BIBLE CHARACTERS AND PERIODICAL SUPPORT TO THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON* December 23, 2012 C.

Norman Wood, 214 Lower Field Road, Dunnsville, VA 22454 703-898-8818, woodcn@aol.com SUBJECT: CHRIST JESUS McConnel, Mrs. Mary Lloyd (CS), Christ Jesus, POEM, Sentinel, Vol. 28 (15 May 1926), p. 729. Dear namethe Christ! Expression of that Love divine Which is infinity made manifest to us Through him we love to call Our Master, Saviour, Lord, Jesus, the Christ, th' anointed, And appointed to show forth Love's healing power. By miracle? Nay! It is in truth no miracle To prove within man's consciousness The presence of the Christ, As in the days of yore When Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead, Walked the waves and made the water wine, To show how purity brings peace And power sublime. GOLDEN TEXT: A forecast that the throne belongs to someone greater than Solomon. (Ps 45: 7 God) RELATED SCRIPTURE: II Sam 7; I Chron 28: 5; 29: 23; Heb 1: 8, 9 TIME LINE AND AUTHOR: This Psalm is known as the Royal Wedding Song. It is attributed to the sons of Korah (who was a cousin of Moses). Probably written @1300 BC, and included in the Psalms before 450 BC. Some portions of Psalm 45 convey a secular emphasis, while others suggest a sacred extension. (MacArthur Bible Commentary) At Oriental feasts it was customary to pour oil on the heads of distinguished guests. But the Messiah was anointed by God Himself [thy God, hath anointed thee, v. 7], and the anointing intended is that of Christs exaltation over all others. (King James Bible Commentary) McShane, Sara L., The Saving Christ, Sentinel, Vol. 30 (26 November 1927), p. 246.

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--In the first chapter of Hebrews, in speaking of Christ Jesus, we find these words: "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." In so far as we love righteousness and hate iniquity, acknowledge the allness of Spirit and deny the claims of evil, does the Christ come to our waiting hearts, destroying fleshly desires and purifying our consciousness, so that we too lift up or express the Christ, drawing the sick, the sorrowing, and the sinful to us, that they may receive and benefit by the healing truth. ---It is thus that the Christ comes to each individual consciousness through study of the Scriptures in the light of Christian Science. When Jesus said, "I and my Father are one," he declared his sonship or unity with God. ---As we realize our divine sonship, we awake to our true selfhood as children of God. RESPONSIVE READING: The prophecy of the Messiah (Isa 7: 11, 14) RELATED SCRIPTURE: Gen 24:43; Isa 7: 11, 12; 8: 8; Matt 1: 23 TIME LINE AND AUTHOR: Written by the prophet Isaiah in the Pre-exilic period, c. 700 BC. a virgin Immanuel (See 2.26.12 notes for all the above) Matters, Margaret Glenn, Memorizing the Nativity of Jesus, Sentinel, Vol. 50 (20 March 1948), p. 485. --Only once does the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, instruct the students of this Science to memorize anything, and she does this in connection with the nativity of Jesus. Her words are (Mis 374), It is most fitting that Christian Scientists memorize the nativity of Jesus. And in another article in this same book (p. 74) she tells us that his nativity was a spiritual and immortal sense of the ideal world. --Whatever we memorize we have with us in consciousness, available any time we may desire to utilize it. True memory knows only that which is real, the ever-present ideas and thoughts which always have been, and which always will be. So, to memorize Jesus nativity as defined by Mrs. Eddy would mean to have with us in consciousness a spiritual and immortal sense of the ideal world, of spiritual ideas which constitute Gods creation, or universe. --God requires each one of us to know his past, which in reality expresses His glorious being. Shamberger, J. Philip, He Worketh Signs and Wonders, POEM, Journal, Vol. 71 (December 1953), p. 650. The ages pass; proud empires falltheir names are writ in sand; But time takes nothing from our God, nor stays His mighty hand. His power knows no let nor loss, but with omnipotence Uplifts and heals and frees mankind from all the claims of sense. And now the works of Science come, with signs and wonders filled, To prove dominion yet is mansthe tempest will be stilled. Odom, Brigman C., The best way to determine if Christian Science teaches, SELECTED ARTICLES, Sentinel, Vol. 25 (21 October 1922), p. 148. (in the El Paso Times) --Christian Science teaches that Christ Jesus was more than merely a good man.
