Article June 8, 1946 Issue

Spiritual Discernment Requisite in Healing

ISRAEL PICKENS

In the second chapter of Mark's Gospel a vivid picture is presented of one of the Master's outstanding healings. The scene is laid in the little city of Capernaum, where, it is related, the Master had just returned after being absent for some days. "And it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."

There was no room to receive these four faith-filled men who had brought their friend suffering with the palsy to be healed by the Master. Nothing daunted them, however, and they went upon the roof of the house, and they "uncovered" the roof. They thus made an opening whereby the palsied man could come into the presence of the Master.

At least two significant lessons may be gathered from this Biblical narrative in the light of Christian Science teaching. The first is the possibility of overcoming difficulties that would obstruct the accomplishment of a righteous endeavor. Mortal sense here presented evidence of there being no room, and no way whereby the prayer of right desire for healing might find fulfillment. Yet through persistence and a faith-illumined motive, the way was made possible, and there followed inevitable release from and healing of an erstwhile cruel bondage.

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