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Jesus' Diet
for your Sins
A
health book,
based
on the Bible...
with
hundreds of references from the Bible
and from the "Essene Gospel of Peace"
The Teachings of Jesus
Copyright
1988
on Diet, Health, and Fasting
Christian Health Research
Library of Congress # 88-70985
ISBN # 0-9620449-0-3
All rights reserved
published
by
Biblical
Health
Research
(formerly:
Christian Health Research)
CONTENTS
Introduction
When Jesus appeared on earth two thousand years ago,
he was a teacher and a healer. He taught
"the way, the truth, and the life" to
mankind, and was a healer in every sense of the word,
like a doctor, teaching a way to wholesomeness and well-being,
physically, as well as spiritually. Jesus
cured the maimed, the blind, the lame, the crippled,
and the insane, and even brought the dead back to
life. He fed the hungry, and inspired comfort and hope
in the oppressed and downtrodden, while feeding the
bread of wisdom to those thirsting for more abundant
life.
It is a serious responsibility to write a health book based on the teachings of Jesus, because belief in Jesus means many different things to different people, and Jesus' teachings, also, have been interpreted with a multitude of understandings. The truth, however, will shine, and does shine, and those who examine Jesus' sayings can feel and understand their eternal vitality & validity - - as vital and valid for us today as the days they were spoken two thousand years ago. Jesus' teachings, when applied, lead to health, happiness, and more abundant life, which we all seek, and which is our birthright. Healthiness, happiness, and long life are the birthrights we are welcome to receive, if we obey the will of our Creator.
To do God's will is what all believers want, or should want; yet this is not always easy or apparent, because the world offers so many temptations and diversions, so many opinions and beliefs, that can lead astray the well-intentioned truth-seeker. That is why Jesus reminded us that "the path is narrow, but the road that leads to destruction is wide, and many go that way." (Matthew 7:13-14).
Doing
God's will is not always easy, but such actions do
lead to a feeling of well-being and a sense of
accomplishment, as we hear the assent of the inner
voice, saying: "Well done, faithful and honorable
servant," imbuing us with "a joy unspeakable
and full of glory," and "a peace which
the world cannot give nor take away." This is
the "peace of God which passes all
understanding."
The title of this book was originally "The
Teachings of Jesus on Diet, Health, and Fasting,"
and it is important to note that many of Jesus' most
famous acts were as a healer of physical diseases...
but it is all the teachings of Jesus which are
supposed to make us well, whole, wholesome, holy,
healthy, and free from all illness, suffering, and
disease -- physically, mentally, emotionally, and
spiritually. This book has since been re-named "Jesus'
Diet for Your Sins!" due to the universal
interest in the relation of diet to health, and
recently added the title "Heal Thyself: For
Christ's Sake!" because we can be more useful
to God if we are healthy than if not so.
Jesus taught that the "kingdom of heaven is at
hand" and also "within you."
(Matt 3:2; 4:17;10:17; Luke 7:21), but many people
are waiting to get their happiness in heaven, while
they remain as miserable as hell, here on earth....but
a healthy person is happier and more useful for God's
purposes here on earth. This book tries to show
a way to heal ourselves, so that we may be healthy and
holy, ready and able to do God's work here on earth.
Some believers assume that the physical, material
world is somehow degrading or degenerate; but this
magnificent, natural, physical world is obviously and
empirically the handiwork of an intelligent &
compassionate Creator. God did not make a
mistake when He designed the natural world as we find
it. The Bible states that "God saw all He had
made and pronounced it very good." The
Bible also tells us that "the body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit ...which temple ye
are...therefore glorify God in your body."
(Corinth 3:16; 6:19-20)
The divine Creator designed this world and our marvelous bodies, which are our precious inheritance at birth. The physical body is merely a temporary home for the spirit, but the care we give to it influences the quality of our lives, and a healthy body is attuned, and receptive to the influence of God's love, wisdom, and guidance. Jesus' parables about the "ten talents" and the "unjust steward" have important practical meanings, being that we must take care of those things which we are given in life. While we must live in these physical bodies, we should know them, understand them, and treat them as products of Mother Nature, which is a manifestation of God, and God's wisdom. The human body is a holy instrument and vehicle for God's spirit. It is a living machine of divine origin, whose operations are based on the laws of nature, also known as "mother nature," and a person who understands and respects those laws will be the recipient of greater health and happiness, than one who doesn't. A healthy physical body is robust and radiant, and this quality of health carries over to one's life and work. We can better serve God, and be useful for life's work, by being healthy ourselves.
Jesus
taught a way to be completely whole, and it is
interesting to note that the word "catholic"
is etymologically derived from the Greek "kata-",
a prefix meaning "completely," and "holos," meaning
"whole." In other words, the word "catholic"
means "completely whole" or "completely
well" (since the words "whole,"
"well," "wholesome,"
"holy," and "healthy" all derive
from the same linguistic root). The idea that
"catholic" means "universal" may
be a slight corruption of its original intent (since
it became the official religion of the Roman Empire),
although it is true that the teachings of Jesus are
meant for all, in this sense "universal."
However, not all are yet "completely whole,"
as may be understood by "kata-holikos." It
was this that Jesus encouraged. He was a
"healer" of men, who made men 'well,' by
making them 'whole.' He healed the
sick, the maimed, the lame, the blind, the crippled
and the insane, and even brought the dead back to
life. His healing and his ministry brought
comfort and hope to those weak and in despair.
Such an example of service to others he exhorted his
followers to imitate; yet how may we heal others, if
we ourselves are not well, whole, holy, and healthy?
Jesus' recommendation: "First, cast the log
out of your own eye, so that you can see well enough
to get rid of the little splinter in your brother's
eye." (Matt 7:3-5; Luke 6:42)
Therefore,
this book is devoted to Jesus' teachings on
well-being, so that we all may become wholly well and
totally healthy in order to be of the greatest service
to God that is possible. This message is offered
in the spirit of truth to all who seek for truth.
If the reader will seek for truth in the following
pages, truth will surely be found. "Seek, and
ye shall find." There will be
fault-finders too, which is what they will find.
"They have their reward." As
truth-seekers, may we discover truth, the evidence of
which shall reveal itself on the inside, in our
internals, in our minds and spirits and in our hearts.
