Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Luke Chapter 6
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 6:1-5
6:1Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 6:2But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day? 6:3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him; 6:4how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone? 6:5And he said unto them, The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 6:6-11
6:6And it came to pass on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man there, and his right hand was withered. 6:7And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find how to accuse him. 6:8But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man that had his hand withered, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 6:9And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it? 6:10And he looked round about on them all, and said unto him, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored. 6:11But they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 6:12-16
6:12And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God. 6:13And when it was day, he called his disciples; and he chose from them twelve, whom also he named apostles:6:14Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, 6:15and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 6:16and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor;
February 20, 1949: Luke 6:12-16
In assembling the faculties what form of preparation is most useful? Prayer. In times of confusion and uncertainty (night) prayer calms and steadies the thoughts and gives the wider perspective of spiritual vision.
Does the exercise of choice require spiritual vision? Choosing aright requires vision; otherwise our decisions are subject to error and resulting confusion.
How can we be sure of choosing aright? When prayer and meditation have calmed our mind sufficiently for us to see all the factors involved in a problem and to view them dispassionately (“when it was day”), we can be sure of choosing aright.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 6:17-19
6:17and he came down with them, and stood on a level place, and a great multitude of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judaea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 6:18and they that were troubled with unclean spirits were healed. 6:19And all the multitude sought to touch him; for power came forth from him, and healed them all.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 6:20-26
6:20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said,
Blessed are ye poor:
for yours is the kingdom of God.
6:21Blessed are ye that hunger now:
for ye shall be filled.
Blessed are ye that weep now:
for ye shall laugh.6:22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.6:23Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
6:24But woe unto you that are rich!
for ye have received your consolation.
6:25Woe unto you, ye that are full now!
for ye shall hunger.
Woe unto you, ye that laugh now!
for ye shall mourn and weep.6:26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
October 27, 1940: Luke 6:21,25
Why are the hungry Blessed? Lack spurs man to seek supply, and “he that seeketh findeth.” He who discovers the divine law of abundance is blessed, whatever the road by which he approaches it.
Does the same principle apply to weeping and laughter? It does. Grief causes one to seek comfort from the God of all comfort, and since all supply is in God the grief-stricken make contact with joy and gladness and need sorrow no more.
Why is woe pronounced upon those who know no lack and on those who are carefree and happy? A state of material well-being and absence of responsibility tend to make man conscious of externals only, so that he easily loses touch with the inner realm that is the real source of supply. When this occurs he soon falls again into the consciousness of lack and sorrow.
February 22, 1942: Luke 6:12-26
How are the faculties quickened and brought into fuller expression? Through the I AM anyone may identify himself with faith, strength, wisdom, love, zeal, and the other faculties that characterize the well-rounded character, and by recognizing and using, them consciously may express them more fully.
What part has prayer in collecting the faculties in preparation for developing them consciously? Prayer is necessary to man, when he wishes to collect his thoughts, analyze his motives, and direct both consciously, instead of allowing them to drift aimlessly and be spent to no purpose.
“And when it was day, he called his disciples.” Of what is this statement a symbol? Of the mental clarification that prayer brings to man. It is as day following upon night. Jesus spent an entire night in prayer before choosing His disciples.
How do prayer and meditation affect the faculty of power in man? They greatly increase this faculty. After a night of prayer on the mountain Jesus was so conscious of power that it “came forth from him, and healed them all.”
What does the mountain in this case represent? It represents exaltation of mind and soul. Exaltation comes through prayer and uninterrupted communion with God and an examination of one's aims and purposes in the light of the divine will.
What follows upon a period of exaltation? A return to the practical round of every day. After a season of prayer and the choosing of His disciples, Jesus came down from the mountain “and stood on a level place.”
Of what value then is exaltation? It makes possible the application of Truth in a practical way to all one's life and affairs. “A great multitude of his disciples” (all the awakened faculties of the spiritually quickened man) “together with a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon” (thoughts of peace and of praise, as well as the realm of sensation) “came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases.”
What is the essence of the teaching that Jesus gave to His disciples and the multitudes on this occasion? He taught them the law of compensation and by simple statements contrasted man's outer fortunes with his inner blessings. No condition of man is so deplorable as to be void of all blessing, provided he holds fast to the constructive state of mind.
