The Life of Jesus

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

According to Meher Baba

Part One

THE LIFE OF JESUS

Jesus, known for his life-giving miracles, suffered himself to be crucified, with his prayers on his lips for the salvation of the misguided ones.

14 October 1922? Bombay, TY p88

Have you ever heard the story of the two sisters Mary and Martha? Both loved the Lord Jesus intensely.

Once Martha was preparing food for Jesus, while Mary stayed sitting by his side, listening to him speak. Martha did not like cooking in the kitchen all day long, for she had no opportunity to be in Jesus' company. One day she complained to Jesus about it, asking him to order Mary to help her.

But Jesus said, "By sitting by my side, Mary is serving me as much as you are by cooking my food."

The sanskaras of everyone are different, hence everyone's duty is different. Mary was serving Jesus more by sitting beside him than Martha was by cooking his food.

May? 1925, Meherabad, LM2 p714

There is one secret about Jesus which the Christians do not know. When Jesus was crucified, he did not die. He entered the state of Nirvikalp Samadhi (the I-am-God state without bodily consciousness).

On the third day, he again became conscious of his body, and he traveled secretly in disguise eastward (with some apostles) to India. This was called Jesus' resurrection.

After reaching India, he traveled farther east to Rangoon, in Burma, where he remained for some time. He then went north to Kashmir, where he settled.

When his work was finished on earth, he dropped his body and entered Nirvikalp Samadhi permanently.

Saints in India have verified these facts about Jesus' travels. Mankind will soon become aware of the true life of Jesus.

23 August 1925, Meherabad, LM3 p752

If poor God were only to sit in heaven like a thief, then he must be pitied. If Jesus said that God is in heaven, then he was not the Christ. But I know that he was Perfect and divine, God incarnate, and never meant that.

What did Jesus really say? To the multitude, he said, 'God is in heaven. Try to go there.' And to reach that end, he said to overcome certain temptations and sufferings.

To his followers, he said, 'God is everywhere. Try to see him.' And he gave explanations to that effect.

To the close circle of apostles, he said, 'God is in me, and in you too,' and actually revealed this to them.

Why did Jesus say different things? Owing to the time and the people, according to their readiness to listen and understand. What Jesus meant was to leave all and follow him. That means to know him, see him, experience him.

The teachings that are being followed by Christians are not the real teachings Christ gave. The priests have altered his words, added to his teachings, and spoiled them.

5 March 1928, Meherabad, LM3 p1034-1035

Meher Baba taught a meditation that involved visualising the form of the Master, and demonstrated three sitting postures for meditation, He said, "When I was Jesus, I showed these methods to a thief."

August? 1928, LM3 p1082

Jesus had no roof over his head, and had to wander all the time.

9 October 1928, Toka, LM3 p1104

"The place where I have chosen to remain in seclusion is connected with Jesus Christ. His body is buried in a cave near here."

7 August 1929, Harvan, Kashmir, LM4 p1193

The love of the beloved is not commonplace or ordinary. His fancy or lahar (whim), his mood and his actions, can create, in a second, doubts in the minds of his lovers.

Where there is doubt, there is not love, as doubt and love cannot live together. The lover who has doubts about his Master has no love for him.

Kalyan and Arjuna were the beloveds of their beloved Masters, Swami Ramdas and Lord Krishna. But Jesus Christ had none.

The Avatar descends on earth for his beloveds, his real lovers, and he works for them side by side with his working for the entire universe. But it is not necessary that all Avatars must have a beloved.

7 August 1929, Harvan, Kashmir, LM4 p1196

Christ held the key to the world in his hands, but his hands were nailed onto a cross.

24 September 1929, on the S.S. Versova en route
to Mohammerah, Persia, LM4 p1224

... Jesus would meet daily with his disciples at a fixed time, and forgive their weaknesses and advise them.

From this act of Jesus, the Catholics go to a priest for confession to this day. It is a good practice. But after confessing and being pardoned, the actions should not be repeated. If they are repeated, where is the benefit? It does no good if you commit 700 wrongs in seven days, and go to a priest to confess, only to repeat them later.

The priests, dasturs, mullahs and preachers give long-winded sermons, but they prove ineffective. People listen with one ear and it goes out the other, for they continue committing wrongs.

The reason for this is that only a Qutub or Sadguru can deal with the consequences of human offenses, underline their seriousness, and influence the offender's mind.

