These prayers were given by revelation; and therefore, are doctrinally perfect. There are many items in the prayers that are seen only after diligent study and fervent prayer. The more that you study the blessings on the bread and water, the greater the understanding that you will come to know. You will see things that you have not seen and/or known before, because you have been enlightened by the Holy Ghost and the eyes of your understanding will be opened. All the ordinances of the Gospel are better understood as we learn them, study them, and pray about them. Then the Holy Ghost will teach us. The ordinances are simple but their meanings are very deep. This is especially true of the ordinances of the temple.
The Blessing on the Bread
This prayer begins by calling on our Heavenly Father. “O God, the Eternal Father.” All prayers begin by calling upon the Supreme Being. Our prayers are addressed to the Father and not to anyone else. By calling upon God, we are acknowledging that God is the Father of our Spirits; that He is eternal; that He is the Supreme Being; and that we are being obedient to His command for us to pray unto Him and Him alone. We are also acknowledging that all blessings flow from Him.
The prayer continues, “we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ.” All prayers are addressed to our Heavenly Father, but they normally end in the name of Jesus Christ. In the blessing on the bread, as in a few other ordinances, Heavenly Father is addressed and then we ask in the name of Jesus Christ for a specific blessing. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, because He is the mediator between Heavenly Father and us. Also, it is stated that these blessings be given in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father is witnessing that Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son in the flesh.
The prayer continues, “to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it.” The bread is blessed and sanctified to the souls who partake. Our soul, our body and spirit, is made more pure through the righteous partaking of the Sacrament. This taking of the bread is part of the sanctifying or cleansing process of the Holy Ghost. It is truly important to feel the Spirit during the Sacrament. The extent to which we feel the Spirit during the Sacrament may be indicative of the level of purification that is going on within us.
Continuing, “that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son,” relates to what we are to remember as we partake of the bread. We are to remember the body of Jesus Christ. His body represents many things including the resurrection from the dead, the free gift given to all regardless of the conduct of their lives. When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, physical death was introduced into the world. “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (from physical death).” Christ overcame physical death for all. All will be resurrected. The Sacrament bread also represents the Savior, that he is the “bread of life.” What is the bread of life? “The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world” (John 6:33). In other words, the Savior’s atonement gives physical and spiritual life to the world. To obtain this physical or spiritual life, or eternal life, we must truly follow the Savior, keep his commandments, and keep our covenants. Then through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can come to know the Savior and then be worthy to live eternally with Him.
As I ponder on the last two paragraphs, the use of the term “eat” is interesting. Why do we “eat” the bread? It signifies that while we physically ate and digest the bread, it is also a symbol of spiritually internalizing the bread, which is a symbol for the atonement of Jesus Christ. It is also part of the justification (or forgiveness of sins) and sanctification (or purification from the effects of sin) processes. While we eat the bread during the Sacrament, the preparation for the partaking of the Sacrament and the cleansing processes must be on going on a day-to-day basis. We need to be cognizant of the need to change, daily improve and repent of our sins and transgressions.
Looking at the next word, “and,” it is very important. The word “and,” used as a conjunction, to me means that there are multiple parts and all are importance. The sanctifying of the bread, the sanctifying of those who worthily partake of the Sacrament, the partaking in remembrance of the Son, and the parts that follow are all extremely important and have an important effect on all. We have to ponder, pray, and understand what the Sacrament is and what it means. There is a multitude of simple and complex things here.
Looking at the next word, “witness,” it also is very significant. Webster defines “witness” as: “to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception; to be present at (an occurrence) as a formal witness, spectator, bystander, etc; to bear witness to; testify to; give or afford evidence of. It is an active word and is not passive. It implies significant action on our part.
Looking at “unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father,” we first are reminded that prayer language is what is appropriate, when we pray. Out of respect, we use the words, thee, thine, and thou. Such language is also appropriate when Priesthood blessings are given. It is also important that we remember that we witness unto God, the Eternal Father, our Heavenly Father. He is the Father of our Spirits; He is the one to whom we pray; and it was His plan that the Savior, His only Begotten Son fulfilled; and the creation was planned and directed by the Father. The Son was the one who carried out the directions of the Father. As Joseph Smith taught: God the first, our Heavenly Father, is the Creator; God the second, Jesus Christ, is the redeemer; and God the third, the Holy Ghost, is the testator or revelator. “O God, the Eternal Father,” is also addressed as He to whom we witness. Often we think about witnessing of Jesus Christ; but by keeping our covenants and through the righteous conduct of our lives, we are witnessing to our Heavenly Father that we love and honor Him. We need to remember this more.
“That they are willing,” continues the prayer. Willing connotes so many different things. The dictionary defines willing: “disposed or consenting; inclined; cheerfully consenting or ready; done, given, borne, [and] used.” Cheerfully consenting or ready captures the feeling. We have to be willing with all our heart. There is no other option.
“To take upon them the name of thy Son” is the first covenant of baptism. To do this we must honestly and truly be Christians, in the inner most chambers of our heart, in thought, and in action or deed. First, our hearts control what we think and what we do. That is why we are commanded to be pure in heart. “The pure in heart will see God.” It all starts with the heart. Having a mighty change of heart is key to this process, and it requires the Holy Ghost to cleanse, purify, and sanctify us. We need to focus on the heart and remember to ask for the Holy Ghost to cleanse and purify us on a daily basis. Only through the effective application of the atonement of Jesus Christ and the cleansing power of the Holy Ghost will this become a reality. Second, being Christian in thought is also a tremendous challenge. We cannot give heed to the influences of the Adversary, of Babylon, of pride or of selfishness. We must be true in thought, mentally faithful to our Heavenly Father, as well as our spouses, our children, our church leaders, our professional leaders, our friends, our neighbors, our enemies, and those that we do not know. In a word, we must be mentally faithful, clean and pure, and without guile, to all. Third, we must be true Christians in deed or action. Obviously the heart and thoughts drive actions, but we need to be very conscious that if our thoughts are not aligned with appropriate behavior that we have to intercede and stop the unrighteous thoughts that will lead to unrighteous behavior. We need to sing a hymn, recite a scripture, “give no heed,” or change our thought trend process any way that we can. We also need to immediately depart from temptation and from that which is not correct or right and seek the direction of the Holy Ghost.
“And always remember him” is the second covenant. It is a very challenging commitment to keep. If we truly remembered Jesus in everything that we did, we would be perfect and be like Him. This covenant is a reminder that we are to be “perfect [or complete] as our Father who in Heaven is perfect. This is our goal and after we have been cleansed of our sins, it can become a reality.
“Keep his commandments which he has given them,” is the third covenant. It focuses on the bottom line. We need to be obedient. Obedience is the first law of Heaven. Only through obedience, we receive the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. D&C 121:20-21 says it best: “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”
It is interesting that the three covenants of baptism apply to first, our heart, second, our thoughts, and third, our actions. It is progressive. We need to focus on each one individually. The “mighty change of heart” heals our heart; the way to perfection is repentance that cleanses our thoughts and actions; and a godly walk qualifies us for exaltation.
As we keep our baptismal covenants, the Lord then gives a magnificent promise—“that they may always have his Spirit to be with them.” There are few gifts that compare in value to the Holy Ghost or His Spirit. As we become more worthy and obedient, His Spirit will be with us more and more; and we need to constantly listen carefully and hearken or obey to His Spirit’s direction immediately. If we do not hearken to His Spirit’s direction, His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, will leave us. When we sincerely repent, the Spirit comes back. The more that the Holy Ghost is with us, the more we will feel His sanctifying and cleansing powers.
The blessing on the bread ends with a simple “amen.” Amen is a short but powerful word. The dictionary defines amen as follows: it is so; so be it (used after a prayer, creed, or other formal statement to express solemn ratification or agreement); verily; truly; or an expression of concurrence or assent. Elder Bruce R. McConkie stated: “And we say Amen when others pray, thus making their utterances ours, their prayers our prayers.”
The Blessing on the Water
As in all prayers, we address our Heavenly Father first and normally end in the name of Jesus Christ. In the Sacrament prayers in the name of Jesus Christ comes up front. Again the water is being blessed and sanctified to the souls of all those who partake of it. We should not underestimate the sanctifying power of the water. It truly purifies and blesses those, who worthily partake of it, as the blood of Jesus Christ purifies and sanctifies us.
In the original prayers, the word “wine” is used. Per the Doctrine and Covenants 27:2: “For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.” What a powerful scripture! We must partake of the sacrament “with an eye single to my glory.” We must truly focus on the significance of the Sacrament and the power of the Sacrament. The Lord continues: “remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.” The word “remember” is there again. We need to remember that His body was laid down for us and that our body will rise in the resurrection and that His blood was shed for the remission of our sins upon the principle of true and sincere repentance.
“That they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them,” is a clear statement and reminder that the Savior of the World, the one perfect being, willfully shed his blood for us so that the plan of the Father could be fulfilled and that we could have a forgiveness of our sins, if we sincerely repent. Speaking of His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, he said in D&C 19:15-20 “15 Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your bsufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. 16 For behold, I, God, have asuffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; 17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— 19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. 20 Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.” Verse 17 we are told that if we do not repent that we must suffer as the Savior did, “which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit.” How grateful and thankful we need to be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. How obedient and repentant should we be! We need to remember these thoughts as we partake of the Sacrament.
“That they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father,” is the exact same wording in the blessing on the bread. Continuing, “that they do always remember him” is slightly differently worded than the blessing on the bread, “always remember him.” The addition of “that they do” is important because of the words “that they do” clearly state action, doing. If we always remember the Savior, everything that is in our heart, in our thoughts and in our actions, is the same as in the Savior’s heart, in the Savior’s thoughts, and in the Savior’s actions. It is not easy to always remember him, but as the Holy Ghost sanctifies us more, it becomes easier. By worthily partaking of the Sacrament, that sanctification process increases slowly. It is a line upon line, precept upon precept experience.
The final phrase, “that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.” is the same in both prayers with the exception that the word “always” is not there in the blessing on the water. The reason for its absence may be that there are three baptismal covenants mentioned in the blessing on the bread and only one of the baptismal covenants mentioned in the blessing on the water. We must keep all three baptismal covenants to always have His Spirit to be with us. Again, amen, is our consent to keep all our baptismal covenants at all times and in all places.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Institutes the Lord’s Supper
Matthew 26:26-29
At some point during the Passover meal, Jesus instituted the Sacrament. Matthew states: “Jesus took abread, band blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my cbody.” I am sure that the Apostles did not understand what was happening. But the Sacrament is one of the very important ordinances of the Gospel. It is the way that we renew our Baptismal covenants each week. It is simple and symbolic.
In verses 27-28 he institutes the second part of the Sacrament, this simple but ever important ordinance of the Gospel. I am sure that the Apostles did not understand the atonement, the Sacrament, or the interrelationship, but I am sure that there was a marvelous Spirit there and after the Savior’s death, resurrection, and 40 days of instruction, it became much more meaningful. Here the Savior invites all to drink of the cup, which is the blood of the new testament which is shed for those who repent. His blood was shed for many and for the remission of our sins.
In verse 29, the Savior then announces to his disciples that he will not drink with them, or partake of the Sacrament with them, again until they do so in His Father’s kingdom. This was the first time that they partook of the Sacrament but there was also a wonderful promise that they will at a future date again partake of the Sacrament with Him in His Father’s Kingdom. What an amazing promise!
Mark 14:22-25 and Luke 22:17-20
The scriptures in Matthew, Mark, and Luke concerning the institution of the Sacrament are essentially the same. I wonder if one was the source for the other two.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
In 1 Corinthians, Paul again relates almost the exact words of Matthew, Mark and Luke about the Sacrament. The Savior gave thanks first. What a great example for us. We should always give thanks first. He brake the bread and offered it to the Twelve, saying “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” We are to partake of the bread to remember the body of the Savior and to remember that all will be resurrected. Taking the cup, he said “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” We are to remember that the Sacrament is part of the new testament, the new covenant, of the Gospel of the Savior. We are to do this in remembrance of His blood that He shed for us. Only through His blood and His atonement, can we receive a forgiveness of our sins, as we sincerely repent. In verse 26, the Savior reminds us that as we partake of the Sacrament, we shew, proclaim or announce, the Lord’s atonement, His death and resurrection. To honestly announce or proclaim the atonement, we truly need to apply His atonement daily in our lives.
At some point during the Passover meal, Jesus instituted the Sacrament. Matthew states: “Jesus took abread, band blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my cbody.” I am sure that the Apostles did not understand what was happening. But the Sacrament is one of the very important ordinances of the Gospel. It is the way that we renew our Baptismal covenants each week. It is simple and symbolic.
In verses 27-28 he institutes the second part of the Sacrament, this simple but ever important ordinance of the Gospel. I am sure that the Apostles did not understand the atonement, the Sacrament, or the interrelationship, but I am sure that there was a marvelous Spirit there and after the Savior’s death, resurrection, and 40 days of instruction, it became much more meaningful. Here the Savior invites all to drink of the cup, which is the blood of the new testament which is shed for those who repent. His blood was shed for many and for the remission of our sins.
In verse 29, the Savior then announces to his disciples that he will not drink with them, or partake of the Sacrament with them, again until they do so in His Father’s kingdom. This was the first time that they partook of the Sacrament but there was also a wonderful promise that they will at a future date again partake of the Sacrament with Him in His Father’s Kingdom. What an amazing promise!
Mark 14:22-25 and Luke 22:17-20
The scriptures in Matthew, Mark, and Luke concerning the institution of the Sacrament are essentially the same. I wonder if one was the source for the other two.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
In 1 Corinthians, Paul again relates almost the exact words of Matthew, Mark and Luke about the Sacrament. The Savior gave thanks first. What a great example for us. We should always give thanks first. He brake the bread and offered it to the Twelve, saying “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” We are to partake of the bread to remember the body of the Savior and to remember that all will be resurrected. Taking the cup, he said “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” We are to remember that the Sacrament is part of the new testament, the new covenant, of the Gospel of the Savior. We are to do this in remembrance of His blood that He shed for us. Only through His blood and His atonement, can we receive a forgiveness of our sins, as we sincerely repent. In verse 26, the Savior reminds us that as we partake of the Sacrament, we shew, proclaim or announce, the Lord’s atonement, His death and resurrection. To honestly announce or proclaim the atonement, we truly need to apply His atonement daily in our lives.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem
Matthew 21: 1-11
Verses 1-5 tell of an amazing miracle that occurred as Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem. The Savior sends to disciples to get an ass and a colt so that He can enter Jerusalem as prophesied. He sends the disciples to a village to get the two animals and instructs them how to handle the situation if anyone asks them. All things happened as the Savior instructed, and the animals were brought to Him so that the prophecy could be fulfilled. “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”
In verses 6-7, it is very interesting that it seems that both the ass and the colt were brought to him. The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) states “… and brought the colt, and put on it their clothes; and Jesus took the colt and sat thereon; and they followed him.”
