DAY 26 of #100daysofJesus - Peace, Be Still

 

DAY 26 of #100daysofJesus

For some reason, this image reminds me a lot of 2020.

You may remember this event, as recorded in Mark 4, of the disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee when a great tempest arose. Jesus had fallen asleep, and the panicking disciples woke him up with the words, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?"

Jesus then "arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

"Peace, be still."

Most of us have probably experienced moments in our lives, very likely during this past several months, where we have asked the same question: "God, do you care that I'm overwhelmed / anxious / suffering / lonely / depressed / hurting / scared ?" Sometimes it feels as though He is asleep while the wind blows and the waves crash all around us.

But the truth is that He is there in the storm with us. He is perfectly aware of our situation, our struggles, our thoughts, our desires, our worries, and our hopes.

He is able to rebuke the wind and the waves in our lives, though it may look a bit different than we expect. Peace and stillness do not come from our external circumstances but from within.

For me 2020 has been a year of facing my own anxiety. I have dealt with varying levels of anxiety my entire life, but when the 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit back in March, it triggered PTSD-like anxiety and had a big impact on me. Professional help has been invaluable, but equally as impactful has been practicing stillness.

A regular practice of meditation has helped me learn to calm my mind, slow my breathing, relax every part of my soul, and feel more connected to myself. The Savior has been with me on my journey every step of the way. His words, "Peace, be still" were not to the storms of 2020 but to my soul. The events of 2020 continue, but I feel so much more at peace!

Over these past few weeks, my new favorite song has become the Christian classic "Be Still My Soul." The first verse is:

Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain

Leave to thy God to order and provide

In every change He faithful will remain

Be still my soul thy best, thy heavenly friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end

Here are two powerful versions of this beautiful song that have each stirred my soul:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5L88vissW4 (warning: you will probably cry)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKGGUJoRvPs (Vocal Point's version)

So, whatever your circumstances might be. However difficult life may seem right now, please know that He is offering the same words to you, "Peace be still." Trust in Him to help you find the peace and stillness that comes from within. Hang in there - it gets better!

DAY 25 of #100daysofJesus - He Is our Advocate

 DAY 25 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus is our Advocate.

John penned the beautiful words, "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

There's some big words here, so let's define:

Advocate --> One who pleads another's cause.

Propitiation --> atonement (vicarious sacrifice for sin)

All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. In such a sinful condition, we would never be able to make it back to God's presence on our own.

The prophet Lehi, in the Book of Mormon, taught a few hundred years prior to Jesus' birth that He "shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved."

The prophet Moroni similarly wrote that Jesus "advocateth the cause of the children of men."

The words used throughout the scriptures bring a heavenly courtroom to mind. This imagery has likely been used because a courtroom with judges and lawyers is something people have been able to relate to for thousands of years - and still do.

However, this analogy can also mislead us into confusing who the enemy is. In this light, it's easy to view God as a cold, blind enforcer of justice while Jesus is the "good guy" in the story who comes to our rescue and saves us from God's wrath. THIS VIEW OF GOD IS FALSE.

God is our loving Father in Heaven who cares about each of us, is rooting for each of us, and prepared a way (through Jesus) for us to repent and return to His presence. GOD IS ON OUR SIDE.

So, if God loves us and His "work and glory" is our salvation, and Jesus Christ loves us and advocates for us, then who is the enemy?

THE ENEMY IS SIN. Jesus saves us from our sins and from the justice required for each and every sin. It is through God's MERCY that Jesus came to earth to save us from the full consequences of our mistakes.

If we fear God as a punishing enforcer of justice, we will never be able to form the relationship with Him that we need. Jesus and His Father are united. How many times do the scriptures describe their oneness?

They are rooting for each of us AND they have prepared the way for each of us to overcome our sins and struggles. Because of them we can make it!

(References: 1 John 2:1-2, Romans 3:23, 2 Nephi 2:9, Moroni 7:28, Moses 1:39)

DAY 24 of #100daysofJesus Jesus' Triumphal Entry

 

DAY 24 of #100daysofJesus

A study of the four gospels of the New Testament suggests that much of Jesus' ministry occurred amidst opposition, skepticism, and persecution, especially by those in power (Jews and Romans). I enjoyed reading about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem towards the end of his ministry. This event is recorded by all four authors of the gospels, and while brief, it does make me happy to know that some jubilant fanfare was given to Jesus during His life.

