The spirit author named Emmanuel reveals to us that Jesus presided over the formation of the Earth and that he is your Governor². This means that he had already reached extraordinary evolution billions of years ago. And he modestly accepted the task of evangelising us to understand the laws of God which are summarized in Love!

Jesus does not impose himself, does not get annoyed with our flaws and offers us, through multiple incarnations and under various conditions, means to develop intelligence and good feelings, i.e., within one’s profession, at home, or in different relationships in our lives.

Jesus gives us opportunities to work until we learn to serve with gratitude and joy, without sensitiveness and without choosing partners activities, working with people whoever they are!

Jesus waits patiently for our development in order that we adhere conscientiously to his ideal of Love, in order that we get to conquer full Freedom, Harmony, bliss and beauty of the higher worlds!

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ¹ (Luke 9:23)

He clearly states that if someone wants ... And look at the humility and endless patience with which this Spirit (Jesus) acts, whose greatness is unimaginable for us!

To live by their his Religion, we must serve, in family or in the community, encouraging teamwork so that  everyone take part in activities in favour of the common good and the evolution of all spirits that are provisionally linked to Earth!

! Without the historical perspective and habit – which are increasingly rare – of reading, studying, researching and above all without the information  that has been passed on to us by the Greater Life Mentors; it becomes difficult for the common man to understand that Jesus is still present in our orb, in our lives and that he follows with our evangelisation - a process that will still extend for a long time! 

The focus of Jesus’ lessons is a different one – He bequeathed us, two thousand years ago, the summary of the Divine Laws, which, if observed, give us effective health, which is that of the immortal Spirit because we become harmonized with the Creator. Health will be reflected in our physical body in this incarnation and future ones.

The experience of these principles will lead us to conscious evolution, accelerating our evolutionary walk, besides eliminating suffering entailed by the breach of those laws.

Over time - even before His coming to this planet – it led to the founding of numerous religions and inspired artists, philosophers, writers, scientists, to contribute to the moral progress of the Earth.

The multiplicity of these religions reveals the wisdom and generosity of the Father, who favours us all, with schools appropriate and consistent with our ability to understand; albeit in a fragmentary manner; His Laws and sublime designs.

Master Jesus did not come from the Father to heal bodies but to heal immortal spirits. The cures are "(...) to relieve suffering and help in spreading the faith (...)" .³

Nor did he come to give us material prosperity, but rather lead us to spiritual progress. In His sublime lessons the focus is a different one. They do not aim at material wealth, which is transitory. Those who seek Him for these objectives are deceiving themselves. His lessons represent paths for evolution – the real progress of the Spirit. As it has turned out, we have not assimilated these teachings yet, we have not incorporated them into our daily conduct, despite the numerous reincarnations which we have been through since His presence in this planet.

We do not bother to 'dispense' his liberating prescriptions. 

Jesus did not found any religion - This aloofness to the teachings of Jesus is what keeps us stuck to the wheel of painful reincarnations!

In fact, he himself did not found any religion! Especially religions in the way of those religions that exist on Earth, even though his name and teachings are referred to in these,  but rarely observed!

His lessons do not require complex organizations or ornate temples, nor prescribe rituals, special clothing, exterior signs, but internal changes translated into standards of conduct surprisingly practical in nature.

He preached anywhere where he was: the lakeshore, home of Peter’s mother, in Lazarus’ house, Martha’s and Mary’s and ... even in the synagogues!

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

We have always been misguided by traditional religions – through the various reincarnations through which we have gone - we have always thought that the frequent attendance of temples (albeit in an inattentively form in most cases) only once a week and the exercise of external practices were enough to conquer a "heaven of praise and contemplation, in eternal rest”!

Such rest reveals a supreme ignorance of the Divine Laws - and even larger laziness! As work is the Law of life.

And that the unbearable punishment would be the eternal indolence!

Jesus, nowhere mentions such “eternal rest”! Those who advocate this absurd thesis seem to be unaware of the teaching of the Master regarding work:

“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” ⁽¹⁾ (John 5:17).

It is too much lack of attention! Or infinite laziness! 

Religion means reunion with the Father - The continued evolution of the Spirits presupposes the development of Love and the education of the intelligence. And this requires constant efforts, studies and works to keep our relationship with our evolutionary stage. As we evolve very slowly; we are subjected to endless reincarnations!

Not only has he revealed that God is our Father and that "the law and the prophets" boil down to love God and our neighbour as ourselves.

