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Cherish the Forever Childhood GEMs and Blessings of Jesus Christ’s Beatitudes!
from insights of Cobbey Crisler and others** for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on

“Man”
for August 30 – September 5, 2021

shared by Warren Huff
CedarS Executive Director Emeritus warren@cedarscamps.org


 SECTION 1: DISCOVER THE INDESCRIBABLE, STRESS-FREE JOY OF LIVING UP TO A PERFECT YOU
— by REFLECTION! (There’s nothing more stress free than a reflection!)
Cobbey Crisler on Jesus’ mandate in Matthew 5:48/cit. B5 of being perfect as God’s children

[Cobbey:] “Chapter five is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount which goes all the way through to the end of Chapter 7. Whether Jesus delivered all these statements at once is a matter of conjecture. No other gospel has it treated as kind of an anthology of Jesus’ statements. Whether he even delivered the Sermon on a Mount, or not, is a matter of dispute because Luke (6:12) says he spent the night before on the mountain, but came down to the plain the next day (Luke 6:17) and delivered this sermon.

So, it must not be the geographical point that’s important. The sermon has to be on a mount is one way of looking at it. That’s what? From the altitude of inspiration from which Jesus delivered this magnificent sermon, sometimes called the “Diamond Sermon.”…

… (Matthew 5, Verse 48). Jesus’ final summary … “We should be perfect,” he said. According to what measurement? How does he regard when he got the revelation from God that Jesus was the Son of God? Did that mean for Jesus that he was the only Son of God? Notice the same relationship goes beyond, to us. Because he said it’s a mandate, “Be ye therefore perfect.” Why? “Even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” If the original is perfect, the image must be.

Again, we can compare how Moses viewed this. He had somewhat the same to say. But he didn’t say it in the strength of the present tense that Jesus did. In fact, in Deuteronomy 18, (Verse 13), Moses is recorded as saying, “Thou shalt be perfect before the Lord thy God.” Same point but different tense. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect.”
“The Book of Matthew, Auditing the Master: A Tax-Collector’s Report,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**


CORRELATIVE INSIGHTS BY MARY BAKER EDDY ON JESUS’ MANDATE TO BE PERFECT from citation S6:

“The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea, — perfect God and perfect man, — as the basis of thought and demonstration.

“If man was once perfect but has now lost his perfection, then mortals have never beheld in man the reflex image of God. The lost image is no image. The true likeness cannot be lost in divine reflection. Understanding this, Jesus said: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 259:11–21/cit. S6)


ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR EXPRESSION OF PERFECTION IS
IN PROPORTION TO YOUR EXPRESSION OF PURITY!
The 26th plank in “the platform” of Christian Science is:

“XXVI. Christian Science demonstrates that none but the pure in heart can see God, as the gospel teaches. In proportion to his purity is man perfect; and perfection is the order of celestial being which demonstrates Life in Christ, Life’s spiritual ideal”.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 337:14)


SECTION 2: DISCOVER THE INDESCRIBABLE JOY OF LIVING THE RULES OF HEAVENLY HAPPINESS AS JESUS DELIVERED
THEM FROM THE ALTITUDE OF INSPIRATION IN HIS SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
Cobbey Crisler on Jesus’ Beatitudes, Matthew 5:6/cit. B6 & Matt 5:21

[Cobbey:] “The Beatitudes, the blessings. The word “blessed” in our sermon on the mount is not really the accurate translation of the Greek. The Greek word is makarios which means “happy.” Just think of the search for happiness among humanity. Here are rules laid down by Jesus simply stating that happiness can be obtained in the following ways.

First, let’s ask the question why Jesus even communicated teaching to listeners. Why did he take students? What did he expect others to do with this?

Did he really expect his listeners to go out and do something about what he was saying? Or was he just a unique miracle worker who did what he did and expected others to hold him in reverence and awe for centuries following? He seemed to be a teacher who expected results from his teaching.

As a matter of fact, the Greek word for “disciple” is mathetes, the root word for mathematics. The same Greek word forms the root of our word “disciple.” Stop to think of our word mathematics and what it means. You can’t just be a listener in mathematics, can you? You have to be a learner who goes out and practices what he learns. This is exactly the meaning of the Greek word math­etes. It required learners who went out to practice.

