Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Matthew Chapter 10
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 10:1-4
10:1And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. 10:2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 10:3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;10:4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Undated: Matt. 10:1-4; Psalms 19:1-9
A TIME FOR LAW AND ORDER
UNITY INTERPRETS A LIVING BIBLE LESSON
Prepared by MARY MAE OESCH
Matthew tells us that Jesus “called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.”
The twelve apostles (symbolizing man's faculties) are listed: Simon Peter: faith; Andrew: strength; James, the son of Zebedee: judgment; John: love; Philip: power; Bartholomew or Nathanael: imagination; Thomas: understanding; Matthew: will; James, the son of Alphaeus: law and order; Thaddaeus, sometimes called Judas: renunciation; Simon the Canaanite (called Simon the Zealot): zeal; and Jesus’ betrayer, Judas Iscariot: unredeemed life forces.
Our special interest here is in the law and order represented by James, the son of Alphaeus.
Long before James' time, a Psalmist was impressed with the law and order evidenced in the skies. He says that the “heavens” continually reveal the glory of God. The “handiwork” of the “firmament,” the majesty of the moon, and the breathless beauty of a starlit night speak in eloquent silence. We know that the music of the spheres is without words, yet the message is unmistakable. God's presence is revealed in all nature, so that men thrill to the knowledge of universal law and the sustaining power of divine order.
The precision timing in the sun's rising and setting is only one evidence that “the law of the Lord is perfect.” God's law is sure, dependable, and unchanging, a source of joy and peace to all who reverence it in their hearts and keep it in their lives.
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven” - a time for law and order.
Since the time when the Psalmist wrote: “The heavens are telling the glory of God,” the fingerprints of scientists have become faintly visible on the map of the heavens and the footprints of astronauts have left their mark on the moon. Since Alexander Pope's statement, “Order is Heaven's first law,” the eyes of science have probed billions of miles into space. We know that, when we look at the stars, we are face-to-face with infinity.
Our increasing knowledge of the universe serves to increase our reverence for the Infinite Intelligence that created and sustains all that is or ever has been, and we know that universal law applies on all levels of existence. The “Unseen Hand” that guides the planets also charts the ideal course of human lives, and if we would keep “on course,” we need to order our thoughts and our living in accord with divine law.
If we would establish order in our thinking, we need to organize our thoughts around this basic Truth: There is one life force; the creative universal life, even God-universal Spirit, omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. Our faculty of order should work closely with all the other faculties, such as life, love, power, and wisdom, toward the expression of the one Spirit.
Order begins for us in our own thought and applies to even the smallest incident in our daily lives. For example, when rush-hour traffic seems hopelessly snarled in a dead stop, try silently affirming the idea of divine order. You may be pleasantly surprised at the orderly step-by-step “unraveling” process.
When there is bickering, or even heated argument in a group, hold the thought of divine order for everyone present, including yourself.
Plan your day and your work around an orderly agenda, and watch your efficiency improve.
If there are health problems, know that the healing process of divine life is progressing in an orderly way.
There may be many times when you will find it helpful to affirm: “Divine order is established in my life and in my world.” Or you may prefer an affirmation suggested by Charles Fillmore: “My house is set in order, and I press forward toward the goal of perfection.” Then the planets in their course, and you in yours, will join in declaring “the glory of God.”
What is divine law? Divine law is the orderly working out of the principles of Being, or the divine ideals, into expression and manifestation throughout creation.
How can we establish order in our lives? By keeping the law of right thought, man works in perfect harmony with divine law, and thus paves his way into spiritual consciousness.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 10:5-15
10:5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans: 10:6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 10:7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 10:8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give. 10:9Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; 10:10no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. 10:11And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go forth. 10:12And as ye enter into the house, salute it. 10:13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 10:14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. 10:15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Undated: Matt. 9:35-38; Matt. 10:1-8, 24, 25
BIBLE LESSON - Man's Full-Orbed Expression
Unity's Interpretation of the International Sunday School Lesson
How can we do the same kind of works that Jesus did? By taking as our standard of thought and conduct the same principle that Jesus followed, we learn to do the same kind of works.
What is the I AM, and what is its proper sphere of action? The I Am is the God-given identity of each individual, the divine essence in man with which he consciously and constantly identifies himself. Its proper sphere includes all that man is in his truest self, as well as all that he does from the prompting of his own heart.
