Swear allegiance to the greatest and holiest of all causes!

Swear allegiance to "the greatest and holiest of all causes!" (Mis. 177:3)
CedarS Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Weekly Bible Lesson on "Sacrament" for July 9, 2006

by Corde Hanzlik, C.S. of Austin, TX
 
Editor’s Note: The following background information and application ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for this week are offered primarily to help CedarS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp.

God has drafted us into His Christian army. ("Onward Christian Soldiers" is one of our favorites here at CedarS Hymn Sings.) As a soldier will swear allegiance to his one government, willing to sacrifice all for a cause, so we give our all to God’s army. What are the recruitment qualifications demanded in the Golden Text? "Do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." The Responsive Reading is the fine print in the contract. We "follow as children, walk in love, bow our knees" as Jesus Christ showed us how. Then, we get the reward – "riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man," so that the Christ-man dwells in us. We then are enabled to see the big picture – the breadth, length, and height of God’s fullness.

Count the types of prayerful desires used in the Lesson. This communion of prayer-allegiance is shown through many sacrifices, first expressed mentally, then physically.

 

Hezekiah sent out the word to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. In the letters were beneficial reminders of commitment to God and God’s blessings in return, but only a few responded to the call. Those who came obediently were united as one body to share in the feast and in great joy of the received blessing. They were prepared to follow what God was asking of them. In their humble attitude, they heard God’s word. (B2)

The Science and Health of this section describes prayer. What are some of the qualities of prayer? Desire for righteous benefits (S&H1), unspoken desire for good, (S&H2) honest, silent, humble desire, not an overwhelming torrent of words (S&H3), habitual desire to know and do the will of God (S&H4) = desire, desire, desire with the qualifications of "self-forgetfulness, purity and affection," constantly practiced. (S&H5) The reward? Blessings!

Jesus had great compassion for Martha in her devotion to her duties, but Mary’s choice to take advantage of being with and hearing Jesus was correct. Here at camp, we get so busy doing our jobs, as right as that is, that we sometimes forget to acknowledge and devote ourselves to God, the Source of our energies and desires for good. We must take the time-out, actually prioritize, for the "needful part" (B4). When our priorities are straight, we can accomplish what needs to be done — Martha jobs with Mary understanding. Are we willing to humble ourselves to anoint the feet of Jesus as Mary did? (B5) How would we do that today when Jesus isn’t physically present with us to do so? Would we let what others say keep us from our right devotion? (The ointment was too costly to waste that way.) Mary was light years ahead of the others in her understanding of the Christ as shown by Jesus.

The Science and Health gives us the criteria for a Mary-test. Devotion!!! (S&H6) More desire – for holiness (S&H7). Consecration!!! (S&H8) Self-abnegation (negate self = no personal sense of ego or will) (S&H9). How do we love God? (S&H10) The reward? The gold of the El Dorado mine!

 

Jesus gives the Passover meal new meaning as he shares it with the disciples. Mrs. Eddy explains it so beautifully in the Science and Health (S&H 20, S&H 35:26). He didn’t stop there with the blessing for them, but displaying enormous humility, washed their feet. (B7) (The part of the story that is not in the Lesson is Peter’s response. Check it out!) Jesus was the ultimate role model. No one should be so arrogant that he can’t serve and honor others. As Christ’s witnesses and followers, we must be willing to do anything to help our fellow man feel his worth. (B9)

Science and Health proclaims the desire again. This time for "growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds" (S&H11). Follow, witness, obey, drink, partake = having our feet washed as the disciples’ feet were. We can "sit down with him, in a full understanding of the divine Principle which triumphs over death" (S&H13).

Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to prepare for his ultimate test, the crucifixion. He wanted his disciples to support him with this, but they fell asleep, unaware of the severe challenge he was to face. His first desire was to let "this cup pass." He didn’t want to experience the crucifixion, but he knew that it was prophesied. (See Ps. 22 among other prophesies.) Again, his disciples didn’t understand the magnitude of his challenge. (After he went to pray the second time, he returned to find them asleep again. This time he did not wake them, but went to pray a third time. He knew "thy will be done." … "And they crucified him." (B11)

Are we grateful for the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us? Do we grasp the freedom that he has shown us – the freedom from materiality? (S&H17) We all have our Gethsemane experiences. It does seem difficult to let go of the human element and trust. Our will gets in the way. But we must. His will be done.

When Jesus appeared to the 11 (remaining disciples), he had already seen Mary and others. No wonder he "upbraided them." They didn’t believe (B12). Peter was the greatest offender as he resorted to his old habits as if Jesus had never existed.

The disciples awakening from "spiritual dulness and blind belief" (S&H19) went to a new level with the realization of what Jesus did. They had their communion, oneness with him. The disciples finally understood what Jesus had been telling them. Would we have been more receptive without physical proof? We have no idea how we would have reacted to Jesus’ appearance. Yet his legacy is forever established (S&H19). How do we know our church? And our rituals? (S&H20)

Read the rest of the story in John (B14). Remember that Jesus asked Peter three times if he loves him. The three times makes up for Peter’s three denials before the crucifixion. Peter obviously learned from his mistakes. He does follow Jesus in the way he taught as proved in the healing of the lame man. (B15) Citations 16 and 17 have a command and promise that we can’t ignore.

Mrs. Eddy gives us the guidance in "Whatever holds human thought in line …" (S&H21). It seems that we might critique our way of praying, but she says whatever way is right. We receive if we ask with the right motive and humility. If we start with the simple "perfect God and perfect man" what more could we need? It is our desire. There is no right way, wrong way. Our right desire and devotion will find the right of way (S&H23). We are taking footsteps. We are able to achieve results (S&H24). Mrs. Eddy doesn’t say that we have to have the complete picture or understanding, but in "some" degree (S&H 24). In our effort to practice Christian Science, we are sometimes frustrated by a lack of progress forgetting to express gratitude for each step of learning. So we must, as the last citation tells us, "Hold perpetually this thought, – that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, …" (S&H25). It not up to us, but our Christly heritage. Let go of preconceived ideas of how things should go, trust your desires, and welcome the certainty of the Christ into your life, healings and demonstrations.

Camp Director’s Note: The above sharing is the latest in a long series of CedarS Bible Lesson "mets" (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. This document is intended to initiate further study as well as to encourage the application of ideas found in the Weekly Bible Lessons as printed in the Christian Science Quarterly and as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms. * Originally sent JUST to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson "mets" are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson in the books. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension, background and daily applicability to some of the ideas and passages being studied. The citations referenced (i.e. B1and S28) from this week’s Bible Lesson in the "met" (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible (B1-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. (S1-30) The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of these ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.)
Enjoy!

Warren Huff, Director      director@cedarscamps.org
CedarS Camps Office
1314 Parkview Valley
Manchester, MO 63011
(636) 394-6162