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Imagining Jesus
The missing years of Jesus. A saga of passion, love and completion of a life fully lived.
Then the oracle slumped forward, her rasping breath echoing around the chamber. “I see great pain inflicted yet feel little pain suffered. I see great sorrow and heartache yet see happiness and fulfilment. You shall experience death and yet will experience life. And your name shall live evermore, for you will triumph even though it will be tinged with sadness and loss. Remember that the extent of your sacrifice will be your own choosing and no one else’s. It is for you to choose which branch of the path you follow. But be aware that if you continue on this pathway that you set yourself, you will be reviled by some and worshipped by many, and your legacy will be fraught with deception and lies. Still, it will not be for nought; this will be made known to you.
An old man begins to tell the story of his amazing life; villagers, grandchildren listen, entranced by the man’s eloquence and wise countenance.
The listeners are transported to a faraway land, and the story begins with the birth of a child, and the greatest story ever told breathes light, love and compassion into every chapter of his fulfilling and traumatic life.
Ages have passed since he walked in flesh. Natasha’s imagination reveals a human man and his incredible powers. Yet you and I always travel with him on every adventure.
A story of the life of Jesus as a very human man imbued by extraordinary heavenly powers and wisdom. His adventures travelling the known trade routes of the time. His earlier love life and his eventual unification with his soul mate, Mary Magdalene, and their amazing life together. Using the traditional accounts of Jesus Christ yet expanding it to a fuller emotional connection with his soul, his humour and charismatic personality. And how this affected so many people, Romans, Jews and all races. Surviving the crucifixion and completing his life to old age.
Then the oracle slumped forward, her rasping breath echoing around the chamber. “I see great pain inflicted yet feel little pain suffered. I see great sorrow and heartache yet see happiness and fulfilment. You shall experience death and yet will experience life. And your name shall live evermore, for you will triumph even though it will be tinged with sadness and loss. Remember that the extent of your sacrifice will be your own choosing and no one else’s. It is for you to choose which branch of the path you follow. But be aware that if you continue on this pathway that you set yourself, you will be reviled by some and worshipped by many, and your legacy will be fraught with deception and lies. Still, it will not be for nought; this will be made known to you.
An old man begins to tell the story of his amazing life; villagers, grandchildren listen, entranced by the man’s eloquence and wise countenance.
The listeners are transported to a faraway land, and the story begins with the birth of a child, and the greatest story ever told breathes light, love and compassion into every chapter of his fulfilling and traumatic life.
Ages have passed since he walked in flesh. Natasha’s imagination reveals a human man and his incredible powers. Yet you and I always travel with him on every adventure.
A story of the life of Jesus as a very human man imbued by extraordinary heavenly powers and wisdom. His adventures travelling the known trade routes of the time. His earlier love life and his eventual unification with his soul mate, Mary Magdalene, and their amazing life together. Using the traditional accounts of Jesus Christ yet expanding it to a fuller emotional connection with his soul, his humour and charismatic personality. And how this affected so many people, Romans, Jews and all races. Surviving the crucifixion and completing his life to old age.
568 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2024
6 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Rendell
4 books15 followersNatasha Rendell is fascinated with the known and unknown stories of history. In her travels to Egypt, Greece and Türkiye, she was fortunate to visit sites and monuments from the ancient world, which further inspired her writing.
A voracious reader across genres, Natasha lives in Tauranga, New Zealand, with her family, her beloved (and indulged) cats, and an alarming collection of overwhelmed bookshelves.
A voracious reader across genres, Natasha lives in Tauranga, New Zealand, with her family, her beloved (and indulged) cats, and an alarming collection of overwhelmed bookshelves.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 20, 2024
Beautiful. I have no words that could truly capture my appreciation for the beauty of this story. It may be that it aligns so well with what I know in my heart is truth. The message is both powerfully and subtly delivered. And while at first glance it seems long it was the perfect length to imagine the life of Jesus.
The journeys to other lands seemed so real I felt transported to each new destination. My favorite was the high peaks of the Himalayan mountains. I felt the whole experience so deeply.
I am beyond appreciative of the chance to read this amazing tale and I highly recommend this book, because no matter your beliefs this book will leave its mark.
The journeys to other lands seemed so real I felt transported to each new destination. My favorite was the high peaks of the Himalayan mountains. I felt the whole experience so deeply.
I am beyond appreciative of the chance to read this amazing tale and I highly recommend this book, because no matter your beliefs this book will leave its mark.
February 9, 2024
This book is undoubtedly captivating and extraordinary. It weaves a narrative that embraces the themes of hope, love, and rebirth with a poignant touch that resonates deeply within the reader's heart and soul.
Yosef's narration is imbued with a profound sensibility. His eloquent and evocative words skillfully guide the reader through a transformative journey. In the beginning, he warns, "It is up to the listener to let their imagination take flight and fill in the sounds and words that are surely there but unheard by the mortal ear."
