Article May 8, 1909 Issue

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

WILLIS F. GROSS

In Science and Health (p. 270) we read, "The prophets of old looked for something higher than the systems of their times; hence their foresight of the new dispensation of Truth." Isaiah's clear discernment of the eternal truth of being lifted the veil of material sense, and he saw that God would be revealed to human consciousness in a larger and fuller sense than world had ever known Him. Concerning this revelation of Truth, which he doubtless foresaw would come just as soon as the world was prepared to receive it, he wrote, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." In the fulness of time the prophecy was verified. Suddenly and unexpectedly a man appeared to confound the wisdom of the ages with his words and works. He came "not to destroy, but to fulfil." The great work of liberating humanity, which Moses had begun nearly sixteen hundred years before and the prophets had carried on according to the light that was given them, could not suffer at his hands. It is true that many errors were rebuked and many misconceptions were corrected, but nothing was done that did or could in any way conflict with law or prophecy.

Even though the personality of Christ Jesus was unknown to Isaiah, yet his character was clearly discerned and portrayed, as may be seen by comparing the words of the prophet with the teachings and works of the one in whom the prophecy was fulfilled. The forerunner of the Messiah was "a man sent from God, whose name was John. ... He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light." The preaching of John the Baptist was more spiritual, and hence it was better adapted to humanity's need than was the preaching of the accepted religious leaders of his day, but the fulfilment of law and prophecy was not to be found in his life and words. He spake of himself as "the voice of one crying in the wilderness." To his disciples he said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Again he said, "He must increase, but I must decrease. ... For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."

In Jesus of Nazareth the saving Christ was made known to the world,—the Christ that saved and still saves humanity from sin and sickness. There never lived a man who claimed less for himself or ascribed more power to God. "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me," he said when the people marveled at the wisdom of his utterances. Of the wonderful works that were wrought through him he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing." It is evident, then, that whenever he speaks of himself he in no wise refers to anything that a mortal man might seem to have, or be, separate and apart from God. He realized man's helplessness without God, and he also knew his power to overcome all evil when he was conscious of what belonged to him as the Son of God. And here let it be said that Jesus claimed no more for himself than he realized belonged to every one of God's children. He affirmed and reaffirmed that all which he did was possible to all who obey God's law, since God, the one infinite good, changes not and is no respecter of persons. His oft-repeated declaration of his unity with the Father is in strict accord with the teaching of Christian Science that the real man cannot be separated from God and that "he has not a single quality underived from Deity" (Science and Health, p. 475).

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