One of Aesop's fables tells us that "the north wind and the sun were arguing as to which of them would first have the cloak off a traveller's shoulders. The wind began and blew for all he was worth, thinking to strip the wearer by main force. But the traveller would not let go; he grasped his cloak more firmly and wrapped it closer round his body as he headed into the blast. Then the sun came out: his welcome rays dispersed the bitter cold; the traveller felt the genial warmth, and as the sun shone brighter and brighter he sat down, exhausted with the heat, and took off his cloak." The moral of this story is that "persuasion is better than force." Aesop's Fables, trans, by John Warrington (London: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd., 1961), p. 39. I like to think of this moral in the light of Christ Jesus' teachings and their explanation in Christian Science, which I have found can help us solve problems through prayer and spiritual reasoning rather than through human will or force.
Jesus, as humanity's Way-shower, shows us how to do things God's way. He came to give us proof of the supremacy of Spirit, to make clear the power of God, good, over evil. This revelation of God's healing power caused the "blast" and "bitter cold" of unbelief, envy, hatred, ridicule, and malice to be directed at him throughout his ministry. But Jesus continued to be about his Father's business, knowing that he could never be separated from Him. He told his disciples, "I and my Father are one," and "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." John 10:30; John 5:17. He lived in the sunlight of Truth and triumphed over the "bitter cold" of mortal passions. The Christ, which Jesus demonstrated, might be likened to the shining of the sun. Christ brings peace and comfort to human consciousness because this light of Truth heals. It is impartial, blessing all, showing us that we are all God's, or Love's, image and likeness.
In Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy gives the metaphysical interpretation of certain words in the Bible to bring out the meaning of relevant Scriptural passages more clearly. Part of her interpretation of wind is "destruction; anger; mortal passions." Science and Health, p. 597. These describe the harmful, despotic elements of the human mind. They express the belief that man has a separate mind apart from the divine Mind, which is God. In relation to the fable, we might say these mortal tendencies of thought were trying to manipulate the traveler. He tried to protect himself by grasping his cloak even more firmly around him.