In verses 8-9, we read of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem. The multitudes spread their garments in the way as they would for an earthly king. They also cut down branches from the nearby trees and strawed them, also reverencing the Savior as an earthly king. The multitude also went before the Savior to announce Him as they would an earthly king, but in this case they were proclaiming Him as the Messiah: “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that comething in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” The proclamation came from Psalm 118:26. Without question the people are welcoming the Messiah.
In verses 10-11 there were many in Jerusalem for the Passover, who did not know who Jesus was, so they asked. The multitude responses that “This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” The multitude was bearing their testimony of the Savior as a prophet and the Messiah. The faithful were the simple and believing. We should be such.
Mark 11:1-11
In verses 1-6, more detail is given about the obtaining of the colt for Jesus to ride on entering into Jerusalem. In the Matthew 21 account, there was an ass and a colt brought to Jesus. In the Mark account there is only a colt. The JST of the Matthew account clears this up and makes the two accounts consistent. The Mark account also indicates that the two disciples were challenged as they loosed the colts and with the response given by the Savior, they were allowed to take the colt. This is just another example of a wonderful miracle performed by the Savior.
In verses 7-11, the Savior is acknowledged as the Messiah. He was fulfilling scripture, and the humble of the earth felt the truth. The right people were there at the right time to proclaim Him as the Savior of the world. Rather than staying in Jerusalem, the Lord returns to Bethany to be with family, disciples, and friends.
Luke 19:29-44
In verses 29-38, the events recorded in Matthew and Mark are given without much variation. In verses 39-40, a new conversation is given between the Savior and some of the Pharisees in which the Pharisees asked the Savior to rebuke his disciples about praising him. The Savior’s response is “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” No response is recorded. What an amazing testimony. Prophecy was being fulfilled.
In verses 41-44, the Savior prophesies concerning Jerusalem, as He wept over the city. He prophesies about the siege and the inability of the inhabitants to leave the city. After the siege is successful, not one stone shall be left on another. In 66 AD that prophecy was fulfilled. The love of the Savior for the House of Israel and His children is not more evident than in this passage. He weeps for us repeated, because of His love for us. His atoning sacrifice is another manifestation of His love for us. We should follow Him more faithfully.
John 12:12-19
In verses 12-15, the Savior’s entry into Jerusalem is chronicled, paralleling the other three accounts. It mentions specifically what scripture was fulfilled with his entry into Jerusalem on the colt of an ass. In verse 16, John mentions how they did not understand many things about the prophecies before the Savior’s crucifixion, but after His resurrection they did understand the prophecies, because I believe that the Savior taught the Apostles about the scriptures and how He fulfilled them. We also learn that those who were with the Savior when He raised Lazarus from the dead were testifying of what the He did and that is one reason why the people met Jesus and praised him. That is an interesting insight. In verse 19, the Pharisees bemoan that the world has gone after Him.
Verses 1-5 tell of an amazing miracle that occurred as Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem. The Savior sends to disciples to get an ass and a colt so that He can enter Jerusalem as prophesied. He sends the disciples to a village to get the two animals and instructs them how to handle the situation if anyone asks them. All things happened as the Savior instructed, and the animals were brought to Him so that the prophecy could be fulfilled. “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”
In verses 6-7, it is very interesting that it seems that both the ass and the colt were brought to him. The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) states “… and brought the colt, and put on it their clothes; and Jesus took the colt and sat thereon; and they followed him.”
In verses 8-9, we read of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem. The multitudes spread their garments in the way as they would for an earthly king. They also cut down branches from the nearby trees and strawed them, also reverencing the Savior as an earthly king. The multitude also went before the Savior to announce Him as they would an earthly king, but in this case they were proclaiming Him as the Messiah: “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that comething in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” The proclamation came from Psalm 118:26. Without question the people are welcoming the Messiah.
In verses 10-11 there were many in Jerusalem for the Passover, who did not know who Jesus was, so they asked. The multitude responses that “This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” The multitude was bearing their testimony of the Savior as a prophet and the Messiah. The faithful were the simple and believing. We should be such.
Mark 11:1-11
In verses 1-6, more detail is given about the obtaining of the colt for Jesus to ride on entering into Jerusalem. In the Matthew 21 account, there was an ass and a colt brought to Jesus. In the Mark account there is only a colt. The JST of the Matthew account clears this up and makes the two accounts consistent. The Mark account also indicates that the two disciples were challenged as they loosed the colts and with the response given by the Savior, they were allowed to take the colt. This is just another example of a wonderful miracle performed by the Savior.
In verses 7-11, the Savior is acknowledged as the Messiah. He was fulfilling scripture, and the humble of the earth felt the truth. The right people were there at the right time to proclaim Him as the Savior of the world. Rather than staying in Jerusalem, the Lord returns to Bethany to be with family, disciples, and friends.
Luke 19:29-44
In verses 29-38, the events recorded in Matthew and Mark are given without much variation. In verses 39-40, a new conversation is given between the Savior and some of the Pharisees in which the Pharisees asked the Savior to rebuke his disciples about praising him. The Savior’s response is “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” No response is recorded. What an amazing testimony. Prophecy was being fulfilled.
In verses 41-44, the Savior prophesies concerning Jerusalem, as He wept over the city. He prophesies about the siege and the inability of the inhabitants to leave the city. After the siege is successful, not one stone shall be left on another. In 66 AD that prophecy was fulfilled. The love of the Savior for the House of Israel and His children is not more evident than in this passage. He weeps for us repeated, because of His love for us. His atoning sacrifice is another manifestation of His love for us. We should follow Him more faithfully.
John 12:12-19
In verses 12-15, the Savior’s entry into Jerusalem is chronicled, paralleling the other three accounts. It mentions specifically what scripture was fulfilled with his entry into Jerusalem on the colt of an ass. In verse 16, John mentions how they did not understand many things about the prophecies before the Savior’s crucifixion, but after His resurrection they did understand the prophecies, because I believe that the Savior taught the Apostles about the scriptures and how He fulfilled them. We also learn that those who were with the Savior when He raised Lazarus from the dead were testifying of what the He did and that is one reason why the people met Jesus and praised him. That is an interesting insight. In verse 19, the Pharisees bemoan that the world has gone after Him.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sending Forth the Seventy
Luke 10:1-24
In verse 1, it states that the Lord other Seventy also and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. This is very interesting that without the benefit of living prophets and modern day revelation, this very important office in the Priesthood is lost. In this one verse the mission of the Seventy is explained. They went out two and two before the Savior to prepare his way and the way of the 12 Apostles.
In verses 2-4 our Savior begins giving instructions to the Seventy. Since the harvest is great, the Seventy must pray to Heaven Father that he send forth the laborers into the harvest. In a way, they are praying for themselves. As they pray, they should also pray for the strength to go forward with the Father's direction. As they are go forward on their ways, the Savior tells that he is sending forth as lambs to the slaughter; but I sense that He is also telling them that He will protect and guide them. The world will tell them that they are going to the slaughter, but the Savior is promising them peace and success. They are not to carry purse, scrip (money), nor clothing and shoes, and I sense that the Lord is promising all these things as they go forth on His errand.
In verses 5-7 the Savior gives more instruction. One of the greatest blessings of the Gospel is peace. Real peace cannot be duplicated by the Adversary. This is the first blessing that the Lord wants the Seventy to bestow upon those who invite them in to hear the Gospel. "If the household deserved the gift of, peace would rest therein, but otherwise the Lord's servants would feel that their invocation was void. To any family by whom they were received they were to impart blessing-healing the afflicted, and proclaiming that the kingdom of God had come nigh unto that house. They were not to go from one house to another seeking better entertainment, nor should they expect or desire to be feasted, but they should accept what was offered, eating that which was set before them, thus sharing with the family.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, chapter 26)
In verses 8-9, the Lord gives instructions to the Seventy about what to do if the people in a city receive them. First, they are to eat what is set before them. One never knows how much people have sacrificed to put that food in front of you. Just eat it. That is great lesson for the missionaries today. Second, the Seventy are to heal the sick. They have the Priesthood and need to exercise it for and in behalf of those who have faith and believe. Third, the Seventy are to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is come and invite people to join.
In verses 10-12, the Savior continues His instruction to the Seventy about how to handle those who do not accept their preaching. They are to go into the streets of the city and proclaim: “Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” They are to testify that the Kingdom of God has come to them. The Savior continues that it will be more tolerable for the city of Sodom than for the city that rejects His invitation to join the Kingdom of God.
In verses 13-15 I have wondered what the Lord was saying. This quotation from Jesus the Christ really helps. “Mention of the condemnation that would follow willful rejection of the authorized servants of God aroused in our Lord's mind sad memories of the repulses He had suffered,and of the many unrepentant souls, in the cities wherein He had accomplished so many mighty works. In profound sorrow He predicted the woes then impending over Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum.” This explanation is wonderful. In verse 16 the Savior emphasizes that He has authorized His servants to speak for Him. “He that heareth, you heareth me; he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.” His servants speak for Him.
As the Seventy returned, they rejoiced and told the Lord that “even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” The Twelve and the Seventy had all witnessed as the Savior cast out devils during the previous years of His ministry. I am sure that they never thought that they would be able to do the same thing. Now He had given them the power to do so and they had righteously acted and the devils were subject to them, but only through His name. The last three words are key. The Seventy learned that things done in His name happened. It was a very powerful lesson for them.
In verse 18, the Savior mentions that He beheld Satan fall from heaven. I believe that we have only a small part of this conversation. He probably taught the Seventy about the pre-mortal existence and the council and war in Heaven, and about His role and Lucifer's role. It would be wonderful to have heard His words and been taught by Him about this marvelous doctrine.
In verses 19-20, the Savior discourses on the power of the Priesthood. He instructs them that the creatures of the earth cannot have power over them nor hurt them. Through power in the Priesthood, their personal worthiness, they can control the creatures and the evil spirits. But they should not rejoice in the fact that the evil spirits are subject unto them, but they should rejoice that their names are written in heaven. In other words, “that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” The Priesthood is given to us to bless others. We cannot use the Priesthood to bless ourselves. As we righteously bless others, we are also blessed.
In verses 21-22, the Savior rejoices and thanks Heavenly Father that the Seventy were very successful and that the great blessings that they enjoy have been hid from those who think that they are wise and the prudent (the Sanhedrin), and revealed unto babes, in the eyes of the world, or the Seventy. The Savior knows that this is the correct way. Then the Savior states that “all things are delivered to me of the Father.” Jesus has progressed from grace to grace and now has power over death. He then states that no one knows the Son but the Father, and vice versa. He then implies that there are others who know the Father and Son, and it is they to whom the Son has revealed them.
In verses 23-24, the Savior continue to instruct the Seventy about how blessed they are to see the things that they have seen—healing the sick, casting out devils, and the most important—personally being taught and instructed by the Savior and the receipt of the Priesthood. The Savior continues that prophets and kings have greatly desired to see the things that they have seen, heard and done, but they have not been seen, heard or done them. They were truly blessed.
In verse 1, it states that the Lord other Seventy also and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. This is very interesting that without the benefit of living prophets and modern day revelation, this very important office in the Priesthood is lost. In this one verse the mission of the Seventy is explained. They went out two and two before the Savior to prepare his way and the way of the 12 Apostles.
In verses 2-4 our Savior begins giving instructions to the Seventy. Since the harvest is great, the Seventy must pray to Heaven Father that he send forth the laborers into the harvest. In a way, they are praying for themselves. As they pray, they should also pray for the strength to go forward with the Father's direction. As they are go forward on their ways, the Savior tells that he is sending forth as lambs to the slaughter; but I sense that He is also telling them that He will protect and guide them. The world will tell them that they are going to the slaughter, but the Savior is promising them peace and success. They are not to carry purse, scrip (money), nor clothing and shoes, and I sense that the Lord is promising all these things as they go forth on His errand.
In verses 5-7 the Savior gives more instruction. One of the greatest blessings of the Gospel is peace. Real peace cannot be duplicated by the Adversary. This is the first blessing that the Lord wants the Seventy to bestow upon those who invite them in to hear the Gospel. "If the household deserved the gift of, peace would rest therein, but otherwise the Lord's servants would feel that their invocation was void. To any family by whom they were received they were to impart blessing-healing the afflicted, and proclaiming that the kingdom of God had come nigh unto that house. They were not to go from one house to another seeking better entertainment, nor should they expect or desire to be feasted, but they should accept what was offered, eating that which was set before them, thus sharing with the family.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, chapter 26)
In verses 8-9, the Lord gives instructions to the Seventy about what to do if the people in a city receive them. First, they are to eat what is set before them. One never knows how much people have sacrificed to put that food in front of you. Just eat it. That is great lesson for the missionaries today. Second, the Seventy are to heal the sick. They have the Priesthood and need to exercise it for and in behalf of those who have faith and believe. Third, the Seventy are to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is come and invite people to join.
In verses 10-12, the Savior continues His instruction to the Seventy about how to handle those who do not accept their preaching. They are to go into the streets of the city and proclaim: “Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” They are to testify that the Kingdom of God has come to them. The Savior continues that it will be more tolerable for the city of Sodom than for the city that rejects His invitation to join the Kingdom of God.
In verses 13-15 I have wondered what the Lord was saying. This quotation from Jesus the Christ really helps. “Mention of the condemnation that would follow willful rejection of the authorized servants of God aroused in our Lord's mind sad memories of the repulses He had suffered,and of the many unrepentant souls, in the cities wherein He had accomplished so many mighty works. In profound sorrow He predicted the woes then impending over Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum.” This explanation is wonderful. In verse 16 the Savior emphasizes that He has authorized His servants to speak for Him. “He that heareth, you heareth me; he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.” His servants speak for Him.
As the Seventy returned, they rejoiced and told the Lord that “even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” The Twelve and the Seventy had all witnessed as the Savior cast out devils during the previous years of His ministry. I am sure that they never thought that they would be able to do the same thing. Now He had given them the power to do so and they had righteously acted and the devils were subject to them, but only through His name. The last three words are key. The Seventy learned that things done in His name happened. It was a very powerful lesson for them.
In verse 18, the Savior mentions that He beheld Satan fall from heaven. I believe that we have only a small part of this conversation. He probably taught the Seventy about the pre-mortal existence and the council and war in Heaven, and about His role and Lucifer's role. It would be wonderful to have heard His words and been taught by Him about this marvelous doctrine.
In verses 19-20, the Savior discourses on the power of the Priesthood. He instructs them that the creatures of the earth cannot have power over them nor hurt them. Through power in the Priesthood, their personal worthiness, they can control the creatures and the evil spirits. But they should not rejoice in the fact that the evil spirits are subject unto them, but they should rejoice that their names are written in heaven. In other words, “that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” The Priesthood is given to us to bless others. We cannot use the Priesthood to bless ourselves. As we righteously bless others, we are also blessed.
