Bible Lens—July 2–8, 2018
Subject: Sacrament
Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Exploring Bible Verses
An exploration of Bible citations from the Christian Science Quarterly® Bible Lessons
“. . . a lesson on which the prosperity of Christian Science largely depends."—Mary Baker Eddy
from the Responsive Reading
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
Many people of the ancient Near East believed in multiple heavens—sometimes seven or more. The highest heaven was considered the home of the greatest deity. Nearer the earth, the “heaven” where birds fly was thought to be inhabited by demons or demigods.
The writer of Ephesians repeatedly speaks of “heavenly places” to describe the one heavenly realm, the realm of God, accessible through Christ Jesus (see v. 20, 2:6, and 3:10).
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
“Wherefore he saith” refers to Psalms 68:18, which in turn recalls the prophetess Deborah’s song in Judges 5:12. Both of these citations speak about leading “captivity captive.” Though scholars disagree on the meaning of the phrase, several take it to depict capturing or leading away one’s enemies.
The giving of gifts, according to several sources, is similar to the distribution of rewards to victors after a battle. Christ’s triumphant ascension results in rich gifts to the faithful (see vv. 9–13).
from Section 1
2 | Isaiah 57:15
Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.
The Hebrew word rendered contrite (dakka’) appears in a similar declaration by the Psalmist: “The Lord ... saveth such as be of a contrite [dakka’] spirit” (Psalms 34:18). Writes one commentator, “[T]hose who live in the sight of God inevitably become humble.”
from Section 3
11 | Mark 8:27, 34
Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Cæsarea Philippi: ... And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
The common expression “take up your cross” comes from the ancient requirement that a condemned criminal carry the crossbar of his cross through the city to the place of crucifixion, as Jesus himself did. Here Jesus is speaking of a reorientation of one’s entire life to a Christly devotion to God.
About Caesarea Philippi
In ancient Judea, two towns were called Caesarea. The first, named to honor Roman emperor Caesar Augustus, was located on the Mediterranean Sea and known by its simple name. The second, honoring Tiberius Caesar, was located inland—about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of the Sea of Galilee. Philippi was added to distinguish the inland city from the seaport—and to acknowledge the work done by Philip the Tetrarch, son of Herod the Great, to enlarge and embellish the town. In the New Testament, it was the site where the disciple Peter acknowledged Jesus as Christ (see Mark 8:27–29).
from Section 4
14 | Psalms 116:13
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
“The cup of salvation” signifies the wine imbibed at a feast or in the temple in gratitude to God for delivering His children. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy gives the spiritual sense of wine as “inspiration; understanding…” (p. 598).
15 | Matthew 26:36
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Gethsemane is widely known as the site of Jesus’ prayerful entreaties to God before his arrest and crucifixion. Its name is mentioned only in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Luke specifies the Mount of Olives, and John speaks of a garden (see Mark 14:32, Luke 22:39, and John 18:1). Taken together, these four portrayals yielded the name “Garden of Gethsemane” and pointed to a likely location on or near the Mount.
The word Gethsemane means “oil press”—apparently describing a grove of olive trees from which oil was extracted. Today the garden’s exact site is unknown.
15 | Matthew 26:38
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Jesus chooses only Peter, James, and John—the three who were also selected to join him at the transfiguration (see 17:1)—to accompany him in his time of anguish (see 26:37). The Master’s injunction to “watch,” rendered “stay awake” by several translators, echoes charges from his final discourse to all of the disciples—charges he illustrated with the parables of the faithful steward and the ten virgins (see Matthew 24:42–51 and 25:1–13). According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus concludes with this powerful summary: “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch” (13:37).
16 | Mark 15:25
It was the third hour, and they crucified him.
An ancient Jewish system for dividing days established the first hour at sunrise, making the third hour about 9 a.m. During Jesus’ crucifixion, darkness descended from the sixth to the ninth hour (see Mark 15:33–37).
Resources quoted in this issue
Cit. 2: Buttrick, George Arthur, Nolan B. Harmon, et al., eds.
The Interpreter’s Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes. Vol. 5, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah. Nashville: Abingdon, 1951–57.
Ephesians in Paul’s time: New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Related Healing Ideas
The heart makes ready
Here in this place of communion,
swept clean and made ready,
the heart grows quiet
observing its own Passover,
steady in prayer and hymns of praise,
partaking of the bread of Life,
forsaking sin,
and drinking of the Master’s cup—
sign that the rebel will bends low
in humble tithe of sacrifice.
Then every anguished, yearning thought
grows mild. Touched by the Father’s love
and taught of Him, how wise and meek
the child! How tenderly His grace enfolds,
how freedom takes the hand,
and leads the heart, baptized,
to higher land!
Mildred E. Kendall
From the September 12, 1964, issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
© 2018 The Christian Science Publishing Society. The design of the Cross and Crown is a trademark owned by the Christian Science Board of Directors and is used by permission. Bible Lens and Christian Science Quarterly are trademarks owned by The Christian Science Publishing Society. Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
