Article August 17, 1981 Issue

We weren't forgotten

MARK J. SLETTEHAUGH

When we commit ourselves to Christian Science for healing and regeneration, we don't anticipate a delay. We might employ resources such as the Bible, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, Christian Science periodicals, and practitioners.

Yet when difficulties fail to yield readily, some may feel that if Christ Jesus were personally at our side, he would enable us to overcome the obstacle. If Jesus were here, we would expect healing immediately. Because of his unique spiritual understanding, are we sometimes tempted to believe that those in the past who had access to the Master had a special advantage that we cannot enjoy?

If we are tempted to feel this way, we still might be willing to admit that we could have the same advantages as his followers if only we could somehow perceive that the healing power Jesus demonstrated is as close to us now as it was to people in his day. Yet John's Gospel assures us that even now we can obtain efficacious treatment and instruction directly from the Christ just as surely as those who were able to turn to Jesus. John records Jesus' prayer, shortly before the Master's crucifixion, for his disciples and followers. However, Jesus goes beyond prayer for his immediate contemporaries when he declares, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."^{John 17:20, 21.} This statement assures us that Jesus was praying for us today and for all other individuals in time and history who would strive for Christian healing and for deeper awareness of God.