Day 33 ~ Angel of the Lord (Exodus 3:2)

Angels. We live in a very pro-angel society. We're angel obsessed. We're angel crazy. We've even been "Touched by an Angel." What do you think of when you hear the word "Angels"? Do you think of Clarence getting his wings? How about Monica explaining patiently that God loves us and has a plan for our lives. Have you heard the stories about the sudden appearance of three strangers who arrive just in time to help a church leader meet an important appointment. Were they Nephite disciples? What do we really know about angels? What is the truth about angels? Do we have it right?

Jesus is known as the Angel of the Lord. It makes perfect sense as the word angel means "messenger." As the "messenger of Jehovah" Christ has pre-incarnationly appeared to His prophets and brought them the good messages of the gospel as well as warnings to those who would not heed the commands of God. After His resurrection He appeared to John as the Angel of the Lord.

One of the most important duties of angels is to give heavenly assurance of God's eternal truths. Alma taught that angels are sent by God unto men to "converse with them," that they may "behold of His glory" (Alma 12:29). In Moroni 7:22, Mormon writes to his son that Angels are sent to "minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ, and in Christ should come every good thing." He continues in verse 25 that by the ministering of angels and by the word of God, "men began to exercise faith in Christ." Furthermore, in verse 31 we read that in the office of their ministry, angels are to declare "the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of Him."

Certainly, if anyone comes to mind as a chosen vessel of the Lord it would be Mary, the mother of Jesus. She received the visit of an angel. An angel named Gabriel,"that stand(s) in the presence of God, and am sent to speak unto thee and to show thee these glad tidings" (Luke 1:19). He declared unto her "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:31-33). Gabriel declared the good word unto Mary and Joseph. He also declared unto Zacharias and Elisabeth that their son John would be the Messiah's forerunner. What a glorious and wonderful mission entrusted to Gabriel! He will forever be known as the harbinger of the good news; a messenger of the advent of the birth of Christ, and the coming of God in the flesh.

We may think of Gabriel when we think of Angels at Christmas time. But perhaps we more readily think of another manifestation of angels during that blessed season; the angels singing to the Father's glory on that first Christmas Eve. A question could be posed here - What does God's voice sound like when He sings? Certainly He sings. Logic dictates it. His children sing. His creations sing. He surrounds himself with heavenly strains of praise. The Lord called David a man after His own heart - remember that David wrote hundreds of Psalms unto the Lord - it is not coincidental. We read that Christ sang with His disciples at the Last Supper. A song of praise is at once two prayers unto the Lord. Music has power. So perhaps the image of angels that we are most drawn to is the heavenly concert that was performed on that sweet Judean night. When angels sang the sweetest notes which were ever heard upon the earth as shepherds listened in the field. Shepherds are a strange choice of audience. They were the lowest of the caste system. Smelly, dirty, and rugged, they didn't fit into polite society. Yet God in His Grace made them "chosen vessels of the Lord", and sent angels to declare unto them the word of the coming of Messiah, the birth of Christ, the Hope of Israel. Perhaps the Father Himself joined in as the angels sang at the promised event.

Day 32 ~ Amen (Revelation 3:14)

Occasionally you come across a name that just makes you smile. The thought of parents deliberately inflicting humor upon their progeny's monikers can make you shake your head. But evidently some just can't resist. They bring home from the hospital a little bundle of joy named (and you may have to say some of these out loud) Anna Graham, Alf Abett, Oliver Sudden, Gene Poole, Paige Turner, Hugh Dunnit,, and Hugo First. There is Lou Natic and Lew Pole, Dan Gerous and Rick O'Shea. It might be cool to be Justin Credable, Justin Thyme, Claire Voyant, Jim Nastic, Iona Bigyot or Vick Tree. But you have to feel sorry for Arthur Ritus, Hal Hitosis, Lewis Morrals, Harry Mann, Wilma Cargo and Jean-Anne Tonique. Questions arise, such as, do Moira Less and Penny Less know Xavier Money and Xavier Self? Will Honour Mission could go out with Elder Berry and see Hugh Mannaty? I think my favorite is the poor kid named Juan Moment. He probably was confused every time he was in line.

