Bible Characters for Your Weekly Bible Study s2

Weekly Bible Study Resources Bible Characters for Your Weekly Bible Study

Compiled by Lt Gen C. Norman Wood, USAF (Ret), Burke, VA 22015

For week of April 12 - 18, 2010

Willis, John Buckley (CSB, Bible Lesson Committee, Associate Editor, and President), “Atonement,” EDITORIAL, Christian Science Sentinel, Vol.16 (20 December 1913, p. 311.

--THE greatest possible contribution to the settlement of theological problems is found in the teaching of Christian Science that the rational and demonstrably true interpretation of the Scripture must in every instance begin with God, and that it must consent to no concepts which are out of harmony with His ideal and infinite nature. • It…settles the question of the nature of evil and supplies an intelligible basis for the doctrine of atonement, the philosophy of salvation. --To have part in the atonement, writes Mrs. Eddy, is to "rise into newness of life with regeneration" (Science and Health, p. 24. • The definition of the meaning of the word is thus taken out of the field of dogmatic contention, and made a matter of practical demonstration. ---The thought of divine appeasement, or of meeting the demands of violated divine law, as modern scholastics would put it, thus gives place to the thought of human redemption, and passive dependence upon what Christ has done for us yields to the impelling realization that we must become Christlike, and do the Master's works.

SECTION I: The beginning of the priestly ministry (Lev 9: 1 Moses, 2, 7 Go [to ;], 23 [to :]) TIME LINE AND AUTHOR: Written by Moses “probably revealed in the first month…of the second year after the Exodus” (MacArthur Bible Commentary): 1443 BC.

“Ritual founding takes place in four distinct but significantly related ways in Lev. 8-9: (1) the tent and its utensils are consecrated (made holy); (2) the institution of the priesthood is inaugurated; (3) Aaron and his sons are ritually located in the Holy Place to serve as priests (the first priests set apart into their institutional role); and (4) the beginning of the priestly ministry of sacrifice.” (Theological Bible Commentary)

The ninth chapter of Leviticus is important because it is the first example of formal Hebrew worship in the Bible. Before this, individuals offered sacrifices for themselves—and also probably for their families—and worshipped God. But this is the first example of the formal, corporate worship of God’s people.

Moses [Mō ’zez] (Egyp. “extraction, a son”/Heb. “drawn from the water”) “MOSES. A corporeal mortal; moral courage; a type of moral law and the demonstration thereof; the proof that, without the gospel, — the union of justice and affection, — there is something spiritually lacking, since justice demands penalties under the law.” (S&H 592: 11)

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 1 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010 (Abbreviated) Moses was the first and preeminent Hebrew leader, who led the people in their exodus out of Egypt to the threshold of the Promised Land; and he was a lawgiver and the archetypical prophet. He "is the most majestic figure in the Old Testament. His role was so central that the Pentateuch was called the Five Books of Moses, and the code of religious laws, the Law of Moses." (Who's Who in the Old Testament) For all his greatness, Moses never loses his humanness, displaying anger, frustration, and lack of self-confidence in addition to his leadership abilities, humility, and perseverance….

THE TEN PLAGUES SENT

Darkness. “On the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan, the first month of the year, they were to sacrifice an unblemished lamb or goat, prepare the meal according to the instructions, and paint the lamb’s blood on their doorposts. At midnight the angel of death would strike all the firstborn in Egypt but would pass over the houses with the sacrificial blood on the doorposts. This was the first Passover, and it was the seminal act of the formation of Judaism as the religion of the Hebrew people.” (All the People in the Bible) The Passover. Each year Jews commemorate the Exodus in the seven-day spring festival of Passover, as enjoined in Exodus 10. They eat “matzot” (flat cakes of unleavened bread) to recall the haste with which their ancestors departed. At the “Seder” or ceremonial meal, bitter herbs are the symbol of the bondage in Egypt, and a roasted shank-bone represents the paschal lamb eaten that fateful night….

