tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46678169235656724852024-03-05T10:22:33.244-07:00Redeemer of IsraelDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-65234038492577953992024-02-25T13:15:00.001-07:002024-02-25T16:13:57.290-07:00The Bread of Life Sermon<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7E4E4wwshMg?si=7AYPZqzTjliOKAG0&controls=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The Bread of Life Sermon, given by Jesus, was a turning point for many followers of Christ. The Savior’s words were considered highly controversial and caused many to no longer follow him. To eat the flesh and blood of another person, as Jesus taught, shocked his listeners to say the least. So what did Jesus mean when he declared himself the “bread of life” and that we must partake of him to receive the gift of eternal life? And how does this powerful sermon help us to partake of the atonement of Jesus Christ with greater clarity and understanding?</p><p>Before we examine the Bread of Life Sermon, let’s first set the stage. It was springtime, just before the season of Passover. Jesus was traveling in Galilee. Large crowds now followed him, having heard about his many miracles. “Is this the promised Messiah?” they asked. Would they see more miracles? They gathered around to find out.</p><p>According to John, Jesus saw the massive crowd and, without hesitation, asks his disciples “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206%3A5&version=NIV" target="_blank">John 6:5 NIV</a>). The disciples respond that even a half year’s wages will not buy enough food for such a multitude! Jesus simply asks for all they have. A young boy offers his own five barley loaves and two fishes. Jesus takes the loaves and fishes, offers thanks to heaven, breaks the bread, and instructs the disciples to distribute the food. Miraculously, the multitude is not only fed, but twelve baskets of food are left over!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsTO1vb2Tezq4c7Kvh2CDTZnEdiNXYQIlgW5MIn5Rwnq_cNaLSJDiwIPAk1Ml0Hn9FihP-kN24c1OZgk9tW5uqLAtVpISKC_KPKuRef5jHCYUXQEPjT7xRNil4-L4rjmvxJPeWdV9Ylz7Yv8uvcI8maqlzVhkvwNh_abd9UwRDOJBig6YmGALzYeE5wcC/s2400/HOFF%20The%20miraculous%20feeding.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="2400" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsTO1vb2Tezq4c7Kvh2CDTZnEdiNXYQIlgW5MIn5Rwnq_cNaLSJDiwIPAk1Ml0Hn9FihP-kN24c1OZgk9tW5uqLAtVpISKC_KPKuRef5jHCYUXQEPjT7xRNil4-L4rjmvxJPeWdV9Ylz7Yv8uvcI8maqlzVhkvwNh_abd9UwRDOJBig6YmGALzYeE5wcC/w640-h424/HOFF%20The%20miraculous%20feeding.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Miraculous Feeding by <a href="https://www.gospelimages.com/paintings/97/the-miraculous-feeding?keyword=feed" target="_blank">Jan van 't Hoff</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Imagine what must have been going through the minds of not only the multitude, but the Savior’s disciples! For ancient people, bread was an essential part of every meal. It was readily available and inexpensive compared to other food, especially meat. Despite its low cost, women of the household spent many hours each day making bread for the family. This helps us understand why when Jesus offered the Lord’s prayer, he spoke of the need for “daily bread.” Witnessing this miracle, the people said among themselves, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world” (<a href="https://biblehub.com/john/6-14.htm" target="_blank">John 6:14 BSB</a>).</p><p>When Israel was freed from Egyptian bondage, the Lord provided manna in the wilderness as they wandered for 40 years. The miracles Moses performed through God’s power, were foundational for their faith. At the end of Moses’ life, as he gathered the people to hear his final message, he prophesied, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.” (<a href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/18-15.htm" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 18:15 BSB</a>). For hundreds of years, the people had been waiting for this chosen leader who would be like Moses. What more could they be waiting for? Moses had fed Israel manna and performed great miracles. Now Jesus had miraculously fed the multitude! This must be the promised Messiah, the anointed one!</p><p>That evening, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee to the village of Capernaum. The following day the people gathered to hear Jesus in the synagogue in Capernaum. Ancient synagogues were generally rectangular in shape with stone benches along the sides. The roof was supported by large columns leaving the center open for the speaker or reader of the Torah scroll to stand. It is with this setting Jesus delivered a powerful discourse.</p><p>Jesus first began by rebuking the crowd, proclaiming that the only reason they came to hear him was because they wanted a free meal. Still, the Jews implored Jesus for a sign that would give them a reason to believe his message. If Moses could provide manna from heaven, what would Jesus do to show he was the great prophet of which Moses had foretold? They had seen him feed the multitude the day before, he could do the same today!</p><p>Jesus reminded them that it was not Moses who provided manna from heaven, but God the Father, and that only the Father can provide true, eternal bread. Hearing of this bread from heaven, the people exclaimed that they wanted to eat of this eternal bread!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj903EYKDsL5x1-s7EBMZV_XQOpMFQWD36sLfJfwxLaeu3CVwHVJ08YjSlLU_wmYXDllIgZtoGQfSmZ62DSCtKtZlQC0iPXiTuMEct5kk7HlBrHVfZpW0980uNulkRYeES3Or-Q9wP-tbjdSXGI13lfQOFPAi8Vb2fFumFnSL5fBuW7t3BqjI-mwbFkDByL/s2667/Manna%20from%20heaven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj903EYKDsL5x1-s7EBMZV_XQOpMFQWD36sLfJfwxLaeu3CVwHVJ08YjSlLU_wmYXDllIgZtoGQfSmZ62DSCtKtZlQC0iPXiTuMEct5kk7HlBrHVfZpW0980uNulkRYeES3Or-Q9wP-tbjdSXGI13lfQOFPAi8Vb2fFumFnSL5fBuW7t3BqjI-mwbFkDByL/w640-h360/Manna%20from%20heaven.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Israelite family with their two baskets of manna from heaven</td></tr></tbody></table><p>With the stage set, Jesus made this powerful claim, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/6?lang=eng&id=35#35" target="_blank">John 6:35</a>). While the Jews were only asking for bread, Jesus appears to harken back to another miracle, when the Lord commanded Moses to strike a rock to bring forth water to quench the thirst of ancient Israel. Not only is Jesus claiming the power to feed and nourish the Jews, but to give them drink.</p><p>At this point many of the Jews murmured at his claim to be manna from heaven. Jesus reminded them that ancient Israel did eat daily manna in the wilderness, but they were all dead. In the end, the miracle of manna from heaven could not give them eternal life. Ancient Israel only survived from day to day because of the manna.</p><p>With power and emotion, Jesus declared, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/6?lang=eng&id=51#51" target="_blank">John 6:51</a>). Jesus then continued adding even more clarity, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/6?lang=eng&id=53#53" target="_blank">John 6:53</a>). For ancient Jews, this was outrageous and appalling. The law of Moses forbade the drinking of blood, especially the blood of another human! And to eat the flesh of another person? For many, this was the breaking point. </p><p>Before we continue with the sermon, let’s ask the question: Why would Jesus teach something like this? Eating another’s flesh to gain eternal life? The Savior’s audience well understood the law of sacrifice. Each year, Jews gathered at the temple for three annual feasts, and offered various sacrifices. As they brought their animal to the altar, they would lay their hands on the animal’s head, symbolically transferring their sins to the sacrifice. Most often it was the person seeking forgiveness that would slit the throat of the animal. The blood was caught in a dish and splashed on various parts of the altar while the meat was burned. Of the five types of sacrifices, only the burnt offering was entirely consumed in the flames. For Peace, Sin, and Trespass offerings, only a portion of the animal was offered to God, while the remainder was eaten by the priests or the family who brought the offering.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9gCl4lRuP83EQtO6yYvpueYPjUmSW3EWBUA16Vm4vAq4RtZhAk6lWlPB3A0CUKvJGxTWr9YGCHYVX45anokZHqoBFfnEw-qG14j_kAf5LC93zEkPW8rwI9RuV0gTokpfLa0Mh0TttX81Qye_PScrQf1QZvuDkCyrJsPrSiXO4E76i-0Kxv8cd4nJxdku/s2667/Tabernacle%20of%20Moses.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9gCl4lRuP83EQtO6yYvpueYPjUmSW3EWBUA16Vm4vAq4RtZhAk6lWlPB3A0CUKvJGxTWr9YGCHYVX45anokZHqoBFfnEw-qG14j_kAf5LC93zEkPW8rwI9RuV0gTokpfLa0Mh0TttX81Qye_PScrQf1QZvuDkCyrJsPrSiXO4E76i-0Kxv8cd4nJxdku/w640-h360/Tabernacle%20of%20Moses.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tabernacle of Moses 3D model</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Before we continue, it will be helpful to first understand why eating the flesh of the sacrifice was such an important part of the temple ritual. In ancient times, when two enemies sought to establish peace, it was not by signing a peace treaty like today. Instead it was by breaking bread together and sharing a meal. This symbolic act of inviting one's enemy into the home demonstrated that a former enemy had been forgiven. Mutual feelings of friendship, trust, and peace were established.</p><p>This same theme of healing applies to God and his people. As ancient Israel came to the Tabernacle or temple, they came as enemies to God, because of their sins. Paul wrote that “For the wages of sin is death” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rom/6?lang=eng&clang=eng&id=23#23" target="_blank">Romans 6:23</a>). The Lord wanted his people to understand that only after repentance and the sacrifice of an innocent animal could reconciliation with God be achieved. As the Lord invited his covenant people into his house, the Tabernacle or temple, forgiveness was shown through a symbolic meal. Part of the meat was burned on the altar for God while the remainder of the meat was shared with Israel. This sharing of a meal in the temple symbolized that God’s forgiveness and peace was renewed.</p><p>Every Sabbath we have the opportunity to enter the Lord’s house of worship and partake of the sacrament or communion of the Lord’s supper. We enter as enemies of God because of our sins. Yet, God teaches us a powerful lesson each week. As the priest breaks the bread, we are asked to ponder the broken flesh and blood of Christ. We remember that it is only through his eternal sacrifice that we can be at-one with God again. As we receive of the bread, everyone shares in a communal meal in remembrance of his infinite sacrifice.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwkLSqyWkKEAspv1at32-dxtefPpC_Z2E8f8ARHlaakftBHEdBjOVTFVHzON55u7CY5EdxQOmUSDvlo5fkt0YRCh8IFOdN7oAIN4gFysD-JfpC0Xx_9OA5Rzz37vyKx07HzUFQY0-ovpniyeWtEKQx55wb4RjpdE_-_SVk0HHu40bPISigHA0k_VHpo0G/s2400/LDS%20the%20bread.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2400" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwkLSqyWkKEAspv1at32-dxtefPpC_Z2E8f8ARHlaakftBHEdBjOVTFVHzON55u7CY5EdxQOmUSDvlo5fkt0YRCh8IFOdN7oAIN4gFysD-JfpC0Xx_9OA5Rzz37vyKx07HzUFQY0-ovpniyeWtEKQx55wb4RjpdE_-_SVk0HHu40bPISigHA0k_VHpo0G/w640-h426/LDS%20the%20bread.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The disciples gathering the uneaten loaves of bread</td></tr></tbody></table><p>So we might ask, why would the Savior use bread to symbolize his flesh? As mentioned, for ancient people, bread was a critical part of every meal–their daily source of sustenance, nourishment and strength. Whatever we consume becomes part of our very being. Similarly, as we partake of the sacrament or communion, we have the opportunity to allow the Savior to become a part of us, to daily nourish and strengthen us. In addition, as we internalize the sacrifice of Jesus’ flesh and the shedding of his blood, we are given new life. We become a new person. We experience a mighty change of heart and receive his image in our countenance (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/5?lang=eng&id=12,14#12" target="_blank">Alma 5:12, 14</a>). His actions become our actions.</p><p>At the end of the Savior’s powerful discourse on the bread of life, many no longer followed him. His teachings were too hard. They came to be fed, but failed to see beyond the idea of physical nourishment. Jesus wanted them to understand that the way to have eternal life was through daily partaking of his sacrificial Atonement. Just as the Israelites under Moses had relied upon daily manna, we must rely upon the daily nourishment of the good word of God through Jesus, the Bread of Life. By so doing, as God has promised, we receive salvation and eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-91428166165937344882023-12-21T12:49:00.000-07:002023-12-21T12:49:11.431-07:00Who Were the Wise Men?<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FdAeKTsQ-l8?si=RDbSuQ0RscfPCEkx&controls=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Almost every Nativity scene features three wise men, each wearing a golden crown, and arriving from the east riding heavy-laden camels. But what do we really know about the wise men? Were there really even three? What was the significance of their gifts and what does their story teach us about our own journey to seek the Savior?</p><p>For centuries Christians have sought to learn more about the wise men. Some traditions even give them names, for example Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. While we often picture three wise men, the scriptures don’t actually tell us how many came. The only reason there so often are three magi is because they brought three gifts. Because of the dangers of traveling for long distances in a caravan, it is likely that there were more than just three wise men.</p><p>We also don’t know where they even came from, only that they came from the east. While there are many theories on their origin, some scholars have suggested they came from Babylon and were of Jewish descent. In 587 BC the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and carried away many Jews into slavery. Seventy years later, the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland. However, tens of thousands remained behind, creating in Babylon a thriving Jewish community.</p><p>The wise men being of Jewish descent living in Babylon makes logical sense because who more likely would be studying ancient Israelite prophecies about the coming Messiah? We can envision faithful Jews whose ancestors remained in Babylon, continuing to search and celebrate God’s sacred word. When a star appeared in the night sky revealing that prophecies of the coming Messiah were about to be fulfilled, they left everything and traveled to Jerusalem.</p><p>So what about the wise men being kings wearing crowns and adorned in royal robes of wealth? It seems later Christians, in an effort to fill in the missing details, went searching in the Old Testament. Isaiah prophesied, “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising…. The multitude of camels shall cover thee … they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the Lord.” (Isaiah 60:3, 6). From these verses later Christians presumed the wise men must be gentile kings arriving on camels from faraway lands. While these verses may have partial fulfillment in the story of the wise men, the primary context of this prophecy seems to describe the last days and is yet to be fulfilled. This means our wise men were almost certainly not wearing crowns!</p><p>After traveling a long distance from their homeland, the magi arrived in Jerusalem in search of a new born king. They first thought to visit the palace of King Herod, but this visit greatly “troubled” him. Herod had been placed upon the Jewish throne by Rome shortly after he had conquered Jerusalem around thirty years earlier. Because Herod was not of the royal family of King David, and wasn’t considered of true Jewish lineage, most Jews simply saw him as a Roman puppet king whom the Lord would someday overthrow. Because of this, Herod often went to extreme measures to retain his power.</p><p>Remarkably, when Herod consults his chief priests and scribes about the sign of the star, they are able to confirm the prophecies. It appears they took two prophecies, one from Numbers and another from Micah, to identify where the infant king would be born: “There shall come a Star out of Jacob, And a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Number 24:17). “But thou, Bethlehem … out of thee shall he come forth … to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2). While Herod’s scribes and chief priests were able to correctly interpret the ancient prophecies, they themselves were not even looking for the Messiah! The wise men had possibly journeyed for more than a thousand miles to find the newborn king of Kings. Yet Jerusalem’s priests and scribes seemed unwilling to even travel the short distance of approximately six miles, or ten kilometers, to the village of Bethlehem. This story reminds us that it isn’t enough to just know and understand the scriptures. We must be willing to go the distance to find the Savior so that we too can kneel before him and worship him.</p><p>Herod sends the wise men to Bethlehem, imploring them to report to him after finding the infant King, supposedly so he too can worship him. Imagine the scene as these foreign visitors from distant lands began asking around the neighborhood to find the birthplace of the young king. Many locals might have laughed and scorned the visitors for their peculiar request. We are not told how long they had to search, but eventually they did manage to find Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Matthew records that by this time, Jesus was a “young child,” suggesting that they had been on their journey for several months, if not longer.</p><p>It would have been a breathtaking moment for these faithful visitors who had traveled so far to find the young child. As they fell to the ground to worship him, they laid at his feet their precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But why these particular items? What is the significance of these gifts? Obviously such things would not be at the top of any child’s gift-list today. Powerfully, all three gifts were connected to temple worship, seeming to foreshadow the redemptive and sacrificial mission of Christ.</p><p>While jewelry, coins, and gold bars might come to our minds today when we think of gold, an ancient Jew would likely first think of God’s Tabernacle and Holy Temple. The Lord commanded Moses to cover much of the Tabernacle, including its walls, and all of its interior furniture with gold. During the time of Jesus, King Herod was in the process of renovating the temple and he had plated the entire facade and interior with large sheets of gold. If indeed these wise men were of Jewish origin, they would have seen gold as a most fitting and appropriate gift for Israel’s Messiah King who would be enthroned in the heavenly Temple.</p><p>Anciently, frankincense was more valuable by weight even than gold! The odors of human sweat, spoiling food, dung, smoke, and death would have dominated virtually every setting of daily life! Because of this, spices and incense like frankincense and myrrh were highly prized and quite valuable as they helped in masking unpleasant odors. Both of these incenses came from certain trees that mostly grow in southern Arabia. The incense is actually just tree sap, and is harvested by gouging the bark and letting the sap bleed out. After the sap dried, it was collected and brought by caravan to areas such as Jerusalem. The difficulty in harvesting and the long distance required in transport made the product extremely valuable.</p><p>During the morning and evening prayers, frankincense was burned on the altar of incense at the Temple. The smoke rising to heaven before the veil represented the prayers of the saints ascending to God. The gift of frankincense is an appropriate gift for the Savior, for it is because of his sacrifice that our prayers can be answered by God. </p><p>Myrrh was similarly used to mask unpleasant odors and was often used as part of the burial process. John records that Nicodemus provided large quantities of myrrh which were used for the burial of the Savior. Myrrh was also melted down and added to the anointing oil for Aaron and his sons and all future priests before they could serve at the Temple (see Exodus 30:23). Myrrh is a fitting gift for the Savior who would die yet rise with healing in his wings, and as the Great High Priest who intercedes on our behalf!</p><p>Perhaps we cannot afford precious gifts like gold and incense. Still as we celebrate this Christmas season, what are some gifts that we might give to parallel the gifts of the wise men in significance and meaning? Like the wise men, let us give the Lord the gift of our time in studying and understanding His sacred word. Not just so we can understand the prophecies and revelations, but so that we can then go the distance, leaving behind every worldly thing to find the true king of Kings. Let us give to our Savior the gift of temple worship, laying our sins and self-serving desires on the altar of sacrifice, allowing the atonement of Christ to take effect in our lives. Let us give Jesus the gift of frankincense in the form of offering humble and meaningful prayers morning and evening. As we kneel, let us pray for the strength and courage to serve others. Then let us rise to our feet and do the works of Christ.</p><p>Perhaps most importantly, let us remember that the most significant gift ever given is the gift of our Father in Heaven. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Let us remember this gift, and accept it from the Father by repenting of our sins and embracing the Savior’s example in all we do. This is the best Christmas gift we can give this season and throughout the year! The gift of Jesus Christ!</p><p><br /></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-75937891078849633922023-12-07T14:21:00.001-07:002023-12-08T15:32:52.226-07:00Jesus and Hanukkah<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YGS-xEvs_lc?si=M3q6t1fLCX4qxRUM&controls=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Every year, Jewish families around the world celebrate Hanukkah, the joyous festival of lights. Children light the menorah and for eight nights families remember the remarkable story of deliverance that Hanukkah commemorates. With all the conflicts, not only in Israel, but around the world, we long for true deliverance–light that can bring peace to a world darkened by war, hatred, and conflict. Many Christians are familiar with Hanukkah, but did you know that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah? In fact, the Savior gave a powerful sermon during this festival of lights helping us better understand his divine role as Messiah, Deliverer, and Redeemer!</p><p>The story of Jesus and Hanukkah begins shortly after He traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast Tabernacles–or Sukkot (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/7?lang=eng&id=2#2" target="_blank">John 7:2</a>). Tabernacles celebrates the final harvest at the end of each year and clearly foreshadows the final harvest of God and the coming Messiah. Jesus appears to have afterwards remained in Jerusalem until the time of Hanukkah which, depending on the lunar calendar, occurs anywhere from late November to the end of December. [1] During this period Jesus often taught in the temple, declaring to listeners, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/10?lang=eng&id=9#9" target="_blank">John 10:9</a>). and “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/10?lang=eng&id=14#14" target="_blank">John 10:14</a>). “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, … and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/10?lang=eng&id=16#16" target="_blank">John 10:16</a>). Why so many metaphors about sheep? Well, we’ll get to that later.</p><p>John’s Gospel records that shortly after the Savior made these powerful statements, Jesus was worshiping within the temple complex at a place called Solomon’s porch (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/10?lang=eng&id=22-23#22" target="_blank">John 10:22-23</a>). Jerusalem’s majestic temple was undergoing a massive renovation started four decades earlier under Herod the Great (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/2?lang=eng&id=20#20" target="_blank">John 2:20</a>)--yes, the same Herod who’d tried to slay Jesus as an infant. This project doubled the area of the Temple grounds, [2] adding three expansive porches or colonnades, and many other impressive changes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFe240Kco3R94S5vkFBaNsYdfsVAm21KitQ5ZTvGHca2RlTYN_DanTP3JIo2-mwJ-shHN07ThVccP2WuPTpj4ISivBvHs8GgfG7AMAXetJUvAMXJ5sN47IdXH8Nwrb2Uzg3vXnc6vWl7w8sYmX6UrgBk0cuwCzYa5r3PrQ3wFxyKJlW06-h9mB3mfUegr/s2667/Solomon's%20porch%2002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFe240Kco3R94S5vkFBaNsYdfsVAm21KitQ5ZTvGHca2RlTYN_DanTP3JIo2-mwJ-shHN07ThVccP2WuPTpj4ISivBvHs8GgfG7AMAXetJUvAMXJ5sN47IdXH8Nwrb2Uzg3vXnc6vWl7w8sYmX6UrgBk0cuwCzYa5r3PrQ3wFxyKJlW06-h9mB3mfUegr/w640-h360/Solomon's%20porch%2002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solomon's Porch in Herod's Temple looking towards the south east</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The easternmost colonnade, however, or Solomon’s porch, remained mostly unaltered because of the steep valley upon which it was built. It was so named likely because this porch dated to the original Solomonic Temple. Compared to a grand new porch like the imposing Royal Stoa with its coffered ceilings and large apse where the priestly counsel, or Sanhedren could meet, Solomon’s porch was far simpler in design. [3] Nevertheless, it provided ample shade and also would have served as a windbreak against the cold easterly winds coming off the Kidron valley. [4] Jerusalem only receives snow every few years, but winter conditions could still be harsh and this porch likely gave Jesus and his listeners welcome protection. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWTGsBFbDp7M4gftqWwMbS9L26TbNiFnwyoTqR47xTeSFRgQvrPG5TBkI5WYQfvbwf1iCT-OgqMlN35C0TWfrhE2db9yQevOBEWulcC4hw23p-m48Wf73JsHJf8r2kUolULnNRTRL4_Sw6upISC0rDhwp4t33DpmPu4PZp_wNqImVkFteMrDBHWkVzhSD/s2667/Royal%20Stoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWTGsBFbDp7M4gftqWwMbS9L26TbNiFnwyoTqR47xTeSFRgQvrPG5TBkI5WYQfvbwf1iCT-OgqMlN35C0TWfrhE2db9yQevOBEWulcC4hw23p-m48Wf73JsHJf8r2kUolULnNRTRL4_Sw6upISC0rDhwp4t33DpmPu4PZp_wNqImVkFteMrDBHWkVzhSD/w640-h360/Royal%20Stoa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Stoa with the apse where the Sanhedrin met</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This location also featured a stunning view of the whole temple grounds with the gold-covered facade of the temple and the intricately carved stone of the surrounding courts and chambers. From this vantage point, Jesus and His listeners likely would have observed the many sheep being led through various gates of the court of the women, providing a fitting backdrop for His timeless metaphors wherein He declared Himself the gate and the Good Shepherd.</p><p>Hanukkah was a time for Jews to commemorate the dramatic events of almost two centuries earlier. About 170 BC, the Greeks under Antiochus IV captured Jerusalem and desecrated God’s temple. A statue of Zeus was erected inside its precincts and pigs sacrificed on the altar. Jews were understandably furious. Under the leadership of a priestly family known as the Maccabees, Jerusalem and God’s temple were recaptured in 164 BC. Both temple and altar were rededicated and sacrifices to the Lord renewed. For this reason, the Gospel of John calls Hanukkah the “feast of dedication” (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/10?lang=eng&id=22#22" target="_blank">John 10:22</a>).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTayi-nkolpMwhidMPDix695rmtLMvPbFjdfh0mePtoWzKm2ADbIEihGwESSKENxDH0mQ2K7ChInV07kotF-ROeA7pKlViX7kdCRilupPodBZ0udky0RewQh59Qd4GrQj-1NrWpSkW5BqO77gIlO8r6A4tRRVvAOubO1FMSW73-b9ufw-MXEZI3H9SNr9I/s2667/Priest%20lighting%20menorah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTayi-nkolpMwhidMPDix695rmtLMvPbFjdfh0mePtoWzKm2ADbIEihGwESSKENxDH0mQ2K7ChInV07kotF-ROeA7pKlViX7kdCRilupPodBZ0udky0RewQh59Qd4GrQj-1NrWpSkW5BqO77gIlO8r6A4tRRVvAOubO1FMSW73-b9ufw-MXEZI3H9SNr9I/w640-h360/Priest%20lighting%20menorah.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Priest lighting menorah</td></tr></tbody></table><p>According to later tradition, as priests tried to relight the temple menorah, only enough consecrated oil remained for the lamps to burn for a single day. Yet, its flames lasted eight days, enough time to consecrate new oil. Even into modern times, Jews celebrate this miracle by lighting the menorah for eight nights. We don’t know exactly when this tradition started, but the most significant and celebrated Hanukkah event in Jesus’s day would have been the rededication of the temple and altar.