We read in the Scriptures that John the Baptist called humanity to repent — to turn away from the material meaning of existence. This is the deep notion of the word “repentance.”
John the Baptist predicted the universal cleansing of Christ-power that will save the entire human race. This activity is always active in human consciousness.
The material universe is the expression of carnal mind. Matter is an illusion of the senses. Matter has no consciousness of existence or being. Matter is non-intelligent. Even the seeming existence of evil is in the carnal mind. In Christian Science we learn all that seems to be carnality or physicality in any form is but the objectivation of a false concept about the creation and man. The universe of Mind is the only real universe. It is really the only universe. There is not two universe. In reality, man is not physical , and is not in the universe. The divine nature belongs not only to God, Mind, but to man , ‘God shaped man after His mind; after God’s mind shaped He himm…” (Science and Health, p. 525).
The Christian Master proved that as one grows in the understanding of God and God’s spiritual universe, one’s power to control the material is proportionnately increased and perfected. It is what he did in front of the seemingly physicality of the death, sickness, and sin, proving the only presence and dominion of Life, Truth, and Love.
Jesus had a spiritual view of the body. He appealed to the higher nature of man. He centered his thought at the Father, even when saying “thy son liveth,” ( John 4:46-52) or “Stretch forth thy hand” (Luke 6:6-10). There is but one source of action and intelligence, one Mind, one God, one Puissance, one infinite Presence, one body – the body of God. Mind alones governs the body.
“It is possible, — yea, it is the duty and privilege of every child, man, and woman, — to follow in some degree the example of the Master by the demonstration of Truth and Life, of health and holiness” (Mary Baker Eddy, “Science and Health, p. 37).
In fact, as mankind adheres to the divine standard, into higher kingdoms of infinite Life, Love, and Truth, it approximates Jesus’ demonstrations of man’s dominion over all the earth. “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world ” saith Jesus — in other words Jesus overcame the entire world of senses, the physical notion of the universe, and of man ( John 16:33).
