Article April 8, 1950 Issue

"IT IS I"

DOUGLAS ROBERTS

Jesus walked on the sea. Mark relates that it was the fourth watch of the night and the disciples were "toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them." When they saw Jesus walking on the water, they cried out for fear, but "immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased" (Mark 6:48, 50, 51).

"It is I." Jesus was identifying himself, not as a matter body or a physical personality, but as an individual spiritual identity in the likeness of God, the one I, or Ego. This statement is borne out by our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," where she mentions another familiar occasion when Jesus identified himself with Spirit as God's manifestation. She writes (p. 27): "That Life is God, Jesus proved by his reappearance after the crucifixion in strict accordance with his scientific statement: 'Destroy this temple [body], and in three days I [Spirit] will raise it up.' It is as if he had said: The I—the Life, substance, and intelligence of the universe—is not in matter to be destroyed."

Perhaps we also, like the disciples of old, have at times toiled vainly in the dark when all seemed contrary because we had lost sight of our spiritual identity as sons of God. Then, pausing, we have heard the voice of Christ, Truth, speaking in the stillness of our hearts, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." The winds have ceased, and in our spiritually awakened sense we have been comforted, companioned, and healed. We have glimpsed again our spiritual identity as the reflection of divine Principle and understood that this is the only identity there is or ever can be.

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