Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Luke Chapter 11
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 11:1-4
11:1And it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, that when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples.11:2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say,
Father, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
11:3Give us day by day our daily bread.
11:4And forgive us our sins;
for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us.
And bring us not into temptation.
June 16, 1946: Luke 11:1-4
To what is prayer essential? To entrance into the kingdom and to remaining in it. Prayer puts us in harmony with Divine Mind, and to be in harmony with Divine Mind is to be in the kingdom of God.
What should we recognize and acknowledge in prayer? Our dependence on God, the Father, for the gift of life and all that life implies, as well as the truth that we know forgiveness only as we forgive others.
Does the prayer that we be kept from temptation contemplate freedom from all tests and effort on our part? On the contrary, it means that we are to be upheld in all our tests by a consciousness of divine power and love. Our efforts should be unceasing, for only then do we grow strong.
March 20, 1949: Luke 11:1-4
Are the words in which we express our prayers as important as the state of mind in which we pray? No. Faith and gratitude, acknowledgment of All-Power, and reverent expectation are more important than the words that we use, although these too are important and should be carefully chosen to express only Truth.
“Thy kingdom come.” How do we help to bring an answer to this prayer? The kingdom of Truth comes into manifestation in so far as we recognize and acknowledge it to be the foundation of the unmanifested world of spiritual Truth. We bring it into manifestation in our life and affairs by means of our faith.
How do we receive an adequate supply of our daily needs (our daily bread)? By realizing that all our needs are supplied from the universal storehouse, and by holding that the kingdom of Truth is now made manifest.
Does God ever bring us into temptation? No. We fall into temptation when we allow ourselves to lose consciousness of God within us as ever-present power, might, love, and wisdom. As long as we are conscious of God and trust actively in divine love, we cannot be tempted by evil.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 11:5-13
11:5And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 11:6for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; 11:7and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee? 11:8I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.
11:9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 11:10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11:11And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent? 11:12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? 11:13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
July 22, 1906: Luke 11:1-13
To one in the understanding of Truth, prayer is an affirmation of that which is in Being. Why the necessity of the prayer or affirmation if it already is? In order that the creative law of the Word may be fulfilled. All things are in God as potentialities. It is man's share in the creative law to bring to manifestation the unmanifest. Everybody should pray. Through prayer we develop the highest phase of character and it softens and refines the whole man. A prominent skeptic once said that the most unattractive thing in existence was a prayerless woman.
Prayer is not supplication, nor begging, but a simple asking for, and affirmation of that which we know is waiting for us at the hands of our Father. The prayer which Jesus gave as a model is simplicity itself. There is none of that awe-inspiring “Oh, Thou!” which ministers affect in public prayer, but the ordinary informal request of a son to his father for things needed.
“Father, Hallowed be thy name.” Here is a recognition of the all-inclusiveness and completeness of Divine Mind. Everything has its sustenance from this one source, therefore “The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.”
We need supplies for the day only. Hoarding for future necessities breeds selfishness. The children of Israel tried to save the manna but it spoiled on their hands.
The law, “As a man soweth so shall he reap,” is here shorn of its terrors. If we forgive others we shall be forgiven, and the penalty of suffering for sins will be eliminated. It does not seem possible that God would lead us into temptation. This clause follows closely that of the forgiveness of sin, and it is evidently a part of it. Let not temptation lead us, is a permissible interpretation.
Jesus advised asking for what we want, and being persistent in our demands. People ignorant of the relation in which man stands to God wonder why he should ask, and even importune, a Father who has provided all things for him. This is explained when we perceive that God is a Great Mind Reservoir that has to be tapped by man's mind, and through his thought or word poured into visibility. If the mind of man is clogged with doubt, lethargy or fear, he must through his persistent knocking and asking open the way. “Pray without ceasing.”
“Be ye instant in prayer.” Acquire in prayer a facility in asking equal to the expert mathematician's swiftness in handling numbers, and you will get responses in like proportion.
We give our children what we consider good gifts, from our limited and transitory plane, but when the gifts of God are put into our minds we have possessions that are eternal and will go on producing for all time.
March 15, 1936: Luke 11:1-13
Define prayer, and explain what we accomplish through it. Prayer is the sincere desire of the soul translated by our thought into the realm of cause. The language of adoration and aspiration, prayer enables us to express ourselves as spiritual beings.
