Jesus is a restless, driven man, tormented by the vision of God’s kingdom that has seized him.

He walks through the towns; teaches in the fields; mixes with all sorts of doubtful people; calls fishermen, tax collectors and sinners to follow him; talks about sparrows and weeds, cups of water, unjust stewards, wayward sons, and lost sheep, not only as illustrations but as demonstrations of God at work.

 
He will not let go of that vision, although religious people contradict him, educated people mock him, authorities persecute him, friends misunderstand him and eventually crowds howl for his destruction.

 
He cannot always explain what the vision means, but is certain that God intends to establish his rule in the hearts of men and that they should, must, respond.

He sees clearly that unless people grasp and fulfil God’s intentions, their lives are wasted and lost.

He pleads with people to respond to God and so find fulfilment in their workaday lives no matter what their condition or circumstances.

 
He learns from contact with people outside his own race and religion that God is God of all.

He seethes with anger at religious leaders who seek to divert common folk seeking God from their common lives into a labyrinth of religious practices.

He is constantly frustrated by attempts to cast him as a demi-god, miracle worker, religious leader, social reformer or the coming great political leader.

 
He has been badly served by many who claim to follow him, (including some of the early ones) who persist in casting him in all these roles.