In verses 21-22, the Savior rejoices and thanks Heavenly Father that the Seventy were very successful and that the great blessings that they enjoy have been hid from those who think that they are wise and the prudent (the Sanhedrin), and revealed unto babes, in the eyes of the world, or the Seventy. The Savior knows that this is the correct way. Then the Savior states that “all things are delivered to me of the Father.” Jesus has progressed from grace to grace and now has power over death. He then states that no one knows the Son but the Father, and vice versa. He then implies that there are others who know the Father and Son, and it is they to whom the Son has revealed them.
In verses 23-24, the Savior continue to instruct the Seventy about how blessed they are to see the things that they have seen—healing the sick, casting out devils, and the most important—personally being taught and instructed by the Savior and the receipt of the Priesthood. The Savior continues that prophets and kings have greatly desired to see the things that they have seen, heard and done, but they have not been seen, heard or done them. They were truly blessed.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Mount of Transfiguration
Matthew 17: 1-8
After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John apart on to a high mountain. It is interesting that Jesus took the three apostles that were recognized as the First Presidency of the Church in the Meridian of Time and took them up on a mountain. He did not bring the other apostles. He only brought them. Taking them up on a high mountain represents the temple. The mountains are repeatedly used in the scriptures as a symbol of the temple. The events of this experience were also experienced in this dispensation in the Kirtland Temple in April, 1836.
The Savior was first transfigured before Peter, James, and John. To be transfigured is: “to change in outward form or appearance; transform; or to change so as to glorify or exalt.” Quoting from Matthew: “his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” This is a very powerful witness that Jesus is the Son of God. Moses' face also did shine as the sun, after he came down off of Mount Sinai with the tablets containing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:29), after being in the presence of the Lord for forty days and nights. This is a manifestation of the power of the glory of the Lord and the righteous of the Savior.
In verse 3, it mentions that Moses and Elias, and the footnote says Elijah, came. It says no more than that. Referring to section 110 we gain more insight as to why Moses and Elijah were there. I also believe that all three prophets came. Moses committed the keys of the gathering of Israel; Elias committed the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham; and Elijah commits the keys of the sealing power to Peter, James, and John.
In Verse 4, Peter asks, “if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” James E. Talmage in Jesus the Christ, gives a marvelous explanation. “Undoubtedly Peter and his fellow apostles were bewildered, "sore afraid" indeed; and this condition may explain the suggestion respecting the three tabernacles. 'He wist not what to say'; yet, though his remark appears confused and obscure, it becomes somewhat plainer when we remember that, at the annual feast of Tabernacles, it was customary to erect a little bower, or booth of wattled boughs, foreach individual worshiper, into which he might retire for devotion. So far as there was a purpose in Peter's proposition, it seems to have been that of delaying the departure of the visitants.”
In verse 5, the ultimate testimony of the Father and the Son are given. Peter, James and John hear the voice of God the Father testifying that Jesus is His beloved Son; that He is pleased with Him; and that they are hear His words and to obey them. This is one of four times in the history of the world that the voice of the Father is heard bearing record of His Beloved Son. What a special experience!
About verses 6-8, Elder Talmage wrote: “At the sound of that voice of supreme Majesty, the apostles fell prostrate. Jesus came and touched them, say, ' Arise, and be not afraid.' When they looked they saw that they were alone with him.” This was an event that would ever be remembered by Peter, James, and John. It truly was an amazing witness of the divinity of the Father and the Son.
Mark 9:2–8
The text of this version of the transfiguration matches the Matthew version almost exactly. I have not additional comments. See above.
Luke 9:28-36
Verses 28-30 are very similar to the accounts in Matthew and Mark. There is one exception. In verse 29, it starts out, “And as he prayed” The Savior prayed that the transfiguration and the accompanying events would happen. That is how it started, with a prayer. Prayer is so powerful.
In verse 31, we gain some additional insights into what happened on the Mount of Transfiguration. Moses and Elias (Elijah) “appeared in glory and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” Here these two great prophets were encouraging Him and strengthening Him in preparation for His accomplishing the Atonement, the one of three most important events in the history of the world. For the atonement to be performed, the Fall of Adam must precede it, and the creation of the world precede the Fall. The creation, fall of Adam, and the atonement are the three pillars of eternity.
Verses 32-36 are very similar to the accounts of Matthew and Mark.
After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John apart on to a high mountain. It is interesting that Jesus took the three apostles that were recognized as the First Presidency of the Church in the Meridian of Time and took them up on a mountain. He did not bring the other apostles. He only brought them. Taking them up on a high mountain represents the temple. The mountains are repeatedly used in the scriptures as a symbol of the temple. The events of this experience were also experienced in this dispensation in the Kirtland Temple in April, 1836.
The Savior was first transfigured before Peter, James, and John. To be transfigured is: “to change in outward form or appearance; transform; or to change so as to glorify or exalt.” Quoting from Matthew: “his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” This is a very powerful witness that Jesus is the Son of God. Moses' face also did shine as the sun, after he came down off of Mount Sinai with the tablets containing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:29), after being in the presence of the Lord for forty days and nights. This is a manifestation of the power of the glory of the Lord and the righteous of the Savior.
In verse 3, it mentions that Moses and Elias, and the footnote says Elijah, came. It says no more than that. Referring to section 110 we gain more insight as to why Moses and Elijah were there. I also believe that all three prophets came. Moses committed the keys of the gathering of Israel; Elias committed the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham; and Elijah commits the keys of the sealing power to Peter, James, and John.
In Verse 4, Peter asks, “if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” James E. Talmage in Jesus the Christ, gives a marvelous explanation. “Undoubtedly Peter and his fellow apostles were bewildered, "sore afraid" indeed; and this condition may explain the suggestion respecting the three tabernacles. 'He wist not what to say'; yet, though his remark appears confused and obscure, it becomes somewhat plainer when we remember that, at the annual feast of Tabernacles, it was customary to erect a little bower, or booth of wattled boughs, foreach individual worshiper, into which he might retire for devotion. So far as there was a purpose in Peter's proposition, it seems to have been that of delaying the departure of the visitants.”
In verse 5, the ultimate testimony of the Father and the Son are given. Peter, James and John hear the voice of God the Father testifying that Jesus is His beloved Son; that He is pleased with Him; and that they are hear His words and to obey them. This is one of four times in the history of the world that the voice of the Father is heard bearing record of His Beloved Son. What a special experience!
About verses 6-8, Elder Talmage wrote: “At the sound of that voice of supreme Majesty, the apostles fell prostrate. Jesus came and touched them, say, ' Arise, and be not afraid.' When they looked they saw that they were alone with him.” This was an event that would ever be remembered by Peter, James, and John. It truly was an amazing witness of the divinity of the Father and the Son.
Mark 9:2–8
The text of this version of the transfiguration matches the Matthew version almost exactly. I have not additional comments. See above.
Luke 9:28-36
Verses 28-30 are very similar to the accounts in Matthew and Mark. There is one exception. In verse 29, it starts out, “And as he prayed” The Savior prayed that the transfiguration and the accompanying events would happen. That is how it started, with a prayer. Prayer is so powerful.
In verse 31, we gain some additional insights into what happened on the Mount of Transfiguration. Moses and Elias (Elijah) “appeared in glory and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” Here these two great prophets were encouraging Him and strengthening Him in preparation for His accomplishing the Atonement, the one of three most important events in the history of the world. For the atonement to be performed, the Fall of Adam must precede it, and the creation of the world precede the Fall. The creation, fall of Adam, and the atonement are the three pillars of eternity.
Verses 32-36 are very similar to the accounts of Matthew and Mark.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Foretelling His Death and Resurrection
Matthew 16:21-26
In Matthew 16:21, the Savior begins to prepare and teach his disciples about the atonement and that He is going to have to voluntarily lay down his life for all mankind so that he can be resurrected on the third day. He tells them that He will suffer many things because of the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed. The disciples do not understand what he is telling them. But He tells them these things, so that after His death and resurrection, they will look back and see that He told them that they will happen and they will then understand.
In verses 22-23 there is an interchange between the Savior of the World and Peter. Peter begins to rebuke the Savior and says that what the Savior said is not going to happen. The Savior rebukes Peter in the strongest terms, “get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me.” The Savior continues that Peter is looking at His statements as a man and not as one that savors the things of God. Peter did not understand what the Lord was saying, because he did not understand the atonement.
In verse 24, the Savior gives powerful doctrine about being one of his followers. First, we need to deny ourselves, deny ourselves of all ungodliness. We need to take up his cross, or in other words to take His name upon us and be faithful in our trials and temptations. We also need to follow Him, to follow His example and to do the things that He would do. This is much easier said than done. After all, much more is said than done.
In verses 25-26, He teaches more powerful doctrine. In the Lord's kingdom to gain eternal life we must lose our live in the service of others. In other words, we have to give to get. The Savior continues that it does not profit someone to gain the whole world and its riches but lose their soul. He then asks a rhetorical question: What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? There is absolutely nothing in this world that is worth the loss of our opportunity to return and live with our Heavenly Father.
Matthew 17:22-23
In Matthew 17:22-23, the Savior reiterates that He, The Son of Man, or Son of the Man of Holiness, would be betrayed into the hands of men. He is prophesying that Judas will betray Him and that He will be delivered into the hands of the Jewish and Roman leaders. He foretells of His death and even more important that He will be resurrected on the third day. The Apostles are starting to get the picture that the Savior will be leaving them. They were exceedingly sorry. In reality, the Savior's death and resurrection are part of the greatest event of this world. It is because of His death and resurrection that the Atonement would be completed for everyone of us and that we overcame physical death and have the opportunity to overcome spiritual death, or being shut out from the presence of God.
Matthew 20:17-28
In verses 17-19, He reiterates again what He told His Apostles in Chapter 17—He is going to Jerusalem; He will be betrayed and given to the chief priests and scribes; He will be condemned to death; He will be mocked, scourged, and crucified by the Romans; and that He would rise again. His message was consistent and accurate.
Verses 20-23 record an interchange between the mother of James and John and the Savior. The Savior knew what they wanted, and when asked she stated that she wanted to sons to sit on the right and left hands of God. Jesus answered a question with a question, “Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said that they could. In reality, they could not, because only a person that had an immortal father and a mortal mother, could perform the atonement. Then the Savior prophecies that they will drink of the the cup, the persecution, and be baptized. But to sit on the right and left hand of the Savior was not His to give, but it was His Father that would give those places.
In verse 24, the other ten apostles were very upset with James and John, but the Savior called all the Apostles to Him and taught a very powerful lesson. The world teaches that the princes and those in great authority rule the world, but it is not to be so with you, the twelve Apostles. He who will be great among you shall be one that ministers and blesses others through the Priesthood. If you want to be the chief, you must be the servant, the servant of Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and His children. Even He adds, I, the Son of Man, came not be be ministered to but to minister and to most importantly to give My life as a ransom for many. He ransomed His life so all could be resurrected, and for many who would repent and obtain eternal life.
Mark 8:31-33
In Mark 8:31-33 the commentary of Matthew 16:22-23 is very similar. The commentary for Mark 8:34-37 is the same as Matthew 16:24-26. In Mark 8:38, the Savior reveals that those who are ashamed of Him and His words in this adulterous and sinful generation, He shall be ashamed of them, when he comes again in His Second Coming. He will come in the glory of His Father and with the Holy Angels. This is very sobering. How often are we ashamed of the Savior or of His word. This hits too close to home.
Mark 9:3-32
In these verses, The Savior quietly passes through Galilee and again tells his disciples that He will be delivered into the hands of the Jews and they shall kill Him. He also testifies that He shall rise on the third day. The disciples did not understand, but they were afraid to ask. He would instruct them again. After His resurrection, they would understand.
Mark 10:32-45
In Mark 10:32-34, the Savior again tells His disciples what is going to happen. I often wonder when the disciples began to understand what was going to take place. We will never know, but it is clear that they did not understand much before the events happened. As the events happened, I am sure that the disciples remembered the words of the Savior. After the Savior's death and resurrection and the receipt of the Holy Ghost, then they really understood.
In Mark 10:35-41, the commentary of Matthew 20:20-24 applies. In Mark 10:42-45, the Savior states that the Roman rulers exercise lordship and authority over the Jews. Being the ruler in the Lord's church means that those who want to be great among the disciples shall be those who minister unto the Church. The person in the Lord's Church who is the greatest is the one who serves all. The Savior came not to be ministered to, but to minister to all others. He also came to give His life so that all may be resurrected and all may have the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven them so that they can live with Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, forever.
Luke 9:22-25
Luke 9:22-25
For verse 22, see the commentary on Matthew 20:17-19. For verse 23, see the commentary on Matthew 16:24. For verses 24-25, see the commentary of Matthew 16:25-26. The JST gives some additional insights on verses 23-24. They follow: 24 For whosoever will save his life, must be willing to lose it for my sake; and whosoever will be willing to lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and yet he receive him not whom God hath ordained, and he lose his own soul, and he himself be a castaway? We need to lose our lives in the service of the Master, if we want to gain eternal life. Our will needs to be swallowed up in His will. We must receive those whom God has ordained. Who are these persons? They are His prophets, seers, and revelators. We must follow the counsel of His servants.
Luke 9:43-45
In the previous verses, the Savior heals the child of a man that has an unclean or evil spirit, which His disciples could not heal. The people were amazed at the Savior's power in the Priesthood. For He not only held the Priesthood, but as the only perfect person, He could exercise all its powers for the benefit of others. Then the Savior exhorts His disciples let his sayings “sink down into your ears” for He was going to be taken from them. They did not understand this; it was hide from them; they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask the Savior. The Savior knew this, but He did not explain it then, because He knew that through the power of the Holy Ghost after His resurrection that they would know and understand it.
Luke 18:31-34
In this version the Savior mentioned that prophecies about the Messiah will be fulfilled. The prophets prophecied that the Savior would be delivered unto the Gentiles, be mocked, spitefully entreated, spit upon, scourged, put to death and then rise again. But the disciples did not make the connection of between the prophecies and the Savior. It has hid from them, and they did not understand the things that were spoken concerning the death and resurrection of the Messiah.
In Matthew 16:21, the Savior begins to prepare and teach his disciples about the atonement and that He is going to have to voluntarily lay down his life for all mankind so that he can be resurrected on the third day. He tells them that He will suffer many things because of the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed. The disciples do not understand what he is telling them. But He tells them these things, so that after His death and resurrection, they will look back and see that He told them that they will happen and they will then understand.
