Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of John Chapter 2
Metaphysically Interpreting John 2:1-12
2:1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2:2and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage. 2:3And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 2:4And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 2:5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 2:6Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. 2:7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 2:8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it. 2:9And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, 2:10and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now.2:11This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
2:12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples; and there they abode not many days.
NOVEMBER 23, 1913: John 2:1-11
What is “a marriage”? A union of two states of consciousness.
Who does the mother of Jesus represent? Intuition. And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him. They have no wine. And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.
Who are Jesus and his disciples? The I and its faculties.
What is the “wine”? It is the wine of life. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Who are “the servants”? The forces of Being that carry out the will of the soul.
What are the “six waterpots of stone”? Six nerve centers in the body. Jesus saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it. And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worst: thou hast kept the good wine until now.
What is the “water”? The water of life, or nerve fluid.
How does the water of life become the wine of life? The wine, or vital energy, is generated from a union of spiritual thought with the nerve fluid or water of life in the centers of the organism.
What is this process called? Transmutation.
What has it to do with regeneration? It is by transmutation that the vital fluid of the body is set free from the limitations and corruptibility of mortal thought and raised to spiritual essence and power for the regeneration of the body. What is the result of regeneration? The renewal of the body, incorruptibility, immortality, eternal life.
November 23, 1913: John 2:1-11
A “day” in man's development is a state of consciousness. The first day is the spiritual consciousness, the second day is the soul consciousness, the third day is the body consciousness. A marriage is a union of two states of consciousness. Cana means “a place of reeds,” referring to music a sounds in body, the larynx. Galilee means to “whirl” and represents power, force, energy, acting in conjunction with substance. “The mother of Jesus” is Intuition. Jesus, the perfected man manifestation, is conceived in the intuitive nature and moulded in her substance.
The I (Jesus) and his disciples (faculties) are always bidden to these unions of planes of consciousness. In spiritual development intuition is the guide in matters pertaining to the outer world. “The mother of Jesus was there.”
The “wine” is the vitality that forms the connecting link between soul and body. It is an all-pervading free essence that is generated from the nerve substance, or water of life. This wine of life, or free vitality of the organism, must be present in large quantities before a blending of thought, or soul and body (wedding), can be successfully made.
When the I is “lifted up,” there is a higher vital action imparted to the whole consciousness. Jesus said, “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all unto me.” (R.V.) This lifting up of the I is the result of spiritual perception of Truth. When we discern the real Truth of Being, and our relation to it, there is a new and higher consciousness established. This greater energy is first imparted to the soul, or thought realm, and through it to the body.
But this whole process is under law. There is a definite step by step connection of thought and thing, through laws that may be discerned by man and used universally. At the close of the previous chapter to this of today's lesson, Jesus had caught sight of the spiritual realm and said, “Ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
This high perception of man's union through I Am with the Divine Harmony must, by the law of sympathetic vibration, be imparted to every part of his consciousness, and this “marriage” is that union of thought in all parts of the body.
But when vitality is low there is cessation of transmutation of substance from material to soul. We feel this in the regenerative process as an inability to concentrate our thoughts. When the Intuition calls to I Am, “They have no wine,” or vitality, “Jesus saith unto her. Woman, what have I to do with thee?” A Bible authority says this is more correctly stated in the terms, “Woman, what is there between me and thee?” It is the questioning attitude of I Am. It is not clear in its understanding of what is to be done. It is looking forward to a time when it will do, but its “hour has not yet come.” We find ourselves wanting to see all the steps of our action before we begin. But in spiritual processes we have to proceed without knowing the various steps. Just go ahead and speak the word, and the law will see you through. The elemental forces of Being, “servants,” are right at hand to carry out your demands, and the intuitive perfection of Truth (woman) within you commands that they do your bidding.
The “six waterpots of stone” are the six nerve centers in the body, which are filled with the water of life, or nerve fluid. That this is not a literal narrative of the supplying of a wedding feast with wine is borne out by the quantity produced. Each vessel contained about twenty-five gallons, and the total was something like one hundred and fifty gallons. This would supply a regiment with stimulant at a feast.
The symbol represents the abundance of vital energy which may be generated from a union of the I Am spiritual thought with the water of life, or nerve fluid, in the various centers of the organism. With every thought we are setting this nerve fluid into a state of action, and it rushes to any part that the center of attention draws it. When we have been much excited or interested, there is a concentration of this vitality in the head, and if we do not know now to restore and equalize it again in the body, we have a headache, or stuffy condition called a cold. But in regeneration, there is a permanent transmutation of this Vital essence to higher consciousness, and a new element introduced into the organism. This, the ruler of the feast, who is God, recognizes as the highest good the giving up at the last of the very best to the Spirit.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 1924: John 2:1-11
In Scriptural symbology what does a day represent? A day represents a state of consciousness. The first day is Spirit, the second day is soul, and the third day is body: Spirit, mind, and matter.
