Luke 1

Luke records that -

"...Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb..."  (New Testament | Luke 1:39 - 41)

Previously, the angel, Gabriel had told Mary -

"...behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her..."  (New Testament | Luke 1:36)

One would have to assume that John the Baptist then was just over 6 months ahead of the Savior.  But what struck my thoughts this morning was that it was very apparent that the spirit of John had already entered into the unborn John in the womb.  This would suggest to me that John at 6 months was a living being.

Just a thought when society claims life begins at birth in a effor to justify abortions.

Looking on my blog last Friday, I find it interesting that Luke was able to record the prophecies of Mary as she speaks -

"...My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 Add my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.  (New Testament | Luke 1:46 - 55)

I think it is interesting that Mary recognized that her son would be here savior.

 

Luke 1

Most scholars believe Luke was a gentile convert to the gospel after the Savior's death and resurrection.  As Luke begins his record, he tells Theophilus concerning -

"...those things which are most surely believed among us,

2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word..."  (New Testament | Luke 1:1 - 2)

It seems apparent to me that in order to provide an accurate record of the Savior and gospel they so readily believed, that Luke interviewed eyewitnesses and those that ministered the word. Because of the that, Luke records the birth of John the Baptist and the Savior.

It is my personal belief that the "eyewitness" that shares the events of these two conceptions and births was Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Why would I make such a bold statement, because Luke records of the Savior's birth -

"...Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."  (New Testament | Luke 2:19)

I can just picture in my mind, Mary revealing this history to Luke telling him that she had kept all these things and not shared them.

The general population may had known the story of Zacharias, but Mary would have known these facts of Elizabeth.

Mark 15

It seems apparent to me that the centurion over the soldiers had executed many cruxificions.  But after the Savior had hung on the cross for several hours -

"...Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost."  (New Testament | Mark 15:37)

The centurion had witnessed many men on crosses gradually weaken over an extended period until they died.  But in the Savior's case, obviously He had sufficient strength to cry out and then had control of His own death as He gave up the Ghost.  This seems very apparent -

"...when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God."  (New Testament | Mark 15:39)

Obviously, He died as no man before Him.  It appears also that -

"...Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph."  (New Testament | Mark 15:44 - 45)

Being the Son of God, Jesus had taught -

"No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."  (New Testament | John 10:18)

Mark 14

As they entered into the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior said to Peter, James and John -

"...My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death..."  (New Testament | Mark 14:34)

Obviously, something was begining to happen to Him.  There are many that believe that the suffering of the Savior in the Garden was fear of His upcoming torture and death.  I don't believe that.  He possessed power over death.  I believe it was in the Garden of Gethsemane that He suffered for the majority all the sins and pains of the world.  I mention "majority" in that we know this great suffering returned on the cross.  Elder James E. Talmage wrote -

“Christ’s agony in the garden is unfathomable by the finite mind, both as to intensity and cause. The thought that He suffered through fear of death is untenable. Death to Him was preliminary to resurrection and triumphal return to the Father from whom He had come, and to a state of glory even beyond what He had before possessed; and, moreover, it was within His power to lay down His life voluntarily. He struggled and groaned under a burden such as no other being who has lived on earth might even conceive as possible. It was not physical pain, nor mental anguish alone, that caused Him to suffer such torture as to produce an extrusion of blood from every pore; but a spiritual agony of soul such as only God was capable of experiencing. No other man, however great his powers of physical or mental endurance, could have suffered so; for his human organism would have succumbed, and syncope would have produced unconsciousness and welcome oblivion. In that hour of anguish Christ met and overcame all the horrors that Satan, ‘the prince of this world’ could inflict. The frightful struggle incident to the temptations immediately following the Lord’s baptism was surpassed and overshadowed by this supreme contest with the powers of evil.

“In some manner, actual and terribly real though to man incomprehensible, the Savior took upon Himself the burden of the sins of mankind from Adam to the end of the world.” (Jesus the Christ, page 613)

Mark 14

I was touched this morning as the Savior -

"...being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head."  (New Testament | Mark 14:3)

Being that this ointment was "very precious", we learn that it could of sold for around three hundred pence.  David J. Ridges said that this was worth about a "year's wages".  I would call this ointment extremely precious.

