"What did you go out into the wilderness to see? ..." (Luke 7:24-27)

"What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: 'I will send My messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'" (Luke 7:24-27)

Who is Jesus referring to?

Jesus is speaking of John the Baptist.

This verse, as well as Jesus' relationship with John the Baptist, is one of the most misunderstood issues regarding Jesus' life and teachings.

Some have taken Jesus' statement and his reference to Malachi 3:1, out of its context. 

Jesus is speaking to an audience that included many who traveled to the desert to hear John's teachings. Jesus is clearly addressing them, as he says, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?"

This statement also confirms the importance of John the Baptist to Jesus' teachings. Jesus is emphatic as he challenges their current lack of respect for John. He is identifying John as not only a prophet but more than a prophet.

More than a prophet?

Consider Jesus' challenge to them: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?"

Let's compare this to something in modern life. Let's say that we go into the boss's office at work and ask for a raise. Then later, a workmate says to us: "What did you go into the boss's office for? To ask him for a bite of his sandwich?"

Such a statement would challenge how we perceived the importance of our boss. If we swaggered into the boss's office and he asked us to do something and then we brushed off his request, we might receive such a challenge from a workmate. Such a challenge from our work-mate would essentially be criticizing us for not taking the boss seriously.

This mirrors Jesus' statement, as he was condemning their lack of respect towards John and a lack of understanding regarding John's importance to the Supreme Being.

Jesus was not the only person who had great respect for John. We find this description of John the Baptist in the ancient Jewish historian Josephus' writings:

[18.116] Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God as a just punishment of what Herod had done against John, who was called the Baptist.

[18.117] For Herod had killed this good man, who had commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, righteousness towards one another and piety towards God. For only thus, in John's opinion, would the baptism he administered be acceptable to God, namely, if they used it to obtain not pardon for some sins but rather the cleansing of their bodies, inasmuch as it was taken for granted that their souls had already been purified by justice.

[18.118] Now many people came in crowds to him, for they were greatly moved by his words. Herod, who feared that the great influence John had over the masses might put them into his power and enable him to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best to put him to death. In this way, he might prevent any mischief John might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late.

[18.119] Accordingly John was sent as a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Machaerus, the castle I already mentioned, and was put to death. Now the Jews thought that the destruction of his army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God's displeasure with him.

What is 'a reed swayed by the wind'?

A reed that sways in the wind accommodates the direction of the wind. When the wind blows from the south, the reed bends to the north. When the wind switches to blow from the east, the reed bends to the west. What does this mean?

It points to charlatan teachers - those teachers who become appointed or chosen by their institutions and paid to teach. Such teachers are not representing God. They are representing those who appointed them and those who pay them.

Those appointed or elected to positions as spiritual teachers (priests, reverends, ministers and so on) and are then paid for their services cannot represent God. They are already beholden to those who are paying their salary. 

They must, in other words, "sway" to their demands. If those deacons who appointed the priest or minister say they want the priest or minister to teach differently, the priest or minister must teach differently or lose their position in the church. Or not get paid.

Jesus makes this distinction about John because John wasn't addressing the whims of those who would appoint or elect him to an ecclesiastical post of Jewish priest or rabbi. John was representing the Supreme Being. John was teaching the Truth.

In other words, Jesus is stating to those in the crowd that people did not go to the wilderness to hear John the Baptist teach just to see someone who was dressed up in flowing robes or otherwise accommodating their needs. John was a true representative of God.

"But what did you go out to see?

"But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet."

The word "prophet" is one of the most misinterpreted words in the Biblical scriptures. The common interpretation today is that a "prophet" is someone whose role was to predict the future, and in particular, predict the arrival of Jesus.

But we can see throughout the Old Testament that those who have been defined as "prophets" spent their lives serving God and teaching people to focus on learning to love and please God. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Eli, Samuel, David, Solomon, Job, and so many others were not focused upon putting forth predictions of something to happen centuries later. They were focused on helping those around them return to their loving relationships with the Supreme Being.

This is why Moses said:

"Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, His decrees, His laws and His commands always." (Deut. 11:1)

"So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today--to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deut. 11:13)

"If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow--to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to hold fast to Him" (Deut. 11:22)

"because you carefully follow all these laws I command you today--to love the LORD your God and to walk always in His ways" (Deut 19:9)

"For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you" (Deut 30:16)

"and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the LORD is your life" (Deut 30:20)

We also can tell this was Moses' central instruction because Moses' student Joshua clarified this:

"But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul." (Joshua 22:5)

"So be very careful to love the LORD your God." (Joshua 23:11)

And we know that Jesus confirmed this as he stated, when asked which was the most important commandment:

"‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-38)

All the other "prophets" were focused on the same thing: Helping their students become lovers of the Supreme Being.

Are the Prophets' teachings being ignored?

Many institutional teachers practically ignore these teachings of the Prophets and myopically focus upon those few statements in the scriptures that appear as though the teacher is predicting something in the future - and they twist it to mean they are predicting Jesus' arrival.

This philosophy stems from a Roman strategy to dominate early Christianity via the creation of the Nicene Creed and the Roman Catholic Church. If the prophets are defined as those predicting Jesus, then they cannot be respected for their own teachings.

The Greek word being translated to "prophet" is προφήτης (prophētēs) means: "in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things;" "one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration" and "moved by the Holy Spirit to speak, having power to instruct, comfort, encourage, rebuke, convict, and stimulate, their hearers" according to the lexicon.

In the context of the Scriptures, this clearly defines "prophet" as someone who passes on the word of God. Someone who is representing God. God's messenger. While predicting the future may be part of the teachings of such a person, it is not their focus. Their mission is not to predict the future, nor impress people with their predictions. Their mission is to give people God's message.

