Life isn't about gaining independence, it's about learning to submit. (Matthew 9-10; Mark 5; Luke 9)

9:2

Can a group's faith affect the condition of someone? In this chapter, we read that those who carried the sick man had the faith required to heal him. "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Obviously, the man with palsy had faith also but it appears that Jesus responded to "their faith."

I should keep this in mind the next time we are asked to fast as a ward or a friend asks to be included in my prayers. My faith may make some difference in the outcome of the person who needs help.

9:13

Jesus was answering those Pharisees who were criticizing how Jesus was eating with publicans and sinners. "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

To me, this is Jesus expressing a fundamental of his gospel. The gospel is about repentance and mercy. It is about making mistakes and the joy of being forgiven. It is about learning lessons and becoming better. It is about progression, not perfection. This all was a keystone to Christ's gospel.

To the Pharisees, there were hundreds of rules that were the foundation of their religion. Probably the biggest part of this was sacrifice. Many made a healthy living by providing animals to be sacrificed. Their religion was about fasting and tithing and obeying the sabbath. It was about giving things up. It was about sacrifice.

So, rather than spend time in the synagogue discussing Torah with Pharisees, he was among those who would repent and improve.

He was quoting Hosea 6:6 - which the Pharisees, of course, believed in. "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." Christ was attempting to instruct and correct them. I doubt they headed back to synagogue and looked it up...

9:28-30

"And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened." I really need the faith of these blind men. I honestly believe that God is very "hands-off" with me. I picture him letting things play out without him meddling too much. This is a wrong way to look at it.

I'm going to work on this. I think that God wants to be more involved in my life. He wants to nudge things in the right direction. He wants to guide me more and help me with my challenges. I just need to change my independent nature. I need to exercise faith more.

Don't get me wrong, I have much faith that God and Jesus exist and love me. I just need to have more faith that they want to be more involved.

9:35-36

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." It's interesting that it doesn't say that he was moved because of the sickness and disease.

Rather, he was moved because they were being harassed and scattered. He was moved because they were sheep without a shepherd. We should feel that same compassion for others who don't know about the plan of salvation, God's love for them, the purpose of life and Christ's atonement and resurrection.

Imagine going through life not knowing what the purpose is or if there is even a purpose. What if you thought that it was just "lights out" when you died? How much harder would life be?

That compassion should fuel our desire to share the gospel with others. We should recognize that many are wandering through life - as sheep with no shepherd. Many are walking right into danger and don't even know it. Everyone would be blessed by the gospel.

10:10

"Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat." Why was it important that they not worry about possessions or money while on their mission? I can think of three reasons:

1. Their focus needed to be delivering the message - not providing for themselves. If a big part of their heart and mind was concerned about gaining money or supplies, how would that change their approach? If their thoughts were selfless, how much more effective would they be.

2. They shouldn't be perceived as preaching for money. If they are preaching and healing and had a bag out for donations, how would that cheapen their message? How would that change the tone of what they said? People would be focused on their miracles and not their message.

3. It would develop their faith in and reliance on the Lord. To go out into the world and not worry about the things of this world is very helpful in developing pure faith. If you're going out on a limb, knowing that the Lord will protect you and provide what you need, how much does that strengthen your faith?

10:16

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Jesus wanted them to be aware of what they were getting into. Jesus helped them understand that many that they met would have wicked intent and would be focused on their failure.

Jesus wanted them to consider this in their actions. He didn't want them to act ignorantly. He wanted them to be thoughtful in how they interacted with those who meant to do them harm.

Having said that, he didn't want them to do any harm to anyone. He didn't want them to respond in kind when they were attacked. He knew that their peaceful reaction to attacks would inspire others and draw people into believing. Being filled with peace and love would make them effective representatives of Christ's gospel.

We should remember this the next time we are attacked. Chances are, we won't be attacked with violence but perhaps rudeness. If we can respond like a disciple of Jesus Christ, we may soften the hearts of others and draw them into the gospel.

