IN no way, perhaps, were the wisdom and tenderness of Christ Jesus more apparent than in his methods as a teacher. Gently, by precept and proof, by parable and example, he revealed to his disciples the truth about God and man. A less wise teacher might have exceeded their capacity, thus causing confusion and discouragement, whereas his instruction always took into account their capacity for receiving and learning. In his last talk with them before his betrayal and crucifixion, he again explained his doctrine, and further said: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." Thus he referred to this complete and final revelation as the Comforter which was to bring to remembrance whatsoever he had said.
All revelation of Truth comes from the operation of divine Principle. For centuries before the star of Bethlehem and the hosannas of angels proclaimed his advent, the Messiah with his message of good will and peace had been promised and expected. Though the Christ, Truth, is ever present, it was not until the children of Israel had advanced sufficiently to perceive in a measure this spiritual vision of their prophets that the Messiah could appear. Not the world's lack of intellectual fitness, but its lack of spiritual receptivity, caused Jesus to refrain from giving to his hearers more of the precious truth which he came to teach. He lived at a time when many schools of philosophy flourished; but because these taught of the so-called human mind they had no point of contact with his teachings, which revealed God and the spiritual universe as the only reality.
Gleaming through the fogs of materialism during the subsequent centuries, Jesus' crowning victory of the resurrection and the ascension has brought comfort, encouragement, and hope to struggling humanity. His example in healing every manner of error, in overcoming death and all limitation, pointed to a complete revelation of Truth which would enable mankind more fully to follow his example. Human reason and philosophy could not explain his deeds. Like his teachings, these deeds had to be spiritually interpreted. This inspired interpretation came in God's time and way as the result of the operation of divine Principle, infinite Love; and Mary Baker Eddy called her discovery Christian Science.