</p><p>Knowing this background, let’s review the story of Jesus and His Hanukkah message. As He taught at Solomon’s porch, the people started inquiring in earnest, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010%3A24&version=NIV" target="_blank">John 10:24 NIV</a>). Especially at Hanukkah, the Jewish people would have yearned for a messianic figure who would free them from Roman oppression. The Hebrew word Messiah, like the Greek word Christ, means “anointed one.” In the Bible three main groups were viewed as messiah-like: prophets, priests, and kings. Jews saw these select individuals as sent from God. Anointing them with oil physically symbolized the authority God had poured down upon them. Figures such as King David, Solomon, and Aaron the high priest became inseparably connected with ideas of power and deliverance. So we can understand why during the festival of Hanukkah, the people were again seeking a new messiah.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS4XZXh6IQYoVYhVctEodPMosJLYHy048hLEJPIxqqjls6Ys7nkf-2jC67WaA4uo4lPmhs0p__DZOXswkxvxd3d_-sKMF5491WUOTdf8b4BU_5Dj-atCVR0n1KOdYdnvxcCw82oSPMHwUMnz1iqPjTZCpt56RFtlWx5Ub_6cYq9Yu8g3p3LT_2Kf0ULoH/s1920/Jesus%20in%20Solomon's%20porch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS4XZXh6IQYoVYhVctEodPMosJLYHy048hLEJPIxqqjls6Ys7nkf-2jC67WaA4uo4lPmhs0p__DZOXswkxvxd3d_-sKMF5491WUOTdf8b4BU_5Dj-atCVR0n1KOdYdnvxcCw82oSPMHwUMnz1iqPjTZCpt56RFtlWx5Ub_6cYq9Yu8g3p3LT_2Kf0ULoH/w640-h360/Jesus%20in%20Solomon's%20porch.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus teaching in Solomon's Porch</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Notably, Jesus does not respond to their question directly. According to John’s Gospel, He replies, “I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/10?lang=eng&id=25-26#25" target="_blank">John 10:25-26</a>). In other words, Jesus doesn’t offer a simple yes or no if He was the promised Messiah. Instead, He tells His listeners that they ought to already know the answer because His works done in His Father’s name already bear witness of this fact. He then states, “I and my Father are one.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/10?lang=eng&id=30#30" target="_blank">John 10:30</a>). This was more than many listeners could take and they took up stones–perhaps rubble from ongoing construction–to kill him. Jesus then asked why they wanted to stone him? The answer was quite simple. He had claimed to be one with God. It was one thing to claim he was the anointed one, similar to kings and priests of the past. But Jesus was claiming to be the son of God, and one with the Father!</p><p>Jesus’s next words bring it all back to Hanukkah. He announces that He is the one “sanctified” or “consecrated” by the Father (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/10?lang=eng&id=36#36" target="_blank">John 10:36</a>). The word used in this instance is the same Greek word that is used when referring to the dedication of the Tabernacle of Moses. [5] In essence, because Hanukkah was a feast commemorating the rededication of the desecrated temple, Jesus had announced, “God has dedicated me!” The scriptures tell us that the ancient Tabernacle and later temples were the literal dwelling place of God’s presence. At these holy sites, Israel communed with and became “at-one” with God. Jesus had boldly asserted that He was now that consecrated place! He was the Anointed One where people could come to become one with God.</p><p>Throughout this interchange Jesus repeatedly insists that He does His Father’s works to show that He truly is the anointed Messiah, having God’s authority. His works and the Father’s are the same, much as the servant of a landowner is authorized to act in the landowner’s name as a demonstration of unity, power, and authority. By doing His Father’s works, Jesus represents the exact same unity, power, and authority. </p><p>It might have been easier if Jesus had simply declared Himself the Messiah. But, in this instance, He chose to teach by example–reinforcing over and over that he was one with God because he did His Father’s works! In essence, Jesus declares, “I’ll tell you who I am by how I live, not by just what I say!” </p><p>How can we follow the Savior’s supreme example of oneness with the Father? Just as Jesus said, it is by doing God’s works. Christ’s unity with His Father doesn’t seem to mean a physical unity as much as a unity in purpose. His example powerfully emphasizes that we, too, must strive to become one with God by humbly doing God’s works.</p><p>As we ponder these sacred lessons from Hanukkah, let us look past the labels of Catholic, Baptist, Mormon, Evangelical, or any other label we might give and focus on the all-encompassing title of being a true Christian. One anointed by His Holy Spirit to act, not just in name, but also in deed. Let us do the works of the Father by serving our neighbor, feeding the poor, empowering the powerless, and lifting the widow and orphan. Doing the works of the Father brings power into our daily lives. Power that helps us overcome all things, bringing light into our lives, through Christ Jesus.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>[1] <a href=" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah" target="_blank">Hanukkah</a>, Wikipedia</div><div>[2] <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple" target="_blank">Second Temple</a>, Wikipedia</div><div>[3] Roger Leibi, The Messiah in the Temple, pg. 181.</div><div>[4] Raymond E. Brown, <i>The Gospel of John I-XII</i>, pg. 405.</div><div>[5] Brown, pg. 404, 411</div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-54942540769513026832023-11-19T06:00:00.037-07:002023-11-19T06:00:00.135-07:00What Jesus taught about Thanksgiving and Gratitude<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jToRCEv-zp0?si=YQfxlZZAYtXLYiBK&controls=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Many cultures around the world have a day of Thanksgiving where families gather together, often at the end of harvest season, to thank the Lord for their bounteous blessings. Thanksgiving is a time for us to remember how gracious God has been to us—an opportunity to acknowledge that all we have comes from the Lord. Giving gratitude, obviously, should not be limited to just once a year. The Savior taught by example that giving gratitude should be a part of our everyday lives and that significant power can come to us through giving thanks.</p><p>To better understand how to give true thanks, let’s review a few memorable moments from the Savior’s ministry. It’s interesting that Jesus didn’t often talk about giving thanks. Not directly. Instead, He seemed to prefer to teach this principle through example. Here are five stories that exemplify His approach.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTaM0fR8mr3-zC-g3h8DuDs_ibJ-n8p1GFnnYwYZixpvAYMgjvuZtG1GhabY-8yLqA6BQp1uwC7K8usVUxS2j2rPv8Q4qsebMSZR1HN53U6neWJ1jcxh5rO9Mcek-UD_uY5X1nIFMbUgedBYo70UPqM4OzxNOuZq9hvoMXz_WtvvL5nDfNXi4mscqoMoa/s4200/TISSOT%20Miracle%20of%20loaves%20and%20fishes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="4200" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTaM0fR8mr3-zC-g3h8DuDs_ibJ-n8p1GFnnYwYZixpvAYMgjvuZtG1GhabY-8yLqA6BQp1uwC7K8usVUxS2j2rPv8Q4qsebMSZR1HN53U6neWJ1jcxh5rO9Mcek-UD_uY5X1nIFMbUgedBYo70UPqM4OzxNOuZq9hvoMXz_WtvvL5nDfNXi4mscqoMoa/w640-h440/TISSOT%20Miracle%20of%20loaves%20and%20fishes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The disciples feeding the multitude by James Tissot<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>First we’ll examine the account of the feeding of the 4000 as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/15.29-39?lang=eng#29" target="_blank">Matthew 15:29-39</a> and <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/8?lang=eng&id=1-10#1" target="_blank">Mark 8:1-10</a>). Jesus had been teaching a multitude near the shores of the Sea of Galilee for several days. As he looked out upon the people, he had compassion on them and asked his disciples to feed them. The disciples, of course, hesitated, reminding Jesus that they lacked any means to purchase a sufficient amount of bread to feed this large multitude. The Savior then asked for all that the disciples had, which was a mere seven loaves and a few small fishes.</p><p>Here is where the Lord, by example, demonstrated the sacred power of gratitude. Matthew records: “Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them” (<a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/15-36.htm" target="_blank">Matthew 15:36 BSB</a>). After He offered this prayer of thanksgiving, the hungry multitude was miraculously fed. The Gospels do not mention if Jesus also blessed the bread. Perhaps He did. But in both Gospel accounts of feeding the 4000, the core idea emphasized is the Lord giving thanks. Jesus seemed so confident this miracle would occur, that instead of requesting a blessing, he simply offered thanks! The Savior’s example appears to stress the idea that instead of focusing all of our energies asking for blessings, we ought to express gratitude for our blessings, including for blessings we may have not yet even received!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCAVnxdMHVc1BJKikRPK0qNiRlFVrNIRHKScXi-4e9wSUQabVyZ51n0V5GtS-h4q2eaEy8NOejFsUVM1iXTkz6nM9hTeH9yOUtzzBZox26J2IFMdpCOcISmDmQc3IcdBm5uZovRfmKgWgRTZnmhRv0XkxPyYb9SfA_uGJTR2ufCR0-utPyqQO-MUNqda9/s3400/FUGEL%20Jesus%20heals%20the%20ten%20lepers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2223" data-original-width="3400" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCAVnxdMHVc1BJKikRPK0qNiRlFVrNIRHKScXi-4e9wSUQabVyZ51n0V5GtS-h4q2eaEy8NOejFsUVM1iXTkz6nM9hTeH9yOUtzzBZox26J2IFMdpCOcISmDmQc3IcdBm5uZovRfmKgWgRTZnmhRv0XkxPyYb9SfA_uGJTR2ufCR0-utPyqQO-MUNqda9/w640-h418/FUGEL%20Jesus%20heals%20the%20ten%20lepers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus and the ten lepers by Gebhard Fugel<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Next, let’s examine the account of the Savior’s healing of the ten lepers (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/17?lang=eng&id=11-19#11" target="_blank">Luke 17:11-19</a>). As Jesus journeyed with his disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem, they encountered ten lepers who cried unto the Lord to heal them. Jesus instructed them to show themselves to the priests at the temple. As they went, they were all healed of their infirmity. One of the ten who had been healed hurried back to the Savior, fell to the ground and expressed sincere thanksgiving. Christ then gave these potent words: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017%3A17-18&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 17:17-18 NIV</a>).</p><p>Note that Jesus, who performed the miracle, does not condemn the other nine for not expressing humble thanks to Him or for acknowledging the Savior’s divine power. Instead, he rebukes the other lepers for not giving praise and thanks to God! Jesus might have easily drawn the focus to himself for the miracle he had wrought, but instead he pointed to the Father as the true source of that power. From this we can learn that we should always give praise and glory to God for all he does, instead of seeking praise for even the great things that we might think we have done.</p><p>Our third example of giving thanks is found after Jesus had been teaching in Galilee. Perceiving that his disciples and the people were understanding his words, he stops, seemingly in mid-thought, to declare, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/11?lang=eng&id=25#25" target="_blank">Matthew 11:25</a>). It’s as if the Savior could not even contain his gratitude and felt he should immediately give thanks to God for revealing his message to the hearts and minds of those who were listening. [1] Likewise, we should also be quick to give glory to God whenever his words penetrate the understanding of those we teach and minister. We should recognize that, while we may be his instruments in conveying his word, it is ultimately the Spirit of God that reveals truth.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpedZ_xG03lpq_1eiGhTJSfCQjt_t9vBrcQSJ7eLWqUPG5eaaqMsYGrUK8Q_QjCSB3rZ1v-T3JFl31RJ2Abn9Qy7TwdjMHjBpUYRpNINWFPywfh_hkIQlu3T6WzLzMCWbQ9GULqLe6kG43tF231Nt1bsXsStRwBrm5BOWa3mR8YF-oi0ERNuH-NxT6f9F/s3400/LEINWEBER%20Jesus%20raises%20Lazarus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2174" data-original-width="3400" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpedZ_xG03lpq_1eiGhTJSfCQjt_t9vBrcQSJ7eLWqUPG5eaaqMsYGrUK8Q_QjCSB3rZ1v-T3JFl31RJ2Abn9Qy7TwdjMHjBpUYRpNINWFPywfh_hkIQlu3T6WzLzMCWbQ9GULqLe6kG43tF231Nt1bsXsStRwBrm5BOWa3mR8YF-oi0ERNuH-NxT6f9F/w640-h410/LEINWEBER%20Jesus%20raises%20Lazarus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raising Lazarus from the dead by Anton Robert Leinweber<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Fourth, let’s turn to the miraculous account of the Savior raising Lazarus from the dead. As Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem for the last time prior to his final week in mortality, he had been informed that his friend Lazarus was very sick. Still, he delayed his coming for several days. At last when the Savior arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been dead and lying in the grave for four days. Lazarus’s devout sisters, Mary and Martha, were deep in mourning, telling Jesus that if only he had arrived sooner, their brother, Lazarus, would have been healed.</p><p>Here again Jesus uses this moment to emphasize the eternal significance of gratitude. After arriving at the tomb, the Savior asked them to roll away the stone. John records, “Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011%3A41-43&version=NIV" target="_blank">John 11:41-43 NIV</a>). Did you catch that? Again, Jesus didn’t request this miracle. Rather, he offered thanks because, as he says, God had already heard him. It was as if the miracle had already transpired. This is how certain the Lord was that Lazarus would, indeed, be raised!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5jFHZCdMG3ll5Owej8PR63zdnDRwGMfHoIQs9tAUelcrTYlI9xNRkzo2g380BzxxgzXzA1S3QSXf1z4lJPAE4Hls-5TJKQrG8p-s5KdjBSX0rPx4m8ravCHh6mRB8zIhTl-k3RTXKElxjvb8mJViXpi5NiwbCr62bJvEaSFB1j9TCpC6MWXs-he-_d48/s6398/MIRONOV%20Last%20Supper%2001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3937" data-original-width="6398" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5jFHZCdMG3ll5Owej8PR63zdnDRwGMfHoIQs9tAUelcrTYlI9xNRkzo2g380BzxxgzXzA1S3QSXf1z4lJPAE4Hls-5TJKQrG8p-s5KdjBSX0rPx4m8ravCHh6mRB8zIhTl-k3RTXKElxjvb8mJViXpi5NiwbCr62bJvEaSFB1j9TCpC6MWXs-he-_d48/w640-h394/MIRONOV%20Last%20Supper%2001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Last Supper by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Last_supper._A.Mironov.jpg" target="_blank">Andrei Mironov</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The final story is from the Last Supper. Only days after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus sat down with his disciples to celebrate the Passover. As part of the meal, the Gospel of Luke declares, “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves…. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/22?lang=eng&id=17-19#17" target="_blank">Luke 22:17-19</a>). This must be regarded as the most meaningful, consequential moment of gratitude from any of the four Gospels. </p><p>Here is our Savior Jesus Christ, fully aware of the heart wrenching events that await him over the next 24 hours. In his moment of greatest trial and hardship, Jesus does not turn to bitterness, but instead he turns to gratitude! Even in these very tokens, the bread and wine, which foreshadow his coming suffering and death, he thanks God for his blessings! While we can only speculate on why the Savior gave these words, it would seem that through gratitude, Jesus received the additional strength and power he needed to overcome all things. As we gather each Sabbath to remember the emblems of his sacrifice, let us follow Christ’s example in giving gratitude to God for the extraordinary gift of his son, even Jesus Christ!</p><p>Everything we have, all that we are, and everything we may become, is in direct consequence of our Heavenly Father, whose greatest joy is reflected in the reality that he so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son here to earth. Why did he send him? To save us. To perform the ultimate sacrifice that forever bridges the impassable gulf of death and hell so that we can be received into his kingdom and inherit his eternal glory, if we will just receive the Savior.</p><p>This season, and all the year round, let us follow the example of the Savior, who on so many occasions, instead of seeking blessings, chose to express gratitude. Who recognized God in all things. And who, even in his darkest moments of life, gave thanks for the blessings he had been given. As we follow the Savior, may we learn to “seek and expect miracles” [2] knowing that the Father also always hears our prayers because of his son, Jesus Christ!</p><p><i>Script written by Daniel Smith and Chris Heimerdinger</i></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>[1] <a href="https://enjoyingthejourney.org/top-of-the-list-why-was-jesus-thankful/">Top of the List: Why Was Jesus Thankful?</a></div><div>[2] President Russell M. Nelson, <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/47nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank">The Power of Spiritual Momentum</a></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-46552705206041214672023-11-12T06:30:00.001-07:002023-11-12T12:59:53.771-07:00Finding Christ in the Ark of the Covenant<p style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3a9g8Q7_Wpk?si=FWBtpeErRKjGgqMy&controls=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The Ark of the Covenant is perhaps one of the most sacred and well-known artifacts from the pages of the Bible. Countless movies and documentaries have been made discussing its mystical power and supposed whereabouts. While we won’t attempt to answer what may have happened to the Ark over the centuries, we will discuss why this holy object was so significant and how it can teach us about the atoning power of Jesus Christ.</p><p>First, it may be helpful to give a bit of context about the ancient Israelite Tabernacle, where the ark was first placed. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Lord appeared to him and gave him tablets of stone, upon which were engraved the Ten Commandments. These essential laws represented God’s covenant with Israel. If the people would obey God, he would provide for them, give them his priesthood power, and allow all who were worthy to enter his presence. They would become a “kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/19?lang=eng&id=6#p6" target="_blank">Exodus 19:6</a>).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm3ZqM7dzcpRo0biA6nDx6HMAyLah8ttA5FbCb-QN5brIb2pczJMwTLvp7s0s7pZRT90xa9HTPjlMFHucNhruavHxqkYnZ4PaWhWjkACNVJN4ZvKWzznO6RPX3uLk6loG8mrHLNKwaFSMkwP9r8EqHXIAtR1raCGGqo-fNQ2vE6gIlPFNxEjrONvo32HV/s2667/Moses%20with%20ten%20commandments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm3ZqM7dzcpRo0biA6nDx6HMAyLah8ttA5FbCb-QN5brIb2pczJMwTLvp7s0s7pZRT90xa9HTPjlMFHucNhruavHxqkYnZ4PaWhWjkACNVJN4ZvKWzznO6RPX3uLk6loG8mrHLNKwaFSMkwP9r8EqHXIAtR1raCGGqo-fNQ2vE6gIlPFNxEjrONvo32HV/w640-h360/Moses%20with%20ten%20commandments.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moses with the Ten Commandments (photo by <a href="https://www.appianmedia.org/" target="_blank">Appian Media</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>However, seeing the thunderings and lightning on Mount Sinai, the people were fearful and instead asked that Moses speak with the Lord on their behalf (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/20-21?lang=eng&id=18#p18" target="_blank">Exodus 20:18–21</a>). In other words, because of doubt and fear, they rejected the opportunity to enter God’s presence. As a temporary solution, the Lord commanded that Aaron, the high priest, would go on their behalf, acting as a mediator between the people and their God.</p><p>To facilitate this process, the Lord commanded Moses to build a Tabernacle in the wilderness. It served as a prototype for returning to God’s presence, showing Israel how to symbolically enter into sacred space through the mediation of God’s appointed priests. As worshipers approached the Tabernacle, they could only enter through the colorful gate on the east side. It taught Israel that there was only one entrance to begin their journey back to God. Next was found the altar of sacrifice, where Israel was taught that it was only through the shedding of blood that they could become reconciled with God. In front of the altar was the bronze laver, where the priests ritually washed their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle, symbolizing the need for spiritual purity.</p><p>Upon entering the main structure into the room called the holy place, the priests encountered the beautiful golden menorah, the table of showbread with its twelve loaves of bread, and the golden altar of incense. These objects represented light, nourishment, and the ability to pray and address God before the veil. At the far end of the room was a large veil embroidered with cherubim, or angelic beings, who guarded the presence of God. Only the high priest could go beyond the veil, and only on one day a year, called the Day of Atonement.</p><p> After passing through the veil, the high priest encountered the Ark of the Covenant at the center of a room called the Holy of Holies. This most sacred space is where the Lord would commune with his people, and where the high priest would ritually intercede on their behalf. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSZ8ttONVCDTWxzO5edN8Wz7l7ihyphenhyphen0k50r9o8n2lfK6YvVr4G3BBcaG64iJRjRDUBp5O-VaZNIVp5mQRlYdmu8Afwyn2Ri1dIbLDMSH6wlbHWGYu_Ldf6BxrUtcgpPJofVSWXmEkuh63TT1UbOoFSlkhZ4fiwClq0LMP_yjbUjtew7qfeseyYU7Tpv9JK/s2048/High%20Priest%20with%20blood%2001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSZ8ttONVCDTWxzO5edN8Wz7l7ihyphenhyphen0k50r9o8n2lfK6YvVr4G3BBcaG64iJRjRDUBp5O-VaZNIVp5mQRlYdmu8Afwyn2Ri1dIbLDMSH6wlbHWGYu_Ldf6BxrUtcgpPJofVSWXmEkuh63TT1UbOoFSlkhZ4fiwClq0LMP_yjbUjtew7qfeseyYU7Tpv9JK/w640-h426/High%20Priest%20with%20blood%2001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The high priest entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement</td></tr></tbody></table><p>With this background, let’s now talk about the actual Ark itself. The Ark of the Covenant was a wooden box made from acacia (or shittim wood) overlaid with gold. The acacia tree is one of the few trees that grow in the deserts where the children of Israel wandered for 40 years. Because of the harsh climate with little moisture and scorching heat, the acacia wood is extremely durable and is an excellent choice for such a precious piece of furniture. Some writers have suggested that the durable desert acacia wood overlaid with gold could be a symbol of the Savior, who was raised in the dry land of Israel (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/53?lang=eng&id=2#p2" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:2</a>) yet overlaid with the divinity of God. (David Levy, The Tabernacle, 26).</p><p>The box was rectangular in shape and around the size of a hope chest or seaman’s chest. On the top was the mercy seat, a solid gold lid that had two beautiful cherubim hammered and shaped from the gold. On the sides were four gold rings where two poles could be inserted to carry the ark. These staves, unlike the poles for the other Tabernacle furniture, were never to be removed from the rings (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/25?lang=eng&id=15#p15" target="_blank">Exodus 25:15</a>).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dsBmIssfJA7RIK0Y7CVziVSS3677gRoIvy3HfpE2L0KJdomc-hspg8d136kSxufpw9T1vJcoOxgc_F0Q1Q1Vhtd1AqeJCORpilzP-QSuyRme78eFI8hV_9oI-Gkl_MEWc9u8zY2poApHfkGUWkh0ujO2HS6qZvfOf-RidqplfYOsTN81rLIORnSwiaDC/s2667/Ark%20of%20the%20covenant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dsBmIssfJA7RIK0Y7CVziVSS3677gRoIvy3HfpE2L0KJdomc-hspg8d136kSxufpw9T1vJcoOxgc_F0Q1Q1Vhtd1AqeJCORpilzP-QSuyRme78eFI8hV_9oI-Gkl_MEWc9u8zY2poApHfkGUWkh0ujO2HS6qZvfOf-RidqplfYOsTN81rLIORnSwiaDC/w640-h360/Ark%20of%20the%20covenant.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The placement of the Ark at the center of the Holy of Holies hints at its supreme importance. As part of the sacred ritual for the Day of Atonement, the high priest would select two goats, and draw lots on each of them. One, called the scapegoat, would have all the sins of Israel symbolically placed on its head, and then the goat would be driven into the wilderness to die. The other goat was sacrificed, and its blood was taken into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the Ark of the Covenant seven times. The word atonement comes from the Hebrew word, kaphar, which means to cover or blot out. The ritual taught Israel that it was only through the shedding of blood that one could enter the presence of God.</p><p>Inside the box was stored a bowl of manna, the stone tablets, and the rod of Aaron that had blossomed (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/heb/9?lang=eng&id=4#p4" target="_blank">Hebrews 9:4</a>). It was called the Ark of the Covenant, because these three sacred relics reminded or commemorated the covenant made between the Lord and his people.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoO0jn-DUvBVXLM4aBsTMxYgpMJgKO_OFCTfEzIh2WLcw0Q6eygHfLc9CpBCqnMtVpTjnDDk43D1hTRbN7qnOCAvj2jD5q3YfVZ8TKsKT3i9RnZNPF22nxWy-yxyE9WAi9651Kv9XWQY-2jolKzoriHZYh4wDFN_SWFmyDyJ4TVCWejwqRw5KAkWLcY3H/s2667/Items%20inside%20of%20ark%20of%20covenant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoO0jn-DUvBVXLM4aBsTMxYgpMJgKO_OFCTfEzIh2WLcw0Q6eygHfLc9CpBCqnMtVpTjnDDk43D1hTRbN7qnOCAvj2jD5q3YfVZ8TKsKT3i9RnZNPF22nxWy-yxyE9WAi9651Kv9XWQY-2jolKzoriHZYh4wDFN_SWFmyDyJ4TVCWejwqRw5KAkWLcY3H/w640-h360/Items%20inside%20of%20ark%20of%20covenant.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tablets of stone, bowl of manna, and rod of Aaron inside the Ark of the Covenant</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The bowl of manna symbolized God’s providence. It was a physical reminder that the Lord had given daily bread to Israel during their time in the desolate wilderness. The Savior, after feeding the 5000, taught that while God had provided manna for Israel, they all had died. He then identified himself as the true and eternally enduring manna from heaven, stating, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger.” (John 6:35). </p><p>The two tablets of stone contained the Ten Commandments, as given to Moses by the Lord. As mentioned, God promised that if Israel would obey his laws, then he would protect them. Recall, however, that these laws—which everyone but Jesus Christ has broken to some degree or another—were covered by the mercy seat. It is almost as if the stone tablets are to remind us that while God’s laws of justice are enduring, they can be superseded or overpowered by his mercy. This was symbolized by the high priest sprinkling the blood of the sacrifice on the mercy seat, representing the blood of Christ which mercifully protects his true followers from the full punishment of the law. </p><p>The rod of Aaron was placed inside the ark to remind Israel of the priesthood power that came through Aaron. When Israel had questioned the authority of Aaron and the tribe of Levi, God commanded that a staff from every tribe was to be brought to the Tabernacle. Each rod was placed before the ark, but only the rod of Aaron blossomed. It was a powerful witness, showing that only the tribe of Levi, who Aaron represented, was authorized to perform priesthood rituals on behalf of the people.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGheNJnRkh71Vx9EPz3wwwVMF9Rj6H-I3ozDwIi75FEZHt_wQoYpigPlaFoxPfeNT-Q_2rtDkaEG5OJM4rK0RPlz1IaYOUgFdjM1R1FuukOQfTcCYxucfH-uYsXdQa5SeTAIo5ss0X19G0fwyvyEmze4KPjqBU6FT9v7HD2-5H-IIkJ2RTes2zdkM_T-sv/s2667/Rod%20of%20Aaron%20blossoming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGheNJnRkh71Vx9EPz3wwwVMF9Rj6H-I3ozDwIi75FEZHt_wQoYpigPlaFoxPfeNT-Q_2rtDkaEG5OJM4rK0RPlz1IaYOUgFdjM1R1FuukOQfTcCYxucfH-uYsXdQa5SeTAIo5ss0X19G0fwyvyEmze4KPjqBU6FT9v7HD2-5H-IIkJ2RTes2zdkM_T-sv/w640-h360/Rod%20of%20Aaron%20blossoming.