The general population may not be aware that Yeshua, better known as Jesus, was a spiritual teacher much like Buddha.
It is mentioned over fifty times in the Gospels that Christ taught, was teaching, did teach. He taught by the seaside, on mountains, in synagogues, and even in the temple.
Yeshua taught about a spiritual place that he called the kingdom of God. He said that it is not a place that one can say it is here or there; instead, it is within you.
He taught that it was not a future kingdom, but rather, it was at hand. It was readily available in real time. He not only taught about this kingdom, but he demonstrated it by acts of love and compassion toward the humanity all around him.
One of the best examples of seeing Christ’s kingdom of God in action is recorded in Matthew chapter 12.
In order to understand this passage, a little history about exorcism in the Jewish religion and the role that the Messiah would play in exorcism is helpful.
Some of the Jewish religious leaders were able to cast out demons, but only if they could get the demon to speak its name through the victim’s mouth. If the person was mute, it was not possible.
They knew that they couldn’t do it, but they believed that when the promised son of David arrived, he would be able to cast a demon out of a mute individual.
So, one would think that the religious leaders would have recognized Yeshua as the Messiah in this story that is recorded in Matthew.
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the man was able to both see and speak.
And all the people were amazed, and said, is not this the son of David?
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow casts out devils by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils.
And Yeshua responded, saying to them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall his kingdom stand?
And If I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges.
But if I cast out devils by the Spriit of God, then the kingdom of God is come to you.
This passage demonstrates Yeshua doing the works of the kingdom of which he taught. His actions display a real phenomenon where an invisible force that he called God was working through him to help alleviate the suffering of other humans.
The religious leaders who believed that they represented God, blatantly opposed Yeshua, even calling him Beelzebub.
Therefore, it is apparent that Christ’s kingdom of God was in conflict with their religious kingdom.
One side represented the spirit of love and compassion, and one side did not.
This passage in Matthew is a great example of how Christ’s kingdom of God and religion are basically polar opposites.
All through the gospels, Yeshua tried to reason with the religious leaders to get them to see the difference between his spiritual teachings and the error of their religious ways. However, he was not successful, and was eventually murdered by them.
So, where are the spiritual teachings of Christ today regarding the kingdom of God?
They have been replaced with the religious teachings of Paul.
Christ mentioned the kingdom of God eighty-five times in the Gospels.
Whereas, Paul only mentioned the kingdom of God eleven times.
Yeshua taught and demonstrated that the kingdom of God is the spirit of love and compassion where humans and God interact with each other in real time.
It is a spiritual “place” for which one must diligently seek.
In one parable Christ likened the kingdom of God to one who was digging in a field and found a valuable treasure. He sold all he had to buy the field, so he could possess the treasure forever.
This parable exemplifies the magnitude of the experience that one encounters when they have truly connected with the kingdom of which Christ taught.
It is a mind altering and life transforming experience. It is a spiritual phenomenon, not a religious one.
The few times where Paul mentioned the kingdom of God, it was different than Christ’s depiction. Paul presented it as a place to be inherited in the afterlife for those who were not whoremongers, covetous, fornicators, and a lengthy list of other “sinful” attributes.
Although Yeshua required his disciples to have upmost moral integrity and he did point out the defiled hearts of the religious leaders, Yeshua did not focus on the “sinful” nature of humans.
That is a major difference between spirituality and religion.
Religion focuses on sin, whereas spiritualty does not.
Yeshua actually relieved the burden of guilt of so many that followed him. He let them know that they were forgiven.
It is religion that obsessively focuses on “sinful” behaviors of humans, and it is apparent in the writings of Paul.
Another place where Paul differs significantly from Christ is when Paul wrote that the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Paul really missed the mark on this one, because the kingdom of God is absolutely in word. It is found through the words or teachings of Christ.
And, Yeshua has a lot to say about his words.
He taught that heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Christ taught that those who hear my words and do them are like wise men who build their houses upon a solid foundation.
Christ taught, why do you call me Lord, Lord and don’t do what I say? Those things that he says are his words.
Christ taught the Jews who believed on him, if you continue in my words, then you are my disciples.
Isaiah prophesied about Yeshua approximately 700 years before he was born. Isaiah saw a vision of the chosen one, the one who God would put His spirit upon to teach us the true way. (Isaiah 42, Hebrew Bible/JPS version)
Yeshua taught the true way through his words.
Yeshua was a living example of what is possible when a human enters into the spiritual kingdom of God. It is through that spirit of love and compassion that Christ was able to bring the spiritual substance that mankind so desperately needs.
However, his teachings were buried when he was murdered and then turned into a blood sacrificial religion.
Tragically, for the past two thousand years, the astonishing spiritual kingdom of which Yeshua taught and demonstrated has become The Lost Kingdom.