I am interested in the "teachings" of Jesus (also known as Yeshua ) and I certainly feel any study/contemplation/meditation requires attention to the bible in the mix.
One thing that occurs to me so far, is the plausibility of the general populace "turning on Jesus." I don't claim to be an expert on the psychology, but it's somewhat like the "Stockholm syndrome" - whereby the hostages develop some inexplicable affinity for their captors. I'm suggesting that a similar twist in alliance is possible toward oppressors (government/religious officials) whereby if someone presents with a "radical" viewpoint that is both "blasphemous" by virtue of not echoing the "party-line;" even while at the same time it offers a path of freedom, the prophet/messenger is vilified, and in the case of Jesus - crucified.
The oppressed defend and even uphold the policies and practices of the oppressor; in some cases, those that are enslaved, will fight to uphold their deeply entrenched status, believing they are free.
Voices for truth are discredited, labeled as "the enemy," "conspiracy theorists;" perhaps many years later it comes to light, that there was indeed a "conspiracy." How is it that the conspirators wield such power that the one that becomes the "whistleblower" is dealt a career-limiting (ending) family and at times, life threatening blow. It's not just during war that, "truth is the first casualty."
While one could cite no end of reason to detract from the institution of churches and religion, everything from: misuse of power for control and manipulation, genocide, "religious persecution," sexual abuse; there are those that value deeply, their chosen spiritual path and through the tenets of those paths, coupled with their own creative talent, gifts and fortitude, embody a force that is part of all that is good in the world.
The essence of the teachings might be said to be in peril of being lost to the obscurity of intellectual abstraction; if it weren't for those, that seek to remain connected to the living transmission, of a benevolent universal life force. That claim in itself would be attacked and discredited by the religious establishment; upheld by their self-appointed authority, citing chapter and verse of academic testimony, that would lull even the rocks of the ages themselves, into a coma.
Even as I begin this flight of curiosity with a bible I found quite a while ago; after a busking session (which I believe is the "New International Version) I became curious, as to what I could find regarding how it was decided, what was contained within the bible. What a kettle of fish that brought forth! Even a cursory examination proved to yield so many "fish" that the biblical multitudes might well be fed for life trying to sort out which "bible" you are to read and why! Schisms and the equivalent of conspiracy theories of antiquity, marked the flagstone path that led to the dozens of versions of the bible. I'm reminded of a euphemism around the twelve step rooms that went something like this: "all it takes to start a new meeting is a resentment and a coffee pot." Though the toll in terms of human lives is astronomical - it seems the various divisions, "reformations" etc. are not comprised of much more than this.
The multiple translations, the coercive means utilized to uphold religious edicts, the corrupt relationship between "church" and "state" over the centuries; combine to cast doubt on the veracity of the resulting text. What if anything remains to differentiate the bible from other anthologies of history? Many "historical texts" have been created through the lens of: "those in power write the history books" to determine the bible to be "different" could take one a lifetime to unravel.
I believe the teachings of Jesus to have been a path for transformation of the heart. Whether anything that remains within the bible reflect those original tenets - I'm not prepared to say (at this point). Omissions, misinterpretations, "quotes" taken out of context - even allegory, metaphor and parable viewed through the detached eyes of rationalism/literalism, might cause gross distortions.
In Matthew Chapter 18 verses 1-4 it states:
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
I believe this speaks to the heart-centered path. Children have the capacity of unconditional love and therefore forgiveness. They can be easily "in the moment" and lack the shame and embarrassment associated with emotional honesty. They have not yet been conditioned to the ways of vengeance, hatred, exclusion - this conditioning comes at the hands of adults, that in turn have been conditioned to abandon their "innocence."
In John Chapter 14 verse 12 it states:
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
In John Chapter 14 verse 10 it states:
Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Do I "shoot" myself in the foot utilizing examples of "scriptures" from any of the versions of the bible to create a "case" for something more a kin to a "gnostic/mystical" path? At this point I have no idea whether the bible in it's entirety could be used as methodology. What I "read into" my examination of it so far - has as much to do with the example of a unfettered heart embodied by Jesus. He didn't bow to the authorities of his day - he knew the "law" more thoroughly than they did, he wasn't afraid to point out their hypocrisies, socially/politically - he didn't exclude anyone his demonstration of love was not reserved for the "elite;" he welcomed all (rich, poor, "tax collectors" prostitutes, those mentally ill, the infirm, robbers, those from varying ethnicity) does this not demonstrate an ability and willingness to see each as far more than what the labels they had been tagged with? I don't see that he was saying that was something only he could do. I see it as a demonstration of the sacred innocence he spoke of and was demonstrating to humanity.
He didn't claim to be the "healer" it was the healing power of the divine love of God that was being demonstrated through him. There are countless individuals who are performing acts of healing in the world. (of course each is at their own place of reckoning with "who the healer is.")
Did Jesus himself advocate that a religion be spawned in his name? Or was he concerned with the ongoing teaching of the transformative power of lives, that were connected to the divine? Those that were in power while Jesus was alive, no doubt wished to stay in power. There was nothing to stop them once he was gone, from spinning his life and "popularity" into a system, that continued to assert control over the masses. That this "religion" has morphed over centuries has not so much to do with the truth of Jesus, his life, his message or even his death; but that it could continue to serve as a tool of mass manipulation.
I don't happen to believe that the truth can be completely obliterated no matter how complex the weave of deception. The exact details of the life and events of Jesus may never be known, but I'm suggesting that may also, not matter. The truth of what he represented has a life of it's own; which cannot be extinguished along with the human body form, of those that carry it's message.
If it turns out that what I question and ponder, cannot disrupt what is ultimately the truth; then there will be no harm done.
It should also ring true then, that there is no need to "defend" the truth, as it just is, and therefore, no amount of questioning it, can "threaten" it. If one is secure in "their" truth, then no amount of my scrutiny can render it any less true.
Children are "taught" to tell the truth (an idea in itself that is laughable) they already speak truth that is uncomfortable for many adults. Socialization insidiously (and in some cases overtly) punishes them for telling the truth - so in many cases they learn to join in the collective lie.
Larger more "influential" swaths of humanity continue to utilize the same methodology - truth can seemingly illicit nothing in the way of a "heroes welcome." The rewards therefore must be intrinsically received and individually defined.
In conclusion (the post - not the topic) I offer a couple more quotes for consideration:
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man. - Shakespeare
John Chapter 8 Verse 32:
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
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