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On page 29 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says: "The Virgin-mother conceived this idea of God, and gave to her ideal the name of Jesusthat is, Joshua, or Saviour. The illumination of Mary's spiritual sense put to silence material law and its order of generation, and brought forth her child by the revelation of Truth." ---Again, on the same page, "Jesus was the offspring of Mary's self-conscious communion with God." This, moreover, is in exact accord with the teachings of the Bible. ---In the first chapter of Matthew (Revised Version) it is stated that "when his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit." This is also in exact accordance with the words of the prophet Isaiah, who said, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." ---These passages should be sufficient to convince any one that the Christian Science idea of Christ Jesus and the Bible account of his nature coincide; and they both teach Jesus the Christ to be more than merely a good man. Josephs distress, decision, and dream about the Messiah (Matt 1: 18-21 [to :]) RELATED SCRIPTURE: Isa 7: 14; Luke 2: 1-7 TIME LINE: Preliminary events of the birth of Jesus, 30 AD. (See 2.26.12 notes) Jesus Christ (See 2.26.12 notes) CHRONOLOGY OUTLINE (Passages in this weeks Bible Lesson are highlighted in red) THE PROPHETIC CHRIST The Lord Will Send a Prophet (Deut 18:15-19) Prophecy of the Head Stone (Ps 118:22) Virgin Birth Prophesied (Isa 7: 14) Prophecy of the Prince of Peace (Isa 9: 6) Prophecy of the Living Stone (Isa 28:16) The Coming of Christ (Isa 42:1-9) THE CHRIST OF OBSCURITY Preliminary Events Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1: 39-56) An Angel Appears to Joseph (Matt 1: 18-25) Birth Foretold by an Angel The Annunciation to Mary (Luke 1: 26-38) In Infancy Birth of Jesus (Luke 2: 1-7) Visit of the Shepherds (Luke 2: 8-17) Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2: 22-24) Words of Simeon and Anna (Luke 2: 25-38) The Visit of the Wise Men (Matt 2: 1-12) The Flight into Egypt (Matt 2: 13-15) The Return to Nazareth (Matt 2: 19-23/Luke 2: 39) His Youth (Luke 2: 40)
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His Visit to the Temple When Twelve (Luke 2:41-50) Silent Years, No Events Recorded (Luke 2:51,52) THE MINISTERING CHRIST The Year of Inauguration The Ministry of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-18) Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17) The Testimony of John the Baptist (John 1: 19-23) Five Disciples Enrolled (John 1: 35-49) Water made wine; his first miracle (John 2: 1-11) Early Judean Ministry (John 3: 22) The Water of Life (John 4:4-26) The Revival in Samaria (John 4: 28-42) Early Galilean Ministry (Mark 1: 14, 15/Luke 4; 14-15) His discourse at Nazareth (Luke 4: 16-27) The Year of Popularity Four disciples called (Matt 4: 18-20) The Draught of Fishes (Luke 5:4-9) Later Galilean Ministry (Matt 4: 23-25/Mark 1: 38-39) The leper healed (Matt 8: 2-4) The Paralytic Healed (Mark 2: 2-12) Matthew called (Luke 5: 27, 28) The Second Passover (John 5: 1) The Man at the Pool Healed (John 5:2-9) The Discourse on His Divinity (John 5: 17-47) Healing the withered hand ( (Matt 12:9-13) The Pharisees oppose him (Mark 3: 6) Many healed near Galilee (Matt 12: 15) The Twelve Ordained (Matt 10:1-4/Mark 3:13-19/Luke 6:12-16) Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7; Luke 6: 20-49) John the Baptists delegation (Matt 11: 2-6) John the Baptist Commended (Matt 11: 7-19) The discourteous Pharisees and the anointing (Luke 7: 36-48) Parable of the two debtors (Luke 7: 41-43) The tour in Galilee (Luke 8: 1-3) The dumb demoniac healed (Matt 12: 22) Growing opposition (Matt 12: 24,25) Encouraging words to the disciples (Luke 12: 22-32) Parable of the Wise Steward (John 12:42-48) Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matt 13: 24-30, 36-43) Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matt 13: 31, 32) Parable of the Leaven (Matt 13: 33) Parable of the Draw-net (Matt 13:47-51) The Afflicted Woman Healed (Mark 5: 25-34) The Year of Opposition The charge to his disciples (Matt 10: 5-42/Luke 9: 1-6) A vacation interrupted (Matt 14:14/Mark 6: 30-34) The five thousand fed (John 6: 5-14) Discourse on the Bread of Life (John 6: 25-59) The daughter of the Syrophoenician woman healed (Mark 7:25-30) Peters confession of Christ (Matt 16: 13-17/Mark 8: 27-29/Luke 9: 18-21) Healing of the Demoniac Son (Mark 9: 14-29)
