Does “salvation” even make any sense nowadays? How many people really think of the original meaning of this word so commonly used by most “Christians” today? "Christian" is another misused word that possibly many people do not know the original meaning anymore… Let me quickly give you an insight before proceeding with my thoughts…
“Christ” is the greek word for the Jewish concept of a “Messiah”. The word “Christian” is first used in Antioch of Syria during the apostle Paul´s first trip to share the message of Jesus within the Roman Empire, possibly more than 20 years after Jesus' crucifixion…Until then, “Christians” were mostly Jews followers of “The Way” of Yeshua/ Jesus, their Teacher, whom they believe to be The Messiah.
"The Messiah", or "Christ" as you wish, was, and is, a Jewish concept of a human being sent and anointed by God who would bring Universal Peace and restore the people of Israel. There are many more interpretations but I m not getting deep into it.
Jesus ticked all the boxes of the expected Messiah for some, but not for others. He taught a radical way of living under a really hard and challenging reality of the most oppressive occupation known until then. He gathered small local groups and encouraged them to live as families even when they were not blood related, and even when they were from different classes and social status… a radical concept in cultures that valued blood family ties above all else. They would follow the teachings of Jesus, pray together daily and they would justly share all their possessions, submitting themselves to one another and to the governance of God's Spirit instead of Rome´s Emperor or any other superior human leader.
They continue to live that way and, as I said, they were later called "Christians" because part of their message was that they believed Jesus was the Jewish Christ who would bring real Peace to the whole world.
They were soon experiencing persecution in different fronts, yet they were also experiencing hope and a different kind of Peace. Different from the "Pax Romana" promised by The Emperor and guaranteed by force and control, or the Peace desired by the ones wanting a revolt to defeat the Emperor by violence.
They were filled with hope for a peaceful future and a strange peace that blossomed from within. A peace that did not depend on their circumstances but was fruit of their open consciousness and they could not explain it or comprehend it.
The message was as political as it was spiritual, and we can see that throughout the texts and letters we now call the "New Testament". These early Jewish Christians would proclaim that Yeshua was their “Savior” as another subversive way to attack Rome and the Emperor who entitled himself as the only "Savior" and the one who promised "Peace" as "Good news".
The meaning of “Salvation” or "being saved" for early Christians, besides the subversive aspect, meant entering the spiritual realm of God´s Peace and Justice and God's Governance in spiritual realms and not in our material and visible world.
It was about the "kingdom of God" that Jesus spoke of so often.
Most Christians today associate "Salvation" with judgment and condemnation, with our soul's destiny in heaven or hell after death, etc, which I think was never associated with "salvation" in the 1st century Roman context.
I might be wrong, but that's how I see it.
Maybe "enlightenment" would be a better word for our days to mean the same as "salvation" back then ( Even though that would not have any subversive meaning).
In this sense, "enlightenment" had nothing to do with having a new religion, and I dare to say that "Christianity" as it became was never in Jesus' plans.
Jesus' message was for Jews, as it was the concept of a Messiah, a jewish prophecy and hope. It was a Jewish call, in my opinion, to be messengers of Peace, Justice and Love, and a blessing to all other people wherever they would go, as Abraham understood . Unfortunately, this is so far from what we see today and it led to so many evil distortions with "holy lands" and "chosen people" in the midst.
Jesus' message was for Jews, as it was the concept of a Messiah, a jewish prophecy and hope. It was a Jewish call, in my opinion, to be messengers of Peace, Justice and Love, and a blessing to all other people wherever they would go, as Abraham understood . Unfortunately, this is so far from what we see today and it led to so many evil distortions with "holy lands" and "chosen people" in the midst.
Jesus was a Jew, but most jewish didn't really accepted Jesus as the expected Messiah as he didn't quite match the interpretations given about the Messiah who would come ... even today this is the main hope and expectation of some Jews, that the Messiah will come and bring Peace, once and for all, and restore Israel. Another tricky subject, the State of Israel. It's not only the left wing people who don't recognize today's Israeli State. Some Jews don´t recognize it either because the "real" Israel can only be established by the "real" Messiah and not by human effort, but this would be another subject, and I don't feel I know enough to share about it.
I want to go back to Jesus´ time… and maybe learn something for our times...