What impression can the words of a priest produce? It is the knowledge of a Qutub that creates a real impression, and it is his knowledge that has influence.

18 October 1929, Isfahan, Persia, LM4 p1231

Asked about his seclusion in a small cage-like cabin, Baba explained:

'This physical confinement is apparent, not real. It does not inconvenience me in the slightest. Certain kinds of work which I have to do in non-physical realms automatically prompt me to shut myself up in a small area.

'After becoming Perfect, Jesus stayed for forty days and nights on a mountain for the same reason, and did not allow even his apostles to approach him.'

January 1930, Nasik, LM4 p1263

Another version:

... Jesus, after becoming Perfect, stayed for thirty days continuously on a mountain, and did not allow even his intimate disciples to approach him.

c.1930, Ms 2:2 p38

Q. Your followers attribute numerous miracles to you.

Baba: Anyone who becomes one with the Truth can accomplish anything. But it is weakness to perform a miracle simply to show one's spiritual powers.

Jesus Christ, who made the blind to see and the deaf to hear, who restored the dead to life, did nothing to save himself from suffering the agony of the world.

The only miracle for the Perfect man to perform is to make others Perfect too. I want to make the Americans realise the infinite state which I myself enjoy.

20 March 1932, Bombay, to an Associated
Press reporter named Mills, LM5 p1541

The apostle Peter loved Jesus very much. But every morning Jesus would kiss the apostle John, and Peter would become jealous of John.

27 April 1932, Paris, LM5 p1597

... They went to a church built on a mountain, where Baba remained seated for ten to fifteen minutes. There were pictures of Jesus and his disciples on the walls, and a large crucifix was over the altar at the front of the church. Baba explained, "It is I who is on the crucifix, and for this reason, I did not remove my hat when entering the church."

Baba then explained about the different characteristics of Jesus' apostles, and remarked about Mary Magdalene's repentance and love for Jesus. In the church, while looking at a painting of the Last Supper, Baba commented:

"I am often reminded of John and Judas, though I had great love for Peter.

"There are many things about Jesus and his Circle (apostles) that are not yet known to people, as books such as the Bible have been changed. I will explain later on.

"When I break my silence, clothed in the simple sadra which I wear in India, people will see me as Jesus. I am the selfsame Christ who was nailed on the cross. For the welfare of others, I undergo terrible suffering, and I suffer infinitely. I am being crucified every moment, even now.

"I remember a humorous incident in the life of Jesus. A very stout man tried to kick Jesus when he was carrying the cross. But he was so fat that while trying to kick him (me), he fell down. I remember it well.

"When I, as Jesus, ordered a pit to be dug to bury a member of my circle, Peter completed the work with his fingers, thereby injuring them badly, and to the point that one finger was fractured and the flesh lacerated. But the very next day, it was healed by my simply blowing on it."

As they left the church, they saw an old man with a white beard sitting on a bench. Baba sat down beside him and took his hand. He motioned to certain ones to give the old man some money, remarking, "He is a good soul. I know him well."

Bhau Kalchuri, 29 April 1932
Lugano, Switzerland. LM5 p1599

The whole world will know and welcome me as Jesus returned once I speak.

July 1932, Hawaii? LM5 p1670

They visited St. Mark's Square at 11:30 am. Outside the church, Baba explained the church's architecture and its spiritual significance. He had them count and write down the number of pillars, domes and arches, which came out to exactly 120. Baba said,

"This church is one of the four great spiritual centers of Europe. The whole structure corresponds to the Avatar's twelve disciples of the inner circle and 108 disciples of the outer circles.

"I was here as Jesus Christ with two of my apostles one month before my crucifixion, and sat on the exact spot where St. Mark's was later built."

Baba went into the church with the men, but the church rules barred the women from entering.

18 August 1932, Venice, Italy, LM5 p1699

On August 24, 1932, in Cairo, Egypt, Baba told Kaka and Chanji, "The Coptic Church contains a cave where Mary and Joseph stayed after fleeing Herod. The reason why I came to Egypt is to visit this church."

They visited the Coptic Church the next day. Baba's face was radiant with joy as he walked through the church. He said, "This is my dear old place," and explained that Jesus had come and stayed there with his apostles.

