Matthew 18

When His disciples pridefully inquired -

"...Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  (Matthew 18:1)

In my mind, the Savior taught how we are justified or reconciled by His power -

"...Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 18:3–4)

I have found that humility, lowly of heart, meekness and willingness to do His will is essential in allowing the Power of Jesus Christ to justify us.

Mark 1

After having healed a leper that Lord asked him -

"...See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."  (Mark 1:44)

It appears to me that the purpose the Savior did not want this to spread was because He wanted to continue to preach and teach in the cities and synagogues.  But the healed leper -

"...began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter."
(Mark 1:45)

In my mind, this is why many of His sermons are on the "mount" or desert land.

Matthew 16

As Peter tried to suggest that the Savior would not have to suffer at Jerusalem, the Savior chastised him adding -

"...If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."  (Matthew 16:24)

The Prophet Joseph Smith added -

"And now for a man to take up his cross, is to deny himself of all ungodliness, and every worldly lust, and keep my commandments."  (JST - Matthew 16:26)

This thought provoking explanation to "take up his cross".

Matthew 15

As His disciples become somewhat concerned that the Savior had offended the scribes and Pharisees, the Savior counsels -

"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."  (Matthew 15:14)

I feel much of that today with our political leaders.  I hope they do not take the country with them as with Judah.

Matthew 14

As the Savior walked on the water to His disciples, Peter asks the Savior permission that he might do the same -

"...And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"  (Matthew 14:29–31)

Obviously, Peter walked on water, at least for a few steps.  But when he began to sink, the Savior caught him.  The Savior's response at first seems kind of stern, but I was touched this morning that it was more loving.  It becomes to clear that faith comes in different magnitudes.

Matthew 13

As the Savior explained several parables including the mustard seed, the JST version stated -

"The harvest is the end of the world, or the destruction of the wicked.
40 The reapers are the angels, or the messengers sent of heaven.
41 As, therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world, or the destruction of the wicked.
42 For in that day, before the Son of man shall come, he shall send forth his angels and messengers of heaven.
43 And they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them out among the wicked; and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
44 For the world shall be burned with fire. (JST - Matthew 13:39-44)

I note that in verse 43, the Lord is suggesting that there will be wicked within His Church or kingdom that will be cast out among the wicked.  A great warning to His Church members that there will be apostasy amongst the ranks do to revelations from His "messengers".

John 1

John the Baptist was very clear when -

"...the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias."  (John 1:19–23)

John denied that he was Elijah (and Elias), the Prophet that would restore priesthood keys, but he was the Elias prophesied that was to come to prepare the way for the Savior.

Matthew 12

The Lord teaches concerning sin against the Holy Ghost -

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation."  (Matthew 12:43–45)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie helps us understand the above three verses as follows -

“JST Matthew 12:37–39. Having already taught that every sin shall be forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost, Jesus now illustrates why. In effect he says: ‘If you gain a perfect knowledge of me and my mission, it must come by revelation from the Holy Ghost; that Holy Spirit must speak to the spirit within you; and then you shall know, nothing doubting. But to receive this knowledge and revelation, you must cleanse and perfect your own soul; that is, your house must be clean, swept, and garnished. Then if you deny me by speaking against the Holy Ghost who gave you your revelation of the truth, that is if you come out in open rebellion against the perfect light you have received, the Holy Ghost will depart, leaving you to yourself. Your house will now be available for other tenancy, and so the evil spirits and influences you had once conquered will return to plague you. Having completely lost the preserving power of the Spirit, you will then be worse off than if you had never received the truth; and many in this generation shall be so condemned’” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Volume 1, p. 276).

Matthew 10

I was touched with the Savior's comment -

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."  (Matthew 10:29–31)

It is hard to fathom that the very hairs of our heads are numbered.

Matthew 9

Matthew records that -

"...when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."  (Matthew 9:27–29)

I specifically noted that this healing was conditional "according to your faith"

Luke 1

I find it interesting that the angel told Zacharias -

"And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."  (Luke 1:17)

In my mind, the angel only said that John would assist in the turning of the hearts of the fathers to their children.  This suggests to me that in preparation for the Saviors coming, not only was John efforts in baptism and repentance but also the importance of family.

Luke 1

Mary testifies of the meek, humble and lowly of heart saying -

"...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."  (Luke 1:48–53)

His power and blessings are sufficient for the meek and lowly of heart.

Matthew 8

As the Savior crossed to the east side of the Sea of Galilee, we learn that spirits that followed Satan would do anything to get the feel of a mortal body.  Matthew records -

"...when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?"  (Matthew 8:28–29)

What becomes apparent is these spirits understand after they were cast down to earth that the time would come that they would be cast into outer darkness forever.  How painful this must be.

Matthew 6

Nephi wrote -

"...Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."  (2 Nephi 31:20)

In my mind, the reason we are to feast upon the word of Christ is so we know how to endure to the end.  I find the so called "Sermon on the Mount" to provide much of this word.  For example, one being -

"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"  (Matthew 6:22–23)

Obviously if our eyes focus or be single to the glory of God, we will be full of light which helps us endure to the end.

Matthew 5

As I read the so called Sermon on the Mount, I sense that the Savior is teaching the believers how one is to pursue the doctrine of "Enduring to the End".  One of those simple principles is -

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven..."  (Matthew 5:43–45)