The word Messiah which in Greek is the Christ, and in English is the Anointed, indicates one whose mind has been Enlightened. (i.e. Anointed and Chosen by God to guide Israel)
But what is Israel? It is not the person of the flesh - but rather, of the Spirit. The confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees was a reenactment of the proverbial struggle between the spirit and the flesh (i.e. Able and Cain / Light and darkness) and these are the struggles that exist within each of us - and it is this struggle that each of us must overcome.
Jesus correctly stated that the Kingdom of God can never come upon the earth in the manner that carnal men predict, because it is within us - all of us - equally.
Thus, those who possess the eyes to see beneath the series of allegorical symbols presented in the scriptures, that portray inner realities of body, mind/soul and spirit, break down the inner barriers of the struggle of Flesh & Spirit - and dwell within the Presence of the Most High.
2007-04-05 06:46:28 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe that God changed Hid mode of interaction with the universe upon the destruction of the second Temple, and that Jesus was the Messiah (Christ/Anointed One) who inaugurated that the Inner Temple.
Does that mean that Jesus was the only Messiah? Not necessarily! I believe that each of us who seeks to make their body-vessel a Living Temple, is made a Messiah. And that the teachings of Jesus were meant to guide the true seekers into that Inner Kingdom.
2007-04-05 06:46:39 · update #1
Reply to JC is the MAN:: While I truly understand and somewhat agree with you on Jesus being that only King, and us the servants; I actually like to think of it more in this way...
We are ALL merely Children of God, and Jesus is just the oldest Brother. ;-)
2007-04-05 07:44:33 · update #2
Reply to Sèimerthyr:: While I somewhat agree with what you have said, I have to disgree that there is only one Messiah. I think there have been plenty of people in this world who've fit the role perfectly well, and I believe we all have the ability to get to that point.
You are probably right that it is neither of us...now... but who is to say that that is not our ultimate destiny? ;-)
2007-04-05 07:48:07 · update #3
Well you are missing the point of the Messianic expectation and role.
Yes Messiah means "Anointed One". Yet "Anointed" one means "Ruler" or "King" over Israel. And yes in the NT, this kingdom is not Earthly but spiritual and in our hearts.
Yet there can only be one King that sits upon ths throne of this spiritual kingdom. That king is Jesus Christ and we are all called be his Servants.
BTW, interesting point about the conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus, never seen it that way before.
2007-04-05 07:18:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The term Messiah applies to the one who would liberate us - a saviour.
We are incapable of fulfilling that role, we cannot save ourselves, we cannot liberate ourselves from sin. We fall short and while we can now come into the presence of the Most High, we cannot do it without the salvation offered to us by the Messiah.
There is only one Messiah, and it is neither of us.
2007-04-05 07:38:12 · answer #2 · answered by awayforabit 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good post. You have thought this one out well.
I am on my way ..... all the time....
I will never get it done. It is an eternal journey that I choose to enjoy. I can even choose to be a Messiah if I want at different levels of reality.
With that being said, yes, I am realizing my potential to become a Messiah.
2007-04-05 23:54:02 · answer #3 · answered by flip33 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I will answer your first question.
In those terms, yes I believe that is exactly what we're supposed to do, although the details might vary a little in my mind.
To me, the Messiah is another name for the Hero. The Christ showed us what we could be. We all have the potential to become our own heroes(our ideal selves)and work miracles in our daily lives, and since we create our own lives, the responsibility for heroic action rests on our shoulders. As Paul said, '..work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..'
2007-04-05 17:34:17 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When did Jesus say that the kingdom of God is "within us - all of us - equally."?
How is Israel the spirit? Israel would be the flesh. It is the shadow, not the kingdom.
Part of the mission of the Messiah is salvation. What do we save ourselves from? Ourselves?
2007-04-05 07:13:57 · answer #5 · answered by Contemplative Chanteuse IDK TIRH 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but very few actually want to be Messiahs, or have the dedication to be one. They'd rather wait for a Messiah to come and save them. Even then, the so-called Messiah would be ridiculed and questioned, wouldn't they?
2007-04-05 06:55:35 · answer #6 · answered by Luthien 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is similar to what my church teaches. Our life on this earth is like a test, becoming like Christ. Christ was the Messiah because he was perfect and didnt fall in to temptation. When he died for us he gave us the chance to become perfect, through repentance. While we cannot become truely perfect in this life, if we endure to the end, we will be rewarded in heaven with eternal life, and in a way a chance to become as God. This life on earth is preparing us for perfection in heaven.
2007-04-05 07:18:51 · answer #7 · answered by Live Like You Believe 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you say Messiah I'm understanding that you mean Christ. We as Christians are on this earth to be as Christ like as we can be so you theory is very likely.
2007-04-05 07:16:01 · answer #8 · answered by heartlover2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well yes, it's very similar to being enlightened in Buddism isn't it. Anybody has the chance to become a Buddah or enlightened one, Buddah was the first, but he passed the knowledge on how we can all do this. Once you have done this, you too can become a Buddah. Everybody has the ability to transend beyond their current state, it is a matter if they will or not.
2007-04-05 07:18:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