What does a marriage represent? A marriage represents the union of two states of consciousness.
What is represented by Cana of Galilee? Cana means “a place of reeds;” in the body it is the larynx. Galilee means “to whirl,” or “a circuit,” representing the life activity in the body.
What do the water and the wine represent? The water represents life on the physical plane, and the wine represents life on the spiritual plane.
What is represented by the six waterpots of stone? The six waterpots of stone represent the six ganglionic centers in the body, which are filled with the water of life, or nerve fluid.
What is the meaning of turning the water into wine? In the regeneration the body essences (water) are transmuted or lifted up to higher planes of consciousness by the activity of the life forces unifying with the nerve fluid at the power center (Cana of Galilee), the process involving the larynx.
How do we know how to perform this transmutation in Cana of Galilee? The mother of Jesus, Mary (meaning intuition), gives us the cue, and we inwardly realize the flow of life and substance throughout the organism, with the center of activity in the throat, Cana.
Does this process of evolution of body and soul ever take place without the directive power of I AM (Jesus)? There is a universal evolutionary law constantly at work raising both mind and body to higher states of consciousness. The spiritual I AM (Christ Jesus) works in conjunction consciously with this law, increasing its capacity, quality, and power.
Is there ever a cessation or a failure in the evolutionary process? Man can, through wrong thinking, interfere with the natural evolution of soul and body, which is indicated in this lesson by the words: “And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.”
How does the I AM (Jesus) start the inner regenerative process anew and supply the organism with the new wine of life? Jesus follows the hint of intuition (Mary) and inwardly realizes that the body is filled with omnipresent substance and life.
What is the next step in the process? After one realizes the fullness of substance, the next step in evolution is spiritually to see the elemental life carrying the transmuted substance to the ruler of the feast, the I AM.
Why did the ruler of the feast pronounce the last wine better than the first? When we consciously cooperate in I AM with the regenerative processes under the spiritual law, we have a realization of new life in soul and in body, which is finer and more satisfying than that which came from the automatic action of the natural law.
October 12, 1930: John 2:1-5
What is represented by Cana of Galilee? Cana means “a place of reeds”; in the body it is represented by the larynx. Galilee means “to whirl,” or “a circuit,” representing the life activity in the body.
What does a marriage represent? A marriage represents the union of the masculine and feminine states of consciousness.
At the marriage at Cana in Galilee Jesus turned water into wine. Explain. In the regeneration the body essences (water) are transmuted or lifted to higher planes of consciousness by the activity of the life forces in unifying with the nerve fluid at the power center (Cana of Galilee), in a process involving the larynx. In this lesson, Mary, mother of Jesus, gives us the cue when she says, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” Through the process known as transmutation we may realize the flow of life and substance throughout the organism, with the center of activity in the throat (Cana).
November 1, 1942: John 2:1-5
What is represented by the turning of the water into wine by Jesus at the wedding of Cana in Galilee? Wine symbolizes the vitality that forms the connecting link between body and soul. The wine of life or free vitality of the organism must be present in large quantities before a blending of thoughts or of souls and body (wedding) can be made successfully. The Christ mind accomplishes the increase.
Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of John Chapter 2
Metaphysically Interpreting John 2:16-25
2:13And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2:14And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 2:15and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables; 2:16and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise. 2:17His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for thy house shall eat me up. 2:18The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 2:19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 2:20The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? 2:21But he spake of the temple of his body. 2:22When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
2:23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did. 2:24But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men, 2:25and because he needed not that any one should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
Sunday, January 12,1947: John 2:1-16
What is represented by the turning of the water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee? Wine symbolizes the vitality that forms the connecting link between the physical plane, and wine represents life on the spiritual plane. In the process of spiritual regeneration the body essences (water) are transmuted or lifted up and spiritualized (made wine) by the activity of the I AM, the Christ.
What must be realized if spiritual power is to be developed? Singleness of mind and heart. The new consciousness that is gained by this means brings about a change in the entire tenor of one's life.
Why is singleness of mind so essential to the development and expression of power? Because a divided mind and scattered thoughts lead to a weakening of the faculty of power. Our thoughts must be in harmony with our aspirations and our efforts to realize them.
What is the meaning and significance of the name Cana? Cana means “place of reeds” or “rule.” The rule of life is determined by the individual’s convictions or active faith. “As he thinketh within himself, so is he.”