How does he prepare the way before you?

Jesus goes even further, to say that John is even more than a προφήτης (prophētēs) or "prophet." He says:

"A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:  'I will send My messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'"

Some have interpreted this to mean John's role was merely a messenger sent ahead of Jesus' arrival. Is this right?

No. This is a jumbling of personalities here. Let's get to the heart of this quote of Malachi 3:1 - " 'I will send My messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'" Who is the "I" and "My" here? Who is the "messenger"? And who is the "you"?

These first three chapters of Malachi detail statements by God made through Malachi: The word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi. (Mal. 1:1)

When we read the original quote, we find that either Jesus paraphrased the quote to apply the quote to those around him - his students - or the quote is being mistranslated by ecclesiastical translators. Here is the full verse from Malachi:

"I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. (Mal. 3:1)

This means the "I" "My" and "Me" here is God. This also means that the "My messenger" relates to God's messenger - God's representative: "the messenger of the covenant." (The "covenant" is love for God). This would mean that "you" would have to refer to the person receiving the message from the "messenger." The receiver of God's message - those who hear and learn from God's representative.

Many say this refers specifically to Jesus:"the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant"?

If so, then why do the very next two verses say:

"But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear Me," says the LORD Almighty. (Mal 3:2-5)

What is God describing here?

God is clearly using the word "I" here because He is speaking of Himself. The word "coming" here is derived from the Hebrew word בוא (bow') which means "to go in, enter, come, go, come in." It is teamed up with ראה (ra'ah), which is being translated to "appears" but actually means "to see, perceive" and "have vision."

What God is referring to here is the time of death. At the time of death, each of us will appear before God and/or His representative and be judged - ("I will be quick to testify") for our activities within this lifetime. Our actions that hurt or helped others will be presented and we will be escorted to receive the consequences of those activities.

What is 'Judgment day'?

This is also referred to quite often as "judgment day." Judgment day is not some day thousands of years later - now in modern times, be it next year, next decade or many years in the future as portrayed by some. "Judgement day" is the time of death - that point where each of us leaves our physical body and our lives are judged.

At the time of death we also "meet our Maker" or His representative. This "appearance" is to finalize and confirm where we stand in our path. Where are we going with our life? What have we been focused on? What have we been doing with our time and energy?

This judgment scenario at the time of death has been confirmed scientifically by those whose bodies have clinically died and subsequently resuscitated. Many describe being brought before God, Jesus or an angel-like being and being told this is not their time yet. Their "judgment day" would come later.

Whether this judgment is presented personally by God or not matters not. God is still overseeing the process as He indicates clearly in Malachi.

What does this have to do with Jesus quoting " 'I will send My messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you'" and applying this to John? "Your way before you" clearly refers to the person who will have to deal with God's judgment. "Your way" refers to a person's path: "Your way before you" means God will send His messenger to help guide our path.

As we can now understand this within its context, Malachi's statement by God, " 'I will send My messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you'" is saying that God is promising to send "My messenger" - His representative - to teach us prior to our time of death.

This is only fair. Prior to being judged, we should be given a chance to learn and change our ways. This is why God sends His representatives into every time period - to give those who want to change and want to return to Him a chance to learn about Him. Certainly, Malachi was one of God's "My messengers," along with Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Eli, Samuel, David, Solomon, Job, Isaiah and others.

And with the statement above, Jesus is clearly stating that his own teacher, John the Baptist, is one of God's"My messengers."

John the Baptist clearly taught love for God, and he asked his students to change their direction in life and give their lives to God. This is described in the Scriptures as "repentance:"

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matt. 3:1-2)

This is followed by

This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.' " (Matt. 3:3)

Just as in Malachi 3, we find here a quote from Isaiah 40:3. Once again, the ecclesiastical interpretation is that "Prepare the way for the Lord" is referring to Jesus. But how could John "Prepare the way" for Jesus? By preaching in the desert and referring to Jesus as blessed? This does not "Prepare the way" for Jesus because Jesus' "way" was already prepared by the Supreme Being. Jesus did not need John to boost him, as supposed by ecclesiastical interpreters.

Rather, the concept, "Prepare the way for the Lord" being on the path of love for God. It means giving one's life to God. This is confirmed with the verses of Isaiah that follow:

A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 40:3-5)

This verse is clearly discussing becoming closer to God and making a change in their lives, and coming to know, love, and glorify God. 

What does 'wilderness' mean?

In this verse, "wilderness" is symbolic. "Wilderness" here refers to the physical world, as opposed to the spiritual realm.

In other words, Isaiah's statement is not a prediction of the future, or about John preaching in the wilderness. Isaiah is preaching to those around him during his own time. The verses are documenting Isaiah's teachings to those around him - requesting they give their lives to God.

And this was precisely what John the Baptist was teaching as well - and why John's preaching is compared to Isaiah's and Malachi's statements. John the Baptist was following in the tradition of Abraham, Moses, David, Joshua, and others and trying to convince those around him to come to know and love the Supreme Being.

All of the "messengers" of God have been asking us to do the same thing: have a change of heart - from being self-centered to becoming God-centered. This is what "repentance" means: to have a change of heart.

This tradition of asking for a change of heart is consistent among all of God's "messengers" portrayed throughout the scriptures. This was Jesus' message as well.

John said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" not because he was predicting the end of the world, as some teach. The word "near" - taken from the Greek word ἐγγίζω (eggizō) has nothing to do with time. It relates to distance. According to the lexicon, it means "to bring near, to join one thing to another" and "to draw or come near to, to approach." This has nothing to do with a prediction of the world coming to an end at a particular time.

What it means is that God is close by. God's kingdom - loving and serving God - is within our reach. Any of us can immediately reach out to God and be brought into God's realm - that realm where God's will is done.

