Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Mark Chapter 9
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 9:1-1
9:1And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power.
November 17, 1912: Mark 9:1
The loss of this personal life is the only way to find eternal life. The acceptance of this mighty truth takes away the consciousness of death, and reveals the Son of God coming into his kingdom here and now.
February 11, 1917: Mark 9:1
What place in spiritual development does Faith occupy? It is through Faith that man recognizes the Christ in his own being. Faith is the foundation upon which spiritual consciousness is established.
How is spiritual consciousness formed? Spiritual consciousness can only be formed through relinquishing all claims of personal consciousness. Like Peter, we must look within to find the Christ nature, giving all honor and glory to this Supreme Principle.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 9:2-8
9:2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them; 9:3and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. 9:4And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 9:5And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. 9:6For he knew not what to answer; for they became sore afraid. 9:7And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him. 9:8And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
April 15, 1928: Mark 9:2-8
What is the spiritual significance of the Scriptural reference to “days”? A day, in the Scriptures, represents a degree of spiritual understanding. The “first day” represents the first perception of spiritual truth. The “second day” represents a still more advanced and understanding of Truth. Each day up to the “sixth day” represents higher degrees of understanding; the sixth day represents the highest perception of Truth in body consciousness.
What is represented by Jesus' taking Peter, James, and John, “up into a mountain apart by themselves?” This represents the raising of faith, wisdom, and love to spiritual consciousness, a state in which these faculties are mentally separated from the physical organism.
How do things appear to those in spiritual consciousness? Things appear transformed, or transfigured, to those who are in spiritual consciousness. The garments (soul aura) become glistening white.
What is represented by the appearance of Elijah with Moses and the conversation with Jesus? In periods of spiritual exaltation the higher faculties are quickened. Elijah represents the ability to prophesy; Moses represents understanding of the divine law. Their conversation with Jesus represents the expression of these abilities in the mind of man.
Do Peter, James, and John (faith, wisdom, and love) understand why Elijah and Moses (gifts of prophecy and understanding of divine law) should be talking with Jesus (expressed as spiritual qualities)? No, the significance is that until the faculties are educated, they still function in personality. As told in the text, Peter did not understand what he saw and wanted to erect three tabernacles commemorating the event as relating to three personalities.
What is represented by the cloud out of which came the Voice proclaiming, “This is my beloved Son: hear ye him”? The cloud represents the obscured perception of man through which Jehovah is compelled to reveal Himself and identify His Son as the only begotten I AM. “And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves.”
April 11, 1943: Mark 9:2-8
How do we become consciously one with God? Through communion with Him in prayer and meditation.
What characterizes this conscious oneness? Exaltation of thought and feeling. The phrase “a high mountain apart” represents a state of spiritual exaltation or realization.
Can the transfiguration of Jesus be explained in terms that have practical meaning for us in our ongoing? It is known that prayer brings about a rapid radiation of mental energy, and when faith (Peter), love (John), and judgment (James) are present, there follows a lifting up of the soul that electrifies the body. The aura surrounding the body (raiment) then shines with glistening whiteness.
What does the presence of Elijah and Moses signify? Moses represents the evolutionary process of nature through which a slow upward trend of all things takes place. Elijah represents the power of spiritual discernment to bring about rapid changes on the mental plane, these changes being later manifested in substantial form.
Of what is the glistening white light a symbol? Of the love, wisdom, and understanding of Divine Mind.
How are we shown the quick and powerful action of the word? By the fact that Moses and Elijah disappeared as soon as the word had been spoken, leaving “no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves.”
February 25, 1951: Mark 9:2-4
What qualifies a person to do spiritual healing? Exaltation of spirit and a consciousness of God as indwelling life and power, together with compassion for others.
Of what is the Transfiguration proof? Of the transcendent understanding of the Christ mind. Light represents understanding. The light of spiritual Truth is represented as a halo about the head, the seat of wisdom and understanding.
How do we gain exaltation of spirit? By steadfastly contemplating the things of God through prayer and meditation, and by practicing faithfully the Truth that we know.
