Sunday School 17 - Mosiah 4-6

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Class,

When I reflect on the term of us being  beggars and our nothingness, I reflect on last week's post about the cat and fat mouse. We are as cats with no thumbs or a voice to object to what happens to us. I seriously hope that we reflect on the Lord's tender mercy. His judgement is truly fair. 

As I studied this week and listened to various podcasts I went back to what Talking Scriptures discussed. The discussed Aslan and the girl at the river.

“If I run away, it’ll be after me in a moment,” thought Jill. “And if I go on, I shall run straight into its mouth.” Anyway, she couldn’t have moved if she had tried, and she couldn’t take her eyes off it. How long this lasted, she could not be sure; it seemed like hours. And the thirst became so bad that she almost felt she would not mind being eaten by the lion if only she could be sure of getting a mouthful of water first.

   “If you’re thirsty, you may drink.”

   [...She] realized that it was the lion speaking. Anyway, she had seen its lips move this time, and the voice was not like a man’s. It was deeper, wilder, and stronger; a sort of heavy, golden voice. It did not make her any less frightened than she had been before, but it made her frightened in rather a different way.

   “Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion.

   “I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.

   “Then drink,” said the Lion.

   “May I—could I—would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.

   The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.

   The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

   “Will you promise not to—do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill.

   “I make no promise,” said the Lion.

   Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.

   “Do you eat girls?” she said.

   “I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.

   “I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.

   “Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.

   “Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”

   “There is no other stream,” said the Lion.

   It never occurred to Jill to disbelieve the Lion—no one who had seen his stern face could do that—and her mind suddenly made itself up. It was the worst thing she had ever had to do, but she went forward to the stream, knelt down, and began scooping up water in her hand. 

Jesus is watching us all the time and at times we don't see him. There are times when we do we see our thurst for the light of Christ and nakedness from sin. It can cripple us. Benjamin had just been through a war (the last book talks about it). Then he turned around and comforted the people with his words... Well the words of an angel. Prophets give us the words of saints, prophets, angels, the Savior and God, Himself.

CS Lewis continued that thought in another book when he wrote Jesus wants all of us. Wrote he in inspiration...

Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want YOU!!! ALL OF YOU!! I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man or woman, but to KILL IT! No half measures will do. I don’t want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them ALL over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of you a new self---in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart.

The Lion of Israel wants all of us and I know we fear that there will be nothing left of us, our personalities quirks, relationships; that being a God means you are bland and passé. The opposite is true. When we think of the Savior, do we see featureless or is He vibrant, full of joy and happiness? When we think of Jesus Christ we should remember that as He said to Peter, if you seen me you have seen the Father (John 14:9). God is full of life and character.

Braces and retainers was discussed by Hank Smith and John Bytheway. The pointed out that correction is uncomfortable and retaining correction is still hard but easier then bracing our teeth. We want the restriction and correction to go away because it is comfortable. Being carnal and devilish is "natural" not realizing how ugly it makes our soul look. We shine less, and behave a little more spiritually feral. We are asked to wear the bridal; to bridal our passions; our souls.

At the coronation of the king Mosiah there was a washing, anointing and naming. It was not just given to the king alone but to all the people. It happens too, today, in our temples as it did then. Are we embossed like scriptures, or named like a jersey front and back, are you wearing His name in your soul? The visual is vivid. Embossed on scriptures is a gold or silver imprint. The name is clear and bold. The same is said of a football jersey. The team's colors and name is bold and bright. The player's name is on the back because the team is more important for the goal than the individual. Nevermind that each player has a role, the concert effort makes the game. Is Jesus' words embossed on our hearts? Is his name on your jersey? Are you willing to put off the carnal sensual and devilish person behind and fill your celestial roles and calling, becoming the chosen daughter or son that you are? 

In the movie Treasure Planet, John Silver says...

"You got the makings of greatness in you, but you gotta take the helm and chart your own course! Stick to it, no matter the squalls! And when the time comes, you'll get the chance to really test the cut of your sails and show what you're made of! And... well, I hope I'm there, catching some of the light coming off you that day."

Brothers and sisters, you have the makings of greatness. Your trials and tribulations are making you the people you were meant to be. Aim your sails to the star of Bethlehem and you will make it. Let us remember in this conclusion, the wise men gave hime gold, frankincense and myrrh, a mere mouse offering compared to the  return. He gave us eternal life, atonement and a chance to not only see God but live with Him.

Have a great week.