The events of the crucifixion and "the seven words," or utterances of Jesus as he hung upon the cross, are, when spiritually understood, a vivid portrayal of the successive steps, from the first taking up the cross of denial of personal sense, or the claim of life in matter, to the final overcoming of that claim, and the realization of man's spiritual individuality. Jesus was crucified about the third hour, or nine o'clock in the morning, having been scourged by Pilate before being delivered into the hands of his accusers. As they were nailing him to the cross he spoke his first words which were of forgiveness for those who sought his destruction, knowing as he did that evil and its malicious expression, though for the moment apparently triumphant, must inevitably succumb to good. Personal or material man must be scourged by the pain of beliefs before he will take up the cross of their denial and strive to reach the Truth of being through destruction of the lie of materiality.
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," is the prayer of spiritual understanding for those whose eyes are blinded by belief in evil. This understanding perceives Principle to be distinct from person, and recognizes the unalterable law of Truth that eventually destroys the evil.
The soldiers that watched beneath the cross divided the garments of Jesus amongst them and cast lots for the possession of his seamless robe. "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture"; this is the accusing voice of Truth speaking unto those who would abide in it, yet know not its spirit. On the first presentation of a higher statement of Truth the hostile elements of material belief keep watch as understanding of the thought of good develops. Error, envious of this growth and jealous for its own claim to power, seizes the ideas that come from this understanding and divides them among its own conflicting members (opinions). It thus seeks to rival Truth. Error perceives the indivisibility of Truth and knows that to be possessed at all, it must be in its entirety. The wrangling of religious sects, the contentions of differing schools of belief, are a continual repetition of the scene on Calvary. Each casts lots (vies with the others) for the possession of the robes of Truth that it has already crucified by this envious and malicious warfare.
