Day 1 August 10 - Matthew 1-7

[pam]

Discussion

[Seanette]

Uh, sorry about the typo in the spreadsheet. I meant to have today set for Matthew 1-6, with 7-12 being tomorrow ( I did try to spread the reading out relatively evenly!). Oh well, by tomorrow all will be OK. I’m mostly sticking to the actual Scriptures (both King James Version and the Joseph Smith Translation), but am reading the relevant parts of the New Testament Seminary manual for background info. According to the Seminary manual, Matthew was apparently writing with a Jewish audience in mind, citing the Old Testament more than in any other Gospel and referring back to fulfilled prophecies.
Matthew 1 – Joseph’s genealogy is given. Joseph finds that his fiancée, Mary, is pregnant and since he knows he’s not the father, is inclined to quietly break off with her (under Jewish law at that time, infidelity during the espousal (engagement) period was considered equivalent to adultery and he could have had her stoned as an adulteress, but did not wish her to come to harm). An angel visits him and explains the miraculous circumstances under which she became pregnant. Reassured, he goes through with the marriage, and her son, Jesus is born.
Matthew 2 – Wise men arrive from the east seeking Jesus, whom they refer to as the King of the Jews. After a meeting with Herod (Roman-appointed governor), in which Herod asks them to report back to him when they find Jesus, they follow a new star and find Him. They give gifts and worship Him, then depart by a different route to go home and avoid Herod. Joseph is warned in a dream that he needs to take his family to Egypt, and obeys. Herod orders the slaughter of all children ages two and under. John the Baptist, according to the Prophet Joseph Smith, was hidden by his mother, and his father was killed for not revealing his whereabouts. After Herod’s death, Joseph follows instructions given by an angel via dream and brings his family back to Nazareth, where Jesus grows up with His siblings and waits for it to be time for His ministry to begin. (When I first saw Prince of Egypt near Christmas, it occurred to me that the arrivals of both Moses and Jesus were marked by the wholesale slaughter of children. Considering how prevalent abortion and other causes of widespread child death are in our current world, how far can we be from Christ’s return?)
Matthew 3 – John the Baptist preaches repentance, baptizes, and prophesies of one greater than him who will come after him and baptize with the Holy Ghost. Jesus persuades John to baptize Him to fulfill all righteousness (if the Perfect One required baptism, surely everyone else does as well!). At His baptism, the Holy Ghost manifests in the sign of a dove, and the Father’s voice is heard from heaven, identifying Jesus as His Beloved Son and expressing pleasure with Him.
Matthew 4 – Here, the JST is very helpful in making sense of the events of that 40 days in the desert. A perfect individual would not deliberately seek out temptation as the KJV portrays. The JST has Jesus preparing for His ministry by communing with His Father (talk about an intense MTC!). After this preparation, Satan tries to tempt Jesus with material goods, Divine protection, and worldly riches and power (all of which are His to begin with! Satan wasn’t offering anything that Jesus did not already have). Jesus rebuffs him with Scripture. Jesus begins His ministry by starting to preach. He begins calling disciples and continues to preach, plus healing the sick and afflicted.
Matthew 5 – Compare 3 Nephi 12. The JST indicates this sermon was directed to the disciples (rather MTC-ish, it seems to me), rather than to all the followers. Still, a lot of the advice is good for all. This is the first part of the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes are given, and it is clarified that Jesus is giving a higher law than the Law of Moses. He preaches against divorce or taking oaths (we should simply communicate honestly, rather than by swearing by various things). We are to love our enemies, and are commanded to be perfect as our Father in heaven is.
Matthew 6 – Compare 3 Nephi 13. The Sermon on the Mount continues. We should do our charitable acts and have our personal prayers in private, rather than making a show of these things for the praise of men. The Lord’s Prayer is taught. We should lay up secure incorruptible treasures in heaven rather than on earth (earthly treasures decay or are stolen). We are to seek the kingdom of God and trust Him to provide for our temporal needs.

[KeithLBrown]

A new journey has begun as we travel through the pages of the New Testament in the next 40 days. As we are currently reading the Gospel of Matthew, I thought that it might be a good ideal to start off by introducing Matthew and giving a small synopsis of what the Gospel of Matthew is all about.