Aaron [Air’uhn] (“mountaineer; mountain of strength”)

Levi  Amran (father)  Jochebed (mother) Miriam (sister) Aaron  Elisheba (tribe of Judah) Nadab Abihu Eleazar (succeeded Aaron as high priest) Ithamar Moses (brother)  Tharbis ? (Ethiopian wife)  Zipporah (Jethro’s daughter)

(Abbreviated) Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Hebrew nation. “In very ancient narratives, he appears without specifically priestly features, as a leader with Hur, or as Miriam’s brother with no mention of their being related to Moses, to whom they even appear opposed.” (Oxford Guide to People & Places)….

“Through anointing by Moses (Ex 29:7; Lev 8:5-12) Aaron became ‘the priest’ (Ex 31:10; 35:19; 38:21; Lev 13:2; Num 18:28). (Interpreter’s Dictionary) “According to the book of Leviticus, Aaron and his sons were ordained priests according to God’s command, thus establishing the hereditary Levitical priesthood (Aaron and Moses were of the tribe of Levi).” (All the People in the Bible) The special vestments he wore were those worn by pre-exilic monarchs (Ex 28:1-38); such seems certainly to be the case with the breastplate (Ex 28: 15-30) and the turban and its gold plate (Ex 28: 36-38). “The priest was an important figure in Israelite religion, a member of a specific family.” (Complete Bible Handbook) The special role of the priesthood, and the details of Temple worship, were elaborated in CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 2 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010 the P (priestly) Document in the post-exilic period, in about the 4th century BC. It is mainly from this late source that these themes were injected into the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Aaron’s importance as the founder of the priesthood and the first high priest was thereby magnified in retrospect….

“his sons”

Nadab: “the eldest of Aaron's four sons (Ex 6:23; Num 3:2). He with his brothers and their father were consecrated as priests of Jehovah (Ex 28:1). He afterwards perished with Abihu for the sin of offering strange fire on the altar of burnt-offering (Lev 10:1,2; Num 3:4; 26:60).” (Easton Dictionary)

Abihu: “the second of the sons of Aaron (Ex 6:23; Num 3:2; 26:60; I Chron 6:3). Along with his three brothers he was consecrated to the priest's office (Ex 28:1). With his father and elder brother he accompanied the seventy elders part of the way up the mount with Moses (Ex 24:1,9). On one occasion he and Nadab his brother offered incense in their censers filled with "strange" (i.e., common) fire, i.e., not with fire taken from the great brazen altar (Lev 6:9, etc.), and for this offence they were struck dead, and were taken out and buried without the camp (Lev 10:1-11; Compare Num 3:4; 26:61; I Chron 24:2). It is probable that when they committed this offence they were intoxicated, for immediately after is given the law prohibiting the use of wine or strong drink to the priests.” (Ibid)

Eleazar: "Aaron's third son by his wife, Elisheba (Ex. 6:23)." (Who Was Who in the Bible) "His wife, a daughter of Putiel, bore him Phinehas (Ex 6:25). After the death of Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:12; Num 3:4) he was appointed to the charge of the sanctuary (Num 3:32). On Mount Hor he was clothed with the sacred vestments, which Moses took from off his brother Aaron and put upon him as successor to his father in the high priest's office, which he held for more than twenty years (Num 20:25-29). He took part with Moses in numbering the people (26:3,4), and assisted at the inauguration of Joshua. He assisted in the distribution of the land after the conquest (Josh 14:1). The high-priesthood remained in his family till the time of Eli, into whose family it passed, till it was restored to the family of Eleazar in the person of Zadok ( I Sam 2:35; Compare I Kings 2:27). 'And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son' (Josh 24:33)." (Easton Dictionary)

Ithamar: “the fourth and youngest son of Aaron ( I Chron 6:3). He was consecrated to the priesthood along with his brothers (Ex 6:23); and after the death of Nadab and Abihu, he and Eleazar alone discharged the functions of that office (Lev 10:6,12; Num 3:4). He and his family occupied the position of common priest till the high priesthood passed into his family in the person of Eli ( 1 Kings 2:27), the reasons for which are not recorded.” (Ibid) de France, Thomas (Staff Editor), “Moses: Guiding God’s people to freedom,” BIBLE FORUM: Profile, Christian Science Journal, Vol.122 (July 2004), p. 43.

