“There came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).
This benediction, which is featured as the Golden Text in this week’s Christian Science Bible lesson, was bestowed upon Christ Jesus by God right after his baptism. Soon afterward, he began his healing mission, spreading the good news that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
In fulfilling this mission, Jesus taught that we are all God’s beloved sons and daughters, in whom our heavenly Father is well pleased. Is it blasphemous to refer to oneself in this way? Absolutely not! While Christ Jesus holds a sacred and revered place as God’s Son, unique for all time, he came to teach us that we are each worthy of God’s limitless love. Why else would he have begun the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father”? And on several occasions when healing individuals – some of whom were outcasts on the fringes of society – he actually referred to the one he healed as “son” or “daughter” (see, for instance, Matthew 9:2, 22).
One marvels at the tenderness of this. How inclusive and heartwarming it is to know that the divine benediction of love and worthiness rests on each of us! In fact, as God’s children, we are entirely spiritual, made in His image – we are the reflection of divine Love itself. And glimpsing that we are each the dearly beloved son or daughter of God has healing effect.
One day several years ago, my husband began experiencing a sharp pain in his chest but decided he didn’t want medical treatment. Although he’s not a Christian Scientist, he’d had experiences, and had seen many of mine, where urgent situations were completely resolved through prayer as taught in Christian Science, and he was confident that God’s love was still supporting him then.
I helped my husband get comfortable and sat by his side, quietly turning earnestly in prayer to God, listening for the inspiring messages coming from God, divine Love.
At one point my husband asked for his cell phone. It turned out that he had recorded some gospel music on it that he wanted to listen to. I was so touched as I watched him gently tap one finger to the music. A sweet sense of God’s love for him welled up in my heart as he began to softly sing along. I knew this was God’s tender, faithful love reaching out and embracing and enveloping both of us.
Then I had this thought: “He has a good heart.” I silently agreed, “Yes, he is good-hearted.” But then came an imperative response, “No! He has a good heart!” I instantly understood that this inspiration was coming from God and that not only was my husband good-hearted, but the core of his being was his spiritual identity, which is God’s image, always healthy and safe.
At that moment I glimpsed that God loved my husband with the same endlessness with which He loved Christ Jesus – and with which He cherishes all of us as His children. This was a novel perspective to me and it instantly brought comfort. Then I looked over at my husband, and he was sleeping peacefully.
That was over five years ago, and he has never again been troubled with this problem.
Doubtless Christ Jesus frequently heard the voice of his heavenly Father. But there was an occasion toward the end of his ministry – also included in this week’s Bible lesson – when those present with him all heard God’s precious words. Jesus had taken three of his disciples – Peter, James, and John – with him up to the mount of transfiguration. Old Testament prophets Moses and Elias appeared, talking with Jesus. The disciples were very afraid, but God said, ”This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Mark 9:7).
God wants us to know His love for us through the example of His love for His Son. Christ Jesus knew who he was; the Father told him. And as we come to know the Master through his teachings and healing ministry, we come to see that we, too, can know God’s love and realize our rich capacity to live in accord with divine Truth, experiencing reformation and healing.
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