Editorial September 20, 1958 Issue

"I AM NOT OF THIS WORLD"

John J. Selover

When Christ Jesus was catechized and denounced by the people concerning his claims to the Messiahship, he said (John 8:23), "Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world."

Jesus knew whence he came. He was not asleep in materialism, in forms, traditions, rituals. He sought earnestly to convert the people, for he knew that the prophets loved by the Jews foretold the coming of the Messiah. In spite of prophecy, in spite of his words and his works of healing in demonstration of his words, the community as a whole spurned his claims. In effect the people denied the Christ; yet in reality the Christ, the spiritual ideal of God, is forever expressing itself in man's true selfhood.

"I am not of this world," Jesus said. Of what world was he then? He was from above! His home was heaven, even while to the human senses he spoke and worked on earth. Mary Baker Eddy declares in "No and Yes" (p. 36), "Jesus' true and conscious being never left heaven for earth." By reason of his conscious realization that his home was heaven, the Master was able to manifest the power of God, divine Love, in healing the sick, reforming the sinner, and overcoming death. He spoke with the authority of God, who wills only good for His creation. He knew the might and majesty of God. He knew that God's blessing is realized by those who are conscious of and receptive to His presence and redemptive power.

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