THE enduring love of Jesus is an example for mankind, whose affections are often unstable. On the night of the Last Supper, when the disciples were gathered together, the Master gave parting instructions to the little band of followers who were to continue his mission by taking Christianity to the world. John, who fully appreciated the love which Jesus was expressing, wrote in his Gospel (John 13:1), "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end."
There was an enduring affection beyond anything the world could conceive. Although the Saviour realized that the love his disciples held for him would waver, that they would be scattered and would leave him alone, he chose this intimate occasion to strengthen the good they were capable of rather than to upbraid them for the faithlessness which he knew remained latent and undestroyed in their hearts.
Christian Science inspires its adherents to search the hearts of mankind in order to strengthen human affection, not belittle it. It does this by revealing the source of true affection to be divine, limitless Love, which never ends. In proportion as affection includes purity, helpfulness, faithfulness, and solicitude for others, it endures; it survives the influence of animal magnetism, or evil mind, which would make affection falter and grow cool. Enduring love opens the way to take spiritual power to the ills of the world.
