#53 Jesus' Mother and Brethren Seek Him

#53 Jesus’ Mother and Brethren Seek Him

Please first read: Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21

“And he gave them charge concerning her, (Mary) saying, I go my way, for my Father hath sent me. And whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (JST Mathew 12:44) 

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:

“Jesus had brothers and sisters who were the offspring of Joseph and Mary. Regarding Mary, the plain meaning of a host of scriptures is that she bore Joseph’s children, children who were the half-brothers and half-sisters of the Son of God. (Matthew 12:46) Jesus had more than one sister and at least four brothers – James, Joses (Joseph), Simon and Judas. (Matthew 13:55) These children lived with Mary and were regarded by the people as members of her family.”

(John 2:12; 7: 3)

“They seem to have been jealous of Jesus and may not have believed in his divine Sonship until after the resurrection. (Mark 3:21; 6: 3-4; John 7:5) None of his brothers were included in the original Twelve, but they seem to have been converted after the resurrection by his appearance to James. (1 Corinthians 15:7) Thereafter they associated themselves with the disciples. (Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5) One of them, James, was later called to the apostleship.” (Galatians 1:19)

“Apparently the message that his mother and his brethren sought audience with Jesus caused another woman (undoubtedly herself a mother) to speak these words of praise for Mary. With them Jesus agreed. But then he taught that it is not motherhood of itself, but obedience to the word of God, that brings blessings.” (Luke 11:27-28)   

“Jesus here comments that Mary and his brothers are members of his literal earthly family, and he, as the eldest son, gives directions as to what the others should do in caring for their mother. The clear inference is that Joseph was dead and hence the sons of Mary were attending to her needs. Then he reminds them that though they have the same mother, yet God is his Father and that he must continue about his Father’s business.” (JST Matthew 13:44)  

We remember that years earlier Jesus told his mother. “I must be about my Fathers business” and so again now. This was a golden opportunity to preach the Gospel and make the point that if, after we hear the ‘word,’ we ‘do it,’ we become part of Jesus’ family. The terms for mother and brethren are here used figuratively and thus by doing what Jesus teaches we become his Spiritual kinsmen. (Luke 8:19-21) 

Mary and some other family members may have been genuinely concerned for Jesus’ health because of his ongoing and untiring efforts in healing and teaching the throngs of people; trying to get him to rest for a while. (Mark 3:31-35) The Jewish culture engendered a strong emphasis on filial responsibility, (Exodus 20:12) but the scriptures also related instances where severing allegiance and family ties was a necessary choice in following God. (Exodus 32:8-9) Those in attendance would watch with interest to see how Jesus would react to the calls of his family. It was a good opportunity for Jesus to emphasize that those who do the will of God thus become part of God’s family; and without negatively impacting his earthly mother and siblings. The Greek structure and use of the nouns brother, sister, and mother are again figurative, and allow for Jesus to ‘know’ others in that same relationship.

Jesus’ mother, brothers and sister(s) were outside (or on the edge of the crowd.) The Greek record indicates that they were trying to find a way into the house in order to speak to him. The press of the crowd was such that the house and entrance passageways were all filled with people. Jesus’ response shows no lack of respect for his family. He is merely going on with the work God his Father has sent him to do. Everyone who believes in him and does what he says (the will of the Father) becomes encircled in the family of the Father and the Son. The emphasis here is on doing, not just hearing. (Matthew 12:46-50)  

The Twelve and others who are working and traveling with Jesus are receiving this message in various wordings over and over in testimonies by the Savior. What a glorious experience!

Glenn R. McGettigan

April 2016

References:  

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” McConkie:

“Mortal Messiah.” Volume 2. McConkie     

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

“The Four Gospels.” Ludlow

“The Biblical Commentary – Matthew, Mark, and Luke.”   

#21.1 Wedding Feast at Cana; Water to Wine

#21.1 Wedding Feast at Cana; Water to Wine

Please First Read John 2:1-12; JST John 2:1, 4, 9, 11

Mary seems to hold a position of authority at this wedding. Probably as hostess, the one responsible for caring for the guests and seeing that events proceed as planned. In view of the social customs of the day it could well be that one of Mary's children, or another family member, was being married. That Jesus was “called” to the wedding also indicates something like this to be the case.

Jesus' attendance signifies his approval of the practice of the procedure and custom of marriage as practiced at this time.

