Ted Gibbons' Notes on NT Lesson 3

AND THE CHILD GREW, AND WAXED STRONG IN SPIRIT
(LUKE 2:40)
READING: Luke 2; Matt 1; D&C 96:12-18; Matthew 3:24-26 JST [1]

1.       THE RESPONSES OF VARIOUS PEOPLE TO THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOR TEACH US HOW WE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT RESPOND TO HIM IN OUR OWN LIVES

The scriptures offer substantial evidence that the Father made great effort to let people know of the arrival and the mission of the Messiah, so that they would be prepared to receive him when he came. Read the following verses and ponder the effort the Father made to inform people of the impending birth of the Son of God:

a. Matt 2:2,3
b. Luke 1:65, 66
c. Luke 2:17
d. Luke 2:38

Each of the following was in some way involved with the events surrounding the birth of the Savior. Their responses give us a dramatic insight into the proper response to the Savior as he seeks to become a part of our life, our family, our culture. Match each of the following individuals with the correct response.

A. Wise Man (Matt. 2:1-12)

B. Elisabeth (Luke 1:39-45)

C. An angel (Luke 2:13,14)

D. Anna (Luke 2:36-38)

E. Herod (Matt. 2:3, 16-18

F. Shepherd (Luke 2:8-20)

G. Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)

H. Person at the inns (Luke 2:7. In the JST, this verse reads as follows: "And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was none to give room for them in the inns.")

I.                    Heavenly Host (Luke 2:13-14)

1.       ____I rejoiced, even at the visit of his mother?

2.       ____As soon as I heard the news, I came with haste to see him and then spread the word.

3.       ____I traveled a great distance with gifts for him, and fell down and worshiped him.

4.       ____I gave thanks and spoke of him to all.

5.       ____I took him in my arms and felt that I could now die in peace for I had seen him.

6.       ____I felt threatened at his coming and tried to kill him

7.       ____I burst suddenly into song and praised God for the gift of his son.

8.       ____I did not want to make room.

The correct answers for this exercise are given at the end of this article.

As you consider the various reactions to the birth of the Redeemer of the world by those who were in the neighborhood, consider, these questions as you evaluate your own response to him.

*Can you give an illustration of the joy that has come into your life because of the Savior?

*What gifts should you bring? How far should you be willing to go to worship the Savior? (See Alma 22:18)

*Who are the people that you should be telling about the Savior in the way that the shepherds and Anna made known their own experiences? Who in your family and neighborhood needs to hear your testimony? Review Elder Eyring's conference talk given in October, 1998.

*How can you glorify, praise, and give thanks to God for the gift of his Son? Mosiah 2:17, 19, 20, 22 suggests that there are only three things we can do to show our gratitude and praise: service, thanks, and obedience.

*How important was it in Simeon's life to "see" the Savior? What lesson can you learn from the record of his encounter with the Christ child? Look at Moses 6:26 and Alma 33:19-21.

Some did not greet the Savior's birth with the same joy as these we have discussed.

*Herod felt threatened by the coming of the Savior. How are people today threatened by him and his commandments? What might even supposedly faithful people do to avoid having to change their lives because of him and his requirements?

*In what ways do people today refuse "to give room for [him]" in their lives? Are there events or circumstances in your life when you are reluctant to make room for him, to accept his presence or guidance? Are you making sufficient room for prayer, fasting, study, meetings, repentance?

*Many years ago, I visited Bethlehem, and on a quiet summer evening, I visited the hills around Bethlehem with several friends. We watched small flocks of sheep in the area and observed Bethlehem as the sun set and the lights of the city began to blink on. We sang Christmas songs and recited the story of his birth from the Holy Scriptures. And the Spirit seemed to whisper, "You have been here before." How do you think you responded to the birth of the Savior in the pre-mortal world? How did the "multitude of the heavenly host" respond to this wonderful event? We do not know what the pre-mortal spirits were doing at the time of his birth, but if a choice was offered us, what would you have been doing on that holy night?

In our own lives we should demonstrate all of the responses of those that loved the Lord.

9.       THE YOUTH OF THE SAVIOR TEACHES US THE WAYS IN WHICH WE SHOULD DEVELOP

·         Ponder the following verses teach about the youth of the Savior.

a.       (Luke 2:40) What happened to the child as he grew? What activities would the Savior have participated in as a youth that helped him "wax strong in spirit [and be] filled with wisdom?" (The Savior spent much time studying the scriptures. This is demonstrated by the number of times he quoted from many different books in the Old Testament. His teachings throughout his life demonstrate that he was a careful observer of the natural world around him. He spoke of the lilies and the sparrows; he spoke of farmers and fishermen. His parables and sermons show a deep insight into human nature that could only have come with careful observation and inspiration.

b.       (Luke 2:41-50) What does the experience of Jesus in the temple with the doctors teach us about his youth and training? Why were those who heard his comments and questions astonished at his understanding?

Joseph Smith taught:

When still a boy, he had all the intelligence necessary to enable him to rule the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom he possessed; but he was a boy only, and lacked physical strength even to defend his own person; and was subject to cold, to hunger, and to death." (Teachings, p. 392)

·         In response to the concerns of Mary and Joseph, what did Jesus say? (Luke 2:49) What does his response tell us about the Savior as a young man? Jesus was not reproving his parents for searching for him, but was surprised that they did not know exactly where to find him. The
first place they should have looked was in the Temple, where he could be "about his Father's business."

·         * If you are a parent, and did not know where your child was for three days, where are the places you would look? Would you be confident that you would find him or her doing the things your Father in Heaven wanted? Share with your children this sweet insight into the character of the Savior. How wonderful it is for a parent to be able to say, "I do now know where my child is, but I do know that whatever he or she is doing is all right."

·         * Even with his superior knowledge, what was the Savior's relationship with his parents? (Luke 2:51) What lesson should we learn from this example of the Savior? The JST provides additional insight into the early years of the Savior's life. What do we learn from Matthew 3:24-26 JST about the family life of the Savior? 

·         Matthew 3:24-26 JST
24 And it came to pass that Jesus grew up with his brethren, and waxed strong, and waited upon the Lord for the time of his ministry to come.
25 And he served under his father, and he spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him.
26 And after many years, the hour of his ministry drew nigh.

* (Luke 2:52) In what four ways did the Savior develop. What could you be doing in order to grow in each of these areas? Why are all of them important?) For a superb discussion of these for areas of growth, review the article by President Benson in the Ensign, September 1988, pp. 4-6.)

* In his preparation to become the Redeemer of the world, the Savior did not receive all the necessary intelligence, power, wisdom, and glory at once. According to D&C 93:26-28, how did the Savior acquire a "fullness of the glory of the Father?" (He received "grace for grace.") How did John, in D&C 93:12-14 emphasize this truth? What is the meaning of receiving "grace for grace"? What clues to the preparation of the Savior do you find in the following verses?

a. John 5:19, 20
b. John 8:26-29, 38
c. John 12:49, 50

* How does D&C 93:19, 20 apply this truth about the youth of the Savior to all of us?

3. THE FATHER PERSONALLY PREPARED THE SAVIOR FOR HIS GREAT MISSION

* Matt 3:25 JST indicates that Jesus "needed not that any man should teach him." Why do you think this is so? What do the following statements made by the Savior himself indicate about who taught him and the manner in which he was taught and prepared for his mission?

a. John 5:19, 20

b. John 8:26-29, 38

c. John 12:49, 50

* What effort do you think was required of the Savior to be taught by the Father in this manner? (This kind of communication does not come without great personal effort. The Savior's practice during his ministry of frequent personal prayers alone, and often all night, indicates the personal preparation that would have been required during his youth. See Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:18, 28; Luke 11:1)

CONCLUSION: "After many years, the hour of his ministry drew nigh" (Matt. 3:26 JST). When the hour came for the Savior to begin his ministry, the Father himself offered this evaluation of the first 30 years of Jesus' life. (Luke 3:22) "Thou are my beloved son; in thee I am well pleased." Try to apply the patterns of the Savior's development to your own life so that one day the Father will be able to say the same thing about you.

ADDITIONAL INSIGHT

Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote this of the boyhood of Jesus:

He was as much the product of the mother who bare him as were her other children. As a babe he began to grow, normally and naturally, and there was nothing supernatural about it. He learned to crawl, to walk, to run. He spoke his first word, cut his first tooth, took his first step--the same as other children do. He learned to speak; he played with toys like those of his brothers and sisters; and he played with them and with the neighbor children. He went to sleep at night and he awoke with the morning light . . . .

He learned to speak, to read, to write; he memorized passages of scripture, and he pondered their deep and hidden meanings. He was taught in the home by Mary, and then by Joseph, as was the custom of the day. Jewish traditions and the provisions of the Torah were discussed daily in his presence. He learned the Schema, reverenced the Mezuzah, and participated in prayers, morning, noon, and night. Beginning at five or six he went to school, and certainly continued to do so until he became a son of the law at twelve years of age . . . .

It is also apparent that Jesus learned much from nature—from observing the lilies of the field, the birds of the air, and the foxes that have holes for homes . . . .

Further: in his study, and in the learning process, he was guided from on high in way that none other has never been. (Bruce R, McConkie: The Mortal Messiah: 1:368-369.)

MATCHING ANSWERS: A > 3; B > 1; C > 7; D > 4; E > 6; F > 2; G > 5; H > 8

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[1] Ted Gibbons (WWW 1^st Ward Gospel Doctrine Instructor): Ted Gibbons Ted was born in Logan, Utah and grew up there. This is a fact of no small significance since there was substantial speculation that he would never grow up. His continuing efforts to remodel his anatomy enabled him to interact on a first-name basis with a significant percentage of the hospital staff. There was some talk of naming a wing of the Logan Regional Medical Center in his honor. He was the proud if unwilling recipient of enough surgical silk to tie a bow around Baltimore, however, rumors to the contrary notwithstanding, there are several bones in his body that have not been broken.

He first made the papers when he was a week less than eight and rode his bike off a cliff, landing face-first on a newly graveled and tarred road. The reporter who wrote of the mishap was unaware of the bear that had chased him up the tree in Yellowstone the summer before, and of the cat, pursued by his dog, Sparky that with claws extended in defense climbed up his chest and sat on his head.

He served a mission in South America before graduating from Utah State University. He completed graduate work at Arizona State and at Brigham Young University. On one or two occasions he came very close to actually learning something worthwhile.

He married the most beautiful woman who ever lived in Pickelville, Utah. Her name is Lydia. He here and in print covenants never to take that name in vain, for she is the best thing that ever happened to him. Ted and Lydia are the parents of ten children, all of them girls except seven. He has been employed as a teacher and administrator by the Church Educational System for the past twenty-six years. This is the only organization he has found that is willing to pay him for doing something he would do quite happily for free.

He is the published author of numerous articles and some poetry, and several books of history and fiction. Some of his books have sold as many as fourteen or fifteen copies. He has written the lyrics for a number of musical pieces, including some performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in recent years. His photos have appeared as a series of fine art prints, and on the covers of books, magazines, musical productions, and in strategic places in several family photo albums.