Can true enlightenment be gained anywhere except in the Christ consciousness? True enlightenment comes only from God through the activity of His Spirit indwelling in us. True enlightenment develops in us understanding, compassion, and zeal to serve God or express what we know of Truth.
What is the immediate effect on a person, when he gains an exalted spirit of service? He loses personal littleness, narrowness, envy, hate, greed, malice, and all other negative states that make life a burden instead of a joyous expression of Divine Mind.
February 24, 1952: Mark 9:2
What [faculties lead] most naturally and essentially into prayer? Faith (represented by Peter), love (John), and discriminating judgment (James). These all accompany and intensify the exaltation of mind that comes through prayer.
How does the vision of purified man affect the faculties of faith, love, and judgment? It exalts and inspires these faculties in those who perceive it, fitting them for a higher standard of service than they were before capable of performing.
What do angels represent? They represent our thoughts, and they are described also as “ministering spirits” or God's messengers. Man is “but little lower than the angels,” or our actual expression is a little lower than the scope of our aspiring thoughts.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 9:9-13
9:9And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, save when the Son of man should have risen again from the dead. 9:10And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean. 9:11And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come? 9:12And he said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be set at nought? 9:13But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him.
April 17, 1904 and November 24 1912: Mark 9:2-13
Matthew says that Jesus went up into a mountain to pray, and was there transfigured. Prayer always brings about an exalted or rapid radiation of mental energy, and when it is accompanied by Faith (Peter), Love (John) and Truth (James), there is such a lifting up of the soul that it electrifies the body and the raiment (the aura surrounding the body) shines with glistening whiteness.
The appearance of Moses and Elijah represents the two processes through which this picture of the purified man is to be objectified or demonstrated in real life. The first is the Mosaic or evolutionary process of nature, through which there is a steady upward trend of all things. Spencer and Darwin observed this law, and their works are marvels of mental penetration. This evolutionary process is part of a spiritual plan for the redemption of the human race from its fallen state. The other is the ability of the prophet Elijah, or spiritual discerner of Truth, to make conditions rapidly change on the mental plane, to be in due season worked out in substance. Thus we are told in the lesson that Elijah must first come and restore all things. The mind must first be set right through spiritual understanding, after which comes the demonstration. Peter, proposing to erect three tabernacles, carries out this idea of a substance manifestation for each, but his ideas were vague as to the process, hence the accompanying voice out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son: hear ye him.”
All that we see in our high moments, whether in visions or dreams, are mind pictures, and in the very nature of growth from thought to thing, they must come to visibility. But those who develop their mental powers can dissolve these thought forms and stop their growth, as easily as one crushes a seed in the ground. Thoughts can also be formed and planted in the universal mind-substance. This is what the Master reveals to his disciples, and they are endowed with discernment by the Higher Wisdom, or Son of God, as to how they shall both dissolve and form thoughts. Whoever works in this realm of thought, and is not obedient to the Divine Wisdom, is not safe. To “tell no man what things they have seen until the Son of man is risen again from the dead,” means that we shall not consider these mental pictures as real and talk about them as persons. They represent ideas which can only be understood when they are demonstrated in the risen man.
This process of the submerged Christ coming into life again in human consciousness is of deep metaphysical import, and the disciples are often in the dark as to the meaning of it all, and they question among themselves. But do not become involved in the doubts and fears of your faculties; keep your eye on the Christ of God within, and you will understand all that is written of the Son of man, and what experiences he passes through in demonstrating his Christ-power.
February 18, 1917: Mark 9:2-13
Of what in consciousness is the transfiguration symbolic? The transfiguration symbolizes the exaltation and radiance of the soul in communion with God.
What three faculties of Mind enter into the transfiguration? Faith, Love and Truth.
What in consciousness does Moses represent? Moses represents the orderly unfoldment of man's consciousness under the moral law.
What in consciousness does Elijah represent? Elijah represents that phase of consciousness which discerns Truth, and prepares to receive it through establishing an understanding of spiritual law.
What does the building of the three tabernacles, as suggested by Peter, represent? The three tabernacles represent the three phases of consciousness through which Truth passes before it can be demonstrated, namely Mind, Idea and Expression. Through Faith (Peter) spiritual ideas are brought into visibility.