Matthew 26:29 identifies the wine as “fruit of the vine” ... indicating a light, sweet, unfermented wine which, eaten with bread, was a staple food of the day.

The size of the six water pots amounts to about 150 gallons of wine; apparently the wedding party was substantial in size. Festivities customarily lasted from several to fourteen days, necessitating such a quantity of drink.

In our language, Jesus’ words to his mother sound a bit harsh or disrespectful, but in the language of that day his response to her was the opposite, one of respect (v.4). In Greek, “woman” was a term of high regard ... and was language used to address princesses. Jesus used it also as a term of love, i.e., Jesus to Mary Magdalene in the garden, “Woman, why weepest thou?”  and to his mother from the cross, “Woman, behold thy son.” The prophet Joseph Smith in his translation of this scripture (JST John 2:4) softens what might be felt in our language as a sharp tone of Jesus addressing his mother, as the scripture reads “Woman, what wilt thou have me do for thee? that will I do ...”

Mary had some knowledge of the special powers Jesus had (v.5) “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

For the festivities to run out of food or drink would have been a great social infraction, and a bad reflection on Mary, the family, and others who were responsible. The marriage covenant was a sacred event to the Jews. It symbolized the union of God to Israel. We might even say it was a sacrament, the making of a covenant which also involved God. Within the Jews social activities, the marriage feast was among the highest of events. To not have enough food and drink for the guests would be very shameful for all involved.

This would seem to be the first miraculous sign by Jesus for public knowledge. He may very well have used his divine powers previously.  The servants knew what had been done, and would certainly tell of it.

It is interesting to note that just shortly before this event Jesus refused to turn stones into bread when tempted by Satan.

Since there is no mention of Mary's husband, Joseph, he is assumed to be deceased by this time.

John, Peter, Andrew, Phillip, and Nathaniel have just been called to follow Jesus. This would seem to be a first event in strengthening their testimonies of Jesus.

The public participation of Jesus at this event is somewhat of a leave-taking from his past life, from former friends and home. He is closing the chapter on his previous 30 years and now beginning his formal ministry. We might say this is the beginning of Jesus revealing who and what he is.

Glenn R. McGettigan

August 2012; Revised August 2014

References:

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” McConkie

“Life of Christ.” Farrar

“Life and Teachings of Jesus and the Apostles.” BYU study guide

“Behold the Lamb of God.” Clark

“The Miracles of Jesus the Messiah.” Howick

“Life and Teachings of Jesus the Messiah. Edersheim

“Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ. Volume 1. Holzaphel

“Studies in Scripture-The Gospels.” Jackson & Millet

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

“The Mortal Messiah.” Volume 1. McConkie

“Study of the New Testament.” Ludlow

“Joseph Smith.” JST

#12 Jewish Boyhood

Note: This topic has already been addressed in my previous post #12 Childhood and Youth. However, latter-day prophets have provided us modern day revelation on the topic.

                  

#12 Jewish Boyhood

In the scriptures we find very little about our Savior's early years on earth. We get a few words in Luke 2: Matthew 3: and the Inspired Version of Matthew 3, where we learn: Jesus grew strong in spirit, wisdom, stature and grace, and in favor with God and man. He grew up with his brethren. He served under his father. He was found in the temple with the learned doctors and Rabbis, hearing and asking, and amazing them with his understanding and answers.

We are very fortunate in that we know historically a great deal about the society, culture, life and ways of the Jewish nation into which our Savior was born and reared. We know what would go on in a typical family, neighborhood, and community such as his would be. Given this knowledge we can with some assurance get a feeling and picture of what Jesus' early life was probably like.

I believe this greatly enhances our understanding of the factors and forces faced by our Lord during his earthly ministry. It helps us to more clearly see the why, the how, the what, and the way of things that he did and taught.

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:

“Jewish Family Life in Jesus’ Day” offers a good look at what we could expect the Lord's life to have been during those years.

Note: As with us today, on a scale of one to ten, there were all grades of homes and families. The following standards/events would be what an orthodox Jewish family would try to achieve … at the upper end of the scale. We may assume that Mary and Joseph would be at the upper end.   

