Be not afraid

Matthew 14–15; Mark 6–7; John 5–6 Luke 13:11-13 recounts an interesting episode involving a woman who “was bowed together” (literally, bent double/bowed down) Perhaps one of the least famous in Christ’s mortal ministry, this miracle has some beautiful symbolism if we liken it to the Atonement. The woman was forced by her condition to crouch over, and she could not stand up straight (KJV gives this as “could in no wise lift up herself” but some other translations, in more modern English, render it “unable to stand up straight.” etc.) The Savior “looses” her of this condition (as if He has taken a burden off her back) and she is made “straight” i.e. able to stand up, at which point she glorifies God. But of course we have no idea what her life would have been like without this infirmity. Would she have ever approached Christ at all if she had not been in urgent need due to her physical condition? Did she have to become “unable to stand”/”bent double” so as to be made to rise up and stand, in more ways than one (physical and more importantly spiritual)? SOMETIMES TRIALS ARE THE PREQUISITE FOR SAVING HUMILITY Sometimes the trials of life – emotional, physical, social – bring us to a humility that allows us to be truly spiritually receptive. Ultimately this humility can become quite literally the saving grace of our lives, as it brings us to seek out and commune with God.

Not to suggest that because something can lead to a positive spiritual outcome, it was God’s will that it happen. Many trials exist simply because humans mistreat each other. Alma does not condone the exclusionary/well-off Zoramites’ actions or suggest that it was God’s will that the poor be cast out – neither is the case. He simply comments that, in this condition, the impoverished Zoramites had an opportunity to turn their life condition into something much better. Many of us pray bowing our head, and even kneeling down – in which case our body is bent over, not unlike the woman bowed down. We must first be willing to become bent down low, so that we can rise up in the full strength of a child of God who knows their destiny.

Christ had gone off to rest and reflect and pray after the grand miracle of feeding the five thousand with the fishes and loaves. Jesus sends the disciples telling them, “I will meet you on the other shore. Nobody asks, “How are you getting there?” The way the mountains are shaped, The Sea of Galilee is known for sudden storms. The disciples are getting worried. Half of them were professional fishermen. They are not strangers to storms. It was evening – about 6 P.M. Mark records that Jesus saw them toiling and rowing. He comes to them at the 4th watch – 3 A.M. to 6 A.M. He has been watching them struggle for 9 hours. Matthew 14:26 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled (you think), saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. The apostles were afraid, feeling abandoned, tired, and alone. Do you ever feel like this? Matthew 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer (It’s a commandment); it is I; be not afraid. Elder Holland said, “Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep. And we are not shallow people if we struggle with them.” They recognize his voice. He has already shown that he can calm storms, but he leaves this one windy and wild. Bold Peter asks, “If it really is you, ask me to come onto the water.” And He said as He always does, “Come.” As was his nature, Peter sprang over the side of the ship. Peter never would have known he could walk on water if he hadn’t taken that first step. Sometimes this decision may be mocked by those who are still “on the ship,” as Peter experienced. Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. You don’t see wind, you see waves. He took His eye off of Jesus. When he doubted his faith, fear took control. WHO OR WHAT DO WE REACH OUT TO BEFORE CHRIST DURING TRIALS AT TIMES? WHY MIGHT WE DO THIS? Sometimes we prefer numbing, to the pain of growth. We can learn to do better at turning to Christ during trials. Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? We are familiar with the great storms of life. When Peter was in the storm, where was the Lord? Can you imagine if The Lord had just been on the boat giving instructions? In order to come closer to Him, Peter needed to step out of the boat. What kind of, Come, step out of the boat instruction is he giving to you right now? He is not going to be far off. He is right there. We know that moment. We know what it is to doubt ourselves. And He reaches our reaching. The Savior took Peter’s hand and comforted him. He will take yours, too. Walking on water doesn’t mean you don’t have doubts. It means that when a faith crisis sends you toward the bottom of the sea, you reach back up to keep your eye on the Savior—and start walking again. Remember there is always room, especially at Church, for your questions and concerns. But don’t get stuck on the bottom of the sea. Rise up and keep your eyes on the Savior. He is where your strength to struggle will come from. Come back to the sacrament table each Sunday. Continue to share what you do know. Keep your eyes fixed on the Savior and don’t get distracted by the waves of doubt swirling around you. Make your faith about the Savior and move forward as you do so. If you fear, fall, or fumble, just find God’s hand. Reach up. Reach out. Move forward. Take it one day at a time and rise up to walk again with the help of the Savior. Raising children—now that is some major water-walking right there. When parenting and the choices your kids make pull at your heartstrings—and even pull you to the bottom of the sea—remember to do as Peter did. Don’t give up. Reach up. Find Christ and focus on His grace to give you the charity needed to maintain difficult relationships. His way is the way. When Jesus and Peter came to the boat, the storm stopped. All the disciples remembered what they had always known: He was the Son of God. I wonder if the apostles that stayed safely on the deck felt any regret. Peter grew in ways that they could only watch. He had an intimate experience with Jesus and learned things about himself and about Christ that only come from experience. So, when you are swallowing water, reach out for your Brother. He is there. He is always there. He is right beside you, walking through your faith crises, addictions, weaknesses, and family relationships. Even when you are tired from the storms of life and are worried that you don’t have enough strength, remember that you are already walking on water. Every day in many ways. You just have to stand up and do it again—with help from Christ. Hillary Weeks says, “He said“Come.” Not...“Come and you’ll see how amazing it is to walk on water.” Not...“Come and by the way you’re going to start to sink but it’s gonna work out.” Not...“Come this is going to be an amazing experience that changes your life.”Just, come. I believe we are each intended to walk on water - or experience and be part of amazing things. We are meant to “succeed gloriously,” as Elder Scott puts it. We are meant to do great things. There are talents, skills and gifts inherent in us that God wants to use for His glory. We know that. We feel that. When we stand on the edge of greatness, knowing we need to act, and we ask God for His power, strength, grace and support - He says “Come.”Not...“Come and I guarantee this is all gonna go as planned.” Not...“Come and everything will be perfect.” Not...“Come and you’re never gonna be sad, disappointed or fearful.” Just, come. So we do. Trusting that He will be there the whole time like He was for Peter. Trusting that He knows how to help us. Trusting that he will reach our reaching.