Even before we leave these physical bodies we can be in the kingdom of God. God owns everything. Whether we are in the body or not. This concept is mirrored in 2 Corinthians:

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. (2 Corinth 5:6-9)

Pleasing God is the spiritual realm. It is heaven. This is why John - being God's messenger - was described as preaching the word of God:

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (Matt. 3:2)

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

It is important to know that Jesus taught the same thing. His teachings were consistent with John's, because John the Baptist was Jesus' teacher:

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (Matt. 4:17)

And Jesus told his own disciples to go out and teach the same message:

"As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'" (Matt. 10:7)

What we see here is a succession of God's representatives teaching the same message. Passing on the teachings of their own teacher. This is precisely why Jesus was so adamant about the importance of his teacher John the Baptist: Because Jesus was following in John's footsteps, as John had, and the "prophets" before John had, passing on God's message requesting we return to our loving relationship with our true Soul Mate the Supreme Being.

"But unless you repent, you too will all perish." (Luke 13:2-5)

"Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." (Luke 13:2-5)

Here is the situation Jesus is referring to:

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. (Luke 13:1)

What happened to the Galileans?

Jesus is speaking of an event where Pontius Pilate killed 18 people from Galilea while they were making offerings to the Supreme Being. This is why their blood was "mixed" with their sacrifices.

And those who reported this to Jesus wanted to understand why this happened - how could God allow this to happen? Were they sinners and God was punishing them?

Jesus responds by requesting they focus on their own spiritual lives - and not worry about others'.

So why is Jesus speaking of their repenting? And what does he mean by "perish"?

The word "repent" here has been misunderstood by many - especially those who have used it as a tool to get people to join their sect.

The word is translated from the Greek word μετανοέω (metanoeō), which means, "to change one's mind."

But Jesus is speaking of a deeper change. Jesus is requesting his students -and each of us - to have a change of heart. A change of consciousness.

Does this happen by joining a particular church or sect? Hardly. A person can walk into any type of church or temple, and pledge their allegiance to anything without having a change of heart.

What type of change of heart is Jesus referring to?

He is speaking of changing from a consciousness where I am the most important person to having a consciousness where the Supreme Being is the most important person in my life.

This is different from having a change of mind. A person can change their mind about something without having a change of consciousness. The mind, in fact, is merely a bank of memories based on sensory perceptions. It is not the same as changing ones self - one's direction in life and one's motivations.

Consider the limitations of the mind for a moment.

The reality is that the Supreme Being is beyond the comprehension of our minds. This is a very important element when we consider how many of us will put ourselves into a position of questioning or judging God - and assuming we can properly assess whether or not God is fair - or even whether He exists or not.

The mind is a recording device. It takes in the sensory impulses brought to the brain from the various sense organs - including the eyes, the ears, the sense of touch, the sense of smell, the sexual sense, the sense of digestion and evacuation and so forth. These sensory organs are each - in their own way - limited in scope.

For example, our eyes can only see for a few miles in the distance, and can only see when there is enough light to reflect off of objects (made of molecules) that reflect light. Thus the eyes cannot see many elements that do not reflect light. And the eyes can only see certain frequencies. The eyes cannot see radio waves, for example. The eyes also cannot see small things - such as bacteria. The eyes can also not see the matter of space - only those objects that send light to us. This is why black holes are such a mystery - because we cannot see them.

The other senses are just as limited - and even more so. The ears can only hear certain frequencies. Dogs can hear better than we can.

These limitations of the senses, in turn, create limitations in our mind. Yes, our mind can deduce logic and investigate things and make hypotheses. But without sensual confirmation, we have no way of confirming whether those hypotheses are correct.

This, of course, leads to speculation. The mind is full of speculative ideas - about who we are and God's existence and our role in the universe and so forth. But because the Supreme Being does not appear before our physical senses - such speculation is useless. It has no value.

And therefore, all those speculative theories about God put forth by so many new age gurus and new sect ministers who create their own religions and speculate about heaven and God - are also useless. Why? Because those theories are coming from their mind - a recording device of limited information.

One who has a change of heart of the type Jesus speaks of - a change of consciousness - and accepts the omniscient existence of the Supreme Being - takes another path. This is the path of surrendering our mind. It is basically giving up our feeling that the mind is capable of figuring out God and figuring out our position in the universe through mental speculation.

In other words, to come to know someone who is unknowable from the senses and the mind, one can only take one logical course of action - to ask that such a person reveal themselves to us. It means giving up one's confidence - and relinquishing it to another.

What is the path of devotion?

It is making the assumption that if the Supreme Being is truly omniscient, He has the power - and we don't. If He wants me to know Him, He will reveal Himself to me.

This is the descending process - as opposed to the ascending process. The descending process - the process of devotion - is accepting that knowledge about God will descend from the Supreme Being and His representatives, rather than come from my own limited mental speculation.

Such a descending process also means accepting that the Supreme Being is ultimately a person - a person who wants me to come to know Him and have a relationship with Him.

This is, in fact, the purpose of Jesus' appearance in this world. Jesus came here to introduce the Supreme Being to us. He confirmed this repeatedly, with statements such as:

[Jesus praying to God]"Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." (John 17:3)

"Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." (John 14:23-24)

So we find from Jesus' own words that he was sent by the Supreme Being to introduce Him to us.

Why would God send someone else besides Himself to reveal Himself to us?

This is where devotion and relationships come in. The Supreme Being doesn't just want to reveal Himself to everyone - especially those who want to ignore Him. He could easily reveal Himself at any point - He could appear in the sky and prove His existence at any time if He wanted.

But God has nothing to prove and does not want to prove His existence to those who'd rather He didn't exist. The Supreme Being created us to love Him and serve Him - but only if we choose to. In order to love, it must be voluntary.

