Jesus of Nazareth is undoubtedly the most known figure in Western civilization.
Christianity as a religion is embraced by one-third of the human population that is based around his life and wise lessons.
This, in and of itself, is an astounding achievement as the teachings of Jesus only lasted around three years prior to his death, and yet in that short amount of time a tremendous world of truth, myth, legend and superstition was built around him.
Spiritual Wanderer Course:
Being a lone wolf and a spiritual wanderer is a sacred calling in life – a unique and alchemical path of awakening. You don’t need to feel lost, alone, or stuck on your journey any more. It’s time to meet your soul’s deep needs for clarity, self-acceptance, and empowerment. Let us show you how …
Even though Christians share a certain set of beliefs that they hold as essential to their faith, there are a wide range of interpretations and opinions when studying the Bible. For example, there are approximately 30 major Christian creeds or interpretations (from Catholic ritualistic ideas to Amish self-denying notions), and within each, an endless amount of sub-creed churches.
As a young boy, I constantly struggled with this problem when I was being taught the Roman Catholic way of understanding the Bible. Some interpretations I felt to be true, while others felt as though they were not congruent with my understanding of Jesus.
This, I thought, was the essential problem when a living Master dies: when they are alive they cannot speak of truth because truth is an experience, although they can point you in the right direction with their words. When living Master’s die, however, all you’re left with are dead words open to interpretation.
These words were full of wisdom and vibrancy when spoken by this man who had tasted the truth, but once he wasn’t there to correct any misunderstandings, his followers were left with their limited understanding of his message. This continues to happen to this day with his contemporary followers who haven’t necessarily experienced the truth, but continue to spread their ideas of his work with good intentions.
Once I understood all of this, I began looking at the words of Jesus in a new light, as complimentary guidance and wisdom to my own experiential journey.
Here are a few of my own interpretations of his teachings. I don’t claim them to be true, but to those who might be on a similar journey, they may provide deeper understanding.
1.
Shadow & Light Membership:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ "Receiving these messages is a beacon of light and hope for me in currently very challenging times. The words of wisdom speak right to my soul, guiding and encouraging me further on my path. I highly recommend Shadow & Light to everyone who seeks to develop and cultivate a relationship with the Inner Self." – Karin
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
The first 30 years of Jesus’ life were historically uneventful, until the moment came when something suddenly awoke within him to begin his ministry. At last he had found what he’d been looking for, and he wanted to share this with others.
This statement perfectly embodies the awakening cry of someone who has come in contact with their true nature, their own authenticity, someone who listened to their spiritual thirst to find something higher than themselves.
The beginning of this passage is very significant. To transform yourself you must prioritize what you do; your life becomes a reflection of that which you ‘seek’. If money, relationships, sex, status or power are your “God”, then your life will only become as fulfilling as the depth of what you are pursuing.
2.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 (KJV)
‘Poor in spirit’ has often been interpreted as a false piety cultivated by either poverty of personality, or material wealth.
Poverty of spirit can be understood as a lack of ‘pride’, of egotism. To be too full of ourselves, of the need to be right, of our arrogant ‘knowledge’ and presumptions about ourselves, others and the world, is one of the greatest barriers to the growth of our beings. There is no room to learn anything new.
3.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 (KJV)
‘Righteousness’ is a word I particularly dislike. It has caused so much destruction throughout time in the name of politics and religion. Even in psychology ‘self-righteousness’ is considered to be stubborn-minded behavior and arrogance that corrodes relationships (synonymous with the egotism mentioned above).
However, righteousness originally had the positive meanings of being “genuine” or “excellent”. It comes from the old English (which they used to translate the Bible) word: “rightwise“, meaning to be both trustworthy and wise. This statement can be translated as: To have a deep drive and desire above all else for true wisdom that will bless you with much joy.
4.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this article to you, so you can come back to it later!
Your information will never be shared.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7, (KJV)
Although this is usually seen as a lesson in simple ‘Forgiveness’, it goes much deeper than that.
Forgiveness for many people is just a dutiful task to do in order to appear pious (when deep down we still dislike them), or to go to heaven. But to the person who has awoken to their true nature, they realize the depth of interconnectedness that exists in life. It is at this point that the birth of compassion occurs in knowing that those who haven’t experienced the truth, or God, still live as slaves to their emotions (anger, jealousy, lust, etc.), thoughts (traumas, beliefs, ideals etc.) and reactive natures, that come from perceiving themselves as separate from everything around them.
