What Is the Condition of Your Heart?

My Come, Follow Me studies for this week took me to Matthew 21-23, Mark 11, Luke 19-20, and John 12 and lesson titled “Behold, Thy King Cometh.” The lesson was preceded by this counsel, “Read [the assigned scriptures]. Record impressions that you could share with your family or in your Church classes.” The lesson was introduced with the following paragraphs. 

The Savior was hungry after traveling from Bethany to Jerusalem, and a fig tree in the distance looked like a source of food. But as Jesus approached the tree, He found that it bore no fruit (see Matthew 21:17-20; Mark 11:12-14, 20). In a way, the fig tree was like the hypocritical religious leaders in Jerusalem: their empty teachings and outward demonstrations of holiness gave no spiritual nourishment. The Pharisees and scribes appeared to keep many commandments yet missed the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love thy neighbor as thyself (see Matthew 22:34-40; 23:23).

In contrast, many people had begun to recognize good fruit in Jesus’s teachings. When He arrived at Jerusalem, they welcomed Him with branches cut from trees to pave His path, rejoicing that at long last, as ancient prophecy said, “Thy King cometh” (Zechariah 9:9). As you read this week, think about the fruits of the Savior’s teachings and atoning sacrifice in your life and how you can bring “forth much fruit” (John 12:24).

As usual, this scripture block taught several principles. The principle that I will discuss tonight is, “The Lord judges not by the outward appearance but by the desires of the heart” (Luke 19:1-10). In the time of Jesus Christ, many people considered the publicans (tax collectors) to be dishonest and stole from the people. Zacchaeus was the chief publican and was wealthy; therefore, they may have considered him to be even more suspect. However, Jesus Christ did not look at Zacchaeus as other people did. Jesus looked on Zacchaeus’s heart. First, we will look at what the scripture says about the situation.

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down for to day I must abide at thy house.

6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Zacchaeus’s response to Jesus Christ shows that he had a good heart. He quickly obeyed the command of Christ and came down from the tree. He was also compassionate in that he gave “half of all [his] goods” (v. 8). He was also honest in that he returned “fourfold” for anything that he took from any man falsely (v. 8). Jesus Christ told Zacchaeus that salvation had “come to this house” today (v. 9).

In the days of Jesus Christ, men painted the outside of sepulchers white to make them look good, even though there were dead bodies inside them. Winter in Anchorage makes it difficult to keep cars clean, particularly during breakup when the snow melts and everything near a road or highway turns a dirty brown color. It seems to me that the dirt on the cars jumps out to get us!

Once enough snow had melted that the roads and highways were mostly dry, I washed the winter’s dirt off the car. However, I was too tired to clean the inside. I joke that my car is like a whited sepulcher because it looks nice on the inside, while the interior is full of dirt and gravel from the winter.

I am more concerned about the condition of my heart. Is my heart soft enough to hear the voice of the Lord? Am I willing to do the Lord’s will even when it is inconvenient or painful? Am I honest and obedient. Am I seeking the Savior, as did Zacchaeus?

The standards of the Lord are the same today as they were in the meridian of time. In the latter days, the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith, “For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.” My task is to be sure that both my heart and my actions are clean and pure.