Does God allow us the freedom to reject Him?

Some teach that someone who decides not to worship God is doing so because they are being influenced by the devil. As if they do not have the freedom to make their own choice about whether they want to worship God or not.

Rather, the Supreme Being gives us the freedom to reject Him. He even gives us the freedom to deny His existence.

This is the purpose of the physical world and these temporary physical bodies. We are not these physical bodies. We are occupying these bodies much as an astronaut might occupy a spaceship.

Those who rejected the Supreme Being were put into this physical world to allow us to be away from Him. This world allows us to ignore His existence.

But He still loves us and still wants us to come home to Him - but only if we want to. We must choose this out of our own free will. We must freely accept the teachings of His messenger Jesus. Without such a choice - there would be no possibility of love.

This relates directly to the question of how Galileans who were worshiping could be murdered, as well as another question some ask: "Why did God allow Jesus to be crucified?"

It wasn't that God condoned Jesus being crucified - or condoned the Galileans being slaughtered. Rather, in order to give us the freedom to love Him and return home to Him or not, each person has to to be given the choice to either accept the Supreme Being. Each person, therefore, has the freedom to reject Jesus and his teachings - or in the case of Pilate, the Romans and the Jewish high priests - be able to condemn Jesus and persecute his body and the bodies of the Galileans.

Was Jesus killed?

This is an important point. Those who murdered Jesus' body did not murder the person Jesus, but only his temporary physical body. He, in fact, proved that he continued to live even though his body was murdered:

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. (Matt. 27:50)

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)

Thus we know that Jesus' body may have died, but his spirit - his spirit-person - left the body and continued to live. We know this because he returned to continue to teach his disciples - in a form they initially didn't recognize. Why did he return? To let them know there is life after death. To let them know that they would also live after the body died - and they weren't the physical body either.

Just as none of us are these physical bodies. We are each individual spirit-persons, temporarily occupying a physical body.

But this doesn't mean we don't have forms or relationships beyond the physical world. We don't just float up into space like a bunch of gas. We each have a spiritual form and we each have spiritual relationships - which we are now forgetful of.

And this is why God sends His representative to re-introduce Him to us. Because he wants to show us how to love Him. He wants to show us how we can commit ourselves to the Supreme Being - and come to love Him and give Him our life.

Did Jesus teach by example?

Jesus was teaching us to love the Supreme Being, but he was also illustrating how to love the Supreme Being:

"I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me." (John 14:30-31)

The metaphorical "prince of this world" is the rejection of the Supreme Being - making those who reject the Supreme Being members. The "prince" illustrates our choice - do we choose God or do we choose to reject God and thus embrace the "prince of this world"?

Making such a decision - to commit ourselves to the Supreme Being - or begin the path toward committing ourselves - and coming to know and love the Supreme Being - is the change of heart - "repentance" - that Jesus is speaking of.

Certainly, this is not an instant thing. Real change that comes from within sometimes takes time. But it only takes a moment to decide that we want to work towards making this change.

If we don't make this decision - as Jesus states, we will "perish." The word "perish" is being translated from the Greek word, ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi) - which doesn't necessarily mean that the physical body dies as one might assume. It can also mean, according to the lexicon, "to be lost."

Yes, if we do not make a decision to turn to the Supreme Being - and begin the journey home to Him - we will truly be lost. We will have no direction in life. We will remain empty within, with no compass and no bearing.

We might be focused on fame, the family of this body, or many other worldly things in this life. But all of these things are lost at the time of death of our body. They are all temporary, and thus we will be lost with them at the time of death - unless we follow Jesus' instructions and make the decision to return home to our Eternal Best Friend.

"But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail ..." (Luke 22:31-32)

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32)

To whom and why did Jesus say this?

Jesus says this to Peter - who is also called Simon or Simon Peter. Why did Jesus say this to Peter?

Jesus was responding to observing an argument between his 12 close disciples wherein they were fighting over who would be the leader:

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. (Luke 22:24)

What does this mean? The word "greatest" here is being translated from the Greek word μέγας (megas). This word can refer to someone who is the biggest or greatest, but more specifically, "predicated of rank, as belonging to persons, eminent for ability, virtue, authority, power."

In other words, they were arguing over who was going to be the leader - the spiritual teacher - after Jesus left. Jesus had been telling them that his body was going to be killed - so they were fighting over who would succeed him as leader.

Jesus is speaking directly to Peter - so this tells us that Peter was taking a stand for him being the leader after Jesus left. We can also see this characteristic of Peter in other texts, including the Gospel of Mary.

Yet we see from Jesus' statement above that Jesus is attempting to humble him. He knows Peter will fall away and deny Jesus in order to protect himself. This is why he says here: "And when you have turned back ..."

The phrase, "turned back" indicates that Peter will deny being a follower of Jesus, but will then have a change of heart and return as a pledged follower.

Notice that Jesus is himself taking the humble position of follower. Jesus says, "But I have prayed for..." Jesus is telling Peter and his other disciples that he doesn't call the shots. Jesus is saying that he is devoted to God - and that's why he has prayed over the matter.

Notice also that Jesus says "your brothers" here ("...strengthen your brothers..."). He doesn't want Peter to see himself as the leader and the others as his followers. 

Otherwise, he would have said "your followers" or "your subordinates." Instead, he wants Peter to see Jesus' other disciples as peers, not subordinates.

How did Peter respond?

We see Peter's confidence in his devotion as he answers Jesus:

"Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." (Luke 22:33)

Peter is feeling pretty confident of his devotion to Jesus. This kind of pride was precisely why the argument broke out about who was going to be the leader.