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The lesson in humility (Matt 18: 1-3) Parable of the unmerciful servant (Matt 18: 23-35) The seventy sent forth (Luke 10: 1-16) Teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7: 10-53) The Adulterous Women (John 8: 1-11) The Discourse on Fatherhood (John 8: 15-58) The Parable of the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-17) The Feast of Dedication (John 10: 22-40) The Last Months Woman healed of her infirmity (Luke 13: 10-13) Discourse on the second coming (Luke 17:20-37) Little Children Blessed (Matt 19: 13-15) The Rich Young Ruler (Matt 19: 16-30) Healing Two Blind Men (Mark 10:46-52) THE SUFFERING SAVIOUR (Passion Week) Tuesday and Wednesday The Visit of the Greeks (John 12: 20-36) Discourse on Unbelief (John 12: 37-50) Thursday Jesus parting words (John 14: 1-31) Parable of the True Vine (John 15:1-11) The promise of the Holy Spirit (John 16: 7-15) Good Friday Jesus before Pilate (Mark 15: 1-5/John 18: 28-38) Pilates Attempt to Release Jesus (Matt 27: 15-26) The Appeal of Pilates Wife (Matt 27: 19) Pilate Gives the Death Sentence (John 19: 1-16) Jesus mocked (John 19: 1-3) Jesus led away to be crucified (John 19: 16-17) The Crucifixion (Mark 15: 25-28/John 19: 18-24) Jesus commends his mother to John (John 19: 25-27) Darkness prevails, Jesus expires (Mark 15: 33-37) The veil of the Temple rent (Mark 15: 38) The watch at the sepulcher (Matt 27: 62-66) THE RISEN SAVIOUR The coming of the women to the sepulcher to anoint the body (Mark 16: 1-5/Luke 24: 1, 2) Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16: 9) Mary Magdalene Tells Peter (Mark 16: 10) His Appearance to the Disciples at Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35) His Appearance to the Eleven, Thomas Present (Mark 16: 14-18/John 20:26-29) His appearance in Galilee (Matt 28: 16-20) His Appearance at the Time of His Ascension (Mark 16:19,20/Luke 24: 50-53) THE GLORIFIED SAVIOUR Work of Crowning the victors (I Pet 5:4) Second Coming of Eternal Glory of Exalted to be King of Kings (Rev 19: 16) Mary
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(See 2.26.12 notes) Joseph (See 2.26.12 notes) Holy Ghost (See 2.26.12 notes) angel of the Lord (See 7.22.12 notes) Bedford, Daisy, The Star of Truth, Sentinel, Vol. 12 (14 May 1910), p. 725. --How grand in its utter simplicity is the Gospel narrative of the birth of Jesus! Can any description, in its entire absence of pomp of words, compare with it, and yet nothing is lacking necessary to convey the whole scene to the mind of the most unimaginative. ---In St. Matthew the key-note is struck thus: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise;" followed by the simple description of the conception and birth. St. Luke gives a fuller account, and to him we are indebted for Mary's hymn of gratitude and praise. ---With the help of these two accounts we can picture that wonderful event, the outcome of which was to revolutionize the world. Austin-Lett, Genelle, A Fresh Look at Jesus Mission, IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON, Sentinel, Vol. 111 (24 August 2009), p. 20. --THIS WEEK'S Christian Science Lesson Sermon, titled "Christ Jesus," opens with Jesus' fulfillment of prophecy and a brief description of his divine origin. --The story of Jesus is familiar to so many of us, though some of the details might seem unclear. For example, before Joseph and Mary "came together," Mary found she was pregnant, and Joseph "was minded to put her away privily" (Matt. 1:18, 19). --What does privily mean? Simply, Joseph wanted a quiet divorce. Why a divorce if they were only betrothed (or espoused)? ---In those days, the engagement was arranged by the parents of children. The espousal began a year before the marriage. If the girl agreed to the marriage, the espousal became a binding agreement that could only be broken through divorce. Hamilton, Prof. Michael (Principia College), The angel message at Jesus' birth, BIBLE FORUM, Journal, Vol. 128 (December 2010), p. 8. --An angel plays a primary role in both Matthew and Luke. In Matthew, this divine messenger is identified as the angel of the Lord. ---He comes to Joseph during what are perhaps the most perplexing and difficult days of his life. Joseph is a just mana righteous man (New Revised Standard Version), a good man (New Living Translation)but his sense of moral uprightness is put to the test when before they came together, [Mary] was found with child of the Holy Ghost. ---His initial reaction, to quietly call off the betrothal, is conventional, understandable.
