IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON April 21, 2008 Issue

A weekly column in which writers discuss Bible passages that appear in the Christian Science Bible Lessons.

THE SHEPHERD CARRIES US THROUGH TRIALS

JUDITH HARDY OLSON

THIS WEEK'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON, titled "Probation After Death," begins and ends with divine Love's shepherding of all children on their journey Spiritward. That image strengthens this promise in Science and Health: "Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger" (p. 410, Section V, citation 21). And there is no better example of the Shepherd's attentive love in times of trial than Christ Jesus' own experience after 40 days in the wilderness, when his faith in God was severely tested three times (Matt 4:1–11, Section II, cit. 8).

It's interesting to note when this testing occurred—right after Jesus' baptism, as he was embarking on His God-appointed mission. This was not just some little career change! And it was right after a voice from heaven had proclaimed, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17).

That persistent devil stopped at nothing to try to keep Jesus from fulfilling his mission. Sneaky too, planting doubt of his divine sonship at the outset. "If you're the son of God," he began. But Jesus didn't waver. He was, to borrow a phrase from Science and Health, "watchful, sober, and vigilant" (p. 324, Section II, cit. 8). For forty days and forty nights he'd been with his Shepherd. He had to be feeling God's constant care.