The Character of Christ

On Tuesday night we attended a wonderful devotional about the character of Jesus Christ. We were taught that Jesus always focused on what he could do to love, serve, and have compassion for others. He did not focus on himself. This was especially true in his most trying times. For example on the night he knew he was going to suffer in the garden of Gethsemane, be betrayed, be put on trial and scourged, he served the twelve apostles by washing their feet, including the feet of Judas who he knew would betray him (see John 13). When he was being arrested, he took time to heal the severed ear of one of the men taking him. When he was on the cross, his concern was for the men being crucified with him and for his mother. Ultimately, it is these characteristics that impelled him to atone for our sins, and die for us.

As we strive to be better disciples of Christ, we can be less self-absorbed, less self-centered, and less selfish and learn to have be more loving, more compassionate, and to serve more, especially when we are struggling. This is really hard for most of us!

If you're interested in learning more about this topic, Elder Bednar gave a talk on this subject at BYU Idaho.