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But perhaps he is not at peace, and struggles to understand what is happening. It is at this time of special stress that he has a remarkable dream, so clear that its message is unmistakable: Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. ---There is a tender provision for Joseph in these words: Because the babe is of God, Joseph will give him the name God has provided. Gooding, Mrs. Jill (CSB; Ripley, Surrey, ENG), Christmas angels, POEM, Sentinel, Vol. 109 (17 December 2007), p. 20 The Christmas message is angels! They come to each one who's in need; They bring the appropriate message To comfort, companion, and lead. They spoke to the traveling Wise Men, Led them to stable secure, They spoke to the wakeful shepherds, Whose thinking was simple and pure. They spoke to receptive Mary, Announcing the birth of her babe. They spoke to the patient Joseph, As he quietly waited and prayed. And today these angels still speak to us all, Telling of God's tender care, Their song unpolluted, unfettered and free, A chorus that's heard everywhere. Biever, Richard (CS), The Christmas message about birth, Sentinel, Vol. 97 (18 December 1995), p. 19. --Jesus came to reveal that this is the cause for true celebration--that the Father-Mother God is the only creator, and that because God, Spirit, made us, we are, in fact, spiritual and not material. --The practice of Christian Science begins with replacing erroneous concepts of existence with spiritual facts. Choosing not to accept the theory that man is created materially and must undergo a painful material birth, is a good place to begin. --Jesus certainly didnt deny that Mary gave birth to him, humanly speaking. --any acceptance of a material beginning includes acceptance of an ending and of all the limitations in between. The physical senses try to bargain with human consciousness by suggesting that life is a mixture of matter and spirit. --The fact is, material life was never born. SECTION I: The visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus (Matt 2: 1-12) RELATED SCRIPTURE: Micah 5: 1-3; Matt 28: 16-20; Luke 2: 1-14 TIME LINE: Jesus In infancy, c. 5 AD Bethlehem was "a small village on the southern outskirts of Jerusalem. Hebrew scholars in Jesus' day clearly expected Bethlehem to be the birthplace of the Messiah (Mic 5:2; John 7:42)." (MacArthur Commentary)
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The evangelist makes no attempt to present a full chronological account of the events of Jesus birth and infancy. The fact that Herod deems it necessary to order killed all children up to 2 years of age implies that Jesus was himself already about 2 when the wise men, or magi, arrived from the [East]. The magi were astrologers, although they represented the closest thing to astronomers that the ancient world knew. (Interpreters One-volume Commentary) "Matthew's readers would not be expected to think of magi as kings or even as 'wise men,' but simply as pagans. The story of Gods revelation to them foreshadows the great mission to all nations that Matthews Gospel will announce in its final verses (28:16-20)." (HarperCollins Bible Commentary) Outsiders, wise men from the east, are the first to recognize Jesus as king. (Theological Bible Commentary) The magi [wise men, v. 1], whose country of origin is unspecifiedPersia, Babylon, and Arabia are the usual guessesrepresent the best wisdom of the Gentile world, its spiritual elite. (Oxford Bible Commentary) "The 'star' goes before the magi and comes to rest 'over the place where the child' is. This is no ordinary star, and attempts to identify it with a planetary conjunction, comet, or super-nova are futile." (Ibid ) The incident fits well into secular history. About the time when the star appeared (7 or 6 BC), Herod the Great, being alarmed by a prophecy that his royal power was about to pass away from him and his line, put the authors of it to death. (Dummelow Commentary) This ancient prophecy [And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, v. 6] from Micah 5:2 was written in the eighth century BC. The original prophecy, [was] not quoted in full by Matthew. (MacArthur Bible Commentary) Since the wise men brought three gifts, i.e., gold, frankincense, and myrrh [v. 11], it has been assumed that they were three in number (some traditions have even given them names but these are not necessarily established by fact). (King James Bible Commentary) Herod the Great [Her uhd] This king is Herod the Great, the