Jerusalem Times: 4 April 33AD

Crowds pack Jerusalem for the upcoming Passover celebration
It is estimated that over 5 million people will crowd the city streets of Jerusalem.

Events are planned at the temple. Sacrifices can be made, with provisions made for travelers to purchase Mosaic-worthy animals on site. This will reduce the need to travel with live livestock.

While some rooms are still available for seder celebrations, the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce recommends getting reservations made early. Many finer establishments have been booked a year in advance, but some accommodations can be found. For information about such rooms, go to the Camel's Eye Gate for public announcements.

Passover is a celebration of the Israelite people dating back almost 1500 years. This celebration commemorates when G-d released the Israelite people from bondage to the Pharoah of Egypt. In the subsequent escape through the Red Sea, the Pharoah lost his life through drowning. Each year the date was set to commemorate this freedom.

The prophet of Galilee is causing quite a stir in Jerusalem. There have been reports about him appearing in neighboring locales. Reports have surfaced that he raised a man named Lazarus from the dead. Locals from Bethany reported that Lazarus had been dead four days. The Sanhedrin has had no comment on these reports.

Weather report

The weather in Jerusalem today is expected to be sunny with a slight chance of morning showers. Monday sees more the same. The extended outlook sees sunny skies throughout the week with showers coming on the Sabbath.

Editorial:

Messiah: Will he come or not?

For many centuries our people have awaited a Messiah. Will he come? Has he come? Who or what would he be?

The events in Bethany recently have bolstered the claim of one Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah. Is he? On the one hand, certainly raising a man dead four days is a miracle. I have trouble reviving wilted plants, to say nothing of raising a dead man. On the other hand, his message and comportment do not scream "Messiah!" He speaks of loving our enemies and there are rumors he has performed miracles not only among non-Israelites, but even for Roman soldiers! What's with that? Shouldn't a Messiah be leading a war against those hated Roman soldiers instead of healing them?

This Jesus of Nazareth also eats with publicans and sinners. Now, I don't know the books of Moses as well as I once did, but shouldn't a Messiah distance himself from such people?

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