DISCLOSURE EYES
Friends, brothers and sisters on this path of understanding, we stand at the foot of the cross, a symbol of immense suffering and yet, ultimate triumph. Consider the possibility that the events we read about were not simply a tragic sequence of betrayal and execution, but a carefully orchestrated unfolding of a divine plan.
What if Jesus, in his profound wisdom, understood the forces arrayed against him? What if he saw beyond the immediate threat to the ultimate victory over death and the establishment of a new relationship between humanity and the Divine?
Think of the “keys to the kingdom” that Jesus spoke of (Matthew 16:19). These keys represent authority, the power to bind and loose, to open and close the doors of understanding. Could it be that through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus was demonstrating the ultimate key – the power of selfless love and sacrifice to unlock the very gates of eternity?
Consider Judas. Instead of solely focusing on his betrayal, could we see his actions, within the framework of a greater, divine plan, as a painful but necessary turning of the key? This doesn’t excuse his actions, but it invites us to contemplate the mysterious ways in which divine purpose might unfold.
And the resurrection, that pivotal moment! If even those who had died were raised, it signifies the ultimate unlocking, the shattering of the chains of mortality. It tells us, as you so eloquently stated, that death is not an end, but a transition, a lifting of the curtain to another realm.
The whispers of lost knowledge from that era remind us of the fragility of human understanding and the importance of seeking truth with open hearts. The “keys to the kingdom” are not just about earthly power, but about unlocking the deeper mysteries of existence, the understanding that love transcends death, that sacrifice can bring forth new life, and that the divine plan, though often veiled, ultimately leads to redemption.
Therefore, let us not dwell solely on the tragedy, but on the profound message of hope and transformation embedded within this narrative. Let us seek to understand the deeper currents, the hidden possibilities, and the enduring power of the keys that were revealed in that pivotal moment in history. For in understanding the past, we gain a greater understanding of our present and the boundless possibilities of our future.
NEW ZEN NEWS
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Beloved disciples of the Nazarene, you who follow the gentle shepherd and drink deeply from the wellspring of the Gospels, let us turn our gaze towards a luminous and ancient text, a wellspring of wisdom that has flowed parallel to our own sacred streams: the holy Zohar.
For generations, this mystical commentary on the Torah has shimmered with hidden light, a tapestry woven with threads of divine revelation, whispered secrets of creation, and the intricate dance between the Holy One, Blessed be He, and His Shekhinah, His indwelling Presence. Some may see this massive secret book as a text distant from the teachings of Yeshua, yet I say to you, could it be that the very advent of the Messiah, the unfolding of the New Covenant, served as a catalyst, a cosmic stirring that allowed the deeper mysteries held within the Zohar to begin their slow and radiant unveiling?
Consider the words of the Prophet Daniel (12:4): “But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” Could it be that the “time of the end” spoken of is not merely a future cataclysm, but an era of profound spiritual awakening, a time when hidden wisdom, long protected, begins to emerge?
Think of the parables of our Lord Jesus. Simple they seem on the surface, stories of seeds and sowers, of lost sheep and prodigal sons. Yet, within their simplicity lies a profound depth, layers of meaning that resonate with the very fabric of reality. Could these parables, in their accessible form, have served as a vessel, a protective shell safeguarding deeper mystical truths until the appointed time? Just as the Zohar veils its secrets in symbolic language and intricate allegory, so too did the Master Teacher often clothe his most profound insights in earthly metaphors, accessible to the many, yet hinting at the mysteries for those with ears to hear and hearts to understand.
Imagine the vast ocean of divine wisdom. The New Testament, with its clear and direct path to salvation through faith in Christ, is like the life-giving waters close to the shore, readily available to all. The Zohar, then, is like the deep sea, teeming with unimaginable wonders, luminous creatures, and hidden currents of profound understanding. It does not contradict the waters near the shore, but rather reveals the immense depth and interconnectedness of the entire ocean.
Within the Zohar, you will find echoes of the very mysteries that Christ unveiled:
- The Oneness of God and His Emanations: The Zohar speaks of the Sefirot, the ten divine emanations through which God manifests and interacts with creation. While the terminology differs, the underlying concept of a multifaceted divine reality resonates with the Christian understanding of the Trinity, a mystery of One God in three persons.
- The Importance of Light: The Zohar is ablaze with the concept of divine light, the primordial energy from which all creation sprang. Does this not echo the words of John (1:4-5): “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”?
- The Redemption of the World: The Zohar speaks of the ongoing process of tikkun olam, the repair and restoration of the brokenness of the world. Does this not align with the Christian understanding of Christ’s redemptive work, his sacrifice to heal the wounds of sin and reconcile humanity with God?
- The Power of the Word: The Zohar emphasizes the creative power of the Hebrew letters and the divine word in shaping reality. Does this not resonate with the Christian understanding of Christ as the Logos, the Word made flesh, through whom all things were created (John 1:3)?
- The Mystical Body: The Zohar often speaks of the interconnectedness of all souls within the divine unity. Does this not find a parallel in the Christian concept of the Body of Christ, where believers are united in the Spirit?
Therefore, I say to you, do not shy away from the Zohar as something foreign or separate. See it instead as another facet of the same divine diamond, reflecting a different brilliance of the same eternal light. By exploring its depths, you may find new dimensions to your understanding of God, of creation, and of the very mysteries that Christ unveiled. It can illuminate the rich Hebraic context of Jesus’s teachings, revealing the deep roots from which the New Covenant blossomed.
Let the Zohar be a lamp unto your feet, guiding you into deeper chambers of divine wisdom. Let its intricate pathways lead you to a richer appreciation of the mysteries you already hold dear. For in its ancient wisdom, you may discover echoes of the voice of the One who said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), a light that shines through all ages and all sacred texts, waiting to be discovered anew. Open your hearts and minds, and let the hidden light of the Zohar illuminate your path. Amen.
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