When Jesus reappeared in the resurrection, he proved that man's individuality is indestructible, that the distinctness of the self is eternal and not subject to changing flesh. The Master had tried to make this fact clear by his precepts and by raising to life those who had died. But the scientific meaning of his teachings and examples was evidently lost on his followers, for even those disciples who were nearest him "mourned and wept" after the crucifixion (Mark 16:10).
We find in Christian Science that real life is the expression of the one Life, God, that this life is individual, that it is inseparable from its source, and that it can never be destroyed. Mary Baker Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 555), "Our great example, Jesus, could restore the individualized manifestation of existence, which seemed to vanish in death." The occasions when restoration of life took place gave vivid evidence that life is not in the flesh and that it is not snuffed out by the human experience of death. Jesus proved the truth of his statement (John 6:63), "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing."
These were strong words, so strong, in fact, that few people have ever been able to comprehend their scientific meaning. There are many Christians today who, although agreeing that existence continues after death, have not given up the belief of life in matter and have still to surrender their belief in material personality for the real, spiritual individuality, which is present as an idea in Mind. And Christian Science is here to help them.
