Additional Study Material - “This is He of whom it is written”

Returning to Nazareth, the place of his boyhood and early manhood, Jesus astonished the townsmen with his bold testimony that he was the promised Messiah. Had his own community been spiritually perceptive, Jesus would have been accepted for who he was, the Son of the Eternal Father. But, blinded to eternal realities, they saw him only as “Joseph’s son.” They had heard of the miracles he had performed in Capernaum, and inwardly they thought, “Show us a miracle also that we might see that thou art the Christ.” Hadn’t Jesus himself declared that “no prophet is accepted in his own country”?

Why didn’t Jesus perform a miracle in Nazareth? Have you ever wondered about the purpose of miracles?

  

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Day 180

Matthew 19; Matthew 20; Matthew 21; Matthew 22

Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce. Eternal life is for those who keep the commandments. The Twelve Apostles will judge the house of Israel. Jesus gives the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. He foretells his crucifixion and resurrection. He came to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus rides in triumph into Jerusalem. He cleanses the temple, curses the fig tree, and discusses authority. He gives the parables of the two sons and the wicked husbandmen. Jesus gives the parable of the marriage of the king’s son. Pay tribute to Cæsar and to God. Worldly marriages endure in this life only. The first commandment is to love the Lord. Jesus asks, What think ye of Christ?

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Additional Study Material - The First Year of Jesus’ Public Ministry

If the teaching of the masses is all you see in the ministry of Jesus, you will have missed its greater significance. You should also see something that is not so obvious at first glance—the Savior’s quiet training those who will lead His church. This will become apparent as you perceive the Galilean ministry as being divided into three phases of leadership training.

Find the greater significance. Click here.

In the days of Moses the Lord freed ancient Israel from bondage in Egypt. To commemorate this deliverance, they were commanded to keep the Feast of the Passover. All of the symbolism of the feast centered around these two events: that the angel of death passed over the houses and flocks of Israel, while slaying the firstborn among the men and beasts of the Egyptians; and that Jehovah was their deliverer.  The feast was to be eaten in haste; the sacrificial lamb was one without blemish, whose blood was shed, but whose bones were not broken; blood was sprinkled on the houses to be spared - all of which provided types and symbols for Messiah’s coming mortal sacrifice.

How are these events and Christ's command that we "must be born again" related?

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Day 179

Matthew 15; Matthew 16; Matthew 17; Matthew 18

The scribes and Pharisees contend against Jesus. He heals the daughter of a gentile woman. He feeds the four thousand. Jesus warns against the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Peter testifies that Jesus is the Christ and is promised the keys of the kingdom. Jesus foretells his death and resurrection. Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John on the mount. Jesus heals a lunatic, tells of his coming death, and pays taxes in a miraculous manner. Jesus explains how we are to treat our offending brethren. The Son of Man came to save that which was lost. All of the Twelve receive the keys of the kingdom. Jesus explains why we should forgive.

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Additional Study Material - “John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,… "

When the time arrived for Jesus to come to earth in the flesh, it was also time for the birth of one of the greatest prophets who ever lived—John the Baptist. Who can determine the importance and eternal significance of John’s mission in preparing the way for the Son of God? His task was not easy, for the covenant people of the Lord were in a state of apostasy. Little wonder he was described as a “voice … crying in the wilderness.” (Luke 3:4.) But John fulfilled his mission in a manner that would cause Jesus to say of him, “Among those that are born of woman there is not a greater prophet. …” (Luke 7:28.) Truly John is an example to us of what a witness of Christ should be.

What to learn more? Click on the link below:

“Behold the Lamb of God”

And here is a Sunday program that interest you:

Messiah: Behold The Lamb Of God

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Day 178

Matthew 12; Matthew 13; Matthew 14

Jesus proclaims himself Lord of the Sabbath and heals on the Sabbath day. He is accused of casting out devils through the power of Beelzebub. He speaks of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and says that an evil and adulterous generation seeks signs. Jesus explains why he teaches with parables. He gives the parables of the sower, the wheat and the tares, the grain of mustard seed, the leaven, the treasure hidden in the field, the pearl of great price, and the net cast into the sea. A prophet is not honored by his own people. John the Baptist is beheaded. Jesus feeds the five thousand and walks on the sea. Those who touch the hem of his garment are made whole.

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Additional Study Material - “What think ye of Christ? whose son is He?”

Consider the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth, take a moment to reflect deeply on these questions which Jesus asked the Pharisees: “What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?” (Matthew 22:42.) And as you reflect on these questions, remember Jesus’ own counsel to those who seek an answer: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3.) And as the Prophet Joseph Smith stated: “If any man does not know God, and inquires what kind of being he is,—if he will search diligently his own heart—if the declaration of Jesus and the apostles be true, he will realize that he has not eternal life; for there can be eternal life on no other principle.”

Want to dig a little deeper? Click on the link below:

“The Son of the Eternal Father”

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Day 177

Matthew 9; Matthew 10; Matthew 11

Jesus forgives sins, heals a paralytic, and calls Matthew. Jesus eats with sinners, heals a woman who touches his garments, and raises Jairus’s daughter to life. He opens the eyes of the blind, casts out a devil, and preaches the gospel. Jesus instructs and empowers the Twelve Apostles and sends them forth to preach, minister, and heal the sick. Those who receive the Twelve receive the Lord. Jesus acclaims John as more than a prophet. The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum are rebuked for unbelief. The Son reveals the Father. The yoke of Christ is easy, and his burden is light.

