The "Bread of Life" Sermon

In John 6:1-14 Christ feeds the multitudes with the 5 loves and 2 fishes so it was no doubt that awhile later the people came seeking him again. As Christ said it wasn't because of the miracles he performed but “because we did eat of the loaves, and were filled (John 6:26).” They completely glazed over the miracle that he had performed and thought only of their physical needs.

This instance makes me ponder on reasons I reach out to the Lord. I think most of us have a basic instinct to ask God to take care of our physical needs. I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing, but it becomes a hurdle to our spiritual growth if we allow it. We need to instead ask for spiritual guidance and growth.
The Savior taught this to the multitude that came seeking him. In response to them seeking him out because of their desire to be physically fed, he tells them that he will spiritually feed them. He does this by using the analogy of the “Bread of Life”.  He says that “I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst (John 6:25).”

In Matthew 6:19-21 Christ says that we must not rely on the treasures of the earth but on the treasures of heaven. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” While physical health is important that is not the point of the savior’s sermon. What he is teaching is that we must not put all our heart into the things of the earth because we cannot find true happiness there. We find true happiness, comfort, peace, and salvation through the spirit and through the gospel of Christ.

This sermon of the bread of life was hard for many to understand. Many of Christ’s disciples (not the twelve apostles, mind you, but simple followers of Christ) left because of it (maybe because they didn't understand it?) and many murmured at his teaching.

However his apostles had stronger faith than that. It is demonstrated by Peter who said “…Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou are that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:68-69)”

This makes me think about instances that I know of where people reacted like Peter to something that was “hard” for them to deal with. There are many things today that people do not understand fully but still follow Christ. They trust in his teachings and follow him knowing that he knows what is right. Sometimes we just don’t understand something but we must rely on our faith and trust in the Lord. He will eventually reveal the answer to us. I personally believe that sometimes it is okay to go by faith and not have the answers to everything. I’m okay with trusting the Lord even if there are things I don’t quite understand. I know many people who trust in the Lord even though there are aspects of the gospel that they don’t necessarily agree with.

Sometimes people don’t understand why I believe in God or follow Christ, especially because the gospel seems to be so against popular beliefs. I know what brings me joy in life and if I stopped living the gospel I would be spiritually miserable and I wouldn't enjoy who I was. I struggle with many things and the gospel helps me get through them all. I recognize that the gospel is the “living bread” and it feeds me and gives me comfort and peace.

The Lord Often Taught with Parables

     Throughout his ministry Christ told many parables. Parables are stories that are told that have a deeper meaning to them. Christ taught in parables in order to hid the actual meaning allowing those who truly wanted to learn more about Christ and the gospel to seek and find the answers within the parables while those who did not wish to learn more about the gospel simple saw the parable as a neat story. It also allowed those to get their personal revelation that they needed. It makes me think of how everyone reads the scriptures but each gets something out of them that applies directly to their life. The Holy Ghost speaks to us through the scriptures and the parables that Jesus taught and those who are diligently searching the scriptures for gospel knowledge will find it and those who are simply just reading will find a story.

     Christ told many parables and this week we focused on Matthew chapter 13 and the parables told within that chapter. They teach of the future of the world, the church, and the followers of Christ:

The parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30): when Christ comes again, he will separate those who are striving to follow Christ and live righteously from those who have rejected him and chose to live unrighteous.  

The parable of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:31-33): The Kingdom of Heaven on the earth would start out small and then become greater at time went on.

The parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50): tares in the sense that God will send missionaries (the net) to teach the gospel and in the last days the Lord will separate the righteous from the unrighteous according to his righteous judgment.

The parable of the treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46): Someone who finds the gospel and knows of its worth and truth is willing to give up everything and make sacrifices in order to have it in their life.

The gospel is a wonderful thing and we need to make sure we are strengthening our testimonies and sharing the joy that we find in the gospel. The net represented missionaries in the world which in truth can represent anyone that is sharing their testimony whether through word of mouth or simply by the way they live their life. We should stay strong in the gospel and help people learn of Christ and what he really stands for. We can find joy in the gospel and through Christ. As he teaches us through the scriptures and through the Holy Ghost we can come to understand for the truthfulness of the gospel and what we can do to help others. 

