THE TRUE SIGNIFICANCE OF EASTER -- PART ONE

In just the same way that people today are fascinated more by the physical act of the Nazarene´s birth than by its real spiritual significance so, because of the teachings of the various Christian Churches, people are concerned more with the physical acts of Easter, with the betrayal, the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion and the resurrection of the Nazarene than with the real significance of those events in spiritual terms.

A Different Interpretation

On Good Friday Christians, persuaded by their Churches, grieve over the betrayal and death of the Master Jesus, cast blame on those who betrayed, tried and crucified him and then, on Easter Sunday, express joy for the resurrection of that Master, whom they call the Son of God. I know that many of you have very firm beliefs about the meaning and significance of Easter, but I hope that in this "lecture" you will be able to consider a different interpretation of the Easter story.

The Christ Principle

I will begin by saying that the Nazarene came not for a single nation or race but for the whole World. The Nazarene was born in a Jewish body for reasons of karma. He came and incarnated in matter both to fulfil his destiny and also to exemplify the Christ Principle for Humanity. The fact that he incarnated into the Jewish race does not mean that he came solely for the benefit of the Jews. He came for all Humanity, and although the Western World in particular has been attracted to his teachings, and has created the Christian religion from the events of his life, the message that he brought is for all people.

Any person, of any creed, living anywhere on the Earth, through reading about the life of Jesus of Nazareth and the period when he was overshadowed by the Christ can understand how life should be lived on this Earth and the purpose for which Humanity incarnates. The Nazarene did not intend that the events of his life should be used as the basis for founding any sect or religion but, nevertheless, the Christian religion has been created from the happenings of those times.

The fundamental concepts of the Christian religion are based on the happenings of Easter, when the Master Jesus died a painful death on the cross and then, on the third day, rose again. What I wish to question, if I may, are some of the preconceived ideas which have grown up and are now regarded as fact, as dogma, about the life of the Nazarene and which have distorted the true purpose of his incarnation.

The Destiny of Jesus

The Nazarene´s destiny and life in physical matter was planned with infinite precision. The time of his birth, the duration of his life and the moment of his death were known long before he incarnated. The great Beings who control this Earth planned, with true spiritual awareness, the demonstrations that were to take place on Earth for the benefit of Humanity.

Throughout his ministry Jesus of Nazareth was fully aware of the nature of his life, of what he was to do, and also of the nature and the purpose of his death. He knew that he was to die at a certain time many years before that event actually took place. That knowledge belongs to a Master such as he, one who has the wisdom and the consciousness to understand the spiritual factors involved.

The manner and the time of his death were not, therefore, a matter of chance. He died at Easter, the time of the year when Nature all around emerges from the darkness of winter, puts on a fresh coat, a fresh body, grows and turns towards the Sun, the eternal Light, and flowers anew. Nature is, of course, the implement of Infinite Spirit, if only Humanity would be aware of that fact. It is through Nature that Infinite Spirit demonstrates the highest laws and spiritual facts in this Universe. The Nazarene, when he died on the cross at Easter, was symbolising this moment of rebirth in a new body.

Overshadowed by the Christ

Throughout his ministry the Nazarene was overshadowed by the Christ. Whilst the Nazarene dwelt on the Earth he was fulfilling both his own destiny as a Master and a Teacher, just as you as individual souls would do, and the Will of the Christ. You may think it strange that one being can be overshadowed by another, but it is quite possible. Throughout his whole ministry the Nazarene grounded the Christ Principle on the physical plane, the only plane which Humanity comprehends, but Humanity has tended to single out his birth and death as being the most significant parts of his life. Whilst they are of importance, they are not of supreme importance.

Christian Dogma

A little of what the Nazarene taught during his ministry is contained in the Bible. The Master, inspired by the Christ, exemplified how Humanity should live its life on the surface of the Earth. If the Christian Churches, and Humanity in general, would only take the Nazarene´s teachings and place them in the forefront of their doctrines they would indeed be fulfilling his aims. But they do not. They take the death of the Nazarene, exaggerate it out of all proportion to the rest of his life, and make it into a dogma.

I am not saying that the Nazarene was not crucified. He was, but to one such as that Master death, in any form, be it by the sword, by the gun or by crucifixion, is as nothing; a soul of his consciousness has already advanced to the level where death is of no significance whatsoever.

It is only Humanity today who mourns the death of Jesus, who says that with his death a great Master was crucified, was removed from the Earth by evil people with all their fears and superstitions, and that they were to blame for what took place. What took place was planned aeons of time before it happened. The death of the Nazarene on that cross was as fixed in time as is the next coming of the Christ.

Part Two follows....

This article is from "The Fantastic Teachings of Ramala".