How does the “Son of man rise from the dead”? When an individual is quickened of the Spirit, the Christ comes into life and activity in consciousness, and man rises from the dead. That is, he comes into realization of himself as eternal, indestructible spiritual being.
How may inharmonious states of mind be dissolved? Inharmonious mental states are established by thoughts which continue to produce their kind until Truth dissolves all the error and establishes the Divine Ideal, Christ. Spiritual man has the power to dissolve and create thought forms through sowing in consciousness words of Truth.
April 24, 1927: Mark 9:2-10
Give the metaphysical meaning of verse 2, which states that after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them. The six days represent six degrees of unfoldment which man passes through to attain the image and likeness or Son of God consciousness. The three disciples who accompanied Jesus represent faith, judgment, and love; these qualities transform any person who lifts them into the I AM consciousness.
What is the meaning of the Scripture passage, “And his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them”? When the consciousness is lifted up with faith, judgment, and love, a divine light or radiance suffuses the whole man and an aura glistens and shines, so that it can be seen by persons who dwell in Spirit.
What does the appearing of Elijah and Moses represent? When man is lifted to spiritual consciousness, he beholds the natural man (Elijah) evolving, through law (Moses), to a higher plane. “And there appeared unto them Elijah and Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.”
What is the meaning of Peter's desiring to make tabernacles? Peter (faith) did not yet understand the unity of all things in Spirit. He still thought in terms of body consciousness and proposed that their experience be commemorated in the form of three tents or tabernacles.
Did Peter (faith) receive true understanding of their experience? Yes. At first he saw but dimly; however, he received new understanding and discerned the power of the word working in the subconscious mind.
A voice came out of the cloud proclaiming, “This is my beloved Son: hear ye him.” What is the meaning of this incident? The cloud represents the obscured consciousness of man’s faculties, but within the cloud the great I AM proclaims man to be the Son of God.
Explain verse 8: “And suddenly looking round about they saw no one any more save Jesus only with themselves.” The experience of the disciples of Jesus was subjective up to a point; now however, they began to look around and they saw no one except Jesus with them.
What is the metaphysical meaning of Jesus' telling the disciples that they should tell no man what they had seen until the Son of man should rise again from the dead? We cannot express to others the meaning of spiritual experiences; we should attempt to explain them only to those who have spiritual understanding; for example, Jesus once told a man whom he had healed of leprosy to go and tell no man but to show himself to the priest.
April 24, 1938: Mark 9:2-10
What practical meaning do we perceive in verse 2 of this lesson? Spiritual man (Jesus) is illumined through prayer into which he puts the active qualities of faith (Peter), love (John), and judgment (James).
What does “a high mountain apart by themselves” signify? A high mountain signifies an exalted consciousness; “apart by themselves” shows that the qualities of faith, love, and judgment are peculiarly fitted to induce this state.
What caused the Transfiguration? Jesus was transfigured following prayer. Prayer changes the mental state, and when faith, love, and judgment are quickened by prayer the soul is exalted so that the aura surrounding the body (raiment) becomes radiant.
What does the appearance of Moses and Elijah together represent? Moses represents the law, Elijah the effect of the law. Their appearing together shows the close relation of cause and effect.
How does faith react to the Transfiguration? Faith causes man to realize illumination of spiritual truth. When faith is dimmed by fear and fear becomes pronounced, the mind is overshadowed by it and mental darkness follows instead of light.
What was it that Peter answered, when he saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus? The implied question that Peter answered concerned the connection between spiritual man (Jesus) and the law of cause and effect (Moses and Elijah). In his unillumined state Peter would have separated the three (made three tabernacles) rather than fused them into one.
Why did a cloud overshadow the three disciples? The cloud was the out-picturing of the disciples' fears. “They became sore afraid.” Fear is a symbol of mental darkness.
What voice does man hear through the darkness of fear? The voice of divine love penetrates fear and reveals the Christ. “Suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves.”
