Editorial March 31, 1923 Issue

"If I be lifted up"

Albert F. Gilmore

CHRIST JESUS, in the twelfth chapter of John's gospel, plainly foretold the experiences which were to befall him; and he forecasted the significance of the crucifixion in these words: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." An interesting illumination of this prophetic utterance is gained by the more literal rendering, "out of the earth," which several recent translators have adopted. This passage is full of meaning for the Christian Scientist, who finds in it a note of inspiration called for higher spiritual understanding. By this spiritual exaltation he not only may win his own release from earthborn bondage, but ascending,—that is, lifted up out of the belief of life in matter,—he recognizes that his example may become an incentive to all beholders to rise into the understanding of Life as God, spiritual, perfect, and eternal, so that each may know that God is his Life, and that, in consequence, his life is eternal. To be lifted up "out of the earth," then, is to gain release from the thralldom of materiality. To those who have come to regard life as inherent in matter, derived from it and supported by it, the message comes as a clarion call to stimulate endeavor, to gain new impetus, and to rise out of and above every phase of the Adam-dream.

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 247), Mrs. Eddy, in sweetly tender words, describes the processes whereby higher spiritual altitudes may be gained: "Christ is meekness and Truth enthroned. Put on the robes of Christ, and you will be lifted up and will draw all men unto you." Through the enthronement of the Christ,—that is, through gaining spiritual consciousness, —spiritual truth becomes dominant in thought, purifying and elevating one's aims and ideals. Thus are the "robes of Christ" put on; and one so clad is lifted up into a higher understanding of God and His divine purpose for man.

It is notable that throughout all history the characters most universally loved and venerated have invariably been those who have expressed in some degree the Christ, Truth. Spiritually exalted, by submerging selfish advantage in the greater purpose of serving mankind, they have risen above the mere wish to serve themselves for personal gain. In this very fact is found the key to their greatness; and he who most completely surrendered self in an unconquerable zeal to serve God through serving humanity, not only won the crown of victory above all others, but is hailed as Messiah, Way-shower, and Savior by an ever increasing number of the earth's inhabitants.

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