Observations
on Scriptural Interpretation
As
truth-seekers, we should understand the messages which
Jesus conveyed when he was on earth. We must also
recognize that only a part of what Jesus spoke was
remembered, (only a portion of which was recorded),
and only a portion of that still survives as canonized
gospel. As John wrote at the end of his gospel: "There
are many more things which Jesus said and did, which
if they were written down, not all the books in all
the libraries in all the world could contain it."
(John 21:25). The language most
commonly used by Jesus and his disciples was Aramaic,
a language closely related to Hebrew, but no longer
spoken in the world today. Jesus also spoke in
Hebrew and in common Greek, and his teachings were
often given in parables. What was remembered was
translated from Aramaic, Hebrew, and/or common Greek
into ecclesiastical Greek, from Greek into Latin,
Latin into English, and from Greek into English.
Recognizing this maze of translations, in addition to
the fact that the parables were allegories of truth in
a culture and time far from our modern world, it is
understandable that we might be tempted to investigate
the current English texts, and try to better
understand the meaning of Jesus' words. Of
course, this is an outward maneuver only, as the Holy
Spirit is ever ready and willing to reveal the truth
to us on the inner plane, which is man's internals,
his heart, mind, and spirit. "Lo, I stand at
the door and knock ... I am with you always, even unto
the end of the world." Too many of us
are drowned, it appears, in outward experience, and
cannot hear the inner voice of God, God's angels, and
Holy Spirit, speaking to us.
The
Letter Killeth
In our
search for the truth and the undefiled word of God,
especially in terms of proper diet, which is a main
topic of this book, and a present-day concern of many,
we mustn't let that search, or our choice of food be a
"stumbling block" (Romans 14:21 & I
Corinth 8:9) either to ourselves, or to our brethren.
"If we have not love, we have nothing." (I
Corinth 13:1-3). Most of all, we should bear in
mind, as Paul wrote, that "the letter killeth,
but the Spirit giveth life." (II Corinth 3:6).
This is not meant to be construed to mean that any
arbitrary interpretation of the laws of God is
justified; for Jesus, on the contrary, said "Verily
I say unto you, 'til heaven and earth pass, one yodh
or one tittle shall in no way pass from the law."
(Matt 5:18) In another passage, Jesus says "Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but my words shall NOT pass
away." (Matt 24:35).
It was Paul who wrote that "the letter killeth...," although Jesus to the contrary is quoted as saying that "one yodh or one tittle shall in no way pass from the law." A yodh (rendered "jot" in the King James Version) is the smallest letter in the Hebrew language, while a "tittle" (as in Matt 5:18) is a tiny ornament found above or below a letter or word, used as an aid in pronunciation. (In Greek, the letter corresponding to a yodh, or "jot," is an "iota," which corresponds to the English letter "i," also meaning a very small quantity of something).
It is useful to understand etymology (origin) and
lexicology (use) of certain words and phrases which
appear in the Bible, because this can explain the
origin and evolution of these terms, and thus give us
a truer understanding of what is really meant. This is
helpful to those who have faith in Jesus' words, but
are concerned that his teachings may have been
distorted or corrupted by certain forces out to twist
or change the meaning of his sayings. But the truth
will shine, and does shine, and "you can know
a tree by its fruits."
King
James Version
There
are many versions of the Bible, and they are all good
and truthful. For most of this book, we
have used the English translation called the The
King James Version (KJV), originally published
in 1611, after 46 of the world's leading Bible
scholars spent 8 years translating both the Old and
New Testaments. This translation is
unfortunately now in an antiquated form of English,
but it was the first of many modern English
translations, and is an original English version,
translated directly from the ancient languages spoken
by Jesus....
The King James Version also possesses the unique quality of being the most eerie, haunting, and spiritual of the many English translations, and there is something in favor of this. However, there are some expressions in King James' English which don't mean the same as they used to. One prime example here is the word "meat," which in King James' 17th century England, simply meant "food." In fact, a whole separate expression is used for "flesh-eating" by St. Paul (Romans 14:21; I Corinth 8:13)....
Although it is written in the Scriptures that we
cannot change the word of God (Matt 24:35; Isaiah
40:8), it is not meant to imply the outer word, but
the inner word that cannot be changed. We should
note that the Scriptures defend themselves as being
divinely inspired. "No prophecy of the
Scripture is of any private interpretation. For
no prophecy was ever made by the will of man, but holy
men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
(II Peter 1:20-21). Similarly, holy people of God will
understand the Scriptures with the aid of the Holy
Spirit.
Caretakers
of the Temple
The
essence of the present message is that we are, and
must always be, ever watchful caretakers of our own
health - physically, mentally, and spiritually.
We must take care of what we are given in life, as in
the parables of the ten talents and of the unjust
steward, etc. This includes not only taking care of
the world around us, but also taking care of
ourselves. St. Paul wrote: "Do you not know
that you are a temple of God, and that the spirit of
God dwells in you? If any man defiles the temple of
God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is
holy, and that is what you are." (I Corinth 3:16)
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body." (I Corinth 6:19-20).
The all-knowing, all-powerful, all-wise, all-loving, all-merciful, well-wishing and beneficent Creator of this marvelous universe did not err to have made the world as we find it. The Bible tells us that the God-made, natural world is 'very good': "God saw everything He had made, and behold, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31).
The forces of nature, and the natural laws of life, were designed by God for the benefit and well-being of all. Man is both a product of Mother Nature, as well as dependent on Nature, living in symbiotic relationship with Her. She is in you, and you are in Her. This is the Creator's design, which we should work along with, and not deny.
Healthiness
is Holiness
If we
would work in harmony with the laws and forces of
Mother Nature, we would be well established in
wholeness and well-being. We would then be
"completely whole," as in the original sense
of the Greek term ‘kataholikos,’ completely
wholesome, or "completely well,"
which is a goal Jesus urged in his ministry. "Become
ye perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is
perfect." The point is not that we must "be
perfect," but to "become
perfect." For Jesus said: "No
one is perfect, except God." Healthiness
and holiness have more than just a linguistic
connection. It is holy to be healthy,
because physical health enhances the spirit, which
does God’s work, and receives God’s blessings.
The
ancient Essenes (a sect of Judaism which flourished
around the time of Jesus in the desert of the Holy
Land near the Dead Sea) were noted for their devotion
to health and purity, through mystical asceticism,
fasting, and eugenics. The very word "Essene"
comes from the Greek word "hasen,"
related to the Hebrew word "hasid"
(as in the sect known as "Hasidic" Jews)
and which means literally "pious"
or "holy."
