And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease... These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying... Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. The calling of the twelve apostles and the apostles' reception of priesthood power are critical steps to the organization of Jesus' Church, that continue to bless lives today. Calling of the Twelve ApostlesThe word apostle comes from the Hebrew word ἀπόστολος, or apostolos, which means "a messenger, envoy, delegate, one commissioned by another to represent him in some way" (http://biblehub.com/greek/652.htm). Let's explore that definition. Messenger: The twelve apostles are Christ's messengers. Their responsibility is to share the "good news," or Jesus' gospel. After Jesus' death, when Peter went back to fishing with some of the other apostles, Christ appeared at sea. Later, while dining with Peter, Jesus gave powerful instruction where he thrice instructed Peter to "feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17). In a loving way, Jesus reminded Peter of his purpose. It was not to leave the ministry and everything he had learned to return to fishing; rather, he was to share Jesus' gospel with the world, thus providing the Bread of Life. Envoy, Delegate, One Commissioned: According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, an envoy means a "messenger or representative." A delegate means "a person acting for another." Commission means "an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts" or "authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another." Each of these terms refers to the concept of authority. An envoy is given authority by a master to be his messenger or representative. A delegate is given the authority to act for another person or entity (e.g., for a government). A commissioner is given authority to act in a person's place--to be their mouthpiece, as well as their hands. The Apostles Reception of Priesthood PowerWhat do we know about the priesthood power given to Jesus' apostles? The Topics section of LDS.org teaches that there are two meanings to the word "priesthood:" "First, priesthood is the power and authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end (see Alma 13:7–8; D&C 84:17–18). Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power, He exalts His obedient children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” ( Moses 1:39; see also D&C 84:35–38). Second, in mortality, priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children. The blessings of the priesthood are available to all who receive the gospel" (https://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood). During the 19th Century, priesthood power was restored to the Earth as part of the restoration of Jesus' church. A timeline of the restoration of Jesus' gospel, church, and priesthood can be found here: https://www.lds.org/topics/restoration-of-the-gospel). Blessings of the PriesthoodHow does having the priesthood on the earth today bless my life? Specific times when I was grateful to have the priesthood power of God on the earth include the following:
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And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles. Before choosing and calling his twelve disciples, Jesus went unto a mountain to pray. He continued all the night in prayer. Would I even have words to say after the first 30 minutes of praying to God? Jesus was an expert ponderer and an expert communicator. In today's busy world, it is so easy to avoid silence with distraction. Technology makes us ever-farther away from God's creations. It would do me good to spend time each day to ponder in silence. Just a minute or two of meditation would go a long way. It would also do me good to spend more time in prayer. I once had a roommate that spent a long time each night on his knees in prayer. I was always impressed by the length of his prayers. While I realize that the content of our prayers is more important than the length of our prayers, I do believe that Spiritual impressions require time and patience. By following Christ's example and putting more time into our prayers, our prayers can be more meaningful and we can be more receptive to God's answers. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. What was Jesus' house like? Words that come to mind: clean, organized, comfortable, humble, practical, well-lit. Would it be set apart from other houses, with a yard and garden? Or would it be in the center of a bustling downtown. While I can only guess, I picture it on the outskirts of town--close enough to receive visitors, but far enough to avoid unnecessary distractions and noise.
Today, scattered around the earth, are over 150 temples. A temple is literally the house of the Lord. "The Lord is in his holy temples." (Habakkuk 2:20). What are temples like? Clean, organized, glorious, beautiful, peaceful. quiet, well-lit, detail-focused, calm, peaceful. One cannot describe the Temple without describing the emotions felt therein. [For more information on LDS temples, including pictures and videos, see http://www.mormontemples.org/.] Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. The Law of Moses required that all males attend the three feasts of the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The House (or Academy) of Hillel, a school of Jewish law that "thrived in 1st Century B.C. Jerusalem" taught that women must also attend the feast of the Passover. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Hillel.) Attending this feast was an act of "devout obedience" by Mary and Joseph. (See http://biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/2-41.htm.)
