Matthew 26

Matthew records that the Savior instructed of the sacrament -

"...Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."  (Matthew 26:27–28)

I believe that when we drink of the sacrament, we should drink all of it in remembrance of His atonement and receive a remission of all our sins.

Matthew 25

As Jesus teaches the parable of the talents, He says something that really touched my mind on justification.  After those that were faithful with their given talents, the Lord said -

"...I will make thee ruler over many things"  (Matthew 25:23)

I note that He says, "I will make thee".  It is by His "power" that we become or acquire Godlike attributes.

Matthew 7

After teaching His gospel in the "Sermon on the Mount", the Savior says -

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 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?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 ¶ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them..."  (Matthew 7:21–24)

Those that suggest that accepting Christ as their Savior is all that is required fails to listen to His words.  I think He is specific in saying "heareth" and "doeth".  I believe these are verbs that justify us.

Matthew 24

The Lord speaks of the "wicked servant" and -

"The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites..."  (Matthew 24:50–51)

In my mind, the wicked servant is an active member of the Church...thus being a servant.  And if the servant does not keep the commandments, there is no question he is a hypocrite where the Lord seems to despise the hypocrite more than all.  A servant knows better and fails to do what he knows.

Matthew 24

As the Savior prophesied of the signs of the times before His second coming, He warns -

"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up."  (Matthew 24:42–43)

In my mind, the Lord is suggesting that fathers and mothers have the responsibility to lead and teach their own household as the Prophet has recently taught with the change in Sunday meeting.  Parents must watch and teach so their family is not broken up.

Matthew 23

The Savior said over and over -

"...woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"  (Matthew 23:13)

In my mind, as He talks of how they are hypocrites...it is basically that they know better and give in to temptations of pride, materialism, and immorality -

"...and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith..."  (Matthew 23:23)

For -

"...whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."  (Matthew 23:12)

Luke 6

In Luke's version of the so called "Sermon on the Plain", the Savior teaches -

"The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master."  (Luke 6:40)

Which suggests to me that through repentance, obedience, and the power of the Savior's atonement we may become much like the Savior or the master.

Matthew 22

When a certain king finally invites guests off of the street after those previous bidden refused to come not being worthy -

"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen."  (Matthew 22:11–14)

Even though the man was invited off of the streets, he still had an obligation to dress for the event.  In my mind, this is the same as Christ's invitation to come follow him.  But that still requires us to repent and live according his gospel and law.

John 5

The Savior makes a very interesting comment to the Jewish leaders -

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."  (John 5:39)

In my mind, this is an interesting statement where they miss the overall point or misinterpret the scriptures.

Even adding -

"Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"  (John 5:45–47)

In my mind, I see this being easily said of much of Christendom.

John 4

The Savior taught His disciples -

"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."  (John 4:35–36)

We should do the best in our callings where we may either be sowers or reapers.

John 3

Adam was instructed -

"For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified..."  (Moses 6:60)

The Savior told Nicodemus -

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  (John 3:5)

Through the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, it is the Spirit that justifies and cleanses us.  Without receiving the Holy Ghost, we cannot enter His kingdom.

John 2

John claimed that the changing of water to wine was the "beginning of miracles".  When the Savior's mother told the servants -

"...Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."  (John 2:5)

…suggests to me that she had witnessed miracles before.

John writes that the Savior's disciples attended this wedding before He began His ministry.  This may have been the first miracle that His disciples witnessed.

Matthew 21

After Jesus taught two parables including the wicked husbandmen beating the householder servants and later his son, we read that  -

"...when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet."  (Matthew 21:45–46)

I believe the chief priests and Pharisees knew exactly what they were doing and that the Savior also knew.

Matthew 20

As the world preaches much about fairness, the Savior provides the following parable -

"...For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."  (Matthew 20:1–16)

The Savior's heart is to save all those that will believe on His name...it doesn't matter when.  As we strive for godliness, we should have the same heart.

Luke 4

As Jesus was set upon the pinnacle of the temples, came Satan tempting -

"....If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."  (Luke 4:9–11)

...to which the Savior answered -

 "...Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."  (Luke 4:12)

It is the "if" question that touched my mind this morning.  We as Melchizedek priesthood holders or those with significant callings may at times be tempted with an "if" question when asked to perform our duties.  We may try to justify results but a simple that we do not tempt the Lord in our desires is sufficient.

Matthew 19

When a young rich man arrogantly approached the Savior saying -

"...Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"  (Matthew 19:16)

Upon being told to keep the commandments, he responds -

"...All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?"  (Matthew 19:20)

I believe because of his lack of humility, the Savior instructs him personally -

"...If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."  (Matthew 19:21–22)

Watching this, His disciples later asks the Savior -

Who then can be saved?
(Matthew 19:25)

The Savior then explains to his disciples -

"...With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."  (Matthew 19:26)

Which suggests to me that it is only through the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ can man be saved.  And such only receives such through humility, meekness, and lowly of heart.

Thus -

"...many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first."  (Matthew 19:30)

Which suggest to me that those that consider themselves first will be last and those that are meek and submissive to His commandments will be first.

Mark 1

First thing Mark suggests is the "beginning of the gospel" was -

"As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."  (Mark 1:2–3)

I believe Isaiah is suggesting that prepare ye was to repent and be worthy such that the gospel of Jesus Christ can enter straight to your heart.