Mountain View News Saturday, April 4, 2026 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is an educator, author, and ethnobotanist who has authored “Nuts and 
Berries of California,” and nearly 20 other books. You can find more information at 
www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.] 

EASTER AND THE MAN BEHIND IT 

Easter is said to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, after his trial and death 

on a cross. What a remarkable story. Jesus! You say just that name and everyone knows 
who you mean. What a man he was! What a life he must have lived! He is known and literally worshipped 
by at least a third of all humanity, and around whom our current world system of reckoning time revolves. 
Amazing! And perhaps the even more amazing is that there is still so much debate about who he was, what 
he did, how he lived, and what he believed. Hundreds of differing Christian sects are stark testament to the 
fact that though Jesus might have had “one message,” that message has been widely interpreted and debated 
over the centuries. 

Let’s work through some of the most basic facts. As an historical person, he can be placed in a specific time 
and location. All historians concede that they do not know the birthday of Jesus, but it is widely acknowledged 
that the birth date is not December 25. Many pre-Christian “saviors” have also been said to be born 
on December 25, and that is because the day of the winter solstice is when the days get longer, that is, there 
is more light, a solar resurrection from the dark of winter. 

Most scholars suggest that the historical Jesus was born in either April or September, in 4 B.C. or 6 B.C. of 
our current reckoning. Herod died in 4 B.C., so that was the most recent date he could have been born. Some 
place his birth as early as 10 B.C. in our current reckoning of time. 

“Jesus” was not his name! Really? Then why do we call him that? “Jesus” is the English rendering of Yeshu, 
or Iesu. Did he have a full name? Yes, of course, and it was not “Jesus Christ,” either, which is a title, meaning 
Jesus the Christ, or Jesus the Annointed. Historians say that the actual name was Yeshua ben Josephus, 
that is, Jesus son of Joseph. Another version says it is Yeshua ben Pandirah, Jesus son of the Panther. In 
Indian literature, he is referred to as Yuz Asaf. When mentioned in the Koran, he is Isa (or Issa). Dilletante 
“historians” have suggested that “Jesus” didn’t actually exist because they were unable to find “Jesus Christ” 
in other contemporary historical records. 

And yes, Jesus did have some African ancestry, though his physical appearance was such that he fit right in 
with the Jews of that era, based on several passages that indicate that Jesus not only looked like every one 
else in a crowd, but was also a very average and normal looking Middle-Easterner, not sticking out at all. 
Remember how the Roman guards had to ask for others to identify Jesus. He was of an average appearance 
for that day and location, and blended into the crowd. 

Though respectfully referred to as “rabbi,” his ideas about life, family, death, and relationships did not always 
mesh well with the religious elite, who viewed Jesus as well-intended, but nevertheless a trouble-maker to 
the establishment. 

THE EARLY YEARS 

It is worth noting that the Persian Kings (the so-called 3 kings) who sought out the infant Jesus were engaged 
in very much the same search that the Tibetan priests employed when seeking the embodiment of the next 
Dali Lama. The Bible speak of the young Jesus talking to the Rabbis in the Temple, sharing his youthful 
wisdom with the elders to the surprise of his parents. Then there is no Biblical record of what he did as a 
teenager, and during his 20s. We don’t hear from his again in the Bible until his appearance on the scene at 
about age 30 or so, where he reportedly transformed water into wine at a wedding feast, and was depicted as 
a healer, prophet, and fisher of men. 

His religious observations would have been the regular observations for Jews of the day, and entirely different 
from the observations of most Christian sects today. (The reasons for this are well-known and found in any 
encyclopedia on the history of the Church.) 

Growing up as a Catholic, I studied Jesus, and often wondered, what did it really mean to “be like Jesus”? 
There was so much about this person that was beyond my ability to research. For example, what Holy Days 
would Jesus have observed? Was he an Essene? Was he a Nazarene? What did these groups believe and practice? 
Did he really have any Buddhist influence? Who were his closest followers, the apostles? What did he 
actually teach his close followers, beyond what is known from his various public talks? Were his miracles and 
public healings actual events, or were they symbolic stories? These and other questions have always swirled 
around this man called Jesus. 

As a student of the real and historical Jesus, here are just a few of the many books I have found to be useful. 

