JESUS CHRIST

Luke is the longest Gospel of the four and as much as half of the material in Luke is unique to his Gospel providing additional information about Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Luke is the first half of a two-part work (Luke-Acts). The Gospel informs the reader what Jesus said and did and the Book of Acts reveal what Jesus did through the Holy Spirit following his ascension—a continuous story that was composed to be read together. (more…)

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 (Hebrews 4:15). 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 (Hebrews 2:17).

Jesus Christ 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.

Teachings of Presidents of the Church, John Taylor, 53.

Paul taught that to come unto Jesus Christ is to enter a new realm of existence, a spiritual realm. It is to forsake death and come unto life, to put away evil and darkness and learn to walk in righteousness and light. “Know ye not,” Paul asked the Romans, “that so many of  us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:3-6). (more…)

The New Testament authors, who provide the earliest reliable information about Jesus of Nazareth, noted that Jesus Christ often prayed during his life, especially at critical points in his ministry (Luke 5:16; 9:28).

Additionally, the Gospels also provide information about what Jesus taught about prayer.  For example, Jesus told his disciples, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Luke 11:9-10).  This is a glorious promise, one that applies moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day.  It is understated, and perhaps by some, underexamined and underutilized.  Prayer is the means by which we develop our relationship with God and the Savior, and by which he is enabled to offer the additional assistance he freely loves to give. Prayer is the conduit to God’s power, his perspective, and his peace. It is the antidote to pride, for it speaks of our reliance on the Savior and his sacrifice as we pray in his name, and through his merits. (more…)

In the October 1995 general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes known as The ‘Mormon’ Church), President Boyd K. Packer, [modern apostle], said:

[Except for] the very few who defect to perdition, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no one exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ (”The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 20). (more…)

The question comes up occasionally, perhaps because of what is stated in the gospel of Mark: “Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:31-32; emphasis added). the phrase “neither the Son” is not found in Matthew or Luke. Jesus Christ knows all things; He possesses the fulness of the glory and power of the Father (see Doctrine & Covenants 93:16-17). Surely He knows when He will return. if He did not know the exact day or time of His return in glory when the Olivet prophecy was uttered, then certainly after His Resurrection and glorification He came to know. It is worth noting that the Joseph Smith Translation of this verse omits the disputed phrase.

Sperry Symposium Classics, Brigham Young University, Religious Studies Center, 2004, p. 201.

Jesus Christ came to earth as a mortal being in the meridian of time. He taught the gospel, bestowed divine authority, organized the Church, and suffered and died as an infinite atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. He stated that He would come again, would return not as the meek and lowly Nazarene but as the Lord of Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of Armies. Jesus Christ’s Second Coming is thus spoken of as His coming “in glory”-meaning, in His true identity as the God of all creation, the Redeemer and Judge. His Second Coming is described as both great and dreadful-great for those who have been true and faithful and therefore look forward to Jesus Christ’s coming, and dreadful to those who have done despite to the spirit of grace and who therefore hope against hope that He will never return. The Second Coming in glory is in fact “the end of the world,” meaning the end of worldliness, the destruction of the wicked (Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:4, 31). At this coming the wicked will be destroyed, the righteous quickened and caught up to meet Him, and the earth transformed from a fallen telestial orb to a terrestrial, paradisaical sphere. We will live and move about among new heavens and new earths. The Second Coming will initiate the millennial reign.

Sperry Symposium Classics, Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004, p. 202.

The New Testament portrays Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, as observant Jews (Luke 2:22-24). Luke reveals that Jesus was raised according to the customs of the people (Luke 2:41-42). We assume, therefore, that Jesus observed the Law of Moses as an obedient and faithful son of the Law.

During his mortal ministry, Jesus Christ often quoted from the Jewish scriptures—from the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms ( Luke 4:4, 8, 12). During his famous Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught, “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18). (more…)

Courtesy of Mark Mabry

Jesus Christ is the author of peace, the Prince of Peace. In this learning laboratory of mortality, we find that peace comes as we put Him first in our lives. We come to know that He lives, that Christ truly paid the price of our sins, our poor vision, our weaknesses, by suffering personally for each one of them, and that He has become our Advocate with the Father through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, to enable us, lift us, save us, and redeem us. He alone can bring peace to us through the gift of His Spirit.

The Savior’s words are literal and are for you and I: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27). (more…)