Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Mark Chapter 6
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 6:1-6
6:1And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 6:2And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such mighty works wrought by his hands? 6:3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him. 6:4And Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 6:5And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.6:6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching.
April 17, 1921: Mark 6:1-3
What is the "own country" of Jesus, the Son of man? Man is a spiritual being, and his natural estate or country is the kingdom of the heavens within.
What does man seem to be to those who have associated with him in his outer or natural estate? To those who have not discerned his spiritual being, he is merely Jesus, the carpenter's son, and he receives no honor for his spirituality from those whose discernment is no deeper than the natural.
How does man teach in the synagogue on the Sabbath day? The synagogue is the spiritual consciousness in the soul, and the Sabbath day is the power to rest in that consciousness, and give forth and teach as the Spirit inspires.
What is the explanation of the uneducated Jesus' exhibiting such great wisdom and power? Jesus found the source of wisdom and power within his own consciousness. He gave them forth, and attributed his ability to God instead of claiming it to be his own acquirement.
Why were his people offended (perplexed) in him? They did not understand the birth in man of spiritual consciousness, and they were, as the original Greek has "it, "perplexed," or mystified as to where he got his superhuman wisdom.
February 4, 1926: Mark 6:1-6
In verse 1, chapter 6, we read: "And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his own country; and his disciples follow him." Explain. Man's native realm is spiritual consciousness. When he enters this consciousness all his faculties (disciples) are illumined: They follow him.
In spiritual consciousness Jesus taught and the many hearing him were astonished, saying, "Whence hath this man these things? and What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such mighty Works wrought by his hands?" Explain. One in spiritual consciousness is impelled to impart to others the revelations that come to him, regardless of their character or authority. One's listeners must be spiritually quickened in order to understand.
When the spiritual quickening is lacking, the prophet is frequently misunderstood. The auditors of Jesus tried to reduce Him to the level of His brothers and sisters. What elevated Him and gave Him superior understanding and power? The activity of the supermind which connects man with God inspired Jesus and gave Him understanding and power. One in spiritual illumination, displaying extraordinary ability and healing power, is exercising the faculties of the supermind. One who has never experienced this exalted state cannot understand, and either ridicules or condemns.
Why could Jesus do no mighty work in this place of unbelief, and why did He marvel at that fact? In demonstration of spiritual power, Faith is essential. In several instances mentioned in Jesus' ministry, He could do no mighty works because in those among whom He worked there was lack of faith. He marveled at their unbelief because in His own consciousness He had a clear realization of the truths of being.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 6:7-13
6:7And he calleth unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 6:8and he charged them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no bread, no wallet, now money in their purse; 6:9but to go shod with sandals: and, said he, put not on two coats. 6:10And he said unto them, Wheresoever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart thence. 6:11And whatsoever place shall not receive you, and they hear you not, as ye go forth thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony unto them. 6:12And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 6:13And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
March 4, 1925: Mark 6:7-13
What is the meaning of sending the disciples forth two by two with authority over "unclean spirits"? All the faculties of the mind act in pairs. "Male and female created he them." Love (John) and wisdom (James) are brothers and their brain centers in the body are intimately connected by nerve substance. Whatever affects one reacts on the other. The energy generated under the direction of these faculties by the spiritual I AM (Jesus) gives one power to eradicate error states of mind and to adjust every function and to place it in divine order.
What is symbolized by Jesus' instruction to His disciples to take "a staff only; no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse," but "shod with sandals"? The new man is being erected in consciousness through his faculties and their staff, or dependence, must be upon Spirit. They must not depend on material resources (money), but they must have understanding (sandals) of the relation of spiritual ideas.
What is the meaning of Jesus' instruction to His disciples to shake the dust from under their feet wherever they were not received? Shaking the dust from under one's feet represents a denial of the contact of material thought in order that one may not be contaminated and limited in his free spiritual ministry.