first of several important rulers from the Herodian dynasty who are named in Scripture. This Herod, founder of the famous line, ruled from [37 BC 4 AD]. He is thought to have been Idumean, a descendant of the Edomites, offspring of Esau. Herod was ruthless and cunning. He loved opulence and grand building projects, and many of the most significant ruins that one can see in modern Israel date back to the days of Herod the Great. (MacArthur Bible Commentary) Although Herod was only twenty-five years old when he became governor, he displayed efficient leadership. He established his authority and influence through a centralized bureaucracy, well-built fortresses, and foreign soldiers. "The extensive building projects of Herod the Great are found everywhere in Palestine: at Jerusalem, Sebaste, Caesarea, Masada, Machaerus, Jericho, and Herodium." (Oxford Guide to Ideas & Issues of the Bible) Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the close of Herods life, after he had removed his rivals from other families by violent deaths and when his domestic troubles were at their height. "The wise men came asking, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews?' This aroused Herod's jealous spirit. According to Matthews account, Herod tried to eliminate Jesus by having all the male infants of the Bethlehem region put to death (Matt 2:13-16)." (Who Was Who in the Bible)
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Herod died after a lingering diseasein Jericho. (Eerdmans Dictionary) wise men Wise men, first mentioned in Daniel, included three classes, (1) astrologers, (2) Chaldeans, and (3) soothsayers. The word in the original (hakamim) probably means medicine men. In Chaldea medicine was only a branch of magic. The wise men of Matthew, who came from the East to Jerusalem, were magi from Persia or Arabia. (Easton Bible Dictionary) Though Christian tradition and art have frequently depicted both shepherds and Magi visiting the new-born Jesus simultaneously, they are never associated or mentioned in the same breath within the Gospels. (Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels) The term magi customarily refers to the anonymous wise men who followed a star until it led them to Bethlehem. While in Lukes gospel shepherds come to worship the child, Matthew introduces mysterious figures from the east who offer gifts (gold, perfume, and oil) from their treasure boxes. Theologically the visit of these men to see Jesus signifies that salvation was to be extended to all people. The Magi were a priestly caste, numerous enough to be regarded as one of the 6 tribes of Media (Herod. i.101). When the Persians conquered the Medes, the Magi retained their influence in the new empire. (Westminster Dictionary) [The infant Jesus] was visited by lowly shepherds and by rich and powerful Magi. (All the People in the Bible) "Since the early Middle Ages they have been called the Three Kings (perhaps under the influence of Ps. 72:10; Isa. 60:6), and they were given the names Gasper (Casper), Melchior, and Balthasar." (Westminster Dictionary) Gasper: "In late tradition a king of India and one of the three Magi." (Interpreters Dictionary) Melchior: "The name given by Western tradition to one of the three wise men bringing gifts to the child Jesus (Matt 2:11)." (Eerdmans Dictionary) Balthasar: "In late tradition a king of Arabia, and one of the three Magi." (Interpreters Dictionary) "Follow the star," Monitor (11 December 2006), p. 18. --since the beginning of last DecemberI was struck by the wise men's single-mindedness in following the star. --That is to say, not only did the wise men see the star, they knew it portended something wonderful. Something so wonderful that nothing, not distance, not the intensity of the trek, not even King Herod's demands, could deter them from pressing forward toward it - and toward the child whose birth it heralded. --I like the way the founder of this newspaper, Mary Baker Eddy, put it: "Led by a solitary star amid the darkness, the Magi of old foretold the Messiahship of Truth" ("Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," p. 95). --As I thought about it last Christmas, the wise men's journey came to symbolize the power of trusting the light of Truth, or God, and not getting distracted in the process. --Today, the light God brings to our lives probably isnt going to lead us to an obscure manger in Bethlehem. But we can count on it to lead us to the Christto reveal Gods messages of love and truth so exemplified by Jesus.