Baba climbed down into the small, dark room of the cave. The church warden did not want to open it, but Baba insisted and he finally agreed. They were told that the church had been erected over the cave 930 years after Christ.

LM5 p1705

On April 20, 1933, Baba took them to Harvan village in two buses and a car. Dressed in disguise so as not to be recognised by the villagers, Baba showed them where he stayed in seclusion and fasted in 1929. Pointing to a hill, Baba said,

"There is the place where two of Christ's apostles, Bartholomew and Thaddeus, buried his body. They had accompanied him from Palestine."

LM5 p1770

"An indescribable peace hung about Harvan. One felt like speaking only in whispers. Why had Baba made a point of taking us to this spot?

It was here, on the slope of the mountain, that he had once been in seclusion and on fast for several months. The very same mountain where, Baba told us, Christ's body was buried.

'Although there is a tradition that he was buried at Harvan,' Elizabeth recorded in her journal, 'no one knows the exact spot except Baba. The body was brought there by two of Christ's disciples, Bartholomew and Thaddeus, after crucifixion. Christ appeared to these disciples, after death, in his fourth or heavenly body.'"

Kitty Davy, April 1933, LA p98-99

Q. If you are Christ, why do people not know?

Baba: It is because people cannot know that I have to take this (human) form. Jesus was not known in his time, even by his own intimate and immediate companions. Judas, who was all the time near him and kissed him, could not understand him. So do you all not understand me externally in my physical form. Because as the real, infinite Christ, I am within you, as in everybody.

29 June 1934, London, A p57
Another version: LM6 p1881

Q. Why was Jesus not married?

Baba: Every Avatar adopts a particular aspect of his time. He adapts and embodies his mode of working according to the attitudes of the people. The outstanding weakness that marked the attitude of people in the time of Jesus was pomp, cruelty and pride. And to do away with that and set an example, he based his working or mode of life on simplicity, humility and suffering. And so there was no necessity for him to marry.

29 June 1934, London, A p22-23
Other versions: Tr 174-175, MJ 2:6 p354-355,
HM p443, LM6 p1882

Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross. But did it change his state? No.

The truth is, he who is Perfect is not moved by any disaster. He remains Perfect even if the whole world speaks against him.

How would the sun be affected if men were to shoot arrows at it? The arrows will rebound and come raining down on the persons who shot them.

The Avatar or the Sadgurus are thus like the sun. They are not going to be impressed or influenced in any way by the arrows of slander.

September 1934, Meherabad
to Nadirshaw Dastur, LM6 p1917

All have to suffer for love. Jesus suffered all his life for love. I suffered none the less, and have yet to suffer much. These times are no better than those of old, when Jesus was stoned and had to suffer crucifixion. I am crucified every moment, as none of you can ever imagine.

6 June 1935, Bombay, LM6 p1961

I intend to start giving the food myself as I used to do. This is an old custom of mine which I have stopped for the last four years. The food is brought to me, then each of you bring your plate and I give it. Jesus did this.

5 January 1937, Meherabad, LM6 p2072

All miracles are child's play, whereas spirituality is far above them. Miracles in themselves have no spiritual value or significance. But they are necessary, and at times are performed by the Master as a means to convince people of Truth and spirituality. Jesus performed miracles, not for his own gain, but to make people recognise the Truth and to create faith in them. Yet when he was crucified, he who could raise the dead did not stop it.

13 March 1937, Nasik, interview with
a Catholic priest, LM6 p2130

Look how Jesus loved. He saw himself in all.

13 April 1937, Nasik, LM6 p2153

When Christ was mocked, spat upon and beaten, he did not use his powers, but he retaliated with love. You should be glad of an opportunity to be mistreated by others. You should thank them for the opportunity of suffering and loving.

1930s? T p94

Now, who is Christ? The individual soul. Who is Jesus? The Avatar (Prophet) of Nazareth. What is Christ? The son of God state.

Judas helped Jesus Christ in his universal work. If Christ had not undergone the crucifixion, he could not have taken the burden of the universe upon himself. Jesus himself brought about his own crucifixion.

Peter loved Jesus the most. Jesus loved him the most, although the love of Jesus for all was the same. Can you explain this? Loving all the same, and yet some more than others? It is like the different parts of the body. They all belong to you, but you love some parts more than others. The eyes are more dear than your fingers. Is this clear? Jesus loved Peter the most in this respect. Peter was his eyes.