The
Law is Life
Much
of this book compares the Bible with a first century
Aramaic manuscript called the Essene Gospel of
Peace. A more lengthy introduction to the
Essene Gospel of Peace may be found near the end
of this book. The Essene Gospel of Peace is a
short, inspirational narrative claiming to be
teachings of Jesus on healing via diet and fasting.
It was discovered in the archives of theVatican
library in the 1920's by Edmond Bordeaux Szekely, and
has been translated into at least 20 languages, and
sold more than two million copies.
Many of the sayings found in the Essene Gospel of Peace correspond to verses in the Bible, although the Essene Gospel of Peace itself is not part of the Bible. Yet the truth of it shines like the daylight. In a passage about the laws of life, Jesus explains: "Seek not the law in your scriptures, for the law is life, whereas the Scripture are dead.... The law is living word of living God to living prophets for living men. In everything that is life is the law written. You find it in the grass, in the tree, in the river, in the mountain, in the birds of heaven, in the fishes of the sea; but seek it chiefly in yourselves. For I tell you truly, all living things are nearer to God than the Scripture which is without life... God wrote not the laws in the pages of books, but in your heart and in your spirit... I tell you truly, that the Scripture is the work of man, but life and all its hosts are the work of our God."
Cannot
Serve Two Masters
This
idea of serving life is also found in the New
Testament where Jesus says: "My God is a God
of the LIVING, not of the dead." (Matt 8:22; Luke
9:60), and in six places in the New Testament, Jesus
says he came to "save" us (Matt 18:11; Luke
19:10, 9:56; John 3:17, 5:34, 12:47). The
term "save" used here is a word that has a
meaning etymologically related to "wholeness,"
"well-preserved," "healthy,"
or "in sound condition."
In the
New Testament, Jesus also says that he came to
"give us life" that we may have it
"more abundantly." (John 10:10). And when
Jesus says "My God is a God of the LIVING,
not a God of the dead." (Matt 8:22; Luke 9:60),
there is a dichotomy in Jesus' way of seeing things.
There is a world of the living, and a world of death;
a world of seeing, and a world of blindness; a world
of the saved, and a world of the damned, and Jesus
counsels that we "cannot serve two masters."
(Matt 6:24; Luke 16:13).
Living
Death
In the
Essene Gospel of Peace, Jesus
continually refers to a two kingdom dichotomy: the
"kingdom of life," and the "kingdom of
death." But here we find that Jesus is not
merely speaking of death after life, but rather
that it is an allusion to death in life, a
kind of living-death. In the New Testament, we
read that "the wages of sin is
death." (Romans 6:23). Note the present
tense. It does not say that the wages of sin will
be death, but that you are already living in death
when you sin. The "kingdom of death"
is the present life that leads to hell, and Jesus is
pleading with us to change our ways before it is too
late.
So
dire is his vision of hell, that he warns us: "If
thy hand or foot offend thee, cut it off, and cast it
from thee; it is better for thee to enter into LIFE
lame or maimed, rather than, having two hands or two
feet, to be cast into everlasting FIRE. And if thine
eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee;
it is better for thee to enter into LIFE having one
eye, rather than, having two eyes, to be cast into
HELL FIRE." (Matt 18:8-9). The experience of
"hell" is further described by Jesus as "the
FIRE that never shall be quenched, where the worm
dieth not, and the FIRE is not quenched." (Matt
9:43-44
Heaven
is Here and Now
We are
offered a choice between life and death, heaven or
hell, so let us celebrate life and living things, and
learn how to free ourselves from the "clutches of
Satan." Just as there is a living death, or
hell in life, so too the kingdom of heaven exists in
life. According to Jesus, heaven is not merely or
exclusively a "place" we go to in the
future: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."
(Matt 3:2, 4:17, 10:7). "The kingdom of
heaven is within you." (Luke
17:21).
"Seek ye first
the kingdom of heaven..." (Matt 6:33).
Jesus wouldn't exhort us to seek it first (Matt 6:33)
if it came only after death, nor would he urge us to
seek for it if we couldn't have it, or if it wasn't
there. "Seek ye first the kingdom of
heaven..." (Matt 6:33). Jesus wouldn't exhort us
to seek it first (Matt 6:33) if it came only after
death, nor would he urge us to seek for it if we
couldn't have it, or if it wasn't there.
Strive
to Enter by the Narrow Door
The
present-tense, living experience of heaven on earth,
while alive in the body, remains dormant and
unfulfilled for many people. As Jesus said: "Straight
is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto
Life, and few there be that find it." (Matt 7:14).
Why is the kingdom of heaven experience so elusive? It
may be because of our disobedience, negligence, or
ignorance of the laws of life, which include the
physical laws of Mother Nature, as well as the moral
or spiritual laws of God, the Heavenly Father. "For
the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to
destruction, and many are those that enter by
it." (Matt 7:13).
If we live according to God's established laws and truths, we will be happy, healthy, and holy. God's way is more wholesome and life-enhancing than "the wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction" (Matt 7:13). God's way is also simpler and easier, if we could only comprehend the light. As Jesus said: "Come unto me all ye who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest... For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28, 30).
Jesus also suggested that we should "strive to enter by the narrow door; for many will seek to enter and not be able." (Luke 13:24). In our search for that heavenly kingdom, which is earthly as well as spiritual, present as well as future, we must cooperate with, and live in harmony with the laws of nature, which come from a wise and benevolent Creator, for our benefit and well-being.
Holy
Spirit Will Guide You
In the Essene Gospel of Peace,
Jesus says: "God wrote not the laws in the
pages of books, but in everything that is alive and
has motion is the law written...For I tell you truly,
all living things are nearer to God than Scripture
which is without life."
In the Old Testament, God said to Moses: "I
will write the laws in their hearts and in their
inward parts." The Holy Spirit within us is
ever ready and willing to guide us and to teach us,
except that we sometimes don't hear hear its
inner voice, calling us and guiding us, urging
goodness.
Moses,
Jesus, Saint Paul
To the young rich man who asked "what shall I
do to inherit eternal life?" (Matt 19:16),
Jesus replied: "If you want to gain Life, keep
the commandments..."(of Moses).
(Matthew 19:17). Contrary to some modern
Christian and Jewish beliefs, Jesus did not intend to
overthrow or change the laws given by Moses (although
it is true that he did propose certain amendments or
reforms. More often than we might expect, Jesus
used the teachings of the Old Testament to explain or
give support to his own statements.
"How was it written in old times?"
