The dramatic miracle of feeding the five thousand has always been interesting to me, but somewhat less important to me in a way. That might sound pretty strange, but I really like to focus on the healing miracles. Even though Christ is performing something very miraculous and that attests to him being the Messiah, the thing that sticks out to me in the healing miracles is Christ's compassion. The fact that the perfect Christ would take time out of his life to focus on an individual that is mourning over their dead child or an individual that has a physical infirmity is incredibly comforting. He is shown to be accessible once these people show their faith by coming to him and asking for help. I am filled with love and reminded of how I can do this as well. I know from experience that I have been healed and comforted when I have prayed for help. I think recently I have forgotten that. I am glad I am coming back to realizing this because I think I was getting prideful and/or intimidated by things in my life.
Now I don't mean it to sound like I don't like the feeding of the five thousand, but it has been secondary to the healing miracles. However, understanding the context of this event has made it more special. It has such a powerful bold message in retrospect. My knowledge of the Atonement and the sacrament really deepens the miracle beyond just the miraculous act.
In a way, I think it is a good thing that it isn't the miracles that are most impressive to me, but rather the meaning behind what Christ does and the reasons for him doing these things. These miracles alone don't convert people to become disciples of Christ, it is his love, the gospel, and their faith that do.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Parables/2nd Rejection/Twelve Sent and Return
In the parable of the wheat and the tares, I find it interesting that the Inspired Version indicates that the wheat is gathered first and then the tares are bundled and burned. This makes so much more sense to me, even though it is only a slight difference.
I think largely because I have always studied these parables in Matthew separate from each other, I hadn't previously noticed the single message that all of them bring. The fathering of Israel, which is currently in process, is in all of these parables.
In a broader sense, I really appreciate that parables were used by Christ. Analogies really help me understand difficult concepts. I am constantly coming up with analogies in my classes to relate the material to things that I know and know well. I enjoy the different levels one can go to in parables and get more and more meaning as you dive deeper and deeper into them. My personal experience with studying the gospel through parables has shown this to me. It is nothing short of genius to think about how we can learn these parables in primary and in Gospel Doctrine 50+ years later and still find personal application to the simple framework.
I think it is interesting how the Prophets today continue to teach using analogies and/or parables. I can think of several airplane related talks from President Uchtdorf. These are often talks that I remember for a long time because I can get a good visual in my mind. This kind of proves that parables are still an effective teaching tool.
I think the parables will be something that I will always find interesting. I could always listen to talk or lesson with someone's own interpretation as to what items and parts of parables mean to them. Maybe I should take another English class, haha.
On another note, I really like the heading of the last section of this reading assignment in the "Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles." A man who says he will sustain the President of the Church but not his Bishop is deceiving himself
I think largely because I have always studied these parables in Matthew separate from each other, I hadn't previously noticed the single message that all of them bring. The fathering of Israel, which is currently in process, is in all of these parables.
In a broader sense, I really appreciate that parables were used by Christ. Analogies really help me understand difficult concepts. I am constantly coming up with analogies in my classes to relate the material to things that I know and know well. I enjoy the different levels one can go to in parables and get more and more meaning as you dive deeper and deeper into them. My personal experience with studying the gospel through parables has shown this to me. It is nothing short of genius to think about how we can learn these parables in primary and in Gospel Doctrine 50+ years later and still find personal application to the simple framework.
I think it is interesting how the Prophets today continue to teach using analogies and/or parables. I can think of several airplane related talks from President Uchtdorf. These are often talks that I remember for a long time because I can get a good visual in my mind. This kind of proves that parables are still an effective teaching tool.
I think the parables will be something that I will always find interesting. I could always listen to talk or lesson with someone's own interpretation as to what items and parts of parables mean to them. Maybe I should take another English class, haha.
On another note, I really like the heading of the last section of this reading assignment in the "Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles." A man who says he will sustain the President of the Church but not his Bishop is deceiving himself
Monday, July 12, 2010
Healings and Miracles
Out of all the miracles, it is hard for me to try to comprehend raising people from the dead. It seems so profound that I have no idea how I would react to witnessing such a feat. In Luke, after Christ raises the widow's son from the dead, the people were afraid and then they glorified God. I think I might just be afraid and try to figure out what I just witnessed. I think this made me just realize now that I think I try to be too logical about the gospel sometimes. The abstract ideas in religion are hard for me to feel like I really understand. The absence of concrete evidence is sometimes troubling. I want to have reasons for everything and when I am presented with problems or questions in church or scripture study I become overwhelmed. The things that have eased these overwhelming feelings has been interesting to me. Even if I find some logical, scientific reasoning to my questions/problems, I don't feel the peace until I have an emotional experience. These emotional experiences are really spiritual experiences. That peace I feel is really the spirit. I know that I can get this feeling though doing the things that are within the classic "Sunday School answer." I need to go to church. I need to pray and read the scriptures daily. I need to listen to and read the words of our prophets and apostles. I am amazed constantly how simple these abstract concepts are to understand. I get caught up with understanding them in my mind that I forget to understand them in my heart and spirit. Rather than thinking about how I would react to someone being raised from the dead, I think it is more important to think about how God is all-powerful and how Christ is compassionate in performing miracles like this one.
