Article October 23, 1965 Issue

Preparing for a Branch Church Lecture

JOHN M. HANDLEY

"I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32).

When as a member of the lecture committee of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, I was setting out to do preparatory work for a forthcoming lecture, I was deeply impressed by Jesus' words quoted above. Prayerfully pondering this statement, I thought of the numerous times the Bible mentions the multitudes which were drawn to hear Jesus whenever and wherever he spoke. These Biblical accounts do not say by what means the people were informed that he was going to speak. The many helpful means of communication available to us today—newspapers, radio, television—did not exist in those days. Yet when Jesus spoke, the multitudes were there, ready to hear his words.

I asked myself, What power was it that enabled Jesus to reach all who needed his words and would consequently be drawn to hear them? Recalling Mrs. Eddy's words on page 492 of Science and Health, "God is Mind, and God is infinite; hence all is Mind," I began to discern that what had drawn such multitudes to Jesus was his reflection of the infinite, omnipotent Mind, including within its own infinitude every individualized expression of itself. This activity evidenced divine Principle at work, governing each individual's development and supplying his every need. Thus as the individual's need for enlightenment was supplied, so Jesus' need for listeners was met.

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