Those beginning the study of Christian Science may sometimes wonder how it is that an individual can receive healing through a practitioner who does not meet the patient face to face. This healing of absent patients is an everyday occurrence in Christian Science; and a study of such a case, as recounted in the Bible, may be helpful. Today Christian Science practitioners are using the same divine method Jesus established many centuries ago.
A stirring account of the healing of an absent patient is to be found in the eighth chapter of Matthew, in Christ Jesus' healing of the centurion's servant. A close study of this incident reveals two basic facts concerning the divine Principle which was reflected by Jesus in bringing about the complete and instantaneous healing of the servant. The first fact was that the human Jesus was not the healing power; hence, his physical presence at the servant's side was not essential to accomplish the healing. The second fact was that Jesus was reflecting, or acting under, the supreme authority of the divine healing power, God, Truth.
To convey to Jesus that he recognized this fact of reflected power, the centurion used a conclusive parallel from his own experience. He cited the inflexible obedience of his soldiers and servants. He said, "I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." He understood that their obedience was not to him personally but to the supreme governing authority which was expressed through his position as centurion. He knew that even were he not with them personally, the soldiers at his command would act as authority required them to do.