10:18-19, 27

"And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak." Consider two different approaches to delivering a spiritual message:

1. Relying on our brains and cleverness.

2. Relying on promptings from the Spirit.

If we rely on the Spirit, there will be benefits:

• The Spirit knows what message will resonate with the listeners. This doesn't mean that we don't prepare. It does mean that we listen to the Spirit while preparing. We are focusing our mind on what the people should hear rather than what words will impress.

• Our personal bias is less likely to interfere with the message. It will be less about our pet topics and more about what the people need.

• As we deliver the message, if we leave room for the Spirit, he will teach them. The Spirit is what softens hearts. Leaving room for the Spirit is about simple pauses, asking inspired questions, making invitations. Inviting others to act allows them to act in faith and helps them spiritually develop. A simple invitation can cause more development than the most perfectly worded message.

I've done a lot of speaking. I still get nervous. I still am afraid that I am going to space out and not communicate what I want to. As a result, I prepare a lot. I am guilty of not allowing the Spirit to drive my preparation. I need to exercise more faith in this area.

When I do prepare, I go to a quiet place without distractions. I can get deep in thought. Marci is very familiar with what this looks like. I do listen for impressions. "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops." That sounds a little like my process.

10:28

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." If we have a strong testimony and understanding of the plan of salvation, we should not fear death. We should not lose faith and hope when we are facing insurmountable problems. Mortality doesn't present any problems that are permanent. We should keep that in mind.

The only thing we have to fear is that which may affect our progress towards eternal life. We shouldn't fear a man with a hatchet but should fear a man presenting a temptation. Someone who is good at getting us to lower our standards is who we should fear and protect ourselves against.

Situations that tempt me to rebel are the most destructive of all. I have a rebellious spirit and I am working to overcome that. Rebellion is perhaps the worst condition. If we know what is right and rebel in this life, how much more likely are we to rebel against God in the next?

There is no physical harm that anyone can inflict on us that is permanent. All bad things that happen to us in this life are temporary.

10:34-37

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." This has always been an interesting scripture to me. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace and he is. The peace he gives is about:

• Knowing that we are doing the right thing.

• Keeping mortal trials in perspective.

• Being able to have faith and hope in the midst of turmoil.

• Understanding that we will be resurrected with perfect bodies.

• The comfort that comes from knowing that we can be forgiven of all of the sins we have committed.

• The peace that comes from avoiding unnecessary conflict with others through being Christlike.

His peace does NOT involve relationships with those who reject the gospel. Of course, being Christlike can bring peace to a relationship. But, if someone is going to reject you because you embrace the gospel, peace in that relationship may not be found.

If the trajectory of your life is different from someone close to you, you must be willing to let that gap form. We should not change our trajectory or reject the gospel to maintain peace in a family relationship.

"And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Our relationship with Jesus Christ is above any family's or friend's relationship. Friendships may have to end. Relationships may suffer. It may be a result of being committed to Jesus Christ.

10:38

Whatever challenges we face in this life, we must be willing to face that challenge and follow the Savior. In fact, the challenge may be a direct result of following the Savior. "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." Whatever is in our way in worshipping the Savior, we must be willing to carry that as we follow Him.

10:39

"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." This is about submission. This is about learning God's will for us and being true to that.

We are not sent here to build our independence from God. That is not a part of the plan of salvation. The purpose of this life isn't discovering our unique path to follow. If I am the center of my universe, I lose. If my will is paramount, I lose. If I learn to be selfish and look out for my own interests, I lose.

But, if I am willing to submit my will to God's, I will gain eternal life. If I put others' needs above my own, I gain. If I become selfless, I gain. If I give and give, I receive.

If I am a disciple of Eric, I lose. If I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, I find eternal life.

Mark

5:15-17

Jesus had just sent the legion of evil spirits to the herd of swine - which ran into the ocean. "And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts." They were afraid to be with the man who had just appeared insane and uncontrollable. They were likely troubled about losing the 2,000 swine.

They just didn't understand what was happening. As is human nature, they perhaps focused on the negative. They focused on what troubled them: the crazy guy and the lost pigs. It is always easy to focus on what troubles us.

They could have marveled at the miracle of seeing this man healed. He was well known. He was literally uncontrollable by "any man." He had "fetters broken in pieces." He had been famously scary. They could have praised God that this scary man was now "in his right mind." Instead they were afraid.