The Calling of the Twelve Apostles

I was looking up the original Twelve Apostles in the bible dictionary and very unfortunately there is not a whole lot of information of many of them. Especially the ones that I was really interested in such as Andrew, Philip and some of the other lesser known ones, However, here are some things I learned:

• Peter means “rock” and it makes it that much more interesting when the Lord says “…Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church…” (Matthew 16:18)
  
• It is most likely that Bartholomew also goes by Nathanael and they are the same person. There is also obviously a close friendship between him and Philip as they are always associated together.
  
• I also didn’t know that Andrew and Peter were brothers, so that is a little embarrassing. Haha!

So what is an Apostle?

An Apostle literally means “one sent forth”. In regards to the Twelve Apostles they were to be special witnesses of Christ and to testify of his divinity and specifically his bodily resurrection from the dead.
Christ taught his Apostles what they needed to do in order to prepare them to proclaim the gospel and to be his special witnesses. He his teachings and guidance to them can be found in Matthew 10:5-42 and in these versus he teaches them to search and heal those who are sick and to minister to them. He teaches them that there are going to be people who will not listen or who will “scourge” them “in their synagogues”. I think the scripture that stood out the most while I was reading was this:

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:

 be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”

–Matthew 10:16

While Christ mostly required them to stay within the bounds of the House of Israel  he was first and foremost teaching them to find his “lost sheep” and to recover those who were looking for the Savior. He says:

“He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that

 receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.”

-Matthew 10:39

Christ is teaching his disciples to search out those who are looking for the gospel and giving them guidance as to how to do this.  He is helping them to know and recognize who truly is looking.
I think we can all learn from the Savior’s teachings. All the things that he taught his apostles can be used to teach us. We need to make sure we are doing what he would want us to do and we need to be as Peter, James and John in a moment’s notice gave up everything and follow Christ. It is interesting in Luke 5:1-11 that Peter, although unsure, followed Christ’s command to let the nets down again, even though they had caught nothing all day. Despite his uncertainty Peter did it anyways and in doing so received a witness of the Savior. Once he had received this witness (along with James and John) they “…forsook all, and followed him.” (Luke 5:11)

Likewise we must be as Peter.  Even in times of uncertainty we must trust the Lord and follow his commandments. He knows more than we possibly could. In doing this, we will receive a testimony of our own and we must continue to strengthen it and nourish it by following Christ.

The Samaritan Woman at the Well

It shouldn't be a shock that the Samaritan woman was surprised to see Jesus was talking to her.  At the time, Samaritans were highly disliked by the Jews, who of which held Samaritans in a lower standard than the Gentiles. For Jesus, a Jew, to be speaking to the Samaritan woman was extremely rare and probably a very peculiar situation, especially for the woman.

Many times it is said that God is no respecter of persons. This means he doesn't hold one person higher than another for any reason. He judges people on their hearts, not as the world judges them. As most Jews would take the long way around Samaria when traveling to Galilee, Jesus purposely went through Samaria. Not only did he not care for the status the world has set but I’m sure he also wanted to share the gospel and teach those around him.

Jesus Christ leads by example. By showing his disciples how he treated others he was mentally preparing them for how they should treat others as well. Eventually this kindness towards others would coincide with doctrine later in the scriptures that they should preach to all the nations; Jew and Gentile. Jesus was slowly teaching them what kind of people they should be and that all men should be treated as equals.

Throughout John chapter 4 the Samaritan woman’s attitude gradually changed the longer she conversed with Jesus.  To me there are small evidences. When Jesus firsts addresses her she replies with what seems to be not only confusions but maybe also a little contempt and wary. She doesn't seem sure about the situation at hand. A little while on she starts to address Christ as “Sir” and starts to ask him questions and accept him. Later on after Christ shares details about her life that he could have known she says “I perceive that thou art a prophet” and eventually after Christ confesses that he is the Christ, she tells people back home who he is and they follow her to meet him.  This woman went from skepticism to belief within a short conversation with Christ.

Over the years I have felt a little like this Samaritan woman. Although I grew up in the church there was a moment in my life where I was skeptic of the gospel and just didn't understand it. But eventually I hit a point in my life where I made an effort to get to know my Heavenly Father and through doing so I have been able to hold a great relationship with him. I have seen his influence in my life and he has been able to provide me with insight that I could not have foreseen.  Because of what I now know about the gospel I have a greater responsibility to make good decisions and to choose the right and it is something that I strive to do every day.

Eventually this woman’s testimony and he sharing of what Christ told and taught her, helped change the hearts of the people in her community who eventually believed themselves after they had met Christ. There is a particular scripture (John 4:42) that reminds me of the fact that we hear other people’s testimonies, but we do not gain a true testimony unless we personally search out Christ and learn from him.