Sunday, March 6, 1938: Mark 6:1-13
Interpret the first verse of today's lesson in the light of what preceded it. After Jesus raised Jairus's daughter he returned to Galilee in company with His disciples. Galilee means "a circuit," "momentum." Following a period of exaltation during which faith does its mighty work, man returns in consciousness to to the daily round of ordinary affairs.
What prevented Jesus from doing mighty works in Galilee? Those whom He would have helped lacked faith in His power to relieve them and regarded Him from the personal viewpoint. Personality and doubt prevented His working the works of the Father in an external sense.
Why is a prophet without honor in his own country, among his own kin, and in his own house? He is regarded in a personal light by his contemporaries, who do not realize that he has developed spiritually.
Why were the Twelve sent forth at this time? The disciples were under no such handicap of personal acquaintance and judgment in the community as Jesus was, and the need of teaching the true way of life to the people was urgent.
Why were the disciples told to take take nothing for their journey? They were to trust God for their supply. Supplies held in reserve for future needs would have weakened their trust in present help.
The disciples were told to make their headquarters in whatever house they should enter first tn each village or town. Why? Residing in one house gave them more time for concentration and prayer then would have been the case if they had changed from house to house.
What form of condemnation was allowed to those engaged in the practice of teaching Truth? The disciples were told to shake off the dust of their feet as a testimony against the towns refusing to hear them. No word of condemnation was to be spoken.
June 9, 1946: Mark 6:7-13
What is the nature of effectual service? It is wholehearted. Its maxim is "One thing I do," and it is not conditioned by considerations of personal comfort or pleasure.
What is one of the "unclean spirits" over which the Christ has power? The spirit of self-seeking and self-assertion. Wherever the self enters in no place is found for the pure love of God, compared with which the self is unclean.
Why did Jesus instruct His disciples to take with them "no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse; but to go shod with sandals; and ... put not on two coats"? They were to depend altogether on God for their supply, thus proving the constancy of their faith in the providing divine law.
How do we gain confidence and poise? By developing faith. Faith gives us confidence and poise and prepares us to do the proportionately greater works that Jesus prophesied we should do.
On the spiritual side what are the senses of seeing and hearing? Faith and understanding.
Into what is the sense of feeling translated? Into sympathy and compassion.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 6:14-29
6:14And king Herod heard thereof; for his name had become known: and he said, John the Baptizer is risen from the dead, and therefore do these powers work in him. 6:15But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even as one of the prophets. 6:16But Herod, when he heard thereof, said, John, whom I beheaded, he is risen. 6:17For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. 6:18For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 6:19And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not; 6:20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly. 6:21And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee; 6:22and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 6:23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 6:24And she went out, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptizer.6:25And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist. 6:26And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not reject her. 6:27And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 6:28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother.6:29And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
May 20, 1906: Mark 6:14-29
Bible Lessons: By Charles Fillmore
Lesson 8: Death Of John The Baptist
Golden Text: Be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit. Eph 5:18
Herod represents sense consciousness. It rules on the plane of mortality. If allowed full reign, it kills out the repentant and redemptive state of consciousness, represented by John the Baptist, which is beginning its ministry of change and purification in mind and body. The object of this lesson is to show us the various steps that lead up to this final tragedy.
In regeneration there is a quickening of the whole man. The life flow is especially increased, and every function connected with it is stimulated. This is represented in the lesson as Herod at a feast, at which he was evidently intoxicated. People who are naturally egotistical and domineering, develop these qualities in a larger degree under the impulse of the new life current. Unless the meek and lowly frame of mind recommended by Jesus is adopted, such people lose their heads, and go farther in their rash egotism than they anticipate.
