The Words of Christ

Matthew 21:23-32 In other studies, I found myself studying this passage of scripture yesterday. Then this video, depicting the same verses, was released later in the afternoon. I now go back and revisit the same passage to add some personal insights. There is a tendency to discount and condemn the actions of the chief priests and elders as did the Lord, yet when I do it, it is without understanding or even consideration of why they were really being condemned. What is also interesting here, is that these chief priests and elders were probably those whose responsibility it was to oversee in the affairs of the temple. The father of John the Baptist was also a priest in the same temple, the only temple in all of Israel. Christ was brought and presented in this same temple as an infant of only 8 days old. So for the cheif priests and the elders of the people to come to Christ in the temple and to question his authority, perhaps was a justifiable action in their minds. The par...

Joseph Smith Translation - Matthew 16:25-29 This translation of a common theme of the Savior's draws a much stronger connection between obedience and discipleship. Verse 25 - "If any man will come after me," If there is a desire to follow Jesus Christ, he must do the following: "Let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." Verse 26 - The Savior goes on to clarify the point of taking up the cross: Deny himself all ungodliness Deny himself every worldly lust Keep the commandments of Christ Knowing how important the point of obedience is to the salvation of our souls,  the Savior emphasizes the point in the next verse: "Break not my commandments for to save your lives." I also appreciate the perspective that is given here about the realities of this world and the eternal realms. If we could see it and know what a transitory place this reality is in comparison to what is to come, our whole existence would be altered. 

John 8:31-32 How often I have heard this scripture used out of context. I believe I've even heard it used by atheists. The full context of the scripture reveals the true power of this statement. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ( verses 31-32 )  There is an even broader context for this discussion which starts at the beginning of the chapter. Jesus is found in the temple, teaching. For Latter-day Saint context, a temple is place where those who have prepared themselves for sacred instruction and to perform ordinances of eternal significance. It is a holy place on all counts where one should prepare both spiritually and physically to enter therein. A major facet of that preparation is the cleansing of sin that one must undertake. Scriptures such as are found in Psalms 79:1 , or maybe even 1 Corinthians 3:17 , help to illustrate the ...