Idol worship: God's meeting place with man is in the heart

[Guest guest]

" CHAPTER 26

 

Jesus at Katak. The car of Jagannath Jesus reveals to the people the

emptiness of Brahmic rites, and how to see God in man. Teaches them

the divine law of sacrifice.

 

1 In all the cities of Orissa Jesus taught. At Katak, by the river

side, he taught, and thousands of the people followed him.

 

2 One day a car (chariot) of Jagannath was hauled along by scores of

frenzied men, and Jesus said,

 

3 Behold, a form without a spirit passes by; a body with no soul; a

temple with no altar fires.

 

4 This car of Krishna is an empty thing, for Krishna is not there.

 

5 This car is but an idol of a people drunk on wine of carnal things.

 

6 God lives not in the noise of tongues; there is no way to him from

any idol shrine.

 

7 God's meeting place with man is in the heart, and in a still small

voice he speaks; and he who hears is still.

 

8 And all the people said, Teach us to know the Holy One who speaks

within the heart, God of the still small voice.

 

9 And Jesus said, The Holy Breath cannot be seen with mortal eyes;

nor can men see the Spirits of the Holy One;

 

10 But in their image man was made, and he who looks into the face of

man, looks at the image of the God who speaks within.

 

11 And when man honours man he honours God, and what man does for

man, he does for God.

 

12 And you must bear in mind that when man harms in thought, or word

or deed another man, he does a wrong to God.

 

13 If you would serve the God who speaks within the heart, just serve

your near of kin, and those that are no kin, the stranger at your

gates, the foe who seeks to do you harm;

 

14 Assist the poor, and help the weak; do harm to none, and covet not

what is not yours;

 

15 Then, with your tongue the Holy One will speak; and he will smile

behind your tears, will light your countenance with joy, and fill

your hearts with peace.

 

16 And then the people asked, To whom shall we bring gifts? Where

shall we offer sacrifice?

 

17 And Jesus said, Our Father-God asks not for needless waste of

plant, of grain, of dove, of lamb.

 

18 That which you burn on any shrine you throw away. No blessings can

attend the one who takes the food from hungry mouths to be destroyed

by fire.

 

19 When you would offer sacrifice unto our God, just take your gift

of grain, or meat and lay it on the table of the poor.

 

20 From it an incense will arise to heaven, which will return to you

with blessedness.

 

21 Tear down your idols; they can hear you not; turn all your

sacrificial altars into fuel for the flames.

 

22 Make human hearts your altars, and burn your sacrifices with the

fire of love.

 

23 And all the people were entranced, and would have worshipped Jesus

as a God; but Jesus said

 

24 I am your brother man just come to show the way to God; you shall

not worship man; praise God, the Holy One. "        

                                                                      

The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