IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON February 22, 2010 Issue

THE POWER OF PRINCIPLE, NOT PERSON

BETH CAREY

THIS WEEK'S BIBLE LESSON, titled "Christ Jesus," emphasizes the power of divine Principle, God, and not of Jesus as a person. Science and Health explains that Jesus "...taught his followers that his religion had a divine Principle, which would cast out error and heal both the sick and the sinning" (p. 136, citation 14). This Lesson makes it clear that we can count on this saving and healing God, or Principle, in every aspect of our lives.

Jesus' healing works were demonstrations of the power of God, and Jesus' disciples and his followers today demonstrate that same divine power.

At one time the disciples questioned Jesus as to why they weren't healing the way he healed. His reply was very direct. He said: "Because of your unbelief: ...If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove" (Matt. 17:20, cit. 11). The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in Israel, and the comparison would be understood by all the disciples. In other words, it wasn't that Jesus had special powers from God; anyone who has the smallest degree of faith in the Principle he taught can remove mountains.