We need to be more focused on the positive. Instead of seeing what is wrong with our lives, we should put more effort into seeing the many miracles and instances of the Lord's involvement. There is plenty in each of our lives that will point to a loving Savior.

5:19

The man himself was not afraid. Instead, he, "prayed him that he might be with him." He didn't want to leave Jesus. He wanted to follow. However, Jesus had another plan. "Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." Instead of receiving another disciple, Jesus thought it would be better if the man would simply return to his friends and testify of the compassion of the Lord. That is what was best for him and, probably, his friends.

We should be quicker to testify about the compassion that the Lord has shown us. I am not as vocal as I should be. I have been shown mercy and compassion throughout my life. There are times that my choices could have led to severe consequences that just didn't. For example, as a teenager I drove off of an embankment with a car full of my friends. None of us wearing seat belts. We slammed into a concrete ditch and totaled the car. Not one of us had a scratch. There should have been steep consequences to my mistake - but there wasn't. Jesus protected us.

When I was divorced, I was given an extra measure of the Spirit to keep me reading the scriptures and attending church and the temple. However, I'm sure if I was single for a long time, I probably would have made progressively worse choices. It is not good for man to be alone. I met Marci after a single month. Our second date was to the temple. We were married 2.5 months later. She has been an angel sent from God to help keep me on the covenant path. It's another big example of the Lord having mercy on me.

We all can see examples of the Lord's hand in our lives. My point is that we should "tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." Let's be more open about these examples in our lives.

5:30

"And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?" This has always interested me. How did Jesus feel virtue had gone out of him?

I think Jesus was generally aware of who was around him. He could feel the faith of others. The Light of Christ is the force that powers the universe. It is how a sun is formed and how our synapses fire in our brains. This power has always emanated from Christ. The more I learn about energy, power, matter - the more I realize that all things are a form of light. I believe this to be the Light of Christ.

If you click on the footnote for "virtue," it clarifies the meaning of the Greek word. In Greek, the word is "power or strength." Christ felt power go out of him. The Light of Christ healed the woman. Of course Christ felt that. It's really cool.

5:36

The ruler of the synagogue had just learned that his daughter had already died. Someone had said, "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?" Christ's response was comforting. "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe."

How often would it help us to hear Jesus say this to us. I could have used this message many times in my life. For those who struggle with anxiety, how comforting is this statement?

There will be many times in my life when I will fear something. Whether it's a health thing or a family relationship or a financial crisis. I should be less afraid and have more faith that all things will be for my good.

Jairus likely felt doomed. She had already died. He knew Christ could heal but raising from the dead was another level. He felt hopeless. Many people feel hopeless. Their problems seem overwhelming. They don't see a way out. Sometimes, fear can push out faith. Christ's words can comfort a heart in distress. "Be not afraid, only believe."

5:40

The professional wailers were doing their thing: weeping and wailing. "And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth." Their response was not good. "And they laughed him to scorn." Of course, Christ was undeterred.

Sometimes, when we are in the process of exercising faith, others may ridicule us. If we are taking large leaps of faith, the ridicule can become great - especially from those who are close to us.

If there is someone who is ridiculing our faith, we need to follow the example of Jesus and "put them all out." He got them away from him. If someone is pulling you down, put them out of your life!

Luke

9:11

The people heard that Jesus had traveled to a desert place by Bethsaida. "And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing." Why is "the kingdom of God" the only topic that is mentioned? What does this mean?

The people had been looking for a Messiah. They had expected that this man would liberate them from the Romans. They were hoping for a worldly, dominant kingdom. Their faith and hope was based on that.

Jesus needed to change their perspective. He needed to set their sights on heavenly rather than earthly glory. They needed to look inward at their love and faith and patience and temperance and virtue and brotherly kindness instead of looking outward towards conquering their enemies. Christ's kingdom had nothing to do with the political condition of the time.

This was a big paradigm shift for them. They weren't going to build God's kingdom by conquering enemies but by loving them. So...yeah, Christ needed to constantly preach about God's kingdom.

