Mark and Mark and Luke 1-14Luke 1-14

MarkMarkA Jew writing to the Gentiles!A Jew writing to the Gentiles!

Mark was a scribe for Peter and a missionary Mark was a scribe for Peter and a missionary companion for Paul.companion for Paul.

Material exclusive to MarkMaterial exclusive to Mark::

1.1. One parable - One parable - Mark 4:26-28Mark 4:26-28

““Preach the Gospel” (It’s a simple Preach the Gospel” (It’s a simple analogy!)analogy!)

Suppose Peter had not left his Suppose Peter had not left his nets “straightway?” (Mark 1:18) nets “straightway?” (Mark 1:18) He might have become the He might have become the respected president of the local respected president of the local Galilean fishermen’s association. Galilean fishermen’s association. But he would not have been on But he would not have been on the Mount of Transfiguration the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus, Moses, and Elias and with Jesus, Moses, and Elias and heard the voice of God (Neal A. heard the voice of God (Neal A. Maxwell, Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, May 1985, 72)., May 1985, 72).

Mark 1:35Mark 1:35 ““A Solitary PlaceA Solitary Place””

Elder Boyd K. Packer commented on the Elder Boyd K. Packer commented on the example set by the Savior:example set by the Savior:

““I have learned that the best time to wrestle I have learned that the best time to wrestle with major problems is early in the morningwith major problems is early in the morning. . Our minds are fresh and alert. The blackboards Our minds are fresh and alert. The blackboards of our minds have been erased by a good of our minds have been erased by a good night’s sleep. The accumulated distractions of night’s sleep. The accumulated distractions of the day are not in our way. Our bodies have the day are not in our way. Our bodies have been rested also. That is the time to think been rested also. That is the time to think something through carefully and to receive something through carefully and to receive personal revelation…personal revelation…

““I heard President Harold B. Lee I heard President Harold B. Lee begin many a statement about begin many a statement about matters involving revelation with matters involving revelation with an expression something like this, an expression something like this, ‘‘In the early hours of the morningIn the early hours of the morning, , while I was pondering upon that while I was pondering upon that subject…’ He made it a practice to subject…’ He made it a practice to work in the fresh, alert hours of work in the fresh, alert hours of the early morning on the problems the early morning on the problems that required revelation (that required revelation (D&C D&C 88:12488:124, , Teach Ye DiligentlyTeach Ye Diligently, 1975, , 1975, 204-5).204-5).

Mark 6:3Mark 6:3 Jesus Christ Brothers and SistersJesus Christ Brothers and Sisters

James, Joses, Juda, Simon and his sisters!James, Joses, Juda, Simon and his sisters!

Mark 8:34Mark 8:34

Deny himself and take up His Deny himself and take up His cross!cross!

When, for the moment, we ourselves When, for the moment, we ourselves are not being stretched on our are not being stretched on our particular cross, we ought to be at the particular cross, we ought to be at the foot of someone else’s --- full of foot of someone else’s --- full of empathy and proffering spiritual empathy and proffering spiritual refreshment (Neal A. Maxwell, refreshment (Neal A. Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, , May 1990, 34).May 1990, 34).

Mark 10:21Mark 10:21

Commendable generosity in one thing Commendable generosity in one thing does not reduce our accountability for does not reduce our accountability for smallness of soul in another. Remember smallness of soul in another. Remember “one thing thou lackest” (Neal A. “one thing thou lackest” (Neal A. Maxwell, Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of LifeA Wonderful Flood of Life, 104)., 104).

Other unique insightsOther unique insights::

Mark 14:33Mark 14:33 “Sore amazed and very “Sore amazed and very heavy” heavy”

““Terrified and Terrified and affrighted!”affrighted!”

Luke 22:43Luke 22:43

It appeared to be worse than even He It appeared to be worse than even He imagined it would be!imagined it would be!

Mark 14:36Mark 14:36

““Abba” means “daddy” or “papa” in Abba” means “daddy” or “papa” in Aramaic.Aramaic.