Is it true that all things, by a kind of fate, come in rotation and that man cannot avoid the round of good and evil or evil and good? It is true only in appearance. Those who now enjoy material blessings may avoid the evil here prophesied by keeping in mind the true cause, in thought, feeling, and understanding. It is only when they center their thought in materiality, that they bring “woe” upon themselves.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 6:27-36
6:27But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, 6:28bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you. 6:29To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also. 6:30Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 6:31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
6:32And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them. 6:33And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for even sinners do the same. 6:34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? even sinners lend to sinners, to receive again as much. 6:35But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. 6:36Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Sunday, January 9, 1927: Luke 6:27-38
Today's lesson is a part of the Sermon on the Mount. What state of consciousness does that sermon represent? The Sermon on the Mount represents a state of high spiritual understanding, expressing the law of the Absolute.
Can we love our enemies and do good to them that hate us? Yes. We can do so when we come into an understanding of the laws of the Absolute, when we realize the truth that God is love and that all persons are God in manifestation.
How can we bless and pray for them that despitefully use us? We can bless and pray for them that despitefully use us by realizing first that the spiritual man within each individual is one with the Source, with all-forgiving Love. Having attained such a consciousness we can pray for and pour out our blessings upon the Spirit of good in everyone.
Can the injunctions, “To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away my cloak withhold not thy coat also,” be carried out literally? Yes. These injunctions can be carried out by those who are in the Christ consciousness, by those who have the full realization that the law of absolute love can be demonstrated in temporal things.
What spiritual rule is exemplified in verse 30, “Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again?” This verse exemplifies the Golden Rule, which many business men are seeking to carry out in the commercial world today. It can be applied in every walk of life, and its effectiveness is being proved by those who are in spiritual consciousness.
What does understanding of the law of mind disclose as to judgment and condemnation? Understanding of the law of mind reveals that judgment and condemnation are states of mind from which limiting thoughts are sent out. “You who sit in judgment upon others are guilty of the same misdeeds” (Weymouth version).
What should be our attitude in giving? We should give in the consciousness of God's inexhaustible resource. “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.”
November 10, 1940: Luke 6:27-38
What phase of truth forms the subject of this Lesson? The truth that affects man's social relations. Before he can live the victorious life as a member of society, however, man must master the self and learn Truth as it applies to the individual.
What aspect of universal law, faithfully obeyed, makes man's social relations easy and harmonious? The law of love observed as a law; that is, as a matter of principle without exception and not as a matter of personality on a basis of personal appeal or preference. Principle or divine law knows no distinction between persons.
The word enemy implies one who feels hostility. How can anyone feel genuine love for a person, when this person is hostile toward him? Hatred and hostility are states of mind that enter into the natural or personal consciousness. To overcome them a man must rise above the personal to a consciousness where love becomes the unchanging rule or principle. He can then feel love for an enemy as easily as for a friend.
What other social conduct becomes possible in the consciousness that transcends hate? Blessing can repay cursing, prayer can meet abusiveness, nonresistance can disarm aggressiveness, generosity put the robber to shame.
Does the universal law fix definite limits to generosity? Only those limits imposed by man's command of substance.
Why is the Golden Rule so called? Because it is the most valuable rule ever given to man. Guided by it, man conquers the self and enters into consciousness of the universal life.
Why does the habit of doing unto others as others do unto him lead man to a spiritual stalemate rather than to a greater measure of progress? Because reciprocal action is based on something external to him, instead of springing from the need of his inner self to find expression. No real addition to man's character is made from the outside, since character is innate.
Why are we admonished never to despair, when doing good to our enemies and when lending? We are not to despair of receiving a fair and just return. The divine law preserves an equitable balance, and a loan that is not repaid in money is repaid in something better. The only loser is the borrower who does not pay his debt or the lender who does not trust the law.
Is reciprocation in order? Reciprocal action from others in response to one's constructive behavior towards them is in order. He who is merciful receives mercy. He who refrains from judging others is not judged by them. He who gives bountifully receives bountifully in return. Each one determines the size of the measure by which the good that he gives out is measured back to him.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 6:37-42
6:37And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released: 6:38give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.
6:39And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?6:40The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher. 6:41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 6:42Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me cast out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Sunday, February 8, 1931: Luke 6:27-42
Today's lesson is a part of the Sermon on the Mount. What state of consciousness does the Sermon on the Mount represent? The Sermon on the Mount represents a high spiritual understanding, expressing the law of the absolute. After a certain restoring work is done in the individual his mind must be taught Truth. In this lesson we find the higher self impressing upon the consciousness the law of love, which includes nonresistance and one's living up to the ideals that one would hold for other persons.
