Episode:Last Ministry of the Master—Beyond the Jordan (Part 5)

From Symmetry of Soul


The followers of Jesus, even the apostles, were unable fully to comprehend his teaching as to the necessity for using spiritual force for the purpose of breaking through all material resistance and for surmounting every earthly obstacle which might chance to stand in the way of grasping the all-important spiritual values of the new life in the spirit as the liberated sons of God.

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Keywords: Urantia, Jesus, Thanksgiving, Born of the Spirit, Salvation

Summary by Kermit

Commentary after Review

The purity issue is frequently spoken about on the show. Essentially the “urge” for purity is a fundamental, almost primal, hunger for engagement with spirit-sourced unity. It is unfortunately seldom recognized as such. A problem today is that this desire of a religious nature has routinely become attached to non-spiritual things and takes the form of an enforced uniformity. When fueled by the energy of the 6th adjutant (spirit of worship) this leads to dangerous and unwise applications. Examples in today’s society and culture abound with these unwise examples. Listen to the archive of our continuing discussion about the problematic consequences to civilization of such misapplication of spirit energies to the solution of man’s material problems.

Listen also to our commentary on the individual’s need to challenge the natural tendency to assert and defend an authoritative bearing in the absence of an objective grasp of reality.

SoS continues to emphasize the necessity of appreciating the role of the 5th ER in revealing truth. The rich detail provided in this midwayer account of the Master’s bestowal is intended for more than the coordination of essential knowledge regarding the specifics of the temporal events of two thousand years ago.

166:2 The Ten Lepers

As we have come to expect the 5th ER account of the Master’s Urantia bestowal clarifies chronology, geography and numerous other details which facilitate finding the truth of his mission. And so it is with the well-known story of the ten lepers. Elucidation of the context of the lepers’ seeking cleansing gives us a bigger picture in which to find deeper meanings of the Master’s life and teachings.

Because of the more accurate chronology we discern that Jesus manifests a more seasoned wisdom in the manifestation of his supernatural powers at this later stage of his bestowal. This is in keeping with his task of living in ever greater synchrony with the Supreme. In this situation Jesus takes advantage of the circumstances to teach his chosen twelve, especially Simon Zelotes, a lesson in human brotherhood. To the surprise of some, the twelve, even after spending a number of years living with Jesus and learning, preaching, and teaching the good news of the kingdom still harbored deep seated disdain for Samaritans. Herein is an opportunity to reflect on our own preconceived opinions, settled ideas, etc. in the effort and struggle for self-mastery. Can we move beyond the shame of recognizing these impediments in us to our spiritual growth to a greater realization of more favorable habits of thinking and acting?

Careful reading discloses that while ten healed lepers were made whole and were grateful therefor, only the solitary Samaritan returned to kneel at the Master’s feet to give thanks and glorify God. Notice an important distinction between the grateful feelings experienced by all ten, but the greater expression of thanksgiving expressed only by the Samaritan. His thankfulness was counted as faith, as Jesus confirmed with his oft spoken declaration following may of his healings, “Arise and go your way; your faith has made you whole.” The apostles were speechless following Jesus’ rebuke, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine, the Jews?”

More factual clarifications, the authors tell us that while the Samaritan was indeed healed of leprosy, not all those healed were so afflicted.

166:3 The Sermon at Gerasa

Visiting with the kingdom messengers at Gerasa, Jesus was asked by a Pharisee whether few or many would be saved. He proceeded to present a new and strange version of the old and familiar proverb of the straight and narrow way. Gifted with the precision and accuracy of the 5th ER we find a more complete context for the truthful interpretation of the old proverb. Missing in the Luke 13 version we have the all-important statement by Jesus that even though the gate to salvation may be narrow, it is wide enough that all who are sincere of heart will certainly find such eternal salvation. Jesus makes plain here as does the revelation throughout, that salvation—eternal survival, is a matter of personal choosing. Luke’s version unfortunately is missing these important assurances. His account leaves the supplicant with Old Testament images of weeping and gnashing of teeth, being denied entrance to the kingdom. Yet, Jesus does warn of the dangers of postponing entrance into the kingdom. As the revelation informs us evolutionary religion is born in fear and constructed in illusion.

The apostles were unable to comprehend his teachings, but we are reminded of the necessity for using spiritual force for the purpose of breaking through all material resistance and for surmounting every earthly obstacle which might chance to stand in the way of grasping the all-important spiritual values of the new life in the spirit as the liberated sons of God.

Notes by Brad

  • Our innate purity drive is a hunger for spirit substance.
    • It's an obsession with continuum-ness.
    • In a secular age, conventional so-called wisdom is that the material realm is all there is (no spirit, no mind).
    • One can be overwhelmed and go catatonic when told of all the material non-continuumness out there. A worn out person is easy to control.
    • And in the material realm, the only way to do that is by steamrolling those dissenting individuals.
      • Divide and conquer is as old as the hills, but now people try it with spirit energy.
    • Stop turning yourself inside out!


  • The 5th ER is full of technical clarifications--"Jesus was here, not there as the Bible records"
    • But those little clarifications are rarely the point.
    • Sure, they help clear up muddy waters, for truth to be easier to access. But they aren't the point.


  • So what is the point of the healing of the lepers?
    • The ten lepers were very self-interesting and scheming--they had plotted for days to "accidentally" run into Jesus.
      • Their "have mercy on us" rings a bit hollow.


  • Jesus is wiser here at the end of his ministry.
    • Jesus accepted coincidences
      • By "coincidence" Jesus came upon these lepers just as he needed an object lesson.
      • With wisdom, insight, and foresight, we can recognize and find truth in those little... coincidences... the Supreme puts into your life.
    • Jesus had learned during his life--through tribulation--to be more trusting of what life hands you day to day.
    • Jesus learned self control.
      • Note his very wise and deliberate healing of the lepers, in contrast to his early ministry's his "moved by compassion" healings.
      • Same for us: We're not here to control others, but to learn how to control ourselves.
    • Jesus knows how to handle this situation better than in his early ministry.


  • Tut-tut, the 12 apostles held onto their longstanding prejudices even in the presence of an incarnated Creator Son.
    • But start with yourself: how have your longstanding prejudices fared after years or decades reading The Urantia Book?
    • Ill-humor versus ill-will
      • You may have material reasons to dislike some people in the outer life, sure. That's practical.
      • But if you falsely spiritualize that outer life stuff (drag it into the inner life), you can do great damage. That's not dislike, but hatred.
      • Don't improperly exercise spiritual energy. Jesus taught us how to exercise them properly.


  • Gratitude versus thanksgiving
    • All 10 afflicted individuals here enjoyed a pleasing feeling (literally: grateful) when healed.
      • You would too if some highly unpleasant skin condition was healed.
    • But only one gave thanks (gave thanksgiving)
      • Thanksgiving is an upper-domain in the hourglass analogy of mind.
      • It's your thoughts, not your feelings, that lead you Godward.
      • Thanksgiving is a thought, not just a feeling like feeling grateful.


  • "The was indeed a new and strange version of the old proverb."
    • And indeed, it got written in Luke much like the old proverb.


  • The Master--the Spirit of Truth--is knocking at the door at the top of your spiritized mind.
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