Episode:Jesus the Tutor—Journey to Rome (Part 2)

From Symmetry of Soul


There is no adventure in the course of mortal existence more enthralling than to enjoy the exhilaration of becoming the material life partner with spiritual energy and divine truth in one of their triumphant struggles with error and evil.  It is a marvelous and transforming experience to become the living channel of spiritual light to the mortal who sits in spiritual darkness.

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Keywords: Urantia, Jesus, Good and Evil, Free Will, Reflective Thinking

Summary by Kermit

Commentary on Review

We remarked on the profound and lasting effect Jesus had on those individual whom he engaged on his travels. Both Gadiah and Anaxand were “mightily moved” by Jesus’ teaching. We conjecture that Jesus’ charming manner and masterly use of language sparked his hearers to recognize previously unrecognized truths. Recognition and realization of truth has a lasting influence in one’s life unlike the appreciation of mere facts.

We addressed the question of how it is that we suspect that Jesus was a “third circler” during this Mediterranean tour. It is by logical inference rather than rational analysis that we conclude that Jesus had attained third circle status by the time he made this journey.

130:2. At Caesarea

In setting the stage for Jesus’ extended visit to Caesarea, the authors disclose details for the archeologist to pursue with respect to the enormous amphitheater, and theater, both of which the three travelers attended.

The potency of Jesus’ presence and teachings is seen yet again in the follow up details of his meeting with the Taoist, Mongolian merchant. This merchant carried the influence of advanced truth back to Mongolia where it continued to bear the fruit of loyalty to the doctrine of the One God, unto the lives of his son, grandson, and even great-grandson.

We remarked on the statement that it was regrettable that there was no one like Peter or Paul to carry the gospel message of the eastern branch of Christianity into China or India, inasmuch as the spiritual soil in those places was so favorable for the reception of the teachings of Jesus as held by the Philadelphians, what with their gospel message being more faithful to the actual teachings of Jesus.

The powerful story of Anaxand and the cruel and unjust foreman highlighted the importance of recognizing the providential nature of the evolutionary process. We noted that the 5th ER is actually the first epochal revelation of experiential Deity. The “old time” religion of the existential Father and His periodic intervention in our lives represents the old wineskins we are called on to set aside in favor of a progressive evolutionary religion of personal participation. Did not Anaxand’s request for God’s intervention to deliver him from his difficult foreman suggest an “old wineskin?” And in response Jesus challenged Anaxand to view these circumstances as an opportunity to participate in the experience of cooperating with God in bringing light to this man. Again, follow up details of these individuals testify to the enduring influence of these encounters with Jesus as well as connecting up with the gospel players in the New Testament.

Jesus delivered the same challenge to Ganid in response to Ganid’s inquiries as to why Jesus spent so much time engaging and visiting with strangers. In his late night conference with Ganid Jesus attempts to foster a transition from viewing God and God’s will in an existential context to a recognition of God’s way as unfolding in time, and being an active participant therewith. Jesus went on in their discussions in response to another of Ganid’s questions regarding whether or not an intelligent shepherd dog possess a soul. This teaching drew very clear distinctions between humans and animals with respect to issues of mind, reflective thinking, free will, development of language, and survival after death. The significance of all of this is that from this day forward Ganid never again entertained belief in the so-called transmigration of souls of men into the bodies of animals.

The section ends with Jesus’ lesson for Gonod on the perishability of material realities and man’s responsibility for making moral decisions and spiritual choices that lead to progressive identification with the indwelling and divine spirit enabling the transformation from a temporal existence to eternal survival.

It was on this same day that we first heard that momentous truth which, stated in modern terms, would signify: “Will is that manifestation of the human mind which enables the subjective consciousness to express itself objectively and to experience the phenomenon of aspiring to be Godlike.” And it is in this same sense that every reflective and spiritually minded human being can become creative.