In this event, Jesus fulfilled prophesy by entering Jerusalem on a donkey. The people, many of whom were pilgrims in Jerusalem preparing for the Passover, had heard Jesus was coming and were prepared to meet Him and celebrate the arrival of the true King entering His royal city.

Because this gathering was peaceful, the Romans let it be, but the Pharisees and scribes boiled with envy and anger.

If feels a bit out of character for the humble Jesus to allow such fanfare. I really like how James Talmage explains this in his book, Jesus the Christ:

"Such triumphal entry of Jesus into the chief city of the Jews would have been strikingly inconsistent with the general tenor of His ministry in its early stages. Even the intimation that He was the Christ had been made with guarded care, if at all; and every manifestation of popular regard in which He might have figured as a national leader had been suppressed. Now, however, the hour of the great consummation was near at hand; the public acceptance of the nation’s homage, and the acknowledgment of both kingly and Messianic titles, constituted an open and official proclamation of His divine investiture. He had entered city and temple in such royal state as befitted the Prince of Peace."

There was no more skirting about the fact that the Messiah had come. It was now boldly out in the open for all to witness. Jesus was and is the prophesied Messiah!

DAY 23 of #100daysofJesus - The Transfiguration

 

DAY 23 of #100daysofJesus

The transfiguration of Jesus Christ is a sacred event recorded in the New Testament.

We don't use the word "transfiguration" much, so let me define it. From the Guide to the Scriptures: "The condition of persons who are temporarily changed in appearance and nature—that is, lifted to a higher spiritual level—so that they can endure the presence and glory of heavenly beings."

Jesus went "up into a high mountain apart" with his closest apostles, Peter, James and John. While there, Jesus was transfigured and "his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." Moses and Elias (Elijah), great prophets of the Old Testament, appeared and ministered to Him, and the voice of God was heard declaring to the three apostles, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

This sacred event was a true passing of the torch from ancient prophets and an old law to a new order of Christ. Priesthood keys, or authority to preside in this new kingdom, were passed from Moses and Elijah down to Peter, James, and John. A powerful witness, never to be forgotten, was also received, a witness that would sustain these apostles through the difficult years to come.

The Jewish people, which included these apostles, had, up to this point, focused their religious devotion on hearing and following the words of the ancient prophets, including Moses and Elijah. Now God himself had made it clear that it was Jesus whom they should "hear." That same declaration applies to us today: as our Prophet President Nelson has repeatedly exhorted, we must "Hear Him!"

(References: Matthew 17:1-9, Guide to the Scriptures: "Transfiguration", Jesus the Christ by James E Talmage Ch 23 "The Transfiguration", General Conference April 2020 "Hear Him" by Russell M Nelson)

DAY 22 of #100daysofJesus - Jesus Died Willingly for Us

 DAY 22 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus chose to die and did so willingly.

In a history book, you might read accounts of the Romans killing a man named Jesus, the founder of the Christian movement. It is likely described that after the religious leader gained enough of a following as to become a concern to the Roman leaders, they simply captured and killed Him in an attempt to crush the movement and make an example of Him. Instead, His martyrdom caused the Christian movement to gain momentum.

The above paragraph from a historical perspective may be largely factually accurate, but it misses a very important point. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and could not be killed; He had to give up His life voluntarily, and He did.

Jesus knew that His death was soon approaching. He told the disciples that the day was coming that "he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things...and be killed." On another occasion he said, "The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again."

Luke records the moment where Jesus clearly says that it's time to go to Jerusalem and for Him to die:

"Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again."

Jesus knew that it was His choice - nobody would take His life from Him. He clearly taught: "I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."

Perhaps my favorite acknowledgement of His upcoming sacrifice is captured in Jesus' teaching and analogy of the good shepherd. Jesus taught, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.... I lay down my life for the sheep."

Jesus chose to die for US. He chose to GIVE his life for US. He knew the painful crucifixion was necessary for our salvation and that His resurrection was required to break the bands of death for US. He did so willingly.

Why?

Because He LOVES us. He knows and loves each of us, so much that He was willing to endure horrible injustice and ultimately give up His life for us.

(References: Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23, Luke 18:31-33, John 10:11-18)

DAY 21 of #100daysofJesus - Take Up Your Cross

 

DAY 21 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus invites us to come follow Him by denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily.

