The preacher Jesus has been speaking in the towns and villages of the Galilee and Decapolis provinces all week and once more large crowds follow him wherever he goes. Many cures are again being attributed to him by people desperate for good health.
He has been deeply moved by the suffering he encountered and was overheard at Hippos comparing the people crowding around him to sheep without a shepherd - poor, lost, helpless. "So much to do, so few to do it," he said. He asked people to pray to God to send more help.
Last Wednesday at Gadara in Decapolis he fell foul of farmers and local animal rights activists, who blamed him for the mass slaughter of a herd of pigs. Like lemmings they chased over a cliff and drowned in a lake below, when he shouted at them. One version of what happened claims Jesus encountered two violent men who had the area terrorised. Because of their irrational behaviour and as they lived in a tomb in the local graveyard - which a lot of homeless people do in Gadara - it was believed they were in league with the devil.
The two demanded of Jesus why he had come to annoy them. He did not answer. Then, as if they had become believers in their own publicity, one of them said: "If you drive me (the devil) out, send me into those pigs there." They indicated a herd nearby. Jesus looked, pronounced a commanding "go", and the pigs chased off squealing in terror. They ran blind, over the cliff.
Their minders were very, very angry. They went into Gadara and, furiously, told people in the town what had happened. A large angry crowd went out to meet Jesus and asked him to leave the area. Some were concerned about what might happen to their own pigs should he stay, while a younger, more vociferous element demanded he explain how he would dare treat any of God's creatures in such a way.
"This is more of your macho-stuff," one young woman said to him. "What you did to those pigs was every bit as brutal as what you said to that young man here yesterday, when he asked could he bury his father before joining your campaign. `Let the dead bury the dead' indeed! Who the hell do you think you are?" She was physically restrained by the crowd. "You'd better get out of here," an older man advised Jesus. And he left.
In a fascinating insight into his campaign strategy, the local Galilee Leader newspaper carried a detailed report on Friday of a secret meeting held by Jesus with his core campaign group the previous night. At the meeting he had explained to the 12 - "the Jesus 12" as they have become known locally - what they must do to ensure victory.
"Avoid non-Jews and Samaria. Stick with the still floating, non-aligned people in Israel. They're the best hope. Tell them heaven is near. Tell them you'll cure the sick, raise the dead, drive out devils. Don't bother about campaign contributions and don't even worry about the shirt on your back. Whatever town or village it is, stay with a decent supporter for as long as is necessary and you are welcome.
"And if you are not made feel welcome shake the dust of the place off your feet as fast as you can. They will pay dearly for it. I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. Be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves. And if they hassle you and make your life miserable or worse - and they will - don't worry what to say. The words will take care of themselves. Then get out of there as fast as you can.
"Don't ever be afraid. God knows the number of every hair on your head. He will protect you. And remember I am not here to bring peace. Rather I will be the reason why a man will stand against his father, a daughter against her mother. I want total dedication, nothing less will do. And anyone who is good to you will be remembered by me."
The newspaper report has inspired much cynical comment in Capernaum. "A typical politician," said one local fisherman yesterday, "promising heaven on earth. He will cure the sick and raise the dead . . . How can anyone take these guys seriously? Do they think the people are stupid or what? One thing's for sure, Jesus or no Jesus I'll still be fishing for fish," he said. And he went back to mending his nets.
