Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Mathew Chapter 27
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 27:11-26
28:1Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 28:2And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. 28:3His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 28:4and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men. 28:5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who hath been crucified. 28:6He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 28:7And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 28:8And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. 28:9And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. 28:10Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
28:11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pass. 28:12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money unto the soldiers, 28:13saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 28:14And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care. 28:15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continueth until this day.
28:16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 28:17And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 28:18And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 28:19Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 28:20teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
APRIL 4, 1965: Matt. 27:11-26
WEEKLY UNITY
I AM Meets the Will
Questions and Answers
In today's lesson, what does Pilate represent? Pilate, the governor, represents the will, the executive faculty of the mind.
Does the will (Pilate) have spiritual understanding? No, the will must be quickened in spiritual understanding before it can act wisely.
What does Jesus represent? Jesus represents man's spiritual identity, the I AM.
What is symbolized by the custom of releasing a prisoner to the multitude at the feast? A feast symbolizes a notable event that men celebrate by eating and drinking to the glory of God—that is, spiritually partaking of divine substance. When we affirm spiritually, we release or deny error and materiality, here represented by the robber, Barabbas.
Why did the Jewish rabble choose to release Barabbas instead of Jesus? The rabble represents people who are wedded to external forms of religion. They resent new presentations of Truth that revolutionize their creeds and dogmas, as the teachings of Jesus did.
Pilate's wife warned him: "Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him." What is the symbolical meaning of this passage? Pilate's wife symbolizes the soul having intuition, through which it is guided by the Holy Spirit in dreams.
When man permits himself to be dominated by sense consciousness and is filled with rebellion against and hatred of Truth, what results? The spiritual divinity of man, represented by Jesus, is crucified (subjected to the domination of the flesh) and entombed (buried under beliefs in materiality).
When Pilate, to please the chief priests and the elders of the Jews, delivered Jesus to them, he washed his hands and said: "I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it." Can the will thus excuse its wrongful acts? No, the will, the executive power of the mind, must develop spiritual understanding and definitely decide to discard its inherited erroneous religious beliefs and accept those interpretations of the life of Spirit which are more nearly in accord with Truth. If our will does not accept such interpretations, our old established religious thoughts and convictions will kill out of our life the higher activities of Spirit that we do not yet thoroughly understand.
I am willing that Thy will be done in me.
(Next Sunday's lesson, "Complete Self –Dominion," is from Mart 27:33-50.)
The Kitchen Window
TODAY HE came when I felt that I had no right to be so happy. My little world seemed so safe and so beautiful compared with that of millions who I thought deserved happiness far more than I. I could not look upon His face.
"I am hopelessly unworthy, Master," I cried.
His voice was very beautiful and very grave. "The divine plan is to be accepted, not understood, My daughter," He said. "Often those who seem to have earned heaven here on earth do not receive even a foretaste of it; but they have meat to eat of which you know not."
When much has been given, much is expected. Your obligation is very great; but let it be joyous, not a burden upon you. Let it put a song on your lips, a light on your face, and such love in your heart that no day will be long enough to work in My vineyard.
"Let every sunrise find you rededicating yourself to My service, every sunset find you giving praise, and every mealtime find you dividing your loaves and fishes with the multitude."
[AUTHOR' S NOTE: It is my sincere hope that the lessons that came to me through my spiritual vision, which I have endeavored to portray in this meditation and in those which follow, will be helpful to others.]
I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 27:32-55
27:32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to go with them, that he might bear his cross.27:33And they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, The place of a skull, 27:34they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted it, he would not drink. 27:35And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots; 27:36and they sat and watched him there. 27:37And they set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.27:38Then are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left. 27:39And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, 27:40and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross. 27:41In like manner also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 27:42He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him. 27:43He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 27:44And the robbers also that were crucified with him cast upon him the same reproach.27:45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 27:46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 27:47And some of them stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah. 27:48And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 27:49And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him. 27:50And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 27:51And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent; 27:52and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; 27:53and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many. 27:54Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.27:55And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 27:56among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
APRIL 11, 1965: Matt. 27:33-50
WEEKLY UNITY
Complete Self-Dominion.
Questions and Answers
What is the symbolism of the Cross? In order to gain the supreme goal, God consciousness, it is necessary for the seeker after Truth to cross out the domination of the intellect or personal self and in its stead to permit the victorious Christ Spirit to have dominion. Golgotha, "The place of a skull," represents the place in consciousness where the intellect is crossed out to make way for the Spirit.
Why must we learn the lesson of sacrifice? In order to realize the divine will we must overcome the dominance of the human will. To this end sacrifice of the personal self and its limited notions of life and substance is necessary.
What is represented by the casting of lots for the garments of Jesus? The seamless robe symbolizes Truth in its harmonious expression and changeless perfection. The forces of materiality (soldiers), unaware that Truth is expressed under law, undertake to subject it to the rules of chance.
The passers-by together with the chief priests, scribes, and elders, mocked and taunted Jesus on the cross. Of what was the mockery an indication? Of the exultation of the petty, personal self over the realities of love and Truth.
What does the inscription "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS" signify? It signifies the universality of the word that was and is to go forth to all the world and reach men and women everywhere. According to John 19:20, the inscription was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and was therefore indicative of religion, culture, and law.
What do the two robbers represent? They represent the past and the future, which rob man of his peace and happiness; the one by means of regrets for unfulfilled promises, the other by means of apprehension for the future.
Of what is the "darkness over all the land" a symbol? The three hours of "darkness over all the land" symbolize the failure of understanding that settles upon the soul and casts its shadow upon mind and body in times of great trial.
What is involved in the relinquishment of the soul to God? The final giving up of all human ambitions and aims is involved in this surrender of the soul.
How is the divine law fulfilled in circumstances of apparent lawlessness and cruelty? Divine Mind uses human instruments in its outworking of the law. No circumstance is beyond its transforming touch, and it brings good out of what appears to be altogether evil.
Thy will is done in me.
(Next Sunday's lesson, "The Life Triumphant, " is from Matt. 28:1-10, 16-20.)
The Prayer of Faith
Click here for more about The Prayer of Faith by Hannah More Kohaus.
God is my help in every need;
God does my every hunger feed;
God walks beside me, guides my way
Through every moment of the day.I now am wise, I now am true,
Patient, kind, and loving, too.
All things I am, can do, and be,
Through Christ, the Truth that is in me.God is my health, I can't be sick;
God is my strength, unfailing, quick;
God is my all, I know no fear,
Since God and love and Truth are here.Hannah More Kohaus.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-16-2013
