Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of John Chapter 4
Metaphysically Interpreting John 4:1-42
4:1When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 4:2(although Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), 4:3he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. 4:4And he must needs pass through Samaria. 4:5So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph: 4:6and Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
4:7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 4:8For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food. 4:9The Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 4:10Jesus answered and said unto unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 4:11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water? 4:12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? 4:13Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 4:14but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life. 4:15The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come all the way hither to draw.
4:16Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 4:17The woman answered and said unto him, I have no husband. Jesus saith unto her, Thou saidst well, I have no husband: 4:18for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly.4:19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 4:20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 4:21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. 4:22Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 4:23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. 4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. 4:25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. 4:26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
4:27And upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her? 4:28So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to the people, 4:29Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ? 4:30They went out of the city, and were coming to him.
4:31In the mean while the disciples prayed him, saying, Rabbi, eat. 4:32But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not. 4:33The disciples therefore said one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat? 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. 4:35Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest. 4:36He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 4:37For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 4:38I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor.
4:39And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things that ever I did. 4:40So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days. 4:41And many more believed because of his word; 4:42and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.
December 7, 1913: John 4:5-14
Samaria means watch-tower — which refers to that department of the objective consciousness functioning through the head. Sychar means drunken — that is, a confused state of mind. It is located near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph — which is the forehead, seat of intellectual perception. Here was Jacob's well—inspiration through the intellect alone.
Jesus — I Am — has been compassing the whole man, has been journeying from Dan to Beersheba, from within to without, and he rests at the point where the intellectual and the spiritual meet. The "woman of Samaria" is the feminine or emotional side of objective consciousness. It also gets its life and inspiration from the [unreadable] or subjective consciousness.
Jesus has power to impart to intellect the inspiration of the Spirit —- here designated as "living water." But in order to do so he must get the intelligent attention of this mixed state of consciousness. The Samaritans were a mixed race, being a combination of both Hebrew and heathen blood, and the woman at the well recognizes the separation which exists between the Absolute Truth and the mixed thoughts of intellect. But Jesus is not afraid of being contaminated by the communion. He is willing to imbibe the inspiration of this realm of mind, and by so doing get into touch with its thoughts and sympathies.
This Jesus consciousness is appealing to intellectual people to recognize the gift of God, the Spirit of universal love and brotherhood, and appeal to the living inspiration which may be had for the asking. But man must ask. "Ask and ye shall receive."
The questioning, analytical attitude taken by the woman at the well represents that tendency of intellect to know how? why? where?
"How can you draw this living water? There is no visible means that I can see whereby you can get the everlasting water of life. Are you greater than all the precedents and antecedents of intellectual inheritance and experience? The assumptions of the spiritually-minded that they have a truth higher than human reason, seems to me far-fetched and ephemeral."
These are but a few of the many questions and objections of the intellectually wise.
Nevertheless, spiritual perception continues to affirm that it has the inspiration that shall never lack nor prove wanting. The mortal understands so little that it is constantly asking for more — it is never satisfied with itself or the knowledge that it finds. But whoever drinks of the true spiritual inspiration shall never thirst. It will prove a well of water springing up into eternal life.
Sunday, August 26, 1917: John 4:24
SILENT PRAYER: Let the indwelling light of my spirit be now manifest.
The study of God and man is identical. Your understanding of the Divine Trinity involves an understanding of your place in it. There is the Father, the great Universal Mind; the Son or Christ, which is I Am identified; and the Holy Spirit, or manifestation. God, the great Supreme Source, is the foundation of all. The relation of man to this source is revealed to I Am identity independent of any scripture, independent of tradition, independent of any external authority whatever. It comes from the light within. The first lesson in spiritual development is to know that everyone has within him the light, the light of Divine understanding, "the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Those who do not recognize that they have this inner light are in some of the reflected, secondary states of consciousness. The first awakening is the "light;" then come the other steps in order. The statement, "I am the light of the world," cannot be taken in a personal sense and applied to Jesus Christ alone, because he said, " Ye are the light of the world." He taught that the expression of the Universal light and power was possible to all men. Then let us seek the true light — spiritual understanding.
