Article May 20, 1939 Issue

Our Great Exemplar

ROBERT A. WOOD

Referring to the master Christian, Christ Jesus, Mrs. Eddy states (Rudimental Divine Science, p. 3), "His example is, to Christian Scientists, what the models of the masters in music and painting are to artists." He who seeks the light of Truth is wise in observing and emulating the example of its greatest demonstrator, Christ Jesus.

In searching for words to portray the Master's character and pay tribute to his unparalleled goodness, one finds human language unsatisfactory and inadequate. The same is true when one attempts to express heartfelt love and gratitude for Jesus. Suffice it to say, then, that of all the characters of history, true Christians readily yield to Christ Jesus the deepest reverence and highest honor. He reigns in their hearts as the Exemplar by whose teaching and practice they justify their spiritual expectations and judge their thoughts and actions.

In studying the life of Jesus, there is an important factor in his triumph over error which should not be allowed to escape our attention, namely, his successful subjugation of the human element in himself. Our Exemplar knew that he represented God spiritually. Complete conquest of the human sense of self was his outstanding achievement. His example points to the necessity of overcoming the human with the divine, and also shows the great value of self-sacrifice as a means for spiritual accomplishment. One who is reflecting God does not aggressively seek to advance himself. Nor does spiritual sense promote the belief in a selfhood apart from God; it subdues the false sense of self, and eventually will destroy it.

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