There was a certain woman. Don’t know her name. Her young daughter needed healing. Jesus went to her Gentile city. They have a reputation of being Pagan unbelievers. The woman was Greek. Not Jewish. Not part of the culture or religion. She falls at Jesus’ feet. Matthew 15: 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. It’s as if Jesus is asking, “What is the intention of your heart?” Compare a child to a dog and what they are capable of understanding. Are you a believer or a beggar? Do you come with faith or have you just heard that everybody else if getting something. She isn’t offended. Matthew 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. I will take whatever you give me. Give me the crumbs. When Peter was afraid he cried, “Lord, save me.” And this woman cries “Lord, help me.” It’s that same reaching moment. She is drowning in the situation. Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

The pool of Bethesda near Jerusalem was surrounded by the mamed, the crippled, the lame, the withered due to the legend that if the water rippled it meant it had been touched by an angel and the first person in would be healed. I love that that is the place you would find Jesus. John5: 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? But he didn’t have any one to carry him to the water. He couldn’t make it on his own. John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked. Rise. Come up out of this place that you have been in. Come out of the struggle you have been buried in. Rise. Take up your bed. This isn’t your home anymore. Your old life is not who you are anymore. He was waiting for the wrong thing. The day Jesus came he was made whole. He had to wait the 38 years before that moment. Sometimes He gives us things we don’t want to go through. Because He is teaching us to prepare for something we don’t know is coming. Sometimes the waiting place is teaching us trust and patience. The miracle will come in His own time. And in His own way. The miracle will come. He doesn’t say, “Rise up your legs now work.” He says, “Rise up and be whole.” Those 38 years were part of the healing to become whole. He didn’t know it, but he was waiting on the Lord.