Jesus frequently asked, in a rhetorical sense. "Think
not that I come to destroy the law, or the prophets;
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
For verily I say unto you, 'til heaven and
earth pass, one yodh (the smallest Hebrew letter) or
one tittle (a tiny ornament used for
pronunciation) shall in no way pass from the law,
'til all be fulfilled. Whoever, therefore, shall
break one of these least commandments, and shall teach
men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of
heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them, the
same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say unto you that unless your righteousness
shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the
Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter the kingdom of
heaven." (Matthew 15:17-20).
St.
Paul, however, took the liberty of interpreting
Christ's message, suggesting that Christians are no
longer bound to the laws of Moses.
Jesus, however, explained that he came to
fulfill the law, not to destroy it, and recommended
we keep the laws of Moses.
Not
What Goes Into a Man's Mouth
Although Jesus urged his followers to keep the laws of
Moses, many Christians nowadays nevertheless
assume that it is 'lawful' to consume
almost any kind of food, thereby in many cases
unintentionally defiling the body, the "temple of
the Holy Spirit." The usual justification for
this, is found in the verse in which Jesus says: "It
is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a
man." (Matt 15: 11; Mark 7: 15). But this
verse is taken out of context and its meaning is lost,
unless we study Matthew chapter 15 as a whole.
When Jesus said, "It's not what goes into a man's
mouth that defiles a man," he was making this
statement in REPLY to accusations by the scribes and
Pharisees that his disciples did not wash their
hands before they ate, which was the custom
according to Jewish law. The scribes and Pharisees
frequently accused Jesus of doing wrong, trying to
find faults in his preaching. Here, they
ask: "Why do thy disciples transgress the
tradition of the elders? For they wash not
their hands when they eat...." (Matthew 15:2).
In reply, Jesus pointed out how minor that
transgression of the law was, compared with their own
infractions of it. Then follows the
part about the "mouth," what goes in and out
of it. First, Jesus rebukes his accusers,
calling them "hypocrites," and several times
refers to the fact that they don't do what they
"SAY" they do; that they "curse"
their father and mother; that they "SAY" one
thing and do another. Then Jesus adds: "Ye
hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
'This people draweth near unto me with their
"MOUTH," and honoreth me with their
"LIPS," but their heart is far from
me." After all this, Jesus adds: "It
is not what goes into a man's mouth that defiles a
man, but that which comes out of a man's mouth that
defiles a man." Then, Jesus explains
what does happen to that which goes into the mouth:
"Do ye not yet understand, that whatever
enters in at the mouth goes into the belly and is cast
out into the sewer" (Matthew 15:17) Mark
adds to this verse: "...purging all
foods" (Mark 7:19).
Jesus finishes this particular teaching by explaining how the things that come out of a man's mouth defile a man because "those things which proceed out of the mouth, come forth from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. These are things which defile a man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." (Matthew 15:18-20).
...Jesus
also warned: "Woe to you hypocrites who strain
out a gnat, yet "swallow" a
camel." (Matthew 23:24)
Resist
Desires of Flesh, and Live By the Spirit
Note
that paying attention to food and diet is not rendered
in the Bible to be an important aspect of life, or of
spiritual progress, except in the sense of avoiding
gluttony and drunkenness (Proverbs 23:21), and
indiscriminate yielding to the "lusts of the
flesh."
In The Essene Gospel of Peace, Jesus urges us to "live by the spirit and resist the desires of the body." In the New Testament, Jesus is quoted as saying: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and follow me." (Luke 9: 23). "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."(Matthew 26:41). St. Paul wrote: "If you are living according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the lusts of the body, you will live."(Romans 8:13).
Furthermore, St. Paul reminds us to "Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2). The anonymous author of the New Testament book "Hebrews" sums it up well by writing: "It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, NOT BY FOODS, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited." (Hebrews 13: 9).
Jesus
said: "My food is to do the will of Him who
sent me." (John 4: 34).
Food and diet are not the way to salvation, or God's
grace. However, we are only doing as we
should, with wisdom and moderation in diet.
Self-control, combined with wise choice of foods, is a
moral imperative, and we should not expect any reward
for it.
Rewarded
By Fasting
We should not expect any 'reward' by paying proper
attention to diet. However, Jesus promised there
is a "reward" in connection with fasting.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave several
guidelines as to how we should fast, concluding "...when
you fast, show your fasting to no man, but unto your
Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in
secret, shall reward thee openly." (Matt 6:18).
Prayer
and Fasting Together
While
on the subject of fasting, and Jesus' teachings on
fasting, we should note that in the Essene Gospel of
Peace, Jesus emphasizes fasting first, and then
attention to diet, as the royal road to health and
healing. Fasting is urged repeatedly, in
conjunction with prayer, in both The Essene Gospel of
Peace (where Jesus urges us to fast and pray
"fervently" and to "persevere" in
prayer and fasting), and also in the New Testament,
where Jesus' teachings on fasting and prayer are given
in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapter 6).
Fasting and prayer are also mentioned together in the
casting out of the possessed spirit, where Jesus
claims: "This kind cannot come out by any
means, except prayer and fasting." (Mark 9:29).
It is in the very same chapter that Jesus claims that "all
things are possible to him who believes."(Mark
9:23)
"Purify the temple," says Jesus in the
Essene Gospel of Peace, "that the lord of the
Temple may dwell therein and occupy a place that is
worthy of him." In the New Testament,
we find this exhortation: "Therefore glorify
God in your body." (II Corinth 6:20). "I
urge you therefore to present your bodies as a living
and holy sacrifice." (Romans 12:1)
"Christ shall now, as always, be exalted in my
body, whether by life or by death." (Philipians
1:20). "You are the temple of God, and the
Spirit of God dwells in you. If any man
defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for
the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
"(I Corinth 3:16-17)
Cleanse
First the Inside of the Cup
One of
the quickest, most direct, and most efficient ways to
bodily purification, and renewed health, is by
fasting. Trying to "cleanse" the body
through dietary reform is a slower process toward this
same goal - - which is not merely for physical
purification, but also for spiritual enlightenment and
for achieving spiritual power. "Cleanse first
the inside of the cup, that the outside may be clean
also."(Matt 23:26) The old
saying goes: "Beauty (and health as well) comes
from within."