The Lord often talks about the “Living water” and at the time, like this Samaritan woman, it took a while before they understood what he meant by “living water”. Christ said 

“Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give 

him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give

 him shall be in him a well of water springing

 up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14) 

This scripture speaks of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that when we drink of it, our spirits will never thirst for the truth because we will have it. Many people in this world do not wish to know the truth. As it says in Jeremiah 2:13:

 “They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and

 hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns,

 that can hold no water.”

This world is full of people that do not want to hear the truth. They do not want to drink of the living water, and their reasoning’s we may never know or understand. However Christ’s “living water”, his gospel, is what will bring our spirits comfort, peace, and help us to never thirst for truth again. We must be as the Samaritan woman. We must listen, with maybe a little wariness at first, for many people teach of Christ but few teach correctly. If we listen and learn we will know in our hearts if what we are being taught is correct. Then after we have our own testimonies we can help others find their way back to Christ and help them drink of the living waters that they may never thirst again. 

The Holy Ghost

Mark 1:12

12. “And immediately the Spirit

 took Him into the wilderness”

Principle: Go where the Holy Ghost directs you

 I really liked this particular scripture. It says that the Spirit took Him (Christ) into the wilderness. Not only did Christ listen to the Spirit and immediately go where it directed him, but it was, of all places, the wilderness. Sometimes the Holy Ghosts directs us to areas that may seem unpleasant or to places we just don’t want to go. Sometimes that is simply to visit someone who we may not get along with, moving to a place that you don’t want to go, or taking a career path that is the least desirable. However, the Savior went where the Spirit directed him, and likewise we must do the same. The Lord knows what is best for us and if we stay in tune with the Spirit, and follow his guiding path, we will eventually be stronger in our testimony and foundation in the gospel. It might not always be fun (the Savior had the privilege of being tempted by Satan) but in the end it is for our spiritual benefit, growth, and overall wellbeing. We must always listen to the Holy Ghost.

The Childhood of Jesus Christ

Hi everyone! 
This week I have started another religion class and this semester I am studying the First half of the New Testament (The four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

This week we read mostly about Christ's birth as well as John the Baptist's birth and learned a little about his childhood. The Share and Report section of class requires (as before) that I share something I've learned or share what I am studying. I decided to focus on learning about Christ's childhood because it is so rarely talked about and I find the subject to be fascinating. Written below is what I've learned from my readings.


The Childhood of Jesus Christ

The focus we get on Jesus Christ is often of his birth and of his ministry, but so often we forget how he got from one place to another. By reading specifically about his childhood there are many things that I have been able to learn. 

First off, the most recognized phrase about Christ's childhood (for me) is in Luke chapter 2:

52." And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, 

and in favor with God and man." 

Something this tells me (along with other scriptures which I will share) is that Christ wasn't just born with all the knowledge needed for his ministry, he learned as he grew. In the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of Matthew 3:24-26 it says “…and he spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him.” In Doctrine and Covenants 93: 12-14 John the Baptist gives revalation to Joseph Smith saying:

12. “And I, John saw that he [Jesus] received not of the 

fullness at the first, but received grace for grace;

13. And he received not of the fullness at first, but continued from 

grace to grace until he received a fullness:

14. And thus he was called the Son of God, because

 he received not of the fullness at the first.”

There was a reason his ministry was later in life. It was when he was ready. While the world did not teach Christ, his Heavenly Father did. Little by little, as Christ was ready, Heavenly Father would teach him what he needed to know.  That shows to me that it is important to take my challenges and my spiritual learning one step at a time. That it is okay to learn little by little and focus on what I’ve learned and perfect that before I bury myself in knowledge that I’m just not ready for. 

I also noticed that throughout each of the scriptures and insight read, that Christ shows small instances here and there where he followed certain commandments. While we know that he always followed the commandments it was just interesting insight to me. For example, in the JST of Matthew 3:25 it says “And he served under his father.” It is safe to assume that since father is not capitalized that it is referring to Joseph. To me this is interesting simply because even as a child, know as much as he did, Jesus still respected and honored his earthly father.  I think we can all learn from that seeing as we are not perfect. Even if we think we know more than our parent’s do (which being imperfect, sometimes we just don’t) it is important to honor them and respect them. 

      Likewise in the first scripture I shared above in Luke it says that he grew in stature with not only God but with man. This tells me that people liked him because he was kind and willing to help and was there for others. 

