Weekly E-mail Reminder

	HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS Lesson #08 New Testament Gospel Doctrine supplement by Daniel Rona Weekly E-mail Reminder << THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT "A MORE EXCELLENT WAY >> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (1.) Me" or "Come Unto Me?" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Most discussions of the "Beatitudes" concentrate on our "attitudes," looking inward. Let's examine the Sermon in the light of the Savior saying, "No matter who you are, rich or poor, mournful or happy, popular or persecuted, come unto me and I will give you the Holy Ghost." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (2.) Leading the Sheep Compared to Ancient Temple: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The shepherd leads, there are about a dozen lead sheep. they are the older ones from last year's flock and are marked with bells around their necks. It is common to hear the boy talk to his sheep. He calls them when it's time to move on, and the lead sheep immediately respond, ringing their bells as they run toward their shepherd. Like a wave, the rest follow. The shepherd's model is similar to an ancient biblical temple practice. For example, in the inner courtyard of the temple, the chief priest would light a fire and burn incense to signal his readiness for a sacrifice. That would alert the twelve priests in the next courtyard to wash and ready themselves. Their signal to the congregation was the ringing of bells. The multitudes would then follow the priests to participate in the ritual. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gives the Sermon on the Mount, apparently to the twelve disciples. In turn, their mission was to teach the multitudes. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (3.) A Higher Christian Guideline: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Beatitudes are often interpreted as Christian guidelines. "Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . mournful . . . meek . . . hunger and thirst after righteousness . . . merciful . . . pure in heart . . . peacemakers . . . persecuted for righteousness' sake." (Matthew 5:3-11) However, there may be more to his intention, for another rendition of this same sermon is recorded as, "Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me." (3 Nephi 12:3) In that sense, the Sermon on the Mount is inviting all people, whether rich or poor in spirit, happy or mourning, popular or  persecuted, to come unto him. He promised, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." (3 Nephi 12:6) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (4.) Touching His Garment: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Chiasmus of the Law, Moses and Pentacost: The Mosaic Law and Jesus' law form a chiasmus around his ministry and atonement. The lesser law that would lead to Him and the higher law to live like Him. Fifty days after Jesus' crucifixion at Passover, the Holy Ghost came upon the congregation in Jerusalem. The Jewish holiday commemorating the giving of the lesser law at Mount Sinai is also celebrated fifty days after Passover. Apparently, the same day was also used in giving the gift of the Holy Ghost, the higher law. The day is called Pentecost. ". . . and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost . . ." (Acts 2:1-4)
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