So Jesus finds out that John the Baptist is now preparing the way in The Spirit World. He wants to take some time by himself. They go to the desert to be alone and are greeted by 5,000 men. He doesn’t jump back in the boat. Serving helps Him. He teaches all of the people all day long. They have come a long way from the city. It is late afternoon. He asks the apostles, “What are we going to feed these people?” We know there’s 5,000 men, but that isn’t counting the women and children. Have you ever had to plan the food for a ward party? Now multiply that by a whole bunch – without planning. John 6:6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Trust God’s will. He already knew what he was going to do in that moment. He is going to ask us to recognize our potential for helping in that miracle. John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? (7 represents completeness, perfection and abundance) Aren’t we all glad that boy’s mom remembered to pack his lunch? OK that boy was honestly hired by the apostles to bring their dinner with him. They had to give all that they had. John 6:10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Can you imagine the looks they are giving each other? “How is this going to work?” We have to let obedience lead to our belief. We have to do what the Lord asks us to do even if doesn’t make sense. John 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. Give thanks. Remember gratitude even if we don’t know how everything is going to work out. There is something about that that prepares for a miracle to happen. And to become whole. As much as they would. When I get a blessing from the Lord, how much do I take? We may ask, "How can I give more, do more, or be enough, when I already feel like I'm drowning?" In these moments, may we remember that Christ magnified 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish, making it enough to feed thousands. He knows your capacity and ability, and just as He made the 5 loaves and 2 fish enough, so will He make up the difference for you! Don't attempt to be more by sure grit alone. Instead let HIM make you more! Put Him first. Spend time at His feet everyday, and just as He promised, your weakness will become His strength, your hands will become His hands, and your 5 loaves and 2 fish will truly become enough to feed thousands! IF CHRIST CAN FEED THAT MANY WITH SO LITTLE, HOW MUCH MORE CAN HE DO IN OUR LIVES WITH SMALL ACTS OF SERVICE OR SMALL AMOUNTS OF FAITH? He can strengthen us. John 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. This part impresses me more than the fact that they multiplied the loaves and fish. I never fill up on bread. But the left overs were multiplied Christ could have made just enough bread to feed everyone and no more – specifically twelve baskets of fragments left over. He gives us much more that we even expect, as we begin to show faith in Him. (twelve is also of course a symbolic number in the Old Testament, related to the Twelve Tribes). Barley loaves and fish was the meal of the poorest people. It wasn’t the finest meal you could provide. It was the meal for the most humble. And the people were satisfied. And they were filled. We have to learn to be content with what the Lord gives us. He is going to give us in that moment what we need to be filled and we need to be content. And that is the way the Lord gives. Not just enough, but more than enough. John 6: 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. When you are lost where can you go? When you need a rescue? When you need a miracle. When the world is crashing down. I am going to turn to Christ. Where will He be? Within reach. What does it take of us? Whatever we have. Just cry out for help. He will begin the miracle. The feeding of the thousands is a mirror of several sacred meals in scripture: the Last Supper and our modern sacrament. Each of these meals invite participants to reflect on the incorporation of eternal truths into their body and on the relationship that we have with the divine. By reverently partaking, “all are filled,” both physically and spiritually.

My heart beats with the father who brings his son to Jesus. The echo of his courage to be so vulnerable still resonates. If you can do ANYTHING, he begged, have compassion on us. And then sweet Jesus moves with that tenderness so typical of His nature and heals the boy. And then the scriptures say this: “And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.” The father came begging for a blessing and it seemed like he got the opposite. The boy seemed dead. My favorite part of this story is the next two words in Marks version 9:27 Right after the people say “He is dead” Mark says: “but Jesus...” but Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him. but Jesus. This is my whisper all week long. Maybe it can be yours too. Especially when things seem dead. when you have been vulnerable. When you have begged for blessings. And things still seem lost. Your hope in a miracle. your future. your spirituality. your chances. your prayer that your kids come back. others may look at your situation. YOU may look at your situation and say—it looks over. It looks done. It looks dead. And then you can remember those next two words... but Jesus. Don’t forget Jesus. Sister Eubanks: When we have taken a beating like the man on the road to Jericho and been left for dead, Jesus comes along. He pours oil in our wounds. He lifts us tenderly up. He takes us to an Inn. He looks after us. Christ heals wounds. John 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. She had faith to a certain a level. If He had been there, they knew what He could have done. And now they were past that. There were 3 ifs – twice they say, “If you had been there he would not have died.” Jesus responds “If you would believe you would see the glory of God.” And Jesus must have thought, “I love what you know about me so far. Wait until you see what I am about to show you in your life.” 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am (and always will be) the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. John11: 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Grasp onto belief. There will be moments of doubt – even when Jesus is about to move in our lives. She shows faith even with limited understanding. (I always ask this) Have you experienced moments of great darkness? Whether it comes from pain or from depression or a situation that is bigger than you can overcome? Do you ever have a moment when Jesus has to call you out of that place? Loose her. And help her let go of this that she is carrying. Come out of that dark place. Come out of there. I have people here who can help unbind you from that dark place. Prayer and gratitude can help loose us and prepare us for a miracle. Mary had to be called out of the house. She said one thing and sobbed the entire time. Have you had prayers like that? You are angry with Him or don’t understand or feel like he is not listening. All of those things are going through Mary’s heart and she still gets to experience the miracle. Mark 9:24 Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. What in your life needs to be unbound and let go so you can walk more fully alive? When are you most vulnerable to temptation? I always look ahead to the thing that I don’t want to happen that could be the worst thing. Lazarus dying was the worst day. And yet they overcame that. You will wake up the next day. Christ will be there and it will be okay. This is why He came. 2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may restupon me. His Grace is made perfect in our weakness. Why did Christ wait to visit Lazarus? Out of love for them – He had something greater to show them. He can overcome anything – even cultural traditions. He waited on purpose. It hurt them. He grieved with them. He grieves with us while we wait. He was preparing them to wait 3 days for him, because Lazarus was four. Lazarus is the moment the Pharisees say, “Something has to be done.” People either believe or completely turn away from Him in that moment. There will be times in our lives when we think we know Jesus well. Where we think we know how He works in our lives. We have experienced miracles. What the story of Lazurus teaches us is that we will come to know Jesus in a way we didn’t know Him before. No matter how dark a situation seems. No matter how hopeless or dark the trials we may face, because of Jesus we can come forth out of darkness, out of that place you have been in. You can, because of Him.

