Editorial September 1, 1945 Issue

Do We Understand the Saviour's Mission?

John Randall Dunn

"Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word." So spake the great Teacher of Nazareth, as recorded in the eighth chapter of John's Gospel. Then he proceeded to show the reason of humanity's spiritual dullness and inability to grasp the message of Truth. It is traceable to mankind's complete capitulation to the carnal mind, to its submergence in the mesmerism of materiality. Is it any wonder, therefore, that prophet and apostle call on the slumberers of earth to "rouse and bestir themselves, are well awake," to use Milton's expression? Paul outlines the steps to be taken if the Saviour's glorious message is to be welcomed into human hearts, and practically understood and demonstrated. In the fifth chapter of Ephesians (verse 14) we read, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

How true it is that spiritual sense is not comprehended by the mentality asleep and at ease in the testimony of the material senses! If, therefore, one would understand Christ Jesus and his Messianic mission, he must first be found stirring in his sleep; in other words, he must be losing satisfaction in materiality and be not only willing but eager to put off the grave-clothes of sinning and suffering sense for the radiant robes of Soul. Thus may his eyes be opened to behold the light of the Christ, Truth.

Humanity's general misconception of the true mission and teachings of the Nazarene Way-shower is one of history's darkest pages. Small wonder it is that the Master on the cross cried out that God had forsaken him. With his great prophetic insight he must have foreseen the world's misinterpretation of his redemptive message. Has the human mind so completely misunderstood and thereby reversed the teachings of any other religionist?

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