Centuries ago, when Jesus healed and taught the gospel of the saving Christ, people were attracted to him from many backgrounds and for many reasons. A ruler of the synagogue and Mary Magdalene both sought him out. A taxgatherer climbed into a sycamore tree to see him and was rewarded by great purification of human selfhood. A Roman centurion put off his pride and obtained healing for a loved servant. Children were drawn to him, and so were fishermen. Simon the Pharisee sought him for one reason, and Simon Peter for quite another. Lazarus was his friend, and so was Judas Iscariot.
To Roman, Jew, Samaritan, old and young, rich and poor, Christ Jesus extended the loving, impartial invitation (Matt. 11:28, 29): "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Accepting this invitation in the degree that they understood it, people came to the Christ and found their human needs met, whether those needs were freedom from sin, release from sickness, food for their human hunger, or spiritual truths to satisfy their spiritual aspirations.
The Comforter, which Jesus promised that the Father would send, has come to this age in the gracious ministry of Christian Science, and, as before, people are drawn to this second coming of the Christ from many walks of life and for many reasons. Perhaps most come at first for physical healing. Christian Science appeals to others as a logical religion; while still others find their way to it through deep waters of sorrow or loneliness or poverty. Some are impelled to search for it by an urge to understand and love God. To each and all it holds out its arms in loving welcome. All may share in the new birth to the degree that they understand it.