New
Wine Must Be Put in New Skins
As we
noted, the Essene Gospel of Peace teaches fasting
first, and then care with diet (not just what to eat,
but also when, why, how, and how much). An
explanation of why we should fast first, is alluded to
in the parable of the wineskins, which Jesus gave as a
reply to the Pharisee's questioning why his disciples
did not fast. Jesus said: "No man puts new
wine into old wineskins; else the new wine will
burst the wineskins, and be spilled, and the wineskins
shall perish." (Luke 5:37; Matt 9:17; Mark 2:22).
The word "wineskin" in Greek ("askos") is the same word used for human skin. Thus in effect, Jesus was saying that the old wineskins are our old bodies. The "new wine" or fresh grape juice ("new wine hangs in the clusters" - Isaiah 65:8) shall cause the old wineskins to break (to be spilled), to "perish' or be marred, destroyed. (The word used here in the Greek is "apollumni," indicating a state of continual suffering, the inevitable result of sin. 'Apollumni' is used by St. Paul in its present-tense, on-going context in which he contrasts those who "are perishing" with those who "are being saved."(I Corinth 1:18). Approximately twenty words in Greek are rendered in the King James Version by "destroy, perish, defile," although the most extensively used word is 'apollumni.' This word does not connote annihilation, however, but rather something that is ruined, and thus unsuitable or unable to fulfill its original purpose, (according to the New Schofield Reference Bible).
As a remedy against the "new wine" bursting the "old wineskins," Jesus cautions that "new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Matt 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:38). Pure food, like fresh fruit (i.e., "new wine"), when consumed by a person who has been eating mainly the dead, lifeless, and often poisonous food of the "civilized" diet, will likely stir up an elimination of toxic wastes from the body -- a process which is likely to feel painful, as toxic substances and other physical encumbrances pass through the organs of elimination. But the body heals itself dramatically while fasting, specifically on account of the elimination of these burdens.... When a person whose body may be laden with toxic wastes from a previously poor diet begins to eat more of the cleansing foods, such as fresh fruits, the result is often trouble in the form of diarrhea, headache, and other symptoms of malaise, which is erroneously blamed on the new foods, rather than understanding it as a cleansing and healing reaction. The body is trying to heal itself, but a person in this condition often returns happily to the old diet, rejecting the healing powers of the new.
As
Jesus remarked at the close of the parable of the
wineskins: "No one, after drinking old wine,
wishes for the new; for he says, 'The old is
sufficient.' " (Luke 5:39). It is
important, therefore, to initiate dietary reform with
fasting, to "first cleanse the inside of the
cup." This will help to
eliminate toxic wastes, which the cleansing and
healing diet may otherwise aggravate. Also, after a
complete fast, the appetite and relish for simple,
natural foods is keen and sensitive, desiring that
which is best for the body, rather than continuing the
vicious cycle of old, perverted cravings. We might say
that food is "addicting," and that we
desire, or crave, those foods which we are accustomed
to eating. If we suddenly change our diet,
without salivating with a keen desire for the new
foods, it may result in indigestion or other problems,
which may be blamed erroneously on the new foods
rather than its interaction with our condition.
Therefore, fasting is prescribed prior to commencing a
new, improved diet.
Except
A Man Be Born Again
Fasting
has the power not only to purify the physical temple,
but also to rejuvenate the body, if done properly;
and it is also, as we have noted, a path for spiritual
enlightenment. "Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3).
The word "rejuvenate" comes from the Latin
"juvens" meaning "youth," thus
meaning to become youthful again. "Unless you
become again as little children, you cannot enter the
kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3).
Lest the reader protest that this being "born
again" and becoming "again like little
children" is meant solely in a spiritual sense,
we should note that Jesus' suggestion that we must be "born
again" is mentioned only once in the Bible,
in the third chapter of John.
However, this saying has gained great popularity, and
millions of people around the world claim to be
"born-again Christians." Such a
spiritual rebirth, a new life with Christ, is
certainly part of Jesus' meaning in the gospel of John
chapter three; but there is also a physical
rebirth mentioned here, if the reader is attentive.
Nicodemus, the learned Jewish teacher whom Jesus was
addressing at the time, could not understand what
Jesus meant by being "born again."
Jesus in explanation, offered this statement: "If
I have told you of earthly things, and you believe
not, how shall I tell you of heavenly things?"
(John 3:12). Being "born again" is
meant in both a spiritual sense (John 3:8), as well as
in a physical sense (John 3:12). We have already
noted the linguistic connection between the words
"healthy" and "holy."
We should also add the words "hale,"
"heal," "well,"
"wholesome," and "wholistic."
The word "catholic," as we noted, means
"completely whole," not just spiritually
"well, whole, and healthy," but physically
healthy as well.
In the
Essene Gospel of Peace, Jesus proclaims: "All
must be BORN AGAIN by AIR and by truth... by WATER and
by truth... by SUN and by
truth." Air, water, and sun are the
three most important and powerful healing agents
available to us. In the Essene Gospel of
Peace, Jesus recommends that the "angels" of
air, water, and sun embrace us always, urging us to
"let them" "enfold" us every day,
and "abide" with us through all our fasting.
In the New Testament, Jesus is quoted as saying: "Except
a man be born of water and spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5).
It should be noted that the word used here for
"spirit" is "pneuma" in Greek, a
word which also connotes fresh air, wind, and breath.
In Hebrew, the word "ruach" can likewise be
interpreted to mean fresh air, wind, breath, or
spirit. However, the meaning in John seems to indicate
clearly that Jesus is referring to the Spirit of God,
or Holy Spirit, in terms of a rebirth experience,
although physical rebirth is also mentioned in the
same passage. We have only briefly, so
far, touched on the subject of fasting, which is fun
and inspiring to read about, but which is hard to
start doing, and to "persevere in"
"until the end" (as recommended in the
Essene Gospel of Peace). Yet, as Jesus said
about fasting in the New Testament: "Great
shall be your reward" (Matt 6:18); which is
repeated again in the Essene Gospel of Peace.
Dietary
Laws Of Moses
Let us
turn our attention to the dietary laws of Moses, in
order to better understand Jesus' position on this
subject, since he urged us to "keep the laws
of Moses." Especially on the issue
of eating meat (i.e., the flesh of dead animals), we
should understand Jesus' position, because to many
people this is a 'stumbling block' (Romans 14:21;
and also I Corinth 8:9). The dietary
laws of Moses, on the surface appear to justify
meat-eating, if the kind of meat is of the
"kosher" variety, which means clean for
eating. The dietary regulations concerning
meat-eating were given to the Jews asa wise precaution
against the craving for flesh foods. Moses was
teaching his people that if they did eat animal flesh,
that they should as least eat the clean animals.
