Article December 24, 1949 Issue

"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME"

ROBERT BIBBY

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised" (Luke 4:18). Jesus' reading of this passage from the book of Isaiah after he had "returned in the power of the Spirit" to his native Nazareth is of particular interest to the Readers in Churches of Christ, Scientist. A deep and thorough study of these words will reveal much of value for proper preparation of those appointed to read God's Word.

How best can the Readers in Churches of Christ, Scientist, have "the Spirit of the Lord" upon them? Is it not by humility, the humility which recognizes and acknowledges that divine Principle is supporting the work? It is aptly said that the task before one is never as great as the power sustaining one. If this power is understood to be God, a complete reliance on God and an absolute lack of personal pride, personal responsibility, or personal glory will prove that "the Spirit of the Lord" is indeed upon His messenger.

Absence of a personal sense of responsibility does not mean that one need not do his part to the best of his ability. Mary Baker Eddy, in the Manual of The Mother Church, has set definite standards for Readers to follow, not only in their Readership but also in their daily living. Sections 1, 6, and 8 of Article III of the Manual show the high moral obligation which she expects Readers to fulfill.

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