Jesus had been calling some attention to himself since he started to heal people in many villages all over Galilee. He was also casting out demons and he even resurrected a friend named Lazarus. This might be a stretch for some Europeans to believe as we became so racional and academic, but for someone in India, Africa or any indigenous
I want to go back to Jesus´ time… and maybe learn something for our times...
Jesus had been calling some attention to himself since he started to heal people in many villages all over Galilee. He was also casting out demons and he even resurrected a friend named Lazarus. This might be a stretch for some Europeans to believe as we became so racional and academic, but for someone in India, Africa or any indigenous
culture it's just normal for a gifted healer or shaman as Jesus definitely was.
All these healings raised some concerns to the Judean king appointed by Rome, Herod, who wanted to keep peace with the Romans. The Religious leaders also got concerned as they were still allowed to worship in the Temple and follow their rituals and feasts… All these commotions in Judea could stir the people in a way that the Romans would eventually hear about, so plans started to be made to keep things quiet and under control.
Before Jesus there was already John who was preaching a different theology and baptizing in the river Jordan, those who wanted to declare publicly their allegiance to God and not the High Priest or the Roman Emperor. People would come to him who wanted to change their lives radically and follow the path the Spirit had for them, instead of what was imposed to them by the human rulers of their time... John, even though he was not as public as Jesus and wouldn't perform such miracles, was also preaching the same message as Jesus, "-Repent!".
All these healings raised some concerns to the Judean king appointed by Rome, Herod, who wanted to keep peace with the Romans. The Religious leaders also got concerned as they were still allowed to worship in the Temple and follow their rituals and feasts… All these commotions in Judea could stir the people in a way that the Romans would eventually hear about, so plans started to be made to keep things quiet and under control.
Before Jesus there was already John who was preaching a different theology and baptizing in the river Jordan, those who wanted to declare publicly their allegiance to God and not the High Priest or the Roman Emperor. People would come to him who wanted to change their lives radically and follow the path the Spirit had for them, instead of what was imposed to them by the human rulers of their time... John, even though he was not as public as Jesus and wouldn't perform such miracles, was also preaching the same message as Jesus, "-Repent!".
This is a theory, but they were possibly taught or inspired by the Essenes in the Qumran community, as some of their teachings were very similar to the theology of this secluded Jewish community committed to study and teach the Jews Scriptures in their particular interpretation. They kept ancient knowledge from all over the world and were also eagerly waiting for the expected Messiah that was predicted not only by their interpretation of Scripture, but also by their astrologers.
Jesus and John were on a mission, to call as many people as they could to “Repent!”... This was not a simple “sorry for my faults” kind of repentance, this was a more serious and important message. The word used in the greek texts was "Metanoia" which means a complete change of consciousness and lifestyle, again a political statement, in opposition to what was imposed to everyone by social and religious rules, as well as by the Roman Empire...
We need to understand their context… Palestine was under Roman occupation, nothing new to jews who were previously under the Assyrian and Babylonian empires before that. The presence of soldiers in every corner made sure the promised “pax romana” was guaranteed… Maybe 90 years must have passed since the Romans announced the “Gospel” in Jerusalem, or the “Good News”, for the Empire of course, which was a word used as a declaration of victory, proclaiming that one more territory had been conquered. Another meaning that possibly many Christians today are unaware of too.
90 years of occupation until John and Jesus started to share a different “Gospel”, declaring the victory of God and God´s children whom Jesus referred as Peacemakers in the famous sermon on the mount.
This was a radical message that was all about Peace, non violent resistance to the Empire and no need for any sacrifices in any Temple to be forgiven and loved by God.
This was a massive threat and really bad news both to the Roman Empire as well as for the Jewish Religious leaders at the time.
Most peasants were living on the verge of poverty because of the occupation, even though they were working hard all day. Women and children were not even considered citizens as they were considered useless… There were also the “unclean” people that nobody would care or get close to, mostly lepers, people with mental difficulties and women with hormonal problems or not able to have children.
Jesus and John were on a mission, to call as many people as they could to “Repent!”... This was not a simple “sorry for my faults” kind of repentance, this was a more serious and important message. The word used in the greek texts was "Metanoia" which means a complete change of consciousness and lifestyle, again a political statement, in opposition to what was imposed to everyone by social and religious rules, as well as by the Roman Empire...
