Article February 9, 1952 Issue

THE DIVINE DEMAND

MARION GRAY

"I Pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" was Jesus' prayer for his followers, whom he was about to leave (John 17:15). And he continued, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word," thus including in his love not only his disciples, but all who would accept the truth he represented.

In studying Jesus' life we find that often great multitudes followed him, making demands on his time, his thought, his love; often receiving the answer to their requests, yet going on their way never to be heard of again. We are told of his going apart to pray and of his praying all night. Yes, his was a busy life, with many problems to be met and demands to be taken care of. Besides the many who came for healing, there were the scribes and Pharisees watching and condemning him, waiting for an opportunity to confuse and destroy him.

Yet when Jesus prayed for his followers, it was not that they might be taken out of the world, but rather that they should be kept "from the evil." Jesus could not have healed the multitudes if he had kept apart from them; and if his followers are to do his work, follow his example, they too must be present where the need is. Mary Baker Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 476, 477): "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick." This was Jesus' way of keeping the evil out of his world. He recognized only the perfect, and the result was the healing of every discordant condition which came to his attention.

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