Today’s post is going to be a bit different from the normal medical school topics as I share a lesson in beholding. Stay with me here because it has shifted my view of those around me and even of myself.
I teach the 9-11 year olds in my church during Sunday school. Sometimes class goes smoothly and we have great discussions! Other times, the kids are shall we say…rambunctious? Off topic? Chatty? haha…
While this is often the case and sometimes say the funniest things, I am often amazed at the wisdom of this rising generation.
They ask the most inspiring questions and give very thoughtful answers — most of the time. They are deep thinkers who truly want to understand the scriptures and do what is right. I’ve loved studying, preparing, and teaching lessons because it helps me understand the scriptures as well.
A RICH YOUNG RULER
This year, we are studying the New Testament. Thankfully, we have a lesson manual that helps us break it down for our class. It’s called “Come, Follow Me — For Primary: Living, Learning, and Teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
A few months ago we were discussing the story when Christ is talking to the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-21. It says…
17 ¶ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none agood but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit aadultery, Do not bkill, Do not csteal, Do not bear false witness, dDefraud not, eHonour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and agive to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and bfollow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
BEHOLDING
I’ve read this story many times. But when I was preparing for this lesson, for some reason the phrase, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him…” stood out to me more than ever.
Specifically, the word “beholding”.
The dictionary defines behold as, “to see or observe. (a thing or person, especially a remarkable or impressive one)”.
I could see the Savior standing in front of this young man and pausing as he took in the young man’s response.
Christ didn’t just look at this rich young ruler, He beheld him. He saw him as a remarkable or an impressive child of God.
The young man had good desires. He had kept the commandments and tried to live as he was taught since he was young.
I can imagine the Savior locking eyes with him and looking deep into his soul. Perhaps Christ even placed his hands on the rich young ruler’s shoulders.
He did not look at him and judge him right away based off of what he saw, which was likely fine robes and maybe even servants trailing behind him.
I think in that moment, Christ saw this young ruler for all that he was, is, and will yet be. He saw his mistakes and faults, but he also saw his triumphs and strengths. He saw his inner most fears and desires. Christ truly beheld him.
JESUS “LOVED HIM”
And then here comes my one of my favorite parts. The scripture follows up beholding with….AND he “loved him”.
That last snippet of the phrase is what I find to be one of the most defining characteristics of Christ. The true love of Christ. Charity. In spite of and because of all that He beheld — He loved him.
Christ then continued to give the young man personal counsel and direction.
Mark writes, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and agive to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and bfollow me.”
Jesus saw what the young man lacked and asked him to do more!
I feel that this personal counsel and invitation came because He beheld him and because He loved him. While Christ knew this invitation would be hard for the rich young ruler to follow, I think He also knew what this young man needed in order to become closer to God and ultimately “inherit eternal life” (v. 17).
During my studies, I found a recent talk by Elder S. Mark Palmer shared in April 2017 called, “Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him”.
He dives a bit more into this story and shares four lessons that I absolutely love. One of these lessons was as follows.
Because He loves us, the Lord expects much of us. If we are humble, we will welcome the Lord’s invitations to repent, to sacrifice, and to serve as evidence of His perfect love for us. After all, an invitation to repent is also an invitation to receive the wonderful gift of forgiveness and peace. Therefore, “despise not … the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.”
Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him
By Elder S. Mark Palmer
Of the Seventy
JESUS BEHOLDING ME, LOVES ME
As I shared some of these thoughts with my Sunday school class, I told them I knew that Christ beheld each of them. He saw them for all that they are and will yet be. And He LOVES THEM! I hope they felt His love the day I shared this with them.
I’ve pondered and studied a bit more into this tender phrase that first caught my attention over the month or so since I taught this lesson… “Then Jesus beholding him loved him”.
I have been filled with a feeling of love and new understanding of my personal relationship with Christ.
He beholding me, loves me.
Exchanging the words him to me, makes this scriptural account more personal. Christ is aware of and knows me. All of all my insecurities, strengths, weaknesses, desires, needs, and potential. And He loves me. As such, He will listen to me and give me specific guidance (if I ask) because He sees what I can not. He sees what I lack.
This can become a very powerful thought as we follow the Savior’s example and strive to behold others as He beholds each of us.
To behold our spouse, our children, our parents, our siblings, our neighbors, and even those we may not know… to see them as Christ sees them. I think as we do so, we will be filled with love for them.
And if we are all being honest, the world could definitely use a little more love today.
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Fantastic in everyway. I wish you were teaching my grandchildren!!! Thank you!
Awe thank you so much! I love diving deeper into the scriptures! I sure miss you guys!