Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Mark Chapter 10
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 10:1-12
April 22, 1923: Mark 10:2-910:1And he arose from thence and cometh into the borders of Judaea and beyond the Jordan: and multitudes come together unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.
10:2And there came unto him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? trying him. 10:3And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 10:4And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.10:5But Jesus said unto them, For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 10:6But from the beginning of the creation, Male and female made he them. 10:7For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; 10:8and the two shall become one flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh. 10:9What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
10:10And in the house the disciples asked him again of this matter. 10:11And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her: 10:12and if she herself shall put away her husband, and marry another, she committeth adultery.
Did Jesus sanction divorce? Jesus did not sanction the divorce of a man and a woman who are spiritually married. “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
How do we account for the numerous divorces of today? Instead of living in spiritual unity, the majority of married persons live under the Mosaic dispensation (intellectuality). Their marriage is not of the Spirit. Jesus gave the cause of divorce among such persons as “hardiness of heart.”
What is meant by “hardness of heart”? Hardness of heart implies the lack of love, tenderness, kindness, and forgiveness.
Is there a divine law governing true marriage? In Genesis it is written, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Did Jesus endorse marriage? Jesus endorsed the spiritual unity ordained of God, when He said: “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh.”
How are we to determine whether or not those who are married are spiritually joined? True spiritual marriage is known to the individuals concerned. However wise, no man or court can decide whether the marriage bond is spiritual or manmade. The spiritual union is finer than external feeling; even when they are truly mated, husband and wife are often deluded by sense, and separate. The remedy is to submit all differences to the Lord; to pray for the love of God in the heart, and to bear and forbear; to forgive and forget the past, and rest in the loving presence of God here and now.
November 13, 1943: Mark 10:2-12
Was the Mosaic law governing divorce less strict than the teaching of Jesus on this subject, or more so? It was less strict, because Moses legislated for his people, while they were still primitive in their reaction to life and while women were regarded as chattels. Jesus saw men and women as equals in Spirit, capable of regulating their social relations on the basis of principle instead of personality. Hence His requirements were strict in this respect.
In His strictures on divorce what was Jesus teaching? He was teaching the law of faithfulness, loyalty, and love. This law involves the sacrifice of the personal self and the recognition of individual duty or responsibility.
How do husband and wife become one? They become one legally, when the marriage ceremony is performed. Actually they become one only after they learn to cleave to one another through all vicissitudes and all situations in life. They realize their oneness by standing together through thick and thin.
Can two who are thus one be put asunder? No, their union is complete and unbreakable regardless of the distance that may separate them.
Does the perfect union require time for its consummation? As a rule it does, though it may transcend the bounds of time and be accomplished in a moment.
What is meant by “hardness of heart”? A state of mind, that is lacking in humility and forbearance, characteristic of the personal consciousness.
June 1, 1952: Mark 10:2-9
Does the wicked thought precede the wicked act as a rule? Yes. “Every one that looketh on woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Must we have commandments because of our “hardness of heart”? Hardness of heart is the occasion for restrictive commandments. When we keep the law of divine love, we need no commandments forbidding us to do or not do things. As we observe the law of love toward God and our neighbor, we keep all other commandments spontaneously and naturally.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 10:13-16
10:13And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them. 10:14But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.10:15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. 10:16And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.
April 22, 1928: Mark 10:13-16
When Jesus welcomed little children, did He refer to children or to all those who possess the childlike mind? This question is fully answered in verse 15, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.”
How can we attain this childlike state of mind? We can attain the childlike mind by making ourselves receptive to the inspiration of Spirit. We must empty our minds of accumulated wisdom, and like little children believe the marvelous things of Spirit. In the childlike mind we are not suspicious or critical, but we believe and trust, and are joyous, free-hearted, and in all ways like children.
October 15, 1932: Mark 10:13-16
What does the unquestioning faith of the little child do for man? The unquestioning faith of the little child makes contact with the spiritual realm and attains its gifts. We shall attain the gifts of the kingdom, if we use our faith in constructive fashion to that end.
November 19, 1938: Mark 10:2-16
What is the teaching of Jesus on adultery? Jesus taught that adultery is first in thought.
How did Jesus regard divorce? Jesus taught the spiritual import of things. God is Spirit. What Spirit has joined no man can divorce. Many persons are joined in the bonds of matrimony under man-made laws who are not married in the sight of God. They can be divorced as Moses taught.
