When the Samaritans did not receive Jesus, James and John asked Jesus, “wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?” (Luke 9:54)
Not long before, James and John had seen Elias (Elijah) face to face at the mountain where Jesus had been Transfigured and glorified. Jesus responded, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:56) During General Conference, I was impressed by the mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Being preached repentance can be hard, but think of the alternative: What if we could not change? What if a poor choice, like the Samaritans made in not receiving Jesus, led to our destruction? Repentance is the way we accept the enabling power of Jesus Christ, sometimes called grace, in our lives. This power enables us to put off the natural man and become Saints (see Mosiah 3:19). Through grace, we can develop the same humility and "teachability" of little children. President Oaks taught that repentance is “a joy, not a burden” ("Cleansed by Repentance," April 2019 General Conference). President Nelson taught, “To repent of sin is not easy. But the prize is worth the price” ("Repentance and Conversion," April 2007 General Conference). President Oaks, who served as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, said, “The contrast that I’ve experience between the laws of man and the laws of God has increased my appreciation for the reality and power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ" (April 2019 General Conference). What manner of Spirit are we? We are sons and daughters of God. We are created in His image. He loves us and wants nothing more than for us to return to live with Him, in a state of never-ending happiness. His work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). I bear testimony that through Jesus Christ, we can change. Our weaknesses can become strengths. If we have a sincere heart and a contrite spirit, God can teach us and transform us into the men and women that He knows we can become.
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But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. While teaching, preaching, and healing in the cities of Galilee, Jesus is "moved with compassion" on the people he is serving. Likewise, if you want to increase your love towards someone, serve him or her. If you want to sympathize with someone's distress, serve him or her. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers teaches that rather than use the verb "fainted" in this verse, many authorities favor using the "the past participle of the verb translated “trouble” in Mark 5:35, Luke 7:6, and meaning literally “flayed,” and thence figuratively “tormented, worried, vexed.” They were not merely as sheep that have grown weary and faint, hungry, looking up and yet not fed, but were as those that have been harassed by the wolf." The adversary is real. The wolf is no mere fictitious antagonist, but a real being who "seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27). On the other hand, Jesus Christ is our true and living shepherd. He is our Savior. To combat Satan, "we must humble [ourselves] before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that [we] may not be tempted above that which [we] can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit” (Alma 13:22)." It does not matter how many times we have fallen--how many times we have succumbed to the wolf's subtle enticements. Christ knows his sheep by name, and will leave the ninety and nine to rescue the one lost sheep. Said Jesus, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." [For another commentary on this subject, read BYU assistant professor Gaye Strathearn's article "Simon and the Woman Who Anointed Jesus' Feet."] And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. The creditor in Christ's parable loved equally the two debtors. He forgave them both completely. However, the debtor who owed more than a year's worth of wages loved the creditor more. Let me explain with a modern-day parable. Say there are two students in a class. One has an A-, the other has a C-. At the end of the semester, the teacher raises both students grades to a A+. Which student will remember the teacher's generosity the most? Surely the student who had the C-. While discussing Jesus' parable of the two debtors with a cousin, some questions arose. "So if the person in the parable with the most debt is the most sinful, does that make fully repentant sinners more grateful for the Atonement, and more loving of the Savior, than those who have not lived a life of sin? Is repentance of great wrongdoing a prerequisite for a strong relationship with Jesus Christ?" These are very important questions. But before I attempt to address them, let me continue with the scriptural account. And he [Jesus] turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. There are many takeaways from Christ's words. What first stands out to me are the woman's faith-filled actions and her love for the Savior. This woman was a sinner, but aren't we all sinners? Don't we all fall short every day? Now, some thoughts on my cousin's questions. I believe the answer lies in an understanding of repentance--what it is, and what it means to truly repent. The Bible Dictionary defines repentance as the following: The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. As the definition states, we are all naturally inclined to sin. Mosiah 3:19 teaches that "the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord." We all require a change of mind, a fresh view of the world. This is made possible only through Christ's atonement. Sure, some people mess up more than others. But we all fall short of God's perfect bar and desperately need Christ's atonement. And "who am I to judge another, when I walk imperfectly?" (See https://www.lds.org/music/text/hymns/lord-i-would-follow-thee.)
