At the early age of twelve years the boy Jesus recognized that he must be about his Father's business. This indicated that his outlook on the world was different from those contemporaries who claimed to understand stand divine law. He did not shut out spiritual facts, and he was conscious of the omnipresence of God, good. He was forever reflecting the divine Principle of health and holiness. From his pure birth he possessed this true sense of sonship with God; and, consequently, had dominion over materiality. It is natural to believe that as a good carpenter he may have learned lessons that made him a wise master-builder of a true temple. He must have valued honest toil and good workmanship, doing faithfully what his hands found to do. Later, he was able to build a safe structure on a sure foundation of Truth, "an house not made with hands, eternal," because spiritual. It was not a material temple through which Christ Jesus revealed the all-power of God; nor was it through long prayers, ceremonies, or burnt offerings that he illustrated omnipresent Love. His one aim was to glorify his Father, divine Love. It was the truth of being which he demonstrated. His own sense of existence, transformed and redeemed "from the law of sin and death," was the proof he gave of man's immortal individuality as the child of God.
To establish the reign of harmony on earth, to bring good news to oppressed brethren, was doing his Father's business. A consciousness of unity with good replaces human concepts, and enables those who follow the Master to begin to do what is pleasing to divine Mind. Thoughts which reflect Godlike qualities glorify God, as good, as Mind. Mrs. Eddy wrote of the worthy clergymen she knew in her childhood (Message for 1901, p. 32) that they lived close to God, were "full of charity and good works, busy about their Master's business." It is right thinking that achieves the Science of immortality. It is possible for every one to accept the ideals of Christian Science and begin to live according to its precepts, "all finding their place in God's great love," as our Leader writes on page 182 of "Miscellaneous Writings."
God's business, being an ever active reflection of infinite Love, could not be theoretical or abstract. It is not an intellectual entertainment or a mental diversion. It is not merely a hope or promise of some future state of ease. The Master made it a practical demonstration of real manhood. He intended his students to be active; for he sent them out to heal the sick. Evidently they caught some of the same spirit which inspired his active service; for they obeyed, as history records, restoring health, explaining the spiritual sense of the Scriptures, teaching, and forming churches on his teachings. They went out as sheep in the midst of wolves, enduring all manner of persecutions for Christ's sake, that the truth might be established in the hearts of men.