In Jesus’ day the Jews had their temple, their synagogues, and their homes, and around them their whole life revolved. Three times each year faithful men appeared before the Lord in his sanctuary, and would not Jesus, who kept his Father's law, have been among them there; to

sacrifice, to recommit themselves to Jehovah and to receive a new remission of their sins?

Many people frequented the sacred courts to teach and be taught and to partake of the spirit of worship that centered in the Holy of Holies.

Every Sabbath and on certain feast days the faithful came to the synagogue to pray, to hear the word of the Lord and to receive the exhortations so important even to the most spiritual of men. But the home was something else ... the home was the place where true worship was taught and practiced. Every Jewish home was to be a house of worship, a house of prayer and a house of God.

And Jesus our Lord was nursed and suckled in a Jewish home; he played within its walls as a child; he was guided by a Jewish mother and a Jewish foster father as he learned the customs and discipline and the way of life of the race of which he was a part. In the real and practical sense it was his first and chief house of worship.

It is true that he worshipped as a youth and in his maturing years in Jewish synagogues; we know that during his ministry he used them as teaching centers, as the sites for miracles, and as the reverent and sacred houses of worship that they in fact were.

But we cannot see our Lord in proper perspective unless we see him in the home of Joseph and Mary; unless we know what he was taught within those private walls. Jesus was the Son of God and dwelt among men with native endowments without equal, but he was also a product, as we all are, of his environment; and his Father chose to place him in the care and custody, during his formative years, of Jewish Joseph and Jewish Mary and their Jewish home with all its Jewish teachings, practices, and ways of worship.

Joseph and Mary lived in modest circumstances. Their home in Nazareth would have been small, without running water and other amenities common in even the poorer homes today ... and as to their food, the principal fare would have been the meat and vegetables and fruits grown and raised so abundantly in the hills of Galilee.

They lived in close and intimate quarters, with limited amounts of this world's goods. The Father of the Son placed his Eternal Offspring in modest circumstances. But it is the spirit and teachings, the love and harmony, not the wood and mortar and chairs that make a true home.   And in those things that are important, the home provided by the just and faithful husband of Mary excelled. Surely the Father of us all, who also was the Father of the One only in mortality, would have chosen that family circle which was preeminent above all others as the environment for his Only Begotten Son.

Men married at sixteen or seventeen years of age, almost never later than twenty; and women at a somewhat younger age, often not older than fourteen. These ages applied to all, Joseph and Mary included. Children were esteemed to be a heritage from the Lord and were devoutly desired.

Mothers taught their children almost from the moment of birth; at least tutorial processes began by the time infant lips began to utter their first words and phrases. The Psalms and prayers were used as lullabies. At the age of two years children were weaned, with the occasion being celebrated by a feast. When the children reached about three years of age fathers began to assume their imposed obligation to teach them the Law; not nursery rhymes, but verses of scripture, benedictions, and wise sayings. Formal schooling began at five or six, with the Bible as the text.

The educational system imposed upon Jewish children was more, far more, than formal schooling arrangements. It was part and portion of their way of life. They learned from what was done as well as from what was said. A spirit of religion and devotion pervaded the home. Every pious home had either portions or all the Old Testament. There were even little parchment rolls for children that contained such scriptures as the Shema, the Hallel, the history of the creation and of the flood, and the first eight chapters of Leviticus. Jewish homes, Jewish family life, the rearing of Jewish children, indeed, the whole Jewish way of life was founded upon Jewish theology.

Alfred Edersheim:

“The pious Jew had no other knowledge, neither sought nor cared for any other … in fact denounced it … than that of the law of God.”

Glenn R. McGettigan

December 2011; Revised December 2014

#11 Jesus' Childhood and Youth

#11 Jesus’ Childhood and Youth

Please first read: Luke 2; JST Matthew 3:24-26

Apostle John Taylor:

“It is necessary, then, that we pass through the school of suffering, trial, affliction, and privation, to know ourselves, to know others, and to know God. Therefore, it was necessary, when the Savior was upon the earth, that he should be tempted in all points, like unto us, and “be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” to comprehend the weaknesses and strength, the perfections and imperfections of poor fallen human nature. And having accomplished the thing he came into the world to do; having had to grapple with the hypocrisy, corruption, weakness, and imbecility of man; having met with temptation and trial in all its various forms, and overcome, he has become a “faithful High Priest” to intercede for us in the everlasting kingdom of His Father. He knows how to estimate and put a proper value upon human nature, for he having been placed in the same position as we are, knows how to bear with our weaknesses and infirmities, and can fully comprehend the depth, power, and strength of the afflictions and trials that men have to cope with in this world, and thus understandingly and by experience, he can bear with them as a father and an elder brother.