The criteria for determining which animals are clean
for eating, and which are unclean are laid out in the
Old Testament in Leviticus, chapter eleven, and in
Deuteronomy chapter fourteen. Let's quickly note
some of the main points: "You shall not eat
any detestable thing." (Deut 14:3). "You
shall not eat anything which dies of itself."
(Deut 14:21). Among animals which are clean for
eating are cows, goats, and sheep; but camels (see
Matt 23:24), rabbits, and pigs are unclean for
eating. All this is enumerated in much greater
detail in Leviticus chapter eleven, and
Deuteronomy chapter fourteen. Note, however,
what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy chapter twelve: "You
may eat these foods (i.e., the kosher animals) only
when your soul craves them." (Deut 12:15)
Honor
Mother and Father: Do Not Kill
In the
Essene Gospel of Peace, Jesus explains why Moses
"suffered" (i.e., allowed) the Hebrew people
to eat these flesh foods, explaining it as a
"crutch." "For he whose feet are strong
as the mountain of Zion, needs no crutches; but he
whose limbs do shake, gets further having crutches,
than without them." This comes in a long passage,
as part of a reply to the question about what sins we
must avoid, so that we may never again see disease.
Here, Jesus explains at length about two commandments
which we must be diligent in keeping, if we are to
recover or maintain health and well-being, which is
the basis for the vegetarian diet, which is
recommended in the Essene Gospel of Peace.
Jesus
says that "the commandment given in the old days
was that we honor our heavenly Father and our earthly
Mother, that thy days shall be long upon the earth.
And next afterward was given this commandment: Thou
shall not kill, for life is given to all by God, and
that which God has given, let not man take away.
For I tell you truly, from one Mother proceeds all
that lives upon the earth. Therefore, he who kills,
kills his brother. And from him will the earthly
Mother turn away. For I tell you truly, he who
kills, kills himself, and whoso eats the flesh of
slain beasts, eats the body of death. And
their death will become his death ... For the wages of
sin is death. Kill not, nor eat the flesh of
your innocent prey, lest you become the slaves of
Satan. For that is the path of suffering, and
leads unto death. But do the will of God
that His angels may serve you... Obey therefore the
words of God: "Behold, I have given you every
herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the
earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree
yielding seed; to you it shall be for food."
(Genesis 1:29). "But flesh and the blood which
quickens it, shall ye not eat." Compare with
Genesis 9:3,4). Then, in the same
passage in the Essene Gospel of Peace, Jesus was asked
why Moses, whom Jews considered the greatest in
Israel, "suffered" (i.e., allowed) their
forefathers to eat the flesh of clean beasts, and
forbade only the flesh of unclean beasts, while Jesus
now suggests avoiding the flesh of all beasts.
Jesus explained that God gave Moses ten commandments.
But they were hard, and the Jewish people couldn't
keep them. So Moses then gave them ten times ten
commandments, less hard, that they might follow them.
But Jesus suggests here that if the Jewish people had
been able to keep the ten commandments of God, Moses
would never have need of his ten times ten
commandments. "For that did Moses break the two
tablets of stone whereon... were the ten commandments,
and he gave them ten times ten in their stead.
And of those ten times ten, the scribes and Pharisees
made a hundred times ten commandments... But the
more nigh are the commandments to God, the less do we
need; and the farther they are from God, then
the more do we need." (Quote from the Essene
Gospel of Peace, pp 44-48).
Human
Digestive Anatomy Not Carnivorous
We
should note that the anatomy and physiology of the
human digestive system closely resembles that of
fruit-eating animals, but it is NOT comparable with
that of omnivorous, herbivorous, or carnivorous
animals, although man can adapt (at a cost) to an
omnivorous diet. A well-known scientific
observation is that the human digestive system
corresponds to that of fruit-eating animals by
comparison of the dentition (the kinds of teeth for
biting and chewing), the chemistry of the saliva and
digestive secretions, the length of the alimentary
canal, and the kinds of hands and fingers and
fingernails. In all of these, the anatomy
and physiology of the human digestive system is
comparable to that of fruit-eating animals.
The term "fruit-eating animal" (or frugivore),
implies animals that subsist chiefly on fruit.
Some people are "fruitarians" and subsist on
fruits almost exclusively, with seemingly great
benefit and radiant health. The gorilla is
chiefly a fruitarian animal, although it also
naturally seeks out succulent tubers and roots; and
just consider the strength of gorillas! Fresh fruit
contains about the same ratios of proteins, sugars,
vitamins, and water as is found in mother's milk (only
1-2% protein, 85% water), and look how well an infant
grows, nourished only on this low-protein food. Fruits
and herbs constituted the original God-given diet:
"Of every tree of Paradise you may eat
freely." (Genesis 2:16)
Note
also that the original sin was a dietary error!
Note, too, that almost all meat-eating animals eat
only herbivorous animals. Is it because
herbivorous and frugivorous animals are healthier, or
taste better, than their fellow carnivores?
Daniel
and Pulses
Let us
refer now to the Old Testament, in the first
chapter of the book of Daniel. Here we read how
Daniel refused to eat the king's meat and wine, and
chose instead to live on a diet of pulses (i.e.,
legumes), after which he not only appeared handsomer
and stronger than the other youths, who had been
eating meat and drinking wine, but also "surpassed
them in knowledge and intelligence in every branch of
literature and wisdom: Daniel even understood all
kinds of visions and dreams." (Daniel 1:17).
This, after only ten days on a diet of pulses and
water. The Bible states: "Daniel made up his
mind he would not defile himself with the king's meat
and wine." (Daniel 1: 18). "Let us be given
pulses to eat, and water to drink...At the end of ten
days their appearance seemed better, and they seemed
stronger than all the youths who had been
eating the king's choicest food." (Daniel 1: 12,
15). Moreover, those on the simple
diet of pulses and water were in the end "wiser
and more intelligent. " (Daniel 1:17)
Kingdom
of God Not Food and Drink
St.
Paul also has a few things to say about meat-eating.
Trying to resolve the conflict between vegetarians and
meat-eaters, he writes: "Him that is weak in
the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful
disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all
things; another, who is weak eateth herbs. Let not him
that eateth not, judge him that eateth; for God hath
received him." (Romans 14:2,3). "I know, and
am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing
unclean by itself; but to him who esteemeth anything
to be unclean, to him it is unclean."