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rod of Aaron with the other tribal rods placed before the Ark of the Covenant</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In a way, the Ark of the Covenant can almost be seen as a type of safety deposit box. It held some of the most significant historical relics of Israel’s past, providing an enduring testament of his covenantal promises. These physical objects, situated at the center of the Holy of Holies, reminded them of God’s law and teachings, of his appointed priesthood authority to govern his people, and of his promise to nourish and protect them if they would only keep their covenants. Perhaps most important of all is that these items were covered by the mercy seat, showing that God’s laws, ordinances, and blessings are all facilitated through the merciful and atoning blood of Jesus Christ—the true Lamb of God. </p><p>In the book of Hebrews, the writer describes in great detail the Tabernacle and ancient rituals. He explains that the high priest had to enter the Holy of Holies each year to make atonement for sin. This showed that this ordnance was not permanent or final, but had to be repeated on a regular basis. He then explains how Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest, who only had to enter once and for all (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/heb/9?lang=eng&id=12#p12" target="_blank">Hebrews 9:12</a>). When the Savior gave his life, there was no more need for animal sacrifice. Atonement had been made and will cover all who repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ. The writer of Hebrews then gives these powerful words regarding entering the Holy of Holies, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/heb/4?lang=eng&id=16#p16" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:16</a>).</p><p>How grateful we all can be, that we have a Great High Priest, even Jesus Christ, who has taken the sins of the world upon him. Like the ancient high priest, the Savior mediates between us and God, and because of his blood that he shed in Gethsemane and on the cross, we can all return to the presence of the Father, purified and without fear!</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-7422670670735655962023-05-21T17:43:00.000-06:002023-05-21T17:43:35.343-06:00The Widow's Mite<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FQzQ9YfONAE?controls=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The story of the widow’s mite is widely viewed as a model of true and meaningful sacrifice. This woman’s example teaches us that it is far more important where our heart is when we give than the amount of our gift. If we give or serve out of love and devotion to God, then even a small gift can be a great sacrifice.</p><p>To more fully appreciate the significance of this widow’s donation, let’s explore its historical setting.[1] First, we’ll look at where the story took place: the temple in Jerusalem.</p><p>During the time of Christ, the temple was in the middle of an over 80-year reconstruction project that began under King Herod and was thus known as Herod’s Temple.[2] As one of the largest structures in the world at that time, its beauty and grandeur was beyond comparison. High on the hilltop of Mount Moriah it could be seen for miles round about Jerusalem. </p><p>While the temple itself stood at a majestic 150 feet tall, the temple complex was also massive, totaling about 37 acres, or approximately the equivalent of 26 football fields. Understandably, a project this extensive was quite costly, requiring significant donations and taxes from the people. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17RsnSfZY_2hd_W76WO14IIBM1KuK00_ugViA6UT5e23vRg0LdYlA3gE4L1LdI44axHPvweg6iRADjA7yEytmQvBea08-y1Im-uOP_Z_BwKxoeHT52nyQou8jUwsgWFaEgA0RmwZjD7ixnRZ0YXNkw_WSrxxU9JCHKe2txWYwWN2UB_PDNhBE6KqcwA/s2667/Court%20of%20the%20women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17RsnSfZY_2hd_W76WO14IIBM1KuK00_ugViA6UT5e23vRg0LdYlA3gE4L1LdI44axHPvweg6iRADjA7yEytmQvBea08-y1Im-uOP_Z_BwKxoeHT52nyQou8jUwsgWFaEgA0RmwZjD7ixnRZ0YXNkw_WSrxxU9JCHKe2txWYwWN2UB_PDNhBE6KqcwA/w640-h360/Court%20of%20the%20women.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Court of the Women in the temple of Herod</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Towards the center of the temple complex was the court of the women, also known as the treasury (see for example Mark 12:41 and John 8:20). Thirteen collection boxes were placed here, each chest labeled for the various types of offerings that could be given.[3] On top of each box was a trumpet-shaped receptacle where donations could be made. As one can imagine, the coins falling down the shaft of the trumpet made a noise loud enough for others to hear. The larger the donation, the louder the sound. When teaching his followers about almsgiving, Christ may have been referring to these money boxes when stating, “do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do ... that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” (Matthew 6:2).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_QVNOkCs3JYh91nCMi9eoaQeJClswWR0qp83lfPlXb-7tH55B2yxWZu9mRvJF1GQjAjMYEFMKynXF_bT2a-_X1xF79l3s-n0mdyT0LqyXJoPK3hW-oD2daCn5wv9XcepIgKKTGnnW_6PSYkVyh4gL0b38RsZCClmpLdBDlt635vjl6DnRirFMCRO0g/s2667/Trumpet%20shaped%20donation%20box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_QVNOkCs3JYh91nCMi9eoaQeJClswWR0qp83lfPlXb-7tH55B2yxWZu9mRvJF1GQjAjMYEFMKynXF_bT2a-_X1xF79l3s-n0mdyT0LqyXJoPK3hW-oD2daCn5wv9XcepIgKKTGnnW_6PSYkVyh4gL0b38RsZCClmpLdBDlt635vjl6DnRirFMCRO0g/w640-h360/Trumpet%20shaped%20donation%20box.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trumpet shaped donation boxes in the Court of the Women</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The temple was meant to be a place where God’s people could come to worship, make sacrifices, and learn to serve others. Instead, it was being corrupted by pride and hypocrisy—especially among the wealthy and religious elite. </p><p>With this temple setting in mind, let’s now consider when the widow’s donation occurred. </p><p>The Savior’s observance of this woman took place during the last week of his life, now known as Holy Week. At this time, Jews from all over came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. And for many pilgrims, this involved paying taxes and making donations at the temple. </p><p>While anyone could freely donate any amount into the designated boxes, all Jewish males were required to pay a half-shekel once each year. The temple authorities, however, required that inferior Jewish coins be exchanged for Roman coins which had a higher percentage of silver. In order to make an exchange, the people were charged about an 8% fee, which was most likely pocketed by the corrupt temple priests along with a portion of the collected donations.[4]</p><p>When Jesus encountered this type of corruption at the temple, he overturned the tables where the money was exchanged, proclaiming they had made his Father’s house into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:13). </p><p>Yet this isn’t the only money-related teaching leading up to the story of the widow’s mite. There’s also the account of a rich man named Zacchæus (Luke 19:1-11), the parable of the pounds (Luke 19:12-26), and Christ’s teachings about taxes (Luke 20:20-26). And then just before the story of the widow’s mite, Jesus gives this powerful rebuke: “Beware of the scribes, which desire … the highest seats in the synagogues, … which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.” (Luke 20:46-47 KJV).</p><p>Together these teachings make it clear that Jesus wasn’t happy with the attitudes towards wealth and status that were being promoted by the religious leaders of the day. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsHm_aeFRJYNEP7aa2QENguryWv512kuiPQyVVHpqgYMv5rlt0y65kXyn8eALUvkz-6JpnUtBqHPpIqfvGuN4MzYAwXcT5BQZV6djDxGAYflIkZpFcPzKjmst9F41iIIc8GumZYNE_C65m0Gm5gsEYygwPehPsKLMrlskAzlNA3mfS5vngYGSreE6nA/s2667/Court%20of%20women%20porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsHm_aeFRJYNEP7aa2QENguryWv512kuiPQyVVHpqgYMv5rlt0y65kXyn8eALUvkz-6JpnUtBqHPpIqfvGuN4MzYAwXcT5BQZV6djDxGAYflIkZpFcPzKjmst9F41iIIc8GumZYNE_C65m0Gm5gsEYygwPehPsKLMrlskAzlNA3mfS5vngYGSreE6nA/w640-h360/Court%20of%20women%20porch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorative opus sectile floors under the porch of the Court of the Women</td></tr></tbody></table><p>With this context in mind, let’s take a closer look at the story of the widow’s mite. As Jesus was teaching at the temple during his final week, he looked up and saw rich men casting their coins noisily into the donation boxes. But then he noticed another coming to make her own donation. She was a poor widow. Surrounded by the beautiful grandeur of the temple, she approached the court of the women and offered all that she had. But it was only two mites—what an average wage earner would receive for just about 12 minutes of labor.[5] Unlike the repeated and noisy clanking of larger coins made by wealthy patrons, her meager donation would have been almost imperceptible as it fell into the box below. </p><p>Yet Jesus taught that this widow had put in more than all the others. For they “gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4 NIV). In other words, it isn’t the worldly worth of a gift that matters, but rather the degree of personal sacrifice and devotion involved. Whether we are a poor widow or a rich young ruler, God wants us to be willing, if needed, to give up everything to follow him. The irony is that the law of Moses teaches that widows are to be cared for, but it is this woman who is freely giving to the very ones who should be caring for her. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Vl1SRjm7m4AnZvTc201IRVeHhiSH-cV9FyOfMW9tsCNp4NAghQN78fa6dPB_ZGRAsRQxRMEem7u-QSTHYfBAdVMHUupNKrMzISMpYIoTC5zceFQwCgJPAwTiV2GJQFNCAxY0NuB_McQXE09DhhUYEeCSeXEvxoGWShZlT-Vg6ZefIE5a2w-sQF-2pw/s5200/The%20pharisee%20and%20the%20poor%20widow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2803" data-original-width="5200" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Vl1SRjm7m4AnZvTc201IRVeHhiSH-cV9FyOfMW9tsCNp4NAghQN78fa6dPB_ZGRAsRQxRMEem7u-QSTHYfBAdVMHUupNKrMzISMpYIoTC5zceFQwCgJPAwTiV2GJQFNCAxY0NuB_McQXE09DhhUYEeCSeXEvxoGWShZlT-Vg6ZefIE5a2w-sQF-2pw/w640-h344/The%20pharisee%20and%20the%20poor%20widow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The widow giving her two mites in the temple treasury by Milo Winter</td></tr></tbody></table><p>There’s more to the message, though, for Jesus knew that despite the efforts being made to renovate the temple, in only a few decades it would be destroyed. Directly following His teachings about the widow, He prophesied of the temple that “the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” (Luke 21:6 NIV). </p><p>For his listeners who were marveling at that very moment at the beauty and splendor of the temple, this must have been a shocking and disturbing message. How could such devastation come to such a holy place? And why would God allow it? The answer, at least in part, may be that it wasn’t nearly as holy as the people thought. </p><p>Unlike this widow, who humbly consecrated all she had towards establishing the house of the Lord, the Scribes and Pharisees were making unacceptable offerings. In their pride and greed, they were desecrating the temple and using it to their personal advantage. So, God would eventually take the temple from them, much like they were defrauding poor widows out of their property. This prophesied destruction took place nearly 40 years later by a Roman army, who indeed dismantled the temple block by block.</p><p>As typified by the destruction of the temple, attitudes of pride and greed have a tendency to destroy the very things they are trying to lift up. In the end, God is simply not impressed by those who loudly proclaim their generosity while ignoring those suffering nearby. </p><p>The poor widow who cast in her two mites may not have thought much of her meager offering. Perhaps she thought no one noticed. But Jesus did. Our Father in Heaven sees every good thing we do. He knows our hearts and minds. He sees our sacrifices and efforts, no matter how small or unimportant they may outwardly seem. Buildings may be destroyed, legacies may be forgotten, leaders may fall, but our humble service rendered to others will always be seen and remembered by the Lord.</p><p><i>Script written by Heather Ruth Pack and edited by Ryan Dahle</i></p><p>________________________________________</p><p>[1] The terms “mite” and “farthing” are used in the King James Version as they are British terms to denote a coin with low value. During the time of Christ, the widow would have donated a lepton or two lepta, a small, crude coin used in Judea. </p><p>[2] The construction of Herod’s temple began in 20 B.C. and was completed before the Jewish revolt in 66 A.D. It was destroyed by Romans in 70 A.D. </p><p>[3] The boxes were used for various donations such as new shekel dues, wood, bird offering, frankincense, gold for the mercy seat, and six for free-will offerings. </p><p>[4] Richard Neitzel Holzaphel, Jesus Christ and the World of the New Testament, pg. 122.</p><p>[5] <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesson_of_the_widow%27s_mite#:~:text=The%20Gospel%20of%20Mark%20specifies,of%20an%20average%20daily%20wage." target="_blank">Lesson of the widow’s mite</a>, Wikipedia.</p><p></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-49120785605096679392023-03-30T09:20:00.001-06:002023-03-30T09:20:35.175-06:00Jesus Heals a Lame Man at the Pool of Bethesda<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VlnVY5Ty3TQ?controls=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>In John chapter 5, we learn of the story of Jesus healing a lame man at the Pool of Bethesda. According to some Bible translations, an angel stirred up the waters which allowed whoever entered them first to be miraculously healed. Yet, the earliest copies of the Gospel of John only mention the movement of the water and say nothing about the angel. So, what caused this troubling of the waters, and, more importantly, what can this story teach us about becoming whole through the atonement of Jesus Christ?</p><p>The story begins with Jesus traveling to Jerusalem during one of the Jewish feasts (John 5:1). While John doesn’t mention which feast it was, some scholars suggest it might have been the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost (Brown, 206). Before a pilgrim could enter the temple, they had to become ritually clean by immersing in what is known as a mikvah filled with living water. Living water came from a natural source of moving water such as a spring, rainwater, or a stream. If even just a small amount of living water was added to water that was stagnant or not moving, all of it would then be considered “living,” and thus suitable for purification.</p><p>With tens of thousands of Jews coming to Jerusalem during such feasts, many ritual bathes or mikvot were constructed around the temple to accommodate the large crowds. The Pool of Bethesda is believed to be one of these ritual washing areas. Bethesda had two large pools surrounded by porches on all four sides, with a fifth porch, as referenced in John 5:2, dividing the two pools. Both pools were massive in size and together were about the dimensions of a standard soccer field. The pools were located at the bottom of a small valley north of the temple. During the rainy season, runoff water would funnel down the valley and collect into the northern pool. Today the northern pool has been mostly covered by centuries of soil and later structures making it almost impossible to visualize.</p><p>The southern pool had large steps and landings that led down to the water level. It was likely on one of these landings where the lame man rested. Visitors today can still see at least some of these steps, which have been exposed by archeologists. The steps are surprisingly tall as one climbs up them, making it understandable why the lame man was unable to easily climb down them.</p><p>The thick wall dividing the two pools, or the fifth porch, has a shaft that goes down to the bottom and connects the two pools. One could climb up and down the shaft because of small footholds that had been carved in the side of the wall, creating a sort of ladder. Climbing down, a person could open recesses in the shaft, allowing the water to drain from the northern pool to the southern pool. This would bring the “living” rain water from the north pool in contact with the stagnant water in the southern pool, making it usable for ritual purposes. As Jewish pilgrims came to Jerusalem, they could come to this pool, or one of the many others, and climb down the steps until they arrived at the water level. Once they had been immersed in the water, they were then considered ritually clean to worship at the temple.</p><p>Thus, rather than being the result of angelic power, the moving of the water seems to have been caused by water coming from the northern pool, bubbling up as it came through the drainage tunnel. With this setting in mind, let’s now dive into the story of the healing of the lame man by Jesus.</p><p>The day was the Sabbath. Many people with physical illnesses had gathered on the steps and large landings, where they waited for the movement of the water. Apparently, they believed that whoever was able to get into the moving waters first would be healed. As Jesus entered Bethesda, he was drawn to a particular man whom Jesus somehow knew had been afflicted for many years. We don’t know this man’s age, but for 38 years he had suffered, longing for a miraculous healing that never came.</p><p>Jesus walked up to him and asked, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6 NKJV). Instead of answering with a simple yes or no, the man replied that he had no one to help him into the pool when the waters were troubled. In essence, the man focused on what he perceived as the main obstacle that stopped him from being healed. In great power, Jesus simply stated, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” (John 5:8). </p><p>The man was instantly healed and took up his bed to leave as commanded by the Savior. Yet as he proceeded on his way, he was confronted by Jewish leaders who accused him of breaking the Sabbath. The Law of Moses didn’t actually prohibit the carrying of a bed on the Sabbath, but later Jewish traditions apparently did. As Jesus did so many times, he seemed to have purposefully healed this man on the Sabbath day, as it provided him an opportunity to teach about the true purpose of the Sabbath. Keeping the Sabbath is not about obeying contrived lists of dos and don’ts. Rather, the Sabbath should be a day for spiritual and even physical renewal and healing. It should be a day where we focus on reaching out to heal and lift others.</p><p>The occurrence of this miracle during a Jewish feast should also not be overlooked. Around this time, thousands of pilgrims would have been ritually bathing in these pools after a long journey toward the temple. We may ask ourselves, where did this man first go after he was bid to rise and walk. Perhaps it was to the temple, where, for the first time in nearly four decades, he would be able to participate in its sacred rituals (Razafiarivony). </p><p>For those who have struggled for years with heart-wrenching physical or spiritual challenges, for those who feel no one is there to assist or heal them, the words of Jesus to the man at Bethesda can offer powerful comfort and encouragement. As Isaiah so beautifully wrote, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).</p><p>This story teaches that Jesus is the true source of living water. No matter how long we have to endure hardships, we can trust that he will never forsake us. He can pick us out of any crowd and knows precisely what we need most. Whatever’s keeping us from progressing on our journey towards God’s presence, Jesus can lift us up and help us on our way. If it’s the stagnant or corrosive elements of sin that are keeping us down, the healing waters of Christ’s atonement can make us clean and whole. </p><p>Even death itself can’t conquer us, seeing that through Christ all will someday rise up, walk, and live forever! “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). In a way, no matter our circumstances, Jesus is bidding each of us to take up our beds and walk—to walk with him, to walk for him, to walk and follow him. As we act in faith, we’ll find that we have the power to do whatever he commands, because he has lifted us up and made us whole.</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-83371140211125128632023-02-16T06:00:00.006-07:002023-02-17T13:35:52.871-07:00 Finding Christ in the Altar of Incense<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZS79wnUUl7A?controls=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The golden altar of incense was placed before the veil of the Tabernacle of Moses. Every morning and evening the priest burned incense there, offering prayers on behalf of all Israel. Through the symbolism of this sacred altar, we can learn of the powerful connection between the power of prayer and the Savior’s suffering and sacrifice.</p><p>The altar of incense, which was located in the Holy Place, shared many characteristics with the altar of sacrifice, situated in the courtyard. Both were made from acacia wood and overlaid with metal (the altar of sacrifice in bronze, the altar of incense in gold). Both were square in shape, had horns on each of their four corners, and had rings and staves for transporting. These similarities suggest there was a connection between these two altars. (Compare Exodus 30:1-10 and Exodus 27:1-8).</p><p>Each morning and evening, at the time of prayer, the priest, who represented all of Israel, would first wash his hands and feet at the bronze laver (Exodus 30:20-21), and then he would offer a lamb as a burnt offering on the altar of sacrifice (Exodus 29:38-41). He would then wash again before entering the Holy Place, taking with him a coal from the altar in the courtyard. Originally, the fire at the altar of sacrifice was lit by God when He first accepted the Tabernacle (Leviticus 9:24), and it had continued burning uninterrupted, because of the maintenance of the priests (Leviticus 6:9, 12, 13). This means that each day the incense was ignited from a coal that was originally lit by the Lord himself. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmZolSbPJXSgeCDCLtqPx7X8NbljUeptjNBasMRa8kwAhY36g_WY78vy1wC5RosFH0zRDd01F5ZH3xBx3LuFIaSMjEruIfSGC617DuEZGPYmlHSQdR5X3n_khrKPJFLheZ3cddEEE0jvCePjIHe3-v_Cg-z6CDP68bF59cfGw3NHztOGDZw0h8RxEfQ/s2667/Pillar%20of%20fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmZolSbPJXSgeCDCLtqPx7X8NbljUeptjNBasMRa8kwAhY36g_WY78vy1wC5RosFH0zRDd01F5ZH3xBx3LuFIaSMjEruIfSGC617DuEZGPYmlHSQdR5X3n_khrKPJFLheZ3cddEEE0jvCePjIHe3-v_Cg-z6CDP68bF59cfGw3NHztOGDZw0h8RxEfQ/w640-h360/Pillar%20of%20fire.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillar of fire lighting down on the altar of the Tabernacle of Moses</td></tr></tbody></table><p>With the incense burning on the altar in front of the veil, the priest would then offer a prayer with raised hands, requesting blessings and redemption for all of Israel. The rising smoke represented the prayers of the saints ascending to God before the veil. The Psalmist wrote, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2; see also Revelation 5:8 and Revelation 8:3).</p><p>The substance burned at the altar was to be made from a combination of spices and incense, including frankincense, one of the gifts later given to the young Jesus by the wise men. These ingredients were to be finely ground down to a powder, which produced a sweet-smelling fragrance when burned at the altar (see Exodus 30:34-36). The grinding down of the incense can be seen as a symbol of the Savior, who was ground down and burned in the fire of affliction, that our prayers might be answered before the throne of God.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEjJhE5oVDzHR9WnOcWPi5Y-LW3AcJASGZ7Eo-nl3eRFkaoO-zHTmNOUN9KWUL_5v0nMiKji_nXcRNqIlF9ifykWdlYwbK8K2gk4Rr6ghXXKR4jSXY2-pDryIpCu5EAkjaqhFFaiMbF7E3Eml0aziJRW-8Z3PDdGdHtYC60q4quQ-mquza8G3aFi_hA/s2667/Altar%20of%20Incense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEjJhE5oVDzHR9WnOcWPi5Y-LW3AcJASGZ7Eo-nl3eRFkaoO-zHTmNOUN9KWUL_5v0nMiKji_nXcRNqIlF9ifykWdlYwbK8K2gk4Rr6ghXXKR4jSXY2-pDryIpCu5EAkjaqhFFaiMbF7E3Eml0aziJRW-8Z3PDdGdHtYC60q4quQ-mquza8G3aFi_hA/w640-h360/Altar%20of%20Incense.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A priest praying with raised hands at the altar of incense at the Tabernacle</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As we study these morning and evening rituals enacted by the priests, we can learn several valuable lessons that can help us as we seek to approach the throne of God through prayer. First, just as the priest had to symbolically wash and offer a lamb as part of the daily prayers, we should seek daily repentance as we petition the Lord. Moreover, as we place our faith in the Lamb of God, we become spiritually clean through his atonement. As the writer of Hebrews wrote, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).</p><p>With the offering of the lamb on the altar, the priest could then enter the Holy Place, having been washed, clothed, and permitted to proceed to this sacred room. Here before the presence of the Lord, he could offer prayer for all of Israel. The similarities between the altars of sacrifice and incense show a progression of sacredness in the offerings given. In the outer courtyard, the sacrifice of an animal can be seen as a symbol of our sins and iniquities that must be placed on the altar. The death of this innocent animal is a type and shadow of the suffering and death of our Savior. In contrast, the burning of the finely ground incense and spices can represent a sweeter savor and a more sacred offering to the Lord. The pleasant aroma rising towards heaven could symbolize our prayer, service, devotion, and consecrated efforts to build the Kingdom of God. It focuses our attention on praying for others and lifting and serving those in need. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08kzLwqiLKHtuyVn6VybgaR6qYjRMaytL-Cz6CJ7i7ztURlC2iueYYbfNMOtQ70Z1nmonVkjayQF1Brp-nQaVhmBpRX7OPf8ZuFy56H61C4jXMg6eKVajy03_t-1l8EnOFIv9jTbF_5Tx5lWKORRnoeNMulesyDcYaCM_6Re9j7ntHlolZ21M4F6nJg/s2667/Holy%20Place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08kzLwqiLKHtuyVn6VybgaR6qYjRMaytL-Cz6CJ7i7ztURlC2iueYYbfNMOtQ70Z1nmonVkjayQF1Brp-nQaVhmBpRX7OPf8ZuFy56H61C4jXMg6eKVajy03_t-1l8EnOFIv9jTbF_5Tx5lWKORRnoeNMulesyDcYaCM_6Re9j7ntHlolZ21M4F6nJg/w640-h360/Holy%20Place.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke rising in front of the veil from the altar of incense</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In our own daily prayers, we can follow this pattern by first seeking daily forgiveness of our wrongs as if at the altar of sacrifice. This gives us the chance to have a new start each day. Once washed and cleansed through the blood of the Lamb, we then symbolically approach the throne of God and pray for those around us who might be in need of the Lord’s comfort or support. After we finish our prayers, we then allow the Savior to work through us, as we serve and bless the lives of others through acts of kindness and love. </p><p>Just before the birth of Christ, the priest Zacharias was chosen to offer the incense and pray on behalf of Israel in Herod’s Temple. While he prayed an angel appeared on the side of the altar and told him that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son. The angel then prophesied that this son, John the Baptist, would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. For hundreds of years, priests had offered countless prayers at this altar, petitioning for blessings upon Israel. Now, those prayers had been heard, the Messiah would come! Redemption for Israel was near! This can teach us that answers to prayers don’t always come when we might hope, but answers will always come in the timing of the Lord!</p><p>We each have the opportunity, like the ancient priests, to offer our prayers before the Lord, morning and evening and throughout each day. As we find our own sacred and holy space, we can symbolically be washed through the blood of Christ, and then enter the holy presence of the Lord to request blessings for ourselves and others. How glorious it is that our Father in Heaven allows us to approach Him in prayer, and that because of the sacrifice of his Son—the Lamb of God—we can find the answers, comfort, and blessing that we seek!</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-35015468634687201732023-02-02T14:00:00.001-07:002023-02-02T14:00:20.155-07:00Jesus and the Synagogue<p style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nvb3dyY6PDs" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Shortly after Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days, He came to Nazareth, His hometown, and entered the synagogue to declare that He was the promised Messiah (Luke 4:16–30).</p><p>Understanding synagogues at the time of Jesus can help us better visualize this pivotal moment, when, according to Luke, Jesus began His ministry. Several ancient synagogues dating to the time of Christ have been excavated in Israel, giving us a remarkable view of what it might have been like to worship and hear the Savior’s words as He taught on this occasion.</p><p>Synagogues were the main civic and religious center of Jewish life. The main worship area was generally rectangular in shape with stone benches around the sides where people could sit. Unlike most religious churches today—with pews facing one direction towards a pulpit—these stone perimeter benches allowed for more of a discussion or debate. Pillars within the chamber held up the ceiling, and thus blocked the view of some of the participants. This suggests that the building was designed primarily for hearing instead of seeing the speaker. Both men and women were allowed to attend, though women possibly sat in a separate area from the men and likely had minimal involvement except to listen to the teachings. </p><p>As the townspeople entered the synagogue, the best seats were reserved for the higher-ranking officials (see Matthew 23:6). These were likely on one of the lower benches, or a single bench against the wall. These would have provided more space while separating them from the commoners. In addition, these reserved benches were likely not placed behind any of the pillars, allowing an unobstructed view of the reading and study of the Torah.