What is the spiritual significance of Jesus' calling His twelve disciples and giving them authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal disease and sickness? When man's spiritual understanding is awakened, he discerns that he has faculties that he has not previously called into action; that through these faculties he can gain control of every condition of his mind; that through them he can cleanse all impure states of mind, and restore, heal, and harmonize ills both of mind and of body.
What are the twelve faculties of man, and by whom is each typified? The twelve powers or faculties and the men that typify them are: faith, Simon Peter; strength, Andrew; judgment, James; love, John; power, Philip; imagination, Bartholomew; understanding, Thomas; will, Matthew; order, James, son of Alphaeus; renunciation, Thaddaeus; zeal, Simon, the Cananean; life, Judas Iscariot.
Can the mental powers or faculties be externalized in everyday life? They not only can be; they must be if they are to serve their true purpose. Good judgment, for example, is not a true opinion held in reserve, but a conviction carried out in conduct.
What is symbolized by Jesus' telling His disciples “Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans”? Man's faculties exist in their purity in Divine Mind as ideas, and they should not be contaminated or adulterated in thought (“go not into any way of the Gentiles”). We are not to limit the activity of our faculties to the thought centers (Gentiles) or mix Truth with error (Samaritans).
What are “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”? These are innate spiritual principles that we have lost contact with in the confusion of the material or sense life. When we begin the work of spiritualizing the mind, we redeem these principles (Israelites) by proclaiming the law in even the Egyptian darkness of materiality.
Explain the meaning of “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “The kingdom of heaven” is the inner spiritual reality, the divine realm of perfection. It is always right at hand awaiting our recognition.
How do we ourselves obey the command, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons”? When the Christ is quickened in us, we first begin to cleanse our consciousness of sick thoughts, of unclean thoughts (lepers), of angry, jealous, demoniac thoughts (“cast out demons”), and above all to resurrect our inert, inactive thoughts (“raise the dead”). The quickening that we receive from Spirit gives us power also to help others to do for themselves what we are doing for ourselves.
I exert my powers in the service of peace and good will and I reap a rich reward.
Unless otherwise specified, the Bible text used In this Lesson is taken from the American Standard Version of the Bible, copyright, 1929, by the International Council of Religious Education, and is used by permission.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 10:16-25
10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 10:17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in theirs synagogues they will scourge you; 10:18yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 10:19But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak. 10:20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you. 10:21And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.10:22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. 10:23But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
10:24A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. 10:25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household!
JANUARY 24, 1965: Matt. 9:9-13; 10:17-23
WEEKLY UNITY - Facing Opposition
Facing Opposition. — Matt. 9:9-13; 10:17-23
What does the disciple Matthew represent? He represents the will, which plays a part in all forgiveness and in all healing. Matthew “arose, and followed him.” The will follows after the conviction of power to rise.
What is signified by the Pharisees' criticism of Jesus for eating with the publicans and sinners? The Pharisees represent formalized religious thoughts, which seek to interfere directly or indirectly with the word of Truth in ministering to those who are not yet spiritually illumined.
Explain Jesus' statement “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Metaphysically, a “sinner” is’ one who has not yet awakened to the full realization of his divinity, his sonship to God. Such an individual, through ignorance, prejudice, or selfishness, misuses the divine law, and reaps all sorts of difficulties and hardships. He needs the healing ministry of Truth. The “righteous” individual is not one who is self-righteous, but one who perceives his divinity and is endeavoring to call it forth into full expression. He has already accepted the healing ministry of Truth.
What is the significance of the word “men” in the admonition “beware of men”? “Men” are the spiritually unillumined thoughts that oppose Truth, and seek to negate or discredit it.
How does Truth face opposition? Truth is self-revealing and it is omnipotent. It does not fight against opposing forces or endeavor to justify itself. It remains serene in the face of all circumstances, for it has all eternity in which to accomplish its purpose.
When others question or are critical of our efforts to practice Truth, how should we respond? We should not argue or attempt to justify ourselves, but should await divine guidance in what to say and do (“it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak”).
Does our faithfulness to Truth enable us to overcome and conquer opposition? Yes, but such overcoming is not easy, and we often undergo many trials before we gain the eventual victory (“he that endureth to the end … shall be saved”).
What is the supreme value of Truth to us? Truth makes us aware of our divinity, our ultimate goal, and our oneness with all others in Christ
I express my understanding of God and my awareness of the divine in my daily life.
I will chide no brother in the world but myself, against whom I know most faults.
— Shakespeare.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-20-2013
