The Savior knew well that relationships are eternal.
He also knew that worldly achievements are temporary
and, in themselves, superfluous, and that they often
lead men to forget who they are in relationship to
God.
As builder, associate designer, and owner of the world (and
more importantly as our Elder Brother) Christ gave us
the greatest eternal advice of all time: “Seek the things
of the kingdom of heaven.” The kingdom of heaven consists
of relationships — with God, with self, with
family, with others.
He said it with words, but to really say it he lived it. In
the entire scriptural record of his life there is no
hint that he ever sought an “achievement” of the world
(a thing), and there is no hint that He ever
overlooked or passed by a relationship (a person).
If “achievements” are described as “things done for self,”
Christ had none. The only achievements that he ever
made were of the variety that helped others, that gave
true joy.
He “achieved” the greatest speech ever given (Matthew 5).
He “achieved” the perfect, exemplary life.
He “achieved” the Atonement.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Savior’s perfect
earthly life was the constant correctness of His every
decision — not only major decisions, not only basic
right/wrong decisions, but the infinite number of small,
multi-alternative little decisions. He always knew the
best thing to say to this person at this
minute. He always knew the most constructive way
to spend the next five minutes.
One of the little decisions everyone has to make every day
is the choice between a relationship and an achievement.
(Should I talk to the friendly person next to me on
the bus, or should I read my paper? Should I stop to
help the little boy, or should I finish my project and
let his mother take care of him?)
Christ always chose the relationship, the person. When
He was going somewhere and someone asked for some time,
He stopped. When He met a stranger, regardless of how
busy He was, He got to know that person.
He lost himself, lost His personal desires, lost His achievements,
lost his life for us, for His relationship with
us, for our eternal relationship with Him and with our
Father.
See you next week, when we will explore the Lord’s means of putting first
things first.