By giving mercy we’re not just freeing others from the labels we’ve created for others, but we’re freeing ourselves from all that emotional attachment we carry around as the heavy inner energy known as ‘hate’.
5 & 6.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 (KJV)
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you. Matthew 5:11 (KJV)
In these two sentences, Jesus described perfectly the eternal struggle of the sincere spiritual seeker; that of becoming a social outsider, a Lone Wolf.
Those who aspire to change, to transform themselves, to improve and become better, will constantly have to fight against the entire world, the social collective, and even their families. To strive to be aware and free from your mental chains of beliefs, social values and materialistic desires will make you appear crazy or highly dangerous to the mass of man who are still chained.
Historically we are well aware of these patterns, and keep them around as common sayings, for example: “A prophet is never recognized in his own country” or a “Genius is never recognized while they live“.
7.
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5, (KJV)
A man of immense insight, Jesus anticipated the psychological idea of “Projection” in this verse. With our judgments, our hatred, or lack of inner peace, we perceive these same elements in those around us who don’t share our perception.
8.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Matthew 16:25–26 (KJV)
There is a self-preserving nature within us all, an individualistic identity known psychologically as our ‘ego‘ that tries to protect its existence at the cost of denying us the ability to experience our souls.
Our ego fools us into thinking that ‘attaining life’ is accumulating external things like possessions, power, status or indulging in pleasure. To ‘lose our life’ in this sense, is to lose this false reality, this dream we’ve created of who we think we are and where we think we come from.
9.
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 (KJV)
Jesus was an intense man as we can clearly see in Biblical accounts such as the story of the “Cleansing of the Temple”. He was a man who was radically uncompromising in his search for truth, and he expected no less from his disciples.
To prioritize the search for truth above all was an essential ingredient to be a sincere seeker. ‘Hating’ your father, mother, etc. was a metaphor for placing everything beneath the intention to be aware in order to awaken to your higher divine self.
Illumination Books Bundle:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ "Written and researched beautifully, it put so much of my life in context. It’s definitely helping me on the transition from 'what’s wrong with me' to 'this is a gift and it’s good to be different.'" – Charli
Superficially it may sound like a selfish act to place your quest for truth and liberation above your family, but deep down it is an act of pure Self-love. To be able to help anyone, you must first be able to help yourself. To free yourself from the enslavement to your thoughts and emotions will transform you into a person that is centered and experiencing inner peace in order to help others. Without helping yourself first, you live a selfish life of indulging your ‘Pride’, or egotistical desires.
10.
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21 (KJV)
In these few words, Jesus was trying to solve the timeless problem many spiritual seekers encounter; that of thinking God, Heaven, or Divinity is an external place or entity.
“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there!” Don’t believe anyone who is telling you to look here or there, because the only way you will find God is within, through self-exploration, of exploring your heart and your soul.
***
At the core of any religion are lessons that help you become a better and wiser person. It is important not to let our interpretations be tainted by others understanding of them, and to only apply to our lives that which rings true to our own experience. These teachings of Jesus (as well as many other Masters), have helped me accomplish that.
Are there any interpretations from Jesus, or any other spiritual or religious Master, that have aided you in your own inner work path?
Three paths to inner transformation – here’s how I can help you go deeper:
1. The Spiritual Wanderer Course: Are you feeling lost, adrift, and unsure of your life's purpose? Gain clarity, focus, and direction on your inner path by uncovering the five archetypes of awakening within you. Learn how to navigate the highs and lows of your inner journey and chart your unique path with 3+ hours of audio-visual content, workbooks, meditations, and a premium test.
2. Shadow & Light Membership: Do you crave consistent support on your spiritual quest? Receive weekly intuitive guidance and learn to embrace your whole self, including your shadow side. Cultivate deeper self-love with our affordable, personalized support.
3. Spiritual Awakening Bundle: Ready to embark on a profound soul-searching adventure? Dive into our collection of essential transformative resources! Explore five illuminating eBooks and seven in-depth journals, plus unlock two special bonuses to empower your spiritual growth.
Whenever someone’s asked me what my view on religion is, I’ve always stated I don’t indulge in any theory unless I can explain it as simply as 1+1=2. Or analyze it to a similar level. I’m not “God” nor would I pretend to be by simply stating something must be right because I believe it to be so. That being said I’ve never had a problem with people that pursue religious activities in a positive manner. But so many hundreds of thousands have become indoctrinated into this ethnocentric paradox of “self-rightfulness”, and even completely miss the most basic themes of compassion in their own religion :/.
Ranting aside thank you for restoring some of my faith in one particular religion. I’ll have to spend some time working through the bible again, preferably without a priest “instructing” me in the process.