Should one state the law of the absolute before one has demonstrated it? Yes. Every act is preceded by a thought; if we see an absolute truth in Spirit, we should make this truth the foundation for future action.
Can we love our enemies and “do good to them that hate” us? We can if we realize the truth that God is love, and that all persons are various degrees of God in manifestation. In the silence of our own soul, we quicken the consciousness of divine love and realize it throughout our being; then we pour out love upon the world.
How can we bless, and pray for “them that despitefully use” us? We should realize first that the spiritual man within us is one with the Source, all-forgiving Love. In this realization we can pray and pour out our blessing upon the Spirit of good in every one.
“To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also.” Can the injunctions in this verse be carried out literally? Yes, but only by one who is in the Christ consciousness, by one who has the full realization that the law of absolute love can be demonstrated in temporal things.
“Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” Explain. This verse is the essence of the Golden Rule, which many businessmen are seeking to carry out in the commercial world. It can be applied in every walk of life, and its effectiveness is being proved by those who use it.
What does an understanding of the law of mind disclose as to judgment and condemnation? An understanding of the law of mind reveals that judgment and condemnation are states of mind from which limiting thoughts are sent out. Metaphysicians know that “thoughts are things.” Our thought of condemnation calls into action condemnation both for ourselves and for the one toward whom it is directed. Hence, “condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned.”
When we understand metaphysical law, what should be our mental attitude in giving? We should give in the consciousness of God's inexhaustible resource. We should measure everything that we give out, whether in thought or in things, by the standard of divine bounty, for: “With what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.”
“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Explain. The chief purpose of education is voiced in the words, “Know thyself.” Until man sees clearly, he cannot make himself or his ideas clear to another. The inner vision of what is true and abiding must be cleared up before man can understand either his own life purposes or the needs of his neighbor.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 6:43-45
6:43For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit. 6:44For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 6:45The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
October 27, 1940: Luke 6:43-45
In what respect is the “tree ... known by its own fruit”? Character is the fruit of the tree of life by which each one is known. Other identifying marks may mislead, but character cannot be misinterpreted. It speaks for itself.
Explain the words “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” The abundance of the heart is the dominant thought that occupies the subconsciousness to the exclusion of all other interests. Although this thought may be kept subconscious, it crops out in various unexpected ways in obedience to the rule that “ever the inner becomes the outer.”
October 22, 1944: Luke 6:39-45
“Every one when he is perfected shall he as his teacher.” Is it possible for us to do the works of the Christ and gain the Christ consciousness as a permanent state? It is possible with our complete devotion to and concentration on an understanding of the principles of the Christ and with our faithful following up of this understanding with appropriate expression. No one is “perfected” without this complete combining of love and work.
Is self-improvement a more important part of education than the enlightening of others? Why? Self-improvement is our first duty in raising the standard of the race. Without self-knowledge we do not know Truth, and we cannot possibly teach others anything of which we ourselves are ignorant.
We know a tree by its fruit. How do we know the character of another person? We know a person's character from this habitual conduct and from the motives revealed by him in his spontaneous actions. We know it also from observing the emotions or feelings that are aroused in others and from taking note of what causes them.
Is self-deception a form of hypocrisy? It is, because so long as we are self-deceived we cannot express what is true, nor can we be true in any real sense. We merely act the Truth instead of expressing it as something that is within us.
What are the good and evil treasures of the heart? The good treasure of the heart is the belief in one power, God, the good, omnipotent; the evil treasure of the heart is the belief in two opposing powers, good and evil.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 6:46-49
6:46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 6:47Every one that cometh unto me, and heareth my words, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: 6:48he is like a man building a house, who digged and went deep, and laid a foundation upon the rock: and when a flood arose, the stream brake against that house, and could not shake it: because it had been well builded. 6:49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream brake, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of that house was great.
June 9, 1912: Luke 6:39-49
What causes the beam to be in our eyes? The personal will blinds us to the real character and needs of others.
How can we remove the beam? By unifying our personal will with the Christ will within. When we obey the will of the Father within, then shall we see clearly.
What other names may we apply to this inner will? The Father within, the I Am, and the Christ Mind.
Do we lose our individuality when we give our personal will up to the Divine Will? No, we increase our capacity. We let go the little self and take hold of the big self.
How shall we do this? By affirming and realizing this thought, “Not my will, but thine, be done.”
