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.