by David Credland.
Jesus of Nazareth (The Light Within) provided for humanity and still provides a straightforward moral compass. What is said by Him makes use of a plain vocabulary. It does not require a major work of theology to give expression to it and yet it is amazingly powerful. Christianity is inclusive and should never be treated as if tribal. Mysticism and discernment can be part of Christianity as The Light Within exists in spiritual form now as much as ever. Discernment frees Christians from being bound to scripture whilst enabling contact with the Christian ethic to be maintained. Christianity is very much relevant to the modern world. The Light Within serves as the ultimate role model. He does not just speak his message, he lived and does live it so as to make it clear what is required. He is the personification of his teachings!
Living in this world as the son of a carpenter He expressed himself eloquently but simply. He embraced a life of frugality and honesty. At no time did he succumb to ostentation or frippery. He did and does encourage non-violent conflict resolution at all levels and in all situations including international relations. This has to be on the basis of mutual respect and fair sharing of resources.
Jesus was criticised by the scribes and Pharisees for mixing with “low life characters,” such as tax collectors and sinners. He had then and does now have more time for the humble than those who give themselves airs and graces! The proud and haughty have their reward in this world not in the next!
It is not deeds that please Him but the under pinning love. Charity can be a cold and unpleasant thing and such does not win favour with the Light Within: only sincerity matters. This is the key thing when it comes to pleasing Him. He is very much against unfair discrimination whether it is racial; religious; affluence based; gender based or of some other sort. Anyone and everyone have the right to develop to their full potential.
Anyone who would follow in the steps of the Light Within must realise that there is a cost to discipleship. Earthly thinking and Spiritual thinking are easily at odds with each other. Advocating a compassionate approach to things can be seen as weakness and derided as such. A compassionate person can be accused of being unpatriotic or even an enemy of the state.
Jesus did what He knew was required of Him. He was not bothered by the thought of “reputational damage”. Being crucified in the company of thieves at Golgotha was not something he tried to avoid!!
[The image of Christ above is based upon what he might have looked like, according to what is known of the average man’s appearance in Palestine at that time. The average man’s height is estimated to have been about 5 feet, 5 inches. The phrase, “reputational damage”, in the text refers to the reason given in 2024 by the management of Quakers in Britain for banning a Quaker meeting at which Jeremy Corbyn was one of the speakers.]
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