March 11–17. Matthew 10–12; Mark 2; Luke 7; 11: ‘These Twelve Jesus Sent Forth’

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March 11–17. Matthew 10–12; Mark 2; Luke 7; 11:
‘These Twelve Jesus Sent Forth’

I mentioned last week how much more significant it was for the Savior to forgive sins than to heal physical ailments. As the crowds flock to Him in this week’s reading, would they have gone away sad if He had forgiven their sins but not healed them. I feel this has very much to do with us in our day when we are so used to instant gratification from the world around us. Do we, do I, demand that of God? Do we/I sometimes get frustrated when little children talk about losing something precious to them which is immediately restored after they pray? Kara taught us last week that we are all children to our Heavenly Father, so why aren’t we healed? Why aren’t our prayers answered immediately? I think it comes down to what we need to learn in this life in order to progress in the next. And what is of most value to us. 

We know who we are and, to a certain extent, what awaits us at the end of the rod of iron as we pass from this life to the next. We have the opportunity to repent and be renewed as we partake of the Sacrament each week. We know that our physical ailments will no longer be a factor when we pass through the veil, but our sins will. Do we go away sad when our prayers are not answered as quickly as, or in a manner that we expected. An important part of the Lord’s Prayer is later echoed as the Savior atoned for each of us in the Garden of Gethsamene: “Thy will be done” (Luke 11:2) “Not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39).

As the twelve Apostles of the Lamb were sent forth, and continue to be sent by Him today, we are His disciples, endowed with power to do what He would have us do. Isn’t that cause to rejoice?