Why were the disciples commanded not to tell what they had seen until after the “Son of man should have risen again from the dead”? The “Son of man ... risen again” signifies the regenerated consciousness. One who is in the process of being regenerated through laying hold of his realization of Truth should “tell no man” until it has been fully established in him.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 9:14-29
9:14And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. 9:15And straightway all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 9:16And he asked them, What question ye with them? 9:17And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit; 9:18and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able. 9:19And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me. 9:20And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 9:21And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child. 9:22And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. 9:23And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. 9:24Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 9:25And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 9:26And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead. 9:27But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. 9:28And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, How is it that we could not cast it out? 9:29And he said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer.
December 1, 1912: Mark 9:14-29
Christian preachers lay special emphasis on the command, “Follow Jesus.” Yet throughout his teaching Jesus gave examples of healing, the direct result of which was the casting out of evil in some of its many forms. These were demonstrations of the law which he taught, and his disciples, and all who set forth his doctrine, were expected to show by similar works that they were in possession of a truth that had demonstrable power. “These signs shall follow them that believe.” What must he think of the thousands of Christian ministers who claim to be interpreters of his doctrine but who have no faith whatever in spiritual healing? They tell us that their only hope of salvation “is in him,” yet they cannot heal a simple headache through faith. “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?”
Jesus set forth the power of faith as a demonstrable principle with an assurance greater even than Newton his Principia. Jesus not only laid down the working law, but he also gave examples of its application, and reprimanded disciples when they failed to get the lessons in healing which he repeatedly gave them. Yet we are gravely told by his accepted teachers that he worked “miracles,” when he healed the sick, and that this power is no longer necessary, because we now have the New Testament. But he thundered, “All things are possible to him that believeth!”
Jesus expects all his followers, both teachers and laymen, to do the works that he did in casting out evil states of mind. Do you carry the signs? Are you bringing forth the fruits? If not, why not? You may be like those weak disciples who could not cast the dumb spirit out, because they lacked spiritual faith. “O faithless generation!”
When a follower of Jesus finds that he does not possess faith equal to the work of casting out demons and healing the sick, he should at once go to God in prayer. “This kind can come out by nothing save prayer.” “When thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall recompense thee.” The “inner chamber” here mentioned is the holy place within every soul, where the Spirit of God meets secretly the spirit of man. Metaphysicians call this entry into the secret chamber of the consciousness, “going into the Silence.” Whosoever will may enter.
April 1, 1917: Mark 9:14-29
14. 9:14And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. -- “They” in this instance, refers to Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James and John. When Faith, Judgment and Love are unified with the Christ Principle, they begin their redemptive work in consciousness.
15-16. 9:15And straightway all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 9:16And he asked them, What question ye with them? -- As the Truth is established in consciousness, the multitude of thought egos recognize a superior power and are at first amazed, then submissive.
17. 9:17And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit; -- The mentality must appeal to the Christ Principle in order to establish harmonious activity.
18. 9:18and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able. -- Certain though egos established through willful and adverse thinking, control the man until a Higher Law is set into operation. Even the twelve great powers of mind (the disciples) are unable to express perfection, except they have faith in the directive power of the Christ Mind.
19. 9:19And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me. -- Absolute faith in God as the power through which healing is effected, and mans cooperation with Divine Principles will open the door to the mighty healing Presence.
20. 9:20And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. -- Error is powerless before Truth. “He fell to the ground.” Error always takes a downward trend.
21-22. 9:21And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child. 9:22And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. -- The father typifies the soul which has access to the Christ Principle. The false ego has its inception as a thought (child). Before the sense consciousness is redeemed, it assumes a certain directive power which is always destructive.
23. 9:23And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. -- A living faith in the mighty power of the Spirit will deliver man from any sense of bondage.
24. 9:24Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. -- The soul is quickened through the establishment of Truth in the conscious mind, and straightway becomes receptive to the inflow of spiritual substance.
25. 9:25And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. -- The false ego obeys the Word spoken with authority by one established in the power and dominion of the Christ Mind.
26-27. 9:26And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead. 9:27But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. -- Casting out the error is representative of denial, which must be immediately followed by an affirmation of Truth, in order that the equilibrium of the consciousness be maintained.
28. 9:28And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, How is it that we could not cast it out? -- All the power of the Mind (the disciples) must be unified in one purpose before the works of God can be accomplished.