These names are funny because they mean other things in our language. But there are some names that carry true English meanings in and of themselves. We have Faith, Hope and Charity. Amber, April, Patience, and Joy. It seems to be mostly a girl thing. But we do have a boy in our church ward named Courage. I have an ancestor with the unfortunate name of Hateevil. But most of the names we use are borrowed from other languages and new parents search baby books to find a good name with special meaning to give their new baby.

As we have studied the names and titles of Christ, we have often explored the various meanings of those names in the original languages. I know that some have gone screaming into the night "AHHHH, HE'S QUOTING THE HEBREW AGAIN!!!!" But there are insights to be gleaned as we look and see why the translators would have chosen certain words as they struggled to interpret the text. Hebrew is a very expressive language. Names are very important in Hebrew. Richard Kirkham in his article "What's in a Name" explains "because Hebrew names always have significance, their meanings are often wasted on the Anglo reader who causally reads the scriptures with no familiarity of the ancient language. A little knowledge of Hebrew often can help us gain greater insight to situations in the scriptures." With that in mind he took the names of the antediluvian fathers and strung their names together. Taking the English meanings from the names he came up with a sentence "Mankind (has) fallen! Mortal man (is) possessed. What? Praise! God came down (as) the dedicated one! (His) death sends powerful rest!" Is it actually an intended occurrence, or just coincidence? I don't know. It does seem rather cool. And it works.

With that in mind, we should look at what is meant when the Lord takes a name for Himself.

In Revelation 3:14 He calls Himself "the Amen." Amen is a form of the word Emunah - faith or belief. Amen really doesn't mean the end, though colloquially we have made it that. Whenever we respond amen to a prayer or statement it means that we believe or have faith that what was said is right. Amen became a legally binding word of agreement as the Law was read to the children of Israel. The Hebrew root [ahman] means to be firm and permanent, and thus true or faithful. It is conceptually related to "I Am." We find Ahman as one of Christ's titles in D&C 78:20: "Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ahman."

Amen is also an acronym. It is the first letter of each word taken in the phrase "God is a true and faithful king" (Aiy'l Melech Ne-eman). Jewish Law teaches that an individual should say these three words before reciting the Shema if praying alone. One Jewish source says there are "three concepts ... ensconced in the word Amen. The Hebrew word Aiy'l represents God's trait of kindliness with which He created the world. Melech: He is our King due to the Torah we have received from Him. And Ne-eman: He is faithful and will one day reveal His grandeur to the world and bring redemption to all mankind."

Day 31 ~ The True Vine (John 15:1)

On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus gathered His disciples around Him teaching deep doctrine. Perhaps the disciples did not quite understand the promises that Jesus was making to them. But one thing is for certain, He left no doubt that if they were faithful God would accomplish His purposes through them, and in return they would have His presence with them. Calling Himself the True Vine Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned" (John 15:4-6).

Not far from the Upper Room there was another place where men of God were to bear fruit. The problem was they no longer drew sustenance from the True Vine. They had corrupted the temple of God and used it for their profit. Outwardly the Priests followed the Law of Moses. They could explain that people needed to buy animals suitable for temple sacrifice at the temple, because it was too far to transport the animals themselves. Plus, having sacrificial animals already at the temple saved valuable time because the priests need not examine outside animals for marks or blemishes. The animals at the temple were pre-approved – and priced for maximum profit.

Also there were men who were exchanging money in the temple courtyards. They were cheating the people. All Jews 20 years and older were to pay a temple tax annually. The coinage paid was to be of a high quality of silver and temple coinage was minted just for such requirements. People coming from long distances would need to convert their homeland currency for the right temple coinage. Moneychangers were lawfully needed, but they were taking advantage by charging exorbitant fees for the exchange, as well as cheating people in the exchange rate itself.

While in Jerusalem, Jesus cleansed the temple. And He "found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables. And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (John 2:14-17).

But there was one other thing that probably burned Jesus up more than those already mentioned. The place where all of the commerce and wheeling and dealing was going on was in the outer courts, called the Court of the Gentiles. That was where the gentiles were allowed to go and worship the True God. Isaiah 56:6-7 says "the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people."

How could a gentile come to the temple to serve the LORD, to make joyful sacrifice and to pray, if they were brought to a place like the Chicago stockyards and Wall Street put together? Temples must be places of quiet and reverence while we are there or we never feel the Spirit or have communion with Heavenly Father. Perhaps most irritating to Jesus was that the children of Abraham, who were to be a light and a blessing to the world, were arrogantly polluting the place of worship of the gentiles, and even getting rich off of it. The Jews would never have dreamed of doing such things in their own courts inside the Ballistrade where the Gentile could not pass.

