What Think Ye of Christ?

As you read the final events surrounding Christ's life, I invite you to ask how the people's behavior (in His life and in His parables) answer the question "What think ye of Christ?"

One of the most intriguing occurrences to me of Christ's final week, is the attitude of the people towards Him.

The week which is to be his last opens with Christ's triumphant ride into Jerusalem.

"And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

"And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying Who is this?" (Matt 20:8-10)

Jump ahead 5 days (and a few chapters).

"[The people] all say unto [Pilot] Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified...His blood be on us, and on our children." (Matt 27: 22-25)

What happened? How did a people go from praising their King, the Son of God, to crying out for His crucifixion?

Christ posed to those same people a similar question when they came to arrest Him at Judas' betrayal:

"Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me... Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled."

(Matt 26:55)

The answer to what caused this change is an important one to answer. For that same capability lies within each of us. Like Peter, too often we may find ourselves pledging to stay true no matter the opposition only to be tested and to come up wanting.

One theme that is prominent in these final chapters of Christ's life is the answer to the question posed asked by Christ himself. It is a re-asking of the question the Master asked to Peter when he said "But whom say ye that I am?"

The question in one way or another is asked of everyone around Him during this vital time of His life. And it is asked of us today.

"What think ye of Christ?"

The Parable of the 10 Virgins - Daily Revelation...Sometimes

"Then the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps."

Now why would you set out and not take oil for you lamp? It seems so obvious. But so many of us start and end day after day in exactly the same state of unpreparedness.

The Lord told Joseph Smith in the 45th section of Doctrine and Covenants that "they that are wise and have received the truth..have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived."

What is the oil that will light our lamps? It is more than testimony. It is the ability to take the Holy Spirit as a guide. To ask for, and receive personal revelation.

And so the question changes from "Why would 5 virgins not take oil?" to "Why would saints of Christ's church go about their days and weeks without the personal, guiding influence of revelation?"

Perhaps we forgot? We had every good intention of kneeling and praying and searching the scriptures. But in the chaos and whirlwind of our hectic life it simply slipped our mind.

Perhaps we were busy doing good things? There is so much good to be done. Laundry to fold, dishes to put away and food to cook. Our families are ordained of God, and families are more than a full time job. Sometimes we are just too busy.

Whatever the reason, we must ask ourselves "What think I of Christ?" Do I think enough of the bridegroom to make Him a daily priority? Do we think enough of Him to put in the work to Hear Him? Even when it is easier to be comfortable and casual?

How easily we click "YES" when Netflix asks "Are you still watching?"

Do we answer as easily when the Spirit whispers "Are you still listening?" Perhaps we would, if we could only hear Him.

The Parable of The Talents - Our Attitude on Stewardship

"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said...I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine." (See Matt 25:15-30)

What did they think of Christ?

How do we treat our stewardships? Do we act in confidence in the master and prove ourselves "faithful over a few things"?

Or do we act from a place of fear and insecurity? Perhaps even apathy, with the talents that the Master has given us?

To what has God given you stewardship over? (Your body, family & calling would be a start).

How will you account for these?

Our attitude towards that which we have stewardship over is a reflection of our attitude towards Christ.

What think ye of Christ really? Well that depends...

• What think ye of your body? A temple for your spirit?

• What think ye of your calling? Of those you are called to serve?

• What think ye of your family whom he are called to love?

Christ has commanded us no to "cast our pearls before swine". We must also prove ourselves not to be the swine. And if/when we fall short (for we all will some of the time) let us not blame the master as the wicked servant did. Let us think more of our Master.

Ye have done it unto me.

Christ himself draws this parallel to himself when he instructs his disciples.

"Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matt 25:37-40)

Clearly our attitude and charity towards others is a reflection of our attitude and towards Christ. What think ye of Christ? Well, what think ye of your fellow man?

Loyalty - The Chief Amongst all the Moral Goods of Life

Josiah Royce wrote: Loyalty is for the loyal man not only a good, but for him the chief amongst all the moral goods of his life, because it furnishes . . . him a personal solution [to] the hardest of [all]human . . . problems, the problem: “For what do I live?” [The Philosophy of Loyalty (New York: Macmillan Co., 1908), p. 57]

I have pondered what caused the shift in the multitude from the beginning of Christ's week to the end. Perhaps it was a lack of oil in their lamps. Perhaps a lack of love for their fellowman. Or perhaps it was a matter of loyalty.

You see it's easy to be a good Latter-Day Saint when things are easy. When we are all pleasantly "seated on the temple steps" so to speak.

But what about when things are difficult? More than difficult, dire even?

What about when we read negative content toward the Church and Presiding Brethren published online and on social media?

What about when a policy is announced that we don't fully understand? That may even oppose our own personal political beliefs?

What about when friends and family find more fault than faith?

Or when suddenly the majority belief suddenly does not align with our belief?

Where is our loyalty then? In those moments, or days, or weeks of spiritual and social pressure?

What happens when our faith is no longer convenient?

Indeed in those moments we may hear Christ ask quietly (for it is in those moments our answer matters most) What think ye of Christ?