--A leader, legislator, and liberator, Moses has earned recognition in Judaism and Christianity as arguably the most revered personality in the Hebrew Scriptures. • And why not? ---From the very beginning, God’s hand had already touched Moses’ life in the circumstances surrounding his birth. --Moses lived a life of such magnitude that the Bible devotes four of its first five books—starting with Exodus and continuing through Deuteronomy—to his life. • These, with Genesis—called the Pentateuch or Torah—are even referred to as the books of Moses. --In the end, Moses likely expected that he would be able to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land, but it was not to be.

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 3 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010 Leishman, Thomas L., “Aaron the Levite,” THE CONTINUITY OF THE BIBLE, Christian Science Journal, Vol.84 (February 1966), p. 92.

--Of the two sons of Amram and Jochebed, the younger, Moses, was unquestionably the more important; but Aaron, his senior by three years, also contributed to the success of the exodus from Egypt, in spite of certain basic weaknesses in his character that limited his importance. --In addition to his close collaboration with Moses, Aaron acted as the leader of the priestly tribe of Levi, to which they belonged, serving both as priest and high priest. • In fact, Moses was called upon to separate Aaron and his four sons—Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar—“from among the children of Israel” (Ex 28:1), specifically anointing and sanctifying Aaron himself for the performance of his priestly tasks (see Lev 8:12). ---Aaron and his successors were required to take charge of the great annual service associated with the Day of Atonement (see Lev.16; Ex.30:10); and they were also expected to inquire of God’s will on behalf of the people (see Ex.28:30) besides performing many other priestly duties.

Knott, Mrs. Annie Macmillan ((CSB, Lecturer, Assistant Editor, Associate Editor, Trustee, Bible Lesson Committee, and Director), “Consecration,” EDITORIAL, Christian Science Sentinel, Vol.13 (10 September 1910), p. 31.

--CHRISTIAN SCIENCE gives a wonderful interest to every part of the Scriptures by unfolding the spiritual sense and significance of all things therein, and by showing the relation of type and symbol to the tasks of each day. • The account of the consecration of Aaron and his sons is deeply instructive, especially when we remember that in the realm of Truth the "only priest is the spiritualized man" (Science and Health, p. 141). ---The Bible says that the faithful shall be "priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him," which surely means that each one must be consecrated to the service of God and humanity; and this awakens a sense of the sacredness of every duty that makes "our common daily life divine," to use the poet's words, and gives a new meaning to the wise man's saying, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." --In our lives as Christian Scientists the consecration of the tongue is perhaps the most needed of all, that only words of charity, gentleness, and truth may go forth therefrom.

Hicks, Lewis A., “Symbols,” Christian Science Journal, Vol.38 (May 1920), p. 88.

--In annual preparation for communing…with God to expiate the people's sins, Aaron was to put on holy garments, a seamless robe, and a breastplate of righteousness,—was to make a sin offering signifying separation from all unholiness, a burnt offering signifying complete self-immolation or consecration to God. • He was to bathe his hands and feet in the great laver, or fountain, the floor of which was paved with brass looking-glasses reflecting the clear blue of the Palestine sky, in token of separation from matter, and the resulting spiritual purity, as of heavenly hue; and he was to make an incense offering, indicating his mental attitude of prayer or ascending thought. ---Upon his forehead was a golden plate bearing the legend, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD," signifying that he approached God with thought purified from everything unlike Spirit.

McKenzie, Rev. William P. (CSB, “First Member,” Pleasant View Household, CSPS Trustee, Lecturer, Editor, President, and Director), “The Health-giving Theology of Christian Science,” LECTURE, Christian Science Journal, Vol.17 (April 1899), p. 4.

--The tendency of mankind is to desire a mediator between himself and the Divinity which he worships.

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 4 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010 • A priest is one who is set apart as the medium through whom worship is to be given, prayer offered, or sacrifices made to the Being worshiped, and through whom the pardon and blessing sought is to come to the worshiper. ---Among the Jews the male descendants of Aaron were consecrated to the service of the Temple and had sole authority to offer sacrifice on the altar. • The priest then was the go-between when people would approach God. ---The priests were not always faithful. • They became formal and emphasized the ceremonies rather than what had called for them.

