The Teaching of the Cross
by Tom Baker
Lesson: Text, Chapter 6, I. The Message of the Crucifixon
Date: April 10, 2011
In the New Testament, the Christian disciple is encouraged to take up his or her cross and follow Jesus. The devout follower of Jesus is to share in his sufferings to help expiate the sins of the world and further his or her own salvation. Yet both in the Cayce readings and in A Course In Miracles we are not so much asked to follow in the way of Jesus' suffering as we are to follow in the Master's response to attack: "I elected, for your sake and mine, to demonstrate that the most outrageous assault, as judged by the ego, does not matter...... You are not asked to repeat my experiences because the Holy Spirit, Whom we share, makes this unnecessary. To use my experiences constructively, however, you must still follow my example in how to perceive them." (T., Chap. 6, I., pp. 93, 94). Jesus' perception of the cross was that he was not persecuted nor did he see himself as a victim. Misunderstood and projected upon, yes, a victim, no. So when Jesus asks the Father from the cross to forgive those who crucified him for they know not what they do, he meant it from a heart that did not feel wounded or betrayed or attacked.
Jesus states that the only message of the crucifixion is "Teach only love, for that is what you are." He drives this home by correcting the Gospel account in regard to Judas: "Judas was my brother and a Son of God, as much a part of the Sonship as myself. Was it likely that I would condemn him when I was ready to demonstrate that condemnation is impossible?" (T. Chap. 6, I, p. 95). For most of the history of Christianity the follower of Christ has been asked to follow in the way of the cross. Yet in the Course and, generally in Cayce, the emphasis is in sharing in the resurrection rather than the crucifixion. In fact, Jesus in the Course states that the crucifixion cannot be shared "because it is the symbol of projection, but the resurrection is the symbol of sharing because the reawakening of every Son of God is necessary to enable the Sonship to know its Wholeness." (T. Chap. 6, I. p. 94).
In the new, developing consciousness we are perhaps being asked to share the truth of what we are rather than how that truth has been ignored or violated, attacked or dismissed. This sharing is our power and leads to our aligning our consciousness with God:
The power of the Sons of God is present all the time, because they were created as creators. Their influence of each other is without limit, and must be used for their joint salvation. Each one must learn to teach that all forms of rejection are meaningless. The separation is the notion of rejection. As long as you teach this you will believe it. This is not as God thinks, and you must think as He thinks if you are to know Him again." (T. Chap. 6, I. p. 95).
Now look at your hands they are the hands of grace. Now think about the eyes you are looking through. They are the eyes of grace. Now look at the faces in the room, they are the faces of God. God sees you and you see God. Lightly touch the person in front of you. Bless them. This is the meaning of Christmas, when light became flesh and flesh becomes a person and God is suddenly everywhere to be seen and blessed. Merry Christmas.
© Copyright Tom Baker 2011