Herodias represents the feminine side of sense-thought. It resists the accusations of licentiousness by John, the purifier, and schemes to have him put entirely out of consciousness. The daughter of this one, who dances before the king, is sex-sensation. The king is so pleased with her performance that in his ecstacy he is willing to give anything she asks for, even to the half of his kingdom. Then, under the suggestion of her mother, the head of John the Baptizer and purifier, is requested to be brought to her on a charger. The king then sees what the giving up to his ecstacy has led to, and he regrets, but his oath, or thought-word, has gone forth and it cannot be broken. The next step is the cutting off the head, or higher understanding, and its inanimate skull descends to the sensuous nature, and is lost in mortality.
This is a true history of thousands, who, immersed in the desires of sense, refuse to change their habits when the regenerative process begins. Generation and regeneration are diverse. Those who live under the law of generation give up their kingdom to their progeny, and die. Those who come out of this Egypt, conserve their substance, and transmute it through thought to spiritual energy, which is the foundation of the new body in Christ. Through this conservation and control of the Divine Life and Substance, they finally attain the Kingdom of God, and sit on the right hand of the Father with Jesus Christ. This is not to be accomplished by an outside deity, but is a work that goes on in the individual. "To him that overcometh" is the oft-repeated promise of the Holy One in Revelation. Strength and power and purity come to the soul through mastery of its passions and appetites, and in no other way.
August 3, 1913: Mark 6:14-29
What is regeneration? It is a quickening, a transformation, a lifting up of the whole man from the Adam consciousness into the Christ consciousness.
What is the result of regeneration? Eternal life.
What is the regenerating power? Spirit.
What is man's part in his regeneration? Co-operation with and perfect obedience to the regenerative process.
What is necessary to this co-operation and obedience? Faith in the regenerating power at work in him, and understanding of the Law through which it works.
Why are those in the regeneration required to give up everything pertaining to generation? Because regeneration and generation are direct opposites, generation producing death, regeneration producing life.
Who are the overcomers to whom the promises are made? Those who give themselves wholly to the Spirit in the regeneration, and overcome every tendency to generation.
December 2, 1917: Mark 6:14-29
Of what, in man, is Herod representative? Herod represents sense consciousness active in man.
What does Herodias represent? Herodias represents the feminine or emotional side of sense thought.
What, in consciousness, does the "daughter of Herodias" represent? The "daughter of Herodias" represents sex-sensation active in mortal consciousness.
What, in consciousness, does John the Baptist symbolize? John the Baptist symbolizes the repentant state of mind necessary before purification of soul and body can be established.
What lesson is taught in the beheading of John the Baptist by Herod? When purification or regeneration begins there is a quickening of the whole man, and unless one has consecrated himself to Truth there is a tendency to utilize the new life forces in sense ways. Thus the higher understanding (the head) is cut off and the body descends into mortality.
What is the result of diverting the spiritual life forces into sex-sensation? Using the life forces in sex-sensation results in the demoralization of the whole man, and eventually produces decay and death.
What is gained by conserving the life forces? Through conservation of the life forces the vital fluid is transmuted into spiritual energy, which vitalizes, regenerates and transforms the organism of man, bringing into expression the new body in Christ.
How is man restored to his original holiness and perfection? Man is restored to his original holiness and perfection only through overcoming the passions, appetites and lusts of the flesh, consecrating his whole being -- mind, soul and body -- to be used in expressing the glory of God.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 6:30-44
6:30And the apostles gather themselves together unto Jesus; and they told him all things, whatsoever they had done, and whatsoever they had taught. 6:31And he saith unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while. For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 6:32And they went away in the boat to a desert place apart. 6:33And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them. 6:34And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. 6:35And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, The place is desert, and the day is now far spent; 6:36send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about, and buy themselves somewhat to eat. 6:37But he answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred shillings' worth of bread, and give them to eat? 6:38And he saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 6:39And he commanded them that all should sit down by companies upon the green grass. 6:40And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 6:41And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves; and he gave to the disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 6:42And they all ate, and were filled. 6:43And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes. 6:44And they that ate the loaves were five thousand men.
May 27, 1906: Mark 6:30-44
The life and acts of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament, are symbolical descriptions of what takes place in man under the law of spiritual development or regeneration.
