Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Mathew Chapter 26
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 26:26-30
26:26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 26:27And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;26:28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins. 26:29But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
26:30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 26:36-46
26:36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray. 26:37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled. 26:38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.26:39And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. 26:40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 26:41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.26:42Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done. 26:43And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 26:44And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying again the same words. 26:45Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 26:46Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me.
Undated: Matt. 26:26-29, 36-46
WEEKLY UNITY BIBLE LESSON
Unity's Interpretation of the International Sunday School Lesson
Appropriation a Law of Life.
Questions and Answers
Of what are the bread and wine symbols? Of the spiritual partaking of the life and substance of the Christ as made manifest in Jesus. Bread represents the body of Christ, or Spirit substance. Wine is the expressed life of the vine, a symbol of the very blood of life.
What do we mean by the body and blood of Jesus Christ? The body is spiritual flesh or substance made permanent by the word of God that Jesus spoke. His blood is Spirit life, the quickening element in creation. Both are of the universal essence or substance, which cannot be destroyed.
What is the nature of the life bestowed on those who eat the bread of Christ? It is quickened intelligence, greater love, fuller wisdom, and increased functioning of all the faculties on the spiritual level of life.
Of what is Gethsemane an emblem? Gethsemane means "oil press." It symbolizes the place in consciousness where the finer essences of the spirit are pressed forth and raised to higher planes of expression.
Why did Jesus take His disciples with Him to Gethsemane? In time of distress or agony we turn instinctively to prayer for help. That Jesus brought all His faculties (disciples ) with Him in this experience shows that we can meet our testings successfully only as we apply all our powers to each as it arises.
In a crisis what faculties need to be quickened and active before all others? Faith, love, and judgment (Peter, John, and James). Jesus took with Him Peter, John, and James to the place where He was to pray, leaving the other disciples seated a little distance away.
Why are faith, love, and judgment not of greater help to us in meeting and solving the problems of our daily life? Because we fail sometimes to keep them quickened to the point of watchfulness. Faith that is dulled by lack of daily exercise or application to spiritual ends is no better than skepticism; love that is allowed to grow sluggish or self-centered instead of remaining alert and vigilant is of no value, and judgment that ceases to function constructively is a liability instead of an asset
What especial temptation is avoided through watchfulness and prayer? The temptation to slip back into an easy acceptance of the race thought instead of relying stoutly on the spiritual foundation of life to support us in time of testing.
"The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." To what does this statement call our attention? To the necessity of spiritualizing the "flesh" or so-called material mind until we are schooled to rely completely on the higher power of God in all emergencies or trials.
What task did Jesus undertake and accomplish in Gethsemane? He chose to unite His human will with the divine will and lose consciousness of the human in the deeper consciousness of the divine. This He did: "Thy will be done."
In what sense is appropriation of substance necessary to us? In a threefold way: that is, we must appropriate substance in the form of physical food, in the form of ideas, and in the form of spiritual aspirations and ideals.
I eat and drink to the glory of God in the upbuilding of my body, mind, and spirit.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-16-2013