He's obviously not referring to a physical cross in our case, so what does He mean?

Last year in General Conference, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles taught:

"The Savior emphasized that all those who are willing to follow Him need to deny themselves and control their desires, appetites, and passions, sacrificing everything, even life itself if necessary, being entirely submissive to the will of the Father—just as He did. This is, in fact, the price to be paid for the salvation of a soul. Jesus purposely and metaphorically used the symbol of a cross to help His disciples better understand what sacrifice and devotion to the Lord’s cause would truly mean."

It's little wonder that Jesus juxtaposed this teaching with his famous line that in seeking our own life we would lose it, but that a willingness to lose our life would enable us find it.

And then Jesus says, "for what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

It's clear that the Christian path is not an easy one. It requires us to choose to sacrifice our own will to follow Jesus. As our Prophet, Russell M Nelson taught earlier this month, it requires us to "let God prevail in our lives."

When I think about the difficulty of the Savior's invitation to take up my cross and follow Him, the metaphor hits home. He wasn't exaggerating in the symbol of carrying a cross. This is hard. This will take a lifetime to get right. But the price of discipleship is worth it!

(References: Matthew 10:38-39, Luke 9:23-25, Mark 8:34-37, General Conference October 2019 "Take Up Our Cross" by Elder Ulisses Soares, General Conference October 2020 "Let God Prevail by President Russell M Nelson)

DAY 20 of #100daysofJesus - He Is Aware of You

 

DAY 20 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus is aware of you.

Matthew records Jesus' teaching, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

Luke records it similarly, "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

You might wonder why sparrows were being sold in the first place. For those living in poverty, a sparrow was an acceptable sacrificial offering in place of a much more expensive lamb. The disciples would have related to this and understood that sparrows were "cheap."

Yet, as "cheap" (or seemingly unimportant) as a sparrow might be, God is aware of each and every one. If your value is much greater than that of a sparrow, and God is aware of each sparrow, then he must be even more aware of you! He loves sparrows but he loves you much much more!

The phrase that the very hairs of our heads are numbered suggests that God is more than just passively aware of you. He is truly in the details of your life.

God knows every triumph and every sorrow you experience. He cares about the smallest details in your life. He cares about your relationships. He cares about your job. He cares about your hobbies. He cares about your health. He cares about your happiness and wellbeing.

Jesus was talking to his disciples who were about to go out into a scary world and preach his gospel. He tells them to "fear not" because God has their backs and is aware of them.

We also live in a scary world, full of evil influences, negative voices, and countless dangers to both body and spirit. We live in the last days, a time of natural disasters, changing weather patterns, social unrest, wars, and pandemics.

When you start to fear, just remember your value in God's eyes. He has your back! He loves you and is intimately aware of you and every detail of your circumstances. I hope we can all take comfort in this truth.

(References: Matthew 10:29-31, Luke 12:6-7)

DAY 19 of #100daysofJesus - Jesus Is a Healer

 DAY 19 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus is a healer.

I enjoy reading about the many detailed accounts in the scriptures of Jesus healing various people. I like to imagine their backstories and how their healing experiences changed their lives.

However, today the scripture that caught my eye is found in Matthew 9:35, which states: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, healing every sickness and every disease among the people."

It sounds like we need several additional volumes of scripture with the individual accounts of all the hundreds of additional people who were healed by Jesus during his ministry. I bet we don't even have 1% of it recorded! If Jesus healed only one person per day during a three year ministry, that would be over a THOUSAND individuals healed. I'm sure the number is much greater.

No wonder John famously wrote: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written."

Maybe the reason that the world could not contain all the books is because they continue to be written. Jesus has not ceased to work miracles in our lives!

What most stood out to me about this verse in Matthew was that Jesus healed "every sickness and every disease among the people."

Jesus was not selective about whom He healed or what their ailment was. Every sickness and disease was healed. Now even if Matthew were exaggerating in his description, I think his point is clear. Jesus CAN and is WILLING to heal EVERYONE of ALL their sicknesses. I believe that includes both physical and mental illness.

So what does this mean to you and me?

What are you suffering from? What afflicts you?

Jesus loves you enough to heal you and is powerful enough to do so. I believe this is true with all my heart!

This fills me with hope and gratitude. It's my hope that each of us can find the faith to turn to Jesus and receive the healing we need in our individual lives.

