Friday, October 22, 2004
Jesus Christ, guru?
I have read several accounts in which one of the things that gurus do is give energy to others. This energy has various effects, but they all seem to be connected with awakening the spiritual senses. It is this aspect of guruhood that made me think of Jesus, rather than the aspect of a teacher of enlightenment.
Jesus Christ is heralded in the gospels as the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. After Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples of Jesus. Since then the Holy Spirit has been the gift of Jesus to those who follow him.
It is as though Jesus death and resurrection transformed Jesus into someone who is able to give the Holy Spirit to anyone at any time or place. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says that unless he goes away, the Spirit will not come.
Of course, Jesus as a guru in this sense does not exhaust the identity or role of Jesus.
Jesus Christ is heralded in the gospels as the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. After Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples of Jesus. Since then the Holy Spirit has been the gift of Jesus to those who follow him.
It is as though Jesus death and resurrection transformed Jesus into someone who is able to give the Holy Spirit to anyone at any time or place. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says that unless he goes away, the Spirit will not come.
Of course, Jesus as a guru in this sense does not exhaust the identity or role of Jesus.
