Seeing Christ -- Part 3

In "Seeing Christ Part 2," we learned how to use our eye of faith in visualizing the events portrayed in the scriptures.  Because the act of seeing with the eye of faith has precipitated profound, meaningful events in the past, there is every reason to believe God will honor the pure in heart with similar experiences today.

In this post, we'll turn this knowledge we have (about seeing with the eye of faith) into a tool, a method, in either better understanding or serving our spirit brothers and sisters.

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Go back and re-read "Seeing Christ Part 2" (here), and refresh your memory of what it means to visualize the scriptures.  Then listen to John 13:1-17.  Visualize the Savior washing his disciples' feet.  See in your mind's eye the creator of the universe girding himself with a towel and washing each disciple's feet in turn.  See Peter protesting. Christ teaching.  Peter overreacting.  Christ teaching again.  Now see yourself in a real situation, wherein someone is not giving you the treatment and appreciation you feel you deserve.  See yourself responding in a humble, service-minded, Christlike way.

Or try John 8:1-7.  See this woman as she is brought to the Savior.  See the contempt written on the faces of the men who brought her there.  See the Savior crouching down and writing in the ground.  See him standing, and taking a stand by saying "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."  See him stoop back down again while the men, one by one, leave the area.  What does that teach us about condemning others?  How did you visualize the Savior as he addressed the crowd of men who were ready to stone the woman?  

Now, one of my favorites: Ether Chapter 3.  See the Brother of Jared kneeling in prayer, with 16 small stones in front of him.  See him asking, "touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger."  See him continuing his prayer by saying, "O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men."  Then see a finger appearing before the stones, touching them one by one.  See the Brother of Jared falling down.  A discussion ensuing.  The Brother of Jared saying "Lord, show thyself unto me." The Lord asking, "Believest thou the words which I shall speak?"  The mortal reply, "Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie."  Then the Lord showing himself to him, and saying, "Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you."  What does it mean to you to mine your own rocks, then bring them before the Lord?  What does it mean to have enough faith to ask the Lord to touch your rocks...and more?  Finally, instead of offering rocks, could we offer other things, like our jobs?  Our church callings?  Indeed, our very lives?

When we study how the Lord dealt with his children in the scriptures, we will better understand how he deals with us.  We also better comprehend how we should treat others. 

As I stated earlier, I have found studying the four gospels and 3rd Nephi -- and visualizing the events therein -- as most helpful, because those are the sections which contained direct interactions of Christ with mere mortals.  Other sections, like Ether 3, contain rare but poignant examples, too.

Other sections hold similar promise.  For example, you could visualize David facing Goliath, then after seeing that, praying for newfound, rejuvenated faith to meet your own Goliaths.  Then later, bearing testimony to others that they, too, can overcome their fears and obstacles. 

Or turn to 2nd Nephi Chapter 4.  See the anguish Nephi is experiencing.  Then see him saying, "O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm."  Then bear testimony of what you saw to another who is similarly struggling and is placing too much trust in the arm of flesh (you would be amazed and astounded as to the extent this occurs today).

While reading the scriptures is good, visualizing them can often be better by turning the scripture's black type on white paper into technicolor visualizations.  Could it be that visualizing the Savior and other events in the scriptures, then bearing testimony of the things we have seen and learned, be even better?

If so, what's next for you?