The disciples represent the inherent spiritual faculties, called out of the Universal Mind, classified and working about the Supreme I AM, or Christ, as a centre. The people are the external thoughts. Eating is a process of appropriation of that which will sustain the thoughts. The people, or thoughts, can be fed from two sources; the within, where the essence of all things is, or the without, where that essence is found in a multitude of forms called food. This lesson teaches how to feed the thoughts from the inner, or Universal Substance.
When the I AM communes with its inner faculties, there is a separation from the outer thoughts. The "desert place" here mentioned is, in the original Greek, a solitary place, or hermitage. The meaning is that we shall withdraw into what we call the "Silence," and there receive the reports of our faculties' works.
But how can a man get away from himself? He can't, and his thoughts are part of himself, and in spite of his efforts for privacy they come trooping in, because they have no shepherd. Then seeing their need, which is sustenance of the right kind, the I AM has compassion on them, and teaches them many things. This instruction of the thoughts in man is an important part of harmonious regeneration. If you do not tell your outer thoughts the truths which you receive from the Spirit within, they will remain ignorant and crude in spiritual understanding. The Spirit is constantly instructing us in dreams, intuitions and in the silence, but because we do not rightly interpret and impress upon the outer thoughts these inner revelations, they seems to be in another world.
Edison says that he has discovered that every cell has life, substance and intelligence. That is exactly right as applied to the primitive cell out of which all forms are made. Our brains are composed of cells, and they are the bodies of our outer thoughts. The mind of these cells is fed by the intelligent instructions of the I AM, but the life and substance must also be kept up or they grow weak. The usual way to supply this waste is through food from without, but there is an inner source. The disciples are not yet educated in this drawing life and substance from the Universal Mind, and they also have to have an object lesson.
The five loaves and two fishes represent the substance and life that is necessaay to feed the depleted cells, or people. The nnmbering of the people in ranks represent the mathematical science of order and harmony upon which all spiritual work is based. Before you can properly reach your thoughts and control them, you must command order and harmony.
The blessing and looking up to heaven, and breaking the bread and dividing the fishes, is all in accord with the spiritual law of increase. Heaven is the inexhaustible storehouse of the everywhere present Spirit-Mind. Blessing and praising are from a Greek word which means eulogize. The one and only way to draw this invisible and formless essence to the without is to praise it, give thanks unto it, bless it, and in all ways eulogize it. Every word of this kind that yon utter will increase and expand the life and substance within, and supply the thoughts without.
May 8, 1921: Mark 6:31-32
What does a desert place represent in mind? A desert place in mind means a consciousness of substance, without the necessary life and love as coordinates. Man makes the "desert places" in his mind bloom like the rose and bring forth abundantly, when he realizes the quickening power of life and love.
What is the meaning of our thought-people being in a desert place and hungry? The meaning is that our most external thought realms need the consciousness of life and love. The recognition of this need opens the way into the inner spiritual realms, where the sustaining powers may be freely appropriated and assimilated.
Sunday, March 11, 1928: Mark 6:31-44
Do Christian metaphysicians believe that Jesus actually multiplied the loaves and the fishes and fed the five thousand as described in our lesson, or do they think it a symbolical process in which the cells of the organism are replenished by the blessing of the I AM? Christian metaphysicians consider this so-called miracle from two viewpoints: First, one does feed the depleted cells of the organism by blessing and realizing the increasing power of substance and life; second, a master like Jesus can carry this process to outer manifestation and can increase substance and life from a few seed receptacles. Elijah increased the widow's oil and meal. In our lesson today we read how Jesus increased the five loaves and the two fishes to feed five thousand persons.
Can a metaphysician who understands how to increase the seemingly small measure of life and substance in his own consciousness and thereby supply his needs, enlarge his capacity so as to feed a multitude of people? The power to increase life and substance is inherent in every one and may be developed to the degree that Jesus developed it. However, as yet the average metaphysician does not claim this power.
