This passage is layered with profound spiritual and mystical insights, touching on themes of divine identity, transformation, and resurrection. It suggests that true spiritual awakening comes when we recognize our oneness with God, a realization that can be both empowering and controversial. To fully grasp the depth of this message, we must examine its historical, theological, and mystical implications.
1. The Essence of Spiritual Being: A Shift in Perception
The idea that “when we understand and live from our true essence as spiritual beings, our life is enriched and empowered” challenges the common perception that we are merely human with occasional spiritual experiences. Instead, it asserts that we are fundamentally spiritual beings having a human experience.
This aligns with mystical traditions across various cultures and religions, which suggest that enlightenment is not about acquiring something new but remembering who we truly are. In Vedanta, this concept is reflected in the phrase Tat Tvam Asi (Thou art That), emphasizing that the divine is not external but intrinsic to our being.
If we accept this idea, then our struggles, fears, and limitations stem not from reality itself but from our perception of separation. The veil of limited perception keeps us trapped in illusions of inadequacy, suffering, and division. To “unveil” our true essence is to dissolve these illusions and live from a place of divine consciousness.
2. The Mystical Gospel of John: Jesus as a Mirror
The Gospel of John is unique among the four gospels because it is the most mystical in nature. While the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) focus on Jesus’ teachings and parables, John delves deeper into spiritual identity, divine unity, and the nature of existence.
When Jesus speaks of oneness with God (John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one”), he is not merely stating his own divinity but inviting his followers to recognize the same truth within themselves. The gospel presents Jesus not just as a savior but as a mirror, reflecting the divine potential within all people.
Mystics throughout history have interpreted John’s gospel as an invitation to transcend the ego and enter into a direct experience of God. Meister Eckhart, the 14th-century Christian mystic, said: “The eye with which I see God is the same eye with which God sees me.” This echoes the idea that divinity is not something separate from us but something we are called to realize and embody.
3. The Charge of Blasphemy: A Challenge to Religious Structures
The passage highlights how religious authorities saw Jesus as a threat and sought to accuse him of blasphemy. This reaction was not merely about doctrinal disagreements—it was about power and control.
Jesus’ message of divine unity challenged the hierarchical religious system that positioned God as distant and humans as unworthy. If people understood that they carried the divine within them, they would no longer be dependent on religious intermediaries to access God. This was dangerous to the established order.
This same dynamic has played out throughout history whenever someone has dared to challenge institutionalized religion with a message of direct spiritual experience. Figures like St. Francis of Assisi, Rumi, and even Martin Luther encountered resistance when they emphasized a more personal and mystical connection with the divine.
The deeper implication is this: spiritual awakening is often met with opposition—not because it is false, but because it threatens entrenched systems of control.
4. “I Have Said You Are Gods”: The Radical Nature of Divine Identity
Jesus’ reference to Psalm 82:6 (“I have said you are gods”) is one of the most controversial statements in scripture. In quoting this, Jesus reinforces the idea that divinity is not exclusive to him but is inherent in all people.
This statement forces us to reconsider our understanding of what it means to be human. If we are “gods” in some sense, what does that mean? Does it imply literal godhood, or is it a recognition of divine essence within mortal form?
In Eastern traditions, this aligns with the concept of Atman (the individual soul) being one with Brahman (the universal divine). In the Christian mystical tradition, it reflects the idea of theosis—the process of becoming united with God.
However, this realization comes with responsibility. If we are divine beings, then we are called to live from that higher consciousness. It is not an excuse for arrogance but an invitation to embody love, wisdom, and creative power.
5. The Resurrection as Personal and Collective Awakening
The passage ties these ideas to Easter, suggesting that resurrection is not just about Jesus rising from the dead but about our own spiritual rebirth.
Traditionally, resurrection is viewed as a historical event—Jesus conquering death and proving his divinity. But mystically, resurrection represents the awakening from spiritual death (ignorance) into divine awareness. It is the moment when we remember our true nature and begin to live accordingly.
This interpretation aligns with the idea that salvation is not about escaping hell but about awakening to heaven here and now. It invites us to die to the false self (ego, fear, separation) and be reborn into the truth of our divine identity.
The phrase “Let’s support each other in discovering the amazing Christ-power within us” suggests that this resurrection is not meant to be an isolated event. It is a collective journey. Just as Jesus’ disciples underwent their own transformations after his resurrection, we are called to help each other awaken.
6. Living the Christ-Power: Practical Implications
If we take this message seriously, how do we apply it in our daily lives?
- Shift from Separation to Oneness – See yourself and others as divine beings, not as separate individuals in competition. Recognize that every interaction is a reflection of your relationship with the divine.
- Embody Love and Compassion – If divinity is within us, then the highest expression of that divinity is love. Move beyond judgment and embrace a heart-centered approach to life.
- Embrace Spiritual Responsibility – Being “gods” does not mean acting with entitlement. It means stepping into the responsibility of creating, healing, and transforming the world around us.
- Die to the Ego, Rise in Spirit – Let go of limiting beliefs, fears, and attachments that keep you from experiencing divine reality. Allow resurrection to be a continual process of awakening.
- Encourage Collective Awakening – The phrase “Let’s support each other” highlights the importance of community. Spiritual growth is not meant to be a solitary pursuit but a shared experience.
Final Reflection: The Call to Remember
This passage is ultimately an invitation—a call to remember who we truly are. Jesus’ message in the Gospel of John is not about worshiping him as a distant figure but about recognizing the same divine light within ourselves. His resurrection is not just an event to celebrate but a state of being to embody.
To live from our “true essence” as spiritual beings is to unveil the illusion of separation and reclaim our divine identity. It is to step into the Christ-power within and co-create a world that reflects the highest expression of love, wisdom, and unity.
And so, as Easter approaches, the question is not just “Do you believe in the resurrection?” but rather “Are you ready to resurrect?”
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