Jesus Counsels the Chinese Merchant and Others 

Gonod had multiple business interests in Corinth. He spoke the language and therefore did not need a translator. That left Jesus, with Ganid, free to roam and engage in close conversations with others. A great number of people profited from Jesus’ tailored discussions and Corinth was one of the most interesting cities of all their stops on the way back from Rome. It provided them with many valuable experiences.

Jesus met with Chang, a Chinese merchant, several times. Jesus was happy to meet someone from China and be exposed to the thoughts and culture of someone living so far away. Jesus counseled him that his true spirit ancestor that is worthy of worship is God. Jesus told the man that if he followed the unconscious guidance of this immortal spirit, he would surely continue on the elevated path toward finding God. He explained that achieving closeness with the Father in heaven would be a result of seeking him and becoming more and more like him in the process.

Jesus then bid farewell to Chang, noting it was only a temporary separation, as they would reunite in the realms of light where the Father of spirit souls has arranged many wonderful resting places for those on their journey to Paradise.

Jesus met a miller and explained the process of refining the truths of life through the mill of personal experience, making the complex aspects of spiritual existence more accessible to those who are less strong or advanced than his peers. Jesus emphasized, “Give the milk of truth to those who are babes in spiritual perception. In your living and loving ministry serve spiritual food in attractive form and suited to the capacity of receptivity of each of your inquirers.”

To the Roman centurion, Jesus first used the expression, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and unto God the things which are God’s.” Jesus considered the believer must do both. Indeed, loyalty to God renders one even more loyal and faithful to a worthy emperor. There should come no conflict between a material and a spiritual requirement unless a Caesar thinks himself a god, in which case worship only God while you seek to enlighten this misguided earthly ruler.

To the leader of the Mithraic cult, Jesus approved of his search for a religion of eternal salvation but alerted him that he erred in looking for glorious truths among man-made mysteries and human philosophies. The mystery of eternal salvation dwells within you, in your own soul. The Father of Paradise sent his spirit to live within you, to teach you to be truth-seeking and God-serving, and to lead you through this life and past death. If you know God and desire to be like him, you are his son, and destined for the eternal heights of light, where your Father lives.

To the Epicurean teacher, Jesus said, “You do well to choose the best andesteem the good, but are you wise when you fail to discern the greater things of mortal life which are embodied in the spirit realms derived from the realization of the presence of God in the human heart? The great thing in all human experience is the realization of knowing the God whose spirit lives within you and seeks to lead you forth on that long and almost endlessjourney of attaining the personal presence of our common Father, the God of all creation, the Lord of universes.” Epicureanism teaches that the absence of pain and fear constitutes the greatest pleasure and encourages a simple life: to gain knowledge of the workings of the world and to limit one’s desires.

To the Greek contractor and builder, Jesus advised him that just as you build the material structures using brick, mortar, wood, and nails, construct in yourself a strong character using the divine spirit within your soul. As you learn to master the building trades, neglect not to secure your title to a mansion in the eternal kingdom. Your achievements as a builder are impressive, but your assurance as a spiritual son of God is greater. Know that there is a permanent city whose foundations are righteousness and truth, and whose builder and maker is God.

To the Roman judge, Jesus reminded him that he would someday appear in a court before the bar of the Rulers of the universe. Therefore, judge justly, even showing mercy, as that is what you will desire for yourself. Be guided by the spirit of the law as well as by its letter. If you accord justice dominated by fairness and consider the needs of those being tried, you will then have the right to expect justice tempered by mercy when you stand before the Judge of all the earth.

To the mistress of the Greek Inn, Jesus advised her to show hospitality as if entertaining one of the children of the Most High. When you look upon the patrons, see the spirit of God who has descended from heaven to live within each man and woman, and thereby elevate your ministry to be one who serves God, thereby giving glory to God in the highest by serving others. Elevate the drudgery of being a servant to haughty guests by being the one who enlightens their minds and leads their souls to recognize all the bestowed gifts given to them by their divine spirit.

To the traveler from Britain, whom he addressed as “my brother,” Jesus perceived that he was searching for truth, and suggested that the Father of all truth may chance to dwell within him. Have you ever tried communicating with the spirit in your own soul? You may not be conscious of success, but you are knocking on the door of where God lives, and he hears you. The desire to talk to your Father is registered in your superconscious and noted in the transcript of your soul.

To the runaway lad, Jesus told him: “Remember, there are two things you cannot run away from – God and yourself.” He went on to tell him: Wherever you go, you carry not only yourself but also the spirit of the heavenly Father that resides in your heart. My son, cease trying to fool yourself; commit to the bold task of confronting life's realities head-on; grasp tightly the guarantees of being God's child and the sureness of everlasting life, as I have taught you. From today forward, aim to be a genuine man, one who is resolved to tackle life with courage and wisdom.

To the condemned criminal at his last hour, Jesus said: “My brother, you have fallen on evil times. You lost your way; you became entangled in the meshes of crime. From talking to you, I well know you did not plan to do the thing that is about to cost you your temporal life. But you did do this evil, and your fellows have adjudged you guilty; they have determined that you shall die. You or I may not deny the state this right of self-defense in the manner of its own choosing. There seems to be no way of humanly escaping the penalty of your wrongdoing. Your fellows must judge you by what you did, but there is a Judge to whom you may appeal for forgiveness, and who will judge you by your real motives and better intentions. You need not fear meeting the judgment of God if your repentance is genuine and your faith sincere. The fact that your error carries with it the death penalty imposed by man does not prejudice the chance of your soul to obtain justice and enjoy mercy before the heavenly courts.”

Except for Athens, which was more renowned as an educational center, Corinth was the most important Greek city during Roman times, and the three enjoyed this bustling commercial center. During their two-month stay, Jesus spoke to many more people and told them what they needed to hear to forge ahead in the development of their souls. This was a happy time for Jesus, coming after the raising of his family and before he began his public ministry.