In verses 22-23 there is an interchange between the Savior of the World and Peter. Peter begins to rebuke the Savior and says that what the Savior said is not going to happen. The Savior rebukes Peter in the strongest terms, “get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me.” The Savior continues that Peter is looking at His statements as a man and not as one that savors the things of God. Peter did not understand what the Lord was saying, because he did not understand the atonement.
In verse 24, the Savior gives powerful doctrine about being one of his followers. First, we need to deny ourselves, deny ourselves of all ungodliness. We need to take up his cross, or in other words to take His name upon us and be faithful in our trials and temptations. We also need to follow Him, to follow His example and to do the things that He would do. This is much easier said than done. After all, much more is said than done.
In verses 25-26, He teaches more powerful doctrine. In the Lord's kingdom to gain eternal life we must lose our live in the service of others. In other words, we have to give to get. The Savior continues that it does not profit someone to gain the whole world and its riches but lose their soul. He then asks a rhetorical question: What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? There is absolutely nothing in this world that is worth the loss of our opportunity to return and live with our Heavenly Father.
Matthew 17:22-23
In Matthew 17:22-23, the Savior reiterates that He, The Son of Man, or Son of the Man of Holiness, would be betrayed into the hands of men. He is prophesying that Judas will betray Him and that He will be delivered into the hands of the Jewish and Roman leaders. He foretells of His death and even more important that He will be resurrected on the third day. The Apostles are starting to get the picture that the Savior will be leaving them. They were exceedingly sorry. In reality, the Savior's death and resurrection are part of the greatest event of this world. It is because of His death and resurrection that the Atonement would be completed for everyone of us and that we overcame physical death and have the opportunity to overcome spiritual death, or being shut out from the presence of God.
Matthew 20:17-28
In verses 17-19, He reiterates again what He told His Apostles in Chapter 17—He is going to Jerusalem; He will be betrayed and given to the chief priests and scribes; He will be condemned to death; He will be mocked, scourged, and crucified by the Romans; and that He would rise again. His message was consistent and accurate.
Verses 20-23 record an interchange between the mother of James and John and the Savior. The Savior knew what they wanted, and when asked she stated that she wanted to sons to sit on the right and left hands of God. Jesus answered a question with a question, “Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said that they could. In reality, they could not, because only a person that had an immortal father and a mortal mother, could perform the atonement. Then the Savior prophecies that they will drink of the the cup, the persecution, and be baptized. But to sit on the right and left hand of the Savior was not His to give, but it was His Father that would give those places.
In verse 24, the other ten apostles were very upset with James and John, but the Savior called all the Apostles to Him and taught a very powerful lesson. The world teaches that the princes and those in great authority rule the world, but it is not to be so with you, the twelve Apostles. He who will be great among you shall be one that ministers and blesses others through the Priesthood. If you want to be the chief, you must be the servant, the servant of Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and His children. Even He adds, I, the Son of Man, came not be be ministered to but to minister and to most importantly to give My life as a ransom for many. He ransomed His life so all could be resurrected, and for many who would repent and obtain eternal life.
Mark 8:31-33
In Mark 8:31-33 the commentary of Matthew 16:22-23 is very similar. The commentary for Mark 8:34-37 is the same as Matthew 16:24-26. In Mark 8:38, the Savior reveals that those who are ashamed of Him and His words in this adulterous and sinful generation, He shall be ashamed of them, when he comes again in His Second Coming. He will come in the glory of His Father and with the Holy Angels. This is very sobering. How often are we ashamed of the Savior or of His word. This hits too close to home.
Mark 9:3-32
In these verses, The Savior quietly passes through Galilee and again tells his disciples that He will be delivered into the hands of the Jews and they shall kill Him. He also testifies that He shall rise on the third day. The disciples did not understand, but they were afraid to ask. He would instruct them again. After His resurrection, they would understand.
Mark 10:32-45
In Mark 10:32-34, the Savior again tells His disciples what is going to happen. I often wonder when the disciples began to understand what was going to take place. We will never know, but it is clear that they did not understand much before the events happened. As the events happened, I am sure that the disciples remembered the words of the Savior. After the Savior's death and resurrection and the receipt of the Holy Ghost, then they really understood.
In Mark 10:35-41, the commentary of Matthew 20:20-24 applies. In Mark 10:42-45, the Savior states that the Roman rulers exercise lordship and authority over the Jews. Being the ruler in the Lord's church means that those who want to be great among the disciples shall be those who minister unto the Church. The person in the Lord's Church who is the greatest is the one who serves all. The Savior came not to be ministered to, but to minister to all others. He also came to give His life so that all may be resurrected and all may have the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven them so that they can live with Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, forever.
Luke 9:22-25
Luke 9:22-25
For verse 22, see the commentary on Matthew 20:17-19. For verse 23, see the commentary on Matthew 16:24. For verses 24-25, see the commentary of Matthew 16:25-26. The JST gives some additional insights on verses 23-24. They follow: 24 For whosoever will save his life, must be willing to lose it for my sake; and whosoever will be willing to lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and yet he receive him not whom God hath ordained, and he lose his own soul, and he himself be a castaway? We need to lose our lives in the service of the Master, if we want to gain eternal life. Our will needs to be swallowed up in His will. We must receive those whom God has ordained. Who are these persons? They are His prophets, seers, and revelators. We must follow the counsel of His servants.
Luke 9:43-45
In the previous verses, the Savior heals the child of a man that has an unclean or evil spirit, which His disciples could not heal. The people were amazed at the Savior's power in the Priesthood. For He not only held the Priesthood, but as the only perfect person, He could exercise all its powers for the benefit of others. Then the Savior exhorts His disciples let his sayings “sink down into your ears” for He was going to be taken from them. They did not understand this; it was hide from them; they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask the Savior. The Savior knew this, but He did not explain it then, because He knew that through the power of the Holy Ghost after His resurrection that they would know and understand it.
Luke 18:31-34
In this version the Savior mentioned that prophecies about the Messiah will be fulfilled. The prophets prophecied that the Savior would be delivered unto the Gentiles, be mocked, spitefully entreated, spit upon, scourged, put to death and then rise again. But the disciples did not make the connection of between the prophecies and the Savior. It has hid from them, and they did not understand the things that were spoken concerning the death and resurrection of the Messiah.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Sent Forth Two by Two: Luke 9:1-6
In verse 1, the Savior calls the Twelve together. That would have been a wonderful meeting to observe. He probably taught them first about the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods and the various offices in the Priesthood. He would have then instructed them in the calling, duty, and authorities of the Holy Apostleship. He then would have ordained them to the office of apostle. What a powerful experience to be in the presence of the Son of God and have this sacred office be conferred upon you by Him personally.
In verses 2-6, He gives similar advice as we did in Mark 6. He sent them on missions to build the kingdom, to gain experience on how to preach and convert people, and to learn how to use the Priesthood to bless others. That is the same reason that He sends young men (and young women) on missions today. By traveling without purse or script, they learned to trust more on the Lord and allow Him to provide for them. From verse 6, it is clear that they were very successful, because they healed every where, meaning that many people had faith to be healed.
In verses 2-6, He gives similar advice as we did in Mark 6. He sent them on missions to build the kingdom, to gain experience on how to preach and convert people, and to learn how to use the Priesthood to bless others. That is the same reason that He sends young men (and young women) on missions today. By traveling without purse or script, they learned to trust more on the Lord and allow Him to provide for them. From verse 6, it is clear that they were very successful, because they healed every where, meaning that many people had faith to be healed.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Sent Forth Two by Two: Mark 6:7-13
In verses 7-9, the Savior gives instructions to the Twelve and sends them forth. It is time for the Twelve to start to do the things that the Savior has taught them. He sent them forth two by two. This is an important concept. Missionaries are to go out two by two so that they can support, help, motivate, and encourage each other. He gave them the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained them apostles so that they could have the power, not only to heal people, but also to have power over unclean or evil spirits. Then the Savior instructs them that they are to go without purse or script. This is a test of their faith, but it will show them that Heavenly Father will provide for them. Heavenly Father and the Lord care for Their servants. They will feed, provide clothing, and shelter Their servants.
In verses 10 and 11, the Savior gives more counsel for the missions of the Twelve. When they find a family that will accept them and house them, stay with that family until you depart from that area. Do not be constantly moving and looking for better places. More counsel comes in verse 11, where the Lord directs the missionaries to shake off the dust under their feet as a testimony against the those who do not receive them nor hear them. The consequences of that action are enormous. It will be more tolerable for tolerable for the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than those of that city or village. That is a scary statement.
In verses 12 and 13 the Savior states that they went out and preached that men should repent. Repentance is the first and foremost message of the Savior's Gospel. And then the Savior states that the Twelve went out and anointed many that sick with oil and healed them. The ordinance of anointing with oil is the same today as it was in the time of the Savior. The results are also the same. Many were healed. The Savior focused one the most important message and the results.
In verses 10 and 11, the Savior gives more counsel for the missions of the Twelve. When they find a family that will accept them and house them, stay with that family until you depart from that area. Do not be constantly moving and looking for better places. More counsel comes in verse 11, where the Lord directs the missionaries to shake off the dust under their feet as a testimony against the those who do not receive them nor hear them. The consequences of that action are enormous. It will be more tolerable for tolerable for the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than those of that city or village. That is a scary statement.
In verses 12 and 13 the Savior states that they went out and preached that men should repent. Repentance is the first and foremost message of the Savior's Gospel. And then the Savior states that the Twelve went out and anointed many that sick with oil and healed them. The ordinance of anointing with oil is the same today as it was in the time of the Savior. The results are also the same. Many were healed. The Savior focused one the most important message and the results.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sent Forth Two by Two: Matthew 9:35 to Matthew 11:1
Sends disciples forth by twos Matt. 9:35–11:1 (Mark 6:7–13; Luke 9:1–6); In Matthew 9:35 this verse summarizes three aspects of his activities: He went about in all the towns and cities and preached His message everywhere in Israel; He preached the Gospel of the Kingdom, the same true Gospel that we have today; and He healed every sickness and disease among the people. He healed both physical and spiritual diseases, every one of them.
Verses 36-38 show the love that Jesus Christ has for all his children. In verse 36 He is moved with compassion on them. The Savior is so loving and concerned about all His brothers and sisters. The Greek translation for “they fainted” is “they were harassed.” The religious leaders of the day did not teach the true Gospel and harassed all that did not do as they preached (and not necessarily as they did.) In verse 37 He turns to his disciples and states that there are so many people who need to hear the true Gospel, but the laborers are few. Referring to his disciples that they need to pray to the Lord of the Harvest, God the Father, that he will send forth all the laborers that He has into this harvest. Pray followed by action is a very important principle that we learn here.
In chapter 10, verse 1, the Savior continues as he calls, ordains, and sets apart the 12 Apostles. What an amazing experience that must have been. Being ordained and set apart is an amazing experience, but to have the Son of God as voice must have ______, words cannot describe the experience. He give them the power to cast out the unclean spirits, and to heal all manner of sickness and disease. The Apostles must have been amazed also that he set them apart as apostles and everything related to that high and holy calling. I believe that he must have instructed them specifically about the office and calling. Again, what an incredible experience that would have been.
In verses 2-3, the names of the twelve apostles are given. There are several things that stand out. First is that Peter and Andrew and James and John are brothers. What is even more interesting is that they are partners in a fishing business. As we review the other names, there is great diversity there, a Canaanite, a publican, but none who were from the Sanhedrin, the ruling class of the Jews of the day. Elder Nelson is his recent visit to the Independence MO stake, mentioned the great diversity in the present day Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “It is amazing that we can agree on anything.” But in their calling, the Spirit unifies and unites them together, as I am sure that it did in the time of the Savior. There is strength in diversity.
In verses 5-6, the Savior gives very specific direction to the Twelve to go not to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans, who were a mixture of Gentile and the House of Israel. He sent them to go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. This fulfills the first part of the scripture that in the meridian of time, the Gospel will go first to the Jews, who were of the part of the House of Israel that were not lost, and then to the Gentiles and to the lost part of the House of Israel, but in the last days the Gospel will go first to the Gentiles and lost part of the House of Israel, and then to the Jews.
Verses 7-8 are very simple and direct. The Twelve are to preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The Greek word for “is at hand” is “has come.” To me this means that the Savior has come and people need to listen, obey, and accept His Gospel. Then the Savior continues, that the Twelve need to heal the sick, cleans the lepers, riase the dead, and cast out devils. In other words, do the miracles that they have seen the Savior do. They have the same Priesthood. The Savior concludes this verse with “freely ye have received, free give.” Is it not interesting that everything that the Savior offers is free, the Gospel, its principles and doctrines are all available without charge to all. But with Satan, “you can buy anything in this world with money.” This, of course, is a huge lie. We need to freely accept what the Savior gives us.
Verses 9-10 is the direction for the Savior to go forth on their mission “without purse or script.” This had to have been an amazing test for the Twelve. It was a major test of faith, but the Lord's promises are secure and fulfilled: “for the workman is worthy of his meat (or hire).” I am sure that there faith was significantly strengthened.
Verses 11-15 is the direction given to the Twelve as they went out to preach the Gospel. The Twelve are to inquiry who is worthy (of the House of Israel), and there go and abide. As they entered the house they were to salute the household members. If the people are worthy, let your peace come upon the house and the inhabitants of that house. If they were not worthy, your peace will return to the Twelve. If the people do not receive or accept you nor hear your words, then shake the dust off of your feet when you depart the house or the city. The consequences of that ordinance will be destruction.
In verse 16, the Savior clearly charges the Twelve that He is sending them forth as sheep among the wolves. He did not sugar coat it, but he admonished them to wise as serpents and harmless (guileless) as doves. The comparison is interesting. Be wise of the ways of the adversary and yet be without deception as doves, that which represents the Holy Ghost. Be clean and pure in motive and straight forward.
In Verses 17-20, the Savior continues and warns that the Twelve need to beware of men. The Savior details that men will deliver the Twelve up to councils to be judged, and the councils will cause you to be scourged. Additionally, the Twelve will be brought before governors and kings for the Savior's sake. They will appear before the governors and kings so that the Twelve can bear testimony against them and the Gentiles. When the Twelve is before the governors and kings, they need not take thought of how or what they should speak, because they will be told (by the Holy Ghost) in that hour what they should speak. The Savior reminds the Twelve that it is not them that speaks, but the Spirit of the Father (Holy Ghost) that will speak through them. This also applies to us today. As we draw nearer the Savior, He will use us as a sharp instrument in His hand to further the work, testify of the restoration, and invite all to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.
In verses 21-23, the Savior realistically describes some of the situations that the Twelve will see among the converts. Many, who accept the Gospel, shall see brothers, fathers, children and parents rise up against each other and deliver them to be killed, all because of accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Twelve shall be hated of all men for the sake of the Master. In spite of all these situations, he that endureth until the end shall be saved forever in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Savior further admonishes the Twelve that when they are persecuted in one city, flee unto another city. Continue to do the work, since the Twelve will not have gone to all the cities of Israel until He comes.
