"Poking the Hornets' Nest" is the first of two volumes describing the complicated challenges Jesus faced. Both are narrative theology rather than purely academic analysis. They are dependent on the gospels and other contemporary sources. We easily assume Jesus had everything figured out, but no job description came with the job offer. Was he really the Messiah or delusional? How could he tell? Everyone had their own idea of what the messiah was supposed to do, but what was God's plan? Jesus had a learning curve and a mission statement to figure out. This volume peeps behind the curtain at the cost of pursuing his mission. The book also delivers a rational for the intense opposition Jesus aroused, thus laying the foundation for Jesus' final moves as well as those in authority. This conflict terminates in the crucifixion portrayed in Part 2, "Kicking Over The Hornets' Nest."