Mark 16:17-18Mark 16:17-18 ““Drink any deadly Drink any deadly thingthing””

Mission story! (Elder Condry)Mission story! (Elder Condry)

LukeLukeA physician and companion to Paul. A physician and companion to Paul.

Not one of the twelve.Not one of the twelve.

A legal administrator who held the Melchizedek A legal administrator who held the Melchizedek Priesthood. Priesthood.

A gentile writing to gentiles.A gentile writing to gentiles.

He presented Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. He He presented Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. He seemed to intend for us to read the Book of Acts seemed to intend for us to read the Book of Acts with the book of Luke. with the book of Luke. He authored both He authored both booksbooks..

Probably never met the Lord personallyProbably never met the Lord personally..

Material exclusive to LukeMaterial exclusive to Luke Gabriel’s visit to Zacharias and to Mary Gabriel’s visit to Zacharias and to Mary

(Luke 1:11-46).(Luke 1:11-46).

Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ (Luke 1 & 2).(Luke 1 & 2).

Jesus’ circumcision, Simeon’s prophecies, Jesus’ circumcision, Simeon’s prophecies, Anna (Luke 2:21, 25-39).Anna (Luke 2:21, 25-39).

Jesus at the age of 12 in the temple (Luke Jesus at the age of 12 in the temple (Luke 2:44-51).2:44-51).

Mention of the Seventy (Luke 10:1).Mention of the Seventy (Luke 10:1).

Jesus Christ Blood Atonement (Luke Jesus Christ Blood Atonement (Luke 22:42-44).22:42-44).

Discussion with the thief, “Discussion with the thief, “Today thou Today thou shalt be with me in paradiseshalt be with me in paradise” (Luke ” (Luke 23:43). 23:43).

Joseph taught that “paradise” referred to Joseph taught that “paradise” referred to the “spirit world” (the “spirit world” (TeachingsTeachings, 309)., 309).

The Savior eating fish and honey-combs The Savior eating fish and honey-combs after His resurrection (Luke 24:42-43).after His resurrection (Luke 24:42-43).

Luke was the writer most favorable with Luke was the writer most favorable with the Gentiles. the Gentiles.

He recorded many long parables and He recorded many long parables and emphasized individual salvation. emphasized individual salvation.

He gave He gave much more attention to womenmuch more attention to women and recounted stories about them. and recounted stories about them.

Luke made more mention of prayer than Luke made more mention of prayer than the other three Gospel writersthe other three Gospel writers..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

Luke 2:7Luke 2:7

There was no room for them in There was no room for them in the inn!the inn!

Each of us is an innkeeper, and Each of us is an innkeeper, and we decide if there is room for we decide if there is room for Jesus (Neal A. Maxwell, Jesus (Neal A. Maxwell, Searching for God in AmericaSearching for God in America, , 129).129).

Luke 2:12 Luke 2:12

We sing, “The stars in the heavens We sing, “The stars in the heavens looked down where He lay.” The on-looked down where He lay.” The on-looking universe, created by Jesus looking universe, created by Jesus under the Father’s direction, contained under the Father’s direction, contained “worlds” without number” (Moses “worlds” without number” (Moses 1:33). In that sense, Christ was 1:33). In that sense, Christ was cradled not only in a manger but also cradled not only in a manger but also in the midst of His own vast creations in the midst of His own vast creations (Neal A. Maxwell, (Neal A. Maxwell, The Christmas The Christmas SceneScene, 3)., 3).

President Benson said that President Benson said that this one verse (this one verse (Luke 2:52Luke 2:52) ) “covers everything – “covers everything – physical fitness, mental [or physical fitness, mental [or intellectual fitness], social intellectual fitness], social fitness, emotional fitness, fitness, emotional fitness, and spiritual fitness” (So and spiritual fitness” (So Shall Ye Reap, 140; Shall Ye Reap, 140; TETBTETB, , 555-56).555-56).

Luke 2:52Luke 2:52““And Jesus increased in wisdom and And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.stature, and in favor with God and man.

((find a balancefind a balance!))

