Saving Jesus: Resurrecting John the Baptist

By Ralph William Ausman

The canvas of history provides a complex pattern of culture, change, and conflict. Colorful individuals were often the driving forces behind the progression of history. Was there a grander purpose behind these developments, beyond the individual people, locations, and events? History often turns on a simple thought or decision by those in a position to have a significant impact on the ultimate course for humankind. What influence did some of the most significant personages in human history unknowingly contribute on the world stage, even beyond their own individual stories and experiences? Was his story truly the driving force of history, the basic thread that ties the global human experience together?

Author Ralph William Ausmans novel, Saving Jesus: Resurrecting John the Baptist takes us on a journey through history, from the Holy Land, to China, India, Greece, and ancient Persia. It follows the origins of religious thought as world empires play out across the globe in preparation for the defining moment in world history: the birth of Jesus and the subsequent emergence of Christianity that would define world growth and development for the next two thousand years. Ausman looks at such questions as what would have happened had the wise men followed Jesus and his family or if John the Baptist had become Jesuss first disciple.

Saving Jesus: Resurrecting John the Baptist is not intended as a refutation of the Bible. Instead, it invites you to take an interestingand differentlook at the most important events and people of history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491784372

Ralph William Ausman

Ralph William Ausman earned a degree in computer science from California State University, Northridge. He then lived and worked in Europe and Singapore with his wife and daughter before returning to the United States. Ausman has always had an interest in different religions and their effects on culture and history.

Book preview

Saving Jesus

Resurrecting John the Baptist

Ralph William Ausman

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SAVING JESUS RESURRECTING JOHN THE BAPTIST

Copyright © 2016 Ralph William Ausman.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4917-8436-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-8435-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-8437-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015921138

iUniverse rev. date: 02/03/2016

NKJV

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

NIV

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Contents

Preface

Prologue

Elijah Sets the Table

A Road outside Zarephath, Phoenicia (ca. 860 BC)

The Jordan River (848 BC)

Part 1

Formation

Preparing Hearts and Minds

Zarathustra (Avestan)/Zoroaster (Greek) (born sometime between 1200 and 600 BC)

Ancient Persia (580 BC)

Buddha (ca. 563–483 BC)

Northeastern India (531 BC)

Confucius (551–479 BC)

Zou, Lu State, China

Lu, China (498 BC)

Socrates (ca. 470–399 BC)

Athens, Greece (399 BC)

Preparing the Nation: Israel

Cyrus the Great—Persia (ca. 600–530 BC)

Pasargadae, Persia (534 BC)

Susa, Persia—445 BC

Jerusalem Later in 445 BC

Malachi (ca. 460–400 BC) Jerusalem (circa 430 BC)

Preparing the World: Building Empires

Alexander the Great—Macedonia (356–323 BC)

Temple of the Nymphs, Mieza, Macedonia (342 BC)

Pella via Dium, Mount Olympus, Macedonia (334 BC)

Alexandria, Egypt (331 BC)

Babylon, Babylonia (330 BC)

Bactra (317 BC)

Opis, Mesopotamia (324 BC)

Babylon (323 BC)

Ashoka the Great, India (304–232 BC)

Pataliputra, India (235 BC)

Emperor Wu Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 220)

Dunhuang, Chinese Western Frontier (58 BC)

Roman Republic (510 BC–49 BC) Rome (100 BC)

Roman Empire (49 BC–AD 476) Rome—(around 25 BC)

Part 2

Fulfillment

The Birth of John the Baptist (Yohanan)

The Birth of Jesus

Jesus Grows Up

Yohanan’s Ministry—Jewish Leaders Reach Out

Yohanan Baptizes Jesus

Jesus and Yohanan Reconcile

Jesus Reaches Out to the Jewish Leaders

Peter Meets Jesus

Phillip to Nathaniel: Follow Me

Jesus Speaks to the People

Jesus Speaks with Herod Antipas

Religious Leaders Confront Jesus

Saul Sees the Light

Saul Takes a New Name

Nicodemus Meets Jesus

Nicodemus Answers to the Sanhedrin

The King Enters Jerusalem

Reaching Out to the World—The Great Commission

Jesus Comforts a Son of Thunder

Epilogue

Pictures / Maps

Sources

Preface

This story—and it is a story—is not intended to challenge the basic precepts of the Christian faith. As a historical narrative, this alternative history is based on a few basic assumptions: (1) suppose the whole world was being prepared for the Messiah long before his birth; (2) suppose the wise men, instead of returning to their homeland, had accompanied the baby Jesus and his family as they escaped to Egypt; and (3) suppose John the Baptist had actually become Jesus’s first disciple. While these are certainly not the events of recorded history, I believe these are reasonable situations that reasonable individuals could have found themselves in under similar circumstances, leading to different actions that were available to them at the time.

