In the Christian Science Bible Lesson April 2, 2012 Issue

Easter week: Preparation of thought

For the lesson titled "Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?" from April 2-8, 2012

Nancy Fischer

“Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?” What an arresting question posed as the title of this week’s Bible Lesson! By his supreme act of resurrection, Jesus not only answered that question with a resounding “No,” but as Science and Health states, “Jesus’ deed was for the enlightenment of men and for the salvation of the whole world from sin, sickness, and death” (p. 45, citation 25).

In this Lesson’s presentation of the Easter story, I loved discovering how each event prepares thought to accept Jesus’ resurrection as proof that sin, disease, and death are unreal. As a prologue to the dramatic story, the Golden Text from First Corinthians 15:57 reassures us with the victorious conclusion to come, while the Responsive Reading from First Peter 1 and 3 advises: “Get your minds ready for action” (1:13, Holman Christian Standard Bible), and it insists we prepare ourselves to receive Jesus’ revelation of grace by being self-disciplined, not voicing evil or deceit, turning from evil, doing good, and seeking peace. So, with our mind ready for action, let’s watch Jesus move through “Easter week,” preparing everyone to see that “sin, sickness, and death are beliefs—illusive errors—which he could and did destroy” (Science and Health, p. 343, cit. 1).   

What does Jesus teach us of reality as this week nears its climax?