I have always been interested in the phrase “pour encourager les autres”—“to encourage others.” Those words, universally associated with Voltaire, have often stirred me to do more than usual to put into practice and share the Science of the Christ, which is close to my heart.
Christ Jesus was a great encourager. For instance, when he went to raise Lazarus from the dead, he spoke openly to God, thanking Him for His constant vigilance. And he spoke loudly, perhaps so that bystanders would overhear and believe that God had sent him (see John 11:41–44). Jesus called for Lazarus to come forth—and he did!
Commenting on that incident, Mary Baker Eddy wrote: “Who dares to doubt this consummate test of the power and willingness of divine Mind to hold man forever intact in his perfect state, and to govern man’s entire action? Jesus said, ‘Destroy this temple [body] and in three days I [Mind] will raise it up;’ and he did this for tired humanity’s reassurance” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 493–494).