Obviously, this special women understood whom the Savior was and what was going to happen.  What a great example of sacrifice for Him that was about to take upon Him the sins of the world.  And as she did this -

"...there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her."  (New Testament | Mark 14:4 - 5)

I would have to confess that my reaction might have been much like these brethren.  But of this great act of sacrifice -

"...Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."  (New Testament | Mark 14:6 - 9)

As I think of my wife and other women in the Church, I believe they would have much the same compassion as this women.

Mark 12

After the Savior had answered the Sadducees -

"...one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."  (New Testament | Mark 12:28 - 31)

The Savior had already answered this question previously.  But this scribe may not have hear it.  It is obvious that this scribe was very familiar with the scriptures and seemed to be wiser, more open minded and maybe not as ruthless as the others as he responded -

"...Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."  (New Testament | Mark 12:32 - 33)

The Savior then answered somewhat carefully and wisely -

"...Thou art not far from the kingdom of God..."  (New Testament | Mark 12:34)

Nothing more is said of this scribe but it seems to me that this scribe was beginning to get it.  In my mind, the Savior is telling the scribe, you're starting to get away from tradition and understanding what I am teaching.

Mark 11

Upon returning to Jerusalem, seeing a withered fig tree that the Savior had cursed the day before, the Savior taught His disciples -

"...Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."  (New Testament | Mark 11:22 - 24)

I'm sure that many that read these words would first think about believing and praying for wealth and fortune, but we learn the condition in modern revelation that -

"He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 46:30)

For -

"...if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.
30 But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 50:29 - 30)

But there is also another condition of faith that must be satisfied that is mostly overlooked as the Savior continued that -

"...when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."  (New Testament | Mark 11:25 - 26)

Mark 10

After the Savior had compared our relationship with others, comparing them to body parts, He said -

"For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."  (New Testament | Mark 9:49 - 50)

I understand that the word "salt" in this instruction would suggest "tested" or being tested.  Thus everyone being salted would suggest as the Savior taught-

"...I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 98:14)

Thus being "tested is good".  And if not tested, how would we improve and prove ourselves?  How we are salted or tested will be different for when the young rich man approached the Savior saying -

"...what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  (New Testament | Mark 10:17)

The Savior  -

"...beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me."  (New Testament | Mark 10:21)

Obviously this was salt to the young man for -

"...he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions."  (New Testament | Mark 10:22)

Everyone will be salted or tested by fire to inherit eternal life.

 

Mark 9

As the Savior -

"...began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."  (New Testament | Mark 8:31)

...we know that -

"...Peter took him, and began to rebuke him."  (New Testament | Mark 8:32)

To which the Savior  -

"...turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."  (New Testament | Mark 8:33)

I find these rebuking words very applicable to our day.  We don't always know the mind and will of the Lord -

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 55:8 - 9)

"The things that be of men" would be the way we think and reason.  We have to be very careful judging prophets, seers, and revelators when is comes to the things of men.  We don't necessarily know their heart, purpose, and obedience to the Lord's mind and will.

One more thought.  When a father brought his son which had been possessed by a devil from his childhood, he pleaded

"...if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us."  (New Testament | Mark 9:22)

Before the Savior, did anything he taught -

"...If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."  (New Testament | Mark 9:23)

In response -

"...the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."  (New Testament | Mark 9:24)

I find it very truthful as well a faith promoting as the father expressed knowing his limited belief having a desire to be helped to have greater faith.  This is the attitude we should all have.  Obviously, his faith was sufficient as the Savior casted out the devil in the son.

 

  

Mark 8

As the Savior and disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee, probably knowing the Pharisees would be there on the other side, the Savior  -

"...charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."  (New Testament | Mark 8:15)

Apparently, the disciples at first did not understand.  I believe the Lord wanted them as well as us to understand that there would always be those that would teach false doctrine and truth which if we allow some of these falsehoods to take a place in our thoughts, it may be as leaven grows and becomes part of the entire loaf.

Last Friday, I blogged concerning faith and that without faith, no miracles can be performed.  In my reading this morning we find an enlightening experience by the Savior where -

"...he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.  (New Testament | Mark 8:22 - 25)

In order to develop faith in this blind man so He could heal him, it seems apparent to me as he led the man out of town, he may have put His arm around the blind man, interviewing, teaching, and helping him develop faith.  It appears that there was a process of growing faith and with growing faith, growing healing.