Matthew (Levi) – A SPECIAL REPORT TO THE JEWS! WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? HE IS THE KING OF ISRAEL AND THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH! HE IS THE SAVIOR AND THE KING OF KINGS. HE KNOWS WHO YOU ARE AND HE CARES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE.

Background.
1. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector who became one of Jesus’ twelve apostles (9:9; 10:2-4). His given name Matthew, meant “gift of Yahweh [the Hebrew term indicating God]. His home was in Capernaum and later Damascus, Syria. His father was Alphaeus. He later became an author and pastor of a church in Damascus.

2. Links the Old Testament (53 quotes and 76 other references) with the New Testament by emphasizing the fulfillment of prophecy (Psalm 72; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 9:9; 14:9).

3. Often called the Genesis of the New Testament.

4. Focuses on the legal right of Jesus Christ to the throne of David.

5. Presents Christ as The King

6. Writes from a Jewish perspective

7. Probably written between A.D. 60-65

8. Purpose of the writing: To prove that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, The Eternal King. Note: Messiah is the Hebrew word for “anointed one”

9. Presents the genealogy of Christ from Abraham through the royal line [the first of two New Testament genealogies (Compare Matthew 1 with Luke 3)

10. Key word used: “fulfilled” – 38 times

11. Key verse: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law of the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” (5:17)

12. Key phrase: “the kingdom of heaven” (appears 32 times in this book, but nowhere else in the Bible)

13. Key places: Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Capernaum, Galilee, Judea

14. Concludes with the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ just before He is taken to heaven. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (28:19-20).

For an overview of the four Gospel accounts please read my blog entry at An Overview of the Four Gospels".

[KeithLBrown]

The Sermon on the Mount

Scripture Reference: Matthew 5, 6, 7

This is the greatest sermon Jesus ever preached. The Lord's prayer, the beatitudes, and the golden rule are in this sermon.

Jesus delivered this sermon on a mountain near Capernaum. Tradition ascribes the site to an extinct volcano named Karne Hittim.

Jesus sat while delivering the Sermon on the Mount. Sitting connotated authority, so rabbi's often sat while teaching.

The Sermon on the Mount is in the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Matthew. It's divided into 5 sections:

Beatitudes - These were meant to comfort suffering believers. The word "beatitude" is derived from the Latin "beatus," which means blessed or happy. This designation is appropriate because each teaching begins with the word "blessed." (See Matthew 5:3-11)

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

New Laws - Contrasts the old law of Moses with the new law of Christ. A brief summary of Christian doctrine. (See Matthew 5:17-20)

17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Lord's Prayer - Instructions on prayer. Jesus also teaches the proper motives for fasting and offering gifts. (See Matthew 6:5-15; 16-18)

Prayer

5 ¶ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting

16 ¶ Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Money - Christian attitudes concerning the use of money. Reasons to avoid worry. (See Matthew 6:19-34)

19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 ¶ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Warnings - Several warnings, the golden rule, and the parable of the wise and foolish builders are presented in this final section of the Sermon on the Mount. (See Matthew chapter 7). The following topics are addressed: (1) judging others, (2) ask, seek, and knock, (3) the golden rule, (4) wide and narrow gates, (5) wolves in sheep's clothing, (6) be obedient, and (7) wise and foolish builders.

David H. Yarn Jr., "The Sermon on the Mount," Ensign, Dec 1972, 53

Although the majority of Christians have held the Sermon on the Mount in high esteem, like other parts of the scriptures it has come under criticism. Some have even suggested that it was never really delivered. They say its subject matter changes so frequently, it must be only a collection of ethical statements that lack sufficient unity to constitute an actual sermon.

But the Book of Mormon attests to the authenticity of the discourse recorded in chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the Gospel According to St. Matthew. For the resurrected Lord delivered, on the American continent, essentially the same marvelous address identified in the New Testament as the Sermon on the Mount.
Moreover, the restored gospel gives us the perspective to see why the sermon is a very systematic statement instead of a mere collection of ethical fragments.

