Article January 5, 1929 Issue

Looking up to Heaven

FRED B. KERRICK

Jesus knew that the truth he taught, unless supported by substantial demonstration, would be of little value to his followers. They believed in matter as substance, while he taught that Spirit and spiritual ideas are the only realities. Upon one occasion he proved supply to be limitless by multiplying five loaves and two fishes sufficiently to feed a vast multitude that was gathered in a desert place to hear him expound his new gospel. Mark's account of this event says that Jesus "looked up to heaven" before he blessed the bread and divided it among the disciples, instructing them to give it to the multitude.

There may have been some doubt existing in the thought of both the disciples and the multitude as to Jesus' ability to supply their need with so small a quantity of food; but Jesus had no thought of looking to the loaves and fishes for food. In direct opposition to the belief of so-called mortal mind, he "looked up to heaven;" he looked away from matter to God, divine Mind, knowing that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Jesus' knowledge of God's spiritual law of supply was clear. He knew supply could come only from God. He knew that the real need of the multitude was not fish or bread; he knew that their real selfhood was sustained by Spirit, God. Their need was not merely material food, but an understanding of God, that they might demonstrate harmony, contentment, and love, qualities which antidote discord and lack. Had he looked only to the material supply at hand, it would have been as impossible for him to increase the quantity of food as it was for the disciples to do so. He knew God as the inexhaustible source of all good; he acknowledged no limitation, but looked away from matter to spiritual abundance, where the real man's supply is forever available. Jesus thereby proved by demonstration that the law of God is applicable at all times and under all circumstances; that place, condition, or time has no power to obstruct or hinder demonstration of spiritual truth.

On page 587 of the Christian Science textbook, "Scienceand Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has defined "heaven" as "harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul." It is therefore the divine right of all of God's children to claim the glorious privilege of overcoming lack or limitation by looking away from the material to the spiritual, as did Jesus, seeking heaven, the harmony of true being, which is governed and controlled by God, divine Principle.

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