Monday, March 30, 2015
Matthew 11:16-19 I have piped and ye have not danced
"16 ¶But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children."
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John's simple lifestyle fit his message of repentance and self-denial, while Jesus' attendance at public dinners expressed his gracious willingness to mingle with those who needed him. John and Jesus refused to play along with their critics' childish games. I like this...they were rebels against the pharisee standard and also how they gave their self to those who truly needed salvation. I like your first thoughts Melissa about how it seems human nature to want others to do things their way...like having expectations. Jesus was a no expectations sort of guy and that's what brings him to humanity and bridges us with Christ.
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ReplyDeleteVery true, that Christ was willing to love and spend time with all sorts who were rejected by the Pharisees and Scribes. His atonement reaches out to all of humanity and allows us to be forgiven when we come to Him and seek His way. To the woman taken in adultery he dispersed the condemning crowd with "He that is without sin among you, Let him first cast a stone at her" then gently told her "neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more" (John 8:3-11) I like this example because it shows how we can be loving and kind to others, while still recognizing and upholding God's Laws (e.g. the commandment to not commit adultery). But Christ had the spiritual gift of knowing peoples hearts, and those who knew the law well and were dishonest and corrupt in their hearts he bluntly condemned - "woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites" (see Matt 23 for over half dozen jarring examples of this). He has immense understanding, love and leniency with us as we are learning and developing our understandings of truth. But as we come to know the truth he expects us to live it, and we come under his condemnation if we don't. One scripture the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that I love is "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men" (D&C 64:10). We can't see into peoples hearts, or begin to see the road they have walked. So our place is to learn to love and forgive everybody, while living and sharing the truths we have come to know, and in the end Jesus will be the judge.
ReplyDeleteI should add that I am so grateful that He is willing to accept my very imperfect efforts to live His commandments. I make mistakes every day, but am trying, and his mercy and grace are never-ending as I strive and slowly grow in my ability to live His laws.
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