In the last chapter of Luke, Jesus, after his resurrection, returns to his disciples, who think he is dead. Standing in front of them, he reassures them that it is he, and says,“Peace be unto you.” But instead of rejoicing, the disciples are “terrified and affrighted,” not understanding what they see, even thinking he might be a ghost (see Luke 24:36, 37). Looking back on the event, they may have wondered why they doubted so and reacted to the wonderful revelation of his resurrection with such fear. After all, he had proved that man, made in God’s likeness, was undying and eternal, free from the bonds of sin and death.
The disciples’ reaction is not unlike the reaction Christian Science received when it first appeared on the scene in the late 19th century. No doubt it was frightening to those who did not understand it, or thought the Christianity Jesus taught was dead and not applicable in their age. And so it is today.
But like the disciples, all mankind will eventually awaken to the full significance of Jesus’ resurrection and of his healing work, and be filled with “great joy … praising and blessing God” (see Luke 24:52, 53). Christian Science, filled with divine Love, echoes Jesus’ words, “Peace be unto you.” Its divine message may not be fully understood at first, but the light of the Christ will, at some point, enable every individual to recognize and understand it—“anon the veil is lifted, and the scene shifts into light” (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 513). I rejoice in that knowledge.