Of course, then Jesus famously replies to Peter's statement with:

"I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." (Luke 22:34)

Why is this important? Many preach about the fact that Jesus knew ahead of time what Peter was going to do. But this wasn't the point.

The point is that Peter, who felt confident in his devotion, wasn't able to stand up for his being a follower of Jesus when there was a challenge.

Why did Peter do this?

Pride. Being proud to be such a great follower. But this isn't all pride. It is mixed with fear of being persecuted. A fear of self-preservation, which Jesus was also counting on. So that Peter could carry on Jesus' teachings.

Yet this situation also provides us a teaching moment. The ability to learn something from Peter. Certainly, Peter became one of the foremost teachers, representing Jesus' teachings, and representing the Supreme Being. But this situation illustrated how easy any of us can become over-confident of our abilities, and be schooled.

Because if Peter can undergo such a moment of weakness and over-confidence, surely we can as well.

Being over-confident is also a form of pride. It is easy to fall into such a scenario, and expect that we will rise to the occasion before the occasion is upon us.

What is Jesus calling 'Satan' here?

This pride is in fact, what Jesus is describing as "Satan" here, when he says:

"Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat."

The word "Satan" comes from the Greek word Σατανᾶς (Satanas) - which means according to the lexicon, "adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act)."

So is there a guy - the devil - running around who is the adversary of God, making everyone sin?

Such a philosophy is pretty convenient isn't it? It's a great way not to take responsibility for our own decisions. If we can blame all our bad decisions on someone else - e.g., "the devil made me do it" - then we're just great aren't we? 'It's not my fault - I'm great. But there is this bad guy hanging around, making me sin.'

Have you ever heard of the phrases, "poor loser" or "poor sport"? These refer to someone who loses in a sport or other type of contest, and after his loss, he says that the other side cheated. What is he doing? He's blaming his loss on someone else. He doesn't want to take responsibility.

Some who claim to represent Jesus teach that we should put all the blame for our sinning onto Satan so we don't have to take any responsibility.

They teach that this guy Satan rebelled against God and became God's challenger. And all the bad stuff that happens here in this world is because of the devil. That Satan has gotten out of control and he has taken control over the world and is leading everyone astray. So the devil is responsible for sinning, and all the suffering of the world.

Why do they teach this philosophy? Because this is what people want. If they teach what people want, they will get plenty of followers.

They want people to feel good about themselves, so they will keep following them. This is also why many of these teachers teach that we need to love ourselves before we can love others.

This 'love yourself first' teaching goes against the very principle of Jesus' teachings about love of God and loving others.

The idea is that we can pump ourselves up and love ourselves before we can love others is morally bankrupt. This teaching is put forth by those who seek to have followers. So they put out this seductive teaching. Who doesn't want an excuse to be self-centered?

Such teachings are inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus and all of the Prophets. Yes, each of us is a child of God and we are inherently great because we are a spark of the Greatest Person - the Supreme Being.

But at the moment most of us in the physical world are not reflecting that greatness. We have become rather selfish and petty. Just look around and see all the intolerance and violence that occurs in this world. People fight each other in order to get what they want. As a result, we hear about people being shot practically every day. 

We hear about people who are starving because their governments won't allow them to freely propagate or receive food. We hear about people blowing up innocent people in order to make some kind of statement. We hear about people robbing other people. We hear about people raping others. We hear about people vandalizing others. We hear about people taking advantage of others in one way or another.

Are these great people, and some guy named Satan is making them do this bad stuff? Or perhaps these are people who should just love themselves more?

No. These are people who love themselves too much. They are self-centered. And they are responsible for their decisions to hurt others. This is the reason behind the long-held teaching, 'as you sow, so shall you reap.' If Satan was doing all the sinning, then he should reap, right? Why wouldn't the teaching say, 'as Satan sows, so shall Satan reap' then?

And Jesus stated to a man he just healed of blindness:

“See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14)

If the devil was making everyone sin, then why didn't Jesus acknowledge it? Why would he even instruct the guy to stop if it was Satan who makes people sin?

Does satan cause people to sin?

This teaching (that the devil is responsible for sinning) is not consistent with Jesus' teachings. Nor is it consistent with the teachings of the Prophets. None of these have instructed their students that the devil is responsible for sinning and we are not.

Besides, if the devil is responsible, then how could a person have a change of heart - and repent, as all of these teachers have taught?

Yes, Jesus and all the Prophets taught their students to take responsibility for their sins. Jesus requested that his students ask God for forgiveness for our sins in the Lord's Prayer:

"Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us." (Luke 11:4)

To ask God for forgiveness means that we are taking responsibility for our sins. Why would a person ask forgiveness unless they accepted that they were responsible?

Yes, we are each responsible for our sinning. In the human form of life, we have the intelligence to understand the consequences of our actions much of the time: When we understand that an action we take will hurt someone else and we go ahead and do it, that is sin. Sinning is needlessly harming others.

But there is a deeper element involved as well. Just consider Jesus' next statement in the Lord's prayer -

"And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11:4)

Remember that with the Lord's prayer, Jesus is instructing his students on how to pray to God. Why would God lead us into temptation? Isn't it the devil that does that? Doesn't God have a challenger - Satan - who leads us into temptation?

This is a philosophy that supposedly relieves people of responsibility. It also creates a boogyman. It creates a bad guy who the church can supposedly protect people from.

This is why, for example, later versions of the Book of Luke have added this statement onto the end of Luke 11:4: "but deliver us from the evil one."

Yes, early church scribes added this to Jesus' original instruction. They weren't happy with Jesus' clear teaching that God can lead people into temptation.

Why would God lead us into temptation? Because God allows us to go after and accomplish our desires. And for those who might be trying to become devoted to Him, He leads us into temptation in order to test us - along with giving us a choice. In other words, He gives us the freedom - and the facility - to reject Him and go off and do what we want.

