Wednesday, December 25, 2013

25 Days of Christ - Day 22

Day 22 - Crucifixion and Burial

 Luke 23:  33-46, 50-56

33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

 34 ¶Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what cthey do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

 38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

 39 ¶And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the amidst.

 46 ¶And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPfC9kSPP_Q&list=PL4A73DDEE675FBC39&index=21

50 ¶And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a acounsellor;and he was a good man, and a just:
 51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
 52 This man went unto Pilate, and abegged the body of Jesus.
 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in aasepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
 54 And that day was the apreparation, and the sabbath drew on.
 55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the asepulchre, and how his body was laid.
 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; andarested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

“He submitted Himself, and they took Him and in mockery crowned Him with a crown of platted thorns and placed a purple robe on His back. Without mercy and with hatred vile and intemperate, they beat Him and scourged Him and cried out for His crucifixion. He had done no evil. He had done only good, and in greater measure than any man before Him had ever done. Yet they cried for His death.
 He staggered under the weight of the cross on which He was to hang. They nailed His quivering flesh to the unyielding wood. They mocked Him as He hung in agony.
While suffering, He forgave them. He cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). Then He died for each of us.
But in dying He brought about the redemption of mankind. None can fully comprehend the extent and wonder and majesty of that sacrifice in our behalf. Suffice it to say He became our Redeemer.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley, T

25 Days of Christ -21

Day 21 - Betrayal and Denial


Matthew 26:4-75

 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.

 5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

 6 ¶Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

 14 ¶Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

 17 ¶Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! cit had been good for that man if he had not been born.

 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

 26 ¶And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, drink ye all of it;

 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

 31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

 32 But after I am arisen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

 36 ¶Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

 47 ¶And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.

 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

 57 ¶And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

 58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

 63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

 67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

 68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

Peter's Betrayal - Carl Heinrich Bloch - www.carlbloch.org 69 ¶Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

“This was also a telling time among those who knew Jesus more personally. The most difficult to understand in this group is Judas Iscariot. We know the divine plan required Jesus to be crucified, but it is wrenching to think that one of His special witnesses who sat at His feet, heard Him pray, watched Him heal, and felt His touch could betray Him and all that He was for 30 pieces of silver. Never in the history of this world has so little money purchased so much infamy. We are not the ones to judge Judas’s fate, but Jesus said of His betrayer, “Good [were it] for that man if he had not been born”…
Later, after Jesus’s arrest and appearance at trial, Peter, accused of knowing Jesus and being one of His confidants, denies that accusation not once but three times. We don’t know all that was going on here, nor do we know of protective counsel which the Savior may have given to His Apostles privately,but we do know Jesus was aware that even these precious ones would not stand with Him in the end, and He had warned Peter accordingly. Then, with the crowing of the cock, “the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

25 Days - Day 20

Day 20 - Gethsemane

 36 ¶Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

D&C 19:16-19
 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

 17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

 19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

“because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”
 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

25 Days - Day 19

 Day 19 - The Last Supper



Luke 22:14-20
14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.


John 13:4-15

4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 Afterthat he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded . 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him,Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest notnow; but thou shalt know hereafter . 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesusanswered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord,not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washedneedeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For heknew who should betray him; therefore said he , Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washedtheir feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye whatI have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am . 14 If I then, yourLord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I havegiven you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

“First, consider the Savior’s introduction of the sacrament. The Savior knew what was about to befall Him. His sacred, atoning mission, beginning with the War in Heaven in the premortal existence, was about to unfold that evening and the next day. Yet with the trials by His adversaries imminently before Him, there is not the slightest evidence He was preparing a defense against the untrue accusations. The Savior instead introduced the sacred ordinance of the sacrament to His disciples. As I contemplate that solemn occasion, my feelings are deeply touched. Sacrament meeting is the most sacred and holy of all the meetings in the Church. After His Resurrection, the Savior instituted the sacrament among the Nephites. If we are to be His disciples and to be committed members of His Church, we must remember and reverence the sacrament. It allows each of us to express with broken hearts and contrite spirits our willingness to follow the Savior, to repent, and to become a Saint through the Atonement of Christ. The sacrament allows us to witness to God that we will remember His Son and keep His commandments as we renew our baptismal covenant. This increases our love and appreciation for both the Father and the Son.”

Elder Quentin L, Cook


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

25 Days of Christ - Day 18

Day 18 - 

Triumphal Entry and Cleansing the Temple

Matthew 21:1-13
 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Jesus casting out the money changers at the temple - Carl Bloch


12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.



“The Lord drew boundary lines to define acceptable limits of tolerance. Danger rises when those divine limits are disobeyed. Just as parents teach little children not to run and play in the street, the Savior taught us that we need not tolerate evil. “Jesus went into the temple of God, and … and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers.”  Though He loved the sinner, the Lord said that He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance”… 
Our commitment to the Savior causes us to scorn sin yet heed His commandment to love our neighbors. Together we live on this earth, which is to be tended, subdued, and shared with gratitude. Each of us can help to make life in this world a more pleasant experience… 
Unitedly we may respond. Together we may stand, intolerant of transgression but tolerant of neighbors with differences they hold sacred. Our beloved brothers and sisters throughout the world are all children of God.”                Elder Russell M. Nelson

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

25 Days of Christ - Day17

Day 17 - Mary and Martha

Luke 10:38-42

And now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

“My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.”
Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, … that [we] may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.” In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the “more excellent way.”
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,