The Hebrew Scriptures are undoubtedly the highest corroborative testimony of the light within; yet we should remember in studying them that the letter killeth; the Spirit maketh alive. In Genesis it is written that the earth was without form and void, and darkness covered the face of the deep. "And God said, Let there be light, and there was light." We may take this in a physical sense and say that it means the light of the sun and the moon; but it means more than that, because the sun and the moon were not created until the fifth day. Symbolically, that is, spiritually, the "earth" represents the personal consciousness and the "light" that which perceives and knows. It is universally conceded that it is the mind that sees.
Metaphysicians understand the law by which we carry our bodies in mind, and how we change them by changing our minds. Get a right understanding of man -- who he is and what his powers are -- and all things shall be added unto you. The question is primarily to get the"light" and through it to make connection with the Infinite Resource, Some people poise themselves in the outer, and think that in some intellectual way, by some philosophy that has to do with the occult, they will get the "light," But they find only a temporary, reflected light, because they have not sought and made connection with the Supreme Light. Seek the Most High, and then you will know the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world of Truth.
Sunday, August 3, 1919: John 4:1-10
What is the well of living water in man? The well of living water is the fount of inner inspiration within man's consciousness, which, when the seal is broken, flows forth peacefully, majestically — vitalizing and renewing mind and body. In this clear light of Truth, we are conscious that life is never-changing, eternal.
What is the meaning of the Word Samaria? What is the meaning of the word Sychar? The meaning of the word Samaria is watchtower. It [unreadable] highest point of the intellectual perception of Truth. Sychar signifies a mixed state of consciousness.
What kind of well do these states of mind draw from? They draw from Jacob's well, which represents a personal concept of Truth.
What does the Samaritan woman signify? The Samaritan woman signifies that faculty in man "which first perceives the Truth as taught by Jesus; that soul power which is seeking something higher than the -traditional religion, and joyfully welcomes the first glimpse of spiritual light.
August 3, 1919: John 4:19-24
What was the Truth taught by Jesus? Jesus taught the universal Truth; he taught the way to the indwelling well of Truth, and how each may draw from this inexhaustible Source light, life, satisfaction, whatever the need may be.
What did Jesus mean when he said, "Salvation is from the Jews?" The Jews represent spiritual understanding, inspiration; the Gentiles represent material understanding. Salvation comes only through spiritual inspiration; " God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Sunday, March 7, 1920: John 4:7-21
What is one of the great powers of Divine Love? Divine Love is a magnet; it is the propelling power which brings to us the innermost cravings of the heart without any material aid, it draws from within the depths of being, that which alone can quench the thirst and satisfy.
What does the Samaritan woman here at Jacob's well represent in man? She represents the soul (Eve, the mother of all life). She is a Samaritan, or double minded, and is open to both the mortal and to the spiritual.
Why should Christ, the spiritual I AM, want to drink from the soul consciousness? In order to lift up the life and the love therein expressed, the Christ must touch it with spiritual understanding. As it is the warm rays of the sun that awaken the life in the seed and cause the plant to grow so it is the touch of love in the heart that quickens the consciousness and awakens it to an understanding of the pure spiritual life.
Why did this woman say "Give me this water that I thirst not"? The soul is always reaching out for an enduring life, and even because the life, and when it is revealed in Spirit, it's eagerly lays hold of it.
Who is the husband of the soul? Thy maker is thy husband; Jehovah of Hosts is his name. This means that the Christ is the real consort of the soul.
Who were the five husbands that the woman had had? They were the temporary alliances the soul had made through the five senses, but were not real.
Who was the one she was then living with? Spiritual discernment says, "Intuition." She had developed an intuitional consciousness of Spirit, but it was not the true Christ consciousness.
