John 5

The words of the Savior seemed to be totally dismisses saying -

"...The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."  (John 5:25)

The Savior knew that very soon -

"...they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:73)

Yet, know one understood.

Mark 7

The Pharisees and scribes asked the Savior -

"...Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders..."  (Mark 7:5)

The Savior answered in respect to traditions -

"...Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."  (Mark 7:7)

I have watched for years how members of the Church are so steep in traditions that they have trouble disseminating between doctrine and tradition.  This has led many to falter.

Matthew 15

Speaking of the scribes, the Lord to the people -

"...Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."  (Matthew 15:6–9)

Clearly uninspired interpretations of the commandments can be false and misleading.  Another reason we need a called prophet of God.

Matthew 14

We read that after John the Baptist was beheaded, that  -

"When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart..."  (Matthew 14:13)

Though the Savior was the Son of God possessing great power and control, in my mind, you kind of sense his humanity hearing of His friends death.  It seems to me, like many in mourning, He wanted to just get away.

Mark 12

The Savior warned as doctrine -

"...Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation."  (Mark 12:38–40)

What a great warning when we consider our religious leaders.

 "...by their fruits ye shall know them."  (Matthew 7:20)

Luke 8

After the Savior's mother and members of His family visit Him, He stated -

"...My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it."  (Luke 8:21)

I believe He was teaching an eternal doctrine.  That those that hear the word and do it will inherit eternal life and become the member of the "Family of Israel" with the Savior as the Father.

Matthew 13

The disciples asked the Savior why He taught in parables.  He explained -

"For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed..."  (Matthew 13:15)

Spiritually, the parables become clear.  But to the worldly, they do not understand.

Mark 10

After James and John had approached the Savior that they might receive special privileges, the other apostles heard it they were displeased with them.  Whereby the Savior taught -

"...Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."  (Mark 10:42–45)

I continue to sense it is all by humility and lowliness of heart and doing the Lord's will.

Mark 9

As the Savior was speaking to His apostles he taught -

"For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward."  (Mark 9:41)

I think this is basically the concept of ministering as members are counseled to minister to those that have been assigned as well as their neighbors.

Luke 7

I have heard much of the Roman Centurion's son that was healed by the Savior.  But what caught my attention this time in my readings that I had not noticed before -

"...That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue."  (Luke 7:4–5)

Not only did the centurion have great faith, but he even loved and served the Jews which was unusual for Roman soldiers.

Mark 2

In find it interesting that the Pharisees said to the Savior of His disciples -

"...Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?"  (Mark 2:24)

The definition of things which is unlawful we decided by man.  To which the Savior responds -

"...The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath..."  (Mark 2:27)

The sabbath is then intended to be used to spiritually bless mankind and what we do is that directed by the Lord and that which helps families in their spiritual growth.

Matthew 12

The Lord instructed the Pharisees -

"...Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days."  (Matthew 12:12)

In my mind, to do well is to good.

Matthew 10

The Savior told his apostles -

"...fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."  (Matthew 10:28)

In my mind, this instruction applies to all the saints.  As I blogged yesterday, fear the leaven of men.

Mark 8

The Savior warned His disciples -

"Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."  (Mark 8:15)

We are told that much of the world is being taught the philosophies of men mingled with scripture.  In a perverse, wicked generation, there is much worldly leaven being mixed with that which is taught to young people.  How quick young minds are touched with the "leaven of men".

Mark 6

We read that -

"...when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,
55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole."  (Mark 6:54–56)

I note that "as many as touched him were made whole".  This would include a many spiritual in our day.

Mark 6

After the Lord instructed His apostles and "gave them power" -

"...they went out, and preached that men should repent.
13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."  (Mark 6:12–13)

It sounds like their initial ministry was of great success.

Mark 4

In a time we are counseled to minister to all, the Savior taught in parable -

"...So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how."  (Mark 4:26–27)

For me, this suggests that as we minister, we never know who may be touched and choose to follow the Savior.

Mark 1

We read of Peter and Andrew that they were -

"...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."  (Mark 1:16–17)

There is no question, as we read later, that Peter was married.  To immediately leave one's employment would be hard for the family.  Mark then relates that -

"...when they were come out of the synagogue, 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."  (Mark 1:29–31)

Mark doesn't say much about that afterwards, but in my opinion, this miracle was for Peter's wife which probably strengthened her testimony which allowed Peter to spend so much time in the Savior's service.

Matthew 28

Where there are many recorded instances of ministering angels throughout the Old and New Testaments, Matthew provides a special description of the angels at the tomb of the resurrected Lord -
"His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow..."  (Matthew 28:3)

It is my personal opinion, that these angels were resurrected angels having this type of physical description.