In verses 24-27 the Savior continues His instructions to the Twelve that neither the disciple nor the servant is above his master or lord. It is sufficient for the disciple and the servant to become as the master and the lord. That is our goal to become like our Lord and Master. The Savior continues we are also called by our lord and master or he whom we serve. Just as if the master of the house were Beelzebub (the devil), those of the household are also called of devil. The Savior then counsels to fear not, for there is nothing that is covered or hid, that will not be revealed and known. Then He draws on contrasts to continue that what He tells the Twelve in small groups away from the light of day, those are things that they will openly speak; and what which He whispers in their ears, that will the Twelve preach openly to the believers.
Verse 28 is a very powerful verse and teaches clearly an eternal truth. We are not to fear those who are able to kill the body but not able to kill the soul. President Kimball taught that “There is not tragedy is death, only in sin.” Only we ourselves can kill our soul. But we are to fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. That person is Satan, but he can only exercise power over us that we give to him. Our responsibility is to be true and faithful and look to the Lord continually.
In verses 29-31, the SAvior reemphasizes the concept of the importance of each of us to Heavenly Father. He compares how a sparrow that costs two farthings does not fall to the ground without Heavenly Father noticing it. He then declares that the hairs of our heads are numbered and that we have significantly more value that a sparrow. All of God's creatures are important, but we are children of God and should never forget that. Heavenly Father does knows each of our situations, and our responsibility is to look to him and heed his counsel.
In verses 32-33 the Lord teaches more amazing doctrine. If we will confess the Savior before men, that He will confess you before Heavenly Father. The reverse is also true. If we are afraid and deny the Lord before men, the Lord will also deny him before Heavenly Father. There is only one standard here. We must be a witness of God at all times and in all places.
The Savior continues in verses 34-37 with an unsettling yet true principle that a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He starts out by saying that He is not come to send peace on the earth but a sword. He has come to set variance between the members of the family. He then states the heart of the matter: He that loveth his family more than the Savior is not worthy of Him. We have to love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ most. By loving our family more than the Savior, I believe that one interpretation is that we do the things that our family members want us to do instead of the things that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to do. This applies to living the doctrines, principles, commandments and standards of Them.
Verse 38 is very interesting: “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Each of us has many trials, temptations, tribulations, and sorrows to overcome in this life. These things are our “crosses.” The admonition of the Savior is simply to accept these trials, temptations, tribulations, and sorrows, pick yourself up, look to Him, and follow Him. Do the things that He would do. If you cannot do this, you are not worthy of Him. This is very simply stated but very challenging to do. But if we will look to Him more, pray to Heavenly Father in the Savior's name, and get up and do what we know is right, They will help us in ways not seen to overcome all things.
Verse 39 is very interesting. We have all read it before: “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” The JST adds some additional light: He who seeketh to save his life shall lose (or the Greek word means: sacrifice) it. He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. We need to lose our lives for the Savior's sake. If we do this, we shall be given eternal life.
Verses 40-42 provide wonderful instruction. In verse 40, the Lord links receiving or accepting the Twelve to receiving or accepting the Savior; and those who receive and accept the Savior receive and accept Heavenly Father. There is a marvelous correlation there. Also, the word receive means accept, hearken, or to do what the Father and Son want us to do. That word also comes through the prophets, seers and revelators. In verses 41-42, the Lord teaches further that as we hearken to the prophets and righteous men that we will receive the reward that comes with being obedient. Then the Lord expands the concept and emphasizes the need to serve and to be charitable. As we serve and are charitable, we shall not lose but gain a great reward—that of eternal life.
In Matthew 11:1 we find that some interesting wording—that when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples. The doctrine and principles that the Savior taught in this chapter were commandments. We need to hearken and give heed to the doctrines and principles of this chapter. After instructing the Twelve, the Savior went to teach and preach in the cities of the Twelve.
Verses 36-38 show the love that Jesus Christ has for all his children. In verse 36 He is moved with compassion on them. The Savior is so loving and concerned about all His brothers and sisters. The Greek translation for “they fainted” is “they were harassed.” The religious leaders of the day did not teach the true Gospel and harassed all that did not do as they preached (and not necessarily as they did.) In verse 37 He turns to his disciples and states that there are so many people who need to hear the true Gospel, but the laborers are few. Referring to his disciples that they need to pray to the Lord of the Harvest, God the Father, that he will send forth all the laborers that He has into this harvest. Pray followed by action is a very important principle that we learn here.
In chapter 10, verse 1, the Savior continues as he calls, ordains, and sets apart the 12 Apostles. What an amazing experience that must have been. Being ordained and set apart is an amazing experience, but to have the Son of God as voice must have ______, words cannot describe the experience. He give them the power to cast out the unclean spirits, and to heal all manner of sickness and disease. The Apostles must have been amazed also that he set them apart as apostles and everything related to that high and holy calling. I believe that he must have instructed them specifically about the office and calling. Again, what an incredible experience that would have been.
In verses 2-3, the names of the twelve apostles are given. There are several things that stand out. First is that Peter and Andrew and James and John are brothers. What is even more interesting is that they are partners in a fishing business. As we review the other names, there is great diversity there, a Canaanite, a publican, but none who were from the Sanhedrin, the ruling class of the Jews of the day. Elder Nelson is his recent visit to the Independence MO stake, mentioned the great diversity in the present day Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “It is amazing that we can agree on anything.” But in their calling, the Spirit unifies and unites them together, as I am sure that it did in the time of the Savior. There is strength in diversity.
In verses 5-6, the Savior gives very specific direction to the Twelve to go not to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans, who were a mixture of Gentile and the House of Israel. He sent them to go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. This fulfills the first part of the scripture that in the meridian of time, the Gospel will go first to the Jews, who were of the part of the House of Israel that were not lost, and then to the Gentiles and to the lost part of the House of Israel, but in the last days the Gospel will go first to the Gentiles and lost part of the House of Israel, and then to the Jews.
Verses 7-8 are very simple and direct. The Twelve are to preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The Greek word for “is at hand” is “has come.” To me this means that the Savior has come and people need to listen, obey, and accept His Gospel. Then the Savior continues, that the Twelve need to heal the sick, cleans the lepers, riase the dead, and cast out devils. In other words, do the miracles that they have seen the Savior do. They have the same Priesthood. The Savior concludes this verse with “freely ye have received, free give.” Is it not interesting that everything that the Savior offers is free, the Gospel, its principles and doctrines are all available without charge to all. But with Satan, “you can buy anything in this world with money.” This, of course, is a huge lie. We need to freely accept what the Savior gives us.
Verses 9-10 is the direction for the Savior to go forth on their mission “without purse or script.” This had to have been an amazing test for the Twelve. It was a major test of faith, but the Lord's promises are secure and fulfilled: “for the workman is worthy of his meat (or hire).” I am sure that there faith was significantly strengthened.
Verses 11-15 is the direction given to the Twelve as they went out to preach the Gospel. The Twelve are to inquiry who is worthy (of the House of Israel), and there go and abide. As they entered the house they were to salute the household members. If the people are worthy, let your peace come upon the house and the inhabitants of that house. If they were not worthy, your peace will return to the Twelve. If the people do not receive or accept you nor hear your words, then shake the dust off of your feet when you depart the house or the city. The consequences of that ordinance will be destruction.
In verse 16, the Savior clearly charges the Twelve that He is sending them forth as sheep among the wolves. He did not sugar coat it, but he admonished them to wise as serpents and harmless (guileless) as doves. The comparison is interesting. Be wise of the ways of the adversary and yet be without deception as doves, that which represents the Holy Ghost. Be clean and pure in motive and straight forward.
In Verses 17-20, the Savior continues and warns that the Twelve need to beware of men. The Savior details that men will deliver the Twelve up to councils to be judged, and the councils will cause you to be scourged. Additionally, the Twelve will be brought before governors and kings for the Savior's sake. They will appear before the governors and kings so that the Twelve can bear testimony against them and the Gentiles. When the Twelve is before the governors and kings, they need not take thought of how or what they should speak, because they will be told (by the Holy Ghost) in that hour what they should speak. The Savior reminds the Twelve that it is not them that speaks, but the Spirit of the Father (Holy Ghost) that will speak through them. This also applies to us today. As we draw nearer the Savior, He will use us as a sharp instrument in His hand to further the work, testify of the restoration, and invite all to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.
In verses 21-23, the Savior realistically describes some of the situations that the Twelve will see among the converts. Many, who accept the Gospel, shall see brothers, fathers, children and parents rise up against each other and deliver them to be killed, all because of accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Twelve shall be hated of all men for the sake of the Master. In spite of all these situations, he that endureth until the end shall be saved forever in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Savior further admonishes the Twelve that when they are persecuted in one city, flee unto another city. Continue to do the work, since the Twelve will not have gone to all the cities of Israel until He comes.
In verses 24-27 the Savior continues His instructions to the Twelve that neither the disciple nor the servant is above his master or lord. It is sufficient for the disciple and the servant to become as the master and the lord. That is our goal to become like our Lord and Master. The Savior continues we are also called by our lord and master or he whom we serve. Just as if the master of the house were Beelzebub (the devil), those of the household are also called of devil. The Savior then counsels to fear not, for there is nothing that is covered or hid, that will not be revealed and known. Then He draws on contrasts to continue that what He tells the Twelve in small groups away from the light of day, those are things that they will openly speak; and what which He whispers in their ears, that will the Twelve preach openly to the believers.
Verse 28 is a very powerful verse and teaches clearly an eternal truth. We are not to fear those who are able to kill the body but not able to kill the soul. President Kimball taught that “There is not tragedy is death, only in sin.” Only we ourselves can kill our soul. But we are to fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. That person is Satan, but he can only exercise power over us that we give to him. Our responsibility is to be true and faithful and look to the Lord continually.
In verses 29-31, the SAvior reemphasizes the concept of the importance of each of us to Heavenly Father. He compares how a sparrow that costs two farthings does not fall to the ground without Heavenly Father noticing it. He then declares that the hairs of our heads are numbered and that we have significantly more value that a sparrow. All of God's creatures are important, but we are children of God and should never forget that. Heavenly Father does knows each of our situations, and our responsibility is to look to him and heed his counsel.
In verses 32-33 the Lord teaches more amazing doctrine. If we will confess the Savior before men, that He will confess you before Heavenly Father. The reverse is also true. If we are afraid and deny the Lord before men, the Lord will also deny him before Heavenly Father. There is only one standard here. We must be a witness of God at all times and in all places.
The Savior continues in verses 34-37 with an unsettling yet true principle that a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He starts out by saying that He is not come to send peace on the earth but a sword. He has come to set variance between the members of the family. He then states the heart of the matter: He that loveth his family more than the Savior is not worthy of Him. We have to love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ most. By loving our family more than the Savior, I believe that one interpretation is that we do the things that our family members want us to do instead of the things that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to do. This applies to living the doctrines, principles, commandments and standards of Them.
Verse 38 is very interesting: “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Each of us has many trials, temptations, tribulations, and sorrows to overcome in this life. These things are our “crosses.” The admonition of the Savior is simply to accept these trials, temptations, tribulations, and sorrows, pick yourself up, look to Him, and follow Him. Do the things that He would do. If you cannot do this, you are not worthy of Him. This is very simply stated but very challenging to do. But if we will look to Him more, pray to Heavenly Father in the Savior's name, and get up and do what we know is right, They will help us in ways not seen to overcome all things.
Verse 39 is very interesting. We have all read it before: “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” The JST adds some additional light: He who seeketh to save his life shall lose (or the Greek word means: sacrifice) it. He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. We need to lose our lives for the Savior's sake. If we do this, we shall be given eternal life.
Verses 40-42 provide wonderful instruction. In verse 40, the Lord links receiving or accepting the Twelve to receiving or accepting the Savior; and those who receive and accept the Savior receive and accept Heavenly Father. There is a marvelous correlation there. Also, the word receive means accept, hearken, or to do what the Father and Son want us to do. That word also comes through the prophets, seers and revelators. In verses 41-42, the Lord teaches further that as we hearken to the prophets and righteous men that we will receive the reward that comes with being obedient. Then the Lord expands the concept and emphasizes the need to serve and to be charitable. As we serve and are charitable, we shall not lose but gain a great reward—that of eternal life.
In Matthew 11:1 we find that some interesting wording—that when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples. The doctrine and principles that the Savior taught in this chapter were commandments. We need to hearken and give heed to the doctrines and principles of this chapter. After instructing the Twelve, the Savior went to teach and preach in the cities of the Twelve.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7: 1-29
Verse 1-2 are more clearly stated in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible: “Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people. Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” We are not to judge unrighteously, but we are to judge righteously. This is a very difficult challenge, since we, in most cases, do not understand the situations that others are in. In the church, we should leave judgment to the Lord's judges: the Bishop, the Stake President, the Area Authorities, the General Authorities, and the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. We clearly also need to remember that the criteria that we use to judge others will be used to judge us. In other words, we need to forgive all people and allow the judgments of the church and the law of the land to judge. Mistakes may be made, but those who make them will be held accountable. “Let it alone.”
Verses 3-5 focus on an age old problem of seeing and judging others of their problems and ignoring the problems and challenges that we have; some which are much larger or more serious than the those of others. This also continues or expands the topic of judging one another and adding another aspect to it, that of having other or similar problems that are much greater than the ones that we are condemning in others. Our first priority needs to be improving and repenting in our own lives and then we may be more justified in helping others overcome challenges in their lives.
Verse 6 emphasizes the need to be careful what we teach to whom. We are taught to teach the basics—faith, repentance, baptism, and the receipt of the Holy Ghost. These are the milk. We should not teach the pearls or the meat, those things that are sacred and holy, except to those who are worthy and ready to learn. This applies especially to the temple. We need to be very careful what we say about the temple, outside of the temple. In most cases, those who are not ready for the pearls or the meat will publicize and mock these sacred principles, doctrines and teachings.
Verses 7-8 emphasize the powerful promise of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. If we ask, it will be given to us; if seek, we shall find; and if we knock, it shall be opened unto us. This is such a simple principle, but so often we forgot to apply this powerful simple promise in our lives. In verse 8, the message is repeated, ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, and knock and it shall be opened to you. The Savior used repetition for emphasis. I think that it is interesting in English that each letter in ASK stands for Ask, Seek, and Knock. May we each apply this principle more and more each day. We also know that “given,” the “finding,” and the “opening” will be in the Lord's time. Let us not only ask more, but trust more and be patient more in receiving answers.
