prefer one’s own judgement to his. Only a knave says, “Let illusion be my truth”. If he was mortal in his flesh, and immortal only in spirit, then a political philosophy was required after he died, and his Church began to acquire power. He was unwise to give no guidance. Did Bethsaida and Capernaum sense that he was over-reaching himself; or were they motivated more by self-interest?
Suppose he knew he was going to die, and that his only choice was whether to die on a cross, or comfortably in his bed. He may have preferred to die on a cross, because it manifested better his Father’s glory. Maybe so; but that does not alter the fact that had his choice been different, he would have grown old like everyone else. How would old age have changed him? As ill health took its hold, would his mind have slowed and become more senile? More importantly, as Christ pondered which choice to make, was he influenced by the thought of growing old? Did he think he could remain a King in this world for ever? If he envisaged himself growing old and senile, why did he leave behind no political philosophy, or did he think his kingdom would never have to cope with the problems of power? Strange thought, when all his own temptations had been about the abuse of power. Or did his vocation so obsess him, that he never stopped to think? Even if it obsessed him, it need not obsess us; and we can pause for thought.
If he thought he was immortal in this world, unless and until he was murdered, then it makes sense that he left behind no political philosophy. He himself did not need one; and if he would always be here, neither did his followers. If he thought he would probably be murdered, but his followers would take up the mantle, as Elisha had Elijah’s, of his immortality, then it makes sense that he left behind no political philosophy. His disciples would have no more need of it than he had. But if he foresaw his own crucifixion, and also that his disciples would fail to pick up his mantle, would soon be unable to heal the sick, unable to make the lame walk, or do any mighty acts of power, then he was unwise not to have given guidance. He was the prisoner of his own phrase, “Take no thought for the morrow”. If moreover he realized he would grow old and die, if his life were not cut short first, then what did he think his followers would do after he was gone? In fact they preached the resurrection; it was the only thing they could do. They preached a kingdom after death; and naturally very soon lost the ability to do much in this world – except talk, point out heresy, and persecute!
If on the other hand, Christ thought he was immortal, and was correct in that belief, then it follows that we can be immortal in this world too! St.Paul was wrong in saying that flesh and blood could not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. And before we all dismiss this as fantasy, let us remember that some molecular-biologists or genetic-engineers are already scouring DNA for the genes that control the process of aging, with a view to doubling the length of a man’s life. It is only a small step from there, to wanting to lengthen the span to 1000 years, for men to live as long as trees as Isaiah predicted. I think they will find the genes that govern aging, but keep an open mind about their ability to lengthen man’s life. Maybe; maybe not. When one considers the foolish predictions that this, that, or the other was impossible, it is wiser to keep an open mind. Which means that it is a distinct possibility that man may become immortal in this world in the comparatively near future. More likely that he will not; but he may. An unnerving thought for those who repeat week after week that they are miserable sinners. To an impartial eye, they would appear to be missing as big an opportunity as Bethsaida or Capernaum. And it does not require much imagination to see the result of scientists producing near-immortality, and the Church being unable to do so; most people would say that the Church was ripe for the waste paper basket.
It all depends on Christ’s thought: whether he thought he was mortal or immortal, in what sense, and whether he was correct in what he thought or believed. Besides, what Father would allow his son to be deluded about his own manhood? What Father would expect us to follow a deluded hero?