Editorials

How each phase of Jesus life has healing relevance to us today

What are you grateful for? You may be thankful for many things—for all the evidences of good in your life, from friendships and family, to home, health, and freedom. For those of a religious persuasion, it’s easy to connect the good to God as the source of all goodness—and to feel grateful to God.

A phrase in the Bible’s book of Psalms captures how we often seem to view political opponents today: “the man [or woman] who bringeth wicked devices to pass” ( Psalms 37:7 ). Yikes! Even if opposing candidates were to pose the existential threat we might think they do, the psalmist’s counsel that leads into the words quoted above stands: “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

One of the mos t pleasant commands Jesus gave us was to enter into our closet to pray (see Matthew 6:6 ). Obviously, he wasn’t saying we shouldn’t pray unless we’re in a closet.

“What if everything is actually OK?” This question was arresting. Things sure didn’t feel OK.

One of the most frequently quoted statements of Christ Jesus’ teachings is: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” ( John 8:32 ). It is preceded by this qualifying statement: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” ( John 8:31 ).

Shortly before his crucifixion and resurrection, Christ Jesus spoke to his disciples about continuing his mission after he was no longer with them. He instructed them to follow his commandments and promised them a Comforter that would enable them to carry his work forward.

Every member of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and every member of a Christian Science branch church can heal. Indeed, every individual can heal themselves and others, since in truth, God is the only healer, and the capacity to demonstrate God’s power is inherent in our spiritual makeup as children of God—a capacity just waiting to be discovered and cultivated.

Sometime around 700 bc the prophet Isaiah said, “And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” ( Isaiah 2:4 ).   Fast-forward to the early 20th century and Isaiah’s words, if read as a literal prophecy, still weren’t realized.

The purpose of everything Christ Jesus said and did was to make people see and feel the vividness of the kingdom of heaven, or the supremacy and actuality of God, good, in their lives. This good news of Spirit’s power and sovereignty may have initially seemed like some far-off thing that could only be hoped for, and very much separate from their daily lives.