Verses 9-11 discuss a parable of how we, as fallible mortals, give good gifts to our children when they ask; would not our Heavenly Father, who is perfect, give the exactly right gift to those who ask Him. Isn't amazing how the Savior took everyday things and experiences and then compared them to His Heavenly Father and Himself to illustrate very basic and wonderful principles. The importance of asking is so basic that we always need to remember to do it constantly and regularly.
Verse 12, the golden rule says it all: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Treat others as you want to be treated. It is basic, and it is true doctrine.
Verses 13-14 focus on one of the great principles of the Lord's Church—that the Church of God must be found. Wide is the gate and broad is the way, or in other words, the popular and easy way is not the Lord's way. It is the way that leads to destruction, and many are there that go there, because it is easy and does not require great effort. We are commanded to enter in at the strait gate. Implied here is that the strait gate is strait and the narrow way narrow and requires us to be obedient to God and not to man. This path leads to eternal life and it must be sought after, found, and lived each day. The broad way is Babylon and the narrow way leads to Zion.
Verses 15-20 focus on what are the signs of a true prophet. In verse 15 the Lord warns us to beware of false prophets, who are inwardly not true and only want to devour us and our property—they are ravenous wolves. How shall we know a prophet? It is by their fruits. The Greek word for know in verse 16 means recognize or detect. Then the Savior asks if men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistle? The obvious answer is no. Grapes grow on vines and figs on fig trees. Good trees bring forth good fruit. The Greek word for good means: “beautiful or precious fruit without blemish.” The corrupt (Greek—decayed, rotten, stale) tree brings forth evil (bad, spoiled, or degenerate) fruit. The Lord then declares that a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit and the corrupt tree does not bring forth good fruit. The Lord then promises that every tree that does not bring forth good fruit will be hewn down and cast into the fire. Those who are evil will be made known and they will self destruct. Therefore, we can know prophets by their fruits.
Verse 21 is a classic in that it lays down more doctrine of Christ. It is not what we say that will get us into the Kingdom of Heaven; but it is what we do, and what we do must be that we do the will of Heavenly Father. This is a very challenging thing. We first need to keep His commandments, be in tune with the Holy Ghost, actively seek to know the will of our Heavenly Father, and then do that the will of Heavenly Father. This is a 24/7 assignment and requires constant vigilance.
Verses 22-23 discuss the fact that at the time of judgment, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Then comes the pronouncement of the Savior: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Most often we think that this applies to other people, not to us or to our church. In reality, it means a couple of things. First, it applies to those people who do the above mentioned works in the name of the Father and/or Son and who are not Their authorized servants; i.e., they do not hold His priesthood. It also may apply to those, who hold the Priesthood of God, but are not worthy to use it. We need to be very careful how we use the name of the Father and the Son, lest we “take the name of the Lord in vain.”
Verses 24-27 are the story of the man who builds his house on the rock or on the sand, depending on whether the man hears, understands and does the sayings of the Savior. There are three steps here; we must first hear the Savior's sayings, then understand what we should do, and then do it. If we do all three steps then we build our home on the the rock. The Savior is also often called the Rock and its use here is not coincidental. When we hear, understand, and do, then we are literally building our lives on the Savior and no matter what comes we are sustained by Him. However, if we do not hear, understand, or do, then we are like the foolish man that builds his house on the sand. When the trials, tribulations, and challenges come, we fall because we are not build on the principles and doctrines of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Verses 28-29 talk about the effect that Jesus' teachings had on the Jews. They were astonished at His doctrine. The doctrine of the Gospel feels so right and the people at the time of the Savior were intellectually and spiritually touched by the doctrine. Since He was the Son of God, they also felt that He taught with authority, which He did. The whole experience here was so different from the Scribes, Pharisees, Sadduces and the Sanhedrin, who did not teach with spiritual authority but with worldly authority. He clearly was different and they felt it.
Verses 3-5 focus on an age old problem of seeing and judging others of their problems and ignoring the problems and challenges that we have; some which are much larger or more serious than the those of others. This also continues or expands the topic of judging one another and adding another aspect to it, that of having other or similar problems that are much greater than the ones that we are condemning in others. Our first priority needs to be improving and repenting in our own lives and then we may be more justified in helping others overcome challenges in their lives.
Verse 6 emphasizes the need to be careful what we teach to whom. We are taught to teach the basics—faith, repentance, baptism, and the receipt of the Holy Ghost. These are the milk. We should not teach the pearls or the meat, those things that are sacred and holy, except to those who are worthy and ready to learn. This applies especially to the temple. We need to be very careful what we say about the temple, outside of the temple. In most cases, those who are not ready for the pearls or the meat will publicize and mock these sacred principles, doctrines and teachings.
Verses 7-8 emphasize the powerful promise of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. If we ask, it will be given to us; if seek, we shall find; and if we knock, it shall be opened unto us. This is such a simple principle, but so often we forgot to apply this powerful simple promise in our lives. In verse 8, the message is repeated, ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, and knock and it shall be opened to you. The Savior used repetition for emphasis. I think that it is interesting in English that each letter in ASK stands for Ask, Seek, and Knock. May we each apply this principle more and more each day. We also know that “given,” the “finding,” and the “opening” will be in the Lord's time. Let us not only ask more, but trust more and be patient more in receiving answers.
Verses 9-11 discuss a parable of how we, as fallible mortals, give good gifts to our children when they ask; would not our Heavenly Father, who is perfect, give the exactly right gift to those who ask Him. Isn't amazing how the Savior took everyday things and experiences and then compared them to His Heavenly Father and Himself to illustrate very basic and wonderful principles. The importance of asking is so basic that we always need to remember to do it constantly and regularly.
Verse 12, the golden rule says it all: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Treat others as you want to be treated. It is basic, and it is true doctrine.
Verses 13-14 focus on one of the great principles of the Lord's Church—that the Church of God must be found. Wide is the gate and broad is the way, or in other words, the popular and easy way is not the Lord's way. It is the way that leads to destruction, and many are there that go there, because it is easy and does not require great effort. We are commanded to enter in at the strait gate. Implied here is that the strait gate is strait and the narrow way narrow and requires us to be obedient to God and not to man. This path leads to eternal life and it must be sought after, found, and lived each day. The broad way is Babylon and the narrow way leads to Zion.
Verses 15-20 focus on what are the signs of a true prophet. In verse 15 the Lord warns us to beware of false prophets, who are inwardly not true and only want to devour us and our property—they are ravenous wolves. How shall we know a prophet? It is by their fruits. The Greek word for know in verse 16 means recognize or detect. Then the Savior asks if men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistle? The obvious answer is no. Grapes grow on vines and figs on fig trees. Good trees bring forth good fruit. The Greek word for good means: “beautiful or precious fruit without blemish.” The corrupt (Greek—decayed, rotten, stale) tree brings forth evil (bad, spoiled, or degenerate) fruit. The Lord then declares that a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit and the corrupt tree does not bring forth good fruit. The Lord then promises that every tree that does not bring forth good fruit will be hewn down and cast into the fire. Those who are evil will be made known and they will self destruct. Therefore, we can know prophets by their fruits.
Verse 21 is a classic in that it lays down more doctrine of Christ. It is not what we say that will get us into the Kingdom of Heaven; but it is what we do, and what we do must be that we do the will of Heavenly Father. This is a very challenging thing. We first need to keep His commandments, be in tune with the Holy Ghost, actively seek to know the will of our Heavenly Father, and then do that the will of Heavenly Father. This is a 24/7 assignment and requires constant vigilance.
Verses 22-23 discuss the fact that at the time of judgment, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Then comes the pronouncement of the Savior: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Most often we think that this applies to other people, not to us or to our church. In reality, it means a couple of things. First, it applies to those people who do the above mentioned works in the name of the Father and/or Son and who are not Their authorized servants; i.e., they do not hold His priesthood. It also may apply to those, who hold the Priesthood of God, but are not worthy to use it. We need to be very careful how we use the name of the Father and the Son, lest we “take the name of the Lord in vain.”
Verses 24-27 are the story of the man who builds his house on the rock or on the sand, depending on whether the man hears, understands and does the sayings of the Savior. There are three steps here; we must first hear the Savior's sayings, then understand what we should do, and then do it. If we do all three steps then we build our home on the the rock. The Savior is also often called the Rock and its use here is not coincidental. When we hear, understand, and do, then we are literally building our lives on the Savior and no matter what comes we are sustained by Him. However, if we do not hear, understand, or do, then we are like the foolish man that builds his house on the sand. When the trials, tribulations, and challenges come, we fall because we are not build on the principles and doctrines of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Verses 28-29 talk about the effect that Jesus' teachings had on the Jews. They were astonished at His doctrine. The doctrine of the Gospel feels so right and the people at the time of the Savior were intellectually and spiritually touched by the doctrine. Since He was the Son of God, they also felt that He taught with authority, which He did. The whole experience here was so different from the Scribes, Pharisees, Sadduces and the Sanhedrin, who did not teach with spiritual authority but with worldly authority. He clearly was different and they felt it.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 6:1-34
As Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount, He continues the theme that there is a higher law. As He starts in Matthew 6:1, He talks about doing things for the right reason. We are not to do our alms before men to be seen of men. We are to do them because we love and want to serve Heavenly Father. The word “alms” is defined in the Greek as righteousness and acts of religious devotion. It is a broad term and applies to all our dealings with Heavenly Father. If we do things to be seen of men, our heart is not them. We are looking for the accolades of men and not the approval of our Heavenly Father. All things must be done with an eye single to the glory of God to be recognized by Heavenly Father. In verses 2-4, the Savior's lesson continues by saying that if we want to be seen of men when we give alms, we are hypocrites. That is a severe rebuke. We also have our reward so that the Lord will be not bless us for our alms. We are not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. In other words, things are to be done from the heart without regard for what others think. If alms are given in secret, then the Lord will reward us openly.
Verses 5-6 parallel verses 1-4. The message is the same: You pray from the heart, not to be seen of men, but to be seen of God. If we are looking to please man, we cannot please God. It all goes back to doing the right things for the right reasons—to do things with an eye single to the glory of God and not of man.
Verses 7-8 continue the theme of praying from the heart, not to be seen or heard of men. Some people think that it is the amount of praying not the intent of our prayer that matters. Such is not the case. The more that our hearts in are in our prayers, the more the Lord hears them. We need to remember also that Heavenly Father knows what we need. One of the major points of prayer is to align our will with our Father's will. We need to ask for the things that we really need, remembering that our will is the only thing that we have that we can give to our Heavenly Father.
Verses 9-13 contain the Lord's prayer. It is introduced as the Savior instructs that this is the way that we ought to pray. It begins calling on our Father in Heaven. All prayers are to be addressed to our Heavenly Father. The next phrase, “hallowed be thy name,” allows us to praise our Heavenly Father. A footnote also states, “Let thy name be sanctified.” We need to be far more aware of giving thanks and praise to God the Father. “Thy Kingdom come,” emphasizes our desire to have the Kingdom of God on Earth be established. We also need to not only prayer for the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth, but we also need to put our shoulder to the wheel and help establish and expand the Kingdom of God on the earth. The Lord's prayer continues with “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” I believe that the Lord wants us to honestly and truly to desire to know His will, to diligently seek His will, and then do His will in all things. We have to pray constantly and consistently to have that happen in our lives. The prayer continues with “Give us this day our daily bread.” Isn't it interesting that the Lord wants to ask for our daily bread. This is both physical bread and spiritual bread. We need the physical bread to stay alive physically, and we need the spiritual food to not only stay alive spiritually, but to grow and progress spiritually. It is the constant nourishment of body and spirit that is important. The next sentence is so critical for our personal salvation and exaltation. “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” The footnote says that debts in the Greek means “debts, offenses, faults, or sins.” The message is so clear. We will be forgiven, as we forgive others. If we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven. That is the pure doctrine of Christ. It was so important that the Lord included it in His prayer. The next phrase, “and lead us not into temptation,” is one that does not ring true. The Lord does not lead people into temptation. The Joseph Smith Translation corrects this phrase to read: “And suffer us not to be led into temptation.” Also the translation from Syriac is: “do not let us enter into temptation.” I believe that the interpretations are similar. Warn us so that we will not be lead into temptation. Yes, we have to be alert and be listening to the Spirit, and more importantly, follow what the Spirit says. The Lord's Prayer ends with “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Here we acknowledge that God the Father's kingdom is what is important, that it is His power that blesses us, and that his glory is what we want to attain. This is a humble acknowledgement that what He wants is most important and that we want to do His will in all things.
Verses 14-15 teaches one of the most basic, yet critically important principles of the doctrine of repentance. If we forgive others, Heavenly Father will forgive us. And if we will not forgive others, then Heavenly Father will not forgive us. The Doctrine and Covenants adds, “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.” Forgiveness is a key to repentance, and without repentance we cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
Verses 16-18 mirror the message of verses 1-8. Instead of applying to praying, it applies to fasting. We must not look like we are fasting, but we should look naturally so that Heavenly Father, who sees in secret, can reward you openly. Fasting is such a key principle of the Gospel that we need to give strict heed to this counsel. Fasting and prayer are the keys to revelation and inspiration.
Verses 19-20 discuss the importance of laying up spiritual treasures in heaven and not laying up physical treasures on the earth. For the physical treasures deteriorate, can be stolen and cannot be taken with us when we die; while heavenly treasures do not deteriorate, cannot be stole and can be taken with us when we die. The same Spirit that possesses our body when we die will go with us to the life after this life.
Verse 21 is the heart of the matter. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” This is an interesting statement. It strikes at the issue of what we treasure. Do we treasure the things of Babylon or do we treasure the things of Zion and the Lord? Our heart will follow what we treasure. The only way to have a heart that treasures the things of Zion is through the mighty change of heart that is discussed by Alma. That change of heart must come from the Savior and through His atonement. As we accept Him completely, Zion becomes our treasure and our heart is also set on the things of Zion.
Verses 22-23 talk of the eye being the light of the body. If thine eye being single to knowing and doing the will of God, then thy entire body shall be filled with light, which is the light of Christ, and/or the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Ghost. With this light, you can know and do the will of the Lord in all things. You have His image in your continence. Continuing, but if your eye (or heart) be evil, then your entire body shall be full of darkness. The absence of light, which is the temptations of Satan and the desires of the natural man, will fill your body with darkness. As one continually gives in to the temptations of Satan and the desires of the natural man, it is a spiral downward until you are completely filled with darkness and the light of Christ, the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Ghost, can no more find a place within you.
Verse 24 states an eternal truth: you cannot serve God and Mammon or the world at the same time. We can serve God and become a Zion people or we can serve Satan and become of the world or Babylon. As Elder Maxwell said that we cannot have a home in Zion and a summer cottage in Babylon. Too often that is what we want to do. The Savior makes it perfectly clear, it is either one of the other. It is the Lord or Babylon. Let us be like Joshua in chapter 24:15: “choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Verses 25-26 are interesting and do not apply to everyone. In 3 Nephi 13:25, the Savior stated: “And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” Verse 26 remains very close to the King James version. The apostles are not to concern themselves with the temporal issues and need to focus on almost completely on spiritual issues.
