The Blood of Innocents

Set after a violent uprising in Roman-occupied Judea, The Blood of Innocents explores the conflicts that drove the first Easter.

John Bridges is a Royal Navy Chaplain, and a voracious reader of history. He tells the story of Easter through the eyes of those who didn't know how things would turn out. "When you understand what happened and why," says John, "the scariest thing is the sudden realisation that you might have made the same decisions that the authorities did and executed Jesus."

The story begins as a young man is captured by the Romans as they put down a violent revolt. Along with thousands of other pilgrims his parents arrive in Jerusalem for Passover and find themselves enmeshed in the politics of rebellion. The Hebrews still yearn for the long-promised anointed one to lead them to freedom but crucified rebels still hang by the roadsides. Can the boys parents save their own son from a Roman cross?

Meanwhile, Jeshua bar Joseph, a rabbi loved by the poor and loathed by the powerful, also comes to Jerusalem for Passover. Many hope he will, like Elijah of old, call fire down from heaven onto Roman heads. The High Priest fears he may just bring Roman violence down onto Judean heads. Isn't it better that one man dies rather than a whole nation? Even an innocent man?

John Bridges was called to Christian ministry in his twenties. In the decades it took to convince the church he travelled widely and had more incarnations than Doctor Who. These included soldier, salesman, businessman and writer. He is now ordained and serves as a Chaplain in the Royal Navy. John has recorded a number of podcasts for the Royal Navy which can be listened to using the link.