</p><p>Synagogues were normally quite plain in design. The floors would have been made of packed dirt or plaster. The walls would also have been plastered, though we do find some examples of colorfully painted frescos. </p><p>The Magdala synagogue is one of the best-preserved synagogues from the time of Jesus. While still fairly modest, some of its floors were decked with beautiful mosaic tiles, including in the main worship area around the perimeter of the room and also the room where the torah scrolls may have been stored. The walls had beautiful frescoed panels. Several of the original remains still show the vivid colors of the original paint, and even the pillars themselves were plastered and painted in red.</p><p>In the center of the main room stood an impressive stone-carved bench or podium, depicting one of the earliest examples of the tabernacle or temple menorah. The stone also portrayed other temple-related objects, including the table of showbread, the altar of incense, and the holy of holies with the presence of God. It’s thought that this stone served as a base for a wooden stand, upon which the torah scroll could be read. Others have suggested that it also could have been used as a bench for sitting, or as a table for offerings brought to the synagogue, such as the offering of the first fruits.</p><p>Some synagogues also had secondary rooms which were likely used for small study groups. At the Magdala Synagogue, this type of room features a large rectangular stone with two carved notches. This stone may have been for holding open a torah scroll as it was studied. Because the stone is low to the ground and surrounded by benches, it would have allowed multiple students to gather around the scroll as they learned to read and study the scriptures. It was also common to have a small storage room off the main room for holding the torah scrolls. </p><p>Each Sabbath, as the townspeople gathered at the synagogue, one person was assigned to read from the torah. An attendant would retrieve a scroll from the torah room or from a portable storage box and place it on the table at the center of the room. The book of scripture and specific passages would already have been likely selected beforehand, so the reader would simply open the scroll to the designated location and begin to recite its words. Once finished, he would return to his bench and sit down to expound on what he had just read. It’s been suggested that standing while reading showed respect for the sacred text of the scriptures, while sitting signaled that the individual was no longer reading the word of God, but instead giving his own interpretation.</p><p>With this background, let’s now study the story of Jesus as He taught in the synagogue at his hometown of Nazareth. No doubt, the people there had heard about his profound miracles and were possibly hoping for some type of spectacle! Jesus certainly stirred things up, but probably not in the way they expected. After entering the synagogue, Jesus stepped to the center of the room, was given the scroll of Isaiah, and began to read: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18–19).</p><p>Jesus then returned the scroll to the attendant and sat down, stating, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21). This bold declaration shocked his listeners, and for good reason. Jesus had just declared that He was the promised Messiah! The word often translated as Messiah or Christ in the New Testament comes from a Hebrew word meaning “anointed.” While prophets, priests, and kings were all anointed in ancient times—thus making them all types of a messiah—this passage from Isaiah was thought to refer to the promised Messiah, who would come to save or redeem Israel.</p><p>Sadly, the people who had watched Jesus grow up in their midst could not see him as anything but the son of Joseph (see Luke 4:22). How could He be more than a common carpenter, like his earthy father! In rage, they took hold of Jesus, thrust him out of their village, and then attempted to kill him by throwing him off a cliff. However, his time had not yet come, and Jesus miraculously escaped through the crowd. (Luke 4:28–30).</p><p>If only the people of Nazareth had been more patient, they may have seen that each of the prophecies that Jesus read from Isaiah were fulfilled during His earthly ministry. In his sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught the gospel to the poor, saying “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). He healed the brokenhearted, not only by blessing and curing the masses, but also as He ministered to the one. On the cross, Jesus proclaimed deliverance to the thief who hung next to him, stating, “today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43 NKJV). Lastly, of all the miracles in the Bible, the only person that is claimed to restore sight to the blind was Jesus himself, which he did on several occasions. So there’s no question that his personal ministry adequately fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy.</p><p>Yet, perhaps even more meaningful today, is that Jesus Christ is still fulfilling Isaiah’s words. In one way or another, we are all spiritually poor or weak. We’re all blind to important sacred truths. And we’re all in spiritual captivity or bondage, due to sin. The question we must ask is how do we see the Savior of the world? Do we see him just as a common man, a carpenter, the son of Joseph? Or do we see him as the promised Messiah!</p><p>As we come unto Christ and recognize him as our personal Lord and Savior, Isaiah’s words will be realized in our own lives on a daily basis. Jesus is the only one who can deliver us from spiritual poverty, captivity, sickness, and death. He truly is the Christ, the Anointed One—the Messiah foretold by ancient prophets.</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-39028335595891548992022-04-28T19:02:00.006-06:002022-05-04T19:06:05.798-06:00Finding Christ in the Golden Menorah<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S9wLTu1ygSo" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>The menorah is one of the most recognized objects of the Jewish faith. It is a sacred lampstand used for worship and remembrance. Within the Tabernacle of Moses the only source of light was the oil-lit menorah. The symbolism of the menorah can teach us about our true source of light, even Jesus Christ, who lights our path as we make our journey back to the presence of God.</p><p>As the priest entered the Tabernacle, the first thing that would likely draw their eye was the beautiful golden menorah. The menorah was to be made of a talent of pure gold, or about 75 pounds or 34 kilos. This means we know the weight of the menorah, but we don’t know its dimensions. Unlike the recognizable Hanukkah menorah with 9 branches, the Tabernacle menorah had 7 branches. The number seven often represents perfection or completion. When one considers the story of the creation, for example, it was not perfect or complete until the Sabbath day when God rested having finished His work. Likewise, our week is not complete without the Sabbath day.</p><p>The menorah arms were decorated with almond buds, blossoms, and flowers reminiscent of an almond tree, the first tree in Israel to blossom in springtime. This could be symbolic of Christ, who was the first fruits of the resurrection. The rod of Aaron within the ark of the covenant was also flowered with almond blossoms. According to Jewish tradition, the decorated menorah also represented the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. Thus, as the priest entered the holy place, he would find several symbols of Eden, the menorah, representing the tree of life and the cherubim on the veil, which guarded the way back to the presence of God. In Solomon’s temple, the room also had beautiful flowers and palm trees engraved on the walls, again connecting this sacred space with the symbolic journey back into the garden where God dwells.</p><p>The Bible teaches us that these beautiful tree-like details of the menorah were to be hammered into shape. This likely happened first by pouring the molten gold into a mold to get the general form, and then hammering the gold into shape. Through the hammering and beating of the gold, the beauty of the menorah came forth. Likewise, it is by the beating from the whip and the incredible suffering, bruising, and anguish of the Savior, which brought forth the resultant beauty of the atonement of Jesus Christ.</p><p>At the top of each of the seven branches was an oil lamp, which provided the only source of light for the Tabernacle. Only the purest of olive oil was used as fuel for the lamps to light the Holy Place. Olive oil was made by harvesting olives from an olive tree and then crushing the olives with a huge rolling stone. The mash of the olives were then placed into flat sacks and stacked beneath the olive press. A large beam with weights was cinched down, applying an incredible amount of pressure, causing the oil to run. The first oil to emerge was colored a dark red, almost the color of blood. The oil was then allowed to sit, the clean and clear oil rising to the top. Only the first pressing, which was the highest of quality, was used for lighting the temple menorah and anointing the priests. This pure oil would burn clean and clear because it had very few contaminants that would cause smoke. The next pressed oil, which was accomplished by adding more weight to the press, was used for cooking and for healing purposes. The last pressed oil was used for lighting the everyday Israelite home. This means that only the purest of the pressed oil was used to light the house of the Lord.</p><p>Beautiful symbolism that points to the Savior, can be found in the use of olive oil within the Tabernacle. Just before his crucifixion, the Savior prayed in what we often call the Garden of Gethsemane. The word gethsemane in Hebrew actually means an olive press, meaning that Jesus prayed in a garden that had an olive press. When describing this prayer, Luke wrote of the Savior, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Similar to the pressed down crushed olives, the Savior was pressed down by the sins of the world, the weight causing him to bleed from every pore. Just as the incredible pressure of the olive press is used to bring forth light, healing and anointing power, so too the suffering of the Savior brought forth the power of the atonement that gives light to those in darkness, healing balm from the sins and sorrows of the world, and anointing power to sustain us on our journey back to God.</p><p>Every morning and evening, these oil lamps were to be cared for to ensure that they were always burning. Aaron, the first high priest, was the first to have this responsibility. Aaron would trim away the blackened, burned portions of the wick and replace the spent oil. This twice daily service to trim, fill, and tend to the menorah coincided with the morning and evening prayers and sacrifices. Later, other priests were assigned to help with this duty. Just as the high priest Aaron tended daily to the oil lamps to keep them lit, we too must allow Christ, the Great High Priest, to tend to us each morning and evening so that we may have His light. </p><p>Just as the menorah was the only source of light for the entire Tabernacle, Jesus Christ teaches us that He is the one true source of our light. “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Each of us has the daily opportunity to not walk in darkness by drawing near unto God in prayer every morning and evening and always. This simple yet powerful act can allow the Savior to trim the black-sooted parts of our lives as we experience sin, grief, and pain. He can refill our lamps with the essential oil needed in every aspect of our life. Our path back to God is lit by the Light of Christ, only made possible because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Savior. </p><div><div><i>Script written by Heather Ruth Pack and Daniel Smith</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Special thanks to Elder Alex Ducos, Ethan Fullmer, Elder Ryan Sampson, and Brian Olson for their help with creating the 3D model of the Tabernacle.</i></div></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-36660897280969129752022-04-13T18:55:00.006-06:002022-05-04T19:01:49.567-06:00Finding Christ in the Table of Showbread<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HnIOkumUNTw" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>Within the Tabernacle main structure was the beautiful table of showbread. Every Sabbath the priests would partake of the twelve loaves on this table, representing a communal meal with God. The bread was to be placed before the presence of the Lord and can be a reminder of our own need to partake of the true Bread of Life, even Jesus Christ.</p><p>The table of showbread was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Four golden rings were attached to the legs where wooden poles overlaid with gold could be inserted used for transporting. The table also had a golden crown molding and what appeared to be some sort of ledge that kept the objects on the table from sliding off as it was transported (see Exodus 25:25). Two stacks of six loaves, for a total of twelve, were placed on the table, likely representing the twelve tribes of Israel. This bread was called the showbread, bread of the face, or the bread of the presence because it was placed before where the presence of God would dwell. Surprisingly, each loaf was made from approximately 5-6 pounds of finely ground flour (see Leviticus 24:5), about the amount of a standard bag of flour! This would mean that the total weight of all the twelve loaves of bread would be around 60-75 pounds. The table also had a pitcher of wine that was used for the drink offering (Exodus 37:16). </p><p>Before we study the meaning of the table of showbread, it will be helpful to first understand the importance of bread in the Bible. Anciently, bread was a highly significant part of every meal. Because bread was one of the cheaper items that could feed a family, large quantities of bread would be used. For this reason, bread was often called the bread of life, or the daily bread (see Matthew 6:11), because it literally sustained life. The task of making bread lay mostly with women, who would spend many hours each day grinding and sifting the wheat, then making it into small flatbread, and then cooking it over a fire. In addition, to being life-sustaining, the breaking and eating of bread could symbolize becoming at peace with your enemy. Inviting someone into your home to share a meal signified that you trusted them and also that you would protect them while they were under your roof. It was a sign of fellowship and unity. Bread also represented God’s provision to the people.</p><p>With this in mind, let’s now return to the meaning of the table of showbread. Though only the priests could enter the Tabernacle proper to partake of the showbread each Sabbath, because the priests represented all of Israel, it was as if all the twelve tribes were partaking of the bread. Included on the table were also two bowls of frankincense that would be burned on the altar of incense each Sabbath, as a “memorial” or “offering made by fire to the Lord” (Leviticus 24:7). In essence, the Lord partook of His portion of the bread, symbolized by the burning of the frankincense, thus sharing a meal with the priests. After eating the bread, the showbread would be replaced by new loaves of bread which would stay on the table till the next Sabbath, meaning the bread would be week-old bread!</p><p>Though the scriptures do not directly relate the partaking of the showbread with the sacrament or communion, the symbols are too strong not to mention. Each Sabbath Christians around the world partake of broken bread and wine or water, to represent and remember the flesh and blood of Christ. Just as anciently, the priests are the ones who break and bless the bread, but today all followers of the Lord, not just the priests, are able to participate in the meal. Similar to ancient times, the partaking of the broken bread—a symbol of the broken flesh of Christ—symbolizes that we can become at peace with God through the sacrifice of the Savior. During His mortal ministry, Jesus taught “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). As we enter our sacred places of worship each Sabbath, just like the priests entering the Tabernacle each Sabbath, we become at one with God, or at peace with Him, through the breaking of bread. Through this symbolic meal, we are nourished and strengthened, the bread literally becoming a part of us giving us life. So too the atonement of the Savior carries us from day to day, allowing us ultimately to have eternal life through Jesus Christ.</p><p>Another fascinating connection is that each loaf of showbread was to be made of two-tenths of an epha of flour–about two quarts or two liters (see Leviticus 24:5). This was the same amount of manna the children of Israel were to collect in preparation for the Sabbath day (see Exodus 16:22). This showbread would thus connect the collected Sabbath manna, with this symbolic meal. During the mortal ministry of Jesus, after he miraculously fed the multitude, the next day the people listening to Jesus asked for manna from heaven. In response, the Savior taught, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever:” (John 6:51). Just as ancient Israel had to daily gather manna, we must daily feast upon the Word so that we can be nourished and strengthened. As we prepare for the Sabbath, we too should collect a double portion of this “living bread” so that we might be able to come into the presence of the Lord and feast with Him!</p><p>It is noteworthy that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, which in Hebrew means the “house of bread.” Just as the showbread was finely ground and placed in the fire to cook, so too our Savior was ground down under the weight of our sins and sorrows and placed in the fiery furnace of affliction for our sakes. Truly it is through His suffering that we receive the true bread of life. Bread that if we will partake of, we will have eternal life!</p><div><div><i>Script written by Heather Ruth Pack and Daniel Smith</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Special thanks to Elder Alex Ducos, Ethan Fullmer, Elder Ryan Sampson, and Brian Olson for their help with creating the 3D model of the Tabernacle.</i></div></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-72978350703173388932022-03-30T18:41:00.000-06:002022-05-04T19:07:22.101-06:00Finding Christ in the Bronze Laver<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5W0drJ2ClQw" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The bronze laver in the Tabernacle of Moses was the location where ritual washings took place. It was here that priests were washed, clothed, and anointed prior to becoming a priest and where they became ritually clean before serving and representing Israel. These cleansing waters of the laver can teach us that it is only through the Savior that we can become spiritually clean.</p><p>The bronze laver was located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and was placed between the altar of sacrifice and the door of the sanctuary. Of the six pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle, the laver has the fewest details. The one verse description only records that it had some sort of bronze bowl that held water, and that it had a base or stand that held it off the ground. The size of the laver is not given. In Exodus 38:8 we also learn that the laver was made “from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting” (Exodus 38:8 NIV). Sadly, the Bible does not give us any details on what type of service these faithful women gave, but it does show that women not only contributed to the construction of the Tabernacle, but also somehow served there. These bronze mirrors would not be like our modern-day glass mirrors, but instead would be made from a polished piece of bronze that gave a vague reflection of the person. These donated mirrors were then likely hammered into shape, or melted down to create the laver.</p><p>The bronze laver was used only by the priests for ritual washing. Normal Israelites could only come to the altar of sacrifice and thus would not be ritually washed here. Animals sacrificed at the altar were also not washed here, but instead once they were killed were washed and cut into pieces on tables next to the altar.</p><p>Two main types of ritual washings of the priests took place at the laver. The first type of washing occurred prior to a high priest or a priest being able to serve at the Tabernacle or later Temples. This washing, clothing, and anointing ritual was preparatory for them before they could represent the people, and occurred only once in their life. In Exodus 40 it reads, “And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.” (Exodus 40:12-13). This consecration of the priests included three important and symbolic acts: washing, clothing, and anointing. These gestures were to demonstrate and teach Israel that the priests were authorized to act on their behalf.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdW2aJ6cNTrvDaZ6TDiTAb-9OyQWzqLOjyUetHTeEogeT-9B4Hk0ubo_4BIIxd0DmatUACS5xCFrSmDZTxhWVG56fkapUVdyGiOJIC0cKkxdyGZLxDIB_JjysNiIaAl-PDCllLEXZrHH7irdnGlH1MoSWAcfv6gdLitAt3ar5YL-WTV89KONeJ0q9rkw/s2048/Anointing%2002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdW2aJ6cNTrvDaZ6TDiTAb-9OyQWzqLOjyUetHTeEogeT-9B4Hk0ubo_4BIIxd0DmatUACS5xCFrSmDZTxhWVG56fkapUVdyGiOJIC0cKkxdyGZLxDIB_JjysNiIaAl-PDCllLEXZrHH7irdnGlH1MoSWAcfv6gdLitAt3ar5YL-WTV89KONeJ0q9rkw/w640-h426/Anointing%2002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moses anoints Aaron as high priest with a horn of oil</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The priest would first be washed with water from the laver. The Bible does not give any details on this washing, but it would strictly be a ritual washing, meaning that it was not like washing with soap and water, but instead designed to symbolically show that the priest was now ritually clean to serve.</p><p>Once washed, the priests were then clothed with the holy garments. The bestowing of clothing in ancient times was highly symbolic and demonstrated a significant gift or endowing of power or authority. Similar rituals can be seen today with the wearing of robes during a graduation, or by a judge in a court. These ceremonial robes represent the receiving of power or special knowledge by the person wearing them.</p><p>Next, Moses was to anoint Aaron and his sons with sacred anointing oil and blood from the sacrifice. The oil would likely be stored in the horn of an animal, the horn a symbol of power and strength. The Bible does not give any details on the anointing process with oil, but we are told about the process of anointing with blood, which might give us hints to the full process. [3] Moses would first take the blood of the sacrifice of a ram and place a small amount of the blood on the right ear of the priest, then on his right thumb, and then on his right toe. (Exodus 29:20 and Leviticus 8:23-24).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JvyuiW1y9oDQuhQN9iUGdkf5s5kaCKgDwUGXyEl2Z0Btnq3jthNPHcx27DjOCIDGhnjq-g1pgXEH_fz-uV3CSTEzPL6hvC2Anb9pSPy1gZ_nLBPY_jP9K5qpGB4HLpNMJHokjHLu498tbK3iwbzROX7WSamDvQ6HdDWo1WBU9fTKYY039bkvLglO_A/s2048/Moses%20placing%20blood%20on%20ear.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JvyuiW1y9oDQuhQN9iUGdkf5s5kaCKgDwUGXyEl2Z0Btnq3jthNPHcx27DjOCIDGhnjq-g1pgXEH_fz-uV3CSTEzPL6hvC2Anb9pSPy1gZ_nLBPY_jP9K5qpGB4HLpNMJHokjHLu498tbK3iwbzROX7WSamDvQ6HdDWo1WBU9fTKYY039bkvLglO_A/w400-h266/Moses%20placing%20blood%20on%20ear.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moses places blood on the right ear of Aaron</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVozZjicLQo4Iwsb0q13Mb_Lu-E8sSkp45d7XFUAiQ7M5HabEHYbUBxL7_2nKbWY0KkQLxi_VvRaJgZj0WrvnHeMU-ltUkTzj8UxA1e1IJKLR5PNAgz3_YoMUVBOqLJBi-JW4SgHYBuhC47eJngwrxaLr6b-aqEd0tEYXsnk_jKjEvqn9HmzgkTkD1dQ/s2048/Moses%20placing%20blood%20on%20thumb.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVozZjicLQo4Iwsb0q13Mb_Lu-E8sSkp45d7XFUAiQ7M5HabEHYbUBxL7_2nKbWY0KkQLxi_VvRaJgZj0WrvnHeMU-ltUkTzj8UxA1e1IJKLR5PNAgz3_YoMUVBOqLJBi-JW4SgHYBuhC47eJngwrxaLr6b-aqEd0tEYXsnk_jKjEvqn9HmzgkTkD1dQ/w400-h266/Moses%20placing%20blood%20on%20thumb.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood is placed on the right thumb of Aaron</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgy04r4b_FP_FgJW3574FNDhzdn6brqsdyDZ5o4ZgRhHw0ITkiJaWV65_1X-4ckHVNX-UFlKsyvDaE7E5TQkcGzi-oeDaBTqwpM0ufVEuCTMoofwhPlVvhnA9g_ZNRp0fzV5pIshXM3TnWTYU1kVNZ6478crrJI2jl7Ikr3yudJBhZ5oSDdvuWz_T4kQ/s2048/Moses%20placing%20blood%20on%20toe.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgy04r4b_FP_FgJW3574FNDhzdn6brqsdyDZ5o4ZgRhHw0ITkiJaWV65_1X-4ckHVNX-UFlKsyvDaE7E5TQkcGzi-oeDaBTqwpM0ufVEuCTMoofwhPlVvhnA9g_ZNRp0fzV5pIshXM3TnWTYU1kVNZ6478crrJI2jl7Ikr3yudJBhZ5oSDdvuWz_T4kQ/w400-h266/Moses%20placing%20blood%20on%20toe.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood is dabbed on the right toe of Aaron</td></tr></tbody></table><p>While this ritual will seem quite strange to modern readers, the symbolism behind it is quite powerful. First it is important to remember that the Hebrew word for atonement simply means to cover, or blot out. Thus this act of covering with blood could directly relate to the act of atonement. Second, each of the body parts covered with blood can represent important aspects of service at the Tabernacle or Temple. The right ear can symbolize the need for the priest to listen to the word of the Lord as they serve and represent the people. The right thumb can represent the actions and labors of the priest. The right toe can symbolize the need for the priest to walk in the paths of righteousness. By covering each of these parts of the body with blood, it would hopefully remind the priest that it is only through the shedding of blood that they can be cleansed and thus be worthy to represent the people in the Tabernacle.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQjf6NkkK4E-5r-G3S1fd8O8IEsvjyOt-7sSLXTu81cJCsFES6kfE4flmC6Z6VCqeOjurCozaz_sKQWVNLDvw6di-xU7grMzER31jvfssG_S_9pgHmTgverafHHSSJvpkRTPZxHgG2zmcCl_izIq08M7orSzohFLixk3FkEphwOMdb7QyPvtS7Ta6ew/s2048/Priest%20washing%20hands%2001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQjf6NkkK4E-5r-G3S1fd8O8IEsvjyOt-7sSLXTu81cJCsFES6kfE4flmC6Z6VCqeOjurCozaz_sKQWVNLDvw6di-xU7grMzER31jvfssG_S_9pgHmTgverafHHSSJvpkRTPZxHgG2zmcCl_izIq08M7orSzohFLixk3FkEphwOMdb7QyPvtS7Ta6ew/w640-h426/Priest%20washing%20hands%2001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A priest washing his hands at the bronze laver</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The second type of ritual washing at the laver took place each time the priest served. Before the priest would offer sacrifice at the altar, he would first come and wash his hands and feet. Again, this was not a washing like we might think with soap and water, but only a ritual washing. Once the priest had offered sacrifice at the altar, he would then wash again before entering the holy place when lighting the menorah, replacing and eating the showbread, or when praying at the altar of incense. Similar to the anointing process, the washing of the hands and feet can be a symbol of the required purity of the priest’s actions and their walk in the service of the Lord.</p><p>From these two main ritual washings, we can see that the laver was designed to be a constant reminder for the priests that they were to be clean before serving in the house of the Lord. It would be a physical act that would daily remind them of the importance of being spiritually clean. With this in mind, it is quite remarkable that the laver was made from bronze mirrors, an item used to inspect yourself. As the priests used the laver, they would look into the reflective bronze and water, and perhaps be reminded of their need to inspect their spiritual cleanliness on a daily basis.</p><p>These ritual washings at the laver can be reminiscent of baptism and other cleansing rituals that help teach us of the importance of becoming spiritually clean. Similar to the priests, as followers of the Savior, we each should daily inspect our lives and actions. We should ask ourselves if we reflect the countenance or image of Christ in our lives (see Alma 5:14). As we serve in the house of the Lord, however that might look for us, do we come prepared, clean, and clothed in the power of God? And perhaps most important, do we remember that it is only because of the blood of Christ that we can become clean and pure. While we always must seek to reflect the Savior in our lives and actions, it is ultimately only because of his atonement that we can become worthy to enter into his presence. </p><p><i>Script written by Heather Ruth Pack and Daniel Smith</i></p><p><i>Special thanks to Elder Alex Ducos, Ethan Fullmer, Elder Ryan Sampson, and Brian Olson for their help with creating the 3D model of the Tabernacle.