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Additional Study Material - Who Is This Jesus Whom We Worship?

Wrote J. Reuben Clark, Jr., "Who is this Savior, this man that we worship? We rather localize him and think of him as more or less belonging to us, that he is our Savior and perhaps not known very much.

"I want to read you just a few words to begin with. I am going to read from the Book of Moses, from the first chapter, and I am going to begin with the 32nd verse. The speaker declared he was the 'Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name … And by the word of my power, have I created them. …' "

Now read what else he and others have written. Click the links below:

1. The Great Jehovah Comes to Earth

2. The Promised Messiah

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Day 176

Matthew 6; Matthew 7; Matthew 8

Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount. He teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer. They are commanded to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount. He commands, Judge not; ask of God; beware of false prophets. He promises salvation to those who do the will of the Father. Jesus heals a leper, cures the centurion’s servant and others, stills the tempest, and casts out devils. The devils enter a herd of swine.

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Additional Study Material - "I Am the Way"

During the next sixty days we'll be reading the New Testament which is a collection of inspired writings about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and other followers of Jesus Christ.

The four Gospels—the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are accounts of the life of Christ. They are not so much biographies as they are testimonies. They do not reveal a day-by-day story of the life of Jesus; rather, they tell who Jesus was, what He said, what He did, and why it was important.

The book of Acts records the history of the Church and the Apostles, especially Paul’s missionary travels, after Christ’s death. Paul’s letters give instruction to Church leaders and members. The other letters were written by other Apostles and give additional counsel to the early saints. The book of Revelation, which was written by the Apostle John, contains mostly prophecies pertaining to the last days.

Because of the structure of the New Testament attempting to read it as a chronology of the early Christian church would present a challenge that I am not prepared to meet independently. Therefore the reading and study of this book will be presented in two parallel groups of assignments. One, a reading of the New Testament from Matthew chapter one to Revelation chapter twenty-two; the other, a study course from the LDS Church Educational System, The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles. However, since the original intent of this blog was to present a schedule to accomplish the actual reading of the scriptures in a year's time, I would encourage you to do the former and if time permits then the latter, i.e., use the study material.

With that said, here is the first of the links to the study material: “I Am the Way”

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Day 175

Matthew 1; Matthew 2; Matthew 3; Matthew 4; Matthew 5

Christ is born of Mary. She conceives by the power of the Holy Ghost. Our Lord is named Jesus. The wise men are directed by a star to Jesus. Joseph takes the child to Egypt. Herod slays the children in Bethlehem. Jesus is taken to Nazareth to dwell. John the Baptist preaches in Judæa. Jesus is baptized, and the Father acclaims him as his Beloved Son. Jesus fasts forty days and is tempted. He begins his ministry, calls disciples, and heals the sick. Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount. Its teachings replace and transcend some aspects of the law of Moses. All are commanded to be perfect like their Father in Heaven.

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Alleluia

My introduction to this piece by Randall Thompson was as a member of my high school's a cappella choir my senior year. Although the sheetmusic has a piano accompaniment, it notes that it is for rehearsal only. And so after hours of memorizing our parts - eleven pages - and rehearsing for refinement, we performed it at choir festivals with great success.

The work was commissioned by Serge Koussevitzky, director of the Tanglewood Music Festival. Koussevitzky wanted a fanfare for voices to celebrate the opening of the new Berkshire Music Center and asked Thompson to contribute such a piece. Thompson took only five days to complete the composition during the first week of July 1940 and was premiered the following week, on July 8, at the opening of festival's new music center.

However, instead of the joyous work expected by Koussevitzky, Thompson produced a quiet and introspective piece. Troubled by the war in Europe and the recent fall of France, he felt that to write a festive piece would be inappropriate. Commenting on his composition, Thompson said that it is "a very sad piece. The word 'alleluia' has so many possible interpretations. The music in my particular 'Alleluia' cannot be made to sound joyous. It is a slow, sad piece, and...here it is comparable to the Book of Job, where it is written, 'The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.'"

Alleluia

Day 174

Zechariah 13; Zechariah 14; Malachi 1; Malachi 2; Malachi 3; Malachi 4

The Jews will gain forgiveness at the Second Coming. They will ask the Lord, What are these wounds in thine hands?. The remnant, tried and refined, will be his people. At his Second Coming, the Lord will fight for Israel. His feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives. He will be King over all the earth. Plagues will destroy the wicked. The Jews despise the Lord by offering polluted bread upon the altar and by sacrificing animals with blemishes. The Lord’s name will be great among the Gentiles. The priests are reproved for not keeping their covenants and not teaching the people. The Jews are condemned for dealing treacherously with one another and with their wives. The Lord’s messenger will prepare the way for the Second Coming. The Lord will sit in judgment. The people of Israel are commanded to pay tithes and offerings. They keep a book of remembrance. At the Second Coming, the proud and wicked will be burned as stubble. Elijah will return before that great and dreadful day.

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