Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Matthew Chapter 2
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 2:1-12
2:1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2:2Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 2:3And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 2:4And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. 2:5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet,
2:6And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah:
For out of thee shall come forth a governor,
Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel.
2:7Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. 2:8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him. 2:9And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 2:10And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 2:11And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 2:12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
DECEMBER 27, 1964: Matt. 2:1-12
WEEKLY UNITY - Our Dawning Consciousness of the Divine
Unity explains this week's International BIBLE LESSON
[Question unreadable] Yes. The law governing spiritual consciousness and its development in the individual is as sure as the law that governs the stars or the planets in their courses. We have access to divine substance within the depths of our consciousness, and out or it we fashion a new ideal of life and a fuller, more abundant life.
What represents the center of substance in our consciousness? Bethlehem (house of bread) is the substance center where the spiritual or ideal man has his source.
What does the name Herod mean? It means "son of a hero, heroic. " Herod represents the ruling power of the outer or personal consciousness.
What do the Wise Men from the East symbolize? They symbolize the inner resources of the soul when it is stirred to the depths by a revelation of Truth. The East symbolizes the within, and the coming of the Wise Men signifies intuitive wisdom reverently seeking out the new ideal of life that is beginning in consciousness.
What is meant by "he that is born King of the Jews"? This is the ruling power of the spiritual consciousness when it first dawns on the mind and heart of the individual.
On what do we base our conviction that our true nature is divine? On our dawning consciousness of the Christ life within the heart and soul. "The star ... came and stood over where the young child was."
When our inner soul resources are stirred by the revelation that we are in truth divine, how does this affect us outwardly? We are filled with joy and gladness. "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."
What is signified by the fact that King Herod was troubled "and all Jerusalem with him" by the news of the birth of Jesus? The outer, personal, or sense consciousness (Herod) is disturbed by the first glimmering of a different consciousness in the mind and heart. The personal consciousness is jealous of its power and authority, and seeks to retain its dominion, whatever the cost.
How can we protect the Christ child from destruction in our consciousness? By nourishing and nurturing the ideal with spiritual thoughts daily. Our salvation lies in clinging fast to the Christ ideal of life and in turning our back on sense and personality. Our "own country" is the inner life of Spirit that we live unto God, and we return to it by way of prayer and meditation.
I rejoice in the dawn of the Christ light in my mind and heart.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-22-2013
