Sanctification as the vertical bar
The Lord was literally lifted up on the cross at the end of his life, but everything until that point was a figurative fulfillment of the same as he progressively grew more like the Father. As you continue to learn about and live like the Lord, you will also be “lifted up.”2
The “lifting up” of Jesus included his demonstration of the goodness of God at greater resolution and visibility than ever available before.3 The challenges that Jesus faced, the lessons he learned, the teachings he shared, and the miracles he performed all demonstrated the goodness of God beyond the limits of what could be known without them. The Lord’s entire life4 was a demonstration of the goodness of God to a greater extent than it could have been shown in any other way,5 culminating with crucifixion6 and resurrection.7
Every person is on a path where they are either growing toward or falling away from God, and each person’s trajectory and pace is unique to them, with each of these variables determined by the heed and diligence exercised by the individual.8 At all times, in all things,9 each person is exposed to demonstrations of the character of Christ, and according to their response, blessed for their faithfulness and shown more about him, or punished for their unbelief and shown less about him.
Special concentrations of God’s character are available in his servants who, like shepherds, wield staffs both as indications of what they have to offer and as the tool by which it is received. Moses gave literal examples of both purposes of a vertical staff. Moses demonstrated the authority of God as he performed miracles with a staff empowered for that purpose10 and helped the people lift their focus to Christ by raising a serpent on the end of a staff.11 Other shepherds fulfill these purposes symbolically, through showing the content and effects of greater similitude to Christ in how they are. The staff of the shepherd indicates his role and provides his power. The similitude of the servant to Jesus indicates his role and provides his power.
Those who seek, perceive, and live greater portions of the Lord’s character are “lifted up” after him, becoming more and more like him in the process. As you become more like him, you will demonstrate more of his character and goodness to the world.12
Footnotes
- 1. And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. (1 Nephi 8:19) ↩
- 2. Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you— that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father....Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day. (3 Nephi 27:13-17, 21-22) ↩
- 3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3) ↩
- 4. “And it came to pass that the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: Behold, thou shalt not suffer these things which ye have seen and heard to go forth unto the world, until the time cometh that I shall glorify my name in the flesh; wherefore, ye shall treasure up the things which ye have seen and heard, and show it to no man.” (Ether 3:21) Glorifying God means to more fully reveal his goodness to others. The Lord’s name refers to his character. ↩
- 5. And behold, Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, even in the flesh; and his soul rejoiced, saying: The Righteous is lifted up, and the Lamb is slain from the foundation of the world....And the Lord said unto Enoch: Look, and he looked and beheld the Son of Man lifted up on the cross, after the manner of men. (Moses 7:47, 55) Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (John 8:28) ↩
- 6. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. (John 12:27-28) ↩
- 7. I have shown your goodness by living as you would here in every situation I have faced, and have completed the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, allow me to again experience the glory that I had in your presence before this world existed by becoming exactly as you then were. Provide me with the remaining experiences to show the final remaining portion of how you are. (John 17:4-5, Author’s Reflection) ↩
- 8. Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. (D&C 130:18-19) ↩
- 9. And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me. (Moses 6:63) ↩
- 10. And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. (Exodus 4:1-5) ↩
- 11. Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come. And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal. (Helaman 8:14-15) ↩
- 12. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16) ↩