In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark we find Jesus' first recorded words, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," and, "The kingdom of God is at hand." This message is surely the keynote to all that he said and did. We find him giving the same admonition to his twelve disciples when he sent them "forth, and commanded them, saying, ... And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." This state of harmony "is at hand," but how can we today follow the Master's command, and as we go, preach that the kingdom "is at hand," that the kingdom of heaven is here and now, and that we can experience harmony when so much material evidence seems to point to the contrary? The material evidence presents a world distraught, unsettled, fearful, and lawless, driving men hither and thither, destroying all sense of peace, home, happiness, unity of progress—far removed from the kingdom of heaven. This is, however, false evidence only, the lie about God's universe, His man, His law, and His government.
In "Unity of Good" (p. 11) Mary Baker Eddy says of Jesus, "He demanded a change of consciousness and evidence, and effected this change through the higher laws of God," adding, "Jesus stooped not to human consciousness, nor to the evidence of the senses." Jesus began his teaching by proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven "is at hand," and his first recorded miracle was that of changing the water into wine. As we begin to change the water into wine, we refuse to accept as real the evidence presented by the material senses, seeking and accepting instead the inspiration which comes from divine Truth. Thus, turning the water into wine becomes a practical, availing, inspiring activity. It means that we are looking away from every situation, small or great, which seems difficult, discordant, or sad, and beholding as real only the evidence of the kingdom of heaven at hand. Every activity of daily life thus becomes one of inspiration and joy.
No mesmeric influence, no onslaught of the carnal mind, can deprive us of spiritual inspiration. Jesus' work took place at a time when his own country and countrymen felt the oppression of the Roman yoke, when it must have seemed to them that there was little peace on earth. The people to whom he brought this healing message were in subjection to Rome. They were not free. The world at that time must have seemed greatly disturbed, yet this was the moment when Jesus proclaimed that harmony was present and attainable, for, he said, "Behold, the kingdom of God is within you." He refused to accept the evidence of the material senses, and in his healing work he gave abundant evidence of Truth. He did not listen to the suggestions of mortal mind, nor become disturbed or anxious about any situation.
