Jesus' Combined Nature – Human and Divine 

In the early stages of Jesus' earthly journey, he embodied the essence of humanity. As a carpenter of Nazareth, boatbuilder of Capernaum, and scribe of Damascus, he lived a life familiar to those around him. During his twenty-ninth year, a period marked by personal spiritual growth, Jesus experienced the apex of his human religious development. His communion with the indwelling spirit presence of the Paradise Father showcased a gradual maturation from mortal identity to the unity of material and spiritual minds. Jesus fully embraced the spectrum of human emotions, from joy to sorrow, and lived a life that mirrored the entirety of mortal existence. His purpose, however, transcended being a mere example; it was to reveal the eternal God to mortal man while presenting perfected human personality to the Infinite Creator.

In addition to his experiential journey through the human condition, Jesus navigated the complexities of intellectual and spiritual advancement. While not engaging in formal communion with his Father in heaven during every season, he developed increasingly effective methods of personal communication with his indwelling spirit presence. Jesus lived a real, full, and normal life in the flesh, becoming intimately familiar with the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of evolutionary and ascendant mortals. His life encompassed the entire range of human existence, from birth to death, and extended to the higher phases of human and indwelling spirit reconciliation that few mortals attain. Thus, Jesus not only lived the life of mortal man on earth but also experienced the equivalent of the entire sum and substance of human existence on all evolutionary worlds of time and space.

Jesus was a combined being, an incarnation of two into one. The consciousness of divinity in Jesus was a gradual development until his baptism, after which he had the option to self-limit his awareness of divinity. At times, he operated solely from human consciousness, concealing his foreknowledge and thought discernment from his associates. The mystery of Jesus' combined personality, drawing from both human and divine minds, leaves observers in awe. His ability to utilize either form of consciousness, or both simultaneously, is a testament to the complexity of his nature and the profound mystery that surrounds it.

Furthermore, the apparent self-limitation of Jesus' divinity consciousness reveals a deliberate choice to engage fully with the human experience. Jesus did not overwhelm his followers with the full extent of his divine awareness, choosing instead to meet them at their level of understanding. This intentional concealment allowed for a genuine human connection and the gradual unfoldment of his divine mission. The mystery of Jesus' consciousness serves as an invitation for contemplation, emphasizing the delicate balance between human and divine aspects within him.

When Jesus changed his tactics and presented himself as the Son of God, the apostles looked at his life to present evidence of his divinity to teach the populace. With the help of Rodan, a brilliant scholar and truth-seeker, Nathaniel and Thomas compiled an impressive list of why they believed that Jesus was divine. Among many reasons that they provided, here are a few:

Jesus stated plainly that he is divine and his divinity was evident in his character and conduct. His life association with ordinary individuals demonstrated the ideal of human friendship, and his unselfishness extended even to sinners and enemies. The unique combination of justice and mercy, compassion and fairness, set Jesus apart as a divine personality. His life was marked by consistent righteousness, and he professed to forgive sins and heal diseases, claiming divine prerogatives that transcended human abilities. Jesus' emotional control, knowledge of thoughts and feelings, and sympathy with troubled spirits underscored the perfection of his emotional and spiritual nature. His assertiveness, positivity, and authoritative teaching, coupled with a deep communion with celestial personalities, pointed to a divine presence within him.

Amidst theological traditions and religious dogmas, the human Jesus must not be lost. The figurative resurrection of the human Jesus from the tomb of traditional theology is essential for understanding his real life of religious devotion. Jesus, as a religious man, achieved the knowing and doing of God's will through faith. The call to follow Jesus is not about imitation but sharing his faith, embracing his ideals, and striving for the exalted life purpose he demonstrated. Recovering the human Jesus from theological abstractions is crucial for a genuine understanding of the Master's teachings.

Understanding and embracing the human Jesus as a layman challenges our tendency to create a distant, unapproachable figure. His life was not defined by institutionalized religion; it was defined by personal faith and unselfish service. The common people heard Jesus gladly because he was relatable, unpretentious, and exemplified the highest ideals through his daily living. Therefore, the call to recover the human Jesus is an invitation to a living faith that transcends dogmas and institutional structures, inspiring believers to embody the spirit of unselfish service and personal religious devotion.