WisdomWisdom == mind and mind and understanding understanding

StatureStature == strong body strong body

Favor with God Favor with God == spiritualspiritual

Favor with manFavor with man = = socialsocial

There are even those who refuse to follow the There are even those who refuse to follow the Brethren because these individuals have over-Brethren because these individuals have over-identified with a single doctrine, principle, or identified with a single doctrine, principle, or practice; sadly, they exclude all other counsel, practice; sadly, they exclude all other counsel, which leads to a dangerous spiritual which leads to a dangerous spiritual imbalance. The difficulty with such individuals imbalance. The difficulty with such individuals is that they have a strange sense of is that they have a strange sense of justification about that which they are doing. justification about that which they are doing. In their intensity they lack, of course, the In their intensity they lack, of course, the spiritual symmetry that comes from pursuing, spiritual symmetry that comes from pursuing, in a balanced way, all the commandments of in a balanced way, all the commandments of God (Neal A. Maxwell, God (Neal A. Maxwell, All These Things Shall All These Things Shall Give Thee ExperienceGive Thee Experience, 111)., 111).

Pilate said of him, “Behold the man!” (John 19:5). One Pilate said of him, “Behold the man!” (John 19:5). One wonders about his emerging godhood, as he grew from wonders about his emerging godhood, as he grew from infancy to boyhood, and boyhood to manhood. What were his infancy to boyhood, and boyhood to manhood. What were his feelings? What was it like to be a God among mortals? With feelings? What was it like to be a God among mortals? With whom did he discuss his burdens? True, the bodies of other whom did he discuss his burdens? True, the bodies of other men walked by his side, but none was his intellectual and men walked by his side, but none was his intellectual and spiritual equal. None could see and feel and understand as spiritual equal. None could see and feel and understand as he saw and felt and understood. What was it like for Christ to he saw and felt and understood. What was it like for Christ to walk the dusty trails of his own creation, to see his divine walk the dusty trails of his own creation, to see his divine works through mortal eyes? When did he come to know that works through mortal eyes? When did he come to know that the birds that sang music to his ears, the flowers that scented the birds that sang music to his ears, the flowers that scented the air, the hills and valleys on which he loved to run and the air, the hills and valleys on which he loved to run and play, the sunsets and stars upon which he longed to gaze and play, the sunsets and stars upon which he longed to gaze and ponder were his creations? He was their designer, their ponder were his creations? He was their designer, their architect, their framer --- yes, their very creator. architect, their framer --- yes, their very creator.

We do not know with exactness when Christ became aware of We do not know with exactness when Christ became aware of his divine mission, but a consciousness of his godhood was his divine mission, but a consciousness of his godhood was emerging at an early age.emerging at an early age.

Luke 10:25-37Luke 10:25-37

““Parable of the Good SamaritanParable of the Good Samaritan””

Four types of peopleFour types of people::

1.1. ThievesThieves:: they take what they want.they take what they want.

2.2. Levite priestsLevite priests:: they have what they want and don’t they have what they want and don’t want to want to be be bothered. Their own laws bound them.bothered. Their own laws bound them.

3.3. Inn KeeperInn Keeper:: I’ll help you if you pay me.I’ll help you if you pay me.

4.4. SamaritanSamaritan:: Everything is God’s, and I will help others Everything is God’s, and I will help others every chance I get.every chance I get.

Luke 10:29Luke 10:29And who is thy NeighborAnd who is thy Neighbor??

C.S. Lewis wroteC.S. Lewis wrote::

It is a serious thing to live in a society of It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worshipstrongly tempted to worship… It is in light of … It is in light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them, that awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. politics.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan can be viewed The Parable of the Good Samaritan can be viewed as an allegory of the Fall and redemption of as an allegory of the Fall and redemption of mankind. A certain man (Adam) fell and was left mankind. A certain man (Adam) fell and was left for dead. Finally a Samaritan --- He who was for dead. Finally a Samaritan --- He who was hated of men (Christ) ---saved him (Welch, Good hated of men (Christ) ---saved him (Welch, Good Samaritan,” 41-47).Samaritan,” 41-47).