Sunday, October 15, 1916: Luke 6:39-49
The focal point of individuality is the Will. The Will is the center in mind and body around which revolve all the activities that constitute consciousness. The will is the creation of I Am. Without will man would be a ghost, a shadow, a claim of stability without the substance at the center. As will is the projection of I Am, it is the most substantial of man's faculties. It is his very self, and to give it up seems like destroying the man. And it is self-destruction to give up the will to any except its source, God. This is why that branch of hypnotism which practices control of the will, and that phase of spiritualism which develops mediumship, are so dangerous. Once give up your will to the control of another, and you have lost a certain element of your individuality. When the will is made to relinquish its hold upon the brain and nerves, and another will steps in, there is a transgression of the creative law, and trouble always follows.
The I Am is the metaphysical name of the spiritual self, as distinguished from the mortal self. One is governed by God, the other by self. Christ is the Scriptural name for spiritual I Am. Jesus called it the Father. It is the Father of the personal will, and a conscious unity between the two must finally be made to preserve the oneness of creation. That is what is meant by “he that doeth the will of my Father.” We must do the very will of God in our wills, which is virtually surrendering to God the whole man.
It is possible to get very close to the kingdom of heaven by doing good works and surrendering to the Spirit the various faculties of the mind, but we can never fully enter into and abide in heaven, or Divine Harmony, without surrendering all that makes up the personality, of which the will is the center.
So we see that we have to whittle the will away by giving up our personal works done in the name of the Lord. We may be a prophet and worker of miracles, like Elijah, yet not permanently enter the kingdom of heaven. Elijah was taken into heaven in a fiery chariot drawn by horses of fire, and the symbol is suggestive of his destructive methods. He healed one woman's son, and killed priests and soldiers enough to make a small army. He was not allowed to stay in heaven, but appeared on earth again in the personality of John the Baptist, according to Jesus (Matt 11:14).
It is possible to heal and do good works in the name of the Lord, and claim these works as evidence of the truth of our doctrine, and yet be unrecognized by the Lord in the final summing up. Many honest people are in this day basing their entry into the kingdom on their ability to heal the sick. Yet Jesus says that unless they are doing God's will in all things, they will be declared workers of iniquity. Right along with this healing power is usually the desire for personal recognition on the part of the healer. He is not working wholly in the name of the Lord, but for self also. This is selfishness, which is a barrier at the door of Divine Harmony. Then again, works of a mystical character are performed in the name of the Christ, while the true Christian spirit of modesty and love is lacking. No merit is made in spirit by such methods. Some work for the erection of temporal churches in which to worship the Lord. They are like the man who built his house upon the sand; their foundation is the shifting substance of human thought, and in the time of trial they will be found wanting.
Spiritual character is the rock-foundation of Being. Build yourself into God, and you will find yourself in heaven right here. Let go the little self and take hold of the Big Self. “Not my will, but thine be done.”
February 9, 1936: Luke 6:39-49
Before we can develop our faculties in conformity with the Christ ideal, what is necessary? Our understanding must be quickened to recognize spiritual truth, when we hear it, and we must have an “honest and good heart” that causes us to work patiently and persistently towards the desired end.
What is our responsibility to life? We are responsible for our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Explain how we make these characterize us. As we train our thoughts, feelings, and actions (disciples) to express our will, we stamp them with our identity so that they become characteristic of us.
Is the habit of picking petty faults in others self-revealing? This habit betrays the serious fault of a consciousness of evil, rather than of good in the one so addicted. The mote in the eye of the one who offends us betrays the beam in our own.
How can we enter into consciousness of the good? By acknowledging that only the good is true, and acting accordingly, one loses sight of evil and becomes conscious of the good.
“Each tree is known by its own fruit.” How does this statement apply to life? Good and evil impulses in the heart make their presence known in the outer life. The one who lives a good life surrounds himself with an atmosphere of goodness. The one whose subconscious life is evil impresses others as evil.
Does subconscious evil influence men in still more subtle ways? Evil thoughts and impulses lessen man's understanding of what is true, whereas subconscious goodness enlarges it.
To abide in the Christ consciousness, does one have to acknowledge it? Consciousness is a matter of thought and feeling, but unless these issue in action, the consciousness recedes and at length is withdrawn altogether and replaced by another. The true Christ consciousness is always worthy of the name; “an opinion is a deed.”
Name the storms that are powerless to move the life pounded on the rock of Truth. Storms of fear, hate, strife, cowardice, and other negative waves of feeling that sweep over us cannot avail to overcome us if we have established ourselves in the consciousness of the Christ.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-18-2014
