IN reading the Gospels we see as in a mirror the character of the Christ reflected in the life and actions of Jesus. Mrs. Eddy states this clearly when she says (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 473): "Jesus is the name of the man who, more than all other men, has presented Christ, the true idea of God, healing the sick and the sinning and destroying the power of death. Jesus is the human man, and Christ is the divine idea."
Through the Christ is revealed the real man, created to express God, the image and likeness of the Father-Mother, the perfect idea of divine Principle. This is the real man, no matter what the material senses may declare.
The word "character" is derived from a Greek word meaning "to engrave." The Greeks engraved gems with beautiful figures or designs, which were frequently representations of their possessors. Hence the word came to mean the qualities which distinguish an individual. The character of Christ Jesus is seen in the mental and spiritual qualities which demonstrate their divine origin, and prove man's unity with God, characteristics such as those which made Peter say to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