In brief, the Sermon on the Mount might be outlined as follows:

Matthew 5:1–12. The Lord addresses his followers, gives the Beatitudes, broadly identifies what is expected of his disciples, and assures them of blessings if they will comply. [Matt. 5:1–12]

Matthew 5:13–16. The Lord speaks of his disciples as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, which implies a signal responsibility. [Matt. 5:13–16]

Matthew 5:17–20. The Lord says he came not to destroy the law of Moses but to fulfill it. This is the pivotal statement of the entire sermon. [Matt. 5:17–20]

Matthew 5:21 to 6:34. The Lord illustrates that his gospel requires more of mankind than did the law of Moses. [Matt. 5:21–Matt. 6:34]

Matthew 7:1–23. The Lord gives a series of six broad, fundamental principles of counsel and warning. [Matt. 7:1–23]

Matthew 7:24–29. The Lord uses a powerful parable to convince his hearers to accept his message and do what he has asked them to do. [Matt. 7:24–29]

The unity of the Sermon on the Mount is further reinforced if we remember that the Lord was addressing his followers and not a throng of hecklers, unbelievers, and idly curious folk. At the outset, Matthew says that the Lord, seeing the multitude, went up into a mountain; and when his disciples came unto him, he taught them. Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version of the Bible makes this point very clear. The Lord says:

"Blessed are they who shall believe in me; and again, more blessed are they who shall believe on your words, when ye shall testify that ye have seen me and that I am.

"Yea, blessed are they who shall believe on your words, and come down into the depths of humility, and be baptized in my name; for they shall be visited with fire and the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins." (JST, Matt. 5:3–4.) Here the Lord calls upon men to believe in him, and not merely in a set of ethical propositions.

Once we understand that Jesus is speaking to believers and that he is teaching them how to live according to the law of the gospel that has replaced the law of Moses, then we can see the unity of the Sermon on the Mount. In no way can it be dismissed as an assemblage of irrelevant, moral platitudes (certainly baptism in the name of the Lord and the promise of the Holy Ghost are more than ethical matters). The Sermon on the Mount is a constitution of fundamental, practical, and real theological requirements grounded in the testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that one must be willing not only to accept the ethical dimensions of the Lord’s teachings but be willing also to embrace him as the Redeemer of mankind.

Having laid the foundation for his sermon, the Lord then proceeded to give a series of specific illustrations that emphasize that outward conformity is not enough for his disciples. They must undergo an inward change.

Approved behavior alone is not the goal. As important as proper behavior is, it is not the objective of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the gospel is the rebirth of the natural man. Approved behavior is merely a concommitant resulting from the spiritual renewal that lifts man "from death unto life." (1 John 3:14.)

[glow_inthe_dark_girl]

oh in this times i wish this forum was in spanish, since I can't really explain myself with theses biblical terms and old english, such as ye shall. I'm trying to learn, so may be reading the bible in english would help, only that I dont know where I can find a KJV, only have it online.

I could learn some things in seminary, 4 yrs ago.. I like matthew5;14 one of my fav scriptures =)
right now I am trying to read the BoM and finish it in a month, and the NT , so probably I will join the challenge, if i am welcomed.. =)

may be is not much, but as far as i know. this gospel as several ppl has stated already, is written for jews,s riddled with many Old Testament quotes as well as a full genealogy of Jesus Christ. This narrative consists of several parables, teachings and stories of the Life of Jesus Christ.
It's considered an eclesiastical gospel. Jesus then tackles the issue of the law constantly repeating the phrase ‘you have heard it sai but I say to yo ’This is a flow on the issues of the heart; Jesus takes them a step further as to what they thought the law was and what the original meaning that God had intended it to be.
wikipedia provides some info too.

[KeithLBrown]

Brothers and Sisters please indulge me for just a few momements and allow me if I may to offer a few words of council. Maybe I am wrong and if I am then please forgive me, but what I am sensing here is some uneasiness and a fire that is starting to burn that does not need to burn. The only fire that should be burning is the fire in our hearts to want to learn more about the Scriptures and to grow from that knowledge which we obtain.

This forum was set up so that we could ALL read and study the New Testament together and to learn from one another's inputs. As far as I am concerned, I have never denied anyone an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings and never will. I will admit that I have read the Scriptures numerous times in their entirety, but that does not by any stretch of the imagination make me a world reknown Scriptorian by any means. Each time I turn the blessed pages I learn something new or gain fresh insight that I did not have before. I also learn from what other people have to say. Now, I may not agree with everything that they say, BUT I don't feel that I have a right to shut them down because of our differences of opinions. Is everyone with me so far? Let us come together and reason together saith the Lord.

