CHRIST JESUS was marvelously adept at reading thought. The Apostle John relates of him, "He knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man." In this terse statement is indicated the possession of spiritual power. No phase of error, no subtle, recalcitrant thought, could hide from his searching. In his ministry the Master was always quick to discern the thought that reached out to him for healing.
Once, when thronged by a multitude of people, he instantly detected the thought of a woman who sought to be healed by simply touching his clothes. The keenness of his insight may have caused the woman some dismay, but it certainly must have played a large part in her healing. Always Jesus' spiritual insight brought to the surface whatever specific hidden error lurked in the consciousness of the patient, and he quickly cast it out and healed the sufferer. He also easily read the thoughts of those who mentally criticized him. The Gospels relate that he knew their thoughts. His spiritual understanding, which gave him his ability in this respect, made him master of the situation on every occasion that his detractors attempted mentally to cross swords with him. His weapon was always "the sword of the Spirit."
The ability to read the thoughts of others scientifically, that is, through an understanding of the allness of the omnipotent divine Mind, is a leading point in the practice of Christian Science. The following statement by Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, merits earnest consideration (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 95): "The greater or lesser ability of a Christian Scientist to discern thought scientifically, depends upon his genuine spirituality. This kind of mind-reading is not clairvoyance, but it is important to success in healing, and is one of the special characteristics thereof."