The Samaritan didn’t just bind the victim’s The Samaritan didn’t just bind the victim’s wounds and restore him to the health he had wounds and restore him to the health he had enjoyed previously. He had also took him to an enjoyed previously. He had also took him to an inn and paid additional funds for his care. Based inn and paid additional funds for his care. Based on this allegory, Christ’s redemption does not on this allegory, Christ’s redemption does not stop with restoring us to life. That is only a step stop with restoring us to life. That is only a step toward providing a better quality of life.toward providing a better quality of life.

There are no ordinary peopleThere are no ordinary people. . You You have never talked to a mere have never talked to a mere mortalmortal. Nations, cultures, arts, . Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations --- these are mortal, civilizations --- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit --- immortal… snub, and exploit --- immortal… everlasting splendors… everlasting splendors… Your Your neighbor is the holiest thing neighbor is the holiest thing presented to your sensespresented to your senses ( (The The Weight of GloryWeight of Glory, 210)., 210).

Man gives up Everest climb for rescueMan gives up Everest climb for rescue!!

Katmandu, NepalKatmandu, Nepal – Just days after a British – Just days after a British climber was left to die near Mount Summit, climber was left to die near Mount Summit, and American guide abandoned his second and American guide abandoned his second bid to stand on top of the world so he could bid to stand on top of the world so he could rescue a mountaineer mistakenly given up rescue a mountaineer mistakenly given up for dead.for dead.

Not only did Daniel Mazur not scale the Not only did Daniel Mazur not scale the world’s highest peak from the northern side, world’s highest peak from the northern side, he also failed to get his two paying clients to he also failed to get his two paying clients to the top.the top.

““It was very disappointing for me to miss It was very disappointing for me to miss my chance at the summit, but even more my chance at the summit, but even more than that I could not get my job done, than that I could not get my job done, “Mazur, of Olympia, Washington, told The “Mazur, of Olympia, Washington, told The Associated Press upon returning to Associated Press upon returning to Nepal’s capital, Katmandu, on Thursday.Nepal’s capital, Katmandu, on Thursday.

Mazur, his two clients and a Sherpa guide Mazur, his two clients and a Sherpa guide were just two hours from the 29,035 – were just two hours from the 29,035 – foot peak on the morning of May 26 when foot peak on the morning of May 26 when they came across 50 – year-old Lincoln they came across 50 – year-old Lincoln Hall, who was left a day earlier when his Hall, who was left a day earlier when his own guides believed he was dead.own guides believed he was dead.

““I was shocked to see a guy without gloves, hat, I was shocked to see a guy without gloves, hat, oxygen bottles or a sleeping bag at 28,200 feet height, oxygen bottles or a sleeping bag at 28,200 feet height, just sitting up there,” said Mazur, who scaled Everest just sitting up there,” said Mazur, who scaled Everest once before from the southern side, in 1991.once before from the southern side, in 1991.

Mazur said Hall’s first words to him were: “I imagine Mazur said Hall’s first words to him were: “I imagine you are surprised to see me here.you are surprised to see me here.

Mazure said he knew Hall was okay because he was not Mazure said he knew Hall was okay because he was not crying for help and still had a sense of humor.crying for help and still had a sense of humor.

Mazur’s team spent the next four hours pulling Hall Mazur’s team spent the next four hours pulling Hall away from the slopes, giving him oxygen, food and away from the slopes, giving him oxygen, food and liquids.liquids.

While Mazur’s team was busy assisting While Mazur’s team was busy assisting Hall, two Italian climbers walked past Hall, two Italian climbers walked past Hall and on to the summitHall and on to the summit. . When asked When asked to help, they claimed they did not to help, they claimed they did not understand Englishunderstand English. . Only later did Hall Only later did Hall learn that both Italians spoke Englishlearn that both Italians spoke English..

I don’t know why they didn’t want to I don’t know why they didn’t want to stop to help,” Mazur said. “I hope when stop to help,” Mazur said. “I hope when I am in that state, and someone passes I am in that state, and someone passes me, I hope it is someone like me.”me, I hope it is someone like me.”