Thank you for knowledge! Keep it up!
Thanks Mateo. Great article and I resonate with your interpetions, However I’d like to know how the writing of words like ye originated in the bible? Peter
My Mama taught me that Jesus’ saying of ‘turn the other cheek’ meant ‘turn and walk’, thus turning , instead of left or right cheek to be struck again, turning one’s backside cheek in leaving abuse. An old friend of hers from early childhood explained it as Aramaic street slang, from a man speaking for fishermen, not speaking for the ‘educated’.
This helps me, personally not to stay around ‘friends’ who will harm me, to move on instead.
Very interesting article. I was an evangelical Christian for about 30 years. I still respect the teachings of Jesus – however, when I saw your article I was hoping you would include your interpretation of “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me”. Now that I no longer consider myself to be a Christian, this verse bothers me. Jesus appears to be saying that he is the only way to God. I sometimes wonder whether he never really said that, but that he said something more like “I show the way, you can only come to the father through following my teachings” but his followers may have misinterpreted it. What do you think?
Hola Lydia,
I understand what you mean, some of the teachings of Jesus can be a bit confusing when we come across them. I cannot know whether he said that or not, but from what I’ve read about those times; the context in which he said it is essential to understand.
After the Assyrian invasion, the Jews became a conquered people, oppressed by a series of more powerful nations: the Seleucids (descendants of Alexander the Great), the Babylonians, the Egyptians, the Romans. They were desperately craving for a messiah, someone to lead them to victory.
What is difficult for modern Christians to grasp is that Jesus was only one of many Hebrew prophets who were believed to be the Messiah; the historian Josephus mentions several of them. He regarded them all as charlatans and agitators. Christians later changed Josephus’s text, in which Jesus is described as a small man with a hunched back and a half-bald head, to read: “six feet tall, well grown, with a venerable face, handsome nose . . . curly hair the colour of unripe hazel nuts . . .”, and various other details that transform the unprepossessing little jewish/arab man into the early Christian equivalent of a Brat Pitt with long hair.
Jesus was considered the messiah by his disciples but did he think himself as one? Probably not. When his disciple Peter told him: “They call you the Christ, the Messiah,” Jesus advised him to be silent. The claim obviously embarrassed him. But at the same time, for a man who had awakened and was up against so many charlatans offering so many different truths, it’s not surprising he would choose those words if the situation demanded it.
Thank you for your great question and I’m happy you enjoyed my article.
This was something I didn’t know, but it does make me smile. It just means good marketing has been around for a very long time. Still, it is the essence of the man that has stood the test of time, not his physical appearance.
I too was puzzled by this scripture, Lydia, because I know beyond any shadow of doubt that there are many paths to God or the “One”. The answer I found for myself is the same as yours in that all who follow the ways of the Christ, respective of what path they have chosen, will find their way.
I really appreciate this article as I know there are hot debates on what is the “absolute truth” of the Bible. I grew up in a devout Christian family (churchgoing, talking about God and Jesus daily, ministry work) so it really influenced how I was raised and how I should view the world. I know my parents want me to follow the Christian path and be a “Christ-follower”, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t the path for me. As long as I can remember, I never really resonated with it. I even tried to conform my beliefs to the Christian ones years ago but that didn’t work. I felt like I couldn’t grow as a person. It wasn’t until I was a senior in high school (17 years old) did I began to explore spirituality and teachings from spiritual teachers by reading articles and watching videos from the Internet, which gave me immense insights into life and changed my life forever and for the better. I see myself as spiritual but not religious, and I feel deep down that it’s what will help me grow.
I know there is a danger in absolutely adhering to certain beliefs because it can blind and hinder people from engaging in conversations with others whose beliefs are different. In my case, if I were to bring religious relics or talk about principles that are not Christian and from the Bible, my parents will not allow it or say how other faiths are not the “true way” of entering heaven. It’s actually frustrating for me because of the dissonance. Anyway, the interpretations you give really resonate with mine. Thank you for writing this.
Hola Julie,
Your experience with religion I think is one that many people will be able to relate to. Most people are happy just repeating like mantras the bible verses and being ‘lip service’ religious. The thoughts about spirituality are enough, they don’t care much for actually feeling and finding their own spiritual nature.
Deep down, religion is to spirituality what pornography is to sex. We need ‘Religiousness’ not ‘Religion’. It’s wonderful to see so many people wanting more than just a dogma to read, wanting to experience the ‘truth’ instead of debating over it.
