Editorial February 21, 1920 Issue

The Right Way

William P. McKenzie

In the portico of Solomon, Jesus used to walk when he visited the temple. The slender pillars lifted high the roof above, and among them drifted groups of men discussing and debating religious questions. Of Jesus some said, He is a madman; but others denied and asked, Can a madman open the eyes of the blind? So one day during the festival of dedication a crowd gathered about Jesus, claiming that he kept them in suspense by not declaring himself to be the Christ, if such he was.

The answer of the Master was by means of the exquisite parable of the good shepherd. He showed how it was for him that the gatekeeper would open the door, and the sheep hearing the well-known voice would follow their own shepherd out to the pasture. He spoke of the hireling who had no interest in the sheep, being ready to desert them if he saw the wolf coming; whereas the good shepherd was ready to lay down life for his sheep. That was why the Father loved him, he said. Then when he was continuing in the words, "I and my Father are one," the Jews caught up stones to stone him. He arrested this action, saying, "Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?" As Mrs. Eddy explains (Miscellany, p. 227): "He said this to satisfy himself regarding that which he spake as God's representative—as one who never weakened in his own personal sense of righteousness because of another's wickedness or because of the minifying of his own goodness by another. Charity is quite as rare as wisdom, but when charity does appear, it is known by its patience and endurance."

Truly "patience and endurance" characterized the life of the Master. He saw mankind as needing a shepherd's care and guiding. He regarded those whom he could help as given to his care by the Father who was stronger than all, out of whose hands none could tear them. As the good shepherd he was necessarily one with the Father; he loved God and knew that God loved him. The picture is a beautiful one of a right way for living and working. Why should it be resisted and contemned by stony hearts? The reason for the stoning of any good shepherd lies in the wickedness and pride of mankind.

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