When Jesus said to Peter, "You will betray me," Peter knew he would betray his Master, the one whom he loved most, and yet he bore it bravely. It was the most difficult thing to do, to know that he would betray, and yet not to become weak. Jesus made Peter know that he would betray him for his work.

Judas was also made to betray. Peter betrayed willingly. It is most difficult when you love the one you betray. For example, suppose you (pointing to one) love me the most. You are Peter. You (pointing to another) are Judas. I want you both to kill me. Now you, Peter, are made to kill me. You would not willingly do so. You are asked by me to kill me, and you love me more than your own life. But you will lovingly kill me for my work.

Even Arjuna could not be like Peter. Krishna had to show him his universal body before he would kill his brothers and relatives in battle.

You, Judas (pointing to that one) love me very much. I turn the key and you go against me for my work. You do not go against me of your own accord. I make you go against me in order to tell people about me. You do it willingly, knowing that people hearing you would beat me and crucify me.

All this means love, faith and sacrifice. If you do what I ask willingly, you really love me. If you are made to do it, you love me a little less. But if you do not do it, it all turns out like today's mango mess, when you all hesitated to accept when I offered you the mangoes. God's grace makes you love me. My grace makes you one with me.

19 May 1937, Nasik, LM7 p2183
Another version, HM p662-663

Jesus several times fainted on the cross, which he could have avoided. But it was a necessary demonstration for the good of humanity.

31 October 1937, Cannes, France, LA p215-216

(Baba said Jesus, like other incarnations of the Avatar, had no definite program, scheme or organisation, his purpose being to spread his teachings, and impress upon humanity the worthlessness of the world and worldly life through the very vagueness of his plans and schemes.)

"Jesus too had no definite plan - reread the Sermon on the Mount."

1 April 1938, Panchgani, LM7 p2272-2273

Since times of old there have been endless numbers of rishis and tapaswis who have lived there for years, practised penances, meditated, and were in high states of samadhi. Great souls such as Rama, Krishna, Buddha and even Jesus had been here during certain periods of their lives. It is due to these highly evolved souls and Masters of their age that the place is surcharged with spiritual atmosphere.

True sanctity does not lie in the dead walls of brick and stone, or even in the waters, but it is in the great living beings who stayed here and filled the environment with the fire of their devotion, love and worship, and in the great spiritual forces released by the Masters during their stay here.

1938? HM p709. Also MJ 1:5 p59-60
About Benares
rishis = sages, tapaswis = ascetics.

Q. Did Christ suffer physically on the cross?

Baba: If not, why the body? What need for Jesus if he did not suffer? Christ suffered, or what would be the meaning of his taking a body?

Through his universal mind, which the knowledge of Godhood continually gives, he experiences that all is nothing, and is sustained by Godhood's bliss. He suffers, but is not affected by the suffering. Knowledge means perfect union with God. The Master's suffering is universal suffering, but this universal suffering has no effect on the Master's Godhood.

19 September 1938, Meherabad, Aw 16:2 p29-30

Another version:

If not, why the body? What need for Jesus if he was not affected? Christ indeed suffered. If not, what would be the meaning of his taking form? Through his universal mind, which the experience of Godhood continually gives, Jesus experienced that all is nothing, and was sustained by the Godhood's bliss. He suffered, but was not affected by his suffering. Knowledge means perfect union with God. The Master's suffering is universal suffering. But his universal suffering has no effect on the Master's Godhood.

LM7 p2318

In the fourth plane, the bliss of sound, smell and sight are all subdued and repressed. The fourth plane connotes the darkest night of the spiritual journey, wherein even Jesus could not but cry out, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'

before January 1939, T p186, also MJ Jan. 1939

What there is about Benares, or Kashi as it was earlier called, is the atmosphere of great souls. Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Christ, Shankara, all were here for a period of their lives.

before June 1939, T p97, also HM p709

Jesus fasted 40 days.

c.1939, in a letter to Baron von Frankenburg
T p212 and HM p705

As Christ, I told Peter to give his other cheek to be slapped.

June? 1939, LA p276-277

Christ chose the right type of disciples, not too ardent, not too dull. All were fishermen. And later on, Christ did so much work through them.

The work of the Master is affected by the conduct of his disciples, as the public always judges a Master from the behavior of his followers.