It’s a shame such depth and wisdom has been convoluted into these fundamentalist beliefs and radical ideal’s that has crippled and self-denied the human spirit so much.
Thank you for sharing your experience with this.
You say that some people are not aware of their higher self. You say that higher self is actually you, but “higher” than you(rself). Who is the higher self, which spiritual seekers searching? Is it themselfves? It’s not their self, but something else, or rather someone else, which lives in them.
High self-esteem are usually end up failing at a person. They think themselves something better and they expect to be better, but end up in failing. If one wants to find his “higher-self”, then he must throw away his expectations.
Here is one example of a perfect man: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded (to) you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:10 KJV
Hola Istvan,
When I write about Higher Self I am always talking about yourself, but I’m talking about a potential within yourself; a potential of inner harmony and unity that can also be associated as feelings of the divine, of being At One with life (hence the word ‘Atonement’ meaning reconciliation).
This potential has nothing to do with self-esteem. A healthy self-esteem is born from a healthy ego; one that hasn’t been stunted by trauma’s, abuse from others or even abuse from yourself with self inflicted expectations. This Higher Self potential can only be reached when you go beyond your illusionary self, your ego, by realizing that you are not who you think you are.
If there’s no individual ‘self’, but instead a unity and At-One-ment with existence; how can there be ‘self’ esteem’?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Well, I didn’t said that there is no individual self, but rather both unity and individual. The individual things are the things whcih you conscious of, but “united” is rather something divine, whcih is not you, but still you are the one, who dong it, but not being conscious of it.
Perhaps it is a different opinion of unity and ‘higher self’? In my own experience, the moment you transcend your individual self (go beyond it), that self does not exist anymore and you stop identifying with it. This ‘united’ state is what mystical teachings for centuries have been trying to share.
As the Hermetic scriptures put it; “As above, so below”.
Many years ago I was reading about attaining a higher state and that when it is reached we lose all personality as we merge with the One. My heartfelt response to the passage was, “How is that possible? How can I not be me?” After asking the question I went and sat in the darkened living room and suddenly I was in what can only be described as a tunnel of swirling light and shadows. There was no longer a ‘me’. Instead, like a single grain of sand on the ocean floor I was part of something far, far greater. It was beautiful and magnificent beyond what any words could describe.
By the way, thank you for this site, don Mateo. It is so very refreshing to be able to read and talk about the things that really matter.
Down steep hills, through crowded streets I walk…
and behold the emptiness of human kind.
“Come dance with us,” cry some, “for it is pleasing to the Lord our God.”
“Come sing with us,” cry others, “surely the Lord will bless us.”
“Come, let us proclaim the Gospel,” cry others, “for this is the good work
to which we are called.”
“Let us lay hands on the sick that they might be healed,” they called,
“surely the Spirit of God is upon us.”
“Behold,” they cried in unison, as one standing together, “see what great
things the Lord has done; we are free from the corruption of the world.
We are clean, no longer defiled.”
In their midst sat a man with a book who proclaimed,
“Behold, the Word of Life wherein may be found all righteousness and truth.
Let us learn of its mysteries that we may be the children of God.”
Onward I walked and soon found a path, overgrown with thorns and little used.
As I walked the path thorns pulled at and tore me in many places, and at
each cut I remembered a face from the crowd.
Alone I walked,
and came to a hill at the foot of which were scattered many bones.
As I climbed the hill I beheld at the top a tree, and on the tree a person,
nailed and torn, weeping in great sorrow. But as I looked into their
eyes I saw that which was missing from humankind, that which would fill
their emptiness and loneliness.
Without a word my destiny was revealed.
As I turned to walk down the hill I beheld the great crowd casting a broken
body to the ground at the foot of the hill. I heard the crowd cry out as one,
“How dare anyone come amongst us and behold the great works of God
which we do, how dare that person ask us “Where is Love, have you crucified It?”
I set my face to the crowd,
and of humankind I ask;
“Where is Love?”.
(1 Corr. 13 & 1 John 4:8)
Wonderful! :).
The two main things I’ve learned in my religious quest is that we CAN make personal contact with our Creator – believe it or not!
And that this life is not all there is… we may be in this world, but we’re not of it –
John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as it loves its own people. But I have chosen you to be different from those in the world. So you don’t belong to the world, and that is why the world hates you.
– which is why we feel so uncomfortable and displaced. We’re actually destined for the world to come…
…I agree but would take it one step farther…we need to forget about what lies beyond life for right now and concentrate on why we are here and what we are supposed to be doing ;) …
Hola Maigret,
I believe you can make contact with a creator because I have made contact with him, but it was nothing like what the creator had been described to be.
