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Português[Follow Christ Jesus in spirit to maintain & radiate peace from above,
“the peace which passeth all understanding” (Golden Text/Phil. 4:7)]
Metaphysical Application ideas for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Christ Jesus”
for study during the week of August 23-29, 2021
by Beth Eggers, CS, of Chesterfield, Missouri
betheggerscs@gmail.com (636) 898-1616
[Note that the text version online and emailed to subscribers detail the line numbers of citations that I reference that are left out of my audio recording of these application ideas.]
INTRODUCTION:
The Bible informs us that “the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17) Christ Jesus surely manifested these spiritual qualities perfectly and proved that the Saviour’s mission was to bring on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:11,13,14)
The Golden Text (GT) of this week’s Bible Lesson states that the peace which originates in God, divine Mind, surpasses a human sense of peace; for the peace of God is the reign of Truth, Life, and Love in man’s spiritual consciousness. This peace is a permanent presence uplifting the human affections to the understanding of infinite Love, and we can recognize and demonstrate it by following the teachings and healing example of Christ Jesus.
In the Responsive Reading (RR) Paul explains to the members of the church at Corinth how to demonstrate the truth of the Golden Text (RR/Phil 4:7 the), reminding them to build their works on the foundation of God, Truth, because spiritually man is God’s building, His temple. Paul’s words (RR/I Cor 3:9, 16) are examples of this fact, as are Mary Baker Eddy’s in this additional, helpful citation: “Sometime we shall learn how Spirit, the great architect, has created men and women in Science.” (SH 68:4-6.)
Paul also explains to the church members that accepting the spiritual origin and life-example of Christ Jesus is the only foundation on which to base all spiritual building, in other words, the peaceful (harmonious) unfoldment of man’s genuine selfhood in Spirit.
Reading the weekly Bible-Lesson on a daily basis is an individual activity, which forms a special bond between God and the individual listening to His Word through the Christ-spirit, whereby God feeds the heart hungering after righteousness; every rereading brings new discoveries of the truth of being. If a word or sentence makes us pause, it is God nudging us to understand the spiritual sense of it. This additional citation gives a helpful guideline: “The intercommunication is always from God to His idea, man.” (SH 284:31-32) I’ve always found reference books to be helpful, but it is the desire which God instills in us which leads us to higher spiritual understanding. Reading Science and Health and Mary Baker Eddy’s other writings with the Bible, then listening quietly for Truth’s revelation opens thought to the light of Truth, giving us both peace and joy. Further prayer and demonstrated proof of healing multiply spiritual understanding exponentially.
This CedarS Met doesn’t attempt to explore all the spiritual ideas one can discover in a week’s reading of the Bible Lesson. It focuses on one discovery, “the peace which passeth all understanding,” and it lets Mary Baker Eddy’s other published writings provide insights for demonstrating this peace.
Here’s an example from page 133 of Miscellaneous Writings where Mary Baker Eddy writes: “Three times a day, I retire to seek the divine blessing on the sick and sorrowing, with my face toward the Jerusalem of Love and Truth, in silent prayer to the Father which “seeth in secret,” and with childlike confidence that He will reward “openly.” In the midst of depressing care and labor I turn constantly to divine Love for guidance, and find rest. It affords me great joy to be able to attest to the truth of Jesus’ words. Love makes all burdens light, it giveth a peace that passeth understanding, and with “signs following.” As to the peace, it is unutterable; as to “signs,” behold the sick who are healed, the sorrowful who are made hopeful, and the sinful and ignorant who have become “wise unto salvation”!” Miscellaneous Writings, 133:22
SECTION 1–GRACE AND DIVINE LOVE EXPRESS GOD’S PEACE
Considering Grace and Principle can expand an understanding of the peace of God which is higher than the human sense of peace. We might consider grace as “the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life.” (Strong’s Greek Dictionary)
Citation B4/Eph 1:2 imparts this blessing: “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Citation S5/316:21 expands the sense of man’s dominion over all: “Christ Jesus illustrates that blending with God, his divine Principle, which gives man dominion over all the earth.”
Here’s an additional helpful citation from Science and Health, page 286:
“The Master said, “No man cometh unto the Father [the divine Principle of being] but by me,” Christ, Life, Truth, Love; for Christ says, “I am the way.” Physical causation was put aside from first to last by this original man, Jesus. He knew that the divine Principle, Love, creates and governs all that is real.” (SH 286:9)
Peace of mind comes from the dominion we feel when we understand that the man God created is spiritual, not material. Man’s Principle is divine Love, the Love which motivates thought and action. Lasting peace of mind comes from reflecting Love in daily life. Over 100 passages link two synonyms for God as “Principle, Love.” You can find them on Concord Online or in the print Concordance.