36 years later, the great temple and those who had ceased to abide in God were cast off like a dry branch and thrown into the fire of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem.

Day 30 ~ Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)

After Jesus had resurrected He went to His disciples. He left no doubt in their minds that He was the Lord. He let them feel the prints of the nails, and the wound in His side. He did many signs and miracles and the disciples had no cause to disbelieve any of His words. They knew without a doubt who He was. But they were ships without a rudder. After three years of walking with the Lord it had climaxed in the greatest miracle of all. So, now what? Where should they go from here? It is easy to imagine Peter would feel the greatest sense of loss of purpose. Maybe he carried the greatest guilt. Jesus was about to solve both problems.

Peter declared he was going fishing. He was going back to the life he knew. James, John, and four others went with him. The night was fruitless, they caught nothing. At dawn they spied a man on the shore. The man asked if they had caught anything. They did not. So the man said to them, cast on the right side, and ye shall find. On the right side they caught so many fish they could not haul it in. A lightbulb went off in their heads – they had seen this before (Luke 5:4-7). John announced to Peter, "It is the Lord." Peter dove in and swam to Jesus. The Lord already had coals glowing and fish cooking. The rest of the story is in John 21:15-17.

Verse 15 - "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" The word Jesus uses for love is the word agapao {ag-ap-ah'-o}. It is a form of the word agape or charity, the pure love of Christ. It is the highest form of love. Christ is asking Peter if he loves him with that highest form more than anything else. Peter's response is measured and deliberate. "He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." The word Peter uses for love is not agapao. Peter uses the word phileo {fil-eh'-o}. It is fondness, or liking, the brotherly love. From it we get the word Philadelphia - the city of brotherly love. Jesus doesn't respond to it. "He saith unto him, Feed my lambs."

Verse 16 - "He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest (agapao) thou me?" The question is deliberate, obviously born of Peter's first response. Again the word is agapao. All references to other things are left out. It is an interview question from the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." There is no doubt what Jesus is asking Peter. But Peter won't say it. He cannot go where Jesus wants him to go. Peter "saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (phileo) thee." Jesus says to him, "Feed my sheep."

Verse 17 - Twice asked, twice responded, the Lord "saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest (phileo) thou me?" Peter has refused to acknowledge the agapao Jesus has asked for the first two times. So the Lord asks for confirmation of the form of love Peter has already expressed. Peter picks up on the Lord's asking about the lesser form of love and "Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest (phileo) thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love (phileo) thee." Peter appeals to Christ's omniscience, it is a careful answer. It seems to matter little for again "Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."

It is almost impossible to know exactly what transpired between Jesus and Peter in their conversation on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. They had their own relationship and it is hard for others to understand the dynamics of any relationship. The placement of the verbs for love in the narrative show a deliberate pattern on John's part as he witnessed the dialogue and certainly would have conversed with Peter about it as they were companions for many travels. But one thing Christ made certain – no matter what your relationship with Him, whether that relationship be at the beginning and still weak, or perhaps He has become your "magnificent obsession" – His command is the same "feed my sheep." All of us will be called to positions of leadership and service and all of us will have to report to the Chief Shepherd and give account of how we cared for His flock.

Day 29 ~ Friend (John 15:15)

Moses 1:39 says, "For behold, this is my work and glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Heavenly Father could have said this. But this is Jehovah (Jesus Christ). He's speaking as if he is Heavenly Father. It's called Divine Investiture of Authority. Jesus is a partner in the work. He is obedient to the Father's will in all things. But He is more than just obedient. He has with all of His heart and soul made it His own work. He's a partner in the family business.

One day I sat across from a boss asking for a raise. He looked at me and said, "All right, but I'll have to pray about it first, because I don't do anything unless the Lord tells me to do it." My first inclination was to quote, "behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant" (D&C 58:26). But I figured that would pretty much shoot down my chances for that raise. It did make me think. It is easy to wait to be commanded. It is harder to take initiative and do the right thing without being told.

