jesus christ Archives - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Antonio

By Neal B. Jeppson, San Antonio Center for Young Adults

Lessons Learned

I just finished teaching my last child to ride a bike. It’s been something that I’ve looked forward to and dreaded all at the same time. Not only does learning how to ride a bike test the relationship between the learner and the teacher; it also magnifies human weakness on both the part of the rider, as well as the one doing the teaching. So why do we insist on inflicting these types of experiences on ourselves and others? We do it because after all of the tear filled moments, the scrapes have healed and fears are overcome, a reward that can rarely be found in other experiences awaits for both teacher and the learner.

So many lessons are gained on a little bike, rolling on hard concrete, with a young parent and a semi-trusting child. For me, it has been a classroom of why human weakness is so critical for me and my family’s development in life. It has become what I call, The Parable of the Invisible Bike Coach.

The Invisible Bike Coach

Imagine what it would be like if we didn’t experience weakness in this life. It would be like learning to ride a bike with the help of an invisible bike coach. In this scenario, the rider would simply mount up and never sense any imbalance. The coach, of course, would still be there, holding the bike steady but the rider would have no idea that any one else was helping them along.

“This is easy!” the rider exclaims as they begin peddling. As they continue, the invisible bike coach walks silently behind the bike, fingertips pressing into the seat, steadying the rider. Sometimes the invisible bike coach may even run behind the bike, gently pushing it to make it go faster.

Gradually the rider starts to get the hang of it and the invisible bike coach notices moments when he is able to lessen his grip on the bike seat. The rider, unaware of any additional support or even the need for help, acknowledges the ease of the challenge and recognizes that they are just “really good at this bike-riding thing.” Soon the invisible bike coach lets go completely and the rider heads off into the sunset.

In this scenario, there’s no falling, no scrapes and no frustration. Only the joy of riding. Sounds good, right?

Strength Found in Weakness

When learning to ride a bike, there are lessons that can only be learned if the rider understands this principle: Weakness presents an opportunity for growth. This lesson is more important than just how to properly bandage a scraped knee after falling off a bike. It’s perhaps even more important than developing grit from having to pick oneself up after a fall. Recognizing weakness allows the rider to determine need. A need for help that they are unable to provide for themselves. Let’s consider what other opportunities for growth the rider could have if they were aware of the coach’s presence and his assistance. Continue reading “The Parable of the Invisible Bike Coach”

Written by Bill Kreiger

Within this past month of last year, we paused to celebrate the birth of a baby boy, Jesus Christ, born over 2000 years ago. What makes this seemingly insignificant event so celebrated? Surely not that the parents were young, maybe too young for our western culture today. Nor that he was born in poverty, for that scene has been repeated over and over. Surely Mary was not the only young expectant mother to be traveling that day. A Whole nation is on the move responding to the demands of government.

The fact that Jesus Christ’s birth had been talked about since Adam, and spoken of with such anticipation for four millennia’s, must certainly make the world pause and search! Yet when the event happened, few showed up at the scene. On the opposite side of the world, those few who did look for the signs, faced a death sentence if the birth failed to happen. Who would be told that this prophesied child had come? Shepherds doing their duty while watching over their flocks and the birthing of the lambs. Angles and choirs of angels filled the skies singing praises to His name who had come, the very Christ the savior of all mankind, both male and female, bond and free, the wicked and the righteous. A natural, healthy baby boy, born to loving, grateful parents, who were possibly terrified at the prospects of what they had to offer. Who is this Child we know to be the Messiah? Who is this Christ that somehow nearly the entire world He was born into missed the importance of who He is and what he would do? What do we think of Christ?

We know He came to fulfill the great plan of happiness. He came to pay the price demanded by Justice and break the prison doors of death and Hell and the grave. Yet who is He? He came to do so much more. Stories of His short life on earth tells us of his nature and character. What a man thinks, so he does, and what he does tells us of how he thinks. “As a man thinketh, so is he” and “What manner of man aught ye to be?” Even as He is.

Two accounts tell us much:
In Luke 7 we learn of a woman in the community of Nain where Jesus Christ lived, a widow having lost her husband, now weeping for the loss for her only son. By the customs of the day, she is destitute. Not only did she lose a child of her womb, that she loved and cherished but now also gained a remaining existence which would leave her lonely, hungry, and hopeless. Time may heal the loss of her son, but not the daily pain of survival. She is broken. Christ upon entering this scene of a lost son’s burial and a weeping mother, changed it all with one simple act of compassion. There was no judgement here. No accusation of “how could you let this happen?” or “you should have been more mindful.” Just compassion for all. Jesus Christ raised him from his procession to the grave and restored him whole to his mother. Healing not only the son but making whole the mother who also desperately needed a savior.

Continue reading “Understanding Christ”