Explain the giving of the divorce law by Moses. The Israelites of the Mosaic age had not developed spiritually enough to come under the divine law. They had not the requisite qualities for keeping the law of divine love and were not ready for the Christ way of life. Therefore Moses gave them a divorce law as an expedient.
Is man ready for the Christ way now? Those who are earnestly seeking to know and practice the divine law of marriage are. Divorce is of more frequent occurrence today than ever before, because men and women do not seek the spiritual laws that govern in an enduring union between husband and wife; they unite for physical or financial reasons instead of spiritual.
Why did Jesus command that little children be allowed to come to Him for blessing? Because of their unspoiled faith and sincerity Jesus saw in little children citizens of the kingdom of God that He came to proclaim. By blessing them He confirmed them in their possession of the kingdom.
How does the little child receive the kingdom of heaven? He accepts it as a matter of course, without question, when parents or others whom the child trusts tell him of the kingdom. Man’s acceptance must likewise be unreserved, if he is to know the truth on which the kingdom is founded.
February 19, 1944: Mark 10:13-16
Of what is the child a symbol? Of obedience, humility, teachableness, eager interest, and great curiosity.
Does a critical attitude disqualify us for rendering the service of the Christ? It does. We must lay criticism aside, if we wish to realize our oneness with God and our fellow men.
Does consciousness of God characterize the mind of the Christ? Yes, the two are inseparable. “Thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee.”
Sunday, April 7, 1946: Mark 10:13-14
What diverse classes of people come under the influence of the Christ? People in all degrees of spiritual unfoldment, symbolized by young children and rulers of the Jews, disciples and counselors and publicans and sinners, men and women.
When Jesus was “moved with indignation,” what evidence of His displeasure did He give the disciples? So far as His words disclose His state of mind, He gave none. He said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.” The Christ, the expression of perfect love, is “kind,” is “not easily provoked,” and “thinketh no evil.”
Why does the kingdom of God belong to little children? Because little children have trusting faith and singleness of heart, as well as obedience, humility, and teachableness; they are free from the self-righteousness that prevents the material-minded person from accepting Truth.
April 10, 1949: Mark 10:13-16
Why should little children be brought to the Christ? Because by nature they belong to the Christ consciousness. In faith, trust, confidence, purity, and innocence they typify the Christ.
Did Jesus recognize little children as belonging to the kingdom of God? He did, but He expressed it in reverse order; that is, the kingdom of God belongs to the children. “To such belongeth the kingdom of God.” The child lives in the kingdom of the ideal.
How do we “receive the kingdom of God as a little child”? By believing in the reality of the ideal qualities of Spirit, faith, love, goodness, beauty, and the like. When we have in us the mind of Christ, we think no evil, we keep faith in the good even in the face of apparent evil; we express love toward others, even when they express hatred toward us.
Can we too bless little children? We not only can bless them; we should bless them with a selfless interest and an unfailing belief in goodness as the only reality.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 10:17-31
10:17And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 10:18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God. 10:19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother. 10:20And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth. 10:21And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 10:22But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions.
10:23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 10:24And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!10:25It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 10:26And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unto him, Then who can be saved? 10:27Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God.
10:28Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 10:29Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake, 10:30but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 10:31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
April 29, 1928: Mark 10:17-27
What does the rich young man who came to Jesus for instruction represent? In individual consciousness he represents personality.
Jesus commanded, “Go, sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” Explain. Jesus pointed the way of Truth, and made it very clear that man can well afford to make any sacrifice in order to quicken the spiritual life within himself and to live the life of Spirit.
The rich young man “went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions.” Explain. Personality is disappointed, because it cannot retain its belief in earthly possessions and at the same time have consciousness of spiritual things. Personality is ambitious for eternal life, but it desires to attain that life without sacrificing its hold upon the things of sense.
Jesus said to His disciples, “How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God.” Explain. It is possible, but rare, for one to have large possessions and yet be able to enter the consciousness of the kingdom of God. The necessary condition is a compact between the man and his Creator as to the disposition of the riches. If a rich man would covenant with God to give all his possessions to the furtherance of the good, making himself a steward of the Father, his wealth would be no bar to his entering the kingdom.
November 23, 1930: Mark 10:17-27
What does the rich young man who came to Jesus for instruction represent? In individual consciousness the rich young man represents personality. Personality may strictly follow the law as laid down by Moses, and yet may value and selfishly attach itself to the things of form and shape.
Jesus commanded, “Go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” Explain. Jesus pointed out the way of Truth, and made it very clear that man can well afford to sacrifice anything in order to quicken the spiritual life within himself and to live the life of Spirit.