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Briggs, Jennie Walbridge, The Birth of the Holy Child, POEM, Journal, Vol. 12 (December 1894), p. 392. HAS Christ, the spiritual idea, Of Life and Truth and Love, Dawned on thy vision, weary one, Thy day star from above? Has Truth the star of Bethlehem Its clear light shed o'er thee; To guide thee where the young child lay In sweet humility? Hast journeyed far from East or West, To bring thy treasures rare, And lay them at the feet of Love, With consecrated prayer? Do songs of peace come welling up From inner depths of love, To swell the grander chorus, Of angel songs above? "Peace, peace on earth; good will to men;" It is our Father's voice, Hushing the jarring notes of earth, Bidding our hearts rejoice. Banks, Helen Ward, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, Journal, Vol. 49 (December 1931), p. 499. --Centuries ago, wise men of the Orient, bearing rich gifts, traveled westward seeking the Christ. Never unmindful of the guiding star, they followed until it led them to the stable in Bethlehem where Mary, having pondered in her heart the vision revealed to her by the angel, had given birth to her son Jesus, who was to manifest to a waiting world more of the Christ than it had ever known before. Beside the manger, when they had opened their treasures, they gave to Jesus gold, and frankincense, and myrrhpure gold, perfume, and oil. --In this age wise men seeking the Christ, straining weary eyes to catch the reappearing of the spiritual idea, are made glad as the guiding star leads them, not now to stable and manger, but to impersonal Truth. Mary Baker Eddy saw the angelic vision and pondered it, until, through her revelation of Christian Science, she gave to the world the truth about God and man and Church. SECTION II: Jesus presented in the temple and blessed by Simeon as the Messiah; later Jesus second visit to the temple (Luke 2: 25-32, 40-49, 52) RELATED SCRIPTURE: Ex 13: 1, 2; Acts 26: 26; Rom 5: 1; Rev 5: 11 PARALLEL GOSPEL: Matt 1: 25 TIME LINE: 5 AD traveling from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea; Jesus in infancy at the Temple in Jerusalem A major motif in historical works concerns the customs and laws of the people whose story is being told. (Eerdmans Commentary)
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Jesus is taken to Jerusalem for the fulfillment of religious duties and the prediction of his destiny. First he is circumcised on the 8th day, according to the ancient custom, and given the name announced by the angel Gabriel. (Interpreters One-volume Commentary) In the temple they are encouraged by Simeon and Anna [v.25], two aged prophets who, like the other characters in Lukes birth story, are righteous and devout. (Peoples NT Commentary) "Simeon's psalm [vv.29-32] is known as the Nunc Dimittris, from the first two words of the Latin translation.It is the fourth of five psalms of praise Luke included in his birth narrative.It is a touching expression of Simeon's extraordinary faith." (MacArthur Bible Commentary) Whereas John [the Baptist, Jesus cousin] grows in strength (1:80) Jesus grows in wisdom and charm [v.40]. For charm is what Luke means here by the word translated grace. (Abingdon Bible Commentary) The last episode in the infancy narratives [vv.41-52] stands rather apart from the rest and forms something of an anticlimax. It fits Lukes intention to write a narrative, however, and seems to be influenced by the episode of the child Samuel, which also forms a bridge between his dedication and the ministry he is to exercise (I Sam 3:1-14). It has the characteristic of legend that is used by Luke to point to Jesus natural authority and home in the temple, a point that he makes in his account of Jesus final visit to Jerusalem (19:45,46). (Oxford Bible Commentary) "Passover was a one-day feast, followed immediately by the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread." (v.41) (MacArthur Commentary) The man, Jesus, wassubject to the normal process of human growth [increased in, v. 52] intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. (Ibid) Simeon (See 8.26.12 notes) Barratt, Geoffrey J. (CSB and Editor, New York, NY), Song of Simeon, POEM, Sentinel, Vol. 52 (24 July 1965), p. 1286. Simeon, devout and just, with Truth-touched vision outcompassed the marveling parent view. He saw sharp-etched the Christ-childs mission, and Israels consolation knew, Simeon, seeing the Christ a light to lighten, illumine men, Truths ever-nascent Son
