Was the purpose of Jesus' life really to die for our sins? If so, is he then really the only way to God as in the Bible or as many fundamental Christians claim today?
—Mary Kekana, SOUTH AFRICA
Jesus couldn’t simply wipe away people’s sins without them also making the effort to do this themselves. Jesus, and any great master like him, comes to offer salvation to people in the hope that they will want it enough to make the effort to gain it. We have to make the effort to cooperate with the grace, or spiritual power, that God sends through such a master as Jesus was. He came with the power to uplift all who would receive him.
Jesus brought teachings that were far beyond the comprehension of most people living at that time, and even of many of his followers. He was a soul that had achieved liberation himself and therefore was one with the Christ Consciousness. This was why he could say, “I and my Father are one.” The people of his time couldn’t understand what he was talking about and thought he was blaspheming by saying such a thing.
He referred to himself as the “Son of God” because he had achieved oneness with the Christ Consciousness which is a Cosmic reality, and not represented by only one person. It is that reflection in creation of the unmanifested Spirit that is beyond creation. Oneness with the Christ Consciousness has been achieved by all great masters throughout the ages. Jesus was one such master, but not the only one.
Jesus came to offer salvation, as it says in the Bible, to all who would receive it. The quote from the Bible says, “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” People needed to make the effort to raise their own consciousness, through meditation, prayer and attunement to his consciousness, to be able to receive the Christ Consciousness with which he was united.
It is the Christ Consciousness that is “the way, the truth, and the life.” And this is what Jesus was referring to when he made the very power statement, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one cometh unto the Father but by me.”
This is a deep subject which I have touched on somewhat in answer to your question. There is much more to be said about it to understand it more fully. I would highly recommend that you read the book, Revelations of Christ, by Swami Kriyananda, which is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. I think you will find it very helpful. Blessings to you!
