Andy Jacobsen

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ taught a higher law. The people he taught in that setting were most likely familiar with the Law of Moses, a law requiring specific commandments including rituals intended to remind them of God and their duty to him. 

Some of these laws had been given to the people by God through prophets. Other portions of their beliefs and religious practices came from traditions and interpretations of men. When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5, he introduced a new way of living. Among his teachings, he acknowledged it was wrong to kill, but then taught we should not be “angry with [our] brother without a cause,” we should “agree with [our] adversary quickly.”

Under the Law of Moses, it was “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” but Christ taught that if someone should “smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. If any man take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.”

In this pattern, he elevated his followers to a higher way of living. Jesus’ life and teachings are a pattern for us to follow — a way to live and experience his joy, love and peace. Reading the Sermon on the Mount is a good reminder of what he expects his followers to become and how he expects us to act.

Recent events in our community have shown two sides of who we are becoming as a people and a community. In response to tragedy, some have shown compassion and kindness, while others have shown judgment and ridicule. Alignment with the savior’s teachings should inspire us to condemn less and love more, to extend grace in place of criticism and to build rather than to tear down.

Jesus blesses those who mourn so that they can be comforted. He blesses those that are merciful so that they can obtain mercy. The man who was betrayed by friends and falsely accused by the rulers and judges of his day wants to extend mercy and comfort. He draws all men to him that he might heal, comfort and lift them.  

As we approach this Easter season, we should remember his life, his teachings and his invitations. Jesus will show us the way to live.

(Andy Jacobsen is president of the Cody Wyoming Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)