</i></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-8718852496026422652022-03-04T08:33:00.038-07:002022-04-19T10:15:46.823-06:00Finding Christ in the Altar of Sacrifice<p style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-c5uWzQfILg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><div><div>The <a href="https://youtu.be/luYWCpE_P_U" target="_blank">altar of sacrifice</a> in the Tabernacle of Moses, is one of the more powerful types and shadows of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The altar was used by the priests for sacrifices and burnt offerings and was the place where Israel could be reconciled with God. Here Israel learned that the remission of sins could only come through the shedding of blood, ultimately pointing to the death of Christ on the cross.</div><div><br /></div><div>Long before Moses was commanded to build the brazen altar, followers of God built altars where they could pray and come near to the Lord. Prophets such as Adam, Noah, and Abraham all built altars to offer sacrifice. These altars were built of uncut stones, which set them apart from the more permanent, yet portable brazen altar of the Tabernacle.</div><div><br /></div><div>The altar of sacrifice was the largest of the pieces of furniture of the Tabernacle. It was constructed of shitim or better translated as acacia wood overlaid with bronze. The acacia tree is one of the few trees that grows naturally in the deserts where the Israelites wandered. Because the tree must grow with very little water, its wood is quite dense making it resistant to rot or decay. Overlaying the acacia wood with bronze made the altar able to withstand the fires of the many sacrifices. Bronze in scripture is often a symbol of judgment, as is seen in the story of the brazen serpent that was lifted up in the wilderness. The Israelites who trusted in the Lord’s promise of healing power, and looked to the brazen serpent, were healed from their poisonous bites. Likewise, as we look to the Savior on the cross, who was lifted up on our behalf, we can be healed of our sins and sorrows.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsGgzcqx_ukBplhrSpgaQD4oR1Qe3EnTxPC2HCgZPyRb_qbr3a3Nm8ioD7ySweiY9Me_mat0UFEIqwFP--wdQPSbzOjthlzRYwAQ1PpEAxqkjCRm_VWd_mWnVHj87FjAAwvTEEWdJPjgSJLh0THFiVu5Pp6NWxArYITzf0MtDlvcNIlPwezMf7ox5XQ/s2667/Brazen%20serpent.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsGgzcqx_ukBplhrSpgaQD4oR1Qe3EnTxPC2HCgZPyRb_qbr3a3Nm8ioD7ySweiY9Me_mat0UFEIqwFP--wdQPSbzOjthlzRYwAQ1PpEAxqkjCRm_VWd_mWnVHj87FjAAwvTEEWdJPjgSJLh0THFiVu5Pp6NWxArYITzf0MtDlvcNIlPwezMf7ox5XQ/w640-h360/Brazen%20serpent.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brazen serpent lifted up by Moses</td></tr></tbody></table><div>The altar itself was square in shape, which set it apart from all the other furniture except for the altar of incense which shared many similarities. On the four corners were horns, likewise made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze. In ancient times horns were seen as a symbol of power or strength. The altar horns were also a symbol of refuge, as Israelites who had sinned, could take hold of the horn and be promised safety and refuge until they could have a fair trial (see 1 Kings 1:50). The number four is often a symbol representing the four corners of the earth, perhaps pointing to the infinite sacrifice of Christ, which has power to reach to the four ends of the earth. The altar also had four rings, two each placed on the opposite sides. Two long poles made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze could be inserted into the rings allowing the altar to be carried as the Israelites traveled in the wilderness.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Leviticus the Lord commanded three separate times that the fire of the altar was to be kept burning at all times (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/lev/6.9?lang=eng&clang=eng#p9" target="_blank">Leviticus 6:9</a>, <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/lev/6.12-13?lang=eng&clang=eng#p12" target="_blank">12-13</a>). This is likely because the Lord himself lit the fire, (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/lev/9.24?lang=eng&clang=eng#p24" target="_blank">Leviticus 9:24</a>) consuming the first sacrifice offered by Aaron. As followers of Christ we too should always seek to keep the fires of our offering burning. While animal sacrifice was done away with by the death of Christ, we can offer to the Lord sacrifices of thanksgiving (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/107.22?lang=eng&clang=eng#p22" target="_blank">Psalms 107:22</a>), praise (Hebrews 13:15), and service towards others (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rom/12.1?lang=eng&clang=eng#p1" target="_blank">Romans 12:1</a>). </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbxZw3dIyDKPUXsRO4nfz0HAzYKRcdwlcWIkxdrLse-LnxmzcYKMw6wOYohLQT1rQ0g6zBEocN5MC36Ysv6Q3oB4Q-gpV9FO0GfycfsPuiYWcB805HtO5whC2tZpEFt8Pe55SuQ-Jmt4xYg9erStjCPuYhRcXY6Yn3OXCyVKLDhK6QN3kPzRq3GqMlA/s2667/Pillar%20of%20fire.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbxZw3dIyDKPUXsRO4nfz0HAzYKRcdwlcWIkxdrLse-LnxmzcYKMw6wOYohLQT1rQ0g6zBEocN5MC36Ysv6Q3oB4Q-gpV9FO0GfycfsPuiYWcB805HtO5whC2tZpEFt8Pe55SuQ-Jmt4xYg9erStjCPuYhRcXY6Yn3OXCyVKLDhK6QN3kPzRq3GqMlA/w640-h360/Pillar%20of%20fire.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillar of fire lighting the altar of sacrifice</td></tr></tbody></table><div>The Bible also describes the bronze tools used for sacrifice, including basins and shovels for removing the ashes, bowls to hold the blood, meat forks used to place the sacrifice on the altar, and firepans used for taking coals from the altar to be used in burning incense.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Leviticus 1-5 the Lord prescribed five different types of sacrifices that were to be offered at the altar, the burnt offering, the peace offering, the meat or grain offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering. Each of these sacrifices varied in what type of animal or offering could be made and how they were ritually offered. Most of these were sacrifices of animals, but there were also offerings of grain as well. While we won’t attempt to cover the complexity of these five types of offerings here, there were common elements to most of these sacrifices.</div><div><br /></div><div>First, the Israelite or priest would bring the animal through the gate and have the animal inspected to ensure it was without blemish. Next, the person would then lay their hands on the head of the animal which could be seen as symbolically transferring their sins to the sacrifice. The person then slit the throat of the animal, with the priest collecting the blood in a dish. Notice that for an individual sacrifice, it was the person who killed the animal, not the priest. This would vividly convey to the Israelites that it was their sins that caused the death of the animal and that the consequence of sin is death (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rom/6.23?lang=eng&clang=eng#p23" target="_blank">Romans 6:23</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div>The collected blood, depending on the type of sacrifice, was then dabbed on the horns, splashed on the sides, or poured out at the base of the altar. The word atonement, or <i>kaphar</i> in Hebrew, actually means to cover or blot out. Blood represented the life of the animal, and thus by covering parts of the altar with blood, the priest was symbolically showing that atonement had been made because of the shedding of blood.</div><div><br /></div><div>The animal was then cut into pieces, and depending on the type of sacrifice, parts of the meat were burned on the altar and the remainder of the meat was eaten by the priests or the family. Only in the case of the burnt offering was the entire animal completely burned on the altar. The eating of a portion of the sacrifice as part of a meal, is highly significant. Meat was rarely a part of daily meals and was mostly reserved for religious feasts and significant events. Because animals provide wool and hair for clothing, and milk and cheese for food, animals were far more valuable alive than dead! </div><div><br /></div><div>In addition, anciently the breaking of bread and eating a meal together often symbolized friendship between two parties. Enemies did not sign peace treaties like today to show they desired unity, but instead broke bread together. It was in the breaking of bread and sharing a meal that covenants were established and friendships renewed. Thus, it is significant that for most sacrifices at the altar, the partaking of a meal was a central part. God partook of His portion of the offering as it was burned on the altar, and then shared the remainder of the meal with the priests or family of the offeror.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because of our sins, we are all enemies of God. Yet, each Sabbath, the Lord invites us to come to His table, and to partake of a communal meal that demonstrates that He is at peace with us. The tokens of the sacrament or communion, blessed by the priests, teach us that it is only because of Christ’s sacrifice that we can enjoy the friendship and presence of God. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKXFLsGmUtuusiD8cmAbjSA0BRB4z40RiwP2-uw2G29cZGhFhJaIoL6BPp-tF0RwnSAsRrC_eQZIbMQ2B2zNxnOlVPL8-UBao4pFGN2nh7suLRIcoLKLtJ4X3plavqQHu3YjWtra6Z2JlB2m2Q_kb7lTYTbvF9q3rsjXJyg59l1cf_TxUutiSOT7V0A/s2667/Tabernacle%20altar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKXFLsGmUtuusiD8cmAbjSA0BRB4z40RiwP2-uw2G29cZGhFhJaIoL6BPp-tF0RwnSAsRrC_eQZIbMQ2B2zNxnOlVPL8-UBao4pFGN2nh7suLRIcoLKLtJ4X3plavqQHu3YjWtra6Z2JlB2m2Q_kb7lTYTbvF9q3rsjXJyg59l1cf_TxUutiSOT7V0A/w640-h360/Tabernacle%20altar.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze altar of sacrifice</td></tr></tbody></table><div>The ancient altar of sacrifice taught Israel and all of us that before we can come into the presence of the Lord, we first must be reconciled with God. Death is the requirement for sin, yet God in His infinite mercy provided that another could be killed in our stead, that we might live. Just as Israel symbolically laid their sins on the head of the sacrifice, so too Isaiah taught that “the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/52.6?lang=eng&clang=eng#p6" target="_blank">Isaiah 52:6</a>). Similarly, as these animals were bled out, so too the Savior bled in Gethsemane and on the cross that we might have our sins blotted out or covered over. Because of God’s mercy, as we come to the altar of the Lord, we can find refuge, protection, and forgiveness because of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>(Special thanks to Elder Alex Ducos, Ethan Fullmer, Elder Ryan Sampson, and Brian Olson for their help with creating the 3D model of the Tabernacle.)</i></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-87654752252353621382022-02-06T09:32:00.001-07:002022-02-08T12:17:18.633-07:00Finding Christ in the Tabernacle Gate and Courtyard<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9opTZb54IA8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The very first thing that Israelite worshipers would see as they came to the beautiful Tabernacle was the large white linen fence of the <a href="https://youtu.be/aq0jhO1KDw4" target="_blank">courtyard and the beautiful and colorful gate</a>. The Tabernacle was the place where Israel learned of the importance of repentance, atonement, and sacrifice and could symbolically reenter the presence of God through the priests. Learning of the gate and courtyard can help us better understand that it is only through the Savior that we can return to the presence of the Lord.</p><p>Before we can understand the gate of the Tabernacle, we first must understand the importance of gates in ancient times. The city gate was a place of protection and strength. Its fortified towers were one of the safest places of any ancient city. The excavated gates at Megiddo and Tel Dan are excellent examples of this with their massive fortified structures and flanking chambers. During an attack on the city, these chambers could be used to protect soldiers from invaders.</p><p>Ancient gates were also a place to perform covenants and contractual agreements. After the death of Sarah, Abraham stood at the city gate to negotiate and purchase the tomb where Sarah would be buried (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/23.10,%2018?lang=eng&clang=eng#p9" target="_blank">Genesis 23:10</a>, <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/23.18?lang=eng&clang=eng#p17" target="_blank">18</a>). When Ruth was to be married to Boaz, under the levirate law, he likewise did this at the city gate (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ruth/4.1?lang=eng&clang=eng#p1" target="_blank">Ruth 4:1</a>, <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ruth/4.10-11?lang=eng&clang=eng#p9" target="_blank">10-11</a>). Being at the gate, allowed all the city to witness the covenant or contract, becoming witnesses to the agreement.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNdlFvmemRfF0cbOJsP_3icY8QvY9CwCYRI1IlPKida2IOBlFoXJgzczzam9kURflSrM92SdKqWQhuXR7S_ai-7yB9ah_tLhWTOnD55c_jEtgAOL2I-PLup6wuUNiFcTYJtC2bfbduvgyb8sIS8qRmciO3d9VZnAUrbfniovvBcDviPXbZNdoRYwZGQw=s2667" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNdlFvmemRfF0cbOJsP_3icY8QvY9CwCYRI1IlPKida2IOBlFoXJgzczzam9kURflSrM92SdKqWQhuXR7S_ai-7yB9ah_tLhWTOnD55c_jEtgAOL2I-PLup6wuUNiFcTYJtC2bfbduvgyb8sIS8qRmciO3d9VZnAUrbfniovvBcDviPXbZNdoRYwZGQw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reconstruction of Tel Dan judgment seat (left); Tel Dan today (right, photo by Todd Bolen)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Law of Moses also prescribed that those who had been accused of sin should be brought to the gate, making it a place of judgment (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/deut/21.19?lang=eng&clang=eng#p18" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 21:19</a>). In fact, ancient city gates often even included an elevated seat, such as the one discovered at Tel Dan. Here the king or ruler would come and sit in judgment and hear the cases brought forward by his people. Because so many people entered and exited the city gate, it was also an excellent place to market goods and services. With the high amount of traffic, ancient prophets also found it an ideal place to preach to the people. Jeremiah stood at the gates when he called the people to repentance, proclaiming that Jerusalem would be destroyed if they did not repent (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/jer/7.2?lang=eng&clang=eng#p1" target="_blank">Jeremiah 7:2</a>). Thus, the ancient gate was seen as a place of protection, covenant-making, judgment, and a place where the word of God could be heard.</p><p>Similarly, the Tabernacle gate had many of these same characteristics. As sinners, we all must come to the house of the Lord and seek protection and refuge through the grace of Christ. The Tabernacle and later temples in Jerusalem were also a place of covenant-making, where Israel could promise to obey the Lord. It also is a place of judgment, where Israel was to bring their sins to the Lord, and symbolically have them placed on the altar through the death of an innocent animal. The Tabernacle gate was also a place where Israel could hear the word of the Lord, proclaimed by prophets.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvDnWnJLVzMQqLlv1EeHlxfwr6VyGAY8zOolQkO-QMDZMtP4NtAgHDTEyX05IVIUbz-Y_AVFL50UHzzKVpLi-B8xJLCqbalFtAotj9d-RzcCU-CHNkfL1kdEuk6gQkCOGIg9iFCLnV1ZDNenCVlS0i1iTQQCLXyuOPAy5BqBPT5L0pY4BX5-_YRAPT5Q=s2667" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvDnWnJLVzMQqLlv1EeHlxfwr6VyGAY8zOolQkO-QMDZMtP4NtAgHDTEyX05IVIUbz-Y_AVFL50UHzzKVpLi-B8xJLCqbalFtAotj9d-RzcCU-CHNkfL1kdEuk6gQkCOGIg9iFCLnV1ZDNenCVlS0i1iTQQCLXyuOPAy5BqBPT5L0pY4BX5-_YRAPT5Q=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3D model of Tabernacle gate from the entrance</td></tr></tbody></table><p>With this background, let’s now examine the construction of the Tabernacle gate and courtyard. Unlike ancient cities with their towering gates and walls of protection, the Tabernacle courtyard had only a linen fabric wall that separated the world from the sacred. This of course was largely because Israel needed the Tabernacle to be a portable structure that could move with them as they traveled in the wilderness. This outer fence was made from white fine linen, the same fabric used in the clothing of the priests. John the Revelator wrote that “the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/19.8?lang=eng&clang=eng#p7" target="_blank">Revelation 19:8</a>). In ancient times the color white in fabric was very difficult to produce, having to go through a laborious process of bleaching or fulling. This would make it uncommon to see white fabrics used except for the wealthy and elite. These white fine linen walls would also stand in stark contrast to the thousands of black coarse goat hair tents. The white linen creates beautiful symbolism of a sacred space that is set apart from the contrasting surroundings.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv2p4d7gCPy0cfnMeNICKMnevpTCcrKynRPMkDR_1KZGyYqcDluLfislbHXZZe2jb_n6CWIutM5Ruu62UZvQdOfxQGP1cuuU6sxtm_vW6g7DkoxrgGGesD22GXgtGRo7VM6zYRpN0ziztDAnkWpBES94ZsTbSkTru0XiNZOe-q6cJH3LWOePJGYmvm-g=s2667" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv2p4d7gCPy0cfnMeNICKMnevpTCcrKynRPMkDR_1KZGyYqcDluLfislbHXZZe2jb_n6CWIutM5Ruu62UZvQdOfxQGP1cuuU6sxtm_vW6g7DkoxrgGGesD22GXgtGRo7VM6zYRpN0ziztDAnkWpBES94ZsTbSkTru0XiNZOe-q6cJH3LWOePJGYmvm-g=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze bases and silver bands for the courtyard posts of the Tabernacle</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This outer linen fence was hung on 60 wooden pillars. Unlike the inner sanctuary walls that rested on a foundation of silver bases, these outer pillars rested on bronze bases. These different metals show the levels of gradation of holiness. The outer courtyard is least sacred so bronze is used for most of the items, including the bases of the pillars. As you progress towards more sacred areas, silver and gold are used more prominently to show the symbolic progression of holiness. This outer linen fence was about 7.5 feet or just over 2 meters tall. Being above eye level would create a visible barrier that separated the profane from the sacred, blocking the view of those on the outside. This would mean that the only way to see inside was to enter through the colorful gate.</p><p>The Tabernacle gate itself was made of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric woven into white linen. The colorful gate was surprisingly wide at about 35 feet or over 10 meters, perhaps symbolically showing how despite the fact that there is only one way to enter God’s presence, it is wide enough to allow all who desire to enter. The Psalms gives us the requirement for entering by saying: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/24.3-4?lang=eng&clang=eng#p2" target="_blank">Psalms 24:3-4</a>).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhwGF_-z4VAPGU2IL4ou9Y04s8xlAhmfMzoata-fEg8TFW1LN9671A0RJ7sJ0GdCDBENuKgJ0CwKOh2eZDtkqYB-z_z7auCSKOiw3XSZ8dg2OmxPCbpwIjniLP88D6U-yQkvICH3i64ZkPxjE_FTUhnoMDNWAsksGuSdg63eYEDcMupYC2a92oVLJACg=s2667" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2667" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhwGF_-z4VAPGU2IL4ou9Y04s8xlAhmfMzoata-fEg8TFW1LN9671A0RJ7sJ0GdCDBENuKgJ0CwKOh2eZDtkqYB-z_z7auCSKOiw3XSZ8dg2OmxPCbpwIjniLP88D6U-yQkvICH3i64ZkPxjE_FTUhnoMDNWAsksGuSdg63eYEDcMupYC2a92oVLJACg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3D model of the Tabernacle gate</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The gate was located on the east side of the courtyard. This meant that as an Israelite entered the courtyard they went in a westward direction. When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit and were cast out of the presence of the Lord, we are told that they went in an eastward direction. This means that to reenter the garden, they would have to turn around and then go westward, passing the cherubim who guarded the tree of life. Ancient Jews saw the similarities between the Garden of Eden and how the High Priest, who represented all of Israel, reversed the steps of Adam and Eve, bringing Israel back into the presence of the Lord. </p><p>Beautiful symbolism can be found in both the outer fence and gate of the Tabernacle that point us to the Lord Jesus Christ. As we draw closer to the Savior, one of the first things that often will catch our eye is His purity and perfection (symbolized by the white linen fence). In many ways, we may want to turn away because of our own lack of cleanliness, but the Lord beckons us forward, showing us how we can become pure like He is pure. The fine linen used for the outer fence may also remind us of the fine linen strips that were used to wrap the lifeless body of Christ at his burial (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/15.46?lang=eng&clang=eng#p45" target="_blank">Mark 15:46</a>). The colors of the outer gate could symbolize the perfection and attributes of the Savior. The color blue in ancient times often symbolized heaven, the color purple royalty, and the color red death, blood, mortality and sacrifice. These same colors will be replicated throughout the Tabernacle, in the beautiful garments of the High Priest (himself a type of Christ), and the veils of the Tabernacle.</p><p>While teaching in the Temple at Jerusalem, Jesus taught: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010%3A9&version=NIV" target="_blank">John 10:9 NIV</a>), teaching us that to return to God, the very first thing we must do is pass through the Savior. It is as if the Savior (represented by the beautiful colors) as the Great High Priest, stands at each of the main areas of division, the gate of the courtyard, the door of the Tabernacle, and the veil going into the Holy of Holies. From the very beginning to the very end of our journey back to God, the Savior stands beckoning us to enter through Him. As we pass from one point to the next on our journey back to God, it is always through Him and because of His infinite sacrifice and resurrection that we can progress back into the presence of the Lord!</p><p>See <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/27.9-19?lang=eng&clang=eng#p8" target="_blank">Exodus 27:9-19</a> and <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/38.9-20?lang=eng&clang=eng#p8" target="_blank">Exodus 38:9-20</a> for the description of the Courtyard and Tabernacle.</p><p><i>(Special thanks to Elder Alex Ducos, Ethan Fullmer, and Brian Olson for their help with creating the 3D model of the Tabernacle, and for Audra Coulson for help with the Tel Dan 3D model.).</i></p><p></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-76435270346254630532022-01-12T15:34:00.000-07:002022-01-12T15:34:36.170-07:00Finding Christ in the Fall of Adam and Eve<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EzKCFxjZiXY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The fall of Adam and Eve is perhaps one of the more misunderstood stories of the Old Testament. Many see it as a tragic event that ultimately brought sin and death into the world. Yet, the fall also is the catalyst that brought about the saving atonement of Jesus Christ. As we more fully understand this important event, we can see that it is a pivotal part of God’s plan. We also can find that the story of Adam and Eve is really our own story. Within the words of this account, we can find our own fall from grace, our longing for redemption, and our being raised up to eternal life with the Savior through his sacrifice and resurrection! </p><p>The story begins in a beautiful garden, the garden of Eden. The Lord had just completed the creation of the world. With the beauty of the mountains, oceans, plants, animals, and all other creations completed, the Father’s culminating act was the creation of male and female in the image of God (<a href="https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/1.27?lang=eng#p26" target="_blank">Genesis 1:27</a>). He then placed Adam and Eve into this beautiful Garden, a paradise on earth where there was no sin or death, pain or suffering. </p><p>Here in the Garden, Adam and Eve were given two commandments. The first was to multiply and replenish the earth (<a href="https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/1.28?lang=eng#p27" target="_blank">Genesis 1:28</a>). The second was that they could eat of any of the trees of the garden except for the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/2.16-17?lang=eng&clang=eng#p16" target="_blank">Genesis 2:16-17</a>). If they partook, they would be cast out of the Garden to fend for themselves and eventually would die. Notwithstanding this command, they were given the opportunity to choose for themselves. If they did not eat of the fruit, they would remain in the presence of the Lord where all things would be provided for them. They would not know pain and suffering, anguish or death. Yet, if they stayed in the garden, they likewise would not know true joy or happiness. For it is only by experiencing pain and suffering that we can truly know joy. It is only by tasting the bitter that we can know the sweet.</p><p>Satan, desiring to frustrate the great plan of God, thought to tempt Adam and Eve into partaking of the fruit. As is always the case, Satan did not understand the plan of God, for the Lord knows all things. God knew that Adam and Eve would fall. He knew the consequences of their choice. He was never caught off guard or surprised. Because of this, before they had even made their decision to transgress the law of the Father, He had already laid the groundwork for them to return to the presence of the Lord. </p><p>Satan tempted Eve to partake by first asking “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/3.1?lang=eng&clang=eng#p1" target="_blank">Genesis 3:1</a>). Eve responded that they could eat of all the trees except for the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then, as Satan so often does, he mixed a lie with a truth. He states that Eve would not die if she partook (which of course was a lie), but would have her eyes opened, knowing good and evil (which was true). (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/3.4-5?lang=eng&clang=eng#p4" target="_blank">Genesis 3:4-5</a>). The Lord even recognized this when he later states: “Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/3.22?lang=eng&clang=eng#p22" target="_blank">Genesis 3:22</a>). Thus, Satan was able to deceive our first parents, as he continues to do today, by mixing a truth with a lie, making it harder to recognize his deception.</p><p>With their eyes open, and now recognizing that they were naked, they both sewed fig leaves to make aprons to hide their nakedness and shame. The Lord God then called to Adam asking “Where art thou?” giving him an opportunity to acknowledge his transgression before the Lord. However, instead of admitting his wrong, he blames Eve, his wife. When the Lord asked Eve, she similarly blamed the serpent stating that he had beguiled or deceived her. (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/3.7-14?lang=eng&clang=eng#p7" target="_blank">Genesis 3:7-14</a>).</p><p>The Lord God then turns to the serpent and gives us the first messianic prophecy found in the Bible. He states, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; [He] shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/3.15?lang=eng&clang=eng#p15" target="_blank">Genesis 3:15</a>). Just as it was by a woman that the fall would occur, it would be through another woman that redemption would be born into this earth.</p><p>We often criticize Mother Eve for her choice, but it is because of her decision to partake that the Savior would be able to come into this world. It is because of the fall that suffering, pain, and death would now be in the world. These elements are the very things that would allow for the Savior to come and redeem us. There must be suffering to have the atonement. There must be death to have the resurrection. Equally, without sin we would never learn between good and evil, and we would never need to accept Jesus as our Savior. Without death, we would never have the chance to be resurrected and live forever with the Lord! Thus the fall of Adam and Eve sets in motion the very plan of God, providing the way for us to live with Him forever!