It is also the same with the Hebrew word. There are two different words used for disciple, talmid and limud, both imply being trained, taught and results are expected. The word disciple is not just a follower. We have to comprehend that Jesus was teaching students, those who were to go out and not just preach, but practice.

Not just being “pro-fess-ors” of Christianity but “prac-tition-ers” of Christianity. Those who don’t just profess but practice what he had to say. Therefore, we should remember that Jesus never uttered anything he hadn’t practiced.

The Sermon on the Mount is in essence a description of the life of Jesus. If the word were made flesh as the gospel of John tells us, what we’re looking at, then, is the Sermon-on-the Mount made flesh in Jesus’ experience. How far did he suggest we, as his students, follow him? Part way, half way?

All the way. Therefore, the Sermon on the Mount should be written ultimately “On the fleshly tables of our heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3). This book, as a physical thing, might disappear, but it would never touch the real Bible if it truly is within ourselves in our hearts.

The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes. … it’s not always being original, but recalling human attention to something that has been already revealed, already discovered, but essential to our progress and growth.”
“The Book of Matthew, Auditing the Master: A Tax-Collector’s Report,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**


In this week’s Met(-aphysical) application ideas, Christie Hanzlik, CS, writes this lesson is constructed around the Beatitudes, which are a beautiful set of ideas given to us by the Master-Teacher, Christ Jesus.   As a fourth (“Back-to-school”) assignment, consider listening to the 9-part audio podcast on the Beatitudes with (then) Bible scholar (now Principia College Biblical Studies professor, Dr. Barry Huff.  The address of this link on the official christianscience.com website is https://www.christianscience.com/youth/sunday-school-teachers/the-beatitudes/the-beatitudes-podcast


Section 2 Beatitude: Blessed are the pure in heart (like Joseph in Gen. 39/cit. B9)

“Bible scholar Barry Huff and Susie (Rynerson) Jostyn take a closer look at “pure in heart”—what it means to be pure, other Bible uses of the phrase, and the full promise of this Beatitude.”

On a visit today (Saturday, 9/4/21) to CedarS A.P. (Answered Prayer) History-on-a-Hillside Trail in our Bible Lands Park, you’re invited to join in spirit with Moses (Warren) and a Compass group as we repeat this Beatitude pledge of what to say “yes” to in exercising our “sovereign power to think and act rightly” (Pulpit & Press 3:7-9): “Like Joseph, when I’m bombarded by the seemingly powerful peer pressure … to yield to sensual temptations and to see others with lust in my heart (Matt. 5:28), … I pledge to remain pure in heart… Like Joseph, I will strive to escape this enemy entrapment … by acknowledging that “In God I have everything I need and I know it.” … Like Joseph, I can help save myself, my friends and the world from the starvation of feeding on the ultimate emptiness of the enemy of sensualism … by hungering instead for the satisfying fullness … of each person’s spiritual qualities and substantial identity.”


 Section 3 Beatitude: Blessed are the meek (like Samuel in I Sam. 3/cit. B12)

“Is meekness a weakness, or is it a quiet knowing and strength?  Bible scholar Barry Huff and Susie (Rynerson) Jostyn explore how a deeper understanding of meekness brings fresh insights to this Beatitude.”

On a visit today (Saturday, 9/4/21) to CedarS A.P. (Answered Prayer) History-on-a-Hillside Trail in our Bible Lands Park, you’re invited to join in spirit with Moses (Warren) and a Compass group as we repeat this Beatitude pledge of what to say yes to in exercising our “sovereign power to think and act rightly” (Pulpit & Press 3:7-9): “Moses was very meek, above all…” (Number 12:3) known to mankind.

Repeat: “Like Samuel, I pledge to meekly listen for … and trustingly obey God’s guidance … Like Jesus, I know that “I of mine own self do nothing.”  (John 5:30) ... And that, like Jesus, “I can do all things … through Christ which strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13)


Section 4 Beatitude: hunger & thirst after righteousness (as do all children)

“Hungry?  Bible scholar Barry Huff and Susie (Rynerson) Jostyn bring out the spiritual importance of Christ Jesus’ promise, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.”

On a visit today (Saturday, 9/4/21) to CedarS A.P. (Answered Prayer) History-on-a-Hillside Trail in our Bible Lands Park, you’re invited to join in spirit with Moses (Warren) and a Compass group as we repeat this Beatitude pledge of what to say yes to in exercising our “sovereign power to think and act rightly” (Pulpit & Press 3:7-9):  “Like all children of God … I yearn to please my Maker and “my best, my ever Friend”(Hymn 224) … I pledge to “hunger and thirst” to exercise my God-given “power to think and act rightly” (Pul. 3:7)… in all that I say­ and do … This will help me be the best and happiest version of myself… and bless all around me.”