What is the high point in the lesson? "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers." "God is ... Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
August 31, 1924: John 4:7-14
What does the "woman of Samaria" represent? The Samaritans were a mixed race, both in blood amd in religion. Metaphysically, the "woman of Samaria" represents the feminine quality of man aspiring io the understanding of Truth, but drawing most of its understanding from the intellect instead of from Spirit.
Why did Jesus say to this woman: "Give me to drink"? Man, represented by Jesus, draws inspiration (water) through many avenues. The feminine, or intuitional side of man's soul is one of the main sources of inspiration.
Why was the Samaritan woman surprised that I Jesus should ask her for a drink — "For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans"? The feminine quality of the soul does not have the, full understanding of Truth. It is necessary that man educate his soul by proclaiming his I AM identity and; that he is the source of the absolute spiritual inspiration, or living water.
Why did the woman, question Jesus' ability to draw water, saying that he had nothing to draw with and that the well was deep? Why did she ask: "Art thou greater than our father Jacob," and so forth? The soul functions on a plane somewhat higher than the material, but it has no real concept of the absolute, the spiritual. It questions and doubts the ability of the I AM to draw its inspiration direct from the fountain-head — Spirit.
What is the meaning of: "but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life"? The inspiration (water) which the I AM gives to the soul establishes a center of consciousness that is connected with the eternal life idea. One who fulfills the law, through Christ, and lays hold of eternal life, will never thirst again — that is, that one will be satisfied.
August 31, 1924: John 4:24-26
In verse 24, according to this translation, Jesus said, "God is a Spirit." Is this correct? Nearly all Bible authorities say that the translation should read "God is Spirit." This rendition is also in the margin of the American Revised Version. So we believe that Jesus understood God to be not a particular spirit, but Spirit universal.
The woman, or intuitional side of the soul, perceives that there is a superior consciousness to come (as explained in verse 25) How does spiritual man, the I AM, reveal this promised Messiah or Christ? Man, the I AM, when he discerns his real spiritual character, proclaims to his soul: "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."
August 31, 1924: John 4:31-35
Jesus said to his disciples: I have meat to eat that ye know not" Explain. When man enters into the realization of his spiritual being he begins to draw upon the inexhaustible resource of Spirit. Instead of working for the food (meat) that gives temporary life, he begins to carry out the divine law and he immediately appropriates from the omnipresent realms of Spirit whatever he needs. He does not depend upon seedtime and harvest, but he enters into the realization that the harvest has already taken place and that his work is to make it manifest: "Lift up your eyes, and look on he fields, that they are white already unto harvest."
January 24, 1926: John 4:13-26
What does the "woman of Samaria" represent? The Samaritans were a mixed race, both in blood and in religion. Metaphysically, the "woman of Samaria" represents that phase of the soul nature in man which aspires to the understanding of Truth, but which draws most of its understanding from the intellect instead of from Spirit.
To what did Jesus refer when he promised that the water that he should give would spring up into eternal life in one who drank it? Jesus referred to spiritual water (spiritual understanding), which is quickened and begins to flow in the consciousness of one who acknowledges the presence and the life-giving power of Spirit within.
What did Jesus mean when he said: "Go, call thy husband, and come hither"? The woman represents the feminine quality of the soul. The husband a directive power of the soul in the intellect. The Samaritan woman's response to Jesus, that she had no husband, indicates that she had but little intellectual development.
Give the meaning of Jesus' statement, "For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly." The five husbands to whom this soul had been attached are the five senses. Jesus, who represents Truth, discerned that the woman (soul) had not the understanding of the true, but was being guided by a psychic force, which was not her true husband.
What is the meaning of this statement: "but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life"? The inspiration (water) which the I AM gives to the soul establishes a center of consciousness that is connected with the eternal-life idea. One who fulfills the law, through Christ, and lays hold of eternal life, will never thirst again -- that is, he will be satisfied that he has found the law of right living.