When we pronounce a blessing upon our food or upon or money as the minister blesses the wafer and the wine of the Eucharist, does any organic change take place in the things blessed? We get results from blessing material things according to the measure of our faith and in accordance to our understanding of spiritual resource. One who is spiritually quickened radiates from the cells of his organism electronic energy that moves upon, electrifies and transforms the electrons of other bodies upon which he directs his attention. The increase and change are in proportion to the degree of spirituality possessed by the one who pronounces the blessing.
How do metaphysicians develop spiritual power sufficient to raise the spiritual life and substance, not only in their own bodies but in everything they "touch" With their minds? The beginning and the end of all spiritual development are in the understanding and realization that man is spiritual and that he exists in the one omnipresent spiritual mind from which he draws all power, life, substance, and intelligence.
In studying the life of Jesus, do we get best results from considering the historical incidents, or from spiritually comparing our thoughts and actions with those of Jesus, and using Him as a pattern? Our making inquiry only into the historical life of Jesus has a tendency to separate us from Him; our making inquiry into spiritual law, and our gaining a realization that the same spiritual Father that was with Jesus is with us, give a certain zest and enthusiasm to our every thought. When we have gained this understanding, we find that we can follow Jesus in the regeneration and in a measure do as He did.
December 11, 1932: Mark 6:30-32
Did Jesus teach relaxation after the stress and strain of life? Yes. He said, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." A desert place represents a state of mind in which productive thoughts are inactive. But man, with his creative mind, can cause it to "rain" upon such a place; and it will bring forth abundantly. Jesus demonstrated this law of increase in the desert when He multiplied the loaves and fishes and fed the multitude.
Sunday, March 12, 1933: Mark 6:30-44
Metaphysically interpreted, what is a desert place? A desert place, metaphysically, is a state in which conscious thought is suspended: a state in which we rest from the labor of affirming and denying and have "leisure ... to eat," or to let the recuperative power of the inner nature do its work.
How do we rest in God? By relaxing in the consciousness of innate goodness and abiding there, we rest in God.
What does the boat represent? In today's lesson, the boat may be said to represent a positive thought. Such a boat is able to float upon the surface of the water (the changeable human mind) and to bear up the disciples (the faculties) and the Master (the I AM).
What is represented by the multitudes? The multitude is the numberless thoughts that seek light, strength, and healing.
In today's lesson what new phase of development were Jesus' disciples called upon to accomplish? Jesus had trained His disciples to do the work of spiritual healing and of casting out demons. This mastered, they faced a greater work; namely, the visualizing of unlimited substance with only a small visible nucleus.
Please explain Jesus' words "How many loaves have ye? go and see." The loaves here referred to represent the nucleus or the seed from which abundance is to come forth. This nucleus is ample to satisfy all physical hunger and to meet any craving for the true understanding of life.
Is it possible for man to solve his problems? If we really want to solve our problems, we can do so. The solution is ready to hand. We shall first collect what we have (our nucleus), then look up to heaven (the universal law of increase), bless, break and give to the disciples (our faculties) to give out to the multitudes.
Sunday, March 13, 1938: Mark 6:30-44
What does the apostles? preaching and teaching, tour represent? The work of the apostles sent out by Jesus represents the activity of man's faculties when they are well developed and expressed in divine order. Jesus represents the I AM.
What aids to demonstration of substance did Jesus have in this lesson? Faith, the first substance in the mind, was present in those who heard Him, inspiring Him to mighty works, Great expectations in the spiritual realm mean a great demonstration in the external.
What does the invitation to the apostles to come apart and rest awhile mean? After a period of unusual activity the faculties of man normally become quiescent for a time, when their strength is renewed. The I AM (Jesus) realizes the need of giving the faculties a period of quiet and meditation.
Why did not Jesus send the multitudes away, as the disciples advised Him to do? Jesus knew that He could feed the multitudes where they were, because the I AM contains within itself the power to command substance in the form of faith.
