The Zealots and the Pharisees rejected Hellenization but with different approaches. The Zealots reacted with violence and they believed, the only good Roman was a dead Roman, and the Pharisees chose not to use brute force but to impose Jewish laws and stricter observance of the law. The Gentiles who did not submit to the laws of the Torah were considered unclean and were a people apart from the followers of the law. The Essenes resolved not to be associated with the Gentiles and anyone who did not agree with them in their perception of the law. This ultimately resulted in a large segment of the Jewish society being alienated from one another, even though they all suffered the effects of foreign domination. Jesus came onto the scene at a time when the struggle to stay true to the God of the Old Testament was fast being destroyed through political pressure. Jesus birth, suffering, and death was foretold of by the prophets of old, hundreds of years before it actually happened. When Jesus finally came to His own, we did not recognize Him. He grew into maturity behind the scenes, looking, listening, hearing, feeling, and experiencing life the same way we all do today, but yet He did not sin. He humbled Himself unto death because, one wrong move from him will send salvation up in flames, and we all will inherit the abode of flames for all eternity. His love for us knows no bounds.He willingly laid down his life for our salvation for eternal life. He was slapped, spat on, wipped, pierced, mocked and ridiculed, forcefully crowned with thorns, had His legs and hands pierced with nails to keep Him attached to the Cross, and raised up to public shame. Yes, this is the Jesus whom I know died for me. But he rose again on the third day for death and the grave could not keep Him there because, He is The Lord from above and not from below. I stand in awe of His calm calculated approach to every infliction brought upon Him by man though He suffered much. He taught us all such lessons through His ordeals, that could only be writen by blood. This is the blood of the new covenant, and the covering that ushers us forgiven sinners into the presence of God. Jesus the Son of man, called The Son of God.

Love

Brian Govender