What does it mean to be a friend? Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, makes a clear distinction between love as it is often humanly understood, and love as it is spiritually discerned. She tells us in "Pulpit and Press" (p. 21): "Christian Scientists, their children and grandchildren to the latest generations, inevitably love one another with that love wherewith Christ loveth us; a love unselfish, unambitious, impartial, universal,—that loves only because it is Love. Moreover, they love their enemies, even those that hate them. This we all must do to be Christian Scientists in spirit and in truth." Christian Science teaches us that the love expressed in true friendship partakes of the nature of God, who is Love; that in order to be a true friend one must understand and express divine Love.
Christ Jesus demonstrated true friendship. He saw man as God knows him and realized that man made in the image and likeness of God has the ability to express ceaselessly all the qualities of God, divine Love. At all times the Master saw the man of God's creating. It is on this basis only that true friendship can be established. The Master's expression of divine Love brought healing. When Mary Magdalene washed Jesus' feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, Jesus regarded her with compassion. When she anointed his feet with oil, he accepted her offering lovingly and in a truly friendly spirit. He did not see the woman as an outcast, but recognized her true identity as the child of God—and she was healed.
He demonstrated this love and friendship when he washed the disciples' feet. Then again, even though Judas betrayed him, he called him "friend." What an example the Way-shower set for us. He said (Matt. 5:43, 44): "Ye have heard that it hath been said. Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Regardless of material evidences, Jesus never judged according to appearances. He always judged righteously.