What thought discipline helps especially to develop spiritual power? Controlling one’s dislike of another person and transforming one’s feeling against him into liking for him. Holding the mind in a feeling of warm friendliness and bringing the subject of dislike into that warmth without allowing the feeling to change effects the desired transformation.
Is it necessary always to speak the word of power before it can be demonstrated? In the Christ consciousness it is not necessary. Jesus said only: “Fill the waterpots with water . . . Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast.” No word of command that the water become wine was spoken. The power of the Christ effects its purpose silently. Otherwise the word must be spoken to give a consciousness of power.
Why is the visit to Capernaum mentioned in the text? Capernaum means “covering of repentance” and denotes readiness to change one's mind. Willingness to change the mind shows strength of character or spiritual power.
Is zeal a sign of spiritual power? Not always. To be effective it must be under control, subject to judgment and understanding. Otherwise it causes the one whom it possesses to overreach himself. If we are to use zeal wisely, we must possess it, not be possessed by it.
March 16, 1919: John 2:13-22
What is the “passover of the Jews”? The “passover of the Jews” is a commemoration of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. The Christian passover is the Lord's Supper.
What, in individual consciousness, does the “passover of the Jews” represent? In individual consciousness, the “passover of the Jews” represents the time set aside for fasting and prayer, the cleansing and renewing of the body temple through denial and affirmation, making it ready for the coming of the Lord. The “Lord's Supper” represents the putting on of Christ, building into mind and body the Substance and Life of Spirit.
What is the spiritual meaning of the statement, “Jesus went up to Jerusalem”? Before one can effectively discipline one's mind and cleanse the body, the I Am (Jesus) must lift one “up” in consciousness to where one sees with spiritual vision.
In individual consciousness, what and where are “those that sold oxen and sheep and doves” and “the changers of money”? “Those that sold oxen and sheep and doves” and “the changers of money” are errors in the subconsciousness.
What is meant by the statement, “Zeal for thy house shall eat me up”? “Zeal,” by its very nature, is intense activity. If allowed to take possession of the mind, it turns the attention to observance of forms, following the line of action that brings the appearance of greatest results, and the Spirit is lost sight of.
What is the meaning of “his disciples remembered”? Jesus' “disciples” represent the faculties of mind that function in man's body temple through the centers of consciousness. That they “remembered,” at the word of Jesus (I Am), shows the quickening power of spiritual affirmation.
What do the “three days” that elapsed before the raising of Jesus from the tomb into the Christ perfection represent? The “three days” represent the three degrees or parts of man's consciousness: spirit, soul and body. The spiritual I Am must establish its mastery in these before the Word of God is fulfilled and the perfect man brought forth.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 1924: John 2:13-22
What does the feast of the Passover represent? The feast of the Passover represents the passing away of the old life and the entering in of the new. The particular phase of life transformation mentioned in this lesson pertains to the cleansing of the body.
What is represented by the temple? The temple is the body; “. . . know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit . . . ?”
What is represented by: “And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting”? The verse as a whole represents that state of mind in the body that puts special value on the animal forces, not realizing that they are originally from Spirit.
What does the scourge of cords, as used by Jesus, represent? The scourge of cords represents thoughts and words of denial, which put out of the body consciousness the animal propensities.
What is the meaning of verse 17: “His disciples remembered that it was written. Zeal for thy house shall eat me up”? Zeal for the upbuilding of the house (body), without observing the divine law, consumes or eats the spiritual substance of which the house (body) was originally formed.
What is the spiritual meaning of: “The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign showeth thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?” Man's mastery over the thoughts that rule in the body is the first step or sign in regeneration, and it is followed by complete regeneration. So Jesus, answering, said: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
When those, who regard only the outer man, hear the word “temple,” what is their conclusion? The sense man's definition of a temple is a building of stone or of brick or of wood, while the spiritual man sees the body as the only real temple. Spiritual man was given dominion over all things, and when man realizes his spiritual character he has the power to tear down or build up his body temple. When Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” he spoke “of the temple of his body.”
What is the meaning of the statement, in verse 22, that when Jesus was raised from the dead his disciples remembered and believed the words which he had said? In all his experience Jesus stressed the “three days” period. Metaphysically “three days” represent three movements of mind consciousness in Spirit, soul and body. When the creative law is fulfilled in these degrees of mind, man has complete power to make his body appear and disappear at will as did Jesus after the resurrection. He told his disciples that he would accomplish this mastery when he had fulfilled the law in the “three days,” mind, idea, and manifestation.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 11-19-2013