Hall’s rescue came just days after David Sharp, Hall’s rescue came just days after David Sharp, 34, died May 15, about 1,000 feet from the 34, died May 15, about 1,000 feet from the descent from the summit. Dozens of people descent from the summit. Dozens of people walked right past him, unwilling to risk from the walked right past him, unwilling to risk from the ascents.ascents.

By the time some Sherpas showed up to help By the time some Sherpas showed up to help get Hall back to base camp, Mazur and his own get Hall back to base camp, Mazur and his own Sherpa were too exhausted to attempt the Sherpa were too exhausted to attempt the peak. They had no choice but to return without peak. They had no choice but to return without completing their climb.completing their climb.

““We all looked at the summit and then We all looked at the summit and then returned,” he said. “We all agreed there was returned,” he said. “We all agreed there was no other choice.”no other choice.”

But Mazur had no regrets.But Mazur had no regrets.

““Oh yeah, it was worth it,” he said. Oh yeah, it was worth it,” he said. “You can always go back to the “You can always go back to the summit but you can’t always help summit but you can’t always help one life to live. If we had left the one life to live. If we had left the man to die, that would have always man to die, that would have always been on my mind and I could not been on my mind and I could not have lived with myself” (Binaj have lived with myself” (Binaj Gurubacharya, Associated Press Gurubacharya, Associated Press Writer, Thursday June 8, 6:11 PM ET).Writer, Thursday June 8, 6:11 PM ET).

Luke 10:38-42 Luke 10:38-42 ““PrioritiesPriorities””

President David O. McKay told a story of a young man President David O. McKay told a story of a young man killed in an accident. His mother grieved intensely. She killed in an accident. His mother grieved intensely. She yearned and prayed for peace and understanding. One yearned and prayed for peace and understanding. One afternoon, as she rested while her husband was at his afternoon, as she rested while her husband was at his office fulfilling his duties as a member of the Presiding office fulfilling his duties as a member of the Presiding Bishopric her son appeared and said, “Mother, you Bishopric her son appeared and said, “Mother, you needn’t worry. That was merely an accident…my foot needn’t worry. That was merely an accident…my foot got caught in sagebrush, and I fell under the wheel. I got caught in sagebrush, and I fell under the wheel. I went to Father soon after that, but he was so busy in went to Father soon after that, but he was so busy in the office I couldn’t influence him--- the office I couldn’t influence him--- I couldn’t make any I couldn’t make any impression upon him, and I tried againimpression upon him, and I tried again. Today I came to . Today I came to you to give you that comfort and tell you that I am you to give you that comfort and tell you that I am happy” (happy” (Gospel IdealsGospel Ideals, Deseret Book Co., 1976, 525-, Deseret Book Co., 1976, 525-26).26).

Who are you more likeWho are you more like??

Mary or MarthaMary or Martha! !

(Both are outstanding!)(Both are outstanding!)

He had more to give them than they could He had more to give them than they could possibly provide for himpossibly provide for him. Mary, contemplative . Mary, contemplative and more spiritually inclined, showed of her and more spiritually inclined, showed of her detention through the service of companionship detention through the service of companionship and appreciation (and appreciation (Jesus the ChristJesus the Christ, Talmage, , Talmage, 433).433).

Ritual vs. MercyRitual vs. Mercy

Both the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Both the parable of the Good Samaritan and the story of Mary and Martha teach this principle!story of Mary and Martha teach this principle!

A few in the Church are needlessly A few in the Church are needlessly laden with programmed laden with programmed hyperactivity. They are unwisely and hyperactivity. They are unwisely and unnecessarily exceed their strength unnecessarily exceed their strength and means, running faster than they and means, running faster than they are able. Their fatiguing, Martha-like are able. Their fatiguing, Martha-like anxiety should yield more often to a anxiety should yield more often to a Mary-like sense of proportion about Mary-like sense of proportion about what matters most; then the good what matters most; then the good part will not be taken from them part will not be taken from them (Neal A. Maxwell, (Neal A. Maxwell, Men and Women of Men and Women of ChristChrist, 3)., 3).