To Light a Thousand Lamps - The Theosophical Society

The Christian Message / 93
ness with divinity except by o¤ering on the cross of self all
that is less than godlike, except by descent into and triumph
over the underworld of earth and of former thought habits,
and by resurrection from the tomb of humanhood to shine
forth in godhood? And the consummation? In the tradition
of sun gods and saviors, such a one returns willingly to
fulfill his sacred task, so that the ideals of compassion and of
spiritual mastery may once again inspire human souls to
nobler ends.
How may we interpret Jesus’ death which he foretold,
and his betrayal by Judas? Was it a betrayal as ordinarily
understood? Or is there another level of meaning to this
part of the Gospel narrative? Could it be that Judas was used
as an instrument to carry out what had to be, foreordained
by the karma of humanity, by the karma of Judas, as well as
of Jesus? Be this as it may, Jesus knew that his ‘‘time was at
hand,’’ and that the Son of man must return to the Father.
Ascending the Garden of Gethsemane with Peter, John,
and James, Jesus asked his disciples to sit awhile, and he
went o¤ to pray alone. Here was a more subtle ‘‘betrayal,’’
or rather ‘‘failure’’ on the part of the very ones he had selected
to stand guard in his moment of greatest need. Not a
conscious failure, yet it carries a poignant lesson to us today,
for how often in our individual strivings do we lack the
selflessness of resolve, of love, to follow through. He said to
his disciples: ‘‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto
death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.’’ Jesus then moved
on farther and knelt, o¤ering all that he was to his Father:
‘‘If it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not
as I will, but as thou wilt.’’ When he returned he found his