Wesley Huff

Right.

The difference is that there are these other messianic movements that happened in the ancient world.

And so, like, Simon Bar-Jura.

The reason why we're not talking about Simon Bar-Jura as a messianic figure is because he died and his movement died with him.

And his disciples didn't go out and then proclaim his continued message until – like to their own detriment.

So I would say a few things.

I would say liars make poor martyrs in that you will die for something you believe is true.

But the chances of you dying for something you know is not true are less likely.

So if we're talking about the disciples and especially if –

what they're getting for this particular proclamation is they're being ostracized from their own communities, pagan Gentile communities and the Jewish communities.

Because remember, there was persecution on both sides because it was at a certain point in time, continuing to say that Jesus was the Messiah.

And on top of that, that he was God himself was not very popular within the early Jesus communities.

There's a complexity to the fact that

People usually lie.

Look at cultic figures, right?

Cult leaders usually do things for prominence or money or sex or influence.

The interesting thing about the early disciples is they get none of that.

In fact, they almost get the complete opposite of that.

In that Jesus says, you're going to be persecuted.

You're going to be put in front of tribunals and you're going to be interrogated.