I do not believe that a strong relationship with the Savior necessitates repentance from serious sin. We must remember that the scriptures are written by prophets, and often include exceptions to the rule. Both Alma the Younger and Saul (who later became Paul) underwent powerful, life-changing conversion processes. But even lifetime members of Christ's Church must gain a personal testimony of Christ's gospel. While reading about the woman who anointed Christ's feet, I was especially impressed when Christ said, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven." According to Christ, the woman was forgiven because she loved much. Those who love little are not forgiven. Isn't that interesting? Forgiveness from God is more about our love for him, and our desire to change and be like him, than it what we've done. So how can we come to love the Savior and use his Atonement, regardless of what we've done? Perhaps this is oversimplifying things, but I believe that it has a lot to do with being in the right place at the right time, so that the Spirit can guide us. This may mean attending a sacrament meeting and bearing a testimony when prompted. It may mean reading the scriptures as a family, or having a family discussion at the dinner table. It may mean going to a service project, even if you don't really want to go. I believe that as we go where God wants us to go, and do what God wants us to do, God give us the blessings and testimony-enriching experiences that we need for our current circumstances. I know that I need the Atonement of Christ. I also know that learning about and using the Atonement is a lifelong pursuit. I am grateful for a loving Savior who lets me wet his feet with my tears. I am grateful for this mortal experience--for the opportunity to learn and grow and become better today than I was yesterday. I am grateful for my Savior's perfect example. I am grateful for the reality of repentance and the peace that comes through forgiveness. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that the purpose of this mortal journey is to change our hearts and minds so that we may become like him. And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. What does it mean to have a "broken heart?" When I think of a broken heart, I think of someone who has lost it all, someone who's dreams are shattered, someone who can't make it on his or her own. Then I think of Jesus Christ, the Master Healer. I think of Christ taking someone's broken heart and mending it piece by piece, "one by one." (See Elder David A. Bednar and Paul Cardalls' song "One by One": https://www.lds.org/new-era/2016/07/one-by-one?lang=eng.) In the end, the heart is completely restored. No cracks, no missing pieces. Whole and perfect, as if the heart had never been broken. A broken heart is the sacrifice that Christ requires in place of the Mosaic requirement of animal sacrifices. "The shedding of blood in animal sacrifices was an outward ordinance intended to remind those involved of the future sacrifice of the Son of God and of the need for the believer to offer up at the same time an inward sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit... "The 'broken heart' spoken of in the scriptures is not the sorrow one feels because he has lost a close relative or loved one or suffered some other personal disappointment in life. Rather, the broken heart spoken of in the scriptures is the natural consequence of a person’s recognizing and admitting his own sins and imperfections (https://www.lds.org/manual/aaronic-priesthood-manual-2/lesson-19-a-broken-heart-and-a-contrite-spirit). A contrite spirit is a repentant spirit--a spirit willing to put off the natural man and become a Saint. For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. Only through the atonement of Jesus Christ can I have a "broken heart and a contrite spirit." To do so, I must yield to the Holy Ghost's promptings and run from the adversary's temptation. When I become like a little child, submitting my will, trust, faith, and hope to the Father.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, and they were hearing him, and asking him questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. When I read this account, I was reminded of a story told by Stephen E. Robinson about his son:
When my son Michael was six or seven, he did something I thought was wrong. He is my only son, and I want him to be better than his dad was. So when he slipped up, I sent him to his room with the instructions, “Don’t you dare come out until I come and get you!” And then I forgot. Some hours later, as I was watching television, I heard his door open and tentative footsteps coming down the hall. I slapped my forehead and ran to meet him. There he was with swollen eyes and tears on his cheeks. He looked up at me—not quite sure he should have come out—and said, “Dad, can’t we ever be friends again?” I melted and pulled him to me. He’s my boy, and I love him. (See https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/04/believing-christ?lang=eng.) This