In reading about all of these miracles and healings during Christ's ministry, I cant help but think about all of the people that have witnessed miracles, but have fallen away from the church. I know that is not enough just to witness such great things, but you need to become a real disciple of Christ and maintain your testimony in order to stay on the path and progress towards perfection and eternal salvation. This seems like a daunting task, but the organization of the church and God's help through prayer and the holy spirit can carry the real burden if we let Him help.
In reading about all of these miracles and healings during Christ's ministry, I cant help but think about all of the people that have witnessed miracles, but have fallen away from the church. I know that is not enough just to witness such great things, but you need to become a real disciple of Christ and maintain your testimony in order to stay on the path and progress towards perfection and eternal salvation. This seems like a daunting task, but the organization of the church and God's help through prayer and the holy spirit can carry the real burden if we let Him help.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Sermon on the Mount
The sermon on the mount is so fun to read! The language is so simple and poetic. One piece in the beginning stuck out to me for some reason. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." For pretty much my entire life, I have really concentrated on being a peacemaker. I think a lot of it is my personality, but I am very grateful for my ability to settle contention among others. I felt really good reading this little bit and felt like it applied to me. I know there are a lot of areas that could use quite a bit of work, so it nice to feel like I have made some progress in this area of peacemaking. Furthermore, I realize that peacemaking is definitely a Christ-like attribute. Christ is the Prince of Peace. It just kinda clicks just now thinking about that.
Following the "blessed are the..." intro is one of my favorite pieces of scripture. It is very motivational to me to read that I should "let my light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I want to be proud of who I am, a son of God, and who I am as a representative of the church and disciple of Christ. Not proud in the sense that Mormons often use it as, in a negative way (i.e. Pride Cycle). In fact the last part of the scripture addresses avoiding that type of pride. It says that men may glorify your FATHER. We can be great people and do great things, but it is all because of our Father in Heaven.
Another thing that I really enjoy about the Sermon on the Mount is that some of its teachings replace/transcend the Mosaic Law. The new law is much more profound, living, and full of light and it is exciting to see this change take place in the scriptures. I am grateful for the greater law today.
Following the "blessed are the..." intro is one of my favorite pieces of scripture. It is very motivational to me to read that I should "let my light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I want to be proud of who I am, a son of God, and who I am as a representative of the church and disciple of Christ. Not proud in the sense that Mormons often use it as, in a negative way (i.e. Pride Cycle). In fact the last part of the scripture addresses avoiding that type of pride. It says that men may glorify your FATHER. We can be great people and do great things, but it is all because of our Father in Heaven.
Another thing that I really enjoy about the Sermon on the Mount is that some of its teachings replace/transcend the Mosaic Law. The new law is much more profound, living, and full of light and it is exciting to see this change take place in the scriptures. I am grateful for the greater law today.
2nd Year Public Ministry
I don't know if I am just stressed out by school or what, but when I started this reading assignment, I immediately teared up. I started with reading the healing of the pool. The man that had been disabled for so long was unable to even carry himself to the pool because of his infirmity. Christ tells him to arise and walk. I was thinking if I were that man I might be offended that someone was telling me to do something that I wasn't able to do for such a long time. The man was incapable of doing what was asked. However, he had the faith that he could do it because he was asked to do this thing by Christ. This faith allowed him to be healed. This reminded me of the people who would not look the bronze snake on the staff to be saved. Sometimes we have things that are really quite simple and easy to do, but we don't do them because we lack the simple faith. I think this is an area that I could really work on. I am very hesitant to do things outside of my comfort zone. I get small impressions to help others, compliment someone, or give certain people a call, but I think that it might be awkward, or that it is easier just to not do these things. However, the times that I have listened to this small and simple promptings going on a bit of faith, I have been able to receive great blessings and bless others' lives. I think if I think of these promptings as things Christ is asking me to do, I can get over my selfish worries and be a more effective tool.
After this miracle at the pool, the Jews get angry with Christ for doing it on the Sabbath. This is so silly to me! Christ was performing miracles! Wanting to slay someone that is performing miracles is beyond my comprehension. I like Christ's response in teaching about himself. I think that even though I have always recognized Jesus as in the godhead, I sometimes forget how much power and authority he has in his mortal ministry as the Son of God.
A thing that I noted as interesting was that Christ prayed all night to God prior to selecting the twelve. I thought this showed that Christ was truly on Earth to do his Father's work and the twelve were definitely divinely called.