As one progresses through the pages, the promise of something greater unfolds. Natasha Rendell masterfully guided the reader towards encountering Jesus and envisioning His presence. In my own experience, I found it a divine and compelling strength to immerse oneself in the tiniest detail when following His path, enhancing the overall experience of joyfully embracing His journey while following His steps.
This book is an absolute must-read and deserves multiple reads. Jesus never fails to captivate people with his teachings and his exemplary conduct.
Worth a try.
Yosef's narration is imbued with a profound sensibility. His eloquent and evocative words skillfully guide the reader through a transformative journey. In the beginning, he warns, "It is up to the listener to let their imagination take flight and fill in the sounds and words that are surely there but unheard by the mortal ear."
As one progresses through the pages, the promise of something greater unfolds. Natasha Rendell masterfully guided the reader towards encountering Jesus and envisioning His presence. In my own experience, I found it a divine and compelling strength to immerse oneself in the tiniest detail when following His path, enhancing the overall experience of joyfully embracing His journey while following His steps.
This book is an absolute must-read and deserves multiple reads. Jesus never fails to captivate people with his teachings and his exemplary conduct.
Worth a try.
February 25, 2024
Imagining Jesus was a very interesting book! Not only has the author given us the proper spelling of names of the times, but she's also given us the names of towns or kingdoms that were around in biblical times. She's also gone into great detail about different religions of the Mediterranean area and traditions of the time. Cleary, the author has done her homework.
This book raises many questions in this reviewer's mind, making possibly an upsetting book for some readers. For instance, Jesus wasn't named Jesus at his birth? He was named Yoseph David. Mary and Joseph (Miriam and Yoseph) didn't travel to Bethlehem with a donkey. They went with a horse and cart. Also, did you know that Jesus was traveling the Mediterranean countries when he was a teen? These are just some of the things that raises questions.
All in all, this was a very interesting book.
I received this book from the author via Voracious Readers only for my honest review.
This book raises many questions in this reviewer's mind, making possibly an upsetting book for some readers. For instance, Jesus wasn't named Jesus at his birth? He was named Yoseph David. Mary and Joseph (Miriam and Yoseph) didn't travel to Bethlehem with a donkey. They went with a horse and cart. Also, did you know that Jesus was traveling the Mediterranean countries when he was a teen? These are just some of the things that raises questions.
All in all, this was a very interesting book.
I received this book from the author via Voracious Readers only for my honest review.
May 23, 2024
A vivid and skillful re-creation of the ancient world in which the author imagines a real-life Jesus and brings him into clear focus as a man both human and earthly but also extraordinary in his psychic power and his compassion – and believable as a spiritual wayshower who truly walked among us.
The journey of Jesus in this story leads us through many of the ancient cultures of the time – with highlights for me being time spent in a Himalayan village and temple, a memorable visit to the Oracle of Delphi and a mystical experience in the forests of Albion. All the cultures and people encountered are so believable and it just makes for such a lively and engaging storyline.
Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene take prominent roles in this tale and are both fully-rounded characters in their own right. I quite love these two women as they are here presented.
I found the approach to the conflicted and troubled characters of both Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilot to be very thoughtful and compelling.
Most compelling though is the characterisation of Jesus himself: from a gifted, caring and humorous youth through to times of doubts and uncertainties, until he unfolds into his true greatness.
In its original perspective on the traditional Biblical version of events, this is a tale that stays with you and causes you to reconsider many aspects of the events that you may have taken for granted.
This review contains my honest opinions, even though the author is my mother! I simply would not have reviewed it at all if these were not my honest opinions. I was greatly impressed to read what she had written - I already knew she is a great writer (I have read her written-first-but-to-be-released-later title, Imagining Nefertiti) but was I very surprised and proud at how gracefully Natasha approached such a grand and overwhelming tale as that of the life of Jesus.
The journey of Jesus in this story leads us through many of the ancient cultures of the time – with highlights for me being time spent in a Himalayan village and temple, a memorable visit to the Oracle of Delphi and a mystical experience in the forests of Albion. All the cultures and people encountered are so believable and it just makes for such a lively and engaging storyline.
Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene take prominent roles in this tale and are both fully-rounded characters in their own right. I quite love these two women as they are here presented.
I found the approach to the conflicted and troubled characters of both Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilot to be very thoughtful and compelling.
Most compelling though is the characterisation of Jesus himself: from a gifted, caring and humorous youth through to times of doubts and uncertainties, until he unfolds into his true greatness.
In its original perspective on the traditional Biblical version of events, this is a tale that stays with you and causes you to reconsider many aspects of the events that you may have taken for granted.
This review contains my honest opinions, even though the author is my mother! I simply would not have reviewed it at all if these were not my honest opinions. I was greatly impressed to read what she had written - I already knew she is a great writer (I have read her written-first-but-to-be-released-later title, Imagining Nefertiti) but was I very surprised and proud at how gracefully Natasha approached such a grand and overwhelming tale as that of the life of Jesus.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews