"Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23).
The Hebrew word for bosom cheyq includes the arms as well as the breast and suggests an embrace. The Hebrew root means to enclose. The beloved disciple receives an embrace from the Savior. John does not name himself here as is often the case. That's because this is not meant to be an experience unique to John. Rather it's something we all may someday experience through gospel ordinances.
Remember, the Lord has just washed the feet of His disciples. He then poses the question: "Know ye what I have done to you?" I strongly feel this is much more than merely setting an example of serving one another (although it's a good start). These ordinances of the gospel allow us to feel the love of our Savior Jesus Christ.
PERSONAL APPLICATION: Through gospel ordinances "I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 1:15).
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
John 7: "Out of His Belly"
The Savior takes advantage of the two biggest ceremonies of The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): the water libation on the altar creating a river of water running down the steps of the temple and the golden candelabra lighting the streets of Jerusalem.
He stands and declares, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). The Greek word for belly here is koilia and is the same word used in John 3 for womb. Lost in the translation is the fact that the pronoun his is reflexive and refers to the previous pronoun me. Thus, it's likely the Savior's belly (or womb) and not the believer spoken of.
This image of watery Spirit clarified in the next verse, running out of the Savior's belly, or womb, is a clear representation of spiritual rebirth, or being born of the Spirit. The detailed explanation can be found in the Book of Mormon:
"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you" (Mosiah 5:7).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: A Christ-centered life will allow each of us to become a spiritually begotten son or daughter of God.
He stands and declares, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). The Greek word for belly here is koilia and is the same word used in John 3 for womb. Lost in the translation is the fact that the pronoun his is reflexive and refers to the previous pronoun me. Thus, it's likely the Savior's belly (or womb) and not the believer spoken of.
This image of watery Spirit clarified in the next verse, running out of the Savior's belly, or womb, is a clear representation of spiritual rebirth, or being born of the Spirit. The detailed explanation can be found in the Book of Mormon:
"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you" (Mosiah 5:7).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: A Christ-centered life will allow each of us to become a spiritually begotten son or daughter of God.
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