Verse 27 helps us understand that there are certain things that we cannot change—our parents, the attributes of our body: our size, height, eye color, how we look, our place of birth, and many other things. Our role is to accept the decisions that the Lord has made for us, when He placed us here on the earth and to move forward to know and do His will in all things. His will includes being baptized, confirmed, endowed, married in the temple, keeping the commandments, and then preparing ourselves to live with Him forever.
Verses 28-30 teach us more important principles about raiment or things of the world for the apostles. The lilies of the field or the things of nature are so beautifully arrayed and last only a very short time. If the Lord clothes the grass, will he not clothe the apostles. He absolutely will. The 12 have great faith and that faith allows them to fulfill their spiritual missions, and the promises of the Lord are that he will take care of the temporal things.
Verses 31-32 tell the Apostles not to be concerned with what they should eat, drink or wear. It is the Gentiles or the non believers that worry about those three things. They are reassured that Heavenly Father knows their needs and He will provide them.
Verses 33-34 tells the Apostles that they need to first seek the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, and that the Lord will add all things that are needed for his will to be done in their lives. They are not to take thought of tomorrow but focus on the things of today and the assignments of today. The Lord will take care of the “things of tomorrow” tomorrow. The Lord will always be there for them. The last sentence “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” has always miffed me. The only interpretation that makes any sense to me is that there is sufficient evil in the world and we need to focus on being righteous today.
Verses 5-6 parallel verses 1-4. The message is the same: You pray from the heart, not to be seen of men, but to be seen of God. If we are looking to please man, we cannot please God. It all goes back to doing the right things for the right reasons—to do things with an eye single to the glory of God and not of man.
Verses 7-8 continue the theme of praying from the heart, not to be seen or heard of men. Some people think that it is the amount of praying not the intent of our prayer that matters. Such is not the case. The more that our hearts in are in our prayers, the more the Lord hears them. We need to remember also that Heavenly Father knows what we need. One of the major points of prayer is to align our will with our Father's will. We need to ask for the things that we really need, remembering that our will is the only thing that we have that we can give to our Heavenly Father.
Verses 9-13 contain the Lord's prayer. It is introduced as the Savior instructs that this is the way that we ought to pray. It begins calling on our Father in Heaven. All prayers are to be addressed to our Heavenly Father. The next phrase, “hallowed be thy name,” allows us to praise our Heavenly Father. A footnote also states, “Let thy name be sanctified.” We need to be far more aware of giving thanks and praise to God the Father. “Thy Kingdom come,” emphasizes our desire to have the Kingdom of God on Earth be established. We also need to not only prayer for the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth, but we also need to put our shoulder to the wheel and help establish and expand the Kingdom of God on the earth. The Lord's prayer continues with “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” I believe that the Lord wants us to honestly and truly to desire to know His will, to diligently seek His will, and then do His will in all things. We have to pray constantly and consistently to have that happen in our lives. The prayer continues with “Give us this day our daily bread.” Isn't it interesting that the Lord wants to ask for our daily bread. This is both physical bread and spiritual bread. We need the physical bread to stay alive physically, and we need the spiritual food to not only stay alive spiritually, but to grow and progress spiritually. It is the constant nourishment of body and spirit that is important. The next sentence is so critical for our personal salvation and exaltation. “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” The footnote says that debts in the Greek means “debts, offenses, faults, or sins.” The message is so clear. We will be forgiven, as we forgive others. If we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven. That is the pure doctrine of Christ. It was so important that the Lord included it in His prayer. The next phrase, “and lead us not into temptation,” is one that does not ring true. The Lord does not lead people into temptation. The Joseph Smith Translation corrects this phrase to read: “And suffer us not to be led into temptation.” Also the translation from Syriac is: “do not let us enter into temptation.” I believe that the interpretations are similar. Warn us so that we will not be lead into temptation. Yes, we have to be alert and be listening to the Spirit, and more importantly, follow what the Spirit says. The Lord's Prayer ends with “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Here we acknowledge that God the Father's kingdom is what is important, that it is His power that blesses us, and that his glory is what we want to attain. This is a humble acknowledgement that what He wants is most important and that we want to do His will in all things.
Verses 14-15 teaches one of the most basic, yet critically important principles of the doctrine of repentance. If we forgive others, Heavenly Father will forgive us. And if we will not forgive others, then Heavenly Father will not forgive us. The Doctrine and Covenants adds, “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.” Forgiveness is a key to repentance, and without repentance we cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
Verses 16-18 mirror the message of verses 1-8. Instead of applying to praying, it applies to fasting. We must not look like we are fasting, but we should look naturally so that Heavenly Father, who sees in secret, can reward you openly. Fasting is such a key principle of the Gospel that we need to give strict heed to this counsel. Fasting and prayer are the keys to revelation and inspiration.
Verses 19-20 discuss the importance of laying up spiritual treasures in heaven and not laying up physical treasures on the earth. For the physical treasures deteriorate, can be stolen and cannot be taken with us when we die; while heavenly treasures do not deteriorate, cannot be stole and can be taken with us when we die. The same Spirit that possesses our body when we die will go with us to the life after this life.
Verse 21 is the heart of the matter. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” This is an interesting statement. It strikes at the issue of what we treasure. Do we treasure the things of Babylon or do we treasure the things of Zion and the Lord? Our heart will follow what we treasure. The only way to have a heart that treasures the things of Zion is through the mighty change of heart that is discussed by Alma. That change of heart must come from the Savior and through His atonement. As we accept Him completely, Zion becomes our treasure and our heart is also set on the things of Zion.
Verses 22-23 talk of the eye being the light of the body. If thine eye being single to knowing and doing the will of God, then thy entire body shall be filled with light, which is the light of Christ, and/or the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Ghost. With this light, you can know and do the will of the Lord in all things. You have His image in your continence. Continuing, but if your eye (or heart) be evil, then your entire body shall be full of darkness. The absence of light, which is the temptations of Satan and the desires of the natural man, will fill your body with darkness. As one continually gives in to the temptations of Satan and the desires of the natural man, it is a spiral downward until you are completely filled with darkness and the light of Christ, the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Ghost, can no more find a place within you.
Verse 24 states an eternal truth: you cannot serve God and Mammon or the world at the same time. We can serve God and become a Zion people or we can serve Satan and become of the world or Babylon. As Elder Maxwell said that we cannot have a home in Zion and a summer cottage in Babylon. Too often that is what we want to do. The Savior makes it perfectly clear, it is either one of the other. It is the Lord or Babylon. Let us be like Joshua in chapter 24:15: “choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Verses 25-26 are interesting and do not apply to everyone. In 3 Nephi 13:25, the Savior stated: “And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” Verse 26 remains very close to the King James version. The apostles are not to concern themselves with the temporal issues and need to focus on almost completely on spiritual issues.
Verse 27 helps us understand that there are certain things that we cannot change—our parents, the attributes of our body: our size, height, eye color, how we look, our place of birth, and many other things. Our role is to accept the decisions that the Lord has made for us, when He placed us here on the earth and to move forward to know and do His will in all things. His will includes being baptized, confirmed, endowed, married in the temple, keeping the commandments, and then preparing ourselves to live with Him forever.
Verses 28-30 teach us more important principles about raiment or things of the world for the apostles. The lilies of the field or the things of nature are so beautifully arrayed and last only a very short time. If the Lord clothes the grass, will he not clothe the apostles. He absolutely will. The 12 have great faith and that faith allows them to fulfill their spiritual missions, and the promises of the Lord are that he will take care of the temporal things.
Verses 31-32 tell the Apostles not to be concerned with what they should eat, drink or wear. It is the Gentiles or the non believers that worry about those three things. They are reassured that Heavenly Father knows their needs and He will provide them.
Verses 33-34 tells the Apostles that they need to first seek the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, and that the Lord will add all things that are needed for his will to be done in their lives. They are not to take thought of tomorrow but focus on the things of today and the assignments of today. The Lord will take care of the “things of tomorrow” tomorrow. The Lord will always be there for them. The last sentence “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” has always miffed me. The only interpretation that makes any sense to me is that there is sufficient evil in the world and we need to focus on being righteous today.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5: 25-48
Continuing on in Matthew 5:
In verses 25-26, there are important lessons taught. The footnote on the first word in verse 25, agree, states that the Greek means “quickly have kind thoughts for, or be well disposed toward.” It does not mean to outright agree with thy adversary regardless of whether it is right or wrong, but that we should be kind, be well disposed toward them, and pray for them. Let thine adversary know that you are well disposed toward him, while you are in the way with him. By so doing you may not be immediately delivered up for judgment. Another issue that is implied is that you are guilty of something, since you will have to pay the “uttermost farthing.” We also need to sincerely repent and restore to thine adversary what is right, so that the Lord will be able to atone for our guilt.
In verses 27-28, the Savior takes the definition of sin to a much higher level and strikes at the core of why we sin—our thoughts. I am reading President Kimball's book, The Miracle of Forgiveness, and I quote from his book, page 115. This was a favorite quote of President McKay.
Sow a thought, reap an act;
Sow an act, reap a habit;
Sow a habit, reap a character;
Sow a character, reap an eternal destiny.
Our thoughts really determine what we do. To stop unrighteous acts, we need to stop unrighteous thoughts. This is the message that the Savior has for us. Also, from the D&C, “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.” This is the challenge everyday to avoid vain imaginings and fantasies, to be mentally true to our spouses (Elder Scott), and to be focused on living our covenants and principles of the Gospel.
Verses 29-30 have always bothered me, because I have not really understood them. The Joseph Smith Translation adds some insight. In verse 30, the following was added: “And now this I speak, a parable concerning your sins; wherefore, cast them from you, that ye may not be hewn down and cast into the fire.” I read recently in the Miracle of Forgiveness of the importance of forsaking our sins. President Kimball clearly states that there is no forgiveness without forsaking our sins. We must change our behavior. The Savior is emphasizing this same point.
Verses 31-32 address an issue that was very prevalent during the time of the Savior in that people divorced for trivial reasons. Quoting from Jesus the Christ by James E Talmage: “Touching the matter of divorcement, in which great laxity prevailed in that day, Jesus declared that except for the most serious offense of infidelity to marriage vows, no man could divorce his wife without becoming himself an offender, in that she, marrying again while still a wife not righteously divorced, would be guilty of sin, and so would be the man to whom she was so married.” I also remember another person, who I do not remember who it was, say that we are not now being held to the standards that the Savior stated here. This is the higher law.
In verses 33-37 the Savior is emphasizing that “moderation in speech, decision and simplicity were enjoined, to the exlusion of expletives, profanity, and oaths.” The giving of oaths was very commonplace at the time of the Savior.
Verses 38-42 introduce Christ's or the Gospel's law of love. It is not an eye for an eye, but it is a Gospel of love and patience, going the extra mile, giving up the coat and the cloak, and giving to those in need what they ask for. This was a totally foreign concept for the Jews of the Savior's time. Everything was by the letter of the law. The spirit of the law is introduced here.
Verses 43-44 are the start of some amazing doctrine, especially for the Savior's time. The Law of Moses was clear, an eye for an eye, but the Savior's way is different. It is based on love and not hate, anger, or any negative feeling. We need to love our neighbors, bless them that curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us. This was startling new doctrine. It went against everything that the Sanhedrin, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees taught. He preached with authority. Most understood what he was trying to say, because it is true doctrine. The Holy Ghost witnessed the truth of it.
Verse 45 is based on the doctrines and principles of love and forgiveness. We have to adopt and live these principles and doctrines to become the children of our Heavenly Father. It is that plain and simple. The second part of this verse focuses on why we are sent here on earth. We are here to be tested to see if we will do everything that our Heavenly Father requires of us. The sun, good things and times, and the rain, difficult challenges and situations, come upon all. The test is how do we handle them? Going back to the previous verses, when the sun or the rain comes are the principles and doctrines of love still at work in our lives?
In verses 46-47, the Lord again emphasizes the need to go way beyond the Law of Moses. We need to not only love those who love us, but we need to love all. We need to salute and value all, not just those who we know and love. Then the Lord really sets the mark very high in verse 48. We are to be perfect, even as our father in Heaven is perfect. Since his mission was not complete, he did not include himself in this scripture, as he does in 3 Nephi 12:48. The Greek word used here for perfect means complete, finished, and fully developed. This gives a more precise meaning. Also, the Savior would never ask us to do something that we cannot accomplish, so through the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can become complete, finished, fully developed and cleansed from all sin and iniquity.
In verses 25-26, there are important lessons taught. The footnote on the first word in verse 25, agree, states that the Greek means “quickly have kind thoughts for, or be well disposed toward.” It does not mean to outright agree with thy adversary regardless of whether it is right or wrong, but that we should be kind, be well disposed toward them, and pray for them. Let thine adversary know that you are well disposed toward him, while you are in the way with him. By so doing you may not be immediately delivered up for judgment. Another issue that is implied is that you are guilty of something, since you will have to pay the “uttermost farthing.” We also need to sincerely repent and restore to thine adversary what is right, so that the Lord will be able to atone for our guilt.
In verses 27-28, the Savior takes the definition of sin to a much higher level and strikes at the core of why we sin—our thoughts. I am reading President Kimball's book, The Miracle of Forgiveness, and I quote from his book, page 115. This was a favorite quote of President McKay.
Sow a thought, reap an act;
Sow an act, reap a habit;
Sow a habit, reap a character;
Sow a character, reap an eternal destiny.
Our thoughts really determine what we do. To stop unrighteous acts, we need to stop unrighteous thoughts. This is the message that the Savior has for us. Also, from the D&C, “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.” This is the challenge everyday to avoid vain imaginings and fantasies, to be mentally true to our spouses (Elder Scott), and to be focused on living our covenants and principles of the Gospel.
Verses 29-30 have always bothered me, because I have not really understood them. The Joseph Smith Translation adds some insight. In verse 30, the following was added: “And now this I speak, a parable concerning your sins; wherefore, cast them from you, that ye may not be hewn down and cast into the fire.” I read recently in the Miracle of Forgiveness of the importance of forsaking our sins. President Kimball clearly states that there is no forgiveness without forsaking our sins. We must change our behavior. The Savior is emphasizing this same point.
Verses 31-32 address an issue that was very prevalent during the time of the Savior in that people divorced for trivial reasons. Quoting from Jesus the Christ by James E Talmage: “Touching the matter of divorcement, in which great laxity prevailed in that day, Jesus declared that except for the most serious offense of infidelity to marriage vows, no man could divorce his wife without becoming himself an offender, in that she, marrying again while still a wife not righteously divorced, would be guilty of sin, and so would be the man to whom she was so married.” I also remember another person, who I do not remember who it was, say that we are not now being held to the standards that the Savior stated here. This is the higher law.