</p><p>With infinite loving compassion, before the Father sends Adam and Eve out into the lone and dreary wilderness to learn to distinguish between good and evil, he first covers them with coats of skins to hide their nakedness (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/3.21?lang=eng&clang=eng#p21" target="_blank">Genesis 3:21</a>). While the Bible does not mention where these skins came from, it would only make sense that these skins were from the first animal, perhaps a lamb, that had been slain on their behalf so that they could be covered. The word atonement in Hebrew actually means to cover or blot out. Here we have a beautiful symbol of the coming Messiah. A sacrifice is made, an innocent animal dies, and Adam and Eve both are now covered and protected before being sent out into the world. The shame they felt for transgressing the Law of the Father is covered over because of the death of an innocent animal. These skins would be a constant reminder to them throughout their lives that it was only through the shedding of blood that sin can be covered over.</p><p>What a beautiful lesson we learn here. Adam and Eve both were given the chance to admit their wrongs. While they did acknowledge their transgression, they also sought to blame others. Yet, in his loving kindness, the Father takes them where they are, helps them see the seriousness of their actions, and then gives them protection and a symbol that would teach them of the coming Messiah.</p><p>As we study the story of Adam and Eve, we can find our own story within its words. Each of us comes to this earth as an innocent child of a loving Heavenly Father. As we grow, we are faced with the opportunity to choose between right and wrong. As a loving Father, God knows that the only way we can learn and grow is if we are allowed to make mistakes. Just as a parent must allow their young child to fall so that they may learn to walk, our Father allows us to choose for ourselves whether we will obey or disobey His commands. Just like Adam and Eve, we will often try to hide our sins from God. But He knows all things and gives us the opportunity to come unto Him as we are.</p><p>It is fitting that the story of our redemption began in a garden, the Garden of Eden, and that the culmination of the redemptive story ends in a garden near a hill called Calvary. After the Savior had suffered for the sins of the world, and had been crucified, his lifeless body was removed from the cross and placed in a borrowed tomb in a garden. (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/19.41?lang=eng&clang=eng#p41" target="_blank">John 19:41</a>). On the third day He rose from the dead, overcoming the effects of the fall. Because the fall took place, the Savior could suffer for our sins, covering the shame of our disobedience. Because of the fall, the Savior could die and be resurrected again, giving life to all! Truly, the fall set in motion the most critical event ever to take place, even the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ!</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-44113149204170228492022-01-03T09:33:00.000-07:002022-01-03T09:33:00.501-07:00Finding Christ in the Creation<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xA2QBvB-dTk" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p>In the majestic words of Genesis, we read that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201%3A1&version=NIV" target="_blank">Genesis 1:1 NIV</a>). Here, in the first chapter of the Bible, we learn of how God wanted to teach us of the beginning, or genesis, of all things. We often read this incredible account of the creation almost as a scientific textbook, so to speak, yet the story of creation has far more depth and can symbolize many aspects of life. In particular, we can find within the creation our own story of how the Savior takes us from unorganized matter and converts us into beings of light in the image of God.</p><p>Before beginning the story, it is critical to realize that when the Lord revealed the story of the creation, it was meant to be highly symbolic. We should not expect that God meant to simplify one of the most incredible and complex acts into just a single chapter. <a href="https://churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/1?lang=eng" target="_blank">Genesis 1</a> is designed to give us just the outline of what God did. This outline only gives us a glimpse into the true majesty of the actual process of creation. It is also important to realize that ancient and modern Jews see many connections to the Tabernacle and ancient temples. Simply put, the creation has always been seen as a temple text, and the temple itself was seen as a place of creation.</p><p>On the first day, we learn that “God created the heavens and the earth” and that the “earth was without form, and void” (Genesis 1:1–2), or in other words, was empty and without order. Darkness filled the expanse, yet even in the darkness, we learn that the Spirit of the Lord “moved upon the waters” (Genesis 1:2), or in the original Hebrew, the Spirit hovered or brooded over the earth. Here we learn that even amidst the darkness and chaos, the Spirit of God was present. In our own stories of creation, we each begin our journey in a symbolic state of darkness or chaos, yet the presence of the Lord is there from the beginning, watching over His creation. If we allow the Spirit of the Lord to move upon us, we will receive light!</p><p>With darkness covering the earth, the Lord speaks: “Let there be light!” (Genesis 1:3). With simply the word of the Savior, light penetrates the darkness and fills the expanse of His creation. Note that this light is not from the sun, moon, or stars! In fact, the lights in the firmament are not created until day four. This source of light stands apart from the later-created lights. During His mortal ministry, the Savior taught: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). In our own journey, once we have been moved upon by the Spirit of the Lord, we receive light from the word of God. As we study the Word, we are filled with light just as on the first day of creation.</p><p>At the end of the first day, the Lord sees the light and proclaims “that it was good” (Genesis 1:4). Even with so little completed in the creation, the Savior sees the good. For each additional day of creation, the Savior makes a similar statement, showing that He sees the progress even in the midst of His incomplete creation.</p><p>On the second day, the Lord divided the waters above the firmament of heaven from the waters on the land, creating the clouds above and the oceans below. The Hebrew word used here for “divide” or “separate” is used many times later in the Bible, particularly in a temple context when speaking of separating the unholy from the holy—for example: the veil of the Tabernacle that separated the holy place from the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:33), the separation of the priests from the people (Numbers 8:14), and even separating Israel from the rest of the world (Leviticus 20:24, 26). This second day of creation can suggest that when we receive the light of Christ, we are then expected to be set apart and separated from the world. We are to live a higher—and holier—life as we follow the Savior.</p><p>On the third day of creation, the Lord gathered the waters of the earth together to form seas and oceans, and dry land, hills, and mountains. With the land separated from the water, the Lord then brings forth grasses, fruit trees, and all forms of vegetation to give beauty to the land. Keep in mind that the sun has still not yet been created, again suggesting that this light is the light of Christ that gives life to all. The plants are commanded to yield fruit so that their seed can fill the earth. The creation of life on the third day, in the fields of wheat, trees, flowers, and vegetation, may connect to the fact that, likewise, it was on the third day that the Savior rose from the dead, bringing true life to all the earth!</p><p>On the fourth day, the Lord created the lights in the sky, including the sun, moon, and stars. This was not only to give daily light unto the world but also “for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” (Genesis 1:14). Unlike our modern calendar, which uses the rotation of the earth around the sun to set the months, the Jewish calendar was based on the cycles of the moon. The dates for each of the Jewish Feasts or seasons were determined by this lunar cycle. For example, the first of the feasts, Passover, occurs on the first full moon of the year. The last of the feasts, the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, occurs on the seventh full moon of the year. Thus, ancient Israel gathering to the temple to worship during these feasts was directly connected to the creation of the moon and the sun.</p><p>During His mortal ministry, the Savior taught of Himself, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), yet Jesus also taught during the Sermon on the Mount that “[We] are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:15). How is it that if the Savior is the light, we also can be the light? Perhaps these two seemingly contradictory statements can best be understood if we compare this to the light of the sun and moon. The sun is the ultimate source of all light. Its rays of light create growth and life in all things. The moon, however, does not actually create its own light but instead reflects the light of the sun to the earth.</p><p>So, too, it can be in our own lives. We are never the ultimate source of light. We only reflect the light of the Savior to others. It is interesting that during a lunar eclipse, the moon becomes darkened, no longer reflecting the light of the sun. Why is this? Because the earth has come between the sun and the moon, blocking the light. Similarly, as we allow the cares of the world to come between us and the Son of God, the ultimate source of true light, we, too, lose the ability to reflect His light to others. Just as these lights, the sun, moon, and stars, were “to separate the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:18 NLT), as Christians, we also should live lives that set us apart from the world, bringing light to those in darkness.</p><p>On the fifth day of creation, the Lord created the living creatures of the seas and the birds of the air. Then on the sixth day, the beasts of the land were created, including sheep, goats, horses, insects, and all creeping things. The Lord commands these beasts to “be fruitful, and multiply” (Genesis 1:22). </p><p>Finally, on the last part of the sixth day, the Lord “created mankind in His own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female” (Genesis 1:27 NIV). Here the culmination of the Lord's creation, the very last act of creation, is male and female, in the image of God. “And God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28). The act of creating all living creatures could relate to our own journey of not only having families and bringing forth children but also in bringing forth “fruits” of repentance, service, love, devotion, and kindness towards others (see Matthew 3:8). These fruits should not only nourish and bring life to ourselves and our families but to all the world. </p><p>Throughout the entire creation story, each day the Lord stated that His creation “was good,” but with the creation of humans, the Lord now states that creation was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). In our own lives, as we allow the Savior to form us into a “new creature” (see 2 Corinthians 5:17), the Savior always sees the good in us. If we are progressing, even if we are not complete, the Lord sees the good in our life. Once our creation story is complete, and we are seen as “very good,” we can then be seen in the image of God. After seeing His marvelous creation completed, the Lord rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2).</p><p>The story of the creation is a story of putting things in order. We are each symbolically in a state of darkness and chaos as we first come unto Christ. As we allow His Spirit to move upon us, we receive light. The Lord then commands us to be separated from the world and follow Him, just as the waters were separated. As we continue in Christ, we are to bring forth fruits of repentance, multiplying and replenishing the earth with life, not just life in ourselves but in others. As we culminate our journey back to God, we will find that we can become like our Savior through His atonement (2 Nephi 2:3). Once we have completed our own story of creation, with the Savior there every step of the way, the Lord God will rest from His labors, knowing that His work and glory is complete (see Moses 1:39)—complete because we are now created after His own image, even in the image of our Savior and Redeemer!</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-27827933073934780742021-12-05T17:39:00.001-07:002022-01-12T15:38:57.773-07:00The Annunciations - The Nativity<div style="text-align: center;">
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Luke begins his Nativity narrative with the annunciations of the angel Gabriel to Mary and Zacharias. It seems that Luke purposefully places these two stories next to each other to not only contrast Mary and Zacharias, but also to compare the two miraculous birth stories of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.<br />
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The first annunciation of Gabriel occurs in Jerusalem at the temple to Zacharias, a priest of the course of Abia. The courses of the priests were established during the reign of King David, when there were too many priests to serve in the temple at one given time. Because of their large numbers, King David divided the priests into twenty-four courses, Abia being one of these courses. Each of these courses would serve for one week twice throughout the year, meaning that Zacharias would only have the chance to actually serve in the temple for two weeks during each year.<br />
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Temple assignments for the priests, ranging from performing sacrifices to lighting the menorah, were chosen by casting lots. The most honorable assignment was to burn the incense before the veil of the temple. This burning incense was offered every morning and evening in the Holy Place and represented the prayers of Israel ascending to heaven before the veil. This was the closest that Zacharias would ever come to the Holy of Holies, and it appears to be an assignment that he had never previously received.<br />
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As part of the ritual, Zacharias, while praying, was to burn a combination of incenses on the golden altar, including interestingly enough, frankincense, one of the gifts of the wise men. Outside, the people would be praying and waiting until Zacharias had finished. After which he would come to the door of the temple to pronounce a blessing upon them. Of course, Zacharias would never be able to pronounce this blessing, because he had been cursed by the angel, adding to the awe and wonder of the people.<br />
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The second annunciation of Gabriel occurs in the small village of Nazareth, to an obscure young girl named Mary, who was probably around 12 or 13 at the time. The contrasts between these two annunciation stories is remarkable, and it seems that Luke hopes that we will notice the differences. One occurs to a notable and respected elderly man and temple priest, the other to an unknown young girl. One occurs in Jerusalem, and at the temple, the most holy place in Israel, the other in an obscure village of Galilee, likely in a meager and simple home. <br />
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Luke also contrasts the very words of the vision of Gabriel, perhaps to teach us of how we should respond to inspiration from God. Both Zacharias and Mary are visited by the angel Gabriel. Both are told to fear not, and that they would be blessed with a child. Both Zacharias and Mary ask for a sign or for understanding. The angel then gives both of them a sign; in the case of Zacharias he is made dumb and possibly even deaf, and Mary is given the sign that her relative Elizabeth, who has been without child, will conceive a son.<br />
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It is interesting to note that while these two visions are very similar, there are also some striking differences, that perhaps help teach us why Zacharias was cursed, while Mary was blessed. One of the differences seems to be in one simple word. When responding to Gabriel, Zacharias asks, "Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years." Yet, Mary responds, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" Zacharias is seeking for a sign to know if the angel is really speaking the truth, while Mary simple believes, and only asks how this miracle will actually happen. One other difference is how Mary responds when she says with faith: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Mary not only believed without doubting, she immediately was willing to follow.<br />
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It is remarkable to think of the consequences of these annunciations for both Zacharias and Mary. For Zacharias, having a son would be one of the greatest blessing he could receive. Yet for Mary, being unmarried, and pregnant, would likely mean that she would be tried before the local synagogue, and be mocked and scorned for years possibly her entire life. Yet Zacharias, a man, a priest, and a respected individual, is the one who seeks a sign, and waivers in believing. While Mary, a young girl, and really a nobody in society, simply believed and trusted that she would be blessed for following God. What remarkable faith and determination Mary had. No wonder, the Father of us all, chose her to be the mother of the Son of God.Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-4255553504924486582021-04-02T09:55:00.001-06:002021-04-02T09:55:25.460-06:00The Women at the Cross of Jesus<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hyvuSBIH37g?controls=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p></p><p>As Jesus hung in agony, many women stood by as witnesses to the very last moment as their Savior and friend suffered at Calvary’s cross. Among these women experiencing heartbreaking pain were Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and other women. While most of the other disciples fled, these women stood by as witnesses of the Savior’s death, and then helped cared for his body, [1] and became the first witnesses to his resurrection. </p><p>The devotion to the Savior these women showed, when he suffered the most, cannot be overstated. They not only had to witness one of the most gruesome forms of execution, but they were risking their own lives to support Christ at the cross. Accomplices to a criminal, including women, could be crucified as well. [2] Think of the courage they had to remain knowing this, even as others mocked the Savior. These women show us how we can stand with Christ, even when others do not.</p><p><b>Mary, the Mother of Jesus </b></p><p>Perhaps the most significant woman standing by is Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary is a unique witness of Jesus Christ. She saw the Savior open his eyes for the first time and close them for the last time as a mortal on earth. Perhaps in that heart-wrenching moment, she reflected back on when as a youth an angel told her she would be the mother of the Son of the Most High (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/1.26-38?lang=eng&clang=eng#p26" target="_blank">Luke 1:26-38</a>). At such a tender age, could she have fully comprehended what that actually meant? Or she may have thought back to when Jesus was still an infant of just a few weeks old and she and Joseph brought him to be presented at the Temple in Jerusalem. As they entered the Court of the Women, Simeon, a devout and righteous man, prophesied that “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A34&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 2:34 NKJV</a>). And then to Mary he said, “And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A35&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 2:35 NIV</a>).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRuzcUKjixn7YA-J7h60jeajHL2SFo9jxc1OdmB1U47gdVa_KvvqNS6kIRhPe5FLUn80ewM0VCP2C6FKocNaTpygMvD-QYt2lnifz-3ottUgw8AWMLzDwqtEGl1LuO1wJ1hngUb8daJ8u/s2048/TISSOT+The+earthquake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="2048" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRuzcUKjixn7YA-J7h60jeajHL2SFo9jxc1OdmB1U47gdVa_KvvqNS6kIRhPe5FLUn80ewM0VCP2C6FKocNaTpygMvD-QYt2lnifz-3ottUgw8AWMLzDwqtEGl1LuO1wJ1hngUb8daJ8u/w640-h406/TISSOT+The+earthquake.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Earthquake by James Tissot</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As her tiny infant slept in her arms, or as the young child followed in her steps, could she have anticipated the moment when she would watch him crucified on the cross? How desperately she must have wanted to soothe his pain, and yet she stood by his side, watching him die, so that through his death we all might live. What a debt of gratitude we owe to this woman who raised Jesus as a child. </p><p>In our own lives, we might be asked to do the unthinkable and watch a loved one suffer as we stand by helplessly. However, we can follow the example of Mary and keep our eyes focused on Christ. With no power to change the situation, we can find the strength to endure by looking to the Savior and encouraging those around us to do the same.</p><p><b>Mary Magdalene</b></p><p>Another woman named Mary who stood at the feet of Jesus was Mary Magdalene. Earlier in her life, she had been possessed by seven devils and had been healed by the Savior (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/8.2?lang=eng&clang=eng#p2" target="_blank">Luke 8:2</a>). As a devout disciple of Christ, she remained at the cross after other disciples fled. Perhaps she did not want to leave him alone to suffer, for he had come to her in one of her moments of greatest suffering. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg8JDZ7VplRM0aNiUE6qCbAN0UuB8L9qKBTsPv0hOUGZtHGyDayxOn-LhDWZKWx1vV6iBHCn9qEu-WL-3vEBODjFtMs4fkDenl6bCjzORy8nACXU6dRbUHQD467Ck8DJyY1lmIiYfKpGc/s2048/MANISER+Mary+Magdalene+at+the+foot+of+the+cross.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="2048" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg8JDZ7VplRM0aNiUE6qCbAN0UuB8L9qKBTsPv0hOUGZtHGyDayxOn-LhDWZKWx1vV6iBHCn9qEu-WL-3vEBODjFtMs4fkDenl6bCjzORy8nACXU6dRbUHQD467Ck8DJyY1lmIiYfKpGc/w640-h460/MANISER+Mary+Magdalene+at+the+foot+of+the+cross.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Magdalene by Heinrich Matvejevich Maniser</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Although the Sabbath was quickly approaching, Mary did not leave Christ’s side, even after he had died. We know that she was one of those who stood by as Jesus’ lifeless body was lowered from the cross. Mary, with other women, then tenderly helped to prepare his corpse for burial. Additionally, she returned in the early morning hours that day after the Sabbath to finish preparing his body. To her surprise, she sees the Savior risen from the dead and becomes the first witness of his resurrection. Her intense sorrow has been replaced with pure joy. (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/20.1-18?lang=eng&clang=eng#p1" target="_blank">John 20:1-18</a>).</p><p>Mary Magdalene’s life teaches us that no struggle we face excludes us from having momentous spiritual experiences. We can choose to stay close to the Savior no matter what trials we may face or what our past may have been. And like Mary, we can find the sweet joy found on that Easter morn and run to invite others to come and see. </p><p><b>Other Women at the Cross</b></p><p>Scripture records that most of the male disciples fled, [3] except for the “Beloved Disciple” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/19.26?lang=eng&clang=eng#p25" target="_blank">John 19:26</a>), often assumed to be John, yet several women are mentioned as being present at the cross. Though the Gospels don’t agree on the names and number of these women, in addition to Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, it appears that among the many other women standing at the cross were the sister of Mary, Jesus’ mother (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/19.25?lang=eng&clang=eng#p25" target="_blank">John 19:25</a>), Mary the mother of James and Joseph, an unnamed woman who was the mother of James and John (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/27.55%E2%80%9356?lang=eng&clang=eng#p55%E2%80%9356" target="_blank">Matthew 27:55–56</a>), Mary of Clopas (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/19.25?lang=eng&clang=eng#p25" target="_blank">John 19:25</a>), and Salome.</p><p>Throughout his mortal ministry, many women traveled with the Savior and were among his closest associates. Significantly, many of these women provided financial assistance that helped to move the work forward (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/8.1-3?lang=eng&clang=eng#p1" target="_blank">Luke 8:1-3</a>). They showed an unwavering commitment and love for Jesus. Just before his death, these women traveled with the Savior more than 100 miles from Galilee to Jerusalem to attend the Passover. As Christ was welcomed to the city with waving palm branches and shouts of praise, could any of these women imagine that just a few days later they would stand at his feet in his final hours and watch him die? And yet, despite the extreme turn of events, they did not flee or turn away as other disciples had done. Together, as a unified sisterhood, they not only stood with the Savior in his last moments, but they stood together. How beautiful that among these women was Mary’s own sister, who supported the mother of the Savior, helping to bear the burden she had to carry. </p><p>Like Mary Magdalene, these women came to the tomb and helped to prepare the body of the Savior for his burial. Despite what appeared to be the complete collapse of all their hopes, Jesus’s followers stayed near the tomb. They could have left town, but even though they did not understand what had or would happen, they remained close to where Jesus was. These women then returned after the Sabbath, to finish the burial process, only to find the tomb empty. As they left the tomb, the Savior appeared to these women. They clasped the feet of Jesus, touching his risen body, and then ran to tell the glorious news to the other disciples. (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/28.9-10?lang=eng&clang=eng#p9" target="_blank">Matthew 28:9-10</a>).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryjQ6OPeZ99B1vWSRnncUQ8GB1-XO5LLSKv2jYbFgsOiPvVBBQHr8Up0-4DPX-9H8JYJ6ONeBg61W_23q0eET-DcaPYAr6LdjvRUljvSfiVNJVU_-E51wDOaY_JBnh_ai2lQdlXJXfLgf/s2048/TISSOT+Jesus+appears+to+the+women.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryjQ6OPeZ99B1vWSRnncUQ8GB1-XO5LLSKv2jYbFgsOiPvVBBQHr8Up0-4DPX-9H8JYJ6ONeBg61W_23q0eET-DcaPYAr6LdjvRUljvSfiVNJVU_-E51wDOaY_JBnh_ai2lQdlXJXfLgf/w640-h456/TISSOT+Jesus+appears+to+the+women.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus Appears to Women by James Tissot</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As we contemplate the feelings of these women at the cross, we gain a powerful window into our own experiences. If you have ever felt fear and anguish as a result of unexpected events, these women can relate. They show us that we can hold steady even when nothing is turning out how we had planned. If you have ever felt the devastation of watching your loved ones suffer, these women can relate. They teach us of the importance of standing together as family and friends, and that just our presence can be a comfort to others. </p><p>Because of Christ’s Atonement, we too can look forward to a time when the Savior “will swallow up death forever . . . [and] wipe away the tears from all faces” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/25.8?lang=eng&clang=eng#p8" target="_blank">Isaiah 25:8</a>). We can find hope and strength in the faith of these women who endured this painful experience at the cross of our Lord and Savior. On that Easter morning, their sorrow turned to joy. Because the Resurrected Savior lives, so too can our tears dry, our sorrows can be swallowed up, and we can feel the joy that only Jesus Christ can bring.</p><p><i>Script written by John Hilton III adapted from <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/considering-the-cross-how-calvary-connects-us-with-christ?variant_id=190612-hardcover" target="_blank">Considering the Cross</a>.</i></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>[1] The Gospel accounts are somewhat unclear on the exact role the women played in helping with the burial of Christ, but it is clear that they at least witnesses, helping to provide spices as part of the process.</p><p>[2] <a href="http://penelope.uchicago.edu/josephus/ant-18.html" target="_blank">Josephus. Antiquities of the Jews. 18.3.4</a>.</p><p>[3] Though only one male disciple is mentioned, the "beloved disciple," Luke 23:49 in Greek is a male plural indicating there was at least one male acquaintance present (male plural would be used for 2+ people, at least one of whom was male). So it seems possible that a few other male disciples were also present at the cross, even though they are not named.