The Symbolism of Jesus’s Crucifixion Across the Four Gospels: The Power of Assumption

The crucifixion of Jesus is one of the most profound and transformative symbols in the Bible. While traditionally seen as a representation of sacrifice and redemption, when interpreted through Neville Goddard’s framework of assumption, the crucifixion reveals a deeper spiritual truth about the creative power of imagination and the process of manifesting desires.

Neville teaches that the key to manifesting anything is to assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled—believing that the desired state already exists within you. In this article, we will explore how each of the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—depicts the crucifixion of Jesus, and how these depictions align with Neville’s principle of assumption. We’ll also draw connections to the forefathers of manifestation in the Bible—Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Judah—whose qualities of faith, persistence, imagination, and praise echo throughout the story of Jesus and his crucifixion. These foundational figures demonstrate that the act of assumption is not new but deeply rooted in spiritual tradition.

Additionally, the New Testament is the fulfilment of the Old, bringing to completion the themes and symbols introduced in the earlier scriptures. The crucifixion, as a key moment in the New Testament, serves as the fulfilment of all that was foreshadowed in the Old Testament, particularly in the lives of figures like Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Judah. The New Testament reveals the inner spiritual journey, showing us how we can transform our consciousness by embracing these principles of assumption, just as Jesus embodies them.

Matthew: The Fulfillment of Prophecy and the Assurance of Assumption

In Matthew’s Gospel, the crucifixion is framed as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies. The suffering and death of Jesus were not merely inevitable occurrences; they were a natural progression, fulfilling a deeper spiritual law. This emphasis on prophecy directly points to the power of assumption—when we assume the state of the wish fulfilled, we align ourselves with our spiritual purpose.

The crucifixion in Matthew can be viewed as the final act of fully embracing a given assumption. Just as Jesus knew his role in fulfilling divine prophecy, we must trust that when we assume a state, everything aligns to bring it into being. The act of crucifixion is symbolic of the internal process of fixing an assumption in consciousness, regardless of the external circumstances.

This mirrors the example of Abraham, whose unwavering faith in God’s promises allowed him to assume the state of fatherhood, despite seemingly impossible odds. Abraham’s faith is an embodiment of the principle of assumption—believing that the desired state already exists is the key to its manifestation.

Mark: The Divine Drama of Death and Resurrection

Mark’s Gospel focuses on the intense emotional and physical suffering of Jesus, highlighting the internal struggle and turmoil that accompany profound transformation. This portrayal of suffering parallels the experience many face when trying to hold steadfast to a new state of being or assumption amidst adversity.

However, Mark’s Gospel also reveals the transformative power that comes through such suffering. The tearing of the temple veil symbolises the breaking down of old barriers, much like how assumptions must break through ingrained beliefs in order to manifest new realities.

This tearing of the veil in Mark is crucial in Neville’s teachings, as it signifies the dissolution of old limitations that keep us from fully embodying the assumed state. When we assume a new state, the old beliefs and barriers that once separated us from our desires fall away. The crucifixion, then, represents the collapse of outdated beliefs and the emergence of a new reality, aligned with the assumed state.

Just as Jacob’s persistence led to his transformation and ultimate manifestation, so too does holding fast to the assumption, regardless of external circumstances, bring about the desired change. Jacob’s struggle with the angel mirrors the internal conflict many experience when stepping into a new state of being, but his persistence led to his ultimate breakthrough.

Luke: The Emphasis on Forgiveness and the Active State of Being

Luke’s Gospel presents a more compassionate and forgiving side of Jesus. From the cross, Jesus speaks the words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These words highlight a crucial aspect of the process of assumption—releasing past grievances and limiting beliefs that might block the flow of manifestation.

Neville teaches that when we assume a state, we must also forgive ourselves for any doubts, guilt, or fear that may arise. Just as Jesus forgave those who wronged him, we must forgive the old beliefs and perceptions that no longer serve us. Assumption is not merely about wanting something—it is about embodying the state of being in which the desire already exists.

In this way, the crucifixion in Luke’s Gospel symbolises not only the acceptance of a new state but also the active process of forgiveness and release. To manifest, we must be willing to forgive the past, silence the voice of doubt, and embrace the new reality we have assumed.

This is mirrored in the life of Joseph, whose imagination and ability to forgive those who wronged him played a crucial role in his eventual rise to power. Joseph’s dreams, which were a form of assumption, were realised through his unwavering belief in the eventual manifestation of what he had imagined. Joseph’s forgiveness, much like the act of forgiving our doubts and limiting beliefs, allows us to fully embody the state of abundance and success we desire.

John: The Finality of the Word Made Flesh

In John’s Gospel, the crucifixion is marked by the powerful words, “It is finished.” This statement symbolises the finality of the manifestation process. The desired state has been assumed, and the work is complete. This moment of finality is crucial to Neville’s teachings. It is the moment when we have fully assumed the state of the wish fulfilled, and there is no turning back.

John’s account of the crucifixion reveals the transformative power of fully embracing an idea and seeing it through to its conclusion. In Neville’s teachings, this moment of finality is key—it marks the moment when you have fully assumed the desired state, and the manifestation process is complete. “It is finished” is a powerful reminder that when the assumption is made, it is only a matter of time before the desire materialises.

This idea of finality is also reflected in the figure of Judah, whose name means “praise.” Judah’s praise throughout the Bible represents the act of acknowledging and celebrating the manifestation before it appears in physical form. Praise, like the assumption of the state, affirms that the desired outcome is already complete, even before it manifests. Judah’s praise symbolises the finality of belief in Neville’s teachings, reinforcing the idea that once the assumption is made, the manifestation is inevitable.

The Crucifixion and the Fixation of Assumption

An additional layer of symbolism in the crucifixion can be found in the very word "crucifixion." The term "crucifixion" comes from the Latin word crucifixio, meaning "fixed" or "nailed." In Neville’s framework, the crucifixion represents the fixation of an assumption in the mind. Just as Jesus is said to have been nailed to the cross, we too must “nail” or fix our assumption firmly in our consciousness.

This act of fixation occurs in the mind or, more specifically, in the skull, which represents the seat of the conscious and subconscious mind. When we fix our assumption in our mind, we are aligning ourselves with the creative power of the imagination. The crucifixion, then, symbolises the moment when an assumption is firmly anchored in consciousness, never to be moved again. This is the moment of finality before manifestation.

Once an assumption is fixed in consciousness, the desire is only a matter of time before it unfolds in our reality. The fixation of the assumption is the completion of the internal work; the external manifestation will follow naturally.

Conclusion: The Common Thread of Assumption

When viewed through Neville Goddard’s teachings, the crucifixion in the four Gospels reveals different facets of the process of manifestation. Each Gospel highlights a crucial step:

• Matthew demonstrates the fulfilment of prophecy through assumption.

• Mark shows us the breakdown of old barriers and the transformation that comes with assumption.

• Luke teaches the importance of forgiveness and embodying the new state of being.

• John highlights the finality of the assumption and its inevitable manifestation.

The crucifixion is not merely an event in history; it is a profound symbol of the creative power of assumption. It teaches us that when we assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled, we align ourselves with the creative power of imagination, and our desires will manifest.

The forefathers of manifestation—Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Judah—embodied key qualities of faith, persistence, imagination, and praise. Just as they assumed their desired states and manifested them, so too can we. The crucifixion represents the moment of assumption, the moment when we fully embody the belief that our desire is already fulfilled. Once we fix this assumption in our mind, the manifestation is inevitable.