What great symbolism this is for priesthood leaders that are trying to help one develop sufficient faith to be healed by the atonement of Christ.

 

Mark 6

I believe the experience recorded by Mark has great symbolism.  After having fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish, the Savior -

"...straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."  (New Testament | Mark 6:45 - 46)

I look at this as a great symbolism as we are "sent away" to this second estate or life on earth. It is while on the sea -

"...when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them..."   (New Testament | Mark 6:47 - 48)

It was while it was dark or darkness had fallen them that He saw that they were struggling with great opposition.  My first thought was, being on land and being dark, obviously, no natural man would be able to see this.  But the Savior did and recognized their need.  And then -

"...about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them."  (New Testament | Mark 6:48)

Obviously, He allowed them to struggle for a period.  Interesting enough, He didn't come to them but walked by as if He would pass them.  In my mind, symbolically, man has to reach out or demonstrate faith in Him. And -

"...when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."  (New Testament | Mark 6:49 - 51)

It is after they cried out that the Savior not only joined them in the boat, but counseled them to be a good cheer.  And as they did He caused the wind or the opposition to cease.

Even though brief, this is a great story.

Mark 6

As the Savior returned back home, we read -

"...when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him."  (New Testament | Mark 6:2 - 3)

The Savior then taught -

"...A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house."  (New Testament | Mark 6:4)

Obviously then it is hard for many to sustain individuals that we know.  It is much easier to believe in those that we don't.

It is in this same verse that we learn that the Savior had at least seven (step) siblings.  I understand that the plural word "sisters" in Greek means three or more.

But I think what doctrine is of greater importance is when we read -

"And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them."  (New Testament | Mark 6:5)

Why?  Moroni taught -

"For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them..."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 12:12)

This applies to both spiritual and physical healings and miracles.

Mark 4

In the "Come Follow Me" lessons for the youth of the Church, teachers are instructed to teach "The Savior's Way".  The Savior instructed to the Nephites -

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:21 - 22)

The scriptures provides many examples of teaching the Savior's way, do as He does, or teach as He taught.  As the Savior taught in parables, Mark tells us -

"And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."  (New Testament | Mark 4:33 - 34)

This would suggest to me that those youth that are in our classes would be those disciples that when they are alone, we would expound the parable meanings with the youth.  Our teaching should then be to expound all things to them.

Mark 4

I may have blogged on this previously, but it again struck me this morning.  It was after the Savior taught the parable of the Sower that -

"...when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable."  (New Testament | Mark 4:10)

I believe this is significant.  Even though they may not have understood that which the Savior taught, it appears they were believers, those that had faith in Christ.  And thus -

"...he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables..."  (New Testament | Mark 4:11)

Which means to me that His teachings would be left as a parable.  But to those that would sincerely listen and heed, He asked -

"...Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?"  (New Testament | Mark 4:13)

In my mind, how will we know all parables?...we wil be taught or enlightened concerning the meaning of the parable and then confirmed by the power of the Holy Ghost.  Isn't that how we receive the "mysteries of God".  It is then that the Savior teaches the true believers what the parable meant

Mark 1

As the Savior began His ministry -

"...he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him."  (New Testament | Mark 1:16 - 18)

And then -

"...when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."  (New Testament | Mark 1:19 - 20)

Later -

"...as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus [Matthew] sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him."  (New Testament | Mark 2:14)

I find it interesting that when these brethren were called, they left their worldly employment to follow the Savior.  It does not necessarily say that they did not at times return for a period to earn an income nor does it say that they did forsake family for the Savior.  It is hard for me to believe the Savior would have them totally forsake family for him.  In fact we read that after Peter dropped everything to follow the Savior that -

"...they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them."  (New Testament | Mark 1:29 - 31)

I believe the message is, when the Savior calls or His representatives extend calls, we set aside wordly things in pursuit of His will.

Mathew 28

In follow up to my blog Friday, Matthew tells us that even as many testified of seeing angels and the living Christ, and following His direction to go to Galilee, the soldiers that had experienced an earthquake did shake and had fallen to the earth as "dead men" -

"...behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."  (New Testament | Matthew 28:11 - 15)

Those religious leaders, with the determination to stay in power, knowingly bought off these witnesses to maintain a false story that obviously continued with many. Obviously again," ...they know not what they do"?.

Likening the scriptures to our day, we see much of the same in politics today so the truth is not know.