None of us are perfect and none of us have all of the answers. I have made it a personal goal for the remainder of my days to read the entire canon of Scripture in its entirety at least once a year, but even with all of my study and reading, there are so many things that I do know, but so many more that I wish I knew. Brothers and Sisters, we are not an all knowing people. WE ARE AN EVERLEARNING PEOPLE. We need to have clear minds and open hearts and approach this study together in a spirit of humility and love.

With that being said, as far as I am concerned, EVERYONE is welcomed to participate as we read the New Testament together and EVERYONE is welcomed to their opinion. One thing that I have learned in my time online is that if I come across something that I don't like or don't agree with I will normally just move on to the next comment or to something different all together. There is no law that says you have to agree with every comment or that you even have to reply to every comment. But, as Brothers and Sisters, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we owe each other love and respect. Did Christ only listen to or associate with those who believed as He taught? I say nay. The greatest part of His ministry was spent among those who despised and rejected Him, those who mocked and jeered Him, those who would not believe no matter what He taught them. But, in spite of all that, He never stopped loving any of them. Remember that the atonement of Jesus Christ was for ALL people, of all beliefs and backgrounds. He died for ALL sins, of all humanity -- past present and future.

We do not need to spend our time playing tit for tat here. We are much bigger people than that. Of that I am confident. Let us come together and feast at the banqueting table of God's Word together. Even if we don't agree with someone, that which we disagree with can ignite a spark for us to do further study on our own. Please let's not turn this into a round table debate session. But, again, let us come together and reason together. We just had a successful 40-day challenge of reading the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Let us make this challenge just as succesful by getting along, reading together, studying together, and learning from one another.

I pray that some of my rambling made sense. Let's move forward with the challenge ahead and see what the Lord has in store for each of us as we feast upon His Word.

[pam]

Matt 1:23 they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us

Quoting Isa 7:14, Matthew was quick to point out that Mary’s conception was according to prophecy. The scriptural interpretation is part figurative and part literal. The figurative part is the name Emmanuel. The literal part is the meaning of the name—God with us. Taken literally, the name implies that God was to come down out of heaven and live with men on the earth. The idea sounds too absurd to the rational thinker! Yet, thanks to the Book of Mormon, we understand the meaning of the ‘condescension of God’ (1 Ne 11:16), which is possible only by understanding the nature of the pre-mortal Jehovah as known by the brother of Jared (Ether 3:9-16). We understand that it was indeed the Creator of heaven and earth that was born in Bethlehem. We understand that it was the great Jehovah, the lawgiver to Moses, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God had come down from the heavens to be with us.

The presence of God on earth has many doctrinal implications. First, there is no need for the Gift of the Holy Ghost to be given to the disciples, for they were continually in the presence of Deity (Jn 16:7). Similarly, the disciples of Christ had no need to fast. Why would they need to draw nearer to God through fasting when they were already in His presence? ‘Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with the? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.’ (Matt 9:15).

Mark E. Petersen
“Isn't it significant that ‘his name shall be called Immanuel’? Who was the Babe of Bethlehem? He was the Creator of all the heavens and the earth. He was Jehovah of the Old Testament and Christ of the New Testament. He was the Son of Almighty God!

“Did he change his identity when he was born into mortality? No! None of us do. We all retain our identity from the premortal existence through this mortal life and on into immorality hereafter. Could it be otherwise?

“Neither did Jesus change into a different being. He was the divine Jehovah before his birth. He was the divine Jehovah after his mortal birth. He was the Beloved Son of God before coming into mortality. He was so in mortality…He never changed his identity. He came into this world as the child of Mary and the Son of God. He was divine before coming into mortality, and in mortality he was called ‘Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.’ (Matt. 1:23Matt. 1:23.)” (Isaiah for Today, p. 40.)

[pam]

Matt 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled

The historian Josephus recorded the malice, paranoia, and carnage that characterized the reign of Herod the Great. In order to understand why Herod was so threatened by the news of this infant requires some background.

