I had heard that we need to know Jesus, not just know about him. In 2018, I realized I need to study differently for this to happen. (Harmony of the Gospels) The key difference for me was changing my question as I study the Savior. I have wanted to share this with people for some time, but know I can’t do it justice–but I’ll try anyway. Usually when I read, I ask “how can I apply this verse?” But now I ask, “What can I learn about the Savior, His character, actions, words, feelings, thoughts from this verse?” Since I often have no clue what Jesus and the prophesies about him mean, I am often forced to go and look through different commentaries to understand better–I’ve been surprised at just how little I actually understand his words and the prophecies he fulfilled. – As I study Christ’s character, feelings, and thoughts, I find I make fewer stupid mistakes. I miraculously feel more patient, merciful, meek and less judgmental to my children, spouse and others. It seems ironic that although I am not asking how I can improve and apply a scripture, I am growing more by forgetting myself and just trying to get to know the Savior better. I realize this is in part because I’m being less self-absorbed, and in part focusing on Christ just draws us to Him naturally. – I’ve also found that when I am not in tune, I don’t understand Christ’s character and it takes more time and effort to ponder and search until I understand something about His character, at which point, the Spirit comes. So it’s a test and a solution for how attuned I am to the Spirit and Christ’s character and love.
These are just one of many potential characteristics or attributes that could be inferred from a specific verse. They are not all inclusive. They are not perfect. My hope: You will engage on the journey to know Jesus’ character through your own search. Perhaps these simple musings will help you do that in some small way.
The choice to do this verse-by-verse is somewhat random and breaks up stories and narratives. But it slows me down and the challenge of doing it forces me to ponder, meditate, study, and struggle to focus on the singular purpose of knowing Christ. The value comes from the challenge. It also means that studying just one or two verses a day to try to get some insight, I have spent weeks working through a single parable or experience. And though it’s initial broken up, by the end, the whole picture becomes much clearer and more profound than it ever could from just reading the section as one whole easy-to-infer insight into Jesus’ character. It also leads me to see the application of that section much more broadly in daily life and conversations, filtering everything I see through it for that week or two as it etches itself in my mind and heart, and making previously unrelated connections and applications seem obvious to me.
The sole purpose of my research is to understand Christ’s feelings, thoughts, actions better. Often I have a hard time applying or understanding a verse, so reading the history and commentaries helps me learn enough to infer something about Jesus. My goal is not to become knowledgeable about the history or esoteric, trivial biblical information. It sometimes is a surprising tertiary effect of just trying to know Christ better.
These are written in present tense to help the relationship and impact feel more immediate, active, and alive now.
Character: thoughts and feelings. “”. . . the sum of the moral and mental qualities which distinguish an individual or a race; mental or moral constitution; moral qualities strongly developed or strikingly displayed” (Oxford English Dictionary Online, University Press 2003, Second Edition, 1989). Interestingly, when we look up the word “character” in the topical guide of our scriptures, we discover that it is cross-referenced to the topics of honesty, honor, and integrity. . . . Perhaps the greatest indicator of character is the capacity to recognize and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Thus, character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward. If such a capacity is indeed the ultimate criterion of moral character, then the Savior of the world is the perfect example of such a consistent and charitable character.”
- Law of Focus:
- Like the law of gravity, We move toward what we are focused on. When driving or mowing your lawn, you drift toward what you’re watching.
- What we focus on grows in importance to us the longer we focus on it.
- What we focus on seems more important while we are focused on it.
- What we focus on etches grooves of memory and desire the more we focus on it.
- We become what we focus on.
- Law of Connection:
- Building friendship takes time (see time estimates for levels of friendship): how do you know someone well? You know their likes, dislikes, sense of humor, strengths, focus, other relationships–their character.
- We’re a composite of the 5 people we spend the most time with. Why Jesus? If Christian, He’s the perfect example as the Savior and Son of God. If Muslim, though he’s not considered the son of God, he’s the Messiah and one of the greatest prophets. If secular, he can be an amazing teacher of wisdom and love and example and symbol of service, success, sacrifice, influence and persuasion, teaching, learning, peace and power (ex: Kattenmaker book & interview).