How can we apply the principle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes within our own consciousness? Eating is a symbol of mental appropriation. Our thoughts are the multitude to be fed with spiritual substance and true affirmations are the food with which we feed them.
What does tbe fact that there were five loaves and two fishes signify? The five loaves signify that we make substance manifest through the spiritualized five senses. The two fishes symbolize unmanifest ideas in the mind, and the realized expression of those ideas in the realm of form.
What is shown by the fact that twelve basketfuls were left over from so small a nucleus? That substance is exhaustless and that the law of increase is easily applied by one who has understanding.
How quick is the response of substance to man's word of command? This depends on the faith that man has in his word. According to his faith he demonstrates immediately or at length.
February 6, 1944: Mark 6:35-44
In the realm of consciousness what does "a desert place" represent? It represents a state of mind which conscious thought is suspended and the recuperative powers of the inner nature are free to work uninterruptedly.
Metaphysically what is represented by the hungry multitudes? They are the numberless undisciplined thoughts that seek light, strength, and healing. The I AM (Christ), seeing the need, instantly takes up the task of enlightening them and keeping them in order.
Where is the true bread of life found? In the Christ mind within each individual. As we let this mind be in us we learn the law of increase that it puts in action.
How do we make contact with divine substance, the bread of life? Through faith in its availability coupled with an understanding of its divine nature. Then our faith and understanding expressed through meditation and prayer enables us to draw upon this substance and make it manifest in sufficient degree to meet any need.
February 11, 1951: Mark 6:34-44
What calls forth the compassion of the Christ mind most readily? The aimlessness of the life that is yet under sense consciousness and its lack of spiritual control or guiding purpose. Jesus had compassion on "a great multitude ... because they were as sheep not having a shepherd."
What is the remedy for this condition? To learn that life is spiritual in nature, and that it should and can be given meaning and purpose by realizing the truth about it. "He began to teach them many things." The Christ instructs all who seek to know His Truth.
What does a desert place represent? It represents a state of mind in which conscious thought is suspended and the recuperative power of the inner nature permitted to do its work.
How is the substance of Divine Mind multiplied? Through the medium of fertile ideas that have entered the subconscious mind and then risen to the surface of consciousness.
Where do ideas first become subject to the law of increase? In the subconsciousness. Before an idea can bear fruit in action it must lay hold of the universal thought substance that is not perceived by the consciousness. Rooted and grounded in substance, its increase is in harmony with the universal law.
Where do we find the nucleus of spiritual substance from which the increase must come in us? In our own faculties. "Give ye them to eat." Five loaves and two fishes formed the nucleus that fed five thousand, with much more left over than the original amount. The nucleus that we start with may be all, but it can grow to truly astounding proportions, for the law of increase is subject to no limit in the mental or spiritual realm.
What is the chief wealth of the world? Originality of thinking and fertility of ideas.
What can develop the idea of universal peace as a workable and desirable state for the world? Spiritual consciousness combined with mental acumen and devoted effort to realize that the idea of peace is an actuality can make it manifest and thus bring about world peace.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 6:45-52
6:45And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away. 6:46And after he had taken leave of them, he departed into the mountain to pray.
6:47And when even was come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 6:48And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them, about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them: 6:49but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 6:50for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he straightway spake with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 6:51And he went up unto them into the boat; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves; 6:52for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened.
March 20, 1949: Mark 6:30-52
Are rest and relaxation part of the divine law? They are part of both natural and divine law; in other words, of universal law. The ebb and flow of the tide, the inhaling and exhaling of the breath, the rhythm of the heartbeat and pulse all reveal the law of balance or of action and reaction in the natural world.
What follows a season of intense activity for the faculties? A season of lessened activity or dormancy if not of complete rest, as in sleep. "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." Such a season of dormancy allows the faculties (disciples) to become renewed and ready for fuller exercise.