Herod the Great was a descendant of the Maccabean family which had broken the yoke of Syrian oppression in the year 166 BC. Years of infighting had made him suspicious of his own family members both before and after taking the throne in about 34 BC. It was only by killing those who were a threat to his power, that Herod was able to retain his kingdom. His power-hungry paranoia seemed to have no end, nor did his cruelty to those who were a threat to him. He “never left off avenging and punishing every day those that had chosen to be of the party of his enemies” (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XV, 1:1) Accordingly, Herod had his brother-in-law, his uncle, his mother-in-law, and her father killed. Once, he even considered murdering Cleopatra. In his paranoia, he became suspicious of those who had been his most intimate friends and therefore had them killed. Based on false rumors, he had his once-beloved wife killed. He later regretted this rash decision, spending the rest of his life mourning her loss. Yet, he never learned his lesson, executing all around him until “there were…none at all left of the kindred of Hyrcanus [his mother-in-law’s father]; and the kingdom was entirely in Herod’s power, and there was nobody remaining of such dignity as could put a stop to [him].” (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XV, 7:10)

Of his sons, Herod was perpetually suspicious. Concerned that one of his sons was guilty of sedition, he had his son’s friends tortured in order to extract information from them. This torture resulted not in confession but in the death of many of the young men. (Ibid, Book XVI, 8:4). Josephus writes, “he was…overrun with suspicion and hatred against all about him…in order to his preservation, he continued to suspect those that were guiltless: nor did he set any bounds to himself; but supposing that those who stayed with him had the most power to hurt him, they were to him very frightful.” This mentality lead to mental illness with paranoid delusions, “because he could trust nobody, he was sorely punished by the expectation of further misery; for he often fancied in his imagination, that his son had fallen upon him, or stood by him with a sword in his hand; and thus was his mind night and day intent upon this thing, and revolved it over and over…And this was the sad condition Herod was now in.” (Ibid, Book XVI, 8:5) Predictably, Herod had three of his own sons killed: Alexander, Aristobulus, and Antipater.

“The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again a prey to vain remorse, when he would frantically call for his passionately-loved, murdered wife Mariamme, and her sons; even making attempts on his own life; the delirium of tyranny, the passion for blood, drove him to the verge of madness. The most loathsome disease, such as can scarcely be described, had fastened on his body, and his sufferings were at times agonizing.” (Edersheim, Alfred, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, p. 151)

The news of a new king, heralded by prophecy, accompanied by foreign dignitaries, and pronounced by a new star in the heavens must have struck a familiar, paranoid chord in Herod. While a rational person would have seen no threat in the birth of the infant, Herod was near the end of his reign, in failing health, and well beyond reason. Still, he managed some shrewdness in his devious plan to destroy the potential rival, obtaining the two pieces of information he most needed: the location and timing of His birth.

[pam]

Matt 3:7-12 John as the doctrinal forerunner

John had the difficult task of preaching to a nation who had construed ancient promises of national glory into assurances of personal salvation. Jesus would come to preach a practical religion which would emphasize personal not national righteousness. John’s message was to set the stage for this drastic change in focus. To do it, he used doctrines which would later be expounded on by Him whose shoes he was not worthy to bear.

John taught, ‘God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.’ Jesus taught the same thing (Lu 19:40), adding ‘That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sitdown with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth’ (Matt 8:11-12).

John taught ‘every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.’ Jesus taught the same thing, adding ‘A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit…Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them’ (Matt 7:18-20).

John warned, ‘O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’ Jesus expounded, ‘…ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell?…upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias…All these things shall come upon this generation.’ (Matt 23:33-36)

John taught, ‘he will…gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’ Jesus taught the parable of the wheat and tares, saying ‘the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matt 13:38-42).

While preparatory in nature, John taught more than repentance. His message was broader than baptism. His message was so powerful that ‘all men mused in their hearts…whether he were the Christ, or not’ (Lu 3:15). Those who sought John in the wilderness would not find a ‘reed shaken with the wind’ (Lu 7:24). Rather, they found a prophet whose preparatory message was powerful enough to shake the wind.