29. 9:29And he said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer. -- The “dumb spirit,” representative of inertia and inactivity of the consciousness to handle the Word of God, must be cast out again and again, until the mind is established in faith and understanding. Constantly abiding in the poise, power, and dominion of the Christ Mind is the unceasing prayer of faith.
April 15, 1928: Mark 9:17-18
After coming down from the mountain Jesus was confronted by a boy who was afflicted with a “dumb and deaf spirit.” Explain. When, after a spiritual exaltation, a person returns to earthly conditions, he nearly always has to meet and overcome some of the old mental errors. In this case the error that was met was a deaf and dumb state.
What does the deaf and dumb state represent and how is it cast out? Deafness represents inability, or opposition to the word of Spirit; dumbness represents stubbornness in speaking the word of Spirit. These errors are cast out by prayer, that is, by making union with the mind of Spirit, which is open and receptive, and at the same time expressive.
May 1, 1938: Mark 9:14-29
What metaphysical meaning has the statement pound in verse 14? We put forth our best efforts when all our faculties work together in harmony. When faith, judgment, and love (represented by Peter, James and John respectively) are separated from the other faculties (disciples), the other cannot do effective work. All our faculties must be united under the direction of the I AM (Jesus).
Why were tee multitude greatly amazed at the sight of Jesus? The multitude was subconsciously impressed by something of the transcendent experience through which Jesus had just passed on the mount and which remained with him, just as a person is dazzled by a sudden blaze of light. They were overwhelmed with wonder.
Spiritual healing is not possible without faith, yet it was Jesus, not Peter, who healed the man's son. What does this fact signify? Jesus proved His faith and perfected it until it had become spiritual understanding. He could therefore heal with the word of authority without recourse to a formal statement of faith.
Did the father of the child lend any help to his healing? The father's negative attitude prevented the healing of the son, until it was dissipated by the positive affirmation of Jesus. Jesus' words “If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth” were a valuable lesson.
“Help thou mine unbelief.” Can one strengthen the faith of another? Faith and confidence on the part of an individual often calls out faith in another and reassures him. “That I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.”
February 25, 1951: Mark 9:14-17
How is consciousness of healing power best expressed? By the word of Truth. Jesus (the word of Truth) commanded the dumb and deaf spirit (belief in sense domination) to come out of the man's son and to enter no more into him. The positive power of the Christ mind makes negation yield to Truth.
February 25, 1951: Mark 9:25-29
In spiritual healing, what is necessary besides the word of Truth? Faith on the part of the one to be healed or on the part of someone who [is interested in him.] [In] this lesson the boy's father had been made doubtful by the failure of the disciples to accomplish the healing, but even the little faith that he evidenced in bringing his son to Jesus sufficed to make the healing possible.
What form of prayer is necessary to the kind of healing accomplished in today's lesson text? We are not given the words of the prayer that Jesus used, but in substance it was the prayer of complete faith expressed silently as a conviction of divine power and divine will.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 9:30-32
9:30And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. 9:31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. 9:32But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 9:33-37
9:33And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 9:34But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. 9:35And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. 9:36And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, 9:37Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 9:38-41
9:38John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us. 9:39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 9:40For he that is not against us is for us. 9:41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
April 23, 1933: Mark 9:33-43
When Jesus' disciples disputed among themselves concerning who was the greatest, how did He solve the question? He explained that the one who aspired to be greatest among them should be the servant of them all.
On another occasion how did Jesus emphasize this teaching? He washed the feet of the disciples; a task of the most menial kind in that day.
Explain the difference between worldly ambition and spiritual ambition. Ambition is not only allowable, but the thing to be cultivated in the Christ consciousness. The difference between worldly ambition and the Christ ambition is that the latter seeks to get under the burdens of the world and lift with might and main, rather than sit on top of the great heap and be lifted along with them by one's fellows.
Is it an accomplishment to learn to love one’s fellow men? Yes. To do this requires nothing less than the continual exercise of the Christ power, based on wisdom and understanding. The one who would love his fellows as the little child loves them must have the rare gift of being able to see himself in his brother and to understand his brother in the light of that oneness.
“John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us.” Please explain. It is revealed in this verse that John let in a thought of human fear: fear that the greatness of the Master might not be duly recognized.