The rich young man “went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions.” Explain. Personality is disappointed because it cannot retain its belief in earthly possessions and at the same be conscious of spiritual things. It is ambitious for eternal life, but its belief in the supreme value of earthly possessions separates it from its real good.
Is it possible for one to have large material possessions, and yet be able enter into the consciousness of eternal life? It is possible, but rare, for one to have large possessions and yet be able to enter into the consciousness of eternal life. The necessary condition to such entrance is a compact between the rich man and his Creator as to the disposition of the riches. If a rich man covenants with God to give his possessions to the furtherance of the good, dedicating everything to that end and making himself a steward of the Father, his wealth is no bar to his entry into the kingdom.
How is true giving to be measured? True giving is measured by the love and substance and faith that the giver puts into the gift. The statement, “Who gives himself with his alms feeds three, Himself, his hungering neighbor, and me,” is founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
April 30, 1933: Mark 10:13-27
Is it easy to live after the world's standard? Yes, for a time. The average man feels content when he is on the side of the majority and can lean upon the strength of its mass conviction. But to unfold spiritually man learns to exercise freedom in thought and word. He forms own opinions by the application of the higher principles.
Is man ever profited by assuming the childlike attitude of mind? There is much that man can learn from the childlike mind, not only of innocence and trust, of unquestioning dependence on a higher wisdom than his own, but of the teachable attitude that makes the child able and willing to change his mind, when such a course appears right.
How does personal ambition affect man? Personal ambition fixes on man a material standard of values. Trust in riches is not a new state of mind. The rich young ruler of Jesus' day was imbued with that idea to such an extent that he could not separate himself from thought of his wealth.
What was Jesus’ object in commanding the rich young ruler to give his goods to the poor, and turn his attention toward God? In this commandment Jesus had in mind the welfare of the rich man rather than of the poor. The rich man needed to be set free from a responsibility that absorbed all his thought and attention in order that he might learn a surer approach to life.
How did Calvin Coolidge sum up this particular point? Mr. Coolidge said: “We do not need more national development; we need more spiritual development. We do not need more intellectual power; we need more spiritual power. We do not need more knowledge; we need more character. We do not need more government; we need more culture. We do not need more law; we need more religion.”
Is God necessary to man? Yes. Without God man cannot enter into and take rightful possession of his own powers; with God, he can do all things, even to solving the problems that confront the individual and the race today. Selfishness attaches one to the things of sense, while unselfishness liberates one.
May 15, 1938: Mark 10:17-31
What does the person symbolize who came to Jesus to inquire the way to eternal life? He symbolizes personality or that in us which values the things that have form and shape.
How does personality seek to make its presence known to others? In personal consciousness man resorts to flattery to impress others in his favor. Since flattery is insincere, it falls outside the boundaries of praise.
How does spiritual man respond to flattery? He corrects overstatement by calling attention to impersonal principle, in this case the principle of All-Good. “None is good, save one, even God.”
Is observance of the commandments all that is necessary to the realization of eternal life? Observance for the sake of doing what is right and of being in harmony with All-Good is sufficient. Observance merely to increase one’s chance of personal survival is insufficient.
What is the one thing lacking to personality in its search for eternal life? The desire and the will to surrender the limited personal outlook and follow the Christ, regardless of where the path may lead, is the one thing lacking.
Why are all things possible with God? Because the principle of All-Good cannot be exhausted. It is adequate to all demands made upon it in faith.
How is self-sacrifice unfailingly rewarded? When the self is denied and the Christ presence and power affirmed, spiritual substance rushes into the void created by denial, and the resulting reward is in proportion to the measure of the “sacrifice” or denial of self.
Interpret verse 31. Many “that are first” to desire eternal life consciousness may be last to enter into it, because of failure to deny the self fully, while many that are last to feel the desire for eternal life may, if they deny self wholeheartedly, be able to realize eternal life consciousness without delay.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 10:32-34
10:32And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going before them: and they were amazed; and they that followed were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were to happen unto him, 10:33saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles: 10:34and they shall mock him, and shall spit upon him, and shall scourge him, and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 10:35-45
10:35And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee. 10:36And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 10:37And they said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy glory. 10:38But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 10:39And they said unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto them, The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 10:40but to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared.
10:41And when the ten heard it, they began to be moved with indignation concerning James and John. 10:42And Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great ones exercise authority over them. 10:43But it is not so among you: but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister; 10:44and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all. 10:45For the Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
May 17, 1914: Mark 10:35-45
How does personal ambition affect spiritual development? Personal ambition is a bar to spiritual development.
