THE statement, "The Word was made flesh," which occurs in the first chapter of the Gospel of John, if taken literally and without regard to its metaphysical meaning, might appear both paradoxical and unintelligible. Especially might this be the case in view of the preceding passage, in which the evangelist shows that the sons of God are so entirely different in nature and in origin from mortals born of the flesh that the latter cannot comprehend the nature of the sons of God without the assistance of a mediator. In order, therefore, that mankind might receive this needed enlightenment, it was necessary that the Word should become flesh; that is to say, that Truth should become humanly appreciable.
For many generations the Hebrew prophets had been preparing the way in human consciousness for the advent of the Messiah. The scribes and Pharisees, however, were looking for a personal savior who should spring from the house of David, from the lineage of Abraham, and should become king of the Jews.
John, the beloved disciple, who took a more spiritual view of the Messiah, opens his Gospel with the passage concerning the eternal identity of the Logos, or Word. Then, after a brief reference to the mission of John the Baptist, he comes directly to the point, saying, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." In spite of this utterance, and the care which the writer took to distinguish between the Spirit and the flesh, Christendom did not until this day discern its full meaning. Because of this long-felt lack, the discovery of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy fills a most important place in the history of Christianity. Through her spiritual understanding of the Bible, Mrs. Eddy interprets the statement, "The Word was made flesh," as follows (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 350): "Divine Truth must be known by its effects on the body as well as on the mind, before the Science of being can be demonstrated. Hence its embodiment in the incarnate Jesus,—that life-link forming the connection through which the real reaches the unreal, Soul rebukes sense, and Truth destroys error."
In the light of Christian Science it is evident that the new birth of which Jesus spoke, is a spiritual nativity to which everyone born of the flesh must awaken. A necessary accompaniment to this new birth is a radical change from a material to the spiritual view of both God and man. False standards of religion and ethics must be exchanged for the true understanding of man's origin and destiny. If, for example, one believes that he is the victim of a supposedly inherited disease, prenatal weakness, or any other form of physical disability, Christian Science holds out to him the way to be born again. When questioned by Nicodemus as to how a man can be born again when he is old, Christ Jesus said: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
The salvation and redemption of mankind must therefore begin with individual willingness to abandon belief in the fleshly origin of mankind, and to seek the true understanding of our Father which is in heaven, and of His Christ. When this spiritual and true view of man's origin has been accepted, all attempts at self-analysis based upon physical diagnosis or upon so-called psychoanalysis are seen to be futile; and an understanding of the Science of spiritual causation becomes the only logical basis for health, true education, and development. As one progresses in the study and practice of this Science, it becomes increasingly self-evident that when a spiritual idea dawns in human consciousness and is put into practice in daily life it becomes a part of one's concept of existence; that is to say, it is made flesh in the sense that this spiritual sense of creation is actually manifested in daily experience.
This fact is illustrated daily in the routine of human affairs. Who, for example, has not witnessed the effects of right thinking expressed as peace, happiness, kindness, firmness, and numerous other forms of mental activity? These divine ideas or qualities, when understood and utilized in Christian Science, impart a healing influence; and this proves that the metaphysical prescription of the great Physician is the best medicine for the diseases to which the flesh is said to be heir. When, for example, Christ Jesus spoke the word of Truth to the infirm woman who for eighteen years had been "bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself," she was immediately made straight; and her first impulse was to thank God as the source of her help. In another case, when Jesus restored sight to a man who had been born blind. and the disciples asked him who had sinned, "this man, or his parents, that he was born blind," the Master said, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
Many more instances could be cited, both in that day and in ours, showing that the Word of God is made flesh whenever Truth, Life, and Love are permitted to take possession of the thoughts and lives of mortals sufficiently to transform and heal them. In some cases this change is initiated through the agency of true prayer; in others, by the healing influence of a Christian Science church service or lecture. In others, the change may be initiated through the study of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly, the reading of the Christian Science literature, or through treatment from a Christian Science practitioner. In every case, if the signs of spiritual regeneration are to follow and remain, there must be receptivity and perseverance.
When, therefore, the Word of God finds good ground in a heart made ready, through unselfed love, to receive it and live it, it is rendered practical. In the truest sense of the term it is made flesh. It operates to exterminate and destroy all false sense and the evil passions which would militate against its full acceptance; and it blesses all who come within the range of its mighty, healing influence.
Thus will go on the glorious warfare between Spirit and the flesh until the dark shadow of material sense is finally eclipsed by the sunlight of Truth, and man seen as the son of God, spiritual and perfect, expressing the true likeness of his Father in heaven.
