Jerusalem, 9:30 p.m. Local Time, 8:30 p.m. Roman Standard Time
Welcome back to Messiah Watch. I’m here at the debate, where things have taken an ugly turn.
The night started off well, the candidates behaving in a courteous manner and staying well within their time limits, but the peaceful mood was not to last. Our moderator, Caleb, asked an unscripted question about an altercation earlier today between front-runner Jesus and a group of money changers who had set up shop in the temple area.
Jesus did not deny the allegation, but instead used his two minutes to discuss the necessity of loving God above all.
Governor Pontius Pilate reacted by pontificating on the qualities and overall greatness of the Emperor, which while very eloquently put, did not go over well with this crowd.
The mood shift was quite evident when several Roman soldiers appeared within the crowd, each carrying a visible and accessible sword, in clear violation of the ban on weaponry.
Caleb managed to pull the conversation back to prescribed debate topics before a riot could break out, quickly claiming responsibility for the sidetracking and brushing it off with his trademark wink and shrug.
Although the debate is, for now, back on track, the crowd is still restless, and the soldiers have yet to stand down. As the evening continues, I will be here on the scene--your eyes and ears, as always.
Jonah Ammitai, Good News Weekly, reporting.
Welcome back to Messiah Watch. I’m here at the debate, where things have taken an ugly turn.
The night started off well, the candidates behaving in a courteous manner and staying well within their time limits, but the peaceful mood was not to last. Our moderator, Caleb, asked an unscripted question about an altercation earlier today between front-runner Jesus and a group of money changers who had set up shop in the temple area.
Jesus did not deny the allegation, but instead used his two minutes to discuss the necessity of loving God above all.
Governor Pontius Pilate reacted by pontificating on the qualities and overall greatness of the Emperor, which while very eloquently put, did not go over well with this crowd.
The mood shift was quite evident when several Roman soldiers appeared within the crowd, each carrying a visible and accessible sword, in clear violation of the ban on weaponry.
Caleb managed to pull the conversation back to prescribed debate topics before a riot could break out, quickly claiming responsibility for the sidetracking and brushing it off with his trademark wink and shrug.
Although the debate is, for now, back on track, the crowd is still restless, and the soldiers have yet to stand down. As the evening continues, I will be here on the scene--your eyes and ears, as always.
Jonah Ammitai, Good News Weekly, reporting.