Here are two examples from page 100 and 215 of Miscellaneous Writings:
- “The Christian Scientist loves man more because he loves God most. He understands this Principle, — Love.” (Mis. 100:26)
- “Christian Science demands order and truth. To abide by these we must first understand the Principle and object of our work, and be clear that it is Love, peace, and good will toward men.” (Mis. 215:12-15)
SECTION 2— SCIENTIFIC HEALING GIVES US PEACE OF MIND
Demonstrating the healing power of Christianity brings us peace of mind on earth. Praying as Mary Baker Eddy instructs us in citation S8/4:3 aids our demonstration of the healing power of Christ.
Here’s an additional helpful citation from Miscellaneous Writings:
“The attempt to mix matter and Mind, to work by means of both animal magnetism and divine power, is literally saying, Have we not in thy name cast out devils, and done many wonderful works?
“But remember God in all thy ways, and thou shalt find the truth that breaks the dream of sense, letting the harmony of Science that declares Him, come in with healing, and peace, and perfect love.” (Mis. 175:28-3)
SECTION 3–MORAL COURAGE FINDS PEACE IN OMNIPOTENT LOVE
Oh, to have “the peace which passeth all understanding” which Christ Jesus possessed when he walked over the waves! What complete spiritual understanding scientifically demonstrated! We have some hints as to what he understood about Soul as substance, as Spirit, outside of matter, in three citations from the Lesson (cits. S10/273:24; S12/313:23-26; & S13/124:25). Additional helpful hints from Science & Health, pages 396 & 510, explain the existence of substance outside of matter. (396:26-30 and 510:16-20)
Jesus understood that water, like a bone, has only the substance of the thought that forms it (SH 423:29-31), and he walked right over the waves of erroneous thought, as well as over literal waves of water. If the ideas in Section 3 spark your spiritual curiosity, you might wish to read added citations from First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany (My) and from Miscellaneous Writings (Mis), which are listed in the print copy of these Metaphysical Application ideas: My 226:6; My 231:28; Mis 189:15; Mis 74:13; Mis 23:4-32; SH 455:3, 273:21.
Here’s an additional helpful citation from page 19 of Mary Baker Eddy’s Message for 1901 (’01), which correlates to three citations in this Bible Lesson:
“That animal natures give force to character is egregious nonsense — a flat departure from Jesus’ practice and proof. Let us remember that the great Metaphysician healed the sick, raised the dead, and commanded even the winds and waves, which obeyed him through spiritual ascendency alone.” (’01 19:14)
- “Spiritual ascendancy alone” is another way of explaining the peace that comes from reflecting the power which originates in Mind and is reflected by man. Thus “spiritual ascendancy alone correlates to “the peace which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7) in the Golden Text.
- When we “tread on forces” of Spirit (cit. S13/124:25), and discover that no animal nature can give force to character or to anything else, we experience “the peace which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7)
- When Jesus demonstrated the power of the Christ in commanding the winds and waves, he revealed his spiritual character as embodying the Christ (more in cit. S4/313:1-19). He proved that all the bluster of so-called mortal mind can’t control anything on earth, and his demonstration over matter made “the peace which passeth all understanding” (Phil 4:7) clearer to human understanding. Mary Baker Eddy writes on page 455 of Science & Health, “You must utilize the moral might of Mind in order to walk over the waves of error and support your claims by demonstration.” (SH 455:8)
I offer here an example of “supporting your claims by demonstration:” (SH 455:8)
One day years ago our pre-school child awoke on a Saturday morning with three spots on his body. A relative told me that they were signs of chicken pox. I immediately prayed to cast out the belief in the reality of disease. The so-called disease never spread, and in a short time the three spots disappeared. Harmonious action is all that can spread, and no lie can ever stop it. (S&H 420:2-3) Some days later our third-grader appeared to have the same claim with many spots covering his body. As I had done with the first child, I notified the school and kept our son home. Again, I prayed, casting out the erroneous belief that disease has power to multiply itself. After a few days, our child asked me, “Why is this happening to me?” I told him that Job had asked the same question, and we read the Bible together to see what happened for Job. When Job realized that he had a right to understand God, he then heard God speak about being the only creator of the universe and about His omnipotence in heaven and on earth. Job understood this truth and his physical problems ended. Our child and I felt that this was God’s message for us, too, and this conviction in God’s presence and power brought us peace of mind. The spots disappeared and the child returned to school.
SECTION 4 – SCIENTIFIC HEALING PROVES TRUTH’S REIGN ON EARTH
Jesus’ statement in citation B9 that the Jewish ruler’s daughter was not dead caused some to “laugh him to scorn” (cit. B9/Matt 9:18, 23-26, 35-38)—but his peace was not disturbed, and he raised the girl from death. Mary Baker Eddy’s statement from page 11 of Unity of Good explains why: “Jesus stooped not to the human consciousness, nor to the evidence of the senses.” (Unity of Good, 11:14-15) If you wish to understand more about how Jesus maintained his peace when confronted with the challenges of material sense to his healing work, begin reading page 11 at line 3 and continue to the end of the paragraph.
