IN meeting the criticism of the Pharisees when the publicans and sinners sat down with him, the Master said in his characteristically simple and forceful way: "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. . . . For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." This, then, was the mission of the Saviour of the world. His was a life of constant service, involving continual sacrifice for the good of others. Later to be called "King of kings, and Lord of lords," might never mean as much to this faithful friend of men as to be remembered and exalted as the "servant of all;" for he himself said that one chiefest among the people must be their servant. This he unfailingly was, and for this we owe him reverence. This true method of living, this method of service, he urged upon all men, proving its possibility of fulfillment by the works he did, works which he said should also be done by those who were willing to be obedient to the law of God, even as he was.
According to the spiritual record of creation, as given in the first chapter of Genesis, man is the image of God; and the works of God are unchangeable. Then man, the image of God, is spiritual, not material; free, not bound. It was this truth of being which Christ Jesus revealed, and this truth must be understood by all men if they would realize spiritual sonship—oneness with God. In reality it is impossible for man to be separated from God, since he is indeed His perfect image.
It is possible for each and every one to become conscious here and now of the presence of the Christ, Truth. This realization is gained only through the sacrifice of material desires and the willingness to look to God as supreme, learning of Him, listening to His voice, and obeying His every command. This is vital to spiritual understanding and demonstration. It is building within one's own consciousness the true Church, which Mrs. Eddy so well defines in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583), in part, as "the structure of Truth and Love." Regardless of what to material sense might seem to be taking place, Christ Jesus lived in the conscious realization of God as the only Mind. He looked to God to see what was real; and if what he seemed to be experiencing was contrary to the truth, he knew that the condition was unreal, and therefore powerless.