1 December 1940, Ceylon, LM7 p2646

That is where Jesus' body is buried.

September? 1944, to his women disciples, in
the hills near Harvan, Kashmir, LM8 p2974

Baba: Peter loved me the most, but even he denied me.

Delia DeLeon: Was that a conscious thing, or did he do it unconsciously?

Baba: None loved Jesus as Peter did. It had to be. He was conscious.

Delia: I always understood Judas was unconscious when he betrayed Jesus.

Baba: The greatest service was Judas' betrayal. When he kissed Christ on the cheek, he did nothing, God did all. He behaved under a veil. He had the most difficult thing to do for the Master of all the disciples.

14 May 1952, Myrtle Beach, Aw 14:2 p9
(Filis Frederick, who wrote this account, said
that Baba indicated that Judas realised God.)

Jesus was never serious about anything, except about God, whose incarnation he was. He was serious about himself and God, with whom he was one. Otherwise, he was so lighthearted that he even got crucified for others, with the same lightness of heart.

Why? Because he had no wants at all. He did not want -- he gave.

So the only thing that God wants is not ceremony, not yogas. He wants love, the love that makes you forget yourself in him.

16 May 1952, Myrtle Beach, GG3 p38-39

During a lull I grasped the opportunity to ask a question which had been bothering me for years. I said, "Baba, are we ever going to know more about Jesus' life? We have no knowledge of what happened between the time he was twelve and when he was thirty."

Baba smiled brightly and said, "Yes, it is in the book."*

"Are we ever going to get a chance to read it," I asked. Baba nodded assent. Rano wanted to nail it down, so she said, "In this life Baba, in this life?" and again Baba nodded yes.

Ivy Duce (1952, Hartsdale, New York) HM p130-131

*A book Baba wrote by hand in the 1920s,
which has not yet been published.

The kind-hearted Jesus knew very well that his nearest disciple would betray him, and thus lead to his crucifixion. But because of the divine sense of humor, Christ could not help getting himself crucified, although the world rightly continues to look upon him as the Saviour of humanity.

4 or 5 November 1952, Meherabad, GG3 p156
Also Gl Feb. 1978, p14, Aw 14:2 p2

Christ told Peter, the most elect and select, 'You will deny me.' Why? Why did he say that and have it done, too?

Jesus took the whole burden of the world, and to allow Peter to share the burden, he made him deny him.

So, in short, to love means to lose your whole self with all its paraphernalia in the beloved, and that means torture, suffering, pangs. If one does this, one becomes the beloved.

To deny was the height of suffering for Peter, and this suffering was his share of Jesus' suffering.

September 1954, Meherabad, TK p342

Another version:

...Peter, the chief apostle, was told, 'You will deny me.' Why? Jesus, in that way, took the whole burden of the world and made Peter share it... What was the height of suffering to Peter? That he denied his beloved Master. This denial was to enable him to share the sufferings of Jesus.

18 September 1954, Meherabad, GM p250

Baba: Today I shall explain why I think that, from the spiritual point of view, miracles are nothing but farce.

Jesus said, 'I and my Father are one.' He meant that he was and is God. This is true. He was and is God.

Now, God is said to have created all this phenomenal universe. This is God's miracle, and therefore the miracle of Jesus. It means innumerable beings created and destroyed according to his will. Yet they lay down that Jesus' greatest miracle was in raising a few dead to life. How ridiculous it sounds, unless it is given some inner meaning.

Raising the dead to life is insignificant illusion amidst his greatest illusion, and to say that Jesus was Saviour because he raised the dead is ridiculous. But he did raise the dead to life, and many other miracles. Why did he do it?

(Someone suggested that it was a means of impressing people.)

Baba: You are saying, in effect, I am God, I am Saviour, I am everything -- and people are not impressed. In other words, people are not impressed with my self but with miracles.

Now, why did he do it? If he had not raised the dead, take it from me, he would not have been crucified, and he wanted this.

September 1954, Meherabad, TK p345

Another version:

When Jesus said "I and my Father are one," he meant that he was God. Is this true? Did he actually say it?

God created this entire phenomenal universe. That is God's miracle and the miracle of Jesus. It means that innumerable beings were created by Jesus who died according to his will. Yet it is supposed that Jesus' greatness is that he raised some few dead to life. How ridiculous that is, unless it has some hidden meaning. It is supposed that he is the Saviour because he raised a few dead and gave sight to the blind, creating insignificant illusions in the midst of his great illusion.

