Good evening Wednesday,
Sometime ago I heard TS Monson speak of visiting J. Reuben Clark Jr. when JRC was trying to put together a book matching all the gospels up to each other, all five. 3 Nephi included. I am not much of a NTestament conosueir and I have been studying all kinds of awesome scriptures and gospel histories, so why not try it out. It may be like Lucy Mack Smith's History book that GBHinkley held up in conference. If I remember right Hugh Nibley wrote the Melchizedek Priesthood manual for '58. This one is from '57, the year before and it is a jewel. I can imagine myself carefully organizing all the gospels like this so I could have everything in sequence and see when their were 3 testimonies covering the event/teaching and when there was only one. I have been amazed at how often there is only one story line during the anticipation of Christ's birth and the beginning of his ministry at 30!
I finally got into the meat of the comparisons this afternoon. Up till now has been studying the overviews. The most significant thing that stuck out to me as I read were the reassurances that were given to those who were to act on faith.
John is the only one who speaks of the pre-existence and creation.
John 1:10-11 were cool. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Verse 17 was sweet too. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
I found it strange that Luke was writing his rendition for Theophilus. Thank you Theophilus or we wouldn't have a Christmas Story! Luke 1:3,4 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
So how was Zacharias spiritually strengthened to know it was true. Although too old, he would still have a son? First the angel testified to him. Luke 1:13-17 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
17 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.
Not bad huh! An angel to testify to you! But it still wasn't quite believable. Who knows how long it had been since Z had had an erection, and besides his old wife had never even had a child to begin with. So he questioned the angel. Sure enough he got another sign, but this one he must have received joyfully. "thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until. . ." I have always felt sorry for Z. But now I see that after a long life of service and dedication and speaking, what would 9 months of silence be if he could have a son at the end of it. What would seem to me a painful experience was pure joy to him. Each day it was a constant reminder of God having taken over his life and the role he would soon play. Lucky!
And now a second theme I am noticing more and more in the scriptures, God does not do it in the easiest way. Instead he makes it a miracle so all will remember! How does Elisabeth feel about all this? "Elisabeth conceived and hid herself 5 months, saying, thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men." Hey everybody, I am not barren after all! Yippee! You know how long I have waited for this? I gave up hope years and years ago.
So an old barren aunt is having a baby and now the virgin niece is having one too! Who better to share the excitement with? One miracle deserves another! And all in the family! And who tells Mary about it? Gabriel to cap off his testimony. So Mary has more than words as evidence! Luke 1 :36,37. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
So what testimony of JC did Gabriel bear to Mary? Luke 1:26-38 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Poor old Joseph, Mary's future husband is distraught. He is kind and generous and chooses to put her away privily, not wanting to make of her a public example. What a test! He had worried and prayed. Decision made, he was brought into the club with a revelation/testimony as well. Matt. 1:20-25
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Did you notice the extra convincing the angel gave Joseph in verse 23? He quoted Old Testament scripture! How many times had Joseph heard that scripture? And now he was to play a role in it? Thank you Heavenly Father. I would be happy to fulfill this calling. What a privilege. Thanks. Looks like this is for real.
So now back to Mary. She can't wait. This is way too exciting. I have got to go talk to aunt Elisabeth, 6 months pregnant? She'll be showing! Then when Elisabeth hears Mary's voice she gives Mary her testimony. Luke 1:41-45 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed artthou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Mary can't keep it in. She needs to bear witness as well. Luke 1:46-55 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call meblessed.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
So how long did Mary stay with Elisabeth? 56. And Mary abode with her about 3 months, and returned to her own house.
No kidding? 6 months plus 3 months make 9 months. Why didn't Mary stay for the birth, or maybe she did. What did Zacharias have to say about all this? Not much. : )
No comments:
Post a Comment