We need to understand their context… Palestine was under Roman occupation, nothing new to jews who were previously under the Assyrian and Babylonian empires before that. The presence of soldiers in every corner made sure the promised “pax romana” was guaranteed… Maybe 90 years must have passed since the Romans announced the “Gospel” in Jerusalem, or the “Good News”, for the Empire of course, which was a word used as a declaration of victory, proclaiming that one more territory had been conquered. Another meaning that possibly many Christians today are unaware of too.
90 years of occupation until John and Jesus started to share a different “Gospel”, declaring the victory of God and God´s children whom Jesus referred as Peacemakers in the famous sermon on the mount.
This was a radical message that was all about Peace, non violent resistance to the Empire and no need for any sacrifices in any Temple to be forgiven and loved by God.
This was a massive threat and really bad news both to the Roman Empire as well as for the Jewish Religious leaders at the time.
Most peasants were living on the verge of poverty because of the occupation, even though they were working hard all day. Women and children were not even considered citizens as they were considered useless… There were also the “unclean” people that nobody would care or get close to, mostly lepers, people with mental difficulties and women with hormonal problems or not able to have children.
While the oppressive empire was keeping people in bondage, Jesus' way would set people free...
While the imperial system would make people sick, Jesus would bring healing without any charge... While the empire was leading people to death, Jesus was leading them to real life with each other and the landscapes they were living in.
People were very excited about all this, especially the poorest, but also some religious jews who were expecting the Messiah promised by their prophets who would do the things that Jesus was doing :
“... he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end…(Isaiah 9:6-7)
“ I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations… (Isaiah 42:1-4)
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed” (Isaiah 61:1)
Hope was rising, and even the religious leaders and scholars would go to Jesus to try to get signs and proof that he was the expected one.
Jesus was not making it easy for them as he would not confirm clearly to be the Messiah.
The liberation from Rome was finally coming, the Messiah was bringing Peace to the Jews and Israel . Everyone was expecting the Messiah to be the deliverer who would give power back to Israel, like a mighty warrior and conqueror as David was, and totally dismissed any spiritual significance of the Messiah God had in mind, and the Kingdom that God was starting to put in place, to replace all empires.
The disappointment started among a few, espeacially the Zealot sect, when it started to be obvious that Jesus was not necessarily a warrior and he was even defying the law that said clearly “an eye for an eye” and exchanged it for “turn the other cheek” instead…we can only imagine the Jewish scholars fuming with such teachings…they were definitely not convinced that he was the Messiah, and they started to accuse him of blasphemy instead.
The Jewish wanted to be delivered by human force, by war and by destroying their enemies, but that was not necessarily what Jesus was doing… definitely not in the physical sense, and this was a major reason for the Jewish rejection of Jesus as their Messiah.
People were very excited about all this, especially the poorest, but also some religious jews who were expecting the Messiah promised by their prophets who would do the things that Jesus was doing :
“... he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end…(Isaiah 9:6-7)
“ I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations… (Isaiah 42:1-4)
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed” (Isaiah 61:1)
Hope was rising, and even the religious leaders and scholars would go to Jesus to try to get signs and proof that he was the expected one.
Jesus was not making it easy for them as he would not confirm clearly to be the Messiah.
The liberation from Rome was finally coming, the Messiah was bringing Peace to the Jews and Israel . Everyone was expecting the Messiah to be the deliverer who would give power back to Israel, like a mighty warrior and conqueror as David was, and totally dismissed any spiritual significance of the Messiah God had in mind, and the Kingdom that God was starting to put in place, to replace all empires.
The disappointment started among a few, espeacially the Zealot sect, when it started to be obvious that Jesus was not necessarily a warrior and he was even defying the law that said clearly “an eye for an eye” and exchanged it for “turn the other cheek” instead…we can only imagine the Jewish scholars fuming with such teachings…they were definitely not convinced that he was the Messiah, and they started to accuse him of blasphemy instead.
The Jewish wanted to be delivered by human force, by war and by destroying their enemies, but that was not necessarily what Jesus was doing… definitely not in the physical sense, and this was a major reason for the Jewish rejection of Jesus as their Messiah.
The Zealots were a jewish political movement who wanted to overthrow Rome. After Jesus´s death, in the year 66, this group led a revolt against Rome, overtaking Jerusalem from the Romans, but that only led to following detruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in the year 70 by the Roman Army.
The spiritual meaning of the Messiah was totally dismissed for those looking for a revolution against Rome. Instead, Jesus called people to turn their backs to Rome, that's the literal sense of the word “Repent!”, not the modern understanding of “repenting from personal sins”.
