A Balanced Life

I listened to a podcast of a discussion with Dr. Lane Smith about living a balanced life, and he suggested that the Savior was an example of one who indeed lived a balanced life.  The most obvious scripture that tells us this is the brief description we have of His growing up years, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).  Many talks have been given based on this verse, and it shows that Jesus lived a life that was not only concerned with purely spiritual matters.  He learned things both spiritual and temporal, grew and took care of his physical body, developed socially so that He could successfully interact with others, and of course learned to know His Father in Heaven and do His will.  It is easy in our time especially to feel that our lives are out of balance as we frantically try to get all the things done without ever seeming to have enough time, but from what we read in the scriptures Jesus never appeared rushed or flustered or so busy that He just didn’t have time for people.  He had the kind of balance that we would all do well to emulate. 

               As Dr. Smith suggested, Jesus did not simply read the Torah all day long but was active in society and very well balanced socially.  One thing we see is that He was frequently attending social events and He knew how to communicate with and spend time with people.  We see this even at the age of 12 when He was so far advanced socially that He could keep the attention of adults as they “were hearing him, and asking him questions” (JST Luke 2:46).  In the very first miracle that is recorded during His ministry, He attended a wedding feast, a gathering of many people where He appears to have been perfectly comfortable (see John 2).  He continued during His ministry to attend the great public events, such as Passover, the feast of dedication, and the feast of tabernacles.  In the latter feast He “went up into the temple, and taught,” and on “the last day, the great day of the feast,” Jesus stood and cried, saying, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:14, 37).  This scene likely took place in front of thousands of people as water was carried “from Siloam to its libation on the altar” and Jesus used the traditional event to teach about Himself (see bible dictionary).  He was no stranger to society and did not hesitate to interact, sometimes in very conspicuous ways, with the people.  He also appears to have often visited people privately in their homes.  For example, He spent time in the home of Martha who “received him into her house” (Luke 10:38).  When He passed Zacchaeus in the tree, He told him, “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5).  And Jesus became the guest of this man.  His frequent interactions with men like Zacchaeus caused some to criticize Him, as He described in this comment: “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners” (Matt. 11:19).  Jesus was no stranger to any group of people, and He understood those He interacted with perfectly.  He was able to associate with each of them at their own level and was indeed “a friend” to publican, sinners, and all those who would let Him be.  He truly did grow “in favor with man” and left us the example of how to live in society and lift all those around us.