The Triumphal entry. The only planned public demonstration. They expected a white horse and armor to bring back the kingdom and it wasn’t any of that. He comes on the back of a barnyard donkey – a symbol of peace (prophesied in Zechariah). Clothes were put in the path. Hosannah is a shout that was reserved for the Days of the Jubilee. People asked people to stop shouting.They felt like it was blasphemous. That was a shout reserved only for God. All of the city is like, “Who is this?” “This is Jesus.” The crowd is about 2 million people: including the Jews who lived in Jerusalem, the crowd from Galilee, and the people who saw him raise Lazarus from the dead. My brain wants to skip from the triumphal entry to the resurrection. It makes me so sad. For Judas is was 30 pieces of silver(the price of a slave). What would get me? (The thing I thought I could get away with). Judas was stealing before he ever betrayed Christ. A betrayal doesn’t mean your relationship with Jesus is over.

So the Passover was pointing ahead to the Lamb of God. And The Lord’s Supper announces that this work has been accomplished. He could have said to Judas, “You probably shouldn’t come.” But that is not who Jesus is. It doesn’t matter what battles you are facing in your heart. It doesn’t matter what doubt is raging. There is a place at his table for you. The Passover dinner in the upper room is mentioned in all four Gospels, but nothing is said of the main course. The main part of a Pass Over meal would be lamb. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. He was the Lamb.

Let me just start with washing the dirtiest parts of you. Peter isn’t comfortable with the Savior washing his feet and then he wants Him to wash his whole body. I love the sacrament. It’s the one perfect thing we do each week. It’s perfect because the Priests offer the prayer perfectly. I am so grateful they are willing to do that. I’m grateful they are willing to say it again when they need to. That matters. Those faithful Priests are the reason we get to do at least one perfect thing each week. I imagine myself handing my backpack over to the Savior. He willingly takes it, no matter how heavy it has gotten during the week and He turns the backpack upside down, dumping out all the rocks, the pebbles – even wiping out the dust so the pack is totally clean again. I can put it on again and it is light and easy to carry. The Savior is known by many names. Over a hundred different names just in the Book of Mormon alone. Holy One Prince of Peace Lamb of God Author and finisher of our faith Creator Advocate Exemplar Rock The Good Shepherd Redeemer Mediator Second Comforter Perhaps we could take a step in that direction today and consider taking one of those names or attributes and putting it right next to ours today and practice living that way. “We can make a conscious effort each week to prepare for the sacrament by taking some time to prayerfully consider where we most need to improve. We could then bring a sacrifice of at least one thing that keeps us from being like Jesus Christ to the sacrament altar, pleading in faith for help, asking for necessary spiritual gifts, and covenanting to improve during the coming week. As we do so, the Holy Ghost will come into our lives to a greater degree, and we will have additional strength to overcome our imperfections.” Elder Ashton Today, you will walk out of church with a clean, empty backpack. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was still empty next week when we came to church again, but I’m afraid I already know mine won’t be and yours might not be either. And really that’s not the goal. The Lord knows our backpacks will fill up this week – we are going to make mistakes and do things we wish we hadn’t, even when we are trying our hardest to be good. The point is to keep coming back and allowing the Savior to empty and clean it for us. We have an eye witness account from the woman with the alabaster box, from the people of Jerusalem, from The Upper Room, from Peter specifically. And then the disciples were asleep.

The only eye witness account we have is from the Angel who came to strengthen Jesus. We don’t know the agony, but we know the why – “For God so loved the World.” How does this moment give your strength during dark and lonely times?