Does prayer serve any purpose other than that of putting us in communion with Divine Mind? Yes. It is one of our best means of relaxing our mind, our tense nerves, our taut muscles. The lifting up of the heart in sincere prayer to God brings instant relaxation, because in this exercise of the soul we lift our thoughts above the negations of the sense mind.
How was Jesus able to do so many mighty works of healing and teaching? By observing regular seasons of prayer and communion with God. He sometimes spent whole nights in prayer. These were followed by periods of intense activity in His ministry to the multitudes and to His disciples.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 6:53-56
6:53And when they had crossed over, they came to the land unto Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 6:54And when they were come out of the boat, straightway the people knew him, 6:55and ran round about that whole region, and began to carry about on their beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 6:56And wheresoever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
March 4, 1917: Mark 6:45-56
6:45And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away. -- The other side refers to the passing of the thought from the positive to the negative pole of consciousness. The positive is the fullness, the negative the emptiness.
6:46And after he had taken leave of them, he departed into the mountain to pray. -- When the I Am (Christ) gives of its Substance in quickening the consciousness, it is exalted. This is the mountain to which we ascend in prayer.
6:47And when even was come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. -- The sea is the unformed state of Mind, having unexpressed capacities, while the land is the formed. The boat (body consciousness) is "in the midst of the sea," but the I Am is established in Spirit.
6:48And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them, about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them: -- We live in a sea of thought that is moved by every impulse of the mind. Only through faith in I Am can we walk safely.
6:49but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; -- The unawakened consciousness is "troubled and afraid" at the advent of the quickening Spirit.
6:50for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he straightway spake with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. -- The Christ Mind assures us that it is not an "apparition," but a mighty saving Power. When changes take place in consciousness we are to be of "good cheer," knowing that the I Am has begun its transforming work.
6:51And he went up unto them into the boat; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves; 6:52for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened. -- The boat is the vehicle of mind, or body consciousness. When union is made with the Christ Mind, consciousness realizes its True Self, and exercises power and dominion over all negative conditions.
6:53And when they had crossed over, they came to the land unto Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. -- Gennesaret means "sea of life." We are related, both within the consciousness and without, to all creation through the Universal Life Principle.
6:54And when they were come out of the boat, straightway the people knew him, 6:55and ran round about that whole region, and began to carry about on their beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. -- After stilling any storm of doubt, we gain new power, and through faith in the Christ Mind, are able to rriinister to all the needy—whether the needy be thoughts in consciousness needing illumination, or conditions in the manifest realm needing adjustment and harmony. When we have found the Spirit of the law, the expression adjusts itself.
6:56And wheresoever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. -- The Omnipotence of Spirit not only penetrates one's consciousness, but is everywhere present If one but touches the "hem of the garment" of Truth, he contacts a mighty healing power, and through faith in the Christ Principle is made whole.
January 29, 1928: Mark 5:53-56
Jesus and his disciples crossed over and moored to the shore of Gennesaret. What does this mean? The meaning of Gennesaret is "prince's garden," "garden of riches." It represents the spiritual substance in and through which Galilee, the universal energy, constructs its forms. Matter is the visible and outer expression of this inner substance through which the energy of the mind works. Error thoughts produce sick cells. When one is in radiant health, the very (cells of his body harmonize and heal the discordant cells of other bodies. This healing, harmonizing power extends even to the clothing. In several instances people were healed by touching Jesus' garments.
March 20, 1938: Mark 6:53-56
What does the land of Gennesaret represent? It represents the realm of divine life. We become conscious of this realm through positive thought of things divine (a boat), and attach ourselves to the divinely good and true by keeping our thought high. Thus we moor our boat to the shore of Gennesaret.
How do we touch the border of the Christ's garment? When we become conscious of righteousness and faithfulness in our mind and heart, we touch the Christ. "Righteousness shall be the girdle of bis waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins."
Transcribed by Tom Schulte on 12-25-2013