The carnal, or fleshly mind, may mock the Science of the Christ, but it has no ability to keep Science from rousing thought from material belief to spiritual understanding or to prevent the Science of Love, or Mind, from healing the sick and raising the dead. Five citations in this section point to the need for genuine Christian healing by students of Christian Science (see cits. S15/25:26-31; S16/135:26; S18:/26:10-16; S19/52:13 and S20232:16-19). Additional citations from Science and Health on pages 25:11-32 and 473:4-5 np, are also helpful, as is the following quote from page 59 of Miscellaneous Writings:
“That individual is the best healer who asserts himself the least, and thus becomes a transparency for the divine Mind, who is the only physician; the divine Mind is the scientific healer.” (Mis 59:26)
Continuing with the myth of chicken pox which error seemed to persist in presenting to our family: Some days after the second healing occurred, I was giving our infant a bath and suddenly spots appeared all over his body. My denial was quick and emphatic, “There is NO theory of contagion and therefore NO exposure to contagion! This child is innocent!” Right before my eyes the spots immediately disappeared. I glimpsed how Moses must have felt when he put his hand in his coat and removed it to see disease signs all over it. At God’s command he repeated the procedure and found his hand to be free of the disease. As Mary Baker Eddy explains, (SH 321;19-25) “It was scientifically demonstrated that leprosy was a creation of mortal mind and not a condition of matter, when Moses first put his hand into his bosom and drew it forth white as snow with the dread disease, and presently restored his hand to its natural condition by the same simple process.” God had ended my fear through proof in divine Science, just as He had lessened Moses’ fear centuries ago.
SECTION 5 – IDENTIFY WITH DIVINE LOVE
Jesus always identified himself as at one with divine Love, His Father, (cits. B13/John 14:8-10; S21/18:3-5; S22/19:6, and an additional citation: SH 29:30. Jesus taught that God, Love, is the Father of all, including those who are falsely judged by others. Note in citation B14/Luke 15:1, 11-14,17-20 that Jesus’ parable of the Father’s great love for His children is told, not to the general community, but to the publicans and sinners. The added citation from page 8 of “No and Yes” sets a standard for all of us when we wish to help others find peace in the realization that God loves them.
“We should endeavor to be long-suffering, faithful, and charitable with all. To this small effort let us add one more privilege — namely, silence whenever it can substitute censure. Avoid voicing error; but utter the truth of God and the beauty of holiness, the joy of Love and “the peace of God, that passeth all understanding,” recommending to all men fellowship in the bonds of Christ.” (No 8:3-9)
SECTION 6 – THE COMFORTER RESURRECTS THE PEACE OF GOD ALREADY WITHIN US
Citations B17/John 14:13, 16, 17, 26, 27; B18/II Cor 13:14; S26/242:9; and S29/497:24 all describe states of thought that embrace the “peace which passeth all understanding.” (GT/Phil. 4:7) Mary Baker Eddy’s description of this God-bestowed peace of mind in the final additional citation from page 154 of Miscellaneous Writings is an apt conclusion because “the peace which passeth all understanding” is found in “the reign of harmony already within us:”
“It is the purpose of divine Love to resurrect the understanding, and the kingdom of God, the reign of harmony already within us. Through the word that is spoken unto you, are you made free. Abide in His word, and it shall abide in you; and the healing Christ will again be made manifest in the flesh — understood and glorified.” (Mis 154:16)
CLICK BELOW FOR INSIGHTS from Cobbey Crisler and others…
Met prelude: Cherish Christ’s precious GEM for YOU—”the peace of God which passeth all understanding.” – CedarS Camps
CedarS is humbly grateful to God that we completed our 9th and last week of hosting summer campers with an every-room and every cabin-full Family Camp! You can enjoy daily spiritual sense insights by scrolling down our Inspiration webpage for “Prac Talks” to nearly start every day (& activity) with a God-centered focus. The last Prac Talk by David Price, CS, invited everyone to take home the best version of themselves that had been nurtured at CedarS and to expunge as never true fables any lesser history. Abundant fruitage will be shared soon!!
Heartfelt thanks to all you, greatly needed and precious supporters who continue to help CedarS give LIFELONG, DIFFERENCE-MAKING BLESSINGS to hundreds of families and thousands of individuals all across the U.S. and the world. To discuss how to play a vital, ongoing role in our work, feel free to call or text me (Warren Huff) at 314-378-2574 with your pledge or intent to give a planned gift or an endowment gift (that will be MATCHED!) to help us “love into view” continued, lasting blessings and legacies each year.