Garner Ted Armstrong of the Worldwide Church of God in Pasadena, wrote a book about the “Real Jesus,” 
and Jesus was described as a hard-working, athletic, health-food eating powerful man, a sort of health advocate 
Gypsy Boots of the past who also spoke about the Kingdom within. 

Holger Kersten in his “Jesus Lived in India” book presents a very different Jesus, the very one who is depicted 
on the Shroud of Turin, and one who was actually recorded as traveling to India, and who studied from the 
Buddhists.

 According to Harold Percival in his “Thinking and Destiny” book, Jesus succeeded in re-uniting his Doer 
and Thinker and Knower, his internal trinity, which put him in touch with his divinity, which made him, effectively, 
a God. Though Percival’s terminology is unfamiliar to most Christians, he is less concerned about 
the historical details of Jesus and more concerned about what Jesus did, and became, that made him a focal 
point of most societies on earth over the last 2000 years. 

Regardless of your religious background or belief, you are likely to be richly rewarded by delving deeply into 
the nuances of the details of who this Jesus was. When everyone’s mind is upon Jesus and the Mysteries 
during the Easter season, I have found great value in viewing the “Jesus of Nazareth” series, and even such 
depictions as “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Unlike so many who purport to follow in his path, I find a real Jesus 
emerging who was not dogmatic, but one who knew that only when we recognize each other’s humanity do 
we rise up into our own divinities.

 According to Holger Kersten, “Jesus did not supply theories to be ground in the mills of academia, about 
his path and message – he just lived his teachings! Tolerance, unprejudiced acceptance of others, giving and 
sharing, the capacity to take upon oneself the burdens of others, in other words, unlimited love in action and 
service for one’s fellow human beings – this is the path which Jesus showed to salvation.” 


DOTTIE IS A DOLL! 

Sweet Dottie is a purr-fect kitty for Easter and forever! 

Dottie 
is small,
affectionate, 
and playful.
She loves to 
snuggle with 
her brothers, 

but she’s quite a “girly girl,” known forher distinguishing eyebrows, which isdefinitely a “girl thing!” 

She loves to be brushed, and will quietlycall you over to brush her on her favoritescratch mat, which will go with herwhen she’s adopted, of course. Dottie 
always greets you with a meow when youreach for her, and will purr quietly when


petted. She also loves to eat, and will run from her eatingspot to you meowing for you to hurry with the food. It’s 
adorable. 

Dottie needs to be adopted with one of her siblings: Ollie,
Rocky, or Sammy, and you will meet them all at their fosterhome. They will bless your life with love and fun. 

Apply at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/mindys-kittens.
html or scan the qr code. 

Pet of the Week 

Rockie is a sweet, wiggly girl with aheart full of love. This 8-year-old pittie 
at Pasadena Humane walks nicelyon leash, enjoys a leisurely sniff-filledstroll, and loves carrying her favoritetoy like a prized possession. But herabsolute favorite thing? Being close toher people—on your lap, by your side, orcurled up on the couch, she just wants tobe with you. 

Playful without being over-the-top,
Rockie is gentle with treats, enjoys shortbursts of activity, and settles easily intocuddle mode afterward. Her foster field 
trip chaperones often report, “she madeso many people smile today,” just bybeing herself. 

She is also house-trained, crate-
trained, and thrives on affection and 
companionship.Rockie will do best ina home where her people understandher needs and can give her thoughtfulguidance. 

Otherwise, she is the perfect snugglebuddy and loyal shadow, ready to shareher love with the right family – perhapsyours! 
The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip,
and age-appropriate vaccines. 


Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos of 
adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. 

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCAAnimal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to carefor your pet.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters byphone calls or email. 

CAN YOU HELP? 

A severely injured puppy who lost most of his nose and suffered a dislocated 
jaw is receiving medical care as he begins a lengthy and complex recovery at 
Pasadena Humane. Peanut arrived at the shelter with traumatic injuries on 
March 9th after being found in Sierra Madre. 

Veterinary staff provided immediate care and are overseeing a complex recovery 
process expected to take weeks. Pasadena Humane says donations to 
its Miracle Medical Fund help cover the cost of treating animals with severe 
injuries. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com