Preface: I had a bit of a hard time writing this story just because the stories surrounding Jesus' life are so well-known and set in stone. I didn't plan ahead for the story aspect when I decided to do the reading diaries for this section. Anyways, here's a bit of a different take on Jesus' arrival to Jerusalem. In the Bible, as most people should know, Jesus is a mild-tempered person who leans more towards kindness and non-violence. His outburst in the temple during which he flips over the tables the Pharisees and high priests are using is very atypical of his demeanor. In my story, to reflect his mild demeanor, I had Jesus choosing not to confront the Pharisees and high priests, but rather praying for them. I chose the picture I did to create a sort of look into Jesus' mind, because like I mentioned, he didn't do that in my version, but in the Bible, he does that so of course someone out there had to create a picture to depict what happened that day. Also, I feel like changing the story of the Bible is somehow sacrilegious, but for the purposes of the storytelling, I did what I could.
So Jesus and the Twelve travelled towards Jerusalem, and were to arrive shortly. When they came upon the Mount of Olives, Jesus told two of his disciples to go to the inn and find a place for them to stay. They asked Jesus for some money so they could pay an innkeeper when they found one, but Jesus told them not to worry about it.
The disciples found this a bit odd, for Jesus was well-liked in some areas, and despised in others. How were they supposed to know how the people of Jerusalem would react to his arrival? Nonetheless, the two he had designated left for the city.
When they arrived, they found an inn with room enough for all of them to sleep. The innkeeper promised them they would have a place to stay when Jesus and the rest came into town. "We've been treated poorly in far too many places, give us something as a guarantee your word is true," the disciples said. The innkeeper said he had a young colt they could take with them, and to give it back when they returned.
The man who ran the inn was well-known in town as being an honest man, one all the people liked, and the people who saw the disciples with the innkeeper's colt began to wonder who these strange men were.
"You there!" some of them asked. "How did this colt come into your keeping? He is the man's most prized possession, surely he would never just let someone take him."
"We take it as a token of good word that Jesus, the Son of God, will have a place to stay in his time here," they explained.
When the people heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, word spread throughout the city. Many people lined the streets to welcome him, offering clothes in his path and palm branches. The elders and high priests watched as the people embraced him, and they began to devise ways to trick him.
The next day, Jesus went into the temple. He watched silently as the priests and scribes did business on holy ground, and he became increasingly angry. Just as he was about to confront them, he thought of what message it would send to his disciples if they saw him lose his temper.
So Jesus and the Twelve travelled towards Jerusalem, and were to arrive shortly. When they came upon the Mount of Olives, Jesus told two of his disciples to go to the inn and find a place for them to stay. They asked Jesus for some money so they could pay an innkeeper when they found one, but Jesus told them not to worry about it.
The disciples found this a bit odd, for Jesus was well-liked in some areas, and despised in others. How were they supposed to know how the people of Jerusalem would react to his arrival? Nonetheless, the two he had designated left for the city.
When they arrived, they found an inn with room enough for all of them to sleep. The innkeeper promised them they would have a place to stay when Jesus and the rest came into town. "We've been treated poorly in far too many places, give us something as a guarantee your word is true," the disciples said. The innkeeper said he had a young colt they could take with them, and to give it back when they returned.
The man who ran the inn was well-known in town as being an honest man, one all the people liked, and the people who saw the disciples with the innkeeper's colt began to wonder who these strange men were.
"You there!" some of them asked. "How did this colt come into your keeping? He is the man's most prized possession, surely he would never just let someone take him."
"We take it as a token of good word that Jesus, the Son of God, will have a place to stay in his time here," they explained.
When the people heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, word spread throughout the city. Many people lined the streets to welcome him, offering clothes in his path and palm branches. The elders and high priests watched as the people embraced him, and they began to devise ways to trick him.
The next day, Jesus went into the temple. He watched silently as the priests and scribes did business on holy ground, and he became increasingly angry. Just as he was about to confront them, he thought of what message it would send to his disciples if they saw him lose his temper.
What Jesus wanted to do.
So he calmed himself, and walked out. The disciples followed him, questioning why he didn't say anything to the people in the temple for what they were doing. "I have spoken to my Father," Jesus explained, "And he has been watching the priests and Pharisees. He has allowed these things to happen in order to test the leaders." And Jesus began to cry tears of sadness, for his teachings had not yet been accepted in Jerusalem, though word of them had surely spread to the Holy City by this time.
The next day, Jesus decided to travel around the city and spread his Word, in hopes that the priests would hear him and accept his teachings and the power that God had given him. But rather, they became incensed by his teachings, for they did not align with the scriptures of old. They asked him who gave him the right to say these things, but Jesus simply answered in response, "I have not questioned your authority in the temple, so do not question mine."
And the priests thought of even more ways to put an end to Jesus' blasphemy.
Bibliography: King James Bible (1611)
Patrick, I understand your concern with not wanting to change the story and its details too much from the stories of old, but I thought you did a great job with this adaptation. I enjoyed reading it, especially with your clear and concise writing. The title was pretty straightforward, which helped me know right from the beginning what this story was about. But I thought you did a great job at developing the characters and telling the story of when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. I thought it was great!
ReplyDeleteHey Patrick! I completely understand what you mean in your preface. I had a tough time creating my own story from the bible as well. Not only is it hard, but it just seems kind of weird recreating a bible story, you know? haha
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think you did a great job! I like your style of writing. It brought the bible story into modern times and much easier to understand. This story brings a great perspective to Jesus and his disciples and you did a good job giving them personalities and showing their character.
If I could make a suggestion, I would think of some other ways to tell this story. I know it can be hard to change a biblical story, so why not just add to it? Maybe add a character and write from their perspective. Or even from the perspective of someone who was actually there. These are just a couple ideas that could help you in the future with any biblical stories.
I really enjoyed your story, you did a great job! Thanks for the good read!!
Hey thanks for your input man! I hadn't ever really considered writing from a different perspective or outside party, but I definitely will think of that next time if I hit a jam or the dreaded writer's block!
DeleteI can completely understand your struggle with not wanting to change the story. I do think you did a good job with your retelling. I also think its good that you challenged yourself with something that was difficult for you to write. I really liked the image you used as well. I think the ending you created was very fitting with the original lines of the story and it flowed very well.
ReplyDelete