"The sign of the prophet Jonas"

MABEL REED HYZER

When the Pharisees came to Jesus with the words, "Master, we would see a sign from thee," as recorded in the twelfth chapter of Matthew, one less discerning than our great Teacher might have answered them in a far different manner. Had they not called him "Master," and so, outwardly at least, indicated a respectful and receptive attitude? And was it not possible that, seeing a sign, these people might be converted to the true sense of Christianity, and thus be restrained from their aggressive activities? Might not some simple sign, which Jesus was abundantly able to bestow, have resulted in a great amount of good, far-reaching and restorative in its effects?

These and other arguments might have presented themselves, but Jesus quickly discerned the false motive that prompted the question and, after verbally uncovering the erroneous condition of their thought, added, "There shall no sign be given ... but the sign of the prophet Jonas."

To-day, in the practice of Christian Science, this same pharisaical thought may approach practitioners, and great care and wisdom are needed lest we overlook the one true attitude,—that of the Master,—and realize that the sign to be recognized is "the sign of the prophet Jonas." For the Master goes on to say, "So shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Of these three days in the tomb, Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 44): "The lonely precincts of the tomb gave Jesus a refuge from his foes, a place in which to solve the great problem of being. His three days' work in the sepulchre set the seal of eternity on time."

The real healing, then, the true sign, is spiritual, not material; and the knowledge of this is of paramount value to Christian Science students. There may sometimes be a temptation to give a treatment and then look to see if the patient is physically changed, or to listen for the telephone call that will inform us of material results of our work. Can we not "be still, and know" that our honest, conscientious prayer for harmony is realized, and thus strengthen our position and that of the patient? May not the doubting disciple, Thomas, have been unwilling to replace the desire for material proof with the prayer for spiritual discernment?

We are commanded to heal the sick, and this involves making sure that our work is correct and effective. Jesus did both; but he did so by knowing the truth; and he completed his demonstrations by this same knowing. This knowing means the looking away from any material evidence, favorable or otherwise; and it results in obedience to the command, "Heal the sick"!

This does not mean that the physical condition of the patient, or a discordant domestic condition, or whatever it is that needs to be healed, should be disregarded. A claim of error has to be recognized as error, in order to be healed. But having recognized the discord and what it falsely claims to be, we may give our treatment, deny power to the false claim, declare the allness of God with conviction, and then rest in the sure knowing that the Word is "with power."

A patient who comes for the first time to a Christian Scientist for healing, and who may have no knowledge as yet of Christian Science, naturally comes expecting physical results; and he certainly has a right to freedom and harmony. And if the practitioner is conscientious in his work, the patient usually receives some degree of spiritual awakening that brings about a desire to correct wrong thinking. If the patient is one who has studied Christian Science with any degree of application, he knows that he has come to have his thinking corrected, and that when, with the help of the practitioner, he has cast out fear, or anxiety, or resentment, or any other false belief, the body will respond accordingly and dominion over discord be manifested.

There are other human phases which may tempt the healer. Frequently a patient will say, "If I could only be healed, in all probability some other member of my family would take up Christian Science and thus be benefited"! This in itself is surely commendably unselfish, but it may be only another temptation to look for results in matter. Surely Christian Scientists lovingly desire that all who will may share their glorious experience in the study and application of the teachings of Christian Science; and many are led to do so by the healing of one near and dear to them; but it is not possible to succeed in healing if the desire is solely a material one. We do not care to think of our relatives and friends as possessing the attitude of thought expressed in our dear Leader's words on page 317 of Science and Health, "Nothing but a display of matter could make existence real to Thomas."

It is not necessary for us to enter into a material tomb to realize the sign that shall be given. Jesus did that, and proved once and for all the triumphant heights to which we may attain if we are faithful. But it is necessary for us to retire mentally from the world of matter in order to discern spiritually when we are called upon to dispel discord, and thus demonstrate in human experience our understanding of God.

Let us abundantly rejoice in the spiritual understanding which makes the whole body harmonious; and as we do so our goal will be the one sure sign to be advanced,—that sign that "set the seal of eternity on time,"—that spiritual realization that made possible the statement concerning the belief of mortal mind, "He is risen; he is not here"!

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