STUDENTS of Christian Science are learning to understand the works and teachings of Christ Jesus, and thus to appreciate the beautiful simplicity of his marvelous life and healing methods. In Christian Science it is made plain that though his teachings were not always fully understood even by his disciples, this was not because of any complexity in what he said, but because his listeners were not always prepared to receive his inspired message. Their education in many instances had not been spiritual enough to form a mental attitude receptive to the healing, regenerating truth he was ever giving out.
On page 53 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, states that "Christian Science is simple, and readily understood by the children; only the thought educated away from it finds it abstract or difficult to perceive." His immediate disciples' childlike willingness to listen and learn enabled them to comprehend the Master's words much better than did others who had been trained in more worldly knowledge. The scribes, Pharisees, and rulers resisted and resented Jesus' radical but simple teaching regarding the one true God and His relation to His spiritual creation. The language and illustrations of Jesus were simple; his statements of spiritual truth were concise, direct, and forceful.
In the Gospel according to Matthew there is given the record of that unexcelled sermon of Jesus now known to Bible students as the Sermon on the Mount, and it relates that "the people were astonished at his doctrine. For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Under the marginal heading "New Testament basis" in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p.271), Mrs. Eddy, speaking of "the Science of Christianity," calls this sermon "the essence of this Science."
Jesus was undoubtedly the most scientific Christian ever known on earth, and he began to instruct his disciples in the deep things of God by giving them this sermon in the simplest possible language. And so a Christian Scientist must possess the childlike willingness to begin with "the numeration table of Christian Science" (Message to The Mother Church for 1901, p.22) and take all the necessary footsteps of growth out of material into spiritual thinking. In the study of arithmetic the child naturally begins by learning the numerals, and then goes on to the simplest application of the four fundamental rules. A pupil may spend a long time in perfecting and practicing his knowledge and understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division before continuing with fractions or decimals.
How essential it is, then, to recognize that the simple footsteps of spiritual growth must be patiently taken in acquiring an understanding of Christian Science and its healing, regenerating work! This work rests on the fundamental, spiritually scientific basis which Jesus taught—the all-Power and all-presence of God, good, and His spiritual relationship to the real man and the real universe. And in proportion as this spiritual basis is clearly and fearlessly understood, clung to, and applied, it counteracts all so-called material law, attraction, or suggestion.
Is it not clear that the honest, constant endeavor to live the Sermon on the Mount is essential in order that one may gain this understanding? Paul tells us that "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." This spirit is made apparent in the simplest qualities of good; in genuine brotherly love; in charitableness, unselfishness, forgiveness, heartfelt humility. The imbibing of these qualities is indispensable in healing the sick; for while it will be observed that Jesus did not mention physical healing in his sermon, yet immediately upon coming down from the mountain he healed a leper. Later he healed the centurion's servant; then, Peter's wife's mother; and he continued his healing ministry, healing all manner of sickness and sin, and overcoming death. His teachings are clearly the basis of all his healing work, and therefore the basis of all healing accomplished through genuine Christian Science practice.
The very simplicity of Jesus' teachings and of his healing method was an offense to the intellectual pride of the scribes and Pharisees, who deeply resented the fact that their intelligence, knowledge, and works were so naturally and easily surpassed by the master Christian. Christ Jesus demanded of his disciples that their righteousness should exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. In his great sermon he made many references to the Mosaic law, giving, however, a higher spiritual and moral standard and basis of living, and stating distinctly the daily conduct expected of his followers in their relationship one with another.
On one occasion, recorded in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, when his disciples asked him who was greatest in the kingdom of heaven, "Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." The daily life of the earnest, conscientious student of Christian Science is necessarily consecrated to the joyous task of cultivating more and more affection for good, and eradicating all evil beliefs that would rob him of his understanding of Christian Science. This spiritual unfoldment and gradual overcoming of material selfhood is obviously a necessary preparation for the healing ministry for which Christian Science stands. And since Jesus spent thirty years of preparation and continuous self-sacrifice in making himself ready for his three years' work of healing and teaching, how much more imperative is this demand upon Christian Scientists, in order that they may more nearly approach the perfect success which Jesus accomplished in the face of relentless and malicious opposition! His requirement was plain, as recorded in the fourteenth chapter of John, that we should do "greater works" than he did.
On another occasion, when children were brought to Jesus in order that he might bless them, and the disciples tried to send them away, the Master rebuked the disciples with the words, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." How clear it is that the childlike thought—receptivity, humility, and purity—is requisite to gain heaven, harmony, and is a fundamental requirement in emulating Jesus' example. On page 70 of "The Life of Mary Baker Eddy" by Sibyl Wilbur the authentic story is told of a mother who brought her infant to Mrs. Eddy, having heard of her saintly character, and implored her to ask God to cure the child of blindness. Mrs. Eddy reflected upon these words of Jesus regarding little children, and turned her thought reverently to God. The infant was returned to its mother completely healed. This healing occurred before Mrs. Eddy had discovered Christian Science, and it may be taken as clearly illustrating the simplicity of Christian Science healing through the spirit of the Christ.
The daily study of the Scriptures and of Mrs. Eddy's writings, including the Manual of The Mother Church, cannot be belittled or neglected by any student of Christian Science who wishes to gain and retain a sure and correct basis for successfully utilizing and demonstrating the healing power of God, for himself or for others. If steadfast, unwavering loyalty to Jesus' methods is joyously and strictly adhered to, spiritual light and understanding in all its beauty, simplicity, and practicability will penetrate and melt away the thickest cloud of material desire, personal ambition, or medical suggestion, and supply all necessary healing power direct from God.
Let it be remembered, too, that the simplicity of Christian Science and of Jesus' teachings does not indicate, or mean, that to human sense the way is easy. Jesus emphatically taught the necessity of constant, unremitting vigilance, prayer, and work. His admonition was to "watch and pray." But while one may find himself passing through deep waters, he will also find that the purposes and efforts of evil are defeated in proportion to his faithfulness and vigilance in correctly and radically relying upon and obeying God as Jesus did.
It is necessary to realize that the Scriptures, the writings of Mrs. Eddy, and the authorized publications issued by The Christian Science Publishing Society in Boston, Massachusetts, accurately elucidate this great Science. Indulging a desire or inclination to find an easier way outside of these channels may only tend to adulterate the understanding and rob one of the reward and fruition of following strictly the straight and narrow way.
Because our great Leader, Mrs. Eddy, was inspired with the desire to emancipate humanity from the bondage of suffering, disease, and sorrow, she was willing to devote her entire life to that purpose. Because this desire was not tainted with selfishness or the thought of personal ambition, she was the proper channel through which Christian Science was revealed to this age, and for all time to come. She presented this Science through her writings so simply that even the children understand and utilize it. Every Christian Scientist rejoices that he has been able, in some degree, to prove and utilize this truth for himself, and often for others, on the simple basis of the understanding of the all-power and all-presence of God, good, and the unbroken continuity of His spiritual creation, the real man and the real universe.
