"The way, the truth, and the life"

OTTO GANTZER

Millions of Bible students have become familiar with the words of our Master, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," words which have brought great joy and approval. This approval on the part of many of the existing churches, however, is of a doubtful kind; for does not their teaching that the personal Jesus was the Son of God exempt Christians from the necessity of following his example, since this would be quite impossible for sinful men? Holding this view, they worship the Son of God whom, in the usual Doctrine of the Trinity, they elevate to Deity, without attempting to bridge the gulf between this Son and humanity. Christian Science has brought us an understanding of God as divine Principle, the only creator, and of His son as the divine idea. It has thus revealed the true man; and in doing so has also shown the true position of our Master as our friend, our brother, and our Way-shower.

Our Way-shower! In his oft-quoted words, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life," the Saviour teaches that our thoughts, our motives, our aims, and our views are the originators of our deeds, and that, consequently, they call for watchfulness and understanding, in order that we may follow the right path. "Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word," he said to the Pharisees, whose material ways of thinking did not permit them to see the spiritual meaning of his words; while he praised the exalted understanding of Peter, who had recognized in Christ Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

Was there a better way for Jesus to tell a listening world that his way is the way of right thinking, than by always making it precede the right deed? "Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." This reply to the Baptist's request for the truth about Christ Jesus shows not only that the way of right thinking leads to right acting, but also "that such effects, coming from divine Mind, prove the unity of God, —the divine Principle," as our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says on page 132 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." And this demonstration of divine power is the result of the truth which all receive who are not offended in him.

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