SECTION II: Jesus and the temptation by the devil (Matt 4: 1-11) RELATED SCRIPTURE: Ps 91: 11,12; Heb 2: 18; 4: 15 PARALLEL GOSPELS: Mark 1: 12,13; Luke 4: 1-13 TIME LINE: January-February, 27 AD, the preparation period in the wilderness of Judea

“Immediately the Spirit leads Jesus away into the wilderness to be tested.” (Theological Bible Commentary) “The narrative which can only have come from our Lord’s own lips, describes an actual historical fact, the great temptation which He underwent at the very beginning of His ministry.” (Dummelow Commentary) “In the brief Markan account [Mark 1:12,13] available to Matthew, the confrontation between Jesus and Satan is a test of strength, not a moral temptation, and no words are exchanged.” (People’s NT Commentary)

V.1: “God Himself is never the agent of temptation (James 1:13), but here—as in the Book of Job—God uses even satanic tempting to serve His sovereign purposes.” (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

"Although the forty days of temptation [v.2] are the typological equivalent of Israel's forty years of wandering, they also have rightly reminded…others of Moses' fast of forty days and forty nights (Ex 24:18)." (Oxford Bible Commentary)

"The urgency to turn the stones into bread [v.3] appealed to Jesus' most basic human need in light of the extensive fast." (King James Bible Commentary)

V.4: "The victory in each aspect of the temptation is related to Jesus' use of Scripture: It is written. (Ibid)

V.5: "The holy city, Jerusalem. The pinnacle mentioned in the next clause most likely overlooked the temple courts and the deep valley of the Kidron below." (New Oxford Annotated Bible)

“The ‘high mountain’ [v.8] is Matthew’s addition, which he seems to have adopted from Mark 9:2….It strengthens the allusion to Moses.” (People’s NT Commentary)

V.11: "The verse [Ps 91: 11,12] Satan tried to twist—is thus fulfilled in God's way and in God's perfect timing." (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

“the devil”/Satan [Dev’uhl] (Gr. diabolis “accuser” or “slanderer”)

“DEVIL. Evil; a lie; error; neither corporeality nor mind; the opposite of Truth; a belief in sin, sickness, and death; animal magnetism or hypnotism; the lust of the flesh, which saith: ‘I am life and intelligence in matter. There is more than one mind, for I am mind, — a wicked mind, self-made or created by a tribal god and put into the opposite of mind, termed matter, thence to reproduce a mortal universe, including man, not after the image and likeness of Spirit, but after its own image.’" (S&H 584:17) CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 5 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010

(Abbreviated) The word devil is “used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew ‘Satan’ and in the NT as a virtual synonym for the same term. In the KJV, it is also regularly employed as a translation of another Greek word (daimón), which, however, in the RSV is translated as 'demon.'” (HarperCollins Dictionary)…

"[The devil] is the great enemy of God and man (I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8), who tempted Christ and incites men to sin (Matt 4:1; John 13:2). He is that old ‘serpent’ who tempted Eve (II Cor 11:3; Rev 12:9; 20:2)." (Westminster Dictionary) In the time of our Lord there were frequent cases of demoniacal possession in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Powell, Laura McGee, "'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,'" Christian Science Sentinel, Vol.42 (9 September 1939), p. 26.

--That Jesus recognized evil as a false belief and handled it impersonally is shown forth in his experience as related in the fourth chapter of Matthew's Gospel. • We are told that he was "led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." ---Although three false suggestions were presented to the Master, it is related that he refuted each of them with Biblical authority. • The first Satanic suggestion which asked for recognition was that of false appetite. • Then came the insidious temptation to yield to vanity. • Lastly came the temptation of false ambition. ---The Master could not, and would not, dishonor his Father, God, by accepting these arguments of mortal mind, which would have bound him to matter as the source of life and intelligence, pain, power, and pleasure. He immediately rejected them.

“No Deal,” Christian Science Monitor (6 February 1997), p. 17.

--[God] has bestowed perpetual good on us, obviating the need or desire to trade with Him. --There was a time…when Jesus had been fasting and praying for many days (see Matthew 4:1-11). • Hunger tempted him to make bread out of stones. • Pride urged him to hurt himself and dare God to heal him. • Vain thoughts invited Jesus to strive for status, material gain, and physical comfort. ---You might say Jesus was tempted to bargain with God for a better deal. • But he knew that to admit that God had done less than a perfect job at creation was not legitimate. --Jesus knew God alone maintains our satisfaction, soundness, and comfort.