“John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as it loves its own people. But I have chosen you to be different from those in the world. So you don’t belong to the world, and that is why the world hates you.”
My interpretation of this passage is similar to the 5 & 6 mentioned above. The people of the world will always want you to become like them. They want you to value what they do, in our case now days; materialism, physical attractiveness etc..
I can’t speak for the afterlife world as I haven’t consciously been there yet but I can say there is a world beyond this reality created by our society; one that liberates you from desires, fills you with inner peace and feelings of unity with the world around you.
Indeed! A great longing within my soul is for everyone to know, to experience that personal connection of peace and joy. It is the greatest blessing of my life that I know it and can access it anytime, anywhere.
How?
I do not, by any means, have a exact answer for you Breven. What I can suggest is that it takes an open, humbled heart that longs to know. My prayer for you is that that longing be answered.
hello.
I just recently found your website. I’ve been intruiged all evening with your postings. I call myself a born again believer in God. In a search for some thoughts on relationships and old souls, I came to this article which I find exciting because I study biblical scripture that which I find to be true and powerful. I have been a believer for about 5 years now after a life altering and soul awakening experience in which I encountered a dark what i now call demonic-like spirit realm, in which I wanted no part of. I remember “jesus” coming from my mouth without even making the conscious decision to physically form that name with my lips. This was at age 18. I grew up believing in nothing or no body just fate and good luck. Therefore no prior knowledge or reasoning to do so. In that very moment the torment ceased for me and a feeling of elation and liberative euphoria swept through my entire existence. Since then i find trust only in the person who saved my soul that night. I also have and actively do personally experience our Creator very intimately. The night my life changed forever. I remain open minded. But possessing a deeper love for life and humans and live with the belief that i am loved and i have meaning in this world, I am not invisible. I feel as though I came alive to who I always was internally. My pattern of thinking was altered completely. Stillness and peace resonated my inner self. Silence never sounded so dear.
3 months ago my “best friend” not sure what the title would be, we were two spirits that loved and cared for one another sacrifically. Since then there’s been another shift in my way of living, loving, perception of others and self. Even of God. I have many more questions that arose. Subsequently much more passion that has ignited along with mild depression. Initially a depressive state and dark cloud remained over me. A new fire that sparked in me because of a season in my life of new beginnings and growth was washed out. Those feelings were lightened when a co-worker invited me to a revival service at a local church, in which I was emotionally torn somewhat between grudgingly unwilling to attend telling my family “this better be worth it” and yet still hopeful and hungry for spiritual resuscitation. Well becomingly so it was a nourishing experience that I am grateful for.
I still struggle with facing myself and being honest in my evaluation of self, nearsighted of consciously avoiding connecting to my self for fear of recognizing my down trotted and grieving state.
I have been spiritually lifted by the maturity in spirit of 2 co-workers and one acquaintance (all twice my age who call me an old soul) and since they connected with me I’ve begun viewing other human lives as always needing love too. I want to be an encourager and giver of love. Not needing approval, just loving. (Also what lead me to your site Mateo, sapiosexual, pansexual, bisexual, asexual inquisitories)
This is my experience. If anybody read that, thank you for your courtesy.
You have done well … This is only my opinion and it may be wrong but what you have written mirrors my understanding of truth and the pursuit of love with my fellow man. Thank you for posting this.
Hola Harry,
This is just another set of interpretations that can be gathered from a man who is not here to correct me.
The only value I find in my interpretation is that there is no judgement involved, no distancing yourself from others, from believers and non believers, but instead as fellow traveler on the same journey to become better people.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Some people are blinded by false beliefs. They obey what their religion tells them to do. But I respect their belief. It is just that some of them continue criticizing each other’s religion. And i think it’s wrong. I believe in God and not in religion cause for me it’s confusion. I always listen to my innerself and to the faith in me. After reading your article, Sol, it makes everything clear now for me. I hope people will be aware of Jesus’ message to us. Thank you for writing this.
Hola Enaira,
That’s exactly the problem; when we rely on beliefs to validate our religious experiences my beliefs can easily contradict yours.
I ‘believe’ in Religiousness but I don’t believe in religions. Religion is basing our beliefs on books and writings that are open to interpretation we are welcoming the conflicts of other people interpreting the same book and words in their own way.
Religiousness is active, it is something we experience, we feel. It has nothing to do with understand the wise words of some a wise man but of experiencing and living that wisdom.
Thank you for sharing your kind words :)