After this miracle at the pool, the Jews get angry with Christ for doing it on the Sabbath. This is so silly to me! Christ was performing miracles! Wanting to slay someone that is performing miracles is beyond my comprehension. I like Christ's response in teaching about himself. I think that even though I have always recognized Jesus as in the godhead, I sometimes forget how much power and authority he has in his mortal ministry as the Son of God.
A thing that I noted as interesting was that Christ prayed all night to God prior to selecting the twelve. I thought this showed that Christ was truly on Earth to do his Father's work and the twelve were definitely divinely called.
Galilean Ministry
One word that kept sticking out to me during this reading was "fame". As Christ performed all if these miracles (healing lepers, casting out spirits, etc.) his reputation spread. People came from all around to be healed or witness these things. I thought about how much his influence was widespread. The impact was amazing. Then, I think about how his impact has continued through to today. People from all over, throughout time. People have been bettered, been motivated to become even better because of the simple message that he taught. In some ways, the word "fame" is like a word for knowing the love and mercy of Christ.
Another word that repeatedly stood out to me was "follow". I think in most of the instances people may read it as physically following Christ, but I read "follow" as a synonym for disciple. Even though they might not be in the physical proximity of Jesus, they can definitely follow the path of Christ. As these people witnessed the work of Jesus Christ, they became disciples (followers) and spread the word. Hopefully, I can be an example to others of some Christ-like attributes and bring them to the gospel so they too can become followers.
There were several verses that were repeated in the different gospels. I know this is common in the synoptic gospels, but I think there is a reason they are repeated more than once. I carefully looked at some of these and got some good insight. When it talks about not needed a physician if you are whole, I thought "we are all not whole". We are all in need of betterment through the gospel. We cannot be perfect, so we need to continue to work on it all of our lives. Then, I thought "we are all made whole through the Atonement." Christ being our physician is something that we can know for sure will help us become righteous beings. Another repeated poetic verse is about putting new wine in new bottles. I am not for sure what that means, but when I read it I was intrigued. I will continue to think about applications of this verse so I can better understand it.
Another word that repeatedly stood out to me was "follow". I think in most of the instances people may read it as physically following Christ, but I read "follow" as a synonym for disciple. Even though they might not be in the physical proximity of Jesus, they can definitely follow the path of Christ. As these people witnessed the work of Jesus Christ, they became disciples (followers) and spread the word. Hopefully, I can be an example to others of some Christ-like attributes and bring them to the gospel so they too can become followers.
There were several verses that were repeated in the different gospels. I know this is common in the synoptic gospels, but I think there is a reason they are repeated more than once. I carefully looked at some of these and got some good insight. When it talks about not needed a physician if you are whole, I thought "we are all not whole". We are all in need of betterment through the gospel. We cannot be perfect, so we need to continue to work on it all of our lives. Then, I thought "we are all made whole through the Atonement." Christ being our physician is something that we can know for sure will help us become righteous beings. Another repeated poetic verse is about putting new wine in new bottles. I am not for sure what that means, but when I read it I was intrigued. I will continue to think about applications of this verse so I can better understand it.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
1st Year Public Ministry
Even though I have read about Christ casting out the merchants from the temple several times before, this time around I immediately thought of some giant nondenominational churches that I have visited. They have coffeeshops in them and sometimes a small restaurant type thing. I wonder why they think it is okay to sell things in their place if worship. This small difference always seemed like something I couldn't comprehend. I think I realize now that it is because Christ clearly says that the temple should not be a place of merchandise in John 2. Going on a little more about this, I don't think the merchants in the temple were trying to be bad people it anything. I think they were just trying to make a living. The ways of the world kind of rationalized it, but Jesus reminded them that it wasn't appropriate. I think the same thing goes for these small businesses in churches today. The ways if the world make it seem like it is practical to sell coffee at their churches.
Another scripture that resounded well with me was John 3:17. Again, this verse reminded me of a lot of the nondenominational Christian world. Many non-Christians view Christianity in a hostel way. The feel condemned by Christianity because some Christians point out their sinful behaviors and condemn them for them. These conversations make Christ seem like a weathful/angry being. I think the lds message of Christ is more like the Christ described in thus verse. He us our savior and was sent to save us. Instead of feeling afraid of Christ, I feel thankful for the atonement.
I don't mean to rip on other religions, but comparing these parts of our religions has really made me thankful for what I have in the church.
Another scripture that resounded well with me was John 3:17. Again, this verse reminded me of a lot of the nondenominational Christian world. Many non-Christians view Christianity in a hostel way. The feel condemned by Christianity because some Christians point out their sinful behaviors and condemn them for them. These conversations make Christ seem like a weathful/angry being. I think the lds message of Christ is more like the Christ described in thus verse. He us our savior and was sent to save us. Instead of feeling afraid of Christ, I feel thankful for the atonement.
I don't mean to rip on other religions, but comparing these parts of our religions has really made me thankful for what I have in the church.
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