Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Matthew Chapter 8
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 8:5-13
8:5And when he was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 8:6and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in the house sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 8:7And he saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8:8And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. 8:9For I also am a man under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 8:10And when Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 8:11And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: 8:12but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast forth into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 8:13And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 8:14-17
8:14And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying sick of a fever. 8:15And he touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose, and ministered unto him. 8:16And when even was come, they brought unto him many possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick: 8:17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases.
Undated: Matt. 8:5-17
WEEKLY UNITY
BIBLE LESSON
Unity's Interpretation of the International Sunday School Lesson
The Power of Conviction
What makes a person an authority on any subject? His mastery of the subject, which he gains by intensive study and application as well as by using in his daily work the knowledge thus acquired.
On what did the authority of Jesus Christ rest? On His understanding of divine law and His conscious oneness with the Father.
What is our authority for spiritual healing? The authority of the Christ Mind; also, the commandment of Jesus to heal the sick and give as freely as we have received.
How is Christian healing done? By speaking the word of Truth aloud or silently to the one who is in need of healing, and by knowing without doubt that the healing is now accomplished because the word of Truth is quick and powerful. Firm faith must be present in the mind of the one who speaks the word, and also in the mind of the one to be healed or in someone who is close to him.
Is it as essential to learn to obey as it is to command? Yes, because we are not fitted to command until we know what the exercise of authority involves, and it involves obedience. We must acknowledge authority before we can rightly exert it.
How did Jesus reveal His authority in healing the centurion's servant? By His instant and confident reply, “I will come and heal him.” His faith in His power to heal was absolute, and he exerted the authority of the I Am at all times.
Should we have the same confidence in our power to heal in His name as Jesus had? Yes. We should know that our word takes effect according to our faith, and we should put our entire faith in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit as expressed by the I AM.
Metaphysically, what do the centurion and his servant represent? The centurion represents the will, and his servant the body. The will must become amenable to the discipline of the higher self before the body can express the health that is its heritage under divine law.
Of what is realization a gauge? It is a gauge or measure of the depth and constancy of our faith. We receive according to the degree of our faith, not according to the degree of our hopes. It is easy to confuse the two.
How is the power of conviction further shown in the lesson text? By Jesus’ healing of Peter's mother-in-law. He merely touched her hand, and the fever left her. The I Am (here represented by Jesus) brings immediate healing to the one who is receptive to its power.
In Christ I am abundant life, health, and strength.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-21-2013