Does God have a challenger?

The Supreme Being doesn't have any challengers. The Supreme Being is in full control here. He has never lost control. No one has gotten in control over the world. No one person has taken over sinning and is responsible for all sinning.

We are each responsible for our own sinning. We make those choices.

However, the Supreme Being did create a world where each of us has the freedom to make choices. He created a dimension where we could assume temporary identities and act out our desires. This is why these physical bodies are temporary. They only last 50 to 100 years because these bodies are temporary vehicles. They are like cars we drive for a while.

But these temporary vehicles - these physical bodies - allow each of us to take on a temporary identity and act out our dreams. We get to make decisions. We get to carry out our wishes.

What is this? This is a facility to act out our self-centeredness. We get to act out, so to speak.

We might compare what's going on in the physical world with video games. Video games are programmed facilities where someone can take on a temporary identity (an icon or avatar) and be led from one situation to another. In each situation, there is a choice. And each choice leads to certain consequences. So if the player makes the right choices, they might score a lot of points.

But the game the person decides to play - what is this? It is a way for the person to express their particular desires. For example, a person might want to go out and kick some ass - right? So they log onto a video game that allows them to karate chop people to death - or shoot people.

Or a person might choose a video game that builds cities, for example. Here there is no violence - only creativity. So the game one chooses depends on one's temperament and desires.

Still, each video game does come with an array of consequences, some of which are tied to a score. But some consequences are tied to the game. Let's say that the player's game avatar karate chops a friend rather than someone who was attacking them. Then the game might put the avatar in jail for a while, say.

These depend upon the game's programming, right? Where does that come from? It comes from the person or persons who programmed the game in the first place. A programmer might set up the game so that at location one, the player could shoot a gun, or do a karate chop, or shake hands with the opponent for example. The program would set it up so that each choice comes with a consequence.

In a programming language, this would be called an "IF/THEN" statement. The program code would say "IF this option is chosen, THEN this happens."

Well, this is almost precisely what is taking place in the physical world, except the consequences are real. The physical world is a dimension that has been programmed by the Supreme Being - but with one major difference: The programming is so good that anyone in it forgets their real identity and completely identifies with their avatar. We completely forget who we are and identify with these temporary physical bodies. Yes, these bodies are real - but they are not us: Just as a car is real but when a driver gets into a car he doesn't become the car.

But like the video game, the physical world has been programmed with a myriad of choices and consequences to each choice. Each choice in this world comes with an IF/THEN statement: A consequence, in other words. This life is in fact, a world of choices, connected with a world of consequences.

This is not a random thing, either. The consequences that play out are consistent. And this is the reason for the expression, 'history repeats itself.'

It is not that history is repeating itself because there are different people making choices at different times and situations. Rather, because of the consistent programming of choices and consequences in this world - by God's design - similar choices create similar consequences.

This happens on a one-on-one basis as well. If a guy walks up to another guy and slugs him, the guy will likely slug him back. Or the guy will get arrested for inciting violence. These are common consequences. Why? Because they have been programmed in to the physical world.

But this programming doesn't mean that we don't have the freedom of choice. The guy who slugs another guy could easily stop and think, 'maybe I shouldn't hurt someone else,' and then decide not to do it. Such a decision would completely change his future.

In the same way, each of us has - in every situation - a particular set of choices that we can make. Each choice comes with not just one consequence: Rather, each choice comes with an array of consequences and situations that lead us to other choices and consequences.

It is an array. An assembly of choices and consequences, each of which leads us to another.

Why? Why is the world set up like this?

First, because each of us rejected our innate loving relationship with God. We wanted to get away from Him. Just as the video game player wanted to get away from his life of responsibility and go act out his fantasies in the video game, we wanted to get away from our life with the Supreme Being and act out our fantasies. So He created the physical dimension for us and created these physical bodies for us to access and utilize this dimension.

But along with these bodies, He created choices and consequences. To help us learn. And grow.

If, for example, He just created an unlimited fantasy environment that had no consequences - just the freedom to act out our desires at the expense of others - would there be any learning experience? Would there be any chance that we would change from our self-centered consciousness and learn to love? Could we ever return home to Him - to the spiritual realm where love is the primary consciousness of its citizens?

No, because there would be no way out. Choices and consequences are a facility for us to learn and change. A way for us to return home to our relationship with Him.

Just think if a person could enter into a video game that was unlimited in its power and pleasure and had no way to turn off or exit the game. Everyone who entered the game would never return. They'd be stuck in the game forever. Would that be a fair thing to do?

No. The Supreme Being is fair. Yes, He did give us the freedom to decide whether we wanted to love Him or not. Yes, He did give us a world where we could act out our fantasies - and pretend that we are great - even pretend we are gods if we want. And yes, we could even stay here forever if we wanted to. He has set it up so that if we want to remain away from Him - the world will continue to lead us astray.

But He also gave us a way out. He set up choices and consequences to help teach us - to help guide us back home to Him. He also has sent His representatives - Jesus and the Prophets - to bring back those who want to return home to Him.

So what about "Satan"? How does this fit in? Jesus did talk about "Satan" yes?

Yes and no. The correct translation would be "the Adversary." This is a symbolic metaphor. A metaphor that describes our ability to make the wrong choices. This is expressed within the format of Jesus' statement:

"Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat."

or, as translated in the Lost Gospels of Jesus:

"the Adversary demands permission to sift you like wheat."

Jesus is metaphorically describing a choice - a request symbolizes choice. It is a choice. to "sift you like wheat" means to churn up the wheat and sift out the inedible chaff from the edible wheat kernels. This means to separate the good from the bad. In real terms, Jesus is saying his students will be given a choice regarding their following him - and they will be sifted by their choice.

