Jesus was well acquainted with the letter of the Jewish law and had studied it thoroughly from boyhood. The Bible record tells us that at the age of twelve years he was found "in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions" (Luke 2:46). The account continues, "All that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."
So great was Jesus' respect for the law that in his Sermon on the Mount he even went so far as to declare with great authority (Matt. 5:18), "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." In this chapter, Jesus frequently quoted the letter of the law, but was careful to bring out the importance of the spirit which lies behind it and the necessity of observing both the spirit and the letter. For example, after referring to the law forbidding murder, Jesus said, "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment." Later he gave the positive injunction to love our enemies. And the law which forbids adultery he expanded to include judgment for impurity of thought.
Paul, alluding to the weakness of the letter alone, wrote to the Corinthians (II Cor. 3:6), "The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." And Mary Baker Eddy, Jesus' devoted follower, was also able to penetrate the letter of the law and see the spirit in which the law should be read and observed. Consequently when Mrs. Eddy wrote the Manual of The Mother Church, she was confident that her students not only would become well acquainted with the letter of these By-Laws, but would also understand them so that willing compliance with the letter and the spirit would be accepted as a requirement in successful church and healing work.