What three faculties should be kept active in doing spiritual work? Faith, Judgment and Love.
What three disciples are represented by these faculties? Peter, James and John.
Are these faculties always to be trusted as having no ambition of their own to rule? No, even these faculties may be infused with the desire to rule, until the spiritual consciousness is uppermost in man's mind and they are quickened by the Spirit to serve in the kingdom of God.
How do we overcome this desire of these faculties to dominate? By merging our thought into the Universal Mind, by realizing our oneness with Spirit, which has no desire to dominate, but pours out lavishly all its potentialities.
Sunday, May 17, 1914: Mark 10:33-45
Personal ambition is a bar to spiritual development. Even to anticipate how great we will be when we get into glory has in this lesson the mark of Jesus' disapproval. Following this to its righteous conclusion, we see that all that great mass of Christian literature and song which has for its foundation the glory of the Christian in heaven has a false [basis]. Instead of “Like the stars of morning, his bright dawn adorning,” the spiritually ambitious will be put to serving in the kingdom of Jesus.
We have to be constantly on the watch against personal ambition and selfishness. It crops out in many ways; where we least expect it, there we find it. When we see a man or woman so zealous for their religious convictions that they will sacrifice their means and comfort, we think that one is surely acceptable in the sight of God. Yet there may be a subtle percent of ambition there that will defeat their high hope of heaven. Mr. Moody used to tell of one Dr. Bonar who once had a dream that the angels took his zeal and weighed it. It was full weight, plump 100. He was much pleased. But then they began to analyze it in various ways, and found 14 parts were selfishness; 15 parts sectarianism; 22 parts ambition; and but 3 parts pure love to man, and 4 parts love to God, etc. He was greatly concerned that but 7 parts in 100 were purely good.
Metaphysically John represents Love, and James, Judgment. When Jesus did marvelous things he was accompanied by Peter, James and John: Faith, Judgment and Love. We find that in doing work spiritually we need these three faculties active. Faith in the power of Spirit is the very rock foundation: “He that cometh to God must believe that he is;” and Love must be tempered by sound judgment. But even these chosen ones may be listening to the suggestions of the subtle serpent, self, and planning for supremacy, when they shall come into power.
There is a period or degree of unfoldment in which certain faculties are infused with a desire to rule, but a higher degree of understanding does away with this. Spirit gives itself without stint to its creations; it does not dominate anything, but pours out lavishly all its potentialities. When we merge our thought into the Universal Mind, we see quickly that it is everywhere as the one sustaining force, not dominating but holding up and giving the utmost freedom to all creation. When man denies personality sufficiently, he merges his consciousness into this great sustaining Mind of God, and becomes a co-worker or co-sustainer of the created universe. This is what Jesus meant when he said, “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
A sure sign of selfishness and mortal weakness in a religious system is this ambition to rule over people. Verses 42 and 43 set forth and contrast the Gentile, or mortal thought, with the spiritual. The true spiritual thought gives absolute freedom to everybody and everything. “Where Christ is, there is liberty.” To “lord it” over those to whom we have given the Truth is “stealing the livery of heaven to serve the devil in.” Those who exercise this power over their fellowmen are to be pitied, because they bind themselves to all the limitations which they affirm for their followers, and thus become entangled in a thought-web that will require great effort to break.
May 6, 1928: Mark 10:35-45
In what state of consciousness were James and John, when they asked to be placed, one at the right and one at the left hand of Jesus, when He came into His glory? James and John were in personal consciousness; personality thought that it could obtain a favor of a friend merely by asking.
What did Jesus mean when He said: “Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Jesus meant that they did not understand the character of the kingdom into which He was about to enter. They thought it was a temporal kingdom, when in reality it was a state of consciousness into which He was developing. The cup that He drank represented the agony of soul and body in the transition, from the material plane to the spiritual plane of consciousness. The baptism with which He was baptized was the saturation of His mind and body with the diving life.
Did James and John overcome the mind of the flesh and enter into regeneration, the transformation and saturation with spiritual life, on an equality with Jesus? There is no record that any of the disciples of Jesus Christ overcame as He overcame. It is presumable they are still in the process of attaining the power to sit with Him on His throne.
What did Jesus mean when He said: “But to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared”? Jesus was attaining spiritual dominion and power by making unity with God in spirit, soul, and body. He did not have the power to do the permanent overcoming for another. To sit with Jesus in His throne is given to those who have unfolded spiritually and by their efforts have attained dominion as He attained it.
