Editorial August 25, 1956 Issue

THE HEALING TOUCH

John J. Selover

An illustration of the spiritual healing method, as taught and practiced in Christian Science today, is included in Luke's description of Jesus' betrayal and capture in the garden of Gethsemane. We are told that one of the disciples "smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear" (22:50, 51). Jesus immediately admonished the assailant, "Suffer ye thus far." And then we read that "he touched his ear, and healed him."

What was this healing touch? It was not a material gesture which cured the ear, neither was it any esoteric power or physical contact which accomplished the wonder. It was the Christ, Truth, which did the work. The virtue of God, divine Love, was humanly manifested in this healing act.

The servant of the high priest, Malchus by name, was assisting in the capture of the Master so that he might be crucified. While others under apprehension by their enemies would doubtless have been angered or frightened, Jesus was calm and fearless as they took him into custody. He did not mentally characterize his captors as enemies. Where a mortal seemed to be, Jesus saw only spiritual individuality, the perfect reflection of God. Had Jesus beheld man as a wicked or injured mortal, or even as a physically whole one, he could not have cured Malchus.

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