In verses 33-37 the Savior is emphasizing that “moderation in speech, decision and simplicity were enjoined, to the exlusion of expletives, profanity, and oaths.” The giving of oaths was very commonplace at the time of the Savior.
Verses 38-42 introduce Christ's or the Gospel's law of love. It is not an eye for an eye, but it is a Gospel of love and patience, going the extra mile, giving up the coat and the cloak, and giving to those in need what they ask for. This was a totally foreign concept for the Jews of the Savior's time. Everything was by the letter of the law. The spirit of the law is introduced here.
Verses 43-44 are the start of some amazing doctrine, especially for the Savior's time. The Law of Moses was clear, an eye for an eye, but the Savior's way is different. It is based on love and not hate, anger, or any negative feeling. We need to love our neighbors, bless them that curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us. This was startling new doctrine. It went against everything that the Sanhedrin, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees taught. He preached with authority. Most understood what he was trying to say, because it is true doctrine. The Holy Ghost witnessed the truth of it.
Verse 45 is based on the doctrines and principles of love and forgiveness. We have to adopt and live these principles and doctrines to become the children of our Heavenly Father. It is that plain and simple. The second part of this verse focuses on why we are sent here on earth. We are here to be tested to see if we will do everything that our Heavenly Father requires of us. The sun, good things and times, and the rain, difficult challenges and situations, come upon all. The test is how do we handle them? Going back to the previous verses, when the sun or the rain comes are the principles and doctrines of love still at work in our lives?
In verses 46-47, the Lord again emphasizes the need to go way beyond the Law of Moses. We need to not only love those who love us, but we need to love all. We need to salute and value all, not just those who we know and love. Then the Lord really sets the mark very high in verse 48. We are to be perfect, even as our father in Heaven is perfect. Since his mission was not complete, he did not include himself in this scripture, as he does in 3 Nephi 12:48. The Greek word used here for perfect means complete, finished, and fully developed. This gives a more precise meaning. Also, the Savior would never ask us to do something that we cannot accomplish, so through the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can become complete, finished, fully developed and cleansed from all sin and iniquity.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sermon on the Mount: Chapter 5: 1-24
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord teaches the Gospel so clearly. I will comment on a verse or two each day and add it to the bottom of the blog.
Some of my thoughts follow:
Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 5–7; The Beatitudes are the start of the Sermon on the Mount. President Harold B. Lee stated: “In that matchless Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has given us eight distinct ways by which we might receive … joy. Each of his declarations is begun by the word “Blessed.” … These declarations of the Master are known in the literature of the Christian world as the Beatitudes. … They embody in fact the constitution for a perfect life.” As we look at the Beatitudes in this light, they take on a new meaning. Especially, as we add the wording from 3 Nephi 12-14, these statements take on new meaning. It starting with being “poor in spirit” or the “humble in spirit, who come unto me.” It continues with mourning or repenting; being meek or forgiving; thirsting after righteousness or being teachable; being merciful; being pure in heart; being peacemakers; being persecuted, but still being faithful; and being reviled and continuing on God's path. This is the way to perfection. I think that the verses after the beatitudes also tell us what and how we need to act to become “complete” or perfect.
We are the salt of the earth, and if we are not obedient we will lose our savor and be cast out. Since salt is a token of the covenant and was part of the sacrifice ritual and since we are part of the covenant people, then this verse is directed at us as members of the church. If we are not valiant, we will be cast out and trodden under foot. “Our” savor is proportional to our righteousness.
We need to let our light shine and give God the glory, because if we glory in ourselves, we are guilty of the sin of pride, which is the “universal sin.” (ETB) Everything that we do must be to bring glory to the Father. We must give our wills to Him, which is really the only thing that we can truly give to Him. (NAM) We must constantly seek to do His will. We are here to do the will of the Father and give Him the glory. If we do, we shall obtain His glory.
Everything about the Savior was positive. He came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. There is a great lesson here for all of us. We need to fulfill and do God's commandments and not do anything to hurt or destroy anyone or anything. The tenderness of the Savior is very clear here. We must be tender as well in all that we do. In the professional world, this is very difficult. We must not have any guile or deception.
The Law of Moses was given by Jehovah or Jesus to be fulfilled and to be succeeded by the higher law. The Law of Moses is a very structured way of life, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about a broken heart and a contrite spirit, doing the things of God of your own free will and choice.
It is interesting in verse 19 that the concept of not doing/teaching and doing/teaching are linked together. It is one thing to not do/do something and another thing to add the teaching aspect also. But adding the teaching aspect makes a huge difference: being called the least or being called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. This points out that we must be very careful how we teach, whether it be at home, at church, or in other settings. We need to teach the pure doctrine and the covenants.
The next verse talks about being more righteousness than the scribes and the Pharisees. The scribes and Pharisees thought that they were righteous, but the true followers of the Savior do not view themselves as better than others. To enter the Kingdom of Heaven we need to be humble in our own eyes, bless others' lives through service, and look continually to God for help and direction.
Verses 21-22 raise many concepts: we all know that we should not kill, but then the Savior takes this commandment further by saying that we should not be angry with our brother without cause. Those who do will be in danger of the judgment. We are clearly not to get angry or allow others to anger us. If we do, we are in danger of being judged and sent from the presence of God. Also, anger can lead to other crimes such as murder. Continuing we are not to say “Raca” to our brother. “Raca” means contempt or derision. We are not to have any contempt for anyone or ridicule anyone. In ancient times this “laid one liable to punishment under the decree of council.” (James E. Talmage) The council was the Sanhedrin. To call another person a fool was to judge that person and places one in danger of hell fire. We are not to judge others. We do not understand what others are going through. Only those who are selected by the Lord to be judges in Israel have any responsibility in this area. We cannot and should not get involved in judging others. We need to serve and help not judge.
In verses 23-24, the Lord is teaching that we really need to be careful about when we come before the Lord with prayers, making covenants, giving offerings, or serving in the Kingdom. We need to be not be at odss with anyone, especially our spouse, family member, church member, or anyone, but we need have a clear conscience so that our service will be acceptable. There is a link between the purity of our heart and the blessings that come from the gifts that we give. There can be no guile or deceit. Gifts must be given with a pure heart. When we give with a pure heart, there are greater blessings available to us.
Some of my thoughts follow:
Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 5–7; The Beatitudes are the start of the Sermon on the Mount. President Harold B. Lee stated: “In that matchless Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has given us eight distinct ways by which we might receive … joy. Each of his declarations is begun by the word “Blessed.” … These declarations of the Master are known in the literature of the Christian world as the Beatitudes. … They embody in fact the constitution for a perfect life.” As we look at the Beatitudes in this light, they take on a new meaning. Especially, as we add the wording from 3 Nephi 12-14, these statements take on new meaning. It starting with being “poor in spirit” or the “humble in spirit, who come unto me.” It continues with mourning or repenting; being meek or forgiving; thirsting after righteousness or being teachable; being merciful; being pure in heart; being peacemakers; being persecuted, but still being faithful; and being reviled and continuing on God's path. This is the way to perfection. I think that the verses after the beatitudes also tell us what and how we need to act to become “complete” or perfect.
We are the salt of the earth, and if we are not obedient we will lose our savor and be cast out. Since salt is a token of the covenant and was part of the sacrifice ritual and since we are part of the covenant people, then this verse is directed at us as members of the church. If we are not valiant, we will be cast out and trodden under foot. “Our” savor is proportional to our righteousness.
We need to let our light shine and give God the glory, because if we glory in ourselves, we are guilty of the sin of pride, which is the “universal sin.” (ETB) Everything that we do must be to bring glory to the Father. We must give our wills to Him, which is really the only thing that we can truly give to Him. (NAM) We must constantly seek to do His will. We are here to do the will of the Father and give Him the glory. If we do, we shall obtain His glory.
Everything about the Savior was positive. He came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. There is a great lesson here for all of us. We need to fulfill and do God's commandments and not do anything to hurt or destroy anyone or anything. The tenderness of the Savior is very clear here. We must be tender as well in all that we do. In the professional world, this is very difficult. We must not have any guile or deception.
The Law of Moses was given by Jehovah or Jesus to be fulfilled and to be succeeded by the higher law. The Law of Moses is a very structured way of life, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about a broken heart and a contrite spirit, doing the things of God of your own free will and choice.
It is interesting in verse 19 that the concept of not doing/teaching and doing/teaching are linked together. It is one thing to not do/do something and another thing to add the teaching aspect also. But adding the teaching aspect makes a huge difference: being called the least or being called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. This points out that we must be very careful how we teach, whether it be at home, at church, or in other settings. We need to teach the pure doctrine and the covenants.
The next verse talks about being more righteousness than the scribes and the Pharisees. The scribes and Pharisees thought that they were righteous, but the true followers of the Savior do not view themselves as better than others. To enter the Kingdom of Heaven we need to be humble in our own eyes, bless others' lives through service, and look continually to God for help and direction.
Verses 21-22 raise many concepts: we all know that we should not kill, but then the Savior takes this commandment further by saying that we should not be angry with our brother without cause. Those who do will be in danger of the judgment. We are clearly not to get angry or allow others to anger us. If we do, we are in danger of being judged and sent from the presence of God. Also, anger can lead to other crimes such as murder. Continuing we are not to say “Raca” to our brother. “Raca” means contempt or derision. We are not to have any contempt for anyone or ridicule anyone. In ancient times this “laid one liable to punishment under the decree of council.” (James E. Talmage) The council was the Sanhedrin. To call another person a fool was to judge that person and places one in danger of hell fire. We are not to judge others. We do not understand what others are going through. Only those who are selected by the Lord to be judges in Israel have any responsibility in this area. We cannot and should not get involved in judging others. We need to serve and help not judge.
In verses 23-24, the Lord is teaching that we really need to be careful about when we come before the Lord with prayers, making covenants, giving offerings, or serving in the Kingdom. We need to be not be at odss with anyone, especially our spouse, family member, church member, or anyone, but we need have a clear conscience so that our service will be acceptable. There is a link between the purity of our heart and the blessings that come from the gifts that we give. There can be no guile or deceit. Gifts must be given with a pure heart. When we give with a pure heart, there are greater blessings available to us.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Topical Guide
I have started a study of Jesus Christ in the topical guide. I thought that I would post some of my thoughts about the scriptures. I will update it regularly.
His birth is foretold, Luke 1:26–38; Mary's agency was not violated, her response is classic obedience: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
Is born, Matt. 1:18–25 (Luke 2:1–7); As Mary was selected by God the Father to be the mother of the Son of God, so was Joseph selected to be the stepfather of the Son of God. He was worthy to be visited by angels on separate occasions. He was an extremely righteous man. Christ was also born in the most humble of circumstances.
Is circumcised, Luke 2:21; All things in regards to the birth of the Savior were done in strict obedience to the Law of Moses.
Is presented in the temple, Luke 2:22–38; Simeon and Anna were two witnesses that Jesus was the Son of God when he was presented in the temple. The law of witnesses was in effect.
Is visited by the wise men, Matt. 2:1–12; The wise men could have been Melchizedek Priesthood holders, who were led to the Christ child. Matthew mentions that Christ was a young boy at the time, not a baby. The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were very valuable and were probably used by Joseph and Mary in their flight to Egypt.
Flees to Egypt, Matt. 2:13–18; With the resources from the wise men and after another heavenly vision and angel visitation, Joseph and Mary go to Egypt. The vision came to Joseph. I believe that he must have held some Priesthood, at least the Aaronic, to have the ministering of angels. Satan was very diligent in trying to kill the Savior or stop Him from fulfilling His mission, but the Father was always one step ahead. The trip to Egypt through the Arabian desert, which was probably very dangerous, but again the protection of the Father was there.
Is brought to Nazareth, Matt. 2:19–23 (Luke 2:39); Again Joseph has an angel appear to him and tell him to return to Israel. When he returns to Israel, he again is warned in a dream to go to Galilee and to Nazareth. This was to fulfill prophecies. Joseph was a very righteous man throughout his life. I would not be surprised if he continued to receive visitations from angels throughout his life so that he could raise the Son of God correctly.
Visits Jerusalem, Luke 2:41–50; In accordance with the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took their family to Jerusalem each year at Passover. The fact that they left Jerusalem without seeing Jesus shows that they trusted him. I am sure that they were panicked, when they could not find Him, but they were relieved when they found Him in the temple. This scripture clearly shows us that Jesus learned things very quickly, moving from grace to grace, and as a 12 year old, He understood the Law better than any, who had studied it their whole life. He probably was not only taught by parents and other, but also by heavenly messengers.
Brothers and sisters of, Matt. 13:55–56 (Mark 6:3); It is clear from the scriptures that Jesus had step brothers and step sisters. They also must have been very special spirits to be raised in the same house as the Savior of the World.
Is baptized, Matt. 3:13–17 (Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23); There are many lessons to be learned from the Savior's baptism. He was required to fulfill all of the requirements of the Gospel, even being baptized, when he was the only sinless person. We also learned that since each member of the Godhead was present at the His baptism, that they are separate and distinct beings. We also learn of the Father's love for Jesus for He calls Him His beloved Son. We also learn that the sign of the dove is the sign of the Holy Ghost.
Is tempted by the devil, Matt. 4:1–11 (Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13); The lessons of the temptations are also several. In the JST, we learn that Jesus was led into the wilderness to be with God and was there 40 days and 40 nights. In each case the JST teaches that the devil did not take Jesus anywhere, but that the Spirit guided the Savior to these places and then the Devil came. We also learn that the way that the Savior answered each of Satan's challenges was to quote a scripture. When we are tempted, it would be well for us to quote scripture. From Mark we also learn that angels ministered until Jesus while in the desert. I can envision many of the former prophets of the Old Testament, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Melchizedek, Moses, Isaiah and others being there.
Calls his disciples, Matt. 4:18–22 (9:9; Mark 1:16–20; 2:13–14; Luke 5:1–11, 27–28; 6:12–16; John 1:35–51); As the Savior called his disciplines, the immediate reaction was to immediately come and follow Him. That is a great example for us. When the Savior calls, we need to immediately follow Him. There was diversity in the original Twelve, and they were ordinary people, not of the leading people in Israel. The Lord's prophets come from the ordinary, the simple, and the humble.
Commissions the twelve, Matt. 10:1–4 (Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:12–16); the Twelve were ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood and to the office of an Apostle, which Priesthood gives them “power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” The Savior went into a mountain to pray and He prayed all night. Then He called the Twelve to Him. The mountains were a retreat for the Savior and almost like a temple. Even the Savior had to be patient in prayer.
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