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In contrast Jesus presents as one who believed in the power of selfless spiritual love as the cure-all for human problems whether personal, social, national, or international. The fact that Christianity has failed to follow Jesus down this dominantly spiritual path is not because Jesus was mistaken. Rather it is because Christians have failed to understand Jesus' real teachings, and instead, have placed reliance in the erroneous concept that Jesus came to die as a sacrifice for the sins of the world as his most basic teaching.
Jesus did not come to die for us. He was killed because he threatened the status quo of the reigning Jewish hierarchy.
Some of the sayings of Jesus follow:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless them that curse you, pray for them which despitefully use you, and whatsoever you believe I would do to men, do you also unto them. (Luke 6:7; 6:33)
If your neighbor smites you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Be willing to suffer injustice rather than to go to law among yourselves. In kindness and with mercy minister to all who are in distress and in need. (1571; Luke 6:29)
Judge not that you be not judged.
Jesus said: "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Most High God for he is kind unto the ungrateful and the wicked. (Luke 6:35)
One of the apostles once asked: "Master, what should I do if a stranger forced me to carry his pack for a mile?" Jesus answered: "Do not sit down and sigh for relief while you berate the stranger under your breath. Righteousness comes not from such passive attitudes. If you can think of nothing more effectively positive to do, you can at least carry the pack a second mile. (1770; Matthew 5:41) (Note: Roman soldiers in transit had the right to demand this service.)
Jesus said: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, ( Luke 4:18)
Jesus spoke to them saying:
Blessed are they who know they are spiritually poor: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the humble: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.
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These sayings are meant to guide our transformation, and not to be converted into some kind of rigid legal system. Selflessness is the guiding principle that points the way to an alternative transformed culture--one which seeks to make the world more compassionate, one where individuals live at the borderland with the world of Spirit, and under the guidance of the Spirit.
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