The Pool of Bethesda story in John 5 is loaded with symbols. I'll let you do the math. You can read the story and plug in the equations. Here are some equations.
1. Bethesda equals "house of mercy."
2. The number five (as in five porches) also equals mercy. Remember when Joseph meets his brothers in Egypt, Benjamin's meal is five times greater than the others and he gets five changes of raiment (Gen. 43:34, 45:22).
3. The "moving of the water" equals Jehovah creating the world as “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2).
4. Miracles in John always equal the Greek word “semeion” meaning a sign or token. They are signs of who the Savior really is.
5. Thirty eight years (as in the length of the man's infirmity who is lying by the pool) equals the duration of the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness (see Deuteronomy 2:14). This number usually gets rounded to 40 but accurate math will help in solving this equation. 38 years also equals the span of the Prophet Joseph Smith's mortal life.
6. Wandering in the wilderness equals wandering in mortal life. You can visit Alma 37:42-45 for an example of this. You can get lost in either place.
7. Your chances of beating your neighbor to the healing waters DOES NOT equate to mercy. Rather, it's more like Survivor with the fastest and most athletic team winning the prize.
8. Acts violating the Sabbath (like taking up your bed and carrying it) equal the death penalty. Yes, the Savior asks this man to commit a capital offense. (See Exodus 35:2).
After solving the equation you may ask yourself the following questions:
Really, who is it lying by the pool?
Where does my faith lie? (Or who do I trust?).
Do I courageously accept His invitation to "Come follow me?"
Do I follow promptings from the Spirit even when it doesn't seem to make sense.
Where would I be without my Savior?
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
The Samaritan Story: His Grace and Second Coming
"And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee" (Luke 10:35).
The Savior promises He will come again, and then gives the host a blank check, showing His Atonement transcends and covers all costs. It's infinite! When He comes again He will well compensate those who choose to follow Him for "His reward is with Him (Isaiah 40:10).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: His grace is always sufficient.
The Savior promises He will come again, and then gives the host a blank check, showing His Atonement transcends and covers all costs. It's infinite! When He comes again He will well compensate those who choose to follow Him for "His reward is with Him (Isaiah 40:10).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: His grace is always sufficient.
Monday, March 25, 2019
The Samaritan Story: The Atonement
"And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him" (Luke 10:34).
We recognize Him as our Savior from the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah: "He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted" (Isaiah 61:1). The healing balm is oil, pressed from the great oil press of Gethsemane--a name originating from two Hebrew words, gath (meaning a press) and shemen (meaning oil). The wine is a sacramental offering of His blood.
And He set him on "his own beast," representing His mortal body in Gethsemane and on the cross. I believe that one by one, each of us entered through the veil of His flesh (see Hebrews 10:20) as He "carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4).
Then He brought the man to an inn, His Church, where he would get needed care.
PERSONAL APPLICATION: My Savior Jesus Christ knows the weakness of my flesh. As a recovering alcoholic and addict, His grace has carried me through rough times and with His help I can overcome all things.
We recognize Him as our Savior from the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah: "He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted" (Isaiah 61:1). The healing balm is oil, pressed from the great oil press of Gethsemane--a name originating from two Hebrew words, gath (meaning a press) and shemen (meaning oil). The wine is a sacramental offering of His blood.
And He set him on "his own beast," representing His mortal body in Gethsemane and on the cross. I believe that one by one, each of us entered through the veil of His flesh (see Hebrews 10:20) as He "carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4).
Then He brought the man to an inn, His Church, where he would get needed care.
PERSONAL APPLICATION: My Savior Jesus Christ knows the weakness of my flesh. As a recovering alcoholic and addict, His grace has carried me through rough times and with His help I can overcome all things.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
The Samaritan Story: Luke 10:33
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him" (Luke 10:33).
We can know as we make our journey in life that Jesus can come to our aid. The "certain" Samaritan is a type of Jesus Christ. The Samaritans were part Israelite and part Gentile. In Old Testament times the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and other places and repopulated Samaria (see 2 Kings 17:24). But not all of the original Samaritans left the area and those who stayed behind intermarried with these outsiders, so the Samaritans became a mixture.
Jesus was also of mixed lineage in a unique way. His father was God the Father and His mother was Mary. He inherited mortality from His mother and immortality from His Father. The Jews despised the Samaritans and Jesus "came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11).
The Samaritan in the parable comes right to the place where the man lay and had compassion on him. The Greek word for compassion (splagchnizomai) means to be torn in the gut. Indeed, His bowels are filled with mercy (see Alma 7:12).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: I never have to be alone.
