come out of the dark

[spencel]

John 8:
“12 Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man”

“They (pharisees) stand in the light of day, but demand a formal proof that the Sun has risen.” Ellicott’s Commentary

“What a dark dungeon would the world be without the Sun! So would it be without Jesus, by whom light came into the world. Those who follow Christ shall not walk in darkness.” Matthew Henry

[spencel]

This section in our lesson from the Bible struck me this week since we have been learning more about Mrs. Eddy’s place in prophecy. In this recorded event we see the Pharisees’ thought that rejects Jesus as appointed by God, and Jesus addressees this thought as that which was judging “after the flesh.” This same thought that could deny the light, proof and blessing that was shining right in front of it. Because they did not believe on him (Jesus) and attend to his “Word”, they did not experience the light Jesus was sharing freely for their salvation. The same type of thought that would reject Mrs. Eddy’s place as revelator to this age and that Jesus promised was coming. It shows the depravity of the human mind. So many ways Jesus and Mrs. Eddy teach us to put off the human mind and Paul says, “…put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” (Eph. 4:22) Now I appreciate more the need to put off the old man if I want to see the healing light, continue in the “Word”, and not walk in darkness as our lesson brings out this week and is taught in weekly classes here.

[Gary]

Thank you, this is a really important point. I find it useful to remember that Jesus is referring to the Christ whenever he says “I” in the Bible. His “light” was divine, not human. It was not a human doctrine or belief that he was trying to get people to understand. Rather, it was his expression of the Father that he was showing as the normal and natural state of man. He was always pointing people to the Father. The human mind, of course, either worshipped or hated him personally, both of which are wrong.
This human so-called “mind” is incapable of understanding this. To follow Christ is to allow only the divine Mind to be my mind, and to judge (test) all things according to that standard. Is it of God or not? Is it God speaking or not? If it is not of God, it is darkness, not light. That’s why it is essential to recognize and appreciate those who set the right example for us and have the love and courage to teach us what they know of God.

[spencel]

“That’s why it is essential to recognize and appreciate those who set the right example for us and have the love and courage to teach us what they know of God.”

Thank you Gary for your post and the clarifying instructions. This helped me better understand how things have gone awry with Jesus’ teachings. I also have a better appreciation for Gilbert Carpenter’s writings regarding Mary Baker Eddy and what she was teaching us.

[Author]

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