“It is necessary also, inasmuch as we profess that we are aiming at the same glory, exaltation, power, and blessings in the eternal world, that we should pass through these same afflictions, endure the same privations, conquer as he conquered, and overcome as he did, and thus by integrity, truth, virtue, purity, and a high-minded and honorable course before God, angels, and men, secure for ourselves an eternal exaltation in the eternal world, as he did.”

Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Our lives have already become jeopardized by revealing the wicked and bloodthirsty purposes of our enemies; and for the future we must cease to do so. All we have said about them is truth, but it is not always wise to relate all the truth. Even Jesus, the Son of God had to refrain from doing so, and had to restrain His feelings many times for the safety of Himself and His followers, and He had to conceal the righteous purposes of His heart in relation to many things pertaining to His Father's kingdom. When still a boy He had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom He possessed; but He was a boy only, and lacked physical strength even to defend His own person; and was subject to cold, to hunger and to death.” (“Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith” page 392)                         

President Spencer W. Kimball:

“Paul indicated that we all could attain this abundant life by perfecting ourselves. The fact that most of us are far from perfection is not to say we cannot, but we don't. Christ became perfect.

He overcame.   He suffered hunger, thirst, cold, heat, pain, sorrow, and all that life has to offer in suffering. Each time he overcame, he became more nearly perfect. Paul said, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”  (Hebrews 5:9) “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Hebrews 2:10)

President Joseph Fielding Smith:

           

“Christ Began Mortality As Men Do. Our Savior was a God before he was born into this world, and he brought with him that same status when he came here. He was as much a God when he was born into the world as he was before. But as far as this life is concerned it appears that he had to start just as all other children do and gain his knowledge line upon line. Luke says he "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” John records that “he received not of the fullness at the first,” but had to progress “from grace to grace, until he received a fullness.” Paul wrote, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by all the things which he suffered.”

“How He Gained Light and Truth. Evidently, before he was twelve years old – for then he astonished the doctors and wise men in the temple – he 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. But his knowledge, so far as this life was concerned, had to come line upon line and precept by precept. Without question he was in communication, from time to time, with his Heavenly Father.

“The Joseph Smith translation of the Bible tells us that “Jesus grew up with his brethren, and waxed strong, and waited upon the Lord for the time of his ministry to come. And he served under his father, and he spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him. And after many years, the hour of his ministry drew nigh.”

                                

“How He Did What He Had Seen The Father Do. The statement of our Lord that he could do nothing but what he had seen the Father do, means simply that it had been revealed to him what his Father had done. Without doubt, Jesus came into the world subject to the same condition as was required of each of us – he forgot everything, and had to grow from grace to grace. His forgetting, or having his former knowledge taken away, would be requisite just as it is in the case of each of us, to complete the present temporal existence.

                                 

“Christ Gained Fullness After Resurrection. The Savior did not have a fullness at first, but after he received his body and the resurrection all power was given unto him both in heaven and in earth. Although he was a God, even the Son of God, with power and authority to create this earth and other earths, yet there were some things lacking which he did not receive until after his resurrection. In other words, he had not received the fullness until he got a resurrected body, and the same is true with those who through faithfulness become sons (and daughters) of God. Our bodies are essential to the fullness and the continuation of the seeds forever." (Section titled “Christ Worked Out His Own Salvation.”)

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:

“We believe that Jesus was involved in the normal earthly activities of others of his time. His talents and spirituality far exceeded those of any other person ever. Although he was obedient and sinless in all things, yet in all points was he tempted as other men are.”

President J. Rueben Clark:

“Regarding the event at the temple when Jesus was twelve years of age and his parents leaving for home, and having to return to Jerusalem to find him...his mother asks him ‘why?’ In the language of that day, his reply to her was not discourteous. He said ‘Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?’ This is the first expression we have from Jesus regarding his Messiah-ship.”