Jesus’ teachings besides recommending to us to experience this broad love; also point out to us with simplicity, ways to practice it in our daily conduct. The mere adoption of these practices will lead us gradually to self knowledge and to the achievement of full harmony and peace.

These practices, if observed, reunite us to the Father, through living experience of brotherly Love with all creatures.

Allan Kardec⁵  asks the Spirits  :

What is the most effective practical means that man has to improve himself in this life and to resist entrainment of evil?

"A wise man of Antiquity have said: Know thyself."

And there's no safer way to achieve that than to observe his teachings. He even tells, when he affirms: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." ¹ (John 14:6).

It behoves us to register that Jesus not only taught, but also exemplified what he taught! This gives him unquestionable authority:

"When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." ¹ (Mattew 7:28-29). 

Who, in the eyes of Jesus, is a wise person -  Here is brief sample of what he lovingly advises us and teaches us on how to proceed: 

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”  ¹ Matthew 5:25 

“You have heard that it was said, an eye for na eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, offer them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.¹   Mattew 5:38 - 40  

^“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” ¹ Mattew 5:44 

“Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” ¹ Matthew 6:3

 “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”  Matthew 6:7

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” ¹  Mattew 6:34

^“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” ¹ Matthew 7:12

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” ¹ Matthew 7:24

“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”  Matthew 15:8

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” ¹ Matthew 25:35

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” ¹  Matthew 26:52

“(…)Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (…)” ¹ Luke 23:34

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke, 10:25 to 37), transcribed in item 2 of chapter 15 of The Gospel According to Espiritismo ⁴ demonstrates, clearly, the need for practice of brotherly love.

"Do this and thou shalt live." – In Jesus' dialogue with the Pharisees, which precedes the account of this parable – is one of the most beautiful dialogues between the Master and characters of the  Gospel! - The Pharisee answered his own question, stating that to Love God and your neighbour as yourself is na essential condition for the merit of eternal life. 

Then Jesus told him, in a beautiful and concise sentence: "(...) Do this and you will live." ¹

Kardec, in comments that he adds to this parable in item 3 of the same chapter, says that all the morality of Jesus is summed up in charity and humility, and by referring to the parable of the last judgment, he asks:

What then are the considerations of sentence according to that supreme judgement? On what has the indictment been based? Does the judge perhaps ask if the person under interrogation has fulfilled this or that formality, if they have more or less observed this or that external practice? No, he will ask but one question: if charity has been practised; then make the pronouncement: "Go to the right all who have helped their brothers and sisters. Go to the left all those who have been unyielding." Is it said, by any chance, what is the orthodoxy of their faith? Is any distinction made between those who believe in this or that manner? No, because Jesus places the Samaritan, considered by some to be a heretic, who practised love towards his fellow creature above any orthodoxy which lacks charity.” ³  Chapter 15, item 3.

In the parable, the Samaritan, judged heretical but someone who exercises brotherly love, reveals himself superior to the orthodox priest who lacks in charity. Not only does Jesus recommend charity, but indicates it as the only condition for future happiness.

In another sublime teaching, the Divine Master dissociates the true Christian from any sectarianism, cults, temples, from external manifestations:

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ¹ John 13:34-35

The religion of Jesus - contained in fraternal norms of conduct - is of an eminently practical nature and is translated in the experience of love, by all means in our power.

This is the view of the Spiritist Doctrine regarding the Religion of Jesus since it does not require ornate temples, does not adopt various liturgies and rituals, nor hierarchies or abstract theological principles. It educates us to well understand and practice His doctrine of pure love and service to fellowmen, as the Divine Master exemplified and recommended in the fine teaching: "(...) Do this and thou shall live." ¹ 

Sources: 

1. ALMEIDA, João F. de – Translator. The Sacred Bible. Brasília: Biblical Society of Brazil. 1969;

2. XAVIER, F. Cândido. On the Path of Light . by Spirit author Emmanuel. FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 1975. pages 21 and 110;

3. KARDEC, Allan. The Gospel according to Spiritism. Translator Evandro Noleto Bezerra. 1ed. 2.imp. Brasília: FEB, 2011. chapter 26, item 2, page 447;

4.  _____. _____. chapter 15, item2, page 301;

5. KARDEC, Allan. The Spirits’ Book Translator Evandro Noleto Bezerra. 2^nd Edition. Brasília: FEB, 2011, question 919.