"If I be lifted up" ALBERT F. GILMORE, CSB          Jesus’ words often fell upon deaf ears. So buried in the depths of materiality were the masses of the people of that day that often they failed to grasp the tremendous significance of his precepts, or to understand the implication of his healing works. He was the exemplar of the truth of his own saying, “A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.” In view of this condition, it is easily understood why there was so little comprehension of some of his more important parables. His assertion, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me,” failed of comprehension; for immediately his auditors began to argue with him about the Son of man, declaring that the law stated that the Christ abides forever.          Christian Science makes perfectly clear that the lifting up of the Christ in the hearts of men is the only means whereby they win their way out of material bondage into the glorious liberty of the children of light. Only by freeing thought from its erroneous beliefs, only by exchanging material concepts of life for spiritual truth, is the Christ lifted up. In the crucifixion, it appeared that Jesus was overcome by the hatred of his persecutors. In his resurrection he became the greatest of conquerors. “He won eternal honors,” writes Mrs. Eddy in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” (p. 39). “He overcame the world, the flesh, and all error, thus proving their nothingness. He wrought a full salvation from sin, sickness, and death.” What a complete triumph was his over every material law, over all which seems to bind and limit mortals.          So effectually did Jesus lift up the Christ, Truth, that he overcame even the “last enemy,” one of the most generally accepted of erroneous beliefs. He proved for all succeeding generations of men that Spirit, not matter, is the divine inheritance of man, and that life is man’s eternal state. Without the experience of the cross and the tomb, it seems that Jesus could never have become for mankind the Way-shower to eternal Life. These experiences, with all their poignancy, with all their attendant indignities, were the means whereby he gave the world its greatest object lesson, proving life to be indestructible and man to be spiritual.          Christian Scientists strive constantly to lift up the Christ in their own lives, and so to purify and consecrate themselves that they, too, may become glorious exemplars of the Christ power. They lift their thought above the mists of matter into the light of perfect day, the irradiance of spiritual being. Thus rising by the Christ-power, they gain the priceless privilege of aiding other climbers to the heights of holiness. By their way of life they inspire and encourage the weary ones, seekers for Truth. What a sacred privilege is theirs, and how blessed in spiritual growth! The full light of Love shines upon the mountain peaks of spiritual attainment, whereto the face of every earnest seeker is turned. Though the way is rugged, the new and brighter visions gained are holy rewards. “Material sense,” declares Mrs. Eddy on page 95 of Science and Health, “does not unfold the facts of existence; but spiritual sense lifts human consciousness into eternal Truth.” With eternal Truth as the goal, how hopeful, how zestful, is the journey!          The struggles which seem necessary to mortals in their efforts to rise strengthen the advancing footsteps. Every phase of error overcome, however slight it may be, is a preparation for the next step: it makes progress easier. Backward glances at the way covered, lingering regrets over the material beliefs abandoned, are not conducive to rapid progress. Resolutely setting our face forward, with eyes fixed upon the goal of right desire, will best speed our course. Our wise Leader has warned us against counting the footsteps, urging us, rather, to keep our hearts firmly fixed upon the holy purpose for the attainment of which we so greatly strive.          Sometimes it seems we are held back through sympathy for those either unready or unwilling to part with the old ways. Let us not forget, however, that we can aid others on the journey only as we lift up the Christ for their inspiration, only as we exemplify the joys of Spirit. Without the Master’s outstanding example, Christianity would not have been founded at that time. Lifting up the Christ through our own Christian living, we encourage travelers to take the same road. Let us ask ourselves: Are our lives a challenge to the world to take the Christ-way? Are we making our own experience so glorified as to encourage the wayfarer to become a fellow traveler, our companion in the way?          There is no better occasion for self-examination in these directions than during the Easter season, when the meaning of Jesus’ experience is being pondered anew. Our beloved Leader placed before us an inspiring example of the faithful disciple. She lifted up the Christ so effectually that millions, catching the meaning of her message, are clambering up the same rugged heights she traversed. Let us know that obedience to her precepts speeds our progress.   "If I be lifted up" by Albert F. Gilmore, CSB Christian Science Sentinel, April 16, 1927

 

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