Glenn R. McGettigan

January 2012; Revised August 2014

                         

                        

#8 The Birth of Jesus

#8 The Birth of Jesus

Please first read: Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 2:1-12

Apostle James E. Talmage:

“There is meaning as deep as the pathos that all must feel in the seemingful parenthetical remark by Luke ... “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” It is apparent that the great truth as to the personality and mission of her divine Son had not yet unfolded itself in its fullness to her mind. The whole course of events, from the salutation of Gabriel to the reverent testimony of the shepherds concerning the announcing angel and the heavenly hosts, was largely a mystery to the stainless mother and wife.”

Matthew 1:23: “A virgin shall be with child.” This significant phrase shows a fulfillment of a prophecy given by God in the Garden of Eden. He told Satan that there would be enmity between his seed and the seed of the woman; Satan could bruise the heel, but the woman’s seed would have power to crush Satan’s head. (Genesis 3: 15)

Have you ever thought that in all history only one person could be called the seed of the woman? All others are the seed of a man and a woman. Interesting how this changes the message we perceive.  (Church Educational System, “The Growing Edge” December 1981)

“I have wondered if this young woman, something of a child herself, here bearing her first baby, might have wished her mother, or an aunt, or her sister, or her friend to be near her through the labor. Surely the birth of such a son as this should have commanded the aid and attention of every midwife in Judea. We all might wish that someone could have held her hand, cooled her brow, and when the ordeal was over, given her rest in crisp, cool linen. But it was not to be so. With only Joseph's inexperienced assistance, she herself brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in the little clothes she had knowingly brought on her journey, and perhaps laid him on a pillow of hay.” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “No Room for Them in the Inn” Luke 2: 7)

The Joseph Smith translation of Luke 2: 7 reads a little differently: “And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was none to give room for them in the inns.” (King James version: “no room for them in the inn.”)

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:

“Inns were square buildings, open inside, in which travelers commonly put up for the night; back parts of these erections were used as stables. Mary's condition probably required slow travel so that the inns were all filled upon their arrival in Bethlehem, necessitating their use of the stable for shelter. It was the traveling host of Judah generally, not just the innkeeper or an isolated few persons, who withheld shelter from Joseph and Mary. Though her state was apparent, the other travelers, lacking in courtesy, compassion, and refinement, would not give way so she could be cared for more conveniently and commodiously. This rude rejection was but a prelude to the coming day when these same people and their children after them would reject to their eternal sorrow the Lord who that night began mortality under the most lowly circumstances.”

Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland:

 “There was no room for 'them' in the inn. We cannot be certain, but it is my guess that money could talk in those days as well as in our own. I think if Joseph and Mary had been people of influence or means, they would have found lodging even at that busy time of year. They did not know the right people.”

Under these circumstances there would be no privacy for Mary to give birth to the baby ... many people crowded into one room to eat sleep and stay. Joseph may have been very grateful to accept the offer of a stable, its privacy, and possible greater solitude.  Maybe the innkeeper, seeing Mary's condition, was not being hard-hearted when he suggested the use of his stable.

Jesus’ Earthly Family and Times

Virtually all who knew the family considered Joseph to be the reputed and legal father of Jesus.  Probably Zacharias and Elizabeth were the only others who would have known otherwise. Jesus would grow up being so regarded. From Mary he would get all earthly talents. From God he would get all Godly powers; one immortal and glorified, one human.

All the necessary requirements of the law were meticulously carried out. He was circumcised at eight days of age and given a name. This brought him under the obligation of the Jewish laws pertaining to a male Jew. He would thus observe all required sacrifices, ceremonial observances and ordinances. At age twelve Jesus would become “a son of the law.” He would have a position in the congregation and be recognized as a member of his community. His vocational, secular and religious studies all moved to an advanced level and practice, and at this age parents could no longer sell their son as a bond servant.

Joseph Smith, in his inspired version of the Bible, added the following: “Jesus grew up with his brethren, and waxed strong, and waited upon the Lord for the time of his ministry to come. And he served under his father, and he spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him.” (Matthew 3: 24-25)

Hebrews 5: 8 “... though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” In addition, Jesus needed the earthly experience of growth. President Joseph Fielding Smith said that Jesus, when He came here, forgot everything (a veil was drawn) and He had to grow from grace to grace.                    

                                 

Some of the people of Jesus' time considered him to be another Moses. There are parallels between the two. Moses was considered a physical savior of the Jewish nation; God gave them a new covenant through Moses, and Moses gathered them to freedom. It appears that many followers of Jesus expected him to repeat this against the Romans. However, Jesus came in the meridian of time to be our spiritual savior.

