To Focus on Others
In Matthew 4:2, the Joseph Smith Translation says at it refers to Jesus:
Matt 4:2 JST
“And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, and had communed with God, he was afterwards an hungered, and was left to be tempted of the devil.”
In this setting, Satan cunningly took full advantage of the Savior’s state of exhaustion and tried to tempt him to doubt his divine sonship in three separate situations. Satan had hoped to prevent Jesus from redeeming us and fulfilling his mission. Thankfully, the Savior resisted well and in verse 11 it simply states ‘then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.’ For the Savior to indulge in this angelic ministering as an assumed bestowed gift from The Father, seems well-deserved, but it doesn’t make sense. This is the very situation that Satan used to tempt Jesus only a few verses earlier (vs 5 & 6*) as he was on a pinnacle of the temple. However, when we look at the Joseph Smith Translation for verse 11, we get the needed situational clarification as well as insight into our Savior’s true character and pure love. It reads instead:
Matt 4:11 JST
“ And now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent angels, and behold, they came and ministered unto him (John). And Jesus departed into Galilee….”
With this added insight, Christ’s character is transformed from being one deserving of comfort, to one choosing instead to send ministering angels to minister to another. And so it goes with nearly every verse we read about Jesus. He is always focused on others. This pure and selfless love is described as charity in Moroni 7:45-47 and First Corinthians 13:4-8.
Moroni 7:45-47
45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked , thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail–
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Inspired by Christ’s constant focus on others, I dissected and organized this scripture into three lists to help me to know how I can do the same. I first made a list of the characteristics of charity mentioned. Then I made a second list of simplified names for each characteristic. Later, after much thought and prayer, I created a third list of how I can personally apply each characteristic as I show love for others. I consider these lists to be a product of personal revelation on how I can change. That means that if you do the same exercise, it may look very different. Below is my compile of lists:
As one can see, my list is ambitious and a little overwhelming. Despite this, I decided to begin my scripture study each day by reading my list and praying for greater charity. As I have followed this process for the past two months, my progress has been slow, but delightfully noticeable. I can see and feel that my personal changes are underway. Many of my relationships have improved – and some substantially. I’ve also noticed a change in my perspective on how I see the world around me. It seems less combative, more kind, and more hopeful. This exciting discovery motivates me to continue on. It is remarkable that my small changes to focus on others have circled back to improve my well being. This is exactly the same healing power that comes to those who give service. Once again, I have discovered another way the Lord uses charity to love us and to heal us.
* Matt 4:5-6 (2nd temptation from Satan at the temple)
“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee; and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