What is the abundant life, and how is it realized? The life that is elevated in thought and feeling above the level of sense consciousness is the abundant life. Elevation of thought and feeling is found in prayer.
Is prayer instinctive, or a habit that man must acquire? In a sense, man's nature is to aspire to something better than the personal, limited self-expression and to pray for its realization. However, he must learn, by practicing the presence of God in prayer, the combination of faith and true understanding that make his prayer effectual.
Why do we return thanks before eating food? When we return thanks for our food, we raise the appropriation of substance by the body to the plane of gratitude, appreciation, and praise, and give the act of eating spiritual significance.
In order to pray effectually must one be learned? The requirements of effectual prayer are faith on man's part in the reality of the spiritual kingdom [and] in his power to make contact with it, and an earnest desire to do so. The unlearned can easily meet these requirements.
What is the meaning of the prayer “Hallowed be thy name”? The Holy Spirit or the universal consciousness is recognized in this prayer as the true and abiding state.
Interpret the prayer “Give us this day our daily bread.” This prayer is an acknowledgment that all our needs are supplied in the inner kingdom. Through faith in the reality of this kingdom we gain understanding, and rise above uncertainty and doubt.
Why must we forgive in order to be forgiven? Forgiveness opens mind and heart to the free-flowing love of God. Under the equilibrium of divine law one cannot receive more than one gladly and willingly gives.
Since the Father knows our needs before we ask him, why is persistent prayer necessary? To make contact with the Father's kingdom we must concentrate all our thoughts on it. Concentration comes only through faithful, consistent practice.
- UNITY magazine.
Sunday, December 15, 1940: Luke 11:1-13
What is true prayer? Prayer is a continuing consciousness of God gained through communion in thought with divine Spirit.
What power has the spoken name of God to change man when man hallows that name in his thought? The speaking of the name of God elevates man's thought, lifting him above doubt, discouragement, and all forms of inharmony into constructive thinking and living.
What do we mean when we pray, “Thy kingdom come”? By this prayer we pledge our effort to usher in the Christ kingdom of love and peace here and now.
What does daily bread include? It covers all our wants, physical, mental, and spiritual. When we pray for daily bread it is in full faith and confidence that our needs are already supplied in the invisible.
On what does the forgiveness of sins depend? It depends on the measure in which man forgives others and opens the way for the forgiving Christ life and love to flood his entire being.
Why do we pray, “Bring us not into temptation”? Through the exercise of free will it is possible for us to misdirect the divine power, the good omnipotent, in its passage through the mind and heart, so that it issues in temptation or perverted desire. We pray to be delivered from this state.
What is the importunate prayer? The prayer that man holds constantly in mind, allowing nothing to distract his attention from it until it is realized.
Why does man sometimes fail to receive what he asks for? Because of his lack of understanding. He tries to obtain spiritual good through the personal consciousness which is an impossibility.
What do we mean when we pray, “Thy will be done”? By this prayer we realize that the divine will for man is good, and we have faith and confidence that what is for our best good is assured.
March 20, 1949: Luke 11:9-13
Are asking and receiving part of the law? Yes. Asking is the first step and receiving the second. Whether we receive exactly what we ask for and according as we ask depends on the degree of faith with which we ask and the wisdom of our request. Divine wisdom gives good gifts, but we do not always use wisdom in asking.
What is proved when we ask for good and seem to receive “evil”? That we have not yet learned how to ask aright or that we have not yet seen the good in what seems at the time to be evil.
October 22, 1950: Luke 11:9-15
What does God freely give us? God gives us the Holy Spirit, through which “the things of God” become ours.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 11:14-23
11:14And he was casting out a demon that was dumb. And it came to pass, when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spake; and the multitudes marvelled. 11:15But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.11:16And others, trying him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 11:17But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 11:18And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 11:19And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 11:20But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. 11:21When the strong man fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace: 11:22but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 11:23He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 11:24-26
11:24The unclean spirit when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, I will turn back unto my house whence I came out.11:25And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. 11:26Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 11:27-28
11:27And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck. 11:28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 11:29-32
11:29And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation: it seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah. 11:30For even as Jonah became a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. 11:31The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here. 11:32The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 11:33-36
11:33No man, when he hath lighted a lamp, putteth it in a cellar, neither under the bushel, but on the stand, that they which enter in may see the light. 11:34The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 11:35Look therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness. 11:36If therefore thy whole body be full of light, having no part dark, it shall be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining doth give thee light.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 11:37-54
11:37Now as he spake, a Pharisee asketh him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. 11:38And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first bathed himself before dinner. 11:39And the Lord said unto him, Now ye the Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. 11:40Ye foolish ones, did not he that made the outside make the inside also? 11:41But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.