In the kingdom of the heavens to which Jesus attained, has one individual authority to rule over another? In spiritual consciousness there is no arbitrary dominion of one individual over another. As the Master taught, the greatest persons are those who have attained the greatest power to serve. “And whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all.”
January 2, 1938: Mark 10:35-45
What measure of greatness does the Christ teaching supply? Jesus Christ gauged greatness by a man's willingness to serve and by the kind of service actually given by him to others.
What faculties, when developed, are commonly considered essential to greatness? Judgment and love (represented by James and John) are essential to the one who would be truly great.
Does the exercise of judgment and love alone entitle one to be called great? No one can be great until he develops all his faculties harmoniously and thus gives his life unity of expression. Faith, zeal, strength, and the other faculties must enter into a man's judgment and inspire his love, if they are to have weight or meaning.
What proof does this lesson afford of the consistency of the Christ teaching on faith? “According to your faith be it done unto you” is the Christ teaching. James and John, replying to the question whether they could drink of the cup that Jesus drank or be baptized with the baptism that He was baptized with, affirmed that they could, and Jesus immediately granted that they would follow him in these respects. His question had implied their inability to do so.
What is essential to satisfactory service? Self-control and detachment are both essential. Where there is self-absorption, there is no service in the true sense. He who is devoted to the interests of those whom he serves is not troubled by the promptings of the self.
What is the highest type of service that anyone can render? To serve an idea is the calling of all who achieve greatness. Those who have served all men by discovering new truths, developing new inventions, bringing new light to problems that have baffled the race mind have without exception been devoted to the ideas they sought to understand and make generally usable.
Can one serve others effectually even though lacking self-knowledge? Since we are all one, knowledge of our own self is knowledge of all. Therefore no one who fails to understand himself can render intelligent service to others. “By knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many.”
Why does one become great through service? The same qualities that are necessary to service are necessary also to greatness. Self-control, self detachment, self-discipline, and self-knowledge are products of the all-round development fostered by service. Greatness enters into them all.
Who prepares the chief seats in the kingdom, and who merits them? Preparation is made through individual effort, and those who fit themselves to fill an exalted position themselves deserve to succeed to it.
February 19, 1944: Mark 10:42-45
To the one who is following Truth are names and terms important? No, it is important only to follow one's inner light or be true to the indwelling Christ and do the work of the Christ. Names and terms do not matter.
How may we establish harmony between our inner and our outer nature and be conscious of general well-being? By using our faith as naturally and wholeheartedly as the child uses faith. Self-discipline requires patience, understanding, love, and loyalty. We may claim all these in faith and work to make them manifest in ourselves.
May 12, 1946: Mark 10:35-37,41-45
Why is greatness measured in terms of service? Because service is the gauge of impersonality and unselfishness, and these are distinguishing characteristics of greatness.
Can spiritual authority be delegated? It cannot. Those who qualify for rendering outstanding service become the natural leaders. Those who depend on outside influence or other external aids to secure what they desire cannot meet the requirements of mental and spiritual readiness.
April 10, 1949: Mark 10:35-40
Can we overcome the undesirable habits of cheating, scheming, and underhand dealing? We can. As we develop integrity of character and let goodness predominate in us, we overcome undesirable habits.
Is the world's idea of greatness based on the ideal? No. The world recognizes personal fame as the equivalent of greatness. Such greatness is bestowed rather than achieved, and it has in it little of the ideal of love, peace, and joy, the qualities that, along with selfless service, underlie greatness of spirit.
Of what “cup” must we drink to become Christ-like? The cup of selflessness and self-effacement. We must be baptized with the spirit of self-sacrifice in order to enter into the universal consciousness of life that Jesus Christ had.
Are externals an evidence of greatness? No, greatness is of the inner life, and it is expressed in the outer through the channels of the mind and heart.
March 4, 1951: Mark 10:35-45
How does anyone become great? By serving some present or future need either of an individual or of society at large, without regard to the personal self. In impersonal thinking and acting the self is forgotten and the way to greatness lies open.
Is innate greatness ever conferred upon a person by elevating him to a higher rank or loftier position than be filled previously? No. For a person to sit with one high in authority confers honor on him only in the sight of the world. Intrinsic greatness or honor is not conferred by or involved in public recognition.
Why is it our destiny to serve or minister to others? Because of the unity of all life and because in serving others, we learn to express our inmost aspirations. Self-expression in the highest sense is our destiny. We learn by doing, not by sitting beside a doer.