Though some of these ideas may have been expressed previously by others, I hope to accommodate them in a narrative that plays out through the life of Jesus and his disciples and explores how these individuals might have been affected had these events taken a different course. I have intentionally stayed away from discussion of the basic principles of Christianity, particularly the Virgin Birth, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. While in an alternative scenario, events might have been changed in timing or nuance, there is no doubt in my mind that these actions as recorded in the Bible were recorded accurately and did take place under the given circumstances in which they occurred. Therefore, there is no reason to challenge what actually happened based on the historical accounts passed down through history.

Some of the New Testament biblical dialogue has been changed in terms of time and location, but the thoughts and words generally reflect those of the speakers as recorded in the Bible. In an attempt to prevent confusion between John the Baptist and John Boanerges (brother of James—the son of Thunder), I have used Yohanan or simply the Baptist to refer to John the Baptist, and John Boanerges to indicate John the brother of James.

For those not familiar with biblical history, perhaps this narrative will offer another context or framework to understand Jesus, his life—and the world events that shaped it—and the world he lived in. For those who are more familiar with the Bible, this story may provide a further understanding that our thoughts, beliefs, and actions do matter. A single choice and resulting action can have a ripple effect with a major impact on the world. Ultimately, to change the world and the culture in which we live, we must first find the strength and determination to change ourselves. I hope you enjoy this alternative history as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

I would like to thank the many pastors, teachers, mentors, and Bible study leaders who have participated with me over the years in numerous discussions regarding history, Jesus, Judaism, and Christianity, contributing to the thoughts and ideas found here. Not only have these discussions expanded my understanding but presented forums for thinking in ways that may not always follow standard thought or doctrine.

I would like to thank the editors, designers, publishers, and marketers from iUniverse who have helped immensely in carrying this project through to fruition and bringing a collection of scattered thoughts into a substantial reality on paper.

I would also like to thank my parents, Stan and Marilyn Ausman, for their unwavering support throughout my life, through all the ups and downs, surprises, successes, and failures.

Finally, I would like to express gratitude and appreciation to my wife Il Ju and daughter Michelle for all that they have put up with throughout the years, truly a miracle in and of itself. Without them this project would never have been possible.

Prologue

Elijah Sets the Table

A Road outside Zarephath, Phoenicia (ca. 860 BC)

The prophet walked with a steady, deliberate purpose as he traveled to meet Ahab, the king of Israel. He enjoyed long, solitary walks since they were an opportunity to meditate on his experiences and what God had done in his life. Slightly built, he was wearing a rough tunic made of camel hair, a leather belt around his waist, and a simple pair of sandals that barely protected his feet from the hard, rocky road. His loose clothing was not comfortable, but it allowed what little relief could be had in the scorching sun. The hardships helped him concentrate on the simple things of the world—placing one foot ahead of the other, ignoring the pain in his feet and the nagging thirst and hunger until they descended into the deep recesses of his mind. Now he could focus on the higher purposes of life beyond the worries of his physical existence on earth. He continued along the dry, dusty road, contemplating the family he’d left behind: the kind, trusting widow and her young son.

Reminiscing on their first meeting at her home in Zarephath, the middle-aged widow had barely enough food for one final meal. The drought had been devastating throughout the countryside, affecting her and her son more than most. Reluctantly, after multiple requests to prepare him a meal, she cooked the last of her food for him in her simple but comfortable home. She had one small table, some blankets, and a cot for sleeping in the corner. Her cupboards were bare, but she cared about her son and worried that she would not have enough to feed him. One last meal—what difference would it make if we starved tomorrow or the day after?

