulfillment of Isaiah`s prophesy. The arrival of Jesus on a donkey`s back makes Caiaphas establish that he is not a true prophet and should be eliminated. Caiaphas tricks Jesus to trap him in blasphemy but all the attempts end unfruitful. As earlier prophesized Caiaphas finds help in a plot to prosecute Jesus when one of Jesus`s disciples, Judas reluctantly and fearfully yields to betraying Jesus in turn for 30 silver pieces. In the final supper, he predicts the coming betrayal. Soon after Judas leaves to meet Caiaphas to collect his payment. Leading his disciples in prayer at Gethsemane garden, he is struck with fear of his imminent death. Judas betrayed Jesus by with a kiss. During his time in custody, he is tortured by the guards until finally he is convicted of blasphemy for admitting that he is the Son of God. Both Pilate and Herod refuse custody of Jesus. Finally, when Pilate is compelled, he agrees to release him for Passover but the people insist on Barabbas, a murderer. Pilate distances himself from the matter by washing his hands and handing him over to the Jewish leaders. Jesus is crucified in Golgotha on a cross and passes away aged 36 years. He is buried inside a tomb donated by Joseph of Arimathea. On the third day, the tomb is discovered open. During the preceding forty days, Jesus appears a dozen times to his disciples before rising to heaven. The message of Christ is spread around the world by his disciples. Jesus is indisputably the greatest known name around the world, with his message reaching billions over the following two thousand years. Characters and their roles in Killing Jesus Jesus Jesus is the center character in the book, his life from birth, death and to the resurrection, a chronological buildup of the book. Following the death of John the Baptist, Jesus initiates an undertaking of teaching and preaching. Even though he is rejected in Israel, his disciples acknowledge him as the true messiah. His association with sinners is met with great opposition. On his arrival to Jerusalem, the act of cleansing the church sparks an outrage that eventually leads to his demise. John, the Baptists referral of Jesus as Son of Abraham, portrays him as a fulfillment of prophesies by old prophets in Israel. Jesus Christ’s death, resurrection and ascend to heaven further seals his role as the central figure upon which all the events of the book –killing of Jesus- by Bill O`Reilly are based. Peter Being the first disciples of Jesus, he shows and displays extreme devotion to Jesus and his undertaking of spreading the good news. He recognizes the legitimacy of Jesus as being the one true messiah before all the other disciples. Jesus portrays him as a pillar in which the discipleship started, branding him a rock. Peter, branded a rock, a sign that he was a pillar in which Christ’s church would be built. Peter was the first leaders of Jerusalem church (OReilly 76). John the Baptist John plays the role of forerunning to Jesus; he spread the word of the imminent arrival of a messiah who would baptize people with fire. Even though he did not recognize Jesus on his arrival, after witnessing the spirit of God descend on Jesus, he later proclaims that Jesus is the one true messiah. The nature John the Baptist`s death, demonstrates the cruelty that existed during the times and the harsh rule that the Jews were subjected to by the roman rule. Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene, who was introduced to Jesus as prostitute, is a close friend of Jesus. The meeting of Mary Magdalene and Jesus demonstrates that Jesus had the ability to forgive sins, when he pronounced Mary’s sins forgiven. Bill uses Mary to demonstrate that Jesus could have female friends. Mary is one of the first people to discover the absence of the body of Jesus from the tomb. She witnessed firsthand Jesus resurrected from the dead. Judas Iscariot Judas discloses the whereabouts of Jesus to the elders and chief priests for 30 silver pieces. The chief priests plotted and provided the guards whom he directed to Gethsemane Garden in Jerusalem, where Christ was praying with the disciples after having the last supper. Judas identified him with a kiss, while addressing Jesus as his master. Joseph Joseph, husband to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Joseph had direct decency to the line of King David, which demonstrate Jesus linkage to the line of King David. The heritage emphasizes Jesus’s rooting in Jewish traditions. Caiaphas Caiaphas was the highest priest at the time who presided over the trial of Jesus. When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem cleaning the church, he opposed Jesus`s claim of being the messiah and the true Son of God. The Great King Herod Upon hearing the news of a Jewish child who’s kingdom would rule forever liberating the Jews from roman rule, he gave orders that all new male born babies in Israel be killed. Joseph takes Mary away to protect the child from Herod`s cruelty and saves his life. Mary-the mother of Jesus The spiritual conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb marks the beginning of Christ- whose birth, infancy, adulthood, death and resurrection forms the basic plot of Bill`s book. New fact unknown before reading the book After Jesus death and crucifixion at Golgotha, the book shows that he rose on the third day. It is not clear the time when he rose from the tomb. Mary Magdalene`s relationship with Jesus is clearly demonstrated in the book as close. Jewish traditions opposed close relationship between opposite sexes, except in a marriage setup. Work Cited OReilly, Bill, and Martin Dugard. Killing Jesus: A History. , 2013. Print. Read More