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come that falsity might fall, the real be raised could Simeon, then, be after-gloomed by dark of death? And Anna, following, had prayed and fasted long had emptied heart and mind of matter's deadening clutter and joyed to echo now just Simeon's prophetic song. Farrington, Grace Safford, Our Father's Business, Sentinel, Vol. 3 (22 August 1901), p. 817) --When Mary sought Jesus in the temple, he said, "How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" If we wish to follow Christ let us be found ever about our Father's business, faithful always in little things. Faithfulness in little things brings the heroism to meet the great trials when they come. --Busy with the things of God there is no time for any part in that which "maketh and worketh a lie;" no time to listen to evil or to voice evil; no time for self-condemnation or the condemnation of others; no time for vain regrets over past mistakes; no time for inquisitiveness, gossip, criticism, scorn, hate, envy, jealousy, or greed. ---But busy with the things of God there is ever time enough to lend a helping hand. SECTION IV: Jesus Restores Sight to Bartimaeus (Mark 10: 45-52 the) RELATED SCRIPTURE: Ps 89: 3, 4; Isa 42: 6, 7; Matt 8: 28; 12: 23; 21: 15, 16; 22: 41-45; Mark 12: 35; Luke 7: 50; 17: 19; 8: 48; 19: 29-40; John 7: 42 PARALLEL GOSPELS: Matt 20: 29-34; Luke 18: 35-43 (See 6.10 & 8.12.12 notes) TIME LINE: Jesus Last Months (See 9.23.12 notes) the Son of man In the Greek of the Septuagint [the son of man] appears only in the undetermined form, which, similar to the Hebrew original, conveys a generic meaning synonymous with man, that is, human being. (Oxford Guide to People & Places) Inspired by Ezekiel and his vision of a unification of all Israel, John used Ezekiels term Son of Man for the Messiah. (Dictionary of NT Background) Bartimus (See 6.10.12 notes) Field, Luman A., The Spiritual Idea and Human Need, Sentinel, Vol. 7 (13 August 1904), p.
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--Had the bystander with physical vision but recognized the spiritual idea Jesus presented, the human sense would have been wonderfully illuminated, for, instead of the reply, "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by," the blind man might have heard a hope-inspiring statement in line with the thought given in our text-book, "The highest human corporeal concept of the divine idea, rebuking and destroying error, and bringing to light man's immortality" (Science and Health, p. 589). That the blind man had to some degree this clearer spiritual sight, and had caught somewhat of this divine concept of Jesus, is evidenced by his putting aside the thought of "Nazareth," and crying out, "Jesus, thou son of David [son of man, after God's own heart], have mercy on me." The subtle effort to obstruct progress by contempt and prejudice having failed, mortal beliefs assume a bolder and more aggressive attitude, and now the blind man is rebuked for crying out, and is commanded to "hold his peace." The human need is forbidden to voice its cry for help, but we rejoice to know that "human hate has no legitimate mandate" (Science and Health, p. 454). Cate, Elizabeth B., Bartimaeus, POEM, Sentinel, Vol. 37 (24 August 1935), p. 1036. Long had he sat there, a beggar, Lonely, dejected, and blind. Fiercely the sun shone upon him, Hot blew the Syrian wind. Oh, could I speak with the Prophet, Preaching on Galilees shore, He, in his tender compassion, Even my sight my restore. What is that tumult? He listened, For they were shouting a name. Jesus of Nazareth passeth! Starting, his cheeks leaped aflame. Thou son of David, have mercy; Mercy, I pray thee, he cried. Silence! the people commanded; Silence! and thrust him aside Eddy, Rev. Mary B.G., QUESTIONS ANSWERED, Journal, Vol. 6 (October 1888), p. 341. Why did Jesus call himself the Son of Man? L. K. M. --IN the life of our Lord, meekness was as conspicuous as might. He declared his Sonship with God in John xvii: "These words spake Jesus, as he lifted up his eyes to Heaven and said, Father, the hour is come! Glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee." ---The hour had come for the avowal of this great truth, and for the proof of his eternal Life and sonship. Jesus' wisdom was known ofttimes by forbearing to speak, as well as by speaking, the whole truth. Haply he waited for a preparation of the human mind to receive startling announcements. --immaculate conception and [the] dual nature of Christ Jesus dawned by degrees on mortals.
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The Man of Sorrows knew, better than the Man of Joys, that his invisible self was the Son of God, and that mortal mind suffered, but not immortal Mind. He also recognized the human concept of this Son of God to be the Son of Man, as he sometimes called himself.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: The Bibliography is provided only in the first Sundays Lesson each month. *The weekly Bible Lessons are made up of selections from the King James Version of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

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