Somebody wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, but sometimes I wonder what He can do through me." Jesus told the twelve "I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:15). In other words, you know the goal, you know the plan, work with Me and not just for Me. When we become a friend of Christ, we take on responsibility to do what is right. We're not waiting to be commanded in everything, but take the initiative for ourselves to do the things that we know to do. We help the work along. Now that doesn't mean that we don't check in, we don't pray, we don't ask for inspiration, and we never go against the Lord's direction in our own wisdom. But we're not just sitting around waiting to be told what to do. "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:23:24). Abraham knew what the Lord had in mind for his family, and he tried to bring about that purpose. Many people blame Abraham for the way the world is today. If he hadn't had Ishmael there would be peace in Middle East. But Abraham receives no condemnation from the Lord. In fact, it seems that because of Abraham's efforts the Lord drew closer and closer to him.

We need to use the gifts that God has given us. We all have areas where we can contribute as well as and often better than those around us. These talents are given to help each other, to build community and to honor God. There is one very important caveat. We should never become swelled up in our own pride. Jesus let the disciples baptize and teach and heal. He didn't always do it Himself, even though He could have done everything infinitely better. A wise friend of Christ is alert to where he can help others grow and not seek to be "seen of men."

Sometimes when we magnify our talents others may become irritated by us. Laman was offended by Nephi's righteousness and his gifts. Even our good brothers and sisters in the gospel may become offended when we seem to be hogging the spiritual spotlight. Neal A. Maxwell taught that because "others may be so offended is not reason for us to reduce such righteousness as we have, of course, but awareness of this irony is a reminder for us to be sensitive to the needs and feelings of others who can be greatly inflamed with resentment."

Aristides was one of Athens leading citizens. As he was walking the streets one day he came across an illiterate citizen with an ostrakon. An ostrakon was a petition that if signed by enough Athenians could get another citizen banished. Aristides asked the man if he needed help filling out the ostrakon. He did. What citizen did he want banished? The man not knowing to whom he spoke replied, "that Aristides." Surprised, but without revealing himself, Aristides asked why. Because the man had grown sick and tired of hearing about the "noble" and "great" Aristides.

Be a friend of Christ, grow up and share the work. Be sensitive and wise. Jesus was.

Day 28 ~ The Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45)

When God created man in the garden he named him Adam which means mankind. All through the Garden experience the word is mankind. It is our story. When Adam is cast out a definite article is placed before his name – he becomes "the Adam" or just one man – it is now his story. He becomes an individual. But all that happens to him in Eden is what happens to mankind. We are inseparably connected to those events as if they are our own. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." The shared fate of the fall is overcome as we will share a resurrection. Christ becomes another Adam for all of us. We will share the resurrection and it will be our own. All of us partake. We are family. We belong together.

When I was in seminary we studied JST Matthew 5:24 "Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, or Rabcha, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hellfire." Our manuals said that Raca is an untranslatable Hebrew profanity. "Really?" went my teenage mind. How can it be untranslatable? Wonder what the word really means? So I explored. Raca is an Aramaic word which basically means "fool." In the next line of the text also reads "fool" but it is not Raca, it is the Greek word moros. Both words basically mean the same thing. Just that to the Jews, Raca was "the bad word," a public indecency. But they would say the Greek word because it did not carry the shock value of a profanity.

Obviously, Jesus is teaching that the intent of the heart is as important as the choice of words we use. This is good doctrine. But it didn't seem exactly complete to me. An untranslatable Hebrew profanity - so easily rendered "Fool"? And didn't Jesus himself call the Pharisees and Sadducees "Fools"? So I sought out the meaning of Raca. Bruce R. McConkie said it means empty. Prof. Nibley said it means curse you. Other commentaries were equally unsatisfying. I decided to go to those who make a lifetime study of the ancient languages. When I read their translation I believe that I audibly gasped. I knew this word Raca. I was as familiar with its meaning as if I had been a Judean. Raca is not so much an intellectual insult as a social one. It has the connotation of being without God. It means "a worthless person with no legitimate connections to others." It is the word that the devil hurls at us in our moments of weakness. He longs to convince us that we are Raca.

Remember the infamous position of court jester in histories of old? He was the official fool of the palace. He was the pet of the king and lived and served at the pleasure of the Sire. The fool's lot was often to entertain and amuse a cruel streak in the King – usually in degrading and humiliating ways. And if he displeased the king then he could be whipped and no one protested. He could be maimed and crippled in torture and no mother would seek redress. Why, he could even be killed and no family would seek justice or vow revenge for his death. Nobody would reprove or even care. He was just a fool - he was a worthless person, and he had no legal relationship to anyone of any worth. Royalty did not serve as Court Jesters. The children of Kings were sometimes foolish but they did not serve as fools. They were never considered as the ancient term "Raca."