SECTION III: Jesus continues to teach, amazing his listeners with his authority (Matt 7: 28 the, 29) PARALLEL GOSPEL: Mark 1: 22; Luke 7:1 TIME LINE: The Year of Popularity and Fundamental Principles (Jesus’ 2nd year of ministry), 28 AD.

“Even if it be true that Matthew has collected into one long discourse the teachings that were scattered throughout the ministry, this does not weaken the force of his closing tribute.” (Abingdon Bible Commentary)

“The Greek verb [astonished, v.28] often implies fear, sometimes panic. What prompts apprehensive astonishment in the listeners is not so much the content of the teaching as the authority with which Jesus declares God’s purpose for their lives.” (Interpretation Commentary: Matthew)

“the scribes”

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 6 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010

(Abbreviated) “Scribes were distinguished professional people throughout the ancient world. Although they were called scribes because they could read and write, they were not only copyists. In Israel, some were officials who had authority to draw up legal documents. Some held special positions in the royal palace and functioned as ministers of finance or secretaries of state.” (Oxford Guide to People & Places) They were “capable of reading and writing, usually with competence in some area such as law, economics, or the like.” (HarperCollins Dictionary) "More specifically the scribes, or Sopherim, were those who copied, taught, and explained the law." (Peloubet's Dictionary)….

"More than in any other source the scribes are seen as a unified group in the NT, but this view may not be historically accurate. The Synoptic Gospel writers see the scribes as a group opposed to Jesus but say very little about their other characteristics." (Anchor Bible Dictionary) It is evident that in New Testament times the scribes belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, who supplemented the ancient written law by their traditions (Matt 23), thereby obscuring it and rendering it of none effect. The titles "scribes" and "lawyers" (q.v.) are in the Gospels interchangeable (Matt 22:35; Mark 12:28; Luke 20:39, etc.). They were in the time of Jesus the public teachers of the people, and frequently came into collision with him. They afterwards showed themselves greatly hostile to the apostles (Acts 4:5; 6:12)….

Mason, Frank E. (CSB and Assistant Pastor), “Bible Lessons,” CHURCH AND ASSOCIATION, Christian Science Journal, Vol.6 (September 1888), p. 307.

--[Jesus’] doctrines were utterly at variance with the popular theories of his age. The rigid formalism, the dead orthodoxy, the dry polemics of the Pharisees, the senseless materialism and sneering infidelity of the Sadducees, conclusively show that he was never influenced by the teachings of those dominant sects. • Jesus sat at the feet of no Jewish rabbi, after the custom in his day. No heathen sage inculcated wisdom into his youthful mind. Greece and Rome contributed nothing toward the development of the perfect manhood of Jesus. ---Wisdom came from that unfailing fount, the omnipotent Intelligence of the universe. Even Jesus' countrymen testified that he did not "know letters," yet they were astonished at his divine utterances. Jesus evolved these teachings from his own divine consciousness, borrowing from no human teacher. His light was Spirit,— a never-fading light, by which he interpreted sensible phenomena.

Bottum, Alice M., “Authority,” Christian Science Sentinel, Vol.23 (5 march 1921), p. 526.

--Matthew, writing of the Sermon on the Mount, uses this Word [authority]. He says of Jesus that "he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Now this is rather an extraordinary statement. Without analysis the inference seems to be that the teachings of the scribes were not to be regarded as having much value. But Matthew was a Jew and was familiar with the high respect in which the scribes were held by his people. These learned men were not only writers and custodians of the national records, but were teachers and interpreters of the Mosaic and traditional law. In fact, their position in one way was analogous to that of a justice of the supreme court. He does not make the law, but he does interpret it and he gives decisions on certain points out of the vast agglomeration of statute and common law. This was the position of the scribes. They knew the Jewish law and tradition, and their interpretations were valued as the decisions of men learned and just, who out of their large experience and seasoned judgment gave the truth as they saw it.

Moore, George H., “’As one having authority,’” Christian Science Journal, Vol.24 (September 1906), p. 335.