Bethlehem

The Jews had known for many years from their prophets that the Messiah would be born of the lineage of David; and that his birth and coming would take place in the town of Bethlehem, a small town in Judea that was also the birthplace of their ancestor David. People were anticipating and praying for this to occur. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth of Galilee, nearly 100 miles north of Bethlehem, and would have to travel there for the baby's birth regardless of any other reason.

At this time the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus (Octavian) issues an order for all subjects of the empire to register in a census so they can be taxed. The Jews had paid tribute to Rome since Pompeii and Rome had taken tax census's before, so this was not new to them. The Roman way of doing this was to take the census in the town where subjects resided, but Jewish custom for this was for everyone to register at their ancestral home. Joseph and Mary will have to travel to Bethlehem. For some reason they did not leave early enough, and they are late in arriving. It is Passover time and there will be huge crowds spilling over from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. They are poor, and this will be a hard trip for Mary being great with child. Many others likewise had to journey there and thus the town is. overcrowded at this time. All short-term accommodations are long gone even in this land which has a great reputation for citizens sharing hospitality. Sheep and oxen will make room and be the companions for Jesus at his birth. Against this backdrop of humility our Father-God causes some great signs and events to take place throughout the world.

Witnesses

From its inception Bethlehem was a community mostly engaged in agricultural and pastoral activities. It was now springtime and shepherds were in the fields with their sheep. Because of the closeness of Jerusalem, these sheep were especially selected for sacrifice at the temple there. The scriptures seem to indicate that the lowly shepherds were the first to know of the birth of the Messiah and to testify of his arrival on earth. Doesn't this seem fitting in a way? ... Jesus, who is destined to be sacrificed for all of us, is first made known to those tending sheep destined for sacrifice in the temple.

Wise men from eastern lands ... they came asking, “Where is he that is born king of the Jews?”  They probably knew of ancient prophecies telling of the rise of a new star at the birth of the Messiah. When this occurred, they responded and made plans to find the Messiah who would be king. They received revelation to come, and revelation to not return to Herod when they left to go home.

Additional points of interest:

Many nouns in the Hebrew language were given names...Bethlehem meant “house of bread.” Jesus identified Himself as the “true bread of life.”

  

“Jesus” was a common name at the time of Christ, as also was “Mary.”         

Male babies were named and circumcised on the eighth day of life; this was also to be a reminder to parents to prepare their children for accountability at eight years of age.   

                                

Jesus came to fulfill the law of Moses, and through His circumcision He became subject to the law and required to obey all its requirements ... which He did.

  

Mangers in the East were built in the shape of kneading troughs and were commonly used as cradles.

Glenn R. McGettigan

December 2011; Revised October 2014

                           

References:

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” McConkie

“The Life of Christ.” Farrar

“The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ.” Holzapfel-Wayment

“Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles.” CES NT Manual

“The Gospels.” Jackson-Millet

“The Mortal Messiah” McConkie

“Bible Review Journal.” February 1985

“Our Lord of the Gospels.” Clark

“The Four Gospels.” Ludlow

“Life of Christ.” Geikie

                                

                                       

                                

                                       

#6 Mary, the Mother of Jesus

#6 Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Please first read: Luke 1:26-38

The Annunciation to Mary

Some six months have transpired since the angel’s visitation to Zacharias in the temple.   Elizabeth is with child. God the Father now sends the angel Gabriel to Mary in Nazareth, who is betrothed (engaged in the Jewish tradition) to marry Joseph.

Mary, like many young Jewish maidens of her time, would be aware of the prophecies regarding the coming of their Messiah. The one so chosen would be of the tribe of Judah and a descendant of David. Jesus would come through this the Royal Line which also happens to be the ancestry of both Mary and her husband-to-be Joseph. What incredible joy and excitement would the mother of the Christ experience when that great event occurred! What a blessing for the Jewish nation and all involved! How much longer must they suffer and wait for the Lord to come and restore the nation to its former grandeur?

And then,

“Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women,” the angel Gabriel greets the virgin.

Could this be? Mary knew of her lineage, her unmarried status and her virgin condition. Startled, and before she can respond, the angel continues:

“Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God. And behold thou shalt conceive in thy

womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

Mary’s response is almost child-like: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word,” and the angel departs as quietly as he had come. (Luke 1:28-38)

The time is at hand, the Savior is coming to the earth!