Christ learned little by little and kept the commandments of God. While we are not perfect we can learn from Christ and take from it how we ourselves can learn the gospel and remain close to our Heavenly Father. 

♥

Principles I Have Learned

     For our Final Assessment in Class we were required to write a short essay on the top three principles we learned while studying this semester and how they have affected us.
Below is what I wrote. I was originally not going to share it, but I want to now so ...here it is!

    Over the course of this semester there are many things that I have learned. Many different principles spoke to be as I read and taught me what I needed to hear at that point in my life. As I went back and reflected on the principles that I was learning I noticed that there were many that were repeated albeit in different forms. I recognized that these principles were not only the ones that stood out to me the most, but also were the ones that I needed to hear the most. Some of them even inspired me to challenge myself in good ways so that I could become better than I was.

     The principle that stood out to me the most was one that probably stood out to most people, and since we are reading the scriptures it makes sense that I would recognize it. However, I know it is also something that I constantly struggle to work with. This principle is to Love everyone, and show them kindness, charity, and patience. 

     Now I like to consider myself a pretty nice person. However, there is one part of me that tends to be unkind towards others and, dare I say, a little mean. This unfortunate part of me is my mind. I easily tend to get annoyed with people and although I do not like to be outwardly mean because I know it is unkind, I find that in my head I have no reservations. This is something that I actually noticed midway through the semester and I made a goal to change it. My goal was to let things go that didn’t matter when I was driving (I get terrible road rage) and to not complain to my husband over the smallest things that people did (because when something made me angry I would go home and vent to my husband forever about the subject.).

     At first it was really really difficult, and I noticed that Satan was really working on me. That first weekend I was so grumpy and mean to everyone, even to my husband even though he really did nothing wrong. I cannot even explain into words how angry I was at everyone and everything and my unkindness did not just remain in my mind but started to be more prevalent in my actions and conversation. As the emotions came to a close I felt awful and vowed to never get that angry again. Although it is still hard for me to push mean thoughts aside, I have found that I have been better at recognizing when I was being too grumpy in my head and for the most part I was able to push those thoughts away. I have found that I have more compassion on people and I am more willing to help and show love. I don’t nearly complain to my husband as often and I can’t remember the last time I got angry on the road. As I continued to read the scriptures for class I was constantly being reminded and uplifted that my goals were righteous and even though it was hard that I was doing a great job and needed to continue my efforts. I’m still working on it, but I have noticed a very positive change in myself.

     The second principle that stood out the most to me was that I needed to have faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and in the Gospel.  A lot of the scriptures that popped out at me were ones that taught me that I needed to trust in God more. My biggest struggle is being so frustrated with the world and at how many things that are going on that do not fall into sync with the gospel or God’s plan. I worry that when I have children I am going to lose them to the world around me because everything will look more fun or enticing to them. I fear for my friends who are struggling and I would just get so angry with people who were not living the gospel who I knew, knew better.

     As I read more and more in the New Testament, I had A LOT of scriptures that spoke to my heart. Many of them comforted me that things were going to be alright, but I needed to trust my Heavenly Father, and turn to him. That if I put my faith in him and stayed close to the Gospel that I would be okay. I have tried my best to remain close to him and through doing so I have also learned that it is okay if I don’t have all the answers, but that if I study hard and have faith that God knows the reasons why that I will not only be okay, but that one day I will have the answers to everything. I know that if I remain righteous that things will be okay in the end.

     The last principle that spoke to me probably ties a lot with the first. It was that I needed to not judge those around me. Even those who I think know better. The fact is, is that I just don’t know what is going on in their hearts. I don’t know what they are going through and I can’t possible begin to imagine. However, it is something I struggle with. I get so judgmental that I become angry and then I am not happy. I lose my ability to love and be kind. However, as I focused on my goals that I mentioned with the first principle, I noticed that I was less judgmental as well.

     All of these principles are continuing to help me as I strive to remain close to my Heavenly Father and to Jesus Christ. I know that as I work on these principles I will become a better person and I will be able to become the person my Heavenly Father wants me to become. 

Thursday I finished my classes for this semester. I have to say that throughout the semester I found a lot of joy in sharing what I was learning on my blog. I'm not sure how many people were reading but the truth is that regardless, I loved sharing.

      I am taking another class this next semester but this time I am studying the first half of the New Testament. I think I will continue this blog whether or not there is a requirement for it. I hope that I will provide understanding and insight to others who read this as I learn new principles for myself. For now though, I will be taking a break from my blog for the next week.