We can know as we make our journey in life that Jesus can come to our aid. The "certain" Samaritan is a type of Jesus Christ. The Samaritans were part Israelite and part Gentile. In Old Testament times the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and other places and repopulated Samaria (see 2 Kings 17:24). But not all of the original Samaritans left the area and those who stayed behind intermarried with these outsiders, so the Samaritans became a mixture.
Jesus was also of mixed lineage in a unique way. His father was God the Father and His mother was Mary. He inherited mortality from His mother and immortality from His Father. The Jews despised the Samaritans and Jesus "came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11).
The Samaritan in the parable comes right to the place where the man lay and had compassion on him. The Greek word for compassion (splagchnizomai) means to be torn in the gut. Indeed, His bowels are filled with mercy (see Alma 7:12).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: I never have to be alone.
Monday, March 18, 2019
The Samaritan Story: Luke 10:31-32
"And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
"And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side" (Luke 10:31-32).
This was a certain priest indeed. It would be the high priest of the Aaronic order, and he will come to make his offering annually on Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement. He will enter into the Holy of Holies all alone as a foreshadowing of the Savior's Atonement in Gethsemane (See Leviticus 16:17). And "likewise the Levite, when he was at the place," meaning the holy place or temple. The priest will make an atonement for all the congregation of Israel.
But let's not get too critical of what looks like apathy on the surface. The priest is doing the best he can on this symbolic day. Yet he can only imagine and guess at your infirmities, trials, and pains. He sees your difficulties and mine from the other side of the street, and passes by on the other side.
PERSONAL APPLICATION: Even when others don't understand my daily trials, my Savior Jesus Christ knows and understands perfectly.
"And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side" (Luke 10:31-32).
This was a certain priest indeed. It would be the high priest of the Aaronic order, and he will come to make his offering annually on Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement. He will enter into the Holy of Holies all alone as a foreshadowing of the Savior's Atonement in Gethsemane (See Leviticus 16:17). And "likewise the Levite, when he was at the place," meaning the holy place or temple. The priest will make an atonement for all the congregation of Israel.
But let's not get too critical of what looks like apathy on the surface. The priest is doing the best he can on this symbolic day. Yet he can only imagine and guess at your infirmities, trials, and pains. He sees your difficulties and mine from the other side of the street, and passes by on the other side.
PERSONAL APPLICATION: Even when others don't understand my daily trials, my Savior Jesus Christ knows and understands perfectly.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
The Samaritan Story: Luke 10:30
"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead" (Luke 10:30).
On one symbolic level, the "certain man" was Adam. His name means man or mankind. Since it's Adam, who is a type for all mankind, it's all of us on this journey from Jerusalem to Jericho, a descent of 3,300 feet.
And in case we didn't see that this was about the Fall, the text reminds us that he "fell" among thieves. The thieves are Satan and his followers. Satan doesn't want our gold, precious goods, or money. He wants to take something else.
The phrase "stripped him of his raiment" is summarized in one Greek word "ekduo," which means to sink out of a garment or be divested of sacred clothing. It's about covenant making. It's the opposite of the Greek word "enduo" where we get the English word endowment. Enduo means to sink into a garment or be invested in sacred clothing. That's what Satan and his followers want to strip you of.
After the Fall and Satan departs, you and I are left in a fallen world and comparatively with our first estate, we are left wounded and "half dead." Yes, we are still physically alive, at least for our mortal existence, but we are spiritually dead by being shut out of the presence of God (see Moses 5:4).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: Since I am subject to the Fall I cannot merit anything of myself (see Alma 22:14).
Sunday, March 10, 2019
The Hygienic Cure
This week's study from "Come Follow Me" led me to ponder and view two of the Savior's miracles in a new light. There is a common thread in the healing of the paralytic and the woman with the issue of blood.
He addresses both of them as His children in a sense by calling the paralytic "son" and the woman "daughter" (Matthew 9:2; Mark 5:34). This can only happen in a literal sense as we make and keep covenants and become "spiritually begotten" and "born of Him" (see Mosiah 5:7).
This verse in the Book of Mormon brings up the second aspect of these two miracles as it speaks of a "change of heart" through "faith on His name."
They have to break down the roof in order to get this man in close proximity to the Savior. And certainly this man is a prime candidate for a physical healing. Then Jesus says, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2). In previous readings I always thought this is not what the crowd came for! But through the Spirit, I just wanted this time to be a fly on the wall and listen to the paralytic's prayer that morning. Maybe it went something like, "Please Lord, I can deal with my disability, but this guilt is eating me alive!" We really don't know. The scriptures don't tell us.