story has several contrasts from the biblical account. Michael did something wrong, and was punished by being sent to his room. Christ, on the other hand, did nothing wrong; he chose to stay in Jerusalem to preach his Heavenly Father's Gospel. Michael's father only remembered that his son was gone when his son came back to the living room to talk to him. Joseph and Mary traveled "a day's journey" before they realized that their son was not among their company. (Luke 2:44) Then, they spent three days returning to Jerusalem to look for him. Michael returned to and was embraced by a guilt-filled father. Jesus was reunited to a very worried mother and stepfather. What can be learned about Jesus Christ by contrasting these accounts? I don't know. Sorry! (But maybe that's okay. After all, Mary and Joseph "understood not" Jesus' words.) What I do know, however, is that the message of Robinson's "parable" about Michael is true: No matter what we've done, we can return to Christ. He will always receive us with open arms. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). I also know that Christ's declaration to his parents is true: Christ was always about his father's business. And because he was always doing his Father's will, he was able to perform the perfect, infinite Atonement. As a result, we can can count on him in ways that we cannot count on anyone else. "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee" (Isaiah 49:15). And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they [the wise men] departed into their own country another way. Just as God protected Jesus so that he could fulfill his mission, God protects missionaries. The protection afforded to missionaries is truly a miracle. I escaped many dangerous situations on my mission unharmed. Sometimes the protection comes through other people, sometimes through promptings of the Holy Ghost (to not go somewhere, or to run), sometimes through a heavenly messenger.
With that said, some missionaries do experience physical harm. Some missionaries die on their missions, as did the martyr Stephen. Before being stoned, Stephen said to his persecutors, "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers" (Acts 7:51-52). I do not know why some missionaries experience harm, and others do not. What I do deeply believe is that, "All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." Because Jesus Christ suffered all things and died for all mankind, he can succor us when we need comfort and peace the most. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. The Holy Ghost brings people to Christ. That is one of his most essential roles. Christ did not come unto Simeon immediately; he had to wait for many years. When Christ was near, the Holy Ghost led Simeon to Christ at the temple. If I want to come to Christ today, I need to worship him in the temple. The temple is literally the House of the Lord, the connection between heaven and earth. As a result, I feel peace and joy in the temple.
Some words on the "consolation of Israel": "Luke’s use of the phrase “the consolation of Israel” is striking, and it is clearly to be taken in a messianic sense. Throughout their history, the people of Israel had suffered greatly, both for their own sin and because of the oppression of others. Their land was frequently overrun by foreign powers who knew the strategic significance of Palestine, which connected Africa, Europe, and Asia. They suffered under slavery in Egypt and endured the troubles of exile. In short, they were a people in desperate need of consolation and comfort—the kind of permanent comfort that could come only when the Son of David would arrive to guard them and to provide for the forgiveness of their sin. "Simeon spent his life waiting for this consolation, for the Messiah to come and redeem his people. He had been given a unique promise that he would not die before he saw the Christ—the Messiah—with his own eyes (Luke 2:25–26). When he was an old man, this promise was finally fulfilled, and he marveled at the glory of God in the face of the infant Christ. Thus, he was prepared to die and meet His Creator." (See http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/consolation-israel/.) There is interesting symbolism in Simeon seeing Christ. Jesus Christ is the life of the world. Yet, when Simeon finally had the promise of seeing Christ fulfilled, he was prepared for mortal death. The purpose of life is to prepare to meet God (see Alma 34:32). Without Christ's atonement, we would remain tarnished by sin, and would not be worthy to dwell in God's presence. Christ is the King of Kings. Yet his first mortal reign was not of powerful, glorious dominion. The Israelites may not have found a dominated war leader, but they did find the only person who could provide the permanent comfort that comes from the forgiveness of sins. I should follow Simeon's example and attend the temple regularly. I should repent daily of my sins and recieve the "consolation of Israel" in my life. |
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