 BE DILIGENT IN MODELING SPIRITUAL VALUES & MEANINGFUL, LASTING LIFE LESSONS.

 Train up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6/citation B16

This quote from Proverbs was chosen by CedarS Founder, Ruth E. Huff, as “the bottom-line” on every thank-you letter and the tagline on every sheet of CedarS regular stationery.
https://www.facebook.com/cedarscamps/photos/a.369017456455406/6579905422033214


Section 5 Beatitude: Blessed are the poor in spirit (like the “littles” taken to Jesus)
“… explore the biblical roots and practical healing ideas of the Beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

On a visit today (Saturday, 9/4/21) to CedarS A.P. (Answered Prayer) History-on-a-Hillside Trail in our Bible Lands Park, you’re invited to join in spirit with Moses (Warren) and a Compass group as we repeat this Beatitude pledge of what to say yes to in exercising our “sovereign power to think and act rightly” (Pulpit & Press 3:7-9): “Like a humble, little child, as well as like Abra(ha)m, …when God directs me to do so, … I will strive to quickly and gladly leave behind my comfort zone … Like a free-from-pride child “with laughing eyes,” … I will  find all I need in God’s kingdom … which is always right at hand and within.” (SH 237)

[Cobbey again:] (Matt. 5:3). “Happy are the poor in spirit.” Doesn’t sound like they should be, does it?
But we find out the reason. Because such humility gets what results? Are those results worth the effort?

“And where is the kingdom of heaven? What was Jesus’ first announcement? “Right at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Later he says, “Within” (Luke 17:21).

We’ve talked about mathematics. How would you like to view Jesus as a mathematician par excellence? You can take his beatitudes and make equations out of them. Which shows how much of a mathematical thinker he was. For instance,

“Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Thus, B x PS = KH. When you invest on the left side of the equation, what is the yield on the right side? The “Kingdom of Heaven.” “B” multiplied times “PS” equals “KH,” i.e., B x PS = KH.

You have measurable results. Do you see a difference here in Jesus approach to religion? When we stop to examine theology, even of our century, is there that much expectation for results in theological thinking? Yet here is the essence of Jesus’ thinking. And we have results.”


Section 6 Beatitude: Blessed are they that mourn (like the Gentile woman begging Jesus to heal her daughter in Matt. 15:21-28/cit.B21 & like Jacob & Joseph in Gen. 32 & 39-40)

“discuss the comforting message found in the Beatitude “Blessed are they that mourn.”

On a visit today (Saturday, 9/4/21) to CedarS A.P. (Answered Prayer) History-on-a-Hillside Trail in our Bible Lands Park, you’re invited to join in spirit with Moses (Warren) and a Compass group as we repeat this Beatitude pledge of what to say yes to in exercising our “sovereign power to think and act rightly” (Pulpit & Press 3:7-9): “Like the Gentile woman and like Jacob, when I’m hurting inside by loss, or thoughts of loss, …  I, like her, pledge to be humbly persistent … and, like Jacob, to wrestle with angels till I gain a higher view. … I will refuse to let go of any angel message until it blesses me … Like Joseph, when hurt inside by injustices … I will refuse to be discouraged… and like him will “live to give” and to bless those around me…and so I too will be blessed and comforted.”


Section 7 Beatitude: (like the little child leading the predators & prey in Isa. 11:6/cit. B25) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (again, the Golden Text theme of all being “children of the most High.” Ps. 82:6)
discuss the spiritual basis for being a peacemaker.”

On a visit today (Saturday, 9/4/21) to CedarS A.P. (Answered Prayer) History-on-a-Hillside Trail in our Bible Lands Park, you’re invited to join in spirit with Moses (Warren) and a Compass group as we repeat this Beatitude pledge of what to say yes to in exercising our “sovereign power to think and act rightly” (Pulpit & Press 3:7-9):
“Like Daniel, when I’m surrounded by strife and seeming enemies … I pledge to be a peacemaker by winning without a fight… by “understanding the control that Love holds over all” (SH 514) … and by ‘think(ing) without strife.’” (a motto from the CedarS song)

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