K.D. Absolutely's Reviews > The Last Temptation of Christ

According to the imagination of this Greek writer who was 1 vote away to grab the 1952 Nobel Prize for Literature, Nikos Kazantzakis, the last temptation of Christ happened while he was hanging on the cross. In the book, at that point that he was about to be nailed, the sunny heaven suddenly turned dark, the earth shook and Simon of Cyrene (the innkeeper) saw angels coming down from heaven, were the ones who nailed Jesus to the cross and took him away upon his death.

This book regularly appears in various lists of banned novels. Not surprising because it deviates, horribly or brilliantly (depending on your perspective), from the story as narrated in the Holy Bible. For somebody like me who is fond of reading good fiction novels, I would say that the non-Bible based parts of the story are just too provocative to pass up. These parts are also critical to the story because what Kazantzakis would like to impart to the readers: that we, as human beings, should not despair and lose hope in trying to stay away from sins and temptations. Kazantzakis successfully did this by showing the "more human" nature of Jesus not only during the ministerial part of his life but most especially during his trial and crucifixion.

A very apt book for Lenten read. Some people say that this is blasphemous and sacrilegious just like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. I admit that the controversial non-Bible entries could turn off some conservative or traditional-minded people. I read that when the 1988 film of Martin Sorcese was shown in the UK, the movie, shown in parts, got the most number of complaints ever from viewers. I have not seen that movie and I am not raring to. I am a regular church goer and I finished several units of religion courses in college but I am not disturb in any way by these non-Bible entries courtesy of Kazantzakis:

1) Jesus had a hard time following the will of the father because he is in love with Mary Magdalene, a prostitute.

2} Being a carpenter, he is also a cross-maker. He was the one making crosses used for crucifying criminals. No mention if he was the one who created his own cross though.

3) Mary at some point cursed, not just questioned, God for choosing her to bear Jesus and to marry an old bachelor, Joseph. In fact, both Jesus and Mary referred to their "assignment" as curse from God.

4) Jesus not only knew the Judas, the redheard and blue-eyed disciple, would sold him to Caiphas. Jesus even instructed Judas every step of the way, i.e., who to talk to, what to say, where is the meeting point, at what hour they can pick him up, etc. Judas struggled with this role as he was also very close to Jesus.

5) The apostles did not show themselves during the crucifixion because they were not expecting Jesus to die on the cross. When they were recruited, they thought that the promised "kingdom" of Jesus is similar to that of Roman kings and the promise of "eternal life" is by Jesus making them like mythological immortal gods.

6) In the "last temptation" dream sequence, Mary Magdalene was killed by stone throwing death penalty and the throwing was spearheaded by one of the apostles. Then Jesus became Lazarus and had many, many children with the sisters, Martha and Mary although it was only Mary who Jesus "married."

If you are turned off with any of the above, this book is not for you. However, I took them as just part of the fiction part and for Kazantzakis to drive home his point: that Jesus, like his mother and disciples are just but human. As human, they are like us: encountering temptations every day of our lives and trying to raise up from sins during our stay here on earth. With this novel, I feel closer to Jesus as I know that he also felt what I feel during times of despair from failing to be good.

I also cried a tear this morning. It is this part where Simon of Cyrene was berating Jesus disciplines from not coming out and help Jesus carry his cross. The apostles did not move. So, Simon of Cyrene went out by himself and saw Jesus. Simon waved at him. Jesus's heart rejoiced. Jesus started to nod his head to say goodbye to him but tripped on a stone and collapsed to the ground, the cross over his back. He groaned with pain.

The Cyrenian (Simon) rushed forward, lifted him (Jesus) up, took the cross and loaded it upon his own back. Then he turned and smiled at Jesus. "Courage," he said to him. "I'm here; don't be afraid."

It just eases the pain of struggling away from sins. This book, this line. Brilliant. Clever. Must read, everyone!