Unpacking the mystery of humanity

Knowledge, in the material universe, is amazingly abundant. The current scientific discoveries, especially in the information field, can never be compared to any other period in history. However, all that is insignificant, as long as humans remain unaware of their origin. There cannot be any knowledge that surpasses knowledge about the origin of humanity.

In nuclear physics technology, the amazing production of military hardware and arsenal leaves us gawping in wonderment. It can only be the insane, who develop such equipment, whose aim is solely destruction.  The information age is powerful. But what is it for, if unable to secure people’s livelihood? Should the words of Solomon be taken seriously, or be relegated to the fringe, on account that it appeals only to the religious?

Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king’s successor do than what has already been done? I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both. Then I thought in my heart, “The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?” I said in my heart, “This too is meaningless.” For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die! (Ecclesiastes 2:12-16 NIV).

The fundamental key is that there is no difference between a fool and a Wiseman. Some people live luxuriously, as to assume this world is superb. Others lead a very unsatisfactory life, and wonder whether there is any purpose for living. In fringes of society are those with knowledge that could transform the world for the better, but being suppressed. The suppressors’ sole purpose is to churn misery in other people’s lives. Where does all this leave humanity?

There are also those whose attitude is not worrying about other people’s problems. “Mind your own business” is the cliché appealing to the considered civilized of this world. But King Solomon’s words are as effective as they were in years gone by: “The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both” (Ecclesiastes 2:14 NIV).

The ability to perceive the workability of King Solomon’s wisdom is not enough unless realizing the responsibility that goes with it. The fire that burns next door is indicative of the observer’s possible destruction. The cliché, “This is none of my business,” is inapplicable to the sane people. The condition of suffering may take thousands of years before affecting a nation. But that period is too short when viewed from the considered wise. The conditions of stupidity, existing in Jesus’ time still exist today.

The solution for coming out of the mud starts with men’s identity. Jesus submitted Himself as “the way the truth and the life.” These are profound words but ignored across the world. Rather than focus on Jesus’ words, Theologians advance the doctrine of the Trinity that keeps men on a worldly level. Although adopted as credible, the doctrine ignores the words of Jesus, regarded as heavenly, rather than earthly. How off-tangent can people become?

Rather than direct humanity to Jesus, theologians prefer making it impossible to match a Heavenly man. But how is matching Jesus invalidated when being a follower implies duplicating? Just by proffering that misdirection, those theologians would be telling their followers that it is impossible to match leaders. That keeps ordinary people, subservient, rather than accessing freedom.

The most dangerous thing to them is granting people freedom. Our Zimbabwean scenario bears testimony to that reality. The idea of not granting people freedom is not limited to Zimbabwe. It is endemic to the entire world but mostly hidden among Christian communities. Orthodox Christianity is led by those with PhDs. The sole purpose is to distinguish them, as deserving of honor ahead of others.

Those below are considered threats when granted freedom. Their subjugation is not sustained, militarily, but by the fallacious doctrine of the Trinity. Ordinary people are not allowed to question the authenticity of information from those with PhD credentials. That, alone, casts a departure from Jesus’ teachings. Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth and the life.

As the pioneer, Jesus claimed to be a heavenly product. Why can’t humans claim the same? This is common sense, as not requiring an educational degrees to understand. Humanity is not conscious, but the origin of humanity is Heavenly if it aligns with the pioneer. Why were the Pharisees emotive against Jesus? They preferred considering themselves as the only custodians of knowledge.

This portrays the same malady as depicted in our modern theologians. The only crime of Jesus was that He was not a product of their educational system. They would have easily accepted Jesus, had He agreed to give them the respect that they thought they deserved. That describes the level of debauchery in humanity. The appetite is to be worshipped by others, under the pretext of worshipping God.

This article unpacks the mystery of humanity, taken from none other than the controversial leader of Christianity. His followers were expected to treat each other as equals. There is a special reason for this but misconstrued by those assuming that a leaderless structure is unworkable. While focusing on how unworkable, they cannot provide answers concerning the unworkable structures, leaving us on the brink of a Third World War.