(References: Matthew 9:35, John 21:25)

DAY 18 of #100daysofJesus - Become as Little Children

 DAY 18 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus not only loved children, but taught that we need to be more like them.

While His disciples disputed about who would be "greatest in the kingdom of heaven," Jesus took the opportunity for an object lesson. He called a little child over to him and presented him to the disciples. He then told them to listen up and declared:

"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

At another time, as recorded in the New Testament, Jesus taught his disciples, referring to little children, that "of such is the kingdom of heaven."

To the Nephites, in the Book of Mormon, Jesus clarifies associates being repentant with being childlike. He says, "whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life."

To the same people, Jesus later adds, "ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things... or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God."

It is clear that we must become more childlike (not childish). Have you spent time recently with a young child? What are their attributes that Jesus may be suggesting we should also embrace within ourselves? A few come to mind - little children are:

- accepting and loving of all

- quick to forgive

- kind

- quick to laugh and smile

- unashamed and vulnerable

- not afraid to sing and dance

- creative and playful

- not living in the past or concerned about the future

- mindful and present

- dependent on others

- teachable and humble

- trusting

And I'm sure the list is much longer than this!

Society trains us to bury many of these childlike attributes through shame. Just think about it. At one point in your life, you exemplified each of these above attributes. How about now? This was eye-opening for me. I want to get back to these childlike attributes in my life. I believe it will help me live a happier life, a life more like the kingdom of God.

Another thought on the relationship between repentance (change) and being childlike is that the Book of Mormon teaches that "becoming as a child" is a key ingredient to overcoming or "putting off the natural man." All of us have "natural man" tendencies (pride, selfishness, impatience, lust, grudges, etc), and becoming more childlike is a key step in overcoming these things.

As I've contemplated the attributes of little children, my heart has been softened. I see myself and my own kids more clearly, and I'm motivated to better live Jesus' teaching to become as a little child.

(References: Matthew 18:1-4, Matthew 19:13-14, Mosiah 3:19, 3 Nephi 9:22, 3 Nephi 11:37-38)

DAY 17 of #100daysofJesus - Jesus Loves Children

 

DAY 17 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus loves children.

While in Judea teaching, some children were brought to Jesus in hopes that He would pray over and bless them. Picture in your mind the faith-filled parents, their hearts full of love and hope, bringing their precious sons and daughters to the Messiah for His holy blessing.

The beauty of the moment is interrupted by Jesus' well-meaning disciples trying to disperse the crowd and send them away. They may have said things like, "Our Master is busy and has no time for little children." Or perhaps they impatiently said, "Don't you know that little children are saved? They don't need His blessing. He's busy helping those who actually need His help."

Jesus seeing the children and their faithful parents was filled with compassion and love. He may have surprised the disciples when he said, "[Allow the] little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus then prayed over and blessed the children.

What a sacred experience for those children to receive a blessing at the hands of the Messiah! What a sacred experience for their parents to witness it!

In the Book of Mormon we read of a similar event when the resurrected Jesus is ministering to the Nephite people. Jesus is filled with compassion and asks "that their little children should be brought."

Full of hope and faith, I can envision the parents eagerly bringing their children to Him, and then taking a step back, watching with joyous anticipation.

Jesus, surrounded by the Nephite children, then offers a powerful prayer. An eye witness records, "the eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father... and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father."

After praying, Jesus said, "behold, my joy is full." He wept and then took "their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when he had done this he wept again."

I'm sure these children never forgot this sacred experience, nor did their parents. It is obvious that children are worthy of Jesus' time and that He loves them.

As I imagine he did in Judea, Jesus blessed the Nephite children one by one. Jesus doesn't just love children collectively, but He loves each one individually. Similarly, He knows and loves each of us as individuals. He saves each of us as individuals.

(References: Matthew 19:13-15, 3 Nephi 17:6, 11-22)

DAY 16 of #100daysofJesus - By their Fruits

 

DAY 16 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus warned "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

False prophets have existed since the beginning of time causing confusion among those seeking religion and spiritual connection to God. How many wars have been sparked by religious ambitions? How many have died at the hands of religious zealots?

False prophets may motivate and move to action; they may speak eloquently and convincingly, but they won't produce good, righteous results that bring people closer to God.

