Editorial July 4, 1914 Issue

"If any man will come after me"

Archibald McLellan

There is only one reasonable explanation why the multitudes followed Jesus in those few brief years of his earthly ministry. True, he came among them as the long-expected Messiah, he who should redeem Israel, but he held out no specious hopes of sharing in the pomps and vanities of a material kingdom. He made it plain that those who walked with him would find it a thorny way, would be persecuted and reviled. "In the world ye shall have tribulation," he told them, and that he himself must suffer many things. When Peter rebuked him for speaking thus, he reiterated yet more plainly, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me,"—he wanted no man's allegiance under false pretenses! He held out no allurements of riches or power, but he did say, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." He knew that those who truly sought and found the kingdom of God would be able to hold "all these things" at their right valuation.

Jesus saw all about him, as one may see today, multitudes of people who were suffering from ills of every kind. Many of them doubtless had lost all hope of relief, but he who had been sent "to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised," was "moved with compassion" as he beheld them, and again and again, as we read, "he healed them all." Such was his interpretation of the Messianic mission, that the coming of "The Prince of Peace" meant freedom to those in bondage. Surely the gratitude of those thus delievered, the longing hope of those who trusted that they too might be included in his ministrations, explain as nothing else can why the multitudes thronged him wherever he went.

For almost a half century Christian Science has been making its appeal to the world. Its Discoverer and Founder, Mrs. Eddy, literally took up the cross in her endeavor to follow in the Master's footsteps. She pointed out to her students that to be a Christian Scientist meant self-denial and cross-bearing; but it offered a priceless boon, the ability to heal the sick and reform the sinning through the power of Truth. She did not promise them riches or honors, but she pointed them to "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding," and without which earthly treasures are as "apples of Sodom."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Progressive Contentment