Where do Jesus' teachings come from?
This clear statement by Jesus contradicts the teachings of many sectarian institutions that claim Jesus is the Supreme Being.Are these words, spoken by Jesus himself, not evidence enough that Jesus is God’s messenger and loving servant? Is this not clear enough that Jesus’ teachings are coming from the Supreme Being, but that Jesus is not the Supreme Being?
It is true that because Jesus is representing the Supreme Being, there is a oneness between them. This is certain. Jesus clearly states that God sent him.
For example, when an ambassador of a country represents a government, there is a oneness between the ambassador and his government.
This oneness, however, relates to the message the ambassador brings to other governments. This oneness is based upon the reality that an ambassador will convey to another government whatever his or her president wants to tell them.
But this does not mean the ambassador is the president. No one will confuse the ambassador with the president. Other governments will understand that the ambassador represents the president, but will still recognize there are two individuals.
In the same way, we must honor the relationship between Jesus and the Supreme Being. By calling Jesus the Supreme Being we are actually offending the Supreme Being by ignoring His existence. We would be offending Jesus as well because Jesus came to re-introduce us to the Supreme Being:
Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know Him, but I know Him because I am from Him and he sent me." (John 7:28-29)Again we see here that Jesus is stating that someone else has sent him, and the authority he has was given to him by someone else - the Supreme Being.
Why don't they know God?
In John 7:28-29 above, Jesus is also stating that they do not know the Supreme Being. This is why Jesus was sent to the physical world - to offer to re-introduce us to the Supreme Being.Notice that Jesus is standing in front of them when they say this. If Jesus were God, how could he say this? Obviously, Jesus is not God.
More importantly, to ignore the very person Jesus came to re-introduce us to would be to offend both he and God.
This is why Jesus stated:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matt. 7:21-23)Thus we also see with this statement the basis for Jesus' teachings. We see that Jesus is stating that "only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" will be returning to the spiritual realm. Why? Because this was the major element of Jesus' teachings.
He was teaching those who chose to listen about the Supreme Being and how we could return to Him. And he taught specifically that if we do the will of the Supreme Being - thus becoming His servants - then we can return to Him.
Does this mean we are slaves?
Being God's servants doesn't mean we become slaves of God. Certainly, the Supreme Being could make slaves of us anytime. He could force us to serve Him. But He doesn't.Rather, He gives us the choice to serve Him or not. Why?
Because love requires freedom of choice.
Each of us has the choice to love the Supreme Being or not. This is why Jesus' most important teaching was:
Because love requires freedom of choice.
Each of us has the choice to love the Supreme Being or not. This is why Jesus' most important teaching was:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-38)
