Once experienced intuitively by early gnostic thinkers, knowledge of the cosmic significance of Christ and his mission has faded over the centuries. As theologians and historians of the Church critically scrutinized the Gospel records, their focus shifted from Christ to the human figure of Jesus of Nazareth. Today, many are beginning a new search for an understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Christ and its meaning for their lives. In these enlightening lectures, Rudolf Steiner shows how 'the Mystery of Golgotha' can be seen as the pivotal event of human history. The Gospels themselves, he says, are 'initiation documents' that can guide us on a path of spiritual development. Steiner demonstrates how manifold spiritual entities are involved in the events of Palestine which took place 2, 000 years ago, and explains problematic aspects of Christian theology such as the resurrection of the physical body. His emphasis throughout is on highlighting the esoteric path to Christ, and he encourages us to awaken to the new revelation manifesting in our time: Christ as the 'Lord of Karma'. This edition contains the public talk given prior to the beginning of the course.