ALTERNATIVE INTERPRETATION OF JOHN 1

John 1:19-51 (Previous post has John 1:1-18)

This is from https://www.truthunity.net/books/unity-bible-lessons.

Metaphysically Interpreting John 1:19-28

1:19And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou? 1:20And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ. 1:21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. 1:22They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

1:23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.

1:24And they had been sent from the Pharisees. 1:25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet? 1:26John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not, 1:27even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose. 1:28These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Metaphysically Interpreting John 1:29-34

1:29On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world! 1:30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is become before me: for he was before me. 1:31And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water. 1:32And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. 1:33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit. 1:34And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.

January 12, 1908: John 1:19-34

In the regeneration two states of mind are constantly at work. First, the cleansing or denial state, in which all the error thoughts are eliminated. This includes forgiveness for sins committed and a general clearing up of the whole consciousness. The idea is to get back into the pure, natural consciousness of the Spirit. This state of mind is typified by John the Baptist, who came out of the wilderness, a child of nature — whose mission was to make straight the way for one who was to follow.

This putting away sin from the consciousness, or baptism through denial, and forgiveness, is very closely allied to the deeper work which is to follow; so much so that to the observer it seems the same. Hence, the followers of John, when they saw the works he did, asked if he was the Messiah; His answer was that the one who followed Him was to baptize with Holy Spirit.

From this we discern that mental cleansing, and the reforms that put the conscious mind in order, are preparing the way for that larger and more permanent consciousness that is to follow. This is the denial of “self,“ or personality. Jesus said, “Deny thyself and follow me.” Self is the consciousness that brings about the crucifixion. “We are all guilty in a way of personal aims, which are always narrow and selfish. So long as these exist and take the place of the rightful One, there is no room for the Higher Self, the Christ of God.

When the conscious mind has been put in order the Holy Spirit descends with peace like a dove. If this cleansing baptism of John does not precede the Holy Ghost baptism, there is conflict in the consciousness; the old error thoughts contending for their place, refuse to go out and a veritable war is the result. In metaphysical healing this is called “chemicalization.” When it stirs up the patient until the body is racked with pain, a very crucifixion takes place. But this is greatly modified, if not entirely eliminated, by the putting the mind in Divine order through the Nature-loving John.

The bearing record that “This is the Son of God” is an important matter in the regeneration. The recognition of man as the Son of God, and the establishment in the mind of the new relation between their Divine Father and the Son is essential to the process. If we do not affirm our sonship, with all its privileges and powers, we are sure to belittle ourselves and make limitations that prevent the entering into the fullness of the God-head. “Be ye perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Metaphysically Interpreting John 1:35-42

1:35Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; 1:36and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God! 1:37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 1:38And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abideth thou? 1:39He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour. 1:40One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 1:41He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ). 1:42He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).

Sunday, April 4, 1943: John 1:29-42

Why did John the Baptist call Jesus the “Lamb of God”? Because the lamb represents the purity, innocence, and guilelessness of the Christ or pure life and substance of Being, with which Jesus identified Himself completely. John recognized these qualities in Jesus and proclaimed Him the “Lamb of God.”

How does the “Lamb of God” take away “the sin of the world”? As the pure life of the Christ consciousness vitalizes in us all that it touches, our consciousness of imperfection disappears. When we are no longer conscious of sin or shortcoming, it ceases to exist for us; it is taken away.

Why was Jesus proclaimed as being before John? Because innate purity, innocence and guilelessness come into expression before the intellectual qualities (represented by John) begin to develop. Furthermore, the qualities of the Christ come before the intellect in the sense that they are pre-eminent as a basis for character building, whereas the intellectual qualities, though highly desirable, are not indispensable.

Why did John repeat, “I knew him not”? The intellect is developed, as the outgrowth of training and of contact with the environment. Before it receives spiritual illumination, the intellect (John) is not conscious of the innate purity and innocence of the Christ.

What really exists for us? All the beauty, love, joy, peace, and plenty, that we can conceive of, exists for us. All that is beyond the range of the two realms of thought and feeling is as though it did not exist.

Why did John say “he that sent me to baptize in water”? Baptism represents denial. Divine law requires that the errors of the sense mind be denied out of consciousness in order that the mind of the Christ may have room to enter in and take possession. The divine law is God in action.

John was to recognize the Christ by seeing the Spirit descending and abiding upon Jesus. Why was this a sign that He baptized in the Holy Spirit? Because, by His very presence, Jesus communicated to others, who believed in Him, the same Spirit that remained in Him constantly, the Spirit of God, or the Holy Spirit. Someone has said that “the power of a pure life affects far more than the mere surface lives upon which it shines.” The power of the Christ life transforms all whose consciousness it touches. “I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

January 6, 1935: John 1:35-42

What does the name Simon represent, and what has it to do with faith? The name Simon signifies hearing, or receptivity to Truth and the ability to discern it. Faith springs from both receptivity and discernment.

Why did Jesus change Simon's name to Cephas, or Peter? Peter, or Cephas, means rock, and represents the firm foundation of life that faith supplies.

Explain what you understand by cycles of growth or development. These are degrees through which we pass in our progress from sense to spiritual consciousness. When we choose a dominating thought or ideal, we begin a cycle. When we realize the ideal or outgrow it, we complete the cycle.

When Jesus entered Galilee, John pointed Him out to two of his own disciples, who afterwards became disciples of Jesus. What is typified by this incident? Galilee means a circle, and the event here mentioned is typical of the progress of the inner life of the individual, of a cycle of his development.

Did John the Baptist complete his work? In what way does his life story interest us? John represents the intellect, and when the intellect has proclaimed the advent of a new state of consciousness and done what it can to prepare the way for the new, its task is finished. John's story interests us because it shows us that limitation of the intellect in man's search for Truth.