</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-79158757483345760552021-03-17T17:27:00.000-06:002021-03-17T17:27:15.063-06:00The Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CetFnj31_zo" width="560"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: left;">Bruised and bleeding, the Savior’s final hours were spent crucified on a cross. Although racked with excruciating pain, he made seven significant statements as the last words of his mortal ministry. As we look more closely at these final statements, Christ shows us how he is a healing, human, and divine Savior to each of us.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>A Healing Savior </b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Though in desperate need of comfort himself, Jesus Christ’s first three statements show his compassion and desire to heal others.</p><p><b><i>First Statement </i></b></p><p>The first statement was spoken as the soldiers crucified him. The Savior said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/23.34?lang=eng&clang=eng#p34" target="_blank">Luke 23:34</a>). Amazingly, the Savior generously pleaded for mercy for those who were in the very act of crucifying him. He is showing by example what he taught during the Sermon on the Mount that we should love our enemies and “pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/5.44?lang=eng&clang=eng#p44" target="_blank">Matthew 5:44</a>). Christ is teaching us how we should be willing to extend forgiveness and mercy, even when it is not merited, asked for, or acknowledged.</p><p><b><i>Second Statement </i></b></p><p>The Savior’s second statement also displays tender compassion for others even while he himself suffers. As Christ hung between two thieves, one of them taunted him by saying, “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/23.39?lang=eng&clang=eng#p39" target="_blank">Luke 23:39</a>) But the other man rebuked him, by saying that they both were getting what they deserved (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/23.41?lang=eng&clang=eng#p41" target="_blank">Luke 23:41</a>).</p><p>At this point, this penitent thief then pleads with the Savior, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/23.42?lang=eng&clang=eng#p41" target="_blank">Luke 23:42</a>). These words, spoken by a convicted criminal, are the final recorded words addressed to the Savior before his death. His plea captures a special intimacy as he is the only person recorded in the Gospels as asking Christ to remember him. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgHzIIGO9LcUxLbEU4mXLdeiSnP3syu8finCQYq_PhYE24BV2H-e4PQfZxzGPJiKsIh5qlGizNXjeREKDwC2r7v1UsUsp_npssZ_XLjwibIdi668x1BQt7x_UHUOKjR-ihYt33or0JNwV/s2048/TITIAN+Christ+and+the+good+thief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1846" data-original-width="2048" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgHzIIGO9LcUxLbEU4mXLdeiSnP3syu8finCQYq_PhYE24BV2H-e4PQfZxzGPJiKsIh5qlGizNXjeREKDwC2r7v1UsUsp_npssZ_XLjwibIdi668x1BQt7x_UHUOKjR-ihYt33or0JNwV/w640-h576/TITIAN+Christ+and+the+good+thief.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christ and the Good Theif by <a href="https://www.wikiart.org/en/titian/christ-and-the-good-thief" target="_blank">Titian</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Others might easily see this thief as worthless or beyond redemption. Yet, in his response to the man hanging beside him, Jesus shows us what he truly thinks of the human race. The Savior makes the second statement by saying, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/23.43?lang=eng&clang=eng#p42" target="_blank">Luke 23:43</a>). Can you imagine the reunion when Jesus and this man see each other after they have died? Christ would personally minister to him and teach him that very day. </p><p>According to Luke, Jesus began his public ministry at a synagogue in Nazareth stating that he would “proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/61.1?lang=eng&clang=eng#p1" target="_blank">Isaiah 61:1</a>). How appropriate that he ends his mortal ministry by proclaiming freedom to one who is physically bound on a cross and spiritually bound by sin. Like this thief who hung beside Christ, we too can be freed from our own bondage and sins because of a healing and merciful Savior.</p><p><b><i>Third Statement </i></b></p><p>When Jesus saw his mother Mary and the disciple whom Christ loved watching him as he suffered on the cross, he said the third statement. First to Mary, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then, directing his words to the beloved disciple (often assumed to be John), “Behold thy mother!” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/19.26-27?lang=eng&clang=eng#p26" target="_blank">John 19:26-27</a>). Even in his greatest agony, the Savior focuses on the needs of his mother. He is showing by example how to obey the commandment he gave to “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Matthew 19:19). In John, the first miracle Christ performed was at the request of his mother by turning water into wine. Here, again, Christ lovingly attends to her needs even in his moment of greatest need. He inspires us to look outward, even when we are suffering.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfeS70394XVhu6aYt8DOL_wUXJIkT2whrW0_FO8TEHxBJN3R-pOmOo4Zjlx3EvXgWp2U6wtgbIEGoGCcqU2Zm_s5bHr-UhraMfnTXpBCmqbGbFVGSM3S1M2OomijSEvmY_hWU3oupuB5g/s2048/FUGEL+Jesus+hangs+on+cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfeS70394XVhu6aYt8DOL_wUXJIkT2whrW0_FO8TEHxBJN3R-pOmOo4Zjlx3EvXgWp2U6wtgbIEGoGCcqU2Zm_s5bHr-UhraMfnTXpBCmqbGbFVGSM3S1M2OomijSEvmY_hWU3oupuB5g/w640-h360/FUGEL+Jesus+hangs+on+cross.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus Hangs on the Cross by Gebhard Fugel</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Savior demonstrated his healing power by forgiving the soldiers, comforting the thief and honoring his mother. Just as Jesus met them where they were, he will also meet us where we are—even those who make serious mistakes. No one is beyond the reach of the Savior’s healing love. </p><p><b>A Human Savior </b></p><p>In the next two statements we are reminded that though his Father was our Immortal God, Jesus was born of a mortal woman. In agony on the cross, he shows us his humanity through his suffering.</p><p><b><i>Fourth Statement </i></b></p><p>As Christ experiences the effects of shock due to the loss of blood, with parched and shriveled lips, he cries out his fourth statement., “I thirst!” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/19.28?lang=eng&clang=eng#p28" target="_blank">John 19:28</a>). During his ministry, Christ said to the Samaritan woman at the well, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/4.14?lang=eng&clang=eng#p14" target="_blank">John 4:14</a>). What a powerful testament that he truly bears all of our pains as our Savior. Christ thirsted so that we can drink the cool, refreshing, water that he himself so desperately needed. As the Living Water, he strengthens us in our own challenges.</p><p><b><i>Fifth Statement</i></b></p><p>As the time of his death approached, Jesus “cried with a loud voice, ... My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/15.34?lang=eng&clang=eng#p34" target="_blank">Mark 15:34</a>, see also <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/22.1?lang=eng&clang=eng#p1" target="_blank">Psalm 22:1</a>) making his fifth statement. In his moment of greatest distress, Christ is left to bear the full brunt of the sins of the world without the accompanying help of his Father. [1]</p><p>During his ministry he told those who loved him, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/14.18?lang=eng&clang=eng#p18" target="_blank">John 14:18</a>). Even in his final painful hours he has sought to forgive, comfort, and honor those around him. And now he is the one in need of comfort, for even his Father has left him to suffer these pains alone. In this statement, we more fully see a human Savior who is suffering. In our pain, we can connect with Christ, for he knows how to heal our pain perfectly.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV7lT-9Sea5CiWI63gRLpb-eaean_JlkmU5_Cx1OwWIvWhABja2NgZMi4TUYfLD5TLi8ePAYQdv5TXyeUPvwgnp7S8DwodRzr0J9oh6fi7Z1VfVL6EUOIV4G9of8n3FXGhupm3WuvLgc9/s2048/PORTAELS+Jesus+on+cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="2048" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV7lT-9Sea5CiWI63gRLpb-eaean_JlkmU5_Cx1OwWIvWhABja2NgZMi4TUYfLD5TLi8ePAYQdv5TXyeUPvwgnp7S8DwodRzr0J9oh6fi7Z1VfVL6EUOIV4G9of8n3FXGhupm3WuvLgc9/w640-h418/PORTAELS+Jesus+on+cross.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus on the Cross by Jean Francois Portaels</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>A Divine Savior</b></p><p>As the end of the Savior’s life nears, we become acquainted with his divinity in his final two statements. Despite intense suffering, as the Son of God, he retains power over all things and completes his atoning sacrifice. </p><p><b><i>Sixth Statement</i></b></p><p>In great agony, Christ makes his sixth statement, “It is finished” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/19.30?lang=eng&clang=eng#p30" target="_blank">John 19:30</a>). Earlier in his ministry, Jesus taught that his purpose was “to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do.” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204%3A34&version=GNT" target="_blank">John 4:34, GNT</a>). In spite of earth and hell combining against him, thirsty, forsaken, and in agonizing pain, Christ has indeed completed the work his Father had sent him to accomplish. We can be confident that even when our lives spin out of control, Christ is completely in control. He is always at the helm. </p><p><b><i>Seventh Statement </i></b></p><p>Finally, moments before Jesus ended his mortal ministry on earth, he cried, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/23.46?lang=eng&clang=eng#p46" target="_blank">Luke 23:46</a>). [2] Perhaps the keyword in this seventh and final statement is I—indicating the Savior’s personal agency—he willingly gave up his life (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/10.17%E2%80%9318?lang=eng&clang=eng#p17%E2%80%9318" target="_blank">John 10:17–18</a>). Note also the Savior intimately addresses God as “Father.” In the Gospel of Luke, Christ’s first recorded words at a young age of just 12 years are when he asks Mary and Joseph “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A49&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 2:49, NKJV</a>)—and now Mary’s witness provides the heart-wrenching answer. He had finished the work his Father sent him to do. Christ gave himself completely to God. Do we do the same? Are we willing to allow our will to be completely swallowed up in the will of the Father? </p><p>Reflecting on these seven statements Jesus said from the cross, we see Christ as a healing Savior who extends mercy and comfort even in his own agony. We see Christ as a human Savior who can relate to our anguish and our suffering. He is a divine Savior, able to help us in every circumstance because he is all-powerful. In these seven simple yet poignant statements made in Christ’s final moments when he suffered the most, we see that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who has come to save us all. </p><p><i>Script written by <a href="https://johnhiltoniii.com/" target="_blank">John Hilton III</a> adapted from <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/considering-the-cross-how-calvary-connects-us-with-christ?variant_id=190612-hardcover" target="_blank">Considering the Cross: How Calvary Connects Us with Christ</a> (Deseret Book, 2021).</i></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>[1] Jeffrey R. Holland, None Were With Him (April 2009 General Conference).</p><p>[2] In this statement, Jesus echoes the first half of Psalm 31:5: “Into your hand I commit my spirit.” Left unsaid by the Savior, though still true, is the second half of this verse: “you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.” See Brown, Death of the Messiah, 1066–69.</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-26773342440151567102021-02-28T07:43:00.007-07:002021-03-02T19:50:41.512-07:00Understanding the Parable of the Sower<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kEqxXEG3qGY?controls=0" width="560"></iframe></div><p></p><p>Early in his ministry, Jesus stood in a boat on the Sea of Galilee and gave his first major parable, the Parable of the Sower. This powerful parable teaches us the importance of being prepared to receive the word and to be fruitful to the Lord.</p><p>The setting of the story is quite remarkable. Jesus had just left Capernaum, located north of the Sea of Galilee. As he began teaching, a large group of people gathered on the shore. Because of the growing crowd, Jesus climbed into a boat and began to teach so everyone would be able to hear. Though we don’t know the exact location, the traditional site is called the Cove of the Sower and has been identified because of the naturally created acoustics. Still to this day, if one stands on the edge of the shore, one’s voice can be carried to great distances.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://ferrelljenkins.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cove-of-sower_aerial_fjenkins051111_3588t.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://ferrelljenkins.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cove-of-sower_aerial_fjenkins051111_3588t.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cove of the Sower by Ferrell Jenkins</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In this parable, Jesus describes a sower who casts his seeds, which fall in four main areas. The first seeds fell on the path, where they were trampled on and eaten by birds. Next, some seeds fell on rocky ground where they could not grow roots deep into the soil and thus whithered in the hot sun. Other seeds fell among thorns which eventually choked out the young tender plants. Finally, some of the seeds were planted in fertile, moist soil, where they could take root and produce a crop.</p><p>To the Savior’s audience at the time, this parable of a sower planting seeds would have been a familiar story. Most of his listeners would have personally planted and harvested crops for their entire life. However, for a modern audience, the parable at times can be difficult to understand. Planting and harvesting techniques have changed significantly over the past two thousand years, which can lead to misinterpretations. With this in mind, let’s get our hands a little dirty so to speak and learn about ancient farming.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpzSdnUJAuPR_9dt8vqwJ8iVmZAetPAKuMj2apjntMRAdpr9DNL84kglyJOLZkxH86pTCcXbJOTSHs9lL3RAK2q79evmVRSWUkL1PdKI3MUIm5WRXgGoNQHBcjWnU2BxqQ4j_ehOlpGJ7/s2048/Sower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="2048" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpzSdnUJAuPR_9dt8vqwJ8iVmZAetPAKuMj2apjntMRAdpr9DNL84kglyJOLZkxH86pTCcXbJOTSHs9lL3RAK2q79evmVRSWUkL1PdKI3MUIm5WRXgGoNQHBcjWnU2BxqQ4j_ehOlpGJ7/w640-h362/Sower.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four types of soil</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Many farmers in ancient Israel did not own their own land. Rather, they would receive an annual stewardship of a plot assigned to them by the local leadership. Each individual farmer would mark their plot of land, not with a fence as is common today, but rather by some sort of a landmarker, such as a tree, a pile of rocks, or other notable feature. Without fencing, little paths would be used so farmers could access their pieces of land. This is likely what Jesus refers to as the first type of soil where the seeds fall on the paths and are eaten by the birds. Jesus tells us that this represents those who hear the word, but because they don’t understand, the evil one takes away the seeds that had been planted in their heart.</p><p>After the previous crops were harvested, the fields were then burned. This put the ash and other minerals back into the soil. Animals would then be allowed to roam the land rummaging for food leaving behind manure and thus fertilizing the soil. In such an arid climate, the hot sun would bake the ground and manure leaving behind hard, cracked soil.</p><p>While Israel is dry throughout much of the year, with almost no rain from May to October, when it does rain, it pours. In fact, Jerusalem receives about the same amount of rain as London, but in less than half (40%) the number of days. This rain falls predominantly during two seasons known as the “former” or “early” rains and the “latter” rains. The early rains begin in November and December, softening the soil so that seeds can be planted and the land can be tilled. The “latter rains” come in March and early April nourishing the planted crops, with the harvest of barley coming at Passover around March or April, and the harvest of wheat at the Feast of Weeks in May or June.</p><p>Unlike modern farming when crops are watered using ditches, flood irrigation, or sprinklers, anciently most farmers in Israel practiced what is known as dry farming, with rain as the only source of moisture. This means that it was crucial to plant crops during the rainy season. It also meant that to preserve as much water as possible in the soil, rocks were often left on the ground providing both shade and places where the water could pool. This is very different from early American and European farming where rocks were removed from the fields and used to build the fences around the property. This would likely be what Jesus was referring to for the second type of soil, the rocky ground. It represents those who initially receive the word with joy, but because they have no root, when times of trouble come, their joy proves to be short-lived and they fall away.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQO9K6FlWDfgK9Rp2jT8sACCs3NDclo9mZsJWgm62lEtWRIKVBKSi19XA7AsEhgo855BurH29CN2M9GI_njyMi9WJEfPU9l8n74qX6FE8cvY8jGHY_2qw3QLDduaL64CXt4zNxwKwP8sp/s2048/STEMLER3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="2048" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQO9K6FlWDfgK9Rp2jT8sACCs3NDclo9mZsJWgm62lEtWRIKVBKSi19XA7AsEhgo855BurH29CN2M9GI_njyMi9WJEfPU9l8n74qX6FE8cvY8jGHY_2qw3QLDduaL64CXt4zNxwKwP8sp/w640-h357/STEMLER3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sower by O.A. Stemler</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Once the soil was softened by rain, the farmer first cast the seeds on the ground. Next, animals were used to pull a plow to till the land and mix the seeds into the soil. Because the seeds are sown before the land is plowed, they might fall upon thorny ground, or where weeds and thistles grow. These unwelcome plants choke out the growing seeds by taking the light and water. The thorny ground represents those who hear the word but let the cares of the world and the deceit of wealth choke out the word, and thus never become fruitful.</p><p>And finally we learn of the seeds that fall in moist, fertile soil. The good soil represents those who hear and embrace the word. It is they who can produce a crop which yields many more seeds than used to sow, yielding as much as 30, 60, or even 100 times the original number of seeds planted. </p><p>This powerful parable, as one can imagine, can have multiple meanings or interpretations. The sower can represent God or those authorized to act on his behalf. The seed, Jesus tells us, is the word. This could be the gospel of Jesus Christ or even the Savior himself for he tells us “I am the Word” (see John 1:1). </p><p>As we read the Parable of the Sower, we might ask, where do the words of Christ fall in our lives? Do they fall on trampled paths, rocky soil, thorny ground, or good soil? In Ephesians we are encouraged to let the word of Christ take root in the fertile ground of our hearts. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may … know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17,19).</p><p>For those of us who have Jesus Christ deeply rooted in our hearts, what are we doing with it? Are we seeking to multiply the Savior’s love by sharing it with others? Are we constantly working and tending the soil of our hearts so that the planted seeds can continue to flourish? As we find joy in studying the words of Christ, we will find strength to withstand the thorns, rocks, birds, and even the harsh rays of the sun beating down upon us. As we do so, the refreshing living waters that comes from the Savior will provide the life-giving nourishment we need to grow and flourish.</p><p><i>Script written by Heather Ruth Pack</i></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>The information about ancient agriculture is based on the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Life-Holy-Land-James-ebook/dp/B07GB2J4CS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=everyday+life+in+the+holy+land+james+neil&qid=1614524524&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Everyday Life in the Holy Land</a> by James Neil.</div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-40301625107371817932021-01-31T08:23:00.004-07:002021-01-31T08:38:45.068-07:00Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m_e8BmSz4j8?controls=0" width="560"></iframe></div><p></p><p>While in Capernaum, Jesus healed the mother of Peter’s wife who was severely ill with a fever. Once healed, she immediately began to serve Jesus and those who were with him. This story shows the great redeeming love of the Savior for this faithful woman, Peter, his family, and all of mankind. </p><p>To better understand the significance of this miracle, let’s first look at the life of Peter and his household. Peter’s family lived in the small fishing village of Capernaum near the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Peter was a fisherman by trade who owned possibly at least two boats and worked with his brother Andrew and several partners (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/5.1-7?lang=eng&clang=eng#p1" target="_blank">Luke 5:1-7</a>). The family lived in the center of town only a short distance from the synagogue. In 1968, archeologists believed they found Peter’s dwelling when they discovered the remains of a first-century home. Because two ancient Christian churches were later built over the site, there is a strong likelihood this is the very home where this miracle took place. The home was typical for Capernaum with multiple dwellings clustered around an L-shaped courtyard. Here in this home lived Peter, his wife, his wife’s mother, his brother Andrew and likely others (see Mark 1:29-31). As it was customary for a son to care for his own parents, the fact that Peter is caring for his wife’s mother shows an added measure of devotion by Peter for this woman.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_62g5eQ9H3jcSOCzTosu99zBLq2rHWTGXJIgd8RWqfW1md_NYbg7E043QBmrVsERH1tWALNt_RVpk17folSc0rmP2_q4VoZQSn35oHSqThbU47zsIFdC6sF4qJvB7C1Um9dIieFkwWx-n/s2048/Peter%2527s+home+Capernaum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_62g5eQ9H3jcSOCzTosu99zBLq2rHWTGXJIgd8RWqfW1md_NYbg7E043QBmrVsERH1tWALNt_RVpk17folSc0rmP2_q4VoZQSn35oHSqThbU47zsIFdC6sF4qJvB7C1Um9dIieFkwWx-n/w640-h360/Peter%2527s+home+Capernaum.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3D model of Peter's home in Capernaum by Ethan Fullmer</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The story takes place shortly after Jesus begins his ministry. According to Luke, the healing happens even before Peter was asked to leave his family to be a disciple of Christ. Previously, Jesus had been in Nazareth where he declared to those in the synagogue that he was the Messiah. This angered the elders and Jesus was run out of his hometown where they wanted to throw him off of a cliff. Because he was rejected, Jesus left the angry crowd and traveled to Capernaum to teach the people there. On the Sabbath day, Jesus teaches at the synagogue near Peter’s home where the people are astonished by his words and his power. A man who is possessed with a demon begins to shout. Jesus casts out the evil spirit without harming the man. Word quickly spreads of the Master’s miraculous power. </p><p>According to the oral law prescribed by Jewish leaders, healing was not to be done on the Sabbath if the person’s life was not in immediate danger. The leadership saw Jesus as breaking this “tradition” by healing this man; however, Jesus had not broken any of the commandments.</p><p>It is at this point that Peter and Andrew let Jesus know that the mother of Peter’s wife is sick with a fever. Luke, who is likely a physician, describes her as being oppressed and greatly suffering from her condition (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/4.38?lang=eng&clang=eng#p38" target="_blank">Luke 4:38</a>). In short, she is very ill indeed. </p><p>Jesus, James, and John enter Peter’s home. Jesus approaches Peter’s mother-in-law “And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/1.31?lang=eng&clang=eng#p31" target="_blank">Mark 1:31</a>). </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabKDuWHpGyLF34eZ6i5z9YqLD78xiL-SEowCg5UwDm7dqE9KrOLISvIGBouXL2BUp3nrYS_aGHAAT_fq9_bWKptghAzmUW1U5_qf5WB8SUUUb72uUo0zoAiAmatNytpYxiWMzPScd-SHw/s2048/JOHNSON+Peter%2527s+mother+in+law+is+healed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabKDuWHpGyLF34eZ6i5z9YqLD78xiL-SEowCg5UwDm7dqE9KrOLISvIGBouXL2BUp3nrYS_aGHAAT_fq9_bWKptghAzmUW1U5_qf5WB8SUUUb72uUo0zoAiAmatNytpYxiWMzPScd-SHw/w640-h414/JOHNSON+Peter%2527s+mother+in+law+is+healed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus takes Peter's mother-in-law by the hand by James Johnson</td></tr></tbody></table><p>By holding her hand and raising her from her sickbed, Jesus is breaking a cultural norm. According to the Jewish leadership, touching a woman to whom he is not related could make a man ritually unclean. Jesus, however, is not concerned about the traditions of man. With the Savior’s touch, the woman is instantly healed, “and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/8.15?lang=eng&clang=eng#p15" target="_blank">Matthew 8:15</a>).</p><p>Like Jesus, this faithful woman, now healed, breaks tradition by preparing a meal on the Sabbath. To avoid cooking on the Sabbath, Jewish women would often use what is known as a Sabbath warmer. They would prepare the food on the previous day and stoke the fire before sunset. The prepared food would then be placed on a shelf above the fire keeping it warm on the Sabbath. Additionally, guests were not normally entertained in one’s home on the Sabbath. However, this woman’s first thought, once free from her illness, is to show her gratitude and devotion to the Lord by serving Jesus and others.</p><p>Jesus has done much more than just heal this sick woman. He has now provided a way for her to help take care of her daughter and the household. This loving act ensures that these women will be cared for in Peter and Andrew’s absence when they leave their fishing nets and families to become disciples of Christ. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxhYZCRGNsT_FPrc86v_ZmLsYLAEmGrOwRMk9OH3k74ZG7evttD5vsr0BUHOdtDFh7Q3RNCtk34SD5z6UixAJHMvKikiDMzKe-KpPnuRHVcYju2zu8hlP8LpMF53BHoHSsB0gtM2MOK4l/s2048/BRIDGES+Christ+heals+Peter%2527s+mother+in+law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="2048" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxhYZCRGNsT_FPrc86v_ZmLsYLAEmGrOwRMk9OH3k74ZG7evttD5vsr0BUHOdtDFh7Q3RNCtk34SD5z6UixAJHMvKikiDMzKe-KpPnuRHVcYju2zu8hlP8LpMF53BHoHSsB0gtM2MOK4l/w640-h454/BRIDGES+Christ+heals+Peter%2527s+mother+in+law.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law by John Bridges</td></tr></tbody></table><p>At the close of the Sabbath day, which would be at dusk, Mark records that the people “brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/1.32-33?lang=eng&clang=eng#p32" target="_blank">Mark 1:32-33</a>). It is interesting to note that the home that was discovered in 1968 has an open area on the street entrance to the courtyard, allowing for a large group to congregate outside the home just as Mark describes. They appear to wait till sunset, the end of the Sabbath, to be healed so as to not break the cultural norms surrounding the Sabbath day. The Savior has compassion on them and blesses each one.</p><p>When we read this story in the Bible, we may ask how it applies to our own lives. How can we follow Peter’s mother-in-law’s example? Do we accept the healing touch of our Savior? Are we willing to show our gratitude for him by serving the Lord and others? Even if it means shedding cultural traditions? Do we look for opportunities, especially on the Sabbath day, to minister to and lift those around us? </p><p>The story of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law shows us how she and her daughter have become witnesses of Christ as the Messiah. In a single day, they have seen him heal someone in their congregation, their own family, and those in their community. While they don’t leave with Peter and Andrew to preach the gospel, they too have answered the call to follow Christ and make great sacrifices as the men in their family leave. They too now stand as a witness that Christ has come to save all the world. </p><p>Just as Christ healed this faithful woman, he can heal us. He will comfort us. He will mourn with us. He will free us. All we need to do is heed his call, “Come, follow me.”</p><p><i>Script written by Heather Ruth Pack</i></p><div><br /></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-36440212127594956982020-12-24T14:30:00.000-07:002020-12-25T09:16:34.860-07:00What was the birth of Jesus like?<div style="text-align: center;">
