implies
Jesus attracted from afar. His bearing as Josephus appears to imply in his “Jewish Wars” (and assuming it is Jesus he is referring to) was striking. He made the arrogant Pharisees envious and they could ill disguise their ruffled pride. They could not help goading him despite alienating the crowd who in the main were aware of what they were up to. Jesus did not lose the opportunity to fire right back. He knew how much weight his personality carried and how much better off he was to teach the crowds and bring them back to the ancient dream of a new Canaan. He sounds and probably was, someone who had spent most of his life in very sophisticated company (and major cities) on the one hand and among cheerful, chanting and generous poor in the most squalid of mountain villages. He appears to be new to this close contact with Judeans. The long absence is implicit and underlined by the fact that John his first cousin – the man who played with him when only an infant, did not recognize him. Yet, they played together as the Mediaeval artists like Leonardo and Michelangelo tell us in their disturbing paintings. They were almost born together and were of the same age – yet John does not know who he is. What we, do not know, is whether John ever found out or whether he was killed because of this crucial meeting, rather than as a result of the bizarre bible story of his comments with respect to the Herod family. If John – a respected Holy Man who did not represent a political danger to the establishment, was seen or even heard to say what he apparently said, “Are you the Messiah to come ?” in front of any of the temple spies, it is not surprising that Jesus fled with apprehension and great sorrow knowing what he may