The notion that Jesus will return soon – any moment – is a common phenomenon. It is a hot topic among Christians, churchgoing or not. Muslims from all branches of Islam also expect the return of Jesus, whom they regard as a prophet. For instance, the belief in the imminent return of Jesus is a driver for Islamic State and the Taliban. And for Christian preachers who believe they can predict and package it right, it is the source of a billion-dollar industry.
But in my view, all the above is misguided. Jesus has already come back – and his name is Ricky Gervais. To understand how I have come to this conclusion, think back on how Jesus arrived the first time. An unwed, pregnant teenage girl gives birth in an animal shed – similar in our day to giving birth in a refugee camp. The only people who were informed of this event were smelly, uneducated shepherds and some mystics (the Wise Men) from another country and religion.
The first coming of Jesus was a complete surprise. The same is true of his second. Certainly, the religious establishment, be it church or mosque, will probably be the last to know. It is my good fortune or gift to recognise that Jesus has already come. He is here in the most unlikely person – Gervais.
How do I know this?
Gervais’ fame and fortune are partly based on shocking and insulting people – cringe comedy. His stand-up shows rely heavily on smut. But this is just a front, a disguise. It is not who Gervais really is.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 26 - April 1, 2022 من New Zealand Listener.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 26 - April 1, 2022 من New Zealand Listener.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Spilt milk
Excess dietary calcium goes into toilets, not bones.
To the Max
The testosterone and torments of late adolescence are centre stage in this novel about finding your place in life.
A chemical killer
A new book outlines the life of a woman who may well have been New Zealand’s most prolific poisoner. What was it that led police to exhume the body of her husband from its watery grave?
Creating the WOW factor
Meg Williams, in charge of the biggest festival involving a bunch of people wearing wacky outfits, admits she's not very flamboyant in her own dressing.
Leaving it all on the park
After cancer treatment, Graeme Downes takes stock of a musical life leading The Verlaines and lecturing future generations of songwriters.
Wrong message
A UK journalist who came here to talk about Rwanda’s authoritarian regime found herself the victim of a social media hate campaign.
Busting a gut
IBD is escalating, seemingly thanks to the Western lifestyle, and New Zealand has one of the highest rates in the world.
The point of Peters
There's been much to admire about the NZ First leader's politics over the years, but where has it got him?
Don't call us ...
Finland's ingenuity galvanised the rapid global uptake of cellphones, so it's paradoxical the country's latest claim to fame should be the elevation of no-speakies to a new commercial opportunity.
He is here
In the week my brother died, there was a storm in the universe.
