Article March 20, 1989 Issue

Being more receptive to Christ

When we feel drawn to learning more of God and trusting in Him, we can be sure that it is the Christ impelling us.

Maynard Sundt

The Bible records that multitudes were drawn to Christ Jesus. Why? In part because his teachings were practical in healing disease, reforming sinners, and raising the dead. Shortly before his crucifixion, Jesus said to his disciples, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."^{John 12:32.} What is this spiritual drawing power and what does it mean for us today?

Spiritually interpreted, the "I" in the passage above can be seen as referring to the eternal Christ that Jesus so completely manifested. Christ, as explained in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, is "the divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error."^{Science and Health, p. 583.} Science and Health describes God as "the great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence."^{Ibid., p. 587.} So the drawing force referred to by Jesus is the divine manifestation of infinite Love, eternal Principle, all-wise Mind, all-active Life, which Jesus so bountifully expressed while on earth.

This drawing power is continuously in operation. However, in order to be benefited by this power, we must be receptive. This requirement is as true today as in Jesus' time. Then, in many cases, great efforts were made to be in Jesus' presence or to request his help. In each case the thought of the individual seeking healing, for himself or another, had to be lifted above acceptance of mortal doom and gloom, to trust in God. With this uplifted expectation of good, this reaching out to Christ, these people experienced healing.

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