The spiritual meaning of the Messiah was totally dismissed for those looking for a revolution against Rome. Instead, Jesus called people to turn their backs to Rome, that's the literal sense of the word “Repent!”, not the modern understanding of “repenting from personal sins”.
Jesus was calling people to ignore the power of Rome and to live in communities as families, supporting one another even in the difficult conditions the empire was imposing on people, for that too would surely pass... It was more important for Jesus that people would be healed and would focus on daily living, on caring for the poor and needy, on fishing and farming, then to organize riots or armed resistance against the Romans. He even encouraged his followers to love the Roman people and even the soldiers who were also suffering and he demonstrated that by healing a Roman centurion´s son, a special servant of a Roman official, an even the guard that Peter attacked when Jesus was being arrested to be killed... This was definitely a very hard message to follow, even to our days... but this is "The Way".
Jesus was calling people to be their own Saviors, instead of expecting a mighty warrior, and the call remains the same.
The deliverance or "salvation" from the Empire was and is in each one´s choice. You would either give the power to Rome to oppress you, or you would give the power to God, to guide your life and be your Governor. You would either play and live by Roman rules and values, or you would follow the path of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation, generosity, cooperation, sharing with those who have less, living non-violently for justice and love.
Jesus was calling people to be their own Saviors, instead of expecting a mighty warrior, and the call remains the same.
The deliverance or "salvation" from the Empire was and is in each one´s choice. You would either give the power to Rome to oppress you, or you would give the power to God, to guide your life and be your Governor. You would either play and live by Roman rules and values, or you would follow the path of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation, generosity, cooperation, sharing with those who have less, living non-violently for justice and love.
I imagine it was convenient for most people to submit to Rome and live with all the privileges the Empire offers. We can see the same today. As we see today also, most people prefer to submit to the empire and live with the privileges, even if that does not give them much peace or happiness.
Only God´s ways of non violence, Justice and Love, could give true Peace, comfort and security, not Rome, not an army or any human government or nation-state. This is still true today even for those who don't believe in any God.
Only God´s ways of non violence, Justice and Love, could give true Peace, comfort and security, not Rome, not an army or any human government or nation-state. This is still true today even for those who don't believe in any God.
We have the whole Earth as ours to feed from, to shelter from, to dress from, to drink from, how could one compare this to what Rome or any human empire could offer?
Hindus would speak about detachment from the material world to achieve "salvation".
We were born with gifts to serve one another, for us to live in communities where we all play our part and share what we have, receiving what we need.
This is for me the “Gospel” of Jesus, and the “Salvation” we all long for, it´s actually in our hands.
If we choose to turn our backs to the Empire ways, if we choose to live in communities and cooperate rather than compete, if we ask God to give us the same Spirit that was in Jesus, to teach us and guide us, we can surely do it.
We are the ones who can bring “Salvation” not only to all human kind, but to all creation who is also suffering from the extractive and exploitative ways that empires plunder all over this planet.
This is the “Gospel” and God will be victorious through us, all humans who choose Peace and Love.
Jesus said “ - Blessed are the Peacemakers for they are the children of God”
And I end my thoughts with a message from Paul to the followers of "The Way" in Rome:
“ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as children, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
We were born with gifts to serve one another, for us to live in communities where we all play our part and share what we have, receiving what we need.
This is for me the “Gospel” of Jesus, and the “Salvation” we all long for, it´s actually in our hands.
If we choose to turn our backs to the Empire ways, if we choose to live in communities and cooperate rather than compete, if we ask God to give us the same Spirit that was in Jesus, to teach us and guide us, we can surely do it.
We are the ones who can bring “Salvation” not only to all human kind, but to all creation who is also suffering from the extractive and exploitative ways that empires plunder all over this planet.
This is the “Gospel” and God will be victorious through us, all humans who choose Peace and Love.
Jesus said “ - Blessed are the Peacemakers for they are the children of God”
And I end my thoughts with a message from Paul to the followers of "The Way" in Rome:
“ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as children, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
1 comment:
Hi again Barbara. As a result of your cycle trip I am dipping into your other blogs. It’s a wonderful insight to what gives you life every day. I share your passion and your values and your faith in Jesus. It is a source of connection to what the Creator offers us and how we treat each other and the planet we share life with. We are blessed in many ways. Thank you for your wisdom and inspiration.
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