3 Nephi 18

In 3 Nephi 18, Christ has stayed to teach the Nephites because he had compassion on them.  He has just taught them about the sacrament. (By the way, 3 Nephi 18 is a great chapter to read if you are having trouble concentrating while taking the sacrament at church.)  But today I want to focus on something else that Christ says in verses 24 and 25 which read::

"Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world.  Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up--that which ye have seen me do.  Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.  And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation."

I like that so very much.  We are told so often to do missionary work, to let our light shine.  I love that this verse says that the light we hold up is Christ's light.  I guess that should be obvious, but I forget.  And so, I feel inadequate to share the gospel.  After all, I'm not perfect.  Why should anyone listen to me?

I love how Christ says we should do what we have seen him do and then goes on to explain what he means.  I have often been frustrated by the thought that we should do what Jesus would do.  How on earth can I do that? I think to myself.  I am neither that wise nor that powerful.  But I can do as Jesus says here.  I can pray to my Heavenly Father as he has taught.  I can include.  I can follow his example.

3 Nephi 17

I love these few verses in 3 Nephi 17.  As Jesus prepares to leave the Nephites, verses 2-4 demonstrates how much Jesus is guided by his Father.  It is a reminder of why Jesus does all that he does.  It is because he loves his Father.

"I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.  Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.  But now I go unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them."

He also loves us.  3 Nephi 5-8 reads:

"And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.  Have ye any that are sick among you?  Bring them hither.  Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner?  Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.  For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you." 

He wants to heal us, those who live in 2013, as well.  We too need to look to him and demonstrate faith and we can be healed of those things which ail us.  The dictionary definition of "ail" is this:  to cause pain, uneasiness, or trouble to.  It covers quite a lot I think.  What burdens are we bearing that we could take to him and find relief?