Why is he supposed to have performed the miracles? Had Jesus not raised the dead, had he not performed the miracles, he would not have been crucified, and he wanted to be crucified. He performed the miracles to make certain of being crucified.

GM p254

John the Baptist was the Master of Jesus, and there was a conflict between John the Baptist and Jesus' disciples over different conditions of living.

September 1954, Meherabad, TK p347

Another version:

John the Baptist was a wonderful being. He gave his neck. He was the Master of Jesus. You have read how the disciples of John found fault with Jesus' disciples for living in comfort and having good food, when they had nothing of the kind.

21 September 1954, Meherabad, GM p255

The placing of a coconut at the feet of a Master symbolises the surrenderance of one's all. The disciple says in doing so, 'Everything is yours.' John and Peter, the disciples of Jesus, knew how to do this, not by ritual, but by their every action.

September 1954, Meherabad, TK p357-358

Jesus was humiliated and physically hurt, and he knew it would be, because he had planned it all long ago. He did it for all. And to have the right result, he had actually to experience the helplessness and the suffering. Do not think that because he was omnipotent, he did not suffer the humiliation and the crucifixion. If he had not, it would not have had the desired effect.

September 1954, Meherabad, TK p358

The truth is that Jesus was not tempted by Satan, but that Jesus got himself tempted, and he overcame the temptations. There was a great purpose behind this. He had to get himself tempted. Thereby he shouldered the burden of the forces of temptations that predominated in the world. Jesus then overcame all the temptations, and in that way created a tremendous force which acted as a great setback to the forces of universal temptations.

The same was true in the case of Buddha, and it is the same every time in Avataric periods. Whenever God manifests on earth as Avatar, his Godhood gives a universal push, and the result is universal, i.e., not only humanity reaps the benefit, but everything in the whole creation reaps the benefit of the universal push.

before 1955, GS p68, also HM p444

Christ often said, 'I forgive you, I forgive you.' Those who loved Christ accepted his prasad of forgiveness. But those who would not recognise Christ naturally could not understand him. His words were just words to them.

November 1955, Meherabad, LH p68

Jesus used to say, 'I and my Father are one. Leave all and come to me.'

November 1955, Meherabad, LJ p48

Why did he undergo crucifixion? Because humanity would never listen to him. He said... 'I am the reality. All follow me. Wake up from the dream.' No one listened.

20 July 1956, New York, Gl Aug. 1988 p5

Jesus Christ suffered the tortures of crucifixion to take on the suffering of the world. Being simultaneously the Father and Son, his own infinite bliss was neither interrupted by the cross, nor did it intervene in his bodily suffering, which he suffered as an ordinary human being.

22 July 1956, New York, Gl Nov. 1987 p22

Christ was crucified. Otherwise humanity would not have listened to him.

23 July 1956, New York, Aw 4:3 p15

Christ suffered humanly on the cross, but his bliss was unbroken.

23 July 1956, New York, Aw 4:3 p21
Also HM p745

Ivy Duce wrote: "I mentioned that there were so many things I wished to do for him, but my broken feet would not let me. He measured off the index and third finger of his right hand with his left thumb, and asked,

'Can't you take this much? Look what they did to me when I was Jesus -- put all those thorns on my head which drew blood, made me carry the cross. They beat me, nailed me on the cross and pierced my side. Can't you take this much pain?'"

July 1956, New York, HM p244

Jesus Christ got himself crucified. Though he had infinite power, he took on suffering, and made himself helpless for the sake of humanity.

He felt infinite bliss, but also human suffering. He felt the suffering of all the world.

1956? United States, Aw 5:2 p9
Also HM p740

Jesus Christ was the ocean of love, Father and Son both in one, simultaneously. No one can know him. No one realised what he said then.

He was all-mighty, all-powerful, and yet he appeared so helpless. He got himself crucified in the end. Why? In order to teach humanity humility.

Today the Christian world go to churches, they get mixed up with sermons and ceremonies, and forget what Jesus wanted to be done universally.

12 August 1956, Melbourne, Australia, PS p44

Jesus said to his disciples, "You stick to me. There will be a time when some of you will betray me." It was not a test. It was the work of the divine being.