In verse 24, according to this translation, Jesus said, "God is a Spirit." Is this correct? Nearly all Bible authorities say that the translation should read "God is Spirit." This rendition is also in the margin of the American Revised Version. So we believe that Jesus understood God to be not a particular spirit, but Spirit universal.
The woman, or intuitional side of the soul, perceives that there is a superior consciousness to come (as explained in verse 25) How does spiritual man, the I AM, reveal this promised Messiah or Christ? When the real man, the I AM, discerns his real spiritual character, he proclaims it to his subconscious (soul): "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."
In a succeeding verse in this chapter Jesus aid to his disciples: "I have meat to eat that ye know not." Explain. When man enters into the realization of his spiritual being he begins to draw upon the inexhaustible resource of Spirit. Instead of working for the food (meat) that gives temporary life, he begins to carry out the divine law and he immediately appropriates from the omnipresent realms of Spirit whatever he needs. He does not depend upon seedtime and harvest, but he enters into the realization that the harvest has already taken place and that his work is to make it manifest: "Lift up your eyes, and look on he fields, that they are white already unto harvest."
November 10, 1929: John 4:20, 21
What was Jesus teaching when He told the woman at the well that the hour would come when she would worship the Father, "neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem"? Jesus was instructing the woman at the well concerning the only locality where God can be contacted by the mind of man; that locality is within one's own soul. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you."
Sunday, January 24, 1932: John 4:9-26
What does the "woman of Samaria" represent? The Samaritans were a mixed race, both in blood and in religion. Metaphysically, the "woman of Samaria" represents that phase of the soul nature in man which aspires to the understanding of Truth, but which draws most of its understanding from the intellect instead of from Spirit.
In a preceding verse Jesus said to the woman of Samaria, "Give me to drink." Please explain. Man, represented by Jesus, draws inspiration (water) through many avenues. The feminine, or intuitional, side of man's soul is one of the main sources of inspiration.
Why was the Samaritan woman surprised that Jesus should ask her for a drink? The feminine quality of the soul does not have the full understanding of Truth. It is necessary that man educate his soul by proclaiming his I AM identity and by realizing that the source of absolute spiritual inspiration, or living water, is within him.
Why did the woman question Jesus' ability to draw water, saying that He had nothing to draw with and that the well was deep? The soul functions on a plan somewhat higher than the material, but it has no real concept of the absolute, the spiritual. It questions and doubts the ability of the I AM to draw its inspiration direct from the fountainhead - Spirit.
What is the meaning of the words "but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life"? The inspiration (water) that the I AM gives to the soul establishes in the center of consciousness that is connected with the eternal-life idea. One who fulfills the law, through Christ, and lays hold of eternal life will never thirst again; that is, that one will be satisfied.
In the 24th verse, according to this translation, Jesus said, "God is a Spirit." Is this correct? Nearly all Bible authorities say that the translation should read "God is Spirit." This rendition is also in the margin of the American Revised Version. So we believe that Jesus understood God to be not a particular spirit, but Spirit universal.
The woman, or intuitional side of the soul, perceives that there is a superior consciousness to come (as explained in the 25th verse). How does man, the I AM, reveal this promised Messiah or Christ? Man, the I AM, when he discerns his real spiritual character, proclaims it to his soul. "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."
December 4, 1932: John 4:5-10
What is the chief end of man? The chief end of man is to harmonize his thoughts and to unify them with the Christ mind.
Is there in the mind a mixture of true and erroneous thoughts? Yes. Both true and erroneous are found in the majority of those seeking the light of Truth.
How shall we correct the confusion caused by this mixture of truth and error? We must have a focal point of spiritual understanding, and a standard by which to work. Such a standard is given to us in Jesus Christ.
What is the meaning of Samaria and Sychar? Samaria symbolizes intellectual perception, and Sychar means a "drunken foolish."