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Ask almost anyone about the setting of the birth of Christ, and you will likely be told about a stable, a wooden manger filled with hay, animals surrounding the baby Jesus, and snow falling outside as the shepherds enter the stable to worship the king of Kings. The problem is that this depiction, though we've heard it many times, is likely far from what actually took place on this night of nights.<br />
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To better understand the more probable setting of the Nativity, it's first helpful to understand a little about the natural landscape of Israel, and in particular Bethlehem. The land of Israel is covered with stones, hills and caves. In fact there is so much stone that most ancient homes would have been built almost exclusively of stonework, only using lumber for building aspects like the roof, ceilings, and doors. Trees were a limited, valuable resource, so they choose to build from the more abundant supply of stones. Caves were also commonly used, and it is probable that the "stable" which is not even mentioned in scripture, was located in one of the caves surrounding the hills of Bethlehem. These caves were a perfect place to keep animals, as it was cool during the hot days, and warmer during the cooler nights. [1] It also was a naturally built fortification, so little work would be required to build it, except for adding a fence and gate at the entrance.<br />
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Also, that wooden manger filled with hay, well, it actually would be made of stone as well. Many ancient stone mangers have been found in Israel of different sizes, shorter ones for animals like sheep and goats, and taller mangers for animals like horses and donkeys. The mangers were generally block-like in shape, and were only about six to eight inches deep. In addition, mangers were not used for hay, but instead for watering animals, as cutting and storing grass for feed was not necessary because of the warmer climate. Because Israel really only has a rainy season and a dry season, with little to no snow, grass is available all throughout the year. [2]<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiCn6vwUNmQ-HWjiA6dG49rf85kYvYsN6z62JRzbMT7vB1p-A_cPCO_twclUemzX_BUqEANXbYo-CH1cLbTGOuv4wDKikpxspJlvrlOwXUHMVm4dJkwXNyIzKoRV7rKggj-3-jphCTIr7/s1600/Stone-manger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiCn6vwUNmQ-HWjiA6dG49rf85kYvYsN6z62JRzbMT7vB1p-A_cPCO_twclUemzX_BUqEANXbYo-CH1cLbTGOuv4wDKikpxspJlvrlOwXUHMVm4dJkwXNyIzKoRV7rKggj-3-jphCTIr7/s400/Stone-manger.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone manger found in Tel Megiddo in Israel</td></tr>
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So why do we so often see a wooden stable and a manger filled with hay? Well, because most early Christian artists who depicted the Nativity, lived in Europe, where trees were readily accessible, winters were cold so that you had to store hay, and mangers were made of wood, and used to feed the animals.<br />
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Oh, and what about all those animals, especially the sheep, donkey and the ox that are in virtually every Nativity scene? Well, once again, the birth accounts of Jesus never mentions other animals being present, it only mentions that there was a manger, implying that there would be animals. So where do the animals come from? The sheep are there, most likely because of the shepherds. The ox and donkey however, come from, interestingly enough, a prophecy of Isaiah. The verse states: "The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner's <i>manger</i>, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand" (<a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/1-3.htm" target="_blank">Isaiah 1:3</a>). In other words, an ox and a donkey can recognize who feeds and waters them, but Israel could not recognize God's hand in their lives. Because this verse refers to a manger, or a crib as translated in the King James Bible, later Christians decided to incorporate an ox and a donkey into the story. [3]<br />
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Understanding the setting of the birth of Jesus, not only gives us a more realistic picture of this significant event, but also it seems to foreshadow the mission and death of Christ. At his birth, Jesus was likely born in a stone cave because there was no room in the inn, wrapped in linen swaddling bands, and laid in a stone manger. At his death, Jesus was buried in a borrowed stone tomb, wrapped in white linen, and laid on a slab of limestone. In addition, how appropriate that the great Messiah, the one who provides eternal living water (see <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/4.14?lang=eng#13" target="_blank">John 4:14</a>), was laid as an infant in a watering trough. It seems that even from the very beginning, the events of the life of Christ, were meant to point to and foreshadow the most important part of His life, that of His atonement, death and resurrection.<br />
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[1] <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stone-Manger-Untold-Story-Christmas-ebook/dp/B006IWV87I/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1482360864&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Stone Manger</a>, by Jeffrey R. Chadwick - location 788 of 2025<br />
[2] <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stone-Manger-Untold-Story-Christmas-ebook/dp/B006IWV87I/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1482360864&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Stone Manger</a>, location 189 of 2025<br />
[2] <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Origins-Christmas-Joseph-Kelly-PhD/dp/0814629849/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482361350&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Origins+of+Christmas" target="_blank">The Origins of Christmas</a>, by Joseph F. Kelly, page 36-37<br />
<br />Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-27776203436531593832020-12-20T08:41:00.000-07:002020-12-20T08:41:08.343-07:00Who Were the Shepherds<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/22ZKEcTYDPo?controls=0" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The shepherds who came to worship the Christ child have been revered and honored by Christians for centuries. They are seen as symbols of humility, honor, and devotion. However, at the time of Christ, the people would likely have seen shepherds in a far less positive light. Yet, the Lord chose them to be one of the first witnesses of his birth. From this story we can learn that the Savior often calls the weak things of the world to testify of him.</p><p>During the first century, sheep were a critical part of ancient life. They provided wool for clothing and milk and meat for food. Perhaps most significant, sheep were used as part of the temple sacrifices. Every morning and evening a lamb was offered on the altar of sacrifice as a symbol of Israel’s constant daily need for a remission of their sins.</p><p>Even though caring for these important sheep was a critical occupation, shepherds were not typically held in high esteem. They generally didn’t own their own property. They travelled from place to place, and lived in tents like vagabonds. Their sheep grazed on land not owned by the shepherd. Unlike the educated Scribes or Pharisees, who were respected in society, shepherds held very little social or religious status. Yet, throughout the scriptures we read of several prophets and kings who were shepherds including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. Even though not valued by society, God clearly loved shepherds. </p><p>Let us now look more closely at these particular shepherds who were chosen by God to be special witnesses of Christ. Luke tells us that they were watching their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem, a small village just outside of Jerusalem. Because of Bethlehem’s close proximity to the Temple and the large number of sheep that would be needed for the daily sacrifices, many scholars believe these shepherds were actually temple shepherds. If this is the case, then most of these sheep would eventually be offered as sacrifices to the Lord.</p><p>Luke also gives us an indication as to the time of year this miraculous event occured. He states that the shepherds were “abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8). During lambing season, shepherds stayed with their flocks both day and night. They lived among the sheep or “abided in the fields” so they could attend the birth of a new lamb. Because ewes were known to have potentially two or even three lambs born at once, it was necessary for the shepherd to watch for the firstborn of a new mother. As part of the law of Moses, the firstborn lambs were to be offered to the Lord as a special sacrifice. This would mean that the shepherd would need to mark the firstborn, possibly with a red ribbon, to set it apart from the other newborn lambs.</p><p>As these shepherds watched over their flock, suddenly an angel appeared unto them in the dark of night and said “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” One can only imagine the fear that filled their hearts, which was quickly changed to great joy! The long awaited Messiah had been born! For centuries Israel had waited for the great deliverer to come, and he was now here!</p><p>The angel then gives the shepherds a sign so that they will be able to recognize the child. “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12). While finding a newborn wrapped in swaddling clothes would not have been unusual, to find him lying in a manger, a stone trough used to hold water for animals, would have been highly unusual. </p><p>The shepherds leave immediately leaving everything behind and with great haste search for their Messiah. This would have been no easy task. Ancient homes would have no street addresses. People would need to ask villagers for help to find the home of their acquaintance. These shepherds most likely would have done this in the middle of the night, eager to find their Savior, Christ the Lord. </p><p>The shepherds’ errand is reminiscent of when the prophet Samuel went searching for a king. It is in Bethlehem he finds a young boy tending the flocks in the field. Samuel anoints the young David to be the King of Israel. For this reason, Bethlehem is known as the city of David, the birthplace of the king who united Israel and prepared the way for the building of the temple. These shepherds are now searching in this same city for King David’s heir who is to be the King of Kings.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVET5FGid6xSJ00cgFP5o8y-oxlXY9yZVhwUWtoLGXb-IJp_ER0YCdLyJ1Nl5thyphenhyphenaCECsD1WjA7fttqbffzkq21G51W4tEWFMlWznkZrE5C1PrBTXPSg_KWPUiKwukLx7LKfSRECNzCRFx/s1464/Adoration+of+the+shepherds+-+Gospel+Images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1464" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVET5FGid6xSJ00cgFP5o8y-oxlXY9yZVhwUWtoLGXb-IJp_ER0YCdLyJ1Nl5thyphenhyphenaCECsD1WjA7fttqbffzkq21G51W4tEWFMlWznkZrE5C1PrBTXPSg_KWPUiKwukLx7LKfSRECNzCRFx/w400-h295/Adoration+of+the+shepherds+-+Gospel+Images.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adoration of the Shepherds by <a href="https://www.gospelimages.com/paintings/18/adoration-of-the-shepherds" target="_blank">Jan Hoff</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Upon finding the Christ child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, just as the angel described, the shepherds worshipped him and then made this wonderful news known abroad. As ones whose occupation was to witness the birth of the firstborn, shepherds were the perfect witnesses of the firstborn of God who had come to earth as the Savior and Messiah. Despite being on the lowest rung in society, the shepherds’ message caused others to marvel in wonder at the glorious news. </p><p>We may often feel like the shepherds: unworthy, uneducated, unnoticed by the world. Yet the Lord most often calls the humble and weak of the world to stand as witnesses of him. He knows of the powerful testimony we each can share. We too can go in haste and find the Savior in this world of darkness and despair. While we may feel unqualified to spread the good news of the gospel, no matter our status, our wealth, our occupation, or our qualifications, we too can be like the shepherds. We can spread the news abroad to all who will hear. For unto us a child is born, even Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. </p><p><i>Script written by Heather Ruth Pack and Daniel Smith</i></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-45540447045488246952020-11-29T06:00:00.000-07:002020-11-29T07:18:30.683-07:00What the Genealogy of Jesus Teaches Us About the Messiah<div style="text-align: center;">
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The story of the birth of Jesus Christ has been told for centuries. The account usually begins with the <a href="https://youtu.be/857Tvx9rSCE" target="_blank">annunciation</a> to Mary or the appearance of the angel to the shepherds, yet Matthew begins his Nativity story with the genealogy of Jesus (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/1.1-17?lang=eng" target="_blank">Matthew 1:1-17</a>). The long list of names intermingled with almost 40 "begats" can cause us to skim or even skip this portion completely. But Matthew appears to be teaching us a powerful message about the Messiah by recording His lineage. Let’s see if we can discover some of these lessons.<br />
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Matthew divides the genealogy into three main sections of fourteen names each. The first section lists the patriarchs, the second lists kings, and the third lists names of people mostly unknown to us (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/1.17?lang=eng#16" target="_blank">Matthew 1:17</a>).<br />
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<b>First Section</b><br />
The genealogy begins with Matthew stating, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham" (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/1.1?lang=eng#1" target="_blank">Matthew 1:1</a>). This first section recounts the names of the great patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These were each men of great faith who with their wives left us great examples of righteousness. Right from the start, Matthew appears to be giving us a key to understanding his message, that of the promises made to Abraham, the great Patriarchal prophet. Each of these men were promised that through their seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed, a blessing that would be fully realized only through the birth and coming of the Messiah.<br />
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<b>Second Section</b><br />
The second section includes a list of Judah’s kings from David to the Babylonian captivity, emphasizing the importance of the dynasty of King David. David was seen by the Jews as one of their greatest kings. Through him the nation of Israel was united. Under his command, the temple was built by his son Solomon. Through his seed the nation was ruled by the line of the kings. Only two of the fourteen kings mentioned though were considered righteous—very few of the kings actually sought to guide their people to the Lord. [1] The true King of Kings in David’s royal line would only be fulfilled through Christ, the anointed one (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-sam/7.11-16?lang=eng&clang=eng#10" target="_blank">2 Samuel 7:11-16</a>). <br />
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<b>Third Section </b><br />
The last section lists names of those that are otherwise mostly unknown in the Bible. Matthew shows us the critical role these unknown helpers played in the birth of our Savior. We can easily view ourselves as nothing special when compared to great spiritual and political leaders like the prophets and kings in the previous two sections. But just like the unnamed widow who offered her two mites, our contribution—no matter how small—is acceptable before the Lord (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/21.1-4?lang=eng&clang=eng#1" target="_blank">Luke 21:1-4</a>).<br />
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From these divisions we can see that God is able to work through the spiritually powerful, the politically powerful, and the commoners that appear to be powerless. It teaches us that each of us can play a critical role in helping to build the kingdom of God. [2]<br />
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Another intriguing aspect of Matthew’s genealogy is the inclusion of five particular women. Women are rarely mentioned in genealogies in the Bible (or anciently) except to teach a message or connect a name to a particular story. Thus, it would again seem that Matthew is trying to teach us something by including their names. Four of these women could be considered to have questionable or suspect backgrounds: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. <br />
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The first woman, Tamar, dressed as a harlot so that Judah, her father-in-law, would give her a descendent because of the Levirate law of marriage, which was her legal right (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/38.13-30?lang=eng&clang=eng#12" target="_blank">Genesis 38:13-30</a>). Rahab, often called a harlot, though possibly just an innkeeper, was a Canaanite woman who lived in Jericho and helped hide the Israelite spies before they prepared to conquer the city (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/josh/2?lang=eng&clang=eng" target="_blank">Joshua 2</a>). Ruth, though a faithful and incredible woman, was a Moabite and not of Israel making her a foreigner (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ruth/1.1-18?lang=eng&clang=eng#1" target="_blank">Ruth 1:1-18</a>). Bathsheba, perhaps a Hittite like her husband, was seduced by David and likely always seen as tainted by this act committed against her (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-sam/11.1-5?lang=eng&clang=eng#1" target="_blank">2 Samuel 11:1-5</a>).<br />
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Because of their backgrounds, each of these women were likely looked down upon at some point in their lives. Yet Matthew reminds us of their great contribution as heroes of the Bible. The last woman mentioned is Mary. Like the other four women, she too had a suspect background because of the miraculous yet misunderstood way she conceived the Christ child. Perhaps Matthew was trying to teach his audience that if you question Mary’s story, remember that many of the greatest prophets and rulers came from women who might have been questioned by society. [3]<br />
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As we read the genealogy of Jesus Christ and consider the people mentioned in His lineage, we learn from this long list that different types of people were used so that God’s Beloved Son could come to earth. Whether a righteous prophet, an imperfect leader, an unknown helper, or someone with a questionable background or reputation, all are known to the Lord. No matter our status, background, or station in life, we too can have our name added to the long beautiful list of those who play a critical role in gathering Israel in preparation for Christ’s second coming to earth.<br />
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<i>Special thanks to <a href="https://acertainenglishmanswife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Heather Pack</a> who helped write the script for this video.</i><br />
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[1] <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Christ-Advent-Raymond-Brown/dp/0814615872" target="_blank">A Coming Christ in Advent</a> by Raymond E. Brown, pg. 21<br />
[2] See <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Advent-Savior-Commentary-Infancy-Narratives/dp/0814624103" target="_blank">Advent of the Savior</a> by Stephen J. Binz, pg. 15-16 for commentary on the three sections<br />
[3] <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Christ-Advent-Raymond-Brown/dp/0814615872" target="_blank">A Coming Christ in Advent</a>, pg. 23-24Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667816923565672485.post-2842879204496121032020-11-22T08:30:00.001-07:002020-11-22T08:30:38.332-07:00Jesus and the Sinful Woman<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jzo-1n6h6JI?controls=0" width="560"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: left;">The story of Jesus with the sinful woman found in <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/7.36-50?lang=eng&clang=eng#p36" target="_blank">Luke 7</a> teaches us a powerful lesson in love and service. As Jesus dined at the home of Simon the Pharisee, a woman entered uninvited and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, and anointed his feet with fragrant oil. After Simon criticized Jesus for allowing her to do so, the Savior taught him and all of us of the importance of accepting others. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Anciently, to invite a guest into one’s home was seen as a great gesture of friendship and even a way to make a covenant with another. Breaking bread together was often used as a sign or a token to show that two enemies once at war were now at peace. Welcoming one into the home served as a symbol that the guest was a trusted individual. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Once a guest arrived, a host would do a series of acts in order for their visitor to feel welcomed and comfortable. It was common for a guest to be greeted with a kiss by the host, similar to shaking hands today. Because the roads were dusty and most wore sandals, feet were washed as a sign of generosity as this would have been the dirtiest part of the body. Lying sideways on cushions around the table, the feet would be extended making it easy for servants or a slave to perform the lowly task. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Another common act of hospitality would be the anointing with oil. Ancient people did not bathe frequently and often worked long hours in the sun. Consequently, guests would appreciate when a host poured sweet-smelling fragrant oil on their parched, dry skin. While just a drop is used today for many religious services, a generous amount would have been poured on the head. As oils were expensive, particularly when enhanced with spices, flowers, and other fragrances, such an act would be considered a generous gift by the host.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAT-5aZnGVvOXK-tUnwGYPbKiGmc0euWqbYvc4W0ym3wfpeDlmrGnhG8M6LdUOX5YwQja3kmTyr1i2VyK3qOByc4AQ_muISZjDSAoj2jQowsI6d02XNRNJDEi6RXnOOked9sFmZ3aqVDX/s2048/HOFF+Jesus+anointed+by+a+sinful+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAT-5aZnGVvOXK-tUnwGYPbKiGmc0euWqbYvc4W0ym3wfpeDlmrGnhG8M6LdUOX5YwQja3kmTyr1i2VyK3qOByc4AQ_muISZjDSAoj2jQowsI6d02XNRNJDEi6RXnOOked9sFmZ3aqVDX/w640-h480/HOFF+Jesus+anointed+by+a+sinful+woman.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus anointed by a sinful woman by <a href="https://www.gospelimages.com/paintings/41/jesus-anointed-by-a-sinful-woman?" target="_blank">Jan van 't Hoff</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">With this context in mind, let’s now consider the events that occurred in <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/7.36-50?lang=eng&clang=eng#p36" target="_blank">Luke Chapter 7</a>. Simon, a Pharisee, was a man of prominence and most likely invited Jesus into his home due to the Savior’s reputation and popularity. Despite his status, Simon does not provide any of the common acts of hospitality. However, an uninvited woman with a reputation for being sinful, does offer true generosity. She must have heard that Jesus was in the home and came seeking the Savior. She makes her way into Simon’s home uninvited. Uncovering her hair, she kneels at the feet of Jesus. With all the guests looking on most likely with shock, she washes Jesus’ feet with her tears. Now clean from the dust of the road, his feet are then dried with her hair. One can only imagine the tense feeling in the room. Next, she anointed his feet with the precious oil that she has brought in an alabaster flask or jar. </p><p style="text-align: left;">This woman’s washing of Jesus’ feet does not go unnoticed by Simon. Anciently, unlike today, men normally would not touch women they were not related to fearing it could potentially make them ritually unclean. Because of this, Simon criticizes Jesus for allowing himself to be touched by this woman, one whom this Pharisee calls a sinner.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Jesus responds to this criticism with a parable of two debtors. One debtor owed 500 pence or what a common laborer made in about 8 years. The second owed 50 pence or about 10 months of wages. Jesus then says that both debts were frankly forgiven by the creditor. [1] He asks Simon, “Now which of them will love him more?” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%207%3A42&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 7:42 NIV</a>) </p><p style="text-align: left;">The pharisee answers by selecting the one who owed ten times as much. Jesus confirms that Simon has judged correctly. He then points out that Simon has made little effort to show hospitality, yet this woman has shown the Lord an abundance of love and generosity. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The Master then turns to the woman and offers her a gift of far greater value than the precious oil she has used to anoint his feet. Jesus tells her, “Your sins are forgiven...Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+7%3A48%2C+50+NIV&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 7:48, 50 NIV</a>).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42xyt5hBgW6siVFk0EBLUIN638Ym_3TuxzgJgiKlVn-3mDg0cwZ5kmXBMSyMXZn8big2sme6G4D7u8lDHdw6-VwVAqtPmHvOrGusN5EmJM-RBtWimTjBNFHZC8oSHnNWDuShJKypyXjhs/s2048/MIRONOV+Christ+and+the+sinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="2048" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42xyt5hBgW6siVFk0EBLUIN638Ym_3TuxzgJgiKlVn-3mDg0cwZ5kmXBMSyMXZn8big2sme6G4D7u8lDHdw6-VwVAqtPmHvOrGusN5EmJM-RBtWimTjBNFHZC8oSHnNWDuShJKypyXjhs/w640-h366/MIRONOV+Christ+and+the+sinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christ and the sinner by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christ_and_the_sinner.jpg" target="_blank">Andrei Mironov</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">The Savior teaches us here that he is willing to forgive everyone, even those who others may not be willing to accept or forgive. All have a path towards redemption. As a woman of poor reputation in her community, she was willing to risk the possibility of being ridiculed by seeking diligently for the Savior. She did this to show her great love and devotion for the Lord. This woman is an example of faith to all of us. As we seek the Savior, we should not fear what others may think of us. What only matters is what the Lord thinks of us. It is remarkable that Christ never calls her the sinful woman. Instead, he sees her for her true character and gives her a much more appropriate description, he says, “for she loved much” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/7.47?lang=eng&clang=eng#p47" target="_blank">Luke 7:47</a>).</p><p style="text-align: left;">As we think of this beautiful story, do we ever find ourselves treating others how Simon treated Jesus and the woman—with a lack of hospitality, patience, or acceptance? Will we graciously welcome the Savior as a guest into our home? Can we make space for those who want to be with the Lord and seek him out? Or do we choose to socialize only with those who look or think like us. The Savior clearly teaches us that we must love and be accepting of everyone, including those of different beliefs or ideas. We all are children of our loving Heavenly Father, and like this faithful woman, we all have a seat at the Lord’s table.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Script written by <a href="http://www.acertainenglishmanswife.com/" target="_blank">Heather Ruth Pack</a></i></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;">[1] Halverson, T. Was the Denarius a Daily Wage? A Note on the Parable of the Two Debtors in Luke 7:40–43. Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 36 (2020): 139-144</div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148760171162762788noreply@blogger.com2