We are given better insight into the woman with the issue of blood. She had been battling this problem for 12 years. She thinks if she can just get close enough to touch the border or "wing" of the prayer shawl hanging over His shoulders, then she might be healed. Ironically, the tassels hanging from this piece of apparel would be tied in knots to represent the 613 tenants of the Law of Moses--a list way too long to keep with perfection.
The Savior says, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague" (Mark 5:34).
Here we encounter a rather sloppy King James translation. The first "whole" and the second "whole" (no, this isn't golf) are not the same. The first "whole" is the Greek word "sozo" and it means to save. This should be translated as "thy faith hath saved thee." The second "whole" is the Greek word "hygies," where we get the English word "hygiene" or good health. It probably should read, "My daughter, your faith has saved you. Go your way and be of good health."
PERSONAL APPLICATIONS:
1. Are my personal prayers getting through the roof?
2. Is my faith diminished when I don't get what I ask for in my morning laundry list?
3. Am I seeking real salvation and a change of heart or just good hygiene?
He addresses both of them as His children in a sense by calling the paralytic "son" and the woman "daughter" (Matthew 9:2; Mark 5:34). This can only happen in a literal sense as we make and keep covenants and become "spiritually begotten" and "born of Him" (see Mosiah 5:7).
This verse in the Book of Mormon brings up the second aspect of these two miracles as it speaks of a "change of heart" through "faith on His name."
They have to break down the roof in order to get this man in close proximity to the Savior. And certainly this man is a prime candidate for a physical healing. Then Jesus says, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2). In previous readings I always thought this is not what the crowd came for! But through the Spirit, I just wanted this time to be a fly on the wall and listen to the paralytic's prayer that morning. Maybe it went something like, "Please Lord, I can deal with my disability, but this guilt is eating me alive!" We really don't know. The scriptures don't tell us.
We are given better insight into the woman with the issue of blood. She had been battling this problem for 12 years. She thinks if she can just get close enough to touch the border or "wing" of the prayer shawl hanging over His shoulders, then she might be healed. Ironically, the tassels hanging from this piece of apparel would be tied in knots to represent the 613 tenants of the Law of Moses--a list way too long to keep with perfection.
The Savior says, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague" (Mark 5:34).
Here we encounter a rather sloppy King James translation. The first "whole" and the second "whole" (no, this isn't golf) are not the same. The first "whole" is the Greek word "sozo" and it means to save. This should be translated as "thy faith hath saved thee." The second "whole" is the Greek word "hygies," where we get the English word "hygiene" or good health. It probably should read, "My daughter, your faith has saved you. Go your way and be of good health."
PERSONAL APPLICATIONS:
1. Are my personal prayers getting through the roof?
2. Is my faith diminished when I don't get what I ask for in my morning laundry list?
3. Am I seeking real salvation and a change of heart or just good hygiene?
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Matthew 6: "Consider the Lilies of the Field"
The Savior speaks of the growth and raiment of "the lilies of the field." The word raiment is translated from "endyma" where we get the word "endowment." Jesus said, "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Matthew 6:28-29).
Could the Lord be speaking of Solomon's Temple and its lily work on the tops of the pillars in the porch of the temple, and the "molten sea" with lilies around the brim? (1 Kings 7:22-26). The symbolism of lilies here seems to be associated with covenant making.
A certain website gives some insight into these beautiful flowers.
"History, mythology, literature, poetry and the world of art are rife with stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of the elegant white flowers. Dating back to Biblical lore, the lily is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. One of the most famous Biblical references is in the Sermon on the Mount, when Christ told his listeners: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet..... Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
"Often called the "white-robed apostles of hope," lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ's agony. Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ's sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress." (https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/lily/lily.html).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: What can I do to more fully honor baptismal and temple covenants so the grace of the Atonement of Jesus Christ can flow into my life, allowing me to grow?
Could the Lord be speaking of Solomon's Temple and its lily work on the tops of the pillars in the porch of the temple, and the "molten sea" with lilies around the brim? (1 Kings 7:22-26). The symbolism of lilies here seems to be associated with covenant making.
A certain website gives some insight into these beautiful flowers.
"History, mythology, literature, poetry and the world of art are rife with stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of the elegant white flowers. Dating back to Biblical lore, the lily is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. One of the most famous Biblical references is in the Sermon on the Mount, when Christ told his listeners: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet..... Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
"Often called the "white-robed apostles of hope," lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ's agony. Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ's sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress." (https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/lily/lily.html).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: What can I do to more fully honor baptismal and temple covenants so the grace of the Atonement of Jesus Christ can flow into my life, allowing me to grow?
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