Against what do we need to be continually on guard? Against personal ambition and selfishness. In serving low ideals such as ambition and selfishness we lose sight of the opportunity to render true service, which is selfless. When we are able to render true service, it proves that we have achieved greatness of mind, soul, or spirit.
Who gains inevitably through self-sacrifice? Everyone who makes a self-sacrifice in the right spirit gains through it, whether the person for whom it is made gains or not.
What do the disciples James and John represent? James represents judgment or discrimination; John represents love.
Lacking a nice balancing of all the faculties, can anyone become great in judgment or love alone? Possibly, but unless faith, strength, zeal, and the other faculties are well developed also in a person, he is handicapped in achieving greatness through love or judgment only. Unaccompanied by wisdom, love may do harm, as when a parent's love is devoid of wisdom, and his child consequently is overindulged and spoiled.
What faculties make a person prone to “lord it” over others? Any faculty that is overdeveloped in comparison with others and that at the same time is subject to the control of the sense mind. Faith, love, wisdom, judgment, or any of the rest may become so dominated or controlled by the sense mind that a person develops a “superiority complex,” under which he cannot act or think as he should. True spiritual thought gives freedom to all. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
February 24, 1952: Mark 10:35-40
What is the destiny of all who seek to make any contribution to the enduring progress of the race? Their destiny is to serve. He who wishes to be greatest must be willing to become the servant of all. The greatest benefactors of the race have served mankind impersonally without thought of reward, although their reward has not been lacking.
To what form of greatness does true service open the way? To greatness of mind and soul.
How can we use faith to good advantage in daily life? By putting it into the foundation of spiritual thinking and living. Faith in the power and omnipresence of Spirit builds such a foundation.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 10:46-52
10:46And they come to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the way side. 10:47And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 10:48And many rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 10:49And Jesus stood still, and said, Call ye him. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good cheer: rise, he calleth thee. 10:50And he, casting away his garment, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 10:51And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight. 10:52And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And straightway he received his sight, and followed him in the way.
May 7, 1933: Mark 10:32-52
What is the metaphysical meaning of Jesus and His twelve disciples on their way to Jerusalem? Jesus represents the spiritual I AM. The twelve disciples represent the twelve faculties. When one desires to attain that higher peace of mind and soul which is reached only by the practice of aspiration toward the kingdom of Spirit, one seeks that inner peace which comes from self-mastery. This seeking is known to the metaphysician as going to Jerusalem.
How is the Son of man often delivered up and condemned? The I AM impetus always leads the way to peace, but the faculties follow haltingly, amazed and afraid of what may come of the bold attempt to scale the heights of spiritual endeavor, afraid to trust all to Principle, to launch forth on the insight of Truth gained, and make a test of God. Thus the Son of man is often delivered up and condemned.
James and John desired to sit, one on the right hand and one on the left of Jesus. Explain this metaphysically. James and John represent judgment and love. Judgment and love, so long as they remain untouched by understanding of higher motives, see the prospect of material gain in following the I AM power. The glory of materiality is one thing; spiritual glory is quite another. The price of the latter is self-mastery and illumination through patient practice of aspiration.
What must that one do who seeks the heights of self-mastery in order to attain spiritual glory? He must first deny all the claims of the sense life and all adherence to them. He must be willing to drink the cup of devotion to the one cause, to be baptized with the baptism of denial of all that interferes with his spiritual ongoing.
Define Pride and ambition. These are sense faculties which the soul puts forward in its effort to insure itself first place in its worldly aims.
How is first place in the kingdom of God to be gained? Not by favoritism, pride, or ambition, but rather by patient preparation through self-forgetfulness and eager service. “Whosoever would be first among you {in the spiritual kingdom} shall be servant of all.”
How may a great forward step in spiritual progress be made? By the individual's realizing that he is in life not for what he can get out of it, but for what he can put into it; that he is here to express good, not to have good impressed upon him, a passive subject. Jesus Christ, the perfect idea in expression, “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”
April 14, 1946: Mark 10:46,52
The blind beggar sitting by the wayside persisted in calling to Jesus, until he was healed, and followed Jesus afterwards along the way. What is here represented? Faith that is blinded by the pollution of sense is without understanding of the purity of the Christ Spirit, but it persists in appealing to the power of that Spirit. The compassion of the Christ is so overpowering that it heals even where understanding is inactive. But healing means seeing, and he who receives the healing power of the Christ is cleansed of his pollution and gains spiritual understanding.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-26-2014
