Jesus taught all

This being the 5th Sunday, the Priesthood and Relief Society met together for the last hour. Bishop Joslin lead the discussion, , modeled after a meeting he attended. The discussion began with reading several verses in the New Testament, St. John 3. We read one verse at a time and discussed each verse to see what we could discover. "1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

The consensus was that Nicodemus truly sought the truth but being of the Pharisees, he was reluctant to come in the day and be seen. Immediately, Nicodemus came to ask of Jesus but Jesus began his comments by teaching even before a question was posed. He knew this man so well there was no need to ask what was in his heart. Following the talk about being baptized (being born again), Nicodemus was confused as he was using his head instead of allowing the holy spirit to guide his understanding.

I believe we all have times like that when we think we might know something and along comes someone else who presents an idea or interpretation that makes us wonder why we didn't think of that already. We will find answers to our questions IF we prepare ourselves to receive teaching from God.

Later on that same chapter, we read, "10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" All the earthly learning cannot bring us closer to our Savior. It is through our diligent study and prayer that we set ourselves ready to receive the truths that will save us.

In St. John 4 we read of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well during mid day. We talked about the fact that most people drew water from the well early in the morning, but this woman can mid day. The Savior asked for a drink: "9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

 11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?"

The teachings of Christ are the way to never thirsting again. "14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw."

The story continues to tell the woman had been married 5 times to brothers as each died and was currently not married. (Perhaps the reason for getting water when all were gone?)

The point of choosing these two accounts was to show that Christ knows each of us. It matters not what earthly status we may achieve, we are all his children and he cares for us and wants to help us.

Before closing, we saw a video about Hezekiah's tunnel that showed faith for a cause, of men working to come to a common goal. We could all work to share the truthfulness of this gospel, working as in the tunnel, pick to pick, being able to find our brothers and sisters who are prepared and ready for the truth. We must never give up this service for Christ.

For those who missed class today, here is the video we saw.

Your bloggess,

Janice