God's
gifts can rarely be received directly. Even the most advanced of
God's teachers will give way to temptation in this world. Would
it be fair if their pupils were denied healing because of this?
The Bible says, "Ask in the name of Jesus Christ." Is
this merely an appeal to magic? A name does not heal, nor does an
invocation call forth any special power. What does it mean to call
on Jesus Christ? What does calling on his name confer? Why is the
appeal to him part of healing?
We
have repeatedly stated that one who has perfectly accepted the Atonement
for himself can heal the world. Indeed, he has already done so.
Temptation may recur to others, but never to this one. He has become
the risen Son of God. He has overcome death because he has accepted
life. He has recognized himself as God created him, and in so doing
he has recognized all living things as part of him. There is now
no limit on his power because it is the Power of God. So has his
name become the name of God, for he no longer sees himself as separate
from Him.
What
does this mean to you? It means that in remembering Jesus, you are
remembering God. The whole relationship of the Son to the Father
lies in him. His part in the Sonship is also yours, and his completed
learning guarantees your own success.
Is
he still available for help?
What
did he say about this? Remember his promises, and ask yourself honestly
whether it is likely that he will fail to keep them. Can God fail
His Son? And can one who is one with God be unlike Him? Who transcends
the body has transcended limitation. Would the greatest teacher
be unavailable to those who follow him?
The
name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol. But it stands for
love that is not of this world. It is a symbol that can safely be
used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods you pray
to. It becomes the shining symbol for the Word of God, so close
to what it stands for that the little space between the two is lost
the moment that the name is called to mind.
Remembering
His name is to give thanks for all the gifts that God has given
you. And gratitude to God becomes the way in which He is remembered,
for love cannot be far behind a grateful heart and thankful mind.
God enters easily, for these are the true conditions for your coming
home.
Jesus
has led the way. Why would you not be grateful to him?
He has asked for love, but only that he might give it to you.
You
do not love yourself. But in his eyes your loveliness is so complete
and flawless that he sees in it an image of his Father. You become
the symbol of his Father here on earth. To you he looks for hope
because in you he sees no limit and no stain to mar your beautiful
perfection. In his eyes Christ's vision shines in perfect constancy.
He has remained with you.
Would
you not learn the lesson of salvation through his learning? Why
would you choose to start again when he has made the journey for
you?
No
one on earth can grasp what Heaven is or what its one Creator really
means. Yet we have witnesses. It is to them that wisdom would appeal.
There have been those whose learning far exceeds what you can learn.
Nor would we teach the limitations we have laid on us. No one who
has become a true and dedicated teacher of God forgets his brothers.
Yet what he can offer them is limited by what he learns himself.
Then turn to one who laid all limits by and went beyond the farthest
reach of learning. He will take you with him, for he did not go
alone. And you were with him then, as you are now.
This
course has come from him because his words have reached you in a
language you can love and understand.
Are
other teachers possible to lead the way to those who speak in
different tongues and appeal to different symbols?
Certainly
there are. Would God leave anyone without a very present help in
time of trouble? A savior who can symbolize Himself? Yet do we need
a many-faceted curriculum, not because of content differences but
because symbols must shift and change to suit the need. Jesus has
come to answer yours. In him you find God's Answer. Do you then
teach with him, for he is with you; he is always here.
