AS we read and think over the great records of our Master's life in the light of Christian Science, we see that they are far more than the history of a sublime career which after a brief period passed beyond human view; for in them may be found the practical examples of the solving of problems common to all mankind, problems which sooner or later each one will have to solve. Every problem which came to his attention, Christ Jesus worked out swiftly and with precision. As a mathematician applies the rules of mathematics, so he applied the rule or law of divine Principle, God, and invariably reached a correct solution of the problem on hand.
We read in Luke's Gospel that Jesus at one time came to a certain village where Martha hospitably received him into her home. How well we can picture the group! Mary, her sister, was sitting at Jesus' feet, drinking in the spiritual truths which he taught, while Martha, "cumbered about much serving," finally broke out with these words: "Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?" Jesus commended service; he was the greatest Exemplar of the true service, which is the outcome of true thinking and humble prayer. This friend of the lowly could read the human mind; and he was able to discern Martha's thought, which not only would put materiality first, but would have Mary do likewise. His answer, ringing down the centuries, has caused many a one to pause: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
How cumbered with much serving humanity seems to be! How disinclined to put first things first and to sit at the feet of the Christ! And how the carnal mind argues for its so-called rights! How arrogantly it tries to induce those who would be spiritually minded into being "careful and troubled about many things"! Then how necessary it is that we should hear the divine message saying, "But one thing is needful"! Mrs. Eddy tells us in a Communion Message to The Mother Church just what this one thing is. She says, "This is that needful one thing—divine Science, whereby thought is spiritualized" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp.126, 127). Spiritualization of thought is the way of healing in Christian Science, through which mankind is delivered from the bondage of false thinking and its tragic results.
