Generally when I am thinking of the perfection of the answers that Jesus gives, I focus on Matthew 22, which we have covered a lot the past two weeks. While I had that in mind, in family scripture study we read another one that I had forgotten: "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?" (Matthew 12:10)
This question came up more than once, and his answers gave concrete examples. Even on the sabbath you would let your animals out to water, you would pull an ox from the mire or a sheep from a pit, and you still do circumcisions on the sabbath when the appropriate day falls there.
Beyond the example, he added that extra part to try and get their minds to a higher plane:
Matthew 12:12 - "How much then is a man better than a sheep?"
Luke 13:16 - "And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?"
John 7:23 - "If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?"
It reminds me of the Savior's great love and wisdom. One can hope that those asking the questions would see the point, but if they had thought a little before asking, they could have guessed. There was an unwillingness to see the point, because they did not want to accept him.
It is easy for us looking back to see their rebellion, but I am not sure they always felt rebellious. Toward the end, when there are people plotting to kill Lazarus to hide the miracle, and cover up things that they know happened, at that point I think they had to have known that what he said was true and still not want it. Before that, though, there could be room for being wrongheadedly pious.
The verse that first started me thinking about that this time around was Matthew 18:10 -
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
Mormons believe that, and we have modern revelation to support it, but it's right there in the New Testament written pretty plainly. Despite that, I remember reading a Puritan verse about unbaptized children getting "the easiest seat in Hell", and some literature influenced by the tragedy of children being doomed for dying before baptism.
I can easily see room for confusion on the age of accountability, and how the salvation of those not given the opportunity to know Christ in their mortal life works out - that's why the modern revelation is so helpful - but it should be pretty unequivocal that little children and therefore certainly babies do not go to Hell. Not only is there a clear statement, but it is in harmony with everything else we know about God being love, and everything we would want in a Heavenly Father who is worthy of our worship. How does that get mixed up?
In high school I had a friend who had "Who created whom?" written on one of her folders. I know she found it clever and provocative. I didn't like it, because I knew, and there was no question. Except, regardless of my belief in God creating us, and us being created in the image of God, I have come to see that his children then often create their concept of God in their own image. If we perfectly reflected that starting image, it wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, what happens is that we often end up petty, spiteful, and cruel, and then perceive God that way.
Clearly there is a lot of room for thought there, and much of that should probably first be sought in personal reflection. To search and find our better qualities, and to build our relationship with God and feel those qualities, is an important and valuable process.
I do still think it is helpful to point out that a lot of people use religion - specifically Christianity - to condemn the poor and shore up those driven by selfishness and greed.
I don't know how often I have been through the Bible, but it's been a few times, with some parts more than others. I find no Biblical justification for vilifying the poor. There is some for condemning the rich. That is very pertinent today.
Therefore, if you do have a goal to be Christ-like, reflecting upon how we perceive the rich and the poor could be an excellent starting place.
On that note....
https://www.thisappalachialife.com/single-post/2017/05/10/My-Mother-Wasnt-Trash
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