Mary was chosen and foreordained in the preexistence to be the earthly mother of our Lord. She was the greatest, or one of the greatest, spiritual daughters of our Father in Heaven. Just as God chose the greatest of His sons to be the Christ, it is reasonable to think that He would make a similar selection for the earthly mother of that Son. Mary was known to many Old Testament and Book of Mormon prophets. They prophesied her name would be “Mary,” she would be the earthly mother of the Savior, and Jesus would be the only begotten Son of God the Father on the earth.

In the 8th Century BC Isaiah wrote, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

                                    

Nephi, in about 600 BC, stated “And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white” ...  And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms ...  And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father.” (1 Nephi 11:13, 20, 21)

King Benjamin prophesied in 124 BC “And he shall be called Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.” (Mosiah 3:8)

Around 83 BC Alma wrote that Christ “shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem ... she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.” (Alma 7:10)

Christ's coming to the earth in a mortal body had been prophesied among the Jews for centuries. These prophecies were contained in their Old Testament scrolls and other inspired writings. They had revered and taught from them for ages. The prophesies were numerous, included the law of Moses, and at the time of Jesus' coming were considered authoritative in current Jewish worship. They knew that through the fall came death ... Satan and his followers were loosed on earth to oppose God and inflict man; to be the opposition to righteousness. They also knew from prophecy that good would eventually triumph over evil and death, but an atoning sacrifice by a Savior God would be necessary to bring this to pass. Of all our Fathers sons and daughters our Elder Brother, Jesus the Christ was the only one who met all the requirements.  He was a God in the preexistence before the creation of the worlds. He is the first-born spirit son and the only begotten of the Father in the flesh and is second only to the Father in power and authority. He alone has an immortal Father (God) and a mortal mother (Mary.) He alone was given the power to lay down His life and take it up again, which He did in atoning for our sins.

The Jewish nation had long hoped and prayed for God to hasten His coming. They expected Him to come in power and glory ... to vanquish their foes ... make them free again ... and restore them to power and glory. Much of their history was a record of oppression and enslavement, as it was at the time of Jesus' birth. Deep was their longing for God to come, vanquish their oppressors and restore them to power as in the days of David.

We may assume that Mary's parents would be righteous and faithful in keeping and observing the law of Moses and the other requirements of Jewish worship. She would grow up in a normal religious home of that day. The culture, traditions, and societal practices of that day would shape and guide her maturing. From her mother she would learn necessary homemaking and family skills and plan for the time when she would marry a proper Jewish husband. Her work would include the family field and orchard.

Her husband would be the head of the family and the responsibility of providing for them would fall to him. He would lead in the various practices and rituals for worship, prayer, service in the synagogue, and observance of holy days. She would see his faithful performance to God in the religious teaching of his children, and in his keeping the commandments and the law of Moses.

Mary and Joseph, her husband to be, were cousins. Although they were poor they were of royal descent. The lineage of both goes back to David and Abraham. That the Savior would be of the house of David had been widely prophesied. The ancestry of both Mary and Joseph fulfilled this requirement.

The Apostle Joseph E. Talmage:

“The consensus of historians is that Matthews' account is of the royal lineage, establishing the order of sequence among the legal successors to the throne of David; while the account given by Luke is a personal pedigree, demonstrating descent from David without adherence to the line of legal succession to the throne. The all-important fact to be remembered is that the Child promised by Gabriel to Mary would be born in the Royal Line.”

President Joseph Fielding Smith “Our Savior was a God before he was born into this world, and he brought with him that same status when he came here. He was as much a God when he was born into the world as he was before.” (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1)

Glenn R. McGettigan 

December 2011; Revised September 2018

References:

“Our Lord of the Gospels.” Clark

“The Mortal Messiah.” McConkie

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

“Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles.” CES NT Manual

“The Four Gospels.” Ludlow

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie

“The Gospels.” Jackson-Millet

“Mormon Doctrine.” McConkie

“The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ.” Volume 1. Holzapfel-Wayment

“The Life of Christ.” Farrar

“The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.” Volume 1. Edersheim

“Doctrines of Salvation.” Volume 1. Joseph Fielding Smith