What this meant metaphysically by "near to the partial of ground the Jacob gave to his son Joseph?" Jacob represents the I AM (as does Jesus) and Joseph represents the imagination, while the ground represents substance. The passage means that the confusion is located in the front brain, where ideas are transformed into mine substance.
"Jacobs well was there." Explain. Water represents the spiritual substance, by which the mind is vitalized.
What does the woman of Samaria represent? She represents the feminine face of the soul and the affectional nature; also the psychic realm which needs clarifying by Spirit (water).
Why did Jesus, the I AM, ask a drink of the Samaritan woman, who is one of a mixed race that was despised by the Jews? The work of Jesus, the I AM, is to reconcile all that seems alien or that is in opposition to Truth. As Jesus was baptized by John, so here he makes contact with that which is this up and saves. The Samaritan woman had been getting her understanding from a mixed doctrine - both good and evil. She represents Eve eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Jesus reveals to her the "living water," the quickening Spirit.
June 2, 1935: John 4:20-24
Do forms, ceremonies, or special localities have power to make God known to us? These things are unknown in the realm of Spirit. Satisfaction is found by the Christ-minded in the formless life and substance.
Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, "Salvation is from the Jews." Interpret this statement. The Jews represent spiritual understanding, inspiration; the Gentiles, material understanding. Salvation comes only through spiritual inspiration.
What is communion with God? To commune with God is to have a consciousness of the Holy One and of oneself as a part of the universal unity.
Is communion with God an active or a passive relation? In communion with God man's mind and heart are active. Divine Mind is a living principle, and its works are posi- tive and constructive.
If man presumptuous in claiming divine wisdom? Claiming divine wisdom is simple obedience to the divine law. "If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Does our word commit us as definitely as our deed? Our spoken word is as clear an expression of ourselves as our deeds. "Whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed" puts both in the class of sets oi will.
October 9, 1938: John 4:19-24
What is it to worship in spirit and truth? To keep the mind and soul in tune with the Spirit of love, good will, wisdom, and peace is to worship in spirit and truth.
Sunday, January 17, 1943: John 4:27-42
What is the I AM, and what is its function? The I AM is God's name in man. It is the spiritual man whom God made in His image and likeness. Its function includes the lifting of the soul out of its mixed consciousness of good and evil, and the establishing of it in the consciousness of the good only.
What does the Samaritan woman represent? She represents the psyche or soul nature in which Truth and error are intermingled.
What is the "gift of God" to which Jesus referred as unknown to the woman? It is the inspiration of spirit or life indeed. "He would have given thee living water."
What metaphysical import attaches to the statement "Jews have no dealings with Samaritans"? Jews represent represent the religious nature and the Samaritans a mixed consciousness of good and evil or the religious and the worldly. The religious nature should be without taint of worldliness if it is to lead us on the way to perfection by by way of unity.
Why does the one who is inspired by the Spirit of the Christ not "thirst"? Because the Spirit of the Christ gives true and lasting satisfaction to everyone who expresses it.
Why did Jesus appeal to the psychic side of the woman's nature? In sense consciousness the soul can be approached by way of the psychic nature when it does not respond to anything higher. Jesus gained the woman's interest and attention by this means and was then in a position to teach her the truth of the Christ.
Why is the psychic sometimes mistaken for the spiritual? Because the psychic penetrates beneath the surface of conscious knowledge its so-called revelations are sometimes mistaken for spiritual enlightenment. The psychic realm is not the true source of wisdom. It is limited in scope and is subject to exploitation by those who are willing to profit by their knowledge of subconscious forces in undertaking to enlighten others with the half light that they themselves have.
What meaning underlies the words "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest"? In the exalted state of mind that characterizes the Christ consciousness we see clearly the work to be done in our life before we can be "perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." As long as one remains in sense consciousness this harvest lies untouched awaiting the awakening of the reaper.
