Christ Jesus presented to the world a perfect example for human behavior. In every way he expressed that perfect balance of character which not only made him the greatest man who ever trod the earth, but also caused his contribution to society to be the most outstanding. As the truths of being unfold with their spiritual growth, mankind will learn to appreciate more and more the perfect individual man so fully exemplified to human sense by Christ Jesus, and they will also reap more bountifully of the harvest of good to be found in the practical Christianity which he labored so diligently to establish. Mary Baker Eddy says of his work on page 18 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "His mission was both individual and collective. He did life's work aright not only in justice to himself, but in mercy to mortals,—to show them how to do theirs, but not to do it for them nor to relieve them of a single responsibility."
Our Master guarded carefully the right concept of individual man. He did not permit the suggestions of the masses, the demands of his immediate family, or the silent suggestions of animal magnetism and mortality to swerve him from his life purpose of perfect development. At one time he spent forty days and nights in the wilderness, working out the problem of good and evil, proving that his true individual nature included not a single element, or even suggestion, of evil. At another time he went into a mountain alone and spent all night in silent communion with the Supreme Being, that he might be able to demonstrate with renewed strength the supremacy of good over evil and matter in every experience of his daily life. He knew that only as he entertained the right and Godlike concept of himself could he truly be of help and inspiration to his fellow men.
But Jesus was not a recluse or hermit; he companioned with others in their daily walk and shared with them his inspiration, healing the sick, reforming the sinners, and raising the dead. His own individual development was not enough for him; he knew that whoever has an understanding of God has a special responsibility toward others. He knew that he could not find his own peace, satisfaction, and heaven without proving that the Principle which he knew to be God, infinite good, eliminated the suffering of those about him. He had learned that the divine Principle of all being is Love; and Love must express itself in deeds of kindness.
