The Gnostic understanding of the resurrection of Jesus

The Resurrection of Jesus

Those who say that the master first died and then arose are wrong, for he first arose and then died. If someone is not first resurrected, would that person not die? As God lives, that one would <die>. (Gospel of Philip)

Jesus resurrected the body that was crucified; this is forcibly brought out in the Scripture account of the crucifixion. He did this by putting into the body the true state of consciousness. "Put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth."

We can resurrect our body just as Jesus resurrected His. "Follow me." We can overcome, and make our body like the body of Jesus. We must do this. "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death." We resurrect our body by putting a new mind into it--the mind of Spirit. "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." Ignorance and sin kill the body; understanding and righteousness bring it to life.

The three days that Jesus was in the tomb represent the three movements of mind that are involved in overcoming error. First, submission and humility, second, the taking on of the divine activity, or receiving the will of God; third, the assimilation and fulfillment of the divine will.

In individual consciousness the "Sabbath" is perfect rest in Spirit, after the cleansing of mind that follows the introduction and activity of Truth principles. Jesus arose "late on the Sabbath day."

In consciousness the two women, "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary," symbolize the feminine side of the soul forces of Jesus (manifest man). "Mary Magdalene" signifies love redeemed. "The other Mary" represents pure life thoughts coming up from the subconsciousness.

The "angel of the Lord" represents positive spiritual thought of the perfect law of life. The "watchers" at the tomb represent self-examination and self-awareness from thoughts that tend to limit the activity of the Christ consciousness. The "disciples" represent ideas of the Divine Mind that have centers of action in the body of Christ the ecclesia.

The spiritual meaning of the two women's being sent to tell the disciples of the resurrection is that divine love and life must be felt in the centers of action in the body of Christ the ecclesia as a result of spiritual thought (angel) before a demonstration or resurrection is complete (Matt. 28:1-10).

Upon His ascension, Jesus did ascend to heaven but did not completely depart from the Earth; instead, He returned and entered the inner spiritual realms. Those who "put on Christ" and manifest their incorruptible, undying bodies will eventually perceive Him. Many are aware of His presence to some extent, yet they do not fully perceive Him in His true form because their faculties of understanding have not reached His standard. When we awaken in His likeness, as mentioned in Psalm 17:15, we will finally see Him as He truly is. This transformation does not occur through the separation of the soul from the body; rather, it is achieved through the process of refining, spiritualizing, and elevating both the soul and the body to higher levels of spiritual power.

Those who say that the Lord died first and (then) rose up are in error, for he rose up first [in baptism] and (then) died [All of the sons of God must be raised up in the flesh (be born of a woman) first and then be “put to death...in flesh” that they be “quickened in the spirit” - i.e. all must put on the new man, and “overcome” their carnal nature (sinful lusts) – this is the same in the case of Jesus. He was made of a woman under the Law of Sin and Death. He took on sinful nature although He had no personal sins himself He destroyed sin in the flesh on the cross first for himself and for all of us]. If one does not first attain the resurrection [i.e. “Christ in you” “a new creation” separated to Him (while in the “body”)], he will not die [his “old man” (sinful nature) will continue to lord it over him]. As God lives, he would [...] (Philip 15).