May: Matthew 21-23; Mark 11; Luke 19-20; John 12
We balance our lives daily between our worldly pursuits and spiritual devotions. Because we live in a terrestrial world, it is easy to become sidetracked by terrestrial things. We may also find ourselves putting those earthly possessions and glory above or a substitution for the Savior in our life. Elder Maxwell taught, “[I]t matters so very much how we regard and view Jesus Christ. Some seek to substitute Caesars for Christ. Others are blinded because they are ‘looking beyond the mark’ when the mark is Christ…. I gladly and unashamedly acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King!”i Can we jubilantly say the same thing?
The Lord Judges our Hearts
The Lord looks into our hearts and knows our thoughts and desires. In the Old Testament, young David was picked over his seven older brothers by the prophet Samuel. The seven older brothers were tall, strong, and able to take on the task as king. But Samuel acknowledged that David was the one the Lord had picked: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature, because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”ii
The Savior did not judge the outward appearance of Zacchaeus. He was the chief publican in Jericho, a rich city of commerce. Zacchaeus was wealthy himself, but his heart was pure. He was also a short man and climbed a tree so he could see the Savior pass by. When the Lord looked up and saw Zacchaeus, he told him to come down and make haste because he would come to his home for dinner. Others murmured because why would the Lord visit such a man – a publican! Zacchaeus told the Lord that half of his goods he gave to the poor and he returned to a man four times the amount he took by false accusation. Jesus responded that “salvation” came to Zacchaeus’ house. Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: “When the Lord measures an individual, He does not take a tape measure around the person’s head to determine his mental capacity, nor his chest to determine his manliness, but He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others. … The measure of our hearts is the measure of our total performance. As used by the Lord, the heart of a person describes his effort to better self, or others, or the conditions he confronts.”iii
Casting out the Natural Man
When the Savior visited the temple just before His crucifixion, he cast out the money changers and the sellers of sacrificial animals. This example of the Savior teaches us how important the purity of the temple is. We, too, must cast out of our minds and hearts worldly thoughts and concerns before we enter the temple. We must get rid of the Caesars and focus on Christ. In order to do this, we may need to repent. Pres. Nelson taught us the importance of repentance which is necessary to push our spiritual momentum forward: “Repenting is the key to progress. Pure faith keeps us moving forward on the covenant path. Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life! Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent. …. Cast Satan’s influence out of your life! Please do not follow him down to his ‘gulf of misery and endless wo.’iv Since becoming the Prophet and President of the Church, Pres. Nelson has not let a general conference go by without talking about the temple.
As we cast out the world and let in the light of the temple, our countenance changes. Alma asked his fellow saints: “[H]ave ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?”v As we focus on the Savior, the light of the gospel will show in our face and in our lives. Sister Elain S. Dalton said a poem that expresses the power of following the Savior:
You don’t have to tell how you live each day;
You don’t have to tell if you work or play;
A tried and true barometer stands in its place—
You don’t have to tell, it will show in your face. …
If you live close to God and His infinite grace—
You won’t have to tell, it will show in your face.vi
Many Pharisees believed on Jesus, but they loved the praise of men more than God. They substituted Caesar or the power of the Pharisees and the Romans for their testimony of Christ. “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”vii What discourages us from defending Christ? Hopefully, we can cast off the Caesars in our lives and focus on the Savior.
i Neal A. Maxwell, “Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King,” April BC 1976.
ii1 Samuel 16:6-7
iii Marvin J. Ashton, “The Measure of Our Hearts,” Oct GC 1988.
iv Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Momentum” April GC 2022.
v Alma 5:14
vi Elaine S. Dalton, It Shows in your Face, April GC 2006.
vii John 12:42-43
Women Read Scripture 