In what way do we enter into the labor of others? We profit by the experience and the example of those who have labored before us. We inherit the truth that they have brought to light, and we go on from this point instead of having to pioneer from the beginning.
October 9, 1943 John 4:23,24
What does worship "in spirit and truth" include? It includes reverence for all that is good, true, and lasting, in fact all of God that can rightly or aptly be applied to mankind. Whatever falls within this classification is included in the human aspects of divine law.
January 26, 1947: John 4:4-10
What is "living water"? It is the inspiration of the Christ springing up in the mind to satisfy our thirst for Truth and our longing for knowledge of God.
In what respect are most persons Samaritans? Most persons have a mixed consciousness of good and evil. The Samaritan woman represents the psychic or soul nature in which Truth and error are intermingled.
Is inspiration communicable? Highly so. It can be communicated by a word, a look, or an inspiring act, or by a life serenely and truly lived. Whatever elevates the thoughts of another breathes into him new life and spiritual power.
What frees the soul from error? Nothing but Truth, and this it finds in the Christ consciousness.
What is signified by the statement "Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans"? In their highest aspect the Jews symbolize divine ideas or spiritual consciousness, which has no connection with a mixed consciousness of both good and evil.
What is signified by the request that Jesus made of the Samaritan woman for a drink? That spiritual life is universal. The Christ seeks to awaken the latent spiritual life in those who are ready to receive illumination, but are as yet spir- itually unawakened.
What affords an adequate answer to the legitimate questions of the soul? Eternal life, nothing less.
January 26, 1947: John 4:27-30
Are the convictions of the soul a trustworthy guide to the Christ consciousness? They are when the soul is inspired by the Christ, but not otherwise. Each one must determine the foundation of his faith within himself.
January 25, 1947 John 4:39-42
Is the soul always acknowledged by the faculties? No. The faculties sometimes discredit the soul, marveling that it has any relation to the Christ Spirit, "Upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman."
November 19, 1950: John 4:19-24
Where is true worship offered? In no set locality but in spirit and "truth, that is in the mind and heart.
When will wholly formless worship become possible? It is possible now, as it has always been. Faith in God and love of God have always been not only possible to be but impossible not to be in the heart of the sincere thinker and seeker after God. "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father."
"God is a Spirit." What does this mean? The universe and all that exists is permeated with a divine essence that is of an immaterial but at the same time a very real nature. We call it God or Absolute Good, the highest attribute the human mind can conceive of. We call it love, for we ourselves know no deeper, more lasting feeling than, love. We call it Divine Mind, because the wisdom that holds the universe in suspension surpasses our comprehension while it commands our wonder. We call it almighty power, because we too have a certain control of power, and we recognize the transcendency of the power that is infinite. All this and more is the Spirit that we call God.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 4:43-54
4:43And after the two days he went forth from thence into Galilee. 4:44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country. 4:45So when he came into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. 4:46He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 4:47When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. 4:48Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe. 4:49The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 4:50Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. The man believed the word that Jesus spake unto him, and he went his way. 4:51And as he was now going down, his servants met him, saying, that his son lived. 4:52So he inquired of them the hour when he began to amend. They said therefore unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 4:53So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 4:54This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judaea into Galilee.
March 9, 1919 John 4:43-54
What is the meaning of "Judaea," of "Galilee"? "Judaea" is the land of Judah, "Judah" means "praise of God; confession." "Galilee" means "wheel; circuit."
How does praise enable one to enter into divine consciousness? The I AM (Jesus) dwelling in "praise of God" (Judaea), identifies one with God-thoughts, and leads one out into greater expression of Divine power.
What is the meaning of Jesus' statement "a prophet hath no honor in his own country"? Jesus' statement that "a prophet hath no honor in his own country," shows that the personal consciousness must be redeemed before it can receive the things of Spirit. Men do not honor God through exalting the personality.