Is there ground for such a fear? No. The operation of the spiritual law is perfect, and under it no greatness can escape recognition and reward. Reward is sure, whether it be the reward of brotherly love or of mistaken superiority; but only the former is to be desired.
Explain Jesus' words “And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off.” The way of the Christ is not a path of ease along the line of least resistance. Success in it calls for all one's powers of accomplishment. A high degree of self-discipline and self-knowledge are prerequisites. In current phrase, the man of today says, “If you find yourself doing the wrong thing, cut it out. Stop it.” Put a good habit in place of a bad one. In the Christ consciousness, such substitution may become easy; but whether it is easy or difficult, it is to be done. This is the commandment of the Master of life, who made no mistakes in His diagnosis.
May 8, 1938: Mark 9:30-41
What truth is made clear in verse 1? That Jesus went from Caesarea Philippi through Galilee, desiring to keep His movements from becoming known, shows in symbolic form the I AM passing from the temporal power of personality, which it has overcome through Spirit, down into the subconscious realm where the realization of Christhood brought about by it results in a greatly increased activity.
Why did the disciples not understand what Jesus taught them concerning the Crucifixion and the Resurrection? They did not see that Jesus as the Son of man (symbol of the spiritual man as distinguished from the race man) must die to the personal self and be resurrected into newness of life.
What is the meaning of the name Capernaum, and what does it represent in the text for today? Capernaum means “covering of compassion” and refers to an inner conviction of the permanent compassion and restorative power of Being. When the I AM exchanges personal power and dominion for spiritual power, a deepened consciousness of the universal life causes healing virtue to spring from the soul.
What faculty in man is greatest in its power to express the healing virtue of the universal life? No one faculty alone is greatest on this respect. When all the faculties (disciples) work together and when man has the teachable attitude of the little child, his expression of the universal becomes excellent.
How does one receive the Christ? One receives the Christ into mind and heart by accepting the truth of the indwelling Christ without question and acting as though this truth had been long settled beyond dispute.
What is the teaching of Jesus with regard to the child? Jesus taught that he who accepts as true the thought that the Christ enters the consciousness first as a little child, accepts God by this same token. He who receives one little child in the name of the Christ receives God.
What quality of greatness is brought out in verses 38 and 39? The quality of tolerance is present in all true greatness. If we are doing the works of the Christ we recognize all of that kind done by others, and we rejoice in their cooperation.
Why cannot an act done in the name of the Christ be shorn of its reward? In the Christ consciousness fulfillment is the working out of principle, and principle admits of no exceptions. Therefore the smallest unselfish act done in this consciousness must bear fruit in character.
February 20, 1944: Mark 9:33-39
In what does greatness consist? It consists chiefly in a deep desire to know and understand Truth and to share this understanding with others, as well as to live according to our understanding. “That all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.”
In our quest for Truth is humility essential? It is, because we must be willing to recognize Truth in whatever guise it comes to us. We cannot choose or order the form that we wish it to take.
What does wholehearted service require of us? It requires a detachment from the self that the self-centered person finds it difficult to accomplish.
What is the chief glory of the Christ? Jesus Christ gloried in doing good as a matter of principle, not in striving to surpass others, although He did surpass them. He did good unselfconsciously; and if we are to know the chief glory of the Christ, that is what each of us must do also.
Metaphysically Interpreting Mark 9:42-50
9:42And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 9:43And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. 9:44where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.9:45And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell. 9:46where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.9:47And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; 9:48where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
9:49For every one shall be salted with fire. 9:50Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.
February 2, 1941: Mark 9:42-48
What is symbolized by the phrase “one of these little ones that believe on me”? It refers to the dawning of spiritual and soul qualities in one who has been absorbed in material thinking and living.
Which is more important, body or soul? Both are important. The body is a necessary vehicle through which the soul develops expression and growth.
How is the importance of the inner life emphasized? By the teaching that it is better to lose a hand or a foot than to miss perfecting the expression of the inner life to its highest point. Love, sympathy, and faith are worth cultivating at any cost.
What counts for more than the preservation of the physical sight? The inner vision or understanding of life is far more worthwhile than physical vision.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-26-2014
