Bible Study from September 21st, 2019

There Is None So Blind as Those That Will Not See

This week’s Lesson Sermon Subject: Matter

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Bible Study Questions and Readings

“Alternately transported and alarmed by abstruse problems of Scripture, we are liable to turn from them as impractical, or beyond the ken of mortals, — and past finding out. Our thoughts of the Bible utter our lives. As silent night foretells the dawn and din of morn; as the dulness of to-day prophesies renewed energy for to-morrow, — so the pagan philosophies and tribal religions of yesterday but foreshadowed the spiritual dawn of the twentieth century – religion parting with its materiality.

“Christian Science stills all distress over doubtful interpretations of the Bible; it lights the fires of the Holy Ghost, and floods the world with the baptism of Jesus. It is this ethereal flame, this almost unconceived light of divine Love, that heaven husbands in the First Commandment.”

From Message for 1902, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 4:28-11

Topic: “There is none so blind as those that will not see.”

Moderator: Betty from CA

Bible Readings: John 9

Questions:

  1. ​Why do you think the disciples questioned Jesus about the blind man? (John 9: 1-2)
  2. ​How did Jesus respond? (John 9: 3-7)
  3. ​What does the neighbors reaction to the blind man’s healing say about the ​neighbors? (John 9: 8-14)
  4. What does the Pharisees dealings with the formerly blind man say about their state ​of mind? (John 9: 15-34)
  5. How did Jesus care for the man when he found out the Pharisees “cast him out?” (John 9: 35- 41)


Notes from the Discussion

Jesus was often reviled, but never ruffled. “One of the things worthy to be noticed in our Lord’s character is his wonderful quiet of spirit, especially his marvelous calmness in the presence of those who misjudged, and insulted, and slandered him.”

— from John 9 Commentary by Charles Spurgeon




Article — Letter on “Poise” by Edward A. Kimball




Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? The disciples regarded this man as an unsolved riddle. They showed no interest in helping the man, but in discussing the cause for his condition.

— from John 9 Commentary by Mathew Henry




Jesus will soon show a different way. He won’t dwell on the theological puzzle, but on actually helping the man. “It is ours, not to speculate, but to perform acts of mercy and love, according to the tenor of the gospel. Let us then be less inquisitive and more practical, less for cracking doctrinal nuts, and more for bringing forth the bread of life to the starving multitudes.”

— from John 9 Commentary by Charles Spurgeon




“4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

“5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

— John 9 : 4,5 from the King James Bible




The material record of the Bible, she said, is no more important to our well-being than the history of Europe and America; but the spiritual application bears upon our eternal life. The method of Jesus was purely metaphysical; and no other method is Christian Science. In the passage recording Jesus’ proceedings with the blind man (Mark viii.) he is said to have spat upon the dust. Spitting was the Hebrew method of expressing the utmost contempt. So Jesus is recorded as having expressed contempt for the belief of material eyes as having any power to see. Having eyes, ye see not; and ears, ye hear not, he had just told them. The putting on of hands mentioned, she explained as the putting forth of power. “Hand,” in Bible usage, often means spiritual power. “His hand is not shortened that it cannot save,” can never be wrested from its true meaning to signify human hands. Jesus’ first effort to realize Truth was not wholly successful; but he rose to the occasion with the second attempt, and the blind saw clearly. To suppose that Jesus did actually anoint the blind man’s eyes with his spittle, is as absurd as to think, according to the report of some, that Christian Scientists sit in back-to-back seances with their patients, for the divine power to filter from vertebræ to vertebræ. When one comes to the age with spiritual translations of God’s messages, expressed in literal or physical terms, our right action is not to condemn and deny, but to “try the spirits” and see what manner they are of. This does not mean communing with spirits supposed to have departed from the earth, but the seeking out of the basis upon which are accomplished the works by which the new teacher would prove his right to be heard. By these signs are the true disciples of the Master known: the sick are healed; to the poor the gospel is preached.

— from “Editor’s Extracts from Sermon” Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, pages 170-171




Our great Ensample, Jesus of Nazareth, met and abolished this unrelenting false claim of matter with the righteous scorn and power of Spirit. When, through Mind, he restored sight to the blind, he figuratively and literally spat upon matter; and, anointing the wounded spirit with the great truth that God is All, he demonstrated the healing power and supremacy of the law of Life and Love.

— from “Spirit and Law” Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, page 258




Father, we Thy loving children
Lift our hearts in joy today,
Knowing well that Thou wilt keep us
Ever in Thy blessed way.
Thou art Love and Thou art wisdom,
Thou art Life and Thou art All;
In Thy Spirit living, moving,
We shall neither faint nor fall.

Come we daily then, dear Father,
Open hearts and willing hands,
Eager ears, expectant, joyful,
Ready for Thy right commands.
We would hear no other voices,
We would heed no other call;
Thou alone art good and gracious,
Thou our Mind and Thou our All.

In Thy house securely dwelling,
Where Thy children live to bless,
Seeing only Thy creation,
We can share Thy happiness,
Share Thy joy and spend it freely.
Loyal hearts can feel no fear;
We Thy children know Thee, Father,
Love and Life forever near.

— Hymn 58 from the Christian Science Hymnal




Mr. Kimball is quoted as saying, “You don’t have to be afraid. Take God at His word, ‘Be not afraid.’ As soon as possible, you want to put out an advertisement mentally, ‘This place has changed hands!’”


Article — “This Place Has Changed Hands” by Mary Beth Singleterry




“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:”

— Luke 12:48 from the King James Bible




John 9:22. The reluctance of the parents to answer brings out the circumstance that already the members of the Sanhedrim had come to an understanding with one another that any one who acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah should be excommunicated. Of excommunication there were three degrees: the first lasted for thirty days; then followed “a second admonition,” and if impenitent the culprit was punished for thirty days more; and if still impenitent he was laid under the Cherem or ban, which was of indefinite duration, and which entirely cut him off from intercourse with others. He was treated as if he were a leper. This, to persons so poor as the parents of this beggar, would mean ruin and death.

— from The Expositor’s Greek Testament by W. Robertson Nicoll




Forum Post — And they cast him out. by Joanne from FL




Think freely, think independently, think with God

— from Bible Study







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