She accepted his request, and with the last of her flour and oil, she baked everything for one final meal. Through her faith and trust in the prophet, the flour jar and jug of oil were miraculously refilled; they never emptied as long as he remained in her house and the drought continued. Day by day, whatever they ate was replaced. She marveled at the continued replenishment and provision they received in the presence of this man of God. She had certainly been blessed with his arrival, when things looked bleakest.

The poor widow admired the humble yet strong-minded, direct-speaking prophet. Later, when her son fell ill and died, the prophet, who called himself Elijah, was able to revive her son in a manner that was truly remarkable and unexplainable. God had provided a miracle to feed her physical needs and now a miracle to comfort her heart. All because Elijah had stopped at her humble home. As he left, she looked at the ordinary, unpretentious man who had changed her life so dramatically. These events confirmed to her once and for all that Elijah truly was sent by God, a man who spoke God’s truth and could be trusted beyond death. In her mind, the evidence was overwhelming; she had seen it with her very eyes.

When Elijah finally arrived at Mount Carmel in the midst of the terrible drought, King Ahab blamed Elijah for all the troubles of Israel. Elijah replied that it was Ahab and his family who had brought the drought by abandoning the Lord’s commands and following the gods of Baal, thereby destroying the moral foundation of the nation and God’s people.

In response, Ahab brought 450 prophets of Baal to challenge Elijah, the one prophet who represented the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As Elijah took in the scene, he felt lonely and isolated, outnumbered by the priests of Baal. The king and the people gathered together and waited for him to fail. However, in spite of all the challenges before him, Elijah knew the Lord was with him. That was all the support he would need. In spite of the odds against him, his faith and confidence were unlimited.

It was there, before King Ahab and the people of Israel, that Elijah confronted those 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. As an offering to their god, the prophets sacrificed a bull and prophesied frantically for Baal to come and set fire to their offering. When the prophets failed to bring fire to their offering, Elijah prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He said, Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again (1 Kings 18:37, NKJV).

The fire of God ignited Elijah’s offering, and the people were amazed at the power of the Lord expressed before them. At Elijah’s direction, the people seized the 450 prophets of Baal and slaughtered them. Shortly thereafter, the three-year drought ended.

Elijah returned to the town of Jezreel along with King Ahab. However, Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, was not very pleased with the execution of the Baal prophets, even threatening to do to Elijah what he had done to the prophets of Baal. Fearing for his life, Elijah ran away, discouraged and depressed. He had followed God’s directions; he did everything he was asked to do. What was his reward? He was on the run, cold, hungry, and alone.

After feeding and comforting Elijah in the wilderness, God told Elijah to go to Mount Horeb. He had appeared there to Moses under similar circumstances many years earlier. At Mount Horeb, God had spoken to Moses from a burning bush, telling Moses to go free the Israelites from their Egyptian slavery.

Elijah’s journey took forty days. When he finally reached Mount Horeb, God appeared to him. The Lord spoke to Elijah, outlining his mission and what was expected of him. Uncertain of what lay ahead, Elijah accepted the challenge. He was told to go anoint Hazael king over Aram and Jehu king over Israel. Finally, the Lord told Elijah to go and find his successor, Elisha, to continue God’s work as Elijah’s replacement (1 Kings 19:15–16, NKJV).

The Jordan River (848 BC)

The two men walked quietly along the dry, dusty road, having just left the town of Jericho. The isolation and silence were overwhelming. The brown desert made up of rocks and sand seemed to go on forever as the road wandered between the steep barren hills. They wore the same rough camel-hair garments with a simple leather belt. A skin filled with water and a small pouch filled with bread provided simple nourishment for the journey. Their sandals were made of leather, barely protecting their feet from the rough, rocky road. They appeared to walk casually, but they were relentlessly fixed upon reaching their destination. The elder of the two, Elijah, carried a walking stick. They were traveling in the northern kingdom of the divided Jewish nation, Israel.

The younger of the two turned to Elijah and said, How did it begin?

How did what begin?

The world—everything we see around us. Was it always here?

The elder responded, "Certainly the world was not always as it is now. The better question is why God created the world."

Okay. Why was the world created?

The elder traveler paused for a moment. Scripture covers many facets of this world around us. What does scripture say about what one should know and how one should respond to God’s creation?

The young student pondered for a moment, then began, "It all starts with the Law of Moses:

• I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of Bondage.

• You shall have no other Gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image – any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

• You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

• Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In