Jesus’ movement began before Jesus.

That probably doesn’t come as any great surprise. However, it may be surprising to some that the similarities surrounding the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the Essenes are striking.

Even the behavior of Jesus is often very Essene-like. Written in historical Jewish writings is the true story of an Essene who walked into the Temple with a herd of sheep. He then stood on top of a crate and yelled, “My Father’s house is a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a market.”

Jesus’ last meal was held in an upper room in the village of the Essenes known as the “Upper City.” This Essene village was the only place in Jerusalem where men would do the common female chore of carrying water. While in the upper room (guest room) in the Upper City, Jesus and his disciples shared a meal that was shared daily in the Essene settlements. The Essenes called this meal the “Messianic Banquet,” and it included a prayer of blessing for bread and wine that was led by the leading Essene priest. Following the prayer, a cup of wine was shared.

The Essenes taught emphatically about the difference between light and darkness, and that one cannot exist as a son of light and a son of darkness. They also taught that the righteous are justified by faith, the poor in spirit are blessed, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake are also blessed.

The teachings and passions of Jesus resonated with those of the Essenes, which help us to understand Jesus’ Essene-like frustrations with the Temple authorities of his time, which led the Essenes to move out into the desert in order to prepare the way of the Lord.

It is helpful for us to know that Jesus was not heard or seen as a person with an entirely new message. Jesus’ message was part of an ancient hope and expectation of those who were fed up with the Hellenistic version of Judaism.

Many of us today become frustrated with the ritualistic, mythological, and superstitious versions of Christianity that bring embarrassment and dishonor to true Christianity. Yet Jesus did not command us to go out into the desert and separate ourselves from the evil of the world. Jesus calls us to go into the world and to break through the Gates of Hell with the love and Good News of the Messiah.

Many blessings,
Johnny

(You can learn more about this from Ray Vander Laan’s Faith Lessons Video, Volume 3, chapter 3, “Qumran: The Time had Fully Come.” You can also get it from Ray Vander Laan’s MP3 File, “The Essenes.” The video can also be purchased online from any site that sells books and videos.)

© 2007 Jonathan P. Gainey and Flock’s Diner.
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