N.T. #3: “Unto You Is Born … a Savior”
Luke 2:7) Into what circumstances was Jesus born? [Why?]
“To
be born in a stable and to be cradled in a manger! To grow up a peasant, with a
peasant's labor to perform, and a peasant's fare to subsist upon from childhood
to manhood—do you not marvel at this great humility, at this great
condescension of God?” (Elder B. H. Roberts,
The Mormon Doctrine of Deity, 195.)
The Mormon Doctrine of Deity, 195.)
“[F]rom the manger to the
cross, [Jesus] spent his whole life in the deepest poverty …. [He] descended below all things that he might
rise above all things, and comprehend all things.” (Elder Wilford Woodruff, Oct 1874 CR; JD 18:33; see also Alma
7:11.)
How did such circumstances foreshadow
His mortal ministry?
(See Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, October
2014 Conference Report [CR].)
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What can we learn from the inn keepers and their guests?
“‘[T]here was none to
give room for them in the inns’ [JST Luke 2:7]…. It was … not just an innkeeper or an isolated few persons, who withheld
shelter from Joseph and Mary. Though her state was apparent, the other
travelers … lacking in … compassion … would not give way so she could be cared for
….
“[The Savior] chose to begin the days of his probation … as
the helpless child of a peasant girl.... And even in [His] birth, He was
rejected by his people … for none … saw fit to make room for a weary woman,
great with child.” (See Elder Bruce R.
McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 1:91; The Mortal
Messiah 1:345.)
What can we do to make room for our
Savior in our lives?
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Luke 2:15-17) What
can we learn from the example of the shepherds?
“[N]ever
postpone a prompting” (President Thomas
S. Monson, Oct 2012 [also Apr 2005] CR).
“[N]ever,
never postpone a prompting from the Lord” (President Thomas S. Monson, Oct 1999 CR).
“[N]ever,
never, never postpone a prompting” (President Thomas S. Monson, June 1997 1st
Presidency Message).
Luke 2:19 “But Mary suntereo* all these things, and pondered
them in her heart" [*Greek:
kept in mind, preserved, remembered]
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What do we learn about
Jesus’ wisdom from Luke 2:40-52?
v. 40 “And
the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, pleroo
[being supplied; filling up] with sophia [wisdom]: and the charis
[grace] of God was upon him.”
“Evidently,
before he was 12 years old [Jesus] had learned a great deal about his Father's
business. This knowledge could come to him by revelation, by the visitation of
angels, or in some other way…. Without question he was in communication, from
time to time, with his Heavenly Father…. But His knowledge … had to come line upon line
and precept upon precept…. Jesus came into the world subject to the same
condition as was required of each of us… His forgetting, or having his former
knowledge taken away, would be requisite just as it is in the case of each of
us …” (Elder Joseph Fielding
Smith Jr., Doctrines of Salvation 1:32-3; see also D&C
93:11 & 13.)
vs. 46 “… they found him sitting in the midst of the didaskalos [(self-supposed) teachers],
and [JST:] they were hearing him, and asking him questions.”
vs. 52 “Jesus prokopto
[increased; literally, ‘lengthened out by hammering’] in sophia and helikia [maturity], and in charis [grace] with God and man.”*
*“Here then in one sentence …
is the impressive, meaningful, and comprehensive account
of 18 years of preparation ...” (Elder Ezra
Taft Benson, April 1966 CR).
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Matthew 2:1–12) What can we learn from the example of
the wise men?
“Apparent[ly these wise men] were true prophets… to whom [Heavenly Father] revealed that the promised Messiah had been born …. That they received revelation is seen from the inspired dream in which they were warned not to return to Herod” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 1:103.)
“[M]ay we give
to Him by loving as He loves”
(President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 1st Presidency
Message, Dec 2014 Ensign).
“Our
service should be for the love of God and for our fellowmen, rather than for … any other lesser
motive” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, October
1984 CR).
“Selfishness
is really self-destruction in slow motion” and “with the shedding of
selfishness … we see our luminous and true identity” (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, April 1999 and October 1990 CR).
“[S]elfless service eliminates selfish striving”
(President Thomas S. Monson, Oct 1999, Apr 2004, Oct
2006, and April 2012 CR;
see also “Wise Men Still Seek Him,” Mormon Messages, www.lds.org.)
see also “Wise Men Still Seek Him,” Mormon Messages, www.lds.org.)
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