The arrival of Jesus

We present in this issue the topic #132 from the Systematized Study of the Spiritist Doctrine, that is being presented weekly, according to the programme elaborated by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB), structured in 6 modules and 147 topics.

If the reader uses this program for a study group, we suggest that questions proposed be discussed freely before the reading of the text that follows. If you would like to study alone, we ask you to try to answer the questions at first and only then read the text that follows. The answer key can be found at the end of the lesson. 

Questions

1. Why  the Jewish didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah?

2. Are there parts of the Bible which say that Jesus and God are different personalities?

3. The idea that Jesus is part of the Divine Trinity was agreed by the Apostles as believed by the Catholics?

4. We know that loads of missionaries were sent by Jesus to the planet. Mention some of them.

5. What does the birth of Jesus mean to Humanity and its History?

Text

1. The Jewish were waiting anxiously for the Messiah, announced by the old prophets, who would come to the world to free them from the power of Rome. But Jesus came and he wasn’t totally understood by the Israeli. They didn’t expect Jesus to come in the darkest moment on Earth, in their conception, Jesus should show up in Divine glory and give Israel the power to lead other tribes.

2. There were, however, many people who recognised him as the Messiah, although he was born among animals and as the son of a carpenter. Among the ones who recognised him, we should mention the disciples, apostles and followers. They heard from Jesus, in many occasions, that he was sent by his Father, as these parts of the Bible show:  

• “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great." (Luke, 9:48)
• "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and  the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me." (Luke, 10:16)
• “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me." (Mark, 9:37)
• “Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.” (John, 8:42)

3. It’s clear in theses parts of the Bible that Jesus talked on behalf of his Father and was sent by him. This shows a duality of people and excludes the possibility of them being the same, because someone sent is obviously subordinated to the one who sent him. This should be thought by all of us who think that Jesus and God are the same person. This is a mistake disputed by these biblical parts below:

• “You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” (John, 14:28)
• “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” (John, 12:49 and 50)

4. The apostles really believed that Jesus was the Messiah. This can be easily noticed by these parts of the Bible below:

5. It’s not easy to understand that the arrival of Jesus among us brought intense work from all the spirits called to be part of his glorious mission. Each one received a specific job. This job was to love and to dedicate themselves to the cause in order to facilitate the arrival of Jesus among us.

6. Initially, Jesus sent to the societies on Earth, some missionaries such as Ésquilo, Eurípedes, Heródoto e Tucídides, and finally the extraordinary Socrates to Greece. In China, we had Fo-Hi, Lao-Tsé and Confúcio; in Tibet, we had Buda, in the old times, Moses; in the Alco ran, Maome. Each society received a missionary sent by Jesus.

7. The Roman society seemed troubled by all kind of “occult enemies”, who slowly damaged its solid bases, leading this society to corruption and the extermination of itself. The arrival of Christ was close and Rome, centre of the world, didn’t seem to know it. The approximation and presence of Jesus in the world should have been a good reason for everybody to restart a new life, even if they didn’t fully understand that blessing.

8. The angelical entities of the universe, close to Earth, took many measurements of big importance. The instructors were chosen. A unique activity is seen close to Earth: a night of amazing lights and stars. Divine songs were in the air singing hope to mankind and nature. The prophecies were happening: Jesus was being born and a new era began. This occasion is still celebrated by us as Christmas.

Answer Key

Initially, Jesus sent to the societies on Earth, some missionaries such as Ésquilo, Eurípedes, Heródoto e Tucídides, and finally the extraordinary Socrates to Greece. In China, we had Fo-Hi, Lao-Tsé and Confúcio; in Tibet, we had Buda, in the old times, Moses; in the Alco ran, Maome. Each society received a missionary sent by Jesus.