Article February 25, 1922 Issue

"But thou shalt know hereafter"

LOUIS J. SIMMONS

As the student of Christian Science pursues his journey from material sense to the understanding of Spirit, he is often surprised when, upon reading some one of the Bible stories with which he has become familiar, an almost startling unfoldment dawns upon him, and he sees he has been looking afar off when the pearl was just at his feet. While he may entertain a passing query as to why he never saw it before, he will not permit such a thought, if he be wise, to detract from the joy of the new light that has come to him.

The responsive reading for a Sunday Lesson-Sermon in The Christian Science Quarterly was that part of the thirteenth chapter of John which relates to the story of the Master washing the feet of the disciples. One student who had read the lesson each day during the week, receiving good therefrom at each reading, was finally arrested by the passage used as the caption for this article. It is not stated how many of the disciples had submitted without protest to having their feet washed by him whom they had seen healing the sick, walking on the water, stilling the tempest, and raising the dead, before he came to Peter. Evidently one of the most spiritual of the group of students, Peter also seems to have possessed great ardor and impulsiveness.

Looking beyond the view of those whose feet had already been washed by Christ Jesus without evident protest, he felt the apparent inconsistency of permitting him whom they all called Lord to wash their feet. He spoke promptly, and according to his highest concept of honoring his teacher; for there is no doubt he dearly loved Jesus. To the impetuous question, "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" the Master gave an object lesson in humility which is being obeyed and fulfilled as students of the Bible grasp the wonderful nature of it, given in such a simple, forcible manner by the Nazarene. No incident in the earthly history of the great Teacher, Jesus the Christ, proves more simply his real grandeur than his taking thus upon himself the office of a servant. The world, as it came to know of the mighty works done by him, began to recognize his power, if not his divine office. The disciples were aware of all this; and to see him lay aside his robe and perform this humble service revealed to them a phase of his character which had never before been dreamed of by those present.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

"But thou shalt know hereafter"

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access