What, in consciousness, does Jesus' entrance into "Galilee" represent? Jesus' entrance into "Galilee" represents the increased activity of the Truth coming down into the subconscious, and bringing about the realization of Christhood, after personality has been denied, and praise of God has been set up.
What, in consciousness, do the "Galileans" represent? The "Galileans" represent spiritual perception and faith, the illumined thoughts which exalt the Christ, having received the Truth "at the feast" of spiritual communion and appropriation.
Explain the significance of the "nobleman's" coming to Jesus. The nobleman," representing exalted thoughts, makes more direct contact with Divine Mind, and so seeks to have the healing power brought to bear upon that activity in the subconscious (son, at Capernaum), which is apparently dying, losing sight of the Life and Substance necessary for its perfect expression.
Why did Jesus refuse to go down to the sick child? In doing its quickening, healing work, the spiritual I AM does not direct its force into the realm of effects, nor give weight to adverse appearances, but calmly and deliberately declares the Truth. The subconscious receives the Word and is comforted, healed. The bodily activities (servants) bear witness to the Truth that harmony and order are restored; "the father knew . . . himself believed, and his whole house."
September 7, 1924: John 4:46-54
What is the metaphysical meaning of Jesus' coming "again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine"? Galilee represents the universal vibratory energy and life in which we all live; Cana, "a place of reeds," represents the power center in the throat, where we concentrate when we control the life forces. Water represents the nerve fluids into which we infuse spirit- [unreadable] and thereby transmute, the water into a higher form of life (wine). (See lesson 6 August 10).
What is represented by: "And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick, at Capernaum"? Capernaum represents the abdominal region, and the nobleman stands for the ruling ego in that department of man's consciousness. Capernaum represents the Egypt of the Old Testament; the nobleman represents Pharaoh. The sick son represents a state of inharmony.
What is represented by the nobleman's beseeching Jesus to come down and heal his son, and Jesus' response: "Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe"? The prevailing consciousness in the abdominal region is materialistic. It wants phenomenal evidence of Truth — "signs and wonders." But this center of consciousness is quickened in the regeneration, and longs for the healing power of the higher self, Jesus. "Sir, come down ere my child die."
When the appeal for help is made and faith in the higher power is affirmed, what follows? The inner consciousness of life is felt, and the return of normal activity follows. "The man believed the word that Jesus spake unto him, and he went his way."
Can healing by the power of the Word be done by a metaphysician for another person? Yes. Absent healing is being done today, and thousands of people are being healed through the power of the silently spoken Word.
How is the healing accomplished by Christian healers? The followers of Jesus develop spiritual power. By silent meditation and prayer they quicken in themselves the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Paul said: "Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Through the Christ mind, which is the higher self of every one of us, we can reach the spiritual minds of all people, and can harmonize the mentality of those who are in discord and disease.
Do Christian healers in this day have evidence that the healing takes place at the very time that they speak the Word? Yes. Again and again those who are doing the works that Jesus did are told by the ones under treatment that the power of the word was felt and that restoration took place while the word was spoken. We thus have daily proof that we can do the works that Jesus did by entering into the kingdom of the heavens, which is within our consciousness.
February 2, 1947 John 4:46-51
How is the greatest power expressed? Silently. For example, in nature the irresistible power of gravity is exerted silently. Spiritual power likewise is silent in its action.
In most cases what precedes physical healing? Removal of the spiritual inharmony or wrong thought that became manifest as the imperfect physical condition.
What are some proper expressions of the power of the Christ? Pure thinking and pure living. The power of Jesus was based on these, and He more than once deprecated signs and wonders.
Among works of power how does the healing of the sick by spiritual means rank? First. Jesus healed the sick by His word - spoken in the full consciousness of power. He advised His disciples to continue this work.
What does absent healing prove? The power of the Christ to remove spiritual limitations. "With Jesus a favorite way o£ removing them was forgiveness: "Thy sins are forgiven." It also shows that healing is not limited by time or space.
Transcribed by Mark on 11-28-2013
