By: The White Ninja MC
In this blog entry of my inspirations and growing testimony of His ministry, I will be referencing the texts from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Matthew 21-24, Mark 11-13, Luke 19-21, John 12, as well as Joseph Smith's translations of Matthew.
Throughout these records of His ministry, we read of how Jesus was received by many different people: the Pharisees, Saudecees, and other high-ranking figures within the Jewish community at the time were distasteful of his teachings, demanding what authority he had to teach what he was, and who gave it to him. His challenge was pretty marvelous and well-designed:
"The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?" - Matthew 21:23-27
These elders and priests were hard-pressed into succumbing to him; they had no answer to fit their agenda and just admitted they couldn't answer appropriately. Jesus here demonstrated that he had the authority to teach, and his authority was given by our Heavenly Father. Nothing these highly educated people could do would throw him for a loop! Likewise, we also see another foiled attempt by the Pharisees in Matthew 22:15-22:
"And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?"
These first few words were deceptive: I would argue they did not know his words as truth. However, it sure was nice to see they marvelled at his words afterword.
Dear reader, I hope so far I haven't lost you. Thus far, we see Jesus as renowned for being intelligent by chief people. Now let's look at how the general population received him.
In John 12:12-23 and Luke 19:47-48, the people so loved him and his teachings that the chief priests and scribes couldn't remove or destroy him!
Later in the passages, we also come to know that we should be ready for His Second Coming. In Mark 13 and in JST-Matthew, it is very telling what will happen and have to happen before His return. There would be false Christs, wars and rumors of wars, and fighting among nations, among other things. However, he promises that these things will come to pass, as the end wouldn't have arrived yet. The gospel of His ministry and teachings would "first be published among all nations." He promises us as we endure to the very end, we will be saved. He symbolizes the likeness of us knowing when the end of days is upon us to a fig tree blooming in summer: when we know that the events he mentions have come to pass, the end of days is very close at hand. He even seems to say that not even he knows when exactly it will happen: only His Father does! Interesting thought!
This post was not meant to be as a reprimanding of my brothers and sisters, but as a reminder to do good deeds and be compassionate for each other. Hopefully this post was enlightening to you, and I hope you will continue to considerate and compassionate to your fellow neighbor!
compassion-readiness-lessons-from-jesus-ministry | February 08, 2025
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