What is the reason for rejecting new ideas, if currently unable to produce the required results? This is typical of doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. Jesus’ ideas cannot be taken for experimental purposes. They come from an informed source. While our theologians base their PhDs on theory, Jesus’ teachings are based on applicable knowledge. Jesus is a practical Man, not a theoretician.

The fundamental principle of learning is taking everything from the source. The seemingly undisputed information is that humans were created in God’s image. At least, none among religious people have expressed qualms, concerning being created in God’s image. What remains problematic is the idea of settling in the possibility of being like God.

The fundamental key to finding this impossible is in failure to appreciate the possibility of being like God. Such people mistake this for pomposity, but as real as everything created is real. However, suggesting being God-like is dangerous. Jesus was almost killed before His time. Such murderers are still present.

Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father.  (John 10:31-36 NIV).

Jesus missed death by a whisker. What about a considered nonentity from a degraded country like Zimbabwe? The snobbish characters would not even waste time giving a second consideration of such viewpoints. It is not about the content, but mostly always about the person’s credentials. Jesus’ opponents assumed that they had the right to vet people according to their standards.

But the stable datum remains that all humans were created in God’s image. If created in God’s image, none can be despised without despising God. This contravenes the fact that people commonly look unequally. Others are portly in appearance, while others are diminutive. Others are highly educated, while others never access an opportunity for schooling. Others are quick to understand information, while others are considered slow.

What does all this mean to those created in God’s image? This is not complicated, but as easy as understanding the principle of humility. The brother of the Prodigal Son had to be sacrificed at the return of his wayward brother. He had to love, as one sharing brotherhood, with his sibling. This was necessary, to align with His father’s conscience. His wayward brother had to be accommodated.

That ought to be the common understanding of pure Christianity. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:13 NIV). People are what they are, due to different backgrounds and circumstances. They do not need judging but empathy. Jesus gave a new dimension to matters of class and common grading of people according to their worth and value.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28 NIV).

There is no question about Jesus being Lord. However, without understanding the mission of Jesus, it is, actually, foolhardy to call Jesus “Lord.” Hence, He said it is not necessarily those calling Him “Lord,” “Lord”, who would be in God’s Kingdom, but those doing His will (Matthew 7:21-23). To eradicate leadership idolization, Jesus had to emphasize doing the unthinkable.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13”12-17 NIV).

Let us put this into its rightful perspective. Albert Einstein can be said to have been the greatest achiever, in the twentieth century. Does that make him greater than everyone? The answer is a resounding “No!” There is no doubt about him having accessed some scientific information ahead of others. But that does not mean he deserved to be worshipped.

There is no question about expressing appreciation for his great works. But we have to appreciate that he is not different from everyone. Instead, as individuals, we have to keep asking what we are giving to humanity. Some have great talents, but others have smaller talents. The important question is, what are we doing with the considered little talents we have?

The most dreadful behaviour is cowardice. This describes those succumbing to the viewpoint of being a nonentity, in this world. If avoiding doing what one is good at, because of cowardice, then, that would be abominable. No greater excuse should cause anyone to avoid doing what God inspires him/her. Jesus used the parable of the Talents, to show His disapproval of such a behavior (Matthew 25:24-30).

We are equal, in the eyes of God. There is no point in being envious of other people’s talents. The most important thing is to identify one’s talent and serve, without comparing with anyone. Another person’s talent might be that of encouraging others. This is just as a coach can be regarded as highly as talented players are appreciated.

 The most commendable thing is service. This does not matter in which capacity one serves. A cleaner could be appreciated as highly as a good executive is appreciated. Every good work deserves commendation. Imagine the kind of world it would be if everyone aimed at providing the best service. Those alive, ought to seek a positive answer to this question: In all my toiling on this planet, were most people glad that I lived? The positive answer is what pleases God.

Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.

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