There is a facet of the character of Jesus of Nazareth we can probably all agree on and like. The Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild of our Sunday School days. The Boy who questioned His elders in the temple. The Man who gave value to tiny children at a time when they were insignificant and ignored. The Preacher who extolled the value of the poor and persecuted, the Teacher who declared your soul more important than the world. Charismatic, kind, courageous. With an instinct for the oppressed yet able to hold his own with the highest.
But there was another side to this calm Carpenter, equally well attested but not so obviously attractive or universally popular. A man who threw over tables in a fury and hurled other people’s property round a place of worship. Who called respectable people whitewashed tombs, and preferred to party with crooks and sex workers. Who threatened Hell and damnation and advocated plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand if they make us want to do wrong.