At age 12, Christ went with his parents to the feast of the Tabernacles. "At twelve a Jewish boy became a son of the law, with the responsibility of a man, putting on on the phylacteries which reminded of the obligation to keep the law." (See https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/phylacteries and http://biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/2-41.htm.) Like his parents, Jesus was strictly obedient to the law of Moses. It was not until the Christ's death and resurrection that the ceremonial law of Moses was fulfilled. (See https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/law-of-moses?lang=eng.) What would it be like to have a perfectly obedient child? You would never have to worry about him coming home late at night. If he said he would do a chore, the chore would always get done. Interestingly, Jesus' parents' worries stemmed from Christ spending 'too much' time preaching his Heavenly Father's gospel or teaching at the temple. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. What would it be like to be the mother of Jesus? What must have been going through Mary's mind as she ran (with her other grown children) to see Christ, after he was charged with casting out devils through Beelzebub? (Matthew 12:46). What anguish did she experience as she stood by the cross where her child of 33 years hung? How could she bear listening to the priests' and peoples' reviling as she watched her son hang in agony. (John 19:26). Surely the Holy Ghost was with Mary in these moments. Surely there were angels round about her, supporting her. Yet she must have felt exquisite pain as she helplessly watched her innocent son. No wonder Simeon prophesies, three decades prior, that a "large barbaric sword" should pierce Mary's soul. (See http://biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/2-35.htm.) And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. I have great respect for widows and older, unmarried people who serve in the temple. Their faith is almost tangible. I have learned from their examples. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet. Christ's coming into the world was monumental. It was foretold by prophets since the days of Adam and Eve. Kings feared him. Stars obeyed him. Wise men sought him.
Wise men and women still seek him today. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. The Holy Ghost brings people to Christ. That is one of his most essential roles. Christ did not come unto Simeon immediately; he had to wait for many years. When Christ was near, the Holy Ghost led Simeon to Christ at the temple. If I want to come to Christ today, I need to worship him in the temple. The temple is literally the House of the Lord, the connection between heaven and earth. As a result, I feel peace and joy in the temple.
Some words on the "consolation of Israel": "Luke’s use of the phrase “the consolation of Israel” is striking, and it is clearly to be taken in a messianic sense. Throughout their history, the people of Israel had suffered greatly, both for their own sin and because of the oppression of others. Their land was frequently overrun by foreign powers who knew the strategic significance of Palestine, which connected Africa, Europe, and Asia. They suffered under slavery in Egypt and endured the troubles of exile. In short, they were a people in desperate need of consolation and comfort—the kind of permanent comfort that could come only when the Son of David would arrive to guard them and to provide for the forgiveness of their sin. "Simeon spent his life waiting for this consolation, for the Messiah to come and redeem his people. He had been given a unique promise that he would not die before he saw the Christ—the Messiah—with his own eyes (Luke 2:25–26). When he was an old man, this promise was finally fulfilled, and he marveled at the glory of God in the face of the infant Christ. Thus, he was prepared to die and meet His Creator." (See http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/consolation-israel/.) There is interesting symbolism in Simeon seeing Christ. Jesus Christ is the life of the world. Yet, when Simeon finally had the promise of seeing Christ fulfilled, he was prepared for mortal death. The purpose of life is to prepare to meet God (see Alma 34:32). Without Christ's atonement, we would remain tarnished by sin, and would not be worthy to dwell in God's presence. Christ is the King of Kings. Yet his first mortal reign was not of powerful, glorious dominion. The Israelites may not have found a dominated war leader, but they did find the only person who could provide the permanent comfort that comes from the forgiveness of sins. I should follow Simeon's example and attend the temple regularly. I should repent daily of my sins and recieve the "consolation of Israel" in my life. |
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