Both Rosh and Jesus are seen by the villagers as men
opposing the Roman rule over Israel. However, they are extremely different in their
beliefs and methods. Rosh is a bandit living in the hills; he has been active for a long
time, and people are accustomed to his rhetoric about eventually leading an army to rout
the Romans. However, his excursions are always for theft and intimidation, and despite
his words he never actually takes steps to move on Rome. In fact, he avoids
confrontations with Roman soldiers because, as Daniel realizes, the Romans are content
to allow Rosh his banditry as another method of keeping the villagers scared and
dependent.
Suddenly words were echoing in his mind. "For
each one of you is precious in His sight." Not scripture, but the words of the
carpenter. That was what had confused him. Rosh looked at a man and saw a
thing to be used, like a tool or a weapon. Jesus looked and saw a child of
God.
(Speare, The Bronze Bow, Google
Books)
When Jesus comes to
the village, Daniel expects that he will use his great charisma and apparent
supernatural powers to lead a revolution. However, Daniel soon realizes that Jesus is
working towards changing hearts and minds; he is not trying to foster a violent
rebellion, but instead trying to spread love and peace through the region. Jesus
believes that since all humans are God's children, then peace will come through mutual
love and understanding, not through war. This shows how Rosh is simply a user of people
to his own ends, while Jesus attempts to enlighten people how to better themselves and
others.
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