11:42But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 11:43Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces. 11:44Woe unto you! for ye are as the tombs which appear not, and the men that walk over them know it not.
11:45And one of the lawyers answering saith unto him, Teacher, in saying this thou reproachest us also. 11:46And he said, Woe unto you lawyers also! for ye load men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. 11:47Woe unto you! for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 11:48So ye are witnesses and consent unto the works of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build their tombs. 11:49Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send unto them prophets and apostles; and some of them they shall kill and persecute; 11:50that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 11:51from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary: yea, I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation. 11:52Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
11:53And when he was come out from thence, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things; 11:54laying wait for him, to catch something out of his mouth.
March 15, 1931: Luke 11:42-46
What is the Scriptural name of those who follow the letter of religion instead of the spirit? Pharisees.
Are there Pharisees in this day? Yes. Those who interpret the Scriptures literally, those who personalize God, Christ, the Devil, and who localize heaven and hell, are the Pharisees of the present time. Spiritual things must be spiritually discerned and interpreted.
How may we detect the Pharisee in ourselves? It is the Pharisee in us that causes us to love the forms and ceremonies of religion. It is the Pharisee in us that refuses to go deep into the consciousness and cleanse the inner man. It is the Pharisee in us that is ambitious for temporal honors, and that loves to be saluted with high-sounding titles. It is the Pharisaical thoughts that exalt and sustain personality.
How shall we overcome the organizing, materializing, crystallizing tendency of the Pharisee in ourselves? We can overcome the Pharisee in ourselves by receiving continuously new inspiration from the original fount of Being within us, and by refusing to be bound mentally by old, effete religious thoughts.
April 19, 1942: Luke 11:37-48
What is the Pharisaic state of mind, and what substance has it to offer to the Christ idea of man? The Pharisaic state of mind causes the one harboring it to love the forms and ceremonies of religion. The Christ idea is absolute good devoted to the service of man, therefore it is the soul of religion. The Pharisee in us cannot nourish or sustain the spiritual ideal of religion. He can only give us the record of religious teaching as it was discerned by spiritual-minded men in the past.
What does the Christ idea give to the Pharisee? It gives Truth by pointing out that the inner life is the reality and the outer is but the manifestation of the inner.
How can anyone “give for alms those things which are within”? By showing consideration, forethought, good will, self-forgetfulness, and the other qualities that bring joy, comfort, or satisfaction to others. Every inner quality can be given expression in service to others and will at the same time benefit the one expressing it.
How can “justice and the love of God” be tithed? By giving a regular portion of our thought and attention to those who have been unjustly dealt with or who have met hard and embittering experiences that nothing but love can erase from mind and heart.
Why is the Pharisaic state of mind like “the tombs which appear not”? Because it is filled with lifeless, outworn beliefs of which the person harboring them may not be conscious and which he may not express at all in words. Nevertheless these beliefs remain in the subconsciousness of the Pharisaic person and retard his spiritual progress.
What do the lawyers who “load men with burdens grievous to be borne” represent? They represent the perceptive faculties that have a grasp of the law of life but that lack the imagination, good will, and generosity to extend their understanding to the whole man. He who knows what is good for him but who fails to pursue this good is burdened with a heavier load than he who does not know what is for his own good.
Whom do we understand today by those who “build the tombs of the prophets”? They are those who regard vision and the understanding of spiritual truth as belonging to a past age and who think these cannot be a present possession. All who think that the revelation of Truth is a closed chapter are tomb builders.
April 19, 1942: Luke 11:52-54
Who takes away the key of knowledge? Those who do not admit that the mind of man is free always to delve beneath the surface and bring up new truth, interpreting it in terms intelligible to itself.
Is our understanding of Truth endangered by the Pharisaic state of mind in us? It is, because the Pharisaic state of mind is opposed to Truth and assumes superior authority by virtue of its having the weight of majority opinion and acceptance in its favor. Whenever it can do so, it assails the original perception of Truth in us and seeks to destroy it.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-20-2014
