Chapter II - Atonement And Eucharist
Defamatory accusations
53:1
through Beelzebub," and is the "friend of publicans and
through Beelzebub," and is the "friend of publicans and
sinners." The latter accusation was true, but not in their
meaning. Jesus was no ascetic. He did not fast as did
the Baptist's disciples; yet there never lived a man so far
removed from appetites and passions as the Nazarene.
He rebuked sinners pointedly and unflinchingly, because
he was their friend; hence the cup he drank.
Reputation and character
53:8
The reputation of Jesus was the very opposite of his
The reputation of Jesus was the very opposite of his
character. Why? Because the divine Principle and
practice of Jesus were misunderstood. He
was at work in divine Science. His words
and works were unknown to the world because above
and contrary to the world's religious sense. Mortals be-
lieved in God as humanly mighty, rather than as divine,
infinite Love.
Inspiring discontent
53:16
The world could not interpret aright the discomfort
The world could not interpret aright the discomfort
which Jesus inspired and the spiritual blessings which
might flow from such discomfort. Science
shows the cause of the shock so often pro-
duced by the truth, – namely, that this shock arises from
the great distance between the individual and Truth.
Like Peter, we should weep over the warning, instead of
denying the truth or mocking the lifelong sacrifice which
goodness makes for the destruction of evil.
Bearing our sins
53:25
Jesus bore our sins in his body. He knew the
Jesus bore our sins in his body. He knew the
mortal errors which constitute the material body, and
could destroy those errors; but at the time
when Jesus felt our infirmities, he had not
conquered all the beliefs of the flesh or his sense of ma-
terial life, nor had he risen to his final demonstration of
spiritual power.
53:32
Had he shared the sinful beliefs of others, he would
Had he shared the sinful beliefs of others, he would
54:1
have been less sensitive to those beliefs. Through the
have been less sensitive to those beliefs. Through the
magnitude of his human life, he demonstrated the divine
Life. Out of the amplitude of his pure affection, he de-
fined Love. With the affluence of Truth, he vanquished
error. The world acknowledged not his righteousness,
seeing it not; but earth received the harmony his glorified
example introduced.
Inspiration of sacrifice
54:8
Who is ready to follow his teaching and example? All
Who is ready to follow his teaching and example? All
must sooner or later plant themselves in Christ, the true
idea of God. That he might liberally pour
his dear-bought treasures into empty or sin-
filled human storehouses, was the inspiration of Jesus'
intense human sacrifice. In witness of his divine com-
mission, he presented the proof that Life, Truth, and
Love heal the sick and the sinning, and triumph over
death through Mind, not matter. This was the highest
proof he could have offered of divine Love. His hearers
understood neither his words nor his works. They
would not accept his meek interpretation of life nor
follow his example.
Spiritual friendship
54:21
His earthly cup of bitterness was drained to the
His earthly cup of bitterness was drained to the
dregs. There adhered to him only a few unpretentious
friends, whose religion was something more
than a name. It was so vital, that it en-
abled them to understand the Nazarene and to share
the glory of eternal life. He said that those who fol-
lowed him should drink of his cup, and history has con-
firmed the prediction.
Injustice to the Saviour
54:29
If that Godlike and glorified man were physically on
If that Godlike and glorified man were physically on
earth to-day, would not some, who now pro-
fess to love him, reject him? Would they
not deny him even the rights of humanity, if he enter-