Explain what is meant by the phrase “The time is fulfilled” in the early teaching of Jesus. An idea that is dwelt upon constantly by the mind grows, until it gathers to itself the subconscious forces necessary to its fulfillment. Thus “the time is fulfilled”, or the cycle of the idea ended, and the “kingdom of God” or realm of spiritual power, is at hand.

Is it easy to enter into the kingdom of heaven here and now? No, it requires faith to take this step, for the hold of the old thought habit, that makes death the key to the kingdom, is still strong.

Does the increase in discernment in the individual come about under law, or only at random? Discernment comes through earnest application and search, under the law announced by Jesus in the words, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

Explain the call of Jesus to Simon and Andrew: “Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” Simon (hearing or discernment) and Andrew (strength) were fishermen, and the faculties they typify increase the power of the mind. The inner man grows in wisdom and stature through the right exercise of these powers.

How do we “eat” thoughts and ideas? We eat or appropriate thoughts and ideas by accepting them and affirming their reality in steadfast confidence, that they will come into manifestation.

Metaphysically Interpreting John 1:43-51

1:43On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me. 1:44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 1:45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 1:46And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.1:47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!1:48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 1:49Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel. 1:50Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 1:51And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 1932: John 1:35-49

Which John is spoken of in this lesson? What, in individual consciousness, does he represent? The John who is spoken of in this lesson is John the Baptist. He has caught the vision of the Christ, and is proclaiming the word of Truth to the people. John represents the intellect, or the conscious mind. He perceives the working of Truth and endeavors to cleanse the consciousness, that the Christ Spirit may fill the minds and the lives of men and remove all human limitations.

Explain the words, “He looked [upon] Jesus.” This passage has reference to man's contemplation and perception of Truth (the Christ). When the conscious mind (John) recognizes Truth and proclaims it, the various faculties begin to respond to its righteous activity.

What, in individual consciousness, do disciples represent? In individual consciousness, disciples represent faculties of mind that are spiritually awakened and turned toward constructive expression.

What do the disciples named in this lesson symbolize? Andrew symbolizes strength; Simon Peter represents the substance of faith; Philip stands for power; and Nathanael stands for the imagination.

How do the disciples find, Jesus? The conscious mind (John) must look upon Jesus (concentrate or meditate on the Christ principle) and direct the disciples (faculties) to spiritual activity: “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

What are some of the evidences that one is awaking to the Christ consciousness? Willingness to give up the sense man, with his limitations, and an earnest endeavor to be prompted by Spirit in all things are evidences, that one is awaking to the Christ consciousness. Joy and satisfaction come to the one who obeys the will of God. Such a one finds himself in innocence, purity, and unselfishness.

August 15, 1948: John 1:37-43

In this lesson what phase of strength is especially emphasized? Strength of mind, which molds character and brings its possessor to self-mastery. In this lesson strength of mind is represented by Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.

Andrew and a companion were disciples of John the Baptist, but, upon John's announcement that Jesus was the Lamb of God, they left John and followed Jesus. What sign of strength is shown by this change of allegiance? To follow the highest expression of Truth and seek to make it our own always requires courage and strength of mind, especially when it entails a changing of our allegiance. This is necessary to hold us steadfast to Truth, wherever it is found.

Is it a sign of strength or of weakness to prove the Truth before we accept it? It is a sign of strength. Only the gullible person accepts what is told him without trying to verify it to his satisfaction.

Is the connection between strength and faith real, or only apparent? It is real. Andrew (strength) was the brother of Peter (faith).

What course of action does the love of Truth impel a person to follow? The love of Truth impels a person who has it to share his knowledge of it with others, thus increasing the range of its influence. Andrew first brought his brother Simon to Jesus, then others.

February 24, 1929: John 1:40-42

What is the metaphysical meaning of the two disciples following Jesus? When the spiritual mind (represented by Jesus) becomes active in consciousness, we follow it in strength (Andrew) and love (John). This is symbolized by the two disciples following Jesus.

When we follow the spiritual mind in strength and love, what is the result? When we earnestly and steadfastly love to do the will of God, the spiritual mind identifies us spiritually and “opens the way for the next step in regeneration.

What is the real object of every seeker of Christ? The real object of every seeker of Christ is to attain spiritual mind consciousness and to abide in it.

How is the human ego lifted from its temporal ambition into the consciousness of spiritual dominion? Man ascends in consciousness by realizing that spiritually he is a son of the living God.

January 1, 1939: John 1:40-42

What metaphysical truth is shown by the fact that Simon and Andrew were brothers? Simon, later named Peter, represents faith, Andrew strength. Strength and faith are closely related faculties of the mind, and when they are consciously united in the mind, they enable one to pass successfully through even the most adverse experiences.

What is the meaning of Peter's original name, Simon, and what does the change signify? Simon means hearing, which in the mental realm is equivalent to spiritual perception. The change to Cephas, or Peter ( a stone), indicates that faith progresses from mere perception of Truth to strong, abiding, steadfast confidence and conviction.

How is this progression indicated in the text of this lesson? By the words “Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon, the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas.” The I AM (the Christ) sees that faith is the outgrowth of spiritual perception founded on love (son of John). It therefore knows that faith must develop into unshakable confidence and conviction, since it springs from love, and “love never faileth.”

April 28, 1946: John 1:42

Name a faculty that underlies faith. Love. The connection between the two is represented by Peter, the son of John. Peter represents faith, and John love.

What is the meaning of the name, Cephas? It means “hard,” “rock,” “cliff” and metaphysically signifies unyielding, enduring faith.

Besides faith what must we have, if we are to become partakers (expressions) of the divine nature? Virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. These combine to make firm, rocklike character.