De-Mythologizing Jesus the Christ

I have an idea, let’s try and take the oranges out of orange juice and see what we have left. Better still, let’s take the drive train out of an automobile, and see how she runs. Or maybe, we can take special interest lobbying groups out of politics and see what type political system is left remaining. In attempting to take the mythology out of the Jesus story, we may not have a lot of excitement left, but what we do have left ( unlike the examples given above) is a simple, yet profound spiritual truth, spiritual axioms, if you will.  “Love thy neighbor as thyself, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, let go of your material possessions and follow me, for I AM the truth the way and the life”.

When we strip away the myth which is have been built around the Jesus story, it is like taking up several layers of old carpet, and underneath finding a priceless beautiful hardwood floor, built by craftsmen with patience and pride. Not to say that the myth is wrong, or has served no purpose, because, of course it is part of the Jesus story, as we Christians know it today. It’s become part of our culture, ingrained in our consciousness and sanctified by most Christian religious traditions. It’s like peeling the layers of an onion, one myth or one layer at a time, until you find the center and sweetest spot in the onion. The truth that Jesus taught is probably not all that different than the truth that Buddha, Mohammad, Confucius, and other great spiritual teachers and mystics have taught. The list of teachers might go on and on, however spiritual truth does not change, and Jesus, perhaps more than any other teacher, new this.” Build your house (spiritual consciousness) on a bed of rock (spiritual truth) and when the rains and storms come, your house will not be destroyed.” What exactly are these truths? Why have they been so mysteriously concealed for over 2000 years? If you were given a list of them would you abide by them? Perhaps not; however, if we search for these priceless kernels of truth, and commit our lives to discovering and living by them, we have a promise of a fulfilling existence.” Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all of these other things (an abundant life), will be given to you”.

I don’t want to take away the mythology around the life and teachings of Jesus the Christ, because it serves a wonderful purpose, that is, to worship the king of Kings, the one who triumphed over evil and all forms of discouragement and lack of hope. But it is important to discover the truth, like a miner, panning for gold, who finds a large nugget. This truth is within you and is within me as it was within Jesus and we have for the privilege and honor to discover it on our own, with God’s abiding help.