Jesus taught us how to tell the difference between a false prophet and a true prophet: "Ye shall know them by their fruits."

True prophets do not seek gain. They do not prosper at the expense of their followers. True prophets will not teach doctrine contrary to that preached by Jesus himself. On the contrary, their lives and teachings will in harmony with Jesus' teachings.

The fruit of a true prophet will include peace, healing, increased devotion to God, service and taking care of the poor and needy, and the preaching of faith and repentance.

How do latter-day prophets stack up to this? I've read the biographies of Russell M Nelson (the prophet today) and Thomas S Monson (the prophet a few years ago). The fruit of Christian service and love is abundant and unmistakable in their lives. Similarly, the Prophet Joseph Smith produced immeasurable "good fruit", the most tangible of which is his translation of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. We can read and experience this fruit for ourselves to make our own judgement - and we should.

These are just a few examples of inspired prophets who, though imperfect, dedicated their lives to following Jesus and produced an abundance of good fruit.

I also turn this question on myself by asking whether people can know me by my fruits? Will people see my life and actions and recognize me as a disciple of Jesus Christ? That's a high bar, but how else can we follow Jesus' command to let our light shine?

I invite you to likewise consider: what is your fruit?

(References: Matthew 7:15-20, Matthew 5:16)

DAY 15 of #100daysofJesus - Judge Not

 

DAY 15 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus famously taught, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

In this declaration he was referring to people not circumstances. We should always judge our surroundings to inform our choices, but it is not our place to pass judgement on people.

Jesus also taught, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

As humans we are unable to see clearly. We have biases and mindsets that have been developed over our years of unique experiences. Our lack of omniscience prevents us from ever truly knowing someone else's circumstances. Each person has their own unique upbringing, DNA, and life experiences that make them who they are. To fairly judge we would have to perfectly understand all of that - it's just not possible for us!

Thomas S Monson shared his thoughts on this topic in General Conference back in 2010:

"None of us is perfect. I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. We make judgments concerning their actions or inactions.

"There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstance of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. Thus the commandment: 'Judge not.'"

Lest you think that, ironically, I am judging anyone with this post today, let me admit that today's message was written for me. Jesus' words were for me as much as anyone. I recognize the tremendous beam in my own eye, and hope that I can better avoid nitpicking the motes in the eyes of others.

I strongly believe that we are here to love and help one another, not to judge each other. The hate, divisiveness, and prejudice so common today comes from one source, Satan, who laughs as he watches us tear one another apart. The solution has always been the same: love.

I pray that we can love a little more and judge a little less. We will all be happier for it.

(Today's references: Matthew 7:1-5, John 7:24, Charity Never Faileth by Thomas S Monson in Oct 2010)

DAY 14 of #100daysofJesus - Where Is Your Treasure?

 

DAY 14 of #100daysofJesus

Jesus' teaching that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" is recorded multiple times in the scriptures. Here, 'treasure' is symbolic for what matters most to you.

Your treasure may be manifest by your thoughts, words, and actions. Perhaps it is most clear by how you spend your time. For example, a father who spends his free time with his children likely treasures his family. If we're not careful, our jobs, favorite shows, or good hobbies can quickly become our treasure.

There are many good things in this world that are deserving of time and attention, including recreational pursuits, but the question I pose to myself and also to you is: where is your treasure?

Our treasure can also be financial, such as the pursuit of wealth for security, entertainment, or ease. Jesus warns, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal."

I don't believe Jesus is telling us not to prepare for a rainy day or prudently build a retirement nest egg. He is warning us of the danger of setting our hearts and focus on the things of this world, including money. These things are temporary (can't take it with you when you die!) and could be taken from us at any time. What value do they truly have when considered with an eternal perspective?

Jesus instead teaches, "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" and "seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Trusting in material possessions, such as money, can cause us to rely solely on ourselves instead of on God. It takes trust and faith to focus more on building God's kingdom than on building our own.

I like how Jacob teaches this truth in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. After telling the people to be "free with [their] substance" and avoid inequality, he declares:

"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good - to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."

Personally, I find that periodically asking myself this question "where is my treasure?" to be a good gut check. It often leads to introspection and course corrections.

Whatever it is we want in life, God is willing to help us get it, but we need to put Him and His kingdom FIRST. When we put God first, everything else falls into place!

(Today's references: Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:31-34, Jacob 2:17-19)