The real adversary, in fact, is self-centeredness. This is the cause of pride, greed, lust, violence, hatred and so many other faults - which are adversarial to our path back home to our relationship with God.

And what is self-centeredness the adversary of? It is the adversary of love. It is the opposite of love. When we are self-centered, we cannot truly love - with no expectation of return. We might say "I love you," but we cannot truly love when we are self-centered.

And yes, self-centeredness can easily be personalized. Because self-centeredness is a force common to each of us, one could express that self-centeredness is a common adversary. And we might even say this is an adversary of God - because the Supreme Being is all about love. The Supreme Being unconditionally loves each of us and wants us to return to our loving relationship with Him - because that is what will make us happy.

The Supreme Being also maintains some self-centeredness, and this ultimately is where we get ours from. But because He is unlimited, He has the capacity to have unconditional love for everyone and be self-centered at the same time.

We don't have that capacity. We were created by Him to love and serve Him - but this love must be offered freely. So He gave us the choice - the choice to be loving or self-centered.

That is our overall choice. Each of us can make that choice, and live with the consequences of that choice. If we choose to learn to love and serve Him - and love others - then He will guide us, and we will return home to Him and become fulfilled.

If we choose to remain self-centered, then we will continue to reject our relationship with Him. We will continue to chase self-centered fantasies and remain in a perpetual state of emptiness. And to boot, we will suffer the myriad of consequences for each of the choices we make as we pursue our self-centered desires.

It's our choice. Because love requires the freedom not to love.

“And that the change of heart leading to the release from sin ..." (Luke 24:46-47)

“Thus it is written that the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ] will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. And that the change of heart leading to the release from sin would be preached on his behalf to all peoples, starting from Jerusalem." (Luke 24:46-47 Lost Gospels)

What does 'rise from the dead' mean?

Jesus is speaking to his disciples after he has suffered and rose "from the dead." What does this mean, "rose from the dead"?

"The dead" is being translated from the Greek word, νεκρός (nekros). According to the lexicon, this word means, "one that has breathed his last, lifeless; deceased, departed, destitute of life, without life, inanimate."

This is referring to the physical body - which dies. What is destitute of life? Was Jesus ever "destitute of life?" No. But his physical body became destitute of life. His physical body became lifeless. His physical body became deceased.

This is confirmed by this verse in Luke:

Then Jesus cried out loudly and said, “LORD, into Your Hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)

"Breathed his last" means his physical body died. The death of Jesus' physical body was also confirmed by the fact that they wrapped the body in linens and put it in a tomb. People don't put living bodies in tombs. They only put dead bodies in tombs.

So we know from the fact that Jesus committed his spirit - his spirit-person - to the Supreme Being - that he left his physical body at the time of death. His body became lifeless because he left that body.

But the gross physical eyes do not see this. This is because the gross physical eyes do not see the spirit-person. The spirit-person dwells on another dimension than the physical body.

What can clinical death tell us?

This has been confirmed by thousands of clinical death experiences. Here a person's body will die in the hospital or somewhere else and the person will leave the body and then look down upon it and watch the events unfolding around it after it is dead. No one else sees the spirit-person rise up and float over the body.

In clinical death situations, the body is later revived. The spirit-person returns to the body and reanimates the body. To the gross physical eyes, the body comes back to life.

In many of these accounts of clinical death, the person whose body died describes how they floated above the body and watched everything happening around their dead body. They will describe events that corroborate with what the doctors and nurses say happened: Things they could not have seen when their body was clinically dead with eyes closed and no brain waves.

From this we can conclude that the spirit-person is not visible by the gross physical eyes. Yet we have clear evidence that the spirit-person can exist outside the physical body. The spirit-person can leave the physical body and move on after the body dies.

Because the physical eyes can only see the physical body, Jesus' persecution relates to the death of the physical body. Therefore, for Jesus to appear to his disciples after the death of his physical body is therefore described as "rising from the dead." Because Jesus appeared before their physical eyes after his physical body died.

Did Jesus die?

This means the spirit-person of Jesus never died. He lived on after the death of his physical body. He simply left the physical body. He existed before being born into the baby Jesus body, and he existed after the body of the adult Jesus body was murdered on the cross. Other Gospels describe this:

After Jesus called out again with a loud voice, his spirit departed. (Matthew 27:50)

Then Jesus cried out loudly, and his spirit passed. (Mark 15:37)

Then when Jesus had received the vinegar he said, “It has been accomplished!” And he bowed his head and released his spirit. (John 19:30)

So we find in all three descriptions, that Jesus' spirit left his physical body. Then he appeared before his disciples three days later, effectively "rising" or returning from the realm of the unseen - by appearing before their physical eyes.

So why did he appear before them after his body died? Was it to prove how great he was? This is the interpretation of some institutions: That Jesus needed to show his disciples that he was truly great.

Yet Jesus' disciples were already convinced he was great. They had witnessed miracle after miracle. They knew Jesus was extraordinary.

The point Jesus was making was that he - and all of us - are not these physical bodies. We live on after the physical body dies. He wanted us to know this clearly so that we would plan our lives accordingly. He wanted us to plan for the next destination - and return to the spiritual realm after the death of the body. This is why the next thing he discussed was having a change of heart, and a release from sin.

What does 'change of heart' mean?

Jesus speaks of what is translated as the "change of heart." This phrase comes from the Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia), which is translated to "that repentance" in many institutional translations. So why does the Devotional Translation use "change of heart?"

According to the lexicon, this Greek term means, "a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done."

Given this definition, simply "repentance" would be wholly inadequate, yes? It is one thing to repent, but it is another to have a change of purpose. Or, as the lexicon puts it, a "change of mind."

