A talk I gave in church today (June 25, 2023):

Jesus’ Example

In John 18, we read that Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane. There Judas, knowing this was a place Jesus often went, led a band of soldiers to arrest the man who gave him power to heal.

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, “Whom seek ye?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus saith unto them, “I am he.” And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, “I am he,” they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, “Whom seek ye?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.” John 18:4-8.

What was Jesus response to the powers which he called “a brood of vipers?” Matt. 3:7.

He submitted.

When Peter cut off the ear of one of the soldiers, Jesus healed the ear. When they demanded answers of him, he told them “I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.” John 18:20.

When struck during his trial, Jesus simply asked, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?” John 18:23.

Why did Jesus respond this way? Jesus came to an oppressed, poor people. Over the years their understanding of the Messiah had developed into a figure who would descend from heaven with the might of the God of Israel – the God of Hosts, or as one translation phrases it, the God of Armies – and overthrow any foreign rulers. He would create an empire of righteousness, displaying the glory of God and might of his people. All the world would come to the temple to worship the God of Israel, the one true God.

But when Pilate asked, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36.

Instead he taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. 5:3, 5.

What does it mean to be poor in spirit? What does it mean to be meek?

Each of us have experiences that bruise and batter our spirit. We have failures and terrible things happen in our lives. Pipes burst, power goes out, jobs are lost, spouses break promises. We get bad grades or poor performance reviews. Our prayers go unanswered, our friends change. We live in a fallen world surrounded by fallen people. Things go wrong. I had a professor once who said that pessimists are just the people who understand how the world works.

Being poor in spirit is familiar. It is to feel sad, hurt, depressed, lonely, anxious, abandoned. Even Jesus felt it. As he approached the Garden of Gethsemane, he “began to be sorrowful and very heavy.”

We do not seek to be poor in spirit. It is something that happens because of the world we live in.

What does it mean to be meek?

In John 18 and 19, Jesus is unjustly executed through a corrupt judicial process being abused to protect those in power. This may sound familiar. Jesus was not the only one to face a broken, oppressive system. But Jesus response is less familiar: He submitted. The Son of God, the Messiah, the master of wind and sea, took the blow from the high priest’s servant. He accepted the crown of thorns. He was silent through the soldiers mocking. He took up his cross. He accepted the nails. He then asked God to forgive them for it. He died.

But what of us? How can any part of our lives be compared to the Savior performing the most important act of all time?

We see it in small ways in our lives. When I approached my wife with the idea to close down my law practice and start writing novels, she demonstrated meekness through her acceptance. When my daughter said no to swim team this year, I practiced meekness and accepted her decision.

We see it in the Book of Mormon, when Nephi, after crafting a bow, goes to his father to ask where to hunt. We see it in Alma, when the priests of Noah are oppressing his people and they pray silently for God’s relief. We see it in Ammon, when he went on his mission to the Lamanites, demonstrated it as he sought to fulfill the commands of King Lamoni until asked what gave him such power.

We see it in Joseph Smith when he turned himself in to Carthage. We see it in Brigham Young when he stepped down as governor of Utah Territory. We see it in Wilford Woodruff when he issued Official Declaration 1. We see it in our First Presidency when they announced support for the Respect for Marriage Act.

We see it in Protestants throughout the ages who spoke out against the errors of the Church as they were punished. We see it in the Civil Rights protestors who allowed themselves to be arrested after speaking out against unjust laws.

We see it whenever we have the opportunity to fight back, to strike out, to hurt another and we choose not to. Whenever we recognize that despite the oppressive, broken systems that govern our lives, the people around us are people, too, with their own challenges and limited understanding.

It does not require silence. As Jesus pointed out to his accusers, he taught his message openly for all to hear.

What are the promises?

The poor in spirit will receive the kingdom of heaven and the meek shall inherit the earth.

When Jesus was poor in spirit, “he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee…then saith he unto them, ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.’ And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’”

He shared it with someone and he prayed. Please, find someone to share your spiritual pains with. Whether it is a friend, a family member, or a professional counselor, seek someone out to speak with. Let me put in a particular plea that if you are feeling so low that you struggle to get things done or are thinking of harming yourself, please seek out professional help or ask someone to help you do so. And let me say that each person here is loved, is needed, is wanted, even if we fail to show you as well as we should.

Then, turn to God in prayer. Share with him your burden. Jesus tells us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

As we do so, we begin to build up the kingdom of heaven here on earth. We practice and prepare for the day when we will build that same kingdom in God’s presence.

Jesus’ submission to everything led to the glorious Easter Sunday, when he rose from the grave. Today we have the promise of eternal life because he descended below all things.

Because of my meekness, my daughter tried something new and found a sport she loves and is good at – which is saying something for a Pulsipher. Because of her meekness, my wife has a happier husband. Because of the meekness of prophets and saints throughout the ages, we have powerful stories fo deliverance. The kingdom of heaven has been built stronger, it has spread throughout the world.

As we continue in the path the Savior laid out for us through his terrible and awe-inspiring example, the wounds of our spirits will be healed. Our submission will give us strength. We will rise together with the Savior, with the experiences and church that we have built, ready to live together with God.