Judas turned against him. It is said that Judas betrayed him, but it was a great help. It was not a betrayal by Judas. It was Judas helping Jesus Christ to fulfill his mission. It was all in the divine plan.

13 August 1956, Australia, PS p50

Christ's greatness was not in his power and miracles, but in his humility in being crucified. His humility was his true greatness.

August 1956, Australia, Aw 4:1 p19

You have read in the Gospels wherein Christ had said to his apostles, "You will deny me." This did happen when Peter, the chief apostle, denied Jesus.

19 May or 2 June 1957, Poona, BG p16
Also Gl May 1980

At the time of Jesus, I uttered many warnings, yet none could grasp in advance the necessity of my crucifixion.

8 September 1957, Meherazad, GM p291

Simple-hearted fishermen gathered round Jesus.

8 December 1957, Poona, Aw 19:2 p4

Of millions of men of God, a rare one will realise God. It is so difficult, so impossible. Even Peter did not realise me when I was in the body as Christ.

22 May 1958, Myrtle Beach, GM p308

I suffered so when I was Jesus, hanging on the cross, that I even felt for a moment as if God had forsaken me, and I uttered that line, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'

24 May 1958, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, HM p310

Like the Christian mystics, each one of whom was my gem, each was a lover of God. Jesus was their beloved, and they did nothing but love their beloved. They were burning with love that burned their sins to ashes.

25 May 1958, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, GM p325

Had Jesus told Peter how to love him, Peter would not have denied him.

26 May 1958, Myrtle Beach, GM p330

Jesus said, 'I am God.'

26 May 1958, Myrtle Beach, GM p331

Jesus was all-powerful, all-knowing. He knew he had to be crucified, and could have used his power to avoid it, but he did not use his power, and made himself so helpless as to say on the cross, "My God, even you have forsaken me."

Why? He could use his power, but he did not want to use it.

27 May 1958, Myrtle Beach
LA p528-529. Also GM p333

Jesus had Christ-consciousness. This means that Jesus was conscious of himself as Christ.

Jesus the Christ was in Judas. And as Jesus the Christ in Judas, he knew that Judas would betray him. Yet he remained as though he knew nothing.

This divine pretense of the all-knowing is the principle of his leela - the divine sport of the eternal Christ.

c.1960, India, EN p33

Look at Peter. He denied Christ. Desperation made his mind deny, but in his heart he knew that Christ was what he was.

c.1960, India, EN p89

Christ lived for love and died for love. He was love personified.

His crucifixion was an expression of his universal love. He abides in all, and therefore selfless service to humanity is service to God.

December 1961, India, Aw 8:2 p10

Jesus Christ, who had infinite power, let himself become helpless, and suffered the humiliation of letting the people spit on him and jeer at him. He suffered crucifixion, but even while on the cross, he did not help himself from the power and bliss that were his. Instead, he cried, "Father, why hast thou forsaken me?" He said it to himself, of course, for he and the Father are one.

9 December 1962, Meherazad, PS p136
Another version, HM p737

Judas grew up with Christ, and yet betrayed him in the end. Peter, who was the apostle of Christ, also denied Jesus.

26 May 1963, Poona, Aw 10:1 p24

UNDATED

Jesus Christ was publicly humiliated, stoned, spat upon by the ignorant ones. This his lovers... could not bear to see, and they persuaded Jesus to perform open miracles to pacify the people.

Jesus was reluctant to do so, yet, not to displease his lovers, he openly performed miracles (raising the dead, giving sight to the blind, etc.).

What happened? He was accused as a magician, tried, found guilty and crucified.

BG p12-13, also Gl Nov. 1976

Kitty Davy was reading to Baba from the New Testament.

Baba: Do people really believe Jesus was conceived in an immaculate way?

Kitty: They do.

Baba: He was conceived without lust.

HM p457

Judas loved Jesus very much. If there had been no Judas, there would be no Jesus.

GO p183

Jesus is not remembered today as a healer, or one who performed miracles. He is remembered because, despite his being the Avatar, the Christ, he lowered himself in the eyes of humanity, became helpless, to the point when he allowed himself to be crucified. That was his real greatness, and that is why Jesus is always associated with the emblem of the cross.

AO p103

Meher Baba

The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Meher Baba
Part Two: The Teachings of Jesus

Index - Incarnations of the Avatar