Having a "change of heart" is more accurate than "change of mind." Why? Because someone can have a "change of mind" without making a change in their purpose in life. Changing one's purpose in life is a much more real and deep change.

One can, for example, have a "change of mind" on a theoretical basis - without that change affecting their purpose in life. A person can change how they think about something. But a real change - a change of purpose in life - comes from what is referred to in modern language as a change of heart.

One problem with the word repentance is that many institutional teachings have interpreted this word to mean joining a particular group and going to a particular institution or church every week.

This is not what Jesus is speaking of. He is speaking of changing one's course in life. He is speaking of living our life for God rather than living our life for ourselves.

What does the 'release from sin' mean?

Note that Jesus states that this "change of heart" leads to something else: "leading to the release from sin."

'Release from sin' means that having such a change of heart. It means beginning to live for God instead of for ourselves. This can gradually lead us to give up those things that are considered sinful.

What is "sin" anyway?

Sins are activities that harm others, and conflict with the objectives and purpose of the Supreme Being. The key objectives of the Supreme Being relates to our welfare. He cares for each of us. He loves each of us dearly and wants the best for us. Therefore, to harm others is to sin, because opposes God's love for us.

God also knows that what will make each of us happy. That is love. And the ultimate form of love is love for God and all of God's children. This is what is fulfilling to us.

This is what will make each of us happy. So this is what is also best for us.

So doing things that harm others - spiritually and physically - conflicts with these objectives and purposes of the Supreme Being to make us happy and fulfilled.

Yes, this definition of "sin" may depart from the institutional definition of sin. The institutional definition is built around rules and regulations set up by people who have put themselves in seats of honor and authority. Those who in some cases also harm others, and even call upon others to harm others.

Yet the word "sin" is translated from the Greek word ἁμαρτία (hamartia), which means, "to be without a share in - to miss the mark - to err, be mistaken - to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong - to wander from the law of God, violate God's law."

Consider this carefully. When we "wander from" our relationship with the Supreme Being, we in fact miss our mark. We err. Why? Because our relationship with the Supreme Being is our basic innate nature. A loving relationship with God means loving others because God loves others. To harm others is contrary to that love. It misses the mark.

When we harm others, we err. We miss the mark.

And to err or wander from our relationship with God does not "send us to hell." We are in hell when we wander from our relationship with God.

So it is living outside of our relationship with God that brings sin (and hell) upon us. It is living outside the context of our constitutional position.

And what is our constitutional position?

Most of us think that our constitutional position is to enjoy ourselves.

Yet as we look around us, we see that so many of us are doing so many things to try to enjoy ourselves. Yet these activities of so-called enjoyment are not bringing us joy. They do not bring us fulfillment.

For example, we find rich and powerful people who have so many billions of dollars. They are in positions of power and prestige. They are able to control people. They are able to facilitate so many ways of physical enjoyment. Yet they are not fulfilled. They are not happy. They continue to search for happiness. They are frustrated with what they have, and only want more. They think the next deal, or the next billion, or the next yacht, or the next mansion, or the next girl, or the next whatever will make them happy. Yet even though they get these things, they remain frustrated and want more.

We can see this in our lives even if we aren't rich or powerful. When we get some material thing - or some fame or money we were looking forward to - it doesn't fulfill us. We simply want more. We look forward to the next thing. Why?

Because we are not this physical body. Each of us is the spirit-self that is temporarily occupying this physical body. Therefore, physical and material things cannot fulfill us. It would be like a car driver satisfying his hunger by filling up the gas tank of the car. The car's tank might get full, but the driver would still be hungry. This is because the car driver is not the car. The car driver can be in the car - but can never become the car.

In the same way, we are in these physical bodies, but we are not these bodies. So physical and material things cannot satisfy us.

So what does satisfy the real person within?

Love. We are each hungry for love. We need love. We gotta have love or we feel empty. We have to receive love, and we have to give love.

The physical love of the physical world is not the love that fulfills our real person within. Yes, it can give us a glimpse of real love. But it is not real love.

Here in this physical world, our form of love is usually based upon the physical body. We confuse love with a likening of our physical body with related physical bodies of our family members, or fans or whatever social communities our bodies dwell in.

Because these emotions are based upon the physical body - they do not satisfy our need for real love. Why?

Because they are conditional - they are conditional upon the physical body. The object of this type of love is another physical body.

What our inner person - our spirit-person - seeks is unconditional love. This type of love comes from the Supreme Being. Unconditional love has no conditions.

No conditions mean no requirements. One doesn't need a particular type of body to receive God's love. One doesn't need to belong to a particular group or sect. One doesn't need to do a certain thing.

The Supreme Being and His representative love us without condition. No matter what we do or say. No matter whether we ignore them or not. They continue to love us and care for us.

Now we can either enter into such an unconditional loving relationship or choose not to. It is our choice.

If we want to enter into an unconditional loving relationship with the Supreme Being and His representative then this is the first step: To want to. To ask. To knock. To beg to be let in.

Then gradually, according to the proportion of our desire, the Supreme Being and His representative will begin to open the door to let us in. He gives us a glimpse of Himself and His eternal love for us. As this happens, we can continue to embrace Him (by serving Him) or we can choose to ignore Him. It continues to be our choice.

And to whatever degree we continue to embrace our loving relationship with the Supreme Being, we become fulfilled to that degree. To that degree, we also begin to truly love others. Not based upon whether they are part of our family or club or sect. But because they are fellow children of God.

This is the element that Jesus wants for his disciples. He wants them to embrace their loving service relationship with God, and then help pass this on to others.

Jesus is describing loving service: The primary teaching of Jesus being "preached on his behalf to all peoples:"

" 'Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is related: 'Love others as yourself.' (Matt. 22:37-38)