The Jesus Virus
Occasionally updated and edited.
Copyright © 2009
Luke's gospel yields a clue regarding the driver that propelled the early Jesus movement. The writer notes that Herod Antipater was "was exceeding glad" to see Jesus. Pilate had sent Jesus to Herod for trial. The writer of Luke notes that Herod was "desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him."
What was true of Herod was true of thousands living in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and "the uttermost parts of the earth." Tales of Jesus being hounded by miracle seekers explains the initial growth of the Jesus cult.
It's akin to a modern-day viral web site or YouTube video that is passed on in rapid succession through the Internet. The first century 'Internet' was word of mouth.
The stories of Jesus' miracles, healing in particular, went viral.
The Jesus virus was threatened by his execution. The virus was resurrected when his followers devised an improbable scenario: Jesus had supernaturally returned to life. The viral effect of the resurrection story is not surprising. Many believed Jesus could raise the dead. Why not believe he could raise himself from the dead?
Nearly three centuries later Eusebius recorded that King Abgar V of Edessa had corresponded with Jesus. The king was seeking to be healed. Eusebius' claimed that Thaddeus was dispatched to perform the healing. The historical accuracy of Eusebius' accounting is nonsensical. Still, it reveals that the Jesus virus was far reaching; both geographically and socially.
The rapid spread of the Jesus virus was not due to altruistic believers seeking to save the souls of others, but self-focused individuals seeking relief from physical maladies.
-- July 30, 2011