9:23

We've all heard the verse where we need to "take up our cross and follow Jesus." Luke adds a word: "daily." I think this is an important addition. It suggests that taking up our crosses isn't a big event. It's not a single journey and then we are done. It's not a temporary burden. It is daily.

We are going to always have a cross to bear. If you don't know what your cross is, you're not self-aware. Elder Bednar said that, if we want and are ready, we can ask the Spirit to reveal to us what our weaknesses are. We just need to be prepared for what we learn.

You have a cross to bear. We all do. There is always a struggle. For some, it's an obvious cross. For example, a terminal disease.

For others, it's something that they don't even know about. It could be pride. It could be selflessness. We may not realize that we have a big problem with coveting. Our cross may be a simple weakness. But we should carry that cross and work to overcome that weakness daily.

9:25

"For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" I love how Luke words this. It really puts things in perspective about the importance of the things of this world vs. the kingdom of heaven.

It won't do us any good to focus entirely on being successful if we ruin our spiritual progress. Whenever we are tempted to focus on some worldly attainment, we should imagine how much that thing will be worth to us once we die.

• How much is a sports car worth to us after we die?

• How much is a high salary worth to us after we die?

• How much is a perfect body worth to us after we die?

• How much is power and fame worth to us after we die?

All we have the second we die is ourselves. Why would we ever trade ourselves for something that we have to leave behind? It doesn't make any logical sense! But, many of us still have our priorities messed up.

9:41

A man brought his son, who was possessed, to Jesus. He explained, "I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not." Jesus appears to be disappointed with his disciples. "And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither." This seems a little harsh. Why did Jesus say it?

I know that Jesus loved his disciples. He wanted them to develop. He understood that they had already been healing others and casting out devils. Jesus also knew that he was going to be leaving them soon.

He appears to be simply disappointed that they were unable to heal the boy and concerned that his time with them was coming to a close. They perhaps needed to hear these words as motivation to have more faith.

9:46-48

The apostles were men. They were susceptible to pride. This is apparent in these verses. "Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great." This was a good object lesson about what would be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus didn't want them concerned about who would be the greatest. He wanted them focused on serving each other and others.

Pride is a slippery weakness. To have pride in being the greatest disciple is obviously twisted. To be proud about your righteousness is a problem.

Any small amount of pride limits our progression. As soon as we think we're better than others, it's likely we take our foot off of the gas. We begin to think we've arrived. Thinking you've arrived at the end of your journey means you stop moving forward. We must all continue forward in humility. If we continuously see ourselves as a being that has a lot of progress to make, we become great.

9:49-50

"And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us." I have been guilty of this. I have believed that, if someone isn't in our church, they can't be guided by the Spirit.

This, of course, is wrong. People who are not members of our church can do amazingly inspired things. They can be true disciples. They can be more righteous and committed than I. "And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us."

Me being a member of this church gives me opportunities. It doesn't give me righteousness.

9:54-56

Some people didn't accept Jesus. James and John didn't like that. They wanted Jesus to command fire to "come down from heaven, and consume them."

"But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." They obviously felt anger and wanted vengeance. Jesus was correcting them and pointing out that they were following the spirit of the devil. Satan wants us to leave this world having progressed little. Jesus wants the opposite of that.

Jesus said, "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village." Jesus wants to give us every opportunity to accept Him. He doesn't want to send us out of this life after we reject him once. There may be other opportunities for us to progress and make the most out of our time here. Jesus wants to save us, not destroy us.

9:61-62

"And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." When I hear this verse, I think of looking back towards sin. For many, when they repent of sins, they look back at that time with disgust.

Others remember the partying and the pleasure with fondness. If we are in this latter crowd, we should consider how we are progressing as a disciple. If we are continually looking back, we should work even harder to become more converted.

Our eyes should be foward and keeping our feet on the path towards Christ. That takes a lot of focus and energy. If part of our energy is spent in sinful nostalgia, we aren't progressing like we should. No one in the celestial kingdom is going to be longing for telestial pleasures.

If our hearts still long for our past, we must change our hearts. The good news is that Jesus and the Spirit are amazing at changing hearts. We may not be able to do it on our own but we can overcome this with help.