Dead Faith

A Saturday No One Believed

When the political and religious leaders of Jesus' day captured and condemned him, his followers fled and hid. One of his best followers, Simon Peter, tried to see what was happening to Jesus but denied any connection to him when questioned by another bystander (Matthew 26:69-75). And when Jesus was finally killed, every one of those who had believed he was the promised Messiah before his death lost their faith in him (Mt 26:56; Mark 14:50).

When authorities grabbed hold of one of Jesus' young followers, the youth wriggled out of their grasp leaving behind his clothes (Mk 14:51-52). Before Jesus' capture, his own family thought he'd gone off the deep end when he spoke about having a special connection with God (Mk 3:20-21; John 7:5). That Saturday (following "Good Friday") you would be looking at a blank page if you tried to list who were counted as Jesus' followers.

Many of Jesus' former followers would have identified with Cleopas after seeing Jesus die. Cleopas was headed to Emmaus from Jerusalem that following Sunday with some friends. They looked somewhat dejected. When a stranger came up to the group and asked why the long faces, Cleopas explained their disillusionment. Their leader had died shamefully. He was the one they had hoped would "set Israel free." (Luke 24:13-24).

Jesus was one among a number of others who claimed to be Israel's messiah ("anointed") who would rescue Israel from their captivity under foreign powers since the time of King David. But every one of them had failed to retain any followers after their deaths. Luke told of other aspiring Messiahs when he mentioned Peter and John before the Sanhedrin. 

A Pharisee, Gamaliel, spoke in defense of the these Jesus followers, He said, "Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail." Acts 5:36-38.

Gamalia was talking about a revolt in 6 a.d. in which Judas the Galilean played the role of a Messiah and failed as did a revolt in 4 a.d. under a Theudas. Later another Theudas (44 a.d.) tried to claim he was a Messiah and was killed by authorities.

A century later (132 a.d.) another man, Bar-Kokhba, claimed to be the Jewish messiah. He headed a rebellion against the Roman government but by 135 was overthrown and executed. The government then forced all Jews to leave Jerusalem. Bar-Kokhba left behind no following.

None of these Messiahs ever had a following after they were executed. Once their leader was killed, the followers dispersed and gave up on their Messiah. Yet among these and many others, Jesus, after being executed, had a small band of devoted followers and the band grew into a multitude and then into thousands upon thousands and continues today. Why?

Why do millions today claim to be followers of Jesus, the Messiah (Christ) and not Bar-Kokhba or one of a number of others?