No wonder the Lord hates this word. It is an insult to His children, and an insult to Him. It is a mockery of the divine nature. It denies the realities of Heaven's greatest truths. We alone can make ourselves Raca. We alone can separate ourselves from the love of God.

The devil is a liar from the beginning. To heed the accusation of Raca is to partake of the spirit of darkness and of those who love or make a lie. Raca makes foolish the Plan of our Father in Heaven whose Work and Glory is our immortality and eternal life. Raca makes a mockery of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This surely was one of the cruel barbs Satan hurled at Christ upon the cross - "why are you suffering like this for these worthless ones? They are not worth the price. They are Raca." But Christ knows our worth. And by the Gift of the Holy Ghost we learn our true worth, we know our identity and to whom we belong. We are family. We belong together.

Day 27 ~ Redeemer (Doctrine & Covenants 31:13)

A prince lived in splendor and love in the kingdom of his Father. All things were before him, but the prince had no way to appreciate all that he beheld for he had never known want, pain or loss. The prince did know that he wanted to be like his Father who was a great and mighty King. So he went out into the world to seek an education and to gain experience.

The prince was quickly overwhelmed by all the new sensations and choices of the world. He quickly forgot his Father and the splendor of the kingdom from which he came. It was not long before he felt like this new world was his real home. The prince did not know that his Father was always watching over him and standing by ready to respond should the prince remember to call upon Him. Nevertheless, this was the prince's journey, and the King let his child decide for himself what he would do. Bad choice followed bad choice and soon the prince was in misery and despair, he found no happiness in pleasure, nor fulfillment in his pursuits. He found himself enslaved.

The King sought to call back the prince (and all of His children) who had gone out into the world. So He sent out His Eldest Son, the Heir, with an invitation for His children to come home for a great feast. None could respond to the invitation. They had all forgotten. And they had all incurred debts which enslaved them in chains of captivity. Because He loved them, the Heir, at great cost to Himself, paid the debts of all His brethren in bondage. He called upon them to come home. But most still would not. They had forgotten.

When the prince heard of his Father's invitation, he was doubtful and suspicious. But he could not help himself and he would go to the gates of the palace and watch. He dare not go too close to the gates. He was aware of his shabby clothing and his filthy state. He did not remember he belonged there. And his debtor had not told him his debt was paid. He just knew that he was unworthy.

One day he decided that he would come closer to the gate. He humbly approached. As he came near he began to lose his nerve and he turned to go. Just then the gate opened, and his Brother, the Heir, called out to him. The Heir embraced His brother and wept with joy. The Heir took his brother into the palace and washed him and bound up the wounds and sores incurred in his journeys. Then He dressed him in the most splendid robes, and took him to the great hall. When the prince entered the great hall he saw his Father the king. All of his memory came back to him and he was filled with love and joy as he embraced his true family. He was restored. Gratitude and love for his Eldest Brother filled his heart and he adored and worshiped Him forever after.

The Old Testament prophets came to see Jehovah in the light of the social laws of Israel. In that law was the condition that if a man or family lost its possessions or inheritance than a brother, uncle, cousin or some near relative could come forward and stand up for them. This relative could ransom family members from slavery or bondage. He could redeem the original property inheritance and restore the unity and integrity of the family or tribe. This savior of the family was called the go'el or "next kinsman." It was important that the go'el be a family member for only a family member had the right to restore a lost inheritance for the family unit. The go'el was the "kinsman-redeemer."

When the prophets began applying the term go'el to the Lord they understood that the LORD was indeed our kinsman. Jesus is related to us. He is our Brother in the spirit, a kinsman by blood through Abraham, and He has adopted us spiritually. He has every right to function as our Kinsman-Redeemer and rescue us from sin and death. Far from being a remote and distant God, He is our Captain, and the Head of our household. As our Redeemer, He brings us home, restores our inheritance and clothes us in the robes of His righteousness (which is good, because if we were clothed in the robes of our own righteousness we would be arrested for indecent exposure). Christ upholds the creations of His hands, the integrity of His kingdom and the dignity of His family.