Philosophers like Plato had in common with Christ a teaching that the flesh, the animal nature of humans, the body and its appetites, is their enemy, because living by it degrades us, whereas living by mind and spirit leads to the nobler life. The natural, appetitive person, when dominating us by desires and selfishness, needs to be conquered by the nobler spirit and rational mind, but this is not easy. A sentry on night duty might be sorely tempted to sleep instead of keeping watch, so the nobler good mentality and spiritual willingness to be dutiful, to be faithful to those trusting them, must dominate, rather than that sleep-craving flesh. Jesus Christ came to help us to overcome that ignoble flesh that can bring us down. The flesh is at war with the nobler spirit and mind, and Jesus came to help the nobler nature win. He came to save from what brings down so many of us. He came to save from that which can cause our demise. A snake can kill by its bite. A plague of snakes can kill a large group of people. The ancient medical symbol of a snake or two snakes hanging from a pole, is what scripture tells us once was held up in front of people afflicted by such a plague, to effectively curse the venom of the snakes and end its deadly war on those afflicted. So when Jesus was crucified on a cross, held up in his body like on a pole, it was a curse against the flesh he was becoming symbolically, as God’s answer to the dominion of our flesh that dooms us. So we too, in keeping with his sacrifice, must deem that fleshly dominion cursed and crucified in our lives, and overcome it by good spirit working with good mind and reason. No sleeping on duty! This is war. Fleshly weakness and cravings must be overcome by rational diligence and the guidance of our purest spiritual counsel and spiritual strength. Jesus conquered by dying in obedience to God’s highest purposes, and God in turn raised him a few days later from the dead, to live forever, in the power of spirit, and power of God who sent him. He ever lives to help us, and to intercede with God for us, if we believe and follow these teachings, keeping this word.
See also https://chatgpt.com/share/6a8232ee-68f4-83eb-a22f-1435c8fe4720