"But
if thy brother be grieved with thy food, thou walkest
not in love. Do not destroy with your food him for
whom Christ died." (Romans 14:14,15).
"Therefore, do not let your good be evil spoken
of; for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but
righteousness, and the peace, and joy in the Holy
Spirit." (Romans 14:16, 17). "Do not destroy
the work of God for the sake of food. All
things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man
who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat
flesh-foods, nor drink wine, nor anything by which thy
brother stumbleth, or is offended, or made weak."
(Romans 14:20, 21).
Food
Commendeth Us Not to God
In his
first letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes: "For
food commendeth us not to God; for neither if we eat
are we the better nor if we eat not are we the worse.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours
becomes a stumbling block to them that are weak...
Therefore, if food make my brother to offend, I will
eat no flesh-foods while the world standeth, lest I
cause my brother to stumble." I Corinth 8:8, 9,
13).
So we find Paul admitting it is better to be a vegetarian, although "nothing is unclean by itself." Paul's main point is that it is better that the issue of diet not be a "stumbling block" for either others losing their love for you, or you losing your love for them, which goes for both vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians.
They
That are Well Have No Need of the Physician
The
fact that meat-eating seemed to accompany Jesus'
meetings with people is not sufficient reason to
believe that Jesus would recommend it, because, as he
said, "They that are well have no need of the
physician, but they that are sick. I come not to call
the righteous, but sinners to repent." (Mark
2:17). However, none of Moses'
dietary laws were transgressed, and since fish was a
common food in that time and place, it is
understandable that we find incidents in the New
Testament in which meat was served as food. But
this doesn't justify meat-eating or insignificance of
diet.
Far more often than images of meat-eating, the Bible abounds with mention of fruits. The Bible begins and ends with the tree of life, and its twelve fruits, the leaves of which are for the "healing of nations." (Rev 22:2). In the Old Testament, the Lord says that He "abhors the burnt offerings of animal sacrifices." (Jeremiah 6:20), and Jesus says: "Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me." (Matt 25:40) "It is not the will of your Father in heaven that a single one of these little ones should perish." (Matt 18:14). Far more often than images of meat-eating, the Bible abounds with mention of fruits. The Bible begins and ends with the tree of life, and its twelve fruits, the leaves of which are for the "healing of nations." (Rev 22:2). In the Old Testament, the Lord says that He "abhors the burnt offerings of animal sacrifices." (Jeremiah 6:20), and Jesus says: "Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me." (Matt 25:40) "It is not the will of your Father in heaven that a single one of these little ones should perish." (Matt 18:14).
Loaves
and Fishes
Additionally,
we read of the miraculous catch of fish directed
by Jesus (John 21:1-11), and then afterwards
how he distributed the fish to his disciples (John
2l:12,13), which occurred after his resurrection.
But we do not read that Jesus himself ate the fish.
The several recorded instances of the feeding of
the multitudes (Matt ch 14 & 15; Mark ch 6 &
8; Luke 9; and John 6) were likewise miraculous
events, and because they were miracles, the law
against killing was not transgressed. In
the accounts of the feeding of the multitudes, we find
that Jesus did indeed receive "loaves and
fish," but in the majority of the reports he distributed
only the loaves. Neither is there
mention here that he ate any fish. It has been
said that the word for "fish" in ancient
Aramaic (the language most commonly used by Jesus and
his disciples) closely resembles the Aramaic word for
"bread"; and as we read the accounts, we see
that Jesus took the loaves and fish, and "blessed
and broke" them, which is the exact wording
in every account. (Matt 14:19, 15:36; Mark 6:41,
8:19-20; Luke 9:16; John 6:11). However
the blessing and breaking is a ritual in the Jewish
religion over bread only. It is not done over
fish.
Symbolism
of Fish
The
ancient Essenes shaped their bread like fish. Their
bread was made into flat wafers, by sun-baking crushed
wheat-berries that had sprouted for one day. The
wafers were designed flat in remembrance of the "matzoh"
of their forefathers, who departed in haste from the
land of bondage. They were shaped like fish to
commemorate the astrological cycle of the "piscean
age." Pisces, which is the last sign of the
zodiac, is symbolized by the fish, and the word "pisces"
is the plural of the Latin word for fish, "piscis."
Also, the astrological sign of Pisces is ruled by the
feet, which is the foundation of all, which Jesus
Christ represents. The fish is also the early
symbol of the Christian faith found in the Catacombs
(subterranean burial chambers of the early Christians
in and near Rome), and the sign of the fish is still
used today as an insignia of the Christian faith.
Inside the fish-shaped sign, there is often found a
five-letter Greek word, which supposedly translates as
initials of the words
"Jesus-Christ-God-Son-Savior."
This word, in turn, is connected with the Greek word
for Jesus, Iesous; in Latin Iesus; and with this, it
is claimed that the name for Jesus, in both Greek and
Latin, is related to another word for fish in those
respective languages: "ichthys" in Greek,
and "ichthus" in Latin (whence the English
words "ichthyology," a branch of zoology
dealing with fish.)
Essene
Matzoh
It has
been noted that the ancient Essenes shaped their bread
like fish, and that this bread (which was made from
crushed, sprouted wheatberries) was rolled into thin,
flat wafers which were baked by the sun. We mention
this because it has been claimed that these flat,
sun-baked, sprouted-wheat wafers were the original
form of communion wafers of the early church. The
instructions for making these wafers (made from
nothing but whole wheat-berries, with water, sun, and
air) are given in detail in the Essene Gospel of
Peace: Sprout the wheat berries for one day, crush
them, spread very thin, and bake both sides in the sun
all day until dry.
Meat-Eating:
Morally and Physically Unhealthy
The
problems with meat-eating are not only moral, but
physical. The chief moral issue, which we mentioned,
is the slaughter of innocent animals. "Thou
shalt not kill" was the commandment given to
man, and is still as valid today as it was then.
Jesus said: "It is not the will of your Father
in heaven that a single one of these little ones
should perish.' (Matt 18:14). "Whatever you do
unto the least of these, you do unto me." (Matt
25:40). All life was made by God, and only God can
take it away. "He who kills an ox is like one
who slays a man; he who sacrifices a lamb is
like one who breaks a dog's neck." (Isaiah 66:3).
It is wholly unnecessary to eat animal flesh, as witnessed by the millions of vegetarians in the world who maintain their health without it, and who generally have better health, and lower incidences of all the main degenerative diseases that afflict mankind. We should therefore understand that the vegetarians' good health is not surprising, but expected. Meat-eating is hard to justify in most cases.