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 7 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010 --The obligations of the Judaic law were largely external. • Jesus redeemed or fulfilled that law by inaugurating in human consciousness the reign of Spirit. ---He summarized the law of Moses in the law of love, he fulfilled that law by exemplifying love, and enjoined similar fulfillment on his followers. • So to-day, to those frightened leaders of Christian thought who would trim their faith in God to fit preconceived ideas of natural law, to that Biblical interpretation which would break with God rather than offend men, to those conciliative apologists who would submerge the religion of Jesus in a religion of mere good citizenship, Christian Science brings positive assertion of the exclusive immanence and allness of the law of Spirit; of the attainable unity and perfection of all men in the divine idea or likeness, and of the existence of a comprehensive and demonstrable Science of Christianity which offers a solution of each and every question that now perplexes the race.

SECTION IV: Jesus heals “one sick of the palsy” (Mark 2: 1-12 [to ;]) PARALLEL GOSPELS: Matt 9: 2-8; Luke 5: 18-26 TIME LINE: The first part of the Year of Popularity and Fundamental Principles (Jesus’ 2nd year of ministry), 28 AD in Capernaum.

“one sick of the palsy”

This story is told in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In Matthew and Mark it is called “The Sick of the Palsy;” in Luke it is called “The Paralytic.” “This conflict episode is the first of five conflict episodes (2:1-2; 13-17, 18-22, 23-28; 3:1-6).” (MacArthur Commentary) “The story presupposes that the infirmity has a spiritual cause (cf. Ex 20:5; I Cor 11:29-30; James 5:14-15; in [Matt] 9:32-34 a demon makes a man deaf and dumb).” (Oxford Bible Commentary)

"Jesus had been traveling throughout Galilee, preaching and teaching, and people keep coming to him to be healed and cured. His reputation as a miracle worker is dogging him, and it seems to handicap him when he wishes to preach about God’s kingdom because the good news does not necessarily save one from suffering or death." (On Your Mark) His "entry into Capernaum was unknown by the public," but when "someone discovered his presence, the news spread like wildfire." (King James Commentary) "As Jesus arrives at Capernaum, some people carry to him a man who was unable to walk, presumably near the shore in the hope that Jesus will heal him ([Matt] 9:2-8)." (Eerdmans Commentary) "Brought to Jesus on a bed, the man's paralysis was severe. Jesus' words of forgiveness [v.2] may indicate that the paralysis was a direct consequence of the man's own sin." (MacArthur Commentary)

Arise (Mark 2:11). “The same word [is] used at the resurrection. Here and elsewhere the vocabulary of the healing stories points beyond the particular story to the cross-resurrection event.” (People’s NT Commentary)

“The peculiarity of this miracle is that it was worked to prove a doctrine, and that in the face of opposition. There were present certain scribes and Pharisees, some of whom had doubtless come from Jerusalem expressly to oppose Jesus. Jesus at once threw them a challenge by saying to the man, ‘Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.’ The scribes understood this to mean that He claimed to forgive sins as only God can do. Instead of repudiating this suggestion, as a mere man would have done, Jesus accepted it, and proceeded to prove His claim by a miracle.” (Dummelow Commentary) "In response to the scribes' and Pharisees' questioning, Jesus claims that 'the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' ([Luke]5:24)." (Eerdmans Commentary) "It is certainly easier to claim the power to pronounce absolution from sin [whether is easier, Matt v.5] than to demonstrate the power to heal." (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 8 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010 "[Luke] alone mentions the glorifying of God by the paralytic [v.25], and the fear of the bystanders." (Peake's Commentary) "The audience was stunned again when Jesus healed the man of his paralysis [Matt 9:8]; and they marveled, (lit., they were afraid)." (King James Bible Commentary) The scribes and Pharisees “perceive that God’s power is being democratized.” (Theological Bible Commentary)

“the scribes” (See Section III, above)

Holtrey, Marque, “’When Jesus saw their faith,’” Christian Science Sentinel, Vol.64 (24 November 1962), p. 2041.

--In the Gospel of Mark is the account of a man “sick of the palsy” (2:3). • This man was carried on his bed, or mat, by four men, and when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they took the man to the roof. ---We read that “they uncovered the roof…and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” • The account goes on to tell of the healing of the palsied man. --Since the story speaks of Jesus seeing “their” faith, it indicates that he included the four men who carried the palsied man. • These men evidently expected the man to be healed, or they surely would not have gone to the trouble of removing part of a roof in order to make Jesus aware of the need of their friend.

