Editorial February 3, 1912 Issue

"YE ARE GODS"

John B. Willis

Nothing of all Jesus said was more irritating to the Jews than his self-identification with God, and though manifestly impelled in their cruel determinations by pride and prejudice, this was their avowed reason to Pilate for demanding his crucifixion. "He ought to die," said they, "because he made himself the Son of God."

Misapprehension of the Master's teaching with respect to this matter not only confused the Jews, it has injected confusion and strife into every period of Christian history. While Jesus was customarily very considerate for the capacity of his hearers to understand him, now and then he voiced the truth with apparent deliberation, and with a seeming disregard for its exciting effects, though he must have foreseen the turmoil and antagonism it would beget; and this was especially true of what he said respecting his relation to God and to the salvation of the world.

Christian Science makes it clear however that in these statements Jesus was simply expressing that deeper spiritual and metaphysical truth which, as he taught, is to be realized by his every follower. What seemed presumptuous effrontery to the Pharisees is found to be the heart of the gospel and the most glorious and inspiring word ever spoken to men. "I and my Father are one." "All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you." The tremendous significance of these words may well startle thought, and especially when we remember his other saying, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." And yet, to the rising protest of human doubt Jesus said: "Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"

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