Why did the Pharisees want Jesus crucified? He had preached what was in their own law: love for God and love for one's neighbor. But he had brought the law of love into the realm of practical thinking and living. His Sermon on the Mount gave individuals the basis for judging themselves in the light of Truth. It showed them a supreme judge, divine Mind, God, who cared for each one of His children with mercy and with love.
When a lawyer questioned him concerning the neighbor in the law, who he was, Jesus told the story of the wounded man and the good Samaritan, who went to his aid while others "passed by on the other side" (Luke 10:31). When a woman was taken in adultery and the scribes and Pharisees attempted to trap him into saying something contrary to the law that said she should be stoned, the Master caused them to be convicted by their own conscience, saying (John 8:7), "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." And they left, one by one. His doctrine brought every man face to face with the one Mind, God. Mere preaching would not have stirred his enemies so, but his great healing works proved he was right. This would upset the status quo. He must be destroyed.
On the cross, Jesus cried out (Matt. 27:46), "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes (pp. 50, 51): "The real cross, which Jesus bore up the hill of grief, was the world's hatred of Truth and Love. Not the spear nor the material cross wrung from his faithful lips the plaintive cry, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' It was the possible loss of something more important than human life which moved him,—the possible misapprehension of the sublimest influence of his career. This dread added the drop of gall to his cup."
Is our mission as Christian Scientists today more important to us than human life? Are we concerned above all else that mankind receive the message of Christ, Truth—above personal convenience, above personal prestige or pride or wealth? The world today must know the Saviour. It will see, hear, feel, the truth if we live the resurrection in our thoughts and acts.
The message of Truth is as clear and convincing today as it was when the stone was rolled from the Master's tomb, but it needs to be told. It will be told in words from many pulpits throughout the world on Easter morning, but its real message will reach the hearts of those who need it only through the lives of those who share Jesus' concern for the Christ-mission— "something more important than human life."
Without the lesson of the good Samaritan parable there would be no resurrection message. Without the lesson of sin's self-incrimination there would be no Easter morn. Without the Master's willingness to go on the cross, we should have nothing to tell. But as we acknowledge the import of these events, we can show to all mankind the Saviour, Christ, Truth.
The parable of the Samaritan represents the Christ reaching men where they are today. The exit of the sinful accusers reveals the powerlessness of self -righteousness. The cross shows the way of victory over material beliefs—the laying down of one's material sense of life for the Life that is Love. All of these tell the same thing: that Love is Life and that one lives only as one loves. But love must be genuine.
Christly love today sees the neighbor's need today, understands the neighbor, and goes out of its way—gives all—so that the neighbor may have the truth. It does not cast stones at sinners; it brings them freedom from sin. It does not ignore the plight of those who seek freedom, nor does it fail to love those who in their quest for self-realization ignorantly are led into unwise steps; it sees the good they are awakening to in their vision of freedom and equality, and it supports that good while working to prove the nothingness of the evil that seems to be part of the scene.
The resurrection message strips matter of all selfhood and reveals a new life for all. It means the fulfillment, through spiritual self-realization, of the deepest longings of men. It shines forth in our thoughts and acts as our material sense of self falls away and spiritual Life is recognized as the real. It can be seen visibly and felt silently when one's only Life is Love.
In a world where nearly everyone believes that matter is the substance of life and being, each one who has felt the touch of Truth must stand alone. Whether or not his day is one of service to God and to mankind, he alone can decide. How he withstands the pressures of popular belief he alone must work out.
In church activity others may encourage, but each is facing the temptations of personal sense, each alone with his own conscience. But as he turns with his whole heart to God and is motivated by unselfed love for God and mankind, he finds, as Jesus did, that he is not forsaken but saved —first preserved and then lifted out of the darkness of error. But the resurrection is not for escape; it is for victory; it is for the world to see, to hear, to feel. It is demonstration, Love manifested in love that conquers fear, destroys sin, displaces ignorance, establishes the judgment of Truth and Love, fulfills right hopes, purifies false dreams, strengthens, heals, saves.
As we attend church on Easter morning, are we willing to take with us the resurrection consciousness? Do we love enough to give the world our silent assurance that mankind's needs are understood and that they will be met? If we do, the world will be a better place this Easter, and it will continue to become better. We shall have assurance that Jesus' message will eventually be understood, and when we say, "Christ is risen!" the words will have meaning.