Flesh
Pots of Egypt: The Quail and The Plague
When
the Israelites wandered through the desert after their
exodus from the land of bondage, they began to
complain of the daily diet of "manna," and
lusted for the former "flesh-pots" which
they had in Egypt. The Lord, in reply, promised
to give them flesh food to eat "until it comes
out your nostrils, and becomes loathsome to you."
(Numbers 11:33). "Therefore, the Lord brought
forth a strong wind, carrying quail from the sea, and
let them fall beside the camp, until the desert was
covered with quail, a yard deep and for miles
around." "While the meat was still between
their teeth, the Lord struck them with a very severe
plague." (Numbers 11:33).
The other moral issue about meat-eating we should consider is that because of famine, hunger, and starvation in so many parts of the world, the land area needed to raise and produce animal products is ten to twenty times the same area that would be needed to raise an equal amount of vegetable foods in terms of their nutritional value. Thus, eating meat, in today's world, indirectly contributes to the suffering of hungry, undernourished, starving people everywhere. The physical problems that come from eating meat are also manifold. "When you eat the flesh of slain beasts," Jesus warns in the Essene Gospel of Peace, "you eat the body of death... And its death becomes your death."
Moreover, meat-eating is difficult on digestion, leaves poisonous waste products that put extra burdens on the organs of elimination, are high in fats which contribute to heart disease, overweight, and other ailments, and are ten to twenty times more concentrated in environmental pollutants than an equal amount of vegetable foods. Such a concentration of pollutants is equally true for eggs and dairy products. All animal products, including milk, eggs, and meat, concentrate whatever pollutants may be in the animals' food. In former times, before wide-scale pollution from industrial chemicals, this was not a problem. But in today's polluted world, it is something to consider. Therefore, it behooves us to avoid meat-eating, which is an unnecessary indulgence, not morally virtuous, basically immoral, and certainly not conducive to optimum, radiant health and well-being.
Then
They Shall Fast
Let us
again consider Jesus' teachings on fasting, in greater
detail. If we are to believe the Bible,
fasting must certainly be considered an aspect of
Christian behavior. Jesus wouldn't have
given us instructions on how to fast (as he did in the
Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapter 6) if he didn't
expect us to fast, at least on occasions. Also
note Jesus saying this: "The days will come
when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then
they shall fast." (Matt 9:1; Mark 2:20; Luke
5:35).
We
should practice fasting because of its well documented
effectiveness as a catalyst for spiritual
illumination, or enlightenment, as well as for
physical purification, healing, and rejuvenation. The
true willingness to enter a fast comes with the
initial expressions of self-denial, and in this we see
a form of penance and desire for atonement.
This is the time to sacrifice one's will, and follow
the higher will of God. To this extent,
man's will becomes God's will, which is all powerful.
That is why Jesus said (in relation to fasting):
"To those who believe, all things are
possible." (Mark 9:23,29).
The
Ungodly Shall Perish
The
ungodly shall perish. "If thy hand offend thee,
cut it off." This is another example of one of
many figurative expressions in the Bible that should
not be taken literally. It is an
exhortation for self-denial and repentance, and Jesus
promises a "reward" in conjunction with
fasting, which is a form of self-denial, and sacrifice
of self-will. In the Sermon on the Mount,
Jesus promises "...when you fast... great
shall be your reward," or "...your Father
shall reward you openly." (Matt 6:16-18).
Purify
The Temple
Fasting
is an age-old art, but the general knowledge of it has
been lost or obscured by modem civilization.
Fasting is a known cure for numerous ailments, and we
have many times heard the saying: "Starve a
fever, lest you feed a cold." Fasting is a
means of bodily purification, as well as spiritual
enlightenment. "Purify, therefore, the temple,
that the Lord of the temple may dwell therein and
occupy a place that is worthy of him." (From the
Essene Gospel of Peace: compare with I Corinth
3:16,17 and 6:19,20) "Your body is a temple of
the Holy Spirit ...Therefore glorify God in your
body." "Let us cleanse ourselves of all
defilement of flesh." (11 Cor 7:1)
Rebirth
Through Fasting
The
Essene Gospel of Peace is an inspiring and persuasive
document about purification, healing, rejuvenation,
and rebirth through fasting. In it, Jesus
teaches that we must "purify" and
"renew" our physical bodies in preparation
for a spiritual rebirth. A spiritual renewal, or
rebirth, follows the physical purification by fasting.
The Essene Gospel of Peace explains why we should
fast: "You do not understand the words of life,
because you are in death. Darkness darkens your
eyes and your ears are stopped with deafness... and so
the word and the power of God enter not into
you, because all manner of evil and abominations have
a dwelling in your body and your spirit. If you
will that the living God's word and power may enter
you, defile not your body and spirit; for the
body is the temple of the spirit, and the spirit is
the temple of God. Purify, therefore, the
temple, that the Lord of the temple may dwell therein
and occupy a place that is worthy of him ... And
from all temptations of your body and your spirit,
coming from Satan, withdraw beneath the shadow of
God's heaven... Renew yourselves and fast.
For I tell you truly, that Satan and his plagues may
only be cast out by fasting and by prayer."
"Go by yourself and fast alone, and show your fasting to no man. The living God shall see it, and great shall be your reward. And fast 'til Beelzebub and all his evil spirits depart from you, and all the angels of our earthy Mother come and serve you. For I tell you truly, except that you fast, you shall never be freed from the power of Satan and from all the diseases that come from Satan. Fast and pray fervently, seeking the power of the living God for your healing." (Quoted from Essene Gospel of Peace) "Go by yourself and fast alone, and show your fasting to no man. The living God shall see it, and great shall be your reward. And fast 'til Beelzebub and all his evil spirits depart from you, and all the angels of our earthy Mother come and serve you. For I tell you truly, except that you fast, you shall never be freed from the power of Satan and from all the diseases that come from Satan. Fast and pray fervently, seeking the power of the living God for your healing."
...Jesus
also warned: "Woe to you hypocrites who strain
out a gnat, yet swallow a camel."
(Matthew 23:24)
Fast in Secret
Note
that fasting is urged here, as it is in the New
Testament, in conjunction with prayer. (See Matt ch 6,
and Mark 9:29). Also note the correlation in the two
texts regarding the point that we should fast in
secret: "Show your fasting unto no man,"
says Jesus in the Essene Gospel of Peace. "...so
that thou appear not unto men to fast." (Matt