[pam]

Matt 4:1-11 Lessons from the Temptation

Christ’s manner of dealing with Satan is instructive on many levels. First, though His hand was weak with hunger, the Master never let go of the iron rod. On all three counts, Jesus’ rebuttal came from the scriptures. As the supreme Exemplar, He was fighting His battle with the two-edged sword of the word of God. Though his faculties may have been dimmed by a 40-day fast, still the word of God was sharp, ‘to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow’ (DC 6:2). Thus, even amidst personal weakness, the scriptures can supply the clarity of thought and strength to repel the wicked one even when our individual strength slackens.

Neal A. Maxwell
“The Lord has declared not only of this first temptation, but of all His genuine and varied temptations, that He ‘gave no heed unto them.’ (DC 20:22) Yet He was tempted, not representatively, but ‘in all points.’ (Heb 4:15) Once put, however, Jesus dismissed each of these summarily. He did not temporize with temptations. He ‘yielded not.’And neither should we.

“Brooding over temptations can produce self-pity and a false sense of nobility. Prolonged consideration of a temptation only increases the risks—but it does not increase our options: the two options and the consequences remain the same regardless of our dallying.

“Moreover, protracted consideration of a temptation does not increase the justification to succumb—only our rationalization…Lucifer is best dispatched at the doorstep—not after he's been invited in and has unpacked his things.” (Even As I Am, p. 73-4.)

Neal A. Maxwell
“What further lessons emerge for us from the temptations of Jesus?

“Just as personal goodness in mortality consists of accumulating service rather than a single act, so temptation is not a one-time thing either. The points of our personal vulnerability, as Satan cunningly observes them, will be exploited. Lucifer will quote scripture if it helps, or cite supposed opportunities for us to do good. He will offer chances for self-indulgence and even provide the preparatory self-pity—whatever might induce rationalization on our part.

“Therefore, our challenge is to do as Jesus did—first, to resist temptation by giving it ‘no heed.’

“Our doubts will also be used against us. Equivalent ifs will be flung at us, like darts designed to inflict pain. Circumstances may be used to cause us to call into question our true identity and our past spiritual knowledge. In fact, is not apostasy a denial of that which was once genuinely known but which now comes to be doubted, discounted, and discarded? Neglected and unnourished, the tree of testimony is, alas, plucked up and cast out. But the tree was there, a fact to which its dried branches and roots are stark witness.

“Power and authority and position, as Jesus taught and showed us, are not to be misused by us for personal gain or self-gratification. Almost all—not just a few—succumb to this particular temptation. Jesus was the enormous exception. Gloriously, Jesus did not succumb.” (Even As I Am, p. 76)

Howard W. Hunter
“The question for us now is, Will we succeed? Will we resist? Will we wear the victor's crown? Satan may have lost Jesus, but he does not believe he has lost us. He continues to tempt, taunt, and plead for our loyalty. We should take strength for this battle from the fact that Christ was victorious not as a God but as a man.

“It is important to remember that Jesus was capable of sinning, that he could have succumbed, that the plan of life and salvation could have been foiled, but that he remained true. Had there been no possibility of his yielding to the enticement of Satan, there would have been no real test, no genuine victory in the result. If he had been stripped of the faculty to sin, he would have been stripped of his very agency. It was he who had come to safeguard and ensure the agency of man. He had to retain the capacity and ability to sin had he willed so to do. As Paul wrote, ‘Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered’ ("Heb. 5:8Heb. 5:8); and he ‘was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin’ ("Heb. 4:15Heb. 4:15). He was perfect and sinless, not because he had to be, but because he clearly and determinedly wanted to be. As the Doctrine and Covenants records, ‘He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.’ ("D&C 20:22D&C 20:22.)

“What about us? We live in a world of temptation—temptation that seems more real and oppressively rampant than any since the days of Noah. Are we remaining faithful in such a world? Every individual in the Church should ask, ‘Am I living so that I am keeping unspotted from the evils of the world?’” (That We Might Have Joy, p. 35-6)

David O. McKay
“Your weakest point will be the point at which the Devil tries to tempt you, will try to win you…Resist him and you will gain in strength. He will tempt you in another point. Resist him and he becomes weaker and you become stronger, until you can say, no matter what your surroundings may be, ‘Get thee behind me Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.’ (Luke 4:8.)” (Conference Report, Oct. 1959, p. 88.)