Baylor, Dorothy, “Arise!,” POEM, Christian Science Sentinel, Vol.39 (7 November 1936), p. 197.

Grieve not for what has gone before, Nor gaze with longing eyes Into the future’s dim expanse To list the dream that lies. But rise! Throw open wide your door, And on the threshold meet The Christ that waiteth patiently With humbled sandaled feet.

Cast off your shackles of your sin, Your weight of fear and woe, Into your inmost thoughts allow Its healing love to flow. Then fear not what the future holds, Nor what has gone before, For Christ, Truth, all-sufficient is, Both now and evermore.

Meades, Alfred C., "Immediately," POEM, Christian Science Journal, Vol.77 (February 1959), p. 74.

Immediately! The sacred pages say The Master healed the sick And raised the dead. To leper, sinner, cripple, maimed, The healing Word was said, And all were freed and thus acclaimed Immediately. CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 9 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010

Immediately! Our textbook says Man is the child of God, Not in some far-off realm That at some future time may be attained, But here and now; And with this truth he is sustained Immediately.

Forrest, Katherine A., “The Lame Walk,” Christian Science Sentinel, Vol.62 (8 October 1960), p. 1776.

--The great desire of mankind is to live a free, abundant life, unfettered by mental and physical handicaps, by unhappy surroundings and limited opportunity. • They long to walk forth and accomplish that which they have the desire and latent ability to do. --The word “walk” means more than physical movement. --Lameness means much more than physical incapacity. • Lameness can also imply imperfection, inefficiency, frustration—in short, any phase of helpfulness. --As we contemplate these truths habitually and identify ourselves with the perfect man, our walk, our conduct, our manner of living, will pattern the divine. • As we accept the Christ in consciousness, we shall express in larger measure true ability, dominion, and freedom of action.

SECTION V: Two disciples reply to Jesus in this second appearance after the Resurrection (Luke 24: 22,23) PARALLEL GOSPEL: Mark 16: 12, 13 TIME LINE: Sunday evening after the Resurrection, at Emmaus, 30 AD.

“certain women also of our company”/Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others

"The Emmaus story (24:13-27) tells of Jesus' appearance to two otherwise unknown disciples who, somewhat apart from the rest, are making a 7-mile journey from Jerusalem." (Oxford Commentary)

The other women "are never explicitly identified (cf. 23: 49,55)." (MacArthur Bible Commentary) “The women [v.22] beheld his death, burial, and the empty tomb. [The] disciples do not believe their testimony for they need more certain evidence.” (Oxford Bible Commentary)

Schoppe, Rev. W.G., “Christianity and Women,” Christian Science Journal, Vol.26 (September 1908), p. 344.

--THE religion of the Master has appealed in a special manner to the life of woman, and in turn has been adorned by her distinctive qualities. --The tender relation between Jesus and Mary begins the most beautiful chapter of Christian history. Luke tells us that "certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities,…and many others," followed the Master, as he went about "preaching and shewing the glad tidings," and "ministered unto him of their substance." They were the last to leave his cross, and in the early dawn they were the first at his vacant tomb. --After the shadow of centuries, it has been given to another woman to perceive the spiritual idea, and to express for the world's deep need the harmony of Life. CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 10 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — April 12 - 18, 2010 • Truth and Love are made manifest to the modern world through woman's spiritual perception, and thus the divine word appears. The book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," which portrays the Christ-idea, "The Sun of Righteousness…with healing in his wings," is commended to the world.

Barber, Cyril Alexander, “Resurrection vision,” POEM, Christian Science Journal, Vol.113 (April 1995), p. 9.

The crying women saw a cross And on it, all their love and loss. They saw their Lord in empty cave, No tomb of Life but death’s own grave.

The Saviour, victor over death, Proved Love, not atoms, Giver of breath As Science, moving men to awe, Showed man’s immortal life as law….

Know that our Lord through law doomed dying, Seeing Love’s law our needs supplying, Blessed by Life’s law of pure reflection, We too partake of resurrection.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

The Bibliography is provided only in the notes of the first Sunday of the 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.

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 11