by Callmetim
One of the Easter hymns in my church says, “Let us sing of Easter gladness that rejoices every day…”¹
Jesus’ resurrection has meaning for us every day. It shows us, among other things, that the real essence of our being is spiritual. And this leads to more health and happiness.
It’s clear that Jesus’ resurrection showed us that true life is eternal. But a material mortal has a material birth, a temporary material life and a material death. So what kind of being has eternal life? Not a material being. So if our true life is eternal, our true being is spiritual. The resurrection reveals that we’re really eternal, spiritual beings.
Pauls writes (in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5), “though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;“. He goes on to ask, “Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?”
The perception of being material is just that – a perception – or more accurately, a mis-perception . Spiritual beings – God’s children, spiritual and eternal – appearing outwardly as material human beings to thought that conceives of man as being material. With a higher spiritual understanding we perceive man’s true, higher nature as spiritual.
Is this perhaps what the Apostle John, one of Jesus’ disciples, was referring to when he wrote, “now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1John 3:2).
This may seem like a difficult concept to get our arms around. But Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy helps us better understand this Bible-based view. On page 292 it says, “In his resurrection and ascension, Jesus showed that a mortal man is not the real essence of manhood, and that this unreal material mortality disappears in presence of the reality.”
Our experience is colored by our perception or thought. Lifting thought with spiritual understanding improves our human experience. It brings out the higher reality. This is why a mental method administering spiritual treatment through prayer is effective.
Jesus said, “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). Mrs. Eddy, referring to God as divine Spirit, or Spirit, said it this way, “Correct material belief by spiritual understanding, and Spirit will form you anew.“²
Here’s our Hymn 171¹ in its entirety talking about Easter’s blessing for us every day:
Easter Lily by photoholic2
Let us sing of Easter gladness
That rejoices every day,
Sing of hope and faith uplifted;
Love has rolled the stone away.
Lo, the promise and fulfillment,
Lo, the man whom God hath made,
Seen in glory of an Easter
Crowned with light that cannot fade.
When we touch Truth’s healing garment
And behold Life’s purity,
When we find in Love the refuge
That is man’s security,
When we turn from earth to Spirit,
And from self have won release,
Then we see the risen Saviour;
Then we know his promised peace.
Living meekly as the Master,
Who of God was glorified,
Looking ever to the radiance
Of his wondrous Eastertide;
Freed of fear, of pain, and sorrow,
Giving God the honor due,
Every day will be an Easter
Filled with benedictions new.
¹ Frances Thompson Hill, Hymn 171, Christian Science Hymnal.
² Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, page 425.
