This Sunday

I woke up this morning to Tim saying he needed me to cover his lesson. He was sick, Hunter had a sick stomach, and Tanner was running a strange fever on Friday and Saturday. Then I got a call just before leaving for church asking me to come in early for a new calling. They called me to serve with one of my favorite people Tami Christensen, as her 2nd counselor in Young Womens. I'm soooo excited. If I could choose for myself, I'd choose Tami to work and grow with in this calling. She really loves the youth, and talks about them at random times, which really shows they are important to her.

So now for teaching Tim's Sunday School lesson for him. First let me say that I've been blessed with the coolest of friends, who have not discriminated me because of my beliefs. Thank you for that! So here's something cool that I loved learning about myself. The lesson was on "Perfection", and the reference verse was Matthew 5:48, where Christ commands us to be perfect, even as our Father in Heaven is perfect. The footnote refers to perfect as "Whole, or Complete". This is such a cool topic to teach the youth, because there's no way a single one of us could go a single day without sinning once (bad thoughts, not doing something right--etc). And that's why it's so wonderful what Christ did for us. He knew nobody was perfect, and that we'd all need him. He would be our Savior for the whole world, and for each person individually. Because he is the Son of God, and part mortal man, he is the perfect balance of justice and mercy-- just what we'd need to rely on in order to overcome our "natural man" (who sins).

So, now check out this painting from Del Parson (below). The artist was very particular that the painting needed to look as close to the actual savior as possible. So he gathered descriptions from people who claim to have seen the actual Savior. Does that sound far fetched to some of you? I believe it. I really do.

Here's something you might not know about this picture. Did you know the artist painted his face to demonstrate both "justice" and "mercy"? If you cover half of Christ's face in the picture with your hand and compare it to the other half, you will see one of the sides demonstrates Mercy and the other Justice.

I won't tell you which side is which, you will see for yourself.

And I love that. Because isn't that the whole essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ-- to "come and see" for yourself. While Christ walked the earth, he taught in large congregations. But even more documented in the scriptures is the one on one and small group interactions-- like the woman at the well, or his raising Lazrus from the dead (whom he also cried for). I love how powerful and mighty he is, indeed the greatest superhero to ever walk the earth. But even a bigger superhero because he knows us personally and knew just what it would take to be our personal savior. It would take EVERYTHING he had to offer. He never allowed himself an "off day", and he sacrificed everything physically too on the cross. He knew us then, just as he knows us now. He knew it would take a lot of mercy to cover all of the bases, but he had to be just too in order to satisfy the demands of perfection so we could return to live with our perfect Father in Heaven.

When I heard the background of this picture, it became my new favorite. Google Del Parson pictures, and you will find several pictures he painted. Maybe you will love the Just/Merciful one like I do.